FY 2016 Bus Security Grants Now Available, Apply By April 25
FY 2016 Bus Security Grants Now Available, Apply By April 25
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced the availability of $3 million in intercity bus security grant funds for 2016. This latest round of security grant funding for the motorcoach industry was announced yesterday through the DHS, www.dhs.gov and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) websites. Since 2003, DHS has awarded nearly $103 million to secure motorcoach operations.
The grant program is designed to improve security for intercity bus operators and passengers by providing funding for driver/vehicle and facility security enhancements, emergency communication technology, and training. This grant funding is a direct result of ABA’s continued lobbying efforts on the Hill and with the DHS on the continuing and ongoing need for enhanced security in our industry.
This year, program eligibility has been extended to any qualified operator, including fixed route or charter service, using over-the-road buses and providing multiple trips to any of the areas defined by the DHS as Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) jurisdictions. A new jurisdiction has been added for FY 2016 – Sacramento, CA.
The FY 2016 grants will be awarded through a competitive selection process, with grant applications due by 11:59 PM ET on April 25, 2015. All funding will be awarded to selected recipients no later than September 30, 2015.
TSA will be hosting conference calls on the following dates to provide additional information (login information to follow):
Wednesday, March 16, 2016
Wednesday, March 30, 2016
Wednesday, April 13, 2016
ABA has worked hard to ensure that these funds are available to our members – in fact, during the last installment of this grant program (in FY 2015) more than 93 percent of those who were successfully awarded security grants were ABA members. We strongly encourage you to apply for these very important funds. You can also read more online by going to www.grants.gov, and typing in the CFDA number 97.057.
ABA partner and grant writing specialist Col. Mike Licata, President and Founder of C.A.T. Eyes will be leading a free webinar on Wednesday, March 9 at 1:30 pm ET. During his presentation he will help guide you through the program and the grant application process.
Click here to register for this free ABA webinar
There are also a number of registrations that you must complete in order to be able to submit your finished application. This is a multi-step application process. Start those registration processes today!
Click here to start the registration process on grants.gov.
Final grant applications must be submitted through www.portal.fema.gov/famsVuWeb/home.
Click here for additional resources on the ABA webpage.
Please contact Brandon Buchanan with any questions that you may have at (202) 218-7227.
