Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 Community Assistance Program - State Support Services Element (CAP-SSSE) - Region 3 | DHS 18 MT 023 03 02

FAQs: FY 2018 Community Assistance Program - State Support Services Element (CAP-SSSE), Region 3

What is the FY 2018 CAP-SSSE grant opportunity for Region 3?

The Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 Community Assistance Program - State Support Services Element (CAP-SSSE) for Region 3 is a FEMA funding opportunity under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. It supports state governments in strengthening how communities participate in and carry out the requirements of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

What is the main purpose of CAP-SSSE?

The core purpose is to help states provide hands-on technical assistance to local communities and to evaluate community floodplain management performance. The intent is to ensure local NFIP responsibilities are implemented correctly and consistently, which helps reduce flood losses over time and builds floodplain management capacity at both state and local levels.

Which federal agency runs this program?

The program is administered by FEMA, which is part of the Department of Homeland Security.

How does CAP-SSSE relate to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)?

CAP-SSSE is designed to strengthen community participation in the NFIP by supporting state-level activities that improve compliance, consistency, and overall quality of floodplain management practices required under the NFIP.

What type of award is this?

This opportunity is offered as a discretionary cooperative agreement. That means FEMA expects to have an active partnership role with the awardee, rather than simply providing funding with minimal federal involvement.

What does "cooperative agreement" imply for how the work will be carried out?

Because it is a cooperative agreement, FEMA anticipates working actively with awardees on the funded activities. The description emphasizes partnership and direct involvement by FEMA compared to a typical pass-through grant structure.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants are limited to state governments. The program is a state support services element and is not described as a direct-to-local funding opportunity.

Are local governments eligible to apply directly for this opportunity?

Not under the information provided. Eligibility is limited to state governments, reflecting the program design as a state support element rather than a direct-to-local initiative.

What regulation is this work tied to?

The work is tied directly to the state role described in 44 CFR 60.25, which addresses how a state designates and operates its State Coordinating Agency for the NFIP.

Why does 44 CFR 60.25 matter for this grant?

The regulation reflects expectations that the state is committed to minimum floodplain management criteria and can demonstrate the capability, responsibility, and organizational structure needed to support communities participating in the NFIP. CAP-SSSE helps fund activities that support states in carrying out these responsibilities.

What kinds of activities does CAP-SSSE fund?

Supported activities generally fall into two main functions: (1) technical assistance to communities and (2) performance evaluation of community floodplain management implementation. These activities are aimed at improving compliance, consistency, and program quality across jurisdictions.

What does "technical assistance" mean in this program?

Technical assistance includes helping communities understand and apply NFIP floodplain management standards, navigate mapping and regulatory requirements, and build local capacity to administer floodplain ordinances and related processes.

What does "performance evaluation" mean in this program?

Performance evaluation includes assessing how well communities are implementing required floodplain management activities, identifying gaps or weaknesses, and providing feedback and corrective support to help communities maintain good standing in the NFIP and better protect people and property from flood hazards.

What outcomes is CAP-SSSE intended to achieve?

The program aims to reduce flood losses over time, improve floodplain management capacity at state and local levels, encourage consistent application of NFIP rules, and advance FEMA/NFIP goals of reducing flood risk and flood-related damages across the region.

How does this program help communities if states are the only eligible applicants?

The program is structured so states use the funding to support communities by providing hands-on assistance and by evaluating community floodplain management performance, then offering feedback and corrective support where needed.

What is the funding opportunity number for this notice?

The funding opportunity is identified as DHS 18 MT 023 03 02.

What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is associated with CFDA number 97.023.

When was this opportunity posted?

It was posted on May 30, 2018.

What was the original application closing date?

The original application closing date was July 30, 2018.

How many awards did FEMA anticipate making?

FEMA anticipated making six awards under this notice.

Is there a maximum (ceiling) award amount listed?

The listed award ceiling is shown as 0. This typically indicates that a fixed maximum amount was not specified in the summary field and that final award amounts may be determined through program guidance, regional allocations, or negotiation based on the proposed scope and available appropriations, rather than a single published cap.

What does it mean that the award ceiling is shown as 0?

Based on the description provided, an award ceiling of 0 generally suggests the summary field did not include a fixed cap. It implies award amounts could be set through other mechanisms (such as regional allocations or negotiated scopes) rather than a single stated maximum.

What does "State Support Services Element" mean in CAP-SSSE?

It refers to the portion of the Community Assistance Program focused on supporting the state role in helping communities implement NFIP requirements. The emphasis is on state-delivered technical assistance and state-led evaluations of community floodplain management performance.

What is the practical day-to-day focus of CAP-SSSE work?

The program is meant to improve day-to-day floodplain management practice by helping communities apply NFIP standards correctly, by checking how requirements are being implemented, and by addressing weaknesses through feedback and corrective support.

What is the connection between CAP-SSSE and reducing flood losses?

By improving compliance and consistency in community floodplain management and strengthening state and local capacity, the program is intended to reduce flood risk and flood-related damages over time.