Homeland Security Preparedness Technical Assistance Program

The Homeland Security Technical Assistance Program (HSPTAP) is established to build State, local, tribal and territorial (SLTT) capabilities to prevent, protect against, respond to, and recover from major events, including threats or acts of terrorism. This overarching programmatic goal of building state and local capabilities will be achieved through various means and methods, each one aimed at making achieving the National Preparedness Goal and furthering our collective efforts to remain a safe and secure nation.

Specific program activities anticipated for achieving this goal will include, but will not be limited to:
• production and dissemination of written products relating to emerging homeland security, emergency management and public safety issues and established or model state homeland security and emergency management efforts;
• providing educational seminars, training and workshops for apprising newly appointed Governor’s Homeland Security Advisors (HSAs) and Emergency Management Directors of federal homeland security doctrine, best-practices and established principles;
• facilitating calls, meetings, or discussions amongst representatives from key stakeholder groups on a regular basis which serve to share information, knowledge, experiences, and practices relating to current and emerging homeland security, emergency management and public safety issues; and
• convening trainings, workshops, and other meeting opportunities designed to bring together in a common forum nationwide Homeland Security Advisors, state, local and tribal Emergency Management Directors, as well as other professional organizations in the public and private sectors and to inform partners on the impacts of federal homeland security, emergency management and public safety legislation, regulations and policies on the states.

Each recipient will conduct these specific activities to support State Emergency Management Directors, Homeland Security Advisors, and/or other SLTT emergency management officials to further build SLTT capabilities. An additional key purpose for the HSPTAP is that the program also furthers the building of a national system of emergency management capabilities that can effectively and efficiently utilize the full measure of the Nation's resources to respond to catastrophic incidents, including natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made emergencies or events. HSPTAP recipients will conduct activities that bring together the collective perspectives of state and local elected officials and the private sector to provide a broad-based sounding board on homeland security issues for all national stakeholders. The program will serve to establish, provide, and maintain a forum for organizations to exchange ideas, conduct targeted discussions, as well as to provide technical assistance to governors’ offices, associations and organizations on all relevant homeland security policy areas. Finally, HSPTAP will engage the recipient organizations which can work closely with FEMA to develop, transfer, and institutionalize pertinent knowledge at the state, local, tribal and territorial levels for addressing current public policy challenges facing State EM Directors, HSAs, and other SLTT emergency management officials. HSPTAP recipients, through collaboration with FEMA and other national, regional, state and local entities, will facilitate focused and enhanced communication and coordination among all disciplines and levels of government to address the complex challenges of developing and implementing homeland security policies and practices including: intelligence sharing; State homeland security organization, structure and governance; communications interoperability; critical infrastructure protection; and all hazards disaster prevention, protection, mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery to include areas of emergency management, homeland security, fire, law enforcement, Emergency Management Services (EMS), agriculture, National Guard, emergency communications, and public works. In sum, in addition to building state and local capabilities, the activities conducted under the HSPTAP are structured to address the full spectrum of mission areas, national priorities, and core capabilities outlined in the National Preparedness System and are critical to achieving the National Preparedness Goal.

Also see NOFO Section C, Eligibility Information, for additional criterion which eligible organizations must demonstrate in order to be specifically eligible for HSPTAP.

Funding under this program is ultimately intended to benefit key homeland security and emergency preparedness stakeholders from U.S. state, local, tribal, and territorial governments – including but not limited to SLTT emergency management directors, SLTT homeland security advisors, and other SLTT officials.

2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program.
Refer to FY2024 HSPTAP Notice of Funding Opportunity for application procedures and additional information.

Applications or plans are reviewed by DHS program and administrative staff. Any issues or concerns noted in the application will be negotiated with the successful applicant – including approval of any project narrative and budget updates – prior funds being made available for obligation, expenditure, or drawdown.

The representative range of days required for applications to be approved or not approved for funding is approximately 30 days.