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Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP)

The Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) plays an important role in the implementation of the National Preparedness System (NPS) by supporting the building, sustainment, and delivery of core capabilities essential to achieving the National Preparedness Goal (NPG) of a secure and resilient Nation. Delivering core capabilities requires the combined effort of the whole community, rather than the exclusive effort of any single organization or level of government. The HSGP’s allowable costs support efforts to build and sustain core capabilities across the Prevention, Protection, Mitigation, Response, and Recovery mission areas, including the following priorities:

  • Building and Sustaining Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Capabilities
  • Maturation and Enhancement of State and Major Urban Area Fusion Center

The FY 2023 Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) plays an important role in the implementation of the National Preparedness System (NPS) by supporting the building, sustainment, and delivery of core capabilities essential to achieving the National Preparedness Goal (NPG) of a secure and resilient Nation. Delivering core capabilities requires the combined effort of the whole community, rather than the exclusive effort of any single organization or level of government. The FY 2023 HSGP’s allowable costs support efforts to build and sustain core capabilities across the Prevention, Protection, Mitigation, Response, and Recovery mission areas, including the following priorities:

  • Building and Sustaining Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Capabilities
  • Maturation and Enhancement of State and Major Urban Area Fusion Centers

DHS preparedness grants continue to prioritize support for designated State and major Urban Area fusion centers and the maturation of the Information Sharing Environment (ISE). Fusion centers, a critical component of our Nation’s distributed homeland security and counterterrorism architecture, provide grassroots intelligence and analytic capabilities within the state and local environment.

In support of this strategic vision and as a requirement of the HSGP, the Department of Homeland Security, Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A) requires designated State and major urban area fusion centers to participate in an annual assessment of their performance.

Furthermore, as a requirement of the HSGP, DHS requires that all fusion center related funding requests be consolidated into a single (1) Investment for States or Urban Areas in which designated fusion centers reside, and this investment must address funding support for the designated fusion center. The single investment provides state and urban areas a means to centrally manage and report on fusion center related activities. Grantees must coordinate with the fusion center when developing a fusion center investment prior to submission. The fusion center must utilize its individual assessment data when developing the investment. Each proposed project included in the fusion center investment must align to, and reference, specific performance areas of the Assessment that the funding is intended to support. Additionally, any jurisdiction or agency that leverages HSGP funds to support intelligence- or fusion process-related activities (e.g., intelligence unit, real time crime information and analysis centers) must ensure efforts are integrated and/or coordinated with the state or major urban area fusion center(s).

In order to effectively measure implementation of this priority, designated State and major urban area fusion centers leveraging HSGP and/or UASI grant funds will be evaluated based upon compliance with the following set of requirements. These requirements are tracked for all primary or recognized fusion centers through the Fusion Center Assessment.

  1. Successful completion of the annual Fusion Center Assessment managed by the DHS Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A). The Fusion Center Assessment captures performance metrics for each fusion center and is comprises self-assessment questions, staffing, products, cost assessment data tables, and validation.
  2. Maintain approved plans, policies, or standing operating procedures (SOPs) for their operations.
  3. Develop and implement privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties (P/CRCL) protections, including:
  4. All fusion center analytic personnel must meet designated competencies, as identified in the Common Competencies for State, Local, and Tribal Intelligence Analysts, that have been acquired through experience or approved training courses.
  5. Successfully complete an exercise to evaluate the execution of the intelligence cycle at least once every two years and address any corrective actions arising from the successfully completed exercises within the timeframe identified in each exercise’s After-Action Report (AAR).
  6. Leverage the Homeland Security Information Network (HSIN), including HSIN-Intel and HSIN Exchange, to execute and/or manage the following:
    • Assign a HSIN-Intel Coordinator responsible for managing the sharing of finished analytic products and planned production, as well as fusion center personnel access to HSIN-Intel, HSIN SitRoom, and HSIN Exchange.
    • Post 100 percent (100%) of distributable analytical products to HSIN-Intel.
    • Ensure all distributable products are tagged to Homeland Security (HSEC) Standing Information Needs (SINs).
    • Share information associated with all planned or proposed distributable analytic products in HSIN-Intel’s Planned Production Tool.
    • Leverage formalized processes via HSIN Exchange to track incoming and outgoing Requests for Information (RFI), including send/recipient and actions taken.
    • Provide responses to all RFI generated by the FBI Terrorist Screening Center (TSC) utilizing the TSC Encounter Workup Model Template within HSIN Exchange.
  7. For States that have multiple designated fusion centers, the primary fusion center has documented a plan that governs the coordination and interactions of all fusion centers within the state.
  8. Have a formalized governance or oversight body with appropriate partner representation.
  9. Conduct an annual threat assessment for their area of responsibility and ensure this assessment is:
  10. All fusion centers that provide case support must conduct event deconfliction of all significant investigative information using one of the following systems: RISSafe, Case Explorer, or SAFETNet.
  11. Assign a Nationwide SAR Initiative (NSI) point-of-contact (POC) responsible for coordinating matters related to the intake, analysis, and reporting of suspicious activity and tips/leads, coordinating training and engagements for the area of responsibility, and managing metrics/statistics (i.e. training numbers, reports shared, etc.).
  12. Ensure all fusion centers have a current and approved MOU with the DHS I&A.
  13. Ensure all staff have taken First Amendment Online Training (available via https://www.ncirc.gov or HSIN Learn).
  14. Submit top three Key Intelligence Questions (KIQs) on highest priority intelligence issues in fusion center's area of responsibility (AOR) through I&A's Annual SLTT Key Intelligence Question (KIQ) Solicitation.

Fusion centers will report on the achievement of capabilities and compliance with performance measurement requirements within the Information and Intelligence Sharing National Priority through the annual Fusion Center Assessment managed by DHS I&A and reported to FEMA.

A copy of the FY 2023 Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is available at https://www.fema.gov/homeland-security-grant-program.

The FY 2022 Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) plays an important role in the implementation of the National Preparedness System (NPS) by supporting the building, sustainment, and delivery of core capabilities essential to achieving the National Preparedness Goal (NPG) of a secure and resilient Nation. Delivering core capabilities requires the combined effort of the whole community, rather than the exclusive effort of any single organization or level of government. The FY 2022 HSGP’s allowable costs support efforts to build and sustain core capabilities across the Prevention, Protection, Mitigation, Response, and Recovery mission areas, including the following priorities:

  • Building and Sustaining Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Capabilities
  • Maturation and Enhancement of State and Major Urban Area Fusion Centers

DHS preparedness grants continue to prioritize support for designated State and major Urban Area fusion centers and the maturation of the Information Sharing Environment (ISE). Fusion centers, a critical component of our Nation’s distributed homeland security and counterterrorism architecture, provide grassroots intelligence and analytic capabilities within the state and local environment.

In support of this strategic vision and as a requirement of the HSGP, the Department of Homeland Security, Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A) requires designated State and major urban area fusion centers to participate in an annual assessment of their performance.

Furthermore, as a requirement of the HSGP, DHS requires that all fusion center related funding requests be consolidated into a single (1) Investment for States or Urban Areas in which designated fusion centers reside, and this investment must address funding support for the designated fusion center. The single investment provides state and urban areas a means to centrally manage and report on fusion center related activities. Grantees must coordinate with the fusion center when developing a fusion center investment prior to submission. The fusion center must utilize its individual assessment data when developing the investment. Each proposed project included in the fusion center investment must align to, and reference, specific performance areas of the Assessment that the funding is intended to support. Additionally, any jurisdiction or agency that leverages HSGP funds to support intelligence- or fusion process-related activities (e.g., intelligence unit, real time crime information and analysis centers) must ensure efforts are integrated and/or coordinated with the state or major urban area fusion center(s).

In order to effectively measure implementation of this priority, designated State and major urban area fusion centers leveraging HSGP and/or UASI grant funds will be evaluated based upon compliance with the following set of requirements. These requirements are tracked for all primary or recognized fusion centers through the Fusion Center Assessment.

  1. Successful completion of the annual Fusion Center Assessment managed by the DHS Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A). The Fusion Center Assessment captures performance metrics for each fusion center and is comprises self-assessment questions, staffing, products, cost assessment data tables, and validation.
  2. Maintain approved plans, policies, or standing operating procedures (SOPs) for their operations.
  3. Develop and implement privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties (P/CRCL) protections, including:
  4. All fusion center analytic personnel must meet designated competencies, as identified in the Common Competencies for State, Local, and Tribal Intelligence Analysts, that have been acquired through experience or approved training courses.
  5. Successfully complete an exercise to evaluate the execution of the intelligence cycle at least once every two years and address any corrective actions arising from the successfully completed exercises within the timeframe identified in each exercise’s After-Action Report (AAR).
  6. Leverage the Homeland Security Information Network (HSIN), including HSIN-Intel and HSIN Exchange, to execute and/or manage the following:
    • Assign a HSIN-Intel Coordinator responsible for managing the sharing of finished analytic products and planned production, as well as fusion center personnel access to HSIN-Intel, HSIN SitRoom, and HSIN Exchange.
    • Post 100 percent (100%) of distributable analytical products to HSIN-Intel.
    • Ensure all distributable products are tagged to Homeland Security (HSEC) Standing Information Needs (SINs).
    • Share information associated with all planned or proposed distributable analytic products in HSIN-Intel’s Planned Production Tool.
    • Leverage formalized processes via HSIN Exchange to track incoming and outgoing Requests for Information (RFI), including send/recipient and actions taken.
    • Provide responses to all RFI generated by the FBI Terrorist Screening Center (TSC) utilizing the TSC Encounter Workup Model Template within HSIN Exchange.
  7. For States that have multiple designated fusion centers, the primary fusion center has documented a plan that governs the coordination and interactions of all fusion centers within the state.
  8. Have a formalized governance or oversight body with appropriate partner representation.
  9. Conduct an annual threat assessment for their area of responsibility and ensure this assessment is:
  10. All fusion centers that provide case support must conduct event deconfliction of all significant investigative information using one of the following systems: RISSafe, Case Explorer, or SAFETNet.
  11. Assign a Nationwide SAR Initiative (NSI) point-of-contact (POC) responsible for coordinating matters related to the intake, analysis, and reporting of suspicious activity and tips/leads, coordinating training and engagements for the area of responsibility, and managing metrics/statistics (i.e. training numbers, reports shared, etc.).
  12. Ensure all fusion centers have a current and approved MOU with the DHS I&A.
  13. Ensure all staff have taken First Amendment Online Training (available via https://www.ncirc.gov or HSIN Learn).
  14. Submit top three Key Intelligence Questions (KIQs) on highest priority intelligence issues in fusion center's area of responsibility (AOR) through I&A's Annual SLTT Key Intelligence Question (KIQ) Solicitation.

Fusion centers will report on the achievement of capabilities and compliance with performance measurement requirements within the Information and Intelligence Sharing National Priority through the annual Fusion Center Assessment managed by DHS I&A and reported to FEMA.

A copy of the FY 2022 Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is available at https://www.fema.gov/homeland-security-grant-program.

The FY 2021 Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) plays an important role in the implementation of the National Preparedness System (NPS) by supporting the building, sustainment, and delivery of core capabilities essential to achieving the National Preparedness Goal (NPG) of a secure and resilient Nation. Delivering core capabilities requires the combined effort of the whole community, rather than the exclusive effort of any single organization or level of government. The FY 2021 HSGP’s allowable costs support efforts to build and sustain core capabilities across the Prevention, Protection, Mitigation, Response, and Recovery mission areas, including the following priorities:

  • Building and Sustaining Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Capabilities
  • Maturation and Enhancement of State and Major Urban Area Fusion Centers

DHS preparedness grants continue to prioritize support for designated State and major Urban Area fusion centers and the maturation of the Information Sharing Environment (ISE). Fusion centers, a critical component of our Nation’s distributed homeland security and counterterrorism architecture, provide grassroots intelligence and analytic capabilities within the state and local environment.

In support of this strategic vision and as a requirement of the HSGP, the Department of Homeland Security, Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A) requires designated State and major urban area fusion centers to participate in an annual assessment of their performance.

Furthermore, as a requirement of the HSGP, DHS requires that all fusion center related funding requests be consolidated into a single (1) Investment for States or Urban Areas in which designated fusion centers reside, and this investment must address funding support for the designated fusion center. The single investment provides state and urban areas a means to centrally manage and report on fusion center related activities. Grantees must coordinate with the fusion center when developing a fusion center investment prior to submission. The fusion center must utilize its individual assessment data when developing the investment. Each proposed project included in the fusion center investment must align to, and reference, specific performance areas of the Assessment that the funding is intended to support. Additionally, any jurisdiction or agency that leverages HSGP funds to support intelligence- or fusion process-related activities (e.g., intelligence unit, real time crime information and analysis centers) must ensure efforts are integrated and/or coordinated with the state or major urban area fusion center(s).

In order to effectively measure implementation of this priority, designated State and major urban area fusion centers leveraging HSGP and/or UASI grant funds will be evaluated based upon compliance with the following set of requirements. These requirements are tracked for all primary or recognized fusion centers through the Fusion Center Assessment.

  1. Successful completion of the annual Fusion Center Assessment managed by the DHS Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A). The Fusion Center Assessment captures performance metrics for each fusion center and is comprises self-assessment questions, staffing, products, cost assessment data tables, and validation.
  2. Maintain approved plans, policies, or standing operating procedures (SOPs) for their operations.
  3. Develop and implement privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties (P/CRCL) protections, including:
  4. All fusion center analytic personnel must meet designated competencies, as identified in the Common Competencies for State, Local, and Tribal Intelligence Analysts, that have been acquired through experience or approved training courses.
  5. Successfully complete an exercise to evaluate the execution of the intelligence cycle at least once every two years and address any corrective actions arising from the successfully completed exercises within the timeframe identified in each exercise’s After-Action Report (AAR).
  6. Leverage the Homeland Security Information Network (HSIN), including HSIN-Intel and HSIN Exchange, to execute and/or manage the following:
    • Assign a HSIN-Intel Coordinator responsible for managing the sharing of finished analytic products and planned production, as well as fusion center personnel access to HSIN-Intel, HSIN SitRoom, and HSIN Exchange.
    • Post 100 percent (100%) of distributable analytical products to HSIN-Intel.
    • Ensure all distributable products are tagged to Homeland Security (HSEC) Standing Information Needs (SINs).
    • Share information associated with all planned or proposed distributable analytic products in HSIN-Intel’s Planned Production Tool.
    • Leverage formalized processes via HSIN Exchange to track incoming and outgoing Requests for Information (RFI), including send/recipient and actions taken.
    • Provide responses to all RFI generated by the FBI Terrorist Screening Center (TSC) utilizing the TSC Encounter Workup Model Template within HSIN Exchange.
  7. For States that have multiple designated fusion centers, the primary fusion center has documented a plan that governs the coordination and interactions of all fusion centers within the state.
  8. Have a formalized governance or oversight body with appropriate partner representation.
  9. Conduct an annual threat assessment for their area of responsibility and ensure this assessment is:
  10. All fusion centers that provide case support must conduct event deconfliction of all significant investigative information using one of the following systems: RISSafe, Case Explorer, or SAFETNet.
  11. Assign a Nationwide SAR Initiative (NSI) point-of-contact (POC) responsible for coordinating matters related to the intake, analysis, and reporting of suspicious activity and tips/leads, coordinating training and engagements for the area of responsibility, and managing metrics/statistics (i.e. training numbers, reports shared, etc.).
  12. Ensure all fusion centers have a current and approved MOU with the DHS I&A.

Additional Recommended Activities

  • Ensure all staff have taken First Amendment Online Training (available via https://www.ncirc.gov or HSIN Learn).
  • Submit top three Key Intelligence Questions (KIQs) on highest priority intelligence issues in fusion center's area of responsibility (AOR) through I&A's Annual SLTT Key Intelligence Question (KIQ) Solicitation.

Fusion centers will report on the achievement of capabilities and compliance with performance measurement requirements within the Information and Intelligence Sharing National Priority through the annual Fusion Center Assessment managed by DHS I&A and reported to FEMA.

A copy of the FY 2021 Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is available at https://www.fema.gov/homeland-security-grant-program.

The FY 2020 Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) plays an important role in the implementation of the National Preparedness System (NPS) by supporting the building, sustainment, and delivery of core capabilities essential to achieving the National Preparedness Goal (NPG) of a secure and resilient Nation. Delivering core capabilities requires the combined effort of the whole community, rather than the exclusive effort of any single organization or level of government. The FY 2020 HSGP’s allowable costs support efforts to build and sustain core capabilities across the Prevention, Protection, Mitigation, Response, and Recovery mission areas, including the following priorities:

  • Building and Sustaining Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Capabilities
  • Maturation and Enhancement of State and Major Urban Area Fusion Centers

DHS preparedness grants continue to prioritize support for designated State and major Urban Area fusion centers and the maturation of the Information Sharing Environment (ISE). Fusion centers, a critical component of our Nation’s distributed homeland security and counterterrorism architecture, provide grassroots intelligence and analytic capabilities within the state and local environment.

In support of this strategic vision and as a requirement of the HSGP, the Department of Homeland Security, Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A) requires designated State and major urban area fusion centers to participate in an annual assessment of their performance.

Furthermore, as a requirement of the HSGP, DHS requires that all fusion center related funding requests be consolidated into a single (1) Investment for States or Urban Areas in which designated fusion centers reside, and this investment must address funding support for the designated fusion center. The single investment provides state and urban areas a means to centrally manage and report on fusion center related activities. Grantees must coordinate with the fusion center when developing a fusion center investment prior to submission. The fusion center must utilize its individual assessment data when developing the investment. Each proposed project included in the fusion center investment must align to, and reference, specific performance areas of the Assessment that the funding is intended to support. Additionally, any jurisdiction or agency that leverages HSGP funds to support intelligence- or fusion process-related activities (e.g., intelligence unit, real time crime information and analysis centers) must ensure efforts are integrated and/or coordinated with the state or major urban area fusion center(s).

In order to effectively measure implementation of this priority, designated State and major urban area fusion centers leveraging HSGP and/or UASI grant funds will be evaluated based upon compliance with the following set of requirements. These requirements are tracked for all primary or recognized fusion centers through the Fusion Center Assessment.

  1. Successful completion of the annual Fusion Center Assessment managed by the DHS Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A). The Fusion Center Assessment captures performance metrics for each fusion center and is comprises self-assessment questions, staffing, products, cost assessment data tables, and validation.
  2. Maintain approved plans, policies, or standing operating procedures (SOPs) for their operations.
  3. Develop and implement privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties (P/CRCL) protections, including:
  4. All fusion center analytic personnel must meet designated competencies, as identified in the Common Competencies for State, Local, and Tribal Intelligence Analysts, that have been acquired through experience or approved training courses.
  5. Successfully complete an exercise to evaluate the execution of the intelligence cycle at least once every two years and address any corrective actions arising from the successfully completed exercises within the timeframe identified in each exercise’s After-Action Report (AAR).
  6. Leverage the Homeland Security Information Network (HSIN), including HSIN-Intel and HSIN Exchange, to execute and/or manage the following:
    • Assign a HSIN-Intel Coordinator responsible for managing the sharing of finished analytic products and planned production, as well as fusion center personnel access to HSIN-Intel, HSIN SitRoom, and HSIN Exchange.
    • Post 100 percent (100%) of distributable analytical products to HSIN-Intel.
    • Ensure all distributable products are tagged to Homeland Security (HSEC) Standing Information Needs (SINs).
    • Share information associated with all planned or proposed distributable analytic products in HSIN-Intel’s Planned Production Tool.
    • Leverage formalized processes via HSIN Exchange to track incoming and outgoing Requests for Information (RFI), including send/recipient and actions taken.
    • Provide responses to all RFI generated by the FBI Terrorist Screening Center (TSC) utilizing the TSC Encounter Workup Model Template within HSIN Exchange.
  7. For States that have multiple designated fusion centers, the primary fusion center has documented a plan that governs the coordination and interactions of all fusion centers within the state.
  8. Have a formalized governance or oversight body with appropriate partner representation.
  9. Conduct an annual threat assessment for their area of responsibility and ensure this assessment is:
  10. All fusion centers that provide case support must conduct event deconfliction of all significant investigative information using one of the following systems: RISSafe, Case Explorer, or SAFETNet.
  11. Assign a Nationwide SAR Initiative (NSI) point-of-contact (POC) responsible for coordinating matters related to the intake, analysis, and reporting of suspicious activity and tips/leads, coordinating training and engagements for the area of responsibility, and managing metrics/statistics (i.e. training numbers, reports shared, etc.)
  12. Ensure all fusion centers have a current and approved MOU with the DHS I&A

Fusion centers will report on the achievement of capabilities and compliance with performance measurement requirements within the Maturation and Enhancement of State and Major Urban Area Fusion Centers priority through the annual Fusion Center Assessment managed by DHS I&A and reported to FEMA.

A copy of the FY 2020 Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is available at https://www.fema.gov/homeland-security-grant-program.

The FY 2019 Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) plays an important role in the implementation of the National Preparedness System (NPS) by supporting the building, sustainment, and delivery of core capabilities essential to achieving the National Preparedness Goal (NPG) of a secure and resilient Nation. Delivering core capabilities requires the combined effort of the whole community, rather than the exclusive effort of any single organization or level of government. The FY 2019 HSGP’s allowable costs support efforts to build and sustain core capabilities across the Prevention, Protection, Mitigation, Response, and Recovery mission areas, including the following priorities:

  • Building and Sustaining Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Capabilities
  • Maturation and Enhancement of State and Major Urban Area Fusion Centers

DHS preparedness grants continue to prioritize support for designated State and major Urban Area fusion centers and the maturation of the Information Sharing Environment (ISE). Fusion centers, a critical component of our Nation’s distributed homeland security and counterterrorism architecture, provide grassroots intelligence and analytic capabilities within the state and local environment.

In support of this strategic vision and as a requirement of the HSGP, the Department of Homeland Security, Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A) requires designated State and major urban area fusion centers to participate in an annual assessment of their performance.

Furthermore, as a requirement of the HSGP, DHS requires that all fusion center related funding requests be consolidated into a single (1) Investment for States or Urban Areas in which designated fusion centers reside, and this Investment must address funding support for the designated fusion center. The single Investment provides state and urban areas a means to centrally manage and report on fusion center related activities. Grantees must coordinate with the fusion center when developing a fusion center Investment prior to submission. The fusion center must utilize its individual assessment data when developing the investment. Each proposed project included in the fusion center investment must align to, and reference, specific performance areas of the Assessment that the funding is intended to support. Additionally, any jurisdiction or agency that leverages HSGP funds to support intelligence- or fusion process-related activities (e.g., intelligence unit, real time crime information and analysis centers) must ensure efforts are integrated and/or coordinated with the state or major urban area fusion center(s).

In order to effectively measure implementation of this priority, designated State and major urban area fusion centers leveraging HSGP and/or UASI grant funds will be evaluated based upon compliance with the following set of requirements. These requirements are tracked for all primary or recognized fusion centers through the Fusion Center Assessment.

  1. Successful completion of the annual Fusion Center Assessment managed by the DHS Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A). The Fusion Center Assessment captures performance metrics for each fusion center and is comprised of the self-assessment questions, staffing, product, and cost assessment data tables, and validation.
  2. Maintain approved plans, policies, or standing operating procedures (SOPs) for their operations.
  3. Develop and implement privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties (P/CRCL) protections, including:
  4. All fusion center analytic personnel must meet designated competencies, as identified in the Common Competencies for State, Local, and Tribal Intelligence Analysts, that have been acquired through experience or approved training courses.
  5. Successfully complete an exercise to evaluate the execution of the intelligence cycle at least once every two years and address any corrective actions arising from the successfully completed exercises within the timeframe identified in each exercise’s After Action Report (AAR).
  6. Leverage the Homeland Security Information Network (HSIN), including HSIN-Intel and HSIN Exchange, to execute and/or manage the following:
    • Assign a HSIN-Intel Coordinator responsible for managing the sharing of finished analytic products and planned production, as well as fusion center personnel access to HSIN-Intel, HSIN SitRoom, and HSIN Exchange.
    • Post 100 percent (100%) of distributable analytical products to HSIN-Intel.
    • Ensure all distributable products are tagged to Homeland Security (HSEC) Standing Information Needs (SINs).
    • Share information associated with all planned or proposed distributable analytic products in HSIN-Intel’s Planned Production Tool.
    • Leverage formalized processes via HSIN Exchange to track incoming and outgoing Requests for Information (RFI), including send/recipient and actions taken.
    • Provide responses to all RFI generated by the FBI Terrorist Screening Center (TSC) utilizing the TSC Encounter Workup Model Template within HSIN Exchange.
  7. For States that have multiple designated fusion centers, the primary fusion center has documented a plan that governs the coordination and interactions of all fusion centers within the state.
  8. Have a formalized governance or oversight body with appropriate partner representation.
  9. Conduct an annual threat assessment for their area of responsibility and ensure this assessment is:
  10. All fusion centers that provide case support must conduct event deconfliction of all significant investigative information using one of the following systems: RISSafe, Case Explorer, or SAFETNet.
  11. Assign a Nationwide SAR Initiative (NSI) point-of-contact (POC) responsible for coordinating matters related to the intake, analysis, and reporting of suspicious activity and tips/leads, coordinating training and engagements for the area of responsibility, and managing metrics/statistics (i.e. training numbers, reports shared, etc.)
  12. Ensure all fusion centers have a current and approved MOU with the DHS I&A

Fusion centers will report on the achievement of capabilities and compliance with performance measurement requirements within the Maturation and Enhancement of State and Major Urban Area Fusion Centers priority through the annual Fusion Center Assessment managed by DHS I&A and reported to FEMA.

A copy of the FY 2019 Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is available at https://www.fema.gov/homeland-security-grant-program.

The FY 2018 Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) plays an important role in the implementation of the National Preparedness System (NPS) by supporting the building, sustainment, and delivery of core capabilities essential to achieving the National Preparedness Goal (NPG) of a secure and resilient Nation. Delivering core capabilities requires the combined effort of the whole community, rather than the exclusive effort of any single organization or level of government. The FY 2018 HSGP’s allowable costs support efforts to build and sustain core capabilities across the Prevention, Protection, Mitigation, Response, and Recovery mission areas, including the following priorities:

  • Building and Sustaining Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Capabilities
  • Maturation and Enhancement of State and Major Urban Area Fusion Centers

DHS preparedness grants continue to prioritize support for designated State and major Urban Area fusion centers and the maturation of the Information Sharing Environment (ISE). Fusion centers, a critical component of our Nation’s distributed homeland security and counterterrorism architecture, provide grassroots intelligence and analytic capabilities within the state and local environment.

In support of this strategic vision and as a requirement of the HSGP, the Department of Homeland Security, Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A) requires designated State and major urban area fusion centers to participate in an annual assessment of their performance.

Furthermore, as a requirement of the HSGP, DHS requires that all fusion center related funding requests be consolidated into a single (1) Investment for States or Urban Areas in which designated fusion centers reside, and this Investment must address funding support for the designated fusion center. The single Investment provides state and urban areas a means to centrally manage and report on fusion center related activities. Grantees must coordinate with the fusion center when developing a fusion center Investment prior to submission. The fusion center must utilize its individual assessment data when developing the investment. Each proposed project included in the fusion center investment must align to, and reference, specific performance areas of the Assessment that the funding is intended to support. Additionally, any jurisdiction or agency that leverages HSGP funds to support intelligence- or fusion process-related activities (e.g., intelligence unit, real time crime information and analysis centers) must ensure efforts are integrated and/or coordinated with the state or major urban area fusion center(s).

In order to effectively measure implementation of this priority, designated State and major urban area fusion centers leveraging SHSP and/or UASI grant funds will be evaluated based upon compliance with the following set of requirements. These requirements are tracked for all primary or recognized fusion centers through the Fusion Center Assessment.

  1. Successful completion of the annual Fusion Center Assessment managed by the DHS I&A. The Fusion Center Assessment captures performance metrics for each fusion center and is comprised of the self-assessment questions, staffing, product, and cost assessment data tables, and validation.
  2. Maintain approved plans, policies, or SOPs for their operations.
  3. Develop and implement privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties (P/CRCL) protections, including:
  4. All fusion center analytic personnel must meet designated competencies, as identified in the Common Competencies for State, Local, and Tribal Intelligence Analysts, that have been acquired through experience or approved training courses.
  5. Successfully complete an exercise to evaluate the implementation of the COCs at least once every two years and address any corrective actions arising from the successfully completed exercises within the timeframe identified in the each exercise’s After Action Report (AAR).
  6. Post 100 percent (100%) of distributable analytic products (as defined by the annual assessment process) to the Homeland Security Information Network – Intelligence (HSIN-Intel).
  7. Ensure all analytic products are tagged to Homeland Security (HSEC) Standing Information Needs (SINs).
  8. Have formalized process (as defined by the annual assessment process) to track incoming and outgoing Requests for Information (RFI), including send/recipient and actions taken.
  9. For States that have multiple designated fusion centers, the primary fusion center has documented a plan that governs the coordination and interactions of all fusion centers within the state.
  10. Provide responses to all RFI received from the FBI Terrorist Screening Center (TSC) via HSIN Exchange.
  11. Have formalized governance or oversight body with appropriate partner representation.
  12. Conduct an annual threat assessment for their area of responsibility in accordance with the Annual Fusion Center Threat Assessment Template: A Recommended Framework (available on HSIN-Intel), and ensure this assessment is leveraged for or contributes to the Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA) for their area of responsibility.
  13. All fusion centers that provide case support must conduct event deconfliction of all significant investigative information using one of the following systems: RISSafe, Case Explorer, or SAFETNet.
  14. Assign a HSIN-Intel Coordinator responsible for managing the sharing of finished analytic products and planned production, as well as fusion center personnel access to HSIN-Intel, HSIN SitRoom, and HSIN Exchange.
  15. Ensure all fusion centers have a current and approved MOU with the DHS Office of Intelligence and Analysis

Fusion centers will report on the achievement of capabilities and compliance with performance measurement requirements within the Maturation and Enhancement of State and Major Urban Area Fusion Centers priority through the annual Fusion Center Assessment managed by DHS I&A and reported to FEMA.

A copy of the FY 2018 Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is available at https://www.fema.gov/homeland-security-grant-program.

The FY 2017 Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) plays an important role in the implementation of the National Preparedness System (NPS) by supporting the building, sustainment, and delivery of core capabilities essential to achieving the National Preparedness Goal (NPG) of a secure and resilient Nation. Delivering core capabilities requires the combined effort of the whole community, rather than the exclusive effort of any single organization or level of government. The FY 2017 HSGP’s allowable costs support efforts to build and sustain core capabilities across the Prevention, Protection, Mitigation, Response, and Recovery mission areas, including the following priorities:

  • Building and Sustaining Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Capabilities
  • Maturation and Enhancement of State and Major Urban Area Fusion Centers

DHS preparedness grants continue to support designated State and major Urban Area fusion centers and the maturation of the Information Sharing Environment (ISE). Fusion centers, a critical component of our Nation’s distributed homeland security and counterterrorism architecture, provide grassroots intelligence and analytic capabilities within the state and local environment.

In support of this strategic vision and as a requirement of the HSGP, the Department of Homeland Security, Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A) requires designated State and major Urban Area fusion centers to participate in an annual assessment of their performance.

Furthermore, as a requirement of the HSGP, DHS requires that all fusion center related funding requests be consolidated into a single (1) Investment for States or Urban Areas in which designated fusion centers reside, and this Investment must address funding support for the designated fusion center. The single Investment provides state and urban areas a means to centrally manage and report on fusion center related activities. Grantees must coordinate with the fusion center when developing a fusion center Investment prior to submission. The fusion center must utilize its individual assessment data when developing the investment. Each proposed project included in the fusion center investment must align to, and reference, specific performance areas of the Assessment that the funding is intended to support. Additionally, any jurisdiction or agency that leverages HSGP funds to support intelligence- or fusion process-related activities (e.g., intelligence unit, real time crime information and analysis centers) must ensure efforts are integrated and/or coordinated with the state or major Urban Area fusion center(s).

In order to effectively measure implementation of this priority, designated State and major Urban Area fusion centers leveraging SHSP and/or UASI grant funds will be evaluated based upon compliance with the following set of requirements. These requirements are tracked for all primary or recognized fusion centers through the Fusion Center Assessment.

  1. Successful completion of the annual Fusion Center Assessment managed by the DHS I&A. The Fusion Center Assessment captures performance metrics for each fusion center and is comprised of the self-assessment questions, staffing, product, and cost assessment data tables, and validation.
  2. Maintain approved plans, policies, or SOPs.
  3. Develop and implement privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties (P/CRCL) protections, including:
  4. All fusion center analytic personnel must meet designated competencies, as identified in the Common Competencies for State, Local, and Tribal Intelligence Analysts (PDF, 2.6 MB, 31 pages), that have been acquired through experience or approved training courses.
  5. Successfully complete an exercise to evaluate the implementation of the COCs at least once every two years and address any corrective actions arising from the successfully completed exercises within the timeframe identified in the each exercise’s After Action Report (AAR).
  6. Post 100 percent (100%) of distributable analytic products (as defined by the annual assessment process) to the Homeland Security Information Network – Intelligence (HSIN-Intel).
  7. Ensure all analytic products are tagged to Homeland Security (HSEC) Standing Information Needs (SINs).
  8. Have formalized process (as defined by the annual assessment process) to track incoming and outgoing Requests for Information (RFI), including send/recipient and actions taken.
  9. For States that have multiple designated fusion centers, the primary fusion center has documented a plan that governs the coordination and interactions of all fusion centers within the state.
  10. Provide responses to all requests for information (RFI) received from the FBI Terrorist Screening Center (TSC) via HSIN Exchange.
  11. Have formalized governance or oversight body with appropriate partner representation.
  12. Conduct an annual threat assessment for their area of responsibility, and ensure this assessment is leveraged for or contributes to the Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA) for their area of responsibility.
  13. All fusion centers that provide case support must conduct event deconfliction of all significant investigative information using one of the following systems: RISSafe, Case Explorer, or SAFETNet.
  14. Assign a HSIN-Intel Coordinator responsible for managing the sharing of finished analytic products and planned production, as well as fusion center personnel access to HSIN-Intel, HSIN SitRoom, and HSIN Exchange.

Fusion centers will report on the achievement of capabilities and compliance with performance measurement requirements within the Maturation and Enhancement of State and Major Urban Area Fusion Centers priority through the annual Fusion Center Assessment managed by DHS I&A and reported to FEMA.

A copy of the FY 2017 Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is available at https://www.fema.gov/homeland-security-grant-program.

The FY 2016 Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) plays an important role in the implementation of the National Preparedness System (NPS) by supporting the building, sustainment, and delivery of core capabilities essential to achieving the National Preparedness Goal (NPG) of a secure and resilient Nation. Delivering core capabilities requires the combined effort of the whole community, rather than the exclusive effort of any single organization or level of government. The FY 2016 HSGP’s allowable costs support efforts to build and sustain core capabilities across the Prevention, Protection, Mitigation, Response, and Recovery mission areas, including the following priorities:

  • Building and Sustaining Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Capabilities
  • Maturation and Enhancement of State and Major Urban Area Fusion Centers

DHS preparedness grants continue to support designated State and major Urban Area fusion centers and the maturation of the Information Sharing Environment (ISE). Fusion centers, a critical component of our Nation’s distributed homeland security and counterterrorism architecture, provide grassroots intelligence and analytic capabilities within the state and local environment.

In support of this strategic vision and as a requirement of the HSGP, the Department of Homeland Security, Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A) requires designated State and major Urban Area fusion centers to participate in an annual assessment of their achievement of Critical Operational Capabilities (COCs) and Enabling Capabilities (ECs), as detailed in the Baseline Capabilities for State and Major Urban Area Fusion Centers (PDF, 5.3 MB, 70 pages). The results from this assessment will help fusion centers identify gaps in their COCs and ECs and focus Federal investment so resources are targeted to mitigate any identified capability gaps and shortfalls and sustain existing capabilities. This will enhance fusion centers’ capacity to improve the nation’s ability to safeguard the homeland and prevent terrorist and criminal activity, while enabling local officials to better protect their communities.

Furthermore, as a requirement of the HSGP, DHS requires that all fusion center related funding requests be consolidated into a single (1) Investment for States or Urban Areas in which designated fusion centers reside, and this Investment must address funding support for the designated fusion center. The single Investment provides state and urban areas a means to centrally manage and report on fusion center related activities. Grantees must coordinate with the fusion center when developing a fusion center Investment prior to submission, and the Investment must directly align to and reference any capability gaps and shortfalls identified during the center’s individual 2015 Fusion Center Assessment Report. In particular, each proposed project included in the fusion center Investment must reference the corresponding COC or EC, as well as associated attribute(s), the funding investment is intended to address. Additionally, any jurisdiction or agency that leverages HSGP funds to support intelligence- or fusion process-related activities (i.e., intelligence unit, real time crime information and analysis centers, etc.) must ensure these efforts are integrated and/or coordinated with the respective designated State or major Urban Area fusion center(s).

In order to effectively measure implementation of this priority, designated State and major Urban Area fusion centers leveraging SHSP and/or UASI grant funds will be evaluated based upon compliance with the following set of requirements. These requirements are tracked for all primary or recognized fusion centers through the 2015 Fusion Center Assessment.

  1. Successful completion of the annual Fusion Center Assessment Program managed by the DHS I&A. The Fusion Center Assessment Program evaluates each fusion center against the COCs and ECs and is comprised of the self-assessment questions, staffing, product, and cost assessment data tables, and validation
  2. Maintain approved plans, policies, or SOPs and, per the Fusion Center Assessment Program, and, when applicable, demonstrate improvement in each of the four COCs
  3. Develop and implement privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties (P/CRCL) protections, including:
    • Maintaining an approved Privacy, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties (P/CRCL) policy that is determined to be at least as comprehensive as the ISE Privacy Guidelines
    • Ensuring the approved P/CRCL policy is publicly available
    • Conducting a compliance review of their P/CRCL policy in accordance with the Privacy Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Compliance Verification for the Intelligence Enterprise
    • Ensuring there is a process in place for addressing and adjudicating complaints alleging violations of P/CRCL.
    • Ensuring all analytic products (as defined by the annual assessment process) are reviewed for P/CRCL issues prior to dissemination
    • Ensuring all staff receive annual training on the center‘s P/CRCL policies
    • Ensure all staff are trained on 28 CFR Part 23
    • Ensure all Federally funded criminal intelligence databases comply with 28 CFR Part 23
  4. All fusion center analytic personnel must meet designated competencies, as identified in the Common Competencies for State, Local, and Tribal Intelligence Analysts, that have been acquired through experience or approved training courses
  5. Successfully complete an exercise to evaluate the implementation of the COCs at least once every two years and address any corrective actions arising from the successfully completed exercises within the timeframe identified in the each exercise’s After Action Report (AAR)
  6. Post 100 percent (100%) of distributable analytic products (as defined by the annual assessment process) to the Homeland Security Information Network – Intelligence (HSIN-Intel).
  7. Ensure all analytic products are tagged to Homeland Security (HSEC) Standing Information Needs (SINs).
  8. Have formalized process (as defined by the annual assessment process) to track incoming and outgoing Requests for Information (RFI), including send/recipient and actions taken
  9. For States that have multiple designated fusion centers, the primary fusion center has documented a plan that governs the coordination and interactions of all fusion centers within the state
  10. Provide responses to all requests for information (RFI) received from the FBI Terrorist Screening Center (TSC)
  11. Have formalized governance or oversight body with appropriate partner representation
  12. Conduct or contribute to the Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA) for their area of responsibility.
  13. All fusion centers that provide case support must conduct event deconfliction of all significant investigative information using one of the following systems: RISSafe, Case Explorer, or SAFETNet.

Fusion centers will report on the achievement of capabilities and compliance with measurement requirements within the Maturation and Enhancement of State and Major Urban Area Fusion Centers priority through the annual Fusion Center Assessment Program managed by DHS I&A and reported to FEMA.

A copy of the FY 2016 Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is available at https://www.fema.gov/homeland-security-grant-program.

The FY 2015 Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) plays an important role in the implementation of the National Preparedness System (NPS) by supporting the building, sustainment, and delivery of core capabilities essential to achieving the National Preparedness Goal (NPG) of a secure and resilient Nation. Delivering core capabilities requires the combined effort of the whole community, rather than the exclusive effort of any single organization or level of government. The FY 2015 HSGP’s allowable costs support efforts to build and sustain core capabilities across the Prevention, Protection, Mitigation, Response, and Recovery mission areas, including the following priorities:

  • Building and Sustaining Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Capabilities
  • Maturation and Enhancement of State and Major Urban Area Fusion Centers

DHS preparedness grants continue to support designated State and major Urban Area fusion centers and the maturation of the Information Sharing Environment (ISE). Fusion centers, a critical component of our Nation’s distributed homeland security and counterterrorism architecture, provide grassroots intelligence and analytic capabilities within the state and local environment.

In support of this strategic vision and as a requirement of the HSGP, the Department of Homeland Security, Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A) requires designated State and major Urban Area fusion centers to participate in an annual assessment of their achievement of Critical Operational Capabilities (COCs) and Enabling Capabilities (ECs), as detailed in the Baseline Capabilities for State and Major Urban Area Fusion Centers. The results from this assessment will help fusion centers identify gaps in their COCs and ECs and focus Federal investment so resources are targeted to mitigate any identified capability gaps and shortfalls and sustain existing capabilities. This will enhance fusion centers’ capacity to improve the nation’s ability to safeguard the homeland and prevent terrorist and criminal activity, while enabling local officials to better protect their communities.

Furthermore, as a requirement of the HSGP, DHS requires that all fusion center related funding requests be consolidated into a single (1) Investment for States or Urban Areas in which designated fusion centers reside, and this Investment must address funding support for the designated fusion center. The single Investment provides state and urban areas a means to centrally manage and report on fusion center related activities. Grantees must coordinate with the fusion center when developing a fusion center Investment prior to submission, and the Investment must directly align to and reference any capability gaps and shortfalls identified during the center’s individual 2014 Fusion Center Assessment Report. In particular, each proposed project included in the fusion center Investment must reference the corresponding COC or EC, as well as associated attribute(s), the funding investment is intended to address. Additionally, any jurisdiction or agency that leverages HSGP funds to support intelligence- or fusion process-related activities (i.e., intelligence unit, real time crime information and analysis centers, etc.) must ensure these efforts are integrated and/or coordinated with the respective designated State or major Urban Area fusion center(s).

In order to effectively measure implementation of this priority, designated State and major Urban Area fusion centers leveraging SHSP and/or UASI grant funds will be evaluated based upon compliance with the following set of requirements. These requirements are tracked for all primary or recognized fusion centers through the 2014 Fusion Center Assessment.

  1. Successful completion of the annual Fusion Center Assessment Program managed by the DHS I&A. The Fusion Center Assessment Program evaluates each fusion center against the COCs and ECs and is comprised of the self-assessment questions, staffing, product, and cost assessment data tables, and validation
  2. Maintain approved plans, policies, or SOPs and, per the Fusion Center Assessment Program, and, when applicable, demonstrate improvement in each of the four COCs
  3. Develop and implement privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties (P/CRCL) protections, including:
    • Maintaining an approved Privacy, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties (P/CRCL) policy that is determined to be at least as comprehensive as the ISE Privacy Guidelines
    • Ensuring the approved P/CRCL policy is publicly available
    • Conducting a compliance review of their P/CRCL policy in accordance with the Privacy Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Compliance Verification for the Intelligence Enterprise
    • Ensuring there is a process in place for addressing and adjudicating complaints alleging violations of P/CRCL.
    • Ensuring all analytic products (as defined by the annual assessment process) are reviewed for P/CRCL issues prior to dissemination
    • Ensuring all staff receive annual training on the center‘s P/CRCL policies
    • Ensure all staff are trained on 28 CFR Part 23
    • Ensure all Federally funded criminal intelligence databases comply with 28 CFR Part 23
  4. All fusion center analytic personnel must meet designated competencies, as identified in the Common Competencies for State, Local, and Tribal Intelligence Analysts, that have been acquired through experience or approved training courses
  5. Successfully complete an exercise to evaluate the implementation of the COCs at least once every two years and address any corrective actions arising from the successfully completed exercises within the timeframe identified in the each exercise’s After Action Report (AAR)
  6. Post 100 percent (100%) of distributable analytic products (as defined by the annual assessment process) to the Homeland Security Information Network – Intelligence (HSIN-Intel).
  7. Ensure all analytic products are tagged to Homeland Security (HSEC) Standing Information Needs (SINs).
  8. Have formalized process (as defined by the annual assessment process) to track incoming and outgoing Requests for Information (RFI), including send/recipient and actions taken
  9. For States that have multiple designated fusion centers, the primary fusion center has documented a plan that governs the coordination and interactions of all fusion centers within the state
  10. Provide responses to all requests for information (RFI) received from the FBI Terrorist Screening Center (TSC)
  11. Have formalized governance or oversight body with appropriate partner representation
  12. Conduct or contribute to the Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA) for their area of responsibility.
  13. All fusion centers that provide case support must conduct event deconfliction of all significant investigative information using one of the following systems: RISSafe, Case Explorer, or SAFETNet.

Fusion centers will report on the achievement of capabilities and compliance with measurement requirements within the Maturation and Enhancement of State and Major Urban Area Fusion Centers priority through the annual Fusion Center Assessment Program managed by DHS I&A and reported to FEMA.

A copy of the FY 2015 Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is available at https://www.fema.gov/homeland-security-grant-program.

The FY 2014 HSGP plays an important role in the implementation of the National Preparedness System (NPS) by supporting the building, sustainment, and delivery of core capabilities essential to achieving the National Preparedness Goal (NPG) of a secure and resilient Nation. Delivering core capabilities requires the combined effort of the whole community, rather than the exclusive effort of any single organization or level of government. The FY 2014 HSGP’s allowable costs support efforts to build and sustain core capabilities across the Prevention, Protection, Mitigation, Response, and Recovery mission areas, including the following priorities:

  • Building and Sustaining Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Capabilities
  • Maturation and Enhancement of State and Major Urban Area Fusion Centers

DHS preparedness grants continue to support designated State and major Urban Area fusion centers and the maturation of the Information Sharing Environment (ISE). Fusion centers, a critical component of our Nation’s distributed homeland security and counterterrorism architecture, provide grassroots intelligence and analytic capabilities within the state and local environment.

In support of this strategic vision and as a requirement of the HSGP, the Department of Homeland Security, Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A) requires designated State and major Urban Area fusion centers to participate in an annual assessment of their achievement of Critical Operational Capabilities (COCs) and Enabling Capabilities (ECs), as detailed in the Baseline Capabilities for State and Major Urban Area Fusion Centers. The results from this assessment will help fusion centers identify gaps in their COCs and ECs and focus Federal investment so resources are targeted to mitigate any identified capability gaps and shortfalls and sustain existing capabilities. This will enhance fusion centers’ capacity to improve the nation’s ability to safeguard the homeland and prevent terrorist and criminal activity, while enabling local officials to better protect their communities.

Furthermore, as a requirement of the HSGP, DHS requires that all fusion center related funding requests be consolidated into a single (1) Investment for States or Urban Areas in which designated fusion centers reside, and this Investment must address funding support for the designated fusion center. The single Investment provides state and urban areas a means to centrally manage and report on fusion center related activities. Grantees must coordinate with the fusion center when developing a fusion center Investment prior to submission, and the Investment must directly align to and reference any capability gaps and shortfalls identified during the center’s individual 2013 Fusion Center Assessment Report. In particular, each proposed project included in the fusion center Investment must reference the corresponding COC or EC, as well as associated attribute(s), the funding investment is intended to address. Additionally, any jurisdiction or agency that leverages HSGP funds to support intelligence- or fusion process-related activities (i.e., intelligence unit, real time crime information and analysis centers, etc.) must ensure these efforts are integrated and/or coordinated with the respective designated State or major Urban Area fusion center(s).

In order to effectively measure implementation of this priority, designated State and major Urban Area fusion centers leveraging SHSP and/or UASI grant funds will be evaluated based upon compliance with the following set of requirements. These requirements are tracked for all primary or recognized fusion centers through the 2013 Fusion Center Assessment.

  1. Successful completion of the annual Fusion Center Assessment Program managed by the DHS I&A. The Fusion Center Assessment Program evaluates each fusion center against the COCs and ECs and is comprised of the self-assessment questions, staffing, product, and cost assessment data tables, and validation
  2. Maintain approved plans, policies, or SOPs and, per the Fusion Center Assessment Program, and, when applicable, demonstrate improvement in each of the four COCs
  3. Develop and implement privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties (P/CRCL) protections, including:
    1. Maintaining an approved Privacy, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties (P/CRCL) policy that is determined to be at least as comprehensive as the ISE Privacy Guidelines
    2. Ensuring the approved P/CRCL policy is publicly available
    3. Conducting a compliance review of their P/CRCL policy in accordance with the Privacy Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Compliance Verification for the Intelligence Enterprise
    4. Ensuring there is a process in place for addressing and adjudicating complaints alleging violations of P/CRCL.
    5. Ensuring all analytic products (as defined by the annual assessment process) are reviewed for P/CRCL issues prior to dissemination
    6. Ensuring all staff receive annual training on the center‘s P/CRCL policies
    7. Ensure all staff are trained on 28 CFR Part 23
    8. Ensure all Federally funded criminal intelligence databases comply with 28 CFR Part 23
  4. All fusion center analytic personnel must meet designated competencies, as identified in the Common Competencies for State, Local, and Tribal Intelligence Analysts, that have been acquired through experience or approved training courses
  5. Successfully complete an exercise to evaluate the implementation of the COCs at least once every two years and address any corrective actions arising from the successfully completed exercises within the timeframe identified in the each exercise’s After Action Report (AAR)
  6. Post 100 percent (100%) of distributable analytic products (as defined by the annual assessment process) to the Homeland Security Information Network – Intelligence (HSIN-Intel) as well as any other applicable portals, such as LEO, RISS, their agency portal, etc.
  7. Ensure all analytic products are tagged to Homeland Security (HSEC) Standing Information Needs (SINs).
  8. Have formalized process (as defined by the annual assessment process) to track incoming and outgoing Requests for Information (RFI), including send/recipient and actions taken
  9. For States that have multiple designated fusion centers, the primary fusion center has documented a plan that governs the coordination and interactions of all fusion centers within the state
  10. Provide responses to all requests for information (RFI) received from the FBI Terrorist Screening Center (TSC)
  11. Have formalized governance or oversight body with appropriate partner representation
  12. Conduct or contribute to the Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA) for their area of responsibility.

Fusion centers will report on the achievement of capabilities and compliance with measurement requirements within the Maturation and Enhancement of State and Major Urban Area Fusion Centers priority through the annual Fusion Center Assessment Program managed by DHS I&A and reported to FEMA.

A copy of the FY 2014 Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is available at https://www.fema.gov/homeland-security-grant-program.

The FY 2013 HSGP plays an important role in the implementation of the National Preparedness System (NPS) by supporting the building, sustainment, and delivery of core capabilities essential to achieving the National Preparedness Goal (NPG) of a secure and resilient Nation. Delivering core capabilities requires the combined effort of the whole community, rather than the exclusive effort of any single organization or level of government. The FY 2013 HSGP’s allowable costs support efforts to build and sustain core capabilities across the Prevention, Protection, Mitigation, Response, and Recovery mission areas by setting the following priorities:

  • Priority One: Implementation of the NPS and a Whole Community Approach to Homeland Security and Emergency Management
  • Priority Two: Building and Sustaining Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Capabilities
  • Priority Three: Maturation and Enhancement of State and Major Urban Area Fusion Centers
  • Priority Four: Innovation and Sustained Support for the National Campaign for Preparedness
  • Priority Five: Improve Immediate Emergency Victim Care at Mass Casualty Events

DHS preparedness grants continue to support designated State and major Urban Area fusion centers and the maturation of the Information Sharing Environment (ISE). Fusion centers, a critical component of our Nation’s distributed homeland security and counterterrorism architecture, provide grassroots intelligence and analytic capabilities within the state and local environment.

In support of this strategic vision and as a requirement of the HSGP, the Department of Homeland Security, Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A) requires designated State and major Urban Area fusion centers to participate in an annual assessment of their achievement of Critical Operational Capabilities (COCs) and Enabling Capabilities (ECs), as detailed in the Baseline Capabilities for State and Major Urban Area Fusion Centers. The results from this assessment will help fusion centers identify gaps in their COCs and ECs and focus Federal investment so resources are targeted to mitigate any identified capability gaps and shortfalls and sustain existing capabilities. This will enhance fusion centers’ capacity to improve the nation’s ability to safeguard the homeland and prevent terrorist and criminal activity, while enabling local officials to better protect their communities.

Furthermore, as a requirement of the HSGP, DHS requires that all fusion center related funding requests be consolidated into a single (1) Investment for States or Urban Areas in which designated fusion centers reside, and this Investment must address funding support for the designated fusion center. The single Investment provides state and urban areas a means to centrally manage and report on fusion center related activities. Grantees must coordinate with the fusion center when developing a fusion center Investment prior to submission, and the Investment must directly align to and reference any capability gaps and shortfalls identified during the center’s individual 2012 Fusion Center Assessment Report. In particular, each proposed project included in the fusion center Investment must reference the corresponding COC or EC, as well as associated attribute(s), the funding investment is intended to address. Additionally, any jurisdiction or agency that leverages HSGP funds to support intelligence- or fusion process-related activities (i.e., intelligence unit, real time crime information and analysis centers, etc.) must ensure these efforts are integrated and/or coordinated with the respective designated State or major Urban Area fusion center(s).

In order to effectively measure implementation of this priority, designated State and major Urban Area fusion centers leveraging SHSP and/or UASI grant funds will be evaluated based upon compliance with the following set of requirements. These requirements are tracked for all primary or recognized fusion centers through the 2013 Fusion Center Assessment.

  1. Successful completion of the annual Fusion Center Assessment Program managed by the DHS I&A. The Fusion Center Assessment Program evaluates each fusion center against the COCs and ECs and is comprised of the self-assessment questions, staffing, product, and cost assessment data tables, and validation
  2. Maintain approved plans, policies, or SOPs and, per the Fusion Center Assessment Program, and, when applicable, demonstrate improvement in each of the four COCs
  3. Maintain an approved Privacy, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties (P/CRCL) policy that is determined to be at least as comprehensive as the ISE Privacy Guidelines
  4. Conduct a compliance review of their P/CRCL policy in accordance with the Privacy Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Compliance Verification for the Intelligence Enterprise
  5. Ensure all staff receive annual training on the center‘s P/CRCL policies
  6. Ensure all staff are trained on 28 CFR Part 23
  7. Ensure all Federally funded criminal intelligence databases comply with 28 CFR Part 23
  8. All fusion center analytic personnel must meet designated competencies, as identified in the Common Competencies for State, Local, and Tribal Intelligence Analysts, that have been acquired through experience or approved training courses
  9. Successfully complete an exercise to evaluate the implementation of the COCs at least once every two years and address any corrective actions arising from the successfully completed exercises within the timeframe identified in the each exercise’ AAR [after action reports]
  10. Post 100 percent (100%) of distributable analytic products (as defined by the annual assessment process) to the Homeland Security Information Network – Intelligence (HSIN-Intel) as well as any other applicable portals, such as LEO, RISS, their agency portal, etc.
  11. Have formalized process (as defined by the annual assessment process) to track incoming and outgoing Requests for Information (RFI), including send/recipient and actions taken
  12. For States that have multiple designated fusion centers, the primary fusion center has documented a plan that governs the coordination and interactions of all fusion centers within the state

Fusion centers will report on the achievement of capabilities and compliance with measurement requirements within the Maturation and Enhancement of State and Major Urban Area Fusion Centers priority through the annual Fusion Center Assessment Program managed by DHS I&A and reported to FEMA.

A copy of the FY 2013 Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is available at https://www.fema.gov/grants/preparedness/homeland-security.

Last Updated: 03/27/2023
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