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Degrees at a Distance Program
To provide an alternative means for fire service personnel to earn a bachelor's degree or to pursue college-level learning in a fire related course concentration without the requirement of having to attend on-campus classes.
The Department of Homeland Security has three primary missions: Prevent terrorist attacks within the United States, reduce America's vulnerability to terrorism and minimize the damage from potential attacks and natural disasters.
Program Accomplishments
The Degrees at a Distance Program continues to enroll new students and produce new graduates with bachelor's degrees in fire administration and fire prevention technology. The 13-course upper-level independent study curriculum was converted from a printed format to a web-based format so that future courses will be available via the internet.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Restricted to colleges/universities designated by the National Fire Academy, to support curriculum development, regional meeting support, program marketing, course material printing and publications; and initiation of institutional agreements with local two-year colleges.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Only colleges/universities designated by U.
S.
Fire Administration (USFA) are eligible, unsolicited applications will not be accepted Specific information on applicant eligibility is identified in the funding opportunity announcement and program guidance.
Beneficiary Eligibility
State, local and the general public.
Credentials/Documentation
Not applicable.
Aplication and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.
12372 and OMB Circular A-102.
Application Procedures
Application deadline and other information are contained in the application/program guidance.
Award Procedures
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 prior to the award being issued.
Deadlines
Refer to announcement or application guidance for further information.
Authorization
Homeland Security Act of 2002, Public Law 107-296; U.S.A. Patriot Act of 2001, Public Law 107-56; Federal Emergency Management Agency, Executive Order 12127; The Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974, as amended, and various appropriation bills.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Refer to program guidance document.
Appeals
None.
Renewals
Requests for extensions must be supported by adequate justification, and can only be authorized in writing by the DHS/U.S. Fire Administration Procurement Officer with the concurrence of the administering program office.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
This program has no statutory formula.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Refer to program guidance. Awards are subject to the Cash Management Improvement Act for payment and/or reimbursement of expenditures.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Grantees are required to submit quarterly financial and performance reports.
Quarterly Progress Reports must include the progress of each sub-grant award.
Reports are due 30 days after the end of each quarter: January 30, April 30, July 30, and October 30th.
Final financial and performance reports are due 90 days after the Expiration or termination of grant award.
Audits
In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards (or receive property, or a combination of both, within the fiscal year) will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular A-133. These audits are due to the cognizant Federal agency, submitted through the Federal Audit Clearinghouse, not later than nine months after the end of the grantees fiscal year.
Records
Grant records shall be retained for a period of three Years from the day the recipient submits its final expenditure report. If any litigation, claim, negotiation, audit, or other action involving the records has been started before the expiration of the three-year period, the records must be retained until completion of the action and resolution of all issues which arise from it, or until the end of the regular three-year period, whichever is later. Grant records include financial and program/progress reports, support documents, statistical records, and other documents that support the activity and/or expenditure of the recipient or sub-recipient under the award.
Financial Information
Account Identification
70-0564-0-1-800.
Obigations
FY 07 $60,000; FY 08 $70,000; and FY 09 est $70,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Refer to program guidance.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
None.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
Not applicable.
Headquarters Office
Department of Homeland Security, 245 Murray Lane SW, Bldg# 410, Washington DC 20528.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Refer to the program guidance for information on criteria for selecting proposals.
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