Fiscal Year (FY) 2017 National Incident Management System (NIMS) | DHS 17 NPD 107 00 01

FY 2017 NIMS (National Incident Management System) Cooperative Agreement - FAQs

What is the FY 2017 NIMS grant opportunity?

It is a FEMA discretionary cooperative agreement focused on strengthening how the nation manages emergencies of any type, across the full cycle of preparedness, response, and recovery. The opportunity supports National Incident Management System (NIMS) implementation by promoting common concepts, principles, and shared terminology so organizations at every level can work together, including during large, complex, or cross-jurisdictional incidents.

Which federal agency is offering this funding?

The opportunity is offered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Is this a grant or a cooperative agreement?

It is offered as a cooperative agreement. The narrative frames it as a targeted national-level effort to advance NIMS implementation through consistent mutual aid systems.

What is the purpose of NIMS in this program?

NIMS is described as the national framework that establishes common approaches and consistent terminology for incident management. The purpose is to improve coordination and interoperability among organizations at all levels so they can operate effectively together, especially when incidents cross jurisdictional boundaries or become large and complex.

How does this opportunity relate to national preparedness and resilience priorities?

FEMA positions this work as directly supporting the Quadrennial Homeland Security Report (QHSR) Mission 5, which emphasizes strengthening national preparedness and resilience, and specifically Goal 5.3 focused on effective emergency response.

What is the central theme emphasized in the opportunity?

A central theme is nationwide mutual aid as a practical way to implement NIMS, with a strong emphasis on the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) as a proven mechanism for interstate coordination and assistance.

What is EMAC and why is it highlighted?

EMAC (Emergency Management Assistance Compact) is a congressionally ratified mutual aid compact created in 1996 that enables states to assist one another during governor-declared states of emergency by sharing personnel, equipment, and commodities. The opportunity highlights EMAC as a reliable, predictable, and scalable way to obtain assistance when a disaster overwhelms a single state's resources, particularly during large-scale or catastrophic incidents.

Who manages and administers EMAC according to the opportunity?

The National Emergency Management Association (NEMA), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit headquartered in Lexington, Kentucky, is described as managing and administering EMAC and representing emergency management directors from all 50 states, U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia.

How does mutual aid connect to the National Preparedness System in this opportunity?

The narrative ties EMAC and NIMS implementation to the National Preparedness System, described as the way the nation builds, sustains, and delivers core capabilities needed to reach the National Preparedness Goal of a secure and resilient nation. Mutual aid and resource sharing are emphasized as both cost-effective and operationally necessary because no single jurisdiction can afford to own and maintain every resource needed for a major emergency.

What approach to preparedness is emphasized?

A whole-community approach is emphasized, including government partners as well as individuals, families, communities, private sector organizations, nonprofits, and faith-based groups.

What does FEMA say the National Preparedness System relies on?

FEMA describes the preparedness system as being supported by guidance, programs, processes, and interoperable systems that integrate efforts across the country and collectively deliver 32 identified core capabilities.

What is the funding intended to accomplish in practical terms?

The cooperative agreement is intended to advance NIMS implementation by developing and deploying consistent systems that support the full mutual aid resource cycle. That includes requesting resources, dispatching them, using them effectively during operations, and returning and demobilizing them in an orderly way.

What is meant by the "mutual aid resource cycle" in this opportunity?

The opportunity describes the mutual aid resource cycle as covering the end-to-end process: resource requests, dispatch, operational use, and eventual return and demobilization. The intent is to ensure mutual aid can be coordinated smoothly and consistently when resources are shared across jurisdictions.

What outcomes is FEMA aiming for through these standardized systems?

The narrative states the goal is to strengthen a national mutual aid network that can close resource gaps, bring specialized skills and capabilities where they are needed most, and improve outcomes for survivors.

How does this relate to the "32 core capabilities" mentioned?

FEMA frames standardized mutual aid systems as essential infrastructure for building, sustaining, and delivering the 32 core capabilities across prevention, protection, mitigation, response, and recovery.

What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is listed under CFDA 97.107 (Disaster Prevention and Relief).

What type of funding opportunity is this (competitive vs. targeted)?

It is described as a discretionary funding opportunity and anticipated a single award, indicating a targeted approach typical of cooperative agreements supporting specific national-level preparedness functions.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is limited to nonprofits with IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) status, other than institutions of higher education.

Are institutions of higher education eligible?

No. The eligibility description specifies 501(c)(3) nonprofits other than institutions of higher education.

How many awards were anticipated?

The opportunity anticipated a single award.

What is the maximum (ceiling) award amount?

The award ceiling was $2,000,000.

When was the opportunity posted and when did it close?

The posting indicates it was created on August 7, 2017, with an original application closing date of August 21, 2017, reflecting a short application window.

What kinds of incidents does this opportunity aim to help manage?

The opportunity is framed around managing emergencies of any type, and specifically notes the importance of being able to coordinate when incidents cross jurisdictional boundaries or become large and complex.

Why does the opportunity emphasize interstate assistance?

It recognizes that large disasters can overwhelm a single state's resources and that mutual aid makes interstate assistance more reliable, predictable, and scalable by providing a structured way to share personnel, equipment, and commodities during governor-declared states of emergency.