Program Operations BranchCG-54222

NASBLASpring BLA Workshop

2012Lexington, KY

February 29, 2012

Topics• Grant Application Issues

– Equipment Lists– Assurances– Narratives ( and corresponding Performance

Reports)– Public Access Projects

• Program Compliance Visits• UCOTA-V• VIS

Equipment List• Form: SF-424 page 2A• Purpose: to gain program approval for

purchases of equipment IAW 2 CFR 225 and State Guide– must also be mentioned in application narrative.

• Equipment means tangible, nonexpendable, personal property having a useful life of more than 1 year and acquisition cost of $5,000 or more per unit.

Equipment List

Equipment means tangible, nonexpendable, personal property having a useful life of more than 1 year/aquisition cost of $5,000 or more per unit.

Equipment List

Equipment List

• What goes on this form;– boats– trucks– trailers– motors– computers over $5,000

Equipment List

• What does NOT go on this form;– property– buildings– items UNDER $5,000– consumable supplies (gas, oil, toilet paper, etc.)

Equipment List

Law Enforcement 2 22ft Triton patrol boat w/200HP O/B and trailer

$20,000 $40,000

4 Ford F-250 4X4 w/tow and police package

$28,000 $56,000

$96,000

Assurances

• Always required for State RBS Grant– Assurances Non-Construction Programs– Drug Free Workplace Act Certification– Certification Regarding Lobbying

• Required only when performing construction projects (public access, building construction, state dock repair/construction, etc)– Assurances Construction Programs

Narratives/Performance Reports

• Narrative: describes the state RBS program and tells the CG what you are intending to do in the coming FFY.– Accompanies grant application

• Performance Report: describes what you did or did not do in the state RBS program during the FFY.– Should directly compliment the narrative in the

application.

Narrative

• Should include discussion on the key elements of the grant program– Administration– Law enforcement– Education– Navigation aids (if part of your program)– Registration/titling– Public access (if part of your program)

Narrative

• What it should contain;– Descriptions of operational initiatives (ODW,

special concentrated efforts, etc)– Description of large equipment purchases, special

construction projects, etc.– Set goals for enforcement, reduction in accidents,

and education.

Narrative

• What it should NOT contain;– Any references to HOMELAND SECURITY initiatives– Any references to other law enforcement efforts

such as fisheries, wildlife, aquatic nuisance species and drug enforcement

• Other than to illustrate ratio of effort to RBS.

Performance Report

• Format similar to narrative is helpful• It is due no later than December 31 of each

year.– If unable to meet due date, request extension

prior to end of deadline.• Basically, tell us what you did.

Performance Report

• What it should contain;– Discuss same elements as in narrative, but state

what actually occurred.

Performance Report

• What it should NOT contain;– Any references to HOMELAND SECURITY initiatives– Any references to other law enforcement efforts

such as fisheries, wildlife, aquatic nuisance species and drug enforcement

– Discussion of equipment purchases not previously approved

Public Access• Elimination of overcrowding and congestion of

waterways• Equitable access to waters of the State for

various forms of recreational boating and shall address the needs of the handicapped.

• Developing or improving areas to enhance use and enjoyment of water resources

• Providing for the protection and safety of the facilities and the users of the facilities.

Public Access• Primary purpose of a public access project is

to provide a facility for the ingress and egress of the boater to the body of water for the purposes of recreation, and not intended as a means to maintain navigability of a waterway.

Public Access• All projects MUST be associated with a public

access facility.• Facilities include concrete slab launching

ramp, dry stack storage, small marinas with minimum support facilities, wharfs, and more expansive marine facilities.

Public Access

• Documentation required for each project;– Narrative describing the need and the objective– Map showing location with enough detail to drive

to access site.• Google maps are fine.

– SF-424C Budget Information - Construction required for each project.

Budget Information - Construction

Public Access

• Allowable costs include;– Ramps, docks, parking lots, lights, signage,

security fencing, ADA compliant access needs, etc.– Cyclical maintenance to include replacing boards,

roofing, resurfacing of parking, painting of buildings, etc.

• Does not include cutting grass, weeding, janitorial services, etc.

– Restroom and trash facilities– Dredging in the immediate vicinity ONLY

Public Access• Non-allowable costs;

– Picnic areas, gazebos, hiking trails, playground equipment, concession stands (food, drink), fire rings, bear boxes, etc.

– Routine daily maintenance – Fish cleaning stations– Boat wash down facilities

• Including for invasive species mitigation

– Harvesting of aquatic nuisance vegetation• Except in close vicinity of access site.

Public Access

• Is this a public access project;

– Building a boathouse and dock for patrol vessels

“Other” Budget Issues

• Object class category on Budget Information sheet

• Intended to catch items not identified in remaining categories

• Not intended as a catch all• If costs captured here are high, explain in

narrative or expect a call from your program coordinator.

“Other” Budget Issues

• What should not be captured under “Other”;– Equipment– Direct personnel costs of any kind– General supplies– Anything under contract– Travel– Training

Program Compliance Visits

• Purpose: to insure compliance with the statutory and regulatory requirements of the RBS Grant Program

• Primary areas subject to approval;– Vessel numbering system– Law enforcement of applicable state boating laws

and regulations– Boating safety education program– Marine casualty reporting system

28

Which States Have Had a Program Visit?

DC

VI

PR

AS GU CM

Complete – Program Approval Pending

Scheduled

Completed – Program Approved

As of 2/23/2012Not Scheduled

Program Compliance Visits

• To date;– Visited 15 States and Territories– Programs Approved 11

• Some conditional upon corrective action completed

– Approval Pending 4

Program Compliance Visits

• Some discrepancies noted to date include;– Late reporting of marine casualties– Improper validation sticker color/rotation– Improper Certificate of Number (size)– Missing federal equipment requirement in state

law.– Temporary CON not in compliance with regulation

• Improper information or valid period

Vessel Identification System

• Current status;– MOAs signed 33– MOAs not signed 21– States with barriers 3– Actively working with 6

• Emerging issue with UCOTA-V– In order to gain preferred mortgage status in

adopting the uniform act, participation is required.

32

Which States Have Signed Their MOAs for VIS?

DC

VI

PR

AS GU CM

33

20

3 States with barriers to participation

MOAs not yet signed

MOAs signed

As of 11/15/11

6 States in process to participate

UCOTAV

• Uniform Certificate of Title Act for Vessels– Bill has been prepared and is set for introduction

into the Connecticut State Legislature this session.– The Coast Guard is considering a rule making

project to incorporate UCOTAV elements into existing federal regulations.

QUESTIONS?

W. Vann BurgessProgram Operations

U.S. Coast GuardBoating Safety Division

(202) 372-1071William.V.Burgess@USCG.mil