Title 44 CFR 206

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Title 44: Emergency Management and Assistance

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PART 206—FEDERAL DISASTER ASSISTANCE

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Subpart G—Public Assistance Project Administration

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Source: 55 FR 2304, Jan. 23, 1990, unless otherwise noted.

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§ 206.200 General.
(a) Purpose. This subpart establishes procedures for the administration of Public Assistance grants
approved under the provisions of the Stafford Act.
(b) What policies apply to FEMA public assistance grants? (1) The Stafford Act requires that we deliver
eligible assistance as quickly and efficiently as possible consistent with Federal laws and regulations.
We expect the Grantee and the subgrantee to adhere to Stafford Act requirements and to these
regulations when administering our public assistance grants.
(2) The regulations entitled “Uniform Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements to State
and Local Governments,” published at 44 CFR part 13, place requirements on the State in its role as
Grantee and gives the Grantee discretion to administer federal programs under their own procedures.
We expect the Grantee to:
(i) Inform subgrantees about the status of their applications, including notifications of our approvals of
Project Worksheets and our estimates of when we will make payments;
(ii) Pay the full amounts due to subgrantees as soon as practicable after we approve payment, including
the State contribution required in the FEMA-State Agreement; and
(iii) Pay the State contribution consistent with State laws.
[55 FR 2304, Jan. 23, 1990, as amended at 63 FR 64425, Nov. 20, 1998; 64 FR 55160, Oct. 12, 1999]

§ 206.201 Definitions used in this subpart.

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(a) Applicant means a State agency, local government, or eligible private nonprofit organization, as
identified in Subpart H of this regulation, submitting an application to the Grantee for assistance under
the State's grant.
(b) Emergency work means that work which must be done immediately to save lives and to protect
improved property and public health and safety, or to avert or lessen the threat of a major disaster.
(c) Facility means any publicly or privately owned building, works, system, or equipment, built or
manufactured, or an improved and maintained natural feature. Land used for agricultural purposes is
not a facility.
(d) Grant means an award of financial assistance. The grant award shall be based on the total eligible
Federal share of all approved projects.
(e) Grantee. Grantee means the government to which a grant is awarded, and which is accountable for
the use of the funds provided. The grantee is the entire legal entity even if only a particular component
of the entity is designated in the grant award document. Generally, except as provided in §206.202(f),
the State for which the emergency or major disaster is declared is the grantee. However, an Indian
Tribal government may choose to be a grantee, or it may act as a subgrantee under the State. If an
Indian Tribal government is the grantee, it will assume the responsibilities of the “grantee” or “State” as
described in this part with respect to administration of the Public Assistance program.
(f) Hazard mitigation means any cost effective measure which will reduce the potential for damage to a
facility from a disaster event.
(g) Host-State. A State or Indian Tribal government that by agreement with FEMA provides sheltering
and/or evacuation support to evacuees from an impact-State. An Indian Tribal government may also be
referred to as a “Host-Tribe.”
(h) Impact-State. The State for which the President has declared an emergency or major disaster and
that, due to a need to evacuate and/or shelter affected individuals outside the State, requests such
assistance from FEMA pursuant to §206.208.
(i) Indian Tribal government means any federally recognized governing body of an Indian or Alaska
Native Tribe, band, nation, pueblo, village, or community that the Secretary of the Interior acknowledges
to exist as an Indian Tribe under the Federally Recognized Tribe List Act of 1994, 25 U.S.C. 479a. This
does not include Alaska Native corporations, the ownership of which is vested in private individuals.
(j) Permanent work means that restorative work that must be performed through repairs or replacement,
to restore an eligible facility on the basis of its predisaster design and current applicable standards.
(k) Predisaster design means the size or capacity of a facility as originally designed and constructed or
subsequently modified by changes or additions to the original design. It does not mean the capacity at
which the facility was being used at the time the major disaster occurred if different from the most recent
designed capacity.
(l) A project is a logical grouping of work required as a result of the declared major disaster or
emergency. The scope of work and cost estimate for a project are documented on a Project Worksheet
(FEMA Form 90–91).
(1) We must approve a scope of eligible work and an itemized cost estimate before funding a project.
(2) A project may include eligible work at several sites.
(m) Project approval means the process in which the Regional Administrator, or designee, reviews and
signs an approval of work and costs on a Project Worksheet or on a batch of Project Worksheets. Such
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approval is also an obligation of funds to the Grantee.
(n) Subgrant means an award of financial assistance under a grant by a grantee to an eligible
subgrantee.
(o) Subgrantee means the government or other legal entity to which a subgrant is awarded and which is
accountable to the grantee for the use of the funds provided.
[55 FR 2304, Jan. 23, 1990, as amended at 63 FR 64425, Nov. 20, 1998; 64 FR 55160, Oct. 12, 1999;
74 FR 60213, Nov. 20, 2009]

§ 206.202 Application procedures.
(a) General. This section describes the policies and procedures that we use to process public
assistance grants to States. Under this section the State is the Grantee. As Grantee you are
responsible for processing subgrants to applicants under 44 CFR parts 13 and 206, and your own
policies and procedures.
(b) Grantee. You are the grant administrator for all funds provided under the Public Assistance grant
program. Your responsibilities under this section include:
(1) Providing technical advice and assistance to eligible subgrantees;
(2) Providing State support for project identification activities to include small and large project
formulation and the validation of small projects;
(3) Ensuring that all potential applicants are aware of available public assistance; and
(4) Submitting documents necessary for the award of grants.
(c) Request for Public Assistance (Request). The Grantee must send a completed Request (FEMA
Form 90–49) to the Regional Administrator for each applicant who requests public assistance. You must
send Requests to the Regional Administrator within 30 days after designation of the area where the
damage occurred.
(d) Project Worksheets. (1) An applicant's authorized local representative is responsible for
representing the applicant and for ensuring that the applicant has identified all eligible work and
submitted all costs for disaster-related damages for funding.
(i) We or the applicant, assisted by the State as appropriate, will prepare a Project Worksheet (FEMA
Form 90–91) for each project. The Project Worksheet must identify the eligible scope of work and must
include a quantitative estimate for the eligible work.
(ii) The applicant will have 60 days following its first substantive meeting with us to identify and to report
damage to us.
(2) When the estimated cost of work on a project is less than $1,000, that work is not eligible and we will
not approve a Project Worksheet for the project. Periodically we will review this minimum approval
amount for a Project Worksheet and, if needed, will adjust the amount by regulation.
(e) Grant approval. (1) Before we obligate any funds to the State, the Grantee must complete and send
to the Regional Administrator a Standard Form (SF) 424, Application for Federal Assistance, and a SF
424D, Assurances for Construction Programs. After we receive the SF 424 and SF 424D, the Regional
Administrator will obligate funds to the Grantee based on the approved Project Worksheets. The
Grantee will then approve subgrants based on the Project Worksheets approved for each applicant.

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(2) When the applicant submits the Project Worksheets, we will have 45 days to obligate Federal funds.
If we have a delay beyond 45 days we will explain the delay to the Grantee.
(f) Exceptions. The following are exceptions to the procedures and time limitations outlined in this
section.
(1) Host-State Evacuation and/or Sheltering. (i) General. A grant to a host-State for sheltering and/or
evacuation support is available under this section when an impact-State requests direct Federal
assistance for sheltering and/or evacuation support pursuant to §206.208. To receive this grant, a hostState must enter into a FEMA–Host-State Agreement, amend its State Administrative Plan pursuant to
§206.207, and submit a Standard Form SF424 Application for Federal Assistance directly to FEMA to
apply for reimbursement of eligible costs for evacuating and/or sheltering individuals from an impactState. Upon award, the host-State assumes the responsibilities of the “grantee” or “State” under this
part with respect to its grant award.
(ii) Force Account Labor Costs. For the performance of eligible evacuation and sheltering support under
sections 403 or 502 of the Stafford Act, the straight-time salaries and benefits of a host-State's
permanently employed personnel are eligible for reimbursement. This is an exception to §206.228(a)(2).
(2) Time limitations. The Regional Administrator may extend the time limitations shown in paragraphs
(c) and (d) of this section when the Grantees justifies and makes a request in writing. The justification
must be based on extenuating circumstances beyond the grantee's or subgrantee's control.
[64 FR 55160, Oct. 12, 1999, as amended at 74 FR 15350, Apr. 3, 2009; 74 FR 60213, Nov. 20, 2009]

§ 206.203 Federal grant assistance.
(a) General. This section describes the types and extent of Federal funding available under State
disaster assistance grants, as well as limitations and special procedures applicable to each.
(b) Cost sharing. All projects approved under State disaster assistance grants will be subject to the cost
sharing provisions established in the FEMA-State Agreement and the Stafford Act.
(c) Project funding —(1) Large projects. When the approved estimate of eligible costs for an individual
project is $35,000 or greater, Federal funding shall equal the Federal share of the actual eligible costs
documented by a grantee. Such $35,000 amount shall be adjusted annually to reflect changes in the
Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers published by the Department of Labor.
(2) Small projects. When the approved estimate of costs for an individual project is less than $35,000,
Federal funding shall equal the Federal share of the approved estimate of eligible costs. Such $35,000
amount shall be adjusted annually as indicated in paragraph (c)(1) of this section.
(d) Funding options —(1) Improved projects. If a subgrantee desires to make improvements, but still
restore the predisaster function of a damaged facility, the Grantee's approval must be obtained. Federal
funding for such improved projects shall be limited to the Federal share of the approved estimate of
eligible costs.
(2) Alternate projects. In any case where a subgrantee determines that the public welfare would not be
best served by restoring a damaged public facility or the function of that facility, the Grantee may
request that the Regional Administrator approve an alternate project.
(i) The alternate project option may be taken only on permanent restorative work.
(ii) Federal funding for alternate projects for damaged public facilities will be 90 percent of the Federal
share of the Federal estimate of the cost of repairing, restoring, reconstructing, or replacing the facility

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and of management expenses.
(iii) Federal funding for alternate projects for damaged private nonprofit facilities will be 75 percent of the
Federal share of the Federal estimate of the cost of repairing, restoring, reconstructing, or replacing the
facility and of management expenses.
(iv) Funds contributed for alternate projects may be used to repair or expand other selected public
facilities, to construct new facilities, or to fund hazard mitigation measures. These funds may not be
used to pay the nonFederal share of any project, nor for any operating expense.
(v) Prior to the start of construction of any alternate project the Grantee shall submit for approval by the
Regional Administrator the following: a description of the proposed alternate project(s); a schedule of
work; and the projected cost of the project(s). The Grantee shall also provide the necessary assurances
to document compliance with special requirements, including, but not limited to floodplain management,
environmental assessment, hazard mitigation, protection of wetlands, and insurance.
[55 FR 2304, Jan. 23, 1990, as amended at 66 FR 22444, May 4, 2001; 73 FR 20551, Apr. 16, 2008]

§ 206.204 Project performance.
(a) General. This section describes the policies and procedures applicable during the performance of
eligible work.
(b) Advances of funds. Advances of funds will be made in accordance with 44 CFR 13.21, Payment.
(c) Time limitations for completion of work —(1) Deadlines. The project completion deadlines shown
below are set from the date that a major disaster or emergency is declared and apply to all projects
approved under State disaster assistance grants.
Completion Deadlines

Type of work

Months

Debris clearance

6

Emergency work

6

Permanent work

18

(2) Exceptions. (i) The Grantee may impose lesser deadlines for the completion of work under
paragraph (c)(1) of this section if considered appropriate.
(ii) Based on extenuating circumstances or unusual project requirements beyond the control of the
subgrantee, the Grantee may extend the deadlines under paragraph (c)(1) of this section for an
additional 6 months for debris clearance and emergency work and an additional 30 months, on a project
by project basis for permanent work.
(d) Requests for time extensions. Requests for time extensions beyond the Grantee's authority shall be
submitted by the Grantee to the Regional Administrator and shall include the following:
(1) The dates and provisions of all previous time extensions on the project; and
(2) A detailed justification for the delay and a projected completion date. The Regional Administrator
shall review the request and make a determination. The Grantee shall be notified of the Regional
Administrator's determination in writing. If the Regional Administrator approves the request, the letter
shall reflect the approved completion date and any other requirements the Regional Administrator may
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determine necessary to ensure that the new completion date is met. If the Regional Administrator
denies the time extension request, the grantee may, upon completion of the project, be reimbursed for
eligible project costs incurred only up to the latest approved completion date. If the project is not
completed, no Federal funding will be provided for that project.
(e) Cost Overruns. (1) During the execution of approved work a subgrantee may find that the actual
project costs exceed the approved Project Worksheet estimates. Such cost overruns normally fall into
the following three categories:
(i) Variations in unit prices;
(ii) Change in the scope of eligible work; or
(iii) Delays in timely starts or completion of eligible work.
(2) The subgrantee must evaluate each cost overrun and, when justified, submit a request for additional
funding through the Grantee to the Regional Administrator for a final determination. All requests for the
Regional Administrator's approval will contain sufficient documentation to support the eligibility of all
claimed work and costs. The Grantee must include a written recommendation when forwarding the
request. The Regional Administrator will notify the Grantee in writing of the final determination. FEMA
will not normally review an overrun for an individual small project. The normal procedure for small
projects will be that when a subgrantee discovers a significant overrun related to the total final cost for
all small projects, the subgrantee may submit an appeal for additional funding in accordance with
§206.206, within 60 days following the completion of all its small projects.
(f) Progress reports. Progress reports will be submitted by the Grantee to the Regional Administrator
quarterly. The Regional Administrator and Grantee shall negotiate the date for submission of the first
report. Such reports will describe the status of those projects on which a final payment of the Federal
share has not been made to the grantee and outline any problems or circumstances expected to result
in noncompliance with the approved grant conditions.
[55 FR 2304, Jan. 23, 1990; 55 FR 5458, Feb. 15, 1990, as amended at 64 FR 55161, Oct. 12, 1999]

§ 206.205 Payment of claims.
(a) Small Projects. Final payment of the Federal share of these projects will be made to the Grantee
upon approval of the Project Worksheet. The Grantee will make payment of the Federal share to the
subgrantee as soon as practicable after Federal approval of funding. Before the closeout of the disaster
contract, the Grantee must certify that all such projects were completed in accordance with FEMA
approvals and that the State contribution to the non-Federal share, as specified in the FEMA-State
Agreement, has been paid to each subgrantee. Such certification is not required to specify the amount
spent by a subgrantee on small projects. The Federal payment for small projects shall not be reduced if
all of the approved funds are not spent to complete a project. However, failure to complete a project
may require that the Federal payment be refunded.
(b) Large projects. (1) The Grantee shall make an accounting to the Regional Administrator of eligible
costs for each approved large project. In submitting the accounting the Grantee shall certify that
reported costs were incurred in the performance of eligible work, that the approved work was
completed, that the project is in compliance with the provisions of the FEMA-State Agreement, and that
payments for that project have been made in accordance with 44 CFR 13.21, Payments. Each large
project shall be submitted as soon as practicable after the subgrantee has completed the approved
work and requested payment.
(2) The Regional Administrator shall review the accounting to determine the eligible amount of
reimbursement for each large project and approve eligible costs. If a discrepancy between reported
costs and approved funding exists, the Regional Administrator may conduct field reviews to gather
additional information. If discrepancies in the claim cannot be resolved through a field review, a Federal
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audit may be conducted. If the Regional Administrator determines that eligible costs exceed the initial
approval, he/she will obligate additional funds as necessary.
[55 FR 2304, Jan. 23, 1990, as amended at 64 FR 55161, Oct. 12, 1999]

§ 206.206 Appeals.
An eligible applicant, subgrantee, or grantee may appeal any determination previously made related to
an application for or the provision of Federal assistance according to the procedures below.
(a) Format and Content. The applicant or subgrantee will make the appeal in writing through the grantee
to the Regional Administrator. The grantee shall review and evaluate all subgrantee appeals before
submission to the Regional Administrator. The grantee may make grantee-related appeals to the
Regional Administrator. The appeal shall contain documented justification supporting the appellant's
position, specifying the monetary figure in dispute and the provisions in Federal law, regulation, or
policy with which the appellant believes the initial action was inconsistent.
(b) Levels of Appeal. (1) The Regional Administrator will consider first appeals for public assistancerelated decisions under subparts A through L of this part.
(2) The Assistant Administrator for the Disaster Assistance Directorate will consider appeals of the
Regional Administrator's decision on any first appeal under paragraph (b)(1) of this section.
(c) Time Limits. (1) Appellants must file appeals within 60 days after receipt of a notice of the action that
is being appealed.
(2) The grantee will review and forward appeals from an applicant or subgrantee, with a written
recommendation, to the Regional Administrator within 60 days of receipt.
(3) Within 90 days following receipt of an appeal, the Regional Administrator (for first appeals) or
Assistant Administrator for the Disaster Assistance Directorate (for second appeals) will notify the
grantee in writing of the disposition of the appeal or of the need for additional information. A request by
the Regional Administrator or Assistant Administrator for the Disaster Assistance Directorate for
additional information will include a date by which the information must be provided. Within 90 days
following the receipt of the requested additional information or following expiration of the period for
providing the information, the Regional Administrator or Assistant Administrator for the Disaster
Assistance Directorate will notify the grantee in writing of the disposition of the appeal. If the decision is
to grant the appeal, the Regional Administrator will take appropriate implementing action.
(d) Technical Advice. In appeals involving highly technical issues, the Regional Administrator or
Assistant Administrator for the Disaster Assistance Directorate may, at his or her discretion, submit the
appeal to an independent scientific or technical person or group having expertise in the subject matter
of the appeal for advice or recommendation. The period for this technical review may be in addition to
other allotted time periods. Within 90 days of receipt of the report, the Regional Administrator or
Assistant Administrator for the Disaster Assistance Directorate will notify the grantee in writing of the
disposition of the appeal.
(e) Transition. (1) This rule is effective for all appeals pending on and appeals from decisions issued on
or after May 8, 1998, except as provided in paragraph (e)(2) of this section.
(2) Appeals pending from a decision of an Assistant Administrator for the Disaster Assistance
Directorate before May 8, 1998 may be appealed to the Administrator in accordance with 44 CFR
206.440 as it existed before May 8, 1998 (44 CFR, revised as of October 1, 1997).
(3) The decision of the FEMA official at the next higher appeal level shall be the final administrative
decision of FEMA.

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[63 FR 17110, Apr. 8, 1998; 63 FR 24970, May 6, 1998]

§ 206.207 Administrative and audit requirements.
(a) General. Uniform administrative requirements which are set forth in 44 CFR part 13 apply to all
disaster assistance grants and subgrants.
(b) State administrative plan. (1) The State shall develop a plan for the administration of the Public
Assistance program that includes at a minimum, the items listed below:
(i) The designation of the State agency or agencies which will have the responsibility for program
administration.
(ii) The identification of staffing functions in the Public Assistance program, the sources of staff to fill
these functions, and the management and oversight responsibilities of each.
(iii) Procedures for:
(A) Notifying potential applicants of the availability of the program;
(B) Conducting briefings for potential applicants and application procedures, program eligibility guidance
and program deadlines;
(C) Assisting FEMA in determining applicant eligibility;
(D) Participating with FEMA in conducting damage surveys to serve as a basis for obligations of funds
to subgrantees;
(E) Participating with FEMA in the establishment of hazard mitigation and insurance requirements;
(F) Processing appeal requests, requests for time extensions and requests for approval of overruns,
and for processing appeals of grantee decisions;
(G) Compliance with the administrative requirements of 44 CFR parts 13 and 206;
(H) Compliance with the audit requirements of 44 CFR part 13;
(I) Processing requests for advances of funds and reimbursement; and
(J) Determining staffing and budgeting requirements necessary for proper program management.
(K) Determining the reasonable percentage or amount of pass-through funds for management costs
provided under 44 CFR part 207 that the grantee will make available to subgrantees, and the basis,
criteria, or formula for determining the subgrantee percentage or amount.
(2) The Grantee may request the Regional Administrator to provide technical assistance in the
preparation of such administrative plan.
(3) In accordance with the Interim Rule published March 21, 1989, the Grantee was to have submitted
an administrative plan to the RD for approval by September 18, 1989. An approved plan must be on file
with FEMA before grants will be approved in a future major disaster. Thereafter, the Grantee shall
submit a revised plan to the Regional Administrator annually. In each disaster for which Public
Assistance is included, the Regional Administrator shall request the Grantee to prepare any
amendments required to meet current policy guidance.
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(4) The Grantee shall ensure that the approved administrative plan is incorporated into the State
emergency plan.
(c) Audit —(1) Nonfederal audit. For grantees or subgrantees, requirements for nonfederal audit are
contained in FEMA regulations at 44 CFR part 13 or OMB Circular A–110 as appropriate.
(2) Federal audit. In accordance with 44 CFR part 13, FEMA may elect to conduct a Federal audit of the
disaster assistance grant or any of the subgrants.
[55 FR 2304, Jan. 23, 1990; 55 FR 5458, Feb. 15, 1990, as amended at 72 FR 57875, Oct. 11, 2007;
74 FR 15350, Apr. 3, 2009]

§ 206.208 Direct Federal assistance.
(a) General. When the State and local government lack the capability to perform or to contract for
eligible emergency work and/or debris removal, under sections 402(1) and (4), 403, 407, 502(a)(1), (5)
and (7) of the Act, the Grantee may request that the work be accomplished by a Federal agency. Such
assistance is subject to the cost sharing provisions outlined in §206.203(b) of this subpart. Direct
Federal assistance is also subject to the eligibility criteria contained in Subpart H of these regulations.
FEMA will reimburse other Federal agencies in accordance with Subpart A of these regulations.
(b) Requests for assistance. All requests for direct Federal assistance shall be submitted by the
Grantee to the Regional Administrator and shall include:
(1) A written agreement that the State will:
(i) Provide without cost to the United States all lands, easements and rights-of-ways necessary to
accomplish the approved work;
(ii) Hold and save the United States free from damages due to the requested work, and shall indemnify
the Federal Government against any claims arising from such work;
(iii) Provide reimbursement to FEMA for the nonFederal share of the cost of such work in accordance
with the provisions of the FEMA-State Agreement; and
(iv) Assist the performing Federal agency in all support and local jurisdictional matters.
(2) A statement as to the reasons the State and the local government cannot perform or contract for
performance of the requested work.
(3) A written agreement from an eligible applicant that such applicant will be responsible for the items in
subparagraph (b)(1) (i) and (ii) of this section, in the event that a State is legally unable to provide the
written agreement.
(c) Implementation. (1) If the Regional Administrator approves the request, a mission assignment will be
issued to the appropriate Federal agency. The mission assignment letter to the agency will define the
scope of eligible work, the estimated cost of the eligible work and the billing period frequency. The
Federal agency must not exceed the approved funding limit without the authorization of the Regional
Administrator.
(2) If all or any part of the requested work falls within the statutory authority of another Federal agency,
the Regional Administrator shall not approve that portion of the work. In such case, the unapproved
portion of the request will be referred to the appropriate agency for action.

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(3) If an impact-State requests assistance in providing evacuation and sheltering support outside an
impact-State, FEMA may directly reimburse a host-State for such eligible costs through a grant to a
host-State under an impact-State's declaration, consistent with §206.202(f)(1). FEMA may award a
grant to a host-State when FEMA determines that a host-State has sufficient capability to meet some or
all of the sheltering and/or evacuation needs of an impact-State, and a host-State agrees in writing to
provide such support to an impact-State.
(d) Time limitation. The time limitation for completion of work by a Federal agency under a mission
assignment is 60 days after the President's declaration. Based on extenuating circumstances or
unusual project requirements, the Regional Administrator may extend this time limitation.
(e) Project management. (1) The performing Federal agency shall ensure that the work is completed in
accordance with the Regional Administrator's approved scope of work, costs and time limitations. The
performing Federal agency shall also keep the Regional Administrator and Grantee advised of work
progress and other project developments. It is the responsibility of the performing Federal agency to
ensure compliance with applicable Federal, State and local legal requirements. A final inspection report
will be completed upon termination of all direct Federal assistance work. Final inspection reports shall
be signed by a representative of the performing Federal agency and the State. Once the final eligible
cost is determined (including Federal agency overhead), the State will be billed for the nonFederal
share of the mission assignment in accordance with the cost sharing provisions of the FEMA-State
Agreement.
(2) Pursuant to the agreements provided in the request for assistance the Grantee shall assist the
performing Federal agency in all State and local jurisdictional matters. These matters include securing
local building permits and rights of entry, control of traffic and pedestrians, and compliance with local
building ordinances.
[55 FR 2304, Jan. 23, 1990, as amended at 64 FR 55161, Oct. 12, 1999; 74 FR 60214, Nov. 20, 2009]

§ 206.209 Arbitration for Public Assistance determinations related to Hurricanes Katrina
and Rita (Major disaster declarations DR–1603, DR–1604, DR–1605, DR–1606, and DR–
1607).
(a) Scope. Pursuant to section 601 of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, Public
Law 111–5, this section establishes procedures for arbitration to resolve disputed Public Assistance
applications under the following major disaster declarations: DR–1603, DR–1604, DR–1605, DR–1606,
and DR–1607.
(b) Applicability. An applicant or subgrantee (hereinafter “applicant” for purposes of this section) may
request arbitration of a determination made by FEMA on an application for Public Assistance, provided
that the total amount of the project is greater than $500,000, and provided that:
(1) the applicant is eligible to file an appeal under §206.206; or
(2) the applicant had a first or second level appeal pending with FEMA pursuant to §206.206 on or after
February 17, 2009.
(c) Governing rules. An applicant that elects arbitration agrees to abide by this section and applicable
guidance. The arbitration will be conducted pursuant to procedure established by the arbitration panel.
(d) Limitations —(1) Election of remedies. A request for arbitration under this section is in lieu of filing or
continuing an appeal under §206.206.
(2) Final agency action under §206.206. Arbitration is not available for any matter that obtained final
agency action by FEMA pursuant to §206.206 prior to February 17, 2009. Arbitration is not available for
determinations for which the applicant failed to file a timely appeal under the provisions of §206.206

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prior to August 31, 2009, or for determinations which received a decision on a second appeal from
FEMA prior to February 17, 2009.
(e) Request for arbitration —(1) Content of request. The request for arbitration must contain a written
statement and all documentation supporting the position of the applicant, the disaster number, and the
name and address of the applicant's authorized representative or counsel.
(2) Submission by the applicant to the Grantee, the FEMA Regional Administrator, and the arbitration
administrator. An applicant under paragraph (b)(1) of this section must submit its request for arbitration
in writing simultaneously to the Grantee, the FEMA Regional Administrator, and the arbitration
administrator within 30 calendar days after receipt of notice of the determination that is the subject of
the arbitration request or by September 30, 2009, whichever is later. An applicant under paragraph (b)
(2) of this section must make a request for arbitration in writing and, if FEMA has not issued a decision
on the appeal, submit a withdrawal of the pending appeal, simultaneously to the Grantee, the FEMA
Regional Administrator, and the arbitration administrator by October 30, 2009.
(3) Submission by the Grantee to the arbitration administrator and FEMA. Within 15 calendar days of
receipt of the applicant's request for arbitration, the Grantee must forward the name and address of the
Grantee's authorized representative or counsel, and may forward a written recommendation in support
or opposition to the applicant's request for arbitration, simultaneously to the FEMA Regional
Administrator, the arbitration administrator, and the applicant.
(4) Submission of FEMA's response. FEMA will submit a memorandum in support of its position, a copy
of the Project Worksheet(s), and any other supporting information, as well as the name and address of
its authorized representative or counsel, simultaneously to the arbitration administrator, the Grantee,
and the applicant, within 30 calendar days of receipt of the applicant's request for arbitration.
(5) Process for submissions. When submitting a request for arbitration, the applicant should describe its
claim with sufficient detail so that the circumstances of the dispute are clear to the arbitration panel. All
papers, notices, or other documents submitted to the arbitration administrator under this section by the
applicant, the Grantee, or FEMA will be served on each party's authorized representative or counsel.
The submitting party will make such service by courier or overnight delivery service (such as Federal
Express, DHL, United Parcel Service, or the United States Postal Service overnight delivery),
addressed to the party, representative, or counsel, as applicable, at its last known address.
(f) Selection of arbitration panel. The arbitration administrator will select the arbitration panel for
arbitration and notify the applicant, FEMA, and the Grantee of the names and identities of the arbitrators
selected for the panel.
(g) Preliminary conference. The arbitration panel will hold a preliminary conference with the parties and/
or representatives of the parties within 10 business days of the panel's receipt of FEMA's response to
the request for arbitration. The panel and the parties will discuss the future conduct of the arbitration,
including clarification of the disputed issues, request for disqualification of an arbitrator (if applicable),
and any other preliminary matters. The date and place of any oral hearing will be set at the preliminary
conference. The preliminary conference will be conducted by telephone.
(h) Hearing —(1) Request for hearing. The panel will provide the applicant and FEMA with an
opportunity to make an oral presentation on the substance of the applicant's claim in person, by
telephone conference, or other means during which all the parties may simultaneously hear all other
participants. If the applicant or FEMA would like to request an oral hearing, the request must be made
no later than the preliminary conference.
(2) Location of hearing. If an in-person hearing is authorized, it will be held at a hearing facility of the
arbitration panel's choosing.
(3) Conduct of hearing. Each party may present its position through oral presentations by individuals
designated in advance of the hearing. These presentations may reference documents submitted

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pursuant to paragraph (e) of this section; the parties may not provide additional paper submissions at
the hearing. If the panel deems it appropriate or necessary, it may request additional written materials
from either or both parties or seek the advice or expertise of independent scientific or technical subject
matter experts.
(4) Closing of hearing. The panel will inquire of each party whether it has any further argument. When
satisfied that the record is complete, the panel will declare the hearing closed, unless a post-hearing
submission of additional information or a memorandum of law is to be provided in accordance with this
paragraph. The hearing will be declared closed as of the date set by the panel for the submission of the
additional information or the memorandum of law.
(5) Time limits. The panel will endeavor to hold the hearing within 60 calendar days of the preliminary
conference.
(6) Postponement. The arbitration panel may postpone a hearing upon agreement of the parties, or
upon request of a party for good cause shown. Within 10 business days of the postponement, the
arbitration panel will notify the parties of the rescheduled date of the hearing.
(7) Record of the hearing. There will be no recording of the hearing, unless a party specifically requests
and arranges for such recording at its own expense.
(8) Post-hearing submission of additional information. A party may file with the arbitration panel
additional information or a memorandum of law after the hearing upon the arbitration panel's request or
upon the request of one of the parties with the panel's consent. The panel will set the time for
submission of the additional information or the memorandum of law.
(9) Reopening of hearing. The hearing may be reopened on the panel's initiative under compelling
circumstances at any time before the decision is made.
(i) Review by the arbitration panel. (1) Determination of timeliness. Upon notification by FEMA, or on its
own initiative, the arbitration panel will determine whether the applicant timely filed a request for
arbitration.
(2) Substantive review. The arbitration panel will consider all relevant written materials provided by the
applicant, the Grantee, and FEMA, as well as oral presentations, if any. If the panel deems it
appropriate or necessary, it may request additional written materials from either or both parties or seek
the advice or expertise of independent scientific or technical subject matter experts.
(j) Ex parte communications. No party and no one acting on behalf of any party will engage in ex parte
communications with a member of the arbitration panel. If a party or someone acting on behalf of any
party engages in ex parte communications with a member of the arbitration panel, the party that
engaged in such communication will provide a summary or a transcript of the entire communication to
the other parties.
(k) Decision —(1) Time limits. The panel will make every effort to issue a written decision within 60
calendar days after the panel declares the hearing closed pursuant to paragraph (h)(4) of this section,
or, if a hearing was not requested, within 60 calendar days following the receipt of FEMA's response to
the request for arbitration. A decision of the panel may take longer than 60 calendar days if the
arbitration involves a highly technical or complex matter.
(2) Form and content. The decision of the panel will be in writing and signed by each member of the
panel. The panel will issue a reasoned decision that includes a brief and informal discussion of the
factual and legal basis for the decision.
(3) Finality of decision. A decision of the majority of the panel shall constitute a final decision, binding on
all parties. Final decisions are not subject to further administrative review. Final decisions are not
subject to judicial review, except as permitted by 9 U.S.C. 10.
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(4) Delivery of decision. Notice and delivery of the decision will be by facsimile or other electronic
means and by regular mail to each party or its authorized representative or counsel.
(l) Costs. FEMA will pay the fees associated with the arbitration panel, the costs of any expert retained
by the panel, and the arbitration facility costs, if any. The expenses for each party, including attorney's
fees, representative fees, copying costs, costs associated with attending any hearing, or any other fees
not listed in this paragraph will be paid by the party incurring such costs.
(m) Guidance. FEMA may issue separate guidance as necessary to supplement this section.
[FR 44767, Aug. 31, 2009]

§§ 206.210-206.219 [Reserved]
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