Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA)

Privacy Impact Assessment
for the
National Emergency Management Information System – Mitigation
(MT) Electronic Grants Management System (NEMIS-MT
eGrants)

January 19, 2007
Contact Point
Shabbar Saifee
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Mitigation Division
Risk Reduction Branch
Grants Data Analysis & Tools Section
Reviewing Official
Hugo Teufel III
Chief Privacy Officer
Department of Homeland Security
(571) 227-3813

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Abstract
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) operates the National Emergency
Management Information System (NEMIS) Mitigation (MT) Electronic Grants Management (eGrants)
system. The eGrants system is an online grant application and grant management system. This privacy
impact assessment (PIA) is being conducted because personally identifiable information may be included in
grant applications made by States or local communities.

Introduction
This PIA addresses all of the Mitigation Division’s grant programs that collect applications through
MT eGrants. These include the Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA), Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM), Severe
Repetitive Loss (SRL), Repetitive Flood Claims (RFC), Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), and
related mitigation grant programs authorized under either the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and
Emergency Assistance Act or the National Flood Insurance Act, 42 U.S.C. 4100.
The purpose of FEMA Mitigation grant programs is to provide funds to eligible States (applicants)
and local communities (sub-applicants through State applications) to implement mitigation activities to
reduce or eliminate the risk of future damage to life and property. 1 Examples of mitigation activities
include retrofitting structures, minor structural flood control projects, acquisition of properties, demolition
or relocation of structures, construction of safe rooms, or developing local or statewide mitigation plans.
FEMA is also the administrator of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) (42 U.S.C. § 4001
et seq.), a Federal program enabling property owners in participating communities to purchase insurance
as a protection against flood losses in exchange for State and local community floodplain management
regulations that reduce future flood damages. Individual properties are included in applications and are
verified against NFIP data manually for insurance status and/or damage history prior to any mitigation
grant funds awarded. Because States are the lead applicants and local communities are sub-applicants
(where sub-applicants exist), the terms “State” and “local community” will hereinafter be used to describe
the applicants and sub-applicants, respectively.
The eGrants system is an online grant application and grant management system. Individuals who
own property and who may be eligible for FEMA mitigation grants must voluntarily request assistance
through their State or local community. Individuals may not apply directly to FEMA and are not granted
direct access to the eGrants system. The State or local community collects the individual’s information
through a paper application, and enters the information into the ’Properties’ section of an online grant
application. 2 A grant application includes multiple properties and other local community and State-specific
information. The State submits the application to FEMA for review and, if approved, the State signs and
accepts a grant award. All transactions are completed online and information is secured on FEMA servers.

States serve as the primary applicants. Municipalities and/or local communities may serve as sub-applicants. Individual owners never serve as the
applicant.
2 Eligible applicants for FEMA Mitigation grants include only the State emergency management agencies or similar State offices that have emergency
management responsibility, including all 50 States, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam,
American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and Federally recognized Indian Tribal governments.
1

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This privacy impact assessment is being conducted because personally identifiable information
about property owners may be included in the State or local community’s application. While individuals
and private, non-profit organizations are not eligible applicants and cannot apply directly to FEMA for
assistance, some (but not all) applications may potentially impact properties that are privately owned by
individuals (e.g., acquisition of a home that has been repeatedly flooded). These applications include
personally identifiable information about the property owners.
Local communities to whom a sub-grant is awarded are accountable to the State for the use of the
funds provided. The information collected in e-Grants is provided by the State and any local communities
and includes information about the proposed activity or activities to be completed under a grant.
eGrants is composed of an Internet-based program and an Intranet-based program. The
information collected in the Internet-based program includes information from eligible States and local
communities and is the minimum information needed to determine an State’s and local community’s
eligibility for funding under FEMA Mitigation grant programs.

Section 1.0 Information Collected and Maintained
The following questions are intended to define the scope of the information requested as well as
the reasons for its collection as part of the system, rule, and/or technology being developed.

1.1

What information is to be collected?

The personally identifiable information that may be included in an application includes an
individual’s name, home phone number, office phone number, cell phone number, damaged property
address, mailing address of the individual property owner(s), the individual’s status of flood insurance,
National Flood Insurance Program Policy Number, and the Insurance Policy Provider for the property
proposed to be mitigated with FEMA funds. 3
Additionally, with each application information is provided by the State for point of contact
purposes that includes name of the point of contact for the application, work address, work phone number,
and work email address. This information is manually verified to determine eligibility for the State.

1.2

From whom is information collected?

The personally identifiable information is collected by FEMA from any State or local community as
it may be part of a State’s application and also part of a local community’s application as a sub-applicant.
Local communities may work with individual property owners to apply for a grant that will allow them to
voluntarily mitigate their property and may provide personally identifiable information in their subapplication about these individuals.
The sources of the information are the State emergency management agencies or other State offices
with emergency management responsibility and federally-recognized Indian Tribal governments who
choose to apply to FEMA directly. 4 Local communities to which a sub-grant is awarded are accountable to
Cell phone numbers are an optional field and are indicated as such on the eGrants forms. Phone numbers may be helpful to FEMA or
Applicant/States in order to follow up for information regarding an application or more details about a property.
Eligible applicants for FEMA Mitigation grants include only the State emergency management agencies or similar State offices that have emergency

3
4

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the State for the use of the funds provided. The information collected in eGrants is provided by the State
and any local communities and includes information about the proposed activity or activities to be
completed under a grant.
The primary source of personally identifiable information is the local communities who obtain
personally identifiable information from individual property owners interested in mitigating risks of future
damage to their homes and businesses. The individual property owners, after consultation, voluntarily give
their personally identifiable information to their local community or Indian tribe who may apply for grants
on their behalf.
Local communities may contact individuals directly or individuals may voluntarily contact their
local community to express their personal interest in applying for grant funds. Once identified, the local
community includes information voluntarily provided by individuals who are property owners in the subapplication, which is submitted to the State and then included in that State’s application to FEMA.

1.3

Why is the information being collected?

The information is being collected for the purpose of administering grants programs. Specifically,
the information is collected for FEMA to evaluate and determine the eligibility of applicants (both States
and local communities as previously defined) and the proposed activities (specifically, those that mitigate
individual properties) to be considered for grants funding under FEMA Mitigation grant programs.

1.4

How is the information collected?

Information is collected electronically through the eGrants computer interface.

1.5

What specific legal authorities/arrangements/agreements
define the collection of information?

This information is necessary for FEMA to determine the eligibility of activities proposed by the
State and local community and consequently to allocate FEMA Mitigation funds for eligible, cost-effective
mitigation activities, in accordance with the following authorizing legislation:
•
•

Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, as amended by Section 102 of the
Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (DMA), Public Law 106–390, 114 Stat. §1552. Can be found at
http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?id=1935.
National Flood Insurance Act, 42 U.S.C. § 4100, as amended by the Bunning-Bereuter-Blumenauer
Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2004, Public Law 108-264, 118 Stat. § 712, and 42 U.S.C. § 4001
et seq., Can be found at http://www.access.gpo.gov/uscode/title42/chapter50_.html.

management responsibility, including all 50 States, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam,
American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and Federally recognized Indian Tribal governments.

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1.6

Privacy Impact Analysis: Given the amount and type of
data being collected, discuss what privacy risks were
identified and how they were mitigated.

Personally identifiable information collected in these applications includes the minimum amount
necessary for FEMA to ascertain the eligibility of a property and/or structure under the Mitigation grant
program regulations. Although FEMA is not the initial collector of the information, FEMA recognizes its
duty to protect the personally identifiable information it may come into contact with or maintain in its
systems.

Section 2.0 Uses of the System and the Information
The following questions are intended to delineate clearly the use of information and the accuracy
of the data being used.

2.1

Describe all the uses of information.

The information is used to evaluate and determine the eligibility of States and local communities
and the proposed activities (specifically those that mitigate individual properties) to be considered for
grants funding under FEMA Mitigation grant programs.
Some (but not all) applications by States and local communities propose activities which would
impact properties (e.g., acquisition of a property that has been repeatedly flooded) privately owned by
individuals. The information provided in applications is necessary to verify whether a property is eligible
for Mitigation grants.

2.2

Does the system analyze data to assist users in identifying
previously unknown areas of note, concern, or pattern
(Sometimes referred to as “datamining”)?

No.

2.3

How will the information collected from individuals or
derived from the system be checked for accuracy?

Information submitted by eligible States is manually checked for accuracy by FEMA. First, the
public information about the State, including the name of the point-of-contact for the application, work
address, work phone number, and work email address, is manually verified to determine the applicant’s
eligibility. Second, individual properties that are included in applications are manually verified against
NFIP data for insured status and/or damage history prior to award of any Mitigation grant program funds.

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2.4

Privacy Impact Analysis: Given the amount and type of
information collected, describe any types of controls that
may be in place to ensure that information is used in
accordance with the above described uses.

Any information that FEMA receives in an application is used for the discrete purpose of verifying
eligibility for a grant. Uses of any other kind are specifically prohibited per eGrants system security
measures detailed in Section 8. Additionally, FEMA takes great measures in verifying the information it
receives by separately and manually verifying public and private information. This ensures that FEMA has
accurate information upon which to determine eligibility.

Section 3.0 Retention
The following questions are intended to outline how long information will be retained after the
initial collection.

3.1

What is the retention period for the data in the system?

The data in the system are considered to be federal government records. Pursuant to the
Government Paperwork Elimination Act (http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/fedreg/gpea2.html) and
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-130, electronic records are given the same validity as
paper-based records. Therefore, the retention periods for eGrants data are consistent with retention
schedules established by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) and the U.S.
Department of Treasury. Specifically, for successful applications, the retention schedule is six (6) years,
three (3) months after close-out; for unsuccessful applications, the retention schedule is three (3) years
from award date.
FEMA’s policies and procedures for expunging data, including records pertaining to approved and
unapproved grant applications, at the end of retention period are consistent with NARA policy guidance.
These procedures are documented by the FEMA Records Officer and follow NARA’s general records
schedule guidelines, including the submittal of SF 115 forms to NARA. Electronic records are destroyed in
accordance to the same NARA records retention schedule as the hard paper copies.

3.2
Yes.

Has the retention schedule been approved by the National
Archives and Records Administration (NARA)?

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3.3

Privacy Impact Analysis: Given the purpose of retaining
the information, explain why the information is needed for
the indicated period.

Retention and destruction policies have been determined in strict accordance with the appropriate
guidelines. This ensures that FEMA retains data no longer than necessary, thereby minimizing any risks
associated with the retention of personally identifiable information.

Section 4.0 Internal Sharing and Disclosure
The following questions are intended to define the scope of sharing within the Department of
Homeland Security.

4.1

With which internal organizations is the information
shared?

FEMA does not share the application information with any organization outside of FEMA. Not
applicable.

4.2

For each organization, what information is shared and for
what purpose?

FEMA does not share the application information with any organization outside of FEMA. Not
applicable.

4.3

How is the information transmitted or disclosed?

FEMA does not share the application information with any organization outside of FEMA. Not
applicable.

4.4

Privacy Impact Analysis: Given the internal sharing,
discuss what privacy risks were identified and how they
were mitigated.

Because information is not shared outside of FEMA, no additional privacy risks are created.

Section 5.0 External Sharing and Disclosure
The following questions are intended to define the content, scope, and authority for information
sharing external to DHS which includes Federal, state and local government, and the private sector.

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5.1

With which external organizations is the information
shared?

The State or local community generally collects the individual’s information, inputs the
information into the ‘Properties’ section of the online grant application, and transmits the information to
FEMA. The collection of information from individuals may be done on paper or through other means at
the State or local level, but must occur prior to FEMA’s receipt of the information. Only authorized users of
the eGrants system (further described under Section 8.1) are allowed to enter the individual’s information
into the system. Therefore FEMA shares the information only with such authorized users. The only
information shared by FEMA with States or local communities is information that which was originally
entered into the system by these eligible States, or by the local community organizations in their respective
State, or other eligible applying agency.
Nevertheless, once FEMA receives an application it does not share information outside of FEMA
(Section 4.0).

5.2

What information is shared and for what purpose?

The eGrants system contains information submitted by registered State and local community users,
described further in Section 8.1. The information is shared by these users with FEMA, and includes
personally identifiable information on individual property owners whose properties may be impacted by an
activity proposed in an application. The only information shared by FEMA with these other agencies is
information that which was originally entered into the system by these eligible State agencies, or by the
local community organizations in their respective State or other eligible applying agency.
In the online interface States may input new data or use data they have previously entered to
develop new applications. Local communities may input new data or use data they have previously entered
to develop and manage sub-applications, including applications for activities to mitigate individuals’
properties. States may review sub-applications submitted by local communities, including applications for
activities to mitigate individuals’ properties. States also submit applications to FEMA and manage the status
of submitted applications.

5.3

How is the information transmitted or disclosed?

The information is transmitted by State users to FEMA electronically via the eGrants interface. The
‘Properties’ section of the application allows information to be imported from spreadsheets (Microsoft
Excel), if there are multiple properties being entered into an application. States and local communities are
responsible for ensuring that spreadsheets with individuals’ information stored on their computers or
networks are secure. The eGrants security features described in Section 8.0 are designed to protect the
information transferred in the interface and information stored by FEMA.
Once the information is entered and electronically submitted to FEMA, States and local
communities may view data via the Internet as explained in Section 8.1. They may use the ‘Copy and Paste’
functions on their Internet browser to copy data or they may print information from their web browser.
Printed or copied information is subject to the same privacy requirements as the eGrants system. There are

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no other features in the eGrants system that allows transmittal or disclosure of information to unauthorized
users of the system.
Nonetheless, it must be noted that FEMA does not share information once it is received. States and
local communities have access to the information they have submitted, but FEMA does not share that
information with anyone other than original collectors and submitters.

5.4

Is a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), contract, or
any agreement in place with any external organizations
with whom information is shared, and does the agreement
reflect the scope of the information currently shared?

FEMA publishes guidance for each of its annual mitigation grant programs detailing the
information required for all applications and the required use of eGrants as the official application. This
guidance is made available to all States and local communities, and is posted on the FEMA website at
http://www.fema.gov. All States and local communities who submit information via the eGrants
electronic application are made aware of the Privacy Act requirements via a Privacy Statement on the
eGrants interface (Appendix B). In addition, States and local communities are required to provide an esignature prior to submittal that completes the SF 424, Application for Federal Assistance, that indicates by
signing the application they have certified that all statements are true, complete, and accurate to the best of
their knowledge (U.S. Code, Title 218, Section 1001).

5.5

How is the shared information secured by the recipient?

Information entered into the eGrants interface resides on FEMA servers, and is therefore secured in
accordance with FEMA protocols as described further in Section 8.8. All States and local communities that
submit information via the eGrants electronic application are made aware of the Privacy Act requirements
via a Privacy Statement in eGrants. Information copied, printed, or otherwise retained by States or local
communities are subject to the same requirements for retaining personal information as defined under the
eGrants System of Records Notice (SORN).

5.6

What type of training is required for users from agencies
outside DHS prior to receiving access to the information?

Although FEMA does not provide hands on training to States and local communties, the NFIP
legislation and eGrants program guidance requires consultation with individuals prior to their involvement
in the eGrants process, and requires States and local communities to notify individuals of the voluntary
nature of their participation. Question 6.2 provides a more robust response regarding this notice. Once
information is submitted to FEMA by eligible States and local communities, FEMA is responsible for
assuring proper use of the data by State and local communities.

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5.7

Privacy Impact Analysis: Given the external sharing, what
privacy risks were identified and describe how they were
mitigated.

The eGrants interface provides a secure environment for application management between FEMA
and the State. FEMA protects the information and the channels through which information is shared. States
have access to only the information they have submitted themselves. FEMA does not share application
information with any organization other than the State, and the information that is “shared” is only the
information that State submits. Risks associated with this information sharing are limited and are mitigated
by the access controls detailed in Section 8.0.

Section 6.0 Notice
The following questions are directed at notice to the individual of the scope of information
collected, the right to consent to uses of said information, and the right to decline to provide information.

6.1

Was notice provided to the individual prior to collection of
information? If yes, please provide a copy of the notice as
an appendix. (A notice may include a posted privacy
policy, a Privacy Act notice on forms, or a system of
records notice published in the Federal Register Notice.) If
notice was not provided, why not?

Please see the attached Systems of Records Notice for the “NEMIS-MT e-Grants, Mitigation
Electronic Grants Management System,” Published December 15, 2004 (Appendix A). States and local
communities are required to share the SORN with individuals that are included in an application for FEMA
mitigation grants.
FEMA posted a Privacy Statement that includes the disclosure of routine uses for FEMA, States and
local community users of the eGrants web site (Appendix B). States and local communities who access the
eGrants interface to enter information are presented with the Privacy Statement.

6.2

Do individuals have an opportunity and/or right to decline
to provide information?

Yes, in addition to the system of records notice discussed in 6.1, individuals are consulted and
informed of the voluntary nature of their participation in the program (i.e., the collection of their
information). States and local communities are required by the NFIP and the eGrants program guidance to
consult with individuals and obtain their voluntary consent to participate in the program.
Consultation. In Section 1361A (f)(3) of the legislation establishing NFIP it requires States and
local communities consult, to the extent practicable, with the owner of the property to determine the
appropriate activities. In section 79.7(a) of the Regulations it states, “States and communities shall consult,
to the extent practicable, and in accordance with criteria determined by the Director, with owners of severe

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repetitive loss properties to select the most appropriate eligible mitigation activity. These consultations
shall be initiated in the early stages of project development, and shall continue throughout the process.
After FEMA awards the project grant, the subgrantee shall continue to consult with the property owners to
determine the specific conditions of the offer.”
Voluntary Participation. In section 79.7(b)(1) of the Regulations for NFIP it states, “the offer
will clearly state that the property owner’s participation in the SRL program is voluntary.”
In addition, section 79.5(a)(3) states, "participation in these flood mitigation grant programs is voluntary,
and States may elect not to participate in either the SRL or FMA programs in any fiscal year without
compromising their eligibility in future years” and section 79.5(b) states that “Participation in the Severe
Repetitive Loss and Flood Mitigation Assistance program is voluntary and communities may elect not to
apply.”
Pursuant to these requirements, the eGrants program guidance requires the local community
consult with individuals prior to submitting a sub-application. An individual’s participation is voluntary
and the individual is advised of the voluntary nature of the programs. Individual property owners cannot
apply directly to FEMA themselves. FEMA Mitigation grant programs are voluntary, so no information is
required unless an individual property owner is voluntarily requesting assistance through an eligible State
or local community.

6.3

Do individuals have the right to consent to particular uses
of the information, and if so, how does the individual
exercise the right?

As stated above, FEMA Mitigation grant programs are voluntary so no information is required
unless an individual property owner voluntarily requests assistance through an eligible State or local
community. FEMA posted a Privacy Statement (Appendix B) and published a SORN (Appendix A) which
include the disclosure of routine uses for FEMA, States and local community users of the eGrants web site.
States and local communities are required to share the SORN with individuals that are included in an
application for FEMA mitigation grants; however, FEMA does not collect consent forms or other documents
that validate whether the State has shared the Privacy Statement. Please see the attached SORN for the
“NEMIS-MT e-Grants, Mitigation Electronic Grants Management System” for a complete listing of routine
uses for this information.

6.4

Privacy Impact Analysis: Given the notice provided to
individuals above, describe what privacy risks were
identified and how you mitigated them.

The NFIP statute requires consultation with individuals before involving them in the grant process.
Additionally, states are expected to inform individuals that participation is completely voluntary. These
statutory requirements have been implemented in the eGrants program guidance. FEMA does not have
direct contact with the individuals, but provides the notice or disclosure to the State to share with
individuals. FEMA has published a Privacy Notice on the eGrants website and has published a formal SORN
detailing the limited use of the personally identifiable information collected in eGrants.

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The risk exists that States and local communities do not provide individuals with the adequate
notice of the potential uses for their information. The SORN and Privacy Statement provide some
mitigation, but FEMA is not in a position to monitor the information day to day collecting practices of the
States and local communities. However, States and local communities are bound by statutory requirements
implemented into the eGrants program guidance by FEMA which mandate no individuals have their
information collected without their explicit permission and consultation.

Section 7.0 Individual Access, Redress and Correction
The following questions are directed at an individual’s ability to ensure the accuracy of the
information collected about them.

7.1

What are the procedures which allow individuals to gain
access to their own information?

For individual property owners whose information has been submitted to FEMA as part of an
application, the individual may request in writing a copy of his or her information in the system by
contacting FEMA at:
1. The FEMA Regional Office in which they reside and request a copy of their information, in
which case the request is referred to the Regional FOIA contact, or
2. “Privacy Act/FOIA request” Federal Emergency Management Agency Office of Chief Counsel
(Headquarters), Room 840, 500 C Street, SW, Washington, DC 20472, (202) 646-3051,
(202) 646-3958 (tele-fax).

7.2

What are the procedures for correcting erroneous
information?

If the individual gains access to their personally identifiable information according to Section 7.1
above and in the process identifies erroneous information, the individual may bring this to the attention of
officials of the State or local community, as appropriate, in order to have the information corrected during
any point of the application development, review, approval, or award process. Individual property owners
may also request in writing a correction to their information in the system by contacting FEMA one of the
following two ways:
1. Contact the FEMA Region Office in which they reside and request a copy of their information,
or
2. Contact the Privacy Act Officer, FEMA Office of Chief Counsel, Federal Emergency
Management Agency (Headquarters), Room 840, 500 C Street, SW, Washington, DC 20472,
(202) 646-3949, (202) 646-4536 (tele-fax).
FEMA user rights do not allow FEMA users to amend or revise any information submitted by a
State. Where a FEMA user discovers erroneous information, including information about an individual
property owner, the system is designed to allow for revisions to the information at any time prior to the
grant award and for amendments to the information after the grant award. Mitigation staff at FEMA would

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notify the State or the local community who would in turn contact the individual property owner to obtain
and verify the correct information, after which the State or local community would enter the correct
information in the application and resubmit to FEMA. It is important to note that it is very unlikely that a
FEMA user would be able to identify erroneous information about individual property owners. Only the
State or local community would know if it has captured such information correctly in the application from
the individual property owners.
The Internet-based program gives local community users the opportunity to input new data or use
data they have previously entered to develop and manage sub-applications, including applications for
activities to mitigate individuals’ properties. These updates would be submitted via the Internet-based
program to the corresponding State for review, and the State would decide whether or not to include each
sub-grant application in their grant application for submittal to FEMA. Once the local community submits
the application, including the individual’s information, the application cannot be edited, unless the State
releases the application back to the local community. This process ensures that only those authorized State
and local community users have access to the data, whether that access is for “Create/Edit,”
“Sign/Submit,” and/or “Read-Only” purposes.

7.3

How are individuals notified of the procedures for
correcting their information?

Individuals work directly with their State or local community and are informed of the procedures
for correcting their information by their State or community at the time the information is collected.

7.4

If no redress is provided, are alternatives available?

Redress is provided.

7.5

Privacy Impact Analysis: Given the access and other
procedural rights provided for in the Privacy Act of 1974,
explain the procedural rights that are provided and, if
access, correction and redress rights are not provided
please explain why not.

Access, correction, and redress rights are provided to individuals with information collected under
the eGrants system. FEMA, States, and local communities are primarily responsible for ensuring the
information is correct and, if not, correcting and providing the information to the individuals upon
request. Ample technical measures allow a State to edit information submitted to FEMA.

Section 8.0 Technical Access and Security
The following questions are intended to describe technical safeguards and security measures.

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8.1

Which user group(s) will have access to the system?

Access to the eGrants system (Internet- or Intranet-based programs) and its data is for official
purposes only and differs based upon each user’s authorized work-related functions. Each user is granted
access only to the extent necessary to accomplish his/her official duties. FEMA maintains a unique profile
for each user, including the different access rights based on the specific grant program and the parts of the
applications (called “queues”) within the Intranet-based or Internet-based programs that the user is
assigned. Individual property owners do not have access to the information in the system, other than as
explained under Section 7.0. The users who are authorized to access the data in the system may be one of
the following:
•

FEMA Mitigation Division and Grants Management Office (staff, managers, and contractors),
who receive grant applications from Applicants/States and review/evaluate or approve/sign, as
appropriate;

•

FEMA Information Technology Services Division (system administrators and contract
developers), who correct any potential errors and trouble-shoot any problems or issues;

•

State and Territory emergency management agencies or, similar offices and Federallyrecognized Indian Tribes (staff and managers), submit applications to FEMA and are known as
Applicants (see Section 1.1); and,

•

State agencies, local government agencies and Indian Tribal governments (staff and managers),
who create and submit sub-applications and to which sub-grants are awarded, and which are
accountable to the Applicant/State for the use of the funds that are provided, and are known as
Sub-applicants (see Section 1.1).

Access to data in the system by States and local communities is restricted or limited to registered
system users with usernames and passwords and that have been approved to role-based accounts designed
to include controls for the principles of least privilege and separation of duties. At the time of registration,
new users may be approved for access only to information of the State agency or local community for
which they are eligible applicant representatives. Registration is controlled by unique access codes
provided by FEMA to the States and to the local communities via the States. Access to new State users may
be granted by FEMA after verifying the registered user as an authorized representative of the State. Access
for local community agencies may be granted by their respective State agency after verifying the registered
user as an authorized representative of that eligible local community agency.
Users may only access the information they entered into the system, but may grant access to that
information to other approved users as needed. When a user grants access to information to a second user,
the user may specify the level of access the second user may have to that information, but only up to the
level of access they have in eGrants itself. For example, if User A grants access to the information in an
application to User B, User A may specify whether User B is permitted Read Only, Create/Edit, or
Sign/Submit access; however, if User B is only authorized access to eGrants for Read Only, User A may
only authorize User B Read Only access to that information.

Privacy Impact Assessment 
eGrants, FEMA 
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8.2

Will contractors to DHS have access to the system?

Yes, FEMA information technology staff, contract administrators, and developers who manage the
operations and maintenance of the eGrants system have controlled role-based access to the data, in addition
to their FEMA usernames and passwords, in order to view and/or trouble-shoot any technical system or
data issue that is brought to their attention by the FEMA Mitigation and Grants Management Office system
or data leads.

8.3

Does the system use “roles” to assign privileges to users
of the system?

Yes. eGrants uses Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) to control access to both data and functions so
that each user is granted the minimum amount of access to the system that is necessary according to
his/her official role in the Mitigation grants process. Permissions for access to data and the functions used
to manipulate the data have been pre-defined for each FEMA position. Roles have been designed to include
controls for the principles of least privilege and separation of duties.
FEMA employee and contractor user roles in the Intranet-based program of the eGrants System are
associated with certain parts of the applications (called “queues”) when reviewing/evaluating and
approving/signing an application. Therefore, depending on the roles assigned to a user, he is only
permitted access to queues associated with the roles assigned to him. For example, if a user has been
assigned the Regional MT Officer Manager role, he will only have access rights to those applications within
his Region, whereas a user who has been assigned the FEMA Headquarters Mitigation role will have access
to all applications nationwide. Roles are also defined to allow access only to specific grant programs.
State and local community user access is controlled by the role right(s) users have in the program.
A user may be approved for “Create/Edit”, “Sign/Submit” or “Read Only” roles. Local community users
can only access information for their own agency or organization, and the users’ roles determine whether
they can Create/Edit application information, Sign/Submit the application, or just simply read the
information. State users can read all information submitted by the corresponding sub-applicants/local
communities. If the State users have the Create/Edit role, they may also enter or change certain allowable
information submitted by the local communities. All other information must be released back to the local
communities should revisions be necessary.

8.4

What procedures are in place to determine which users
may access the system and are they documented?

The eGrants system may be accessed through both the Internet and the FEMA Intranet. The users
of the Internet-based program are employees from agencies that apply for grants (States and local
communities). The users of the Intranet-based program are FEMA bureaus and offices (employees and
contractors of FEMA Mitigation Division, Grants Management Office, and Information Technology Services
Division) who review/evaluate and approve applications and are identified by roles within the system, and
who develop, administer, and maintain the system. Individuals with personally identifiable information
included in applications do not have direct access to the eGrants system (either the Internet- or Intranet-

Privacy Impact Assessment 
eGrants, FEMA 
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based programs), but may contact either States, local communities, or employees and contractors of FEMA
to obtain or request changes to their information.
Access rights to eGrants are assigned to users who are FEMA employees and contractors, States, and
local communities for official purposes only and is accomplished through the use of two database systems
called the NEMIS Access Control System (NACS) and the FEMA Access Management System (FAMS). NACS
and FAMS are used together by designated FEMA officials to approve people as users in the system and to
assign them with role-based access rights. 5 NACS is the system for controlling users’ access and rights to
the Intranet-based program of the e-Grants system, and FAMS is the system for controlling users’ access and
rights to the Internet-based program of the e-Grants system.
Certain FEMA employees are authorized in writing by senior level managers to be given rights in
NACS and FAMS to request and approve people as users in the system and to assign them to role-based
access rights. The authorized employee (Access Requestor) who requests access rights for a user must be
different than the authorized employee (Access Approving Official) who approves that user’s access rights
that have been requested. A user account is established or updated in NACS for each Intranet-based user, or
in FAMS for each Internet-based user. Users are only assigned access to through NACS (Intranet for FEMA
employees) or FAMS (Internet for States/ Applicants and communities/sub-applicants), but not both.
For FEMA users (Intranet users), Access Requestors and Access Approving Officials determine
access rights for users, depending on their program, roles within the system (e.g. cost reviewer,
environmental/ historic preservation, grants management specialist,etc.), and location (Headquarters or
Regional) and create role-based access accounts for each FEMA user specific to his/her roles. FEMA users
receive data as it is submitted by the States via an application for FEMA grants. FEMA users may not modify
the information submitted by the State, but the State may make revisions that are subsequently available for
FEMA to view.
For State and local community users, a FAMS user account is assigned after specific access rights are
requested and approved. In order to request and approve access, FEMA provides a unique access code to
each State, determined in advance between the State and the FEMA Regional program office. With this
unique access code, authorized employees of the State are able to provide basic personally identifiable
information in order to be granted access to the Internet-based program. Once a user is granted access by
FEMA, a unique username and password is automatically sent online that will enable the State employee to
access eGrants. With respect to local community registration and access approval, FEMA delegates authority
down to the State. Both State and local community user access to the information in the Internet-Based
program of the eGrants System is for “Create/Edit”, “Sign/Submit”, and/or “Read-Only”. Following these
roles, approved users may access applications for FEMA grants, and modify or submit based on their
approved roles. Internet-based program accounts for State and local community remain active until FEMA
action is taken to remove them.

5

Note: NACS and FAMS are presently being combined into the Integrated Security and Access Control System (ISAACS).

Privacy Impact Assessment 
eGrants, FEMA 
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8.5

How are the actual assignments of roles and rules verified
according to established security and auditing
procedures?

The following controls prevent the misuse of data by users (as described under FEMA’s “eGrants
Risk Assessment Report (May 15, 2004)”).
1. Login to the system is based on an assigned username and password that has a pre-set
expiration date that is automatically imposed. The username and password will exist for only a
limited amount of time, and the user will only have access to the system during the period of
time both of these controls exists. If a user’s access to the system has expired, he or she will
be unable to login to the eGrants system.
2. Based on the username, the system identifies the role assigned to the user and determines the
extent of the user’s rights and controls access. Users with limited or restricted access will be
unable to navigate to all links on the website. Pop-up windows noting “restricted viewing”
will appear.
3. The system will not allow a user to bookmark the URL of the eGrants system with the intent of
returning to that page at another time without entering the user ID and password. If an
attempt is made to use the bookmark to access the eGrants system the user will automatically
be redirected to the login page where the user must enter a valid user ID and password in
order to gain access to the eGrants system.
4. If an active eGrants browser window is left open with no actions taken within the system, the
displayed page will expire after 30 minutes. The user can then re-login using the username and
password to access the system.
5. The eGrants software is designed so that access to “Read” or “Edit” certain information
complements the role-based rights of the users. The Applicant/State or the sub-applicant/local
community must recall, revise, and re-submit the application, according to criteria, procedures
and controls designed within the software itself. FEMA employees and contractors who have
responsibilities to review and approve application information will see the application in the
“Read-Only” format. While they can provide comments and make edits in the eGrants System
relative to FEMA’s review and approval processes, they cannot alter the application. If any
changes or revisions are needed to the application it must be released back to the
Applicant/State to make the edits to the application, either in whole or in part. Further
information on criteria, procedures, and controls designed in the system software can be found
in sections 3.1 and 3.2 of the “Software Requirements Specification Document (SRS), FEMA Mitigation
Program for e-Grants system (External Interface – Grant/Sub-grant), Document Number 101, Date Revised
10/10/2002”.
6. FEMA Enterprise Operations and the Office of Cyber Security are able to monitor system use
and determine whether information integrity has been compromised and whether corrective
action by the Office of the CIO is necessary. Their procedures are compliant with Title III of
the E-Government Act of 2000 (Federal Information Security Management Act).

Privacy Impact Assessment 
eGrants, FEMA 
Page 18 

7. As unauthorized attempts to upload or change information are prohibited and may be
punishable under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act of 1986 and the National Information
Infrastructure Protection Act, FEMA employs software programs that monitor host and network
traffic to identify unauthorized attempts to upload or change information or otherwise cause
damage. Activity in eGrants can be tracked as the system maintains an audit trail of user
information when access is accomplished or any activity performed.
If an unauthorized user is detected, FEMA may revoke access to that user registration. As
previously described in Section 8.1, access to data in the system is restricted. At the time of registration,
new users may be approved for access only to information for the State and local community for which
they are eligible applicant representatives. If unauthorized access is detected, FEMA notifies the State in
which the unauthorized access occurred, and revokes access to that user registration.

8.6

What auditing measures and technical safeguards are in
place to prevent misuse of data?

Because unauthorized attempts to upload information or change information are prohibited and
may be punishable under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act of 1986 and the National Information
Infrastructure Protection Act, FEMA employs software programs that monitor host and network traffic to
identify unauthorized attempts to upload or change information or otherwise cause damage by users in the
system. The system maintains an audit trail of all changes made to any application and the user
information associated with those changes.
If an unauthorized user is detected, FEMA may revoke access to that user registration. As
previously described in Section 8.1, access to data in the system is restricted. At the time of registration,
new users may be approved for access only to information for the State and local community for which
they are eligible applicant representatives. If unauthorized access is detected, FEMA notifies the State in
which the unauthorized access occurred, and revokes access to that user registration.

8.7

Describe what privacy training is provided to users either
generally or specifically relevant to the functionality of the
program or system?

FEMA, State, and local community staff are trained specifically on how to obtain and/or grant
access rights and assign user roles that govern access to information in the system. Training generally
includes how to access the system as well as the types of information collected in the system, including
information covered under the Privacy Act.

8.8

Is the data secured in accordance with FISMA
requirements? If yes, when was Certification &
Accreditation last completed?

Consistent with the requirements of the Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA),
FEMA is committed to protecting information and information systems from unauthorized access, use,
disclosure, disruption, modification, and destruction in order to provide integrity, confidentiality, and

Privacy Impact Assessment 
eGrants, FEMA 
Page 19 

availability of the information in the eGrants system. Specifically, the eGrants system System Certification
and Accreditation was made effective on September 28, 2004.

8.9

Privacy Impact Analysis: Given access and security
controls, what privacy risks were identified and describe
how they were mitigated.

The eGrants system presents two major issues: protection of the information and user access
controls. Each of these risks is mitigated by robust access controls and auditing capabilities within the
eGrants system. Access to personally identifiable information is closely guarded. By achieving its
Certification and Accreditation eGrants has demonstrated to the Chief Information Officer that its system
security has been properly analyzed and contains the appropriate protection measures for the collection of
personally identifiable information.

Section 9.0 Technology
The following questions are directed at critically analyzing the selection process for any
technologies utilized by the system, including system hardware, RFID, biometrics and other technology.

9.1

Was the system built from the ground up or purchased and
installed?

This system was build from the ground up by FEMA.

9.2

Describe how data integrity, privacy, and security were
analyzed as part of the decisions made for your system.

No, FEMA has not evaluated competing technologies on their privacy handling capabilities.

9.3

What design choices were made to enhance privacy?

No changes were made to system architectures, hardware, software or implementation plans as a
result of a privacy impact assessment.

Conclusion
The eGrants system collects personally identifiable information for persons that own property
which may be eligible for FEMA mitigation grants. FEMA is authorized to collect this information for the
specific use of determining eligibility, and has developed the eGrants system to collect and maintain this
information. Individuals must voluntarily request assistance through their State or local community, and
therefore do not apply directly to FEMA, nor are they granted direct access to the eGrants system. All
information is collected online, and information secured on FEMA servers. This Privacy Impact Assessment
demonstrates that FEMA has mitigated potential risks associated with the access, sharing, and retention of
personally
identifiable
information
that
may
be
contained
in
an
application.

Privacy Impact Assessment 
eGrants, FEMA 
Page 20 

Responsible Officials

Shabbar Saifee
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Mitigation Division
Risk Reduction Branch
Grants Data Analysis & Tools Section

Approval Signature

________________________________
Hugo Teufel III
Chief Privacy Officer
Department of Homeland Security

Appendix A
Systems of Records Notice for the
“NEMIS-MT e-Grants,
Mitigation Electronic Grants Management System.”
[Federal Register: December 15, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 240)]
[Notices]
[Page 75079-75081]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr15de04-89]
----------------------------------------------------------------------DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Federal Emergency Management Agency
[DHS-2004-0019]
RIN 1660-ZA07
National Emergency Management Information System--Mitigation
Electronic Grants Management System; Privacy Act System of Record
AGENCY: Federal Emergency Management Agency, Emergency Preparedness and
Response Directorate, Department of Homeland Security.
ACTION: Notice of a new system of records.
----------------------------------------------------------------------SUMMARY: Pursuant to the requirements of the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, the Department of Homeland
Security, Emergency Preparedness and Response Directorate, Federal Emergency Management Agency is establishing a
new system of records entitled National Emergency Management Information System--Mitigation Electronic Grants
Management System. Some (but not all) applications for mitigation grants propose activities that impact properties
that are privately owned by individuals (e.g., acquisition of a home that has been repeatedly flooded) and these
applications include personally identifiable information about the property owners. Potentially, this personally
identifiable information may be part of a State's application, and also part of a local community's application as a subapplicant. Personal information collected in these applications includes the minimum amount necessary to ascertain
the eligibility of that property and/or structure (e.g., house or commercial building) under mitigation grant program
regulations. See https://portal.fema.gov/famsVu/dynamic/mitigation.html
.
EFFECTIVE DATE: The addition of a new system of records and routine uses will become effective on January 24,
2005, unless comments are received that result in a contrary determination.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by EPA Docket Number: DHS-2004-0019 and/or 1660-ZA07 by
one of the following methods:
EPA Federal Partner EDOCKET Web Site: http://www.epa.gov/feddocket .
Follow instructions for submitting comments on the Web site.

DHS has joined the Environmental Protection Electronic Docket System (Partner EDOCKET). DHS and its agencies
(excluding the United States Coast Guard (USCG) and Transportation Security Administration (TSA)) will use the EPA
Federal Partner EDOCKET system. The USCG and TSA [legacy Department of Transportation (DOT) agencies] will
continue to use the DOT Docket Management System until full migration to the electronic rulemaking federal docket
management system occurs in 2005.
Federal e-Rulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov .
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: (202) 646-4536.
Mail: Rules Docket Clerk, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Office of Chief Counsel, Room 840, 500 C
Street SW., Washington, DC 20472.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rena Y. Kim, Privacy Act Officer, Federal Emergency Management
Agency, Room 840, 500 C Street SW., Washington, DC 20472, (202) 646-3949, (not a toll free call), (telefax) (202)
646-3949, or email [email protected] .
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Privacy Act embodies fair information principles in a statutory framework
governing the means by which the United States Government collects, maintains, uses, and disseminates personally
identifiable information. 5 U.S.C. 552a. The Privacy Act applies to information that is maintained in a ``system of
records.'' A ``system of records'' is a group of any records under the control of an agency from which information is
retrieved by the name of the individual or by some identifiable number, symbol, or other identifiable particular
assigned to the individual. Individuals may request their own records that are maintained in a system of records in the
possession or under the control of Department of Homeland Security (DHS) by complying with DHS Privacy Act
regulations, 6 CFR part 5, subpart B and Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Privacy Act regulations, 44
CFR part 6.
The Privacy Act requires each agency to publish in the Federal Register a description denoting the type and
character of each system of records that the agency maintains, and the routine uses that are contained in each system
in order to make agency recordkeeping practices transparent, to notify individuals regarding the uses to which
personally identifiable information is put, and to assist the individual to more easily find such files within the Agency.
The Emergency Preparedness and Response Directorate/FEMA is establishing a new system of records pursuant to
the Privacy Act of 1974 for the National Emergency Management Information System--Mitigation Electronic Grants
Management System (NEMIS-MT eGrants). FEMA intends to collect personal information in applications for its
mitigation grant programs through the NEMIS-MT eGrants via the Internet. The FEMA mitigation grant programs are
the Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) grant program (42 U.S.C. 4104c) and the Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) grant
program, (42 U.S.C. 5133). The purpose of FEMA mitigation grant programs is to provide funds to eligible
Applicants/States to implement mitigation activities to reduce or eliminate the risk of future damage to life and
property from disasters.
Eligible applicants for FEMA mitigation grants are State emergency management agencies or a similar State office
that has emergency management responsibility, the District of Columbia, the United States Virgin Islands, the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands,
and Federally recognized Indian Tribal governments. Eligible Sub-applicants of FEMA mitigation grants are State
agencies, local governments, or Indian Tribal governments to which a sub-grant is awarded. Examples of mitigation
activities that impact privately owned properties (and which may include personally identifiable information in a State
or local community application) include retrofitting structures, elevation of structures, acquisition and demolition or
relocation of structures, minor structural flood control projects, or construction of safe rooms. The personally
identifiable information
[[Page 75080]]
collected includes an individual's name, home phone number, office phone number, cell phone number, damaged
property address, and mailing address of the individual property owner(s), and the individual's status regarding flood
insurance, National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Policy Number and Insurance Policy Provider for the property

proposed to be mitigated with FEMA funds. This notice will make the public aware of routine management and
oversight information sharing between FEMA and other Federal agencies, State and local governments, and contractors
providing services in support of FEMA mitigation grant programs.
Accordingly, the NEMIS-MT eGrants Privacy Act system of records is added to read as follows:
System Name:
National Emergency Management Information System--Mitigation Electronic Grants Management System (NEMISMT eGrants).
System location:
All servers are operated at FEMA, Mount Weather Emergency Operations Center (MWEOC), 19844 Blue Ridge
Mountain Road, Bluemont, VA 20135.
Categories of individuals covered by the system:
This system of records notice applies only to individuals identified by name or other individual identifier, such as
home address, in the NEMIS-MT eGrants, and includes individuals who are private property owners. These individuals
voluntarily request that their State, Territory or local community submit an application for FEMA mitigation grant
funds for the purpose of mitigating their property and/or structure (e.g., house or commercial building).
Categories of records in the system:
The categories of records in the system are grant applications. The personally identifiable information collected
includes an individual's name, home phone number, office phone number, cell phone number, damaged property
address, and mailing address of the individual property owner(s), and the individual's status regarding flood
insurance, National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Policy Number and Insurance Policy Provider for the property
proposed to be mitigated with FEMA funds.
Authority for maintenance of the System:
The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. 5133, and the National Flood
Insurance Act, 42 U.S.C. 4104c.
Purpose(s):
The purpose of this system of records is to collect and maintain individually identifiable information in applications
for FEMA mitigation grants that are submitted electronically, via the Internet, through the NEMIS-MT eGrants from
eligible Applicants/States and Sub-applicants/local communities. The personally identifiable information will be
collected and maintained in order for FEMA to ascertain eligibility of the property or structure for FEMA's mitigation
grant programs, to verify eligibility of activities for mitigation grants, to identify repetitive loss properties, and to
implement measures to reduce future disaster damage.
Routine uses of records maintained in the system, including categories of users and the purposes of such uses:
In addition to those disclosures generally permitted under 5 U.S.C. 552a(b), all or a portion of the records or
information contained in this system may be disclosed outside FEMA/EP&R/DHS as a routine use pursuant to 5 U.S.C.
552a(b)(3) as follows:
(1) To another Federal agency, State, United States Territory or Tribal government agency charged with
administering Federal mitigation or disaster relief programs to prevent a duplication of efforts or a duplication of
benefits between FEMA and the other agency. FEMA may disclose information to a State, U.S. Territory, Indian Tribal,
or local community agency eligible to apply for mitigation grant programs administered by FEMA.
(2) To contractors, grantees, experts, consultants, students and others performing or working on a contract,
service, grant, cooperative agreement, or other assignment for the Federal government, when necessary to accomplish
an agency function related to this system of records.
(3) To an agency, organization, or individual for the purposes of performing authorized audit or oversight
operations.
(4) To a congressional office from the record of an individual in response to an inquiry from that congressional
office made at the request of the individual to whom the record pertains.
(5) Where a record, either on its face or in conjunction with other information, indicates a violation or potential

violation of law--criminal, civil, or regulatory--the relevant records may be referred to an appropriate Federal, state,
territorial, tribal, local, international, or foreign agency law enforcement authority or other appropriate agency
charged with investigating or prosecuting such a violation or enforcing or implementing such law.
(6) To the Department of Justice (DOJ) or other federal agency conducting litigation or in proceedings before any
court, adjudicative or administrative body, when: (a) DHS, or (b) any employee of DHS in his/her official capacity,
or (c) any employee of DHS in his/her individual capacity where DOJ or DHS has agreed to represent the employee,
or
(d) the United States or any agency thereof, is a party to the litigation or has an interest in such litigation.
(7) To the NARA or other Federal Government agencies pursuant to records management inspections being
conducted under the authority of 44 U.S.C. sections 2904 and 2906.
Policies and Practices for Storing, Retrieving, Accessing, Retaining, and Disposing of Records in the System:
Storage:
All information is stored on secure-access servers operated at a single site at the FEMA, MWEOC, 19844 Blue Ridge
Mountain Road, Bluemont, VA 20135. Backup is provided on a separate server at the same secure facility. MWEOC is
only accessible by authorized persons, including FEMA employees and contractors, and entry to the facility is
permitted only with a badge issued by the MWEOC.
Safeguards:
Safeguards exist in the NEMIS-MT eGrants to prevent the unauthorized access or misuse of data. First, FEMA
maintains security safeguards that prevent unauthorized access to the system by assigning each authorized user a
unique user profile, username and password based upon his/her official use of the NEMIS-MT eGrants. Each unique
profile includes different levels of access rights. For Applicants/States and Sub-applicants/local communities, roles in
the system via the Internet are assigned as Read-Only, Create/Edit, or Sign/Submit, and levels of access are assigned
by mitigation grant program (i.e., FMA and/or PDM).
For FEMA employees and contractors, levels of access via the FEMA Intranet are assigned by mitigation grant program
(i.e., FMA and/or PDM) and by Region(s), and roles for FEMA users do not allow FEMA users View information
submitted in applications. Passwords expire after a limited time, and users only have access to the system during the
period of time that both the assigned username and password are active.
[[Page 75081]]
Access to NEMIS-MT eGrants via the Intranet is assigned to the FEMA employees and contractors for official purposes
only through the NEMIS Access Control System (NACS), which controls access to all software available on the FEMA
Intranet, and manages roles for FEMA officials accessing the system. Access to NEMIS-MT eGrants via the Internet is
assigned to the Applicants/States and Sub-applicants/local communities for official purposes only through the FEMA
Access Management System, which performs a similar function to NACS, but for eligible mitigation grant program
Applicants/States and Sub-applicants/local communities, and managed roles for these non-FEMA users. The functions
of these two databases will be combined into the Integrated Security and Access Control System. While the system is
accessed, if an active NEMIS-MT eGrants browser window is left open with no actions taken within the system, the
displayed page will expire after 30 minutes. The user can then re-login using the username and password to access the
system. In addition, the system will not allow a user to bookmark the URL of the MT eGrants with the intent of
returning to that page at another time without first entering the authorized username and password. Finally, FEMA
Enterprise Operations and the Office of Cyber Security are able to monitor system use and determine whether
information integrity has been compromised by unauthorized access or use, and whether corrective action by the
Office of the Chief Information Officer is necessary.
Procedures are compliant with Title III of the E-Government Act of 2000 (Federal Information Security Management
Act).
Retention and Disposal:
In accordance with U.S. National Archives & Records Administration records retention regulations (GRS 3, 13),
records are retained for 6 years and 3 months. Unsuccessful grant application files will be stored in NEMIS-MT eGrants
for 3 years from the date of denial, and then deleted. Successful grant application files will be stored in the NEMIS-MT
eGrants for 6 years and 3 months from the date of closeout (where closeout is the date FEMA closes the grant in its
financial system) and then deleted. Computerized records are stored in a database server in a secured file server room.

Hard copy records are maintained for 6 years and 3 months years, at which time they are retired to the Federal
Records Center. The same retention schedule that applies to paper records will be followed. This is consistent with the
records retention schedule that has been developed for this system.
System Manager(s) and Address:
Patricia Bowman, Program Manager, IT-SE-CS, 500 C Street SW., Washington DC 20472, [email protected]
, (202) 646-2661.
Notification Procedures:
Address inquiries to the System Manager named above.
Record Access Procedures:
A request for access to records in this system may be made by writing to the System Manager, identified above, in
conformance with 6 CFR part 5, subpart B, which provides the rules for requesting access to Privacy Act records
maintained by DHS and FEMA's Privacy Act regulations at 44 CFR part 6.
Contesting Record Procedures:
Same as Notification procedures above. A request for access to records in this system may be made by writing to the
System Manager, identified above, in conformance with 6 CFR part 5, subpart B, which provides the rules for
requesting access to Privacy Act records maintained by DHS and FEMA's Privacy Act regulations at 44 CFR part 6.
Records Source Categories:
Information in this system of records is obtained from State/Territory, local government, or Indian Tribal
governmentvia the Internet to FEMA. While individuals are not eligible Applicants/States or Sub-applicants/local
communities, and cannot apply directly to FEMA for assistance, some (but not all) applications for FEMA mitigation
grants propose activities that impact properties that are privately owned by individuals (e.g., acquisition of a home
that has been repeatedly flooded) and these applications include personal information about the property owners.
These individuals voluntarily request that their State, Territory, or local community submit an application for FEMA
mitigation grant funds for the purpose of mitigating their property and/or structure (e.g., house or commercial
building).
Exemptions Claimed for the System:
None.
Dated: December 10, 2004.
David A. Trissell,
Associate General Counsel, Emergency Preparedness and Response,
Department of Homeland Security.
[FR Doc. 04-27462 Filed 12-14-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-41-P

Appendix B
Privacy Act Notice
FEMA eGrants website
PRIVACY ACT NOTICE: Mitigation Grant Programs. In compliance with the Privacy Act of 1974, 5
U.S.C. 552a, the following information is provided: the collection of this information is authorized by the Robert T.
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 USC 5133, and the National Flood Insurance Act, 42
U.S.C. 4104c. The primary purpose of collecting this information is to determine your eligibility to receive FEMA
assistance and to evaluate applications for FEMA mitigation grants that are submitted electronically, via the Internet,
through the NEMIS-MT eGrants from eligible Applicants/States and Sub-applicants/local communities. Providing
this information is voluntary. Disclosures of this information may be made: to another Federal agency, State, United
States Territory or Tribal government agency charged with administering Federal mitigation or disaster relief
programs to prevent a duplication of benefits between FEMA and the other agency; to contractors, grantees, experts,
consultants, students and others performing or working on a contract, service, grant, cooperative agreement, or other
assignment for the Federal government, when necessary to accomplish an agency function related to this system of
records; to an agency, organization, or individual for the purposes of performing authorized audit or oversight
operations; to a congressional office in response to an inquiry from that congressional office made at the request of
the individual; to an appropriate Federal, state, territorial, tribal, local, international, or foreign agency law
enforcement authority or other appropriate agency charged with investigating or prosecuting a violation or enforcing
or implementing a law where a record indicates a violation or potential violation of such law; to the Department of
Justice (DOJ) or other federal agency conducting litigation or in proceedings before any court, adjudicative or
administrative body, when: (a) DHS, or (b) any employee of DHS in his/her official capacity, or (c) any employee of
DHS in his/her individual capacity where DOJ or DHS has agreed to represent the employee, or (d) the United
States or any agency thereof, is a party to the litigation or has an interest in such litigation; and to the NARA or
other Federal Government agencies pursuant to records management inspections being conducted under the
authority of 44 U.S.C. sections 2904 and 2906. All information submitted by an individual is available to FEMA,
DHS, those entities to which the individual expressed an interest, and other entitles as specified in the Notice
published at 69 Federal Register 75079 (December 15, 2004). Furnishing this information is voluntary, but failure to
do so may delay or prevent provision of mitigation assistance.