The process for FEMA's fixed-costoffers involves several key steps: ​

1. Applicant Acceptance: The applicant has up to 18 months from the     disaster declaration date to accept a fixed-cost offer for each project. ​ If the applicant is requesting Public Assistance (PA) hazard     mitigation funding, they must determine the actual Scope of Work (SOW) and     hazard mitigation measures to be performed within the 30-day and 18-month     deadlines. ​
2. Transmittal of Offer: Once the applicant accepts the fixed-cost offer,     FEMA transmits the offer to the recipient via PA Grants Manager/Grants     Portal for consideration. ​
3. Review by Applicant: The recipient and applicant have a combined     total of 30 calendar days from the date of FEMA’s transmittal to accept     the offer, not exceeding the 18-month deadline. ​
4. Adjustments: If the estimated amount is less than what the applicant is willing     to accept as a fixed cost, the applicant may decline the offer. ​ In such cases, FEMA obligates the project based on the estimated     amount in the offer and adjusts funding based on actual eligible costs at     closeout. ​
5. Expert Panel Review: For fixed-cost offer projects with an estimated     federal share of $25 million or greater, an independent third-party panel     of cost estimating experts may review project estimates. ​ The review focuses on cost elements and does not make decisions     related to the eligibility of work. ​
6. Compliance Reviews: FEMA conducts compliance reviews during various     phases to ensure program compliance, quality assurance, insurance     requirements, PA hazard mitigation eligibility, and Environmental and     Historic Preservation (EHP) compliance. ​
7. Obligation: During the Obligation and Recovery Transition phase, FEMA     obligates funding to recipients, finalizing the approved scope of work and     cost estimate as the official record. ​

Overall, the fixed-cost offer processinvolves careful consideration, review, and acceptance by the applicant beforeFEMA finalizes the funding based on the agreed-upon fixed amount. ​

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