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55. AGREEMENT WITH U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY FOR BIOWATCH PROGRAM (Supervisorial Districts: All) Approve an Agreement between the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS-FEMA) and Maricopa County through the Air Quality Department (MCAQD), in the not-to-exceed amount of $865,703. This Agreement is funded by a grant from the DHS (EMW-2026-BW-05006) with the purpose of supporting a new period for the BioWatch program. The BioWatch Program provides air-monitoring, analysis, notification procedures, and risk assessment to 30+ jurisdictions. This program can substantially minimize the catastrophic impact of a biological attack. Bio Watch is managed by the DHS Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Office. The Agreement and budget are effective until July 31, 2027. Project budgets are applied annually. This agreement is subject to applicable DHS terms and conditions. The FY2027 Air Quality composite indirect rate of 36.43% will be applied to the direct charges of $518,860. The indirect cost of administering this grant is $189,021 and is allowable and fully recoverable. The grant award is reoccurring and has been awarded to the department in previous years. The cash or in-kind match is not applicable, indirect cost is fully recoverable, and ongoing cash contributions are not applicable. The grant award is not mandated, and the activities are 100% financially supported by the grant from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The grant award is competitively bid, and there are no costs that will need to be absorbed by the department's operating budget. Grant revenues are not local revenues for the purpose of the constitutional expenditure limitation, and therefore, expenditure of the funds is not prohibited by the budget law. A budget adjustment is not required. (C-85-27-015-X-00)

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