/resources/operational-standards-for-disaster-recovery-expense-compliance-fema-public-assistance-program

Cost eligibility is the final gate in FEMA PA reimbursement—and the place where otherwise valid projects can still lose funding. This Govstar resource explains how applicants defend disaster costs from de-obligation by proving documentation, reasonableness, legal authority, consistency, and eligible scope. Topics include the eligibility pyramid, prudent person standard, cost or price analysis, procurement compliance, lowest-cost alternatives, CEF, RSMeans/BNi/Marshall & Swift benchmarks, cost escalation, extraordinary labor, applicable credits, DOB controls, record retention, three-year audit rules, litigation holds, and OIG audit defense.