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Chapter 12 › I.A Small Projects

How do small projects close out, and can we recover costs that ran over?

FEMA term
Small project closeout; net small project overrun (NSPO)
Short answer

Small projects are funded on estimates and close with a completion certification. FEMA adjusts them only for specific reasons. If your small projects together cost more than FEMA obligated, you can request the difference through a net small project overrun appeal.

What FEMA requires

  • FEMA adjusts an obligated small project only for: incomplete scope, approved scope changes (including added mitigation), insurance or other funds differing from what was deducted, errors or omissions, hidden damage, noncompliance, or fraud, waste or abuse. Only the affected items change.
  • Overrun appeal: file within 60 days of the latest work completion date of all your small projects (or of the last small project’s obligation, if later), with actual cost documentation for every small project.
  • Completion certification (if not filing an overrun appeal): due to the recipient within 90 days of the last small project’s completion or approved deadline, whichever is sooner; from obligation if work finished earlier.

Documentation

Actual costs for all small projects (for an overrun), or the completion certification.

Watch out · Govstar practitioner advice

The overrun is calculated across all your small projects together, not project by project. Track actual costs on every small project, including ones that came in under estimate.

Govstar summarizes FEMA’s Public Assistance Program and Policy Guide in plain language and links to the official text. Govstar is independent and not affiliated with FEMA. This is general guidance, not legal advice.