Round 2 Statewide Interoperable Communications Grant
(Round 2 SICG)

The NYS Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, Office of Interoperable and Emergency Communications, is pleased to announce the next round of the Statewide Interoperable Communications Grant program. Round 2 will continue the momentum of the first round which established the State's regional approach to interoperability and improved collaboration with state agencies. Expanding regional partnerships, formalizing governance, implementing operating procedures between counties and agencies, and improving efficiency of emergency communications systems continue to be the main objectives of this program.

Purpose:

To facilitate the development, consolidation, and/or improved operation of public safety communications to support and enhance statewide interoperable communications for first responders.

Eligible Applicants:

County governments, requesting funding for the benefit of the county as a single entity. Additional eligibility criteria are listed in the Round 2 SICG Request for Applications.

Source of Funds:

This grant program is supported by the Statewide Public Safety Communications Account.

Total Funding Available for Round 2 SICG:

$36 Million

Schedule of Events:

• Submission of Written Questions - May 30, 2012
• Request for Applications Updates (if any) - June 6, 2012
• Applications Due - July 16, 2012 by 5:00 P.M.       
• Notice of Award - On or Before August 30, 2012

Documents:

• Round 2 SICG Request for Application
• Technical Resources for Round 2 SICG
• Round 2 SICG Attachments:
  • Attachment 1 - Consortium Documentation
  • Attachment 2 - Budget Justification Narrative
  • Attachment 3 - Budget Information Form
  • Attachment 4 - List of Federal and/or State Grant Funds
  • Attachment 5 - Milestones and Implementation Timeline

Contact Information:

• Mailing Address:
  Robert Barbato
  Office of Interoperable and Emergency Communications
  NYS Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services
  1220 Washington Avenue, Building 7A, Suite 710
  Albany, NY 12242
  
• E-mail: dhsesoiec@dhses.ny.gov

Round 2 Statewide Interoperable Communications Grant (Round 2 SICG)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

 

Questions & Answers

1. Q: Who is eligible to apply for the Statewide Interoperable Communications Grant (SICG)?
   A: Any county government in New York State.
   
   
2. Q: Can multiple counties apply together jointly or with one county as lead applicant and other counties as co-applicants?
   A: Counties must apply as a single entity. While a county's application can benefit other counties, only one applicant is allowed per application.
   
   
3. Q: Can a consortium apply for the Statewide Interoperable Communications Grant?
   A: No. Only New York State county governments are eligible.
   
   
4. Q: Can a town, village, city, state authority, or agency; tribal nation; or other entities apply for the Statewide Interoperable Communications Grant?
   A: No. Only New York State county governments are eligible. Counties must apply as a single entity. While a county's application can include projects which benefit cities/towns/villages within their county, only a single application per county will be considered. Distribution of funds to these entities should be defined in the application, where appropriate.
   
   
5. Q: Is the Statewide Interoperable Communications Grant formula based or competitive?
   A: The Statewide Interoperable Communications Grant is a competitive grant.
   
   
6. Q: Can a county apply for multiple projects?
   A: Yes; but all projects must be submitted in one application package. An application from an eligible county can involve multiple projects or uses, provided they comply with the grant components covered under this RFA, and subject to award limitations. We require a single point of contact for each county. Please refer to the RFA for specific instructions.
   
   
7. Q: Will participation in the NECP Goal 2 be considered in the eligibility criteria?
   A: Yes. If you have any questions, please contact the Office of Interoperable and Emergency Communications at 518-322-4911 to verify your county's participation in the NECP Goal 2 submissions.
   
   
8. Q: If a county and a state agency or an authority has a partnership, does that constitute a consortium?
   A: No. A consortium must include two or more counties. A state agency is not considered a county for purposes of a consortium. However, applications which include agreements with state agencies on issues of interoperability, and benefit state agencies within the county's jurisdiction, are encouraged.
   
   
9. Q: Are matching funds required in order to receive an award?
   A: No. Matching funds are not required for this grant.
   
   
10. Q: Is there a minimum and maximum dollar amount per award?
    A: For the Round 2 SICG award, allocations will be limited to $6 million dollars per successful application. There is no minimum single award amount.
    
    
11. Q: Can the grant pay for recurring costs involved in communications projects?
    A: No. Recurring costs are not an eligible expense.
    
    
12. Q: Can a county apply to be reimbursed for a completed project?
    A: No. Only costs incurred during the grant period (commencing from formal award notice date) are eligible for reimbursement.
    
    
13. Q: Can the grant pay for projects currently in progress by paying for current and future project phase expenses?
    A: Yes. Applications can include requests to fund future phases of interoperable communications projects currently underway within the county, provided the request is for allowable expenditures; and occurs during the grant period.
    
    
14. Q: Can the grant pay for commercial network usage fees?
    A: As a recurring operational expense, such fees are not supported by this grant.
    
    
15. Q: Can the grant be used to pay for staff salaries?
    A: No. This is not an eligible expense under the grant guidelines.
    
    
16. Q: Does the recipient county have to share its awarded funds with other counties in the consortium?
    A: No. It is hoped that while the consortium as a whole will benefit from any award, individual awards will be disbursed to successful counties.
    
    
17. Can County apply only for Component (b) of the grant, development of governance and SOPs?
    A: No. An application must contain both components: (a) and (b). The maximum amount of for Component (b) cannot exceed 20% of the total requested funds. It is expected that at least 80% of the funds will be utilized for development, expansion and consolidation of LMR systems for public safety.
    
    
18. Are consultant fees eligible?
    A: Yes. Consultant fees for services provided which are consistent with the components of the grant are allowed.
    
    
19. Q: Is Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) communication equipment eligible?
    A: Yes, as long as equipment is a part of an LMR system. Examples of eligible PSAP equipment include: radio consoles, control stations, gateway equipment, site monitoring, etc.
    
    
20. Q: Is Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) call-taking equipment eligible?
    A: No. Grant guidance for PSAP call-taking equipment will be available later this year under a separate grant program.
    
    
21. Q: Is Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) consolidation and NG911 equipment eligible?
    A: No. Grant guidance for these purposes will be available later this year under a separate grant program.
    
    
22. Q: Is programming of radios eligible?
    A: Yes, as long as programming radios is a part of a larger project and provided the appropriate interoperability channels are programmed at the same time.
    
    
23. Q: Can the grant be used for narrowbanding equipment, such as narrowband capable subscriber units?
    A: Yes, as long as the purchase of narrowband equipment and subscriber units is a part of a larger project, and provided the appropriate interoperability channels are programmed at the same time.
    
    
24. Q: Are broadband related projects eligible for funding?
    A: No. Public safety broadband is not an eligible expense in this round. Consideration will be given in future rounds of the grant, pending further guidance from the federal government (e.g. NTIA).
    
    
25. Q: Which data systems are eligible for funding?
    A: Land mobile radio (LMR) based systems that support voice or voice and data are eligible.
    
    
26. Q: Can OIEC provide me with technical assistance in the preparation of my grant application?
    A: As this is a competitive grant, technical assistance provided to the applications is limited to how to prepare the application: such as obtaining forms, formatting the application and where to send the application. Technical assistance from OIEC cannot relate to the substance/content of the application.
    
    
27. Q: Who do I contact if I have a question about the grant?
    A: All questions must be submitted in writing to dhsesoiec@dhses.ny.gov.

Questions can also be mailed to:

Christina Porter
Office of Interoperable and Emergency Communications
NYS Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services
1220 Washington Avenue, Building 7A, Suite 710
Albany, NY 12242