OIEC Grants
2012 Public Safety Answering Points Grant
The Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services has awarded $9 million in grant funding to 24 counties across the State. This grant is intended to reimburse counties for costs associated with PSAP operations, consolidation, and improvements. Please refer to Governor's Press Release for more information and a list of counties receiving the award.
The NYS Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Service, Office of Interoperable and Emergency Communications, is pleased to announce Public Safety Answering Points Grant to facilitate consolidation, development, and improved operations of public safety answering points.
Background: The State Interoperability Grant Program, as appropriated in the State Fiscal Year 2012-13 budget, consists of two parts. Part one involved the Round 2 Statewide Interoperable Communications Grant (Round 2 SICG) for land mobile radio communications systems, infrastructure, governance and operating procedures. A Request for Applications for Round 2 SICG was released earlier this year. Results for that grant are being finalized with notifications coming soon.
Part 2 of the Program is directed towards Public Safety Answering Points (PSAP). This will provide reimbursement to counties for costs associated with PSAP operations, consolidation, and improvements. $9 million has been allocated for this purpose.
Below is a summary of the process and schedule for responding:
Purpose: To facilitate the consolidation, development, and improved operations of public safety answering points.
Eligible Applicants: County governments, requesting funding for the benefit of the county as a single entity. Additional eligibility criteria are listed in the 2012 PSAP Request for Applications Instructions (2012 PSAP RFA Instructions).
Source of Funds: This grant program is supported by the Statewide Public Safety Communications Account.
Total Funding Available for 2012 PSAP Grant: $9 Million
Schedule of Events:
- Submission of Written Questions - October 18, 2012
- RFA Updates (if any) - October 25, 2012
Documents: The RFA comprises three documents: one providing instructions and terms & conditions for the program; and the two others which are the application forms themselves.
Instructions:
- Updated - 2012 PSAP RFA Instructions
Applications:
County can apply ONLY FOR ONE GRANT PROGRAM:
I. 2012 PSAP Consolidation, Improvements and Enhancements Grant Application ($7 million)
- Application must be for prospective or ongoing PSAP consolidation projects OR application must be for retrospective PSAP consolidation going back to no earlier than April 2010.
II. 2012 PSAP Sustainment Grant Application ($2 million)
- Application must be for eligible operating expenses in consolidated PSAP(s).
Additional Documents:
Contact Information:
- Mailing Address:
Robert Barbato
Director
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
2012 PSAP Grant
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Questions & Answers
- Q: Who is eligible to apply for the 2012 PSAP Grant?
A: Any county government in New York State.
- Q: Can a consortium apply for the 2012 PSAP Grant?
A: No. Only New York State county governments are eligible.
- Q: What if the consolidation results in a primary PSAP for my County located outside my jurisdiction/county?
A: Regional initiatives between PSAPs are encouraged. Any eligible county with a primary PSAP may act as a "host applicant". All jurisdictions and/or counties participating in the regional initiative must be identified in the grant application.
- Q: Can a town, village, city, state authority, or agency; tribal nation; or other entities apply for the 2012 PSAP Grant?
A: No. Only New York State county governments are eligible.
- Q: Is the 2012 PSAP Grant formula based or competitive?
A: There are two parts for 2012 PSAP Grant Program:I. PSAP Consolidation, Improvements and Enhancement is a competitive grant.
II. PSAP Sustainment is a formula based grant. - Q: Are matching funds required by my County?
A: No. Matching funds are not required for this grant program.
- Q: What are the eligible categories for which my County can apply?
A: Counties can apply for either the $7 Million PSAP Consolidation, Improvements and Enhancements Grant or the $2 Million PSAP Sustainment Grant. Specific details for each category can be found in the RFA.
- Q: What if my PSAP could fit into both categories?
A: A County can apply for only one category. Submit the application that best fits your needs and you believe will give you the best opportunity for a successful outcome.
- Q: What else will be considered in the eligibility criteria?
A: Each PSAP must be certified to comply with Title 21 Chapter LX, Part 5200 Minimum Standards Regarding Direct Dispatch. (Local Enhanced Wireless 9-1-1 Certification).
- Q: Is there a minimum and maximum dollar amount per award?
A: For the $7 Million PSAP Consolidation, Improvements and Enhancements Grant, awards will be limited to $1 million dollars per successful application. For the $2 Million PSAP Sustainment Grant, awards will be limited to $1 million dollars per successful application. There is no minimum single award amount. OIEC reserves the right to adjust these award amounts.
- Q: Can a county apply to be reimbursed for a completed project?
A: Yes. Under the PSAP Consolidation, Improvements and Enhancements Grant, reimbursement to Counties for prospective or retrospective costs (going back to April 1, 2010) leading to consolidation in public safety answering points operations (physical or virtual consolidation), to implement new technologies in PSAP(s) that facilitate interoperability and create operating efficiencies, and to promote the development and implementation of cross-jurisdictional SOPs that foster regional consolidation are allowable.
- 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 PSAP consolidation projects currently underway within the county, provided the request is for allowable expenditures.
- Q: Can the grant pay for commercial network usage fees?
A: As a recurring operational expense, such fees are not permitted under this grant.
- Q: Can the grant be used to pay for staff salaries?
A:No. This is not an eligible expense under the grant guidelines.
- Q: Can I use this grant to replace budgeted funds for my PSAP?
A: No. Grant funds may be used only to supplement the portion of local governments' budgets that pertain to PSAPs, not replace any budgeted funds.
- Q: What if I do not know the answer to a question on the application?
A: All questions must be answered. If you do not feel the question is applicable, please indicate that in your response. Failure to answer a question might result in disqualification of the application.
- Q: Can OIEC provide me with technical assistance in the preparation of my grant application?
A: 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.
- 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
Robert M. Barbato
Director
About the Office of Interoperable & Emergency Communications
Created through Executive Law section 717, the Office of Interoperable and Emergency Communications (OIEC) is the principal state agency for all interoperable and emergency communications issues and oversees and directs the development, coordination and implementation of policies, plans, standards, programs and services related to interoperable and emergency communications, including those related to land mobile radio communications.
