Welcome to Interoperabilitygrants.info!Sign Up Now to Receive Interoperability Grants Email Updates! Collaboration and Communication Grants - Sponsored by Cisco Collaboration in communication as well as operations is increasingly appearing as a feature of Homeland Security and public safety grants, from the Homeland Security Grants Program to the Public Safety Interoperable Communications program, and even the Assistance to Firefighters Grants. Funding for collaborative projects, however, can prove to be difficult, especially if the participants are from different types of organizations. In this webinar, Grants Office CEO Michael Paddock discuses: - Grants that fund collaboration - Strategies for working with potential collaborators - Why communications interoperability is becoming the first (but not the last) function to be driven toward collaboration. Replay the Collaboration and Communication Grants webcast - Sponsored by Cisco
Last year, the Public Safety Interoperable Communications (PSIC) program provided a one-time $1-billion funding stream strictly dedicated to voice and data communications interoperability. Congress created a carbon copy of the program when it authorized the Interoperable Emergency Communications Program (IEC) through 2012 as part of Implementing the Recommendations of the 911 Commission act of 2007. The IEC program is worded exactly like PSIC, except that only $50 million was appropriated for this year and $400 million each subsequent year through 2012. In mid-June, DHS opened the Interoperable Emergency Communications Grants, with a deadline of July 21. In contrast to the extended intent of the program to fund a significant share of equipment and services, this year’s smaller, initial program is focused on planning and training for first responder personnel. Interoperable Emergency Communications Grant Program (IECGP) The goal of IECGP is to improve local, tribal, regional, statewide, and national interoperable emergency communications, including communications in collective response to natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters. According to the legislation that created IECGP, funding will enable States, Territories, local units of government, and tribal communities to implement their Statewide Communication Interoperability Plans (SCIP) and align to the forthcoming National Emergency Communications Plan (NECP) to further enhance interoperability. IECGP provides planning, training, and exercise funding to States, Territories, and local and tribal governments to carry out initiatives to improve interoperable emergency communications, including communications in collective response to natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters. All activities proposed under IECGP must be integral to interoperable emergency communications and must be aligned with the goals, objectives, and/or initiatives identified in the grantee's approved Statewide Communication Interoperability Plan (SCIP). IECGP Funding Only $50 million was appropriated for 2008 and $400 million each subsequent year through 2012. IECGP Funding Usage The Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Emergency Communications (OEC) and FEMA’s Grant Programs Directorate (GPD) have identified the following objectives deemed critical for advancing interoperable emergency communications in alignment with the criteria established for the SCIP process: Priority Group #1: Leadership and Governance and Priority Group #2: Common Planning and Operational Protocols, and Emergency Responder Skills and Capabilities. Funding retained by the State or Territory must be used to address the objectives in Priority Group #1 prior to selecting projects to address the objectives in Priority Group #2. Specific investments made in support of these funding priorities fall into one of the following four allowable cost categories for IECGP FY 2008: 1) Planning, 2) Training, 3) Exercise, and 4) Personnel Activities. Equipment acquisition is not an allowable cost category for IECGP in FY 2008. This Web site is dedicated to providing you with information, tools, and tips to help make you more successful at obtaining funds from the IECGP grant program. This is not the official IECGP grant program website. Please refer to FEMA's IECGP website to for official guidance on the application process. How to Use This SiteBe sure to register for e-mail updates, and then take a few moments to familiarize yourself with the site. It will provide you with information, tips, and guidance to help enhance your ability to develop high quality proposals for the program. Please note that this site is not intended to replace official guidance for this program, but rather to provide grant seekers with valuable expertise based on our years of experience with grants development. In any case, the official guidance provided by the grantmaking agency supersedes any information provided in this site. Also, visit our other program-specific sites: Assistance to Firefighters Grants Distance Learning/Telemedicine Grants Intelligent Transportation Systems Funding Port Security Grants Cyber Security Grants FEMA information on the IECGP grants program This site will provide you with information, tips, and updates to help make you more successful at obtaining funds for your police, fire, EMS, and emergency response agency through the Interoperable Emergency Communications Grant Program.
IECGP Frequently Asked Questions IECGP vs. PSIC How is IECGP related to the Public Safety Interoperable Communications (PSIC) Grant Program?
IECGP and the PSIC Grant Program are both aimed to improve interoperable emergency communications. However, while PSIC provided substantial funding for infrastructure and equipment acquisitions and upgrades, the IECGP funding priorities for FY2008 will focus on key interoperability issues beyond infrastructure and equipment. These planning, training, and exercise activities are critical for ensuring that the Nation has the necessary capabilities to communicate during emergencies. Deadlines What are the key deadlines associated with the IECGP Grant Program?
The dates below represent key milestones associated with the PSIC Grant Program:
• June 20, 2008: IECGP Grant Guidance and Application Kit released.
• July 21, 2008: Deadline for States and Territories to submit applications.
• September 30, 2008: Grants funds are awarded no later than this date.
What is the period of performance for the IECGP Grant Program?
The period of performance is 24 months. Eligible Applicants Who is eligible to apply for the IECGP Grant Program?
The governor of each State and Territory has designated a State Administrative Agency (SAA), which can apply for and administer the funds awarded under IECGP. Accordingly, the relevant SAA is the only agent eligible to apply for the IECGP Grant Program funds. The SAA is responsible for the management and administration of all funds provided through this award and is accountable for all the deadlines, requirements, and limitations of this award. The SAA is responsible for obligating IECGP funds to eligible pass-through recipients, as well as for overseeing and monitoring the activity of these sub-recipients. Who is an eligible recipient for IECGP grant funding?
A recipient must be a public safety agency that is a state, local, or tribal government entity or nongovernmental organization authorized by such entity, whose sole or principal purpose is to protect safety of life, health or property. Where can I find the information for my State’s Administrative Agency (SAA)?
To find the SAA for your State, please follow this link:
http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/odp/contact_state.htm Funding How are the IECGP funds allocated?
Per the “Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007,” all 50 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico will receive a minimum of 0.50 percent of the total funds allocated. Four Territories (American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands) will receive a minimum allocation of 0.08 percent of the total funds allocated. The remainder of the funds will be based upon a risk methodology.
The risk methodology formula is the product of three variables: threat, vulnerability and consequence. Vulnerability and consequence variables are an all-hazards construction in that they account for the relative severity of the effects of a disaster, regardless of the type of disaster considered. These variables also incorporate such factors as the population of an area, its economic output, the presence of nationally critical infrastructure, and national security concerns. The threat variable is based exclusively on terrorism threats. What is the pass-through requirement?
Each State or Territory receiving grant funds is required to pass through not less than 80 percent of the total award amount within 45 days of receiving IECGP funds. A pass-through recipient must be a public safety agency that is a State, local, or tribal government entity or nongovernmental organization authorized by such entity, whose sole or principal purpose is to protect safety of life, health, or property. Does the IECGP Grant Program have a match requirement?
No, grantees are not required to provide cash or in-kind match for FY 2008. However, there is a potential for future grant programs to be impacted by cash match requirements as early as FY 2009. Accordingly, grantees should anticipate and plan for future homeland security programs to require cash or in-kind matches at cost-share levels comparable to other FEMA-administered grant programs.
Questions
For more information about the IECGP Grant Program Guidance and Application Kit, please contact the Centralized Scheduling and Information Desk (CSID) at 1-800-368-6498 or askcid@dhs.gov.
Grants Office Resource GuideGrants Office has services to meet the grants development needs of any organization or municipality. For more information, click on: www.grantsoffice.com PublicationsGrants Office publications are available at http://www.grantsoffice.com/aboutus/articles.aspx It includes a number of articlaes that relate directly to interoperability funding. Grants Office ServicesGrants Office, LLC provides innovative grants development services that enable corporations, municipalities and non-profit organizations to maximize their grant initiatives and develop more strategic and integrated processes for seeking, managing and administering grants. We provide research and advisory services to organizations looking for grant funding directly and to for-profit enterprises that provide products and solutions to the public sector. Our consultants focus on proven ways of developing integrated grant programs by leveraging our years of experience in creating long-term grantseeking strategies.
Based in Rochester, NY Grants Office has a unique business model that incorporates the company's strong history of grant consulting and unique approach to grant funding, enabling it to build a truly credible bridge between public sector business needs, vendor solutions and the funding necessary for program and solution success. Grants Office's growing customer base is a testament to the business and the quality of its services.
Grants Office focuses on providing both for-profit and nonprofit clients with the solutions necessary to manage and grow their specific grant development programs. Our solutions allow our clients to execute their grant strategies efficiently by reducing cost, lowering their risk and shrinking the typical investment of time and resources needed.
Based on the idea that grants development is an integrated system made up of four key areas; Intelligence (research), Training, Support, and Proposal development; Grants Office offers our clients a systematic approach to securing grant funding. Leveraging a proven, systematic approach allows our clients to build upon an existing grants development infrastructure or embark on implementation of a completely new grants development program.
Grants Office provides a wide range of services encompassing all facets of successful grants development programs. In combination with one another or leveraged unto themselves each of our solutions plays a pivotal role in building and executing a robust grants development program.
Some of our solutions:
Intelligence (research) – custom grant program research, online grants database, grants development portal, program solution alignment, and annual grant planning.
Training – general grant process training, specific grant program training and national speaking engagements.
Support – web and phone based grants development help desk, grant program website development, and grant application review and editing.
Proposal Development – grant writing, program solution narratives, and grant application development
General Grants Development – outsourced grants development infrastructure, organizational needs assessment, grant strategy development, and organizational process implementation. Federal and State Grants Information ResourcesGrants.gov, the Federal source for grants information: www.grants.gov The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance: www.cfda.gov State Government Home Pages: www.firstgov.gov Contact UsContact Cisco Systems Cisco maintains a detailed contact page on its Web site. For more information on how to engage Cisco for your project, or for information on how to reach a local Cisco representative, contact Cisco. Contact Grants Office Grants Office provides grants development support to municipalities, non-profit organizations, and industry partners through a variety of customized services. To find out how Grants Office can help you, contact Grants Office: On the Web: www.grantsoffice.com Phone: 585-473-1430 Fax: 585-473-1436 E-mail: info@grantsoffice.com Snail Mail: 69 Cascade Drive, Suite 102 Rochester, NY 14614 Federal and State Grants Information ResourcesGrants.gov, the Federal source for grants information: www.grants.gov The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance: www.cfda.gov State Government Home Pages: www.firstgov.gov Why Cisco?Cisco is a world leader in leveraging the power of the network to enhance the ability of public safety and fire departments to prepare for and respond to emergencies. For more information, check out Cisco's white paper, "Meeting 21st Century Public Safety Challenges Today." Cisco's standards-based Interoperability solutions provide public safety agencies with a cost-effective strategy for meeting emerging state and federal standards and requirements. Additionally, Cisco's on-scene and headqarters telephony and video security solutions provide emergency communications that are robust, reliable, and disaster resilient. For additional information on Cisco first responder solutions, check out the Cisco Web Site. Contact Cisco Rep for Pricing & ConfigurationOf course, the best person to contact for detailed information on an interoperabilty solution that's right for your agency is your Cisco Representative. If you don't have a Cisco contact, Cisco maintains a detailed contact page on its Web site. For more information on how to engage Cisco for your project, or for information on how to reach a local Cisco representative, contact Cisco. To locate address, phone, fax and email information for Cisco offices worldwide, click on: Office Locations.
Use the Partners & Resellers Locator to find Cisco partners and resellers that are closest to your geographical location.
Tips for Writing a ProposalBe specific in your budget Most funders have no restrictions or very broad allowances for budget narratives, because they want to see specifically what you plan to buy with grant funds. Be as specific as you can, with some justification for estimates you will inevitably have to make.
Be judicious in involving others in your project
It may seem like a good idea to include as many officials and partners as possible in your project, but be sure each partner you have contributes to the project in a meaningful way.
Make sure your letters of support for the project demonstrate real commitment
Like pieces to a puzzle, your support letters should document the commitment of the project collaborators toward meeting all the objectives and milestones of the project.
Be sure your narrative and budget are consistent
Everything in the budget should be justified in the narrative. Generally, you'll also want to explain, either in the project narrative or budget narrative, why you chose to use one approach, solution, or technology over another.
Customize each proposal
Although certain funding sources may have similar guidelines and your project plan may be the same for the sources you're applying to, build each proposal based on what you know (and what you can learn) about the funder or program.
Specify Who will do What by When and Why
Include a detailed workplan in your narrative that identifies responsibilities and timelines for each activity and that connects each activity to one or more of the objectives you have articulated in the proposal.
Use statistics to document need
Statistics are available from a variety of sources, and they help justify the need you will use to build a case for support. The statistics you use may be general, as in census data, or specific to your field, such as fire metrics.
Make your objectives measurable and realistic
If at all possible, avoid broad, unfocused objectives. Instead, try to focus on specific, realistic outcomes that will result from implementing the project you propose. The objectives should be measurable within a certain time frame, so you will know whether you have been successful at meeting certain objectives by a certain date.
Learn all you can about the funder before you submit a proposal
Attend bidders' conferences and call the funder program staff to make sure you understand what the program is all about. Most funding programs have personalities, aspects common to all funded projects. Get to know the personalities of the grant programs to which you intend to apply.
Submit good reports on time
Funders at all levels spend a great deal of time tracking down reports from their awardees. Even if the results of your project are not great, submit your reports on time. In doing so, you'll begin to build a good working relationship with the funder. Most funders understand that many issues can influence the successful achievement of your project objectives, but they all frown on failing to file complete reports on time. Help DeskThe Grants Office Help Desk is available Monday through Friday from 9AM-6PM EST for organizations currently engaged with Grants Office. You can reach the Help Desk by phone at 585-473-1430 or by e-mail at info@grantsoffice.com. Rules and InstructionsThe Interoperable Emergency Communications Grant Program (IECGP) Application must provide a detailed description of the proposed use of IECGP funds, including its intended planning, training, and exercise initiatives aimed to improve interoperable emergency communications. The State or Territory may propose activities at a local level, as well as activities that have statewide application. When proposing IECGP projects, the State Administrative Agency (SAA) must consider the following key factors: (1) Alignment with the Statewide Communication Interoperability Plan (SCIP): Grantees must demonstrate alignment between proposed IECGP projects and the SCIPs (i.e., goals, objectives, and/or specific initiatives to address interoperable emergency communications gaps); (2) IECGP Funding Objectives and Priority Groups 1 and 2: Grantees must prioritize and select projects consistent with IECGP funding objectives: 1) Priority Group 1, Leadership and Governance; and 2) Priority Group 2, Common Planning and Operational Protocols and Emergency Responder Skills and Capabilities. For State- or Territory-level projects, Priority Group 1 objectives must be prioritized over Priority Group 2. Local or tribal pass-through recipient projects can be selected from either Priority Group. Note that IECGP priorities are consistent with goals that will be put forth in the National Emergency Communications Plan (NECP); And (3) Grant program requirements: Applicable program requirements including the minimum 80% pass-through to local or tribal government entities.Narrative OverviewThe purpose of the narrative is to provide a brief description of the interoperable emergency communications priorities and initiatives that will be addressed with IECGP funds. The narrative must address the following:
(1) Overview of the State or Territory’s risk profile (natural, technological, man-made); (2) Overview of State or Territory’s interoperable emergency communications priorities and needs for planning, training, and exercises in FY 2008; (3) Overview of the governance structure that will oversee the development and implementation of the project(s) funded by IECGP;
(4) Summary of the agencies involved in IECGP initiatives (e.g., State, local, tribal) and a description of their involvement;
(5) Summary of type and number of plans that will be developed and/or updated; (6) Summary of type and number of State, regional, and/or local training initiatives, including the estimated number of people to be trained; (7) Summary of type and number of State, regional, and/or local exercise initiatives, including the number of people to participate in each exercise. Building a BudgetThe IECGP portfolio budget should include a budget for each individual project broken down by allowable cost category (planning, training, exercises, and personnel) and M&A, including a breakdown of the anticipated expenditures within each of these categories for all IECGP funds.
Approved UsesIECGP funding may be used in one of four categories: 1) Planning, 2) Training, 3) Exercise and, 4) Personnel Activities. DeadlineNationally, States are required to submit their IECGP applications no later than July 21, 2008. State pass-through application deadlines vary (widely) by state. Local agencies should contact their SAA for local timelines. To find the SAA for your State, click here . This information is updated as we collect it. We would greatly appreciate any information you can provide on your state application processes or timelines. Send your feedback to info@grantsoffice.com, and Thank You for your involvement!
Award Amounts and Procedures In FY 2008, the total amount of funds distributed under IECGP will be $48,575,000. The table below identifies available IECGP funding for each State and Territory: | State/Territory
| IECGP Funding
| | Alabama | $538,731 | | Alaska | $278,294 | | American Samoa | $54,033 | | Arizona | $797,224 | | Arkansas | $309,053 | | California | $6,107,351 | | Colorado | $609,616 | | Connecticut | $545,234 | | Delaware | $242,875 | | District of Columbia | $629,619 | | Florida | $2,004,978 | | Georgia | $1,120,474 | | Guam | $77,241 | | Hawaii | $251,038 | | Idaho | $242,875 | | Illinois | $1,827,339 | | Indiana | $730,005 | | Iowa | $330,399 | | Kansas | $369,007 | | Kentucky | $531,180 | | Louisiana | $887,944 | | Maine | $242,875 | | Maryland | $1,036,871 | | Massachusetts | $978,519 | | Michigan | $1,080,797 | | Minnesota | $658,690 | | Mississippi | $361,909 | | Missouri | $642,535 | | Montana | $242,875 | | Nebraska | $293,557 | | Nevada | $500,868
| | New Hampshire | $242,875 | | New Jersey | $1,443,315 | | New Mexico | $290,478 | | New York | $7,835,108 | | North Carolina | $866,572 | | North Dakota | $242,875 | | Northern Mariana Islands | $53,935 | | Ohio | $1,201,262 | | Oklahoma | $362,815 | | Oregon | $483,699 | | Pennsylvania | $1,587,026 | | Puerto Rico | $394,293 | | Rhode Island | $242,875 | | South Carolina | $439,948 | | South Dakota | $242,875 | | Tennessee | $670,566 | | Texas | $3,508,771 | | U.S. Virgin Islands | $60,654 | | Utah | $366,269 | | Vermont | $242,875 | | Virginia | $1,240,055 | | Washington | $996,731 | | West Virginia | $259,907 | | Wisconsin | $532,340 | | Wyoming | $242,875 | | TOTAL | $48,575,000
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Award Procedure
To be eligible to receive IECGP funding assistance from the SAA, a public safety agency must be a State, local, or tribal government entity or authorized nongovernmental organization. Each State will make no less than 80 percent of the total award amount available as a pass-through to such local or tribal government or authorized nongovernmental public safety agencies. The District of Columbia has no pass-through requirement. For Puerto Rico, the pass-through requirement is 50 percent of total award amount. Due to the unique nature of the Territorial governments in Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, no pass-through requirements will be applied to those Territories. However, the above Territories are expected to take into account the needs of local communities prior to making funding decisions. Grants may be distribute on a formula or competitive basis. For help writing a competitive proposal, see: Tips for Writing a Proposal. Decision Time FramesAwards have been allocated to the states, and pass-through dates depend on several factors within each state, including: - The state's Statewide Communications Interoperability Plan
- The State Administrative Agency's readiness to administer the funding
- The pass-through process selected by the state.
Typically, formula funds are passed through more quickly than competitive funds, though less scrutiny is often given to the fitness of the project for interoperability in a formula-basd process compared with a competitive process. In any case, states are required to pass through the funding within 45 days of the acceptance (by DHS) of the state application. Eligible ApplicantsOnly authorized State Administrative Agencies are eligible to receive funds from DHS, but the states are required to pass through at least 80% of the funding they receive to local public safety agencies, which can include a wide variety of local emergency response, law enforcement, and emergency management agencies. Cisco Systems Interoperability Packages In today’s world, first responders face increased threats from terrorist individuals, and nuclear, biological, and chemical (NBC) agents. Cisco wireless technology has made it possible to extend real time, active monitoring to critical infrastructure elements, transportation facilities, banking and retail institutions, and schools and municipal buildings.
Access to real time video data by dispatchers, supervisors, and the firefighters arriving at the scene will provide a number of benefits, in terms of improved firefighter safety, effectiveness, and departmental efficiency.
With the ability to remotely verify alarms, the department can expect improved force availability to respond to legitimate crises. E-learning will also provide more efficient training by allowing personnel to participate in education during down time, rather than travelling to a single location for a one-time event. This section includes a variety of helpful and informative documents, all oriented to make it easier for your department to complete your department's funding proposal. For detailed information on how Cisco is leading the way for first responders, check out Why Cisco?  |
