Overview of FY 09 Grant Cycle of PSAP Grant Program

From owner-911@virginiainteractive.org Mon Aug 13 21:50:24 2007
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Subject: Overview of FY 09 Grant Cycle of PSAP Grant Program
Date: Mon, 13 Aug 2007 21:39:49 -0400
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Thread-Topic: Overview of FY 09 Grant Cycle of PSAP Grant Program
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From: "Spears-Dean, Dorothy" <Dorothy.SpearsDean@vita.virginia.gov>
To: <911@vipnet.org>
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A few weeks ago, I sent out an initial e-mail regarding the FY 09 Grant
Cycle of the PSAP Grant Program.  I mentioned that there would be more
information forthcoming regarding the focus of the FY 09 Grant Cycle and
the process for utilizing a new automated grant application.  Below you
will find a summary of the substantive elements related to the FY 09
Grant Cycle and an update on the automated grant application for the
PSAP Grant Program.

FY 09 GRANT CYCLE

At its May meeting, the Virginia Wireless E-911 Services Board
established a new grant type.  This new grant type is Consolidation
Project, and it is in addition to the existing Individual PSAP and
Regional Initiative grant types.  A consolidation project is defined as
one that combines two or more primary PSAPs into a single physically
combined primary PSAP with an integrated management structure
established by MOUs that serves the same constituent population
previously served by the independent primary PSAPs.  Up to $600,000 in
funding and an extended grant period of 24 months is available for this
specialized grant type.  Funding for consolidation projects will be
through the Continuity and Consolidation Program and must meet the
narrow definition of a consolidation project described above.      

Also, Funding Tiers have been established for the FY 09 Grant Cycle.
Funding Tiers are broad categories that establish the primary funding
order for projects seeking grant funds.  The Funding Tiers for the FY 09
Grant Cycle in descending order are as follows:

1. Replacement of out of service wireless E-911 equipment to enable
primary PSAPs to maintain current service levels to the public
2. Replacement of non-vendor supported wireless E-911 equipment or
service to enable primary PSAPs to maintain current service levels to
the public
3. Consolidation
4. Replacement of technically outdated wireless E-911 equipment or
service to enable primary PSAPs to maintain current service levels to
the public
5. Strength current equipment and service delivery capability by
upgrading existing wireless E-911 related equipment or services.
6. Broaden or increase the delivery of wireless E-911 equipment or
service beyond established minimum functional standards.

The funding order for projects is further defined by Funding Priorities.
Both the Continuity and Consolidation Program and the Enhancement
Program have their own set of priorities to provide PSAP applicants with
guidance on the types of projects that can be funded through each
program, and the priority in which these projects will be funded.
Projects will be evaluated first according to Funding Tier, then by
Funding Priority within the applicable program.  For the Continuity and
Consolidation Program, the Funding Priorities in descending order
include, but are not limited to:

1.  CPE*
2.  Mapping system*
3.  Mapping servers and workstations
4.  Road Center Line (RCL) maintenance
5.  Voice recorders and logging systems*
6.  Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD)*
7.  Call accounting equipment
8.  Structural addressing
9.  Computer system networking improvements
10. Directionality and routing.  

Please note that the integration of any two items marked with an
asterisk (*) would be given a higher priority than non-integrated items.

For the Enhancement Program, the priorities in order of funding include,
but are not limited to:

1.  Next Generation 911
2.  Recruitment of personnel
3.  Training of personnel
4.  Transportable back-up for PSAP primary operational items
5.  Fixed back-up for primary PSAP operational items
6.  Parcel mapping
7.  Radio consoles and associated infrastructure in PSAPs (excludes
towers, portables mobiles for field units, repeaters, and base stations)

PSAP AUTOMATED GRANT APPLICATION

The PSAP Grant Application is now ready for use.  User names and
passwords will be created for each PSAP and will be distributed by VITA.
In addition, a Users' manual is being drafted to accompany the grant
application once the grant period opens.  It will take a couple of weeks
to distribute user names and passwords and to complete the Users'
manual.  I am hopeful that the FY 09 Grant Cycle will open by the end of
this month.  Once open, PSAP managers will have 90 days to complete
their grant application.

I will continue to provide information on the PSAP Grant Program's FY 09
Grant Cycle and the automated grant application.  In the meantime, if
you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.  Thanks
for your patience. 




Dorothy A. Spears-Dean, M.B.A.
Virginia Information Technologies Agency
Public Safety Communications Coordinator
11751 Meadowville Lane
Chester, VA 23836
(804) 416-6201 (voice)
(804) 840-7260 (cell)