The Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 directed the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), in consultation with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), to establish and implement a $1 billion grant program to assist public safety agencies in the acquisition of, deployment of, or training for the use of interoperable communications systems that utilize – or enable interoperability with communications systems that can utilize – reallocated 700 MHz spectrum for radio communications. While some regions may not be able to access the 700 MHz frequency band, public safety agencies are still eligible for funding to help meet their interoperability needs so long as the proposed solutions are designed to interoperate with the 700 MHz band in the future.

The Public Safety Interoperable Communications Grant (PSIC) Grant Program is a one-time formula-based, matching grant program intended to enhance interoperable communications with respect to voice, data, and/or video signals. PSIC provides public safety agencies with the opportunity to achieve meaningful and measurable improvements to the state of public safety communications interoperability through the full and efficient use of all telecommunications resources.

Each public safety agency receiving PSIC funds is required to meet and document a 20 percent statutory match requirement for each project during the period performance of the grant.

The Department of Safety, as the State Administrative Agency for this grant, will apply for and accept these funds, estimated at $5,966,780, no later than September 30, 2007. We anticipate a competitive application process to begin by March 2008 for the State of New Hampshire law enforcement and First Responder communities.

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FAQs

Eligible Applicants

Program Funding Goals and Limitations

What does this mean for NH’s public safety agencies?