DHS opens $9M IT project grant
Beginning last week, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security is accepting applications for a $9-million Information Technology Evaluation Program available to all 50 states, including insular areas such as CNMI, Guam, and among others.
The DHS Office for Domestic Preparedness said that the project is aimed at improving information technology in combating terrorism. It will be collaboratively managed and administered by the ODP by means of cooperative agreements.
“Working in partnership with state and local governments and the private sector, Homeland Security strives to find smarter and better ways to combat terrorism,” said the Director of the Office for Domestic Preparedness, C. Suzanne Mencer.
Chief Information Officer Steve Cooper said information technology is a valuable tool in the war against terrorism, and the program allows all state, local and industry partners to develop and explore new projects to fight the war.
Eligible applicants are the State Administrative Agencies in each of the fifty states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
As part of ITEP, the SAA for each state and territory, in collaboration with state homeland security directors, may submit up to three applications for candidate projects to ODP.
During this review process, highest priority will be given to projects that best demonstrate the novel use of existing, “state-of-the-market” information technology to remove one or more significant barriers in homeland security missions. For a complete list of the selection criteria, see the cooperative agreement application at www.ojp.usdoj.gov/fundopps.htm.
SAAs must submit applications no later than June 30, 2004. DHS will review the applications by July 31, 2004, and make awards no later than Sept. 30, 2004. For a fact sheet or additional information on ITEP, contact the ODP Helpline at 1-800-368-6498 or via e-mail at askcsd@ojp.usdoj.gov.
