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Federal Register Notice: SUMMARY: On July 23, 2007, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) published a Notice of Availability of Funds in the Federal Register, 72 Fed. Reg. 40120, for the Public Safety Interoperable Communications (PSIC) Grant Program. On August 3, 2007, the President signed into law the Improving Emergency Communications Act of 2007, Pub. L. No. 110-53, which amended Section 3006 of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 that authorized the PSIC Grant Program. This Notice provides amendments to PSIC Grant Program Notice of Availability of Funds. DATES: This amendment to the Final Rule takes effect immediately. Each State and Territory continues to be required to submit its application and narrative no later than 11:59 p.m. on August 22, 2007. Each State and Territory, however, will now be required to submit its Statewide Communications Interoperability Plans and Investment Justification under the PSIC Grant Program no later than December 3, 2007. ADDRESSES: Please see 72 Fed. Reg. 40120. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Laura Pettus, Program Specialist, Public Safety Interoperable Communications, telephone: (202) 482-5802; fax: (202) 482-2156. Information about the PSIC can also be obtained electronically via the Internet at www.ntia.doc.gov/psic. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On July 23, 2007, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) published a Notice of Availability of Funds in the Federal Register, 72 Fed. Reg. 40120, for the Public Safety Interoperable Communications (PSIC) Grant Program. On August 3, 2007, the President signed into law the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007, Pub. L. No. 110-53. Title XXII of that Act, known as the Improving Emergency Communications Act of 2007, amended Section 3006 of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 which originally authorized the PSIC Grant Program. Specifically, Section 2201 of Pub. L. No. 110-53 expanded
the PSIC Grant Program’s purpose by: (1) including
planning and coordination as eligible costs; (2) explicitly
permitting funds to be used for equipment and software;
(3) allowing investments in other public safety communications
spectrum bands; and (4) requiring the establishment and
implementation of strategic technology reserve by public
safety agencies. Accordingly, NTIA now amends the Program Information The PSIC Grant Program will assist public safety agencies
in the planning and coordination associated with, the
acquisition of, deployment of, or training for the use
of interoperable communications equipment, software,
and systems that: NTIA recognizes that many solutions exist to achieve interoperability, and the PSIC Grant Program will not dictate a specific technology solution for public safety agencies. However, NTIA has identified the following technology and all hazards related priorities that States and Territories must consider when selecting projects for PSIC funding: 1. Technology 2. All Hazards Mitigation Funding Availability Table 1 - PSIC State/Territory Allocation
Pursuant to Section 2201 of Pub. L. No. 110-53, States and Territories will be required to establish and implement a strategic technology reserve (STR) to pre-position or secure interoperable communications in advance for immediate deployment in an emergency situation or major disaster. The PSIC Grant Program has apportioned a total of $75 million for STR Funding. Each State or Territory has been allocated a presumptive funding amount proportionate to its total allocation under the program. To be considered for PSIC funding, the STR must be capable of re-establishing communications when existing critical infrastructure is damaged or destroyed in an emergency or a major disaster. STR projects should include the following:
States and Territories should ensure that they submit Investment Justifications reflecting projects that include at least the presumptive funding amount to establish and implement a strategic technology reserve (STR) to pre-position or secure interoperable communications in advance for immediate deployment in an emergency situation or major disaster. If a State or Territory is not submitting a PSIC Investment for the STR, it must submit a detailed written explanation along with its Investment Justification that demonstrates that it has already implemented such a strategic technology reserve or that other funded project proposals represent a higher priority for public safety communications. Upon a finding by the Assistant Secretary that the State or Territory has met the demonstration requirement, it may use the presumptive funding amount for other approved PSIC projects. Funding Priorities and Selection Factors In addition, NTIA will review each Statewide Plan to ensure that States and Territories address the following PSIC requirements: how public safety agencies will plan and coordinate, acquire, deploy, and train on communications equipment, software, and systems that use – or enable interoperability with communications systems that use – in the reallocated public safety spectrum or otherwise improve or advance the interoperability with public safety communications systems that utilize other public safety spectrum bands; how a strategic technology reserve will be established and implemented to pre-position or secure interoperable communications in advance for immediate deployment in an emergency or major disaster; how local and tribal government entities’ interoperable communications needs have been included in the planning process and how their needs are being addressed, if applicable; and how authorized nongovernmental organizations’ interoperable communications needs have been included in the planning process and how their needs are being addressed, if applicable. Cost Sharing Requirements The PSIC Grant Program requires cost sharing. By statute, each public safety agency receiving PSIC funds is required to meet and document the 20 percent statutory match requirement for each project. The SAA is required to track and report the 20 percent match requirement for each individual project that receives PSIC funds for efforts other than planning and coordination and training which do not require a match. The match requirements can be met through cash or in-kind sources consistent with 15 C.F.R. §§ 24.3, 24.24. This documentation must demonstrate that match funds are from non-federal sources. As provided in 48 U.S.C. § 1469a, the requirement for local matching funds under $200,000 (including in-kind contributions) is waived for the Territorial governments in Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Applicants are exempt from the 20 percent match for all pre-award costs related to the Statewide Plans. Training activities can make up no more than 20 percent
of a State’s or Territory’s total federal
allocation for the PSIC Program. All other substantive provisions of the PSIC Grant Program Notice of Availability of Funds remain unchanged. Additional information on these changes is available in Modification 1 of the Federal Funding Opportunity Notice under CFDA Number 11.555 available at http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?oppId=14878&mode=VIEW and in the Revised Grant Guidance available at www.ntia.doc.gov/. Executive Order 12866 Executive Order 13132, Federalism Administrative Procedure Act/ Regulatory Flexibility
Act Congressional Review of Agency Rulemaking NTIA has not submitted this final rule to the Congress and the Government Accountability Office under the Congressional Review of Agency Rulemaking Act, 5 U.S.C. § 801 et seq. This amendment is not a “major rule” within the meaning of the Act. Dated: August 16, 2007 Kathy Smith |
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