TO:	All State Administrative Agency Heads All State Administrative Agency Points of Contact All State Homeland Security Directors
FROM:	C. Suzanne Mencer
	Director
SUBJECT:	ODP Interoperable Communications Technical Assistance Program (ICTAP)

Communications interoperability has been identified as one of the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) top priorities. In support of this, ODP is making specialized technical assistance to enhance communications interoperability available for Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) sites. Communications interoperability offers jurisdictions distinct challenges that can quickly overwhelm limited financial reserves and technical expertise. To alleviate this problem, ODP established a free technical assistance solution that UASI sites can now use to improve communications interoperability. The ODP Interoperable Communications Technical Assistance Program (ICTAP) provides a comprehensive approach to assist with defining requirements, providing recommendations to enhance communications interoperability architectures, helping with implementation and integration efforts of communications equipment, and the test and evaluation of the communications solution through a series of scenario-based communications exercises.

To receive ICTAP from ODP, the UASI Urban Area Working Group (UAWG) must submit a signed request through their State Administrative Agency (SAA) to their ODP UASI Preparedness Officer. To expedite the process, the ICTAP Technical Assistance Team assigned to work with your jurisdiction will develop a mutually agreed upon work plan before technical assistance begins. In addition, if you have any questions about this or other policy-related issues, please contact your preparedness officer or the ODP Helpline at 1-800-368-6498.