COPS SOS 2009 Grant Program Funding

CapWIN Community –

From time to time I plan to share with you interesting stories and helpful information from CapWIN Users.

Today’s article provides useful information concerning the availability of funding under the COPS Secure Our Schools (SOS) 2009 grant program. This grant provides the opportunity for agencies to possibility partner with school security in your area in applying to get funds for equipment and our subscription fees to enable secure communications using CapWIN.

I hope you find this helpful! 

~ John Binks

United States Department of Justice

Office of Community Oriented Policing Services

Office of the Director

1100 Vermont Avenue, NW

Washington, DC  20530

March 20, 2009

Dear Colleague:

The COPS Office is pleased to announce the availability of funding under the COPS Secure Our Schools (SOS) 2009 grant program.  Approximately $16 million is available in FY2009 to provide funding to law enforcement agencies to assist with the development of school safety resources and provide improved security at schools and on school grounds.  Specifically, this program will fund up to 50% of the total cost to implement one or more of the following options: placement and use of metal detectors, locks, lighting, and other deterrent measures; security assessments; security training of personnel and students; coordination with local law enforcement; and/or any other measure that may provide a significant improvement in security.

This program is open to all law enforcement agencies nationwide.  The application process will be competitive, and as such it is recommended that interested law enforcement agencies use this time, early in the solicitation period, to contact and develop partnerships with area schools that need to enhance or improve school safety and security equipment and/or measures.  As noted above, there is a 50% local cash match requirement under this grant program.

The SOS 2009 grant program application is available on-line at www.Grants.gov.  To view the application and apply on-line, please go to https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms_apps_idx.html.  The opportunity code for this program is COPS-SOS-2009-1.  If you are unable to use Grants.gov, please contact the COPS Office Response Center at 1.800.421.6770.  To be considered for funding, completed applications must be submitted via Grants.gov no later than May 8, 2009.

All interested agencies should be aware that the registration process to apply for funds through Grants.gov is a multi-step process, and can take two to three weeks to complete.  Agencies are strongly encouraged to begin the registration process immediately to avoid any problems or delays when submitting applications.  Please allow yourself enough time to complete the registration process under Grants.gov to ensure that you don’t miss the application deadline.

The COPS Office looks forward to working with the law enforcement agencies that apply under this program and will provide technical assistance to applicants during the solicitation process, as requested.  For more information, please feel free to contact the COPS Office Response Center at 1.800.421.6770.

Sincerely,

Timothy J. Quinn

Acting Director

March 23, 2009