NOTICE OF INTENT to Award Funds to the Department of Fire Services
July 21, 2020
The Executive Office of Public Safety and Security’s (EOPSS) Office of Grants and Research (OGR) intends to award up to $375,000.00 in federal Byrne Justice Assistance Grant funds from the Secretary’s set aside share designated for state priorities to the Department of Fire Services (DFS) to support enhancements to the robotic capabilities of the MA State Police Bomb Squad.
DFS is a state agency that falls under the authority of the EOPSS. Twelve (12) specially trained State Police Officers who are assigned to DFS comprise the State Police Bomb Squad, and provide local police and fire departments across the Commonwealth with assistance identifying, investigating, and mitigating explosive devices. These funds will be used to purchase additional robotic assets for the State Police Bomb Squad, and allow for repairs to existing robotic assets. Robots are the most efficient way to assess potentially explosive devices in time-sensitive situations, and also increase responder safety by allowing Bomb Squad Technicians to assess devices from a safe distance.
This equipment is vital to the safety of our officers, firefighters and the public at large. DFS receives no specifically designated state appropriations to purchase or maintain robotic capabilities for the State Police Bomb Squad and without these funds wouldn’t be allowed to perform repairs and purchase the additional needed robots.
Any questions or concerns about this award should be emailed to Kevin Stanton, Executive Director, EOPSS/OGR at: kevin.stanton@state.ma.us
NOTICE OF INTENT to award funds to the Massachusetts Army National Guard
July 6, 2020
The Office of Grants and Research will be awarding up to $70,000 in FFY17 Byrne Justice Assistance Grant funding (discretionary set-aside) to the Massachusetts Army National Guard (MANG) to procure aerial firefighting equipment needed to combat against and reduce losses from wildfires in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Due to increasing wildfire hazards and limited response capacity, the MANG in collaboration with the MA Department of State Police is seeking to increase their capability to fight small to large wildfires and, if necessary, multiple wildfires. The MANG will use grant funding to purchase two 660-gallon Bambi Buckets (~$33,400 each, including tax and shipping) for MANG’s Blackhawk helicopters and these will be maintained at their eastern and western Army Aviation Support Facilities to ensure statewide coverage. This increased capacity will allow the MANG to extinguish wildfires quicker, thus saving lives, property, overtime and fuel costs. The anticipated project start date will be July 13, 2020. For questions about this Notice of Intent, please email Kevin Stanton at Kevin.Stanton@mass.gov
NOTICE OF INTENT to award funds to the Department of Criminal Justice Information Services for the Motor Vehicle Automated Citation & Crash System Printers #2 Project
June 26, 2020
The Executive Office of Public Safety and Security’s Office of Grants and Research (OGR) plans to enter into an interdepartmental service agreement (ISA) with the Department of Criminal Justice Information Services (DCJIS) for $158,945 of Section 405-c funding from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for the Motor Vehicle Automated Citation & Crash System (MACCS) Printers #2 Project.
With DCJIS’s existing capacity and infrastructure, this ISA represents a best value arrangement that will enable the Commonwealth to further implement MACCS statewide. DCJIS receives no specifically designated state appropriations to provide MACCS services.
The FFY 2020 period to which these funds will apply is anticipated to be mid-July 2020 through September 30, 2020, unless this award is extended.
Please submit any questions or comments regarding this matter to Brook Chipman at OGR at brook.chipman@mass.gov by July 7, 2020.
NOTICE OF INTENT to award funds
June 18, 2020
The Office of Grants and Research ()GR) will be awarding $48,530 in FFY17 Byrne Justice Assistance Grant funding (discretionary set-aside) to the Temple Emanuel Sinai of Worcester to address several key security issues and concerns as identified in their application. Once remedied, these enhancement upgrades will help make their place of worship safer for both the staff and public who utilize their services.
OGR recently held a competitive grant competition for Places of Worship and due to the overwhelming response, OGR was unable to honor all worthwhile requests submitted. As a result, OGR is trying to identify other funding streams that could be allocated to fund additional proposals recommended for funding but not honored due to limited financial resources.
For questions about this Notice of Intent, please email Kevin Stanton at Kevin.Stanton@mass.gov