Why are grants important?

Why are grants important?• Equipment and software acquisition– They buy what you sell

• Create opportunities for sales, when they wouldn’t exist otherwise– Agencies with limited budgets, no revenues

• Benefit public service agencies in need– Increased safety for police, public, and firemen

• Encourages innovation in the field of mobility

Fundable Solutions

Public Safety• Focus on mobility &

efficiency– Equipment acquisition– Interoperability– Ecitation /Code

enforcement– Evidence tracking– DNA backlog reduction– Disaster preparedness

Fire/Emergency Response• Focus on mobility and

safety– Interoperability– Equipment acquisition– Equipment tracking– Broadband network

development and interface

Grant Opportunities – Public Safety• Justice Assistance Grant Program (Byrne JAG)

– Funds equipment and software for law enforcement• Ecitation, evidence tracking, RFID for courts, mobile

computers

• Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grant– Funds equipment and software for evidence processing and

tracking, and DNA backlog reduction for state forensic labs• Policing initiatives

– Vary from year to year. Can evaluate use of new solutions, or fund creation of new solutions

Grant Opportunities – Fire/EMS

• Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG)– Funds interoperability solutions, and asset

tracking– Emergency response personnel apply as well

• FEMA Disaster Preparedness Grants– Funds interoperability• Special emphasis on urban areas and ports

Grant Opportunities – Education• E-Rate Discount Program– Telecommunications– Internet access– Broadband and networking

• Department of Education Grants– See grants.gov

How does it work?• Grants are more similar than different– They all follow a uniform process*

• Required materials:– Program narrative (what’s the problem, and

solution)– Budget narrative (how much will it cost)– Abstract (brief explanation of project)– Standard forms (financial/legal forms)

*There are a couple exceptions

Grants Timeline• Quarter 1– Solicitations are released for Public Safety

• Quarter 2– Solicitations continue to be released for public safety– Most, if not all deadlines close

• Quarter 3– Fire/EMS solicitations are released and close– If funded, monies are delivered

• Quarter 4– If funded, monies are delivered

BlueStar Assistance• In house grant consultant at corporate

headquarters• Services offered to BlueStar partnered

resellers:– Identification of appropriate grants sources– Engaging end-users when grants are released– Grant education and training– Editing and writing services– Proposal submission assistance

Important Restrictions

• BlueStar offers free grant assistance to reseller partners only

• End-users must submit grant proposals– BlueStar is not allowed to do this

• End-users prepare proposal materials (i.e. write proposal narratives, budgets)– BlueStar works closely with end-users through this

process

Best Practices• Start early– The more time to prepare, the better the proposal will

be -- typical application period is 30 to 60 days– Decrease chances of missing deadlines

• Keep end-user engaged– Check in consistently and often to ensure grant

materials are being prepared well before submission deadline

– This is the most important action a reseller can take in helping end-users apply for assistance

Best Practices Cont.• Contact BlueStar periodically for new grant

opportunities– The in house grant consultant diligently monitors

when new solicitations for proposals are released• BlueStar utilizes email campaigns when new

grants come out– Make sure you, and your partners are on this list

Government Grant Websites• Public Safety– http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/funding/solicitations.htm

• Fire/Emergency Response– http://www.fema.gov/government/grant/index.shtm

• Grants.gov

Contact Information

• Peggy LaneBlueStar, Inc.Motorola Govt. BDM3345 Point Pleasant Dr.Hebron, KY 41048(859) 371-4423 x. [email protected]

• Kevan Galyean, M.S. BlueStar, Inc.Grant Consultant3345 Point Pleasant Dr.Hebron, KY 41048(859) 371-4423 x. [email protected]