BJA FY26 Bridging Immigration-Related Deficits Experienced Nationwide Program: District of Columbia Safe Housing Camera Program Invitation to Apply | Apply Online

FAQs: BJA FY26 BIDEN Reimbursement Fund - District of Columbia Safe Housing Camera Program (Invitation to Apply)

1) What is this funding opportunity?

This is a discretionary federal grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA). It is titled the BJA FY26 Bridging Immigration-Related Deficits Experienced Nationwide (BIDEN) Reimbursement Fund: District of Columbia Safe Housing Camera Program Invitation to Apply.

2) What is the purpose of the grant?

The purpose is to reimburse and support specific law enforcement technology costs incurred by the Government of the District of Columbia, with a narrow focus on public safety infrastructure and investigative capabilities. The grant is intended to cover costs tied to purchasing and installing safe housing and street cameras and closely related technologies that strengthen crime prevention and investigation.

3) What is the legal authority for this funding?

The funding comes from the BIDEN Reimbursement Fund, created by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (Public Law 119-21) and codified at 34 U.S.C. 61101.

4) What does the underlying statute generally authorize DOJ to fund?

In broad terms, the statute authorizes DOJ to provide grants to eligible state and local governments for law enforcement activities connected to criminal activity involving unlawfully present individuals (described in the notice as "criminal illegal aliens"), and for efforts that combat drug trafficking and human trafficking.

5) Who is this invitation to apply intended for?

Although the eligible applicant is listed as "Others," the notice narrative indicates this invitation to apply is directed to the Government of the District of Columbia.

6) What types of equipment or technology are specifically in scope?

The notice focuses on the purchase and installation of law enforcement safe housing and street cameras. It also includes closely related technologies that strengthen crime prevention and investigation, and it specifically calls out license plate readers as an example of eligible related technology.

7) Does the opportunity only fund traditional video cameras?

No. While cameras are central, the notice signals that the program is not limited to traditional video cameras. It can include related tools such as license plate readers that support identification of vehicles connected to criminal activity and improve investigative leads.

8) Can the grant cover installation costs?

Yes. The grant is intended to cover costs tied to the purchase and installation of safe housing and street cameras and related technologies.

9) Are ongoing system costs eligible (beyond purchase and installation)?

Yes. The opportunity allows funding for supporting expenses directly associated with deploying and using the funded technology. This includes data storage, subscriptions (such as software platforms or cloud services needed to manage, search, or analyze footage), and operation and maintenance costs, as long as those costs are tied to the cameras and related technology purchased and installed under the program.

10) Is data storage an allowable expense under this program?

Yes. Data storage is explicitly mentioned as an allowable supporting expense when it is directly associated with deploying and using the cameras and related technology purchased and installed under this program.

11) Are software or cloud subscriptions allowable costs?

Yes. Subscriptions are identified as eligible supporting expenses, including software platforms or cloud services required to manage, search, or analyze camera footage, when tied to the funded technology.

12) Are operation and maintenance costs eligible?

Yes. Operation and maintenance costs are allowable if they are tied to the cameras and related technology purchased and installed through the program.

13) What is the main programmatic goal of the Safe Housing and Street Camera Program?

The program is framed as a way to strengthen the collection and analysis of investigative information to counter gang activity and other criminal conduct. In practice, this means improving camera coverage and analytical capacity to help deter crime, document incidents, generate actionable evidence, and support follow-up investigations through better situational awareness and identification capabilities.

14) How does this technology support law enforcement outcomes according to the notice?

According to the notice, the funded infrastructure and tools can help deter crimes in targeted areas, document incidents when they occur, generate evidence that can be used in investigations, and improve investigative leads and situational awareness.

15) What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?

The award ceiling is up to $10,000,000.

16) What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number is O-BJA-2026-172577.

17) What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?

The CFDA number listed is 16.076.

18) When was this opportunity created?

The opportunity was created on 2026-03-26.

19) What is the application closing date?

The original application closing date is 2026-04-09.

20) Is this a reimbursement-focused program?

Yes. The notice describes the opportunity as designed to reimburse and support specific law enforcement technology costs incurred by the Government of the District of Columbia, with funded costs tied to the covered camera and related technology investments and their directly associated supporting expenses.