Opportunity Information: Apply for DHS 09 DNDO 106 001
Apply for DHS 09 DNDO 106 001
- The Office of Procurement Operations Grants Division in the other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Pilot Project Securing the Cities Initiative" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 97.106 Securing the Cities Program.
- This funding opportunity was created on May 12, 2009 and posted on Apr 13, 2009.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 28, 2009. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $12,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
- DHS expects to receive a single application from a State or local unit of government, interstate or intrastate entity, or a special district, who will work with governmental entities serving jurisdictions within 45 miles of NYC. This single application must include the following jurisdictions States of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut NYC (New York City Police Department (NYPD), in particular), the Port Authority of New York/New Jersey (PANYNJ), and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA).
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Opportunity Summary:
The Pilot Project Securing the Cities (STC) Initiative is a Department of Homeland Security grant opportunity focused on reducing the risk of a radiological or nuclear attack in a high-risk metropolitan area by strengthening the region's ability to detect and stop illicit radioactive materials before they can be used. The program is built around the idea that preventing an attack is not just about buying equipment; it requires a coordinated, regional approach that connects multiple agencies, jurisdictions, and transportation systems into a shared detection and interdiction capability. In this pilot, DHS is targeting the greater New York City area and surrounding jurisdictions, with the longer-term intent to replicate the model in other major metro areas if funding is available and independent assessments show it is effective.
At the heart of the opportunity is the development of an operationally viable regional architecture for radiological and nuclear detection. The grant is meant to help participating state and local agencies leverage existing detection technologies and expand or deploy them in a coordinated way across the region, rather than in isolated pockets. This includes designing, acquiring, and deploying system components that allow agencies to detect potential radiological threats and respond consistently. A key theme is interoperability: equipment and processes should work across jurisdictional boundaries and across different types of agencies, including law enforcement and transportation authorities.
A major deliverable supported by the funding is a common multi-agency Concept of Operations (CONOPS). This CONOPS is intended to standardize how participating agencies share sensor data, communicate across command structures, and resolve "hits" (sensor alarms or detections) within the detection architecture. In practice, that means the program expects partners to align procedures for triage, adjudication, and escalation of alarms, ensuring agencies can quickly determine whether an alert is benign (such as legitimate medical isotopes or industrial sources) or indicative of a real threat, and then coordinate interdiction actions when needed. The emphasis on multi-agency operations reflects the reality that radiological detection in a dense metro region involves many independent stakeholders, each with distinct authorities, assets, and operational constraints.
The opportunity also places strong weight on training and exercises. Funding is meant to support the participating regional agencies in building proficiency to execute the shared CONOPS at a high level, which implies recurring drills, joint exercises, and practical validation of procedures under realistic conditions. This is important because detection equipment alone does not create security; the real capability comes from personnel who can interpret alarms, manage information flow, apply consistent decision rules, and coordinate interdiction safely and legally. Exercises also help identify gaps in coverage, communications, staffing, and governance that might not be obvious during planning.
Another significant requirement is sustainability planning. DHS specifically highlights the need to evaluate and implement an equipment supportability concept so that the region can maintain operational capabilities after STC financial assistance ends. This signals that applicants are expected to think beyond initial procurement and deployment and address lifecycle needs such as maintenance, calibration, replacement planning, software or firmware updates, consumables, storage, and staffing models. In other words, the grant is not just about standing up a pilot; it is about building a capability that can be sustained when federal funding tapers off.
From an administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary funding opportunity using a cooperative agreement, which typically means DHS expects to remain engaged in project execution and oversight more actively than in a standard formula grant. The Funding Opportunity Number is DHS 09 DNDO 106 001, and the CFDA number listed is 97.106 (Securing the Cities Program). The award ceiling is up to $12,000,000, with an expectation of a single award. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement, which reduces the financial barrier for participating agencies but increases the importance of demonstrating readiness and a credible plan to use the funds effectively.
Eligibility for this pilot is narrowly defined and essentially designed for a single, regionally coordinated application tied to the New York City metropolitan area. DHS indicated it expected one application from a state or local unit of government, an interstate or intrastate entity, or a special district that would coordinate with governmental entities serving jurisdictions within 45 miles of NYC. The application must include, at minimum, the States of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, along with New York City (notably the NYPD), the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ), and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). This structure underscores the program's regional governance expectation: rather than separate applications, DHS wanted a unified proposal that brings the key operational stakeholders into a single architecture and a shared operating framework.
The original posting date was April 13, 2009, with a closing date of May 28, 2009, and an archive date of June 12, 2009. The administering office is listed as the Office of Procurement Operations, Grants Division, and a point of contact was provided for access issues: Joan Keiser, Grants Officer, at 202-447-5603. The announcement also directs applicants to consult a FAQ document posted with the full announcement, suggesting that implementation details, allowable costs, and program expectations were further clarified in that supplemental guidance.
Overall, this grant opportunity is best understood as a pilot-scale investment to help the NYC region build an integrated preventive radiological and nuclear detection and interdiction capability that is jointly operated, jointly trained, and designed to endure. It combines technology deployment with governance, operational procedures, data-sharing, and sustainment planning, aiming to create a working regional model that could later be extended to other high-risk metropolitan areas.
Securing the Cities (STC) Pilot Project Initiative (DHS 09 DNDO 106 001) - FAQs
1) What is the Pilot Project Securing the Cities (STC) Initiative?
The Pilot Project Securing the Cities (STC) Initiative is a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) grant opportunity focused on reducing the risk of a radiological or nuclear attack in a high-risk metropolitan area. It aims to strengthen a region's ability to detect and stop illicit radioactive materials before they can be used.
2) What is the main purpose of the STC pilot in the New York City region?
The pilot is intended to build an operationally viable, regional architecture for radiological and nuclear detection and interdiction in the greater New York City area and surrounding jurisdictions. The goal is a coordinated, multi-agency capability rather than isolated, agency-by-agency deployments.
3) Why does the program emphasize a regional approach instead of just buying equipment?
The opportunity is built on the idea that preventing an attack requires coordination across multiple agencies, jurisdictions, and transportation systems. Detection equipment is only part of the solution; the program also prioritizes shared procedures, interoperable operations, training, exercises, and sustainment planning.
4) Which geographic area is targeted by this pilot?
DHS targets the greater New York City metropolitan area and surrounding jurisdictions, specifically those served by governmental entities within 45 miles of New York City.
5) Who is eligible to apply for this STC pilot opportunity?
Eligibility is narrowly defined for this pilot. DHS expected a single, regionally coordinated application from a state or local unit of government, an interstate or intrastate entity, or a special district that would coordinate with governmental entities serving jurisdictions within 45 miles of NYC.
6) Does the application have to include specific states and agencies?
Yes. The application must include, at minimum, the States of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, along with New York City (notably the NYPD), the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ), and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA).
7) Does DHS expect multiple applications from different agencies?
No. DHS indicated it expected one application that unifies the key regional stakeholders into a single proposal with a shared architecture and operating framework.
8) What type of funding mechanism is used for this opportunity?
This is a discretionary funding opportunity using a cooperative agreement. This typically means DHS expects to be actively engaged in project execution and oversight more than it would be under a standard formula grant.
9) What is the award amount for this STC pilot?
The award ceiling is up to $12,000,000, with an expectation of a single award.
10) Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. The opportunity states there is no cost sharing or matching requirement.
11) What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is DHS 09 DNDO 106 001.
12) What CFDA number is associated with this program?
The CFDA number listed is 97.106 (Securing the Cities Program).
13) What does DHS mean by building an "operationally viable regional architecture"?
It refers to developing a coordinated regional system for radiological and nuclear detection and interdiction that functions in real operations across agencies and jurisdictions. This includes leveraging existing detection technologies and expanding or deploying them in a coordinated way across the region.
14) What is the role of interoperability in this grant opportunity?
Interoperability is a key theme. Equipment and processes are expected to work across jurisdictional boundaries and across different types of agencies, including law enforcement and transportation authorities.
15) What is a CONOPS, and why is it important for STC?
A CONOPS (Concept of Operations) is a common multi-agency operational framework. Under this opportunity, a major deliverable supported by funding is a shared, multi-agency CONOPS that standardizes how participating agencies share sensor data, communicate across command structures, and resolve detection "hits" within the architecture.
16) What does it mean to "resolve hits" within the detection architecture?
A "hit" refers to a sensor alarm or detection. The CONOPS is intended to align procedures for triage, adjudication, and escalation of alarms so agencies can quickly determine whether an alert is benign (for example, legitimate medical isotopes or industrial sources) or indicative of a real threat, and then coordinate interdiction actions if needed.
17) What kinds of activities does the grant emphasize beyond technology deployment?
In addition to designing, acquiring, and deploying system components, the opportunity strongly emphasizes multi-agency governance and operations, standardized procedures, information sharing, training, exercises, and sustainability planning to ensure the capability functions effectively over time.
18) What is expected regarding training and exercises?
The opportunity places strong weight on training and exercises to build proficiency in executing the shared CONOPS at a high level. This implies recurring drills, joint exercises, and practical validation of procedures under realistic conditions.
19) Why are exercises considered important in this program?
Exercises help ensure personnel can interpret alarms, manage information flow, apply consistent decision rules, and coordinate interdiction safely and legally. They also help identify gaps in coverage, communications, staffing, and governance that may not be obvious during planning.
20) What does DHS require regarding sustainability planning?
DHS highlights the need to evaluate and implement an equipment supportability concept so the region can maintain operational capabilities after STC financial assistance ends. Applicants are expected to think beyond initial deployment and address lifecycle needs.
21) What lifecycle or sustainment needs are referenced in the opportunity?
The description identifies lifecycle needs such as maintenance, calibration, replacement planning, software or firmware updates, consumables, storage, and staffing models to sustain the capability when federal funding tapers off.
22) Is this opportunity intended to be replicated in other cities?
Yes, the longer-term intent is to replicate the model in other major metropolitan areas if funding is available and independent assessments show the approach is effective.
23) When was the opportunity originally posted, and what were the key dates?
The original posting date was April 13, 2009. The closing date was May 28, 2009. The archive date was June 12, 2009.
24) Which DHS office administers this opportunity?
The administering office is listed as the Office of Procurement Operations, Grants Division.
25) Who is the point of contact for access issues, and how can they be reached?
The point of contact provided for access issues is Joan Keiser, Grants Officer, at 202-447-5603.
26) Are there additional official FAQs or guidance referenced by the announcement?
Yes. The announcement directs applicants to consult a FAQ document posted with the full announcement, suggesting that additional implementation details, allowable costs, and program expectations were further clarified in that supplemental guidance.
27) What is the overall outcome DHS is trying to achieve with this STC pilot?
Overall, the pilot is designed to help the NYC region build an integrated preventive radiological and nuclear detection and interdiction capability that is jointly operated, jointly trained, and designed to endure beyond the period of federal financial assistance.
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