Office of Grants and Training Preparedness Directorate U.S. Department of Homeland Security Washington, DC 20531 G&T Information Bulletin No. 213 July 13, 2006 TO All Prospective FY 2006 IBSGP Applicants FROM: Tracy A. Henke Assistant Secretary, Office of Grants and Training Kip Hawley Assistant Secretary, Transportation Security Administration SUBJECT: FY 2006 Intercity Bus Security Grant Program The information contained in this bulletin is considered an addendum to the FY 2006 Intercity Bus Security (IBSGP) Program Guidelines and Application Kit. The instructions and directions contained herein are not suggestions – they are mandatory requirements. If your application does not adhere to the requirements contained in the IBSGP Program Guidelines and Application Kit and this Information Bulletin, it will be considered incomplete and will not be considered for funding. On July 6, 2006, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the availability of FY 2006 IBSGP. This Information Bulletin is intended to clarify several issues relating to the IBSGP Program Guidelines and Application Kit. Applicants are encouraged to log onto and register at the Grants.gov website as soon as possible. There may be a 5-10 day waiting period between registration and the applicant’s ability to enter the system and work on the application: 1. Section II C: Project Selection – Outlines the scoring criteria and point ranges to be applied to all eligible grant applications. Issue: On page 8, the first criterion listed is “Number of Trips to a defined UASI jurisdiction.” This language is clarified as follows: Number of trips to a defined UASI jurisdiction: UASI jurisdictions are identified in the Appendix N of the FY 2006 IBSGP Program Guidelines and Application Kit. A trip is made to a UASI jurisdiction if at any point in the trip the bus stops in a UASI jurisdiction and embarks or disembarks passengers. Projects will be evaluated according to the number of UASI jurisdictions served by the project and the total number of trips provided annually to a defined UASI jurisdiction or jurisdictions. 2. Section II C: Project Selection - Outlines the scoring criteria and point ranges to be applied to all eligible grant applications. Issue: On page 8, the “Relevance to National Preparedness Goal and National Strategy for Transportation Security” criterion lacks a scoring range. That scoring range is: 1-25 3. Appendix A: Authorized Program Expenditures Guidance – Lists five categories of security enhancements as examples for project funding. Issue: The first three categories list specific examples for each category. The last two, Emergency Communication Technology and Coordinating with Local Police and Emergency Responders, do not list examples. Examples of Emergency Communication Technology are found at http://www.rkb.mipt.org/ and include: • Interoperable Communications Equipment – ICRI - Incident Commanders' Radio Interface • Portable Radios • Audio Teleconferencing Bridges Examples of Communication Technology and Coordinating with Local Police and Emergency Responders are found at http://www.rkb.mipt.org/ and include: • Interoperable Communications Equipment – Radio Inter-Operability Systems (RIOS) • Radios and Bases -In-vehicle Integrated Command & Control Systems • Portable Radios • Data and Messaging – Emergency Notification Systems If necessary, additional clarifying guidance will be provided in future Information Bulletins. Questions on this information bulletin may be directed to the G&T Centralized Scheduling and Information Desk at askcsid@dhs.gov or 1-800-368-6498.