Section 310.50  Project Requirements

a)         Grants will be awarded to purchase and install physical security enhancement equipment, inspection and screening systems, information technology, and/or interoperable communications equipment for buildings where students are primarily taught in academic classes.  All extended warranty, service agreements and maintenance costs not included in the cost of the equipment at the time of purchase are the responsibility of the applicant.

b)         Grants will be awarded based on the following criteria:

1)         The necessity of the funding based on the known school safety hazards, threats and risks identified by the applicant;

2)         The ability of the funding to enhance the safety of the student population;

3)         An evaluation of the likelihood of project completion during the grant period;

4)         Compliance with the National Incident Management System;

5)         Existence of a current emergency operations plan at each educational facility for which funding is sought;

6)         Interoperability with existing equipment (if applicable);

7)         Prioritization of projects by the applicant;

8)         Sustainability of the project; and

9)         The availability of funding.

c)         This is a competitive grant program.  IEMA reserves the right to deny any grant applications or to provide reduced funding to any applicant.

d)         Funds received under a school safety grant may supplement, but shall not supplant, State or local funds for the same purposes.  Supplanting means using school safety grant funds to replace State or local funds that otherwise would have been spent on the project.

e)         Projects must be completed within 12 months after  receipt of the grant award or as otherwise specified in the grant agreement.