Communications System Life-Cycle Plan

FISCAL YEAR

2009

INTEROPERABLE EMERGENCY COMMU ICATIONS
GRANT PROGRAM

GUIDANCE AND ApPLICATION

NOVEMBER

2008

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

IT

• Development of communications system life-cycle plans. Emergency
response providers must upgrade and regularly maintain com unications
systems and capabilities to ensure effective operation. System life-cycle
planning is needed to ensure long-term sustain ability of communications systems
and infrastructure. Grantees are required to provide a system life-cycle plan for
any communications system purchased with IECGP funding and may use
funding for costs associated with the development of a system life-cycle plan.
• Equipment Purchases and Related Costs. If an SM certifies that its State,
territory, or pass-through recipient has fulfilled all of the objectives of Priority
Groups 1 and 2, the State, territory, or pass-through recipient has the flexibility to
purchase interoperable communications equipment with any remaining IECGP
funds. When making equipment purchase decisions, grantees should take into
account mUlti-disciplinary and mUlti-jurisdictional needs. IECGP funds may be
used for costs associated with the followinga. Design, implementation, enhancement, replacement, and
maintenance of emergency response communications systems
and equipment
b. Migration to approved open architecture and interoperable next
generation systems, where appropriate
c. Leveraging of existing and emerging technologies to expand and
integrate disaster communications capabilities among emergency
response providers
d. Governance, development of policies and procedures, and the
conduct of training and exercises needed for use of systems and
equipment
For more information on this allowable cost category, please see the GEC
Recommended Guidance for Federal Grant Programs (SAFE COM Guidance for Grant
Programs) available at www.safecomprogram.gov.
Applications must follow the applicant's formal written procurement policy or the Federal
Acquisition Regulations.
M&A limits. A maximum of up to 3 percent of funds awarded may be retained by the
State. All such retained funds must be used solely for management and administrative
purposes associated with the IECGP award. Local subgrantees may use a maximum of
up to 3 percent of their funds for management and administrative purposes associated
with the IECGP award. States may also choose to pass through a portion of their State
M&A allocation to local sUbgrantees to support local management and administration
activities, so long as the overall subgrantee M&A amount does not equal more than 3
percent.
NOTE: Construction related activities are not permitted with funding from the FY
20091ECGP.

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