NTIA Releases $43M Notice of Funding Opportunities for SLIGP 2.0
September 28, 2017 – Mission Critical Communications
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) released a notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) for a second round of State and Local Implementation Grant Program (SLIGP) grants — SLIGP 2.0. This round of funding will allow state and territorial governments to continue planning efforts to support the deployment of the nationwide public-safety broadband network (NPSBN). NTIA will make up to $43.4 million available under SLIGP 2.0, subject to the availability of funding.
The SLIGP 2.0 NOFO will be open throughout the entirety of the governor’s decision period to opt in or out of the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet). The notice gives a Dec. 28 deadline.
Additionally, all states, territories and the District of Columbia will be eligible to apply regardless of their opt-in or opt-out status. The full notice is here.
In 2013, NTIA awarded $116.5 million in grants to 54 U.S. States and territories. This funding provided recipients with the resources to work with stakeholders throughout the State or territory to identify needs, gaps, and priorities for public safety wireless broadband. The grant funds also helped recipients consult with FirstNet. These initial awards expire in February 2018.
Based on spending patterns for many existing SLIGP recipients, NTIA was able to recover unspent funds through a voluntary deobligation process to create the SLIGP 2.0 round of funding.