BJA FY 19 Body-Worn Camera Policy and Implementation Program Training and Technical Assistance | BJA 2019 15949

Opportunity Information: Apply for BJA 2019 15949

The BJA FY 19 Body-Worn Camera Policy and Implementation Program Training and Technical Assistance opportunity is a U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) discretionary funding solicitation focused on strengthening body-worn camera (BWC) programs in law enforcement through centralized training and technical assistance (TTA). The underlying purpose is to support DOJ priorities around public safety and officer safety by helping agencies capture more objective audio and video records of police-public interactions. The solicitation highlights that BWCs, when implemented correctly, have been associated in research with reductions in civilian complaints, reductions in use-of-force incidents, and improvements in justice-related outcomes. Rather than funding many separate local deployments, this particular award is designed to fund a single national-level provider that can guide agencies in planning, expanding, and improving BWC programs.

The funding mechanism is a cooperative agreement, which typically means the federal agency expects substantial involvement in the project’s direction, deliverables, or ongoing coordination compared to a standard grant. BJA anticipated making one award with an award ceiling of $2,500,000, reflecting the intent to select one organization to serve as the primary TTA provider for the BWC Policy and Implementation Program (BWC PIP). The program falls under CFDA 16.835 and is categorized across several activity areas, including employment, labor and training; law, justice and legal services; and science and technology/research and development, which fits the mix of operational policing needs, policy development, training, and technology implementation that BWC programs require.

The core deliverable for the awardee is to provide practical, actionable training and technical assistance to law enforcement agencies working on body-worn camera initiatives. This includes supporting agencies that are just starting to plan a BWC program, agencies expanding coverage or scaling up usage, and agencies seeking to enhance existing programs (for example, by refining policies, improving training, strengthening data management practices, or aligning operations with legal and community expectations). A major emphasis is placed on prioritizing support to agencies that already received BJA funding through the related Body-Worn Camera Policy and Implementation Program to Support Law Enforcement Agencies. In addition, if funding is available, the TTA provider must also extend assistance to nongrantee agencies that request help, as long as the requests fall within the scope of the BWC program.

Eligible applicants include a range of organizational types capable of delivering national or multi-jurisdictional technical assistance, including public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations with IRS 501(c)(3) status (excluding IHEs), and for-profit organizations other than small businesses. The opportunity was posted with a creation date of April 8, 2019, and an original closing date of May 23, 2019, indicating a relatively standard application window for a federal discretionary program.

Overall, this solicitation is best understood as an infrastructure and capacity-building investment intended to raise the quality and consistency of body-worn camera programs nationwide. Instead of paying directly for cameras or local equipment, it funds one specialized provider to disseminate guidance, training, and hands-on technical support that helps agencies implement BWCs in a way that is operationally effective, evidence-informed, and aligned with the broader goals of transparency, accountability, and safety.

• The Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance in the employment, labor and training, law, justice and legal services, science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "BJA FY 19 Body-Worn Camera Policy and Implementation Program Training and Technical Assistance" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 16.835.
• This funding opportunity was created on Apr 08, 2019.
• Applicants must submit their applications by May 23, 2019. (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 $2,500,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For profit organizations other than small businesses.

Apply for BJA 2019 15949

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