GRANT & FUNDING ASSISTANCE

Can the JAG Byrne Grant (Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant) be used as a source of funding for a partnership or subscription with Online Policing Solutions, Inc., including access to the solutions the network offers?

Yes, a law enforcement agency may use JAG Byrne Grant funds to purchase a subscription or services from Online Policing Solutions, Inc., as long as:

The agency is the grant recipient or subrecipient,
The platform supports an eligible JAG purpose (which it does),
And procurement complies with local and federal grant requirements.

Online Policing Solutions, Inc. (OPS Network™) is an approved vendor providing software-as-a-service (SaaS) and community policing tools. These are specifically allowed under JAG’s categories for:

Contractual services
Equipment or technology
Software that improves policing or public safety outcomes

What are some of the supported JAG priority levels?

Online Policing Solutions, Inc. (OPS Network™) clearly support multiple JAG priority areas:

JAG PURPOSE AREA	HOW OPS ALIGNS
Law Enforcement Programs	Supports collaboration, officer engagement, and community interaction
Technology Improvement	Offers web-based platforms for information sharing and public safety operations
Community-Based Strategies	Enables proactive outreach and trust-building with the public
Crime Prevention & Education	Facilitates partnerships that can reduce crime through cooperative action

“In accordance with the joint Guide to Equitable Sharing for State, Local, and Tribal Law Enforcement Agencies (July 2018) it would be permissible to use Department of the Treasury shared funds for the costs associated with the purchase of law enforcement programs/software. The purchase is permissible under the auspices of law enforcement equipment:

Law enforcement equipment—Costs associated with the purchase, lease, maintenance (including repairs or service agreements), or operation of law enforcement equipment for use by law enforcement personnel that supports law enforcement activities. Examples include furniture, file cabinets, office supplies, telecommunications equipment, copiers, safes, fitness equipment, computers, computer accessories and software, body armor, uniforms, firearms, radios, cellular telephones, electronic surveillance equipment, vehicles (e.g., patrol and unmarked vehicles), and animals and animal-related expenses.”

What conditions do we have to comply with?

To use JAG funds for OPS services, the recipient agency must ensure:

Procurement is made by an eligible government entity — i.e., a state, local, or tribal law enforcement or criminal justice agency.
The service is contracted properly, following procurement rules in your jurisdiction.
The purchase adds to, not replaces, existing funding (i.e., it does not “supplant” budgeted items).
The scope and goals of the platform are justified in the grant application — typically under:

Law enforcement tech improvements
Community policing and engagement
Evidence-based public safety programs

Example of Grant Justification Language

“Our agency proposes to utilize JAG Byrne funds to procure a subscription to the OPS Network™ by Online Policing Solutions, Inc., which is a technology platform purpose-built to support community policing, officer collaboration, and public engagement. This solution will enhance real-time communication between law enforcement and the communities we serve, increase transparency, and improve public safety outcomes through better data sharing and coordinated response efforts.”

Can the JAG Byrne Grant (Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant) be used as a source of funding for a partnership or subscription with Online Policing Solutions, Inc., specifically for access to the National Public Safety Alliance for Individuals with Disabilities (NPS-AID Program)?

Answer: Yes!

NPS-AID EXAMPLE EXPLANATION:

“Our agency seeks to subscribe to a cloud-based platform designed to equip officers with real-time information regarding individuals with special needs and disabilities. This service promotes safer, more informed interactions, improves officer decision-making, reduces the likelihood of escalation, and connects individuals with appropriate services aligning directly with JAG priorities around public safety technology and crisis response.”

Joint Guide to Equitable Sharing for State, Local, and Tribal Law Enforcement Agencies

In accordance with the joint Guide to Equitable Sharing for State, Local, and Tribal Law Enforcement Agencies (July 2018) it is permissible to use Department of the Treasury shared funds for the costs associated with the purchase of law enforcement programs/software. The purchase is permissible under the auspices of law enforcement equipment:

Law enforcement equipment—Costs associated with the purchase, lease, maintenance (including repairs or service agreements), or operation of law enforcement equipment for use by law enforcement personnel that supports law enforcement activities. Examples include furniture, file cabinets, office supplies, telecommunications equipment, copiers, safes, fitness equipment, computers, computer accessories and software, body armor, uniforms, firearms, radios, cellular telephones, electronic surveillance equipment, vehicles (e.g., patrol and unmarked vehicles), and animals and animal-related expenses.

Is Online Policing Solutions, Inc. an approved network for the State of New Jersey?

Online Policing Solutions, Inc. is an approved New Jersey SAAS (Software as a Solution) provider and has been awarded New Jersey Custom Vendor Agreement #22-T3121-OPS01. As per state software purchasing protocols, the OPS Network and its featured services can easily be obtained through New Jersey’s T3121 centralized procurement process, which provides the means for all government entities within the State of New Jersey to procure approved software licenses, subscriptions, maintenance renewals, and related services via any of the approved software providers.

If you choose not to go through the State Vendor process, we do have agencies that become a partner of the network by dealing directly with Online Policing Solutions, Inc.

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