State 911 Department Training Grant FY 2027

Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Executive Office of Public Safety and Security State 911 Department

Training Grant Guidelines

Fiscal Year 2027

Maura T. Healey Governor

Gina K. Kwon Secretary, Executive Office of Public Safety and Security

Frank Pozniak Executive Director, State 911 Department

151 Campanelli Drive, Suite A Middleborough, MA 02346 Phone (508) 828-2911 Fax (508) 947-1452 www.mass.gov/e911

COMMBUYS BID # BD-26-1044-EPS90-1044E-125756

All applications shall be mailed, hand delivered or submitted via Commbuys.

No applications will be accepted via fax or email. All applications must be received by 5:00 P.M. on Wednesday, December 30, 2026.

WHAT’S NEW for the Fiscal Year 2027

Training Grant

· Program allocation updated (p. 7).

· Call Volume updated to reflect CY 2025 (pp. 7, 21).

· Language incorporating TERT into the Training Grant (pp. 7, 10, 11, 21)

· PSAP Leadership Scholarship language updated (p. 9)

· Change from use of Google Maps to MapQuest (pp. 11, 12)

· Clarification regarding wage/reimbursement obligations (pp. 11, 12)

· Clarification regarding resource for mileage (p. 12)

· Language added relative to electronic signature (p. 13)

· Budget modification processing timeline extended to 15 business days (p. 16)

· Reimbursement process language updated for consistency across grants (p. 16)

· Clarification added to reimbursement for expenses incurred language (p. 16)

· “District” added to reimbursement section (p. 17)

· Reimbursement processing timeline extended to 45 business days (p. 17)

· Language regarding payment notification has been updated (p. 17)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. Introduction

Governor Maura T. Healey, Secretary of the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security Gina K. Kwon, and State 911 Department Executive Director Frank Pozniak are pleased to announce the Fiscal Year 2027 funding for the State 911 Department Training Grant.

The State 911 Department is a department within the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security and is responsible for administering the State 911 Department Training Grant. The State 911 Department is inviting eligible entities to submit applications for grant funds under the State 911 Department Training Grant. All information needed to apply is contained in these guidelines and application package.

The following guidelines have been developed for the State 911 Department Training Grant and are applicable for Fiscal Year 2027.

The guidelines and funding levels will be reviewed annually by the State 911 Department and are subject to change, with Commission approval, with each funding cycle.

Note: The Fiscal Year 2027 Grant will begin on July 1, 2026 and run through June 30, 2027. The “Effective Date” of the individual awards shall be determined in accordance with Section 1 of the Commonwealth Terms and Conditions, which provides as follows: “The effective start date of performance under a Contract shall be the date a Contract has been executed by an authorized signatory of the Contractor, the Department, a later date specified in the Contract or the date of any approvals required by law or regulations, whichever is later.” There shall be no reimbursement for costs incurred prior to the Effective Date of the Contract, and all goods and services MUST be received on or before June 30, 2027.

II. Definitions

The following words and phrases, as used in this document and the related application package, shall have the following meaning, unless the context clearly requires otherwise.

Automatic Number Identification or ANI: an enhanced 911 service capability that allows for the automatic display of a telephone number used to place or route a 911 call.

Automatic Location Identification or ALI: an enhanced 911 service capability that allows for the automatic display of information relating to the geographical location of the communication device used to place a 911 call.

Behavioral Health Crisis: means any situation in which a person’s behavior puts them at risk of hurting themselves or others and/or prevents them from being able to care for themselves or function effectively in the community.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation or CPR certification: a certification demonstrating successful completion of an American Red Cross, American Heart Association, or other cardiopulmonary resuscitation training and certification program that is approved by the Department.

Certified emergency medical dispatch resource or certified EMD resource: a limited secondary PSAP, primary PSAP, regional PSAP, regional secondary PSAP, secondary PSAP, RECC, wireless state police PSAP, or private safety department that is equipped to provide ANI and ALI displays and that is approved by the Department to provide emergency medical dispatch services for a PSAP or RECC through emergency medical dispatchers.

Commonwealth: the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Department: the State 911 Department.

Emergency Medical Dispatch or EMD: the management of requests for emergency medical assistance by utilizing a system of: (a) tiered response or priority dispatching of emergency medical resources based on the level of medical assistance needed by the victim; and (b) pre-arrival first aid or other medical instructions given by trained personnel responsible for receiving 911 calls and directly dispatching emergency response services.

Emergency Medical Dispatch Protocol Reference System or EMDPRS: a system approved by the Department that includes a protocol for emergency medical dispatcher response to calls, including structured caller questioning for patient condition, incident facts, and scene safety, pre-arrival instructions, post-dispatch instructions (such as first responder, basic life support and/or advanced life support), a continuous quality assurance program that measures compliance with the protocol through ongoing random case review of each emergency medical dispatcher.

Enhanced 911 Fund: the fund established under section 35JJ of Chapter 10 of the Massachusetts General Laws.

Enhanced 911 Telecommunicator: an individual who acts in the capacity of an enhanced 911 call taker.

Executive Director: the executive director of the State 911 Department.

Governmental Body: a state board, committee, special committee, subcommittee or commission, however created or constituted within the executive or legislative branch of the commonwealth or the governing board or body of any authority established by the general court to serve a public purpose in the commonwealth or any part thereof; a board, commission, committee or subcommittee of any district, city, region or town, however elected, appointed or otherwise constituted, and the governing board of a local housing, redevelopment or similar authority, provided that such entity currently operates a PSAP or RECC or seeks approval from the Department to operate a PSAP or RECC.

Grantee: an eligible applicant that has contracted with the State 911 Department to receive funds under the State 911 Department Training Grant. Only governmental bodies and municipalities are eligible to be grantees.

Limited Secondary PSAP: a facility equipped, at a minimum, with automatic number identification and automatic location information display or printout capability. It receives 911 calls only if transferred from the primary PSAP. Data sent to a limited secondary PSAP cannot be re-routed to another location and may not necessarily be transmitted simultaneously with the voice call.

Post-dispatch Instructions: case-specific advice, warnings, and treatments given by a certified emergency medical dispatcher whenever possible and appropriate after dispatching field responders in accordance with a Department-approved EMDPRS.

Pre-arrival Instructions: scripted medical instructions given whenever possible and appropriate to provide necessary assistance and control of the situation, including without limitation, potential life-saving instructions and post-dispatch instructions, prior to arrival of emergency medical services personnel in accordance with a Department-approved EMDPRS.

Primary PSAP: a PSAP equipped with automatic number identification and automatic location identification displays and is the first point of reception of a 911 call. It serves the municipality in which it is located.

Private Safety Department: an entity, except for a municipality or public safety department, that provides emergency police, fire, ambulance or medical services.

Public Safety Department: a functional division of a municipality or a state that provides firefighting, law enforcement, ambulance, medical or other emergency services.

Quality Assurance of EMD: a systematic program and services consisting of medical control, medical review, call review, call tracking, deficiency identification, and remediation of emergency medical dispatch personnel, policies and procedures.

Regional PSAP: a PSAP operated by or on behalf of 2 or more municipalities or governmental bodies, or combination thereof, approved by the department, for the operation of enhanced 911 call taking and call transfer activities. A regional PSAP may also be engaged in, by agreement, the dispatching or control of public safety resources serving some or all of the municipalities or governmental bodies that comprise the regional PSAP, including where services are provided by a private safety department. If the regional PSAP serves all such municipalities or governmental bodies for the operation of enhanced 911 call taking and call transfer activities and dispatch services including where some dispatch services are provided by a private safety department, it shall be considered a regional emergency communication center. The regional PSAP shall be equipped with automatic number identification and automatic location identification displays, as approved by the department, and is the first point of reception of a 911 call.

Regional Secondary PSAP: a facility operated by or on behalf of 3 or more municipalities or governmental bodies, or a combination thereof, approved by the department, that enter into an agreement for the establishment and provision of regional dispatch and coordination of either police, fire protection or emergency medical services, or any combination thereof. A regional secondary PSAP is equipped with automatic number identification and automatic location identification displays. It receives 911 calls only when transferred from a primary or regional PSAP or on an alternative routing basis when calls cannot be completed to the primary or regional PSAP.

Regional Emergency Communication Center or RECC: a facility operated by or on behalf of 2 or more municipalities or governmental bodies, or combination thereof, as approved by the Department, that enter into an agreement for the establishment and provision of regional dispatch and coordination of emergency services for all such municipalities or governmental bodies including, but not limited to, a regional PSAP that provides enhanced 911 service and police, fire protection, and emergency medical services dispatch, including services provided by a private safety department. The regional PSAP portion of the center shall be equipped with automatic number identification and automatic location identification displays, as approved by the department, and is the first point of reception of a 911 call.

Secondary PSAP: a PSAP equipped with automatic number identification and automatic location identification displays. It receives 911 calls only when they are transferred from the primary PSAP or on an alternative routing basis when calls cannot be completed to the primary PSAP.

Wireless State Police PSAP: a state police facility assigned the responsibility of primarily or entirely receiving wireless 911 calls and, as appropriate, dispatching emergency response services or transferring or relaying emergency 911 calls to other public or private safety departments or other PSAPs.

III. Eligibility

All primary PSAPs, regional PSAPs, regional secondary PSAPs, and RECCs are eligible to receive funding under the State 911 Department Training Grant.

Funding for the State 911 Department Training Grant originates from a portion of the surcharge revenues received pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter 6A, § 18H. For fiscal year 2027, $6,344,457 of the total surcharge revenues of the previous fiscal year will be allocated to the State 911 Department Training Grant.

Funding in the amount of up to sixty-five thousand dollars ($65,000) of the $6,344,457 referenced above will be allocated to a PSAP executive development and leadership scholarship program to be known as the PSAP Leadership Scholarship Program. All primary PSAPs, regional PSAPs, regional secondary PSAPs, and RECCs are eligible to apply for funding under the PSAP Leadership Scholarship Program. In addition, the State 911 Department will support the expenses of a scholarship recipient to attend the Navigator Conference should that person be selected to receive the David Connolly CCM Leadership Award or to support the attendance at an equivalent conference at which a leadership award is offered, as determined by the State 911 Department in its sole discretion.

Awards to grantees under the State 911 Department Training Grant will be disbursed according to applications received from PSAPs which document the level of funding needed by a PSAP to comply with the minimum certification requirements of 560 CMR 5.0, for participation in the State 911 Dispatch Academy, Telecommunicator Emergency Response Task Force (TERT), and administrator training.

Primary PSAPs and Regional Secondary PSAPs are eligible to apply for costs associated with a maximum of sixteen (16) hours of continuing education, of which a minimum of two (2) hours shall be dedicated to the identification and response to callers experiencing behavioral health crisis, for its certified enhanced 911 telecommunicators for the fiscal year. In addition, Regional PSAPS, RECCs and Primary PSAPs with a 9-1-1 call volume of thirty-five thousand (35,000) or greater for calendar year 2025 (Boston, Brockton, Cambridge, Fall River, Lawrence, Lowell, New Bedford, Quincy, Springfield) may be eligible to apply for an additional sixteen (16) hours of training for its certified telecommunicators above the minimum sixteen (16) hours of continuing education required under 560 CMR 5.0. Further, PSAPs, Regional PSAPs, and RECCs are eligible to apply for an additional forty (40) hours of TERT training for each of its certified telecommunicators that have been credentialed as TERT members. Costs requested for training hours which exceed those authorized under the grant shall be prorated based upon eligibility.

Primary, Regional, Regional Secondary PSAPs or RECCs are eligible to apply for costs associated with training of new enhanced 911 telecommunicators to complete a forty (40) hour Public Safety Telecommunicator course, of which a component of the education shall be on the identification and response to callers experiencing behavioral health crises, and two (2) day 911 equipment training. In addition, Primary, Regional, Regional Secondary PSAPs or RECCs who provide EMD with in-house certified enhanced telecommunicators are eligible to apply for costs associated with up to thirty-two (32) hours of EMD training (hours based upon EMDPRS) and four (4) hours of CPR training.

IV. Purpose

The purpose of the State 911 Department Training Grant is to reimburse primary PSAPs, regional PSAPs, regional secondary PSAPs, and RECCs for allowable expenses relating to the training and certification of enhanced 911 telecommunicators, including emergency medical dispatch programs as defined by 560 CMR 5.0

Primary PSAPs, regional PSAPs, and RECCs who transfer 911 calls to a secondary PSAP or limited secondary PSAP serving as the certified EMD resource may be reimbursed, for expenses relating to the training and certification of enhanced 911 telecommunicators located at such secondary PSAP or limited secondary PSAP, except that funding for expenses for EMD training and/or EMD certification of enhanced 911 telecommunicators located at such secondary PSAP will be authorized only for a secondary PSAP serving as the alternate PSAP for a primary PSAP or as a certified EMD resource for a primary PSAP, regional PSAP, or RECC or for a limited secondary PSAP that serves as the certified EMD resource for the applicant.

The State 911 Department reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to adjust the amount awarded under the State 911 Department Training Grant by the amount of available and unexpended funds under other State 911 Department grant programs.

No funding will be authorized under the State 911 Department Training Grant for expenses relating to CPR training/certification, EMD training or EMD certification of enhanced 911 telecommunicators at a primary PSAP, regional PSAP, or RECC if the PSAP or RECC provides emergency medical dispatch through a certified EMD resource.

If an applicant/grantee seeks to change the manner in which the applicant/grantee complies with the minimum requirements governing emergency medical dispatch established by the State 911 Department, the grantee shall submit a written transition plan to the State 911 Department for approval. A transition plan is required if an applicant/grantee: 1) seeks to change the EMDPRS that is utilized by the applicant/grantee; 2) currently provides EMD through certified emergency medical dispatchers and seeks to provide EMD through a certified EMD resource; 3) currently provides EMD through a certified EMD resource and seeks to provide EMD through certified emergency medical dispatchers; or 4) seeks to change the certified EMD resource utilized by the applicant/grantee.

The transition plan shall address, at a minimum, the following:

· The current method by which the applicant/grantee provides EMD;

· The proposed method by which the applicant/grantee seeks to provide EMD (including proposed effective date);

· How the applicant/grantee shall ensure that it shall comply with the minimum requirements governing emergency medical dispatch established by the State 911 Department;

· The reasons for the proposed change and the potential for positive public safety benefits; and

· The fiscal impact of the proposed change, including without limitation, steps taken by the applicant/grantee to reduce the need for additional funding (e.g., reuse of EMD products previously funded under this Grant, etc.)

Further, in support of the Commonwealth’s Environmental Justice goal, all applicants shall incorporate the Commonwealth’s Environmental Justice principles, where applicable. For more information, please visit here.

V. Use of Funding

1. Categories of Use of Funds

Grantees may only use grant funds for the purposes indicated below. Use of all grant funding shall be (a) related to the training and certification of enhanced 911 telecommunicators, except as otherwise expressly noted herein for administrator training; and (b) approved by the State 911 Department. All wage reimbursements authorized under the Program shall be allocated by the grantee in adherence to applicable collective bargaining agreements. However, the State 911 Department is not bound by or required to adhere to grantee collective bargaining agreements when determining allocations or reimbursements.

A.1. Fees:

Funding may be authorized for the expenses of live or online training courses, and certifications/recertifications to include applicable vendor fees, course registration fees, and instructor fees. Funding may be authorized for membership fees for the following national and industry-recognized professional organizations:

and for membership fees (not to exceed one membership per PSAP or RECC) for the following professional organization:

Massachusetts Communications Supervisors Association (MCSA).

Expenses associated with attendance at conferences will NOT be covered, except that funding may be authorized for conference registration fees only (but not for any other expenses associated with attendance) for APCO, NENA, and Navigator conferences. Funding may be requested for conference registration fees only for other 911 conferences with the approval of the State 911 Department. Request for approval shall include the sponsor of the conference; conference schedule/agenda; and conference fee.

A.2. PSAP Leadership Scholarship Program:

Funding for the PSAP Leadership Scholarship Program and/or equivalent conference at which a leadership award is offered and shall be awarded by the State 911 Department in its sole discretion based on selection criteria established by the Department in consultation with MCSA. Funding may be awarded for expenses associated with attendance at a State 911 Department-approved leadership scholarship program, including costs associated with attendance at its graduation ceremony, not to exceed one person per PSAP, for persons who are certified as an enhanced 911 telecommunicator and employed by a primary PSAP, regional PSAP, regional secondary PSAP, or RECC. Expenses may include salary costs for the participant (straight time or overtime for classroom time and/or on-line coursework), course fees, airfare, lodging, meals (in accordance with Massachusetts “Redbook”), and other expenses, including car rental expenses, associated with attendance at a State 911 Department-approved leadership scholarship program and shall not exceed the maximum obligation of the awarded contract. Additional information regarding the PSAP Leadership Scholarship Program will be available on the Department’s website at www.mass.gov/e911. In addition, the State 911 Department will support the expenses of a scholarship recipient to attend the Navigator Conference should that person be selected to receive the CCM Leadership Award or to support attendance at an equivalent conference at which a leadership award is offered, as determined by the State 911 Department in its sole discretion.

B. Personnel Costs:

Funding may be authorized to defray the costs of salary of enhanced 911 telecommunicator personnel, including enhanced 911 telecommunicators who are emergency communications dispatchers or supervisors. In order to be eligible for such funding, a grantee shall show that the personnel costs to be reimbursed: (1) cover only personnel who are trained and certified as an enhanced 911 telecommunicator in accordance with the requirements of the State 911 Department, or are in the process of obtaining such certification, in accordance with the requirements of the State 911 Department; and (2) except as otherwise approved by the State 911 Department are solely for hours in which funding shall be assigned to specific identified personnel, and the funding shall be applied to the personnel costs associated with such specific identified personnel.

These costs may include:

· straight time or overtime expenses for participants or replacement/backfill[footnoteRef:2] to cover participant class hours but not both to meet the minimum training and certification requirements for enhanced 911 telecommunicators and minimum training requirements governing emergency medical dispatch established by the State 911 Department; [2: Replacement/Backfill: Shall be a certified telecommunicator.]

· straight time or overtime expenses for participants for attendance at the State 911 Department Dispatch Academy;

· straight time or overtime expenses for participants for attendance of up to forty (40) hours of required TERT training; and

· associated fringe benefits and/or indirect costs as applied by a municipality or the Commonwealth Grantees will be reimbursed only for classroom hours for participant or replacement/backfill and reasonable travel time for participant, except that, with respect to approved in-house training courses conducted by PSAPs, funding may be authorized for course trainer preparation time. Reimbursement for such course trainer preparation time shall not exceed twenty (20) percent of the number of course hours and shall be supported by detailed documentation, including but not limited to, a detailed description of the dates, times, and nature of the course trainer preparation activity. Travel time, where applicable, will be verified utilizing a recognized mileage guide such as MapQuest. Eligible travel time will be calculated by determining the round-trip travel time from the PSAP to the training location, rounded up to the nearest quarter hour. Funding for personnel costs for participation in on-line training courses may be authorized for up to one (1) additional hour per person per year, with supporting documentation from the participant’s supervisor.

In addition, Grantees may be reimbursed for personnel costs (straight time or overtime) for in-house instructors who are certified telecommunicators who train/certify Grantee’s certified telecommunicators in State 911 Department approved courses to meet the requirements of 560 CMR 5.0.

Administrator Training: Funding may be authorized for personnel costs for employees of the applicant for administrator training on the use and operation of 911 equipment, including but not limited to, the operation and use of digital logging recorders and the Next Generation 911 system, not to exceed forty (40) hours per PSAP annually. The grantee shall submit supporting documentation from the PSAP supervisor attesting that the training and hours are for personnel whose job duties include the operation and use of the 911 equipment for which training is sought. To the extent that the applicant has additional training needs, the State 911 Department will make every effort to conduct on-site training.

Certified enhanced 911 telecommunicators or new personnel working toward obtaining such certification for whom reimbursement requests are submitted shall be identified on the Personnel Costs Worksheet submitted with the Application Package. A PSAP may add a certified enhanced 911 telecommunicator or new personnel working toward such certification following the award of the grant by submitting a request from the Grantee’s authorized signatory to 911DeptGrants@mass.gov. Said request shall be submitted by an authorized signatory and contain the information noted on the Personnel Costs Worksheet submitted with the Application Package and shall provide documentation of the required certifications received from attendance at courses hosted by an entity other than the State 911 Department. The State 911 Department will review the request and advise, in writing, whether or not the request has been approved.

In addition, TERT credentialed certified enhanced 911 telecommunicators shall be identified on the Credentialed TERT Member Training Expense Worksheet submitted with the Application Package. Applicant shall include MA COMU TERT credential letter for each employee noted on this worksheet.

All wage reimbursements authorized under this Program shall be allocated by the grantee in adherence with applicable collective bargaining agreements. However, the State 911 Department is not bound by or required to adhere to grantee collective bargaining agreements when determining allocations or reimbursements.

C. Training Materials and Other Products: Funding may be authorized for the purchase, installation, replacement, maintenance, and /or upgrade of software and other products related to the certification and training of enhanced 911 telecommunicators, including but not limited to, call handling guide cards, call handling software, skill and ability testing software, and additional related training materials such as books and guides. No funding will be available for equipment, hardware, or internet service, unless otherwise approved by the State 911 Department in its sole discretion. In addition, funding not to exceed $2,500 may be authorized for the purchase of skill and ability software/programs/subscriptions utilized by a PSAP to enhance the skill set of its certified telecommunicators. Funding for replacement of training software and other products previously funded under the State 911 Department Grant programs will be authorized only for good cause shown. Funding for EMD protocol reference systems is NOT eligible for funding under the Training Grant.

All technology or telecommunications related goods or services must be compliant with applicable laws, rules, regulations, and standards. Grantees shall specify that they have referenced https://www.mass.gov/it-accessibility, https://www.access-board.gov/, the Massachusetts Architectural Access Board regulations at https://www.mass.gov/orgs/architectural-access-board, and the Massachusetts Office on Disability standards and best practices at https://www.mass.gov/disability-rights-resources to determine what laws, rules, and standards apply and what efforts they have made to ensure specific compliance therewith. Failure to adequately ascertain compliance will result in denial of funding for the requested goods or services.

D. Lodging: Funding for lodging expenses may be authorized for participation in training courses that are scheduled for two (2) or more consecutive days and the distance of which is equal to or greater than ninety (90) miles away from where travel originates. Lodging expenses may only be authorized for nights of stay that occur between consecutive training course days, except with the prior WRITTEN approval of the State 911 Department prior to travel where (1) travel originates from the Islands of Martha’s Vineyard and/or Nantucket; or (2) in cases of extreme hardship; or (3) unless otherwise approved by the State 911 Department in its sole discretion. Travel distance for lodging will be calculated using the place of employment as the origination point and will be verified utilizing MapQuest or other recognized mileage guide should MapQuest modify its current offering.

Grantees are advised that failure to obtain prior express WRITTEN authorization from the State 911 Department may result in denial of reimbursement of any and all expenses associated with lodging.

E. Mileage: Funding may be authorized for the payment of mileage when an employee utilizes his/her personal vehicle for travel to attend eligible trainings. Mileage, where applicable, will be verified utilizing MapQuest or other recognized mileage guide should MapQuest modify its current offering. Eligible mileage will be calculated by determining the round-trip mileage from the PSAP to the training location, rounded to the nearest mile. Other expenses associated with travel, such as tolls and parking, may also be eligible. All rates will follow applicable employment Agreements.

All reimbursements authorized under this Program shall be allocated by the grantee in adherence with applicable collective bargaining agreements. However, the State 911 Department is not bound by or required to adhere to grantee collective bargaining agreements when determining allocations or reimbursements.

All goods and services shall be received on or before June 30, 2027 to be eligible for reimbursement under the Fiscal Year 2027 State 911 Department Training Grant.

2. Training Courses

Funding will be available for training courses, including approved on-line training, as follows: (a) courses, certifications, and training hosted by or offered by the State 911 Department; and (b) courses, certifications, and training directly related to 911 communications hosted by other entities.

A. Training Courses Hosted or Offered by the State 911 Department

The State 911 Department will host or offer the State 911 Department Public Safety Communications Academy, modules, equipment training, emergency medical dispatch training and other training throughout the grant period (July 1 – June 30). All courses, certifications, and training hosted or offered by the State 911 Department are free of charge. No vendor fees will be charged to participants. Funding may be authorized for reimbursement of personnel costs and lodging expenses, if applicable, to attend academies, modules, equipment courses, certifications, and other training hosted or offered by the State 911 Department. Please visit www.mass.gov/e911 to view a schedule of training classes and programs directly hosted or offered by the State 911 Department.

B. Training Courses Hosted by Entities other than the State 911 Department

Reimbursement may be authorized for personnel costs, vendor fees, and lodging expenses, if applicable, to attend approved training courses, including in-house training courses conducted by PSAPs, with appropriate documentation from the PSAP supervisor attesting to the training and hours, that are directly related to 911 communications. In-house training may include quality assurance of emergency medical dispatch in order to meet the minimum requirements governing emergency medical dispatch established by the State 911 Department.

The State 911 Department has compiled a listing of courses previously requested by PSAPs and authorized by the Department. All courses found on this list are considered to be approved and no further advance written authorization from the State 911 Department is required. This list is not intended to limit training opportunities but is merely provided as a resource to Grantees. The link to the current list of approved training courses may be found at Appendix A – Current List of Approved Training Courses. Please note that this list is subject to change. Classes may be added or removed by the State 911 Department. As this list of training courses is compiled from requests received from Grantees for training courses, Grantees are encouraged to periodically visit www.mass.gov/e911 for an updated list. Please note this list is not intended to support or promote course providers, it is merely a compilation of courses requested by Grantees and reviewed and approved by the State 911 Department. Only Grantees and not vendors are permitted to submit courses for consideration of approval. The State 911 Department approved continuing education training opportunities may be found at Appendix B- Continuing Education.

Grantees are encouraged to seek additional training opportunities and submit the sponsor of the course, vendor name, course curriculum, agenda, or syllabus, course location, course hours, and course cost to the State 911 Department for approval. Requests for funds for in-house training shall also include the name of the instructor, the credentials of the instructor, and the target audience. Requests for funds for in-house training must be requested each grant cycle, and authorization for such funding for a prior grant cycle does not constitute approval for a subsequent grant cycle. Requests for funds for in-house training shall be submitted utilizing the Communications In-House Training Outline form available on the State 911 Department’s website at www.mass.gov/e911. Such requests shall be submitted by Grantee’s authorized signatory at least twenty-one (21) days prior to the commencement of the course via email to 911DeptGrants@mass.gov. Although the State 911 Department will endeavor to provide authorization or denial of authorization to the PSAP within ten (10) business days of the request, failure of the State 911 Department to respond within such ten (10) business days does not confer authorization. No authorization for reimbursement will be made without the prior express written approval of the State 911 Department.

Grantees are advised that failure to obtain prior express WRITTEN authorization from the State 911 Department for costs associated with any training course that is not listed on the Approved Training Course List may result in denial of reimbursement of any and all costs associated with the training.

VI. Application Process

All applicants shall submit to the State 911 Department one (1) original of the completed application, a fully executed Commonwealth of Massachusetts Contractor Authorized Signatory Listing Form, and completion of the highlighted areas of the Commonwealth’s Standard Contract Form signed by an authorized signatory for the grant.

THE APPLICATION SHALL NOT BE DOUBLE SIDED.

All applications shall be signed and submitted by an authorized signatory of the applicant.

All applications shall be mailed, hand-delivered to the address below, or submitted via Commbuys (www.commbuys.com). No applications will be accepted via fax or email. Original signatures or electronic signatures (approved by the Office of the State Comptroller) are required.

There are three types of electronic signatures:

1) Traditional “wet signature” (ink on paper);

2) Electronic signature that is either: a. hand drawn using a mouse or finger if working from a touch screen device; or b. An upload picture of the signatory’s hand drawn signature; and

3) Electronic signature affixed using a digital tool such as Adobe Sign or DocuSign.

Typed text of a name not generated by a digital tool, computer generated cursive, or an electronic symbol are not acceptable forms of electronic signature.

151 Campanelli Drive, Suite A Middleborough, MA 02346

ALL GRANT APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE STATE 911 DEPARTMENT NO LATER THAN 5:00 P.M. ON WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2026.

The State 911 Department reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to extend the application deadline.

VII. Grant Review and Selection Process

The State 911 Department staff will review all applications and make selection recommendations to the Executive Director or his designee. The State 911 Department staff will use its best efforts to review grant applications and to take the following action within fifteen (15) business days of receipt of the grant application: 1) request additional information from the applicant in the event that the grant application is not complete; 2) recommend approval of the grant; or 3) recommend denial of the grant, in part or in its entirety. If the State 911 Department staff determines, based upon its review of the grant application, that the grant application is not complete, the State 911 Department will notify the applicant by telephone and/or e-mail of the need to provide additional information and will notify the applicant that such additional information shall be provided to the State 911 Department staff. If the applicant fails to provide the requested information necessary to complete the application, the State 911 Department may consider the application closed and return the application to the applicant. If the application is closed and returned to the applicant, the applicant may resubmit the application, in which case the application will be considered a new application, and the review period will begin again.

Any denial of a grant application, in whole or in part, may be appealed to the Executive Director, or his designee, with supporting documentation. The Executive Director will use his best efforts to respond to the appeal within five (5) business days. All decisions of the Executive Director are final.

The State 911 Department reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to modify or extend any of the above allocations or timelines. A Primary PSAP, Regional PSAP, Regional Secondary PSAP or RECC may petition the Executive Director for funding to support training above and beyond that minimally required under 560 CMR 5.0 or otherwise supported under these guidelines. Said petition shall include supporting documentation detailing the immediate need and funding level being requested. The Executive Director, if approved, reserves the right to limit such funding to only those additional costs that may be incurred by the Primary PSAP, Regional PSAP, Regional Secondary PSAP or RECC. For example, straight time cost for the participant may not be an eligible expense as this is not an additional cost to the PSAPs overall operational budget.

Adherence to the conditions detailed within the grant application package and other factors will be considered. These factors include:

· a reasonable and properly completed application;

· applicant’s adherence to filing requirements of the PSAP/RECC Annual Certification of Compliance;

· applicant’s adherence to filing requirements of its Primary PSAP, Regional PSAP, or RECC Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP); and

· applicant’s adherence to Grant Guidelines and Reporting Requirements.

VIII. Grant Funding Process

Upon completion of the grant review and selection process, the State 911 Department will enter into contracts with approved applicants. After contract execution, the grantee can incur costs and seek reimbursement from the State 911 Department, provided that all award conditions have been satisfied.

· All funding is subject to the availability of funds.

· Grantees shall maintain and retain accounting and other records of Grant-related information as required by applicable state and local laws and regulations. Such records shall be subject to examination, audit, and inspection by the State 911 Department and/or any other federal, state, or local agency that has appropriate jurisdictional authority.

· The State 911 Department reserves the right to withhold future grant funding and/or disqualify grantee from participating in future grant awards if any grant funds received by the grantee are not properly accounted for or if the grantee fails to meet reporting requirements, including without limitation, annual submission of PSAP’s COOP as well as other reporting and/or certification requirements set forth in regulations and/or standards established by the State 911 Department.

· The State 911 Department may reimburse grantees for allowable expenses associated with fees incurred for training commenced but not completed during Fiscal Year 2027 (e.g., fees associated with long-term courses commenced but not completed during Fiscal Year 2027) or for expenses associated with attendance at a State 911 Department-approved leadership scholarship program.

· Funding of reimbursement requests received after September 1, 2027, the close of the fiscal year under which costs were incurred, cannot be guaranteed.

· After contract execution, the grantee is permitted to move funding between authorized categories noted in these guidelines for eligible costs without requesting prior approval from the State 911 Department, except for costs associated with skill and ability software/programs/subscriptions as identified below in the Budget Modification section.

The State 911 Department reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to modify or extend any of the above timelines.

All State 911 Department Training Grant forms will be made available at www.mass.gov/e911.

Budget Modifications

After contract execution, the grantee shall be required to file a budget modification for the purchase of skill and ability software/programs/subscriptions that were not approved under its awarded contract.

A grantee shall be permitted to reallocate funding through a budget modification when:

1) reallocation is for an item or quantity not previously approved that falls within a previously approved budget category; or

2) reallocation falls within a budget category not previously requested in the initial grant application.

Such budget modifications shall be subject to the prior written approval of the State 911 Department, and such approval shall be sought and obtained PRIOR to implementation of such reallocation or new budget items/expenses.

Budget modification forms can be found at www.mass.gov/e911. This form should be completed and forwarded along with a brief narrative explaining the requested changes. Budget modifications along with requested narrative and quotes (if applicable) MUST be submitted to:

State 911 Department 151 Campanelli Drive, Suite A Middleborough, MA 02346 Attn: State 911 Department Training Grant Program or 911DeptGrants@mass.gov

Although the State 911 Department will endeavor to provide authorization or denial of authorization to the PSAP within fifteen (15) business days of the request, failure of the State 911 Department to respond within such fifteen (15) business days does not confer authorization. No authorization for reimbursement will be made without the prior express written approval of the State 911 Department.

Grantees are strongly encouraged to submit final, year-end budget modification requests on or before March 31, 2027.

The State 911 Department reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to modify or extend any of the above timelines.

Reimbursement Process

A. Reimbursement for Expenses Incurred

After contract execution by the State 911 Department, the grantee can incur costs and seek reimbursement from the Department. Approval of reimbursement is conditioned on the reasonableness of the request and adequacy of documentation at the time funds are to be released.

Reimbursement requests should be submitted to the Department within thirty (30) days of the date on which the cost is incurred. Failure to submit requests within the noted timeframe may result in a delay of the funding process as detailed above. Reimbursement requests must include expenditure and activity reports as well as supporting documentation, including but not limited to, copies of receipts, proof of payment, proof of course completion, and/or payroll records. All reimbursement requests shall be submitted within one (1) month of the contract end date. PSAPs are advised that the Department is unable to guarantee funding for reimbursement requests received after September 1, 2027, the close of the fiscal year under which costs were incurred.

In addition, reimbursement requests shall be for goods/services received/rendered only.

For personnel costs, proof of payment shall include the individual name, pay period, pay date, rate of pay, number of hours paid, and the total amount paid. As an example, the supporting documentation may be a copy of the payroll register/report from the city, district, or town or copies of pay advices for the employee. Please note that the payroll register/report does not need to segregate the “grant” costs, it simply needs to show payment to the individual for at least the amount of the requested reimbursement.

In addition, proof of course completion (class roster or course certificate) is required for reimbursement of personnel expenses. For clarity, proof of course completion for subscription-based learning programs will be the number of total hours promoted by the vendor for its subscription-based learning program annually. In the event the subscription-based learning program does not clearly define the number of hours annually, then sixteen (16) hours will be required for course completion.

For vendor payments, proof of payment shall include the payor’s name, check/electronic funds transfer (“eft”) number, the date of payment, the vendor’s name, and the amount of payment. As an example, the supporting documentation may be a copy of the check, cancelled check, or check warrant report. If the amount of the check is greater than the amount being requested, a breakdown of the payment should be provided to properly support the costs being requested. In addition, proof of course completion (class roster or course certificate) and/or conference attendance (certificate or registration badge) is required for reimbursement of vendor fees.

All State 911 Department Program reimbursement forms will be made available at www.mass.gov/e911.

Reimbursement forms, along with all required supporting documentation, shall be submitted to the Department by mail or hand delivered. Failure to comply with reporting requirements may result in non-reimbursement of funds or suspension of a grant award.

Awardees will receive an e-mail notification from the Department confirming receipt of the reimbursement request. It is incumbent upon the awardee to contact the Department if said receipt is not received within ten (10) business days from the date the reimbursement was mailed or three (3) business days from the date the reimbursement was hand delivered.

Please be sure to notify your Municipal Treasurer’s/Finance Office as all payments will be issued to that office.

B. Release of Funding to Grantees for Anticipated Expenditures

The Department may disburse grant funds for anticipated expenditures as detailed below.

State Agencies: In compliance with Massachusetts finance law and regulations, funds may be disbursed upon execution of an intergovernmental service agreement (“ISA”) for state agencies hosting a PSAP, or other terms as agreed upon with the Office of the State Comptroller. State agencies shall be required to submit the same level of documentation as detailed in Section VIII “Grant Funding Process” subsection A “Reimbursement for Expenses Incurred.” Failure to submit documentation in compliance with these grant guidelines may result in suspension or cancellation of the ISA and/or delays in future funding. Expenses identified by the State 911 Department as ineligible under this grant shall be removed from the child account within ten (10) business days of receipt of notification of ineligible expenses.

The State 911 Department staff will review all reimbursement requests and make selection…