High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Program

To reduce drug trafficking and drug production in the United States by-- (A) facilitating cooperation among federal, state, local, Tribal, and territorial law enforcement agencies to share information and implement coordinated enforcement activities;

The HIDTA Program principally supports the enforcement aspect of the National Drug Control Strategy by providing assistance to federal, state, local, Tribal, and territorial law enforcement agencies operating in areas determined to be critical drug trafficking regions of the United States.

In order to apply for and receive funds, the law enforcement initiatives must be located and operate in an area designated as a HIDTA by the Director of ONDCP. The request for funding must be supported by the Executive Board of the regional HIDTA under which they will operate. Petitions may be submitted for consideration to become a new HIDTA or to become a part of an already existing HIDTA. In both cases the petition must be submitted by a coalition of law enforcement leaders. In the case of submitting to become a new HIDTA region, a funding request will be provided by the coalition of law enforcement officers. In the case where the petition is to become a part of an already established HIDTA, the funding request will be submitted to the Executive Board for their consideration/action. Applicants must agree to operate in accordance with HIDTA Program Policy and Budget Guidance and the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards. Applicants must also ensure compliance with all federal laws, regulations, Executive Orders, and public policies governing financial assistance awards.

Law enforcement drug task forces; drug-related law enforcement initiatives; drug-related intelligence or information centers located in designated HIDTAs.

The HIDTA program, established by the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988, authorizes the Director of ONDCP to designate areas within the United States which exhibit serious drug trafficking problems and harmfully impact other areas of the country as High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas. Grant funds are provided to law enforcement initiatives in areas that have been designated as a HIDTA. Initiatives must include collocated federal and state/local/tribal/territorial law enforcement officers. Initiatives must also share information with regional intelligence or information centers and deconflict their operations. The reauthorization statutes provide the restrictions for the HIDTA Program. Discretionary funding availability is based upon appropriated amounts.

Under the HIDTA program, award length is mandated by appropriation law. Currently awards are made for two years.

Using a directed announcement, the SF-424 application must be completed for consideration within the annual budget and award. Awardees will be subject to such additional requirements expressed in governing law and the HIDTA Program Policy and Budget Guidance. See 2 C.F.R. Part 200 et seq.

ONDCP uses a threat-driven process that requires each HIDTA Executive Board to assess the drug trafficking activities in its region; design a strategy to counter those activities; plan initiatives to carry out the strategy; and develop a budget that is sufficient to carry out the planned initiatives. ONDCP awards funds to HIDTAs based on a review and performance-based assessment of the Threat Assessment, Strategy, Initiative Description and Budget Proposals that each HIDTA submits to ONDCP.

Upon approval by ONDCP, a letter is sent to the applicant agency with copies of the Grant Award. The electronically signed copy of the Grant Award must be submitted by the authorized official within the grants management system.

Each grantee must resubmit annually. The Executive Board of each Regional HIDTA will prepare and submit to ONDCP, an annual request for funds that includes a specific projected budget for each initiative, a description of the initiative for which the funds are requested, and performance data for the prior year's activities.