Regional Information Sharing Systems (16.610)
Program
16.610 Regional Information Sharing Systems
Federal Agency
BUREAU OF JUSTICE ASSISTANCE, OFFICE OF JUSTICE PROGRAMS, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Authorization
Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968, Public Law 90-351; 42 U.S.C. 3796h.
Program Number
16.610
Last Known Status
Active
Objectives
To enhance the ability of the state and local criminal justice agencies to identify, target, and remove criminal conspiracies and activities that span jurisdictional boundaries. The first objective of the Regional Information Sharing Systems Program (RISS) is to encourage and facilitate the rapid exchange and sharing of information among federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies pertaining to known or suspected terrorist, or criminal activity. The second objective is to enhance coordination and communication among agencies that are in pursuit of criminal conspiracies determined to be interjurisdictional in nature. In addition, the RISS Program may provide technical and financial resources to member agencies, such as specialized equipment, training, and investigative funds, to augment existing multijurisdictional enforcement resources and operations.
Types of Assistance
Project Grants.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Up to 100 percent of total project grant costs are funded through Federal assistance. Cost-sharing is governed by Appropriation Act requirements. However, projects are encouraged to obtain and utilize additional funds through voluntary contributions, membership fees or dues, fees for service, or other sources from member agencies or governmental units benefitting from project services. Such funds will be considered program income and must be used to augment project operations or to reduce the Federal share of project costs.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Six RISS projects are authorized as eligible to receive funding to provide services to law enforcement agencies throughout the nation. The projects are: The Middle Atlantic Great-Lakes Organized Crime Law Enforcement Center (MAGLOCLEN), the Mid- States Organized Crime Information Center (MOCIC), the New England State Police Information Network (NESPIN), the Regional Organized Crime Information Center (ROCIC), the Rocky Mountain Information Network (RMIN), and the Western States Information Network (WSIN).
Beneficiary Eligibility
State and local criminal justice agencies; Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies and personnel benefit from this program.
Credentials/Documentation
The six RISS projects are required to submit a Federal application for assistance, as well as a detailed program and budget narrative.
Application and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372 "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in their respective states for more information on the process the state requires to be followed in applying for assistance. The standard application forms (SF-424) as furnished by the federal agency in accordance with 28 CFR, Part 66 (Common Rule), must be used for this program.
Application Procedure
The standard application forms furnished by the Federal agency and required by the Common Rule, must be used for this program.
Award Procedure
BJA reviews applications for completeness, accuracy, and compliance with all program requirements.
Deadlines
Contact the Bureau of Justice Assistance for application deadlines.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Appeals
None.
Renewals
A project must submit a written request justifying the need for the extension and how the extension would be consistent with the objectives of the grant 60 days prior to the expiration of the current grant.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Projects are awarded 100 percent of the project costs and no match is required.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Awards are made for a period of 12 months.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Reporting requirements for grants/projects awarded under the RISS Program are articulated in the OJP Financial Guide, as well as the Funding and Administration Guidelines of the Regional Information Sharing Systems (RISS) Program Guide.
Audits
Payments and transactions are subject to audits by the General Accounting Office, the Department of Justice's Office of the Inspector General, State or local government auditors, and auditors from independent public accounting firms. Jurisdictions must follow their local policies and procedures, including maintenance of reliable and accurate accounting systems, record keeping, and systems of internal control. In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 24, 1997), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non- Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $300,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Non-federal entities that expend less than $300,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.
Records
Recipients of Federal funds are expected to retain documentation supporting all program transactions for at least 3 years after the closure of audit reports related to such funding. If any litigation, claim, negotiation, audit, or other action involving records has been started before the expiration of the 3-year period, the records must be retained until completion of the action and resolution of all related issues, or until the end of the regular 3-year period, whichever is later.
Program Accomplishments
The RISS Centers provide state-of-the-art investigative support and training, analytical services, specialized equipment, and secure information-sharing technology to approximately 6,000 municipal, county, state, and federal law enforcement agencies nationwide. In 2001, this assistance has helped law enforcement agencies make more than 3,000 arrests and seize or recover illegal controlled substances, property, and currency valued at approximately $100 million. RISS Centers logged more than 630,000 inquiries from member agencies for information on criminal intelligence. More than 158,000 Intelligence Center publications were distributed to law enforcement personnel, and there were 125,000 suspect match hits (information found) to assist officers. RISS implemented a new RISS Intel database. The conversion-implementation process and the structure of the new database resulted in significant down time, which impacted the usage/query statistics.
Financial Information
Account Identification
15-0401-0-1-754.
Obligations
(Grants) FY 02 $24,910,000; FY 03 est $28,404,479; and FY 04 est $24,945,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
$25 million to be divided among the six RISS projects. (Note: May want to tie this dollar amount to a specific fiscal year since amount will fluctuate from year-to-year).
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
Financial Guide, Office of Justice Programs, Office of the Comptroller; BJA's Funding and Administration Guidelines of the Regional Information Sharing Systems Program, and The Criminal Intelligence Systems Operating Policies (28 CFR, Part 23).
Related Programs
None.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
None.
Headquarters Office
State and Local Assistance Division, Bureau of Justice Assistance, Fourth Floor, 810 Seventh Street, NW Washington, DC 20531. Telephone: (202) 305-2088 or the Justice Response Center, 1-800-421-6770.
Web Site Address
Examples of Funded Projects
Not applicable.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Not applicable.
