Grants & Procurement
Revere Tactical Technologies
Rules & law
Grants & Procurement
Funding rules change every cycle. These are the federal and Ohio rules that most often decide whether a drone purchase is allowed.
Federal funding rules for drones
Buying a drone with BJA funds requires express prior approval. The recipient must certify that only UAS on DCMA's Blue UAS Cleared List will be purchased or operated under the award, with no modifications or added accessories, and must assure adequate privacy, civil-liberties and cybersecurity policies. [1]
Include the UAS certification form with the application, or BJA may issue the award with a withholding condition until it is provided. For existing awards, use a grant award modification in JustGrants. [1]
FEMA Information Bulletin 530 says small UAS (AEL 03OE-07-SUAS) are considered aircraft and need FEMA prior approval with a detailed justification before funds are obligated. [2]
- The need, and why this platform meets it better than other options
- How it fits the State/Urban Area's integrated operational plans
- Equipment it will carry, if bought with Homeland Security Grant Program funds
- How it will be used operationally and which response assets it supports
- How it will be used on a regular, non-emergency basis
- A copy of the agency's SOP for the aircraft
Licensing, registration, insurance and ongoing operating costs are not allowable. Weaponized aircraft remain unallowable. [2] The AEL entry describes an sUAS as the aircraft plus the equipment needed to operate it. [3]
HB 251's purchasing section (ORC 5501.84) bars public entities from buying foreign-adversary drones and from using state funds for them, starting 48 months after the act took effect. [4]
Procurement flow
-
Write the need
Missions, coverage area and what success looks like. FEMA asks for this in writing. -
Check every funding rule
Federal grant conditions, Ohio law and your own purchasing policy. -
Confirm the aircraft listing
For BJA funds, check the exact model and configuration on the DCMA Blue List. [5] -
Get written quotes
Itemized: training, software, support and repair turnaround. -
Plan the full life cost
Batteries, software subscriptions, insurance, maintenance and replacement.
Still researching
Research pending
AFG, state and private programsDrone eligibility under the Assistance to Firefighters Grant, Ohio programs and private foundations has not been verified for the current cycle.
Public Safety Wiki on Revere Tactical Technologies. Plain-language summaries, not legal advice. Talk to your counsel and the FAA for decisions about your program.
Spotted something out of date? Tell us and we will fix the page and its source. If a rule or spec has changed, the linked source wins.