National Explosives Detection Canine Team Program Grant

Transcription

1 Finance & Administration Committee Action Item III-D October 14, 2010 National Explosives Detection Canine Team Program Grant

2 Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Board Action/Information Summary Action Information MEAD Number: Resolution: Yes No TITLE: FY11-FY15 National Explosives Detection Canines PURPOSE: Purpose: To inform the Finance and Administration Committee and the Board of the availability of the receipt of a National Explosives Detection Canine Team Program Grant for FY11 to FY15; and 2. To obtain ratification of the application per Board Resolution DESCRIPTION: In 2005, Metro entered into a five-year agreement with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to participate in the National Explosives Detection Canine Team Program. The original agreement expires September 30, 2010 and TSA requested that MTPD continue participation through a new five-year agreement. Currently, MTPD participates in the National Explosives Detection Canine Team Program (NEDCTP) grant with five canines and handlers. Each grant is a five-year agreement to provide a TSA canine, training for a MTPD Officer canine handler at TSA`s facility, and reimbursements of $40,000 per team each federal fiscal year. The new five-year agreement has been issued with the period of performance beginning October 1, In addition to the existing five teams eligible under the grant, TSA has agreed to fund another five teams based on availability of program funding over the term of the next agreement through the conversion of existing MTPD Officer positions to TSA explosive detection canine teams. At this time, the conversion of three positions into TSA explosive detection canine teams can be supported by MTPD within the next federal fiscal year and was requested with the application for the next five year agreement. TSA, however, can only guarantee funding for the existing five teams due to the lack of the FY11 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) appropriation. A determination on the additional three teams will be made by TSA once the FY11 funding is fully available. The grant provides MTPD with the opportunity for explosives detection canine teams meeting the rigorous standards of the TSA program with the ability to offset the costs associated with participation. Since MTPD already has

3 explosives detection canine teams, as well as other canine teams, participation in the program only reduces MTPD`s costs through reimbursement by the grant of expenses that would be incurred regardless. The grant improves the quality of the MTPD explosives detection canine program and provides a deterrent effect for potential terrorists surveilling Metro. Through use of normal attrition within MTPD, the addition of five TSA canine teams over the next five year agreement will not increase the overall sworn number for MTPD or the costs associated with those positions. The grant can be used to fund the costs related to the care and maintenance of the canines, equipment for the teams to train and operate, and salary costs for the handlers. If Metro chooses not to continue participation in the NEDCTP, $200,000 in annual reimbursements will be eliminated and the five TSA canines must be returned. Uses of the funds are as described above. Grant funding is as described below. Fiscal Year Amount 2011 $200, $200, $200, $200, $200,500 FUNDING IMPACT: Program: Project: Remarks: Operating Budget Impact: FY 2011 Operating Budget FY11-FY15 NEDCTP Project Manager: Deputy Chief Ron Pavlik None

4 Budget Information FY11 FY12 FY13 FY14 FY15 Total Budget $200,500 $200,500 $200,500 $200,500 $200,500 $1,002,500 Amount: This $200,500 $200,500 $200,500 $200,500 $200,500 $1,002,500 Action: Prior Actions: $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 Subtotal: $200,500 $200,500 $200,500 $200,500 $200,500 $1,002,500 Remaining Budget: $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 RECOMMENDATION: Approval to continue participation in the Transportation Security Administration`s National Explosives Detection Canine Team Program from federal FY11 through FY15. Ratification of the grant application.

5 Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Ratify: The Transportation Security Administration i ti (TSA) National Explosives Detection Canine Team Program (NEDCTP) Grant Finance and Administration Committee October 14, 2010

6 Background The MTPD has participated in the National Explosive Detection Team Program (NEDCTP) sponsored and funded by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) since 2005.

7 Ratify the Transportation Security Administration NEDCTP Grant Ratify the NEDCTP Grant The NEDCTP Grant will reimburse the Authority for up to $40K per year per team for a total of $200K annually. A team consists of the canine and handler. TSA provides the canine and training free. The additional $40K is used to offset other costs for maintaining the teams.

8 Recommendation Ratify the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) National Explosive Detection Canine Team Program (NEDCTP) grant to include $1.02M for five TSA canine teams over the next five years, beginning October 1, 2010 through October 1, 2015.

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