Guam Public Safety Grants

No Verified Territory-Wide Manufacturer Ban

The reviewed Guam materials do not establish a territory-wide law that bars all agencies from buying every foreign-made drone with local funds. That finding is not an approval of a specific vendor. Guam agency policies and bid clauses, funding terms, component rules, federal partner requirements and the mission’s location can impose additional conditions. Verify the exact solicitation and procurement authority before choosing a system.

For federal grant funds, OMB M-26-02 Appendix D addresses American Security Drone Act / FASC prohibited UAS in procurement and operation connected to the award, subject to defined exceptions and waivers. The federal guide distinguishes this from NDAA Section 889, FCC Covered List issues, TAA in covered federal acquisitions, and Blue UAS vetting.

Correctional and Detention Facility Flights

Public Law 38-128, signed June 3, 2026, added 9 GCA § 70.460. It addresses intentionally or knowingly operating a UAS at or below 400 feet over a covered Guam correctional or detention facility, contact with the facility or a person/object there, and operation close enough to disturb the facility. The law defines covered DOC, DYA, Guam Police and Judiciary detention locations.

The statute has specific exemptions for government operations, authorized contractors or persons acting on government direction, prior written consent and recognized law-enforcement agencies. A violation is generally a misdemeanor, with felony circumstances for repeat offenses or contraband. Plan authorization with the facility and counsel before flight; this law does not itself prohibit a brand of aircraft.

Port Proposal and Federal Airspace

Bill 338-38 proposes a separate restriction for flights over designated Port Authority of Guam protected critical infrastructure. The official Legislature’s bill page shows referral and committee steps; do not describe it as an enacted port-flight offense until its status changes. Port and military operations may still involve facility security requirements and federal airspace rules.

Use FAA UAS Facility Maps and current airspace/NOTAM tools to determine controlled or special-use airspace and seek required authorization. Facility-map altitudes do not themselves give permission to fly. Coordinate any shared mission with port, airport, military or federal partners as applicable.

Cybersecurity for Connected Public-Safety Systems

Guam’s Pacific CyberGuard cybersecurity plan provides an islandwide planning framework for SLCGP. A drone, camera or mobile command system should be reviewed as a connected system: data collection, cloud location, firmware and update channel, encryption, identity and access, network segmentation, logs, evidence retention and vendor support.

For an SLCGP proposal, explain the specific cyber-risk reduction and eligible beneficiary. A surveillance or aircraft purchase is not automatically a cybersecurity grant expense. Confirm the agency’s own security standards and written grant terms; do not assume a territory-wide drone data-residency rule from the source materials.

Where the Grant Pathways Fit

BSP administers Guam’s JAG pathway. BJA’s current JAG FAQ includes public-safety UAS among statutory purpose areas, but an approved project and the federal award’s prohibited-UAS restrictions still control. Guam’s FY 2026 State JAG formula allocation is $724,135; the State Formula application deadlines have passed.

GHS/OCD coordinates preparedness and cyber programs. DPW-OHS’s FY 2026 highway safety application plans traffic enforcement and records projects; traffic objectives, federal equipment terms and grantor approval control any device request. These funds are not a general UAS catalog.

Practical Guam UAS Procurement Checklist

1. 1Name the buyer and funding. Separate territory and local purchasing policies, federal grants, direct federal contracts, and any joint-operation requirements.
2. 2Record product and origin. Identify aircraft, cameras, radio, controller, software, cloud and vendor ownership. Check the actual federal covered-entity and prohibited-UAS criteria, not just an assembly-country label.
3. 3Review the award terms. For federal money, check the ASDA/FASC Appendix D conditions, applicable Section 889 surveillance restrictions and any program-specific UAS approval process.
4. 4Map data and cyber controls. Document telemetry, evidence video, remote access, software updates, storage, encryption, user accounts, retention and incident-response responsibilities.
5. 5Check the flight location. Review FAA airspace authorization and restrictions, facility permission, and Public Law 38-128 when a correctional or detention facility is involved.
6. 6Get project-specific approval. Explain the public-safety mission and exact equipment to BSP, GHS/OCD, DPW-OHS or the applicable grantor; do not assume a grant category permits a drone purchase.
7. 7Keep a procurement record. Save vendor attestations, component list, network assessment, flight approvals, award terms and written grant administrator decisions.