State Public Safety Grant Guide
Maine Public Safety Grants
Funding pathways, 2026 local JAG allocations and practical procurement rules for surveillance, cybersecurity and drones across Maine.
Maine public-safety agencies can pursue state-administered justice and preparedness subgrants, federal direct awards and mission-specific programs. Start with the administrator and current notice, then test equipment eligibility and procurement requirements before writing a budget.
Maine also has its own prohibited-technologies law and live OIT list. It names SZ DJI Technology Company; its application depends on the buyer, funding and statutory exceptions. For the separate federal tests, read MAXSUR’s NDAA, TAA, FCC & Blue UAS guide.
Planning correction: The previous Maine page said there was no statewide restriction. Public Law 2023, chapter 681 and OIT’s prohibited-technologies list establish one. Local-government wording is tied to state funds; the law-enforcement exception is limited by its public-protection or investigation purpose.
Maine Procurement & Cybersecurity
What Maine Buyers Should Check Before Selecting Cameras or Drones
Apply Maine’s current OIT list, the precise statutory scope, award terms and mission-specific cybersecurity controls to the proposed system.
State agencies
Section 2023 restricts contracts with listed companies and use, acquisition or purchase of listed ICT and services, subject to statutory exceptions and waivers.
State funds and indirect transfers
Section 2024’s local provision refers to state funds. Section 2025 requires reasonable steps against indirect transfer of state money to a listed company.
Limited mission exception
Section 2027 applies to the extent the restriction would impair public protection or a criminal investigation. Record the need and obtain agency review.
Additional UAS conditions
Federal award funds generally cannot procure or support operation of FASC-prohibited UAS; BJA also requires express prior approval.
Maine’s Chapter 164 and Live List
Public Law 2023, chapter 681 took effect in August 2024. Sections 2021–2022 define foreign-adversary business entities and require Maine’s CIO to keep public lists of prohibited companies and information and communications technology or services. The foreign-adversary definition in the enacted law cites 15 C.F.R. § 7.4. Maine OIT’s page is the live screening point and states its list is not exhaustive.
As reviewed, the list includes SZ DJI Technology Company, Dahua, Huawei, Hikvision, Hytera and ZTE, plus other named entities and their subsidiaries and affiliates. Verify the supplier, corporate relationships, aircraft, payload, communications, software and services rather than relying on a sales label.
Who Is Covered, and How
State agencies: Section 2023 restricts contracts with listed companies and use, acquisition or purchase of listed ICT and services. Local governmental entities: Section 2024 refers to use of state funds for listed-company contracts or listed ICT and services; Section 2025 requires reasonable steps to avoid indirect state-fund transfers. The local definition includes municipalities, counties, school districts and those acting on their behalf.
Law enforcement: Section 2027 exempts law-enforcement entities from Sections 2023 and 2024 only to the extent those restrictions impede public protection or a criminal investigation. State-agency waiver requests follow Section 2028. Do not assume an exemption overrides grant conditions, federal rules or agency cybersecurity controls. Have procurement counsel review mixed-funding transactions.
State Contract Certifications and Cyber Controls
A bidder for a State contract must certify that it is not a foreign-adversary business entity under Section 2030-A; false certification carries a significant civil penalty. Section 2030-B voids certain state-agency contracts, not every local contract. Keep the certification, current OIT-list result and product configuration in the procurement file.
Maine OIT has separate security, data classification and drone policies within its purview. Its general Drone Policy excludes law enforcement and public-safety personnel operating in that capacity, who follow their applicable internal policy. Local agencies should apply their own IT, evidence, privacy and grant controls.
Federal Grants, BJA/JAG and Blue UAS
OMB M-26-02, Appendix D: beginning Dec. 22, 2025, federal award funds generally may not procure or be used in connection with operating a FASC-prohibited UAS, subject to defined exemptions or federal waivers. This award-funding rule is distinct from federal executive-agency acquisition rules.
BJA awards: UAS purchase requires express prior approval. BJA’s current guidance requires a written certification involving the DCMA Blue UAS Cleared List, no added modifications/accessories or federal information processing, privacy/civil-liberties/cyber policies, and Commerce Consolidated Screening List review. Counter-UAS has separate legal authorization and approval requirements. A JAG line item alone is not approval.
Document Data Flows and the Funding Mix
Map image and telemetry storage, cloud providers, remote support, firmware updates, data retention, access, encryption and evidence exports. Ask whether state appropriations, municipal funds, federal direct awards or federal pass-through dollars touch the system. Federal terms may follow funds through subawards and can restrict operation as well as acquisition.
For MEMA Homeland Security Grant Program planning, coordinate with the county EMA; Maine allocates these funds to its sixteen counties, whose subrecipients set priorities. Check the current authorized equipment list and award conditions before proposing a drone, camera or network service.
Practical Maine UAS Procurement Checklist
- Identify buyer and money. Record the state, local and federal shares and any pass-through award.
- Screen the live Maine OIT list. Check company, affiliates, ICT, software and services against the exact proposed configuration.
- Apply Sections 2023–2025. Have counsel review state-agency limits, state-funded local purchases and indirect transfers.
- Document any exception or waiver. For law enforcement, show how Section 2027’s mission standard is met; obtain required approvals.
- Apply federal award rules. Check OMB M-26-02, the specific NOFO and award, including restrictions on operation.
- Get BJA approval if relevant. Submit the current UAS certification and required assurances before obligating BJA funds.
- Retain cyber and flight records. Save data-flow review, vendor representations, approvals, FAA authority and configuration changes.
Federal framework: Read NDAA, TAA, FCC & Blue UAS Explained for the different federal tests. Maine’s law and list do not turn every federal list into the same categorical rule for every purchase.
Funding Pathways
Maine Grant Opportunities
These official program pages are starting points. Except for the confirmed FY26 local JAG deadlines, verify each current application window and the allowable equipment in its notice.
| Grant | Level | Source | Best Fit / Technology | Deadline Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPS Justice Assistance Council – Byrne JAG pass-through | Federal pass-through | Maine DPS / BJA | Justice technology, enforcement, training; UAS requires BJA approval | Check current Maine RFP |
| BJA FY 2026 Local JAG Formula | Federal direct | BJA | Formula jurisdictions in Maine; public-safety technology and approved UAS | Oct. 9 Grants.gov; Oct. 16 JustGrants, 2026 |
| MEMA State Homeland Security Program | Federal pass-through | MEMA / FEMA | County-led threat preparedness, response and eligible equipment | Contact county EMA |
| MEMA Operation Stonegarden | Federal pass-through | MEMA / FEMA | Eligible border security coordination and operations | Check MEMA cycle |
| MEMA Emergency Management Performance Grant | Federal pass-through | MEMA / FEMA | All-hazards emergency management capacity | Check MEMA cycle |
| MEMA State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program | Federal pass-through | MEMA / CISA | Government cyber-risk reduction and approved shared services | Check MEMA cycle |
| MEMA Nonprofit Security Grant Program | Federal pass-through | MEMA / FEMA | Eligible nonprofit physical security and preparedness | Check MEMA cycle |
| MEMA Maine Nonprofit Security Grant Program | State | MEMA | Eligible nonprofit security improvements | Check MEMA cycle |
| MEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance | Federal pass-through | MEMA / FEMA | Eligible disaster risk reduction and resilient infrastructure | Check MEMA cycle |
| DPS Justice Assistance Council – Paul Coverdell | Federal pass-through | Maine DPS / DOJ | Forensic science and medical examiner service improvement | Check current Maine RFP |
| DPS Justice Assistance Council – Project Safe Neighborhoods | Federal pass-through | Maine DPS / DOJ | Violent crime and gun violence reduction partnerships | Check current Maine RFP |
| DPS Justice Assistance Council – RSAT | Federal pass-through | Maine DPS / BJA | Substance-use treatment in correctional settings | Check current Maine RFP |
| DPS Justice Assistance Council – STOP VAWA | Federal pass-through | Maine DPS / OVW | Response, prosecution, training and survivor services | Check current Maine RFP |
| DPS Substance Use Disorder Assistance Program | State | Maine DPS | Municipal, county, tribal and regional jail liaison programs | Check current Maine RFP |
| Maine Bureau of Highway Safety grants | Federal pass-through | Maine BHS / NHTSA | Impaired driving, speed, occupant protection and traffic safety | Check BHS grant forms |
| Maine IFW ATV Law Enforcement Grants | State | Maine IFW | ATV patrol and safety enforcement for eligible agencies | Check IFW current notice |
| BJA Body-Worn Camera Partnership Program | Federal direct | BJA | Camera deployment, policy, training and evidence management | Check BJA current NOFO |
| BJA DNA Capacity Enhancement / Backlog Reduction | Federal direct | BJA | Eligible DNA laboratory capacity and evidence backlogs | Check BJA current NOFO |
| BJA STOP School Violence Program | Federal direct | BJA | Threat assessment, training and allowable school-safety technology | Check BJA current NOFO |
| COPS School Violence Prevention Program | Federal direct | COPS Office | Eligible school security technology and coordination | Check COPS current NOFO |
| COPS Hiring Program | Federal direct | COPS Office | Sworn officer hiring; equipment is not its main purpose | Check COPS current NOFO |
| OJJDP Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force | Federal direct | OJJDP | Investigations, training and digital forensics through task forces | Check OJJDP current NOFO |
FY26 direct Local JAG: Grants.gov closes Oct. 9, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern; JustGrants closes Oct. 16 at 8:59 p.m. Eastern. Only the jurisdictions on BJA’s Maine allocation sheet can apply directly. Others should ask the Maine DPS Justice Assistance Council about subgrants. MEMA HSGP priorities run through the county EMAs.
FY 2026 Formula Snapshot
Maine Local JAG Allocations
These are BJA formula allocation figures for eligible applicants, not award announcements or promises of equipment eligibility. Joint-group amounts are shown once, at the group level.
| Jurisdiction / Group | Allocation Type | FY26 Amount | Applicant Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn / Lewiston / Androscoggin County | Joint allocation | $64,937 | One fiscal agent; memorandum of understanding |
| Cumberland County / Portland | Joint allocation | $81,068 | One fiscal agent; memorandum of understanding |
| Kennebec County / Augusta | Joint allocation | $38,741 | One fiscal agent; memorandum of understanding |
| Penobscot County / Bangor | Joint allocation | $21,783 | One fiscal agent; memorandum of understanding |
| York County / Biddeford | Joint allocation | $44,669 | One fiscal agent; memorandum of understanding |
| Sanford | Direct allocation | $16,544 | Directly eligible jurisdiction |
| Somerset County | Direct allocation | $11,167 | Directly eligible jurisdiction |
| South Portland | Direct allocation | $12,546 | Directly eligible jurisdiction |
| Waterville | Direct allocation | $12,546 | Directly eligible jurisdiction |
| Westbrook | Direct allocation | $15,717 | Directly eligible jurisdiction |
BJA reports a $319,718 statewide local total. This selected table does not reproduce every line in the source PDF. Joint-group participants determine shares in a memorandum of understanding; do not add a city’s component figure to its group total. See the complete FY26 Maine allocation sheet.
Maine UAS Procurement FAQ
Common Maine Compliance Questions
Check the live list and the particular grant agreement before making a purchase.
Does Maine name DJI on its prohibited list?
Yes. Maine OIT currently lists SZ DJI Technology Company, as well as Dahua, Huawei, Hikvision, Hytera and ZTE, with subsidiaries and affiliates included. Check the live list when buying; absence from the list is not an OIT approval.
Does the rule reach a Maine town or county using state funds?
Section 2024 addresses local governmental entities and use of state funds in contracts with listed companies or listed information and communications technology and services. Section 2025 also requires reasonable steps to keep state funds from being indirectly transferred to listed companies. Ask counsel to apply the exact text to the funding and transaction.
Is every law-enforcement drone use exempt under Maine law?
No. Section 2027 exempts law-enforcement entities from sections 2023 and 2024 only to the extent the prohibitions restrict their ability to protect the public or investigate criminal activity. Document the mission-based basis and review other laws, agency policies and grant terms separately.
Can Maine agencies buy UAS with BJA or JAG funding?
BJA allows a UAS purchase only with express prior approval. Its current process calls for a certification tied to the DCMA Blue UAS Cleared List and assurances on privacy, civil liberties and cybersecurity. Review the current NOFO and any state pass-through conditions before obligating funds.
Does Blue UAS status replace Maine procurement review?
No. Maine OIT listing, state-law exemptions, federal award restrictions, BJA certification, FCC equipment rules and TAA where applicable answer different questions. Review the actual aircraft, controller, payload, software, manufacturer and funding source.
Do federal UAS grant restrictions cover only a new drone purchase?
No. OMB M-26-02 Appendix D restricts using federal award funds both to procure and in connection with operating a FASC-prohibited UAS from December 22, 2025, subject to its exemptions and waivers.
What should a vendor provide for cyber and origin review?
Request the full manufacturer and affiliate identity, component and radio/payload details, software and cloud hosting, data flows, update and remote-access controls, security documentation, and any Blue UAS or grant-specific evidence. Retain the version reviewed and recheck substitutions.
MAXSUR Solution Pathways
Connect Maine Funding to Field Capability
Match approved missions and allowable budgets to documented systems, support and training.
Procurement Pathway
Move From Grant Approval to a Documented Purchase
Confirm Maine OIT screening, statutory scope, grant conditions, IT review and any federal UAS prior approval before ordering through an authorized purchasing method.
A cooperative contract does not waive Maine law, agency policy or federal award terms. Confirm the purchase method and product with procurement counsel and the grant administrator.