Pennsylvania Public Safety Grants

Local Money Is Not an Automatic Compliance Pass

No Pennsylvania blanket manufacturer prohibition was identified for every municipal drone purchase. Paying entirely with local tax dollars does not, by itself, trigger the federal award restriction on buying a FASC-prohibited UAS. Yet agency procurement and cybersecurity rules, vendor or network terms, privacy, records and FAA operating authority still matter. Later use under a federal award needs review of that project’s conditions; do not assume a locally purchased aircraft is approved for a federally funded mission.

Keep an inventory by funding source, aircraft serial number, configuration and mission. The supplied “local dollar loophole” wording is too broad to use as procurement advice.

Commonwealth IT and PCCD Procurement Controls

The Pennsylvania Office of Administration states that third-party vendors, licensors, contractors and suppliers must meet applicable Commonwealth Information Technology Policies for products and services supplied to the state. For state networks, data or contracts, ask the responsible OA/IT and agency security team about cloud hosting, remote access, app permissions, encryption, firmware and incident response. This policy statement does not automatically impose every Commonwealth IT procedure on a municipal-only device.

For PCCD-funded projects, follow the applicable announcement, incorporated subgrant conditions and PCCD applicant/procurement guidance. Municipal buyers should apply their own purchasing and IT rules even when no federal funds are present.

Pennsylvania Drone Flights and Privacy

18 Pa.C.S. § 3505 addresses intentional or knowing UAS surveillance of a person in a private place, operation creating reasonable fear of bodily injury and contraband delivery. Its text provides exceptions for specified law-enforcement, emergency medical and government personnel engaged in official duties; those exceptions do not replace mission approval, privacy protections or FAA requirements. 53 Pa.C.S. § 305 generally preempts local regulation of UAS ownership or operation, while preserving a municipality’s use for municipal purposes and regulation of that use.

Review the actual statutory exceptions and FAA public-safety operating guidance. Adopt an agency flight, imagery, evidence and retention policy before deployment.

Federal Award Rules Apply to the Actual Configuration

ASDA / OMB M-26-02 Appendix D: Since December 22, 2025, federal award funds generally cannot procure or be used in connection with operating a FASC-prohibited UAS, subject to the stated exemptions and waivers. For BJA-funded UAS, obtain express prior approval, the required certification tied to the DCMA Blue UAS Cleared List and Commerce screening, privacy/cyber assurances, and review accessories, modifications and federal information restrictions.

NDAA Section 889 addresses covered telecommunications and video-surveillance equipment and services; TAA depends on the applicable contract; FCC covered equipment and authorization are another inquiry. “NDAA compliant” alone is not a complete purchasing determination. Read MAXSUR’s federal guide.

Where Current Pennsylvania Funding May Fit

The new PCCD VICTIM program closes October 21 at 11:59 p.m. Track 1 funds NIBRS readiness; Track 2 is limited to already NIBRS-compliant local police and can fund eligible equipment or forensic/investigative technology to improve violent-crime clearance. Its technology language does not expressly approve every aircraft. Seek a written project and budget determination.

Other live pathways have different buyers: regional policing supports eligible intergovernmental police projects; school safety funds eligible school entities; Local Share Account projects require a qualifying applicant and public-interest project; fire/EMS grants follow State Fire Commissioner guidance. Federal direct Local JAG is distinct from PCCD-administered Byrne JAG. Check PCCD’s live announcement list.

Practical Pennsylvania UAS Procurement Checklist

1. 1Identify the applicant and every funding source. Separate local appropriation, state gaming or grant funds, federal pass-through money and direct federal awards; trace later federally funded use as well as purchase.
2. 2Match the mission to the notice. VICTIM Track 2 is for NIBRS-compliant police improving violent-crime clearance; Track 1 is for records readiness. PCCD regional JAG needs BJA approval for UAS; its separate local-initiatives JAG notice restricts aircraft. Get a program-specific written determination.
3. 3Screen federal award restrictions. For covered federal funds, examine ASDA and OMB M-26-02 Appendix D for FASC-prohibited UAS and any valid exemption or waiver.
4. 4Obtain BJA approval when relevant. BJA UAS purchases need express prior approval, Blue UAS Cleared List-related certification, cybersecurity/privacy assurances and compliant accessories/configuration.
5. 5Review state or local IT and procurement. Commonwealth suppliers must follow applicable OA IT policies; a city or county should apply its own IT, vendor, network and purchasing rules. Follow PCCD subgrant conditions when applicable.
6. 6Inventory the full system and origin. Document aircraft manufacture and assembly, camera, radio, modem, controller, app, firmware, cloud/data flow, remote support and any covered telecommunications/video-surveillance components. Test NDAA Section 889, TAA and FCC separately.
7. 7Authorize Pennsylvania operations. Check 18 Pa.C.S. § 3505, 53 Pa.C.S. § 305, FAA authority, mission privacy, evidence, public records and retention. A procurement approval does not authorize every flight.
8. 8Preserve a review file. Keep grant guidance, supplier representations, product configuration, cyber assessment, contract terms, written allowability determination, exemptions or waivers and operating policy.