Tennessee Public Safety Grants

1. Tennessee’s enacted drone restriction

2023 Public Chapter 223 added parallel purchase rules for state agencies (§ 4-56-112) and local/law enforcement agencies (§ 12-4-120). The trigger is a drone produced by a manufacturer banned under § 889; the statutes do not create a general ban based solely on the drone’s final country of assembly.

The provisions say contracts entered in violation are void and unenforceable. Obtain the manufacturer identity and supporting supply-chain records before issuing a purchase order; do not treat a reseller label or cooperative contract as a substitute for that review.

2. Procurement Protection Act: cameras, software & ICT

2026 Public Chapter 768 (Tenn. Code §§ 4-56-201–206) took effect July 1, 2026 for contracts entered into, renewed, or amended from that date. It restricts foreign adversary companies bidding for public ICT contracts and a third-party vendor knowingly selling covered final products or services made or produced by such a company.

State agencies and political subdivisions require bidders for ICT contracts to certify that they are not a foreign adversary company and are not knowingly selling covered final products or services of one. The Act distinguishes final products from mere inputs and includes a federal Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act compliance carveout and a narrowly conditioned preapproval route. Have procurement counsel apply the exact definitions to network cameras, recorders, video software, cloud services, and integrators.

3. Certification, penalties & records

Under the Act, a false certification can result in a civil penalty of the greater of $250,000 or twice the contract amount, termination under the statutory terms, and a 60-month state-contract bidding bar. The statute has determination and procedural provisions; these consequences are not an automatic fine against the purchasing department.

Ask vendors to identify the actual equipment and software producer, corporate ownership/control, product and service origins, firmware/update chain, data storage and remote access arrangements, and any covered-list status. Put required certifications and supporting documentation in the procurement record.

4. Federal grants: ASDA, Blue UAS & privacy

OMB M-26-02, Appendix D implements the American Security Drone Act restriction for federal grant and cooperative-agreement funds from December 22, 2025. It covers procurement of, and use of award funds in connection with operation of, a FASC-prohibited UAS, subject to the stated exemptions and waiver path.

For BJA awards, UAS purchase is allowable only with express prior BJA approval and the required certification tied to the current Blue UAS Cleared List, along with privacy, civil-liberties, and cybersecurity assurances. Blue UAS status alone is not grant approval. Tennessee law separately limits law enforcement drone surveillance under § 39-13-609, with warrant and enumerated exception rules.

5. Cameras and distinct federal tests

Federal NDAA § 889 / FAR 4.21 restrictions concern defined covered telecommunications and video surveillance equipment and services in federal contracting. The FCC Covered List and equipment authorization rules are related but distinct. Evaluate the specific camera, producer, use, funding condition, and contract clause.

TAA controls origin for covered federal procurements such as GSA Multiple Award Schedule offerings; a Tennessee local purchase or grant does not automatically become TAA-covered. Tennessee state IT third-party risk policy adds vendor security review where applicable to state resources. Local agencies should apply their own network, evidence, privacy, and CJIS requirements.

Buyer checklist before a grant-funded order

• Identify whether the purchaser is a state agency, local agency, school district, or nonprofit; check both Tennessee statutes and the award agreement.
• Confirm the drone manufacturer and all ICT final-product producers, not just the selling brand. Request the required Tennessee vendor certification.
• For UAS, check ASDA/FASC status and obtain program-specific written approval; BJA has an additional Blue UAS certification process.
• For connected cameras and cloud systems, document covered-list review, access controls, software updates, data location and retention, and agency IT approval.
• Include the exact model, quantities, related software, subscription, and training in the proposed grant budget. Secure prior approval for changes where the program requires it.