Govconnect Grant Program Information

New Jersey Department of Community Affairs April 26, 2004 Division of Local Government Services Number: 11 E-GovernmentE-Government forfor GovernmentGovernment James E. McGreevey Susan Bass Levin Susan Jacobucci Governor Commissioner Acting Director

Distribution: Fire Districts

GovConnect Fire District Grant Program Information The Division of Local Government Services Because of the convenience, officials now is pleased to announce that the get more information, faster than ever GovConnect program is being extended to before. include Fire Districts. For a limited time, grant funds are available to help Like opening the mail and answering the eligible fire districts enroll in the phone, using GovConnect is now a basic program. part of everyday work.

GovConnect Program Fire District Grant Program Since September 2001 Municipal Clerks, Chief Financial Officers and Tax Collectors Grants of up to $1,000 are available to have participated in the myNewJersey/ those fire districts where the Board of GovConnect portal. The portal provides the Commissioners does not have a computer technology platform that enables the State or Internet access to conduct their work. to deliver services and information to all The deadline for filing the grant our constituents, customers and clients application is June 1, 2004. There will faster and more efficiently. be no extensions to this deadline. Grant program information is discussed Once enrolled, GovConnect users later in this EGG Notice. experience immediate benefit from electronic delivery of priority news items, Questions? document libraries, discussion forums and direct links to other valuable information GovConnect staff is available to answer resources. questions at 609.943.4724 or by e-mail at [email protected]. Since April 2002, most communications from the Division have changed from paper Grant Information to e-mail delivery through the GovConnect website! GovConnect based services include Local Finance Notices (LFN) E- Purpose of the Grant Government for Government (EGG) notices GovConnect Grants provide funding to and priority e-mail announcements from those fire districts that “ do not have access the Division and other State agencies. to computer equipment, Internet access, or training resources to enable them to access the GovConnect website”.

101 South Broad Street PO Box 803 Trenton, NJ 08625-0803 www.nj.gov/dca/lgs/egg [email protected] 609.943.4724 GovConnect Grant Program Information EGG Number: 11 Page 2

1. One Internet capable desktop computer For the purpose of this EGG Notice, the (laptop units do not qualify) term “District Official” means an individual Minimum Specifications: appointed by the Commissioners to access  Pentium III Processor or equivalent the system and receive e-mail on behalf of (Apple-based products are not the Commission. The grant application approved for GovConnect support) requires the District to name an official so  56k Modem 5 Gb Hard Drive they can be enrolled in the system.   64 Mb Memory  CD-Rom drive Eligibility Requirements  Windows 98 or later operating system  Browser: Microsoft Explorer4.0 / GovConnect Grants are for any fire district Netscape Navigator 4.7 or higher in which the district official does not have  Surge protector with phone line access to an Internet capable PC or access protector (short-term uninterruptible to the Internet to conduct fire district power supply (UPS) recommended) business over the Internet and the Note: Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and GovConnect web site. Adobe viewers are available for free download to view and print documents posted on the Further, computers and access provided GovConnect site. Users are encouraged, but through this program shall not be used for not required to purchase an office suite personal or non-fire district purposes. program.)

Funding 2. One Inkjet or laser printer, with new PC purchase only. Grants of up to $1,000 are available to help  Internet Access eligible fire districts purchase computer hardware, software, training, and Internet For an existing PC, the grant will provide service. Because the value of the grant is a $360 for purchase of 3 years dial-up minimum amount to buy basic resources, Internet access subscription from an fire districts are encouraged to supplement Internet Service Provider (ISP). After this the grant with district funds. This will period, the fire district is to absorb the cost. enable the fire district to acquire a This is based on metered service @ 20 computer or Internet access of greater hours per month (approx 1 hour per capability than the bare minimum the grant business day). will fund. The funding is available only to June 1, 2004. When a PC is purchased as part of the grant, two years of Internet access is Grant Elements allowed since most new PC’s have one year a service included. In this case the grant While the maximum grant is capped at will provide $240. $1,000 it is divided into the following categories, depending on the fire district’s Examples of ISP Subscription Options needs:  Metered - $9.95/20 hrs. -$1.50 per additional hour.  Hardware and Software: $700  Unlimited - $16.95 - $21.95  DSL/Cable- $49.95 GovConnect Grant Program Information EGG Number: 11 Page 3

 Free – This is available in some areas, but users are subjected to The Local Public Contracts Law permits the advertising in exchange for the District to buy the computer and related free service. services from any vendor, based on “sound business practice.” The availability of ISP Selection Criteria – when support and training from the vendor from considering selecting an ISP, the following whom the computer is purchased should be elements should be taken into account: part of the purchasing decision. 1. IT provides dial-up access to a local exchange (not just area code) In addition to the many national retail 2. Free set-up chains and specialized computer vendors, 3. Toll free technical support – 24 districts can buy from local retailers or hours/7 days computer stores. Districts may also want 4. Supports modem speed of 56k to consider buying through the States Division of Purchase and Property:  Training: Maximum $60 Cooperative Purchasing Program. Call 609.984.7047 and refer to contract ID For either on-site or classroom instruction. #T0483 for detailed information on Training is for new computer users to train Microcomputer products. (Note: while them in basic computer use (Windows) and valuable for purchasing state-of-the-art how to access and navigate the Internet. computers, some additional funding may be required for fire districts buying one Resources for computer training can computer.) include:  Municipality ISP Vendors  County College (non-credit)  Local High School Adult/Continuing Unlimited ISP service is often available from Education programs many equipment vendors and may be  County Vocational/Technical High bundled as part of the purchase price. Schools . Some vendors offer discount pricing  Retail computer/electronics stores on subscription service when included  Local consultants with equipment purchase. . Some of the largest ISP’s include Procurement America Online, AT&T Worldnet, Microsoft Network (MSN), Earthlink, Fire district accounting rules do not permit Verizon and local CATV companies (if a district to amend their 2004 budgets to available in your area). Many often anticipate grant revenue. However, include support of an Internet home districts that receive grant approval are page for the users, as well as encouraged to make their purchases in the multiple e-mail accounts. current year if other funds are available within their 2004 budget, and budget the . Most PC’s come with information on revenue in next year’s budget. Otherwise, subscribing to several different ISP’s. the district may wait until next year’s . If the national providers do not budget to buy the computer. However, provide a local phone number, look you still must apply for the grant by for local ISP’s in phone books or in June 1, 2004! other local resources. The local GovConnect Grant Program Information EGG Number: 11 Page 4

school district or library may also be 2. Submit three completed GovConnect able to provide access service. Grant Eligibility Statement’s certifying and attesting that the Fire . If the fire district is planning to buy District meets the eligibility less than unlimited service, be aware requirements as described under that not all vendors provide the Section II of the grant package. service. MSN provides metered Eligibility is subject to verification by (hourly) service that meets the the Division. GovConnect grant minimum of 20 hours per month. Others provide different levels of service at different fees. Terms and Conditions

. When buying ISP service, be sure to 1. Method of Payment: DLGS will check how the vendor accepts reimburse expenses for qualified payment. Many will only accept purchases up to the amounts allowed credit cards, that fire districts are not under Section IV of this program. Fire authorized (at this time) to use for Districts are permitted and encouraged purchases. In that case, the local to add local funding to acquire unit may want to consider equipment and services over the reimbursing an employee who pays minimum requirement. for the service personally, otherwise, make sure the vendor will accept a 2. Purchases: to be eligible for voucher. Payment in advance of reimbursement, all purchases must be receiving the service is permitted, as made between 2/1/04 and 3/1/05. this can be considered as a 3. Request for Payment: the fire district subscription service (like a magazine must submit a Payment Request with or membership). copies of purchase orders and payment records for the purchase of qualified Grant Application Requirements equipment, software or training. To receive a GovConnect Grant for an 4. Reimbursement: all reimbursement eligible Fire District, applicants are required requests must be postmarked by June to complete the enclosed Grant Package 1, 2005. and return it to the Division of Local Government Services by June 1, 2004. 5. Registration: the fire district official The package requires that the fire district: must enroll on the GovConnect website and is required to check the site on a 1. Adopt a resolution that is identical or regular basis, pursuant to the substantially similar to the sample GovConnect Usage Policies. resolution that is enclosed with the 6. Indemnification: the fire district shall grant application package. The hold the State harmless from damages resolution must be passed by a to real or tangible property. majority of the full membership of 7. Equipment and Internet Access: the the Commission. Three copies of fire district agrees to maintain the the resolution must be signed and computer in working condition and to sealed by the Secretary of the Board. ensure Internet Access for the district official. GovConnect Grant Program Information EGG Number: 11 Page 5

8. Usage: Users are subject to GovConnect Usage Policies.