Silhouette of drone flying above city at sunset

AirSight and Strategic Communications Partner for Drone Detection Procurement

Public safety agencies gain a streamlined path to purchase counter-UAS technology ahead of upcoming federal grant funding cycles.

AirSight is partnering with public-sector technology procurement specialist Strategic Communications to expand the reach of its airspace security platform.

The agreement places AirSight’s AirGuard drone detection and pilot-location platform into Strategic Communications’ public-safety procurement programs. The partnership aims to provide state, local, tribal and territorial agencies with a legally compliant path to acquire counter-unmanned aircraft systems technology before federal funding opportunities expand.

The collaboration comes as the Federal Emergency Management Agency prepares to open its second round of Counter-UAS Grant Program funding. After awarding an initial $250 million to 11 World Cup host states and the National Capital Region, a second round of more than $250 million will open to all 56 U.S. states and territories.

Public safety operators, including law enforcement, corrections and emergency management agencies, must navigate strict federal procurement guidelines when spending FEMA grant dollars. Failure to comply with these federal purchasing rules can jeopardize the grant funding.

To bypass long procurement delays, agencies utilize pre-vetted cooperative and government contract vehicles that have already cleared regulatory hurdles. The new partnership addresses this operational barrier by integrating AirGuard into existing, compliant purchasing channels.

Under the agreement, AirGuard will be accessible through Strategic Communications’ Justice and Public Safety Technology Resources for Unifying Strategies and Tactics program, which helps public safety agencies evaluate and source modern technology.

Additionally, eligible agencies can acquire the platform through the NASPO ValuePoint cooperative purchasing program. This state-led cooperative satisfies the federal procurement standards required for FEMA grants.

As a certified Woman- and Minority-Owned Small Business, Strategic Communications will also assist agencies in meeting small-business participation benchmarks often required in federal grant applications. The two entities plan to collaborate directly with end users to scope and justify airspace security needs before the next federal grant cycle opens.

About the Author

Jesse Jacobs is assistant editor of SecurityToday.com.

Featured

New Products

  • Luma x20

    Luma x20

    Snap One has announced its popular Luma x20 family of surveillance products now offers even greater security and privacy for home and business owners across the globe by giving them full control over integrators’ system access to view live and recorded video. According to Snap One Product Manager Derek Webb, the new “customer handoff” feature provides enhanced user control after initial installation, allowing the owners to have total privacy while also making it easy to reinstate integrator access when maintenance or assistance is required. This new feature is now available to all Luma x20 users globally. “The Luma x20 family of surveillance solutions provides excellent image and audio capture, and with the new customer handoff feature, it now offers absolute privacy for camera feeds and recordings,” Webb said. “With notifications and integrator access controlled through the powerful OvrC remote system management platform, it’s easy for integrators to give their clients full control of their footage and then to get temporary access from the client for any troubleshooting needs.”

  • Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems, an industry-leading manufacturer of pedestrian and vehicle secure entrance control access systems, is pleased to announce the release of its groundbreaking V07 software. The V07 software update is designed specifically to address cybersecurity concerns and will ensure the integrity and confidentiality of Automatic Systems applications. With the new V07 software, updates will be delivered by means of an encrypted file.

  • Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden Door Controls is pleased to announce that, in response to soaring customer demand, it has expanded its range of ValueWave™ no-touch switches to include a narrow (slimline) version with manual override. This override button is designed to provide additional assurance that the request to exit switch will open a door, even if the no-touch sensor fails to operate. This new slimline switch also features a heavy gauge stainless steel faceplate, a red/green illuminated light ring, and is IP65 rated, making it ideal for indoor or outdoor use as part of an automatic door or access control system. ValueWave™ no-touch switches are designed for easy installation and trouble-free service in high traffic applications. In addition to this narrow version, the CM-221 & CM-222 Series switches are available in a range of other models with single and double gang heavy-gauge stainless steel faceplates and include illuminated light rings.