Technology Assistance

The IJIS Institute offers technology assistance to state and local jurisdictions to assist with the planning and implementation of information sharing projects in the justice, public safety, and homeland security domains. We leverage the expertise and experience of private sector information technology firms and provide objective and cost-effective technology recommendations and solutions to decision makers and project stakeholders. Technology assistance services are provided by the IJIS Institute through an innovative delivery approach that engages the resources and expertise of industry. By participating in this service area, industry is afforded the unique opportunity to work with jurisdictions in need of technology assistance.

Technology Assistance (TA) Assessments and Engagements

The technology assistance (TA) program includes assessments and engagements that can help agencies review technical and strategic planning, review technical artifacts (system architecture, data modeling, and data messaging), and address specific technology questions and challenges.

Technology assistance offered by the IJIS Institute provided under the provisions of the BJA grant provides the following services:

  • Limited, short-term engagements (between 1 to 5 days)
  • Telephone support for specific technology problem solving
  • Assistance that is staffed from representatives from multiple firms, to ensure a company-neutral assessment
  • Assistance that is focused on technology-related issues and integrated justice system implementation
  • Documentation for the jurisdiction describing the technology assistance and any outcomes. All technology assistance activities will result in the documentation of the technology assistance that will be circulated to the Justice Department, and the Jurisdiction. Information about IJIS Institute technology assistance that has national implications for justice information integration will be posted to the IJIS Institute Web site in form of an Abstract and the full report may be made available upon request approval.
  • Assistance that is structured in a fair and balanced manner, so that firms of the individual IJIS Institute members are not precluded from bidding on subsequent work with the jurisdiction

See the Industry Opportunities page for active calls to IJIS Institute member companies to participate in upcoming TA engagements.

What are the Guidelines?

The assistance provided by the IJIS Institute under the provisions of the BJA grant must be focused on technology issues and may be provided at any time during the lifecycle of the implementation of a multi-agency integration effort. Activities authorized under the terms and conditions of the grant include:

  • Evaluating multiple jurisdictions’ technology environment and making recommendations on appropriate technology solutions, based on that environment and the jurisdiction’s need and vision for the future
  • Providing information and education on technology-related topics to multiple agencies in pursuit of implementing integrated justice systems
  • Providing a solution to a specific technology-based problem, such as assisting a jurisdiction in crafting a technical approach to convert a database from one format to another

What are the Limitations?

The IJIS Institute will NOT use funding provided under the BJA grant for any of the following type of activities:

  • Long-term consulting engagements
  • Engagements that address obtaining political support or other such areas where there is not strong technology or business/justice content
  • Evaluation or recommendation of specific companies to perform project work
  • While the IJIS Institute will not work with jurisdictions to write procurement documents, it should be noted that providing public sector agencies with information, tools, and resources on planning for procurement and the steps that lead to the development of successful Requests for Proposals are central to the mission of the IJIS Institute
  • The IJIS Institute reserves the right to provide such services to interested jurisdictions if the jurisdiction decides to procure such services directly from the IJIS Institute and pay for them with their own funds

How Does the Process Work?

To obtain assistance from the IJIS Institute, an entity must first make a written request to the Executive Director on the agency letterhead that specifies, in as much detail as possible, the precise areas of technology assistance related to an integrated justice project for which they desire assistance.

icon: email form Request technology assistance services.

icon: email form Request information about a technology assistance opportunity.

You can read the abstracts from completed TA engagements.