State, Local, Tribal and Territorial National Information Exchange Model Cyber Pilot | DHS 20 CISA 128 NIEM001

Opportunity Information: Apply for DHS 20 CISA 128 NIEM001

The State, Local, Tribal and Territorial National Information Exchange Model (NIEM) Cyber Pilot is a fiscal year 2020 discretionary grant opportunity from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), administered through the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), Stakeholder Engagement Division. It is structured as a cooperative agreement, meaning CISA expects to have an active partnership role with the awardee while the pilot work is carried out. The overall aim is to strengthen how non-federal government partners share cyber-related information by using NIEM, a long-standing framework that provides a common vocabulary and data standards so different organizations can exchange information more consistently and efficiently.

The opportunity is rooted in CISA's statutory mission under the Homeland Security Act of 2002, as amended by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Act of 2018. In practical terms, CISA is trying to improve shared situational awareness across federal and non-federal entities so they can coordinate faster, more integrated responses to cybersecurity risks and incidents. The problem being addressed is that cyber threats evolve quickly and often cross organizational and jurisdictional boundaries, but the data needed to understand and respond to those threats is frequently stored in incompatible formats or described using different terminology. Without a common structure, even willing partners can struggle to exchange actionable information in time.

NIEM is presented as the core solution approach. NIEM has been used for more than a decade to support information exchanges across multiple mission areas, originally in law enforcement and homeland security and later expanding into many other domains. CISA is building on that history by focusing on the NIEM Cyber Domain, with the intent of translating cybersecurity and cyber-physical incident information into a standardized exchange format. The emphasis on "cyber-physical" highlights that many incidents are not purely digital; they can affect operational technology, public services, and physical systems managed by state and local entities.

The specific purpose of this pilot is to explore and develop a prototype data exchange standard format based on NIEM, working with a select group of states as initial partners. The idea is to validate the model in a real-world environment first, then use what is learned to support broader rollout across State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial (SLTT) agencies. If successful, the pilot is meant to produce an effective and repeatable model for improving SLTT information exchange capabilities, enabling faster and more consistent sharing of cybersecurity risk and incident data among governments and potentially with other partners.

From the funding details provided, the opportunity number is DHS 20 CISA 128 NIEM001 and it is categorized under Science and Technology and other Research and Development (CFDA 97.128). CISA anticipated making one award with an award ceiling of $625,000. The opportunity was created on June 29, 2020, with an original closing date of July 27, 2020. Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations (including both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3) entities), and other entities as further clarified in the official eligibility text.

• The Department of Homeland Security, Office of Procurement Operations - Grants Division in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "State, Local, Tribal and Territorial National Information Exchange Model Cyber Pilot" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 97.128.
• This funding opportunity was created on Jun 29, 2020.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 27, 2020 No Explanation. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $625,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for DHS 20 CISA 128 NIEM001

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