Online Sting Operations Grant Program for Local Law Enforcement

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement, through its Planning and Budgeting Bureau, administers the Online Sting Operations Grant Program for Local Law Enforcement using state financial assistance. The program provides state funding to local law enforcement agencies in Florida to support the creation and execution of sting operations targeting individuals who solicit children online. Program goals include identifying, disrupting, and dismantling the activities of online offenders who solicit children; arresting and prosecuting identified offenders; identifying prior and current victims; seizing vehicles, electronic devices, and mobile devices used in crimes; and conducting digital forensic examinations of seized devices to identify additional victims and collect evidence for prosecution. The solicitation for the referenced funding cycle is closed. Funding is provided as a cost reimbursement grant. Available program funds are distributed according to the operational needs of each agency's investigations, subject to FDLE approval, with combined program funding not to exceed $2,500,000. The source materials do not establish a minimum or maximum award amount for an individual applicant and do not state the number of awards expected. The award period is 12 months, beginning July 1, 2025 and ending June 30, 2026. No applicant cost-share or matching requirement is stated. However, recipient agencies are responsible for renewal costs for equipment and software after the grant period. Award funds must support the creation or execution of online sting operations targeting individuals who solicit children online. Reimbursable expenses may include computers, electronics, software, and other related necessary supplies. The request form further identifies equipment and supplies as computers, electronics, and related items, and identifies other costs as software and related items. Items purchased before the beginning of the grant period are unallowable. The program information specifically excludes personnel costs, community outreach and education activities, food and beverage, and transportation or travel costs. The application form additionally lists training costs, trinkets and giveaways, and construction or remodels among disallowed costs. Eligible applicants are local law enforcement agencies in the State of Florida. An applicant must be a signed affiliate of its regional Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and must obtain and submit a Letter of Support from its agency's ICAC Commander. To qualify for that support, the ICAC Commander reviews whether individuals who will use requested equipment have attended required ICAC training and whether the applicant agency adheres to ICAC standards. Recipient agencies must also agree to cover equipment and software renewal costs beyond the grant period. Each month, recipients must provide performance measures with their reimbursement claim, including the number of arrests made, children rescued, seizures or vehicles, victims identified, and digital devices examined. Applicants were instructed to complete the FY25-26 FDLE Online Sting Request Form and attach the ICAC Commander's Letter of Support, then email both documents to OPBFunding@fdle.state.fl.us. The request form asks for the requesting agency, case name when applicable, anticipated start and completion dates, current or ongoing investigative efforts, and information about deconfliction. It also asks whether the case is funded in whole or in part by another agency, grant, task force, or other funding source. Applicants must identify whether the submission is an initial or supplemental request and provide an itemized budget for requested equipment, supplies, software, and related costs. The form also requests recipient grant manager, chief official, and chief financial officer information; agency name, FEID or FEIN, and remittance address; and certification and signature by the recipient chief official or designee. The provided materials do not state scored evaluation criteria, a numerical review methodology, an application opening date, a specific application deadline, or an award notification date. They state that available funds will be distributed based on the operational needs of each agency's investigations as approved by FDLE. The program page identifies the solicitation as closed, and the supplied materials do not explicitly state that the opportunity recurs annually or on another regular schedule. Accordingly, no future cycle or recurring deadline is established from the source. The stated performance period for this cycle is July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026. Questions concerning the program may be directed to FDLE contacts Taylor Luttenton, Government Analyst II, at 850-410-7007 or TaylorLuttenton@fdle.state.fl.us, and Rebecca Gardner, Chief of Planning and Budgeting, at 850-879-1490 or RebeccaGardner@fdle.state.fl.us. Application materials were required to be emailed to OPBFunding@fdle.state.fl.us. The application form confirms the eligibility requirements, budget structure, required recipient and agency information, certification, and monthly performance measures associated with reimbursement claims.

Demonstrate that requested costs directly support the identified online sting operation and operational investigative needs; obtain the required ICAC Commander Letter of Support; ensure individuals using requested equipment have completed required ICAC training; demonstrate adherence to ICAC standards; request only allowable computers, electronics, software, and related necessary items; exclude personnel, training, trinkets/giveaways, community outreach/education, construction/remodels, food/beverage, and transportation/travel costs; do not request reimbursement for purchases made before the grant period.