JUS01-TRAID-2026

The Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities (TRAID) Program, overseen by the New York State Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs, is accepting applications under opportunity JUS01-TRAID-2026. This grant program is designed to enhance the independence and quality of life for individuals with disabilities through access to assistive technology (AT) devices. The Justice Center invites not-for-profit organizations to apply for funding to operate as Regional TRAID Centers (RTCs) serving specific geographic regions across New York State. The TRAID program is federally authorized under the Assistive Technology Act (P.L. 108-364) and supported by Memoranda of Understanding with the New York State Department of Health and State Education Department to deliver AT services to diverse populations including children, older adults, and individuals in vocational rehabilitation. The core mission of the TRAID program is to facilitate access to AT devices that improve everyday functioning in education, employment, and community living. Regional TRAID Centers are required to deliver a comprehensive suite of services categorized under two federal funding activity types: state-level and state leadership activities. At least 60% of funding must be allocated to state-level activities such as device reuse, lending, demonstration, and financing. No more than 40% may be used for state leadership activities, including training, technical assistance, public awareness, and direct information and assistance. Each RTC must also dedicate at least 5% of their funding to transition-focused training or assistance. In addition to federal funding, centers will manage responsibilities funded through state-level MOUs focused on Early Intervention (ages 0–3), Money Follows the Person (transitioning from nursing homes), and ACCES-VR (supporting individuals aged 14 and over in vocational or educational environments). Applicants must be not-for-profit entities registered in the New York State Financial System and prequalified through the New York Grants Gateway. Each awardee will assume responsibility for maintaining and expanding an inventory of AT devices appropriate to their region’s needs. These inventories should span low to high-tech devices and medical equipment, with procurement practices aligned with spending guidelines and requirements for tagging and tracking through the designated data system. Organizations must also maintain programmatic benchmarks and provide regular performance and expenditure reports, including data for the National Assistive Technology Act Data System (NATADS). Applications must be submitted electronically to the Justice Center via email with region-specific subject lines. Submissions should include a Technical Response document addressing the extensive narrative questions in Section 2.7.1, a completed expenditure-based budget (Attachment B-1), and the signed compliance forms for Executive Order 177, Sexual Harassment Prevention, Gender-Based Violence, and MWBE policy (Attachments E–H). All application materials must be submitted by 6:00 PM ET on May 1, 2026. Questions are due by April 15, 2026, and answers will be posted by April 20, 2026. No late applications will be accepted. The anticipated contract start date is October 1, 2026, with an initial term of five years and five optional one-year renewals. Applications will be scored based on a combination of technical narrative (80%) and financial response (20%). Awards will be made to the highest-scoring applicant in each of the twelve defined geographic regions. Approximately $8.56 million in total funding will be awarded across these regions for the five-year term, with specific allocations provided per region and per funding source. All awarded grantees will be required to comply with the New York State Master Contract for Grants and complete contract documentation including a work plan, expenditure budgets, and compliance attachments. For further details and full documentation, applicants can visit the official procurement page at https://www.justicecenter.ny.gov/procurement-opportunities or contact Courtney Souza at [email protected].