13psnsol.pdf

U.S. Department of Justice OMB No. 1121-0329 Office of Justice Programs Bureau of Justice Assistance

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Justice Programs' (OJP) Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) is seeking applications for funding under the Violent Gang and Gun Crime Reduction Program, also known as Project Safe Neighborhoods. This program furthers DOJ’s mission and violent crime reduction strategy by providing support to state, local, and tribal efforts to reduce gun and gang-related violent crime.

Violent Gang and Gun Crime Reduction Program

(Project Safe Neighborhoods) FY 2013 Competitive Grant Announcement

Eligibility

Eligible applicants are PSN Task Force fiscal agents for the U.S. Attorney districts and federally recognized Indian tribal governments as determined by the Secretary of the Interior. All fiscal agents must be certified by the relevant U.S. Attorney’s Office (USAO). Eligible fiscal agents include states, units of local government, educational institutions, faith-based and other community organizations, private nonprofit organizations, and federally recognized Indian tribal governments as determined by the Secretary of the Interior. For details on the fiscal agent certification process, see www.bja.gov/programs/psn/cert_process.html.

There are categories for small, medium, and large districts as well as for federally recognized American Indian tribes and Alaska Native tribes, and/or tribal organizations. Applicants may only apply to one category. The categories are:

Category 1: USAO district populations of 5 million or more.

Category 2: USAO district populations of 2 million–4,999,999.

Category 3: USAO district populations under 2 million.

Category 4: Federally recognized American Indian tribes and Alaska Native tribes, and/or tribal organizations. Tribes and tribal organizations must coordinate their application with the local USAO as well as provide a letter of certification from the local USAO for their application.

BJA may elect to make awards for applications submitted under this solicitation in future fiscal years, dependent on the merit of the applications and on the availability of appropriations.

Deadline

Applicants must register with Grants.gov prior to submitting an application. (See “How To Apply,” page 20.) All applications are due by 11:59 p.m. eastern time on March 11, 2013. (See “Deadlines: Registration and Application,” page 4.)

http://www.usdoj.gov/ http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/index.htm https://www.bja.gov/ https://www.bja.gov/ http://www.bja.gov/programs/psn/cert_process.html http://www.grants.gov/applicants/apply_for_grants.jsp

BJA-2013-3476

OMB No. 1121-0329 Approval Expires 02/28/2013

Contact Information

For technical assistance with submitting an application, contact the Grants.gov Customer Support Hotline at 800-518-4726 or 606–545–5035 or via e-mail to support@grants.gov

Note: Grants.gov Support Hotline hours of operation are 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, except federal holidays.

For assistance with any other requirement of this solicitation, contact the BJA Justice Information Center at 1–877–927–5657, via e-mail to JIC@telesishq.com, or by live web chat.

The BJA Justice Information Center hours of operation are 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. eastern time, Monday through Friday, and 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. eastern time on the solicitation close date.

Grants.Gov number assigned to announcement: BJA-2013-3476

Release date: January 9, 2013 mailto:support@grants.gov http://www.grants.gov/applicants/apply_for_grants.jsp mailto:JIC@telesishq.com http://www.justiceinformationcenter.us/

CONTENTS

Overview 4

Deadlines: Registration and Application 4

Eligibility 4

PSN—Specific Information 5

Performance Measures 9

Notice of Post-Award FFATA Reporting Requirement 11

What an Application Should Include 14 Information to Complete the Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424)

Program Abstract Program Narrative

Budget Detail Worksheet and Budget Narrative Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (if applicable)

Tribal Authorizing Resolution (if applicable) Additional Attachments

Other Standard Forms

Selection Criteria 17

Review Process 19

Additional Requirements 20

How To Apply 12

Provide Feedback to OJP on This Solicitation 21

Application Checklist 22

Appendix 23

Violent Gang and Gun Crime Reduction Program

(CFDA #16.609)

Overview

Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is designed to create safer neighborhoods through a sustained reduction in crime associated with gang and gun violence, and violent offenders. The program's effectiveness is based on the cooperation of local, state, and federal agencies engaged in a unified approach led by the U.S. Attorney (USA) in each district. The USA is responsible for establishing a collaborative PSN task force of federal, state, and local law enforcement and other community members to implement gang and gun crime enforcement, intervention and prevention initiatives within the district. Through the PSN task force, the USA will implement the five design features of PSN—partnerships, strategic planning, training, outreach, and accountability—to address specific gun and gang crime, and violent offenders, in the most violent neighborhoods. Details on the five design features (also referred to as core elements) can be found later in this grant announcement and online at www.ncjrs.gov/html/bja/205263/.

The Department of Justice has transitioned the PSN program from a formula-based allocation of funding to a competitive-based program. In a competitive environment, “need” and use of more effective, intelligence- and data-driven strategies will be key factors for funding selections, in addition to performance results and other factors. Therefore, grant awards for FY 2013 will be made through a competitive process to encourage and focus funding in high-performing and evidence-based programs where the need is greatest and where the most violent neighborhoods, within districts, are being addressed. Funding for this initiative is anticipated through the FY 2013 appropriation.

Deadlines: Registration and Application

Applicants must register with Grants.gov in order to submit an application. OJP encourages applicants to register several weeks before the application submission deadline. In addition, OJP urges applicants to submit applications well in advance of the application due date. The deadline to apply for funding under this announcement is 11:59 p.m. eastern time on March 11, 2013. See the “How To Apply” section on page 20 for more details. Note that while the deadline for submission is 11:59 p.m. eastern time on March 11, 2013, staff assistance through the BJA Justice Information Center is only available until 8:00 p.m. eastern time (see “Contact Information” on page 2 for more information about BJA’s Justice Information Center).

Eligibility

Refer to the title page for eligibility under this program.

http://www.ncjrs.gov/html/bja/205263/

PSN—Specific Information

An evaluation of PSN, funded by the National Institute of Justice and conducted by Michigan State University (MSU),1 found that:

• PSN target cities achieved a 4.1 percent decline in violent crime compared to 0.9 percent decline in non-target cities.

• Of the PSN sites for which case studies were conducted, 8 out of 10 experienced statistically significant reductions in violent crime, ranging from 2 percent to 42 percent.

In addition, the evaluation suggested that key factors for success included USAO leadership, cross-agency buy-in, and the flexibility of the program to adjust to the realities of individual jurisdictions.

Because there are significant differences among U.S. communities in the level and nature of gun and/or gang crime, PSN needs to be able to adapt to the unique circumstances of each local jurisdiction. The PSN evaluation findings suggest that the likelihood of success of the applicant’s PSN strategy improves depending on the extent to which the following design features are incorporated and implemented.

Required PSN Design Features There are five PSN design features that all PSN grant applicants should address in their application. The five design features are:

1. Partnerships: The PSN program is intended to increase partnerships between federal, state, and local agencies through the formation of a local PSN task force. Coordinated by the USAO, the PSN task force typically includes both federal and local prosecutors; federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies; and correctional agencies, including local probation and parole agencies. Nearly all PSN task forces include additional members, such as representatives of local governments, social service providers, neighborhood leaders, members of the faith community, non-profit organizations, business leaders, educators, and health care providers.

The PSN evaluation conducted by MSU suggested that in general, the involvement of more community stakeholders translated to better case selection and greater attention being paid to both prevention and deterrence as important parts of the strategic plan—that is, a better functioning task force. MSU’s findings also suggested that the degree to which the district had a positive history of working collaboratively with state and local law enforcement agencies and community groups led to better PSN outcomes. Collaborative working relationships under strong leadership enhanced success.

2. Strategic Planning and Research Integration: PSN is a problem-solving program, based on a strategic planning process in which jurisdictions should define the specific components of their gun and/or gang violence problem with the help of proactive crime analysis, and research data and design focused strategies to target these problem components through enforcement/prosecution, deterrence, and prevention. Recognizing that crime problems, including gun and gang violence, illegal drug sales and distribution, as well as other violent

1 McGarrell, E.F., et al. February 2009. “Project Safe Neighborhoods—A National Program to Reduce Gun Crime:

Final Project Report.” Final Report submitted to the National Institute of Justice. Washington, D.C.: Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice.

crime and violent offenders vary from community to community across the United States, PSN includes a commitment to tailor the program to the local crime issue and to be intelligence-led and data-driven.

Specifically, PSN strongly encourages the inclusion of a local research partner to work with the PSN task force to analyze the local crime problem and help develop a proactive plan for crime reduction. The goal for the research partner is to assist the task force through analysis of crime patterns and trends that could help the task force focus resources on the most serious people, places, and contexts of violence. The research partner should bring evidence-based practices to the task force discussions of crime reduction strategies. The inclusion of the research partner is also intended to assist in the ongoing assessment of data in order to provide feedback to the task force. MSU’s findings suggested that the extent to which a PSN task force integrated research partners and available data into its decisionmaking matrix improved the effectiveness of the PSN strategy. MSU found that overall, PSN task forces appeared to operate more effectively when they consistently obtained quality data from reliable research partners. As such, applicants must set aside a minimum of 20 percent of their proposed budget to directly support the researcher’s operations and activities (e.g., collecting data, analyzing data, salary, etc.) to support the PSN task force, as well as attend the PSN Orientation course conducted by MSU for BJA.

Note: George Mason University's Center for Evidence-Based Crime Policy (CEBCP), in collaboration with BJA, has formed an e-Consortium for University Centers and Researchers for Partnership with Justice Practitioners. The purpose of this e-Consortium is to provide a resource to local, state, federal, and other groups who seek to connect to nearby (or other) university researchers and centers on partnerships and projects that are mutually beneficial. Access the e- Consortium at gmuconsortium.org.

3. Training: A core component of PSN is its provision of training opportunities to local district task forces to assist them in the effective implementation of all aspects of the program. Training topics include gun crime investigations, crime gun identification and tracing, and related issues.

Training on effective prosecution of gun and gang cases has been provided to state and local law enforcement and prosecutors. Additional training has focused on strategic problem-solving and community outreach and community engagement. Training for local law enforcement on community policing can also be beneficial.

4. Outreach: This PSN component involves both local and national outreach efforts. Locally, districts should be sending a deterrent message to would-be criminals stressing “hard time for gun and gang-related crime,” with simultaneous promotion of educational, intervention/ prevention, reentry, and employment alternatives. The increased sanctions would have the most impact if accompanied with a media campaign to communicate the message of the likelihood of federal prosecution for illegal possession and use of a gun.

5. Accountability and Data-Driven Efforts: This element emphasizes that PSN will focus on outcomes—i.e., reduced gun and gang crime—as opposed to a focus on outputs such as arrests and cases prosecuted. That is, PSN’s success is ultimately measured by the reduction in gun and gang crime. This accountability component is linked to strategic planning whereby PSN task forces, working with their local research partner, are asked to monitor crime data over time as related to the targeted problems and/or targeted areas.

http://www.gmuconsortium.org/

Leveraging Other Resources in FY 2013 and Beyond PSN should be a part of an overall comprehensive community strategy. In light of reduced federal grant dollars in FY 2013 and in the future, applicants are encouraged to leverage other federal grant dollars and existing grant resources already in the community, and to partner with a research partner to conduct an impact evaluation to determine the results of the PSN program which may help in securing longer-term funding and sustaining the program locally.

Assistance of BJA’s Training and Technical Assistance Provider Successful applicants will work closely with MSU, one of BJA’s national PSN training and technical assistance (TTA) partners, to assist districts with incorporating intelligence-led, research-based policing as a fundamental element in their response to crime. MSU works directly with BJA to provide TTA information sharing sessions, facilitate peer-to-peer exchanges of information, administer targeted subject matter expertise that is relevant to specific PSN, and other violence reduction programs. A listing of additional PSN TTA providers can be found at:

www.bja.gov/ProgramDetails.aspx?Program_ID=74.

Deconfliction and Officer Safety Consistent with Attorney General Holder’s stated priority on officer safety, PSN task forces should note that PSN funding can be used to address critical law enforcement officer safety concerns related to PSN target areas and activities. This includes identifying specific officer safety threats related to PSN targets and activities, addressing such threats through improved analytic capabilities locally or through the relevant state and local fusion center, improved situational awareness and information sharing, providing needed training, and protective equipment for state, local and tribal officers not otherwise available.2 Applicants must demonstrate a direct nexus to PSN in order for these expenses to be considered.

It is also strongly encouraged that PSN task force enforcement operations/events (e.g., surveillance, warrant service, undercover operations, take downs, and staging areas, etc.) be deconflicted through the DOJ-funded RISSafe Deconfliction System and other no-cost systems where applicable. More on RISSafe can be found at www.riss.net/Resources/RISSafe.

Goals and Objectives

The purpose of PSN is to reduce gun and gang violence by the most violent offenders in the most violent neighborhoods by employing a research-driven, intelligence-led, and problem-solving approach to reduce firearms and gang violence through enforcement, deterrence, and prevention. BJA is seeking proposals from applicants interested in developing innovative, comprehensive, data-driven approaches to reduce chronic gun and/or gang violence in their jurisdiction. BJA expects agencies to work toward a result; a PSN result is defined as a plausible, scientifically-based finding that a solution had either an effect or no effect on the problem. The involvement of a research partner is indispensable to achieving this result

2 In terms of information sharing, training and equipment, applicants should note that the DOJ-funded Regional Information Sharing Systems (RISS) Program provides state, local, tribal, and federal law enforcement agencies with secure methods for sharing criminal intelligence information, no-cost analytic services, training and loans of specialized investigative equipment and confidential funds. RISS membership fees are allowable costs under this program. More on RISS can be found at www.riss.net.

http://www.bja.gov/ProgramDetails.aspx?Program_ID=74 http://www.riss.net/Resources/RISSafe http://www.riss.net/

Evidence-Based Programs or Practices

OJP places a strong emphasis on the use of data and evidence in policy making and program development in criminal justice. OJP is committed to:

• improving the quantity and quality of evidence OJP generates;

• integrating evidence into program, practice, and policy decisions within OJP and the field; and

• improving the translation of evidence into practice.

OJP considers programs and practices to be evidence-based when their effectiveness has been demonstrated by causal evidence (generally obtained through one or more outcome evaluations). Causal evidence documents a relationship between an activity or intervention (including technology) and its intended outcome, including measuring the direction and size of a change, and the extent to which a change may be attributed to the activity or intervention.

Causal evidence depends on the use of scientific methods to rule out, to the extent possible, alternative explanations for the documented change. The strength of causal evidence, based on the factors described above, will influence the degree to which OJP considers a program or practice to be evidence-based. OJP’s CrimeSolutions.gov web site is one resource that applicants may use to find information about evidence-based programs in criminal justice, juvenile justice, and crime victim services.

Amount and Length of Awards

Awards will be made for a period of up to 24 months.

• Category 1 (Competition ID: BJA-2013-3477): USAO district populations of 5 million or more. Contingent upon the availability of funds, awards of up to $500,000 will be made.

• Category 2 (Competition ID: BJA-2013-3478): USAO district populations of 2 million–

4,999,999. Contingent upon the availability of funds, awards of up to $300,000 will be made.

• Category 3 (Competition ID: BJA-2013-3479): USAO district populations under 2 million.

Contingent upon the availability of funds, awards of up to $150,000 will be made.

• Category 4 (Competition ID: BJA-2013-3480): Federally recognized American Indian tribes and Alaska Native tribes, and/or tribal organizations. Contingent upon the availability of funds, awards of up to $150,000 will be made.

All awards are subject to the availability of appropriated funds and to any modifications or additional requirements that may be imposed by law.

Budget Information

Limitation on Use of Award Funds for Employee Compensation; Waiver With respect to any award of more than $250,000 made under this solicitation, federal funds may not be used to pay total cash compensation (salary plus bonuses) to any employee of the award recipient at a rate that exceeds 110 percent of the maximum annual salary payable to a member of the Federal Government’s Senior Executive Service (SES) at an agency with a Certified SES Performance Appraisal System for that year. The 2012 salary table for SES http://www.crimesolutions.gov/ employees is available at www.opm.gov/oca/12tables/indexSES.asp. Note: A recipient may compensate an employee at a higher rate, provided the amount in excess of this compensation limitation is paid with non-federal funds. (Any such additional compensation will not be considered matching funds where match requirements apply.)

The Assistant Attorney General (AAG) for OJP may exercise discretion to waive, on an individual basis, the limitation on compensation rates allowable under an award. An applicant requesting a waiver should include a detailed justification in the budget narrative of the application. Unless the applicant submits a waiver request and justification with the application, the applicant should anticipate that OJP will request the applicant to adjust and resubmit its budget.

The justification should include the particular qualifications and expertise of the individual, the uniqueness of the service the individual will provide, the individual’s specific knowledge of the program or project being undertaken with award funds, and a statement explaining that the individual’s salary is commensurate with the regular and customary rate for an individual with his/her qualifications and expertise, and for the work that is to be done.

Minimization of Conference Costs OJP encourages applicants to review the OJP guidance on conference approval, planning, and reporting that is available on the OJP web site at www.ojp.gov/funding/confcost.htm. This guidance sets out the current OJP policy, which requires all funding recipients that propose to hold or sponsor conferences (including meetings, trainings, and other similar events) to minimize costs, requires OJP review and prior written approval of most conference costs for cooperative agreement recipients (and certain costs for grant recipients), and generally prohibits the use of OJP funding to provide food and beverages at conferences. The guidance also sets upper limits on many conference costs, including facility space, audio/visual services, logistical planning services, programmatic planning services, and food and beverages (in the rare cases where food and beverage costs are permitted at all).

Prior review and approval of conference costs can take time (see the guidance for specific deadlines), and applicants should take this into account when submitting proposals. Applicants also should understand that conference cost limits may change and that they should check the guidance for updates before incurring such costs.

Note on food and beverages: OJP may make exceptions to the general prohibition on using OJP funding for food and beverages, but will do so only in rare cases where food and beverages are not otherwise available (e.g., in extremely remote areas); the size of the event and capacity of nearby food and beverage vendors would make it impractical to not provide food and beverages; or a special presentation at a conference requires a plenary address where conference participants have no other time to obtain food and beverages. Any such exception requires OJP’s prior written approval. The restriction on food and beverages does not apply to water provided at no cost, but does apply to any and all other refreshments, regardless of the size or nature of the meeting. Additionally, this restriction does not affect direct payment of per diem amounts to individuals in a travel status under your organization’s travel policy.

Costs Associated with Language Assistance (if applicable) If an applicant proposes a program or activity that would deliver services or benefits to individuals, the costs of taking reasonable steps to provide meaningful access to those services or benefits by individuals with limited English proficiency may be allowable. Reasonable steps to http://www.opm.gov/oca/12tables/indexSES.asp http://www.ojp.gov/funding/confcost.htm provide meaningful access to services or benefits may include interpretation or translation services where appropriate.

For additional information, see the "Civil Rights Compliance" section of the OJP "Other Requirements for OJP Applications" web page (www.ojp.gov/funding/other_requirements.htm).

Match Requirement This solicitation does not require a match. However, if a successful application proposes a voluntary match amount, and OJP approves the budget, the total match amount incorporated into the approved budget becomes mandatory and subject to audit.

Performance Measures

To assist the Department with fulfilling its responsibilities under the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993 (GPRA), Public Law 103-62, and the GPRA Modernization Act of 2010, Public Law 111–352, applicants that receive funding under this solicitation must provide data that measure the results of their work done under this solicitation. Any award recipient will be required, post award, to provide the data requested in the “Data Grantee Provides” column so that OJP can calculate values for the “Performance Measures” column. Performance measures for this solicitation are as follows:

Objective Performance Measures Data Grantee Provides To create safer neighborhoods by reducing gun violence and gun crime, and sustaining that reduction.

Percentage of targeted PSN sites reporting a reduction over the previous year in the number of homicides with a firearm.

Percentage of targeted PSN sites reporting a reduction in the combined number of homicides, aggravated assaults, and robberies that are committed with a firearm.

Number of homicides with a firearm experienced during the current reporting period within the targeted PSN site.

Number of targeted PSN sites.

Combined number of homicides, aggravated assaults, and robberies that are committed with a firearm during the current reporting period within the targeted PSN site.

Number of targeted PSN sites.

Reduce the occurrence of violent gang-related* incidents through both reactive and proactive efforts supported by enforcement planning coordinated with federal, state, and local law enforcement and informed by data and real-time intelligence.

The percentage of combined homicides, aggravated assaults, and robberies that are gang-related.*

The total number of gang-related* homicides that occurred during the current reporting period.

The total number of gang-related* aggravated assaults that occurred during the current reporting period.

The total number of gang-related* robberies that occurred during the current reporting period.

The total number (gang-related* and non-gang-related) of homicides, aggravated assaults, and robberies that occurred during the current reporting period.

http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/funding/other_requirements.htm

Reduce the occurrence of youth gang-related* incidents and increase positive outcomes for youth at high risk for gang involvement through targeted, evidenced-based gang prevention (for grantees using funding for prevention programming).

Percentage of youth who successfully complete the program.

Total number of youth participating in the program during the current reporting period.

Number of youth that completed the program during the current reporting period.

Number of youth that exited the program during the current reporting period without completing the program.

*Note: The operational definition for "gang-related" will be established by each local district at the outset of the project and included on all progress reports. Applicants should consider measuring performance based on the following definition of “gang” as adopted by DOJ:

A. An association of three or more individuals; whose members collectively identify themselves by adopting a group identity which they use to create an atmosphere of fear or intimidation, frequently by employing one or more of the following: a common name, slogan, identifying sign, symbol, tattoo or other physical marking, style or color of clothing, hairstyle, hand sign, or graffiti;

B. Whose purpose, in part, is to engage in criminal activity and which uses violence or intimidation to further its criminal objectives;

C. Whose members engage in criminal activity, or acts of juvenile delinquency that if committed by an adult would be crimes, with the intent to enhance or preserve the association’s power, reputation, or economic resources.

D. The association may also possess some of the following characteristics:

1. The members may employ rules for joining and operating within the association;

2. The members may meet on a recurring basis;

3. The association may provide physical protection of its members from others;

4. The association may seek to exercise control over a particular geographic location or region, or it may simply defend its perceived interests against rivals;

5. The association may have an identifiable structure.

E. This definition is not intended to include drug trafficking organizations, terrorist organizations, traditional organized crime groups such as La Cosa Nostra, or groups that fall within the Department of Justice’s definition of international organized crime.

OJP does not require applicants to submit performance measures data with their applications.

Instead, applicants should discuss in their application their proposed methods for collecting data for performance measures. Please refer to the section “What an Application Should Include” on page 12 for additional information.

Note on Project Evaluations Applicants that propose to use funds awarded through this solicitation to conduct project evaluations should be aware that certain project evaluations (such as systematic investigations designed to develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge) may constitute “research” for purposes of applicable DOJ human subjects protection regulations. However, project evaluations that are intended only to generate internal improvements to a program or service, or are conducted only to meet OJP’s performance measure data reporting requirements likely do not constitute “research.” Applicants should provide sufficient information for OJP to determine whether the particular project they propose would either intentionally or unintentionally collect and/or use information in such a way that it meets the DOJ regulatory definition of research.

Research, for the purposes of human subjects protections for OJP-funded programs, is defined as, “a systematic investigation, including research development, testing, and evaluation, designed to develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge” 28 C.F.R. § 46.102(d). For additional information on determining whether a proposed activity would constitute research, see the decision tree to assist applicants on the “Research and the Protection of Human Subjects” section of the OJP “Other Requirements for OJP Applications” web page (www.ojp.gov/funding/other_requirements.htm). Applicants whose proposals may involve a research or statistical component also should review the “Confidentiality” section on that web page.

Notice of Post-Award FFATA Reporting Requirement

Applicants should anticipate that OJP will require all recipients (other than individuals) of awards of $25,000 or more under this solicitation, consistent with the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 (FFATA), to report award information on any first-tier subawards totaling $25,000 or more, and, in certain cases, to report information on the names and total compensation of the five most highly compensated executives of the recipient and first-tier subrecipients. Each applicant entity must ensure that it has the necessary processes and systems in place to comply with the reporting requirements should it receive funding. Reports regarding subawards will be made through the FFATA Subaward Reporting System (FSRS), found at www.fsrs.gov.

Note also that applicants should anticipate that no subaward of an award made under this solicitation may be made to a subrecipient (other than an individual) unless the potential subrecipient acquires and provides a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number.

What an Application Should Include

Applicants should anticipate that if they fail to submit an application that contains all of the specified elements, it may negatively affect the review of the application; and, should a decision be made to make an award, it may result in the inclusion of special conditions that preclude access to or use of award funds pending satisfaction of the conditions.

Moreover, applicants should anticipate that applications that are determined to be nonresponsive to the scope of the solicitation, or that do not include application elements that BJA has designated to be critical, will neither proceed to peer review nor receive further consideration. Under this solicitation, BJA has designated the following application elements as critical: Program Narrative and the Budget Detail Worksheet and Budget Narrative. The Budget https://www.fsrs.gov/

Narrative and the Budget Detail Worksheet may be combined in one document. However, if only one document is submitted, it must contain both narrative and detail information.

OJP strongly recommends use of appropriately descriptive file names (e.g., “Program Narrative,” “Budget Detail Worksheet and Budget Narrative,” “Timelines,” “Memoranda of Understanding,” “Resumes”) for all attachments. OJP recommends that resumes be included in a single file.

1. Information to Complete the Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424)

The SF-424 is a standard form required for use as a cover sheet for submission of pre-applications, applications, and related information. Grants.gov and GMS take information from the applicant’s profile to populate the fields on this form. When selecting "type of applicant," if the applicant is a for-profit entity, select "For-Profit Organization" or "Small Business" (as applicable).

2. Program Abstract

Applicants should provide a one-page abstract that clearly identifies the following:

• Category under which the applicant is applying

• District population

• Amount of federal funds requested and proposed project period.

• Goals, objectives, and brief description of the project.

The abstract should be double-spaced, using a standard 12-point font (Times New Roman is preferred) with 1-inch margins, and should not exceed 1 page. As a separate attachment, the project abstract will not count against the page limit for the program narrative.

Permission to Share Project Abstract with the Public: It is unlikely that the BJA will be able to fund all promising applications submitted under this solicitation, but it may have the opportunity to share information with the public regarding promising but unfunded applications, for example, through a listing on a webpage available to the public. The intent of this public posting would be to allow other possible funders to become aware of such proposals.

In the project abstract template, applicants are asked to indicate whether they give OJP permission to share their project abstract (including contact information) with the public.

Granting (or failing to grant) this permission will not affect OJP’s funding decisions, and, if the application is not funded, granting permission will not guarantee that abstract information will be shared, nor will it guarantee funding from any other source.

Note: OJP may choose not to list a project that otherwise would have been included in a listing of promising but unfunded applications, should the abstract fail to meet the format and content requirements noted above and outlined in the project abstract template.

3. Program Narrative The program narrative must respond to the solicitation (see PSN—Specific Information on pages 5-8) and the Selection Criteria (1-4). The program narrative should be double-spaced, using a standard 12-point font (Times New Roman is preferred) with 1-inch margins, and should not exceed 12 pages. Number pages “1 of 12,” “2 of 12,” etc.

If the program narrative fails to comply with these length-related restrictions, BJA may consider such noncompliance in peer review and in final award decisions.

Applicants are encouraged to incorporate comprehensive strategies and promising practices to address gun and/or gang crime. For more on these innovative approaches, see the Appendix.

The following sections should be included as part of the program narrative:

a. Statement of the Problem

b. Project Design and Implementation

c. Capabilities and Competencies

d. Plan for Collecting the Data Required for this Solicitation’s Performance Measures BJA does not require applicants to submit performance measures data with their applications. Performance measures are included as an alert that BJA will require successful applicants to submit specific data as part of their reporting requirements.

For the application, applicants should indicate an understanding of these requirements and discuss how they will gather the required data, should they receive funding.

4. Budget Detail Worksheet and Budget Narrative

a. Budget Detail Worksheet A sample Budget Detail Worksheet can be found at www.ojp.gov/funding/forms/budget_detail.pdf. Applicants that submit their budget in a different format should include the budget categories listed in the sample budget worksheet.

For questions pertaining to budget and examples of allowable and unallowable costs, see the OJP Financial Guide at www.ojp.usdoj.gov/financialguide/index.htm.

b. Budget Narrative The Budget Narrative should thoroughly and clearly describe every category of expense listed in the Budget Detail Worksheet. OJP expects proposed budgets to be complete, cost effective, and allowable (e.g., reasonable, allocable, and necessary for project activities).

Applicants should demonstrate in their budget narratives how they will maximize cost effectiveness of grant expenditures. Budget Narratives should demonstrate cost effectiveness in relation to potential alternatives and the goals of the project. For example, a budget narrative should detail why planned in-person meetings are necessary, or how technology and collaboration with outside organizations could be used to reduce costs, without compromising quality.

The narrative should be mathematically sound and correspond with the information and figures provided in the Budget Detail Worksheet. The narrative should explain how the applicant estimated and calculated all costs, and how they are relevant to the completion http://www.ojp.gov/funding/forms/budget_detail.pdf http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/financialguide/index.htm of the proposed project. The narrative may include tables for clarification purposes but need not be in a spreadsheet format. As with the Budget Detail Worksheet, the Budget Narrative should be broken down by year.

5. Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (if applicable)

Indirect costs are allowed only if the applicant has a federally approved indirect cost rate.

(This requirement does not apply to units of local government.) Attach a copy of the rate approval to the application. Applicants that do not have an approved rate may request one through their cognizant federal agency, which will review all documentation and approve a rate for the applicant organization or, if the applicant’s accounting system permits, costs may be allocated in the direct cost categories. If DOJ is the cognizant federal agency, obtain information needed to submit an indirect cost rate proposal at www.ojp.usdoj.gov/funding/pdfs/indirect_costs.pdf.

6. Tribal Authorizing Resolution (if applicable)

Tribes, tribal organizations, or third parties proposing to provide direct services or assistance to residents on tribal lands should include in their applications a resolution, a letter, affidavit, or other documentation, as appropriate, that certifies that the applicant has the legal authority from the tribe(s) to implement the proposed project on tribal lands. In those instances when an organization or consortium of tribes applies for a grant on behalf of a tribe or multiple specific tribes, then the application should include appropriate legal documentation, as described above, from all tribes that would receive services/assistance under the grant. A consortium of tribes for which existing consortium bylaws allow action without support from all tribes in the consortium (i.e., without an authorizing resolution or comparable legal documentation from each tribal governing body) may submit, instead, a copy of its consortium bylaws with the application.

7. Additional Attachments

• Project Time and Task Plan with each project goal, related objective, activity, expected completion date, and responsible person or organization.

• Job Descriptions that outline the roles, responsibilities, and qualifications for all key positions, including the research partner.

• Resumes for staff identified for these positions, if known.

• Letters of support and commitment of the PSN steering committee and other key partners, including the research partner.

• A Memorandum of Understanding for law enforcement and partner agencies that clearly outlines their roles and responsibilities. Because PSN task force membership is diverse and requires careful coordination to ensure success, member agencies’ roles should be clearly defined. The extent to which the applicant is able to demonstrate a functional partnership among all key players to include the sharing of information and data, will be a key factor in assessing the strength of the application and its potential for success.

• Letter of certification of the fiscal agent from the local USAO.

• Applicant Disclosure of Pending Applications

Applicants are to disclose whether they have pending applications for federally funded assistance that include requests for funding to support the same project being proposed under this solicitation and will cover the identical cost items outlined in the budget narrative and worksheet in the application under this solicitation. The disclosure should include both direct applications for federal funding (e.g., applications to federal agencies) http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/funding/pdfs/indirect_costs.pdf

SAMPLE

and indirect applications for such funding (e.g., applications to state agencies that will be subawarding federal funds).

OJP seeks this information to help avoid any inappropriate duplication of funding.

Leveraging multiple funding sources in a complementary manner to implement comprehensive programs or projects is encouraged and is not seen as inappropriate duplication.

Applicants that have pending applications as described above are to provide the following information about pending applications submitted within the last 12 months:

• The federal or state funding agency

• The solicitation name/project name

• The point of contact information at the applicable funding agency

Applicants should include the table as separate attachment, with the file name “Disclosure of Pending Applications,” to their application. Applicants that do not have pending applications as described above are to include a statement to this effect in the separate attachment page (e.g. “[Applicant Name] does not have pending applications within the last 12 months for federally funded assistance that include requests for funding or support the same project being proposed under this solicitation and will cover the identical cost items outlined in the budget narrative and worksheet in the application under this solicitation.”).

8. Other Standard Forms Additional forms that OJP may require in connection with an award are available on OJP’s funding page at www.ojp.usdoj.gov/funding/forms.htm. For successful applicants, receipt of funds may be contingent upon submission of all necessary forms.

Note in particular the following forms:

a. Standard Assurances*

Applicants must read, certify, and submit this form in GMS prior to the receipt of any award funds.

b. Certifications Regarding Lobbying; Debarment, Suspension and Other Responsibility Matters; and Drug-Free Workplace Requirements Applicants must read, certify, and submit in GMS prior to the receipt of any award funds.

c. Accounting System and Financial Capability Questionnaire

Federal or State Funding Agency

Solicitation Name/Project Name

Name/Phone/E-mail for Point of Contact at Funding Agency

DOJ/COPS COPS Hiring Program

Jane Doe, 202/000-0000; jane.doe@usdoj.gov

HHS/ Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration

Drug Free Communities Mentoring Program/ North County Youth Mentoring Program

John Doe, 202/000-0000; john.doe@hhs.gov http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/funding/forms.htm http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/funding/forms/std_assurances.pdf http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/funding/forms/certifications.pdf http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/funding/forms/certifications.pdf http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/funding/forms/financial_capability.pdf

Any applicant (other than an individual) that is a non-governmental entity and that has not received any award from OJP within the past 3 years, must download, complete, and submit this form.

*These OJP Standard Assurances and Certifications are forms which applicants accept in GMS. They are not additional forms to be uploaded at the time of application submission.

Selection Criteria

The following five selection criteria will be used to peer review each application, with the different weight given to each based on the percentage value listed after each individual criterion. For example, the first criterion, “Statement of the Problem,” is worth 25 percent of the entire score in the application review process.

1. Statement of the Problem (25 percent of 100)

Describe the gun and/or gang crime problem, gaps, and needs currently faced by the district; provide data to support the statement of the problem; provide Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) and population served data; and describe the serious or violent crime challenges of the jurisdiction and what has been done to date to address these challenges.

2. Project Design and Implementation (25 percent of 100)

Outline a design and implementation strategy, using an innovative analytical approach, to overcome the problem described in the statement of the problem. Goals should specifically address the problem identified above. Describe:

• How the five design features will be incorporated.

• Data and research that are being used to determine the jurisdiction’s target area and/or target population as well as violent crime reduction strategy model.

• How other violent crime reduction strategy models (e.g., Boston Ceasefire, Drug Market

Intervention, etc.) may be incorporated.

• How your jurisdiction will compile a list of priority offenders based upon information contributed by law enforcement, probation/parole in consultation with the USAO and local prosecutor’s office.

• How your jurisdiction will prioritize outstanding warrants for the highest risk offenders.

• How your jurisdiction plans to vet priority offender cases to either federally or locally prosecute gun, gang, and the most violent offender crime cases.

• How all priority offenders and new offenders arrested for priority offenses are tracked through final court disposition.

• How information is exchanged among probation/parole, correctional facilities, and law enforcement.

• How your jurisdiction has used or plans to use data and research to focus resources on the most violent people and neighborhoods driving local gun and gang crime.

• How your jurisdiction has integrated, or will integrate, a research partner into your problem solving process as well as assessment of strategies and interventions.

• How the project will accomplish expected outcomes.

Also include a comprehensive timeline (as an attachment) that identifies milestones, numerically listed deliverables, and who is responsible for each activity.

Applicants must enlist a local research partner from the accredited criminal justice/social science educational community to assist in problem identification, description, and definition;

participate in strategy development; and provide ongoing assessment of the strategy and program implementation impact.

Applicants are encouraged to incorporate comprehensive strategies and promising practices to address gun and/or gang crime. For more on these innovative approaches, see the Appendix.

3. Capabilities and Competencies (30 percent of 100)

Fully describe the applicant’s capabilities to implement the project, including its ability to collect data to support the research component, and the competencies of the staff assigned to the project. In addition, applicants should demonstrate sound crime and criminal intelligence analysis capacity. Applicants should include memorandums of understanding or letters documenting support and participation from their designated research partner (as an attachment). Applicants should also address the following:

• The organizations and partners who will be involved in the planning, analysis, implementation, and assessment process.

• Researcher’s previous experience working with police agencies and/or organizations.

Describe previous law enforcement activities that include research partners and report the results of those efforts.

• Researcher’s previous experience in several different data collection methodologies, and in both quantitative and qualitative research methods. It is preferable that they have several years of evaluation research experience and have experience with oral and written presentations of research results.

4. Plan for Collecting the Data Required for this Solicitation’s Performance Measures (10 percent of 100) Describe the process for measuring project performance. Identify who will collect the data, who is responsible for performance measurement, and how the information will be used to guide and assess the program. Applicants must collect data relevant to the goals listed in their application.