15adj-le-ttasol.pdf

OMB No. 1121-0329

U.S. Department of Justice Approval Expires 07/31/2016

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 Adjudication and Law Enforcement National Initiatives: Improving Responses to Criminal Justice Issues program. This program furthers the Department’s mission by assisting state and local jurisdictions in preventing and reducing crime, unnecessary confinement, and promoting a safe and fair criminal justice system.

Adjudication and Law Enforcement National Initiatives:

Improving Responses to Criminal Justice Issues

FY 2015 Competitive Grant Announcement

Eligibility Eligible applicants are limited to for-profit (commercial) organizations, nonprofit organizations (including tribal nonprofit or for-profit organizations), and institutions of higher education (including tribal institutions of higher education) that support national initiatives to improve the functioning of the criminal justice systems. For-profit organizations must agree to waive any profit or fees for services. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit an application that shows partnerships with key organizations in order to build strong working relationships with national-level organizations in the criminal justice field.

BJA welcomes applications that involve two or more entities; however, one eligible entity must be the applicant and the others must be proposed as subrecipients. The applicant must be the entity with primary responsibility for administering the funding and managing the entire project.

Only one application per lead applicant will be considered; however, subrecipients may be part of multiple proposals. Applicants may apply to one or more categories listed within this announcement.

Special Note: For the purposes of the Capital Case Litigation Initiative (Category 3, page 6), training and technical assistance may only be provided to states that authorize capital punishment and that conduct, or will conduct, prosecutions in which capital punishment is sought. For the state to be eligible, it must have an “effective system” for providing competent legal representation for indigent defendants in capital cases. An “effective system” is defined in 42 U.S.C. § 14163(e) as a system

(1) that invests the responsibility for appointing qualified attorneys to represent indigent defendants in capital cases:

(A) In a public defender program that relies on staff attorneys, members of the private bar, or both, to provide representation in capital cases;

http://www.usdoj.gov/ http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ http://www.bja.gov/ http://www.bja.gov/

BJA-2015-4141

(B) In an entity established by statute or by the highest State court with jurisdiction in criminal cases, which is composed of individuals with demonstrated knowledge and expertise in capital cases, except for individuals employed as prosecutors; or

(C) Pursuant to a statutory procedure enacted before October 30, 2002, [the date of the enactment of the CCLI Act] under which the trial judge is required to appoint qualified attorneys from a roster maintained by a State or regional selection committee or similar entity[.]

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.

For additional eligibility information, see Section C. Eligibility Information.

Deadline Applicants must register with Grants.gov prior to submitting an application. All applications are due to be submitted and in receipt of a successful validation message in Grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. eastern time on April 30, 2015.

All applicants are encouraged to read this Important Notice: Applying for Grants in

Grants.gov.

For additional information, see How to Apply in Section D. Application and Submission Information.

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

Applicants that experience unforeseen Grants.gov technical issues beyond their control that prevent them from submitting their application by the deadline must e-mail the BJA contact identified below within 24 hours after the application deadline and request approval to submit their application. Additional information on reporting technical issues is found under “Experiencing Unforeseen Grants.gov Technical Issues” in the How to Apply section.

For assistance with any other requirements of this solicitation, contact the National Criminal Justice Reference Service (NCJRS) Response Center: toll-free at 1-800-851-3420; via TTY at 301-240-6310 (hearing impaired only); email responsecenter@ncjrs.gov; fax to 301-240-5830;

or web chat at https://webcontact.ncjrs.gov/ncjchat/chat.jsp. The NCJRS Response Center hours of operation are 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. eastern time, Monday through Friday, and 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. eastern time on the solicitation close date.

Grants.gov number assigned to this announcement: BJA-2015-4141

Release date: March 16, 2015 http://www.grants.gov/applicants/apply_for_grants.jsp http://ojp.gov/funding/Apply/Grants-govInfo.htm http://ojp.gov/funding/Apply/Grants-govInfo.htm mailto:support@grants.gov http://www.grants.gov/applicants/apply_for_grants.jsp mailto:responsecenter@ncjrs.gov https://webcontact.ncjrs.gov/ncjchat/chat.jsp

Contents A. Program Description

Overview

Program-Specific Information

Goals, Objectives, and Deliverables

Evidence-Based Programs or Practices

B. Federal Award Information

Type of Award

Financial Management and System of Internal Controls

Budget Information

Cost Sharing or Match Requirement

Pre-Agreement Cost Approvals

Limitation on Use of Award Funds for Employee Compensation; Waiver

Prior Approval, Planning, and Reporting of Conference/Meeting/Training Costs

Costs Associated with Language Assistance (if applicable)

C. Eligibility Information

Cost Sharing or Match Requirement

Limit on Number of Application Submissions

D. Application and Submission Information

What an Application Should Include

How to Apply

E. Application Review Information

Selection Criteria

Review Process

F. Federal Award Administration Information

Federal Award Notices

Administrative, National Policy, and other Legal Requirements

General Information about Post-Federal Award Reporting Requirements

G. Federal Awarding Agency Contact(s)

H. Other Information

Provide Feedback to OJP

Application Checklist

Adjudication and Law Enforcement National Initiatives:

Improving Responses to Criminal Justice Issues

(CFDA #s 16.738, 16.585, 16.746, and 16.812)

A. Program Description

Overview The FY 2015 Adjudication and Law Enforcement National Initiatives: Improving Responses to Criminal Justice Issues Competitive Grant Announcement focuses on national initiatives to improve the functioning of the criminal justice system, specifically by (1) providing training and technical assistance (TTA) to jurisdictions engaged in problem-solving justice initiatives; (2) training judges on advanced criminal justice topics; (3) improving public trust and confidence in the court system by promoting procedural justice; (4) providing TTA to jurisdictions engaged in capital case litigation; (5) providing TTA to prosecutors interested in diverting addicted offenders to substance abuse treatment in lieu of prison; (6) convening prosecutors to implement innovative policies and strategies; and (7) developing an executive training session for police leadership.

This program is funded under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Training and Technical Assistance Program (Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act 2015, Pub. L. No. 113-235, 128 Stat. 5, 68), the Adult Drug Court Discretionary Grant Program (42 U.S.C. 3797u et seq), the Capital Case Litigation Initiative (42 U.S.C. §14163 et seq.), and the Second Chance Act of 2007 (Pub. L. 110-199).

Program-Specific Information This BJA-administered program helps improve criminal justice systems by supporting funding for national program efforts, such as TTA, to address the needs of state and local justice systems and communities. The FY 2015 program will focus on funding efforts in seven major national TTA categories:

Problem-solving justice initiatives

Advanced criminal justice training for judges

Promoting procedural justice

Capital case litigation initiatives

Prosecutor-led diversion

National prosecutor’s consortium

Executive session for police leadership

Goals, Objectives, and Deliverables Under this solicitation, BJA seeks to improve and elevate the functioning of the criminal justice system (with specific emphasis relating to the adjudication process) by assisting state and local jurisdictions and tribal governments to ensure the fair administration of justice in the criminal justice system. This is achieved by focusing on TTA for courts, prosecutors, defense attorneys, and police.

CATEGORY 1: NATIONAL PROBLEM-SOLVING JUSTICE INITIATIVE. COMPETITION ID:

BJA-2015-4142.

BJA expects to make one award under Category 1 for up to $3.8 million. The project period is 36 months, and the project start date should be on or after October 1, 2015.

The goal of the National Problem-Solving Justice Initiative is to help judges, court innovators around the country, to plan, implement, sustain, enhance, and evaluate problem-solving justice initiatives that link judicially supervised offenders to drug treatment, alternative sanctions, and other services in an effort to reduce drug use, crime, and incarceration.

Applicants are solicited to produce all of the following deliverables:

1. Administer the 2015 Community Court Grant Program

a. In cooperation with BJA, develop and coordinate a competitive solicitation that will distribute $2 million across 10 jurisdictions wishing to implement or enhance a community court. Competitive solicitation coordination activities include:

i. Writing a competitive solicitation

ii. Ensuring a fair and unbiased application process

iii. Coordinating peer review of applications

iv. Assist in the selection of the 10 recipients

v. Monitoring fiscal and program deliverables of recipients

vi. Reporting on recipient activities

b. Provide targeted technical assistance to the 10 recipients, including:

i. Hosting each recipient on a structured peer-to-peer site visit to a community court

(such as Red Hook Community Justice Center, Newark Community Solutions, the South Dallas Community Court, Hartford Community Court, Orange County Community Court, and the San Francisco Community Justice Center)

ii. Developing a realistic and achievable project action plan that clearly articulates goals, objectives, action items, and expected deadline

iii. Providing office-based and onsite intensive technical assistance based on the project action plan

iv. Ensuring successful project implementation

2. Provide ongoing direct TTA to up to 5 jurisdictions and respond to up to 200 phone/email requests for assistance from criminal justice professionals interested in applying new approaches to better serve substance abusing defendants and producing better outcomes for the communities they serve. Present 25 training workshops on linking addicted offenders to treatment through the court system and other community-based public-safety strategies.

3. Develop and disseminate three practitioner monographs.

4. Host 100 criminal justice practitioners on a structured peer-to-peer site visit to a community court (such as Red Hook Community Justice Center, Newark Community Solutions, the South Dallas Community Court, Hartford Community Court, Orange County Community Court, and the San Francisco Community Justice Center).

5. Coordinate the BJA Community Mentor Court Program.

6. Host a national summit for up to 250 participants on community courts and community justice programs.

CATEGORY 2: ADVANCED CONCEPTS IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE: JUDICIAL TRAINING

PROGRAM. COMPETITION ID: BJA-2015-4143.

BJA expects to make one award under Category 2 for up to $400,000. The project period is 24 months, and the project start date should be on or after October 1, 2015.

The goal of the Advanced Concepts in Criminal Justice: Judicial Training Program is to provide judicial officers with advanced education about the latest research on criminal justice topics that directly affect their everyday work. In many jurisdictions, criminal court judges receive on-the-job training as their primary method of education. This training will address important research on emerging criminal justice concepts and trends. Through the Advanced Concepts in Criminal Justice: Judicial Training program, judges from across the country will have the opportunity to receive education on topics including: (1) maintaining independence while collaborating on systems reform; (2) science of brain development; (3) implicit bias; (4) forensics; and (5) risk-needs-responsivity and assessment tools.

Applicants are solicited to produce all of the following deliverables:

1. In cooperation with BJA, develop a 2-day training curriculum for judges based on the needs of the field and current available trainings.

2. Deliver quarterly webinar trainings for judges on emerging criminal justice trends research.

3. Deliver two in-person trainings for judges on advanced criminal justice concepts using the developed curriculum. Trainings should be geographically coordinated to ensure accessibility for participants from around the country.

4. Utilize grant funds to cover costs for participants to attend the two in-person trainings.

CATEGORY 3: PROCEDURAL JUSTICE: IMPROVING PUBLIC TRUST AND CONFIDENCE

IN THE COURT SYSTEM INITIATIVE. COMPETITION ID: BJA-2015-4144.

BJA expects to make one award under Category 3 for up to $400,000. The project period is 24 months, and the project start date should be on or after October 1, 2015.

The goal of the Procedural Justice: Improving Public Trust and Confidence in the Court System Initiative is to assist criminal justice professionals increase perceptions of fairness and trust and confidence in the courts by translating research to practice. In 2011, BJA and its partners launched a national demonstration project that served to achieve procedural justice in an urban criminal court setting. A few of the resources developed include a menu of promising practices, an online learning system, education toolkit, and a 1-day training that translated the key principles of procedural justice into a training curriculum that was administered in urban criminal courtrooms (see www.courtinnovation.org/research/improving-courtroom-communication-national-experiment). The curriculum aimed at improving staff’s verbal and non-verbal communication practices. The demonstration project also evaluated the impact of those changed practices on defendant perceptions of fairness.

Applicants are solicited to produce all of the following deliverables:

1. Collect offenders’ opinions, talking to up to 400 at each site, from at least two urban jurisdictions to learn more about the offending population’s perceptions of the legitimacy of the law and how such varies based on specific experiences with an array of criminal justice institutions.

http://www.courtinnovation.org/research/improving-courtroom-communication-national-experiment http://www.courtinnovation.org/research/improving-courtroom-communication-national-experiment

2. Convene two roundtables on implementing procedural justice in daily practice.

3. Provide office-based and onsite intensive technical for roundtable participants and others interested in implementing elements of procedural justice.

CATEGORY 4: CAPITAL CASE LITIGATION INITITATIVE. COMPETITION ID: BJA-2015-

4145.

BJA expects to make one award under Category 4 for up to $400,000. The project period is 24 months, and the project start date should be on or after October 1, 2015. Funds awarded must be allocated equally between trainings to improve the quality of legal representation provided by capital case indigent defense counsel AND capital case prosecutors.

The goal of the Capital Case Litigation Initiative is to improve the quality and effectiveness of representation in death penalty cases through training for both the prosecutors who represent the public and the defense attorneys who represent indigent defendants in state capital cases, specifically in the area of forensics. Because forensic evidence is critical to capital case litigation, training is essential to improve the quality of legal representation and to ensure reliable jury verdicts in state capital cases. Grant funds may only be used to provide training to improve legal representation in trial-level capital case litigation and may not be used for the purpose of providing training in appellate or collateral relief matters. Grant funds may not be used to fund, either directly or indirectly, representation in, or prosecution of, specific capital cases1.

Applicants are solicited to produce all of the following deliverables:

1. In cooperation with BJA, develop or adapt an already existing curriculum on “Crime Scene to Courtroom Forensics” for capital cases that can be delivered to prosecutors and defense attorneys.

a. It is expected that the curriculum will include topics such as:

i. Collection and preservation of crime scene evidence

ii. Developing optimal examination and sampling strategies

iii. Available forensic technologies (e.g., various types of DNA and kits, trace evidence analysis)

iv. Methodologies for challenging evidence

v. Interpretation of forensic report wording and statistics pertaining to DNA results

vi. Discovery material—what to request, red flags, when to seek additional testing

vii. Expert witness consultation and testimony

2. Deliver quarterly webinar trainings for prosecutors and defense attorneys on “Crime Scene to Courtroom Forensics” for capital cases.

3. Deliver two in-person trainings for prosecutors and defense attorneys on “Crime Scene to Courtroom Forensics” for capital cases. Trainings should be geographically coordinated to ensure accessibility for participants from around the country.

4. Utilize grant funds to cover costs for participants to attend the two in-person trainings.

1 42 U.S.C.A. § 14163(d) requires that the funds be apportioned with not less than 75 percent going to indigent defendants charged with an offense subject to capital punishment (i.e., at least 75 percent going to capital trials) and not more than 25 percent going toward indigents who have been sentenced to death and seek appellate or collateral relief in state court (i.e., no more than 25 percent going to capital appeals/collateral relief cases).

CATEGORY 5: PROSECUTOR-LED DIVERSION INITIATIVE. COMPETITION ID: BJA-2015-

4146.

BJA expects to make one award under Category 5 for up to $1.5 million. The project period is 36 months, and the project start date should be on or after October 1, 2015.

The goal of the Prosecutor-Led Diversion Initiative is to assist prosecutors around the country plan, implement, sustain, enhance, and evaluate prosecutor-led drug treatment programs that are alternatives to imprisonment within their office. Prosecutor-led diversion can be a smart strategy for improving public safety, allocating prosecution resources, reducing recidivism, and providing offenders with a second chance for success.

Applicants are solicited to produce all of the following deliverables:

1. Providing ongoing direct TTA to up to 20 jurisdictions wishing to apply new approaches to prosecutor-led drug treatment programs that are an alternative to imprisonment, including jurisdictions wishing to implement human trafficking diversion programs.2 Activities may include:

a. Hosting each recipient on a structured peer-to-peer site visits to an exemplary prosecutor-led diversion program.

b. Developing a realistic and achievable project action plan that clearly articulates goals, objectives, action items, and expected deadline.

c. Providing office-based and onsite intensive technical assistance based on the project action plan.

d. Ensuring successful project implementation.

2. Conduct a nationwide survey of prosecutor’s offices to determine the breath and scope of prosecutor led-diversion.

3. Create an online toolkit that will serve as a resource for prosecutors wishing to implement a diversion program.

2 As defined by Second Chance Act of 2007 § 112 2901(b) [42 U.S.C. § 3797q], a qualified drug treatment program is a program that: (1) is administered by a state, tribal, or local prosecutor; (2) requires an eligible offender who is sentenced to participate in the program (instead of incarceration) to participate in a comprehensive substance abuse treatment program that is approved by the state or Indian tribe and licensed, if necessary, to provide medical and other health services; (3) requires an eligible offender to receive the consent of the state, tribal, or local prosecutor involved to participate in such program; (4) in the case of an eligible offender who is sentenced to participate in the program, requires the offender to serve a sentence of imprisonment with respect to the crime involved if the prosecutor, in conjunction with the treatment provider, determines that the offender has not successfully completed the relevant substance abuse treatment program described in paragraph (2); (5) provides for the dismissal of the criminal charges involved in an eligible offender’s participation in the program if the offender is determined to have successfully completed the program; (6) requires each substance abuse provider treating an eligible offender under the program to—(A) make periodic reports of the progress of the treatment of that offender to the state, tribal, or local prosecutor involved and to the appropriate court in which the eligible offender was convicted; and (B) notify such prosecutor and such court if the eligible offender absconds from the facility of the treatment provider or otherwise violates the terms and conditions of the program, consistent with federal and state confidentiality requirements; and

(7) that has an enforcement unit comprised of law enforcement officers under the supervision of the state, tribal, or local prosecutor involved, the duties of which shall include verifying an eligible offender’s addresses and other contacts, and, if necessary, locating, apprehending, and arresting an eligible offender who has absconded from the facility of a substance abuse treatment provider or otherwise violated the terms and conditions of the program, consistent with federal and state confidentiality requirements, and returning such eligible offender to court for sentencing for the crime involved.

4. In cooperation with BJA, develop and coordinate a Prosecutor Diversion Mentor Site Program.

5. Host a national forum for up to 250 participants on innovate diversion strategies for prosecutors.

CATEGORY 6: NATIONAL PROSECUTOR’S CONSORTIUM. COMPETITION ID: BJA-2015-

4147.

BJA expects to make one award under Category 6 for up to $1 million. The project period is 36 months, and the project start date should be on or after October 1, 2015.

The goal of the National Prosecutor’s Consortium is to provide in-depth assistance to state and regional prosecutors in developing detailed strategies and policies to reduce violent crime, encourage witnesses to come forward to report crime and testify in court proceedings, address issues around victim protection, and improve public trust in the justice system.

Applicants are solicited to produce all of the following deliverables:

1. Provide technical assistance to up to five state and regional prosecutor’s offices that wish to implement consortiums to review current practice and craft strategies and policies to improve outcomes for victims, reduce violent crime, and improve public trust in the justice system. Activities may include:

a. Convening roundtables of prosecutors to discuss the above issues.

b. Providing logistical and financial support to prosecutors wishing to attend roundtable events.

c. Delivering office-based and onsite technical assistance to prosecutor consortiums based on needs that are identified at the initial roundtables.

d. Administering up to $50,000 in grant funds to each prosecutor consortium to assist with the costs of developing strategies and policies.

e. Assisting in the drafting of policy and strategy documents.

2. Develop a fact sheet on each consortium that allows for replication of their strategies and policies by other jurisdictions.

3. Develop a practitioner monograph that details current themes and trends in prosecutor offices nationwide.

4. Create an online resource guide for prosecutors wishing to implement consortiums.

CATEGORY 7: EXECUTIVE SESSION POLICE LEADERSHIP INITIATIVE. COMPETITION

ID: BJA-2015-4148.

BJA expects to make one award under Category 7 for up to $400,000. The project period is 24 months, and the project start date should be on or after October 1, 2015.

The goal of the Executive Session Police Leadership Initiative is to develop and maintain multimedia and other resources on the Executive Session Police Leadership web site. This website is designed to provide resources to educate police leaders on 21st century public safety and includes fact sheets on current topics of interest, leader-on-leader career development profiles, podcasts with current police leaders, and an interactive learner’s marketplace. For more information, visit: www.bjaexecutivesessiononpoliceleadership.org/.

http://www.bjaexecutivesessiononpoliceleadership.org/

This funding will expand the web site by adding two core topic areas: (1) developing women and minority police leaders, and (2) improving collaboration between police and prosecutors.

Developing women and minority police leaders is a critical component for a 21st century police department. The leadership roles of police and prosecutors is also viewed as critical in creating and sustaining 21st century communities. Leading together creates opportunities for improved public safety, smarter resource allocation, recidivism reduction, and providing offenders with a second chance for success.

Applicants are solicited to produce all of the following deliverables:

1. In cooperation with BJA, develop an executive session model training curriculum composed of diverse experts to address the 21st century leadership issues of policing and prosecutors.

This includes the focus on women and minority leaders and improving collaboration between police and prosecutors.

2. Develop instructional materials that address the critical leadership issues identified by executive session participants.

3. Maintain and host the Executive Session Police Leadership web site, including posting of audio, video, written, and other related materials. Ensure that the web site is developed and hosted in such a way that it can reside on the BJA web site at the completion of the grant award.

Evidence-Based Programs or Practices OJP strongly emphasizes the use of data and evidence in policy making and program development in criminal justice, juvenile justice, and crime victim services. 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

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. The OJP 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.

B. Federal Award Information Under Category 1, BJA expects to make one award for up to $3.8 million. The project period is 36 months, and the project start date should be on or after October 1, 2015.

Under Category 2, BJA expects to make one award for up to $400,000. The project period is 24 months, and the project start date should be on or after October 1, 2015.

http://www.crimesolutions.gov/

Under Category 3, BJA expects to make one award for up to $400,000. The project period is 24 months, and the project start date should be on or after October 1, 2015.

Under Category 4, BJA expects to make one award for up to $400,000. The project period is 24 months, and the project start date should be on or after October 1, 2015.

Under Category 5, BJA expects to make one award for up to $1.5 million. The project period is 36 months, and the project start date should be on or after October 1, 2015.

Under Category 6, BJA expects to make one award for up to $1 million. The project period is 36 months, and the project start date should be on or after October 1, 2015.

Under Category 7, BJA expects to make one award for up to $400,000. The project period is 24 months, and the project start date should be on or after October 1, 2015.

BJA may, in certain cases, provide supplemental funding in future years to awards under this solicitation. Important considerations in decisions regarding supplemental funding include, among other factors, the availability of funding, strategic priorities, assessment of the quality of the management of the award (for example, timeliness and quality of progress reports), and assessment of the progress of the work funded under the award.

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

Type of Award3 BJA expects that it will make any award from this announcement in the form of a cooperative agreement, which is a particular type of grant used if BJA expects to have ongoing substantial involvement in award activities. Substantial involvement includes direct oversight and involvement with the grantee organization in implementation of the grant, but does not involve day-to-day project management. See Administrative, National Policy, and other Legal Requirements, under Section F. Federal Award Administration Information, for details regarding the federal involvement anticipated under an award from this announcement.

Financial Management and System of Internal Controls If selected for funding, the award recipient must:

(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-federal entity is managing the federal award in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in “Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government” issued by the Comptroller General of the United States and the “Internal Control Integrated Framework”, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).

(b) Comply with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal awards.

(c) Evaluate and monitor the non-federal entity's compliance with statute, regulations and the terms and conditions of federal awards.

3 See generally 31 U.S.C. §§ 6301-6305 (defines and describes various forms of federal assistance relationships, including grants and cooperative agreements (a type of grant)).

(d) Take prompt action when instances of noncompliance are identified including noncompliance identified in audit findings.

(e) Take reasonable measures to safeguard protected personally identifiable information and other information the federal awarding agency or pass-through entity designates as sensitive or the non-federal entity considers sensitive consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws regarding privacy and obligations of confidentiality.

In order to better understand administrative requirements and cost principles, award applicants are encouraged to enroll, at no charge, in the Department of Justice Grants Financial Management Online Training available here.

Budget Information

Cost Sharing or 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.

Pre-Agreement Cost Approvals OJP does not typically approve pre-agreement costs; an applicant must request and obtain the prior written approval of OJP for all such costs. If approved, pre-agreement costs could be paid from grant funds consistent with a grantee’s approved budget, and under applicable cost standards. However, all such costs prior to award and prior to approval of the costs are incurred at the sole risk of an applicant. Generally, no applicant should incur project costs before submitting an application requesting federal funding for those costs. Should there be extenuating circumstances that appear to be appropriate for OJP’s consideration as pre-agreement costs, the applicant should contact the point of contact listed on the title page of this announcement for details on the requirements for submitting a written request for approval. See the section on Costs Requiring Prior Approval in the Financial Guide, for more 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, recipients may not use federal funds to pay total cash compensation (salary plus cash 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.4 The 2015 salary table for SES employees is available on the Office of Personnel Management web site. Note: A recipient may compensate an employee at a greater 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 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 the budget.

4 This limitation on use of award funds does not apply to the non-profit organizations specifically named at Appendix VIII to 2 C.F.R. part 200.

http://gfm.webfirst.com/ http://ojp.gov/financialguide/index.htm http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/salary-tables/15Tables/exec/html/ES.aspx

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 to be done.

Prior Approval, Planning, and Reporting of Conference/Meeting/Training Costs OJP strongly encourages applicants that propose to use award funds for any conference-, meeting-, or training-related activity to review carefully – before submitting an application – the OJP policy and guidance on conference approval, planning, and reporting available at www.ojp.gov/financialguide/PostawardRequirements/chapter15page1.htm. OJP policy and guidance (1) encourage minimization of conference, meeting, and training costs; (2) require prior written approval (which may affect project timelines) of most such costs for cooperative agreement recipients and of some such costs for grant recipients; and (3) set cost limits, including a general prohibition of all food and beverage costs.

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 for individuals with limited English proficiency may be allowable. Reasonable steps to provide meaningful access to services or benefits may include interpretation or translation services where appropriate.

For additional information, see the "Civil Rights Compliance" section under “Solicitation Requirements” in the OJP Funding Resource Center.

C. Eligibility Information For additional eligibility information, see Title page.

Cost Sharing or Match Requirement For additional information on cost sharing and match requirement, see Section B. Federal Award Information.

Limit on Number of Application Submissions If an applicant submits multiple versions of the same application, BJA will review only the most recent system-validated version submitted. For more information on system-validated versions, see How to Apply.

D. Application and Submission Information

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 their application; and, should a decision be made to make an award, it may result in the inclusion of special conditions that preclude the recipient from accessing or using award funds pending satisfaction of the conditions.

http://www.ojp.gov/financialguide/PostawardRequirements/chapter15page1.htm http://ojp.gov/funding/index.htm

Moreover, applicants should anticipate that applications that are determined to be nonresponsive to the scope of the solicitation, or that do not include the 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, Budget Detail Worksheet, Budget Narrative, Time and Task Plan, and resumes/curriculum vitae of key personnel. Applicants may combine the Budget Narrative and the Budget Detail Worksheet in one document. However, if an applicant submits only one budget document, it must contain both narrative and detail information. Please review the “Note on File Names and File Types” under How to Apply to be sure applications are submitted in permitted formats

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

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

The SF-424 is a required standard form used as a cover sheet for submission of pre-applications, applications, and related information. Grants.gov and OJP’s Grants Management System (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).

Intergovernmental Review: This funding opportunity is subject to Executive Order 12372.

Applicants may find the names and addresses of their state’s Single Point of Contact (SPOC) at the following web site: www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants_spoc/. Applicants whose state appears on the SPOC list must contact their state’s SPOC to find out about, and comply with, the state’s process under Executive Order 12372. In completing the SF-424, applicants whose state appears on the SPOC list are to make the appropriate selection in response to question 19 once the applicant has complied with their state’s E.O. 12372 process. (Applicants whose state does not appear on the SPOC list are to make the appropriate selection in response to question 19 to indicate that the “Program is subject to E.O. 12372 but has not been selected by the State for review.”)

2. Project Abstract Applications should include a high-quality project abstract that summarizes the proposed project in 400 words or less. Project abstracts should be—

Written for a general public audience

Submitted as a separate attachment with “Project Abstract” as part of its file name

Single-spaced, using a standard 12-point font (Times New Roman) with 1-inch margins

Include the category for which the applicant is applying

As a separate attachment, the project abstract will not count against the page limit for the program narrative.

All project abstracts should follow the detailed template available at ojp.gov/funding/Apply/Resources/ProjectAbstractTemplate.pdf.

Permission to Share Project Abstract with the Public: It is unlikely that BJA will be able http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants_spoc/ http://ojp.gov/funding/Apply/Resources/ProjectAbstractTemplate.pdf 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 and the Selection Criteria (1-4) in the order given. Applicants must meet the requirements of the category under which they are applying as described in the Ensuring Procedural Justice throughout the Adjudication Process—Specific Information section.

The program narrative also must address the applicant’s ability to collect and report all required performance measurement data.

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 15 pages. Number pages “1 of 15,” “2 of 15,” 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.

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

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. OJP will require any award recipient, post award, to provide the data requested in the “Data Grantee Provides” column so that OJP can calculate values for the “Performance Measures” column. Post award, recipients will be required to submit performance metric data quarterly through BJA’s online Training and Technical Assistance Reporting Portal located at www.bjatraining.org.

Sample performance measures for this solicitation are as follows:

Objective

Performance Measure(s)

Data Grantee Provides

Increase the knowledge of criminal justice practitioners through in-person training.

Number of participants who attend the training

Percentage of participants who successfully completed the training

Percentage of participants who rated the training as satisfactory or better

Percentage of participants trained and subsequently demonstrated performance improvement

Number of individuals who started the training

Number of individuals who completed the training

Number of individuals who completed an evaluation at the conclusion of the training

Number of trainees who completed the training who rated the training as satisfactory or better

Number of individuals who completed a pre and post-test

Number of individuals who completed the training whose post-test indicated an improved score over their pre-test of criminal justice practitioners through web-based learning.

Number of participants who attend the training

Percentage of participants who successfully completed the program

Percentage of participants who rated the training as satisfactory or better

Percentage of participants trained and subsequently demonstrated performance improvement

Number of individuals who started the training

Number of individuals who completed the training

Number of individuals who completed an evaluation at the conclusion of the training

Number of trainees who completed the training who rated the training as satisfactory or better

Number of individuals who completed a pre- and post-test

Number of individuals who completed the training whose post-test indicated an improved score over their pre-test.

practitioners through distance learning using CD/DVDs.

Percentage of organizations that completed a training who rated that training as satisfactory or better

Number of organizations receiving CD/DVDs

Number of organizations who received CD/DVDs who were surveyed

Number of organizations who responded to the survey http://www.bjatraining.org/

Number of organizations who rated the distance learning through CD/DVD as satisfactory or better.

Increase a criminal justice agency’s ability to solve problems and/or modify policies or practices as a result of training and technical assistance interventions.

Percentage of agencies that rated services as satisfactory or better

Percentage of agencies that implemented one or more recommendations

Number of other onsite services provided

Number of requesting agencies who completed an evaluation of other onsite services

Number of requesting agencies who rated services as satisfactory or better in terms of timeliness and quality following completion of an onsite visit

Number of requesting agencies that were planning to implement at least some of the report recommendations 6 months after the onsite visit

Number of onsite visits completed

Number of requesting agencies who completed an evaluation of services

Number of requesting agencies of other onsite services who rated the services provided as satisfactory or better

Increase information provided to the criminal justice community.

Number of conferences or forums held

Percentage of advisory/focus groups evaluated as satisfactory or better.

Number of documents developed

Number of documents disseminated

Number of web sites developed

Number of web sites maintained

Number of publications developed

Number of publications disseminated

Number of working groups held

Number of working groups evaluated as satisfactory or better

Number of documents produced as a result of working group groups

Number of documents disseminated to the field as a result of working group

Number of web sites developed

Number of web sites maintained

Number of visits to web sites

Number of publications developed

Number of publications disseminated practitioners through the development and/or revision of training curricula.

Number of training curricula developed

Percentage of curricula that were pilot tested

Percentage of curricula that were revised after pilot testing

Number of training curricula developed

Number of training curricula pilot tested

Number of training curricula revised after being pilot tested

BJA does not require applicants to submit performance measures data with their application. 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.

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…