O-OVC-2021-04002-OVC FY21 HTMINORSEX-V7_SI-104002-508.pdf

Update regarding the OVC FY 2021 Services for Minor Victims of Sex Trafficking solicitation.

May 20, 2021: Added “Appendix A: Types of Victim Services That OVC Funds” to the solicitation.

The following chart was added to pages 14–15 of the solicitation and an incorrect reference to Appendix B was changed to Appendix A on page 5.

Appendix A: Types of Victim Services That OVC Funds

Type of Service Service Provision Terms

Advocacy and Legal Assistance

Criminal Justice System-Based Advocacy Legal Services

Client Coordination Client Intake Client Orientation Ongoing Case Management Social Service Advocacy and Explanation of

Benefits/Entitlements/Availability

Client Safety and Well- Crisis Intervention Being Emotional/Moral Support (Informal Counseling)

Mental Health Treatment (Emergency and Long Term) Protection/Safety Planning

Education/ Employment Assistance

Education Employment Assistance

Health-Related Services

Dental (Emergency and Long Term) Medical Care (Emergency and Long Term) Substance Abuse Treatment

Provision of Material and Childcare Housing Assistance Financial Assistance

Housing/Shelter Advocacy Housing/Shelter Assistance Personal Items

Reunification and Repatriation Assistance

Family Reunification Repatriation

Support Services Interpreter/Translator Transportation

OMB No. 1121-0329 Approval Expires 12/31/2023

U.S. Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs Office for Victims of Crime

OVC FY 2021 Services for Minor Victims of Sex Trafficking Assistance Listing Number # 16.320

Grants.gov Opportunity Number: O-OVC-2021-04002

Solicitation Release Date: May 06, 2021 9:30 AM

Version: 7

Grants.gov Deadline: June 22, 2021 11:59 AM

Application JustGrants Deadline: July 06, 2021 11:59 AM

Overview The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Justice Programs (OJP), Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) is seeking applications to support services for minor victims of sex trafficking. This program furthers the Department’s mission by enhancing the field’s response to victims of human trafficking.

This solicitation incorporates the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide by reference. The OJP Grant Application Resource Guide provides guidance to applicants on how to prepare and submit applications for funding to OJP. If this solicitation expressly modifies any provision in the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide, the applicant is to follow the guidelines in this solicitation as to that provision.

Solicitation Categories

This solicitation does not include Solicitation Categories.

Eligible Applicants:

City or township governments, County governments, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Special district governments, State governments

Applicants must meet the eligibility requirements at 22 U.S.C. § 7105(b)(2).

For purposes of this solicitation, “state” means any state of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and territories and possessions of the United States.

All recipients and subrecipients (including any for-profit organization) must forgo any profit or management fee.

Nonprofit organizations that hold money in offshore accounts for the purpose of avoiding paying the tax described in 26 U.S.C. § 511(a) are not eligible to apply.

To advance Executive Order 13929 Safe Policing for Safe Communities, as of October 28, 2020, the Attorney General determined that all state, local, and university or college law enforcement agencies must be certified by an approved independent credentialing body or have started the certification process to be allocated FY 2021 DOJ discretionary grant funding, as either a recipient or a subrecipient. For detailed information on this new certification requirement, please visit https://cops.usdoj.gov/SafePolicingEO.

OVC may make more than one award to a single organization if proposed projects are in distinct geographic areas. OVC will consider applications under which two or more entities would carry out the federal award; however, only one entity may be the applicant. Any others must be proposed as subrecipients (subgrantees). The applicant must be the entity that would have primary responsibility for carrying out the award, including administering the funding and managing the entire program. For additional information on subawards, see the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide.

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OVC may elect to fund applications submitted under this FY 2021 solicitation in future fiscal years, dependent on, among other considerations, the merit of the applications and on the availability of appropriations.

Contact Information For technical assistance with submitting the SF-424 and SF- LLL in Grants.gov, contact the Grants.gov Customer Support Hotline at 800-518-4726, 606-545-5035, at Grants.gov customer support webpage, or email at support@grants.gov. The Grants.gov Support Hotline operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, except on federal holidays.

For technical assistance with submitting the full application in DOJ’s Justice Grants System (JustGrants), contact the JustGrants Service Desk at JustGrants.Support@usdoj.gov or at 833-872-5175. The JustGrants Service Desk operates 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. EST Monday - Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sunday, and federal holidays.

An applicant that experiences unforeseen Grants.gov or JustGrants technical issues beyond its control that prevent it from submitting its application by the deadline must email the contact identified below within 24 hours after the application deadline to request approval to submit its application after the deadline.

For assistance with any other requirements of this solicitation, contact the Response Center by telephone at 800–851–3420 or TTY 301–240–6310 (hearing impaired only), or by email at grants@ncjrs.gov. Response Center hours of operation are 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m., ET, Monday through Friday, and 10:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m., ET, on the solicitation closing date.

Pre-Application Webinar

OVC will conduct one pre-application webinar during which OVC staff will review the solicitation requirements and conduct a question and answer session with interested potential applicants. Participation is optional. When the webinar has been scheduled, the details and registration information will be available at https://ovc.ojp.gov/funding/funding-webinars.

Submission Information In FY 2021, applications will be submitted to DOJ in a NEW two-step process.

Step 1: Applicants will submit an SF-424 and an SF-LLL in Grants.gov at https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html. To register in Grants.gov, applicants will need to obtain a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) and System for Award Management (SAM) registration or renewal.

Step 2: Applicants will submit the full application including attachments in JustGrants at JustGrants.usdoj.gov.

To be considered timely, the full application must be submitted in JustGrants by the JustGrants application deadline.

OJP encourages applicants to review, the “How to Apply" section in the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide.

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Contents

Contact Information 2 Program Description 5

Overview 5 Statutory Authority 5 Specific Information 5 Goals, Objectives, Deliverables, and Timeline 5 Evidence-Based Programs or Practices 6 Information Regarding Potential Evaluation of Programs and Activities 6 Limitation on Use of Funds (22 U.S.C. § 7110(g)) 6

1. Restriction on programs 6 No funds made available to carry out this chapter, or any amendment made by this chapter, may be used to promote, support, or advocate the legalization or practice of prostitution.

Nothing in the preceding sentence shall be construed to preclude assistance designed to promote the purposes of this Act by ameliorating the suffering of, or health risks to, victims while they are being trafficked or after they are out of the situation that resulted from such victims

No funds made available to carry out this chapter, or any amendment made by this chapter, may be used to implement any program that targets victims of severe forms of trafficking in persons described in section 7102(9)(A) of this title through any organization that has not stated in either a grant application, a grant agreement, or both, that it does not promote, support, or advocate the legalization or practice of prostitution. The preceding sentence shall not apply to organizations that provide services to individuals solely after they are no longer engaged in being trafficked. 2. Restriction on organizations 6 activities that resulted from such victims being trafficked. 6 Coordinating With Law Enforcement 7 Priority Areas 7

Federal Award Information 7 Awards, Amounts and Durations 7 Continuation Funding Intent 8 Availability of Funds 8 Types of Awards 8 Financial Management and System of Internal Controls 8 Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement 8 Pre-agreement Costs (also known as Pre-award Costs) 8 Limitation on Use of Award Funds for Employee Compensation: Waiver 8 Prior Approval, Planning, and Reporting of Conference/Meeting/Training Costs 8 Costs Associated with Language Assistance (if applicable) 8

Eligibility Information 8 Application and Submission Information 8

Information to Complete the Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424) 9 Standard Applicant Information (JustGrants 424 and General Agency Information) 9 Proposal Abstract 9 Proposal Narrative 9 Goals, Objectives, Deliverables, and Timeline 10 Budget and Associated Documentation 10 Budget Worksheet and Budget Narrative (Web-based Form) 10 Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (if applicable) 11 Financial Management Questionnaire (including applicant disclosure of high-risk status) 11 Disclosure of Process Related to Executive Compensation 11

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Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) and Other Supportive Documents 11 Additional Application Components 11 Curriculum Vitae or Resumes 11 Tribal Authorizing Resolution 11 Research and Evaluation Independence and Integrity Statement 11 Documentation of Advancing DOJ Priorities (if applicable) 11 Documentation of High-Poverty Areas or Persistent-Poverty Counties (if applicable) 11 Disclosures and Assurances 12 Disclosure of Lobbying Activities 12 DOJ Certified Standard Assurances 12 Applicant Disclosure of Duplication in Cost Items 12 DOJ Certifications Regarding Lobbying; Debarment, Suspension and Other Responsibility Matters; and Drug-Free Workplace Requirements 12 Applicant Disclosure and Justification – DOJ High Risk Grantees (if applicable) 12 How to Apply 12 Submission Dates and Time 12

Application Review Information 12 Review Criteria 12 Review Process 13

Federal Award Administration Information 13 Federal Award Notices 13 Administrative, National Policy, and Other Legal Requirements 13 Information Technology (IT) Security Clauses 13 General Information about Post-Federal Award Reporting Requirements 14

Federal Awarding Agency Contact(s) 14 Other Information 14

Freedom of Information and Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552 and 5 U.S.C. 552a) 14 Provide Feedback to OJP 14 Performance Measures 14 Application Checklist 15

Program Description Overview The Department of Justice is committed to advancing work that promotes civil rights, increases access to justice, supports crime victims, protects the public from crime and evolving threats, and builds trust between law enforcement and the community.

This program is designed to develop, expand, and strengthen assistance programs for minor victims of sex trafficking..

Under the federal Trafficking Victims Protection Act, a victim of trafficking is defined as a person who has been subjected to a “severe form of trafficking in persons,” which, as defined in 22 U.S.C. § 7102(11), means— sex trafficking in which a commercial sex act is induced by force, fraud, or coercion, or in which the person induced to perform such an act has not attained 18 years of age; or the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for labor or services through the use of force, fraud, or coercion for the purpose of subjection to involuntary servitude, peonage, debt bondage, or slavery.

Statutory Authority 22 U.S.C. § 7105(b)(2)

Specific Information The purpose of this program is to develop, expand, or strengthen victim service programs for minor victims of sex trafficking, whose victimization occurred when they were under the age of 18. This program will provide funding for services to victims of human trafficking, as defined by the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) of 2000.

Organizations funded under this program will provide (directly and through partnerships) services that minor victims of sex trafficking often require to address their needs for safety, security, and healing (see Appendix A). They will also be expected to integrate into their programming developmentally appropriate and evidence-based practices.

While this program is focused on providing services to minor victims of sex trafficking, organizations should be aware that these victims could have also been exploited in labor trafficking. Applicants should address how they would respond to the needs of victims who are subjected to both sex trafficking and labor trafficking.

While funds are intended primarily for direct services to minor victims of sex trafficking, services under this program can also extend to the victim’s children and supportive non-offending parents, caregivers, sponsors, and guardians, as these services impact the minor’s safety, recovery, and success. Efforts to refer family members to other free and low-cost services prior to use of OVC funds is expected and must be documented.

Grantees will be required to separately track and report services provided to minors and services provided to adults under this program. If services provided to minors are part of a mandatory service program, they should be tracked and reported as such. Services to adults should not be mandatory.

Mandatory Program Requirements

Applicants that receive funding under this program will be required to—

1. submit the policies, procedures, and rules governing the provision of services and related support services for review and approval (post-award, as required by OVC).

2. ensure their policies and procedures follow applicable federal and state laws protecting the civil rights of program participants and staff (post-award), including through accessing OJP training and resources on civil rights requirements.

3. ensure that any staff, partner staff, or service providers working with trafficking victims are trained to work with such victims, including by accessing OVC-supported training and technical assistance.

4. ensure the project coordinator or program director and one other key staff member attends an in-person or remote OVC grantee orientation and have relevant staff participate in OVC-sponsored training and technical assistance.

Goals, Objectives, Deliverables, and Timeline Goals

The goal of this program is to develop, expand, and strengthen assistance programs for minor victims of sex trafficking, including programs that provide trauma-informed and developmentally appropriate services.

Objectives

The objective in providing these services is to achieve increased safety, self-sufficiency, and well-being for minor victims of sex trafficking.

Objectives include—

1. Provide services to meet the individualized needs of minor victims of sex trafficking.

2. Collaborate with and train local partners (e.g., service providers, criminal justice professionals, members of the judiciary, community- and faith-based organizations) to ensure minor victims of sex trafficking are properly identified and referred for appropriate services.

3. Provide assistance or referrals to other essential services for minor victims of sex trafficking.

4. Collect data and participate in assessment activities to determine if the program is meeting stated goals and objectives.

Deliverables

The deliverable to be provided is services, measured quarterly by service hours or units delivered, type of service, number of new and continuing victims served, and other key data points. Award recipients will be required to submit performance measure data and a quarterly performance report in JustGrants. Further guidance on the post-award submission process will be provided, if selected for award.

The Goals, Objectives, and Deliverables are directly related to the performance measures that demonstrate the results of the work completed, as discussed under Application and Submission Information.

Unallowable Costs

The following activities cannot be supported with grant funds:

1. Holding Beds

Grantees may not “hold beds” in a housing facility by charging their cost to the grant and keeping them empty until a victim needs the bed when other victims need access to the beds, as this may be considered an unallowable contingency payment (cf. 2 C.F.R. 200.433(c)).

2. Stipends/Incentives to Participate in Services

Neither cash nor non-cash stipends or incentives may be paid to victims to encourage their participation in services.

Nominal cash or non-cash stipends (e.g., taxi or ride share vouchers; public transportation tickets or tokens; money to pay for child care; or gift cards for meals that are necessary when participants receive services) are allowable.

3. Primary Prevention Activities

Per 22 U.S.C. § 7105(b)(2), the purpose of this funding is to support victim service programs; therefore, applicants should not propose primary prevention activities under this program.

Evidence-Based Programs or Practices OJP strongly emphasizes the use of data and evidence in policymaking and program development in criminal justice, juvenile justice, and crime victim services. For additional information and resources on evidence-based programs or practices, see the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide.

Information Regarding Potential Evaluation of Programs and Activities OJP may conduct or support an evaluation of the programs and activities funded under this solicitation. For additional information, see the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide section entitled “Information Regarding Potential Evaluation of Programs and Activities.”

Limitation on Use of Funds (22 U.S.C. § 7110(g))

1. Restriction on programs No funds made available to carry out this chapter, or any amendment made by this chapter, may be used to promote, support, or advocate the legalization or practice of prostitution. Nothing in the preceding sentence shall be construed to preclude assistance designed to promote the purposes of this Act by ameliorating the suffering of, or health risks to, victims while they are being trafficked or after they are out of the situation that resulted from such victims being trafficked.

2. Restriction on organizations No funds made available to carry out this chapter, or any amendment made by this chapter, may be used to implement any program that targets victims of severe forms of trafficking in persons described in section 7102(9)(A) of this title through any organization that has not stated in either a grant application, a grant agreement, or both, that it does not

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Pursuant to the statute above, OVC requires grantees under this program to agree to the following grant condition:

Recipient certifies that it does not promote, support, or advocate the legalization or practice of prostitution, nor will it use grant funds or program match funds to promote, support, or advocate the legalization or practice of prostitution.

Coordinating With Law Enforcement

OVC strongly encourages all grantees to assist clients in complying with reasonable requests from local, state, federal, or tribal government agencies with the authority to investigate or prosecute trafficking acts. OVC is committed to the elimination of all forms of trafficking in persons, which requires the prosecution of traffickers as a key part of a multifaceted strategy. Victim-centered investigations and prosecutions of traffickers reduce harm and increase safety for our communities while supporting the healing of victims. Notwithstanding, the victim’s willingness to collaborate with law enforcement will not be used as a condition of access to any service funded under this award.

Priority Areas

The Department of Justice is committed to advancing work that promotes civil rights, increases access to justice, supports crime victims, protects the public from crime and evolving threats, and builds trust between law enforcement and the community. In FY 2021, OJP will give priority consideration in award decisions to applications that demonstrate ways in which their projects will advance one or more of these areas.

To receive priority consideration for advancing one or more of the Department’s priorities, the applicant must provide a sufficient narrative explanation as an attachment, that specifies how the project will advance the promotion of civil rights, access to justice, support to crime victims, protecting the public from crime and evolving threats, or building trust between law enforcement and the community.

In addition, OJP will give priority consideration, if applicable, to applicants that demonstrate that the individuals who are intended to benefit from the requested grant reside in high-poverty areas or persistent-poverty counties.

To receive priority consideration under the poverty priority, the applicant must provide information to demonstrate that the individuals who are intended to benefit from the requested grant reside in high-poverty areas or persistent poverty counties. For purposes of this priority consideration, the term ‘‘high-poverty area’’ means any census tract with a poverty rate of at least 20 percent as measured by the 2013–2017 5-year data series available from the American Community Survey of the Census Bureau (applicants may search by census tract at https://www.census.gov/acs/www/data/data-tables-and-tools/narrative-profiles/2017/) and the term ‘‘persistent poverty counties’’ means any county that has had 20 percent or more of its population living in poverty over the past 30 years, as measured by the 1990 and 2000 decennial censuses and the most recent Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates (applicants may search by county at https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/dec/census-poverty.html and at https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/saipe.html).

Priority consideration is one of many factors that OJP considers in making funding decisions and is not a guarantee of an award.

Federal Award Information Awards, Amounts and Durations Anticipated Number of Awards

Anticipated Maximum Dollar Amount of Awards $1,000,000.00

Period of Performance Start Date

10/1/21 12:00 AM

Period of Performance Duration (Months)

Anticipated Total Amount to be Awarded Under Solicitation

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$8,000,000.00

Continuation Funding Intent OVC may, in certain cases, provide additional funding in future years to awards made under this solicitation, through continuation awards. OJP will consider, among other factors, OJP’s strategic priorities, a recipient’s overall management of the award, and progress of award funded work, when making continuation award decisions.

Availability of Funds This solicitation, and awards (if any are made) under this solicitation, are subject to the availability of appropriated funds and to any modifications or additional requirements that may be imposed by the agency or by law. In addition, nothing in this solicitation is intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

Types of Awards OVC expects to make awards under this solicitation as grants. See the “Administrative, National Policy, and Other Legal Requirements” section of the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for a brief discussion of important statutes, regulations, and award conditions that apply to many (or in some cases, all) OJP grants (and cooperative agreements).

Financial Management and System of Internal Controls Award recipients and subrecipients (including recipients or subrecipients that are pass-through entities) must, as described in the Part 200 Uniform Requirements as set out at 2 C.F.R. 200.303, comply with standards for financial and program management. The “Part 200 Uniform Requirements” means the DOJ regulation at 2 C.F.R. Part 2800, which adopts (with certain modifications) the provisions of 2 C.F.R. Part 200. See OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for additional information.

Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement This solicitation requires a 25% cash or in-kind match. See OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for additional information on this match requirement.

Pre-agreement Costs (also known as Pre-award Costs) See the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide information on Pre-agreement Costs (also known as Pre-award Costs).

Limitation on Use of Award Funds for Employee Compensation: Waiver See the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide information on Limitation on Use of Award Funds for Employee Compensation; Waiver.

Prior Approval, Planning, and Reporting of Conference/Meeting/Training Costs See the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for information on Prior Approval, Planning, and Reporting of Conference/Meeting/Training Costs.

Costs Associated with Language Assistance (if applicable) See the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for information on Costs Associated with Language Assistance.

Eligibility Information For eligibility information, see the title page.

For information on cost sharing or match requirements, see Federal Award Information.

Application and Submission Information The following application elements MUST be included in the application submission for an application to meet the basic minimum requirements (BMR) to advance to peer review and receive consideration for funding:

Proposal Abstract, Proposal Narrative, Budget Worksheet and Budget Narrative (Web-based Form), and Letters of Support, Letters of Intent, and Memorandum of Understanding from other project partners, if applicable

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See the “Application Elements and Formatting Instructions” section of the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for information on what happens to an application that does not contain all the specified elements or that is nonresponsive to the scope of the solicitation.

Information to Complete the Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424) The SF-424 will be submitted in Grants.gov. The SF-424 is a required standard form used as a cover sheet for submission of pre-applications, applications, and related information. See the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for additional information on completing the SF-424.

In Section F of the SF-424, please include the name and contact information of the individual who will complete application materials in JustGrants. JustGrants will use this information (email address) to assign the application to this user in JustGrants.

Intergovernmental Review: This solicitation (“funding opportunity”) is not subject to Executive Order 12372. (In completing the SF-424, an applicant is to answer question 19 by selecting the response that the “Program is not covered by E.O. 12372.”)

Standard Applicant Information (JustGrants 424 and General Agency Information) The Standard Applicant Information section of the JustGrants application is pre-populated with the SF-424 data submitted in Grants.gov. Applicants will need to review the Standard Applicant Information in JustGrants and make edits as needed.

Within this section, applicants will need to: add zip codes for areas affected by the project; confirm their Authorized Representative; and verify the organization's legal name and address.

Proposal Abstract A proposal abstract (no more than 400 words) summarizing the proposed project including primary activities, products and deliverables, the service area, and who will benefit from the proposed project, will be completed in the JustGrants Web-based form.

Proposal Narrative The proposal narrative should be submitted as an attachment in JustGrants. The attached document should be double-spaced, using a standard 12-point Times New Roman font; have no less than 1-inch margins; and should not exceed 15 pages. Pages should be numbered and submitted as an attachment. If the proposal narrative fails to comply with these length restrictions, OVC may negatively consider such noncompliance in peer review and in final award decisions.

The following sections must be included as part of the proposal narrative:

a. Statement of the Problem

This section must—

1. identify the nature and scope of the problem of sex trafficking of minors within the targeted geographic area, including documentation of the number of minor sex trafficking victims identified and/or served each year during 2019 and 2020. Applicants should cite the source(s) of this data, which could include local, state, and federal data regarding investigations, prosecutions, and the number of minors identified as victims of sex trafficking in the proposed geographic area and data from victim service providers or other local stakeholders.

2. describe the communities to be served, including the geographic area, populations in the service area, and any groups that are vulnerable to sex trafficking.

3. describe previous and current efforts to address the service needs of minor sex trafficking victims in the geographic area, including programs funded through OVC, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), or with Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) state victim assistance funds. Explain how the proposed project targets identified gaps and is not duplicative of other projects.

b. Project Design and Implementation

The application must provide a clear link between the proposed activities and the need identified in the “Statement of the Problem” section above.

This section must—

1. clearly state the goals and objectives of this project. Goals and objectives must be in alignment with those stated on page 6 of this solicitation.

2. provide a detailed description of the proposed activities necessary to implement this project and meet the stated goals and objectives.

3. identify specific services that will be provided with grant funds and describe how and where the services will be provided.

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4. link project activities to the requirements of this solicitation and justify the logic of the proposed approach.

5. list project partners, as appropriate, to make the project activities effective and sustainable.

6. describe how the applicant plans to ensure project activities are trauma-informed and protect the safety and confidentiality needs of victims.

7. describe how the applicant will meet the individualized service needs of victims and support victim-informed decision making within the delivery of services.

c. Capabilities and Competencies

This section must demonstrate the institutional experience and expertise of the applicant and proposed subawardee(s) to effectively implement the requirements of this solicitation:

1. demonstrate the institutional experience and expertise (or have submitted formal agreements with partners with experience and expertise with the application) to effectively implement the requirements of this solicitation.

2. demonstrate a history of providing services on behalf of children and youth, and a capacity to address the legal needs of minors, such as parental consent and housing.

3. identify the key individuals and organizations involved in the proposed project.

4. demonstrate that the individuals and organizations identified have the capacity to address the stated need, including the expertise necessary to provide services to labor trafficking victims, and can successfully implement the proposed project activities.

5. describe specific roles and responsibilities of all project partners and key staff.

6. demonstrate that project staff have appropriate training and experience to implement project activities as described in the proposal, and document plans and position descriptions for staff to be hired. Organizational screening policies and procedures for staff working directly with minors should be detailed.

7. demonstrate the capacity and expertise of the lead applicant and all project partners to serve minor victims of labor trafficking.

8. clearly describe who will implement activities as described in the “Project Design and Implementation” section.

9. describe the applicant’s experience managing federal grants that support services to crime victims, and document the applicant’s administrative and financial capacity to manage federal grants. If the applicant has other grants for providing services to victims of human trafficking, the applicant must describe the scope of each of these grants and describe how activities and data collection on these projects will be tracked separately to avoid duplication.

d. Plan for Collecting the Data Required for this Solicitation's Performance Measures

OJP will require each successful applicant to submit regular performance data that demonstrate the results of the work carried out under the award. The performance data directly relate to the goals, objectives, and deliverables identified under “Goals, Objectives, and Deliverables” in the Program Description.

Award recipients will be required to submit performance measure data and performance reports in JustGrants. Examples of the performance measures questionnaire can be found at https://ovc.ojp.gov/funding/performance-measures-overview.

Further guidance on the post-award submission process will be provided, if selected for award.

Note: applicants are not required to submit performance data with the application. Rather, performance measures information is included as an alert that successful applicants will be required to submit performance data as part of the reporting requirements under an award.

Applicants can also visit OJP’s performance measurement page at www.ojp.gov/performance for an overview of performance measurement activities at OJP.

Note on Project Evaluations An applicant that proposes to use award funds through this solicitation to conduct project evaluations must follow the guidance under “Note on Project Evaluations” in the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide.

Goals, Objectives, Deliverables, and Timeline Applicants will submit the program goals, objectives, deliverables and timelines in the JustGrants Web-based form. See the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for additional information.

Budget and Associated Documentation Budget Worksheet and Budget Narrative (Web-based Form) Applicants will complete the JustGrants web-based budget form. See the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for additional information.

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Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (if applicable) Applicants will submit their indirect cost rate agreement by uploading the agreement as an attachment in JustGrants. See the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for additional information.

Financial Management Questionnaire (including applicant disclosure of high-risk status) Applicants will download the questionnaire in JustGrants and submit by uploading the completed questionnaire as an attachment in JustGrants. See the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for additional information.

Disclosure of Process Related to Executive Compensation If applicable, applicants will submit a description of the process used to determine compensation by uploading the document as an attachment in JustGrants. See the “Application Attachments” section of the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for information.

Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) and Other Supportive Documents For services to be provided by project partners, the applicant must name the project partner that will provide the specific service in the proposal narrative and include, as an attachment to the application, a subcontract/subgrant, Letter of Intent, or MOU describing the commitment from that organization to perform a specific service, and a description of the fee for the service or cost to the grant for each service. If services are to be provided as in-kind match, pro bono, or at no cost to the grant, this must be clearly stated in the MOU, Letter of Intent, or subcontract/subgrant. MOUs, Letters of Intent, and subcontracts/subgrants must include the following: (1) names of the organizations involved in the agreement; (2) scope of the direct specialized service(s) and other work to be performed under the agreement; (3) duration of the agreement; (4) estimated cost per victim or cost of actual services provided describing whether it is a fee-for-service, in-kind match, or no cost; (5) whether or not there is a cap on the total amount of the agreement; and (6) whether or not there is a maximum number of victims that may be served under the agreement. If any of the required direct services above are to be provided pro bono or accessed through other government- subsidized or otherwise funded programs, applicants must describe how services will be provided to victims without the use of grant funds. MOUs and Letters of Intent should be submitted as one separate attachment to the application.

Additional Application Components Applicants will attach the additional requested documentation in JustGrants.

Curriculum Vitae or Resumes

Position descriptions and resumes for key positions should be tailored to the applicant to demonstrate qualifications of staff involved in the project.

Tribal Authorizing Resolution If applicable, applicants will submit the Tribal Authorizing Resolution by uploading the resolution as an attachment in JustGrants. An application in response to this solicitation may require inclusion of information related to a tribal authorizing resolution as an attachment. See the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for information on tribal authorizing resolutions.

Research and Evaluation Independence and Integrity Statement If an application proposes research (including research and development) and/or evaluation, the applicant must demonstrate research/evaluation independence and integrity, including appropriate safeguards, before it may receive award funds. Applicants will submit a description of their research and evaluation independence and integrity by uploading the document as an attachment in JustGrants. For additional information regarding demonstrating research/evaluation independence and integrity, including appropriate safeguards, see the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide.

Documentation of Advancing DOJ Priorities (if applicable)

As is mentioned above, OJP will give priority consideration in award decisions to applications that specify how the project will advance one or more of the following DOJ priorities: the promotion of civil rights, access to justice, support to crime victims, protecting the public from crime and evolving threats, or building trust between law enforcement and the community. Applicants will submit the narrative by uploading the document as an attachment in JustGrants.

Documentation of High-Poverty Areas or Persistent-Poverty Counties (if applicable)

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As mentioned above, OJP will give priority consideration in award decisions to applications that demonstrate that the individuals who will benefit from the requested grant reside in high-poverty areas or persistent-poverty counties as defined above. Each applicant proposing to receive consideration under the High-Poverty Areas or Persistent Poverty Counties priority must provide a sufficient narrative explanation to identify each specific High-Poverty Area (by census tract number (s)) and/or each specific Persistent-Poverty County where individuals are intended to benefit from the requested grant and how the requested grant will address specific challenges in each such identified area and/or county. Applicants will submit the narrative by uploading the document as an attachment in JustGrants.

Disclosures and Assurances Applicants will complete the following disclosures and assurances.

Disclosure of Lobbying Activities Applicants will complete and submit the SF-LLL in Grants.gov. See the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for additional information.

DOJ Certified Standard Assurances See the DOJ Certified Standard Assurances in the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide.

Applicant Disclosure of Duplication in Cost Items Applicants will complete the JustGrants web-based Applicant Disclosure of Duplication in Cost Items form. See the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for additional information.

DOJ Certifications Regarding Lobbying; Debarment, Suspension and Other Responsibility Matters; and Drug-Free Workplace Requirements Applicants will review and accept the DOJ Certified Certifications Regarding Lobbying; Debarment, Suspension and Other Responsibility Matters; and Drug-Free Workplace Requirements. See OJP Grant Application Resource Guide.

Applicant Disclosure and Justification – DOJ High Risk Grantees (if applicable)

If applicable, applicants will submit as an attachment in JustGrants See the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for additional information. A DOJ High Risk Grantee is a recipient that has received a DOJ High Risk designation based on a documented history of unsatisfactory performance, financial instability, management system or other internal control deficiencies, or noncompliance with award terms and conditions on prior awards, or that is otherwise not responsible.

How to Apply Applicants will submit an SF-424 and an SF-LLL in Grants.gov at https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html.

Applicants will submit the full application including attachments in JustGrants at JustGrants.usdoj.gov.

For additional information, see the “How to Apply” section in the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide.

Submission Dates and Time The SF-424 and the SF-LLL will be submitted in Grants.gov by 11:59 p.m., eastern time (ET) on June 22, 2021. OJP urges applicants to submit applications at least 72 hours prior to the application due date to allow time for the applicant to receive validation messages or rejection notifications from Grants.gov and to correct in a timely fashion any problems that may have caused a rejection notification.

The full application will be submitted in JustGrants on July 6, 2021 by 11:59 p.m., eastern time (ET).

To be considered timely, the full application must be submitted in JustGrants by the JustGrants application deadline.

Application Review Information Review Criteria

a. Merit Review Criteria

Applications that meet basic minimum requirements will be evaluated by peer reviewers. Applications will be evaluated on how the proposed project/program addresses the following criteria:

1. Statement of the Problem/Description of the Issue (20%) - evaluate the applicant’s understanding of the program/issue to be addressed.

2. Project Design and Implementation (35%) - evaluate the adequacy of the proposal, including the goals, objectives, timelines, milestones, and deliverables.

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3. Capabilities and Competencies (25%) - evaluate administrative and technical capacity of the applicant to successfully accomplish the goals and objectives.

4. Plan for Collecting the Data Required for this Solicitation’s Performance Measures (5%) - evaluate the applicant’s understanding of the performance data reporting requirements and the plan for collecting the required data.

5. Budget (10%) - evaluate for completeness, cost effectiveness, and allowability (e.g., reasonable, allocable, and necessary for project activities).

6. Other Letters of Support, Letters of Intent, and Memorandum of Understanding from other project partners (5%).

b. Other Review Criteria/Factors

Other important considerations for OVC include geographic diversity, strategic priorities, (specifically including, but not limited to, those mentioned above relating to priority areas), available funding, past performance, and the extent to which the Budget Worksheet and Budget Narrative (Web-based form) accurately explain project costs that are reasonable, necessary, and otherwise allowable under federal law and applicable federal cost principles.

Review Process Applications submitted under this solicitation that meet basic minimum requirements, will be evaluated for technical merit by a peer review panel(s) in accordance with OJP peer review policy and procedures using the stated review criteria above.

OJP screens applications to ensure they meet the basic minimum requirements prior to conducting peer review. Although specific requirements may vary, the following are common requirements applicable to all solicitations for funding under OJP programs:

The application must be submitted by an eligible type of applicant.

The application must request funding within programmatic funding constraints (if applicable).

The application must be responsive to the scope of the solicitation.

The application must include all items necessary to meet the basic minimum requirements.

Pursuant to the Part 200 Uniform Requirements, before award decisions are made, OJP also reviews information related to the degree of risk posed by the applicant. Among other things to help assess whether an applicant that has one or more prior federal awards has a satisfactory record with respect to performance, integrity, and business ethics, OJP checks whether the applicant is listed in SAM as excluded from receiving a federal award.

In addition, if OJP anticipates that an award will exceed $250,000 in federal funds, OJP also must review and consider any information about the applicant that appears in the non-public segment of the integrity and performance system accessible through SAM (currently, the Federal…