O-OVC-2023-171709-OVC FY23 HTECMTTA-V1_SI-171709.pdf

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

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

OVC FY 2023 Enhanced Collaborative Model (ECM) Task Force to Combat Human Trafficking Training and Technical

Assistance (TTA) Program

Assistance Listing Number # 16.320

Grants.gov Opportunity Number: O-OVC-2023-171709

Solicitation Release Date: April 05, 2023 9:00 AM ET

Step 1: Application Grants.gov Deadline: May 31, 2023 11:59 PM ET

Step 2: Application JustGrants Deadline: June 07, 2023 8:59 PM ET

Overview

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Justice Programs (OJP), Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) seeks applications to fund training and technical assistance services to support Enhanced Collaborative Model Task Force to Combat Human Trafficking sites throughout the United States. This program furthers the DOJ’s mission by supporting law enforcement and social services agencies to effectively implement a multidisciplinary response to human trafficking.

This solicitation incorporates guidance provided in the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide which provides additional information for applicants to prepare and submit applications to OJP for funding. 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:

For profit organizations other than small businesses, Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status

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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). For additional information on subawards, see the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide.

Contact Information

For assistance with the requirements of this solicitation, contact the OJP Response Center at 800-851-3420, 301-240-6310 (TTY for hearing-impaired callers only), or grants@ncjrs.gov. The OJP Response Center operates from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

eastern time (ET) Monday–Friday, and 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET on the solicitation close date.

Pre-application Information Session

OVC will conduct pre-application webinars during which OVC staff will review all planned FY 2023 anti-trafficking solicitations, provide high-level information about 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. Preregistration is required for all participants. Register and follow the instructions at https://ovc.ojp.gov/funding/funding-webinars. To use the time most efficiently, OVC encourages participants to review the solicitation and submit any questions they may have in advance and no later than 2 days prior to the webinar.

Submit your questions to askovc@ncjrs.gov with the subject as “Questions for OVC Anti-Human Trafficking Solicitations Webinar.”

Submission Information

Registration: Before submitting an application, all applicants must register with the System for Award Management (SAM). You must renew and validate your registration every 12 months. If you do not renew your SAM registration, it will expire. An expired registration can delay or prevent application submission in Grants.gov and JustGrants.

Registration and renewal can take up to 10 business days to complete.

Submission: Applications must be submitted to DOJ electronically through a two-step process via Grants.gov and JustGrants.

Step 1: The applicant must submit by the Grants.gov deadline the required Application for Federal Assistance standard form (SF-424) and a Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL) form when they register in Grants.gov at https://www.grants.gov/ web/grants/register.html. Submit the SF-424 and SF-LLL as early as possible, but no

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

Step 2: The applicant must submit the full application, including attachments, in JustGrants at JustGrants.usdoj.gov by the JustGrants application deadline.

For technical assistance with submitting the full application in JustGrants, contact the JustGrants Service Desk at 833-872-5175 or JustGrants.Support@usdoj.gov. The JustGrants Service Desk operates 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET Monday–Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET on Saturday, Sunday, and Federal holidays.

OJP encourages applicants to review the “How To Apply” section in the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide and the JustGrants website for more information, resources, and training. Applicants should maintain all receipts and confirmations received from SAM.gov, Grants.gov, JustGrants systems.

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Contents

Overview 1 Contact Information 2

Pre-application Information Session 2 Submission Information 2

Program Description 7 Overview 7 Statutory Authority 7 Specific Information 7 Mandatory Program Requirements 9 Goals, Objectives, and Deliverables 10 Evidence-Based Programs or Practices 16 Information Regarding Potential Evaluation of Programs and Activities

Priority Areas 16 Federal Award Information 17

Awards, Amounts and Durations 17 Continuation Funding Intent 18 Availability of Funds 18 Type of Award 18 Financial Management and System of Internal Controls 18 Budget Information 18 Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement 18 Pre-agreement Costs (also known as Pre-award Costs) 19 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) 19 Eligibility Information 19 Application and Submission Information 20

Content of Application Submission 20 Information to Complete the Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424) in Grants.gov

Standard Applicant Information (JustGrants 424 and General Agency Information)

Proposal Abstract 20 Proposal Narrative 21

Goal, Objective and Deliverables 24 Budget and Associated Documentation 25 Budget Worksheet and Budget Narrative (Web-based Form) 25 Pre-agreement Costs (also known as Pre-award Costs) 25 Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (if applicable) 25 Consultant Rate 26 Limitation on Employee Compensation; Waiver 26 Financial Management and System of Internal Controls Questionnaire (including applicant disclosure of high-risk status)

Disclosure of Process Related to Executive Compensation 26 Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) and Other Supportive Documents

Additional Application Components 26 Curriculum Vitae or Resumes 26 Tribal Authorizing Resolution 27 Timeline Form 27 Letters of Support 27 Applicants may attach Letters of Support, see also Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) and Other Supportive Documents.

Research and Evaluation Independence and Integrity Statement 27 Supporting Documentation of Past TTA Delivery Experience (required)

Disclosures and Assurances 27 Disclosure of Lobbying Activities 27 DOJ Certified Standard Assurances 27 Applicant Disclosure of Duplication in Cost Items 27 DOJ Certifications Regarding Lobbying; Debarment, Suspension and Other Responsibility Matters; Drug-Free Workplace Requirements;

Law Enforcement and Community Policing

Applicant Disclosure and Justification - DOJ High Risk Grantees 28

How to Apply 28 Submission Dates and Time 29

Experiencing Unforeseen Technical Issues Preventing Submission of an Application

Application Review Information 31 Review Criteria 31 Review Process 31

Federal Award Administration Information 32 Federal Award Notices 32

Information Technology Security Clauses 33 General Information about Post-Federal Award Reporting Requirements

Federal Awarding Agency Contact(s) 33 Other Information 33

Freedom of Information and Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552 and 5 U.S.C.

552a)

Provide Feedback to OJP 33 Performance Measures 34 Application Checklist 35

Standard Solicitation Resources 38 APPENDIX A: High Functioning Task Force 38

Program Description

Overview

OJP is committed to advancing work that promotes civil rights and racial equity, increases access to justice, supports crime victims and individuals impacted by the justice system, strengthens community safety and protects the public from crime and evolving threats, and builds trust between law enforcement and the community.

To enhance capacity to identify, assist, and provide services to all victims of human trafficking, OVC leads the Nation in supporting victim-centered and trauma-informed programs, policies, and resources that promote justice, access, and empowerment.

With this solicitation, OVC seeks to provide training and technical assistance support to develop and expand multidisciplinary, collaborative model task forces to combat human trafficking.

Statutory Authority

The statutory authority for this program is 34 U.S.C. § 20705 and 34 U.S.C. § 20708.

Specific Information

To address the crime of human trafficking in the United States, Congress passed the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (TVPA), with several subsequent reauthorizations, most recently in 2022.

In the TVPA, a victim of trafficking is defined as a person who has been subjected to a “severe form of trafficking in persons” meaning— 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 yet 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.

Human trafficking occurs in different settings, and its victims are diverse; trafficking victims can include U.S. citizens, foreign nationals, all genders, and all ages. Human trafficking can be hidden and involve complex, cross-cutting crimes that may result in an investigation taking years to complete. Further, human trafficking victims may need a diverse set of services and support over time, depending on their individual circumstances. Because of these elements and the complex nature of this crime and its victimization, OVC funds eligible state, local, and Tribal jurisdictions to implement a multidisciplinary, collaborative response to human trafficking. As of February 2023, there are approximately 50 active, OVC-funded ECM task forces across the United States and its territories. (See FY 2023 Enhanced Collaborative Model (ECM) Task Force to Combat Human Trafficking Program for program purpose and objectives.)

OVC funds training and technical assistance to both new task forces and previously funded task forces to increase their skills and abilities to become a sustainable, high functioning task force. Please see Appendix A for the definition of a “high functioning task force.”

Through this solicitation, OVC seeks to expand the set of TTA services and support available to ECM-funded task forces. This expansion will also benefit the broader anti-trafficking field by producing and sharing a variety of resources developed through this program. The OVC FY23 ECM TTA program will fund one training and technical assistance provider to further develop the ECM Program—both the overall ECM model and a comprehensive TTA program—to support and deliver TTA to state, local, and Tribal ECM task forces, and relevant partners. The TTA provider will assist all active OVC-funded ECM task forces with achieving the program’s objectives and deliverables.

The ECM TTA program will support OVC ECM task force partners develop and sustain a multidisciplinary approach that increases their capacity to identify and support victims, seek justice on their behalf, and hold traffickers accountable. The program will establish a TTA infrastructure that clearly identifies, defines, and supports the core elements of a high functioning ECM task force model, through all stages of task force development, and assist sites to plan, develop, and implement a set of sustainable, multifaceted strategies including the following:

Identifying victims of all forms and all ages of human trafficking.

Connecting victims to developmentally appropriate, culturally responsive, victim-centered and trauma-informed services.

Assisting task forces in creating and implementing an expanded set of investigative and prosecutorial approaches that are rooted in victim-centered and trauma- and survivor-informed practices.

Because of the diversity in both the stakeholders represented in the ECM model (law enforcement, prosecutors, victim service providers, persons with lived experience, health care providers, and more) and the population served, the successful applicant must propose a collaborative model of TTA that includes a consortium of experienced technical assistance entities with nationally recognized practitioners that possess expertise in the core areas of the ECM program. The successful applicant will oversee the logistical and strategic oversight of a range of TTA through these formal partnerships with other national organizations to provide TTA on all aspects of the ECM model. The ECM TTA provider will coordinate its services with other OVC anti-trafficking TTA providers at the direction of OVC.

The TTA provider must have demonstrated expertise in successfully managing training and technical assistance programs that address human trafficking to include the following:

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Developing and delivering trainings.

Supporting peer learning.

Facilitating knowledge sharing and skill building.

Creating or maintaining mechanisms to market, promote, and share TTA resources broadly with the field.

The successful applicant will address five main areas of TTA responsibility:

Capacity-building activities such as internal foundation and task force structure support, collaboration tools and relationship management, and strategic planning.

Victim service provision that is developmentally appropriate, culturally responsive, victim-centered, and trauma-informed.

Law enforcement and prosecution case and strategic approaches rooted in victim-centered and trauma- and survivor-informed practices to increase victim identification and seek justice on behalf of victims.

Data collection, analytical support, and ongoing assessment of program impact related to core ECM objectives (increased victim identification, access to and provision of services, and seeking justice on behalf of victims).

Convenings, workshops, cross-sector trainings and peer learning (both virtual and in person).

Applicants should describe any subrecipients’ experience with the ECM program model or relevant area of expertise, and detail the specific technical assistance they will provide to ECM task forces.

Mandatory Program Requirements

Applicants that receive funding under this program will be required to— ensure their policies and procedures follow applicable federal and state laws protecting the civil rights of program participants and staff (post-award);

ensure that the project coordinator/program director and other relevant staff participate in any grantee orientations and OVC-sponsored training and technical assistance;

describe, as part of routine programmatic reporting, ongoing efforts to enhance ECM grantee responses to labor trafficking; and provide all grant-funded staff with at least one session of training (to be delivered by individuals or organizations with reasonable and demonstrable expertise) annually related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and/or accessibility and tied to annual program goals and objectives annually.

Strengthening Responses to Labor Trafficking

Through its award funding, training and technical assistance, and collaboration with federal partners, OVC has worked to strengthen identification of and responses to labor trafficking victims in the United States. Despite these efforts, labor trafficking remains misunderstood, under-identified, underreported, and often unaddressed. As reflected in OVC grantee data, many individuals experience polyvictimization, including both labor and sex trafficking. To increase identification and expand access to services and justice for victims of labor trafficking, OVC is strengthening its expectations of organizations that receive anti-trafficking award funds. More information about gaps and opportunities in the response to this form of human trafficking is available on OVC’s website.

Goals, Objectives, and Deliverables

Goal

The ECM TTA program goal is to provide coordinated and comprehensive national training and technical assistance that is both foundational and critical to improving the capacity of state, local, and Tribal jurisdictions to develop, grow, and sustain a multidisciplinary, collaborative approach to increase identification of victims of all forms of human trafficking, connect them with services, and seek justice on their behalf ( which can include investigating and prosecuting traffickers at the local, state, Tribal, and federal levels).

Objectives

An applicant should address all the objectives listed below in the Goals, Objectives, Deliverables and Timeline web-based form. All objectives should include how the project will respond to both sex and labor trafficking:

Define, refine, and document a set of core elements of the ECM task force model (both a statewide structure and a local/Tribal structure) that improves a jurisdiction’s (local, state, or Tribal) ability to effectively address human trafficking using a multidisciplinary approach.

Provide comprehensive, ongoing TTA (both remotely and onsite) to define and strengthen the ECM task force model approach and build the capacity of existing and future site-based human trafficking task force grantees based on their specific needs throughout the duration of their federal funding.

Provide a range of relevant subject matter expertise on various emerging issues that impact ECM task force development, growth, and sustainability; investigative techniques; and best practices for both OJP grantees and nongrantees (in consultation with OVC).

Disseminate materials describing promising and evidence-informed practices, organize and convene meetings and forums (as required by OJP), and evaluate and report findings from these events for the benefit of the field.

Build and manage a TTA team, in collaboration with OVC, that includes relevant subject matter experts with a range of pertinent knowledge, skills, and experience that is directly related to the needs of ECM task forces.

Deliverables https://ovc.ojp.gov/program/human-trafficking/about-human-trafficking#vxmfbl

Create and deliver a comprehensive training and technical assistance model that supports both local/Tribal task forces AND statewide task forces.

1.

Develop periodic written reports for OVC, summarizing TTA activities and task force progress.

2.

Develop an updated roadmap/guide/model (electronic, print, or both) that clearly identifies and defines the core elements of a successful ECM task force model that guides task forces on a path to plan, develop, and implement a set of sustainable, multifaceted strategies to identify and serve victims and to hold traffickers accountable. This tool should be made available in formats that are easily accessible to all OJP and non-OJP funded jurisdictions interested in establishing and sustaining a multidisciplinary approach to fighting human trafficking. The model should reflect the activities/contributions of core partners—victim service providers, law enforcement, prosecutors, lived-experience experts. It should also reflect the different task force structures that exist—statewide, Tribal, and local task forces. Applicants should address how or if elements of the Development and Operations Roadmap and OJP Human Trafficking Task Force e-Guide will be incorporated into this deliverable. This deliverable may be published as an OVC/DOJ product, so the applicant should address how they will respond to and incorporate OVC and federal partners’ feedback.

3.

In consultation with OVC, provide and respond to general technical assistance requests from the field, with priority given to OVC-funded ECM task forces.

4.

Assist OVC with onboarding and orienting new and existing OVC-funded task forces to include annual onboarding and semi-annual orientation sessions, as needed, that can be either virtual or in person.

5.

Conduct site assessment visits (in person or virtual) to all actively funded OJP task forces during the course of the TTA award, to include both new and previously funded task forces (as of February 2023 approximately 50 task forces) and any additional in- person TTA visits to task forces as determined necessary to address task force needs, in consultation with OVC. All actively funded ECM task forces should receive a minimum of one site assessment visit. Note that OVC may fund additional task forces throughout the duration of this TTA award.

6.

Create, monitor, and adapt a strategic planning document for, and in coordination with, each actively funded ECM task force. Site assessments and other proposed TTA may inform the development of strategic planning documents. Plans should incorporate key milestones, identify implementation strengths and challenges, and outline clear specific action steps and a timeline.

7.

Create and maintain a dynamic and interactive platform for resources, templates, tools, peer learning, and other materials for wide dissemination to the

8.

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task forces and the field at large.

8.

Under the direction of OVC, plan and conduct national and/or regional meetings, workshops, or other educational sessions for task forces, focused both on implementation and sustainability issues for both statewide task forces and local/Tribal task forces. Applicants should plan for up to three sessions during the TTA award period.

9.

In addition to the three sessions listed above, develop/deliver a minimum of one convening/event per year (at least one in person) to bring together disciplines specifically for knowledge-, capacity-, and skill-building events related to supporting a shared leadership collaborative model and skills necessary for overall task force coordination and leadership.

10.

Training11.

Develop and deliver a series of specialized trainings (both in-person and virtual) and related materials (videos, webinars, online curricula) to address all aspects of a high functioning ECM Task Force (see Appendix A).

Applicants should address how they may build on past OJP/DOJ funded trainings, such as those focused on advanced human trafficking investigations, identifying victims and investigating cases of labor trafficking, and trainings geared toward executives or line-level staff to improve an overall organizational response to human trafficking. Applicants should discuss any gaps in the trainings available and propose new trainings that address those gaps. Applicants should explain how/if they will incorporate new and existing resources in multisector or joint trainings.

a.

Incorporate adult learning principles and include innovative instructional materials. The trainings should increase capacity and enhance the understanding, knowledge, and skills of key task force members across local, state, and Tribal governmental agencies as well as non-governmental service provider organizations to develop and sustain a multidisciplinary approach, with a specific emphasis on practical understanding and implementation of a diverse set of strategic approaches that increase victim identification of all forms and all ages of human trafficking victims.

b.

Develop a minimum of 18 training events (virtual or in person) across topics, approximately 6 per year.

c.

Create a checklist or other tool to help ECM task forces assess the relevance of non-OJP funded human trafficking trainings to their specific task force goals, objectives, and priority areas.

d.

Develop a set of tools, sample documents, models, etc., that support task forces in successfully completing required task force deliverables.

12.

#AppendixA

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Create a timeline of key milestones for the full award period and across ECM task force development and completion of grant-funded activity and deliverables.

a.

Develop customizable training templates and tools for outreach, public awareness, and media efforts.

b.

Create a model task force structure (core team, subcommittees, stakeholder representation, process for membership, clear roles/ responsibilities). Examples include, but are not limited to, sample MOUs, protocols, community assessments, media guides, case generation, and others proposed by the applicant and OVC.

c.

Create a guide for protocol development for ECM task forces.d.

Develop case studies (minimum of five) that provide practical examples of victim-centered multidisciplinary approaches that address both investigative and prosecutorial approaches as well as service delivery and meaningful involvement of lived-experience experts.

e.

Develop a minimum of five reports, publications, or other outreach vehicles (one for each key area of TTA responsibility) to relay data-driven, practical information about effective implementation and sustainability of the ECM task force model, using specific examples from the field.

13.

Assist task forces with achieving goals and objectives and successful completion of high-quality deliverables. Develop and deliver a method to review and provide feedback to ECM grantees on deliverables. (Please see FY 23 ECM Task Force solicitation for a list of deliverables.) Please note that the FY 23 ECM solicitation includes three categories and an emphasis on supporting task forces with creating and implementing strategies specific to labor trafficking.

14.

Establish, manage, and facilitate a peer-to-peer learning exchange program that supports and reflects the core elements of the ECM model and enables task forces to exchange examples of successful victim-centered approaches that increase the identification of victims of human trafficking of all forms and ages and the pursuit of justice on their behalf. The applicant should describe how these exchanges will happen (virtual, in person, both) and how task forces may be selected to serve as peer providers versus peer recipients. The applicant may propose specific topics and/or potential peer task forces or individuals.

15.

Recruit, maintain, and facilitate peer liaisons who are diverse peer experts to work regularly with task forces to provide peer-to-peer advisory support (remotely and onsite) and serve as a liaison between the task forces, OVC, and the TTA provider. Applicants should address how they may build on or adapt past OJP/ DOJ-supported peer liaison programming for the ECM program. The peer experts should have experience managing successful human trafficking

16.

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investigations and prosecutions; trauma-informed and victim-centered approaches; providing trauma-informed, victim-centered, and culturally responsive victim services; developing and implementing various protocols and standard operation procedures specific to human trafficking; data collection and information sharing; and the use of intelligence and advanced analytical methods. It is also critical that they have experience in facilitation and capacity-building skills among diverse, cross-system partnerships, especially between law enforcement and victim service providers.

16.

The applicant should ensure that the proposed TTA approach clearly addresses and outlines specifically how it will provide the required support and expertise and produce deliverables that cover all five main areas of TTA provider responsibility outlined previously.

The successful applicant will proactively leverage existing OVC Human Trafficking TTA on a range of topics, including on meaningful engagement with individuals with lived experience as part of task force leadership, structure, and function. They will also work in close coordination with other OVC TTA on provision of quality services, housing, legal services, employment and others. See OVC website for current OVC HT TTA projects and topics.

The goals, objectives, and deliverables are directly related to the performance measures that show the completed work’s results, as discussed in the “Application and Submission Information” section.

Ensuring Civil Rights

Federal laws prohibit recipients of funding administered by the OJP from discriminating in the delivery of services on the basis of age, race, color, national origin, religion, or disability. Applicable federal laws also prohibit recipients from discriminating on the basis of disability in their employment practices, and from discriminating against employees and beneficiaries on the basis of sex in funded education or training programs.

Recipients are also obligated under federal civil rights laws to provide meaningful access to their programs and activities for persons with limited English proficiency. Under certain circumstances, it might be permissible to limit services based upon age. Please note that other federal, state, or local laws prohibiting discrimination may apply.

Enhancing Access to Services and Promoting Survivor Autonomy

OVC is committed to an approach to human trafficking that is trauma-informed, victim-centered, survivor-informed, culturally responsive; and evidence-based. Definitions of these concepts are available in the glossary of OVC’s Model Standards for Serving Victims and Survivors of Crime.

In line with these concepts and to enhance survivors’ access to victim services, the TTA provider funded under this solicitation will promote practices that remove barriers to receiving services and support survivor autonomy. Such practices will reduce

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Funded sites under the ECM program will demonstrate their commitment to this approach by maintaining the following. (Note: Many of these requirements are mandated by federal civil rights laws, while others reflect OVC’s policy direction to recipients to enhance access to services and promote survivor autonomy.)

Procedures or policies that provide all survivors access to safe shelter, advocacy services, counseling, and other assistance without exclusions based on actual or perceived sex, age, immigration status, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, mental health condition, physical health condition, criminal record, involvement in commercial sex, income or lack of income, or the age and/or sex of their children. For those programs that by their design target a particular population (e.g., youth, gender specific) there should be procedures or policies in place to ensure access to comparable, qualified services for other survivors seeking support.

Procedures or policies that protect the confidentiality of information and/or privacy of persons receiving services.

Procedures or policies that do not require victims to take certain actions (e.g., receive counseling, report to law enforcement, commit to sobriety) to be eligible for, or to receive services. For youth serving programs with justifiable mandatory requirements, a shared decision making model should be used to provide minors with agency in participating in decisions that impact them.

Project designs, products, services, and/or budgets that consider the unique needs of individuals with disabilities, with limited English proficiency, or who are Deaf or hard of hearing, including accessibility for such individuals.

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

The following statutory language applies to all awards under this solicitation:

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.

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 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 activities that resulted from such victims being trafficked.

Pursuant to the statute above, OVC requires grantees under this program to agree to the

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Information on Managing Human Trafficking Awards

For more information on implementation of OVC Human Trafficking awards, please consult the OVC Human Trafficking Program FAQs.

Evidence-Based Programs or Practices

OJP strongly encourages the use of data and evidence in policymaking and program development for 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 projects and activities funded under this solicitation. For additional information and applicable documentation to be included in the application, see the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide section entitled “Information Regarding Potential Evaluation of Programs and Activities.”

Priority Areas

The Department of Justice is committed to advancing work that promotes civil rights and racial equity, increases access to justice, supports crime victims and individuals impacted by the justice system, strengthens community safety and protects the public from crime and evolving threats, and builds trust between law enforcement and the community.

Priority Considerations Supporting Executive Order 13985, Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government

In support of this Executive Order, OJP will provide priority consideration when making award decisions to the following:

A. Applications that propose project(s) that are designed to promote racial equity and the removal of barriers to access and opportunity for communities that have been historically underserved, marginalized, and adversely affected by inequality.

To receive this consideration, the applicant must describe how the proposed project(s) will address potential racial inequities and contribute to greater access to services and opportunities for communities that have been historically underserved, marginalized, and adversely affected by inequality, and identify how the project design and implementation will specifically incorporate the input or participation of those communities and populations disproportionately impacted by crime, violence, and the criminal justice

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outreach and/or public awareness campaigns specifically tailored to historically underserved and marginalized communities to encourage participation in the proposed project(s); budgeted incorporation of members representing historically underserved and marginalized communities in program evaluation, surveys, or other means of project feedback; and partnership with organizations that primarily serve communities that have been historically underserved, marginalized, and adversely affected by inequality.

B. Applicants that demonstrate that their capabilities and competencies for implementing their proposed project(s) are enhanced because they (or at least one proposed subrecipient that will receive at least 40% of the requested award funding, as demonstrated in the Budget Web-Based Form) identify as a culturally specific organization.

To receive this additional priority consideration, applicants must describe how being a culturally specific organization (or funding the culturally specific subrecipient organization (s)) will enhance their ability to implement the proposed project(s) and should also specify which populations are intended or expected to be served or to have their needs addressed under the proposed project(s).

Culturally specific organizations are defined for the purposes of this solicitation as private nonprofit or tribal organizations whose primary purpose as a whole is to provide culturally specific services to racial and ethnic groups, including, among others, Black people, Hispanic and Latino people, Native American and other Indigenous peoples of North America (including Alaska Native, Eskimo, and Aleut), Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and/or Pacific Islanders.

Note: Addressing these priority areas is one of many factors that OJP considers in making funding decisions. Receiving priority consideration for one or more priority areas does not guarantee an award.

Federal Award Information Solicitation Categories

This solicitation does not include Solicitation Categories.

Awards, Amounts and Durations

Anticipated Number of Awards

Anticipated Maximum Dollar Amount of Awards

$3,000,000

Period of Performance Start Date 10/1/23

Period of Performance Duration (Months)

Anticipated Total Amount to be Awarded Under Solicitation $3,000,000

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 the award-funded work’s progress, when making continuation award decisions.

Availability of Funds

This solicitation, and awards 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.

Type of Award

OVC expects to make awards under this solicitation as cooperative agreements, which provide for OJP to have substantial involvement in carrying out award activities. See the “Administrative, National Policy, and Other Legal Requirements” section of the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for additional information.

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. See the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for additional information.

Budget Information

The applicant should ensure the budget reflects sufficient costs to successfully complete all deliverables, to include stated quantity of any in-person site visits with task forces, technical assistance visits, convenings, and other costs as needed, across both the applicant and any subawards/consultants.

Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement

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This solicitation does not require a match.

Pre-agreement Costs (also known as Pre-award Costs)

See the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for 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 for information on the 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 solicitation cover page.

For information on cost sharing or match requirements, see the “Federal Award Information” section.

Notice regarding law enforcement agencies: 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 eligible for FY 2023 DOJ discretionary grant funding. To become certified, the law enforcement agency must meet two mandatory conditions: (1) the agency’s use-of-force policies adhere to all applicable federal, state, and local laws, and (2) the agency’s use-of-force policies prohibit chokeholds except in situations where use of deadly force is allowed by law. The certification requirement also applies to law enforcement agencies receiving DOJ discretionary grant funding through a subaward. For detailed information on this certification requirement, please visit https://cops.usdoj.gov/SafePolicingEO to access the Standards for Certification on Safe Policing for Safe Communities, the Implementation Fact Sheet, and the List of Designated Independent Credentialing Bodies.

All recipients and subrecipients (including any for-profit organization) must forgo any

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Application and Submission Information

Content of Application Submission

The following application elements must be included in the application to meet the basic minimum requirements to advance to peer review and receive consideration for funding:

Proposal Abstract Proposal Narrative Budget Web-Based Form (The web-based form includes the budget details and the budget narrative.)

If OJP determines that an application does not include these elements, it will neither proceed to peer review, nor receive further consideration.

Information to Complete the Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424) in Grants.gov

The SF-424 must be submitted in Grants.gov. It 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 8F of the SF-424, please include the name and contact information of the individual who will complete the application 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 (E.O.) 12372. (In completing the SF-424, an applicant is to answer question 19 by selecting “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. The applicant will need to review the Standard Applicant Information in JustGrants and make edits as needed.

Within this section, the applicant will need to add ZIP codes for areas affected by the project; confirm their Authorized Representative; and verify and confirm the organization’s unique entity identifier, legal name, and address.

Proposal Abstract

A Proposal Abstract (no more than 400 words) summarizing the proposed

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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 font; have no less than 1-inch margins; and should not exceed 25 numbered pages. If the Proposal Narrative fails to comply with these length restrictions, OVC may consider such noncompliance in peer review and in final award decision. Tables, charts, and graphs included in the proposal narrative can be created in a legible font smaller than 12-point and will count toward the page limit.

The Proposal Narrative must include the following sections:

a. Statement of the Problem

Describe generally the need for and existing gaps in training and technical assistance specific to addressing human trafficking from a multidisciplinary, collaborative approach.

Demonstrate a firm understanding of the challenges with implementing a multidisciplinary human trafficking task force approach among local, Tribal, and state jurisdictions to achieve results.