O-OVC-2023-171712-OVC FY23 VOCA VA-V3_SI-171712 508.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 VOCA Victim Assistance Formula Grant

Assistance Listing Number # 16.575

Grants.gov Opportunity Number: O-OVC-2023-171712

Solicitation Release Date: April 06, 2023 9:00 AM ET

Application Grants.gov Deadline: May 30, 2023 11:59 PM ET

Application JustGrants Deadline: June 06, 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 for funding under the Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Victim Assistance Formula Grant Program. This program furthers the DOJ’s mission by providing grants to support the provision of services to victims of crime throughout the nation.

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.

This solicitation expressly modifies the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide by not incorporating the “Limitation on Use of Award Funds for Employee Compensation;

Waiver” provision in the “Financial Information” section of the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide.

Eligible Applicants:

State governments, Other

Other

Territories and possessions of the United States.

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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.

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 later than 48 hours before the Grants.gov deadline. If an applicant fails to submit in Grants.gov, they will be unable to apply in JustGrants.

For technical assistance with submitting the SF-424 and an 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.

Pre-Application Information Session

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OVC will conduct a pre-application webinar during which OVC staff will review all planned FY 2023 VOCA formula 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-webinar. 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 VOCA Formula Webinar.”

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Contents

Overview 1 Contact Information 2

Pre-Application Information Session 2 Program Description 7 assistance grant. For federal FY 2023, the amount available to OVC for obligation from the Crime Victims Fund is $1.9 billion. Each state, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico receive a base amount of $500,000. The territories of Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and American Samoa each receive a base amount of $200,000. Additional funds are distributed to states and territories based on population according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Overview 7 Statutory Authority 7 Specific Information 7 All states and most territories receive an annual VOCA victim 7

Each applicant in the award acceptance process in JustGrants must 7 agree to the following award condition, which satisfies the VOCA requirements at 34 U.S.C. § 20103(a)(2), and 34 U.S.C. § 20110(h), that states make certain certifications:

Activities

Goals, Objectives, and Deliverables 8 Evidence-Based Programs 9 Information Regarding Potential Evaluation of Programs and 9

Federal Award Information 9 Awards, Amounts and Durations 9 Availability of Funds 9 Type of Award 10 Financial Management and System Controls 10 Budget Information 10 Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement 10 Pre-agreement Costs (also known as Pre-award Costs) 10 Prior Approval, Planning, and Reporting of Conference/Meeting/ 10 Training Costs Costs Associated with Language Assistance (if applicable) 10

Eligibility Information 11 Application and Submission Information 11

Content of Application Submission and Available Surveys 11

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Information to Complete the Application for Federal Assistance 11 (SF-424) in Grants.gov Standard Applicant Information (JustGrants 424 and General Agency 12 Information)

Questionnaire (including applicant disclosure of high-risk status)

Certificates

Proposal Narrative 12 Goal, Objective and Deliverables 13 Budget and Associated Documentation 13 Budget Worksheet and Budget Narrative (attachment) 13 Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (if applicable) 13 Financial Management and System of Internal Controls 13

Disclosure of Process Related to Executive Compensation 13 Additional Application Components 13

OJP Financial Management and Grant Administration Training 14

A Statement Regarding Use of Administrative and Training Funds 14

Civil Rights Compliance Reporting 14

Other Responsibility Matters; and Drug-Free Workplace Requirements; Law Enforcement and Community Policing applicable) of an Application

Monitoring of Subawards 14 Statement Regarding Plan to Subgrant Funds 14

Disclosure and Assurances 15 Disclosure of Lobbying Activities 15 DOJ Certified Standard Assurances 15 Applicant Disclosure of Duplication in Cost Items 15 DOJ Certifications Regarding Lobbying; Debarment, Suspension and 15

Applicant Disclosure and Justification - DOJ High Risk Grantees (if 16

How to Apply 16 Submission Dates and Time 17

Experiencing Unforeseen Technical Issues Preventing Submission 17

Application Review Information 18 Review Process 19

Federal Award Administration Information 19 Federal Award Notices 19 Administrative, National Policy, and Other Legal Requirements 19 Information Technology (IT) Security Clauses 19 General Information about Post-Federal Award Reporting 20

Requirements Federal Awarding Agency Contact(s) 20 Other Information

552a)

Freedom of Information and Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552 and 5 U.S.C. 20

Provide Feedback to OJP 20 Performance Measures 20 Application Checklist 22

Standard Solicitation Resources 24

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.

With this solicitation, OVC seeks applications for funding under the FY 2023 VOCA Victim Assistance Formula Grant Program. This program furthers the Department’s mission by providing grants to support the provision of services to victims of crime throughout the nation. OVC encourages SAAs to use VOCA funding within program parameters to affirmatively advance equity, civil rights, racial justice, and equal opportunity. In line with these goals, OVC particularly encourages SAAs to include American Indian and Alaska Native tribes in program planning and funding.

Statutory Authority

34 U.S.C. § 20103(a)

Specific Information

All states and most territories receive an annual VOCA victim assistance grant. For federal FY 2023, the amount available to OVC for obligation from the Crime Victims Fund is $1.9 billion. Each state, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico receive a base amount of $500,000. The territories of Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and American Samoa each receive a base amount of $200,000. Additional funds are distributed to states and territories based on population according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Each applicant in the award acceptance process in JustGrants must agree to the following award condition, which satisfies the VOCA requirements at 34 U.S.C. § 20103 (a)(2), and 34 U.S.C. § 20110(h), that states make certain certifications:

VOCA Requirements

The recipient assures that the State and its subrecipients will comply with the conditions of the Victims of Crime Act of 1984, sections 1404(a)(2), and 1404(b)(1) and (2), 34 U.S.C. § 20103(a)(2) and (b)(1) and (2) (and the applicable program guidelines and regulations), as required. Specifically, the State certifies that funds under this award will:

a. Be awarded only to eligible victim assistance organizations, 34 U.S.C. § 20103(a) (2);

b. Not be used to supplant State and local public funds that would otherwise be available for crime victim assistance, 34 U.S.C. § 20103(a)(2), or for administering the state victim assistance program, 34 U.S.C. § 20110(h); and

c. Be allocated in accordance with program guidelines or regulations implementing 34 U.S.C. § 20103(a)(2)(A) and 34 U.S.C. § 20103(a)(2)(B) to, at a minimum, assist victims in the following categories: sexual assault, child abuse, domestic violence, and underserved victims of violent crimes as identified by the State.

Award funds will be used only to provide services to victims of crime, except for a maximum of 5 percent that may be used for administration and training. See 34 U.S.C. § 20103(b)(3), 28 C.F.R. 94.107.

States and territories have the sole discretion to determine which organizations will receive subawards, subject to the requirements of VOCA, the Victim Assistance Program Rule at 28 C.F.R. part 94, subpart B, government-wide grant rules at 2 C.F.R. part 200 (as adopted by DOJ), and the DOJ Grants Financial Guide

The VOCA Victim Assistance Program Rule describes the program requirements, and types of programs and activities that states and territories are able to support with VOCA Assistance grant funds. Questions and answers regarding the Rule and the VOCA Assistance Program are available on the OVC website at https://ovc.ojp.gov/program/ victims-crime-act-voca-administrators/vocapedia.

OVC strongly encourages State Administrating Agencies to use the VOCA Assistance funding within the program parameters to affirmatively advance equity, civil rights, racial justice, and equal opportunity. The following practices may advance State Administrating Agency efforts toward these goals:

• Include historically marginalized and underserved populations in any process to identify victim service needs (e.g., strategic planning).

• Consider funding organizations that in the past have not received VOCA funds.

Review criteria for determining the organizational capacity of subrecipient applicants (see 28 C.F.R. 94.122 (b); 34 U.S.C. § 20103(b)(1)(B)).

• Support victims of violent crime through community violence intervention programs.

Goals, Objectives, and Deliverables

The goal of the VOCA Victim Assistance funding is to improve the treatment of victims of crime by providing victims with the assistance, support, and services necessary to aid their restoration and healing after a criminal act. States and territories shall use funds to support eligible crime victim assistance programs that provide support services to crime victims; retaining up to 5 percent of their total grant for administrative and training purposes.

Objectives

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Objectives of the OVC VOCA Victim Assistance Formula Grant Program are the following:

Support state and territory crime victim assistance programs; and Provide subgrants to local community-based organizations and public agencies that provide services to crime victims.

Deliverables

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

Evidence-Based Programs

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 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.”

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 $1,349,733,022

Period of Performance Start Date Period of Performance Duration (Months) 10/1/22 48

Anticipated Total Amount to be Awarded Under Solicitation $1,349,733,022

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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 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.

Financial Management and System 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

This solicitation does not require a budget.

Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement

This solicitation does not require a match. Subrecipient match waiver guidance remains unchanged and is not affected by this solicitation.

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).

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)

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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 matching requirements, see the Federal Award Information section.

For the 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, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. All states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands are eligible to receive an annual VOCA Victim Assistance formula grant. Applicants must meet the eligibility requirements specified in VOCA, 34 U.S.C. § 20103(b).

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

Application and Submission Information

Content of Application Submission and Available Surveys

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 is nonresponsive to the scope of the solicitation.

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 12372. In completing the SF-424, an applicant is to answer question 19 by selecting

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“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 Organization Representative; and verify and confirm the organization's unique entity identifier, legal name, and address.

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 10 numbered pages.

Please provide a brief description of your agency and the VOCA formula grant program, describing your program and its goals for serving victims in FY 2023. This is a new requirement.

Note: An applicant is not required to submit performance data with the application. Rather, performance measure information is included as a notification that award recipients will be required to submit performance data as part of each award’s reporting requirements. Some measures are presented as examples, while others are the exact measures that every recipient will be expected to address.

OJP will require each award recipient to submit regular performance data that show the completed work’s results. The performance data directly relate to the goals, objectives, and deliverables identified in the “Goals, Objectives, and Deliverables” discussion. Applicants can visit OJP’s performance measurement page at www.ojp.gov/performance for an overview of performance measurement activities at OJP.

OVC will require award recipients to submit performance measure data in its online Performance Measurement Tool (PMT), located at https://ovcpmt.ojp.gov, and separately submit an annual performance report in JustGrants. OVC will provide further guidance on the post-award submission process, after making awards.

A list of resources and trainings can be found at https://ovc.ojp.gov/program/victims-crime-act-voca-administrators/victim-assistance-and-victim-compensation-performance-measures.

Applicants should examine the list of Victim Assistance performance measures at VOCA Victim Assistance Performance Measures.

VOCA formula applicants are not required to submit the VOCA Victim Assistance Formula goals, objectives, deliverables, and timelines in the JustGrants web-based form.

Note on Project Evaluations

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

Goal, Objective and Deliverables

VOCA formula applicants are not required to submit goals, objectives, deliverables, and timelines in the JustGrants web-based form.

Budget and Associated Documentation

These are not required for the VOCA Assistance Formula Program application. Please disregard the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide, Budget Preparation, and Submission Information provisions to the extent that they require submission of a budget.

Budget Worksheet and Budget Narrative (attachment)

These are not required for the VOCA Assistance Formula Program application. Please disregard the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide, Budget Preparation, and Submission Information provisions to the extent that they require submission of a budget.

Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (if applicable)

If applicable, the applicant will upload their indirect cost rate agreement as an attachment in JustGrants. See the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for additional information.

Financial Management and System of Internal Controls Questionnaire (including applicant disclosure of high-risk status)

The applicant will download the questionnaire, complete it, and upload it as an attachment in JustGrants. See the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for additional information and the link to the questionnaire.

Disclosure of Process Related to Executive Compensation

This solicitation expressly modifies the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide by not incorporating its “Disclosure of Process Related to Executive Compensation” provisions. Applicants to this solicitation are not required to provide this disclosure.

Additional Application Components

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The applicant will attach the additional requested documentation in JustGrants.

OJP Financial Management and Grant Administration Training Certificates

Please attach the required current training certificates for the Grant Award Administrator and Financial Manager for this formula grant application. Both the Grant Award Administrator and Financial Manager for this award must have successfully completed the "OJP financial management and grant administration training” within 3 years prior to submission of this application.

A Statement Regarding Use of Administrative and Training Funds

Applicants should provide OVC with a general statement about how they intend to use the 5 percent of the award amount allowed for administration and training. See 28 C.F.R.

94.107.

Civil Rights Compliance Reporting

Applicants will submit through JustGrants the name of a civil rights contact person who is responsible for ensuring that all applicable civil rights requirements are met and who will act as liaison in civil rights matters with the OJP Office for Civil Rights.

Monitoring of Subawards

Please describe your subaward monitoring plan for FY 2023. Please explain whether you met your monitoring goals for FY 2022. If you did not meet or are not meeting your monitoring goals, please explain.

Statement Regarding Plan to Subgrant Funds

Applicants must upload the following to JustGrants.

a. A copy of the documented methodology for selecting subrecipients that will apply to FY 2023 VOCA Assistance funding.

b. A copy of any completed strategic plan applicable to FY 2023 VOCA Assistance funding.

c. A document that describes (to the extent not already addressed in the items above) the following:

Efforts to assess victim services needs in the state or territory; and whether these efforts actively seek to include diverse and frequently marginalized perspectives in identifying these needs, and, if so, how.

How subawards will be made, including the extent to which new awards will be made and the extent to which awards to existing subgrantees will be modified. If a planning process is underway or anticipated regarding the delivery of victim services, please describe that process.

How the state or territory will use its funding to affirmatively advance equity, civil rights, racial justice, and equal opportunity, including by incorporating any of the practices described below and any others that your jurisdiction uses or plans to use.

For this item, please refer to the definitions used in the January 20, 2021, “Executive Order on Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government.” The term “equity” means the consistent and systematic fair, just, and impartial treatment of all individuals, including individuals who belong to underserved communities that have been denied such treatment, such as Black, Latino, and Indigenous and Native American persons; Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and other persons of color; members of religious minorities;

lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) persons; and persons with disabilities. The term ‘underserved communities’ refers to populations sharing a particular characteristic, and geographic communities, that have been systematically denied a full opportunity to participate in aspects of economic, social, and civic life, including isolated rural areas, particularly Tribal communities and Alaska Native villages; communities affected by persistent poverty or inequality; and communities exemplified by the list in the preceding definition of “equity.”

How the state or territory will try to ensure that subrecipients meet the VOCA organizational capacity requirements. See 28 C.F.R. 94.112(b); 34 U.S.C. § 20103(b)(1)(B) (requiring subrecipients to show a record of effective services to victims of crime and financial support from non-Crime Victims Fund sources, or in lieu of this record, show substantial financial support from non-Crime Victims Fund sources).

OVC encourages states and territories to consider funding organizations that traditionally have not received VOCA funds, and, within the parameters of the program rule, to set flexible criteria for demonstrating organizational capacity. To the extent that your jurisdiction will (or has) reviewed its process for determining organizational capacity to broaden access to VOCA Assistance funding, please describe what changes you intend to make (or have made).

Disclosure and Assurances

The applicant will address the following disclosures and assurances.

Disclosure of Lobbying Activities

Complete and submit the SF-LLL in Grants.gov. Once the applicant submits in Grants.gov, this information will pre-pend into JustGrants. See the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for additional information.

DOJ Certified Standard Assurances

Review and accept the DOJ Certified Standard Assurances in JustGrants. See the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for additional information.

Applicant Disclosure of Duplication in Cost Items

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

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DOJ Certifications Regarding Lobbying; Debarment, Suspension and Other Responsibility Matters; and Drug-Free Workplace Requirements; Law Enforcement and Community Policing

Review and accept in JustGrants the DOJ Certifications Regarding Lobbying;

Debarment, Suspension and Other Responsibility Matters; and Drug-Free Workplace Requirements; and Law Enforcement and Community Policing in JustGrants. See the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for additional information.

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

If applicable, submit the DOJ High Risk Disclosure and Justification as an attachment in JustGrants. A DOJ High Risk Grantee is an award 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;

noncompliance with award terms and conditions on prior awards, or is otherwise not responsible. See the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for additional information.

How to Apply

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: After registering with SAM, the applicant must submit the SF-424 and SF-LLL in Grants.gov at https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html by the Grants.gov deadline. Submit the SF-424 and SF-LLL as early as possible, but no later than 48 hours before the Grants.gov deadline. If an applicant fails to submit in Grants.gov, they will be unable to apply in JustGrants.

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

Within 24 hours after receipt of confirmation emails from Grants.gov, the individual in Section 8F of the SF-424 will receive an email from DIAMD-NoReply@usdoj.gov with instructions on how to create a JustGrants account. Register the Entity Administrator and the Application Submitter with JustGrants as early as possible but no later than 48–72 hours before the JustGrants deadline. Once registered in JustGrants, the Application Submitter will receive an emailed link to complete the rest of the application in

O-OVC-2023-171712

https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#administrative https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#applicant-disclosure-justification https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html https://justicegrants.usdoj.gov/ mailto:DIAMD-NoReply@usdoj.gov https://Grants.gov https://Grants.gov https://Grants.gov https://Grants.gov https://Grants.gov

JustGrants. The Entity Administrator also will need to log into JustGrants to review and invite the applicant’s Authorized Representative(s) before an application can be submitted.

Submit the complete application package in JustGrants at least 24 – 48 hours prior to the JustGrants deadline. Some of the application components will be entered directly into JustGrants, and others will require uploading attached documents. Therefore, applicants will need to allow ample time before the JustGrants deadline to prepare each component.

Applicants may save their progress in the system and revise the application as needed prior to hitting the Submit button at the end of the application in JustGrants.

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

Submission Dates and Time

The SF-424 and the SF-LLL must be submitted in Grants.gov by 1:59 p.m. eastern time on May 30, 2023.

The full application must be submitted in JustGrants by 8:59 p.m. eastern time on June 6, 2023.

OJP urges applicants to submit their Grants.gov and JustGrants submissions prior to the due dates with sufficient time to correct any errors and resubmit by the submission deadlines if a rejection notification is received. To be considered timely, the full application must be submitted in JustGrants by the JustGrants application deadline.

Failure to begin the SAM.gov, Grants.gov, or JustGrants registration process in sufficient time (i.e., waiting until the date identified in this solicitation) is not an acceptable reason for late submission.

Experiencing Unforeseen Technical Issues Preventing Submission of an Application

OJP will only consider a request to submit an application after the deadline when the applicant can document that a technical issue with a government system prevented application submission.

If an applicant misses a deadline due to unforeseen technical issues with SAM.gov, Grants.gov, or JustGrants, the applicant may request a waiver to submit an application after the deadline. However, the waiver request will not be considered unless it includes a tracking number generated when the applicant contacts the applicable service desks to report technical difficulties. Tracking numbers are generated automatically when an applicant emails the applicable service desks; and for this reason, applicants are encouraged to email the appropriate service desk, even if they also intend to call the service desk for phone support. Experiencing wait times for phone support does not relieve the applicant of the responsibility of getting a tracking number.

O-OVC-2023-171712

https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#apply https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#apply https://justicegrants.usdoj.gov/sites/g/files/xyckuh296/files/media/document/appln-submission-checklist.pdf https://Grants.gov https://Grants.gov

An applicant experiencing technical difficulties must contact the associated service desk indicated below to report the technical issue and receive a tracking number:

SAM.gov - contact the SAM Help Desk (Federal Service Desk), Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET at 866-606-8220.

Grants.gov - contact the Grants.gov Customer Support Hotline, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, except on federal holidays, at 800-518-4726, 606-545-5035, or support@grants.gov JustGrants - contact the JustGrants Service Desk at JustGrants.Support@usdoj.gov or 833-872-5175, Monday – Friday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET and Saturday, Sunday, and Federal holidays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET.

If an applicant has technical issues with SAM.gov or Grants.gov, the applicant must contact the OJP Response Center at grants@ncjrs.gov within 24 hours of the Grants.gov deadline to request approval to submit after the deadline.

If an applicant has technical issues with JustGrants that prevent application submission by the deadline, the applicant must contact the OJP Response Center at grants@ncjrs.gov within 24 hours of the JustGrants deadline to request approval to submit after the deadline.

Waiver requests sent to the OJP Response Center must -describe the technical difficulties experienced, include a timeline of the applicant's submission efforts (e.g., date and time the error occurred, date and time of actions taken to resolve the issue and resubmit; and date and time support representatives responded), include an attachment of the complete grant application and all the required documentation and materials, include the applicant's Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), and include any SAM.gov, Grants.gov, and JustGrants Service Desk tracking numbers documenting the technical issue.

OJP will review each waiver request and the required supporting documentation and notify the applicant whether the request for late submission has been approved or denied. An applicant that does not provide documentation of a technical issue or that does not submit a waiver request within the required time period will be denied.

For more details on the waiver process, OJP encourages applicants to review the “Experiencing Unforeseen Technical Issues” section in the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide.

Application Review Information

O-OVC-2023-171712

https://www.fsd.gov/gsafsd_sp https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/support.html mailto:support@grants.gov mailto:JustGrants.Support@usdoj.gov mailto:grants@ncjrs.gov mailto:grants@ncjrs.gov https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#experiencing-unforeseen-technical-issues https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#experiencing-unforeseen-technical-issues https://Grants.gov https://Grants.gov

Review Process

OJP reviews the application to make sure that the information presented is reasonable, understandable, measurable, achievable, and consistent with the solicitation. See the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for information on the application review process for this solicitation.

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 entity. Among other things to help assess whether an applicant with one or more prior federal awards has a satisfactory record with respect to performance, integrity, and business ethics, OJP checks whether the applicant entity 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 Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System, FAPIIS).

Important note on FAPIIS: An applicant may review and comment on any information about its organization that currently appears in FAPIIS and was entered by a federal awarding agency. OJP will consider such comments by the applicant, in addition to the other information in FAPIIS, in its assessment of the risk posed by the applicant entity.

Absent explicit statutory authorization or written delegation of authority to the contrary, all final award decisions will be made by the Assistant Attorney General, who may consider not only peer review ratings and OVC recommendations, but also other factors as indicated in this section.

Federal Award Administration Information

Federal Award Notices

Generally, award notifications are made by the end of the current Federal fiscal year, September 30th. See the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for information on award notifications and instructions.

Administrative, National Policy, and Other Legal Requirements

If selected for funding, in addition to implementing the funded project consistent with the OJP-approved application, the recipient must comply with all award conditions, and all applicable requirements of federal statutes and regulations, including applicable requirements referred to in the assurances and certifications executed in connection with award acceptance. For additional information on these legal requirements, see the “Administrative, National Policy, and Other Legal Requirements” section in the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide.

O-OVC-2023-171712

https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#application-review https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#federal-award-notices https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#administrative https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#administrative

Information Technology (IT) Security Clauses

An application in response to this solicitation may require inclusion of information related to information technology security. See the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for more information.

General Information about Post-Federal Award Reporting Requirements

In addition to the deliverables described in the "Program Description" section, all award recipients under this solicitation will be required to submit certain reports and data.

Required reports. Award recipients typically must submit quarterly financial reports, annual performance reports, final financial and performance reports, and, if applicable, an annual audit report in accordance with the Part 200 Uniform Requirements or specific award conditions. Future awards and fund drawdowns may be withheld if reports are delinquent. (In appropriate cases, OJP may require additional reports.)

See the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for additional information on specific post-award reporting requirements, including performance measure data.

Federal Awarding Agency Contact(s)

For OJP contact(s), and contact information for Grants.gov and JustGrants, see the solicitation cover page.

Other Information

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

See the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for information on the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552 and 5 U.S.C. 552a).

Provide Feedback to OJP

See the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for information on how to provide feedback to OJP.

Performance Measures

OJP will require each successful applicant to submit quarterly performance data that show the completed work’s results. The performance data directly relate to the goals, objectives, and deliverables identified under "Goals, Objectives, and Deliverables" in the “Program Description” section.

O-OVC-2023-171712

https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#information-technology https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#general-information https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#foia https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#feedback

OVC will require award recipients to provide the relevant data by submitting quarterly performance metrics through OVC’s online Performance Measurement Tool (PMT), located at https://ovcpmt.ojp.gov. Reports generated from OVC’s PMT system must be uploaded to JustGrants annually. OVC will provide further guidance on the post-award submission process, after making awards.

A list of resources and trainings can be found at https://ovc.ojp.gov/program/victims-crime-act-voca-administrators/victim-assistance-and-victim-compensation-performance-measures.

Applicants should examine the list of Victim Assistance performance measures at VOCA Victim Assistance Performance Measures.

Applicants should visit OJP’s performance measurement page at http://www.ojp.gov/ performance/ for an overview of performance measurement activities at OJP.

See the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for additional information on specific post-award reporting requirements, including performance measure data.

O-OVC-2023-171712

https://ovcpmt.ojp.gov https://ovc.ojp.gov/program/victims-crime-act-voca-administrators/victim-assistance-and-victim-compensation-performance-measures https://ovc.ojp.gov/program/victims-crime-act-voca-administrators/victim-assistance-and-victim-compensation-performance-measures https://ovc.ojp.gov/program/victims-crime-act-voca-administrators/victim-assistance-and-victim-compensation-performance-measures https://ovcpmt.ojp.gov/documents/Victim%20Assistance%20-%20Subgrantee%20Data%20Report%20-%20June%202017.pdf http://www.ojp.gov/performance/ http://www.ojp.gov/performance/ https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#general-information

Application Checklist

OVC FY 2023 VOCA Victim Assistance Formula Grant

This application checklist has been created as an aid in developing an application. For more information, reference the OJP Application Submission Steps in the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide and the DOJ Application Submission Checklist.

Pre-Application

Before Registering in Grants.gov

Acquire or renew your Entity’s System for Award Management (SAM) Registration Information (see OJP Grant Application Resource Guide)

Register in Grants.gov

Acquire an Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) and a Grants.gov username and password (see OJP Grant Application Resource Guide) Acquire AOR confirmation from the E-Business Point of Contact (E-Biz POC) (see OJP Grant Application Resource Guide)

Find the Funding Opportunity

Search for the funding opportunity in Grants.gov using the opportunity number, assistance listing number, or keyword(s) Access the funding opportunity and application package (see Step 7 in the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide) Sign up for Grants.gov email notifications (optional) (see OJP Grant Application Resource Guide) Read Important…