O-OVC-FY23-HTSERV-V1_SI-171660_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 Services for Victims of Human Trafficking

Assistance Listing Number # 16.320

Grants.gov Opportunity Number: O-OVC-2023-171660

Solicitation Release Date: March 13, 2023 9:00 AM ET

Step 1: Application Grants.gov Deadline: May 04, 2023 11:59 PM ET

Step 2: Application JustGrants Deadline: May 11, 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 for services for victims of all forms of human trafficking throughout the United States. This program furthers the Department’s mission by enhancing the field’s response to victims of 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

O-OVC-2023-171660

http://www.usdoj.gov http://www.ojp.gov http://www.ovc.ojp.gov/ http://www.ovc.ojp.gov/ https://www.ojp.gov/funding/Apply/Resources/Grant-App-Resource-Guide.htm https://www.ojp.gov/funding/Apply/Resources/Grant-App-Resource-Guide.htm https://Grants.gov

Competition ID Category * Number of Awards

Dollar Amount for Award

Performance Start Date

Performance Duration (Months)

C-OVC-2023-00013-PROD

Purpose Area 1:

Developing Capacity to Serve Human Trafficking Victims

4 $440,000 10/1/23

12:00 AM 36

C-OVC-2023-00014-PROD

Purpose Area 2:

Enhancing Scope of Services for Human Trafficking Victims

18 $950,000 10/1/23

12:00 AM 36

C-OVC-2023-00015-PROD

Purpose Area 3:

Specialized Services for Human Trafficking Victims

13 $800,000 10/1/23

12:00 AM 36

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, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, State governments

An applicant entity may submit more than one application, if each application proposes a different project in response to the solicitation. Also, an entity may be proposed as a subrecipient (subgrantee) in more than one application.

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.

OVC may elect to fund applications submitted under this FY 2023 solicitation in future fiscal years, dependent on, among other considerations, the merit of the applications and the availability of appropriations.

Contact Information

O-OVC-2023-171660

https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#information-proposed-subwards

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 webinars have 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 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 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.

O-OVC-2023-171660

mailto:grants@ncjrs.gov https://ovc.ojp.gov/funding/funding-webinars https://ovc.ojp.gov/funding/funding-webinars https://ovc.ojp.gov/funding/funding-webinars mailto:askovc@ncjrs.gov https://www.sam.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/support.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/support.html mailto:support@grants.gov https://Grants.gov https://Grants.gov https://Grants.gov https://Grants.gov https://Grants.gov https://Grants.gov https://Grants.gov

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.

O-OVC-2023-171660

https://justicegrants.usdoj.gov/ mailto:JustGrants.Support@usdoj.gov 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://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#apply https://justicegrants.usdoj.gov/news

Contents

Overview 1

Activities

Waiver

Training Costs

(SF-424) in Grants.gov

Information)

Contact Information 2 Pre-application Information Session 3 Submission Information 3

Program Description 8 Overview 8 Statutory Authority 8 Specific Information 8 Mandatory Program Requirements 9 Goals, Objectives, and Deliverables 10 Evidence-Based Programs or Practices 13 Information Regarding Potential Evaluation of Programs and 13

Priority Areas 13 Federal Award Information 14

Awards, Amounts and Durations 15 Continuation Funding Intent 15 Availability of Funds 15 Type of Award 16 Financial Management and System of Internal Controls 16 Budget Information 16 Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement 16 Pre-agreement Costs (also known as Pre-award Costs) 17 Limitation on Use of Award Funds for Employee Compensation: 17

Prior Approval, Planning, and Reporting of Conference/Meeting/ 17

Costs Associated with Language Assistance (if applicable) 17 Eligibility Information 17 Application and Submission Information 18

Content of Application Submission 18 Information to Complete the Application for Federal Assistance 18

Standard Applicant Information (JustGrants 424 and General Agency 19

Proposal Abstract 19 Proposal Narrative 19

Goal, Objective and Deliverables 23

Questionnaire (including applicant disclosure of high-risk status)

Documents

Other Responsibility Matters; Drug-Free Workplace Requirements;

Law Enforcement and Community Policing

Budget and Associated Documentation 23 Budget Worksheet and Budget Narrative (Web-based Form) 24 Pre-agreement Costs (also known as Pre-award Costs) 24 Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (if applicable) 24 Consultant Rate 24 Limitation on Employee Compensation; Waiver 24 Financial Management and System of Internal Controls 25

Disclosure of Process Related to Executive Compensation 25 Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) and Other Supportive 25

Additional Application Components 25 Curriculum Vitae or Resumes 25 Tribal Authorizing Resolution 25 Research and Evaluation Independence and Integrity Statement 26 Disclosures and Assurances 26 Disclosure of Lobbying Activities 26 DOJ Certified Standard Assurances 26 Applicant Disclosure of Duplication in Cost Items 26 DOJ Certifications Regarding Lobbying; Debarment, Suspension and 26

Applicant Disclosure and Justification - DOJ High Risk Grantees 26

How to Apply 27 of an Application

Requirements

Submission Dates and Time 27 Experiencing Unforeseen Technical Issues Preventing Submission 28

Application Review Information 29 Review Criteria 29 Review Process 30

Federal Award Administration Information 31 Federal Award Notices 31 Administrative, National Policy, and Other Legal Requirements 31 Information Technology Security Clauses 31 General Information about Post-Federal Award Reporting 31

Federal Awarding Agency Contact(s) 32 Other Information 32

Freedom of Information and Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552 and 5 U.S.C. 32 552a) Provide Feedback to OJP 32

Performance Measures 32 Application Checklist 33

Standard Solicitation Resources 35 Appendix A: Types of Victim Services That OVC Funds 36

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.

OVC leads the Nation in supporting victim-centered and trauma-informed programs, policies, and resources that promote justice, access, and empowerment to enhance capacity to identify, assist, and provide services to all victims of human trafficking. With this solicitation, OVC seeks to provide funding for services to victims of severe forms of human trafficking, as defined by 22 U.S.C. § 7102(11).

Statutory Authority

This project is authorized by the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) of 2000 (22 U.S.C. § 7105(b)(2)).

Specific Information

The purpose of this program is to develop, expand, or strengthen victim service programs for victims of human trafficking.

Applicants are invited to apply under the following three purpose areas:

Purpose Area 1: Developing Capacity to Serve Human Trafficking Victims

Awards under Purpose Area 1 will support (1) victim service organizations that have limited or no prior experience in serving victims of human trafficking and/or (2) victim service organizations that have limited or no prior experience in receiving direct federal funding to serve victims of human trafficking. During the first 12 months of the project period, grantees will work with designated OVC human trafficking training and technical assistance providers (the Human Trafficking Collective and others as needed) to build internal capacity to serve trafficking survivors and manage federal awards. Grantees will hire staff who have experience providing services to human trafficking victims or train existing staff to gain the skills or knowledge needed to serve these victims. During the next 24 months of the program, grantees will implement services for human trafficking victims. See Appendix A for types of services that OVC funds.

Purpose Area 2: Enhancing Access to Comprehensive Services for Human Trafficking Victims

Under Purpose Area 2, awards will be made to victim service organizations with a demonstrated history of serving human trafficking victims with a comprehensive range of direct services. The purpose of these awards is to enhance victims’ access to the diverse services that victims of labor and sex trafficking often require to address their needs. See Appendix A for types of services that OVC funds. Applicants funded under this purpose area are expected to use OVC funding to support at least three distinct types of services for victims of human trafficking, either directly or with funded subrecipients. In addition to the services funded through this award, grantees will be expected to have or develop partnerships to facilitate victims’ access to a broader range of services in their community, as outlined in Appendix A.

Purpose Area 3: Specialized Services for Human Trafficking Victims

Under Purpose Area 3, awards will be made to victim service organizations with a demonstrated history of providing a specialized service beyond case management to victims of human trafficking. The goal is to increase the quality and quantity of the identified specialized service to assist victims of all forms of human trafficking. The majority of OVC funding under this purpose area is to be used to support the delivery of a specialized service (such as legal services, behavioral health services, or employment and economic empowerment services), although some funds can support accompanying case management. See Appendix A for the types of services that OVC funds. Note that proposing specialized services for shelter/housing is not allowable under this purpose area. Entities interested in providing specialized housing services should apply under OVC’s FY 2023 Housing Assistance Grants for Victims of Human Trafficking solicitation.

Note for All Purpose Areas: All entities that have received human trafficking grants from OVC in FY 2021 or FY 2022 must describe how the proposed project would differ from, or expand, the existing funded projects to be considered for funding in FY 2023.

For example, applicants could focus on a new geographic area or provide a new service to meet the needs of victims of sex and labor trafficking.

Additionally, while applicants may apply for an amount up to the maximum level of funding allowed under each Purpose Area, they should demonstrate sustained rates of victims served or service expenses that merit the requested level of funding.

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 for review upon OVC request (post-award);

2. Ensure their policies and procedures follow applicable federal and state laws protecting the civil rights of program participants and staff (post-award);

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

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

5. As part of routine programmatic reporting, describe ongoing efforts to enhance responses to labor trafficking; and

6. Provide all grant-funded staff at least one session of training (to be delivered by individuals or organizations with reasonable and demonstrable expertise) annually, related to diversity, equity, inclusion, or accessibility and tied to program goals and objectives.

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 at OVC’s website. Organizations with experience responding to and serving labor trafficking victims and those that have historically focused exclusively on responding to sex trafficking and are interested in enhancing responses to labor trafficking are encouraged to apply.

Goals, Objectives, and Deliverables

Goals

The goal of this program is to develop, expand, or strengthen victim service programs for victims of human trafficking, including those that provide trauma-informed services.

Objectives

An applicant should address all the objectives listed below in the Goals, Objectives, Deliverables and Timeline web-based form.

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

Objectives include:

1. Provision of services to meet the individualized needs of victims of human trafficking.

2. Collaboration with and training for local partners (service providers, criminal justice professionals, members of the judiciary, community and faith-based organizations, etc.)

to ensure trafficking victims are properly identified and referred for appropriate services.

3. Assistance with or referrals to other essential services for victims of human trafficking.

4. Data collection and participation in evaluation activities to determine if the program is meeting stated goals and objectives.

Deliverables

The deliverable to be provided is services, measured by types of service, number of new and continuing victims served, and other key data points.

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

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 TVPA 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 TVPA 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 on 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 competent, 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, programs funded under this solicitation will engage in practices that remove barriers to receiving services and support survivor autonomy. Such practices will reduce requirements to engage in services, promote survivors’ choice within service delivery, and protect victim privacy and confidentiality.

Funded programs 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 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, attend religious

O-OVC-2023-171660

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Project designs, products, services, and 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.

For Programs Serving Children and Youth

If your program provides services to child and youth victims of crime, services must be tailored to ensure that they are developmentally appropriate, culturally responsive, victim-centered, and trauma-informed. In addition to encouraging use of a shared decision making model, OVC promotes the use of evidence-based and evidence-informed practices when working with children and youth victims of crime.

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 would be considered an unallowable contingency payment (see 2 C.F.R. 200.433 (c)).

2. Stipends/Incentives to Participate in Services: Neither cash, non-cash stipends, nor 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 childcare; 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.

Applicants should consult the DOJ Grants Financial Guide for information on additional unallowable costs for federal award recipients and subrecipients.

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

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

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

O-OVC-2023-171660

https://www.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fysb/acf_issuebrief_htprevention_10202020_final_508.pdf https://www.ojp.gov/program/civil-rights/limited-english-proficient-lep https://www.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fysb/acf_issuebrief_htprevention_10202020_final_508.pdf https://www.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fysb/acf_issuebrief_htprevention_10202020_final_508.pdf https://www.ojp.gov/doj-financial-guide-2022

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 following award 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.

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.

O-OVC-2023-171660

https://ovc.ojp.gov/program/human-trafficking/ovc-human-trafficking-program-faqs https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#evidence-based https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#evidence-based https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#potential-evaluation https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/01/20/executive-order-advancing-racial-equity-and-support-for-underserved-communities-through-the-federal-government/

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 system overall. Examples addressing this requirement include, but are not limited to, the following: budgeted project planning and/or implementation meetings with community stakeholders representing historically underserved and marginalized communities;

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

Competition ID Category * Number of Awards

Dollar Amount for Award

Performance Start Date

Performance Duration (Months)

C-OVC-2023-00013-PROD

Purpose Area 1:

Developing Capacity to Serve Human Trafficking Victims

4 $440,000 10/1/23

12:00 AM 36

C-OVC-2023-00014-PROD

Purpose Area 2:

Enhancing Scope of Services for Human Trafficking Victims

18 $950,000 10/1/23

12:00 AM 36

C-OVC-2023-00015-PROD

Purpose Area 3:

Specialized Services for Human Trafficking Victims

13 $800,000 10/1/23

12:00 AM 36

Awards, Amounts and Durations

Anticipated Number of Awards

Anticipated Maximum Dollar Amount of Awards See Purpose Area

Period of Performance Start Date Period of Performance Duration (Months) 10/1/23 36

Anticipated Total Amount to be Awarded Under Solicitation $29,300,000

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 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.ment 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 identify within their budget which items, services, etc., will/would be covered by matching sources and explain what type of match will be provided.

Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement

This solicitation requires a 25 percent cash or in-kind match. Federal funds awarded under this solicitation may not cover more than 75 percent of the total costs of the project being funded. An applicant must identify the source of the 25 percent non-federal portion of the total project costs and how they will use match funds. If an award recipient’s proposed match exceeds the required match amount, and OJP approves the budget, the total match amount in the approved budget becomes mandatory and subject to audit.

(“Match” funds may be used only for purposes that would be allowable for the federal funds.) Recipients must satisfy this match requirement with cash or in-kind match.

How to Calculate Match

Formula

Step 1 Award Amount ÷ % of Federal Share = Total (Adjusted Project Cost)

Step 2 Total (Adjusted) Project Cost x % of Recipient Share = Required Match

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Example

Match Requirement – 75/25 (Federal share/Recipient share)

Federal Award = $150,000

Step 1 $150,000 ÷ 75% Federal Share = $200,000

Step 2 $200,000 x 25% Recipient Share = $50,000

See the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for additional information on this match requirement. For step-by-step instructions for entering match amounts in the budget, see the Budget Summary Match Guide.

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.

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.

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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 profit or management fee.

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

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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 project—including its purpose, primary activities, expected outcomes, the geographic service area, intended beneficiaries, and subrecipients (if known) — must be completed in the JustGrants web-based form. This abstract should be in paragraph form without bullets or tables, written in the third person, and exclude personally identifiable information. Abstracts will be made publicly available on the OJP and USASpending.gov websites if the project is awarded. See the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for an example of a proposal abstract. If priority consideration is being requested, please indicate the priority areas A and/or B selected.

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 20 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 decisions.

The Proposal Narrative must include the following sections:

a. Statement of the Problem

1. Identify the nature and scope of the problem that the program will address.

Applicants must demonstrate the problem of human trafficking within the targeted geographic area. Applicants should cite the sources of this data, which could include local, state, and federal data regarding investigations, prosecutions, and the number of individuals identified as victims of human trafficking in the proposed geographic area and data from victim service providers or other local stakeholders. Data should come from multiple sources and extend beyond national hotline data.

2. Applicants must specifically describe the problem of labor trafficking within the targeted geographic area; what is known and unknown about the problem;

current efforts to identify labor trafficking victims; and gaps in the response to

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3. Describe previous or current attempts to address the problem within the targeted geographic area, including documentation of the number of trafficking victims served each year during 2020 and 2021. At a minimum, applicants must identify the total number of victims they previously served within the targeted geographic area, and the types of victims they have served (sex or labor trafficking victims). Applicants must cite the sources of this data.

4. Describe the communities to be served, including the geographic area, populations in the service area, and any groups who are particularly vulnerable to human trafficking. Applicants should identify any relevant underserved communities in their geographic area using data to support (e.g., community data, Census data, client data, etc.).

5. Demonstrate existing and sustained victim services rates/caseloads/expenses that align with the requested level of funding.

6. Describe current efforts to address the service needs of trafficking survivors in the geographic area. Using online directories available from OVC and the Office on Trafficking in Persons (OTIP), applicants should determine if there is an existing federally funded trafficking victim service provider within their jurisdiction, and explain how the proposed project is not duplicative of these efforts and targets unmet needs.

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 (what the proposed project aims to achieve) and objectives (specific measurable actions needed to reach the goal) of this project. Goals and objectives must be in alignment with those stated in the Goals, Objectives, Deliverables section of this solicitation.

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

3. Identify which underserved communities, if any, will be focused on through the proposed project.

4. Identify specific services that will be provided with grant funds (see Appendix A) and describe how and where the services will be provided.

5. Include a timeline that identifies a timeframe for all the tasks and activities to be completed.

6. Link project activities to the requirements of this solicitation and justify the proposed approach.

7. List project partners, as appropriate, to make the project activities effective and sustainable.

8. Describe how the applicant plans to ensure project activities are trauma-

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9. Describe how the applicant will meet the individualized service needs of victims and support victim-informed decisions and autonomy within the delivery of services.

10. Describe how the proposed project is designed to enhance responses to labor trafficking victims. Failure to include such a description will be taken into consideration when this section is scored during peer review.

11. Describe how the applicant will coordinate with community partners and stakeholders, including other OVC and federally and state-funded anti-trafficking programs, to meet the needs of trafficking victims if funded.

If the applicant is seeking priority consideration for Priority A, it should address in this section how the proposed projects will 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, and identify how the project design and implementation will specifically incorporate the input or participation of these communities.

c. Capabilities and Competencies

This section must:

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. Identify the key individuals and organizations involved in the proposed project.

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

4. Describe specific roles and responsibilities of all project partners and key staff.

5. Demonstrate that project staff have appropriate training and experience to implement project activities as described in the proposal, including the knowledge and expertise necessary to implement culturally responsive projects with the identified underserved communities, and describe plans for staff to be hired and include position descriptions.

6. Demonstrate the capacity and expertise of the lead applicant and all project partners to serve victims of human trafficking, including victims of labor trafficking.

7. Clearly describe who will implement activities as described in the Project Design and Implementation section.

8. Describe the lead applicant’s administrative and financial capacity to manage grants that support services to crime victims, including previous experience managing 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.

If the applicant is seeking priority consideration under Priority B, it should (1) describe within this section how being a culturally specific organization (or funding a culturally specific subrecipient organization at a minimum of 40% of the project budget) will enhance its ability to implement the proposed projects, (2) specify which populations are intended or expected to be served or have their needs addressed under the proposed projects, and (3) include the website address (if applicable) and formal or informal mission statement or principles of the culturally specific organization.

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

This section must include the following information:

1. A plan for collecting all the performance measures data required by this solicitation.

2. A description of the qualifications of key staff who will be responsible for collecting data and reporting performance measures.

In addition, this plan must describe how the applicant will use the collected data to confirm whether the applicant is identifying and serving labor trafficking victims as described in the application’s Project Design and Implementation.

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.