PKG00250370-instructions..pdf

OMB No. 1121-0329 Approval Expires 11/30/2020

U.S. Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs Bureau of Justice Assistance

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Justice Programs (OJP) Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) is seeking applications for the Innovations in Community-Based Crime Reduction (CBCR) Program. This program furthers the Department’s mission by enhancing the capacity of local and tribal communities to effectively reduce violent crime in distressed neighborhoods through collaborative approaches.

Innovations in Community-Based Crime Reduction (CBCR) Program1

FY 2019 Competitive Grant Announcement Applications Due: June 25, 2019

Eligibility

Eligible applicants are limited to institutions of higher education (including tribal institutions of higher education), units of local government, national nonprofit organizations (including tribal nonprofit organizations), and federally recognized Indian tribal governments (as determined by the Secretary of the Interior) acting as a fiscal agent thereof.2

The CBCR program targets persistently distressed neighborhoods facing significant violent crime challenges. Successful implementation of the CBCR model may require resources beyond that provided by BJA. Applicants should leverage other resources to sustain their projects, including federal and local funding for expenses not allowable or within the scope of the CBCR program.3

A CBCR application requires a plan for engaging a consortium of criminal justice, community, and/or human service partners (hereinafter referred to as “cross-sector partnership”) and implementing a strategy addressing violent crime in a specific community. The applicant is an active partner providing grant oversight and accountability. The applicant will ensure that it is committed to the cross-sector partnership, and can successfully oversee key enforcement, prevention, intervention, research and analysis, and community engagement strategies with regular input from law enforcement partners.

Jurisdictions are strongly encouraged to coordinate with and seek the support of their local U.S.

Attorney’s Office and local policymakers, and to connect CBCR with other violent crime and community revitalization efforts.

1 The CBCR program is the new name for the Byrne Criminal Justice Innovation program.

2 For this solicitation, the terms “fiscal agent” and “applicant” are used interchangeably.

3 More details on these types of expenses are provided on page 13.

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

BJA-2019-15364

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

BJA may elect to fund applications submitted under this FY 2019 solicitation in future fiscal years, depending on, among other considerations, the merit of the applications, and on the availability of appropriations.

Deadline

Applicants must register with Grants.gov at https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html prior to submitting an application. All applications are due by 11:59 p.m. eastern time on June 25, 2019.

To be considered timely, an application must be submitted by the application deadline using Grants.gov, and the applicant must have received a validation message from Grants.gov that indicates successful and timely submission. OJP urges applicants to submit applications at least 72 hours prior to the application due date, to allow time for the applicant to receive validation messages or rejection notifications from Grants.gov, and to correct in a timely fashion any problems that may have caused a rejection notification.

OJP encourages all applicants to read this Important Notice: Applying for Grants in Grants.gov.

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

Contact Information

For technical assistance with submitting an application, contact the Grants.gov Customer Support Hotline at 800–518–4726, 606–545–5035, at https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/support.html, or at support@grants.gov. The Grants.gov Support Hotline operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, except on federal holidays.

An applicant that experiences unforeseen Grants.gov technical issues beyond its control that prevent it from submitting its application by the deadline must email the contact identified below within 24 hours after the application deadline to request approval to submit its application after the deadline. Additional information on reporting technical issues appears under “Experiencing Unforeseen Grants.gov Technical Issues” in the How To Apply section.

For assistance with any unforeseen Grants.gov technical issues beyond an applicant’s control that prevent it from submitting its application by the deadline, or any other requirement of this solicitation, contact the National Criminal Justice Reference Service (NCJRS) Response Center:

toll-free at 800–851–3420; via TTY at 301–240–6310 (hearing impaired only); email grants@ncjrs.gov; fax to 301–240–5830; or web chat at https://webcontact.ncjrs.gov/ncjchat/chat.jsp. The NCJRS Response Center hours of operation are 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. eastern time, Monday through Friday, and 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

eastern time on the solicitation close date.

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html https://ojp.gov/funding/Apply/Grants-govInfo.htm https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/support.html mailto:support@grants.gov mailto:grants@ncjrs.gov https://webcontact.ncjrs.gov/ncjchat/chat.jsp

Grants.gov number assigned to this solicitation: BJA-2019-15364

Release date: April 23, 2019

Contents A. Program Description

Overview Program Specific Information Objectives and Deliverables Evidence-Based Programs or Practices

Information Regarding Potential Evaluation of Programs and Activities……………………….10 Encouraging Program Investments in Economically Distressed Communities (Qualified Opportunity Zones)

B. Federal Award Information Type of Award Financial Management and System of Internal Controls Budget Information Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement Pre-agreement Costs (also known as Pre-award Costs) Limitation on Use of Award Funds for Employee Compensation; Waiver Prior Approval, Planning, and Reporting of Conference/Meeting/Training Costs Costs Associated with Language Assistance (if applicable)

C. Eligibility Information D. Application and Submission Information

What an Application Should Include How To Apply

E. Application Review Information Review Criteria Review Process

F. Federal Award Administration Information Federal Award Notices Administrative, National Policy, and Other Legal Requirements General Information about Post-Federal Award Reporting Requirements

G. Federal Awarding Agency Contact(s) H. Other Information

Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552 and 5 U.S.C. 552a) Provide Feedback to OJP Appendix: Application Checklist

Innovations in Community-Based Crime Reduction (CBCR) Program

CFDA # 16.817

A. Program Description

Overview

By focusing on concentrated ‘hot spots’ of crime within communities, the CBCR Program directly supports the Department’s priorities to reduce violent crime, dismantle gang activity, assist communities struggling with drug abuse, and support law enforcement agencies by integrating enforcement strategies into community-based crime reduction efforts.

The CBCR model is based on the principle that sustainable reductions in violent crime require collaboration among partners in the criminal justice system, service providers, and the communities they serve. These partnerships extend to community development corporations and private businesses that are linked to CBCR in local revitalization efforts.

For this solicitation, community is defined broadly as a geographic area that has social meaning for its residents. In urban areas, the term community may be used interchangeably with neighborhood to describe a specific geographic area that is delineated by major streets or other landmarks. In urban areas, a community is typically fewer than two miles wide, while in rural and tribal areas it is often larger and part of an entire county.4

Statutory Authority: Awards under this solicitation will be made under statutory authority provided by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2019, Public Law No. 116-6.

Program-Specific Information

CBCR is a strategic approach to crime reduction that leverages the knowledge and expertise of community stakeholders with the goal of making neighborhoods safer.

While each CBCR community is unique, most face common challenges and use similar approaches to address crime and safety issues. These include:

• addressing violent crime, as well as drug-related activity;

• implementing strategies to engage youth (through both prevention and education);

• examining conditions that contribute to crime, crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED) assessments, and review of land use, code enforcement, and nuisance laws;

• coordinating with the business community on redevelopment efforts, employment initiatives, and public housing management;

4 The CBCR Program understands that there is little research and evaluation of “hot spots” policing theory in rural and tribal areas; through the CBCR Program, BJA seeks to build and contribute to the criminal justice knowledge base on how to employ effective place-based strategies in rural and tribal environments, and encourages these jurisdictions to apply.

• coordinating community supervision and offender reentry strategies, including through individual and family support;

• building social cohesion and improving collective efficacy among neighborhood partners and residents;

• building partnerships not only among law enforcement and the community but with prosecutors, defense counsel, city attorneys, and city auditors; and

• connecting community faith-based leaders with local law enforcement.

BJA will focus its consideration for award recommendations on the stated capacity of the applicant to utilize a full-time site coordinator and effectively lead efforts to achieve CBCR objectives; identification of types of crime to be addressed; geographic diversity; sustainability;

past performance; and available funding.

In FY 2019, the CBCR program will give priority consideration to rural jurisdictions facing increases or high sustained levels of Part I violent crimes (as defined under the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting Program) overall or specific crime types such as gang-related criminal activity.

To achieve CBCR Program objectives (described in the next section), the applicant must sustain an active and engaged leadership role in the successful management of a CBCR grant award.

The applicant serves as a core partner and, as such, must demonstrate the ability and commitment to accomplish the following:

• Sustain a full-time skilled lead site coordinator who will oversee and facilitate collaboration among criminal justice and service providers. The site coordinator is critically important to achieving CBCR project tasks and adhering to the project timeline.

• Convene, lead, and engage a broad cross-sector partnership team that must include law enforcement, other criminal justice partners, neighborhood residents, and relevant community stakeholders. The cross-sector partnership team must have the capacity to conduct the necessary activities described throughout this grant announcement.

• Support data collection and analysis throughout the life of the grant.5

• Facilitate, as appropriate, collaboration with relevant local, state, or federal initiatives and resources (e.g., the Project Safe Neighborhoods Suite of Programs, Choice Neighborhoods, Promise Neighborhoods, anti-gun and gang programs) located in, adjacent to, or overlapping the selected jurisdiction.

• Employ a range of data-driven, cross-sector strategies (e.g., enforcement, prevention, and intervention) connected with revitalization efforts to reduce crime and violence and improve community trust and engagement.

• Support the planning and sustainment of the program by applying performance metrics to gauge progress.

Program

The CBCR Program approach, and the training and technical assistance (TTA) to support the model, features four core elements:

5 Please see page 18 for a description of the necessary research activities.

https://ucrdatatool.gov/offenses.cfm

1. Place-based strategy, to better integrate crime control efforts with revitalization strategies Efforts to reduce crime are rooted in broader revitalization activities. CBCR sites target a specific geographic area within a community with high levels of crime or certain types of crime in order to most effectively direct resources and to positively influence factors such as concentration of high-risk residents, limited infrastructure, and neighborhood physical conditions.

2. Community engagement in shaping and sustaining crime prevention and revitalization efforts To catalyze and sustain change, there must be active involvement and leadership by neighborhood residents, faith-based leaders, and community leaders throughout the revitalization process. Local data and needs should drive community-oriented strategies, and should address critical issues comprehensively. The applicant should have established relationships in the community, demonstrate a daily presence in the community, and lead engagement efforts.

3. Data-driven efforts to problem solve and guide program strategy CBCR sites are strongly encouraged to work with local law enforcement and community stakeholders (including local non-profit organizations) to conduct a broad examination of crime drivers in hot spots and then consider appropriate evidence-based or innovative strategies to address them. Collaborative local partnerships can help a community to assess program implementation and intended program impacts, as well as to assess gaps in services, strategies, and partners.

4. Partnerships and capacity building, to promote sustainable collaboration to tackle problems from multiple angles Developing the capabilities of a cross-sector partnership, as well as the community, should be a key strategy of organizations pursuing comprehensive revitalization.6 Applicants should have a demonstrated commitment and capacity to form partnerships and work collaboratively, and should ensure community members have the right knowledge and skills to contribute meaningfully.

Objectives:

1. Engage in a required 9- to 18-month planning phase to:

• Pursue community partnerships and leadership that ensures the community is active in the process, using innovative approaches to engage community leaders during the planning phase.

• Identify, verify, and prioritize chronic crime hot spots within the identified neighborhood.

• Work with a cross-sector team and law enforcement partners to develop a multi-faceted strategy, drawing on a continuum of approaches to address crime drivers.

6 As stated on pages 6-7, community capacity is defined as the knowledge, skills, relationships, processes, and resources that neighborhood residents, partner organizations, and city-level stakeholders need to work together to achieve better results in public safety, education, housing, employment, and other key areas with the ability to mobilize collective action toward defined community goals. The capacity of organizations and cross-sector partnerships is the ability to bring residents and stakeholders together to exchange ideas, jointly plan, and collaborate in actions intended to increase safety and strengthen the community.

• Complete an early action project in consultation with BJA and the CBCR TTA provider.

• Collaborate regularly with local law enforcement and community partners to conduct an analysis of crime drivers and an assessment of needs and available resources.

• Develop a comprehensive implementation plan to reduce crime that includes a plan that articulates the range of strategies that the CBCR partners plan to pursue.

Please note: successful implementation of strategies included in the CBCR implementation plan may require other funding for expenses that fall outside of the scope of BJA’s mission and goals.

2. Upon completion of the planning phase, engage in an implementation phase to:

• Convene regular meetings with cross-sector partners and the management team.

• Build the capacity of residents and the management team to coordinate and engage in a problem solving approach.

• Implement, modify, and evaluate strategies, as appropriate; redirect program activities when ongoing analysis indicates program goals are not being met.

• Identify and develop a sustainability strategy for long-term implementation of CBCR

Program core elements (see above), including the active role of community stakeholders.

Deliverables:

• If the applicant proposes to partner with a non-profit organization and receives a grant award, the applicant must submit to BJA a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) that outlines specific roles, responsibilities, and expectations of the partnering organization.

The MOA must be submitted to BJA no later than 90 days after BJA approves the initial grant budget.

As previously described, at the completion of the planning phase, grantees must submit an implementation plan for approval to BJA. The process for submitting this plan is described below.

The implementation plan package (plan narrative, budget, and timeline) includes critical documents for BJA, the CBCR TTA provider, and CBCR sites; the plan is the roadmap for implementing strategies and provides the necessary analysis to clearly describe: the specific hot spots and crime drivers; use of various data sources to understand and prioritize crime hot spots; and a direct link between the strategies proposed and the crime drivers analyzed. The plan also demonstrates the criminal justice nexus for the strategies that are linked with revitalization and justifies innovative strategies or strategies based on the site’s theory of change and/or logic model.

BJA, the CBCR TTA provider, and the cross-sector team will use the implementation plan to guide and track site progress toward project objectives.

• Separate from the implementation plan, grantees must produce a final written report outlining the project’s challenges, outcomes, and achievements. The purpose of this report is to share findings and lessons learned with the broader criminal justice and community development fields.

A draft of the final report will be due to BJA 60 days prior to the grant end date.

However, the finished version of the final report will be submitted as a part of the grant closeout package, no later than 90 days after the project period end date.

Special Withholding Conditions for Planning and Implementation Awards During the planning phase, grantees will only have access to Planning and Implementation funds of up to $150,000 for planning activities.

Implementation plans must be approved in writing by BJA (in consultation with the TTA provider), in order for the grantees to begin their implementation phase and gain access7 to the remainder of grant funds (please see page 13 for a description of costs or expenses that may be unallowable or require pre-approval.) Implementation Plans are due to BJA within 9 - 18 months of the award acceptance date. Grantees will have the opportunity to provide additional feedback, clarification, and data regarding their implementation plans, if requested by BJA and/or the TTA provider. However, applicants should be aware that it is possible that, after a reasonable exchange feedback, an implementation plan may not receive BJA approval, and grantees therefore may not receive access to the remaining grant funds for implementation or an extension of their grant award.

During review of the implementation plan, grantees will have an opportunity to address any issues or concerns in the revised implementation strategy. Grantees must ensure that the core elements of CBCR are in place; they have collected appropriate data; and there is a strong evidence base for proposed place-based programs or interventions.

Applicants should anticipate that they may be required to participate in future national evaluation efforts as a recipient of a CBCR grant. To ensure effectiveness in achieving program objectives, CBCR applicants must agree to work closely with BJA and BJA’s competitively selected TTA partner (currently the International Association of Chiefs of Police), by participating in information sharing sessions, facilitating peer-to-peer exchanges of information, and applying subject matter expertise that is relevant to CBCR neighborhood efforts. These activities will guide each grantee in developing a set of comprehensive strategies that incorporate resident input and evidence-based or data-driven programs, policies, and practices. BJA anticipates that CBCR sites will be able to leverage TTA resources from other BJA TTA providers, such as Project Safe Neighborhoods and other Innovations Suite programs.

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

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

• Improving the quantity and quality of evidence OJP generates.

• Integrating evidence into program, practice, and policy decisions within OJP and the field.

• Improving the translation of evidence into practice.

7 Funds are held via a special condition in the award. Once BJA approves the implementation plan, in writing, a Grant Adjustment Notice (GAN) will be processed in GMS to formally release the grant funds.

https://www.theiacp.org/

OJP considers programs and practices to be evidence-based when their effectiveness has been demonstrated by causal evidence, generally obtained through one or more outcome evaluations. Causal evidence documents a relationship between an activity or intervention (including technology) and its intended outcome, including measuring the direction and size of a change, and the extent to which a change may be attributed to the activity or intervention. Causal evidence depends on the use of scientific methods to rule out, to the extent possible, alternative explanations for the documented change. The strength of causal evidence, based on the factors described above, will influence the degree to which OJP considers a program or practice to be evidence-based.

The OJP CrimeSolutions.gov website at https://www.crimesolutions.gov is one resource that applicants may use to find information about evidence-based programs in criminal justice, juvenile justice, and crime victim services.

Information Regarding Potential Evaluation of Programs and Activities The Department of Justice has prioritized the use of evidence-based programming and deems it critical to continue to build and expand the evidence informing criminal and juvenile justice programs to reach the highest level of rigor possible. Therefore, applicants should note that the Office of Justice Programs may conduct or support an evaluation of the programs and activities funded under this solicitation. Recipients and sub-recipients will be expected to cooperate with program-related assessments or evaluation efforts, including through the collection and provision of information or data requested by OJP (or its designee) for the assessment or evaluation of any activities and/or outcomes of those activities funded under this solicitation.

The information or data requested may be in addition to any other financial or performance data already required under this program.

Encouraging Program Investments in Economically Distressed Communities (Qualified Opportunity Zones) Under this program, OJP will, as appropriate, give priority consideration in award decisions to applications that propose projects that directly benefit federally designated Qualified Opportunity Zones (QOZs).8 In order to assist OJP in considering this factor, applicants should include information in the application that specifies how the project will enhance public safety in the specified QOZs. For resources on QOZs, and for a current list of designated QOZs, see the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s resource webpage, accessible at https://www.cdfifund.gov/pages/opportunity-zones.aspx.

B. Federal Award Information

BJA expects to make up to 14 Planning and Implementation awards of up to $1,000,000 each with an estimated total amount awarded of up to $14,000,000. BJA expects to make awards for a 48-month period of performance, to begin on October 1, 2019.

BJA may, in certain cases, provide additional funding in future years to awards made under this solicitation, through continuation awards. In making decisions regarding continuation awards, OJP will consider, among other factors, the availability of appropriations, when the program or project was last competed, OJP’s strategic priorities, and OJP’s assessment of both the

8 See Public Law 115-97, Title I, Subtitle C, Part IX, Subpart B, Sec. 13823.

https://www.crimesolutions.gov/ https://www.cdfifund.gov/pages/opportunity-zones.aspx management of the award (for example, timeliness and quality of progress reports), and the progress of the work funded under the award.

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

Statutory and Regulatory Requirements; Award Special Conditions If selected for funding, in addition to implementing the funded project consistent with the OJP-approved application, the recipient must comply with award conditions, as well as all applicable requirements of federal statutes and regulations. OJP strongly encourages prospective applicants to review information on post-award legal requirements and common OJP award conditions prior to submitting an application.

Individual FY 2019 awards made pursuant to this solicitation will, as appropriate and to the extent consistent with law, include conditions that will require the recipient (and any subrecipient) that accepts the award to do various things, with respect to the “program or activity” that would receive federal financial assistance thereunder. Although the specific terms of each of those conditions are what will govern the awards, included among such conditions will be some that, generally speaking, will require the recipient (and any subrecipient) that accepts the award to do some or all of the following:

• Not to violate 8 U.S.C. § 1373 (prohibiting restrictions on— (1) communication to/from the Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) of information regarding the citizenship or immigration status of any individual; and (2) maintaining, or exchanging with any government entity, information regarding the immigration status of any individual).

• Not to violate 8 U.S.C. § 1644 (prohibiting restrictions on communication to/from DHS of information regarding the immigration status of an alien).

• Not to publicly disclose federal law enforcement information in an attempt to conceal, harbor, or shield certain individuals from detection, including in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 1071 or 1072, or 8 U.S.C. § 1324(a).

The reasonable costs (to the extent not reimbursed under any other federal program) of complying with these conditions, including honoring any duly authorized requests from DHS that is encompassed by these conditions, will be allowable costs under the award.

Type of Award BJA expects to make any award under this solicitation in the form of a grant. See Administrative, National Policy, and Other Legal Requirements, under Section F. Federal Award Administration Information, 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 of Internal Controls Award recipients and subrecipients (including recipients or subrecipients that are pass-through entities9) must, as described in the Part 200 Uniform Requirements10 as set out at 2 C.F.R.

200.303.

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

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

(c) Evaluate and monitor [the recipient’s (and any subrecipient’s)] compliance with statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of Federal awards.

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

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

To help ensure that applicants understand the applicable administrative requirements and cost principles, OJP encourages prospective applicants to enroll, at no charge, in the DOJ Grants Financial Management Online Training, available at https://onlinegfmt.training.ojp.gov. (This training is required for all OJP award recipients.)

Also, applicants should be aware that OJP collects information from applicants on their financial management and systems of internal controls (among other information) which is used to make award decisions. Under Section D. Application and Submission Information, applicants may access and review a questionnaire—the OJP Financial Management and System of Internal Controls Questionnaire—that OJP requires all applicants (other than an individual applying in his/her personal capacity) to download, complete, and submit as part of the application.

Budget Information CBCR resources are targeted specifically at persistently distressed neighborhoods that face significant violent and serious crime challenges. Applicants should understand that the range of strategies that are a part of the CBCR model may require funding in addition to that provided by

9 For purposes of this solicitation, the phrase “pass-through entity” includes any recipient or subrecipient that provides a subaward ("subgrant”) to a subrecipient (subgrantee) to carry out part of the funded award or program.

Additional information on proposed subawards is listed under What an Application Should Include, Section 4c of this solicitation.

10 The "Part 200 Uniform Requirements” means the DOJ regulation at 2 C.F.R Part 2800, which adopts (with certain modifications) the provisions of 2 C.F.R. Part 200.

https://onlinegfmt.training.ojp.gov/ https://ojp.gov/funding/Apply/Resources/FinancialCapability.pdf

BJA. It is therefore expected that applicants leverage other resources to support and sustain their effort. This may include federal and local funding for expenses not allowable or within the scope of the CBCR program.

A sample of agencies to consider for leverage funding includes:

For land use strategies:

• Department of Housing and Urban Development (resources and technical assistance)

• Center for Community Progress (resources and technical assistance)

For youth crime or alternatives for youth:

• Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention

• Department of Education, Promise Neighborhoods Program

• Corporation for National and Community Service

For rural and tribal resources:

• Department of Agriculture, Office of Rural Development

For police staffing and community policing resources:

• Office of Community Oriented Policing Services

• BJA’s Innovation Suite (Project Safe Neighborhoods, Strategies in Policing Innovations, etc.)

CBCR Program Costs that require prior approval or are unallowable Applicants should be aware that all proposed costs contained within budget documents submitted by CBCR applicants and awardees will be reviewed for reasonableness, necessity, and compliance with relevant federal statutes, regulations, policies, and guidelines as outlined in the Department of Justice Financial Guide. CBCR supports broad-based planning and support for implementation in high-crime communities. While CBCR focuses on community safety and encourages a broad approach, some costs will not be allowable under the CBCR program and/or may require prior approval.

Some specific expenses that are unallowable under CBCR include the use of grant funds to establish and maintain a land bank, land acquisition, and construction/major renovations of real property. Further, applicants should be aware that some costs related to certain physical neighborhood improvements or costs related to Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) require specific approval from BJA and may require the site to obtain a National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) assessment prior to spending grant funds.

CPTED research principles reinforce the need to consider the physical environment when developing strategies to prevent and reduce crime. Therefore, CBCR will support the development of strategies to address these needs, subject to the NEPA and other grant requirements noted above and in the award. While the implementation plan may include strategies focused on crime risks related to conditions in the target area, not all strategies should or will be funded with CBCR Implementation funds. CBCR funds should be focused on the key needs related to public safety outcomes and be reasonable in relation to the overall budget, which BJA expects will fund a range of crime prevention and reduction activities.

Revisions to the budget are approved through a separate process once the implementation plan is approved.

Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement This solicitation does not require a match. However, if a successful application proposes a voluntary match amount, and OJP approves the budget, the total match amount incorporated into the approved budget becomes mandatory and subject to audit.

For additional information on cost sharing and match, see the DOJ Grants Financial Guide at https://ojp.gov/financialguide/DOJ/PostawardRequirements/chapter3.3b.htm.

Pre-agreement Costs (also known as Pre-award Costs) Requests for approval of pre-agreement costs will not be considered under this solicitation.

Limitation on Use of Award Funds for Employee Compensation; Waiver With respect to any award of more than $250,000 made under this solicitation, a recipient may not use federal funds to pay total cash compensation (salary plus cash bonuses) to any employee of the recipient at a rate that exceeds 110 percent of the maximum annual salary payable to a member of the federal government’s Senior Executive Service (SES) at an agency with a Certified SES Performance Appraisal System for that year.11 The 2019 salary table for SES employees is available on the Office of Personnel Management website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/salary-tables/19Tables/exec/html/ES.aspx. Note: A recipient may compensate an employee at a greater rate, provided the amount in excess of this compensation limitation is paid with non-federal funds. (Non-federal funds used for any such additional compensation will not be considered matching funds, where match requirements apply.) If only a portion of an employee's time is charged to an OJP award, the maximum allowable compensation is equal to the percentage of time worked times the maximum salary limitation.

The Assistant Attorney General for OJP may exercise discretion to waive, on an individual basis, this limitation on compensation rates allowable under an award. An applicant that requests a waiver should include a detailed justification in the Budget Narrative of its application. An applicant that does not submit a waiver request and justification with its application should anticipate that OJP will require the applicant to adjust and resubmit the budget.

The justification should address, in the context of the work the individual would do under the award, the particular qualifications and expertise of the individual, the uniqueness of a service the individual will provide, the individual’s specific knowledge of the proposed program or project, and a statement that explains whether and how the individual’s salary under the award would be commensurate with the regular and customary rate for an individual with his/her qualifications and expertise, and for the work he/she would do under the award.

Prior Approval, Planning, and Reporting of Conference/Meeting/Training Costs OJP strongly encourages every applicant that proposes to use award funds for any conference-, meeting-, or training-related activity (or similar event) to review carefully—before submitting an application—the OJP and DOJ policy and guidance on approval, planning, and reporting of such events, available at https://www.ojp.gov/financialguide/DOJ/PostawardRequirements/chapter3.10a.htm. OJP policy and guidance (1) encourage minimization of conference, meeting, and training costs; (2) require

11 OJP does not apply this limitation on the use of award funds to the nonprofit organizations listed in Appendix VIII to 2 C.F.R. Part 200.

https://ojp.gov/financialguide/DOJ/PostawardRequirements/chapter3.3b.htm https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/salary-tables/19Tables/exec/html/ES.aspx https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/salary-tables/19Tables/exec/html/ES.aspx https://www.ojp.gov/financialguide/DOJ/PostawardRequirements/chapter3.10a.htm prior written approval (which may affect project timelines) of most conference, meeting, and training costs for cooperative agreement recipients, as well as some conference, meeting, and training costs for grant recipients; and (3) set cost limits, which include a general prohibition of all food and beverage costs.

Costs Associated with Language Assistance (if applicable) If an applicant proposes a program or activity that would deliver services or benefits to individuals, the costs of taking reasonable steps to provide meaningful access to those services or benefits for individuals with limited English proficiency may be allowable. Reasonable steps to provide meaningful access to services or benefits may include interpretation or translation services, where appropriate.

For additional information, see the "Civil Rights Compliance" section under “Overview of Legal Requirements Generally Applicable to OJP Grants and Cooperative Agreements - FY 2018 Awards” in the OJP Funding Resource Center at https://ojp.gov/funding/index.htm.

C. Eligibility Information

For eligibility information, see title page.

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

D. Application and Submission Information

What an Application Should Include This section describes in detail what an application should include. An applicant should anticipate that if it fails to submit an application that contains all of the specified elements, it may negatively affect the review of its application; and, should a decision be made to make an award, it may result in the inclusion of award conditions that preclude the recipient from accessing or using award funds until the recipient satisfies the conditions and OJP makes the funds available.

Moreover, an applicant should anticipate that an application that OJP determines is nonresponsive to the scope of the solicitation, or that OJP determines does not include the application elements that BJA has designated to be critical, will neither proceed to peer review, nor receive further consideration. For this solicitation, BJA has designated the following application elements as critical: Program Narrative, Budget Detail Worksheet and Budget Narrative, and MOUs/Letters of Support.

NOTE: OJP has combined the Budget Detail Worksheet and Budget Narrative in a single document collectively referred to as the Budget Detail Worksheet. See “Budget Information and Associated Documentation” below for more information about the Budget Detail Worksheet and where it can be accessed.

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

https://ojp.gov/funding/Explore/LegalOverview/index.htm https://ojp.gov/funding/Explore/LegalOverview/index.htm https://ojp.gov/funding/Explore/LegalOverview/index.htm https://ojp.gov/funding/index.htm

Please review the “Note on File Names and File Types” under How To Apply to be sure applications are submitted in permitted formats.

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

The SF-424 is a required standard form used as a cover sheet for submission of pre-applications, applications, and related information. Grants.gov and the OJP Grants Management System (GMS) take information from the applicant’s profile to populate the fields on this form. When selecting "type of applicant," if the applicant is a for-profit entity, select "For-Profit Organization" or "Small Business" (as applicable).

To avoid processing delays, an applicant must include an accurate legal name on its SF-

424. On the SF-424, current OJP award recipients, when completing the field for “Legal Name” (box 8a), should use the same legal name that appears on the prior year award document (which is also the legal name stored in OJP’s financial system.) Also, current recipients should enter the Employer Identification Number (EIN) in box 8b exactly as it appears on the prior year award document. An applicant with a current, active award(s) must ensure that its GMS profile is current. If the profile is not current, the applicant should submit a Grant Adjustment Notice updating the information on its GMS profile prior to applying under this solicitation.

A new applicant entity should enter its official legal name in box 8a, its address in box 8d, its EIN in box 8b, and its Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number in box 8c of the SF-424. A new applicant entity should attach official legal documents to its application (e.g., articles of incorporation, 501(c)(3) status documentation, organizational letterhead, etc.) to confirm the legal name, address, and EIN entered into the SF-424. OJP will use the System for Award Management (SAM) to confirm the legal name and DUNS number entered in the SF-424; therefore, an applicant should ensure that the information entered in the SF-424 matches its current registration in SAM. See the How to Apply section for more information on SAM and DUNS numbers.

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

2. Project Abstract Applicants must provide an abstract identifying the applicant’s name and project title. The abstract must include:

1. Identification of the target neighborhood/neighborhood boundaries, population of the target area and ZIP code(s).

2. Identification of whether the target neighborhood receives funding from any federal investments that occur, serve, or overlap the target neighborhood, such as other DOJ federal grant programs, including (but not limited to) any of the BJA Innovation Suite of Programs, Community Based Violence Prevention Program, Department of Education’s Promise Neighborhood; Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Choice Neighborhood; a Department of Health and Human Services’ Community Health Center grant; or Department of the Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) funds.

3. Summary of research plan and activities.

https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/codification/executive-order/12372.html https://www.bja.gov/programs/crppe/smartsuite.html https://www.bja.gov/programs/crppe/smartsuite.html

4. Name of the applicant.

5. Indication of whether a full-time project coordinator is already in place or will be hired.

Please note the name of the entity under which this position will be managed.

6. Summary of project objectives.

7. Identification of other resources that will support the CBCR efforts.12

The abstract should be single-spaced, using a standard 12-point font (Times New Roman is preferred) with no less than 1-inch margins, and must not exceed three pages.

If the program abstract fails to comply with these restrictions, BJA may consider such noncompliance in peer review and in final award decisions.

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

3. Program Narrative The program narrative must respond to the solicitation and the Selection Criteria (1-4) in the order given. The program narrative must be double-spaced, using a standard 12-point font (Times New Roman is preferred) with no less than 1-inch margins, and must not exceed 20 pages. Number pages “1 of 20,” “2 of 20” etc. If the program narrative fails to comply with these length-related restrictions, BJA may consider such noncompliance in peer review and in final award decisions.

The following sections should be included as part of the program narrative13:

a. Statement of the Problem

b. Project Design and Implementation

c. Capabilities and Competencies

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

OJP will require each successful applicant to submit regular performance data that demonstrate the results of the work carried out under the award (see “General Information about Post-Federal Award Reporting Requirements” in Section F. Federal Award Administration Information). The performance data directly relate to the objectives and deliverables identified under "Objectives and Deliverables" in Section A. Program Description.

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

OJP.

The application should demonstrate the applicant’s understanding of the performance data reporting requirements for this grant program and detail how the applicant will gather the required data should it receive funding.

12 Do not include these items in the budget. The purpose is to show support, but it will not be tracked as a match.

13 For information on subawards (including the details on proposed subawards that should be included in the application), see "Budget and Associated Documentation" under Section D. Application and Submission Information.

https://www.ojp.gov/performance

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

Award recipients will be required to provide the relevant data by submitting quarterly performance metrics through BJA’s online Performance Measurement Tool (PMT) located at https://bjapmt.ojp.gov. Applicants should examine the complete list of performance indicators at https://bjapmt.ojp.gov/help/BCJIPerformanceIndicatorgrid.pdf.14

Note on Project Evaluations An applicant that proposes to use award funds through this solicitation to conduct project evaluations should be aware that certain project evaluations (such as systematic investigations designed to develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge) may constitute “research” for purposes of applicable DOJ human subjects protection regulations. However, project evaluations that are intended only to generate internal improvements to a program or service, or are conducted only to meet OJP’s performance measure data reporting requirements, likely do not constitute “research.”

Each applicant should provide sufficient information for OJP to determine whether the particular project it proposes would either intentionally or unintentionally collect and/or use information in such a way that it meets the DOJ definition of research that appears at 28 C.F.R. Part 46 (“Protection of Human Subjects”).

“Research,” for purposes of human subjects protection for OJP-funded programs, is defined as “a systematic investigation, including research development, testing and evaluation, designed to develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge.” 28 C.F.R.

46.102(d).

For additional information on determining whether a proposed activity would constitute research for purposes of human subjects protection, applicants should consult the decision tree in the “Research and the protection of human subjects” section of the “Requirements related to Research” webpage of the "Overview of Legal Requirements Generally Applicable to OJP Grants and Cooperative Agreements - FY 2018 Awards," available through the OJP Funding Resource Center at https://ojp.gov/funding/Explore/LegalOverview/index.htm.

Every prospective applicant whose application may propose a research or statistical component also should review the “Data Privacy and Confidentiality Requirements” section on that webpage.

4. Budget and Associated Documentation The Budget Detail Worksheet and the Budget Narrative are now combined in a single document collectively referred to as the Budget Detail Worksheet.