PKG00259664-instructions.pdf

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

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

Preventing School Violence:

BJA’s STOP School Violence Program FY 2020 Competitive Grant Solicitation

CFDA # 16.839

Grants.gov Solicitation Number: BJA-2020-17312

Solicitation Release Date: March 11, 2020

Application Deadline: 11:59 p.m. eastern time on May 11, 2020

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Justice Programs (OJP), Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) is seeking applications for funding under the Student, Teachers, and Officers Preventing (STOP) Grant Program. This program furthers the Department’s mission by supporting and assisting county, local, territorial, and tribal jurisdictions in improving efforts to reduce violent crime in and around schools.

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

Eligibility (Who may apply):

The following entities are eligible to apply:

• States

• Units of local government

• Federally recognized Indian tribes

• Public agencies (e.g., school districts, towns, cities and municipalities, individual schools, police departments, sheriff’s departments, governmental mental health service providers, and health departments)

• Nonprofit entities to include private schools

For the purposes of this solicitation, a “federally recognized Indian tribe” means any Indian tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community, including any Alaska Native village or regional or village corporation as defined in or established pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, which is recognized as eligible for the special programs and services provided by the United States to Indians because of their status as Indians.

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

Applicants may use the grant to contract with or make one or more subawards to:

• Local educational agencies

• Nonprofit organizations

• Units of local government or tribal organizations (as defined in section 4(l) of the Indian

Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304(l))

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

This solicitation has four categories. All applications for Category 2 and Category 4 must include in their application materials a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the lead law enforcement agency and the corresponding lead school official. This MOU will outline roles and responsibilities of all parties, as well any specific funding amounts (if applicable). Additional details regarding the MOU can be found on page 12.

Category 1 - A state: Train school personnel and educate students on preventing student violence against others and themselves to include anti-bullying training. This can also include specialized training for school officials to respond to mental health crises.

Category 2 - A state: Develop and implement threat assessment and/or intervention teams and/or operate technology solutions such as anonymous reporting systems for threats of school violence, including mobile telephone applications, hotlines, and websites. Threat assessment and/or intervention teams must coordinate with law enforcement agencies and school personnel.

Category 3 - Units of local government, federally recognized Indian tribes, public agencies, nonprofit entities to include private schools: Train school personnel and educate students on preventing student violence against others and themselves to include anti-bullying training. This can also include specialized training for school officials to respond to mental health crises.

Category 4 - Units of local government, federally recognized Indian tribes, public agencies, nonprofit entities to include private schools: Develop and implement threat assessment and/or intervention teams and/or operate technology solutions such as anonymous reporting systems for threats of school violence, including mobile telephone applications, hotlines, and websites. Threat assessment and/or intervention teams must coordinate with law enforcement agencies and school personnel.

Contact information For technical assistance with submitting an application, contact the Grants.gov Customer Support Hotline at 800–518–4726 or 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 (Grants.gov) section in the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide.

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https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/support.html mailto:support@grants.gov https://www.ojp.gov/funding/Apply/Resources/Grant-App-Resource-Guide.htm#howToApply https://Grants.gov https://Grants.gov https://Grants.gov https://Grants.gov mailto:support@grants.gov https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/support.html

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.

Deadline Details 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 May 11, 2020.

To be considered punctual, 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.

An applicant must use the Add Attachment button to attach a file to its application. Do not click the paperclip icon to attach files. This action will not attach the files to the application. After adding an attachment, select the View Attachment button to confirm you attached the correct file. To remove the file, select the Delete Attachment button.

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

For additional information, see the How to Apply (Grants.gov) section in the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide.

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Contents A. Program Description

Overview

Objectives and Deliverables

OJP Policy Priority Areas

Evidence-based Programs or Practices

Information Regarding Potential Evaluation of Programs and Activities

B. Federal Award Information

Type of Award

Financial Management and System of Internal Controls

Budget Information

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 (Grants.gov)

Registration and Submission Steps

E. Application Review Information

Review Criteria

Review Process

F. Federal Award Administration Information

Federal Award Notices

Administrative, National Policy, and Other Legal Requirements

Information Technology (IT) Security Clauses

General Information About Post-Federal Award Reporting Requirements

G. Federal Awarding Agency Contact(s)

H. Other Information

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

Appendix A: Performance Measures Table

Appendix B: Application Checklist

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Preventing School Violence:

BJA’s STOP School Violence Program

CFDA # 16.839

A. Program Description

Overview The Student, Teachers, and Officers Preventing School Violence Act of 2018 (or STOP School Violence Act) describes the following categories for school safety projects:

• Training to prevent student violence against others and self, including training for local law enforcement officers, school personnel, and students

• The development and operation of anonymous reporting systems for threats of school violence, including mobile telephone applications, hotlines, and internet websites

• The development and deployment of—

- School threat assessment and intervention teams that include coordination with law enforcement agencies and school personnel

- Specialized training for school officials in responding to mental health crises

Statutory Authority:

Department of Justice Appropriations Act, 2020, Public Law No. 116-93, 133 Stat. 2317, 2409

Program-specific Information BJA’s STOP School Violence Grant Program is designed to improve school security by providing students and teachers with the tools they need to recognize, respond quickly to, and help prevent acts of violence.

Eligible applicants may apply under one or more of the following areas:

(1) Train school personnel and educate students on preventing student violence against others and themselves to include anti-bullying training. This can also include specialized training for school officials to respond to mental health crises.

(2) Develop and implement threat assessment and/or intervention teams and/or operate technology solutions such as anonymous reporting systems for threats of school violence, including mobile telephone applications, hotlines, and websites. Threat assessment and/or intervention teams must coordinate with law enforcement agencies and school personnel.

Objectives and Deliverables The goal of this program is to address specific areas of concern related to preventing and reducing school violence.

The program’s objective is to increase school safety by implementing training and school threat assessments and/or intervention teams to identify school violence risks among students;

technological solutions such as anonymous reporting technology that can be implemented as a

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mobile phone-based app, a hotline, or a website in the applicant’s geographic area to enable students, teachers, faculty, and community members to anonymously identify threats of school violence; or other school safety strategies that assist in preventing violence.

Applicants will be required to document all training and education sessions conducted under the award, as applicable.

The applicant must, at the top of the Narrative portion of the application, state the Category for which it is applying.

Application Categories 1-4 Category Eligibility Available Award Amounts

Category 1 - Training on preventing violence.

Competition ID: BJA- 2020-18440

States Up to $2,000,000

Category 2 - Threat Assessment/Intervention Teams and/or Technology (anonymous reporting apps, etc.). Competition

ID: BJA-2020-18441

States Up to $2,000,000

Category 3 - Training on preventing violence.

Competition ID: BJA-2020- 18456

• Units of local government

• Federally recognized Indian tribes

• Public agencies (e.g., school districts, towns, cities and municipalities, individual schools, police departments, sheriff’s departments, governmental mental health service providers, and health departments)

• Nonprofit entities to include private schools

Up to $750,000

Category 4 - Threat Assessment/Intervention Teams and/or Technology (anonymous reporting apps, etc.). Competition ID BJA- 2020-18457

• Units of local government

• Federally recognized Indian tribes

• Public agencies (e.g., school districts, towns, cities and municipalities, Up to $750,000

Application Categories 1-4 Category Eligibility Available Award Amounts individual schools, police departments, sheriff’s departments, governmental mental health service providers, and health departments)

• Nonprofit entities to include private schools

The National Institute of Justice's Comprehensive School Safety Initiative (https://nij.gov/topics/crime/school-crime/Pages/school-safety-initiative.aspx) and OJP’s CrimeSolutions.gov (https://www.crimesolutions.gov) are resources that applicants may use to obtain more information about evidence-based programs. Additional resources related to school safety best practices and threat assessments can be found at SchoolSafety.gov and the National Threat Assessment Center (https://www.secretservice.gov/protection/ntac/).

OJP Policy Priority Areas In FY 2020, and in addition to executing any program-specific prioritization that may be applicable, priority consideration will be given to applications as follows:

• Applications that address specific challenges that rural communities face.

• Applications that demonstrate that the individuals who are intended to benefit from the requested grant reside in high-poverty areas or persistent-poverty counties.

• Applications that offer enhancements to public safety in economically distressed communities (Qualified Opportunity Zones).

To receive priority consideration under the rural priority, applicants must describe what makes the geographic service area rural (using U.S. Census or other appropriate government data; for assistance, applicants may wish to refer to https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/geography/guidance/geo-areas/urban-rural.html), how isolated the area is from needed services, and how they will address specific challenges in rural communities.

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

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https://nij.gov/topics/crime/school-crime/Pages/school-safety-initiative.aspx https://www.crimesolutions.gov/ http://www.schoolsafety.gov/ https://www.secretservice.gov/protection/ntac/ https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/geography/guidance/geo-areas/urban-rural.html https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/geography/guidance/geo-areas/urban-rural.html https://www.census.gov/acs/www/data/data-tables-and-tools/narrative-profiles/2017/ https://CrimeSolutions.gov may search by county at https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/dec/census-poverty.html and at https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/saipe.html).

To receive priority consideration under the Qualified Opportunity Zones priority, applicants must include information 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.

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

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

B. Federal Award Information

Maximum number of awards BJA expects to make 150 Estimated maximum dollar amount for each award:

Category 1: 5 awards of up to $2,000,000 each Category 2: 5 awards of up to $2,000,000 each Category 3: 70 awards up to $750,000 each Category 4: 70 awards up to $750,000 each

Total amount anticipated to be awarded under this solicitation up to $71,500,000 Period of performance start date October 1, 2020

Period of performance duration 36 months

BJA 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 (programmatic and policy) priorities, a recipient’s overall management of the award, and progress of award-funded work, when making continuation award decisions.

Under this solicitation, only one application by any particular applicant entity will be considered for each category. An entity may, however, be proposed as a subrecipient (subgrantee) in more than one application.

BJA may elect to fund applications submitted under this FY 2020 solicitation in future fiscal years, dependent on, among other considerations, the merit of the applications and on the availability of appropriations.

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Additional funding will only be provided for work that is different from that stated in an award received by the grantee in FY 2018 and FY 2019. No funds will be provided to complete work that should have been completed in a previous award.

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

Type of Award BJA 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 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 Requirements1 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

Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement This solicitation does not require a match.

Please see the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for information on the following:

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

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 The following application elements MUST be included in the application submission for an application to meet the basic minimum requirements (BMR) to advance to peer review and receive consideration for funding: Program Abstract, Program Narrative, Budget Detail Worksheet and Budget Narrative, and Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

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

1 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.

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1. Application for Federal Assistance (Standard Form (SF)-424)

The SF-424 is a required standard form used as a cover sheet for submission of preapplications, applications, and related information. See the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for additional information on completing the SF-424.

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

Include an abstract that summarizes the proposed project in 400 words or fewer. Project abstracts should be:

• Written for a general public audience.

• Submitted as a separate attachment with “Project Abstract” as part of its file name.

• Single-spaced, using a standard 12-point Times New Roman with 1-inch margins.

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

If the Project Abstract is not submitted as part of the application, the application may not be considered for funding.

3. Program Narrative

The Program Narrative must respond to the objectives and deliverables stated in this solicitation and the Review Criteria (described below) in the order given. The Program Narrative should be double-spaced, using a standard 12-point Times New Roman font with 1-inch margins, and should not exceed 10 pages. Number pages “1 of 10,” “2 of 10,” etc.

If the Program Narrative fails to comply with these format and length-related restrictions, BJA may negatively consider such noncompliance in peer review and in final award decisions.

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

a. Description of the Issue

b. Project Design and Implementation

c. Capabilities and Competencies

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

OJP will require each successful applicant to submit regular performance data that demonstrate the results of the work carried out under the award. The performance data directly relate to the 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.

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Performance measures for this solicitation are listed in Appendix A: Performance Measures Table. BJA is currently developing the performance measures for this program and will be shared with grantees upon acceptance of their awards.

Examples of the types of performance and accountability data that will be required can be found in Appendix A.

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.

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 bi-annual performance metrics as part of their progress reports in the Grants Management System (GMS).

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

Please see the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for information on the following:

4. Budget Information and Associated Documentation in the Budget Preparation and Submission Information section.

5. Indirect Cost Rate Agreement

6. Tribal Authorizing Resolution (if applicable)

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

8. Disclosure of Lobbying Activities

9. Applicant Disclosure of Pending Applications

10. Applicant Disclosure and Justification – DOJ High Risk Grantees2 (if applicable)

11. Research and Evaluation Independence and Integrity

12. Disclosure of Process Related to Executive Compensation

13. Additional Attachments

a. Documentation of Rural Challenges (if applicable) As is mentioned above, OJP will give priority consideration in award decisions to applications that address specific challenges that rural communities face. Each

2 A “DOJ High Risk Grantee” is a recipient that has received a DOJ High-Risk designation based on a documented history of unsatisfactory performance, financial instability, management system or other internal control deficiencies, or noncompliance with award terms and conditions on prior awards, or that is otherwise not responsible.

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b. Documentation of High-Poverty Areas or Persistent-Poverty Counties (if applicable) As mentioned above, OJP will give priority consideration in award decisions to applications that demonstrate that the individuals who will benefit from the requested grant reside in high-poverty areas or persistent-poverty counties as defined above.

Each applicant proposing to receive consideration under the High-Poverty Areas or Persistent Poverty Counties priority should provide a sufficient narrative explanation to identify each specific High-Poverty Area (by census tract number(s)) and/or each specific Persistent-Poverty County where individuals are intended to benefit from the requested grant and how the requested grant will address specific challenges in each such identified area and/or county.

c. Documentation of Enhanced Public Safety in Qualified Opportunity Zones (if applicable) As is mentioned above, OJP will give priority consideration in award decisions to designated Qualified Opportunity Zones (QOZs). Each applicant proposing to receive priority consideration under the under the Qualified Opportunity Zones priority should provide a sufficient narrative explanation in order for OJP to identify clearly the public safety benefit the applicant anticipates that its project will have on a specified QOZ(s).

The narrative and the list of affected QOZs (by census tract number) must be included as an attachment that is clearly labeled as addressing QOZs. The applicant may also include tables, charts, graphs, or other relevant illustrations that may be useful in comprehending the manner in which the proposed project is anticipated to benefit a QOZ(s).

d. Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) should contain the following elements:

• Purpose of the MOU. The statement of purpose should describe the agencies or organizations that are entering into the partnership, the purpose of the partnership, and the effective date of the agreement. The effective date of the agreement must cover the term of the award or contain language regarding the annual renewal of the agreement through the term of the award.

• Description of partner roles and responsibilities. This description must include the roles and responsibilities of the school, the school district, and the law enforcement agency, and each partner should be specifically listed within the document. This document should also include any budget information, such as specific funds allocated to other partners, and for the stated purpose.

• Signatures. The MOU must be signed and dated by both the lead law enforcement agency leadership (i.e., police chief or sheriff) and the school official(s) who will have general educational oversight and decision-making authority (i.e., board of education chairperson, superintendent, or school principal) regarding this project.

e. Timeline/Project Plan outlining key tasks, benchmarks, and persons or entities responsible.

How To Apply (Grants.gov) Applicants must register in and submit applications through Grants.gov, a primary source to find federal funding opportunities and apply for funding. Find information on how to apply in response to this solicitation in the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide.

Registration and Submission Steps Applicants will need the following identifying information when searching for the funding opportunity on Grants.gov.

1. CFDA #16.839, STOP School Violence

2. Select the correct Competition ID. This solicitation contains multiple categories, denoted by the individual Competition ID. Select the appropriate Competition ID for the intended category of the application.

• Category 1: Preventing School Violence: a state – training on preventing violence.

Competition ID BJA-2020-18440

• Category 2: Preventing School Violence: a state – threat assessment/intervention teams and/or technology (anonymous reporting apps, etc.). Competition ID BJA-2020- 18441

• Category 3: Preventing School Violence: units of local government, federally recognized Indian tribes, public agencies, nonprofit entities to include private schools – training on preventing violence. Competition ID BJA-2020-18456

• Category 4: Preventing School Violence: units of local government, federally recognized Indian tribes, public agencies, nonprofit entities to include private schools – threat assessment/intervention teams and/or technology (anonymous reporting apps, etc.).

Competition ID BJA-2020-18457

For information on each registration and submission step, see the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide.

E. Application Review Information

Review Criteria Applications that meet basic minimum requirements will be evaluated by peer reviewers using the following review criteria.

1. Description of the Issue (20 percent) Describe the specific problem of school violence as it relates to the applicant’s locality. Include data and information that have been used to identify and assess the problem and that demonstrate that the applicant understands the nature and dimension of the problem. Any statistics or references used in this section should be those gathered and documented for the applicant’s area. No national statistics or references should be used unless they specifically reference the applicant.

2. Project Design and Implementation (30 percent) Describe how the project will address the description listed under the Program-specific Information section. The project must demonstrate relevance, innovation, and timeliness not only to the topics and need to stop school violence, but it must also demonstrate innovative delivery mechanisms and products. The applicant must tie project

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3. Capabilities and Competencies (20 percent) Fully describe the capabilities of the applicant, the subrecipients, and contractors to successfully implement the project. This section should also state the competencies of the staff assigned to the project. In addition, as a part of sharing information, the applicant should demonstrate sound knowledge of the Global Standards Package (GSP) and describe any current or previous experience using GSP. If the applicant has no experience with GSP, technical support can be provided.

4. Plan for Collecting the Data Required for this Solicitation’s Performance Measures (5 percent) Describe the process for measuring project performance. Identify who will collect the data, who is responsible for performance measurement, and how the information will be used to guide and evaluate the project’s impact. Describe the process to accurately report implementation findings and, specifically, the solution’s impact on criminal justice and or school operational practices. Applicants should identify and describe both the outputs and outcomes they anticipate as a result of their proposed implementation strategy and a process for measuring them.

5. Budget (15 percent) Provide a budget that is complete, cost effective, and allowable (e.g., reasonable, allocable, and necessary for program activities). Budget narratives should detail how applicants will maximize cost effectiveness of grant expenditures. Budget narratives should demonstrate cost effectiveness in relation to potential alternatives and the objectives of the program.4 The budget should also reflect the funds provided to any sub-recipient, or contractor.

In the narrative, applicants must fully explain why the proposed expenditures are necessary to support implementation of the technical solution described in the Program Narrative.

Applicants should also budget travel/lodging expenses for one visit to the Washington, DC area to meet with federal officials and/or take part in BJA-sponsored grantee meeting as directed. It is expected that this meeting would be for a minimum of 2 days and 1 night, for at least one representative from the project. Additional attendees may attend, with a maximum of three.

6. Sustainability Plan (10 percent) Provide a sustainability plan to address how the project or technology will continue to operate and be maintained once the award funding has ended. This plan should not assume that additional funding under this program is available after the award period, but it should identify state, local, or possibly private funding to ensure the program or technology continues.

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Review Process BJA reviews an application to make sure that the information presented is reasonable, understandable, measurable, achievable, and consistent with the solicitation requirements.

The following five paragraphs in this solicitation expressly modify the “Application Review Information” provisions in the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide. An applicant is to follow the guidance in these five paragraphs instead of the guidance stated under the “Application Review Information” heading in the Guide.

Peer reviewers will review the applications submitted under this solicitation that meet basic minimum requirements. For purposes of assessing whether an application meets basic minimum requirements and should proceed to further consideration, OJP screens applications for compliance with those requirements. Although specific requirements may vary, the following are common requirements applicable to all solicitations for funding under OJP programs:

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

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

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

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

For a list of the application elements that MUST be included in the application submission in order for an application to meet the basic minimum requirements, see “What an Application Should Include” under Section D. Application and Submission Information.

Peer review panels will evaluate, score, and rate applications that meet basic minimum requirements. BJA may use internal peer reviewers, external peer reviewers, or a combination, to assess applications on technical merit using the solicitation’s review criteria. An external peer reviewer is an expert in the subject matter of a given solicitation who is not a current DOJ employee. An internal reviewer is a current DOJ employee who is well versed or has expertise in the subject of this solicitation. Peer reviewers’ ratings and any resulting recommendations are advisory only, but are considered carefully.

Other important considerations for BJA include geographic diversity, strategic (programmatic and policy) priorities (specifically including, but not limited to, those mentioned above relating to addressing specific challenges that rural communities face, high-poverty areas or persistent-poverty counties, demonstrable potential enhancement to public safety in one or more federally designated Qualified Opportunity Zones), available funding, as well as the extent to which the Budget Detail Worksheet and Budget Narrative accurately explain project costs that are reasonable, necessary, and otherwise allowable under federal law and applicable federal cost principles.

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

In addition, if OJP anticipates that an award will exceed $250,000 in federal funds, OJP also must review and consider any information about the applicant that appears in the nonpublic segment of the integrity and performance system accessible through SAM (currently, the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System, FAPIIS).

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

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

F. Federal Award Administration Information

Please see the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for information on the following:

Federal Award Notices

Administrative, National Policy, and Other Legal Requirements If selected for funding, in addition to implementing the funded project consistent with the OJP-approved application, the recipient must comply with all award conditions, and all applicable requirements of federal statutes and regulations (including applicable requirements referred to in the assurances and certifications executed in connection with award acceptance).

For additional information on these legal requirements, see the “Administrative, National Policy, and Other Legal Requirements” section in the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide.

Information Technology (IT) Security Clauses

General Information About Post-Federal Award Reporting Requirements In addition to the deliverables described in Section A. Program Description, any recipient of an award under this solicitation will be required to submit the following reports and data.

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

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

G. Federal Awarding Agency Contact(s)

For OJP contact(s), see page 3.

For contact information for Grants.gov, see page 2.

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H. Other Information

Please see the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for information on the following:

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

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Appendix A: Performance Measures Table

Objective 1. Threat Assessments & Development of Multidisciplinary Intervention Teams

Objective A. Implementation of evidence based school safety plan

Performance Measures • Percentage of schools using an evidence based safety school plan

Questionnaire Questions [data grantee provides]

• Have you implemented an evidence based practice for the prevention of school violence for a school safety plan o Date the school safety plan was implemented Objective B. Conduct assessments of schools and individuals to identify safety risks and individuals determined to be a potential threat to themselves or others receive a school threat assessment and are referred for services.

Performance Measures • Percentage of schools that received a security survey (assessment)

• Percentage of school security survey findings that the school commits to addressing

• Percentage of individuals determined by a school counselor as needing a threat assessment who were assessed by a clinical professional

• Percentage of individuals determined by a school counselor as needing a threat assessment

• Percentage of individuals determined to be a threat to themselves or others who are referred to a program Questionnaire Questions [data grantee provides]

• Number of schools determined to need a security survey (assessment) since the start of the grant o Of those, the number of schools that completed a security survey (assessment), since the start of the grant

• Number of recommendations identified during the security survey o Number of recommendations that the school commits to addressing

• Number of individuals determined by a school counselor as needing an assessment (e.g., threat assessment) o Identify the threat assessment tool used

• Number of individuals receiving a clinical assessment (e.g., threat assessment) by a licensed professional o Of those, what number of individuals are determined to be a threat to themselves or others during the reporting period o Of those, what number of individuals are referred to a program (or service) during the reporting period

• Number of individuals who have received a clinical assessment (e.g., threat assessment) more than once in the last 90 days

Objective C. Establish or enhance multidisciplinary teams that identify school violence threats and mitigate those risks.

Performance Measures • Number of schools that started a multidisciplinary team

• Number of schools that enhanced or expanded their multidisciplinary team

• Percentage of issues or crises responded to by the multidisciplinary team that involved violence or threats of violence

• Percentage of issues or crises responded to by the multidisciplinary team that involved suicidal threats or attempts

Questionnaire Questions [data grantee provides]

• [If grantee did not already have a multidisciplinary team] Indicate the date the intervention team was established

• Indicate the number of schools with a newly formed intervention team over the life of the grant

• [If grantee already had a multidisciplinary team] Are BJA grant funds being used to expand or enhance multi-disciplinary team(s) (e.g., through training, membership increase, or access to programming)?

o Provided training to intervention team members

• Please indicate the number of schools that enhanced their intervention teams (report this only once)

• Number of issues or crises the intervention team responded to o Of those, how many issue/crises…