PKG00264331-instructions.pdf

OMB No. 1122-0020 Approval Expires 1/31/2022

U.S. Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women

OVW Fiscal Year 2021 Legal Assistance for Victims (LAV)

Grant Program Solicitation

CFDA # 16.524

Grants.gov Opportunity Number: O-OVW-2021-38001-PROD

Solicitation Release Date: December 04, 2020 5:00 PM

Version: 2

Grants.gov Deadline: February 01, 2021 11:59 PM

Application JustGrants Deadline: February 03, 2021 11:59 PM

Eligible Applicants:

Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Other

Other Eligible applicants are limited to: Private nonprofit entities; publicly funded organizations not acting in a governmental capacity; territorial organizations; Indian tribal governments; and tribal organizations in the United States or U.S. territories. For more information, see the Eligibility Information section of this solicitation.

O-OVW-2021-38001-PROD

Letter of Intent Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit a non-binding Letter of Intent to OVW.LAV@usdoj.gov by January 14, 2021. Interested applicants who do not submit a Letter of Intent are still eligible to apply. For more information, see the Application and Submission Information section of this solicitation.

Pre-Application Information Sessions OVW will post a pre-recorded Pre-Application Information Session on its website at https://www.justice.gov/ovw/resources-applicants. This session is tentatively scheduled to be available by December 14, 2020. For more information, see the Application and Submission Information section of this solicitation.

Contact Information For assistance with the requirements of this solicitation, email OVW at OVW.LAV@usdoj.gov.

Alternatively, interested parties may call OVW at 202-307-6026.

Submission Information Registration: To submit an application, all applicants must obtain a Data Universal Number System (DUNS) number and register online with the System for Award Management (SAM) and with Grants.gov. To ensure sufficient time to complete the registration process, applicants must obtain a DUNS number and register online with SAM and with Grants.gov immediately, but no later than January 14, 2021.

Submission: Applications for this program will be submitted through a NEW two-step process: (1) submission of the SF-424 and SF-LLL in Grants.gov and (2) submission of the full application including attachments in the Justice Grants System (JustGrants). Submit the SF-424 and SF-LLL as early as possible, but not later than 24-48 hours before the Grants.gov deadline. For technical assistance with Grants.gov, contact Grants.gov Applicant Support at 1-800-518-4726 or support@grants.gov. For technical assistance with JustGrants, contact OVW JustGrants Support at 1-866-655-4482 or OVW.JustGrantsSupport@usdoj.gov.

For more information about registration and submission, see the Application and Submission Information section of this solicitation.

Notification OVW anticipates notifying applicants of funding decisions by October 1, 2021.

O-OVW-2021-38001-PROD

mailto:OVW.LAV@usdoj.gov https://www.justice.gov/ovw/resources-applicants mailto:OVW.LAV@usdoj.gov

Contents

Program Description Overview of OVW Statutory Authority About the OVW LAV Grant Program Program Scope Purpose Areas OVW Priority Areas Activities that Compromise Victim Safety and Recovery or Undermine Offender Accountability Out-of-Scope Activities Activities Requiring Prior Approval

Federal Award Information Availability of Funds Type of Award Types of Applications Mandatory Program Requirements

Eligibility Information Eligible Applicants Cost Sharing And Match Other Program Eligibility Requirements

Application and Submission Information Information to Complete the Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424) . 15 Standard Applicant Information (JustGrants 424 and General Agency Information) Proposal Abstract Proposal Narrative Budget and Associated Documentation Budget Worksheet and Budget Narrative (Web-based Form) Pre-Agreement Cost Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (if applicable) Financial Management Questionnaire (including applicant disclosure of high-risk status)

Disclosure of Process Related to Executive Compensation Data Requested with Application Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) and Other Supportive Documents Additional Application Components Letters of Nonsupplanting Confidentiality Notice Form Disclosures and Assurances Disclosure of Lobbying Activities Applicant Disclosure of Duplication in Cost Items DOJ Certified Standard Assurances DOJ Certifications Regarding Lobbying; Debarment, Suspension and Other Responsibility Matters; and Drug-Free Workplace Requirements . 29 How to Apply Submission Dates and Time

Application Review Information Review Criteria Review and Selection Process Anticipated Announcement and Federal Award Dates

Federal Award Administration Information Federal Award Notices Administrative, National Policy, and Other Legal Requirements General Information about Post-Federal Award Reporting Requirements . 36

Federal Awarding Agency Contact(s) Other Information

Public Reporting Burden- Paper Work Reduction Act Notice Application Checklist

Program Description Overview of OVW OVW is a component of the United States Department of Justice (DOJ). Created in 1995, OVW administers grant programs authorized by the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and subsequent legislation and provides national leadership on issues of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. OVW grants support coordinated community responses to hold offenders accountable and serve victims.

Statutory Authority 34 U.S.C. § 20121

About the OVW LAV Grant Program This program is authorized by 34 U.S.C. § 20121. The LAV Grant Program (CFDA 16.524) is intended to increase the availability of civil and criminal legal assistance needed to effectively aid adult and youth (ages 11 and older) victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking by providing funds for comprehensive direct legal services to victims in legal matters relating to or arising out of that abuse or violence. “Legal assistance” includes assistance to adult and youth victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking in: a) family, tribal, territorial, immigration, employment, administrative agency, housing matters, campus administrative, or protection or stay away order proceedings, and other similar matters; and b) criminal justice investigations, prosecutions, and post-trial matters (including sentencing, parole, and probation) that impact the victim’s safety and privacy. Intake or referral, by itself, does not constitute legal assistance. 34 U.S.C.

§12291(a)(19). Comprehensive legal services should address the broad spectrum of legal issues that victims encounter and help promote economic independence for victims. In addition to representation in emergency and non-emergency protection order hearings, this includes representation in family matters (divorce, child custody, or child support), consumer or housing matters, and credit restoration. For additional information about this program and related performance measures, including how awards contribute to the achievement of program goals and objectives, see:

OVW grant program information: https://www.justice.gov/ovw/grant-programs.

Program performance measures under the Measuring Effectiveness Initiative:

https://www.vawamei.org/grant-program/legal-assistance-program/.

Examples of successful projects in OVW’s most recent report to Congress on the effectiveness of VAWA grant programs: https://www.justice.gov/ovw/page/file/1292636/download.

O-OVW-2021-38001-PROD

https://www.justice.gov/ovw/grant-programs https://www.vawamei.org/grant-program/legal-assistance-program/ https://www.justice.gov/ovw/page/file/1292636/download

Program Scope Activities supported by this program are determined by statute, federal regulations, and OVW policies. If an applicant receives an award, the funded project is bound by this solicitation, the DOJ Financial Guide, including updates to the financial guide after an award is made, the Solicitation Companion Guide, and the conditions of the award.

Purpose Areas Pursuant to 34 U.S.C. § 20121(c), funds under this program must be used for one or more of the following purposes:

To implement, expand, and establish cooperative efforts and projects between1.

domestic violence, dating violence, and sexual assault victim service providers and legal assistance providers to provide legal assistance for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and sexual assault.

To implement, expand, and establish efforts and projects to provide legal2.

assistance for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, staking, and sexual assault by organizations with a demonstrated history of providing direct legal or advocacy services on behalf of these victims.

To implement, expand, and establish efforts and projects to provide competent3.

supervised pro bono legal assistance for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking, except not more than 10 percent of the funds awarded may be used for this purpose. The 10 percent limit is on the funds awarded under the LAV Grant Program overall and is not specific to an individual project.

OVW Priority Areas In FY 2021, OVW is interested in supporting the priority area identified below. Applications proposing activities in the following area will be given special consideration:

Empower victims to become survivors by focusing on long-term safety and sustainable economic independence.

LAV Grant Program Statutory Priorities Improve the Availability of Legal Services for Sexual Assault Survivors Pursuant to 34 U.S.C. § 20121(f)(2)(C), not less than 25 percent of funds made available for the LAV Grant Program must be used to support projects focused solely or primarily on providing legal assistance to victims of sexual assault. OVW recognizes the need to place increased focus on sexual assault to address the lack of available direct legal services for survivors of sexual assault and the unique aspects of sexual assault trauma from which survivors must heal. Applicants proposing to focus 50 percent or more of their grant-funded activities on intimate and non-intimate partner sexual assault legal services will be given

O-OVW-2021-38001-PROD

https://www.justice.gov/ovw/page/file/1298396/download special consideration. In addition, applications that are submitted by sexual assault victim service providers or sexual assault coalitions that propose to focus 80 percent or more of their grant-funded activities on non-intimate partner sexual assault legal services can apply for larger awards and may be eligible for an additional 24 months of non-competitive funding (see “Award Period and Amounts” for more information).

A victim service provider is a nonprofit, nongovernmental or tribal organization or rape crisis center, including a state or tribal domestic violence and/or sexual assault coalition, that assists or advocates for domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking victims, including a domestic violence shelter, faith-based organization or other organization, with a documented history of effective work concerning domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking. 34 U.S.C. § 12291(a)(43). Victim service providers must provide direct services to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking as one of their primary purposes and have a demonstrated history of effective work in this field.

Tribal Programs Pursuant to 34 U.S.C. § 20121(f)(2)(A), not less than three percent of funds made available for the LAV Grant Program must be used for projects that assist adult and youth victims of domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and sexual assault on lands within the jurisdiction of an Indian tribe. Applications proposing to assist such victims will receive special consideration in order to meet this requirement, but they must include the percentage of proposed activities that will support services to victims on tribal lands.

Activities that Compromise Victim Safety and Recovery or Undermine Offender Accountability OVW does not fund activities that jeopardize victim safety, deter or prevent physical or emotional healing for victims, or allow offenders to escape responsibility for their actions.

Applications that propose any such activities may receive a deduction in points during the review process or may be eliminated from consideration. Information on activities that compromise victim safety and recovery or undermine offender accountability may be found in the Solicitation Companion Guide.

Out-of-Scope Activities The activities listed below are out of the program scope and will not be supported by this program’s funding. See also the list of unallowable costs in the Funding Restrictions section of this solicitation.

Research projects. Funds under this program may not be used to conduct research,1.

defined in 28 C.F.R. § 46.102 as a systematic investigation designed to develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge. Surveys and focus groups, depending on their design and purpose, may constitute research and therefore be out-of-scope. Prohibited research does not include assessments conducted for internal improvement purposes only (see Limited Use of Funds below). For information on distinguishing between research and assessments, see the Solicitation Companion Guide.

Representation in tort cases.2.

Child sexual abuse cases (i.e., involving victims under the age of 11).3.

Cases involving the child protection system unless the child dependency hearing4.

involves allegations relating to or arising out of abuse of the client (rather than abuse of the children).

Criminal representation of victims charged with crimes.5.

Support of law reform initiatives, including but not limited to litigation.6.

Cases involving Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).7.

Funds for victim assistance/support unrelated to the provision of legal assistance or8.

legal advocacy (such as transitional housing assistance, therapeutic counseling, hotlines, and rental assistance).

The development and/or provision of state or community-wide training. Limited training9.

may be provided to grantee staff and project partners on the provision of legal assistance; however, any training activities will require prior approval from OVW.

Applications that propose activities deemed to be substantially out-of-scope may receive a deduction in points during the review process or may be eliminated from consideration.

Limited Use of Funds Grantees may use up to one percent of grant award funds to assess their work for internal improvement purposes only, such as by convening a listening session to identify service gaps in the community, or surveying training participants about the quality of training content and delivery. Applicants considering such assessments must refer to the OVW research decision tree in the Solicitation Companion Guide to ensure that the activity does not qualify as human subjects research. The Solicitation Companion Guide also provides additional information on federal requirements related to research, assessments, and surveys.

Activities Requiring Prior Approval Activities listed below will require prior approval in order to be supported by grant funds (see the Solicitation Companion Guide for more information on relevant requirements).

Surveys, whether conducted as part of a program or needs assessment, or for any1.

other purpose. Prior approval is necessary to determine whether the activity is within the scope of the award and meets the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act.

Trainings developed and/or hosted by the applicant or project partner for staff and2.

volunteers working on the project.

Federal Award Information

O-OVW-2021-38001-PROD

https://www.justice.gov/ovw/resources-applicants

Awards, Amounts and Durations Total Federal Awards

Maximum Dollar Amount for Awards $800,000.00

Period of Performance Start Date

10/1/21 12:00 AM

Period of Performance Duration (Months)

Total Amount to be Awarded Under Solicitation $34,000,000.00

Availability of Funds All awards are subject to the availability of appropriated funds and any modifications or additional requirements that may be imposed by law. There is no guarantee that funds will be available in the future. OVW may elect to make awards in a future fiscal year for applications submitted under this solicitation but not selected for FY 2021 funding, depending on the merits of the applications and the availability of funding.

Type of Award Awards will be made as grants.

Award Period and Amounts The award period is 36 months. Budgets must reflect 36 months of project activity, and the total “estimated funding” on the SF-424 must reflect 36 months. OVW anticipates that the award period will start on October 1, 2021.

This program typically makes awards in the range of $600,000 - $800,000. OVW estimates that it will make up to 56 awards for an estimated $34,000,000.

Funding levels under this program for FY 2021 are:

New and Continuation LAV Grant Program applications proposing to provide legal1.

services primarily to victims of domestic violence or that do not meet the requirements of the sexual assault-related project described below may request up to $600,000 for the entire 36-month period.

New and Continuation LAV Grant Program applications submitted by sexual assault2.

victim service providers or sexual assault coalitions and that are proposing to focus 80 percent or more of the project’s activities on legal services for victims of non-intimate partner sexual assault may request up to $800,000 for the entire 36-month project period. Note: if funded, at the end of the 36-month award period, these grantees may be eligible to receive 24 months of additional non-competitive funding to continue their projects.

OVW has the discretion to make awards for greater or lesser amounts than requested and to negotiate the scope of work and budget with applicants prior to making an award.

Types of Applications In FY 2021, OVW will accept applications for this program from the following:

New: Applicants that have never received funding under this program or whose previous funding expired prior to February 1, 2020.

Continuation: Applicants that have an existing or recently closed (after February 1, 2020) award under this program. Continuation funding is not guaranteed.

Recipients of an FY FY 2019 or 2020 award under this program are NOT eligible to apply as the lead applicant or as a partner/subrecipient on an FY 2021 proposal. In making award decisions and assessing award amounts, OVW will take into consideration the overall LAV Grant Program funding an applicant partner has received under an FY 2019 or 2020 LAV Grant Program award or subaward.

Note: Current grantees with a substantial amount of unobligated funds remaining (50 percent or more of the previous award) as of March 31, 2021 without adequate justification may not be considered for funding or may receive a reduced award amount if selected for funding in FY 2021.

Mandatory Program Requirements Applicants that receive funding under this program will be required to engage in the following activities:

OVW-sponsored training and technical assistance (TTA).1.

OVW may conduct a program assessment or evaluation necessitating grantee2.

involvement. Therefore, recipients may be expected to dedicate some OVW-funded time and resources to participating in an assessment or evaluation.

A new grantee orientation, unless exempted by OVW.3.

Eligibility Information Eligible Applicants Pursuant to 34 U.S.C. § 20121(c), the following entities are eligible to apply for this program:

Private nonprofit entities.1.

Indian tribal governments, including tribal consortia. A “tribal government” is the2.

governing body of an Indian tribe or a tribe, band, pueblo, nation, or other organized group or community of Indians, including any Alaska Native village or regional or village corporation (as defined in, or established pursuant to, the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. §§ 1601 et seq.)), that is recognized as eligible for the special programs and services provided by the United States to Indians because of their status as Indians. 34 U.S.C. § 12291(a)(36).

Tribal organizations. A “tribal organization” is the governing body of any Indian tribe;3.

any legally established organization of Indians which is controlled, sanctioned, or chartered by such governing body of a tribe or tribes to be served, or which is democratically elected by the adult members of the Indian community to be served by such organization and which includes the maximum participation of Indians in all phases of its activities; or any tribal nonprofit organization. 34 U.S.C. § 12291(a)(38). A “tribal nonprofit organization” is a victim services provider that has as its primary purpose to assist Native victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking;

and that has staff and leadership with a demonstrated history of assisting American Indian or Alaska Native victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking. 34 U.S.C. § 12291(a)(37).

Territorial organizations. For the purposes of this solicitation, a “territorial organization”4.

is a nonprofit, nongovernmental organization addressing domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and/or stalking within a United States Territory, which include the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands.

Publicly funded organizations, not acting in a governmental capacity, such as law5.

schools.

Faith-Based and Community Organizations Faith Based and community organizations that meet the eligibility requirements are eligible to receive awards under this solicitation (see “Faith-Based Organizations” on the OVW website for more information).

Ineligible Entities and Disqualifying Factors Applications submitted by ineligible entities or that do not meet all program eligibility requirements will not be considered for funding. In addition, an application deemed deficient in one or more of the following categories may not be considered for funding: 1. activities that compromise victim safety, 2. out-of-scope activities, 3. unallowable costs, 4. pre-award risk assessment, 5. completeness of application contents, and 6. Timeliness. Failure to comply https://www.justice.gov/ovw/resources-applicants#Resources fully with all applicable unique entity identifier and SAM requirements (see Application and Submission section for more information on these requirements) will result in removal from consideration. An applicant with past performance issues, long-standing open audits, or an open criminal investigation also may not be considered for funding.

Note: Any nonprofit organization that holds money in offshore accounts for the purpose of avoiding paying the tax described in section 511(a) of the Internal Revenue Code is not eligible for a grant from this program. See 34 U.S.C. § 12291(b)(16)(B)(ii).

Cost Sharing And Match This program has no matching or cost-sharing requirement.

Other Program Eligibility Requirements In addition to meeting the eligible entity requirements outlined above, applicants for this program must also meet the requirements below. All certification and other eligibility related documents must be current and developed in accordance with the FY 2021 solicitation.

Certifications must take the form of a letter, on letterhead, signed, and dated by the authorized representative. Failure to provide required certifications may disqualify an application from further consideration. At a minimum, an application missing the required certification letter will be required to submit a certification letter prior to receiving an award. The signed certification letter must be uploaded as a separate attachment in JustGrants. Sample certification letters can be found on the OVW website at https://www.justice.gov/ovw/resources-applicants.]

Certification of Eligibility

Delivery of Legal Assistance Certification Pursuant to 34 U.S.C. § 20121(d), to be eligible for an award, any recipient or subrecipient providing legal assistance with funds awarded under this program must certify in writing that:

any person providing legal assistance with funds through this program – (A) has1.

demonstrated expertise in providing legal assistance to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking in the targeted population; or (B)(i) is partnered with an entity or person that has demonstrated expertise described in subparagraph (A); and (ii) has completed, or will complete, training in connection with domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault or stalking and related legal issues, including training on evidence-based risk factors for domestic and dating violence homicide;

any training program conducted in satisfaction of the requirement of paragraph (1) has2.

been or will be developed with input from and in collaboration with a tribal, state, territorial, or local domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault or stalking victim service provider or coalition, as well as appropriate tribal, state, territorial, and local law enforcement officials;

any person or organization providing legal assistance with funds through this program3.

has informed and will continue to inform state, local, or tribal domestic violence, dating violence, or sexual assault programs and coalitions, as well as appropriate state and local law enforcement officials of their work; and the grantee’s organizational policies do not require mediation or counseling involving4.

offenders and victims physically together, in cases where sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, or child sexual abuse is an issue.

Required Partnerships An applicant must include a nonprofit, nongovernmental or tribal organization with demonstrated expertise on domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and/or stalking either as a lead applicant or a partner. The organization serving as the required expert on these crimes may be a larger, multi-service organization that does not solely address domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and/or stalking but has a distinct or designated division or program that focuses on serving victims of these crimes. Additional documentation of the required expertise must be provided through either a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) or a Memorandum of Exemption (MOE) (see MOU/MOE requirements section).

Tribal Consortia If the applicant is a tribal consortium, the applicant must submit documentation of authority in the form of a resolution or legal equivalent from each tribal consortium member, unless existing consortium bylaws or other tribal governance documents allow action without explicit authorization from the member tribes in the consortium. In that case, the tribal consortium must submit a resolution, letter, affidavit, or other documentation, as appropriate, that certifies that the tribal consortium has the legal authority to apply for grants under this solicitation on behalf of the consortium. This documentation must be current, be sufficient to demonstrate authority for the application, contain authorizing signature(s), and be submitted by the application’s due date. In addition, a copy of the bylaws or other governance documents that allow the tribal consortium’s action without support from all consortium members must be included with this documentation.

Limit on Number of Applications OVW will consider only one application per organization for the same service area. In addition, if an applicant submits multiple versions of the same application, OVW will review only the most recent system-validated version submitted before the deadline.

Application and Submission Information Address to Request Application Package The complete application package (this solicitation, including links to required forms) is available on Grants.gov and on the OVW website. Applicants wishing to request a paper copy of these materials should contact 202-307-6026 or OVW.LAV@usdoj.gov.

O-OVW-2021-38001-PROD

https://www.justice.gov/ovw/how-apply

Pre-Application Information Session: OVW will post a pre-recorded Pre-Application Information Session on its website. Listening to this session is optional and not a requirement to be eligible to apply. The session is tentatively scheduled to be available by December 14, 2020 on the OVW website https://www.justice.gov/ovw/resources-applicants. The session will be captioned in English and Spanish. Interested applicants needing additional language assistance should contact this program at OVW.LAV@usdoj.gov or at 202-307-6026 as soon as possible, but no later than December 21, 2020.

Content and Form of Application Submission The information below (“ Letter of Intent” through “ Additional Required Information”) describes the full content and form of application submission.

Letter of Intent Applicants intending to apply for FY 2021 funding under this program are strongly encouraged to submit a Letter of Intent. The letter should state that the applicant is registered and current with SAM and with Grants.gov. The letter should be submitted to OVW at OVW.LAV@usdoj.gov by January 14, 2021. This letter will not obligate the applicant to submit an application. See https://www.justice.gov/ovw/resources-applicants for a sample Letter of Intent.

Formatting and Technical Requirements Applications must follow the requirements below for all documents, unless otherwise noted.

Points may be deducted for applications that do not adhere to the following requirements:

Double-spaced (Data Requested with Application, Pre-Award Risk Assessment, and1.

charts may be single-spaced).

8½ x 11 inch pages.2.

One-inch margins.3.

Type no smaller than 12 point, Times New Roman (TNR) or Arial font, except for4.

footnotes, which may be in 10-point font.

Page numbers.5.

No more than 20 pages for the Proposal Narrative.6.

Word documents in the following formats: Microsoft Word (.doc), PDF files (.pdf), or7.

Text Documents (.txt).

Headings and sub-headings that correspond to the sections identified in this section of8.

the solicitation.

Application Contents Applications must include the required documents and demonstrate that the program eligibility requirements have been met. For a complete checklist of the application contents, see the Application Checklist in the Other Information section of this solicitation.

O-OVW-2021-38001-PROD

https://www.justice.gov/ovw/resources-applicants mailto:OVW.LAV@usdoj.gov

OVW will not contact applicants for missing items on the list below. Applications that do not include all of the following documents will be considered substantially incomplete and will not be considered for funding:

Proposal Narrative.1.

Budget Detail Worksheet and Narrative.2.

Data Requested with Application. 3.

Memorandum of Understanding or Memorandum of Exemption.4.

Information to Complete the Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424) Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424) Applicants must complete the SF-424 in Grants.gov. The SF-424 is generated when the applicant begins the submission process. For “Type of Applicant,” do not select “Other.”

The amount of federal funding requested in the “Estimated Funding” section of this form must match the amount of federal funding requested in the budget section of the application package. This program does not require a match; therefore, the values for the Applicant line should be zero. The individual who is listed as “ Authorized Representative” must be an individual who has the authority to apply for and accept grant awards on behalf of the organization or jurisdiction.

Intergovernmental Review (SF-424 Question 19): This solicitation ("funding opportunity") is subject to Executive Order (E.O.) 12372, Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.

Applicants must check the Office of Management and Budget’s website for the names and addresses of state Single Points of Contact (SPOC) under Intergovernmental Review:

https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/SPOC-4-13-20.pdf. If the applicant’s state appears on the SPOC list, the applicant must contact the state SPOC to find out about, and comply with, the state’s process under E.O. 12372. In completing the SF-424, such an applicant is to make the appropriate selection in response to question 19 once the applicant has complied with its state E.O. 12372 process. An applicant whose state does not appear on the SPOC list should answer question 19 by selecting the following response:

“Program is subject to E.O. 12372 but has not been selected by the state for review.”

Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL) All applicants must complete and submit the Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL) form in Grants.gov. Applicants that expend any funds for lobbying activities must provide the information requested on the SF-LLL. Applicants that do not expend any funds for lobbying activities should enter “N/A” in the required highlighted fields.

Standard Applicant Information (JustGrants 424 and General Agency Information) Applicants must complete this web-based form in JustGrants, which is pre-populated with the SF-424 data submitted in Grants.gov. Applicants are required to confirm the Authorized https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/SPOC-4-13-20.pdf

Representative, verify the legal name and address, and enter the ZIP code(s) for the areas affected by the project.

Proposal Abstract The Proposal Abstract must provide a short summary (no more than two pages double-spaced) of the proposed project, including names of applicant and partners, project title, purpose of the project (including goal and intended outcome), primary activities for which funds are requested, who will benefit (including geographic area to be served), products and deliverables, and how the applicant will measure progress in completing project goals and objectives. Applicants must not summarize past accomplishments in this section. The Proposal Abstract, which is to be entered into a text box in JustGrants, will not be scored but is used throughout the review process.

Proposal Narrative The Proposal Narrative may not exceed 20 pages, double-spaced, and reviewers will not read beyond this page limit. The Proposal Narrative must include the following three sections. The total point value for the proposal narrative section is 60 points. Applicants must upload the Proposal Narrative as an attachment in JustGrants.

Purpose of the Proposal (10 points)

This section must describe:

The challenge or need faced by the community and how the goal/vision for the proposal1.

will meet that need.

The communities to be served, including the geographic location, the populations in the2.

service area, and any available, relevant victimization rates.

The current legal services available to victims of domestic violence, dating violence,3.

sexual assault, and/or stalking in the jurisdiction, and the gaps in those services in the proposed service area.

Applicants proposing to address the LAV sexual assault priority must also:

4. Describe the problem of sexual assault (both intimate and non-intimate partner) in the proposed service area (include local statistics/data, whenever possible).

5. Describe the available legal services for victims of sexual assault proposed service area, and the gaps in those services in the proposed service area.

6. Describe the barriers victims of sexual assault experience when attempting to access support and legal services in the proposed service area.

What Will Be Done (30 points)

The application must provide a clear link between the proposed activities and the need identified in the “Purpose of the Proposal” section above. The application must not include any of the activities listed as unallowable costs in the Funding Restrictions section of this solicitation.

This section must describe:

The approach to addressing the challenge or need identified in the Purpose of the1.

Proposal section above.

How the applicant will measure its progress in achieving the proposal’s goal(s)/vision.2.

Identify targeted outcome(s) and describe any tool(s) the applicant will use to track those outcomes and report them to OVW. Tools may include OVW performance progress reports and logic model templates (both available at https://www.vawamei.org/tools-resource/resources-available/).

How the applicant will move to project sustainability; continuation applicants must3.

provide specific details.

The extent to which the project will provide comprehensive legal services to victims of4.

domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and/or stalking who cannot afford legal services. Special consideration will be given to applications proposing to provide legal services that promote economic independence, including protection order hearings, family matters (divorce, child custody, or child support), consumer or housing matters, and credit restoration.

Measurable goals and objectives for the proposed project.5.

Specific tasks and activities necessary for accomplishing all stated goals and objectives.6.

How proposed activities would address the need identified.7.

How the proposed activities will protect victim confidentiality.8.

The timeline for the proposed project that identifies when the tasks and activities will be9.

accomplished within the 36-month grant period.

A supervision and mentoring plan for grant-funded attorney staff (attorneys with less10.

than five years of experience must be supervised by an attorney).

If applicable, any products that will be generated using grant funds and how these11.

products will be used to address the legal needs of victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and/or stalking. Product development is not required as some communities would not benefit from the development of new products.

If applicable, the use of databases or other information-gathering or sharing technology,12.

and an explanation of how the project will address any victim safety concerns that may arise from the use of technology, such as confidentiality, safety planning, and informed consent.

How the project will address the victimization rates identified in the Purpose of the13.

Proposal section.

How the proposed project will reach each population identified in the Purpose of the14.

Proposal section.

Applicants proposing to address the LAV Grant Program sexual assault priority area must also:

15. Describe the legal services that will be provided to victims of sexual assault with https://www.vawamei.org/tools-resource/resources-available/

LAV Grant Program funding.

16. Describe any proposed outreach efforts to victims of sexual assault regarding the comprehensive legal sexual assault services that will be provided by the proposed project.

17. Provide, for the lead applicant and project partner(s) in the past 12 months, (1) the number of victims of intimate partner sexual assault served in the past 12 months, (2) the number of victims of non-intimate partner sexual assault served in the past 12 months, and (3) information on the types of legal support provided to survivors of intimate and non-intimate partner sexual assault.

Who Will Implement the Proposal (20 points)

This section must:

Identify the key individuals and organizations, including project partners, involved in the1.

proposed project.

Demonstrate that the individuals and organizations identified have the capacity to2.

address the stated need and can successfully implement the proposed project activities;

attach job descriptions of all key personnel.

Identify all project partners, specifying their respective roles and responsibilities3.

including linking all activities listed in the What Will Be Done section to a specific organization. In particular, identify and describe the organization that will provide legal representation to victims.

For the individuals identified in response to #1, above, describe their relevant4.

experience and expertise in addressing domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and/or stalking; or, where positions are vacant, describe the required experience and expertise for those positions.

If the lead applicant is not the nonprofit, nongovernmental or tribal organization with5.

demonstrated expertise in domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and/or stalking, identify and describe the partner that meets this requirement.

If the required organization (either the applicant or partner) with domestic violence,6.

dating violence, sexual assault and/or stalking expertise is a larger, multi-service organization that does not solely address one or more of these crimes, describe the distinct or designated division or program within the larger organization that focuses on serving victims of these crimes

Applicants proposing to address the LAV Grant Program sexual assault priority must also:

7. Detail the experience and expertise of staff from the lead applicant and/or project partners in providing legal services to victims of non-intimate partner sexual assault .

Budget and Associated Documentation Applicants must complete the web-based form in JustGrants for the budget worksheet and budget narrative. Applicants also must upload the applicable associated documentation as described below under each heading. The budget worksheet and budget narrative are worth a total of 20 points and will be reviewed separately from the proposal narrative. The associated documentation will not be scored, but failure to include it may result in removal from consideration or a delay in access to funding.

Budget Worksheet and Budget Narrative (Web-based Form) Complete the budget worksheet and narrative form for all applicable cost categories. The budget narrative must describe each line item requested in the budget and explain all costs included in the budget, including how the costs of goods and services are determined and how they will fulfill the objectives of the project. See the sample budget and the Creating a Budget webinar available on the OVW website at https://www.justice.gov/ovw/resources-applicants. Keep in mind that budgetary requirements vary among programs. Applicants must submit reasonable budgets based on the resources needed to implement their projects in their specific geographic location.

Award Period and Amount Budgets should cover a period of 36 months, commencing on October 1, 2021 and ending on September 30, 2024. Budget requests should not exceed $600,000, with the exception of sexual assault victims service providers or sexual assault coalitions proposing to focus 80 percent or more of grant-funded activities on legal services for victims of non-intimate partner sexual assault, who may request up to $800,000.

The budget must:

Display a clear link between the specific project activities and the proposed budget1.

items. The budget should not contain items that are not supported by the proposal narrative.

Include funds to attend OVW-sponsored TTA in the amount of $12,000 or applicants2.

located in the 48 contiguous states and $18,000 for applicants located in the territories, Hawaii, and Alaska. This amount is for the entire 36-month project period and NOT per year. Applicants also may budget expenses in excess of the required amount if they are aware of relevant non-OVW sponsored conferences or training for which they would like permission to use grant funds to support staff/project partner attendance.

Include funds or describe other resources available for court/litigation costs for clients3.

who cannot afford to pay those costs (e.g., filing fees and other applicable court costs).

Include funds or describe other resources available to the applicant to ensure access for4.

individuals with disabilities, Deaf/hard of hearing individuals, and persons with limited English proficiency. See Accessibility under Federal Award Administration Information for more information.

Compensate all project partners for their full level of effort, unless otherwise stated in5.

the MOU. For more information on compensating project partners, see the sample Budget Detail Worksheet on the OVW website at https://www.justice.gov/ovw/resources-applicants.

Distinguish clearly between subawards and contracts in allocating any grant funds to6.

O-OVW-2021-38001-PROD

https://www.justice.gov/ovw/resources-applicants other entities. Pursuant to 2 C.F.R. § 200.331, a subaward is for the purpose of carrying out a portion of the federal award, such as compensating an MOU partner, and a contract is for the purpose of obtaining goods and services for the grantee’s own use.

The substance of the relationship is more important than the form of the agreement in determining whether the recipient of the pass-through funds is a subrecipient or a contractor. The awarding and monitoring of contracts must follow the recipient’s documented procurement procedures, including full and open competition, pursuant to the procurement standards and monitoring requirements in 2 C.F.R. §§ 200.317-200.329. The issuance and monitoring of subawards must meet the requirements of 2 C.F.R. § 200.332, which includes oversight of subrecipient/partner spending and monitoring performance measures and outcomes attributable to grant funds. For more information, see the sample Budget Detail Worksheet and the Solicitation Companion Guide on the OVW website at https://www.justice.gov/ovw/resources-applicants.

OVW awards are governed by the provisions of 2 C.F.R. Part 200 and the DOJ Financial Guide, which include information on allowable costs, methods of payment, audit requirements, accounting systems, and financial records. For additional information on allowable and unallowable costs, see the Funding Restrictions section below and the sample budget on the OVW website at https://www.justice.gov/ovw/resources-applicants.

Funding Restrictions The following information is provided to allow applicants to develop an application and budget consistent with program requirements.

Unallowable Costs The costs associated with the activities listed below are unallowable and must not be included in applicants’ budgets.

Lobbying. 1.

Fundraising.2.

Purchase of real property.3.

Physical modifications to buildings, including minor renovations (such as painting or4.

carpeting).

Construction.5.

State or community-wide training events.6.

Food and Beverage/Costs for Refreshments and Meals Generally, food and beverage costs are not allowable. Recipients must receive prior approval to use grant funds to provide a working meal and/or refreshments at a meeting, conference, training, or other event; OVW may provide such approval if one of the following applies:

The location of the event is not in close proximity to food establishments, despite efforts1.

to secure a location near reasonably priced and accessible commercial food establishments.

O-OVW-2021-38001-PROD

https://www.justice.gov/ovw/resources-applicants https://www.justice.gov/ovw/resources-applicants https://www.justice.gov/ovw/file/1030311/download https://www.justice.gov/ovw/file/1030311/download

Not serving food will significantly lengthen the day or necessitate extending the meeting2.

to achieve meeting outcomes.

A special presentation at a conference requires a plenary address where there is no3.

other time for food to be obtained.

Other extenuating circumstances necessitate the provision of food.4.

Justification for an exception listed above must be included in the applicant’s budget narrative. For additional information on restrictions on food and beverage expenditures, see https://www.justice.gov/ovw/conference-planning.

Conference Planning and Expenditure Limitations Applicants’ budgets must be consistent with all requirements (including specific cost limits and prior approval and reporting requirements, where applicable) governing the use of federal funds for expenses related to conferences (which is defined to include meetings, retreats, seminars, symposiums, training, and other similar events), and costs of attendance at such events. Information on conference planning, minimization of costs, and conference reporting is available at https://www.justice.gov/ovw/conference-planning.

Pre-Agreement Cost OVW generally does not allow pre-award costs. Costs incurred prior to the start date of the award may not be charged to the project unless the recipient receives prior approval from OVW. See the DOJ Financial Guide for more information on pre-award costs.

Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (if applicable) Applicants that intend to charge indirect costs through the use of a negotiated indirect cost rate must have a current, signed, federally-approved indirect cost rate agreement and must upload and attach a copy of the agreement to their application in JustGrants. Applicants (other than state, local, and tribal governments) that do not have a current negotiated (including provisional) rate may elect to charge a de minimis rate of 10% of modified total direct costs, which may be used indefinitely. State, local, and tribal governments that have never negotiated an indirect cost rate with the federal government and receive less than $35 million in direct federal funding per year also may choose to use the 10% de minimis rate.

Organizations that wish to negotiate an indirect cost rate should contact OVW’s Grants Financial Management Division at OVW.GFMD@usdoj.gov or 1-888-514-8556 for more information.

Financial Management Questionnaire (including applicant disclosure of high-risk status) Applicant Financial Capability Questionnaire (if applicable) All nonprofit, nongovernmental organizations that apply for funding from OVW and have not

O-OVW-202…