PKG00294015.pdf

OMB No. 1121-0329

Approval Expires 02/28/2027

OVC FY 2026 Enhanced

Collaborative Model (ECM) Task

Force to Combat Human

Trafficking

Grants.gov Funding Opportunity Number: O-OVC-2026-172699

Application Deadlines in Eastern Time (ET):

1. Complete SF-424 and Submit in Grants.gov: October 14, 2026, by 11:59 p.m. ET

2. Submit full application in JustGrants: October 20, 2026 by 8:59 p.m. ET

OVC FY 2026 Enhanced Collaborative Model (ECM) Task Force to Combat Human Trafficking

U.S. Department of Justice | Office of Justice Programs | Office for Victims of Crime | 2

Contents

1. Basic Information

2. Eligibility

3. Program Description

4. Application Contents and Format

5. Submission Requirements and Deadlines

6. Application Review information

7. Award Notices

8. Post-Award Requirements & Administration

9. Questions?

10. Appendix A

U.S. Department of Justice | Office of Justice Programs | Office for Victims of Crime | 3

1. BASIC INFORMATION

Purpose of the Funding

The Office of Justice Programs (OJP) is committed to advancing work that furthers the

U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) mission to keep our country safe and secure and uphold the rule of law and protect the rights of American citizens. OJP provides federal leadership, funding, and other critical resources to directly support law enforcement, combat violent crime, protect American children, provide services to American crime victims, and address public safety challenges, including human trafficking and the opioid crisis.

This is a notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) for the OVC FY 2026 Enhanced

Collaborative Model (ECM) Task Force to Combat Human Trafficking. This opportunity supports jurisdictions in developing and expanding a multidisciplinary, collaborative task force approach to better respond to human trafficking through increased victim identification, service provision, and case investigations.

This collaborative approach should include victim and social service providers; local, state, and federal law enforcement and prosecution personnel; survivors of human trafficking; and other governmental and nongovernmental partners to work together to provide services for victims of trafficking and to investigate and prosecute traffickers.

ECM task forces also train law enforcement and other stakeholders on how to identify victims of human trafficking and related offenses, and conduct victim-centered investigations to prosecute traffickers.

The Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) encourages Tribal applicants to apply as task force lead applicants or, where appropriate, encourages ECM task force applicants in jurisdictions with Tribal communities to include American Indian or Alaska Native participation in their ECM task forces.

Category 1: Development of New Local or Tribal Human Trafficking Task Forces

Category 1 funding will help new task forces with critical first steps related to starting a multidisciplinary task force and establishing a strong foundation of task force co-leadership structure, clear roles and responsibilities, and internal processes and protocols. Successful award applicants will formalize the task force structure, develop operational procedures, identify professional development opportunities, conduct strategic planning activities to guide and outline outreach and training efforts, deliver training for key stakeholders, and conduct an assessment to identify potential areas where sex and labor trafficking may be occurring.

Category 2: Expansion of Local or Tribal ECM Human Trafficking Task Forces

Previously Funded by OJP

Category 2 funding will help previously funded local or Tribal ECM task forces that can demonstrate clear task force co-leadership roles and structure; regular use of data to inform and assess task force effectiveness; and an increase in victim identification of https://www.law.cornell.edu/definitions/uscode.php?width=840&height=800&iframe=true&def_id=34-USC-1847384226-1897892550&term_occur=999&term_src=title:34:subtitle:II:chapter:207:section:20705

U.S. Department of Justice | Office of Justice Programs | Office for Victims of Crime | 4 sex and labor trafficking victims, service provision, and prosecution of traffickers. This funding will support expanded task force partnerships; refinement and implementation of existing and new protocols; peer mentoring (upon OVC request); meaningful survivor engagement; and commitment to implement a set of strategic approaches that are victim centered.

Category 3: Enhanced Support for Statewide Task Forces (New or Previously

OJP-funded)

Category 3 funding recognizes the challenges of establishing and sustaining a statewide response to human trafficking, including the geographic area served, service provision, law enforcement response, and overall leadership structure and response coordination. Funding in this category will assist with a statewide, multidisciplinary response to human trafficking for a statewide task force at any stage of development

(new or previously OJP-funded). Category 3 funding is available to applicants who intend to provide support across all areas of the state (as opposed to specific local communities or regional sections of the state).

OVC may move an application to a more appropriate NOFO category based on stated geographic coverage in their application materials (i.e., an application to address statewide efforts under Category 1 or 2 will be moved to Category 3).

Programmatic Activities

In addition to the deliverables listed below, successful applicants will—

• Develop and expand collaborative partnerships among federal, state, local, and

Tribal law enforcement; prosecution, nongovernmental, labor, and regulatory agencies; and service providers.

• Engage in regularly scheduled task force meetings.

• Identify a full-time task force director or coordinator to manage the day-to-day work of task force activities. This position is not intended to fill dual roles and may be supported by the victim service provider applicant, the law enforcement applicant, or both.

• Provide (directly and/or through partnerships) the comprehensive services that victims of sex and labor trafficking require to address their need for safety and healing. See Appendix A for the types of services that may be provided to trafficking victims under this award.

Category 1 New Task Forces (only) will also—

• Establish task force leadership, membership, and structure to ensure broad membership and engagement with essential agencies and individuals, including survivors.

Category 2 Established Task Forces (only) will also—

• Expand their investigative approaches for victim identification and prosecutions beyond online and vice-style operations.

U.S. Department of Justice | Office of Justice Programs | Office for Victims of Crime | 5

• Provide peer support to newer task forces if requested and under the direction of

OVC.

Input From Survivors of Human Trafficking

OVC encourages applicants to propose and implement ongoing engagement with individuals who have survived human trafficking to inform their programming.

Program Requirements

Applicants that receive funding under this program will be required to—

1. Comply with 22 U.S.C. § 7115, requiring victim services award recipients under this program to have or implement privacy and confidentiality policies and procedures that conform with the requirements of 34 U.S.C. § 12291(b)(2).

Section 12291(b)(2) specifies the confidentiality and privacy condition applicable to awards under the Violence Against Women Act of 1994, commonly referred to as the “VAWA Confidentiality Provision.” For the purposes of this OVC program, the phrase “under this subchapter” in the VAWA Confidentiality Provision shall be understood as referring to “this OVC program.” Applicants that do not already have policies and procedures that comply with the VAWA Confidentiality

Provision may propose to use award funds to develop these.

2. Have written policies and procedures in place for law enforcement and prosecution award recipients (and any "subrecipient" at any tier) that address how they will maintain the confidentiality of victims' names, addresses, telephone numbers, or any other identifying information, including how this information will be protected when there is information sharing between partners. In addition, the recipient must submit a signed, written certification that data privacy and sharing protocols comport with the confidentiality and privacy rights and obligations of federal law or the grantee jurisdiction's laws, court rules, or rules of professional conduct applicable to the work performed by the recipient. The recipient agrees to provide to OJP with all documentation as required for grant monitoring purposes.

3. Ensure that any staff, partner staff, or service providers working with trafficking victims are licensed and trained to work with such victims.

4. Ensure that the project coordinator, program director, and other relevant staff participate in any grantee orientations.

Information on Managing Human Trafficking Awards

For more information on implementation of OVC Human Trafficking awards, please consult the OVC Human Trafficking Program FAQs.

See the Eligible Applicants section for eligibility details.

https://ovc.ojp.gov/program/human-trafficking/ovc-human-trafficking-program-faqs

U.S. Department of Justice | Office of Justice Programs | Office for Victims of Crime | 6

Funding Details

Announcement Type Initial

Assistance Listing Number 16.320

Statutory Authority 22 U.S.C. § 7105(b)(2) and 34 U.S.C. § 20705

Grants.gov Opportunity Number O-OVC-2026-172699

Expected Total Amount of Funding $22,000,000

Competition ID Number

Category 1: C-OVC-2026-00009-PROD

Category 2: C-OVC-2026-00010-PROD

Category 3: C-OVC-2026-00011-PROD

Anticipated Number of Awards 20 to 30 awards total (10–15 task forces) across all categories

Award Type(s) Grant

Anticipated Award Amount

Category 1: $700,000 maximum per applicant

($1,200,000 maximum per task force)

Category 2: $900,000 maximum per applicant

($1,500,000 maximum per task force)

Category 3: $1,000,000 maximum per applicant ($2,000,000 maximum per task force)

Expected Award Period(s) 36 months starting on January 1, 2027

Key Dates and Times

NOFO Release Date August 19, 2026

SAM.gov Registration/Renewal Begin the process by September 11, 2026, and no later than September 29, 2026

Step 1: Grants.gov Deadline 11:59 p.m. ET on October 14, 2026

Step 2: JustGrants Deadline 8:59 p.m. ET on October 20, 2026

See Questions? at the end of this NOFO for agency contact information.

2. ELIGIBILITY

Eligible Applicants

The types of entities that are eligible to apply are:

Government Entities

U.S. Department of Justice | Office of Justice Programs | Office for Victims of Crime | 7

• State governments

• County governments

• City or township governments

• Native American Tribal governments (federally recognized)

• Native American Tribal governments (other than federally recognized)

Nonprofit Organizations

• Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the Internal Revenue Service

(IRS), other than institutions of higher education

Law Enforcement Agency: For the purposes of this NOFO, a law enforcement agency is an entity responsible for enforcing laws, maintaining public order, and managing public safety. The primary duties of law enforcement include the investigation, apprehension, and detention of individuals suspected of criminal offenses.

Cost Sharing (Match) Requirement: This NOFO requires cost sharing (match). See

Program Description: Cost Sharing (Match) Requirement for details on the cost sharing

(match) calculation and what types of contributions are acceptable. If your application does not include the required cost sharing, it will be deemed ineligible for funding.

Limit on Number of Applications: An entity may be proposed as a subrecipient in more than one application.

Additional Eligibility Factors

This NOFO requires each lead applicant to submit their entity’s application separately in

Grants.gov and JustGrants (one application submitted by an eligible lead law enforcement agency and one application submitted by an eligible lead victim service organization). Partnering law enforcement and victim services applicants are expected to submit identical proposal narratives and separate and distinct budgets. Applicants that do not apply with an eligible partner will not be considered for funding.

• Category 1: Eligible applicants include local or Tribal task forces that have never received funding under the OJP ECM Task Force Program OR are newly formed

(defined as formally operational for less than 3 years).

• Category 2: The pair of applicants must include at least one eligible applicant that is or has been a previous local or Tribal recipient of an OJP ECM Task Force to Combat Human Trafficking award.

• Category 3: Eligible applicants must be a statewide task force (new or previously funded by OJP) consisting of state governments and nonprofits having a

501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.

Nonprofit organizations that hold money in offshore accounts for the purpose of avoiding paying the tax described in 26 U.S.C. § 511(a) are not eligible to apply.

https://bjs.ojp.gov/topics/law-enforcement https://bjs.ojp.gov/topics/law-enforcement

U.S. Department of Justice | Office of Justice Programs | Office for Victims of Crime | 8

3. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Statutory Authority

22 U.S.C. § 7105(b)(2) and 34 U.S.C. § 20705

Agency Funding Priorities

To help meet its mission, OJP may give priority consideration to applications proposing

(as applicable within the scope of this NOFO) projects designed to advance the goals listed below:

(a) Directly supporting law enforcement operations (including immigration law enforcement operations);

(b) Combatting violent crime;

(c) Supporting services to American citizens;

(d) Protecting American children; and

(e) Supporting American victims of trafficking and sexual assault.

In addition, priority consideration will be given under this NOFO for state/local law enforcement efforts that are coordinated with federal law enforcement efforts through: (i) established and full participation in, or (ii) commitment to enter into and fully participate in a 287(g) partnership and/or a Homeland Security Task

Force (HSTF). To request priority consideration, applicants must provide a letter of support from DOJ through the U.S. Attorney's Office's Lead HSTF Attorney (for the applicable HSTF), certifying the applicant is currently or intends to participate in HSTF activities or major DOJ operations; with respect to a 287(g) partnership, the applicant must provide documentary evidence that it is already an established 287(g) partner, or else, evidence of a bona fide commitment to engage in such a partnership.

Note: Addressing these priorities is one of many factors that OJP considers in making funding decisions. Receiving priority consideration does not guarantee funding.

Unallowable Activities: The following are certain unallowable costs and certain activities that are out of the program scope and will not be funded.

1. Out of program scope is any program or activity, at any tier that, directly or indirectly, violates (or promotes or facilitates the violation of) federal immigration law (including 8 U.S.C. § 1373) or impedes or hinders the enforcement of federal immigration law—including by failing to comply with 8 U.S.C. § 1373, give access to DHS agents, or honor DHS requests and provide requested notice to DHS agents.

2. Out of program scope is any program or activity, at any tier that violates any applicable Federal civil rights or nondiscrimination law. This includes violations that (1) indirectly violate the law, including by promoting or

U.S. Department of Justice | Office of Justice Programs | Office for Victims of Crime | 9 facilitating violations; or (2) unlawfully favor individuals in any race or protected group, including on a majority or minority, or privileged or unprivileged, basis, within a given area, population, or sector.

3. As specified in the DOJ Grants Financial Guide, in Chapter 3.13

“Unallowable Costs” (“Legal Services for Aliens”), any obligations of funds, at any tier, under this award to provide (or to support the provision of) legal services to any removable alien or any alien otherwise unlawfully present in the United States shall be unallowable costs for purposes any award made under this notice, but the foregoing shall not be understood to apply:

(1) to legal services to obtain protection orders for victims of crime; or (2) to immigration-related legal services that may be expressly authorized or required by any law, or any judicial ruling, governing or applicable to the award.

Goals and Objectives of This Funding Opportunity

Goal 1: Support a sustainable, multidisciplinary, co-led task force approach to improve and increase victim identification of all forms of human trafficking, provide services to victims, and seek justice on their behalf (which can include investigating and prosecuting traffickers at the local, state, Tribal, and federal levels).

• Objective 1: Increase multidisciplinary partners engaged in task force activities and the number of individuals trained to respond to human trafficking.

• Objective 2: Engage in strategic planning and launch anti-trafficking initiatives to combat trafficking.

• Objective 3: Develop and improve procedures to address sex and labor trafficking.

• Objective 4: Increase the number of victims identified and provided services.

• Objective 5: Seek justice on behalf of human trafficking victims through the investigation and prosecution of human traffickers.

For a description of how awards under this NOFO will contribute to achieving these goals and objectives, see the Performance Reports section below.

Expected Outcomes

OJP expects recipients to submit deliverables and performance reports, as described below. Read the Application Resource Guide for more information. OJP will measure success by reviewing a recipient’s submission of performance reports and data and the extent to which project implementation reflects progress toward the goals and objectives of this NOFO.

Deliverables

Recipients will be expected to submit the following:

https://www.ojp.gov/doj-financial-guide-2024 https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#general-information-about-post-federal-award-reporting-requireme

U.S. Department of Justice | Office of Justice Programs | Office for Victims of Crime | 10

All Applicants Applying Under Categories (1, 2, and 3) will:

• Create, update, and implement task force protocols that document and reflect how the overall task force partners and other key stakeholders will handle core functions of a multidisciplinary approach.

o Category 1: Finalize and begin to implement task force protocols.

o Category 2: Refine existing task force protocols and, based on task force growth and expansion, assess gaps in shared protocols and develop new protocols that reflect growth in task force operations.

o Category 3: Finalize or refine protocols depending on whether the task force is new or a previously OJP-funded statewide task force.

• In consultation with OVC, by the end of Year 1, develop a training and outreach plan to jointly deliver targeted outreach, training, and public awareness materials.

This plan should include at least one engagement with the individuals being served.

• Include program objectives and deliverables in one timeline.

Category 1 New Task Forces (only) will also:

• Submit a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to OVC documenting the structure, personnel, and roles of task force members.

• Conduct a data-driven community assessment, factoring in the experiences of task force stakeholders, to identify areas within the community where vulnerabilities for trafficking exploitation may be occurring. OVC may request a written summary of the assessment results.

Category 2 Established Task Forces (only) will also:

• Produce a publication by the end of Year 2 that describes the ECM task force’s efforts to identify areas within the task force’s designated geographic area of focus where vulnerabilities for labor trafficking and exploitation may be occurring.

Category 3 Statewide Task Forces will:

• Complete relevant deliverables and other application attachments based on the status of the task force at the time of application:

o New task forces, or task forces that never received OJP ECM funding, will follow Category 1 deliverables.

o Previously OJP-funded ECM statewide task forces will follow Category 2 deliverables.

• In consultation with OVC— o By the end of Year 1, define a statewide task force structure and update the organizational chart (if applicable).

o By the end of Year 2, create or update a coordination plan across all parts of the state that includes information about the structure of service provider partnerships and service delivery and how cases will be investigated and prosecuted among relevant local, Tribal, and state law enforcement and prosecution partners.

U.S. Department of Justice | Office of Justice Programs | Office for Victims of Crime | 11 o By the end of Year 3, ensure the coordination plan names the specific service provider partners, what services are provided, and any remaining gaps for statewide service provision.

Performance Reports

OJP requires recipients to submit regular performance reports that communicate progress toward achieving Program Goals and Objectives. Read information on performance reporting. Award recipients will receive further guidance on post award reporting requirements.

Cost Sharing (Match) Requirements

This funding opportunity requires cost sharing (match) from the award recipient. Read the DOJ Grants Financial Guide for additional definitions and requirements of cost sharing (match), including the allowable sources of both in-kind and cash cost sharing.

Recipients must satisfy this cost sharing (match) requirement with cash and/or in-kind contributions.

Explanation of the Calculation

This funding opportunity requires a 25-percent match based on the total project costs.

Federal funds awarded may not cover more than 75 percent, and you must cover at least 25 percent of the total project costs.

Read the Application Resource Guide for steps on calculating the amount of match based on your budget.

4. APPLICATION CONTENTS AND FORMAT

Application Contents List

OJP will only consider applications that contain all required parts, which are marked

*Required* below. Refer to the DOJ Grant Application Submission Checklist for application instructions.

Application Item Submission Type

Step 1: Grants.gov

Application for Federal Assistance: SF-424 *Required* Online Form

Step 2: JustGrants

Standard Applicant Information *Required* Online Form https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#general-information-about-post-federal-award-reporting-requireme https://www.ojp.gov/funding/financialguidedoj/iii-postaward-requirements#12-0 https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#calculating-match https://justicegrants.usdoj.gov/training/checklist-application-submission

U.S. Department of Justice | Office of Justice Programs | Office for Victims of Crime | 12

Proposal Abstract Text Box

Data Requested with Application

• Financial Management and System of Internal

Controls Questionnaire (including Applicant

Disclosure of High-Risk Status)

• Agency Funding Priorities Inventory

Online Form

Proposal Narrative *Required* Attachment

Budget *Required* Online Form

Other Budget/Financial Attachments

• Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (if applicable)

• Consultant Rate (if applicable)

• Limitation on Use of Award Funds for Employee

Compensation for Awards Over $250,000; Waiver (if applicable)

• Disclosure of Process Related to Executive

Compensation (if applicable)

Attachment

Letter of Intent and Memorandum of Understanding

*Required* Attachment

Additional Application Components

• Task Force Organizational Chart

• Tribal Authorizing Resolution (if applicable)

• Curriculum Vitae or Resumes

• Timeline

Attachment

In addition to the items marked *Required* in the table above, the following are considered basic minimum requirement elements that are considered in the responsiveness review:

• The application is submitted by an eligible applicant.

• Two separate applications have been submitted on behalf of the task force: one from the lead victim service provider partner and one from the lead law enforcement partner. If one entity proposes to apply as both victim service provider and law enforcement partners (such as a state government), two applications must be submitted.

• The requested award amount does not exceed the award ceiling.

• The proposed budget includes in-kind or cash match.

• The application is responsive to the scope of the NOFO.

U.S. Department of Justice | Office of Justice Programs | Office for Victims of Crime | 13

Standard Applicant Information *Required*

Review and edit as needed the information imported from the SF-424 submitted in

Grants.gov. Add ZIP codes for areas affected by the project.

Proposal Abstract

In JustGrants, enter a proposal abstract (limited to 2,000 characters) summarizing the proposed project. As abstracts for funded projects are public, do not include any personally identifying information (e.g., staff names). The ECM abstract should include the following information:

• Formal name of the human trafficking task force.

• Description of the geographical area where task force activities will be focused.

• Legal name of both the law enforcement applicant and the victim service provider applicant.

• Amount of federal funding requested by the law enforcement applicant and the victim service provider applicant.

• The number of human trafficking investigations and prosecutions each year for the jurisdiction in the past 3 years.

• The number of trafficking victims served by the victim service provider and funded partners each year in the past 3 years.

• The subrecipient(s), partner organizations, or entities, if known.

• Deliverables and expected outcomes (i.e., what the project will achieve).

View an example of a proposal abstract.

Data Requested with Application

Financial Management and System of Internal Controls Questionnaire

(including Applicant Disclosure of High-Risk Status)

Review information on this questionnaire.

Agency Funding Priorities Inventory

Applicants seeking priority consideration under the Agency Funding Priorities section should answer the inventory questions in their entirety in the web-based form in

JustGrants.

Proposal Narrative *Required*

Format of the Proposal Narrative

Submit the narrative as an attachment in JustGrants. The document should:

• Be double-spaced, using a standard 12-point size font

• Have no less than 1-inch margins

• Have numbered pages

• Not exceed 8 pages https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#proposal-abstract https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#fm-internal-controls-questionnaire

U.S. Department of Justice | Office of Justice Programs | Office for Victims of Crime | 14

Tables, charts, and graphs may be included in the Proposal Narrative and can be created in a legible font smaller than 12-point. These items will count toward the page limit.

If the Proposal Narrative does not follow this format, OJP may reduce the score/ranking of the application.

Sections of the Proposal Narrative

The Proposal Narrative must include the four sections listed below. If you want priority consideration, the Proposal Narrative must state which priority(ies) your project will advance and describe how it will do so.

1. Description of the Need (5% of application score): What critical issue or problem do you propose to address with this project? Please include:

• A brief explanation of the need, gap, or issue to be addressed by the proposed project. Describe the problem of trafficking within the targeted geographic area, what is known and unknown about the problem, current efforts to identify trafficking victims, and gaps in the response to trafficking.

Applicants must address both sex and labor trafficking.

• A description of previous or current attempts to respond to human trafficking in the geographic area, including documentation of the number of trafficking victims served during the past 3 years. At a minimum, applicants must identify the total number of victims they previously identified and served, and the types of victims assisted (sex and/or labor trafficking victims).

• Supporting information, data, or evidence to demonstrate the challenges of identifying, investigating, and prosecuting human trafficking (both sex and labor) within the targeted geographic area. Cite data sources, which could include local, state, and federal data regarding investigations, prosecutions, and the number of individuals identified as victims of human trafficking in the proposed geographic area and data from victim service providers, survivors, or other local stakeholders.

• A description of current efforts and challenges to address the service needs of trafficking survivors in the geographic area.

2. Project Goals and Objectives (10% of application score): How will the proposed project address the need identified and address the purpose of the

NOFO? Please include:

• Project goals (goals are broad, visionary statements on what you hope to accomplish).

• Project objectives (objectives are specific outcomes you plan to achieve through project activities).

U.S. Department of Justice | Office of Justice Programs | Office for Victims of Crime | 15

• How your project goals and objectives relate to the goals and objectives of the funding opportunity.

• How the proposed project will enhance the community’s response to labor trafficking.

3. Project Design and Implementation (35% of application score): How will you implement project activities that meet the project goals and objectives?

Please include:

• A description of the task force’s membership, leadership, and structure

(existing or planned). Identify representation from stakeholders and name specifically the designated prosecution entity and law enforcement partners. If one is not identified, then describe the plan to work with relevant partners and how those partners will receive support and be connected with the ECM task force cases.

• A description of how the task force coordinator or director will be funded and how they will communicate and coordinate all task force activities across all task force partners. The individual or proposed position performing these responsibilities should be clearly indicated as “Task

Force Coordinator or Director” within the budget (and is required to be a full-time position).

• Specific services that will be provided with grant funds and by whom, if not the applicant.

• A description of how the ECM task force currently handles, or plans to handle, trafficking tips, investigations, and prosecution of cases, including— o the number, sources, and types of trafficking tips and a summary of the kinds of cases received and prosecuted in the past 3–5 years.

o how tips related to human trafficking are or will be investigated.

o how victims are referred for services across partners.

o staffing plans for both service provision and law enforcement, including the organizational unit from which investigative or prosecutorial efforts are or will be based.

o training needs in relation to human trafficking investigations and case development.

o any current or planned strategies and outreach that the key task force partners will use to increase identification of victims of all forms of human trafficking.

o how survivors inform or are integrated into ECM task force efforts.

o a list of any existing protocols that address multidisciplinary approaches across partners that involve key stakeholder input and/or describe the plan for developing and implementing protocols throughout the task force.

U.S. Department of Justice | Office of Justice Programs | Office for Victims of Crime | 16 o Category 2 applicants (and Category 3, if applicable): Describe what your ECM Task Force has done to increase victim identification and service provision; provide specific examples from past OVC ECM funded efforts. Describe a time both lead partners adapted or shifted their approach as a result of implementing this multidisciplinary approach.

o Category 3 applicants (only): Describe any current staffing and coordination efforts between the lead victim service provider applicant and other service providers to coordinate service delivery across the state. Similarly, describe the staffing and coordination structure between the lead law enforcement applicant and other law enforcement partners across the state (local, state, Tribal, and federal) and how cases are referred for prosecution.

• Describe how victim safety and confidentiality will be ensured during victim identifications, investigations, and service delivery.

• Describe plans for delivering training to task force partners to ensure that they are prepared to identify and refer victims to appropriate services and investigate and prosecute cases with a victim-centered approach.

• Describe, if applicable, any overlap or coordination with other OVC-funded antitrafficking programs or other federally funded efforts and how the proposed project is not duplicative and targets identified gaps. Explain other non-federally funded local-, regional-, or state-led human trafficking task forces or initiatives and how the OVC-funded ECM task force will be integrated into or receive support from these other efforts. See required

Attachment for a Task Force Organizational Chart.

4. Capabilities and Competencies (30% of application score): What administrative and technical capacity and expertise do you bring to successfully complete this project? Please include:

• examples that demonstrate that the individuals and organizations identified have the capacity and training to implement project activities, including the expertise necessary to investigate and prosecute trafficking crimes, provide services to human trafficking victims, provide training to task force partners, and work collaboratively as a member of a multidisciplinary team.

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

• examples that demonstrate the capacity and expertise of lead and proposed project partners to respond to labor trafficking.

• a description of the applicant’s experience managing federal grants and documentation of their administrative and financial capacity to manage them. If the applicant has other grants for providing services to victims of human trafficking, the applicant must describe the scope of each and how

U.S. Department of Justice | Office of Justice Programs | Office for Victims of Crime | 17 activities and data collection on these projects will be tracked separately to avoid duplication.

5. Other (5% of application score): Task Force Organizational chart, letters of intent

(LOIs), and MOUs.

Project Evaluations: An applicant that proposes to use award funds to conduct project evaluations must follow the guidance on project evaluations.

Budget and Associated Documentation

Budget (15% of the application score) *Required*

Use the Budget Detail Worksheet (Web-Based Form) to submit the budget. Read information on budget preparation and JustGrants Application Submission Training.

• List each cost needed to implement the project under the appropriate cost category.

• Clearly name and describe each cost.

• Show the computation of each cost (e.g., cost per unit, number of units, and total cost).

• Enter narrative, as needed, to explain the cost calculations and connection to your project goals, objectives, and activities.

• Include only costs that are reasonable, allocable, and necessary to implement the project. They must be allowable under the funding statute and agency requirements.1

• Read information specific to this funding opportunity that will help you develop your project budget.

• Funding Restrictions: The following activities cannot be supported with grant funds.

o Holding Beds: Grantees may not “hold beds” in a housing facility by charging their cost to the grant and keeping them empty until a victim needs the bed when other victims need access to the beds, as this would be considered an unallowable contingency payment (see 2 C.F.R. 200.433

(c)).

o Stipends/Incentives To Participate in Services: Neither cash nor non-cash stipends or incentives may be paid to victims to encourage their participation in services. Noncash stipends (e.g., taxi or ride share vouchers, public transportation tickets or tokens, childcare services, or gift cards for meals that are necessary when participants receive services) are allowable.

o Cash Assistance: Grantees may not provide direct cash assistance to victims of human trafficking. Limited and controlled use of gift cards to

1 See 2 C.F.R. Part 200, Subpart E and the DOJ Grants Financial Guide. Read information on unallowable costs that apply to all funding opportunities.

https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#project-evaluations https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#budget-prep https://justicegrants.usdoj.gov/training/training-application-submission https://ovc.ojp.gov/funding/budget-preparation-enhanced-collaborative-model.pdf https://ovc.ojp.gov/funding/budget-preparation-enhanced-collaborative-model.pdf https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200#subpart-E https://www.ojp.gov/funding/financialguidedoj/overview https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#unallowable-uses-of-funds

U.S. Department of Justice | Office of Justice Programs | Office for Victims of Crime | 18 meet the urgent and short-term needs of victims of human trafficking is allowable.

o Purchase of Vehicles: Grantees may not purchase vehicles, but vehicle lease or rentals may be allowed with sufficient justification.

o Primary Prevention Activities: Per 22 U.S.C. § 7105(b)(2), the purpose of this funding is to support victim service programs; therefore, applicants should not propose primary prevention activities under this program.

o Promotion of Prostitution: Per 22 U.S.C. § 7110(g), the following statutory language applies to all awards under this NOFO:

▪ Restriction on programs: No funds made available to carry out this chapter, or any amendment made by this chapter, may be used to promote, support, or advocate the legalization or practice of prostitution. Nothing in the preceding sentence shall be construed to preclude assistance designed to promote the purposes of this

Act by ameliorating the suffering of, or health risks to, victims while they are being trafficked or after they are out of the situation that resulted from such victims being trafficked.

▪ Restriction on organizations: No funds made available to carry out this chapter, or any amendment made by this chapter, may be used to implement any program that targets victims of severe forms of trafficking in persons described in section 7102(11) of this title through any organization that has not stated in either a grant application, a grant agreement, or both that it does not promote, support, or advocate the legalization or practice of prostitution. The preceding sentence shall not apply to organizations that provide services to individuals solely after they are no longer engaged in activities that resulted from such victims being trafficked.

Pursuant to the statute above, OVC requires grantees under this program to agree to the following award condition: Recipient certifies that it does not promote, support, or advocate the legalization or practice of prostitution, nor will it use grant funds or program match funds to promote, support, or advocate the legalization or practice of prostitution.

Budget/Financial Attachments

• Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (if applicable): If the budget includes indirect costs calculated using a current, federally approved indirect cost rate, upload your indirect cost rate agreement. Read information about indirect costs.

• Consultant Rate (if applicable): Read information on limits to consultant rates and whether you need to request approval to exceed those limits.

• Limitation on Use of Award Funds for Employee Compensation for Awards

Over $250,000; Waiver (if applicable): Read information on this limitation and to determine whether you need to submit a waiver.

https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#indirect-cost https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#consultant-rate-if-applicable https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#limitation-use-award

U.S. Department of Justice | Office of Justice Programs | Office for Victims of Crime | 19

• Disclosure of Process Related to Executive Compensation (if applicable):

An applicant that is a nonprofit organization may be required to make certain disclosures relating to the processes it uses to determine the compensation of its officers, directors, trustees, and key employees. Read information about this disclosure and documentation to upload.

Letter of Intent and Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) *Required*

Category 1 and Category 3 New Statewide applicants must submit letters of intent

(LOIs) signed by the following individuals:

• The head of the applicant law enforcement agency.

• The head of the applicant victim service organization.

• A representative of at least one federal law enforcement agency—Homeland

Security Investigations (HSI) or the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)—with jurisdiction over the proposed geographic region of the task force.

• Depending on the lead applicant, a representative from the proposed designated prosecution partner or law enforcement partner that will support the ECM task force.

An LOI indicates the organizations’ intention to partner, but the details of the commitment have not been fully worked out and officially agreed to. The ECM LOI must demonstrate a commitment to active engagement and substantive participation in task force activities, if the application is funded. The LOI can be submitted jointly or separately.

If the proposed geographic area of the task force includes Tribal lands, applicants should also submit an LOI from a Tribal law enforcement agency, including Bureau of

Indian Affairs (BIA) direct service law enforcement, BIA contract law enforcement, Tribal law enforcement, or another applicable law enforcement agency with jurisdiction within

Tribal land.

Category 2 and Category 3 Previously OJP-Funded Statewide applicants must submit a task force MOU that articulates the specific roles and responsibilities of each partner and the level of involvement each agency will have in the overall task force operations. At a minimum, the MOU should include the following information:

• Task force name.

• Roles and responsibilities of the law enforcement and victim service partners as task force co-leads AND a description of the services and work to be performed by each organization or partner.

• Purpose and commitment to the task force vision, mission, and objectives.

• Proposed time period for the collaborative work (3 years, aligned with the awards’ performance periods).

• Names of the organizations involved in the agreement and signatures from— o the lead law enforcement agency;

https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#disclosure-process-executive

U.S. Department of Justice | Office of Justice Programs | Office for Victims of Crime | 20 o the lead victim service provider;

o the proposed designated prosecution or law enforcement partners that will support the ECM task force; and o federal law enforcement representation, preferably both FBI and HSI.

Participation of HSI and FBI partners has been noted to assist in the overall success of OJP-funded task forces.

If the proposed geographic area of the task force includes Tribal lands, the MOU should also include a signature from Tribal law enforcement, including BIA direct service law enforcement, BIA contract law enforcement, Tribal law enforcement, or another applicable law enforcement agency with jurisdiction within Tribal land.

Failure to include an LOI or MOU (as described above) signed by all the required partners may impact peer review scores, award decisions, and/or award conditions.

All applicants are encouraged to seek an MOU signature from the United States

Attorney’s Office that has jurisdiction over the geographic region covered by the task force.

Additional Application Components

Attach these in JustGrants:

• Task Force Organizational Chart: Submit an organizational chart that depicts how the task force is (or will be) structured and how it will integrate both sex and labor trafficking response efforts into overall task force operations and service delivery. The chart should outline key ECM task force leadership (including individuals’ name, title, and organization) and identify prosecution and/or law enforcement partners; any subcommittees; and, if applicable, connection to any existing local, state, or regional human trafficking task force that may impact or overlap with the ECM task force’s identified target geographic area.

• Tribal Authorizing Resolution (if applicable): Read information on whether you may need to submit a Tribal Authorizing Resolution.

• Curriculum Vitae or Resumes: Provide resumes of key personnel who will work on the proposed project or a description of the experience and skills of key personnel necessary to implement the project.

• Timeline: Provide a timeline listing key activities and milestones, and the quarters during which they will take place.

Disclosures and Assurances

Read the disclosures and assurances and complete them in JustGrants:

• Disclosure of Lobbying Activities

• Disclosure of Duplication in Cost Items (if applicable)

• DOJ Certified Standard Assurances

• DOJ Certifications https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#tribal-authorizing-resolution https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#disclosures-and-assurances

U.S. Department of Justice | Office of Justice Programs | Office for Victims of Crime | 21

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

5. SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS AND DEADLINES

The DOJ Grant Application Submission Checklist provides instructions for how to submit your application by the deadlines. Executive Order (E.O.) 12372 (Intergovernmental

Review of Federal Programs) does not apply to this funding opportunity: read the

Application Resource Guide for details. Read OJP’s policy for applicants to request late submission due to technical difficulties, severe weather, or natural or manmade disasters.

6. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

The Application Resource Guide explains the responsiveness review, review criteria, and review and selection process, including risk review, and deciding official. Refer to the Application Contents List for all required application components and other basic minimum requirement elements that are considered in the responsiveness review. The

Proposal Narrative and Budget sections of this NOFO indicates the weight of peer review criteria.

7. AWARD NOTICES

Read about the award notification process.

8. POST-AWARD REQUIREMENTS & ADMINISTRATION

Read the Application Resource Guide for more information about: standard award terms and conditions, administrative and national policy requirements, and post-award reporting requirements.

9. QUESTIONS?

NOFO Contact

Name: OJP Response Center

Phone: 800-851-3420 or 202-353-5556 (TTY for hearing-impaired callers only)

Email: OJP.ResponseCenter@usdoj.gov

Hours: 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. ET, Monday–Friday

SAM.gov Help Desk

Website: sam.gov/help

Hours: 8 a.m.–8 p.m. ET, Monday–Friday (closed federal holidays) https://justicegrants.usdoj.gov/training/checklist-application-submission https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/codification/executive-order/12372.html https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#guidance-for-specific-sf-424-fields https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#experiencing-unforeseen-technical-issues https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#experiencing-unforeseen-technical-issues https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#application-review-for-competitive-funding https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#federal-award-notices https://www.ojp.gov/funding/apply/ojp-grant-application-resource-guide#general-information mailto:OJP.ResponseCenter@usdoj.gov https://sam.gov/help

U.S. Department of Justice | Office of Justice Programs | Office for Victims of Crime | 22

Grants.gov Help Desk

Phone: 800-518-4726

Email: support@grants.gov

Website: grants.gov/support

Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (closed federal holidays)

JustGrants Help Desk

Phone: 833-872-5175

Email: JustGrants.Support@usdoj.gov

Hours: 7:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m. ET, Monday–Friday and 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, Sunday, and federal holidays.

mailto:support@grants.gov https://www.grants.gov/support mailto:JustGrants.Support@usdoj.gov

U.S. Department of Justice | Office of Justice Programs | Office for Victims of Crime | 23

Appendix A: Examples of Generally Statutorily Allowable Uses of Funds

Type of Service Service Provision Terms

Information and Referral ▪ Information about the criminal justice process

▪ Information about victims’ rights, how to obtain notifications, etc.

▪ Referral to other victim service programs

▪ Referral to other services, support, and resources

▪ Information about substance use disorder treatment and support

▪ Referral to substance use disorder treatment and support

Personal Advocacy/Accompaniment ▪ Victim advocacy/accompaniment to emergency medical care or forensic exam

▪ Law enforcement interview advocacy/accompaniment

▪ Individual advocacy (e.g., assistance in applying for public benefits or other low-cost alternatives)

▪ Performance of medical or nonmedical forensic exam or interview, or medical evidence collection

▪ Intervention with employer, creditor,…