![](media/image1.wmf)U.S. Department of Justice

Office on Violence Against Women

OVW

OVW FY 2006

STOP

Violence Against

Women Formula

Grant Program

Solicitation

> GMS REGISTRATION DEADLINE:
>
> **December 6, 2005**
>
> APPLICATION DEADLINE:
>
> **January 10, 2006**
>
> Please note: If your program was impacted by the recent hurricanes in
> a way that hinders your ability to submit your application for this
> grant program, you may be eligible for an extension of the application
> deadline. If you wish to apply for such an extension, please contact
> the Office on Violence Against Women at 202-307-6026.

**U.S. Department of Justice**

**Office on Violence Against Women**

800 K Street, NW, Suite 920

Washington, DC 20530

**Alberto R. Gonzales**

Attorney General

U.S. Department of Justice

**Diane M. Stuart**

Director

Office on Violence Against Women

**About the Office on Violence Against Women**

The Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) is a component of the U.S.
Department of Justice. Created in 1995, OVW implements the Violence
Against Women Act (VAWA) and subsequent legislation and provides
national leadership against domestic violence, sexual assault, and
stalking. Since its inception, the Office has launched a multifaceted
approach to responding to these crimes. By forging state, local and
tribal partnerships among police, prosecutors, the judiciary, victim
advocates, health care providers, faith leaders, and others, OVW grants
help provide victims with the protection and services they need to
pursue safe and healthy lives while also enabling communities to hold
offenders accountable.

**About the STOP Violence Against Women Formula Grant Program**

This solicitation provides program and application guidelines for FY
2006 Services\*Training\*Officers\*Prosecutors (STOP) Violence Against
Women Formula Grant Program (STOP Program) funding, including guidelines
for requirements of the VAWA. By statute, the STOP Program supports
communities in their efforts to develop and strengthen effective law
enforcement and prosecution strategies to combat violent crimes against
women and to develop and strengthen victim services in cases involving
violent crimes against women.

**Program Eligibility**

Eligible applicants for the STOP Program include any state of the United
States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the
Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands,
hereafter referred to as states and territories. To be eligible for
funds, states and territories **must** certify that they are in
compliance with the statutory eligibility requirements of the
Program.[^1] Appendix A consists of the *Certification of Compliance
with the Statutory Eligibility Requirements of the Violence Against
Women Act (as Amended)* form, which authorized representatives of states
and territories must sign and submit annually to demonstrate compliance
with these requirements.

1\. With respect to the VAWA requirement concerning costs for criminal
charges and protection orders, a state or territory must certify:

> that its laws, policies, and practices do not require, in connection
> with the prosecution of any misdemeanor or felony domestic violence
> offense, or in connection with the filing, issuance, registration, or
> service of a protection order, or a petition for a protection order,
> to protect a victim of domestic violence, stalking, or sexual assault,
> that the victim bear the costs associated with the filing of criminal
> charges against the offender, or the costs associated with the filing,
> issuance, registration, or service of a warrant, protection order,
> petition for a protection order, or witness subpoena, whether issued
> inside or outside the state, tribal, or local jurisdiction.

2\. With respect to the VAWA requirement concerning forensic medical
examination payment for victims of sexual assault:

> the state or territory, Indian tribal government, unit of local
> government, or another governmental entity must incur the full
> out-of-pocket cost of forensic medical exams for victims of sexual
> assault. OVW strongly encourages states and territories to pay for
> forensic exams regardless of the level of cooperation of
> victim/survivors with law enforcement and the criminal justice
> process. OVW also encourages states and territories to allow
> victim/survivors the option of not filing a claim with their insurance
> company in order to receive reimbursement.

For more information on these requirements, go to the OVW website which
can be found at www.usdoj.gov/ovw.

**[Funding to Faith-Based and Community Organizations]{.underline}**

Consistent with President George W. Bush\'s Executive Order 13279, dated
December 12, 2002, and 28 C.F.R. Part 38, it is OVW policy that
faith-based and community organizations that statutorily qualify as
eligible applicants under OVW programs are invited and encouraged to
apply for assistance awards to fund eligible grant activities.
Faith-based and community organizations will be considered for awards on
the same basis as any other eligible applicants and, if they receive
assistance awards, will be treated on an equal basis with all other
grantees in the administration of such awards. No eligible applicant or
grantee will be discriminated for or against on the basis of its
religious character or affiliation, religious name, or the religious
composition of its board of directors or persons working in the
organization. Faith-based organizations receiving OVW assistance
awards retain their independence and do not lose or have to modify their
religious identity (e.g., removing religious symbols) to receive
assistance awards. OVW grant funds, however, may not be used to fund any
inherently religious activity, such as prayer or worship. Inherently
religious activity is permissible, although it cannot occur during an
activity funded with OVW grant funds; rather, such religious activity
must be separate in time or place from the OVW funded program. Further,
participation in such activity by individuals receiving services must be
voluntary. Programs funded by OVW are not permitted to discriminate in
the provision of services on the basis of a beneficiary's religion.

**Availability of Funds**

**The ability of OVW to make awards under the STOP Program in Fiscal
Year 2006 is contingent upon Congressional appropriation of funds for
that purpose.**

**[Award Period]{.underline}**

The award period for these grants will be 24 months.

**[Award Amounts]{.underline}**

By statute, OVW will award a base amount of \$600,000 to each state.
Funds remaining after the allocation of the base amount will be
distributed among the states based on population. The most accurate and
complete data compiled by the U.S. Bureau of the Census is used to
determine the state populations. Indian tribal populations are not
included in the population count.

**Application Due Date**

Please note that final applications are due **by 5:30 pm (EST) January
10, 2006 and will be accepted only through the U.S. Department of
Justice's Office of Justice Programs (OJP) Online Grants Management
System (GMS).** Applicants should register online with GMS by December
6, 2005. It may take up to one week for you to receive confirmation that
you are eligible to apply. Applicants should retain proof of timely
submission. Applications should retain proof of timely submission.

(Additional note: OVW discretionary competitive programs are required to
submit their applications through grants.gov. However, the STOP Violence
Against Women Formula Grant Program is not a discretionary program. It
will continue to be submitted thru **GMS**.)

Please refer to the "How to Apply" section on page 17 of this
solicitation for further instructions.

**Program Scope**

The scope of the STOP Program is defined by the statutory purpose areas
and the identified program activities.

**[Statutory Purpose Areas]{.underline}**

STOP Program grants are intended for use by states and territories;
state, local, and tribal courts; Indian tribal governments; units of
local government; and nonprofit, nongovernmental victim services
programs. Grants and subgrants supported through this Program
**[must]{.underline}** meet one or more of the following statutory
purpose areas[^2]:

-   Training law enforcement officers, judges, other court personnel,
    and prosecutors to more effectively identify and respond to violent
    crimes against women, including the crimes of sexual assault,
    domestic violence, and dating violence[^3];

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-   Developing, training, or expanding units of law enforcement
    officers, judges, other court personnel, and prosecutors
    specifically targeting violent crimes against women, including the
    crimes of sexual assault and domestic violence;

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-   Developing and implementing more effective police, court, and
    prosecution policies, protocols, orders, and services specifically
    devoted to preventing, identifying, and responding to violent crimes
    against women, including the crimes of sexual assault and domestic
    violence;

-   Developing, installing, or expanding data collection and
    communication systems, including computerized systems, linking
    police, prosecutors, and courts or for the purpose of identifying
    and tracking arrests, protection orders, violations of protection
    orders, prosecutions, and convictions for violent crimes against
    women, including the crimes of sexual assault and domestic violence;

-   Developing, enlarging, or strengthening victim services programs,
    including sexual assault, domestic violence, and dating violence
    programs, developing or improving delivery of victim services to
    underserved populations, providing specialized domestic violence
    court advocates in courts where a significant number of protection
    orders are granted, and increasing reporting and reducing attrition
    rates for cases involving violent crimes against women, including
    crimes of sexual assault, domestic violence, and dating violence;

-   Developing, enlarging, or strengthening programs addressing
    stalking;

-   Developing, enlarging, or strengthening programs addressing the
    needs and circumstances of Indian tribes in dealing with violent
    crimes against women, including the crimes of sexual assault and
    domestic violence;

-   Supporting formal and informal statewide, multidisciplinary efforts,
    to the extent not supported by state funds, to coordinate the
    response of state law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, courts,
    victim services agencies, and other state agencies and departments,
    to violent crimes against women, including the crimes of sexual
    assault, domestic violence, and dating violence;

-   Training of sexual assault forensic medical personnel examiners in
    the collection and preservation of evidence, analysis, prevention,
    and providing expert testimony and treatment of trauma related to
    sexual assault;

-   Developing, enlarging, or strengthening programs to assist law
    enforcement, prosecutors, courts, and others to address the needs
    and circumstances of older and disabled women who are victims of
    domestic violence or sexual assault, including recognizing,
    investigating, and prosecuting instances of such violence or assault
    and targeting outreach and support, counseling, and other victim
    services to such older and disabled individuals; and

-   Providing assistance to victims of domestic violence and sexual
    assault in immigration matters.

**[Program Priorities]{.underline}**

The emphasis of the STOP Program continues to be on the implementation
of comprehensive strategies addressing violence against women that are
sensitive to the needs and safety of victims and hold offenders
accountable for their crimes. States and territories should seek to
carry out these strategies by forging lasting partnerships between the
criminal justice system and victim advocacy organizations and by
encouraging communities to look beyond traditional resources and to look
to new partners to respond more vigorously to domestic violence, sexual
assault, and stalking crimes, such as faith-based and community
organizations.

In shaping their strategies for FY 2006, states are encouraged to
develop and support projects to:

-   Implement community-driven initiatives, utilizing faith-based and
    community organizations, to address the needs of underserved
    populations as defined by VAWA, including people with disabilities
    and elder victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and
    stalking.

-   Address sexual assault and stalking through service expansion;
    development and implementation of protocols; training for judges,
    other court personnel, prosecutors, and law enforcement; and
    development of coordinated community responses to violence against
    women.

**[Activities That May Compromise Victim Safety]{.underline}**

Ensuring victim safety is the guiding principle underlying this Program.
Experience has shown that certain practices may compromise victim safety
rather than enhance it. Certain responses by the authorities may have
the effect of minimizing or trivializing the offender's criminal
behavior. Accordingly, consistent with the goals of ensuring victim
safety while holding perpetrators accountable for their criminal
conduct, applicants are strongly discouraged from proposing projects
that include any activities that may compromise victim safety such as
the following:

-   Offering perpetrators the option of entering pre-trial diversion
    programs;

-   Mediation or counseling for couples as a systemic response to
    domestic violence or sexual assault;

-   Requiring victims to report sexual assault, stalking, or domestic
    violence crimes to law enforcement or forcing victims to participate
    in criminal proceedings;

-   Court mandated batterer intervention programs that do not use the
    coercive power of the criminal justice system to hold batterers
    accountable for their behavior;

-   Placement of batterers in anger management programs; and

-   Procedures that would force victims of domestic violence to testify
    against their abusers or impose other sanctions on them. Rather,
    procedures that provide victims the opportunity to make an informed
    choice about whether to testify are [encouraged]{.underline}.

**Application Content**

**Application Requirements**

**All applications [MUST]{.underline} include the following eight (8)
elements:**

1\. **Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424)**

> The SF-424 will be filled out online through GMS. The Catalog of
> Federal
>
> Domestic Assistance number for this program is 16.588 (block 10). The
>
> cognizant Federal audit agency and fiscal year of the applicant
> organization should be listed in block 11 of the form.
>
> Applicants must ensure that the information for the authorizing
> official and alternate contact is filled out correctly. The
> authorizing official is the individual authorized to accept grant
> funds on behalf of the jurisdiction or nongovernmental private entity
> applying. If the individual applying online is not the authorizing
> official, that individual must list the authorizing official's name
> and contact information where appropriate.

2\. **DUNS Number**

> A Dun and Bradstreet (D&B) Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS)
> number must be included in every application for a new award or
> renewal of an award. **An application will not be considered complete
> until a valid DUNS number is provided by the applicant.** The number
> should be nine digits. Individual persons who receive a grant or
> cooperative agreement from the Federal government are exempt from this
> requirement.
>
> Applicants can receive a DUNS number at no cost by calling the
> dedicated toll-free DUNS Number request line at 1-800-333-0505.
>
> If you have any questions about the DUNS number requirement, please
> contact the Office of Justice Program's Office of the Comptroller's
> Customer Service Center at 1-800-458-0786.

3\. **A Program Narrative containing the following elements:**

-   An explanation of the status of the applicant's compliance with the
    VAWA provisions pertaining to payment for forensic medical exams,
    and costs related to criminal charges and protection orders;

-   A report on the status of subgrant awards for fiscal years 1995 -
    2005, if none has been submitted to date or if the status has
    changed since the last report. If the state has not completed making
    subgrants, the state should provide the amount of each fiscal year's
    funds not yet awarded, an explanation of why the funds have not been
    awarded, and the anticipated date funds will be obligated; and

-   Information on whether the project or activity proposed in the
    application includes research that may involve human subjects, as
    defined in 28 CFR Part 46, or collection or use of information
    identifiable to a private person as defined in 28 CFR Part 22.

**NOTE: Items described in #4 - #7 below must be Rightfaxed to OVW at
202-354-**

**4147 or submitted on-line as an "Other Program Attachment," and
should**

**include your application number.** Please use descriptive titles for
all on-line

attachments.

4\. **Letters regarding grant funds:**

Letters from prosecution, law enforcement, court, and victim services

programs to be assisted, demonstrating the need for the grant funds,
intended

use of grant funds, expected results from the use of the grant funds,
and demographic characteristics of the populations to be served,
including age, marital status, disability, race, ethnicity, and language
background. This documentation may be in the form of letters from
current grantees or state-wide organizations representing prosecution,
law enforcement, courts and victims services that can comment on the
current and proposed use of grant funds, and the anticipated results for
the populations to be served.

5\. **Letters demonstrating participation:**

> Letters demonstrating the commitment of nonprofit, nongovernmental
> victim-services programs to participate in the development of the
> grantee's implementation plan. This documentation may be in the form
> of letters from members of the planning team and should indicate that
> the plan will address the needs and services identified as priorities
> by the team.

6\. **Certification of Compliance with the Statutory Eligibility
Requirements of the Violence Against Women Act as Amended (Appendix
A):** This form should be signed by an authorized official.

7\. **Certification of Nonsupplanting**

> Applicants must submit a letter to OVW's Director, Diane M. Stuart,
> certifying
>
> that Federal funds will not be used to supplant State or local funds
> should
>
> a grant award be made. This letter must be Rightfaxed to 202-354-4147
> or electronically scanned and submitted as an attachment via GMS.
> Please refer to Appendix C for a sample letter.

8\. **[Standard Assurances and Certifications Regarding Lobbying;
Debarment, Suspension, and Other Responsibility Matters; and Drug-Free
Workplace Requirements (Form 4061/6)]{.underline}**.

> Review the assurances and certification forms. Agreement to these
> assurances and certifications will be assumed upon receipt of an
> application received through GMS.
>
> **NOTE:** If the authorizing official is not the individual submitting
> the application via GMS, be sure the correct authorizing official
> information has been entered.

**Program Requirements**

Upon satisfying the application requirements, a state shall be qualified
for funds under the STOP Program provided that the state complies with
the following program requirements:

> **[Program Purposes]{.underline}** The funds will be used for any of
> the eleven statutory purpose areas listed previously and set forth in
> the STOP Program statute.

**[STOP Implementation Plan]{.underline}** Within 120 days of the grant
award, grantees shall develop a plan for implementation of their STOP
Program. States must develop their state implementation plans through
deliberative consultation and coordination with a broad range of
participants, specifically nongovernmental, nonprofit victim services
programs (including sexual assault and domestic violence programs).
States must demonstrate through the plan that they have consulted and
coordinated in a meaningful way with sexual assault and domestic
violence victim services programs and coalitions.

The identification of which victim services programs to consult is up to
each state. However, states should bear in mind that the VAWA defines a
victim services program as "a nonprofit, nongovernmental organization
that assists domestic violence or sexual assault victims, including rape
crisis centers, battered women's shelters, and other sexual assault or
domestic violence programs, including nonprofit, nongovernmental
organizations assisting domestic violence or sexual assault victims
through the legal process."

States are strongly encouraged to involve representatives from Indian
tribal governments in their planning processes and to consider the needs
of Indian tribes in developing the state's law enforcement, prosecution,
court, and victim services strategies.

Beginning in FY 2003, states and territories could satisfy the
requirement to submit an annual implementation plan by submitting full
implementation plans every three years. **In the intervening years,
e.g., FY 2004 and FY 2006, the state would fulfill the implementation
plan requirement by providing to OVW a certification that indicates
whether or not the three-year plan has changed and, if so, outlining the
changes in the plan for that year.** States that submitted a one year
implementation plan in FY 2004 or a two year plan in 2003 should
complete a full implementation plan in FY 2006. For assistance in
conducting the state planning process and developing implementation
plans, please refer to STOP State Implementation Plans: A Tool for
Administrators, on the OVW Web Site, which is located at
[www.usdoj.gov/ovw](http://www.usdoj.gov/ovw).

The full implementation plan must describe:

-   the process used to develop the plan and the involvement of victim
    services programs and advocates;

-   major shifts in direction, if any, because of reevaluation or
    reassessment of previous efforts;

-   how the approach to reducing and preventing violence against women
    this year will build on efforts of previous years;

-   how the funds will be distributed across the law enforcement,
    prosecution, courts, and victim services categories;

-   the types of programs the grantee intends to support with grant
    dollars; and

-   how the success of grant-funded activities will be evaluated.

The implementation plan also should describe how the state will achieve
the following:

-   Give priority to areas of varying geographic size with the greatest
    showing of need based on the availability of existing domestic
    violence and sexual assault programs in the population and
    geographic area to be served in relation to the availability of such
    programs in other such populations and geographic areas;

-   Determine the amount of subgrants based on the population and
    geographic area to be served;

-   Equitably distribute monies on a geographic basis including nonurban
    and rural areas of various geographic sizes; and

-   Recognize and address the needs of underserved populations.

Implementation plans or certification regarding how, or whether, the
previously submitted three-year plan has changed should be sent to the
state or territory's OVW program manager within 120 days after receiving
the award. **Applicants are reminded that they will not be able to draw
down all funds until their implementation plan has been approved by
OVW**.

> **[Allocation of Funds]{.underline}** The implementation plan must
> reflect that:

-   at least 5 percent **for** state and local courts including juvenile
    courts;

-   at least 25 percent of each year's grant award will be allocated
    **to** law enforcement;

-   at least 25 percent **to** prosecutors; and

-   at least 30 percent **to** nonprofit, nongovernmental victim
    services.

> This is a statutory requirement. **These allocations may not be
> redistributed or transferred to another area.** States and territories
> have 24 months (the duration of the grant period) to meet the
> statutory funding allocations. The remainder of the funds may be spent
> at the discretion of the state or territory to address the statutory
> program purposes described previously. Grantees are required to submit
> only total cost estimates, not category-specific amounts, for each
> subgrant. Decisions about the allocation of STOP Program funds must be
> made in a manner that avoids any conflicts of interest as described in
> the OJP Financial Guide.[^4]

**[Allowable Costs]{.underline}** In general, STOP Program grants may
support personnel, training, technical assistance, data collection, and
equipment costs to enhance the apprehension, prosecution, and
adjudication of persons committing violent crimes against women, and to
provide or improve services for victims.

**[Administrative Funds]{.underline}** Grantees may use up to 10 percent
of the total award amount for grant administration, including statewide
review, processing, monitoring, progress and financial report review,
technical assistance, grant adjustments, accounting, auditing, and fund
disbursement to subgrantees. Administrative funds will be available
immediately upon receipt of the award. **The balance of funds will be
made available to states after the state has submitted and received
approval for its implementation plan.**

Allowable costs under administrative funds are the same as those for the
program. Grantees should set aside the 10 percent allocated for
administrative funds prior to the distribution of funds to subgrantees.
**Administrative funds should not be included in the allocations to law
enforcement, prosecution, courts, and victim services.**

**OJP Financial Guide**

All grantees are required to comply with the regulations and
requirements outlined in the OJP Financial Guide. The Financial Guide
includes information on allowable costs, methods of payment, audit
requirements, accounting systems, and financial records. Copies are
available from the Department of Justice Response Center
(1-800-421-6770) and also through the OJP web page:
<http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/FinGuide>.

**[Match Requirements]{.underline}** Awards to states made under this
grant program may support up to 75 percent of the total cost of each
project. The state is responsible for ensuring compliance with the 25
percent nonfederal match requirement. ***[Exception]{.underline}*: The
requirement for matching funds is waived for grants awarded to the
Insular Areas (American Samoa, Guam, the Virgin Islands, and the
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands) pursuant to the authority
granted to OVW in 48 U.S.C. § 1469a.**

The following provisions apply to match requirements:

-   The state or territory may satisfy the match requirement with either
    cash (e.g., funds contributed from private sources or state and
    local governments) or in-kind services (e.g., services or goods
    donated by the applicant organization or other entities);

-   Funds from other Federal sources may not be used to meet the match
    requirement, except for subgrants to Indian tribal governments who
    may be able to use certain Federal funds for match. A state or
    territory may use its discretion to require some or all of its
    subgrantees to meet the match requirement, in whole or in part. OVW
    encourages states and territories to consider the ability of
    subgrantees to meet match requirements when deciding whether and how
    much of the match to pass on. However, the state remains responsible
    to satisfy the match requirement;

-   Funds or in-kind resources used as match must be directly related to
    the project goals and objectives;

-   Grantees or subgrantees "\[M\]ust maintain records which clearly
    show the source, the amount, and the timing of all matching
    contributions;" [^5]

-   Sources of match are restricted to the same uses allowed under the
    STOP Program and must be documented in the same manner as STOP
    Program funds, including financial and programmatic reports; and

-   The state must calculate its match based on the entire STOP formula
    award, including amounts states are allowed to allocate for
    administrative expenses.

The amount of the required match contribution is calculated as follows:

Federal funds = Amount X 25% = match

75%

For a federal award amount of \$600,000, the match would be:

\$600,000 (federal funds) divided by 75% = \$800,000 x 25%= \$200,000
match.

Grantees are advised that further guidance on the calculation,
documentation and auditing of the match requirement can be found in the
OJP Financial Guide and on the OVW web site. Copies of the Guide are
available from the Department of Justice Response Center at
1-800-421-6770 or on-line at http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/FinGuide/. For
more information and ideas regarding match, please see the OVW web site
at [www.usdoj.gov/ovw.](http://www.usdoj.gov/ovw.)

**[Budget Requirements]{.underline}**

The following is a short list of budget guidelines:

-   Applicants are strongly discouraged from requesting consultant rates
    in excess of \$450 per day, because they require prior approval from
    the Director of the Office on Violence Against Women.

-   Applicants **may not** allocate any funds for building renovations.
    This includes such seemingly minor activities as painting or
    carpeting.

-   Applicants are also encouraged to include funds in their budgets to
    attend Financial Management Training Seminars sponsored by the
    Office of Justice Programs (OJP), Office of the Comptroller. These
    seminars instruct participants in the financial administration of
    OJP and OVW formula and discretionary grant programs. A schedule
    listing the financial training seminars is available at
    **[www.ojp.usdoj.gov/oc/fmts.htm](http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/oc/fmts.htm)[.]{.underline}**

**[Letter of Nonsupplanting]{.underline}**

Applicants must submit a letter to OVW's Director, Diane M. Stuart,
certifying that Federal funds will not be used to supplant State or
local funds should a grant award be made. Please refer to Appendix C for
a sample letter.

**Additional Program Requirements**

**[Technical Assistance]{.underline}**

Grant recipients are required to work collaboratively with staff from
OVW and

designated technical assistance providers for the Initiative. Grant
recipients will be

asked to identify grant supported personnel and project partner
representatives to

participate in technical assistance events.

**[Performance Measurement]{.underline}**

There are three statutory requirements that require OVW grantees to
collect and maintain data that measures the effectiveness of the funded
projects. First, the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993
(GPRA) requires agencies to report on the results of government programs
and activities. Second, the Violence Against Women Act of 2000 mandates
that all OVW grant recipients report on the effectiveness of their
programs. Third, Section 2004 (b) of VAWA requires that the Attorney
General report to Congress on STOP Program grants. To address these
statutory requirements, OVW has developed an Annual Progress Report for
STOP program subgrantees and an Annual STOP Administrators Report that
request specific data on subgrantee and grant activities.

**[Reporting Requirements]{.underline}**

Grantees will be required to submit quarterly Financial Status Reports
and semi-annual Progress Reports. In addition, grant recipients who
expend \$500,000 or more in Federal funds during their fiscal year are
required to submit a single organization-wide audit. Additional
information on these reporting requirements will be provided to
successful applicants in the award package.

**[Suspension or Termination of Funding]{.underline}**

OVW may suspend funding in whole or in part, terminate funding, or
impose another sanction on a recipient who has failed to comply
substantially with the following:

-   The requirements of VAWA and statutory objectives of the STOP
    Violence Against Women Formula Grant Program;

-   Timely submission of quarterly Financial Status Reports;

-   Timely submission of annual Progress Reports;

-   The regulations and/or guidelines issued for the STOP Violence
    Against Women Formula Grant Program and any other regulations
    applicable to OVW grantees; or

-   The application submitted in accordance with the provisions of VAWA
    or any other applicable Federal Act.

OVW will provide reasonable notice of its intent to impose sanctions and
will attempt informally to resolve the problem. Hearing and appeal
procedures will follow those in the Department of Justice regulations at
28 CFR Part 18. References to the Office of Justice Programs and its
components are deemed to refer to the Office on Violence Against Women.
The responsible agency official, as defined by 28 CFR § 18.3(h), is the
Director, Office on Violence Against Women.

**[Single Point of Contact Review]{.underline}**

Executive Order 12372 requires applicants from State and local units of
government or other organizations providing services within a State to
submit a copy of the application to the State Single Point of Contact
(SPOC) if one exists, and if this program has been selected for review
of the State. Applicants must contact the State SPOC to determine if the
program has been selected for State review. The date that the
application was sent to the SPOC or the reason such submission is not
required should be indicated on the Form SF-424. The list of SPOCs can
be found at: **<http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html>.**

**[Civil Rights Compliance]{.underline}**

All recipients of Federal grant funds are required to comply with
nondiscrimination requirements contained in various Federal laws. In the
event that a court or administrative agency makes a finding of
discrimination on grounds of race, color, religion, national origin,
gender, disability, or age against a recipient of funds after a due
process hearing, the recipient must agree to forward a copy of the
finding to the Office for Civil Rights of OJP. All applicants should
consult the Assurances required with the application funds to understand
the applicable legal and administrative requirements.

**Services to Limited-English-Proficient (LEP) Persons:**

National origin discrimination includes discrimination on the basis of
limited English proficiency (LEP). To ensure compliance with Title VI of
the Civil Rights Act and the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act,
recipients are required to take reasonable steps to ensure that LEP
persons have meaningful access to their programs. Meaningful access may
entail providing language assistance services, including interpretation
and translation services, where necessary. Grantees are encouraged to
consider the need for language services for LEP persons served or
encountered both in developing their proposals and budgets and in
conducting their programs and activities. Reasonable costs associated
with providing meaningful access for LEP individuals are considered
allowable program costs. The U.S. Department of Justice has issued
guidance for grantees to assist them in complying with Title VI
requirements. The guidance document can be accessed on the Internet at
[**www.lep.gov**](http://www.lep.gov/) or by contacting the OJP's Office
for Civil Rights at 202-307-0690, or by writing to the following
address:

Office for Civil Rights

Office of Justice Programs

U.S. Department of Justice

810 7^th^ Street, N.W., 8^th^ Floor

Washington, DC 20531

**[Anti-Lobbying Act]{.underline}**

In 2002, the Anti-Lobbying Act, 18 U.S.C. § 1913, was amended to expand
significantly the restriction on use of appropriated funding for
lobbying. This expansion also makes the anti-lobbying restrictions
enforceable via large civil penalties, with civil fines between \$10,000
and \$100,000 per each individual occurrence of lobbying activity. These
restrictions are in addition to the anti-lobbying and lobbying
disclosure restrictions imposed by 31 U.S.C. § 1352. All applicants must
understand that no federally-appropriated funding made available under
this grant program may be used, either directly or indirectly, to
support the enactment, repeal, modification or adoption of any law,
regulation, or policy, at any level of government, without the express
approval of OVW. Any violation of this prohibition is subject to a
minimum \$10,000 fine for each occurrence. This prohibition applies to
all activity, even if currently allowed within the parameters of the
existing OMB circulars.

**How To Apply**

Applicants must submit a fully executed application to OVW through the
**Grant Management System (GMS)**, including all required supporting
documentation. **Rightfaxed applications will not be accepted. However,
certain supporting documentation may be submitted to GMS via Rightfax as
described below.** Applications submitted via GMS must be in the
following word processing formats: Microsoft Word (.doc), PDF files,
(.pdf), or Text Documents (.txt). (Please refer to Appendix B, the
Step-by-Step Guide to OJP's Grants Management System.) A complete
application should include the following:

The following documents must be submitted via GMS:

-   the SF-424;

-   Certifications and Assurances; and

-   the project narrative.

Supporting documentation can be submitted either via Rightfax to
202-354-4147 or electronically through GMS, and can include:

-   Certification of nonsupplanting (Appendix C);

-   Documentation from prosecution, law enforcement, court, and victim
    services programs demonstrating the need for, intended use of, and
    expected results from the use of grant funds, and demographic
    characteristics of the populations to be served;

-   Documentation demonstrating the commitment of nonprofit,
    nongovernmental victim services programs to participate in the
    development of the grantee's implementation plan; and

-   Certification of Compliance with the Statutory Eligibility
    Requirements of the VAWA as amended (Appendix A).

**Note: The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number for the STOP
Program is 16.588 and the title is FY 2006 STOP Violence Against Women
Formula Program.**

**The application number [must]{.underline} be included on the cover
page of all Rightfaxes.** Detailed instructions on how to use the GMS
system to submit your application online are available at OVW's web
page, [www.usdoj.gov/ovw](http://www.usdoj.gov/ovw). Also, a toll-free
telephone number has been established for you to receive technical
assistance as you work through the online application process,
1-888-549-9901.

**[Application Due Date]{.underline}**

Applications must be electronically received by the close of business
(5:30 p.m. EST) on **January 10, 2006**. The application attachments
(e.g., Letter of NonSupplanting, etc.) that may be Rightfaxed to
202-354-4147 or submitted through GMS as attachments must also be
received by 5:30 p.m. EST on **January 10, 2006**. Applicants should
retain proof of timely submission.

We recommend that you register through GMS at least two weeks before the
application due date, or no later than **December 6, 2005**. All
applicants must receive confirmation of eligibility that they are
eligible to submit an application through GMS prior to completing the
application submission process.

**For additional information, please contact the Office on Violence
Against Women at 202-307-6026 and reference STOP Violence Against Women
Formula Grant.**

**APPENDIX A**

**CERTIFICATION OF COMPLIANCE WITH**

**THE STATUTORY ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS**

**OF THE VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT AS AMENDED**

**U.S. Department of Justice**

![](media/image2.png){width="1.4291338582677164in"
height="1.3507874015748031in"}Office of Justice Programs

*Violence Against Women Office*

![](media/image3.png){width="6.25in" height="0.10416666666666667in"}

**Certification of Compliance with the Statutory Eligibility**

**Requirements of the Violence Against Women Act as Amended**

![](media/image3.png){width="6.25in" height="0.10416666666666667in"}

Applicants should refer to the regulations cited below for further
information regarding the certifications to which they are required to
attest. Applicants also should review the instructions for certification
included in the program regulations before completing this form.
Signature on this form certifies that the state is qualified to receive
the funds and provides for compliance with relevant requirements under
28 CFR Part 90 and 42 U.S.C 3796gg through 3796gg-5. The certifications
shall be treated as a material representation of fact upon which the
Department of Justice will rely if it determines to award the covered
transaction, grant, or cooperative agreement.

Upon complying with the application requirements set forth in this
Application Guide, any state shall be qualified for funds provided under
the Violence Against Women Act upon certification that:

\(1\) the funds will be used only for the statutory purposes described
in 42 U.S.C. § 3796gg (b);

\(2\) grantees and subgrantees will develop plans for implementation and
will consult and coordinate with nonprofit, nongovernmental victim
services programs, including sexual assault and domestic violence victim
services programs;

\(3\) the amount granted will be allocated, without duplication, as
follows: at least 25 percent to police, at least 25 percent to
prosecutors, at least 30 percent to nonprofit, nongovernmental victim
services programs, and at least 5 percent for state and local courts;
and

\(4\) any federal funds received under this subchapter will be used to
supplement, not supplant, nonfederal funds that would otherwise be
available for activities funded under this chapter.

In addition, as required by 42 U.S.C. 3796gg-4 and 3796gg-5 and
implemented at 28 CFR Part 90:

**(1) Forensic Medical Examination Payment Requirement for Victims of
Sexual Assault**

\(a\) A state, Indian tribal government, or unit of local government
shall not be entitled to funds unless the state, Indian tribal
government, unit of local government, or another governmental entity
incurs the full out-of-pocket costs of forensic medical exams for
victims of sexual assault.

\(b\) A state, Indian tribal government, or unit of local government
shall be deemed to incur the full out-of- pocket cost of forensic
medical exams for victims of sexual assault if any government entity:

\(1\) provides such exams to victims free of charge to the victims;

\(2\) arranges for victims to obtain such exams free of charge to the
victims; or

\(3\) reimburses victims for the cost of such exams if

\(i\) the reimbursement covers the full cost of such exams, without any
deductible requirement or limit on the amount of a reimbursement;

\(ii\) the reimbursing governmental entity permits victims to apply for
reimbursement for not less than one year from the date of the exam;

\(iii\) the reimbursing governmental entity provides reimbursement not
later than 90 days after written notification of the victim's expense;
and

\(iv\) the state, Indian tribal government, unit of local government, or
reimbursing governmental entity provides information at the time of the
exam to all victims, including victims with limited or no English
proficiency, regarding how to obtain reimbursement. 42 U.S.C. 3796gg-4.

(**2) Filing Costs For Criminal Charges** **and Protection Orders**

\(a\) A state, Indian tribal government, or unit of local government
will not be entitled to funds unless it

certifies that its laws, policies, and practices do not require, in
connection with the prosecution of any misdemeanor or felony domestic
violence offense, or in connection with the filing, issuance,
registration, or service of a protection order, or a petition for a
protection order, to protect a victim of domestic violence, stalking, or
sexual assault, that the victim bear the costs associated with the
filing of criminal charges against the offender, or the costs associated
with the filing, issuance, registration, or service of a warrant,
protection order, petition for a protection order, or witness subpoena,
whether issued inside or outside the state, tribal, or local
jurisdiction; or

\(ii\) gives the Attorney General assurances that its laws, policies,
and practices will be in compliance with the provision by the date on
which the next session of the state legislature ends or October 28,
2002.

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

As the duly authorized representative of the applicant, I hereby certify
that the applicant will comply with above certifications.

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

Typed Name of Authorized Representative Title Telephone Number

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

Signature of Authorized Representative Date Signed

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

Agency Name

**Public Reporting Burden** **Paperwork Reduction Act Notice**. Under
the Paperwork Reduction Act, a person is not required to respond to a
collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB
control number. We try to create forms that are accurate, can be easily
understood, and which impose the least possible burden on you to provide
us with information. The estimated average time to complete and file
this form is 60 minutes per form. If you have comments regarding the
accuracy of this estimate, or suggestions for making this form simpler,
you can write to the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department
of Justice, 800 K Street, NW, Washington, DC 20530.

**APPENDIX B**

**GMS QUICK START GUIDE**

**[Quick-Start Guide to Using the Office of Justice
Programs]{.underline}**

**[Online Grants Management System (GMS)]{.underline}**

**Step 1.** Using your established Internet account,\* go to
**www.ojp.usdoj.gov/fundopps.htm. An online GMS Application Procedures
Handbook is available on this page,** and you may link directly to GMS,
which will provide online \"help\" screens.

**Step 2.** Select **\"Logon to the Grants Management System (GMS)\"**
to apply for OJP grant funding.

**Step 3.** [If you have never used GMS]{.underline}, click on **\"New
User? Register Here\"** and follow the on-screen instructions to
register with GMS. After you register, you must select the FY 2005
Program solicitation and begin working on it so that your registration
will be sent to OVW. You will receive confirmation through email that
you are eligible to submit your application. Confirmation may take up to
one week.

> [If you are not a new user and have a GMS password]{.underline}, click
> on **"Login."** If your password has expired, you will receive an
> "Authentication Error" or "Unauthorized User" message. In this case,
> click on "Having Login Problems?" for assistance in updating your
> password.
>
> [Please Note]{.underline}: Applicants must ensure that the information
> for the authorizing official and alternate contact is entered
> correctly. The authorizing official is the individual authorized to
> accept grant funds in your organization (e.g., executive director,
> attorney general, governor). If the individual applying online is not
> the authorizing official, that individual [must]{.underline} list the
> authorizing official's name and contact information where appropriate.

**Step 4.** To submit your application online, complete the on-screen
*424 /Application for Federal Assistance,* upload your budget narrative
(which should include your budget detail), program narrative, and other
program attachments in either word processing or spreadsheet files. All
supporting documentation may be submitted as attachments. All GMS
attachments must be in the following word processing formats: Microsoft
Word (\*.doc\*), PDF files, (\*.pdf\*), or Text Documents (\*.txt\*).
**Please use descriptive titles when naming the attachments for easy
identification, i.e., MOU, letter of non-supplanting. After submission,
you will receive confirmation through email that OVW has received your
application and you will be given an application number for future
reference. Documents that cannot be submitted electronically through GMS
(e.g. MOU, and letter of non-supplanting) must be Rightfaxed to both
(202) 354-4140 and (202) 354-4147. *[You must include your GMS
application number and the Program title of the OVW program to which you
are applying on all materials submitted by Rightfax.]{.underline}***

**If you have any questions about GMS or need technical assistance with
applying online, contact the GMS Hotline at 1-888-549-9901.**

***\*If you do not have an Internet account, call the OVW at
202-307-6026 for assistance.***

**APPENDIX C**

**SAMPLE CERTIFICATION OF NONSUPPLANTING**

**SAMPLE**

**\[Applicant Letterhead\]**

**\[date\]**

**Diane M. Stuart, Director**

**Office on Violence Against Women**

**800 K Street, NW**

**Washington, DC 20530**

**Dear Ms. Stuart:**

**\[Name of Applicant\] certifies that any funds awarded through the
STOP Violence Against Women Formula Grant Program will be used to
supplement existing funds for program activities and will not replace
(supplant) nonfederal funds that have been appropriated for the purpose
of providing services to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault,
dating violence, and stalking. The \[name of applicant\] understands
that supplanting violations can result in a range of penalties,
including suspension of future funds under this program, suspension or
debarment from federal grants, recoupment of monies provided under this
grant, and civil and/or criminal penalties.**

**Sincerely,**

**\[Applicant\'s Authorizing Official\]**

[^1]: 1 STOP Program applicants must provide a brief description of the
    status of their compliance with the requirements and submit copies
    of any legislative or administrative rule changes regarding these
    requirements that have occurred since submission of the state's last
    application for STOP funds.

[^2]: 42 USC § 3796gg(b).

[^3]: The Violence Against Women Act of 2000 defines dating violence as
    violence committed by a person who is or has been in a social
    relationship of a romantic or intimate nature with the victim. The
    existence of such a relationship is determined by the length of the
    relationship, the type of relationship, and the frequency of
    interaction between the persons involved in the relationship.

[^4]: 4 OJP Financial Guide, p. 10

[^5]: OJP Financial Guide, p. 45