U.S. Department of Justice
          Office of Justice Programs
          Bureau of Justice Statistics
             
          State Justice Statistics Program for Statistical Analysis Centers
    
          December 1996, NCJ-163277

		This announcement is one in a series. 
 		More recent editions may be available.  
 		To view a list of all in the series go to the Funding page
		http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/funding.htm#sjs
    
          The full text of this report is available through:
          *the BJS Clearinghouse, 1-800-732-3277
          *on the Internet at http"//www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/
          *on the BJS gopher:
          gopher://www.ojp.usdoj.gov:70/11/bjs/
          *on the National Criminal Justice Reference Service Electronic Bulletin
          Board (set at 8-N-1, call 301-738-8895, select BJS).
          
          Contents
          Message from the Director iii
          Purpose 1
          New direction 2 
          Background 3 
          Goals 3 
          Objectives 3 
          Program strategy 4 
          Support to established SACs 4 
          Themes for the first SJS cycle 5 
          Eligibility requirements 8 
          Selection criteria 9 
          Award period 10 
          Award amount 10 
          Due date 10 
          Contact 11
          Application and administrative requirements 12
          Application content 12 
          Financial and administrative requirements 13 
          Civil rights obligations 14 
          Audit requirement 14 
          Disclosure of Federal participation 15 
          Intergovernmental review of Federal programs 15
          Application forms 16
          Appendixes 
          A. Juvenile transfers to criminal courts: Variables, data elements,
          file layout 
          B. Juveniles and youth gang involvement in violence, drug sales
          and weapons use and system response: Description of technical
          assistance provided by Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency
          Prevention Youth Gang Center
          
          **************************************
          Message from the Director
          **************************************
          
         In 1972, the National Criminal Justice Information and Statistics Service, 
		an office of the Law Enforcement Assistance Administration, announced 
		the establishment of a program to bring about a coordinated approach to 
		the development and implementation of criminal justice statistics and information 
		systems in the States. This strategy, called the Comprehensive Data Systems 
		program, had as its centerpiece what came to be known as Statistical Analysis 
		Centers (SACs). These centers were intended to be the single point of contact 
		in the States for collecting/acquiring crime and justice data, analyzing and 
		disseminating the data, and assisting criminal justice planners and decision 
		makers in formulating rational and sound public policy. The centers were also 
		charged with coordinating the development of criminal justice information 
		systems in the State when no other agency had been assigned that responsibility.

		Almost twenty-five years later, the SAC program continues to meet its original 
		goals and objectives. Governors, legislators, the judiciary, the media, and the 
		general public have come to depend on the fruits of the SAC program for an 
		objective and independent picture of crime and justice in the respective States.

		As successful as the program has been, changes in the criminal justice policy 
		environment and Federal funding to States call out for adaptations that will keep 
		SACs at the forefront of emerging issues. This State Justice Statistics Program 
		for Statistical Analysis Centers (SJS) is intended to help SACs be more topical 
		and stronger statistical resources for the States. In requesting SACs to select a 
		topic for investigation and analysis prior to receiving a Federal award of funding, 
		this Program also enhances governmental accountability and focuses on obtaining 
		productive results for each dollar spent. The Program encourages SACs to collaborate 
		with related entities within the State where doing so will be mutually beneficial.

		We at BJS are pleased to have the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention 
		as our partner in this first phase of the new program. Section F of this announcement, 
		Themes for the First SJS Cycle, highlights two topics of special interest to BJS and 
		OJJDP jointly: the waiving of juveniles into the adult criminal justice system, and the 
		impact and influence of youth gangs on crime. Approximately every six months we 
		plan to change the highlighted topics, which, as in this announcement, may include 
		supplemental funding. The Justice Research and Statistics Association will publish a 
		compilation and analysis of State findings related to highlighted SJS topics, as well as 
		make the results available on the Internet.

		Jan M. Chaiken, Ph.D. Director, 
		Bureau of Justice Statistics
          
          **************************************
          State Justice Statistics Program 
          for Statistical Analysis Centers
          ***************************************
          
          Fiscal Year 1997 Application Guidelines
          
          -------------------
          A. Purpose
          ---------------------
          
          This program announcement supplants the State-Level Statistical
          Analysis Centers and Information Network Program. Since 1972,
          the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) and its predecessor agency,
          the National Criminal Justice Information and Statistics Service,
          have provided partial support to State governments for the
          establishment and operation of Statistical Analysis Centers (SACs)
          to collect, analyze, and report statistics on crime and justice to
          Federal, State, and local levels of government, and to share State-level 
          information nationally. The information produced by SACs
          and their involvement in criminal justice projects has been and will
          continue to be critical to State, local, and Federal criminal justice
          agencies and community organizations in their efforts to combat
          drugs and crime and to improve the administration of justice.
          
          This announcement represents a shift from SAC support funded
          exclusively by BJS to a coordinated solicitation involving other
          Office of Justice Programs (OJP) agencies. We are pleased to have
          as a partner in this six month period the Office of Juvenile 
          Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP).
          
          BJS also administers the National Criminal History Improvement
          Program (NCHIP), which implements the grant provisions of the
          Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act, the National Child
          Protection Act of 1993, the Stalker and Domestic Violence
          Reduction provisions of the Violence Against Women Act, and
          related legislation. In each State, a single agency has been
          designated by the governor to coordinate the State's NCHIP
          applications, but BJS has encouraged SAC directors to contact
          their State NCHIP administrator so as to participate in their State's
          application for NCHIP funds, and NCHIP administrators were
          asked to demonstrate that they had coordinated requests related to
          statistical analyses with their State's SAC. Ongoing efforts to
          evaluate or monitor progress in meeting legislative or program
          goals through statistical or other related means have been allowed
          activities for SAC funding under BJS grants to NCHIP agencies,
          and specific SAC research studies relating to use of handguns are
          also being funded separately under NCHIP.
          
          BJS's goal has been to maintain and enhance each State's capacity
          to address criminal justice issues through the entire mix of grant
          funding administered by BJS. The State Justice Statistics Program,
          announced here, expands BJS's efforts in this regard by
          simplifying the process whereby SACs can apply for NCHIP
          funding and by asking SACs to coordinate requests, on behalf of
          themselves and -- in some cases -- other State agencies, for the
          funding that BJS lists in this Announcement and its subsequent
          updates. BJS will be actively engaged in fostering linkages with
          other Office of Justice Program (OJP) agencies with programs that
          may provide funding for SACs, either through programs of their
          own which provide direct assistance to SACs, or as the result of
          passing funds to BJS to enhance the SJS program. Examples
          included in this announcement are the OJJDP supported themes
          described in Section F, as well as the Safe Kids-Safe Streets
          program, administered by OJJDP, the Weed and Seed Office, and
          the Violence Against Women Act grant office.
          
          --------------------------
          B. New Direction
          --------------------------
          
          The State Justice Statistics (SJS) Program for Statistical Analysis
          Centers is oriented around issues and products. Each application
          for funding under this program must identify the participating
          organizations in the State and the particular issues to be addressed.
          In previous BJS funding programs for SACs, some applicants
          identified the topics of their analyses and reports in advance, while
          others identified them during the year. The SJS program requires
          that the topics be identified in advance. Furthermore, BJS will
          from time to time (approximately every six months) announce
          specific topics and products it is encouraging and will ask
          applicants to give careful consideration to planning activities that
          fit within one or more of the designated topics. Some topics in
          each funding cycle may be eligible for extra financial support. The
          first set of topics is shown in Section F, below. If a SAC does not
          feel that any of the topics is relevant to its own State, it may
          identify a topic or statistical activity of critical importance to its
          jurisdiction.
          
          The SJS program themes are being selected jointly by BJS and the
          Justice Research and Statistics Association (JRSA), with input
          from selected SAC Directors as reflective of issues of current
          concern and significance to criminal justice practitioners. JRSA
          will also play a lead role in publishing a report based on a
          compilation of state reports on one of the selected themes, which
          will be highlighted in each announcement.
          
          Although BJS recognizes the value and importance of basic
          clearinghouse activities historically exercised by the SACs,
          Federal efforts over the last 25 years to implement these activities
          in the States should by now have demonstrated that they warrant
          State funding. Accordingly, SACs which have used BJS funds in
          the past to support salaries and fringe benefits for this purpose
          should initiate discussions with State personnel and budget
          officials to make this a State-funded position, or at least assume
          responsibility for that portion of a person's salary which is spent on
          clearinghouse activities. Some activities which States may
          consider part of a clearinghouse function, such as collection of
          statistical data and publication of statistical reports on general
          topics related to crime or the administration of justice, continue to
          be encouraged under the SJS program. Because BJS recognizes
          that in some States it may take some time to accomplish a shift in
          funding, BJS will allow funds awarded under the Fiscal Year 1997
          SJS program to be used for clearinghouse activities.
          
          --------------------------
          C. Background
          ---------------------------
          In the United States, most criminal justice activities take place at
          State and local levels of government. The systematic collection
          and analysis of data on these activities enable BJS to comply with
          its charter to publish and disseminate statistical information on
          crime and the operation of justice systems, giving emphasis to
          State and local justice system needs. State and local governments
          use the data for policy analysis, planning, and conducting their
          justice system operations and evaluations.
          
          BJS is specifically authorized by statute (42 U.S.C. 3732) to
          provide assistance in the development of State and local
          government justice information systems, and directed to give
          primary emphasis to the problems of State and local justice
          systems (42 U.S.C. 3731). BJS works in cooperation with the
          States through a network of SACs. These Centers were established
          with support from BJS and its predecessor agency, the National
          Criminal Justice Information and Statistics Service (NCJISS).
          Currently, there are SACs in 47 States, the District of Columbia,
          Puerto Rico, and the Northern Mariana Islands.
          ---------------
          1. Goals
          ----------------
          
          * Enhance the capabilities of the States to collect, analyze, and
          interpret data on justice issues relevant to the States and the
          Nation;
          
          * Make maximum use of State statistical organizations and State-level 
          data collected by BJS and other Department of Justice
          components;
          
          * Provide a mechanism which supports the collection and sharing
          of vital justice system data among the States and between the
          States and the Federal Government; and
          
          * Better serve the information needs of the States and Federal
          Government by providing a core body of knowledge about the
          administration of criminal justice in each State.
          
          -----------------------
          2. Objectives
          ------------------------
          
          Provide support to the SACs to:
          
          * participate in projects whose research, data collection, and
          analysis is coordinated across states and which results in a
          publication by JRSA. This theme will normally be of significant
          interest to policy makers, and the results of analysis done on this
          theme should support their efforts.
          
          * produce statistical reports on crime, criminal offenders, and the
          justice system;
          
          * develop improved justice statistical and information systems and
          maintain data service functions in the State; and
          
          * support BJS data gathering efforts in individual States including
          statistics needed for all national data series and in support of
          NCHIP and NCHIP-related topics.
          
          ---------------------------------
          D. Program Strategy
          ---------------------------------
          
          The SJS program is designed to provide financial support which
          will supplement State funding of the SAC and will support
          activities for both State and national benefit, as well as provide
          technical and financial assistance for related research and data
          collection projects. SACs are strongly encouraged to produce and
          provide to BJS written products reflecting analytical efforts
          undertaken as a part of this program, and to document their plans
          for such publications in the application for funding under this
          program.
          
          BJS guidelines for the NCHIP grant program recommend that the
          State agency applying for these funds consult the SAC in
          conjunction with the development of projects to support the
          monitoring of State compliance with legislative or programmatic
          goals of the program. BJS encourages SACs to support such
          NCHIP activities; in addition, SACs should explore funding
          opportunities associated with monies coming into their State under
          other provisions of the Violent Crime Control and Law
          Enforcement Act of 1994.
          
          To ensure that the SAC national program efficiently meets its
          objectives, recipients of BJS funds must agree to assist in any
          evaluation and/or assessment efforts associated with this program.
          Such evaluation activities should not result in any significant or
          unreasonable costs or burdens to the SACs that would interfere
          with the performance of the cooperative agreement.
          
          --------------------------------------------
          E. Support to Established SACs
          --------------------------------------------
          
          All awards will be made as cooperative agreements to a Statistical
          Analysis Center and will indicate the substantial involvement that
          BJS will have with each award. Applicants may transfer funds to
          other organizations listed in their application; some of the theme
          activities may require such cooperative arrangements. Where
          SACs do not have authority for such a transfer of funds, applicants
          should contact their BJS state monitor for advice; the purpose of
          this requirement is to foster cooperation within the State among
          agencies working on related BJS- or OJP-funded activities, and
          BJS certainly does not want to foster cumbersome administrative
          arrangements. Activities in the SJS program include:
          
          (1) Collecting, analyzing, and publishing criminal justice data,
          including activities related to the analysis or evaluation of State
          efforts under the NCHIP;
          
          (2) Conducting research on themes identified in Section F of this
          announcement or selected by the applicant in consultation with
          BJS, usually about a topic of current or emerging national concern;
          
          (3) Providing JRSA with data on highlighted themes for
          compilation and production of a national report;
          
          (3) Maintaining contact with BJS to ensure the efficient
          development and sharing of information with BJS, other States,
          and various users;
          
          (4) Informing BJS of the State's needs relative to statistical data;
          
          (5) Pursuant to BJS request, providing information and automated
          data to the Justice Research and Statistics Association (JRSA), the
          National Archive of Criminal Justice Data, or other designated
          recipients;
          
          (6) Establishing and maintaining contacts with State criminal
          justice agencies, the courts, and local governments and their
          criminal justice agencies;
          
          (7) Assisting criminal justice agencies in defining their needs for
          specific statistical and other information for the planning,
          implementation, and evaluation of criminal justice programs;
          
          (8) Providing technical assistance in the collection, interpretation,
          utilization, and sharing of statistical information.
          
          Travel funds for this program should be used primarily for such
          activities within the State as data collection, providing technical
          assistance and training, liaison with other criminal justice agencies,
          and conducting statistical analysis. Travel to attend the annual
          Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS)/Justice Research and Statistics
          Association (JRSA) national conference is limited to one person
          each year, unless BJS specifically authorizes additional conference
          travel.
          Because of the limited funds available for each State, the use of
          program funds for indirect costs is discouraged. All grant funds
          should be used to achieve specific program objectives.
          
          ---------------------------------------------------
          F. Themes for the First SJS Cycle
          ---------------------------------------------------
          
          SACs applying for funds under this announcement may choose
          from among the themes listed below. Applicants may choose any
          number of projects from within one theme (unless otherwise
          specified), or a combination of projects from more than one theme.
          If a SAC chooses its own theme, it must provide persuasive
          documentation from its advisory committee, one or more branches
          of State government, or some other entity which explains and
          supports the decision to study this topic. It is not BJS's intention
          that all awarded funds be devoted to thematic activities, but a
          report or publication should result from each thematic activity.
          
          With relation to any theme or topic proposed for funding, please
          indicate the background of your state's concern with the issue, a
          complete explanation of the methodology to be employed
          including databases and methods of analysis, any participation by
          other state agencies, and how conclusions and recommendations
          will be framed. Also, indicate political constraints (if any) which
          could impact the research, and what product will result. Since BJS
          contemplates that JRSA will assemble national reports where
          several states have addressed the same topic, we will support
          efforts to improve the quality of such compilations through
          coordination of the individual states' research and analysis.
          
          
          Themes will be revised approximately every six months from the
          date on which this announcement is issued. The revised list of
          themes will be mailed to all SACs and other participating agencies
          at the appropriate time. The new list will also be posted to the BJS
          World Wide Web site on the Internet (www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/), so
          SACs with access to the Internet can learn of them in that manner
          as well.
          
          As other OJP budget and priority developments evolve, additional
          funding may be available for one or more of the theme topics. The
          first theme in each funding cycle's list is BJS's highlighted topic
          for the six-month period; we strongly urge each state to consider
          this theme since BJS will be making extra efforts to generate a
          nationally visible document based on it. If you choose the
          highlighted topic and it carries additional funding, we suggest that
          you contact your BJS program manager for additional guidance
          before submitting an application.
          
          These are the themes/topics applicable to the first six months of the
          SJS Program:
          
          1. Juvenile justice and violence, including offenders, interactions
          with the adult system, and the impact of trends. Applications
          including this theme must identify State agencies responsible for
          statistical data about juvenile offenders, if any, and include
          documentation demonstrating support and/or cooperation with
          such agencies.
          
          A. Juvenile Transfers to Criminal Court for Prosecution.
          Applications choosing this topic are eligible for funding higher
          than the otherwise normal award amount, and must show
          separately the budgeted expenditures for this item. Studies that
          monitor the flow of cases involving juveniles into the criminal
          court (by reason of age and/or offense and prior history) may focus
          on statewide or high volume local processes, outcomes and impact
          of the decision to try the case in criminal versus adult court.
          Preference will be given to those studies that provide appropriate
          comparative samples with juveniles retained in the juvenile justice
          system (or which have the capability to generate trends) and those
          studies which can and are willing to collect data currently being
          captured by OJJDP's studies of Juvenile Transfers to Criminal
          Court. (See Appendix A for a listing of variables, data elements
          and file layout)
          
          Applications should identify State agencies responsible for
          statistical data about juvenile offenders (including those
          responsible for transferred offenders into the criminal justice
          system), if any, and include documentation demonstrating support
          and/or cooperation of that and other State agencies from which
          data are required. In addition, applicants are recommended to
          include travel expenses to attend one meeting in Washington, D.C.
          of other State research teams studying this issue.
          
          B. Juvenile and Youth Gang Involvement in Violence, Drug Sales
          and Weapons Use and System Response. Applications choosing
          this topic are eligible for funding higher than the otherwise normal
          award amount, and must show separately the budgeted
          expenditures for this item. Studies which monitor trends in such
          behavior (violent crime, drug markets, and weapons use and sales)
          by youth gangs, its concentration and migration among different
          neighborhoods, and law enforcement, criminal and juvenile justice
          system response to such behavior are of interest under this theme.
          Of particular interest will be studies which demonstrate the
          application of Geographic-Based Information Systems (GIS) to
          monitor trends in behavior and system response spatially.
          
          Technical assistance will be provided to successful applicants by
          the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention
          National Youth Gang Center. See Appendix B for additional
          information. Applicants must identify relevant State or local law
          enforcement agencies with which they will be collaborating, if
          any, and include documentation of support and/or cooperation of
          that or other agencies from which data are required.
          
          2. Domestic and sexual violence data collection and analysis,
          including victims and offenders, impact of arrest, prosecution and
          sentencing policies, and related patterns and trends. Applications
          including this theme must include documentation demonstrating
          support and/or cooperation of the State agency that administers
          Federal grants under the Violence Against Women Act.
          
          3. Corrections studies related to changing sentencing policies,
          including risk assessment, performance measures, truth in
          sentencing, and population analysis or projections. Applications
          including this theme must include documentation demonstrating
          support and/or cooperation of the State agency that administers
          grants from the Office of Justice Programs' Corrections Program
          Office.
          
          4. Research using incident-based crime data that are compatible
          with the National Incident-Based Reporting System.
          
          5. Internet infrastructure development and linkages, including
          building a World Wide Web page, computer support, and
          preparing reports for dissemination via the Internet. Applicants
          may select an existing Internet server as the location for their site;
          if such an arrangement is impractical, applicants should contact
          BJS and JRSA in preparing their applications so that appropriate
          Internet site locations can be made available to SACs.
          
          6. Technical assistance to an urban, rural or tribal community
          which is a recipient of funding from the OJP Safe Kids - Safe
          Streets Program. BJS will inform in writing those States that are
          eligible for funding under this theme. (To be determined after sites
          are selected for these awards.)
          
          7. Analysis of criminal history records (such as for patterns of
          criminal behavior or stalking), evaluation or review of the State's
          criminal history record improvement activities, or studies related
          to handgun use.  Applications choosing this topic are eligible for
          funding higher than the otherwise normal award amount and must
          show separately the budgeted expenditures for this item. At most
          one topic may be proposed in this topic area. The application must
          either state that the applicant is also the State's administrator of
          NCHIP funds or include a letter or memorandum of endorsement
          from the State agency administering NCHIP funds.
          
          8. Any theme or topic that is identified by the SAC applicant and
          is accompanied by persuasive documentation and justification that
          the subject is a top priority for the state's Governor or criminal
          justice policy officials.
          
          ----------------------------------------------
          G. Eligibility Requirements
          ----------------------------------------------
          
          The applicant SAC should be authorized by State legislation or
          executive order. If it is not, then in its initial application under this
          guideline the SAC should indicate how it is currently authorized.
          The SAC must be a nonpartisan professional organization which
          serves all branches of the criminal justice system and all levels of
          government in the State as well as the general public. Objectivity,
          independence, and visibility are important considerations in
          determining its placement in the State government. It is desirable
          that the SAC not be part of an agency that has line responsibilities
          in criminal justice programs; if the SAC is located in such an
          agency, special provisions must be made to ensure the SAC's
          broad mission, objectivity, independence, and visibility. These
          provisions must be documented in each application for funding.
          Examples of such provisions are letters of agreement from
          agencies that deal with other aspects of criminal justice in the
          State, or a SAC advisory board that includes policy-level officials
          of such agencies. The SAC must inform BJS of any substantive
          changes in these provisions, such as changes in the advisory
          board's structure or revisions in the scope of letters of agreement.
          
          Applications for SAC funding must contain an explanation of the
          placement of the SAC within the State organization structure,
          including the SAC's relationship to the Governor's Office, to other
          relevant State agencies, and any other organizations included as
          recipients of funds in the application.
          
          The SAC must be staffed by professionals skilled in the statistical
          treatment of data for policy analyses and familiar with the factors,
          issues, and processes involved in crime and the criminal justice
          system. Each application must identify the SAC director and other
          key personnel and must provide brief summaries of their
          qualifications. However, a duplicate qualification summary need
          not be provided if it was submitted as part of an earlier application.
          In the case of vacant positions, job descriptions must be provided.
          If the SAC directorship becomes vacant after an award is made,
          the recipient agency must notify BJS, and submit the position
          description and required qualifications to be used in recruiting a
          replacement. When a replacement is designated, a resume of the
          individual's qualifications must be submitted to BJS for approval.
          State Statistical Analysis Centers are the only entities eligible to
          apply for funds under the SJS program. General applicants must
          meet the requirements for a SAC as specified in these Guidelines.
          The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number for
          the SAC program is 16.550 (Criminal Justice Statistics
          Development).
          
          It is permissible for some or all of the work to be performed under
          the SAC's overall direction by other persons or organizations, such
          as other State agencies, universities, nonprofit research firms, and
          private consultants. If work will be performed outside of the SAC,
          the application must include the qualifications of those performing
          the work. SACs that wish to apply for funds in cooperation with
          another organization but lack the authority to transfer funds to the
          cooperating organization should contact their BJS state monitor.
          
          ----------------------------------
          H. Selection Criteria
          ----------------------------------
          
          In making decisions to award funds under this program, BJS will
          be the sole judge of whether the application meets program
          requirements and whether it is operating satisfactorily and
          conforms to all applicable Federal and State requirements. The
          amount of the award will be based on the strength of the
          justification for what it is seeking to do and accomplish during the
          award period. Final authority on funding decisions is vested in the
          Director of BJS. Each application should contain a statement of the
          intended project's goals and objectives; the proposed strategy for
          achieving them, including anticipated products; and an evaluation
          of the project.
          
          The criteria for review and selection include:
          
          (1) Applications should be written so that each task or activity is
          costed separately and in priority order. Applicants are encouraged
          to attach a product to each task, such as a report or publication. If a
          project report or publication is not scheduled for the end of the
          first year, the application for continuation funding should include a
          discussion of the status of each task and the progress made during
          the preceding project period.
          
          (2) Organizational integrity, technical competence, and
          organizational placement of the applicant and other organizations
          proposed for funding;
          
          (3) Experience of applicant's personnel in similar work;
          
          (4) Technical soundness and completeness of the proposed
          approach;
          
          (5) Appropriateness of the project schedule and budget; and
          
          (6) Past record of applicant's performance with previous awards,
          including quality of work, completeness, and adherence to
          schedules.
          
          (7) The extent to which the program narrative addresses specific
          objectives of the SJS program, and the dollar resources needed to
          achieve them.
          
          (8) An application will not be evaluated negatively if it selects
          Theme 8.
          
          -----------------------------
          I. Award Period
          
          -----------------------------
          
          Awards made under this announcement will be in the form of a
          cooperative agreement. Awards normally will be for twelve
          months, but can be longer if the applicant chooses. An award may
          be made for more than twelve months, but not to exceed twenty-four
          months, under the following circumstances:
          
          One or more of the projected tasks/activities will take more than
          twelve months to complete, and a commitment of resources is
          needed to assure its/their successful completion. The amount
          requested may be prorated based upon the per year amount of that
          task
          .
          If you anticipate submitting an application under the scenario
          described above, contact your BJS Program Manager before
          submitting the application.
          
          No-cost extensions may be granted by BJS for good cause (for
          example, under-spending due to an unavoidable staff vacancy).
          Extensions should be requested in writing at least 30 days in
          advance of the award's scheduled expiration date; requests that are
          received later may not be approved. BJS will not approve any
          extension of more than 1 year beyond the original expiration date
          of the award.
          
          -----------------------------
          J. Award Amount
          -----------------------------
          
          No minimum or maximum amount is established for an award.
          While the amount of past SAC awards may be used as a guide
          when preparing the application, sufficiently strong justification of
          tasks and activities could result in an award greater than that in the
          past; a weak justification may result in a smaller award. Each
          award is intended to supplement State financial support of the
          SAC.
          
          The total amount to be awarded under this program is estimated to
          be $2,450,000.
          
          --------------------
          K. Due Date
          --------------------
          
          Applications should be submitted to BJS at least 90 days before
          the requested starting date for the initial award to a SAC applying
          under this guideline. For funding in FY 1997, applications should
          be received by BJS no later than June 30, 1997. Applications
          received after June 30th may be deferred until the next fiscal year,
          beginning October 1, 1997.
          
          This guideline is effective upon its release by BJS. However, a
          SAC with a current award which expires on or before February 28,
          1997 may apply under this guideline or the guideline governing
          the SAC program issued in June 1996.
          
          ------------------
           L. Contact
          ------------------
          For further information, contact Paul White, SJS Program
          Manager, at (202) 307-0771, or your state program manager.
          
          ***************************************
          Application and Administrative Requirements
          ***************************************
          --------------------------
          Application Content
          ----------------------------------
          
          All applicants must submit:
          * Standard Form 424, Application for Federal Assistance
          * Standard Form 424A, Budget Information
          * OJP Form 4000/3 (Rev. 1-93), Program Narrative and
          Assurances
          * OJP Form 4061/6 Certifications
          * OJP Form 7120/1 (Rev. 1-93), Accounting System and Financial
          Capability Questionnaire (to be submitted by applicants who have
          not previously received Federal funds).
          
          Copies of these forms are provided in the appendix of this
          application package.
          
          Applicants are requested to submit an original and two copies of
          the application and certifications to the following address:
          
          Application Coordinator, Bureau of Justice Statistics 633 Indiana
          Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20531 Phone: (202) 616-3500
          
          Standard Form 424 (SF-424). The SF-424, a one page sheet with
          18 items, serves as a cover sheet for the entire application. This
          form is required for every application for Federal assistance. No
          application can be accepted without a completed, signed original
          SF-424. Directions to complete each item are included on the back
          of the form.
          
          Standard Form 424A (SF-424A). All applications must include
          SF-424A, Budget Information. Applicants should ensure that all
          appropriate columns and rows balance. Directions to complete this
          form are found on page 3 of SF-424A.
          
          Detailed Budget. Applicants must provide a detailed justification
          for all costs, including the basis for computation of these costs. For
          example, the detailed budget would include the salaries of staff
          involved in the project and the portion of those salaries to be paid
          from the award; fringe benefits paid to each staff person; travel
          costs related to the project; equipment to be purchased with the
          award funds; and supplies required to complete the project.
          
          Budget Narrative. The budget narrative closely follows the content
          of the detailed budget. The narrative should relate the items
          budgeted to project activities and allowable cost categories and
          should provide a justification and explanation for the budgeted
          items including the criteria and data used to arrive at the estimates
          for each budget category. Please note applications that include
          noncompetitive contracts for the provision of specific services
          must contain a sole source justification for any procurement in
          excess of $100,000, not normally an issue with these applications.
          
          Program Narrative. All applications must include a program
          narrative which fully describes the expected design and
          implementation of the proposed program. In developing the
          narrative, refer to the program design as described in the program
          announcement. OJP Form 4000/3 (Rev. 1-93) provides additional
          detailed instructions for preparing the program narrative.
          The narrative should include a timeline of activities indicating, for
          each proposed activity, the projected duration of the activity,
          expected completion date, and any products expected.
          The application should include an explanation of the placement of
          the applicant agency within the State organization structure; a
          description of the roles and responsibilities of key organizational
          and/or functional components involved in project activities; and a
          list of key personnel responsible for managing and implementing
          the major elements of the program.
          
          Assurances. OJP Form 4000/3 (Rev 1-93) must be included in the
          application submission. If submitting this form separate from the
          SF-424, the applicant must sign and date the form to certify
          compliance with the Federal statutes, regulations, and
          requirements as cited.
          
          Certification Regarding Lobbying; Debarment, Suspension, and
          Other Responsibility Matters; and Drug-Free Workplace.
          Applicants should refer to the regulations cited in OJP Form,
          4061/6 to determine the certification to which they are required to
          attest. A copy of OJP Form 4061/6 is provided in the appendices
          of this application package. Applicants should also review the
          instructions for certification included in the regulations before
          completing this form. Signature of this form provides for
          compliance with certification requirements under 28 CFR Part 69,
          "New Restrictions on Lobbying," and 28 CFR Part 67,
          "Government-wide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement)
          and Government-wide Requirements for Drug-Free Workplace
          (Grants)." The certifications shall be treated as a material
          representation of fact upon which reliance will be placed when the
          U.S. Department of Justice determines to award the covered
          transaction, grant, or cooperative agreement.
          
          ----------------------------------------------------------------
          Financial and Administrative Requirements
          ----------------------------------------------------------------
          
          Discretionary grants are governed by the provisions of OMB
          Circulars applicable to financial assistance. The circulars, with
          additional information and guidance, are contained in the
          "Office of the Comptroller Financial Guide," Office of Justice
          Programs, available from the Office of  Justice Programs. 
		 This guideline manual, provided upon request, is
          intended to assist grantees in the administration of funds and
          includes information on allowable costs, methods of payment,
          audit requirements, accounting systems, and financial records.
          
          -----------------------------------
          Civil Rights Obligations
          -----------------------------------
          
          All applicants for Federal financial assistance must sign Certified
          Assurances that they are in compliance with the Federal laws and
          regulations which prohibit discrimination in any program or
          activity that receives such Federal funds. Section 809(c), Omnibus
          Crime Control & Safe Streets Act of 1968, 42 U.S.C. 3789d,
          provides that:
          
          No person in any State shall on the ground of race, color, religion,
          national origin, sex [or disability]* be excluded from participation
          in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination
          under, or denied employment in connection with any program or
          activity funded in whole or in part with funds made available
          under this title.
          
          * Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and Title II of the
          Americans With Disabilities Act prohibit identical discrimination
          on the basis of disability.
          
          In addition, the award package will contain a letter from the
          Director, Office for Civil Rights, Office of Justice Program, and
          appropriate attachments for certifying that it is compliance with
          the requirements of 28 CFR, Section 42.204.
          
          -------------------------------
          Audit Requirement
          --------------------------------
          
          In October 1984, Congress passed the Single Audit Act of 1984.
          On April 12, 1985, the Office of Management and Budget issued
          Circular A-128, "Audits of State and Local Governments" which
          establishes regulations to implement the Act. OMB Circular A-128, "
          Audits of State and Local Governments," outlines the
          requirements for organizational audits which apply to BJS
          grantees.
          
          Institutions of higher education, hospitals, and other nonprofit
          organizations are responsible for providing an audit of their
          activities not less than every 2 years. The required audits are to be
          on an organization-wide basis rather than on a grant-by-grant
          basis.
          
          -----------------------------------------------------
          Disclosure of Federal Participation
          ------------------------------------------------------
          
          Section 8136 of the Department of Defense Appropriations Act
          (Stevens Amendment), enacted in October 1988, requires that,
          "when issuing statements, press releases for proposals, bid
          solicitations, and other documents describing projects or programs
          funded in whole or in part with Federal money, all grantees
          receiving Federal funds, including but not limited to State and
          local governments, shall clearly state (1) the percentage of the total
          cost of the program or project which will be financed with Federal
          money, and (2) the dollar amount of Federal funds for the project
          or program."
          
          --------------------------------------------------------------------
          Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs
          --------------------------------------------------------------------
          
          Federal Executive Order 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of
          Federal Programs," allows States to establish a process for
          reviewing Federal programs in the State, to choose which
          programs they wish to review, to conduct such reviews, and to
          make their views known to the funding Federal agency through a
          State "single point of contact."
          
          If the State has established a "single point of contact," and if the
          State has selected this program to be included in its review
          process, the applicant must send a copy of its letter or application
          to the State "single point of contact" at the same time that it is
          submitted to BJS. The letter or application submitted to BJS must
          indicate that this has been done. The State must complete its
          review within 60 days. The review period will begin on the date
          that the letter or application is officially received by BJS. If BJS
          does not receive comments from the State's "single point of
          contact" by the end of the review period, this will be interpreted as
          a "no comment" response.
          
          If the State has not established a "single point of contact," or if it
          has not selected the BJS statistics development or criminal history
          improvement programs in its review process, this must be stated in
          the letter or application.
          
          
          Appendix A
          Juvenile transfers to criminal courts
          Variables, data elements, file layout
          
          
          Appendix B
          Juveniles and Youth Gang Involvement in Violence, Drug Sales
          and Weapons Use and System Response description of Technical
          Assistance Provided by Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency
          Prevention National Youth Gang Center
          

          end of file