Title: 1999 Open Solicitation Announcement.
Series: Solicitation
Author: BJA
Published: October 1999
Subject: Funding Resources
17 pages
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1999 Open Solicitation Announcement

Bureau of Justice Assistance

October 1999

SL 000312

A Message From the Director

I am pleased to announce the third annual Bureau of Justice Assistance
(BJA) Open Solicitation competition.

In my travels across the country, I often hear the same issue voiced in
many different ways: the Federal Government needs to demystify the
grant-making process and open it up to new ideas from state, local, and
tribal communities. In response, BJA initiated the Open Solicitation
Discretionary Grant Program in 1997. We limited the solicitation to
the areas of greatest need as reported by our constituents and asked for
concept papers on selected topics suggested by practitioners. 

State, local, and tribal governments and agencies were invited to submit a
six-page concept paper describing innovations they would like to try in
their communities. They, in turn, reached out within their communities
and proposed building partnerships with schools, social service agencies,
private-sector organizations, and virtually every other type of institution
with a stake in safe and vibrant communities. In the past 2 years, BJA has
received more than 3,000 concept papers from every level of government
and from every component of the criminal justice system.

Our first 2 years' experience with the Open Solicitation Program has
reinforced my conviction that Washington can learn much from listening
to America's communities. With this solicitation, BJA continues to
encourage, support, and publicize local innovations that will help build
safe and healthy communities.

I encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity and look forward to
your submissions.

Nancy E. Gist
Director

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Contents

About BJA

1999 Open Solicitation Announcement

1999 Topic Areas

1. Alcohol and Crime
2. Crime Prevention Among the Elderly
3. Improving Access to Services in Rural and Tribal Settings
4. Mental Health
5. Police Partnerships
6. Local Criminal Justice Planning
7. Improving Front-End Decisionmaking
8. Strategies To Strengthen the Adjudication Process
9. Innovations in Offender Supervision and Reentry

Selection and Review Process 

Contacts for More Information

Submission Criteria 

Administrative Requirements
Concept Paper Format Requirements and Scoring
Deadline and Submission
Cover Page: 1999 Open Solicitation, Bureau of Justice Assistance

Suggestions for Submitting Open Solicitation Proposals to BJA

-------------------------------

About BJA

The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), a component of the Office of
Justice Programs (OJP), U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), supports
innovative programs that strengthen the nation's criminal justice system.
Its primary mission is to provide leadership and a wide range of assistance
to local criminal justice strategies to make America's communities safer. 

Established by the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968,
as amended, BJA accomplishes this mission by providing funding,
training, technical assistance, and information to state, local, and tribal
criminal justice programs and by emphasizing the coordination of federal,
state, and local efforts. BJA's specific goals are to assist communities in
reducing and preventing crime, violence, and drug abuse and to improve
the functioning of the criminal justice system. 

For more information about programs, training and technical assistance,
and information dissemination supported by BJA, contact the BJA
Clearinghouse at 1-800-688-4252 or access the BJA World Wide Web
home page at www.ojp.usdoj.gov/BJA.

1999 Open Solicitation Announcement

BJA is pleased to announce the third Open Solicitation Discretionary
Grant Program. Applicants for this program are limited to units and
agencies of state, local, or tribal governments.

Only units of government or agencies within units of government are
eligible to submit concept papers under this solicitation. If you are not a
governmental entity, you may partner with one, but the governmental
agency or unit of government must serve as the applicant.

Concept papers under this solicitation must address CRIMINAL JUSTICE
issues. 

Through the Open Solicitation Discretionary Grant Program, BJA
encourages state, local, and tribal governments to identify emerging or
chronic criminal justice issues within their communities and jurisdictions
and to provide innovative strategies for addressing those issues. This year,
BJA is soliciting concept papers under nine broadly defined areas: alcohol
and crime, crime prevention among the elderly, improving access to
services in rural and tribal settings, mental health, police partnerships,
local criminal justice planning, improvement of front-end decisionmaking,
strategies to strengthen the adjudication process, and innovation in
offender supervision and reentry. These nine topic areas represent priority
issues for BJA, as expressed by practitioners throughout the criminal
justice system. These topics are also priorities of the U.S. Department of
Justice.

All concept papers must adhere to the administrative requirements
outlined on page 11 of this document and must follow the format
prescribed in the submission criteria on pages 11 and 12. Concept papers
not adhering to these criteria will not be considered. 

Submissions will be reviewed by panels of expert practitioners, who will
make recommendations for awards to the Director of BJA. For
suggestions on writing and submitting a concept paper to BJA, see page
17. Questions about this solicitation may be directed to the U.S.
Department of Justice Response Center at 1-800-421-6770. 

1999 Topic Areas

Applicants may submit only one concept paper in each topic area.
Applicants may apply under as many topic areas as they wish, but they
must submit a DIFFERENT concept paper for each topic.

1. Alcohol and Crime

Applicants are invited to submit concept papers that present strategies to
address the link between alcohol and crime. This solicitation excludes
DUI initiatives and proposals that address underage drinking.

--One or more grants will be awarded in this topic area.

--Award amount: Up to $150,000 per award.

--Award period: Up to 18 months.

Eligibility Criteria

Units and agencies of state, local, or tribal governments are eligible.
Tribes must be federally recognized. Eligibility includes, but is not limited
to, states, counties, municipalities, villages, towns, townships, courts, and
agencies working in prosecution, indigent defense, probation, parole,
pretrial services, corrections, law enforcement, and social services. This
restriction does not preclude private/not-for-profit agencies from
collaborating with eligible applicants or two or more units of government
from applying under the cover of one authorized applicant, which will be
responsible for the administration of the award. 

2. Crime Prevention Among the Elderly

Applicants are invited to submit concept papers that present strategies to
minimize the victimization of the elderly, particularly within institutions
(e.g., nursing homes and senior centers).

--One or more grants will be awarded in this topic area.

--Award amount: Up to $150,000 per award.

--Award period: Up to 18 months.

Eligibility Criteria

Units and agencies of state, local, or tribal governments are eligible.
Tribes must be federally recognized. Eligibility includes, but is not limited
to, states, counties, municipalities, villages, towns, townships, courts, and
agencies working in prosecution, indigent defense, probation, parole,
pretrial services, corrections, law enforcement, and social services. This
restriction does not preclude private/not-for-profit agencies from
collaborating with eligible applicants or two or more units of government
from applying under the cover of one authorized applicant, which will be
responsible for the administration of the award.

3. Improving Access to Services in Rural and Tribal Settings

Applicants are invited to submit concept papers that present strategies to
improve access to criminal justice and related social services for residents
in rural and tribal settings. Emphasis will be placed on initiatives that use
technology or mobile services to reach underserved populations.

--One or more grants will be awarded under this topic area.

--Award amount: Up to $150,000 per award. 

--Award period: Up to 18 months.

Eligibility Criteria

Units and agencies of state, local, and tribal governments are eligible,
provided that they have, or serve, populations of fewer than 25,000
residents and that the community is not located within a metropolitan area.
All federally recognized tribal governments and their units and agencies,
as well as all state and local governments and their units and agencies that
serve such federally recognized tribes, may apply. Eligibility includes, but
is not limited to, states, counties, municipalities, villages, towns,
townships, courts, and agencies working in prosecution, indigent defense,
probation, parole, pretrial services, corrections, law enforcement, and
social services. This restriction does not preclude private/not-for-profit
agencies from collaborating with authorized applicants or two or more
units of government from applying under the cover of one authorized
applicant, which will be responsible for the administration of the award.

4. Mental Health

Applicants are invited to submit concept papers that present strategies to
address the increasing number of defendants/offenders with mental health
issues within criminal justice systems. Emphasis will be on initiatives that
include partnerships with mental health diagnosis and treatment service
providers and components of the criminal justice system. These
components include, but are not limited to, courts, prosecutors, defenders,
and agencies working in pretrial services, corrections, probation/parole,
and law enforcement.

--One or more grants will be awarded under this topic area.

--Award amount: Up to $150,000 per award.

--Award period: Up to 18 months.

Eligibility Criteria

Units and agencies of state, local, or tribal governments are eligible.
Tribes must be federally recognized. Eligibility includes, but is not limited
to, states, counties, municipalities, villages, towns, townships, courts, and
agencies working in prosecution, indigent defense, probation, parole,
pretrial services, corrections, law enforcement, and social services. This
restriction does not preclude private/not-for-profit agencies from
collaborating with eligible applicants or two or more units of government
from applying under the cover of one authorized applicant, which will be
responsible for the administration of the award.

5. Police Partnerships

Applicants are invited to submit concept papers that present strategies to
link police with nontraditional partners to prevent or reduce crime and to
enhance the efficiency of law enforcement efforts. These partnerships may
include, but are not limited to, faith institutions, social services providers,
and agencies working in pretrial services, prosecution, indigent defense,
probation, parole, corrections, and community interest groups. For
purposes of this solicitation, partnerships between the police and Drug
Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.{registered trademark}), Boys and
Girls Clubs of America, or Police Athletic Leagues will not be considered.

--One or more grants will be awarded under this topic area.

--Award amount: Up to $150,000 per award.

--Award period: Up to 18 months.

Eligibility Criteria

Units and agencies of state, local, or tribal governments are eligible.
Tribes must be federally recognized. Eligibility includes, but is not limited
to, states, counties, municipalities, villages, towns, townships, courts, and
agencies working in prosecution, indigent defense, probation, parole,
pretrial services, corrections, law enforcement, and social services. This
restriction does not preclude private/not-for-profit agencies from
collaborating with eligible applicants or two or more units of government
from applying under the cover of one authorized applicant, which will be
responsible for the administration of the award.

6. Local Criminal Justice Planning

Applicants are invited to submit concept papers that present strategies to
enhance criminal justice planning at the county, municipal, or local level.
Awards may support dedicated planning staff, consultants, training, and
materials to establish or improve long-range criminal justice planning
efforts. Planning efforts must be broad-based and include all components
of the criminal justice system, other affected governmental agencies, and
the communities they serve. Emphasis will be placed on regional planning
efforts that include multiple localities and/or counties.

--One or more grants will be awarded under this topic area.

--Award amount: Up to $150,000 per award.

--Award period: Up to 30 months.

Eligibility Criteria

Units and agencies of state, local, or tribal governments are eligible.
Tribes must be federally recognized. Eligibility includes, but is not limited
to, states, counties, municipalities, villages, towns, townships, courts, and
agencies working in prosecution, indigent defense, probation, parole,
pretrial services, corrections, law enforcement, and social services. This
restriction does not preclude private/not-for-profit agencies from
collaborating with eligible applicants or two or more units of government
from applying under the cover of one authorized applicant, which will be
responsible for the administration of the award.

7. Improving Front-End Decisionmaking

Applicants are invited to submit concept papers that present strategies to
improve front-end decisionmaking within state, local, and tribal justice
systems. Proposals may address arrest/summons policies, bail setting,
pretrial services and supervision, appointment of counsel, and diversion
from prosecution.

--One or more grants will be awarded under this topic area.

--Award amount: Up to $150,000 per award.

--Award period: Up to 18 months. 

Eligibility Criteria

Units and agencies of state, local, or tribal governments are eligible.
Tribes must be federally recognized. Eligibility includes, but is not limited
to, states, counties, municipalities, villages, towns, townships, courts, and
agencies working in prosecution, indigent defense, probation, parole,
pretrial services, corrections, law enforcement, and social services. This
restriction does not preclude private/not-for-profit agencies from
collaborating with eligible applicants or two or more units of government
from applying under the cover of one authorized applicant, which will be
responsible for the administration of the award.

8. Strategies To Strengthen the Adjudication Process

Applicants are invited to submit concept papers that present strategies to
improve the efficiency of or enhance the operation of courts, prosecution,
defense, or other components of the adjudication process.

--One or more grants will be awarded under this topic area.

--Award amount: Up to $150,000 per award.

--Award period: Up to 18 months.

Eligibility Criteria

Units and agencies of state, local, or tribal governments are eligible.
Tribes must be federally recognized. Eligibility includes, but is not limited
to, states, counties, municipalities, villages, towns, townships, courts, and
agencies working in prosecution, indigent defense, probation, parole,
pretrial services, corrections, law enforcement, and social services. This
restriction does not preclude private/not-for-profit agencies from
collaborating with eligible applicants or two or more units of government
from applying under the cover of one authorized applicant, which will be
responsible for the administration of the award.

9. Innovations in Offender Supervision and Reentry

Applicants are invited to submit concept papers that propose innovations
in the supervision of defendants or offenders. Priority will be given to
proposals that address issues related to defendant/offender reentry into
communities following incarceration. Proposals may include the use of
technology (excluding electronic surveillance), nontraditional resources,
and other new approaches to monitor and correct the behavior of
individuals under the supervision of the criminal justice system. These
approaches may include, but are not limited to, new roles for courts and
agencies working in prosecution, defense, pretrial services, corrections,
probation, and parole.

--One or more grants will be awarded under this topic area.

--Award amount: Up to $150,000 per award.

--Award period: Up to 18 months.

Eligibility Criteria

Units and agencies of state, local, or tribal governments are eligible.
Tribes must be federally recognized. Eligibility includes, but is not limited
to, states, counties, municipalities, villages, towns, townships, courts, and
agencies working in prosecution, indigent defense, probation, pretrial
services, corrections, law enforcement, and social services. This restriction
does not preclude private/not-for-profit agencies from collaborating with
eligible applicants or two or more units of government from applying
under the cover of one authorized applicant, which will be responsible for
the administration of the award.

Selection and Review Process

BJA will establish peer review teams for individual topic areas. These
teams will review and score the concept papers and make
recommendations for awards to the Director of BJA. Awards will be made
by the Assistant Attorney General, in consultation with the Director of
BJA, on the basis of peer review results as well as geographic and other
considerations. BJA will then request that the selected applicants submit
formal applications for approval prior to funding. Concept papers may be
available to others upon request.

Contacts for More Information

Questions about this solicitation announcement may be directed to the
DOJ Response Center at 1-800-421-6770. Applicants will receive a
postcard acknowledging BJA's receipt of their concept paper 4 to 6 weeks
after the submission deadline. For general information about BJA
programs and training and technical assistance, contact the BJA
Clearinghouse at 1-800-688-4252 or access the BJA World Wide Web
home page at www.ojp.usdoj.gov/BJA.

Submission Criteria

Concept paper submissions must be RECEIVED at the Bureau of Justice
Assistance by close of business (5 p.m. eastern time) on DECEMBER 13,
1999.

FAXED SUBMISSIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. SUBMISSIONS
NOT ADHERING TO THESE REQUIREMENTS WILL NOT BE
CONSIDERED.

Administrative Requirements

To be considered for funding, concept papers must:

--Follow the format described on pages 11 and 12 of this announcement.

--Include the standard cover page (page 15 of this announcement).

--Not exceed six pages, excluding cover page.

--Be submitted on 8- by 11-inch paper, single or double spaced, using one
side, in standard 10- or 12-point fonts.

--Not include appendixes or attachments.

Applicants must submit six copies of each concept paper by the deadline
stated above. Applicants must be units or agencies of state, local, or tribal
governments to be considered for funding.

Concept Paper Format Requirements and Scoring 

Each concept paper must address only one topic area. To be eligible for
consideration, each paper must answer the following questions in the
order presented here. List each question by number, followed by your
answers. Papers that do not follow this format will be removed from the
review process. If statistics or other research findings are used to support a
statement or position, include the source in your narrative.

Concept papers will be scored based on the following criteria, which must
be in the following sequence:

1. What is the problem? (200 points)

--Identify a problem that easily fits the topic area you have chosen.
Describe your problem clearly and succinctly. Include data that show the
size and scope of the problem. Explain the impact of the problem on your
system or community. Explain why the problem has not been addressed
previously, or, if it has, explain what the results were.

2. What are you proposing to do and how do you intend to do it? (200
points) 

--Provide an overview of your concept or strategy. Make certain there is a
clear and strong link between what you are proposing and how it will
address the problem you described. This solicitation seeks new and
innovative approaches. Are you proposing a concept for your community
or jurisdiction that is new? How is it different from the current approach?
How will the new approach produce the results you are seeking? Describe
the strategy carefully so that what you propose to do and how you will do
it is clear. Once the strategy is fully developed, what tasks will occur and
when? Include all elements needed to make your concept work. This
section must address issues such as program length and overall design.

3. What other agencies/resources will work with you? (200 points)

--This section should describe who your partners will be, what role they
will play, and whether these partnerships will be new. Partnerships or
consortia among public agencies, private organizations, and
community-based groups are strongly encouraged and will contribute to
your score. The commitment and support you describe from other sources
will be verified prior to a final award.

4. How will you know if your concept works? (200 points)

--This section should address the measurements you will put in place to
determine your strategy's effectiveness. A clear connection should be
maintained with the problem you identified. Explain what will be
measured, who will do it, and how the information will be used.

5. What are the costs and cost benefits of implementing the strategy?
(200 points)

--Describe not only the cost, but the cost benefits of your strategy. You do
not need to submit a detailed budget, but you must describe how the
federal funds you are seeking will be used. If your approach seeks to
reduce the costs of current practices, describe the nature and extent of the
savings. Only proposals that include direct support from other federal or
nonfederal sources will be eligible to receive the maximum number of
points for this section.

Note to Applicants: These instructions will be provided to peer reviewers
when they review and score submissions.

Deadline and Submission

Six copies of each paper must be RECEIVED at BJA no later than the
close of business (5 p.m. eastern time) DECEMBER 13, 1999. BJA WILL
NOT GRANT EXTENSIONS OF THE DEADLINE OR ACCEPT
FAXED SUBMISSIONS. 

The envelope conveying the copies must indicate the number of the topic
area in which you are applying. For example, the envelope of a
submission addressing Mental Health must be marked "Topic Area 4."
Applicants submitting more than one concept paper must submit the
copies of each paper in a separate envelope. Concept papers should be
mailed or delivered to:

Bureau of Justice Assistance
Attention: BJA Control Desk
5640 Nicholson Lane, Suite 300
Rockville, MD 20852 

-------------------------------

Cover Page: 1999 Open Solicitation 
Bureau of Justice Assistance

Note: All applicants must use this page as the cover of each submission.

Topic Area:
1. Alcohol and Crime
2. Crime Prevention Among the Elderly
3. Improving Access to Services in Rural and Tribal Settings
4. Mental Health
5. Police Partnerships
6. Local Criminal Justice Planning 
7. Improving Front-End Decisionmaking
8. Strategies To Strengthen the Adjudication Process
9. Innovations in Offender Supervision and Reentry

Name of Agency Applying:      

Address of Agency Applying:        
               
Applicable Unit of Government:     
(Please check only one)
-- State 
-- County/Parish/Borough
-- Tribal
-- City/Municipality/Village/Town/Township
-- Other
     
Type of Agency:     
(Please check only one)
-- Court 
-- Prosecutor 
-- Public Defender
-- Corrections
-- Law Enforcement 
-- Probation/Parole 
-- Public School              
-- City/County/State
-- Tribal 
-- Other
      
Concept Paper Strategy Type: 
(Primary)
-- Adjudication 
-- Prosecution 
-- Indigent Defense
-- Corrections 
-- Law Enforcement
-- Pretrial Services
-- Probation/Parole
-- School-Based 
-- Other   
If multidisciplinary, please specify strategy types.

Name and Title of Contact:         

Contact's Telephone Number:        

Contact's Fax Number:         

Contact's E-mail Address:          

Is this your first federal grant proposal?   
-- Yes
-- No

Is this your first U.S. Department of Justice proposal?
-- Yes    
-- No

Was this concept paper submitted under BJA's 1997 or 1998 Open 
Solicitations? 
-- Yes    
-- No
(If yes, please circle which year or both years.)

Is your jurisdiction's population less than 25,000?
-- Yes
-- No

Have you submitted this proposal to other federal agencies? 
-- Yes    
-- No

-------------------------------

Suggestions for Submitting Open Solicitation Proposals to BJA 

--Carefully review the eligibility section for the topic area you have
selected. Remember: Nonprofit organizations must have a government
partner that will serve as the applicant.

--Carefully review the administrative requirements on page 11.

--Although this concept paper process is less burdensome for the applicant
than traditional applications for competitive grants, DO NOT WAIT
UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE! Rushed proposals often omit key elements
and fail to explain crucial concepts. Write your proposal early, review it,
show it to others, and give yourself time to make adjustments.

--Before attempting to put your concept paper in narrative form, develop
an outline using the submission criteria as a framework. Include your
proposal's major components and participants.--

--Do not waste time worrying about "what are these funders really looking
for?" Instead propose your state/local/tribal response to issues you feel can
be successfully addressed with a grant award.

--Don't promise what you can't produce. Reviewers are often skeptical of
overly ambitious projects that do not appear to have the potential for
success.

--Write plainly and succinctly. Your proposal will be reviewed by people
like you, practitioners with experience in the concept paper topic areas.
Describe your proposal in your terms. Do not waste space by including
"buzz phrases" you feel may be held in favor by funders.

--Resist the temptation to list the past accomplishments of the agency or
unit of government sponsoring the proposal or those of key actors. Do not
list collaborators who do not have a direct role in your proposal. Use the
six pages (plus cover) you are allotted to answer the questions the
reviewers will score.

--Remember that proposals exceeding six pages WILL NOT BE
CONSIDERED. Give yourself enough time to edit your ideas to fit the
required format.

--Remember that your proposal will likely be reviewed by people who
have never been to your jurisdiction or community. Do not assume they
know what you do not tell them.

--Keep in mind that it is our job to help you. If you have questions about
the solicitation, call the U.S. Department of Justice Response Center at 1-
800-421-6770.

--Tell us what you think of this process. BJA is interested in developing
responsive, fair procedures to support the grant process. If you have
comments or suggestions regarding the grant process, please send them to
Director, Bureau of Justice Assistance, 810 Seventh Street NW.,
Washington, DC 20531.

-------------------------------

Bureau of Justice Assistance Information

General Information

Callers may contact the U.S. Department of Justice Response Center for
general information or specific needs, such as assistance in submitting
grants applications and information on training. To contact the Response
Center, call 1-800-421-6770 or write to 1100 Vermont Avenue NW.,
Washington, DC 20005.

Indepth Information

For more indepth information about BJA, its programs, and its funding
opportunities, requesters can call the BJA Clearinghouse. The BJA
Clearinghouse, a component of the National Criminal Justice Reference
Service (NCJRS), shares BJA program information with state and local
agencies and community groups across the country. Information
specialists are available to provide reference and referral services,
publication distribution, participation and support for conferences, and
other networking and outreach activities. The Clearinghouse can be
reached by:

--Mail
P.O. Box 6000
Rockville, MD 20849-6000

--Visit
2277 Research Boulevard
Rockville, MD 20850

--Telephone
1-800-688-4252
Monday through Friday
8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
eastern time

--Fax
301-519-5212

--Fax on Demand
1-800-688-4252

--BJA Home Page
www.ojp.usdoj.gov/BJA

--NCJRS World Wide Web
www.ncjrs.org

--E-mail
askncjrs@ncjrs.org

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