Title: Less-Lethal Technologies, Fiscal Year 2004
Series: Solicitation
Author: National Institute of Justice
Published: November 2003
Subject: Funding resource
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U.S. Department of Justice
Office of Justice Programs
National Institute of Justice

Solicitation   
November 2003

Less-Lethal Technologies, Fiscal Year 2004

Notice: 

You must submit your application using the Office of Justice Programs'
automated Grants Management System. Paper applications will not be
accepted. We suggest you begin the process as soon as possible. To start the
process, go to http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/fundopps.htm.

Deadline: January 27, 2004

SL 000638

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U.S. Department of Justice
Office of Justice Programs
810 Seventh Street N.W.
Washington, DC 20531

John Ashcroft
Attorney General

Deborah J. Daniels
Assistant Attorney General

Sarah V. Hart
Director, National Institute of Justice

This and other publications and products of the National Institute of Justice can
be found on the World Wide Web at:

Office of Justice Programs
National Institute of Justice
http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij

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Less-Lethal Technologies, Fiscal Year 2004

I. Introduction

The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) is the research, development, and
evaluation agency of the U.S. Department of Justice and a component of the
Office of Justice Programs. The Institute provides objective, independent,
evidence-based knowledge and tools to enhance the administration of justice
and public safety. The Institute solicits proposals to inform its search for the
knowledge and tools to guide policy and practice. 

NIJ assists the Nation's State and local criminal justice agencies and other
public safety agencies by sponsoring technology projects that meet a broad
range of these organizations' needs. NIJ typically funds projects that involve
applied research, development, analysis, and evaluation of technologies or their
implementation; and the demonstration of technologies intended to be applied
commercially in the agencies.

With this solicitation, NIJ seeks proposals for less-lethal technologies that will
provide criminal justice agencies and other public safety agencies with new
capabilities to manage individuals, crowds, and high-speed vehicles.

Due date: The due date is listed on the cover of this announcement and on the
NIJ Web site at http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/funding.htm. Extensions to the
deadline are generally not granted. 

Page limit: The program narrative section of your proposal must not exceed 30
double-spaced pages in 12-point font with 1-inch margins. Tables, charts,
figures, appendixes, and government forms do not count toward the 30-page
limit.

Reasons for rejection: NIJ may reject applications that are incomplete, do not
respond to the scope of the solicitation, do not comply with format
requirements, or are submitted after the deadline. No additions to the original
submission are allowed. 

How to submit proposals to NIJ: Complete details about how to apply for
funding are in "NIJ Guidelines for Submitting Applications," available on the NIJ
Web site at http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/funding.htm.

II. Proposal Topics

You may submit a proposal under any less-lethal technologies topic of your
choosing. If you have a specific proposal in mind but are unsure about its
pertinence to public safety agencies, consider the following topic areas and
goals: 

o Vehicle Immobilization. The goal of research in this area is to enable law
enforcement agencies to safely and effectively immobilize motor vehicles, both
at checkpoints and in open-road pursuits. Such technologies may include
directed energy devices, wheel entanglers, and remotely activated engine
control electronics that are preplaced in a targeted vehicle.

o Area Denial of Personnel. The goal of research in this area is to enable law
enforcement agencies to safely and effectively deny individuals or groups of
people access to specific areas. An example could be the use of directed
energy to induce an epidermal heating sensation in targeted persons.

o Force-On-Target Enhancement. The goal of this area is to model and/or
develop innovative devices and techniques that public safety officers can use to
accurately deliver a less-lethal force on a target independent of range.
Appropriate proposals could include numerical modeling and simulation
methods to predict how this goal could be optimally achieved or the
development of physical concepts (e.g., a device or a system).

o Electromuscular Device Modeling. The goal of research in this area is to
model the flow of electrical current through the human body as a result of the
application of a less-lethal electromuscular device (EMD). Appropriate
proposals would involve EMD modeling that will serve as a precursor for
assessing potential effectiveness of EMD and human safety requirements.

o Less-Lethal Device-Induced Injury Data. The goal of research in this area is
to acquire and analyze empirical data on incidents of the use of force against
humans, including the nature of the forces applied and the nature of injuries
sustained. To the extent possible, proposals also should assess possible
relationships between the application of force and the nature of the subsequent
injury.

III. General Requirements and Guidance

This section describes the main requirements for submitting your proposal.
Complete instructions are in "NIJ Guidelines for Submitting Applications,"
available on the NIJ Web site at http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/funding.htm.

A. Submit applications online: Paper applications are not accepted.
Applications must be submitted through the Office of Justice Programs' online
Grants Management System. NIJ suggests you begin the process early,
especially if this is the first time you have used the system. To begin, go to
http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/fundopps.htm.

B. Relevance of the project for policy and practice: Higher quality proposals
clearly explain the practical implications of the project. They connect technical
expertise with policy and practice. To ensure that the project has strong
relevance for policy and practice, some researchers and technologists
collaborate with practitioners and policymakers. You may include letters
showing support from practitioners, but they carry less weight than clear
evidence that you understand why policymakers and practitioners would benefit
from your work and how they would use it. While a partnership may affect
State or local activities, it should also have broader implications for others
across the country.

C. Equal opportunity for all applicants: It is OJP policy that faith-based and
community organizations that statutorily qualify as eligible applicants under OJP
programs are invited and encouraged to apply for awards. Faith-based and
community organizations will be considered for an award on the same basis as
any other eligible applicants and, if they receive awards, will be treated on an
equal basis with non faith-based and community organization grantees in the
administration of such awards. No eligible applicant or grantee will be
discriminated 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.

D. Cofunding is not required: You are not required to combine NIJ funds with
other funds (for example, you do not need matching funds), but if you intend to
use multiple funding sources to support your proposed effort, the budget you
submit must show the other funds. 

E. Number of grants to be awarded: NIJ's grant award process is highly
competitive. The number of awards to be made depends on the availability of
funds and the number and quality of applications received. 

F. When awards will be made: The review and approval process takes about 6
months. Therefore, you should not propose to begin work until at least 6
months after the deadline on the cover of this solicitation. Also, you should not
expect to receive notification of a decision for at least 6 months after that date.
Lists of awards are updated regularly on NIJ's Web site at
http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/funding.htm.

G. Financial audits are required: If your organization spends $500,000 or more
of Federal funds during the fiscal year, you may be asked to submit an
organization-wide financial and compliance audit report before any award is
made. The audit must be performed in accordance with the U.S. General
Accounting Office Government Accounting Standards and must conform to
Chapter 19 of the Office of Justice Programs' Financial Guide (available at
http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/FinGuide). You may include the costs of complying
with these audits in the proposed budget submitted as part of your application.
Detailed information regarding the independent audit is available in Office of
Management and Budget Circular A-133 (available at
http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/circulars).

H. An environmental assessment may be required: All award recipients must
comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). To ensure NEPA
compliance, NIJ may require some award recipients to submit additional
information. 

I. A DUNS number is required: The Office of Management and Budget
requires that all businesses and nonprofit applicants for Federal funds include a
DUNS (Data Universal Numeric System) number in their application for a new
award or renewal of an award. Applications without a DUNS number are
incomplete. A DUNS number is a unique nine-digit sequence recognized as the
universal standard for identifying and keeping track of entities receiving Federal
funds. The identifier is used for tracking purposes and to validate address and
point of contact information. NIJ will use the DUNS number throughout the
grant life cycle. Obtaining a DUNS number is a free, one-time activity. Obtain
one by calling 1-866-705-5711 or by applying online at
http://www.dunandbradstreet.com. Individuals are exempt from this
requirement.

J. Funds cannot be used to lobby: Under the Anti-Lobbying Act (18 U.S.C.
[section] 1913), grantees generally may not use appropriated funds to support
the enactment, repeal, or modification of any law, regulation, or policy at any
level of government. For the complete rules and regulations, see "NIJ
Guidelines for Submitting Applications" at
http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/funding.htm and the OJP Financial Guide at
http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/FinGuide.

K. What will not be funded: Typically, NIJ does not fund the following: 

1. Provision of training or direct service.

2. Proposals primarily to purchase equipment, materials, or supplies. (Your
budget may include these items if they are necessary to conduct applied
research, development, demonstration, evaluation, or analysis, but NIJ does not
fund proposals that are primarily to purchase equipment.)

3. Work that will be funded under another specific proposal

4. Basic or pure research.

L. Call for assistance:

1. For technical guidance about using the Grants Management System, call the
hotline at 1-888-549-9901.

2. For questions about this solicitation, the research being solicited, or other
NIJ funding opportunities, contact the U.S. Department of Justice Response
Center at 1-800-421-6770. 

IV. Selection Criteria

NIJ is firmly committed to the competitive process in awarding grants. All
proposals are subjected to an independent peer-review panel evaluation.
External peer-review panelists consider both technical and programmatic
merits. Panelists are selected based on their expertise in subject areas pertinent
to the proposals. 

Peer-review panelists evaluate each proposal and give their assessments to
NIJ. NIJ staff then recommend to the NIJ Director which proposals are most
worthy of an award. The Director makes final award decisions. 

Successful applicants must demonstrate the following:

A. Understanding of the problem and its importance.

B. Quality and technical merit.

1. Awareness of the state of current research or technology. 

2. Soundness of methodology and analytic and technical approach.

3. Feasibility of proposed project and awareness of pitfalls. 

4. Innovation and creativity (when appropriate).

C. Impact of the proposed project.

1. Potential for significant advances in scientific or technical understanding of the
problem. 

2. Potential for significant advances in the field.

3. Relevance for improving the policy and practice of criminal justice and
related agencies and improving public safety, security, and quality of life. 

4. Affordability and cost effectiveness of proposed end products, when
applicable (e.g., purchase price and maintenance costs for a new technology or
cost of training to use the technology).

5. Perceived potential for commercialization and/or implementation of a new
technology (when applicable).

D. Capabilities, demonstrated productivity, and experience of applicants.

1. Qualifications and experience of proposed staff.

2. Demonstrated ability of proposed staff and organization to manage the effort. 

3. Adequacy of the plan to manage the project, including how various tasks are
subdivided and resources are used. 

4. Successful past performance on NIJ grants and contracts (when applicable).

E. Budget.

1. Total cost of the project relative to the perceived benefit.

2. Appropriateness of the budget relative to the level of effort.

3. Use of existing resources to conserve costs.

F. Dissemination strategy.

1. Well-defined plan for the grant recipient to disseminate results to appropriate
audiences, including researchers, practitioners, and policymakers. 

2. Suggestions for print and electronic products NIJ might develop for
practitioners and policymakers.

V. Requirements for Successful Applicants 

If your proposal is funded, you will be required to submit several reports and
other materials as follows: 

A. Final report: The final report should be a comprehensive overview of the
project and should include a detailed description of the project design, data,
and methods; a full presentation of scientific findings; and a thorough discussion
of the implications of the project findings for criminal justice practice and policy.
It must contain an abstract of no more than 400 words and an executive
summary of no more than 2,500 words. 

A draft of the final report, abstract, and executive summary must be submitted
90 days before the end date of the grant. The draft report will be peer reviewed
upon submission. The reviews will be forwarded to the principal investigator
with suggestions for revisions. The principal investigator must then submit the
revised final report, abstract, and executive summary by the end date of the
grant. The abstract, executive summary, and final report must be submitted in
both paper and electronic formats.

For evaluation studies, the report should include a section on measuring
program performance. This section should outline the measures used to
evaluate program effectiveness, modifications made to those measures as a
result of the evaluation, and recommendations regarding these and other
potential performance measures for similar programs. (This information will be
particularly valuable to NIJ and other Federal program agencies in
implementing performance measures for federally funded criminal justice
programs.) 

B. Interim reports: Grantees must submit quarterly financial reports, semi-annual
progress reports, and a final progress report. Future awards and fund
drawdowns may be withheld if reports are delinquent. Post-award reporting
requirements are described in "NIJ Guidelines for Submitting Applications,"
available at http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/funding.htm.

C. Documents that protect the confidentiality of information and human
subjects: Federal regulations require applicants for NIJ funding to outline
specific procedures for protecting private information about individuals as part
of the Privacy Certificate submitted with the application package. For complete
details, see "NIJ Guidelines for Submitting Applications," available at
http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/funding.htm.

D. Electronic data: Some grant recipients will be required to submit electronic
data and supporting documentation, such as a codebook or dictionary, capable
of being re-analyzed and used by other researchers. The materials must be
submitted by the end date of the grant. Grant applicants should ensure that the
proposed timeline and budget accommodate these requirements.

E. Performance guidelines: NIJ collects data to comply with the Government
Performance and Results Act (GPRA), Public Law 103-62. Generally, these
data are contained in a grantee's final report (discussed in Section V of this
solicitation), but NIJ may request additional information to facilitate future
planning and to ensure accurate reporting to Congress and others on the
measurable results of grants. For complete details, see "NIJ Guidelines for
Submitting Applications," available at http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/funding.htm.

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Tips for Submitting Your Application

1. Begin the application process early--especially if you have never used the
online Grants Management System before. NIJ will not accept applications
received after the closing date and time listed on the cover. To start the
process, go to http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/fundopps.htm.

2. Be sure your application package includes: 

o Abstract of no more than 400 words.

o Complete budget, including detailed worksheet and narrative.

o Program narrative. 

3. Review "NIJ Guidelines for Submitting Applications" for complete
instructions, available at http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/funding.htm. 

4. Although your proposal may budget for the purchase of equipment if the
equipment is necessary to conduct the project, NIJ will not fund applications
that are primarily to purchase equipment, materials, or supplies. 

5. Call for help:

o For technical guidance about the Grants Management System, call the hotline
at 1-888-549-9901.

o For questions about this solicitation, the research being solicited, or other NIJ
funding opportunities, contact the U.S. Department of Justice Response Center
at 1-800-421-6770.

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View or print a copy of this document from the NIJ Web site
(http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/funding.htm) or request one by calling NCJRS at
1-800-851-3420 or e-mailing askncjrs@ncjrs.org.

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The National Institute of Justice is the research, development, and evaluation
agency of the U.S. Department of Justice. NIJ provides objective, independent,
evidence-based knowledge and tools to enhance the administration of justice
and public safety.

NIJ is a component of the Office of Justice Programs, which also includes the
Bureau of Justice Assistance, the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the Office of
Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, and the Office for Victims of
Crime.

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