FY24 COPS Office Solicitations 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Does the COPS Office offer any pre-application webinars for potential applicants? 

The COPS Office provides resources to potential applicants on its How to Apply web page, including tips 

for applying to COPS Office solicitations. 

How do I complete the SF-LLL Lobbying Form in Grants.gov? My organization does not lobby. 

All applicants must complete the SF-LLL in Grants.gov. If your organization does not have lobbying to 

disclose, mark “N/A” in all required fields. 

What is the Intergovernmental Review on the SF-424? 

Intergovernmental Review (SF-424 question 19): COPS Office solicitations are subject to Executive Order 

(EO) 12372, Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs. Applicants must check the Office of 

Management and Budget’s website for the names and addresses of Single Points of Contact (SPOC) 

under Intergovernmental Review: https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/SPOC-4-

1-3-20.pdf. If the applicant’s state appears on the SPOC list, the applicant must contact the state SPOC

to find out about and comply with the state’s process under EO 12372. In completing the SF-424, such

an applicant is to make the appropriate selection in response to question 19 once the applicant has

complied with its state EO12372 process. An applicant whose state does not appear on the SPOC list

should answer question 19 by selecting the following response: “Program is subject to EO 12372 but has

not been selected by the state for review.”

How do I get started using JustGrants? 

For more detailed information on how to use each specific functionality within JustGrants and to apply 

to a solicitation, please refer to the JustGrants Training page or frequently asked questions (FAQ) at 

https://justicegrants.usdoj.gov/getting-started#secureOnboarding. 

I am trying to sign into JustGrants and have requested a code or token but have not received it. What 

do I do? 

Wait a few minutes. There is a short delay between when a code is requested and when it is sent. If you 

still have not received your code within 30 minutes, refer to DIAMD’s Frequently Asked Questions at 

https://justicegrants.usdoj.gov/sites/g/files/xyckuh296/files/media/document/diamd-faqs.pdf#receivesms-login-code (pages 8–14). You may need to try a different browser. If that doesn’t work, please 

contact the JustGrants Help Desk for assistance at JustGrants.Support@usdoj.gov or 833-872-5175, 

Monday through Friday from 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. ET and Saturdays, Sundays, and federal holidays 

from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Do I need to assign two authorized representatives in the JustGrants application? 

Yes, the Entity Administrator will need to log in to JustGrants to review and assign the required two 

Authorized Representatives (Law Enforcement Executive/Program Official and Government 

Executive/Financial Official). The Authorized Representatives are officials who have ultimate and final 

responsibility for all programmatic and financial decisions regarding this COPS Office award as 

representatives of your agency, as the legal recipient. For guidance, please see the following: 

For law enforcement agencies 

• Authorized Representative—top law enforcement executive (e.g., chief of police, sheriff, or

equivalent)

• Authorized Representative—top government executive (e.g., mayor, board chairman, or

equivalent)

For non–law enforcement agencies 

• Authorized Representative—top programmatic official (e.g., executive director, chief

executive officer, or equivalent)

• Authorized Representative—top financial official (e.g., chief financial officer, treasurer, or

equivalent)

Please note that nonexecutive positions (e.g., clerks, trustees) are not acceptable Authorized 

Representatives. 

If an Authorized Representative does not have a JustGrants account, the Entity Administrator will need 

to invite the individual to receive a JustGrants account. These actions are required before an application 

can be submitted. 

Within minutes of being invited to be an Authorized Representative, the individual will receive an email 

from DIAMD-NoReply@usdoj.gov with instructions on how to create an account in DOJ’s secure user 

management system. 

Once the Authorized Representatives receives the email and completes the steps to create an account, 

and logs in, the Authorized Representative will be available in JustGrants. 

Review the JustGrants User Roles Guide to become familiar with the various JustGrants Entity User 

roles. 

COPS Office Solicitations FY 2024

Frequently Asked Questions Page 2 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Do I need to confirm my two authorized representatives in the Just Grants application? 

Yes, one of the final steps to submitting your application is to confirm your two authorized 

representatives (Law Enforcement Executive/Program Official and Government Executive/Financial 

Official). 

The Application Submitter will need to select two authorized representatives via dropdown field in the 

“Confirm Authorized Representative” section of the application. The dropdown will display all 

authorized representatives that have been assigned for your entity if they have created an account and 

logged in (see the Application Submission Job Aid Reference Guide for this step). 

What happens if I don’t see my authorized representative’s name in the dropdown in JustGrants? 

If you do not see authorized representatives for your entity in the dropdown field in the “Confirmed 

Authorized Representative” section of the application, you will need to contact your agency’s Entity 

Administrator. Only the Entity Administrator for your organization can invite the authorized 

representatives to create accounts and add and assign the role for each authorized representative for 

your entity. Each authorized representative must log in at least once before their name will be visible. 

Please note: Please be aware user names will not be visible in JustGrants until users have successfully 

logged into JustGrants. If you need assistance adding users and assigning roles for your entity, please 

refer to the Entity Management Job Aid Reference Guide. 

I can see my authorized representative in the “Confirm Authorized Representative” section of the 

application, but the system will not allow me to select my representatives. How do I rectify this issue? 

To help move beyond this issue, click on the trash can icon to clear your prior selections. Once the 

selections are cleared, go back to the drop-down fields to select your authorized representatives and 

click the “Confirm” button. 

How do I answer the survey questions in the application? 

Please refer to the following steps to help guide you through initiating, completing, modifying, and 

obtaining the status of solicitation surveys in the JustGrants system: 

• To initiate a survey, please click on the survey title to open.

• When you have completed the survey, please click the “Finish” button on the lower right

corner of the screen. The system will direct you to a review screen displaying your survey

responses. The survey is not yet complete until it reads “Resolved-Completed.”

• To go back to the initial list of surveys, go to the “Actions” menu at the top right corner of

the screen and select “Close” to exit the survey review screen. The survey you just

completed will still display an “Open” status.

COPS Office Solicitations FY 2024

Frequently Asked Questions Page 3 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• To confirm the completed status of your survey, go back to the “Actions” menu and select

“Refresh.” The status of your completed survey will change to “Resolved-Completed.”

• If you would like to verify the survey responses of a completed survey, you may click the

survey title to reopen the selected survey and view your saved responses.

• If you would like to change and/or update the survey responses of a completed survey, you

may click the “Re-open” option to update your saved responses.

• Remember, to confirm the status of a completed survey, you will need to click the “Actions”

menu and “Refresh.”

When I attempt to complete the eligibility survey, I receive the following error message: “You may not 

be eligible to apply for this solicitation. Please contact the COPS Office Response Center at 800-421-

6770.” I am unable to complete the survey or move forward in the application process. What should I 

do? 

If you receive this error message, your organization is ineligible to apply for the solicitation, but you may 

be eligible for other COPS Office solicitations. Do not continue this application; instead, search for new 

grant opportunities at https://cops.usdoj.gov/grants. 

COPS Office Solicitations FY 2024

Frequently Asked Questions Page 4 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When I attempt to submit my application, I receive the following error message: “Solicitation 

Specific/Survey Questions are a critical component for this application. Please return to the Data 

Requested with Application section to complete it.” What should I do? 

If you receive this error message, return to the Data Requested with Application section to complete any 

unfinished surveys to submit a complete application. If you receive the error message “You may not be 

eligible to apply for this solicitation. Please contact the COPS Office Response Center at 800-421-6770,” 

your organization is ineligible for this solicitation and will not be able to submit. Your organization may 

be eligible for other COPS Office solicitations. Additional funding opportunities can be found at 

https://cops.usdoj.gov/grants. 

Can I submit an application if I am a current COPS Office award recipient? 

As long as you meet the solicitation eligibility requirements, you are eligible to apply. For some 

programs, as outlined in the “Review Criteria” section of the solicitation guide, the COPS Office includes 

the following criterion: “Project will not result in unnecessary duplication of other efforts by the COPS 

Office or other DOJ components.” 

Can I apply to more than one COPS Office program? 

Yes, applicants that meet the eligibility requirements for multiple programs may submit one application 

for each of those programs. However, you may not submit multiple applications for the same proposed 

project. We strongly recommend that you complete the application process in Grants.gov and begin the 

JustGrants application before starting another application. This will ensure that the correct SF-424 will 

be assigned within JustGrants Application System. 

COPS Office Solicitations FY 2024

Frequently Asked Questions Page 5 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Can you provide assistance or feedback on proposed ideas? 

The COPS Office is committed to ensuring a fair and open process, so we are unable to evaluate the 

merits of proposals during the open solicitation period. Please carefully review the solicitation materials 

for the types of projects the COPS Office is looking to invest in this year. Once the solicitation closes, 

COPS Office staff screen and score applications according to the review process and criteria as set forth 

in the Application Review Information section of the FY 2024 Solicitation Guide. 

What else should I consider as I am writing my project narrative or responding to application 

questions? 

Most responses are evaluated in a highly competitive forum, with hundreds of solicitation proposals 

competing for the same funds. Most solicitation proposals do not receive funding. Your proposal must 

meet at least two goals: (1) Inform the reader of your plans and (2) persuade the reader that your 

project is worthy of funding. 

Applicants should consider addressing the following points: 

• The need or problem that you will address or fix with the award is significant and worthy of

funding.

• The project or program can be funded under the solicitation, i.e., it meets the requirements

of the program.

• The project or program is well planned to ensure a successful implementation if the funds

are awarded.

• You are capable of successfully managing the funds and completing the proposed project on

schedule and meeting your goals and requirements.

Respond to reviewers’ needs and expectations by 

• including details that sufficiently clarify your plans for the reviewers, who may be unfamiliar

with them and who may be reading several other proposals at the same time;

• providing good reasons for funding the proposed project in view of the solicitation’s

purpose and goals;

• ensuring that the responses are well written and that important information is easily

accessible. Reviewers who have trouble accessing or understanding important information

will not be convinced that the proposed project deserves funding.

It might help to read the solicitation several times, making note of the overarching theme, its specific 

requirements, costs that may be prohibited, the performance data that you will need to report, and all 

tasks that will be required if an award is made. 

Finally, pay particular attention to the review process criteria and the percentages allocated for each 

section as a way to gauge the importance and how much space should be allocated. 

COPS Office Solicitations FY 2024

Frequently Asked Questions Page 6 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How long is the award period? 

Please refer to the individual program solicitation guide for the award period. Budgets should accurately 

reflect the appropriate performance period. 

I am trying to move forward in the application process, and the system will not allow me to move 

forward without submitting a document that is not required or not applicable. What should I do? 

Please refer to the solicitation guide to confirm the document is not required. If it is not applicable or 

required, upload a document with the text “Not applicable” to the “Additional Application Components” 

section of the application. This should allow you to proceed. If it does not, please contact the JustGrants 

Help Desk. 

Is there an appeal process? 

All award decisions are final and not subject to appeal. 

When should I expect notification if awarded program funds? 

It is anticipated that awards will be announced on or after October 1, 2024. Notifications will be sent 

electronically. Any public announcements will be posted on the COPS Office website at

https://cops.usdoj.gov. 

I will not be able to submit my application before the solicitation deadline. What is the COPS Office 

process for submitting a request for extension?

Please refer to the individual program solicitation guide for instruction on late submissions. 

I submitted a request for late submission, when should I expect a response from the COPS Office 

regarding my request?

The COPS Office will respond to each applicant as soon as possible with an approval and instructions for 

submission, or a rejection. If the technical issues you reported cannot be validated, your request for an 

extension will be rejected. You may follow up on your request by sending an email directly to 

AskCopsRC@usdoj.gov. 

Please note: To ensure a fair competition for limited discretionary funds, the following conditions are 

not valid reasons for extensions of the submission deadline: (1) failure to begin the registration process 

in sufficient time; (2) failure to follow instructions on Grants.gov or JustGrants; (3) failure of the two 

assigned authorized representatives, with the proper authority, to activate accounts in JustGrants prior 

to application submission; (4) failure to follow all of the instructions in the solicitation; (5) failure to 

register or update information on the SAM website; and (6) failure to register or complete SF-424 in 

Grants.gov. 

COPS Office Solicitations FY 2024

Frequently Asked Questions Page 7