2020 COPS Office Anti-Heroin Task Force Program (AHTF) 

Award Owner’s Manual

U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services

www.cops.usdoj.gov
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2020 COPS Office Anti-Heroin Task Force Program (AHTF) Award Owner’s Manual 

2020 COPS Office Anti-Heroin Task Force Program (AHTF) 

Award Owner’s Manual 

This manual was created to assist COPS Office Anti-Heroin Task Force Program (AHTF) program recipients with the 

administrative and financial matters associated with their award. 

For more information about your AHTF award, please contact your COPS Office Grant Program Specialist. If you do 

not know the name or telephone number of your Grant Program Specialist, please contact the COPS Office 

Response Center at 800-421-6770. 

U.S. Department of Justice 

Office of Community Oriented Policing Services 

145 N Street NE 

Washington, DC 20530 

Visit the COPS Office online: www.cops.usdoj.gov 

Published June 2020 

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2020 COPS Office Anti-Heroin Task Force Program (AHTF) Award Owner’s Manual 

Contents 

Getting Started ..............................................................................................................................................................1 

I. Award Acceptance, Terms, and Conditions................................................................................................................

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The award document 2 

Award terms and conditions 3 

What are the specific rules regarding termination of award funding? 36 

Accepting the award 36 

Who should sign the award document for our agency? 37 

By when must the award document be signed? 37 

II. Procurement Process...............................................................................................................................................

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III. Accessing Award Funds 39 

Payment method 39 

Setting up your account 39 

Additional payment questions 41 

Matching funds 42 

IV. Financial Record Maintenance 43 

Accounting systems and records 43 

V. Federal Audit Requirements....................................................................................................................................

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Single Audit Act (SAA) requirements 45 

Office of Inspector General (OIG) recipient audits 46 

Typical audit findings 47 

VI. Reporting Requirements 49 

Federal Financial Reports 49 

Program Progress Reports 50 

Contact points to obtain technical assistance and report violations 52 

VII. When the Award Period Has Ended 53 

Final Federal Financial Report (SF-425) 53 

Final Program Progress (Closeout) Report 54 

Equipment disposition 54 

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2020 COPS Office Anti-Heroin Task Force Program (AHTF) Award Owner’s Manual 

VIII. Conclusion ............................................................................................................................................................

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55 

Appendices 56 

Appendix A. List of Source Documents 56 

Appendix B. Assurances and Certifications 57 

Appendix C. Community policing defined 62 

Appendix D. COPS Office Anti-Heroin Task Force (AHTF) program file management: Documents to maintain in 

AHTF award file 69 

Appendix E. Enhancement of contractor protection from reprisal for disclosure of certain information (41 U.S.C. 

§ 4712) 72 

Appendix F. 2 C.F.R. Appendix II to Part 200: Contract provisions for nonfederal entity contracts under federal 

awards 76 

Appendix G. Remittance of Interest Earned Amounts 78 

Appendix H. Other COPS Office resources 79 

Appendix I. Program fact sheets 80 

Appendix J. ACH templates with instructions 88 

Appendix K. Civil rights memorandum 98 

Glossary of Terms 99 

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2020 COPS Office Anti-Heroin Task Force Program (AHTF) Award Owner’s Manual 

Getting Started 

Congratulations on receiving an award from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Community Oriented 

Policing Services (COPS Office). The 2020 COPS Office Anti-Heroin Task Force Program (AHTF) is designed to 

advance public safety by providing funds to state law enforcement agencies with high rates of primary treatment 

admissions for heroin and other opioids. This AHTF funding must be used for investigative purposes to locate or 

investigate, through statewide collaboration, illicit activities, including activities related to the distribution of 

heroin or unlawful distribution of prescriptive opioids and unlawful diversion and distribution of prescriptive 

opioids. 

The allowable uses of your agency’s AHTF award are specified on the AHTF Financial Clearance Memorandum 

(FCM). If your agency’s local fiscal conditions have changed since submitting the FY 2020 AHTF application and 

your agency wishes to modify its AHTF award to reprogram awarded funding into different funding categories, 

please refer to the award conditions of this manual for detailed information on requesting a post-award 

modification. 

Compliance with this Award Owner’s Manual is a condition of your award and this manual is binding guidance. This 

manual will assist your agency with the administrative and financial matters associated with your award. It was 

developed by the COPS Office to ensure that all AHTF recipients clearly understand and meet the requirements of 

their award. Please review this manual carefully because a failure to follow award requirements can have serious 

ramifications. Please do not hesitate to call the COPS Office Response Center at 800-421-6770 if you need 

assistance with the implementation of your award. 

Thank you for providing us with the opportunity to work in partnership with your community. 

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2020 COPS Office Anti-Heroin Task Force Program (AHTF) Award Owner’s Manual 

I. Award Acceptance, Terms, and Conditions 

To officially accept and begin your COPS Office Anti-Heroin Task Force program award, your agency must access 

https://portal.cops.usdoj.gov, to log in, review, and electronically sign the award document with the award terms 

and conditions; and the financial clearance memorandum that is incorporated by reference into the award 

document; and, if applicable, the special award conditions or high risk conditions in the award document 

supplement within 90 days of the date shown on the award congratulatory letter. Please see the Agency Portal 

User Manual at https://cops.usdoj.gov/ahtf#programdocuments for detailed instructions on award acceptance. 

Your agency will not be able to draw down award funds until the COPS Office receives your signed award 

document. For more information on drawing down award funds, please see the section, “Accessing Award Funds” 

in this manual. 

The award document 

The award document is the document indicating your official award funding amount, the award number, the 

award terms and conditions, and the award start and end dates. 

The award document is pre-printed with your agency’s law enforcement and government executives’ names. If this 

information is incorrect or has changed, please update your agency contacts online at 

https://portal.cops.usdoj.gov. If the law enforcement or government official has changed since the time of 

application, please have the current law enforcement executive or government executive for your agency sign the 

award document. Be sure to familiarize yourself with all terms, conditions, and requirements of your award before 

signing the award document. To officially accept your award, please electronically sign the award document within 

90 days of the date shown on the award congratulatory letter. Print and retain a copy of all pages of the award 

document, award terms and conditions, the Financial Clearance Memorandum (FCM), and the award document 

supplement for your records. The award start date indicated on the award document means that your agency may 

be reimbursed for any allowable costs incurred on or after this date. The duration of your AHTF award is two years 

(24 months). 

Your award number is in the following format: 2020-HPWX-0000 for Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 awards. The COPS Office 

tracks award information based upon this number. Therefore, it is important to have your agency’s award number 

(or your agency’s ORI number) readily available when corresponding with the COPS Office. 

Your originating agency identifier (ORI) number begins with your state abbreviation followed by five numbers or 

letters (e.g., VA00000). This number is assigned by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for use in tracking 

information for the Uniform Crime Report (UCR). The COPS Office tracks programmatic award information based 

upon this ORI number. If you have any questions regarding your award, please refer to your award number or your 

agency’s ORI number when you contact the COPS Office. 

Your Office of Justice Programs (OJP) vendor number, in most circumstances, is your agency’s nine- or thirteendigit federal tax identification number assigned to you by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). If your OJP vendor 

number differs from your tax identification number, the OJP vendor number is only to be used for administrative 

purposes in connection with this program, and should not be used for IRS purposes. 

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2020 COPS Office Anti-Heroin Task Force Program (AHTF) Award Owner’s Manual 

Award terms and conditions 

The award terms and conditions are listed on your agency’s award document. By accepting this award, you are 

obtaining federal funds from the COPS Office. As part of that agreement, your agency acknowledges that it will 

comply with the terms and conditions (and, if applicable, additional special or high risk conditions specific to your 

agency). The section that follows describes in detail all of the award conditions, their rationales, and their 

implications. It also addresses many frequently asked questions. If you have additional questions concerning any of 

these award terms and conditions, please contact your COPS Office Grant Program Specialist via the COPS Office 

Response Center at 800-421-6770. 

In limited circumstances, your award may be subject to special or high risk conditions that prevent your agency 

from drawing down or accessing award funds until the special conditions are satisfied as determined by the COPS 

Office. Any special or high risk conditions will be included in the award document supplement. However, if you 

have questions about the special or high risk conditions, please call your COPS Office Grant Program Specialist via 

the COPS Office Response Center at 800-421-6770. 

Reasons for award terms and conditions 

The requirements of your AHTF award are established within 

• the Public Safety Partnership and Community Policing Act of 1994, which established the COPS Office; 

• applicable rules, regulations, and policies issued by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Management 

and Budget (OMB), the Government Accountability Office (GAO), and the United States Treasury; 

• the specific AHTF programmatic requirements established by the COPS Office. 

A list of source documents for this manual is provided in the appendices. You may request copies of any source 

reference document from: 

Office of Administration, Publication Unit 

New Executive Office Building 

725 17th Street NW, Room G 236 

Washington, DC 20503 

COPS Office-specific documents may be requested directly from the COPS Office. 

Review of award terms and conditions 

By signing the Award Document to accept this COPS Office Anti-Heroin Task Force program award, your agency 

agrees to abide by the following award conditions: 

1. Award Owner’s Manual 

Condition: 

The recipient agrees to comply with the terms and conditions in the applicable 2020 COPS Office Program Award 

Owner's Manual; COPS Office statute (34 U.S.C. § 10381, et seq.); the requirements of 2 C.F.R. Part 200 (Uniform 

Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards) as adopted by the U.S. 

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2020 COPS Office Anti-Heroin Task Force Program (AHTF) Award Owner’s Manual 

Department of Justice in 2 C.F.R. § 2800.101; 48 C.F.R. Part 31 (FAR Part 31) as applicable (Contract Cost Principles 

and Procedures); the Cooperative Agreement as applicable; representations made in the application; and all other 

applicable program requirements, laws, orders, regulations, or circulars. 

Why this condition: 

This manual has been designed to inform you of the requirements, laws, regulations, and policies that apply to 

your award. Your organization will be responsible for the information and rules contained in this manual and for 

implementing your award in compliance with the applicable terms, conditions, and regulations. Please note that in 

accordance with 2 C.F.R. § 200.101(c), the COPS Office applies 2 C.F.R. Subparts A through E to for-profit (or 

commercial) entities. More detailed guidance regarding any particular award requirement or your agency’s specific 

circumstances can be requested through your COPS Office Grant Program Specialist. 

What you should do: 

Please read the entire AHTF Award Owner’s Manual carefully prior to signing the award document. If you have any 

questions, please contact your COPS Office Grant Program Specialist. When accepting your award, you should 

ensure that the proper reporting and financial systems are in place to satisfy the award requirements. 

2. Assurances and Certifications 

Condition: 

The recipient acknowledges its agreement to comply with the Assurances and Certifications forms that were signed 

as part of its application. 

Why this condition: 

Although the COPS Office has made every effort to simplify the process of applying for and receiving awards, 

several provisions of federal law require us to obtain the recipient’s signed Assurances and Certifications regarding 

certain matters. Most of the Assurances and Certifications apply to all federal award programs. 

What you should do: 

Applicants to COPS Office award programs are required to sign the Assurances and Certifications forms at the time 

of application and application update. Signing these documents assures the COPS Office that you have read, 

understood, and accepted the award terms and conditions outlined in the Assurances and Certifications. Please 

read these documents carefully, because signatures on these documents are treated as a material representation 

of fact upon which reliance was placed when the U.S. Department of Justice determined whether to fund the 

covered award. Additional copies of the Assurances and Certifications forms are contained in the appendices of 

this manual. If you have any questions about them, please contact your COPS Office Grant Program Specialist via 

the COPS Office Response Center at 800-421-6770. 

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3. Allowable Costs 

Condition: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2020 COPS Office Anti-Heroin Task Force Program (AHTF) Award Owner’s Manual 

The funding under this project is for the payment of approved costs for activities related to the establishment and 

enhancement of a variety of problem-solving strategies to investigate illicit activities related to heroin, fentanyl, 

carfentanil, or other opioids in your jurisdiction. The allowable costs for which your agency’s award has been 

approved are limited to those listed on the Financial Clearance Memorandum (FCM), which is included in your 

agency’s award package. The FCM specifies the costs that your agency is allowed to fund with your AHTF award, 

and specifies the overall amount approved for each budget request category. Your agency may not use AHTF award 

funds for any costs that are not identified as allowable in the Financial Clearance Memorandum. 

Only actual allowable costs incurred during the award period will be eligible for reimbursement and drawdown. If 

your agency experiences any cost savings over the course of the award (for example, your award application 

overestimated the total entry-level officer salary and fringe benefits package), your agency may not use that excess 

funding to extend the length of the award beyond 24 months. Any funds remaining after your agency has drawn 

down for the costs approved during the 24-month funding period will be deobligated during the closeout process, 

and should not be spent by your agency. 

Why this condition: 

Funding under this project may only be used for the purchase of items and services approved by the COPS Office as 

reflected in the Financial Clearance Memorandum (FCM). The COPS Office Anti-Heroin Task Force program funds 

the hiring of personnel and purchase of equipment, services, and other items that will allow recipients the 

opportunity to establish and enhance a variety of projects to encourage the continuation and enhancement of 

community policing efforts while investigating heroin and other opioid problems in your jurisdiction. 

To be eligible for payment under this award, the purchase or hire of approved items/personnel must be made on 

or after the award start date and comply with the guidelines described in the “Accessing Award Funds” section of 

this manual. The section “Financial Record Maintenance” outlines the types of records you must keep to document 

that you followed this award condition. Purchases and salary/benefit expenditures must also reflect the costs that 

were approved as shown in the FCM. 

What you should do: 

All recipients should keep and maintain the most recent, approved version of their 2020 AHTF application. To view 

and print this document, you can log into your account at www.cops.usdoj.gov. Please select “COPS Applications” 

from the menu of services and click on the ‘Print’ icon to download the most recent version of your application in 

.pdf format. 

Refer to your FCM for the list of approved allowable costs. Listed below are the budget categories that may appear 

on your FCM. As long as funds are spent during the award period on the equipment and technology, supplies, 

travel, contracts/consultants, salary and benefits, and other costs that were documented in your application’s 

budget summary and were approved through the issuance of the FCM, this award condition will be satisfied. 

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2020 COPS Office Anti-Heroin Task Force Program (AHTF) Award Owner’s Manual 

Equipment 

To be eligible for payment under this award, the purchase of equipment and technology must occur on or after the 

award start date, the items must be those specifically applied for and approved by the COPS Office, and they must 

meet the guidelines described in 2 C.F.R. Part 200, Subpart E – Cost Principles. Equipment or technology purchased 

on or after the award start date must be in addition to purchases that the recipient is obligated or funded to make 

in its current budget. Funds currently allocated to purchase equipment or technology may not be reallocated to 

other purposes or reimbursed upon the award of an AHTF award. 

Sworn officer positions (salaries and benefits) 

Sworn officer salary and fringe benefits apply to new, full-time, sworn career law enforcement officers not already 

funded in the applicant’s local budget. A career law enforcement officer is a person hired on a permanent basis 

who is authorized by law, or by a state, local, or tribal agency, to engage in or oversee the prevention, detection, 

and/or investigation of violations of criminal laws. Officers must be hired on or after the award start date and 

positions must directly relate to the AHTF project. Officers previously employed by your agency may be rehired 

using AHTF award funds. Rehired officers are officers who meet one of the following conditions: 

• The officer had been laid off by your jurisdiction prior to the original date of the award application as a result 

of state, local, or Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) budget cuts. 

• At the time of the award application, the officer was scheduled to be laid off by your jurisdiction on a specific 

future date as a result of state, local, or BIA budget cuts. 

If current personnel are redeployed into this program, they must be paid with local funds. AHTF award funds may 

be used to backfill the resulting vacancy with newly hired personnel for an equivalent amount of time. (Please 

note: Overtime for sworn officers engaging in AHTF-related activities is an allowable cost; however, any overtime 

expenses requested for sworn officer positions must be listed in the “Other Costs” section of your application’s 

budget. Overtime expenses must exceed the expenditures that your agency is obligated or funded to pay in its 

current budget.) 

Civilian/nonsworn personnel (salaries and benefits) 

Civilian salary and fringe benefits apply to new personnel not already funded in the applicant’s local budget. Staff 

must be hired on or after the award start date, and positions must directly relate to the AHTF project. Examples of 

allowable personnel and fringe benefits costs include those for civilian AHTF project coordinators or antiheroin/drug problem analysts. 

Fringe benefits may be paid if they are part of a reasonable compensation package offered to your employees. 

Particular items of fringe benefits must fall within the categories authorized by the COPS Office. Authorized fringe 

benefits include FICA, Social Security, health insurance, life insurance, vacation, sick leave, retirement, worker’s 

compensation, and unemployment insurance. 

Supplies 

All supplies must be used solely for the project identified in your project proposal. Reimbursement for office 

supplies that are consumed by routine administrative purposes instead of project-related activities is prohibited. 

Items must meet the guidelines described in 2 C.F.R. Part 200, Subpart E – Cost Principles. 

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2020 COPS Office Anti-Heroin Task Force Program (AHTF) Award Owner’s Manual 

Travel/training 

Travel costs for transportation, lodging, subsistence, temporary dependent care, and related items are allowable 

under the COPS Office Anti-Heroin Task Force program with prior approval from the COPS Office. 

In accordance with 2 C.F.R. § 200.474, travel costs for official business directly related to the award will be 

reimbursed based upon the recipient’s written travel reimbursement policies if the costs are reasonable and 

allocable under the project. In the absence of an acceptable written policy regarding travel costs, allowable rates 

and amounts established by the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) for the relevant geographic area will 

apply. The current GSA travel policy and per diem rates can be found at www.gsa.gov. Allowable airfare costs will 

be reimbursed based upon least expensive unrestricted accommodations class offered by commercial airfare, the 

Federal Government contract airfare (if authorized and available), or standard coach airfare, unless otherwise 

authorized in advance by the COPS Office. 

Temporary dependent care costs above and beyond regular dependent care that directly results from conference 

travels are allowable as long as the costs incurred (1) are a direct result of the individual’s travel for the federal 

award; (2) are consistent with the recipient’s documented travel policy for all entity travel; and (3) are only 

temporary during the travel period. 

The COPS Office Anti-Heroin Task Force program will fund award-related travel costs for the recipient agency or 

other (nonrecipient) individuals to attend training and technical assistance conferences, seminars, or classes or to 

visit a site specified in the application. Allowable award-related travel costs that were included in the application 

have been approved by the COPS Office as part of the AHTF award and final budget. Your agency should keep 

timely and accurate records of all travel expenses. If at any time these costs change, you should immediately 

contact your COPS Office Grant Program Specialist. 

Contracts/consultants 

Compensation for individual consultant services procured under a COPS Office award must be reasonable and 

allocable in accordance with 2 C.F.R. Part 200, Subpart E—Cost Principles, and consistent with that paid for similar 

services in the marketplace. Unless otherwise approved by the COPS Office, consultant rates will be based on the 

salary a consultant receives from his or her primary employer, as applicable, up to $650 per day. For consultant or 

contractor rates which exceed $650 per day, the COPS Office requires written justification if the consultants or 

contractors are hired through a noncompetitive bidding process and recipients must receive COPS Office approval 

of those rates before drawing down award funds. Determinations of approval will be made on a case-by-case basis. 

Other costs 

Project-related expenditures that do not conform to any of the category descriptions specified above (i.e. sworn 

officer overtime) were included in this section of your FCM. In addition, items that have a direct correlation to the 

overall success of a recipient’s project objectives and are necessary for the project to reach full implementation 

will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the COPS Office. 

Requests may be made only for items or positions that are not otherwise budgeted with state, local, or BIA funds, 

and would not be funded in the absence of the AHTF award. 

If at any time you are unsure if an item is considered allowable or unallowable, please contact your COPS Office 

Grant Program Specialist for further assistance. 

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2020 COPS Office Anti-Heroin Task Force Program (AHTF) Award Owner’s Manual 

Please be advised that recipients may not use COPS Office funding for the same item or service also funded by 

another U.S. Department of Justice award. See also award condition “Duplicative Funding.” 

4. Supplementing, Not Supplanting 

Condition: 

State, local, and tribal government recipients must use award funds to supplement, and not supplant, state, local, 

or Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) funds that are already committed or otherwise would have been committed for 

award purposes (hiring, training, purchases, and/or activities) during the award period. In other words, state, local, 

and tribal government recipients may not use COPS Office funds to supplant (replace) state, local, or BIA funds that 

would have been dedicated to the COPS Office-funded item(s) in the absence of the COPS Office award. 34 U.S.C. § 

1038(a)4. 

Why this condition: 

The COPS Office statutory nonsupplanting requirement mandates that award funds not be used to replace state or 

local funds (or, for tribal recipients, BIA funds) that would, in the absence of federal aid, be made available for the 

award purposes. 

What you should do: 

AHTF funds may not be used to pay for any item or cost funded under the award (equipment, personnel, training, 

etc.) if that item or cost was otherwise budgeted with state, local, or BIA funds. In addition, recipients may not 

reallocate state, local, or BIA funds from one area within the law enforcement budget to another as a result of 

receiving AHTF award funds. If you have questions concerning this award term and how it pertains to your project 

budget please contact your COPS Office Grant Program Specialist. 

Personnel 

To meet this award condition, you must ensure the following: 

• Each individual employed under the COPS Office Anti-Heroin Task Force program award is newly hired on or 

after the award start date, unless an exception is authorized in writing by the COPS Office. If current 

personnel are redeployed into this program, they must be paid with local funds. The COPS Office award funds 

may be used to backfill the resulting vacancy with newly hired personnel for an equivalent amount of time. 

• Any officer(s) or civilian(s) that you are hiring bring(s) your force not only to a number over and above the 

number of funded positions that you had on the date of your COPS Office Anti-Heroin Task Force Program 

application (including funded but vacant positions) but also over and above the number of locally funded 

positions during the award period. 

• During the life of your award, you must continue to hire as many new, locally funded officers or civilians as 

you would have if you had not received your award. You may not cancel or postpone spending money in your 

budget that is committed to hiring other new officers or civilians. 

• You must take expeditious and timely steps to fill any vacancies that were created on or after the date of your 

award application by retirement, resignation, or other reasons with new officers or civilians other than your 

COPS Office Anti-Heroin Task Force program positions. 

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2020 COPS Office Anti-Heroin Task Force Program (AHTF) Award Owner’s Manual 

Example: If you are redeploying a current employee who would otherwise be paid $75,000 in salary and benefits 

during the life of the award project, your agency must continue to pay this employee with local funds. The COPS 

Office award funds may be used to backfill the resulting vacancy with a new hire, even though the COPS Officefunded position will not be working directly on the COPS Office Anti-Heroin Task Force program. 

Equipment and technology 

To meet this award condition, you must ensure the following: 

• Equipment and technology must be purchased on or after the award start date (unless an exception is 

authorized in writing by the COPS Office) and must be in addition to purchases that the recipient is obligated 

or funded to make in the current budget. Funds currently allocated to purchase equipment or technology 

may not be reallocated to other purposes or reimbursed upon the award of a COPS Office Anti-Heroin Task 

Force program award. For example, a recipient who has budgeted local funds to pay for a new computer 

system may not reallocate those funds to pay for any other law enforcement cost as a result of receiving 

AHTF funds for the same computer system. 

Overtime 

To meet this award condition, you must ensure the following: 

• Sworn officer overtime exceeds expenditures that you are obligated or funded to pay in the current budget. 

Funds currently allocated to pay for overtime may not be reallocated to other purposes or reimbursed upon 

the award of a COPS Office Anti-Heroin Task Force program award. Additionally, by the conditions of this 

award, you are required to track all overtime funded through the COPS Office Anti-Heroin Task Force 

program. 

Training 

To meet this award condition, you must ensure the following: 

• Any training provided by the COPS Office Anti-Heroin Task Force program is in addition to the number of 

hours of training already provided by your agency. Funds currently allocated for training may not be 

reallocated to other purposes. 

Note: This award condition applies to all state or locally funded agencies working in partnership with your agency 

under this award. Your agency is responsible for ensuring that any state or locally funded partnership agencies use 

COPS Office funds only to supplement, not supplant, their state or local funding as described in this condition. 

5. Extensions 

Condition: 

Your agency may request an extension of the award period to receive additional time to implement your award 

program. Such extensions do not provide additional funding. Awards may be extended a maximum of 24 months 

beyond the initial award expiration date. Any request for an extension beyond 24 months will be evaluated on a 

case-by-case basis. Only those recipients that can provide a reasonable justification for delays will be granted nocost extensions. Reasonable justifications may include technology implementation delays, training delays, or other 

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2020 COPS Office Anti-Heroin Task Force Program (AHTF) Award Owner’s Manual 

circumstances that interrupt the 24 month award funding period. An extension allows your agency to compensate 

for such delays by providing additional time to complete the full 24 months of funding. 2 C.F.R. § 

200.308(d)(2). Extension requests must be received prior to the end date of the award. 

Why this condition: 

Under federal regulations, requests to extend the award period require prior written approval from the COPS 

Office. Without an approved extension, your agency is not permitted to draw down federal funding for costs 

incurred beyond the official award end date. However, if justified, the COPS Office seeks to accommodate 

reasonable requests for no-cost time extensions in order to fully implement the COPS Office award. 

What you should do: 

The COPS Office will contact your agency during the last quarter of the award period to determine whether a nocost time extension is needed; extensions will not be processed prior to 90 days before the award end date. 

Requests to extend the award period must be submitted online and received by the COPS Office before the official 

award end date. Extension requests received after the expiration date will only be considered when the recipient 

provides justification of extraordinary circumstances; an example of this would be an instance where an 

unforeseen natural disaster prevented a recipient from requesting an extension. Failure to submit a request for a 

no-cost time extension by the end date may result in the immediate deobligation of any remaining award funds. 

All extension requests require review and approval by the COPS Office. Individual or cumulative requests greater 

than one-half of the award’s original term (i.e., 12 months) will require additional justification and must include a 

detailed timeline. 

If your agency has excess funds remaining at the end of the award due to salary and fringe benefits costs that were 

lower than anticipated, your agency cannot extend the 24-month funding period for the purpose of expending 

those excess funds. Recipients are entitled to a maximum of 24 months of federal funding based on the approved 

salary and fringe benefits costs in the FCM. The COPS Office will deobligate any remaining award funds during the 

closeout process. If you have any additional questions regarding a no-cost time extension, please contact your 

COPS Office Grant Program Specialist. 

6. Modifications 

Condition: 

Occasionally, a change in an agency’s fiscal or law enforcement situation necessitates a change in its COPS Office 

AHTF award. Award modifications under AHTF are evaluated on a case-by-case basis in accordance with 2 C.F.R. § 

200.308. For federal awards in excess of $250,000, any modification request involving the reallocation of funding 

between budget categories that exceed or are expected to exceed 10 percent (10%) of the total approved budget 

requires prior written approval by the COPS Office. Regardless of the federal award amount or budget modification 

percentage, any reallocation of funding is limited to approved budget categories. In addition, any budget 

modification that changes the scope of the project requires prior written approval by the COPS Office. In addition, 

please be aware that the COPS Office will not approve any modification request that results in an increase of 

federal funds. 

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Why this condition: 

 

 

 

 

2020 COPS Office Anti-Heroin Task Force Program (AHTF) Award Owner’s Manual 

The COPS Office realizes that agencies may need to reprogram award funds. Acceptable examples of such award 

modifications include purchasing additional equipment using cost-savings from approved items or purchasing a 

different type of equipment due to changing needs. Under federal regulations, you are required to expend award 

funds only as approved in the Financial Clearance Memorandum. Any requests to change or alter awards require 

written approval from the COPS Office prior to their implementation. Without prior written approval, you must 

continue to implement your award as it was originally awarded and accepted by your agency. Please be advised 

that reprogramming requests for unallowable costs will not be approved (construction, indirect costs, etc.).Your 

agency may reprogram its budget up to an aggregate (over the course of your project) of 10 percent of the total 

project cost without prior written approval from the COPS Office. However, you should notify your COPS Office 

Grant Program Specialist of any reprogramming that falls below the 10 percent threshold as well. For awards in 

excess of $250,000, any reprogramming of funds that totals an aggregate of 10 percent or more of the approved 

budget requires prior written approval from the COPS Office. 

What you should do: 

You are required to notify your COPS Office Grant Program Specialist if you determine that your agency will need 

to reprogram award funds. If your modification exceeds an aggregated (over the course of your project) 10 percent 

of your overall award, your agency must access https://portal.cops.usdoj.gov. 

Please contact your COPS Office Grant Program Specialist for further direction on any additional requirements that 

may apply to your modification request. The COPS Office will then evaluate your request and notify your agency of 

our decision in writing. Implementation of the modified award budget may begin following written approval from 

the COPS Office. Please note that modification approvals for active awards will be accompanied by a modified FCM 

reflecting the approved changes. 

7. Evaluations 

Condition: 

The COPS Office may conduct monitoring or sponsor national evaluations of its award programs. The recipient 

agrees to cooperate with the monitors and evaluators. 34 U.S.C. § 10385(b). 

Why this condition: 

The Public Safety Partnership and Community Policing Act of 1994 states that evaluations of the program may be 

carried out or commissioned by the Attorney General for the furtherance of the purposes of the Act. The COPS 

Office conducts evaluations to determine what programs are working, how programs may be improved, and why 

certain programs are more successful than others. Specifically, the COPS Office may assess the way in which your 

agency implements its AHTF award. In some jurisdictions, COPS Office staff or evaluators may study the 

effectiveness of funded programs, projects, and activities. Evaluators may collect information about the programs’ 

effect on crime, victims of crime, and the quality of life in communities. In addition, they may ask questions about 

the challenges encountered during project implementation, how residents feel about community policing, and 

how police feel about their work. This information will be useful to other communities and police agencies across 

the country. 

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When evaluations are undertaken, you may be contacted in writing with specific requests for information. In 

general, evaluators may need to speak with individuals in your department, observe activities, and obtain written 

reports about and from your department. You will be asked to facilitate any site visits and information-gathering 

activities. In addition, you will be asked to provide accurate and timely information about your award activities. 

You should fully comply with any requests made regarding these evaluations. 

8. Reports/Performance Goals 

Condition: 

To assist the COPS Office in monitoring and tracking the performance of your award, your agency will be 

responsible for submitting semiannual programmatic progress reports that describe project activities during the 

reporting period and quarterly Federal Financial Reports using Standard Form 425 (SF-425). 2 C.F.R §§ 200.327 – 

200.328. The progress report is used to track your agency’s progress toward implementing community policing 

strategies and to collect data to gauge the effectiveness of increasing your agency’s community policing capacity 

through COPS Office funding. The Federal Financial Report is used to track the expenditures of the recipient’s award 

funds on a cumulative basis throughout the life of the award. 

Why this condition: 

The Public Safety Partnership and Community Policing Act of 1994 and other federal regulations and policies 

require that financial assistance provided by the Federal Government be monitored carefully to ensure the proper 

use of federal funds. In addition, the COPS Office seeks to document, on a continuing basis, the progress of our 

programs and recipients. 

What you should do: 

This award condition is designed to make your agency aware of reporting requirements associated with AHTF 

awards. Semiannual programmatic progress reports and a final programmatic closeout report must be submitted 

directly to the COPS Office through the “Account Access” tab of the COPS Office website at www.cops.usdoj.gov. 

Your agency is also required to submit quarterly Federal Financial Reports using Standard Form 425 (SF-425) within 

30 days after the end of each calendar quarter. A final SF-425 will be due within 90 days after the end of the award 

period. This report reflects the actual cumulative federal expenditures incurred during the funding period and the 

remaining unobligated balance of federal funds. Under federal regulations, your agency is not permitted to draw 

down federal funding for costs incurred after the official award end date; however, you will have a 90-day grace 

period after the award end date during which you can draw down funds for eligible expenditures incurred before 

the award end date. Agencies with more than one delinquent programmatic or financial report submission per 

fiscal year may be subject to delays in receiving reimbursement for allowable expenses and may be required to 

receive technical assistance to improve compliance with reporting. These reports are discussed in greater detail in 

the section titled “Reports” in this manual. All reports should be submitted within the deadlines given to avoid 

suspension or possible termination of award funds or other remedial actions; failure to submit required reports 

may also impact future funding opportunities. 

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9. Award Monitoring Activities 

Condition: 

 

 

 

 

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Federal law requires that recipients receiving federal funding from the COPS Office must be monitored to ensure 

compliance with their award conditions and other applicable statutes and regulations. The COPS Office is also 

interested in tracking the progress of our programs and the advancement of community policing. Both aspects of 

award implementation—compliance and programmatic benefits—are part of the monitoring process coordinated 

by the U.S. Department of Justice. Award monitoring activities conducted by the COPS Office include site visits, 

enhanced office-based grant reviews, alleged noncompliance reviews, financial and programmatic reporting, and 

audit resolution. As a COPS Office award recipient, you agree to cooperate with and respond to any requests for 

information pertaining to your award. This includes all financial records, such as general accounting ledgers and all 

supporting documents. All information pertinent to the implementation of the award is subject to agency review 

throughout the life of the award, during the close-out process and for three-years after the submission of the final 

expenditure report. 34 U.S.C. § 10385(a) and 2 C.F.R. §§ 200.333 & 200.336. 

Why this condition: 

The Public Safety Partnership and Community Policing Act of 1994 states that each award program must contain a 

monitoring component. The COPS Office actively monitors how recipients are complying with COPS Office award 

requirements. In addition, the monitoring component provides customer service and technical assistance to help 

ensure recipients understand how to remain in compliance while implementing their awards. 

What you should do: 

Your agency may be required to accommodate routine and nonroutine efforts by the COPS Office, or an entity 

designated by the COPS Office, to examine your agency’s use of federal funds, both programmatically and 

financially. The four primary means of ensuring recipients’ compliance with the terms and conditions of their 

awards are as follows: 

1. Site visits. The COPS Office strategically selects award recipients based on a variety of risk factors to 

conduct site visits to ensure compliance with award terms and conditions. The purpose of site visits is 

threefold: 

i. To review for compliance with the terms and conditions of the award 

ii. To review the recipient’s community policing strategies 

iii. To provide customer service and technical assistance 

If selected, recipients will be notified in writing in advance with detailed instructions for how to prepare 

for the review of their COPS Office awards. The site visit is generally performed over a period of one day 

(additional days may depend on the review of numerous awards). Compliance reviews will be conducted 

for active awards to address any noncompliance and/or administrative issues identified during the review. 

Recipients will have an opportunity to resolve any identified noncompliance and/or administrative issues 

while on-site or, if necessary, following the site visit. In addition, recipients will also have an opportunity 

to seek customer service and/or technical assistance on the implementation of their award. 

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2. Enhanced Office-Based Grant Reviews (EOBGR). In lieu of a site visit, awards may be selected for an 

EOBGR conducted at the COPS Office via teleconference or video conference. EOBGRs serve as an 

alternative for conducting site visit reviews in support of the COPS Office’s overall award monitoring 

strategy. The purpose of the EOBGR is threefold: 

i. To review for compliance with the terms and conditions of the award 

ii. To review the recipient’s community policing strategies 

iii. To provide customer service and technical assistance 

If selected, the recipient will be notified in writing in advance of any EOBGR of its COPS Office awards. This 

review is generally performed over a one- to two-day period. Compliance reviews will be conducted for 

active awards to address any noncompliance and/or administrative issues identified during the review. In 

addition, award recipients will receive customer service and/or technical assistance on the 

implementation of their award. 

3. Alleged Noncompliance Referral (ANCR). An ANCR is an allegation of suspected noncompliance that 

originates from an internal source within the COPS Office or an external referral from one of many 

sources. Internal ANCRs generally originate from COPS Office Grants Administration Division, COPS Office 

Finance Division, Community Policing Advancement Directorate, or the COPS Office Legal Division, 

although any COPS Office component may refer a noncompliance issue to the ANCR. External 

noncompliance referrals may be received from anonymous complainants, media, citizens, law 

enforcement agencies, other federal agencies, or other outside sources. On a case-by-case basis, COPS 

Office ANCR staff members determine the appropriate course of action to take to investigate complaints 

of alleged noncompliance. This may include phone or letter contact or a site visit by COPS Office staff or 

the Office of the Inspector General (OIG). Each ANCR referral is resolved as a violation or non-violation 

based upon the supporting documentationand/or other factors used to make a determination for 

compliance or noncompliance. 

4. Audit liaison. The OIG may conduct a random audit for any recipient of a COPS Office award. In the event 

your agency is audited by the OIG and there are audit recommendations (findings) resulting from 

noncompliance and/or poor accountability practices, the COPS Office Audit Liaison Section will work with 

your agency to resolve and close these recommendations. Remedies to close recommendations may 

include repayment of award funds and/or providing adequate documentation to demonstrate compliance 

and/or providing proof of policies or procedures that were created or revised to directly address the 

causes for the noncompliance as a proactive preventative measure to avoid future noncompliance. 

Recipients are responsible for remedying any award noncompliance that is identified during site visits, EOBGRs, 

and/or ANCRs. In addition, recipients are responsible for remedying noncompliance stemming from audit 

recommendations identified in audits of COPS Office awards conducted by the OIG and the Office of the Chief 

Financial Officer (OCFO). Remedies for noncompliance may include but are not limited to repayment of award 

funds for unallowable or unsupported costs, providing adequate documentation to demonstrate compliance, 

suspending active award funding, voluntary withdrawal from or involuntary termination of remaining award funds, 

or a restriction from receiving future COPS Office awards for a period of time. Under certain conditions, additional 

actions may include referral and placement on the U.S. Department of Justice’s High Risk List, which will include 

mandatory completion of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Financial Management Training and being subject to 

increased monitoring of current and future awards while on the list. In the event of criminal misuse of award 

funds, recipients may also be subject to fines and imprisonment. To avoid findings of noncompliance, recipients 

are strongly encouraged to become familiar with the Grant Monitoring Standards and Guidelines for All COPS 

Office Grants and Cooperative Agreements and with the Award Owner’s Manual for the year in which the award 

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was made. Recipients should also contact their COPS Office Grant Program Specialist at any time during the life of 

a COPS Office award with questions concerning award conditions, terms, or requirements to seek guidance to 

avoid noncompliance. It is necessary for recipients to maintain all relevant documentation (administrative, 

financial, and programmatic) used to develop the application and implement the award that may be necessary or 

required to demonstrate award compliance. For more information, please contact the COPS Office Response 

Center at 800-421-6770 or at AskCopsRC@usdoj.gov. 

10. Federal Civil Rights 

Condition: 

The Applicant understands that the federal statutes and regulations applicable to the award (if any) made by the 

Department based on the application specifically include statutes and regulations pertaining to civil rights and 

nondiscrimination, and, in addition— 

A. the Applicant understands that the applicable statutes pertaining to civil rights will include section 

601 of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. § 2000d); section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 

(29 U.S.C. § 794); section 901 of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. § 1681); and section 

303 of the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 (42 U.S.C. § 6102); 

B. the Applicant understands that the applicable statutes pertaining to nondiscrimination may include 

section 809(c) of Title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. § 

10228(c)); section 1407(e) of the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 (34 U.S.C. § 20110(e)); section 299A(b) 

of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 2002 (34 U.S.C. § 11182(b)); and that the 

grant condition set out at section 40002(b)(13) of the Violence Against Women Act (34 U.S.C. § 

12291(b)(13)), which will apply to all awards made by the Office on Violence Against Women, also 

may apply to an award made otherwise; 

C. the Applicant understands that it must require any subrecipient to comply with all such applicable 

statutes (and associated regulations); and 

D. on behalf of the Applicant, I make the specific assurances set out in 28 C.F.R. §§ 42.105 and 42.204. 

The Applicant also understands that (in addition to any applicable program-specific regulations and to applicable 

federal regulations that pertain to civil rights and nondiscrimination) the federal regulations applicable to the 

award (if any) made by the Department based on the application may include, but are not limited to, 2 C.F.R. Part 

2800 (the DOJ "Part 200 Uniform Requirements") and 28 C.F.R. Parts 22 (confidentiality - research and statistical 

information), 23 (criminal intelligence systems), 38 (regarding faith-based or religious organizations participating in 

federal financial assistance programs), and 46 (human subjects protection). 

Why this condition: 

In establishing financial assistance programs, Congress linked the receipt of federal funding to compliance with 

federal civil rights laws. As a result, recipients are required to comply with the civil rights requirements found in 

the nondiscrimination provisions referenced above. A hold may be placed on your award if it is deemed that your 

agency is not in compliance with federal civil rights laws or is not cooperating with an ongoing federal civil rights 

investigation. If a hold is placed on your award, you will not be able to obligate or draw down federal funds under 

your agency’s COPS Office award until you comply with federal civil rights laws or cooperate with any ongoing 

federal civil rights investigation. 

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The Office for Civil Rights (OCR), Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice has been delegated the 

responsibility for ensuring that recipients of federal financial assistance from the COPS Office are not engaged in 

discrimination prohibited by law. Included with your award package is a memorandum from the OCR, which 

addresses the federal civil rights statutes and regulations applicable to your award. You should review this 

memorandum to understand your agency’s civil rights responsibilities. For an overview of the civil rights laws and 

nondiscrimination requirements in connection with your award, please see https://www.ojp.gov/program/civilrights/overview. As a recipient of federal financial assistance from the COPS Office, you are required to comply 

with the applicable federal civil rights laws and to collect data and information sufficient to permit effective 

enforcement of such laws and to cooperate with any federal civil rights investigation, which includes providing 

access to records, accounts, documents, information, facilities, and staff. 

11. Equal Employment Opportunity Plan (EEOP)

Condition: 

All recipients of funding from the COPS Office must comply with the federal regulations pertaining to the 

development and implementation of an Equal Employment Opportunity Plan 28 C.F.R. Part 42 subpart E. 

Why this condition: 

It is the experience of the U.S. Department of Justice in implementing its responsibilities under the Omnibus Crime 

Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (Safe Streets Act), the statute that funds the COPS Office, that “the full and 

equal participation of women and minority individuals in employment opportunities in the criminal justice system 

is a necessary component to the Safe Streets Act’s program to reduce crime and delinquency in the United States” 

28 C.F.R. § 42.301. The Equal Employment Opportunity Plan (EEOP) does not impose quotas or hiring requirements 

on recipients of federal funds. 

What you should do: 

The obligations to comply with the EEOP requirement differ depending on your organization’s legal status, the 

number of its employees, and the amount of the award. 

If your organization is a government agency or private business and has received a single award for $25,000 or 

more and has fifty or more employees (counting both full- and part-time employees but excluding political 

appointees), then it has to prepare a Utilization Report and submit it to the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) within 120 

days from the date of the award. Although the OCR has discretion to review all submitted Utilization Reports, it will 

review the Utilization Reports from recipients that receive an award of $500,000 or more. 

To begin developing a Utilization Report, please consult the OCR's website at 

https://ojp.gov/about/ocr/eeop.htm and click EEOP Reporting Tool Login. Additional assistance can be found 

online at the bottom of the same webpage by clicking the EEO Reporting Tool Job Aid and Frequently Asked 

Questions. 

If your organization has less than fifty employees or receives an award of less than $25,000 or is a nonprofit 

organization, a medical institution, an educational institution, or an Indian tribe, then it is exempt from the EEOP 

requirement. To claim the exemption, however, your organization must certify that it is exempt by logging into the 

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EEO Reporting Tool on the OCR website at https://ojp.gov/about/ocr/eeop.htm, providing the contact and 

organizational profile information, and then submitting a Certificate of Exemption. 

If you have further questions regarding the EEOP requirements, you may contact an EEOP specialist at the OCR by 

telephone at 202-307-0690, by TTY at 202-307-2027, or by email at EEOPForms@usdoj.gov. 

12. False Statements 

Condition: 

False statements or claims made in connection with COPS Office awards may result in fines, imprisonment, 

debarment from participating in federal awards or contracts, and/or any other remedy available by law. 

Why this condition: 

This condition advises recipients of the consequences of submitting false claims or statements on applications, 

financial and programmatic reports, or other award documents. 

What you should do: 

Ensure that all documentation related to your agency’s receipt and use of award funding (award applications, 

progress reports, Federal Financial Reports, etc.) is true and accurate. 

13. Duplicative Funding 

Condition: 

The recipient understands and agrees to notify the COPS Office if it receives, from any other source, funding for the 

same item or service also funded under this award. 

Why this condition: 

This award was made to your agency for approved project costs that are not funded with other funds, including 

federal, state, local, tribal, or BIA funds. Consequently, your agency may not use this funding for items or services 

that you already have funding for from other sources. 

What you should do: 

If your agency receives funding from another source for the same item(s) or services(s) also funded under this 

award, please contact your COPS Office Grant Program Specialist or call the COPS Office Response Center at 800-

421-6770. If necessary, the COPS Office will work with your agency to reprogram funding for items or services that 

are allowable under this award program. 

14. Additional High-Risk Recipient Requirements 

Condition: 

The recipient agrees to comply with any additional requirements that may be imposed during the award 

performance period if the awarding agency determines that the recipient is a high-risk recipient. 2 C.F.R. § 200.207. 

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2020 COPS Office Anti-Heroin Task Force Program (AHTF) Award Owner’s Manual 

In accordance with 2 C.F.R. § 200.207, the DOJ may impose additional requirements specific to your award, as 

needed, when it determines that there is unsatisfactory performance, financial or administrative instability, 

noncompliance with award terms and conditions, or other lack of responsibility risk factors. In such cases, the DOJ 

may impose special conditions or restrictions that may include requiring the production of documentation, 

financial award administration training, on-site monitoring, prior approval for expenditure of funds, semiannual 

progress reports, separate bank accounts, or other requirements. 

What you should do: 

In order to obtain a COPS Office award, recipients must agree to comply with any additional requirements that 

may be imposed during the award performance period if the awarding agency determines that the recipient is a 

high-risk recipient. 

15. System for Award Management (SAM) and Universal Identifier Requirements 

Condition: 

The recipient agrees to comply with the following requirements of 2 C.F.R. Part 25, Appendix A to Part 25 – Award 

Term: 

I. System for Award Management and Universal Identifier Requirements 

A. Requirement for System for Award Management 

Unless you are exempted from this requirement under 2 C.F.R. § 25.110, you as the recipient must 

maintain the currency of your information in the SAM until you submit the final financial report required 

under this award or receive the final payment, whichever is later. This requires that you review and update 

the information at least annually after the initial registration, and more frequently if required by changes 

in your information or another award term. 

B. Requirement for unique entity identifier 

If you are authorized to make subawards under this award, you: 

1. Must notify potential subrecipients that no entity (see definition in paragraph C of this award term) 

may receive a subaward from you unless the entity has provided its unique entity identifier to you. 

2. May not make a subaward to an entity unless the entity has provided its unique entity identifier to 

you. 

C. Definitions 

For purposes of this award term: 

1. System for Award Management (SAM) means the Federal repository into which an entity must 

provide information required for the conduct of business as a recipient. Additional information about 

registration procedures may be found at the SAM Internet site (currently at https://www.sam.gov). 

2. Unique entity identifier means the identifier required for SAM registration to uniquely identify 

business entities. 

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3. Entity, as it is used in this award term, means all of the following, as defined at 2 C.F.R. Part 25, 

subpart C: 

a. A Governmental organization, which is a State, local government, or Indian Tribe; 

b. A foreign public entity; 

c. A domestic or foreign nonprofit organization; 

d. A domestic or foreign for-profit organization; and 

e. A Federal agency, but only as a subrecipient under an award or subaward to a non-Federal entity. 

4. Subaward: 

a. This term means a legal instrument to provide support for the performance of any portion of the 

substantive project or program for which you received this award and that you as the recipient 

award to an eligible subrecipient. 

b. The term does not include your procurement of property and services needed to carry out the 

project or program (for further explanation, see 2 C.F.R. § 200.330). 

c. A subaward may be provided through any legal agreement, including an agreement that you 

consider a contract. 

5. Subrecipient means an entity that: 

a. Receives a subaward from you under this award; and 

b. Is accountable to you for the use of the Federal funds provided by the subaward. 

Why this condition: 

The purpose of this standard award term is to ensure government-wide uniformity in establishing a unique entity 

identifier for federal financial assistance applicants, as well as recipients and their direct subrecipients (if 

applicable) and to establish the SAM as the repository for standard information about applicants and recipients. 

What you should do: 

At the time of award application, your agency was required to provide its unique entity identifier and be registered 

in the SAM database. 

Your agency should continue to use the same unique entity identifier provided in your award application and 

update, as needed, the information associated with that unique entity identifier. If your agency is authorized to 

make subawards under its award, your agency may make subawards only to entities that have unique entity 

identifiers. 

Your agency must maintain active registration and current information in the SAM until you submit the final 

financial report or receive the final payment under your award, whichever is later. Your agency must review and 

update its SAM information at least once per year to maintain an active registration status. For more 

information about SAM registration, please visit www.sam.gov. 

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16. Reporting Subawards and Executive Compensation 

Condition: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The recipient agrees to comply with the following requirements of 2 C.F.R. Part 170, Appendix A to Part 170 – 

Award Term: 

I. Reporting Subawards and Executive Compensation. 

A. Reporting of first-tier subawards. 

1. Applicability. Unless you are exempt as provided in paragraph d. of this award term, you must report 

each action that obligates $25,000 or more in Federal funds that does not include Recovery funds (as 

defined in section 1512(a)(2) of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, Pub. L. 111-5) 

for a subaward to an entity (see definitions in paragraph e. of this award term). 

2. Where and when to report. 

i. You must report each obligating action described in paragraph a.1. of this award term to 

http://www.fsrs.gov. 

ii. For subaward information, report no later than the end of the month following the month in 

which the obligation was made. (For example, if the obligation was made on November 7, 

2010, the obligation must be reported by no later than December 31, 2010.) 

3. What to report. You must report the information about each obligating action that the submission 

instructions posted at http://www.fsrs.gov specify. 

B. Reporting Total Compensation of Recipient Executives. 

1. Applicability and what to report. You must report total compensation for each of your five most highly 

compensated executives for the preceding completed fiscal year, if— 

i. the total Federal funding authorized to date under this award is $25,000 or more; 

ii. in the preceding fiscal year, you received— 

(A) 80 percent or more of your annual gross revenues from Federal procurement contracts 

(and subcontracts) and Federal financial assistance subject to the Transparency Act, as 

defined at 2 CFR 170.320 (and subawards); and 

(B) $25,000,000 or more in annual gross revenues from Federal procurement contracts (and 

subcontracts) and Federal financial assistance subject to the Transparency Act, as 

defined at 2 CFR 170.320 (and subawards); and 

iii. The public does not have access to information about the compensation of the executives 

through periodic reports filed under section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 

1934 (15 U.S.C. 78m(a), 78o(d)) or section 6104 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. (To 

determine if the public has access to the compensation information, see the U.S. Security and 

Exchange Commission total compensation filings at 

http://www.sec.gov/answers/execomp.htm.) 

2. Where and when to report. You must report executive total compensation described in paragraph b.1. 

of this award term: 

i. As part of your registration profile at https://www.sam.gov. 

ii. By the end of the month following the month in which this award is made, and annually 

thereafter. 

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C. Reporting of Total Compensation of Subrecipient Executives. 

1. Applicability and what to report. Unless you are exempt as provided in paragraph d. of this award 

term, for each first-tier subrecipient under this award, you shall report the names and total 

compensation of each of the subrecipient's five most highly compensated executives for the 

subrecipient's preceding completed fiscal year, if— 

i. in the subrecipient's preceding fiscal year, the subrecipient received— 

(A) 80 percent or more of its annual gross revenues from Federal procurement contracts 

(and subcontracts) and Federal financial assistance subject to the Transparency Act, as 

defined at 2 CFR 170.320 (and subawards); and 

(B) $25,000,000 or more in annual gross revenues from Federal procurement contracts (and 

subcontracts), and Federal financial assistance subject to the Transparency Act (and 

subawards); and 

ii. The public does not have access to information about the compensation of the executives 

through periodic reports filed under section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 

1934 (15 U.S.C. 78m(a), 78o(d)) or section 6104 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. (To 

determine if the public has access to the compensation information, see the U.S. Security and 

Exchange Commission total compensation filings at 

http://www.sec.gov/answers/execomp.htm.) 

2. Where and when to report. You must report subrecipient executive total compensation described in 

paragraph c.1. of this award term: 

i. To the recipient. 

ii. By the end of the month following the month during which you make the subaward. For 

example, if a subaward is obligated on any date during the month of October of a given year 

(i.e., between October 1 and 31), you must report any required compensation information of 

the subrecipient by November 30 of that year. 

D. Exemptions 

If, in the previous tax year, you had gross income, from all sources, under $300,000, you are exempt from 

the requirements to report: 

i. Subawards, 

and 

ii. The total compensation of the five most highly compensated executives of any subrecipient. 

E. Definitions. For purposes of this award term: 

1. Entity means all of the following, as defined in 2 CFR part 25: 

i. A Governmental organization, which is a State, local government, or Indian tribe; 

ii. A foreign public entity; 

iii. A domestic or foreign nonprofit organization; 

iv. A domestic or foreign for-profit organization; 

v. A Federal agency, but only as a subrecipient under an award or subaward to a non-Federal 

entity. 

2. Executive means officers, managing partners, or any other employees in management positions. 

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3. Subaward: 

i. This term means a legal instrument to provide support for the performance of any portion of 

the substantive project or program for which you received this award and that you as the 

recipient award to an eligible subrecipient. 

ii. The term does not include your procurement of property and services needed to carry out the 

project or program (for further explanation, see Sec. __ .210 of the attachment to OMB 

Circular A-133, “Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations”). 

iii. A subaward may be provided through any legal agreement, including an agreement that you 

or a subrecipient considers a contract. 

4. Subrecipient means an entity that: 

i. Receives a subaward from you (the recipient) under this award; and 

ii. Is accountable to you for the use of the Federal funds provided by the subaward. 

5. Total compensation means the cash and noncash dollar value earned by the executive during the 

recipient's or subrecipient's preceding fiscal year and includes the following (for more information see 

17 CFR 229.402(c)(2)): 

i. Salary and bonus. 

ii. Awards of stock, stock options, and stock appreciation rights. Use the dollar amount 

recognized for financial statement reporting purposes with respect to the fiscal year in 

accordance with the Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (Revised 2004) 

(FAS 123R), Shared Based Payments. 

iii. Earnings for services under non-equity incentive plans. This does not include group life, 

health, hospitalization or medical reimbursement plans that do not discriminate in favor of 

executives, and are available generally to all salaried employees. 

iv. Change in pension value. This is the change in present value of defined benefit and actuarial 

pension plans. 

v. Above-market earnings on deferred compensation which is not tax-qualified. 

vi. Other compensation, if the aggregate value of all such other compensation (e.g. severance, 

termination payments, value of life insurance paid on behalf of the employee, perquisites or 

property) for the executive exceeds $10,000. 

Why this condition: 

To further federal spending transparency, the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 

(FFATA) requires, among other things, that information on federal awards (federal financial assistance and 

expenditures) be made available to the public via a single, searchable website, which is www.USASpending.gov. 

Recipients are responsible for reporting their applicable executive compensation and subaward information and 

the award term provides guidance to report the related information, as required by FFATA. 

What you should do: 

At the time of award application, your agency was asked to ensure that it has the necessary processes and systems 

in place to comply with the applicable subaward and executive compensation reporting requirements should it 

receive funding. If your agency received awards of $25,000 or more, you are required to report award information 

on any first-tier subawards totaling $25,000 or more, and, in certain cases, to report information on the names and 

total compensation of the five most highly compensated executives of the recipient and first-tier subrecipients. 

The FFATA Subaward Reporting System (FSRS), accessible via the Internet at www.fsrs.gov, is the reporting tool 

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2020 COPS Office Anti-Heroin Task Force Program (AHTF) Award Owner’s Manual 

that your agency will use to capture and report subaward information and any executive compensation data 

required by FFATA. The subaward information entered in FSRS will then be displayed on www.USASpending.gov 

associated with your agency’s award, furthering federal spending transparency. 

For additional information regarding the executive compensation and subaward reporting requirements, please 

see Vol. 75, No. 177 (September 14, 2010) of the Federal Register, www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2010-09-

14/pdf/2010-22705.pdf. 

17. Debarment and Suspension 

Condition: 

The recipient agrees not to award federal funds under this program to any party which is debarred or suspended 

from participation in Federal assistance programs. 2 C.F.R. Part 180 (Governmentwide Nonprocurement Debarment 

and Suspension) and 2 C.F.R. Part 2867 (DOJ Nonprocurement Debarment and Suspension). 

Why this condition: 

Under federal regulations, recipients are required to ensure that federal funds are not given to parties that are 

debarred or suspended from participation in federal assistance programs. This is to protect the public interest and 

to ensure proper management and integrity in federal activities by conducting business only with responsible 

parties. For details regarding the debarment and suspension requirements, please see 2 C.F.R. Part 180 

(Governmentwide Nonprocurement Debarment and Suspension) and 2 C.F.R. Part 2867 (DOJ Nonprocurement 

Debarment and Suspension). 

What you should do: 

If, under a COPS Office award, you enter into a contract for goods or services for $25,000 or more or any 

subaward, you must verify that the vendor or subrecipient and their respective principals (e.g., owners, top 

managers) with whom you intend to do business are not excluded or disqualified from participation in federal 

assistance programs. In addition, you must include a term or condition in the contract or subaward requiring the 

vendor or subrecipient to comply with subpart C of the OMB guidance in 2 C.F.R. Part 180 (Governmentwide 

Nonprocurement Debarment and Suspension) and 2 C.F.R. Part 2867 (DOJ Nonprocurement Debarment and 

Suspension). 

18. Employment Eligibility 

Condition: 

The recipient agrees to complete and keep on file, as appropriate, the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. 

Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Employment Eligibility Verification Form (I-9). This form is to be used 

by recipients of federal funds to verify that persons are eligible to work in the United States. Immigration Reform 

and Control Act of 1986 (IRCA), Public Law 99-603. 

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2020 COPS Office Anti-Heroin Task Force Program (AHTF) Award Owner’s Manual 

Under federal immigration law, all employers are required to take certain steps to ensure that persons that are 

hired are legally permitted to work in the United States. The Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services 

Employment Eligibility Verification Form (I-9) outlines the types of documents that an employer should review to 

confirm that a new hire is eligible for employment. 

What you should do: 

You do not need to submit any documentation to the COPS Office to satisfy this condition. Rather, you should 

complete and maintain the I-9 forms for all new employees under the guidelines set forth by the Bureau of 

Citizenship and Immigration Services. 

For further information about this requirement, please visit https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central. 

19. Enhancement of Contractor Protection from Reprisal for Disclosure of Certain Information 

Condition: 

The recipient agrees not to discharge, demote, or otherwise discriminate against an employee as reprisal for the 

employee disclosing information that he or she reasonably believes is evidence of gross mismanagement of a 

federal contract or award, a gross waste of federal funds, an abuse of authority relating to a federal contract or 

award, a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety, or a violation of law, rule, or regulation related 

to a Federal contract (including the competition for or negotiation of a contract) or award. The recipient also 

agrees to provide to their employees in writing (in the predominant native language of the workforce) of the rights 

and remedies provided in 41 U.S.C. § 4712. Please see appendices in the Award Owner’s Manual for a full text of 

the statute. 

Why this condition: 

Under the “Enhancement of contractor protection from reprisal for disclosure of certain information” (41 U.S.C. § 

4712), recipients are prohibited from taking reprisal actions against employees for certain whistleblowing activities 

in connection with federal awards and contracts. The law protects the public interest and ensures the proper 

management and use of federal funds. 

What you should do: 

The recipient must not take reprisal actions against an employee for disclosing misconduct under federal contracts 

and awards to certain persons and entities. 

The recipient is prohibited from discharging, demoting, or otherwise discriminating against an employee as reprisal 

for disclosing information that he/she reasonably believes is evidence of 

• gross mismanagement of a federal contract or award; 

• a gross waste of federal funds; 

• an abuse of authority relating to a federal contract or award; 

• a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety; or 

• a violation of law, rule, or regulation related to a federal contract (including the competition for or 

negotiation of a contract) or award. 

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2020 COPS Office Anti-Heroin Task Force Program (AHTF) Award Owner’s Manual 

In addition, the disclosure must also have been made to 

• a member of Congress or a representative of a committee of Congress; 

• an inspector general; 

• the Government Accountability Office; 

• a federal employee responsible for contract or award oversight or management at the relevant agency; 

• an authorized official of the U.S. Department of Justice or other law enforcement agency; 

• a court or grand jury; or 

• a management official or other employee of the contractor, subcontractor, or recipient who has the 

responsibility to investigate, discover, or address misconduct. 

An employee is deemed to have made a protected disclosure if he or she initiates or provides evidence of 

misconduct in any judicial or administrative proceeding relating to waste, fraud, or abuse on a federal contract or 

award. 

The recipient must inform its employees in writing, in the predominant language of the workforce, of employee 

whistleblower rights, protections and remedies under 41 U.S.C. § 4712. 

Please see appendices in this manual addressing Whistleblower Protection for a full text of the “Enhancement of 

contractor protection from reprisal for disclosure of certain information” (41 U.S.C. § 4712). 

20. Mandatory Disclosure 

Condition: 

Recipients and subrecipients must timely disclose in writing to the COPS Office or pass-through entity, as applicable, 

all federal criminal law violations involving fraud, bribery, or gratuity that may potentially affect the awarded 

federal funding. Recipients that receive an award over $500,000 must also report certain civil, criminal, or 

administrative proceedings in SAM and are required to comply with the Term and Condition for Recipient 

Integrity and Performance Matters as set out in 2 C.F.R. Part 200, Appendix XII to Part 200. Failure to make 

required disclosures can result in any of the remedies, including suspension and debarment, described in 2 C.F.R. § 

200.338. 

Why this condition: 

Federal regulations require recipients and subrecipients to report all federal violations involving fraud, bribery, or 

gratuity that may affect the awarded federal funds. This condition advises your agency of the requirement and the 

consequences of failing to report such violations to the COPS Office or pass-through entity. 

What you should do: 

Ensure that you timely report in writing to the COPS Office or pass-through entity all federal violations involving 

fraud, bribery, or gratuity that may affect your federal award. 

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21. Conflict of Interest 

Condition: 

 

 

2020 COPS Office Anti-Heroin Task Force Program (AHTF) Award Owner’s Manual 

Recipients and subrecipients must disclose in writing to the COPS Office or pass-through entity, as applicable, any 

potential conflict of interest affecting the awarded federal funding in 2 C.F.R. § 200.112. 

Why this condition: 

Recipients and subrecipients are required to use federal funding in the best interest of their award program. Any 

decisions related to these funds must be free of hidden personal or organizational conflicts of interest, both in fact 

and in appearance. 

This means that recipients and subrecipients should not participate in any award-related decisions or 

recommendations that involve any of the following people or groups: 

• an immediate family member 

• a partner 

• an organization in which they are serving as an officer, director, partner, or employee 

• any person or organization with whom they are negotiating or who has an arrangement concerning 

prospective employment, has a financial interest, or for other reasons can have less than an unbiased 

transaction with the recipient or subrecipient 

This also means that recipients and subrecipients should avoid any action which might result in or create the 

appearance of 

• using your official position for private gain; 

• giving special treatment to any person; 

• losing complete independence or objectivity; 

• making an official decision outside official channels; or 

• affecting negatively the confidence of the public in the integrity of the Federal Government or the program. 

What you should do: 

Ensure that you report in writing to the COPS Office or pass-through entity, as applicable, any potential conflict of 

interest that may affect your federal award. 

22. Contract Provision 

Condition: 

All contracts made by the award recipients under the federal award must contain the provisions required under 2 

C.F.R. Part 200, (Appendix II to Part 200—Contract Provisions for Non-Federal Entity Contracts Under Federal 

Awards). Please see appendices in the Award Owner’s Manual for a full text of the contract provisions. 

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Why this condition: 

2020 COPS Office Anti-Heroin Task Force Program (AHTF) Award Owner’s Manual 

Federal regulations require recipients and subrecipients to comply with the necessary contract provisions in order 

to standardize and strengthen oversight of all contracts made under federal awards. This provision protects the 

public interest and ensures the proper management and use of federal funds as it relates to contracts entered into 

by the recipient. 

What you should do: 

The recipient should review all contracts made under the federal award to ensure that they contain the provisions 

required under 2 C.F.R. Part 200, (Appendix II to Part 200—Contract Provisions for Non-Federal Entity Contracts 

Under Federal Awards) in the appendices of the Award Owner’s Manual. 

23. Restrictions on Internal Confidentiality Agreements 

Condition: 

No recipient or subrecipient under this award, or entity that receives a contract or subcontract with any funds 

under this award, may require any employee or contractor to sign an internal confidentiality agreement or 

statement that prohibits or otherwise restricts the lawful reporting of waste, fraud, or abuse to an investigative or 

law enforcement representative of a federal department or agency authorized to receive such information. 

Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020, Public Law 116-93, Division C, Title VII, Section 742. 

Why this condition: 

Under the Appropriations Act, neither the recipient, subrecipient, nor any entity that receives a contract or 

subcontract with any funds under this or any other Act may require its employees or contractors to sign an internal 

confidentiality agreement or statement prohibiting or otherwise restricting their lawful reporting of waste, fraud, 

or abuse to an investigative or law enforcement representative of a federal department or agency. This provision 

protects the public interest and ensures the proper management and use of federal funds. This limitation is not 

intended, and shall not be understood by the agency making this award, to contravene requirements applicable to 

Standard Form 312 (which relates to classified information), Form 4414 (which relates to sensitive compartmented 

information), or any other form issued by a federal department or agency governing the nondisclosure of classified 

information. 

What you should do: 

In accepting this award, the recipient 

• represents that it neither requires nor has required internal confidentiality agreements or statements from 

employees or contractors that currently prohibit or otherwise restrict (or purport to prohibit or restrict) 

employees or contractors from reporting waste, fraud, or abuse as described above; 

• represents that, if it learns or is notified that it is or has been requiring its employees or contractors to 

execute agreements or statements that prohibit or otherwise restrict (or purport to prohibit or restrict), 

reporting of waste, fraud, or abuse as described above, it will immediately stop any further obligations of 

award funds, will provide prompt written notification to the agency making this award, and will resume such 

obligations only if expressly authorized to do so by that agency. 

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2020 COPS Office Anti-Heroin Task Force Program (AHTF) Award Owner’s Manual 

If the recipient does or is authorized to make subawards or contracts under this award, in accepting, the recipient 

• represents that it has or will determine that no other entity that the recipient proposes may or will receive 

award funds (whether through a subaward, contract, or subcontract) either requires or has required internal 

confidentiality agreements or statements from employees or contractors that currently prohibit or otherwise 

restrict (or purport to prohibit or restrict) employees or contractors from reporting waste, fraud, or abuse as 

described above; 

• represents that it has or will make appropriate inquiry, or otherwise has an adequate factual basis, to support 

this representation; 

• represents that, if it learns or is notified that any subrecipient, contractor, or subcontractor entity that 

receives funds under this award is or has been requiring its employees or contractors to execute agreements 

or statements that prohibit or otherwise restrict (or purport to prohibit or restrict), reporting of waste, fraud, 

or abuse as described above, it will immediately stop any further obligations of award funds to or by that 

entity, will provide prompt written notification to the agency making this award, and will resume (or permit 

resumption of) such obligations only if expressly authorized to do so by that agency. 

24. Recipient Integrity and Performance Matters 

Condition: 

For awards over $500,000, the recipient agrees to comply with the following requirements of 2 C.F.R. Part 200, 

Appendix XII to Part 200 – Award Term and Condition for Recipient Integrity and Performance Matters: 

Reporting of Matters Related to Recipient Integrity and Performance 

1. General Reporting Requirement 

If the total value of your currently active awards, cooperative agreements, and procurement contracts 

from all Federal awarding agencies exceeds $10,000,000 for any period of time during the period of 

performance of this Federal award, then you as the recipient during that period of time must maintain 

the currency of information reported to the System for Award Management (SAM) that is made 

available in the designated integrity and performance system (currently the Federal Awardee 

Performance and Integrity Information System (FAPIIS)) about civil, criminal, or administrative 

proceedings described in paragraph 2. of this award term and condition. This is a statutory 

requirement under section 872 of Public Law 110-417, as amended (41 U.S.C. 2313). As required by 

section 3010 of Public Law 111-212, all information posted in the designated integrity and 

performance system on or after April 15, 2011, except past performance reviews required for Federal 

procurement contracts, will be publicly available. 

2. Proceedings About Which You Must Report 

Submit the information required about each proceeding that: 

a. Is in connection with the award or performance of an award, cooperative agreement, or 

procurement contract from the Federal Government; 

b. Reached its final disposition during the most recent five year period; and 

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2020 COPS Office Anti-Heroin Task Force Program (AHTF) Award Owner’s Manual 

c. Is one of the following: 

(1) A criminal proceeding that resulted in a conviction, as defined in paragraph 5. of this award 

term and condition; 

(2) A civil proceeding that resulted in a finding of fault and liability and payment of a monetary 

fine, penalty, reimbursement, restitution, or damages of $5,000 or more; 

(3) An administrative proceeding, as defined in paragraph 5. of this award term and condition, 

that resulted in a finding of fault and liability and your payment of either a monetary fine or 

penalty of $5,000 or more or reimbursement, restitution, or damages in excess of $100,000; 

or 

(4) Any other criminal, civil, or administrative proceeding if: 

i. It could have led to an outcome described in paragraph 2.c.(1), (2), or (3) of this award 

term and condition; 

ii. It had a different disposition arrived at by consent or compromise with an 

acknowledgment of fault on your part; and 

iii. The requirement in this award term and condition to disclose information about the 

proceeding does not conflict with applicable laws and regulations. 

3. Reporting Procedures 

Enter in the SAM Entity Management area the information that SAM requires about each proceeding 

described in paragraph 2. of this award term and condition. You do not need to submit the 

information a second time under assistance awards that you received if you already provided the 

information through SAM because you were required to do so under Federal procurement contracts 

that you were awarded. 

4. Reporting Frequency 

During any period of time when you are subject to the requirement in paragraph 1. of this award term 

and condition, you must report proceedings information through SAM for the most recent five year 

period, either to report new information about any proceeding(s) that you have not reported 

previously or affirm that there is no new information to report. Recipients that have Federal contract, 

award, and cooperative agreement awards with a cumulative total value greater than $10,000,000 

must disclose semiannually any information about the criminal, civil, and administrative proceedings. 

5. Definitions 

For purposes of this award term and condition: 

a. Administrative proceeding means a nonjudicial process that is adjudicatory in nature in order to 

make a determination of fault or liability (e.g., Securities and Exchange Commission 

Administrative proceedings, Civilian Board of Contract Appeals proceedings, and Armed Services 

Board of Contract Appeals proceedings). This includes proceedings at the Federal and State level 

but only in connection with performance of a Federal contract or award. It does not include 

audits, site visits, corrective plans, or inspection of deliverables. 

b. Conviction, for purposes of this award term and condition, means a judgment or conviction of a 

criminal offense by any court of competent jurisdiction, whether entered upon a verdict or a plea, 

and includes a conviction entered upon a plea of nolo contendere. 

c. Total value of currently active awards, cooperative agreements, and procurement contracts 

includes— 

(1) Only the Federal share of the funding under any Federal award with a recipient cost share or 

match; and 

(2) The value of all expected funding increments under a Federal award and options, even if not 

yet exercised. 

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Why this condition: 

 

 

2020 COPS Office Anti-Heroin Task Force Program (AHTF) Award Owner’s Manual 

Under 2 C.F.R. § 200.210 (b) (1) (iii), recipients of awards in excess of $500,000 are required to report certain civil, 

criminal, and administrative proceedings if they have active federal awards, cooperative agreements, or contracts 

(or any combination of these) that total more than $10,000,000 during the COPS Office award period. The purpose 

is to protect the public interest and to ensure proper management in federal activities by conducting business with 

responsible parties. 

What you should do: 

If the total value of your active awards, cooperative agreements, and contracts from all federal awarding agencies 

exceeds $10,000,000 during the COPS Office award period, then you must ensure that the proceedings described 

in paragraph 2 of this award term that are reported in the System for Award Management (SAM) are current. The 

information about the reported proceedings is made available in SAM via the designated integrity and 

performance system (currently the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System (FAPIIS)). 

During the award period, you must either report for the most recent five year period new information about any 

proceeding(s) that you have not reported previously or affirm that there is no new information to report. You must 

also disclose semiannually any information about criminal, civil, and administrative proceedings. 

25. Citizenship and Immigration Status Communications 

Condition: 

Authority to obligate or expend contingent on compliance with this condition. 

NOTE: This grant condition is established under the COPS Office’s broad authority and discretion to award and 

administer grants. See, e.g., 34 U.S.C. § 10381, et seq. This condition applies only to state or local government 

entities or to non-state or local government entities that make subawards with these funds to a state or local 

government entity.. 

State or local government entity recipients of this award, and any subrecipient of this award at any tier that is an 

entity of a State or of a unit of local government, may not obligate or expend award funds if – at the time of the 

obligation or expenditure – the “program or activity” of the recipient funded in whole or in part with the award 

funds (which includes any such program or activity of any subrecipient at any tier) is subject to any prohibitions or 

restrictions on sending to, requesting or receiving from, maintaining, or exchanging information regarding 

citizenship or immigration status with components of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security or any federal, 

state or local government entity, as generally described in 8 U.S.C. 1373(a) or (b). This includes any prohibitions or 

restrictions imposed or established by a state or local government entity or official. A subrecipient of this award (at 

any tier) that is an entity of a State or of a unit of local government may not obligate or expend award funds if – at 

the time of the obligation or expenditure – the “program or activity” of the subrecipient (which includes any such 

program or activity of any subrecipient at any further tier) funded (in whole 

30 
2020 COPS Office Anti-Heroin Task Force Program (AHTF) Award Owner’s Manual 

or in part) with award funds is subject to any prohibitions or restrictions on sending to, requesting or receiving 

from, maintaining, or exchanging information regarding citizenship or immigration status with components of the 

U.S. Department of Homeland Security or any federal, state or local government entity, as generally described in 8 

U.S.C. 1373(a) or (b). This includes any prohibitions or restrictions imposed by a state or local government entity or 

official. 

Any obligations or expenditures of a recipient or subrecipient that are impermissible under this condition shall be 

unallowable costs for purposes of this award. 

Rules of Construction/ For purposes of this condition, “program or activity” means what it means under section 

606 of title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000d-4a). References to the Immigration and Naturalization 

Service in 8 U.S.C. 1373 are to be read, as a legal matter, as references to particular components of the U.S. 

Department of Homeland Security.Should any provision of a condition of this award be held to be invalid or 

unenforceable by its terms, then that provision shall first be applied with a limited construction so as to give it the 

maximum effect permitted by law (to any person or circumstance) under this award. Should it be held, instead, that 

a condition (or a provision thereof) is of utter invalidity or unenforceability, such condition (or such provision) shall 

be deemed severable from this award. 

Any questions about the meaning or scope of this condition should be directed, prior to acceptance of this award, 

to the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services Legal Division at 202-514-3750. 

Why this condition: 

At the time of application, your agency certified that it would comply with all award requirements and would 

require all subrecipients to comply with all applicable award requirements throughout the period of performance 

of the award. Therefore, State or local government recipients and subrecipients, and non-state or local 

government recipients that make subawards to state or local government entities, must comply with this condition 

throughout the active award period. 

What you should do: 

State and local government recipients and subrecipients (at any tier) may not obligate or expend award funds if, at 

any time during the active award period, any program or activity funded in whole or in part with award funds is 

subject to any prohibitions or restrictions on sending to, requesting or receiving from, maintaining, or exchanging 

information regarding citizenship or immigration status with components of the U.S. Department of Homeland 

Security or any federal, state, or local government entity. 

Any questions about the meaning or scope of this condition should be directed, prior to acceptance of this award, 

to the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services Legal Division at 202.514.3750. 

26. Background Investigations 

Condition: 

Recipients agree to ensure that each officer(s) hired with AHTF funding will be subject to a background 

investigation, notify the COPS Office upon completion of the background investigation for each officer hired under 

the AHTF award, and cooperate with the COPS Office and provide updates on the status of background 

investigations upon request. 2 C.F.R. § 200.207. If the COPS Office determines that AHTF funds are being used to 

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2020 COPS Office Anti-Heroin Task Force Program (AHTF) Award Owner’s Manual 

pay the salary and fringe benefits of an officer who has not undergone a background investigation, the COPS Office 

may temporarily suspend grant funds in accordance with 2 C.F.R. §200.338 until the agency can demonstrate the 

background investigation has been completed. 

Why this condition: 

The officer background investigation requirement reduces the risk of hiring officers with past convictions of 

domestic violence, sexual assault, and other serious crimes. 

What you should do: 

You must complete a background investigation for each officer before hiring the officer to fill a COPS-funded 

officer position. Background investigations can include, but are not limited to, criminal history checks, credit 

checks, resume validation, work history verification, and personal and professional references. Background 

investigations may be conducted by the provider of your choosing. 

In addition, you should notify the COPS Office via your grant program specialist upon completion of the 

background investigation for each officer hired under a COPS Office award, cooperate with the COPS Office and 

provide updates on the status of background investigations upon request. 

27. Career Law Enforcement Officer 

Condition: 

Officer hiring funds may only be used to pay salaries and fringe benefits for full-time “career law enforcement 

officers.” The COPS Office’s statute defines a “career law enforcement officer” as “a person hired on a permanent 

basis who is authorized by law or by a State or local public agency to engage in or supervise the prevention, 

detection, or investigation of violations of criminal laws.” 34 U.S.C. §10389(1). A recipient agency may use officer 

hiring funds to pay the salary and benefits of recruits while in academy training to become “career law 

enforcement officers” if it is the standard practice of the agency to do so with locally funded recruits. The State of 

Alaska, and any Indian tribe or tribal organization in that State, may also use officer hiring funds for a “village 

public safety officer” defined as “an individual employed as a village public safety officer under the program 

established by the State pursuant to Alaska Statute 18.65.670.” Tribal Law and Order Act of 2010, Pub. L. 111-211, 

title II, § 247 (a)(2). 

Why this condition: 

Pursuant to the related statutory authorities, COPS Office funding is for the hiring and rehiring of “career law 

enforcement officers” (34 U.S.C. § 10381(b)(1) – (2)) and “village public safety officers” (Tribal Law and Order Act 

of 2010, Pub. L. 111-211, title II, § 247(b)). 

What you should do:

You must use COPS Office funding awarded for officer hiring to pay for the salary and benefits of “career law 

enforcement officers” and/or “village public safety officers.” A recipient may use COPS Office funding to pay the 

salary and benefits of recruits while in academy training to become “career law enforcement officers” if it is the 

standard practice of your agency to pay those same costs for locally funded recruits. 

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28. Computer Network Requirement 

Condition: 

 

2020 COPS Office Anti-Heroin Task Force Program (AHTF) Award Owner’s Manual 

The recipient understands and agrees that no award funds may be used to maintain or establish a computer 

network unless such network blocks the viewing, downloading, and exchanging of pornography. Nothing in this 

requirement limits the use of funds necessary for any federal, state, tribal, or local law enforcement agency or any 

other entity carrying out criminal investigations, prosecution, or adjudication activities. Consolidated 

Appropriations Act, 2020, Public Law 116-93, Division B, Title V, Section 527. 

Why this condition: 

The Appropriations Act prohibits the use of federal funds to maintain or establish a computer network that does 

not block the viewing, downloading, and exchanging of pornography. This provision protects the public interest in 

the proper management and use of federal funds. 

What you should do: 

The recipient must not use award funds to maintain or establish a computer network unless the network blocks 

pornography. This does not limit the use of funds for criminal investigations, prosecution or adjudication activities. 

29. Contracts and/or MOUs with Other Jurisdictions 

Condition: 

Equipment, technology, training, vehicles, sworn law enforcement officer positions and civilian positions, awarded 

must only be used for law enforcement activities or services that benefit your agency/taskforce and the population 

that it serves. The items funded under an AHTF award cannot be utilized by other agencies/taskforces unless the 

items benefit the population that your agency/taskforce serves. 

Why this condition: 

The AHTF award is intended to benefit the communities within the recipient’s primary law enforcement 

jurisdiction. Therefore, the recipient must use the AHTF award funding to benefit its own service population. 

What you should do: 

Officers funded under the AHTF award cannot provide contract law enforcement services to other agencies unless 

they will directly benefit the recipient’s jurisdiction. For example, a sheriff’s department cannot use an AHTFfunded officer to provide contract law enforcement services to a neighboring county, but can use the AHTF-funded 

officer to provide direct law enforcement services to towns within its own county. 

30. Criminal Intelligence Systems 

Condition: 

Recipients using AHTF funds to operate an interjurisdictional criminal intelligence system must comply with 

operating principles of 28 C.F.R. Part 23. By signing the Certification of Review and Representation of Compliance 

with Requirements in the application, the recipient assured the COPS Office that it will comply with the 

requirements of 28 C.F.R. Part 23. 

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Why this condition: 

 

 

2020 COPS Office Anti-Heroin Task Force Program (AHTF) Award Owner’s Manual 

If your agency receives funding for equipment or technology that will be used to operate an interjurisdictional 

criminal intelligence system, you must comply with the operating principles found in 28 C.F.R. Part 23. An 

interjurisdictional criminal intelligence system is generally defined as a system that receives, stores, analyzes, and 

exchanges or disseminates data regarding ongoing pre-arrest criminal activities (examples of such activities 

include, but are not limited to, loan sharking, drug or stolen property trafficking, gambling, extortion, smuggling, 

bribery, and public corruption) and shares this data with other law enforcement jurisdictions. 28 C.F.R. Part 23 

contains operating principles for these interjurisdictional criminal intelligence systems which protect individual 

privacy and constitutional rights. 

If your agency will use AHTF program funds simply to operate a single agency database (or other unrelated forms 

of technology) and will not share criminal intelligence data with other jurisdictions, 28 C.F.R. Part 23 does not 

apply to this award. 

What you should do: 

All AHTF recipients were required to agree to the Certification of Review of Criminal Intelligence Systems/28 C.F.R. 

Part 23 as part of their application proposal so the COPS Office can track which agencies intend to use their award 

funds to operate interjurisdictional criminal intelligence systems. If your agency intends to use award funds to 

operate an interjurisdictional criminal intelligence system, you should have indicated this in your application and 

certified your agency’s agreement to comply with the operating principles found at 28 C.F.R. Part 23. Your agency 

now must comply with 28 C.F.R. Part 23 in operating the inter-jurisdictional criminal intelligence system funded 

through your AHTF award. 

31. Sole Source Justification 

Condition: 

Recipients who have been awarded funding for the procurement of an item (or group of items) or service in excess 

of $250,000 and who plan to seek approval for use of a noncompetitive procurement process must provide a 

written sole source justification to the COPS Office for approval prior to obligating, expending, or drawing down 

award funds for that item or service. 2 C.F.R. § 200.324(b)(2). 

Why this condition: 

In general, recipients are required to procure funded items through open and free competition. However, in some 

instances, recipients may have already determined that competition is not feasible. 

What you should do: 

If you have received an award for an item (or group of items) or service in excess of $250,000 and have already 

determined that the award of a contract through a competitive process is unfeasible, you must provide a written 

justification that explains why it is necessary to contract noncompetitively. 

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2020 COPS Office Anti-Heroin Task Force Program (AHTF) Award Owner’s Manual 

The initial determination that competition is not feasible can be made if one of the following circumstances exists: 

• Competition is determined inadequate after solicitation of a number of sources. 

• The COPS Office authorizes noncompetitive proposals in response to a written request from the recipient. 

• The item/service is available only from one source. 

• The public exigency or emergency for the requirement will not permit a delay resulting from competitive 

solicitation. 

The COPS Office will review your request and the supporting information that you provide and will make a 

determination as to whether or not an exception can be made to the general rule regarding competition. If 

submitting a sole source justification request to the COPS Office, please use the format described in the “Sole 

Source Justification fact sheet” in appendices of this manual. 

32. Law Enforcement Information Sharing 

Condition: 

Recipients agree to share relevant law enforcement information collected as a result of AHTF funding with the U.S. 

Department of Justice Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) Fusion Center. 

Why this condition: 

The AHTF award is intended to assist states in tackling their heroin and opioid challenges. To coordinate rapid and 

targeted responses to overdose events and to support investigative efforts, AHTF award recipients must share 

information with federal, state, local, and tribal public safety partners. Sharing public safety data on drug 

investigations, diversion reports, and changing local illicit drug supply can help inform public health preparedness 

and response efforts. 

What you should do: 

AHTF award recipients must share all relevant law enforcement information with the OCDETF Fusion Center. 

33. Law Enforcement Coordination 

Condition: 

Recipients must coordinate with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies to maximize the impact 

and effectiveness of the award. Recipients must coordinate and work with U.S. Attorneys’ Offices in its state; 

coordinate and work with the local and tribal (as applicable) law enforcement agencies in any area impacted by the 

work of the COPS Anti-Heroin Task Force Program; and coordinate as appropriate with other federal law 

enforcement partners, such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) or Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) to assist 

tribal law enforcement agencies. 

Why this condition: 

The AHTF award is intended to assist states in tackling their heroin and opioid challenges. To ensure maximum 

impact and effectiveness of the award, AHTF award recipients must coordinate with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in 

its state, and work with local, and tribal law enforcement agencies. 

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2020 COPS Office Anti-Heroin Task Force Program (AHTF) Award Owner’s Manual 

AHTF award recipients must coordinate with their U.S. Attorney’s Office and work with local and tribal law 

enforcement agencies. 

What are the specific rules regarding termination of award funding? 

The COPS Office may suspend, in whole or in part, or terminate funding or impose other sanctions on a recipient 

for the following reasons: 

• Failure to substantially comply with the requirements or objectives of the Public Safety Partnership and 

• Community Policing Act of 1994, program guidelines, or other provisions of federal law 

• Failure to make satisfactory progress toward the goals or strategies set forth in this application 

• Failure to adhere to award agreement requirements or special conditions 

• Proposing substantial plan changes to the extent that, if originally submitted, would have resulted in the 

• application not being selected for funding 

• Failure to submit required or requested reports 

• Filing a false statement or certification in this application or other report or document 

• Other good cause shown 

Prior to imposing sanctions, the COPS Office will provide reasonable notice to the recipient of its intent to impose 

sanctions and will attempt to resolve the problem informally. Appeal procedures will follow those in the U.S. 

Department of Justice regulations in 28 C.F.R. Part 18. 

Awards terminated due to noncompliance with the federal statutes, regulations, or award terms and conditions 

will be reported to the integrity and performance system accessible through SAM (currently FAPIIS). 

False statements or claims made in connection with COPS Office awards may result in fines, imprisonment, 

debarment from participating in federal awards or contracts, and any other remedy available by law. 

Please be advised that recipients may not use COPS Office funding for the same item or service also funded by 

another U.S. Department of Justice award. 

Accepting the award 

After you have reviewed the conditions of your AHTF award and your agency agrees with these conditions, you are 

ready to accept the award. The Director of the COPS Office has signed the award document indicating approval of 

your award, an obligation of federal funds to your organization, and our commitment to the award. As stated at 

the beginning of this section, to officially begin your award and draw down your funds, the authorized officials (see 

the Glossary of Terms in the appendices) of your agency must access https://portal.cops.usdoj.gov to log in, 

review, and electronically sign the award document with the award terms and conditions; the Financial Clearance 

Memorandum (FCM) that is incorporated by reference into the award document; and, if applicable, the special 

award conditions or high risk conditions in the award document supplement within 90 days of the date shown on 

the award congratulatory letter. Please see the Agency Portal User Manual at 

https://cops.usdoj.gov/ahtf#programdocuments for detailed instructions on award acceptance. 

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2020 COPS Office Anti-Heroin Task Force Program (AHTF) Award Owner’s Manual 

Who should sign the award document for our agency? 

The authorized officials are the law enforcement and government executives who have ultimate and final 

responsibility for all programmatic and financial decisions regarding this award as representatives of the legal 

recipient. COPS Office awards require that both the top law enforcement executive (e.g., chief of police, sheriff, or 

equivalent) and the top government executive (e.g., mayor, board chairman, or equivalent) sign the award 

document. For non–law enforcement agencies (universities, etc.), the authorized officials are the programmatic 

and financial officials who have the ultimate signatory authority to sign contracts on behalf of your organization. 

Typically, these are the same executives named on your agency’s 2020 AHTF application. If one or both of these 

individuals have changed, please complete a Change of Information (COI) form online at 

https://cops.usdoj.gov/ahtf#programdocuments If you have any questions as to who should sign the award, 

please contact your jurisdiction’s legal counsel. 

By when must the award document be signed? 

Please electronically sign the award document and all award condition pages within 90 days of the date on the 

award congratulatory letter. Award funds will not be released until we have received your agency’s signed award 

document, your budget has received final clearance, and any other relevant award conditions particular to your 

agency have been satisfied. Failure to electronically sign your award document within the 90-day award 

acceptance period may result in your AHTF award being withdrawn and the funds deobligated without additional 

notification. If your agency requires an extension for accepting the award beyond the 90-day acceptance 

timeframe, you will be able to request an extension through the online system. Be sure to explain the 

circumstances that prevent your agency from signing the award document within the 90-day period, and identify 

the date by which the award document will be electronically signed. The COPS Office will review such requests on 

a case-by-case basis. The COPS Office reserves the right to deny requests to extend the 90-day award acceptance 

period. If you have any questions, please contact your COPS Office Grant Program Specialist or the COPS Office 

Response Center at 800-421-6770. 

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II. Procurement Process 

In general, recipients are required to procure funded items through open and free competition when feasible. For 

the purchase of equipment, technology, or services under a COPS Office award, recipients must follow their own 

policies and procedures on procurement as long as those requirements conform to the federal procurement 

requirements set forth in the uniform administrative requirements (2 C.F.R. §§ 200.317 – 200.326). Consistent with 

the uniform administrative requirements that prohibit procurement practices that restrict competition, recipients 

and subrecipients may not discriminate against any person or entity on the basis of a person or entity’s status as 

an “associate of the Federal Government” (or on the basis of a person or entity’s status as a parent, affiliate, or 

subsidiary of an associate of the Federal Government). The term “associate of the Federal Government” means 

any person or entity engaged or employed (in the past or at present) by or on behalf of the Federal Government as 

an employee, contractor, subcontractor, award recipient, subrecipient, agent, or otherwise. 

As described in the award condition titled “Sole Source Justification”, recipients are required to submit a sole 

source justification (SSJ) request to the COPS Office for noncompetitive procurements in excess of $250,000 prior 

to purchasing equipment, technology, or services; obligating funding for a contract; or entering into a contract 

with award funds. If submitting a sole source justification request to the COPS Office, please use the format 

described in the “Sole Source Justification Fact Sheet” in the appendices of this manual. 

If you have any questions regarding the federal requirements that guide procurement procedures, please contact 

your COPS Office Grant Program Specialist. 

For more information about COPS Office programs and resources, please call the COPS Office Response Center at 

800-421-6770 or visit the COPS Office online at www.cops.usdoj.gov. 

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2020 COPS Office Anti-Heroin Task Force Program (AHTF) Award Owner’s Manual 

III. Accessing Award Funds 

This section provides answers to payment-related questions, including all the information needed to set up your 

payments. For assistance with financial management and award administration, please contact the COPS Office 

Response Center at 800-421-6770 or visit our website at www.cops.usdoj.gov. 

Payment method 

What method of payment is used? 

There is currently one payment system available for accessing federal award funds—the Grant Payment Request 

System (GPRS). GPRS is a web-based system that enables recipients to use a secure Internet connection to request 

funds. Approved payment requests will automatically be scheduled for payment by the United States Department 

of the Treasury through electronic funds transfer (EFT). The Automated Clearing House (ACH) is the primary system 

that agencies use for EFT. An award recipient will be able to review previous payment requests made since July 

2009. For more information regarding GPRS, please visit the following website to view the GPRS User Guide 

https://ojp.gov/about/offices/ocfogprs.htm. 

Setting up your account 

How do we set up a GPRS account? 

If you are a new recipient to the COPS Office, your agency should determine which authorized employee(s) will be 

responsible for requesting federal funds from your COPS Office awards through the GPRS system. The individual(s) 

selected must click on the following link and register with the GPRS system to become a drawdown specialist for 

your agency: https://grants.ojp.usdoj.gov/gprs/welcome. All individuals that need access to GPRS must register 

separately and create their own unique GPRS username account, as these accounts are not meant to be shared. 

Once you have been approved, you will receive an email containing a temporary password and information on 

how to use GPRS. Please note that part of the verification process may involve outreach to your law enforcement 

executive and/or government executive or other financial points of contact to validate the information that was 

provided during the registration process. Once you receive your temporary password, you should login to the GPRS 

website and change your temporary password to a permanent password. If you ever have an issue regarding your 

GPRS password, you have the option to utilize the “Forgot Password” link on the webpage. It will email you a new 

temporary password. If this does not work, please contact the GMS Helpdesk (888-549-9901, option 3) for a 

password reset for GPRS with the username you selected upon registration. 

DOJ award recipients who already have active GPRS accounts for awards created in the OJP Grants Management 

System (GMS) may be instructed to consolidate usernames once their COPS GPRS username is approved and 

becomes active. For more information on GPRS username consolidation, please visit the following link: 

https://ojp.gov/about/pdfs/gprsjobaid.pdf. 

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2020 COPS Office Anti-Heroin Task Force Program (AHTF) Award Owner’s Manual 

If you are currently registered for an active COPS Office award username in GPRS and would like to add a recently 

awarded COPS Office award to your existing COPS Office award username, contact the COPS Office GPRS 

registration team via email at COPSGPRSRegistration@usdoj.gov and provide the following information: 

• User name (for COPS Office awards) 

• First/last name 

• Vendor number (as listed on your award document) 

• Award number(s) to be added 

How do we fill out the payment enrollment forms? 

If you are a new award recipient to the COPS Office, your agency will need to complete an Automated 

Clearinghouse (ACH) Vendor/Miscellaneous Payment enrollment form (SF-3881). This form can be found on the 

COPS Office website at www.cops.usdoj.gov/pdf/ach_form_new.pdf. 

Prior to accessing your award funds, your agency must mail the original signed form to: 

Office of Justice Programs 

Office of the Chief Financial Officer 

810 Seventh Street NW 

Attn: Control Desk, Fifth Floor 

Washington, DC 20001 

Your agency must complete the “Payee/Company Information” section following the directions on the back of the 

form and also provide the award number (printed on the award document). Next, your financial institution must 

complete the “Financial Institution Information” section and have the appropriate financial official sign the form. 

If you are already a COPS Office award recipient, you should already have filled out an ACH enrollment form. 

Therefore, your agency will not be required to submit a new ACH enrollment form for the new award as long as 

your OJP vendor number has not changed. If you have any questions, or wish to verify your ACH enrollment form 

information, please call the COPS Office Response Center at 800-421-6770 and ask to speak with your state 

assigned Financial Analyst. 

When should Federal Financial Reports be filed? 

Current regulations state that once you return a signed award document, your agency is required to submit a 

Federal Financial Report (FFR) using Standard Form 425 (SF-425) at the end of every calendar quarter regardless of 

award activity. This report should reflect actual expenditures and unliquidated obligations incurred by your agency 

on a cumulative basis. You will not be able to make drawdowns from your GPRS account if the SF-425 report for 

the most recent reporting quarter is not on file with the COPS Office by the deadline date. Recipients are 

encouraged to submit their SF-425 reports via the Internet at https://portal.cops.usdoj.gov.” 

For more information on how to complete, and where to submit your quarterly SF-425 report, see the section of 

this manual titled “Reporting Requirements”. 

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2020 COPS Office Anti-Heroin Task Force Program (AHTF) Award Owner’s Manual 

Filing the Federal Financial Report (SF-425) identifies your federal and local expenditures made during that calendar 

quarter. However, to receive actual payment, you must request it through GPRS. 

Additional payment questions 

Can we receive advances? 

Yes. If you receive funds through electronic transfer, the period allowed is 10 days in advance. In general, the 

concept of “minimum cash on hand” applies to COPS Office awards. This concept requires that your agency 

request funds based upon immediate cash disbursement needs. You should time your request for payment to 

ensure that federal cash on hand is the minimum that you need. 

There should be no excess federal award funds on hand, except for advances not exceeding 10 days, as noted 

above. 

The Federal Government has four basic rules regarding advances. Advances can be terminated if the recipient 

1. is unwilling or unable to attain project goals; 

2. maintains excess cash on hand; 

5. does not adhere to the terms and conditions of the award; 

6. fails to submit reliable or timely reports. 

How often can we request reimbursement of costs? 

There are no limitations on how often your agency may request reimbursements; however, your reimbursement 

requests should cover a specific time frame and include only costs that were approved in the Financial Clearance 

Memorandum (FCM). As a general guideline, most agencies request reimbursement on a monthly or quarterly 

basis. Also, please note that a date range for a reimbursement request can only be used once. 

Can we earn interest on our award funds?

For states, payments are governed by Treasury-State CMIA agreements and default procedures codified at 31 

C.F.R. Part 205 ‘‘Rules and Procedures for Efficient Federal-State Funds Transfers’’ and TFM 4A–2000 Overall 

Disbursing Rules for All Federal Agencies. 

For nonfederal entities other than states, payment methods must minimize the time between your drawdown of 

federal funds and your payment of award costs to avoid earning excess interest on your award funds. You must 

account for interest earned on advances of federal funds as follows: 

• The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) uniform guidance at 2 C.F.R. § 200.305(b)(9) states that 

interest earned on federal advance payments deposited in interest-bearing accounts up to $500 per year 

may be retained by the nonfederal entity for administrative expenses. 

• Any interest earned on federal advance payments deposited in interest-bearing accounts that is in excess of 

$500 per year must be remitted annually to the Department of Health and Human Services Payment 

Management System (PMS) through an electronic medium using either Automated Clearing House (ACH) 

network or a Fedwire Funds Service payment. For detailed information on remittance, please see the 

appendices for a full text of the electronic medium remittance options. 

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2020 COPS Office Anti-Heroin Task Force Program (AHTF) Award Owner’s Manual 

• If you do not have access to an electronic medium option, then please make a check payable to “The 

Department of Health and Human Services” and mail the check to Treasury-approved lockbox: HHS Program 

Support Center, P.O. Box 530231, Atlanta, GA 30353-0231. (Please allow 4–6 weeks for processing of a 

payment by check to be applied to the appropriate Payment Management System (PMS) account). 

Please notify your COPS Office Staff Accountant in the COPS Office Finance Business Unit when any interest that is 

earned is remitted to the Department of Health and Human Services, Payment Management System. 

Matching funds 

Under the COPS Office AHTF program, no local match is required. The COPS Office is funding 100 percent of the 

allowable items approved in your FCM. 

Please note: if the total cost for allowable items exceeds the approved budget, then the additional expenditures 

are encouraged to be reported on the SF-425 as recipient share of expenditures. 

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2020 COPS Office Anti-Heroin Task Force Program (AHTF) Award Owner’s Manual 

IV. Financial Record Maintenance 

Under the COPS Office AHTF program, your agency is required to establish and maintain accounting systems and 

financial records to accurately account for funds awarded and disbursed. These records must include both federal 

funds and any local funds contributed to this project. 

Accounting systems and records 

What accounting systems are required? 

Your agency needs to establish and maintain accounting systems and financial records to accurately account for 

the funds awarded. 

As required by 2 C.F.R. 200.62 (Internal control over compliance requirements for federal awards), your accounting 

system should be designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the achievement of the following objectives 

for federal awards: 

• Transactions are properly recorded and accounted for in order to prepare reliable financial statements and 

federal reports and to maintain accountability over assets. 

• Transactions are executed in compliance with all applicable federal statutes, regulations, and the award 

terms and conditions. 

• Funds, property, and other assets are safeguarded against loss from unauthorized use or disposition. 

What records must be kept? 

Your agency’s fiscal control and accounting systems should enable you to make accurate, current, and complete 

disclosure of the financial activity under your AHTF award. Your accounting records should contain information 

showing expenditures under the award and must be supported by items such as payroll records, time and 

attendance records, cancelled checks, purchase orders, or similar documents. 

Your agency must adequately safeguard award funds and make sure that they are used for authorized purposes 

only. Your agency will be responsible for refunding any unallowable expenses. 

How long must records be kept? 

All financial records and supporting documents associated with your AHTF award (including payroll, time and 

attendance records, canceled checks, and purchase orders) must be retained for a period of three years from the 

date of submission of the final expenditure report as stated in 2 C.F.R. § 200.333 (Retention requirements for 

records). 

Your agency should maintain records so that you can identify them by award year or by fiscal year, whichever you 

find more convenient. If any litigation, claim, negotiation, audit or other action involving these records has been 

started before the end of the three-year period, the records should be kept until completion of the action. These 

records should be easily located and should be properly protected against fire or other damage. Failure to 

maintain adequate records to document award expenditures may result in a requirement to repay all federal funds 

that cannot be supported with appropriate records. 

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2020 COPS Office Anti-Heroin Task Force Program (AHTF) Award Owner’s Manual 

If your agency has more than one COPS Office award or an award from another federal agency, funds received 

under one project may not be used to support another project without specific written authorization from the 

COPS Office, or in the case of an award from another agency, from both awarding agencies. Your accounting 

systems and financial records must reflect expenditures for each project separately. 

Who may access our records? 

Authorized federal representatives, including representatives from the U.S. Department of Justice, the Comptroller 

General of the United States, the COPS Office, and any entity designated by the COPS Office may access these 

records for the purposes of conducting audits, site visits, or other examinations. 

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V. Federal Audit Requirements 

In addition to oversight by the COPS Office, your award may be subject to an audit by independent examiners. The 

two primary types of audit are Single Audit Act (SAA) audits and U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the Inspector 

General (OIG) audits. 

Single Audit Act (SAA) requirements 

What are the regulations governing SAA requirements? 

The Single Audit Act (SAA) of 1984 established uniform guidelines for state and local governments receiving federal 

financial assistance. The 1984 Act was amended in July 1996, was revised on June 27, 2003 and again on June 26, 

2007, and is effective for fiscal years after December 31, 2003, to reflect revised audit criteria and reporting 

requirements. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued final guidance for 2 C.F.R. Part 200—Uniform 

Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance) on 

December 26, 2013. This guidance applies to all federal awards or funding increments awarded on or after 

December 26, 2014, and provides additional guidelines regarding the implementation of SAA requirements. 2 

C.F.R. Part 200, Subpart F – Audit Requirements, available at www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/textidx?tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title02/2cfr200_main_02.tpl, establishes the requirements for organizational audits that 

apply to COPS Office award recipients. Recipients must arrange for the required organization-wide (not award-byaward) audit in accordance with the requirements of Subpart F. 

Who must have an SAA audit? 

A recipient that expends $750,000 or more during the recipient's fiscal year in federal awards must have a single 

audit conducted in accordance with 2 C.F.R. §200.514 Scope of audit except when it elects to have a programspecific audit conducted in accordance with 2 C.F.R. §200.501(c). An auditee may be a recipient, a subrecipient, or 

a vendor. 

SAA audits are conducted annually unless a state or local government is required by constitution or statute, in 

effect on January 1, 1987 to undergo audits less frequently than annually. The primary objective of an SAA audit is 

to express opinions on the recipient’s financial statements, internal controls, major and nonmajor award 

programs, and compliance with government laws and regulations. Single Audits may also address specific 

compliance issues with respect to COPS Office award requirements. 

In cases of continued inability or unwillingness to have an audit conducted in accordance with this part, federal 

agencies and pass-through entities must take appropriate action as provided in 2 C.F.R. §200.338 - Remedies for 

noncompliance. See 2 C.F.R. §200.505. 

These sanctions under §200.338 could include the following: 

• Temporarily withhold cash payments pending correction of the deficiency by the nonfederal entity or more 

severe enforcement action by the federal awarding agency or pass-through entity. 

• Disallow (that is, deny both use of funds and any applicable matching credit for) all or part of the cost of the 

activity or action not in compliance. 

• Wholly or partly suspend or terminate the federal award. 

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2020 COPS Office Anti-Heroin Task Force Program (AHTF) Award Owner’s Manual 

• Initiate suspension or debarment proceedings as authorized under 2 C.F.R. part 180 and federal awarding 

agency regulations (or in the case of a pass-through entity, recommend such a proceeding be initiated by a 

federal awarding agency). 

• Withhold further federal awards for the project or program. 

• Take other remedies that may be legally available. 

Your SAA reports should not be sent to the COPS Office. 

If the U.S. Department of Justice is your cognizant federal agency (see the Glossary of Terms in the appendices), 

they should be sent to the Federal Audit Clearinghouse at: 

Federal Audit Clearinghouse 

Bureau of Census 

1201 East 10th Street 

Jeffersonville, IN 47132 

The U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs (OJP) serves as the liaison between recipients and 

auditors in the conduct of resolving and closing SAA audits. Questions and comments regarding SAA audits may be 

directed to the COPS Office Response Center at 800-421-6770. 

Office of Inspector General (OIG) recipient audits 

What is the role of the OIG for award audits? 

The OIG is a separate component of the U.S. Department of Justice and is independent of the COPS Office. The 

primary objective of OIG recipient audits is to assess compliance with award terms and conditions. OIG audits are 

designed to prevent fraud, waste, and abuse of federal funds. The OIG audit process promotes efficiency and 

effectiveness in the administration and implementation of awards by evaluating compliance with the terms and 

conditions of awards. 

How are COPS Office awards selected for an OIG audit? 

The OIG randomly selects awards to be audited or may conduct a COPS Office recipient audit in response to a 

referral that the OIG believed warrants further evaluation. The OIG also surveys DOJ award-making agencies on an 

annual basis to solicit input on suggested audit areas for the upcoming fiscal year. In most instances, however, the 

OIG generally selects awards to be audited based on a number of factors, including the geographical distribution of 

awards funded, award amount, population served, award status (active and expired), and type of award (hiring 

and non-hiring). As such, the fact that a recipient has been selected for an OIG audit is not necessarily indicative of 

a suspected concern or problem area. 

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2020 COPS Office Anti-Heroin Task Force Program (AHTF) Award Owner’s Manual 

The COPS Office Grant Monitoring Division’s Audit Liaison Section serves as the liaison between recipients and the 

OIG’s Audit Division, which conducts the audit. The OIG steps in the audit process will determine the interactions 

between the OIG, the recipient, and the COPS Office Audit Liaison Section: 

• Call for award data. The OIG requests award documentation from the COPS Office. 

• Entrance conference. The OIG schedules to meet with the recipient to gather documentation and conduct 

audit. 

• Draft audit report. The OIG reviews documentation and presents initial findings to the recipient and copies 

the COPS Office. The COPS Office interacts with the recipient to coordinate any repayments and/or policy or 

procedure documents to be submitted to the OIG before release of the Final Audit Report. 

• Final audit report. The OIG has completed its direct interaction with the recipient. The COPS Office directs 

the recipient to formulate a Corrective Action Plan to address recommendations (findings). As each 

recommendation is successfully addressed by the recipient, the COPS Office requests closure on the 

recommendation. 

• Closing the audit. When all recommendations have been closed, the COPS Office requests closure on the 

audit from the OIG and notifies the recipient that the audit is closed. 

If you have any questions regarding an OIG audit, please contact the COPS Office Grant Monitoring Division’s Audit 

Liaison Section via the COPS Office Response Center at 800-421-6770. Questions and comments regarding the 

administration of your AHTF award, not specifically related to an audit, should be referred to your COPS Office 

Grant Program Specialist. 

Typical audit findings 

The OIG has typically reported the following audit findings pertaining to awards as a result of lack of proper 

documentation, poor business practices, or inadequate accounting and record-keeping systems: 

• Unallowable costs. Recipient incurred costs that were not approved in the original budget or a budget 

modification, were in excess of the approved budget, or were charged to the award after the expiration date 

and an award extension was not obtained. 

• Unsupported costs. Specific award expenditures and reimbursements could not be supported by adequate 

documentation (including but not limited to receipts or purchases orders), that may have been allowable 

under the program, but for which no prior written approval was obtained from the COPS Office , or award 

expenditures were in excess of actual approved award costs. 

• Lack of complete/timely programmatic and financial reporting. Recipient failed to submit required 

programmatic and financial reports in a timely manner and/or had inadequate record keeping systems. 

• Funds to better use. Funds could be used more efficiently based on management actions such as reductions 

in outlays; deobligation of funds; withdrawal; costs not incurred by implementing recommended 

improvements; and any other identified savings. 

• Questioned costs. Costs that are questioned by the auditor because of an audit finding which resulted from a 

violation or possible violation of a provision of law, regulation, award terms and conditions, or other 

document governing the use of federal funds; or because costs incurred appear unreasonable and do not 

reflect the actions a prudent person would take under the same circumstances; or because costs at the time 

of the audit are not supported by adequate documentation. 

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2020 COPS Office Anti-Heroin Task Force Program (AHTF) Award Owner’s Manual 

• Policy and procedure. Weaknesses are identified in a recipient’s accounting practices, fiscal stewardship, 

accuracy of data used in the development of the award applications, and/or inventory controls that led to the 

recommendation cited in the audit. The recipient is required to develop or revise policies and/or procedures 

consistent with their existing practices and submit to the COPS Office to forward to the OIG to close the 

recommendation. 

• Supplanting. Recipient could not document efforts to backfill vacant local sworn officer positions, or recipient 

could not explain reductions in local law enforcement budget or in sworn officer positions during the award 

period. 

After the final OIG audit report has been issued, the COPS Office Grant Monitoring Division will continue working 

as the liaison between your agency and the OIG to obtain closure on any audit findings. The COPS Office will issue 

a closure letter once all audit recommendations have been closed by the OIG. You must keep all documentation 

related to the audit for a period of three years following the audit’s closure. 

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2020 COPS Office Anti-Heroin Task Force Program (AHTF) Award Owner’s Manual 

VI. Reporting Requirements 

As an AHTF award recipient, your agency will be required to submit quarterly Federal Financial Reports as well as 

semiannual Program Progress Reports. Awarded agencies should be prepared to track and report AHTF program 

funding separately from other funding sources (including other COPS Office and federal awards) to ensure accurate 

financial and programmatic reporting on a timely basis. Your agency should ensure that you have financial internal 

controls in place to monitor the use of AHTF funding and ensure that its use is consistent with the award terms and 

conditions. Good stewardship in this area would include written accounting practices, use of an accounting system 

that tracks all award drawdowns and expenditures, and the ability to track when award-funded positions are filled 

or vacant (including if the position was for a new hire or a rehire). Failure to submit complete reports or submit 

them in a timely manner may result in the suspension and possible termination of your agency’s COPS Office award 

funding or other remedial actions. 

Federal Financial Reports 

Your agency is required to submit a quarterly Federal Financial Report (FFR) using Standard Form 425 (SF-425) 

within 30 days after the end of each calendar quarter. A final SF-425 will be due within 90 days after the end of the 

award period. This report reflects the actual cumulative federal expenditures incurred during the funding period 

and the remaining unobligated balance of federal funds. Under federal regulations, your agency is not permitted to 

draw down federal funding for costs incurred after the official award end date; however, you will have a 90-day 

grace period after the award end date during which you can drawdown funds for eligible expenditures incurred 

before the award end date. 

How do we file a Federal Financial Report (SF-425)? 

All COPS Office award recipients are required to submit quarterly Federal Financial Reports using the SF-425. 

Recipients are strongly encouraged to submit the quarterly SF-425 online. Visit the COPS Office Agency Portal 

website at https://portal.cops.usdoj.gov to log in; once you are logged in, select “Applications” from the agency 

portal menu, click on the “SF-425” icon, and follow the instructions to complete and submit your reports. The 

online SF-425 requires the same reporting information as the paper version. The use of this online application 

enables authorized users to view past reports and allows them to file or amend the SF-425 for the current quarter. 

Please see the Agency Portal User Manual at https://cops.usdoj.gov/ahtf#programdocuments for detailed 

instructions on federal financial reports. 

If you do not have login access, you should contact your COPS Agency Portal Administrator to set up an account for 

you. If you have a registered account but do not remember your password, you may reset your password by going 

to the agency portal homepage in “Account Access,” entering your email address, and clicking on the “Forgot 

Password” link. If you do not have your user name or password, please contact the COPS Office Response Center 

by phone at 800-421-6770 (from Monday through Friday between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM Eastern time) or by email 

at AskCopsRC@usdoj.gov. 

When are Federal Financial Reports (SF-425) due? 

SF-425s for COPS Office awards must be submitted every quarter and no later than 30 days after the last day of 

each reporting quarter, as detailed in table 1 on page 50: 

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2020 COPS Office Anti-Heroin Task Force Program (AHTF) Award Owner’s Manual 

Table 1. Due dates of SF-425s by quarter 

Reporting quarter SF-425 due date 

January 1–March 31 

April 1–June 30 

July 1–September 30 

October 1–December 31 

April 30 

July 30 

October 30 

January 30 

For your initial SF-425 submission, determine when the most recent SF-425 reporting quarter ended and complete 

an SF-425 to cover the period from the award start date of your award to the end of that period. You are required 

to submit an SF-425 even if you have not spent any money or incurred any costs during a reporting period. The 

due dates for online filing of SF-425s are the same as for the submission of paper copies. 

Example: 

If your award start date is 09-01-20 and the current date is 11-15-20, then your first SF-425 would be due no later 

than 10-30-20 and would cover the period 09-01-20 (award start date) through 09-30-20 (end of the initial 

reporting quarter for this award). This SF-425 must be on file with the COPS Office before the submission deadline 

so that you can avoid being delinquent and can successfully complete a drawdown of funds through GPRS (submit 

report as soon as you accept the award and have access to the COPS Agency Portal). 

Award recipients who do not submit an SF-425 report by the due date each quarter will be unable to draw down 

funds. The payment system contains a function which checks for SF-425 delinquency and will reject a drawdown 

attempt if the SF-425 is not current. Subsequent outreach through email, fax, or hard copy reminders may be sent 

to the recipient if the SF-425 is delinquent. 

For general information concerning online filing of SF-425 reports, go to www.cops.usdoj.gov or contact the COPS 

Office Response Center by phone at 800-421-6770 or by email at AskCopsRC@usdoj.gov. 

For assistance in completing the SF-425, contact the COPS Office Response Center at 800-421-6770 or by email at 

AskCopsRC@usdoj.gov or review the “Helpful Hints Guide for Completing the Federal Financial Report (SF-425)” at 

www.cops.usdoj.gov/pdf/SF-425_Helpful_Hints_Guide_5.9.13.pdf. 

How will award funds be monitored? 

The COPS Office and designated representatives from the Office of the Chief Financial Officer, Office of Justice 

Programs monitor the financial aspects of your agency’s award through financial reports, on-site visits, officebased award reviews, meetings, telephone contacts, reports, audits, reviews of grant change requests, and special 

request submissions. 

Program Progress Reports 

Semiannual Program Progress Reports and a Final Program Progress (Closeout) Report are required to be 

submitted directly to the COPS Office through the “Account Access” link of the COPS Office website at 

https://portal.cops.usdoj.gov. 

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How do we file a Program Progress Report? 

 

 

2020 COPS Office Anti-Heroin Task Force Program (AHTF) Award Owner’s Manual 

Please access the COPS Office website at https://portal.cops.usdoj.gov and click on the “Account Access” tab at 

the top-right hand side of the page. Once you are logged in, select “Applications” from the agency portal menu, 

click on the “Progress Report” icon, and follow the instructions to complete your report. Please see the Agency 

Portal User Manual at https://cops.usdoj.gov/ahtf#programdocuments for detailed instructions on federal 

financial reports. 

How do we obtain online access to complete the Program Progress Report? 

If you do not have login access, you should contact your agency portal administrator to set up an account for you. 

If you have a registered account but do not remember your password, you may reset your password by going to 

the agency portal homepage at https://portal.cops.usdoj.gov and enter your email address, and click on the 

“Forgot Password” link. If you do not have your user name or password, please contact the COPS Office Response 

Center by phone at 800-421-6770 (from Monday through Friday between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM Eastern time) or 

by email at AskCopsRC@usdoj.gov. 

Do we need to request a Program Progress Report? 

No. The COPS Office will notify your agency directly when the report is due. A notification for submitting your 

semiannual Program Progress Report will be sent electronically in March and August, covering activities for the 

preceding 6-month period. Notification for submitting your Final Program Progress (Closeout) Report will be sent 

to your agency in the month following your award end date. 

When are Program Progress Reports due? 

Program Progress Reports for COPS Office awards must be submitted every quarter and no later than 30 days after 

the last day of each reporting quarter, as detailed in table 2. 

Table 2. Due dates of Program Progress Reports by semiannual dates 

Semiannual reporting period Program Progress Report due date 

January 1 – June 30 August 30 

July 1 – December 31 March 30 

What kind of information will these reports require? 

These reports will request information about the status of your award in terms of purchasing equipment, hiring 

personnel, and your award-related community policing activities. 

What if we make a mistake or need to modify the report after it is submitted? 

Recipients may need to make a change or may be asked by a subsequent COPS Office reviewer to make a 

correction to a submission. The recipient can update the submission by logging on to the COPS Office website or by 

calling the COPS Office Progress Report Team at 800-659-7379. 

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Will the data that we submit be publicly available? 

 

 

2020 COPS Office Anti-Heroin Task Force Program (AHTF) Award Owner’s Manual 

Program Progress Reports submitted to the COPS Office may be reported publicly in response to a Freedom of 

Information Act (FOIA) request. 

If your agency has any questions regarding the submission of these required reports, please call the COPS Office 

Progress Report Team via the COPS Office Response Center at 800-659-7379. 

Contact points to obtain technical assistance and report violations 

Any alleged violations, serious irregularities, or acts that may result in the use of public funds in a manner 

inconsistent with the Public Safety Partnership and Community Policing Act of 1994 or the purposes of this award, 

may be reported to the U.S. Department of Justice. Furthermore, the COPS Office welcomes the opportunity to 

provide assistance regarding the implementation of award provisions to help ensure that federal award funds are 

spent responsibly. As such, the following contacts are provided to address noncompliance and technical assistance 

issues: 

• If you suspect violations of a criminal nature, please contact the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the 

Inspector General (OIG) at https://oig.justice.gov/hotline, OIG.hotline@usdoj.gov, or 800-869-4499. 

• If you suspect award violations (not criminal in nature) related to the award conditions listed in this manual, 

please contact the COPS Office Grant Monitoring Division at 202-514-9202. 

• If you have any questions or need assistance regarding your award, please contact your COPS Office Grant 

Program Specialist via the COPS Office Response Center at 800-421-6770. 

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2020 COPS Office Anti-Heroin Task Force Program (AHTF) Award Owner’s Manual 

VII. When the Award Period Has Ended 

At the end of your agency’s AHTF award period, the COPS Office is responsible for the closeout of your award. As 

part of this process, the COPS Office requires documentation demonstrating that your agency has met all of the 

financial and programmatic requirements of the award. 

After the end of the award period, your agency will be asked to submit a Final Federal Financial Report (SF-425) 

and any applicable final programmatic progress reports. 

Final Federal Financial Report (SF-425) 

The final Federal Financial Report (SF-425) for your award is due to the COPS Office no later than 90 days after the 

end date of the award period. To avoid being delinquent and having your funds frozen, you must submit an SF-425 

report within the 30 day grace period, even if your final SF-425 is not due yet. You can revise that report to reflect 

your final actual costs and revise the status as final no later than 90 days after the end date of the award period. 

The final report should reflect the total amount of allowable federal expenditures that were incurred during the 

life of the award, as well as the amount of unobligated funds remaining, if any. The federal funds expended should 

reflect only the actual allowable costs incurred relative to the specific program requirements for that award. In 

addition, once you have completed your final drawdown, this report should reconcile with the total amount of 

federal funds drawn down by your agency. The final SF-425 should also include the required minimum total 

amount of local (recipient) cash match contributed, if applicable. 

When should all of the award monies be spent? 

Award funds reflecting allowable project costs must be obligated before the end of the award period. Obligated 

funds cover monies spent and expenses for all approved items in the FCM that your agency has incurred but not 

yet paid. Your agency has up to 90 days after the end of the award period to request reimbursement for funds 

obligated. 

Please be advised that 2 C.F.R. §200.343(a) requires recipients to submit final SF-425s and 2 C.F.R. § 200.343(b) 

requires recipients to draw down the final reimbursement for expended funds within 90 days after the expiration of 

the award. In addition, be advised that failure to complete the drawdown of funds within the 90-day period 

following award expiration will result in the forfeiture of the remaining eligible balance. 

It is possible that your agency may have excess award funds remaining in your account following the award period 

due to an overestimate of item costs during the award period. Your agency should review its records carefully to 

ensure that it draws down and expends only the amount required for actual costs incurred during the award 

period. Any excess unobligated or unspent funds should remain in your account, and will be deobligated during the 

closeout process. 

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2020 COPS Office Anti-Heroin Task Force Program (AHTF) Award Owner’s Manual 

Final Program Progress (Closeout) Report 

After your award period has ended, your agency may be sent a final progress or closeout report from the COPS 

Office and asked to complete it. This report will serve as your agency’s final programmatic report on the award, 

and the information your agency provides in this report will be used to make a final assessment of your award 

progress. 

Equipment disposition 

Each recipient must use any equipment funded through a COPS Office award for approved award-related purposes 

and must retain the equipment for the life of the award. After the conclusion of the award period, property 

records must be maintained by the recipient. The records should include a description of the property; a serial 

number or other identification number; the source of the property; the name of the person or entity that holds the 

title; the acquisition date and cost of the property; the percentage of federal participation in the cost of the 

property; the location, use, and condition of the property; and any ultimate disposition data, including the date of 

disposal and sale price of the property. A control system must be developed to ensure adequate safeguards to 

prevent loss, damage, or theft of the property. 

When the award has expired and original or replacement equipment obtained under the award is no longer 

needed for the original project or for other activities currently or previously supported by a federal agency, 

disposition of the equipment shall be made as follows: 

Items of equipment with a current per-unit fair market value of less than $5,000 or less may be retained, sold, or 

otherwise disposed of with no further obligation to the awarding agency. 

Items of equipment with a current per-unit fair market value in excess of $5,000 may be retained or sold and the 

awarding agency is entitled to an amount calculated by multiplying the current market value or proceeds from sale 

by the awarding agency’s federal share of the equipment. 

For more information, please see 2 C.F.R. § 200.313. 

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2020 COPS Office Anti-Heroin Task Force Program (AHTF) Award Owner’s Manual 

VIII. Conclusion 

We hope that this manual has assisted you and your agency with your award questions. We welcome and 

encourage any comments you have regarding AHTF and the materials we have developed for its administration. If 

you have specific comments regarding this manual or have any questions about your award, please call the COPS 

Office Response Center at 800-421-6770. 

Pursuant to Executive Order 13513, “Federal Leadership on Reducing Text Messaging While Driving,” the COPS 

Office encourages recipients of U.S. Department of Justice funds to adopt and enforce policies that ban text 

messaging while driving and to establish workplace safety policies to decrease crashes caused by distracted 

drivers. 

In addition, pursuant to Executive Order 13043, “Increasing Seat Belt Use in the United States,” the COPS Office 

encourages recipients of U.S. Department of Justice funds to adopt and enforce on-the-job seat belt policies and 

programs for their employees when operating company-owned, rented, or personally owned vehicles. 

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2020 COPS Office Anti-Heroin Task Force Program (AHTF) Award Owner’s Manual 

Appendices 

Appendix A. List of Source Documents 

A. Primary sources 

Public Safety Partnership and Community Policing Act of 1994, 34 U.S.C. § 10381 et seq. 

B. Secondary sources 

Code of Federal Regulations (C.F.R.) / Office of Management and Budget (OMB): 

2 C.F.R. Part 200 (Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal 

Awards) as adopted by the U.S. Department of Justice in 2 C.F.R. § 2800.101 

4 C.F.R. Parts 101-105, U.S. Department of Justice/Government Accountability Office, “Joint Federal Claims 

Collections Standards” 

5 C.F.R. Part 1320, “Controlling Paperwork Burden on the Public” 

5 C.F.R. Part 151, “Political Activity of State and Local Officers or Employees” 

28 C.F.R. Part 23, “Criminal Intelligence Systems Operating Policies” 

28 C.F.R. Part 61, “Procedures for Implementing the National Environmental Policy Act” 

28 C.F.R. Part 83, “Government-Wide Requirements for Drug-Free Workplaces (Grants)” 

28 C.F.R. Part 69, “New Restrictions on Lobbying” 

31 C.F.R. Part 205,”Rules and Procedures for Efficient Federal-State Funds Transfers” 

OMB Circular A-129, ”Policies for Federal Credit Programs and Non-Tax Receivables” 

48 C.F.R. Part 31 (Federal Acquisition Regulation), “Contract Cost Principles and Procedures” 

Executive orders: 

Executive Order 12291, “Regulations” 

Executive Order 12372, 28 C.F.R. Part 30 “Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs” 

Executive Order 12547, “Non-Procurement Debarments and Suspension” 

Executive Order 13043, “Increasing Seat Belt Use in the United States” 

Executive Order 13513, “Federal Leadership on Reducing Text Messaging While Driving” 

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2020 COPS Office Anti-Heroin Task Force Program (AHTF) Award Owner’s Manual 

Appendix B. Assurances and Certifications 

U.S. Department of Justice Certified Standard Assurances 

On behalf of the Applicant, and in support of this application for a grant or cooperative agreement, I certify under 

penalty of perjury to the U.S. Department of Justice ("Department"), that all of the following are true and correct: 

(1) I have the authority to make the following representations on behalf of myself and the Applicant. I understand 

that these representations will be relied upon as material in any Department decision to make an award to the 

Applicant based on its application. 

(2) I certify that the Applicant has the legal authority to apply for the federal assistance sought by the application, 

and that it has the institutional, managerial, and financial capability (including funds sufficient to pay any 

required non-federal share of project costs) to plan, manage, and complete the project described in the 

application properly. 

(3) I assure that, throughout the period of performance for the award (if any) made by the Department based on 

the application— 

a. the Applicant will comply with all award requirements and all federal statutes and regulations applicable 

to the award; 

b. the Applicant will require all subrecipients to comply with all applicable award requirements and all applicable federal statutes and regulations; and 

c. the Applicant will maintain safeguards to address and prevent any organizational conflict of interest, and 

also to prohibit employees from using their positions in any manner that poses, or appears to pose, a personal or financial conflict of interest. 

(4) The Applicant understands that the federal statutes and regulations applicable to the award (if any) made by 

the Department based on the application specifically include statutes and regulations pertaining to civil rights 

and nondiscrimination, and, in addition— 

a. the Applicant understands that the applicable statutes pertaining to civil rights will include section 601 of 

the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. § 2000d); section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. § 

794); section 901 of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. § 1681); and section 303 of the Age 

Discrimination Act of 1975 (42 U.S.C. § 6102); 

b. the Applicant understands that the applicable statutes pertaining to nondiscrimination may include sec-

-

-

-

-

-

tion 809(c) of Title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. § 10228(c)); sec

tion 1407(e) of the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 (34 U.S.C. § 20110(e)); section 299A(b) of the Juvenile 

Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 2002 (34 U.S.C. § 11182(b)); and that the grant condition set 

out at section 40002(b)(13) of the Violence Against Women Act (34 U.S.C. § 12291(b)(13)), which will ap

ply to all awards made by the Office on Violence Against Women, also may apply to an award made other

wise; 

c. the Applicant understands that it must require any subrecipient to comply with all such applicable stat

utes (and associated regulations); and 

d. on behalf of the Applicant, I make the specific assurances set out in 28 C.F.R. §§ 42.105 and 42.204. 

(5) The Applicant also understands that (in addition to any applicable program-specific regulations and to applica

ble federal regulations that pertain to civil rights and nondiscrimination) the federal regulations applicable to 

the award (if any) made by the Department based on the application may include, but are not limited to, 2 

C.F.R. Part 2800 (the DOJ "Part 200 Uniform Requirements") and 28 C.F.R. Parts 22 

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2020 COPS Office Anti-Heroin Task Force Program (AHTF) Award Owner’s Manual 

(confidentiality -research and statistical information), 23 (criminal intelligence systems), 38 (regarding faithbased or religious organizations participating in federal financial assistance programs), and 46 (human subjects 

protection). 

(6) I assure that the Applicant will assist the Department as necessary (and will require subrecipients and contrac-

-

-

-

-

-

tors to assist as necessary) with the Department's compliance with section 106 of the National Historic Preser

vation Act of 1966 (54 U.S.C. § 306108), the Archeological and Historical Preservation Act of 1974 (54 U.S.C. §§ 

312501-312508), and the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. §§ 4321-4335), and 28 C.F.R.

Parts 61 (NEPA) and 63 (floodplains and wetlands).

(7) I assure that the Applicant will give the Department and the Government Accountability Office, through any

authorized representative, access to, and opportunity to examine, all paper or electronic records related to

the award (if any) made by the Department based on the application.

(8) I assure that, if the Applicant is a governmental entity, with respect to the award (if any) made by the Depart

ment based on the application—

a. it will comply with the requirements of the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisitions

Act of 1970 (42 U.S.C. §§ 4601-4655), which govern the treatment of persons displaced as a result of federal and federally-assisted programs; and

b. it will comply with requirements of 5 U.S.C. §§ 1501-1508 and 7324-7328, which limit certain political activities of State or local government employees whose principal employment is in connection with an activity financed in whole or in part by federal assistance.

(9) If the Applicant applies for and receives an award from the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services

(COPS Office), I assure that as required by 34 U.S.C. § 10382(c)(11), it will, to the extent practicable and con

sistent with applicable law—including, but not limited to, the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assis

tance Act—seek, recruit, and hire qualified members of racial and ethnic minority groups and qualified women

in order to further effective law enforcement by increasing their ranks within the sworn positions, as provided

under 34 U.S.C. § 10382(c)(11).

(10) If the Applicant applies for and receives a DOJ award under the STOP School Violence Act program, I assure as

required by 34 U.S. C. § 10552(a)(3), that it will maintain and report such data, records, and information (pro

grammatic and financial) as DOJ may reasonably require.

I acknowledge that a materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement (or concealment or omission of a material 

fact) in this certification, or in the application that it supports, may be the subject of criminal prosecution 

(including under 18 U.S.C. §§ 1001 and/or 1621, and/or 34 U.S.C. §§ 10271-10273), and also may subject me and 

the Applicant to civil penalties and administrative remedies for false claims or otherwise (including under 31 U.S.C. 

§§ 3729-3730 and 3801-3812). I also acknowledge that the Department’s awards, including certifications provided

in connection with such awards, are subject to review by the Department, including by its Office of the Inspector

General.

Signature of Law Enforcement Executive/Agency Executive 

(For your electronic signature, please type in your name) 

Date 

Signature of Government Executive/Financial Official 

(For your electronic signature, please type in your name) 

Date 

58 
U.S. Department of Justice Certifications Regarding Lobbying; Debarment, Suspension 

and Other Responsibility Matters; and Drug-Free Workplace Requirements 

2020 COPS Office Anti-Heroin Task Force Program (AHTF) Award Owner’s Manual 

Applicants should refer to the regulations cited below to determine the certification to which they are required to 

attest. Applicants should also review the instructions for certification included in the regulations before completing 

this form. The certifications shall be treated as a material representation of fact upon which reliance will be placed 

when the U.S. Department of Justice (“Department”) determines to award the covered transaction, grant, or 

cooperative agreement. 

1. LOBBYING 

As required by 31 U.S.C. § 1352, as implemented by 28 C.F.R. Part 69, the Applicant certifies and assures 

(to the extent applicable) the following: 

(a) No Federal appropriated funds have been paid or will be paid, by or on behalf of the Applicant, to 

any person for influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any agency, a 

Member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a Member of Con-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

gress in connection with the making of any Federal grant, the entering into of any cooperative 

agreement, or the extension, continuation, renewal, amendment, or modification of any Federal 

grant or cooperative agreement; 

(b) If the Applicant’s request for Federal funds is in excess of $100,000, and any funds other than 

Federal appropriated funds have been paid or will be paid to any person for influencing or at

tempting to influence an officer or employee of any agency, a member of Congress, an officer or 

employee of Congress, or an employee of a member of Congress in connection with this Federal 

grant or cooperative agreement, the Applicant shall complete and submit Standard Form - LLL, 

“Disclosure of Lobbying Activities” in accordance with its (and any DOJ awarding agency’s) in

structions; and 

(c) The Applicant shall require that the language of this certification be included in the award docu

ments for all subgrants and procurement contracts (and their subcontracts) funded with Federal 

award funds and shall ensure that any certifications or lobbying disclosures required of recipients 

of such subgrants and procurement contracts (or their subcontractors) are made and filed in ac

cordance with 31 U.S.C. § 1352. 

2. DEBARMENT, SUSPENSION, AND OTHER RESPONSIBILITY MATTERS 

A. Pursuant to Department regulations on nonprocurement debarment and suspension implemented at 

2 C.F.R. Part 2867, and to other related requirements, the Applicant certifies, with respect to prospective participants in a primary tier “covered transaction,” as defined at 2 C.F.R. § 2867.20(a), that neither it nor any of its principals— 

(a) is presently debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment, declared ineligible, sentenced to a 

denial of Federal benefits by a State or Federal court, or voluntarily excluded from covered trans

actions by any Federal department or agency; 

(b) has within a three-year period preceding this application been convicted of a felony criminal vio

lation under any Federal law, or been convicted or had a civil judgment rendered against it for 

commission of fraud or a criminal offense in connection with obtaining, attempting to obtain, or 

performing a public (Federal, State, tribal, or local) transaction or private agreement or transac

tion; violation of Federal or State antitrust statutes or commission of embezzlement, theft, for

gery, bribery, falsification or destruction of records, making false statements, tax evasion or re

ceiving stolen 

59 
2020 COPS Office Anti-Heroin Task Force Program (AHTF) Award Owner’s Manual 

property, making false claims, or obstruction of justice, or commission of any offense indicating a 

lack of business integrity or business honesty that seriously and directly affects its (or its principals’) present responsibility; 

(c) is presently indicted for or otherwise criminally or civilly charged by a governmental entity (Fed-

-

-

eral, State, tribal, or local) with commission of any of the offenses enumerated in paragraph (b) 

of this certification; and/or 

(d) has within a three-year period preceding this application had one or more public transactions 

(Federal, State, tribal, or local) terminated for cause or default. 

B. Where the Applicant is unable to certify to any of the statements in this certification, it shall attach an 

explanation to this application. Where the Applicant or any of its principals was convicted, within a 

three-year period preceding this application, of a felony criminal violation under any Federal law, the 

Applicant also must disclose such felony criminal conviction in writing to the Department (for OJP Applicants, to OJP at Ojpcompliancereporting@usdoj.gov; for OVW Applicants, to OVW at 

OVW.GFMD@usdoj.gov; or for COPS Applicants, to COPS at AskCOPSRC@usdoj.gov), unless such disclosure has already been made. 

3. FEDERAL TAXES 

A. If the Applicant is a corporation, it certifies either that (1) the corporation has no unpaid Federal tax 

liability that has been assessed, for which all judicial and administrative remedies have been exhausted or have lapsed, that is not being paid in a timely manner pursuant to an agreement with the 

authority responsible for collecting the tax liability, or (2) the corporation has provided written notice 

of such an unpaid tax liability (or liabilities) to the Department (for OJP Applicants, to OJP at Ojpcompliancereporting@usdoj.gov; for OVW Applicants, to OVW at OVW.GFMD@usdoj.gov; or for COPS 

Applicants, to COPS at AskCOPSRC@usdoj.gov). 

B. Where the Applicant is unable to certify to any of the statements in this certification, it shall attach an 

explanation to this application. 

4. DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE (GRANTEES OTHER THAN INDIVIDUALS) 

As required by the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988, as implemented at 28 C.F.R. Part 83, Subpart F, for 

grantees, as defined at 28 C.F.R. §§ 83.620 and 83.650: 

A. The Applicant certifies and assures that it will, or will continue to, provide a drug-free workplace by— 

(a) Publishing a statement notifying employees that the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispens

ing, possession, or use of a controlled substance is prohibited in its workplace and specifying the 

actions that will be taken against employees for violation of such prohibition; 

(b) Establishing an on-going drug-free awareness program to inform employees about— 

(1) The dangers of drug abuse in the workplace; 

(2) The Applicant’s policy of maintaining a drug-free workplace; 

(3) Any available drug counseling, rehabilitation, and employee assistance programs; and 

(4) The penalties that may be imposed upon employees for drug abuse violations occurring 

inthe workplace; 

(c) Making it a requirement that each employee to be engaged in the performance of the award be 

given a copy of the statement required by paragraph (a); 

(d) Notifying the employee in the statement required by paragraph (a) that, as a condition of em

ployment under the award, the employee will— 

(1) Abide by the terms of the statement; and 

(2) Notify the employer in writing of the employee’s conviction for a violation of a criminal drug 

statute occurring in the workplace no later than five calendar days after such conviction; 

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(e) Notifying the Department, in writing, within 10 calendar days after receiving notice under sub-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

paragraph (d)(2) from an employee or otherwise receiving actual notice of such conviction. Em

ployers of convicted employees must provide notice, including position title of any such con

victed employee to the Department, as follows: 

For COPS award recipients - COPS Office, 145 N Street, NE, Washington, DC, 20530; 

For OJP and OVW award recipients - U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, 

ATTN: Control Desk, 810 7th Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20531. 

Notice shall include the identification number(s) of each affected award; 

(f) Taking one of the following actions, within 30 calendar days of receiving notice under subpara

graph (d)(2), with respect to any employee who is so convicted: 

(1) Taking appropriate personnel action against such an employee, up to and including termina

tion, consistent with the requirements of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended; or 

(2) Requiring such employee to participate satisfactorily in a drug abuse assistance or rehabilita

tion program approved for such purposes by a Federal, State, or local health, law enforce

ment, or other appropriate agency; and 

(g) Making a good faith effort to continue to maintain a drug-free workplace through implementa

tion of paragraphs (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), and (f). 

5. COORDINATION REQUIRED UNDER PUBLIC SAFETY AND COMMUNITY POLICING PROGRAMS 

As required by the Public Safety Partnership and Community Policing Act of 1994, at 34 U.S.C. § 

10382(c)(5), if this application is for a COPS award, the Applicant certifies that there has been appropriate 

coordination with all agencies that may be affected by its award. Affected agencies may include, among 

others, Offices of the United States Attorneys; State, local, or tribal prosecutors; or correctional agencies. 

I acknowledge that a materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement (or concealment or omission of a material 

fact) in this certification, or in the application that it supports, may be the subject of criminal prosecution 

(including under 18 U.S.C. §§ 1001 and/or 1621, and/or 34 U.S.C. §§ 10271-10273), and also may subject me and 

the Applicant to civil penalties and administrative remedies for false claims or otherwise (including under 31 U.S.C. 

§§ 3729-3730 and 3801-3812). I also acknowledge that the Department’s awards, including certifications provided 

in connection with such awards, are subject to review by the Department, including by its Office of the Inspector 

General. 

Signature of Law Enforcement Executive/Agency Executive Date 

(For your electronic signature, please type in your name) 

Signature of Government Executive/Financial Official Date 

(For your electronic signature, please type in your name) 

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Appendix C. Community policing defined 

Community policing is a philosophy that promotes organizational strategies that support the systematic use of 

partnerships and problem-solving techniques, to proactively address the immediate conditions that give rise to 

public safety issues such as crime, social disorder, and fear of crime. 

Community policing is composed of three key components: 

1. Community partnerships 

2. Organizational transformation 

3. Problem solving 

Community partnerships 

Community partnerships are collaborative partnerships between law enforcement agencies and the individuals 

and organizations they serve to develop solutions to problems and increase trust in police. 

Community policing, recognizing that police rarely can solve public safety problems alone, encourages interactive 

partnerships with relevant stakeholders. The range of potential partners is large, and these partnerships can be 

used to accomplish the two interrelated goals of developing solutions to problems through collaborative problem 

solving and improving public trust. The public should play a role in prioritizing and addressing public safety 

problems. 

Other government agencies 

Law enforcement organizations can partner with a number of other government agencies to identify community 

concerns and offer alternative solutions. Examples of agencies include legislative bodies, prosecutors, probation 

and parole departments, public works departments, neighboring law enforcement agencies, health and human 

services departments, child support services, ordinance enforcement, and schools. 

Community members or groups 

Individuals who live, work, or otherwise have an interest in the community—volunteers, activists, formal and 

informal community leaders, residents, visitors and tourists, and commuters—are a valuable resource for 

identifying community concerns. These factions of the community can be engaged in achieving specific goals at 

town hall meetings, neighborhood association meetings, decentralized offices or storefronts in the community, 

and team beat assignments. 

Nonprofits or service providers 

Advocacy and community-based organizations that provide services to the community and advocate on its behalf 

can be powerful partners. These groups often work with or are composed of individuals who share common 

interests and can include such entities as victims groups, service clubs, support groups, issue groups, advocacy 

groups, community development corporations, and the faith community. 

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Institutions of higher education create communities of students, professors, and personnel that are important 

stakeholders. The institutions can also provide resources to law enforcement agencies by assisting with 

communication strategies, facilitation of community meetings, data analysis, and research. 

Private businesses 

For-profit businesses also have a great stake in the health of the community and can be key partners because they 

often bring considerable resources to bear in addressing problems of mutual concern. Businesses can help identify 

problems and provide resources for responses, often including their own security technology and community 

outreach. The local chamber of commerce and visitor centers can also assist in disseminating information about 

police-business partnerships and initiatives, and crime prevention practices. 

Media 

The media represent a powerful mechanism by which to communicate with the community. They can assist with 

publicizing community concerns and available solutions, such as services from government or community agencies 

or new laws or codes that will be enforced. In addition, the media can have a significant impact on public 

perceptions of the police, crime problems, and fear of crime. 

Organizational transformation 

Organizational transformation is the alignment of organizational management, structure, personnel, and 

information systems to support community partnerships and proactive problem-solving efforts. 

The community policing philosophy focuses on the way that departments are organized and managed and how the 

infrastructure can be changed to support the philosophical shift behind community policing. It encourages the 

application of modern management practices to increase efficiency and effectiveness. Community policing 

emphasizes changes in organizational structures to institutionalize its adoption and infuse it throughout the entire 

department, including the way it is managed and organized, its personnel, and its technology. 

Agency management 

Under the community policing model, police management infuses community policing ideals throughout the 

agency by making a number of critical changes in climate and culture, leadership, formal labor relations, 

decentralized decision-making and accountability, strategic planning, policing and procedures, organizational 

evaluations, and increased transparency. 

Climate and culture 

Changing the climate and culture means supporting a proactive orientation that values systematic problem solving 

and partnerships. Formal organizational changes should support the informal networks and communication that 

take place within agencies to support this orientation. 

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Leadership 

2020 COPS Office Anti-Heroin Task Force Program (AHTF) Award Owner’s Manual 

Leaders serve as role models for taking risks and building collaborative relationships to implement community 

policing and they use their position to influence and educate others about it. Leaders, therefore, must constantly 

emphasize and reinforce community policing’s vision, values, and mission within their organization and support 

and articulate a commitment to community policing as the predominant way of doing business. 

Labor relations 

If community policing is going to be effective, police unions and similar forms of organized labor must be a part of 

the process and function as partners in the adoption of the community policing philosophy. Including labor groups 

in agency changes can ensure support for the changes that are imperative to community policing implementation. 

Decision-making 

Community policing calls for decentralization both in command structure and decision-making. Decentralized 

decision-making allows front-line officers to take responsibility for their role in community policing. When an 

officer is able to create solutions to problems and take risks, he or she ultimately feels accountable for those 

solutions and assumes a greater responsibility for the well-being of the community. Decentralized decision-making 

involves flattening the hierarchy of the agency, increasing tolerance for risk taking in problem-solving efforts, and 

allowing officers discretion in handling calls. In addition, providing sufficient authority to coordinate various 

resources to attack a problem and allowing officers the autonomy to establish relationships with the community 

will help define problems and develop possible solutions. 

Strategic planning 

The department should have a written statement reflecting a department-wide commitment to community 

policing and a plan that matches operational needs to available resources and expertise. If a strategic plan is to 

have value, the members of the organization should be well-versed in it and be able to give examples of their 

efforts that support the plan. Components such as the organization’s mission and values statement should be 

simple and communicated widely. 

Policies 

Community policing affects the nature and development of department policies and procedures to ensure that 

community policing principles and practices have an effect on activities on the street. Problem solving and 

partnerships, therefore, should become institutionalized in policies, along with corresponding sets of procedures, 

where appropriate. 

Organizational evaluations 

In addition to the typical measures of police performance (arrests, response times, tickets issued, and crime rates) 

community policing calls for a broadening of police outcome measures to include such things as greater 

community satisfaction, less fear of crime, the alleviation of problems, and improvement in quality of life. 

Community policing calls for a more sophisticated approach to evaluation—one that looks not only at measured 

outcomes, but also at how feedback information is used. 

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Transparency 

2020 COPS Office Anti-Heroin Task Force Program (AHTF) Award Owner’s Manual 

Community policing involves decision-making processes that are more open than traditional policing. If the 

community is to be a full partner, the department needs mechanisms for readily sharing relevant information on 

crime and social disorder problems and police operations with the community. 

Organizational structure 

It is important that the organizational structure of the agency ensure that local patrol officers have decisionmaking authority and are accountable for their actions. This can be achieved through long-term assignments, the 

development of officers who are generalists, and using special units appropriately. 

Geographic deployment of patrol officers and specialized components 

With community policing, there is a shift to the long-term assignment of officers to specific neighborhoods or 

areas. Geographic deployment of patrol officers and specialized components can help enhance customer service 

and facilitate more contact between police and citizens, thus establishing strong relationships and mutual 

accountability. Patrol beat boundaries should be aligned to neighborhood boundaries to enhance officers’ 

understanding of communities within their patrol areas and to build trust within the community. Other community 

policing partners should become familiar with both the patrol officers and community policing officers assigned 

within each patrol beat to coordinate government and nongovernment community policing activities. 

Despecialization 

To achieve community policing goals, the culture of policing should strive to have officers have to be able to 

handle multiple responsibilities and take a team approach to collaborative problem solving and partnering with the 

community. Community policing encourages its adoption agency-wide, not just by special units, although there 

may be a need for specialist units that are tasked with identifying and solving particularly complex problems or 

managing complex partnerships. 

Resources (time, finances, and people) 

Agencies have to devote the necessary human and financial resources and the investment of time to support 

community policing to ensure that problem-solving efforts are robust and that partnerships are sustained and 

effective. 

Personnel 

The principles of community policing need to be infused throughout the entire personnel system of an agency 

including recruitment, hiring, selection, and retention of all law enforcement agency staff, from sworn officers to 

civilians and volunteers. Personnel evaluations, supervision, and training must also be aligned with the agencies’ 

community policing values. 

Recruitment, hiring, and selection 

Agencies need a systematic means of incorporating community policing elements into their recruitment, selection, 

and hiring processes. Job descriptions should recognize community policing and problem-solving responsibilities 

and encourage the recruitment of officers who have a spirit of service, not just a spirit of adventure. A community 

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2020 COPS Office Anti-Heroin Task Force Program (AHTF) Award Owner’s Manual 

policing agency must also thoughtfully examine where it looks for recruits, whom it is recruiting and hiring, and 

what is being tested. Agencies are also encouraged to seek community involvement in this process through the 

identification of competencies and participation in review boards. 

Personnel supervision/evaluations 

Supervisors must tie performance evaluations to community policing principles and activities that are incorporated 

into job descriptions. Performance, reward, and promotional procedures should support sound problem-solving 

activities, proactive policing, community collaboration, and citizen satisfaction with police services. 

Training 

Training at all levels—academy, field, and in-service—must support community policing principles and tactics. It 

also needs to encourage creative thinking, a proactive orientation, communication and analytical skills, and 

techniques for dealing with quality-of-life concerns and maintaining order. Officers can be trained to identify and 

correct conditions that could lead to crime, raise public awareness, and engage the community in finding solutions 

to problems. Field training officers and supervisors need to learn how to encourage problem solving and help 

officers learn from other problem-solving initiatives. Until community policing is institutionalized within the 

organization, training in its fundamental principles will need to take place regularly. 

Information technology systems 

Community policing is highly information-intensive, and technology plays a central role in providing ready access to 

quality information. Accurate and timely information makes problem-solving efforts more effective and ensures 

that officers are informed about the crime and community conditions of their patrol beat. In addition, 

technological enhancements can greatly assist with accessing information to provide vital resources, improving 

two-way communication with citizens, and developing agency accountability systems and performance outcome 

measures. 

Communication / access to data 

Technology provides agencies with an important forum by which to communicate externally with the public and 

internally within their organization. To communicate with the public, community policing encourages agencies to 

develop two-way communication systems through the Internet that allow for online reports; reverse 911; email 

alerts; Internet social media discussion forums; and feedback on interactive applications (such as surveys and 

geographical information), thereby creating open, ongoing dialogues and increasing transparency. 

Technology encourages effective internal communication through memoranda, reports, newsletters, email and 

enhanced incident reporting, dispatch functions, and communications interoperability with other entities for more 

efficient operations. Community policing also encourages the use of technology to develop accountability and 

performance measurement systems that are timely and contain accurate metrics and a broad array of measures 

and information. 

Community policing encourages the use of technology to provide officers with ready access to timely information 

on crime and community characteristics within their beats, either through laptop computers in their patrol cars or 

through personal data devices. In addition, technology can support crime/problem analysis functions by enabling 

agencies to gather more detailed information about offenders, victims, crime locations, and quality-of-life 

concerns, and to further enhance analysis. 

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2020 COPS Office Anti-Heroin Task Force Program (AHTF) Award Owner’s Manual 

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security Office of Emergency Communications, in coordination with various 

stakeholder groups, develops the annual SAFECOM Guidance on Emergency Communications Grants. The guidance 

provides recommendations to award recipients seeking funding for interoperable emergency communications 

projects, including allowable costs, items to consider when funding emergency communications projects, awards 

management best practices for emergency communications awards, and information on standards that ensure 

greater interoperability. The guidance is intended to ensure that federally funded investments are compatible and 

support national goals and objectives for improving interoperability nationwide. Recipients (including subrecipients) that are using AHTF funds to support emergency communications activities should comply with the 

latest version of SAFECOM Guidance, including provisions on technical standards that ensure and enhance 

interoperable communications. The most recent version of SAFECOM guidance is available at 

www.safecomprogram.gov/grant/Default.aspx. 

Quality and accuracy of data 

Information is only as good as its source; therefore, it is not useful if it is of questionable quality and accuracy. 

Community policing encourages agencies to put safeguards in place to ensure that information from various 

sources is collected in a systematic fashion and entered into central systems that are linked to one another and 

checked for accuracy so that it can be used effectively for strategic planning, problem solving, and performance 

measurement. 

Problem solving 

The process of engaging in the proactive and systematic examination of identified problems to develop and 

evaluate effective responses. 

Community policing emphasizes proactive problem solving in a systematic and routine fashion. Rather than 

responding to crime only after it occurs, community policing encourages agencies to proactively develop solutions 

to the immediate underlying conditions contributing to public safety problems. Problem solving must be infused 

into all police operations and guide decision-making efforts. Agencies are encouraged to think innovatively about 

their responses and view making arrests as only one of a wide array of potential responses. A major conceptual 

vehicle for helping officers to think about problem solving in a structured and disciplined way is the SARA 

(scanning, analysis, response, and assessment) problem-solving model. 

Scanning: Identifying and prioritizing problems 

The objectives of scanning are to identify a basic problem, determine the nature of that problem, determine the 

scope of seriousness of the problem, and establish baseline measures. An inclusive list of stakeholders for the 

selected problem is typically identified in this phase. A problem can be thought of as two or more incidents similar 

in one or more ways and that is of concern to the police and the community. Problems can be a type of behavior, a 

place, a person or persons, a special event or time, or a combination of any of these. The police, with input from 

the community, should identify and prioritize concerns. 

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Analysis is the heart of the problem-solving process. The objectives of analysis are to develop an understanding of 

the dynamics of the problem, develop an understanding of the limits of current responses, establish correlation, 

and develop an understanding of cause and effect. As part of the analysis phase, it is important to find out as much 

as possible about each aspect of the crime triangle by asking who?, what?, when?, where?, how?, why?, and why 

not? about the victim, offender, and crime location. 

Response: Developing solutions to bring about lasting reductions in the number and extent of 

problems 

The response phase of the SARA model involves developing and implementing strategies to address an identified 

problem by searching for strategic responses that are both broad and uninhibited. The response should follow 

logically from the knowledge learned during the analysis and should be tailored to the specific problem. The goals 

of the response can range from totally eliminating the problem through substantially reducing the problem or 

reducing the amount of harm caused by the problem to improving the quality of community cohesion. 

Assessment: Evaluating the success of the responses 

Assessment attempts to determine if the response strategies were successful by understanding if the problem 

declined and if the response contributed to the decline. This information not only assists the current effort but also 

gathers data that build knowledge for the future. Strategies and programs can be assessed for process, outcomes, 

or both. If the responses implemented are not effective, the information gathered during analysis should be 

reviewed. New information may have to be collected before new solutions can be developed and tested. The 

entire process should be viewed as circular rather than linear, meaning that additional scanning, analysis, or 

responses may be required. 

Using the crime triangle to focus on immediate conditions (victim/offender/ location) 

To understand a problem, many problem solvers have found it useful to visualize links among the victim, offender, 

and location (the crime triangle) and those factors that could have an impact on them, for example, capable 

guardians for victims (e.g., security guards, teachers, and neighbors), handlers for offenders (e.g., parents, friends, 

and probation), and managers for locations (e.g., business merchants, park employees, and motel clerks). Rather 

than focusing primarily on addressing the root causes of a problem, the police focus on the factors that are within 

their reach, such as limiting criminal opportunities and access to victims, increasing guardianship, and associating 

risk with unwanted behavior. 

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Appendix D. COPS Office Anti-Heroin Task Force (AHTF) program file 

management: Documents to maintain in AHTF award file 

Records must be maintained throughout the two-year AHTF award period and for at least three years following the 

official closeout of the AHTF award. 

AWARD PROGRAM____ _________ ______________________________________ 

_____________ ____________ 

________________________ 

AHTF AWARD #

AWARD START DATE ORIGINAL AWARD END DATE

EXTENDED AWARD END DATE (if applicable)

COPY OF AWARD APPLICATION (You can access the final copy of your AHTF application through the COPS Office 

website at www.cops.usdoj.gov; using the Account Access link, print a copy of the application and keep it with 

your agency’s AHTF award records.) 

_____ 

_____ 

COPY OF AHTF AWARD DOCUMENT 

FINANCIAL CLEARANCE MEMO 

AWARD MODIFICATION APPROVAL LETTERS (w/ Revised Budget Information) AND/OR AWARD EXTENSION 

APPROVAL LETTERS (if applicable) 

_____ 

_____ 

QUARTERLY FEDERAL FINANCIAL REPORT – SF-425 (for each quarter of the award period) 

PROGRAMMATIC PROGRESS REPORTS 

• AHTF Semiannual Progress Report(s) (for each six months of the award period) 

• Closeout Report 

_____ SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION FOR DRAWDOWNS 

• W2 Employee Forms (Copy) 

• Records of salary / approved fringe benefits rates for each person hired under the award 

• Records of hire dates for each person hired under the award 

• Payroll records / Time & attendance records 

• Postal receipts / Fax transmission reports (to prove submission dates) 

• Log of reimbursement requests made via GPRS 

• Copies of checks or wire transfer documents (if applicable) 

• Copies of financial office journal entries (if applicable) 

_____ ADDITIONAL SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION FOR MILITARY VETERAN HIRES 

• Copy of Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD-214) 

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_____ ADDITIONAL SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION FOR REHIRES 

• Records of the date of lay-off(s) 

• Records demonstrating the reason(s) for the lay-off(s), specifically showing fiscal reasons that are unrelated 

to the availability or receipt of AHTF funds. [Records that may be used to prove that scheduled lay-offs are 

occurring for local economic reasons that are unrelated to the availability of AHTF award funds may include 

(but are not limited to) council or departmental meeting minutes, memoranda, notices, or orders discussing 

the lay-offs; notices provided to the individual officers regarding the date(s) of the lay-offs; and/or budget 

documents ordering departmental and/or jurisdiction-wide budget cuts.] 

• Records demonstrating that your agency continued funding the officers with local funds until the date of the 

scheduled lay-offs and did not draw down on AHTF funding for the positions until the lay-offs otherwise 

would have occurred. 

• Records demonstrating that your agency paid any higher-than-entry-level salary and benefits costs to rehired 

officers with local funds and used AHTF funds only for the approved entry-level salary and benefits package. 

_____ 

_____ 

AWARD CORRESPONDENCE (All other general correspondence between COPS Office and recipient) 

MEDIA REPORTS 

[Newspaper clippings, magazine articles, certificates, and/or other noteworthy items should be included to 

illustrate achievements and successes of the award program, such as community policing highlights and other 

award-related accomplishments. In addition, any CDs, DVDs, electronic newsletters, brochures, website addresses, 

and/or other similar information published in connection with the award should be referenced.] 

In the event of a COPS Office award monitoring review, the following information should be retained: 

Reduction-in-force review 

• Identification of the number of sworn officer positions (both full-time and part-time) funded in the agency’s 

budget with local or other non–COPS Office funding during each fiscal year as of the threshold review date 

(please note that this may include vacant but funded positions). 

• Identification of the current number of vacancies among the agency’s locally funded sworn personnel, the 

dates on which the positions were vacated, whether the agency intends to fill the vacancies, and the steps, if 

any, which have been taken to fill the vacancies. 

• Provision of supporting documentation from the time the reduction-in-force occurred indicating the reason(s) 

for the reduction-in-force (examples of supporting documentation may include minutes from council 

meetings, budget directives, contemporaneous memoranda, etc.). 

• Identification of the number of COPS Office-funded officers the agency currently employs. 

• Documentation regarding whether other local departments in the city/township have experienced similar 

manpower or budget reductions for the same reasons as the PD. 

• Letters from the agency’s government executive and law enforcement executive explaining the reduction-inforce and addressing whether the reduction-in-force was unrelated to the receipt of the COPS Office AHTF 

funding and therefore would have occurred even in the absence of the AHTF award. 

• Provision of a request to continue implementing all applicable COPS Office awards (identifying which awards 

are in place) despite the reduction-in-force. 

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Excess cash review 

• Identify the total amount of funding drawn down from the award. 

• Summary and supporting documentation of how the agency expended award funding. 

• Revised Federal Financial Reports. 

Unallowable/unsupported costs review 

• Payroll ledgers for all expenses charged to the award. 

Community policing review 

• Brochures, newsletters, or any documents detailing the agency’s community policing efforts as specified in 

your award application, particularly in the following key areas: 

 Organizational commitment 

− Community policing principles found in mission and values statements, policy and procedures 

manuals, etc. 

− Community policing training information from the academy 

 Problem-solving activities 

− Building on information systems to enhance crime analysis capabilities 

− Identifying crime problems by looking at crime trends 

− Identifying crime problems with members of the community or other government agencies 

− Preventing crime by focusing on conditions that lead to crime 

 Community partnerships 

− Meetings with community members to learn about specific problems 

− Locating offices or stations within neighborhoods 

− Use of volunteers 

− Providing community policing training to citizens 

− Police participation in community organization working groups and/or special programs for schools 

and other interest groups which enhance crime prevention 

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Appendix E. Enhancement of contractor protection from reprisal for 

disclosure of certain information (41 U.S.C. § 4712) 

Enhancement of contractor protection from reprisal for disclosure of certain information 

(a) Prohibition of reprisals.--

(1) In general.--An employee of a contractor, subcontractor, grantee, or subgrantee or personal services 

contractor may not be discharged, demoted, or otherwise discriminated against as a reprisal for 

disclosing to a person or body described in paragraph (2) information that the employee reasonably 

believes is evidence of gross mismanagement of a Federal contract or grant, a gross waste of Federal 

funds, an abuse of authority relating to a Federal contract or grant, a substantial and specific danger 

to public health or safety, or a violation of law, rule, or regulation related to a Federal contract 

(including the competition for or negotiation of a contract) or grant. 

(2) Persons and bodies covered.--The persons and bodies described in this paragraph are the persons 

and bodies as follows: 

(A) A Member of Congress or a representative of a committee of Congress. 

(B) An Inspector General. 

(C) The Government Accountability Office. 

(D) A Federal employee responsible for contract or grant oversight or management at the relevant 

agency. 

(E) An authorized official of the Department of Justice or other law enforcement agency. 

(F) A court or grand jury. 

(G) A management official or other employee of the contractor, subcontractor, or grantee who has 

the responsibility to investigate, discover, or address misconduct. 

(3) Rules of construction.--For the purposes of paragraph (1)--

(A) an employee who initiates or provides evidence of contractor, subcontractor, or grantee 

misconduct in any judicial or administrative proceeding relating to waste, fraud, or abuse on a 

Federal contract or grant shall be deemed to have made a disclosure covered by such paragraph; 

and 

(B) a reprisal described in paragraph (1) is prohibited even if it is undertaken at the request of an 

executive branch official, unless the request takes the form of a non-discretionary directive and is 

within the authority of the executive branch official making the request. 

(b) Investigation of complaints.--

(1) Submission of complaint.--A person who believes that the person has been subjected to a reprisal 

prohibited by subsection (a) may submit a complaint to the Inspector General of the executive agency 

involved. Unless the Inspector General determines that the complaint is frivolous, fails to allege a 

violation of the prohibition in subsection (a), or has previously been addressed in another Federal or 

State judicial or administrative proceeding initiated by the complainant, the Inspector General shall 

investigate the complaint and, upon completion of such investigation, submit a report of the findings 

of the investigation to the person, the contractor or grantee concerned, and the head of the agency. 

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(2) Inspector General action.--

(A) Determination or submission of report on findings.--Except as provided under subparagraph (B), 

the Inspector General shall make a determination that a complaint is frivolous, fails to allege a 

violation of the prohibition in subsection (a), or has previously been addressed in another Federal 

or State judicial or administrative proceeding initiated by the complainant or submit a report 

under paragraph (1) within 180 days after receiving the complaint. 

(B) Extension of time.--If the Inspector General is unable to complete an investigation in time to 

submit a report within the 180-day period specified in subparagraph (A) and the person 

submitting the complaint agrees to an extension of time, the Inspector General shall submit a 

report under paragraph (1) within such additional period of time, up to 180 days, as shall be 

agreed upon between the Inspector General and the person submitting the complaint. 

(3) Prohibition on disclosure.--The Inspector General may not respond to any inquiry or disclose any 

information from or about any person alleging the reprisal, except to the extent that such response 

or disclosure is--

(A) made with the consent of the person alleging the reprisal; 

(B) made in accordance with the provisions of section 552a of title 5 or as required by any other 

applicable Federal law; or 

(C) necessary to conduct an investigation of the alleged reprisal. 

(4) Time limitation.--A complaint may not be brought under this subsection more than three years after 

the date on which the alleged reprisal took place. 

(c) Remedy and enforcement authority.--

(1) In general.--Not later than 30 days after receiving an Inspector General report pursuant to subsection 

(b), the head of the executive agency concerned shall determine whether there is sufficient basis to 

conclude that the contractor or grantee concerned has subjected the complainant to a reprisal 

prohibited by subsection (a) and shall either issue an order denying relief or shall take one or more of 

the following actions: 

(A) Order the contractor or grantee to take affirmative action to abate the reprisal. 

(B) Order the contractor or grantee to reinstate the person to the position that the person held 

before the reprisal, together with compensatory damages (including back pay), employment 

benefits, and other terms and conditions of employment that would apply to the person in that 

position if the reprisal had not been taken. 

(C) Order the contractor or grantee to pay the complainant an amount equal to the aggregate 

amount of all costs and expenses (including attorneys' fees and expert witnesses' fees) that were 

reasonably incurred by the complainant for, or in connection with, bringing the complaint 

regarding the reprisal, as determined by the head of the executive agency. 

(2) Exhaustion of remedies.--If the head of an executive agency issues an order denying relief under 

paragraph (1) or has not issued an order within 210 days after the submission of a complaint under 

subsection (b), or in the case of an extension of time under paragraph (b)(2)(B), not later than 30 days 

after the expiration of the extension of time, and there is no showing that such delay is due to the 

bad faith of the complainant, the complainant shall be deemed to have exhausted all administrative 

remedies with respect to the complaint, and the complainant may bring a de novo action at law or 

equity against the contractor or grantee to seek compensatory damages and other relief available 

under this section in the appropriate district court of the United States, which shall have jurisdiction 

over such an action without regard to the amount in controversy. Such an action shall, at the request 

73 
2020 COPS Office Anti-Heroin Task Force Program (AHTF) Award Owner’s Manual 

of either party to the action, be tried by the court with a jury. An action under this paragraph may not 

be brought more than two years after the date on which remedies are deemed to have been 

exhausted. 

(3) Admissibility of evidence.--An Inspector General determination and an agency head order denying 

relief under paragraph (2) shall be admissible in evidence in any de novo action at law or equity 

brought pursuant to this subsection. 

(4) Enforcement of orders.--Whenever a person fails to comply with an order issued under paragraph 

(1), the head of the executive agency concerned shall file an action for enforcement of such order in 

the United States district court for a district in which the reprisal was found to have occurred. In any 

action brought under this paragraph, the court may grant appropriate relief, including injunctive 

relief, compensatory and exemplary damages, and attorney fees and costs. The person upon whose 

behalf an order was issued may also file such an action or join in an action filed by the head of the 

executive agency. 

(5) Judicial review.--Any person adversely affected or aggrieved by an order issued under paragraph (1) 

may obtain review of the order's conformance with this subsection, and any regulations issued to 

carry out this section, in the United States court of appeals for a circuit in which the reprisal is alleged 

in the order to have occurred. No petition seeking such review may be filed more than 60 days after 

issuance of the order by the head of the executive agency. Review shall conform to chapter 7 of title 

5. Filing such an appeal shall not act to stay the enforcement of the order of the head of an executive 

agency, unless a stay is specifically entered by the court. 

(6) Burdens of proof.--The legal burdens of proof specified in section 1221(e) of title 5 shall be 

controlling for the purposes of any investigation conducted by an Inspector General, decision by the 

head of an executive agency, or judicial or administrative proceeding to determine whether 

discrimination prohibited under this section has occurred. 

(7) Rights and remedies not waivable.--The rights and remedies provided for in this section may not be 

waived by any agreement, policy, form, or condition of employment. 

(d) Notification of employees.--The head of each executive agency shall ensure that contractors, 

subcontractors, and grantees of the agency inform their employees in writing of the rights and remedies 

provided under this section, in the predominant native language of the workforce. 

(e) Construction.--Nothing in this section may be construed to authorize the discharge of, demotion of, or 

discrimination against an employee for a disclosure other than a disclosure protected by subsection (a) or 

to modify or derogate from a right or remedy otherwise available to the employee. 

(f) Exceptions.--

(1) This section shall not apply to any element of the intelligence community, as defined in section 3(4) 

of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. § 401a(4)). 

(2) This section shall not apply to any disclosure made by an employee of a contractor, subcontractor, or 

grantee of an element of the intelligence community if such disclosure--

(A) relates to an activity of an element of the intelligence community; or 

(B) was discovered during contract, subcontract, or grantee services provided to an element of the 

intelligence community. 

74 
 

2020 COPS Office Anti-Heroin Task Force Program (AHTF) Award Owner’s Manual 

(g) Definitions.--In this section: 

(1) The term “abuse of authority” means an arbitrary and capricious exercise of authority that is 

inconsistent with the mission of the executive agency concerned or the successful performance of a 

contract or grant of such agency. 

(2) The term “Inspector General” means an Inspector General appointed under the Inspector General Act 

of 1978 and any Inspector General that receives funding from, or has oversight over contracts or 

grants awarded for or on behalf of, the executive agency concerned. 

(h) Construction.--Nothing in this section, or the amendments made by this section, 1 shall be construed to 

provide any rights to disclose classified information not otherwise provided by law. 

75 
2020 COPS Office Anti-Heroin Task Force Program (AHTF) Award Owner’s Manual 

Appendix F. 2 C.F.R. Appendix II to Part 200: Contract provisions for 

nonfederal entity contracts under federal awards 

NOTE: The National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2018 (NDAA), Public Law 115–91, Division A, Title VIII, 

Section 805, raised the simplified acquisition threshold to $250,000 for all recipients. The OMB Memorandum 

M-18-18 entitled Implementing Statutory Changes to the Micro-purchase and the Simplified Acquisition Threshold 

for Financial Assistance granted an exception for recipients to use the higher simplified acquisition threshold of 

$250,000 effective as of June 20, 2018, in advance of revisions to the Uniform Guidance. 

In addition to other provisions required by the federal agency or nonfederal entity, all contracts made by the 

nonfederal entity under the federal award must contain provisions covering the following, as applicable. 

(A) Contracts for more than the simplified acquisition threshold currently set at $250,000, which is the inflation 

adjusted amount determined by the Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense Acquisition Regulations 

Council (Councils) as authorized by 41 U.S.C. 1908, must address administrative, contractual, or legal remedies in 

instances where contractors violate or breach contract terms, and provide for such sanctions and penalties as ap-

-

-

-

-

-

propriate. 

(B) All contracts in excess of $10,000 must address termination for cause and for convenience by the non-Federal 

entity including the manner by which it will be effected and the basis for settlement. 

(C) Equal Employment Opportunity. Except as otherwise provided under 41 CFR Part 60, all contracts that meet the 

definition of “federally assisted construction contract” in 41 CFR Part 60-1.3 must include the equal opportunity 

clause provided under 41 CFR 60-1.4(b), in accordance with Executive Order 11246, “Equal Employment Oppor

tunity” (30 FR 12319, 12935, 3 CFR Part, 1964-1965 Comp., p. 339), as amended by Executive Order 11375, 

“Amending Executive Order 11246 Relating to Equal Employment Opportunity,” and implementing regulations at 

41 CFR part 60, “Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, Equal Employment Opportunity, Department of 

Labor.” 

(D) Davis-Bacon Act, as amended (40 U.S.C. 3141-3148). When required by Federal program legislation, all prime 

construction contracts in excess of $2,000 awarded by non-Federal entities must include a provision for compli

ance with the Davis-Bacon Act (40 U.S.C. 3141-3144, and 3146-3148) as supplemented by Department of Labor 

regulations (29 CFR Part 5, “Labor Standards Provisions Applicable to Contracts Covering Federally Financed and 

Assisted Construction”). In accordance with the statute, contractors must be required to pay wages to laborers and 

mechanics at a rate not less than the prevailing wages specified in a wage determination made by the Secretary of 

Labor. In addition, contractors must be required to pay wages not less than once a week. The non-Federal entity 

must place a copy of the current prevailing wage determination issued by the Department of Labor in each solicita

tion. The decision to award a contract or subcontract must be conditioned upon the acceptance of the wage deter

mination. The non-Federal entity must report all suspected or reported violations to the Federal awarding agency. 

The contracts must also include a provision for compliance with the Copeland “Anti-Kickback” Act (40 U.S.C. 3145), 

as supplemented by Department of Labor regulations (29 CFR Part 3, “Contractors and Subcontractors on Public 

Building or Public Work Financed in Whole or in Part by Loans or Grants from the United States”). The Act provides 

that each contractor or subrecipient must be prohibited from inducing, by any means, any person employed in the 

construction, completion, or repair of public work, to give up any part of the compensation to which he or she is 

otherwise entitled. The non-Federal entity must report all suspected or reported violations to the Federal award

ing agency. 

76 
 

 

 

 

2020 COPS Office Anti-Heroin Task Force Program (AHTF) Award Owner’s Manual 

(E) Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act (40 U.S.C. 3701-3708). Where applicable, all contracts awarded 

by the non-Federal entity in excess of $100,000 that involve the employment of mechanics or laborers must in-

-

-

-

-

-

-

clude a provision for compliance with 40 U.S.C. 3702 and 3704, as supplemented by Department of Labor regula

tions (29 CFR Part 5). Under 40 U.S.C. 3702 of the Act, each contractor must be required to compute the wages of 

every mechanic and laborer on the basis of a standard work week of 40 hours. Work in excess of the standard 

work week is permissible provided that the worker is compensated at a rate of not less than one and a half times 

the basic rate of pay for all hours worked in excess of 40 hours in the work week. The requirements of 40 U.S.C. 

3704 are applicable to construction work and provide that no laborer or mechanic must be required to work in sur

roundings or under working conditions which are unsanitary, hazardous or dangerous. These requirements do not 

apply to the purchases of supplies or materials or articles ordinarily available on the open market, or contracts for 

transportation or transmission of intelligence. 

(F) Rights to Inventions Made Under a Contract or Agreement. If the Federal award meets the definition of “fund

ing agreement” under 37 CFR §401.2 (a) and the recipient or subrecipient wishes to enter into a contract with a 

small business firm or nonprofit organization regarding the substitution of parties, assignment or performance of 

experimental, developmental, or research work under that “funding agreement,” the recipient or subrecipient 

must comply with the requirements of 37 CFR Part 401, “Rights to Inventions Made by Nonprofit Organizations 

and Small Business Firms Under Government Grants, Contracts and Cooperative Agreements,” and any implement

ing regulations issued by the awarding agency. 

(G) Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7401-7671q.) and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1251-1387), as 

amended—Contracts and subgrants of amounts in excess of $250,000 must contain a provision that requires the 

non-Federal award to agree to comply with all applicable standards, orders or regulations issued pursuant to the 

Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7401-7671q) and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act as amended (33 U.S.C. 1251

1387). Violations must be reported to the Federal awarding agency and the Regional Office of the Environmental 

Protection Agency (EPA). 

(H) Debarment and Suspension (Executive Orders 12549 and 12689)—A contract award (see 2 CFR 180.220) must 

not be made to parties listed on the governmentwide exclusions in the System for Award Management (SAM), in 

accordance with the OMB guidelines at 2 CFR 180 that implement Executive Orders 12549 (3 CFR part 1986 Comp., 

p. 189) and 12689 (3 CFR part 1989 Comp., p. 235), “Debarment and Suspension.” SAM Exclusions contains the 

names of parties debarred, suspended, or otherwise excluded by agencies, as well as parties declared ineligible 

under statutory or regulatory authority other than Executive Order 12549. 

(I) Byrd Anti-Lobbying Amendment (31 U.S.C. 1352)—Contractors that apply or bid for an award exceeding 

$100,000 must file the required certification. Each tier certifies to the tier above that it will not and has not used 

Federal appropriated funds to pay any person or organization for influencing or attempting to influence an officer 

or employee of any agency, a member of Congress, officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a member 

of Congress in connection with obtaining any Federal contract, grant or any other award covered by 31 U.S.C. 

1352. Each tier must also disclose any lobbying with non-Federal funds that takes place in connection with obtain

ing any Federal award. Such disclosures are forwarded from tier to tier up to the non-Federal award. 

(J) See §200.322 Procurement of recovered materials. 

77 
2020 COPS Office Anti-Heroin Task Force Program (AHTF) Award Owner’s Manual 

Appendix G. Remittance of Interest Earned Amounts 

2 CFR § 200.305(b)(9) – Payment (remittance of interest earned) 

Interest earned amounts up to $500 per year may be retained by the non-federal entity for administrative 

expense. Any additional interest earned on federal advance payments deposited in interest-bearing 

accounts must be remitted annually to the Department of Health and Human Services Payment 

Management System (PMS) through an electronic medium using either Automated Clearing House (ACH) 

network or a Fedwire Funds Service payment. Remittances must include pertinent information of the 

payee and nature of payment in the memo area (often referred to as “addenda records” by Financial 

Institutions) as that will assist in the timely posting of interest earned on federal funds. Pertinent details 

include the Payee Account Number (PAN) if the payment originated from PMS, or Agency information if 

the payment originated from ASAP, NSF or another federal agency payment system. The remittance must 

be submitted as follows: 

i. For ACH Returns: 

Routing Number: 051036706 

Account number: 303000 

Bank Name and Location: Credit Gateway - ACH Receiver St. Paul, MN 

ii. For Fedwire Returns*: 

Routing Number: 021030004 

Account number: 75010501 

Bank Name and Location: Federal Reserve Bank Treas NYC/Funds Transfer Division New York, NY 

(* Please note organization initiating payment is likely to incur a charge from your Financial Institution for 

this type of payment) 

iii. For International ACH Returns: 

Beneficiary Account: Federal Reserve Bank of New York/ITS (FRBNY/ITS) 

Bank: Citibank N.A. (New York) 

Swift Code: CITIUS33 

Account Number: 36838868 

Bank Address: 388 Greenwich Street, New York, NY 10013 

Payment Details (Line 70): Agency 

Name (abbreviated when possible) and ALC Agency POC: Michelle Haney, 301-492-5065 

iv. For recipients that do not have electronic remittance capability, please make check** payable to: 

“The Department of Health and Human Services.” 

Mail Check to Treasury approved lockbox: 

HHS Program Support Center, P.O. Box 530231, Atlanta, GA 30353-0231 

(** Please allow 4-6 weeks for processing of a payment by check to be applied to the appropriate PMS 

account) 

v. Any additional information/instructions may be found on the PMS Web site at 

https://www.dpm.psc.gov. 

78 
 

 

2020 COPS Office Anti-Heroin Task Force Program (AHTF) Award Owner’s Manual 

Appendix H. Other COPS Office resources 

Websites 

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

Updated publication list: https://cops.usdoj.gov/RIC/ric.php 

COPS Office Newsletter: https://cops.usdoj.gov/html/dispatch/index.html 

COPS Office Beat Podcast: https://cops.usdoj.gpv/thebeat 

SRO Resources: https://cops.usdoj.gov/supportingsafeschools 

Task Force on 21st Century Policing: https://cops.usdoj.gov/RIC/ric.php?page=detail&id=COPS-P311 

Policing Task Force One Year Progress: https://cops.usdoj.gov/RIC/ric.php?page=detail&id=COPS-W0805 

Publications 

Rank and File: Leaders in Building Trust and Community Policing: 

http://cops.usdoj.gov/RIC/ric.php?page=detail&id=COPS-P351 

Police Perspectives: Building Trust in a Diverse Nation - No. 1. How to Increase Cultural Understanding: 

http://cops.usdoj.gov/RIC/ric.php?page=detail&id=COPS-P344 

Police Perspectives: Building Trust in a Diverse Nation - No. 2. How to Serve Diverse Communities: 

http://cops.usdoj.gov/RIC/ric.php?page=detail&id=COPS-P345 

Police Perspectives: Building Trust in a Diverse Nation - No. 3. How to Support Trust Building in Your Agency: 

http://cops.usdoj.gov/RIC/ric.php?page=detail&id=COPS-P346 

Beyond the Badge: Profile of a School Resource Officer DVD: 

http://cops.usdoj.gov/RIC/ric.php?page=detail&id=COPS-CD050 

Intelligence-Led Community Policing, Community Prosecution, and Community Partnerships: 

http://cops.usdoj.gov/RIC/ric.php?page=detail&id=COPS-P322 

Officer-Involved Shootings: A Guide for Law Enforcement Leaders: 

http://cops.usdoj.gov/RIC/ric.php?page=detail&id=COPS-P350 

79 
Appendix I. Program fact sheets 

2020 COPS Office Anti-Heroin Task Force Program (AHTF) Award Owner’s Manual 

The following pages include fact sheets on Consultant/Contractor Rates, Sole Source Justification, and Indirect 

Costs. 

80 
U.S. Department of Justice

Office of Community Oriented Policing Services

 Fact Sheet www.cops.usdoj.gov

Consultant/Contractor Rate Information 

for FY 2020 Awards

Recipient guidelines on consultant rate 

approval requests

Compensation for individual consultant services procured 

under a COPS Office award must be reasonable and allocable in accordance with 2 C.F.R. Part 200, Subpart E—Cost 

Principles and consistent with that paid for similar services 

in the marketplace.

Unless otherwise approved by the COPS Office, approved 

consultant rates will be based on the salary a consultant 

receives from his or her primary employer, as applicable, 

up to $650 per day. If individuals receive fringe benefits 

from their primary employer, such fringe benefit costs should 

not be included in the calculation of consultant rates. For 

consultant or contractor rates that exceed $650 per day, the 

COPS Office requires written justification. The recipient 

must provide justification for any consultant rate in excess 

of $650 per day and receive COPS Office approval of that 

rate before drawing down award funds. An organization 

may not expend award funds or drawdown reimbursements 

for consultant rate increase requests until after the request 

has been approved by the COPS Office in writing. Any 

organization that does not provide sufficient written justification as outlined in the following section will be limited to 

$650 per day for each consultant or contractor. Please note 

that this does not mean that the rate can or should be $650 

for all consultants.

NOTE: Consultant and contractor daily rates do not include 

travel or subsistence costs but may include preparation, 

evaluation, and travel time.

Compensation for individual consultant services procured 

under a COPS Office award must be reasonable, allocable, 

and consistent with that paid for similar services in the 

marketplace. The recipient must provide justification for any 

consultant rate in excess of $650 per day and receive COPS 

Office approval of that rate before drawing down funds.

June 2020

Guidance for requesting a consultant 

rate based on employment

Consultants associated with institutions of higher 

education (including state-run educational institutions). If representing the academic institution, the maximum rate of compensation that will be allowed is the consultant’s academic salary projected for 12 months, divided 

by 260. These individuals normally receive fringe benefits 

that include sick leave for a full 12-month period, even 

though they may only work 9 months per year in their 

academic positions. This does not apply to individuals 

performing consultant work outside of their academic 

commitments. In such cases, the rate of compensation 

will be based on reasonable cost principles and requires 

documentation supporting the requested rate.

Consultants employed by state and local government. Compensation for these consultants will be 

allowed only when the unit of government will not provide these services without cost. If a state or local government employee is providing services under a federal award 

and is representing his or her agency without pay from the 

respective unit of government, the rate of compensation 
2

Consultant/Contractor Rate Information

is not to exceed the daily salary rate for the employee paid 

by the unit of government. If the state or local government employee is providing services under a federal 

award and is not representing his or her agency, the rate 

of compensation is based on the necessary and reasonable 

cost principles. Please note that under the nonsupplanting 

requirement of the COPS Office statute, COPS Office 

funds may not be used to supplant (replace) local funding that otherwise would have been spent on consultants 

employed by state or local government. The statute bars 

federal funding of existing consultants and of newly hired 

consultants that a community is committed to fund in the 

absence of a COPS Office award.

Consultants employed by commercial and nonprofit 

organizations. These organizations are normally subject 

to competitive bidding procedures. Thus, if consultants 

have been selected through competitive bidding, they 

are not subject to the per-day maximum compensation 

threshold. Otherwise, the rate of compensation will be 

approved based on the salary a consultant receives from 

his or her primary employer, as applicable, up to $650 

per day.

To request approval of a consultant rate in excess of 

$650 per day, please submit the signed request on recipient department letterhead and include the agency ORI 

number and the award number for which the approval is 

being sought.

Please include the following:

Description of the services to be provided by the consultant or contractor, including the following:

– The number of days and hours to be worked by 

each consultant and contractor

– The daily rate of each consultant and contractor 

that exceeds $650 per day (indicate fringe benefits 

if applicable)

A resume or curriculum vitae for each consultant or contractor whose rate exceeds $650 per day

Documented prior instances when a similar rate has been 

charged by or paid to the consultant or contractor

If the consultant is not self-employed and has a primary 

employer, documentation showing that the requested 

daily rate is proportionate to the consultant’s regular salary 

(e.g., pay stubs, letter from employer)

You may optionally submit other important information 

about the consultant or contractor at this time, such as letters of reference; lists of any relevant publications, papers, 

or honors; advanced experience as a practitioner or academic 

in the subject area; advanced training relating to the focus 

of your project; or any unique circumstances that you feel 

should be considered as the COPS Office reviews your proposed consultant/contractor rates.

To request approval of a consultant/contractor rate in 

excess of $650 per day, please return this information to 

your Grant Program Specialist or Program Manager as 

soon as possible to expedite the consultant/contractor rate 

review process.

Contact the COPS Office

For more information about COPS Office 

programs and resources, please call the COPS 

Office Response Center at 800-421-6770 or visit 

the COPS Office website at www.cops.usdoj.gov.

June 2020
U.S. Department of Justice

Office of Community Oriented Policing Services

Fact Sheet www.cops.usdoj.gov

Sole Source Justification

What is “sole source” justification?

Sole source procurement or procurement by noncompetitive 

proposals is procurement through solicitation of a proposal 

from only one source. Sole source procurements must 

adhere to the standards set forth in 2 C.F.R. § 200.320(f) in 

the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, 

and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, as adopted by 

the U.S. Department of Justice in 2 C.F.R. § 2800.101.

When is sole source approval 

required by the COPS Office?

A recipient must request written approval from the COPS 

Office for sole source procurements in excess of $250,000 

prior to purchasing equipment, technology, or services; 

obligating funding for a contract; or entering into a contract 

with award funds. For the purchase of equipment, technology, or services under a COPS Office award, recipients must 

use their own documented procurement procedures that 

reflect applicable state and local laws and regulations, as long 

as those requirements conform to the federal procurement 

June 2020

An award recipient must request written 

approval from the COPS Office for sole source 

procurements in excess of $250,000 prior 

to purchasing equipment, technology, or 

services; obligating funding for a contract; or 

entering into a contract with award funds.

standards set forth in 2 C.F.R. § 200.318. A sole source 

justification should be submitted to the COPS Office if a 

recipient determines that the award of a contract through 

a competitive process is infeasible. Recipients may conduct 

noncompetitive proposals (or “sole source” procurement) 

by procurement through solicitation from only one source 

when one or more of the following circumstances apply:

The item or service is available from only one source.

The public exigency or emergency for the requirement will not permit a delay resulting from competitive solicitation.

The COPS Office authorizes noncompetitive proposals 

in response to a written request from the recipient.

Competition is determined inadequate after solicitation 

of a number of sources.

Sole source procurement should be used only when competitive solicitation procedures like sealed bids or competitive proposals are not applicable to the requirements or 

are impractical.

What documentation must be submitted 

to the COPS Office for approval of a sole 

source procurement?

Requests for sole source procurements of equipment, technology, or services in excess of $250,000 must be submitted 

to the COPS Office in writing certifying that the award of 

the contract through full and open competition is infeasible. 

An organization may not expend award funds or drawdown 

reimbursements for sole source justification requests until 

after the sole source request has been approved by the COPS 

Office in writing.

The outline that follows may be helpful in preparing your 

agency’s sole source procurement request (which should 

include your sole source justification) and ensuring that all 

of the necessary information is included.
2

Sole Source Justification

The sole source procurement request must be signed and 

submitted on the recipient’s organization letterhead and 

must include the organization's ORI number and the award 

number for which approval is being sought.

The request should also include the following information.

Section I. A brief description of the project, the amount 

to be designated for the sole source procurement, and the 

purpose of the contract

Section II. (a) An explanation as to why it is necessary to 

contract in a noncompetitive manner and (b) which one 

(or more) of the four circumstances identified here applies 

to the procurement transaction (include supporting information as identified under the applicable section(s)).

1. The item or service is available from only one source.

Please include the following:

− Uniqueness of items or services to be procured from 

the proposed contractor or vendor (compatibility, 

patent issues, etc.)

− How the organization determined that the item or 

service is available from only one source (market survey results, independent agency research, patented 

or proprietary system, etc.)

− Explanation of need for contractor’s expertise linked 

to the current project (knowledge of project management, responsiveness, experience of contractor 

personnel, prior work on earlier phases of project, etc.)

− Any additional information that would support 

the case

2. The public exigency or emergency for the requirement will not permit a delay resulting from competitive solicitation. 

Please include the following:

− When the contractual coverage is required by your 

department and why

− Impact on project if deadlines or dates are not met

− How long it would take an alternate contractor to 

reach the same required level of competence (equate 

to dollar amounts if desired)

− Any additional information that would support 

the case

3. The COPS Office authorizes noncompetitive proposals 

in response to a written request from the recipient.

4. Competition is determined to be inadequate after 

solicitation of a number of sources. 

Please include the following:

− Results of a market survey to determine competition availability; if no survey is conducted, please 

explain why not

− Any additional information that would support 

the case

Section III. A budget breakdown for the subcontract 

(see the Award Owner’s Manual for budget requirements)

Section IV. A declaration that this action or choice is in 

the best interest of the organization

Failure to provide all of the necessary information will delay 

the processing of your request. Your organization will be 

contacted if any of the identified information is missing or if 

additional supporting information is required. If the COPS 

Office determines that the request does not meet the standards set forth here, the request will be denied.

Please be advised that conflicts of interest are prohibited 

under the federal procurement standards set forth in 

2 C.F.R. § 200.318(c). In addition, program funds should 

not be awarded to any party that is debarred or suspended 

from participation in federal assistance programs.

If you have any questions regarding the federal requirements that guide procurement procedures, please contact 

your Grant Program Specialist or Program Manager at 

800-421-6770.

Contact the COPS Office

For more information about COPS Office 

programs and resources, please call the COPS 

Office Response Center at 800-421-6770 or visit 

the COPS Office website at www.cops.usdoj.gov.

June 2020
U.S. Department of Justice

Office of Community Oriented Policing Services

 Fact Sheet www.cops.usdoj.gov

Indirect Cost Rate for FY 2020 Awards

COPS Office programs

If you are requesting indirect costs under a COPS Office 

program that allows those costs, a copy of your organization's most current, signed, federally approved Negotiated 

Indirect Cost Rate Agreement must be included with your 

application, or it must be noted in your budget narrative 

that you have never received an indirect cost rate. If the rate 

agreement is expired at the time of application, you should 

submit documentation demonstrating that the rate is under 

review by your cognizant federal agency.

If your organization requests indirect costs for a COPS 

Office award based on an expired rate, your organization 

may not draw down funding for indirect costs until the 

current approved rate agreement or an approved extension 

is submitted to the COPS Office.

In addition, if your organization's rate agreement expires or 

changes during the award period, you must submit the new 

rate agreement or approved one-time extension from your 

cognizant federal agency to the COPS Office.

What are indirect costs?

Indirect (facilities & administrative [F&A]) costs are costs 

incurred for a common or joint purpose benefiting more 

than one cost objective. They are not readily attributable 

to the cost objectives that are being benefited. To facilitate 

equitable distribution of indirect expenses to the specific 

cost objectives, it may be necessary to establish a number 

of pools of indirect (F&A) costs. Indirect (F&A) cost pools 

must be distributed to benefit cost objectives on bases that 

will produce equitable results in consideration of relative 

benefits derived.

June 2020

Indirect (facilities & administrative [F&A]) costs 

are costs incurred for a common or joint purpose 

benefiting more than one cost objective. They are 

not readily attributable to the cost objectives that 

are being benefited.

What is an indirect cost rate proposal?

An indirect cost rate proposal as defined in 2 C.F.R. 

§ 200.57 is the documentation prepared by a nonfederal 

entity to support its request for the establishment of an 

indirect cost rate, as described in appendix III to 2 C.F.R. 

Part 200, Indirect (F&A) Costs Identification and Assignment, and Rate Determination for Institutions of Higher 

Education (IHE), through appendix VII to 2 C.F.R. Part 

200, States and Local Government and Indian Tribe 

Indirect Cost Proposals.

There are several types of indirect cost rates:

Final rate is applicable to a specified past period that is 

based on the actual costs of the period. A final audited 

rate is not subject to adjustment.

Fixed rate has the same characteristics as a predetermined 

rate (q.v.) except that the difference between estimated 

costs and actual allowable costs of the covered period is 

carried forward as an adjustment for a future period.
2

Indirect Cost Rate for FY 2020 Awards

June 2020

One-time extension allows your organization to apply 

for a one-time extension of a negotiated indirect (F&A) 

cost rate. The negotiated cost rate may be extended for 

up to four years. Once your cognizant federal agency has 

approved an extension for indirect costs, you must abide 

by the rate for the agreed-upon time period. No further 

negotiations regarding indirect costs may occur until the 

extension has expired. At the end of the extension period, 

you must negotiate a new indirect cost rate.

Predetermined rate is applicable to a specified current or future period and is not subject to adjustment. A 

predetermined rate may be used where there is reasonable 

assurance that the rate is not likely to exceed a rate based 

on the agency’s actual costs. Predetermined rates may not 

be used by governmental units that have not submitted 

and negotiated the rate with the cognizant federal agency.

Provisional rate is a temporary rate applicable to a 

specified time period that is used for funding, interim 

reimbursement, and reporting of indirect costs pending 

establishment of a final rate for that period.

De minimis indirect cost rate provides the option for 

certain nonfederal entities that have never received a negotiated indirect cost rate to accept a flat rate of up to 10 

percent of modified total direct costs (MTDC). MTDC 

can include all direct salaries and wages, applicable fringe 

benefits, materials and supplies, services, travel, and up 

to the first $25,000 of each subaward (regardless of the 

period of performance of the subawards under the award). 

MTDC excludes equipment, capital expenditures, rental 

costs, tuition remission, scholarships and fellowships, participant support costs, and the portion of each subaward 

in excess of $25,000. Other items may only be excluded 

when necessary to avoid a serious inequity in the distribution of indirect costs and with the approval of the cognizant federal agency for indirect costs.

How does an organization establish 

an indirect cost rate?

If your organization does not have a previously established 

indirect cost rate, your organization can obtain a rate by 

contacting your organization's cognizant federal agency, 

which will review all documentation and approve a rate 

for the covered time period. For more information on the 

requirements for development and submission of indirect (F&A) cost rate proposals, please refer to 2 C.F.R. § 

200.414(e) and appendices III–VII to 2 C.F.R. Part 200.

What is a cognizant federal agency?

Cognizant federal agency for indirect costs as defined in 

2 C.F.R. § 200.19 is the federal agency responsible for 

reviewing, negotiation, and approving cost allocation plans 

or indirect cost proposals on behalf of all federal agencies. 

The cognizant federal agency for indirect cost is not necessarily the same as the cognizant federal agency for audit. 

The COPS Office is not a cognizant federal agency. For 

nonprofit, state, local, and Tribal Governments your cognizant federal agency is generally the federal agency that 

provides your organization with the most federal financial 

assistance. For assignments of cognizant federal agencies, 

see the following:

For institutions of higher education. Appendix III to 

2 C.F.R. Part 200—Indirect (F&A) Costs Identification 

and Assignment, and Rate Determination for Institutions 

of Higher Education (IHE), paragraph C.11

For nonprofit organizations. Appendix IV to 2 C.F.R. 

Part 200—Indirect (F&A) Costs Identification and 

Assignment, and Rate Determination for Nonprofit Organizations, paragraph C.2.a

For state and local governments. Appendix V to 2 

C.F.R. Part 200—State/Local Government and Indian 

Tribe-Wide Central Service Cost Allocation Plans, paragraph F.1

For Indian tribes. Appendix VII to 2 C.F.R. Part 200—

States and Local Government and Indian Tribe Indirect 

Cost Proposal, paragraph D.1

What should an organization do if its indirect 

cost rate expires or changes during the 

award period?

If your organization's approved indirect cost rate agreement expires during the award period, a current approved 

rate agreement must be obtained from the cognizant federal 

agency and submitted to the COPS Office. The organization must advise the COPS Office of any changes to its 
3

Indirect Cost Rate for FY 2020 Awards

approved indirect cost rate during the award period and, if 

necessary, request a budget modification that reflects the rate 

change. Please contact your COPS Office Grant Program 

Specialist or Program Manager to determine when a budget 

modification is necessary.

If the organization experiences an increase or a decrease in 

its indirect cost rate, it should submit the new rate to the 

COPS Office within 30 days of the change.

Can an organization reprogram indirect costs 

to direct costs?

Reprogramming requests of indirect costs to direct costs 

are administered through the budget modification process 

for the specific COPS Office award that your organization 

received. Please contact your COPS Office Grant Program 

Specialist or Program Manager to obtain guidance on any 

additional requirements that may apply to your modification 

request. The COPS Office will then evaluate your request 

and notify you in writing of our decision.

Please be advised that if your organization's revised indirect 

cost rate is lower than the rate approved at the time of award 

and a formal budget modification was not approved, excess 

indirect cost rate funds should not be drawn down and will 

be deobligated at closeout.

What should an organization expect at 

the end of the award period regarding its 

indirect cost rate?

If a provisional indirect cost rate is in effect at award 

closeout, the recipient shall proceed with closeout but 

will complete an expenditure analysis upon receipt of the 

approved final indirect cost rate to determine if an adjustment is necessary. If the recipient drew down excess COPS 

Office funding for indirect costs, the recipient must return 

the overpayment to the COPS Office and submit a revised 

Federal Financial Report (SF-425). If the recipient incurred 

additional indirect costs, the recipient may request a budget modification if the award is still open and award funds 

are available. If the recipient returns or draws down COPS 

Office funding, the recipient will need to submit a revised 

final Federal Financial Report (SF-425).

Other important factors

To support the indirect cost rate agreement, recipients are 

responsible for ensuring independent audits are conducted 

in accordance with existing federal auditing and reporting 

standards set forth in 2 C.F.R. Part 200, Subpart F—Audit 

Requirements. A copy of the audit report must be submitted 

to the cognizant federal agency to support the indirect cost 

rate agreement.

In accordance with ensuring proper award management and 

use of funding awarded through the COPS Office, recipients 

may be selected for a site visit or an enhanced office-based 

grant review (EOBGR) or may need to address an alleged 

noncompliance complaint during a compliance review by 

the COPS Office Grant Monitoring Division.

Therefore, recipients must adhere to proper accounting 

practices and recordkeeping to ensure all necessary documentation is available for review if requested by the COPS 

Office. Noncompliance may result in the repayment of misused funds, suspension of funds, or other remedial actions 

available by law until the noncompliance is resolved.

Contact the COPS Office

For more information about COPS Office 

programs and resources, please call the COPS 

Office Response Center at 800-421-6770 or visit 

the COPS Office website at www.cops.usdoj.gov.

June 2020
2020 COPS Office Anti-Heroin Task Force Program (AHTF) Award Owner’s Manual 

Appendix J. ACH templates with instructions 

The following pages contain ACH templates and instructions for completing these financial documents. 

88 
 

 

 

 

 

April 28, 2020 

In the normal course of grant operations, there are situations in which grantees must make 

refunds to the Office of Justice Programs (OJP), Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS), 

or Office on Violence Against Women (OVW), all of which are processed by OJP’s OCFO. Due 

to workplace disruptions caused by COVID-19, OJP recognizes that some entities and 

individuals may have difficulty providing refunds through hard copy mail using paper negotiable 

instruments such as money orders, paper checks, bank drafts, and cashier checks. 

In order to avoid disruptions and delays in the refund process, OJP is strongly encouraging 

grantees to submit deposits electronically (using Automated Clearing House (ACH) or Fed wire). 

This will eliminate a delay in reflecting the refund on grant or vendor account balances. 

To that end, if situations arise that require a grantee to return funds, please advise the grantee to 

submit their refund electronically using ACH or Fed wire. Templates with instructions are 

attached. Upon notification to the grantee to return funds, please email OCFO/FAAD/ACRB at 

ACRBelectronictransfer@ojp.usdoj.gov. ACRB will assign an accountant to assist the grantee 

with the process. 

We aim to continue providing the best customer service in the midst of many changes. 
 

 

 

ACH TEMPLATE INSTRUCTIONS 

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE 

OFFICE OF JUSTICE PROGRAMS 

ACH Credit Instructions 

Please provide the following instructions to your Financial Institution for the remittance of Automated Clearing 

House (ACH) credits to the US Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs. The grantee (remitter) is 

responsible for completing the highlighted lines. Instructions to help populate each line are on page 2. The 

information for all other lines have been pre-populated and cannot be changed. All National Automated 

Clearing House Association (NACHA) Data Element Lines are required. 

NACHA 

Record 

Type 

Code 

NACHA 

Field 

NACHA 

Data Element 

Name Required Information 

1 5 3 Grantee Name (Grantee) 

5 6 Standard Entry Class Code CCD 

2 5 9 Date of Payment (Date of Payment; similar to check 

date) 

6 2 Transaction Code 22 

6 3 & 4 Receiving DFI Identification (ABA

routing #) 

051036706 

6 5 DFI Account Number 815040001003 

3 6 6 Amount (Refund Amount) 

4 6 8 Office of Justice Programs (enter grant number – up to 22 

characters) 

*ACH debits are not permitted to this ABA routing number. All debits received will be automatically 

returned. 

Questions regarding these instructions should be directed to ACRBelectronictransfer@ojp.usdoj.gov or (800) 458-

0786. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

Ach Template Instructions 

United States Department Of Justice 

Office Of Justice Programs 

ACH Credit Instructions 

1. Grantee Name – Enter the grantee name exactly as it is assigned on your grant award document. 

2. Effective Date - Enter the payment date (similar to the check date). 

3. Amount - Enter the refund dollar amount. 

4. Receiving Company Name – Office of Justice Programs – Enter the grant number. 

Page 2 of 2 
 

 

 

 

 

 

FEDWIRE TEMPLATE INSTRUCTIONS 

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE 

OFFICE OF JUSTICE PROGRAMS 

Please provide the following instructions to your Financial Institution for the remittance of Fedwire payments 

to the US Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs. The grantee (remitter) is responsible for 

completing the highlighted lines. Instructions to help populate each line are on page 2. The information for 

all other lines have been pre-populated and cannot be changed. All Fedwire Field Lines are required. 

Fedwire 

Field 

Tag 

Fedwire Field Name Required Information 

{1510} Type/Subtype 1000 

1 {2000} Refund Amount 

{3400} Receiver ABA routing number * 021030004 

{3400} Receiver ABA short name TREAS NYC 

{3600} Business Function Code CTR 

{4200} Beneficiary Identifier (account number) 815040001003 

{4200} Beneficiary Name Office of Justice Programs 

2 {5000} Grantee Name 

3 {6000} Grant Number 

3 {6000} Grant Number/Grant Information 

3 {6000} Grant Number/Grant Information 

3 {6000} Grant Number/Grant Information 

*The financial institution address for Treasury’s routing number is 33 Liberty Street, New York, NY 10045 

Questions regarding these instructions should be directed toACRBelectronictransfer@ojp.usdoj.gov or (800) 458-

0786. 

Page 1 of 2 
 

 

 

 

 

Fedwire Template Instructions 

United States Department Of Justice 

Office Of Justice Programs 

FEDWIRE TEMPLATE INSTRUCTIONS 

1. For Fedwire Field Tag {2000} Amount - Enter the refund dollar amount 

2. For Fedwire Field Tag {5000} Grantee name - Enter the grantee name assigned to the grant 

3. For Fedwire Field Tag {6000} Originator to Beneficiary Information – Lines 1 through 4 – 

• Line 1- Includes the grant number associated with refund. This line is mandatory. 

• Lines 2-4- Include any other identifying or pertinent information for the refund. i.e. reason, 

split between grant refund or interest income. There is a 22 character limit per line. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Type here] 

FEDWIRE TEMPLATE INSTRUCTIONS 

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE 

OFFICE OF JUSTICE PROGRAMS 

Please provide the following instructions to your Financial Institution for the remittance of Fedwire payments 

to the US Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs. The grantee (remitter) is responsible for 

completing the highlighted lines. Instructions to help populate each line are on page 2. The information for 

all other lines have been pre-populated and cannot be changed. All Fedwire Field Lines are required. 

Fedwire 

Field 

Tag 

Fedwire Field Name Required Information 

{1510} Type/Subtype 1000 

1 {2000} Refund Amount 

{3400} Receiver ABA routing number * 021030004 

{3400} Receiver ABA short name TREAS NYC 

{3600} Business Function Code CTR 

{4200} Beneficiary Identifier (account number) 815040001003 

{4200} Beneficiary Name Office of Justice Programs 

2 {5000} Grantee Name 

3 {6000} Grant Number 

3 {6000} Grant Number/Grant Information 

3 {6000} Grant Number/Grant Information 

3 {6000} Grant Number/Grant Information 

*The financial institution address for Treasury’s routing number is 33 Liberty Street, New York, NY 10045 

Questions regarding these instructions should be directed toACRBelectronictransfer@ojp.usdoj.gov or (800) 458-

0786. 

Page 1 of 2 
 

 

 

 

 

Fedwire Template Instructions 

United States Department Of Justice 

Office Of Justice Programs 

FEDWIRE TEMPLATE INSTRUCTIONS 

1. For Fedwire Field Tag {2000} Amount - Enter the refund dollar amount 

2. For Fedwire Field Tag {5000} Grantee name - Enter the grantee name assigned to the grant 

3. For Fedwire Field Tag {6000} Originator to Beneficiary Information – Lines 1 through 4 – 

• Line 1- Includes the grant number associated with refund. This line is mandatory. 

• Lines 2-4- Include any other identifying or pertinent information for the refund. i.e. reason, 

split between grant refund or interest income. There is a 22 character limit per line. 
 

 

 

 

ACH TEMPLATE INSTRUCTIONS 

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE 

OFFICE OF JUSTICE PROGRAMS 

ACH Credit Instructions 

Please provide the following instructions to your Financial Institution for the remittance of Automated Clearing 

House (ACH) credits to the US Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs. The grantee (remitter) is 

responsible for completing the highlighted lines. Instructions to help populate each line are on page 2. The 

information for all other lines have been pre-populated and cannot be changed. All National Automated 

Clearing House Association (NACHA) Data Element Lines are required. 

NACHA 

Record 

Type 

Code 

NACHA 

Field 

NACHA 

Data Element 

Name Required Information 

1 5 3 Grantee Name (Grantee) 

5 6 Standard Entry Class Code CCD 

2 5 9 Date of Payment (Date of Payment; similar to check 

date) 

6 2 Transaction Code 22 

6 3 & 4 Receiving DFI Identification (ABA

routing #) 

051036706 

6 5 DFI Account Number 815040001003 

3 6 6 Amount (Refund Amount) 

4 6 8 Office of Justice Programs (enter grant number – up to 22 

characters) 

*ACH debits are not permitted to this ABA routing number. All debits received will be automatically 

returned. 

Questions regarding these instructions should be directed to ACRBelectronictransfer@ojp.usdoj.gov or (800) 458-

0786. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

Ach Template Instructions 

United States Department Of Justice 

Office Of Justice Programs 

ACH Credit Instructions 

1. Grantee Name – Enter the grantee name exactly as it is assigned on your grant award document. 

2. Effective Date - Enter the payment date (similar to the check date). 

3. Amount - Enter the refund dollar amount. 

4. Receiving Company Name – Office of Justice Programs – Enter the grant number. 

Page 2 of 2 
                     

     

        

                  

       

               

                                 

                               

                                 

                                 

                                           

                                     

                             

                               

                   

  

                           

                               

                               

                               

           

                                         

                                 

                                 

                           

                               

                             

                        

                                     

                                       

                         

             

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2020 COPS Office Anti‐Heroin Task Force Program (AHTF) Award Owner’s Manual

Appendix K. Civil rights memorandum

MEMORANDUM

TO: COPS Office Award Recipients

FROM: Michael L. Alston

Director, Office for Civil Rights, Office of Justice Programs

DATE: June 1, 2020

RE: Federal Civil Rights Statutes and Regulations

Congratulations on your recent award! The Office for Civil Rights (OCR), Office of Justice Programs (OJP), U.S.

Department of Justice (DOJ) has been delegated the responsibility for ensuring that recipients of federal financial

assistance from the OJP, the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS), and the Office on Violence

Against Women (OVW) are not engaged in discrimination prohibited by law. Several federal civil rights laws, such

as Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, require recipients of

federal financial assistance to give assurances that they will comply with those laws. In addition to those civil rights

laws, many grant program statutes contain nondiscrimination provisions that require compliance with them as a

condition of receiving federal financial assistance. For a complete review of these civil rights laws and

nondiscrimination requirements, in connection with OJP and other DOJ awards, see

https://ojp.gov/funding/Explore/LegalOverview/CivilRightsRequirements.htm

Under the delegation of authority, the OCR investigates allegations of discrimination against recipients from

individuals, entities, or groups. In addition, the OCR conducts limited compliance reviews and audits based on

regulatory criteria. These reviews and audits permit the OCR to evaluate whether recipients of financial assistance

from the Department are providing services in a non‐discriminatory manner to their service population or have

employment practices that meet equal‐opportunity standards.

If you are a recipient of grant awards under the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act or the Juvenile Justice

and Delinquency Prevention Act and your agency is part of a criminal justice system, there are two additional

obligations that may apply in connection with the awards: (1) complying with the regulation relating to Equal

Employment Opportunity Programs (EEOPs); and (2) submitting findings of discrimination to OCR. For additional

information regarding the EEOP requirement, see 28 CFR Part 42, subpart E, and for additional information

regarding requirements when there is an adverse finding, see 28 C.F.R. §§ 42.204(c), .205(c)(5). Please submit

information about any adverse finding to the OCR at the above address.

We at the OCR are available to help you and your organization meet the civil rights requirements that are

associated with OJP and other DOJ grant funding. If you would like the OCR to assist you in fulfilling your

organization's civil rights or nondiscrimination responsibilities as a recipient of federal financial assistance, please

do not hesitate to let us know.

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2020 COPS Office Anti-Heroin Task Force Program (AHTF) Award Owner’s Manual 

Glossary of Terms 

allowable costs. Allowable costs are expenses that may be funded by this award program. The COPS Office AntiHeroin Task Force program provides funding for equipment, services, personnel, and other costs purchased or 

hired on or after the award start date. Upon review of your submitted budget, any unallowable costs were 

removed. The Financial Clearance Memorandum (FCM) that was included in your award package outlined your 

allowable costs and noted any relevant revisions that were made to your original budget submission. 

audit. Work done by auditors, including both the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) and state or local auditors, 

to examine financial statements and to review 

• compliance with laws and regulations; 

• economy and efficiency of operations; 

• effectiveness in achieving program results; 

• allowability of costs claimed against the award. 

authorized officials. The authorized officials are the individuals in your organization who have final authority and 

responsibility for all programmatic and financial decisions regarding this award. At the time of award application, 

your agency listed the law enforcement executive (usually the chief of police, sheriff, etc.) and the government 

executive (usually the mayor, board president, etc.) for your agency. These executives are listed on your award 

document and are understood to be your authorized officials. If any of the executive information is incorrect, 

please submit the correct information to the COPS Office by completing an official Change of Information (COI) 

form available online at www.cops.usdoj.gov. 

award number. The award number identifies your agency’s specific AHTF award and can be found on your award 

document. This number should be used as a reference when corresponding with the COPS Office. Your award 

number is in the following format: 2020-HPWX-0000. The COPS Office tracks award information based upon this 

number. 

award package. The award package includes your CHP award document, Financial Clearance Memorandum (FCM), 

and award congratulatory letter; it may be accessed through the “Account Access” tab on the COPS Office website 

(www.cops.usdoj.gov). Your agency’s CHP award document will list your award number, law enforcement 

executive, government executive, award amount, number and hiring category of positions awarded, award start 

and end dates, and all terms and conditions (including any special conditions placed on your agency’s CHP award). 

Your law enforcement and government executives have 90 days from the date on your award congratulatory letter 

to log on to their accounts at https://portal.cops.usdoj.gov and electronically sign the award document and 

submit it to the COPS Office. Your agency’s FCM will specify the final amount of CHP funds awarded to your agency 

for officer salaries and approved fringe benefits. 

award start date. This is the date on or after which your agency is authorized to purchase or hire any allowable 

equipment, services, personnel, or other costs that were approved by the COPS Office. The award start date is 

found on your award document. Recipients may not expend funds prior to this date without written approval from 

the COPS Office. 

career law enforcement officer. The COPS Office’s statute defines a “career law enforcement officer” as “a person 

hired on a permanent basis who is authorized by law or by a State or local public agency to engage in or supervise 

the prevention, detection, or investigation of violations of criminal laws.” 34 U.S.C. § 10389(1). 

99 
 

 

 

 

2020 COPS Office Anti-Heroin Task Force Program (AHTF) Award Owner’s Manual 

Catalogue of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA). The CFDA is an annual government-wide publication that 

contains a description and index of all forms of federal assistance. Each program is assigned a CFDA number, which 

is used by auditors to track award revenues under the Single Audit Act. It is also used in participating states by 

State Single Points of Contact in conducting the required intergovernmental reviews under Executive Order 12372. 

The CFDA number for the COPS Office AHTF award is 16.710. 

closeout. Closeout is the process in which the awarding agency, the COPS Office, determines that all applicable 

administrative actions and all required work and conditions of the award have been completed and met by the 

recipient and awarding agency. 

cognizant federal agency. Your cognizant federal agency is generally the federal agency that provides your agency 

with the most federal money. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) may have already assigned your 

cognizant federal agency to you. If this is the first federal award that your organization has received, the U.S. 

Department of Justice is your cognizant federal agency. 

community policing. Community policing is a philosophy that promotes organizational strategies that support the 

systematic use of partnerships and problem-solving techniques to proactively address the immediate conditions 

that give rise to public safety issues such as crime, social disorder, and fear of crime. All newly hired, additional or 

rehired officers (or an equal number of redeployed veteran officers) funded under COPS Office programs must 

engage in community policing activities and in the implementation of your community policing strategy. 

COPS Office. Created under the 1994 Crime Bill, the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) 

is an independent office within the U.S. Department of Justice that is the grantor or awarding agency for your 

award or cooperative agreement. The COPS Office is responsible for assisting your agency with the administration 

and maintenance of your award for the entire award period. If you have any questions regarding the COPS office, 

please call the COPS Office Response Center at 800-421-6770 or visit the COPS Office website at 

www.cops.usdoj.gov. 

COPS Office finance staff. The COPS Office finance staff handles your agency’s financial and budgetary needs 

related to this award. A Staff Accountant has been assigned to your state and is available to answer any questions 

that you may have concerning the financial aspects of your award. To identify your Staff Accountant, please call 

the COPS Office Response Center at 800-421-6770 or visit the COPS Office website at www.cops.usdoj.gov. 

COPS Office Program Manager. COPS Office Program Managers are trained to assist you with implementing and 

maintaining your Community Policing Development award. A program manager is assigned to your project and is 

available to answer any questions that you may have concerning the administrative, programmatic, and 

substantive aspects of your award. Your program manager can assist you with such matters as requesting an 

extension on your award or modifying the award, and reviewing outlines for project deliverables. The name and 

phone number of your COPS Office Program Manager is provided on the award congratulatory letter and available 

by contacting the COPS Office Response Center at 800-421-6770. 

criminal intelligence officer. A criminal intelligence officer, whether working directly with a law enforcement 

agency or assigned to the appropriate state or regional fusion center, works in the field of criminal intelligence and 

may conduct data collection, research, and analysis to produce finished intelligence reports or other products 

designed to assist in the prevention, detection, or investigation of violations of criminal laws. 

100 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2020 COPS Office Anti-Heroin Task Force Program (AHTF) Award Owner’s Manual 

Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number. Since FY 2004, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 

has required all agencies applying for federal funding to obtain this number prior to application. The DUNS number 

is a unique nine- or thirteen-digit identification number that is assigned upon request to agencies by Dun & 

Bradstreet (D&B). This number will be used by the Federal Government to better track award recipient information 

throughout the award cycle and to provide consistent name and address data for electronic award application 

systems. To obtain a DUNS number, visit the Dun & Bradstreet website at www.dnb.com or call 866-705-5711. 

Employer Identification Number (EIN)/OJP vendor number. This number is usually your agency’s nine-digit federal 

tax identification number as assigned to you by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Your accounting/bookkeeping 

department should have this number. In some cases, the EIN has been previously assigned to another agency 

within your jurisdiction. In this instance, a new vendor number will be assigned to you by the Office of the Chief 

Financial Officer. The newly assigned number is to be used for COPS Office administrative purposes only and 

should not be used for IRS purposes. 

federally recognized tribe. Federally recognized tribes are tribal entities that are recognized and eligible for 

funding and services from the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) by virtue of their status as Indian tribes. They are 

acknowledged to have the immunities and privileges available to federally acknowledged Indian tribes by virtue of 

their government-to-government relationship with the United States, as well as the responsibilities, power, 

limitation, and obligations of such tribes. For further information, contact: BIA, Division of Tribal Government 

Services, MS-4631-MIB, 1849 C Street NW, Washington, DC 20240, 202-208-2475. 

Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) ID. The Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) database is 

maintained by the U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Department of the Interior. The database assigns a unique, 

permanent feature identifier, the Feature ID, which is the only standard federal key for integrating or reconciling 

feature data from multiple datasets. 

Grant Monitoring Specialist. COPS Office Grant Monitoring Specialists are trained and available to assist you in 

addressing any compliance-related questions regarding your award. Grant Monitoring Specialists plan and conduct 

site visits and office-based grant reviews. During the life of your award, you may be selected for a monitoring site 

visit to assess your compliance with the terms and agreements of the award program, to review your community 

policing initiatives, and to provide technical and administrative support for your award. Please contact the COPS 

Office Response Center at 800-421-6770 if you have any compliance-related questions. 

Grant Program Specialist. COPS Office Grant Program Specialists are trained to assist you with implementing and 

maintaining your award. A Grant Program Specialist is assigned to your state and is available to answer any 

questions that you may have concerning the administrative aspects of your award. Your Grant Program Specialist 

can assist you with such matters as requesting an extension on your award or modifying the award. To obtain the 

name and phone number of your Grant Program Specialist, please contact the COPS Office Response Center at 

800-421-6770. 

local budget cycle. Your local budget cycle is your agency’s fiscal year. Some common examples include January 1 

to December 31, October 1 to September 30, and July 1 to June 30. Some local budget cycles may extend up to 24 

months. 

obligation of funds. The COPS Office obligates federal funds when the award document is signed by the COPS 

Office director or his or her designated official. For the recipient, award funds are obligated when monies are 

spent for hiring approved personnel under the award. The term encumbrance is often used at the local and state 

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2020 COPS Office Anti-Heroin Task Force Program (AHTF) Award Owner’s Manual 

levels to describe this type of transaction. Liquidated obligations are considered cash outlays or monies actually 

spent. Unliquidated obligations are obligations incurred and recorded but not yet paid (accrual basis of accounting) 

or not yet recorded and not yet paid (cash basis of accounting). 

Originating Agency Identifier (ORI) number. This number is assigned by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), 

and it is your agency’s unique identifier. The first two letters are your state abbreviation, the next three numbers 

are your county’s code, and the final two numbers identify your jurisdiction within your county. If your agency 

does not have an ORI number assigned by the FBI, the COPS Office assigns a nonofficial ORI code to use as an 

agency identifier (in such cases, the last two characters will be “ZZ”). It can be found on your Award Document. 

When you contact the COPS Office with a question, please reference your ORI number (or your award number). 

primary law enforcement authority. An agency with primary law enforcement authority is the agency that is the 

first responder to calls for service and has ultimate and final responsibility for the prevention, detection, or 

investigation of violations of criminal laws within its jurisdiction. 

Public Safety Partnership and Community Policing Act of 1994. The COPS Office is charged with fulfilling the 

mandates of this law. The purposes of the law are to 

• increase the number of community policing officers on the beat; 

• provide additional and more effective training to law enforcement officers to enhance their problem-solving, 

service, and other skills needed in interacting with members of the community; 

• encourage the development and implementation of innovative programs to permit members of the 

community to assist law enforcement agencies in the prevention of crime; 

• encourage the development of new technologies to assist law enforcement agencies in reorienting the 

emphasis of their activities from reacting to crime to preventing crime. 

supplanting. For the purposes of your COPS Office award, supplanting means replacing state, local, or BIA funds 

that otherwise would have been spent on law enforcement purposes with federal COPS Office funds. State, local, 

and tribal governments are prohibited from supplanting throughout the award period. This means that your 

agency may not use COPS Office funds to pay for any equipment/technology, services, personnel, or other items 

which, in the absence of the COPS Office program, would otherwise have been funded with state or local funds or 

with funds supplied by the BIA. The COPS Office funds must instead be used to supplement, or increase, your law 

enforcement budget. For additional information on supplanting, please review award condition #4 on page 8 of 

this manual. 

System for Award Management (SAM). The SAM database is the repository for standard information about 

federal financial assistance applicants, recipients, and sub-recipients. Organizations that have previously submitted 

applications via Grants.gov are already registered with SAM, as it is a requirement for Grants.gov registration. 

Please note, however, that applicants must update or renew their SAM at least once per year to maintain an active 

status. Information about registration procedures can be accessed at www.sam.gov. 

village public safety officer. A “village public safety officer” is defined as “an individual employed as a village public 

safety officer under the program established by the State pursuant to Alaska Statute 18.65.670.” Tribal Law and 

Order Act of 2010, Pub. L. 111-211, title II, § 247 (a)(2). 

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2020 COPS Office Anti-Heroin Task Force Program (AHTF) 

Award Owner’s Manual 

This manual was created to assist COPS Office Anti-Heroin Task Force (AHTF) program recipients with the 

administrative and financial matters associated with their award. 

For more information about your AHTF award, please contact your COPS Office Grant Program Specialist. If you do 

not know the name or telephone number of your Grant Program Specialist, please contact the COPS Office 

Response Center at 800-421-6770. 

U.S. Department of Justice 

Office of Community Oriented Policing Services 

145 N Street NE 

Washington, DC 20530 

To obtain details about COPS Office programs, call the COPS Office Response Center at 800-421-6770. 

Visit the COPS Office online at www.cops.usdoj.gov. 

Published June 2020