U.S. Department of Justice OMB No. 1121-0329 

Office of Justice Programs 

National Institute of Justice 

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Justice Programs (OJP), National Institute of 

Justice (NIJ) is seeking applications for funding under the DNA Missing Persons Assistance 

Program. This program furthers the Department’s mission by offering assistance in performing 

DNA analysis on unidentified human remains and family reference samples to support the 

efforts of States and units of local government to identify missing persons. 

Solicitation: 

Using DNA Technology to Identify the 

Missing 

Eligibility 

In general, NIJ is authorized to make grants to, or enter into contracts or cooperative 

agreements with, States (including territories), local governments (including federallyrecognized Indian tribal governments as determined by the Secretary of the Interior and 

published in the Federal Register), nonprofit and profit organizations (including tribal nonprofit 

and profit organizations), institutions of higher education (including tribal institutions of higher 

education), and certain qualified individuals. Foreign governments, foreign organizations, and 

foreign institutions of higher education are not eligible to apply. 

Deadline 

Registration with HUOJP’s Grant Management System (GMS)UH is required prior to application 

submission. (See “How to Apply,” page 8.) 

All applications are due by 11:45 p.m. eastern time on April 19, 2010. 

(See “Deadlines: Registration and Application,” page 3.) 

Contact Information 

For technical assistance with submitting the application, contact the Grants Management 

System Support Hotline at 1–888–549–9901, option 3 or via e-mail to 

HUGMS.HelpDesk@usdoj.govUH. 

Note: The HUGMSUH Support Hotline hours of operation are Monday–Friday from 6:00 a.m. to 

midnight eastern time, except for Federal holidays. 

For assistance with any other requirement of this solicitation, contact Charles Heurich, Program 

Manager, at 202–616–9264 or by email to charles.heurich@usdoj.gov. 

SL# 000934 
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CONTENTS 

Overview ........................................................................................................................... 3

Deadlines: Registration and Application ........................................................................... 3 

Eligibility ............................................................................................................................ 3 

Specific Information .......................................................................................................... 3 

Performance Measures ..................................................................................................... 7 

How to Apply ..................................................................................................................... 8 

What an Application Must Include ..................................................................................... 9 

Standard Form 424 ............................................................................................... 9 

Program Narrative ................................................................................................. 9 

Budget Detail Worksheet and Budget Narrative ................................................. 10 

Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (if applicable) ...................................................... 10 

Plan for Collecting the Data Required for Performance Measures ..................... 11 

Tribal Authorizing Resolution (if applicable) ........................................................ 11 

Other Standard Forms ........................................................................................ 11 

Selection Criteria ............................................................................................................. 12 

Review Process .............................................................................................................. 12 

Additional Requirements ................................................................................................. 13 

Application Checklist ....................................................................................................... 15 
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Using DNA Technology to Identify the Missing

CFDA No. 16.560 

Overview 

The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) is the research, development, and evaluation agency of 

the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and a component of the Office of Justice Programs (OJP). 

NIJ provides objective, independent, evidence-based knowledge and tools to enhance the 

administration of justice and public safety. NIJ solicits applications to inform its search for the 

knowledge and tools to guide policy and practice. 

The goal of the “Using DNA Technology to Identify the Missing” solicitation is threefold: (1) to 

assist eligible entities in performing DNA analysis on unidentified human remains and/or 

reference samples to support the efforts of States and units of local government to identify 

missing persons, (2) to enter the resulting DNA profiles into the FBI’s National DNA Index 

System using the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) version 6.0, and (3) to enter any 

relevant case information related to unidentified remains into NamUs. 

Authorizing Legislation: Department of Justice Appropriations Act, 2010 (Public Law 

111–117). 

Deadlines: Registration and Application 

Registration is required prior to submission. The deadline to register in GMS is 11:45 p.m. 

eastern time on April 19, 2010 and the deadline for applying for funding under this 

announcement is 11:45 p.m. eastern time on April 19, 2010. Please see the “How to Apply” 

section, page 8, for more details. 

Eligibility 

Please refer to the title page for eligibility information under this program. 

Specific Information—Using DNA Technology to Identify the 

Missing

Background 

DNA technology can provide valuable information to assist in determining the source of 

unidentified human remains. In recent years, newer DNA technologies have substantially 

increased the successful analysis of aged, degraded, limited, or otherwise compromised 

biological evidence. As a result, biological samples, including skeletal remains, once thought to 

be unsuitable for testing, may now yield DNA profiles. Additionally, samples that previously 

generated inconclusive DNA results may now be amenable to reanalysis using newer methods. 

A recent census by the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) demonstrated the magnitude of the 

number of unidentified decedents nationwide. This Special Report, entitled Medical Examiners 

and Coroners’ Offices, 2004 (available at http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/pub/pdf/meco04.pdf) 
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stated that over 4,000 unidentified human decedents are reported each year by medical 

examiners and coroners, and of those, an estimated 1,000 remain unidentified 1 year later and 

become “cold cases.” As of 2004, almost 13,500 unidentified human decedents were on record. 

The true number may actually be higher, as this census did not include unidentified human 

remains that are stored in other locations, such as law enforcement agencies. Experts refer to 

this national crisis as a “mass disaster over time” (“Missing Persons and Unidentified Remains: 

The Nation’s Silent Mass Disaster.” NIJ Journal No. 256. January 2007). (Also see the BJS Fact 

Sheet Unidentified Human Remains in the United States, 1980–2004, available at 

http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/pub/pdf/uhrus04.pdf.) 

Award Purposes 

The following must be the primary objective of all proposals submitted to this solicitation. 

Proposals lacking this objective will not be given further consideration: 

• DNA analysis of unidentified human remains and/or reference samples, followed by 

review of DNA profiles and upload into the FBI’s National DNA Index System using 

CODIS version 6.0. 

o DNA analyses conducted using funding from this program must be performed by 

a laboratory (government-owned or fee-for-service) that (1) is accredited by a 

nonprofit professional association of persons actively involved in forensic science 

that is nationally recognized within the forensic science community, and (2) 

currently undergoes external audits not less than once every 2 years that 

demonstrate compliance with the DNA Quality Assurance Standards established 

by the Director of the FBI. 

o All eligible DNA profiles obtained with funding under this program must be 

entered into the FBI’s National DNA Index System using CODIS version 6.0. 

o As available, all appropriate case information, including whether DNA samples 

have been collected, whether they have been successfully profiled, and the 

location of the profiled samples; dental records and radiographs; fingerprint 

cards; photographs if available; and any other relevant information must be 

entered into the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs’ National 

Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) by the appropriate medical 

examiner, coroner, or law enforcement agency. 

The following activities are allowable as secondary objectives. The proposal must clearly 

demonstrate that these activities can be successfully performed and that the applicant has prior 

experience performing this work: 

• Anthropological/odontological examinations of unidentified human remains for the 

following purposes: 

o Pre-DNA analysis: To establish if unidentified human remains are amenable to 

subsequent DNA analysis. 

o Post-DNA analysis: For creating a case record and entering information into the 

unidentified decedents database of NamUs. 
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• Evaluation and application of new DNA technologies designed to increase the amount of 

genetic information obtained from compromised skeletal remains. 

Additional Requirements 

The application must include the following: 

• The number of unidentified human remains and/or reference samples to be analyzed. 

• A description of the source(s) of the samples to be analyzed, how the samples will be 

obtained, the entity that will perform the DNA analysis, and how the DNA analysis will 

support the efforts of States and units of local government to identify missing persons. 

• A description of the type of DNA analysis to be performed (e.g., short tandem repeat 

[STR], mitochondrial DNA) and a demonstration of the laboratory’s proficiency in 

performing such DNA analysis on unidentified human remains and/or reference 

samples. 

• A description of the processes to be used to review and enter DNA data into the FBI’s 

National DNA Index System using CODIS version 6.0, including the name of the entity 

that will review and enter the data and a demonstration of that entity’s ability and 

authority to perform this function. If the entity designated to review and enter DNA data 

has been identified and is not the entity performing the DNA analysis, an appropriate 

written agreement between the entities must be in place and included with the 

application. 

• If the DNA analysis will be performed by a public or private entity other than the 

applicant and has been identified, an appropriate written agreement between the 

applicant and the entity performing the DNA analysis must be included. 

Permissible Uses of Funds 

Permissible use of funds under this program may include the following: 

1. Salary (full-time, part-time, overtime) and benefits. Funds may be used for staff directly 

engaged in performing DNA analysis on unidentified human remains and/or reference samples 

from State or local government missing persons investigations. Funds may also be used for 

anthropologists/odontologists for those activities directly related to establishing whether 

unidentified human remains are amenable to subsequent DNA analysis or to the entry of 

information into NamUs. Note: NIJ makes no assurance that funds will be available for this 

purpose in any future award announcements. Supplanting is not allowable. 

2. Training (limited). Funds may be used for appropriate internal and external training of 

individuals directly engaged in performing DNA analysis on unidentified human remains and/or 

reference samples from State or local government missing persons investigations. The proposal 

must clearly demonstrate that the training will directly benefit the performance of the proposal’s 

objectives. General conference (e.g., American Academy of Forensic Sciences) attendance is 

not allowable, although costs related to workshops within a conference may be allowable if 

there is a sufficient DNA and/or missing persons component. Training to enhance the 

laboratory’s overall DNA capacity is not allowable. 
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3. Travel (limited). Funds may be used for reasonable travel expenses related to transporting 

unidentified human remains from State or local government missing persons investigations to 

the laboratory for analysis; for travel to approved training venues (see no. 2 above); and for 

other travel directly related to the performance of the proposal’s objectives. 

4. Equipment and computers. Funds may be used for upgrading, replacing, and purchasing 

equipment, instrumentation, and computer hardware or software for DNA analyses of 

unidentified human remains and/or reference samples from State or local government missing 

persons investigations. All equipment must be dedicated solely to this purpose or costs must be 

prorated accordingly. Equipment for enhancing the laboratory’s overall DNA capacity is not 

allowable. 

5. Supplies. Funds may be used for supplies related to performing DNA analysis on 

unidentified human remains and/or reference samples from State or local government missing 

persons investigations, and for other supplies directly related to the performance of the 

proposal’s objectives. The proposal must clearly demonstrate that the types and number of 

supplies requested are appropriate for the proposed level of effort. Supplies for enhancing the 

laboratory’s overall DNA capacity are not allowable. 

6. Consultant and contractor services. Funds may be used to hire consultants and/or 

temporary contract staff to perform DNA analysis on unidentified human remains and/or 

reference samples from State or local government missing persons investigations, or for other 

activities directly related to the performance of the proposal’s objectives. Funds may also be 

used to outsource samples to qualified public or private laboratories. 

7. Other reasonable expenses directly related to the performance of the proposal’s objectives. 

Amount and length of awards: Total funding for this solicitation and the number of awards 

made will depend on the availability of funds, the quality of the applications, and other pertinent 

factors. All awards are subject to the availability of appropriated funds and to any 

modifications or additional requirements that may be imposed by law. 

In general, NIJ will limit any grants under this program to a maximum period of 18 months after 

the start of the award. Applicants should be aware that the total period of an award, including 

one that receives a project period extension, ordinarily will not exceed 3 years. 

A grant made by NIJ under this solicitation may account for up to 100 percent of the total cost of 

the project. See "Cofunding" under "What an Application Must Include." 

Limitation on Use of Award Funds for Employee Compensation; Waiver: With respect to 

any award of more than $250,000 made under this solicitation, Federal funds may not be used 

to pay total cash compensation (salary plus bonuses) to any employee of the award recipient at 

a rate that exceeds 110% of the maximum annual salary payable to a member of the Federal 

Government’s Senior Executive Service (SES) at an agency with a Certified SES Performance 

Appraisal System for that year. (The 2010 salary table for SES employees is available at 

http://www.opm.gov/oca/10tables/indexSES.asp.) Note: A recipient may compensate an 

employee at a higher rate, provided the amount in excess of this compensation limitation is paid 

with non-Federal funds. (Any such additional compensation will not be considered matching 

funds where match requirements apply.) 
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The limitation on compensation rates allowable under an award may be waived on an individual 

basis at the discretion of the Assistant Attorney General (AAG) for the Office of Justice 

Programs. An applicant that wishes to request a waiver must include a detailed justification in 

the budget narrative of its application. Unless the applicant submits a waiver request and 

justification with the application, the applicant should anticipate that OJP will request that the 

applicant adjust and resubmit its budget. 

The justification should include: the particular qualifications and expertise of the individual, the 

uniqueness of the service being provided, the individual’s specific knowledge of the program or 

project being undertaken with award funds, and a statement explaining that the individual’s 

salary is commensurate with the regular and customary rate for an individual with his/her 

qualifications and expertise, and for the work that is to be done. 

Performance Measures 

To assist in fulfilling the Department’s responsibilities under the Government Performance and 

Results Act (GPRA), P.L. 103–62, applicants who receive funding under this solicitation must 

provide data that measure the results of their work. Additionally, applicants must discuss in 

their application their methods for collecting data for performance measures. Please 

refer to “What an Application Must Include” (below), for additional information on 

applicant responsibilities for collecting and reporting data. Performance measures for this 

solicitation are as follows: 

Objective Performance Measure(s) Data Grantee Provides 

1. To perform DNA analysis on 

unidentified human remains 

and/or reference samples 

collected as part of State or local 

government missing persons 

investigations, and to enter 

resulting DNA profiles into the 

FBI’s National DNA Index System 

using CODIS version 6.0. 

2. To enter relevant case information 

including DNA profiles, dental 

records, and any other relevant 

information into the OJP National 

Missing and Unidentified Persons 

System, NamUs. 

1. Percentage of unidentified 

human remains and/or reference 

samples that yield a DNA profile. 

2. Percentage of unidentified 

human remains cases entered 

into NamUs. 

3. Percentage of DNA profiles 

resulting in a CODIS match. 

1. The number of unidentified 

human remains and/or reference 

samples analyzed by DNA 

testing. 

2. The number of unidentified 

human remains and/or reference 

samples that yielded a DNA 

profile. 

3. The number of DNA profiles from 

State or local government 

missing persons investigations 

that were entered into the FBI’s 

National DNA Index System 

using CODIS version 6.0. 

4. The number of CODIS matches 

resulting from DNA analysis of 

unidentified human remains 

and/or reference samples from 

State or local government 

missing persons investigations. 

5. The number of cases entered 

into NamUs. 

6. The number of cases solved or 

assisted by entry into NamUs.
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How to Apply 

Applications will be submitted through OJP’s Grants Management System (GMS). GMS is a 

Web-based, data-driven computer application that provides cradle to grave support for the 

application, award and management of grants at OJP. Applicants should begin the process 

immediately to meet the GMS registration deadline, especially if this is the first time they have 

used the system. Complete instructions on how to register and submit an application in GMS 

can be found at www.ojp.usdoj.gov/gmscbt/. If you experience technical difficulties at any point 

during this process, please e-mail GMSHelpDesk@usdoj.gov, or call 1–888–549–9901 (option 

3), Monday–Friday from 6:00 a.m. to midnight eastern time, except for Federal holidays. OJP 

highly recommends starting the registration process as early as possible to prevent delays in 

the application submission by the specified deadline. 

All applicants are required to complete the following steps. 

1. Acquire a DUNS Number. A DUNS number is required to submit an application in 

GMS. The Office of Management and Budget requires that all businesses and nonprofit 

applicants for Federal funds include a DUNS (Data Universal Numbering System) 

number in their application for a new award or renewal of an existing award. A DUNS 

number is a unique nine-digit sequence recognized as the universal standard for 

identifying and keeping track of entities receiving Federal funds. The identifier is used for 

tracking purposes and to validate address and point of contact information for Federal 

assistance applicants, recipients, and subrecipients. The DUNS number will be used 

throughout the grant life cycle. Obtaining a DUNS number is a free, one-time activity. 

Obtain a DUNS number by calling 1–866–705–5711 or by applying online at 

www.dunandbradstreet.com. Individuals are exempt from this requirement. 

2. Acquire or Renew Registration with the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) 

Database. CCR registration is required to receive funding. OJP requires that all 

applicants (other than individuals) for Federal financial assistance maintain current 

registrations in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) database. The CCR database 

is the repository for standard information about Federal financial assistance applicants, 

recipients, and subrecipients. Organizations that have previously submitted applications 

via Grants.gov are already registered with CCR, as it is a requirement for Grants.gov 

registration. Please note, however, that applicants must update or renew their CCR 

registration at least once per year to maintain an active status. Information about CCR 

registration procedures can be accessed at www.ccr.gov. 

3. Acquire a GMS Username and Password. If you are a new user, please create a GMS 

profile by selecting the first time user link under the sign-in box of the GMS home page. 

For more information on how to register in GMS, go to www.ojp.usdoj.gov/gmscbt/.

4. Search for the Funding Opportunity on GMS. After you log in to GMS or complete 

your GMS profile for your username and password, go to the Funding Opportunities link 

on the left hand side of the page. Please select “National Institute of Justice” and then 

“NIJ FY 10 Using DNA Technology to Identify the Missing.” 

5. Select the Apply Online Button Associated with the Solicitation Title. The search 

results from step 4 will display the solicitation title along with the Registration and 
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Application Deadlines for this funding opportunity. Please select the Apply Online button 

in the Action Column to create an application in the system. 

6. Submit an Application Addressing All of the Requirements Outlined in this 

Solicitation by Following the Directions in GMS. Once submitted, GMS will display a 

confirmation screen stating your submission was successful. Important: You are urged 

to submit your application at least 72 hours prior to the due date of the application. 

Note: OJP’s Grants Management System (GMS) does not accept executable file types as 

application attachments. These disallowed file types include, but are not limited to, the 

following extensions: ".com," ".bat," ".exe," ".vbs," ".cfg," ".dat," ".db," ".dbf," ".dll," ".ini," ".log," 

".ora," ".sys," and ".zip."

Experiencing Unforeseen GMS Technical Issues 

If you experience unforeseen GMS technical issues beyond your control which prevent you from 

submitting your application by the deadline, you must contact the NIJ staff member listed on the 

title page within 24 hours after the deadline and request approval to submit your application. 

At that time, NIJ staff will require you to e-mail the complete grant application, your DUNS 

number, and provide a GMS Help Desk tracking number(s). After the program office reviews all 

of the information submitted, and contacts the GMS Helpdesk to validate the technical issues 

you reported, OJP will contact you to either approve or deny your request to submit a late 

application. If the technical issues you reported cannot be validated, your application will be 

rejected as untimely. 

To ensure a fair competition for limited discretionary funds, the following conditions are not valid 

reasons to permit late submissions: (1) failure to begin the registration process in sufficient time; 

(2) failure to follow GMS instructions on how to register and apply as posted on its Web site; (3) 

failure to follow all of the instructions in the OJP solicitation; and (4) technical issues 

experienced with the applicant’s computer or information technology (IT) environment. 

Notifications regarding known technical problems with GMS are posted on the OJP funding Web 

page, www.ojp.usdoj.gov/funding/solicitations.htm. 

What an Application Must Include 

OJP strongly recommends use of appropriately descriptive file names (e.g., “Program 

Narrative,” “Budget Detail Worksheet and Budget Narrative,” “Timelines,” “Memoranda of 

Understanding,” “Resumes”) for all required attachments. Where resumes are required, OJP 

recommends that all resumes be included in a single file. 

Standard Form 424 

Please see www07.grants.gov/assets/SF424Instructions.pdf for instructions on how to 

complete your SF424. 

 Program Narrative 

The Program Narrative includes: 

a. Cover page 

b. Abstract (not to exceed 600 words). 

c. Table of contents. 
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d. Main body, which includes: 

• Purpose, goals, and primary objectives as outlined on page 4. 

• Additional requirements as outlined on page 5. 

• Project design and methods. 

• Management and training plans and organization. 

e. Appendices (not counted against program narrative page limit) include: 

• Bibliography/References (if applicable). 

• List of key personnel (required). 

• Resumes of key personnel (required). 

• List of previous and current NIJ awards to applicant organization 

(required). 

• Letters of cooperation/support or written/administrative agreements (as 

outlined on page 5) from organizations collaborating in the project (if 

applicable). 

• Chart for timeline or milestones (required). 

• List of other agencies, organizations, or funding sources to which you 

have submitted this proposal (if applicable). 

• Other materials required by the solicitation. 

The program narrative section of your application must not exceed 20 double-spaced 

pages in 12-point font with 1-inch margins. Abstract, table of contents, charts, figures, 

appendices, and government forms do not count toward the 20-page limit for the 

narrative section. 

 Budget Detail Worksheet and Budget Narrative 

A sample Budget Detail Worksheet can be found at 

www.ojp.gov/funding/forms/budget_detail.pdf. If you submit a different format, you must 

include the budget categories as listed in the sample budget worksheet. 

For additional information relating to budgets, please see the OJP Financial Guide at 

www.ojp.gov/financialguide/index.htm. 

The Budget Narrative is a plain-language description of each of the proposed 

expenditures listed in the Budget Detail Worksheet. It should clearly explain the purpose 

and reason for all expenditures in the budget. There should be no ambiguities about any 

budget item. The narrative also should include details for calculated rates or other 

figures. As with the Budget Detail Worksheet, the Budget Narrative must be broken 

down on a year-by-year basis. 

Cofunding: A grant made by NIJ under this solicitation may account for up to 100 

percent of the total cost of the project. You must indicate whether you believe it is 

feasible for you to contribute cash, facilities, or services as non-Federal support for the 

project. Your application should identify generally any such contributions that you expect 

to make and your proposed budget should indicate in detail which items, if any, will be 

supported with non-Federal contributions. 

 Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (if applicable)

Applicants that do not have a federally negotiated indirect cost rate and wish to establish 

one can submit a proposal to their “cognizant” Federal agency. Generally, the cognizant 

Federal agency is the agency that provides the preponderance of direct Federal funding. 

This can be determined by reviewing an organization’s schedule of Federal financial 
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assistance. If DOJ is your cognizant Federal agency, obtain information needed to 

submit an indirect cost rate proposal at 

http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/financialguide/part3/part3chap17.htm.

Plan for collecting the data required for performance measures. (See 

"Performance Measures," above.) 

The data collection plan is a description of the applicant’s plan for collecting the data 

required for performance measures. Applicants must discuss this plan in their 

applications. The plan must describe how the performance measures data will be 

derived, state who will be responsible for collecting the data, and state that the data will 

be available for review 3 years post award, as required. The data collection plan should 

be rigorous to ensure that the performance measure data provided are accurate, 

auditable, and correctly measure the impact of the Federal funds provided. 

Tribal Authorizing Resolution (if applicable)

If an application is being submitted by either (1) a tribe or tribal organization, or (2) by a 

third party proposing to provide direct services or assistance to residents on tribal lands, 

then a current authorizing resolution of the governing body of the tribal entity or other 

enactment of the tribal council or comparable governing body authorizing the inclusion of 

the tribe or tribal organization and its residents must be included with the application. In 

those instances when an organization or consortium of tribes proposes to apply for a 

grant on behalf of a tribe or multiple specific tribes, then the application must include a 

resolution from all tribes that will be included as a part of the services/assistance 

provided under the grant. 

If an applicant is unable to obtain a signed copy of a tribal resolution documenting 

support for its application, then, at a minimum, the applicant must submit an unsigned, 

draft tribal resolution as part of its application. If an applicant fails to submit either a 

signed or an unsigned copy of a tribal resolution as part of its application, then it will be 

eliminated from funding consideration. If selected for funding, any applicant that has 

submitted an unsigned tribal resolution must submit the signed copy of the tribal 

resolution to OJP within 30 days of acceptance of the award. In all such cases, use of 

and access to funds will be contingent on receipt of the signed tribal resolution. 

Other Standard Forms 

Additional forms that may be required are available on OJP’s funding page at 

http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/funding/forms.htm. Please note in particular the following 

forms. 

1. Certifications Regarding Lobbying; Debarment, Suspension and Other 

Responsibility Matters; and Drug-Free Workplace Requirements (required of all 

applicants as part of the GMS application process) 

2. Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (required for any applicant that expends any 

funds for lobbying activities) 
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3. Accounting System and Financial Capability Questionnaire (required for any 

applicant that is a nongovernmental entity and that has not received any award 

from OJP within the past 3 years) 

4. Standard Assurances (required of all applicants as part of the GMS application 

process) 

Note: Attachments to the application should be included in one of the following four 

categories: 1) Program Narrative; 2) Budget Detail Worksheet and Budget Narrative; 3) 

Appendices; and 4) Other Requirements. 

Selection Criteria 

Statement of the Problem (Understanding of the problem and its importance)—15%

Applications should include appropriate citations and other information to demonstrate 

an understanding of the problem and the expected impact of the funding. 

Project/Program Design and Implementation (Quality and technical merit)—30%

1. Awareness of the state of current DNA technology and its application to analysis of 

biological samples typically encountered in missing persons investigations. 

2. Soundness of methodology and analytic and technical approach, taking into account the 

objectives and requirements as set forth on pages 4 - 5. 

3. Feasibility of proposed project and awareness of pitfalls. 

4. Innovation and creativity (when appropriate). 

Capabilities/Competencies (Capabilities, demonstrated productivity, and experience of 

applicants)—20%

1. Qualifications and experience of proposed staff. 

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

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

and resources are used. 

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

Budget—15% 

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

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

 3. Use of existing resources to conserve costs. 

Impact/Outcomes and Evaluation/Plan for Collecting Data for Performance Measures

(Relevance to policy and practice)—20% 

1. Potential for resolving State or local government missing persons investigations. 

2. Affordability and cost-effectiveness of proposed approach. 

3. Plan for collecting data for performance measures. 

Review Process 

OJP is committed to ensuring a fair and open process for awarding grants. NIJ reviews the 

application to make sure that the information presented is reasonable, understandable, 
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measurable, and achievable, as well as consistent with basic minimum program or legislative 

requirements as stated in the solicitation (including, but not limited to, requirements as to 

timeliness, proper format, and responsiveness to the scope of the solicitation). 

Peer reviewers will be reviewing the applications submitted under this solicitation that meet 

basic minimum requirements. NIJ may use either internal peer reviewers, external peer 

reviewers, or a combination to review the applications under this solicitation. An external peer 

reviewer is an expert in the field of the subject matter of a given solicitation who is NOT a 

current U.S. Department of Justice employee. An internal reviewer is a current U.S. Department 

of Justice employee who is well-versed or has expertise in the subject matter of this solicitation. 

Eligible applications will be evaluated, scored, and rated by a peer review panel. Peer 

reviewers’ ratings and any resulting recommendations are advisory only. In addition to peer 

review ratings, considerations for award recommendations and decisions may include, but are 

not limited to, underserved populations, geographic diversity, strategic priorities, past 

performance, and available funding. 

The Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO), in consultation with NIJ, conducts a financial 

review of applications for potential discretionary awards and cooperative agreements to 

evaluate the fiscal integrity and financial capability of applicants; examines proposed costs to 

determine if the budget and budget narrative accurately explain project costs; and determines 

whether costs are reasonable, necessary, and allowable under applicable Federal cost 

principles and agency regulations. 

Absent explicit statutory authorization or written delegation of authority to the contrary, all final 

grant award decisions will be made by the Assistant Attorney General (AAG), who may also 

give consideration to factors including, but not limited to, underserved populations, geographic 

diversity, strategic priorities, past performance, and available funding when making awards. 

Additional Requirements 

Applicants selected for awards must agree to comply with additional legal requirements upon 

acceptance of an award. We strongly encourage you to review the information pertaining to 

these additional requirements prior to submitting your application. Additional information for 

each can be found at http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/funding/other_requirements.htm. 

• Civil Rights Compliance 

• Faith-Based and Other Community Organizations 

• Confidentiality and Human Subjects Protection (if applicable) 

• Anti-Lobbying Act 

• Financial and Government Audit Requirements 

• National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) (if applicable) 

• DOJ Information Technology Standards (if applicable) 

• Single Point of Contact Review 
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• Nonsupplanting of State or Local Funds 

• Criminal Penalty for False Statements 

• Compliance with Office of Justice Programs Financial Guide

• Suspension or Termination of Funding 

• Nonprofit Organizations 

• For-Profit Organizations 

• Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) 

• Rights in Intellectual Property 

• Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA) of 2006 

• Awards in excess of $5,000,000 – Federal taxes certification requirement 

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

including: 

Interim reports: Grantees must submit quarterly financial reports, semi-annual progress 

reports, and, if applicable, an annual audit report in accordance with Office of Management and 

Budget Circular A–133. Future awards and fund drawdowns may be withheld if reports are 

delinquent. 

Final Report: The final report must include a summary and assessment of the program carried 

out with the award, including: 

• The number of unidentified human remains and/or reference samples analyzed by DNA 

testing. 

• The number of unidentified human remains and/or reference samples that yielded a 

DNA profile. 

• The number of DNA profiles from State or local government missing persons 

investigations that were entered into the FBI’s National DNA Index System using CODIS 

version 6.0. 

• The number of CODIS matches resulting from DNA analysis of unidentified human 

remains and/or reference samples from State or local government missing persons 

investigations. 

• The number of cases entered into NamUs. 

• The number of cases solved or assisted by entry into NamUs. 
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Application Checklist 

Using DNA Technology to Identify the Missing 

The application checklist has been created to aid you in developing your application. 

Eligibility 

_____ Tribal authorizing resolution (if applicable) 

Application Components: 

_____ Program Narrative (see pages 9–10 and “Selection Criteria,” page 12) 

_____ Appendices to the Program Narrative 

_____ Bibliography/References (if applicable) 

_____ List of key personnel (required) 

_____ Resumes of key personnel (required) 

_____ List of previous and current NIJ awards to applicant organization (required) 

_____ Letters of cooperation/support or administrative agreements from organizations 

collaborating in the project (if applicable) 

_____ Chart for timeline or milestones (required) 

_____ List of other agencies, organizations, or funding sources to which you have 

submitted this proposal (if applicable) 

_____ Budget Narrative 

_____ Budget Detail Worksheet 

_____ Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (if applicable) 

_____ Plan for Collecting Data for Performance Measures 

Program Narrative/Abstract Format:

_____ Double-spaced 

_____ 12-point standard font 

_____ 1” standard margins 

_____ Narrative is 20 pages or less 

 

Other Requirements: 

_____ Standard Form 424 

_____ DUNS number 

_____ Other standard forms as applicable (see page 11–12) including: 

 _____ Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (if applicable) 

 _____ Accounting System and Financial Capability Questionnaire (if applicable)