Notice regarding the solicitation “FY 2018 Forensic DNA Laboratory 

Efficiency Improvement and Capacity Enhancement Program”

April 19, 2018: Each applicant is to submit an NIJ Programmatic Coversheet and Checklist with 

its application to assist NIJ in assessing the potential environmental impacts of the activities 

proposed for funding by the applicant. Specifically, the applicant is expected to:

• Carefully read the Programmatic Environmental Assessment;

• Complete the Cover Sheet and the attached the Programmatic Checklist; and

• Attach the completed documents to the grant application. 

The applicant should also submit a Cover Sheet and NIJ Programmatic Checklist for any 

organization identified in the Budget Detail Worksheet that will receive grant funds through a 

sub-award or procurement contract to perform any of the following activities: new construction 

or renovations that change the basic prior use of a facility or significantly change the size; 

research and/or technology development that could be expected to have an effect on the 

environment; or implementation of programs involving the use of chemicals.

April 18, 2018: Under “Type of Award” in Section B: Federal Award Information, the type of 

award expected to be made has changed from “cooperative agreement” to “grant.” In addition, 

instructions pertaining to cooperative agreements have be redacted from page 43.

April 3, 2018: Item 9.e. titled “Disclosure of Process Related to Executive Compensation” under 

“What an Application Should Include” in Section D. Application and Submission Information was 

redacted. The original solicitation document begins on the next page.

April 3, 2018: The total expected award amount for this solicitation has changed from $9 million 

to $12 million.

The original solicitation document begins on the next page.
U.S. Department of Justice OMB No. 1121-0329 

Office of Justice Programs Approval Expires 11/30/2020 

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 FY 2018 Forensic DNA Laboratory Efficiency 

Improvement and Capacity Enhancement Program. This program furthers the Department’s 

mission by reducing crime and supporting prosecutors in their efforts to meet their mission. 

FY 2018 Forensic DNA Laboratory Efficiency 

Improvement and Capacity Enhancement 

Program 

Applications Due: May 7, 2018

Eligibility 

Eligible applicants are States1 and units of local government with existing crime laboratories that 

conduct forensic DNA and/or DNA database sample analysis and: 

 Participate in external audits, not less than once every two years, that demonstrate 

compliance with the requirements of the Quality Assurance Standards established by the 

Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; 

 Are accredited by a nonprofit professional organization actively involved in forensic 

science that is nationally recognized within the forensic science community; and 

 Participate in the National DNA Index System (NDIS), or have an agreement with an 

NDIS participating laboratory to upload their data. 

Note: A prospective recipient of grant funds that is found to have an “unresolved audit finding” 

from a DOJ Office of the Inspector General audit, as described at 34 U.S.C. § 10263, will be 

ineligible to receive grant funds during the period specified in that statute. See 34 U.S.C. § 

10263(2). 

All recipients and subrecipients (including any for-profit organization) must forgo any profit or 

management fee.

NIJ welcomes applications under which two or more entities would carry out the federal award; 

however, only one entity may be the applicant. Any others must be proposed as subrecipients 

 

1

 For purposes of this solicitation, the term “State” includes the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto 

Rico, and the U.S. territories of American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and 

the Virgin Islands. 
2 

NIJ-2018-13800 

(subgrantees).2 The applicant must be the entity that would have primary responsibility for 

carrying out the award, including administering the funding and managing the entire project. 

Under this solicitation, only one application by any particular applicant entity will be considered. 

An entity may, however, be proposed as a subrecipient (subgrantee) in more than one 

application. 

Deadline 

Applicants must register with Grants.gov at https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html

prior to submitting an application. All applications are due by 11:59 p.m. eastern time on 

May 7, 2018. 

To be considered timely, an application must be submitted by the application deadline using 

Grants.gov, and the applicant must have received a validation message from Grants.gov that 

indicates successful and timely submission. OJP urges applicants to submit applications at least 

72 hours prior to the application due date, to allow time for the applicant to receive validation 

messages or rejection notifications from Grants.gov, and to correct in a timely fashion any 

problems that may have caused a rejection notification. 

OJP encourages all applicants to read this Important Notice: Applying for Grants in Grants.gov. 

For additional information, see How to Apply in Section D. Application and Submission 

Information. 

Contact Information 

For technical assistance with submitting an application, contact the Grants.gov Customer 

Support Hotline at 800-518-4726, 606-545-5035, at 

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/support.html, or at support@grants.gov. The Grants.gov 

Support Hotline operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, except on federal holidays. 

An applicant that experiences unforeseen Grants.gov technical issues beyond its control that 

prevent it from submitting its application by the deadline must email the NIJ contact identified 

below within 24 hours after the application deadline to request approval to submit its 

application after the deadline. Additional information on reporting technical issues appears 

under “Experiencing Unforeseen Grants.gov Technical Issues” in the How To Apply section. 

For assistance with any other requirements of this solicitation, National Criminal Justice 

Reference Service (NCJRS) Response Center: toll-free at 1-800-851-3420; via TTY at 301-240-

6310 (hearing impaired only); email grants@ncjrs.gov; fax to 301-240-5830; or web chat at 

https://webcontact.ncjrs.gov/ncjchat/chat.jsp. The NCJRS Response Center operates from 

10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. eastern time, Monday through Friday, and from 10:00 a.m. until 8:00 

p.m. Eastern Time on the solicitation close date. General information on applying for NIJ awards 

can be found at www.nij.gov/funding/Pages/welcome.aspx. Answers to frequently asked 

questions that may assist applicants are posted at www.nij.gov/funding/Pages/faqs.aspx. 

Grants.gov number assigned to this solicitation: NIJ-2018-13800

Release date: March 23, 2018 

 

2

 For additional information on subawards, see "Budget and Associated Documentation" under Section D. Application 

and Submission Information. 
3 

NIJ-2018-13800 

Contents 

A. Program Description .......................................................................................................................... 4

Overview ............................................................................................................................................ 4

Project-Specific Information ............................................................................................................... 5

Goals, Objectives, and Deliverables .................................................................................................. 5

Purpose Area 1: Multidisciplinary Analysis of Evidence .................................................................... 6

Purpose Area 2: Building and Improving Laboratory Infrastructure .................................................. 7

Purpose Area 3: Process Efficiency Projects .................................................................................... 8

Purpose Area 4: Backlog Reduction of Missing Persons’ Samples ................................................10

Purpose Area 5: Special Projects ....................................................................................................11

Evidence-Based Programs or Practices ..........................................................................................13

Information Regarding Potential Evaluation of Programs and Activities .........................................13

B. Federal Award Information ..............................................................................................................13

Type of Award ..................................................................................................................................14

Financial Management and System of Internal Controls ................................................................14

Budget Information ...........................................................................................................................15

Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement (Purpose Areas 1, and 3-5 only) ......................................17

Pre-agreement Costs (also known as Pre-award Costs) ................................................................18

Limitation on Use of Award Funds for Employee Compensation; Waiver ......................................18

Prior Approval, Planning, and Reporting of Conference/Meeting/Training Costs ...........................19

Costs Associated With Language Assistance (if applicable) ..........................................................19

C. Eligibility Information .......................................................................................................................19

D. Application and Submission Information .........................................................................................20

What an Application Should Include ................................................................................................20

Performance Measures ...................................................................................................................24

How To Apply ...................................................................................................................................34

E. Application Review Information .......................................................................................................38

Review Criteria ................................................................................................................................. 38

Review Process ...............................................................................................................................40

F. Federal Award Administration Information ......................................................................................42

Federal Award Notices ....................................................................................................................42

Administrative, National Policy, and Other Legal Requirements ....................................................42

General Information about Post-Federal Award Reporting Requirements .....................................43

G. Federal Awarding Agency Contact(s) .............................................................................................44

H. Other Information ............................................................................................................................44

Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552 and 5 U.S.C. 552a)............................44

Provide Feedback to OJP ................................................................................................................44

Appendix A: Application Checklist ...................................................................................................46
4 

NIJ-2018-13800 

FY 2018 Forensic DNA Laboratory Efficiency 

Improvement and Capacity 

Enhancement Program 

CFDA No. 16.741 

A. Program Description 

Overview 

Demands for forensic DNA analysis have increased every year from 2009 to 2014, with a 28 

percent increase in cases submitted to forensic DNA laboratories from 2009 to 2014.3

 The 

growing demand for DNA testing comes from two primary sources: (1) improved analytical 

techniques that have led to the recovery of DNA profiles from items of evidence from which it 

was not previously possible to retrieve such profiles, and (2) the increased collection and 

processing of DNA from crime scenes; victims of sexual assault; reference and elimination 

samples; arrestee and convicted offender samples as required by applicable State laws; 

unidentified human remains; cold case investigations; and postconviction relief efforts.

Often, a single case submission includes requests for forensic analyses in DNA and non-DNA 

disciplines. Enhancing capacity and improving efficiency in the processing and testing of nonDNA evidence from cases that also involve a request for DNA analysis will ultimately reduce the 

backlog of DNA evidence. NIJ’s DNA Capacity Enhancement and Backlog Reduction (CEBR) 

program does not permit the use of funds for non-DNA disciplines. The Forensic DNA 

Laboratory Efficiency Improvement and Capacity Enhancement (EI&CE) program is intended to 

help address that gap. 

The EI&CE program awards funding to eligible entities, through a competitive application 

process, with three (3) program objectives: 

1. Enhancing the capacity and increasing the efficiency of crime laboratories to 

process, record, screen, and analyze DNA and other forensic evidence. 

2. Decreasing the turnaround time to process and analyze DNA evidence. 

3. Ensuring continued support for enhancing the quality of DNA analysis results.

Statutory Authority: Any awards under this solicitation would be made under statutory 

authority provided by a full-year appropriations act for FY 2018. As of the writing of this 

solicitation, the Department of Justice is operating under a short-term "Continuing Resolution"; 

no full-year appropriation for the Department has been enacted for FY 2018. 

 

3

 Durose, Matthew R. and Andrea M. Burch. “Publicly Funded Forensic Crime Laboratories: Resources and Services, 

2014.” Bureau of Justice Statistics. November 2016. https://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/pdf/pffclrs14.pdf.
5 

NIJ-2018-13800 

Project-Specific Information 

The following requirements apply to all DNA analyses conducted under this program: 

 Applicants must ensure that all eligible DNA profiles obtained with funding from this 

program are entered into the FBI’s Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) database 

and, where applicable, are uploaded into NDIS.4

 No profiles generated with funding from 

this program may be entered into any non-governmental DNA database without prior 

express written approval from NIJ. 

 Applicants must ensure that all profiles uploaded to NDIS5 follow NDIS DNA Data 

Acceptance Standards. 

 Applicants must ensure that each DNA analysis conducted and resulting profile 

generated under this program is maintained pursuant to all applicable federal privacy 

requirements, including those described in 42 U.S.C. § 14132(b)(3). 

 Rapid DNA and Massively Parallel Sequencing (MPS)/Next Generation Sequencing 

(NGS) technologies must comply with applicable laws, Quality Assurance Standards, 

and follow the regulations identified by the FBI.6

Goals, Objectives, and Deliverables 

The central goal of NIJ's FY 2018 EI&CE program is to assist eligible crime laboratories in 

substantially increasing laboratory capacity through a well-defined project. The EI&CE program 

objectives of increasing efficiency and decreasing turnaround time for DNA evidence processing 

to help laboratories to reduce the number of DNA samples awaiting analysis will be assisted by 

mechanisms to improve overall laboratory efficiency. This will, in turn, help prevent future 

accumulations of samples awaiting analysis. The EI&CE program objective of ensuring 

continued support for enhancing the quality of DNA analysis results will be assisted by projects 

that evaluate and implement improved methods of DNA analysis and data interpretation. 

Projects are to align with one of five purpose areas: 

1. Multidisciplinary analysis of evidence. 

2. Building and improving laboratory infrastructure. 

3. Process efficiency projects. 

4. Backlog reduction of missing persons’ samples. 

5. Special projects. 

The EI&CE program is designed to support projects that significantly enhance capacity and 

improve efficiency of laboratories that perform multidisciplinary forensic testing, including DNA 

analysis. The applicant must propose a fully developed, self-contained project, and not simply 

 

4 https://www.fbi.gov/services/laboratory/biometric-analysis/codis/codis-and-ndis-fact-sheet. 

5 https://www.fbi.gov/services/laboratory/biometric-analysis/codis/codis-and-ndis-fact-sheet. 

6 https://www.fbi.gov/services/laboratory/biometric-analysis/codis/rapid-dna-analysis. 
6 

NIJ-2018-13800 

propose a supplement to the activities funded through NIJ’s DNA CEBR program, the Paul 

Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grant (“Coverdell”) program, or the Research and 

Evaluation for the Testing and Interpretation of Physical Evidence in Publicly Funded Forensic 

Laboratories (“R&E for Public Labs”) program. 

Applications should be project-oriented, and goals and deliverables should be projectspecific. The applicant must adequately convey how the proposed project will advance the 

goals and objectives of this program through the selected purpose area. All projects (including 

non DNA projects) must identify how the proposed activities will improve DNA evidence 

processing capacity, efficiency, and turnaround time. 

Agencies that receive EI&CE funding will be required to report their progress to NIJ, including 

relevant and appropriate data metrics. 

Non-supplanting: This program is to assist crime laboratories by defraying costs — successful 

applicants will be expected to provide assurances, as a condition of receiving grant funds under 

this program, that the funds will be used to supplement, not supplant, funds that would 

otherwise be available for the purposes described in this solicitation. NIJ will include grant 

special conditions to this effect for any award made from this solicitation. 

Purpose areas: Applicants are encouraged to propose innovative and creative projects that 

address the goals of the EI&CE program. There are five purpose areas under which an 

application may be submitted. Applications should clearly identify the purpose area under 

which funds are requested on the title page. An applicant may submit more than one 

application under this program, but may submit only one application per purpose area.

Purpose Area 1: Multidisciplinary Analysis of Evidence

Competition ID: NIJ-2018-13801

As part of a case submission, forensic laboratories often receive requests to test evidence that 

requires multidisciplinary analysis. The case submission can include a request for DNA 

analysis, but also may include items of evidence that require additional types of forensic 

analysis such as firearms and other weapons, the presence of friction ridge impressions, 

various types of trace evidence, and/or toxicological analysis for drugs and poisons. 

Evidence items from a single case can provide information from a variety of forensic analyses 

— but particular attention is often given to DNA analyses without consideration of any other 

forensic disciplines. Sometimes, one item of evidence must proceed through two or more types 

of forensic analyses before DNA analysis can occur. Without support for non-DNA testing, 

critical information that might have been gathered from other forensic analyses may be missed 

when: 1.) court demands push the evidence to DNA analysis without completion of non-DNA 

analysis, or 2.) the case may be stuck in a bottleneck of potential DNA evidence related cases 

backlogged in another section of a laboratory. Therefore, providing assistance to other forensic 

disciplines in the laboratory may help to decrease the turnaround time of analysis of an entire 

case, thus providing the requesting agency with faster analytical results, and may provide the 

opportunity for higher-quality results. 

The objective of this purpose area is to provide assistance to laboratories to complete entire 

cases that involve requests for both DNA and at least one other type of forensic analysis. 
7 

NIJ-2018-13800 

Projects may include assistance in the non-DNA disciplines as they overlap with and affect DNA 

analysis and processing. 

Projects under this purpose area should be measured by project-specific metrics above 

and beyond the performance measures listed on page 24. The application should include 

a list of the project-specific metrics and how they will demonstrate efficiency 

improvement and capacity enhancement in the non-DNA discipline. For example, this 

could include data such as, but not limited to, number of firearms items analyzed with funds 

from this program. 

Projects that propose any equipment to be purchased under this purpose area that will be used 

for cases without a request for DNA analysis must demonstrate that the anticipated increase in 

the throughput for the specific non-DNA discipline will positively impact turnaround time of DNA 

cases, or have a demonstrated increase in the quality of results obtained from DNA analyses 

completed after non-DNA analyses. In addition, applications that include equipment purchases 

to analyze a backlog of cases in a non-DNA discipline should also include a discussion of how 

federally-funded equipment will be used after the project period has ended and how the 

equipment will continue to impact the efficiency of DNA analysis. 

Projects requesting assistance only to process evidence in a non-DNA discipline without 

also requesting assistance for the forensic biology/DNA section of the laboratory must 

have a strong justification for not including funding requests for the forensic 

biology/DNA section, including how funding for the non-DNA section will benefit DNA 

evidence processing and efficiency. 

NIJ expects to award up to $1.5 million under Purpose Area 1. 

Purpose Area 2: Building and Improving Laboratory Infrastructure 

Competition ID: NIJ-2018-13802

Advancing technologies coupled with the increased demand for forensic analysis may often 

require laboratories to retrofit existing work areas to make room for newer and additional pieces 

of equipment. Laboratories may be unable to undertake expensive renovations and the minor, 

often temporary, fixes employed in those situations may negatively impact DNA turnaround time 

and capacity. Increases in demand for paperless tracking systems may also be difficult for 

agencies to implement since introducing a new information technology (IT) system can be 

expensive and time consuming. 

The goal of Purpose Area 2 is to allow agencies to to incorporate new technologies into their 

laboratory or expand their operations to allow for the continuing demands for forensic analysis 

by providing assistance for laboratories to build or improve both physical and IT laboratory 

infrastructure. Building or improving laboratory infrastructure can include capital improvements7

or the implementation of a laboratory information system or technology, with the goal of 

enhancing capacity or improving the efficiency of the laboratory. 

 

7 A capital improvement is generally defined as the addition of a permanent structural change or the restoration of 

some aspect of a property.
8 

NIJ-2018-13800 

Applications submitted under Purpose Area 2 are subject to a cash match of at least 

twenty five (25) percent. A Purpose Area 2 application that proposes a cash match that 

exceeds 25 percent of the total cost of the proposed project may, in appropriate circumstances, 

be given special consideration in award decisions. See Section B. Federal Award Information

for details on cost sharing or matching requirements under this program. 

Projects under this purpose area may be measured by project-specific metrics above and 

beyond the performance measures listed on page 24. If applicable, the application should 

include a list of the project-specific metrics, and how they will demonstrate efficiency 

improvement and capacity enhancement in the laboratory. 

NIJ expects to award up to $1.5 million under Purpose Area 2. 

Purpose Area 3: Process Efficiency Projects 

Competition ID: NIJ-2018-13803

With law enforcement officers realizing the importance of collecting, preserving, and submitting 

forensic evidence from both violent and nonviolent crime scenes, there has been a steep 

increase in submissions of DNA evidence to crime laboratories. Continuing to increase 

efficiency and enhance laboratory capacity are critical if laboratories are to meet, and eventually 

exceed, the demand for DNA analysis. 

Under this purpose area, laboratories may request assistance for assessment projects to 

identify areas that need improvement or thoroughly evaluate available process improvements in 

the forensic biology/DNA discipline, and/or for implementation projects that allow the laboratory 

to implement improvements identified in previous process mapping or efficiency studies into 

casework. NIJ may also support phased projects. For example, a project may have an 

initial phase that includes an assessment of areas that may need improvement, with a 

proposal for utilization of tools such as process mapping or another efficiency study; a 

second phase may include implementation of a plan derived based on the outcome and 

data generated from phase one. 

Assessment projects have two general categories: 

 Identification of needs: Projects requesting assistance to assess the state of their 

laboratory by conducting process mapping or efficiency studies to identify areas of the 

case processing and/or physical laboratory that need to be improved and that consider 

potential solutions for the identified issues. 

o NIJ strongly encourages applicants to use funds for, or otherwise conduct, an 

assessment project if their lab has not already done so before requesting 

funds for an implementation project.

 Evaluation of methods, protocols, and equipment: Projects requesting assistance to 

address one of these objectives: 

o Objective A: Assess existing DNA laboratory protocols to improve understanding of 

the scientific rationale underpinning existing laboratory processes. Applicants should 
9 

NIJ-2018-13800 

perform validation and evaluation of existing laboratory schemes and methods to 

determine possible improvements. 

o Objective B: Evaluate emerging DNA methods to assess the value of these emerging 

laboratory processes. Applicants should conduct validation to compare emerging 

methods to those currently used to accomplish the same purpose in their 

laboratories. These evaluations should consider factors such as accuracy, reliability, 

cost, and analysis time. 

o Objective C: Evaluation of methods, protocols, and equipment projects must also 

propose to use a specific number of casework samples as part of the validation and 

evaluation process. NIJ also strongly encourages applicants to seek guidance from a 

statistician to ensure rigorous testing measures are employed. Areas that may 

benefit from a statistician include, but are not limited to, project design (e.g., 

experimental designs, planning sample size or sampling designs, designing data 

collection methods), selection and application of appropriate statistical methods, and 

how to use software to perform data analyses. 

Implementation projects: 

Implementation projects include purchase, validation, and training on new equipment, software, 

or chemistries that will improve laboratory capacity as a result of a process mapping or 

efficiency study in order to reduce turnaround time or increase the quality of results obtained 

from forensic analyses. 

Applications submitted under this purpose area must be for specific projects designed to identify 

and/or alleviate one or more bottlenecks in forensic processing or analysis. Applications 

submitted under this purpose area must demonstrate that the proposed project is separate 

and distinct from grants awarded under the DNA CEBR program,8

 the Coverdell Program,9 the 

R&E for Public Labs Program,10 or the Research and Development for Criminal Justice 

Purposes program.11

Projects under this purpose area may be measured by project-specific metrics above and 

beyond the performance measures listed on page 24. Any application with non-DNA 

disciplines incorporated should include a list of project-specific metrics specific to that discipline, 

and how they will demonstrate efficiency improvement and capacity enhancement in the 

specified non-DNA discipline. For example, a project involving firearms examinations may 

include metrics such as: 1.) Increase in the number of firearms items analyzed; and 2.) Number 

of evidentiary items put into the National Integrated Ballistics Information Network (NIBIN). 

Recipients of an award under this solicitation will be expected to submit to the National Archive 

of Criminal Justice Data (NACJD) all data sets that result in whole or in part from the work 

funded by the award, along with associated files and any documentation necessary for future 

efforts by others to reproduce the project’s findings and/or to extend the scientific value of the 

dataset through secondary analysis. For more information, see “Program Narrative” in Section 

D. Application and Submission Information. 

 

8 http://nij.gov/funding/Documents/solicitations/NIJ-2018-13781.pdf. 

9 https://nij.gov/funding/Documents/solicitations/NIJ-2018-13760.pdf, 

https://nij.gov/funding/Documents/solicitations/NIJ-2018-13740.pdf. 

10 https://nij.gov/funding/Documents/solicitations/NIJ-2018-13900.pdf. 

11 https://nij.gov/funding/Documents/solicitations/NIJ-2018-13600.pdf. 
10

NIJ-2018-13800 

NIJ expects to award up to $2 million under Purpose Area 3. 

Purpose Area 4: Backlog Reduction of Missing Persons’ Samples 

Competition ID: NIJ-2018-13804

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

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

increased the successful analysis of aged, degraded, limited and/or low-quantity, 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 census by the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) illustrated the magnitude of the 

unidentified decedents issue nationwide — over 4,000 unidentified human decedents are 

reported each year by medical examiners and coroners, and of those, an estimated 1,000 

remain unidentified one year later and become “cold cases.”12

 

The goal of Purpose Area 4 is to support laboratories in performing DNA analysis on samples 

collected from unidentified human remains and family reference samples in missing persons 

cases in order to assist in efforts to identify previously unidentified human remains and resolve 

missing persons cases. 

The primary objective of all proposals submitted under this purpose area should be to help 

alleviate or prevent a backlog of unidentified human remains and/or family reference samples by 

conducting DNA analysis on those types of samples, with the following stipulations: 

 All resulting profiles must be reviewed and uploaded to NDIS. 

 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. If the case 

information is not uploaded to NamUs, a justification will be required. 

The following activities are permissible as secondary objectives. The proposal should 

demonstrate clearly that these activities can be successfully performed and that the applicant 

has prior experience performing this work: 

 Anthropological and odontological examinations of unidentified human remains for the 

following purposes: 

o Pre-DNA analysis: to establish if the remains are amenable to DNA analysis. 

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

unidentified decedents database of NamUs. 

 

12 Medical Examiners and Coroners’ Offices Special Report, 2004, https://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/pdf/meco04.pdf. 
11

NIJ-2018-13800 

 Evaluation and application of new DNA technologies designed to increase the amount of 

genetic information obtained from compromised skeletal remains. 

Applications submitted under Purpose Area 4 may include requests for funding overtime, salary, 

and benefits of additional personnel, limited travel expenses, equipment, DNA testing supplies, 

and contract services as they relate to analyzing DNA samples from unidentified human 

remains and family reference samples, as well as anthropological and odontological 

examinations of unidentified human remains. Applicants should demonstrate through past 

performance or data collection that their proposed project requests (i.e., overtime, additional 

personnel) resulted in, or will result in, a decrease in samples awaiting analysis. 

Projects under this purpose area should be measured by project-specific metrics above 

and beyond the performance measures listed on page 24, including metrics to measure the 

number of unidentified human remains samples analyzed, family reference samples analyzed, 

profiles uploaded, hits, and cases put into NamUs. Any application with non-DNA disciplines 

incorporated should include a list of project-specific metrics specific to that discipline, and how 

they will demonstrate efficiency improvement and capacity enhancement in the specified nonDNA discipline. For example, a project involving anthropological examinations may include 

metrics such as: 1.) number of exhumations completed; and 2.) number of anthropological 

examinations completed. 

NIJ expects to award up to $3 million under Purpose Area 4. 

Purpose Area 5: Special Projects 

Competition ID: NIJ-2018-13805

IMPORTANT NOTE: Any Purpose Area 5 application (or applications made to any other 

purpose area other than Purpose Area 2) that includes renovation, construction, or 

laboratory information management systems (LIMS) purchase will not be considered for 

funding as these should be applied under Purpose Area 2, and are subject to a 25 

percent match. 

Projects under this purpose area must be specific projects designed to enhance capacity, 

improve efficiency, improve the quality of DNA results, or improve services provided by the DNA 

laboratory. 

Since 2003, states have been enacting legislation to increase the collection of DNA samples of 

convicted offenders to include arrestees of certain crimes, with at least 30 states having now 

passed legislation expanding DNA databases to include arrestees.13 Therefore, there is a 

growing need to expand the capacity of database laboratories to manage the increased 

collections as a result of enacted legislation. 

Applicants may also consider projects designed to analyze or re-analyze biological evidence 

from violent crime cold cases.14 Advances in DNA technologies have substantially increased the 

successful DNA analysis of aged, degraded, limited, low-quantity, or otherwise compromised 

 

13 http://dnaresource.com/documents/RecentlyPassedArresteeLaws2016pdf.pdf. 

14 Any unsolved UCR Part 1 Violent Crime case for which all significant investigative leads have been exhausted. 
12

NIJ-2018-13800 

biological evidence, and, as a result, crime scene samples once thought to be unsuitable for 

testing or previously analyzed samples with inconclusive results may now yield DNA profiles. 

Applicants may also implement projects designed to analyze cases that are generally not 

prioritized as highly as violent crime, such as property crimes, but that have been shown to yield 

positive results. For example, the DNA Field Experiment funded by NIJ in 2005 showed that 

suspects in property crimes who were identified using DNA evidence had significantly more 

serious criminal histories than those identified through traditional property crime investigations.15

Projects under this purpose area may be measured by unique metrics above and beyond 

the performance measures listed on page 24. The application should include a list of the 

unique metrics, and how they will demonstrate efficiency improvement and capacity 

enhancement in the non-DNA disciplines, if applicable. 

Expungement of profiles: If funded, an applicant that proposes to use any grant funds for 

arrestee DNA sample collection processes must agree to provide NIJ, within 60 days of award 

notification, as a condition of receiving access to grant funds, documentation that demonstrates 

that the applicant has a procedure in place to — 

 Provide written notification of expungement provisions and instructions for requesting 

expungement to all persons who submit a DNA profile or DNA data for inclusion in NDIS. 

 Provide the eligibility criteria for expungement and instructions for requesting 

expungement on an appropriate public web site. 

 Make a determination on all expungement requests not later than 90 days after receipt 

and provide a written response of the determination to the requesting party. 

Applicants are encouraged to include documentation of procedures regarding expungement of 

profiles, as described above, with the application for funding if the information is available. 

In addition to any requirements under State (or other applicable) law, States must adhere to 

applicable federal expungement of records requirements for States described in 42 U.S.C. § 

14132(d)(2). 

Please note: No profiles generated with funding from this program may be entered into any 

non-governmental DNA database without prior express written approval from NIJ. All DNA 

analyses conducted, and profiles generated under this program must be maintained pursuant to 

all applicable federal privacy requirements, including those described in 42 U.S.C. § 

14132(b)(3). 

NIJ expects to award up to $1 million under Purpose Area 5. 

The Goals, Objectives and Deliverables are directly related to the performance measures that 

demonstrate the results of the work completed, as discussed in Section D. Application and 

Submission Information, under Program Narrative. 

 

15 https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/224084.pdf. 
13

NIJ-2018-13800 

Evidence-Based Programs or Practices 

OJP strongly emphasizes the use of data and evidence in policy making and program 

development in criminal justice, juvenile justice, and crime victim services. OJP is committed to: 

 Improving the quantity and quality of evidence OJP generates.

 Integrating evidence into program, practice, and policy decisions within OJP and the

field.

 Improving the translation of evidence into practice.

OJP considers programs and practices to be evidence-based when their effectiveness has been 

demonstrated by causal evidence, generally obtained through one or more outcome 

evaluations. Causal evidence documents a relationship between an activity or intervention 

(including technology) and its intended outcome, including measuring the direction and size of a 

change, and the extent to which a change may be attributed to the activity or intervention. 

Causal evidence depends on the use of scientific methods to rule out, to the extent possible, 

alternative explanations for the documented change. The strength of causal evidence, based on 

the factors described above, will influence the degree to which OJP considers a program or 

practice to be evidence-based. 

The OJP CrimeSolutions.gov website at https://www.crimesolutions.gov is one resource that 

applicants may use to find information about evidence-based programs in criminal justice, 

juvenile justice, and crime victim services. 

Information Regarding Potential Evaluation of Programs and Activities 

The Department of Justice has prioritized the use of evidence-based programming and deems it 

critical to continue to build and expand the evidence informing criminal and juvenile justice 

programs to reach the highest level of rigor possible. Therefore, applicants should note that the 

Office of Justice Programs may conduct or support an evaluation of the programs and activities 

funded under this solicitation. Recipients and sub-recipients will be expected to cooperate with 

program-related assessments or evaluation efforts, including through the collection and 

provision of information or data requested by OJP (or its designee) for the assessment or 

evaluation of any activities and/or outcomes of those activities funded under this solicitation. 

The information or data requested may be in addition to any other financial or performance data 

already required under this program. 

B. Federal Award Information

NIJ expects to make awards of up to $1,000,000 in total with an estimated total amount 

awarded of up to $12 million. NIJ expects to make awards for up to a 36-month period of 

performance, to begin on January 1, 2019. 

All awards are subject to the availability of appropriated funds and to any modifications or 

additional requirements that may be imposed by law.
14

NIJ-2018-13800 

Type of Award 

NIJ expects to make any award under this solicitation in the form of a grant. . See

Administrative, National Policy, and Other Legal Requirements, under Section F. Federal 

Award Administration Information, for a brief discussion of what may constitute substantial 

federal involvement. 

Financial Management and System of Internal Controls 

Award recipients and subrecipients (including recipients or subrecipients that are passthrough entities16) must, as described in the Part 200 Uniform Requirements17 as set out at 2 

C.F.R. 200.303: 

(a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that

provides reasonable assurance that [the recipient (and any subrecipient)] is

managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations,

and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls

should be in compliance with guidance in “Standards for Internal Control in the

Federal Government” issued by the Comptroller General of the United States and

the “Internal Control Integrated Framework”, issued by the Committee of

Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).

(b) Comply with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the

Federal awards.

(c) Evaluate and monitor [the recipient’s (and any subrecipient’s)] compliance with

statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of Federal awards.

(d) Take prompt action when instances of noncompliance are identified including

noncompliance identified in audit findings.

(e) Take reasonable measures to safeguard protected personally identifiable

information and other information the Federal awarding agency or pass-through

entity designates as sensitive or [the recipient (or any subrecipient)] considers

sensitive consistent with applicable Federal, state, local, and tribal laws regarding

privacy and obligations of confidentiality.

To help ensure that applicants understand the applicable administrative requirements and cost 

principles, OJP encourages prospective applicants to enroll, at no charge, in the DOJ Grants 

Financial Management Online Training, available at https://ojpfgm.webfirst.com/. (This training 

is required for all OJP award recipients.) 

Also, applicants should be aware that OJP collects information from applicants on their financial 

management and systems of internal controls (among other information) which is used to make 

16 For purposes of this solicitation, the phrase “pass-through entity” includes any recipient or subrecipient that 

provides a subaward ("subgrant”) to a subrecipient (subgrantee) to carry out part of the funded award or program. 

Additional information on proposed subawards is listed under What an Application Should Include, Section 4c of this 

solicitation. 

17 The "Part 200 Uniform Requirements” means the DOJ regulation at 2 C.F.R Part 2800, which adopts (with certain 

modifications) the provisions of 2 C.F.R. Part 200. 
15

NIJ-2018-13800 

award decisions. Under Section D. Application and Submission Information, applicants may 

access and review a questionnaire – the OJP Financial Management and System of Internal 

Controls Questionnaire – that OJP requires all applicants (other than an individual applying in 

his/her personal capacity) to download, complete, and submit as part of the application. 

Budget Information 

In developing requests for funding under this program, applicants should consider whether, if 

awarded, funds requested can be obligated and expended within required timeframes. All 

obligations properly incurred by the end of the federal award must be liquidated no later than 90 

days after the end date of the award. Properly obligated awards will have the full liquidation 

period for remaining expenditures. The liquidation period exists to allow project time to receive 

ordered goods and make final payments. No new obligations may be made during the 

liquidation period. Disbursements made by recipients or subrecipients after the end date, but 

within the liquidation period, must have documentation to demonstrate that the obligation 

occurred before the end date of the award. 

This program is not intended as a supplement to awards made under the DNA Capacity 

Enhancement and Backlog Reduction Formula program in the current or previous fiscal 

years. All expenses must be used for the proposed project and must concur with the level of 

effort of the project and its components. 

Note: Procurements made under awards from this program are subject to the “Procurement 

Standards” set forth in 2 C.F.R. 200 (“Subpart D — Post Federal Award Requirements”) — 

including the provisions relating to competition — and other applicable law. 

The Procurement Standards, at 2 C.F.R. §200.317 through §200.326, detail requirements and 

restrictions imposed on non-federal entities (i.e., recipients and subrecipients) that use federal 

assistance funds to procure property or services needed to carry out the grant-funded project. 

Recipients and subrecipients must conduct all procurement transactions in a manner that 

provides full and open competition consistent with the Procurement Standards. Contractors that 

develop or draft specifications, requirements, statements of work, and invitations for bids or 

requests for proposals must be excluded from competing for such procurements. 

Sole source procurement (or, noncompetitive procurement) should be used only when use of 

competitive solicitation procedures like sealed bids, or competitive proposals is not applicable to 

the requirements, or is impracticable. All sole source procurements in excess of the Simplified 

Acquisition Threshold set in accordance with 41 U.S.C. 1908 (currently set at $150,000) must 

receive advance authorization from the grant-making agency component to use a noncompetitive approach for the procurement before entering into the contract. 

What will not be funded: 

Applications deemed nonresponsive to this solicitation will not be considered for funding. This 

includes: 

 Applications that do not clearly identify with one of the five (5) allowable purpose areas 

(see Goals, Objectives, and Deliverables). 
16

NIJ-2018-13800 

 Applications for assistance in non-DNA disciplines that do not demonstrate how the 

project would positively impact the turnaround time, capacity, or quality of DNA analysis. 

 Applications with the sole purpose of analyzing casework samples in non-DNA 

disciplines without DNA analysis requests that do not provide a justification that includes 

anticipated benefits for capacity enhancement or turnaround time improvements in the 

DNA unit. 

 Applications in the area of digital evidence or digital forensics. Digital evidence includes 

information stored or transmitted in binary form that may be relied upon in court. It is 

typically found on computer hard drives, mobile phones, personal digital assistants, 

CDs/DVDs, flash memory equipment, and other electronic devices. Digital evidence is 

commonly associated with electronic crime (e.g., child pornography or credit card fraud); 

however, digital evidence can also be used as forensic evidence in other types of 

crimes.18

 Applications under Purpose Area 2 that do not provide sufficient documentation to 

demonstrate that the minimum 25 percent match requirement has been met. 

 Applications under Purpose Area 5 (or any other purpose area other than Purpose Area 

2) that include renovation, construction, or LIMS purchase. 

Expenses that are not permitted for awards under this program include the following: 

1. Travel costs and conference fees for general attendance at conferences including, but 

not limited to, the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) annual meeting, the 

International Symposium for Human Identification (ISHI), any regional association for 

forensic scientists meeting, or Bode conferences. However, projects may include 

costs for travel and training specific to the proposed project only. These specific 

instances would need to be reviewed by NIJ in advance of the event, and include 

significant justification.

2. Direct administrative expenses that exceed three (3) percent of the federal portion of the 

award. 

3. General office supplies and equipment, including but not limited to, paper, pens, toner, 

printer cartridges, office/modular furniture, chairs, tables, floor mats, “basic supplies,” 

etc. 

4. Maintenance and service contracts for existing laboratory equipment, software, or 

laboratory information management systems (LIMS). 

5. Work that is funded under another federal award. Recipients and subrecipients are 

prohibited from commingling funds on either a program-by-program or project-by-project 

basis. 

6. Costs associated with conducting conferences. A conference is a symposium, seminar, 

workshop, or any other organized and formal meeting — whether conducted face-to-face 

or via the internet — where individuals assemble (or meet virtually) to exchange 

 

18 www.nij.gov/topics/forensics/evidence/digital/welcome.htm. 
17

NIJ-2018-13800 

information and views, or explore or clarify a defined subject, problem, or area of 

knowledge, whether or not a published report results from such a meeting. A meeting 

where a gathering discusses general matters as part of a normal course of doing 

business is not considered a conference. 

7. Costs incurred outside of the project period of performance. 

8. Executives, such as the president or executive director of an organization, may not be 

reimbursed for overtime or compensatory overtime under grants and cooperative 

agreements. 

Program Income 

If funded, applicants must declare program income on quarterly and final Federal Financial 

Reports (SF-425) if the recipient laboratory charges a fee for DNA testing services and uses any 

funds from this program to work cases in which the laboratory accepts a fee for testing. 

Program income means gross income earned by the non-federal entity that is directly generated 

by a supported activity or earned as a result of the federal award during the period of 

performance. See 2 C.F.R. § 200.80 (definition of “Program Income”). Non-federal entities are 

encouraged to earn income to defray program costs where appropriate. See 2 C.F.R. §

200.307(a). 

Applicants must submit a declaration that they will or will not be generating program income on 

this award. 

Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement (Purpose Areas 1, and 3-5 only) 

This solicitation does not require a match. However, if a successful application proposes a 

voluntary match amount, and OJP approves the budget, the total match amount incorporated 

into the approved budget becomes mandatory and subject to audit. 

Cost Sharing or Match Requirement (cash only) (Purpose Area 2 only) 

Federal funds awarded under this solicitation may not cover more than 75 percent of the total 

costs of the project being funded under Purpose Area 2. An applicant must identify the source 

of the minimum 25 percent non-federal portion19 of the total project costs and how it will use 

match funds. If a successful applicant’s proposed match exceeds the required match amount, 

and OJP approves the budget, the total match amount incorporated into the approved budget 

becomes mandatory and subject to audit. (“Match” funds may be used only for purposes that 

would be allowable for the federal funds.) Recipients must satisfy this match requirement with 

cash only. The formula for calculating match is: 

 Federal Award Amount = Adjusted (Total) Project Costs 

Federal Share Percentage 

 

19 Indian tribes and tribal organizations that otherwise are eligible for an award may be able to apply certain types of 

funds received from the federal government (for example, certain funds received under an Indian "self-determination 

contract") to satisfy all or part of a required "non-federal" match. 
18

NIJ-2018-13800 

Required Recipient’s Share Percentage x Adjusted Project Cost = Required Match 

Example: 90%/10% match requirement: for a federal award amount of $500,000, calculate 

match as follows: 

$500,000 = $555,555 10% x $555,555 = $55,555 match 

 90% 

Example: 75%/25% match requirement: for a federal award amount of $350,000, calculate 

match as follows: 

 $350,000 = $466,667 25% x $466,667 = $116,667 match 

 75% 

Example: 50% match requirement: for a federal award amount of $350,000, calculate match as 

follows: 

 $350,000 = $700,000 50% x $700,000 = $350,000 match 

 50% 

For additional information on cost sharing and match, see the DOJ Grants Financial Guide at 

https://ojp.gov/financialguide/DOJ/PostawardRequirements/chapter3.3b.htm. 

Pre-agreement Costs (also known as Pre-award Costs)

Pre-agreement costs are costs incurred by the applicant prior to the start date of the period of 

performance of the federal award. 

OJP does not typically approve pre-agreement costs; an applicant must request and obtain the 

prior written approval of OJP for all such costs. All such costs incurred prior to award and prior 

to approval of the costs are incurred at the sole risk of the applicant. (Generally, no applicant 

should incur project costs before submitting an application requesting federal funding for those 

costs.) Should there be extenuating circumstances that make it appropriate for OJP to consider 

approving pre-agreement costs, the applicant may contact the point of contact listed on the title 

page of this solicitation for the requirements concerning written requests for approval. If 

approved in advance by OJP, award funds may be used for pre-agreement costs, consistent 

with the recipient’s approved budget and applicable cost principles. See the section on Costs 

Requiring Prior Approval in the DOJ Grants Financial Guide at 

https://ojp.gov/financialguide/DOJ/index.htm for more information. 

Limitation on Use of Award Funds for Employee Compensation; Waiver 

With respect to any award of more than $250,000 made under this solicitation, a recipient may 

not use federal funds to pay total cash compensation (salary plus cash bonuses) to any 

employee of the recipient at a rate that exceeds 110 percent 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.20 The 2018 salary table for 

SES employees is available on the Office of Personnel Management website at 

 

20 OJP does not apply this limitation on the use of award funds to the nonprofit organizations listed in Appendix VIII to 

2 C.F.R. Part 200. 
19

NIJ-2018-13800 

https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/salarytables/18Tables/exec/html/ES.aspx. Note: A recipient may compensate an employee at a 

greater rate, provided the amount in excess of this compensation limitation is paid with nonfederal funds. (Non-federal funds used for any such additional compensation will not be 

considered matching funds, where match requirements apply.) If only a portion of an 

employee's time is charged to an OJP award, the maximum allowable compensation is equal to 

the percentage of time worked times the maximum salary limitation. 

The Assistant Attorney General for OJP may exercise discretion to waive, on an individual 

basis, this limitation on compensation rates allowable under an award. An applicant that 

requests a waiver should include a detailed justification in the budget narrative of its application. 

An applicant that does not submit a waiver request and justification with its application should 

anticipate that OJP will require the applicant to adjust and resubmit the budget. 

The justification should address, in the context of the work the individual would do under the 

award, the particular qualifications and expertise of the individual, the uniqueness of a service 

the individual will provide, the individual’s specific knowledge of the proposed program or 

project, and a statement that explains whether and how the individual’s salary under the award 

would be commensurate with the regular and customary rate for an individual with his/her 

qualifications and expertise, and for the work he/she would do under the award. 

Prior Approval, Planning, and Reporting of Conference/Meeting/Training Costs 

OJP strongly encourages every applicant that proposes to use award funds for any conference-, 

meeting-, or training-related activity (or similar event) to review carefully—before submitting an 

application—the OJP and DOJ policy and guidance on approval, planning, and reporting of such 

events, available at 

https://www.ojp.gov/financialguide/DOJ/PostawardRequirements/chapter3.10a.htm. OJP policy 

and guidance (1) encourage minimization of conference, meeting, and training costs; (2) require 

prior written approval (which may affect project timelines) of most conference, meeting, and 

training costs for cooperative agreement recipients, as well as some conference, meeting, and 

training costs for grant recipients; and (3) set cost limits, which include a general prohibition of 

all food and beverage costs. 

Costs Associated With Language Assistance (if applicable) 

If an applicant proposes a program or activity that would deliver services or benefits to 

individuals, the costs of taking reasonable steps to provide meaningful access to those services 

or benefits for individuals with limited English proficiency may be allowable. Reasonable steps 

to provide meaningful access to services or benefits may include interpretation or translation 

services, where appropriate. 

For additional information, see the "Civil Rights Compliance" section under “Overview of Legal 

Requirements Generally Applicable to OJP Grants and Cooperative Agreements - FY 2018 

Awards” in the OJP Funding Resource Center at https://ojp.gov/funding/index.htm. 

C. Eligibility Information 

For eligibility information, see title page. 
20

NIJ-2018-13800 

For information on cost sharing or match requirements, see Section B. Federal Award 

Information.

D. Application and Submission Information 

What an Application Should Include 

This section describes in detail what an application should include. An applicant should 

anticipate that if it fails to submit an application that contains all of the specified elements, it may 

negatively affect the review of its application; and, should a decision be made to make an 

award, it may result in the inclusion of award conditions that preclude the recipient from 

accessing or using award funds until the recipient satisfies the conditions and OJP makes the 

funds available. 

Moreover, an applicant should anticipate that an application that OJP determines is

nonresponsive to the scope of the solicitation, or that OJP determines does not include the 

application elements that NIJ has designated to be critical, will neither proceed to peer review, 

nor receive further consideration. For this solicitation, NIJ has designated the following 

application elements as critical: Program Narrative, Budget Detail Worksheet, Budget 

Narrative, Resumes/Curriculum Vitae of Key Personnel, Eligibility Statement, and Proof 

of Laboratory Accreditation. 

NOTE: OJP has combined the Budget Detail Worksheet and Budget Narrative in a single 

document collectively referred to as the Budget Detail Worksheet. See “Budget Information and 

Associated Documentation” below for more information about the Budget Detail Worksheet and 

where it can be accessed. 

OJP strongly recommends that applicants use appropriately descriptive file names (e.g., 

“Program Narrative,” “Budget Detail Worksheet,” “Timelines,” “Memoranda of Understanding,” 

“Resumes”) for all attachments. Also, OJP recommends that applicants include resumes in a 

single file. 

Please review the “Note on File Names and File Types” under How To Apply to be sure 

applications are submitted in permitted formats. 

1. Information to Complete the Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424)

The SF-424 is a required standard form used as a cover sheet for submission of preapplications, applications, and related information. Grants.gov and the OJP Grants 

Management System (GMS) take information from the applicant’s profile to populate the 

fields on this form. When selecting "type of applicant," if the applicant is a for-profit entity, 

select "For-Profit Organization" or "Small Business" (as applicable). 

To avoid processing delays, an applicant must include an accurate legal name on its SF424. On the SF-424, current OJP award recipients, when completing the field for “Legal 

Name” (box 8a), should use the same legal name that appears on the prior year award 

document (which is also the legal name stored in OJP’s financial system.) Also, these 

recipients should enter the Employer Identification Number (EIN) in box 8b exactly as it 

appears on the prior year award document. An applicant with a current, active award(s) 

must ensure that its GMS profile is current. If the profile is not current, the applicant should 
21

NIJ-2018-13800 

submit a Grant Adjustment Notice updating the information on its GMS profile prior to 

applying under this solicitation. 

A new applicant entity should enter its official legal name in box 8a, its address in box 8d, its 

EIN in box 8b, and its Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number in box 8c of the 

SF-424. A new applicant entity should attach official legal documents to its application (e.g., 

articles of incorporation, 501(c)(3) status documentation, organizational letterhead, etc.) to 

confirm the legal name, address, and EIN entered into the SF-424. OJP will use the System 

for Award Management (SAM) to confirm the legal name and DUNS number entered in the 

SF-424; therefore, an applicant should ensure that the information entered in the SF-424 

matches its current registration in SAM. See the How to Apply section for more information 

on SAM and DUNS numbers. 

Intergovernmental Review: This solicitation ("funding opportunity") is subject to Executive 

Order 12372. An applicant may find the names and addresses of State Single Points of 

Contact (SPOCs) at the following website: https://www.whitehouse.gov/wpcontent/uploads/2017/11/Intergovernmental_-Review-_SPOC_01_2018_OFFM.pdf. If the 

State appears on the SPOC list, the applicant must contact the State SPOC to find out 

about, and comply with, the State’s process under E.O. 12372. In completing the SF-424, an 

applicant whose State appears on the SPOC list is to make the appropriate selection in 

response to question 19 once the applicant has complied with its State E.O. 12372 process. 

(An applicant whose State does not appear on the SPOC list should answer question 19 by 

selecting the response that the: “Program is subject to E.O. 12372 but has not been 

selected by the State for review.”) 

2. Project Abstract

Applications should include a high-quality project abstract that summarizes the proposed 

project in 400 words or less. Project abstracts should be— 

 Written for a general public audience. 

 Submitted as a separate attachment with “Project Abstract” as part of its file name. 

 Single-spaced, using a standard 12-point font (such as Times New Roman) with 1-inch 

margins. 

As a separate attachment, the project abstract will not count against the page limit for the 

program narrative. 

3. Program Narrative

The program narrative section of the application should not exceed 12 double-spaced pages 

in 12-point font with 1-inch margins. If included in the main body of the program narrative, 

tables, charts, figures, and other illustrations count toward the 12 page limit for the narrative 

section. The project abstract, table of contents, appendices, and government forms do not 

count toward the 12-page limit.

If the program narrative fails to comply with these length-related restrictions, NIJ may 

consider such noncompliance in peer review and in final award decisions. 
22

NIJ-2018-13800 

The following sections should be included as part of the program narrative21: 

a. Title Page (not counted against the 12-page program narrative limit). 

The title page should include: 

i. Title of the project; 

ii. Submission date; 

iii. Funding opportunity number; 

iv. Purpose area under which the application is being submitted; 

v. Key words; 

vi. Name and complete contact information (that is, address, telephone number, 

and e-mail address) for both the applicant organization and the primary point of 

contact (POC). 

b. Table of Contents and Figures (not counted against the 12-page program narrative 

limit). 

c. Main body

The main body of the program narrative should describe the proposed project in 

depth. The following sections should be included as part of the program narrative:22

i. Eligibility Statements: 

1. Information or documentation that any crime laboratory that would receive 

funding under this program: 1.) is a State-designated existing crime 

laboratory that conducts analysis of forensic DNA samples and/or DNA 

database samples; 2.) participates in external audits, not less than once 

every two (2) years, that demonstrate compliance with the requirements 

of the Quality Assurance Standards (QAS) established by the Director of 

the FBI; and 3.) is accredited by a nonprofit professional organization 

actively involved in forensic science that is nationally recognized within 

the forensic science community. 

2. Statement or documentation that all eligible DNA profiles obtained with 

funding from this program will be entered into CODIS and, where 

applicable, uploaded to NDIS. 

3. Statement that all DNA analyses performed under this program will be 

maintained under applicable federal privacy requirements. 

 

21 For information on subawards (including the details on proposed subawards that should be included in the 

application), see "Budget and Associated Documentation" under Section D. Application and Submission Information. 

22 For information on subawards (including the details on proposed subawards that should be included in the 

application), see "Budget and Associated Documentation" under Section D. Application and Submission Information. 
23

NIJ-2018-13800 

4. Statement acknowledging that any crime laboratory that would receive 

funding under this program must follow NDIS DNA Data Acceptance 

Standards for all profiles uploaded to NDIS. 

5. *Purpose Area 2 applications only*: Demonstration, including thorough 

discussion of applicant’s plan and provision of any pertinent, supporting 

documentation, of how the applicant will meet the minimum 25 percent 

matching requirement for Purpose Area 2, if funded. 

ii. Description of the Issue 

iii. Project Design and Implementation 

iv. Potential Impact of the Project 

v. Capabilities and Competencies 

vi. Plan for Collecting the Data Required for this Solicitation’s Performance 

Measures 

OJP will require each successful applicant to submit regular performance data 

that demonstrate the results of the work carried out under the award (see 

“General Information about Post-Federal Award Reporting Requirements” in

Section F. Federal Award Administration Information). The performance data 

directly relate to the goals, objectives, and deliverables identified under "Goals, 

Objectives, and Deliverables" in Section A. Program Description. 

Applicants should visit OJP’s performance measurement page at 

www.ojp.gov/performance to view the specific reporting requirements for this 

grant program. 

The application should demonstrate the applicant’s understanding of the 

performance data reporting requirements for this grant program and detail how 

the applicant will gather the required data should it receive funding. 

Please note that applicants are not required to submit performance data with 

the application. Performance measures information is included as an alert that 

successful applicants will be required to submit performance data as part of the 

reporting requirements under an award. 
24

NIJ-2018-13800 

Performance Measures: 

Objective Performance Measure(s) Data Recipient Provides

Improve the DNA 

analysis capacity of 

existing crime 

laboratories that 

conduct forensic DNA 

analysis.

Percent increase in DNA 

analysis throughput for the 

laboratory.

Average number of forensic DNA samples analyzed per 

analyst per month at the beginning of the award period.

Average number of forensic DNA samples analyzed per 

analyst per month at the end of the reporting period.

Percent reduction in 

response time for 

requests.

Average number of days between the submission of a 

request, by type, for forensic biology/DNA analysis to the 

laboratory and the delivery of the test results at the 

beginning of the award period.

Average number of days between the submission of a 

request, by type, for forensic biology/DNA analysis to the 

laboratory and the delivery of the test results at the end of 

the reporting period.

Reduce backlogged 

forensic DNA

casework in crime 

laboratories.

Percent decrease in DNA 

backlog.23

Number of backlogged forensic biology/DNA cases at the 

beginning of the award period.

Number of backlogged forensic biology/DNA cases, at the 

end of the reporting period.

Improve the capacity 

of laboratories that 

conduct DNA analysis 

on convicted offender 

and/or arrestee DNA 

samples (DNA 

database samples).

Percent increase in DNA 

analysis throughput for the 

laboratory.

Average number of DNA database samples analyzed per 

analyst per month at the beginning of the award period.

Average number of DNA database samples analyzed per 

analyst per month at the end of the reporting period.

Percent reduction in 

response time for 

requests.

Average number of days between the submission of a DNA 

database sample to the laboratory and the upload of the 

profile to CODIS at the beginning of the award period.

Average number of days between the submission of a DNA 

database sample to the laboratory and the upload of the 

profile to CODIS at the end of the award period.

Reduce the backlog of 

convicted offender 

and/or arrestee DNA 

samples (DNA 

database samples).

Percent decrease in DNA 

backlog.24

Number of backlogged DNA database samples at the 

beginning of the award period.

Number of backlogged DNA database samples at the end 

of the award period.

Improve the capacity 

to analyze complete 

cases with DNA and 

non-DNA forensic 

analyses

Number of non-DNA 

database samples 

analyzed.

Number of non-DNA samples analyzed, by forensic 

analysis type.

Percent of evidentiary 

items entered into a 

comparison database 

resulting in match.

Number of evidentiary items put into a comparison 

database, such as IAFIS, NIBIN, or CODIS that resulted in 

a match and by type of comparison database.

Number of evidentiary items put into a comparison 

database such as IAFIS, NIBIN, or CODIS.

 

23 A backlogged case is defined as a forensic biology/DNA case that has not been completed within 30 days of 

receipt in the laboratory. 

24 A backlogged DNA database sample is defined as a DNA database sample that has not been uploaded to CODIS 

within 30 days of receipt in the laboratory. 
25

NIJ-2018-13800 

Note on Project Evaluations 

An applicant that proposes to use award funds through this solicitation to conduct project 

evaluations should be aware that certain project evaluations (such as systematic investigations 

designed to develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge) may constitute “research” for 

purposes of applicable DOJ human subjects protection regulations. However, project 

evaluations that are intended only to generate internal improvements to a program or service, or 

are conducted only to meet OJP’s performance measure data reporting requirements, likely do 

not constitute “research.” Each applicant should provide sufficient information for OJP to 

determine whether the particular project it proposes would either intentionally or unintentionally 

collect and/or use information in such a way that it meets the DOJ definition of research that 

appears at 28 C.F.R. Part 46 (“Protection of Human Subjects”). 

“Research,” for purposes of human subjects protection for OJP-funded programs, is defined as 

“a systematic investigation, including research development, testing and evaluation, designed to 

develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge.” 28 C.F.R. 46.102(d). 

For additional information on determining whether a proposed activity would constitute research 

for purposes of human subjects protection, applicants should consult the decision tree in the 

“Research and the protection of human subjects” section of the “Requirements related to 

Research” webpage of the ""Overview of Legal Requirements Generally Applicable to OJP 

Grants and Cooperative Agreements - FY 2018 Awards," available through the OJP Funding 

Resource Center at https://ojp.gov/funding/Explore/SolicitationRequirements/index.htm. 

Every prospective applicant whose application may propose a research or statistical component 

also should review the “Data Privacy and Confidentiality Requirements” section on that 

webpage. 

d. Appendices (not counted against the 12-page Program Narrative limit) include:

i. Bibliography/references.

ii. Timelines and project plans with milestones.

iii. Any tools/instruments, questionnaires, tables/charts/graphs, or maps pertaining 

to the proposed project that are supplemental to such items included in the 

main body of the narrative. 

iv. Organizational chart of the applicant agency and all proposed collaborators 

involved in the project. Include project related staffing plans and narratives for 

each organizational chart, proposed new hires, and any anticipated staffing 

changes related to the project funding if received. 

v. List of key personnel. 

vi. Curriculum vitae or resumes of the all key personnel (required). In addition, 

curriculum vitae, resumes, or biographical sketches of all known others who will 

be significantly involved in substantive aspects of the project. 

vii. List (to the extent known) of all proposed project staff members, including those 

affiliated with the applicant organization or any proposed subrecipients 

organization(s), any proposed consultant(s) and contractors (whether 
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NIJ-2018-13800 

individuals or organizations), and any proposed members of an advisory board 

for the project (if applicable). The list should include, for each individual and 

organization: name, title (if applicable), employer or other organizational 

affiliation, and roles and responsibilities proposed for the project. Applicants 

should use the “Proposed Project Staff, Affiliation, and Roles” form available at 

www.nij.gov/funding/documents/nij-project-staff-template.xlsx to provide this 

listing. 

viii. List of any previous and current NIJ awards to applicant organization, including 

the NIJ-assigned award numbers and a brief description of any products that 

resulted in whole or in part from work funded under the NIJ award(s). 

ix. Letters of cooperation/support or administrative agreements from organizations 

collaborating in the project, such as law enforcement and correctional agencies 

(if applicable). 

4. Budget and Associated Documentation

The Budget Detail Worksheet and the Budget Narrative are now combined in a single document 

collectively referred to as the Budget Detail Worksheet. The Budget Detail Worksheet is a userfriendly, fillable, Microsoft Excel-based document designed to calculate totals. Additionally, the 

Excel workbook contains worksheets for multiple budget years that can be completed as 

necessary. All applicants should use the Excel version when completing the proposed 

budget in an application, except in cases where the applicant does not have access to 

Microsoft Excel or experiences technical difficulties. If an applicant does not have access to 

Microsoft Excel or experiences technical difficulties with the Excel version, then the applicant 

should use the 508-compliant accessible Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) version. 

Both versions of the Budget Detail Worksheet can be accessed at 

https://ojp.gov/funding/Apply/Forms/BudgetDetailWorksheet.htm. 

a. Budget Detail Worksheet

The Budget Detail Worksheet should provide the detailed computation for each budget 

line item, listing the total cost of each and showing how it was calculated by the 

applicant. For example, costs for personnel should show the annual salary rate and the 

percentage of time devoted to the project for each employee paid with grant funds. The 

Budget Detail Worksheet should present a complete itemization of all proposed costs. 

For questions pertaining to budget and examples of allowable and unallowable costs, 

see the DOJ Grants Financial Guide at https://ojp.gov/financialguide/DOJ/index.htm. 

b. Budget Narrative

The budget narrative should thoroughly and clearly describe every category of expense 

listed in the Budget Detail Worksheet. OJP expects proposed budgets to be complete, 

cost effective, and allowable (e.g., reasonable, allocable, and necessary for project 

activities).

An applicant should demonstrate in its budget narrative how it will maximize cost 

effectiveness of award expenditures. Budget narratives should generally describe cost 
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NIJ-2018-13800 

effectiveness in relation to potential alternatives and the goals of the project. For 

example, a budget narrative should detail why planned in-person meetings are 

necessary, or how technology and collaboration with outside organizations could be 

used to reduce costs, without compromising quality. 

The budget narrative should be mathematically sound and correspond clearly with the 

information and figures provided in the Budget Detail Worksheet. The narrative should 

explain how the applicant estimated and calculated all costs, and how those costs are 

necessary to the completion of the proposed project. The narrative may include tables 

for clarification purposes, but need not be in a spreadsheet format. As with the Budget 

Detail Worksheet, the budget narrative should describe costs by year. 

c. Information on Proposed Subawards (if any), as well as on Proposed Procurement 

Contracts (if any) 

Applicants for OJP awards typically may propose to make subawards. Applicants also 

may propose to enter into procurement contracts under the award. 

Whether an action – for federal grants administrative purposes – is a subaward or 

procurement contract is a critical distinction as significantly different rules apply to 

subawards and procurement contracts. If a recipient enters into an agreement that is a 

subaward of an OJP award, specific rules apply – many of which are set by federal 

statutes and DOJ regulations; others by award conditions. These rules place particular 

responsibilities on an OJP recipient for any subawards the OJP recipient may make. The 

rules determine much of what the written subaward agreement itself must require or 

provide. The rules also determine much of what an OJP recipient must do both before 

and after it makes a subaward. If a recipient enters into an agreement that is a 

procurement contract under an OJP award, a substantially different set of federal rules 

applies. 

OJP has developed the following guidance documents to help clarify the differences 

between subawards and procurement contracts under an OJP award and outline the 

compliance and reporting requirements for each. This information can be accessed 

online at https://ojp.gov/training/training.htm. 

 Subawards under OJP Awards and Procurement Contracts under Awards: A 

Toolkit for OJP Recipients.

 Checklist to Determine Subrecipient or Contractor Classification.

 Sole Source Justification Fact Sheet and Sole Source Review Checklist.

In general, the central question is the relationship between what the third-party will do 

under its agreement with the recipient and what the recipient has committed (to OJP) to 

do under its award to further a public purpose (e.g., services the recipient will provide, 

products it will develop or modify, research or evaluation it will conduct). If a third party 

will provide some of the services the recipient has committed (to OJP) to provide, will 

develop or modify all or part of a product the recipient has committed (to OJP) to 

develop or modify, or will conduct part of the research or evaluation the recipient has 

committed (to OJP) to conduct, OJP will consider the agreement with the third party a 

subaward for purposes of federal grants administrative requirements. 
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NIJ-2018-13800 

This will be true even if the recipient, for internal or other non-federal purposes, labels or 

treats its agreement as a procurement, a contract, or a procurement contract. Neither 

the title nor the structure of an agreement determines whether the agreement -- for 

purposes of federal grants administrative requirements -- is a subaward or is instead a 

procurement contract under an award. The substance of the relationship should be given 

greater consideration than the form of agreement between the recipient and the outside 

entity. 

1. Information on proposed subawards 

A recipient of an OJP award may not make subawards ("subgrants") unless the 

recipient has specific federal authorization to do so. Unless an applicable statute or 

DOJ regulation specifically authorizes (or requires) subawards, a recipient must have 

authorization from OJP before it may make a subaward. 

A particular subaward may be authorized by OJP because the recipient included a 

sufficiently-detailed description and justification of the proposed subaward in the 

Program Narrative, Budget Detail Worksheet, and Budget Narrative as approved by 

OJP. If, however, a particular subaward is not authorized by federal statute or 

regulation, and is not approved by OJP, the recipient will be required, post-award, to 

request and obtain written authorization from OJP before it may make the subaward. 

If an applicant proposes to make one or more subawards to carry out the federal 

award and program, the applicant should-- (1) identify (if known) the proposed 

subrecipient(s), (2) describe in detail what each subrecipient will do to carry out the 

federal award and federal program, and (3) provide a justification for the 

subaward(s), with details on pertinent matters such as special qualifications and 

areas of expertise. Pertinent information on subawards should appear not only in the 

Program Narrative, but also in the Budget Detail Worksheet and Budget Narrative. 

2. Information on proposed procurement contracts (with specific justification for 

proposed noncompetitive contracts over $150,000) 

Unlike a recipient contemplating a subaward, a recipient of an OJP award generally 

does not need specific prior federal authorization to enter into an agreement that --

for purposes of federal grants administrative requirements -- is considered a 

procurement contract, provided that (1) the recipient uses its own documented 

procurement procedures and (2) those procedures conform to applicable federal law, 

including the Procurement Standards of the (DOJ) Part 200 Uniform Requirements 

(as set out at 2 C.F.R. 200.317 - 200.326). The Budget Detail Worksheet and Budget 

Narrative should identify proposed procurement contracts. (As discussed above, 

subawards must be identified and described separately from procurement contracts.) 

The Procurement Standards in the Part 200 Uniform Requirements, however, reflect 

a general expectation that agreements that (for purposes of federal grants 

administrative requirements) constitute procurement “contracts” under awards will be 

entered into on the basis of full and open competition. All noncompetitive (sole 

source) procurement contracts must meet the OJP requirements outlined at 

https://ojp.gov/training/subawards-procurement.htm. If a proposed procurement 

contract would exceed the simplified acquisition threshold -- currently, $150,000 -- a 

recipient of an OJP award may not proceed without competition unless and until the 
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NIJ-2018-13800 

recipient receives specific advance authorization from OJP to use a non-competitive 

approach for the procurement. An applicant that (at the time of its application) 

intends – without competition – to enter into a procurement contract that would 

exceed $150,000 should include a detailed justification that explains to OJP why, in 

the particular circumstances, it is appropriate to proceed without competition. 

If the applicant receives an award, sole source procurements that do not exceed the 

Simplified Acquisition Threshold (currently $150,000) must have written justification 

for the noncompetitive procurement action maintained in the procurement file. If a 

procurement file does not have the documentation that meets the criteria outlined in 

2 C.F.R. 200, the procurement expenditures may not be allowable. Sole source 

procurement over the $150,000 Simplified Acquisition Threshold must have prior 

approval from OJP using a Sole Source Grant Adjustment Notice (GAN). Written 

documentation justifying the noncompetitive procurement must be submitted with the 

GAN and maintained in the procurement file. 

d. Pre-Agreement Costs 

For information on pre-agreement costs, see Section B. Federal Award Information. 

5. Indirect Cost Rate Agreement

Indirect costs may be charged to an award only if: 

(a) The recipient has a current (unexpired), federally-approved indirect cost rate; or

(b) The recipient is eligible to use, and elects to use, the “de minimis” indirect cost rate 

described in the Part 200 Uniform Requirements, as set out at 2 C.F.R. 200.414(f). 

An applicant with a current (unexpired) federally-approved indirect cost rate is to attach a 

copy of the indirect cost rate agreement to the application. An applicant that does not have a 

current federally-approved rate may request one through its cognizant federal agency, which 

will review all documentation and approve a rate for the applicant entity, or, if the applicant’s 

accounting system permits, applicants may propose to allocate costs in the direct cost 

categories. 

 

For assistance with identifying the appropriate cognizant federal agency for indirect costs, 

please contact the Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO) Customer Service Center at 

1-800-458-0786 or at ask.ocfo@usdoj.gov. If DOJ is the cognizant federal agency, 

applicants may obtain information needed to submit an indirect cost rate proposal at 

https://www.ojp.gov/funding/Apply/Resources/IndirectCosts.pdf. 

Certain OJP recipients have the option of electing to use the “de minimis” indirect cost rate. 

An applicant that is eligible to use the “de minimis” rate that wishes to use the "de minimis" 

rate should attach written documentation to the application that advises OJP of both-- (1) the 

applicant’s eligibility to use the “de minimis” rate, and (2) its election to do so. If an eligible 

applicant elects the “de minimis” rate, costs must be consistently charged as either indirect 

or direct costs, but may not be double charged or inconsistently charged as both. The "de 

minimis" rate may no longer be used once an approved federally-negotiated indirect cost 

rate is in place. (No entity that ever has had a federally-approved negotiated indirect cost 

rate is eligible to use the "de minimis" rate.) For additional eligibility requirements please see 
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NIJ-2018-13800 

Part 200 Uniform Requirements, as set out at https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/textidx?node=se2.1.200_1414&rgn=div8. 

6. Tribal Authorizing Resolution (if applicable) 

A tribe, tribal organization, or third party that proposes to provide direct services or 

assistance to residents on tribal lands should include in its application a resolution, letter, 

affidavit, or other documentation, as appropriate, that demonstrates (as a legal matter) that 

the applicant has the requisite authorization from the tribe(s) to implement the proposed 

project on tribal lands. In those instances when an organization or consortium of tribes 

applies for an award on behalf of a tribe or multiple specific tribes, the application should 

include appropriate legal documentation, as described above, from all tribes that would 

receive services or assistance under the award. A consortium of tribes for which existing 

consortium bylaws allow action without support from all tribes in the consortium (i.e., without 

an authorizing resolution or comparable legal documentation from each tribal governing 

body) may submit, instead, a copy of its consortium bylaws with the application. 

7. Financial Management and System of Internal Controls Questionnaire (including 

applicant disclosure of high-risk status)

Every OJP applicant (other than an individual applying in his or her personal capacity) is 

required to download, complete, and submit the OJP Financial Management and System of 

Internal Controls Questionnaire (Questionnaire) at 

https://ojp.gov/funding/Apply/Resources/FinancialCapability.pdf as part of its application. 

The Questionnaire helps OJP assess the financial management and internal control 

systems, and the associated potential risks of an applicant as part of the pre-award risk 

assessment process. 

The Questionnaire should only be completed by financial staff most familiar with the 

applicant's systems, policies, and procedures in order to ensure that the correct responses 

are recorded and submitted to OJP. The responses on the Questionnaire directly impact the 

pre-award risk assessment and should accurately reflect the applicant’s financial 

management and internal control system at the time of the application. The pre-award risk 

assessment is only one of multiple factors and criteria used in determining funding. 

However, a pre-award risk assessment that indicates that an applicant poses a higher risk to 

OJP may affect the funding decision and/or result in additional reporting requirements, 

monitoring, special conditions, withholding of award funds, or other additional award 

requirements. 

Among other things, the form requires each applicant to disclose whether it currently is 

designated “high risk” by a federal grant-making agency outside of DOJ. For purposes of 

this disclosure, high risk includes any status under which a federal awarding agency 

provides additional oversight due to the applicant’s past performance, or other programmatic 

or financial concerns with the applicant. If an applicant is designated high risk by another 

federal awarding agency, the applicant must provide the following information: 

 The federal awarding agency that currently designates the applicant high risk. 

 The date the applicant was designated high risk. 
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NIJ-2018-13800 

 The high-risk point of contact at that federal awarding agency (name, phone number, 

and email address). 

 The reasons for the high-risk status, as set out by the federal awarding agency. 

OJP seeks this information to help ensure appropriate federal oversight of OJP awards. An 

applicant that is considered “high-risk” by another federal awarding agency is not 

automatically disqualified from receiving an OJP award. OJP may, however, consider the 

information in award decisions, and may impose additional OJP oversight of any award 

under this solicitation (including through the conditions that accompany the award 

document). 

8. Disclosure of Lobbying Activities

Each applicant must complete and submit this information. An applicant that expends any 

funds for lobbying activities is to provide all of the information requested on the form 

Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL) posted at 

https://ojp.gov/funding/Apply/Resources/Disclosure.pdf. An applicant that does not expend 

any funds for lobbying activities is to enter “N/A” in the text boxes for item 10 (“a. Name and 

Address of Lobbying Registrant” and “b. Individuals Performing Services”). 

9. Additional Attachments

a. Proof of DNA Laboratory Accreditation (Required) 

Acceptable types of documentation of current accreditation include: an electronic 

(scanned) copy of the current accreditation certificate(s), a digital photograph of the 

current accreditation certificate(s), or a letter from the accrediting body that includes the 

certificate number. Additionally, if a certificate references another document that 

contains key information on the type or scope of the accreditation, provide a copy of that 

supplemental documentation. Independent accrediting or certifying organizations may 

include the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors/Laboratory Accreditation 

Board (ASCLD-LAB), Forensic Quality Services (FQS), the American Association for 

Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA), or other appropriate accrediting bodies. Applicants 

should list the name of their accrediting body in the key words on the title page. 

b. Certification of Non-supplanting 

Applicants should include a written certification from the applicant, at the time of 

application submittal into GMS and/or Grants.gov, on agency letterhead from the 

Authorized Representative stating that “Federal funds will be used to supplement 

existing State and local funds for program activities and will not supplant those 

funds that have been appropriated for the same purpose.” 

c. Declaration that the laboratory generates program income (see page 17) 

d. Applicant Disclosure of Pending Applications 

Each applicant is to disclose whether it has (or is proposed as a subrecipient under) any 

pending applications for federally-funded grants or cooperative agreements that (1) 

include requests for funding to support the same project being proposed in the 
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NIJ-2018-13800 

application under this solicitation, and (2) would cover any identical cost items outlined in 

the budget submitted to OJP as part of the application under this solicitation. The 

applicant is to disclose applications made directly to federal awarding agencies, and also 

applications for subawards of federal funds (e.g., applications to State agencies that will 

subaward (“subgrant”) federal funds). 

OJP seeks this information to help avoid inappropriate duplication of funding. Leveraging 

multiple funding sources in a complementary manner to implement comprehensive 

programs or projects is encouraged and is not seen as inappropriate duplication. 

Each applicant that has one or more pending applications as described above is to 

provide the following information about pending applications submitted within the last 12 

months: 

 The federal or State funding agency.

 The solicitation name/project name.

 The point of contact information at the applicable federal or State funding

agency.

SAMPLE

Federal or State 

Funding Agency 

Solicitation 

Name/Project 

Name

Name/Phone/Email for Point of Contact 

at Federal or State Funding Agency

DOJ/Office of 

Community Oriented 

Policing Services 

(COPS)

COPS Hiring 

Program

Jane Doe, 202/000-0000;

jane.doe@usdoj.gov

Health and Human 

Services/Substance 

Abuse and Mental 

Health Services 

Administration

Drug-Free 

Communities 

Mentoring Program/ 

North County Youth 

Mentoring Program

John Doe, 202/000-0000; 

john.doe@hhs.gov

Each applicant should include the table as a separate attachment to its application. The 

file should be named “Disclosure of Pending Applications.” The applicant’s Legal Name 

on the application must match the entity named on the disclosure of pending 

applications statement. 

Any applicant that does not have any pending applications as described above is to 

submit, as a separate attachment, a statement to this effect: “[Applicant Name on SF424] does not have (and is not proposed as a subrecipient under) any pending

applications submitted within the last 12 months for federally-funded grants or

cooperative agreements (or for subawards under federal grants or cooperative

agreements) that request funding to support the same project being proposed in this

application to OJP and that would cover any identical cost items outlined in the budget

submitted as part of this application.”
33

NIJ-2018-13800 
34

NIJ-2018-13800 

How To Apply 

Applicants must register in and submit applications through Grants.gov, a primary source to find 

federal funding opportunities and apply for funding. Find complete instructions on how to 

register and submit an application at https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/support.html. 

Applicants that experience technical difficulties during this process should call the Grants.gov 

Customer Support Hotline at 800-518-4726 or 606–545–5035, which operates 24 hours a day, 7 

days a week, except on federal holidays. 

Important Grants.gov update. Grants.gov has updated its application tool. The legacy PDF 

application package has been phased out and was retired on December 31, 2017. Grants.gov 

Workspace is now the standard application method for applying for grants. OJP applicants 

should familiarize themselves with the Workspace option now. For complete information and 

instructions on using Workspace (and other changes), go to the Workspace Overview page at 

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/workspace-overview.html. 

Registering with Grants.gov is a one-time process; however, processing delays may occur, 

and it can take several weeks for first-time registrants to receive confirmation of registration 

and a user password. OJP encourages applicants to register several weeks before the 

application submission deadline. In addition, OJP urges applicants to submit applications at 

least 72 hours prior to the application due date, in order to allow time for the applicant to receive 

validation messages or rejection notifications from Grants.gov, and to correct in a timely fashion 

any problems that may have caused a rejection notification. 

OJP strongly encourages all prospective applicants to sign up for Grants.gov email notifications 

regarding this solicitation at https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/manage-subscriptions.html. If 

this solicitation is cancelled or modified, individuals who sign up with Grants.gov for updates will 

be automatically notified. 

Browser Information: Grants.gov was built to be compatible with Internet Explorer. For 

technical assistance with Google Chrome, or another browser, contact Grants.gov Customer 

Support. 

Note on Attachments: Grants.gov has two categories of files for attachments: “mandatory” and

“optional.” OJP receives all files attached in both categories. Attachments are also labeled to 

describe the file being attached (e.g., Project Narrative, Budget Narrative, Other, etc.) Please 

ensure that all required documents are attached in the correct Grants.gov category and are 

labeled correctly. Do not embed “mandatory” attachments within another file. 

Note on File Names and File Types: Grants.gov only permits the use of certain specific 

characters in the file names of attachments. Valid file names may include only the characters 

shown in the table below. Grants.gov rejects any application that includes an attachment(s) with 

a file name that contains any characters not shown in the table below. Grants.gov forwards 

successfully-submitted applications to the OJP Grants Management System (GMS). 
35

NIJ-2018-13800 

Characters

Upper case (A – Z)

Lower case (a – z)

Underscore (__)

Hyphen ( - )

Space

Period (.)

Special Characters Special Characters Special Characters

Parenthesis ( ) Curly braces { } Square brackets [ ]

Ampersand (&)* Tilde (~) Exclamation point (!)

Comma ( , ) Semicolon ( ; ) Apostrophe ( ‘ )

At sign (@) Number sign (#) Dollar sign ($)

Percent sign (%) Plus sign (+) Equal sign (=)

*When using the ampersand (&) in XML, applicants must use the “&” format.

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.” GMS may reject applications 

with files that use these extensions. It is important to allow time to change the type of file(s) if 

the application is rejected. 

All applicants are required to complete the following steps: 

Unique Entity Identifier (DUNS Number) and System for Award Management (SAM)

Every applicant entity must comply with all applicable System for Award Management (SAM) 

and unique entity identifier (currently, a Data Universal Numbering System [DUNS] number) 

requirements. SAM is the repository for certain standard information about federal financial 

assistance applicants, recipients, and subrecipients. A DUNS number is a unique nine-digit 

identification number provided by the commercial company Dun and Bradstreet. More detailed 

information about SAM and the DUNS number is in the numbered sections below. 

If an applicant entity has not fully complied with the applicable SAM and unique identifier 

requirements by the time OJP makes award decisions, OJP may determine that the applicant is 

not qualified to receive an award and may use that determination as a basis for making the 

award to a different applicant. 

Registration and Submission Steps 

1. Acquire a unique entity identifier (currently, a DUNS number). In general, the Office of

Management and Budget requires every applicant for a federal award (other than an

individual) to include a "unique entity identifier" in each application, including an application

for a supplemental award. Currently, a DUNS number is the required unique entity identifier.

This unique entity identifier is used for tracking purposes, and to validate address and point

of contact information for applicants, recipients, and subrecipients. It will be used throughout

the life cycle of an OJP award. Obtaining a DUNS number is a free, one-time activity. Call

Dun and Bradstreet at 866–705–5711 to obtain a DUNS number or apply online at

https://www.dnb.com/. A DUNS number is usually received within 1-2 business days.

2. Acquire or maintain registration with SAM. All applicants for OJP awards (other than

individuals) must maintain current registrations in the SAM database. Applicants will need

the authorizing official of the organization and an Employer Identification Number (EIN). An

applicant must be registered in SAM to successfully register in Grants.gov. Each applicant

must update or renew its SAM registration at least annually to maintain an active status.
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NIJ-2018-13800 

SAM registration and renewal can take as long as 10 business days to complete (2 more 

weeks to acquire an EIN). 

An application cannot be successfully submitted in Grants.gov until Grants.gov receives the 

SAM registration information. Once the SAM registration/renewal is complete, the 

information transfer from SAM to Grants.gov can take as long as 48 hours. OJP 

recommends that the applicant register or renew registration with SAM as early as possible. 

Information about SAM registration procedures can be accessed at www.SAM.gov. 

3. Acquire an Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) and a Grants.gov

username and password. Complete the AOR profile on Grants.gov and create a username

and password. An applicant entity’s "unique entity identifier" (DUNS number) must be used

to complete this step. For more information about the registration process for organizations

and other entities, go to https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organizationregistration.html.

4. Acquire confirmation for the AOR from the E-Business Point of Contact (E-Biz POC).

The E-Biz POC at the applicant organization must log into Grants.gov to confirm the

applicant organization’s AOR. The E-Biz POC will need the Marketing Partner Identification

Number (MPIN) password obtained when registering with SAM to complete this step. Note

that an organization can have more than one AOR.

5. Search for the funding opportunity on Grants.gov. Use the following identifying

information when searching for the funding opportunity on Grants.gov. The Catalog of

Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number for this solicitation is 16.741, titled “DNA

Backlog Reduction Program,” and the funding opportunity number is NIJ-2018-13800.

6. Select the correct Competition ID. Some OJP solicitations posted to Grants.gov contain

multiple purpose areas, denoted by the individual Competition ID. If applying to a solicitation

with multiple Competition IDs, select the appropriate Competition ID for the intended

purpose area of the application.

 Purpose Area 1: Multidisciplinary Analysis of Evidence – NIJ-2018-13801

 Purpose Area 2: Building and Improving Laboratory Infrastructure – NIJ-2018-13802

 Purpose Area 3: Process Efficiency Projects – NIJ-2018-13803

 Purpose Area 4: Backlog Reduction of Missing Persons’ Samples – NIJ-2018-13804

 Purpose Area 5: Special Projects – NIJ-2018-13805

7. Access Funding Opportunity and Application Package from Grants.gov. Select “Apply”

under the “Actions” column. Enter your email address to be notified of any changes to the

opportunity package before the closing date. Click the Workspace icon to use Grants.gov

Workspace.

8. Submit a valid application consistent with this solicitation by following the directions

in Grants.gov. Within 24-48 hours after submitting the electronic application, the applicant
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NIJ-2018-13800 

should receive two notifications from Grants.gov. The first will confirm the receipt of the 

application. The second will state whether the application has been validated and 

successfully submitted, or whether it has been rejected due to errors, with an explanation. It 

is possible to first receive a message indicating that the application is received, and then 

receive a rejection notice a few minutes or hours later. Submitting an application well ahead 

of the deadline provides time to correct the problem(s) that caused the rejection. Important: 

OJP urges each applicant to submit its application at least 72 hours prior to the application 

due date, to allow time to receive validation messages or rejection notifications from 

Grants.gov, and to correct in a timely fashion any problems that may have caused a 

rejection notification. Applications must be successfully submitted through Grants.gov by 

11:59 p.m. eastern time on May 7, 2018. 

Go to https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration.html for further 

details on DUNS numbers, SAM, and Grants.gov registration steps and timeframes. 

Note: Application Versions 

If an applicant submits multiple versions of the same application, OJP will review only the most 

recent system-validated version submitted. 

Experiencing Unforeseen Grants.gov Technical Issues 

An applicant that experiences unforeseen Grants.gov technical issues beyond its control that 

prevent it from submitting its application by the deadline must contact the Grants.gov Customer 

Support Hotline at https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/support.html or the SAM Help Desk 

(Federal Service Desk) at https://www.fsd.gov/fsd-gov/home.do to report the technical issue and 

receive a tracking number. The applicant must email the NIJ contact identified in the Contact 

Information section on the title page within 24 hours after the application deadline to request 

approval to submit its application after the deadline. The applicant's email must describe the 

technical difficulties, and must include a timeline of the applicant’s submission efforts, the 

complete grant application, the applicant’s DUNS number, and any Grants.gov Help Desk or 

SAM tracking number(s). 

Note: OJP does not automatically approve requests to submit a late application. After 

OJP reviews the applicant's request, and contacts the Grants.gov or SAM Help Desks to verify 

the reported technical issues, OJP will inform the applicant whether the request to submit a late 

application has been approved or denied. If OJP determines that the untimely application 

submission was due to the applicant's failure to follow all required procedures, OJP will deny the 

applicant’s request to submit its application. 

The following conditions generally are insufficient to justify late submissions: 

 Failure to register in SAM or Grants.gov in sufficient time (SAM registration and renewal

can take as long as 10 business days to complete. The information transfer from SAM to

Grants.gov can take up to 48 hours.)

 Failure to follow Grants.gov instructions on how to register and apply as posted on its

website.

 Failure to follow each instruction in the OJP solicitation.
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 Technical issues with the applicant’s computer or information technology environment, 

such as issues with firewalls or browser incompatibility. 

Notifications regarding known technical problems with Grants.gov, if any, are posted at 

the top of the OJP Funding Resource Center at https://ojp.gov/funding/index.htm.

E. Application Review Information 

Review Criteria 

Applications that meet basic minimum requirements will be evaluated by peer reviewers using 

the following review criteria. 

1. Statement of the Problem/Description of the Issue (10%) 

a. Demonstrated understanding of the problems that exist in forensic DNA laboratories. 

b. Demonstrated awareness of the current state of DNA backlogs and DNA analysis 

capacity. 

c. Impact of funding on the specific problems in the applicant’s laboratory. 

2. Project Design and Implementation (40%) 

a. Soundness of methods and approach to addressing the stated objectives of the 

proposed project. The overall strategy should be well reasoned and appropriate to 

accomplish the goals of the project. 

b. Feasibility of the proposed project. 

c. Inclusion of a timeline and the feasibility of the proposed timeline within the award 

parameters 

d. Awareness of pitfalls of the proposed projects and actions to minimize and/or 

mitigate them. 

e. Innovation and creativity (when appropriate). 

f. Affordability and cost-effectiveness of proposed approach. 

3. Expected Outcomes/Potential Impact (25%) 

a. Understanding of how the project will lead to: 

i. Increased capacity to analyze forensic and database DNA evidence samples. 

ii. Reduction in the number of DNA samples awaiting testing. 

iii. Increased number of profiles in CODIS. 
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iv. Increased number of CODIS profile matches. 

b. Potential for significantly improved understanding of the stated problem. 

c. Likelihood that the project will exert a sustained, powerful influence on the forensic 

and/or DNA database laboratory. 

d. Potential for innovative solution to address (all of a significant part of) the stated 

problem. 

e. Potential to increase the awareness of best practices for the analysis of physical 

evidence in the laboratory. 

4. Capabilities and Competencies (15%) 

a. Qualifications and experience of proposed project staff (including all individuals and 

organizations) identified in the application who will be significantly involved in 

substantive aspects of the application). 

b. Demonstrated ability of the applicant organization to manage the effort. 

c. Relationship between the capabilities/competencies of the proposed project staff 

(including the applicant organization) and the scope of the proposed project. 

d. Strength of the environment (e.g., institutional and jurisdictional support, equipment 

and other physical resources, or collaborative arrangements) in which the work will 

be done and its contribution to the probability of success 

5. Plan for Collecting the Data Required for this Solicitation’s Performance Measures 

(10%) 

a. Strength of the collection plan. 

b. Understanding of the performance measures to be collected and how the measures 

will demonstrate the anticipated increases in capacity and decreases in turnaround 

time and backlog. 

c. Inclusion of the appropriate project-specific measures for the proposed project and 

strength of the collection, reporting, and analysis of these unique measures. 

In addition, peer reviewers will consider and may comment on the following additional items in 

context of technical merit and the projected impact on laboratory efficiency and capacity 

enhancement: 

Budget: complete, cost effective, and allowable (e.g., reasonable, allocable, and necessary 

for project activities). Budget narratives should demonstrate generally how applicants will 
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maximize cost effectiveness of grant expenditures. Budget narratives should demonstrate 

cost effectiveness in relation to potential alternatives and the goals of the project.25

 Total cost of the project relative to the perceived benefit (cost effectiveness).

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

 Use of existing resources to conserve costs.

 Alignment with proposed project activities.

 (Purpose Area 2 applications that propose a match in excess of the 25 percent

minimum) Demonstration of sustainable commitment to the project that offers the

potential for a greater overall projected impact from the project.

Plan for Dissemination to Broader Audiences (if applicable to the proposed project): Peer 

reviewers should comment on the proposed plan (if any) to produce or make available to 

broader interested audiences, such as policymakers as well as practitioners, summary 

information from the results of the project.

Review Process 

OJP is committed to ensuring a fair and open process for making awards. NIJ reviews the 

application to make sure that the information presented is reasonable, understandable, 

measurable, and achievable, as well as consistent with the solicitation. 

Peer reviewers will review the applications submitted under this solicitation that meet basic 

minimum requirements. For purposes of assessing whether an application meets basic 

minimum requirements and should proceed to further consideration, OJP screens applications 

for compliance with those requirements. Although specific requirements may vary, the following 

are common requirements applicable to all solicitations for funding under OJP programs: 

 The application must be submitted by an eligible type of applicant.

 The application must request funding within programmatic funding constraints (if

applicable).

 The application must be responsive to the scope of the solicitation.

 The application must include all items designated as “critical elements.”

 The applicant must not be identified in SAM as excluded from receiving federal awards.

For a list of the critical elements for this solicitation, see “What an Application Should Include” 

under Section D. Application and Submission Information. 

25 Generally speaking, a reasonable cost is a cost that, in its nature or amount, does not exceed that which would be 

incurred by a prudent person under the circumstances prevailing at the time the decision was made to incur the 

costs. 
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Peer review panels will evaluate, score, and rate applications that meet basic minimum 

requirements. NIJ may use internal peer reviewers, external peer reviewers, or a combination, 

to assess applications on technical merit using the solicitation’s review criteria. An external peer 

reviewer is an expert in the subject matter of a given solicitation who is not a current DOJ 

employee. An internal reviewer is a current DOJ employee who is well-versed or has expertise 

in the subject matter of this solicitation. Peer reviewers’ ratings and any resulting 

recommendations are advisory only, although reviewer views are considered carefully. Other 

important considerations for NIJ include geographic diversity, strategic priorities, and available 

funding, as well as the extent to which the Budget Detail Worksheet and Budget Narrative 

accurately explain project costs that are reasonable, necessary, and otherwise allowable under 

federal law and applicable federal cost principles. 

Pursuant to the Part 200 Uniform Requirements, before award decisions are made, OJP also 

reviews information related to the degree of risk posed by the applicant. Among other things to 

help assess whether an applicant that has one or more prior federal awards has a satisfactory 

record with respect to performance, integrity, and business ethics, OJP checks whether the 

applicant is listed in SAM as excluded from receiving a federal award. 

In addition, if OJP anticipates that an award will exceed $150,000 in federal funds, OJP also 

must review and consider any information about the applicant that appears in the non-public 

segment of the integrity and performance system accessible through SAM (currently, the 

Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System, (FAPIIS)). 

Important note on FAPIIS: An applicant, at its option, may review and comment on any 

information about itself that currently appears in FAPIIS and was entered by a federal awarding 

agency. OJP will consider any such comments by the applicant, in addition to the other 

information in FAPIIS, in its assessment of the risk posed by the applicant. 

The evaluation of risks goes beyond information in SAM, however. OJP itself has in place a 

framework for evaluating risks posed by applicants for competitive awards. OJP takes into 

account information pertinent to matters such as — 

1. Applicant financial stability and fiscal integrity.

2. Quality of the applicant’s management systems, and the applicant’s ability to meet

prescribed management standards, including those outlined in the DOJ Grants Financial

Guide.

3. Applicant's history of performance under OJP and other DOJ awards (including

compliance with reporting requirements and award conditions), as well as awards from

other federal agencies.

4. Reports and findings from audits of the applicant, including audits under the Part 200

Uniform Requirements.

5. Applicant's ability to comply with statutory and regulatory requirements, and to effectively

implement other award requirements.

OJP will give priority in award decisions to eligible applicants that, during the three fiscal years 

(FY 2015 – 2017) prior to the submission of an application under this solicitation, did not have 
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an “unresolved audit finding” indicating noncompliance with the award terms or conditions of a 

DOJ grant program. See 34 U.S.C. § 10263(3). In other words, an applicant without such an 

“unresolved audit finding” will be given priority consideration over any applicant with such an 

“unresolved audit finding.” 

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

award decisions will be made by the Assistant Attorney General, who may take into account not 

only peer review ratings and NIJ recommendations, but also other factors as indicated in this 

section. 

F. Federal Award Administration Information 

Federal Award Notices

Award notifications will be made by September 30, 2018. OJP sends award notifications by 

email through GMS to the individuals listed in the application as the point of contact and the 

authorizing official (E-Biz POC and AOR). The email notification includes detailed instructions 

on how to access and view the award documents, and steps to take in GMS to start the award 

acceptance process. GMS automatically issues the notifications at 9:00 p.m. eastern time on 

the award date. 

For each successful applicant, an individual with the necessary authority to bind the applicant 

will be required to log in; execute a set of legal certifications and a set of legal assurances; 

designate a financial point of contact; thoroughly review the award, including all award 

conditions; and sign and accept the award. The award acceptance process requires physical 

signature of the award document by the authorized representative and the scanning and 

submission of the fully-executed award document to OJP. 

Administrative, National Policy, and Other Legal Requirements 

If selected for funding, in addition to implementing the funded project consistent with the OJPapproved application, the recipient must comply with all award conditions, as well as all 

applicable requirements of federal statutes and regulations (including applicable requirements 

referred to in the assurances and certifications executed in connection with award acceptance). 

OJP strongly encourages prospective applicants to review information on post-award legal 

requirements and common OJP award conditions prior to submitting an application. 

Applicants should consult the “Overview of Legal Requirements Generally Applicable to OJP 

Grants and Cooperative Agreements - FY 2018 Awards,” available in the OJP Funding 

Resource Center at https://ojp.gov/funding/index.htm. In addition, applicants should examine the 

following two legal documents, as each successful applicant must execute both documents 

before it may receive any award funds. (An applicant is not required to submit these documents 

as part of an application.) 

 Certifications Regarding Lobbying; Debarment, Suspension and Other Responsibility 

Matters; and Drug-Free Workplace Requirements. 

 Certified Standard Assurances. 
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The webpages accessible through the “Overview of Legal Requirements Generally Applicable to 

OJP Grants and Cooperative Agreements - FY 2018 Awards” are intended to give applicants for 

OJP awards a general overview of important statutes, regulations, and award conditions that 

apply to many (or in some cases, all) OJP grants and cooperative agreements awarded in FY 

2018. Individual OJP awards typically also will include additional award conditions. Those 

additional conditions may relate to the particular statute or program, or solicitation under which 

the award is made; to the substance of the funded application; to the recipient's performance 

under other federal awards; to the recipient's legal status (e.g., as a for-profit entity); or to other 

pertinent considerations. 

General Information about Post-Federal Award Reporting Requirements 

In addition to the deliverables described in Section A. Program Description, any recipient of an 

award under this solicitation will be required to submit the following reports and data. 

Required reports. Recipients typically must submit quarterly financial reports, semi-annual

progress reports, final financial and progress reports, and, if applicable, an annual audit report in 

accordance with the Part 200 Uniform Requirements or specific award conditions. Recipients 

will be expected to report amounts expended under the award on contracts to private accredited 

DNA laboratories for analysis of forensic DNA casework samples or DNA database samples as 

detailed in the award terms and conditions. Future awards and fund drawdowns may be 

withheld if reports are delinquent. (In appropriate cases, OJP may require additional reports.) 

Awards that exceed $500,000 will include an additional condition that, under specific 

circumstances, will require the recipient to report (to FAPIIS) information on civil, criminal, and 

administrative proceedings connected with (or connected to the performance of) either the OJP 

award or any other grant, cooperative agreement, or procurement contract from the federal 

government. Additional information on this reporting requirement appears in the text of the 

award condition posted on the OJP webpage at https://ojp.gov/funding/FAPIIS.htm.

Data on performance measures. In addition to required reports, each award recipient also must 

provide data that measure the results of the work done under the award. To demonstrate 

program progress and success, as well as to assist DOJ in fulfilling its responsibilities under the 

Government Performance and Results Act of 1993 (GPRA), Public Law 103-62, and the GPRA 

Modernization Act of 2010, Public Law 111–352, OJP will require any award recipient, post 

award, to provide performance data as part of regular progress reporting. Successful applicants 
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will be required to access OJP’s performance measurement page at www.ojp.gov/performance

to view the specific reporting requirements for this grant program. 

G. Federal Awarding Agency Contact(s) 

For OJP contact(s), see the title page. 

For contact information for Grants.gov, see the title page. 

H. Other Information 

Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552 and 5 U.S.C. 552a) 

All applications submitted to OJP (including all attachments to applications) are subject to the 

federal Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and to the Privacy Act. By law, DOJ may withhold 

information that is responsive to a request pursuant to FOIA if DOJ determines that the 

responsive information either is protected under the Privacy Act or falls within the scope of one 

of nine statutory exemptions under FOIA. DOJ cannot agree in advance of a request pursuant 

to FOIA not to release some or all portions of an application. 

In its review of records that are responsive to a FOIA request, OJP will withhold information in 

those records that plainly falls within the scope of the Privacy Act or one of the statutory 

exemptions under FOIA. (Some examples include certain types of information in budgets, and 

names and contact information for project staff other than certain key personnel.) In appropriate 

circumstances, OJP will request the views of the applicant/recipient that submitted a responsive 

document. 

For example, if OJP receives a request pursuant to FOIA for an application submitted by a 

nonprofit or for-profit organization or an institution of higher education, or for an application that 

involves research, OJP typically will contact the applicant/recipient that submitted the 

application and ask it to identify -- quite precisely -- any particular information in the application 

that the applicant/recipient believes falls under a FOIA exemption, the specific exemption it 

believes applies, and why. After considering the submission by the applicant/recipient, OJP 

makes an independent assessment regarding withholding information. OJP generally follows a 

similar process for requests pursuant to FOIA for applications that may contain law-enforcement 

sensitive information. 

Provide Feedback to OJP 

To assist OJP in improving its application and award processes, OJP encourages applicants to 

provide feedback on this solicitation, the application submission process, and/or the application 

review process. Provide feedback to OJPSolicitationFeedback@usdoj.gov. 

IMPORTANT: This email is for feedback and suggestions only. OJP does not reply from this 

mailbox to messages it receives in this mailbox. Any prospective applicant that has specific 

questions on any program or technical aspect of the solicitation must use the appropriate 

telephone number or email listed on the front of this document to obtain information. These 

contacts are provided to help ensure that prospective applicants can directly reach an individual 

who can address specific questions in a timely manner. 
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If you are interested in being a reviewer for other OJP grant applications, please email your 

résumé to ojppeerreview@l-secb.com. (Do not send your résumé to the OJP Solicitation 

Feedback email account.) Note: Neither you nor anyone else from your organization or entity 

can be a peer reviewer in a competition in which you or your organization/entity has submitted 

an application. 
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Appendix A: Application Checklist 

FY 2018 Forensic DNA Laboratory Efficiency Improvement 

and Capacity Enhancement Program 

This application checklist has been created as an aid in developing an application. 

What an Applicant Should Do: 

Prior to Registering in Grants.gov:

_____ Acquire a DUNS Number (see page 35) 

_____ Acquire or renew registration with SAM (see page 35) 

To Register with Grants.gov: 

_____ Acquire AOR and Grants.gov username/password (see page 36) 

_____ Acquire AOR confirmation from the E-Biz POC (see page 36) 

To Find Funding Opportunity:

_____ Search for the Funding Opportunity on Grants.gov (see page 36) 

_____ Select the correct Competition ID (see page 36) 

_____ Access Funding Opportunity and Application Package (see page 36) 

_____ Sign up for Grants.gov email notifications (optional) (see page 34) 

_____ Read Important Notice: Applying for Grants in Grants.gov

_____ Read OJP policy and guidance on conference approval, planning, and reporting 

available at ojp.gov/financialguide/DOJ/PostawardRequirements/chapter3.10a.htm

(see page 19) 

After Application Submission, Receive Grants.gov Email Notifications That:

_____ (1) application has been received, 

_____ (2) application has either been successfully validated or rejected with errors 

(see page 36) 

If No Grants.gov Receipt, and Validation or Error Notifications are Received: 

_____ Please refer to the section: Experiencing Unforeseen Grants.gov Technical Issues 

(see page 37) 

Overview of Post-Award Legal Requirements: 

_____ Review the "Overview of Legal Requirements Generally Applicable to OJP Grants and 

Cooperative Agreements - FY 2018 Awards" in the OJP Funding Resource Center at 

https://ojp.gov/funding/index.htm. 

Scope Requirement:

_____ The federal amount requested is within the allowable limit(s) of $1,000,000. 

Eligibility Requirement (required): See title page. 

What an Application Should Include: 

_____ Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424) (see page 20) 

_____ Intergovernmental Review (see page 21) 

_____ Project Abstract (see page 21) 

_____ Program Narrative (required) (see page 21) 

_____ Budget Detail Worksheet (required) (see page 26) 
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_____ Budget Narrative (required) (see page 26) 

_____ Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (if applicable) (see page 29) 

_____ Tribal Authorizing Resolution (if applicable) (see page 30) 

_____ Financial Management and System of Internal Controls Questionnaire (see page 30) 

_____ Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL) (see page 31) 

_____ Additional Attachments 

_____ Proof of Laboratory Accreditation (Required) (see page 31) 

_____ Certification of Non-supplanting (see page 31) 

_____ Declaration of whether the laboratory will generate program income 

(see page 31) 

_____ Resumes/Curriculum Vitae of Key Personnel (Required) (see page 25) 

_____ Eligibility Statements (Required) (see page 22) 

_____ Applicant Disclosure of Pending Applications (see page 31) 

_____ Request and Justification for Employee Compensation; Waiver (if applicable) 

(see page 18) 

_____ NIJ Programmatic Coversheet and Checklist (see solicitation cover page)