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

Office of Justice Programs 

National Institute of Justice 

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

Justice (NIJ) is pleased to announce that it is seeking applications for funding under the Solving 

Cold Cases With DNA Program. This program furthers the Department’s mission by offering 

assistance to States and units of local government to identify, review, and investigate Uniform 

Crime Report (UCR) Part 1 Violent Crime “cold cases” that have the potential to be solved 

through DNA analysis, and to locate and analyze biological evidence associated with these 

cases.

Solving Cold Cases With DNA

Eligibility

States (including territories) and units of local government (including federally recognized Indian 

tribal governments as determined by the Secretary of the Interior) are eligible to apply for 

funding under this solicitation. 

Deadline

Applicants must register with Grants.gov prior to submitting an application. (See “How to Apply,”

page 9). All applications are due by 11:59 p.m. eastern time on May 21, 2012. (See “Deadlines: 

Registration and Application,” page 3).

Contact Information

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

Support Hotline at 800–518–4726 or 606–545–5035 or via e-mail to support@grants.gov. 

Note: The Grants.gov Support Hotline hours of operation are 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 

except Federal holidays.

For assistance with any other requirement of this solicitation, contact Michael Dillon, Senior 

Grants Management Specialist, by telephone at 202–514–5528 or by e-mail at

Michael.Dillon3@usdoj.gov. 

Grants.gov number assigned to announcement: NIJ–2012–3099

Release Date: March 20, 2012

SL000988
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Contents

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

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

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

Program-Specific Information......................................................................................................3

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

Notice of Post-Award FFATA Reporting Requirement.................................................................9

How to Apply...............................................................................................................................9

What an Application Should Include..........................................................................................11

Information to Complete the Application for Federal Assistance (SF–424) ....................11

Program Narrative .........................................................................................................11

Budget Detail Worksheet and Budget Narrative.............................................................13

Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (if applicable)..................................................................13

Tribal Authorizing Resolution (if applicable)...................................................................14

Other Standard Forms...................................................................................................14

Selection Criteria.......................................................................................................................14

Review Process ........................................................................................................................15

Additional Requirements ...........................................................................................................16

Provide Feedback to OJP on This Solicitation...........................................................................17

Application Checklist.................................................................................................................18
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Solving Cold Cases With DNA

CFDA No. 16.560

Overview

With this solicitation, NIJ seeks applications from States and units of local government for 

funding to identify, review, and investigate “violent crime cold cases” that have the potential to 

be solved using DNA analysis, and to locate and analyze the biological evidence associated 

with these cases. Experience has shown that cold case programs can solve a substantial 

number of violent crime cold cases, including homicides and sexual assaults. Advances in DNA 

technologies have substantially increased the successful DNA analysis of aged, degraded, 

limited, or otherwise compromised biological evidence. As a result, crime scene samples once 

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

previously generated inconclusive DNA results may now be successfully analyzed. 

For the purposes of this announcement: a “violent crime cold case” refers to any 

unsolved UCR Part 1 Violent Crime case for which all significant investigative leads have 

been exhausted.

Authorizing Legislation: Department of Justice Appropriations Act, 2012 (Public Law 112–55).

Deadlines: Registration and Application

Applicants must register with Grants.gov prior to submitting an application. OJP encourages

applicants to register several weeks before the application submission deadline. The deadline to 

apply for funding under this announcement is 11:59 p.m. eastern time on May 21, 2012. See the 

“How to Apply” section on page 9 for details.

Eligibility

Refer to the title page for eligibility under this program.

Program-Specific Information

The goal of this solicitation is to make funding available to States and units of local government 

for projects that will address all three of the following purposes: 

1. Case review—to identify, review, and prioritize violent crime cold cases that have the 

potential to be solved using DNA analysis (by appropriate persons such as prosecutors, 

public defenders, law enforcement personnel, forensic scientists, and medical 

examiners) in order to determine whether DNA analysis of any existing biological 

evidence could help solve the cold case.

2. Location of evidence—to identify, collect, retrieve, and evaluate biological evidence 

from such cases that may reasonably be expected to contain DNA.

3. DNA analysis of biological evidence—to perform DNA analyses on such biological 

evidence, including the handling and screening of this evidence. 
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Funds may be used for certain investigative purposes provided they fall within the scope of the 

solicitation. Specifically, all investigative activities must be directly related to the funding 

purposes (1, 2, and/or 3) above. Activities such as interviewing victims, witnesses, suspects, 

etc., are permissible in violent crime cold case investigations that have the potential to be solved 

through DNA analysis until: (a) all samples with potential DNA evidence have been recovered 

and analyzed (including probative evidentiary samples, cold hit confirmatory samples, reference 

samples from victims and consensual partners, etc.), or (b) the review of the case demonstrates 

that no biological material was present for further analysis. 

Please note: Costs for general cold case investigations—those that do not involve UCR, Part 1 

violent crimes, or do not have the potential to be solved through DNA analysis—are not allowed. 

Funds also may not be used for the purpose of general laboratory capacity enhancement or 

general casework backlog reduction. 

All DNA analyses conducted using funding from this program must be performed by a laboratory 

(government-owned or fee-for-service) that is accredited and currently undergoes external 

audits not less than once every 2 years. These audits must demonstrate that the laboratory 

maintains compliance with the DNA Quality Assurance Standards established by the Director of 

the Federal Bureau of Investigation. All eligible DNA profiles obtained with funding under this 

program must be entered into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) and, where 

applicable, uploaded to the National DNA Index System (NDIS). 

Each DNA analysis conducted under this program must be maintained pursuant to all applicable 

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

Applicants should be aware that NIJ may choose to conduct an evaluation of one or more 

projects funded under this solicitation. Any such evaluation may focus on the impact of the 

project and its implementation and may result in publication of a report. An example of a NIJfunded report (on Boston’s Operation Ceasefire) may be found at 

www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/188741.pdf. 

Amount and Length of Awards

Total funding for this solicitation and the number of awards made will depend on the availability 

of funds, the quality of the applications, and other pertinent factors. NIJ anticipates that 

approximately $7 million may become available for up to 14 awards wherein each award will not 

exceed $500,000. All awards are subject to the availability of appropriated funds and to 

any modifications or additional requirements that may be imposed by law.

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

the start of the award. 
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Budget Information

Permissible Uses of Funds 

All expenditures under this program must relate directly to violent crime cold cases that have the 

potential to be solved through DNA analysis and to one or more of the three award purposes 

listed above. The following types of expenditures may be permitted: 

1. Salary and benefits of additional employees. Funds may be used for salaries and 

benefits of additional full-time or part-time employees to the extent that such employees are 

directly engaged in case review, location of evidence, or DNA analysis of biological 

evidence as described above. Applicants should provide documentation that additional new 

full-time/part-time employee(s) will be directly engaged in these activities. 

2. Overtime. Funds may be used for overtime for people directly engaged in case review, 

location of evidence, DNA analysis of biological evidence, and post-hit case investigation 

necessary for retrieval of confirmatory DNA samples. All overtime payments must be made 

in accordance with the applicable provisions of the OJP Financial Guide, available at 

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

3. Travel. Funds may be used for travel for investigative purposes within the scope of the 

program (excluding witness travel). 

4. Laboratory equipment. Funds may be used to upgrade, replace, lease, or purchase 

laboratory equipment when the primary use of this equipment can be documented as 

directly related to the investigation of violent crime cold cases that have the potential to be 

solved through DNA analysis. 

5. Computer equipment. Funds may be used to upgrade, replace, lease, or purchase 

computer hardware or software that will be used exclusively for case review, location of 

evidence, or DNA analysis of biological evidence. 

6. Laboratory supplies. Funds may be used to acquire laboratory supplies for DNA analysis 

of biological evidence. 

7. Consultant and contractor services. Funds may be used to hire consultants or temporary 

contract staff, or both, to conduct case reviews, locate evidence, or conduct DNA analysis of 

biological evidence. Funds may also be used for contracts with accredited fee-for-service 

vendors to conduct DNA analysis of biological evidence. 

8. Training. In appropriate circumstances, funds may be used for cold case training directly 

related to case review, location of biological evidence, and DNA analysis of biological 

evidence. Funds for this purpose must be used only for personnel directly engaged in case 

review, location of biological evidence, and DNA analysis of biological evidence.

What will not be funded: 

Federal funds awarded under this program may only be used for the permissible uses of funds 

outlined above. Among other things, they may not be used for:
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1. Proposals that do not address all three of the program-specific purposes:

Case review, location of evidence, and DNA analysis of biological evidence.

2. Work that will be funded under another specific solicitation.

3. Salaries, benefits, or overtime for staff who are not directly engaged in case review, 

location of biological evidence, or DNA analysis of biological evidence.

4. Travel for witnesses. 

5. Portable investigative equipment, such as cameras and tape recorders. 

6. Cell phones and cell phone plans. 

7. Vehicles. 

8. Construction. 

9. Renovation. 

10. Rental costs for space. 

11. General, non-cold case training as described above.

Limitation on Use of Award Funds for Employee Compensation; Waiver

With respect to any award of more than $250,000 made under this solicitation, federal funds 

may not be used to pay total cash compensation (salary plus bonuses) to any employee of the 

award recipient at a rate that exceeds 110% of the maximum annual salary payable to a 

member of the Federal Government’s Senior Executive Service (SES) level. The 2012 salary 

table for SES employees is available at www.opm.gov/oca/12tables/indexSES.asp.

Note: A recipient may compensate an employee at a higher rate, provided the amount in 

excess of this compensation limitation is paid with non-federal funds. (Any such additional 

compensation will not be considered matching funds where match requirements apply.)

The limitation on compensation rates allowable under an award may be waived on an individual 

basis at the discretion of the Assistant Attorney General (AAG) for OJP. An applicant that 

wishes to request a waiver should include a detailed justification in the budget narrative of its 

application. Unless the applicant submits a waiver request and justification with the application, 

the applicant should anticipate that OJP will request the applicant to adjust and resubmit its 

budget. 

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

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

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

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

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

Minimization of Conference Costs 

No OJP funding can be used to purchase food and/or beverages for any meeting, conference, 

training, or other event. Exceptions to this restriction may be made only in cases where such 

sustenance is not otherwise available (i.e., extremely remote areas), or where a special 

presentation at a conference requires a plenary address where there is no other time for 

sustenance to be obtained. Such an exception would require prior approval from OJP. This 

restriction does not apply to water provided at no cost, but does apply to any and all other 

refreshments, regardless of the size or nature of the meeting. Additionally, this restriction does 

not impact direct payment of per diem amounts to individuals in a travel status under the 

organization’s travel policy.
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Updated Department of Justice and OJP guidance on conference planning, minimization of 

costs, and conference cost reporting will be forthcoming and will be accessible on the OJP 

website at www.ojp.usdoj.gov/funding/funding.htm.

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 by individuals with limited English proficiency may be allowable costs. 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 of the OJP "Other 

Requirements for OJP Applications" Web page 

(www.ojp.usdoj.gov/funding/other_requirements.htm).

Match Requirement

See “Cofunding” paragraph under “What an Application Should Include” (below).

Performance Measures

To assist the Department 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, applicants that receive funding under this solicitation must provide data 

that measure the results of their work done under this solicitation. Any award recipient will be 

required, post award, to provide the data requested in the “Data Grantee Provides” column so 

that OJP can calculate values for the “Performance Measures” column. Performance measures 

for this solicitation are as follows:

Objective Performance Measures Data Grantee Provides

To identify, review, and 

investigate “violent crime 

cold cases” that have the 

potential to be solved 

through DNA analysis, and 

to locate and analyze 

biological evidence 

associated with these 

cases.

1. Percentage of (UCR Part 1) 

“violent crime cold cases” 

reviewed in which biological 

evidence still existed.

2. Percentage of “violent crime 

cold cases” with biological 

evidence that are subjected to 

DNA analysis that yielded viable 

DNA profiles. 

3. Number of “violent crime cold 

case” DNA profiles generated 

that have been entered into 

CODIS.

4. Number of CODIS hits resulting 

from “violent crime cold case” 

DNA analyses. 

1. The number of “violent crime cold 

cases” reviewed. 

2. The number of “violent crime cold 

cases” reviewed in which biological 

evidence still existed. 

3. The number of “violent crime cold 

cases” with biological evidence that 

are subjected to DNA analysis. 

4. The number of “violent crime cold 

cases” that yielded viable DNA 

profiles. 

5. The number of DNA profiles 

entered into CODIS. 

6. The number of CODIS hits. 

7. Quarterly financial reports, semiannual progress reports, and a final 

comprehensive progress report. 
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Submission of performance measures data is not required for the application. Instead, 

applicants should discuss in their application their proposed methods for collecting data for 

performance measures. Refer to the section “What an Application Should Include” on page 11

for additional information.

Note on Project Evaluations: Applicants that propose to use funds awarded 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.” Applicants should provide sufficient information 

for OJP to determine whether the particular project they propose would either intentionally or 

unintentionally collect and/or use information in such a way that it meets the DOJ regulatory 

definition of research.

Research, for the purposes of human subjects protections 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, 

see the decision tree to assist applicants on the “Research and the Protection of Human 

Subjects” section of the OJP “Other Requirements for OJP Applications” Web page 

(www.ojp.gov/funding/other_requirements.htm). Applicants whose proposals may involve a

research or statistical component also should review the “Confidentiality” section on that Web 

page.

Notice of Post-Award FFATA Reporting Requirement

Applicants should anticipate that OJP will require all recipients (other than individuals) of awards 

of $25,000 or more under this solicitation, consistent with the Federal Funding Accountability 

and Transparency Act of 2006 (FFATA), to report award information on any first-tier subawards 

totaling $25,000 or more, and, in certain cases, to report information on the names and total 

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

subrecipients. Each applicant entity must ensure that it has the necessary processes and 

systems in place to comply with the reporting requirements should it receive funding. Reports 

regarding subawards will be made through the FFATA Subaward Reporting System (FSRS), 

found at www.fsrs.gov.

Please note also that applicants should anticipate that no subaward of an award made under 

this solicitation may be made to a subrecipient (other than an individual) unless the potential 

subrecipient acquires and provides a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number.

How to Apply

Applications will be submitted through Grants.gov. Grants.gov is a “one-stop storefront” that 

provides a unified process for all customers of federal awards to find funding opportunities and 

apply for funding. Complete instructions on how to register and submit an application can be 

found at www.Grants.gov. If the applicant experiences technical difficulties at any point during

this process, call the Grants.gov Customer Support Hotline at 800–518–4726 or 606–545–5035, 
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24 hours a day, 7 days a week, except federal holidays. Registering with Grants.gov is a onetime process; however, processing delays may occur, and it can take up to several weeks

for first-time registrants to receive confirmation and a user password. OJP highly recommends 

that applicants start the registration process as early as possible to prevent delays in submitting 

an application package by the specified application deadline.

All applicants are required to complete the following steps:

1. Acquire a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number. In general, the Office 

of Management and Budget requires that all applicants (other than individuals) for 

federal funds include a DUNS number in their applications for a new award or renewal of 

an existing award. A DUNS number is a unique nine-digit sequence recognized as the 

universal standard for identifying and keeping track of entities receiving federal funds. 

The identifier is used for tracking purposes and to validate address and point of contact 

information for federal assistance applicants, recipients, and subrecipients. The DUNS 

number will be used throughout the grant life cycle. Obtaining a DUNS number is a free, 

one-time activity. Obtain a DUNS number by calling Dun and Bradstreet at 866–705–

5711 or by applying online at www.dnb.com. A DUNS number is usually received within 

1-2 business days.

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

database. OJP requires that all applicants (other than individuals) for federal financial 

assistance maintain current registrations in the CCR database. An applicant must be 

registered in the CCR to register successfully in Grants.gov. The CCR database is the 

repository for standard information about federal financial assistance applicants, 

recipients, and subrecipients. Organizations that have previously submitted applications 

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

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

registration annually to maintain an active status. Information about CCR registration 

procedures can be accessed at www.ccr.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. The applicant organization’s DUNS number must be used to 

complete this step. For more information about the registration process, go to 

www.grants.gov/applicant/get_registeredt.jsp.

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. Note that there can be more than one AOR for the 

organization.

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 16.560, titled 

“National Institute of Justice Research, Evaluation, and Development Project Grants,”

and the funding opportunity number is NIJ–2012–3099.

6. Complete the Disclosure of Lobbying Activities. All applicants must complete this 

information. An applicant that expends any funds for lobbying activities must provide the 
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detailed information requested on the form, Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF–LLL). 

An applicant that does not expend any funds for lobbying activities should enter “N/A” in 

the required highlighted fields. 

7. Submit an application consistent with this solicitation by following the directions 

in Grants.gov. Within 24–48 hours after submitting the electronic application, the 

applicant should receive an e-mail validation message from Grants.gov. The validation 

message will state whether the application has been received and validated, or rejected, 

with an explanation. Important: Applicants are urged to submit applications at least 72 

hours prior to the due date of the application to allow time to receive the validation 

message and to correct any problems that may have caused a rejection notification.

Note: Grants.gov will forward the application to OJP’s Grants Management System 

(GMS). 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.”

Note: Duplicate Applications

If an applicant submits multiple versions of an application, NIJ will review the most recent 

version submitted. 

Experiencing Unforeseen Grants.gov Technical Issues

If an applicant experiences unforeseen Grants.gov technical issues beyond the applicant’s

control that prevent submission of its application by the deadline, the applicant must email the

NIJ contact identified in the Contact Information section on the title page within 24 hours after 

the application deadline and request approval to submit its application. The applicant must 

include in the e-mail: a description of the technical difficulties, a timeline of submission efforts, 

the complete grant application, the applicant DUNS number, and Grants.gov Help Desk tracking 

number(s) the applicant has received. Note: Requests are not automatically approved by 

NIJ. After the program office reviews all of the information submitted, and contacts the 

Grants.gov Help Desk to validate the technical issues reported, OJP will contact the applicant to 

either approve or deny the request to submit a late application. If the technical issues reported 

cannot be validated, the application will be rejected as untimely. 

The following conditions are not valid reasons to permit late submissions: (1) failure to begin the 

registration process in sufficient time, (2) failure to follow Grants.gov instructions on how to 

register and apply as posted on its Web site, (3) failure to follow all of the instructions in the OJP 

solicitation, and (4) technical issues experienced with the applicant’s computer or information 

technology (IT) environment, including firewalls.

Notifications regarding known technical problems with Grants.gov, if any, are posted at the top 

of the OJP funding Web page at www.ojp.usdoj.gov/funding/solicitations.htm.
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What an Application Should Include

Applicants should anticipate that failure to submit an application that contains all of the specified 

elements may negatively affect the review of the application; and, should a decision be made to 

make an award, it may result in the inclusion of special conditions that preclude access to or 

use of award funds pending satisfaction of the conditions. 

Moreover, applicants should anticipate that applications that are unresponsive to the scope of 

the solicitation, or that do not include application elements designated by NIJ to be critical, will

neither proceed to peer review nor receive further consideration. Under this solicitation, NIJ has 

designated the following application elements as critical: program narrative, budget detail 

worksheet and budget narrative, and resumes/curriculum vitae of key personnel. The Budget 

Narrative and the Budget Detail Worksheet may be combined in one document. However, if only 

one document is submitted, it must contain both narrative and detail information.

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

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

Understanding,” “Resumes”) for all attachments. OJP recommends that resumes be included in 

a single file.

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

The SF–424 is a standard form required for use as a cover sheet for submission of preapplications, applications, and related information. Grants.gov and GMS take information 

from the applicant’s profile to populate the fields on this form. 

2. Program Narrative

The program narrative section of the application should not exceed 25 double-spaced 

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

government forms do not count toward the 25-page limit for the narrative section.

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

noncompliance may be considered in peer review and in final award decisions.

Program Narrative Guidelines: 

a. Title Page (not counted against the 25-page program narrative limit).

The title page should include the title of the project, submission date, funding 

opportunity number, and the applicant’s name and complete contact information 

(i.e., name, address, telephone number, and e-mail address).

b. Project Abstract (not counted against the 25-page program narrative limit). 

The 400 to 600-word abstract is a self-contained summary of the most important 

elements of the project. The proposal abstract should serve as a succinct and 

accurate description of the proposed work. Applicants should concisely describe 

project goals and objectives, project plans, and methods for achieving the goals. 

Once an award has been granted, the abstract is computerized and serves as a 

summary available to all interested parties for the duration of the grant.

c. Resubmit Response (if applicable) (not counted against the 25-page program 

narrative limit). If an applicant is resubmitting a proposal that was presented 

previously to NIJ, but not funded, the applicant should indicate this. A statement 
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should be provided, no more than two pages, addressing: (1) the title, 

submission date, and NIJ-assigned application number of the previous proposal, 

and (2) a brief summary of revisions to the proposal. This document should be 

inserted after the abstract.

d. Table of Contents and Figures (not counted against the 25-page program 

narrative limit). 

e. Main Body. The main body of the program narrative should describe the project 

in depth. Proposals should clearly define the strategy and criteria that will be 

used to identify, prioritize, and select violent crime cold cases that have the 

potential to be solved through DNA analysis. These may be demonstrated 

through the inclusion of checklists, flowcharts, diagrams, or narratives, and 

should be developed through collaboration with appropriate members of the 

criminal justice community (such as crime laboratory personnel, prosecutors, 

defense counsel, medical examiners, law enforcement investigators, etc.).

Proposals also should clearly identify the laboratory(ies) (government-owned or 

fee-for-service) expected to conduct DNA analyses of biological evidence, 

including data review and/or entry of eligible DNA profiles into CODIS, and where 

applicable, NDIS.

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

Statement of the Problem.

Project/Program Design and Implementation.

Capabilities/Competencies.

Impact/Outcomes and Evaluation.

Plan for Collecting the Data Required for This Solicitation’s 

Performance Measures. Note: Submission of performance measures 

data is not required for the application. Performance measures are 

included as an alert that successful applicants will be required to 

submit specific data to NIJ as part of their reporting requirements. For 

the application, the applicant should indicate an understanding of 

these requirements and discuss how the applicant will gather the 

required data, should the applicant receive funding.

Note: Within the above five sections, the narrative should address:

Purpose, goals, and objectives.

Implications for criminal justice policy and practice in the 

United States.

Management plan and organization.

f. Appendices (not counted against the 25-page program narrative limit) include:

Bibliography/references (if applicable).

Curriculum vitae, resumes, or biographical sketches of key personnel. 

Project timeline and calendar with expected milestones. 

Human Subjects Protection Paperwork including Institutional Review 

Board (IRB) documentation and forms (see 

www.ojp.gov/nij/funding/humansubjects/human-subjects.htm.
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Privacy Certificate (for further guidance go to 

www.ojp.gov/nij/funding/humansubjects/privacy-certficateguidance.htm).

List of previous and current NIJ awards to applicant organization.

Letters of cooperation/support or administrative agreements from 

organizations collaborating in the project (if applicable). 

List of other agencies, organizations, or funding sources to which this 

proposal has been submitted (if applicable).

Other materials specified by the solicitation.

3. Budget Detail Worksheet and Budget Narrative

a. Budget Detail Worksheet 

A sample Budget Detail Worksheet can be found at

www.ojp.gov/funding/forms/budget_detail.pdf. If the budget is submitted in a different 

format, the budget categories listed in the sample budget worksheet should be 

included.

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

see the OJP Financial Guide at www.ojp.usdoj.gov/financialguide/index.htm.

b. Budget Narrative

The Budget Narrative should thoroughly and clearly describe every category of 

expense listed in the Budget Detail Worksheet. Proposed budgets are expected to 

be complete; reasonable and allowable; cost effective; and necessary for project 

activities. The narrative should be mathematically sound and correspond with the 

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

should explain how all costs were estimated and calculated and how they are

relevant 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 be broken down by year.

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

percent of the total cost of the project. The application should indicate whether it is 

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

support for the project. The application should identify generally any such 

contributions that the applicant expects to make and the proposed budget should 

indicate in detail which items, if any, will be supported with non-Federal contributions.

If a successful application proposes a voluntary match amount, the match amount 

incorporated into the OJP-approved budget becomes mandatory and subject to 

audit.

4. Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (if applicable)

Indirect costs are allowed only if the applicant has a federally approved indirect cost rate. 

(This requirement does not apply to units of local government.) A copy of the rate 

approval should be attached. If the applicant does not have an approved rate, one can 

be requested by contacting the applicant’s cognizant Federal agency, which will review 

all documentation and approve a rate for the applicant organization or, if the applicant’s 

accounting system permits, costs may be allocated in the direct cost categories. If DOJ 
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is the cognizant Federal agency, obtain information needed to submit an indirect cost 

rate proposal at www.ojp.usdoj.gov/funding/pdfs/indirect_costs.pdf.

5. Tribal Authorizing Resolution (if applicable)

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

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

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

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

the tribe or tribal organization and its membership should be included with the 

application. In those instances when an organization or consortium of tribes proposes to 

apply for a grant on behalf of a tribe or multiple specific tribes, then the application 

should include a resolution (or comparable legal documentation, as may be applicable) 

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

the grant. A consortium of tribes for which existing consortium bylaws allow action 

without support from all tribes in the consortium (i.e., without authorizing resolution or 

other enactment of each tribal governing body) may submit a copy of its consortium 

bylaws with the application in lieu of tribal resolutions (or comparable legal 

documentation).

7. Other Standard Forms

Additional forms that may be required in connection with an award are available on

OJP’s funding page at www.ojp.usdoj.gov/funding/forms.htm. For successful applicants, 

receipt of funds may be contingent upon submission of all necessary forms. Note in 

particular the following forms.

a. Standard Assurances

Applicants must read, certify, and submit this form in GMS prior to the receipt 

of any award funds.

b. Certifications Regarding Lobbying; Debarment, Suspension and Other 

Responsibility Matters; and Drug-Free Workplace Requirements

Applicants must read, certify, and submit in GMS prior to the receipt of any 

award funds.

c. Accounting System and Financial Capability Questionnaire (required for any 

applicant other than an individual that is a non-governmental entity and that 

has not received any award from OJP within the past 3 years; this form must 

be downloaded, completed, and submitted)

Selection Criteria

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

Applicants should include appropriate citations and other information to demonstrate an 

understanding of the problem and the expected impact of the funding in solving violent crime 

cold cases with DNA.

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

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

cold cases.
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2. Soundness of methods and analytic and technical approach.

3. Feasibility of proposed project and awareness of pitfalls.

4. Innovation and creativity (when appropriate).

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

applicants)—20%

1. Qualifications and experience of proposed staff.

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

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

and resources are used.

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

Budget—20%

1. Total cost of the project relative to the perceived benefit (cost-effectiveness).

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

3. Use of existing resources to leverage costs.

4. Affordability and cost-effectiveness.

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

(Relevance to policy and practice)—15% 

1. Potential for resolving violent crime cold cases.

2. Plan for collecting data required for this solicitation’s performance measures.

Review Process

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

application to make sure that the information presented is reasonable, understandable, 

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. NIJ may use either internal peer reviewers, external peer reviewers, or 

a combination, to review the applications under this solicitation. An external peer reviewer is an 

expert in the 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. Applications that meet basic minimum requirements will be evaluated, 

scored, and rated by a peer review panel. Peer reviewers’ ratings and any resulting 

recommendations are advisory only. In addition to peer review ratings, considerations for award 

recommendations and decisions may include, but are not limited to, underserved populations, 

geographic diversity, strategic priorities, past performance, and available funding.

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

review of applications for potential discretionary awards to evaluate the fiscal integrity and 

financial capability of applicants; examines proposed costs to determine if the Budget Detail 

Worksheet and Budget Narrative accurately explain project costs; and determines whether 

costs are reasonable, necessary, and allowable under applicable federal cost principles and 

agency regulations. 

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

award decisions will be made by the Assistant Attorney General (AAG), who also may give 
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consideration to factors including, but not limited to, underserved populations, geographic 

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

Additional Requirements

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

acceptance of an award. OJP strongly encourages applicants to review the information 

pertaining to these additional requirements prior to submitting an application. Additional 

information for each requirement can be found at

www.ojp.usdoj.gov/funding/other_requirements.htm.

Civil Rights Compliance

Faith-Based and Other Community Organizations

Confidentiality

Research and the Protection of Human Subjects

Anti-Lobbying Act

Financial and Government Audit Requirements

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

DOJ Information Technology Standards (if applicable) 

Single Point of Contact Review

Non-Supplanting of State or Local Funds

Criminal Penalty for False Statements

Compliance with Office of Justice Programs Financial Guide

Suspension or Termination of Funding

Nonprofit Organizations

For-Profit Organizations

Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA)

Rights in Intellectual Property 

Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA) of 2006

Awards in Excess of $5,000,000 – Federal Taxes Certification Requirement

Active CCR Registration

If a proposal is funded, the award recipient will be required to submit several reports and other 

materials, including quarterly financial reports, semi-annual progress reports, a final progress 

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

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

delinquent. If a cold case DNA hit occurs during a reporting period, a brief description of the 

case should be included in the progress report. The description should detail the type of hit 

(offender or forensic) and the evidence from which the hit was obtained.
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Provide Feedback to OJP on This Solicitation

To assist OJP in improving its application and award processes, we encourage applicants to 

provide feedback on this solicitation, the application submission process, and/or the application 

review/peer review process. Feedback can be provided to 

OJPSolicitationFeedback@usdoj.gov.
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Application Checklist

Solving Cold Cases With DNA

This application checklist has been created to assist in developing an application.

What an Application Should Include: 

_____ Application for Federal Assistance (SF–424) (see page 11)

_____ Program Narrative (see page 11)

Program Narrative/Abstract Format:

_____Double-spaced

_____12-point standard font

_____1” standard margins

_____Narrative is 25 pages or less

_____Appendices to the Program Narrative (see page 13)

_____Bibliography/references (if applicable)

_____Curriculum vitae, resumes, or biographical sketches of key personnel

_____Project timeline and calendar with expected milestones

_____Human Subject Protection Paperwork 

_____Privacy Certificate

_____List of previous and current NIJ awards to applicant organization

_____Letters of cooperation/support or administrative agreements from organizations 

collaborating in the project (if applicable)

_____List of other agencies, organizations, or funding sources to which this proposal 

has been submitted (if applicable)

_____Other materials specified in the solicitation

_____ Budget Detail Worksheet (see page 13)

_____ Budget Narrative (see page 13)

_____ Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF–LLL) (see page 10)

_____ Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (if applicable) (see page 13)

_____ Tribal Authorizing Resolution (if applicable) (see page 14)

_____ Other Standard Forms as applicable (see page 14)