Notice regarding the solicitation “Paul Coverdell Forensic Science 

Improvement Grants Program – Competitive”

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 9, 2018: The “IMPORTANT NOTE” regarding the availability of funds under Section A. 

Program Description has been removed. 

An “IMPORTANT NOTE” regarding the allocation of funds available for targeting the challenges 

the opioid abuse crisis has brought to the forensic science community has been added to 

“Goals, Objectives, and Deliverables” under Section A. Program Description. 

Figures listed under “Available Funding” under Section B. Federal Award Information were 

revised. A note directing applicants to a note on the use of grant funds for projects to address 

the challenges posed by the opioid abuse crisis was added to this section. 

Figures listed under item 2. “Minimum Awards to States” in “Available Funding” under Section B. 

Federal Award Information were revised. 

Figures listed under item 7. “Facilities” in “Permissible Expenses” under Section B. Federal 

Award Information were revised.

A “Note on the use of funds to address issues related to the opioid abuse crisis” was added to 

“Permissible Expenses” under Section B. Federal Award Information.

A note directing applicants to the note on the use of grant funds for projects to address the 

challenges posed by the opioid abuse crisis was added to “What an Application Should Include” 

under Section D. Application and Submission Information. 
A note regarding the use of grant funds requesting for projects to address the challenges posed 

by the opioid abuse crisis was added to item 3. “Program Narrative” under Section D. 

Application and Submission Information.

A note regarding the use of grant funds requesting for projects to address the challenges posed 

by the opioid abuse crisis was added to item 4. “Budget and Associated Documentation” under 

Section D. Application and Submission Information.

The statement “As mentioned earlier in the solicitation, applications requesting Coverdell funds 

to specifically target the challenges the opioid abuse crisis has brought to the forensic science 

community will be given priority consideration in award decisions over applications that do not 

include such requests.” was added under Section E. Application Review Information.

The item “(Budget should be annotated to delineate opioid-related and non-opioid items)” was 

added to Appendix 5: Application Checklist.

March 21, 2018: The following statement was added under Section C. Eligibility Information:

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).

The following statement was added under “Review Process” within Section E. Application 

Review Information:

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 

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.”

The following statement was appended to “Eligibility Requirement” under Appendix 5: 

Application Checklist:

Applicant must not have an “unresolved audit finding,” as described at 34 U.S.C. § 10263(2).

March 12, 2018: Links directing to "Overview of Legal Requirements Generally Applicable to 

OJP Grants and Cooperative Agreements - FY 2017 Awards" have been updated to the FY 

2018 link throughout this funding opportunity document.
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 competitive funding under the FY 2018 Paul Coverdell 

Forensic Science Improvement Grants Program. This program furthers the Department’s

mission by providing States and units of local government with tools needed to meet the 

challenges of crime and justice. Specifically, this program seeks to improve the quality and 

timeliness of forensic science and medical examiner/coroner’s office services, including services 

provided by laboratories operated by States and/or units of local government. 

Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement 

Grants Program – Competitive 

Applications Due: April 30, 2018

Eligibility 

Eligible applicants are limited to States (including territories) and units of local government. 

State Administering Agencies (SAAs) apply on behalf of States, including any State government 

entity. For information on eligibility, see Section C. Eligibility Information. 

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

management fee. 

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 April 

30, 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. 
2 

NIJ-2018-13740 

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, contact the 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; some 

are included in the appendices of this solicitation.

Grants.gov number assigned to this solicitation: NIJ-2018-13740

Release date: March 7, 2018 
3 

NIJ-2018-13740 

Contents 

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

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

Program-Specific Information ................................................................................................. 4

Goals, Objectives, and Deliverables ....................................................................................... 4

Information Regarding Potential Evaluation of Programs and Activities .................................. 6

B. Federal Award Information ..................................................................................................... 6

Type of Award ........................................................................................................................ 7

Financial Management and System of Internal Controls ......................................................... 7

Budget Information ................................................................................................................. 8

Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement .................................................................................11

Pre-agreement Costs (also known as Pre-award Costs) .......................................................11

Limitation on Use of Award Funds for Employee Compensation; Waiver ..............................11

Prior Approval, Planning, and Reporting of Conference/Meeting/Training Costs ...................12

Costs Associated with Language Assistance (if applicable) ..................................................12

C. Eligibility Information .............................................................................................................12

D. Application and Submission Information ...............................................................................18

What an Application Should Include ......................................................................................18

How To Apply ........................................................................................................................30

E. Application Review Information .............................................................................................34

Review Criteria ......................................................................................................................34

Review Process ....................................................................................................................36

F. Federal Award Administration Information ............................................................................38

Federal Award Notices ..........................................................................................................38

Administrative, National Policy, and Other Legal Requirements ............................................38

General Information about Post-Federal Award Reporting Requirements .............................39

G. Federal Awarding Agency Contact(s) ...................................................................................40

H. Other Information..................................................................................................................40

Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552 and 5 U.S.C. 552a) ....................40

Provide Feedback to OJP .....................................................................................................41

Appendix 1: Templates for Coverdell Statutory Certifications ................................................42

Appendix 2: Template for “External Investigations” Attachment.............................................49

Appendix 3: Frequently Asked Questions ..............................................................................52

Appendix 4: Performance Measures Table ............................................................................53

Appendix 5: Application Checklist .........................................................................................54
4 

NIJ-2018-13740 

Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement 

Grants Program – Competitive 

CFDA no. 16.742 

A. Program Description 

Overview 

With this solicitation, NIJ seeks proposals for competitive funding under the Paul Coverdell 

Forensic Science Improvement Grants Program (the Coverdell program), which awards grants 

to States and units of local government to help improve the quality and timeliness of forensic 

science and medical examiner/coroner’s office services. Among other things, funds may be 

used to eliminate a backlog in the analysis of forensic evidence and to train and employ forensic 

laboratory personnel and medicolegal death investigators, as needed, to eliminate such a 

backlog. Under the Coverdell program, State Administering Agencies (SAAs) may apply for both 

formula and competitive funds. Units of local government may apply for competitive funds. This 

solicitation is ONLY for the competitive funds.1

 For purposes of this solicitation, any State/local 

government entity performing forensic science services is considered a “forensic science 

laboratory.”

Statutory Authority: The Coverdell program is authorized by Title I of the Omnibus Crime 

Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968, Part BB, codified at 34 U.S.C. §§ 10561-10566 (the 

Coverdell law). 

Program-Specific Information 

This solicitation seeks applications for funding to improve the quality and timeliness of forensic 

science and medical examiner/coroner’s office services, including services provided by 

laboratories operated by States and/or units of local government. Among other things, funds 

may be used to eliminate backlogs in the analysis of general forensic evidence or to train and 

employ forensic laboratory personnel and medicolegal death investigators to eliminate such 

backlogs. The Coverdell program may not be used for research; however, applicants may 

address emerging forensic science issues and technology through implementation of new 

technologies and processes into public laboratories.

Goals, Objectives, and Deliverables 

Grant Purposes 

A State or unit of local government that receives a Coverdell grant must use the grant for one or 

more of these six purposes: 

1. To carry out all or a substantial part of a program intended to improve the quality and 

timeliness of forensic science or medical examiner/coroner’s office services in the State, 

 

1

 An applicant that seeks to apply for Coverdell formula funds (consistent with 34 U.S.C. § 10563(a)(1)) available for 

grants to eligible States would need to apply under NIJ’s FY 2018 Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement 

Grants Program (Formula) solicitation. 
5 

NIJ-2018-13740 

including those services provided by laboratories operated by the State and those 

operated by units of local government within the State. 

2. To eliminate a backlog in the analysis of forensic science evidence,2 including, among 

other things, a backlog with respect to firearms examination, latent prints, impression 

evidence, toxicology, digital evidence, fire evidence, controlled substances, forensic 

pathology, questioned documents, and trace evidence. 

3. To train, assist, and employ forensic laboratory personnel and medicolegal death 

investigators, as needed to eliminate such a backlog. 

4. To address emerging forensic science issues (such as statistics, contextual bias, and 

uncertainty of measurement) and emerging forensic science technology (such as high 

throughput automation, statistical software, and new types of instrumentation). 

5. To educate and train forensic pathologists. 

6. To fund medicolegal death investigation systems to facilitate accreditation of medical 

examiner and coroner offices and certification of medicolegal death investigators. 

IMPORTANT NOTE 

The alarming proliferation of heroin and synthetic opioids like fentanyl have had a crushing 

effect on many crime laboratories. Synthetic opioids in particular may be more difficult to 

analyze than traditional opiates, and validating methods for new drugs as they emerge may 

significantly slow processing of these samples. Medical examiners and forensic pathologists 

have also been overwhelmed with the volume of autopsies as a result of heroin and synthetic 

drug-related overdose deaths. To address these issues, NIJ plans to allocate approximately 

57% of available funds to specifically target the challenges the opioid abuse crisis has brought 

to the forensic science community. 

Expected Results and Outcomes 

The result of Coverdell grants to applicant States should be a demonstrated improvement over 

current operations in the quality and/or timeliness of forensic science or medical 

examiner/coroner’s office services provided in the State, including services provided by 

laboratories operated by the State and services provided by laboratories operated by units of 

local government within the State. Reduction of forensic analysis backlogs is considered an 

improvement in timeliness of services. The result of Coverdell grants directly to units of local 

government should be a demonstrated improvement over current operations in the quality 

and/or timeliness of forensic science or medical examiner/coroner’s office services provided by 

the local jurisdiction. 

See “Performance Measures” for additional information.

 

2

 A backlog in the analysis of forensic science evidence exists if forensic evidence has been stored in a laboratory, 

medical examiner’s office, coroner’s office, law enforcement storage facility, or medical facility; and has not been 

subjected to all appropriate forensic testing because of lack of resources or personnel. 
6 

NIJ-2018-13740 

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.

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 $250,000, with an estimated total amount awarded of up to 

$4,050,000. NIJ expects to make awards for a 12-month period of performance, to begin on 

January 1, 2019. Applicants should be aware that the total period of an award, including one 

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

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

additional requirements that may be imposed by law. 

Available Funding 

The figures and calculations reflected in this solicitation are based on an estimated total amount 

available of $27,000,000, although the amount ultimately available could be higher or lower. 

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

or additional requirements that may be imposed by law.

1. Competitive Funds for States and Units of Local Government

Fifteen (15) percent of the available funds will be allocated among States and units of 

local government through a competitive process. The average annual number of Part 1 

violent crimes reported by each State to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for calendar 

years 2014, 2015, and 2016; existing resources; and current needs of the potential grant 

recipient will be considerations in award decisions. For FY 2018, the maximum amount a 

State or unit of local government may receive in competitive funds is $250,000. 

Units of local government that provide forensic science or medical examiner/coroner’s 

office services (whether through a forensic science laboratory, medical examiner office, 

or coroner’s office) may apply directly to NIJ for competitive funds. A State may apply 

through its SAA for competitive funds for forensic sciences improvements above and 

beyond those it can accomplish with its estimated amount of formula funds. 
7 

NIJ-2018-13740 

2. Minimum Awards to States

The Coverdell law sets a floor for the total amount an eligible applicant State will receive 

as its Coverdell grant. If $27,000,000 were available for FY 2018, the minimum 

Coverdell grant to an eligible State would be not less than $270,000.3

 In that case, if the 

amount a State would otherwise receive as its total Coverdell grant (including both 

formula funds and any competitive funds) is less than $270,000, NIJ will increase that 

State’s total grant funding to $270,000. 

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 important statutes, regulations, and award conditions that 

apply to many (or in some cases, all) OJP grants. 

Financial Management and System of Internal Controls 

Award recipients and subrecipients (including recipients or subrecipients that are pass-through 

entities4

) must, as described in the Part 200 Uniform Requirements5 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. 

 

3

 Minimum awards for America Samoa and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands would be lower. 

4 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. 

5 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. 
8 

NIJ-2018-13740 

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 

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 

Permissible Expenses 

The types of expenses listed below generally may be paid with Coverdell funds. 

Note: The following list details the types of expenses allowed under the Coverdell program. 

These expenses should NOT be used as budget categories—instead they are to be 

incorporated into the appropriate standard OJP budget categories. For more information on 

OJP’s standard budget format, see the section titled “What an Application Should Include.” 

1. Personnel. Funds may be used for forensic science or medical examiner/coroner’s 

office personnel, overtime, fellowships, visiting scientists, interns, consultants, or 

temporary staff. 

2. Computerization. Funds may be used to upgrade, replace, lease, or purchase 

computer hardware and software for forensic analyses and data management. 

3. Laboratory equipment. Funds may be used to upgrade, lease, or purchase forensic 

laboratory or medical examiner/coroner’s office equipment and instrumentation.

4. Supplies. Funds may be used to acquire forensic laboratory or medical 

examiner/coroner’s office supplies.

Note: To help ensure compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) 

and Department of Justice regulations, Coverdell awardees that intend to use funds for 

activities involving the use or purchase of chemicals will be required to submit additional 

information. See Section F. Federal Award Administration Information, later in this 

solicitation, for a link to OJP webpages containing information about NEPA and other 

legal requirements. 

Recipients may encounter delays in the release of award funds pending satisfactory 

completion of the NEPA review process for applications involving the use or purchase of 

chemicals. 

5. Accreditation. Funds may be used to prepare for laboratory accreditation by the 

ASCLD/LAB, FQS, NAME, the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation 

(A2LA), International Association of Coroners & Medical Examiners (IAC&ME) or other, 

appropriate, accrediting bodies. Funds also may be used for application and 
9 

NIJ-2018-13740 

maintenance fees charged by appropriate accrediting bodies.6 An applicant that 

proposes to use any portion of the grant amount to fund a forensic science laboratory 

system, including any laboratory operated by a unit of local government within the State, 

that is not accredited (as set out in the Coverdell law) will be required to use (or, as 

applicable, must require any unaccredited subrecipient forensic science laboratory 

system to use) a portion of the grant amount for accreditation purposes. Coverdell 

awardees must use grant funds to prepare and apply for accreditation of any FY 2018 

Coverdell grant-funded unaccredited forensic laboratory system, including any laboratory 

operated by a unit of local government within the State, not more than two (2) years after 

the FY 2018 Coverdell award date. 

6. Education, training, and certification. Funds may be used for appropriate internal and 

external training of staff that are involved directly and substantially in providing forensic 

science or medical examiner/coroner’s office services. In appropriate cases, funds also 

may be used for fees charged by appropriate certifying bodies for certification of staff in 

specific forensic discipline areas. All education, training, and certification activities must 

be designed to improve the quality and/or timeliness of forensic science or medical 

examiner/coroner’s office services. The grant application should demonstrate that the 

proposed training or certification is directly related to the job position and duties of the 

individual(s) receiving the training or seeking certification. 

OJP recognizes the benefit of attending discipline-related conferences to receive training 

and/or education; however, it is recommended that the applicant consider the costeffectiveness of this option compared to other viable modes of training. For example, 

hosting on-site training or attending a local program may be more suitable for the 

applicant’s personnel and organization.

7. Facilities. Funds may be used for program expenses relating to facilities, provided the 

expenses are directly attributable to improving the quality and/or timeliness of forensic 

science or medical examiner/coroner’s office services. Funds also may be used for 

renovation and/or construction undertaken as part of the applicant’s program to improve 

the quality and/or timeliness of forensic science or medical examiner/coroner’s office 

services. 

Limitations on use of funds for costs of new facility. The Coverdell law limits the 

amount of funds that may be used for the costs of a new facility or facilities (34 U.S.C. § 

10564(c)). Maximum amounts are determined by the total amount of the Coverdell 

grants received (including both formula and competitive funds) and the total amount of 

funds available for Coverdell grants nationwide. The maximum amounts that may be 

used for costs of new facilities are as follows. (Estimates and calculations are based on 

the assumption that the total available funds for Coverdell awards in FY 2018 will be 

$27,000,000. Please refer to the discussion under “Available Funding.”)

Grants that exceed 0.6 percent of the total available funds. If an applicant State receives 

total grants that exceed 0.6 percent of the total available funds (estimated here at 

$162,000), the amount of the grant that can be used for the costs of any new facility 

 

6

 Per 34 U.S.C. § 10562(2), such an accrediting body would be “an accrediting body that is a signatory to an 

internationally recognized arrangement and that offers accreditation to forensic science conformity assessment 

bodies using an accreditation standard that is recognized by that internationally recognized arrangement[.]”
10

NIJ-2018-13740 

cannot exceed the sum of 80 percent of 0.6 percent of the total available funds (such 80 

percent estimated here at $129,600) plus 40 percent of the amount of the grant in 

excess of 0.6 percent of the total available funds. 

For example, if $27,000,000 were to become available for Coverdell awards in FY 2018 

and a State were to receive a total Coverdell grant of $200,000, no more than $157,760 

may be used for the costs of any new facility. 

A sample calculation for a $200,000 grant would be as follows: 

Eighty percent of 0.6 percent of the total available funds: $162,000 x .80 = 

$129,600. 

Amount in excess of $129,600: $200,000 - $129,600 = $70,400 

Forty percent of amount in excess of $129,600: $70,400 x .40 = $28,160. 

Sum of $129,600 + $28,160 = $157,760. 

Note: To help ensure compliance with NEPA and Department of Justice regulations, 

Coverdell awardees that intend to use funds for activities involving the renovation or 

construction of facilities will be required to submit additional information. See Section F. 

Federal Award Administration Information, later in this solicitation, for a link to OJP 

webpages containing information about NEPA and other legal requirements. 

Recipients may encounter delays in the release of award funds pending satisfactory 

completion of the NEPA review process for applications involving construction or 

renovation. 

8. Administrative expenses. Not more than 10 percent of the total amount of a Coverdell 

grant may be used for a recipient’s administrative expenses.

Note on the use of funds to address issues related to the opioid abuse crisis: The 

application should demonstrate, wherever applicable, how any proposed use of funds would 

address challenges the opioid abuse crisis has brought to the forensic science community, as 

described in the “Important Note” under “Grant Purposes” in Section A. Program Description. To 

facilitate this, an applicant should annotate each line item in the budget as “opioid-related” 

(addressing the opioid abuse crisis) or “non-opioid related.” Coverdell funds are available for 

permissible uses that would not address the opioid abuse crisis; however, applications 

requesting Coverdell funds for projects that address specified opioid abuse crisis-related 

challenges to the forensic science community will be given priority consideration in award 

decisions over applications not requesting funds for such projects. 

Expenses That Are Not Permitted 

1. Funds to conduct research. Applicants may address emerging forensic science issues 

and technology through implementation of new technologies and processes into public 

laboratories. 

2. Expenses other than those listed above (including expenses for general law 

enforcement functions or non-forensic investigatory functions). 

3. Costs for any new facility that exceed the limits described above. 
11

NIJ-2018-13740 

4. Recipient administrative expenses (direct or indirect) that exceed 10 percent of the total 

grant amount. 

5. The use of funds for the purchase and/or lease of vehicles, such as crime scene vans. 

Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement 

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. 

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.7 The 2018 salary table for 

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

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. 

 

7

 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. 
12

NIJ-2018-13740 

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 

States8 and units of local government may apply for FY 2018 competitive Coverdell funds. 

States may be eligible for both formula and competitive funds. Units of local government within 

States may be eligible for competitive funds and may apply directly to NIJ. This solicitation is 

ONLY for the competitive funds. Any State application for funding MUST be submitted by the 

Coverdell SAA (see list of SAAs on the OJP Web site at www.ojp.usdoj.gov/saa/index.htm). 

(Other interested State agencies or departments must coordinate with their respective SAAs.) 

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 

 

8 For purposes of the Coverdell program, the term “State” means each of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, the 

Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern 

Mariana Islands. For certain purposes, American Samoa and the Northern Mariana Islands are treated as one State. 
13

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

10263(2). 

For purposes of this solicitation, any State/local government entity performing forensic science 

services is considered a “forensic science laboratory”.

The Coverdell law (at 34 U.S.C. § 10562) requires that, to request a grant, an applicant for 

Coverdell funds must submit: 

1. A certification and description regarding a plan for forensic science laboratories.

Each applicant must submit a certification that the State or unit of local government has 

developed a plan for forensic science laboratories under a program intended to improve 

the quality and timeliness of forensic science or medical examiner services in the State, 

including such services provided by the laboratories operated by the State and those 

operated by units of local government within the State. Applicants must also specifically 

describe the manner in which the grant will be used to carry out that plan. 

2. A certification regarding use of generally accepted laboratory practices. Each 

applicant must submit a certification that any forensic laboratory system, medical 

examiner’s office, or coroner’s office in the State, including any laboratory operated by a 

unit of local government within the State, that will receive any portion of the grant 

amount (whether directly or through a subgrant) uses generally accepted laboratory 

practices and procedures established by accrediting organizations or appropriate 

certifying bodies. 

3. A certification regarding forensic science laboratory accreditation. Each applicant 

must submit a certification that any forensic science laboratory system in the State, 

including any laboratory operated by a unit of local government within the State, that will 

receive any portion of the grant amount (whether directly or through a subgrant) either is 

accredited, or, is not so accredited, but will (or will be required in a legally binding and 

enforceable writing to) use a portion of the grant amount to prepare and apply for such 

accreditation not more than 2 years after the date on which a grant is awarded under the 

FY 2018 Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants Program. 

4. A certification and description regarding costs of new facilities. Each applicant 

must submit a certification that the amount of the grant used for the costs of any new 

facility constructed as part of a program to improve the quality and timeliness of forensic 

science or medical examiner services will not exceed certain limitations set forth in the 

Coverdell law at 34 U.S.C. § 10564(c). (See information on “permissible expenses” in 

the next section of this solicitation.) Applicants must also specifically describe any new 

facility to be constructed as well as the estimated costs of the facility. 

5. A certification regarding external investigations into allegations of serious 

negligence or misconduct. Each applicant must submit a certification that “a 

government entity exists and an appropriate process is in place to conduct independent 

external investigations into allegations of serious negligence or misconduct substantially 

affecting the integrity of the forensic results committed by employees or contractors of 

any forensic laboratory system, medical examiner office, coroner’s office, law 

enforcement storage facility, or medical facility in the State that will receive a portion of 

the grant amount.”
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Applicants are expected to carefully review the requirements of each certification before 

determining whether the certification properly may be made. Any certification that is submitted 

must be executed by an official who is both familiar with the requirements of the certification, 

and authorized to make the certification on behalf of the applicant agency (that is, the agency 

applying directly to NIJ). Certifications must be submitted using the templates that appear 

in Appendix 1.

Certifications made on behalf of subrecipients of award funds—rather than certifications made 

on behalf of the agency applying directly to NIJ—are not acceptable to satisfy the certification 

requirements and should not be submitted. 

In connection with the certification regarding external investigations (described above), 

applicants must provide, prior to receiving award funds, the name(s) of the existing 

“government entity” (or government entities). This information is to be provided as an 

attachment to the program narrative section of the application. See “What an Application Should 

Include” and Appendix 2, which includes a template for the attachment. 

In connection with the certification regarding forensic science laboratory accreditation 

(described above), applicants must demonstrate, prior to receiving award funds, that any 

forensic science laboratory system, including any laboratory operated by a unit of local 

government within the State, that will receive any portion of the grant amount either is 

accredited or will (or will be required to) prepare and apply for accreditation consistent with the 

Coverdell law. Medical examiner’s and coroner’s officers are excluded from coverage (by the 

Coverdell law) with respect to this requirement for a certification regarding forensic science 

laboratory system accreditation; therefore, an applicant, in determining whether it may make the 

“Certification as to Forensic Science Laboratory System Accreditation,” is not called upon to 

certify as to the accreditation status of, or any requirement to use award funds to prepare and 

apply for accreditation for, medical examiner’s or coroner’s offices in the State. See “What an 

Application Should Include,” which describes the documentation and information an applicant is 

to provide regarding its accreditation or its plans to prepare and apply for accreditation. 

The accrediting body must be a signatory to an internationally recognized arrangement and 

must offer accreditation to forensic science conformity assessment bodies using an 

accreditation standard that is recognized by that internationally recognized arrangement. The 

scope of the accreditation must include all discipline(s) for which funds are requested. If the 

current scope of accreditation does not include the discipline(s) for which funds are requested, 

the applicant must include funds in its budget and plans in its program narrative to prepare and 

apply for accreditation in those disciplines. 

Please note that funds will not be made available to applicant agencies that fail to provide the 

necessary information. 

Important Note on Referrals in Connection With Allegations of Serious Negligence or 

Serious Misconduct

The highest standards of integrity in the practice of forensic science are critical to the 

enhancement of the administration of justice. NIJ assumes that recipients (and subrecipients) of 

Coverdell funds will make use of the process referenced in their certification as to external 

investigations and will refer allegations of serious negligence or misconduct substantially 

affecting the integrity of forensic results to government entities with an appropriate process in 
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NIJ-2018-13740 

place to conduct independent external investigations, such as the government entities identified 

in the grant application. 

For each fiscal year of an award made under this solicitation, recipients will be required to report 

to NIJ on an annual basis—

1. The number and nature of any such allegations; 

2. Information on the referrals of such allegations (e.g., the government entity or entities to 

which referred, the date of referral); 

3. The outcome of such referrals (if known as of the date of the report); and 

4. If any such allegations were not referred, the reason(s) for the non-referral. 

Payments to recipients (including payments under future awards) may be withheld if the 

required information is not submitted on a timely basis. 

Special Guidance on Certification Regarding External Investigations Into Allegations of 

Serious Negligence or Misconduct.

The certification regarding external investigations has a number of requirements, each of which 

must be satisfied before the certification may be made. The official authorized to make the 

certification on behalf of the applicant agency must carefully review each of the statutory 

elements and this guidance before determining whether a certification properly may be made. 

After reviewing the information and guidance provided here, the official, on behalf of the 

applicant agency, must determine whether: 

 A government entity exists. 

 With an appropriate process in place. 

 To conduct independent, external investigations. 

 Into allegations of serious negligence or misconduct. 

 Substantially affecting the integrity of the forensic results. 

 Committed by employees or contractors. 

 Of any forensic laboratory system, medical examiner’s office, coroner’s office, law 

enforcement storage facility, or medical facility in the State that will receive a portion of 

the grant amount. 

Note: In making this certification, the certifying official is certifying that these requirements are 

satisfied not only with respect to the applicant itself, but also with respect to each entity that will 

receive a portion of the grant amount. Certifying officials are advised that: 
16

NIJ-2018-13740 

(1) A false statement in the certification or in the grant application that it supports may be 

the subject of criminal prosecution, including under 18 U.S.C. § 1001 and 34 U.S.C. § 

10272; and 

(2) Office of Justice Programs grants, including certifications provided in connection with 

such grants, are subject to review by the Office of Justice Programs and/or by the 

Department of Justice’s Office of the Inspector General. 

The following guidance, provided by way of examples for applicants’ review, is designed to 

illustrate elements of the external investigation certification that the official authorized to make 

the certification on behalf of the applicant agency must take into account in determining whether 

the certification properly may be made. 

Because it is not possible for NIJ to provide examples relating to every type of government 

entity with an appropriate process in place to conduct independent, external investigations into 

allegations of serious negligence or misconduct substantially affecting the integrity of the 

forensic results committed by employees or contractors, this guidance should not be viewed as 

all inclusive. In addition, this guidance is not intended to constitute legal advice from NIJ on the 

question of whether the required certification properly may be made on behalf of the applicant. 

Such a determination must be made by an appropriate official based on the statutory 

requirements of the certification after review of this guidance. 

Illustrative Examples:

1. The only government entity that will receive Coverdell award funds is a forensic 

laboratory that is a unit of a local law enforcement agency (e.g., a police department). 

The law enforcement agency has an Internal Affairs Division (IAD) that reports directly to 

the head of the law enforcement agency (the Police Chief) and the head of the unit of 

local government (the Mayor/City Commissioner). The IAD has the authority to conduct 

investigations into allegations of serious negligence or misconduct by laboratory 

employees and contractors. 

Guidance: Execution of the certification might be appropriate under these facts. 

Nevertheless, the official authorized to make the certification on behalf of the applicant 

agency must be satisfied that the IAD at issue has the requisite authority to conduct 

independent investigations (for example, whether the IAD is completely free from 

influence or supervision by laboratory management officials) into allegations relating to 

employees or contractors of the laboratory. 

2. A State intends to distribute Coverdell award funds to State and local forensic 

laboratories and medical examiners’ offices. There is an Office of the Inspector General 

(OIG) in the State with authority to conduct investigations into allegations of serious 

negligence or misconduct by employees and contractors of forensic laboratories and 

medical examiner/coroner’s offices, both at the State and local levels.

Guidance: Execution of the certification might be appropriate under these facts. 

Nevertheless, the certifying official must be satisfied that the State IG’s authority in this 

regard is not circumscribed in such a way that the IG’s ability to conduct independent 

investigations is limited (for example, through a reporting hierarchy that does not provide 

for the IG to report directly to the chief executive officer or another equally independent 

State official or office). 
17

NIJ-2018-13740 

3. A city has applied for a Coverdell award and all funds will go to the city’s forensic 

laboratory. There is a process in place whereby the city’s District Attorney (DA) may 

appoint an independent investigator to conduct an investigation into allegations 

concerning the city’s forensic laboratory. If the DA appoints an independent investigator, 

the investigator will have authority to investigate allegations of serious negligence or 

misconduct by both laboratory employees and contractors. 

Guidance: Execution of the certification might be appropriate under these facts. In this 

regard, however, the certifying official must be satisfied that the process at issue 

(appointment of an independent investigator by the city DA) includes procedures under 

which allegations involving the laboratory are submitted to or are made known to the DA, 

and that the DA’s authority and responsibility to appoint an independent investigator to 

conduct investigations of such allegations is sufficiently delineated in city policies and/or 

regulations so that the “appropriate process” in place is clearly defined.

4. An applicant agency determines that the forensics laboratory director (or some other 

individual in the chain of command at the laboratory) has sole responsibility to conduct 

investigations into allegations of serious negligence or misconduct committed by 

laboratory employees. 

Guidance: Under these circumstances, execution of the certification would not be 

appropriate because there is no process in place to conduct independent, external 

investigations into allegations of serious negligence or misconduct committed by 

laboratory employees and contractors. 

5. A State applicant intends to distribute Coverdell award funds to forensic laboratories at 

both the State and local level. An independent commission established by the Governor 

has authority to investigate allegations of serious negligence or misconduct by 

employees, including employees of units of local government within the State. 

Guidance: Under these circumstances, the existence of this commission is not itself a 

sufficient basis for execution of the certification. In this regard, the commission does not 

have authority to investigate allegations of serious negligence or misconduct by 

contractors of State and local government forensic laboratories that receive Coverdell 

funds. (If, however, some other government entity, distinct from the commission, has a 

process in place to conduct independent external investigations of allegations of serious 

negligence or misconduct by such contractors, execution of the certification might be 

appropriate depending on all the facts.) 

6. A local forensic laboratory, which is intended to receive a portion of the funds from a 

Coverdell award to a State, notifies the State applicant that a quality assurance official is 

responsible for investigating allegations of serious negligence or misconduct by 

employees and contractors of the local forensic laboratory. The quality assurance official 

reports to the director of the forensic laboratory. 

Guidance: Under these circumstances, execution of the certification would not be 

appropriate because the quality assurance official reports to the director of the forensic 

laboratory; therefore, there is no process in place to conduct independent, external 

investigations of allegations against the forensics laboratory as required to make the 

certification. 
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NIJ-2018-13740 

7. An applicant agency (a forensics laboratory) intends to employ a contractor or a 

nongovernmental organization to conduct investigations into allegations of serious 

negligence or misconduct committed by laboratory employees. 

Guidance: Under these circumstances, execution of the certification would not be 

appropriate as there is neither a government entity, nor an appropriate process in place 

to conduct independent, external investigations of allegations against the laboratory, 

whether alleged to be committed by laboratory employees and/or contractors, because 

the contractor or nongovernmental entity is employed by and responsible to the 

forensics laboratory. 

8. An applicant agency is accredited by an independent accrediting or certifying 

organization such as the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies 

(CALEA), the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors / Laboratory Accreditation 

Board (ASCLD/LAB), the National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME), Forensic 

Quality Services (FQS), etc. 

Guidance: In this situation, execution of the certification would not be appropriate. The 

fact of accreditation or certification by an outside entity on its own does not demonstrate 

that the agency has a process in place to investigate allegations of serious negligence or 

misconduct committed by employees or contractors. There is insufficient information to 

properly make the required certification in this situation. 

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, 

and all five certifications required by the Coverdell law.

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. 
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NIJ-2018-13740 

See the “Note on the use of funds to address issues related to the opioid abuse crisis,” in 

the “Budget Information” section above, under Section B. Federal Award Information, for an 

important discussion relevant to applicants requesting funds to address forensic science 

challenges relating to the opioid abuse crisis. 

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 8c 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 

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. 

Applicants should ensure that the legal name is correct and matches on the SF-424, the five 

required certifications, and the external investigations attachment. 

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 
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NIJ-2018-13740 

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. 

 The project abstract should provide an outline limited to the scope of the FY 2018 

Coverdell program. 

 Example format: 

o One to two sentences for statement of the problem. 

o Three to four sentences outlining how this year’s award will be utilized. 

o One to two sentences describing the outcome. 

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

program narrative. 

3. Program Narrative

The program narrative must specifically describe the manner in which Coverdell grant funds 

will be used to carry out the applicant’s plan to improve the quality and/or timeliness of 

forensic science or medical examiner/coroner’s office services over current operations. 

(Reduction of forensic analysis backlogs is considered an improvement in timeliness of 

services.) 

If grant funds are requested for costs of a new facility, the program narrative must 

specifically describe the new facility to be constructed and the estimated costs of that 

facility. 

If grant funds are requested for projects to address the challenges to the State’s forensic 

science laboratories posed by the opioid abuse crisis, the program narrative should describe 

the challenges posed and how the requested funds would help to address them. 
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Accreditation

If grant funds are requested for accreditation, the program narrative must describe 

accreditation activities and plans and, as applicable, the projected schedule for preparation 

for and application for accreditation. Under the Coverdell program, any forensic science 

laboratory system, including any laboratory operated by a unit of local government within the 

State, that is not accredited (as set out in the Coverdell law) and that will receive a portion of 

the grant amount must use a portion of the grant amount to prepare and apply for 

accreditation not more than 2 years after the date of the Coverdell grant award. For 

purposes of this solicitation, any State/local government entity performing forensic science 

services is considered a “forensic science laboratory”.

 State applicants. A State that seeks competitive funds should describe how competitive 

funds will be used to support improvements in forensic science or medical 

examiner/coroner’s office services above and beyond the improvements it will 

accomplish with its estimated amount of formula funds.9 States are expected to 

consider the needs of laboratories operated by units of local government as well 

as those operated by the State. Existing resources and current needs will be 

considered in awarding competitive funds and should be addressed in any request for 

competitive funds. As part of the discussion of existing resources and current needs, 

applicants should include information in the program narrative that describes any known, 

specific impact(s) on resources and needs indicated by the applicant State’s part 1 

violent crime data. 

Any State application for funding MUST be submitted by the Coverdell SAA (see list of 

SAAs on the OJP Web site at www.ojp.usdoj.gov/saa/index.htm). When applying for 

competitive funds, an SAA should consult with all interested State agencies to prepare a 

request for competitive funds. No more than one request for competitive funds per State 

(SAA) will be funded. If more than one request for competitive funds is made by the 

State, each should be submitted as a separate application in Grants.gov. 

 Unit of local government applicants. A unit of local government should consult all 

interested components before preparing an application for competitive funds. No more 

than one application for competitive funds per unit of local government will be funded. If 

more than one request for competitive funds is made by the unit of local government, 

each should be submitted as a separate application in Grants.gov. As part of the 

discussion of existing resources and current needs, applicants requesting competitive 

funds should include information in the program narrative that describes any known, 

specific impact(s) on resources and needs indicated by part 1 violent crime data (State 

data and any data reported by the applicant). 

The program narrative section for a request for competitive funds should not exceed 20 

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

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

the narrative section. If the program narrative for a request for competitive funds fails to 

comply with these length-related restrictions, noncompliance may be considered in peer 

review and in final award decisions. 

 

9

 See Appendix 1 of the Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants Program (Formula) solicitation for the 

estimated amount of FY 2018 formula funds, by State. 
22

NIJ-2018-13740 

The program narrative should be attached as a separate file with an appropriately 

descriptive file name. 

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

10

a. Description of the Issue. 

b. Project Design and Implementation. 

c. Capabilities and Competencies.

d. 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. 

Performance measures for this solicitation are listed in Appendix 4: Performance 

Measures Table. 

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 

e. Other/Part 1 violent crimes data (see page 6).

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 user-friendly, 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 

 

10 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. 
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NIJ-2018-13740 

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. 

See the “Note on the use of funds to address issues related to the opioid abuse crisis,” in 

the “Budget Information” section above, under Section B. Federal Award Information, for an 

important discussion relevant to applicants requesting funds to address forensic science 

challenges relating to the opioid abuse crisis. The applicant is to annotate its budget so as to 

indicate clearly any “opioid-related” versus “non-opioid related” items, as detailed above in the 

“Note on the use of funds to address issues related to the opioid abuse crisis.”

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 

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. 

Accreditation

The budget detail worksheet and budget narrative should clearly identify the cost for any 

proposed accreditation activities, within the appropriate cost category (e.g., personnel, 

fringe benefits, travel, equipment, supplies, and (procurement) contracts) of the budget 

documents. 
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NIJ-2018-13740 

Budget document(s) should be attached as a separate file with an appropriately 

descriptive file name. 

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. 

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. 
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NIJ-2018-13740

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 recipient receives specific advance authorization from OJP to use a noncompetitive 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.
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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 (if applicable)

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 

Part 200 Uniform Requirements, as set out at https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/textidx?node=se2.1.200_1414&rgn=div8.

6. Financial Management and System of Internal Controls Questionnaire (including 

applicant disclosure of high-risk status)
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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.

 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).

7. 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”).
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8. Additional Attachments

a. Coverdell Statutory Certifications

As described above in the “Eligibility” section, the Coverdell law provides that, to request 

a grant, each applicant must submit five certifications specific to the Coverdell Program. 

A certification may only be completed by an official familiar with its requirements and 

authorized to certify on behalf of the applicant agency (i.e., the agency applying directly 

to NIJ). Templates for the statutory certifications appear in Appendix 1. All five

certifications must be completed using these templates. Certifications made on behalf of 

subrecipients of award funds—rather than certifications made on behalf of the agency 

applying directly to NIJ—are not acceptable to satisfy the certification requirements.

The five required Coverdell statutory certifications are as follows—

1. Certification as to Plan for Forensic Science Laboratories—Application from a 

State or Certification as to Plan for Forensic Science Laboratories—Application 

from a Unit of Local Government.

2. Certification as to Generally Accepted Laboratory Practices and Procedures.

3. Certification as to Forensic Science Laboratory System Accreditation.

4. Certification as to Use of Funds for New Facilities.

5. Certification as to External Investigations.

Please note: Specific information and guidance with respect to the “Certification as 

to External Investigations” are provided above, under “Eligibility.” Certifying officials 

must read and review this information and guidance prior to executing the 

certification.

b. External Investigations Attachment

All applicants are to provide the name(s) of the existing “government entity” (or entities) 

that is the subject of the certification (see Appendix 1) that—

A government entity exists and an appropriate process is in place to conduct 

independent external investigations into allegations of serious negligence or 

misconduct substantially affecting the integrity of the forensic results committed by 

employees or contractors of any forensic laboratory system, medical examiner office, 

coroner's office, law enforcement storage facility, or medical facility in the State that 

will receive a portion of the grant amount.

Appendix 2 includes a template for this attachment. Note that funds will not be made 

available to applicant agencies that fail to provide the necessary information.

The five certifications and the external investigations attachment should be 

attached as a separate file with an appropriately descriptive file name.

c. Forensic Laboratory Accreditation Documentation (if applicable)
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Applicants should provide documentation of current accreditation with the application for 

any accredited laboratory (including a subrecipient laboratory) that is to receive funds 

under the 2018 Coverdell award. 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.11

Accreditation document(s) should be attached as a separate file with an 

appropriately descriptive file name.

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 

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.

 

11 Per 34 U.S.C. § 10562(2), such an accrediting body would be “an accrediting body that is a signatory to an 

internationally recognized arrangement and that offers accreditation to forensic science conformity assessment 

bodies using an accreditation standard that is recognized by that internationally recognized arrangement[.]”
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NIJ-2018-13740 

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.”

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 as of 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 
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NIJ-2018-13740 

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). 

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. 
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NIJ-2018-13740 

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. 

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 16.742, titled “Paul 
33

NIJ-2018-13740 

Coverdell Forensic Sciences Improvement Grant Program,” and the funding opportunity 

number is NIJ-2018-13740. 

6. Access Funding Opportunity and Application Package from Grants.gov. Select “Apply 

for Grants” under the “Applicants” 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. 

7. 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 

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 April 30, 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. 
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NIJ-2018-13740 

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. 

 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. Description of the Issue (Understanding of the issue and its importance)—15%

2. Project Design and Implementation (Quality and technical merit)—15% 

a. Soundness of the approach to reduce and/or eliminate a backlog. 

b. Soundness of the approach to improve the quality of forensic services. 

c. Soundness of the approach to train and employ forensic personnel and medicolegal 

death investigators to eliminate a backlog and increase capacity. 

d. Innovation and creativity in the approach to reducing and/or eliminating a backlog 

and increasing capacity. 

e. Feasibility of the proposed project and awareness of pitfalls. 

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

the applicant organization and proposed project staff)—10% 

a. Qualifications and experience of proposed project staff (including any and all 

individuals (and organizations) identified in the application who will be significantly 

involved in substantive aspects of the proposal). 

b. Demonstrated ability of the applicant organization to manage the effort. 
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NIJ-2018-13740 

c. Relationship between the capabilities/competencies of the proposed project staff 

(including the applicant organization) and the scope of the proposed project. 

4. Budget—25%

NOTE: The budget should be complete, cost-effective, and allowable (e.g., reasonable, 

allocable, and necessary for project activities.) Budget narratives should demonstrate 

generally how applicants will maximize cost effectiveness of grant expenditures. Budget 

narratives should demonstrate cost effectiveness in relation to potential alternatives and 

the goals of the project.12

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

b. Use of existing resources to conserve costs. 

c. Cost-effectiveness of proposed activities applicable to backlog reduction and/or 

timeliness of forensic science or medical examiner/coroner’s office services.

d. Cost-effectiveness of proposed activities applicable to improvement in the quality of 

forensic science or medical examiner/coroner’s office services.

e. Cost-effectiveness of education and training as related to quality and/or timeliness of 

forensic science or medical examiner/coroner’s office services.

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

(Relevance to policy and practice)—30% 

a. Improvement in Quality and Timeliness. 

i. Anticipated reduction in backlog. 

ii. Anticipated improvement in quality and timeliness of forensic results. 

iii. Anticipated benefit of education and training to reduce backlog and improve 

timeliness of results. 

iv. Planned steps to achieve accreditation to positively impact quality and/or 

timeliness of forensic results. 

b. Anticipated Impact of Eligible Project Activities. 

i. Personnel: If applicable, anticipated impact of requested personnel resources 

(e.g., overtime) on improvement in quality and/or timeliness of forensic science 

or medical examiner/coroner’s office services. 

 

12 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. 
36

NIJ-2018-13740 

ii. Equipment/Supplies: If applicable, anticipated impact of requested equipment 

and supplies on improvement in quality and/or timeliness of forensic science or 

medical examiner/coroner’s office services.

iii. Computerization: If applicable, anticipated impact of requested computerization 

on improvement in quality and/or timeliness of forensic science or medical 

examiner/coroner’s office services.

iv. Renovation/Construction of Facilities: If applicable, anticipated impact of 

proposed action on improvement in quality and/or timeliness of forensic 

science or medical examiner/coroner’s office services.

c. Demonstrated plan for collection of the performance measure data as described in 

the solicitation. 

6. Other—5%

Discussion of impact on resources and needs based on the average annual number of 

Part I violent crimes reported to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for calendar years 

2014, 2015, and 2016 by the State (and, for applicant units of local government, the 

local data, if available).

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. 
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NIJ-2018-13740 

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 

an “unresolved audit finding” indicating noncompliance with the award terms or conditions of a 
38

NIJ-2018-13740 

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. As mentioned earlier in the solicitation, applications requesting Coverdell funds to 

specifically target the challenges the opioid abuse crisis has brought to the forensic science 

community will be given priority consideration in award decisions over applications that do not 

include such requests. 

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. 
39

NIJ-2018-13740 

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. 

In addition, Coverdell grantees are required to submit a final report that must, among other 

things: (1) include a summary and assessment of the program carried out with FY 2018 grant 

funds, (2) identify the number and type of cases accepted during the FY 2018 award period by 

the forensic laboratory or laboratories that received FY 2018 grant funds, (3) cite the specific 

improvements in the quality and/or timeliness of forensic science and medical 

examiner/coroner’s office services (including any reduction in forensic analysis backlog) that 

occurred as a direct result of the FY 2018 grant award, and (4) detail the progress of any 

unaccredited forensic science service provider that received FY 2018 grant funds toward 

obtaining accreditation. Future awards and fund drawdowns may be withheld if reports are 

delinquent. 

Further, as noted earlier under “Eligibility,” for each fiscal year of an award, recipients will be 

required to report to NIJ on an annual basis—

1) The number and nature of any allegations of serious negligence or misconduct 

substantially affecting the integrity of forensic results; 

2) Information on the referrals of such allegations (e.g., the government entity or entities 

to which referred, the date of referral); 

3) The outcome of such referrals (if known as of the date of the report); and 

4) If any such allegations were not referred, the reason(s) for the non-referral. 

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 
40

NIJ-2018-13740 

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 

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. 

Performance measures are also listed as an appendix. 

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. 
41

NIJ-2018-13740 

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. 

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. 
42

NIJ-2018-13740 

Appendix 1: Templates for Coverdell Statutory Certifications 

(Instructions: Scan signed certifications and submit image files electronically.) 
43

NIJ-2018-13740 

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE 

OFFICE OF JUSTICE PROGRAMS 

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF JUSTICE 

FY 2018 Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement 

Grants Program 

Certification as to Plan for Forensic Science Laboratories—

Application from a State

On behalf of the applicant agency named below, I certify the following to the National Institute of 

Justice, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice: 

The State has developed a plan for forensic science laboratories under a 

program intended to improve the quality and timeliness of forensic science or 

medical examiner services in the State, including such services provided by the 

laboratories operated by the State and those operated by units of local 

government within the State. 

I acknowledge that a false statement in this certification or in the grant application that it 

supports may be the subject of criminal prosecution, including under 18 U.S.C. § 1001 and 34

U.S.C. § 10272. I also acknowledge that Office of Justice Programs grants, including 

certifications provided in connection with such grants, are subject to review by the Office of 

Justice Programs and/or by the Department of Justice’s Office of the Inspector General.

I have authority to make this certification on behalf of the applicant agency (that is, the agency 

applying directly to the National Institute of Justice). 

___________________________________________

Signature of Certifying Official 

___________________________________________

Printed Name of Certifying Official 

___________________________________________

Title of Certifying Official 

___________________________________________

Name of Applicant Agency (Including Name of State) 

____________________

Date 
44

NIJ-2018-13740 

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE 

OFFICE OF JUSTICE PROGRAMS 

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF JUSTICE 

FY 2018 Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement 

Grants Program 

Certification as to Plan for Forensic Science Laboratories—

Application from a Unit of Local Government

On behalf of the applicant agency named below, I certify the following to the National Institute of 

Justice, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice: 

This unit of local government has developed a plan for forensic science 

laboratories under a program intended to improve the quality and timeliness of 

forensic science or medical examiner services provided by the laboratories 

operated by the applicant unit of local government and any other governmentoperated laboratories within the State that will receive a portion of the grant 

amount. 

I acknowledge that a false statement in this certification or in the grant application that it 

supports may be the subject of criminal prosecution, including under 18 U.S.C. § 1001 and 34

U.S.C. § 10272. I also acknowledge that Office of Justice Programs grants, including 

certifications provided in connection with such grants, are subject to review by the Office of 

Justice Programs and/or by the Department of Justice’s Office of the Inspector General.

I have authority to make this certification on behalf of the applicant agency (that is, the agency 

applying directly to the National Institute of Justice). 

___________________________________________

Signature of Certifying Official 

___________________________________________

Printed Name of Certifying Official 

___________________________________________

Title of Certifying Official 

___________________________________________

Name of Applicant Agency 

(Including Name of Unit of Local Government) 

____________________

Date
45

NIJ-2018-13740 

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE 

OFFICE OF JUSTICE PROGRAMS 

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF JUSTICE 

FY 2018 Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement 

Grants Program 

Certification as to Generally Accepted Laboratory 

Practices and Procedures 

On behalf of the applicant agency named below, I certify the following to the National Institute of 

Justice, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice: 

Any forensic science laboratory system, medical examiner's office, or coroner's 

office in the State, including any laboratory operated by a unit of local 

government within the State, that will receive any portion of the grant amount 

uses generally accepted laboratory practices and procedures, established by 

accrediting organizations or appropriate certifying bodies. 

I acknowledge that a false statement in this certification or in the grant application that it 

supports may be the subject of criminal prosecution, including under 18 U.S.C. § 1001 and 34

U.S.C. § 10272. I also acknowledge that Office of Justice Programs grants, including 

certifications provided in connection with such grants, are subject to review by the Office of 

Justice Programs and/or by the Department of Justice’s Office of the Inspector General.

I have authority to make this certification on behalf of the applicant agency (that is, the agency 

applying directly to the National Institute of Justice). 

___________________________________________

Signature of Certifying Official 

___________________________________________

Printed Name of Certifying Official

___________________________________________

Title of Certifying Official 

___________________________________________

Name of Applicant Agency 

(Including Name of State or Unit of Local Government) 

____________________

Date 
46

NIJ-2018-13740 

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

OFFICE OF JUSTICE PROGRAMS 

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF JUSTICE 

FY 2018 Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement 

Grants Program 

Certification as to Forensic Science Laboratory System Accreditation 

On behalf of the applicant agency named below, I certify the following to the National Institute of Justice, 

Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice: 

Before receiving any funds under this grant, any forensic science laboratory system in the 

State, including any laboratory operated by a unit of local government within the State, 

that will receive any portion of the grant amount either 

a) is accredited by an accrediting body that is a signatory to an internationally 

recognized arrangement and that offers accreditation to forensic science conformity 

assessment bodies using an accreditation standard that is recognized by that 

internationally recognized arrangement, or, 

b) is not so accredited, but will (or will be required in a legally binding and enforceable 

writing to) use a portion of the grant amount to prepare and apply for such 

accreditation not more than 2 years after the date on which a grant is awarded under 

the FY 2018 Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants Program. 

I acknowledge that a false statement in this certification or in the grant application that it supports may be 

the subject of criminal prosecution, including under 18 U.S.C. § 1001 and 34 U.S.C. § 10272. I also 

acknowledge that Office of Justice Programs grants, including certifications provided in connection with 

such grants, are subject to review by the Office of Justice Programs and/or by the Department of Justice’s 

Office of the Inspector General. 

I have authority to make this certification on behalf of the applicant agency (that is, the agency applying 

directly to the National Institute of Justice). 

___________________________________________ 

Signature of Certifying Official 

___________________________________________ 

Printed Name of Certifying Official 

___________________________________________ 

Title of Certifying Official 

___________________________________________ 

Name of Applicant Agency 

(Including Name of State or Unit of Local Government) 

____________________ 

Date
47

NIJ-2018-13740 

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE 

OFFICE OF JUSTICE PROGRAMS 

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF JUSTICE 

FY 2018 Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement 

Grants Program 

Certification as to Use of Funds for New Facilities 

On behalf of the applicant agency named below, I certify the following to the National Institute of 

Justice, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice: 

The amount of the grant (if any) used for the costs of any new facility or facilities 

to be constructed as part of a program to improve the quality and timeliness of 

forensic science and medical examiner services will not exceed the limitations 

set forth at 34 U.S.C. § 10564(c) and summarized in the FY 2018 Coverdell 

Forensic Science Improvement Grants Program solicitation. 

I acknowledge that a false statement in this certification or in the grant application that it 

supports may be the subject of criminal prosecution, including under 18 U.S.C. § 1001 and 34

U.S.C. § 10272. I also acknowledge that Office of Justice Programs grants, including 

certifications provided in connection with such grants, are subject to review by the Office of 

Justice Programs and/or by the Department of Justice’s Office of the Inspector General.

I have authority to make this certification on behalf of the applicant agency (that is, the agency 

applying directly to the National Institute of Justice). 

___________________________________________

Signature of Certifying Official 

___________________________________________

Printed Name of Certifying Official 

___________________________________________

Title of Certifying Official 

___________________________________________

Name of Applicant Agency 

(Including Name of State or Unit of Local Government) 

____________________

Date 
48

NIJ-2018-13740 

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE 

OFFICE OF JUSTICE PROGRAMS 

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF JUSTICE 

FY 2018 Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement 

Grants Program 

Certification as to External Investigations 

On behalf of the applicant agency named below, I certify the following to the National Institute of 

Justice, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice: 

A government entity exists and an appropriate process is in place to conduct 

independent external investigations into allegations of serious negligence or 

misconduct substantially affecting the integrity of the forensic results committed 

by employees or contractors of any forensic laboratory system, medical 

examiner's office, coroner's office, law enforcement storage facility, or medical 

facility in the State that will receive a portion of the grant amount. 

I personally read and reviewed the section entitled “Eligibility” in the Fiscal Year 2018 program 

solicitation for the Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants Program. I acknowledge 

that a false statement in this certification or in the grant application that it supports may be the 

subject of criminal prosecution, including under 18 U.S.C. § 1001 and 34 U.S.C. 

§ 10272. I also acknowledge that Office of Justice Programs grants, including certifications 

provided in connection with such grants, are subject to review by the Office of Justice Programs 

and/or by the Department of Justice’s Office of the Inspector General. 

I have authority to make this certification on behalf of the applicant agency (that is, the agency 

applying directly to the National Institute of Justice). 

__________________________________________

Signature of Certifying Official 

__________________________________________

Printed Name of Certifying Official 

__________________________________________

Title of Certifying Official 

__________________________________________

Name of Applicant Agency 

(Including Name of State or Unit of Local Government) 

___________________

Date
49

NIJ-2018-13740 

Appendix 2: Template for “External Investigations” Attachment

(Instructions: Scan the completed document and submit image file electronically through 

Grants.gov.)
50

NIJ-2018-13740 

FY 2018 Coverdell Forensic Science 

Improvement Grants Program 

Attachment: External Investigations 

The “Certification as to External Investigations” that is submitted on behalf of the applicant 

agency as part of this application certifies that—

A government entity exists and an appropriate process is in place to conduct independent 

external investigations into allegations of serious negligence or misconduct substantially 

affecting the integrity of the forensic results committed by employees or contractors of 

any forensic laboratory system, medical examiner's office, coroner's office, law 

enforcement storage facility, or medical facility in the State that will receive a portion of 

the grant amount. 

Prior to receiving funds, the applicant agency (that is, the agency applying directing to the National 

Institute of Justice) must provide—for each forensic laboratory system, medical examiner’s office, 

coroner’s office, law enforcement storage facility, or medical facility that will receive a portion of the grant 

amount—the name of the “government entity” (or entities) that forms the basis for the certification. Please 

use the template below to provide this information. (Applicants may adapt this template if necessary, but 

should ensure that the adapted document provides all required information.)

 

IMPORTANT NOTE: If necessary for accuracy, list more than one entity with respect to each intended 

recipient of a portion of the grant amount. For example, if no single entity has an appropriate process in 

place with respect to allegations of serious negligence as well as serious misconduct, it will be necessary 

to list more than one entity. Similarly, if no single entity has an appropriate process in place with respect 

to allegations concerning contractors as well as employees, it will be necessary to list more than one 

entity. 

Additional guidance regarding the “Certification as to External Investigations” appears in the “Eligibility” 

section of the program for the FY 2018 Coverdell program. 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Name of Applicant Agency (including Name of State or Unit of Local Government): 

______________________________________

Date: _________________________________ 

Name of any forensic laboratory system, medical 

examiner’s office, coroner’s office, law 

enforcement storage facility, or medical facility 

that will receive a portion of the grant amount 

 

Existing government entity (entities) with an 

appropriate process in place to conduct 

independent external investigations 

1. ___________________________

 

2. ___________________________

 

 _____________________________

_____________________________
NIJ-2018-13740 

51

FY 2018 External Investigations Attachment (continued) 

Name of Applicant Agency: _______________________________ 

3. ___________________________ _____________________________

 _____________________________

4. ___________________________ _____________________________

 _____________________________

5. ___________________________ _____________________________

 _____________________________

6. ___________________________ _____________________________

 _____________________________

7. ___________________________ _____________________________

 _____________________________
NIJ-2018-13740 

52

Appendix 3: Frequently Asked Questions 

Frequently Asked Questions for the FY 18 Paul Coverdell Competitive Solicitation 

1. Q: Is one single applicant permitted to submit multiple applications under the 

current Coverdell Competitive Program? 

A: Yes, however only one award will be made to each applicant under the Coverdell 

Competitive Program. That means if you submit multiple applications for different 

projects, you are in effect competing against yourself. (Please note that if an 

applicant submits multiple versions of the same application, OJP will review only the 

most recent system-validated version submitted.) 

2. Q: If an applicant unit of local government gets a Coverdell Competitive Award, 

does that affect the maximum amount the state can apply for under the formula 

grant? 

A: No. If an applicant unit of local government is the entity that receives a competitive 

award that does not impact the maximum amount the state can apply for under this 

funding opportunity.

3. Q: I am a state agency. Do I have to apply through the SAA in order to be 

considered eligible?

A: Yes, all state agencies must apply through the SAA. 

4. Q: Can money be used for training if that training spans two years e.g., October to 

March?

A: No. Coverdell Awards, as directed in the solicitation, are to begin on January 1st. That 

change was made last year and so awards are for one year from January 1st to 

December 31st.

5. Q: Do I have to be accredited in order to apply?

A: Applicants do not have to be currently accredited to apply; however, Coverdell 

awardees must use grant funds to prepare and apply for accreditation of any FY 2018 

Coverdell grant-funded unaccredited forensic laboratory system, including any 

laboratory operated by a unit of local government within the State, not more than two 

(2) years after the FY 2018 Coverdell award date. Medical examiner’s and coroner’s

offices are exempt from this accreditation requirement. The accrediting body must be 

“a signatory to an internationally recognized arrangement” and one that “offers 

accreditation to forensic science conformity assessment bodies using an accreditation 

standard that is recognized by that internationally recognized arrangement[.]”
NIJ-2018-13740 

53

Appendix 4: Performance Measures Table 

Objective Performance Measure(s) Data Recipient Provides

To improve the quality 

and timeliness of 

forensic services and 

to reduce the number 

of backlogged cases in 

forensic laboratories.

Outcome Measure

1.Reduction in the average number 

of days from the submission of a 

sample to a forensic science 

laboratory to the delivery of test 

results to a requesting office or 

agency.

2.Percent reduction in the number 

of backlogged forensic cases.

Output Measure

1.The number of forensic science 

or medical examiner/coroner’s 

office personnel who completed 

appropriate training or 

educational opportunities with FY 

2018 Coverdell funds (if 

applicable to the grant).

1.Average number of days to process a sample 

at the beginning of the grant period.

2.Average number of days to process a sample 

at the end of the grant period.

3.Number of backlogged cases at the beginning 

of the grant period.

4.Number of backlogged cases at the end of the 

grant period.

5.Number of forensic science personnel attending 

training.

6.Number of medical examiner/coroner’s office 

personnel attending training programs.

To increase the 

number of 

agencies/organizations 

that are accredited 

with Coverdell funding.

Percent of 

agencies/organizations that are 

accredited with FY 2018 

Coverdell funding.

Number of agencies/organizations seeking initial 

accreditation with FY 2018 Coverdell funding.

Number of agencies/organizations obtaining initial 

accreditation with FY 2018 Coverdell funding.

Number of agencies/organizations using FY 2018 

Coverdell funding for fees to maintain 

accreditation.

Number of agencies/organizations receiving 

funding.

To increase the 

number of individuals 

certified with Coverdell 

funding.

Percent of certified individuals. Number of analysts.

Number of analysts certified.

Number of analysts seeking certification with FY 

2018 Coverdell funding.
NIJ-2018-13740 

54

Appendix 5: Application Checklist 

Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement 

Grants Program – Competitive

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 32) 

_____ Acquire or renew registration with SAM (see page 32) 

To Register with Grants.gov: 

_____ Acquire AOR and Grants.gov username/password (see page 32) 

_____ Acquire AOR confirmation from the E-Biz POC (see page 32) 

To Find Funding Opportunity:

_____ Search for the Funding Opportunity on Grants.gov (see page 32) 

_____ Access Funding Opportunity and Application Package (see page 33) 

_____ Sign up for Grants.gov email notifications (optional) (see page 31) 

_____ 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 12) 

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 33) 

If No Grants.gov Receipt, and Validation or Error Notifications are Received: 

_____ contact NIJ regarding experiencing technical difficulties 

(see page 33) 

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. 

Eligibility Requirement: Eligible applicants are limited to States (including territories) and units 

of local government. State Administering Agencies (SAAs) apply on behalf of States, including 

any State government entity. Applicant must not have an “unresolved audit finding,” as 

described at 34 U.S.C. § 10263(2). 

What an Application Should Include: 

_____ Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424) (see page 19) 

_____ Intergovernmental Review (see page 19) 

_____ Project Abstract (see page 20) 

_____ Program Narrative (see page 20) 

_____ Budget Detail Worksheet (see page 23) 

_____ Budget Narrative (see page 23) 
NIJ-2018-13740 

55

(Budget should be annotated to delineate opioid-related and non-opioid items) 

_____ Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (if applicable) (see page 26) 

_____ Financial Management and System of Internal Controls Questionnaire (see page 26) 

_____ Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL) (see page 27) 

_____ Additional Attachments 

_____ Coverdell Statutory Certifications (see page 28) 

(The applicant is to submit only one version of the “Certification as to Plan for 

Forensic Science Laboratories. DO NOT submit both versions of this certification. 

Applicant States are to submit the “Application from a State” version only; 

applicant units of local government are to submit the “Application from a Unit of 

Local Government“ version only.)

_____ Certification as to Plan for Forensic Science Laboratories—Application 

from a State OR

_____ Certification as to Plan for Forensic Science Laboratories—Application 

from a Unit of Local Government 

_____ Certification as to Generally Accepted Laboratory Practices and 

Procedures 

_____ Certification as to Forensic Science Laboratory System Accreditation 

_____ Certification as to Use of Funds for New Facilities 

_____ Certification as to External Investigations 

_____ External Investigations Attachment (see page 28) 

_____ Forensic Laboratory Accreditation Documentation (if applicable) (see page 29) 

_____ Applicant Disclosure of Pending Applications (see page 29) 

_____ Request and Justification for Employee Compensation; Waiver (if applicable) 

(see page 11) 

_____ NIJ Programmatic Coversheet and Checklist (see solicitation cover page)