Nov 03

U.S. Department of Justice

Office of Justice Programs

National Institute of Justice

Solicitation

Electronic Crime

Research and Development,

Fiscal Year 2004

Call for White Papers

Notice:

You must submit your application using the Office of Justice Programs’

automated Grants Management System. Paper applications will not be

accepted. We suggest you begin the process as soon as possible. To start

the process, go to http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/fundopps.htm.

Deadline:

January 13, 2004 

SL 000641
U.S. Department of Justice

Office of Justice Programs

810 Seventh Street N.W.

Washington, DC 20531

John Ashcroft

Attorney General

Deborah J. Daniels

Assistant Attorney General

Sarah V. Hart

Director, National Institute of Justice

This and other publications and products of 

the National Institute of Justice can be found

on the World Wide Web at:

Office of Justice Programs

National Institute of Justice

http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij
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Electronic Crime Research and

Development, Fiscal Year 2004: Call for

White Papers

I. Introduction

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

the U.S. Department of Justice and a component of the Office of Justice Programs. The Institute

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

administration of justice and public safety. The Institute solicits proposals to inform its search for

the knowledge and tools to guide policy and practice. 

With this solicitation, NIJ seeks white papers that propose research, development, or

demonstration projects that address problems relevant to the criminal justice system in the area

of electronic crime. NIJ defines electronic crime as any type of crime involving digital technology,

including computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), external drives, cell phones, digital

cameras, etc.

White paper proposals will be accepted in three categories:

• Crime scene tools and technologies.

• Investigative tools and technologies.

• Digital evidence analysis tools and technologies.

See section “II. Proposal Topics” for more details.

Due date: The due date is listed on the cover of this announcement and on the NIJ Web site at

http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/funding.htm. Extensions to the deadline are generally not granted. 

Page limit: The white paper proposal must not exceed 6 double-spaced pages in 12-point font

with 1-inch margins. The 6-page limit includes all pictures, figures, tables, and charts. 

Reasons for rejection: NIJ may reject applications that are incomplete, do not respond to the

scope of the solicitation, do not comply with format requirements, or are submitted after the

deadline. No additions to the original submission are allowed. 
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How to submit proposals to NIJ: Complete details about how to apply for funding are in “NIJ

Guidelines for Submitting Applications,” available on the NIJ Web site at

http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/funding.htm.

II. Proposal Topics

NIJ is looking specifically for projects resulting in (1) tools or technologies or (2) test beds for

new tools or technologies. NIJ encourages applicants to suggest projects that build upon

existing technologies or develop new and innovative solutions. Proof-of-concept projects are

also welcome, particularly if there is an expectation that the product developed as a result of the

concept could rapidly be made available to the field.

A. Topics to be considered

NIJ is seeking white papers that fall into one of the following three categories:

• Crime scene tools and technologies to help first responders at crime scenes involving

electronic crime. This may include tools and methodologies for onsite handling of

computers and volatile memory devices, such as PDAs or cell phones. 

• Investigative tools and technologies to aid in the investigation of electronic crimes

beyond the immediate crime scene. Some tools or techniques may be usable at the

crime scene and as part of an investigation.

• Digital evidence analysis tools and technologies to analyze digital evidence

recovered from a crime scene.

B. Useable tools and technologies

Tools designed for use at the crime scene or as part of an investigation should be designed

to be used by nonexperts, unless the tool provides a significant advance in current crime

scene capabilities, and should take into consideration the rapid changes in technology.

Proposals that may enhance the ability of agencies to meet this changing environment are

also desired. Any proposed tool or technique should be able to function in the physical

environment in which the crime occurs and (where appropriate) be compatible with existing

hardware and software platforms. Nonproprietary solutions are strongly encouraged. 

Your proposal should show an appreciation for and general familiarity with the current body

of knowledge and issues relevant to the practitioners who will be using the tools and

technologies. To avoid duplication of effort, applicants are encouraged to view information

about previous and ongoing NIJ-funded projects in electronic crime on the NIJ Web site

(http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/sciencetech/ecrime.htm).
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NIJ strongly encourages you to seek guidance from or to partner with other researchers or

developers working in the area of electronic crime. 

C. Guidance for submitting white papers

Under this solicitation, NIJ is asking that you propose a project by submitting a 6-page white

paper that captures the essence of a full proposal. “NIJ Guidelines for Submitting

Applications” and the Office of Justice Programs’ Grants Management System (GMS)

handbook describe the process for submitting applications for full proposals, not white

papers. (The main difference between a white paper and a proposal is that white papers are

much shorter than full proposals and do not contain detailed budgets.)

Your white paper should state the problem under investigation (including goals and

objectives of the proposed project) and the relevance of the project to public policy, practice,

or theory. While the white paper should not include a detailed budget or management plan, it

should include an estimate of the funding required, summarized by task, and a general

timeframe for completion of those tasks and the project as a whole.

` Review process. Peer reviewers will evaluate each white paper and based on their

recommendations, NIJ staff will invite authors of selected white papers to submit full

applications. It is suggested that you use section “III. General Requirements and

Guidance” as a framework for your white paper because it will be the framework for your

full proposal if you are invited to submit one.

` Using GMS for white papers. GMS does not consider an application complete until

three files are uploaded: (1) Program Narrative, (2) Budget Detail Worksheet and

Narrative, and (3) Other Program Attachments. Upload your white paper into the

“Program Narrative” box. White papers do not have Budget Detail Worksheets and

Narratives and do not have Other Program Attachments. Hence, you should upload

blank files into those boxes in GMS. 

III. General Requirements and Guidance

This section describes the main requirements for submitting your proposal. Complete

instructions are in “NIJ Guidelines for Submitting Applications,” available on the NIJ Web site at

http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/funding.htm.

A. Submit applications online: Paper applications are not accepted. Applications must be

submitted through the Office of Justice Programs’ online Grants Management System. NIJ

suggests you begin the process early, especially if this is the first time you have used the

system. To begin, go to http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/fundopps.htm.
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B. Relevance of the project for policy and practice: Higher quality proposals clearly explain

the practical implications of the project. They connect technical expertise with policy and

practice. To ensure that the project has strong relevance for policy and practice, some

researchers and technologists collaborate with practitioners and policymakers. You may

include letters showing support from practitioners, but they carry less weight than clear

evidence that you understand why policymakers and practitioners would benefit from your

work and how they would use it. While a partnership may affect State or local activities, it

should also have broader implications for others across the country.

C. Equal opportunity for all applicants: It is OJP policy that faith-based and community

organizations that statutorily qualify as eligible applicants under OJP programs are invited

and encouraged to apply for awards. Faith-based and community organizations will be

considered for an award on the same basis as any other eligible applicants and, if they

receive awards, will be treated on an equal basis with non faith-based and community

organization grantees in the administration of such awards. No eligible applicant or grantee

will be discriminated against on the basis of its religious character or affiliation, religious

name, or the religious composition of its board of directors or persons working in the

organization.

D. Cofunding is not required: You are not required to combine NIJ funds with other funds (for

example, you do not need matching funds), but if you intend to use multiple funding sources

to support your proposed effort, the budget you submit must show the other funds. 

E. Number of grants to be awarded: NIJ’s grant award process is highly competitive. The

number of awards to be made depends on the availability of funds and the number and

quality of applications received. 

F. When awards will be made: The review and approval process for white papers will take

about 6 weeks. Therefore, you should not expect to be invited to submit a full application

before that time. The review and approval process for full applications takes about 6

months. You should not propose to begin work until at least 6 months after the deadline on

the cover of this solicitation. Also, you should not expect to receive notification of a decision

for at least 6 months after that date. Lists of awards are updated regularly on NIJ’s Web site

at http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/funding.htm.

G. Financial audits are required: If your organization spends $500,000 or more of Federal

funds during the fiscal year, you may be asked to submit an organization-wide financial and

compliance audit report before any award is made. The audit must be performed in

accordance with the U.S. General Accounting Office Government Accounting Standards and

must conform to Chapter 19 of the Office of Justice Programs’ Financial Guide (available at

http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/FinGuide). You may include the costs of complying with these
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audits in the proposed budget submitted as part of your application. Detailed information

regarding the independent audit is available in Office of Management and Budget Circular A133 (available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/circulars).

H. An environmental assessment may be required: All award recipients must comply with

the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). To ensure NEPA compliance, NIJ may

require some award recipients to submit additional information. 

I. A DUNS number is required: The Office of Management and Budget requires that all

businesses and nonprofit applicants for Federal funds include a DUNS (Data Universal

Numeric System) number in their application for a new award or renewal of an award.

Applications without a DUNS number are incomplete. A DUNS number is a unique nine-digit

sequence recognized as the universal standard for identifying and keeping track of entities

receiving Federal funds. The identifier is used for tracking purposes and to validate address

and point of contact information. NIJ will use the DUNS number throughout the grant life

cycle. Obtaining a DUNS number is a free, one-time activity. Obtain one by calling

1–866–705–5711 or by applying online at http://www.dunandbradstreet.com. Individuals are

exempt from this requirement.

J. Funds cannot be used to lobby: Under the Anti-Lobbying Act (18 U.S.C. § 1913), grantees

generally may not use funds to support the enactment, repeal, or modification of any law,

regulation, or policy at any level of government. For the complete rules and regulations, see

“NIJ Guidelines for Submitting Applications” at http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/funding.htm and

OJP’s Financial Guide at http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/FinGuide.

K. What will not be funded:

1. Provision of training or direct service.

2. Proposals primarily to purchase equipment, materials, or supplies. (Your budget may

include these items if they are necessary to conduct applied research, development,

demonstration, evaluation, or analysis, but NIJ does not fund proposals that are primarily

to purchase equipment.)

3. Basic or pure research.

4. Proposals that do not describe suitable treatment of the technology, such as how the

research will be applied, or how the technology will be developed, analyzed, evaluated,

or demonstrated.
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L. Call for assistance:

1. For technical guidance about using the Grants Management System, call the hotline at

1–888–549–9901. 

2. For questions about this solicitation, the research being solicited, or other NIJ funding

opportunities, contact the U.S. Department of Justice Response Center at

1–800–421–6770. 

IV. Selection Criteria

NIJ is firmly committed to the competitive process in awarding grants. All proposals are

subjected to an independent peer-review panel evaluation. External peer-review panelists

consider both technical and programmatic merits. Panelists are selected based on their

expertise in subject areas pertinent to the proposals. 

Peer-review panelists evaluate each proposal and give their assessments to NIJ. NIJ staff then

recommend to the NIJ Director which proposals are most worthy of an award. The Director

makes final award decisions. 

Successful applicants must demonstrate the following:

A. Understanding of the problem and its importance.

B. Quality and technical merit.

1. Awareness of the state of current research or technology. 

2. Soundness of methodology and analytic and technical approach.

3. Feasibility of proposed project and awareness of pitfalls. 

4. Innovation and creativity (when appropriate).

C. Impact of the proposed project.

1. Potential for significant advances in scientific or technical understanding of the problem. 

2. Potential for significant advances in the field.

3. Relevance for improving the policy and practice of criminal justice and related agencies

and improving public safety, security, and quality of life. 
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4. Affordability and cost effectiveness of proposed end products, when applicable (e.g.,

purchase price and maintenance costs for a new technology or cost of training to use

the technology).

5. Perceived potential for commercialization and/or implementation of a new technology

(when applicable).

D. Capabilities, demonstrated productivity, and experience of applicants.

1. Qualifications and experience of proposed staff.

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

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

and resources are used. 

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

E. Budget. 

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

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

3. Use of existing resources to conserve costs.

F. Dissemination strategy.

1. Well-defined plan for the grant recipient to disseminate results to appropriate audiences,

including researchers, practitioners, and policymakers. 

2. Suggestions for print and electronic products NIJ might develop for practitioners and

policymakers.

V. Requirements for Successful Applicants 

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

follows: 

A. Final report: The final report should be a comprehensive overview of the project and should

include a detailed description of the project design, data, and methods; a full presentation of

scientific findings; and a thorough discussion of the implications of the project findings for

criminal justice practice and policy. It must contain an abstract of no more than 400 words

and an executive summary of no more than 2,500 words. 
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A draft of the final report, abstract, and executive summary must be submitted 90 days

before the end date of the grant. The draft report will be peer reviewed upon submission.

The reviews will be forwarded to the principal investigator with suggestions for revisions.

The principal investigator must then submit the revised final report, abstract, and executive

summary by the end date of the grant. The abstract, executive summary, and final report

must be submitted in both paper and electronic formats.

For evaluation studies, the report should include a section on measuring program

performance. This section should outline the measures used to evaluate program

effectiveness, modifications made to those measures as a result of the evaluation, and

recommendations regarding these and other potential performance measures for similar

programs. (This information will be particularly valuable to NIJ and other Federal program

agencies in implementing performance measures for federally funded criminal justice

programs.) 

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

reports, and a final progress report. Future awards and fund drawdowns may be withheld if

reports are delinquent. Post-award reporting requirements are described in “NIJ Guidelines

for Submitting Applications,” available at http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/funding.htm.

C. Documents that protect the confidentiality of information and human subjects: Federal

regulations require applicants for NIJ funding to outline specific procedures for protecting

private information about individuals as part of the Privacy Certificate submitted with the

application package. For complete details, see “NIJ Guidelines for Submitting Applications,”

available at http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/funding.htm.

D. Electronic data: Some grant recipients will be required to submit electronic data and

supporting documentation, such as a codebook or dictionary, capable of being re-analyzed

and used by other researchers. The materials must be submitted by the end date of the

grant. Grant applicants should ensure that the proposed timeline and budget accommodate

these requirements.

E. Performance guidelines: NIJ collects data to comply with the Government Performance

and Results Act (GPRA), Public Law 103-62. Generally, these data are contained in a

grantee’s final report (discussed in Section V of this solicitation), but NIJ may request

additional information to facilitate future planning and to ensure accurate reporting to

Congress and others on the measurable results of grants. For complete details, see “NIJ

Guidelines for Submitting Applications,” available at http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/funding.htm.
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View or print a copy of this document from the NIJ Web site

(http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/funding.htm) or request one by calling NCJRS at 1–800–851–3420

or e-mailing askncjrs@ncjrs.org.

Tips for Submitting Your Application

1. Begin the application process early—especially if you have never used the online

Grants Management System before. NIJ will not accept applications received after

the closing date and time listed on the cover. To start the process, go to—

http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/fundopps.htm.

2. Review “NIJ Guidelines for Submitting Applications” for complete instructions,

available at http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/funding.htm.

3. Although your proposal may budget for the purchase of equipment if the equipment

is necessary to conduct the project, NIJ will not fund applications that are primarily to

purchase equipment, materials, or supplies. 

4. Call for help:

` For technical guidance about the Grants Management System, call the hotline at

1–888–549–9901.

` For questions about this solicitation, the research being solicited, or other NIJ

funding opportunities, contact the U.S. Department of Justice Response Center

at 1–800–421–6770. 
The National Institute of Justice is the

research, development, and evaluation

agency of the U.S. Department of Justice.

NIJ provides objective, independent,

 evidence-based knowledge and tools

to enhance the administration

of justice and public safety.

NIJ is a component of the Office of Justice

Programs, which also includes the Bureau of

Justice Assistance, the Bureau of Justice Statistics,

the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency

Prevention, and the Office for Victims of Crime.