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

Office of Justice Programs 

National Institute of Justice 

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

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

National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center System’s National Center. This 

program furthers the Department’s mission by providing objective, independent, evidence-based 

knowledge and tools to meet the challenges of crime and justice, particularly at the State and 

local levels. 

Solicitation: 

National Law Enforcement and Corrections 

Technology Center System—National Center 

Eligibility 

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

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

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

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

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

foreign institutions of higher education are not eligible to apply. 

Deadline 

Registration with Grants.gov is required prior to application submission. 

(See “How to Apply,” page 14.) 

All applications are due by 11:59 p.m. eastern time on May 24, 2010. 

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

Contact Information 

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

Hotline at 1–800–518–4726 or via e-mail to support@grants.gov.

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

For assistance with any other requirement of this solicitation, contact Michael O'Shea, Program 

Manager, Operational Technologies Division, at (202) 305-7954 or by email to 

Michael.O'Shea@usdoj.gov. 

Grants.Gov number assigned to announcement: NIJ–2010–2412 

SL# 000917 
CONTENTS 

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

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

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

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

Performance Measures ................................................................................................... 13 

How to Apply ................................................................................................................... 14 

What an Application Must Include ................................................................................... 16 

Standard Form 424 ............................................................................................. 16 

Program Narrative ............................................................................................... 17 

Budget Detail Worksheet and Budget Narrative ................................................. 17 

Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (if applicable) ...................................................... 18 

Plan for Collecting the Data Required for Performance Measures ..................... 18 

Tribal Authorizing Resolution (if applicable) ........................................................ 18 

Other Standard Forms ........................................................................................ 19 

Selection Criteria ............................................................................................................. 19 

Review Process .............................................................................................................. 20 

Additional Requirements ................................................................................................. 21 

Application Checklist ....................................................................................................... 23 

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National Law Enforcement and Corrections 

Technology Center System—National Center 

CFDA No. 16.560 

Overview 

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

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

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

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

knowledge and tools to guide policy and practice. 

NIJ seeks qualified applicants to operate the National Law Enforcement and Corrections 

Technology Center System’s (“the NLECTC System”) National Center (“the National Center”). 

The National Center has two principal functions. These are to: (1) serve as the NLECTC 

System’s information clearinghouse; and (2) to support NIJ’s performance standards and 

compliance-testing programs. Among its other functions, it also serves as the administrative hub 

of the NLECTC System. 

The National Center is currently operated by Lockheed Martin IS&GS-Civil in Rockville, 

Maryland. 

Authorizing Legislation: Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (sections 201 

and 202); Homeland Security Act of 2002 (section 232). 

Deadlines: Registration and Application 

Registration is required prior to submission. OJP strongly encourages registering with 

Grants.gov several weeks before the deadline for application submission. The deadline for 

applying for funding under this announcement 11:59 p.m. eastern time on May 24, 2010.

Please see the “How to Apply” section, page 14, for more details. 

Eligibility 

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

Specific Information—National Law Enforcement and 

Corrections Technology Center System—National Center

NIJ’s Science and Technology (S&T) program sponsors research, development, test, and 

evaluation (RDT&E) efforts to improve the safety and effectiveness of the tools that criminal 

justice agencies use. This includes tools used for investigative and forensic purposes, tools 

used for law enforcement and corrections applications, as well as tools to support the judicial 

process. Although Federal agencies are part of its constituency, NIJ’s primary focus is on the 

needs of State and local agencies. 

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The NLECTC System is an integral part of NIJ's S&T program. It provides vital support to the 

NIJ RDT&E process as well as technology assistance to the field. 

The NLECTC System has four missions. These are: 

• To support NIJ’s research and development projects. 

• To support the transfer and implementation of technology into practice by criminal 

justice agencies. 

• To assist in the development and dissemination of guidelines and equipment 

performance standards. 

• To provide technology assistance, information, and support to criminal justice agencies. 

The NLECTC System consists of one office and three different kinds of centers. Each has a role 

to play in accomplishing the NLECTC System’s missions. 

The NLECTC System’s office is the Office of Law Enforcement Standards (OLES) at the 

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Though a component of the Department 

of Commerce, OLES is an integral part of the NLECTC System. It supports NIJ in developing 

performance standards for criminal justice equipment. It also supports the NIJ equipment 

compliance-testing program. 

The NLECTC System has three kinds of centers. In addition to the National Center, there are 

also three regional centers and five technology centers of excellence (COEs). All of the 

NLECTC System’s centers are operated through competitively awarded cooperative 

agreements with NIJ. The three regional centers are: 

• A center focused on small, rural, tribal and border criminal justice agencies. 

• A center focused on criminal justice agencies in major cities and counties, and State 

agencies. 

• A center focused on criminal justice agencies in Alaska. 

The regional centers have four major tasks: 

• They are the initial point of entry for criminal justice agencies to access the resources of 

the NLECTC System. 

• They provide limited technology assistance to agencies related to technology that is 

well-established in practice. 

• They provide outreach to agencies. As part of their outreach activities, they represent 

the NLECTC System at conferences and events. 

• They work with the NLECTC System’s COEs to coordinate the demonstration and 

operational evaluation of new technology. 

The COEs serve as the authoritative resource within the NLECTC System for their technology 

area(s) of focus. Their primary role is to assist in the transition of criminal justice technology 

from the laboratory into practice by first adopters. They do this chiefly through their test, 

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evaluation, and demonstration activities. In support of this role, they provide technology 

assistance to first adopters of new technology. 

The National Center

The National Center has two principal missions. The first is to inform the criminal justice 

community on relevant technology and related matters of interest. The second is to support 

NIJ’s standards and compliance-testing efforts to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the 

equipment being used by criminal justice agencies today. Additionally, the National Center 

provides technology assistance to criminal justice agencies, supports NIJ’s RDT&E activities, 

and serves as the hub of the NLECTC System. 

The specific aspects of the National Center’s mission are: 

Information Clearinghouse: 

In collaboration with NIJ and the other components of the NLECTC System, the National Center 

develops, produces, and disseminates both electronic (to include video) and print media 

products to inform the criminal justice community regarding relevant technology and related 

matters of interest. Products include (but are not limited to): educational bulletins, equipment 

performance standards and selection and application guides, administrative guides, catalogs, 

consumer product lists, news summaries, and meeting and conference reports. Products also 

include the results of equipment compliance testing and evaluations. These products can result 

from NIJ’s efforts or the activities of other agencies and organizations, both domestic and 

foreign. 

Web accessibility is still a challenge for some criminal justice agencies. The National Center 

maintains a facility to receive, store, and ship non-Web accessible informational products. The 

quantity of a particular informational product will vary from a few hundred to a few thousand. 

The National Center hosts the Justice Information Network (www.JUSTNET.org) and publishes 

the quarterly criminal justice technology news magazine Techbeat. JUSTNET currently offers 

information on: 

• New laws and best practices impacting criminal justice use of technology. 

• Technology assistance resources for criminal justice agencies. 

• Funding assistance for criminal justice agencies to procure new technology. 

• Relevant conferences and other events. 

• The latest criminal justice performance standards and guides. 

• Technology RDT&E projects for criminal justice application. 

• Performance of criminal justice tools and technologies, including the Body Armor 

Compliant Product List. 

The National Center currently uses electronic mailing lists to disseminate information to the 

criminal justice community. The public list, JUSTNET News, regularly posts biweekly news 

summaries, publication announcements, and upcoming events for subscribers. 

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The National Center will continue to host the Justice Information Network and publish Techbeat. 

NIJ is, however, interested in receiving applications proposing innovative approaches that will 

increase the relevance of the information that they provide and the number of practitioners that 

they inform. 

The National Center also currently hosts two annual technology institutes: one for corrections 

practitioners and the other for law enforcement practitioners. Approximately 30 mid-level 

practitioners are selected from across the United States each year to participate in each 

institute. These institutes are held in the Washington, DC area and last five days, exclusive of 

travel time. They involve briefings from NIJ and other Federal agencies as well as researchers 

on relevant technology subjects. They also involve presentations from participants on their 

agencies’ technology challenges and solutions. 

The National Center will be responsible for: 

• Scheduling the institutes. 

• Developing their agendas. 

• Selecting their participants. 

• Securing a venue and required logistic services, including audiovisual support. 

• Paying the travel and per diem expenses (using U.S. General Services Administration 

(GSA) established rates), but not the salaries, of the non-Federal participants. 

• Moderating the institutes. 

• Recording and publishing the proceedings. 

Standards and Voluntary Compliance-Testing: 

Standards-based testing involves the testing of products to confirm that they comply with the 

relevant NIJ performance standard. The testing is conducted at NIJ-approved independent 

testing laboratories. This type of testing is currently being performed on ballistic- and stabresistant body armor, metal handcuffs, and semiautomatic pistols. 

The National Center’s activities in regard to standards-based testing involve standards 

development, compliance testing, conformity assessment, and testing accreditation. 

Standards Development. The National Center’s activities in regard to developing standards 

involve prioritizing which standards to develop, coordinating public comment on draft standards, 

and developing standards. 

The National Center will assist the NIJ standards program manager in prioritizing the 

development of standards. This activity will be informed by the recommendations of the Law 

Enforcement and Corrections Technology Advisory Council (LECTAC), which will be 

administered by the National Center as described on page 11. 

The National Center will also support the NIJ standards program manager in coordinating public 

comments on draft solicitations. It will Web-host draft standards during the public comment 

period. It will also coordinate, disseminate, archive, publish, catalogue, and index the public 

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comments that are received. NIJ, in coordination with the National Center, will publish required 

notifications in the Federal Register. 

Once published, a standard will be one of the National Center’s informational products. 

Applicants should plan to support coordinating public comment on four draft standards. 

The National Center can expect to be called on from time to time to administer one of the 

special technical committees (STCs) that develops standards for NIJ. STCs are usually 

administered by one of the NLECTC System’s COEs. If called on to administer an STC, the 

National Center will be involved in both facilitating STC meetings and assisting an STC in 

writing the standard. 

STCs are comprised of 20 to 25 experienced criminal justice practitioners, scientists, test 

laboratory personnel, and conformity assessment experts that have expertise relevant to a 

particular standard development effort. STCs are established on an ad hoc basis for 

approximately 14 to 24 months to draft a standard. Meeting location will vary, although locations 

in the Washington, DC area are preferred. 

If called upon to administer an STC, the National Center can plan to support one meeting a 

month for the 14 to 24 months required to draft the standard. STC meetings normally last two 

days not inclusive of travel time. 

In supporting an STC, the National Center will, in close coordination with the relevant NIJ 

program manager: 

• Schedule meetings. 

• Secure venues for those meetings and required logistic services, including audiovisual 

support. 

• Pay the travel and per diem expenses (using GSA-established rates), but not the 

salaries, of the non-Federal participants. 

• Moderate the meetings. 

• Record the proceedings of the meetings. 

• Provide writer/editor support to the STC to draft the standard, including revisions arising 

from public comment. 

At three of the STC meetings during the development of a performance standard, the National 

Center can expect to host an additional 15 attendees who comprise the Advisory Working 

Group (AWG). The AWG reviews the standard development efforts of the STC. The AWG 

normally will meet only for one of the two days that the STC is in session. 

If called on to administer an STC, the National Center will also host one or two one-day 

vendor/manufacturer workshops. In support of these workshops, the National Center will: 

• Publish public notice of the workshop in relevant media (NIJ will also publish notice in 

the Federal Register). 

• Schedule the workshop. 

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• Secure a venue and required logistic services, including audiovisual support. 

• Pay the travel and per diem expenses (using GSA-established rates), but not the 

salaries, of up to five of the non-Federal members of the STC to participate in the 

workshop. 

• Moderate the workshop and record and post the proceedings. 

Applicants should plan to support at least one complete standards development effort to include 

hosting one vendor/manufacturer workshop. 

Compliance Testing. In coordination with the NIJ Standards program manager, the National 

Center implements and administers compliance testing procedures for each product involved in 

standards-based testing. These procedures will be in accordance with the International 

Organization for Standardization (ISO)/International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) guide 

65 standards. In support of this activity, the National Center will: 

• Receive and secure product test samples. 

• Select NIJ-approved laboratories to test the samples. 

• Maintain a publicly accessible list of compliant products. 

• Maintain tested samples and related documents in a secure archive. 

• Consider and process requests for approval of modifications in listed product models. 

• Document the technical basis for granting or not granting compliance status through the 

evaluation of product models tested. 

• Notify product manufacturers of the results of the compliance testing of their product 

models. 

• Document requirements, directives, and interpretations of NIJ standards. 

• Communicate notice of any changes in compliance testing requirements. 

Currently, the National Center stores approximately 15,000 individual product samples. 

Conformity Assessment. Implementation of conformity assessment procedures to 

complement compliance testing is a new initiative for NIJ. NIJ is currently in the process of 

implementing conformity assessment procedures for the first time for bullet-resistant body 

armor, originally tested under NIJ’s Voluntary Compliance Testing Program. 

Conformity assessment involves testing new production samples of models previously found to 

be compliant to assess their continued compliance. This will involve unannounced visits to 

manufacturing facilities to select new production samples for testing. 

While its role in administering a conformity assessment program has not been fully defined, it is 

expected that the National Center will develop, implement, and oversee conformity assessment 

procedures for all tested products. 

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In support of this activity, it is proposed that the National Center will: 

• Select NIJ-approved inspection bodies to visit manufacturing facilities to select 

production samples of listed product models for follow-up testing. 

• Select NIJ-approved testing laboratories for conformity assessment follow-up testing. 

• Maintain a publicly accessible list of approved inspection bodies. 

• Update the publicly accessible list of compliant products as required. 

• Maintain tested product samples and documents in a secure archive. 

• Document the technical basis for removing a product model’s compliance status through 

the evaluation of product models tested and evaluated. 

• Notify product manufacturers of the results of the testing of their product models. 

• Ensure that participating manufacturers pay to testing laboratories all fees for conformity 

assessment follow-up. 

Testing Quality Management. Implementing a formal accreditation program for testing 

laboratories, to complement compliance testing and conformity assessment, is also a new 

initiative for NIJ. NIJ is currently in the process of implementing an accreditation program for its 

first product that has been tested under its Voluntary Compliance Testing Program—bulletresistant body armor. Five laboratories have been accredited to date. 

Accreditation for body armor testing laboratories is being conducted through the National 

Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP), which is administered by NIST. Other 

accreditation bodies’ programs may be added at a future date. 

Again, while its role in administering this program has not been fully defined, it is expected that 

the National Center will develop, implement, and oversee this program for all tested products. 

In support of this activity, the National Center will be expected to: 

• Assist in identifying appropriate accreditation programs and coordinating the inclusion of 

NIJ products into such programs as needed. 

• Document testing laboratories’ accreditation. 

• Carry out a complementary certification program. 

• Maintain a publicly accessible list of NIJ-approved testing laboratories. 

Comparative Evaluation. Comparative evaluation involves testing products against each other 

rather than against a performance standard. Testing of this type is now being performed on: 

• Patrol vehicles. 

• Patrol vehicle tires. 

• Replacement brake pads. 

• Cut-, puncture-, and pathogen-resistant protective gloves. 

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The majority of the National Center’s efforts in this regard currently involve evaluations 

performed by contractors. Results of these evaluations are posted to JUSTNET in the form of 

bulletins and reports. Most of these evaluations are conducted at regular intervals. Applicants 

should plan to update the police vehicle, tire, and brake pad comparative evaluations in their 

proposals. 

NIJ will consider applications that propose to conduct comparative evaluations either through 

contracts, in-house, or through a combination of both approaches. 

In support of this activity, it is projected that the National Center will: 

• Provide appropriate administration of the program. 

• In coordination with the NIJ Standards program manager, and informed by the LECTAC, 

identify and prioritize products suitable for comparative evaluation. 

• Verify the accuracy of existing comparative evaluations that address those priorities and 

publish their results, or conduct evaluations to meet those priorities and publish the 

results. 

Other Activities: 

The Center will also provide the following:

Serve as the Hub of the NLECTC System. The National Center accomplishes this mission 

principally through Web-hosting collaborative forums for the NLECTC System’s planning 

functions and data collection activities. These forums enable the NLECTC System and NIJ staff 

to share documents, view upcoming events, and conduct collaborative planning activities. They 

also provide a collaborative environment in which the technology working groups associated 

with each of NIJ’s technology investment portfolios as well as LECTAC can interact with each 

other and with NLECTC System and NIJ staff. The National Center also hosts a web-based 

contact management system used by the NLECTC System to record requests for assistance, to 

coordinate responses to those requests, and to collect NLECTC System performance statistics. 

NIJ is willing to consider applications proposing innovative alternative approaches to managing 

this collaboration in a virtual work environment. 

 

Technology Assistance and Outreach. The National Center’s principal means of providing 

technology assistance is through referrals to resources. Currently, it collects requests for 

assistance through a toll-free information hotline, through e-mail, and through links and content 

posted on JUSTNET. Each request is researched and then referred to appropriate resources for 

resolution. In the case of requests requiring specialized technology expertise, or requests from 

first adopters, the COEs are expected to be the first line of referral. 

 

While NIJ expects that the National Center’s principal means of providing technology assistance 

will continue to be through referring requests for assistance to suitable resources, NIJ is willing 

to consider applications proposing innovative alternative approaches. Successful applicants will 

demonstrate ready access to entities with the knowledge and potential technology solutions to 

make effective referral recommendations. 

Identifying Technology Needs. The National Center accomplishes this mission through 

support of two technology working groups (TWGs) and the LECTAC. 

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The National Center will host the existing TWG associated with NIJ’s body armor technology 

investment portfolio and a new standards and testing TWG. 

TWGs typically consist of 20 expert practitioners with expertise in the operational employment of 

the technology addressed in a particular portfolio. They assist NIJ in identifying technology gaps 

regarding operational requirements and desired outcomes. They also assist NIJ in reviewing 

ongoing technology projects and potential new projects. TWGs facilitate outreach and assist in 

facilitating technology demonstrations and evaluations. 

TWGs normally meet twice a year. A three-day meeting, exclusive of travel time, is 

representative. Venues will vary, but sites in the Washington, DC area are preferred. 

In supporting these TWGs, the National Center will, in close coordination with the relevant NIJ 

program manager: 

• Identify the key agencies, professional organizations, and individual practitioners that 

should participate in a particular TWG. 

• Schedule TWG meetings. 

• Develop meeting agendas. 

• Secure a venue and required logistic services, including audiovisual support. 

• Pay the travel and per diem expenses (using GSA-established rates), but not the 

salaries, of the non-Federal participants. 

• Moderate the meetings. 

• Record and publish the proceedings. 

 

The National Center hosts and provides administrative, publication, and logistics support to the 

LECTAC. The LECTAC is comprised of 40 senior level practitioners drawn from law 

enforcement, corrections, forensic science, and criminal justice professional associations. The 

members of LECTAC have subject matter expertise in their respective disciplines and provide 

an executive-level review of the issues presented to them. The LECTAC assists NIJ in 

prioritization of criminal justice technology needs across technology investment portfolios. The 

LECTAC provides NIJ an annual assessment of its view of the high-priority technology needs of 

the criminal justice community, based on its review of the work of the TWGs and its own 

expertise. The LECTAC also advises NIJ on prioritization of its standards development and 

testing activities, provides technical assistance to manufacturers and criminal justice 

practitioners in the adoption of technology, reviews and comments on draft publications, and 

participates in ad hoc committees to provide advice on technical and policy issues. 

Applicants should plan for two LECTAC meetings a year that will be held in the Washington, DC 

area. A three-day meeting, exclusive of travel time, is representative. 

In supporting the LECTAC, the National Center will, in close coordination with the relevant NIJ 

program manager: 

• Identify the key agencies, professional organizations, and individual practitioners that 

should participate in a particular TWG. 

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• Schedule TWG meetings (at least one of the two meetings should be scheduled in 

conjunction with the annual NIJ conference). 

• Develop meeting agendas. 

• Secure a venue and required logistic services, including audiovisual support. 

• Pay the travel and per diem expenses (using GSA-established rates), but not the 

salaries, of the non-Federal participants. 

• Moderate the meetings. 

• Record and publish the proceedings. 

Development of Equipment Guides. Though equipment guides are normally developed by the 

relevant COE, the National Center will be called on periodically to work with the COEs and the 

NIJ program manager to develop comprehensive guides for criminal justice practitioners that 

describe how to plan for, select, and implement technology in practice. 

Additional Information Concerning the National Center 

The National Center must have personnel with diverse skills to accomplish its mission. These 

skills include: 

• Standards/testing/conformity assessment. 

• Conference/meeting planning, marketing/outreach. 

• Communications and Web development. 

• Information technology. 

• Researchers with both technology and criminal justice subject matter expertise. 

Ideally, the National Center management will have executive-level criminal justice expertise. 

The National Center’s level of effort can vary from year to year. As a result, successful 

applicants must have the ability to readily add or reduce capacity in relevant areas without 

adversely affecting their ability to provide services or incur unacceptable additional costs. NIJ 

will consider applications that propose to leverage existing programs, facilities, and personnel. 

Amount and length of awards: All awards are subject to the availability of appropriated 

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

NIJ expects to make one award from the applications received in response to this solicitation. It 

anticipates that up to a total of $4 million will be available to support the first 12-months of effort 

for awards resulting from this solicitation. It anticipates that between $3 million and $4 million 

will be available for each additional 12-month supplement to this award, if any are made. 

Applicants should be aware that the total period for an award, including one that receives 

additional funding, ordinarily will not exceed 3 years. 

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

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

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Please note: All applicants under this solicitation must comply with Department of Justice 

regulations on confidentiality and human subjects protection. See “Other Requirements for OJP 

Applications” at http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/funding/other_requirements.htm. 

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.) 

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

4. Proposals to conduct technology research and development. 

Budget 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, Federal funds may not be used 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

funds where match requirements apply.) 

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

basis at the discretion of the Director of the National Institute of Justice. An applicant that 

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

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

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

budget. 

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

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

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

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

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

Match Requirement (cash or in-kind)

No match is required for this program. 

Performance Measures 

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

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

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

application their methods for collecting data for performance measures. Please refer to “What 

an Application Must Include,” page 16, for additional information on applicant responsibilities for 

collecting and reporting data. Applicants who receive funding under this solicitation are required 

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to provide the data requested in the “Data Grantee Provides” column so that OJP can calculate 

values for the “Performance Measures” column. Performance measures for this solicitation are 

as follows: 

Objective Performance Measure(s) Data Grantee Provides 

To assure the safety and 

effectiveness of the tools and 

equipment used by criminal justice 

agencies through execution of a 

standards and compliance testing 

program, through provision of 

technology assistance and 

information, and through 

identification of technology needs. 

1. Relevance to the needs of the 

field as measured by whether the 

grantee’s substantive scope did 

not deviate from the funded 

proposal or any subsequent 

agency modifications to the 

scope. 

2. Quality of the research reflected 

in informational and other work 

products as assessed by peer 

reviewers. 

3. Quality of management as 

measured by whether significant 

interim project milestones were 

achieved, final deadlines were 

met, and costs remained within 

approved limits. 

4. Number of products tested; the 

number of compliance testing 

and accreditation programs 

implemented; the number of 

technology guides and other 

information products published; 

the number of calls for assistance 

responded to and resolved; and 

the number of technology needs 

documents produced. 

1. Individual project reports 

responding to the requirements 

of a specific project detailing the 

Center's activities including: 

product testing; compliance 

testing and accreditation 

programs implemented; the 

number of technology guides and 

other information products 

published; the number of calls for 

assistance responded to; and 

technology needs documents 

produced. 

2. A final report providing a 

comprehensive overview of the 

project and a detailed description 

of project activities and a 

thorough discussion of the 

implications of the project 

activities for criminal justice 

practice and policy in the United 

States. 

3. Quarterly financial reports, semiannual progress reports, and a 

final progress report. 

4. If applicable, each data set that 

was collected, acquired, or 

modified in conjunction with the 

project. 

5. If applicable, citation to 

report(s)/document(s).

How to Apply 

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

provides a unified process for all customers of Federal grants to find funding opportunities and 

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

found at www.grants.gov. If you experience difficulties at any point during this process, please 

call the Grants.gov Customer Support Hotline at 1–800–518–4726, 24 hours, seven days a 

week. Registering with Grants.gov is a one-time process; however, processing delays may 

occur and it can take up to several weeks for first-time registrants to receive confirmation and 

a user password. OJP highly recommends that applicants start the registration process as early 

as possible to prevent delays in submitting an application package by the application deadline 

specified. 

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All applicants are required to complete the following steps. 

1. Acquire a DUNS Number. A DUNS number is required for Grants.gov registration. The 

Office of Management and Budget requires that all businesses and nonprofit applicants 

for Federal funds include a DUNS (Data Universal Numbering System) number in their 

applications for a new award or renewal of an existing award. A DUNS number is a 

unique nine-digit sequence recognized as the universal standard for identifying and 

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

purposes and to validate address and point-of-contact information for Federal assistance 

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

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

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

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

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

Database. OJP requires that all applicants (other than individuals) for Federal financial 

assistance maintain current registrations in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) 

database. An applicant must be registered in the CCR to successfully register in 

Grants.gov. The CCR database is the repository for standard information about Federal 

financial assistance applicants, recipients, and subrecipients. Organizations that have 

previously submitted applications via Grants.gov are already registered with CCR, as it 

is a requirement for Grants.gov registration. Please note, however, that applicants must 

update or renew their CCR registration at least once per year to maintain an active 

status. Information about CCR registration procedures can be accessed at www.ccr.gov. 

3. Acquire an Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) and a Grants.gov 

Username and Password. Complete your AOR profile on Grants.gov and create your 

username and password. You will need to use your organization’s DUNS Number to 

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

www.grants.gov/applicants/get_registered.jsp.

4. Acquire Authorization for your AOR from the E-Business Point of Contact (E-Biz 

POC). The E-Biz POC at your organization must login to Grants.gov to confirm you as 

an AOR. Please note that there can be more than one AOR for your organization.

5. Search for the Funding Opportunity on Grants.gov. Please use the following 

identifying information when searching for the funding opportunity on Grants.gov. The 

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number for this solicitation is 16.560, 

titled “National Institute of Justice Research, Evaluation, and Development Project 

Grants,” and the funding opportunity number is NIJ-2010-2412. 

6. Submit an Application Consistent With This Solicitation. Within 24–48 hours after 

submitting your electronic application, you should receive an e-mail validation message 

from Grants.gov. The validation message will tell you whether the application has been 

received and validated or rejected, with an explanation. Important: You are urged to 

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

time to receive the validation message and to correct any problems that may have 

caused a rejection notification. 

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

(GMS). GMS does not accept executable file types as application attachments. These 

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disallowed file types include, but are not limited to, the following extensions: ".com," ".bat," 

".exe," ".vbs," ".cfg," ".dat," ".db," ".dbf," ".dll," ".ini," ".log," ".ora," ".sys," and ".zip."

Experiencing Unforeseen Grants.gov Technical Issues 

If you experience unforeseen Grants.gov technical issues beyond your control that prevent you 

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

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

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

DUNS number, and provide a Grants.gov Help Desk tracking number(s). After the program 

office reviews all of the information submitted, and contacts the Grants.gov Help Desk to 

validate the technical issues you reported, OJP will contact you to either approve or deny your 

request to submit a late application. If the technical issues you reported cannot be validated, 

your application will be rejected as untimely. 

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

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

(2) failure to follow Grants.gov instructions on how to register and apply as posted on its Web 

site; (3) failure to follow all of the instructions in the OJP solicitation; and (4) technical issues 

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

Notifications regarding known technical problems with Grants.gov are posted on the OJP 

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

What an Application Must Include 

This section describes what an application is expected to include and sets out a number of 

elements. Applicants should anticipate that failure to submit an application that contains all of 

the specified elements may negatively affect the review of the application and, should a decision 

nevertheless be made to make an award, may result in the inclusion of special conditions that 

preclude access to or use of award funds pending satisfaction of the conditions. 

Moreover, applicants should anticipate that applications that are not responsive to the scope of 

the solicitation, or do not include a program narrative, budget detail worksheet, budget narrative, 

tribal resolution (if applicable), and resumes/curriculum vitae of key personnel will not proceed 

to peer review and will not receive further consideration. 

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

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

Understanding,” “Resumes”) for all attachments. OJP recommends that, if applicable, resumes 

be included in a single file. 

Standard Form 424 

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

complete your SF424. When selecting "type of applicant," if the applicant is a for-profit 

entity, please select "For-Profit Organization" or "Small Business" (as applicable) in the 

Type of Applicant data field. For-profit applicants also may select additional applicable 

categories (e.g., "Private Institution of Higher Education"). 

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 Program Narrative 

The Program Narrative includes: 

a. Cover page 

b. Abstract (not to exceed 600 words). 

c. Table of contents. 

d. Main body, which includes: 

• Purpose, goals, and objectives. 

• Review of relevant literature. 

• Approach to achieving goals and objectives (program design and 

implementation).

• Research independence and integrity (see “Selection Criteria,” below). 

• Implications for criminal justice policy and practice in the United States. 

• Management plan and organization. 

• Dissemination strategy. 

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

• Bibliography/References (if applicable). 

• List of key personnel. 

• Resumes of key personnel. 

• List of previous and current NIJ awards to applicant organization and 

investigator(s). 

• Letters of cooperation/support or administrative agreements from 

organizations collaborating in the project (if applicable). 

• Chart for timeline, research calendar, or milestones. 

• Human Subjects Protection Paperwork including Institutional Review 

Board (IRB) documentation and forms (see 

http://www.ojp.gov/nij/funding/humansubjects/human-subjects.htm). 

• Privacy Certificate (for further guidance go to 

http://www.ojp.gov/nij/funding/humansubjects/privacy-certificateguidance.htm). 

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

have submitted this proposal (if applicable). 

• Other materials required by the solicitation. 

The program narrative section of your application must not exceed 25 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 25-page limit for the 

narrative section. 

Applicants should anticipate that if the program narrative fails to comply with these 

length-related restrictions, such that it provides a significant competitive advantage, the 

failure to comply may be considered in peer review and in final award decisions. 

 Budget Detail Worksheet and Budget Narrative 

A sample Budget Detail Worksheet can be found at 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

down on a year-by-year basis. 

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

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

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

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

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

supported with non-Federal contributions. 

 Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (if applicable)

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

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

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

This can be determined by reviewing an organization’s schedule of Federal financial 

assistance. If DOJ is your cognizant Federal agency, obtain information needed to 

submit an indirect cost rate proposal at 

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

Plan for Collecting the Data Required for Performance Measures. (See 

"Performance Measures," above.) 

The Data Collection Plan is a description of the applicant’s plan for collecting the data 

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tribal Authorizing Resolution (if applicable)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

provided under the grant. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Other Standard Forms 

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

OJP’s funding page at http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/funding/forms.htm. Please note in 

particular the following forms. 

1. Certifications Regarding Lobbying; Debarment, Suspension and Other 

Responsibility Matters; and Drug-Free Workplace Requirements (required to be 

submitted in GMS prior to the receipt of any award funds) 

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

funds for lobbying activities) 

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

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

from OJP within the past 3 years) 

4. Standard Assurances (required to be submitted in GMS prior to the receipt of any 

award funds) 

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

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

Appendices; and 4) Other. 

Selection Criteria 

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

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

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). 

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

applicants)—20%

1. Qualifications and experience of proposed staff. 

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

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

and resources are used. 

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

Budget—15% 

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

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

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 3. Use of existing resources to conserve costs. 

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

(Relevance to policy and practice)—15% 

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 

in the United States and improving public safety, security, and quality of life. 

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). 

6. Plan for collecting the data required for performance measures. 

Relevance of the project for policy and practice in the United States

Higher quality applications clearly explain the practical implications of the project. They 

connect technical expertise with criminal justice 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. 

Dissemination Strategy—5% 

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. 

Research Independence and Integrity 

Regardless of a proposal’s rating under the criteria outlined above, in order to receive funds, the 

applicant’s proposal must demonstrate research independence, including appropriate 

safeguards to ensure research objectivity and integrity. 

Considerations in evaluating research independence and integrity will include, but may not be 

limited to, the adequacy of the applicant’s efforts to identify factors that could affect the 

objectivity/integrity of the proposed staff and/or the organization in carrying out the research, 

development, or evaluation activity; and the adequacy of the applicant’s existing or proposed 

remedies to control any such factors. 

Review Process 

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

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

measurable, and achievable, as well as consistent with the solicitation. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

performance, and available funding. 

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

review of applications for potential discretionary awards and cooperative agreements to 

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

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

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

principles and agency regulations. 

All final award decisions will be made by the Director of the National Institute of Justice, who 

also may give consideration to factors including, but not limited to, underserved populations, 

geographic diversity, strategic priorities, past performance, and available funding when making 

awards. 

Additional Requirements 

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

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

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

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

• Civil Rights Compliance 

• Faith-Based and Other Community Organizations 

• Confidentiality and Human Subjects Protection (if applicable) 

• Anti-Lobbying Act 

• Financial and Government Audit Requirements 

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

• DOJ Information Technology Standards (if applicable) 

• Single Point of Contact Review 

• Nonsupplanting of State or Local Funds 

• Criminal Penalty for False Statements 

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• Compliance with Office of Justice Programs Financial Guide

• Suspension or Termination of Funding 

• Nonprofit Organizations 

• For-Profit Organizations 

• Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) 

• Rights in Intellectual Property 

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

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

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

including: 

Final substantive 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; a thorough discussion of the implications of the project 

findings for criminal justice practice and policy in the United States; etc. It must contain an 

abstract of no more than 600 words and an executive summary of 2,500 to 4,000 words. 

A draft of the final report, abstract, and executive summary must be submitted 90 days before 

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

reviews will be forwarded to the grantee with suggestions for revisions. The author 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 program evaluation studies, the final 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.) 

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

reports, a final progress report, and, if applicable, an annual audit report in accordance with 

Office of Management and Budget Circular A–133. Future awards and fund drawdowns may be 

withheld if reports are delinquent. 

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Application Checklist 

National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center 

System—National Center 

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

Eligibility Requirements: 

_____ Tribal authorizing resolution (if applicable) 

Application Components: 

_____ Program Narrative (see page 17 and “Selection Criteria,” pages 19-20) 

_____ Appendices to the Program Narrative 

_____ Bibliography/References (if applicable) 

_____ List of key personnel 

_____ Resumes of key personnel 

_____ List of previous and current NIJ awards to applicant organization and 

investigators 

_____ Letters of cooperation/support or administrative agreements from organizations 

collaborating in the project (if applicable) 

_____ Chart for timeline, research calendar, or milestones 

_____ Human Subjects Protection Paperwork 

_____ Privacy Certificate 

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

submitted this proposal (if applicable) 

_____ Budget Narrative 

_____ Budget Detail Worksheet 

_____ Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (if applicable) 

_____ Plan for Collecting Data for Performance Measures 

Program Narrative/Abstract Format:

_____ Double-spaced 

_____ 12-point standard font 

_____ 1” standard margins 

_____ Narrative is 25 pages or less 

 

Other: 

_____ Standard Form 424 

_____ DUNS number 

_____ Other Standard Forms as applicable (see page 19), including 

_____ Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (if applicable) 

 _____ Accounting System and Financial Capability Questionnaire (if applicable)