OMB No. 1121-0329 

Approval Expires  12/31/2023 

U.S. Department of Justice 

Office of Justice Programs 

National Institute of Justice 

Forensic Technology Center of Excellence, Fiscal Year 2021 

Assistance Listing Number #  16.560 

Grants.gov Opportunity Number: O-NIJ-2021-97001 

Solicitation Release Date: April 26, 2021 2:45 PM 

Version:  1 

Grants.gov Deadline:  June 03, 2021 11:59 PM 

Application JustGrants Deadline: June 10, 2021 11:59 PM 

Overview 

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

applications for funding for a Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (FTCOE). The FTCOE will provide testing, evaluation, 

technology transition assistance, and other services with regard to technologies intended for use by crime laboratories, medical 

examiner/coroner offices, law enforcement and other criminal justice agencies, and forensic science service providers to 

combat crime. This project furthers the Department’s mission by advancing the implementation of forensic research products to 

provide evidence-based knowledge and tools to meet the challenges of criminal justice and provide better access to this 

technology for law enforcement and other criminal justice agencies, particularly at the state and local levels. 

This solicitation incorporates the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide by reference. The OJP Grant Application Resource 

Guide provides guidance to applicants for the preparation and submission to OJP of applications for funding. If this 

solicitation expressly modifies any provision in the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide, the applicant is to follow 

the guidelines in this solicitation as to that provision. 

Solicitation Categories 

This solicitation does not include Solicitation Categories. 

Eligible Applicants: 

City or township governments, County governments, For profit organizations other than small businesses, 

Independent school districts, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Native American tribal 

organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, 

other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than 

institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Public and State controlled institutions of 

higher education, Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Small businesses, State governments, Other 

Other 

For purposes of this solicitation, the term “State” means any State of the United States, the District of Columbia, the 

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

Foreign governments, foreign organizations, and foreign colleges and universities are not eligible to apply. 

To advance Executive Order 13929 Safe Policing for Safe Communities, as of October 28, 2020, the Attorney General 

determined that all state, local, and university or college law enforcement agencies must be certified by an approved 

independent credentialing body or have started the certification process to be allocated FY 2021 DOJ discretionary grant 

funding, as either a recipient or a subrecipient.  For detailed information on this new certification requirement, please visit 

https://cops.usdoj.gov/SafePolicingEO. 

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

NIJ will consider applications under which two or more entities would carry out the federal award; however, only one entity may 

be the applicant. Any others must be proposed as subrecipients (subgrantees). The applicant must be the entity that would 

have primary responsibility for carrying out the award, including conducting and leading the FTCOE program, administering the 

funding, and managing all program projects. If successful, the applicant will be responsible for monitoring and appropriately 

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O-NIJ-2021-97001 
managing any subrecipients or, as applicable, for administering any procurement subcontracts that would receive federal 

program funds from the applicant under the award. For additional information on subawards, see the OJP Grant Application 

Resource Guide. 

NIJ may elect to fund applications submitted under this FY 2021 solicitation in future fiscal years, dependent on, among other 

considerations, the merit of the applications and on the availability of appropriations. 

Contact Information 

For technical assistance with submitting the SF-424 and SF- LLL in Grants.gov, contact the Grants.gov Customer Support 

Hotline at 800-518-4726, 606-545-5035, at Grants.gov customer support webpage, or email at support@grants.gov. The 

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

For technical assistance with submitting the full application in DOJ’s Justice Grants System (JustGrants), contact the 

JustGrants Service Desk at JustGrants.Support@usdoj.gov or at 833-872-5175. The JustGrants Service Desk operates 5 a.m. 

to 9 p.m. EST Monday - Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sunday, and federal holidays. 

An applicant that experiences unforeseen Grants.gov or JustGrants technical issues beyond its control that prevent it from 

submitting its application by the deadline must email the National Criminal Justice Reference Service Response Center 

(Response Center) at grants@ncjrs.gov within 24 hours after the application deadline to request approval to submit its 

application after the deadline. 

For assistance with any other requirements of this solicitation, contact the Response Center by telephone at 800–851–3420 or 

TTY: 301–240–6310 (hearing impaired only) or by email at grants@ncjrs.gov. Response Center hours of operation are 10 a.m. 

to 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET on the solicitation close date. 

Submission Information 

In FY 2021, applications will be submitted to DOJ in a NEW two-step process. 

Step 1: Applicants will submit an SF-424 and an SF-LLL in Grants.gov at https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html. To 

register in Grants.gov, applicants will need to obtain a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) and System for Award 

Management (SAM) registration or renewal. 

Step 2: Applicants will submit the full application including attachments in JustGrants at JustGrants.usdoj.gov. 

To be considered timely, the full application must be submitted in JustGrants by the JustGrants application deadline. 

OJP encourages applicants to review, the “How to Apply" section in the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide. 

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O-NIJ-2021-97001 
Contents 

Contact Information 2 

Program Description 5 

Overview 5 

Statutory Authority 5 

Specific Information 5 

Goals, Objectives, Deliverables, and Timeline 5 

Federal Award Information 7 

Awards, Amounts and Durations 7 

Continuation Funding Intent 7 

Availability of Funds 8 

Types of Awards 8 

Financial Management and System of Internal Controls 8 

Budget Information 8 

Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement 8 

Pre-agreement Costs (also known as Pre-award Costs) 8 

Limitation on Use of Award Funds for Employee Compensation: Waiver 8 

Prior Approval, Planning, and Reporting of Conference/Meeting/Training Costs 8 

Costs Associated with Language Assistance (if applicable) 8 

Eligibility Information 8 

Application and Submission Information 9 

Information to Complete the Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424) 9 

Standard Applicant Information (JustGrants 424 and General Agency Information) 9 

Proposal Abstract 9 

Proposal Narrative 9 

Goals, Objectives, Deliverables, and Timeline 11 

Budget and Associated Documentation 11 

Budget Worksheet and Budget Narrative (Web-based Form) 11 

Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (if applicable) 11 

Financial Management Questionnaire (including applicant disclosure of high-risk status) 11 

Additional Application Components 12 

Curriculum Vitae or Resumes 12 

Tribal Authorizing Resolution 12 

Timeline Form 12 

Letters of Support 12 

Research and Evaluation Independence and Integrity Statement 12 

Bibliography/reference 12 

Any tools/instruments, questionnaires, tables/chart/graphs, or maps 12 

List of Individuals in the Application 12 

Human Subjects Protection 12 

Privacy Certificate 12 

Request to Use Incentives or Stipends 13 

Consortium/Contractual Arrangements 13 

Data Archiving Plan 13 

Potential Environmental Impact Coversheet and Checklist - National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) 

13 

Disclosures and Assurances 13 

Disclosure of Lobbying Activities 13 

DOJ Certified Standard Assurances 13 

Applicant Disclosure of Duplication in Cost Items 13 

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DOJ Certifications Regarding Lobbying; Debarment, Suspension and Other Responsibility Matters; and 

Drug-Free Workplace Requirements 14 

Applicant Disclosure and Justification – DOJ High Risk Grantees (if applicable) 14 

How to Apply 14 

Submission Dates and Time 14 

Application Review Information 14 

Review Criteria 14 

Review Process 15 

Federal Award Administration Information 16 

Federal Award Notices 16 

Administrative, National Policy, and Other Legal Requirements 16 

Information Technology (IT) Security Clauses 16 

General Information about Post-Federal Award Reporting Requirements 16 

Federal Awarding Agency Contact(s) 16 

Other Information 16 

Freedom of Information and Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552 and 5 U.S.C. 552a) 16 

Provide Feedback to OJP 16 

Performance Measures 17 

Application Checklist 20 

22 

Endnotes 22 

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Program Description 

Overview 

The Department of Justice is committed to advancing work that promotes civil rights, increases access to justice, supports 

crime victims, protects the public from crime and evolving threats, and builds trust between law enforcement and the 

community. 

With this solicitation, NIJ seeks proposals from qualified applicants to establish and operate a Forensic Technology Center of 

Excellence (FTCOE) to support NIJ’s research, development, testing, and evaluation (RDT&E) process and technology transition 

activities in all areas of forensic science. The FTCOE should focus on specific efforts to include, but not be limited to: 

1. Providing scientific and technical support to NIJ’s forensic science research, development, and technology transition efforts. 

2. Facilitating demonstration, testing, evaluation, transfer, and adoption of appropriate technology into practice by crime 

laboratories, medical examiner/coroner offices, law enforcement, and other criminal justice agencies and forensic science 

service providers. 

3. Providing technology transition assistance, knowledge transfer, and support to forensic science researchers and 

practitioners. 

4. Developing and providing access to resources for research dissemination, education, and evidence-based best practices 

in the forensic science and criminal justice communities. 

5. Working closely with NIJ program managers to assess and communicate the impact of forensic science RDT&E, 

evidence-based best practices, and systems-based approaches for the criminal justice system. 

6. Develop national forensic science library services to identify, curate, and make available scholarly literature relevant to 

the forensic science research and practitioner community. 

Statutory Authority 

Any awards under this solicitation would be made under statutory authority provided by a full-year appropriations act 

for FY 2021. As of the writing of this solicitation, the Department of Justice is operating under a short-term "Continuing 

Resolution;" no full-year appropriation for the Department has been enacted for FY 2021. 

Specific Information 

NIJ is the federal government’s lead agency for forensic science research, development, and evaluation. The mission of NIJ's 

Office of Investigative and Forensic Sciences (OIFS) is to improve the quality and practice of forensic science through 

innovative solutions that support research and development, testing and evaluation, technology, information exchange, and the 

development of resources for the criminal justice community. 

Forensic science is a multidisciplinary field that incorporates the investigation, analysis, and prosecution of crime (including 

violent crime). It includes methods and tools for collecting, preserving, and examining evidence, as well as related resources to 

build capacity and quality practices for implementing forensic practice in a timely, cost-effective, and efficient manner. The 

FTCOE will coordinate and facilitate the transition of forensic technology, particularly the current and emerging products from 

NIJ’s research and development portfolios, to state and local criminal justice agencies. Through these efforts, the FTCOE will 

increase the capabilities of these agencies to effectively and efficiently serve the public in matters involving forensic science. 

Although Federal agencies are part of its constituency, NIJ’s primary focus is on the needs and activities of state and local 

agencies. 

Ideally, the FTCOE should have established collaborations with partners including, but not limited to, institutions of higher 

learning, agencies performing forensic science research, and public forensic science laboratories. 

Note: For the purposes of this solicitation, higher education institutions are defined as colleges and universities recognized as 

accredited by the U.S. Department of Education (https://www.ed.gov/accreditation). Proposals will be strengthened by 

collaborations with institutions that have additionally obtained accreditation from the Forensic Science Education Programs 

Accreditation Commission (FEPAC) (https://www.fepac-edu.org/) or other institutions with a forensic science component[1]. 

As part of the program proposal, an applicant should designate a Center Director who has the knowledge, skills, experience, 

and vision to lead the FTCOE; and should outline an internal management structure capable of supporting the research, 

development, evaluation, education, technology transition, and outreach missions of the FTCOE. 

Goals, Objectives, Deliverables, and Timeline 

The goal of establishing an FTCOE is to support the dissemination and technology transition of the products of NIJ’s forensic 

science RDT&E programs. The FTCOE and its partners will use their capabilities to advance forensic science practice through, 

but not limited to, the following objectives and activities: 

Providing scientific and technical support to NIJ’s forensic science research, development, and technology 

transition efforts. The FTCOE will assist NIJ by identifying evidence-based knowledge and tools to meet the challenges 

of criminal justice. The FTCOE, in close coordination with NIJ program managers, will review the outcomes of NIJ 

forensic science R&D projects and facilitate the technology transition and implementation of these research products to 

operational environments. The FTCOE is expected to assist NIJ program managers in implementing NIJ R&D program 

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O-NIJ-2021-97001 
objectives and assessing ongoing and completed R&D project outcomes. The FTCOE will identify and facilitate 

collaborations between NIJ-funded researchers, forensic practitioners, and technology developers. It will participate in 

national and regional groups, conferences, and symposia that support the adoption of technology, and will provide 

general logistical support for those meetings, as needed. 

Facilitating demonstration, testing, evaluation, transfer, and adoption of appropriate technology into practice by crime 

laboratories, medical examiner/coroner offices, law enforcement, and other criminal justice agencies and forensic 

science service providers. The FTCOE will facilitate the effective transfer into practice of new tools and technologies, including 

those funded by NIJ and others. In supporting these efforts, the FTCOE will, in close coordination with the relevant NIJ program 

managers, identify evidence-based technologies ready for transition, and identify key agencies, professional organizations, and 

individual researchers and practitioners that should participate. Efforts are to include introducing new tools and technologies to 

practitioners, introducing practitioner requirements to developers, and assisting developers in the commercialization of their 

products. Demonstrations and pilot projects must be designed to determine whether a technology meets all of the assessment 

criteria for a technology need area and develop guidelines for the adoption of the technology by other practitioners through 

increased coordination with stakeholders. To the greatest extent feasible, demonstrations should also be designed to assess 

implementation strategies and feasibility through evaluation research in collaboration with NIJ staff (from both the Office of 

Investigative and Forensic Sciences and the Office of Research, Evaluation, and Technology). Findings (including strategic 

implementation plans) will be disseminated through reports and scholarly articles, conferences, best practices, and technology 

assistance activities. 

The FTCOE will facilitate and support NIJ working group activities (such as the Forensic Laboratory Needs Technology Working 

Group[2]) and other efforts for the forensic science community and their stakeholders. These activities will focus on assessing 

current and future technology and technology transition needs and develop advice, guidance, and strategies to enhance the 

policy and practice and improve the reliability of forensic science to meet the increasing demands generated by the criminal 

justice system. These efforts may include participation from crime laboratories, medical examiner/coroner offices, researchers, 

law enforcement, forensic science service providers (supporting criminal justice applications), and other criminal justice agencies 

and relevant stakeholders. In supporting these efforts, the FTCOE will provide administrative and logistical support for meetings. 

Providing technology transition assistance, knowledge transfer, and support to forensic science researchers and 

practitioners. The FTCOE is expected to provide high-quality, specialized technology transition assistance. These efforts may 

include providing support to assist first-adopter law enforcement, crime laboratories, forensic science service providers and other 

criminal justice agencies with the use of new technologies or the adaptation of existing technologies to enhance their 

effectiveness, efficiency, and safety. The FTCOE will provide national expertise for the criminal justice community’s ongoing 

efforts to continuously improve operations through the adoption of new tools and methods. The FTCOE will support related 

knowledge transfer activities and support the implementation of related policy and practice. 

(Note: The FTCOE will not fund or provide assistance to agencies that are adopting technologies that are already widely 

established in practice.) 

Appropriate assistance will be provided to all facets of the criminal justice community, including small, rural, and tribal law 

enforcement, corrections, forensic service providers, school resource officers, or other state and local practitioner 

communities. 

Developing and providing access to resources for research dissemination, education, and evidence-based best 

practices in the forensic science and criminal justice communities. FTCOE efforts should include the development of 

evidence-based guides or best practices for crime laboratories, forensic science practitioners, law enforcement, and other 

appropriate criminal justice practitioners based on sound research and development and science. Topics for guides may be 

discussed with NIJ and initiated with its approval. FTCOE should also engage with forensic science academic programs, 

academic professional organizations, and professional accreditation and certification bodies to ensure that FTCOE resources, 

including information on new forensic innovations, emerging technologies, and operational approaches, are disseminated to 

develop current and future forensic science practitioners. In developing FTCOE electronic products as part of its dissemination 

activities (and consonant with Section 508), the recipient should seek to ensure accessibility to people with disabilities.[3] 

Working closely with NIJ program managers to assess and communicate the impact of forensic science RDT&E, 

evidence-based best practices, and systems-based approaches for the criminal justice system. NIJ has made significant 

investments in social science research on forensic science, as well as research and evaluation for the testing and interpretation 

of physical evidence in publicly funded forensic laboratories. The Needs Assessment of Forensic Laboratories and Medical 

Examiner/Coroner Offices recommends that systems-based approaches be adopted to address workload challenges – “where 

law enforcement, laboratory personnel, medical examiners/coroners, and prosecutors collaborate on cases, are properly 

educated and trained in the science, and work together to serve justice in a timely and efficient manner.”[4] NIJ is interested in 

assessing the impact of past research (both NIJ-funded and non-NIJ-funded) on the criminal justice system and the development 

of recommendations for improving the impact of such research. NIJ is also interested in the implementation of evidence-based 

best practices and systems-based approaches and disseminating such information in peer-reviewed, scholarly literature. 

There have been studies by NIJ and others that look at the costs and efficiencies of various forensic analytical 

procedures applied to physical evidence and issues related to the cost-effectiveness of forensic evidence in criminal 

investigations. NIJ is interested in cataloging, synthesizing, and conducting meta-analyses of cost- benefit analyses 

related to forensic science, as cost/benefit analyses provide valuable and practical information for practitioners and 

policymakers that aids decision-making. Also, the FTCOE will be asked to assist in the facilitation of knowledge transfer 

from forensic science-related social science, operational and managerial research, and evaluation to crime laboratories 

and other criminal justice agencies. 

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Develop national forensic science library services to identify, curate, and make available scholarly literature 

relevant to the forensic science research and practitioner community. Forensic science practitioners often find it 

challenging find and gain access to scientific research literature.[5]  In order to enhance access and promote the 

dissemination of forensic science research, the FTCOE will develop and facilitate an online library infrastructure to 

support the identification and management of research publications, citations, databases, foundational literature, 

reference materials, and other primary or secondary source materials. The FTCOE will identify and implement ways to 

proliferate research findings and best practices and to promulgate access of forensic science and other scientific 

literature to forensic science practitioners, particularly at the state and local levels. The FTCOE may also conduct 

literature reviews as part of these efforts. The FTCOE should seek ways to coordinate with the National Criminal Justice 

Reference Service (NCJRS)[6] and other appropriate services to avoid any duplicative efforts and develop strategies to 

provide open access for forensic science research within applicable copyright protections. 

The FTCOE should expect that the majority of its work will be on projects specifically defined by NIJ in support of specific technology 

investment portfolio areas. For this reason and others (such as the possibility of establishment, modification, or elimination of particular 

technology investment portfolios by NIJ; changes in the availability of funds; or the desire to capitalize on technology opportunities), 

applicants should expect that the level of effort may vary significantly during the project period (or from year-to-year, should 

supplemental funding be made available). The successful applicant therefore must demonstrate the ability to add or reduce capacity in 

relevant areas without adversely affecting the ability to provide services or incurring unacceptable additional costs. In this connection, 

NIJ is very interested in entertaining applications that propose to leverage existing programs, facilities, and personnel. 

Final Progress Report. Any recipient of an award under this solicitation will be expected to submit a final progress report. 

Required Data Sets and Associated Files and Documentation. Any recipient of an award under this solicitation will be expected 

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

funded by the award, along with associated files and any documentation necessary for future efforts by others to reproduce the 

project’s findings and/or to extend the scientific value of the data set through secondary analysis. 

In addition to these deliverables (and the required reports and data on performance measures), NIJ expects scholarly products 

to result from each award under this solicitation, taking the form of one or more published, peer-reviewed, scientific journal 

articles, and/or (if appropriate) law review journal articles, book chapter(s) or book(s) in the academic press, technological 

prototypes, patented inventions, or similar scientific products. 

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

demonstrate the results of the work completed. 

Federal Award Information 

Awards, Amounts and Durations 

Anticipated Number of Awards 

1 

Anticipated Maximum Dollar Amount of Awards 

$4,500,000.00 

Period of Performance Start Date 

1/1/22 12:00 AM 

Period of Performance Duration (Months) 

24 

Anticipated Total Amount to be Awarded Under Solicitation 

$4,500,000.00 

Additional Information 

Applicants are encouraged to propose budgets that match the project activities proposed. Period of performance 

duration: To be determined by the period of performance of awarded applications. Successful applicants will be 

expected to complete the work proposed within a period of performance of up to 24 months. 

Continuation Funding Intent 

NIJ expects that it may provide additional funding to awards made under this solicitation, through continuation awards between 

$2 million and $5 million on an annual basis for up to four years. NIJ cannot guarantee, however, that any such supplements 

will be funded. Important considerations in decisions regarding supplemental funding include, among other factors, the 

availability of funding, strategic priorities, NIJ’s assessment of the quality of the management of the award (for example, 

timeliness and quality of progress reports), and NIJ’s assessment of the progress of the work funded under the award. NIJ will 

consider, among other factors, NIJ’s strategic priorities, a recipient’s overall management of the award, and progress of awardfunded work, when making continuation-award decisions. 

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O-NIJ-2021-97001 
Availability of Funds 

This solicitation, and awards (if any are made) under this solicitation, are subject to the availability of appropriated funds and to 

any modifications or additional requirements that may be imposed by the agency or by law.  In addition, nothing in this 

solicitation is intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by 

any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other 

person. 

Types of Awards 

NIJ expects to make awards under this solicitation as cooperative agreements, which provide for OJP to have substantial 

involvement in carrying out award activities. See the “Administrative, National Policy, and Other Legal Requirements” section of 

the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide. 

Financial Management and System of Internal Controls 

Award recipients and subrecipients (including recipients or subrecipients that are pass-through entities) must, as described in 

the Part 200 Uniform Requirements as set out at 2 C.F.R. 200.303, comply with standards for financial and program 

management. 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. See OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for additional 

information. 

Budget Information 

If the applicant is proposing a project that reasonably could be conducted in discrete phases, with each phase resulting in 

completion of one or more significant, defined milestones, then NIJ strongly recommends that the applicant structure the 

application — specifically including the narrative, expected scholarly products, timelines/milestones, and budget detail 

worksheet and budget narrative — to clearly define each phase. (This is particularly the case if the applicant proposes a project 

that will exceed — in cost or the length of the period of performance — the amount or length of time anticipated for an individual 

award (or awards) under this solicitation.) Given limitations on the availability to NIJ of funds for awards for research, 

development, and evaluation, this information will assist NIJ in considering whether partial funding of applications would be 

productive. (If, in FY 2021, NIJ elects to fund only certain phases of a proposed project, the expected scholarly products from 

the partial-funding award may, in some cases, vary from those described above.) 

NIJ may elect to fund applications submitted under this FY 2021 solicitation in future fiscal years, dependent on, among other 

considerations, the merit of the applications and on the availability of appropriations. 

What will not be funded: 

Applications primarily to purchase equipment, materials, or supplies. (A budget may include these items if they are 

necessary to conduct development, demonstration, evaluation, or analysis.) 

Applications that are not responsive to the purposes of this specific solicitation. 

Applications that do not demonstrate the capability to perform the work proposed. 

Applications that propose the execution of research and development.[7] 

Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement 

See “Cofunding” paragraph under item 5 (“Budget and Associated Documentation”) under “Content of Application Submission” 

in Application and Submission Information. 

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

See the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide information on Pre-agreement Costs (also known as Pre-award Costs). 

Limitation on Use of Award Funds for Employee Compensation: Waiver 

See the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide

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

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

See the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for information on Prior Approval, Planning, and Reporting of 

Conference/Meeting/Training Costs. 

Costs Associated with Language Assistance (if applicable) 

See the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for information on Costs Associated with Language Assistance. 

Eligibility Information 

For additional eligibility information, see the title page. 

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For information on cost sharing or match requirements, see “Content of Application Submission” in Application and Submission 

Information. 

Application and Submission Information 

Content of Application Submission 

The following application elements MUST be included in the application submission for an application to meet the basic 

minimum requirements (BMR) to advance to peer review and receive consideration for funding: 

Proposal Narrative, 

Budget Worksheet and Budget Narrative (web-based form), and 

Curriculum Vitae/Resumes/Biographical sketches for Senior/Key Personnel. (Curriculum Vitae for key personnel 

(For purposes of this solicitation, “senior/key personnel” means the principal investigator, all co-principal 

investigators, and other significant contributors.) 

See the “Application Elements and Formatting Instructions” section of the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for 

information on what happens to an application that does not contain all the specified elements or that is nonresponsive to the 

scope of the solicitation. 

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

The SF-424 will be submitted in Grants.gov. The SF-424 is a required standard form used as a cover sheet for submission of 

pre-applications, applications, and related information. See the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for additional 

information on completing the SF-424. 

In Section F of the SF-424, please include the name and contact information of the individual who will complete application 

materials in JustGrants. JustGrants will use this information (email address) to assign the application to this user in 

JustGrants. 

Intergovernmental Review: This solicitation (“funding opportunity”) is not subject to Executive Order 12372. (In 

completing the SF-424, an applicant is to answer question 19 by selecting the response that the “Program is not 

covered by E.O. 12372.”) 

Standard Applicant Information (JustGrants 424 and General Agency Information) 

The Standard Applicant Information section of the JustGrants application is pre-populated with the SF-424 data submitted in 

Grants.gov. Applicants will need to review the Standard Applicant Information in JustGrants and make edits as needed. Within 

this section, applicants will need to: add zip codes for areas affected by the project; confirm their Authorized Representative; 

and verify the organization's legal name and address. 

Proposal Abstract 

The proposal abstract is a very important part of the application, and serves as an introduction to the proposed project. NIJ 

uses the proposal abstract for a number of purposes, including assignment of the application to an appropriate review panel. If 

the application is funded, the proposal abstract typically will become public information and be used to describe the project. 

A proposal abstract (no more than 400 words) summarizing the proposed project including primary activities, products and 

deliverables, the service area, and who will benefit from the proposed project, will be completed in the JustGrants Web-based 

form. 

Proposal Narrative 

The proposal narrative should be submitted as an attachment in JustGrants. The attached document should be double-spaced, 

using a standard 12-point Times New Roman font; have no less than 1-inch margins; and should not exceed 30 pages. Pages 

should be numbered. If the program narrative fails to comply with these length-related restrictions, NIJ may negatively consider 

such noncompliance in peer review and in final award decisions. 

The following sections should be included as part of the proposal narrative[8]: 

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

The title page should include: 

Project title. 

Submission date. 

Funding opportunity number. 

Principal Investigator (and any co-principal investigators). 

Unique author identifier (e.g., ORCID, ResearcherID, Scopus Author ID), if available. 

Key words, including forensic science focus areas. 

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Contact information (that is, name, address, telephone number, and e-mail address) for both the applicant and the 

principal investigator. 

b. Resubmit Response (if applicable) (not counted against the program narrative page limit.) 

If an applicant is resubmitting an application presented previously to NIJ, but not funded, the applicant should indicate this. A 

statement should be provided, no more than two pages, addressing: (1) the title, submission date, and NIJ-assigned application 

number of the previous application, and (2) a brief summary of revisions to the application, including responses to previous 

feedback received from NIJ. 

c. Table of Contents and Figures (not counted against the program narrative page limit) 

d. Main Body 

Within this section, the narrative should address: 

Purpose, goals, and objectives. 

Review of relevant literature. 

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

Management plan and organization. 

Plan for Dissemination to Broader Audiences (if applicable to the proposed project). Applicants should identify plans (if 

any) to produce or to make available to broader interested audiences – such as criminal/juvenile justice practitioners or 

policymakers. 

Applicants are expected to address Section 508 compliance in the Plan for Dissemination to ensure that FTCOE 

electronic products are accessible to people with disabilities. 

This section should include: 

1. Description of the Issue. 

The description should address the need for activities in this area. Applicants should discuss current gaps in data, 

knowledge, and technology transition and implementation, including those for particular forensic science disciplines and 

justice sectors, and to answer questions relevant to current policy and practice needs and public interests. It is not 

uncommon for multiple problems to exist simultaneously (for example, there may be a criminal justice problem affecting 

public safety, a current technical challenge/need identified by forensic practitioners, as well as a scientific/technology gap 

between the current state of the art and a desired solution) and applicants should discuss each of these clearly and 

justify the importance of the separate issues. As part of this discussion, applicants should present a review of previous 

literature and discuss previous efforts or activities related to these problems. 

2. Project Design and Implementation. 

Applicants should provide a detailed description of the strategies to implement the activities associated with this project. 

Design elements should follow directly from the project’s goals and objectives and address the program-specific 

information noted in the solicitation. Applicants should describe the overall strategy, methodology, and analyses to be 

used to accomplish the specific aims of the project and address the feasibility of the proposed project activities. 

Applicants should consider the rigor and soundness of the methodology and analytical and technical approaches for the 

proposed activities. Applicants should consider ways to measure the effectiveness or impact of adopting technologies, 

relevant cost/benefit analyses, and potential challenges or problems in carrying out the activities. Applicants should 

include how information will be collected, analyzed, evaluated and interpreted as well as the data archiving plan as 

appropriate. 

3. Potential Impact. 

Applicants should describe the potential impact of the project and how it may inform or improve criminal or juvenile 

justice-related policy, practice, or theory in the United States. 

4. Capabilities and Competencies. 

This section should describe the experience and capabilities of the applicant organization, key staff, and any proposed 

subgrantees (including consultants) that the applicant will use to implement and manage this project, its objectives, and 

the federal funds under this award, highlighting any previous experience implementing projects of similar scope, design, 

and magnitude. Applicants should address: 

Experience and capacity to support RDT&E processes and technology transition activities in the conduct of similar 

efforts. 

Experience and capacity to design and implement strategies to achieve program-specific goals and objectives. 

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O-NIJ-2021-97001 
Experience producing and disseminating meaningful deliverables. 

Applicants should also outline the management plan and organization that connects to the goals and objectives of the 

project. 

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

The project management plan. 

If the application (including the budget) identifies any proposed non-competitive agreements that are or may be 

considered procurement "contracts" (rather than subawards), for purposes of federal grants administrative 

requirements, the applicant also must list the entities with which the applicant proposes to contract. 

List of other agencies, organizations, or funding sources to which this application has been submitted (if 

applicable). 

Note: applicants are not required to submit performance data with the application. Rather, 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. 

OJP will require each successful applicant to submit regular performance data that demonstrate the results of the work carried 

out under the award. The performance data directly relate to the goals, objectives, deliverables, and expected scholarly 

products identified under “Program-Specific Information” on page 5. 

A list of performance measure questions for this program can be found on page 17. 

Applicants can also visit OJP’s performance measurement page at www.ojp.gov/performance for an overview of performance 

measurement activities at OJP. 

Award recipients will be required to submit performance measure data in quarterly financial reports, semi-annual progress 

reports, and the Final Progress Report. In addition to required reports, an award recipient under this solicitation also must 

provide data that measure the results of the work done under the award. To demonstrate program progress and success, NIJ 

will require any award recipient, post award, to provide performance data listed as part of regular progress reporting. Further 

guidance on the post-award submission process will be provided, if selected for award. 

Goals, Objectives, Deliverables, and Timeline 

Applicants will submit the project's goals, objectives, deliverables, and timelines in the JustGrants Web-based form. See the 

OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for additional information. 

Budget and Associated Documentation 

Budget Worksheet and Budget Narrative (Web-based Form) 

Applicants will complete the JustGrants web-based budget form. See the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for additional 

information. NIJ encourages the budgeting of grant funds for open access publication costs. 

The following paragraph (on “Cofunding”) expressly modifies the “Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement” provisions in the 

OJP Grant Application Resource Guide. The applicant is to follow the guidance in the following paragraph instead of the 

guidance stated under the “Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement” heading in the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide. 

Cofunding: An award made by NIJ under this solicitation may account for up to 100 percent of the total cost of the project. The 

application should indicate whether it is feasible for the applicant to contribute cash, facilities, or services as non-federal 

support for the project. The application should identify generally any such contributions that the applicant expects to make and 

the proposed budget should indicate in detail which items, if any, will be supported with non-federal contributions. 

For additional match information, see the “Cost Sharing or Match Requirement” section under Federal Award Information. 

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. 

Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (if applicable) 

Applicants will submit their indirect cost rate agreement by uploading the agreement as an attachment in JustGrants. See the 

OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for additional information. 

Financial Management Questionnaire (including applicant disclosure of high-risk status) 

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Applicants will download the questionnaire in JustGrants and submit by uploading the completed questionnaire as an 

attachment in JustGrants. See the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for additional information. 

Additional Application Components 

Applicants will attach the additional requested documentation in JustGrants. 

Curriculum Vitae or Resumes 

Curriculum Vitae, Resumes, or Biographical sketches of Senior/Key Personnel (not counted against the program narrative 

page limit). 

For the purposes of this solicitation, “senior/key personnel” means the principal investigator, all co-principal investigators, and 

other significant contributors. Reviewers use these pages in part to address the “Capabilities/Competencies” selection criterion. 

NIJ encourages use of the SciENcv standard format biographical sketch (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sciencv/). Attach this 

information as a separate PDF file titled “CVs of Key Personnel.” 

Tribal Authorizing Resolution 

If applicable, applicants will submit the Tribal Authorizing Resolution by uploading the resolution as an attachment in 

JustGrants. An application in response to this solicitation may require inclusion of information related to a tribal authorizing 

resolution as an attachment. See the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for information on tribal authorizing resolutions. 

Timeline Form 

Proposed project timeline and expected milestones. 

Letters of Support 

Letters of cooperation/support or administrative agreements from organizations collaborating in the project, such as law 

enforcement and correctional agencies (if applicable). Attach all appropriate letters of support, including any letters necessary 

to demonstrate the support of consortium participants and collaborators such as senior/key personnel and other significant 

contributors included in the grant application. 

Research and Evaluation Independence and Integrity Statement 

If an application proposes research (including research and development) and/or evaluation, the applicant must demonstrate 

research/evaluation independence and integrity, including appropriate safeguards, before it may receive award funds. 

Applicants will submit a description of their research and evaluation independence and integrity by uploading the document as 

an attachment in JustGrants. For additional information regarding demonstrating research/evaluation independence and 

integrity, including appropriate safeguards, see the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide. 

Bibliography/reference 

Bibliography/references. Provide a bibliography of any references cited in the Project Narrative. 

Any tools/instruments, questionnaires, tables/chart/graphs, or maps 

Any tools/instruments, questionnaires, tables/charts/graphs, or maps pertaining to the proposed project that are supplemental 

to such items included in the main body of the narrative. 

List of Individuals in the Application 

To assist OJP in assessing actual or apparent conflicts of interest (including such conflicts on the part of prospective reviewers 

of the application), provide a complete list of the individuals named or otherwise identified anywhere in the application 

(including in the budget or in any other attachment) who will or may work (or advise or consult) on the proposed project 

activities. This applies to all such individuals, including, for example, individuals who are or would be employees of the 

applicant or employees of any proposed subrecipient entity, any individuals who themselves may be a subrecipient, and 

individuals who may (or will) work without compensation (such as advisory board members). This appendix to the program 

narrative is to include, for each listed individual: name, title, employer, any other potentially-pertinent organizational affiliation 

(s), and the individual's proposed roles and responsibilities in carrying out the proposed project. If the application identifies any 

specific entities or organizations (other than the applicant) that will or may work (or advise or consult) on the proposed project, 

without also naming any associated individuals, the name of each such organization also should be included on this list. 

Applicants should use the “Proposed Project Staff, Affiliation, and Roles” form available on the NIJ webpage to prepare this list. 

See https://nij.ojp.gov/media/document/16911 

Human Subjects Protection 

Human Subjects Protection paperwork (documentation and forms related to Institutional Review Board [IRB] review). See 

https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/human-subjects-and-privacy-protection. Note: Final IRB approval is not required at the time an 

application is submitted. 

Privacy Certificate 

Privacy Certificate (for further guidance go to https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/confidentiality-and-privacy-protections and 

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O-NIJ-2021-97001 
https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/model-privacy-certificate). 

Request to Use Incentives or Stipends 

Applicants proposing to use incentives or stipends payments as part of their project design, must submit an incentive or stipend 

approval request, as a separate document, according to the requirements set forth at https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/participantsupport-costs-and-incentives-social-scienceresearch. 

Consortium/Contractual Arrangements 

Explain the programmatic, fiscal, and administrative arrangements to be made between the applicant organization and the 

consortium organization(s). 

Data Archiving Plan 

Applicants should anticipate that NIJ will require, through special award conditions, that data sets resulting in whole or in part 

from projects funded under this solicitation be submitted for archiving with the NACJD. See https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/dataarchiving-plans-nij-funding-applicants. 

Applications should include as an appendix a brief plan — labeled “Data Archiving Plan” — to comply with data archiving 

requirements. The plan should provide brief details about proposed data management and archiving, including submission to 

NIJ (through NACJD) of all files and documentation necessary to allow for future efforts by others to reproduce the project’s 

findings and/or to extend the scientific value of the data set through secondary analysis. Pertinent files and documentation 

include, among other things, qualitative and quantitative data produced, instrumentation and data collection forms, codebook 

(s), any specialized programming code necessary to reproduce all constructed measures and the original data analysis, 

description of necessary de-identification procedures, and (when required) a copy of the privacy certificate and informed 

consent protocols. 

The plan should be one or two pages in length and include the level of effort associated with meeting archiving requirements. 

Note that recipients are strongly encouraged to submit required data sets at least 90 days before the end of the period of 

performance. 

Potential Environmental Impact Coversheet and Checklist - National Environmental Policy Act 

(NEPA) 

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. 

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. For more information about NEPA and NIJ’s NEPA Process, please go to 

https://nij.ojp.gov/funding/national-environmental-policy-act-nepa. 

Disclosures and Assurances 

Applicants will complete the following disclosures and assurances. 

Disclosure of Lobbying Activities 

Applicants will complete and submit the SF-LLL in Grants.gov. See the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for additional 

information. 

DOJ Certified Standard Assurances 

See the DOJ Certified Standard Assurances in the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide. 

Applicant Disclosure of Duplication in Cost Items 

Applicants will complete the JustGrants web-based Applicant Disclosure of Duplication in Cost Items form. See the OJP Grant 

Application Resource Guide for additional information. 

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DOJ Certifications Regarding Lobbying; Debarment, Suspension and Other Responsibility 

Matters; and Drug-Free Workplace Requirements 

Applicants will review and accept the DOJ Certified Certifications Regarding Lobbying; Debarment, Suspension and Other 

Responsibility Matters; and Drug-Free Workplace Requirements. See OJP Grant Application Resource Guide. 

Applicant Disclosure and Justification – DOJ High Risk Grantees (if applicable) 

If applicable, applicants will submit as an attachment in JustGrants. See the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for 

additional information. A DOJ High Risk Grantee is a recipient that has received a DOJ High Risk designation based on a 

documented history of unsatisfactory performance, financial instability, management system or other internal control 

deficiencies, or noncompliance with award terms and conditions on prior awards, or that is otherwise not responsible. 

How to Apply 

Applicants will submit an SF-424 and an SF-LLL in Grants.gov at https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html. 

Applicants will submit the full application including attachments in JustGrants at JustGrants.usdoj.gov. 

For additional information, see the “How to Apply” section in the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide. 

Submission Dates and Time 

The SF-424 and the SF-LLL will be submitted in Grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. eastern time on June 3, 2021. 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. 

The full application will be submitted in JustGrants by 11:59 p.m. eastern time on June 10, 2021. 

To be considered timely, the full application must be submitted in JustGrants by the JustGrants application deadline. 

Application Review Information 

Review Criteria 

a. Scored Review Criteria 

Applications that meet basic minimum requirements will be evaluated by peer reviewers. Applications will be evaluated on how 

the proposed project/program addresses the following criteria as related to the Program-specific Information and the Goals, 

Objectives, Deliverables, and Expected Scholarly Products sections described above for this FTCOE program: 

1. Description of the Issue (5%) 

Demonstrated understanding of the issues related to technology transfer of forensic science research products. 

Demonstrated importance of goals and objectives, including alignment with the aims of the solicitation. 

Demonstrated awareness of the state of current research, products, technology implementation needs, and associated 

policy and practice. 

Demonstrated understanding of technology transition and related activities. 

2. Project Design and Implementation (quality and technical merit) (45%). 

Feasibility of proposed project activities. 

Soundness of the strategy and methodologies to be used to accomplish the specific aims of the project activities. 

Soundness of analytic and technical approaches to accomplish the stated aims of the proposed project activities. 

Awareness of potential pitfalls of proposed project design (including challenges associated with implementation and 

adoption of new technologies into forensic practice) and feasibility of proposed actions to minimize and/or mitigate them. 

Feasibility of completing the deliverables noted in the solicitation. 

Demonstration of partnerships to enhance the scope and reach of project activities. 

Innovation and creativity (when appropriate). 

3. Capabilities and Competencies (capabilities, demonstrated productivity, and experience of the applicant organization and 

proposed project staff) (30%) 

Qualifications and experience of proposed project staff (that is, the principal investigator, all co-principal investigators, 

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and all other individuals (and organizations) identified in the application (regardless of “investigator” status) who will be 

significantly involved in substantive aspects of the proposed project). 

Demonstrated ability of the applicant organization and proposed project staff to implement the proposed strategies and 

manage the effort. 

Relationship between the capabilities/competencies of the proposed project staff (including the applicant organization) 

and the scope and strategies of the proposed project. 

Demonstrated experience and expertise of proposed project staff and proposed partners to enable project support for a 

wide variety of forensic science disciplines and criminal justice applications. 

Demonstrated experience and expertise with impact evaluations and cost-benefit analyses. 

4. Potential Impact (20%) 

Potential for proposed project activities to accomplish the specific goals and objectives of this program. 

Potential for innovative solutions to address criminal justice system needs. 

Potential to develop strategies that enhance forensic science policy and practice. 

Perceived potential for commercialization a new technology. 

Potential for significant advances/impact in the field. 

Strength and feasibility of the proposed dissemination plan to produce deliverables and scholarly products (such as 

published, peer-reviewed, scientific journal articles, book chapter(s) or book(s) in the academic press, technological 

prototypes, patented inventions, databases, standards or similar scientific products), as well as make summary 

information available to broader interested audiences, such as criminal justice practitioners or policymakers. 

5. Budget (0%) 

In addition, peer reviewers will consider and may comment on the following additional items in the context of scientific and 

technical merit. 

Alignment of the proposed budget with proposed project activities. 

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

Appropriateness of the budget relative to the level of effort. 

Use of existing resources to conserve costs. 

b. Additional Review Criteria 

Other important considerations for NIJ include geographic diversity, strategic priorities, available funding, past performance, 

and the extent to which the Budget Worksheet and Budget Narrative (Web-Based form) accurately explain project costs that 

are reasonable, necessary, and otherwise allowable under federal law and applicable federal cost principles. 

Review Process 

Applications submitted under this solicitation that meet basic minimum requirements, will be evaluated for technical merit by a 

peer review panel(s) in accordance with OJP peer review policy and procedures using the stated review criteria above. 

OJP screens applications to ensure they meet the basic minimum requirements prior to conducting peer review. 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 necessary to meet the basic minimum requirements. 

The application, if submitted by an applicant that is a DOJ High Risk Grantee, or is designated “high risk” by a 

federal grant-making agency outside of DOJ, must not have been determined by the NIJ Director to pose a 

substantial risk of program implementation failure, based on 1) the applicant’s lack of sufficient progress in 

addressing required corrective actions necessary for removal of the DOJ High Risk Grantee (or non-DOJ high 

risk) designation, 2) the nature and severity of the issues leading to or accompanying the DOJ High Risk Grantee 

(or non-DOJ high risk) designation, and/or 3) the applicant’s expected ability to manage grant funds and achieve 

grant goals and objectives. 

Peer review panels will evaluate, score, and rate applications that meet basic minimum requirements. NIJ may use external 

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peer reviewers, internal 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. 

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 $250,000 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, 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. 

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. 

Federal Award Administration Information 

Federal Award Notices 

See the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for information on award notifications and instructions. 

Administrative, National Policy, and Other Legal Requirements 

If selected for funding, in addition to implementing the funded project consistent with the OJP-approved application, the 

recipient must comply with all award conditions, and all applicable requirements of federal statutes and regulations (including 

applicable requirements referred to in the assurances and certifications executed in connection with award acceptance). 

For additional information on these legal requirements, see the “Administrative, National Policy, and Other Legal Requirements” 

section in the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide. 

Information Technology (IT) Security Clauses 

An application in response to this solicitation may require inclusion of information related to information technology security. 

See the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for information on information technology security. 

General Information about Post-Federal Award Reporting Requirements 

In addition to the deliverables described in the Program Description section, any recipient of an award under this solicitation will 

be required to submit certain reports and data. 

Required reports. Recipients typically must submit quarterly financial reports, quarterly, 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. Future awards and fund drawdowns may be withheld if reports are delinquent. (In appropriate 

cases, OJP may require additional reports.) 

See the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for additional information on specific post-award reporting requirements, 

including performance measures data. 

Federal Awarding Agency Contact(s) 

For questions directed to the Federal Awarding Agency, see NCJRS contact information on page 2. 

For contact information for Grants.gov, see page 2. 

Other Information 

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

See the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for information on Freedom of Information and Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552 and 5 

U.S.C. 552a). 

Provide Feedback to OJP 

See the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for information on how to provide feedback to OJP. 

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O-NIJ-2021-97001 
Performance Measures 

Objective Performance Measure(s) Data Grantee Provides 

1) Providing scientific and Review of forensic science research, Number of research, development, and 

technical support to NIJ’s development, evaluation projects (and their evaluation projects reviewed for transition into 

research and development and outcomes) for transition into practice. practice. 

technology transition efforts. 

Provide assessment metrics for project/outcome 

reviews. 

Identify projects for transition and develop Number of projects identified for transition. 

project plans to facilitate transition. 

Number of project plans developed to facilitate 

transition. 

Identify and facilitate collaborations. Number and types of collaborations between 

NIJ-funded researchers, forensic practitioners, 

and technology developers. 

Percent of deliverables completed on time. 

Percent of deliverables completed that meet 

expectations. 

Provide scholarly products such as public reports 

that reflect findings and information about FTCoE 

projects, to include but not limited to best 

practices, landscape reports to assess 

technology, proceedings from workshops, etc. 

If applicable, each data set that resulted in whole 

or in part from work funded under the NIJ award. 

Participation in national and regional groups, 

conferences, and symposia that support the 

adoption of technology. 

Provide general logistical support for those 

meetings, as needed. 

Number of events supported or participated. 

Number and types of participation in those 

events, including number of FTCOE staff 

participating. 

Number of presentations provided by FTCOE 

staff and types of events where presented. 

Number and types of general logistical support 

for those meetings, including number of FTCOE 

staff participating. 

2) Facilitating demonstration, 

testing, evaluation, transfer, 

and adoption of appropriate 

technology into practice by 

crime laboratories, medical 

examiner/coroner offices, law 

enforcement, and other 

criminal justice agencies and 

forensic science service 

providers. 

Facilitate the effective transfer into practice 

of new tools and technologies. Identify 

evidence-based technologies ready for 

transition. 

Identify key agencies, professional 

organizations, and individual researchers 

and practitioners that should participate 

Introduce new tools and technologies to 

practitioners, introduce practitioner 

requirements to developers, and assist 

developers in the commercialization of their 

products. 

Number and description of type of technologies 

identified for transition. 

Number and description of the types of tools and 

technologies transferred into practice. 

Number and types of organizations, practitioners, 

researchers, and developers assisted. 

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Design and implement demonstrations and 

pilot projects. 

Assess implementation strategies and 

feasibility using evaluation studies. 

Disseminate findings (including strategic 

implementation plans) through reports and 

scholarly articles, conferences, best 

practices, and technology assistance 

activities. 

Number and types of demonstration, pilot 

projects, and evaluations. Description of all 

products and projects evaluated. 

Number of agencies/organizations participating 

in these demonstration or pilot technology 

transition activities. 

Number and types of dissemination activities, 

including published products and other materials 

disseminated. 

Increase stakeholder coordination. 

Facilitate and support NIJ working group 

and associated activities that assess current 

and future technology and technology 

transition needs and develop advice, 

guidance, and strategies to enhance the 

policy and practice and improve the 

reliability of forensic science. 

Number of working group events, published 

products, and related activities. 

Provide needs and assessment metrics for 

working group activities, studies, and other 

efforts focused on the needs of the forensic 

sciences. 

Number of agencies/organizations represented 

at the working group meetings. 

3) Providing technology 

transition assistance, 

knowledge transfer, and 

support to forensic science 

researchers and practitioners. 

Provide high-quality, specialized technology 

transition assistance, knowledge transfer, 

and support events/activities. 

Number of those events/activities conducted. 

Number and types of agencies, organizations, 

researchers, practitioners, and other individuals 

or relevant stakeholder groups participating in 

those events or activities. 

Number and type of technology transition 

assistance, knowledge transfer, and support 

requests received. 

Number and type of technology transition 

assistance, knowledge transfer, and support 

provided. 

Support to assist first-adopter law 

enforcement, crime laboratories, forensic 

science service providers and other criminal 

justice agencies with the use of new 

technologies or the adaptation of existing 

technologies to enhance their effectiveness, 

efficiency, and safety. 

Provide national expertise for the criminal 

justice community’s ongoing efforts to 

continuously improve operations through the 

adoption of new tools and methods. 

Support knowledge transfer activities. 

Support the implementation of policy and 

practice. 

Number and types of recipients supported. 

Number and types of technologies adopted by 

those recipients. 

Number and types of dissemination activities, 

including published products and other materials 

disseminated. 

Number and type of knowledge transfer 

activities, and policy and practices implemented. 

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4) Developing and providing 

access to resources for 

research dissemination, 

education, and evidence-based 

best practices in the forensic 

science and criminal justice 

communities 

Develop evidence-based guides or best 

practices for crime laboratories, forensic 

science practitioners, law enforcement, and 

other appropriate criminal justice 

practitioners 

Number of reports published, workshops, 

webinars, or publication of other scholarly 

products. 

Number of agencies/organizations receiving and 

sharing information. 

Engagement with forensic science academic 

programs, academic professional 

organizations, and professional accreditation 

and certification bodies to ensure that 

FTCOE resources, including information on 

new forensic innovations, emerging 

technologies, and operational approaches, 

are disseminated to develop current and 

future forensic science practitioners. 

Number and types of engagement activities and 

dissemination efforts. 

5) Working closely with NIJ 

program managers to assess 

and communicate the impact of 

forensic science RDT&E, 

evidence-based best practices, 

and systems-based 

approaches for the criminal 

justice system 

Assess the impact of forensic science 

research on the criminal justice system. 

Develop recommendations for improving the 

impact of forensic science research. 

Disseminate information on evidence-based 

best practices and systems-based 

approaches. 

Facilitate knowledge transfer from forensic 

science-related social science, operational 

and managerial research and evaluation. 

Number and descriptions of project and program 

impact assessments and/or evaluations 

conducted. 

Number and types of dissemination activities, 

including published products and other materials 

disseminated. 

Number and types of those knowledge transfer 

activities. 

Catalog, synthesize, and conduct metaanalyses of cost-benefit analyses related to 

forensic science. 

Number of materials developed, including costbenefit analyses. 

6) Developing national forensic 

science library services to 

identify, curate, and make 

available scholarly literature 

relevant to the forensic science 

research and practitioner 

community. 

Develop and facilitate an online library 

infrastructure to support the identification 

and management of research publications, 

citations, databases, and other primary or 

secondary source materials. 

Number and types of library services provided. 

Number and types of materials managed. 

Proliferate research findings and best 

practices. 

Promulgate access of forensic science and 

other scientific literature to forensic science 

practitioners, particularly at the State and 

local levels. 

Conduct literature reviews. 

Develop strategies to provide open access 

for forensic science research. 

Coordinate with appropriate services. 

Assessment metrics associated with requests for 

literature access and participation in library 

services. 

Number and types of requests for services. 

Number and types of support provided. 

Number of literature reviews conducted. 

Description of strategies developed and 

coordination activities. 

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Overall program objectives. Quality of the management as measured by 

whether significant interim project 

milestones were achieved, final deadlines 

were met and costs remained within 

approved limits. 

Relevance to the needs of the field as 

measured by whether the project’s 

substantive scope, or any subsequent 

agency-approved modifications to the 

scope, did not deviate from and supported 

the funded proposal. 

Individual project reports detailing the FTCOE’s 

activities including the activities conducted. 

Semi-annual progress reports highlighting all 

activities conducted in the previous 6 month 

period, planned activity for the future, status of all 

planned projects, whether or not the objectives 

are being met, and a comprehensive listing of all 

work products such as scholarly products, 

evaluations, and fielded technologies. 

Quarterly financial reports, semi-annual and final 

progress reports, and, if applicable, an annual 

audit report in accordance with the Part 200 

Uniform Requirements of the work performed 

under the NIJ award. 

Percent of deliverables completed on time. 

Percent of deliverables completed that meet 

expectations. 

Provide scholarly products such as public reports 

that reflect findings and information about FTCoE 

projects, to include but not limited to best 

practices, landscape reports to assess 

technology, proceedings from workshops, etc. 

If applicable, each data set that resulted in whole 

or in part from work funded under the NIJ award. 

Percent of technical assistance requests 

completed. 

Number of technical assistance requests 

completed. 

Number of technical assistance requests 

received. 

Application Checklist 

Forensic Technology Center of Excellence, Fiscal Year 2021 

This application checklist has been created as an aid in developing an application. 

What an Applicant Must Do: 

Prior to Registering in Grants.gov: 

Acquire a DUNS Number (see OJP Grant Application Resource Guide) 

Acquire or renew registration with SAM (see OJP Grant Application Resource Guide) 

To Register with Grants.gov: 

Acquire AOR and Grants.gov username/password (see OJP Grant Application Resource Guide) 

Acquire AOR confirmation from the E-Biz POC (see OJP Grant Application Resource Guide) 

To Find Funding Opportunity: 

Search for the Funding Opportunity on Grants.gov 

Access Funding Opportunity and Application Package (see OJP Grant Application Resource Guide) 

Sign up for Grants.gov email notifications (optional) (see OJP Grant Application Resource Guide) 

Read Important Notice: Applying for Grants in Grants.gov 

Read OJP policy and guidance on conference approval, planning, reporting available at 

ojp.gov/financialguide/DOJ/PostawardRequirements/chapter3.10a.htm (see OJP Grant Application Resource Guide) 

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O-NIJ-2021-97001 
Overview of Post-Award Legal Requirements: 

Review the “Overview of Legal Requirements Generally Applicable to OJP Grants and Cooperative Agreements - FY 

2021 Awards” in the OJP Funding Resource Center. 

Scope Requirement: 

The federal amount requested is within the allowable limit(s). 

Eligibility Requirement: 

State governments 

City or township governments 

Public and State controlled institutions of higher education 

County governments 

Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities 

Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments) 

Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) 

Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education 

Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education 

Private institutions of higher education 

For profit organizations other than small businesses 

Independent school districts 

Small businesses 

For purposes of this solicitation, the term “State” means any State of the United States, the District of Columbia, the 

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

Submit SF-424 and SF-LLL in Grants.gov 

After SF-424 and SF-LLL Submission in Grants.gov, Receive Grants.gov Email Notifications That: 

Submission has been received in Grants.gov 

Submission has either been successfully validated or rejected with errors (see OJP Grant Application Resource Guide) 

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

Contact the NCJRS Response Center regarding technical difficulties (see OJP Grant Application Resource Guide) 

Receive email notification to complete application in JustGrants: 

Complete Application in JustGrants 

Content of Application Submission: 

The following items are critical application elements required to pass Basic Minimum Requirements review.  An application that 

OJP determines does not include the application elements that must be included in the application submission in order for the 

application to meet the basic minimum requirements, will neither proceed to peer review, nor receive further consideration. 

Program Narrative, (see page 9) 

Budget Detail Worksheet and Budget Narrative, and (see page 11) 

Curriculum Vitae/Resumes/Biographical Sketches for Senior/Key Personnel. (see page 12) 

~~~ 

Content of Application Submission 

Information to Complete the Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424) in Grants.gov 

Standard Applicant Information (SF-424 info from Grants.gov) 

Proposal Abstract 

Proposal Narrative 

Budget and Associated Documentation 

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O-NIJ-2021-97001 
       

               

Budget Worksheet and Budget Narrative (Web-based form) 

Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (if applicable) (see OJP Grant Application Resource Guide) 

Financial Management and System of Internal Controls Questionnaire (see OJP Grant Application Resource Guide) 

Additional Application Components 

Tribal Authorizing Resolution (if applicable) [insert if applicable] (see OJP Grant Application Resource Guide) 

Research and Evaluation Independence and Integrity (see OJP Grant Application Resource Guide) 

Potential Environmental Impact Coversheet and Checklist (NEPA) (see page ) 

Disclosures and Assurances 

Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL) (see OJP Grant Application Resource Guide) 

Applicant Disclosure of Duplication in Cost Items (Pending Applications) (see OJP Grant Application Resource Guide) 

DOJ Certified Standard Assurance (see OJP Grant Application Resource Guide) 

DOJ Certifications Regarding Lobbying; Debarment, Suspension and Other Responsibility Matters; and Drug-Free 

Workplace Requirements (see OJP Grant Application Resource Guide) 

Applicant Disclosure and Justification - DOJ High Risk Grantees (if applicable) (see OJP Grant Application Resource 

Guide) 

Submit Application in JustGrants: 

Application has been successfully submitted in JustGrants 

If No JustGrants Application Submission, Validation, or Error Notifications are Received: 

Contact JustGrants.Support@usdoj.gov or 833–872–5175 regarding technical difficulties 

Endnotes 

[1] National Institute of Justice, (2019). Report to Congress: Needs Assessment of Forensic Laboratories and Medical 

Examiner/Coroner Offices, Appendix C. Report prepared for U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, D.C. Retrieved from 

https://www.justice.gov/olp/page/file/1228306/download. 

[2] Supporting Crime Lab Directors and the Formation of the Forensic Laboratory Needs Technology Working Group, 

https://nij.ojp.gov/speech/supporting-crime-lab-directors-and-formation-forensic-laboratory-needs-technology-working 

Forensic Laboratory Needs Technology Working Group — Opening a New Channel to Improve Forensics, 

https://nij.ojp.gov/topics/articles/forensic-laboratory-needs-technology-working-group-opening-new-channel-improve. 

[3] Section 508 Home Page, U.S. Department of Justice. https://www.justice.gov/crt/section-508-home-page-1. 

[4] National Institute of Justice, (2019). Report to Congress: Needs Assessment of Forensic Laboratories and Medical 

Examiner/Coroner Offices, Report prepared for U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, D.C. Retrieved from 

https://www.justice.gov/olp/page/file/1228306/download. 

[5] Ibid, 135-138. 

[6] National Criminal Justice Reference Service (NCJRS)  https://www.ncjrs.gov/. 

[7] Research and development projects are funded through other NIJ annual solicitations. See https://nij.ojp.gov/funding. 

[8] As noted earlier, if the proposed program or project reasonably could be conducted in discrete phases, with each phase 

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O-NIJ-2021-97001 
resulting in completion of one or more significant, defined milestones, then NIJ strongly recommends that the applicant 

structure the application – specifically including the narrative, expected scholarly products, timelines/milestones, and budget 

detail worksheet and budget narrative – to set out each phase clearly. (In appropriate cases, the expected scholarly product(s) 

from a particular phase may vary from those described above.) See generally, “Goals, Objectives, Deliverables, and Expected 

Scholarly Products” under “Program-Specific Information,” above. 

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O-NIJ-2021-97001