DNA Backlog Reduction Program

 

Goals: The overarching goal is to assist eligible States and units of local government to increase laboratory capacity and reduce the number of samples awaiting analysis in both the casework and database sections. Objectives: To assist eligible States and units of local government to process, record, screen, and analyze forensic DNA and/or DNA database samples to increase the capacity of public forensic DNA and DNA database laboratories to process more DNA samples, thereby helping to reduce the number of forensic DNA and DNA database samples awaiting analysis, and to use DNA analysis and other forensic technologies to assist with cold/unsolved cases and missing person/unidentified human remains cases. To assist States and units of local government to implement an evidence management program to inventory, track, and report untested and unsubmitted sexual assault kits (SAKs).

General information about this opportunity
Last Known Status
Active
Program Number
16.741
Federal Agency/Office
Office of Justice Programs, Department of Justice
Type(s) of Assistance Offered
A - Formula Grants; B - Project Grants
Program Accomplishments
Fiscal Year 2018 This program has funded the analysis of thousands of DNA cases, including sexual assault kits, in state and local crime laboratories and the entry of hundreds of missing and unidentified persons cases into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System, NamUs.
Authorization
An act appropriating funds for the Department of Justice in the current fiscal year and, beginning with fiscal year 2018 and in certain, specified subsequent years, Section 3(a) of P.L. 114-324, the Justice for All Reauthorization Act of 2016 (see program solicitation and award documentation for applicability).
Who is eligible to apply/benefit from this assistance?
Applicant Eligibility
See the current fiscal year's solicitation available at www.nij.gov
Beneficiary Eligibility
See the current fiscal year's solicitation available at www.nij.gov
Credentials/Documentation
The application must include: Application for Federal Assistance (Standard Form 424); Program Abstract; Program Narrative; Budget and Budget Narrative. Current laboratory accreditation certificates are required from applicants; see current fiscal year's solicitation available at www.nij.gov for requirements.
What is the process for applying and being award this assistance?
Pre-Application Procedure
Preapplication coordination is required. An environmental impact assessment is required for this listing. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.
Application Procedure
2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. See the current fiscal year's solicitation available at www.nij.gov
Award Procedure
NIJ may use internal peer reviewers (DOJ employees), external peer reviewers, or a combination, to assess applications meeting basic minimum requirements on technical merit using the solicitation's selection criteria. Peer reviewers' ratings and any resulting recommendations are advisory only, although their views are considered carefully. Absent explicit statutory authorization or written delegation of authority to the contrary, all final award decisions will be made by the Assistant Attorney General (Office of Justice Programs), who may consider factors including, but not limited to, underserved populations, geographic diversity, strategic priorities, past performance under prior NIJ and OJP awards, and available funding when making awards.
Deadlines
Contact the headquarters or regional location, as appropriate for application deadlines
Approval/Disapproval Decision Time
From 60 to 90 days. See the current fiscal year's solicitation available at www.nij.gov.
Appeals
For statutory formula awards, see 28 C.F.R. Part 18. There are no appeal rights for rejection of a discretionary application, but for discretionary awards, see 28 C.F.R. Part 18.
Renewals
Please contact the program office for information.
How are proposals selected?
See the current fiscal year's solicitation available at www.nij.gov
How may assistance be used?
Funds for this program may be used for the following purposes: Salary and benefits of laboratory employees; Overtime for laboratory staff; Training; Travel (limited); Equipment; Laboratory supplies; Contracts; Direct administrative expenses; Costs associated with and including Accreditation; Software; and Laboratory Information Systems DNA modules or accessories. See the current fiscal year’s solicitation available at www.nij.gov.
What are the requirements after being awarded this opportunity?
Reporting
Performance Reports: See the current fiscal year’s solicitation available at www.nij.gov, and the DOJ Grants Financial Guide, available at www.ojp.gov. To assist the Department with fulfilling its responsibilities under the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993 (GPRA), Public Law 103-62, and the GPRA Modernization Act of 2010, Public Law 111–352, applicants that receive funding under this program must provide data that measure the results of their work done under this solicitation. Performance measures and data expected to be provided are as specified in the current fiscal year’s solicitation.
Auditing
See 2 CFR 200 for audit requirements.
Records
See 2 C.F.R . SS 200.334 for the government-wide requirements for retention requirements for records.
Other Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Statutory formula is not applicable to this assistance listing.

Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: See the current fiscal year’s solicitation available at www.nij.gov, and the DOJ Grants Financial Guide, available at www.ojp.gov. See the current fiscal year’s solicitation available at www.nij.gov, and the DOJ Grants Financial Guide, available at www.ojp.gov.
Who do I contact about this opportunity?
Regional or Local Office
Additional contact: Andrea Borchardt, Email: andrea.borchardt@usdoj.gov Phone: (202)-307-0289
Headquarters Office
Charles Heurich
U.S. Department of Justice
Office of Justice Programs
National Institute of Justice
810 7th Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20531 US
charles.heurich@usdoj.gov
Phone: 202-616-9264

Luther Schaeffer
U.S. Department of Justice
Office of Justice Programs
National Institute of Justice
810 7th Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20531 USA
luther.schaeffer@usdoj.gov
Phone: 202-514-1287
Website Address
https://nij.gov
Financial Information
Account Identification
15-0401-0-1-754
Obligations
(Formula Grants (Cooperative Agreements)) FY 18$86,479,841.00; FY 19 est $120,000,000.00; FY 20 est $97,000,000.00; FY 17$97,122,118.00; FY 16$100,649,672.00; - DNA analysis and capacity enhancement and other forensic activities (formerly DNA Backlog Reduction Program - NIJ Formula)(Formula Grants (Cooperative Agreements)) FY 18$2,187,681.00; FY 19 est $24,000,000.00; FY 20 est $2,400,000.00; - National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
See the current fiscal year's solicitation guidelines posted on the Office of Justice Programs web site at https://ojp.gov/funding/Explore/CurrentFundingOpportunities.htm.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
See 2 CFR Part 200, 2 CFR Part 2800, the current fiscal year's solicitation available at www.nij.gov, and the Department of Justice Grants Financial Guide, available at http://ojp.gov/financialguide/DOJ/index.htm.
Examples of Funded Projects
Fiscal Year 2016 See the NIJ website at www.nij.gov. Information on past awarded NIJ projects can be accessed at www.nij.gov/funding/awards/Pages/welcome.aspx.
Fiscal Year 2018 See the NIJ website at www.nij.gov. Information on past awarded NIJ projects can be accessed at www.nij.gov/funding/awards/Pages/welcome.aspx.
Fiscal Year 2019 See the NIJ website at www.nij.gov. Information on past awarded NIJ projects can be accessed at www.nij.gov/funding/awards/Pages/welcome.aspx.
Fiscal Year 2020 See the NIJ website at www.nij.gov. Information on past awarded NIJ projects can be accessed at www.nij.gov/funding/awards/Pages/welcome.aspx.

 



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