National Criminal History Improvement Program (NCHIP) (16.554)
Program
16.554 National Criminal History Improvement Program (NCHIP)
Federal Agency
OFFICE OF JUSTICE PROGRAMS, BUREAU OF JUSTICE STATISTICS, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Authorization
Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968, Public Law 105-251; 42 U.S.C. 3760.
Program Number
16.554
Last Known Status
Active
Objectives
To enhance the quality and completeness of the nation's criminal history record systems; to provide financial and technical assistance to States for the establishment or improvement of computerized criminal history record systems and in their efforts to collect data on stalking and domestic violence; to improve data accessibility and support data transmissions to the national system which will permit the immediate identification of persons who are prohibited from purchasing firearms, are subject to domestic violence protective orders, or are ineligible to hold positions of responsibility involving children, the elderly, or the disabled; to support the development of accurate and complete State sex offender identification and registration systems which interface with the FBI's Sex Offender Registry and meet applicable Federal and State requirements; to develop and improve the processes for identifying, classifying, collecting, and entering data regarding stalking and domestic violence into local, State, and national crime information databases; to ensure that criminal justice systems are designed, implemented, or upgraded to be compliant where applicable, with the FBI operated National Instant Criminal Background Check System and Interstate Automated Fingerprint Identification System, meet other applicable statewide or regional criminal justice information sharing standards and plans; and, build upon ongoing efforts so as to support the wide range of technology based, criminal justice information, identification, and communications needs identified by the States.
Types of Assistance
Project Grants (Cooperative Agreements).
Uses and Use Restrictions
Allowable uses of funds are outlined in the NCHIP fiscal year 2001 Program Announcement expected for release in April 2001.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Awards will be made to the agency designated by the Governor to administer the NCHIP program. An award will be made to each eligible applicant State. The designated agency may be the agency with primary responsibility for implementing the major activity to be funded with NCHIP funds or a parent agency with programmatic oversight over, and legislative authority to transfer funds to, such agency.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Funds awarded to the State may be allocated for use in State or local agencies or the courts. Private organizations may receive funds under contract arrangements with a governmental unit to which NCHIP funds are allocated by the State.
Credentials/Documentation
The applicant must furnish, along with the application for an award, a detailed budget, a budget narrative, and a program narrative including the accomplishments, goals, impact, methods, evaluation plan, and resources of the project.
Application and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
A potential grantee should contact the Headquarters Office, Carol G. Kaplan, Chief, Criminal History Improvement Programs, Bureau of Justice Statistics, Department of Justice, Washington, DC 20531, or call (202) 307-0759 or email kaplanc@ojp.usdoj.gov, to obtain a copy of the program announcement. The standard application forms as furnished by the Office of Justice Programs (OJP), in accordance with 28, CFR Part 66 (Common Rule), must be used for this program. 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
Application forms are available through inquiry to the Grants/Contracts Management Division, OJP, Department of Justice, Washington, DC 20531.
Award Procedure
An award is granted by the Director of the Bureau of Justice Statistics and must be accepted by the applicant agency or institution according to the special conditions of the grant or cooperative agreement.
Deadlines
Contact the Headquarters Office, Carol G. Kaplan, Chief, Criminal History Improvement Programs at (202) 307-0759 or email kaplanc@ojp.usdoj.gov for application deadlines. The NCHIP Program Announcement, also contains submission information.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Appeals
Hearing by Director.
Renewals
Awards may be for up to 12 months. Activities must be completed by July 31, 2004.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Provision of a 10 percent cash or in-kind match by the recipient is required.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Project duration period will be for up to 12 months. Funds will be made available by "direct disbursement" at request of grantee or by Letter of Credit.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Reporting requirements include: Financial Status Reports containing the actual expenditures for the reporting period and cumulative for the award to be submitted quarterly; and Program Reports presenting information relevant to the performance of the project to be submitted biannually.
Audits
In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133, (Revised, June 24, 1997), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $300,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $300,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for the year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.
Records
In accordance with the requirements set forth in 28 CFR Parts 66 and 70, all financial records, supporting documents, statistical records, and all other records pertinent to the award shall be retained by each organization for at least 3 years following the closure of the most recent audit report.
Program Accomplishments
The goal of the program is to assist States in improving the automation, accuracy, and completeness of criminal history records and records of protective orders involving domestic violence and stalking; developing complete and accurate in- state sexual offender registries; and facilitating the interstate exchange of such records through national systems.
Financial Information
Account Identification
15-0401-0-1-754; 15-0404-0-1-754.
Obligations
(Grants) FY 02 $38,005,171; FY 03 est $38,000,000; and FY 04 est $38,000,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Not applicable.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
Office of Justice Programs Financial Guide.
Related Programs
None.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
None.
Headquarters Office
Carol G. Kaplan, Chief, Criminal History Improvement Programs, Bureau of Justice Statistics, Department of Justice, Washington, DC 20531. Telephone: (202) 307-0759 or kaplanc@ojp.usdoj.gov. Use the same number for FTS.
Web Site Address
Examples of Funded Projects
Not applicable.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Criteria are described in the fiscal year 2000 NCHIP Program Announcement.
