Support For Adam Walsh Act Implementation Grant Program (16.750)

Program

16.750 Support For Adam Walsh Act Implementation Grant Program

Federal Agency

Agency: Department of Justice

Authorization

Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006 (AWA).

Program Number

16.750

Last Known Status

Active

Objectives

To assist State, local, and tribal jurisdictions with developing and/or enhancing programs designed to implement requirements of the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA) under AWA and to support the maintenance and operation of the Dru Sjodin National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW). In summary, SORNA requires: (1) all States, the District of Columbia, the principal U.S. territories, and federally recognized American Indian tribes to maintain a sex offender registry; and (2) sex offenders to register and maintain a current registration in each jurisdiction where the offender resides, is an employee, and is a student. SORNA also sets forth requirements for sex offender registries, to include: specified required information, duration of registration, and in-person verification of sex offender identity as well as participation in the NSOPW. NSOPW links to state, territory and tribal public sex offender registries thus allowing the ability to search for registered sex offenders on a national level.

Types of Assistance

PROJECT GRANTS

Uses and Use Restrictions

The AWA Implementation grant funds must be used to assist jurisdictions in implementing requirements of the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA), Title I of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006. Funds must be used to implement or enhance sex offender registration and tracking programs in jurisdictions for the purpose of substantial compliance with SORNA. Additionally, funds must be used to ensure continued operation of NSOPW.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, America Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, units of local government, and Federally recognized American Indian tribes who have elected to carry out the requirements of SORNA. Only applicant jurisdictions that have the intention of substantially implementing the requirements of SORNA are eligible to apply.

Beneficiary Eligibility

State, local and tribal government agencies that have sex offender registry and tracking responsibilities. Collaborative endeavors are permissible which can include public as well as private organizations.

Credentials/Documentation

The applicant must submit a completed Application for Federal Assistance (Standard Form 424), including signed assurances that it will comply with statutory and administrative requirements. The applicant is also required to submit a description that includes the goals of the program, the implementation process, timetable for implementation, how the activities of the project will assist the jurisdiction in complying with SORNA or, for NSOPW, how the activities of the project will ensure continuous operation of NSOPW to include enhancements and SORNA specific software. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87.

Application and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

Preapplication coordination is not applicable. Environmental impact information is not required 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

This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-102. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110. All applications must be submitted electronically at: http://www.grants.gov or via OJP's Grant Management System (GMS). Applications or supplemental materials received by facsimile or postal mail will not be accepted. The receipt, review, and analysis of applications will follow Office of Justice Programs policies and procedures for the administration of grant applications.

Award Procedure

Generally awards will be made on a competitive basis with applications reviewed by a panel of subject matter experts who will assess application submissions based on established criteria and forward a recommendation to the Director. The Assistant Attorney General, Office of Justice Programs has final approval authority. Grantees are notified by E-mail seven to ten days after Congress has been notified. Grantees must print award, have signed by the authorized official and returned to the Office of Justice Programs by facsimile or mail.

Deadlines

Contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate, for application deadlines.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

From 120 to 180 days. Applications will generally be approved or denied within 180 days of receipt of a completed application.

Appeals

Determined by the Assistant Attorney General, OJP.

Renewals

Awards range from 12 to 18 months, and 24 months for NSOPW unless otherwise noted.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

Statutory formulas are not applicable to this program.

Matching Requirements: Percent: 25.%. A 25 percent match may be required for this grant program. If required, funding for this project may not exceed 75 percent. Contributions may be cash, in-kind services, or a combination of both.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this program.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Funds for each fiscal year will be awarded for a period of 12 to 18 months, and 24 months for NSOPW. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: Please contact the program office for more information.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

Program reports are not applicable. Cash reports are not applicable. Semi-annual progress reports are required. Quarterly financial reports are required. Performance measure data, as laid out in the solicitation are required.

Audits

In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133. Payments and transactions are subject to audits by the Government Accountability Office, Department of Justice's Office of the Inspector General, State or local government auditors, and auditors from independent public accounting firms. Jurisdictions must follow their local policies and procedures, including maintenance of reliable and accurate accounting systems, record keeping, and systems of internal control.

Records

In accordance with the requirement set forth in 28 CFR Parts 66 and 70, grantees must maintain all financial records, supporting documents, statistical records, and all other records pertinent to the award for at least three years following the close of the most recent audit.

Program Accomplishments

Not Applicable.

Financial Information

Account Identification

15-0404-0-1-754.

Obligations

(Project Grants) FY 08 $3,959,870; FY 09 est $6,000,000; FY 10 est $6,000,000

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

Varies, up to $300,000; up to $1 million for NSOPW.

Regulations, Guidelines and Literature

Program Guidance and Application Kit, and the OJP Financial Guide.

Related Programs

Not Applicable.

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

None.

Headquarters Office

SMART Office Office of Justice Programs, Department of Justice, 810 Seventh Street, NW, Washington, District of Columbia 20531 Phone: 202-514-4689

Web Site Address

http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/smart

Examples of Funded Projects

Not Applicable.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

A review panel convened by the SMART Office will evaluate all applications on the basis of the following criteria: (1) the application identifies a problem that is consistent with the purposes of this initiative; (2) the application describes a project that effectively addresses the problem statement; (3) the implementation strategy, time line, and capability of the organization and staff are sound; (4) the application articulates clearly the jurisdiction's goals, outcomes, and objectives and describes the accountability system and performance measures to determine progress towards achieving them; (5) the project demonstrates meaningful attention to the safety of victims and the general public by supporting jurisdiction's efforts to substantially comply with SORNA thus ensuring sex offender registration and tracking; (6) the application identifies specific individuals, or a process to identify individuals, to serve as the Grant Manager/Grant Coordinator, and demonstrates the skills, roles, and involvement of these individuals; and (7) the budget is reasonable as it relates to project activities.

For NSOPW: (1) the application identifies a need that is consistent with the purposes of this program ; (2) the application describes a project that effectively addresses the statement of need; (3) the implementation strategy, time line, and capability of the organization and staff are sound; (4) the application articulates clearly the goals, outcomes, and objectives of the project and describes the accountability system and performance measures to determine progress towards achieving them; (5) the project demonstrates meaningful attention to the public safety by supporting the operation of the Dru Sjodin National Sex Offender Public Website, which supports the SORNA goal of sex offender registration and tracking; (6) the application identifies specific individuals, or a process to identify individuals, to serve as the Grant Manager/Grant Coordinator, and demonstrates the skills, roles, and involvement of these individuals; and (7) the budget is reasonable as it relates to project activities.