The Department of Justice enforces the law and defends the interest of the United States, ensuring public safety against threats foreign and domestic; providing Federal leadership in preventing and controlling crime; seeking just punishment for those guilty of unlawful pursuits; and ensuring fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans.
The NCHIP grant program is designed to improve the Nation's safety and security by enhancing the quality, completeness, and accessibility of criminal history record information and by insuring the nationwide implementation of criminal justice and noncriminal justice background check systems. For more information on program accomplishments, go to http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/nchip.htm.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Allowable uses of funds are outlined in the NCHIP fiscal year 2008 Program Announcement released December 2007.
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 State agency or its subgrantees 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.
Aplication and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
A potential grantee should contact the Headquarters Office, Gerald Ramker, NCHIP Branch Chief, Bureau of Justice Statistics, U.S.
Department of Justice, Washington, DC 20531; Telephone: (202) 307-0765, or E-mail: Gerald.Ramker@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 Procedures
The Office of Justice Programs (OJP) now requires that funding applications be submitted electronically through the OJP Grants Management System (GMS), which can be accessed at http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/fundopps.htm.
Award Procedures
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, Gerald Ramker, NCHIP Branch Chief, Bureau of Justice Statistics at (202) 307-0765 or E-mail: Gerald.Ramker@usdoj.gov for application deadlines. The NCHIP Program Announcement, also contains submission information.
Authorization
Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968, Public Law 105-251; 42 U.S.C. 3760.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Approximately 90 days.
Appeals
Hearing by Director.
Renewals
Awards may be for up to 12 months. Activities must be completed by September 30, 2009.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Provision of a 20 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. There are three methods for requesting payment of grant funds: the Letter of Credit Electronic Certification System (LOCES), the Phone Activated Paperless Request System (PAPRS) and the Automated Standard Application for Payment (ASAP).
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 online through GMS: and Progress Reports presenting information relevant to the performance of the project to be submitted online through GMS for reporting periods June 30 and December 31.
Audits
Nonfederal entities that expend $500,000 or more in Federal funds (from all sources including passthrough sub awards) in the organizational fiscal year (12 month turn around reporting period) shall have a single organizational audit conducted in accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular A133. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from audit requirements for that year.
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.
Financial Information
Account Identification
15-0401-0-1-754; 15-0404-0-1-754.
Obigations
FY 07 $9,872,280; FY 08 $9,400,000; and FY 09 est not available.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
None.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
Office of Justice Programs Financial Guide.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
None.
Headquarters Office
Gerald Ramker, NCHIP Branch Chief, Bureau of Justice Statistics, Department of Justice, Washington, DC 20531; Telephone: (202) 307-0765, or E-mail: Gerald.Ramker@usdoj.gov. Use the same number for FTS.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Criteria are described in the fiscal year 2008 NCHIP Program Announcement at http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/pub/html/nchip08sol.htm#contents.
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