Crime Laboratory Improvement-Combined Offender DNA Index System Backlog Reduction

 

To increase the capabilities and capacity of State and local crime laboratories in the United States to conduct state-of- the-art forensic evidence testing and to reduce the backlog of convicted offender DNA samples.

Deleted 04/21/2006 (Dionne Mitchell/NIJ email request 4/19/06 no long funded) 16.564 NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF JUSTICE, OFFICE OF JUSTICE PROGRAMS, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE Project Grants. In fiscal year 2001, the Crime Laboratory Improvement Program (CLIP) provided equipment supplies, training and technical assistance to State and local crime laboratories to increase and expand their capabilities and capacities to perform various types of forensic analysis. The Convicted Offender DNA Index Sample (CODIS) Backlog Reduction Program which was combined with CLIP in fiscal year 2001, provided funding to State DNA laboratories for outsourcing to private labs, the analysis of 280,000 backlogged convicted offender samples for expedited entry into the CODIS National database. Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968, Section 201, as amended; Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988, Public Law 100- 690; DNA Identification Act of 1994, Section 2401, Public Law 103-322. In accordance with the DNA Identification Act of 1994; Public Law 103-322, eligible applicants must be State or local (i.e., county and municipal) governments or combinations thereof. States with more than one current or prospective crime laboratory must work together to develop statewide testing programs and must demonstrate this coordination in the proposal. Such States should consider submitting a consortium proposal covering all affected laboratories. Local or regional crime laboratories may submit grant applications in conjunction with their State or they may submit on their own if coordination and participation with the State effort is clearly demonstrated and the need for forensic testing capabilities in the applicant's crime laboratory is justified. Applicants must certify that forensic analyses performed at the laboratory will satisfy or exceed the current standards for a Quality Assurance Program for DNA analysis issued by the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation under Section 14131 of Title 42 United States Code, as required by the DNA Identification Act of 1994, Public Law 103-322, as well as striving for ASCLD accreditation in other forensic disciplines. In accordance with the DNA Identification Act of 1994; Public Law 103-322, eligible applicants must be State or local (i.e., county and municipal) governments or combinations thereof. The purpose of this solicitation is to request applications for grants from State and local (i.e., county and municipal) governments to develop or improve the capability to analyze forensic evidence in State and local forensic laboratories. The applicant must furnish, along with the application for a grant, the "Statutory Assurance" required by the DNA Identification Act of 1994, certification that Federal funds will not be used to supplant State or local funds, a proposal abstract, program narrative, project period, forensic testing capacity requirements and estimates, and resumes of key personnel. Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-87 for State and local governments. Potential applicants are encouraged to request the program announcement for additional information about eligibility requirements, the research priorities of the Institute, and application and selection procedures. The standard application form as furnished by the Federal agency, in accordance with 28 CFR, Part 66 (Common Rule), must be used for this program. Applicants must contact their State Point of Contact (SPOC) to determine if the program has been selected for review by the State. 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. The date that the application was sent to the SPOC or the reason such submission is not required must be included in the application. A copy of the application must also be submitted to the State office that administers the Edward Byrne Memorial State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance Formula Grant Program. Detailed information is provided in a program solicitation which is obtained by sending a self-addressed mailing label to NCJRS, Box 6000, Rockville, MD 20849-6000; calling toll free to request a copy at (800) 851-3420; or accessing the web site at www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij under Funding Opportunities. This program is subject to the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-110 or the Common Rule where applicable. All applications will be reviewed by a peer review panel selected for their operational expertise as well as their knowledge in the substantive areas covered by this program. The NIJ Director makes the final award decision. Throughout the fiscal year, NIJ releases multiple announcements for research and technology development funding. Program deadlines will be included in the announcements of Requests for Proposals in the Federal Register, on NIJ's web site at www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij under Funding Opportunities, and on the NCJRS bulletin board and in electronic and hard copy publications. Approximately 90 days from application deadline. Hearing by the NIJ Director. None. All applications will be reviewed by a peer review panel selected for their operational expertise as well as their knowledge in the substantive areas covered by this solicitation. The NIJ Director makes the final award decision. Award selection will be based on the comprehensiveness, coherence, and specificity of the proposed project for developing or improving DNA testing capabilities in accordance with the objectives of the Forensic DNA Laboratory Improvement Program; commitment of State and local agencies to providing technical and financial resources in support of the goals and objectives of the proposed project; qualifications of key staff to manage and direct the activities and tasks set forth in the project plan; and the reasonableness and cost effectiveness of the program budget in relation to the proposed program. The Federal share of grants made under this program shall not exceed 75 percent of the total cost of the project described in the application. Furthermore, grant funds shall not be used to pay for State or local personnel costs. Project proposals shall demonstrate that the Federal share will be spent on expenses directly associated with the start-up or expansion of a public crime laboratory facility. Indirect and administrative costs are unallowable under this program. The Federal share shall not be used for new construction of laboratory buildings or facilities or to make modifications to existing laboratory space that are not necessary to house or operate required equipment. Federal funds shall not be used to replace funds already available for supplies to support forensic casework operations or the typing of convicted offender samples. Additionally, the Federal share shall not be used for travel-related or registration expenses for professional meetings and conferences. Expenditures from the Federal share may include the following: Laboratory equipment and supplies and other expenses directly attributable to conducting forensic analysis; outside training and related travel expenses for applicable graduate-level course work or training courses in specific methodologies as recommended by the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for DNA Quality Control/Quality Assurance; modifications to existing laboratory space only where necessary to accommodate required laboratory equipment and activities related to forensic analysis; contractor- provided services to conduct forensic testing of evidence; Combined Offender DNA Index System (CODIS) equipment and testing. Details regarding this program may be obtained by contacting the Department of Justice Response Center at (800) 421-6770 or accessing the web site at www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij under Funding Opportunities. Fiscal report consisting of quarterly expenditures and budget expenditure reports; final financial report giving costs and expenditures of the complete project; program reports consisting of bi- annual progress reports; and a final report including a summary of program accomplishments. Other reports may be requested. Financial reporting for IPAs will be negotiated in the appointment agreement. In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A- 133 (Revised, June 24, 1997), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profits 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 that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133. Records and accounts concerning the expenditure of Institute and grantee or appointee-contributed funds shall be maintained during the grant period and retained for 3 years thereafter. The Federal share of grants made under this program shall not exceed 75 percent of the total cost of the project described in the application. Furthermore, grant funds shall not be used to pay for State or local personnel costs. Applicants, however, may include the cost of laboratory personnel directly associated with the project as a credit toward the 25 percent minimum State or local match requirement. Please note that the minimum match requirement is 25 percent of total project costs, not 25 percent of the Federal share. Awards under this program are issued for a period of 1 year. None. National Institute of Justice, Department of Justice, 810 7th Street, NW., Washington, DC 20531. Telephone: (202) 307-2942. FTS number is (202) 307-2942. http://www.usdoj.gov/nij 15-0401-0-1-754; 15-0404-0-1-754. (Grants) FY 02 $20,514,355; FY 03 est $91,790,691; and FY 04 est $75,000,000. In amounts consistent with the applicant's proposed project and the Institute's plans, priorities and levels of financing. Information about a Crime Laboratory Improvement Program solicitation may be obtained by calling NCJRS at (800) 851-3420 or accessing the web site at www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij under Funding Opportunities. DNA STR Conversion Project, Indianapolis-Marion County Forensic Services Agency; Forensic DNA Improvement Program, City of Houston Police Department; "Fast Track" Forensic Indexing, City of Albuquerque; Expansion of DNA Services, North Carolina Department of Justice/SBI; Establishing DNA Typing Capabilities, California Department of Justice; STR Conversion/Expansion of CODIS, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension; Acquisition of CODIS Capabilities, Tucson Police Department. To obtain information about additional projects funding through this program, potential applicants may contact Lisa Forman, by addressing correspondence to Crime Laboratory Improvement Program, National Institute of Justice, Office of Science and Technology, 810 7th Street, NW., Washington, DC, 20531; by calling (202) 307-0648, or corresponding electronically at rau@ojp.usdoj.gov.