FORENSIC CASEWORK DNA BACKLOG REDUCTION PROGRAM

 

To provide formula funding to State and units of local governments with existing crime laboratories that conduct DNA analysis. Funds are to be used to identify and test backlogged forensic DNA casework samples as well as post conviction DNA testing.

Deleted 08/20/2009 (Archived.) 16.743 NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF JUSTICE, OFFICE OF JUSTICE PROGRAMS, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE Formula Grants. In fiscal year 2004, Forensic Casework DNA Backlog Reduction Program provided Federal funding to pay for overtime, supplies for DNA analysis, consultants/contractor costs for laboratory assistance to State and local crime laboratories to identify and test backlogged forensic DNA casework samples. Department of Justice Appropriations Act, 2005, Public Law 108-447, 118 Stat. 2809, 2853, 2865 (2004) Eligible applicants must be existing State and units of local governments with existing crime laboratories that conduct DNA analysis to identify and test backlogged forensic DNA casework samples, whether in government-owned laboratories (which are accredited or currently undergo external audits that demonstrate compliance with DNA Quality Assurance Standards established by the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation) or through accredited fee-for-service vendors. Applicants must certify that the DNA analysis laboratory is accredited by a nonprofit professional association actively involved in forensic science and nationally recognized within the forensic science community such as the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors/Laboratory Accreditation Board (ASCLD/LAB) or the Forensic Quality Services (FQS), etc. Eligible applicants must be existing State and units of local governments with existing crime laboratories that conduct DNA analysis to identify and test backlogged forensic DNA casework samples, whether in government-owned laboratories (which are accredited or currently undergo external audits that demonstrate compliance with DNA Quality Assurance Standards established by the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)) or through accredited fee-for-service vendors. The applicant must furnish, along with the application for a grant, a letter from an appropriate official of the applicant agency certifying to the following: (a) the applicant has implemented, or will implement no later than 120 days after submission of its application, a comprehensive plan for expeditious analysis of forensic DNA casework in an accredited government-owned laboratory, or a government-owned laboratory meeting Federal Quality Assurance Standards, or through accredited fee-for-service vendors. (b) each DNA analysis conducted under the applicant's plan will be maintained pursuant to all applicable Federal privacy requirements, including those described in 42 U.S.C. 14132(b)(3). (c) all eligible forensic DNA casework samples analyzed under this program will be submitted for inclusion in CODIS. (d) the number of forensic cases currently awaiting DNA analysis that can be analyzed within 12 months and 18 months using the Federal funding requested in the current fiscal year application. This number should reflect the number of cases that can be analyzed above and beyond those that can be analyzed using other sources of funding, including existing Federal funding. The 12-month period runs from the date of an award of current fiscal year funding with an option of extending the grants for an additional 6 months. (e) the proportion of the State's total forcible rapes and murder/non-negligent manslaughter they reported to the FBI for two years prior to the current fiscal year funding announcement. (f) any funds remaining under any previous award from NIJ for DNA backlog reduction (no-suspect and/or forensic casework) will be utilized for authorized purposes before any funds are drawn down from any award made under the current fiscal year announcement. 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. General information is provided in individual program solicitations, which are obtained by accessing the web site at www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij, sending a self- addressed mailing label to NCJRS, Box 6000, Rockville, MD 20849-6000; or calling toll free to request a copy at (800) 851-3420. This program is subject to the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-110 or the Common Rule, where applicable. The Office of Justice Programs (OJP) requires that funding applications be submitted electronically through the OJP Grants Management System (GMS), which will be accessed at http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/fundopps.htm. On-line submission of an application represents legal binding acceptance of the terms of the application. For further information about GMS, call the OJP GMS Hotline at 1-888-549-9901. All applications will be reviewed the program office. The NIJ Director makes the final award decision. There is normally one deadline each year, usually in the Spring. The deadline varies based on when program appropriations is passed into law. The Program deadline will be included in the announcements on FedGrants at www.fedgrants.gov, on NIJ's website at www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/funding.htm ,and on the Office of Justice Programs website at www.ojp.usdoj.gov/fundopps.htm. Approximately 90 days from application deadline. Hearing by the NIJ Director. None. All eligible State and units of local governments with existing crime laboratories that conduct DNA analysis to identify and test backlogged forensic DNA casework samples, whether in government-owned laboratories (which are accredited or currently undergo external audits that demonstrate compliance with DNA Quality Assurance Standards established by the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)) or through accredited fee-for-service vendors will be award funding. Grant funds shall not be used to pay salaries and/or benefits of existing State or local personnel. However, applicants may include the cost of hiring new laboratory personnel directly associated with the project. The maximum Federal share of the approved salary and benefits for each newly hired staff position is 75 percent. The State or unit of local government will provide the funds for the remaining 25 percent. Project proposals shall demonstrate that the Federal share will be spent on expenses directly associated with identifying and testing backlogged forensic DNA casework/post convictions samples. Indirect and administrative costs are allowable under this program and shall not exceed 3 percent of the federal portion of the award. The Federal share shall not be used for new construction of laboratory buildings or facilities or to make modifications to existing laboratory space. Federal funds shall not be used to replace funds already available for supplies to support forensic DNA casework operations. Additionally, the Federal share can be used for travel to outsource laboratories to review procedures and practices prior to initial sample shipment and an additional unannounced site visit. Expenditures from the Federal share may include the following: laboratory supplies and other expenses directly attributable to conducting forensic DNA analysis; overtime of current laboratory staff or law enforcement staff directly engaged in the identifying, locating, handling, screening, and/or analyzing forensic evidence that may contain DNA; consultants and/or temporary contract staff to identify, locate, handle, screen, and/or analyze forensic evidence that may contain DNA, or to contract with accredited fee-for-service vendors to conduct DNA analyses; funds to identify, locate, handle, screen, and conduct post-conviction DNA testing of forensic evidence, with appropriate court order. Details regarding this program may be obtained by 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 quarterly performance metrics reports, bi-annual progress reports; and a final report including a summary of program accomplishments. Other reports may be requested. In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A- 133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profits 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. 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. Grant funds shall not be used to pay salaries and/or benefits of existing State or local personnel. Applicants, however, may include the cost of hiring new laboratory personnel directly associated with the project. The maximum Federal share of the approved salary and benefits for each newly hired staff position is 75 percent. The State or unit of local government will provide the funds for the remaining 25 percent. Awards under this program are issued for a period of 12 - 18 months. 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 15-0404-0-1-754. (Grants) FY 04 $0; FY 05 est $21,022,405; and FY 06 est not available. In amounts consistent with the applicant's proposed project and the Institute's plans, priorities and levels of financing. Information about a Forensic Casework DNA Backlog Reduction 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. West Virginia State Police Pennsylvania State Police, Bureau Forensic Services Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Broward County Sheriffs Office County of Santa Clara Mansfield Police Department Mississippi Department of Public Safety Maryland State Police To obtain information about additional projects funding through this program, potential applicants may contact Natalie Lu, by addressing correspondence to Forensic Casework DNA Backlog Reduction Program, National Institute of Justice, Office of Science and Technology, 810 7th Street, NW., Washington, DC, 20531; by calling (202) 616-5209, or corresponding electronically at Natalie.Lu@usdoj.gov.