Edward Byrne Memorial State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance Discretionary Grants Program
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.
Program Accomplishments
This is a general purpose assistance program for all components of the criminal justice system with programs ranging from crime prevention to correctional alternatives to drug law enforcement to community justice interventions. It supports a broad range of technical assistance and training agents as well as site-based demonstration programs.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Discretionary grant funds provide federal financial assistance to public or private agencies and private nonprofit organizations for law enforcement program; prosecution and court program; prevention and education programs; corrections and community corrections programs; drug treatment and enforcement program; programs, planning, evaluation, and technology improvement programs; and crime victim and witness programs (other than compensation).
This assistance supports site-based demonstration programs that in view of previous research or experience are likely to be a success in more than one jurisdiction; projects that are national or multijurisdictional in scope; and many training and technical assistance initiatives.
Funds are not to be used for supplanting of state and local funds, land acquisition or construction projects.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Federal, State and local government agencies as well as public and private nonprofit organizations and federally recognized Indian Tribal governments are eligible to receive funds including faith-based and community organizations, under this program.
Beneficiary Eligibility
State and local governments, public and private organizations and Tribal governments.
Credentials/Documentation
Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-87 for State and local governments.
Aplication and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
The standard application forms (SF-424) as furnished by the federal agency 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 officials 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 standard application forms as furnished by the federal agency and required by the Common Rule, must be used for this program. This program is also subject to the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-110. All applications must be submitted electronically via the Office of Justice Programs' Grants Management System (GMS) at https://grants.ojp.usdoj.gov. Applications or supplemental materials received by facsimile or postal mail will not be accepted.
Award Procedures
Upon approval by the Assistant Attorney General, letters and an award package are sent to the grantee. One copy of the grant award must be signed by duly authorized representative and returned to BJA.
Deadlines
Varies. See the program solicitation or guidance letter or contact the Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance. Telephone: 1 (866) 859-2687 or by E-mail: AskBJA@usdoj.gov.
Authorization
Not applicable.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Varies.
Appeals
See 28 CFR Part 18.
Renewals
Continuation grants are renewable.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Grants may be made for amounts up to 100 per centum of the costs of the programs or projects contained in the approved applications.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Varies. Contingent upon program goals and objectives, generally 12-18 months.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Unless otherwise specified in the award's special conditions, financial reports are due quarterly and progress reports are due semi-annually; in some cases, evaluation reports may be required.
Audits
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. All organizations that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in any fiscal year must have a single audit for that year in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-133, as amended, unless the audit condition on the award says otherwise. These audits are due to the cognizant federal agency not later than 9 months after the end of the grantee's fiscal year. Performance Measures: To assist in fulfilling the Department's responsibilities under the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA), P.L. 103-62, applicants who receive funding under this solicitation must provide data that measures the results of their work.
Records
Recipients of federal funds are expected to retain documentation supporting all program transactions for at least 3 years after the closure of audit reports related to such funding. If any litigation, claim, negotiation, audit, or other action involving records has been started before the expiration of the 3-year period, the records must be retained until completion of the action and resolution of all related issues, or until the end of the regular 3-year period, whichever is later.
Financial Information
Account Identification
15-0404-0-1-754.
Obigations
FY 07 $189,255,557; FY 08 $187,513,000; and FY 09 est not available.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Varies.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
Office of Justice Programs' Financial Guide 2006 (www.ojp.usdoj.gov/financialguide/index.htm) and Postaward Instructions (www.ojp.usdoj.gov/funding/pdfs/post_award_instructions.pdf) are applicable.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
None.
Headquarters Office
Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance, Department of Justice, 810 Seventh Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20531. Contact: Telephone: (202) 616-6500 or (1-866) 859-2687 or by E-mail: AskBJA@usdoj.gov.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Contact BJA for more information.
Social Entrepreneurship
Spotlight
Prisons and Social Enterprise
Getting Out and Staying Out, co-founded by Tony Smith of the VSA Consulting Group, works to reduce recidivism rate among men at Rikers Island, New York City. The recidivism rate significantly dropped from 60-plus percent to under 20 percent, with more than a thousand men over a span of eight years.
