| BJS home page
What's
new
Relevant topics:
Funding
See also:
OJP Grants Management System (GMS)
Quick-start guide to GMS
|
Tribal Criminal History Record Improvement Pilot Program Announcement, 2005
Contents:
Quick-Start Guide to using
the OJP online Grants Management System (GMS)
PDF version of T-CHRIP
2005 announcement (326K)
Help for using
BJS products
Electronic submission
of T-CHRIP application
The Office of Justice Programs (OJP) requires that applications for funding
be submitted through the OJP
Grants Management System (GMS). Access through the Internet to this
online application system will expedite and streamline the receipt, review,
and processing of requests for funding. Applications will only be accepted
through the GMS online application system.
To learn how to begin the online application process, please see the
Quick Start Guide to Using the Office of
Justice Programs Online Grants Management System (see appendix). A toll-free
telephone number (1-888-549-9901) has been established to provide applicants
with technical assistance as they work through the online application
process.
To the
top of the page
2005 Tribal Criminal History Record Improvement
Pilot Program
The Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) is providing this notice to announce
the 2005 Criminal History Record Improvement Pilot Program in Indian Country.
The Tribal Criminal History Record Improvement Pilot Program (T-CHRIP) will
provide support to Federally-recognized tribes and State criminal records
repositories to promote participation in and improve data sharing between
tribal and State and national criminal records systems.
Criminal records are a chronological history describing offenders and
their contacts with the criminal justice system. Such records include
offender fingerprint identification and notations of arrest and subsequent
dispositions. Criminal record systems are dependent on up-to-date automated
fingerprint identification systems to ensure that transactions are accurately
identified to the proper individual and to ensure that such records can
be reliably linked across jurisdictions in a timely manner.
To the
top of the page
Program goals
- The goal of the T-CHRIP program is to improve public safety in Indian
Country by enhancing the quality, completeness, and accessibility of
criminal history record information and by facilitating the implementation
of criminal justice and non-criminal justice background check systems.
Achieving this goal is contingent upon accomplishing four objectives:
- (1) providing direct financial and technical assistance to the tribes
to improve criminal records systems and other related systems which
support background checks for criminal justice and authorized noncriminal
justice purposes;
(2) ensuring the infrastructure is developed which allows connection
of each tribe's record systems to State and/or FBI records systems and
other tribes' criminal records databases;
(3) providing the necessary training and technical assistance to tribes
needed to ensure that records systems developed and managed conform
to State and FBI standards, utilize the most appropriate technologies,
and adhere to the highest standards of practice with respect to privacy
and confidentiality; and
(4) effectively assessing and measuring, through systematic evaluation
and standardized performance measurement and statistics, the extent
of progress in implementing improvements in tribal and national records
holdings and criminal records sharing.
To the
top of the page
Program priorities
The FY 2005 T-CHRIP will assist tribes to improve the accuracy, completeness,
and interstate availability of criminal history records by automating
the capture and reporting of fingerprints and arrest records to tribal,
State, and national databases.
The T-CHRIP is designed to improve the ability of tribes to better identify
individuals for both criminal justice and noncriminal justice purposes
including persons convicted of serious crimes occurring in Indian country
either by tribal or other law enforcement; ineligible to hold positions
involving children, the elderly, or the disabled; subject to protection
orders or wanted for violation of protection orders, arrested, or convicted
of stalking and/or domestic violence; ineligible to be employed or hold
licenses for specified positions; ineligible to purchase firearms; or
potentially presenting threats to public safety.
- FY 2005 priorities include:
- (1) Establish the infrastructure to support full participation in
the Interstate Identification Index (III);
(2) Support tribal law enforcement access to automated fingerprint record
systems for background checks and other purposes focusing on the use
of fingerprint-based systems of records;
(3) Purchase/installation of electronic livescan fingerprinting equipment
that conforms to FBI standards (See FBI products certified for compliance
with the FBI's
Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System); and
(4) Implement technology to support the automated transfer of fingerprint
data to State record systems and the FBI's Interstate Automated Fingerprint
Identification System (IAFIS).
To the
top of the page
Funding
The FY 2005 T-CHRIP seeks to encourage tribal prioritization of those
tasks which will most improve tribal participation in electronic fingerprint
submission to State and national criminal records systems. It is anticipated
that multiple awards will be granted in FY 2005.
To the
top of the page
Eligibility requirements
The T-CHRIP application must be submitted by the tribe or agency designated
by the Tribal Council/or Governor to administer the program. Tribes may
choose to submit applications as part of a multi-tribe consortium.
- Qualified Applicants must:
- (1) Have a tribal operated law enforcement agency (i.e. police department,
jail and/or detention facility);
(2) Have tribal council/leadership approval (letter of support) to participate
in the Tribal Criminal History Record Improvement Pilot Program. The
tribal letter of support can be scanned and included as an attachment
through the Office of Justice Programs'
Grants Management System (GMS) or, if not possible, faxed to the
attention of Steven W. Perry at (202) 616-1351;
(3) Agree to implement an electronic fingerprint identification system
which meets the specifications and requirements of the FBI and to share
tribal criminal history data with State and national data systems agencies.
Tribes will be solely responsible for any maintenance or subscription
fees to connect to State systems where applicable. Applicant needs to
demonstrate ability to assume these recurring costs independent of the
grant;
(4) Include a letter of support and cooperation from the appropriate
State criminal justice repository and/or the State's National
Criminal History Improvement Program agency (see a listing of agencies
in each State). The letter of support and cooperation can be scanned
and included as an attachment in GMS or, if not possible, faxed to the
attention of Steven W. Perry at (202) 616-1351;
(5) Agree to provide information on current tribal criminal fingerprint
records (e.g. how many manual records), where available, when describing
tasks to be achieved under the pilot program; and
(6) Agree to respond in a timely manner to informational requests and
formal evaluations sponsored by BJS.
To the
top of the page
Review criteria
Full funding may not be possible for all proposed activities. Allocation
of funds will be based on the availability of Federal funds, amount requested,
and the following factors:
- the extent to which funds will support/enhance tribal participation
in State AFIS and other related national IAFIS records systems maintained
by the FBI;
- the technical feasibility and the extent to which the proposal
appears reasonable in light of the tribe's current level of system development
and policy on information sharing;
- the extent to which the tribe demonstrates a commitment to electronic
fingerprint record improvement;
- reasonableness of the budget and the administrative processes
for managing the budget;
- appropriate focus on criminal history record improvements including
improved identification of individuals;
- the extent to which the applicant recognizes the role of the courts
in ensuring complete records and proposes improvements in the transmittal
of fingerprint information for posting to the State and national criminal
record systems; and
- the extent of coordination and cooperation between the proposed
activities and State and Federal records systems.
To the
top of the page
Allowable Pilot Program Costs
The FY 2005 targeted allowable program priority costs are detailed below.
All expenses are allowable only to the extent that they directly relate
to the project described in the application's program narrative.
-
Allowable costs include:
- (1) Record automation. Conversion of manual or other
non-automated fingerprint records to electronic records in a format
which conforms to FBI specifications and requirements (i.e. scanning
ink fingerprint cards into an AFIS system).
(2) AFIS/livescan. Funds may be used to support the
implementation of an automated system for capturing fingerprint files
and transmitting fingerprint images.
T-CHRIP awards may be used to purchase equipment, develop procedures,
and implement protocols related to activities involving the AFIS, State
repository, and the operation of the offender registry. This may include
purchase of livescan equipment for relevant agencies. Where funds are
to be used for this purpose, the applicant should demonstrate that funds
can be justified on the basis of geographic, population, traffic, or
other related factors. Livescan can only be purchased where the State
has established an AFIS and either has implemented or is implementing
procedures to ensure that the AFIS is compatible with FBI standards.
Systems funded under the T-CHRIP must be compatible with FBI standards
for national data systems, including the National Incident-Based Reporting
System (NIBRS), National Crime Information Center (NCIC-2000), National
Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), Integrated Automated
Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS), and related national systems.
(3) Training and participation in seminars. Limited
funds may be used to cover costs of training and participation in State,
regional, or national meetings (including travel, where necessary) on
the uses and implementation of AFIS/livescan.
(4) Technical Assistance. BJS staff will assist tribal
authorities with their technical assistance needs and requirements.
BJS currently utilizes a national technical assistance contractor who
will be available to consult with tribal authorities upon approval by
BJS.
To the
top of the page
Application Requirements
The Office of Justice Programs (OJP) requires that funding applications
be submitted through the OJP
Grants Management System (GMS). Access through the Internet to this
online application system will expedite and streamline the receipt, review,
and processing of funding requests. Applications will only be accepted
through the GMS online application system.
To begin the online application process, please refer to the Quick-Start
Guide to using the Office of Justice Programs'
Grants Management System (GMS). A toll-free telephone number (1-888-549-9901) provides applicants
with technical assistance.
To the
top of the page
Application submission due date
Applications may be submitted at any time after publication of this
announcement. Applications and accompanying documents must be received
by May 26, 2005 to be eligible for funding in FY 2005. Awards are expected to be made on or before July 1, 2005.
To the
top of the page
Award period
Awards will be made for up to 12 months. Since the program builds on
long-term activity, tribes will begin funded activities immediately upon
award. All proposed activities must be scheduled to be completed by July
1, 2006.
To the
top of the page
Performance measurement
To ensure compliance with the Governments Performance and Results Act
(GPRA), Public Law 103-62, this program announcement notifies applicants
that they are required to provide performance data used to measure the
results of the program. The T-CHRIP will continually assess the status
of tribal record-holdings and Indian Country participation in national
records systems. BJS requires applicants to provide data to measure progress
and achievements of the program through various mechanisms.
To ensure accountability of these data, for which OJP/BJS is responsible,
the following performance measures are provided:
| Program Objectives |
Performance Measures |
Data To Be Provided by Grantees |
Improve tribal
criminal history record systems in Indian Country to support background
checks for the purposes of identifying ineligible firearms purchasers,
as well as persons ineligible to hold positions involving the children,
the elderly, or the disabled.
|
Improve the quality, timeliness,
and immediate accessibility of tribal criminal history records
|
Number of tribal criminal
history records, manual and automated
Number of ink or manual fingerprint records to be automated within
scheduled project period
Number of fingerprint records captured and/or automated through
Livescan
Number of tribal AFIS/Livescan fingerprint records accessible through
NICS, III, and NCIC, and the State criminal record repository
|
| Ensure that the infrastructure
is developed to connect each tribe's records systems to State and/or
FBI records systems and other tribes' criminal records databases. |
Increase tribal
participation in State and/or FBI records systems to improve completeness
of records submission and achieve full reporting |
Number of automated interfaces
between tribal and State or Federal IAFIS records
Number of purchased and successfully installed Livescan fingerprint
record systems
Number of persons trained on AFIS/Livescan equipment, operation,
and maintenance
|
When applying for Federal funding, applicants must provide the following:
Applicant Information
Type of applicant
Employer Identification Number (EIN)
Organization unit
Legal jurisdiction name
Address
Contact person and phone number
DUNS number
Project Information
Title of project
Areas affected by project
Proposed project period of performance
Estimated funding request
Congressional District
Please check the Initial Award box when completing your application.
Attachment 1 - Budget
detail worksheet and budget narrative. The detailed budget includes
salaries of staff involved in the project and the portion of those salaries
to be paid from the award, fringe benefits paid to each staff person,
travel costs, supplies required for the project, sub-contractual agreements,
and other allowable costs.
Attachment 2 - Project Narrative. The project narrative
should describe activities as discussed in the Scope of Work and address
the evaluation criteria. The project narrative should contain a detailed
time line for project activities, a description of the methodology (i.e.
acquiring estimates, assessments, and proposed vendor information) to
be used including defined geographic boundaries, data collection sites,
ink records automation, and proposed documentation and policy procedures.
Please note that as part of the narrative, applicants must include
a detailed estimate of the number of ink fingerprint records currently
held locally, as well as the number to be automated by the completion
of the project period.
- Additional Attachments - Other Program Requirements.
The following required documents should be submitted as file attachments:
- 1) a tribal council/leadership approval letter of support to participate
in the 2005 T-CHRIP;
2) a letter of support from the State criminal justice repository and/or
the State's National Criminal History Improvement Program agency; and
3) a letter of recommendation/nomination of the "AFIS Administrator
" and "alternate " from Chief of Police/Corrections depending
on the intended recipient facility.
The letter(s) of support and cooperation can be scanned and included
as attachments in GMS or, if not possible, faxed to the attention of Steven
W. Perry at (202) 616-1351.
Assurances. The applicant must comply with the assurances
in order to receive Federal funds under this program. It is the responsibility
of the recipient of Federal funds to fully understand and comply with
these requirements. Failure to comply may result in withholding of funds,
termination of the award, or other sanctions.
Certifications Regarding Lobbying; Debarment, Suspension, and
Other Responsibility Matters; and Drug-Free Workplace. Applicants
are required to review and check the box on the certification form included
in their online application. This form commits the applicant to compliance
with the certification requirements under 28 CFR Part 69, "New Restrictions
on Lobbying," and 28 CFR Part 67, "A Government-wide Debarment
and Suspension (Non-procurement) and Government-wide Requirements for
a Drug-Free Workplace (Grants)."
Please note that it is critical that the name, address, telephone
number, fax number, and e-mail address of the authorizing official are
correct on these online forms.
|
