Assurances. The
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Quick-Start Guide to using the OJP online Grants Management System (GMS)
Application Checklist
PDF version of NCHIP 2004 announcement (321K)
The Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) is publishing this notice to announce the continuation of the National Criminal History Improvement Program (NCHIP) in Fiscal Year 2004, identify the program priorities, and provide information on application requirements.
The Office of Justice Programs (OJP) now 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.
I am pleased to have the opportunity to provide you with my thoughts for the upcoming year. First of all, I want to pass along my appreciation for your unflagging willingness to provide us data on quality and content of record systems. We have conducted repeated surveys to learn about various aspects of the record holdings in your State, the ability to share information across States, and the accessibility of other records systems on mental health, sex offenders, and stalkers. Particularly exciting has been our work on establishing the Record Quality Index (RQI). To date, 34 States have completed all RQI data submissions and another 10 have made partial submission and are moving rapidly toward completion. The Index will provide a level of insight into strengths and weaknesses of the records systems and background check capabilities within a State and provide a clear set of opportunities to address Federal funds to very specific records problems and needs. Good performance measurement will take us to the next level of specificity in order to achieve a more comprehensive and accurate and complete check each time a background check is conducted.
As a test of our performance, BJS recently sponsored research on the extent to which checks in Point-of-Contact States produce similar rates of presale firearms denials to a NICS-only check. The research utilized about 40,000 applicants in two Point-of-Contact States. The study found agreement 98% of the time on who was an acceptable purchaser and who was a prohibited purchaser. This is very good and important news about the integrity of the background checks being conducted either by NICS or by the States.
As in previous years, BJS has utilized data from the States as a tool for directing the allocation of funds to priority areas. BJS has identified the following key priorities and urges the States to consider these in planning their 2004 NCHIP activities -
I strongly encourage you to use the NCHIP funds to meet these priorities or facilitate the transmittal of relevant records to the Denied Persons File in the NICS Index--it can be used for proactively identifying persons prohibited from purchasing a firearm because of a history of domestic violence or mental health problems or whose records are not fingerprint-supported--it can help avoid many, many hours of unneeded research of records.
I also want to continue to emphasize the need for courts and prosecutors to be major players in the development of and improvements to criminal records systems. We are learning more and more each day about the distinct advantages of livescan right in the courtroom for insuring the timely and accurate transmittal of disposition information. We are learning more and more about the need to insure that non-prosecution outcomes are properly tagged to open arrest transactions. Since we know that large numbers of those arrested are not prosecuted, it is imperative that such information make it into the repository and be properly linked to the arrest charge.
In addition, it is important to stress the immense utility of the FBI's NIBRS system. If incident-level crime data could be linked to perpetrators, the criminal record could become not just a chronology of justice system transactions and outcomes, but a biography of the communal harm left behind by the offender. Such information would be of tremendous value in making pretrial release decisions, preparing pre-sentence reports, assessing the appropriateness of aggravated sanctions, and helping to better understand the sentencing outcome and the role of prior record in judicial sentencing decisions. I would encourage all of you to learn more about NIBRS to enable you to build a crosswalk between records of crime and criminal records.
As always, BJS staff are available to assist you in planning for the upcoming year and preparing your application. Please feel free to contact me with any comments or suggestions on NCHIP at Larry.Greenfeld@usdoj.gov.
Again, thank you for your continued support and participation in this very important national effort to improve public safety.
Lawrence A. Greenfeld
Director
Bureau of Justice Statistics
The goal of the NCHIP grant program is 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. Achieving this goal is contingent upon accomplishing four objectives:
The NCHIP program serves as an umbrella for various records improvements activities and funding streams each of which has unique goals and objectives. BJS strongly encourages States, as a basic principle of this program, to ensure the integrated functioning of records improvements initiatives, regardless of the funding source.
Authorizing legislation
In 2004 the appropriation for the NCHIP program was made pursuant to the Crime Identification Technology Act of 1998, and the procedures for applying for NCHIP grants reflect the provisions of that Act. In particular, State matching funds are required for NCHIP applications. The NCHIP program implements the grant provisions of --
Program history
The NCHIP program was initiated in 1995 and has encompassed evolving efforts to support State activities for the establishment of records systems and the collection and use of criminal history and related records. Since 1995 direct awards under the basic NCHIP (including awards to "priority" States and awards under the Advanced State Award program (ASAP)) totaled over $438 million. In addition, $6 million was transferred to the FBI for implementation of the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) and nearly $18 million was awarded to provide direct technical assistance to States, to evaluate the program, and to collect statistics and research data on presale firearm checks.
The National Sex Offender Registry Assistance Program (NSOR-AP) was added to NCHIP in FY 1998, with a $25 million appropriation having the goal of assisting States in upgrading sex offender registries consistent with Federal and State standards and providing data to the FBI's National Sex Offender Registry. Starting in FY 1999, funding for State sex offender registries has been covered under the general NCHIP.
As part of the Violent Crime Control Act, the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 authorized a total of $6 million for fiscal years 1996 through 1998 to improve processes for entering data on stalking and domestic violence into local, State, and national databases. The funds were incorporated into, and awarded under, the NCHIP program during those years. This program was re-authorized by the Violence Against Women Act of 2000 (Pub. L. No. 106-386, Section 8) at $3 million per year for fiscal years 2001 through 2005 and funding was re-instituted in FY 2002.
To date, all States, the District of Columbia, and 5 U.S. Territories have received funds under NCHIP.
(1) Commitment to establishing the infrastructure to support full implementation of the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), including commitment to full participation in the Interstate Identification Index (III)
Consistent with the Brady Act, the FBI's NICS became operational in November 1998 and provides instant background checks to determine if a potential firearm purchaser is a convicted felon or otherwise prohibited from purchasing a firearm under Federal or State statute. The effectiveness of NICS depends on the extent to which the most accurate and complete records of Federal and State criminal offenses and records in other prohibiting categories are instantly available in response to inquiries from firearms dealers.
To ensure that checks are made against the most current and complete records, the NICS configuration encourages States to serve as a "Point of Contact" (POC) interfacing between firearm dealers and the FBI's national record system. NCHIP recognizes the national benefits which accrue from States serving as POC's and encourages States to serve in this role by allowing funds to be used to cover costs associated with establishment of the capability to serve as a POC.
Since inception, and as currently authorized under CITA, NCHIP is designed to assist States in developing the infrastructure which will support operation of the NICS. Accordingly, the program does not cover operating costs associated with NICS participation. States are encouraged, however, to use NCHIP funds to develop systemic solutions to minimize delays in instant responses to NICS inquiries (for details, see Allowable costs section below). Use of funds to enhance the database by including missing dispositions would, for example, be appropriate in pursuing this priority funding topic as described in the following section, Commitment to support court efforts.
The underlying system supporting FBI responses to NICS inquiries is the III. At present, 47 States participate in the system. Full participation in III is a key goal of NCHIP, and States which are not participating must include in their NCHIP applications a discussion of their III status and plan for future participation.
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(2) Commitment to support court efforts relating to development of record systems
Whenever a criminal history record shows an arrest without a disposition, there is the potential for delay in responding to presale firearm inquiries under the NICS, since disqualification, in most cases, is dependent upon a finding of a conviction rather than a simple arrest. In addition, immediate access to protection orders on an interstate basis is vital for protection of victims of domestic violence.
For this reason, all applications are required to demonstrate that court needs have been considered. If no funds for upgrading court systems capable of providing disposition data are requested, applicants must include a letter from the State court administrator or Chief Justice indicating that the courts have been consulted in connection with the application. The category of allowable costs has been expanded to cover costs of implementing all court system enhancements which will result in improved disposition availability and linkage with the State criminal history record system.
In addition, all States must specifically discuss the technical and policy issues which limit the State's ability to provide disposition data in response to NICS inquiries within the required NICS timeframe. The application should also describe procedures which will be followed to ameliorate this problem both in the long term and within the current grant period and the extent to which NCHIP funds will be used for this purpose, including, where appropriate, the allocation of some portion of NCHIP funds to court or county clerks, or other relevant agencies, to cover costs of accessing dispositions and adding such dispositions to the State automated database. (For further guidance, refer to sections, Allowable costs and Application requirements, below.)
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(3) Including mental health records in background check systems
The 1968 Gun Control Act as amended indicates that persons who are adjudicated as mentally defective or have been involuntarily committed to a mental institution are ineligible to purchase a firearm. Some POC States include a check of such records during the course of a presale background check.
NCHIP encourages applicants to consider incorporating mental health data checks into their own background check systems. NCHIP also encourages applicants to transmit such records, or a notice of the existence of such records, to the FBI NICS Index. This will ensure that prohibiting mental health records are available when the FBI is conducting background checks regardless of the State in which the record originated.
BJS recognizes the privacy implications associated with access to mental health records and is willing to assist States in developing solutions that address privacy and confidentiality concerns.
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(4) Facilitating NICS checks
Denied persons files
Another potential area for funding is the development and transmittal of records to the NICS Index Denied Persons File. The Denied Persons File is a file of federally disqualifying records that are not otherwise entered into NCIC, III, or the NICS Index. This includes misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence, warrants that do not meet the criteria for entry into NCIC, active protection orders not available in NCIC, and non-fingerprint supported criminal history records. If under State law, a criminal justice agency is prohibited from providing mental health records to the NICS mental health file, NCHIP funds may be used to enter the names of persons prohibited under the mental health prohibition into the Denied Persons File. This file is an important resource for improving both the timeliness of NICS checks and the efficiency that comes from avoiding unneeded record research.
Addressing "open arrests" in older records
Researching open arrests has become a very time-consuming and burdensome activity for localities. A more coordinated approach to building the national identification infrastructure will help rectify this problem. The FBI conducted a study of a week's worth of failed instant checks to learn more about the characteristics of the problem of open arrests. The study demonstrated that about three-quarters of the problem records had the last arrest prior to the initiation of NCHIP and more than half had the last arrest occurring before 1984. In other words, open arrest problems are most often occurring when an older record is being checked. Better development and use of denied persons files should avert recurring checks of the same person.
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(5) Developing record systems for protection order files and records of domestic violence
The Federal Gun Control Act prohibits sales of firearms to persons subject to a qualifying protection order related to domestic violence and persons convicted of a qualifying domestic violence misdemeanor. Complete records in each of these categories must promptly be made accessible to the POC and the FBI to ensure that NICS checks identify persons covered by these prohibitions. The time-sensitivity and differences of protection orders issued by different courts increase the complexity of developing a protection order system which is complete and up-to-date.
Establishment of accessible files of domestic violence related misdemeanors is also difficult since misdemeanor data have not traditionally been maintained at the State-level and domestic violence related offenses may be difficult to distinguish from misdemeanors classified as assaults. In light of the complexity associated with efforts in this area, and the importance of these data to protecting public safety, NCHIP strongly encourages States to focus on the development of these record systems and to ensure that such systems meet the needs of those agencies which have been charged with responsibility relating to domestic violence.
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(6) Strengthening records to improve national security standards and avert terrorism
The need to ensure the security of government facilities and records has put substantial strain on the manpower and resources of most States. As the Nation develops strategies to prevent future terrorist events, it is clear that access to accurate and complete records and the availability of automated fingerprint identification systems are critical to support the wide variety of background checks necessary to protect public safety.
NCHIP will focus on initiatives, using criminal records, to support anti-terrorism. Concerns about the adequacy of redundant and backup records systems, building better ties between immigration and criminal records, and better coordination with homeland defense and emergency management agencies within the States are all matters on which States may wish to focus interest. However, it is important to reiterate that all of these efforts must center on the development of better records systems or towards the improvement of accessibility or utility of records systems.
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(7) Promoting enhanced access to criminal records for noncriminal justice purposes, including implementation of the National Crime Prevention and Privacy Compact
The demand for criminal record background checks on persons seeking positions involving national security, fiscal responsibility, and responsibility for children, the elderly, the disabled and other vulnerable populations has increased markedly in recent years, reflecting changes in technology and the increased dependence on available information wherever it may be held. In keeping with the provisions of CITA, NCHIP recognizes the need to facilitate such background checks, consistent with applicable limitations of State and Federal law and policy.
To support the accessibility of information on an interstate basis, the Interstate Crime Control and Privacy Compact was enacted in 1998 as part of CITA. As of January 2004, 21 States have enacted the compact. Seven States (as of March 2004) have started implementation of the National Fingerprint File (NFF) which constitutes the technological basis for implementation of the Compact.
The Compact provides the framework for exchange of criminal record data, using the III system, in response to fingerprint-based inquiries for noncriminal justice purposes. NCHIP supports State efforts to establish the technology and policies necessary for participation in the Compact and encourages States to consider protocols, including funding for necessary equipment, training, and outreach, to assist organizations engaged in activities involving vulnerable populations to meet the requirements for interstate background checks.
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(8) Implementing new record-keeping requirements for checks conducted by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System
The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2004 (Pub. L. No. 108-199), Section 617, requires the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) to destroy "any identifying information submitted by or on behalf of any person who has been determined not to be prohibited from possessing or receiving a firearm no more than 24 hours after the system advises a Federal firearms licensee that possession or receipt of a firearm by the prospective transferee" would not violate Federal or State law. The law requires the implementation of this provision by July 21, 2004, 180 days after January 23, 2004, the day the bill was signed into law.
The FBI is consulting with State agencies that act as a Point of Contact (POC) for the NICS about changes in requirements for POC participation in the system that will be necessary to comply with this new legal requirement. Specifically, the FBI anticipates that implementation of this new requirement will necessitate that State POC's provide additional information to the FBI on the status of POC transactions. State POC's may apply for NCHIP funds to cover expenses for necessary changes in programming or operations to enable the NICS to comply with this provision of Pub. L. No. 108-199. BJS will ensure the timely processing of applications by States seeking funds for this purpose.
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Appropriation
The NCHIP appropriation under CITA is $29.7 million, with an additional $2.95 million appropriated for the purposes described in the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 and the Violence Against Women Act of 2000. Consistent with the legislative goal of CITA, and with the ongoing NCHIP policy, NCHIP allows States to determine task areas they expect will most improve operations of the criminal justice system and will result in maximum benefits to the citizens of the applicant State.
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Eligibility requirements
An award will be made to each eligible applicant State with funds from the FY 2004 appropriation. The NCHIP application must be submitted by the agency designated by the Governor to administer the NCHIP program. States may choose to submit applications as part of a multi-state consortium or other entity. In such cases, please contact your BJS program manager for further information.
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Review criteria
States should understand that full funding may not be possible for all proposed activities. Allocation of funds will be based on the amount requested and the following factors:
Allowable expenses are detailed below. All expenses are allowable only to the extent that they directly relate to programs described in the application's program narrative.
Funds may not be used to cover ongoing costs of presale firearm background checks, but may be used to pay costs associated with capturing dispositions in response to a specific NICS inquiry, provided that the captured data is entered into the automated State and FBI system and serves to upgrade the permanent quality of the record systems.
(5) Firearm permits. NCHIP funds may be used to comply with Brady Act provisions pursuant to an ATF-approved firearm permit system and to develop and implement procedures to review the currency of firearm permits and/or to provide appropriate notification when permits are revoked. (6) Prosecution of firearm sale denials. NCHIP funds may be used to study the extent to which persons denied a firearm pursuant to a presale background check are prosecuted at the State or local level. Allowable costs include both costs associated with the design and implementation of a research/statistical study and costs associated with establishing and implementing a protocol for regular collection of data on this issue. Funds may also be used to develop software to enable States to transfer records of denied firearm purchasers to the FBI or to State or local offices for prosecution. (7) Record enhancement and support of anti-terrorism and national security systems. Support for the national effort to improve homeland security is a critical goal of NCHIP and record managers are encouraged to develop appropriate liaisons with State homeland security leaders. To support these efforts, funds may be used to coordinate State criminal records with other record systems, including immigration records, and to develop protocols for record exchange and linkage. Funds may also be used to enhance the utility of criminal records by facilitating access to records for purposes of background checks on persons seeking sensitive positions. Funds may only be used, however, for activities which focus on improving the development of complete, accessible, and useful records which provide support for the national systems administered by the FBI. (8) Protection order file. Costs (including equipment, software, training, and procedural development) associated with development and enhancement of protection order files and with interface with the FBI's NCIC Protection Order File are covered. Protection order files supported with NCHIP funds must be compatible with the FBI file, and the application must indicate that records are presently being submitted to the FBI or indicate the date upon which that submission will commence. Funds are only allowable to support development of local protection order files where data in such files are or will become directly accessible throughout the State and available to the FBI's national system. (9) Interface between criminal history records, sex offender registry, and civil protection order files. To ensure that, consistent with State law, a complete data review is possible in connection with background checks for child care or other authorized purposes, funds may be used to develop software to establish protocols to permit interface between the criminal history record system, the State sex offender registry, and related protection order files including files of civil protection orders. (10) Uniform RAP sheet format. The FBI has recently endorsed a format and standards for transmission of a uniform RAP sheet (text version of a person's criminal history record) among States. The format reflects efforts initiated under the BJS/SEARCH Task Force on Uniform RAP Sheet Standards. Funds are available to assist States in converting State criminal history records to the FBI standard interstate RAP sheet format or for developing electronic interchange capabilities related thereto. (11) Compatibility with State and Federal systems. Funds may be used to ensure compatibility with Federal record systems, such as III, and to implement statewide integrated system strategies which interface all components of the criminal justice system, including law enforcement, prosecutors, courts, and corrections, to the extent that such expenditures improve the availability of criminal record data, including protection orders.Applications may be submitted at any time after publication of this announcement. Applications must be received by April 30, 2004, to be eligible for funding in FY 2004. Awards are expected to be made by August 30, 2004. As these will be new awards this year, please check the Initial Award box when completing your application on the OJP Grants Management System (GMS).
Award period
Awards will be made for up to 12 months. Since the program builds on long-term NCHIP activity, States will have the flexibility to begin funded activities immediately upon award or as late as October 1, 2005. All activities must be scheduled to be completed by September 30, 2006. FY 2004 projects may overlap with FY 2003 projects or may run consecutively.
Performance measurement
The NCHIP program is continually assessing the status of State record-holdings and State participation in national records systems. BJS requires applicants to provide performance data which are used to measure the progress and achievements of the program.
Applicants agree to--
(1) provide information, quantitative where
available, as part of the program narrative on
results achieved under the program (see
Attachment #2 for details); (2) provide data
to the Records Quality Index (RQI)
performance monitoring system; (3) provide
Brady Act related data to the Firearm Inquiry
Statistics Program (FIST) in a prescribed
format; and (4) respond in a timely
manner to informational requests and
formal evaluations sponsored by BJS
and/or the FBI.
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.
Applicants must submit the following --
Attachment #1: Budget Detail Worksheet with budget narrative
Attachment #2: Program Narrative (including accomplishments, current status of program goals, description of tasks to be funded, unexpended funds, and coordination activities)
Attachment #3: Other Program Attachments (including documentation relating to court participation, notification letter to the State Information Technology Point of Contact, and other written certifications)
Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424). The SF-424 is a standard form used by most Federal agencies. It contains 18 items that are to be completed online in the Overview, Applicant Information, and Project Information sections of the OJP GMS.
Assurances and Certificates. Applicants are required to review, accept, and "sign off" on these assurances and certifications electronically through GMS. Please verify that the name, address, phone number, fax number, and e-mail address of the authorizing official on these online forms are correct.
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Budget Detail Worksheet (Attachment #1)
Applications must provide a detailed justification for all costs, including the basis for computation of these costs. For example, the detailed budget would include the 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 related to the project; equipment to be purchased with the award funds; and supplies required to complete the project.
Budget narrative. The budget narrative should detail costs included in each budget category for the Federal and the non-Federal (in-kind and cash) share. The purpose of the budget narrative is to relate items budgeted to project activities and to provide justification and explanation for budget items, including criteria and data used to arrive at the estimates for each budget category. The budget narrative should also indicate amounts to be made available to subrecipient agencies (under Contractual/Contracts category) other than the direct award recipient. The following is provided to assist in developing the budget narrative:
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Program Narrative (Attachment #2)
The program narrative must include the following three sections:
(2) Description of tasks to be funded
States may, at their option, satisfy requirements noted below by referencing or summarizing previous NCHIP applications.
Section 1: Background and identification of needs
Accomplishments. Applicants must provide a detailed summary of the accomplishments achieved with funding under NCHIP. This section should describe, in quantifiable terms if possible, results achieved and advances made since the inception of NCHIP. Specifically address accomplishments relating to participation in each of the national databases and initiatives (i.e. III, NICS, NCIC Protection Order File, National Sex Offender Registry, IAFIS, mental health records, and livescan/AFIS capability). Where relevant, reference should be made to surveys and audits.
Current status of program goals. This section should include a short update of current efforts relating to improvement of criminal history records, protection order data, or sex offender registries (including efforts supported under OJP and other Federal or State funded programs) and should discuss any evaluative efforts undertaken to identify the key areas of weakness in the State's criminal record system since submission of previous NCHIP applications. The applicant should specifically describe the status of State participation in the NICS, the III, the National Sex Offender Registry, and the NCIC Protection Order File.
Please address each of the following subject areas in your application and include current number of records in each system, where applicable.
Interstate Identification Index (III). States that are not members of III at the time of application must identify the tasks remaining to permit III participation and indicate whether available funding is adequate and the planned month and year of participation in III. If available funding is not adequate, the State is expected to apply for NCHIP funding that will permit the State to participate in III.
Mental health records availability. States should indicate whether their mental health records are checked, either by the State POC or the FBI, during a NICS check. Where mental health records are accessible, please include the number of records currently available and any plans to improve availability. If mental health records are not currently accessible at the time of a background check, please describe factors which limit or prohibit exchange of mental health records.
Protection order files. States should indicate whether they submit information for inclusion in the FBI's NCIC Protection Order file. States that submit protection orders should indicate the number of active protection orders provided to the FBI. States that do not submit protection orders should describe the prohibiting factors and any plans to overcome them.
Sex offender registry. State applications should discuss the extent to which the State provides information to the FBI's NCIC Sex Offender Registry. States that do not submit sex offender information should describe the prohibiting factors and any plans to overcome them.
Denied persons file. State applications should discuss the extent to which the State provides information to the FBI's Denied Persons File in the NICS Index. States that do not submit information to this file should describe the prohibiting factors and any plans to overcome them.
NICS inquiries. The application must also discuss the extent to which dispositions requested in connection with a NICS inquiry have not been provided within the required time frame, and must identify any problems that are delaying instant responses to NICS inquiries and identify proposed solutions to these problems. Particular attention should be directed at needs of courts in connection with capture of disposition data.
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Section 2: Description of tasks to be funded under NCHIP
Please describe the activities to be conducted with NCHIP funds over the project period and specifically address each of the priority areas (identified under Program priorities). States not requesting money in priority areas must indicate in the application that alternative efforts are being undertaken to achieve overall priority goals. (Reference may be made to accomplishments or current status to alleviate duplication.)
NICS. To support operation of the NICS, each application must also indicate those activities which are designed to improve the effective operation of the NICS, including in particular, the ability to capture dispositions associated with arrests identified in NICS inquiries and to promptly enter such dispositions in the appropriate automated State and FBI records. States which do not propose funding for this purpose should justify that decision by demonstrating alternative means which are, or will be, followed to ensure rapid responses to NICS inquiries.
Courts. In recognition of the importance of court reporting to the development of complete and accurate criminal records, all applications must describe tasks and indicate the level of funds that will be made directly available to the courts. (See preceding discussion under Priorities.) Where no funds are provided for court-directed disposition reporting activities, a certification by the appropriate State court official declining participation must be included with this section.
Performance measures. To permit assessment of State progress in meeting program goals, this section should set forth measurable benchmarks or goals for each proposed activity and describe audits or other evaluative efforts such as statistical analysis or comparison between computerized criminal history records and NIBRS or Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) data. Studies relating to handgun sales or prosecution of persons rejected for firearm purchase based on a NICS check, if proposed, should be described in this section.
Budget. The budget should provide details for expenses in required categories (including match) and by individual task. The application should identify those agencies to receive direct funding and indicate the fiscal arrangements to accomplish fund transfer.
Match. The authorizing legislation of NCHIP requires a 10% match. This section should include a description of activities, with accompanying fiscal implications, which the State indicates will serve as the match for activities funded under NCHIP. BJS will consider all efforts which are designed to meet program goals, as set forth in the Program Announcement to be allowable in support of the 10% match requirement.
Unexpended funds. The application should describe the specific reasons that funds remain unexpended.
Compatibility with other systems. The application should describe the extent to which proposed activities are compatible with NIBRS, NCIC 2000, NICS, IAFIS, and other applicable statewide or regional criminal justice information sharing standards or plans including State anti-terrorism plans.
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The administering NCHIP agency should coordinate efforts with relevant emergency management task forces and agencies to ensure that records development activities are compatible with security measures for preventing acts of terrorism. NCHIP activities will be coordinated with other OJP efforts authorized and funded under CITA.
To encourage coordination and information sharing among criminal justice systems, all OJP awards supporting information technology development are being special conditioned to require that a description of the project be submitted to the State Information Technology Point of Contact (POC), if one has been designated.
The name and address of the State POC can be obtained at 1-800-421-6770. A copy of the correspondence can be submitted as part of Attachment #3 (see below) or sent directly to BJS prior to fund drawdown. There is no requirement that the point of contact concur with the information technology project. The intent of this condition is to facilitate communication within the State.
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Other Program Attachments (Attachment #3)
The following required documents should be submitted as a single file attachment:
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