O-BJA-2022-171343.PDF

OMB No. 1121-0329 
Approval Expires  12/31/2023 
U.S. Department of Justice 
Office of Justice Programs 
Bureau of Justice Assistance 
BJA FY 2022 Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants Program - Formula 
 
Assistance Listing Number # 
16.742 
Grants.gov Opportunity Number: 
O-BJA-2022-171343  
Solicitation Release Date: 
May 12, 2022 4:00 PM  
Grants.gov Deadline: 
June 28, 2022 8:59 PM  
Application JustGrants Deadline: 
July 12, 2022 8:59 PM  
Overview 
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Justice Programs (OJP), Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) seeks 
applications for funding under the Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants Program. This program furthers 
the DOJ’s mission by providing states with tools needed to meet the challenges of crime and justice. Specifically, this 
program seeks to improve forensic science and medical examiner/coroner services, including services provided by 
forensic science laboratories operated by states and units of local government. 
This solicitation incorporates the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide by reference. The OJP Grant Application 
Resource Guide provides guidance to applicants to prepare and submit applications to OJP for funding. If this 
solicitation expressly modifies any provision in the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide, the applicant is to 
follow the guidelines in this solicitation as to that provision. 
This solicitation expressly modifies the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide by not incorporating the “Limitation on Use 
of Award Funds for Employee Compensation; Waiver” provisions in the “Financial Information” section of the OJP Grant 
Application Resource Guide. 
Eligible Applicants: 
State governments, Other 
Other 
For purposes of this solicitation: 
Any state/local government entity performing forensic science services is considered a “forensic science 
laboratory.” 
Medical examiner and coroner offices are considered to be forensic science laboratories for the purposes of 
this solicitation. 
State administering agencies (SAAs) apply on behalf of states, including any state government entity. 
For purposes of this solicitation, the term “state” means any state of the United States, the District of Columbia, 
the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the 
Northern Mariana Islands. 
All recipients and subrecipients (including any for-profit organization) must forgo any profit or management fee. 
Contact Information 
For technical assistance with submitting the Application for Federal Assistance standard form (SF)-424 and a 
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Disclosure of Lobbying Activities form (SF-LLL) in Grants.gov, contact the Grants.gov Customer Support Hotline 
at 800-518-4726, 606-545-5035, Grants.gov customer support, or email at support@grants.gov. The Grants.gov 
Support Hotline operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, except on federal holidays. 
For technical assistance with submitting the full application in DOJ’s Justice Grants System (JustGrants), 
contact the JustGrants Service Desk at 833–872–5175 or JustGrants.Support@usdoj.gov. The JustGrants 
Service Desk operates 5 a.m. to 9.p.m. eastern time, Monday–Friday, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sunday, 
and federal holidays. 
For assistance with any other requirements of this solicitation, contact the OJP Response Center by telephone at 
800–851–3420 or TTY: 301–240–6310 (hearing impaired only), or by email at grants@ncjrs.gov. The OJP 
Response Center hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. eastern time Monday–Friday, and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. 
eastern time on the solicitation closing date. 
Submission Information 
Applications will be submitted to DOJ in two steps. 
Step 1: The applicant must submit by the Grants.gov deadline the required Application for Federal Assistance 
standard form (SF)-424 and a Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL) form when they register in Grants.gov 
at https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html. To register in Grants.gov, the applicant will need to ensure 
that its System for Award Management (SAM) registration is current. 
Step 2: The applicant must then submit the full application, including attachments, in JustGrants at 
https://justicegrants.usdoj.gov/. To be considered timely, the full application must be submitted in JustGrants by 
the JustGrants application deadline. OJP encourages applicants to review the “How to Apply” section in the OJP 
Grant Application Resource Guide and the JustGrants website for more information, resources, and training. 
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Contents 
Contact Information 
1 
Program Description 
5 
Overview 
5 
Statutory Authority 
5 
Specific Information 
5 
Goals, Objectives, Deliverables, and Timeline 
6 
Evidence-Based Programs or Practices 
6 
Information Regarding Potential Evaluation of Programs and Activities 
7 
Federal Award Information 
7 
Awards, Amounts and Durations 
7 
Availability of Funds 
7 
Types of Awards 
8 
Financial Management and System of Internal Controls 
8 
Budget Information 
8 
Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement 
10 
Pre-agreement Costs (also known as Pre-award Costs) 
10 
Prior Approval, Planning, and Reporting of Conference/Meeting/Training Costs 
10 
Costs Associated with Language Assistance (if applicable) 
10 
Eligibility Information 
11 
Application and Submission Information 
15 
Statement Regarding Proposed Use of Funds to Address Challenges Posted by Opioids and/or 
Potential Environmental Impact Coversheet and Checklist - National Environmental Policy Act 
DOJ Certifications Regarding Lobbying; Debarment, Suspension and Other Responsibility 
Information to Complete the Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424) 
15 
Standard Applicant Information (JustGrants 424 and General Agency Information) 
15 
Proposal Abstract 
15 
Proposal Narrative 
16 
Goals, Objectives, Deliverables, and Timeline 
17 
Budget and Associated Documentation 
17 
Budget Worksheet and Budget Narrative (attachment) 
17 
Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (if applicable) 
17 
Financial Management Questionnaire (including applicant disclosure of high-risk status) 
17 
Disclosure of Process Related to Executive Compensation 
17 
Additional Application Components 
17 
Coverdell Statutory Certifications 
17 
External Investigations Attachment 
18 
Forensic Laboratory Accreditation Documentation (if applicable) 
18 
Accreditation Status of All Forensic Laboratories within the State 
18 
Synthetic Drugs (if applicable) 
18 
(NEPA) 
19 
Disclosures and Assurances 
19 
Disclosure of Lobbying Activities 
19 
DOJ Certified Standard Assurances 
19 
Applicant Disclosure of Duplication in Cost Items 
19 
Matters; and Drug-Free Workplace Requirements 
19 
Applicant Disclosure and Justification – DOJ High Risk Grantees (if applicable) 
19 
How to Apply 
20 
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Submission Dates and Time 
20 
Application Review Information 
20 
Review Process 
21 
Federal Award Administration Information 
21 
Federal Award Notices 
21 
Administrative, National Policy, and Other Legal Requirements 
21 
Information Technology (IT) Security Clauses 
21 
General Information about Post-Federal Award Reporting Requirements 
21 
Federal Awarding Agency Contact(s) 
22 
Other Information 
22 
Freedom of Information and Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552 and 5 U.S.C. 552a) 
22 
Provide Feedback to OJP 
22 
Application Checklist 
22 
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Program Description 
Overview 
OJP is committed to advancing work that promotes civil rights and racial equity, increases access to justice, 
supports crime victims and individuals impacted by the justice system, strengthens community safety and 
protects the public from crime and evolving threats, and builds trust between law enforcement and the 
community. BJA seeks proposals for formula funding under the Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement 
Grants Program (the Coverdell Program), which awards grants to states and units of local government to improve 
forensic science and medical examiner/coroner services. Under the Coverdell Program, state administering 
agencies (SAAs) may apply for both formula and competitive funds. This solicitation is ONLY for SAAs applying 
for the formula funds. An applicant that seeks to apply for Coverdell competitive funds (consistent with 34 U.S.C. 
§ 10563(a)(2)) available for grants to eligible states and units of local government would need to apply under 
BJA’s FY 2022 Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants Program (Competitive) solicitation. 
Statutory Authority 
The Coverdell Program is authorized by Pub. L. No. 90-351, Title I, Sec. 2801-2806 (codified at 34 U.S.C. 
10561-10566). 
Specific Information 
The Coverdell Program provides funding to states to improve forensic science and medical examiner/coroner 
services, including services provided by laboratories operated by states and units of local government. Funding is 
to be used for forensic science laboratories (see “Definitions” section for additional information). 
The Coverdell Program may not be used for research. However, applicants may address emerging forensic 
science issues and technology through implementation of new technologies and processes into public 
laboratories. Applicants are encouraged to review resources such as the National Institute of Justice’s Forensic 
Technology Center of Excellence (FTCoE) when working to evaluate and implement new technologies and 
processes in the laboratory to help ensure that strong evidence-based best practices are used. The FTCoE 
provides reports, webinars, and other free products to assist practitioners with technology transition (including 
implementation strategies, technology landscape studies, and success stories). 
Agencies are encouraged to participate in the National Forensic Laboratory Information System (NFLIS). NFLIS 
is a program of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Diversion Control Division, and systematically 
collects drug identification results and associated information from drug cases submitted to and analyzed by 
participating federal, state, and local forensic laboratories with drug chemistry sections. The program consists of 
three components (Drug, Toxicology, and Medical Examiner/Coroner) that complement each other to provide a 
holistic picture of the drugs analyzed by the U.S. forensic community. Data are submitted on a voluntary basis, 
and agencies are encouraged to seek participation from any labs used for outsourcing, in an effort to strengthen 
the understanding of drug mortality, novel psychoactive substances, drug frequency trends, levels of drugs 
involved in cause of death, and laboratory or office methods and practices. 
Definitions 
For the purposes of this solicitation, the following are defined: 
1. Backlog: A backlog in the analysis of forensic science evidence exists if such evidence: 
Has been stored in a laboratory, medical examiner's office, coroner's office, law enforcement storage 
facility, or medical facility. 
Has not been subjected to all appropriate forensic testing because of a lack of resources or 
personnel. 
2. Forensic Science Laboratory: 
Any state/local government entity performing forensic science services is considered a “forensic 
science laboratory.” 
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Medical examiner and coroner offices are considered to be forensic science laboratories for the 
purposes of this solicitation. 
3. Research: A systematic investigation — including research development, testing, and evaluation — 
designed to develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge. Validation of established technologies for 
implementation in a laboratory setting is not considered research for the purposes of this solicitation. 
4. Accreditation: A formal process by which an impartial entity reviews the policies and procedures of an 
entity to ensure that its operations are consistent with national or international standards. Accreditation 
assesses a forensic lab's capacity to generate and interpret results in a particular forensic discipline, and 
helps to ensure an ongoing compliance to industry and applicable international standards. 
Goals, Objectives, Deliverables, and Timeline 
Goals 
The result of Coverdell grants to applicant states should be a demonstrated improvement over current operations 
in forensic science or medical examiner/coroner services provided in the state, including services provided by 
laboratories operated by the state and services provided by laboratories operated by units of local government 
within the state. Reduction in forensic analysis backlogs is considered an improvement in timeliness of services. 
Objectives 
A state or unit of local government that receives a Coverdell grant must use the grant for one or more of the 
following six purposes: 
1. To carry out all or a substantial part of a program intended to improve the quality and timeliness of forensic 
science or medical examiner/coroner services in the state, including those services provided by laboratories 
operated by the state and those operated by units of local government within the state. 
2. To eliminate a backlog in the analysis of forensic science evidence, including, among other things, a 
backlog with respect to firearms examination, latent prints, impression evidence, toxicology, digital 
evidence, fire evidence, controlled substances, forensic pathology, questioned documents, and trace 
evidence. A backlog in the analysis of forensic science evidence exists if forensic evidence has been stored 
in a laboratory, medical examiner office, coroner office, law enforcement storage facility, or medical facility 
and has not been subjected to all appropriate forensic testing because of lack of resources or personnel. 
3. To train, assist, and employ forensic laboratory personnel and medicolegal death investigators, as needed, 
to eliminate such a backlog. 
4. To address emerging forensic science issues (such as statistics, contextual bias, and uncertainty of 
measurement) and emerging forensic science technology (such as high throughput automation, statistical 
software, and new types of instrumentation). 
5. To educate and train forensic pathologists. 
6. To fund medicolegal death investigation systems to facilitate accreditation of medical examiner and coroner 
offices and certification of medicolegal death investigators. 
Note: Congress has appropriated funding to help the forensic science community address the specific challenges 
that crime laboratories are confronting related to the proliferation of opioids and synthetic drugs. To address 
these issues, BJA plans to allocate approximately 58 percent of available funds to specifically target the 
challenges that opioid and synthetic drugs have brought to the forensic science community. 
Deliverables 
All Coverdell grantees are required to report specific programmatic metrics (see “Performance Measures”). In 
addition, the applicant is asked to consider what other metrics may be of use in demonstrating the successful 
outcome of the program/project. 
The Goals, Objectives, and Deliverables are directly related to the performance measures that demonstrate the 
results of the work completed, as discussed under the “Application and Submission Information” section. 
Evidence-Based Programs or Practices 
OJP strongly encourages the use of data and evidence in policymaking and program development for criminal 
justice, juvenile justice, and crime victim services. For additional information and resources on evidence-based 
programs or practices, see the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide. 
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Information Regarding Potential Evaluation of Programs and Activities 
OJP may conduct or support an evaluation of the programs and activities funded under this solicitation. For 
additional information, see the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide section entitled “Information Regarding 
Potential Evaluation of Programs and Activities.” 
Federal Award Information 
Solicitation Categories 
This solicitation does not include Solicitation Categories. 
Awards, Amounts and Durations 
Anticipated Number of Awards 
Anticipated Maximum Dollar Amount of Awards 
55 
$2,282,453.00 
Period of Performance Start Date 
Period of Performance Duration (Months) 
10/1/22 12:00 AM 
24 
Anticipated Total Amount to be Awarded Under 
Solicitation 
$24,986,099.00 
Availability of Funds 
Available Funding 
The figures and calculations reflected in this solicitation (for example, the estimated minimum award to states and 
the estimated amount of formula funds, by state) are based on an estimated total amount available of 
$29,395,410, although the amount ultimately made available could be higher or lower. Applicants are strongly 
advised to check for updates to the solicitation prior to submitting applications. 
1. Formula Funds for States 
85 percent of the funds available for Coverdell grants will be allocated among eligible states based on 
population (state formula funds). The approximate amount each eligible state would receive if $29,395,410 
were made available for FY 2022 is listed at 
https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/fy-2022-coverdell-estimated-funding-amounts.pdf. Under the provisions of the 
Coverdell law, several factors, including the number of eligible state applicants, affect formula amounts. 
These are the ONLY funds that will be distributed among eligible applicants under this solicitation. An 
applicant that seeks to apply for Coverdell competitive funds (consistent with 34 U.S.C. § 10563(a)(2)) 
available for grants to eligible states and units of local government would need to apply under BJA’s FY 
2022 Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants Program (Competitive) solicitation. 
2. Minimum Awards to States 
The Coverdell law sets a floor for the total amount an eligible applicant state will receive as its Coverdell 
grant. If $29,395,410 were to become available for FY 2022, the minimum Coverdell grant to an eligible 
state would be not less than $293,954. In that case, if the amount a state would otherwise receive as its 
total Coverdell funding (including both formula funds and any competitive funds) is less than $293,954, BJA 
will increase that state’s total funding to $293,954. (Minimum awards for American Samoa and the 
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands would be lower.) 
Availability of Funds 
This solicitation, and awards (if any are made) under this solicitation, are subject to the availability of appropriated 
funds and to any modifications or additional requirements that may be imposed by the agency or by law.  In 
addition, nothing in this solicitation is intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or 
procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States; its departments, agencies, or 
entities; its officers, employees, or agents; or any other person. 
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Types of Awards 
BJA expects to make awards under this solicitation as grants. See the “Administrative, National Policy, and Other 
Legal Requirements” section of the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for a brief discussion of important 
statutes, regulations, and award conditions that apply to many (or in some cases, all) OJP grants. 
Financial Management and System of Internal Controls 
Award recipients and subrecipients (including recipients or subrecipients that are pass-through entities) must, as 
described in the Part 200 Uniform Requirements as set out at 2 C.F.R. 200.303, comply with standards for 
financial and program management. See the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for additional information. 
Budget Information 
Permissible Expenses 
The types of expenses listed below generally may be paid with Coverdell funds. Federal funds must be used to 
supplement existing state and local funds for program activities and must not supplant those funds that have 
been appropriated for the same purpose. Note: The following list details the types of expenses allowed under the 
Coverdell Program. These expenses should NOT be used as budget categories — instead they are to be 
incorporated into the appropriate standard OJP budget categories. 
1. Salary and benefits of laboratory employees. Funds may be used for forensic science or medical 
examiner/coroner office personnel, fellowships, visiting scientists, interns, consultants, or temporary staff. 
2. Overtime for laboratory staff. Funds may be used to pay overtime for laboratory scientists (excluding 
executive personnel) to directly examine, analyze, and interpret physical and/or digital evidence in criminal 
matters. Any payments for overtime must be in accordance with the applicable provisions of the DOJ 
Financial Guide. 
3. Computerization. Funds may be used to upgrade, replace, lease, or purchase computer hardware and 
software for forensic analyses and data management. 
4. Laboratory equipment. Funds may be used to upgrade, lease, or purchase forensic laboratory or 
medical examiner/coroner office equipment and instrumentation. 
5. Supplies. Funds may be used to acquire forensic laboratory or medical examiner/coroner office 
supplies. 
Recipients may encounter delays in the release of award funds pending satisfactory completion of the 
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review process for applications involving the use or purchase of 
chemicals. 
6. Accreditation. Funds may be used to prepare for laboratory accreditation by the ANSI-ASQ National 
Accreditation Board (ANAB), National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME), the American Association 
for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA), International Association of Coroners & Medical Examiners (IAC&ME) 
or other appropriate accrediting bodies. Funds also may be used for application and maintenance fees 
charged by appropriate accrediting bodies. Per 34 U.S.C. § 10562(2), such an accrediting body would be 
“an accrediting body that is a signatory to an internationally recognized arrangement and that offers 
accreditation to forensic science conformity assessment bodies using an accreditation standard that is 
recognized by that internationally recognized arrangement[.]” 
An applicant that proposes to use any portion of the grant amount to fund a forensic science laboratory 
system, including any laboratory operated by a unit of local government within the state, that is not 
accredited (as set out in the Coverdell law) will be required to use (or, as applicable, must require any 
unaccredited subrecipient forensic science laboratory system to use) a portion of the grant amount for 
accreditation purposes. Coverdell awardees must use grant funds to prepare and apply for accreditation of 
any FY 2022 Coverdell grant-funded unaccredited forensic laboratory system, including any laboratory 
operated by a unit of local government within the state, not more than 2 years after the FY 2022 Coverdell 
award date. 
Note to SAAs regarding laboratories seeking accreditation: In order to carry out the aims of and meet 
requirements under the Coverdell law with respect to forensic science laboratory accreditation, SAAs are 
expected to consider the accreditation status of all forensic science laboratories within their states. As part 
of a complete application package, each SAA is to prepare a list of all forensic science laboratories in the 
state that specifies each forensic science laboratory’s accreditation status by an appropriate accrediting 
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body, the name of the accrediting body, and the scope of each accreditation. For each forensic science 
laboratory within the state lacking accreditation, each SAA is to request funds in its application budget and 
include plans in its program narrative for such laboratories to prepare and apply for accreditation. This 
serves one of the purposes of the Coverdell statute by helping to ensure that those labs that may need 
assistance in preparing and applying for accreditation have access to funds to assist in that purpose. 
7. Education, training, and certification. Funds may be used for appropriate internal and external training 
of staff who are involved directly and substantially in providing forensic science or medical 
examiner/coroner services. In appropriate cases, funds also may be used for fees charged by appropriate 
certifying bodies for certification of staff in specific forensic discipline areas. All education, training, and 
certification activities must be designed to improve forensic science or medical examiner/coroner services. 
The grant application should demonstrate that the proposed training or certification is directly related to the 
job position and duties of the individual(s) receiving the training or seeking certification. 
OJP recognizes the benefit of attending discipline-related conferences to receive training and/or education. 
However, it is recommended that the applicant consider the cost-effectiveness of this option compared to 
other viable modes of training. For example, hosting onsite training or attending a local program may be 
more suitable for the applicant’s personnel and organization. 
8. Facilities. Funds may be used for program expenses relating to facilities, provided that the expenses are 
directly attributable to improving forensic science or medical examiner/ coroner services. Funds also may 
be used for renovation and/or construction undertaken as part of the applicant’s program to improve 
forensic science or medical examiner/ coroner services. 
Limitations on use of funds for costs of new facility. The Coverdell law limits the amount of funds that 
may be used for the costs of a new facility or facilities (see 34 U.S.C. § 10564(c)). Maximum amounts are 
determined by the total amount of the Coverdell grants received (including both formula and competitive 
funds) and the total amount of funds available for Coverdell grants nationwide. The maximum amounts that 
may be used for costs of new facilities are as follows. (Estimates and calculations are based on the 
assumption that the total available funds for Coverdell awards in FY 2022 will be $29,395,410. Please refer 
to the discussion under “Available Funding.”) 
Grants that exceed 0.6 percent of the total available funds. If an applicant state receives total grants that 
exceed 0.6 percent of the total available funds (estimated here at $176,372), the amount of the grant that 
can be used for the costs of any new facility cannot exceed the sum of 80 percent of 0.6 percent of the total 
available funds (such as 80 percent estimated here at $141,098) plus 40 percent of the amount of the grant 
in excess of 0.6 percent of the total available funds. 
For example, if $29,395,410 were to become available for Coverdell awards in FY 2022 and a state were to 
receive a total Coverdell grant of $293,954, no more than $187,987 may be used for the costs of any new 
facility. 
A sample calculation for a $293,954 grant would be as follows: 
80 percent of 0.6 percent of the total available funds: $176,372 x .80 = $141,098. 
Amount in excess of $293,594: $293,594 - $176,372 = $117,222 
40 percent of amount in excess of $293,594: $117,222 x .40 = $46,889. 
Sum of $141,098 + $46,889 = $187,987. 
9. Administrative expenses. Not more than 10 percent of the total amount of a Coverdell grant may be 
used for a recipient’s administrative expenses. 
Note on use of funds for forensic genealogy searches: Grantees utilizing Coverdell funds for forensic 
genealogy testing must adhere to the United States Department of Justice Interim Policy Forensic 
Genealogical DNA Analysis and Searching (https://www.justice.gov/olp/page/file/1204386/download). In 
accordance with Section IX, Coverdell grantees must collect and report the following metrics to BJA: 
1. The type of crime investigated. 
2. Whether forensic genetic genealogical DNA analysis (FGG)/ forensic genetic genealogical DNA 
analysis and searching (FGGS) was conducted on a forensic sample or a reference sample. 
3. The type of forensic sample subjected to FGG, and a description of the total amount, condition, and 
concentration of that sample (e.g., single source, mixed profile, degradation status, etc.). 
4. Whether FGG analysis resulted in a searchable profile. 
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5. The identity of the vendor laboratory used to conduct FGG and the genetic genealogy service(s) 
used to search the FGG profile. 
6. Whether the investigation resulted in an arrest that was based, in part, on the use of FGGS. 
7. The total amount of federal funding used to conduct FGG/FGGS in each case. 
Note on the use of funds to address opioid- and synthetic drug-related challenges: The application 
should demonstrate, wherever applicable, how any proposed use of funds would address challenges that 
opioids and/or synthetic drugs have brought to the forensic science community. To facilitate this, an 
applicant should annotate each line item in the budget as “opioid and/or synthetic drug related” or “non­
opioid or synthetic drug related.” Coverdell funds are available for permissible uses that would not address 
the opioid- and synthetic drug-related challenges; however, states should plan to allocate at least 58 
percent of Coverdell grant funds (commensurate with each state’s specifically identified need) to address 
the challenges to the forensic science community posed by the opioids and synthetic drugs. A state also 
may propose to dedicate more than 58 percent of its Coverdell allocation to opioid and synthetic drug 
related uses, in accordance with the state’s needs. 
A state that does not intend to include any opioid- or synthetic drug-related projects in its request for 
Coverdell funds, or that intends to request an amount for opioid and/or synthetic drug related projects that 
would amount to less than 58 percent of its FY 2022 Coverdell allocation, will still receive the full FY 2022 
formula allocation for which it is eligible. Any such state will be expected to affirm — in a separate writing 
(See “Application and Submission Information” for details) — that, of its total allocation, it intends to use 
less than 58 percent (or, zero, as applicable) of the grant funds for opioid and synthetic drug-related 
projects. 
Expenses That Are Not Permitted 
1. Funds to conduct research. Applicants may address emerging forensic science issues and technology 
through implementation of new technologies and processes into public laboratories. 
2. Expenses other than those listed above (including expenses for general law enforcement functions or 
non-forensic investigatory functions). 
3. Costs for any new facility that exceed the limits described above. 
4. Recipient administrative expenses (direct or indirect) that exceed 10 percent of the total grant amount. 
5. The use of funds for the purchase and/or lease of vehicles such as crime scene vans. 
6. The use of BJA grant funds for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), including unmanned aircraft 
vehicles (UAV), and/or any accompanying accessories to support UAS or UAV devices/systems, is 
unallowable. 
Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement 
This solicitation does not require a match. 
Pre-agreement Costs (also known as Pre-award Costs) 
See the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for information on Pre-agreement Costs (also known as Pre­
award Costs). 
Prior Approval, Planning, and Reporting of Conference/Meeting/Training Costs 
See the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide information on Prior Approval, Planning, and Reporting of 
Conference/Meeting/Training Costs. 
Costs Associated with Language Assistance (if applicable) 
See the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for information on Costs Associated with Language Assistance. 
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Eligibility Information 
States may apply for FY 2022 formula Coverdell funds for use for forensic science laboratories (see Definitions 
section for additional information on how “forensic science laboratory” is defined for the purposes of this 
solicitation). For purposes of the Coverdell Program, the term “state” means each of the 50 states, the District of 
Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam, and the 
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. For certain purposes, American Samoa and the Northern 
Mariana Islands are treated as one state. 
States may be eligible for both formula and competitive funds. This solicitation is ONLY for the formula funds. 
Any state application for funding MUST be submitted by the Coverdell SAA (see list of SAAs on the OJP website 
at www.ojp.usdoj.gov/saa/index.htm). (Other interested state agencies or departments must coordinate with their 
respective SAAs.) SAAs are expected to consider the accreditation status of forensic science laboratories within 
their states in formulating their requests for formula funding. 
See the eligibility section on the solicitation cover page for details on what BJA considers a “forensic science 
laboratory” for purposes of this solicitation. 
Note: A prospective recipient of grant funds that is found to have an “unresolved audit finding” from a DOJ Office 
of the Inspector General audit, as described at 34 U.S.C. § 10263, will be ineligible to receive grant funds during 
the period specified in that statute. 
See 34 U.S.C. § 10263(2). 
The Coverdell law (at 34 U.S.C. § 10562) requires that, to request a grant, an applicant for Coverdell funds must 
submit: 
1. A certification and description regarding a plan for forensic science laboratories. Each applicant 
must submit a certification that the state has developed a plan for forensic science laboratories under a 
program intended to improve the quality and timeliness of forensic science or medical examiner services in 
the state, including such services provided by the laboratories operated by the state and those operated by 
units of local government within the state. Applicants must also specifically describe the manner in which 
the grant will be used to carry out that plan. 
2. A certification regarding use of generally accepted laboratory practices. Each applicant must 
submit a certification that any forensic science laboratory system, medical examiner’s office, or coroner’s 
office in the state, including any laboratory operated by a unit of local government within the state, that will 
receive any portion of the grant amount (whether directly or through a subgrant) uses generally accepted 
laboratory practices and procedures established by accrediting organizations or appropriate certifying 
bodies. 
3. A certification regarding forensic science laboratory accreditation. Each applicant must submit a 
certification that any forensic science laboratory system in the state, including any laboratory operated by a 
unit of local government within the state, that will receive any portion of the grant amount (whether directly 
or through a subgrant) either is accredited OR is not so accredited but will (or will be required in a legally 
binding and enforceable writing to) use a portion of the grant amount to prepare and apply for such 
accreditation not more than 2 years after the date on which a grant is awarded under the FY 2022 Paul 
Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants Program. 
Applicants requesting funds for ONLY medical examiner’s offices or coroner’s offices in the state are not 
required to submit this certification. See 34 U.S.C. § 10562(2). 
4. A certification and description regarding costs of new facilities. Each applicant must submit a 
certification that the amount of the grant used for the costs of any new facility constructed as part of a 
program to improve the quality and timeliness of forensic science or medical examiner services will not 
exceed certain limitations set forth in the Coverdell law at 34 U.S.C. § 10564(c). (See information on 
“permissible expenses” in section B. “Federal Award Information” of this solicitation.) Applicants must also 
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specifically describe any new facility to be constructed, as well as the estimated costs of the facility. 
5. A certification regarding external investigations into allegations of serious negligence or 
misconduct. Each applicant must submit a certification that “a government entity exists and an appropriate 
process is in place to conduct independent external investigations into allegations of serious negligence or 
misconduct substantially affecting the integrity of the forensic results committed by employees or 
contractors of any forensic laboratory system, medical examiner’s office, coroner’s office, law enforcement 
storage facility, or medical facility in the state that will receive a portion of the grant amount.” 
Applicants are expected to carefully review the requirements of each certification before determining whether the 
certification properly may be made. Any certification that is submitted must be executed by an official who is both 
familiar with the requirements of the certification and authorized to make the certification on behalf of the 
applicant agency (that is, the agency applying directly to BJA). Certifications must be submitted using the 
templates provided at Certifications must be submitted using the templates provided at Paul Coverdell 
Forensic Science Improvement Grants Program | Funding | Bureau of Justice Assistance (ojp.gov). 
Certifications made on behalf of subrecipients of award funds — rather than certifications made on behalf of the 
agency applying directly to BJA — are NOT acceptable to satisfy the certification requirements and should not be 
submitted. 
In connection with the certification regarding external investigations (described above), applicants must provide, 
prior to receiving award funds, the name(s) of the existing “government entity” (or government entities). This 
information is to be provided as an attachment to the proposal narrative section of the application using the 
External Investigations Attachment Template. 
In connection with the certification regarding forensic science laboratory accreditation (described above), 
applicants MUST demonstrate, prior to receiving award funds, that any forensic science laboratory system, 
including any laboratory operated by a unit of local government within the state, that will receive any portion of 
the grant amount either is accredited or will (or will be required to) prepare and apply for accreditation consistent 
with the Coverdell law. See the “Permissible Expenses” section, which describes the documentation and 
information an applicant is to provide regarding its accreditation or its plans to prepare and apply for 
accreditation. 
The accrediting body must be a signatory to an internationally recognized arrangement and must offer 
accreditation to forensic science conformity assessment bodies using an accreditation standard that is 
recognized by that internationally recognized arrangement. The scope of the accreditation must include all 
discipline(s) for which funds are requested. If the current scope of accreditation does not include the discipline(s) 
for which funds are requested, the applicant must include funds in its budget and plans in its proposal narrative to 
prepare and apply for accreditation in those disciplines. 
Please note that funds will not be made available to applicant agencies that fail to provide the necessary 
information. 
Important Note on Referrals in Connection with Allegations of Serious Negligence or Serious Misconduct 
The highest standards of integrity in the practice of forensic science are critical to the enhancement of the 
administration of justice. BJA assumes that recipients (and subrecipients) of Coverdell funds will make use of the 
process referenced in their certification as to external investigations and will refer allegations of serious 
negligence or misconduct substantially affecting the integrity of forensic results to government entities with an 
appropriate process in place to conduct independent external investigations, such as the government entities 
identified in the grant application. 
For each fiscal year of an award made under this solicitation, recipients will be required to report to BJA on an 
annual basis: 
1. The number and nature of any such allegations. 
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2. Information on the referrals of such allegations (e.g., the government entity or entities to which referred, 
the date of referral). 
3. The outcome of such referrals (if known as of the date of the report). 
4. If any such allegations were not referred, the reason(s) for the nonreferral. 
Payments to recipients (including payments under future awards) may be withheld if the required information is 
not submitted on a timely basis. 
Special Guidance on Certification Regarding External Investigations into Allegations of Serious 
Negligence or Misconduct 
The certification regarding external investigations has a number of requirements, each of which must be satisfied 
before the certification may be made. The official authorized to make the certification on behalf of the applicant 
agency must carefully review each of the statutory elements and this guidance before determining whether a 
certification properly may be made. After reviewing the information and guidance provided here, the official, on 
behalf of the applicant agency, must determine whether: 
A government entity exists 
With an appropriate process in place 
To conduct independent, external investigations 
Into allegations of serious negligence or misconduct 
Substantially affecting the integrity of the forensic results 
Committed by employees or contractors 
Of any forensic laboratory system, medical examiner’s office, coroner’s office, law enforcement 
storage facility, or medical facility in the state that will receive a portion of the grant amount. 
Note: In making this certification, the certifying official is certifying that these requirements are satisfied not only 
with respect to the applicant itself, but also with respect to each entity that will receive a portion of the grant 
amount. Certifying officials are advised that: 
1. A false statement in the certification or in the grant application that it supports may be the subject of 
criminal prosecution, including under 18 U.S.C. § 1001 and/or 1621 and 34 U.S.C. §§ 10271-10273. 
2. Office of Justice Programs grants, including certifications provided in connection with such grants, are 
subject to review by the Office of Justice Programs and/or by the Department of Justice’s Office of the 
Inspector General. 
The following guidance, provided by way of examples for applicants’ review, is designed to illustrate elements of 
the external investigation certification that the official authorized to make the certification on behalf of the 
applicant agency must consider in determining whether the certification properly may be made. 
Because it is not possible for BJA to provide examples relating to every type of government entity with an 
appropriate process in place to conduct independent, external investigations into allegations of serious 
negligence or misconduct substantially affecting the integrity of the forensic results committed by employees or 
contractors, this guidance should not be viewed as all inclusive. In addition, this guidance is not intended to 
constitute legal advice from BJA on the question of whether the required certification properly may be made on 
behalf of the applicant. Such a determination must be made by an appropriate official based on the statutory 
requirements of the certification after review of this guidance. 
Illustrative Examples: 
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1. A state intends to distribute Coverdell award funds to state and local forensic laboratories and medical 
examiner’s/coroner’s offices. There is an Office of the Inspector General (OIG) in the state with authority to 
conduct investigations into allegations of serious negligence or misconduct by employees and contractors 
of forensic laboratories and medical examiner’s/coroner’s offices, both at the state and local levels. 
Guidance: Execution of the certification might be appropriate under these facts. Nevertheless, the certifying 
official must be satisfied that the state IG’s authority in this regard is not circumscribed in such a way that 
the IG’s ability to conduct independent investigations is limited (for example, through a reporting hierarchy 
that does not provide for the IG to report directly to the chief executive officer or another equally 
independent state official or office). 
2. An applicant agency determines that the forensics laboratory director (or some other individual in the 
chain of command at the laboratory) has sole responsibility to conduct investigations into allegations of 
serious negligence or misconduct committed by laboratory employees. 
Guidance: Under these circumstances, execution of the certification would not be appropriate because 
there is no process in place to conduct independent, external investigations into allegations of serious 
negligence or misconduct committed by laboratory employees and contractors. 
3. A state applicant intends to distribute Coverdell award funds to forensic laboratories at both the state and 
local levels. An independent commission established by the governor has authority to investigate 
allegations of serious negligence or misconduct by employees, including employees of units of local 
government within the state. 
Guidance: Under these circumstances, the existence of this commission is not itself a sufficient basis for 
execution of the certification. In this regard, the commission does not have authority to investigate 
allegations of serious negligence or misconduct by contractors of state and local government forensic 
laboratories that receive Coverdell funds. (If, however, some other government entity, distinct from the 
commission, has a process in place to conduct independent external investigations of allegations of serious 
negligence or misconduct by such contractors, execution of the certification might be appropriate depending 
on all the facts.) 
4. A local forensic laboratory, which is intended to receive a portion of the funds from a Coverdell award to 
a state, notifies the state applicant that a quality assurance official is responsible for investigating 
allegations of serious negligence or misconduct by employees and contractors of the local forensic 
laboratory. The quality assurance official reports to the director of the forensic laboratory. 
Guidance: Under these circumstances, execution of the certification would not be appropriate because the 
quality assurance official reports to the director of the forensic laboratory; therefore, there is no process in 
place to conduct independent, external investigations of allegations against the forensics laboratory as 
required to make the certification. 
5. An applicant agency (a forensics laboratory) intends to employ a contractor or a nongovernmental 
organization to conduct investigations into allegations of serious negligence or misconduct committed by 
laboratory employees. 
Guidance: Under these circumstances, execution of the certification would not be appropriate as there is 
neither a government entity, nor an appropriate process in place to conduct independent, external 
investigations of allegations against the laboratory, whether alleged to be committed by laboratory 
employees and/or contractors, because the contractor or nongovernmental entity is employed by and 
responsible to the forensics laboratory. 
6. An applicant agency is accredited by an independent accrediting or certifying organization such as 
ANAB, NAME, A2LA, IAC&ME, etc. 
Guidance: In this situation, execution of the certification would not be appropriate. The fact of accreditation 
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or certification by an outside entity on its own does not demonstrate that the agency has a process in place 
to investigate allegations of serious negligence or misconduct committed by employees or contractors. 
There is insufficient information to properly make the required certification in this situation. 
All recipients and subrecipients (including any for-profit organization) must forgo any profit or management fee. 
For information on cost sharing or matching requirements, see the Federal Award Information section. 
Application and Submission Information 
See the “Application Elements and Formatting Instructions” section of the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide 
for information on what happens to an application that does not contain all the specified elements or is 
nonresponsive to the scope of the solicitation. 
Information to Complete the Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424) 
The SF-424 must be submitted in Grants.gov. It is a required standard form used as a coversheet for submission 
of pre-applications, applications, and related information. See the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for 
additional information on completing the SF-424. 
In Section 8F of the SF-424, please include the name and contact information of the individual who will 
complete the application in JustGrants. JustGrants will use this information (email address) to assign the
application to this user in JustGrants. 
Intergovernmental Review: This solicitation (“funding opportunity”) is subject to Executive Order 12372. An 
applicant may find the names and addresses of state Single Points of Contact (SPOCs) at the following website: 
https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/SPOC-4-13-20.pdf. If the applicant’s state appears on 
the SPOC list, the applicant must contact its SPOC to find out about, and comply with, the state’s process under 
E.O. 12372. In completing the SF-424, an applicant whose state appears on the SPOC list is to make the 
appropriate selection in response to question 19, once the applicant has complied with its state E.O. 12372 
process. An applicant whose state does not appear on the SPOC list should answer question 19 by selecting the 
response that the: “Program is subject to E.O. 12372 but has not been selected by the state for review.” 
Standard Applicant Information (JustGrants 424 and General Agency Information) 
The “Standard Applicant Information” section of the JustGrants application is pre-populated with the SF-424 data 
submitted in Grants.gov. The applicant will need to review the Standard Applicant Information in JustGrants and 
make edits as needed. Within this section, the applicant will need to: add zip codes for areas affected by the 
project, confirm its Authorized Representative, and verify and confirm the organization's unique entity identifier, 
legal name, and address. 
Proposal Abstract 
A proposal abstract (no more than 400 words) summarizing the proposed project, including the purpose of the 
project, primary activities, expected outcomes, the service area, intended beneficiaries, and subrecipients (if 
known), will be completed in the JustGrants web-based form. This abstract should be written in the third person 
and will be made publicly available on the OJP website if the project is awarded. 
Example format: 
One to two sentences for description of the issue. 
Three to four sentences outlining how this year’s award will be utilized. 
One to two sentences describing the outcome. 
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Proposal Narrative 
The proposal narrative must specifically describe the manner in which Coverdell grant funds will be used to carry 
out the state plan to improve the quality and/or timeliness of forensic science or medical examiner’s/coroner’s 
office services over current operations. (Reduction of forensic analysis backlogs is considered an improvement in 
timeliness of services.) States are expected to consider the needs of laboratories operated by units of local 
government, as well as those operated by the state. 
If grant funds are requested for costs of a new facility, the proposal narrative must specifically describe the new 
facility to be constructed and the estimated costs of that facility. 
If grant funds are requested for projects to address the challenges to the state’s forensic science laboratories 
posed by opioids and/or synthetic drugs, the proposal narrative should describe the challenges posed and how 
the requested funds would help to address them. 
Accreditation 
If grant funds are requested for accreditation, the proposal narrative must describe accreditation activities and 
plans and, as applicable, the projected schedule for preparation for and application for accreditation. Under the 
Coverdell Program, any forensic science laboratory system, including any laboratory operated by a unit of local 
government within the state, that is not accredited (as set out in the Coverdell law) and will receive a portion of 
the grant amount must use a portion of the grant amount to prepare and apply for accreditation not more than 2 
years after the date of the Coverdell grant award. For purposes of this solicitation, see the eligibility discussion on 
the solicitation cover page for the definition of “forensic science laboratory.” Additionally, after ascertaining the 
accreditation status of all forensic laboratories within its state, each SAA is to include within the proposal 
narrative plans for each forensic science laboratory within its state lacking accreditation to prepare and apply for 
accreditation. 
The proposal narrative should be submitted as a separate attachment with an appropriately descriptive 
file name in JustGrants. The attached document should be double-spaced, using a standard 12-point font; have 
no less than 1-inch margins; and should not exceed 20 pages. Pages should be numbered and submitted as an 
attachment. If the proposal narrative fails to comply with these length restrictions, BJA may negatively consider 
such noncompliance in final award decisions. 
The following sections must be included as part of the proposal narrative: 
a. Description of the Issue 
b. Project Design and Implementation 
c. Capabilities and Competencies 
d. Plan for Collecting the Data Required for this Solicitation’s Performance Measures 
Note: Applicants are not required to submit performance data with the application. Rather, performance measure 
information is included as an alert that successful applicants will be required to submit performance data as part 
of each award’s reporting requirements. 
OJP will require each successful applicant to submit regular performance data that demonstrate the results of the 
work carried out under the award. The performance data directly relate to the goals, objectives, and deliverables 
identified in the “Goals, Objectives, and Deliverables” discussion. 
Applicants can also visit OJP’s performance measurement page at www.ojp.gov/performance for an overview of 
performance measurement activities at OJP. 
BJA will require award recipients to submit performance measure data and performance reports in JustGrants. 
Examples of the performance measures questionnaire can be found at 
https://bja.ojp.gov/sites/g/files/xyckuh186/files/media/document/Coverdell-Measures.pdf. BJA will provide further 
guidance on the post-award submission process, after making awards. 
Note on Project Evaluations 
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An applicant that proposes to use award funds through this solicitation to conduct project evaluations must follow 
the guidance in the “Note on Project Evaluations” section in the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide. 
Goals, Objectives, Deliverables, and Timeline 
The applicant will submit the FY 2022 Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants Program goals, 
objectives, and deliverables in the JustGrants web-based form. 
Budget and Associated Documentation 
Budget Worksheet and Budget Narrative (attachment) 
The applicant will complete the budget worksheet attachment and submit it by uploading it as an attachment in 
JustGrants. See the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for additional information. 
Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (if applicable) 
The applicant will submit its indirect cost rate agreement by uploading it as an attachment in JustGrants. See the 
OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for additional information. 
Financial Management Questionnaire (including applicant disclosure of high-risk status) 
Award recipients and subrecipients (including recipients or subrecipients that are pass-through entities) must, as 
described in the Part 200 Uniform Requirements as set out at 2 C.F.R. 200.303, comply with standards for 
financial and program management. See the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for additional information. 
Disclosure of Process Related to Executive Compensation 
This solicitation expressly modifies the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide by not incorporating its 
“Disclosure of Process Related to Executive Compensation” provisions.  Applicants to this solicitation are not 
required to provide this disclosure. 
Additional Application Components 
The applicant will attach the requested documentation in JustGrants. 
Coverdell Statutory Certifications 
As described above in the “Eligibility Information” section, the Coverdell law provides that, to request a grant, 
each applicant must submit five certifications specific to the Coverdell Program. (Applicants requesting funds 
for only medical examiner’s offices or coroner’s offices in the state are not required to submit the certification 
regarding accreditation. (See 34 U.S.C. § 10562(2).) A certification may only be completed by an official familiar 
with its requirements and authorized to certify on behalf of the applicant agency (i.e., the agency applying directly 
to BJA). All five certifications must be completed using these templates. Certifications made on behalf of 
subrecipients of award funds — rather than certifications made on behalf of the agency applying directly to BJA 
— are not acceptable to satisfy the certification requirements. 
The five required Coverdell statutory certifications are as follows: 
1. Certification as to Plan for Forensic Science Laboratories— Application from a State 
2. Certification as to Generally Accepted Laboratory Practices and Procedures 
3. Certification as to Forensic Science Laboratory System Accreditation 
4. Certification as to Use of Funds for New Facilities (This must be submitted even if no funds are proposed to be 
used for new facilities.) 
5. Certification as to External Investigations 
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Please note: Specific information and guidance with respect to the “Certification as to External Investigations” 
are provided above, under “Eligibility Information.” Certifying officials must read and review this information and 
guidance prior to executing the certification. 
External Investigations Attachment 
In the External Investigations Attachment, all applicants are to provide the name(s) of the existing “government 
entity” (or entities) that is the subject of the certification that: 
A government entity exists and an appropriate process is in place to conduct independent external investigations 
into allegations of serious negligence or misconduct substantially affecting the integrity of the forensic results 
committed by employees or contractors of any forensic laboratory system, medical examiner’s office, coroner's 
office, law enforcement storage facility, or medical facility in the state that will receive a portion of the grant 
amount. 
Note: Funds will not be made available to applicant agencies that fail to provide the necessary information. 
The five certifications and the external investigations attachment should be attached as a separate file 
with an appropriately descriptive file name. 
Forensic Laboratory Accreditation Documentation (if applicable) 
Applicants should provide documentation of current accreditation with the application for any accredited 
laboratory (including a subrecipient laboratory) that is to receive funds under the FY 2022 Coverdell award. 
Acceptable types of documentation of current accreditation include: an electronic (scanned) copy of the current 
accreditation certificate(s), a digital photograph of the current accreditation certificate(s), or a letter from the 
accrediting body that includes the certificate number. Additionally, if a certificate references another document 
that contains key information on the type or scope of the accreditation, provide a copy of that supplemental 
documentation. Independent accrediting or certifying organizations may include ANAB, NAME, A2LA, IAC&ME, 
or other appropriate accrediting bodies. (Per 34 U.S.C. § 10562(2), such an accrediting body would be “an 
accrediting body that is a signatory to an internationally recognized arrangement and that offers accreditation to 
forensic science conformity assessment bodies using an accreditation standard that is recognized by that 
internationally recognized arrangement[.]”) Note that funds will not be made available to applicant agencies that 
fail to provide the necessary information. 
Accreditation Status of All Forensic Laboratories within the State 
Each applicant is to prepare a list of all forensic science laboratories in the state that specifies each forensic 
science laboratory’s accreditation status and, if applicable, the name of the accrediting body and the scope of 
each accreditation. 
The accreditation status documentation should be attached as a separate file with an appropriately 
descriptive file name. 
Statement Regarding Proposed Use of Funds to Address Challenges Posted by Opioids and/or Synthetic Drugs (if 
applicable) 
See the “Note on the use of funds to address opioid- and synthetic drug-related challenges” in the “Budget 
Information” section above, under “Federal Award Information,” for an important discussion relevant to applicants 
requesting funds to address forensic science challenges relating to opioids and/or synthetic drugs. 
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A state that does not intend to include any opioid- and synthetic drug-related projects in its request for Coverdell 
funds, or that intends to request an amount for opioid- and synthetic drug-related projects that would amount to 
less than 58 percent of its FY 2022 Coverdell allocation, is to prepare and submit a statement (signed by the 
authorized representative of the applicant) affirming that, of the total FY 2022 allocation for which it is eligible 
under the FY 2022 Coverdell Grant Program, the state intends to use none of the funds for opioid and synthetic 
drug projects or, if applicable, that it intends to use less than 58 percent (the statement should specify the 
approximate percentage) of its grant funds for opioid- and/or synthetic drug-related projects. 
This document should be attached as a separate file with an appropriately descriptive file name (for 
example, “Opioids and Synthetic Drugs Use of Funds Statement”). 
Potential Environmental Impact Coversheet and Checklist - National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) 
Each applicant is to submit a BJA Programmatic Coversheet and Checklist with its application to assist BJA in 
assessing the potential environmental impacts of the activities proposed for funding by the applicant. Specifically, 
the applicant is expected to: 
Carefully read the Programmatic Environmental Assessment. 
Complete the coversheet and the attached Programmatic Checklist. 
Attach the completed documents to the grant application. 
The applicant should also submit a coversheet and BJA Programmatic Checklist for any organization identified in 
the budget worksheet that will receive grant funds through a subaward or procurement contract to perform any of 
the following activities: new construction or renovations that change the basic prior use of a facility or significantly 
change the size, research and/or technology development that could be expected to have an effect on the 
environment, or implementation of programs involving the use of chemicals. For more information about NEPA 
and BJA’s NEPA Process, please go to https://bja.ojp.gov/national-environmental-policy-act-nepa-guidance. 
Disclosures and Assurances 
The applicant will address the following disclosures and assurances. 
Disclosure of Lobbying Activities 
Complete and submit the SF-LLL in Grants.gov. See the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for additional 
information. 
DOJ Certified Standard Assurances 
Review and accept the DOJ Certified Standard Assurances in JustGrants. See the OJP Grant Application Resource 
Guide for additional information. 
Applicant Disclosure of Duplication in Cost Items 
Complete the JustGrants web-based Applicant Disclosure of Duplication in Cost Items form. See the OJP Grant 
Application Resource Guide for additional information. 
DOJ Certifications Regarding Lobbying; Debarment, Suspension and Other Responsibility Matters; and Drug-Free 
Workplace Requirements 
Review and accept the DOJ Certified Certifications Regarding Lobbying; Debarment, Suspension and Other 
Responsibility Matters; and Drug-Free Workplace Requirements; and Law Enforcement and Community Policing 
in JustGrants. See the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for additional information. 
Applicant Disclosure and Justification – DOJ High Risk Grantees (if applicable) 
If applicable, submit the DOJ High Risk Disclosure and Justification as an attachment in JustGrants. A DOJ High 
Risk Grantee is an award recipient that has received a DOJ High Risk designation based on a documented 
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history of unsatisfactory performance, financial instability, management system or other internal control 
deficiencies, or noncompliance with award terms and conditions on prior awards, or is otherwise not responsible. 
See the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for additional information. 
How to Apply 
Step 1: The applicant must submit the SF-424 and an SF-LLL in Grants.gov at 
https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html. 
Step 2: The applicant must then submit the full application, including attachments, in JustGrants at 
https://justgrants.usdoj.gov/. 
For additional information, see the “How to Apply” section in the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide and the 
DOJ Application Submission Checklist. 
Submission Dates and Time 
The SF-424 and the SF-LLL must be submitted in Grants.gov by June 28, 2022, at 8:59 p.m. eastern time. 
The full application must be submitted in JustGrants by July 12, 2022, at 8:59 p.m. eastern time. 
OJP urges applicants to submit their Grants.gov and JustGrants submissions prior to the due dates to allow 
sufficient time to correct errors and resubmit by the submission deadlines if a rejection notification is received. To 
be considered timely, the full application must be submitted in JustGrants by the JustGrants application 
deadline. 
Experiencing Unforeseen Technical Issues 
An applicant that experiences unforeseen SAM.gov, Grants.gov, or JustGrants technical issues beyond its 
control that prevents application submission by the deadline must demonstrate all efforts in requesting technical 
support in order to submit an application by the deadline. Technical support is available via phone and email to 
the applicable SAM.gov, Grants.gov, or JustGrants support centers or service desks in which an applicant 
received a ticket number for resolution. If an applicant misses a deadline due to unforeseen technical difficulties, 
the applicant may request a waiver to submit an application after the deadline. Note: If an applicant does not 
submit all the required Grants.gov forms by the Grants.gov deadline, the applicant will not be able to proceed to 
the JustGrants portion of the application process. 
Applicants experiencing technical difficulties with the following systems must contact the associated support desk 
indicated below to report the technical issue and receive a tracking number: 
Grants.gov — Contact the Grants.gov Customer Support Hotline. 
SAM.gov — Contact the SAM Help Desk (Federal Service Desk). 
JustGrants — Contact the JustGrants Support Desk at JustGrants.Support@usdoj.gov or 833–872–5175. 
Applicants requesting a waiver to submit a late application must document their request for technical assistance 
in an email to the OJP Response Center at grants@ncjrs.gov within 24 hours after the application deadline to 
request approval to submit its application after the deadline. If an applicant has technical issues with Grants.gov, 
the applicant must contact the OJP Response Center within 24 hours of the Grants.gov deadline to request 
approval to submit after the deadline. Waiver requests to submit after the submission deadline must: 
Describe the technical difficulties experienced. 
Include a timeline of the applicant's submission efforts (e.g., what date and time did the error occur, what 
date and time was action taken to resolve the issue and resubmit; and what date and time did support 
representatives respond). 
Include an attachment(s) of the complete grant application and all required documentation and material. 
Include the applicant's Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and any applicable SAM.gov tracking number(s), 
Grants.gov Help Desk, and JustGrants Support Desk Ticket Numbers. 
OJP will review each request for late submission and required supporting documentation and notify the applicant 
whether the request has been approved or denied. For more details on the waiver process, OJP encourages 
applicants to review the “Experiencing Unforeseen Technical Issues” section in the OJP Grant Application 
Resource Guide. 
Application Review Information 
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Review Process 
Subject to the availability of appropriated funds, states that satisfy the specific requirements (including eligibility 
requirements) outlined in this solicitation, the general requirements for BJA and OJP grants, and all other 
applicable legal requirements may expect to be awarded formula funds or minimum awards determined in 
accordance with the Coverdell law. 
OJP reviews the application to make sure that the information presented is reasonable, understandable, 
measurable, achievable, and consistent with the solicitation. See the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for 
information on the application review process for this solicitation. 
Pursuant to the Part 200 Uniform Requirements, before award decisions are made, OJP also reviews information 
related to the degree of risk posed by the applicant. Among other things to help assess whether an applicant with 
one or more prior federal awards has a satisfactory record with respect to performance, integrity, and business 
ethics, OJP checks whether the applicant is listed in SAM as excluded from receiving a federal award. 
In addition, if OJP anticipates that an award will exceed $250,000 in federal funds, OJP also must review and 
consider any information about the applicant that appears in the non-public segment of the integrity and 
performance system accessible through SAM (currently, the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity 
Information System, FAPIIS). 
Important note on FAPIIS:  An applicant, at its option, may review and comment on any information about itself 
that currently appears in FAPIIS and was entered by a federal awarding agency. OJP will consider such 
comments by the applicant, in addition to the other information in FAPIIS, in its assessment of the risk posed by 
the applicant. 
Absent explicit statutory authorization or written delegation of authority to the contrary, the Assistant Attorney 
General will make all final award decisions. 
Federal Award Administration Information 
Federal Award Notices 
See the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for information on award notifications and instructions. 
Administrative, National Policy, and Other Legal Requirements 
If selected for funding, in addition to implementing the funded project consistent with the OJP-approved 
application, the recipient must comply with all award conditions, and all applicable requirements of federal 
statutes and regulations, including applicable requirements referred to in the assurances and certifications 
executed in connection with award acceptance. For additional information on these legal requirements, see the 
“Administrative, National Policy, and Other Legal Requirements” section in the OJP Grant Application Resource 
Guide. 
Information Technology (IT) Security Clauses 
An application in response to this solicitation may require inclusion of information related to information 
technology security. See the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for information on information technology 
security. 
General Information about Post-Federal Award Reporting Requirements 
In addition to the deliverables described in the “Program Description” section, all award recipients under this 
solicitation will be required to submit certain reports and data. 
Required reports. Award recipients typically must submit quarterly financial reports, performance metrics, 
performance reports, final financial and performance reports, and, if applicable, an annual audit report in 
accordance with the Part 200 Uniform Requirements or specific award conditions. Future awards and fund 
drawdowns may be withheld if reports are delinquent. (In appropriate cases, OJP may require additional reports.) 
In addition, Coverdell grantees are required to submit a final report that must, among other things: (1) include a 
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summary and assessment of the program carried out with FY 2022 grant funds, (2) identify the number and type 
of cases accepted during the FY 2022 award period by the forensic laboratory or laboratories that received FY 
2022 grant funds, (3) cite the specific improvements in forensic science and medical examiner/coroner services 
(including any reduction in forensic analysis backlog) that occurred as a direct result of the FY 2022 grant award, 
and (4) detail the progress of any unaccredited forensic science service provider that received FY 2022 grant 
funds toward obtaining accreditation. 
Further, as noted earlier under “Eligibility Information,” for each fiscal year of an award, recipients will be required 
to report to BJA on an annual basis: 
1. The number and nature of any allegations of serious negligence or misconduct substantially affecting the 
integrity of forensic results. 
2. Information on the referrals of such allegations (e.g., the government entity or entities to which referred, 
the date of referral). 
3. The outcome of such referrals (if known as of the date of the report). 
4. If any such allegations were not referred, the reason(s) for the nonreferral. 
Future awards and fund drawdowns may be withheld if reports are delinquent. (In appropriate cases, OJP may 
require additional reports.) 
See the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for additional information on specific post-award reporting 
requirements, including performance measure data. 
Federal Awarding Agency Contact(s) 
For OJP contact(s), see the solicitation cover page. 
For contact information for Grants.gov and JustGrants, see the solicitation cover page. 
Other Information 
Freedom of Information and Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552 and 5 U.S.C. 552a) 
See the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for information on the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act (5 
U.S.C. 552 and 5 U.S.C. 552a). 
Provide Feedback to OJP 
See the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide for information on how to provide feedback to OJP. 
Application Checklist 
FY 2022 Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants Program (Formula) 
This application checklist has been created as an aid in developing an application. The DOJ Application 
Submission Checklist is another resource. 
What an Applicant Must Do: 
Prior to registering in Grants.gov: 
Confirm your Entity’s System Award Management (SAM) Registration Information (see OJP Grant 
Application Resource Guide) 
To register in Grants.gov: 
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Acquire an Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) and a Grants.gov username and 
password (see OJP Grant Application Resource Guide) 
Acquire AOR confirmation from the E-Business Point of Contact (E-Biz POC) (see OJP Grant 
Application Resource Guide) 
To find the Funding Opportunity: 
Search for the Funding Opportunity on Grants.gov using the opportunity number, Assistance Listing 
or keyword(s) 
Access the Funding Opportunity and Application Package (see Step 7 in the OJP Grant Application 
Resource Guide) 
Sign up for Grants.gov email notifications (optional) (see OJP Grant Application Resource Guide) 
Read Important Notice: Applying for Grants in Grants.gov 
Read OJP policy and guidance on conference approval, planning, and reporting available at 
https://www.ojp.gov/funding/financialguidedoj/iii-postaward-requirements#6g3y8 (see OJP Grant 
Application Resource Guide) 
Overview of Post-Award Legal Requirements: 
Review the “Overview of Legal Requirements Generally Applicable to OJP Grants and Cooperative 
Agreements - FY 2022 Awards” in the OJP Funding Resource Center. 
Review Scope Requirement: 
The federal amount requested is within the allowable limit(s) list at 
https://bja.ojp.gov/funding/fy-2022-coverdell-estimated-funding-amounts.pdf. 
Review Eligibility Requirement: 
State governments — State Administering Agencies (SAAs) apply on behalf of states, including any 
state government entity. 
Prepare to submit the Application for Federal Assistance standard form (SF)-424 and 
Disclosure of Lobbying Activities form (SF-LLL) 
Review Information to complete the Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424) in Grants.gov 
Submit the Intergovernmental Review 
Complete Standard Applicant Information (SF-424 information from Grants.gov) 
Submit the SF-424 and SF-LLL in Grants.gov 
After the SF-424 and SF-LLL submission in Grants.gov, receive Grants.gov email notifications that: 
Submission has been received in Grants.gov 
Submission has either been successfully validated or rejected with errors (see OJP Grant 
Application Resource Guide) 
If no Grants.gov receipt and validation, or if error notifications are received: 
Contact Grants.gov Customer Support Hotline at 800-518-4726, 606-545-5035, at Grants.gov 
customer support web page, or email at support@grants.gov regarding technical difficulties (see 
OJP Grant Application Resource Guide) 
Receive email notification to complete application in JustGrants: 
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Proceed to complete Application in JustGrants 
Content of Application Submission 
Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424) 
Intergovernmental Review 
Standard Applicant Information (SF-424 info from Grants.gov) 
Proposal Abstract 
Proposal Narrative 
Budget and Associated Documentation 
Budget Worksheet and Budget Narrative (attachment) 
Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (if applicable) (see OJP Grant Application Resource Guide) 
Financial Management and System of Internal Controls Questionnaire (see OJP Grant Application 
Resource Guide) 
Additional Application Components 
Coverdell Statutory Certifications 
Certification as to Plan for Forensic Science Laboratories — Application from a State 
Certification as to Generally Accepted Laboratory Practices and Procedures 
Certification as to Forensic Science Laboratory System Accreditation 
Certification as to Use of Funds for New Facilities 
Certification as to External Investigations 
External Investigations Attachment 
Forensic Laboratory Accreditation Documentation (if applicable) 
Accreditation Status of All Forensic Laboratories within the State 
Statement Regarding Proposed Use of Funds to Address Challenges Posed by the Opioids and/or 
Synthetic Drugs (if applicable) 
Potential Environmental Impact Coversheet and Checklist 
Disclosures and Assurances 
Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL) (see OJP Grant Application Resource Guide) 
Applicant Disclosure of Duplication in Cost Items (see OJP Grant Application Resource Guide) 
DOJ Certified Standard Assurance (see OJP Grant Application Resource Guide) 
DOJ Certifications Regarding Lobbying; Debarment, Suspension, and Other Responsibility Matters; 
and Drug-Free Workplace Requirements (see OJP Grant Application Resource Guide) 
Applicant Disclosure and Justification – DOJ High Risk Grantees (if applicable) (see OJP Grant 
Application Resource Guide) 
Submit application in JustGrants: 
Application has been successfully submitted in JustGrants 
If no JustGrants application submission validation, or if error notifications are received: 
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Contact the JustGrants Service Desk at 833–872–5175 or JustGrants.Support@usdoj.gov regarding 
technical difficulties. 
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