FY 2014 National Criminal History Improvement Program (NCHIP) | Apply Online

FY 2014 National Criminal History Improvement Program (NCHIP) FAQs

1) What is the FY 2014 National Criminal History Improvement Program (NCHIP)?

The FY 2014 National Criminal History Improvement Program (NCHIP) is a discretionary federal grant opportunity administered by the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS). It is designed to help states and federally recognized tribes strengthen the quality and usability of criminal history record information.

2) What is the main purpose of NCHIP?

The central purpose is public safety. NCHIP focuses on improving how criminal history data is collected, completed, maintained, and shared so that criminal justice and authorized noncriminal justice background checks can be conducted accurately and efficiently nationwide.

3) What kinds of improvements does NCHIP aim to make to criminal history records?

NCHIP targets practical improvements such as reducing missing or incomplete records, improving the timeliness and accuracy of criminal history information, and ensuring records can be accessed through appropriate state repositories and the FBI systems used for national-level checks.

4) What are the four core objectives of the program?

The opportunity describes four core objectives for funded projects:

• Provide direct financial and technical assistance to states and tribes to upgrade criminal records systems and related information systems that support background checks.
• Improve infrastructure and connectivity by developing or enhancing technical pathways linking local and state systems to a state record repository or the appropriate federal record system, and ensuring access through FBI records systems.
• Support training and technical assistance so systems align with FBI standards and appropriate technologies, while maintaining strong privacy and confidentiality practices across contributing agencies.
• Emphasize accountability through evaluation and performance measurement, including standardized metrics and statistical reporting to demonstrate progress over time.

5) Why does NCHIP emphasize connectivity and linking systems?

The program expects states and tribes to develop or enhance the technical pathways needed to link local and state systems to a state record repository or an appropriate federal record system. A key goal is ensuring records can be accessed through FBI records systems for national-level background checks.

6) Does NCHIP include training or technical assistance?

Yes. Training and technical assistance are specifically prioritized so systems are built and managed in line with FBI standards and appropriate technologies. The program also stresses strong privacy and confidentiality practices among all agencies that contribute data.

7) What does NCHIP require related to evaluation and performance measurement?

NCHIP requires a focus on accountability through evaluation and performance measurement. The announcement highlights the use of standardized metrics and statistical reporting to show progress in improving record holdings and background check capacity over time.

8) What does it mean that NCHIP is an "umbrella program"?

NCHIP is described as an umbrella program because it covers multiple record-improvement activities and funding streams, each with its own goals and operational focus.

9) Is BJS encouraging applicants to coordinate across different record-improvement initiatives?

Yes. BJS strongly encourages applicants to integrate initiatives so record improvement efforts work together rather than operating as isolated projects, even when funding comes from different sources.

10) Is there a cost sharing or matching requirement?

Yes. The opportunity explicitly indicates there is a cost sharing or matching requirement. It also encourages applicants to match or leverage federal funds with state, tribal, or other resources as much as possible.

11) What type of award is used for this opportunity?

For FY 2014, the opportunity was offered as a cooperative agreement, which signals that BJS expects to have an active role in supporting or guiding the work rather than simply issuing a pass-through award.

12) What is the funding activity category for NCHIP?

The funding activity category is listed as Information and Statistics, reflecting the emphasis on records quality, system performance, and measurable outcomes.

13) How much funding was estimated to be available under this opportunity?

The total estimated funding available was $46,500,000.

14) How many awards were expected?

The opportunity indicated an expected 47 awards.

15) What is the CFDA number associated with this program?

The listing is associated with CFDA number 16.554 (National Criminal History Improvement Program).

16) When was the notice posted and what were the key dates?

The notice was posted on March 20, 2014. The application closing date was May 12, 2014, and the archive date was June 11, 2014.

17) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is limited to the agency designated by the governor in each state to administer the NCHIP program, along with federally recognized tribal entities.

18) Are consortium applications allowed?

Yes. The announcement allows for consortium applications, such as multi-state or multi-tribe consortia, or other collaborative entities.

19) Is any coordination required or recommended for consortium applications?

Yes. Prospective applicants are advised to coordinate with their BJS program manager for guidance when pursuing a consortium approach.

20) What is the funding opportunity number and program title?

The funding opportunity number is BJS 2014 3833, and the program title is FY 2014 National Criminal History Improvement Program (NCHIP).

21) What systems or repositories does NCHIP expect projects to support?

The program expects projects to support access to records through appropriate state repositories and FBI records systems used for national-level checks, with a focus on building or enhancing the technical connections needed to make that access reliable.

22) Who can be contacted for access issues with the full announcement?

For access issues with the full announcement, the contact listed is Cathy Maston, Management and Program Analyst, at 202-307-5992.