NIJ FY 10 National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center System National Center | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is this funding opportunity?

This opportunity is the NIJ FY 10 National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center (NLECTC) System National Center solicitation (Funding Opportunity Number NIJ-2010-2412). It is a discretionary National Institute of Justice (NIJ) solicitation to select a qualified operator for the NLECTC System National Center.

Which agency is offering the award?

The solicitation is issued by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ).

What is the purpose of the grant/cooperative agreement?

NIJ is seeking an organization to operate the NLECTC System National Center, which has a central, system-wide role within the NLECTC System. The National Center functions as (1) an information clearinghouse for the NLECTC System and (2) a support function for NIJ performance standards and compliance testing programs. It also serves as an administrative hub for the broader NLECTC System.

What type of award is being made?

The award instrument is a cooperative agreement.

What does it mean that the award is a cooperative agreement?

A cooperative agreement typically indicates NIJ expects substantial involvement in guiding, collaborating on, or participating in key aspects of the work, rather than providing a pass-through grant with minimal federal participation.

What program area (CFDA) does this fall under?

This opportunity falls under CFDA 16.560, titled National Institute of Justice Research, Evaluation, and Development Project Grants.

What is the primary focus area of the work?

The activity focus sits at the intersection of law and justice services and science and technology research and development, with an emphasis on technology and applied research information relevant to law enforcement and corrections, and on standards/compliance testing support functions.

What are the two principal functions of the NLECTC System National Center described in the solicitation?

The two principal functions described are:

1. NLECTC System information clearinghouse: Gathering, organizing, and distributing technology and applied research information relevant to law enforcement and corrections, so practitioners can locate credible guidance, tools, lessons learned, and resources.
2. Support for NIJ performance standards and compliance testing programs: Supporting programs tied to evaluating public safety equipment and technologies against established standards, managing and communicating testing and compliance information, and maintaining consistent processes so NIJ standards and results remain credible and usable.

Beyond the two principal functions, what else is the National Center expected to do?

The National Center is also described as the administrative hub for the broader NLECTC System, meaning it is expected to coordinate or support system-wide operations and connective functions, not merely operate as a standalone program.

Who was operating the National Center at the time of the announcement?

At the time of the solicitation, the National Center was operated by Lockheed Martin ISGS Civil in Rockville, Maryland.

Does the solicitation require cost sharing or a match?

No. Cost sharing or matching is not required based on the opportunity summary provided.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, meaning any entity type may apply unless the full solicitation contains additional limitations or clarifications.

When was the opportunity posted and when did it close?

The opportunity was posted on April 7, 2010. It closed on May 24, 2010. An archive date of August 24, 2010 is also listed.

What is the difference between the posted date, close date, and archive date?

Based on the dates provided: the posted date is when the opportunity was made available (April 7, 2010), the close date is the deadline for submissions (May 24, 2010), and the archive date reflects when the listing was archived (August 24, 2010).

How were applications required to be submitted?

Applications were required to be submitted through Grants.gov.

What is Grants.gov in this context?

Grants.gov is described as the federal "one stop storefront" for locating and applying to grant opportunities, and it is the required submission platform for this solicitation.

Is Grants.gov registration required, and how long can it take?

Yes. The solicitation notes Grants.gov registration is a one-time process, but for first-time registrants it can take up to several weeks to receive confirmation and login credentials. Applicants were strongly encouraged to begin registration early to avoid missing the deadline.

Who should applicants contact for technical problems submitting through Grants.gov?

For technical submission issues, applicants were directed to the Grants.gov Customer Support Hotline at 1-800-518-4726 (available 24/7) or support@grants.gov.

Who is the point of contact for solicitation-related questions?

The listed point of contact is Michael O'Shea, Program Manager, Operational Technologies Division. He can be reached at (202) 305-7954 or Michael.OShea@usdoj.gov.

Are award ceiling and floor amounts provided in the summary?

The award ceiling and floor amounts are shown as 0 in the summary data.

What does it mean that the award ceiling and floor are listed as 0?

This usually indicates applicants need to consult the full solicitation for the actual funding expectations, budget guidance, and project period details rather than relying on the basic listing.

What role does the National Center play within the NLECTC System?

The National Center is positioned as a central, system-wide component: it functions as the information clearinghouse, supports NIJ standards and compliance testing programs, and serves as an administrative hub for coordinating and supporting overall NLECTC System operations.