NIJ FY 10 Sensor, Surveillance, and Biometric Technologies Center of Excellence | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is this funding opportunity?

This is the NIJ FY 10 Sensor, Surveillance, and Biometric Technologies Center of Excellence solicitation (Funding Opportunity Number NIJ 2010 2399). It is a discretionary National Institute of Justice (NIJ) opportunity to establish a dedicated Center of Excellence focused on sensor, surveillance, and biometric technologies within the National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center (NLECTC) System.

2) What is the purpose of creating a Center of Excellence?

The Center is intended to serve as a specialized hub to strengthen NIJ's research and development (R&D) work in sensor, surveillance, and biometric technologies, while also supporting day-to-day operational needs by helping criminal justice agencies understand, evaluate, and use emerging tools responsibly and effectively.

3) What type of award is being offered?

The award is structured as a cooperative agreement. This generally means NIJ expects to be actively involved during the project, with ongoing collaboration, coordination, and reporting, rather than simply providing funding with minimal involvement.

4) What are the Center's main roles and responsibilities?

The Center is expected to play two major roles:

• Scientific and technical support to NIJ R&D: contributing subject-matter expertise, helping shape research priorities, assisting with testing and evaluation approaches, and providing technical capacity to advance NIJ technology initiatives.
• Technology assistance to criminal justice agencies: providing technology assistance, information, and support, such as technical guidance, dissemination of best practices, support for technology adoption decisions, and serving as a point of contact for credible information on sensors, surveillance systems, and biometric solutions.

5) How does this Center relate to the NLECTC System?

The Center is to be established within the NLECTC System, implying it will operate as part of a broader national infrastructure that connects justice practitioners with applied technology expertise and practical assistance.

6) Who is eligible to apply?

The solicitation lists eligibility as "unrestricted," meaning it is open to any type of entity, subject to any additional clarification or conditions included in the full solicitation announcement.

7) Is cost sharing or matching required?

No cost sharing or matching requirement is stated in the information provided.

8) What program category does this opportunity fall under?

The opportunity is associated with Law, Justice and Legal Services and also with Science and Technology and other Research and Development.

9) What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?

The opportunity is associated with CFDA 16.560 (National Institute of Justice Research, Evaluation, and Development Project Grants).

10) How much funding is available (award amount)?

The public listing shows an award ceiling and floor of 0, which typically indicates that dollar amounts were not captured in the summary record. Applicants would need to consult the full solicitation announcement for expected funding levels, project period, and any budget constraints.

11) What are the key dates for this FY 2010 opportunity?

• Posted/Created: March 3, 2010
• Closing date (original and current): April 19, 2010
• Archive date: July 19, 2010

12) How were applications submitted?

Applications were required to be submitted through the Office of Justice Programs (OJP) Grants Management System (GMS), a web-based, data-driven platform used for application submission through award and ongoing grant management.

13) Where can applicants find GMS registration and submission instructions?

Applicants were directed to the registration and submission instructions at: http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/gmscbt/

14) Why is early GMS registration emphasized?

The notice emphasizes starting the GMS registration process early, especially for first-time users, to reduce the risk of missing the submission deadline due to account setup delays.

15) What should an applicant do if they have technical problems with GMS?

For technical problems using GMS, applicants could contact the GMS Help Desk:

• Email: GMSHelpDesk@usdoj.gov
• Phone: 1 888 549 9901 (option 3)
• Hours: Monday through Friday, 6:00 a.m. to midnight Eastern Time, excluding federal holidays

16) Who is the point of contact for solicitation-specific questions?

The listing identifies Michael Bottner, Solicitation Coordinator, as the point of contact for solicitation-specific questions or other requirements:

• Phone: 202 514 0686
• Email: michael.bottner@usdoj.gov

17) Where can applicants find the detailed statement of work and requirements?

The listing references an additional information link pointing to the full solicitation announcement. That full solicitation would contain details such as the statement of work, deliverables, review criteria, and any special requirements related to operating as a Center of Excellence within the NLECTC System.

18) What kinds of activities might be included under "scientific and technical support" to NIJ?

Based on the description provided, activities may include offering subject-matter expertise, helping NIJ shape research priorities, supporting testing and evaluation approaches, and providing technical capacity to support technology initiatives in sensors, surveillance, and biometrics.

19) What kinds of assistance might criminal justice agencies expect from the Center?

Based on the description provided, agencies might expect technical guidance, best-practice information, support for technology adoption decisions, and access to a credible point of contact regarding sensor, surveillance, and biometric technologies.

20) What does it mean that this is a discretionary NIJ solicitation?

As described, it is a discretionary solicitation from NIJ, meaning the award is made through a competitive solicitation process rather than by formula distribution.