NIJ FY2010 Sensor and Surveillance Technologies for Criminal Justice Applications | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): NIJ FY2010 Sensor and Surveillance Technologies for Criminal Justice Applications

What is the NIJ FY2010 Sensor and Surveillance Technologies for Criminal Justice Applications opportunity?

This is a discretionary funding opportunity from the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), which sits within the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Justice Programs (OJP). The solicitation supports objective, evidence-based research and development intended to produce practical tools and knowledge that state and local criminal justice agencies can actually use.

Which agency is offering this funding?

The program is offered by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), DOJ's research, development, and evaluation arm, under the Office of Justice Programs (OJP).

What type of funding instrument is being used?

The solicitation uses a cooperative agreement. This generally means NIJ anticipates a more hands-on partnership during the project than a standard grant, such as coordination on milestones, testing, or deliverables.

What is the main goal of the solicitation?

The goal is to support research and development that is objective and evidence-based, and that leads to practical technologies and knowledge that can benefit state and local criminal justice agencies.

What kinds of projects does this solicitation focus on?

The solicitation targets research and development of sensor and surveillance technologies tied to five operational needs commonly faced by criminal justice agencies.

What are the five operational needs (topic areas) NIJ is seeking to address?

The five areas are:

1. Detection of a broad spectrum of contraband at controlled access points (including metallic and nonmetallic weapons), with an emphasis on correctional security and portal-style systems capable of identifying contraband concealed inside body cavities.
2. Noninvasive technology for continuous monitoring of a subject's use of substances, including illegal drugs and prescription medications.
3. Standoff detection of trace blood at crime scenes from at least 5 feet away.
4. Accurate, real-time detection of gunshot residue in the field.
5. Tools to extract complete streams of digital multimedia evidence (DME) from incompatible or mismatched systems while preserving metadata integrity.

Does the solicitation emphasize correctional security needs?

Yes. The first operational need places particular emphasis on correctional security, including a preferred portal-style contraband detection solution that can identify items concealed inside body cavities.

Is there a commercialization or target cost mentioned for any technology area?

Yes. For the contraband detection portal-style system, NIJ notes a commercialization goal that the resulting product, once brought to market, would ideally be available for under $25,000.

What substances are included in the continuous monitoring topic?

The solicitation explicitly includes continuous monitoring for both illegal drugs and prescription medications.

What is meant by "standoff detection" of trace blood, and what range is required?

In this solicitation, standoff detection refers to detecting trace blood from a distance rather than at close range. The specified minimum standoff distance is at least 5 feet away.

What is the goal of real-time gunshot residue detection under this solicitation?

The solicitation seeks accurate, real-time gunshot residue detection that can be used in the field, providing officers and investigators faster, reliable indications without waiting for laboratory processing.

What is "digital multimedia evidence (DME)" and what problem is NIJ trying to solve?

The solicitation describes a need for tools that can extract complete streams of digital multimedia evidence from incompatible or mismatched systems while preserving metadata integrity. This addresses a forensic challenge where evidence can be fragmented across devices, platforms, or proprietary formats, and where chain-of-custody quality depends heavily on intact metadata.

Who is eligible to apply?

The opportunity is listed as unrestricted, meaning it is broadly open to different types of applicant organizations, subject to any additional eligibility details in the full solicitation document.

Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The synopsis states there is no cost sharing or matching requirement.

What are the key dates for this opportunity?

The posting date is January 29, 2010. The application closing date is March 15, 2010. The program is listed as archived on September 30, 2010.

What CFDA number is associated with this solicitation?

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

Is there an award minimum or maximum amount listed?

The summary record shows an award floor of $0 and an award ceiling of $0. This typically indicates that expected award sizes, project scopes, or budget ranges are not defined in the synopsis and applicants should rely on the full solicitation for guidance.

How were applications required to be submitted?

Applications were required to be submitted through OJP's Grants Management System (GMS), which is a web-based platform used for application submission and full lifecycle grant management.

Why does the solicitation encourage early registration in GMS?

Applicants, especially first-time users, were encouraged to start the GMS registration process early because it can be time-consuming. Missing required registration steps could jeopardize an on-time submission.

Where can applicants find GMS training and instructions?

The solicitation points applicants to the GMS training and instruction site at: http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/gmscbt/

Who should be contacted for technical help with GMS submission issues?

For technical support related to submission issues, the solicitation lists:

• Email: GMSHelpDesk@usdoj.gov
• Phone: 1-888-549-9901 (option 3)

What are the GMS Help Desk hours?

The Help Desk is available Monday through Friday from 6:00 a.m. to midnight Eastern Time, excluding federal holidays.

Who is the NIJ point of contact for solicitation access issues or program questions?

The listed NIJ point of contact is Dr. Frances Scott, Physical Scientist. Phone: 202-305-9950.

Does the synopsis explain what NIJ expects during the project under a cooperative agreement?

Yes, at a high level. It notes that a cooperative agreement generally involves a more hands-on NIJ partnership compared to a standard grant, such as coordination on milestones, testing, or deliverables.