SMART FY 14 Support for Adam Walsh Act Implementation Grant Program | Apply Online

FAQs: SMART FY 14 Support for Adam Walsh Act (AWA) Implementation Grant Program

What is the SMART FY 14 Support for AWA Implementation Grant Program?

It is a U.S. Department of Justice discretionary grant opportunity administered by the SMART Office (Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking). The program funds projects that help jurisdictions develop, improve, and sustain the systems and day-to-day practices needed to meet SORNA requirements.

What is the main purpose of this grant?

The core purpose is to move jurisdictions closer to SORNA implementation, or for jurisdictions already deemed substantially implementing SORNA, to help maintain compliance and strengthen sex offender registration and notification programs over time.

What does SORNA require jurisdictions to do (as described in this opportunity)?

At a practical level, SORNA expects jurisdictions to operate a functioning sex offender registry and requires covered offenders to register and keep registration current in every place they live, work, or attend school.

What registry standards does the solicitation emphasize?

The opportunity highlights standards such as collecting required data elements, setting registration durations, conducting in-person identity verification, participating in the Dru Sjodin National Sex Offender Public Website, and using the SORNA Exchange Portal to support information sharing and coordination.

Who is this grant intended to help?

It is intended to help eligible jurisdictions strengthen their sex offender registration and notification systems and practices to meet SORNA requirements, including improvements to infrastructure, operations, training, coordination, and compliance/enforcement strategies described in the solicitation.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants include state governments, the District of Columbia, the five principal U.S. territories (Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands), and federally recognized Native American tribal governments.

Is this funding a grant or a contract?

This opportunity is a grant program (not a contract).

How much funding is available overall?

The solicitation estimates a total of about $13,000,000 available.

About how many awards are expected?

The opportunity indicates an expectation of roughly 80 awards.

What is the minimum and maximum award size?

Individual awards range from a $10,000 minimum to a $400,000 maximum.

Is there a required match or cost sharing?

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

What kinds of projects does the program fund?

The solicitation provides examples focused on practical infrastructure and operational improvements that support SORNA implementation and ongoing registration/notification operations.

Can the grant support biometric and DNA-related improvements?

Yes. Example project types include upgrading systems and processes for collecting, storing, submitting, and analyzing biometric data (such as fingerprints and palm prints) and DNA.

Can the grant fund information-sharing improvements?

Yes. The opportunity highlights improving information sharing among law enforcement and other criminal justice agencies within a jurisdiction and between jurisdiction-level and local-level agencies, and it emphasizes the use of tools like the SORNA Exchange Portal.

Can the grant support records modernization or digitization?

Yes. The solicitation mentions modernizing records management, including digitizing documents to meet SORNA expectations.

Does the program support interagency coordination and training?

Yes. It highlights coordinated interagency implementation support and training for personnel who handle registration, notification, and monitoring responsibilities.

Does the program support compliance and enforcement strategies?

Yes. Examples include enhanced address verification, collaboration on absconder investigations, and partnerships with victim service providers for community education and prevention efforts related to sex offender management.

What is expected in terms of explaining the need for the project?

Applicants are expected to explain the gap between current practice and SORNA requirements and describe how the proposed project will close that gap. Proposals are expected to clearly move a jurisdiction closer to SORNA implementation or, for substantially implementing jurisdictions, maintain compliance and strengthen the program over time.

Is a SORNA implementation working group expected?

Yes. A notable planning expectation is the presence of a SORNA implementation working group. Applications are supposed to describe the working group, identify members, and spell out each member's responsibilities connected to implementation.

Are there reporting expectations related to the working group?

For most applicants, successful grantees are expected to report on working group meetings in quarterly progress reports. The main exception noted is jurisdictions already found to be substantially implementing SORNA.

Are there special options for tribal applicants?

Yes. Tribal applicants receive tailored options, including consortium approaches for tribes that have elected to carry out SORNA requirements and sustainment-focused strategies for tribes already found to be substantially implementing SORNA.

What is the consortium approach for tribes?

For federally recognized tribes that have elected to carry out SORNA requirements, the solicitation allows implementation activities through a consortium approach where multiple tribes share resources (such as digital fingerprint equipment, kiosks, registry office staffing, public websites, enforcement initiatives, or shared facilities for registration).

What documentation is required for tribal consortium proposals?

Consortium proposals must include documentation showing the collaboration is real and agreed to, such as interagency agreements, memoranda of understanding, or letters of cooperation from each participating jurisdiction.

What can substantially implementing tribes apply for?

Tribes already found to be substantially implementing SORNA may apply for funding focused on sustainment strategies, including community education programs and collaborations with intra-tribal partners like victim services, courts, probation, schools, and similar entities. They may also seek funds to deepen inter-jurisdictional cooperation, particularly improvements to information-sharing infrastructure.

What documentation is expected for collaboration-focused tribal sustainment applications?

These applications are expected to include documentation from participating organizations and a clear explanation of how the strategy will sustain and support the tribe's registration and notification program.

How does the solicitation address states using political subdivisions for SORNA functions?

For states, territories, and the District of Columbia, the opportunity acknowledges that SORNA functions can be carried out through political subdivisions, including local governments. States that previously received AWA implementation grants and delegated registry functions to local units are encouraged to include local support as part of project design.

What does the opportunity say about state-tribal collaboration?

The solicitation encourages states to build projects addressing implementation needs for tribal communities in contexts such as P.L. 280. Where Tribal SORNA Jurisdictions exist within a state's borders, states may propose projects to strengthen collaboration and information sharing with those tribes, including improving tribal access for entering data into systems like NCIC/NSOR.

Is documentation required for state-tribal collaboration projects?

Yes. Applications proposing collaborative approaches (including state-tribal collaboration projects) are expected to include supporting documentation from each participating jurisdiction, such as an MOU or letters of cooperation.

What is the Byrne/JAG penalty funding reallocation coordination requirement?

Certain state and territory applicants (jurisdictions eligible for Byrne/JAG penalty funding reallocation) must explain how the proposed SMART project complements what they plan to do with reallocation funds. The purpose is to avoid duplicate funding for the same activities by showing tasks are distinct or that the SMART-funded work meaningfully complements other funding.

When was this opportunity posted and when was the application due?

The FY14 competition shows a posted date of January 23, 2014, and an application deadline of April 10, 2014 (archived May 10, 2014).

What is the CFDA number for this program?

The program falls under CFDA 16.750.

Where were additional program resources and tools referenced?

The solicitation references SMART Office materials and resources available at smart.gov, including SORNA guidelines and implementation tools.

What makes a proposal align with what the SMART Office says it is looking for?

Based on the solicitation summary provided, the SMART Office is looking for proposals that clearly advance SORNA implementation (or sustain and strengthen compliance where substantial implementation has already been achieved), clearly describe the current gap versus SORNA requirements, and explain how proposed activities close that gap, including clear roles/responsibilities through a SORNA implementation working group where applicable.