INTRODUCTION



Minnesota Department of Public SafetyOffice of Justice ProgramsREQUEST FOR PROPOSALSPROJECT SAFE NEIGHBORHOODSPROGRAMS AND/OR INITIATIVESDue Monday, July 15, 2019INTRODUCTIONProject Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is a United States Attorney led, nationwide initiative that brings together federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement officials, prosecutors, and community leaders to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in a community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. The foundations of the PSN strategy are:Community-Based –Each local program is designed to fit the specific violent crime problem in that community.?Targeted – Utilizes law enforcement and community intelligence, research, and technology to identify and target the most violent offenders for enforcement and intervention action.??Comprehensive – Directs United States Attorneys to marry enforcement efforts with support of prevention and reentry strategies to truly combat violent crime in a lasting way.?Currently, the Minnesota Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative is focused on the Group Violence Intervention (GVI) model, which is designed to reduce violent crime, particularly street group-involved homicide and gun violence, and related substance abuse issues, through partnerships between law enforcement, community members and social service providers that challenge peer dynamics. Minneapolis has developed a GVI program that incorporates the foundations of the District’s PSN strategy. The United States Attorney is seeking to expand the PSN initiative throughout the District. Proposals should be focused on developing solutions to local violent crime issues with the goal of addressing them from a holistic approach using evidenced-based strategies, similar to the GVI model, to include components of enforcement, prevention and treatment. Proposals can request planning grants, implementation grants, or both.ELIGIBLE APPLICANTSEligible applicants include nonprofit agencies, local units of government including cities, counties, townships, and tribal governments. Agencies working together will identify one agency as the applicant and official grant recipient; budgets can include subgrants or contracts with partner agencies.Funds will be awarded through a competitive process to projects serving the following communities, to include the broader area/county where appropriate: Duluth (St. Louis County); Mille Lacs Indian Reservation (Mille Lacs County); Minneapolis (Hennepin County); Red Lake Indian Reservation (Beltrami/Clearwater counties); Rochester (Olmstead County); St. Cloud (Stearns/Benton counties); St. Paul (Ramsey County); and White Earth Indian Reservation (Mahnomen/Becker/Clearwater counties).For local units of government to be able to accept an award (either as primary recipient or subrecipient) they must be able to provide a Certificate of Compliance with 8 U.S.C. § 1373. In addition, they must provide information regarding communication with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and/or Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Indian Tribal governments and nonprofits are exempt from this requirement. This certificate is not needed for the application, but if chosen to receive funding the award cannot be finalized until this is submitted. FUNDS AVAILABLEApproximately $413,791 in PSN funds are available. Award amounts are anticipated to range from $20,000 - $30,000 for planning grants and $50,000 - $150,000 for implementation grants with funding to be split between the Twin Cities area and greater Minnesota. Projects will need to begin operating within 90 days of award notice.PROJECT DATESProjects will be funded for a one-year period, with a start date of approximately September 1, 2019.SOURCE OF FUNDSFunds authorized by 28 U.S.C. §530(a) through the Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance, Project Safe Neighborhoods Award.APPLICATION DEADLINEApplications must be submitted using the e-grants web-based system by June 17, 2019. Applications cannot be submitted after this time. No paper submissions will be accepted. PROJECT OVERVIEWFunds will be awarded to jurisdictions that are in the initial stages or are interested in planning and developing a location-specific Project Safe Neighborhoods model, or jurisdictions that need support to enhance existing programs in order to ensure their success. Applicants must provide an explanation of how they will work towards a strategy that incorporates the PSN design features of leadership, partnership, targeted and prioritized enforcement, accountability, prevention and treatment. Applicants must be able to demonstrate a significant problem with violent crime in their community and have – or plan to develop – a well-researched, evidence-based strategy to prevent and reduce such crimes.One evidenced-based model is Group Violence Intervention (GVI) strategy. GVI is designed to reduce violent crime, particularly street group-involved homicide and gun violence, through partnerships between law enforcement, community members, and social service providers that challenge peer dynamics in groups that promote violence. This partnership guides the intervention based on frontline knowledge and real-time data on violence and the people who face the greatest risk. GVI uses a data-driven analysis of the small and influential number of people that are most at risk of creating violence or being the victim of violence. A key feature is the “call-in” –a face to face meeting with law enforcement, city leaders, and community voices, relaying the message that the next group to commit a violent crime will get the full attention for any and all reasons from law enforcement. This is followed by voices from community leaders and a genuine offer of help from social service providers for those who want to exit the lifestyle. This comprehensive model uses targeted enforcement, strong law enforcement and community partnerships, as well as individualized prevention efforts.Recognizing that each community is unique, and that one model will not be appropriate for all communities, grantees are encouraged to develop a plan that incorporates the PSN foundations in ways that meet the specific needs and challenges in their community. Grantees will be expected to have an advisory task force providing leadership and demonstrating partnership that will guide the PSN strategies of targeted and prioritized enforcement, prevention, and accountability within their project. Partnerships should include law enforcement, community, and research organization. While the primary grant activities may focus on one strategy, such as prevention/intervention, applicants must address all components. Services provided should incorporate best practices and be based on needs/priorities identified by advisory task force.Services may address issues such as housing, employment, health care, mental health, education, pro social activities, transportation, risk and needs assessments, family engagement, individualizes case planning.Potential activities include:Hot spot patrolsAt-risk persons call-in/notification meetingsCommunity engagement (chief’s roundtables, community advisory boards) Community problem solving (partnerships with businesses, faith community, community agencies) Provide referrals to services such as counseling or substance use disorder treatment Refer cases for federal prosecutionRefer cases for state/local prosecutionDiversion from prosecution to alternative sanctions or treatmentsDiversion of those with MH or CD from arrest to treatmentProvide direct services for at risk population Use of intervention teams (crisis intervention, conflict mediators, etc.) NOTE: Grantees will be expected to participate in any District-wide PSN meetings hosted by the USAO.Technical assistance may be available through the USAO or the PSN research partner.RESOURCESMinnesota InformationThe Minnesota Association of County Probation Officers (MACPO) MN Assn of Community Corrections Act Counties (MACCAC) The Minnesota Department of Corrections The MN Statistical Analysis CenterModel Programs & PracticesNational Institute of Justice Crime SolutionsCognitive Behavioral TherapyOJJDP Model Programs GuideModels for Change Evidence-based Practices National Institute of Corrections Reducing Offender RiskEvidence-Based Behavioral HealthTexas Christian University Institute of Behavioral Health SAMHSA Screening and AssessmentEvidence-Based Practices Web GuideUrban Institute Mental Health Court EvaluationAPPLICATION PROCESSApplications must be submitted via e-grants, the Office of Justice Programs (OJP) online grants management system. e-grants can also be accessed via the Office of Justice Programs website. If you have never applied for a grant with the Office of Justice Programs, you must create a user account by clicking on the purple “New User” option in the login box in the upper right corner of the e-grants website and follow instructions to fill out the profile. Contact the e-grants Helpdesk at 1-800-820-1890 if you have login issues. TERMS AND CONDITIONS, GRANT PROGRAM GUIDELINES, OJP GRANT MANUALAs part of submitting this application in e-grants the applicant agency agrees to the Terms and Conditions of OJP Grantees for non-state applicants as well as the PSN Program Guidelines. These address Federal and State requirements such as worker’s compensation, civil rights, affirmative action, and data privacy. By agreeing to these in e-grants the applicant is certifying that they have the authority to make these commitments. Applicants are encouraged to print and review these documents with the appropriate agency staff prior to submitting the application in e-grants. If selected for funding, the grantee will need to submit required certifications. Grantees agree to follow the OJP Grant Manual which provides basic information on policies and procedures for grant administration. These documents become, by reference, part of the formal grant contract agreement. APPLICATION CONTENTThe application consists of the following elements. Applications that do not include all elements or answer all questions will not score well in the review process.Project Information Sheet: Input information directly into e-grants such as the authorized representatives for the project, tax identification numbers, a brief project description and other identifying information. This will be printed and used as the cover sheet of the proposal.Narrative: Address the following in a 6 page maximum Word document with ?” margins, single spaced and with a 12 point font size. When ready to submit, the narrative will be uploaded as an attachment in e-grants. The narrative should address the following issues (please number responses):Organizational Overview (5 points): Brief description of agency’s mission and history.Past experience in grant management.Planning Process (15 points):List members of the advisory task force, if already operating.If task force is not yet operational, list expected members and timeline for meeting.Statement of the problem to be addressed.Include relevant data to demonstrate that the most violent offenders will be targeted for enforcement and intervention.What planning process was/will be used to develop the proposed activities?Project Description (25 points): What are the proposed goals, activities, and projected outcomes?How will you incorporate the PSN design features of leadership, partnership, targeted and prioritized enforcement, prevention, and accountability?Cite research on best or promising practices that supports your plan.Describe the data driven analysis that will continue to guide your strategies.Note: Project design should mirror work plan elements and reference all key expenditures in the budget.Partnerships (20 points): Identify the key partners, including the law enforcement, community, and research partners, and summarize their expertise and provide a brief history of the partnership.What culturally specific partners are involved?Clearly state the roles and responsibilities of each partner organization in the implementation and continuation of this project.Partner agency tasks should be specified in the project work plan and evaluation plan.Evaluation (10 points):Overview of the plan to measure the impact of the project.When and by whom will this data be collected?Work Plan/Outcomes (15 points): Applicants will download the Word form provided in e-grants, complete it and upload it in e-grants. Use this form to detail grant objectives and activities. This working document guides the day-to-day operations of your project and evaluation plan. It will be used as the basis for quarterly project reporting.Budget (10 points): The budget will be entered directly into e-grants. Directions are available in the Application Guide in the Training Material section in e-grants. Budget line items include: Personnel, Payroll Taxes & Fringe, Contract Services, Travel, Training, Office Expenses, Program Expenses, and Other Expenses. Not all line items need to be used. Other budget considerations include:Budget will cover a one-year period.All expenses must be itemized and directly chargeable to the grant. Calculations should be provided for all budget amounts.Capital expenses such as building improvements or facility remodeling are ineligible.Funding must supplement, not supplant state and local government funds.Staff positions in budget must be clearly linked to activities in the work plan.All budget items must support activities listed in the work plan.Indirect costs may be included in one of the following ways:Budget expenses directly in the applicable budget categories.Use your federally approved indirect cost rate and upload a current copy to OJP with the application. If the federally approved indirect cost rate has expired then indirect costs must be directly charged in appropriate budget categories. If you have never had a federally approved rate, you may request the federally allowed de minimus rate of 10% of Modified Total Direct Costs (MTDC). MTDC excludes equipment, rental costs, participant support costs (Direct Client Assistance), and the portion of each sub award and subcontract in excess of $25,000.APPLICATION REVIEW PROCESSThis is a competitive application process. A review committee will read and rate applications according to the following scale:Organizational overview 5 pointsPlanning process15 pointsProject description25 pointsPartnerships20 pointsEvaluation10 pointsWork Plan15 pointsBudget10 pointsTOTAL100 pointsA final staff review will consider geographic locations, response to high-need populations, coordination with other federal, state, and local funding, past grantee performance and partnerships with research institutions. Timeliness and completeness of past grant financial and progress reporting will also be considered. Final decisions will be made by the Office of Justice Programs Executive Director with final approval by the Minnesota Project Safe Neighborhood Steering Committee. Applicants will be notified of grant awards by June 30, 2019. Appeals of funding decisions should be submitted in writing by July 15, 2019 to the Executive Director, Office of Justice Programs, MN Department of Public Safety, 445 Minnesota St., Suite 2300, St. Paul, MN 55101.TECHICAL ASSISTANCEFor questions regarding the e-grants online submission process, please call:Claire Cambridge at Claire.cambridge@state.mn.us or 651-201-7307.For questions regarding the application, please call: Claire Cambridge, Office of Justice Programs, MN Department of Public SafetyClaire.cambridge@state.mn.us or 651-201-7307.A ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ page will be available on the grants page of the OJP website.POST AWARD REQUIREMENTSPre Award Risk Assessment and Financial review. In accordance with state and federal grant management policies, all applicants with total annual revenues of $50,000 or more and less than $750,000 will need to submit the most recent IRS Form 990; applicants with total annual revenue of over $750,000 will need to submit the most recent certified annual audit. Applicants who spent more than $750,000 in their previous fiscal year will have to submit a certified single audit.Grant Contract Process. After being selected for funding, OJP staff will work with the applicant to negotiate a final budget. The formal grant contract consists of the Grant Agreement, the Terms and Conditions, the Program Guidelines, as well as the work plan and budget. The Grant Agreement will be initiated, signed by grantee and OJP, and once fully executed it is then a legally binding agreement. Grant agreements not signed within 30 days of receipt may be canceled.Progress Reporting. Grantees will be required to submit regular narrative reports and data in a prescribed manner and cooperate with statewide evaluation efforts. Grantees will also submit reports directly to the federal BJA using the Performance Measurement Tool (PMT).Grant Payments. This is a cost reimbursement grant. Grantees will only be paid for eligible expenses (after the grant contract is fully executed) that are incurred and are consistent with the negotiated budget. OJP Grant Manual. Grantees and grantee subgrants agree to follow the OJP Grant Manual as part of the application process. The manual is a resource for how our office manages grants and covers topics such as grant administration policies, program modification policies, general accounting requirements, etc. OJP Grant Manual RIGHT OF CANCELLATIONThe State reserves the right to cancel this solicitation if it is considered to be in its best interest. The State reserves the right to negotiate modifications to the application or to reject any and all applications received as a result of this Request for Proposals. The State does not intend to award a grant contract solely on the basis of any response made to this request, or pay for information solicited or obtained. ................
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