Award Conditions for NCA Awards in 2024
Compliance with DOJ Grants Financial Guide
References to the DOJ Grants Financial Guide are to the DOJ Grants Financial Guide as posted on the OJP website (currently, the “DOJ Grants Financial Guide” available at https://www.ojp.gov/funding/financialguidedoj/overview), including any updated version that may be posted during the period of performance. The recipient agrees to comply with the DOJ Grants Financial Guide.
Compliance with Certified Standard Assurances
The applicant should examine the Certified Standard Assurances, as each applicant must agree to comply with these conditions.
OJJDP Special Award Conditions and Certified Standard Assurances
The applicant should examine the Special Conditions for OJJDP awards and Certified Standard Assurances, as each applicant must agree to comply with these conditions.
Employment eligibility verification for hiring under the award
1. The recipient (and any subrecipient at any tier) must–
A. Ensure that, as part of the hiring process for any position within the United States that is or will be funded (in whole or in part) with award funds, the recipient (or any subrecipient) properly verifies the employment eligibility of the individual who is being hired, consistent with the provisions of 8 U.S.C. 1324a(a)(1).
B. Notify all persons associated with the recipient (or any subrecipient) who are or will be involved in activities under this award of both–
(1) this award requirement for verification of employment eligibility, and
(2) the associated provisions in 8 U.S.C. 1324a(a)(1) that, generally speaking, make it unlawful, in the United States, to hire (or recruit for employment) certain aliens.
C. Provide training (to the extent necessary) to those persons required by this condition to be notified of the award requirement for employment eligibility verification and of the associated provisions of 8 U.S.C. 1324a(a)(1).
D. As part of the recordkeeping for the award (including pursuant to the Part 200 Uniform Requirements), maintain records of all employment eligibility verifications pertinent to compliance with this award condition in accordance with Form I-9 record retention requirements, as well as records of all pertinent notifications and trainings.
2. Monitoring
The recipient’s monitoring responsibilities include monitoring of subrecipient compliance with this condition.
3. Allowable costs
To the extent that such costs are not reimbursed under any other federal program, award funds may be obligated for the reasonable, necessary, and allocable costs (if any) of actions designed to ensure compliance with this condition.
4. Rules of construction
A. Staff involved in the hiring process
For purposes of this condition, persons “who are or will be involved in activities under this award” specifically includes (without limitation) any and all recipient (or any subrecipient) officials or other staff who are or will be involved in the hiring process with respect to a position that is or will be funded (in whole or in part) with award funds.
B. Employment eligibility confirmation with E-Verify
For purposes of satisfying the requirement of this condition regarding verification of employment eligibility, the recipient (or any subrecipient) may choose to participate in, and use, E-Verify (www.everify.gov), provided an appropriate person authorized to act on behalf of the recipient (or subrecipient) uses E-Verify (and follows the proper E-Verify procedures, including in the event of a “Tentative Nonconfirmation” or a “Final Nonconfirmation”) to confirm employment eligibility for each hiring for a position in the United States that is or will be funded (in whole or in part) with award funds.
C. “United States” specifically includes the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands of the United States, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
D. Nothing in this condition shall be understood to authorize or require any recipient, any subrecipient at any tier, or any person or other entity, to violate any federal law, including any applicable civil rights or nondiscrimination law.
E. Nothing in this condition, including in paragraph 4.B., shall be understood to relieve any recipient, any subrecipient at any tier, or any person or other entity, of any obligation otherwise imposed by law, including 8 U.S.C. 1324a(a)(1).
Questions about E-Verify should be directed to DHS. For more information about E-Verify visit the E-Verify website (https://www.e-verify.gov/) or email E-Verify at E-Verify@dhs.gov. E-Verify employer agents can email E-Verify at E-VerifyEmployerAgent@dhs.gov.
Questions about the meaning or scope of this condition should be directed to NCA, before award acceptance.
Specific post-award approval required to use a noncompetitive approach in any procurement contract that would exceed $250,000
The recipient, and any subrecipient (“subgrantee”) at any tier, must comply with all applicable requirements to obtain specific advance approval to use a noncompetitive approach in any procurement contract that would exceed the Simplified Acquisition Threshold (currently, $250,000). This condition applies to agreements that — for purposes of federal grants administrative requirements — OJP considers a procurement “contract” (and therefore does not consider a subaward).
The details of the requirement for advance approval to use a noncompetitive approach in a procurement contract under an OJP award are posted on the OJP web site at https://ojp.gov/funding/Explore/NoncompetitiveProcurement.htm (Award condition: Specific post-award approval required to use a noncompetitive approach in a procurement contract (if contract would exceed $250,000)), and are incorporated by reference here.
Determination of suitability to interact with participating minors
SCOPE. This condition applies to this award if it is indicated — in the application for the award (as approved by DOJ) (or in the application for any subaward, at any tier), the DOJ funding announcement (solicitation), or an associated federal statute — that a purpose of some or all of the activities to be carried out under the award (whether by the recipient, or a subrecipient at any tier) is to benefit a set of individuals under 18 years of age.
The recipient, and any subrecipient at any tier, must make determinations of suitability before certain individuals may interact with participating minors. This requirement applies regardless of an individual’s employment status.
The details of this requirement are posted on the OJP web site at https://ojp.gov/funding/Explore/Interact-Minors.htm (Award condition: Determination of suitability required, in advance, for certain individuals who may interact with participating minors), and are incorporated by reference here.
Compliance with applicable rules regarding approval, planning, and reporting of conferences, meetings, trainings, and other events
The recipient, and any subrecipient (“subgrantee”) at any tier, must comply with all applicable laws, regulations, policies, and official DOJ guidance (including specific cost limits, prior approval and reporting requirements, where applicable) governing the use of federal funds for expenses related to conferences (as that term is defined by DOJ), including the provision of food and/or beverages at such conferences, and costs of attendance at such conferences.
Information on the pertinent DOJ definition of conferences and the rules applicable to this award appears in the DOJ Grants Financial Guide (currently, as section 3.10 of “Postaward Requirements” in the “DOJ Grants Financial Guide”).
Potential imposition of additional requirements
The recipient agrees to comply with any additional requirements that may be imposed by NCA during the period of performance for this award, if the recipient is designated as “high-risk” .
Compliance with DOJ regulations pertaining to civil rights and nondiscrimination – 28 C.F.R. Part 42, 28 C.F.R. Part 54
The recipient, and any subrecipient (“subgrantee”) at any tier, must comply with all applicable requirements of 28 C.F.R. Part 42, specifically including any applicable requirements in Subpart E of 28 C.F.R. Part 42 that relate to an equal employment opportunity program.
Compliance with DOJ regulations pertaining to civil rights and nondiscrimination – 28 C.F.R. Part 54
The recipient, and any subrecipient (“subgrantee”) at any tier, must comply with all applicable requirements of 28 C.F.R. Part 54, which relates to nondiscrimination on the basis of sex in certain “education programs.”
Compliance with DOJ regulations pertaining to civil rights and nondiscrimination – 28 C.F.R. Part 38
The recipient, and any subrecipient (“subgrantee”) at any tier, must comply with all applicable requirements of 28 C.F.R. Part 38 (as may be applicable from time to time), specifically including any applicable requirements regarding written notice to program beneficiaries and prospective program beneficiaries.
Currently, among other things, 28 C.F.R. Part 38 includes rules that prohibit specific forms of discrimination on the basis of religion, a religious belief, a refusal to hold a religious belief, or refusal to attend or participate in a religious practice. Part 38, currently, also sets out rules and requirements that pertain to recipient and subrecipient (“subgrantee”) organizations that engage in or conduct explicitly religious activities, as well as rules and requirements that pertain to recipients and subrecipients that are faith-based or religious organizations.
The text of 28 C.F.R. Part 38 is available via the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (currently accessible at https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/ECFR?page=browse), by browsing to Title 28-Judicial Administration, Chapter 1, Part 38, under e-CFR “current” data.
Restrictions on “lobbying”
In general, as a matter of federal law, federal funds awarded by NCA may not be used by the recipient either directly or indirectly, to support or oppose the enactment, repeal, modification, or adoption of any law, regulation, or policy, at any level of government. See 18 U.S.C. 1913.
Another federal law generally prohibits federal funds awarded by NCA from being used by the recipient, or any subrecipient at any tier, to pay any person to influence (or attempt to influence) a federal agency, a Member of Congress, or Congress (or an official or employee of any of them) with respect to the awarding of a federal grant or cooperative agreement, subgrant, contract, subcontract, or loan, or with respect to actions such as renewing, extending, or modifying any such award. See 31 U.S.C. 1352. Certain exceptions to this law apply, including an exception that applies to Indian tribes and tribal organizations.
Should any question arise as to whether a particular use of federal funds by a recipient would or might fall within the scope of these prohibitions, the recipient is to contact NCA for guidance, and may not proceed without the express prior written approval of NCA.
Encouragement of policies to ban text messaging while driving
Pursuant to Executive Order 13513, “Federal Leadership on Reducing Text Messaging While Driving,” 74 Fed. Reg. 51225 (October 1, 2009), DOJ encourages recipients and subrecipients (“subgrantees”) to adopt and enforce policies banning employees from text messaging while driving any vehicle during the course of performing work funded by this award, and to establish workplace safety policies and conduct education, awareness, and other outreach to decrease crashes caused by distracted drivers.
Requirement to disclose whether recipient is designated “high risk” by a federal grant-making agency outside of DOJ
Applicants are to disclose whether they are currently designated high risk by another Federal grant making agency. This includes any status requiring additional oversight by the Federal agency due to past programmatic or financial concerns. If an applicant is designated high risk by another grant making agency, you must notify NCA at scooks@nca-online.org and include the following information at the time of the application submission:
- Email subject line – High Risk Grantee Notification.
- The agency that currently designated the applicant as high risk.
- Date the applicant was designated high risk.
- The high-risk point of contact name, phone number, and email address, from that agency.
- Reasons for the high-risk status.
Supplanting
Federal funds must be used to supplement existing funds for program activities and cannot replace or supplant non-federal funds that have been appropriated for the same purpose. Supplanting occurs when a state, local, or Tribal Government reduces state, local, or tribal funds for an activity specifically because federal funds are available (or expected to be available) to fund that same activity.
Debarment, suspension, and other responsibility matters
A. Pursuant to Department regulations on nonprocurement debarment and suspension implemented at 2 C.F.R. Part 2867, and to other related requirements, the Applicant certifies, with respect to prospective participants in a primary tier “covered transaction,” as defined at 2 C.F.R. §2867.20(a), that neither it nor any of its principals–
(a) is presently debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment, declared ineligible, sentenced to a denial of Federal benefits by a State or Federal court, or voluntarily excluded from covered transactions by any Federal department or agency;
(b) has within a three-year period preceding this application been convicted of a felony criminal violation under any Federal law, or been convicted or had a civil judgment rendered against it for commission of fraud or a criminal offense in connection with obtaining, attempting to obtain, or performing a public (Federal, State, tribal, or local) transaction or private agreement or transaction; violation of Federal or State antitrust statutes or commission of embezzlement, theft, forgery, bribery, falsification or destruction of records, making false statements, tax evasion or receiving stolen property, making false claims, or obstruction of justice, or commission of any offense indicating a lack of business integrity or business honesty that seriously and directly affects its (or its principals’) present responsibility;
(c) is presently indicted for or otherwise criminally or civilly charged by a governmental entity (Federal, State, tribal, or local) with commission of any of the offenses enumerated in paragraph (b) of this certification; and/or
(d) has within a three-year period preceding this application had one or more public transactions (Federal, State, tribal, or local) terminated for cause or default.
B. Where the Applicant is unable to certify to any of the statements in this certification, it shall attach an explanation to this application. Where the Applicant or any of its principals was convicted, within a three-year period preceding this application, of a felony criminal violation under any Federal law, the Applicant also must disclose such felony criminal conviction in writing to NCA at mgadmin@nca-online.org.
Drug-Free Workplace Requirements
As required by the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988, as implemented at 28 C.F.R. Part 83, Subpart F, for grantees, as defined at 28 C.F.R. §§ 83.620 and 83.650:
A. The Applicant certifies and assures that it will, or will continue to, provide a drug-free workplace by–
(a) Publishing a statement notifying employees that the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession, or use of a controlled substance is prohibited in its workplace and specifying the actions that will be taken against employees for violation of such prohibition;
(b) Establishing an on-going drug-free awareness program to inform employees about–
(1) The dangers of drug abuse in the workplace;
(2) The Applicant’s policy of maintaining a drug-free workplace;
(3) Any available drug counseling, rehabilitation, and employee assistance programs; and
(4) The penalties that may be imposed upon employees for drug abuse violations occurring in the workplace;
(c) Making it a requirement that each employee to be engaged in the performance of the award be given a copy of the statement required by paragraph (a);
(d) Notifying the employee in the statement required by paragraph (a) that, as a condition of employment under the award, the employee will–
(1) Abide by the terms of the statement; and
(2) Notify the employer in writing of the employee’s conviction for a violation of a criminal drug statute occurring in the workplace no later than five calendar days after such conviction;
(e) Notifying the Department, in writing, within 10 calendar days after receiving notice under subparagraph (d)(2) from an employee or otherwise receiving actual notice of such conviction. Employers of convicted employees must provide notice, including position title of any such convicted employee to NCA at mgadmin@nca-online.org.
Notice shall include the identification number(s) of each affected award;
(f) Taking one of the following actions, within 30 calendar days of receiving notice under subparagraph (d)(2), with respect to any employee who is so convicted:
(1) Taking appropriate personnel action against such an employee, up to and including termination, consistent with the requirements of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended; or
(2) Requiring such employee to participate satisfactorily in a drug abuse assistance or rehabilitation program approved for such purposes by a Federal, State, or local health, law enforcement, or other appropriate agency; and
(g) Making a good faith effort to continue to maintain a drug-free workplace through implementation of paragraphs (a), (b), (c), (d), (e),and (f).
Freedom of Information and Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. § 552 and 5 U.S.C. § 552a)
All applications submitted to NCA (including all attachments to applications) are subject to the federal Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and to the Privacy Act. By law, NCA may withhold information that is responsive to a request pursuant to FOIA if NCA determines that the responsive information either is protected under the Privacy Act or falls within the scope of one of nine statutory exemptions under FOIA. NCA cannot agree in advance of a request pursuant to FOIA not to release some or all portions of an application.
In its review of records that are responsive to a FOIA request, NCA will withhold information in those records that plainly falls within the scope of the Privacy Act or one of the statutory exemptions under FOIA. (Some examples include certain types of information in budgets, and names and contact information for project staff other than certain key personnel.) In appropriate circumstances, NCA will request the views of the applicant/recipient that submitted a responsive document.
Compliance with NCA’s Critical Incident Policy
All applicants and grantees are subject to the Critical Incident Policy at NCA and are required to report any uncovered embezzlement, theft of grant funds, and active investigations for such cases in their organization.