How You Can Use Funds

Learn how you may use funds under the following aspects of the program:


See also Expenses that are not permitted.

Assistance with In-house Analysis, Data Review and Upload of Data to NDIS

Permissible uses of funds for agencies applying for assistance with in-house analysis, data review and upload of data to NDIS may include the following:

  1. Overtime. Funds may be used for overtime of existing in-house laboratory employees directly engaged in (a) handling and analyzing DNA database samples, including handling and analyzing quality assurance samples,[1] and (b) data review of profiles generated by an accredited fee-for-service laboratory from DNA database samples that, due to the lack of laboratory resources, have yet to be reviewed and entered into NDIS. Any payments for overtime must be in accordance with the applicable provisions of the OJP Financial Guide.
  2. Salary and Benefits of Additional Laboratory Employees.Funds may be used to hire additional full-time or part-time laboratory employees who will be directly engaged in the handling or analysis of DNA database samples or the data review of DNA profiles generated from such samples (including profiles generated by accredited fee-for-service laboratories). Matching funds are not required.
    An employee hired using award funds must meet the definition provided in the Quality Assurance Standards for DNA Databasing Laboratories established by the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The employee must be a person (1) in the service of the applicable State or local government, subject to the terms, conditions and rules of State/local employment and eligible for the State/local benefits of service; or (2) formerly in the service of a State or local government who returns to service in that agency on a part-time or temporary basis.
    Note: NIJ makes no assurance that funds will be available for this purpose in future award announcements.
  3. Certain Supplies. Funds may be used to acquire commercially available PCR kits accepted by NDIS and other laboratory supplies for analysis of DNA database samples, including analysis of quality assurance samples.[2]
  4. Administrative Expenses. Up to 3 percent of the Federal portion of an award under this program may be used for direct or indirect administrative expenses specifically related to grant administration and management. Applicants submitting budgets that include indirect costs must submit documentation of their federally approved indirect cost rate, but may not request indirect costs or direct costs in excess of 3 percent.

[1], [2] The number of these quality assurance samples may not exceed 10 percent of the total DNA database samples for which funding is awarded.

Assistance with Analysis of DNA Database Samples by an Accredited Fee-for-service Laboratory

Permissible uses of funds for eligible applicants for assistance with analysis of DNA database samples by an accredited fee-for-service laboratory and data review of the resulting profiles may include the following:

  1. Overtime. Funds may be used for overtime of laboratory employees directly engaged in data review of DNA database profiles generated by an accredited fee-for-service laboratory. Any payments for overtime must be in accordance with the applicable provisions of the OJP Financial Guide.
  2. Contracts. Funds may be used to establish a contract for analyzing DNA database samples with an accredited fee-for-service laboratory. Procurements are subject to the standards set forth in 28 C.F.R. section 66.36 and other applicable Federal law, including the provisions of 28 C.F.R. section 66.36 that relate to competition. Prior approval from OJP is required for all sole-source procurements in excess of $100,000. In the event that only one accredited fee-for-service laboratory can provide the needed service due to specific platform/genetic test kit specifications, applicants must comply with this requirement. Approval may be obtained in the form of a sole-source request with adequate justification submitted directly to GMS with the application for funding. Contracts may only be established under this solicitation with accredited fee-forservice
    laboratories that are on the General Services Administration (GSA) Blanket Purchase Agreement list for Convicted Offender DNA Backlog Reduction Program (Outsourcing) used by the OJP Acquisition Management Division (Contract Office).
    As of February, 2010, these laboratories are:
    • The Bode Technology Group
    • Chromosomal Laboratories, Inc.
    • Laboratory Corporation of America
    • Orchid Cellmark
    • Strand Analytical Laboratory
    Accredited fee-for-service laboratories not listed here that are interested in participating in the GSA Blanket Purchase Agreement list should contact Brenda Worthington, Program Operations Specialist, at 202-305-7844 or Brenda.Worthington@usdoj.gov for additional information on the process.
  3. Administrative Expenses. Up to 3 percent of the Federal portion of an award under this program may be used for direct or indirect administrative expenses specifically related to grant administration and management. Applicants submitting budgets that include indirect costs must submit documentation of their federally approved indirect cost rate, but may not request indirect costs or direct costs in excess of 3 percent.

Review and Upload of DNA Profile Data Generated from DNA Database Samples by Fee-For-Service Laboratory

Permissible uses of funds for eligible States applying solely for assistance with review and upload to NDIS of DNA profile data generated from DNA database samples by an accredited fee-for-service laboratory may include the following:

  1. Overtime for Existing Laboratory Employees. Funds may be used to pay overtime for existing laboratory employees who will be directly engaged in the review of DNA profiles generated by an accredited fee-for-service laboratory. Any payments for overtime must be in accordance with the applicable provisions of the OJP Financial Guide.
  2. Administrative Expenses. Up to 3 percent of the Federal portion of an award under this program may be used for direct or indirect administrative expenses specifically related to grant administration and management. Applicants submitting budgets that include indirect costs must submit documentation of their federally approved indirect cost rate, but may not request indirect costs or direct costs in excess of 3 percent.

Expenses That Are Not Permitted

Federal funds awarded under the FY 2010 Convicted and/or Arrestee DNA Backlog Reduction Program may not be used for:

  1. Salaries and Benefits for Existing Staff. Funds may not be used to pay salaries and/or benefits for existing staff, other than overtime as discussed above.
  2. Consultant and Contractor Services for In-House Sample Analysis.
  3. Payment for Technical Review of Data to Individuals Who Do Not Meet Standard 17.5.2 of the Quality Assurance Standards for DNA Databasing Laboratories Established by the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This standard currently states, "A technical review of a vendor laboratory's DNA data shall be performed by an analyst or technical reviewer employed by the NDIS participating laboratory who is qualified or was previously qualified in the technology, platform and test kit used to generate the DNA data and participates in the laboratory's proficiency testing program."
  4. Travel.
  5. Construction.
  6. Training or Continuing Education.
  7. Accreditation.
  8. Laboratory and Computer Equipment for the DNA Database Laboratory.*
  9. Renovations.*
  10. Other Capacity Enhancement Expenses.* Funds may not be used to purchase software, such as expert systems and Laboratory Information Management Systems.
  11. Administrative Expenses That Exceed 3 Percent. Direct or indirect administrative expenses that exceed 3 percent of the Federal portion of the award are not permitted.

*For Items 8, 9 and 10: Federal assistance for capacity enhancement projects for DNA Database Laboratories may be available through the FY 2010 Forensic DNA Backlog Reduction Program. Note that the FY 2010 Forensic DNA Backlog Reduction Program is subject to the availability of appropriated funds.

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