APPLICATION PROCESS

Who can apply for the VOCA Stimulus funds?

Due to the amount of the state's award, the Priorities Committee voted to limit the funds to non-governmental, non profit victim service providers.

Do I need to apply for a Duns Number?

The Office of Management and Budget requires that all businesses and nonprofit applicants for federal funds include a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number in their application for a new award or renewal of an award. Applications without a DUNS number are incomplete. A DUNS number is a unique nine-digit sequence recognized at the universal standard for identifying and tracking entities receiving federal funds. The identifier is used to validate address and point of contact information for federal assistance applicants, recipients, and subrecipients. The DUNS number will be used throughout the grant life cycle. Obtaining a DUNS number is a free, simple, one-time activity. Call 1-866-705-5711 or apply online at http://www.dnb.com/us/ . Individuals are exempt from this requirement.

Do I need to apply for a Central Contractor Registration?

OJP requires that all applicants for federal financial assistance, other than individuals, maintain current registrations in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) database. The CCR database is the repository for standard information about federal financial assistance applicants, recipients, and subrecipients. Organizations that have previously submitted applications via Grants.gov are already registered with CCR, as it is requirement for Grants.gov registration. Please note, however, that applicants must update or renew their CCR at least once per year to maintain an active status. Information about registration procedures can be accessed at www.ccr.gov .

You will need to enter the CAGE/NCAGE, 5-digit number, in the application.

Explain supplanting.

As noted in the OJP Financial Guide:

Federal funds must be used to supplement existing funds for program activities and must not replace those funds that have been appropriated for the same purpose. Supplanting will be the subject of application review, as well as preaward review, postaward monitoring, and audit. If there is a potential presence of supplanting, the applicant or grantee will be required to supply documentation demonstrating that the reduction in non-Federal resources occurred for reasons other than the receipt or expected receipt of Federal funds. For certain programs, a written certification may be requested by the awarding agency or recipient agency stating that Federal funds will not be used to supplant State or local funds. See the OJP Financial Guide (Part II, Chapter 3) http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/financialguide/part2/part2chap3.htm

If you have state/local money that could be reduced or lost, would it be considered supplanting if you replaced that money with the stimulus funds?

To deliberately reduce a budget for the receipt of federal funds would be supplanting. As long as the agency is not replacing state/local dollars with federal dollars it is not supplanting. If revenues decline or disappear, then there are no state/local funds to supplant. If, on the other hand, state/local dollars were reduced because of the availability of federal dollars, this would be supplanting.

Is job preservation/creation a requirement to submit a VOCA application ?

Job preservation/creation is a measure required by OVC for VOCA grants received under the stimulus-funding act. What is actually required is that the application presents how the proposed project will stimulate the economy. Job preservation/creation is one measure of economic stimulus; however, it is one that is required.

If you have state money that is threatened, would it be considered supplanting if you applied to replace that money? (This money is threatened due to budget cuts.)

To deliberately replace budgeted dollars (other revenue streams) for the receipt of federal funds would be supplanting. As long as the agency is not replacing state/local dollars with federal dollars it is not supplanting. If revenues decline or disappear, then there are no state/local funds to supplant.

Can you submit multiple applications for different projects?

Only one application per agency will be accepted.

Can you make one application even if your agency works in more than one parish, or do I submit separate applications to LCLE for each parish where services are provided?

Only one application should be submitted. In the application you should indicate where the services are to be provided.

Will confirmation be sent to confirm LCLE received application online or email?

A confirmation will be forwarded on those applications submitted online or via email.

When do I need to submit the certifications?

The Certifications of Certified Assurances and Criminal Penalties, Certifications of Non-Supplanting and the Certifications Regarding Lobbying, Debarment, Suspension and Other Responsibility Matters and Drug-Free Workplace Requirements must be signed in BLUE INK by the applicant agency's authorized official. These signed certifications must be submitted with the application. If submitting the application online or email, the certifications must be mailed overnight and received by this office by 5:00 p.m. (central daylight savings) on April 24, 2009 in order that the application is considered complete .

How does a small agency obtain a sample copy of an approved grant? This would help as a guideline or rough draft.

Contact the program manager for assistance.

Do we need to obtain another bond for any new funding?

If you are a current agency receiving federal funding through LCLE, you do not need to obtain a surety bond. If this is the first time you are requesting funding through LCLE, a surety bond in the amount of the award must be obtain before any funds are released.

FUNDING LIMITATIONS

How much can I apply for?

Applicants can apply for a minimum of $5,000 up to a maximum of $50,000

MATCH

Is match required?

Yes. All projects are required a 20% match. Match can be cash, in-kind match or a combination of both.

Can the use of an agency vehicle be used as the in-kind match for VOCA if project personnel solely use the vehicle?

The vehicle must be owned by the applicant agency and only the mileage cost can be applied as in-kind match. Maintenance and insurance costs are prohibited by OVW and OJP. Mileage documentation and travel logs must be kept to document the usage of the vehicle and that match requirements were met.

PERSONNEL

Does personnel need to be full time or part-time employees? Can they be contract employees?

Employees can be full, part-time, or contract. When tracking the job creations use the FTE concept.

Is overtime allowed?

Overtime is not allowed under the stimulus project.

Can grants include salary for financial officers and grant writers?

The financial officer can be paid for the time devoted to the stimulus project. Salary for the grant writers IS NOT allowed.

EQUIPMENT/SUPPLIES

What are the chances of getting equipment and meeting preserving/creating job?

The equipment must relate back to the goals and objectives of the project.

Can equipment grants preserve/create jobs?

The answer would depend on the type and amount of equipment, and even then the result would be indirect and very difficult to document. The purchase of equipment would involve some economic stimulus if dollars are being spent that would not otherwise be spent. How effective such a project would be in generating stimulus would depend on the details.

When is the Equipment Inventory Listing required?

Equipment refers to any item, regardless of cost, that has a life expectancy of two or more years and is not consumable. All equipment items purchased with stimulus funds must be listed on the Equipment Inventory Listing. This list must be attached to the Expenditure Request Form when seeking grant reimbursement for each reporting period. A Final Equipment Inventory Listing, listing all equipment purchased during the subgrant period, must be attached to the Final Expenditure Request form.

CONSTRUCTION/RENOVATIONS

Can this grant be used for construction projects (i.e. brick and mortar projects)?

No. Construction costs are not allowed.

OTHER

What other states received VOCA economic stimulus money grants after natural disasters? Please direct where I can research projects that were approved.

The intention of the ARRA funds is to generate economic recovery from the recession that the Nation is facing. This fund is not of any natural disaster. The Office for Victims of Crime ( http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ovc/ ) may have the information.