Following is an overview of JGA’s process for developing and issuing solicitations, the application process and procedures for the selection of selection of grantees.
Request for Application (RFA) Development Process
The policy of the District of Columbia and JGA requires that all sub-grants are awarded on a competitive basis in all circumstances, except when:
- The award of the grant designates the sub-grant recipient;
- The federal law and/or local conditions defines eligibility in such a way that there is only one eligible applicant;
- The needs of the grant program require proprietary skills or technology that are limited in availability; or
- JGA has un-obligated funds remaining from the grant due to unanticipated factors.
JGA uses its RFAs to identify its funding priorities for the upcoming fiscal year and to share these priorities with potential grantees. JGA’s RFAs describe in detail the concrete outcomes that JGA is looking to achieve under each funding priority; program component requirements for potential grantees; and include the application requirements specific to each funding area and grant. In order to develop its funding priorities for the upcoming fiscal year, JGA solicits input from a cross section of juvenile and criminal justice stakeholders in the District on the key challenges and opportunities facing the system; current reform initiatives; and ideas for where a targeted investment of resource could make a significant impact. JGA then synthesizes the feedback provided to identify common challenges and concerns, and then drafts RFAs that reflect the funding priorities, outcomes, and program activities that can best address these challenges.
RFA Release Procedures
Before releasing its RFAs, JGA releases a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFAs) to alert the grantee community of the availability of funds, the funding amount, and when the RFAs will be released and applications due. NOFAs will be issued through the Office of Grants and Partnership Development’s Funding Alert; published in the DC Register; listed on JGA’s website; and advertised through other communication vehicles to reach as broad an audience as possible.
Once available, JGA will release its RFAs through the same venues identified above. Throughout the six week RFA proposal solicitation period, JGA only responds to questions via emails submitted to the appropriate grants program manager. Responses will be posted on the Funding Opportunities page under RFA Questions and Answers.
RFA Bidders’ Conferences
Approximately two weeks into the solicitation period, JGA arranges and facilitates a bidders’ conference for all organizations interested in responding to the RFA. The date and time for the bidders’ conference will be listed on the RFA. Attendance at the bidders’ conference is strongly encouraged.
Potential Grantee Applications
Funding applications must conform to and include all specifications identified in the RFA application guidelines. JGA will not consider for funding any applications that do not include all necessary specifications and accompanying documentation. All funding application must be received by the deadline identified in the RFA; late applications will not be accepted. All organizations must email an electronic PDF copy of their signed application to the grant program manager identified.
Application Review and Scoring
All applications that are complete and that meet the application criteria will be reviewed and scored, using the scoring criteria included in the RFA, by an independent review panel.
JGA will rely on its review panel members to assist in the review and scoring of all sub-grant applications. The JGA grant program manager will be responsible, as needed, for working with each group to identify additional reviewers with specialized expertise in the RFA funding priorities if needed, and for the recruitment, selection, and orientation of these additional review panel members. Scoring and recommendations of the review panel are advisory only. The final decision to fund programs rests solely with JGA.
Check for current grant funding opportunities.
The Grant Cycle
The following grant cycle provides a timeline of JGA’s federal grant management and disbursement process. JGA strives to manage all of its federal grants within the time frames listed; however, these dates are subject to change given federal practices/local circumstances, and may be applied differently for specific federal grants.
As dates are announced, they will be posted in the News Room.
Solicitation period: March-May
- Notice of funding availability released: mid-March
- Request for Applications released: early April
- RFA discussion forums: mid-April
- RFA proposal submissions: mid-May
Proposal review, scoring, and award decisions: May-August
- Proposal review and scoring: mid-May to mid-July
- Award decisions: late July
- Notice of decision to grantees: mid-August
Grant performance and review period: October-November (following year)
- Grant period begins: October 1
- Grant period ends: September 30
- Evaluation of grantee performance: October-November