FY24 Addressing Gaps in State and Regional Accreditation -Community Policing Development Solicitation | O COPS 2024 172057

FY24 Addressing Gaps in State and Regional Accreditation - Community Policing Development (CPD) Solicitation: FAQs

What is this funding opportunity?

This is a discretionary federal funding opportunity called the FY24 Addressing Gaps in State and Regional Accreditation - Community Policing Development (CPD) Solicitation. It is offered by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office).

Which federal agency is offering the award?

The award is offered by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office).

What is the purpose of the COPS Office in general?

The COPS Office focuses on strengthening community policing across state, local, territorial, and tribal law enforcement by providing grant funding and practical resources.

What is the main goal of this specific CPD solicitation?

The main goal is to help states and multi-state regions that currently do not have a formal law enforcement accreditation program create new accreditation entities.

What problem is this solicitation trying to address?

It targets the gap in places where there is no state or regional accreditation infrastructure for law enforcement, with the intent of supporting the creation of new accreditation bodies or systems.

How does this solicitation connect to Community Policing Development (CPD)?

This solicitation fits within CPD's broader purpose of building law enforcement capacity to carry out community policing strategies more effectively.

What kinds of outcomes does CPD funding typically support?

CPD funding is typically aimed at expanding knowledge about what works in policing by supporting promising practices, developing and testing innovative approaches, and producing guidance that can be shared and replicated.

What practical outcome is COPS looking for under this solicitation?

The intended practical outcome is the creation of new accreditation bodies or systems in states or multi-state regions where no formal law enforcement accreditation program currently exists.

Why is accreditation important in the context described?

In this solicitation, accreditation is framed as a way to help standardize practices, strengthen accountability, and promote professional policing aligned with community policing principles.

What type of award mechanism is being used?

The award mechanism is a cooperative agreement.

What does it mean that this is a cooperative agreement?

A cooperative agreement generally indicates the federal agency expects to have substantial involvement during the project period compared to a standard grant.

What funding activity category is this opportunity listed under?

It is listed under the Law, Justice and Legal Services funding activity category.

What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The associated CFDA number is 16.710.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility includes public governmental agencies, federally recognized Indian tribes, nonprofit organizations, institutions of higher education, and community groups.

Does the solicitation allow non-government organizations to apply?

Yes. Nonprofit organizations, institutions of higher education, and community groups are included in the eligible applicant types.

Are federally recognized tribes eligible?

Yes. Federally recognized Indian tribes are explicitly included in the eligibility list.

Why is eligibility described as broad?

The information provided indicates broad eligibility because multiple applicant types are permitted, suggesting COPS is open to different organizations that can credibly stand up an accreditation entity and support it with strong stakeholder relationships and operational capacity.

What kinds of applicant capabilities does COPS appear to be looking for?

Based on the description, COPS appears to be looking for applicants with credibility, operational capacity, and stakeholder relationships to create and support an accreditation entity, including the ability to convene law enforcement partners, develop standards or processes, and support adoption across jurisdictions.

What is the maximum amount of funding available per award?

The award ceiling is $500,000 per award.

How many awards are anticipated?

The solicitation anticipates three total awards.

What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number is O-COPS-2024-172057.

When was the solicitation created?

The solicitation was created on March 28, 2024.

What was the original application closing date?

The original application closing date was May 28, 2024.

Is this funding described as discretionary?

Yes. The opportunity is described as a discretionary federal funding opportunity.

What geographic focus is emphasized for the accreditation effort?

The focus is on states and multi-state regions that currently lack a formal law enforcement accreditation program.

Is the solicitation focused on creating new programs or supporting existing accreditation programs?

Based on the description, the solicitation is focused on creating new accreditation entities or systems in places where there is no existing state or regional accreditation infrastructure.

Does the description mention what applicants should produce or deliver?

The description emphasizes creating a new accreditation body or system and supporting its function in a sustainable way; it also references developing standards or processes and producing guidance that can be shared and replicated as part of typical CPD efforts.