How You Can Use Funds

All expenses must directly relate to in-house analysis and data review of DNA database samples by the State's designated DNA database laboratory or to data review of vendor-generated profiles of such samples by the DNA database laboratory. Review permissible use of funds for:

See also Expenses that are not permitted.

Assistance With In-House Testing

Permissible uses of funds for agencies applying for assistance with in-house testing of DNA database samples 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.
    Applicants must provide documentation that the additional new full-time/part-time laboratory employees will be directly engaged in the handling or analysis of DNA database samples or in the data review of DNA profiles generated from such samples.
    Note: NIJ makes no assurance that funds will be available for this purpose in future award announcements.
  3. Consultant and Contractor Services for Data Review. Funds may be used to hire consultants and/or temporary contract staff to conduct 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 such consultants or contract laboratory personnel must meet all NDIS requirements for the review of DNA data.
  4. Laboratory and Computer Equipment for the DNA Database Laboratory. Funds may be used for upgrading, replacing, and purchasing laboratory equipment, instrumentation, and computer hardware for use in the DNA database laboratory.
  5. 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]
  6. Renovations. Funds may be used for the renovation of facilities that will directly and specifically improve the effectiveness or efficiency of the DNA database laboratory operation. Any such renovations must be within an existing database laboratory facility.
    For example, if it can be demonstrated that such renovations will directly and specifically improve the efficiency of the DNA database laboratory, funds may be used for benches, cabinets, interior dividing walls, plumbing, HVAC systems, electrical wiring, DNA database sample storage rooms, and extraction or amplification rooms.
  7. Other Expenses. Software, such as expert systems and Laboratory InformationManagement Systems, may be purchased for use in the DNA database laboratory.
  8. Administrative Expenses. Up to 3 percent of the Federal portion of a grant awarded under this program may be used for direct or indirect administrative expenses specifically related to grant administration and management.

[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.

Fee-for-Service Funding

Permissible uses of funds for agencies applying for assistance with analysis of DNA database samples by an accredited fee-for-service laboratory 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 testing DNA Database samples with an accredited fee-for-service laboratory. Agencies will follow their own procurement procedures for establishing these contracts. Any sole source requests in excess of $100,000 must be submitted and approved through GMS as required in the OJP Financial Guide. Contracts may only be established under this solicitation with accredited fee-for-service laboratories that are on the GSA Blanket Purchase Agreement list for Convicted Offender DNA Backlog Reduction Program (Outsourcing) used by the OJP Contract Office.
    As of April 4, 2008, these laboratories are:
    • The Bode Technology Group
    • Chromosomal Laboratories
    • Identity Genetics
    • 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 the NIJ program managers listed on the first page of this announcement for additional information on the process.
  3. Consultant and Contractor Services for Data Review. Funds may be used to hire consultants and/or temporary contract staff to conduct data review of profiles generated by an accredited fee-for-service laboratory that, due to the lack of laboratory resources, have yet to be reviewed and entered into NDIS. Consultants or contract laboratory personnel must meet all NDIS requirements for the review of DNA data.
  4. Administrative Expenses. Up to 3 percent of the Federal portion of a grant awarded under this program may be used for direct or indirect administrative expenses specifically related to grant administration and management.

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

Permissible uses of funds for agencies applying 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. Consultant and Contractor Services for Data Review. Funds may be used to hire consultants and/or temporary contract staff to conduct data review of profiles generated by an accredited fee-for-service laboratory that, due to the lack of laboratory resources, have yet to be reviewed and entered into NDIS. Consultants or contract laboratory personnel must meet all NDIS requirements for the review of DNA data.
  3. Administrative Expenses. Up to 3 percent of the Federal portion of a grant awarded under this program may be used for direct or indirect administrative expenses specifically related to grant administration and management.

Expenses That Are Not Permitted

Federal funds awarded under the FY 2008 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. Travel.
  4. Construction.
  5. Training or Continuing Education.
  6. Accreditation.
  7. Administrative Expenses. Direct or indirect administrative expenses that exceed 3 percent of the Federal portion of the award are not permitted.
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