Byrne/Justice Assistance Grant Law Enforcement Equipment

The Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) administers the Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program, a federal funding initiative designed to support state and local criminal justice systems. With funding from the Edward Byrne Memorial JAG program, the Commonwealth of Virginia will distribute a total of $2,000,000 to eligible law enforcement agencies under a competitive application process. As the State Administrative Agency (SAA), DCJS oversees the coordination, application, evaluation, and award process for all grant applications, ensuring funds align with the state’s objectives of enhancing public safety and justice system efficiency. The FY Byrne JAG solicitation for Law Enforcement Equipment specifically targets sheriff departments that are not the primary law enforcement entity in their locality. These departments are eligible to apply for funding to procure equipment that will improve or enhance the delivery of daily services and increase officer and community safety. Priority is given to equipment purchases that expand agency capacity or efficiency. Grant funds can be used to purchase allowable equipment or technology, including communication tools and software, but the purchases must be deemed allowable by DCJS on a case-by-case basis. All equipment must be procured within the six-month grant performance period. DCJS outlines clear restrictions on grant usage. Funds may not be used to supplant existing local or state funds, nor may they support costs outside the approved budget or the designated period of performance. Additionally, expenditures on training, weapons, vehicles, uniforms, construction, or lobbying are strictly prohibited. Indirect costs are also disallowed. Equipment warranties that extend beyond the performance period and multi-year purchases, such as software licenses, are likewise ineligible. The grant cannot be extended or renewed, and there is no opportunity for continuation funding after the award term ends. To qualify, applicants must provide a 25% cash match from local funding sources, which must be documented clearly and cannot originate from federal sources. The total request, including the match, must fall between $10,000 and $75,000. For example, if a project costs $20,000, up to $15,000 can be covered by grant funds, and $5,000 must come from a local cash contribution. Matching funds are subject to audit and must be separately tracked by the recipient. The application process is fully online and must be completed through the DCJS Online Grants Management System (OGMS) by 5:00 PM ET on February 10, 2025. The system will not accept late applications, and technical issues will not be grounds for extension. Required components include general information, a detailed project narrative, goals and objectives, a budget, and various assurances and certifications. Project narratives must demonstrate the need for funding, describe implementation plans, specify service area demographics, and provide a plan for sustaining the project post-funding. Applicants must also submit quarterly financial and performance reports to both DCJS and the Bureau of Justice Assistance. Grant applications are reviewed competitively by DCJS and potentially by external reviewers, with evaluations based on clarity, completeness, cost-effectiveness, and alignment with program priorities. Final decisions will be made by the Criminal Justice Services Board (CJSB) in March 2025. Awards will begin April 1, 2025, and end September 30, 2025. Questions regarding the solicitation may be directed to Nicole Phelps ([email protected], 804-786-1577) or Natasha Winfree ([email protected], 804-659-7593). The program is not renewable, but is expected to recur annually, with the next anticipated cycle opening in January 2026.

Ensure all purchases are allowable and occur within the grant period. Clearly demonstrate need and provide accurate match documentation.