[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 59 (Friday, March 27, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14964-14969]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-8105]


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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Bureau of Justice Statistics
[OJP(BJS)-1161]
RIN 1121-ZA98


National Sex Offender Registry Assistance Program (NSOR-AP)

AGENCY: Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS), 
Justice.

ACTION: Notice of program plan.

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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) is publishing this 
notice to announce the establishment of the National Sex Offender 
Registry Assistance Program (NSOR-AP) in Fiscal Year (FY) 1998. The 
NSOR Assistance Program is a component of the BJS National Criminal 
History Improvement Program (NCHIP). Copies of this announcement also 
can be found on the Internet at http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carol G. Kaplan at (202) 307-0759 
(this is not a toll free number).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Program Goals

    The BJS National Sex Offender Registry Assistance Program (NSOR-AP) 
supports the President's goal of establishing an effective national 
registry of convicted sex offenders. The registry will ensure that 
accurate and complete information about convicted sex offenders is 
appropriately made available to law enforcement to protect the public 
and prevent further victimizations. Specifically, the program will help 
states ensure that:
    (1) State sex offender registries identify, collect, and properly 
disseminate relevant information that is consistent, accurate, 
complete, and up-to-date;
    (2) States establish appropriate interfaces with the FBI's national 
system so that State registry information on sex offenders can be 
obtained and tracked from one jurisdiction to another.

Background

    Establishment of an effective national sex offender registry that 
is capable of providing instant access to data on sex offender location 
on an interstate basis is a national priority.
    In his Order dated June 25, 1996, President Clinton directed that 
Attorney General Reno develop a plan for a national sex offender 
registry by August 1996. In her response, submitted to the President on 
August 22, 1996, the Attorney General stressed the DOJ commitment to 
establishment of a sex offender registry and indicated that achievement 
of this goal would be achieved through a coordinated effort involving 
the FBI (the agency that will maintain and operate the National Sex 
Offender Registry), the National Law Enforcement Telecommunications 
System (NLETS) (the system through which States will communicate 
registry information between and among themselves and the FBI), and the 
States (which have primary responsibility for gathering data on sex 
offenders for use within the State and input into the national system). 
In addition, subsequent amendments to 42 U.S.C. 14072 require the 
establishment of such a registry and amendments to 42 U.S.C. 14071 
require States to participate in the Registry as a condition of 
eligibility for full Byrne grant funding.
    The permanent National Sex Offender Registry File will be developed 
as part of the FBI's NCIC-2000 project and will include a fingerprint 
and photo (``mugshot'') image of the registered offender. The file will 
be a ``hot file'' and be accessible to authorized users without 
submitting fingerprints. As reported in the Attorney General's August 
1996 response to the President, the accelerated date for the permanent 
system to be in place is mid-1999.
    Pending establishment of the permanent system, an interim national 
pointer system has been established by the FBI, that flags criminal 
history records of persons whom States identify as being registered as 
sex offenders. This is similar to the procedure used in the ``Flash'' 
system that identifies parolees and probationers. Inquiries that result 
in a ``hit'' identify the State registry that holds the full 
information on an offender. Inquiring criminal justice agencies may use 
NLETS (or phone or paper) to request more detailed information. Flags 
are set based on input from each of the States. As of March 4, 1998, 
the FBI indicates that 23 States are providing data to the interim 
system and that an estimated 31,590 records are currently flagged.
    Available information indicates that all States operate some type 
of sex offender registry at this time. In order, however, for the 
national system to permit law enforcement in each State to have 
information on offenders initially released in other States, or 
traveling throughout the Nation, these individual

[[Page 14965]]

registries must be automated, accurate, and interfaced with the 
national system on a timely basis.
    The BJS National Sex Offender Registry Assistance Program (NSOR-AP) 
is designed to help States ensure that State sex offender registries 
identify, collect, and properly disseminate relevant information that 
is consistent, accurate, complete and up-to-date. Additionally, the 
program will help States establish appropriate interfaces with the 
FBI's national system so that State registry information on sex 
offenders can be obtained and tracked from one jurisdiction to another.
    The BJS NSOR-AP program will also assist States in meeting relevant 
requirements of current Federal legislation (The Jacob Wetterling 
Crimes Against Children and Sexually Violent Offender Registration Act 
, Megan's Law, and the Pam Lychner Sexual Offender Tracking and 
Identification Act (42 U.S.C. 14071, 14072), as amended by section 115 
of the general provisions of Title I of the Departments of Commerce, 
Justice, and State, the Judiciary and Related Agencies Appropriation 
Act of 1998, P.L. 105-119) and applicable State standards.

Appropriation and Assistance Program

    The FY 1998 BJS appropriation includes $25 million to support the 
national sex offender registry. Funds will be awarded to States under 
the BJS National Sex Offender Registry Assistance Program (NSOR-AP), 
which is a discretionary award component of the overall BJS National 
Criminal History Improvement Program (NCHIP). All States will be 
eligible for an award under the NSOR-AP program.

Application and Award Process

    Only one application will be accepted from each State. The 
application must be submitted by the agency designated by the Governor 
to administer the NSOR assistance program. Where the designated agency 
is the same as the designated NCHIP agency, a separate application must 
be submitted for NSOR-AP funds and NCHIP funds. A State may choose to 
submit its application as part of a multistate consortium or other 
entity. In such case, the application should include a statement of 
commitment from each State and be signed by an individual designated by 
the Governor of each participating State. The application should also 
indicate specific responsibilities and include a separate budget for 
each State.

Timing

    To be eligible for 1998 NSOR-AP funds, an application must be 
submitted to BJS by April 15, 1998.
    Awards normally will be for 12 months, although a longer period can 
be approved with sufficient justification. Project activity may be 
initiated after July 1, 1998, but no later than September 1998. In the 
event that an award is made before July 1, 1998, the applicant may 
request an earlier start up date. Applications must contain an end date 
no later than December 31, 1999.

Allocation of Funds Within the State

    The agency designated to apply for and receive the NSOR-AP award 
may allocate the funds within the State consistent with State policy 
and goals. Although it is anticipated that the majority of funds will 
be utilized at the State level to directly support development of the 
State registry and interfaces with the national system, funds may be 
directed to local agencies requiring assistance in connection with, for 
example, input of data. States should be particularly aware of the key 
role played by courts in development of registry information and of 
special needs of Indian tribes.

Interface With the FBI's National Sex Offender Registry System

    Regular input to the FBI's national system is a key goal of this 
assistance program. Accordingly, States that are not currently 
submitting information to the FBI's national registry at the time of 
their application for funding are encouraged to request funding to 
accomplish this goal by September 30, 1998. All applications must 
either indicate that the State is already submitting information or 
specify the date(s) by which data will be provided to the FBI's interim 
and/or permanent system.

Program Narrative

    In addition to the requirements set forth in Appendix A, the 
National Sex Offender Registry Assistance Program (NSOR-AP) application 
should include the following parts.
Part I. Background
    This section should include a short description of the status of, 
and plans for, those aspects of the State sex offender registry that 
are necessary for understanding the application. In particular, the 
discussion should indicate whether the registry is automated in whole 
or in part and describe the process for data input and dissemination to 
law enforcement agencies within the State. The section should also 
indicate whether data is being sent electronically to the FBI and the 
categories of persons eligible to access registry data. Where funds are 
requested for fingerprint or mugshot equipment, the section should 
indicate the status of fingerprint or mugshot capability at the 
registry and among local agencies charged with data input. The 
applicant should also indicate whether any coordination arrangements 
exist with neighboring States or Indian tribes.
Part II. Identification of Needs
    This section should identify those areas and problems that the 
applicant State believes should be addressed to upgrade the functioning 
of the State registry and its interface with the national system, 
consistent with Federal and State legislative requirements.
Part III. Program Description
    This section should describe specific tasks to be undertaken with 
requested funds. Tasks to be undertaken should be listed in priority 
order, with intended impact, budget requirements, and estimated dates 
of completion. The application should indicate the means by which each 
task will help the State achieve the goals of the program.
Part IV. Coordination
    To ensure that the NSOR program fully supports the President's 
goals and furthers the overall DOJ efforts to establish a national sex 
offender registry, BJS will closely coordinate the NSOR-AP program with 
relevant offices within the Department of Justice, including the Office 
of Justice Programs, and the FBI. Similar coordination is expected 
between the State's agency responsible for the State sex offender 
registry and other interested State and local agencies and Indian 
tribes.
    To ensure coordination of Federal funding efforts, the application 
should include information on current awards or pending applications 
for Federal funding to support activities for which funds are being 
requested in the current NSOR-AP application. Where relevant, such 
information should indicate the amount of the other award, the grantor 
agency, and the program purpose.
Part V. Timetable
    This section should set forth a timetable for all tasks proposed to 
be funded under the award. The section should also include a statement 
assuring that the State currently is submitting data to the FBI 
national sex offender registry system, or set forth a timetable by 
which such a link will be effectuated.

[[Page 14966]]

Part VI. Fund Allocation and Budget
    This section should identify the agencies or governmental 
components that will receive funds under the award. In particular, the 
application should specify the level of funds or other benefits that 
will be directed for the courts or Indian tribes. The application 
should identify those agencies to receive funds under the award and 
indicate the fiscal arrangements to accomplish fund transfer if the 
recipient agency is not the implementing agency. The budget should 
provide details for expenses in required categories (see Appendix A, 
Application Content). Please note that allocation of funds to other 
States and local agencies is considered a contractual arrangement under 
federal budgeting categories.

Review and Funding Criteria

    States should understand that full funding may not be possible for 
all proposed activities. Allocation of funds will be based on the 
amount requested and the following factors:
    (1) The extent to which proposed tasks will ensure that the 
applicant State becomes a fully-functional part of the FBI's National 
Sex Offender Registry;
    (2) The extent to which activities to be supported under the award 
will, by virtue of the number of sex offenders in the State, the level 
of technical development in the State, geographic or demographic 
factors, current operating procedures and requirements, or other 
related factors, be expected to have a major impact on availability of 
information about sex offenders, both within the State and nationally;
    (3) The proposed use or enhancement of innovative procedures that 
may be of value to other jurisdictions;
    (4) The technical feasibility of the proposal and the extent to 
which the proposal appears reasonable in light of the State's current 
level of system development and statutory framework;
    (5) Reasonableness of the budget;
    (6) Nature of the proposed expenditures; and
    (7) The reasonableness of the relationship between the proposed 
activities and the current status of the State system in terms of 
technical development, legislation, current fiscal demands and future 
operating costs.

Funding and Allowable Costs

    Funds may be used for the following purposes:
    1. Automate and enhance automation of registries--Funds may be used 
to automate and/or upgrade the automation of the State sex offender 
registry. Eligible costs also include automating linkage between the 
registry and law enforcement agencies within the State, and developing 
and implementing procedures to transfer information to the FBI. Funds 
may only be used for procedures that are compatible with the FBI 
system.
    2. Improve online access for law enforcement across the State--
Funds may be used to create linkage with local radio dispatchers or 
computerized methods of dissemination as a mean of providing timely 
access to registry data to officers in the field. Funds may not be used 
for purchase of individual equipment to be used by law enforcement 
officers in the field.
    3. Support automated input from courts, corrections and other 
agencies and entities responsible for transmitting registry data--Funds 
may be used to automate and develop procedures for automated 
transmission of data from courts, correctional agencies and other 
responsible agencies and entities to the registry. This may entail 
direct transfer of funds to these components of the criminal justice 
system. Allowable costs may include in-house automation, but only to 
the extent that such efforts are directly related to the transmission 
of sex offender data to the registry. Where funds are requested for 
automation of court, correctional or other records, the application 
should indicate the proportion of activity related to the 
identification and/or transmission of records for use in the sex 
offender registry.
    4. Develop procedures and software to permit automated input to 
interim or permanent FBI system--Funds may be used for hardware, 
software and development, implementation, and training in procedures to 
support automated input to the FBI's interim or permanent sex offender 
registry system.
    5. Develop procedures and provide appropriate training to persons 
responsible for inputting data (including registrants)--Funds may be 
used to purchase equipment and develop/implement technical procedures 
to facilitate registration of offenders. Funds may also be used to 
develop procedures and train personnel to ensure that complete 
information is inputted to the system on a timely basis. Funds may also 
be used to develop procedures to advise registrants of reporting 
responsibilities and to establish and implement protocols for them to 
fulfill this requirement.
    6. Purchase automated fingerprint equipment and develop procedures 
and protocols--Funds may be used to purchase equipment, develop 
procedures, and implement protocols for fingerprinting registrants 
entering a State system from another jurisdiction (or where otherwise 
not identifiable within the State). This may include purchase of 
livescan equipment for local agencies. Where funds are to be used for 
this purpose, the application should demonstrate that funds can be 
justified on the basis of geographic, population, traffic or other 
related factors. Livescan can only be purchased where the State has 
established an Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) and 
either has implemented or is implementing procedures to ensure that the 
AFIS is compatible with FBI standards.
    7. Establish mugshot identification capability--Funds may be used 
for purchase of equipment and development/implementation of procedures 
to include mugshots of registrants for use either within the State or 
for transmission to the FBI at such time as that capability becomes 
available. Mugshot support community notification and law enforcement 
use of the registry as a tool for identification and apprehension of 
suspects. States requesting funds for this use must justify the 
location of the equipment in terms of geography, population, traffic, 
and demography and ensure that equipment to be used at the local or 
county level includes the capability for transmission of images to the 
registry for use throughout the State. All equipment and software 
purchased or developed with funds under the award must be compatible 
with FBI standards.
    8. Review existing records (both manual and automated) to identify 
previously convicted individuals for inclusion in the registry and/or 
develop flagging software to identify qualifying criminal history 
records--Where consistent with State legislation, funds may be used for 
review of existing records to identify, flag, and transmit data from 
records of previously released offenders who qualify for inclusion in 
the registry. This may include a review of juvenile records where 
consistent with State law or practice.
    9. Establish operating procedures to ensure that data in the 
registries are accurate and complete--In order for the national 
registry to be reliable and beneficial to the law enforcement 
community, data submitted from States must be both accurate and 
complete. Funds may be used to develop and implement procedures and 
software, provide relevant training, ensure that changes in status are 
recorded and transmitted to the FBI, and ensure that both the State 
data and the data at the FBI are accurate, up to date and complete.

[[Page 14967]]

    10. Evaluate, audit, provide training, and participate at national/
regional/local conferences and training sessions--Funds may be used to 
audit or evaluate current operations or needs, in order to identify 
necessary system enhancements and/or modifications. Funds may also be 
used to collect data on transactions to and from the registry, 
utilization patterns, or any related information. States must agree to 
cooperate with BJS and DOJ supported evaluation efforts and with 
statistical analysis conducted pursuant to other awards made by BJS. 
Where necessary, funds may be used to meet this requirement.
    Funds may also be used to sponsor training programs to support 
registry operations and to send up to two representatives to two 
workshops/meetings/conferences focusing on operation of the State or 
national sex offender registry. Additional funds may be used to support 
additional participation at meetings with prior BJS approval.
    11. Make registry data available for background checks--Funds may 
be used to purchase equipment and develop software to permit the 
disclosure of registry data in connection with background checks or 
other purposes as authorized by State or Federal legislation.
    The program does not require either ``hard'' (cash) or ``soft'' 
(in-kind) matching funds. Indications of State support, however, may be 
interpreted as expressions of commitment by the State to the program. 
Additionally, all applicants must agree to participate in evaluations 
sponsored by the Federal Government. The NSOR-AP program is intended to 
support the national sex offender registry by assisting States to 
develop and enhance State registries that feed into the national 
system. Costs of regular operating expenditures are not, therefore, 
covered under the program.

Application and Administrative Requirements

Application Content

    All applicants must submit:
     Standard Form 424, Application for Federal Assistance.
     Budget Detail Worksheet (replaced the SF 424A, Budget 
Information).
     OJP Form 4000/3 (Rev. 1-93), Program Narrative and 
Assurances.
     OJP Form 4061/6 Certification Regarding Lobbying, 
Debarment, Suspension, and Other Responsibility Matters; Drug-Free 
Workplace Requirements.
     OJP Form 7120/1 (Rev. 1-93), Accounting System and 
Financial Capability Questionnaire (to be submitted by applicants who 
have not previously received Federal funds).
    Applicants are requested to submit an original and two copies of 
the application and certifications to the following address: 
Application Coordinator, Bureau of Justice Statistics, 810 7th Street, 
NW., Washington, DC 20531; Phone: (202) 616-3500.
    Standard Form 424 (SF-424). The SF-424, a one-page sheet with 18 
items, serves as a cover sheet for the entire application. This form is 
required for every application for Federal assistance. NO APPLICATION 
CAN BE ACCEPTED WITHOUT A COMPLETED, SIGNED ORIGINAL SF-424. Directions 
to complete each item are included on the back of the form.
    Budget Detail Worksheet. Applicants must provide a detailed 
justification for all costs, including the basis for computation of 
these costs. For example, the detailed budget would include the 
salaries of staff involved in the project and the portion of those 
salaries to be paid from the award; fringe benefits paid to each staff 
person; travel costs related to the project; equipment to be purchased 
with the award funds; and supplies required to complete the project. 
Budget narrative. The budget narrative should detail costs included in 
each budget category for the Federal and the non-Federal (in-kind and 
cash) share. The purpose of the budget narrative is to relate items 
budgeted to project activities and to provide justification and 
explanation for budget items, including criteria and data used to 
arrive at the estimates for each budget category. The budget narrative 
should also indicate amounts to be made available to agencies other 
than the grant recipient (for example, the agency with responsibility 
for CCH, the courts, local agencies.) The following information is 
provided to assist the applicant in developing the budget narrative.
    a. Personnel category. List each position by title (and name of 
employee if available), show annual salary rate and percentage of time 
to be devoted to the project by the employee. Compensation paid for 
employees engaged in federally assisted activities must be consistent 
with that paid for similar work in other activities of the applicant.
    b. Fringe benefits category. Indicate each type of benefit included 
and explain how the total cost allowable for employees assigned to the 
project is computed.
    c. Travel category. Itemize travel expenses of project personnel by 
purpose (e.g., faculty to training site, field interviews, advisory 
group meetings, etc.) And show basis or computation (e.g., ``Five trips 
for x purpose at $80 average cost--$50 transportation and two days per 
diem at $15'' or ``Six people to 30-day meeting at $70 transportation 
and $45 subsistence.'') In training projects where travel and 
subsistence for trainees is included, this should be separately listed 
indicating the number of trainees and the unit costs involved.
    (1) Identify the tentative location of all training sessions, 
meetings, and other travel.
    (2) Applicants should consult such references as the Official 
Airline Guide and the Hotel and Motel Redbook in projecting travel 
costs to obtain competitive rates.
    d. Equipment. List each type of equipment to be purchased or rented 
with unit or monthly costs.
    e. Supplies. List items within this category by major type (office 
supplies, training materials, research forms, postage) and show basis 
for computation. Provide unit or monthly estimates.
    f. Contractual category. State the selection basis for any 
contract, subcontract, prospective contract or prospective subcontract 
(including construction services and equipment.) Please note, 
applications that include noncompetitive contracts for the provision of 
specific services must contain a sole source justification for any 
procurement in excess of $100,000.
    For individuals to be reimbursed for personal services on a fee 
basis, list by name or type of consultant or service, the proposed fee 
(by day, week, or hour) and the amounts of time to be devoted to such 
services.
    For construction contracts and organization (including professional 
associations and education institutions performing professional 
services), indicate the type of service to be performed and the 
estimated contract cost data.
    g. Construction category. Describe construction or renovation which 
will be accomplished using grant funds and the method used to calculate 
cost.
    h. Other category. Include under ``other'' such items as rent, 
reproduction, telephone, and janitorial or security services. List 
items by major type with basis of computation shown. (Provide square 
footage and cost per square foot for rent--provide local and long 
distance telephone charges separately.)
    i. Indirect charges category. The Agency may accept an indirect 
cost rate previously approved for an applicant by a Federal agency. 
Applicants must

[[Page 14968]]

enclose a copy of the approved rate agreement with the grant 
application.
    j. Program income. If applicable, provide a detailed estimate of 
the amount of program income to be generated during the grant period 
and its proposed application (to reduce the cost of the project or to 
increase the scope of the project). Also, describe the source of 
program income, listing the rental rates to be obtained, sale prices of 
publications supported by grant funds, and registration fees charged 
for particular sessions. If scholarships (covering, for example, 
registration fees) are awarded by the organization to certain 
conference attendees, the application should identify the percentage of 
all attendees that are projected as ``scholarship'' cases and the 
precise criteria for their selection.
    Program narrative. All applications must include a program 
narrative that fully describes the expected design and implementation 
of the proposed program. OJP Form 4000/3 (Rev. 1-93) provides 
additional detailed instructions for preparing the program narrative.
    The narrative should include a time line of activities indicating, 
for each proposed activity, the projected duration of the activity, 
expected completion date, and any products expected. The application 
should include a description of the roles and responsibilities of key 
organizational and/or functional components involved in project 
activities; and a list of key personnel responsible for managing and 
implementing the major elements of the program. Assurances. OJP Form 
4000/3 (Rev 1-93) must be included in the application submission. If 
submitting this form separate from the SF-424, the applicant must sign 
and date the form to certify compliance with the Federal statutes, 
regulations, and requirements as cited.
    Certification Regarding Lobbying; Debarment, Suspension, and Other 
Responsibility Matters; and Drug-Free Workplace. Applicants should 
refer to the regulations cited in OJP Form, 4061/6 to determine the 
certification to which they are required to attest. A copy of OJP Form 
4061/6 can be obtained from the BJS Application Coordinator. Applicants 
should also review the instructions for certification included in the 
regulations before completing this form. Signature of this form 
provides for compliance with certification requirements under 28 CFR 
Part 69, ``New Restrictions on Lobbying,'' and 28 CFR Part 67, 
``Government-wide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement) and 
Government-wide Requirements for Drug-Free Workplace (Grants).'' The 
certifications shall be treated as a material representation of fact 
upon which reliance will be placed when the U.S. Department of Justice 
determines to award the covered transaction, grant, or cooperative 
agreement.

Financial and Administrative Requirements

    Discretionary grants are governed by the provisions of OMB 
Circulars applicable to financial assistance. The circulars, in 
addition to the OJP Financial Guide, are available from the Office of 
Justice Programs. This guideline manual is intended to assist grantees 
in the administration of funds and includes information on allowable 
costs, methods of payment, Federal rights of access to records, audit 
requirements, accounting systems, and financial records.
    Complete and accurate information is required relative to the 
application, expenditure of funds, and program performance. The 
consequences of failure to comply with program guidelines and 
requirements will be determined at the discretion of the Department.

Civil Rights Obligations

    All applicants for Federal financial assistance must sign Certified 
Assurances that they are in compliance with the Federal laws and 
regulations which prohibit discrimination in any program or activity 
that receives such Federal funds. Section 809(c), Omnibus Crime Control 
& Safe Streets Act of 1968, provides that:
    No person in any State shall on the ground of race, color, 
religion, national origin, or sex be excluded from participation in, be 
denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under, or 
denied employment in connection with any program or activity funded in 
whole or in part with funds made available under this title.
    Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and Title II of the 
Americans With Disabilities Act prohibit discrimination on the basis of 
disability.
    The applicant agency must discuss how it will ensure 
nondiscriminatory practices as they relate to:
    (1) Delivery of services or benefits--to ensure that individuals 
will not be denied access to services or benefits under the program or 
activity on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, 
gender, age, or disability;
    (2) Employment practices--to ensure that its personnel in the 
program or activity are selected for employment without regard to race, 
color, religion, national origin, gender, age, or disability; and
    (3) Program participation--to ensure members of any planning, 
steering or advisory board, which is an integral part of the program or 
activity, are not excluded from participation on the basis of race, 
color, religion, national origin, gender, age or disability; and to 
encourage the selection of such members who are reflective of the 
diversity in the community to be served.

Audit Requirement

    In October 1984, Congress passed the Single Audit Act of 1984. On 
April 12, 1985, the Office of Management and Budget issued Circular A-
128, ``Audits of State and Local Governments'' which establishes 
regulations to implement the Act. OMB Circular A-128, ``Audits of State 
and Local Governments,'' outlines the requirements for organizational 
audits which apply to BJS grantees.

Disclosure of Federal Participation

    Section 8136 of the Department of Defense Appropriations Act 
(Stevens Amendment), enacted in October 1988, requires that, ``when 
issuing statements, press releases for proposals, bid solicitations, 
and other documents describing projects or programs funded in whole or 
in part with Federal money, all grantees receiving Federal funds, 
including but not limited to State and local governments, shall clearly 
state (1) the percentage of the total cost of the program or project 
which will be financed with Federal money, and (2) the dollar amount of 
Federal funds for the project or program.''

Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs

    Federal Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of 
Federal Programs,'' allows States to establish a process for reviewing 
Federal programs in the State, to choose which programs they wish to 
review, to conduct such reviews, and to make their views known to the 
funding Federal agency through a State ``single point of contact.''
    If the State has established a ``single point of contact,'' and if 
the State has selected this program to be included in its review 
process, the applicant must send a copy of its letter or application to 
the State ``single point of contact'' at the same time that it is 
submitted to BJS. The letter or application submitted to BJS must 
indicate that this has been done. The State must complete its review 
within 60 days. The review period will begin on the date that the 
letter or application is officially received by BJS. If BJS does not 
receive comments from the State's ``single point

[[Page 14969]]

of contact'' by the end of the review period, this will be interpreted 
as a ``no comment'' response.
    If the State has not established a ``single point of contact,'' or 
if it has not selected the BJS statistics development or criminal 
history improvement programs in its review process, this must be stated 
in the letter or application.
Jan M. Chaiken,
Director, Bureau of Justice Statistics.
[FR Doc. 98-8105 Filed 3-26-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4410-18-P