BJS FY24 NICS Act Record Improvement Program NARIP | O BJS 2024 172138

FY24 NICS Act Record Improvement Program (NARIP) - FAQs

1) What is the FY24 NICS Act Record Improvement Program (NARIP)?

The FY24 NICS Act Record Improvement Program (NARIP) is a Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) discretionary grant program offered through a cooperative agreement. Its purpose is to improve the quality, completeness, and movement of records used to support the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS).

2) What is the main purpose of this grant opportunity?

The central purpose is to strengthen the quality and flow of records that support NICS. In practice, it supports work that helps ensure firearm background check records are complete, appropriately digitized or automated, and reliably transmitted to the state and federal databases that NICS relies on.

3) Which federal office is offering this opportunity?

The opportunity is offered by the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS).

4) Is NARIP a formula grant or a discretionary grant?

NARIP is described as a discretionary grant program.

5) What award mechanism is used for this program?

The program is provided through a cooperative agreement.

6) What systems or processes does NARIP aim to improve?

NARIP targets the systems and workflows that create, update, manage, and transmit records that feed NICS. This includes improvements across courts, state repositories, and federal systems used in background checks.

7) What are the main focus areas in the solicitation?

The solicitation highlights three focus areas: completeness, automation, and transmittal.

8) What does "completeness" mean in the context of this program?

"Completeness" generally refers to closing gaps in records that affect NICS determinations. Examples described include missing dispositions, incomplete identifying information, or missing prohibiting-status indicators when an underlying legal decision exists.

9) What does "automation" mean in the context of this program?

"Automation" refers to modernizing workflows so records are captured and updated electronically rather than through manual, paper-based, or delayed processes.

10) What does "transmittal" mean in the context of this program?

"Transmittal" refers to improving the ability to send records quickly and accurately to relevant state repositories and federal systems used in background checks, reducing delays and minimizing errors caused by poor system-to-system communication or inconsistent reporting processes across agencies.

11) Why is this program important for NICS background checks?

The program is designed to reduce missing or delayed records that can undermine the reliability of background checks. By improving how records are completed, digitized, updated, and transmitted, NARIP supports timely and accurate information for lawful determinations.

12) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants include state governments, federally recognized Native American tribal governments, and certain other entities tied to state systems.

13) Are courts eligible applicants under this opportunity?

Yes. Courts are specifically called out as eligible through the state central administrative office of the courts (or a similar entity) when that office is designated by statute or regulation to administer federal grant funds on behalf of the jurisdiction's court system.

14) For states, which agency is expected to apply?

For states, eligibility is tied to the agency designated by the governor to administer NCHIP (National Criminal History Improvement Program) under 34 U.S.C. 40301. This signals that the lead applicant is expected to be an entity already responsible for criminal history record improvement and related reporting infrastructure.

15) What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?

The opportunity is listed under CFDA 16.813.

16) What activity category is associated with this grant?

The activity category is centered on information and statistics, reflecting BJS's mission and the data-driven nature of record improvement work.

17) What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number is O-BJS-2024-172138.

18) When was the opportunity created?

The opportunity was created on May 17, 2024.

19) What was the application due date?

Applications were originally due July 1, 2024.

20) How many awards does BJS anticipate making?

BJS anticipates making around 20 awards.

21) What is the maximum (ceiling) award amount?

The listed award ceiling is $25,000,000. Award sizes may vary, but the ceiling indicates the program can support substantial modernization or large-scale record improvement efforts in some jurisdictions.

22) What kinds of record issues is the program trying to reduce?

The program is aimed at reducing missing, incomplete, or delayed records that affect NICS determinations, including gaps like missing dispositions, incomplete identifying details, or absent indicators of prohibiting status when a legal decision has been made.

23) What types of improvements does NARIP support at a high level?

At a high level, NARIP supports improvements that make records more complete, more electronically managed (automated), and more reliably transmitted to the databases and systems used for firearm background checks.

24) Does this program focus only on federal systems?

No. The description emphasizes strengthening record creation, updating, management, and transmission across courts, state repositories, and federal systems used in background checks.

25) What is the overall goal of NARIP for jurisdictions receiving funding?

The overall goal is to ensure the systems feeding NICS have timely, accurate, and complete information by funding improvements in how records are handled and shared across relevant justice and reporting partners.