What the buyer needs
AI summaryThe government authority in Washington, DC, requires a vendor to deliver an upholding the rule of law and preventing wrongful convictions program service. The requested scope includes enhancing the capability to identify, assess, and manage post-conviction claims of innocence. The vendor must strategically review post-conviction and appeals claims of innocence, prioritizing cases at the greatest risk for error, and assist in identifying and apprehending the actual perpetrators of the crimes. Only onshore, United States organizations qualify for this opportunity. The contractor will perform all work offsite. The buyer asks bidders to submit proposals containing their budget details. The provided text omits specific evaluation criteria and key dates.
Scope of work
- Strategically review cases of post-conviction and appeals claims of innocence with a focus on those at greatest risk for error.
- Enhance capacity to identify, assess, and manage post-conviction claims of innocence.
- Identify and apprehend the actual perpetrator of the crime.
- Manage case intake, investigation, and representation processes.
- Build collaborative partnerships with prosecutor offices or conviction integrity units.
How proposals are evaluated
| Criterion | Weight / scoring |
|---|---|
| Description of the Need | 5% |
| Project Goals and Objectives | 15% |
| Project Design and Implementation | 35% |
| Capabilities and Competencies | 30% |
| Budget | 15% |
Minimum qualifications
- Onshore (USA Organization Only)
- Eligible entity types include government entities, higher education institutions, and non-profit organizations
- In-house post-conviction representation programs showing demonstrable experience and competence in litigating postconviction claims of innocence
Documents to include with your response
- Application for Federal Assistance: SF-424
- Standard Applicant Information
- Proposal Abstract
- Data Requested With Application
- Proposal Narrative
- Budget
- Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (if applicable)
- Memorandum of Understanding or letter of intent
- Tribal Authorizing Resolution (if applicable)
How to submit
- Method
- Electronic via Grants.gov and JustGrants
- Instructions
- Complete SF-424 in Grants.gov, then submit full application in JustGrants. Proposal Narrative must be double-spaced, 12-point font, 1-inch margins, max 10 pages.
Grants.gov funding details
- Funding opportunity
- O-BJA-2026-172726 · BJA FY 2026 Upholding the Rule of Law and Preventing Wrongful Convictions Program
- Agency
- Bureau of Justice Assistance
- Assistance listing
- 16.746 Capital Case Litigation Initiative
- Award size
- $600.0K
- Applications close
- Nov 2, 2026
- Instrument
- Grant
- Cost sharing required
- No
- Eligible applicants
- Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized); Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments); Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education; County governments; City or township governments; Public and State controlled institutions of higher education; Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education; Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification); State governments; Special district governments; Private institutions of higher education
Source: Grants.gov (U.S. federal public data).