About this opportunity
AI summaryThe Bureau of Justice Assistance seeks applications for the FY 2026 Postconviction Testing of DNA Evidence program. The program funds postconviction DNA testing services to modernize and digitize file storage in adjudicated cases, identify and review violent felony cases where testing could prove actual innocence, and locate, analyze, and retain biological evidence in accordance with best practices. Eligible onshore United States entities include state or local government entities, which must provide mandatory certifications. Applicants must complete the SF-424 in Grants.gov by December 8, 2026, at 11:59 PM ET, and submit the full application in JustGrants by December 15, 2026, at 8:59 PM ET. Required application components include standard forms, a project questionnaire, required certifications, and a detailed budget worksheet. Proposals are evaluated on criteria including Capabilities and Competencies (30% of application score) and Budget (15% of application score).
Buyer and opportunity details
- Client
- Bureau of Justice Assistance
- Solicitation No.
- O-BJA-2026-172771
Scope of work
- Identify potential postconviction DNA testing cases
- Review postconviction cases to identify those where DNA testing could prove actual innocence for violent felony offenses
- Locate biological evidence associated with postconviction cases
- Perform DNA analysis of biological evidence and report and review test results
- Locate, record, store, and retain biological evidence in adjudicated cases in accordance with best practices
- Modernize evidence retention practices for biological evidence in accordance with best practices
- Modernize and digitize the storage of existing files and records in adjudicated cases
- Implement modern, digitized file and record retention systems
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
- State, county, city, township, special district, other unit of local government, or public and state-controlled institution of higher education
- Certification by the chief legal officer of the state regarding postconviction DNA testing and preservation of biological evidence
- For state or local government applicants, Certification by the Chief Executive Officer (or senior official) of the Applicant Government regarding 8 U.S.C. 1373
Documents to include with your response
- Application for Federal Assistance: SF-424
- Standard Applicant Information
- Proposal Abstract
- Financial Management and System of Internal Controls Questionnaire
- Agency Funding Priorities Inventory
- Proposal Questionnaire
- Budget Detail Worksheet
- Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (if applicable)
- Certification by the Chief Executive Officer (or senior official) of the Applicant Government
- Certification as to Provision of Postconviction DNA Testing and Preservation of Biological Evidence
Key dates
- NOFO Release Date
- October 28, 2026
- SAM.gov Registration/Renewal begin process
- November 5, 2026, and no later than November 20, 2026
- Step 1: Grants.gov Deadline
- December 8, 2026, by 11:59 PM ET
- Step 2: JustGrants Deadline
- December 15, 2026, by 8:59 PM ET
- Expected Award Period start date
- January 1, 2027
How to submit
- Method
- Electronic via Grants.gov and JustGrants
- Instructions
- Step 1 requires submitting SF-424 online in Grants.gov; Step 2 requires submitting the full application, proposal abstract (up to 2,000 characters), proposal questionnaire, budget, and attachments in JustGrants.
Contract details
- Term
- 36 months starting on January 1, 2027
- Estimated value
- Up to $11,179,802 total funding; anticipated award amount up to $1,000,000
- Funding
- Department of Justice Appropriations Act, 2026 (Pub. L. No. 119-74, 140 Stat. 5, 32, para. 9(C)); Assistance Listing Number 16.820; 2 C.F.R. Part 200
Grants.gov funding details
- Funding opportunity
- O-BJA-2026-172771 · BJA FY 2026 Postconviction Testing of DNA Evidence
- Agency
- Bureau of Justice Assistance
- Assistance listing
- 16.820 Postconviction Testing of DNA Evidence
- Award size
- $1.0M
- Applications close
- Dec 8, 2026
- Instrument
- Grant
- Cost sharing required
- No
- Eligible applicants
- City or township governments; Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification); State governments; Special district governments; County governments; Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
Source: Grants.gov (U.S. federal public data).