Overview
Title
Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed eCollection eComments Requested; Extension Without Change of a Currently Approved Collection: Grants Management System (JustGrants System)
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The Department of Justice is asking for permission to keep using a computer system called JustGrants that helps manage their grant applications. They're asking people to share their thoughts on this until April 3, 2025, because a lot of organizations, like schools and city governments, use this system and it takes quite a bit of time to complete everything in it.
Summary AI
The Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Justice Programs, is seeking approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to continue using their grants management system, JustGrants. This system is used by state, local, and tribal governments, as well as educational and non-profit organizations, to manage DOJ grant applications and awards. The public is invited to comment on the process until April 3, 2025, with an estimated 18,793 organizations participating. Completing the required processes in JustGrants takes an average of 29.17 hours per organization, contributing to a total public burden of 381,644 hours.
Abstract
The Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Justice Programs, will be submitting the following information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
Summary of the Document
The document is a notice from the Department of Justice (DOJ), specifically from the Office of Justice Programs, seeking to continue the use of the JustGrants system, a web-based platform for managing grant applications and awards. The system is essential for state, local, and tribal governments, educational institutions, non-profit organizations, and other entities applying for DOJ grants. It serves as a centralized system for grant application submissions, award management, and reporting. The public is invited to provide feedback on this system until April 3, 2025. An estimated 18,793 organizations use JustGrants, and it takes an average of 29.17 hours per organization to complete their relevant processes, culminating in a total expected public burden of 381,644 hours.
Significant Issues or Concerns
A key concern is the document's lack of detail on the criteria or priorities used in awarding grants. This omission could raise concerns about potential favoritism or a lack of transparency in how grants are allocated. Another issue is the broad range of estimated time required for each organization (1 to 11 hours per process), which could suggest variability or inconsistency in how the system's processes are standardized.
The document also mentions a transition from the current Community Partnership Grants Management System to the JustGrants System, marked as a "non-substantive name change," without clarifying any practical implications for stakeholders. Furthermore, some of the bureaucratic terminology, such as references to the "paperwork reduction act," might be difficult for the general public to understand without additional explanation.
Impact on the Public
For members of the general public interacting with the DOJ's grants system, the continuation of the JustGrants platform may streamline the process of applying for and managing grants. However, the significant time investment required by each organization could represent a substantial burden, particularly for smaller organizations with limited resources.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
Stakeholders, especially those directly involved in grant applications—such as state and local governments, educational institutions, and nonprofits—might experience both benefits and challenges. On the positive side, the use of a web-based system may facilitate more efficient management of the complex grant lifecycle. It also potentially increases the ease of reporting to relevant stakeholders, including Congress and other agencies.
Nevertheless, the potential lack of clarity regarding selection criteria and the variable response times could negatively impact these entities, leading to confusion or dissatisfaction with the grant management process. Ensuring that these concerns are addressed could improve the transparency and efficiency of the system, benefiting both the stakeholders using it and the broader public relying on the outcomes of DOJ grants.
Issues
• The document does not specify the specific criteria or prioritization used in awarding grants, which could lead to concerns about favoritism or lack of transparency.
• The estimate of 29.17 hours for all processes appears precise, but the range of 1 to 11 hours per task is broad, which may indicate potential variability or lack of standardization in the processes.
• The document mentions a 'non-substantive name change' to the JustGrants System, but does not clarify what practical differences, if any, this entails for the relevant stakeholders.
• The document uses some bureaucratic language (e.g., 'paperwork reduction act', 'compliance', 'official system of record') that might be challenging for laypersons to understand without further explanation.
• The document suggests that the JustGrants system facilitates reporting to Congress and other agencies, but does not specify how transparency and accountability of such reporting is ensured.