Opportunity Information: Apply for BJS 2018 14400
The Firearm Inquiry Statistics (FIST) Program, 2018-21 is a U.S. Department of Justice data and statistics grant run by the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS). Its core purpose is to produce national-level estimates of how many firearm purchase or transfer applications are submitted in the United States and how many of those applications are denied under the federal Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act (the Brady Act) and comparable state laws. In practical terms, the program is designed to help the public and policymakers understand the scale and outcomes of background check and permitting systems connected to firearm transactions, using consistent measurement across jurisdictions.
To build those national estimates, FIST pulls together multiple sources of information rather than relying on a single federal dataset. It gathers counts from state and local agencies that conduct firearm transfer background checks and permit checks, then combines those counts with transaction data from the FBI National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). This combination matters because firearm background check processes vary widely across states. Some states run their own checks (sometimes called point-of-contact systems) and may conduct permit-related checks that are not fully captured in federal tallies. By integrating state and local counts with FBI NICS data, the program aims to create a more complete picture of firearm inquiry activity nationwide.
Beyond basic volumes of applications and denials, the opportunity also emphasizes richer details about what happens when someone is denied. The program seeks information on the reasons for denials, whether denied applicants appeal those decisions, and what law enforcement actions follow. Specifically, it notes interest in actions taken by the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) related to people who were denied, which can include follow-up steps tied to prohibited purchasers and enforcement activity where applicable. Collecting these details helps move the statistics beyond simple counts toward understanding patterns in denials and how denial decisions are reviewed or acted upon.
This is a discretionary grant offered as a cooperative agreement, meaning BJS expects substantial involvement in guiding or collaborating on the work rather than simply issuing funds with minimal federal interaction. The funding activity category is Information and Statistics, and the relevant CFDA number is 16.734. The opportunity was published May 23, 2018, with an original closing date of July 9, 2018. The expected number of awards was one, indicating BJS anticipated selecting a single recipient to carry out the national data collection and reporting responsibilities.
Funding is structured in phases tied to calendar-year data collection. The initial award was set at $800,000 to support a two-year data collection effort covering the 2018 and 2019 calendar reference years. If performance and deliverables met BJS expectations, the agency retained the option to renew the award to extend data collection to the 2020 and 2021 calendar years. The listed award ceiling of $1,600,000 reflects the potential total funding across the full 2018-2021 period if renewed. Eligibility is broadly labeled as "Others," with additional eligibility details referenced in the full solicitation text.
Overall, the FIST Program, 2018-21 is focused on producing reliable national statistics about firearm background check and permitting activity, improving comparability across states, and adding context on denial reasons, appeals, and subsequent enforcement actions. The end product is intended to strengthen the evidence base around how firearm purchase screening operates in practice across the country, using coordinated federal, state, and local data sources.Apply for BJS 2018 14400
- The Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics in the information and statistics sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Firearm Inquiry Statistics (FIST) Program, 2018-21" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 16.734.
- This funding opportunity was created on May 23, 2018.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 09, 2018. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,600,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Firearm Inquiry Statistics (FIST) Program, 2018-21 (BJS) - FAQs
What is the Firearm Inquiry Statistics (FIST) Program, 2018-21?
The Firearm Inquiry Statistics (FIST) Program, 2018-21 is a U.S. Department of Justice data and statistics grant managed by the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS). The program supports the production of national-level estimates of firearm purchase or transfer applications submitted in the United States and the number of those applications that are denied under the federal Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act (the Brady Act) and comparable state laws.
What is the main purpose of this grant opportunity?
The core purpose is to help the public and policymakers understand the scale and outcomes of background check and permitting systems connected to firearm transactions, using consistent measurement across jurisdictions. The program is designed to produce reliable national statistics that improve comparability across states.
Which federal agency runs this program?
The program is run by the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS), which is part of the U.S. Department of Justice.
What kind of grant is this (grant vs. cooperative agreement)?
This opportunity is a discretionary grant offered as a cooperative agreement. That means BJS expects substantial involvement in guiding or collaborating on the work, rather than issuing funds with minimal federal interaction.
What is the funding activity category for this opportunity?
The funding activity category is Information and Statistics.
What is the CFDA number for the FIST Program, 2018-21?
The CFDA number listed for this opportunity is 16.734.
What data does the FIST Program aim to produce at the national level?
FIST is focused on producing national-level estimates of (1) how many firearm purchase or transfer applications are submitted in the United States and (2) how many of those applications are denied under the Brady Act and comparable state laws.
Why does FIST use multiple data sources instead of relying on a single federal dataset?
Firearm background check processes vary widely across states. Some states run their own background checks (including point-of-contact systems) and may conduct permit-related checks that are not fully captured in federal tallies. Using multiple sources helps create a more complete picture of firearm inquiry activity nationwide.
What sources of information are used to build the national estimates?
The program gathers counts from state and local agencies that conduct firearm transfer background checks and permit checks, and then combines those counts with transaction data from the FBI National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS).
What is the role of FBI NICS data in this program?
FBI NICS transaction data is combined with counts collected from state and local agencies to support national estimation. This integration helps account for differences in how states administer background checks and permitting-related checks.
Does the program focus only on totals, or does it also look at details behind denials?
It goes beyond basic volumes of applications and denials. The opportunity emphasizes collecting richer detail about what happens when someone is denied, including reasons for denials, appeals, and subsequent actions.
What denial-related details does the opportunity specifically emphasize?
The program seeks information on the reasons for denials, whether denied applicants appeal denial decisions, and what law enforcement actions follow.
Which law enforcement actions are referenced in connection with denied applicants?
The opportunity notes interest in actions taken by the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) related to people who were denied, including follow-up steps tied to prohibited purchasers and enforcement activity where applicable.
How does collecting reasons for denials and appeal information strengthen the statistics?
Collecting these details helps move the statistics beyond simple counts toward understanding patterns in denials and how denial decisions are reviewed or acted upon.
When was this opportunity published?
The opportunity was published on May 23, 2018.
What was the original application closing date?
The original closing date was July 9, 2018.
How many awards did BJS expect to make?
The expected number of awards was one, indicating BJS anticipated selecting a single recipient to carry out the national data collection and reporting responsibilities.
What was the initial funding amount for the award?
The initial award was set at $800,000.
What time period (reference years) did the initial award cover?
The initial award supported a two-year data collection effort covering the 2018 and 2019 calendar reference years.
Could the award be renewed to cover additional years?
Yes. If performance and deliverables met BJS expectations, BJS retained the option to renew the award to extend data collection to the 2020 and 2021 calendar years.
What is the maximum potential funding amount mentioned for the full period?
The listed award ceiling is $1,600,000, reflecting the potential total funding across the full 2018-2021 period if renewed.
How is the funding structured across phases?
Funding is structured in phases tied to calendar-year data collection. The first phase covers the 2018 and 2019 reference years, with the option to extend to the 2020 and 2021 reference years if renewed.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broadly labeled as "Others," with additional eligibility details referenced in the full solicitation text.
What is the intended end product of the FIST Program work?
The intended end product is a strengthened evidence base around how firearm purchase screening operates in practice across the country, using coordinated federal, state, and local data sources to produce reliable national statistics on applications, denials, denial reasons, appeals, and related enforcement actions.
How does the program improve comparability across states?
It aims to improve comparability by using consistent measurement across jurisdictions and by integrating state and local counts (including systems that may not be fully reflected in federal tallies) with FBI NICS transaction data.
What types of checks are included in the state and local counts mentioned?
The program gathers counts from state and local agencies that conduct firearm transfer background checks and permit checks.
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