Model Acts

Overview Under ONDCP’s authorization, the Director of ONDCP is authorized to enter into an agreement with a non-profit organization to “advise states on establishing laws and policies to address illicit drug issues; and revise such model state drug laws and draft supplementary model state drug laws to take into consideration changes in the drug use issues in the state involved.” See 21 U.S.C. § 1703 (i) (Model Acts Program) . These statutory requirements comprise the core of the Model Acts Program. The purposes and requirements for the assistance provided under this funding opportunity announcement are described in detail below. ONDCP expects to award one federal cooperative agreement under the Model Acts Program, for a 2-year period, beginning approximately July 1, 2021. The successful non-federal entity (NFE) receiving the award will conduct research and analysis, provide technical assistance, draft model legislation on current and emerging illicit drug issues, and successfully facilitate enactment of the model legislation. The successful NFE receiving the award must maintain a web-based resource center that is accessible to the public and houses state illicit drug laws and related statutes, policies and programs for use in advising states and associated groups on establishing laws and policies based on Model Acts. Priority will be given to proposals that make funding available to at least five law school clinics via subawards. Goals, Objectives and What the Government is Supporting The assistance provided under this award will support the NFE’s performance of the award and fulfillment of the following four performance areas: RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS Conduct timely research and analysis on state illicit drug laws, policies, and programs pertaining to current and emerging illicit drug issues; Describe and document processes used for determining which model laws should be developed and articulate criteria for prioritization and selection; and Provide technical assistance in legislative and policy development in response to requests by interested members of the public, including persons representing legislative and other organizations. DRAFTING AND REVISING MODEL LEGISLATION Draft model state illicit drug legislation to address current and emerging illicit drug issues; and Revise current model laws and/or draft supplementary legislation as deemed necessary. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE All technical assistance must be conducted by subject matter experts with documented experience drafting model illicit drug laws and extensive knowledge of state drug legislative, policy, and program priorities. Documentation of all technical assistance must include, but is not limited to, the name and type of recipient, type of technical assistance, recipient feedback, and result of technical assistance. Applicant should describe the mechanism and process for obtaining and documenting this information for program reports. MODEL ACTS RESOURCE CENTER Maintain a repository and web-based resource center on model state illicit drug laws, policies and programs, studies, maps, tables, and other illicit drug information that is easily downloadable and readily accessible to the public; Publish relevant research and information online; Develop and disseminate relevant state statutes and case law online, to the maximum extent possible, subject to any underlying copyright or other rights appertaining to such materials; case law may or may not be in the public domain and the NFE may have to abstract cases relevant to this award; and Develop a schedule for timely distribution of state law reference documents and other materials to state and local officials, drug professionals, and other interested parties. Authorizing Statutes and Governing Regulations Applicable to this Funding Opportunity: The authority for this opportunity is 21 U.S.C. § 1703 (i) (Model Acts Program) and the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, Pub. Law No. 116-260. The Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards are applicable to the government and applicants, cooperative agreement applications, and cooperative agreement awards to non-federal entities. See 2 C.F.R. Part 200 et seq., as adopted in full by ONDCP via 2 C.F.R. Part 3603 et seq. B. Federal Award Information ONDCP expects to award one federal cooperative agreement under the Model Acts Program, for a 2-year period, beginning approximately July 1, 2021. All awards are subject to such additional requirements expressed in governing law. See 2 CFR Part 200 et seq. ONDCP expects that it will make an award of financial assistance from this announcement in the form of a cooperative agreement. Under a cooperative agreement, ONDCP will be substantially involved with the recipient as the recipient carries out activities contemplated in the agreement. Substantial involvement may include collaboration, participation, or intervention in the activities performed under the award. Applications for renewal or supplementation of existing projects are eligible to compete with applications for new federal awards. Estimated Amount and Length of Award Cooperative Agreement Amount: $2,500,000 Project Period: 24 months (July 2021 through June 2023) As established by 21 U.S.C. § 1703 (i) (Model Acts Program), ONDCP encourages applications from non-profit organizations to advise states on establishing laws and policies to address illicit drug issues, and revise such model state drug laws and draft supplementary model state drug laws to take into consideration changes in the drug use issues in the state involved. Applicants should have expert knowledge and extensive experience in conducting research and analysis, providing technical assistance, drafting model state illicit drug laws, policies and programs. Strong preference will be given to applicants with a history of successfully facilitating enactment of state model laws and established relationships with law school clinics.