Organized Retail Theft Vertical Prosecution Grant Program
The Organized Retail Theft Vertical Prosecution Grant Program was established in Assembly Bill 178. Per this bill, funding must be awarded through a competitive grants process for district attorneys to address increased levels of retail theft property crimes by using a vertical prosecution model. For the purposes of this RFP, vertical prosecution means a prosecutor is assigned to an organized retail theft case from beginning to end (e.g., initial hearing/arrangement to sentencing). Under this model, the victim(s), witness(es), and impacted law enforcement official(s) have a single point of contact throughout the process. In addition, projects must dedicate at least one deputy district attorney and one district attorney investigator whose primary role is the investigation and prosecution of organized retail theft crimes.
ORT Vertical Prosecution Grants
At the September 14, 2023 BSCC Board Meeting, 13 District Attorney’s Offices were awarded in total $24,868,293 in ORT Vertical Prosecution Grant Funding. The grant cycle is October 1, 2023 through June 1, 2027.
ORT Vertical Prosecution Grant Project Summariesopens PDF file
Recognizing that applicants have different capacities, resources, and needs, there were two (2) categories within which applicants competed. The maximum an applicant could apply for in the Small Scope of Work category was $800,000. The maximum an applicant could apply for in the Large Scope of Work category was $2,050,000.
Full awardee list, in alphabetical order:
| ORT Vertical Prosecution Grantees | Scope of Work | Award |
|---|---|---|
| Alameda County District Attorney’s Office | Large | $2,050,000 |
| Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office | Large | $2,050,000 |
| Orange County District Attorney’s Office | Large | $2,050,000 |
| Placer County District Attorney’s Office | Large | $2,047,011 |
| Riverside County District Attorney’s Office | Large | $2,050,000 |
| Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office | Large | $2,050,000 |
| San Francisco County District Attorney’s Office | Large | $2,050,000 |
| Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office | Small | $800,000 |
| Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office | Large | $2,050,000 |
| Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office | Large | $2,050,000 |
| Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office | Large | $1,560,802 |
| Ventura County District Attorney’s Office | Large | $2,047,631 |
| Yolo County District Attorney’s Office | Large | $2,012,849 |
| Total Awarded | $24,868,293 | |
The ORT Vertical Prosecution RFP provided the information necessary to prepare proposals to the BSCC for grant funds. The BSCC released the ORT Vertical Prosecution Grant Program RFP on April 14, 2023 with a proposal submittal due date of July 7, 2023 at 5:00 P.M. (PST) through an online submission portal. The RFP made available $28,500,000 through a competitive process for projects that employ a vertical prosecution model, and to dedicate at least one (1) deputy district attorney and one (1) district attorney investigator whose primary role is the investigation and prosecution of organized retail theft crimes.
- Narrative entry through the online submission portal, BSCC-Submittable Application. The ORT Vertical Prosecution Grant Program Proposal Instruction Packetopens PDF file was provided.
- Budget Attachmentopens EXCEL file
- Project Work Planopens WORD file
- Grantee Assurance for Non-Governmental Organizationsopens WORD file
- Letter(s) of Commitmentopens WORD file - If Applicable
- Certification of Compliance with BSCC Policies on Debarment, Fraud, Theft, and Embezzlementopens WORD file
- Sample Governing Board Resolutionopens WORD file (optional)
Provided as information only: Sample Organized Retail Theft Vertical Prosecution Grant Agreementopens WORD file
Bidders' Conference / FAQs
The BSCC held a virtual Bidders’ Conference on Wednesday, May 12, 2023 at 10:00 AM for the Organized Retail Theft Vertical Prosecution Grant Program. The Bidders’ Conference provided an opportunity to answer technical questions from prospective bidders (applicants) and provide clarity on the Request for Proposal (RFP) Instruction Packet. A copy of the Bidders’ Conference PowerPoint Presentation, a video recording, and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) are provided below.
- ORT Vertical Prosecution Grant - Bidders' Conference Meeting Recording
- ORT Vertical Prosecution Grant - Bidders' Conference PowerPoint
- ORT Vertical Prosecution Grant Grant Program - FAQsopens PDF file
Scoring Panel
The ORT Scoring Panel members met on July 31, 2023 and August 1, 2023, and were trained on the RFP and RFP Rating Factors and Criteria.
Board Items
A listing of Board meetings on the Organized Retail Theft Prevention Grant Program are provided below:
- July 25, 2022opens PDF file | ORT Prevention Grant Program, Appointment of Chair and Establishment of an Executive Steering Committee
- April 13, 2023opens PDF file | ORT Prevention Grant Program, Request for Proposals
- September 14, 2023opens PDF file | ORT Vertical Prosecution Grant Program Funding Recommendations
Contact the BSCC regarding the ORT Vertical Prosecution Grant
If you have questions about the ORT Vertical Prosecution Grant, email ORT-VP@bscc.ca.govcreate new email.
This website will be updated as new information becomes available. You may also subscribe to the BSCC listserve for updates about BSCC’s grant projects and funding opportunities. Sign up for BSCC email updates.