NOFO Block (NOFO Template) effective 10/1/2024

1. - Basic Information (CSFA Data Section)

Items 1(A) - 1(E) are in the CSFA Data Table Below:

Awarding Agency Name (1-A)	Illinois Department of Human Services
Agency Division Name	Enter Division Name
Agency Contact	Name Email Address Phone Number
Announcement Type (1-C)	Competitive or Non-Competitive Initial Announcement, Renewal, or Modification
Funding Opportunity Title (1-B)	Enter Program Name here
Funding Opportunity Number (1-D)	This number should be generated from the Fiscal Year, Agency Number, Division Code, CSFA number, and announcement number (example 25-444-80-1000-01)
Application Posting Date
Application Closing Date
Catalog of State Financial Assistance (CSFA) Number	(example 444-80-1000)
Catalog of State Financial Assistance (CSFA) Name
Assistance Listing Number(s) (1-E)	Enter "not applicable" if Source of Funding does not include Federal or Federal pass-through funds
Awarding Source	Federal, Federal Pass-Through, State, Private, Other
Estimated Total Program Funding Amount
Anticipated Number of Awards	Specify, if known If unknown, indicate "unknown"
Award Range	Minimum and maximum award amount
Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement?	Yes or No
Indirect Costs Allowed?	Yes or No
Restrictions on Indirect Costs?	(Yes/No; if yes provide the citation governing the restriction)
Technical Assistance Session Offered	Yes or No

1. - Basic Information Continued - Section F through I

Funding Details
1. Total Amount of Funding
  1. The Department expects to award approximately $ ________
  2. The source of funding for this program is _____ funds
2. Number of Grant Awards
  1. The Department anticipates funding approximately #_____ grant awards to provide this program
3. Expected Dollar Amount of Individual Grant Awards
  1. The Department anticipates that the dollar amount of individual awards will be $_________________ .
4. Average amount of Funding per Grant Award on average in previous years.
  1. Average funding amount for this grant award program in previous years was $________.
5. Renewal or Supplementation of Existing Projects Eligibility.
  1. Applications for renewal or supplementation of existing projects are/are not eligible to compete with applications for new State awards
  2. Successful applicants under this NOFO may be eligible to receive two subsequent one-year grant renewals for this program. Renewals are at the discretion of the Department and are based on sufficient appropriation and performance criteria including, but not limited to:
    1. Grantee has performed satisfactorily during the previous reporting period
    2. All required reports have been submitted on time, unless a written exception has been provided by the Division/Department
    3. No outstanding issues are present (e.g., in good standing with all pre-qualification requirements and no outstanding corrective action, etc.)
6. Sub-Recipient Agreements
  1. Sub-Recipient Agreement(s) and budgets must be pre-approved by the Department and on file with the Department. Sub-recipients are subject to all provisions of this Agreement. The successful applicant Agency shall retain sole responsibility for the performance and monitoring of the sub-recipient.
7. Funding restrictions
  1. Pre-Award Costs
    1. Pre-Award Costs are allowed subject to the discretion, review, and prior approval of the IDHS Budget Committee. Pre-Award Costs must be identified as such in the IDHS Uniform Grant Budget Narrative. Pre-Award costs are/are not allowable for this award
    2. IDHS grants are governed by 2 CFR. Part 200, Subpart E-Cost Principles and 30 ILCS 708 which include information on allowable costs, audit requirements, and financial records.
  2. Indirect Costs
    1. Indirect Costs (may/may not) be applied to this grant award. Indirect Cost rates must be approved through the Illinois Indirect Cost Rate Election System (ICRES)
8. The release of this NOFO does not obligate the Illinois Department of Human Services to make an award
Key Dates
1. Application Posting Date _____________________
2. The Department must receive the Preliminary Submission materials (Letter of Intent, etc.): Not applicable or due on ________ at _______ CST
3. The Department must receive the Full Application: Due on ___________ at ________ CST
4. Anticipated Award Date ______________
5. Anticipated Start Dates and Periods of Performance for new grant awards.
  1. Subject to appropriation, the grant period will begin no sooner than _____ and will continue through ________.
Executive Summary:
Agency Contact Information.
1. If you have questions about this NOFO, please contact ___________________.
2. A frequently asked Question and Answer page is posted on the DHS website. Questions submitted up to _____ business days prior to the end of the NOFO posting period, will be posted on the website.
Indirect Costs

2. - Eligibility

Eligible Applicants. This subsection must identify the following:
1. The specific types of applicants that may apply for the grant award are: ___________________________________________________.
2. The applicant must meet the Registration, Pre-qualification and any other Mandatory Requirements listed in this funding opportunity.
  1. Applicants must provide the following information via the Grantee Portal annually to be registered with the State of Illinois as an awardee:
    1. Organization name and contact information
    2. Federal Employee Identification Number (FEIN)
    3. Unique Identity Number (UEI)
    4. Organization type
  2. Applicants must be prequalified; therefore, applications from entities that have not prequalified prior to and on the due date of this application will NOT be reviewed and will NOT be considered for funding. Items a) through e) below are the prequalification requirements.
    1. Unique Entity Identifiers and SAM Registration: Each applicant (unless the applicant is an individual or State awarding agency that is exempt from those requirements under 2 CFR § 25.110(b) or (c), or has an exception approved by the Federal or State awarding agency under 2 CFR § 25.110(d)) is required to:
      1. Be registered in SAM.gov before the application due date.
      2. Provide a valid unique entity identifier (UEI) in its application.
      3. Continue to maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which it has an active award or an application or plan under consideration by the awarding agency.
      4. The State Agency may not make an award until applicant has fully complied to all UEI and SAM requirements.
      5. The State Agency may determine that an applicant is not qualified if they have not complied to requirements and use that determination as a basis to award another applicant or applicants.
    2. Must be in "good standing" with the Illinois Secretary of State if the Illinois Secretary of State requires the entity's organization type to be registered.
    3. Must not be on the Illinois Stop Payment List
    4. Must not be on the Sam.gov Exclusion List
    5. Must not be on the Medicaid Sanctions List
  3. Additional Mandatory Requirements
    1. (If your program has additional mandatory requirements, enter them here; if ot, enter N/A)
3. Eligibility factors for the principal investigator or project director if any.
  1. (Enter eligibility factors or N/A if this does not apply. OTE-in most cases this will not apply.)
4. Successful Applicants will not receive an award if Pre-Award Requirements are not met. Qualified status is re-verified nightly. If the entity's status changes, an email notice is sent to the designated entity representative with a link to the Grantee Portal.
5. See Section number 1(F) for funding restrictions, if applicable.
6. Other factors that would disqualify an applicant or application include:
  1. (list other factors or N/A)
7. Limit on number of applications.
  1. (Include information regarding # of applications an applicant can submit, if any; if not enter N/A)
Cost Sharing: This subsection MUST state: (Choose one and delete the other option)
1. Providers are required to provide in-kind and/or financial match. (Add specific match/cost sharing details including an explanation of the calculations for the required cost sharing and any restrictions on the types of cost sharing) OR
2. Providers are not required to participate in cost sharing or provide match.

3. - Program Description

This section contains the full program description of the funding opportunity.(This section is program/project specific; therefore, the NOFO template contains minimal pre-populated language. Program Offices must develop a description that includes the required components specified above and may insert additional information to provide a comprehensive overview of the grant award program. Refer to the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) Manual, Section 3 for tips and considerations.)

Required Information:
1. The general purpose of the funding is _______________and it is expected to achieve _____________________________for the public good.
  1. (Insert Contract Exhibit A(Program Description) language as sub points.)
2. The State agency's funding priorities or focus areas.
  1. IDHS is working to counteract systemic racism and inequity, and to prioritize and maximize diversity throughout its service provision process. This work involves addressing existing institutionalized inequities, aiming to create transformation, and operationalizing equity and racial justice. It also focuses on the creation of a culture of inclusivity for all regardless of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or ability.
  2. (Enter any additional funding priorities or focus areas.)
3. Goals and objectives of the Program.
  1. (Insert overall program goals)
4. Program Deliverables
  1. (Insert Contract Exhibit B milestones language as subpoints.)
5. Performance Measures and Standards
  1. (Insert Contract Exhibit D Performance Measures and Standards language as subpoints)
6. For cooperative agreements, the "substantial involvement" that the State agency expects to have are (or are located) ____________________________________________________.
7. Specific unallowable costs for this program include the following (or N/A)___________________________________________________________ (complete the sentence so that the applicant can develop an application and budget consistent with program requirements and any limits on indirect costs).
8. Program beneficiaries or program participants must meet the following requirements (or N/A)_____________________________________.
9. Authorizing statutes and regulations for the funding opportunity include the following: ______________________________________________________________.
This section COULD also include the following:
1. Any program history, such as whether it is a new program or a new or changed area of program emphasis.
2. Examples of successful projects funded in the past.
3. For infrastructure projects subject to Build America, Buy America requirements, information on key items anticipated to be purchased under the program, and any related domestic sourcing concerns based on market research.
4. Other information the State agency finds necessary.

4. - Application Contents and Format.

This subsection must identify the required content of an application and the forms or formats an applicant must use. If any requirements are stated elsewhere, this section should refer to where those requirements may be found. This section also should include required forms or formats as part of the announcement or state where the applicant may obtain them.

This subsection MUST specifically address content and form or format requirements for:
1. Content and Form of Application Submission
  1. Pre-applications, letters of intent, or white papers (are or are not) required (or encouraged).
  2. Required Content of Application
    1. Applications must include the required documents and demonstrate that the program eligibility requirements have been met. The Department will not contact applicants for missing items listed below. Applicants that do not include all the following documents will be considered substantially incomplete and will not be considered for funding. Refer to Section 5 (iii)B for details.
  3. Proposal Narrative Content and Attachments
    1. Program Narrative: IMPORTANT: The program (proposal) narrative makes up the bulk of the application. Please provide a complete response to the following sections. If the program narrative is missing from your application packet, your application will receive a significantly reduced score the applicant organization will not meet the criteria to receive a grant under this notice of funding opportunity.
    2. Proposal Narrative Content and Attachments: If the applicant believes that the subject has been adequately addressed in another part of the application narrative, then provide the cross-reference to the appropriate part of the narrative. If a cross-reference is not included in the section, the reviewer will consider content contained within that specific section. (Include program specific instructions/questions for the narrative portion of the application here; at a minimum, each nofo must include a section for need, capacity and program design.)
      1. Executive Summary (remove if not required)
      2. Need
      3. Capacity
      4. Quality
  4. Budget and Budget Narrative
    1. Applicants must enter a budget electronically in the CSA system (Refer to Appendix A: CSA Budget Information for more information and a link to budget forms). The Budget entered into the CSA system will include a narrative or detailed description/justification for each line in the budget and will describe why each expenditure is necessary for program implementation and how you arrived at the particular amount. Please include cost allocations as necessary. This narrative must also clearly identify indirect costs, direct program costs, direct administrative costs, and match within each line item as appropriate. The Budget (including MTDC base exclusions as appropriate) should clearly describe how the specified resources and personnel have been allocated for the tasks and activities described in your plan.
    2. The Budget must be electronically signed and submitted in the CSA system. The Budget must be signed by the Provider's Chief Executive Officer and/or Chief Financial Officer.
    3. IMPORTANT: Please be sure the budget status in CSA says "GATA Budget signed and submitted to program review." This status will appear after the budget is electronically signed by the agency CEO or CFO and submitted to IDHS. See IDHS CSA Tracking System webpage for additional information on CSA at IDHS: CSA Tracking System (state.il.us)
    4. The budget and narrative must tie fiscal activity to program objectives and deliverables and demonstrate that all proposed costs are:
      1. Reasonable and necessary
      2. Allocable, and
      3. Allowable as defined herein and by program regulatory requirements and the Uniform Guidance (2CFR 200), as applicable.
  5. Required Forms
    1. Uniform Application for State Grant Assistance: The Uniform Application for State Grant Assistance is a three-page document used to formalize organization's request to apply for funding. The document requires the signature and email address of the organization's authorized representative. This email address will be used for official communication between the Department and the applicant organization for matters regarding this application.
    2. Grantee Conflict of Interest Disclosure - The grantee Conflict of Interest Disclosure is a required for all grant award programs. The document requires agencies to identify actual or potential conflicts of interest. The form must be signed by a representative of the organization.
  6. Required Format
    1. The narrative portion must follow the page maximums where prescribed and must be organized in the format outlined or points may be deducted.
    2. The department may determine that an applicant is not qualified if they have not complied to requirements and use that determination as a basis to award to another applicant.
Within each of the categories above, this subsection MUST include, where relevant:
1. Limitations on page numbers.
2. Formatting requirements, including font and font size, margins, paper size, and color limitations.
3. Any requirements for file naming, file size limitations, or file format such as PDF.
4. The number of copies required if paper submissions are allowed.
5. The sequence required for application sections or components.
6. Signature requirements, including those for electronic submissions.
7. Any requirements for third-party information such as references, letters of support, or letters of commitment to the project or to contribute to cost sharing.
8. A reference to any requirements to provide documentation to support an eligibility determination, such as proof of 501(c)(3) status or an authorizing tribal resolution.
9. Instructions needed to develop the narrative portions of the application. Include any requirements for its order, format, or required headings.
10. If applicable, the need to identify proprietary information. Include how to do so and how the State agency will handle it.

5. - Submission Requirements and Deadlines.

Address to Request Application Package. This subsection MUST include the following:
1. Actions Needed Prior to Applying:
  1. The complete application package (this Notice of Funding Opportunity, including links to required forms) is available through the Illinois Catalog of Financial Assistance and the IDHS Grants Website Page located: IDHS: Grant Funded Programs (state.il.us)
  2. Each Applicant must have access to the internet. The Department's website will contain information regarding the NOFO and materials necessary for submission. Questions and answers will also be posted on the Department's website as described in this announcement (section 1 - Alpha section I). It is the responsibility of each applicant to monitor the website and comply with any instructions or requirements related to the NOFO.
Unique entity identifier and System for Award Management (SAM.gov). This subsection must state the requirements for unique entity identifiers and registration in SAM.gov. It must include the following:
1. Each applicant must:
  1. Be registered in SAM.gov before submitting its application;
  2. Provide a valid unique entity identifier in its application; and
  3. Continue to maintain an active registration in SAM.gov with current information at all times during which it has an active award or an application or plan under consideration.
  4. The Department may not make an award until applicant has fully complied to all UEI and SAM requirements
  5. The department may determine that an applicant is not qualified if they have not complied to requirements and use that determination as a basis to award to another applicant.
2. If individuals are eligible to apply, they are exempt from this requirement under 2 CFR 25.110(b).
3. If the agency exempts any applicants from this requirement under 2 CFR 25.110(c) or (d), a statement to that effect.
Submission Instructions. This subsection addresses how the applicant will submit the application. It must include the following:
1. Actions needed prior to applying:
  1. Applicants must be registered with the State of Illinois and Pre-qualified in the GATA portal prior to applying for Illinois awards. Instructions for creating an account and registering are located at the following link: Illinois GATA Grantee Portal. Additionally, detailed instructions for registration and prequalification requirements, including the expected amount of time for completion are located here: Pre-Award Requirements
2. The methods for submitting the application:
  1. Applicants must electronically submit the complete application including all required narratives and attachments in the prescribed order:
    1. Program Narrative
    2. Uniform Application for State Grant Assistance pdf
    3. Grantee Conflict of Interest Disclosure
    4. Budget (entered into the CSA system as described in section (4)(A)
  2. Applications must be sent electronically to ______________________________@illinois.gov. The application will be electronically time-stamped upon receipt. The Department will ONLY accept applications submitted by electronic mail sent to _______________________@illinois.gov. Include the following in the subject line: NOFO number and your agency name. Application submissions or delivery to any other email address or contact, including other IDHS offices or employees, will not be considered for review or funding. Applications will not be accepted if received by fax machine, hard copy, disk, or thumb drive.
  3. Documents must include the following password (or N/A)______________________________________.
  4. Software or electronic capabilities required are as follows __________________________________________________________________________.
  5. Applicants are required to notify the Department within 48 hours of the deadline, if they did not receive an email notifying them that their application was received. If the applicant does not receive an email and does not notify the Department within 48 hours, their application will be considered a late submission and will NOT be reviewed or scored. The applicant will NOT have the right to protest the submission/receipt of their application to the Department after the 48 hours. In the event of a dispute the applicant bears the burden of proof that the application was received on time at the email location listed above (and that the budget was submitted into the CSA system on time).
3. Pre-application materials must be submitted as follows (or N/A):___________________________________________ (must include instructions or links to instructions, whether in paper or electronic form, and method for submitting paper forms if applicable)
4. If you are experiencing system problems or technical difficulties submitting your application, you may contact:
  1. Name:
  2. Phone:
  3. Email:
Submission Dates and Times. This subsection MUST include due dates and times for all submissions. If they are different for electronic and paper submissions, be clear about the differences. This includes the following:
1. Full applications are due on the following date ____________ at the following time _____________ (CST).
2. Any preliminary submissions, such as letters of intent, white papers, or pre- applications are due on the following date ____________at the following time_____________(CST)
3. Other submissions required before the award (separate from the full application) include (or N/A) _______________________________.
4. If the funding opportunity is a general announcement that is open for a period of time with no specific due dates for applications, this section should say so.
5. Missed Deadlines:
  1. Applications received after the due date and time will not be considered for review or funding. All applicants/applications determined to be non-compliant or otherwise determined to be disqualified from consideration will be separately notified in writing, by email, upon determination. This email will be sent to the email addresses provided in the application and will identify the reason for disqualification.
  2. For your records, please keep a copy of your submission with the date and time the application was submitted along with the email address to which it was sent. The deadline will be strictly enforced.
  3. IMPORTANT: It is strongly recommended that the applicant not wait until the last minute to submit an application in case they experience technical difficulties with the submission process. Applicants should keep copies of all documentation that that may prove their application was submitted to the correct location and that it was received by IDHS on or before the deadline. Applicants should also maintain all electronic documentation, including screen shots, email correspondence, help desk ticket numbers, etc. that would document any unforeseen difficulties the applicant may have encountered regarding the timely submission of the application.
Intergovernmental Review. This section must include the following:
1. This funding opportunity is NOT subject to Executive Order 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs".

6. - Application Review Information.

Eligibility Review. This section includes information on the criteria that make an application or project ineligible. These are sometimes referred to as "responsiveness" criteria, "go-no-go" criteria, or "threshold" criteria. State agencies may change the title of this section as appropriate. This section MUST include the following:
1. Applications that are received will be reviewed on/between __________________(date/s) to ensure they meet the criteria for consideration. Applications that do not meet the criteria in paragraph B below will be rejected and not entered into the Merit Review process. (Add Dates or enter TBD)
2. The following are the criteria that must be met for eligibility:
  1. Applicant has a current registration with the State of Illinois in the Grantee Portal.
  2. Applicant has an active Sam.gov public account.
  3. Applicant has an active Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) with Sam.gov
  4. Applicant is in "good standing" with the Secretary of State.
  5. Applicant is not on the DHS Stop Payment List Service or the Illinois Stop Payment List.
  6. Applicant is not on the Sam.gov Exclusion List.
  7. Applicant is not on the Illinois Medicaid Sanctions (DHFS Provider Sanctions) List.
  8. Program specific eligibility restrictions include (or N/A) ___________________________________________
3. Restrictions on eligibility for State awards are referenced in 44 Ill Admin Code 7000.70. Program specific eligibility restrictions are referenced in this Notice of Funding Opportunity.
4. All applicants/applications determined to be non-compliant or otherwise determined to be disqualified from consideration will be notified. This email will be sent to the email addresses provided in the application and will identify the reason for disqualification.
Review Criteria. This section MUST address the review criteria that the agency will use to evaluate applications for merit. This information includes the merit and other review criteria evaluators will use to judge applications, including any statutory, regulatory, or other preferences that will be applied in the review process. These criteria are distinct from eligibility criteria that are addressed before an application is accepted for review and any program policy or other factors that are applied during the selection process, after the review process is completed. The intent is to make the application process transparent so applicants can make informed decisions when preparing their applications to maximize the fairness of the process.
1. Review Criteria (This section MUST include the following)
  1. Evaluation criteria is based upon requirements set forth in 44 Ill Admin Code 7000.350 Merit Review of Applications and the IDHS Merit Review Manual. The review criterion and sub-criterion include the following: (list the individual criterion and sub-criterion).
    1. Applications will be evaluated based applicant's response to the program narrative described in Section 4.i.3 Program Narrative and Contents. Each section will be weighted as described below
  2. Criteria and weighting of each criterion (If criteria vary in importance, the relative percentages, weights, or other means used to distinguish them should be listed here. For example:100 point scale)
  3. For statutory, regulatory, or other preferences, enter an explanation of those preferences with an explicit indication of their effect should be listed here (for example if additional points are being assigned).
  4. Cost Sharing (will be or will not be) considered in the review process. (Choose Correct option delete the other. If cost sharing will be considered explain how it will be considered. Do not include any statements that cost sharing is encouraged without providing clarity about what that means.)
  5. Information regarding Applicant-nominated reviewers: (If the agency permits applicants to nominate reviewers of their applications or suggest those they feel may be inappropriate due to a conflict of interest, enter the relevant information such as what reviewer qualifications might be, how to nominate reviewers, etc,; if the agency does not permit applicant-nominated reviewers, enter N/A).
2. Additional Information (This section is optional):
  1. Merit Reviewers(Enter the types of people responsible for evaluation against the merit criteria. For example, peers external to the agency or agency personnel.)
  2. The number of people on an evaluation panel and how it operates, how reviewers are selected, reviewer qualifications, and how conflicts of interest are avoided.
Review and Selection Process.
1. The process for evaluation of the application is as follows:______________________________________________.
2. The numerical score may not be the sole award criterion. The Department reserves the right to consider any factors such as: geographical distribution, demonstrated need, and agency past performance as a State of Illinois grantee, etc. While the recommendation of the review panel will be a key factor in the funding decision the Department maintains final authority over funding decisions and considers the findings of the reviewers to be non-binding recommendations. Any internal documentation used in scoring or awarding of grants shall not be considered public information.
3. In the event of a tie with insufficient funding for all tied applications, the Department may choose to elect one or more of the following options:
  1. Apply one or more of the additional factors for consideration described above to prioritize the applications; or
  2. Partially fund each of the tied applications; or
  3. Not fund any of the tied applications. The Department reserves the right to negotiate with successful applicants to adjust award amounts, targets, deliverables, etc.
4. Anticipated Announcement and State Award Dates (Optional)
5. Merit Based Review Appeal Process
  1. Competitive grant appeals are limited to the evaluation process. Evaluation scores may not be protested. Only be evaluation process is subject to appeal and shall be reviewed by IDHS' Appeal Review Officer (ARO).
    1. Submission of Appeal
      1. Appeals submission IDHS contact information:
        
        Contact Name:
        
        Email address:
        
        Email Subject Line:
      2. An appeal must be submitted in writing to appeals submission IDHS contact listed above, who will send to the IDHS Appeal Review Officer (ARO) for consideration.
      3. An appeal must be received within 14 calendar days after the date that the grant award notice has been published.
      4. The written appeal shall include at a minimum the following:
        
        Name and address of the appealing party
        
        Identification of the grant; and
        
        Statement of the reasons for the appeal
        
        Supporting documentation, if applicable
    2. Response to appeal
      1. IDHS will acknowledge receipt of an appeal within 14 calendar days from the date the appeal was received.
        
        IDHS will respond to the appeal within 60 days or supply a written explanation to the appealing party as to why additional time is required.
        
        The appealing party must supply any additional information requested by IDHS within the time period set in the request
    3. Resolution
      1. The ARO will make a recommendation to the Agency Head or designee as expeditiously as possible after receiving all relevant, requested information.
      2. In determining the appropriate recommendation, the ARO shall consider the integrity of the competitive grant process and the impact of the recommendation on the State Agency.
      3. The Agency will resolve the appeal by means of written determination.
      4. The determination shall include, but not be limited to:
      5. Review of the appeal;
      6. Appeal determination; and
      7. Rationale for the determination.
Risk Review.
1. This section must include the following:
  1. IDHS conducts risk assessments for all awardees, prior to the award being issued.
    1. An agency wide Internal Control Questionnaire (ICQ) to be completed by the awardee within the Grantee Portal. The ICQ evaluates fiscal, administrative, and programmatic risk in the following categories:
      1. Quality of Management Systems
      2. Financial and Programmatic Reporting
      3. Ability to Effectively Implement Award Requirements
      4. Awardee Audits
    2. A program specific Programmatic Risk Assessment conducted by the awarding agency to evaluate the following categories:
      1. programmatic financial stability
      2. Management systems and standards that would affect the program.
      3. Programmatic audit and monitoring findings
      4. Ability to effectively implement program requirements.
      5. External partnerships
      6. Programmatic reporting
    3. Risk assessments are not intended to be punitive in nature, rather they are conducted in order to evaluate the support, technical assistance, and training that may be needed for the awardee and the level of monitoring that is needed for the award.
    4. Risk assessments may result in Specific Conditions being placed on the award to include more frequent monitoring or the implementation of a corrective action plan.
  2. Simplified Acquisition Threshold - Federal and State awards
    1. This award is not anticipated to exceed the Simplified Acquisition Threshold defined in 48 CFR part 2, subpart 2.1 (OR)
    2. It is anticipated that grants under this award may receive an award over the Simplified Acquisition Threshold ( as defined in 48 CFR part2, subpart 2.1.: Potential grantees under this notice of funding opportunity may receive an award in excess of the simplified acquisition threshold. Therefore, the grantee is subject to the simplified acquisition threshold and related requirements.
      1. Prior to making an award with a total amount greater than the simplified acquisition threshold, IDHS is required to review and consider any information about the applicant that is in the designated integrity and performance system accessible through SAM. (Currently FAPIIS) (See 41 U.S.C. 2313)
      2. That an applicant, at its option, may review information in the designated integrity and performance systems accessible through SAM and comment on any information about itself that a State or Federal awarding agency previously entered and is currently in the designated integrity and performance system accessible through Sam.
      3. IDHS will consider any comments by the applicant, in addition to the other information in the designated integrity and performance system, in making a judgment about the applicants' integrity, business ethics, and record of performance under State and Federal awards when completing the review of risk posed by applicants as described in 2 CFR 200.206

7. - Award Notices.

This section must address what a successful applicant can expect to receive following selection.
1. State Award Notices
  1. Applicants recommended for funding under this NOFO following the review and selection process will receive a Notice of State Award (NOSA). The NOSA shall include:
    1. Grant award amoun
    2. The terms and conditions of the awar
    3. Specific conditions, if any, assigned to the applicant based on the fiscal and administrative risk assessment (ICQ), programmatic risk assessments (PRA), and the Merit Review
  2. The applicant shall receive the NOSA through the Grantee Portal. The NOSA must be signed by the grants officer (or equivalent). This signature effectively accepts the state award amount and all conditions set forth within the notice. The signed NOSA is the document authorizing the department to proceed with issuing an agreement. The Agency signed NOSA must be remitted to the Department as instructed in the notice
  3. The notice is not an authorization to begin performance (to the extent that it allows charging to State awards of pre-award costs; pre-award costs are incurred at the non-State entities own risk unless they have received written prior approval to begin performance)
  4. The authorizing document to begin performance is the fully executed Uniform Grant Agreement (UGA) signed by the grants officer, or equivalent. This is the official document that obligates funds. The UGA is sent to the non-State entity via the CSA system. The non-State entity will print and sign the signature page of the UGA and return signature page to DHS.OCA.SignaturePages@illinois.gov. A final signed copy of the UGA will be provided to the non-State entity via an upload into the CSA Tracking system. Note: The Department cannot issue an Agreement until the successful applicant has an approved budget entered into the CSA system
  5. Applicants who are not eligible due to registration or pre-qualification issues, or late applications will receive a Notice of Ineligibility prior to the Merit Based Review.
  6. Applicants who are not selected to receive an award following the Merit Review process will receive a Notice of Denial/Non Selection.

8. - Post-Award Requirements and Administration.

Administrative and National Policy Requirements. Providing information on administrative and policy requirements lets a potential applicant identify any requirements with which it would have difficulty complying. This section MUST include the following:
1. The agency awarded funds shall provide services as set forth in the IDHS grant agreement and shall act in accordance with all State and Federal statutes and administrative rules applicable to the provision of the services.
2. Sample of the current IDHS Uniform Grant Agreement.
3. Payment Terms:
  1. It is the policy of the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) that this policy complies with 2 CFR 200.302, 2 CFR 200.305, 31 CFR 205 (Procedures implementing the Cash Management Improvement Act and Treasury State Agreement (TSA)) and 44 Ill. Admin. Code 7000.120 (GOMB Adoption of Supplemental Rules for Grant Payment Methods). Three different award payment methods exist, namely Advance Payment, Reimbursement, and Working Capital Advance.
Reporting. This section includes information needed to understand the post-award reporting requirements. Highlight any special reporting requirements for awards under this funding opportunity that differ from what the agency's awards usually require. For example, differences in report type, frequency, form, format, or circumstances for use. This section MUST include the following:
1. Reporting upon execution of the grant agreement shall be in accordance with the requirements set forth in the UGA and related exhibits which include but is not limited to the following:
  1. Periodic Financial Reports submitted electronically in accordance with instructions in the UGA no more frequent than quarterly and no less frequent than annually, unless unusual circumstances exist
  2. Periodic Programmatic Reports submitted electronically in accordance with instructions in the UGA no more frequent than quarterly and no less frequent than annually, unless unusual circumstances exist
  3. Close-out Performance Reports and Financial Reports as instructed in the UGA
  4. Other Unique Programmatic Reporting Requirements: additional annual performance data may be collected as directed by the Department and in the format prescribed by the Department.
  5. If the State share of any State award may include more than $500,000 over the period of performance applicants are also subject to the reporting requirements reflected in Appendix XII to 2 CFR 200. Noncompliance with any of the identified reports may lead to being placed on the Illinois Stop-Payment List

9. - Other Information - Optional

Additional Information (This section MAY include any additional information to help potential applicants. For example, the section could include the following)
1. Mandatory Forms and Submission
  1. Uniform Application for State Grant Assistance
  2. Proposal Narrative
  3. Uniform Grant Budget in CSA
  4. Grantee Conflict of Interest Disclosure