Independent Living Services for Older Individuals Who are Blind OIB (444-30-0189)

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	Department Rehabilitation Services
Agency Contact	Name Holly Cunningham Email Address Holly.Cunningham@illinois.gov Phone Number (217) 843-0659
Announcement Type (1-C)	Competitive Initial Announcement
Funding Opportunity Title (1-B)	DHS Independent Living Services for Older Individuals Who are Blind
Funding Opportunity Number (1-D)	25-444-30-0189-01
Application Posting Date	04/02/2025
Application Closing Date	05/02/2025
Catalog of State Financial Assistance (CSFA) Number	444-30-0189
Catalog of State Financial Assistance (CSFA) Name	DHS Independent Living Services for Older Individuals Who are Blind
Assistance Listing Number(s) (1-E)	Federal
Awarding Source	Federal, State
Estimated Total Program Funding Amount	$1,800,000
Anticipated Number of Awards	12
Award Range	$100,000-$150,000
Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement?	No
Indirect Costs Allowed?	Yes
Restrictions on Indirect Costs?	Yes Indirect costs cannot be compensated without an election or a negotiated rate on file with the State of Illinois. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFRd93f2a98b1f6455/section-200.414
Technical Assistance Session Offered	No

1. - Basic Information Continued - Section F through I

F. Funding Details

1. Total Amount of Funding

a. The Department expects to award approximately $1,800,000

b. The source of funding for this program is Federal and State funds

2. Number of Grant Awards

a. The Department anticipates funding approximately 12 grant awards to provide this program

3. Expected Dollar Amount of Individual Grant Awards

a. The Department anticipates that the dollar amount of individual awards will be $100,000-$150,000.

4. Average amount of Funding per Grant Award on average in previous years.

5. Renewal or Supplementation of Existing Projects Eligibility.

a. Applications for renewal or supplementation of existing projects are/are not eligible to compete with applications for new State awards

b. 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:

i. Grantee has performed satisfactorily during the previous reporting period

ii. All required reports have been submitted on time, unless a written exception has been provided by the Division/Department

iii. 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

a. 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

a. Pre-Award Costs

i. 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

ii. 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.

b. Indirect Costs

i. 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

G. Key Dates

Application Posting Date 4/2/2025
The Department must receive the Full Application: Due on 05/02/2025 at 5:00pm CST
Anticipated Award Date 07/01/2025.
Anticipated Start Dates and Periods of Performance for new grant awards.

a. Subject to appropriation, the grant period will begin no sooner than 7/1/2025 and will continue through 6/30/2026.

H. Executive Summary:

I. Agency Contact Information.

If you are experiencing system problems or technical difficulties submitting your application, you may contact: Holly Cunningham, Contract Project Officer Holly.Cunningham@illinois.gov 217-843-0659 .

J. Indirect Costs

Indirect costs cannot be compensated without an election or a negotiated rate on file with the State of Illinois. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFRd93f2a98b1f6455/section-200.414

2. - Eligibility

Nonprofit Organizations; For-Profit Organizations; Individuals; Government Organizations; Education Organizations;

ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

A. Consistent with 34CFR Part 367, the State may make sub-awards to public or private nonprofit agencies or organizations; or contracts with individuals, entities, or organizations that are not public or private nonprofit agencies or organizations.

B. The applicant must meet the Registration, Pre-qualification and any other Mandatory Requirements listed in this funding opportunity prior to the due date of this application. If the applicant has not met the Prequalification and mandatory requirements, this application will NOT be reviewed and will NOT be considered for funding.

1. Applicants must provide the following information via the Grantee Portal annually to be registered with the State of Illinois as an awardee:

a. Organization name and contact information

b. Federal Employee Identification Number (FEIN)

c. Unique Identity Number (UEI)

d. Organization type

2. Applicants must be prequalified; therefore, applications from entities that have not prequalified prior to and are not prequalified 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.

a. 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:

i. Be registered in Sam.gov before the application due date.

ii. Provide a valid unique entity identifier (UEI) in its application.

iii. 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.

iv. The State Agency may not make an award until applicant has fully complied to all UEI and SAM requirements.

v. 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.

b. 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. - Program Description

The purpose of the Older Individual Blind (OIB) Program is to provide services for individuals age 55 or older whose blindness or low vision makes competitive employment difficult to obtain but for whom independent living goals are feasible. Allowable services are used to provide independent living services, conduct activities that will improve or expand services for these individuals and conduct activities to improve public understanding of the problems of these individuals. Services are designed to help persons served under this program to adjust to their vision loss by increasing their ability to care for their individual needs. Individuals being serviced through this contractual agreement, who are also IDHS/DRS Vocational Rehabilitation customers, may receive services that provide information, instruction, and advocacy. However, services that provide equipment, devices and similar tangible items are not allowable. Services include:

Information and referrals.
Assistive technology devices and training.
Orientation and mobility services.
Communication skills training.
Independent living and personal management skills training.
Advocacy training or support network activities.
Individual counseling and support group meetings.
Community awareness events and activities to individuals.
Information and training to other professionals, general public, friends and relatives.

Department of Human Service's and Division of Rehabilitation's funding priorities are centered on programs that will reach and assist the greatest number of individuals who are older blind throughout the state of Illinois while targeting underserved geographical locations. 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.

4. - Application Contents and Format.

APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

1. Application Package:

A. The complete application package (this Notice of Funding Opportunity, including links to required forms) is available through the Illinois Catalog of State Financial Assistance and the DHS Grants website page.

B. 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.

Mandatory Forms:

Program Narrative
Uniform Application for State Grant Assistance
Uniform Grant Budget in CSA
Grantee Conflict of Interest Disclosure
Federal Form W-9 (pdf)

It is the responsibility of each applicant to monitor the website and to comply with any instructions or requirements relating to the NOFO. 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.

1. PROGRAM NARRATIVE: IMPORTANT: The program (proposal) narrative makes up the bulk of the application. If the program narrative is missing from your application packet, your organization will not meet the criteria to receive a grant under this notice of funding opportunity.

A. EXECUIVE SUMMARY (1 page maximum) - will serve as a stand-alone document for successful applicants providing a brief overview of each funded project to be shared with various stakeholders and those requesting program/service information. Applicants should be concise and direct in their description. Include:

a. Agency name, mailing address, email address, phone number and contact person.

b. Community and population served: Identify geographic area to be served; describe the population/individuals to be served.

c. Brief description of the overall program model.

d. Budget amount being requested for this program.

B. NEED AND PROGRAM DESIGN (3 pages maximum) - provide a clear and accurate picture of the need for the proposed services within the targeted community; and how the applicant will address and meet these needs.

a. Provide a detailed description of the overall program model and implementation design including associated outcomes (deliverables).

b. Geographic service area - list the proposed service areas by county.

c. Individuals to be served - describe the demographic characteristics of the individuals to be served including age (55 and older), income, race, ethnicity, diagnosis, etcetera; describe the barriers these individuals currently experience; describe how the agency will meet their needs and reduce barriers which will increase independence and quality of life.

C. READINESS (2 pages maximum) - provide a clear and accurate picture of the physical readiness to provide proposed services within the targeted geographical area and targeted community/population.

a. Equipment - describe the applicant's physical readiness, including but not limited to the presence of existing medical equipment/tools, computers and telecommunication technology, fleet/pool vehicles, assistive devices and etcetera. Also briefly describe your inventorying system to monitor and maintain equipment, supplies, and the assistive devices.

b. Space - describe the necessary space (office/community/clinic/exam/consultation/etc.) to carry out program services/activities. If applicable, describe whether this space is currently in use and is it owned, leased, being built, or if space is still in the process of being procured.

c. Training - Describe any planned training that staff have had and/or will receive to ensure their current and ongoing ability to successfully perform required duties to meet program goals.

D. CAPACITY (3 pages maximum, not including requested attachments) - describe the applicant's capacity, qualifications, and ability to successfully implement an independent living services program for older individuals who are blind that will meet the requirements of this NOFO and will lead to self-reliance and independence in the individuals' homes and communities. Include the following.

a. Provide evidence that the applicant can carry out the proposed program including relevant examples of major accomplishments in services to this population. Include the number of years that the applicant has been providing these services. If specific staff have extensive related experience and success, this can be noted as well.

b. All Staff/Personnel -

i. list position titles and quantities of staff that will be utilized to provide the proposed program services and administrative duties, including if staff's full-time employment (FTE) is split across programs or if staff are budgeted 100% to this proposed program.

ii. Note if staff/personnel are employed by applicant organization or obtained through a contractual relationship.

iii. If position is vacant, describe why it is vacant and how it will be filled within 30 days of the grant agreement start date.

iv. Include the following attachments: organizational chart; position/job descriptions for each position funded by this program including required experience, required education, required certifications/licensure.

c. Description of existing community partnerships that assist in providing services and resources essential to the development of independent living services to older individuals who are blind. Describe the services, roles and responsibilities expected from these partnerships.

d. Governance - briefly describe the applicant's governance structure. Include a list of the Board of Directors or other governing body including positions. Describe the role of the governing body in decision making processes and how they receive key program information to inform their responsibilities.

E. QUALITY OF IMPLEMENTATION

a. Describe the applicant's referral, intake and needs assessment and plan development process.

b. Describe how services will be individualized and evidence-based.

c. Describe the applicant's outreach to the community to ensure the community is aware of available services.

d. Provide an estimated cost of services per older blind individual.

e. Quality Assurance and Quality Improvement -

i. Describe the applicant's quality assurance process to gather data and ensure compliance with the stated programmatic design and goals (deliverables).

ii. Describe how the program will utilize data collected to support continuous quality improvement. Provide at least one specific example of how the applicant has used data to drive improvement within their agency.

2. 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. The application can be obtained at IDHS Uniform Application for State Grant Assistance.

3. Budget and Budget Narrative

a) 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 must 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 the applicant arrived at the particular amount. The CSA budget and included narrative should express and support the submitted program narrative.

b) Please include cost allocations as necessary. This narrative must 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. Attach a copy of your current approved Federal or State negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement if applicable.

c) The budget should be prepared to reflect the full 12-month grant cycle and be consistent with the total amount requested.

d) 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.

e) 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)

f) The budget and narrative must tie fiscal activity to program objectives and deliverables and demonstrate that all proposed costs are:

Reasonable and necessary
Allocable, and
Allowable as defined herein and by program regulatory requirements and the Uniform Guidance (2CFR 200), as applicable.

g) The budget and narrative must be entered and submitted into CSA tracking system by the same deadline of FRIDAY, MAY 2, 2025 AT 5:00PM CENTRAL STANDARD TIME (CST).

4. 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. The Conflict of Interest Disclosure can be found at Conflict of Interest Disclosure Form.

5. Federal Form W-9 - A completed federal form W-9 Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification is required for all applicants.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS AND DEADLINES

1) The narrative portion must be organized in the format outlined below or points may be deducted. 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.

a) Program Narrative must include headers and not exceed maximum page allotments. Attachments must be included in the appropriate sections and will not be counted in page allotments.

i) Executive Summary (1 page maximum)

ii) Need and Program Design (3 pages maximum)

iii) Readiness (2 pages maximum)

iv) Capacity (3 pages maximum, not including attachments)

v) Quality of Implementation

vi) Budget and Budget Narrative (signed and submitted in CSA)

b) 8 1/2 x 11-inch paper using 12-point Arial font, black typeface on a white background, single spaced with 1-inch margins on all sides.

c) The entire application must be sequentially numbered and submitted as a single word document.

d) Each applicant must submit their budget through the CSA tracking system.

2) Each applicant must:

a. Be registered in SAM.gov before submitting its application.

b. Provide a valid unique entity identifier (UEI) in its application; and

c. 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.

d. The Department may not make an award until applicant has fully complied to all UEI and SAM requirements.

e. 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.

3) 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: IDHS: Pre-Qualification Instructions and Resources

4) The methods for submitting the application:

(1) Applicants must electronically submit the complete application as a single word document including all required narratives and attachments in the prescribed order:

(a) Program Narrative and attachments.

(b) Uniform-Application-for-State-Grant-Assistance.pdf

(d) Grantee Conflict of Interest Disclosure

(e) Federal Form W-9

(2) The subject line of the email MUST state: Entity Name; Contact Name; and Funding Opportunity Number 444-30-0189 (contract unit confirms).

(3) Applications must be sent electronically to Holly.Cunningham@illinois.gov. The application will be electronically time-stamped upon receipt. The Department will ONLY accept applications submitted by electronic mail sent to Holly.Cunningham@illinois.gov. 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.

(4) The original sender of the application will receive an email to notify them that the application was received within 72 hours of receipt and will be notified if it was received by the due date and time.

(5) For your records, please keep a copy of your email submission with the date and time the proposal was submitted, along with the email address to which it was sent. The deadline will be strictly enforced. In the event of a dispute, the applicant bears the burden of proof that the application materials were received on time at the location listed above.

(6) 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).

ii) If you are experiencing system problems or technical difficulties submitting your application, you may contact:

Holly Cunningham, Contract Project Officer

Holly.Cunningham@illinois.gov

217-843-0659

iii) Full applications are due on the following date: FRIDAY, MAY 2, 2025, AT 5:00PM CENTRAL STANDARD TIME (CST).

iv) 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 the application in case they experience technical difficulties with the submission process. Applicants should keep copies of all documentation 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. Submission of electronic documentation or unforeseen difficulties does not guarantee that the application will be reviewed.

v) This funding opportunity is NOT subject to Executive Order 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs."

APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

A. Applications that are received will be reviewed between May 2-5, 2025, to ensure they meet the criteria for consideration. Applications that do not meet the criteria in paragraph B (below) will be rejected and will not enter the Merit Review process.

B. The following are the criteria that must be met for eligibility:

Applicant has a current registration with the State of Illinois in the Grantee Portal.
Applicant has an active Sam.gov public account.
Applicant has an active Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) with Sam.gov
Applicant is in "good standing" with the Secretary of State.
Applicant is not on the DHS Stop Payment List Service or the Illinois Stop Payment List.
Applicant is not on the Sam.gov Exclusion List.
Applicant is not on the Illinois Medicaid Sanctions (DHFS Provider Sanctions) List.

C. 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.

D. 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.

5. - Submission Requirements and Deadlines.

a) Program Narrative must include headers and not exceed maximum page allotments. Attachments must be included in the appropriate sections and will not be counted in page allotments.

i) Executive Summary (1 page maximum)

ii) Need and Program Design (3 pages maximum)

iii) Readiness (2 pages maximum)

iv) Capacity (3 pages maximum, not including attachments)

v) Quality of Implementation

vi) Budget and Budget Narrative (signed and submitted in CSA)

b) 8 1/2 x 11-inch paper using 12-point Arial font, black typeface on a white background, single spaced with 1-inch margins on all sides.

c) The entire application must be sequentially numbered and submitted as a single word document.

d) Each applicant must submit their budget through the CSA tracking system.

2) Each applicant must:

a. Be registered in SAM.gov before submitting its application.

b. Provide a valid unique entity identifier (UEI) in its application; and

c. 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.

d. The Department may not make an award until applicant has fully complied to all UEI and SAM requirements.

e. 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.

4) The methods for submitting the application:

(1) Applicants must electronically submit the complete application as a single word document including all required narratives and attachments in the prescribed order:

(a) Program Narrative and attachments.

(b) Uniform-Application-for-State-Grant-Assistance.pdf

(d) Grantee Conflict of Interest Disclosure

(e) Federal Form W-9

(2) The subject line of the email MUST state: Entity Name; Contact Name; and Funding Opportunity Number 444-30-0189 (contract unit confirms).

ii) If you are experiencing system problems or technical difficulties submitting your application, you may contact:

Holly Cunningham, Contract Project Officer

Holly.Cunningham@illinois.gov

217-843-0659

iii) Full applications are due on the following date: FRIDAY, MAY 2, 2025, AT 5:00PM CENTRAL STANDARD TIME (CST).

iv) Missed Deadlines:

v) This funding opportunity is NOT subject to Executive Order 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs."

6. - Application Review Information.

B. The following are the criteria that must be met for eligibility:

Applicant has a current registration with the State of Illinois in the Grantee Portal.
Applicant has an active Sam.gov public account.
Applicant has an active Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) with Sam.gov
Applicant is in "good standing" with the Secretary of State.
Applicant is not on the DHS Stop Payment List Service or the Illinois Stop Payment List.
Applicant is not on the Sam.gov Exclusion List.
Applicant is not on the Illinois Medicaid Sanctions (DHFS Provider Sanctions) List.

C. 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.

1. Evaluation criteria is based upon 44 Ill Admin Code 7000.350 Merit Review of Applications and the IDHS Merit Review Manual.

2. Applications that fail to meet the criteria described in Section C "Eligibility Information" will not be scored and/or consider for funding.

3. 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 address provided in the application and will identify the reason for disqualification.

4. Applications will be evaluated based on applicant's response to the program narrative and contents. Each section will be weighted as described below.

SCORING CRITERIA

MAXIMUM - 100 Points

Executive Summary

(1 page maximum)

5 points total

Need and Program Design

(3 pages maximum)

*Program design (5 pts)

*Geographic service area (5 pts)

*Individuals to be served - meeting needs and reducing barriers (5 pts)

15 points total

Readiness

(2 pages maximum)

*Equipment and inventorying (5 pts)

*Space (5 pts)

*Training (5 pts)

15 points total

Capacity

(3 pages maximum, not including requested attachments)

*Evidence of ability to carry out proposal (5 pts)

*Staff - percentage of time, job descriptions, etcetera (5 pts)

*Community partnerships (5 pts)

*Governance (5 pts)

20 points total

Quality of Implementation (3 pages maximum)

*Referral, Intake, Needs Assessment, Plan Development (10 pts)

*Individualized and evidence-based services (5 pts)

*Community outreach (5 pts)

*Estimated cost per individual (5 pts)

*Quality Assurance/Improvement (5 pts)

25 points total

Budget and Budget Narrative - signed and submitted in CSA

20 points total

5. There will be one review team comprised of at least (3) three individuals representing IDHS. Applications will first be reviewed and scored individually. Then, team members will collectively review the application, their scores, and comments. Individual team members may choose to adjust scores to appropriately capture content that may have been missed initially. Scores will then be sent to the Application Review Coordinator to be compiled and averaged to produce the final application score.

6. 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.

7. 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:

a. Apply one or more of the additional factors for consideration described above to prioritize the applications; or

b. Partially fund each of the tied applications; or

c. Not fund any of the tied applications. The Department reserves the right to negotiate with successful applicants to adjust award amounts, targets, deliverables, etc.

RISK REVIEW

A. Requirements:

1. IDHS conducts risk assessments for all awardees, prior to the award being issued.

a. 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:

i. Quality of Management Systems

ii. Financial and Programmatic Reporting

iii. Ability to Effectively Implement Award Requirements

iv. Awardee Audits

b. A program specific Programmatic Risk Assessment conducted by the awarding agency to evaluate the following categories:

i. Programmatic financial stability

ii. Management systems and standards that would affect the program.

iii. Programmatic audit and monitoring findings

iv. Ability to effectively implement program requirements.

v. External partnerships

vi. Programmatic reporting

c. 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.

d. 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.

7. - 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:

a. Grant award amount

b. The terms and conditions of the award

c. 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.

AWARD DECISIONS

Award decisions will be made within approximately 15 days from the application deadline.

It is anticipated an announcement regarding Notice of State Awards (NOSA) will occur no sooner than May 15, 2025.

8. - Post-Award Requirements and Administration.

REVIEW AND SELECTION PROCESS

1. Evaluation criteria is based upon 44 Ill Admin Code 7000.350 Merit Review of Applications and the IDHS Merit Review Manual.

2. Applications that fail to meet the criteria described in Section C "Eligibility Information" will not be scored and/or consider for funding.

4. Applications will be evaluated based on applicant's response to the program narrative and contents. Each section will be weighted as described below.

SCORING CRITERIA

MAXIMUM - 100 Points

Executive Summary

(1 page maximum)

5 points total

Need and Program Design

(3 pages maximum)

*Program design (5 pts)

*Geographic service area (5 pts)

*Individuals to be served - meeting needs and reducing barriers (5 pts)

15 points total

Readiness

(2 pages maximum)

*Equipment and inventorying (5 pts)

*Space (5 pts)

*Training (5 pts)

15 points total

Capacity

(3 pages maximum, not including requested attachments)

*Evidence of ability to carry out proposal (5 pts)

*Staff - percentage of time, job descriptions, etcetera (5 pts)

*Community partnerships (5 pts)

*Governance (5 pts)

20 points total

Quality of Implementation (3 pages maximum)

*Referral, Intake, Needs Assessment, Plan Development (10 pts)

*Individualized and evidence-based services (5 pts)

*Community outreach (5 pts)

*Estimated cost per individual (5 pts)

*Quality Assurance/Improvement (5 pts)

25 points total

Budget and Budget Narrative - signed and submitted in CSA

20 points total

7. 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:

a. Apply one or more of the additional factors for consideration described above to prioritize the applications; or

b. Partially fund each of the tied applications; or

c. Not fund any of the tied applications. The Department reserves the right to negotiate with successful applicants to adjust award amounts, targets, deliverables, etc.

RISK REVIEW

A. Requirements:

1. IDHS conducts risk assessments for all awardees, prior to the award being issued.

i. Quality of Management Systems

ii. Financial and Programmatic Reporting

iii. Ability to Effectively Implement Award Requirements

iv. Awardee Audits

b. A program specific Programmatic Risk Assessment conducted by the awarding agency to evaluate the following categories:

i. Programmatic financial stability

ii. Management systems and standards that would affect the program.

iii. Programmatic audit and monitoring findings

iv. Ability to effectively implement program requirements.

v. External partnerships

vi. Programmatic reporting

d. 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.

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:

a. Grant award amount

b. The terms and conditions of the award

c. 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.

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.

POST-AWARD REQUIREMENT AND ADMINISTRATION

A. 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.

B. Sample of the current IDHS Uniform Grant Agreement

C. 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.

D. 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:

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.
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.
Close-out Performance Reports and Financial Reports as instructed in the UGA.
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.
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