Technical Assistance Session
General Questions and Answers
The following table answers general questions received about the NOFO and NOFO process.
| # | Question | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Application | ||
| 1.1 | Should I register as an individual or an organization? | Please register as an individual. |
| 1.2 | Can more than one person complete the application? | Yes. Collaborators can be added to the application process. |
| 1.3 | Will I receive an email notification when my application is submitted? | Yes. If you do not receive this email, please ensure the entire application was completed. In addition to completing each section, the entire application must be submitted. If you do cannot find this email, please contact the help desk. |
| 2. NOFO | ||
| 2.1 | Who are the SME's that write the NOFOs? | The SMEs that write the NOFOs are individuals at Advocates for Human Potential who have demonstrated expertise and knowledge on the topic/initiative being funded, including the services that will be funded through the NOFO. These SMEs include individuals with diverse backgrounds who live in Illinois and are familiar with Illinois’ SUD prevention, treatment and recovery systems, and some are people with lived experience. SUPR also provides SMEs that draft the original statement of work that is then used to construct the NOFOs. |
| 3. Reviews | ||
| 3.1 | Will I be notified if there is a problem with my application? | During the prequalification process, applications are reviewed for completeness and eligibility to determine whether they will be considered for funding. You will be notified if your application does not meet those criteria. However, once submitted, no further changes can be made to the application. |
| 3.2 | Who is on the selection committee for each NOFO? | The review committee includes, at a minimum, three individuals who are SMEs on the topic area, and/or are people with lived experience. |
| 4. Awards | ||
| 4.1 | Can an entity be awarded multiple awards? As in, applying for two different NOFOs and receiving an award for both. | Yes, an entity can apply for and, if eligible and has the capacity to fulfill the requirements of each, may be awarded more than one award. |
NOFO Questions and Answers
The following table includes questions asked regarding the Build, Amplify, Support, Empower (BASE) Prevention Program Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). Questions and answers will be updated each Friday afternoon during the application period.
| # | Question | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| Updated 3/8/2024 | ||
| 1 | Please explain how you say project is for 3 years but there is only funding available for up to 2 periods max. | Funding has been approved by the IORAB for 3 years. However, continued funding is subject to appropriations and release of funds by IDHS. |
| 2 | There is 15 million set aside but 7 awards at a max of 500,000 each is only 3.5 million per period so at the max of 2 years that is only spending 7 million, correct? | The number of awards is a minimum of 7. More than 7 may be awarded. |
| 3 | If an award is made, will invoicing require paper copies of all expenses, or will this funding operate with the entity keeping record of expenses on hand if audited? | Invoicing will require submission of supporting materials. |
| 4 | Will there be audits conducted by the state on a scheduled basis, or at the discretion the state? | Audits are conducted at the discretion of the RCCA. |
| 5 | Payment is once at beginning of grant term or is this monthly spend down with inivoicing? | The three payment options are described in Section G.2. of the NOFO. However, all are monthly and require invoicing. |
| 6 | Please explain the period of performance dates. | The Notice of Award is anticipated on or near May 31, 2024. The beginning of the period of performance is July 1, 2024. |
| 7 | We have a state approved indirect rate, can we use it? | Yes. |
| 8 | To clarify. Agencies with multiple regions can apply for multiple regions but fill out one application. | Per Section C.7. of the NOFO, an applicant is permitted to submit only one application in response to this funding notice. |
| 9 | Will you send these slides to participants? | The slides will be posted upon completion of 508 accessibility production. |
| 10 | The NOFO does mention the Non-Hispanic Black as a population of focus, but is serving a different racial/ethnic demographic allowable? | Yes. Evaluation of applications will include weighing funding priority criteria based upon need as described in Section A.3. of the NOFO. |
| 11 | Are FHQC eligible to apply? | Yes. Per Section C.1. of the NOFO, applicants must be a non-profit, for-profit, or tax-exempt entity located in Illinois and meet the other requirements defined in that section. However, funds for this program may not be used to supplant current state or federally funded services. |
| 12 | Can the partnership be with the Department or Juvenile Justice or other detention center? | Yes. However, funds for this program may not be used to supplant current state or federally funded services. |
| 13 | Is BASE funding limited to certain counties? | No. Evaluation of applications will include weighing funding priority criteria based upon need as described in Section A.3. of the NOFO. |
| Updated 3/28/2024 | ||
| 14 | Do you have more information about the program plan requirement? Is there a template available or a guide for what we should include in the program plan? | There is no required template. Any document format that details the timeline, tasks, and activities of the funding period is acceptable. |
| 15 | Should applicants include one, two, or three program years of scopes? | Applicants should provide a work plan for one year. |
| 16 | Is the award range per applicant, per year $100,000-$500,000? | The award range of $100,000-$500,000 is per applicant, per year. |
| 17 | Can you please provide the start dates and end dates of all the program years, including the third year of funding that is contingent on the release of funds by IDHS? Are the three periods of performance, assuming continued funding by IDHS, 7/1/2024-6/30/2025, 7/1/2025-6/30/2026, and 7/1/2026-6/30/2027? | The planned funding periods, assuming continued appropriations, are accurately listed in the question. 7/1/2024-6/30/2025 7/1/2025-6/30/2026 7/1/2026-6/30/2027 |
| 18 | The start of the first period of performance is 7/1/2024, but a school-based project might not be able to start services until several months later. Can you confirm that proposing to start school-based services in August or September is acceptable? | Services may be proposed to only be conducted during the school year. However, grants administration requirements, such as technical assistance activities, reporting, and invoicing, must be completed throughout the year. |
| 19 | We are a national organization and we wanted to inquire whether organizations must be based in IL or apply with an IL-based partner to be eligible for funding. We have begun the BASE application and noticed the requirement for an Illinois Secretary of State File ID. | Applicants must be a non-profit, for-profit, or tax-exempt entity located in Illinois. Per Section C.2. of the NOFO, applicants must be registered if the Illinois Secretary of State requires the entity’s organization type to be registered. Enter N/A if this does not apply. |
| 20 | How many strategies must an applicant apply for? | Per Section A.5. of the NOFO, "Non-profit, for-profit, or tax-exempt entities located in Illinois may apply for funding one or more of the following strategies..." Therefore, applicants may apply for one, two, three, or four strategies if able to meet the objectives of each. |
| 21 | Can you please confirm whether or not a State NICRA is acceptable for the indirect cost rate? Section C.6 suggests otherwise. | Yes, a State NICRA is acceptable. |