DHS - FCS

The Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) improves the diet of Senior participants and increases awareness of where farmers' markets and roadside stands are located. Low-income seniors receive checks to purchase locally grown produce and honey at authorized farmstands and markets.

Federal Regulations 7 CFR, Part 249

N/A

N/A

To improve the nutritional status of low-income seniors by increasing access to and consumption of fresh, nutritious and locally grown fruits, vegetables, honey, and cut herbs purchased from participating FMNP farmers at farmers’ markets and roadside stands.

Yes

The Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) administers the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) in conjunction with the Illinois Department on Aging (DoA) through an Intergovernmental Agreement for participating counties except for the City of Chicago. DHS is seeking a grantee with demonstrated capacity to administer the SFMNP program for the City of Chicago in accordance with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) regulations Chapter II, Title 7 CFR, part 249. Objectives of Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) # 10.576, Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP): (1) provide resources in the form of fresh, nutritious, unprepared, locally grown fruits, vegetables, honey, and herbs from farmers' markets, roadside stands, and community supported agriculture (CSA) programs to low-income seniors; (2) increase the domestic consumption of agricultural commodities by expanding or aiding in the expansion of domestic farmers' markets, roadside stands, and CSAs; and (3) develop or aid in the development of new and additional farmers' markets, roadside stands, and CSAs. Objectives of Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) # 93.667, Social Services Block Grant (SSBG): (1) To prevent, reduce, or eliminate dependency; (2) to achieve or maintain self-sufficiency; (3) to prevent neglect, abuse, or exploitation of children and adults; (4) to prevent or reduce inappropriate institutional care; and (5) to secure admission or referral for institutional care when other forms of care are not appropriate. Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program Purpose and Eligibility Information: The Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) is designed to improve the nutritional status of low-income individuals at least 60 years of age and older, by increasing access to and consumption of fresh, nutritious, and locally grown fruits, vegetables, honey, and cut herbs purchased from participating FMNP farmers at farmers' markets and roadside stands. Benefits for seniors living in Illinois who are aged 60 years of age and older with a household income at or below 185% of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines are distributed by SFMNP providers and local issuing partners to be redeemed for fresh fruits, vegetables, cut herbs, and harvested honey at local farmers' markets and roadside stands in select counties. Nutrition education materials, including recipes, are also distributed.

ALL;

Eligible Applicants. The specific types of applicants that may apply for the grant award are: A community organization or local government entity including both for-profit, public, and private nonprofit organization that has a physical presence in Cook County with the capacity to: Provide coordination of SFMNP benefits to eligible individuals through distribution/issuing partners in the city of Chicago; Provide training to SFMNP issuing partners, nutrition education to eligible individuals, SFMNP program outreach, referrals to other nutrition assistance programs to eligible individuals; AND The applicant has the capacity to meet Illinois Grant Accountability and Transparency Act requirements. Successful applicants will have the characteristics and capacities listed below, including but not limited to: Have the capacity, networks, and systems in place to collaborate with existing partner organizations (if necessary) to serve the current SFMNP caseload for the City of Chicago (i.e., approximately 12,000 SFMNP individuals) immediately upon receipt of award; Have strong organizational capacity to administer the SFMNP; Have strong financial and program reporting systems in place; Have the ability to comply with Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards Have the capacity to provide effective SFMNP program outreach; Have at least 2 years of experience with collecting, compiling, storing, and reporting on race and ethnicity data of federal nutrition assistance program participants; AND Ability to collect and manage data from multiple entities (e.g., local SFMNP issuing partners) for reporting purposes. Ability to utilize an existing system or develop a system or tracking tool that will allow real-time tracking of applicants across all issuing sites to eliminate dual participation during the SFMNP season, and the ability to address any instances of dual participation.

Seniors aged 60 years and older with household income at or below 185% of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines.

Project Grants

Human Services

N/A

The applicant must meet the Registration, Pre-qualification requirements and any other mandatory requirements listed in this funding opportunity. Applicants must provide the following information via the Illinois GATA 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 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. 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: Be registered in Sam.gov before the application due date. Provide a valid unique entity identifier (UEI) in its application. 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. The State Agency may not make an award until applicant has fully complied to all UEI and SAM requirements. 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. 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. Must not be on the Illinois Stop Payment List Must not be on the Sam.gov Exclusion List Must not be on the Medicaid Sanctions List (DHFS Provider Sanctions List) Additional Mandatory Requirements: N/A Eligibility factors for the principal investigator or project director: Must have a physical presence in Cook County and be able to serve the current SFMNP caseload for the city of Chicago effective upon receipt of award. 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 Illinois GATA Grantee Portal. See Section number I(F) for funding restrictions, if applicable. Other factors that would disqualify an applicant or application include: N/A Limit on number of applications: Agencies will be limited to 1 application for the City of Chicago service area for administering the SFMNP program. Cost Sharing: Providers are not required to participate in cost sharing or provide match.

Content and Format Requirements Content and Form of Application Submission: Pre-applications, letters of intent, or white papers are not required. Required Content of Application: 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. Proposal Narrative Content and Attachments 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 application will receive a significantly reduced score and the applicant organization will not meet the criteria to receive a grant under this notice of funding opportunity. Proposal Narrative Sections: Please provide a complete response to the following sections. 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 only consider content contained within that specific section. Executive Summary (1 Page Maximum - 5 Points) The Executive Summary will serve as a stand-alone document for successful applicants that will be shared with various state-level stakeholders and others requesting a brief overview of the funded project. Therefore, applicants should be concise and direct in their description and provide an overview of the services proposed with these funds and the outcomes that will be achieved. Refer to the Executive Summary (Appendix B) for details required in the Executive Summary and should be included at the beginning of your Program Narrative. Need (1 Page Maximum - 20 Points) The purpose of this section is to provide a clear and accurate picture of the need for proposed services within the targeted service area (i.e., City of Chicago) and how the applicant will address these needs. It is necessary for the applicant to demonstrate that it has thorough knowledge and understanding of the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP), the need for improving access to benefits for fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, harvested honey, and cut herbs to eligible individuals, and the need to provide nutrition education to low-income populations on the health benefits of fruit and vegetable consumption. Provide evidence that the applicant has thorough knowledge and understanding of Federal Nutrition Assistance Programs such as the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program, Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program; Provide evidence that the applicant has thorough knowledge and understanding of the link between access to fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables and improved nutritional status for low-income adults aged 60 and older; Provide evidence that the applicant has thorough knowledge and understanding of their local food system in the City of Chicago and experience connecting food insecure individuals to healthy foods; AND Describe which communities, populations, areas in the City of Chicago (e.g., zip codes), will receive the SFMNP benefits. Provide justification for why these areas/populations were selected. Provide the estimated number of consumers that the applicant will issue benefits and include the number of issuing site partners that the applicant will collaborate with to ensure the current caseload/benefits will be issued. Capacity (2 Pages Maximum - 40 Points) The Purpose of this section is for the applicant to present an accurate picture of their ability to meet the program requirements as outlined in this NOFO. The information in this section should include, but not necessarily be limited to the following: Give a brief overview of the applicant agency, outlining its primary programs and services offered. Describe how the applicant’s mission statement and goals align with the purpose of this funding opportunity. Describe the applicant agency’s experience working with Federal Nutrition Assistance Programs such as the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program, Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program to serve low-income individuals. Specifically provide a list of partner agencies that the applicant agency partners with to administer federal nutrition assistance program benefits. List the number of years providing service, types of activities undertaken, successes, challenges, and strategies to overcome challenges. Specifically state where these services were provided. Specifically state the populations served and number of individuals served per program. Provide a description of the applicant agency’s readiness for meeting the current SFMNP caseload for the City of Chicago (approximately 12,000 individuals) upon execution of the contract for the 2026 season (i.e., July – October). Describe the personnel who will be involved in carrying out project duties, including the amount of time dedicated to the project, their role, and provide any relevant experience they had in working with similar projects. Describe the applicant’s readiness in terms of training staff and partner agency staff on the SFMNP program guidelines, allowable activities, and civil rights as it pertains to the SFMNP. Provide estimated number of partner organizations the applicant will be collaborating with in the City of Chicago to carry out SFMNP program services and activities, describe the partnerships that will be leveraged, and any additional resources that will be utilized to carry out project duties including but not limited to: Assisting individuals with completion of application; Issuing benefits; Providing nutrition education on the benefits of eligible SFMNP foods; Providing outreach on the SFMNP program; Handling complaints; AND Providing technical assistance. Quality (Program Design) (1 Page Maximum - 30 Points) The purpose of this section is for the applicant to provide a comprehensive, clear, and accurate picture of its intended program design, project implementation, and associated outcomes. Provide a detailed summary of the agency’s plan to coordinate and train applicant agency and issuing site partner staff, implement the SFMNP in the city of Chicago, and expected outcomes. Describe how the agency will successfully carry out SFMNP program activities within the city of Chicago through partner organizations including: SFMNP application assistance and eligibility determination. Issuing at least 95% of the allotted SFMNP benefits (i.e., approximately 12,000) for the SFMNP season to low-income, eligible seniors. Providing SFMNP outreach to increase awareness of the program and increase benefit issuance and redemption rates, and recruitment of FMNP farmers. Describe the agency’s data collection and reporting practices, including staff involved, technology used, experience with data analysis and reporting to identify dual participation and participant demographic information. Describe the agency’s quality assurance process to ensure compliance with stated programmatic design and ability to meet program deliverables (Section 3. (i)(D). Budget and Budget Narrative (PDF of CSA budget - 5 Points) Applicants must enter a budget electronically in the CSA system (Refer to IDHS: CSA Tracking System.). 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. 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. 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 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. Required Forms: 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 Grantee Conflict of Interest Disclosure is 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. Form W-9 (Rev. March 2024) Required Format: The narrative portion must follow the page maximums where prescribed and must be organized in the format outlined 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. Within each of the categories above, this subsection MUST include, where relevant: Limitations on page numbers. Executive Summary – 1 page Maximum Need – 1 page Maximum Capacity – 2 pages Maximum Quality – 1 page Maximum Budget and Budget Narrative – Number of pages will vary based on budget categories requested and narrative documented (no maximum) Formatting requirements, including font and font size, margins, paper size, and color limitations. All applications must be typed on 8 ½ X 11-inch white paper using: 12-point font size; Times New Roman font typeface; Black font color; AND 100% magnification. Any requirements for file naming, file size limitations, or file format such as PDF. Save all proposal files as PDF. Name program proposal files with “SFMNP 444-80-0170” and name of Applicant Agency applying along with the name of required proposal item at the end. See examples below: SFMNP 444-80-0170 Name of Agency – Uniform Application SFMNP 444-80-0170 Name of Agency – Grantee Conflict of Interest SFMNP 444-80-0170 Name of Agency – W9 SFMNP 444-80-0170 Name of Agency – Proposal SFMNP 444-80-0170 Name of Agency – Budget and Budget Narrative SFMNP 444-80-0170 Name of Agency – Signed Application Checklist The number of copies required if paper submissions are allowed: N/A The sequence required for application sections or components. Uniform Application for State Grant Assistance (Section 4 (5) (a)) – NOT included in Page Limit Grantee Conflict of Interest Disclosure (Section 4 (5) (b)) – NOT included in the Page Limit W9 form completed and signed – NOT included in the Page Limit Proposal (Narrative – 5-Page Limit applies) Executive Summary Need Capacity Quality Budget and Budget Narrative (PDF of CSA budget) – NOT included in the Page Limit Required Attachment to Your Application (NOT included in the Page Limit) SFMNP NOFO Application Checklist (Appendix C) - signed This ensures that you provide a complete proposal package and are not missing any required elements before submitting. This checklist MUST be included with the submission. Signature requirements, including those for electronic submissions. Must be included on all documents that require a signature: Uniform Grant Application for State Grant Assistance (Section 4 (i) (A) (5) (a)) must be completed with either a wet signature or digital signature. Grantee Conflict of Interest Disclosure (Section 4 (i) (A) (5) (b)) must be completed with printed name and wet signature or Digital signature. W9 Form complete and signed. Budget and Budget Narrative must be submitted electronically and signed by the Provider's Chief Executive Officer and/or Chief Financial Officer (include as a PDF when submitting proposal). SFMNP NOFO Application Checklist (Appendix C) must be signed at the bottom, PDF’d and included with the proposal submission. 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. N/A 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. N/A Instructions needed to develop the narrative portions of the application. Include any requirements for its order, format, or required headings. Executive Summary Need Capacity Quality If applicable, the need to identify proprietary information. Include how to do so and how the State agency will handle it. N/A

Eligibility Review: Applications that are received will be reviewed 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. The following are the criteria that must be met for eligibility: Applicant has a current registration with the State of Illinois in the Illinois GATA 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. Program specific eligibility restrictions include: N/A 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. 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: 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 criteria and sub-criteria include the following: 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. Criteria and Weighting of each criterion: Scoring will be on a 100-point scale. All applications will be evaluated on the following criteria: Criteria Weight Executive Summary 5 points Need 20 points Capacity 40 points Quality 30 points Budget Narrative 5 points Total Possible Points 100 points Statutory, regulatory, or other preferences: N/A Cost Sharing will not be considered in the review process. Information regarding Applicant-nominated reviewers: N/A Review and Selection Process: The process for evaluation of the application is as follows: The Merit Based Review will be conducted by review teams comprised of up to 3 internal and/or external reviewers. Internal reviewers are individuals employed by IDHS, contractual staff or individuals working as interns from an Illinois academic institution. External reviewers are those individuals not employed by IDHS who have volunteered to review applications, have subject matter expertise and/or grant reviewing experience and have been screened for any potential conflict of interest with their assigned applications. The review teams will be provided with a Merit Based Review Committee Member Orientation Session. After the orientation session, applications will 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 review team score. 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. 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: Apply one or more of the additional factors for consideration described above to prioritize the applications; or Partially fund each of the tied applications; or Not fund any of the tied applications. The Department reserves the right to negotiate with successful applicants to adjust award amounts, targets, deliverables, etc. Anticipated Announcement and State Award Dates: TBD Merit Based Review Appeal Process: 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). Submission of Appeal Appeals submission IDHS contact information: Contact Name: Melanie Kluzek Email address: Melanie.M.Kluzek@illinois.gov Email Subject Line: APPEAL SFMNP 444-80-0170 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. An appeal must be received within 14 calendar days after the date that the grant award notice has been published. 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 Response to appeal: 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 Resolution: The ARO will make a recommendation to the Agency Head or designee as expeditiously as possible after receiving all relevant, requested information. 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. The Agency will resolve the appeal by means of written determination. The determination shall include, but not be limited to: Review of the appeal; Appeal determination; and Rationale for the determination. Risk Review Requirements: IDHS conducts risk assessments for all awardees, prior to the award being issued. An agency wide Internal Control Questionnaire (ICQ) to be completed by the awardee within the Illinois GATA Grantee Portal. The ICQ evaluates fiscal, administrative, and programmatic risk in the following categories: Quality of Management Systems Financial and Programmatic Reporting Ability to Effectively Implement Award Requirements Awardee Audits A program specific Programmatic Risk Assessment conducted by the awarding agency to evaluate the following categories: Programmatic financial stability Management systems and standards that would affect the program. Programmatic audit and monitoring findings Ability to effectively implement program requirements. External partnerships Programmatic reporting 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. 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. Simplified Acquisition Threshold - Federal and State awards This award is not anticipated to exceed the Simplified Acquisition Threshold defined in 48 CFR part 2, subpart 2.1 (OR) It is anticipated that grants under this award may receive award over the Simplified Acquisition Threshold define in 48 CFR part2, subpart 2.1. Potential grantees under this funding announcement may receive an award in excess of the simplified acquisition threshold. Therefore, the grantee is subject to the simplified acquisition threshold and related requirements. 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) 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. 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

Award Notices: This section addresses what a successful applicant can expect to receive following selection. State Award Notices: 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: Grant award amount The terms and conditions of the award 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. The applicant shall receive the NOSA through the Illinois GATA 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. 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). 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. 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. Applicants who are not selected to receive an award following the Merit Review process will receive a Notice of Denial/Non-Selection. Post-Award Requirements and Administration Administrative and National Policy Requirements: 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. Link to view a Sample of an IDHS Uniform Grant Agreement Payment Terms: 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: 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 must be submitted no later than 15 days after the quarter ends. 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 and must be submitted no later than 15 days after the quarter ends. Demographic Data using DHS reporting tool for race and ethnicity, and SSBG reporting elements by the 15th of the month following the close of a quarter for applicable SFMNP season months. 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

April 10, 2026, 12:00PM CDT

Varies

Merit Based Review Appeal Process: 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). Submission of Appeal Appeals submission IDHS contact information: Contact Name: Melanie Kluzek Email address: Melanie.M.Kluzek@illinois.gov Email Subject Line: APPEAL SFMNP 444-80-0170 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. An appeal must be received within 14 calendar days after the date that the grant award notice has been published. 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 Response to appeal: 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 Resolution: The ARO will make a recommendation to the Agency Head or designee as expeditiously as possible after receiving all relevant, requested information. 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. The Agency will resolve the appeal by means of written determination. The determination shall include, but not be limited to: 1. Review of the appeal; 2. Appeal determination; and 3. Rationale for the determination.

Renewal or Supplementation of Existing Projects Eligibility: Applications for renewal or supplementation of existing projects are eligible to compete with applications for new State awards. 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: Grantee has performed satisfactorily during the previous reporting period. All required reports have been submitted on time, unless a written exception has been provided by the Division/Department. No outstanding issues are present (e.g., in good standing with all pre-qualification requirements and no outstanding corrective action, etc.)

N/A

Funding restrictions Pre-Award Costs: Pre-Award costs are allowable for this award. IDHS grants are governed by 2 CFR. Part 200, Subpart E-Cost Principles. Principles and 30 ILCS 708 which include information on allowable costs, audit requirements, and financial records. Indirect Costs: Indirect Costs may be applied to this grant award. Indirect Cost rates must be approved through the Illinois Indirect Cost Rate Election System (ICRES) Allowable Administrative Costs 1) The costs associated with the provision of SFMNP nutrition education. 2) The costs of SFMNP check issuance, or recipient education covering proper check redemption procedures. 3) The costs of outreach services. 4) The cost of monitoring and reviewing program operations. 5) The cost of required reporting and recordkeeping.

Post-Award Requirements and Administration Administrative and National Policy Requirements: 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. Link to view a Sample of an IDHS Uniform Grant Agreement Payment Terms: 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: 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 must be submitted no later than 15 days after the quarter ends. 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 and must be submitted no later than 15 days after the quarter ends. Demographic Data using DHS reporting tool for race and ethnicity, and SSBG reporting elements by the 15th of the month following the close of a quarter for applicable SFMNP season months. 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

JCAR Title 44 Illinois Administrative Code 7000.90 Local Agencies are required to be audited annually, in accordance with: 1. 2 CFR Part 200.501 Audit Requirements; 2. CFR 215 Uniform administrative requirements for grants and agreements with institutions of higher education, hospitals, and other non-profit organizations. (OMB Circular A–110); 3. CFR 225 Cost Principles for State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments (OMB Circular A-87); 4. CFR 230 Cost principles for non-profit organizations (OMB Circular A-122).

In accordance with 7 CFR 246, each Local Agency shall maintain full and complete records of Program operations in compliance with Federal and State records retention requirements. All records shall be retained for a minimum of three (3) years following the close of the fiscal year to which the records pertain. An agency (e.g., any court and all parts, boards, departments, bureaus, and commissions of any county, municipal corporation or political subdivision) shall comply with the Local Records Act, which regulates the destruction and preservation of public records within the State of Illinois. The Federal Agency or Department may require longer retention of records and/or submission of such records to these agencies if the records cover a time period still open to audit.

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Federal Regulations 7 CFR, Part 249

Division of Family and Community Services

Springfield

https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=30521

Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP), WIC, WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP)

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2/20/2026

FY 2017 : $11,000
FY 2018 : $11,000
FY 2019 : $11,000
FY 2026 : $13,500
FY 2027 : $13,500