Opportunity Information
CSFA Number
422-11-1154
CSFA Popular Name
RTP
Title
RTP - Recreational Trails Program (FY24)
Description
Provides funding assistance for acquisition, development, rehabilitation and maintenance of both motorized and non-motorized recreation trails. Must be open and available for general public use. Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Funds passed thru IDOT to IDNR.
Awarding Agency Name
Natural Resources
Agency Contact Name
Ann Fletcher
Agency Contact Phone
(217) 782-7481
Agency Contact Email
dnr.grants@illinois.gov
Program
Fund Activity Categories
Category Explanation
The Recreational Trails Program (RTP) provides funds to the States to develop and maintain recreational trails and trail-related facilities for both nonmotorized and motorized recreational trail uses. The RTP is an assistance program of the Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Federal transportation funds benefit recreation including hiking, bicycling, in-line skating, equestrian use, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, off-road motorcycling, all-terrain vehicle riding, or using other off- road motorized vehicles.
Opportunity Manager
Josh LeMasters
Additional Users
Posted Date
Announcement Type
Initial Announcement
Funding Opportunity Number
2024RTP
Assistance Listings Number
20.219
Public Link
Is Published
Yes
Funding Information
Opportunity Funding
$3,000,000.00
Funding Sources
Federal Or Federal Pass Through
Funding Source Description
Federal Highway Administration Recreational Trails Program Funding
Funding Restrictions
Trail Construction and Renovation
Award Information
Award Floor
$20,000.00
Award Type
Competitive
Capital Grant
Yes
Indirect Costs Allowed
Yes
Restrictions on Indirect Costs
No
Matching Requirement
Yes
Submission Information
Submission Timeline Type
One Time
Submission Open Date
Submission Close Date
Submission Timeline Additional Information
Completed applications must be received by the Submission Close Date/Time in order to be reviewed and considered in the awarding process.
Allow Multiple Applications
Yes
Application Review Start Date / Pre-Qualification Deadline
Question Submission Information
Question Submission Open Date
Question Submission Close Date
Question Submission Email Address
Question Submission Additional Information
For grant program specific questions contact the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
For questions specific to the AmpliFund program contact:
support@il-amplifund.zendesk.com
AmpliFund Support Site:
https://il-amplifund.zendesk.com
Attachments
Eligibility Information
Eligibility Type
Public
Eligible Applicants
Individuals, Small Businesses, Government Organizations, Nonprofit Organizations, For-Profit Organizations
Applicant Eligibility Information
Beneficiary Eligibility Information
Credentials Documentation Eligibility Information
Additional Eligibility Information
Applicant Eligibility: Eligible grant applicants include federal, State and local government agencies, not-for-profit organizations and private operators of recreational facilities open to the public.
Beneficiary Eligibility: N/A
Credentials Documentation: N/A
Additional Information
Additional Information URL
Additional Information URL Description
https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/recreational_trails/
Award Administration Information
State Award Notices
After the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has made the final decision, the successful applicant will be notified by email and/or letter of any final requirements before the grant can be awarded to them. Once all the final requirements have been completed, the Grant Agreement between IDNR and the applicant will be sent for the applicant to sign and return. Once the agreement is fully executed by the IDNR a copy will be returned to the applicant.
Only after the Grant Agreement has been signed by the Director can expenses be incurred for grant reimbursement. Any expenses incurred outside of the grant period (before or after) are at the applicant’s risk and are not eligible either as match or for reimbursement related to the grant with the exception of Architectural and Engineering costs.
Administrative and National Policy Requirements
Form FHWA-1273 “Required Contract Provisions Federal-Aid Construction Contracts” must be physically incorporated in each construction contract funded under Title 23 (excluding emergency contracts solely intended for debris removal). The contractor (or subcontractor) must insert this form in each subcontract and further require its inclusion in all lower tier subcontracts (excluding purchase orders, rental agreements and other agreements for supplies or services).
The applicable requirements of Form FHWA-1273 are incorporated by reference for work done under any purchase order, rental agreement or agreement for other services. The prime contractor shall be responsible for compliance by any subcontractor, lower-tier subcontractor or service provider.
Form FHWA-1273 must be included in all Federal-aid design-build contracts, in all subcontracts and in lower tier subcontracts (excluding subcontracts for design services, purchase orders, rental agreements and other agreements for supplies or services). The design-builder shall be responsible for compliance by any subcontractor, lower-tier subcontractor or service provider.
Contracting agencies may reference Form FHWA-1273 in bid proposal or request for proposal documents, however, the Form FHWA-1273 must be physically incorporated (not referenced) in all contracts, subcontracts and lower-tier subcontracts (excluding purchase orders, rental agreements and other agreements for supplies or services related to a construction contract). This form will be provided to you at the time of grant award.
Reporting
Financial reporting will include all funds and in-kind work spent in the undertaking of the project. Various types of reporting are required for grant agreements awarded under the grant, including:
Performance Reporting: The grantee shall be required to provide reporting of its activities under this project. The IDNR may withhold or suspend payment if the grantee fails to submit the required reports. The following reports are required under this Agreement and the forms are provided in the Implementation and Billing Packet that will be received upon award:
a) Periodic Performance Reports: The grantee is required to provide to the IDNR quarterly performance reports that describe the progress of the project and expenditures of funds according to the budget line items as detailed in the approved Uniform Application for State Grant Assistance.
b) Periodic Financial Reports: The grantee is required to provide to the IDNR periodic financial reports that describe the progress of the project expenditures according to the budget line items as detailed in the approved Uniform Application for State Grant Assistance.
c) Final Performance Report: The grantee shall submit a written Final Performance Report to the department no later than 1 year following the completion of the Project or the ending date of the grant agreement, whichever is earlier, in accordance with the applicable administrative rules.
The Final Report shall include:
• Grant Agreement number
• Grantee name
• Project title
• Report date
• Description of completed project components
• Cost breakdown of completed project components
• Signature and title of person completing report
State Awarding Agency Contacts
By US Mail: Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Office of Grant Management and Assistance
Recreational Trails Grant Manager
One Natural Resources Way
Springfield, IL 62702-1271
By e-mail: DNR.grants@illinois.gov
By phone: (217) 782-7481
By fax: (217) 782-9599
Other Information
Recreational Trails Program
(US Dept of Transportation/Federal Highway Administration)
https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/recreational_trails/guidance/
Criteria
The following criteria will be used by the Department for evaluating and ranking grant applications. Each criterion indicates the weighting that will be given to that criterion.
- Project Need (20%)
- Trail significance − the estimated users that will be attracted to the trail/trail site; will it have potential for interstate, State, regional or local importance
- Geographic distribution – will the proposed project, considering the trail type and proposed users of the trail or site, be the first in the county, area, or region
- Population served
- Project concept and quality (55%)
- Project type
- acquisition of land for new trails/trail sites
- initial development of trails/trail sites
- additional development of existing trails/trail sites
- renovation of existing trails/trail facilities
- Trail length
- Diversity of trail use
- Scenic quality of the trail corridor or the trail site
- Availability of necessary amenities/support facilities, such as drinking water, restrooms, and parking
- Project sponsor maintenance capabilities and projects having the most long-term, stable management potential
- Project type
- Environmental suitability of the proposed trail/trail site (5%)
- Local support for the proposed project (5%)
- Local financial contribution (5%)
- Overall program suitability (5%)
- The Recreational Trails Program (RTP) provides funds to the States to develop and maintain recreational trails and trail-related facilities for both nonmotorized and motorized recreational trail uses. The RTP is an assistance program of the Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Federal transportation funds benefit recreation including hiking, bicycling, in-line skating, equestrian use, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, off-road motorcycling, all-terrain vehicle riding, or using other offroad motorized vehicles.
- Applicant/Application Factors (5%)
- Consideration is given to the applicant's past performance in completing Department grant projects or unresolved project violations, maintenance history of existing sites, and administrative considerations (such as application completeness and response time during the application process).
Review and Selection Process
The Department will review, evaluate and prioritize the applications utilizing the criteria listed above. Awarding of grants is on a competitive basis and made under authority and directive of the Director of the Department of Natural Resources. In arriving at a final determination, the Director will consider the recommendations of Department staff, Department of Natural Resources Advisory Board Members and the criteria listed above.
The Director of the Department of Natural Resources, with staff, reviews and prioritizes project applications according to the established program rating criteria. The Director makes final decisions concerning RTP grant awards. Once a decision has been reached, awarded projects will be announced.
Merit-Based Review Appeals Process
In compliance with GATA, applicants have the right to appeal the evaluation process but not the evaluation score. More information is available at: http://ilga.gov/commission/JCAR/admincode/044/044070000D03500R.html