Opportunity Information
CSFA Number
422-11-1077
CSFA Popular Name
Bike Path
Title
BIKE - Illinois Bicycle Path Grant Program (FY24)
Description
To financially assist eligible local units of government in acquiring, constructing, and rehabilitating public, non-motorized bicycle paths and directly related support facilities. Must be open and available for general public use.
Awarding Agency Name
Natural Resources
Agency Contact Name
Jennifer Weisenberger
Agency Contact Phone
(217)782-7481
Agency Contact Email
dnr.grants@illinois.gov
Program
Fund Activity Categories
Category Explanation
The purpose of the program is to provide financial assistance to eligible local units of government to assist them in the acquisition, construction, and rehabilitation of public off-road, non-motorized bicycle paths and directly related facilities (such as signs, drinking water, rest rooms) in Illinois.
Bicycle routes/lanes sharing existing roadway surfaces are not eligible for funding assistance under this program.
Opportunity Manager
Josh LeMasters
Additional Users
Posted Date
Announcement Type
Initial Announcement
Funding Opportunity Number
2024BIKE
Public Link
Is Published
Yes
Funding Information
Opportunity Funding
$13,000,000.00
Funding Sources
State
Funding Source Description
Funding for the program is derived from revenue generated from fees collected pursuant to Section 3-821(f) of the Illinois Vehicle Code (625 ILCS 5/2-119).
Distribution of funds to eligible government agencies will be on a statewide competitive basis, as determined by need, type of project, project costs, and the capability of the project sponsor (applicant) to fund, operate, and maintain the project. Additional considerations are included in the Project Selection Process.
BIKE PATH will reimburse up to 50 percent of total approved project costs up to the maximum allowable cost. The remainder of the costs will be borne by the project sponsor. BIKE PATH is a reimbursement program, meaning that a project sponsor must have sufficient cash, donations, or eligible in-kind services to pay for work, and then be paid back the grant percentage after approval of a reimbursement request.
Award Information
Award Type
Competitive
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 submitted through the AmpliFund Grant Management System by 5:00 PM on the submission closing date in order to be reviewed for awarding.
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
Grant specific questions should be directed to the grant administration staff at 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
Government Organizations
Applicant Eligibility Information
Beneficiary Eligibility Information
Credentials Documentation Eligibility Information
Additional Eligibility Information
Applicant Eligibility: BIKE PATH funding is available to: Units of local government with statutory authority to acquire develop and maintain lands for bicycle trail purposes. This includes but is not limited to: counties, townships, municipalities, park districts, conservation districts and forest preserve districts.
An entity may apply for a grant but will not be eligible for a grant award unless the entity has pre-qualified through the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (GATA) Grantee Portal, www.grants.illinois.gov/ portal by the close of the application period. During pre-qualification, Dun and Bradstreet verifications are performed including a check of Debarred and Suspended status and good standing with the Secretary of State. The pre-qualification process also includes a financial and administrative risk assessment utilizing an Internal Controls Questionnaire. If applicable, the entity will be notified that it is ineligible for grant award as a result of the Dun and Bradstreet verification. The entity will be informed of corrective action needed to
become eligible for a grant award.
Beneficiary Eligibility: N/A
Credentials Documentation: N/A
Additional Information
Additional Information URL
Additional Information URL Description
Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Illinois Bicycle Path Grant Program
Prior year manuals and forms can be found on the IDNR website.
Award Administration Information
State Award Notices
Once a final decision has been made, the successful applicant will be notified by email and/or letter of any final requirements before the state 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 unless a waiver has been previously issued.
Administrative and National Policy Requirements
The Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (GATA), 30 ILCS 708/1 et seq. is the Administrative Code that this grant will be governed under.
Reporting
Financial reporting will include all funds including matching funds spent in the undertaking of the project and interest earned on advanced payments. Various types of reporting are required for grant agreements awarded under this grant, including:
Performance Progress 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:
Quarterly Progress Reports: The grantee is required to provide to the IDNR quarterly progress 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. The Quarterly Progress Report will be due as follows:
Quarterly Progress Report Due By:
April 1 | July 1 | October 1 | January 1
State Awarding Agency Contacts
By US Mail: Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Office of Grant Management and Assistance
Illinois Bicycle Path Grant Program
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
The State of Illinois is not obligated to make any award of the Illinois Bicycle Path Grant Program as a result of this Notice of Funding Opportunity.
Only the Director of Natural Resources makes the determination of what grants shall be awarded after considering the recommendations. Grant applicants are not authorized to proceed on their projects until the Director has signed the Grant Agreement.
www.dnr.illinois.gov
https://www2.illinois.gov/dnr/grants/Pages/default.aspx
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%)
- 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