27-0343-10 FFY27 Local Agency General Non-Enforcement

FFY27 Local Agency Non-Enforcement- General Non-Enforcement Overview

I. INTRODUCTION

To help local communities reduce deaths and injuries on Illinois roadways, the Bureau of Safety Programs & Engineering (BSPE) made the FFY27 Local Agency Non-Enforcement grant opportunity. This grant enables local agencies to conduct public information and education campaigns, trainings, and outreach that focus on highway safety issues.

This particular NOFO is to allow grantees seeking to keep Illinois roadways safe through non-enforcement programs. It is a new NOFO for FFY27. All applications must be for programs not successfully submitted under previous FFY2027 NOFOs. While all eligible applicants are allowed to apply, applicants who successfully submitted their applications under the FFY 2027 NOFOS listed below are ineligible to apply for the same grant program under this NOFO (27-0343-10).

Applications successfully submitted under the following non-enforcement NOFOs will be DENIED: 27-0343-07 Pedestrian and Bicycle Program; 27-0343-08 Local Agency Racial Profiling Program; 27-0343-09 Local Agency Traffic Records Program; 27-0343-12 Injury Prevention-General; 27-0343-13 Local Agency Impaired Driving Prevention DUI Court; 27-0343-15 Law Enforcement Liaison Program; 27-0343-16 Local Agency Impaired Driving Prevention TRSP Program; 27-0343-18 Local Agency Child Passenger Safety Resource Center (CPSRC) Program; 27-0343-19 Local Agency Impaired Driving Prevention DRE Program; 27-0343-20 Local Agency Impaired Driving Prevention-State DRE Coordinator; 27-0343-21 Local Agency e-Digital Alert Technology Program; 27-0343-22 Local Agency Full Time DUI/DRE Officer; 27-0343-23 Local Agency Judicial Outreach Liaison (JOL) Program; 27-0343-24 Local Agency Impaired Driving Preventions Strike Force/Task Force Program; 27-0343-25 Local Agency Impaired Driving Prevention-General. No applications for programs successfully submitted under these NOFOs will be considered or transferred under this NOFO.

II. PROJECT GOAL

The goal of this grant is to allow traffic safety partners an opportunity to develop and implement effective non-enforcement traffic safety programs throughout Illinois.

III. GRANT PROPOSAL GUIDANCE

A. This grant provides grant funding to help agencies address highway safety issues at both the local and statewide levels. Projects should primarily emphasize education, prevention, and training with the goal of reducing serious motor vehicle crashes, serious injuries and fatalities.

B. Applicants may reference the example projects listed in Section IV; however, proposals are not limited to those examples. New and innovative ideas are encouraged.

C. Applicants must:

• Provide clear data driven emphasis supporting the local or statewide traffic safety need.
• Demonstrate how their project will address the identified problem.
• Show how the proposed project will help IDOT achieve performance measures outlined in the Triennial Highway Safety Plan.
-Programs that include training materials or curriculum must verify the amount of traffic-safety–related content. These materials must be submitted with the grant application.
• If only part of the curriculum relates to traffic safety, IDOT can only fund the portion directly tied to traffic safety.
• Applications submitted without curriculum or training materials may be denied.
-All expenses must be justified and thoroughly explained in the budget narrative. Supporting documentation may be required.

IV. EXAMPLE PROJECTS

A. Projects may include, but are not limited to:

• Projects supporting evidence-based court monitoring, judicial education, or offender accountability programs designed to improve traffic safety outcomes, identify system gaps, and reduce repeat risky driving behaviors.
• Developing a traffic safety coalition by bringing together partners to reduce fatalities and serious injuries on Illinois roadways.
• Creating a teen-led program that educates elementary-aged children on the importance of using booster seats and buckling up.
• Implementing peer-to-peer teen safety programs covering topics such as seat belt use, speed compliance, impaired and distracted driving, GDL laws, and the crash risks associated with teen passengers.
• Providing training related to State traffic safety laws, Safe Kids CPS Certification Courses, or other evidence-based safety education curricula.
• Conducting public education and awareness campaigns on traffic laws and safety issues, including occupant protection, heat stroke/hot car awareness, impaired driving, pedestrian and bicycle safety, motorcycle safety, speeding/aggressive driving, and distracted driving.
• Offering educational materials and technical tools to support community approaches to traffic safety, covering areas such as occupant protection, impaired driving, speed management, pedestrian/bicycle safety, motorcycle safety, drowsy driving, and distracted driving.
• Providing safety education using evidence-based curricula.
• Utilizing data-driven methods to identify and address local traffic safety concerns.
• Participating in or organizing local traffic safety networks, coalitions, and councils.

V. PROGRAM DELIVERABLES

These program deliverables must be accurately recorded and reported to IDOT on a monthly or quarterly basis as stated in the grant agreement. The applicant agency may request to add grant-specific deliverables in addition to those set forth as part of the IP program.
Due to the broad range of program deliverables, grantees must submit the applicable deliverables monthly or quarterly:

-Social Media: number of impressions and shares
-Event: event type, number of attendees, type of materials distributed, number of materials distributed, feedback from attendees
-Distribution of Materials, Supplies, or Equipment: as allowable under the specific grant, provide the material, supplies, or equipment distributed, the number distributed, and populations receiving the items
-Indirect contact: any contact made, such as emails, letters, or other forms of non-face-to-face contacts, should be listed by the number of contacts made, populations reached, and information on the contact distributed

VI. PERFORMANCE MEASURES

Performance Measures are quantifiable specific pieces of information used to determine if a grant program is working towards achieving its intended goal. This typically involves collecting and analyzing data to evaluate efficiency and effectiveness of projects. IDOT also encourages grant applicants to set clear objectives and metrics, as part of or in addition to the required program deliverables, as part of an internal process to help meet the goal.

In order to address these goals, grant applicants must submit a minimum of two (2) performance measures. Grant applicants must also submit a minimum of one (1) project objective. To assist with creating these two requirements, grant applicants may use the Performance Measure Worksheet document made available within the application package to assist with the creation and determination of these performance measures and objectives.

VII. PROJECT FUNDING GUIDANCE:

A. Funding for these programs is limited. Prior funding does not guarantee future awards. Applicants must:

• Demonstrate clear community need with supporting data.
• Explain how funding will meaningfully improve identified problems.
• Show alignment with IDOT’s performance goals.

B. Funding Restrictions and Requirements:

1. Bicycle helmets and bicycles may not be purchased with IP funds.

2. Child safety seats may only be purchased if the grantee has a current CPS Technician Proxy or Instructor certification.

o A CPST Proxy must assist a minimum of twenty (20) hours per grant period with a CPS Technician Certification Course or Skills Building Class.
o A CPS Instructor must provide or assist with a Technician Certification Course or Special Needs CPS Training for at least twenty (20) hours per year.
o All car seat checks conducted with IDOT funds must be entered into the electronic form at www.carseatcheckform.org.

3. Paid media (e.g., radio/TV ads, PSA development) is not reimbursable.

4. Food is allowable only for expedited CPS certification or recertification courses (working lunches) and must be listed under “Other” or “Miscellaneous Costs.”

5. Projects should strive for meaningful public engagement, especially in overrepresented and underserved communities.

6. Teaching tools are allowable.

7. Marketing and advertising are allowable for promoting CPS check stations, outreach events, and trainings.

C. Allowable Conferences (if applicable)

*Applicants are encouraged to email DOT.TSgrants@illinois.gov to ensure which conference, if any, would be appropriate for their program.

• KIMS Conference, August 11-13, 2027, in Madison, WI

o 2 attendees/grant if approved
o Only grants centered on occupant protection and/or child passenger safety will be considered.

-Per Diem $70/day
-Hotel $150/night, pre-taxes and fees OR at the conference hotel at the conference rate
-Mileage $0.725/mile
-Registration Fee(s)

• Lifesavers Conference, March 7-9, 2027, in San Antonio, TX

o 2 attendees/grant, if approved

-Airfare $650 round-trip
-Per Diem $74/day
-Hotel $161/night, pre-taxes and fees OR at the conference hotel at the conference rate
-Uber/Lyft/Taxi $75 to and from airport
-Registration Fee

• Teen Driving Conference [date, location, and currently unknown costs]

o Only grants centered on teen driver safety will be considered.
o 1 attendee/grant, if approved

-Per Diem $68/day
-Hotel $110/night, pre-taxes and fees OR at the conference hotel at the conference rate
-Mileage $0.725/mile
-Registration Fee(s)

• CPS Statewide Conference in Bloomington, IL (TBD) in late June 2027

o Only grants centered on occupant protection and/or child passenger safety will be considered.

-Per Diem $68/day
-Hotel $110/night, pre-taxes and fees OR at the conference hotel at the conference rate
-Mileage $0.725/mile
– Registration Fee(s)

• National ThinkFirst Conference in early November 2026 (2 attendees/grant)

o 1 attendee/grant, if approved

-Airfare $700 round-trip
-Per Diem $95/day
-Hotel $200/night, pre-taxes and fees OR at the conference hotel at the conference rate
-Uber/Lyft/Taxi $150 to and from airport
-Registration Fees

o Registration fees for Conferences should be listed under Training and Education.

o Rates used are based on FFY2026 rates or best estimates – final allowable costs may differ. All rates should be pre-approved by BSPE prior to the first day of travel.

o Unallowable: additional expenditures for conferences such as early bird boarding, voluntary upgraded seating or rental vehicle size resulting in higher costs, vehicle rental and parking for out-of-state conferences that require airfare, or additional baggage fees; valet parking, unless they are pre-approved by IDOT; and airfare for travel outside of Lifesavers or other conferences deemed allowable where driving is deemed burdensome.

The FFY2027 Travel Information document for all requirements regarding regular travel or travel that may not yet have a selected destination or dates, in-state or otherwise. All grantees, whether performing routine travel or otherwise, shall adhere to the information within their awarded budget as well as the FFY2027 Travel Information document. This FFY2027 Travel Information document is attached under the Question Submission Information section in this NOFO posting.

Special Note Regarding Personnel (Salaries and Wages): 1) All salaries are to be broken down into an hourly rate; no annual or monthly salary amounts are allowed per NHTSA requirement. 2) All applicant employees listed under Salary and Wages are eligible for a standard 4% annual cost of living raise so long as the applicant agency approves such pay increases. Other raise requests will require the agency policy regarding raises and may be denied or not funded the full requested amount. 3) Unless otherwise approved by BSPE, agencies should adhere to the FFY2027 Pay Raise Information document. This FFY2027 Pay Raise Information document is attached under the Question Submission Information section in this NOFO posting.

VII. SPECIAL NOTE ABOUT GRANT PAYMENTS

IDOT/NHTSA funded grants are reimbursement grants meaning reimbursements are issued after expenditures are incurred. Due to the time it takes to review, approve and process reimbursement requests as well as the time it takes the Illinois Comptroller to issue payments, grantees should be prepared to fund sixty (60) days of operations prior to receiving reimbursement.

VIII. REIMBURSEMENT

A. Claims for reimbursement submitted by the Grantee will be for expenses that have been incurred to complete the scope of services/responsibilities in the Agreement. If the Grantee’s claims for reimbursement are deemed by the Grantor or auditors to not be sufficiently documented for supplies and equipment purchased or other services rendered, the Grantor may require further records and supporting documents to verify the amounts, recipients and uses of all funds invoiced pursuant to the Agreement. Furthermore, if any of the deliverables or milestones in the Agreement are not satisfactorily completed, the Grantee will refund payments made under the Agreement to the extent that such payments were made for any such incomplete or unsatisfactory deliverable.

The Grantee shall submit all claims for reimbursement on the Highway Safety Claim (non-STEP) claim form (BSPE 600). Claims for reimbursement are due within thirty (30) days of the end of the service period being reimbursed. The Grantee may request an extension of time to submit claims for reimbursement, along with required supporting documentation. Extension requests must be submitted to the Grantor in writing. The grantor must provide a written approval or denial of a time extension.

Final claims for reimbursement and all reports, including final reports, are due to the Grantor by 5 p.m. on Monday, November 1, 2027. Claims submitted to the Grantor by the November 1, 2027, due date will be reviewed and processed immediately for payment. If the Grantee cannot meet the November 1, 2027, deadline for submitting any final claims for reimbursement, the Grantee may request a time extension for submitting these documents. Time extension requests must be submitted to the Grantor in writing. Grantor must provide a written approval or denial of any time extension requests. Any approved time extension will be limited in nature to ensure the Grantor is able to request federal reimbursement.

Any expenditure made prior to the Agreement start date is the responsibility of the Grantee.

The Grantee must submit the BSPE 600 claim form and supporting documentation to the Grantor pursuant to the Agreement via email at:

DOT.BSPE.Claims@illinois.gov

If issues arise in submitting the BSPE 600 claim form, please contact the Grantor Contact listed in the Agreement or the assigned BSPE staff as assigned by BSPE.

B. All claims and supporting documents shall be signed and dated electronically by either the project director or the authorized representative of the Grantee. The claim must include:

1. The Agreement Number.
2. Requests for reimbursement must be requested on the Grantor’s designated BSPE 600 claim form.
3. Back up documentation, which may include invoices and receipts for expenditures, must be submitted with each claim.

C. Review and Approval

1. Upon submittal of a claim, the assigned Grantor Contact listed in the Agreement or the assigned BSPE staff as assigned by BSPE reviews and checks:

a. Mathematical accuracy of the claim.
b. That requested reimbursement is consistent with items included in the approved budget.
c. That total amount requested for reimbursement is proportional to the total amount budgeted.
d. That expenditures for each line item are less than or equal to the budgeted amounts and are allowable.
e. Completion of the work.

2. Failure to provide a complete claim may delay or prevent reimbursement. If there are problems with the claim, the assigned Grantor Contact listed in the Agreement or the assigned BSPE staff as assigned by BSPE will contact the Grantee to resolve the issue so that payment can be made, assuming all expenses are allowable. This may include submission of a new or corrected claim by the Grantee.

3. The assigned Grantor Contact listed in the Agreement or the assigned BSPE staff as assigned by BSPE will review and approve or reject the claim within thirty (30) days of the Grantee’s submittal. If rejected, the claim will not be processed for payment until revisions are approved by the Grantee.

D. Manager Approval

Once a claim is approved for payment, the Grantor’s Finance Unit processes the claim for payment by the Comptroller.

E. Send Payment

Once approved, the Comptroller forwards payment either via Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) or by mailing a check to the Grantee’s Remittance Address listed on the Agreement.

F. Indirect Cost Rate Eligibility

1. Indirect cost rate shall be referred to as indirect cost rate or rate(s) throughout the language of the Agreement.

2. The Grantee is only eligible to receive an indirect cost rate if requested on the grant application, and the following stipulations are met:

a. The Grantee has a finalized indirect cost rate for the corresponding fiscal year wherein the expenses are allowable under the Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA) or other applicable agreement between the agency and an appropriate third party; If this is the first time for negotiating an indirect cost rate, the Grantee has the option to request a 15% provisional De Minimis rate until the rate is finalized.

b. The Grantee is eligible to claim a provisional rate at the commencement of the Agreement should the rate for the corresponding fiscal year not yet be finalized;

c. The Grantee adheres to the requirements for receiving an indirect cost rate including, but not limited to, have appropriate approval to receive indirect cost funds and finalizing the indirect cost rate that has been provisionally offered in a timely manner (timeliness is at the discretion of the Grantor).

3. Indirect Cost Rates are based on the Grantee’s fiscal year, therefore, other restrictions and deadlines may apply. The Grantee must work with the Grantor’s Support Services Manager to determine such additional restrictions. The Grantor’s Support Services Manager may be reached by emailing DOT.TSgrants@illinois.gov.

4. The Grantee acknowledges that provisional rates are not guaranteed for the duration of the Agreement. The rate shall be finalized prior to the end of the Agreement on Thursday, September 30, 2027.

a. Indirect cost rates finalized at a differing rate from the provisional rate may result in having an amendment to the Agreement.

b. Any overpayment of indirect costs on reimbursement submittals from the Grantee paid under the provisional rate shall be deducted by the Grantor from the total amount owed on remaining reimbursement submittals once the rate is finalized even in the event that the amendment has not been issued or executed. The Grantee will be responsible for repaying to the Grantor any indirect cost overpayment that cannot be recouped from remaining reimbursement submittals.

c. If provisional indirect cost rates are not finalized by September 30, 2027, the Grantor may recollect all indirect costs that were issued under the provisional rate. These funds will be recollected through remaining reimbursement submittals, or if no further expenditures are submitted for reimbursement, the Grantor will issue a recollection statement to the Grantee.

5. The Grantee is fully aware and in understanding of the Illinois Grant Funds Recovery Act as listed in Article XXII subsection 22.11 of the Agreement.

6. The Grantee acknowledges that the rate may be denied, altered, or otherwise amended outside the scope of rate requirements listed in Part III subsection VI of the Agreement.

7. All state university grant recipients shall adhere to the 20% on-campus/10% off-campus rate as per the memorandum issued January 24, 2020, to Grantor grant and program staff from the Grantor’s Acting Chief Financial Officer.

IX. CERTS AND ASSURANCES

Grantees shall also follow the NHTSA Certs and Assurances that will be included in the Agreement. The NHTSA Certs and Assurances document is also attached under the Question Submission Information section in this NOFO posting.

Any agency that issues a sub-award via grant, contract, or any other means of distributing the funds in order to assist the agency receiving funds directly from IDOT are required to have all such sub-awardees sign the NHTSA Certs and Assurances. The signed certs and assurances must then be submitted to the Grantor Contact listed in Exhibit C of the Agreement.

X. APPLICATION SCORING CRITERIA

The grant applicant agency’s risk levels and project proposal information. There are 100 points in total. The grant applications will be scored as follows:

• Risk Level – 30 points
• Application Agency Information – 2 points
• Agency Experience and Qualifications – 20 points
• Problem Statement – 15 points
• History or Background Impact on Problem Statement – 5 points
• Data and Method of Evaluation – 10 points
• IDOT Planning and Assessment Documents – 6 points
• Objective(s) – 5 points
• Performance Measures – 5 points
• Deliverables – 2 points

XI. ADDITIONAL GUIDANCE AND REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL FEDERAL FISCAL YEAR 2027 OPPORTUNITIES

NOTE: Some of these funding line-items may be unallowable for this specific grant program NOFO. Rather, this is guidance regarding all BSPE-issued FFY 2027 NHTSA program grants. All grant applicants should review the allowable grant budget line-items in previous sections to determine which of the below information’s guidance and requirements are applicable.

A. EMPLOYEES PERCENTAGE OF WORK

Full-time employees that work a percentage of their time on a grant, shall be paid on an hourly rate instead of a percentage of the overall salary. Percentages of time is not acceptable.

B. EMPLOYEES WITH MONTHLY OR ANNUAL SALARIES

Full-time employees that work on this grant cannot be paid their monthly or annual salaries. NHTSA requires all salaries to be broken down by hourly rates.

C. PART-TIME EMPLOYEES

Part-time employees shall be paid on an hourly rate. Percentages of time is not acceptable. Part-time grant funded personnel will not be eligible for leave time reimbursement.

D. EMPLOYEE RAISES

Special Note Regarding Personnel (Salaries and Wages): 1) All salaries are to be broken down into an hourly rate; no annual or monthly salary amounts are allowed per NHTSA requirement. 2) All applicant employees listed under Salary and Wages are eligible for a standard 4% annual cost of living raise so long as the applicant agency approves such pay increases. Other raise requests will require the agency policy regarding raises and may be denied or not funded the full requested amount. 3) Unless otherwise approved by BSPE, agencies should adhere to the FFY2027 Pay Raise Information document. This FFY2027 Pay Raise Information document is attached under the Question Submission Information section in this NOFO posting.

E. FRINGE FOR NON-ENFORCEMENT PART-TIME EMPLOYEES

Fringe can be paid for non-enforcement staff members based on their hours of work associated with the specific grant. Example: If a staff member works five hours for the grant, IDOT will reimburse up to the fringe rate for the five hours worked at the hourly rate.

F. TRAVEL

Special Note Regarding Travel: All applicants should adhere to the budget guidance and refer to the FFY2027 Travel Information document for all requirements regarding regular travel or travel that may not yet have a selected destination or dates, in-state or otherwise. All grantees, whether performing routine travel or otherwise, shall adhere to the information within their awarded budget as well as the FFY2027 Travel Information document. This FFY2027 Travel Information document is attached under the Question Submission Information section in this NOFO posting.

G. PROGRAMMATIC INCOME/IN-KIND CONTRIBUTIONS

Program Income will no longer be collected unless the grant applicant submits a proposal to BSPE and then received written approval for the collection and use of program income/in-kind contributions.

If approved, program income/in-kind contributions funds must be treated as federal dollars and must abide by all state and federal guidelines. These funds are to be expended in the grant year they were collected.

H. INVENTORY CONTROL

1. Any items purchased over $1,000, are required to be tracked and monitored by both the Grantee’s agency and IDOT. This inventory will be monitored throughout the grant program. This inventory list must contain name of item, location of item, and unique identifier number for each item. How this is established is up to the Grantee’s discretion but must have the required information described above.

2. If equipment above $1,000 is replaced with a new item and the previous was purchased with federal funds, the previous item will need to be turned into IDOT or disposed of properly. IDOT must be informed of what was disposed of and when. Then inventory control lists must reflect this change. If it is not returned or disposed of properly the new item will not be reimbursed.

3. The Safety Grant Administrator will inspect annually any item purchased more than $1,000. Equipment purchased with grant funds of $10,000.00 or more will have the BSPE 36 Major Equipment Inventory Inspection form completed and put in the project file.

4. Equipment Monitoring:

a. All pieces of equipment will be monitored until disposed of. Grantees are required to keep detailed information on where the equipment is and must present it when requested by IDOT. Equipment is only to be disposed of when it is no longer useful and IDOT must be informed of the disposal.

I. TECHNOLOGY GUIDELINES FOR GRANTEES

1. Personal/Home Internet:

a. The Illinois Department of Transportation will not provide salary stipends, expense reimbursements, payments on behalf of grantees, or any reimbursement (via Purchasing Card or direct bill) to cover costs associated with use of personal/home internet services used while performing business related activities.

2. Computers/Laptop/Tablet Purchases:

a. If computers/laptops/tablets are approved in the Grantee’s budget, prior approval from the Grantor Contact listed in Exhibit C of the Agreement is required before making the purchase. Computing devices/laptops/computers have a limit of $999 dollars.

b. If the Grantee is replacing a computing device and the previous computing device was purchased with federal funds, it must be returned to the Grantor after the new computing device is received.

c. Any purchase request over $999 requires justification with required documentation submitted to their Safety Grant Administrator prior to purchase. After reviewing, the Grantor Contact listed in Exhibit C of the Agreement will deem it allowable or denied.
 
d. Computer charges must meet the same fundamental standards as all other charges to federal awards. Criteria for approval determination of a computing device include:

i. They must be reasonable.
ii. There must be an informed, prudent decision regarding the cost, utility, and value to the project.
iii. They must be allowable.
iv. They must be directly allocable.
v. The primary/principal use of the computer and related costs must be directly allocable to the purpose, goals, and activities of the funded projects.
vi. They must be necessary for the project.
vii. Computers must be essential for project activities and use should be sufficiently tracked to be adequately justified in the event of audit.

J. LINE-ITEM/BUDGET REVISIONS/AMENDMENTS TRANSFERS

Grantor requires the Grantee to provide prior written notification of any intended line-item transfers or other updates to the Agreement budget, regardless of dollar amount. Grantees must submit the intended updates to the Grantor Contact listed in Exhibit C of the Agreement using the Budget Revision Request & Approval BSPE 02 form. No changes to the budget are allowed without prior approval from the Grantor. Non-approved changes will not be eligible for reimbursement. State Funds, Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), or current funding bill if IIJA is replaced. State Funds, and IIJA federal funding Sections 402, 405, and 1906 sections depending on the specific grant objectives.

Any questions regarding the IIJA rules and regulations must be sent electronically to Sarah.Moore@illinois.gov.

Allowable Budget Items: Personnel, Fringe, Travel, Equipment, Supplies, Contractual Services and Sub Awards, Consultant, Occupancy, Research and Development, Telecommunications, Training and Education, Direct Administrative Costs, Miscellaneous Costs, and Indirect Costs.

Allowable Budget Items: Personnel, Fringe, Travel, Equipment, Supplies, Contractual Services and Sub Awards, Consultant, Occupancy, Research and Development, Telecommunications, Training and Education, Direct Administrative Costs, Miscellaneous Costs, and Indirect Costs. Federal Assistance Listing: 20.600. Administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation via the Illinois GATA Catalog of State Financial Assistance (CSFA 494-10-0343).