27-0343-15 Law Enforcement Liaison Program

27-0343-15 Law Enforcement Liaison Program

Law Enforcement Liaison Program Overview:

I. INTRODUCTION

To aid local communities in reducing deaths and injuries on Illinois roadways, the Illinois Department of Transportation’s (IDOT) Bureau of Safety Programs and Engineering (BSPE) established the Law Enforcement Liaison (LEL) program. This program is designed to encourage law enforcement officers and their leaders to support the enforcement of traffic safety laws, particularly those dealing with impaired driving, occupant protection, distracted driving, and speeding.

The grants funding opportunities under NOFO 27-0343-15 may be funded both by the State of Illinois and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Therefore, the Grantee shall have an acceptable accounting system in existence capable of identifying the federal-related costs separately from their general operating costs. The Grantee shall also adhere to all Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) (P.L. 117-58, previously referred to as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL)) rules and regulations under the criteria specific to their particular grant safety program. Any questions regarding the IIJA rules and regulations must be sent electronically to DOT.TSgrants@illinois.gov.

• Each LEL region shall require a separate application.

II. PROJECT GOAL

To support local law enforcement by providing education and information on traffic safety laws, recruit new law enforcement grantees, promote BSPE highway safety programs, and to monitor grantees with law enforcement grants under the supervision and guidance of BSPE.

III. GRANT PROPOSAL GUIDANCE

The LEL Program was created to enhance communication between BSPE and local law enforcement agencies by strengthening the network of law enforcements’ knowledge of traffic safety laws in Illinois, encourage their involvement in traffic safety initiatives, and promote BSPE highways safety messaging.

As of the FFY2027 NOFO, the LEL Program is divided into six (6) pre-determined regions. Each region will require a separate application. Should there be a regional vacancy, BSPE will alter the regions accordingly to ensure the entire state has a designated LEL until the region is successfully filled, whereupon the regions will go back to the six (6) pre-determined regions as listed in this NOFO. In the event of unforeseen needs, BSPE may divide up the regions as deemed necessary on a temporary basis, regardless of vacancies to ensure agencies are getting the best support and benefits from the LEL program.

New in FFY2027, the LEL Program has no supervisory position. All six (6) LELs’ point of contact is in BSPE. LELs will report to BSPE for direction, guidance, plans of action, and all duties under the LEL program as determined by BSPE and/or NHTSA. However, this is not an exhaustive list.

BSPE will provide all guidance needed for LELs to properly fulfill the grant programs. Additionally, all communication is to be sent to BSPE - LELs are not allowed to directly communicate with NHTSA, USDOT, state agencies, or any agency that is not their hiring agency on the grant or the local law enforcement agencies in their region. Additionally, no one LEL shall speak on behalf of the other LELs- if there is an issue, all affected LELs will speak with BSPE; whether as a group or individually will be determined by BSPE on an as-needed basis.

Grant Required Actions:

• Recruit new local law enforcement agencies into grant program within their region.

• Conduct on-site visits with law enforcement agencies in the LEL’s assigned region currently not participating in the STEP or mini-grant program. The purpose of these on-site visits is to promote BSPE’s programs and messaging.

• Conduct a minimum of three (3) on-site and one (1) phone/virtual monitoring visit per year with local law enforcement grantees within their region for all year-long STEP grantees. BSPE may require more frequent monitoring for specific local law enforcement grantees. Additionally, a minimum of one (1) monitoring must be conducted for any enforcement mini-grants. BSPE will determine which agencies will require on-site or virtual/phone monitoring for the enforcement mini-grants.

• Assist potential and current grantees with applications, reporting, documentation, and planning grant activities as needed by the local law enforcement agencies within their region. BSPE may assign additional tasks depending on specific local law enforcement agency needs.

• Assist law enforcement agencies as needed to ensure they are participating and reporting enforcement results and activities.

• Assist agencies with improving their ability to plan and execute enforcement with a data-driven approach under BSPE’s guidance.

• Ensure full communication with BSPE.

• Participate, contribute, and support media events and press conferences as requested and/or pre-approved by BSPE.

• Meet periodically with BSPE staff to discuss updates, current trends, and upcoming initiatives.

• Assist BSPE with its annual statewide seat belt survey.

• Assist BSPE with any state or federal assessments when requested.

• Adhere to regional boundaries as set forth by this NOFO or otherwise determined by BSPE.

• LEL activities and reports must be shared with BSPE.

• LELs must support and promote the State Highway Safety Office, BSPE, and all IDOT employees in a positive and professional manner to current grantees, potential grantees, and all traffic safety partners. Any feedback received by IDOT concerning unprofessional, unsolicited, or otherwise negative feedback or statements concerning BSPE staff, BSPE programs, or IDOT as a whole or otherwise may result in immediate grant termination.

• Create meaningful public participation and engagement under BSPE guidance to ensure diverse views are heard and considered. Events and outreach in overrepresented and underserved communities are highly encouraged. All events and outreach must be approved by BSPE prior to the event or contact, regardless of whether or not approval was received in previous grant years.

• Collaborate with other highway safety partners and stakeholders with guidance and approval by BSPE.

• Support additional assigned activities, tasks, or directives initiated or approved by BSPE.
All duties and/or functions performed during LEL-covered hours must be part of the LEL position as described in this NOFO or receive pre-approval from BSPE.

• Applications for LEL program should be only for LEL program only and not in combination with other grant programs. Additionally, each LEL program application should be designated for a specific region.

IV. LEL REGIONS

Region 1: Counties of McHenry, Lake, and Cook.*

Region 2: Counties of Kane, DuPage, and Cook.*

Region 3: Counties of Kendall, Will, and Cook.*

Region 4: Counties of Jo Daviess, Stephenson, Winnebago, Boone, Carroll, Ogle, DeKalb, Whiteside, Lee, LaSalle Grundy, Kankakee, Marshall, Bureau, Putnam, Stark, Knox, Warren, Henderson, Mercer, Rock Island, and Henry.

Region 5: Counties of Hancock, McDonough, Fulton, Peoria, Tazwell, Woodford, McLean, Livingston, Ford, Iroquois, Vermilion, Champaign, DeWitt, Piatt, Macon, Logan, Sangamon, Menard, Mason, Cass, Morgan, Scott, Pike, Brown, Schuyler, and Adams.

Region 6: Counties of Calhoun, Greene, Jersey, Macoupin, Montgomery, Christian, Fayette, Shelby, Moultrie, Effingham, Jasper, Crawford, Clark, Edgar, Douglas, Coles, Cumberland, Lawrence, Richland, Clay, Marion, Clint, Bond, Madison, St. Clair, Monroe, Washington, Jefferson, Wayne, Edwards, Wabash, White, Hamilton, Franklin, Perry, Randolph, Jackson, Williamson, Saline, Gallatin, Harden, Pope, Johnson, Union, Alexander, Pulaski, and Massac.

*Three (3) regions overlap in Cook County due to the large volume of grantees present. The specific grantees and agencies designated for recruitment will be assigned by BSPE. Applicants for Regions 1, 2, and 3 should note that Cook County may not be included in the finalized region due to number of FFY27 enforcement grantees and their respective locations.

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 this NOFO. Here are the deliverables to be reported, including, but not limited to:

• Liaison between the Grantor and law enforcement agencies, providing documentation of such events and all required monitoring's.

• Each law enforcement agency serving as an FFY2027 STEP grantee must have a minimum of three (3) on-sight monitoring's and one (1) desk/hybrid monitoring.

• Conduct a minimum of one (1) monitoring for any enforcement mini-grants.

• Conduct one (1) on-site visit with law enforcement agencies in the LEL's assigned region currently not participating in the STEP or mini-grant program.

VI. PERFORMANCE MEASURES

Performance Measures are quantifiable specific pieces of information used to determine if a grant program is working towards achieving it’s intended goal. This typically involves collecting and analyzing data to evaluate efficiency and effectiveness of projects. IDOT 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.

To address these goals, grant applicants must submit a minimum of two (2) performance measures. The grant applicants may use Performance Measure Worksheet document made available within the application package to assist with the creation and determination of these performance measures.

VII. PROJECT FUNDING GUIDANCE

Funding for these types of programs is limited; current/past funding of a program does not guarantee future funding. Program applicants must provide clear data supporting the community need and specific ways this program and funding will improve problem areas. Program applicants must also demonstrate how their request will help meet IDOT’s performance measures.

Allowable budget items are listed in this NOFO. Some also have pre-determined costs. Please use the pre-determined costs when completing the budget, if applicable.

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.

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.

• Provide justification for LEL with tasks and hours associated with tasks. Please place in budget narrative.

• Applications for LEL program should be only for LEL program only and not in combination with other grant programs. Additionally, each LEL program application should be designated for a specific region.

• May apply for supplies and/or equipment to support local law enforcement with Federal Fiscal Year 2027 grantees. However, all purchases must be pre-approved by BSPE.

Allowable budget items are listed in this NOFO. Some also have pre-determined costs. Please use the pre-determined costs when completing the budget, if applicable.

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.

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.

VIII. BUDGET DETAILS

o Personnel (Salaries and Wages)

1. Personnel (Salaries and Wages)

• Must be in an HOURLY format. NHTSA does not allow yearly or monthly salary reimbursements.
• Include narrative for each position including their role in the program.
-Unfilled positions can be listed as TBD under the Name column.

2. Fringe Benefits

• Must be broken down by each individual employee or position as they appear in the Personnel (Salaries and Wages) page.

-If total fringe amounts are used, put the break-down of each total in the narrative. (e.g., total fringe is 7.65% should be listed in narrative as Social Security 6.2% gross wages and Medicare 1.45% gross wages).

• Only the employee directly being paid by the grant may have their fringe benefits reimbursed.
o Unallowable: spousal, dependent or other fringe benefits not directly going towards the grant-covered employee listed in Salary or Wage.

3. Travel

• Regular mileage required by the position
• Regular lodging required by the position
• Tolls/Parking
• Regular travel per diem
• ITSC mileage
• Rental Car for regular in-state travel
-Rental (smallest size required for travel)
-Fuel
o Unallowable: Additional insurance and other coverage, add-ons, upgrades resulting in additional rental costs.

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

**NOTE: Only LELs in Regions 1, 3, and 5 are eligible to attend in FFY 2027. The other regions will have the opportunity to attend the following fiscal year.

-Airfare $650 round-trip (only one (1) airfare allowable between Lifesavers and the Annual LEL Conference)
-Per Diem $74/day
-Hotel $161 pre-taxes and fees OR at the conference hotel at the conference rate
-Uber/Lyft/Taxi $75 to and from airport (only one (1) round-trip to and from the airport is allowable between Lifesavers and the Annual LEL Conference).

Annual LEL Conference March 5-6, 2027 in San Antonio, TX

**NOTE: Only LELs in Regions 1, 3, and 5 are eligible to attend in FFY2027. The other regions will have the opportunity to attend the following fiscal year.

-Airfare $650 round-trip (only one (1) airfare allowable between Lifesavers and the Annual LEL Conference)
-Per Diem $74/day
-Hotel $161 pre-taxes and fees OR at the conference hotel at the conference rate
-Uber/Lyft/Taxi $75 to and from airport (only one (1) round-trip to and from the airport is allowable between Lifesavers and the Annual LEL Conference).

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 pre-approved by IDOT; and airfare for travel outside of the approved conferences.

4. Equipment

o Unallowable under this grant unless otherwise approved by BSPE

5. Supplies

• Office Supplies (maximum amount of $250)
• Printing
• Postage (General)
• ITSC Award Plaques
• ITSC Fliers/Prize Certificates
• ITSC Foam Core Posters
• ITSC Printing
• ITSC Office Supplies
• ITSC Postage
• ITSC Flash Drives for TSC Judging

6. Contractual Services

• LEL and ITSC Website fees, domain, hosting
• Computer Software (Adobe Pro)
• ITSC Room rental fees
• Google Gmail Memory Storage
• TN Tech University TSC online annual maintenance fees

7. Consultant Services and Expenses

A. Consultant Services (Fees)

o Unallowable under this grant unless otherwise approved by BSPE

B. Consultant Expenses (Items)

o Unallowable under this grant unless otherwise approved by BSPE

8. Construction

o Unallowable under this grant unless otherwise approved by BSPE

9. Occupancy

• Unallowable under this grant unless otherwise approved by BSPE

10. Research & Development

o Unallowable under this grant unless otherwise approved by BSPE

11. Telecommunications

• Non-personal cell phone line and/or land line
o Unallowable: personal cell phone line

12. Training & Education

• Lifesavers Conference Registration
**Note: Only Regions 1, 3, and 5 are eligible to attend in FFY2027.

• Annual LEL Conference Registration
**Note: Only Regions 1, 3, and 5 are eligible to attend in FFY2027.

13. Direct Administrative Costs

o Unallowable under this grant unless otherwise approved by BSPE

14. Other and Miscellaneous Costs

• Illinois Sheriff’s Association Dues

15. Grant Exclusive Line-Item

o Unallowable under this grant unless otherwise approved by BSPE

IX. 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.

X. 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 STEP Claim for Reimbursement form (BSPE 500). 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 500 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 500 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 500 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.

XI. 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.

XII. 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
• Problem Identification – 25 points
• Traffic Stop Study – 5 points
• Location of Planned Enforcement – 25 points
• Personnel – 5 points
• Additional Activities – 10 points

XIII. 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.

Details

• Awarding Agency: Department Of Transportation
• Departments: Highway Safety Grants - Bureau of Safety Programs and Engineering -
• CSFA Number: 494-10-0343
• CSFA Popular Name: NHTSA Section 402, Section 405, and 1906 funds and State of Illinois funds
• Funding Opportunity Number: 27-0343-15
• Assistance Listings Number: 20.600, 20.616, 20.611
• Announcement Type: Initial Announcement
• Award Type: Competitive
• Total Funding Available: $1,000,000.00
• Expected Number of Awards: 40
• Funding Sources: Federal Or Federal Pass Through, State
• Capital Grant: No
• Indirect Costs Allowed: Yes
• Posted Date: 2026-02-24
• Award Period: 2026-10-01 – 2027-09-30

Funding Source Description

The grants funding opportunities under this NOFO may be funded both by the State of Illinois and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Therefore, the Grantee shall have an acceptable accounting system in existence capable of identifying the federal-related costs separately from their general operating costs. The Grantee shall also adhere to all Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) (P.L. 117-58, previously referred to as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL)) rules and regulations under the criteria specific to their particular grant safety program. Funding Sections 402 and all 405 sections in addition to 1906 funds depending on the specific grant objectives.

Any questions regarding the IIJA rules and regulations must be sent electronically to DOT.TSgrants@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.

Funding Restrictions

See funding source description

Indirect Cost Description

All applicants must provide documentation that there is an acceptable accounting system in place that is capable of identifying project related costs separate from general operating costs prior to applying for this application.

2 CFR 200

Please see Question Submission Information section for the IDOT University Indirect Cost Policy Memo as referenced in the Citation Governing Indirect Cost Restriction section.

Restrictions on Indirect Costs

Yes

Citation Governing Indirect Cost Restriction

Allowed. “The following State University F and A Rate and Base will apply to all State issued awards that contain either Federal pass-through funding or State funding: RATE: 20% Rate for awards or programs administered On-Campus 10% Rate for awards or programs administered Off-Campus BASE: Base approved in the State Universities’ current Federally Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA) *Criteria for utilization of the On/Off Campus rate is located within the general terms and conditions of Federal NICRA for each State University. If not clearly defined, State awarding agencies and officers will make final determination based upon the purposes of the grant scope.” (See attached University Indirect Cost Rates Memorandum, January 2020). 2 CFR 200

State Award Notices

Awards should be issued prior to the grant start date.

Administrative and National Policy Requirements

This NOFO is restricted by policies set forth in the IIJA (P.L. 117-58, previously referred to as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL)).

Reporting

The Periodic Financial Report is required at a minimum of four (4) times per year but may be required more frequently. Each Grantee's final reporting frequency shall be in the Agreement.

Performance Plan Reports are due monthly within Euna.

In addition, the Grantee's assigned Grantor Contact in Exhibit C of the Agreement may have monitoring meetings throughout the grant year.

Additional Information

https://idot.illinois.gov/programs-and-projects/safety-programs/safety-grants.html

Information posted in this Notice of Funding Opportunity is also posted on the IDOT Traffic Safety website for ease of use at:

https://idot.illinois.gov/programs-and-projects/safety-programs/safety-grants.html.