Green Infrastructure Grant Opportunities

Green Infrastructure Grant Opportunities is sponsored by Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA). This program provides funding opportunities for projects to construct green infrastructure best management practices (BMPs) that prevent, eliminate, or reduce water quality impairments by decreasing stormwater runoff into Illinois' rivers, streams, and lakes.

Euna Grants - Environmental Protection Agency - Green Infrastructure Grant Opportunities (FY 2026) Green Infrastructure Grant Opportunities (FY 2026) Green Infrastructure Grant Opportunities Green Infrastructure Grant Opportunities (FY 2026) This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is to advise potential applicants of the availability of grant funds through the Green Infrastructure Grant Opportunities (GIGO).

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) is seeking proposals for projects to construct green infrastructure best management practices (BMPs) that prevent, eliminate, or reduce stormwater runoff, reducing localized or riverine flooding in Illinois’ rivers, streams, and lakes.

Projects that implement treatment trains (multiple BMPs in series) and/or multiple BMPs within the same watershed are encouraged as they may be more effective and efficient than a single large green infrastructure BMP. BMPs may be located on public or private land.

For the purposes of GIGO, Green Infrastructure means any stormwater management technique or practice employed with the primary goal to preserve, restore, mimic, or enhance natural hydrology. Green Infrastructure includes, but is not limited to, methods of using soil and vegetation to promote soil percolation, evapotranspiration, and filtering or the harvesting and reuse of precipitation.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), localized and riverine flooding will likely become more frequent. Localized flooding happens when rainfall overwhelms the capacity of the drainage systems, while riverine flooding happens when river flows exceed the capacity of a river channel.

By reducing stormwater runoff, detaining water away from impacted areas, and reconnecting streams to their floodplains, GIGO can help reduce the number and duration of both localized and riverine flood events. Eligible GIGO projects, through the construction of BMPs, will decrease stormwater runoff prior to release into rivers, streams, and lakes, and include: 1.

reconnection of a stream with its floodplain (e.g., two-stage ditch, daylighting); 2. flow control of stormwater runoff at sites directly upstream or downstream of an impervious area that currently impacts rivers, streams, or lakes through stormwater runoff discharge; and/or 3. flow control of water generated from impervious surfaces associated with existing urban land use (such as roads and buildings).

Examples of Project Types/BMPs that may be funded through GIGO are found at: https://epa. illinois. gov/topics/grants-loans/water-financial-assistance/gigo.

html. The list is not all-inclusive, and inclusion of a BMP here does not equate to an automatic eligibility for funding under GIGO. Illinois EPA will prioritize and select projects, according to the ranking criteria outlined in the Evaluation and Scoring Section, that are most cost-effective and yield the largest potential for stormwater runoff control.

BMPs proven effective to reconnect a waterbody to its floodplain or BMPs proven effective at reducing impacts from stormwater runoff will receive priority. Project match requirements and selection criteria are provided later in this NOFO. Project length is two years (24 months), unless otherwise approved by Illinois EPA.

Environmental Protection Agency jeffrey. edstrom@illinois. gov Illinois EPA’s Green Infrastructure Grant Opportunities Program provides grant funds for projects that implement green infrastructure practices to prevent, eliminate, or reduce stormwater runoff, resulting in reduced localized and riverine flooding for the protection of Illinois' rivers, streams, and lakes.

Funding Opportunity Number https://il. amplifund. com/Public/Opportunities/Details/936ac400-7c97-4c3e-8bbb-2e0c9ee711ca Funding Source Description GIGO utilizes funds distributed by the State of Illinois generated under the Build Illinois Bond Fund.

Illinois EPA expects to award a total of $5,000,000. GIGO has a set maximum total grant award of $2,500,000 with a minimum grant award of $75,000. No more than 50% of the program total, per funding cycle, shall be allocated to any one applicant or project.

GIGO is a reimbursement program. The grantee must perform the work, pay project costs, and submit an invoice with supporting documentation before Illinois EPA will reimburse the grantee for any approved eligible costs. Illinois EPA shall only make reimbursements to the grantee and shall reimburse the grantee no more frequently than monthly.

The Illinois EPA may elect to partially fund an application by funding discrete portions or phases of the project scope of work. This could be due to ineligible components identified in the application or inadequate funds available to complete the entire project. GIGO is limited to BMP implementation and limited design expenses.

GIGO shall not compensate for indirect costs, overhead, equipment purchase, or administrative expenses associated with the execution of the project. GIGO may provide up to 75% of the approved project costs. The remaining 25% is the responsibility of the grantee and constitutes the match.

Match may include money spent or in-kind services utilized to complete the approved project tasks. Match can be provided by the grantee, sub-contractor, or project partners (e.g., State programs, private foundations, landowners). A grantee may match greater than 25%.

Proposed projects that benefit an environmental justice (EJ) area may be eligible for up to 85% of GIGO assistance, with the applicant responsible for 15% of the costs as match. Applicants may apply for more than one project; however, successful applicants shall only receive funding for more than one GIGO application if funds are available after all other successful applicants have been awarded funding.

Partial funding may be offered if sufficient funds are not available to fund an entire application. Design costs, up to $50,000 or 15% of the total BMP costs, whichever is less, are eligible for grant funds and/or as match. The design costs must be: 1) identified in the application budget, 2) incorporated into the grant agreement budget, and 3) incurred within the term of the grant agreement.

Examples of ineligible activities, tasks, and components that shall not be funded through GIGO are provided below.

The list is not all-inclusive: • Construction of BMPs affiliated with new construction and/or new development, • Removal or demolition of existing structures that are not interfering with proposed project, • BMP design without BMP construction, • Stormwater conveyance (exception: short distance to direct stormwater to a GIGO BMP), • Activities, BMPs, or BMP components that do not control, prevent, or address stormwater runoff to a river, stream, or lake, • Routine operation and maintenance or repair of existing BMPs (e.g., invasive species removal, culvert replacement, street sweeping, catch-basin cleaning), • Administrative and non-construction labor, equipment and supplies (non-construction), indirect costs, contingency, travel, outreach and education, monitoring, • Bonus or acceleration payments to contractors to meet contractual completion dates for construction; fees for failure to pay invoices on time, check overdrafts, etc., • Permit or certification (e.g., 401) fees, • Mitigation costs, and/or • Projects mainly used for habitat improvement, shoreline/streambank stabilization, channel stabilization, agricultural soil erosion control, sediment removal (dredging) support facilities (roads, sewer systems), historic preservation, water supply protection, recreation, or wastewater treatment.

However, if the project serves both eligible and ineligible components, GIGO funds may be provided for the eligible portion of the project, on a proportional basis. Costs incurred prior to the grant agreement’s effective term date or after its term ends are ineligible for reimbursement.

Costs incurred prior to the grant agreements’ effective date or after its term ends are ineligible as match unless otherwise approved as match by Illinois EPA. Grantees shall not use any subcontractors, outside associates, or consultants in connection with any services covered by a grant agreement unless specifically authorized by the Illinois EPA.

Grantees shall use procurement procedures that reflect applicable local and State of Illinois laws and regulations relating to any sub agreements for the performance of grant projects funded under GIGO.

See the Funding Source Description for more information Other Funding Requirement Submission Timeline Additional Information Incomplete applications at the closing date and time shall not be considered for funding and preclude the Illinois EPA from making an award to the applicant.

Allow Multiple Applications Other Submission Requirements The applicant must describe how the project will be implemented and must propose specific, quantifiable units of BMPs to be installed (e.g., 1,000 feet of stream daylighting) to accomplish stormwater runoff control to an Illinois river, stream, or lake.

Interim milestones for implementing the BMPs (e.g., design, permitting, reporting) must also be identified along with an associated schedule for the completion of those milestones. The applicant must describe the expected outcomes of the project in terms of stormwater runoff for river, stream, and lake protection. Outcomes such as increased gallons of stormwater retained on-site from the project area are appropriate.

A complete GIGO application must include the following: a) Completed online application b) Location maps of project site and flood impacted areas c) Completed online Budget Section including fully detailed narrative section d) GIGO Project Details Spreadsheet (downloadable in online application) including stormwater volume and pollutant load reduction calculations e) Support Documentation (as applicable) • Engineers estimate of cost (as available) f) Illinois Works Jobs Program Act Forms (as appropriate) (linked to in online application) • Illinois Works Jobs Program Act - Apprenticeship Initiative Budget Supplement for Public Works Projects Funded by State Appropriated Capital Funds form or Request for Waiver or Reduction of Public Works Project Apprenticeship Goals form g) Grantee Conflict of Interest Disclosure Form (downloadable in online application) Individuals, Small Businesses, Others, Government Organizations, Education Organizations, Public Housing Organizations, Nonprofit Organizations, For-Profit Organizations Applicant Eligibility Information Beneficiary Eligibility Information Credentials Documentation Eligibility Information Additional Eligibility Information Applicant Eligibility: GIGO funds are available to any Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (GATA) Pre-Qualified entity that has legal status to accept funds from the State of Illinois.

These may include local watershed groups, land conservancies or trusts, public and private profit and nonprofit organizations and institutions, units of government (county, municipal, township, or state), universities and colleges, park districts and other local land managing agencies, soil and water conservation districts, and conservation organizations.

Applicants must be pre-qualified in the GATA portal in order to receive an award from this NOFO. Pre-qualification items include: 1. Registered with the System for Award Management (SAM) (www.

SAM. gov) 2. Have a valid and active Unique Entity Identification (UEI) Number 3.

In good standing with the Illinois Secretary of State (if applicable) 4. Not currently debarred by the State of Illinois and/or federal government 5. Not on the Federal Excluded Parties List 6.

Not on the Illinois Stop Payment List 7. Not on the sanctioned party list of the Department of Healthcare and Family Services 8. Not on the SAM.

gov exclusion list. Applicants must also complete the latest available Internal Control Questionnaire within the GATA portal prior to an award being made. IEPA staff will complete a programmatic risk assessment during the merit-based review of the applications.

The awarding State agency considers both the ICQ responses regarding the organization-level programmatic questions and the content of the application submission. Submission of the Internal Control Questionnaire is not a pre-qualification requirement; however, not completing timely could result in delay of the award. Additional Information URL https://epa.

illinois. gov/topics/grants-loans/water-financial-assistance/gigo. html Additional Information URL Description Additional information about GIGO can be found on Illinois EPA’s GIGO webpage.

It may be difficult to complete projects that include BMP design, engineering, permitting, and BMP implementation during a single grant period. Applications for renewal or supplementation of existing projects are eligible to compete with applications for new grant awards. Contact the Watershed Management Section (217) 782-3362 to discuss application options for long-term projects.

Award Administration Information The Illinois EPA shall specify the funding terms and specific conditions resulting from the Fiscal and Administrative and Programmatic Risk Assessments. Administrative and National Policy Requirements The terms and conditions of the award shall be in the grant agreement.

No grantee shall receive a grant or any other State or federal assistance that would provide 100% or more of the eligible project costs.

If the grantee of a GIGO award is at any time offered any State, federal, or local grant or any other funding source, to assist in the payment of expenses for which the GIGO payment has been issued, the recipient shall reimburse the State of Illinois for any GIGO grant funds used to pay expenses or offered to be paid under another grant or funding source. Each grantee must agree to comply with all applicable State requirements.

This includes Uniform Administrative Requirements, 2 C. F. R.

§ 200 and GATA. These can have a significant impact on the costs and complexity of a project.

GIGO grantees will be expected to submit signed assurances that they will comply with all State mandates, including: a) The Interagency Wetland Policy Act of 1989; 20 ILCS 830/: In accordance with the Interagency Wetland Policy Act of 1989, a grantee whose proposed project site is located on or within 250 feet of a wetland site listed on the National Wetlands Inventory will be required to comply with the requirements of this Act.

This includes developing a plan to minimize adverse impacts on wetlands or providing written evidence that the proposed project will not have an adverse impact on a wetland. Project must also comply with Federal Wetlands Protection regulations at 24 C. F.

R. § 58. 5(b)(2), which may require preparation of an Eight-Step Wetlands Review.

b) Illinois Endangered Species Protection Act; 520 ILCS 10/ and the Illinois Natural Area Preservation Act; 525 ILCS 30: Compliance requires consultation with the Endangered Species Consultation Program of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to assure compliance.

The consultation process must be implemented to avoid or minimize adverse impacts to State-listed species and their essential habitats that may result from the actions of State and local units of government. Grantees must certify the completion of the consultation process.

c) Illinois Prevailing Wage Act; 820 ILCS 130/: The Illinois Prevailing Wage Act requires the payment of prevailing wages for all construction funded in whole or in part with State funds, including funds passed through to private firms.

Grantees shall comply with all requirements of the Prevailing Wage Act, including but not limited to, inserting into all contracts for construction a stipulation to the effect that not less than the prevailing rate of wages as applicable to the project shall be paid to all laborers, workers, and mechanics performing work under the award and requiring all bonds of contractors to include a provision guaranteeing the faithful performance of such prevailing wage clause as provided by contract.

Grantees will be required to report on Prevailing Wage Act compliance. If your project involves construction and/or equipment installation, go to https://www2. illinois.

gov/idol/Laws-Rules/CONMED/Pages/prevailing-wage-act. aspx for more information. d) Illinois Works Jobs Program Act; 30 ILCS 559/: Grantees must comply with requirements in the Illinois Works Jobs Program Act.

For projects with an estimated total project cost of $500,000 or more, the grantee will be required to comply with the Illinois Works Apprenticeship Initiative; 30 ILCS 559/20-20 to 559/20-25 and all applicable administrative rules.

The “estimated total project cost” is a good faith approximation, at the time an applicant submits a grant application, of the costs of an entire project being paid for in whole or in part by appropriated capital funds to construct a public work.

The goal of the Illinois Works Apprenticeship Initiative is that apprentices will perform either 10% of the total labor hours actually worked in each prevailing wage classification or 10% of the estimated labor hours in each prevailing wage classification, whichever is less. Grantees will be permitted to seek a waiver or reduction of this goal in certain circumstances pursuant to 30 ILCS 559/20-20(b).

The grantee must ensure compliance for the life of the entire project, including during the term of the grant and after the term ends, if applicable, and will be required to report on and certify its compliance.

e) Business Enterprise Program for Minorities, Females, and Person with Disabilities Act; 30 ILCS 575/: For grant awards of $250,000 or more, the grantee will be required to comply with the Business Enterprise Program for Minorities, Females, and Persons with Disabilities Act, which establishes a goal for contracting with businesses that have been certified as owned and controlled by persons who are minority, female, or who have disabilities.

The grantee must document a plan for compliance prior to the establishment of the grant agreement and ensure compliance through the life of the grant. f) The National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Source Categories; 40 C. F.

R. § 63: These standards assure that, when existing buildings are demolished and/or renovated, people outside of those buildings (i.e., passers-by or neighborhood residents) are protected from airborne asbestos. If asbestos materials are involved in the rehabilitation work, the grantee must contact the Field Operations Section, Bureau of Air of the Illinois EPA to ensure compliance with Asbestos NESHAP.

In the grant agreement, the grantee shall be required to: • Certify that it does and shall comply with all provisions of the federal Internal Revenue Code (26 USC 1), the Illinois Income Tax Act; 35 ILCS 5/, and all rules promulgated thereunder, including withholding provisions and timely deposits of employee taxes and unemployment insurance taxes.

• Certify that it does and shall comply with the reporting requirements of the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006; PL 109–282, September 26, 2006, 120 Stat 1186 with respect to federal Awards greater than or equal to $30,000.

• Certify that it shall adhere to the applicable Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements, which are published in Title 2, Part 200 of the Code of Federal Regulations, and are incorporated herein by reference. See 44 Ill. Admin.

Code 7000. 30(b)(1)(A). • Certify that it and its sub-grantees shall: (i) be registered with the federal SAM if seeking an Award that is partially or fully paid by federal funds and registered with the State equivalent of SAM; (ii) be in good standing with the Illinois Secretary of State; and (iii) have a valid UEI (Unique Entity Identifier) number.

It is Grantee’s responsibility to remain current with these registrations and requirements. If Grantee’s status with regard to any of these requirements change, or the certifications made in and information provided in the Uniform Grant Application changes, Grantee’s must notify the Grantor in accordance with ARTICLE XVIII.

• Submit a “GIGO BMP Documentation Form Part I” with designs, maps, and pollutant load calculations for all BMPs, including BMPs installed with matching funds. The designs must be certified by a registered or licensed professional engineer of Illinois. The designs must be approved by the Illinois EPA, Bureau of Water, WMS prior to the start of BMP construction or implementation.

• Secure applicable State and federal permits for all BMPs, including BMPs installed with matching funds, prior to the start of their implementation. • Develop and submit a 10-year O&M Plan for each of the BMPs installed. This includes BMPs installed with matching funds.

O&M Plans must be approved by the Illinois EPA’s WMS before BMP implementation and are for a minimum of ten years starting from the completion of the BMP. • Submit a “GIGO BMP Documentation Form Part II” with cost documentation and pre- and post BMP photos and/or video of the project site.

• Submit personnel activity reports accounting on an after-the-fact basis for 100% of the employee’s actual time, separately indicating the time spent on the GIGO grant, other grants or projects, vacation or sick leave, and administrative time, if applicable. Specific reporting requirements will be communicated/outlined within the grant agreement.

Quarterly reports shall include a Periodic Financial Report, a Periodic Performance Report, and a Quarterly Narrative. All projects require a final project report. The grantee shall submit to the Illinois EPA, by the date specified in the grant agreement, a report explaining the execution of the project and evaluating the project’s success.

The report shall document the project tasks and summarize the findings, costs, and benefits of the project. State Awarding Agency Contacts If you have any programmatic questions regarding GIGO, this NOFO, or the Application, contact the Illinois EPA’s WMS staff at: Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Springfield, Illinois 62794-9276 Email: epa. bowgrants@illinois.

gov If you have fiscal and administrative questions regarding the grant application, Internal Controls Questionnaire (ICQ), or pre-qualifying through the GATA Grantee Portal, contact the Illinois EPA’s Fiscal staff at: Email: epa. gata@illinois. gov Click at https://epa.

illinois. gov/topics/water-quality/surface-water/green-infrastructure. html for additional information about green infrastructure and GIGO.

Illinois EPA has the right to use (including, but not limited to, citing to, circulating, displaying, and reproducing) all products that result from the grantee receiving financial assistance under the grant agreement whether the product is developed by the grantee or a sub-grantee. Illinois EPA is not obligated to make any grant award as a result of this NOFO.

All GIGO applications shall be reviewed for completeness, technical merit, cost effectiveness, and adherence to the competitive grant evaluation criteria described in this NOFO. Applications found to be complete shall undergo a comprehensive, merit-based review performed in compliance with GATA Legislation, 30 ILCS 708 and Uniform Administrative Requirements, 2 C. F.

R. § 200. The merit-based review is designed to evaluate the applications against the following criteria: Project Need (0 – 20 points) Distance of the proposed project(s) upstream or downstream of riverine or localized flooding?

The project is entirely within or directly adjacent to riverine or localized flooding (5 points) The project site(s) is within 1,000 linear feet from riverine or localized flooding (3 points). The project site(s) are than 3,000 linear feet from riverine or localized flooding (1 points). Area serviced by storm sewers The application documents flood areas with 100% storm or combined sewer system coverage (5 points).

The application documents flood areas do not have storm or combined sewers (1 points) Impact on riverine or localized flooding The project documents riverine or localized flood area, more than 12” deep and greater than 10 acres in size (5 points). The project documents riverine or localized flood area, more than 8” deep and greater than 4 acres in size (4 points).

The project documents riverine or localized flood area more than 4” deep and greater than 3 acres in size (3 points).

The project documents localized flooding that is 12” deep but less than 3 acres in size (2 points) The project does not document any flooding (0 points) Distance of the proposed project upstream or downstream of a river, stream or lake The project site(s) with storm or combined sewer system coverage is directly adjacent to river, stream, or lake (5 points).

The project site(s) with storm or combined sewer system coverage, is within 1,000 linear feet from river, stream, or lake, but not directly adjacent to it (4 points). The project site(s) with storm or combined sewer system coverage, is between 1,000 and 3,000 linear feet from river, stream, or lake (3 points). The project site(s) is WITHOUT storm or combined sewer system coverage, (1 points).

Project Effectiveness (20 points) Number of days the BMP designed to detain the captured stormwater The BMP drains stormwater detained within one day (5 points). The BMP drains stormwater detained between 1 - 3 days (3 points). The BMP drains stormwater detained between 4 - 7 days (1 points).

The BMP does not have an outlet to drain stormwater detained or takes more than 7 days to drain stormwater detained (0 points). The project will reconnect the river, stream, or lake to its floodplain The BMPs are designed to reconnect the river, stream, or lake to its floodplain (5 points). The BMPs are designed to partially reconnect the river, stream, or lake to its floodplain (3 points).

The BMPs do not reconnect the river, stream, or lake to its floodplain (1 point). Number of gallons retained per year on average.

Reductions over 4 million gallons per year (5 points) Reductions from 2 million to 3,999,999 million gallons per year (4 points) Reductions from 1,000,000 to 1,999,999 gallons per year (3 points) Reductions from 100,001 to 999,999 gallons per year (2 points) Reductions from 1 to 100,000 gallons per year (1 Point) The flooding reduction model results inclusion in the application.

The application includes full stormwater reduction model input and model results in a pdf or spreadsheet format from an approved stormwater reduction model (5 points). The application includes stormwater reduction model input and model results in a pdf or spreadsheet format from an approved stormwater reduction model in the Additional Details spreadsheet.

(3 points) The application does not include information on stormwater reductions (0 points).

Cost-effectiveness (0 – 10 points) Average BMP cost/acre for the proposed project Cost from $0 - $2,500 per acre (5 points) Cost from $2,501 - $10,000 per acre (4 point) Cost from $10,001 - $15,000 per acre (3 points) Cost from $15,001 - $30,000 per acre (2 points) Cost over $30,000 per acre (1 point) Cost per gallon retained for the proposed project Cost from $0 - $1. 00 per gallon (5 points) Cost from $1. 01 - $5.

00 per gallon (4 point) Cost from $5. 01 - $10. 00 per gallon (3 points) Cost from $10.

00 - $20,00 per gallon (2 points) Cost over $20. 00 per gallon (1 point) Project Readiness (0 – 20 points) BMP(s) types and location identification All sites and BMP(s) identified (5 points). BMP types are identified, but specific locations have not been identified (3 points) No sites or BMP types have been identified (0 point).

Site landowners have confirmed permission to implement the project BMP(s) owned 100% by applicant or have a legally binding agreements already in place (5 points). BMP(s) with multiple landowners that submitted written confirmation from ALL landowners that they plan to participate (3 points). BMP(s) that have some but not all landowner confirmation (2 points).

BMP(s) without documentation of landowner participation (0 points). BMP(s) design(s) readiness BMP(s) design with PE stamped designs 100% complete (5 points). BMP(s) with 60 – 90% designs complete (3 points).

BMP(s) with only a conceptual design(s) (2 points). BMP(s) with only narrative of the proposed project(s) (1 points). Local, State, and Federal permits All required permits secured or no permits required (5 points).

Some, but not all required permits secured (4 points). Permits applied for or all permits that will be needed are described (3 points). No discussion of permits (0 points).

Sustainability (0 – 10 points) BMPs designed lifespan(s) Projects that include 100% of BMPs with lifespan greater than 25 years (5 points). Projects that include BMPs with lifespan between 10 and 25 years (4 points).

Projects that do not exceed the required 10-years of O&M (0 points) Description of relevant and robust operation and maintenance (O&M) plan, including funds to implement said plan and identification of the entity responsible to implement the O&M plan Application specifically outlines the O&M activities necessary for the proposed BMP, source of funding, and responsible entity that has a secured capacity to conduct the required work (5 points).

Applications provide brief description of required O&M activities, source of funds, and responsible entity (3 points). Applications provide no information on O&M activities (0 points).

Green Infrastructure Activity Coordination (0 – 10 points) Application continues implementation of other nonpoint source pollution control activities such as BMP construction and/or watershed-based plan implementation Applications that document that the project is part of a larger layered effort (ordinances, planning, BMP implementation) to reduce flooding (5 points).

Applications that link the project only to other individual BMP implementation (3 points). Applications that document the project as the only work happening within their jurisdiction (1 point).

Environmental Justice Area The project is located in or benefits an Environmental Justice Area (5 points) The project is not located in or benefits an Environmental Justice Area (0 points) Review and Selection Process Illinois EPA staff will be responsible for evaluating and scoring applications. The complete applications shall be reviewed by an Evaluation Panel that is composed of Illinois EPA staff.

Application scores shall be calculated as follows: Applications will be ranked based on the sum of the scoring criteria. Applications will be ranked highest to lowest based on total project score. Applications with the highest scores will be considered for an award.

Additional review and selection processes are provided below. If the amount of available grant funding is not sufficient to fund a higher-ranked application in its entirety, the Illinois EPA shall review the application to determine if a discrete portion or phase of the project meeting the mission of this NOFO can be funded.

If the Evaluation Panel determines that it cannot fund the application in full or part, the next highest-ranked application will be reviewed for a discrete portion or phase to be funded to meet the mission of the NOFO or the funds may not be awarded and may be made available through a subsequent NOFO.

If the Illinois EPA determines that an applicant incorrectly calculated or indicated the project cost, match, and/or total funding request based on the applicable cost estimate, required match, or eligible costs, the application shall still be accepted and reviewed.

If the applicant is awarded a grant, the Illinois EPA shall contact the applicant and request a decision from the applicant as to whether it will accept the award based on the Illinois EPA’s determination of the project cost, applicant match, and/or total funding requested. If the applicant does not accept the Illinois EPA’s determination, the application shall not be funded.

Following a decision of intent to award, the Illinois EPA is required by GATA to conduct a programmatic risk assessment of the applicant. Additional information may be required at that time from the successful applicant. To remain eligible for the award, the applicant must provide the requested information within the time specified by the Illinois EPA.

The Programmatic Risk Assessment evaluates the applicant’s ability to successfully carry out the terms of the GIGO Program and assesses four risk categories: 1) quality of management systems and ability to meet the management standards; 2) history of performance; 3) reports and findings from audits performed on prior awards; and 4) the applicant’s ability to effectively implement statutory, regulatory, or other requirements imposed on a Grantee.

An appeal process is available to applicants and other interested parties; however, appeals are limited to the Illinois EPA evaluation process. Evaluation scores may not be protested. An appeal must be submitted in writing to the following address: Illinois EPA, Attn: GIGO Grant Program, Bureau of Water, Mail Code #15, P.

O. Box 19276, Springfield, Illinois 62794-9276 and must be received within 14 calendar days after the date that the grant award notice has been published by the Illinois EPA on Grants. Illinois.

gov .