| Faith and Community Based Support Initiative RFP |
 |
 |
 |
|
UPDATED: View Responses to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Overview Over the years, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has been committed to ensuring that community, as well as faith-based organizations provide the most effective and efficient substance abuse services through grant opportunities. SAMHSA has also provided technical assistance to these organizations to enhance their grant applications and evaluation skills. Many community and faith based organizations throughout the country operate programs designed to prevent and treat substance abuse and HIV/AIDS, and many clergy and lay religious leaders participate in efforts to ameliorate the effects of substance abuse in their respective communities. Program Purpose Goals and Objectives
For the purposes of this RFP, SAMHSA has contracted with Westover Consultants, Inc., (Westover) as the prime contractor of Bethesda, Maryland and McFarland & Associates as the subcontractor of Silver Spring, Maryland to provide program support for this project. Westover will take the lead in executing each subcontract and providing quality assurance and fiscal oversight, while McFarland & Associates will take the lead in managing the overall performance of the subcontracts. Both business concerns have a long history of working with substance abuse, mental health and HIV/AIDS programs locally and nationally. For further information on Westover you can contact www.westover.com and www.mcfarlandassociate.com for information on current projects. To receive a copy of the Request for Proposal (RFP) please download the proposal in PDF format using the links below. *Requires Adobe Reader to view. Download free version here. Please note that only written emailed questions will be accepted. Therefore, if you have questions regarding the RFP, you must email your questions by or before Friday, November 20, 2009, 12 noon to: David Wilson, CSAP Faith Based Project Coordinator Answers to questions submitted concerning the FCBSI RFP will be posted at www.westover.com and at www.mcfarlandassociate.com sites on November 18, 2009 for questions received before November 20, and November 25, 2009 for all other questions received by November 20, 2009. Pertinent Information Type of Announcement: Request for Proposals: Mini Sub Grant Awards Proposal by email submission is preferred. If you do not have the means to submit by email, then mail or hand deliver an original and 3 copies by 5 pm ET, December 4 2009 to: Rev. Cheryl Mitchell Gaines Responses to Frequently asked Questions (FAQS) 1. If we have questions as we are working on the letter of intent or the proposal, who is the contact person? Can you supply us with both an e-mail and phone contact and time zone? Answer: Please note that only written emailed questions will be accepted. Therefore, if you have questions regarding the RFP, you must email your questions by or before Friday, November 20, 2009, 12 noon to: David Wilson, CSAP Faith Based Project Coordinator Answer: Answers to questions submitted concerning the FCBSI RFP will be posted at www.westover.com and at www.mcfarlandassociate.com sites on November 18, 2009 for questions received before November 20, and November 25, 2009 for all other questions received by November 20, 2009. Answer: No. The NCAC participant must be able to travel to Washington, DC at least one time during the duration of this contract. We anticipate that the mandatory face-to-face meeting would be held in conjunction with the SAMHSA Interfaith Summit to be held in May, 2010. Answer: We will not be responding to letters of intent. We will notify each applicant that does not receive funding that its application will not be funded in the current competition. 4. I have not been awarded in the past but should I continue to apply? Answer: Yes. Please continue to apply and pay particular attention to program goals and objectives. Also, note that there are usually a large number of applications and the evaluation process is highly competitive. 5. I received some information about Center for Substance Abuse Prevention's (CSAP) Faith and Community Based support Initiative "Request for Proposals" (RFP), but would love a link to a website or something to better describe this opportunity. Could you provide me with that link? Answer: To receive a copy of the Request for Proposal (RFP) please go to: http://www.mcfarlandassociate.com/images/FCBSI-Final-RFP.pdf 6. The RFP limits funding to organizations that are under $800K in organizational budget. Can our organization apply if a component of the program has a budget under $800,000 even though the organizational budget is over $800,000? Answer: The annual organizational budget of eligible applicants cannot exceed $800,000. 7. We are a part of a Co Op with a budget of less than the $800,000 ceiling, and we have three other collaborative partners. The entire annual budget that the three collaborative partners receive from the State Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services is also less than $800,000. Can I apply on behalf of the collaborative with the Co-Op being the lead fiduciary agency for this grant? Answer: No. Applicants must provide a program budget but keep in mind that an eligible applicant’s organizational budget cannot exceed $800,000. 9. Pertaining to the timeline as written for the CSAP FCBSI, the award date is listed as being December 18, 2009; however, the final work plan is due two months later (February 20, 2010). Does that mean that if awarded, there is a two-month period for planning purposes? In other words, when would the funded projects actually need to begin providing services covered by the grant funding? Answer: We anticipate that there will be some planning/hiring and training prior to project start up. How much time is needed will be discussed with CSAP FCBSI staff and agreed upon on an individual basis. The work plan is due on or before February 20, 2010.
Answer: Funding will be issued in two equal payments. The first award will issue at execution of the subcontract and the second will be issued upon completion of subcontract milestones, which will be outlined in the executed subcontract. 11. Within the narrative, can tables and charts be single spaced? Answer: Yes, if it is readable. 12. Approximately when will funding be received for sub-contracts if funded? Answer: Funding will be issued in two equal payments. The first award will issue at execution of the subcontract and the second will be issued upon completion of subcontract milestones, which will be outlined in the executed subcontract. 13. If a community-based organization's program target population is incarcerated persons with a substance abuse history, and persons released from prison with a substance abuse history, is it necessary to specify the number of clients that are/will be HIV positive as a sub-target population? Will it strengthen the proposal to do so if it is not necessary? Answer: Refer back to the RFP. 14. Are there federal forms that are required as attachments? I did not see any listed within the RFP? Answer: No. Answer: No. 16. My organization received funding under a former SAMHSA CSAP faith based grant. Do we have to resubmit an application? Answer: The former CSAP faith based contract ended on September 30, 2009. The CSAP Faith and Community Based Support Initiative issued a competitive RFP on November 6, 2009. Organizations which seek to obtain funding under this initiative must respond to the current RFP by 5 pm ET on December 4, 2009. 17. If awarded the mini sub contract, is it permissible to place funds in a separate checking account and use debit card/checks for all transactions and then submit the bank ledger as receipts for how funds were spent? Answer: No. 18. In some sections, the RFP states that it requires HIV Prevention/Screenings/Referrals and/or Substance Abuse Prevention/Screenings/Referrals. In other sections it seems to state that it requires both. Can you clarify that for me? Answer: Organizations that work in the area of HIV prevention or substance abuse prevention are qualified to apply for this funding. An applicant’s program outcomes should reflect the goals and objectives of this initiative in providing comprehensive HIV prevention and substance abuse prevention strategies. This comprehensive approach can be achieved through community partnerships and linkages. 19. Do we need an invitation to apply after we submit a Letter of Intent or can we just submit an application for funding? Answer: The Letter of Intent was not mandatory but preferred. You can submit an application for funding if you believe your organization meets the criteria outlined in the RFP. 20. I was wondering if we would be able to apply for this grant for our program alone since we do both substance abuse recovery and prisoner reentry programs. Or, do we really need to partner with another program? Answer: It sounds like your organization is well equipped to apply for this funding as a single agency, so I highly encourage your proposal. However, we do value demonstrated partnerships. 21. We have the ability to scan the proposal however it will be a PDF and not a word document. Is this acceptable? Answer: Yes. |