1. If an organization/coalition wishes to propose a response that incorporates all three components available for funding in one large comprehensive project involving several community stakeholders, would such a proposal be entertained seriously for funding? Would we be able to budget for the entire initial funding offering? 

We are choosing to view each of the 3 components in the RFR separately and plan on scoring the responses as such. Therefore we’d like each component applied to separately as opposed to one application incorporating all of them.   

2. Should such responses to the thee components be submitted as individual proposals with discrete budgets or could we apply for all three under one  comprehensive application with a single budget?

We’d like each component applied to separately. An agency is welcome to apply for all three components individually – but we ask that they each have their own dedicated budgets. 

3. Would the City of Springfield consider moving the deadline out two weeks past the holidays?  Having the due date in the middle of Christmas and New Years poses a great burden on resources and staff since many people will be on vacation that week.  Many agencies slow way down during the holidays making collaboration difficult.

Although we understand the difficulty that comes with this time of year work wise – our timeframe as laid out is necessary to be able to award funding by February 1st. Therefore we won’t be making any changes to the deadline.

4. If a proposal is funded, will second stage implementation need to be applied for separately from this initial procurement?

No. If a proposal is funded then we will make our decision whether to fund for the two year full implementation grant based on our evaluation of the one-year demonstration period. All that will need to be approved is a new budget for the increased amount of funding for the two year full implementation period. These evaluations will be completed in March of 2026 – giving time to applicants to make adjustments before the end of the funding for the one-year demonstration period on June 30th 2026. 

5. May coalitions include any community stakeholders that the coalition considers essential, such as law enforcement, DAs, jails, or other CJ entities, medical providers, housing providers, etc? Or is this limited to SUD providers only?

Coalitions may include any community stakeholders that the coalition considers essential and is not limited to SUD providers only.

6. Will the City be making amendments to the RFR based on, or in response to, community input and suggestions during the meeting on 11/18?  If so, when will such amended language be released?

The City will not be making any amendments to the RFR and the language will remain the same as in the RFR document on the City website.


7. Is providing stipends to people who take part in evaluation activities and/or grant activities allowable? For example, can we pay people to take part in focus groups?

Yes – however, we’ll require an explanation as to why stipends would be necessary as opposed to other options when we’re evaluating proposals.

8. Can you clarify what is expected for the key performance indicator dimensions for data in the evaluation section?

This is simply explaining how you will measure outcomes and successes. This could be by utilizing methods you are already using to evaluate other current programs that an applicant/agency oversees.

9. When we develop our outline for our plan for completion and use of evaluation reports, can we budget for hiring a consultant to assist with the evaluation?

Yes. Applicants are allowed to budget for this service towards evaluating the work that they’re doing for the proposed project.