Minnesota Drug Overdose Prevention Grant Program Questions and Answers

All questions regarding this request for proposals (RFP) must be submitted by email to: health.preventionrfp@state.mn.us. Every attempt will be made to provide answers within five business days, but no later than 4:30 p.m. Central Standard Time (CST) Friday, March 8, 2024.

Please submit questions no later than 4:30 p.m. Central Standard Time (CST), on Friday, March 8, 2024.

Q: In the list of eligible applicants, it specifically mentions county governments, and “… any other public or private nonprofit agency.” Does that include city governments?

A: Yes. City governments are eligible applicants.

Q: We are a clinic and would like to apply for the TOWN grant with a partner under Category 2. We have been doing some of these activities already. Do we have to be new to the work to apply or receive funding? Is there a priority for organizations who would be starting this work?

A: You do not have to be new to the work to apply for this funding. Applicants should show how they will expand services in their area. Grant funds can be used to develop new programs or expand current programs and cannot used to supplant current funding. There are priority populations to be served and priority geographical areas. Please review the Evaluation Scoring Criteria in Part 5 of the request for proposals (RFP). MDH will award at least one clinic in each of the priority geographical areas (Northwest, Northeast, and Metro - regions defined in the map on Page 10 of the RFP).

Q: My organizations is currently listed as a TOWN network provider. Does that disqualify us from funding in Category 2 since it is already implemented?

A: You would not be disqualified from applying. Applicants should show how they will expand services in their area. Grant funds can be used to develop new programs or expand or build upon current programs and cannot used to supplant current funding. There are priority populations to be served and priority geographical areas. Please review the Evaluation Scoring Criteria in Part 5 of the request for proposals (RFP). MDH will award at least one clinic in each of the priority geographical areas (Northwest, Northeast, and Metro - regions defined in the map on Page 10 of the RFP).

Q: Can you please provide a definition of what would be considered a 'community-based organization' for this grant program?

A: Please refer to Page 7 of the RFP. A community-based organization, for the purpose of this RFP is a public or private nonprofit organization aimed at making desired improvements to a community's social health, well-being, and overall functioning. Communities may be geographically, psychosocially, culturally, and/or spiritually bounded. In addition, a community-based organization is one that is driven by the community, in all aspects of its existence. Examples of this may include:  

• The majority of the governing body and staff consists of individuals bound by location, experience or culture  
• The main operating offices are in the communities they intend to serve
• Priority issue areas are identified and defined by members of the community
• Solutions to address priority issues are developed with the community
• Program design, implementation, and evaluation components have the community intimately involved, in leadership positions

Q: In the past, my organization was a recipient of funding for TOWNS from MDH. Can we reapply for this year's TOWNS funding under the Minnesota Drug Overdose Prevention grant?

A: You would not be disqualified from applying. Applicants should show how they will expand services in their area. Grant funds can be used to develop new programs or expand or build upon current programs and cannot used to supplant current funding. There are priority populations to be served and priority geographical areas. Please review the Evaluation Scoring Criteria in Part 5 of the request for proposals (RFP). MDH will award at least one clinic in each of the priority geographical areas (Northwest, Northeast, and Metro -- regions defined in the map on Page 10 of the RFP).

Q: Are for-profit LLCs eligible applications?

A: No, for-profit LLCs are not eligible applicants in this grant program. This was not communicated correctly during the informational session. We apologize for any inconvenience.  

Q: What is considered a community-based organization as an eligible applicant?

A: Please refer to Page 7 of the RFP. A community-based organization, for the purpose of this RFP is a public or private nonprofit organization aimed at making desired improvements to a community's social health, well-being, and overall functioning. For-profit LLCs are not eligible applicants. Communities may be geographically, psychosocially, culturally, and/or spiritually bounded. In addition, a community-based organization is one that is driven by the community, in all aspects of its existence. Examples of this may include:  

• The majority of the governing body and staff consists of individuals bound by location, experience or culture  
• The main operating offices are in the communities they intend to serve
• Priority issue areas are identified and defined by members of the community
• Solutions to address priority issues are developed with the community
• Program design, implementation, and evaluation components have the community intimately involved, in leadership positions

Q: Would this grant be appropriate for school districts? If so, what category would that fall under?  

A: It is up to applicant to identify a category that meets the needs of their community. School districts are eligible applicants. Namely, school districts could develop proposals for category 1 or as a community partner in Category 2.  

Q: Have previous towns communities have asked if they are eligible to reapply?

A: Previous TOWN sites are not disqualified from applying. Applicants should show how they will expand services in their area. Grant funds can be used to develop new programs or to expand/ build upon current programs and cannot used to supplant current funding. There are priority populations to be served and priority geographical areas. Please review the Evaluation Scoring Criteria in Part 5 of the request for proposals (RFP). MDH will award at least one clinic in each of the priority geographical areas (Northwest, Northeast, and Metro -- regions defined in the map on Page 10 of the RFP).

Q: In Category 3, the last task is "Provide ad hoc clinical support to the TOWN program and program grant manager (presentations, consultations, materials development, and review, etc.) up to six times per year. " Question: does that refer to the TOWN site or Town program and grant manager at MDH, or other?  

A: It could be either or both.

Q: What sort of programmatic costs can be included? Is there a limit to staff vs operational expenses? Would a vehicle for a community paramedic suboxone program be eligible?

A: There is no limit to staff vs operational expenses. As noted on Page 27 of the RFP, salary is for staff who will work directly on the grant and the staff included in the budget section of the budget narrative should be the same as the staff included in the work plan. The purchase of any item over $5,000 that has a useful life of one year or more is considered equipment and is not allowable. 

Q: Would any overdose prevention social media campaign need to be limited to African American communities in order to receive consideration?  

A: No. There are multiple priority populations. If applying to be considered for the African American-specific funding in Category 1, the campaign should be culturally specific with an African American focus.  

Q: If we are not a priority area will grants be awarded outside these regions?  

A: Applicants from across the state are encouraged to apply. Please review the Evaluation Scoring Criteria in Part 5 of the request for proposals (RFP) for more detail on how the geographical areas of programming impact scoring. In category 2, MDH will award at least one clinic in each of the priority geographical areas (Northwest, Northeast, and Metro -- regions defined in the map on Page 10 of the RFP).

Q: Should the provided Attachment A word document be used to submit the application narrative, or can it be a word document renamed Attachment A?  

A: Use of the provided templates is encouraged, not required. If you are going to create your own Attachment A, please be sure to include all the required information from provided template.

Q: For Category 3, the focus population is the TOWN sites, correct (who are then working with the target population)?

A: Correct. As the TOWNS sites are not yet identified, please share how you will work with providers/clinics selected in Category 2 to support their ability to provide services to a range of clients including culturally relevant services.  

Q: Is there an available list of towns sites or are these all new?

A: There have been TOWN sites in the past (Tackling Overdose with Networks (TOWN) - MDH). But, for the purposes for this RFP, all TOWNS sites will be identified through this RFP process.  

Q: Could Category 1 funds be used to fund job position such as Community Health Outreach Worker to focus on targeted community needs, outreach, collaboration, etc.?  

A: Yes, this would be an eligible project in Category 1.  

Q: In attachment A, does the 12-page count start at the section entitled “Application narrative?” And the page of front matter prior to that doesn’t count in the 12-page limit. 

A: The 12-page count limit is applicable only to the Application Narrative (Attachment A). We request that applicants use 12-point Calibri font, one-inch margins, single space, and with page numbers. The Workplan (Attachment B) and Budget (Attachment C) do not count toward this page limit.

Q: Was the informational webinar from the 20th recorded?

A: The RFP Information webinar held on February 20th, 2024, was not recorded. 

Q: Can you please clarify the naloxone distribution liability protections under this grant?

A: All licensed health care professionals may directly or by standing order, prescribe, dispense, distribute, or administer naloxone to a person without being subject to civil liability or criminal prosecution per 2016 Minnesota Statutes 604A.04 Good Samaritan Overdose Prevention. This immunity is also extended to a person who is not a health care professional who acts in good faith in administering an opiate antagonist to another person whom the person believes in good faith to be suffering a drug overdose.

Q: The Attachment A “Application Narrative” limit is 12 pages. Does the first page of Attachment A, which includes project category, lead organization information, project contact information, and total funding request, count in the 12-page limit? Or, would the 12 page limit start at the section entitled “Application Narrative Questions?

A: Yes, the first page counts in the 12-page limit. The entire Attachment A document has a page limit of 12.  

Q: May you provide clarity if the instructions for the subject line for the application submission are correct?

A: Applicants will not be disqualified for any text provided in the subject line of the application submission email. Requested submission line is as follows: Opioid Grant Program Application “insert category” “insert organization name”.

Q: The Culturally-Specific Overdose Prevention Programs RFP appear intentionally allocated for US born African American serving organizations. Can organizations that mainly serve African born and immigrant populations apply? Is there funding for organizations like these available?

A: The description “organizations that serve U.S.-born African American communities” would exclude work performed exclusively with Somali and East African immigrants but would include organizations that primarily work with Black American descendants of slavery in addition to intergenerational communities that include immigrants and U.S. born Somali and East African Minnesotans. Studies indicate that the health of U.S.-born African Americans have been impacted as the result of historical trauma. This trauma includes post-traumatic slave syndrome (PTSS) and epigenetic inheritance. Category 1 includes funding of $250,000 that is open to initiatives intentionally designed to serve any other culturally-specific population in Minnesota which would include organizations that serve immigrants exclusively.

Q: I was reaching out to clarify if the focus population of "U.S. born African American" in Category 1 would exclude work performed with Somali and East African immigrants. Would engagement with this demographic need to focus on second generation/individuals born domestically in order to be considered eligible work for that allotment?

A: The description “organizations that serve U.S.-born African American communities” would exclude work performed exclusively with Somali and East African immigrants but would include organizations that primarily work with Black American descendants of slavery in addition to intergenerational communities that include immigrants and U.S. born Somali and East African Minnesotans. Studies indicate that the health of U.S.-born African Americans have been impacted as the result of historical trauma. This trauma includes post-traumatic slave syndrome (PTSS) and epigenetic inheritance. Category 1 includes funding of $250,000 that is open to initiatives intentionally designed to serve any other culturally-specific population in Minnesota which would include organizations that serve immigrants exclusively.

Q: For our proposal, can we include letters of support as a separate attachment, even if we are not submitting a “collaboration application”?

A: Letter of support are only required on collaborative proposals. Collaborative proposals must designate a lead applicant. The lead applicant should include Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs), agreements, or letters of support with collaborating agencies as part of their application. If the application does not have subrecipients/identified collaborative partners, please do not provide letters of support. As they were not requested in this RFP, such materials will not be considered nor evaluated. 

Q: Is there someone I could have a phone call with to discuss this grant opportunity?

A: The Overdose Prevention Unit is currently offering the "Minnesota Drug Overdose Prevention Grant Program”, which is a grant opportunity through the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). Please find the request for proposal (RFP) and additional application materials on the Minnesota Drug Overdose Prevention Grant Program page. The application deadline is March 15, 2024 by 4:30 p.m. (CDT). To ensure the proper and fair evaluation of all applications, other communications regarding this RFP including verbal, telephone, written or internet initiated by or on behalf of any applicant to any employee of the Department, other than questions submitted to as outlined above, are prohibited. Any violation of this prohibition may result in the disqualification of the applicant.

All questions regarding this RFP must be submitted by email to health.preventionrfp@state.mn.us. Every attempt will be made to provide answers within five business days, but no later than 4:30 p.m. Central Standard Time (CST) Friday, March 8, 2024, on the Minnesota Drug Overdose Prevention Grant Program FAQ page.

Future grant opportunities with the Overdose Prevention Unit will be posted to the Grants and Loans: Open Grant Opportunities page. We encourage potential applicants to monitor this page for future grant programing opportunities.