How to Apply for Grants from the 
Colorado Developmental Disabilities Council

In order to fund innovative projects that address the mission of the Colorado Developmental Disabilities Council (CDDC), the Council grants money through the Request for Proposals (RFP) process.

RFP’s focus the Council’s funding efforts on achieving specific outcomes in the Federal Five-Year Plan priority areas (see a summary of the Goals and Objectives for the priority areas).  

RFP process

The majority of the Council’s funds available for grants are distributed through a Request for Proposals (RFP) process.  The Council will release announcements requesting proposals to respond to specific priorities or initiatives to achieve specific outcomes.

The RFP process begins at the committee level, with a committee recommendation as to the scope of work and money to be granted for a given project.  Check the Council’s and its Committee’s goals and objectives if you are interested in talking with a particular committee about a project concept.

An RFP reflects very specific ideas for a project that the Council would like to see implemented.  The Council will be very specific about the areas to be addressed, methodologies, deadlines, desired outcomes and funding levels. Once the Council approves an RFP to be issued the proposal review and decision-making process begins, with the help of the Office of Procurement. 

Please note that the Council caps grantee administrative costs at 10% of Council funding. For these purposes, administrative costs consist of organizational overhead that is not directly attributable to the costs of grant activities, e.g. audits, bookkeeping, utilities, rent, and etc.

The Council works with the Office of Procurement for the Department of Human Services to convene a committee of Council and community members that evaluates all of the proposals and decides which proposals to fund.

If you are interested in responding to an RFP, you must register with the State of Colorado.  Check the State website at  http://www.gssa.state.co.us/ or call the help desk at (303) 894-2039 for general questions about the BIDS system, and technical assistance.   To register with BIDS, vendors must download the forms from the website or visit the State Purchasing Office.  Vendors must complete and sign a form, complete and sign a W-9 form for Federal Income Tax purposes, and submit a check payable to the State of Colorado for $40.00.  The annual fee of $40.00 allows the vendor to download solicitation specifications and to bid on State business requirements at any State of Colorado agency, including institutions of higher education, for one (1) year.

You may access the Internet from your own computer at your convenience, or use a computer with Internet access at any public library.  Be sure to check the website often for any changes that may be made to the original solicitation document.  Contact the Purchasing Agent listed on each solicitation with specific questions about the project in which you are interested.