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Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) Grants Program - FY 2023

Agency: U.S. Department of Transportation
CFDA: 20.941
Federal FON: DOT-SMART-FY23-01
Office: Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology (OST-R)
Multipart Grant: No
Next Due: 10/10/2023 (Application)
Solicitation Date: 08/08/2023
   
Match Required: No
Actual Funds: Unspecified
Range: $50,000,000 (Max)
Award Range: $250,000 (Min) / $2,000,000 (Max)
Summary:

The purpose of this program is to conduct demonstration projects focused on advanced smart city or community technologies and systems in a variety of communities to improve transportation efficiency and safety. Funding will support projects that are focused on using technology interventions to solve real-world challenges and build data and technology capacity and expertise in the public sector.

This program includes two stages: Stage 1 Planning and Prototyping Grants and Stage 2 Implementation Grants. For FY 2023, applications are only being solicited for Stage 1. Stage 1 awardees should build internal buy-in and partnerships with stakeholders to refine and prototype their concepts and report on results. At the conclusion of Stage 1, awardees should have the information needed to either create a fully realized implementation plan with robust performance metrics, or to make an informed decision not to proceed with the concept. The funding agency anticipates that only Stage 1 awardees will be eligible for Stage 2, which is expected to solicit applications in calendar year 2024.

Projects must demonstrate at least one of the following technology areas:

  • Coordinated automation: use of automated transportation and autonomous vehicles while working to minimize the impact on the accessibility of any other user group or mode of travel
  • Connected vehicles: vehicles that send and receive information regarding vehicle movements in the network and use vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-everything communications to provide advanced and reliable connectivity
  • Intelligent, sensor-based infrastructure: deployment and use of a collective intelligent infrastructure that allows sensors to collect and report real-time data to inform everyday transportation-related operations and performance
  • Systems integration: integration of intelligent transportation systems with other existing systems and other advanced transportation technologies
  • Commerce delivery and logistics: innovative data and technological solutions supporting efficient goods movement
  • Leveraging use of innovative aviation technology: leveraging the use of innovative aviation technologies to support transportation safety and efficiencies
  • Smart grid: developing a programmable and efficient energy transmission and distribution system to support the adoption or expansion of energy capture, electric vehicle deployment, or freight or commercial fleet fuel efficiency
  • Smart technology traffic signals: improving the active management and functioning of traffic signals

The funding agency will prioritize applications that demonstrate the following characteristics:

  • Fit, scale, and adoption: right-size the proposed solution to population density and demographics, the physical attributes of the community and transportation system, and the transportation needs of the community; confirm technologies are capable of being integrated with existing transportation systems, including transit; and leverage technologies in repeatable ways that can be scaled and adopted by communities
  • Data sharing, cybersecurity, and privacy: promote public and private sharing of data and best practices and the use of open platforms, open data formats, technology-neutral requirements, and interoperability; promote industry best practices regarding cybersecurity and technology standards; and safeguard individual privacy
  • Workforce development: promote a skilled and inclusive workforce
  • Measurement and validation: allow for the measurement and validation of the cost savings and performance improvements associated with the installation and use of smart city or community technologies and practices

The funding agency also seeks to award projects that address environmental justice, particularly for communities that disproportionately experience climate change-related consequences.

Eligible costs may include those in the following categories:

  • Development phase activities, including:
    • Planning
    • Feasibility analyses
    • Revenue forecasting
    • Environmental review
  • Construction phase activities, including:
    • Construction
    • Reconstruction
    • Rehabilitation
    • Replacement

Project evaluation costs are also eligible costs, and may include the personnel and equipment needed for data infrastructure and expertise in data analysis, performance, and evaluation. Refer to pages 12-13 of the NOFA file for additional information regarding eligible costs.

An optional webinar is scheduled for this program. Refer to the Application section for details.

Last Updated: April 18, 2024

Eligibility Notes:

Eligible applicants are:

  • States
  • Political subdivisions of the state, including cities, towns, counties, special districts, and similar units of local government, such as public port or airport authorities, if created under state law
  • Federally recognized tribal governments
  • Public transit agencies or authorities
  • Public toll authorities
  • Metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs)

U.S. territories are also eligible applicants, as are other eligible applicants located within U.S. territories.

A group of two or more eligible entities may apply through a single lead applicant via a group application. Alternatively, eligible entities may collaborate across different regions or geographies on similar projects via collaborative applications, in which separate applications are submitted by each eligible entity.

There is no limit on the number of applications that an eligible applicant may submit in one year.

With the exception of university transit agencies, universities and academic institutions are not eligible to apply; however, eligible applicants may choose to partner with universities.

Entities acting merely as a pass-through to an ineligible entity are not eligible to apply.

Previous award recipients include:

  • Colorado Department of Transportation (CO)
  • Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization (FL)
  • Road Commission for Oakland County (MI)
  • Arizona Commerce Authority (AZ)
  • City of Los Angeles (CA)

Refer to the Award file for additional information on previous award recipients.

Eligible Applicants:
Local Government
Consortia
Native American Tribe
State Government
Application Notes:

Applications must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. ET on October 10, 2023.

Applications must be submitted online at usg.valideval.com.

Applications must include:

  • SF 424
  • SF 424A
  • Certification regarding lobbying
  • SF LLL (if applicable)
  • Key information questions
  • Project narrative:
    • Cover page (optional)
    • Table of contents (optional)
    • Overview/project description (1-2 pages recommended)
    • Project location (1 paragraph recommended)
    • Community impact (1 paragraph recommended)
    • Technical merit overview (2 pages recommended)
    • Project readiness overview (2 pages recommended)
  • Appendices:
    • Resumes (3 pages max)
    • Summary budget narrative (3 pages max)
    • Letters of commitment (2 pages max each; 10 pages max total)
    • Project location file

The project narrative must not exceed seven pages, including figures. If included, the cover page and table of contents will not count toward the seven-page limit. The project narrative, resumes, summary budget narrative, and letters of commitment must be submitted in .pdf format and formatted on single-spaced, numbered pages with at least one-inch margins on all sides using a font size no smaller than 12-point Times New Roman. The project location file must be uploaded to the application as a Shapefile, GEOJSON, or KML/KMZ file.

The following are required in order to submit an application:

  • Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number
  • SAM (System for Award Management) registration

Applicants may obtain a UEI number and verify or renew SAM registration status at www.ecivis.com/sam.

An optional webinar will be held for this program as follows:

August 17, 2023
2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. ET
Registration: usdot.zoomgov.com

Applications will be evaluated according to the following criteria:

  • Technical merit criteria:
    • Identification and understanding of the problem to be solved
    • Appropriateness of proposed solution
    • Expected benefits
  • Project readiness criteria:
    • Feasibility of workplan
    • Community engagement and partnerships
    • Leadership and qualifications
  • Benefit to disadvantaged communities

Refer to the NOFA file for additional application information.

Match Required: No
Actual Funds: Unspecified
Range: $50,000,000 (Max)
Award Range: $250,000 (Min) / $2,000,000 (Max)
Match Notes:

Matching funds are not required for this program.

Funding Notes:

Up to approximately $50 million is available to support up to an expected 30 awards expected to range from $250,000 to $2 million through this program.

Of the total funding available, no more than 40 percent will be used to provide awards for eligible projects that primarily benefit large communities; no more than 30 percent will be used to provide awards for eligible projects that primarily benefit mid-sized communities; and no more than 30 percent will be used to provide awards for eligible projects that primarily benefit rural communities or regional partnerships.

Award announcements are expected to be made in early 2023.

The project period is expected to be up to 18 months.

Applicants are expected to account for data and performance reporting in their budget submission.

No more than 3 percent of the total award amount may be used to achieve compliance with applicable planning and reporting requirements.

Funds may not be used for:

  • Pre-award costs or application preparation costs
  • Equipping privately owned and operated vehicles outside of a leased or contracted service
  • Traffic or parking enforcement activities
  • Purchase or lease of a license plate reader
  • Supporting or opposing union organizing, whether directly or as an offset for other funds
  • Covered telecommunications equipment and services, as detailed on page 30 of the NOFA file

For FY 2023, more than $50 million was distributed via 34 awards ranging from $825,000 to $2 million through this program. For FY 2022, a total of $94,783,781 was distributed via 59 awards ranging from $250,000 to $2 million. Refer to the Award file for details.

Contacts:

Program Staff
smart@dot.gov

Roxanne Ledesma
(202) 774-8003

Agency Address
U.S. Department of Transportation
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, D.C. 20590

Contact Notes:

Questions should be directed to the program contacts provided by 5:00 p.m. ET on September 29, 2023. Up to the application deadline, the funding agency may post answers to common questions and requests for clarifications online at www.transportation.gov/grants/smart/smart-frequently-asked-questions.

Applications must be submitted online at usg.valideval.com.

The agency address provided is for reference purposes only.

Files:
NOFA File: US17479_NOFA_FY2023.pdf (522.0 Kb)
Other Pre-Award File: US17479_Webinar_FY2023.pdf (36.4 Kb)
Other Pre-Award File: US17479_FAQ_FY2023.pdf (252.1 Kb)
Award File: US17479_Award_FY2023.pdf (624.2 Kb)
File Notes:

The NOFA file contains the full solicitation for this program. The Webinar file contains information regarding an optional webinar scheduled for this program. The FAQ file contains a list of answers to frequently asked questions regarding this program. The Award file contains information on previous award recipients. Additional program resources can be found online at www.transportation.gov/grants/smart/resources.

April 18, 2024
Information regarding awards through this program has been released and appended to the Award file. A brief summary of the awards has been added to the Financial section, and a sample of award recipients has been added to the Eligibility section.

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Grant Categories
Community Development
Information Technology/Telecommunications
Environment/Natural Resources
Transportation