Application Notes:

Applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. ET on June 17, 2024.

Applications must be submitted online at www.ecivis.com/grants.gov. Mailed and faxed submissions will not be accepted.

Applications must include:

• SF 424
• Supplemental form
• Supporting documents, such as eligibility documentation, letters of support, project budgets, fleet status reports, and excerpts from relevant planning documents (optional)

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 for this program is scheduled as follows:

May 2, 2024
2:30 p.m. ET
Passcode: 638376
URL: usdot.zoomgov.com

Applications will be evaluated according to the following criteria:

• Demonstration of need
• Demonstration of benefits
• Planning and local/regional prioritization
• Local financial commitment
• Project implementation strategy
• Technical, legal, and financial capacity

Refer to pages 7-8 of the NOFA file for information regarding additional application evaluation criteria.

Refer to the NOFA file for additional application information.

Match Notes:

In general, applicants must provide at least 20 percent of the net project cost via nonfederal cash and/or in-kind contributions.

For projects that involve acquiring vehicles, applicants must provide at least 15 percent of the net project of acquiring vehicles, including clean-fuel or alternative fuel vehicles, for the purposes of complying with or maintaining compliance with the Clean Air Act (CAA) or the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990.

For projects that involve acquiring, installing, or constructing vehicle-related equipment or facilities, applicants must provide at least 10 percent of the net project cost of acquiring, installing, or constructing vehicle-related equipment or facilities, including clean fuel or alternative-fuel vehicle-related equipment or facilities, for the purposes of complying with or maintaining compliance with the ADA or CAA.

Additional consideration will be given to projects for which local funds have already been made available or reserved.

Eligible matching contributions include:

• Cash from non-governmental sources other than revenues from providing public transportation services
• Non-farebox revenues from the operation of public transportation services, such as the sale of advertising and concession revenues
• Monies received under a service agreement with a state or local social service agency or private social service organization
• Undistributed cash surpluses, replacement or depreciation cash funds, reserves available in cash, or new capital
• Amounts appropriated or otherwise made available to a department or agency of the government, other than the funding agency, that are eligible to be expended for public transportation
• In-kind contributions integral to the project
• Revenue bond proceeds for a capital project, with prior funding agency approval
• Transportation Development Credits (TDCs)

Funding Notes:

A total of $51 million is available to support awards through this program. There are no minimum or maximum award amounts; however, applicants are encouraged to identify scaled funding options in case insufficient funding is available to fund a project at the full requested amount.

Of the total funding available through this program, a total of $20 million was appropriated under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024. Of this total appropriated amount, a total of $5 million will be allocated for projects that involve low- or zero-emission ferries or related infrastructure.

Funds will be available for obligation for five years. Additional consideration will be given to projects for which funds can be obligated within 12 months of the award.

Award recipients may use up to 0.5 percent of the total award amount to pay for no more than 80 percent of the cost for workforce development activities eligible under federal public transportation law. Award recipients may also use up to 0.5 percent of the total award amount for costs associated with training at the National Transit Institute.

Funds may not be used for projects that have already incurred costs, unless the funding agency provides pre-award authority to incur costs, as detailed on pages 2 and 9 of the NOFA file.

Funds may not be used for:

• Operating costs
• Planning projects
• Preventive maintenance
• Any project that does not include the purchase, construction, replacement, or rehabilitation of ferries, terminals, related infrastructure, or related equipment

For FY 2023, a total of $50.1 million was distributed via seven awards ranging from $3 million to $7.48 million through this program. For FY 2022, a total of $34.4 million was distributed via eight awards ranging from $1.7 million to $6,639,134. For FY 2021, a total of $45,251,197 was distributed via 11 awards ranging from $1 million to $7.7 million. Refer to the Award file for details.