Application Notes:

Applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. ET on July 22, 2024.

The due date for the application has been extended to August 2, 2024. Additional information is included in the DueDateExt file.

Applications must be submitted online at www.ecivis.com/grants.gov. Emailed, mailed, or faxed submissions will not be accepted.

Applications must include:

• SF 424
• Grants.gov lobbying form
• Applicant and proposal profile supplemental form
• Map of proposed study area showing the transit project alignment and stations, major roadways, major landmarks, and the geographic boundaries of the proposed planning activities
• Documentation of a partnership between the transit project sponsor and an entity in the project corridor with land use planning authority to conduct planning work (if applicable)
• Documentation of funding commitments for the proposed planning work

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 is scheduled for this program as follows:

June 5, 2024
2:00 p.m. ET
Registration: usdot.zoomgov.com

Applications will be evaluated according to the following criteria:

• Project factors
• Demonstrated need
• Strength of the work plan, schedule, and process
• Funding commitments

Refer to the NOFA, SupplementalForm, and Webinar files for additional application information.

Match Notes:

In general, applicants must provide at least 20 percent of the total project costs via cash and/or in-kind contributions. Proposals that support planning activities that assist parts of an urbanized area or rural area with lower population density or lower average income levels compared to the adjoining area are eligible to receive a federal funding share of no less than 90 percent, and applicants may request a share up to 100 percent. Proposals that address three or more activities related to the development of affordable housing will receive a federal funding share of 100 percent.

Eligible forms of cash contributions include:

• Cash from nonfederal sources, other than revenues from providing public transportation services
• Revenues derived from the sale of advertising and concessions
• Amounts received under a service agreement with a state or local social service agency or private social service organization
• Revenues generated from value capture financing mechanisms
• Funds from an undistributed cash surplus
• Replacement or depreciation cash funds or reserve
• New funding

Applicants demonstrating that matching contributions for the project are committed will receive higher ratings during the application evaluation process. Applicants that have identified, but not yet committed, matching contributions; or that provide a match in which in-kind contributions constitute the primary or sole source of matching funds, will receive lower ratings during the application evaluation process.

Applicants must address whether other federal funds have been sought or received for the planning project in the application.

Transportation development credits may not be used as match.

Funding Notes:

A total of $10,496,164 is available to support awards through this program. Additional funds made available prior to project selection may be allocated to eligible projects.

Funds may generally not be used for pre-award costs, unless the funding agency has issued pre-award authority for selected projects, or unless the funding agency has issued a “letter of no prejudice” for the project before the expenses are incurred.

Funds may not be used for:

• Project elements designed to maintain a state of good repair of the existing fixed guideway system
• Comprehensive or site-specific planning work in a corridor for a transit capital project that does not meet the statutory definition of either a new fixed guideway project or a core capacity improvement project
• Transit project development activities that would be reimbursable under a capital award provided through the funding agency, such as project planning, the design and engineering of stations and other facilities, environmental analyses needed for the transit capital project, or costs associated with specific joint development activities
• Capital activities, such as land acquisition, construction, and utility relocation

In April 2024, a total of $17.62 million was distributed via 20 awards ranging from $300,000 to $2 million through this program. In November 2022, a total of $13,131,094 was distributed via 19 awards ranging from $240,000 to $1.6 million. In January 2022, a total of $11,026,500 was distributed via 20 awards ranging from $300,000 to $970,000. Refer to the Award file for details.

July 23, 2024
An announcement concerning the changing of the due date for the application has been released and attached as the DueDateExt file. The Application section has been updated accordingly.