Application Notes:

Mandatory draft implementation reports must be received between July 15, 2024, and September 15, 2024, depending on when the Stage 1 recipient began their project period. All recipients have 12 months to submit their draft implementation reports. If the 12-month deadline for the draft implementation report occurs after the application deadline for this program, the draft implementation report will be assessed and forwarded to the assessment team for inclusion in the Stage 2 assessment.

Draft implementation reports must be emailed to the appropriate address provided in the Contact section.

Applications will be accepted beginning on July 19, 2024, and must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. ET on August 14, 2024.

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

Applications must include:

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

The project narrative must not exceed ten pages, including figures. If included, the cover page and table of contents will not count toward the ten-page limit. The project narrative and appendices, with the exception of the project location file, 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:

July 18, 2024
1:00 p.m. ET
Registration: usdot.zoomgov.com

A recording of the webinar can be found online at www.transportation.gov/grants/smart/webinars.

Applications will be evaluated according to the following criteria:

• Technical merit:
  • Identification and understanding of the problem to be solved
  • Appropriateness of proposed solution
  • Expected benefits
• Project readiness:
  • Feasibility of workplan
  • Workforce development, job quality, and wealth creation
  • Community engagement and partnerships
  • Leadership and qualifications

If oral presentations are requested by the assessment team, a virtual call will be scheduled for a brief presentation by each applicant and a question-and-answer session by the reviewers.

Refer to the NOFA file for additional application information.

Match Notes:

Matching funds are not required for this program.

Funding Notes:

Approximately $50 million is available through this program to support approximately three to five awards expected to range from $2 million to $15 million each.

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.

Funds will be provided on a reimbursement basis.

The project period is expected to be up to 36 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
• Prohibited telecommunications equipment and services, as detailed on page 37 of the NOFA file

July 31, 2024
The presentation slides from the webinar held for this program have been released and attached as the WebinarPresentation file. In addition, a recording of the webinar has been released, and a link to the presentation is available in the Application section.