FY 2021 CDLPI NOFO.pdf

Notice of Funding Opportunity Summary Information

Federal Agency Name: U.S. Department of Transportation (US DOT) Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Grants Management Office (GMO); MC-BG 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE West Building Washington, DC 20590

Funding Opportunity Title: Commercial Driver's License Program Implementation

Announcement Type: Initial

Funding Opportunity Number:

FM-CDL-21-001

Assistance Listing Number:

20.232

Key Date – Application Due Date:

Monday, March 15, 2021

5:00 p.m. EST

Point of Contact: Financial/Application concerns:

Montika Brooks

(202) 366-8980 montika.brooks@dot.gov

Programmatic concerns:

Wendy Cunningham

(360) 481-4485 wendy.cunningham@dot.gov

SECTION A – PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

1. Overview and Authorizing Statutes and Regulations

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announces the Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 Commercial Driver's License Program Implementation (CDLPI) financial assistance program Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), Funding Opportunity Number FM-CDL-21-001, to solicit applications from State and local governments, and other persons and organizations representing government agencies that support CDLPI activities.

The FY 2021 CDLPI program is authorized by the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, Pub. L. No. 114-94, §§ 5101 and 5104 (2015), as extended by the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2021 and Other Extensions Act (2020) ( P.L. 116-159), and is codified at 49 U.S.C. § 31313, with appropriations authorized under 49 U.S.C. § 31104. The FAST Act, as extended, authorized $33,200,000 in CDLPI grant funding in FY 2021, and FMCSA anticipates awarding approximately $32,702,000, after the 1.5 percent administrative takedown amount of $498,000.

2. CDLPI Goals and Objectives

Relevant Assistance Listings include 20.232.

The FMCSA’s mission is to reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities involving large trucks and buses. In support of this mission, FMCSA partners with commercial driver’s license (CDL) stakeholders including, but not limited to, State Driver Licensing Agencies (SDLAs), commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers and employers, the U.S. Armed Forces, State court officers, and multi-State partnerships.

The CDLPI financial assistance program objective is to provide financial assistance to States and other eligible entities to aid participation in the National CDL program. The ultimate goal of the National CDL Program supports the Department’s strategic goals and FMCSA’s mission by ensuring that only qualified drivers are eligible to receive and retain a CDL. The National CDL program focuses on the concept that each driver has only one driving record and only one licensing document, commonly referred to as "One Driver — One License — One Record."

Further, the National CDL program requires States to to conduct knowledge and skills testing before issuing a Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP) and/or CDL; to maintain a complete and accurate driver history record for anyone who obtains a CLP and/or CDL; and to impose driver disqualifications as appropriate.

FMCSA provides financial assistance under the CDLPI financial assistance program to States to achieve compliance with FMCSA regulations concerning driver's license standards and programs. In addition, FMCSA provides financial assistance to oether entities capable of exuecting national projects that aid States in their cimpliance efforts and that will improve the success and consistency of the National CDL Program.

CDLPI grant awards are in alignment with the following U.S. Department of Transportation’s strategic goals:

i. SAFETY: Reduce transportation-related fatalities and serious injuries across the transportation system.

ii. INFRASTRUCTURE: Invest in infrastructure to ensure safety, mobility and accessibility and to stimulate economic growth, productivity, and competitiveness for American workers and businesses.

iii. INNOVATION: Lead in the development and deployment of innovative practices and technologies that improve the safety and performance of the Nation’s transportation system.

iv. ACCOUNTABILITY: Serve the Nation with reduced regulatory burden and greater efficiency, effectiveness, and accountability.

This NOFO provides important information about the FY 2021 CDLPI program activities/projects and guidance for preparing and submitting a grant application. The FMCSA will award grants under this announcement in two separate categories: the CDLPI Basic Grants and CDLPI High Priority/Emerging Issues Grants.

3. CDLPI Award Performance Goals

Applicants should include expected performance goals related to the national priorities under subsection 4.

i. Baseline Data

FMCSA will measure the success of a CDLPI grant application’s performance goals by examining data available in the State Compliance Records Enterprise System (SCORE), available Commercial Driver’s License Information System (CDLIS) reports, driver history reports, and any other data reported by the applicant.

ii. Performance Indicators

FMCSA will alo measure whether a CDLPI grant award meets the performance goals outlined in the application by assessing performance indicators. Specific performance indicators may vary based on the national priorities related to the award under subsection

4. If applicable, such performance indicators are more specifically addressed under section 4 of this section.

In general, performance indicators for successful CDLPI grant award projects may include, but are not limited to:

a. Master Compliance: Activities implemented under this award address a State’s compliance with Federal CDL regulations.

b. Timeliness: Activities conducted under the CDLPI award allows disqualifications, suspensions, downgrades to be issued by the State in a timely manner, which will allow unsafe drivers to be removed from service.

c. Innovative Approach: CDLPI grant award activities provide a novel technique or approach (program design, use of technology assets, etc.) to benefit national CDL safety and/or improve safety data quality.

d. Data Quality: CDLPI activities provide the opportunity for accurate and complete driver history records.

4. National Priority Descriptions

CDLPI financial assistance funds are awarded through a competitive grant process and no assurance of funding is implied, nor should it be inferred.

All applications must support a public purpose. The FMCSA may not award grant funding to individuals for personal gain, such as obtaining the specialized training required for CDL licensing. The FMCSA will not award grant funding to any private business for profit or direct financial gain that does not provide benefit to the National CDL Program, such as purchasing a new tractor-trailer for a driving school. The FMCSA is prohibited under 49 U.S.C. § 31313(b) from providing grant funds for the purchase, rent, or lease of land or buildings.

Unless indicated otherwise, references to the CDLPI grant program priorities include both Basic and High Priority/Emerging Issues activities/projects, with details for each type of CDLPI grant priority focus area explained later in this section.

i. CDLPI Basic Projects are only applicable to SDLAs. Applications should support the development, implementation, and maintenance of all or part of the CDL program or that have a direct impact on a State’s compliance with the provisions of 49 CFR parts 383 and 384.

ii. CDLPI High Priority/Emerging Issues Projects are applicable for implementation by

States, local governments, and other entities capable of executing national projects that aid States in their compliance efforts and improving the National CDL Program.

i. CDLPI Basic Projects

a. General

Proposed projects must either support the development, implementation, and maintenance of all or part of the CDL program, or have a direct impact on a State’s compliance with the provisions of 49 CFR parts 383 and 384.

The CDLPI grant program is not intended to supplement ongoing operational costs of State CDL programs. Its primary purpose is to assist States in achieving and sustaining compliance with the provisions of 49 CFR parts 383 and 384. For this reason, funding for annually recurring State administrative costs receives a lower priority than funding associated with compliance issues or innovative CDL program improvements.

b. CDLPI Basic Grants eligible for 100 Percent Federal Funding

FMCSA will reimburse 100 percent of total project costs supporting the implementation of rulemakings and/or activities that directly impact a State's compliance with the CDL program. Applicants must provide in each project the 49 CFR part citation that supports the project’s compliance initiatives:

1) Applications for projects to achieve or maintain compliance with FMCSA rulemakings. Projects include: implementation of the Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) requirements; and implementation of the disqualifications associated with human trafficking felony convictions.

2) Applications that support a State’s correction and mitigation of its CDL regulatory compliance findings. Projects include: support for correcting the SDLA’s open findings and proposed strategies, which should be described in the CDL Program Self-Assessment section of the application.

3) Applications that support an SDLA’s data improvements and timeliness. As the foundation for the entire CDL program, the accuracy, completeness, and timeliness of all CDL data is essential to the program’s success. The FMCSA encourages applications for funding to achieve and sustain the highest possible quality of all CDL data. Projects include: correcting all broken and missing Commercial Driver’s License Information System (CDLIS) pointers, submitting convictions within 10 days, and correcting CDLIS transaction errors timely.

4) Applications that support an SDLA's partnership efforts that promote efforts that lead to substantial SDLA compliance with 49 CFR parts 383 and 384. The FMCSA will give priority to proposals for multi-jurisdictional partnerships or collaboration with other entities. Projects include:

A) Partnerships among several States to resolve compliance issues that are common among the partner States;

B) Partnerships between SDLAs, law enforcement, prosecutors, judges, and/or court clerks (broadly: the criminal justice community) within the same State to improve quality and timeliness of conviction reporting or to increase outreach to courts on CDL disqualifications and/or masking and diversion;

C) Partnerships among SDLAs and other non-Federal stakeholders that lead to substantial compliance and deliver multi-jurisdictional and cross functional workshops that include courts, law enforcement, SDLAs, and other interested stakeholders; or

D) Partnerships that involve several States to compare facial images, identify driver data, or identify duplicate driver applications to combat fraud.

c. CDLPI Basic Grants eligible for 85 Percent Federal Funding

FMCSA will fund the following projects at 85 percent Federal funding:

1) Applications to support sustained CDL statutory compliance projects. Projects that will enable States to achieve and/or sustain full compliance in the case of a State that is making a good faith effort toward substantial compliance with the requirements in 49 U.S.C. §§ 31311, to improve the implementation of its CDL program.

2) Applications for an SDLA’s operation and maintenance (O&M) projects. The CDLPI grant program is not intended to supplement ongoing operational costs of State CDL programs. Its primary purpose is to assist States in achieving and sustaining compliance with the provisions of 49 CFR parts 383 and 384. For this reason, funding for annually recurring State administrative costs receives a lower priority than funding associated with compliance issues or innovative CDL program improvements. Projects include: kiosk and tablet operation and maintenance; skills testing site improvements; and software licensing and IT maintenance agreements.

3) Applications for projects combatting human trafficking. As provided in 49 U.S.C. § 31313(a)(3)(E), FMCSA will prioritize grant applications that support the recognition, prevention, and reporting of human trafficking.

ii. CDLPI High Priority/Emerging Issues Cooperative Agreements and Grants

a. General

States, local governments, and other entities capable of executing national projects that aid States in their compliance efforts and improve the National CDL Program are eligible to apply for the prioties listed below.

b. CDLPI High Priority/Emerging Issues Cooperative Agreements and

Grants eligible for 100 Percent Federal Funding

The following projects are eligible for 100 percent Federal funding, and will be given consideration for funding if: project activities are directly connected to regulatory compliance (must provide the specific regulatory references) that will improve SDLA’s compliance with 49 CFR parts 383 and 384; and must provide preformance data benchmarks and goals, not anecdotal, to support how project activites will increase SDLA’s compliance. Otherwise, applications will be considered for 85 percent Federal funding participation.

1) Applications that provide a project plan to conduct a systematic review of a State’s CDL program with recommended improvement actions to enable the State to support its Annual State Certification of

Compliance as required by 384.305. The projects are intended to strengthen the States’ compliance with 49 CFR parts 383 and 384, by analyzing the State’s performance in one or more of the following three major review areas: Operational, Data Reconciliation, and Legal Sufficiency.

A) Operational Review may include evaluating the SDLA’s process workflows for: licensure, convictions and withdrawals, electronic and other processing actions; CDLIS helpdesk or equivalent and fraud detection; and processing communications between judiciary and SDLAs.

B) Data Reconciliation Review may include a detailed review of the data processing capabilities to confirm that every conviction has been accounted for in the driver history record, and the proper disqualification has been applied.

C) Legal Sufficiency Review that analyzes a State’s legal authority to implement 49 CFR parts 383 and 384.

Projects include: an SDLA seeking to engage an internal State auditing team or an outside entity, e.g. auditing firm, other technical experts, or an eligible entity, who can demonstrate that a State or multiple States have committed to be subject to an evaluation by the applicant. The project must acknowledge that the State or multiple States have agreed to be evaluated in any or all of the three major review areas listed above by the applying applicant.

2) Applications requesting funding that will benefit the National CDL Program by improving compliance through proven tools or developing new tools that can be utilized by SDLAs and other partners that have a direct impact on CDL compliance. Projects include:

A) Providing new or proven training and/or technical assistance to SDLAs or other CDL stakeholders including courts and law enforcement;

B) Facilitating the timeliness, accuracy, and completeness of CDL data exchange between judiciaries and SDLAs; or

C) Offering direct guidance or consultation to CDL stakeholders on best practices on court management systems that improve the timeliness and data quality of all CDL/CLP holder’s convictions from the judiciary to the SDLA’s driver history records (must submit a cost allocation plan required to document the benefit received to the CDL compliance).

3) Applications for enhancing court expertise. Projects that enhance the expertise of court officers in prosecuting, adjudicating, and transmitting CDL violations. Projects include: providing training on the prevention of masking CDL related offenses, and ensuring that felony convictions for CDL/CLP holders are provided to the SDLAs for proper adjudication.

4) Applications that facilitate the detection and prevention of fraud in the CDL process. Projects may include, but are not limited to, training, issuing, testing, recordkeeping, and data reporting.

5) Applications that support hosting meetings and conferences to address CDL compliance issues among the SDLAs.

A) Projects proposed under this priority must include: 1) a detailed budget; 2) a timeline for completion of the plan’s components;

and 3) a detailed plan for execution.

B) The detailed plan for execution must include:1) venue selection,

2) assistance with attendee hotel reservations, 3) development of the meeting’s agenda in consultation with other entities, as deemed appropriate, 4) on-site support during the meeting, and 5) post-meeting requirements.

C) Post-meeting requirements include, but are not limited to: 1) preparing a final report that includes a general overview of the meeting’s successes and areas for improvement, 2) a list of attendees, 3) attendee feedback, 4) minutes from the meeting’s sessions, 5) accounting for all expenses, and 6) a debriefing.

c. CDLPI High Priority/Emerging Issues Cooperative Agreements and Grants eligible for 85 Percent Federal Funding

Applications requesting project funding that will support an innovative approach to include:

1) Reduce the CDL skills testing delays;

2) Implement an employer notification system (ENS) with potential benefit to the National CDL Program; or

3) Human trafficking outreach projects that do not duplicate the purpose of other Federal funding source(s).

iii. Reminders for FY 2021

a. Applicants must state whether the project is located in a qualified opportunity zone designated pursuant to 26 U.S.C. § 1400Z-1.

b. Submit budget information in whole numbers only. Block 18 of the

Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424) and all fields of the Budget Information form (SF-424A) should be reflected in whole dollars ONLY.

c. Applications should include a detailed budget narrative and a budget justification broken out by individual objectives. Capture each objective separately in column A (Grant Program Function or Activity) of Section A of the SF-424A. These same grant program function(s) or activities should be reflected in Section B-Budget Categories as indicated on row 6. If more than five projects are being proposed, please use a continuation page for the SF- 424A.

SECTION B – FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

1. Funding and Number of Awards

The FMCSA anticipates making approximately 50 awards totaling $32,702,000.

2. Type of Award

Awards under this NOFO will be issued as a grant or cooperative agreement. The FMCSA will determine the appropriate award type based on the proposed project and the degree of Federal involvement.

These award types are for new FMCSA awards only. Applications for renewal or supplementation of existing awards are not eligible.

3. Period of Performance

In accordance with 49 U.S.C. § 31104(f)(5), awarded funding is available for the fiscal year of award and the four succeeding years, but may be awarded for a shorter period of time. The period of performance for CDLPI grants will be the date range designated in Block 4 of the Notice of Grant Award. NOTE: When requesting a period of performance on the SF-424 application form, applicants should carefully consider how long it will take to complete the grant’s activities and objectives. The start date should be no later than the last day of the current fiscal year, September 30, 2021.

4. Degree of Federal Involvement

i. Cooperative Agreement

In accordance with 31 U.S.C. § 6305, FMCSA will award a cooperative agreement when substantial involvement between FMCSA and the recipient is anticipated when carrying out the activity outlined in the Notice of Grant Agreement. The FMCSA will outline the substantial involvement at the time of award in the Notice of Grant Agreement (e.g., the degree to which FMCSA employees are directing the performance or implementation of the award program).

In general, substantial involvement includes, but is not limited to:

a. Project initiation meeting to establish broad objectives and timetables to complete activities as provided in the original application.

b. Quarterly scheduled calls to discuss project progress and potential road blocks;

c. Joint development and prior approval of education materials, reports, etc. as listed in the original application and part of an approved project.

d. Coordination of FMCSA involvement in outreach and other activities relating to the publication of materials (including but not limited to the reference and use of FMCSA/DOT logos).

Under a cooperative agreement, FMCSA agrees to assign professionally qualified staff to serve as a liaison between the recipient and FMCSA local offices when event coordination is needed; provide technical assistance to the recipient; assist with the exchange of ideas and information as necessary and permissible; and other actions relating to the monitoring of performance activities under this award.

The recipient also agrees to designate a project manager or key point of contact to work with FMCSA and act as a liaison between the awardee and the Federal Government; and comply with all terms and conditions set forth in this agreement.

The FMCSA will further outline the nature of Federal involvement at the time of award and include additional details, as relevant, in the award documentation.

ii. Grant

Substantial involvement is not expected between FMCSA and the recipient when carrying out the activity outlined in the agreement. The FMCSA provides financial assistance, technical expertise, and oversight. Recipients provide the effort and expertise necessary to carry out the approved activities to improve CMV safety. Recipients are responsible for achieving the work described in their grant award, complying with the grant requirements laid out in the grant award and Terms and Conditions, the local administration of the grant, and monitoring and oversight of any sub-recipients or sub-contractors.

SECTION C – ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

1. Eligible Applicants

The following section includes the applicants eligible for award.

i. States

To be eligible for a Basic CDLPI Category Grant, States must:

a. Assume responsibility for adopting and administering State safety laws and regulations that are compatible with the Federal CDL requirements of 49 CFR parts 383 and 384;

b. Address outstanding findings discovered during Annual Program Reviews and Skills Testing Reviews;

c. Comply with the requirements of related rulemakings, such as the CDL Testing and

CLP Standards Final Rule and the Medical Examiner’s Certification Integration Final Rule. The FMCSA may make a grant to a State under this program only if it complies with or is making a good faith effort toward substantial compliance with the requirements of 49 U.S.C.§ 31311; and

d. As a condition of the grant per 49 U.S.C. 31106(c)(2), States must provide FMCSA with access to all State licensing status and driver history records via an electronic information system, subject to 18 U.S.C. § 2721.

At its discretion, FMCSA will consider applications received from SDLAs to be for Basic CDLPI grant funding unless the application specifically indicates otherwise in the application.

ii. Non-State Organizations

Applications received from non-State organizations will be considered for High Priority/Emerging Issues grant funding. Some of these awards may be issued as cooperative agreements and applications must include all required documents. In addition, the applications must clearly describe the anticipated level and nature of FMCSA participation and the responsibilities of each partner to the agreement until the grant or cooperative agreement is closed.

The FMCSA must approve the development and execution of training to the courts and law enforcement to ensure no duplication of efforts, since there are other entities that service or support similar objectives with the courts and law enforcement. Applicants must consider FMCSA’s involvement in its grant applications. Also, FMCSA will ensure project activities are dispersed and presented at locations or available to locations that will have the biggest benefit for the costs and resources available by region.

The FMCSA must approve the development of resources, such as desk manuals, cheat sheets, best practices, and webpages, that are to be used by other entities. This will ensure the content is coordinated, approved, and does not conflict other guidance provided or resources funded by FMCSA.

2. Cost-Sharing and Matching Requirements

Unless otherwise stated, effective FY 2021, no match will be required for projects that have a direct impact on SDLA compliance with 49 CFR parts 383 and 384. Other projects will require a 15 percent match of the total project costs for applicants/subrecipients. See Section A(4) of this NOFO for project descriptions with match requirements.

Applicants will be required to submit in their budget a description of the match costs, if applicable. Any eligible type of cost included in the approved budget may be used as match, and recipients may vary the costs used as match from voucher to voucher, provided those costs were included in the approved budget. Costs that have not been approved by FMCSA as part of the project’s budget may not be used as match.

Cash, in-kind and third-party contributions are acceptable in meeting the matching share if they represent necessary, reasonable, allowable, and allocable costs as established by 2 CFR part 200, and under FMCSA policy applying 2 CFR part 200.

Cost matching and cost sharing must be in compliance with 2 CFR part 200.

SECTION D – APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

1. Address to Request Application Package

Potential applicants may obtain all forms included in this Notice at www.grants.gov.

If you require paper copies of materials, you may request copies at:

Email: FMCSA_GrantMgmtHelpdesk@dot.gov

Telephone: (202) 366-0621 (Grant Management Help Desk)

Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Grants Management Office (MC-BG) 1200 New Jersey Ave, SE, West Building

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

The application package must contain the elements listed below to be considered for an award.

i. Formatting

The application must follow the format and limitation stated below:

a. Application must be prepared on 8 1/2 x 11-inch format.

b. Margins (Top, Bottom, Right and Left) no smaller than 1” on all pages.

(Header and Footer are allowed in the margins).

c. Times New Roman 12 pt. font must be used for all text, including tables and graphs.

d. Application must be submitted in a format readable by Microsoft (MS) Word, Excel, or in text-searchable PDF formats (as applicable).

e. The application narrative is limited to 35 total pages. FMCSA will not read or consider any materials beyond the specified page limit in the application review process. NOTE: The 35 total page limit will apply to this section only. Submission of documentation and forms described in Appendix A will not count against the application page limit.

f. The application package must contain the elements listed below and all documentation described in Appendix A to be considered for an award, Appendix B contains examples for formatting purposes only, but are not required to be used.

ii. Brief Introduction – 5-page maximum

Include a description of the goal(s) of the application and the applicable program priority(s) met by the application’s projects. Include in this introduction specific information about the outputs the application proposes to achieve. For each goal identified, the applicant must provide a problem statement, performance objective, program activity plan, and performance measurement plan.

iii. For SDLA Applicants Only: CDL Program Self-Assessment (Program Overview) – 5-page maximum

Applications from SDLAs must include a CDL program self-assessment, which may be included as part of the project’s program overview or project plan; a separate, stand-alone document is not required. This requirement applies to SDLAs only. Applications that fail to include the required information will be considered incomplete and risk disqualification.

The Program Overview is a summary of key elements of the applicant’s program and must include the following three components:

a. A list of all open findings in the State Compliance Records Enterprise (SCORE) System, including the finding’s citation and a brief description; the reason for the finding; the proposed resolution; and the expected date by which the finding will be closed.

b. A list of all open CDLPI grant awards, including the award number, award amount, and purpose; progress made to date in achieving the award’s objectives; remaining unexpended funding; the expected date of completion; and how the application’s requested funding supports those grants without duplicating their costs or activities.

c. The total number of noncommercial licenses and the total number of CLPs and CDLs issued to date and annually, listed separately by type of CLP or CDL.

iv. Problem Statement – 5-page maximum

Provide a qualitative description of the identified problem. Include details on the data used to identify the problem and to establish the baseline (include data source, date, and explain how the applicant collects, maintains, and analyzes the data). Data should support proposed project(s). Example: The Applicant proposes to implement strategies that remove barriers to compliance and improve customer confidence to ensure accuracy, completeness, and timeliness of CDL data and to sustain a status of zero open findings in SCORE. Specifically, this application requests funding to expand the existing suite of online services to add identification of CDL duplicates, driver address changes, license reinstatement, and calendar reminders about the approaching expiration of the driver’s current medical certificate and/or medical variances. A successful pilot at the Applicant’s expense has confirmed that this approach reduces the potential for fraud and for unqualified drivers being issued a CDL.

v. Performance Objective – 5-page maximum

Provide a description of the applicant’s quantifiable goal related to the above problem statement. This can be measured in numbers, percentages, or other forms that accurately measure the outputs and outcomes the applicant anticipates will result from implementing the strategies and activities proposed. Example: This application’s performance objective is strengthening CDL program control and oversight to ensure continued compliance with all current program requirements by purchasing and installing 15 Motion Computer Scoring Tablets; this technology will limit each examiner to a unique ID, and will use GPS to record and log the comprehensiveness and thoroughness of the required CDL road test. These capabilities are both considered best practices in detecting and preventing fraud.

vi. Program Activity Plan – 5-page maximum

Provide a description of the activities the applicant believes will help mitigate the problem.

Description should include details such as number and frequency of activities. Example:

Expanding the program to automate pre-trip, basic control skills, and road test scoring for all tester/examiners conducting 50 or more CDL skills tests annually by purchasing 15 tablets, providing training in using the equipment, and coordinating with the vendor to ensure that test results can be successfully transmitted.

vii. Performance Measurement Plan – 5-page maximum

Provide a description of how the applicant will measure progress towards the performance objective goal, such as quantifiable and measurable outputs (hours, carrier contacts, inspections, etc.) and in terms of performance outcomes. The measure must include specific benchmarks that can be reported on in the quarterly progress report, if practicable, or as annual outcomes. Example: The Applicant will monitor and report on the number and percentage of mid-to-high volume examiners whose tests are performed using automated scoring equipment, and will increase the number of unscheduled examiner audits by 10 percent as compared to the previous 12-month period. The Applicant will provide status updates through quarterly progress and financial reports. The Applicant will also provide a final report that includes a process evaluation describing how the project was conducted and how it met the desired objectives.

viii. Budget Narrative and SF-424 and SF-424A Information – 5-page maximum for

Budget Narrative

A budget narrative is a description, by budget category (object class) that details the costs necessary to complete the proposed projects. A well-written budget narrative ensures that the applicant has properly documented proposed costs. The level of detail should be sufficient to justify the funding requested. Applicants are strongly encouraged to use the sample budget narrative format included in Appendix B. In order to allow reviewers to evaluate the appropriateness of all costs, applications should include a detailed budget narrative and a budget justification broken out by individual objectives.

Ensure that each project has its own budget narrative that matches the SF-424A Budget Categories Columns for each project. All costs in the budget narrative, SF-424 and SF-424A must be rounded to the nearest whole dollar amount. DO NOT include cents for Federal or State share.

The budget narrative should reflect the allocability of project activities to the grant. Budgets should reflect the appropriate Federal share and State match amounts, as stated under the priorities in subsection (A)(4). Exceeding the required State match will not favorably influence the evaluation of an application. FMCSA may adjust the applicant’s budget or adjust funding to reflect the appropriate match.

For instructions on completing the SF-424 and SF-424A, please go to Grants.gov, https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html

a. SF-424, Field 18 - Box (a) – Estimated funding must be completed. It must contain the amount of Federal funding requested (i.e., 85 percent or 100 percent). Box (b) must contain the required 15 percent match, if the project is eligible for 85 percent Federal funding. If the project is eligible for 100 percent Federal funding, then enter “0” in Box (b). Box (g) should equal the total project amount, which is the sum of boxes (a) and (b). The value of in-kind contributions should be included on the appropriate lines, as applicable.

b. SF-424A - Section A – Budget Summary shows the 85 percent Federal share, 15 percent non-Federal share, or the 100 percent Federal share, and the total cost per project. Section A must be completed.

c. Section B – Budget Categories captures total amount per object class categories, both federally funded and matching share, as applicable. In the column headings (1) through (4), enter the titles, that match narrative title, for each of the proposed projects. If five or more projects are proposed, download an additional SF-424A from Grants.gov. Please note, the SF-424A covers the life of the project costs, and not just the first year (as stipulated in the SF-424A instructions). Section B must be completed.

ix. Requirements When One or More Projects are Proposed

This section highlights requirements for application packages proposing one or more projects.

A project consists of one or more activities that work towards achieving defined goals and objectives. If an applicant chooses to propose multiple CDLPI projects within a single application, each application must contain separate and distinct project narratives, budget narratives, line item budgets, and titles for each project proposed within that application package.

When an application contains multiple projects, each project must include the following sections in consecutive order: Brief Introduction, Problem Statement, Performance

Objectives, Project Activity Plan, Performance Measurement Plan, Monitoring and Reporting Plan, and Budget Narrative. For example, in an application containing multiple projects, Project 1 would include the above sections in consecutive order, followed by Project 2, which would also include the above sections in consecutive order.

3. Sam.Gov requirement

The applicant must:

i. Be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) before submitting an application at https://www.sam.gov; and

ii. Provide a valid Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number on the SF-424. If you do not have a DUNS number, you can get one free through the D&B website:

https://fedgov.dnb.com/webform/displayHomePage.do.

The applicant must maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which it has an active Federal award or an application under consideration. To remain registered in the SAM database after the initial registration, the applicant is required to review and update the registration at least every 12 months from the date of initial registration or subsequently update its information in the SAM database to ensure it is current, accurate, and complete.

If an applicant has not fully complied with these requirements by the time FMCSA is ready to make a Federal award, FMCSA may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive a Federal award and use that determination as a basis for making a Federal award to another applicant.

4. Submission Dates and Times

i. Deadline

Unsolicited applications will not be accepted. FULL AND COMPLETE APPLICATIONS FOR Commercial Driver’s License Program Implementation ARE Monday, March 15, 2021 by 5:00 p.m. EST. Once Grants.gov has received your submission, you will receive email messages to advise you of the progress of your application through the system. Over the next two business days, you should receive two emails: 1) confirming application receipt by the Grants.gov system; and 2) indicating that the application has either been successfully validated by Grants.gov prior to transmission to FMCSA or has been rejected due to errors. The applicant assumes responsibility for a timely and complete submission. Click here for more information.

ii. Consideration of Applications

Only applicants who comply with all submission deadlines described in this NOFO and electronically submit valid applications through Grants.gov will be eligible for consideration of award. Applicants are strongly encouraged to make submissions in advance of the deadline.

iii. Late Applications

The FMCSA will not consider a late application except under extraordinary circumstances. A late application will only be accepted if there is a large scale natural disaster or a Grants.gov system issue that threatens the timely submission of a grant application. Problems with computer systems at the applicant’s organization, failure to follow the application instructions or failure to submit or complete the program application or complete required registrations by the submission deadline are not considered system issues.

5. Intergovernmental Review

All applications under the Notice are subject to Executive Order (E.O.) 12372. The applicants with a Single Point of Contact (SPOC), and therefore a requirement to comply with E.O. 12372 are listed on the Office of Management and Budget's website at: www.whitehouse.gov/omb.

6. Funding Restrictions

The CDLPI grant program is not intended to supplement ongoing operational costs of State CDL programs. Its primary purpose is to assist States in achieving and sustaining compliance with the provisions of 49 CFR parts 383 and 384.

Pre-award costs are not eligible for reimbursement. All costs must be allowable, allocable, reasonable, and necessary to achieve the stated goals, and must comply with the cost principles in 2 CFR part 200. Compliance with these requirements is the responsibility of the recipient of Federal funds. Costs must also be consistently applied and documented. These standards are described in the applicable cost principles and administrative requirements in 2 CFR §§ 200.400 through 200.475; note that § 200.405 includes requirements for allocating costs, §§ 200.416-

200.417 include Special Considerations for States, Local Governments, and Indian Tribes, and §§ 200.418-200.419 include Special Considerations for Institutions of Higher Education. Contact FMCSA’s Grants Management Office for additional information.

The lease of land or buildings is not an allowable cost.

Failure to adhere to these requirements may result in reimbursements under the award being deemed improper and subsequently disallowed.

Eligible CDLPI grant program costs include, but are not limited to:

i. Personnel expenses, including recruitment and screening, training, salaries and fringe benefits, and supervision. Personnel expenses included in an organization’s indirect cost rate must not be included as a direct cost in the grant budget.

ii. Equipment and travel expenses, including but not limited to per diem expenses directly related to compliance with the CDL regulations, vehicles (very limited and must be fully supported within project proposal), uniforms, supplies, materials, communications equipment, vehicle maintenance, fuel, and oil (very limited and must be fully supported within project proposal).

iii. Clerical and administrative expenses, to the extent necessary and directly attributable to the grant project and not already included in the indirect cost pool.

iv. Expenses related to the improvement of real property (e.g., refurbishing of paved areas for conducting off-road skills tests) that do not materially increase the value of the property.

v. Expenses related to data acquisition, storage, and analysis that are not being requested under any other FMCSA grant program’s funding, that are specifically identifiable as program-related, and that are intended to improve efficiency. The proposal should clearly demonstrate the extent to which these costs will directly benefit the grant program. Cost allocation plan(s) should be attached, as applicable, to support the direct benefit to CDL compliance, as supported in the project proposal.

Note: Applications requesting information technology funding, such as upgrades or modifications to existing software or equipment, are subject to review by FMCSA’s Office of Research and Information Technology.

The FMCSA will not approve reimbursement requests for indirect costs if an approved indirect cost rate (IDC) agreement is not in force for the period of time that the indirect cost expenses are incurred.

If claiming indirect cost charges, the recipient must include an active approved IDC agreement with the application submitted for funding. Should the recipient fail to provide an approved agreement during the pre-award phase and a grant is awarded, the recipient will have 90 days from the date of award acceptance to provide a copy of the IDC agreement. If we do not receive the required documentation within the allocated time frame, the recipient will not be reimbursed for indirect cost charges for that fiscal year. Once an approved rate is provided to FMCSA, the recipient will then, be allowed to claim indirect cost in the following fiscal year of the award. 2 CFR § 200.414(c).

Any non–Federal entity that does not have a current negotiated (including provisional) rate, except for those non–Federal entities described in appendix VII of 2 CFR part 200, may elect to charge a de minimis rate of 10% of modified total direct costs, which may be used indefinitely.

No documentation is required to justify the 10% de minimis indirect cost rate. 2 CFR § 200.414(f).

The FMCSA will not approve reimbursement requests for fringe benefit expenses calculated by using a rate if there was not a fringe benefit rate approved by the recipient’s

Federal cognizant agency for indirect costs in place for the period of time the fringe benefit expenses were incurred. In the absence of such a federally-approved fringe rate agreement, FMCSA will approve reimbursement of fringe benefit costs based on actual costs incurred.

All FMCSA grant programs are cost reimbursable, which means that grant recipients must first expend their own money before vouchering by submitting an invoice to FMCSA for costs associated with approved activities identified in the grant agreement. Recipients will be reimbursed by FMCSA for actual costs incurred, subject to any required match, provided that the costs are reasonable, approved, allowable, and allocable in accordance with the OMB regulations and FMCSA policy, within the approved budget, and supported by documentation. The recipients must request reimbursement at least once each quarter.

Recipients must submit requests for reimbursement electronically through the Delphi eInvoicing System (iSupplier). Additional information is available at:

http://www.transportation.gov/cfo/delphi-einvoicing-system.

FMCSA will not provide reimbursement for salary-related bonus payments, either as a direct or indirect cost. Bonus costs are not an allowable expense under FMCSA awards. 2 CFR part 200, Subpart E: 2 CFR §§ 200.403 – 200.405.

7. Other Submission Requirements

Applications must be submitted electronically via https://www.grants.gov as described above in this section. In the event of system problems or technical difficulties with the application submittal, please call at 1-800-518-4726 or e-mail at support@grants.gov 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (closed on Federal holidays). To submit an application through Grants.gov, applicants must:

i. Create a username and password.

ii. Establish an E-Business point of contact (POC) in order to response to the registration emails.

iii. Establish at least one Authorized Organization Representative (AOR).

Please note the registration process in Grants.gov usually takes 2-4 business weeks to complete.

FMCSA will not consider late applications due to failure to register or comply with Grants.gov requirements.

E. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

1. Criteria

i. Eligibility Criteria

FMCSA will first screen all applications received by the due date to determine if the application is eligible. In addition to the eligibility criteria under Section C, FMCSA will review the application for the following criteria.

Eligibility Criteria:

1. Was the application submitted by the deadline?

2. Was the application submitted by an eligible applicant?

3. Is this application a duplicate submission as confirmed by the applicant?

4. Was the Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424) completed?

5. Was the Budget information for Non-Construction form (SF-424A) completed?

6. Was the Assurances for Non-Construction form (SF-424B) completed?

7. Was the grants.gov Certification Regarding Lobbying form completed?

8. Was the Disclosure of Lobbying activities form (SF-LLL) completed?

9. Do the Key Contact forms include PI/PD and ADO contact information?

10. Was a current Indirect Cost Rate agreement included in the application?

11. Does the application include a complete Budget Narrative?

12. Does the application include a complete Project Narrative?

ii. Merit Evaluation Criteria

FMCSA subject matter experts will review all eligible applications using the following Merit Evaluation Criteria: Technical Merit Criteria; Budget Cost Analysis Criteria;

Program-Specific Criteria; Past Performance Criteria; and Other Review Information.

All of these criteria are further explained below.

a. Technical Merit

FMCSA subject matter experts will review all eligible applications using the following Merit Evaluation Criteria:

1) The proposed project(s) meets the CDL program’s priorities and statutory requirements and will likely achieve success within the proposed period of performance;

2) The application includes clearly identified performance goals and measurements, supported by data, as appropriate, and includes benchmarks and timelines;

3) The application includes costs that are linked to the project’s goals and are reasonable and necessary for the project’s success;

4) The proposed approach is reasonable in scope, addresses existing and emerging commercial driver’s license safety issues, and is likely to be successful;

5) The project includes an innovative approach with potential benefit to the nationwide CDLPI program, if applicable; and has a project plan that provides a good description of the innovative approach and clearly articulates the benefit(s) to the National CDL program;

6) The application provides a description of how projects and tasks have been effectively managed in the past;

7) The application includes clearly identified performance goal(s) and measurements;

8) The application includes a monitoring and evaluation component that indicates how the recipient will continuously evaluate performance and outcomes and make adjustment, if necessary, which enables FMCSA to monitor performance and progress toward successful completion.

b. Budget Review/Cost Analysis Criteria

This criteria involves the budget: whether costs are allowable in accordance with Federal grant requirements, including the appropriateness and reasonableness of the budget estimate and the resources to be dedicated to the project; and the reasonableness and feasibility of the schedule relative to the application timeline.

The budget should describe specific activities that support the objective(s) of the project plan/program. FMCSA considers whether budget components such as staffing, equipment, training, and travel are clearly linked to the project’s goal(s) and are necessary to adequately compensate, equip, train, and enable personnel to conduct the activities included in the project plan.

The budget evaluation helps identify project-related risks that must be considered prior to recommendation, in addition to those risks arising from technical uncertainty. FMCSA will evaluate applications and other information, including, but not limited to:

1) Elements of work included in the application have associated budget costs and, conversely, all elements in the applicant’s budget have corresponding work elements included in the application;

2) Budget costs are allowable, allocable, necessary and reasonable per 2 CFR part 200;

3) Cost in a particular cost category has been properly identified as allowable, with the necessary…