508_FY2025 CDLPI NOFO Funding Call.pdf

January 15, 2025

FY 2025 CDLPI - Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) Funding Conference

Agenda

• Commercial Driver’s License Program Implementation (CDLPI)

Grant Program Overview

• Title VI Compliance Program Information

• FY 2025 NOFO Priorities and Additional Information

• CDLPI Grant Application Template

• Resources and Contacts

• Q&A

Ensure that only qualified drivers are eligible and receive and retain a CDL

The purpose of the CDLPI Grant Program is to…

Provide financial assistance to States and other eligible entities to aid participation in the National CDL Program

Focus on concept that each driver has only one driving record and only one licensing document

Help other entities capable of executing national projects that aid States in their compliance efforts and that will improve the success and consistency of the National CDL Program

Help States to achieve compliance with FMCSA regulations concerning driver’s licensing standards and programs

Section A – Program Description

Title VI Program Compliance Plan Award Requirement

• FY2025 Title VI Program Assurance and Compliance Plan Requirements

• The FMCSA Title VI Program Federal financial assistance award requirements consist of an annually updated Title VI Program Compliance Plan (Plan) including the FMCSA Title VI Program Assurance (Assurance)

• The technical assistance webinar for the FMCSA Title VI Program Compliance Plan Requirements is available at this link: https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/grantswebinars

• The Assurance and Compliance Plan must be submitted to Mr. Lester Finkle, FMCSA National Title VI Program Manager for approval

• To begin this coordination, please contact Mr. Lester Finkle, FMCSA National Title VI Program Manager, at lester.finkle@dot.gov

Title VI Program Assurances and Compliance Plan must be submitted with applications and approved by FMCSA to be eligible for grant award.

Section B – Federal Award Information https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/grantswebinars mailto:lester.finkle@dot.gov

FY 2025 NOFO

Priorities & Additional Information

CDLPI Award Performance Goals

• Data Sources

• Baseline Data – quantifiable and qualitative

• For SDLAs, FMCSA will evaluate the applications performance goals by examining:

• State Compliance Records Enterprise (SCORE) System

• Commercial Driver’s Licensing Information System (CDLIS) reports, Driver History Reports

• Other data sources/reporting that the applicant provides as their source data baseline

• Provide database(s) name or webpage source/links in project plans

• For applicants that are not States, FMCSA will evaluate the applications performance goals my examining:

• Any available data and other data source(s) used and reported or referenced by the applicant,

• Compare the results from the program with baseline data provided in the application, and

• Any other FMCSA accessible reports.

Section A – 3 CDLPI Award Performance Goals

CDLPI Award Performance Goals

• Performance Indicators

• FMCSA will assess the success of the goals being met by the indicators included in the project application, such as, but not limited to:

Sustained

Compliance

Compliant Issuance of CDL/CLPs

Timely Driver History

Record (DHR)

Actions

Ensuring Data

Quality

Innovative Approaches to Improving CDL

Issues

Increased Testing

Rates and Integrity

Human Trafficking

Awareness, Prevention, and Reporting

Section A – 3 CDLPI Award Performance Goals

Cost

Savings

Improve Fraud Prevention and Reduce Fraud

Increased Training in Adjudication

Process

FY 2025 National Priorities

• Basic Project Priorities - SDLAs ONLY

• Implementing or maintaining compliance of CDL-related regulatory rulemakings or supporting the National Roadway Safety Strategy (NRSS)

• Final rule integration of Medical Examiner’s Certification

• Correcting and mitigating CDL regulatory compliance findings

• Identified through Annual Program Reviews and/or Internal State-led Reviews

• Improving CDL data elements such as timeliness, completeness, and accuracy

• SDLA partnership efforts that lead to increased compliance

• Priority given to multi-jurisdictional partnerships or partnerships with other entities

• Operation & Maintenance projects (lowest priority)

Section A – 4 National CDLPI Priority Descriptions

• High Priority/Emerging Issues Priorities

Must be capable of executing national projects that aid States in their compliance efforts and improving the National CDL Program

• Reducing CDL skills testing delays and wait times

• Recognizing, preventing, and reporting of human trafficking

• Conducting a systemic review of a State’s CDL program to support the State’s Annual

State Certification of Compliance

• Improving compliance by using proven tools or developing new tools to be utilized by

SDLAs and other partners

• Projects for enhancing court expertise

• High Priority/Emerging Issues Priorities (contd.)

• Researching and/or facilitating the detection and prevention of fraud in the CDL process

• Hosting meetings and conferences to address CDL compliance issues

• Detailed budget

• Timeline for plan completion

• Detailed plan for execution

• Post-meeting final report

• Implementing or maintaining an Employer Notification System (ENS)

• Supporting an SDLA’s review and evaluation for access to CDL services in underserved communities

• Developing and implementing a CDL citation and adjudication group

Federal Award Information

Due Date: Tuesday, February 7, 2023 by 5 p.m. ET Due Date: Monday, February 24, 2025 by 5 p.m. ET

• No more than four projects per application

• Authorized up to

$88,700,000

• Final funding amounts are subject to availability of funding appropriated by

Congress

• Year of award, plus four fiscal years

• 9/30/2029

Funding Application Project

Information Period of Performance (PoP)

Section B – Federal Award Information

Eligibility Information

Eligible Applicants

SDLAs Other State

Agencies

Non-State

Organizations

Federal Funding 100% - No match requirement

Section C – Eligibility Information

Eligibility Information

INDIVIDUALS ARE NOT ELIGIBLE

Content and Form of Application Submission

Application Page Limitations

Non-SDLAs

Pages

SDLAs

Pages

Performance Based Project Plan Elements

1. Brief Introduction

- SDLA Self-Assessment

2. Problem Statement

3. Performance Objective

4. Performance Activity Plan

5. Performance Measurement Plan

6. Monitoring and Timeline/Milestone Plan

7. Budget Narrative

Section D – Application and Submission Information

CDL Program Self-Assessment

• SDLAs required to have a CDL program assessment

• Include components outlined in the NOFO

Funding Restrictions

• Bonus costs are not a necessary expense under FMCSA awards

• 2 CFR part 200, subpart E; 2 CFR 200.403-200.405

• The rent, lease, or buying of land or buildings is NOT an allowable cost

• Indirect Cost (IDC) Agreement Requirement

• 2 CFR 200.414(c)

• Current period IDC agreements must be submitted within 90 days of acceptance of the award. If not, indirect cost rate will not be reimbursed that fiscal year. It will be allowed the following fiscal year with a current period IDC agreement.

Eligibility Criteria

Section E – Application Review Information

Application Review Information

Section C. 3

A complete application includes:

• The application was submitted by the deadline (February 24, 2025 by 5:00 PM ET)

• The application was submitted by an eligible applicant, as described in Section C.1.

• The application has a completed SF-424, SF-424A, and SF-424B

• The application has a completed Grants.gov Certification Regarding Lobbying form.

• The application has a completed Lobbying activities (SF-LLL) form, if applicable.

• The application includes a complete Budget Narrative and Project Narrative.

• The application’s projects support the purpose of the CDLPI grant program and statutes.

Application Review Information

Merit Evaluation Criteria (Section E. 1.2)

• FMCSA subject matter experts will review all eligible applications using the following Merit

Evaluation Criteria:

• Technical Merit Criteria

• Budget Review/Cost Analysis Criteria

• Program-Specific Criteria

• Past Performance Criteria

• Other Review Information

• Racial Equity and Climate Change & Sustainability

Merit Review Rating

FMCSA prioritizes applications using the ratings below based on the applicability of the Merit Criteria and other preferences to the application.

Highly

Responsive Responsive Not

Responsive

FFR & PPR Reporting

• Recipients will submit Quarterly electronically through GrantSolutions:

• Federal Financial Report (SF-425)

• Performance Progress Reports (SF-PPR)

• Recipients must submit requests for reimbursement electronically through the Delphi eInvoicing System (iSupplier)

Section F – Federal Award Administration Information

CDLPI Grant Application Template

CDLPI Grant Application Template

• Having a complete project plan and budget narrative are critical pieces of the CDLPI Grant application

• FMCSA is providing a template to help applicants produce detailed project plans and budget narrative to apply for the CDLPI Grant more efficiently

The application template is intended to:

Help applicants produce more detailed project and budget plans

Simplify the project plan element by providing selection options and narrative fields to address project plan requirements

Streamline the process for FMCSA’s

Merit Review Process

CDLPI Grant Project Plan Template

CDLPI Grant Budget Narrative Template

CDLPI Grant Application Template

We need your help!

This pilot template is available for anyone who would like to utilize it.

Users will:

▪ Participate in a webinar where we will walk you through the template and process.

▪ Use the template to draft your project and budget plans.

▪ Give us feedback on the template and process.

Your feedback will help shape how the template is updated for submitting CDLPI Grant applications in the future.

If your Entity would like to utilize the template, please register for the training session that will be held on January 22 from 1:00-2:00 p.m. ET:

Using this template will not adversely affect the consideration of your application. The same merit review process will be followed whether an application is submitted through the traditional method or new template.

FMCSA transitioned the template to a new platform to provide expedited access to users.

https://usdot.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/XAjucElkRXmgfkiF5PH2sA#/registration

Performance Based Project Planning & Budgeting

Project 2 Project 3

Correction and Mitigation of CDL Regulatory Compliance Findings

Data Improvements and Timeliness

Objective 1

Correct X finding

Objective 1

Correct Missing and Broken Pointers

Objective 2

Submit convictions in a more timely manner Budget

Narrative

Project Narrative

Budget Narrative

Total Budget

Budget Narrative

Project Narrative

Total Budget

Project 1

Achieve or Maintain Compliance FMCSA Rulemaking

Application A

Objective 1 Objective 2

Project Narrative

Budget Narrative

Total Budget

Budget Narrative

Good performance-based plans allow you to measure progress and demonstrate successful outcomes.

Maintain Com Implement

National Registry II

Project 1 Project 2 Project 3

Achieve or Maintain Compliance FMCSA Rulemaking

Correction and Mitigation of CDL Regulatory Compliance Findings

Data Improvements and Timeliness

Application A

Project Narrative

Project Narrative

Project Narrative

What is a Project?

• A project may consist of one or more priorities that work toward achieving a defined goal. If an applicant chooses to propose multiple projects within a single application, each project must contain:

• A distinct title

• A separate and distinct project narrative

• A comprehensive budget, which reflects total of multiple budget narratives, if applicable

Total Budget

Total Budget

Total Budget

Project 1

FMCSA Rulemaking

Application A

Objective 1

Clearinghouse-II

Objective 2

Implement

EEE

Project Narrative

Budget Narrative

Total Budget

Budget Narrative

• Project(s) and objective(s) should reflect priorities as outlined in the NOFO

FMCSA Rulemaking

Application A

Objective 1

Clearinghouse-II

Objective 2

Implement

EEE

Project Narrative

What should the Project Narrative include?

(NOFO Section D-2)

1. Introduction

Self-Assessment (SDLAs only)

2. Problem Statement

3. Performance Objective

4. Program Activity Plan

5. Performance Measurement Plan

6. Monitoring Plan

7. Budget Narrative

Page limit for total application is 35 pages (40 for SDLA applicants)

FMCSA Rulemaking

Application A

Objective 1

Clearinghouse-II

Objective 2

Implement

EEE

What should the Project Narrative include?

1. Introduction

• Explain the project purpose

• Include what specific NOFO priorities the project will address

• Note: SDLAs required to have a CDL

Program Self-Assessment

“The SDLA’s project purpose is to implement two FMCSA rulemakings that fall under CDLPI priority 1 to achieve compliance with FMCSA rulemakings. The two rulemakings are: 1) implementing mandatory CDL downgrade and non-issuance requirements by November 18, 2024, as required by the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse-II final rule and 2) ensure that all convictions and withdrawals are exclusively exchanged electronically. If the State does not complete all related activities by the rulemaking’s compliance dates, a finding will be generated in

SCORE and the State will not be able to act upon the data that is required to sent or received from other jurisdictions and applied to Driver History Records.”

EXAMPLE

FMCSA Rulemaking

Application A

Objective 1 Objective 2

What should the Project Narrative include?

2. Problem Statement

• Quantitative description of the issue the project will address

• Include baseline data and targeted outcome

• Include 49 CFR regulatory citation

Clearinghouse-II Implement

EEE

“Our State driving licensing IT systems have not been updated to comply with FMCSA CDL rulemakings that will affect the State’s compliance with 49 CFR. Specifically, implementation of the Clearinghouse-II final rule and

EEE rulemaking. The programming requirements for Clearinghouse-II are required to be completed and implemented by November 18, 2024, per 49 CFR parts 382, 383, and 384.

FMCSA Rulemaking

Application A

Objective 1 Objective 2

What should the Project Narrative include?

2. Problem Statement

• Quantitative description of the issue the project will address

• Include baseline data and targeted outcome

• Include 49 CFR regulatory citation

Consider the following data sources:

• State Compliance Records Enterprise (SCORE) System

• CDLIS Reports

• Regulatory citation

• Enforcement and Crash Statistics data in A&I Online

• Internal reports from your State or organization

(including judiciary reports)

• Other data sources to be determined by each entity

Clearinghouse-II Implement

EEE

FMCSA Rulemaking

Application A

Objective 1

Clearinghouse-II

Objective 2

Implement

EEE

What should the Project Narrative include?

3. Performance Objective(s)

• Describe the anticipated project outcome, with quantitative data, as appropriate

• SMART: Specific, Measureable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time bound

“The State must complete all regulatory requirements to implement the mandatory CDL downgrade and non-issuance for individuals listed as “prohibited” in FMCSA’s Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse, as defined by 49 CFR 383.73, 384.225, and 384.235. The programming in order to implement the rulemaking involves not only the regulatory requirements in State rules and regulations, but also the updating of the IT system to be able to query data from the Clearinghouse and receive notifications from the Clearinghouse system.”

FMCSA Rulemaking

Application A

Objective 1

What should the Project Narrative include?

4. Program Activity Plan

• May have multiple activities required to achieve the performance objective

• Each activity must have a quantifiable output to measure and report movement against the baseline established

Conduct scenarios in test environment before going live

Update automated letters to be sent to downgraded drivers

Hire 2 programmers to automate queries and receive machine-to-machine notifications

Activity

Activity

Activity

Clearinghouse-II

“The State must hire additional personnel to complete the required programming and, which is estimated to take

700 programming hours, in order to update the IT system to automatically query the Clearinghouse before completing a commercial transaction, to receive notifications sent from the Clearinghouse system, and to generate letters to individuals that are prohibited from operating a CMV due to violation in

49 CFR part 382, subpart B.”

FMCSA Rulemaking

Application A

Objective 1

What should the Project Narrative include?

5. Performance Measurement Plan

• Explain how progress toward the performance objective will be measured (hours, number of drivers tested, conviction posting timeliness, etc.)

• Include key milestones and timelines

Activity

Activity

Activity

Conduct scenarios in test environment before going live

Update automated letters to be sent to downgraded drivers

Hire 2 programmers to automate queries and receive machine-to-machine notifications

Clearinghouse-II

FMCSA Rulemaking

Application A

Objective 1

What should the Project Narrative include?

5. Performance Measurement Plan

Activity

Activity

Activity

Conduct scenarios in test environment before going live

Update automated letters to be sent to downgraded drivers

Hire 2 programmers to automate queries and receive machine-to-machine notifications

Clearinghouse-II

“The SDLA will monitor all activities and outcomes in relation to the original baselines and timelines established in the project plan and report at least quarterly. The Project Manager will accumulate bi-weekly at a minimum: 1) the number of hours the programmers have dedicated to a) automating Clearinghouse queries, b) receiving

Clearinghouse notifications, c) automating of the DACH letters, and d) any additional programming hours resulting from the staff test case results; 2) the hours the Disqualification Supervisor and helpdesk staff have dedicated to a) testing the queries and notification functionality and b) reviewing the automated letters generated; and 3) the number of scenarios tested and the results of each test, i.e. successful vs. not successful, including the automated letter being accurate.”

FMCSA Rulemaking

Application A

Objective 1

What should the Project Narrative include?

6. Monitoring Plan

• Explain the method that will be used to monitor the project’s progress

Activity

Activity

Activity

Conduct scenarios in test environment before going live

Update automated letters to be sent to downgraded drivers

Hire 2 programmers to automate queries and receive machine-to-machine notifications

Clearinghouse-II

“The CDL Coordinator will be assigned as the Project Manager (PM) to ensure that the projects are completed by the compliance dates. The project timeline and milestones will be monitored by holding at least monthly meetings with the project staff. PM will update timeline and milestones as the project progresses and provide to the FMCSA Division office.

The project manager will be responsible for completing all quarterly reports timely and submitting to FMCSA.”

FMCSA Rulemaking

Application A

Objective 1

Activity

Activity

Activity

Object Class Category 1

Object Class Category 2

Object Class Category 3

Personnel

Fringe

ContractualBu dg et N ar ra tiv e

To ta l B ud ge t

Conduct scenarios in test environment before going live

Update automated letters to be sent to downgraded drivers

Hire 2 programmers to automate queries and receive machine-to-machine notifications

Clearinghouse-II

U.S. Department ofTransportation

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

b. I SF-424A - Section A- Budget Summarvlshows the 85 percent Federal share, 15 percent non-Federal share, or the 100 percent Federal share, and th~ total cost per I I project. I Section A must be completed.

c. Section B - Budget Categories capturesltotal amount per object class categories~ ot e era y 1 e an mate ung 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.

https://www.grants.gov/

FMCSA Rulemaking

Application A & Budgeting

Objective 1

Activity

Activity

Activity

Object Class Category 1

Object Class Category 2

Object Class Category 3

Personnel

Fringe

ContractualBu dg et N ar ra tiv e

To ta l B ud ge t

Conduct scenarios in test environment before going live

Update automated letters to be sent to downgraded drivers

Hire 2 programmers to automate queries and receive machine-to-machine notifications

Clearinghouse-II

FMCSA Rulemaking

Application A

Objective 1

Activity

Activity

Activity

Object Class Category 1

Object Class Category 2

Object Class Category 3

Personnel

Fringe

ContractualBu dg et N ar ra tiv e

Conduct scenarios in test environment before going live

Update automated letters to be sent to downgraded drivers

Hire 2 programmers to automate queries and receive machine-to-machine notifications

Clearinghouse-II

Remember, no cents!

Round to the nearest dollar.

XProject 1

Application A

Achieve or Maintain Compliance FMCSA Rulemaking

To ta l B ud ge t

Don’t forget to round to full dollar amount!

Project 2 Project 3

Correction and Mitigation of CDL Regulatory Compliance Findings

Data Improvements and Timeliness

Objective 1

Correct X finding

Objective 1

Correct Missing and Broken Pointers

Objective 2

Submit convictions in a more timely manner Budget

Narrative

Project Narrative

Budget Narrative

Total Budget

Budget Narrative

Project Narrative

Total Budget

Project 1

Achieve or Maintain Compliance FMCSA Rulemaking

Application A

Objective 1

Clearinghouse-II

Objective 2

Implement

EEE

Project Narrative

Budget Narrative

Total Budget

Budget Narrative

Good performance-based plans allow you to measure progress and demonstrate successful outcomes.

FY 2025 CDLPI Grant Resources

• Grants Management Training

• https://ai.fmcsa.dot.gov/Grants/GrantManagement.aspx

• CDLPI Grant Resource Guide

• https://ai.fmcsa.dot.gov/downloadFile.axd?file=Grants_Management_CDLPI_Resource_20190628.pdf

• CDLPI Grant General Information

• https://ai.fmcsa.dot.gov/Grants/CDLPI.aspx

• CDLPI Grant Application Best Practices

• https://ai.fmcsa.dot.gov/downloadFile.axd/CDLPI_Best_Practices_20190628.pdf

• Tips for Completing Your CDLPI Grant Application

• https://ai.fmcsa.dot.gov/downloadFile.axd?file=Tips-for-Completing-CDLPI-Grant-App_508.pdf https://ai.fmcsa.dot.gov/Grants/CDLPI.aspx https://ai.fmcsa.dot.gov/Grants/GrantManagement.aspx https://ai.fmcsa.dot.gov/downloadFile.axd?file=Grants_Management_CDLPI_Resource_20190628.pdf https://ai.fmcsa.dot.gov/downloadFile.axd/CDLPI_Best_Practices_20190628.pdf https://ai.fmcsa.dot.gov/downloadFile.axd?file=Tips-for-Completing-CDLPI-Grant-App_508.pdf

FY 2025 NOFO Contacts

• Financial/Application Concerns

• Montika Brooks Montika.Brooks@dot.gov

• Programmatic Concerns

• CDL Grant Mailbox

CDLgrants@dot.gov

• Isabella Marra Isabella.Marra@dot.gov

• General Information: FMCSA Grants Management Office

• FMCSA_GrantMgmtHelpdesk@dot.gov mailto:Montika.Brooks@dot.gov mailto:CDLgrants@dot.gov mailto:Isabella.Marra@dot.gov mailto:FMCSA_GrantMgmtHelpdesk@dot.gov

Q&A

THANK YOU

Q&A