693JJ322NF5202-2022-Full Announcement- 2022 DDETFP Local Competition.pdf

Notice of Funding Opportunity Summary Information

Federal Agency Name:

Funding Opportunity Title:

Announcement Type:

Funding Opportunity Number:

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number:

Key Dates:

U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration Office of Administration (HAD) Office of Human Resources (HAHR) Talent Development Division 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE Washington, DC 20590

Attn: Latoya Jones, HAD-HAHR-30

“Administration of the Dwight David Eisenhower Transportation Fellowship Program (DDETFP) Local Competition at Designated Institutions of Higher Education”

This is the initial announcement of this funding opportunity.

693JJ322NF5202

20.215 Highway Training & Education

Notice Issue Date is June 9, 2022 Question Due Date/Time is June 16, 2022 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time Electronic Application Due Date/Time for

• Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 is July 11, 2022 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.

• FY 2023 - 2026 dates will be specified in

Attachment 1 posted with this Notice.

Primary Point of Contact: Latoya Jones, latoya.jones@dot.gov, 404-562-3587

Secondary Point of Contact: FHWA Talent Development Division Staff, FHWA_UGP@dot.gov mailto:latoya.jones@dot.gov mailto:FHWA_UGP@dot.gov

693JJ322NF5202

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION TITLE PAGE

A PROGRAM DESCRIPTION 3

B FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION 5

C ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION 7

D APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION 8

E APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION 12

F FEDERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATION

INFORMATION

G FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY CONTACT(S) 18

Pertinent Links:

• https://www.grants.gov/

• General terms, conditions, and governing regulations that will apply to the Agreement are available online at www.fhwa.dot.gov/cfo/contractor_recip/gtandc_generaltermsconditions.cfm

Attachments:

• DDETFP Local Competition Program Administration Guidelines

NOTE: The FHWA uses www.grants.gov for receipt of all applications. Applicants must register and use the system to submit applications electronically. Applicants are encouraged to register in advance of the submission deadline to receive notifications of updates/amendments to this notice. Approval of user registrations for the site may take multiple weeks. It is the Applicant’s responsibility to monitor for any updates to this notice.

https://www.grants.gov/ http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/CFO/CONTRACTOR_RECIP/GTANDC_GENERALTERMSCONDITIONS.CFM http://www.grants.gov/

SECTION A – PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), hereby requests applications for “Administration of the Dwight David Eisenhower Transportation Fellowship Program (DDETFP) Local Competition at Designated Institutions of Higher Education” grants.

1. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

The purpose of the DDETFP Local Competition is to stimulate interest among students attending an Institution of Higher Education (IHE) of Minority Serving Institutions (MSI) and community colleges (CC) to conduct transportation-related research, pursue transportation-related degrees, for entering the transportation workforce, and enhancing the breadth, scope and diversity of knowledge of the entire transportation community in the United States (U.S.). The DDETFP Local Competition provides funding for students to pursue associate, bachelor, master, and doctoral degrees in transportation-related disciplines in all modes of transportation. The DDETFP Local Competition enhances racial equity by providing opportunities to students enrolled in minority serving institutions of higher learning.

2. LEGISLATIVE AUTHORITY

The current legislation governing the program is found in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) (Pub. L. 117-58). Authority is also found in Title 23, United States Code , Section (§) 504(c) and §502(b)(3). The purpose of the DDETFP is to attract qualified students to the field of transportation. The FHWA expects approximately $1 million to be made available for the DDETFP Local Competition in Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 through 2026 from amounts authorized in the BIL (Pub. L. 117-58). From FY 2022 through FY 2026, the FHWA anticipates Federal funding up to a total amount of $5 million during the 5-year time frame, subject to the availability of funding.

3. BACKGROUND

The MSIs and CCs are encouraged to apply to administer the DDETFP Local Competition at their IHE. The IHE must be accredited by a federally recognized accrediting Agency and located within the U.S. or its Territories. If an IHE is selected to administer a DDETFP Local Competition, the institution will be responsible for adhering to the Program Administration Guidelines for DDETFP Local Competitions at Designated Institution of Higher Education (Attachment 1).

4. GOALS

The goals of these Local Competition DDETFP Fellowships are to 1) attract the Nation's brightest minds to the field of transportation, 2) enhance the careers of transportation professionals by encouraging them to seek advanced degrees, and 3) bring and retain top talent in the transportation industry of the U.S.

The FHWA seeks to award grants as allowable by law and consistent with the goals of the DDETFP, that proactively address equity and barriers to opportunity. This objective reflects Executive Order 13985, Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government (86 FR 7009).

5. STATEMENT OF WORK

The FHWA is soliciting applications for IHEs that are designated as one of the MSI categories in Attachment 1 and CCs to apply to administer the DDETFP Local Competition at their institution.

Selected IHEs will be notified through a notice to proceed to administer a Local Competition.

The IHE will recommend students for the DDETFP by submitting the required student application information to the FHWA program manager as described in Attachment 1. The FHWA program manager will notify the IHE of which students are selected for the Fellowship.

The IHE will be responsible for providing information needed to execute the Fellowship agreement and funding will be sent to the IHE (“Recipient”) on behalf of the student (“Student Designee”) once awarded by FHWA. The IHE will be responsible for allocating funds to the student as outlined in the budget. The Agreement budget is determined based on the merit-based award to the student designee. The IHE will also be responsible for submitting all required Federal financial reports to FHWA.

SECTION B – FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

1. FUNDING AND NUMBER OF AWARDS

The FHWA expects approximately $1 million to be made available for the DDETFP Local Competition in each FY 2022 through 2026 from amounts authorized in the BIL (Pub. L. 117- 58).

The FHWA anticipates selecting up to 50 DDETFP Local Competition fellowship programs as a result of this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) in each FY 2022 through 2026.

From FY 2022 through FY 2026, the FHWA anticipates Federal funding up to a total amount of $5 million may be made available for these awards, subject to the availability of funds. Funding for each Student Designee award can range from a minimum of $1,500 to a maximum of $10,000 and may include tuition, stipend, and travel costs to attend the Transportation Research Board (TRB) Annual Meeting in Washington, DC.

Past recipients are eligible. Institutions selected to administer the DDETFP Local Competition are required to ensure students meet the eligibility criteria for DDETFP Fellowship applicants.

IHE Local Competition Administration:

• All selected IHEs must receive a notice to proceed before administering the Local Competition.

• Student Designees are only allowed to receive the DDETFP Local Competition Fellowship for a maximum of 2 consecutive years from the same IHE.

• The FHWA will provide the format for the Local Competition student applications to selected IHEs.

DDETFP Local Competition Student Application

• Student applications include standard forms found on www.grants.gov and Student File

Information Sheet (Sample is included in these Program Administration Guidelines).

• Each student application requires two letters of recommendation, including one from a

Faculty Advisor, for a complete application.

When evaluating research proposals, the FHWA will seek to award grants as allowable by law and consistent with the goals of the DDETFP and proactively address the Administration’s priorities of racial equity and barriers to opportunity and the reduction of GHG emissions and the effects of climate change.

Students may apply to more than one DDETFP Fellowship category for which they are eligible;

however, only one type of DDETFP Fellowship may be awarded to a Student Designee in each award cycle.

Note: The Government reserves the right to select less than the anticipated number of Local Competition fellowship programs, less than the maximum amount per Student Designee, and less than the recommended number of Student Designees from an individual IHE applying.

2. TYPE OF AWARD

The planned award type is a Grant Agreement (Agreement). Funds will be awarded upon the execution of an Agreement with the FHWA.

3. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The period of performance for each resulting agreement will be up to one year from the effective date of the Agreement.

4. DEGREE OF FEDERAL INVOLVEMENT

The FHWA anticipates moderate Federal involvement between it and the Recipient during this project. The anticipated Federal involvement will include:

• Technical assistance and guidance to the Recipient;

• Close monitoring of performance; and

• Involvement in technical decisions.

The FHWA shall have the right to visit the Recipient and examine all material relevant to this Fellowship grant, including books, records, documents, accounting procedures, bookkeeping practices, and other evidence. The material shall be of sufficient detail to reflect properly all direct costs of whatever nature claimed to have been incurred for the performance of this grant.

SECTION C - ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

1. ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

Applicants for the administration of the DDETFP Local Competition are IHEs that must be currently designated as one of the MSI identified in Attachment 1 or a CC. The IHE must be accredited by a federally recognized accrediting Agency4 and must be located within the U.S. or its Territories, both administratively as well as the campus the students are attending. If the IHE is selected to administer the Local Competition, the IHE must ensure eligibility of the students applying for DDETFP as described in Attachment 1.

2. COST-SHARING OR MATCHING

Cost-sharing or matching is not required.

4 The U.S. Department of Education publishes a list of nationally recognized accrediting Agencies on https://www.ed.gov/accreditation

SECTION D – APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

1. ADDRESS TO REQUEST APPLICATION PACKAGE

Applicants may obtain application forms at www.grants.gov under the NOFO number cited herein.

The applicant must complete and submit all forms included in the application package for this notice as contained at www.grants.gov. For accessibility concerns, applicants may email FHWA_UGP@dot.gov for assistance.

2. CONTENT AND FORM OF APPLICATION SUBMISSION

The DDETFP Local Competition requires submitting of a complete application package by the IHE, which includes information on establishing the Local Competition.

General Instructions: Please read Attachment 1 Program Administration Guidelines for DDETFP Local Competitions at Designated Institution of Higher Education in its entirety before preparing the application materials.

A complete Application Package includes the following:

• Application for Federal Assistance, SF-424

• Assurances for Non-Construction Programs, SF-424B

• Disclosure of Lobbying Activities, SF-LLL

• Technical Application Information Sheet & Checklist

• Key Contacts Forms

• Attachment that addresses the nine (9) items of Paragraph 7, OTHER SUBMISSION

REQUIREMENTS (7a-7i), in this section.

No Budget Application is required with this submission. The FHWA will determine the total award amount for each Student Designee.

Failure to provide all aforementioned items may result in an incomplete application and failure to receive further consideration.

3. UNIQUE ENTITY IDENTIFIER (UEI) AND SYSTEM FOR AWARD (SAM)

NOTE TO APPLICANTS: The Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number is no longer required for entities doing business with the Federal Government and has been replaced by the System for Award Management (SAM) UEI. Applicants will need to use a UEI issued during the SAM.gov registration process. Active registrants in SAM.gov have had their SAM UEI automatically assigned and it is currently viewable within SAM.gov; there is no action for registered entities to take at this time to obtain their SAM UEI.

Each applicant is required to:

• Have an active registration in SAM.gov at the time the applicant submits an application

• Provide a valid UEI in their application

• Continue to maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which the applicant has an active Federal award or an application or plan under consideration by a Federal awarding Agency.

Please see https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-faqs.html#UEI for more information on the transition from DUNS to SAM UEI, including what UEI to enter into the UEI field on grants.gov and on application package forms.

The FHWA may not make a Federal award to an applicant until the applicant has complied with all applicable UEI and SAM requirements. If an applicant has not fully complied with the requirements by the time the Federal awarding Agency is ready to make a Federal award, the Federal awarding Agency 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.

NOTE TO APPLICANTS: The SAM requires the registrant to provide a UEI number to complete the registration. Since, these processes can take several weeks to complete, they should be started well before the application deadline.

4. SUBMISSION DATES AND TIMES

The application must be received electronically through www.grants.gov by the application due date/time listed on Page 1 of this NOFO.

The deadline stated on Page 1 is the date and time by which the Agency must receive the full and completed application, including all required sections.

A late application will not be reviewed or considered unless the Agreement Officer (AO) determines that doing so is in FHWA’s best interest.

In the event of system problems or technical difficulties with the application submittal, Applicants should contact the FHWA point of contact designated on Page 1. If Applicants are unable to use the system due to technical difficulties, Applicants must email applications to the FHWA point of contact listed on page 1 at the following email address FHWA_UGP@dot.gov, no later than the application deadline cited above. Otherwise, late applications will not be accepted.

5. INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVIEW

An application under this NOFO is not subject to the State review under Executive Order 12372.

6. FUNDING RESTRICTIONS

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-faqs.html#UEI

The FHWA will not reimburse any pre-award costs or application preparation costs under this proposed agreement. Indirect costs and overhead are not allowed under this proposed agreement. Per 23 United States Code 504(c)(2)(B) for DDETFP: "Amounts provided to institutions of higher education to carry out this paragraph shall be used to provide direct support of student expenses."

Restrictions on the use of fellowship funds by the Student Designee are as follows:

• No dependency allowances;

• Fellowship student designee is eligible for funding only during months of enrollment in a full-time program leading to an advanced degree;

• Unused funds must be returned to FHWA within 90 days of the termination date of the grant; and

• There is a limitation of $10,000 in DDETFP funding toward tuition and fees per year.

The IHE has the responsibility of administering the funds and for making periodic payments to the Student Designee.

7. OTHER SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

a) Identify any exceptions to the anticipated award terms and conditions in Section F, Federal Award Administration Information. Identify any preexisting intellectual property you anticipate using during award performance and your position on its data rights during and after the award period of performance.

b) The use of a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number is required on all applications for Federal grants or cooperative agreements. Please provide your organization’s UEI number on all application materials.

c) Provide a statement to indicate whether your organization has previously completed an

A-133 Single Audit and if so, the date that the last A-133 Single Audit was completed.

d) Provide a statement regarding Conflicts of Interest. The applicant must disclose in writing any actual or potential personal or organizational conflict of interest in its application that describes concisely all past, present, or planned organizational, contractual or other interest(s), which may affect the Applicants' ability to perform the proposed contract in an impartial and objective manner. Actual or potential conflicts of interest may include but are not limited to any past, present or planned contractual, financial, or other relationships, obligations, commitments or responsibilities, which may bias the applicant or affect the applicant’s ability to perform the agreement impartially and objectively. The AO will review the statement(s) and may require additional relevant information from the applicant. All such information, and any other relevant information known to DOT, will be used to determine whether an award to the applicant may create an actual or potential conflict of interest. If any such conflict of interest is found to exist, the AO may (a) disqualify the applicant, or (b) determine that it is otherwise in the best interest of the U. S. to contract with the applicant and include appropriate provisions to mitigate or avoid such conflict in the agreement pursuant to 2 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 200.112.

e) Provide a statement to indicate whether a Federal or State organization has audited or reviewed the applicant’s accounting system, purchasing system, and or property control system. If such systems have been reviewed, provide summary information of the audit/review results to include as applicable summary letter or agreement, date of audit/review, Federal or State point of contact for such review.

f) Terminated Contracts - List any contract/agreement that was terminated for convenience of the Government within the past 3 years, and any contract/agreement that was terminated for default within the past 5 years. Briefly explain the circumstances in each instance.

g) Describe how your organization will obtain the necessary resources to fund and fulfill the proposed cost-share, as applicable.

h) The applicant is directed to review Title 2 CFR §170 (http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?c=ecfr&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title02/2cfr170_main_02.tpl) and Appendix A thereto, and acknowledge in its application that it understands the requirement, has the necessary processes and systems in place, and is prepared to fully comply with the reporting described in the term if it receives funding resulting from this Notice. The text of Appendix A will be incorporated in the award document as a General Term and Condition as referenced under this notice’s Section F, Federal Award Administration Information.

i) Disclose any violations of Federal criminal law involving fraud, bribery, or gratuity violations. Failure to make required disclosures can result in any of the remedies described in 2 CFR 200.339 entitled Remedies for noncompliance, including suspension or debarment. (See also 2 CFR Part 180 and 31 United States Code. 3321).

http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?c=ecfr&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title02/2cfr170_main_02.tpl http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?c=ecfr&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title02/2cfr170_main_02.tpl

SECTION E - APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

1. CRITERIA

The Government will evaluate applications according to the following criteria:

MERIT: The FHWA will evaluate and rank the applications according to technical evaluation criteria listed below. These criteria are distinct from eligibility criteria (see Section C) addressed before an application is accepted for review.

The DDETFP Local Competition will be awarded on the basis of merit and the Administration’s Priorities as listed below. Applications will be scored against the criteria below, based on the supporting documentation provided in the application.

The following criteria are listed in descending order of importance:

1. Program Administration – Demonstrates understanding of DDETFP Local Competition and its administration to support program objectives.

2. Campus Recruitment Plan – Demonstrates ability to recruit students from multiple program areas within the institution. Acceptable transportation-related disciplines can be found in Attachment 1.

3. Institution Support – Demonstrates support from the Academic Institution.

4. Application – Overall organization and demonstrates ability to administer the DDETFP

Local Competition.

Funding availability will also be considered in the award decision.

2. REVIEW AND SELECTION PROCESS

The FHWA will utilize the following merit review process to evaluate applications:

The DDETFP Local Competition FHWA Review Panel will evaluate all eligible IHE application packages. Applications missing required documents/items or incomplete applications will not be evaluated by the panel. This panel will be composed of FHWA transportation professionals that will review each applicant's qualifications. The recommendations for selection will be ranked in merit order based on the evaluation of applications against the technical criteria listed above.

Scores will be submitted to the DDETFP Program Manager to make final selections based on the FHWA Review Panel’s recommendation. The FHWA Administrator is the official responsible for final selections. Once final selections are approved, the DDETFP Program Manager will provide a notice to proceed. The Federal Government is not obligated to make any selection as a result of this notice.

Agency personnel will conduct a risk assessment of the Applicant prior to selection as described below.

The Federal Government will accept the application(s) that is (are) considered the most advantageous to the Federal Government using the criteria cited above, and subject to the results of an Applicant risk assessment. Applications selected for possible award using the criteria cited above, will undergo the following risk assessment prior to award. The Government reserves the right to not make an award to an Applicant based on the results of the risk assessment.

The AO is the official responsible for final award selection. The Government is not obligated to make any award as a result of this notice.

Risk Assessment

The Government will assess the risks posed by an Applicant before they receive an award. This Risk Assessment will include evaluation of some or all the following items relative to the Applicant and/or sub-applicants as applicable:

1. Applicant’s (IHE) financial stability;

2. Applicant’s (IHE) quality of management systems and ability to meet the management standards prescribed in 2 CFR Part 200;

3. Applicant’s (IHE) history of performance;

Note: History of performance includes the Applicant's record in managing Federal awards, if it is a prior Recipient of Federal awards, including timeliness of compliance with applicable reporting requirements, conformance to the terms and conditions of previous Federal awards, and if applicable, the extent to which any previously awarded amounts will be expended prior to future awards. The Government will evaluate the relevant merits of the Applicant’s history of performance based on its reputation and record with its current and/or former customers with respect to quality, timeliness, and cost control. The history of performance will be reviewed to assure that the Applicant has relevant and successful experience and will be considered in the risk assessment. In evaluating history of performance, the Government may consider both written information provided in the application, as well as any other information available to the Government through outside sources.

4. Applicant’s (IHE) audit reports and findings from audits performed on the applicant pursuant to 2 CFR 200 Subpart F—Audit Requirements or the reports and findings of any other available audits;

5. Applicant's (IHE) ability to effectively implement statutory, regulatory, or other requirements imposed on non-Federal entities;

6. Applicant’s (IHE) potential for conflict of interest if applicable5; and

7. Applicant’s (IHE) eligibility to receive Federal funding. Per the guidelines on

Government-wide suspension and debarment in 2 CFR Part 180, the Government will confirm that the applicant and any named sub-applicants are not debarred, suspended or otherwise excluded from or ineligible for participation in Federal programs or activities.

5 Note: The FHWA will review information provided by the Applicant, and any other relevant information known to DOT, to determine whether an award to the Applicant may create an actual or potential conflict of interest. If any such conflict of interest is found to exist, the AO may (a) disqualify the Applicant, or (b) determine that it is otherwise in the best interest of the U. S. to award to the Applicant and include appropriate provisions to mitigate or avoid such conflict in the Agreement pursuant to 2 CFR 200.112.

Pursuant to 2 CFR Part 200.206, before making a Federal award, the Federal awarding Agency is required to review information available through any U.S. Office of Management and Budget-designated repositories of Government-wide eligibility qualification or financial integrity information, such as Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System, Sam.gov, and “Do Not Pay.” At a minimum, the information in the system for a prior Federal award recipient must demonstrate a satisfactory record of executing programs or activities under Federal grants, cooperative agreements, or procurement awards, and integrity and business ethics. In addition, we will review information on the Specially Designated Nationals list per the DOT Guide to Financial Assistance, Section 4.5.

3. ANTICIPATED ANNOUNCEMENT AND FEDERAL AWARD DATES

The FHWA anticipates making awards in September 2022 for the FY 2022 program.

SECTION F – AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

1. FEDERAL AWARD NOTICES

If your organization’s application is selected for an award, you will be notified by FHWA to adhere to Attachment 1 Program Administration Guidelines for DDETFP Local Competitions at Designated Institution of Higher Education.

Applicants not selected for an award will be notified by email by FHWA.

Notice that an Applicant has been selected to administer a DDETFP Local Competition fellowship program does not constitute approval of the application as submitted. Before the actual award, FHWA will enter into negotiations concerning such items as program components, staffing levels, and administrative systems, if necessary. If the negotiations do not result in an acceptable submittal, FHWA reserves the right to terminate the negotiation and decline to select the applicant.

Only the AO (the DDETFP Manager) can commit FHWA. The award document, signed by the AO, is the authorizing document. Only the AO can bind the Federal Government to the expenditure of funds.

2. ADMINISTRATIVE AND NATIONAL POLICY REQUIREMENTS

General terms, conditions, and governing regulations that will apply to the Agreement are available online at www.fhwa.dot.gov/cfo/contractor_recip/gtandc_generaltermsconditions.cfm

Special terms and conditions follow:

A. PUBLIC ACCESS TO DOCUMENTS

The Applicant agrees that the resulting deliverables/documentation submitted to FHWA under the agreement may be posted online for public access and/or shared by FHWA with other interested parties. The FHWA anticipates the documents cited herein may be posted on an FHWA Website or other appropriate Website.

B. INDIRECT COSTS

Indirect costs are not allowable under the Agreement

C. DATA RIGHTS

The Recipient must make available to FHWA copies of all work developed in performance with the proposed Agreement, including but not limited to software and data.

D. PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION

Personally Identifiable Information as defined at 2 CFR Part 200.1 will not be requested unless necessary and only with prior written approval of the AO with concurrence from the AO’s Representative.

http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/cfo/contractor_recip/gtandc_generaltermsconditions.cfm

E. AVAILABLE FUNDING

The total estimated amount of Federal funding that may be provided under the grant Agreement is listed on Page 1 of the award document for the entire period of performance, subject to the limitations shown below:

1. Currently, Federal funds identified on page 1 of the award document, are obligated to the grant agreement.

2. Subject to availability of funds, and an executed document by the AO, the difference between the current funding and the total estimated amount of Federal funding may be obligated to the grant agreement.

3. The FHWA’s liability to make payments to the Recipient is limited to those funds obligated under the grant Agreement as indicated above and any subsequent amendments.

F. KEY PERSONNEL

Pursuant to 2 CFR 200.308(c)(2), the Recipient must request prior written approval from the AO for any change in Key Personnel specified in the award. The following person(s) are/have been identified as Key Personnel:

Name Title/Position [student designee] [faculty advisor/campus program manager]

(*** to be filled in at award ***)

G. ORDER OF PRECEDENCE

The Recipient's technical application is accepted, approved, and incorporated herein as Attachments B and C respectively. In the event of any conflict between the grant agreement document and the Recipient's proposal and/or application, the grant Agreement document shall prevail.

H. DESIGNATION AS RESEARCH OR NON-RESEARCH AGREEMENT

The agreement will be designated as: NON-RESEARCH.

I. DISPUTES

The parties to the grant agreement will communicate with one another in good faith and in a timely and cooperative manner when raising issues under this provision. Any dispute, which this provision includes any disagreement or claim, between FHWA and the Recipient concerning questions of fact or law arising from or in connection with the grant agreement and whether or not involving alleged breach of the grant agreement, may be raised only under this Disputes provision.

Whenever a dispute arises, the parties will attempt to resolve the issues involved by discussion and mutual agreement as soon as practical. In no event will a dispute which arose more than three months prior to the notification made under the following paragraph of this provision constitute the basis for relief under this article unless FHWA waives this requirement.

Failing resolution by mutual agreement, the aggrieved party will document the dispute by notifying the other party in writing of the relevant facts, identify unresolved issues and specify the clarification or remedy sought. The AO will conduct a review of the matters in dispute and render a decision in writing within thirty calendar days of receipt of such written request. Any decision of the AO is final and binding unless a party will, within thirty calendar days, request further review as provided below.

Upon written request to the FHWA Director, Office of Acquisition and Grants Management (HCFA) or designee, made within thirty calendar days after the AO’s written decision or upon unavailability of a decision within the stated time frame under the preceding paragraph, the dispute will be further reviewed. This review will be conducted by the Director, HCFA Following the review, the Director, HCFA, will resolve the issues and notify the parties in writing. Such resolution is not subject to further administrative review and to the extent permitted by law, will be final and binding. Nothing in the grant Agreement is intended to prevent the parties from pursuing disputes in a U. S. Federal Court of competent jurisdiction.

3. REPORTING

The Recipient must submit the following electronically to the DDETFP Manager at FHWA_UGP@dot.gov:

• Annual Accomplishments Report to the DDETFP Manager. The report should provide summaries of the academic achievements of the fellowship Student Designees, summaries of student research projects conducted by the Student Designees, and a financial accounting of funds received and report of any unused funds to be returned.

• Upon request, an abstract of Student Designee’s research project to the FHWA Talent Development Division for presentation consideration for the DDETFP Research Showcase at the TRB Annual Meeting.

• Copy of Student Designee’s completed research project.

• Performance Progress Report (SF-PPR):

o To fulfill Block 10, Performance Narrative requirement, the Recipient can provide summary of Student Designee’s research and confirmation that research project was submitted in electronic format to the DDETFP Manager.

o In Block 11, Other Attachments, include the information as attached pages for Federal Financial Report (SF-425)

SECTION G – FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY CONTACT(S)

Address any questions to:

Talent Development Division Staff Federal Highway Administration Office of Human Resources

FHWA_UGP@DOT.GOV

693JJ322NF5202-2022

DWIGHT DAVID EISENHOWER

TRANSPORTATION FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM (DDETFP) – Attachment 1

PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION GUIDELINES

FOR

LOCAL COMPETITION

AT

DESIGNATED INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION

2022 AWARD CYCLE (June 2022)

These guidelines are in effect until further notice and were prepared for participation in the DDETFP Local Competition. Earlier versions do not apply for this award cycle.

Dwight David Eisenhower Transportation Fellowship Program (DDETFP) Local Competition at Designated Institution of Higher Education

Program Administration Guidelines for Fiscal Year 2022

Attachment to Notice of Funding Opportunity number 693JJ322NF5202

TABLE OF CONTENTS

BACKGROUND

PURPOSE

IHE APPLICATION PACKAGE REQUIREMENTS

IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND REVISION NOTES

STUDENT ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

DDETFP FELLOWSHIP PROGRAMS

AWARD AMOUNTS

PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION

CRITERIA FOR SELECTION PANEL EVALUATION OF STUDENT APPLICATIONS

TENURE

FUNDING

TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH BOARD (TRB) ANNUAL MEETING

INTERNSHIPS

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

RESTRICTIONS

PRIVACY ACT STATEMENT

FHWA STAFF RESPONSIBILITIES

FHWA CONTACT INFORMATION

FORM A: IHE TECHNICAL APPLICATION INFORMATION SHEET & CHECKLIST

Institution Technical Application Information

Application Forms Checklist

Technical Application Content Checklist

SAMPLE STUDENT FILE INFORMATION SHEET

SUGGESTED ANNOUNCEMENT INFORMATION

SAMPLE LOCAL COMPETITION APPLICATION REPORT AND RANKING SHEET

SAMPLE CONFLICT OF INTEREST - NON DISCLOSURE FORM

TRANSPORTATION RELATED ACADEMIC DISCIPLINES ………………………………….22

BACKGROUND

The Dwight David Eisenhower Transportation Fellowship Program (DDETFP) is currently authorized by Public Law 117-58, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). The DDETFP is intermodal, interdisciplinary, and encompasses all modes of transportation. The DDETFP is managed and administered by the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) Office of Human Resources Talent Development Division.

The DDETFP seeks to attract the Nation's brightest minds to the field of transportation; to enhance the careers of transportation professionals by encouraging them to seek advanced degrees; and to retain top talent in the transportation industry of the United States (U.S.). To accomplish this, the DDETFP gives fellowship awards to students and transportation professionals pursuing transportation-related disciplines. There are different fellowships supported through the DDETFP:

• Graduate Fellowship enables students to pursue master’s degrees or doctoral degrees in transportation-related fields at the education institution of their choice.

• Grants for Research (GRF) Fellowship acquaints undergraduate and graduate students with transportation research, development, and technology transfer activities at U.S.

Department of Transportation (DOT) facilities.

• Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Fellowship provides HBCU students with additional opportunities to pursue transportation-related education preparing them to enter careers in transportation.

• Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) Fellowship provides HSI students with additional opportunities to pursue transportation-related education preparing them to enter careers in transportation.

• Tribal College and Universities (TCU) Fellowship provides TCU students with additional opportunities to pursue transportation-related education preparing them to enter careers in transportation.

• Asian and Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions (API) Fellowship provides API students with additional opportunities to pursue transportation-related education preparing them to enter careers in transportation.

• Community College (CC) Fellowship provides students at 2 year public institutions with opportunities to enter careers in transportation. This fellowship serves to support other DDETFP fellowships.

• Transportation Research Board (TRB) Minority Student Fellowship provides funding for undergraduate (juniors/seniors) and graduate students conducting transportation research at selected Minority Serving Institutions (MSI).

The objective of the DDETFP Local Competition is to facilitate the administration of the DDETFP Fellowship Program at MSIs and CCs.

Institutions of Higher Education (IHE)6 that are currently designated as the following may apply:

Category Certification Historically Black Colleges and Universities

(HBCU)

sites.ed.gov/whhbcu/one-hundred-and-five-historically-black-colleges-and-universities/

Accredited HBCU as identified by the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and

Universities

Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSI) sites.ed.gov/hispanic-initiative/hispanic-serving-institutions-hsis/

Current Designation in White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics

Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCU) sites.ed.gov/whiaiane/tribes-tcus/tribal-colleges-and-universities/

Accredited TCU as identified by the White House Initiative on American Indian and Alaskan Native

Education Asian and Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions

(API)

www2.ed.gov/programs/aanapi/eligibility.html

Accredited API as identified by the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders

Community College (CC) www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ovae/pi/cclo/inde x.html

Two-year public institutions providing higher education and lower-level tertiary education, granting certificates, diplomas, and associate's degrees

PURPOSE

The purpose of the DDETFP Local Competition is to stimulate interest among students attending HBCUs, HSIs, TCUs, APIs, and CCs to conduct transportation-related research, to pursue transportation-related degrees, and to enter the transportation workforce.

IHE APPLICATION PACKAGE REQUIREMENTS

Each interested IHE is required to submit a DDETFP Local Competition Application Package through www.grants.gov that includes the following (* indicates form is available in www.grants.gov):

• Application for Federal Assistance, SF-424*

• Assurances for Non-Construction Programs, SF-424B*

• Disclosure of Lobbying Activities, SF-LLL*

• Key Contacts Form* for each of the following individuals o Campus Program Manager o Grant Official o All members of the Local Competition Selection Panel comprised of a minimum of three members at least one member must be employed by the FHWA Division Office in your State

• Technical Application Information Sheet & Checklist (Form A in these Program

6 IHE must be accredited by a federally-recognized accrediting Agency and must be located within the U. S. or its Territories, both administratively as well as the campus the student is attending. The U.S. Department of Education publishes a list of nationally recognized accrediting Agencies on https://www.ed.gov/accreditation.

https://sites.ed.gov/whhbcu/one-hundred-and-five-historically-black-colleges-and-universities/ https://sites.ed.gov/whhbcu/one-hundred-and-five-historically-black-colleges-and-universities/ https://sites.ed.gov/hispanic-initiative/hispanic-serving-institutions-hsis/ https://sites.ed.gov/hispanic-initiative/hispanic-serving-institutions-hsis/ https://sites.ed.gov/whiaiane/tribes-tcus/tribal-colleges-and-universities/ https://sites.ed.gov/whiaiane/tribes-tcus/tribal-colleges-and-universities/ https://www2.ed.gov/programs/aanapi/eligibility.html http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ovae/pi/cclo/index.html http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ovae/pi/cclo/index.html

Administration Guidelines) o Institution Technical Application Information o Technical Application Content - narrative responses required for:

Program Administration Plan: Describe how the DDETFP Local Competition Fellowship Program will be managed by your institution.

Identify the Campus Program Manager and the Grant Official. A Key Contacts Form must be submitted for each of the individuals included.

Selection Panel Evaluation Plan: Describe the evaluation and ranking process that will be used to complete this activity. This narrative should include a complete list of the DDETFP Local Competition Selection Panel members comprised of a minimum of three members including at least one individual who is employed by the local FHWA Division Office. A Key Contacts Form must be submitted for each of the individuals included.

Campus Recruitment Plan: Describe how the DDETFP Local Competition Fellowship Program will be advertised, announcements and application distributed, panels convened, and student designees selected and notified. Please include a Timeline/Schedule chart at the end of the Campus Recruitment Plan.

o DDETFP Local Competition Campus Announcement (please see SUGGESTED

ANNOUNCEMENT INFORMATION)

o Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) Questions: Attachment that addresses the nine (9) items in NOFO Section D. Paragraph 7. OTHER SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS (7a-7i).

Failure to provide all aforementioned items will result in an incomplete application and will not be considered for selection.

The FHWA will review submitted DDETFP Local Competition Application Packages to determine the IHE eligibility to participate and host the DDETFP Local Competition.

Submissions must be received by the Application Due date and time listed on page 1 of the NOFO. The Application Package will be evaluated to ensure program requirements are addressed. No educational institution will be permitted to run a Local Competition unless FHWA approves the submittal and provides notice to proceed. To ensure consistency in program management requirements, there will be no exceptions.

Institutions selected to administer the DDETFP Local Competition are required to ensure students meet the eligibility criteria for DDETFP Fellowship applicants.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND REVISION NOTES

IHE Application Packages

• Institution submitting applications in response to NOFO 693JJ322NF5202 must submit via www.grants.gov, as identified in the NOFO and in these Program Administration Guidelines.

Key Dates: Application Due Date/Time for Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 is July 11, 2022 at 11:59 p.m.

Eastern Time.

IHE Local Competition Administration

• All selected IHEs must receive a notice to proceed prior to administering the Local

Competition.

• Student Designees are only allowed to receive the DDETFP Local Competition

Fellowship for a maximum of two consecutive years from the same IHE.

• The FHWA will provide format for the Local Competition student applications to selected IHEs.

DDETFP Local Competition Student Application

• Student applications include standard forms found on www.grants.gov and Student File

Information Sheet (Sample is included in these Program Administration Guidelines).

• Each student application requires two letters of recommendation, including one from a

Faculty Advisor, for a complete application.

NOTE: Students may apply to more than one DDETFP Fellowship category for which they are eligible, however, only one type of DDETFP Fellowship may be awarded to a Student Designee in each award cycle.

STUDENT ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

DDETFP Fellowship student applicants must:

• Possess a baccalaureate degree from, or be a confirmed graduating undergraduate senior at, an IHE which must be accredited by a federally recognized accrediting Agency7 and must be located within the U.S. or its Territories, both administratively as well as the campus the student attended (for graduate students);

• Demonstrate confirmation of acceptance in an advanced degree program at an accredited IHE in the U.S. or its Territories by the application due date;

• Be enrolled in an accredited IHE within the U.S. or its Territories;

• Be pursuing an advanced degree in a full-time program in a transportation-related discipline;

• Have at least one full academic year remaining in program of study;

• Conduct ongoing research in one or more transportation-related disciplines; and

• Plan to enter the transportation profession after completing their higher-level education.

• Current DOT Employees are NOT eligible.

Non-U.S. citizens must also submit a valid copy of their Student and Exchange Visitor Information System Form issued by the IHE the student is enrolled in, or the Form I-208 “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Status”, or the Form I-551 “Permanent Resident Card” issued by the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Service (USCIS).

7 The U.S. Department of Education publishes a list of nationally recognized accrediting Agencies on https://www.ed.gov/accreditation 8 Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) Form I-20 is a Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status for foreign exchange students who attend an educational program in the United States. Educational institutions issue Form I-20.

Applicants must meet all the aforementioned requirements to be considered.

DDETFP FELLOWSHIP PROGRAMS

HBCU, HSI, and API Fellowships are intended for:

• Undergraduate students (juniors and seniors) pursuing transportation-related undergraduate degrees who plan to enter the transportation profession upon completing their higher education.

• Graduate students (Masters or Doctoral) pursuing transportation-related graduate degrees who plan to enter a transportation profession upon completing their higher education.

TCU Fellowships are intended for:

• Undergraduate students (sophomores, juniors, and seniors) pursuing transportation-related undergraduate degrees who plan to enter the transportation profession upon completing their undergraduate education.

• Graduate students (Masters or Doctoral) pursuing transportation-related graduate degrees who plan to enter a transportation profession upon completing their graduate education.

CC Fellowships are intended for:

• Students pursuing transportation-related degrees at a community college who plan to enter the transportation workforce as a technician.

• Students who plan to continue their educational pursuits at a 4-year institution and enter the transportation profession upon completing their higher education.

AWARD AMOUNTS

The funding for the DDETFP Local Competition is based on availability with the award amounts range based on the Fellowship category.

Fellowship Category Student Designee Award Ranges

HBCU, HSI, TCU, API $1,500 - $10,000

CC $1,500 - $5,000

PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION

Each IHE shall designate a DDETFP Local Competition Campus Program Manager.

DDETFP Local Competition Campus Program Manager responsibilities are to:

• Serve as liaison to the FHWA staff and ensure adherence of all DDETFP requirements.

• Respond to the NOFO and submit an Application Package by the date and time identified on page 1 of the NOFO to www.grants.gov. All institutions interested in hosting a DDETFP Local Competition must apply annually.

• Selected institutions are required to ensure the applicants meet the DDETFP Fellowship student eligibility criteria.

• Distribute announcements to all potential applicants as soon as possible after receiving FHWA notice of selection/proceed.

• Distribute student application forms and submission requirements. Complete student application packages must include:

o Student File Information Sheet o SF 424 Individual o Personal Statement o Research Plan/Plan of Study and Impact Statement o Official Transcripts o Resume o Two letters of recommendation

• Collect the DDETFP Local Competition Fellowship student applications.

• Designate and convene a panel to evaluate and rank Fellowship student applications.

o The panel will be referred to as the DDETFP Local Competition Selection Panel @ Insert Institution Name Here o The panel should be composed of a minimum of three members, at least one of who is employed by the FHWA Division Office in your State.

o The panel should be convened such that Local Competition Application Review & Recommendation Package is received by FHWA on or before date specified in the notice to proceed.

• Submit a Local Competition Application Review & Recommendation Package to FHWA at FHWA_UGP@dot.gov no later than date specified in the notice to proceed. The Local Competition Application Review & Recommendation Package must include:

o Application Evaluation Summary describing The evaluation and ranking process employed.

DDETFP Local Competition Selection Panel’s recommendations for award.

o Complete Local Competition Application Report & Ranking Sheet

FHWA will provide a formatted spreadsheet to IHEs that receive the Notice to Proceed (sample is provided in these Program Administration Guidelines).

Final panel rankings must be listed from highest to lowest with #1 listing being the highest rated application.

Each recommended student must have a unique ranking (i.e. no ties for a ranking).

Awards may be limited to up to ten eligible Students.

o DDETFP Local Competition Selection Panel’s individual ranking

Individual…