Full Announcement DDETFP Local Competition.pdf

Notice of Funding Opportunity Summary Information

Federal Agency Name: U.S. Department of Transportation (US DOT) Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Talent Development Division 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE Washington, DC 20590

Attn: Nathaniel Coley

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

Announcement Type: This is the initial announcement of this funding opportunity.

Funding Opportunity Number: 693JJ318NF5228

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number:

20.215 Highway Training & Education

Key Dates: Notice Issue Date is June 1, 2018 Question Due Date/Time is June 8, 2018 at 11:59pm Eastern Time Application Due Date/Time for

• Fiscal year (FY) 2018 is July 16, 2018 at 11:59pm

Eastern Time.

• FY2019 and FY2020 will be specified in

Attachment 1 posted with this Notice.

Primary Point of Contact: Ewa Flom, ewa.flom@dot.gov, 202-924-1125

Secondary Point of Contact: Universities and Grants Program Staff, FHWA_UGP@dot.gov

693JJ318NF5228

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION TITLE PAGE

A PROGRAM DESCRIPTION 3

B FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION 5

C ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION 6

D APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION 7

E APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION 11

F FEDERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATION

INFORMATION

G FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY CONTACT(S) 17

Pertinent Links:

• https://www.grants.gov/

• Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Office of Innovative Program Delivery, Universities & Grants Programs at http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/ugp

• General terms, conditions, and governing regulations (Effective March 6, 2015) that will apply to the Agreement are available online at www.fhwa.dot.gov/cfo/contractor_recip/gtandc_generaltermsconditions.cfm

Attachments:

1. Program Administration Guidelines for DDETFP Local Competitions at Designated

Institution of Higher Education.

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 and to register 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/ugp 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 Dwight David Eisenhower Transportation Fellowship Program (DDETFP) Local Competition is to stimulate interest among students attending an Institution of Higher Education (IHE) of Minority Serving Institutions (MSI) and community colleges to conduct transportation-related research, pursue transportation-related degrees, to enter the transportation workforce, and to enhance the breadth, scope and diversity of knowledge of the entire transportation community in the United States. 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.

2. LEGISLATIVE AUTHORITY

The current legislation governing the program is found in the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act), Section (§) 6002(a)(3) (H. Rept. 114-357). Authority is also found in Title 23, United States Code (USC), Section (§) 504(c) and §502 (b)(3).

3. BACKGROUND

The MSI and community colleges 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 must be located within the United States 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 competitions are to provide DDETFP Fellowships 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 United States.

5. STATEMENT OF WORK

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), is soliciting applications for IHEs that are designated as one of the MSI categories in Attachment 1 and community colleges 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 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 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 fiscal year (FY) 2018 through 2020 from amounts authorized under section 6002 of the FAST Act.

The FHWA anticipates selecting up to 50 DDETFP Local Competition fellowship programs as a result of this Notice of Funding Opportunity in each FY 2018 through 2020.

From FY2018 through FY2020, the FHWA anticipates Federal funding up to a total amount of $3,000,000 may be made available for these Agreements, 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.

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 individual IHE applying.

2. TYPE OF AWARD

The planned award type is a Grant Agreement (Agreement).

3. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

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

4. DEGREE OF FEDERAL INVOLVEMENT

The FHWA anticipates Federal involvement between it and the Recipient during the course of 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’s institution 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 community college. The IHE must be accredited by a federally-recognized accrediting agency1 and must be located within the United States 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. Although this program does not require cost sharing or matching, IHEs are encouraged to contribute resources to help leverage Fellowship funding.

1 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 grants.gov under the Notice of Funding Opportunity 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.

2. CONTENT AND FORM OF APPLICATION SUBMISSION

The DDETFP Local Competition requires the submission 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. 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 AND SYSTEM FOR AWARD (SAM)

The Applicant is required to: (i) be registered in SAM before submitting its application; (ii) provide a valid unique entity identifier in its application; and (iii) continue to maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which it has an active Federal award or an application or plan under consideration by a Federal awarding agency.

The Federal awarding agency may not make a Federal award to an Applicant until the Applicant has complied with all applicable unique entity identifier 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.

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 Notice of Funding Opportunity.

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 the 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 e-mail applications to the FHWA point of contact listed on page 1 no later than the application deadline cited above.

5. INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVIEW

An application under this Notice of Funding Opportunity is not subject to the State review under E.O. 12372.

6. FUNDING RESTRICTIONS

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 USC 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 full-time program leading to 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 as contained in

Section F, Federal Award Administration Information. Identify any preexisting intellectual property that 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 (DUNS) 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 in a concise manner 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 in an impartial and objective manner. 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 United States to contract with the Applicant and include appropriate provisions to mitigate or avoid such conflict in the agreement pursuant to 2 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) dated July 13, 2017, and Appendix A thereto, and acknowledge in its application that it understands the 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 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 200.338 entitled Remedies for Noncompliance, including suspension or debarment. (See also 2 CFR Part 180 and 31 U.S.C. 3321).

SECTION E - APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

1. CRITERIA

The Government will evaluate applications on following criteria:

MERIT: FHWA will evaluate and rank the applications against the following technical evaluation criteria. These criteria are distinct from eligibility criteria (see Section C) that are addressed before an application is accepted for review.

The DDETFP Local Competition will be awarded on the basis of merit. The following criteria are listed in descending order of importance:

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

• 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;

• Institution Support – Demonstrates support from Academic Institution; and

• Application – Overall organization and demonstrates ability to administer the

DDETFP local competition.

After applying the above preferences, the FHWA will take into account the following key Departmental objectives:

(A) Supporting economic vitality at the national and regional level;

(B) Utilizing alternative funding sources and innovative financing models to attract non- Federal sources of infrastructure investment;

(C) Accounting for the life-cycle costs of the project to promote the state of good repair;

(D) Using innovative approaches to improve safety and expedite project delivery; and

(E) Holding grant recipients accountable for their performance and achieving specific, measurable outcomes identified by grant applicants.

Funding availability will also be considered in the award decision.

2. REVIEW AND SELECTION PROCESS

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. This panel will be composed of FHWA transportation professionals who will review each applicant's qualifications. The recommendations for selection will be ranked in merit order and submitted to the Program Manager, to make final selections based on the Panel’s recommendation. The Program Manager is the official responsible for final selections and will provide a notice to proceed. The 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 Government will accept the application(s) that is (are) considered the most advantageous to the 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 of the following items relative to the Applicant and/or sub-applicants as applicable:

(1) Applicant’s financial stability;

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

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

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

(6) Applicant’s potential for conflict of interest if applicable2; and

(7) Applicant’s eligibility to receive Federal funding. Per the guidelines on government-wide suspension and debarment in 2 CFR Part 180, the Government will confirmation 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.

Pursuant to 2 CFR Part 200.205, prior to making a Federal award, the Federal awarding agency is required to review information available through any OMB-designated repositories of government-wide eligibility qualification or financial integrity information, such as Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System (FAPIIS), Dun and Bradstreet, 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.

If FHWA does not make a Federal award to a non-Federal entity because the official determines that the non-Federal entity does not meet either or both of the minimum qualification standards as described in 2 CFR 200.205, the FHWA will report that determination in FAPIIS.

3. ANTICIPATED ANNOUNCEMENT AND FEDERAL AWARD DATES

The FHWA anticipates making selection on or about September 2021.

2 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 United States to award to the Applicant and include appropriate provisions to mitigate or avoid such conflict in the Agreement pursuant to 2 CFR 200.112.

SECTION F – AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

1. FEDERAL AWARD NOTICES

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

Applicants not selected for 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, the FHWA reserves the right to terminate the negotiation and decline to select the Applicant.

Only the Agreement Officer (AO) can commit the 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 (Effective March 6, 2015) 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 the 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 the FHWA copies of all work developed in performance with the proposed Agreement, including but not limited to software and data. Data rights under the agreement shall be in accordance with 2 CFR 200.315, Intangible property.

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

D. PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION (PII)

Personally Identifiable Information (PII) as defined at CFR Part 200.79 and 2 CFR 200.82 at will not be requested unless necessary and only with prior written approval of the AO with concurrence from the AOR.

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 are 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 for the purposes of this provision includes any disagreement or claim, between the 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. Within five working days after providing written notice to the other party, the aggrieved party may, in writing, request a decision from one level above the AO.

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 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, Office of Acquisition and Grants Management. Following the review, the Director, Office of Acquisition and Grants Management, 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 United States Federal Court of competent jurisdiction.

3. REPORTING

The Recipient must submit the following electronically to the U&GP Program Manager at FHWA_UGP@dot.gov:

• Annual Accomplishments Report to the Program Manager, U&GP. 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 Universities and Grants Programs 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 U&GP Program Manager.

o In Block 11, Other Attachments, include the information as attached pages for Federal Financial Report (SF-425) mailto:FHWA_UGP@dot.gov

SECTION G – FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY CONTACT(S)

Address any questions to:

Universities and Grants Programs Staff Federal Highway Administration

FHWA_UGP@DOT.GOV

693JJ318NF5228-2021

Attachment 1

DWIGHT DAVID EISENHOWER

TRANSPORTATION FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM (DDETFP)

PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION GUIDELINES

FOR

LOCAL COMPETITION

AT

DESIGNATED INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION

2021 AWARD CYCLE (FEBRUARY 2021)

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 2021

Attachment to Notice of Funding Opportunity number 693JJ318NF5228

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

U&GP STAFF RESPONSIBILITIES

U&GP 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*

file://FHWIADWFP003VH.ad.dot.gov/Shared/Universities%20&%20Grants/DDETFP/2020/NOFO%20Request/Posted/LC%20Program%20Administration%20Guidelines%20-%202020.docx#_Toc30753259

BACKGROUND

The Dwight David Eisenhower Transportation Fellowship Program (DDETFP) is currently authorized by Public Law 114-94, Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act. The DDETFP is intermodal, interdisciplinary, and encompasses all modes of transportation. The DDETFP is managed and administered by the FHWA Universities and Grants Programs

(U&GP).

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. 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 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.

The objective of the DDETFP Local Competition is to facilitate the administration of the DDETFP Fellowship Program at Minority Serving Institutions (MSI) and community colleges.

Institutions of Higher Education (IHE)1 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

Administration Guidelines)

1 IHE must be accredited by a federally-recognized accrediting agency and must be located within the United States 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 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) o 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.

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 Notice of Funding Opportunity (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 693JJ318NF5228 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) 2021 is April 16, 2021 at 5:00pm 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.

• 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:

• (for graduate students) - Possess a baccalaureate degree from, or be a confirmed graduating undergraduate senior at, an IHE which must be accredited by a federally-recognized accrediting agency2 and must be located within the United States or its territories, both administratively as well as the campus the student attended;

• 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 U.S. Department of Transportation 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-203 “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Status”, or the Form I-551 “Permanent Resident Card” issued by the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Service.

Applicants must meet all the aforementioned requirements to be considered.

2 The U.S. Department of Education publishes a list of nationally recognized accrediting agencies on https://www.ed.gov/accreditation 3 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.

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 U&GP staff and ensure adherence of all DDETFP requirements.

• Respond to the Notice of Funding Opportunity 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 U&GP on or before date specified in the notice to proceed.

• Submit a Local Competition Application Review & Recommendation Package to FHWA U&GP 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 10 eligible Students.

o DDETFP Local Competition Selection Panel’s individual ranking

Individual panel member rankings for all eligible applications with the highest score as the #1 proposed recipient to the lowest.

o Signed Conflict of Interest/Non-Disclosure Form - FHWA will provide formatted spreadsheet to institutions that receive Notice to Proceed (sample shown in these Program Administration Guidelines); and Each DDETFP Local Competition Selection Panel member must provide a signed copy o Compilation of all student application packages submitted in response to the

Local Competition call for applications.

• Notify DDETFP Student Designees of their selection for the fellowship within one (1) week of receipt of FHWA U&GP Program Manager’s written notification. Ensure that all Student Designees meet enrollment criteria and complete all acceptance forms.

Acceptance forms must be received by the U&GP staff as indicated in the FHWA U&GP Program Manager’s written notification.

• Meet with students at least two times per quarter/semester to discuss academic progress, Transportation Research Board (TRB) Annual Meeting participation, and opportunities for broader exposure in the transportation field.

• Establish a system to manage DDETFP to include:

o Reviewing Recipient accounts with the appropriate College/University financial office for the duration of the Fellowship;

o Electronic submission of each Student Designees completed research project to the FHWA U&GP Program Manager as specified in DDETFP;

o Submit end of performance reporting as identified in the NOFO to FHWA

U&GP; and o Ensure that all unused funds are returned to the FHWA within 90 days of completion of the Fellowship agreements.

• Ensure that all award modifications and changes are approved in advance by the FHWA

U&GP Program Manager.

• Ensure that the FHWA U&GP Program Manager is notified of any changes in the recipient’s academic and/or enrollment status.

• Submit an institutional annual accomplishments report to the FHWA U&GP Program

Manager for the preceding year within 90 days of completion of the Fellowship agreements. 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…