FY 2015 CMVOST Sample Application Narrative and Budget Jan15.docx

FY 2015 CMVOST Sample Project and Budget Narrative How to use this guidance:

Carefully read the instructions for each section. The FMCSA will only consider applications responsive if the information they provide is complete, clear, and accurate.

For each section, insert the requested information into the available fields (denoted by a bold, red outline).

Insert Institution Name Here

Section 1 – Project Narrative

Goal To expand the number of individuals receiving commercial motor vehicle operator safety training in order to reduce the severity and number of crashes on U.S. roads involving commercial motor vehicles. Specifically, to recruit current and former members of the United States Armed Forces (including Guard members and Reservists) and their spouses (Qualified Students), provide them with superior safety-focused training, and provide placement services to assist them in becoming employed in the transportation industry.

Objective Insert the requested information in the available column:

Proposed number of New Students Recruited

Anticipated number of Students Graduated (based on the expected number of students recruited and the historical graduation rate for this program)

Anticipated number of students employed in the transportation industry after graduation (based on the expected number of students graduated and the historical placement rate for this program)

Work Plan This section describes the various tasks and program activities the Applicant proposes to carry out using grant funds to accomplish the objectives and mitigate issues identified in the problem statement. The Work Plan must include a description of the site(s) where the work will be performed, the duration of each proposed task or activity, a list of required goods or services, the number of personnel necessary to conduct the activities, and the entire time schedule for the effort. The level of detail will vary according to the project, but should be concise and sufficient to support the project goal and justify the funding requested in the budget.

Activity 1 – Recruiting Qualified Students:

Describe your proposed activities for recruiting Qualified Students for enrollment into your training program and if your published tuition includes the recruitment efforts for students who are funded from other sources.

Insert Response Here

Activity 2 – Training Qualified Students:

Describe your proposed activities to provide superior, safety-focused CMV training for Qualified Students. Focus on the specific components of your training program. Include any details about the program that make it unique and a synopsis of the performance of the program in previous years. Include the number of classroom, driving range, and on-the-road training included in your curriculum. Please include any endorsements the Qualified Students will qualify for after completing their CDL training.

Insert Response Here

Activity 3 – Providing Graduated Students with Job Placement Assistance Describe your proposed activities to provide assistance in placing the trained students into the transportation industry after graduation, and if your published tuition includes job placement efforts for students who are funded from other sources.

Insert Response Here

Activity 4 – Providing Qualified Students with Fees or Expenses Outside Tuition Costs Describe your proposed activities to provide financial assistance regarding published fees or associated costs, and which is not included in your published tuition.

Insert Response Here

Program Evaluation and Monitoring Plan:

Evaluation or Monitoring Plan: This section explains how the Applicant will monitor program strategies to ensure they are being implemented as designed and achieve desired results. Applicants should use the same program performance objectives established earlier in the application and describe how they plan to measure the effectiveness of each activity and strategy, such as using incremental benchmarks for a multi-phased strategy to determine whether targets/milestones were met. Applicants should also identify process evaluation measures that describe how their organization will remain focused on implementing a quality program on time and within budget.

Evaluation and Monitoring:

Q3 – FFY 2014

Q4 – FFY 2014

Q1 – FFY 2015

Q2 – FFY 2015

Q3 – FFY 2015

Q4 – FFY 2015

Provide additional information describing how you will monitor the success of this project each quarter.

Insert Response Here

Organizational Capacity This section demonstrates that the Applicant has the expertise to successfully implement the stated strategies and attain stated goal(s). This section includes information related to the Applicant’s training program, its ability to conduct recruitment and career placement, and its ability to successfully manage a Federal financial assistance award.

Describe Your Organizational Capacity to Conduct the Proposed Program Insert Response Here

Section 2 – Budget Narrative

How to use this guidance:

1. Carefully read the instructions for each section. The FMCSA will only consider applications responsive if the information they provide is complete, clear, and accurate.

Within each section there is a table. This table allows the applicant to itemize specific costs and provide explanation for those costs. Carefully review the instructions in italics in each table and provide the information that is indicated in italics.

Remember to include clear, concise explanations on how you came up with the costs and how the costs are necessary for project success. If you fail to provide a complete budget narrative, your application may not be considered for funding.

Note: The costs associated with tuition should be entered into the “Other Cost Budget Narrative” as the cost of tuition for each student, times the number of students, for the total training tuition amount requested.

Personnel Budget Narrative (SF-424A, Line 6a)

Salary/Wage Total Cost

[Add additional lines, as necessary, especially if you are budgeting personnel overtime costs]

Provide a narrative justifying the proposed personnel cost provided in the budget for employee(s) salaries that are directly associated with advertising, recruiting, and providing employment placement assistance for Qualified Students. Include the number and type of personnel, the percentage of time dedicated to the project, hourly wage, and total cost.

Fringe Benefits Budget Narrative (SF-424A, Line 6b)

[Add additional lines, as necessary]

Provide a narrative justifying the proposed fringe benefits costs provided in the budget (including the cost of employer’s share of FICA, health insurance, workers’ compensation, and vacation) that are directly associated with advertising, recruiting, and providing employment placement assistance for Qualified Students. Include a description of specific benefits that are charged to a project and the benefit percentage.

Travel Cost Budget Narrative (SF-424A, Line 6c)

[Add additional lines, as necessary]

Provide a narrative justifying the proposed travel costs provided in the budget guidance which are directly associated with advertising, recruiting, and providing employment placement assistance for Qualified Students. If a published tuition is being utilized within this application, the applicant must certify that any costs detailed within the budget are not already part of the published tuition cost. Provide the purpose, method of travel, number of persons traveling, number of days, and estimated cost for each trip. If details of each trip are not known at the time of application submission, provide the basis for determining the amount requested.

Equipment Cost Budget Narrative (SF-424A, Line 6d)

[Add additional lines, as necessary]

Provide a narrative justifying the proposed equipment costs provided in the budget guidance that are directly associated with advertising, recruiting, and providing employment placement assistance for Qualified Students and that are not included in student tuition. NOTE: The FMCSA will not approve the purchase of trucks and/or simulator training devises. Include a description, quantity and unit price for all equipment.

Supplies Cost Budget Narrative (SF-424A, Line 6e)

[Add additional lines, as necessary]

Provide a narrative justifying the proposed supplies costs provided in the budget guidance which are directly associated with advertising, recruiting, and providing employment placement assistance for Qualified Students and that are not included in student tuition. Indicate the approximate expenditure of the unit as a whole. Include a quantity and unit cost for larger cost supply items such as computers and printers.

Contractual Cost Budget Narrative (SF-424A, Line 6f)

[Add additional lines, as necessary]

Provide a narrative justifying the proposed contractual costs provided in the budget guidance which are directly associated with advertising, recruiting, and providing employment placement assistance for Qualified Students. If including consulting cost provide the rationale for all cost.

Other Cost Budget Narrative (SF-424A, Line 6h)

[Add additional lines, as necessary]

Provide a narrative justifying the proposed “Other” costs provided in the budget guidance which are directly associated with advertising, recruiting, and providing employment placement assistance for Qualified Students but are not already included in the categories above. NOTE: proposed tuition costs for training Qualified Students should be shown in this category. You must itemize ALL “Other” direct costs.

FY 2015 CMVOST Sample Page 1 of 6 January 2015 Application Narrative & Budget