FY 2024 CDLPI NOFO.pdf

Notice of Funding Opportunity

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

Funding Opportunity Title:

Commercial Driver's License Program Implementation

Announcement Type:

Initial

Funding Opportunity Number: FM-CDL-24-002

Assistance Listing Number: 20.232

Key Date – Application Due Date: April 19, 2024 5:00 p.m. ET

Points of Contact:

Financial application concerns:

Montika Brooks

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

Programmatic application concerns:

Isabella Marra

(202) 843-2454 CDLGrants@dot.gov

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Table of Contents

SECTION A – PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

SECTION B – FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

SECTION C – ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

SECTION D – APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

SECTION E – APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

SECTION F – FEDERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

SECTION G – FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY CONTACTS

SECTION H – OTHER INFORMATION

APPENDIX A – APPLICATION PACKAGE REQUIREMENT CHECKLIST

APPENDIX B – BUDGET NARRATIVE GUIDANCE

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SECTION A – PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

1 Overview and Authorizing Statutes and Regulations

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announces its Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Commercial Driver's License Program Implementation (CDLPI) financial assistance program Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to solicit applications from State and local governments and other eligible persons and organizations that support CDLPI activities.

The program is authorized under 49 U.S.C.§ 31313, as modified by Section 23001(b) of Public Law 117-58 (2021), also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). FMCSA anticipates awarding approximately $84.4 million during FY 2024. Final funding amounts are subject to the availability of funding appropriated by Congress.

2 CDLPI Goals and Objectives

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

The CDLPI program objective is to provide financial assistance to States and other eligible entities to carry out and improve the national CDL program. The national CDL program focuses on the concept that each driver has only one driving record and only one licensing document, commonly referred to as “One Driver — One License — One Record.” Further, the national CDL program requires States to conduct knowledge and skills testing before issuing a Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP) and/or CDL;

to maintain a complete and accurate driver history record (DHR) for anyone who obtains a CLP and/or CDL; and to impose driver disqualifications, as required by the regulations.

FMCSA provides financial assistance under the CDLPI financial assistance program to States to achieve compliance with statutory requirements and FMCSA regulations concerning driver’s license standards and programs, namely 49 U.S.C. § 31311(a) and 49 CFR parts 383 and 384. In addition, FMCSA provides financial assistance to other entities capable of executing national projects that aid States in their compliance efforts and that will improve the success and consistency of the national CDL Program.

CDLPI financial assistance awards are in alignment with the following DOT strategic goals and the National Roadway Safety Strategy (NRSS).

Safety: Make our transportation system safer for all people. Advance a future without transportation-related serious injuries and fatalities.

Economic Strength & Modernization: Grow an inclusive and sustainable economy. Invest in our transportation system to provide American workers and businesses reliable and efficient access to resources, markets, and good-paying jobs.

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Equity: Reduce inequities across our transportation systems and the communities they affect.

Support and engage people and communities to promote safe, affordable, accessible, and multimodal access to opportunities and services while reducing transportation-related disparities, adverse community impacts, and health effects.

Climate & Sustainability: Tackle the climate crisis by ensuring that transportation plays a central role in the solution. Substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions and transportation-related pollution and build more resilient and sustainable transportation systems to benefit and protect communities.

Transformation: Design for the future. Invest in purpose-driven research and innovation to meet the challenges of the present and modernize a transportation system of the future that serves everyone today and in the decades to come.

The NRSS is a comprehensive plan to work with stakeholders across the country to significantly reduce injuries and deaths on America’s roadways using a safe system approach. This approach lowers risks by building in multiple layers of protection: safer roads, safer people, safer vehicles, safer speeds, and better post-crash care. The NRSS may be found at: https://www.transportation.gov/NRSS.

Applicants, where appropriate, should demonstrate how the proposed projects address the objectives of climate change/sustainability outlined in Executive Order (E.O.) 14008 and support/advance equity in transportation, particularly in underserved communities, as outlined in E.O. 13985.

This NOFO provides information about the FY 2024 CDLPI program priorities and guidance for preparing and submitting a grant application. FMCSA will award grants under this announcement in two categories: the CDLPI Basic Grants and CDLPI High Priority/Emerging Issues Grants. The Federal Financial Assistance Listing 20.232 provides additional CDLPI grant program information.

3 CDLPI Award Performance Goals

Applicants should include performance goals related to the national priorities under subsection 4, that demonstrate improvement or sustained compliance with U.S.C. § 31311 and 49 CFR parts 383 and 384.

3.1 Data Sources

FMCSA will utilize SDLA’s CDLPI grant application’s performance goals provided and compared to data available in the State Compliance Records Enterprise System (SCORE), Commercial Driver’s License Information System (CDLIS) reports, driver history reports, and any other data source(s) used and reported by the applicant, comparing the results from the program with the baseline data provided in the application and available reports.

For applicants that are not States, including Tribal governments, FMCSA will utilize the eligible entity’s CDLPI grant application’s stated performance goals by examining any available data and other data source(s) used and reported or referenced by the applicant, comparing the results from the program with the baseline data provided in the application and the data sources provided and referenced in the application and any other FMCSA accessible reports.

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3.2 Performance Indicators

FMCSA will assess to what extent a CDLPI grant would meet its performance goals outlined in the application by assessing its performance indicators. Applicants should specify performance indicators related to the project goals (which will vary depending on which of the national priorities discussed below in subsection 4 the project seeks to address).

In general, activities must be tied to 49 CFR parts 383 and 384. Performance indicators for successful CDLPI grant award projects may include, but are not limited to:

Sustained Compliance: Activities implemented under this award that address a State’s sustained compliance with specific Federal CDL regulatory requirements found in 49 CFR parts 383 and/or 384 or 49 U.S.C. § 31311.

Compliant Issuance of CDL/CLPs: Activities conducted under the CDLPI award to issue CLPs and CDLs, upgrade/change endorsements, or conduct a change state of record to only qualified drivers while instituting policies and procedures to prevent fraudulent activities.

Timely DHR Action(s): Activities conducted under the award to issue disqualifications, suspensions, and downgrades in a timely manner to CLP and CDL holders and posted to their DHR, which will allow unsafe drivers to be removed from service.

Ensuring Data Quality: Activities conducted under the award that address a State’s accuracy and completeness of DHRs including all conviction & disqualification data, medical certifications, entry-level driver training verification, and knowledge and skills testing information.

Innovative Approaches to Improving CDL Issues: Activities that provide a novel technique or approach (program design, use of technology assets, etc.) to benefit national CDL safety and/or improve SDLA’s CDL safety data quality, which may include research projects and pilot testing new program approaches to improving compliance.

Demonstrate a Reduction in CMV Related Crashes: Activities, specifically related toward CDL or CLP holders, that are closely tied to the prevention and reduction of crashes, injuries, and fatalities involving large trucks and buses on our Nation’s roadways.

Human Trafficking Awareness, Prevention, and Reporting: Activities conducted under the CDLPI award deter and reduce CMV-based human trafficking related activities.

4 National CDLPI Priority Descriptions

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

The Department seeks to fund projects that advance the Departmental priorities of safety, equity, climate and sustainability, and workforce development, job quality, and wealth creation as described in the USDOT Strategic Plan, Research, Development and Technology Strategic Plan, and in executive orders

All applications must advance a public purpose in accordance with 31 U.S. Code § 6101 and 31 U.S.

Code § 6302-6304. FMCSA may not use grants or cooperative agreements to acquire property or

Page | 6 services for FMCSA’s or a pass-through entity's direct benefit or use. FMCSA may not award grant funding to individuals for personal gain, such as obtaining specialized training for Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) required for CDL licensing or procuring a CMV. This also includes the establishment or implementation of ELDT programs or investigations into Training Providers compliance with 49 CFR Part 380 ELDT requirements. FMCSA will not award grant funding to a for-profit business that does not provide benefits to the SDLAs in improving the national CDL Program and compliance with 49 CFR parts 383 and 384.

FMCSA is prohibited under 49 U.S.C. § 31313(b) from providing grant funds for the purchase, rent, or lease of land or buildings.

Unless indicated otherwise, references to the CDLPI grant program priorities include both Basic and High Priority/Emerging Issues activities/projects, with details for each type of CDLPI grant priority focus areas explained later in this section. All activities are eligible for 100 percent Federal funding, and all applicants must provide baseline performance data and projected benchmarks to be reached for each goal, objective, and activity, along with data sources and specific 49 CFR regulatory citations.

CDLPI Basic Projects are only applicable to State agencies. Applications should support the development, implementation, and compliance sustainment with provisions in 49 CFR parts 383 and 384.

CDLPI High Priority/Emerging Issues Projects may be implemented by States, local governments, Tribal governments, and other entities capable of executing national projects that aid States in their compliance efforts and improving the national CDL Program.

4.1 CDLPI Basic

4.1.1 General

Proposed projects must support the development, implementation, and/or the maintenance and operations of the State’s CDL program. Project plans that provide a benefit to the general driver population, in addition to current CLP and CDL holders, must include the cost allocation methodology used to determine the cost benefit to improving CDL compliance.

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

4.1.2 CDLPI Basic Grants

FMCSA will reimburse 100 percent of total project costs supporting the implementation of CDL-related regulations and/or activities that directly impact a State's compliance with the CDL program. Applicants must provide, for each priority, the 49 CFR section citation that supports the project’s compliance initiative(s); baseline data; projected outputs and outcomes; and source of data that supports the need for funding and will be used to measure the outcomes.

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Eligible applications under this category include but are not limited to:

1. Applications for projects to achieve or maintain compliance with FMCSA’s CDL rulemakings, and/or support the NRSS, which includes disqualification of prohibited drivers under the Electronic Exchange; Controlled Substances and Alcohol Testing: State Driver's Licensing Agency Non-Issuance/Downgrade of Commercial Driver's License; Medical Examiner’s Certification Integration Final Rule, Lifetime Disqualification for Human Trafficking; and Entry Level Driver Training.

2. Applications that support a State’s correction and mitigation of its CDL regulatory compliance findings. The project plan must address the specific finding(s), include the 49 CFR citation, and identify the data source to be used to determine when compliance has been attained to close the finding.

3. Applications that support a State in improving the accuracy, completeness, and timeliness of CDLIS-required data elements to maintain the highest possible quality of all CDL data, to include correcting broken and missing CDLIS pointers, submitting all convictions electronically as required by 49 CFR §384.209 within 10 days, and correcting CDLIS transaction errors. Such applications must include the baseline data and data source to be used to measure improved compliance level/performance.

4. Applications that support an SDLA’s partnership efforts that lead to enhancing SDLA compliance with 49 CFR parts 383 and 384. FMCSA will give priority to proposals for multi-jurisdictional partnerships or collaboration with other entities. The project activities may include partnerships among SDLAs, law enforcement agencies, and judicial partners such as:

prosecutors, judges and/or court clerks, within the same State to increase outreach and training on CDL disqualifications and/or masking and diversion; partnerships among SDLAs that deliver cross-functional workshops that include judicial stakeholders, law enforcement agencies, and other interested stakeholders; and implementation of facial imaging partnerships across multiple jurisdictions to combat CDL/CLP fraud directly.

5. Applications to support an SDLA’s operation and maintenance (O&M) projects that sustain and maintain compliance with 49 CFR parts 383 and 384. The project activities may include refresher examiner training beyond the regulatory requirements; kiosk and tablet O&M and licensing agreements; skills testing site improvements; annual software licensing and IT maintenance agreements; improving scheduling of knowledge and skills testing systems, reproducing CDL Driver Manuals and CDL Examiner Manuals; and develop accurate and complete ACD code translations to the appropriate State codes. However, O&M projects will receive lowest funding priority.

4.2 CDLPI High Priority/Emerging Issues Cooperative Agreements and Grants

4.2.1 General

States, local governments, and other entities, other than individuals, capable of executing national projects that aid SDLAs in their compliance efforts and improve the national CDL program are eligible to apply for the priorities listed below.

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4.2.2 CDLPI High Priority/Emerging Issues Cooperative Agreements and Grants

FMCSA will reimburse 100 percent of the total project costs supporting project activities directly connected to improving SDLA’s regulatory compliance (must provide the specific regulatory references) with U.S.C. § 31311 and/or 49 CFR parts 383 and 384. Eligible applications under this category include but are not limited to:

1. Applications that support reducing CDL skills testing delays and wait times to include skills examiners training and outreach on school bus driver testing requirements.

2. Applications that support activities related to recognition, prevention, and reporting of human trafficking with a focus on CMV drivers who hold CDLs; must not duplicate the purpose of other Federal funding sources (i.e., FMCSA High Priority funding or Department of Justice programs).

3. Applications for projects to conduct a systematic review of a State’s CDL program with recommended improvement actions to enable the State to support its Annual State Certification of Compliance as required by 49 CFR § 384.305. Such projects are intended to strengthen compliance with 49 CFR parts 383 and 384 by analyzing the State’s performance in one or more of the following three major review areas: Operational, Data Reconciliation, and Legal Sufficiency by either internal State auditors or through a sub-award or contract to an entity that has demonstrated its knowledge, skills and abilities to evaluate an SDLA’s compliance with Federal regulations. Further details below:

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

Data reconciliation review may include a detailed review of the data processing capabilities to confirm that every conviction has been accounted for in the DHR and that proper disqualification has been applied.

Legal sufficiency review analyzes a State’s legal authority to implement 49 CFR parts 383 and 384.

If the SDLA is not the applicant, the project plan must demonstrate that a State or multiple States have committed to be subject to an evaluation by the applicant.

4. Applications that will benefit the national CDL Program by improving compliance through the use of proven tools or developing new tools that can be utilized by SDLAs and other partners. Project activities may include developing electronic tools to enable SDLAs to comply with the exclusive electronic exchange of convictions and withdrawals, training on CDL specific regulatory requirements, improving the timeliness, accuracy, completeness of CDL data exchanges between the judiciaries/courts and SDLAs, and reporting all felony human trafficking convictions to SDLAs involving CDL holders.

5. Applications for enhancing court expertise. Such eligible projects will enhance the expertise of court officers in prosecuting, adjudicating, and transmitting CDL violations. Project activities may include providing training on the prevention of masking CDL-related offenses and ensuring that 49 CFR §383.51 disqualifying felony convictions for CDL/CLP holders are provided to the SDLAs for proper adjudication.

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6. Applications that research and/or facilitate the detection and prevention of fraud in the CDL process. Project activities may include conducting a research project on fraudulent activities and how to mitigate against those activities, training and implementing technology or other innovative approaches in the following areas: issuing licenses and permits, testing, recordkeeping, and data reporting.

7. Applications that support hosting meetings and conferences to address CDL compliance issues among the SDLAs and other stakeholders. The application must include the following elements to be considered: 1) a detailed budget; 2) a timeline for completion of the plan’s components; 3) a detailed plan for execution including; a) tentative agenda that is collaborative with entities engaged in CDL compliance issues; b) onsite support during the meeting; and, c) assistance with attendees’ hotel and airfare to ensure reasonable and necessary expenses are adhered to; and, 4) providing a post-meeting final report to include;

a) an overview of all presentations with session minutes to include action items to be addressed; b) a list of attendees with accounting of all expenses; and, c) attendee feedback on sessions.

8. Applications that support activities that implement or maintain an employer notification service (ENS) with potential benefit to the national CDL Program.

9. Applications that support an SDLA’s review and evaluation of the access to CDL services in underserved communities, including affordability of CDL licensing fees, accessibility and availability of SDLA credential issuance and renewal services, CDL testing, including knowledge and skills testing, and access to equitable adjudication of administrative complaints. The review and evaluation may include an analysis of hours of operations for CDL services, locations, and appointment scheduling systems (computer vs. phone vs. in-person).

10. Applications that support the SDLA in developing and implementing a CDL citation and adjudication group that would include all appropriate Stakeholders that partake in the citation and adjudication process, including but not limited to, law enforcement, court clerks, prosecutors, judges, and SDLA staff.

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SECTION B – FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

1 Funding and Number of Awards

FMCSA anticipates making approximately 55 awards in response to this NOFO.

FMCSA anticipates awarding approximately $84.4 million during FY 2024, which includes carry over funding from previous fiscal years. Final funding amounts are subject to the availability of funding appropriated by Congress.

Note: Applicants for CDLPI funding must not include more than four (4) projects per application.

FMCSA will not review or consider any projects beyond the maximum four projects per application.

2 Type of Award

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

This funding opportunity is for new FMCSA awards only. Applications for renewal or supplementation of existing awards are not eligible.

3 Period of Performance

In accordance with 49 U.S.C. § 31104(f)(6), awarded funding is available for the fiscal year of award and the four succeeding years, but may be awarded for a shorter period. The period of performance for CDLPI grants will be the date range designated in Block 4 of the Notice of Grant Award.

Note: When requesting a period of performance on the SF- 424 application form, applicants should carefully consider how long it will take to complete the grant’s activities and objectives. The start date should be no later than the last day of the current fiscal year, September 30, 2024.

4 Degree of Federal Involvement

4.1 Cooperative Agreement

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

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

a. Agency review and approval of one stage before work can begin on a subsequent stage of project objectives and/or activities;

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b. Agency coordination and collaboration due to interrelationship with other award projects;

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

d. FMCSA involvement in outreach and other activities relating to the publication of materials.

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

The recipient also agrees to designate a project manager or key point of contact to work with FMCSA and act as a liaison between the awardee and the Federal Government.

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

4.2 Grant

Substantial involvement is not expected between FMCSA and the grant recipient when carrying out the activity outlined in the agreement. FMCSA provides financial assistance, technical assistance, and oversight. Recipients provide the effort and expertise necessary to carry out the approved activities.

Recipients are responsible for achieving the work described in their grant award, complying with the grant requirements laid out in the grant award and Terms and Conditions, the administration of the grant, and monitoring and oversight of any sub-recipients or sub-contractors.

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SECTION C – ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

1 Eligible Applicants

The following section specifies the applicants eligible for award.

1.1 Eligible entities

CDLPI awards are available to the following entities, who meet the additional eligibility criteria in 1.2 and 1.3 below:

a. State Government

b. County Government

c. City or Township Government

d. Public/State Controlled Institution of Higher Education

e. Indian/Native American Tribal Government (Federally Recognized)

f. Nonprofit with 501(c)(3)IRS status (other than institutions of Higher Education)

g. Private Institutions of Higher Education

h. For Profit Organization (Other than Small business)

i. Small business

j. Hispanic-serving Institution

k. Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)

l. Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs)

m. Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions

1.2 State Driver Licensing Agencies (SDLAs)

To be eligible for a Basic CDLPI category grant, SDLAs must:

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

b. Address outstanding findings discovered during Annual Program Reviews (APR) and Skills Testing Reviews (STR) in the self-assessment section of the application package; and

c. Comply with or be making a good faith effort toward substantial compliance with the requirements of 49 U.S.C. § 31311.

1.3 Other State Agencies (not SDLAs)

Applications received from other State agencies will be considered under Basic or High Priority/Emerging Issues projects. These agencies include the State courts, law enforcement and departments of transportation, and public, State, and private institutions of higher education.

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1.4 Non-State Organizations

Applications received from non-State organizations will be considered for High Priority/Emerging Issues funding. Non-State organizations eligible to apply include non-profit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, federally recognized Native American Tribal organizations, for-profit entities capable of executing national projects that aid SDLAs in their compliance efforts and improve the national CDL program, and local governmental agencies.

Applications must clearly describe the anticipated level and nature of FMCSA participation and the responsibilities of each partner to the agreement until the grant or cooperative agreement is closed.

FMCSA must approve the development and execution of training to the courts and law enforcement to ensure no duplication of efforts, since there are other entities that service or support similar objectives with the courts and law enforcement.

Applicants must consider FMCSA’s involvement in its grant applications.

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

Individuals are not eligible to apply or receive grant funds under the CDLPI grant program.

2 Cost-Sharing and Matching Requirements

FMCSA will not require a matching share for fiscal year 2024 awards.

3 Other

The below are specific items that must be completed for your application package to move forward to the Merit Review process. (See Eligibility Criteria outlined in Section E. 1a.) If one of these items are not fulfilled the application will not be considered eligible.

A complete application includes:

The application was submitted by the deadline.

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

The application has a completed Federal Assistance (SF-424) form.

The application has a completed Budget information for Non-Construction form (SF-424A).

The application has a completed Assurances for Non-Construction form (SF-424B).

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

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

The application includes a complete Budget Narrative.

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The application includes a complete Project Narrative.

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

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SECTION D – APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

1 Address to Request Application Package

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

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

Email: FMCSA_GrantMgmtHelpdesk@dot.gov

Mail: U. S. Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Grants Management Office (MC-BG) 1200 New Jersey Ave, SE, West Building Washington, DC 20590

2 Content and Form of Application Submission

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

2.1 Formatting

The application must follow the format and limitation stated below:

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

b. Margins (Top, Bottom, Right and Left) no smaller than one inch on all pages. (Header and Footer are allowed in the margins).

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

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

e. The application narrative is limited to 35 (40 for SDLA applicants) total pages. FMCSA will not read or consider any materials beyond the specified page limit in the application review process. NOTE: The 35 or 40 total page limit is inclusive of the introduction, self-assessment, problem statement(s), performance objective(s), performance activity(s), performance measurement(s) plan, monitoring plan, and budget narrative. All other documents and forms described in Appendix A will not count against the application page limit.

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

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2.2 Project Plan Narrative Requirements

Application narrative packages are limited to 35 total pages This requirement is per application, not per project. Submission of all required SF-forms, key contact, attachment forms and indirect cost agreements do not count against the page limitation.

While supplemental attachments are allowed, the application’s project and budget narratives must include all required information. The narrative must indicate when a supplemental attachment needs to be referenced. The application must include the following sections in consecutive order for each of the proposed projects:

a. Introduction

Include a description of the goal(s)/purpose(s) intended to be accomplished within the application and reference the applicable program priority(ies) (See Section A) for the project.

The introduction must also include a discussion of the organizational capacity of the entity:

an overview of the organization’s structure and a description of sufficient resources to be successful in administering the proposed projects.

For SDLA Applicants Only: CDL Program Self-Assessment (Program Overview)

Applications from SDLAs must include a CDL program self-assessment, which may be included as part of the application’s brief introduction. A separate, stand-alone document is not required. The CDL Program Assessment is a summary of key elements of the applicant’s program and must include the following six components:

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

A list of all open CDLPI grant awards, including the award number, award amount, and purpose; progress made to date in achieving the award’s objectives; remaining unexpended funding; the expected date of completion; and how this application’s requested funding does not duplicate their costs or activities.

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

The latest statistics concerning the status of missing and broken pointers, referencing the last run CD31 Report data.

The timeliness of transmitting and posting of convictions and withdrawals for CDL drivers, both out of State and in State, with data source and date referenced.

This requirement applies to SDLAs only. Applications that fail to include the required information will be considered incomplete and risk disqualification.

b. Problem Statement

Provide a qualitative description of the identified problem that the project will address.

Include details on the performance data used to identify the problem and to establish the baseline (include data source and date, and explain how the applicant collects, maintains, and analyzes the data). Data should support the proposed project.

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Examples of data sources: SCORE system, CDLIS reports, enforcement and crash statistics data in A&I online, and internal reports that can be consistently generated for measuring the outputs and outcomes.

c. Performance Objective

Provide a description of the applicant’s anticipated quantifiable goal/objective related to the above problem statement. This can be measured in numbers, percentages, or other forms that accurately measure the outcomes the applicant anticipates will result from implementing the strategies and activities proposed. Goals should be SMART: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-bound.

d. Performance Activity Plan

Provide a description of the activities the applicant will conduct to help mitigate the problem and achieve the objective’s outcome. Each activity should provide a baseline and benchmark that is measurable. The data element that must be quantifiable and will measure the movement against the established baseline.

When developing the activity plan, consider the number and frequency of activities you believe will bring progress towards the ultimate objective defined.

e. Performance Measurement Plan

Provide a description of how the applicant determined the baseline data that will measure progress towards achieving the performance objective(s). The measurements must be quantifiable with measurable outcomes and outputs. The measures must include specific targets/benchmarks that can be reported on in the quarterly progress report, if practicable, or as annual outcomes that will gauge the progress being made on achieving the objectives and activities identified for each project.

f. Monitoring and Timeline/Milestone Plan

Provide a description of the method(s) that will be used to monitor the performance goals, objectives, and activities; and report on the outputs and outcomes for each project to include timelines and milestones, as appropriate.

g. Budget Narrative

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

Each project must have its own budget narrative that matches the SF-424A Budget Categories Columns for each project. DO NOT include cents for Federal costs on the SF- 424, SF-424A, and budget narrative. Round all cents up or down to whole dollars.

The budget narrative must reflect the allocability of project activities to the grant. Budgets must reflect the appropriate Federal amounts, as stated under the priorities in subsection (A)(4). FMCSA may adjust the applicant’s budget, which will require the submission of an

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2.3 SF-424 and SF-424A

SF-424, Field 12 – Must reflect the Funding Opportunity Number and the title of the opportunity under which assistance is requested, as found in the program announcement.

SF-424, Field 18 - Box (a) – Must reflect the total estimated Federal funding requested to complete the project plan. As no match/cost sharing is required, enter “0” in Box (b). Box (g) should equal the total project amount, which is the sum of boxes (a) and (b). The value of in-kind contributions should be included on the appropriate lines, as applicable. All costs must be rounded to the nearest whole dollar amount.

SF-424A - Section A – Budget Summary – Must reflect the Federal share in column (e), and the total cost per project in column (g). Each project in the application will be shown on lines one through four as applicable with the Total for each column on line five. Note line five, column (e),(f), and (g) must reconcile with SF-424 field 18, as described above. All costs must be rounded to the nearest whole dollar amount.

Section B – Budget Categories - Capture the total amount per object class categories, as applicable. In the column headings one through four, enter the titles, that match narrative title, for each of the proposed projects that match the title in Section A and the project plan. Please note, the SF-424A covers the life of the project costs, and not just the first year (as stipulated in the SF-424A instructions). Section B must be completed. All costs must be rounded to the nearest whole dollar amount.

2.4 Requirements When One or More Projects are Proposed

A project consists of one or more priorities, which work towards achieving a defined goal objective(s).

If an applicant chooses to propose multiple projects within a single application, each project must contain separate and distinct project narratives, budget narratives, line-item budgets, and titles for each project proposed within that application package.

When an application contains multiple projects, each project must include the following sections in consecutive order: Brief Introduction, Problem Statement, Performance Objectives, Performance Activity Plan, Performance Measurement Plan, Monitoring Plan, and Budget Narrative. For example, in an application comprised of multiple projects, the first project would include the above sections in consecutive order. The following projects would respectively follow suit.

Applications with multiple projects must also contain a comprehensive or summary budget that includes expenses per project/per line item. The comprehensive budget must match the application’s SF-424 and SF424a.

3 Unique entity identifier and System for Award Management

(SAM)

The applicant must:

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

ii. Obtain and use a unique entity identifier (UEI) created in SAM.gov; and

iii. Accept the financial assistance certifications and representations required for (non-federal entities) during the SAM.gov registration process and/or renewal per 2 CFR § 200.209

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

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

4 Submission Dates and Times

4.1 Deadline

FULL AND COMPLETE APPLICATIONS for the CDLPI grant are DUE ON April 19, 2024, by 5:00 p.m. EST. Once Grants.gov has received your submission, you will receive email messages to advise you of the progress of your application through the system. Over the next two business days, you should receive two emails: 1) confirming application receipt by the Grants.gov system; and 2) indicating that the application has either been successfully validated by Grants.gov prior to transmission to FMCSA or has been rejected due to errors. The applicant assumes responsibility for a timely and complete submission.

4.2 Consideration of Applications

Only applicants who comply with all submission deadline requirements described in this NOFO and electronically submit valid applications through Grants.gov will be eligible for consideration of award.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to make submissions in advance of the deadline.

4.3 Late Applications

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

5 Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs

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

6 Funding Restrictions

The CDLPI grant program is not intended to supplement ongoing operational costs of State CDL programs. Its primary purpose is to assist States in achieving and sustaining compliance with the provisions of 49 CFR parts 383 and 384. FMCSA may not award grant funding to individuals for personal gain, such as obtaining specialized training for Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) required for CDL licensing or procuring a CMV. This also includes the establishment or implementation of ELDT programs or investigations into Training Providers compliance with 49 CFR Part 380 ELDT requirements. FMCSA will not award grant funding to a for-profit business that does not provide benefits to the SDLAs in improving the national CDL Program and compliance with 49 CFR parts 383 and 384. Its primary purpose is to assist States in achieving and sustaining compliance with the provisions of 49 CFR parts 383 and 384.

FMCSA is not obligated to approve costs incurred outside the award period of performance. These costs are incurred at the sole risk of the applicant and impose no obligation on FMCSA to make an award or increase the amount of the approved budget.

Pre-award costs are not eligible for reimbursement. All costs must be allowable, allocable, reasonable, and necessary to achieve the project’s stated goals, and must comply with the cost principles in 2 CFR part 200. Compliance with these requirements is the responsibility of the recipient of Federal funds.

Costs must also be consistently applied and documented. These standards are described in the applicable cost principles and administrative requirements in 2 CFR 200.400 through 200.475; note that § 200.405 includes requirements for allocating costs, §§ 200.416, 200.417 include Special Considerations for States, Local Governments, and Indian Tribes, and §§ 200.418, 200.419 include Special Considerations for Institutions of Higher Education. Contact FMCSA’s Grants Management Office for additional information.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

v. Expenses related to data acquisition, storage, and analysis that are not being requested under any other FMCSA grant program’s funding, that are specifically identifiable as program-related, and that are intended to improve efficiency. The proposal should clearly demonstrate the extent to which these costs will directly benefit the CDLPI grant program.

Cost allocation plan(s) should be attached, as applicable, and must illustrate how the costs support the direct benefit to CDL compliance, as supported in the project proposal, as opposed to the benefit for all licensed drivers.

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

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

If claiming indirect cost charges, the recipient must include an active approved IDC agreement with the application submitted for funding. Should the recipient fail to provide an approved agreement during the pre-award phase and a grant is awarded, the recipient will have 30 days from the date of award acceptance to provide a copy of the IDC agreement. If we do not receive the required documentation within the allocated time frame, the recipient will not be reimbursed for indirect cost charges for that fiscal year. Once an approved rate is provided to FMCSA, the recipient will then be allowed to claim indirect cost in the following fiscal year of the award. 2 CFR § 200.414(c).

Any non-Federal entity that does not have a current negotiated (including provisional) rate, except for those non-Federal entities described in appendix VII of 2 CFR part 200, may elect to charge a de minimis rate of 10 percent of modified total direct costs, which may be used indefinitely. No documentation is required to justify the 10 percent de minimis IDC. See 2 CFR § 200.414(f).

FMCSA will not approve reimbursement requests for fringe benefit expenses calculated by using a rate if there was not a fringe benefit rate approved by the recipient’s Federal cognizant agency for indirect costs in place for the period of time the fringe benefit expenses were incurred. In the absence of such a federally approved fringe rate agreement, FMCSA will approve reimbursement of fringe benefit costs based on actual costs incurred.

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

Recipients must submit requests for reimbursement electronically through the Delphi eInvoicing System

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