FY 2024 CSG NOFO.pdf

Notice of Funding Opportunity

Community Safety Grant (CSG)

Fiscal Year (FY) 2024

NOFO Posted Date:

Applications Due Date:

Questions Due Date:

February 20, 2024 April 5, 2024, 11:59 p.m. EST April 5, 2024, 11:59 p.m. EST

Applicants must be registered at www.grants.gov to apply online. It is highly recommended that applicants begin the registration process as soon as possible to avoid delays in submission. Additionally, applicants must maintain an active registration in the System for Award Management at www.SAM.gov.

Furthermore, applicants are encouraged to register for an account with FedConnect at https://www.fedconnect.net before applying. FedConnect is a messaging platform where applicants can communicate directly with PHMSA.

Your organization’s Marketing Partner ID Number (MPIN), which can be retrieved from SAM, is required to create an account. For instructions on how to register in FedConnect and how it works, click the link to access the FedConnect:

Ready, Set, Go! Tutorial on the FedConnect home page.

Assistance Listing (formerly CFDA)

20.703 “Interagency Hazardous Materials Public Sector Training and Planning Grants”

PHMSA Notice of Funding Opportunity Number

693JK324NF0012

U.S. Department of Transportation

Pipeline and Hazardous Materials

Safety Administration

(PHMSA)

http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.sam.gov/ https://www.fedconnect.net/ https://www.fedconnect.net/FedConnect/Marketing/Documents/FedConnect_Ready_Set_Go.pdf

NOFO: 693JK324NF0012

U.S. DOT/PHMSA Page 2 Community Safety Grant (CSG)

Table of Contents

MISSION

SECTION A - PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

A.1 Statement of Purpose A.2 Statute and Program Authority A.3 Background

SECTION B - FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

B.1 Funding B.2 Period of Performance B.3 Type of Award

SECTION C - ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

C.1 Eligible Applicants and Activities C.2 Cost Sharing or Matching

SECTION D - APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

D.1 Address to Request Application Package D.2 Content and Form of Application Submission D.3 Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and System for Award Management (SAM) D.4 Submission Dates and Times D.5 Funding Restrictions

SECTION E - APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

E.1 Criteria E.2 Review and Selection Process E.3 FAPIIS Review E.4 Anticipated Announcement and Federal Award Dates

SECTION F - FEDERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

F.1 Federal Award Notices F.2 Administrative and National Policy Requirements F.3 Reporting Requirements

SECTION G - FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY CONTACTS

SECTION H – OTHER INFORMATION

U.S. DOT/PHMSA Page 3 Community Safety Grant (CSG)

PROGRAM SUMMARY

Federal Agency Name:

Funding Opportunity Title:

Announcement Type:

Funding Opportunity Number:

Assistance Listing Number:

NOFO Posted Date:

Application Due Date:

Question Due Date:

U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration

(PHMSA)

“Community Safety Grant – FY 2024”

Initial Announcement

693JK324NF0012

20.703

February 20, 2024 April 5, 2024, 11:59 p.m. EST April 5, 2024, 11:59 p.m. EST

U.S. DOT/PHMSA Page 4

MISSION

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) protects people and the environment by advancing the safe transportation of energy and other hazardous materials (HAZMAT) that are essential to our daily lives. To do this, PHMSA establishes national policy, sets and enforces standards, educates, and conducts research to prevent incidents. PHMSA also prepares the public and first responders to reduce consequences if an incident does occur. To accomplish this, PHMSA awards financial assistance to states, territories, tribes, and nonprofit organizations to ensure industry compliance with the HMR.

SECTION A - PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

A.1 Statement of Purpose

This funding opportunity is associated with Assistance Listing 20.703. Through this grant opportunity, PHMSA solicits competitive applications from eligible nonprofit organizations for Community Safety Grant (CSG) funds. For award consideration, nonprofit organizations must demonstrate the ability to (1) conduct national outreach and training programs to help communities prepare for and respond to accidents and incidents involving the transportation of HAZMAT, including Class 3 flammable liquids by rail, and (2) train state and local personnel responsible for enforcing the safe transportation of HAZMAT, including Class 3 flammable liquids.

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 Orders1. This includes HAZMAT emergency response outreach and training for fire, law enforcement, local officials, and public safety access point personnel.

PHMSA requires that applicants comply with all applicable federal financial assistance regulations and maintain an auditable accounting system that includes a detailed accounting and description of each grant expenditure. PHMSA measures performance based on the projects included in the approved financial assistance application and whether those projects fulfilled the needs outlined in the statement of need.

A.2 Statute and Program Authority

1 Executive Order 14008, Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad (86 FR 7619).

Executive Order 13985, Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government (86 FR 7009). Executive Order 14025, Worker Organizing and Empowerment (86 FR 22829), and Executive Order 14052, Implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (86 FR 64335).

https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.transportation.gov%2Fdot-strategic-plan&data=05%7C01%7Cgary.smith%40dot.gov%7C84946ebcc4164e79e35f08dbf59bc0dc%7Cc4cd245b44f04395a1aa3848d258f78b%7C0%7C0%7C638373823296822030%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=0oBTTYAR3SmASL9JgrgZ0ko%2BM%2FQNbt3pOta0nj%2BbfuA%3D&reserved=0 https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.transportation.gov%2Fsites%2Fdot.gov%2Ffiles%2F2023-01%2FUSDOT%2520RDT%2520Strategic%2520Plan%2520FY22-26_010523_508.pdf&data=05%7C01%7Cgary.smith%40dot.gov%7C84946ebcc4164e79e35f08dbf59bc0dc%7Cc4cd245b44f04395a1aa3848d258f78b%7C0%7C0%7C638373823296822030%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=SYyHH7i%2Fv5uDnoScU51rntucED2EBL02ixDeyMHod30%3D&reserved=0

U.S. DOT/PHMSA Page 5

The CSG program is authorized under the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, (P.L. 114-94, codified at 49 U.S.C. § 5107(i)) and reauthorized and amended under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), Public Law 117-58.

A.3 Background

The CSG program is a competitive HAZMAT transportation training grant program for nonprofit organizations to (1) conduct national outreach and training programs to help communities prepare for and respond to accidents and incidents involving the transportation of HAZMAT, including Class 3 flammable liquids by rail; and (2) train state and local personnel responsible for enforcing the safe transportation of HAZMAT, including Class 3 flammable liquids.

SECTION B - FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

B.1 Funding

This NOFO is subject to the availability of funds. PHMSA’s FY 2024 anticipates $1,000,000 will be made available to support the CSG program. The expected amounts of individual CSG awards for organizations range from $100,000 to $500,000.

B.2 Period of Performance

The period of performance is a minimum of 12 months from the effective date of the award. An applicant may request a period of performance up to 24 months. Applicants must only apply for funding that can be reasonably expended within this time frame and for allowable projects that can be completed within the period of performance.

B.3 Type of Award

Discretionary grant award.

SECTION C - ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

C.1 Eligible Applicants and Activities

The FY 2024 CSG program is open to nonprofit organizations who have the ability to train state and local personnel responsible for enforcing the safe transportation of HAZMAT or that can

U.S. DOT/PHMSA Page 6 conduct national outreach and training programs to help communities prepare for and respond to accidents and incidents involving the transportation of HAZMAT.

For the purposes of the CSG program, a nonprofit organization is a business that has been granted tax-exempt status by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) because it furthers a social cause and provides a public benefit.

Nonprofit organizations described in Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code that engage in lobbying activities as defined in Section 3 of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 are not eligible applicants. "For-profit" organizations are not eligible applicants for the CSG program.

C.2 Cost Sharing or Matching

There are no cost-sharing or matching requirements for the CSG program.

SECTION D - APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

D.1 Address to Request Application Package

PHMSA requires applicants for this funding opportunity to apply electronically through grants.gov. Applicants must download the application package associated with this funding opportunity by following the directions provided on grants.gov.

To request a hard copy of the application package, please contact:

Hazardous Materials Grants Program Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE, E23-446 Washington, DC 20590 Email: HMIT.grants@dot.gov Phone: 202-366-1109 Fax: 202-366-3753

If you are a hearing-impaired person, please contact the FR/TTY at 1-800-877-8339 or email PHMSA-Accessibility@dot.gov.

D.2 Content and Form of Application Submission

Applications for the FY 2024 CSG funding should be submitted in electronic format in grants.gov. The application includes two overall sections: (1) standard forms that the applicant must download and complete from grants.gov under the FY 2024 CSG funding opportunity; and

(2) attachments the applicant will need to create and upload to grants.gov.

https://www.grants.gov/ mailto:HMIT.grants@dot.gov mailto:PHMSA-Accessibility@dot.gov

U.S. DOT/PHMSA Page 7

Sharing of Application Information – The Department may share application information within the Department or with other Federal agencies if the Department determines that sharing is relevant to the respective program’s objectives.

Standard Forms

The following forms are found in grants.gov under the FY 2024 CSG Funding Opportunity and must be completed by the applicant.

1. Standard Form SF-424 – Application for Federal Assistance

2. Standard Form SF-424A – Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs

3. Lobbying Form – Certifications Regarding Lobbying

4. Standard Title VI/Non-Discrimination Assurances – Civil Rights Assurances

Applicant Attachments

All the following required forms must be created by the applicant and uploaded to grants.gov under the FY 2024 CSG Funding Opportunity. Guidance for completing the project narrative and budget narrative is provided in the proceeding sections.

1. Project Narrative attachment

2. Budget Narrative attachment

3. Indirect Cost Agreement and/or Statement claiming 10 percent de minimis (if applicable)

4. Letters of Support from partner organizations (if applicable)

5. Additional optional attachments (if applicable)

Applications should be well-written and free of mathematical errors in the line-item budget and budget narrative. Project narratives should have the sections clearly identified and follow the structure requested in this NOFO. The application forms and templates are available on grants.gov in the “Related Documents” tab with detailed instructions on the application process.

Please also reference Section E to ensure that the application addresses the criteria on which PHMSA will evaluate.

Project Narrative

The following Project Narrative sections are required. To facilitate the application review and award process, clearly identify and organize each section in the order shown below as you complete the Project Narrative. Applicants should also review Section E, Application Review Information, to ensure the narratives contain all information on which PHMSA will evaluate.

a) Organization information and capacity. Briefly provide information about your organization. This should include: (1) your organization’s mission; (2) a brief overview of your organization’s structure, programs, leadership, and special expertise; and (3) your organization’s experience and ability to manage federal grant programs. If your

U.S. DOT/PHMSA Page 8 application proposes to partner with another nonprofit organization, a letter of support is required with your application.

b) Contact information. Identify the designated project/program manager(s) who will coordinate the funded activities; include the name, position, address, email address, and telephone number of the individual(s). Additionally, identify authorized representative(s) who will accept the awarded grant document and the individuals responsible for the submission of required Federal Financial Reports and progress reports.

c) Statement of need. (1) Describe the need for a specific form of community awareness programs that will help communities prepare and respond to incidents involving the transport of HAZMAT, including Class 3 flammable liquids by rail; or describe the need for training of state and local personnel responsible for enforcing the safe transportation of HAZMAT (including code enforcement); and (2) briefly explain how the proposed activities will help address the identified needs.

d) Proposed training activities and timeline. Describe the proposed training activities for the CSG. Include a clear timeline of forecasted dates for projected events. This section should include: (1) the type of training activities proposed; (2) the location of the activities; (3) whether the activities are located in an community experiencing disadvantage as identified in USDOT’s Equitable Transportation Community (ETC) Explorer (arcgis.com) per DOT’s Strategic Plan; (4) the location of the activities if known and if unknown, explain the methodology for selection locations; (5) a plan for outreach and/or training emergency responders in rural and underserved areas; and (6) the timeframe when the activity will take place. The timeline should include benchmarks and milestones that monitor the project’s success. Additionally, any training curriculum or instructor development activities should be described and included in the timeline of events.

e) Curriculum. Provide a detailed description of any training curriculum that will be used.

If you submitted a curriculum the prior year and no changes have been made, you must indicate this in this section. If a curriculum will be developed during the grant’s period of performance, provide a detailed description and estimated timeline for curriculum development.

f) Projected outputs and objectives. Provide quantifiable and measurable outputs planned for the grant’s period of performance. Outputs are quantitative data that describe the proposed activities. For delivery of HAZMAT training courses, outputs should include:

(1) number and type of course(s) and (2) the number of projected students trained for each course. Additionally, broader outcomes or goals may be provided to describe the intended impact of the proposed outputs. This can be either quantitative or qualitative and should reflect the projected impact of the grant activity outputs.

g) Monitoring and evaluation of training. Provide an explanation of monitoring efforts, internal controls and quality assurance plan to ensure grant program success. These may https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/0920984aa80a4362b8778d779b090723/page/ETC-Explorer---State-Results/ https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/0920984aa80a4362b8778d779b090723/page/ETC-Explorer---State-Results/ https://www.transportation.gov/sites/dot.gov/files/2023-01/USDOT%20RDT%20Strategic%20Plan%20FY22-26_010523_508.pdf

U.S. DOT/PHMSA Page 9 include, but are not limited to, random examinations, inspections, and audits of training to maximize the cost-effectiveness and impact of the program.

Applicants should address how these activities will improve safety. Applicants should also review Section E, Application Review information, to ensure the narratives contain all information on which PHMSA will evaluate.

Budget Narrative

The budget narrative should explain how each budget component supports the cost of the proposed work. The budget narrative should focus on how each budget item will achieve the proposed project goals and objectives. It should also justify how budget costs were calculated.

Using the object class categories found on the SF-424A, explain why the amount is needed for each category in the project narrative.

Grant Funds, Sources and Uses of Project Funds – Project budgets should show how different funding sources will share in each activity and present the data in dollars and percentages. The budget should identify other Federal funds the applicant is applying for, has been awarded, or intends to use. Funding sources should be grouped into three categories: non-Federal, current application Community Safety Grant and other Federal with specific amounts for each funding source.

The budget narrative should be clear, specific, detailed, mathematically correct, and correspond to the SF-424A line-item categories.

A well-developed budget narrative is an effective monitoring tool for both the awarding agency and grant recipient. However, a budget narrative that does not represent a project’s needs makes it difficult to recommend for full funding and to assess financial performance over the life of the project. A description of the object class categories is provided below:

1. Personnel costs are the employee salaries for those working directly on the grant project.

Include the number, type of personnel, the percentage of time dedicated to the project, hourly wage (or salary), and total cost to the grant.

2. Fringe Benefit costs are the allowances and services provided by employers to their employees as compensation in addition to regular salaries and wages. Fringe costs are benefits paid to employees, including the cost of employer’s share of FICA, health insurance, workers’ compensation, and vacation. Include how the fringe benefit amount is calculated (e.g., actual fringe benefits estimate, approved rate, etc.). Include a description of specific benefits charged to a project and the benefit percentage.

Additional considerations:

• The personnel salaries should have corresponding fringe; and vice versa. PHMSA cannot pay fringe benefits for a position that is not listed in the Personnel section.

• Explain what is included in the benefit package and at what percentage.

• Fringe benefits are only for the percentage of time devoted to the grant project.

U.S. DOT/PHMSA Page 10

• The applicant must not combine the fringe benefit costs with direct salaries and wages in the personnel category.

3. Travel costs are those costs requested for field work or travel to professional meetings associated with grant activities. Provide the purpose, method of travel, number of persons traveling, number of days, and estimated cost for each trip. If the details of each trip are not known at the time of application submission, provide the basis for determining the amount requested.

4. Equipment costs include those items that are tangible, nonexpendable, personal property having a useful life of more than one year and an acquisition cost of $5,000 or more per unit, unless the applicant has a clear and consistent written policy that determines a different threshold. Include a description, quantity, and unit price for all equipment.

• Purchases of less than $5,000 should be listed under “Supplies” or “Other.”

• Each item of equipment must be identified with the corresponding cost. General-purpose equipment must be justified as to how it will be used on the project.

• Analyze the cost benefits of purchasing versus leasing equipment, particularly high-cost items, and those subject to rapid technical advances. Depending upon the procurement method, list rented or leased equipment costs in the “Contractual” or “Other” category.

5. Supplies are tangible personal property other than equipment. Include the types of property in general terms. It is not necessary to document office supplies in detail (e.g., reams of paper, boxes of paperclips, etc.). However, applicants should include a quantity and unit cost for larger cost supply items such as computers and printers.

6. Contractual costs are those services carried out by an individual or organization, other than the applicant, in the form of a procurement relationship.

7. Other costs that do not fit any of the categories, include rent for buildings used to conduct project activities, utilities, leased equipment, employee training tuition, etc., and must be itemized.

8. Indirect Costs are allowable under the CSG grant and if applicable, must include IDC agreement or statement claiming a 10 percent de minimis rate. Indirect costs are incurred for common or joint objectives that benefit more than one project. The applicant must include a current and fully executed indirect cost rate agreement in the application if claiming indirect costs. The rate must be applied to the appropriate base in the approved agreement. If the rate will not be approved by the application due date, attach the letter of renewal or letter of request that you sent to your cognizant agency to your application. If the applicant has never received or has an expired indirect cost rate agreement, the applicant may be eligible for the 10 percent de minimis rate provided by 2 CFR §

200.414. A nonprofit entity that has never received a negotiated indirect cost rate may elect to charge a de minimis rate of 10 percent of modified total direct costs, per 2 CFR § 200.414, which may be used indefinitely. Applicants intending to charge the de minimis rate must include a statement verifying that the organization has never received a

U.S. DOT/PHMSA Page 11 Community Safety Grant (CSG) negotiated indirect cost rate and that the organization has elected to charge the de minimis rate.

D.3 Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and System for Award Management (SAM)

PHMSA may not make an 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 PHMSA is ready to make an award, PHMSA may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive an award and use that determination as a basis for making an award to another applicant. PHMSA recommends that applicants review the SAM database at https://sam.gov/content/home to ensure that their UEI is updated and “active.”

Each applicant is required to:

• Register in SAM (SAM.gov) before submitting its application.

• Provide a valid UEI in its application.

• Maintain an active SAM registration and UEI with current information during which it has an active federal award or an application under consideration.

D.4 Submission Dates and Times

Completed applications must be received electronically by 11:59 p.m. EST on April 5, 2024. If an applicant has technical difficulties submitting the application through grants.gov, the applicant should contact grants.gov by phone at 800-518-4726 or email support@grants.gov, as well as contact the Grants Program Office by phone at 202-366-1109 or email HMIT.grants@dot.gov. Applications received after this deadline may not be considered.

PHMSA will only accept one application from each applicant.

D.5 Funding Restrictions

The following costs are not eligible for reimbursement under the FY 2024 CSG program:

1. Personnel costs such as overtime, backfill, stipends, and fees for the personnel receiving training.

2. Entertainment, alcohol, or morale costs.

3. Excessive costs for general office supplies, equipment, computer software, printing and copying.

4. Expenses claimed and or reimbursed by another program.

5. Expenses counted as match funds towards another federal program.

6. Any costs disallowed or stated as ineligible in 2 CFR Part 200.

7. Pre-award costs are not permitted without PHMSA’s prior approval consistent with 2

CFR § 200.458.

https://sam.gov/content/home mailto:support@grants.gov

U.S. DOT/PHMSA Page 12

D.6 Other Submission Requirements

Applications will only be accepted via grants.gov. Mail and fax submissions will not be accepted.

The application package contains all required electronic forms and the ability to upload attachments for the budget narrative, budget justification, project narrative, assurances, and certifications. The applicant must submit the information outlined in the Application Guide in addition to the program-specific information below.

To begin the process, applicants must be registered with www.grants.gov to apply. It is highly recommended that applicants begin the registration process as soon as possible to avoid delays with submission. Failure to comply with the application requirements as described in this section may result in the failure of an application to be reviewed.

Accessing Grants

1. Grants.gov. For new users, go to https://www.grants.gov/applicants/applicant-registration, or go to the main page at https://www.grants.gov/ and select “Register.” New user registrations for grants.gov can take up to two weeks to complete. For additional questions on how to register, contact grants.gov support at 800-518-4726 or email support@grants.gov.

2. FedConnect. Applicants are encouraged to register for an account with FedConnect at https://www.fedconnect.net before applying. Your organization’s Marketing Partner ID Number (MPIN), which can be retrieved from SAM, is required to create an account. For instructions on how to register in FedConnect and how to use the portal, view the FedConnect: Ready, Set, Go! Tutorial under the Need Help? section on the FedConnect home page. For other technical issues or questions, email fcsupport@unisonglobal.com or call 1-800-899-6665, option 2. The FedConnect Support Center is staffed Monday through Friday 8 a.m. – 8 p.m., EST, except federal holidays.

SECTION E - APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

E.1 Criteria

USDOT is prioritizing projects that help to address transportation insecurity, which is the inability for people to get to where they need to go to meet the needs of their daily life regularly, reliably, and safely due to either the high cost of transportation, lack of access or lack of safe transportation options. When identifying projects applicants should consider how the project will increase safety. PHMSA will evaluate applications through administrative, technical, and programmatic reviews based on the evaluation criteria.

https://www.grants.gov/applicants/applicant-registration https://www.grants.gov/applicants/applicant-registration https://www.grants.gov/ mailto:support@grants.gov https://www.fedconnect.net/ mailto:fcsupport@unisonglobal.com

U.S. DOT/PHMSA Page 13

Merit Criteria:

PHMSA developed evaluation criteria to rate and select competing applications. Within the application, demonstrate the extent to which the activities will impact the safe transport of hazardous materials. Submission of an application is not a guarantee of award. PHMSA may, at its discretion, award a grant based on an application in its entirety, award only portions of a grant based on its application, or not award a grant at all.

1. Technical Criteria A. Outreach to Communities – For applications submitted for conducting national outreach to communities:

• Does the application show a plan to engage with the state and local response community to ensure preparedness and response to HAZMAT transportation events?

• Does the application show a plan to engage with community planners to advise municipalities, school districts, businesses, and residents of the types of HAZMAT that move in the community?

• Does the application include a plan to involve public outreach and engagement to raise awareness of the types of HAZMAT that move in the community?

• Does the application contain preparedness and response steps that should be taken for public safety in the event of a HAZMAT transportation incident?

• Does the applicant have the ability to collaborate and capture input from industry groups that transport HAZMAT, as well as from emergency response and community planning subject matter experts?

• Does the applicant provide a strategy to publish and widely distribute best practices guidance to applicable stakeholders?

B. Training State and Local Enforcement Personnel in the Hazardous Materials Regulations – For applications submitted for training state and local enforcement personnel to enforce the safe transportation of HAZMAT:

• Does the applicant have the existing capacity to reach and train state and local enforcement personnel on the safe transportation of HAZMAT?

• Does the applicant have the ability to establish a curriculum that complies with the relevant Hazardous Materials Regulations?

• Does the applicant have the ability to establish a curriculum in accordance with the Hazardous Materials Transportation Investigator/Inspector Uniform Training Performance Standards?

• Did the applicant provide comprehensive needs assessment related to the deficiency of training for state and local personnel who enforce the safe transportation of HAZMAT, including Class 3 flammable liquids?

U.S. DOT/PHMSA Page 14

• Does the applicant possess the capacity to effectively deliver an established training curriculum to state and local personnel who enforce the safe transportation of HAZMAT? Curriculum may either include: (1) web-based training; (2) direct training (onsite); or (3) a combination of the two.

• Does the organization have prior experience providing HAZMAT training and the proposed site-specific facilities/mechanisms in place to conduct the training?

2. Programmatic Criteria

• Does the applicant provide information about the organization including their mission, the structure of the organization, and their experience and capacity to manage federal grant programs?

• Does the applicant describe the goals for the intended impact of the outputs in either quantitative or qualitative form?

• Does the applicant explain how the proposed activities will help to address the identified need?

• Does the applicant provide a description of the proposed activities that will take place under the proposed grant?

• Does the applicant provide quantifiable and measurable outputs planned for the grant’s period of performance?

• Does the applicant provide the number and types of activities/courses proposed?

• Does the applicant provide the location and timeframe of the proposed activities?

• Does the application list clear outputs, goals, and objectives that indicate the grant will have a projected impact on reducing risk associated with responding to HAZMAT accidents and incidents?

• Does the application appear to be cost effective with reasonable training costs?

• Does the applicant outline a monitoring and evaluation strategy to ensure the project will be successful?

• Is the project(s) located in a community experiencing disadvantage as identified in the ETC Explorer USDOT Equitable Transportation Community (ETC) Explorer (arcgis.com)?

• Does the applicant provide a plan for conducting activities in underserved communities?

• Does the applicant describe how proposed activities would address the unique challenges facing rural transportation regardless of the geographic location of those activities?

• Did the applicant provide a completed and properly filled out SF-424 form?

• Did the applicant submit a completed lobbying form and Title VI form?

https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/0920984aa80a4362b8778d779b090723/page/Homepage/

U.S. DOT/PHMSA Page 15

• Do the budget (SF-424A) and budget narrative align?

• Does the budget narrative provide detail as to how the costs under “Personnel” correspond to the staff included in the narrative and how they were calculated?

• Does the budget narrative provide an explanation or breakout of the staff fringe benefits?

• If funds are entered under “Travel,” does the budget narrative provide a clear and reasonable explanation that relates to the costs?

• Does the budget narrative identify supply costs and are the costs adequately explained?

• If there are funds under “Contractual,” does the budget narrative clearly describe how contractual costs were derived for each agreement or subaward?

• If there are costs under “Other,” have the costs been reasonably explained?

• If indirect costs are requested, does the application/budget narrative include an approved, current Indirect Cost Rate agreement or statement claiming the 10 percent de minimis rate?

Selection Considerations:

After completing the merit review, PHMSA may prioritize applications based on:

1. Safety – PHMSA may consider how the proposed grant funded activities provide substantial safety benefits compared to existing conditions.

2. Equity – PHMSA may consider the application’s ability to encourage equity by investing in activities that proactively mitigate safety risks in disadvantaged communities. Potential applicants may find it useful to utilize USDOT Equitable Transportation Community (ETC) Explorer to determine disadvantage community status.

E.2 Review and Selection Process

1. Administrative Review: PHMSA will conduct an administrative review to ensure the application meets the eligibility criteria outlined in Section C on Eligibility Information.

Each application will be reviewed to ensure it includes the required elements to qualify for the grant. If the application does not meet the required elements, then the application is likely to be rejected.

2. Technical Review: PHMSA will conduct a technical review of the application to assess how the proposed work will be performed and whether the application responds to the applicable program requirements (e.g., performance measurement, methodology, and technical merit). PHMSA reserves the right to use outside expertise to perform

U.S. DOT/PHMSA Page 16 application evaluation. PHMSA will utilize the technical review criteria in Section E.1 to determine how the applications address the needs for outreach and training.

3. Programmatic Review: PHMSA will conduct a programmatic review to assess programmatic factors identified in Section E.1. Programmatic factors are those factors that are relevant and essential to selecting applications that best achieve the program’s objectives, in accordance with applicable statutes, regulations, policies, and guidelines.

Other programmatic factors may include history of performance, program priorities, and other modal needs. For applicants with existing awards, PHMSA may consider award balances when making final funding decisions.

Please note that to comply with the requirements of 2 CFR Part 200, Subpart E and DOT’s Guide to Financial Assistance, PHMSA’s Agreement Officers and Grant Specialists may request additional information pertaining to your application during the application review and evaluation process.

Ratings Guidelines

Based on the results from each review, each application will receive an overall rating either as:

Highly Recommended - The application demonstrates the NOFO requirements are very well understood, and the approach will likely result in a very high-quality performance.

The application clearly addresses and exceeds requirements with no weaknesses. The application contains outstanding features that meet or exceed on multiple dimensions the expectations of the government. The application scope aligns very well with DOT objectives and priorities. The risk of poor performance is very low.

Recommended - The application demonstrates that the NOFO requirements are understood, and the approach will likely result in satisfactory performance. The application addresses and meets requirements with some minor but correctable weaknesses. The application demonstrates requisite experience, qualifications, and performance capabilities. The application scope aligns with DOT objectives and priorities. The risk of poor performance is low.

Acceptable - The application demonstrates that the NOFO requirements are mostly understood, and the approach will likely result in satisfactory performance for part of the requirements. The application addresses some of the requirements with some weaknesses.

The application demonstrates some experience, qualifications, and/or performance capabilities. The application partially aligns with DOT objectives and priorities. The risk of poor performance is moderate.

Not Acceptable - The application does not meet the NOFO requirements. The application fails to address many requirements. The applicant may be ineligible to apply for the grant. The application could not satisfy critical requirements without a major revision and/or a rewrite of the application or a major redirection effort. The application

U.S. DOT/PHMSA Page 17 Community Safety Grant (CSG) scope does not align with DOT objectives and priorities. The risk of poor performance is high.

Selection Process

PHMSA will recommend applications for awards based on the final overall rating as described above. Final award recommendations will be made by PHMSA’s Associate Administrator for the Office of Hazardous Materials Safety after taking into consideration recommendations made during the administrative, technical, and programmatic reviews and how well the applications address PHMSA’s safety priorities. The PHMSA Administrator will make final award selection decisions.

E.3 FAPIIS Review

Prior to making an award, PHMSA is required to review and consider any information about the applicant that is in the designated integrity and performance system accessible through SAM (currently FAPIIS) (see 41 U.S.C. § 2313). An applicant may review and comment on any information that a federal awarding agency previously entered in this system. PHMSA will consider any comments by the applicant, in addition to the other information in the designated integrity and performance system, in making a judgment about the applicant's integrity, business ethics, and record of performance under federal awards when completing the review of risk posed by applicants as described in 2 CFR § 200.205.

E.4 Anticipated Announcement and Federal Award Dates

Applicants chosen for funding will receive electronic notification of the federal award. Upon notification, the applicant’s authorized official must sign and return the award within the timeframe prescribed by PHMSA. PHMSA plans to make awards by August 31, 2024, with a proposed period of performance start date of October 1, 2024.

SECTION F - FEDERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

F.1 Federal Award Notices

PHMSA’s grant awarding official will award grants to responsible and eligible applicants, at its discretion, whose applications are judged most meritorious under the procedures set forth in this NOFO. All funds provided by PHMSA must be expended solely for the purpose for which the funds are awarded in accordance with the approved application and budget, regulations, terms and conditions of the award, applicable federal cost principles, and DOT’s financial assistance regulations. Funds may not be used for lobbying or litigation.

U.S. DOT/PHMSA Page 18

The grant award, signed by both the PHMSA Agreement Officer and the recipient’s Authorized Representative, is the authorizing document and will be provided through electronic means to the Authorized Representative. The award document will provide pertinent instructions and information including, at a minimum, the following:

1. The legal name and address of recipient

2. Title of project

3. Name(s) of key personnel chosen to direct and control approved activities

4. Federal Award Identification Number assigned by PHMSA

5. Period of Performance, specifying the duration of the project

6. Total amount PHMSA approved for the project

7. Legal authority under which the award is issued

8. Assistance Listing Program Number (formerly CFDA)

9. Applicable award terms and conditions

10. Approved budget plan for categorizing allocable project funds to accomplish the stated purpose of the award

11. Other information or provisions deemed necessary by PHMSA

F.2 Administrative and National Policy Requirements

The administration of this award by PHMSA and the Recipient will be based on the following federal statutory and regulatory requirements:

1. 49 U.S.C. § 5107(i).

2. Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, (P.L. 114-94)

3. 2 CFR Part 200 – Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit

Requirements for Federal Awards.

4. The Recipient must comply with 49 CFR Part 20, “New Restrictions on Lobbying.”

49 CFR Part 20 will be incorporated by reference into any award under this program and is available at www.ecfr.gov/ by clicking on Title 49 CFR Part 20.

5. Civil Rights and Title VI – As a condition of a grant award, grant recipients should demonstrate that the recipient has a plan for compliance with civil rights obligations and nondiscrimination laws, including Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and implementing regulations (49 CFR § 21), the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, all other civil rights requirements, and accompanying regulations. This should include a current Title VI plan, completed Community Participation Plan, and a plan to address any legacy infrastructure or facilities that are not compliant with ADA standards. DOT’s and the applicable Operating Administrations’ Office of Civil Rights may work with awarded grant recipients to ensure full compliance with Federal civil rights requirements.

https://www.ecfr.gov/

U.S. DOT/PHMSA Page 19

6. The Recipient must comply with 49 CFR Part 32, “Government-wide Requirements for Drug-Free Workplace (Financial Assistance),” which implements the requirements of Public Law 100-690, Title Subtitle D, “Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988.” 49 CFR Part 32 will be incorporated by reference into any award under this program and is available at www.ecfr.gov/ by clicking on Title 49 CFR Part 32.

7. Executive Order 13985, Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Throughout the Federal Government.

F.3 Reporting Requirements

Progress Reports – Each grant recipient is required to submit a progress report to show progression of approved projects and activities. The reports must follow the instructions outlined in the terms and conditions of the grant award. Grant recipients with a period of performance that is longer that 12 months are required to submit annual progress reports. Grant recipients with a performance period of 12 months need only submit a final progress report (refer to section below). Grant recipients must follow the instructions outlined in the terms and conditions of the grant award. The report must include:

1. A summary of the activities and outputs that have taken place during the reporting period. This should include, at a minimum, the number of courses delivered during the period of performance, along with the number of students trained, the city and state where the training took place, total contact hours for each class, and the employer of the students trained.

2. The challenges the grantee has faced, and strategies implemented to mitigate those challenges.

3. An updated timeline of grant activities projected to take place for the remainder of the grant period of performance.

4. As available, impact statements or analysis from instructors, public sector responders, or other stakeholders regarding the impact current period of performance grant activities have had on protecting people and the environment from the risks of HAZMAT transportation.

Federal Financial Reports - Each grant recipient is required to submit Federal Financial Reports (SF-425) to show a cumulative account of expenditures from approved activities. Grant recipients with a 12 to 24-month period of performance are required to submit bi-annual Federal Financial Reports and must follow the instructions outlined in the terms and conditions of the grant award.

Final Reports - Each recipient is required to submit a final Progress Report and final Federal Financial Report (Final SF-425). Final Federal Financial Reports and Progress Reports must be submitted by email at HMIT.grants@dot.gov. The reports are due no later than 120 days after the https://www.ecfr.gov/

U.S. DOT/PHMSA Page 20 performance period has ended. Final reports must follow the instructions outlined in the terms and conditions of the grant award and must include:

1. A summary of the activities and outputs that took place during the period of performance. This should include the total number and type of courses delivered during the period of performance, along with the number of students trained, the city and state where the training took place. Final reports should also include a list of employers who represent the students trained. If the projected outputs listed in the approved project narrative were not met, an explanation should be provided.

2. Challenges the grantee faced and strategies taken to mitigate such challenges.

3. A completed timeline of the activities that took place during the completed period of performance.

4. As available, impact statements or analysis from training instructors, attendees, or other stakeholders regarding the impact current period of performance grant activities have had on protecting people and the environment from the risks of HAZMAT transportation.

All applications and reports will be made available to the public upon request.

Performance and Program Evaluation: As a condition of grant award, grant recipients may be required to participate in an evaluation undertaken by DOT or another agency or partner. The evaluation may take different forms such as an implementation assessment across grant recipients, an impact and/or outcomes analysis of all or selected sites within or across grant recipients, or a benefit/cost analysis or assessment of return on investment. DOT may require applicants to collect data elements to aid the evaluation and/or use information available through other reporting. As a part of the evaluation, as a condition of award, grant recipients must agree to: (1) make records available to the evaluation contractor or DOT staff; (2) provide access to program records, and any other relevant documents to calculate costs and benefits; (3) in the case of an impact analysis, facilitate the access to relevant information as requested; and (4) follow evaluation procedures as specified by the evaluation contractor or DOT staff.

Recipients and subrecipients are also encouraged to incorporate program evaluation including associated data collection activities from the outset of their program design and implementation to meaningfully document and measure their progress towards meeting an agency priority goal(s). Title I of the Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act of 2018 (Evidence Act), Pub. L. No. 115-435 (2019) urges Federal awarding agencies and Federal assistance recipients and subrecipients to use program evaluation as a critical tool to learn, to improve equitable delivery, and to elevate program service and delivery across the program lifecycle.

Evaluation means “an assessment using systematic data collection and analysis of one or more programs, policies, and organizations intended to assess their effectiveness and efficiency.” 5 U.S.C. § 311. Credible program evaluation activities are implemented with relevance and utility, rigor, independence and objectivity, transparency, and ethics (OMB Circular A-11, Part 6 Section 290).

U.S. DOT/PHMSA Page 21

For grant recipients receiving an award, evaluation costs are allowable costs (either as direct or indirect), unless prohibited by statute or regulation, and such costs may include the personnel and equipment needed for data infrastructure and expertise in data analysis, performance, and evaluation. (2 CFR Part 200). This paragraph does not authorize pre-award costs and grant recipients must separately obtain PHMSA’s written approval to fund pre-award costs consistent with 2 CFR § 200.458.

SECTION G - FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY CONTACTS

Questions related to the content of this funding opportunity should be submitted to the point of contact below or email HMIT.grants@dot.gov .

Program Contact Carla Sheppard Phone: 202-366-1109 Email: Carla.Sheppard@dot.gov

SECTION H – OTHER INFORMATION

Given the complexity of some aspects of the application process, technical assistance is available to rural applicants and inexperienced or under-resourced applicants to help with the application process. Please contact the program point of contact listed in Section G for technical assistance.

Protection of Confidential Business Information - All information submitted as part of or in support of any application shall use publicly available data or data that can be made public and methodologies that are accepted by industry practice and standards, to the extent possible. If the applicant submits information that the applicant considers to be a trade secret or confidential commercial or financial information, the applicant must provide that information in a separate document, which the applicant may cross-reference from the application narrative or other portions of the application. For the separate document containing confidential information, the applicant must do the following: (1) state on the cover of that document that it “Contains Confidential Business Information (CBI);” (2) mark each page that contains confidential information with “CBI;” (3) highlight or otherwise denote the confidential content on each page;

and (4) at the end of the document, explain how disclosure of the confidential information would cause substantial competitive harm.