FY 2025 Technical Assistance Grant (TAG) NOFO.pdf

U.S. Department of Transportation

Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration

(PHMSA)

Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)

Pipeline Safety Information Grants to Communities:

Technical Assistance Grant (TAG)

Fiscal Year 2025

NOFO Posted Date:

Application Due Date:

Questions Due Date:

May 19, 2025 June 20, 2025 June 13, 2025

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. In addition, applicants must maintain an active registration in the System for Award Management at www.SAM.gov.

Furthermore, applicants must register with FedConnect at https://www.fedconnect.net for an account 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 to use the portal, view the FedConnect: Ready, Set, Go! Tutorial under the Need Help? section on the FedConnect home page.

Assistance Listing Program Number (formerly CFDA)

20.710 “Technical Assistance Grants”

PHMSA NOFO Number

693JK325NF0004

US DOT/PHMSA Page 2 of 17 Pipeline Safety Information Grants to Communities:

Technical Assistance Grants

NOFO: 693JK325NF0004

Table of Contents

SECTION A – BASIC INFORMATION

A.1 Statement of Purpose

A.2 Statute and Program Authority

A.3 Background

SECTION B – ELIGIBILITY

B.1 Eligible Applicants

B.2 Cost Sharing or Matching

B.3 Funding Restrictions

SECTION C – PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

C.1 Funding

C.2 Period of Performance

C.3 Type of Award

C.4 Previous Award

SECTION D – APPLICATION CONTENTS AND FORMAT

D.1Address to Request Application Package

D.2Content and Forms for Application Submission

SECTION E – SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS AND DEADLINES

E.1 Submission Dates and Times

E.2 Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and System for Award Management (SAM)

SECTION F – APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

F.1 Criteria

F.2 Review and Selection Process

F.3 Risk Review

SECTION G – AWARD NOTICES

G.1 Anticipated Announcement and Federal Award Dates

G.2 Federal Award Notices

SECTION H – POST-AWARD REQUIREMENTS AND ADMINISTRATION

H.1 Administrative and National Policy Requirements

H.2 Reporting Requirements

SECTION I – FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY CONTACT(S)

SECTION J – OTHER INFORMATION

US DOT/PHMSA Page 3 of 17 Pipeline Safety Information Grants to Communities:

Technical Assistance Grants

NOFO: 693JK325NF0004

Program Summary

Federal Agency Name: U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration

(PHMSA)

Funding Opportunity Title: “Pipeline Safety Information Grants to Communities:

Technical Assistance Grant (TAG) – FY 2025”

Announcement Type: Initial Announcement

Funding Opportunity Number: 693JK325NF0004

Assistance Listing Number: 20.710

NOFO Posted Date:

Application Due Date:

Questions Due Date:

May 19, 2025 June 20, 2025 June 13, 2025

US DOT/PHMSA Page 4 of 17 FY 2025 Technical Assistance Grants

Notice of Funding Opportunity

NOFO: 693JK325NF0004

SECTION A – BASIC INFORMATION

A.1 Statement of Purpose

PHMSA believes informed communities play a vital role in pipeline safety. The Pipeline Safety Information Grants to Communities: Technical Assistance Grant (TAG) Program (Assistance Listing 20.710) provides funding to local communities and groups of individuals for technical assistance related to pipeline safety. The TAG program strengthens the depth and quality of the public’s understanding of how pipelines are designed, constructed, and operated. The TAG program also informs communities how they can engage in meaningful conversations with regulators if they have concerns.

A strong transportation network is critical to the functioning and growth of the American economy. The Nation’s industries depend on the transportation network to move the goods it produces and facilitate the movements of the workers who are responsible for that production.

When the Nation’s pipelines, highways, railways, and ports function well, that infrastructure connects people to jobs and increases the efficiency of delivering goods, and thereby cuts the costs of doing business, reduces the burden of commuting, and improves overall well-being.

A.2 Statute and Program Authority

The TAG program, most recently authorized under the Protecting our Infrastructure of Pipelines and Enhancing Safety (PIPES) Act of 2020, provides grants to local communities and organizations (excluding for-profit entities) to support pipeline safety efforts. These grants provide technical assistance to ensure safer pipelines and promote public safety. Technical assistance includes engineering, research, and other scientific analysis of pipeline safety issues, including the promotion of public participation on technical pipeline safety issues. The intent of this program is to inform communities of existing and proposed pipelines that may impact their communities so they can participate in the public discourse regarding pipelines that are so important to the delivery of our Nation’s energy resources.

A.3 Background

Since 2009, PHMSA has awarded more than $20,400,000 in TAG funding for more than 282 technical assistance projects. TAG awards have funded a broad range of activities, including improving local pipeline emergency response capabilities; improving safe digging or damage prevention programs; developing pipeline safety information resources; implementing local land use planning practices that enhance pipeline safety; and executing community and pipeline awareness campaigns. A summary of prior TAG awards is available at www.phmsa.dot.gov/grants/pipeline/technical-assistance-grants-tag.

For summaries of past TAG projects visit Technical Assistance Grants (TAG) | PHMSA (dot.gov). Please note that in the first two years of the TAG program (2009 and 2010), PHMSA did not explicitly prohibit the use of funds for regulatory compliance or operations and maintenance by municipal operators.

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Notice of Funding Opportunity

NOFO: 693JK325NF0004

SECTION B – ELIGIBILITY

B.1 Eligible Applicants

Applicants for the TAG must be local communities or groups of individuals (not including for--profit entities) related to the safety of pipeline facilities in local communities, other than facilities regulated under Public Law 93-153 (43 U.S.C. § 1651 et seq.). Eligible applicants include cities, towns, villages, counties, tribes, parishes, townships, and similar governmental subdivisions, or consortiums of such subdivisions, and groups of individuals; this does not include for-profit entities. States, universities, and for-profit entities are not eligible for TAG funding. An “eligible applicant” for the single $1,000,000 award is a nonprofit entity that:

(A) is a public safety advocate; (B) has pipeline safety expertise; (C) is able to provide individuals and communities with technical assistance; and (D) was established with funds designated for the purpose of community service through the implementation of section 3553 of Title 18 relating to violations of 49 U.S.C. Ch. 601.

Applicants awarded FY 2024 TAG funding may not subcontract with or otherwise receive TAG funding from other FY 2024 TAG recipients for purposes of performing work under the FY 2025 TAG program.

Questions regarding the eligibility of specific activities may be directed to Dwayne Cross at dwayne.cross@dot.gov or 202-366-4429.

B.2 Cost Sharing or Matching

There are no requirements for cost-sharing or matching.

B.3 Funding Restrictions

49 U.S.C. § 60130(b) prohibits TAG funding from being used for lobbying, for direct advocacy for or against a pipeline construction or expansion project, or in direct support of litigation. TAG funding may also not be used for other pipeline policy matters, or for activities associated with regulatory compliance or typical operations and maintenance of pipeline facilities, as defined below.

Grant recipients must separately obtain PHMSA’s written approval to fund pre-award costs consistent with 2 CFR § 200.458. While operators of non-profit municipal pipeline systems are considered communities and are eligible for a TAG, the funds must not be used for activities associated with regulatory compliance or typical operations and maintenance of pipeline facilities. This restriction includes compliance with pipeline safety integrity management regulations.

Some examples of prohibited activities include:

Expenses claimed and or reimbursed by another program.

Expenses counted as match funds toward another Federal program.

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

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Notice of Funding Opportunity

NOFO: 693JK325NF0004

One-on-one meetings and contacts with members of the Presidential Administration or Congress.

Letters, policy reports, or recommendations sent directly to policymakers to influence policy debate or decisions.

Billboards or advertisements aimed at attracting the attention of congressional staffers and administration officials.

Capitol Hill briefings to communicate with and educate members of Congress and their staffs.

Congressional hearings where public witnesses can testify on an issue.

Protests, media (mainstream and social) campaigns, and letter/e-mail campaigns.

Posting pro- or anti-pipeline advocacy documents and messages on websites developed with grant funds.

Filing litigation with PHMSA or any pipeline owner or operator.

Filing amicus briefs affecting PHMSA or pipeline owners and operators.

SECTION C – PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONC.1 Funding

PHMSA will award $2,000,000 to support the fiscal year (FY) 2025 TAG program.

Applications should propose no more than $100,000 for a single recipient. In addition, PHMSA is seeking applications for a single $1,000,000 award for the purpose of improving the quality of technical assistance provided to communities or individuals. Please see Section B.1 for eligibility requirements.

49 U.S.C. § 60130(b) prohibits TAG funding from being used for lobbying, for direct advocacy for or against a pipeline construction or expansion project, or in direct support of litigation. TAG funding also may not be used for other pipeline policy matters, or for activities associated with regulatory compliance or typical operations and maintenance of pipeline facilities.

C.2 Period of Performance

The period of performance is 12 months from the effective date of award for each grant.

Applicants must only apply for funding that can be reasonably expended within this time frame and for projects that can be completed within the period of performance.

C.3 Type of Award

This is a discretionary grant award. PHMSA intends to award multiple grants under this NOFO.

PHMSA may, at its discretion, award a grant based on the application in its entirety, award funds for only portions of a grant application, or reject the application. Submission of an application is not a guarantee of award.

C.4 Previous Award

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Notice of Funding Opportunity

NOFO: 693JK325NF0004

TAG recipients from previous years are eligible to apply for a FY 2025 TAG; however, applications should be for new projects and not for renewal or supplementation of existing projects.

SECTION D – APPLICATION CONTENTS AND FORMAT

D.1 Address to Request Application Package

PHMSA requires applicants for this funding opportunity to apply electronically through www.grants.gov. Applicants must download the application package associated with this funding opportunity by following the directions provided at www.grants.gov. To request a hard copy of the application package, please contact:

Dwayne Cross, Agreement Officer Acquisition Services Division Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE, E22-306 Washington, D.C. 20590 Phone: 202-366-4429 E-mail: Dwayne.Cross@dot.gov

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

D.2 Content and Forms for Application Submission

Each application must consist of the following required documents:

1. Standard Form (SF)-424: Application for Federal Assistance

2. SF-424A: Budget Information – Non-Construction Programs

3. Project Narrative

4. Budget Narrative and Estimates

5. Standard Title VI/Non-Discrimination Assurances

6. Certification Regarding Lobbying

The application forms and templates are available on grants.gov in the Forms Package and under the “Related Documents” tab with detailed instructions on the application process.

Applicants should also review Section F, Application Review information, to ensure that the narratives contain all information on which PHMSA will evaluate.

Sharing of Application Information – Except for the information properly marked as described in Section J, 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

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Applicant Attachments

Applicants must use SF-424A through grants.gov to submit their budget/cost proposal. The budget should reflect the applicant’s best terms from a cost and technical standpoint to perform the work. No fee or profit should be proposed.

Description of Cost Categories

Project budgets should show how different funding sources will share in each activity and present those data in dollars and percentages. The budget should identify other Federal funds, if any, that the applicant intends to use. Funding sources should be grouped into three categories:

non-Federal, PHMSA-specific, and other Federal with specific amounts from each funding source.

Additional budgetary information, broken down as described below, must provide detailed information on each cost element, consistent with the applicant’s cost accounting system. The amounts requested for each budget category must be justified in a budget section under each project in applicant responses to this announcement. Budget narratives must address the following items:

If your budget includes personnel costs, please include a complete breakdown, including personnel title/position, hourly rate, and the number of hours expected to be spent by each person on the proposed project.

If your proposal includes travel costs, please include adequate details on how the cost has been calculated including travel fare, etc.

If your proposal includes equipment costs, please include adequate details on how the cost has been calculated, including information on each specific equipment piece(s) required and their individual costs.

Applications that contain a request for indirect costs should include a budget narrative detailing the proposal for indirect costs, where allowable. The budget narrative should include a signed copy of the applicant’s approved negotiated rate agreement that is valid as of the date of the application, if this is not already on file with the PHMSA State Programs Division. If the applicant does not have an approved indirect cost rate agreement, the applicant may be eligible to charge a de minimis rate of up to 15 percent as provided by 2 CFR § 200.414.

*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/evaluation process.

If you are a non-profit municipal pipeline operator, funds cannot be used for regulatory compliance or routine operations and maintenance of pipeline facilities, including compliance with pipeline safety integrity management regulations.

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Please refer to sections F.1 and F.2 for the Criteria and Review and Selection Process, to which the Project and Budget Narratives will be evaluated.

SECTION E – SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS AND DEADLINES

E.1 Submission Dates and Times

Complete applications must be received electronically through grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. EST on June 20, 2025. Applications received after this deadline will not be considered. Applications will only be accepted via grants.gov. PHMSA will only accept one application from each applicant. Mail and fax submissions will not be accepted.

Applicants must register at grants.gov before applying. It is highly recommended that applicants begin the registration process as soon as possible to avoid submission delays. Failure to comply with the prescribed application requirements as described in this section will result in an application not being reviewed.

The application package contains the required electronic forms/templates and provides the ability to upload attachments for the budget narrative, project narrative, assurances, and certifications.

The applicant must submit the information outlined in the application package. A copy of this NOFO and corresponding forms package can be retrieved from grants.gov using the following basic search criteria:

1. Keyword(s): Technical Assistance Grants

2. NOFO#: 693JK325NF0004

3. Assistance Listing Number: 20.710

Accessing Grants.gov:

For new users, go to www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants.html, or go to the main page at www.grants.gov/ and select “Register.” NOTE: 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 by phone at 800-518-4726 or by e-mail at support@grants.gov.

Accessing 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, either e-mail fcsupport@unisonglobal.com or call 1-800-899-6665, option 2. The FedConnect Support Center is staffed Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST, except Federal holidays.

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E.2 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 to ensure their UEI is updated and “active.” You can review the database at https://www.sam.gov/portal/public/SAM/.

SECTION F – APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

F.1 Criteria

PHMSA will evaluate applications through administrative, technical, and programmatic reviews based on the merit criteria below. PHMSA developed merit criteria to rate and select competing applications. 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 an application, or not award a grant at all.

Merit Criteria:

Within the application, demonstrate the extent to which the project will:

1. Establish clear goals and objectives that focus on pipeline development and operation without accidents or incidents.

2. Demonstrate the applicant’s experience with and commitment to advancing pipeline safety through fostering meaningful public involvement with affected operators and other key members of the community to ensure project success.

3. Align with the challenges and strategies for advancing pipeline safety and seek to improve performance and safety over time in areas such as engineering, damage prevention, land use planning, public awareness, education and outreach, emergency response, and community awareness.

4. Clearly establish resources, milestones, and estimated project costs that align with project goals and objectives.

5. Identify measurable results and deliverables and specify how results will be evaluated and disseminated to affected stakeholders.

6. Provide the potential for learning or technology transfer to other groups and communities. In addition, PHMSA expects the proposed results of projects to be factual, unbiased, verifiable, and repeatable to the extent practicable.

Note: Applicants should also be aware that a grant award will not convey any authority to grant recipients to secure information or cooperation from pipeline operators or access to PHMSA data

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Notice of Funding Opportunity

NOFO: 693JK325NF0004

or data systems.

F.2 Review and Selection Process

The Department intends to apply principles from DOT Order 2100.7, Ensuring Reliance Upon Sound Economic Analysis in DOT’s Policies, Programs and Activities , when evaluating applications and making award selections. To the maximum extent permitted by law, PHMSA will prioritize projects that are in alignment with the principles outlined in DOT Order 2100.7.

Administrative Review: PHMSA will conduct an administrative review to ensure that the application meets the eligibility criteria outlined in Section C on Eligibility Information. Each application will be reviewed for completeness to ensure it includes all required elements to qualify for the grant. If the application does not meet the required elements, then the application is likely to be rejected.

Technical Review: PHMSA will conduct a technical review of the application(s) to assess how the proposed work is to be performed and whether the application(s) are responsive to the applicable program requirements (i.e., performance measurement, methodology, and technical merit). PHMSA may use outside stakeholders as part of the technical review panel. Outside stakeholder members may be comprised of pipeline safety groups with expertise in pipeline safety.

Programmatic Review: PHMSA will conduct a programmatic review to assess programmatic factors. Programmatic factors are relevant and essential to the process of selecting applications that best achieve the program objectives, in accordance with applicable statutes, regulations, policies, and guidelines. Programmatic factors may include history of performance, Administration priorities, program priorities, and other modal needs.

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

Highly Recommended: The application demonstrates that 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

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Notice of Funding Opportunity

NOFO: 693JK325NF0004

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 Recommended: The application does not meet the NOFO requirements. The application fails to address many requirements. 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 scope does not align with DOT objectives and priorities. An applicant may be rated as “Not Recommended” if they have a history of noncompliance with the terms and conditions of prior TAG awards. 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 Pipeline Safety after taking into consideration recommendations made during the administrative, technical, and programmatic reviews, and how well the applications address PHMSA’s and DOT’s priorities. The PHMSA Administrator will make final award selection decisions.

F.3 Risk Review

Prior to making a federal award with a total amount of federal share greater than the simplified acquisition threshold, 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, at its option, may review information in the designated integrity and performance systems accessible through SAM and comment on any information about itself that a federal awarding agency previously entered and is currently in the designated integrity and performance system accessible through SAM. 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 § 200.206.

SECTION G – AWARD NOTICES

G.1 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 no later than September 30, 2025, with a proposed period of performance start date beginning on the date of the signed award agreement.

G.2 Federal Award Notices

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Notice of Funding Opportunity

NOFO: 693JK325NF0004

PHMSA’s awarding official will make grants to those responsible, eligible applicants 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 granted in accordance with the approved application and budget, regulations, terms and conditions of the award, applicable Federal cost principles, and DOT financial assistance regulations.

The grant award agreement, 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 the 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.

6. Total amount of financial assistance approved for the project.

7. Legal authority(ies) under which the award is issued.

8. Assistance Listing Program Number (formerly Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

(CFDA)).

9. Applicable award terms and conditions.

10. Approved budget including category of spending.

11. Other information or provisions deemed necessary by PHMSA.

SECTION H – POST-AWARD REQUIREMENTS AND ADMINISTRATION

H.1 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 §60130 Information Grants to Communities

2. 2 CFR Part 200 - Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards.

3. Civil Rights and Title VI - As a condition of a grant award, grant recipients will 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 Part 21) (including any amendments thereto), the

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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 will work with awarded grant recipients to ensure full compliance with Federal civil rights requirements. See “Standard Title VI/Non-Discrimination Assurances” for the form by the same name that must be completed and returned by the grant applicant.

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. PHMSA will prioritize projects that advance the goals of the DOT Order, “Ensuring Reliance Upon Sound Economic Analysis In DOT Policies, Programs, and Activities" during the review and selection process.

6. Program Requirements Critical Infrastructure Security, Cybersecurity, and Resilience: It is the policy of the United States to strengthen the security and resilience of its critical infrastructure against all hazards, including both physical and cyber threats, consistent with the - National Security Memorandum on Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience (NSM-22). Each applicant selected for Federal funding under this notice must demonstrate, prior to the signing of the grant agreement, efforts to consider and address physical and cyber security risks relevant to the transportation mode and type and scale of the project. Projects that have not appropriately considered and addressed physical and cyber security and resilience in their planning, design, and project oversight, as determined by the Department of Homeland Security, will be required to do so before receiving funds.

7. Federal Anti-Discrimination: As a condition of award, pursuant to Section (3)(b)(iv)(A), Executive Order 14173, Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity, the recipient must agree that its compliance in all respects with all applicable Federal anti-discrimination laws is material to the government’s payment decisions for purposes of section 3729(b)(4) of title 31, United States Code. As a condition of award, pursuant to Section (3)(b)(iv)(B), Executive Order 14173, Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity, by entering into a grant or cooperative agreement, the recipient must certify that it does not operate any programs promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives that violate any applicable federal anti-discrimination laws.

H.2 Reporting Requirements

Minimum reporting requirements are listed below and PHMSA may implement additional requirements, which will be outlined in the award agreement, for an “eligible applicant” (as defined in 49 U.S.C. § 60130(d)(2)) of an award over $100,000.

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Mid-Year Report(s) – Each grant recipient is required to submit a mid-year Federal Financial Report (Standard Form SF-425) and a progress report six months after the effective date of the grant award. The reports are to be submitted via e-mail to the Agreement Officer and Agreement Officer Representative; contact information will be available in the grant award. Progress reports must follow the instructions outlined in the terms and conditions of the grant award and must include:

1. A comparison of actual accomplishments to the objectives established for the period.

2. Where the output of the project can be quantified, a computation of the cost per unit of output.

3. Challenges and/or reasons for delays if established objectives were not met.

Final Reports – Grant recipients are required to submit a final Federal Financial Report (SF-425) and final progress report no later than 90 days after the performance period has ended.

The reports are to be submitted via e-mail to the Agreement Officer and Agreement Officer Representative. Contact information will be available in the grant award.

The final progress report must follow the instructions outlined in the terms and conditions of the grant award and must include:

1. A comparison of actual accomplishments to the objectives established for the period.

2. Where the output of the project can be quantified, a computation of the cost per unit of output.

3. The reasons for delays or missed milestones if established objectives were not met.

4. Documentation of actual expenses and detailed cost breakdown to support SF-425 submission.

In addition, each recipient of a grant must ensure that:

1. The technical findings made possible by the grants are made available to the relevant pipeline operators.

2. Open communication is maintained between the grant recipients, local operators, local communities, and other interested parties.

In total, four reports (a mid-term progress report, a mid-term financial status report, a final progress report, and a final financial report) are required. Standard Form 425 must be used for submission of the mid-term and final financial status reports.

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

Performance and Program Evaluation: As a condition of the 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

US DOT/PHMSA Page 16 of 17 applicants to collect data elements to aid the evaluation. As a part of the evaluation and as a condition of the 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 data, 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. 115-435) (2019), urges Federal awarding agencies and Federal assistance recipients and subrecipients to use program evaluation as a critical tool to learn, improve equitable delivery, and elevate program service and delivery across the program lifecycle. According to 5 U.S.C. § 311, “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.” 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).

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.

Compliance with Federal Law and Policies The applicant assures and certifies, with respect to any application and awarded Project under this NOFO, that it will comply with all applicable Federal laws, regulations, executive orders, policies, guidelines, and requirements as they relate to the application, acceptance, and use of Federal funds and will cooperate with Federal officials in the enforcement of Federal law, including cooperating with and not impeding U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other Federal offices and components of the Department of Homeland Security in the enforcement of Federal immigration law.

SECTION I – FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY CONTACT(S)

**All questions related to the content of this funding opportunity MUST be submitted via the Message Center in FedConnect. Please do not send questions via e-mail.

For technical issues or questions related to FedConnect, please e-mail fcsupport@unisonglobal.com. Applicants can also submit questions through the portal on their website or call 1-800-899-6665, option 2.

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Technical Assistance: Given the complexity of the application process, please contact the technical primary point of contact below for assistance.

Technical Primary Point of Contact Hung Nguyen DOT/PHMSA Phone: 202-713-7913 E-mail: hung.nguyen@dot.gov

Grant Agreement Officer Dwayne Cross Acquisition Services Division Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE, E22-306 Washington, D.C. 20590 Phone: 202-366-4429 E-mail: dwayne.cross@dot.gov

For technical issues or questions related to www.grants.gov, please e-mail support@grants.gov or call 800-518-4726.

SECTION J – OTHER INFORMATION

Given the complexity of some aspects of the application process, technical assistance is available to inexperienced or under-resourced applicants to help with the application process. Please contact the technical primary point of contact listed in Section I 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. DOT will protect confidential information complying with these requirements to the extent required under applicable law. If DOT receives a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request for the information that the applicant has marked in accordance with this section, DOT will follow the procedures described in its FOIA regulations at 49 CFR §

7.29. Only information that is in the separate document, marked in accordance with this section and ultimately determined to be confidential under § 7.29, will be exempt from disclosure under

FOIA.