FY 2026 BUILD NOFO_Final.pdf

FY 2026 Notice of Funding Opportunity Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) Grant Program

Office of the Secretary

U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)

Table of Contents

A. Basic Information

1. FY 2026 BUILD Round

2. Changes from the FY 2025 NOFO

B. Eligibility

1. Eligible Applicants

2. Minimum Funding Request For Capital Projects

3. Application Limit

4. Cost Sharing

5. Pre-Award Authority

6. Location Designations

7. Eligible Projects

8. Project Components

9. Reduced Awards

10. Previous BUILD/BUILD/TIGER Recipients

C. Program Description

1. Program History and Authorization

2. Program Goals and Objectives

3. Restrictions on Funding

4. Availability of Funds

5. Performance Goals

6. Previous Awards

D. Application Content and Format

1. Standard Form 424

2. Key Information Questions

3. Project Description File

4. Project Location File

5. Project Budget Files

6. Merit Criteria File

7. Project Readiness File

8. Cost effectiveness review: Benefit-Cost Analysis

E. Submission Requirements and Deadline

1. Address to Request Application Package

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

3. Submission Deadline

4. Intergovernmental Review

5. Compliance with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973

F. Application Review Information

1. Criteria

2. Review and Selection Process

G. Award Notices

1. How Project Selections Are Announced

2. Announcement Dates

3. Pre-Award Costs

4. Reimbursable Program

H. Post-Award Requirements and Administration

1. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

2. Reporting

I. Federal Awarding Agency Contact(s)

J. Other Information

1. Protection of Confidential Business Information

2. Publication and Sharing of Application Information

A. BASIC INFORMATION

The Office of the Secretary (OST) announces the intention to hold one round of selections under the FY 2026 Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) Grant Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).

Basic Information: Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) Announcement Type Notice of Funding Opportunity

Funding Opportunity Title FY 2026 National Infrastructure Investments

Funding Opportunity Number

DTOS59-26-RA-BUILD

Assistance Listing Number 20.933

Objective The goal of the program is to fund projects that will have a significant local or regional impact and improve transportation infrastructure.

Program Overview

BUILD grants will be awarded on a competitive basis, per statute, for planning or constructing surface transportation infrastructure projects that will improve safety; environmental sustainability;

quality of life; mobility and community connectivity; economic competitiveness and opportunity including tourism; state of good repair; partnership and collaboration; and innovation.

Funding At least $1.5 billion in FY 2026 IIJA funds Minimum Award Size

• $1 million for rural capital projects

• $5 million for urban capital projects

• Planning projects do not have a minimum award size

Maximum Award Size

$25 million

Eligible Applicants

• States and the District of Columbia

• Any territory or possession of the United States

• A unit of local government

• A public agency or publicly chartered authority established by one or more States

• A special purpose district or public authority with a transportation function, including a port authority

• A Federally recognized Indian Tribe or a consortium of such

Indian Tribes

• A transit agency

• A multi-State or multijurisdictional group of entities that are separately eligible

Eligible Project Types

• highway or bridge projects eligible under title 23;

• public transportation projects eligible under chapter 53 title 49;

• passenger and freight rail transportation projects;

• port infrastructure investments including inland port infrastructure and land ports of entry;

• the surface transportation components of an airport project eligible for assistance under part B of subtitle VII;

• project investing in surface transportation facilities located on

Tribal land, the title or maintenance responsibility of which is vested in the Federal Government;

• projects to replace or rehabilitate a culvert or prevent stormwater runoff for the purpose of improving habitat for aquatic species that will advance the goal of the program;

• intermodal projects whose components are otherwise an eligible project type;

• any other surface transportation infrastructure project that the Secretary considers to be necessary to advance the goals of the program

Submission Requirements and Deadlines

Applications must be submitted online via Valid Eval no later than 5:00 pm eastern on February 24, 2026.

• Complete instructions on how to apply can be found at grants.gov and the BUILD program website

• Customer support for Valid Eval can be reached at support@valideval.com

Selections are expected to be announced no later than June 28, 2026 Prior Awards • For FY 2025 BUILD Round 2, the Department received 815 eligible applications requesting over $10 billion

• 30 projects were awarded a total of $488 million

• Awards were made to projects in 27 states

Awards ranged from $239,000 to $25 million Agency Contact Information

Email: BUILDgrants@dot.gov Website: https://www.transportation.gov/BUILDgrants

Due to the competitive nature of the program, during the application submittal phase, the Department is unable to accommodate individual meeting requests to discuss the opportunity or specific project ideas, and unable to provide individualized guidance or render opinions about the merit of a specific project.

1. FY 2026 BUILD ROUND

Funding for FY 2026 BUILD Applications

The Department intends to make one round of selections under this NOFO using the $1.5 billion provided by the Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act (IIJA) for FY 2026 and will include any additional funding appropriated for National Infrastructure Investments in an Appropriations Act.

http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.transportation.gov/BUILDgrants mailto:support@valideval.com mailto:BUILDgrants@dot.gov https://www.transportation.gov/BUILDgrants

The Department may also make available through this NOFO funds from recently cancelled or withdrawn RAISE projects.

2. CHANGES FROM THE FY 2025 NOFO

The FY 2026 BUILD NOFO makes the following changes from the FY 2025 BUILD NOFO:

• There will be one round of project selections for the FY 2026 BUILD grant program.

• FY 2025 BUILD applications designated “Projects of Merit” will not be carried over into the FY 2026 BUILD competition. Applicants with an FY 2025 BUILD Project of Merit designation need to submit a new application to be considered under the FY 2026 competition.

• FY 2026 BUILD applications advanced by the Senior Review Team to the Highly Rated List, but that are not awarded, are automatically designated as “Projects of Merit.”

Projects with this designation will be carried over into FY 2027 BUILD, subject to authorization and appropriations, and considered by the SRT for advancement to the Highly Rated List, along with other FY 2027 applications eligible for advancement to the Highly Rated List.

• Updates Areas of Persistent Poverty to account for the most recent annual Small Area Income Poverty Estimates as estimated by the Bureau of the Census.

• Project elements and benefits under the merit criteria rating rubric have been updated to align with Administration priorities and executive orders.

• Changes priority merit criteria to: safety, quality of life, mobility and community connectivity, and economic competitiveness.

• Changes “Technical Capacity Review” to “Applicant Capacity” and “Environmental Risk Review” to “Project Risk Review” under the Project Readiness review.

• Conforms to the Department’s Benefit-Cost Analysis ratings of “High,” “Medium-High,” “Medium,” “Medium-Low,” and “Low” instead of “Positive” and “Negative.

Other selection considerations have been added including: increased cost share, project readiness, projects located in Qualifying Opportunity Zones, and receiving a previous TIGER/RAISE/BUILD grant.

https://www.census.gov/data/datasets/2021/demo/saipe/2021-state-and-county.html https://www.census.gov/data/datasets/2021/demo/saipe/2021-state-and-county.html https://www.irs.gov/irb/2018-28_IRB#NOT-2018-48

B. ELIGIBILITY

1. ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

Eligible BUILD grant applicants are:

• States and the District of Columbia

• Any territory or possession of the United States

• A unit of local government

• A public agency or publicly chartered authority established by one or more States

• A special purpose district or public authority with a transportation function, including a port authority

• A Federally recognized Indian Tribe or a consortium of such Indian Tribes

• A transit agency

• A multi-State or multijurisdictional group of entities that are separately eligible

The following are not eligible BUILD grant applicants:

• Federal agencies

• Non-profits

• Private entities

• Individuals

Multiple states or jurisdictions may submit a joint application, designating a lead applicant as the primary contact and award recipient. The application should outline each applicant's roles and responsibilities.

DOT expects the applicant to manage and deliver the project. If the applicant plans to transfer the award to another agency, this should be stated in the application, along with a supporting letter from the designated entity.

2. MINIMUM FUNDING REQUEST FOR CAPITAL PROJECTS

Capital Grants Minimum Request Rural Areas $1 million Urban Areas $5 million

Applicants submitting capital grant applications for projects located in rural areas must request at least $1 million in BUILD funding. Applicants submitting capital grant applications for projects located in urban areas must request at least $5 million in BUILD funding. Failure to request the minimum funding amount for a capital grant application will result in the application being ineligible.

There is no minimum funding request requirement for planning grant applications.

3. APPLICATION LIMIT

Each applicant can submit up to three applications. Unrelated project components should not be combined in one application to meet this limit. If an applicant submits more than three applications, only the first three will be considered.

4. COST SHARING

Cost sharing means the portion of the project’s cost that is not paid by Federal funds. Cost share funds are typically stated as a percentage of the total project cost. The Department considers an application’s Federal share to:

• confirm eligibility; and

• may consider it as a competitive selection factor

Project Location Cost Share Requirement Urban Up to 80% Federal Funding Rural

Up to 100% Federal Funding Area of Persistent Poverty Historically Disadvantaged Community

The Federal share for BUILD grant projects shall not exceed 80 percent unless the project receives one of the following location designations (see Location Designations for definitions):

• Rural

• Area of Persistent Poverty (APP) / Historically Disadvantaged Community (HDC)

Applicants with projects located in one of the designated areas above are eligible to fund the project up to 100 percent with Federal funding. Projects located in an urban area, that are not designated APP/HDC, that have more than 80 percent federal funding will be ineligible.

Applicants should use the following equation when determining the cost share for their project:

(𝑩𝑩𝑩𝑩𝑩𝑩𝑩𝑩𝑩𝑩 𝑮𝑮𝑮𝑮𝑮𝑮𝑮𝑮𝑮𝑮 𝑹𝑹𝑹𝑹𝑹𝑹𝑹𝑹𝑹𝑹𝑹𝑹𝑹𝑹 + 𝑶𝑶𝑶𝑶𝑶𝑶𝑶𝑶𝑶𝑶 𝑭𝑭𝑭𝑭𝑭𝑭𝑭𝑭𝑭𝑭𝑭𝑭𝑭𝑭 𝑭𝑭𝑭𝑭𝑭𝑭𝑭𝑭𝑭𝑭)

𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻𝑻 𝑷𝑷𝑷𝑷𝑷𝑷𝑷𝑷𝑷𝑷𝑷𝑷𝑷𝑷 𝑪𝑪𝑪𝑪𝑪𝑪𝑪𝑪

= 𝑭𝑭𝑭𝑭𝑭𝑭𝑭𝑭𝑭𝑭𝑭𝑭𝑭𝑭 𝑪𝑪𝑪𝑪𝑪𝑪𝑪𝑪 𝑺𝑺𝑺𝑺𝑺𝑺𝑺𝑺𝑺𝑺

Total Project Cost means the sum of future eligible Federal and non-Federal costs yet to be incurred.

Eligible sources of non-Federal funds include:

• State funds originating from programs funded by State revenue

• Local funds originating from State or local revenue-funded programs

• Private funds

• Tribal transportation program funds under section 202 of title 23

• Federal lands transportation program funds under section 203 of title 23

• TIFIA program funds (as defined in section 601(a) of title 23)

• Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing Program under chapter 224

• Federal credit assistance (if repaid from non-Federal sources)

Toll credits under 23 U.S.C. 120(i) are considered a Federal source under the BUILD program.

Unless otherwise authorized by statute, funds used to satisfy the cost-share requirements of a different Federal program may not be counted as the cost-share for both the BUILD grant and another Federal grant program.

Non-Federal funds are subject to the same Federal requirements as BUILD grant funds.

For each project that receives a BUILD grant award, the terms of the award will require the recipient to complete the project using at least the amount of non-Federal funding that was specified in the application. If the actual costs of the project are greater than the costs estimated in the application, the recipient will be responsible for addressing the funding shortfall and maintaining the level of non-Federal funding stated in the application. If the actual costs of the project are less than the costs estimated in the application, the Department will generally reduce the Federal contribution to ensure federal cost share requirements are met.

5. PRE-AWARD AUTHORITY

Unless authorized by the Department in writing after announcement of FY 2026 BUILD awards, any costs incurred prior to the Department’s obligation of funds for a project (“pre-award costs”) are ineligible for reimbursement and cost share requirements.1 In general, BUILD Program funds are administered on a reimbursement basis. Grant recipients will generally be required to pay project costs upfront using their own funds, and then request reimbursement for those costs. If a recipient cannot complete a project on reimbursement basis, DOT will—on a case-by-case basis—consider recipient requests to use alternate payment methods as described in 2 CFR 200.305(b), including advance payments.

6. LOCATION DESIGNATIONS

i. Urban or Rural

Urban and rural definitions differ across DOT programs. For the BUILD program:

• Urban: A project is designated as urban if it is located within (or on the boundary of) a Census-designated urban area that had a population greater than 200,000 in the 2020 Census.2

1 Pre-award costs are costs incurred after award announcement, but directly pursuant to the negotiation of a grant agreement where such costs are necessary for efficient and timely performance of the scope of work, as determined by DOT. Costs incurred under an advance construction (23 U.S.C. 115) authorization before the DOT announces that a project is selected for a FY 2026 BUILD award cannot be charged to FY 2026 BUILD funds. Likewise, costs incurred under an FTA Letter of No Prejudice under Chapter 53 of title 49 U.S.C. before the DOT announces that a project is selected for a FY 2026 BUILD award, cannot be charged to FY 2026 BUILD funds.

2 For the purpose of this NOFO, the definition of urban and rural is based on the 2020 Census-designated urbanized areas. The Department is required by IIJA to use the most recent decennial census information.

https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/USCODE-2011-title23/USCODE-2011-title23-chap1-sec120/context

• Rural: A project is designated as rural if it is located outside a Census-designated urban area that had a population greater than 200,000 in the 2020 Census.

The Department provides an interactive map to show Census-designated urban areas with populations greater than 200,000 in the 2020 Census.

A project located in both an urban and a rural area will be designated as urban if the majority of the project’s costs will be spent in urban areas. Conversely, a project located in both an urban area and a rural area will be designated as rural if the majority of the project’s costs will be spent in rural areas. For BUILD planning grants, the location of the project being planned, prepared, or designed will be used for the urban or rural designation.

Urban and rural designations impact the following aspects of the BUILD program:

• Minimum BUILD funding requirements

• Fundings restrictions

• Cost share

ii. Areas of Persistent Poverty and Historically Disadvantaged Communities

The Department provides an interactive map to show Areas of Persistent Poverty and Historically Disadvantaged Communities.

Areas of Persistent Poverty (APP) are defined by BUILD statute:

• Any county that has consistently had greater than or equal to 20 percent of the population living in poverty during the 30-year period preceding November 15, 2021, as measured by the 1990 and 2000 decennial census and the most recent annual Small Area Income Poverty Estimates as estimated by the Bureau of the Census o The FY 2026 BUILD NOFO updated county APP designations to utilize the most recent annual Small Area Income Poverty Estimates as estimated by the Bureau of the census.

• Any census tract with a poverty rate of at least 20 percent as measured by the 2014-2018 5-year data series available from the American Community Survey of the Bureau of the Census

• Any territory or possession of the United States

Historically Disadvantaged Communities (HDC) will use the same definition as APP for purposes of this NOFO.

iii. Qualified Opportunity Zones

The Department provides more information as well as an interactive map to show Qualified Opportunity Zones. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) designates Qualified Opportunity Zones and maintains a list on the IRS website. The Department may consider prioritizing the selection of projects located in designated Qualified Opportunity Zones.

https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/09642b69d90f4377856a6aef3e0bd2e9 https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/09642b69d90f4377856a6aef3e0bd2e9 https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/dec/census-poverty.html https://www.census.gov/data/datasets/2021/demo/saipe/2021-state-and-county.html https://www.census.gov/data/datasets/2021/demo/saipe/2021-state-and-county.html https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs/technical-documentation/table-and-geography-changes/2018/5-year.html https://datahub.transportation.gov/stories/s/Opportunity-Zones/s6m7-dg9c/ https://datahub.transportation.gov/stories/s/Opportunity-Zones/s6m7-dg9c/ https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/n-18-48.pdf

7. ELIGIBLE PROJECTS

i. Capital Projects

Eligible capital projects activities include:

• Highway or bridge projects eligible under title 23, United States Code

• Public transportation projects eligible under chapter 53 of title 49, United States Code

• Passenger and freight rail transportation projects

• Port infrastructure investments (including inland port infrastructure and land ports of entry)

• The surface transportation components of an airport project eligible for assistance under part B of subtitle VII of title 49, United States Code3

• Projects investing in surface transportation facilities that are located on Tribal land and for which title or maintenance responsibility is vested in the Federal Government

• Projects to replace or rehabilitate a culvert or prevent stormwater runoff for the purpose of improving habitat for aquatic species while advancing the goals of the BUILD program

• Intermodal projects whose component parts are otherwise an eligible project type

• Any other surface transportation infrastructure project that the Secretary considers to be necessary to advance the goals of the program4 o Public road and non-motorized projects that are not otherwise eligible under title 23, United States Code o Surface transportation components of transit-oriented development projects o Surface transportation components of mobility on-demand projects that expand access and reduce transportation cost burden

Ineligible projects are:

• Purchasing school buses

• Deploying broadband as a standalone project

• Improving stormwater management as a standalone project

• Creating dedicated facilitates for nursing mothers as a standalone project

• Installing accessible changing tables as a standalone project

• Planning or constructing housing and parks

• Improvements to Federally owned facilities o Unless the project is investing in surface transportation facilities that are located on Tribal land and for which title or maintenance responsibility is vested in the Federal Government

3 Eligible surface transportation components of eligible airport projects are those projects listed in “Appendix P:

Road and Surface Transportation Projects” of the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) handbook. For more details on airport project eligibility, please see the Frequently Asked Questions on the BUILD website.

4 DOT may award a BUILD grant to pay for the surface transportation components of a broader project that has non-surface transportation components, and applicants are encouraged to apply for BUILD grants to pay for the surface transportation components of these projects. However, costs for non-surface transportation components are not eligible to count as matching funds for the BUILD grant.

https://www.faa.gov/airports/aip/aip_handbook/?Chapter=Appendix#PP00

If a project type isn't explicitly listed as eligible or ineligible, applicants should explain its necessity for advancing the BUILD program goals in their application. The Department will then determine eligibility individually.

Research, demonstration, or pilot projects are only eligible if they lead to long-term, permanent surface transportation infrastructure with independent utility as defined in the Project Components section.

ii. Planning Projects

Eligible planning projects activities include:

• Planning, preparation, design, or engineering of eligible surface transportation capital projects described in the Capital Projects section that will not result in construction with FY 2026 BUILD funding.

o Examples include: feasibility studies, benefit-cost analysis, environmental analysis, permitting, and other pre-construction activities

• Development of master plans, comprehensive plans, transportation corridor plans, and integrated economic development, land use, housing, and transportation plans

• Planning activities related to the development of a multimodal freight corridor

• Development of port and regional port planning, including State-wide or multi-port planning within a single jurisdiction or region

• Risk assessments and planning to identify vulnerabilities and address the transportation system’s ability to withstand probable occurrence or recurrence of an emergency or major disaster

If an application includes right-of-way acquisition, the project will be considered a capital project.

8. PROJECT COMPONENTS

An application for a BUILD grant can include multiple components, which may be executed by different parties. The Department requires all components, whether or not they receive Federal funding, to be delivered as part of the BUILD project.

Components may be funded individually if they meet the following criteria:

• Independently satisfy minimum award amounts and eligibility requirements.

• Independently align with selection criteria

• Meets National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements for independent utility – meaning the component must be a usable improvement on its own and ready for use upon completion.

Components in a single application must be related. Each component's status should be clearly outlined, for example, in the project schedule. Applicants should also detail independent components and their costs separately, showing how each one meets selection criteria and benefits on its own, in addition to how the full proposal does. Federal funding for some components might subject others to additional Federal requirements.

9. REDUCED AWARDS

If selected for award, the Department may decrease the BUILD funding amount from the applicant’s request if some elements of the project are ineligible or to comply with statutory set asides such as awarding funding evenly between projects located in rural and urban areas.

10. PREVIOUS BUILD/RAISE/TIGER RECIPIENTS

Previous recipients of a BUILD grant may apply for funding to support additional phases of their project.5 The application should demonstrate the extent to which the previously funded project has met estimated project schedules and budget, as well as the ability to realize the benefits expected for the project. Receiving a previous BUILD/RAISE/TIGER award may impact the competitiveness of an application under the FY 2026 BUILD competition.

C. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

1. PROGRAM HISTORY AND AUTHORIZATION

The Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) program, previously known as the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) and Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) discretionary grants, was established under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to create jobs and spur economic recovery through transportation infrastructure investments. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Pub. L. 117-58, November 15, 2021), authorized and appropriated $1.5 billion annually to be awarded by the Department of Transportation (“DOT”) 2022 – FY 2026 for Local and Regional Project Assistance Program Grants under National Infrastructure Investments to fund eligible surface transportation projects with significant local or regional impact. As of July 2025, the program has awarded more than $18 billion in 18 rounds to local governments, Tribes, transit and port authorities, states, and other entities. The program is codified at 49 U.S.C. 6702.

2. PROGRAM GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

The goal of the BUILD program is to fund eligible surface transportation projects that will have a significant local or regional impact. The Department seeks to fund projects that advance the priorities of this Administration as described in DOT’s mission statement, and across executive orders.

Note, the BUILD program can only fund the surface transportation infrastructure elements of a project that may also include housing, parks, economic development strategies, etc.

3. RESTRICTIONS ON FUNDING

The Department must comply with the following funding restrictions:

Funding Restriction Amount

5 Includes recipients of grants under former names of the program (Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) and Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER)).

https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2023-title49/pdf/USCODE-2023-title49-subtitleIII-chap67-sec6702.pdf

Per State No more than 15% which is $225 million Rural Projects No more than 50% which is $750 million Urban Projects No more than 50% which is $750 million Planning Projects At least 5% which is $75 million Projects Located in Areas of Persistent Poverty and/or History Disadvantaged Communities

At least 1% which is $15 million

The Department may retain up to $30 million for oversight and administration of grants.

Additionally, the Department may use up to 20 percent of available funds (or $300 million) to pay the subsidy and administrative costs of a project receiving credit assistance under the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 1998 (TIFIA) or Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing (RRIF) programs. Note, applicants must apply to both the BUILD program and TIFIA or RRIF loan program to be eligible for the Department to pay for subsidy and administrative costs associated with credit assistance.

Federal funds awarded under this program may not be used to support or oppose union organizing, whether directly or as an offset for other funds.

4. AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS

The table below outlines the obligation and expenditure deadlines for FY 2026 IIJA funding.

Fiscal Year Obligation Deadline Expenditure Deadline FY 2026 September 30, 2030 September 30, 2035

FY 2026 BUILD grant funds must be obligated by September 30, 2030.

• Obligation occurs when a grant recipient and the Department enter into a written grant agreement after the recipient has satisfied applicable local, State and Federal requirements.

FY 2026 BUILD funds must be expended by September 30, 2035.

• Expenditure occurs when a recipient is reimbursed for eligible project costs.

• After this date, unexpended funds are no longer available to the project.

5. PERFORMANCE GOALS

BUILD program performance measures can be found on the BUILD website.

6. PREVIOUS AWARDS

Previous program awards can be seen in Fact Sheets on the BUILD website.

https://www.transportation.gov/buildamerica/financing/tifia https://www.transportation.gov/buildamerica/financing/rrif https://www.transportation.gov/buildamerica/financing/rrif https://www.transportation.gov/BUILDgrants/performance-measures https://www.transportation.gov/BUILDgrants/awards

D. APPLICATION CONTENT AND FORMAT

The Department requires the application to include the following files, in this order and with these specific names:

Information File Name NOFO Section Page Limit

SF-424 SF-424 D.1 N/A

SF-LLL SF-LLL D.1 N/A

Key Information Questions N/A D.2 N/A Project Description Project Description D.3 5 pages Project Location File Project Location File D.4 N/A Project Budget Project Budget D.5 5 pages Funding Commitment Documentation Funding Commitments D.5 N/A

Merit Criteria Merit Criteria Narrative D.6 15 pages Project Readiness Project Readiness D.7 5 pages Benefit-Cost Analysis Narrative (capital projects only) BCA Narrative D.8 N/A

Benefit-Cost Analysis Calculations (capital projects only)

BCA Calculations D.8 N/A

Letters of Support (Optional) Letters Of Support D.7 N/A

The Department requires application files to be formatted as follows:

• Single-spaced, 12-point standard font with 1-inch margins.

• PDF unless otherwise specified (e.g., project information form in Excel; location files as

Shapefile or KML/KMZ; and BCA calculations in Excel).

Applications should include all necessary information to demonstrate compliance with the Eligibility section and to meet selection criteria in the Criteria section. Applications must be complete at submission; the Department may request additional data, but applicants are not obligated to provide it.

Title page and table of contents are not required, but if included, these parts of the document do not count against the page limits.

Supporting documents may be included but are not required to be reviewed by evaluators.

Different evaluation teams review the merit criteria, the benefit-cost analysis, budget, and project readiness files.

The Department expects application files to include the following detailed information:

1. STANDARD FORMS

All applicants must submit the following standard forms:

• SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance

• SF-LLL Disclosure of Lobbying Activities

If the funding amounts differ between the SF-424 and other application materials, the amount in the SF-424 will be used as the project budget. Funding amounts must be in whole numbers (no cents).

2. KEY INFORMATION QUESTIONS

The following questions must be answered in the FY 2026 BUILD application in Valid Eval.

Field Instructions

Unique Entity Identifier Enter the Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). This should be the same UEI entered on the SF-424. See Section F.2 for how to obtain a UEI from sam.gov

Project Name Enter a concise descriptive title. This should be the same title used on the SF-424 and throughout the application.

Project Description Describe the project to be planned or constructed in no more than 100 words.

BUILD Funding Request Enter the amount of BUILD funds requested. The maximum request amount is $25 million. The minimum amount for capital projects in rural areas is $1 million and $5 million in urban areas.

Other Federal Funding Enter the total amount of other Federal funds committed to the project.

Non-Federal Funding Enter the total amount of non-Federal funding committed to the project.

Total Project Cost Enter the total BUILD funding request, other Federal funding, and non-Federal funding. The Total Project Cost means total future eligible project costs. Do not include previously incurred costs.

Project Type Enter the project primary and secondary type.

Construction Start Date Enter the estimated construction start date for the capital project.

Planning Project Start Date Enter the estimated start date for the planning project.

2020 Census-Designated Urban Area

Select the Urban Area the project is located or “not located in an Urban Area” if the project is outside of an Urban Area

Urban or Rural Identify whether the project is located in a rural or urban area.

A project is designated as Urban if it is located in a 2020 Census-designated Urban Area with a population greater than 200,000. If a project is located outside a 2020 Census-designated Urban Area with a population greater than 200,000, it is designated Rural.

Project Zip Code Enter the 5-digit zip code for the project location. If the project is located in multiple zip codes, identify the zip code in which most of project costs will occur. Please leave blank if the project is located in a territory that does not have zip codes.

County Select the county (or equivalent jurisdiction) where the project is located. If the project is located in multiple counties, identify the county in which most of project costs will occur.

Additional Counties Identify additional counties or equivalent jurisdictions.

2020 Census Tract(s) Identify the 2020 Census tract(s) the project is located.

Area of Persistent Poverty and Historically Disadvantaged Community

Select if the project is located in an Area of Persistent Poverty/Historically Disadvantaged Community as defined by statute.

Project Location Latitude Enter the project’s latitudinal coordinate using decimal degrees (e.g., 38.87586, -77.00365). Note, that latitude is the first number in the example coordinates.

Project Location Longitude Enter the project’s longitudinal coordinate using decimal degrees (e.g., 38.87586, -77.00365). Note, that longitudinal is the second number in the example coordinates.

Qualified Opportunity Zones Select if the project is located in a Qualified Opportunity Zone (26 U.S. Code § 1400Z-1)

Previous Submission to

BUILD/RAISE/TIGER

If this exact project was submitted in a previous BUILD, RAISE, or TIGER round, please list the name of the round (e.g., BUILD 2025, RAISE 2024, etc.)

Private Corporation Involvement

Does this project involve a private entity or entities that will receive a direct and predictable financial benefit if the project is selected for award? This includes, but is not limited to, private owners of infrastructure facilities being improved and private freight shippers or carriers directly benefitting from completion of the proposed project.

Private Corporation Name(s) If this project directly involves or benefits a private corporation, please list the corporation(s) separated by a comma.

TIFIA or RRIF Is the applicant currently or anticipating applying for Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) or Railroad Rehabilitation & Improvement Financing (RRIF) loans to fund the project?

This form is used to determine applicant and project eligibility.

3. PROJECT DESCRIPTION FILE

This file should include:

https://www.irs.gov/irb/2018-28_IRB#NOT-2018-48

• description of the project to be planned or constructed

• scope of work covering technical and engineering aspects

• current design level

• description of the project location

• map

• “before” and “after” renderings of the project, as appropriate

• transportation challenges project will solve

This file may also include:

• project’s history

• how project fits within the applicant's broader transportation infrastructure investments

4. PROJECT LOCATION FILE

Applicants should submit one of the following file types that detail the project’s location so the Department can verify location designations: Shapefile (.zip with .shp, .shx, .dbf, and .prj) or KML/KMZ. Google Earth can be used to create KML/KMZ files. The files should only include the project's direct physical location, not a broad service area or area of impact.

Accurate location data is crucial as it affects eligibility for the FY 2026 BUILD grants program.

5. PROJECT BUDGET FILES

This file should describe the budget for the BUILD project using the below table and also include a narrative section. The budget table should show only future eligible project costs and should not include previously incurred expenses.

Note: The cost classifications listed above are for example only. Include Cost Classifications relevant for the project described in the application.

Funding Source [Component 1] [Component 2] Total Funding BUILD Funds [$XXX] [$XXX] [$XXX] Other Federal Funds [$XXX] [$XXX] [$XXX] Non-Federal Funds [$XXX] [$XXX] [$XXX] Total Project Cost [$XXX] [$XXX] [$XXX] Note: If there is only a single component, remove “Component 2” column. If there are more than 2 components, add columns.

Cost Classification BUILD Funds

Other Federal Funds

Non-Federal Funds

Total Project Cost

Preliminary Engineering [$XXX] [$XXX] [$XXX] [$XXX] Design [$XXX] [$XXX] [$XXX] [$XXX] Environmental [$XXX] [$XXX] [$XXX] [$XXX] Construction [$XXX] [$XXX] [$XXX] [$XXX] Contingency [$XXX] [$XXX] [$XXX] [$XXX] Total Funding [$XXX] [$XXX] [$XXX] [$XXX]

At a minimum, the budget table must show the total project cost by project component and the following funding sources:

• BUILD funding request

• Other Federal funds

• Non-Federal Funds

Ideally, project budget table(s) will show project components by cost classification, and funding source. The budget table and narrative must identify the amount, type (e.g., grant, loan, bond, etc.), and source of all other Federal funds and non-Federal funds included in the budget. The budget table should demonstrate compliance with the statutory cost share requirements.

Applicants must also include the three tables listed below in their project budget file. The Department will use these tables to determine where the majority of project costs occur for the purposes of making APP/HDC, and Urban designations. The total project cost listed in each table should match the total project cost listed in the budget table above, in the SF-424 and in Key Information Form. Applicants should reference the BUILD Grant Project Location Verification mapping tool when filling out the below tables.

2020 Census Tract(s) Project Costs per Census Tract

[XX.XX] $

[XX.XX] $

[XX.XX] $

[XX.XX] $

Total Project Cost: $ Note: Please reference the Census Tracts (2020 Census) layer in the BUILD Grant Project Location Verification mapping tool. Additional rows may be added if necessary.

Urban and Rural Project Costs Urban (2020 Census-designated urban area with a population greater than 200,000)

Rural (Located outside of a 2020 Census-designated urban area with a population greater than 200,000)

Total Project Cost: $ Note: Please reference the Census Designated Urban Areas with Population Greater Than 200,000 (2020 Census) layer in the BUILD Grant Project Location Verification mapping tool.

The budget narrative should include:

• Sources, Uses, and Availability: Provide complete information on how all capital or planning project funds may be used, their availability, and documented funding commitments. For example, if a source of funds is available only after a condition is satisfied, the application should identify that condition and describe the applicant’s control over whether it is satisfied. Similarly, if a source of funds is available for https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/09642b69d90f4377856a6aef3e0bd2e9 https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/09642b69d90f4377856a6aef3e0bd2e9 https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/09642b69d90f4377856a6aef3e0bd2e9 https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/09642b69d90f4377856a6aef3e0bd2e9 expenditure only during a fixed period, the application should describe that restriction.

Examples of documentation include, but are not limited to, a letter signed by a governing official or chief financial officer confirming the amount and source of funding, a page or pages from the Statewide Improvement Program (STIP) or Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) (please do not include a link to the entire STIP/TIP), a signed city ordinance, or a county administrator committing previously approved general obligation bonds.

• Contingency Amount and Plan: Indicate the specific contingency amount included in the budget to demonstrate there is sufficient funding to cover unanticipated cost increases and describe a plan to address potential cost overruns.

• Level of Design: Indicate the degree of design completion (e.g., no design, 30, 60, 90 percent design) for which the cost was estimated in the case of a capital project;

• Cost Estimates: Indicate how, when, and by whom project costs were estimated. Cost estimates should be no older than a year from the application deadline and include an inflation factor.

• Cost Share: Explain how the project budget satisfies the statutory cost share or non-federal funds matching requirements shown in the project budget table, if applicable.

6. MERIT CRITERIA FILE

This file should demonstrate how the project aligns with each of the 8 statutory merit criteria described in the Merit Criteria section by:

• Organizing the narrative in the order the merit criteria are described in the Merit Criteria section

• Addressing each merit criteria separately by:

o Identifying the bullet(s) from the rubric the project addresses o Identifying the element(s) of the project that address the bullet(s) from the rubric o Providing supporting justification using data or descriptive details. Unsupported claims may harm the application's competitiveness.

Insufficient information to assess any criterion will negatively impact the project rating.

Merit reviewers will focus on this file and will not be required to reference links or the other files in the application package.

7. PROJECT READINESS FILE

Project readiness describes an applicant’s preparedness to move a proposed project forward once it receives a BUILD grant. The Project Readiness file should include information that, when considered with the project budget information, is sufficient for the Department to evaluate whether the project is reasonably expected to begin the project timely and well in advance the obligation deadline. For most projects awarded under this NOFO, the obligation deadline will be September 30, 2030; a smaller subset of funds awarded under this NOFO may have an earlier obligation deadline, depending on the specific source of funds. To assist the Department’s Project Readiness Review team, the applicant should provide the information requested on project schedule, required approvals and permits, NEPA class of action and status, public involvement, right-of-way acquisition plans, risk assessment, and risk mitigation strategies. Applicants can see a general Project Readiness checklist on the Department’s website. The Project Readiness file should include the sections outlined below. Supporting material that exceeds page limits may be provided as hyperlinks, attachments, or appendices.

i. Planning and Constructability

Applicants should demonstrate that a project that is required to be included in the relevant State, metropolitan, and local planning documents has been or will be included in such documents.

• STIP / TIP / TTIP / TAM Plan: Is the project already listed in the STIP, TIP, Tribal Transportation Improvement Program (TTIP), and/or Transit Asset Management (TAM) Plan, if applicable? If so, provide links or attachments that show the project listing in the applicable plans/programs. If the project is not yet listed, describe any coordination that has/will occur to facilitate listing in the applicable plans/programs and the anticipated date when listing will occur.

• Consistency with Other Plans: Is your proposal listed in and/or consistent with any other plans (e.g., the Long-Range Statewide Transportation Plan and/or Metropolitan Long- Range Plan)? If so, please summarize and provide a link to appropriate project listing.

• Freight Plans: To the extent possible, freight projects should be included in a State Freight Plan and supported by a State Freight Advisory Committee (49 U.S.C. 70201, 70202), if these exist. Applicants should provide links or other documentation supporting this consideration such as letters of support from the State DOT if the project is intended to be included in the State Freight Plan, or results from application of the FHWA Freight Mobility Trends Tool.

• Property Acquisition / Right-of-Way (ROW): Who is the owner of the existing facility?

Will any new ROW acquisition be required, and if so, from whom? If acquisition will be required, describe the status and anticipated schedule for the acquisition. Will any special ROW permits or approvals be needed? If so, please describe.

• Construction Techniques and Phasing: Will the proposed improvements require unique construction techniques, non-standard project delivery methods (e.g., approaches other than design-bid-build), and/or phasing? If so, please describe.

ii. Proposed Schedule

• List the completed and/or anticipated dates (calendar month and year, not fiscal year or quarter) for the following key milestones. Dates provided should reflect a realistic amount of time to complete each milestone. Ensure that dates provided here are consistent with dates provided elsewhere in the application.

o Start and end of preliminary design o Start and end of the NEPA process o Start and end of obtaining permits/approvals (if required) o Project listed in STIP, TIP, TTIP, and/or TAM Plan (as applicable) o Start and end of final design o Start and end of ROW acquisition (if required) o Anticipated finalization of BUILD grant agreement (if awarded) https://www.transportation.gov/grants/dot-navigator/project-readiness-checklist-dot-competitive-grant-applicants https://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/freight/fpcb/ https://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/freight/fpcb/ o Start and end of construction

• Project Development Phases to be Funded with BUILD: Describe the project development phase(s) proposed to be funded with BUILD funds (if awarded), and whether BUILD funds are proposed to be used for phases other than ROW acquisition and construction (e.g., for design, NEPA, etc.). Typically, milestones for establishing the grant agreement and obligation of funds should be scheduled before any activities/phases that will use BUILD funds.

iii. NEPA and Permitting

• NEPA Class of Action: List the class of action/type of document that has already been or will be prepared to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended (e.g., a categorical exclusion, an environmental assessment, an environmental impact statement, or class of action not yet determined/or anticipated). If multiple NEPA documents are being prepared for this proposal, briefly explain why, and complete the prompts below for each document.

• NEPA Status and Milestones: Briefly describe the status of NEPA compliance (e.g., not started, underway, or complete), the anticipated project impacts, and proposed mitigation measures. If the NEPA process has been completed, provide the final approval date for the NEPA document. If the NEPA process has not yet been completed, list the key remaining milestones for the NEPA process, their status, and their anticipated completion dates. Identify any anticipated challenges to timely completing the NEPA process.

• Link to NEPA Documentation: If draft or final NEPA documentation is available, provide a hyperlink, attach it, or append it.

• Reevaluation and Post-Approval Changes: Describe any planned and/or completed efforts to reevaluate the NEPA documentation between the final NEPA approval and beginning of construction. Reevaluation may be warranted based on the passage of time and/or changes in the project scope, setting, impacts, or applicable requirements since the final NEPA approval.

• Permits and Approvals: List any federal, state, or local permits and approvals anticipated to be needed for the project (e.g., Clean Water Act Section 404 permit, Endangered Species Act Section 7 consultation, etc.) and how the need for those permits and approvals was determined. Provide the status of each permit or approval and the date that the permit or approval was obtained or is anticipated to be obtained. Summarize and attach relevant correspondence or documentation of consultation with permitting agencies.

• Coordination with DOT: Identify the federal lead agency for the NEPA process and any joint-lead agencies. Describe any coordination that has occurred with an agency or operating administration of USDOT regarding the project proposal and/or NEPA analysis. Describe any coordination with state, county, or local transportation agencies regarding preliminary design and the NEPA process.

iv. Project Support

• Public and Agency Involvement Process: Summarize the key events and techniques used to engage the public and other stakeholders during the NEPA process. Highlight efforts to engage communities likely to be affected by the project, including details on access for persons with disabilities. These efforts may include public meetings, a public website, presentations to community groups, newsletters, online outreach, etc.

• Public and Agency Involvement Results: Summarize the support, opposition, and/or other notable feedback related to the project from the following groups and describe how stakeholder feedback has been integrated into project development and design:

o The public, including members of communities affected by the proposal, o Elected officials and/or bodies (e.g., federal and state legislators, city and county councils and boards, etc.), o Other entities (e.g., members of business or industry, community organizations, advocacy groups, etc.), and o Federal, state, or local agencies (reference any relevant information provided in the

NEPA and Permitting section above).

• Attach and reference documentation of support as applicable (e.g., letters of support, letters of commitment, resolutions, summaries of public comments, etc.)

v. Risks and Mitigation

Project risks, such as procurement delays, environmental uncertainties, increases in real estate acquisition costs, uncommitted local match (non-federal funding), lack of support from stakeholders or impacted communities, or lack of…