FY2020 CDLPI NOFO.pdf

Notice of Funding Opportunity Summary Information

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

Funding Opportunity Title: Commercial Driver's License Program Implementation

Announcement Type:

Funding Opportunity Number:

Initial

FM-CDL-20-001

Assistance Listing Number: 20.232

Key Date – Application Due Date:

February 21, 2020

5:00pm EST

Point of Contact: Financial/Application concerns:

Montika Brooks 202-366-8980 montika.brooks@dot.gov

Programmatic concerns:

Wendy Cunningham 360-481-4485 wendy.cunningham@dot.gov

SECTION A - PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

1) Overview.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announces the Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 Commercial Driver's License Program Implementation (CDLPI) financial assistance program Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to solicit applications from State and local governments, and other persons and organizations representing government agencies that support CDLPI activities.

The FY 2020 CDLPI program is authorized by the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, Pub. L. No. 114-94, §§ 5101 and 5104 (2015), codified at 49 U.S.C. §§ 31104 and 31313. The FAST Act authorized $33,200,000 in CDLPI grant funding in FY 2020, and FMCSA anticipates awarding approximately $32,702,000 after the 1.5 percent administrative takedown amount of $498,000. Final funding amounts are subject to the availability of funding under the Continuing Resolution or the FY 2020 Appropriation Act.

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s strategic goals are:

SAFETY: Reduce transportation-related fatalities and serious injuries across the transportation system.

INFRASTRUCTURE: Invest in infrastructure to ensure safety, mobility and accessibility and to stimulate economic growth, productivity and competitiveness for American workers and businesses.

INNOVATION: Lead in the development and deployment of innovative practices and technologies that improve the safety and performance of the Nation’s transportation system.

ACCOUNTABILITY: Serve the Nation with reduced regulatory burden and greater efficiency, effectiveness and accountability.

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

The goal of the National CDL Program supports the Department’s strategic goals and FMCSA’s mission by ensuring that only qualified drivers are eligible to receive and retain a CDL and focuses on maintaining the concept that each driver has only one driving record and only one licensing document, commonly referred to as "One Driver — One License — One Record."

Further, States are required to conduct knowledge and skills testing before issuing a Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP) and/or CDL; to maintain a complete and accurate driver history record for anyone who obtains a CLP and/or CDL; and to impose driver disqualifications as appropriate.

This NOFO provides important information about the FY 2020 CDLPI program activities/projects and guidance related to preparing and submitting a grant application. The FMCSA will award grants under this announcement in two separate categories, the CDLPI Basic Grants and CDLPI High Priority/Emerging Issues Grants.

2) Project Types under CDLPI Financial Assistance Program.

Unless indicated otherwise, references to the CDLPI grant program include both Basic and High Priority/Emerging Issues activities/projects, with details for each type of CDLPI grant focus area explained later in this announcement.

i) CDLPI Basic Projects are only applicable to SDLAs. Applications that support the development, implementation, and maintenance of all or part of the CDL program or that have a direct impact on a State’s compliance with the provisions of 49 CFR parts 383 and 384.

ii) CDLPI High Priority/Emerging Issues Projects are applicable for implementation by States, local governments, and other entities capable of executing National projects that aid States in their compliance efforts and improving the National CDL Program.

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

3) CDLPI FY 2020 National Priorities.

All applications must support a public purpose. The FMCSA may not award grant funding to individuals for personal gain, such as obtaining the specialized training required for CDL licensing. The FMCSA will not award grant funding to any private business for profit or direct financial gain that does not provide benefit to the National CDL Program, such as purchasing a new tractor-trailer for a driving school. The FMCSA will award grants under this announcement in two separate categories, the CDLPI Basic Grants and High Priority/Emerging Issues Grants.

i) CDLPI Basic Grants and Cooperative Agreements.

a) General.

Only SDLAs are eligible. Proposed projects must either support the development, implementation, and maintenance of all or part of the CDL program, or have a direct impact on a State’s compliance with the provisions of 49 CFR parts 383 and 384.

b) Considerations for Funding.

Applications received for CDLPI Basic Grants will be given consideration for funding as follows:

Projects Eligible for 100 percent Federal funding

A) Applications for projects to achieve or maintain compliance with FMCSA rulemakings. Projects to assist States in achieving or maintaining compliance with the requirements of related rulemakings, such as the CDL Testing and CLP Standards Final Rule and the Medical Examiner’s Certification Integration Rule. The FMCSA will reimburse 100 percent of total project costs for Information Technology programming to implement FMCSA required rulemakings impacting a State’s CDL program.

B) Applications that support a State’s correction and mitigation of its CDL regulatory compliance findings. Projects that implement FMCSA approved finding strategies documented in FMCSA databases. The open findings and proposed strategies should be described in the CDL Program Self-Assessment section of the application. FMCSA will reimburse 100 percent of the total project costs to correct and mitigate State compliance findings.

C) Applications that support an SDLA’s data improvements and timeliness projects. As the foundation for the entire CDL program, the accuracy, completeness, and timeliness of all CDL data is essential to the program’s success. The FMCSA encourages applications for funding to achieve and sustain the highest possible quality of all CDL data.

Examples include correcting all broken and missing CDLIS pointers, submitting convictions within 10 days, and correcting CDLIS transaction errors timely. The FMCSA will reimburse 100 percent of the total project costs.

Projects eligible for 85 percent Federal funding

A) Applications to support sustained CDL statutory compliance projects.

Projects that will enable States to achieve and/or sustain full compliance or, in the case of a State that is making a good faith effort toward substantial compliance with the requirements in 49 U.S.C. §§ 31311 and 31313, to improve the implementation of its CDL program. The FMCSA will reimburse 85 percent of the total project costs to maintain compliance

B) Applications that support an SDLA’s partnership efforts. Although full compliance with FMCSA regulations and Federal statutes is the primary focus of the CDLPI grant program, FMCSA also encourages applications for projects that promote partnership efforts that lead to substantial compliance. These projects do not necessarily address a State’s compliance issue(s) but may improve a State’s compliance with the CDL regulations. The FMCSA will give priority to proposals for multi-jurisdictional partnerships or collaboration with universities that support anti-fraud activities, communication or on-site consultation on best practices, and/or the resolution of barriers to compliance. Examples include partnerships among several States to resolve compliance issues that are common among the partner States, partnerships between SDLAs, law enforcement, prosecutors, judges, and/or court clerks (broadly: the criminal justice community) within the same State to improve quality and timeliness of convictions reporting or to increase outreach to courts on CDL disqualifications and/or masking and diversion, and partnerships among SDLAs and Federal or non-Federal stakeholders. Partnerships that involve several States that compare facial images, identify driver data, identify duplicate driver applications to combat fraud, and deliver multi-jurisdictional and cross functional workshops that include courts, law enforcement, SDLAs, and other interested stakeholders are examples of such projects. The FMCSA will reimburse 85 percent of total project costs.

C) Applications for an SDLA’s operation and maintenance (O&M) projects. The CDLPI grant program is not intended to supplement ongoing operational costs of State CDL programs. Its primary purpose is to assist States in achieving and sustaining compliance with the provisions of 49 CFR parts 383 and 384. For this reason, funding for annually recurring State administrative costs receives a lower priority than funding associated with compliance issues or innovative CDL program improvements. Examples of O&M projects include: kiosk and tablet operation and maintenance and skills testing site improvements. The FMCSA will reimburse 85 percent of total project costs.

D) Applications for projects combatting human trafficking. As provided in 49 U.S.C. 31313(a)(3), FMCSA will prioritize grant applications that support the recognition, prevention, and reporting of human trafficking.

The FMCSA will reimburse 85 percent of total project costs.

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

ii) CDLPI High Priority/Emerging Issues Cooperative Agreements and Grants.

a) Eligible Enities.

States, local governments, and other entities capable of executing National projects that aid States in their compliance efforts and improve the National CDL Program are eligible. Examples include projects that support research, development, innovation, demonstration projects, public education, and other activities that directly relate to improving the CDL process and increasing motor vehicle safety, that are of benefit to all jurisdictions in the United States, are designed to address National safety concerns and circumstances, or are being considered for National implementation.

b) Considerations for Funding.

Applications received for CDLPI HP/Emerging Issues will be given consideration for funding as follows:

Applications for funding for States to have a third party possessing appropriate qualifications and experience conduct a comprehensive review or assessment to determine whether the State’s CDL Program is in compliance with the requirements of 49 CFR part 384, subpart B, and 49 CFR part 383. Grant funding will be awarded as a cooperative agreement.

Applications must identify the specific qualifications and experience that make the third party qualified to conduct the comprehensive review or assessment.

The State may attach resumes for these individuals to highlight their qualifications.

Applications must identify the areas that will be reviewed as part of the comprehensive review or assessment. At a minimum, the comprehensive review must include: (1) an operational review, (2) a data reconciliation review, (3) a legal sufficiency review, and (4) an open findings review.

1. Operational Review – The operational review provides a detailed examination of all processes relating to the State’s CDL program, including but not limited to: (1) processing workflow of applicants for licensure including: skills and knowledge testing practices; processing of convictions and withdrawals, whether electronic or otherwise; (2) operations and practices of the State’s CDLIS Helpdesk or equivalent; and

(3) fraud prevention practices.

2. Data Reconciliation Review – The data reconciliation review provides a detailed review of the SDLA’s data processing capabilities, such as manual data processing and IT systems. The goal of the data reconciliation review is to build upon the knowledge obtained in the operational review, and to confirm that every conviction and disqualification has been accounted for in the driver’s record, and that the State imposed all required disqualifications in accordance with the relevant regulations in parts 383 and 384.

3. Legal Sufficiency Review – The legal sufficiency review is a detailed review of all State laws, regulations and other documents relevant to analyzing the State’s legal authority to implement each of the requirements of 49 CFR part 384, subpart B and of 49 CFR part 383.

Each requirement in parts 383 and 384 is expected to correspond to a specific legal authority that the State can rely upon to comply with the requirement. The legal sufficiency review must include a table or other crosswalk with citations to the specific State laws or regulations corresponding to the requirements from parts 383 or 384.

Applications that do not, at a minimum, address these three areas will not receive funding.

The Recipient must provide a report detailing the results of the comprehensive review. The report must provide a detailed discussion of the findings, including the three required elements of the review. The State must include a plan of action addressing all findings of non-compliance and provide a timeline for correction. Unless FMCSA advises otherwise, the report must include as attachments all supporting information used to reach the conclusions in the report, including the comprehensive review conducted by the third party.

As previously stated, the grant will be awarded as a cooperative agreement. The following are illustrative examples of FMCSA’s substantial involvement: 1) act as a Technical Advisor 2) provide a sample CDL Part 383/384 Compliance Review/Assessment Template to be used as the overarching guide for the review; 3) provide Report template/format; 4) review qualifications of the third party entity or entities who will conduct the comprehensive assessment/review; 5) review and approve the final report to ensure that all three required comprehensive elements were reviewed; and 6) request additional supporting documentation ;

B) Applications requesting funding that:

i) provides training and/or technical assistance to CDL stakeholders including SDLAs, courts, and law enforcement;

ii) facilitates the timeliness, accuracy, and completeness of CDL data exchange;

iii) offers direct guidance or consultation to CDL stakeholders on best practices; or

iv) demonstrates an innovative approach to: a) establish a project to reduce the CDL skills testing delays, b) implement an employer notification system with potential benefit to the National CDL Program, and c) human trafficking outreach projects will be reimbursed 85 percent of the total project costs for these types of projects.

C) Applications for enhancing court expertise. Projects that enhance the expertise of court officers in prosecuting, adjudicating, and transmitting CDL violations. For example, projects can include training on the prevention of masking CDL related offenses, and ensuring that felony convictions for CDL/CLP holders are provided to the SDLAs for proper adjudication.

D) Applications that facilitate the detection and prevention of fraud in the CDL process. Projects for detecting and preventing fraud in the CDL process may include, but are not limited to training, issuing, testing, recordkeeping, and data reporting.

E) Applications that support hosting meetings and conferences to address CDL compliance issues among the SDLAs. For example, projects can include hosting a meeting that brings all stakeholders together to share experiences and best practices, and updates on the industry’s latest tools and resources.

The following elements must be included in the application for meeting and conference proposals: a detailed budget; timelines for completion of the plan’s components; and a detailed plan for execution, to include: venue selection, assistance with attendee hotel reservations, development of the meeting’s agenda in consultation with other entities as deemed appropriate, on-site support during the meeting, and post-meeting requirements. Post-meeting requirements include, but are not limited to, preparing a final report that includes a general overview of the meeting’s successes and areas for improvement, a list of attendees, attendee feedback, minutes from the meeting’s sessions, accounting for all expenses, and a debriefing.

F) Temporary Project with FMCSA CDL Division.

i) General:

The FMCSA would like at least one (1) State person to work directly with the Agency’s CDL Division in FMCSA Headquarters. The SDLA representative should have sufficient background and exposure to the pressing issues of SDLAs in complying with CDL requirements, in order to be able to contribute and/or lead a project. The experience of the candidate will contribute to the National CDL Program by providing a State’s perspective on policy development relating to the implementation of CDL regulations that impact the nation. Thus, the purpose of this project is to directly benefit State and local CMV safety agencies and further the intent of the National CDL Program.

This project is expected to run for at least 12 months with the earliest start date being January 2020, and should be completed no later than June 30, 2022. Due to the direct involvement required, any awards will be issued as a cooperative agreement.

ii) Requirements:

Applications must provide a high-level description of a National project that the SDLA would like FMCSA’s CDL Division to consider, for which their specified staff can provide the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully complete the tasks and activities. The project is subject to the approval of FMCSA.

The person selected for the project will be expected to be detached from their responsibilities in their home State and will focus on the implementation of project(s) that improve the National CDL Program.

iii) Budget Under this Priority.

In addition, applicant must include a budget which provides:

(1) Lodging costs in the Washington, DC area (e.g., a furnished corporate apartment or extended stay hotel) that does not exceed the General Services Administration’s (GSA) highest daily lodging rate in effect;

(2) Meals and incidental expenses at 55 percent of GSA daily per diem rate for FY 2020;

(3) Proposed salary and fringe benefit costs of the employee;

(4) Associated travel to and from one’s home airport; and

(5) Other allowable expenses that the applicant reasonably estimates it will incur as a result of this opportunity.

iv) Cost Sharing under this Priority

The FMCSA will provide up to 100 percent of the eligible project costs. This assignment will include work in FMCSA’s headquarters in Washington, DC, possible travel to other SDLAs, and may include work in the selectee’s home State. When working in Washington, DC, FMCSA will provide the individual working space and the necessary equipment and supplies during the assignment. The assignment may last up to 12 months depending upon the project descriptions and the product(s) that will be developed and implemented for National implementation.

Reminders for FY 2020.

1. Applicants must submit separate applications for projects eligible for 100 percent Federal funding and for projects eligible for 85 percent Federal funding, as described under Section (A)(2).

2. Applicants must state whether the project is located in a qualified opportunity zone designated pursuant to 26 U.S.C. § 1400Z-1

Budgets

1. Submit budget information in whole numbers only. Block 18 of the Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424) and all fields of the Budget Information form (SF- 424A) should be reflected in whole dollars ONLY.

2. Capture each grant project (objective) separately. Capture each grant project separately in column A (Grant Program Function or Activity) of Section A of the SF- 424A. These same grant program function(s) or activities should be reflected in Section B-Budget Categories as indicated on row 6. If more than 5 projects are being proposed, please use a continuation page for the SF-424A.

SECTION B - FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

1. Funding and Number of Awards.

The FMCSA anticipates making approximately 50 awards totaling $32,702,000, subject to the availability of FY 2020 appropriations funding. This amount reflects a 1.5 percent administrative takedown for partner training and program support.

2. Type of Award.

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

These award types are for new FMCSA awards only. Applications for renewal or supplementation of existing awards are not eligible.

3. Period of Performance.

In accordance with 49 U.S.C. § 31104(f)(5), awarded funding is available for the fiscal year of award and the four succeeding years, but may be awarded for a shorter period of time. The period of performance for CDLPI grants will be the date designated in Block 11 of the Notice of Grant Award. NOTE: When requesting a period of performance on the SF-424 application form, applicants should carefully consider how long it will take to complete the grant’s activities and objectives. The start date should not be any later than the last day of the current fiscal year, September 30, 2020.

4. Degree of Federal Involvement.

i) ☒ [Cooperative Agreement] – In accordance with 31 U.S.C. § 6305, FMCSA will award a cooperative agreement when substantial involvement between FMCSA and the recipient is anticipated when carrying out the activity outlined in the Notice of Grant Agreement. The FMCSA will outline the substantial involvement at the time of award in the Notice of Grant Agreement (e.g., the degree to which FMCSA employees are directing the performing or implemention of the award program).

ii) ☒ [Grant] - Substantial involvement is not expected between FMCSA and the recipient when carrying out the activity outlined in the agreement. The FMCSA provides financial assistance, technical expertise, and oversight. Recipients provide the effort and expertise necessary to carry out the approved activities to improve CMV safety. The FMCSA recipients are responsible for achieving the work described in their grant award, complying with the grant requirements laid out in the grant award and Terms and Conditions, the local administration of the grant, and monitoring and oversight of any sub-grantees or sub-contractors.

SECTION C - ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

1) Eligible Applicants. The following section includes the applicants eligible for award.

i) States.

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

To be eligible for a Basic CDLPI Category Grant, States must:

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

b) Address outstanding findings discovered during Annual Program Reviews and Skills Testing Reviews;

c) Comply with the requirements of related rulemakings, such as the CDL Testing and CLP Standards Final Rule and the Medical Examiner’s Certification Integration Final Rule. The FMCSA may make a grant to a State under this program only if it complies with or is making a good faith effort toward substantial compliance with the requirements of 49 U.S.C.§ 31311; and

d) As a condition of the grant per § 32306 of Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21), States must provide FMCSA with access to all State licensing status and driver history records via an electronic information system, subject to 18 U.S.C. § 2721.

At its discretion, FMCSA will consider applications received from SDLAs to be for Basic CDLPI grant funding unless the application specifically indicates otherwise in the application.

ii) Non-State Organizations.

Applications received from non-State organizations will be considered to be for High Priority/Emerging Issues grant funding. Some of these awards may be issued as cooperative agreements and applications must include all required documents. In addition, the applications must clearly describe the anticipated level and nature of FMCSA participation and the responsibilities of each partner to the agreement until the grant or cooperative agreement is closed.

The FMCSA must approve the development and execution of training to the courts and law enforcement to ensure no duplication of efforts, since there are other entities that service or support similar objectives with the courts and law enforcement. Applicants must consider FMCSA’s involvement in its grant applications. Also, FMCSA will ensure project activities are dispersed and presented at locations or available to locations that will have the biggest benefit for the costs and resources available by region.

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

2) Cost-Sharing and Matching Requirements.

Section 5104 of the FAST Act makes provision for an optional match of up to 15 percent of the total project costs, to be implemented at the Agency’s discretion. Unless otherwise stated, effective FY 2020, a 15 percent match of the total project cost will be required of all applicants/recipients, unless otherwise stated in this NOFO.

Any eligible type of cost included in the approved budget may be used as match, and recipients may vary the costs used as match from voucher to voucher, provided those costs were included in the approved budget. Costs that have not been approved by FMCSA as part of the project’s budget may not be used as match.

Cost matching and cost sharing must be in compliance with Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Regulations, including 2 CFR part 200.

SECTION D - APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

1) Submission Website Address.

The applicants must complete and submit all forms included in this Notice at www.grants.gov.

When completing the Application for Federal Assistance SF-424 form, applicants must indicate the application type is a “CDLPI-Basic” or “CDL-High Priority/Emerging Issues” in box 15, “Descriptive Title of Applicant’s Project.”

2) Application requirements.

i) Separate Applications Required for Projects Eligible for 100 percent Federal funding and for projects eligible for 85 percent Federal funding. Separate applications must be submitted for projects eligible for 100 percent Federal funding and for projects eligible for 85 percent Federal funding under the CDLPI FY2020 National Priorities. These priorites are defined in the Priority Section below. Please ensure that proposed projects meet the critieria listed to qualify for the 100 percent funding. If a proposed project submitted under the 100 percent funded application does not meet the priority criteria for 100 percent Federal funding, FMCSA may evaluate whether the application meets the eligibility criteria for 85 percent Federal funding.

ii) Requirements When One or More Projects are Proposed. This section highlights requirements for application packages proposing one or more projects.

iii) Application Narratives. A project consists of one or more activities that work towards achieving defined goals and objectives. If an applicant chooses to propose multiple CDLPI projects within a single application, each application must contain separate and distinct project narratives, budget narratives, line item budgets, and titles for each project proposed within that application package.

When an application contains multiple projects, each project must include the following sections in consecutive order: Brief Introduction, Problem Statement, Performance Objectives, Project Activity Plan, Performance Measurement Plan, Monitoring and Reporting Plan, and Budget Narrative. For example, in an application containing multiple projects eligible for 85 percent Federal funding, Project 1 would include the above sections in consecutive order, followed by Project 2, which would also include the above sections in consecutive order.

iv) Grants.gov Application Package / SF-424 and SF-424A. This section highlights specific fields and sections of the SF-424 and SF-424A. For instructions on completing these forms, please go to Grants.gov, https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html

a) SF 424, Field 18- Box (a) - Estimated Funding must be completed. It must contain the amount of Federal funding requested (i.e., 85 percent or 100 percent).Box (b) must contain the required 15 percent match, if the project is eligible for 85 percent Federal funding. If the project is eligible for 100 percent Federal funding then enter “0” in Box (b). Box (g) should equal the total project amount, which is the sum of boxes (a) and (b). The value of in-kind contributions should be included on the appropriate lines, as applicable.

b) SF 424A - Section A – Budget Summary shows the 85% Federal, 15% non-federal and total cost per project. Section A must be completed.

c) Section B – Budget Categories captures total amount per object class categories, both federally funded and matching share, as applicable. In the column headings (1) through (4), enter the titles, that match narrative title, for each of the proposed projects. If five or more projects are proposed, download an additional SF-424A from Grants.gov. Please note, the SF-424A covers the life of the project costs, and not just the first year (as stipulated in the SF-424A instructions). Section B must be completed.

All costs in the budget narrative, SF-424, and SF-424A must be rounded to the nearest whole dollar amount.

3) Content and Form of Application Submission.

The application must follow the format and limitation stated below:

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

Margins (Top, Bottom, Right and Left) no smaller the 1” (Header and Footer are allowed in the margins) on all pages.

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

Application must be submitted in a format readable by Microsoft (MS) Word 2010, Excel 2010, or in text searchable PDF formats (as applicable).

The application narrative is limited to 35 total pages. FMCSA will not read or consider any materials beyond the specified page limit in the application review process. NOTE: The 35 total page limit will apply to this section only. Submission of documentation and forms described in Appendix A will not count against the application page limit.

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

i) Brief Introduction. – 5-page maximum

Include a description of the goal(s) of the application and the applicable program priority(ies) met by the application’s projects. Include in this introduction specific information about the outputs the application proposes to achieve. For each goal identified, the applicant must provide a problem statement, performance objective, program activity plan, and performance measurement plan.

ii) For SDLA Applicants Only: CDL Program Self-Assessment (Program Overview) – 5 page maximum

Applications from SDLAs must include a CDL program self-assessment, which may be included as part of the project’s program overview or project plan; a separate, stand-alone document is not required. This requirement applies to SDLAs only; if the applicant is not an SDLA, this information should be provided to the applicant by the SDLA. Applications that fail to include the required information will be considered incomplete and risk disqualification.

The Program Overview is not a comprehensive description or history of the applicant’s entire CDL program or an acceptable substitute for the compliance plan mandated by MAP-21 § 32305.

The Program Overview is a summary of key elements of the applicant’s program and must include the following three components:

a) A list of all open findings in the State Compliance Records Enterprise (SCORE) System, including the finding’s citation and a brief description; the reason for the finding;

the proposed resolution; and the expected date by which the finding will be closed.

b) A list of all open CDLPI grant awards, including the award number, award amount, and purpose; progress made to date in achieving the award’s objectives; remaining unexpended funding; the expected date of completion; and how the application’s requested funding supports those grants without duplicating their costs or activities.

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

iii) Problem Statement. – 5-page maximum

A quantitative description of the identified problem. Include details on the data used to identify the problem and to establish the baseline (include data source, date, and explain how the applicant collects, maintains, and analyzes the data). Data should support proposed project(s). Example: The Applicant proposes to implement strategies that remove barriers to compliance and improve customer confidence to ensure accuracy, completeness, and timeliness of CDL data and to sustain a status of zero open findings in SCORE. Specifically, this application requests funding to expand the existing suite of online services to add identification of CDL duplicates, driver address changes, license reinstatement, and calendared reminders about the approaching expiration of the driver’s current medical certificate and/or medical variances. A successful pilot at the Applicant’s expense has confirmed that this approach reduces the potential for fraud and for unqualified drivers being issued a CDL.

iv) Performance Objective. – 5-page maximum

A description of the applicant’s quantifiable goal related to the above problem statement.

This can be measured in numbers, percentages, or other forms that accurately measure the outputs and outcomes the applicant anticipates will result from implementing the strategies and activities proposed. Example: This application’s performance objective is strengthening CDL program control and oversight to ensure continued compliance with all current program requirements by purchasing and installing 15 Motion Computer Scoring Tablets;

this technology will limit each examiner to a unique ID, and will use GPS to record and log the comprehensiveness and thoroughness of the required CDL road test. These capabilities are both considered best practices in detecting and preventing fraud.

v) Program Activity Plan. – 5-page maximum

A description of the activities the applicant believes will help mitigate the problem.

Description should include details such as number and frequency of activities. Example:

Expanding the program to automate pre-trip, basic control skills, and road test scoring for all tester/examiners conducting 50 or more CDL skills tests annually by purchasing 15 tablets, providing training in using the equipment, and coordinating with the vendor to ensure that test results can be successfully transmitted.

vi) Performance Measurement Plan. – 5-page maximum

A description of how the applicant will measure progress towards the performance objective goal, such as quantifiable and measurable outputs (hours, carrier contacts, inspections, etc.)

and in terms of performance outcomes. The measure must include specific benchmarks that can be reported on in the quarterly progress report, if practicable, or as annual outcomes.

Example: The Applicant will monitor and report on the number and percentage of mid-to-high volume examiners whose tests are performed using automated scoring equipment, and will increase the number of unscheduled examiner audits by 10 percent as compared to the previous 12-month period. The Applicant will provide status updates through quarterly progress and financial reports. The Applicant will also provide a final report that includes a process evaluation describing how the project was conducted and how it met the desired objectives.

vii) Budget Narrative. – 5-page maximum

A budget narrative is a description, by budget category (object class) that details the costs necessary to complete the proposed projects. A well-written budget narrative ensures that the applicant has properly documented proposed costs. The level of detail should be sufficient to justify the funding requested. Applicants are strongly encouraged to use the sample budget narrative format included in Appendix B.

Ensure that each project has its own budget narrative that matches the SF-424A Budget Categories Columns for each project. All costs in the budget narrative, SF-424 and SF-424A must be rounded to the nearest whole dollar amount. DO NOT include cents for Federal or State share.

The budget narrative should reflect the allocability of project activities to the grant. Budgets should reflect the appropriate Federal and State match amounts. Exceeding the required State match will not favorably influence the evaluation of an application. FMCSA may adjust the applicant’s budget or adjust funding to reflect the appropriate match.

Consistent with the Department's R.O.U.T.E.S. Initiative (https://www.transportation.gov/rural), the Department encourages applicants to describe how activities proposed in their application would address the unique challenges facing rural transportation networks, regardless of the geographic location of those activities.

4) Sam.Gov requirement.

The applicant must:

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

2. Provide a valid Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number on the SF-424. If you do not have a DUNS number, you can get one free through the D&B website:

https://fedgov.dnd.com/webform/displayHomePage.do .

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

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

5) Submission Dates and Times.

i) Deadline.

Unsolicited applications will not be accepted. FULL AND COMPLETE APPLICATIONS FOR Commercial Driver’s License Program Implementation ARE DUE ON February 21, 2020 by 5:00pm EST. Once Grants.gov has received your submission, you will receive email messages to advise you of the progress of your application through the system. Over the next two business days, you should receive two emails: 1) confirms application receipt by the Grants.gov system; and 2) indicates that the application has either been successfully validated by Grants.gov prior to transmission to FMCSA or has been rejected due to errors. The applicant assumes responsibility for a timely and complete submission. Click here for more information.

ii) Consideration of Applications.

Only applicants who comply with all submission deadlines described in this notice and electronically submit valid applications through Grants.gov will be eligible for consideration of award. Applicants are strongly encouraged to make submissions in advance of the deadline.

iii) Late Applications.

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

6) Intergovernmental Review.

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

7) Funding Restrictions.

The CDLPI grant program is not intended to supplement ongoing operational costs of State CDL programs. Its primary purpose is to assist States in achieving and sustaining compliance with the provisions of 49 CFR parts 383 and 384.

Pre-award costs are not eligible for reimbursement. All costs must be allowable, allocable, reasonable, and necessary to achieve the stated goals, and must comply with the cost principles in 2 CFR part 200. Compliance with these requirements is the responsibility of the recipient of Federal funds. Costs must also be consistently applied and documented. These standards are described in the applicable cost principles and administrative requirements in 2 CFR §§ 200.400 through 200.475; note that §§ 200.416-200.417 include Special Considerations for States, Local Governments, and Indian Tribes, and that §§ 200.418-200.419 include Special Considerations for Institutions of Higher Education. Contact FMCSA’s Grants Management Office for additional information.

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

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

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

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

iii) Indirect expenses, including overhead. Indirect expenses for the purchase, rent, or lease of land or buildngs are unallowable.

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

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

vi) Expenses related to data acquisition, storage, and analysis that are not being requested under any other FMCSA grant program’s funding, that are specifically identifiable as program-related, and that are intended to improve efficiency. The proposal should clearly demonstrate the extent to which these costs will directly benefit the grant program. Cost allocation plan(s) should be attached, as applicable, to support the direct benefit to CDL compliance, as supported in the project proposal.

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

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

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

The FMCSA will not reimburse an amount that is more than the Federal share of costs incurred as of the date of the voucher.

Recipients must submit requests for reimbursement electronically through the Delphi eInvoicing System (iSupplier). Additional information is available at: http://www.dot.gov/cfo/delphi-einvoicing-system.

8) Other Submission Requirements.

Applications must be submitted electronically via https://www.grants.gov as described above in this section. In the event of system problems or technical difficulties with the application submittal, please call at 1-800-518-4726 or e-mail at support@grants.gov 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (closed on Federal holidays).To submit an application through Grants.gov, applicants must:

i. Create a username and password

ii. Establish an E-Business point of contact (POC) in order to response to the registration emails.

iii. Establish an Authorized Organization Representative (AOR); more than one AOR can be established.

Please note the registration process in Grants.gov usually takes 2-4 business weeks to complete.

FMCSA will not consider late applications due to failure to register or comply with Grant.gov requirements.

In addition, applicants should also state within their Project Activity Plan narrative whether the proposed project(s) is/are located in a qualified opportunity zone designated pursuant to 26 U.S.C.

§ 1400Z-1.

SECTION E - APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

1) Initial Intake Review – Eligibility Criteria.

All applications received by the due date will undergo an initial intake review to determine if the application is eligible for a Merit Evaluation Review. The eligibility criteria are listed below.

Eligibility Criteria:

1. Was the application submitted by the deadline?

2. Was the application submitted by an eligible applicant?

3. Is this application a duplicate submission as confirmed by the applicant?

4. Was the Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424) completed?

5. Was the Budget information for Non-Construction form (SF-424A) completed?

6. Was the Assurances for Non-Construction form (SF-424B) completed?

7. Was the Grants.gov Certification Regarding Lobbying form completed?

8. Was the Disclosure of Lobbying activities form (SF-LLL) completed?

9. Do the Key Contact forms include PI/PD and ADO contact information?

10. Was a current Indirect Cost Rate agreement included in the application?

11. Does the application include a complete Budget Narrative?

12. Does the application include a complete Project Narrative?

Applications that meet the completeness criteria are then reviewed and subject to a merit review process where each complete application is evaluated by multiple organizations within FMCSA including: a technical review panel (TRP), grant specialists, program officers, and FMCSA staff responsible for day-to-day grant management oversight. The reviewers also consider the budget, program specific aspects, past performance, and Department of Transportation objectives in determining the application’s ratings.

Consistent with the Department's R.O.U.T.E.S. Initiative (https://www.transportation.gov/rural), the Department recognizes that rural transportation networks face unique challenges. To the extent that those challenges are reflected in the merit criteria listed in this section, the Department will consider how the activities proposed in the application will address those challenges, regardless of the geographic location of those activities.

2) Review and Selection Process.

i) Merit Evaluation Review.

The Merit Evaluation Review consists of the following areas: 1) Technical Merit, 2) Budget Review/Cost Analysis, 3) Program-Specific Aspects, and 4) Past Performance.

1. Technical Merit.

This review provides an independent assessment of the technical/programmatic merit of an application. At least three qualified individuals are selected to review each application to ensure diversity of perspective and knowledge.