FY2022 High Priority- NOFO Funding Conference Q&A.pdf

FY 2022 HP NOFO Funding Conference Q&A February 23, 2021

Projects

• What is the typical start date/month for proposals submitted in March 2022? Perhaps funds mostly start after

9/1/22, so one has nearly 3 years to complete the work?

Answer: Typically, awards are made near the end of the current Federal fiscal year, around late

August/September. We anticipate FY22 awards will be released in that timeframe. Therefore, if HP is awarded in August 2022, the HP-CMV period of performance would be 2 months plus two fiscal years, and HP-ITD period of performance would be 2 months plus four fiscal years.

o Is it okay to request or specify a 9/1/22 start date? Federal FY starts 10/1/22. So, waiting until 9/1/22 doesn't extend the clock, really. (Texas & many others start 9/1.)

Answer: The awards might be made after that date. The project plan would then need to be adjusted to reflect the actual period of performance.

o I'm at a state university and have heard that the proposed work should be for just 1 state since the local safety officers must support the project. It seems that a lot of our projects have relevance across the nation (& perhaps world). Can we propose & be competitive for wider scoped projects than simply safety in our own state?

Answer: Yes

• Is the 5pm deadline eastern or is it 5 pm for each time zone?

Answer: The deadline is 5:00 pm eastern standard time.

• Please state again what is MCSAP?

Answer: MCSAP is Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program. Detailed information is provided at https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/grants/mcsap-basic-incentive-grant/motor-carrier-safety-assistance-program-mcsap-grant o Can we apply under as a nonprofit? Or state university?

Answer: No. MCSAP is a formula grant for participating Lead State Agencies.

• Can you define a project and a task? Can one project have multiple tasks? Are the items listed under #3 HP-CMV Award Performance Goals and Indicators such as CMV Crash reductions a standalone project?

Answer: Project may have several tasks. A task would be an activity to achieve the objective of the project.

o How do we address projects that we complete during our normal operations but are not seeking funding for but satisfy grant priorities?

Answer: It is not necessary to satisfy all HP grant program priorities. The narrative should be focused on how the applicant will satisfy their selected HP priorities. For example, if you are not requesting funding for a PRISM project, it is not necessary to tell us about PRISM activities.

Please do not provide articles and news clippings. The application should be focused on the stated requirements in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).

https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/grants/mcsap-basic-incentive-grant/motor-carrier-safety-assistance-program-mcsap-grant https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/grants/mcsap-basic-incentive-grant/motor-carrier-safety-assistance-program-mcsap-grant

• Why is there an emphasis on passenger carrying CMV's in the HP-CMV grant if there is not a passenger carrying CMV issue with collisions?

Answer: The passenger carrier priorities is available to applicants which have issues in that area of enforcement. It is not a requirement that applicants apply for all priorities. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) https://www.transportation.gov/bipartisan-infrastructure-law specifically cites highlights this priority.”

o If your state does not have an issue would the state receive the funding?

Answer: No, awards are made to applicants which apply for a specific priority and meet the

NOFO requirements.

• In the past we submitted 5 projects. Do you have any advice or recommendations on how to combine projects?

Answer: There are two options: 1) combine priorities within a project if the objective is the same; or 2) Submit a separate application for the additional project.

• Is there a limit on the number of grants that can be submitted by a state agency? Or is there a limit for the entire state?

Answer: There is no limit by state agency, or by the entire state.

• To confirm, if we use this Budget Narrative template and we have three projects, we will have a total of three different Budget Narratives?

Answer: Yes, a separate budget narrative is required for each project regardless of whether the template is used. A comprehensive budget mirroring the SF424a is also required. This is a check point for the applicant to ensure all relevant totals correspond.

• It mentions Small Businesses can apply, but you mentioned no for-profits and no Individuals. Please elaborate?

Answer: There is an error on the Grants.gov page which includes Small Business as an eligible entity. For Profit Organizations are not an eligible entity. Please refer to the Section C – Eligibility Information of the NOFO for official requirements.

• Are references included as attachments or included in the document's body and counted in the 35-page limit?

Answer: Yes, since it would be part of the narrative section. Please see Section D(2)(i)(e) for detailed requirement information.

• What percentage of winning proposals address more than the 1 state where they are sited?

Answer: FMCSA does not have a percentage requirement for any of the priorities, or whether an application includes multiple states.

• Does it benefit us to address national priorities that we address but are not requesting funding for?

Answer: No, please go to Section E – Application Review Information for specific evaluation criteria.