FY2025 CDLPI NOFO.pdf

Notice of Funding Opportunity Federal Agency Name: U.S. Department of Transportation (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: Initial

Funding Opportunity Number: FM-CDL-25-002

Assistance Listing Number: 20.232

Key Date – Application Due Date: July 7, 2025

5:00 p.m. ET

Points of Contact: Financial application concerns:

Montika Brooks

(202) 754-2031 FMCSA_GrantMgmtHelpdesk@dot.gov

Programmatic application concerns:

Isabella Marra

(202) 843-2454 CDLGrants@dot.gov mailto:FMCSA_GrantMgmtHelpdesk@dot.gov mailto:CDLGrants@dot.gov

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Table of Contents

SECTION A – PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

SECTION B – FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

SECTION C – ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

SECTION D – APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

SECTION E – APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

SECTION F – FEDERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

SECTION G – FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY CONTACTS

SECTION H – OTHER INFORMATION

APPENDIX A – APPLICATION PACKAGE REQUIREMENT CHECKLIST

APPENDIX B – BUDGET NARRATIVE GUIDANCE

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SECTION A – PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

1. Overview and Authorizing Statutes, Regulations, and Order The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announces its Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 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 eligible persons and organizations that support CDLPI activities.

The Department intends to apply principles from DOT Order 2100.7 on Ensuring Reliance Upon Sound Economic Analysis in DOT’s Policies, Programs and Activities when evaluating applications and making award selections.

The program is authorized under 49 U.S.C. § 31313, as modified by Section 23001(b) of Public Law 117-58 (2021), also known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. FMCSA anticipates awarding approximately $89.4 million during FY 2025. Final funding amounts are subject to the availability of funding appropriated by Congress.

2. Changes from December 19, 2024 NOFO Notable changes in this NOFO compared to the version published on December 19, 2024 include:

• Removal of references to rescinded Executive Orders (EOs) and priorities from the previous administration.

• Alignment with newly issued EOs and Departmental orders, including DOT Order 2100.7 - Ensuring Reliance Upon Sound Economic Analysis In Department Of Transportation Policies, Programs, And Activities.

• Elimination of Other Selection Considerations and Additional Selection Criteria.

3. CDLPI Goals and Objectives FMCSA’s mission is to reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities involving large trucks and buses. In support of this mission, FMCSA partners with commercial driver’s license (CDL) stakeholders including, but not limited to, State Driver Licensing Agencies (SDLAs) commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers and employers, Tribal governments, the U.S. Armed Forces, State court officers, institutions of higher education (IHE), non-profit associations, and multi-State partnerships.

The CDLPI program objective is to provide financial assistance to States and other eligible entities to carry out and improve the national CDL program. The national CDL program focuses on 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, the national CDL program requires States 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 (DHR) for anyone who obtains a CLP and/or CDL; and to impose driver disqualifications, as required by the regulations.

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FMCSA provides financial assistance under the CDLPI financial assistance program to States to achieve compliance with statutory requirements and FMCSA regulations concerning driver’s license standards and programs, namely 49 U.S.C. § 31311(a) and 49 CFR parts 383 and 384. In addition, FMCSA provides financial assistance to other entities capable of executing national projects that aid States in their compliance efforts and that will improve the success and consistency of the national CDL Program.

This NOFO provides information about the FY 2025 CDLPI program priorities and guidance for preparing and submitting a grant application. FMCSA will award grants under this announcement in two categories: the CDLPI Basic Grants and CDLPI High Priority/Emerging Issues Grants. The Federal Financial Assistance Listing 20.232 provides additional CDLPI grant program information.

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CDLPI Award Performance Goals Applicants should include performance goals related to the national priorities under subsection 4, that demonstrate improvement or sustained compliance with U.S.C. § 31311 and 49 CFR parts 383 and 384.

1. Data Sources FMCSA will utilize SDLA’s CDLPI grant application’s performance goals provided and compared to data available in the State Compliance Records Enterprise System (SCORE), Commercial Driver’s License Information System (CDLIS) reports, driver history reports, and any other data source(s) used and reported by the applicant, comparing the results from the program with the baseline data provided in the application and available reports.

For applicants that are not States, including Tribal governments, FMCSA will utilize the eligible entity’s CDLPI grant application’s stated performance goals by examining any available data and other data source(s) used and reported or referenced by the applicant, comparing the results from the program with the baseline data provided in the application and the data sources provided and referenced in the application and any other FMCSA accessible reports.

2. Performance Goals and Indicators FMCSA will assess to what extent a CDLPI grant meets its performance goals outlined in the application by assessing its associated performance indicators. Applicants should specify performance goals and indicators related to the project (which will vary depending on which of the national priorities discussed below in subsection 4 the project seeks to address).

In general, activities must be tied to 49 CFR parts 383 and 384. Performance goals for successful CDLPI grant award projects may include, but are not limited to:

• Sustained Compliance with Current and New Rulemakings: Activities that address a

State’s sustained compliance with specific Federal CDL regulatory requirements found in 49 CFR parts 383 and/or 384 or 49 U.S.C. § 31311; and activities that support a State’s implementation of Federal CDL regulatory requirements, such as Medical Certification, Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse, and Entry-Level Driver Training requirements.

• Compliant Issuance of CDL/CLPs: Activities that support the issuance of CLPs and CDLs, upgrade/change endorsements, or a change state of record to only qualified drivers while identifying and instituting technology, policies, and procedures to prevent fraudulent activities in CDL and CLP issuance; and utilizing partnerships with other SDLAs and entities to improve issuance processes and compliance.

• Timely DHR Action(s): Activities to issue disqualifications, suspensions, and downgrades in a timely manner to CLP and CDL holders and post to their DHR, which will allow unsafe drivers to be removed from service.

• Data Quality, Accuracy, and Completeness: Activities that address a state’s accuracy and completeness of DHRs, including all conviction and disqualification data, medical

Page | 6 certifications, entry-level driver training verification, and knowledge and skills testing information. Activities that increase a state’s timeliness in updating DHRs and sharing data across jurisdictions within the required timeframes are also included.

• Innovative Approaches to Improving CDL Issues: Activities that provide a novel technique or approach (program design, use of technology assets, etc.) to benefit national CDL safety and/or improve SDLA’s CDL safety data quality, which may include research projects and pilot testing new approaches to improving compliance.

• Human Trafficking Recognition, Prevention, and Reporting: Activities that deter and reduce CMV-based human trafficking related activities, and increase human trafficking awareness and training for SDLA, judiciary, and law enforcement staff and other industry stakeholders.

• Increased Testing Rates and Integrity: Activities that increase a state’s capacity for testing and issuing CDLs, including using new technology to ensure that CDL knowledge and skills testing integrity is maintained.

• Cost Savings: Activities that reduce costs for SDLAs through the increased use of automated systems.

• Improved Fraud Prevention Methods: Activities that identify and implement technology and procedures to prevent fraud in CDL and CLP issuance.

• Reduction in Fraudulent CDL Activities: Activities that increase the effectiveness of fraud prevention related to driving, medical credentials, skills testing operations, and license issuance.

• Efficiency through Increased Training in Adjudication Process: Activities that expand the number of training events conducted with judiciary partners such as courts, judges, prosecutors, law enforcement, and SDLA liaisons.

Monitoring is an important part of reviewing a project’s performance and ensuring that the grantee is meeting the objectives and goals of the project and grant award. While FMCSA conducts formal monitoring, the grantee must also conduct its own internal monitoring throughout the life of the grant and should be prepared to share its results with FMCSA through the reporting process (see Section F, Reporting). FMCSA developed the performance indicators in the table below to help grantees measure and report their CDLPI award goals and outcomes.

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Grantees may report on additional performance goals and indicators related to their projects, beyond those listed below. Applications must include the relevant performance goal and indicators for their proposed CDLPI grant projects.

Performance Goal Performance Indicators (Metrics)

Sustained Compliance with Current and New Rulemakings:

Activities that support a State’s implementation of current or new Federal CDL regulatory requirements

• Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse-II o Number of commercial privilege downgrades due to

Clearinghouse violation notifications.

o Number of commercial privilege reinstatements due to compliance with Clearinghouse notifications o Number of queries to the Clearinghouse

• Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) o Number of ELDT verifications conducted before skills testing.

o Number of connection errors o Rate of connection errors o Number of training providers who were reported to

FMCSA (per 384.236) o Number of queries of Training Provider Registry

• Medical Examiner Certificate (MEC) o Number of Driver MEC-related fields that are updated in an accurate and timely manner (per 384.225(a)(2)) o Number of drivers checked/queried.

o Number of queries to registry o Number of downgrades due to expired medical certificate.

• NR-II

o Number of drivers downgraded in a timely manner

Compliant Issuance of CDL/CLPs:

Activities could include utilizing partnerships with other SDLAs and other entities to improve issuance processes and compliance

• Number of technical assistance events

• Number of attendees at technical assistance events

• Duration of technical assistance events

• Percent improvement of knowledge increased due to outreach and training on subject (e.g., improved scores from knowledge surveys)

• Number of “best practices” documents, standard operating procedures, workflow, and trainings produced and distributed.

• Number of successfully scheduled and completed appointments for commercial license issuance.

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Timely DHR Action(s):

Activities could include ensuring data is received within timeframe specified by regulation(s) and DHRs are updated in a timely fashion

• Percent of data requests fulfilled within required timeframe.

• Number of days to transmit and post convictions and withdrawals on drivers within State and out-of-State (per § 384.207)

• Number of days to complete Change State of Record

(CSOR)

• Percent of notifications completed to State of Record within 10 days of disqualifying a CDL or CDL holder (per 384.208(a))

• Percent of notifications completed within 10 days (per 384.209(c))

• Percent of CDLIS records updated within 10 days of receiving conviction and withdrawals from another State (per 384.225(c))

• Number of days to perform record checks (per 384.205, 384.206, and 384.220)

• Percent of record checks completed within 24 hours of issuance for new CDL holders or within 10 days for all others.

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Data Quality, Accuracy, and Completeness:

Activities that support ensuring master pointer records (MPRs) are accurate and complete per regulations and there are no missing or broken pointers.

Additionally, activities that support DHRs hold all data elements including, but not limited to, MEC information is accurate and complete, disqualification end-date and reinstatement date are complimentary, etc. and

• Number of validation errors (per applicable CDLIS reports)

• Number of data errors (per applicable CDLIS reports)

• Number of missing or broken pointers (per application

CDLIS reports)

Human Trafficking Recognition, Prevention, and Reporting:

Activities that support the recognition, prevention, and reporting human trafficking to SDLA staff, judiciary, law enforcement, and other industry stakeholders

• Number of outreach and training events

• Number of attendees for outreach and training events

• Frequency and duration of outreach and training events

• Percent of knowledge increased due to outreach and training on subject (e.g., improved scores from knowledge surveys)

• Number of unique human trafficking identifications reported by staff.

• Number of lifetime disqualifications taken for human trafficking felony convictions (U11 ACD code)

• Number of fraudulent documents or cases discovered by staff related to human trafficking.

• Number of outreach materials delivered to CDL/CLP holders.

• Click through rates and the number of impressions made.

Increased Testing Rates and Integrity:

Increased Testing Rates and CDL Issuance Activities could include there being an increase of new Master Pointer Records are added to CDLIS due to efficiencies and/or expanded hours, personnel, etc.

• Number of new Master Pointer Records added to CDLIS.

• Average number of skill tests administered.

• Average wait time to schedule both knowledge and skills test.

• Percent of drivers who pass the knowledge and skills tests on first attempt.

• Percent of drivers who pass the knowledge and skills tests on retesting/second attempt

Increased Testing Rates and Integrity:

Improved Testing Integrity and Increased Examiner Training Activities could include using new technology to ensure CDL knowledge and skills testing integrity is

• Number of examiners (knowledge and skills) taking initial training

• Number of examiners (knowledge and skills) taking refresher training and exam more often than every 4 years

• Percent of examiners (third-party vs. State) passing each

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• Percent of auditing events resulting in findings for testing integrity (third-party vs. State)

• Performance of new technologies used to ensure testing integrity is maintained captured through surveys and/or other means.

Cost Savings:

Increased use of automated systems

• Number of electronic transactions in lieu of manual transactions recorded (e.g., knowledge and/or skills testing results, MEC posting, Skills Performance Evaluations and other variances)

• Number of systems automated to save time and resources in administering the CDL Program at the State level.

Improved Fraud Prevention Methods:

Identify and implement technology and procedures to prevent fraud in CDL and CLP issuance

• Volume of technology deployment items.

• Identify successful new technologies used to ensure fraud is reduced.

• Number of CDL/CLP applicants prevented from receiving a license due to fraudulent activity.

• Number of overt skills testing monitoring events

• Number of covert skills testing monitoring events

Reduction in Fraudulent CDL Activities:

Increased effectiveness of fraud prevention

• Number of identified findings/fraudulent issues (not including missing documents or other errors)

• Number of fraud cases

Efficiency through Increased Training in Adjudication Process:

Adjudication process is executed more efficiently

• Number of training events conducted with judiciary partners (courts, judges, prosecutor, law enforcement, and SDLA liaisons)

• Number of attendees at training events

• Duration of training event

3. National CDLPI Priority Descriptions CDLPI financial assistance funds are awarded through a competitive grant process, and no assurance of funding is implied, nor should it be inferred.

All applications must advance a public purpose in accordance with 31 U.S.C. § 6101 and 31 U.S.C.

§§ 6302-6304. FMCSA may not use grants or cooperative agreements to acquire property services for FMCSA’s or a pass-through entity's direct benefit or use. FMCSA may not award grant funding to individuals for personal gain, such as obtaining specialized training for Entry Level Driver Training

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(ELDT) required for CDL licensing or procuring a CMV. This also includes the establishment or implementation of ELDT programs or investigations into Training Providers compliance with 49 CFR Part 380 ELDT requirements. FMCSA will not award grant funding to a for-profit business that does not provide benefits to the SDLAs in improving the national CDL Program and compliance with 49 CFR parts 383 and 384.

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

Unless indicated otherwise, references to the CDLPI grant program priorities include both Basic and High Priority/Emerging Issues activities/projects, with details for each type of CDLPI grant priority focus areas explained later in this section. All activities are eligible for 100 percent Federal funding, and all applicants must provide baseline performance data and projected benchmarks to be reached for each goal, objective, and activity, along with data sources and specific 49 CFR regulatory citations.

CDLPI Basic Projects are only applicable to State agencies. Applications should support the development, implementation, and compliance sustainment with provisions in 49 CFR parts 383 and 384.

CDLPI High Priority/Emerging Issues Projects may be implemented by States, local governments, Tribal governments, and other entities capable of executing national projects that aid States in their compliance efforts and improving the national CDL Program.

4. CDLPI Basic

1.1 General

State agencies are eligible to apply for the priorities listed below.

Proposed projects must support the development, implementation, and/or the maintenance and operations of the State’s CDL program. Project plans that provide a benefit to the general driver population, in addition to current CLP and CDL holders, must include the cost allocation methodology used to determine the cost benefit to improving CDL compliance.

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.

1.2 CDLPI Basic Grants

FMCSA will reimburse 100 percent of total project costs supporting the implementation of CDL-related regulations and/or activities that directly impact a State's compliance with the CDL program. Applicants must provide, for each priority, the 49 CFR section citation that supports the project’s compliance initiative(s); baseline data; projected outputs and outcomes; and source of data that supports the need for funding and will be used to measure the outcomes.

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Eligible applications under this category include but are not limited to:

1. Applications for projects to achieve or maintain compliance with FMCSA’s CDL rulemakings, which includes disqualification of prohibited drivers under the Electronic Exchange; Controlled Substances and Alcohol Testing: State Driver's Licensing Agency Non-Issuance/Downgrade of Commercial Driver's License; Medical Examiner’s Certification Integration Final Rule, Lifetime Disqualification for Human Trafficking; and Entry Level Driver Training.

2. Applications that support a state’s correction and mitigation of its CDL regulatory compliance findings. The project plan must address the specific finding(s), include the 49 CFR citation, and identify the data source to be used to determine when compliance has been attained to close the finding.

3. Applications that support a State in improving the accuracy, completeness, and timeliness of CDLIS-required data elements to maintain the highest possible quality of all CDL data, to include correcting broken and missing CDLIS pointers, submitting all convictions electronically as required by 49 CFR § 384.209 within 10 days, and correcting CDLIS transaction errors. Such applications must include the baseline data and data source to be used to measure improved compliance level/performance.

4. Applications that support an SDLA’s partnership efforts that lead to enhancing SDLA compliance with 49 CFR parts 383 and 384. FMCSA will give priority to proposals for multi-jurisdictional partnerships or collaboration with other entities. The project activities may include partnerships among SDLAs, law enforcement agencies, and judicial partners such as:

prosecutors, judges and/or court clerks, within the same State to increase outreach and training on CDL disqualifications and/or masking and diversion; partnerships among SDLAs that deliver cross-functional workshops that include judicial stakeholders, law enforcement agencies, and other interested stakeholders; and implementation of facial imaging partnerships across multiple jurisdictions to combat CDL/CLP fraud directly.

5. Applications to support an SDLA’s operation and maintenance (O&M) projects that sustain and maintain compliance with 49 CFR parts 383 and 384. The project activities may include refresher examiner training beyond the regulatory requirements; kiosk and tablet O&M and licensing agreements; skills testing site improvements; annual software licensing and IT maintenance agreements; improving scheduling of knowledge and skills testing systems, reproducing CDL Driver Manuals and CDL Examiner Manuals; and develop accurate and complete ACD code translations to the appropriate State codes. However, O&M projects will receive lowest funding priority.

5. CDLPI High Priority/Emerging Issues Cooperative Agreements and Grants

2.1 General

States, local governments, and other entities, other than individuals, capable of executing national projects that aid SDLAs in their compliance efforts and improve the national CDL program are eligible to apply for the priorities listed below.

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2.2 CDLPI High Priority/Emerging Issues Cooperative Agreements and Grants FMCSA will reimburse 100 percent of the total project costs supporting project activities directly connected to improving SDLA’s regulatory compliance (must provide the specific regulatory references) with U.S.C. § 31311 and/or 49 CFR parts 383 and 384. Eligible applications under this category include but are not limited to:

1. Applications that support reducing CDL skills testing delays and wait times.

• Project activities may include skills examiners training and outreach on school bus driver testing requirements, recruiting and onboarding of additional skills test examiner trainers, and offering more testing times at testing locations.

2. Applications that support activities related to recognition, prevention, and reporting of human trafficking with a focus on CMV drivers who hold CDLs; must not duplicate the purpose of other Federal funding sources (i.e., FMCSA High Priority funding or Department of Justice programs).

• Project activities may include, collaborating with industry experts, such as TAT and other SDLAs, and survivors to create State specific outreach materials, and developing and implementing a CDL specific counter human trafficking group that would include all appropriate Stakeholders, including but not limited to, law enforcement, court clerks, prosecutors, judges, SDLA staff, and survivors of human trafficking.

3. Applications for projects to conduct a systematic review of a State’s CDL program with recommended improvement actions to enable the State to support its Annual State Certification of Compliance as required by 49 CFR § 384.305. Such projects are intended to strengthen compliance with 49 CFR parts 383 and 384 by analyzing the State’s performance in one or more of the following three major review areas: Operational, Data Reconciliation, and Legal Sufficiency by either internal State auditors or through a sub-award or contract to an entity that has demonstrated its knowledge, skills and abilities to evaluate an SDLA’s compliance with Federal regulations. Further details below:

• Operational review may include evaluating the SDLA’s process workflows for: licensure, convictions, and withdrawals; electronic and other processing actions; CDLIS helpdesk or equivalent and fraud detection; and processing communications between the judiciary and SDLAs.

• Data reconciliation review may include a detailed review of the data processing capabilities to confirm that every conviction has been accounted for in the DHR and that proper disqualification has been applied.

• Legal sufficiency review analyzes a State’s legal authority to implement 49 CFR parts 383 and 384.

If the SDLA is not the applicant, the project plan must demonstrate that a State or multiple States have committed to be subject to an evaluation by the applicant.

4. Applications that will benefit the national CDL Program by improving compliance through the use of proven tools or developing new tools that can be utilized by SDLAs and other partners.

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• Project activities may include training sessions on CDL specific regulatory requirements, improving the timeliness, accuracy, completeness of CDL data exchanges between the judiciaries/courts and SDLAs, and facial recognition services for CDL holders.

5. Applications for enhancing court expertise. Such eligible projects will enhance the expertise of court officers in prosecuting, adjudicating, and transmitting CDL violations.

• Project activities may include providing training on the prevention of masking CDL-related offenses and ensuring that 49 CFR 383.51 disqualifying felony convictions for CDL/CLP holders are provided to the SDLAs for proper adjudication. Project activities may include developing and implementing a CDL citation and adjudication group that would include all appropriate Stakeholders that partake in the citation and adjudication process, including but not limited to, law enforcement, court clerks, prosecutors, judges, and SDLA staff.

6. Applications that research and/or facilitate the detection and prevention of fraud in the CDL process.

• Project activities may include conducting a research project on fraudulent activities and how to mitigate against those activities, training and implementing technology or other innovative approaches in the following areas: issuing licenses and permits, testing, recordkeeping, data reporting, and adjudication of CDL/CLP offenses.

7. Applications that support hosting meetings and conferences to address CDL compliance issues among the SDLAs and other stakeholders. The application must include the following elements to be considered: 1) a detailed budget; 2) a timeline for completion of the plan’s components; 3) a detailed plan for execution including; a) tentative agenda that is collaborative with entities engaged in CDL compliance issues; b) onsite support during the meeting; and c) assistance with attendees’ hotel and airfare to ensure reasonable and necessary expenses are adhered to; and 4) providing a post-meeting final report to include;

a) an overview of all presentations with session minutes to include action items to be addressed; b) a list of attendees with accounting of all expenses; and c) attendee feedback on sessions.

8. Applications that support activities that implement or maintain an employer notification service (ENS) with potential benefit to the national CDL Program.

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SECTION B – FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

1 Funding and Number of Awards FMCSA anticipates making approximately 55 awards in response to this NOFO.

FMCSA anticipates awarding approximately $89.4 million during FY 2025, which includes carry over funding from previous fiscal years. Final funding amounts are subject to the availability of funding appropriated by Congress.

Note: Applicants for CDLPI funding must not include more than four (4) projects per application.

FMCSA will not review or consider any projects beyond the maximum four projects per application.

2 Type of Award Awards under this NOFO will be issued as a grant or cooperative agreement. FMCSA will determine the appropriate award type based on the proposed project and the degree of Federal involvement.

This funding opportunity is 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)(6), awarded funding is available for the fiscal year of award and the 4 succeeding years, but may be awarded for a shorter period. The period of performance for CDLPI grants will be the date range designated in Block 4 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 be no later than the last day of the current fiscal year, September 30, 2025.

4 Degree of Federal Involvement

4.1 Cooperative Agreement

In accordance with 31 U.S.C. § 6305, FMCSA will award a cooperative agreement when substantial involvement of FMCSA in carrying out the activity is anticipated. FMCSA will outline the substantial involvement at the time of award in the notice of award (e.g., the degree to which FMCSA employees are directing the performance or implementation of the award program).

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In general, substantial involvement includes, but is not limited to:

a. Agency review and approval of one stage before work can begin on a subsequent stage of project objectives and/or activities;

b. Agency coordination and collaboration due to interrelationship with other award projects;

c. Collaboration or joint development and prior approval of education materials, reports, etc., as listed in the original application and part of an approved project; and

d. FMCSA involvement in outreach and other activities relating to the publication of materials.

Under a cooperative agreement, FMCSA agrees to assign professionally qualified staff to serve as liaisons between the recipient and FMCSA when event coordination is needed; provide technical assistance to the recipient; assist with the exchange of ideas and information as necessary and permissible; and carry out other actions relating to the monitoring of performance activities under this award.

The recipient also agrees to designate a project manager or key point of contact to work with FMCSA and act as a liaison between the awardee and the Federal Government.

FMCSA will further outline the nature of Federal involvement at the time of award and include additional details, as relevant, in the award documentation.

4.2 Grant

Substantial involvement is not expected between FMCSA and the grant recipient when carrying out the activity outlined in the agreement. FMCSA provides financial assistance, technical assistance, and oversight. Recipients provide the effort and expertise necessary to carry out the approved activities.

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 administration of the grant, and monitoring and oversight of any sub-recipients or sub-contractors.

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SECTION C – ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

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

1.1 Eligible entities

CDLPI awards are available to the following entities, who meet the additional eligibility criteria in 1.2 and 1.3 below:

a. State Government

b. County Government

c. City or Township Government

d. Public/State Controlled Institution of Higher Education

e. Indian/Native American Tribal Government (Federally Recognized)

f. Nonprofit with 501(c)(3)IRS status (other than institutions of Higher Education)

g. Private Institutions of Higher Education

h. For Profit Organization (Other than Small business)

i. Small business

j. Hispanic-serving Institution

k. Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)

l. Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs)

m. Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions

1.2 State Driver Licensing Agencies (SDLAs)

To be eligible for a CDLPI Basic category grant, SDLAs 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 (APR) and Skills Testing Reviews (STR) in the self-assessment section of the application package; and

c. Comply with or be making a good faith effort toward substantial compliance with the requirements of 49 U.S.C. § 31311.

1.3 Other State Agencies (not SDLAs)

Applications received from other State agencies will be considered under Basic or High Priority/Emerging Issues projects. These agencies include the State courts, law enforcement and departments of transportation, and public, State, and private institutions of higher education.

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1.4 Non-State Organizations

Applications received from non-State organizations will be considered for High Priority/Emerging Issues funding. Non-State organizations eligible to apply include non-profit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, federally recognized Native American Tribal organizations, for-profit entities capable of executing national projects that aid SDLAs in their compliance efforts and improve the national CDL program, and local governmental agencies.

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.

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.

FMCSA must approve the development of resources, such as desk manuals, fact 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 with other guidance provided, or resources funded, by

FMCSA.

Individuals are not eligible to apply or receive grant funds under the CDLPI grant program.

2 Cost-Sharing and Matching Requirements FMCSA will not require a matching share for fiscal year 2025 awards.

3 Other The below are specific items that must be completed for your application package to move forward to the Merit Review process. (See Eligibility Criteria outlined in Section E. 1a.) If one of these items are not fulfilled the application will not be considered eligible.

A complete application includes:

• The application was submitted by the deadline.

• The application was submitted by an eligible applicant, as described in Section C. 1.

• The application has a completed Federal Assistance (SF-424) form.

• The application has a completed Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs form

(SF-424A).

• The application has a completed Assurances for Non-Construction Programs form (SF-424B).

• The application has a completed Grants.gov Certification Regarding Lobbying form.

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• The application has a completed Lobbying activities (SF-LLL) form, if applicable.

• The application includes a complete Budget Narrative.

• The application includes a complete Project Narrative.

• The application’s projects support the purpose of the CDLPI grant program and statutes.

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SECTION D – APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

1 Address to Request Application Package Potential applicants may obtain all forms included in this Notice at www.grants.gov.

If you require paper copies of materials, you may request copies at:

Email: FMCSA_GrantMgmtHelpdesk@dot.gov

Mail: U. S. Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Grants Management Office (MC-BG) 1200 New Jersey Ave, SE, West Building Washington, DC 20590

2 Content and Form of Application Submission The application package must contain the elements listed below to be considered for an award.

2.1 Formatting

The application must follow the format and limitation stated below:

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

b. Margins (Top, Bottom, Right and Left) no smaller than one inch on all pages. (Header and Footer are allowed in the margins).

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

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

e. The application narrative is limited to 35 (40 for SDLA applicants) total pages. FMCSA will not read or consider any materials beyond the specified page limit in the application review process. NOTE: The 35 or 40 total page limit is inclusive of the introduction, self-assessment, problem statement(s), performance objective(s), performance activity(s), performance measurement(s) plan, monitoring plan, and budget narrative. All other documents and forms described in Appendix A will not count against the application page limit.

f. 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 those examples are not required to be used.

http://www.grants.gov/

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2.2 Project Plan Narrative Requirements

Application narrative packages are limited to 35 total pages This requirement is per application, not per project. Submission of all required SF-forms, key contact, attachment forms and indirect cost agreements do not count against the page limitation.

While supplemental attachments are allowed, the application’s project and budget narratives must include all required information. The narrative must indicate when a supplemental attachment needs to be referenced. The application must include the following sections in consecutive order for each of the proposed projects:

a. Introduction Include a description of the goal(s)/purpose(s) intended to be accomplished within the application and reference the applicable program priority(ies) (See Section A) for the project. The introduction must also include a discussion of the organizational capacity of the entity: an overview of the organization’s structure and a description of sufficient resources to be successful in administering the proposed projects.

For SDLA Applicants Only: CDL Program Self-Assessment (Program Overview)

Applications from SDLAs must include a CDL program self-assessment, which may be included as part of the application’s brief introduction. A separate, stand-alone document is not required. The CDL Program Assessment is a summary of key elements of the applicant’s program and must include the following six components:

• A list of all open findings in the 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.

• 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 this application’s requested funding does not duplicate their costs or activities.

• The total number of noncommercial licenses and the total number of CLPs and CDLs issued to date and annually, listed separately by type of CLP or

CDL.

• The latest statistics concerning the status of missing and broken pointers, referencing the last run CD31 Report data.

• The timeliness of transmitting and posting of convictions and withdrawals for CDL drivers, both out of State and in State, with data source and date referenced.

This requirement applies to SDLAs only. Applications that fail to include the required information will be considered incomplete and risk disqualification.

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b. Problem Statement

Provide a qualitative description of the identified problem that the project will address.

Include details on the performance data used to identify the problem and to establish the baseline (include data source and date, and explain how the applicant collects, maintains, and analyzes the data). Data should support the proposed project.

• Examples of data sources: SCORE system, CDLIS reports, enforcement, and crash statistics data in A&I online, and internal reports that can be consistently generated for measuring the outputs and outcomes.

c. Performance Objective Provide a description of the applicant’s anticipated quantifiable goal/objective related to the above problem statement. This can be measured in numbers, percentages, or other forms that accurately measure the outcomes the applicant anticipates will result from implementing the strategies and activities proposed. Goals should be SMART: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-bound.

d. Performance Activity Plan Provide a description of the activities the applicant will conduct to help mitigate the problem and achieve the objective’s outcome. Each activity should provide a baseline and benchmark that is measurable. The data element that must be quantifiable and will measure the movement against the established baseline.

When developing the activity plan, consider the number and frequency of activities you believe will bring progress towards the ultimate objective defined.

e. Performance Measurement Plan Provide a description of how the applicant determined the baseline data that will measure progress towards achieving the performance objective(s). The measurements must be quantifiable with measurable outcomes and outputs. The measures must include specific targets/benchmarks that can be reported on in the quarterly progress report, if practicable, or as annual outcomes that will gauge the progress being made on achieving the objectives and activities identified for each project.

f. Monitoring and Timeline/Milestone Plan Provide a description of the method(s) that will be used to monitor the performance goals, objectives, and activities; and report on the outputs and outcomes for each project to include timelines and milestones, as appropriate.

g. Budget Narrative A budget narrative is a description, by budget category (object class), that details the costs necessary to complete the proposed project. 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 and makes a natural connection to the activities and objective of each project. Applicants are strongly encouraged to use the sample budget narrative format included in Appendix B. In order to allow reviewers to evaluate the

Page | 23 reasonableness, necessity, and allocability of all costs, applications should include a detailed budget narrative and a budget justification broken out by individual objectives.

Each project must have its own budget narrative that matches the SF-424A Budget Categories Columns for each project. DO NOT include cents for Federal costs on the SF- 424, SF-424A, and budget narrative. Round all cents up or down to whole dollars.

The budget narrative must reflect the allocability of project activities to the grant.

Budgets must reflect the appropriate Federal amounts, as stated under the priorities in subsection (A)(4). FMCSA may adjust the applicant’s budget, which will require the submission of an updated SF-424, SF-424A, and budget narrative.

2.3 SF-424 and SF-424A

SF-424, Field 12 – Must reflect the Funding Opportunity Number and the title of the opportunity under which assistance is requested, as found in the program announcement.

SF-424, Field 18 - Box (a) – Must reflect the total estimated Federal funding requested to complete the project plan. As no match/cost sharing is required, 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. All costs must be rounded to the nearest whole dollar amount.

SF-424A - Section A – Budget Summary – Must reflect the Federal share in column (e), and the total cost per project in column (g). Each project in the application will be shown on lines one through four as applicable with the Total for each column on line five. Note line five, column (e), (f), and (g) must reconcile with SF-424 field 18, as described above. All costs must be rounded to the nearest whole dollar amount.

Section B – Budget Categories - Capture the total amount per object class categories, as applicable. In the column headings one through four, enter the titles, that match narrative title, for each of the proposed projects that match the title in Section A and the project plan. 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 must be rounded to the nearest whole dollar amount.

2.4 Requirements When One or More Projects are Proposed

A project consists of one or more priorities, which work towards achieving a defined goal objective(s).

If an applicant chooses to propose multiple projects within a single application, each project 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, Performance Activity Plan, Performance Measurement Plan, Monitoring Plan, and Budget Narrative. For example, in an application comprised of multiple projects, the first project would include the above sections in

Page | 24 consecutive order. The following projects would respectively follow suit.

Applications with multiple projects must also contain a comprehensive or summary budget that includes expenses per project/per line item. The comprehensive budget must match the application’s SF-424 and SF424a.

3 Unique entity identifier and System for Award Management

(SAM)

The applicant must:

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

ii. Obtain and use a unique entity identifier (UEI) created in SAM.gov; and

iii. Accept the financial assistance certifications and representations required for (non-federal entities) during the SAM.gov registration process…