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HIGH-PRIORITY – COMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHICLE

GRANT PROGRAM

NOTICE OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

Table of Contents

SECTION A – BASIC INFORMATION

SECTION B – ELIGIBILITY

SECTION C – PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

SECTION D – APPLICATION CONTENTS AND FORMAT

SECTION E – SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS AND DEADLINES

SECTION F – APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

SECTION G – AWARD NOTICES

SECTION H – POST-AWARD REQUIREMENTS AND ADMINISTRATION

SECTION I – OTHER INFORMATION

APPENDIX A – APPLICATION PACKAGE REQUIREMENT CHECKLIST

APPENDIX B – BUDGET NARRATIVE GUIDANCE

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SECTION A – BASIC INFORMATION

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: High-Priority – Commercial Motor Vehicle (HP-CMV) Program

Announcement Type: Initial

Funding Opportunity Number: FM-MHP-26-001

Assistance Listing Number:

Funding Details:

20.244

$56.5 million expected total amount to award

Key Dates: Application Due Date – June 17, 2026 5 p.m. Eastern Time

Executive Summary:

Eligible Applicants

The objective of the HP-CMV program is to support, enrich, and evaluate CMV safety programs and to target unsafe driving of CMVs and non–CMVs in areas identified as high risk crash corridors, promote the safe and secure movement of hazardous materials, improve safety of transportation of goods and passengers in foreign commerce, demonstrate new technologies to improve CMV safety, support participation in the Performance Registration Information Systems Management (PRISM) program, support safety data improvement projects, increase public awareness and education on CMV safety, and otherwise improve CMV safety.

• State government agencies including: District of

Columbia, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands;

• Local governments (including county, city, township, and special district);

• Federally recognized Native American Tribal governments;

• Institutions of higher education; and

• Non-profit organizations with a 501(c)(3) status with the

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Agency Contact Information:

Internal Revenue Service

Financial application concerns:

Tiffany Boyd 240.948.8780 Tiffany.Boyd@dot.gov

Programmatic application concerns:

Marc Dixon 202.365.1659 Marc.Dixon@dot.gov (and cc FMCSAHPGrants@dot.gov) mailto:Tiffany.Boyd@dot.gov mailto:Marc.Dixon@dot.gov mailto:FMCSAHPGrants@dot.gov

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SECTION B – ELIGIBILITY

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

1.1 General Eligibility

HP-CMV awards are available to the following entities:

• State government agencies including: District of Columbia, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, Guam, and the U.S.

Virgin Islands;

• Local governments (including county, city, township, and special district);

• Federally recognized Native American Tribal governments;

• Institutions of higher education; and

• Non-profit organizations with a 501(c)(3) status with the Internal Revenue Service.

For-profit organizations and individuals are NOT eligible recipients.

In general, State and non-State entities may apply for HP-CMV projects related to Enforcement & Compliance with Safety Regulations, PRISM, and/or State Safety Data Quality (SSDQ). In addition, institutions of higher education may request funding under this program for research or other related efforts that support national (or a specific State’s) CMV safety efforts.

Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program (MCSAP) lead State agencies may request HP-CMV projects which augment initiatives funded by the MCSAP formula grant program. Such projects must clearly demonstrate that their objectives exceed initiatives approved in their State’s Commercial Vehicle Safety Plan (CVSP).

Please also refer to Section C(5) - National Priority Descriptions for eligibility based on specific priorities (project types).

1.2 Participation by Local Law Enforcement Agencies and Other Entities

FMCSA strongly encourages the participation of local law enforcement agencies, local governments, federally recognized Indian Tribes, political jurisdictions, and other eligible entities in CMV safety projects either directly as applicants or in partnership with MCSAP lead agencies.

Any local law enforcement agency applying directly to FMCSA for HP-CMV funding must provide a statement in the project narrative introduction within the application certifying that the applicant meets the eight conditions below from 49 CFR § 350.405.

Non-law enforcement applicants (e.g., institutions of higher education, non-profit organizations, etc.)

must also certify compliance with the conditions cited below, but they may state within their application a reason for exemption to the terms and conditions under (b), (g), and (h), if they are not directly responsible for law enforcement activity or no current database access exists for their specific project.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-III/subchapter-B/part-350/subpart-D/section-350.405

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a. Prepare a proposal that is responsive to the NOFO;

b. Except for federally recognized Indian Tribes, coordinate the proposal with the Lead State

Agency to ensure the proposal is consistent with State and national CMV safety program national priorities;

c. Certify that the applicant has the legal authority, resources, and trained and qualified personnel necessary to perform the functions specified in the proposal;

d. Designate an individual who will be responsible for implementing, reporting, and administering the approved proposal and who will be the primary contact for the project;

e. Agree to prepare and submit all reports required in connection with the proposal or other conditions of the grant or cooperative agreement;

f. Agree to use the forms and reporting criteria required by the Lead State Agency or FMCSA to record work activities to be performed under the proposal;

g. Certify that a political jurisdiction will impose sanctions for violations of CMV and driver laws and regulations that are consistent with those of the State; and

h. Certify participation in national databases appropriate to the project.

2 Cost-Sharing and Matching Requirements FMCSA will not require a matching share for fiscal year 2026 awards.

3 Other Below are the specific items that must be completed for your application package to move forward to the Merit Review process. See Section F(1.1) - Eligibility Criteria. If one of these items is 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 B(1.1).

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

• The application has a completed Budget information for Non-Construction form (SF-424A).

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

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

• 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 HP-CMV grant program and statutes.

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SECTION C – 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 the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 High Priority-Commercial Motor Vehicle (HP-CMV) program Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), Funding Opportunity Number FM-MHP-26-001, to solicit applications from eligible entities to support HP-CMV program activities.

The Department seeks to fund projects that advance the priorities of this Administration as described in DOT’s mission statement and across executive orders. To the extent permitted by law and to the extent applicable, priority will be given to grant applications in accordance with DOT Order 2100.7, Ensuring Reliance Upon Sound Economic Analysis in DOT’s Policies, Programs and Activities.

The HP grant program is governed by 49 U.S.C. § 31102(l), as modified by Sections 23001(b) and 23003 through 23004 of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), Pub. L. No. 117-58 (2021), and 49 CFR Part 350.

For FY 2026, FMCSA anticipates awarding approximately $109.2 million combined under the HP-CMV and HP-Innovative Technology Deployment (HP-ITD) programs. The HP-ITD program will be advertised under a separate NOFO.

2 HP-CMV Goals and Objectives As the lead government agency responsible for the regulation and safety oversight of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs), FMCSA may award HP-CMV funds to support innovative and impactful projects that advance its mission to reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities involving large trucks and buses. Funding is available for the support of safety and compliance projects that improve safety and compliance with FMCSA’s regulations at the State, local government, and national levels. Other objectives include increasing public awareness/education, development of new technologies, and reducing the number and rate of CMV crashes.

The objective of the HP-CMV program is to support, enrich, and evaluate CMV safety programs and to target unsafe driving of CMVs and non-CMVs in areas identified as high-risk crash corridors, promote the safe and secure movement of hazardous materials, improve safety of transportation of goods and passengers in foreign commerce, demonstrate new technologies to improve CMV safety, support participation in the Performance Registration Information Systems Management (PRISM) program, support safety data improvement projects, increase public awareness and education on CMV safety, and otherwise improve CMV safety. See 49 CFR § 350.403.

This NOFO provides important information about the HP-CMV national priorities, highlighting the critical required information related to preparing and submitting an application.

https://www.transportation.gov/mission/ensuring-reliance-upon-sound-economic-analysis-department-transportation-policies-programs https://www.transportation.gov/mission/ensuring-reliance-upon-sound-economic-analysis-department-transportation-policies-programs https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2022-title49/pdf/USCODE-2022-title49-subtitleVI-partB-chap311-subchapI-sec31102.pdf https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/PLAW-117publ58/pdf/PLAW-117publ58.pdf https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-III/subchapter-B/part-350 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-III/subchapter-B/part-350/subpart-D/section-350.403

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3 Changes from Fiscal Year 2025 NOFO Notable changes in this NOFO compared to the FY 2025 NOFO include:

• Removed “Tire Pressure Monitoring System” as a national priority in Section A(5).

• Renamed the “Technologies to Improve CMV Safety Through Enforcement” national priority to

“Technologies to Improve CMV Safety Through Enforcement and CMV Safety Research” and provided additional guidance in Section A(5.2).

• Revised the “Enforcement and Compliance with Safety Regulations” national priority in Section A(5) with the following: 1) Added clarifying language on the appropriate eligible applicant entity categories for activities under this priority; 2) Provided more guidance on applicable entity categories for human trafficking prevention training under this priority versus the “Public Awareness and Education” priority; 3) Renamed the “Drug Interdiction Assistance Program (DIAP) Training” programmatic area to “Criminal Interdiction Program Training“ and updated the description text; and, 4) Removed the “Migrant Worker Transportation in Rural Areas” special emphasis area section from the Passenger Safety Initiatives programmatic area.

• Project Narrative’s Introduction section must include information that explains the applicant’s organizational capacity to demonstrate that it can successfully administer the proposed project(s).

See Section D(1) of this NOFO.

• Added a suggested, sample summary activity table for applicants to include in the Performance Activity Plan section. See Section D(2.2) of this NOFO.

• Applicants that submit more than one application are strongly encouraged to include its priority ranking for all applications submitted. See Section D(1.4) of this NOFO.

4 HP-CMV Award Performance Goals FMCSA will measure the attainment of a competitive grant award’s performance goals by examining data available in the PRISM system, the SSDQ ratings map posted on FMCSA’s Analysis & Information (A&I) website at https://ai.fmcsa.dot.gov/DataQuality/Default.aspx.

In addition, any crash data or safety statistics reported by the applicant will be considered. Additional data on crash and other safety statistics may also be found on FMCSA’s A&I website at https://ai.fmcsa.dot.gov/CrashStatistics/.

FMCSA will also measure whether an HP-CMV application meets the performance goals outlined in the application by assessing performance indicators specified in the application. Applicants should additionally specify performance indicators related to the project goals (which will of course vary depending on which of the national priorities discussed below in subsection 5 the project seeks to address).

In general, successful HP-CMV projects may include, but are not limited to:

• CMV Crash Reduction: Activities implemented under the award address reductions in fatal and non-fatal crashes involving CMVs, especially in areas identified as high-risk crash locations.

• CMV Safety Improvement: Activities conducted under the HP-CMV award improve overall CMV and non-CMV safety.

Applicants are encouraged to propose innovative approaches (e.g., a novel technique, program design, use of technology assets), collaborate in the achievement of their goals, and share results with other https://ai.fmcsa.dot.gov/DataQuality/Default.aspx https://ai.fmcsa.dot.gov/CrashStatistics/

Page | 8 stakeholders. Applicants are also required to propose program evaluation activities as part of their grant projects.

5 National Priority Descriptions This section discusses national priorities for this grant program but does not limit eligible projects inasmuch as those limitations are laid out in 49 CFR § 350.403. Applicants are encouraged to describe how their proposed project addresses one or several of these priorities.

HP-CMV financial assistance funds are awarded through a competitive grant process and no assurance of funding is implied, nor should it be inferred.

Under this NOFO, FMCSA seeks to fund projects that maximize impacts on the national priorities and serve to increase implementation and public awareness of critical safety initiatives. In describing their proposed projects, applicants should follow the narrative requirements in Section D(1) below. All applications must advance a public purpose in accordance with 31 U.S.C. § 6101 and 6302-6304.

FMCSA may not use grants or cooperative agreements to acquire property or services for FMCSA’s or a pass-through entity’s direct benefit or use.

5.1 Enforcement and Compliance with Safety Regulations

FMCSA will prioritize applications with activities and programmatic areas described in this section. The applicants that select this priority for their proposed project(s) should have the authority to conduct traffic enforcement or inspections (or contract with another entity that has the proper authority).

Traffic Enforcement (TE) in high-crash areas

Efforts under this priority should focus on unsafe driving by CMV drivers, as well as drivers of non-CMVs, operating unsafely in the immediate vicinity of CMVs and/or vulnerable road users. Applicants for this activity should consider and specify TE outputs pertaining to CMV TE with an inspection, CMV TE without an inspection, and non-CMV TE. Inspections should be of high quality in that they should follow the standardized processes, reflect thorough, accurate documentation, and should adhere to the principles of legal sufficiency and absence of bias.

The applicant should identify the forms of traffic enforcement they will be implementing (TE-CMV with inspection, TE-CMV without inspection, etc.), as well as describe the efforts they will take to address driver behaviors relating to:

• Excessive speed

• Unsafe driving activity, including speeding, in the proximity of vulnerable road users (e.g., work zone safety)

• Impaired driving

• Distracted driving – cell phone usage and texting

• Occupant/driver restraint

• Driver fatigue

• Prohibited operation – Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse (DACH) and Federal Out-of-Service (OOS) violations

• Other areas, including days and times, as identified by the State https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-III/subchapter-B/part-350/subpart-D/section-350.403 https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2011-title31/html/USCODE-2011-title31-subtitleV-chap61-sec6101.htm https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2011-title31/html/USCODE-2011-title31-subtitleV-chap63-sec6302.htm

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Applicants must provide sufficient performance-based information for each of the required project narrative sections as described in Section D(1). The monitoring plan must sufficiently capture and report the number of contacts and citations issued relevant to the type of traffic enforcement activities proposed within the project (CMV TE, non-CMV TE impacting CMV safety, etc.) over the course of the project life cycle.

Special Emphasis – CMV safety in Work Zones. Narrow lanes, shifting traffic patterns, sudden stops and other factors present in these areas pose special challenges to large trucks and buses. FMCSA encourages applicants to propose projects which place a special emphasis on reducing work zone crashes involving CMVs.

Proposals must clearly identify the locations of such activities, or how targeted areas will be identified. Activities must incorporate enforcement efforts within work zones and the congested areas immediately before and after these areas.

Applicants must provide sufficient performance-based information for each of the required project narrative sections as described in Section D(10).

CMV safety on Rural Roads

Consistent with the Department's Rural Opportunities to Use Transportation for Economic Success (ROUTES) initiative, the Department encourages applicants to propose safety activities in their application which address the unique challenges facing rural transportation networks. Visit https://www.transportation.gov/rural for more information. Applicants must provide sufficient performance-based information for each of the required project narrative sections as described in Section D(1).

Passenger safety initiatives

Passenger carrier CMV safety and compliance continue to be a primary FMCSA focus area. Transportation of passengers inherently poses an increased risk of multiple injuries or fatalities when a crash occurs. Applicants must provide sufficient performance-based information for each of the required project narrative sections as described in Section D(1).

Special Emphasis Area – Immobilization of Unsafe Passenger Carrying CMVs.

Pursuant to IIJA, Pub. L. No. 117-58 (2021), applicants may use High Priority funds for the immobilization and/or impoundment of passenger-carrying CMVs that are determined to be unsafe and/or fail inspection. States seeking HP funds for this purpose must have the authority to impound or immobilize passenger-carrying commercial motor vehicles within their jurisdiction. For the purposes of this priority this refers to a State’s authority to prohibit a motor carrier or driver from operating a passenger-carrying CMV until the condition, issue, and/or defect causing the vehicle to be unsafe or fail an inspection is corrected.

Use of funds for this activity includes but is not limited to:

• Safety inspections targeting passenger-carrying CMVs;

• The immobilization and/or impoundment of passenger-carrying CMVs with an FMCSA Out-of-Service Order and/or visible safety defect(s), and,

• Other activities relating to the immobilization and/or inspection of passenger-carrying commercial vehicles.

Current safety requirements relating to CMVs (including passenger-carrying CMVs) may be found in 49 CFR Parts 390-397 and are incorporated into the https://www.transportation.gov/rural https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/PLAW-117publ58/html/PLAW-117publ58.htm https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-III/subchapter-B/part-390

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North American Standard Inspection process. In addition, current criteria for the identification and enforcement of Federal OOS Orders may be found via the PRISM program. Information on PRISM may be found in this NOFO in Section A(5), and on the PRISM program webpage.

Human Trafficking (for law enforcement or personnel with inspection authority)

Human trafficking continues to be a significant public safety issue across the United States. The DOT has actively campaigned to increase the recognition, reporting, and detection of human trafficking, and it encourages its grant recipients to use funding to address this issue.

FMCSA encourages applicants to specifically include enforcement activity objectives related to the recognition, detection, and prevention of human trafficking. Objectives must be as specific as possible and must align with the criteria outlined in 49 CFR § 350.207(a)(20)(iii) relating to the inclusion of an appropriate CMV inspection.

• NOTE:

o Human trafficking training for law enforcement or inspection authority personnel should claim it under this section’s national priority (Enforcement and Compliance with Safety Regulations).

o Training activities related to human trafficking detection and enforcement for carriers, drivers, and general public are applicable to the Public Awareness and Education priority below (Section A(5.4)– they are not applicable to the enforcement priority.

Applicants must provide sufficient performance-based information for each of the required project narrative sections as described in Section D(1). For more information on DOT’s efforts relating to human trafficking, please visit:

https://www.transportation.gov/stophumantrafficking.

Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse violations

FMCSA’s Commercial Driver’s License Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse (DACH) final rule established a national repository under 49 CFR Part 382 for drug and alcohol program violations committed by CMV drivers. Drivers who have committed violations of the alcohol or drugs regulations are prohibited from performing safety-sensitive functions, including driving a CMV, until they complete requisite return-to-duty requirements. Such drivers are designated with a prohibited status within the DACH. FMCSA statistics indicate that a significant number of drivers with violations (DACH prohibited status) are not being identified during CMV compliance activities. More information on the DACH may be found at https://clearinghouse.fmcsa.dot.gov/.

Applicants are invited to outline projects under this priority to improve the detection of and enforcement against drivers operating in a prohibited status in DACH. Applicants must provide sufficient performance-based information for each of the required project narrative sections as described in Section D(1).

Criminal Interdiction Program Training

Law enforcement detection and interdiction of criminal activity (e.g., driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, cargo theft/fraud, human trafficking, human smuggling, and drug interdiction in conjunction with CMV inspections) involving CMVs, as outlined in 49 CFR § 350.207(a)(20)(iii), is a critical component of comprehensive public safety programs which improve overall CMV safety. Applicants who intend to perform CMV counter-crime activities as a https://ai.fmcsa.dot.gov/PRISM https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-III/subchapter-B/part-350/subpart-B/section-350.207 https://www.transportation.gov/stophumantrafficking https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-III/subchapter-B/part-382 https://clearinghouse.fmcsa.dot.gov/

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Increased State Investigations part of their CMV inspection activities should ensure that their staff are properly trained to execute these duties in a consistent and equitable manner.

Investigations, including Compliance Reviews, provide a critical in-depth review of motor carrier and commercial driver compliance with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) and Hazardous Material Regulations (HMRs).

Recognizing the impact robust investigation programs have on safety, FMCSA strongly urges applicants to consider the use of HP-CMV grant funds to measurably increase the number of investigations (compliance reviews) they perform, consistent with FMCSA’s Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) model. Applicants are further encouraged to employ a risk-based approach in identifying and prioritizing carriers with the greatest safety threat for investigation.

More information on CSA may be found at: https://csa.fmcsa.do t.gov/About.

FMCSA also recognizes that intrastate motor carrier compliance with the FMCSRs and HMRs has a significant impact on highway safety. The development and deployment of compatible intrastate review programs consistent with FMCSA’s CSA investigation model are eligible under this priority.

The application must include the numbers of on-site and off-site investigations that will be proposed, and applicants are encouraged to provide other efficiencies gained from off-site activity.

Applicants must provide sufficient performance-based information for each of the required project narrative sections as described in Section D(1).

5.2 Technologies to Improve CMV Safety Through Enforcement

and CMV Safety Research

Funds are available under this NOFO for the demonstration, acquisition, and implementation of technologies to improve CMV safety enforcement. Applications must be supported by relevant data and metrics which justify the need for the requested technology and its connection to CMV safety enforcement. Coordination with Centers for Transportation Research and Education (CTREs) is encouraged as necessary, as are partnerships with other research institutions, which may assist in the identification, development, and deployment of technologies to improve safety efforts. This priority may also include CMV safety research projects that do not have an enforcement or technology nexus.

Potential activities under this priority include, but are not limited to:

• Proposals that utilize technologies designed to promote safe driving behaviors (CMV and non- CMV in/around CMVs).

• The purchase of License Plate/USDOT number readers to augment enforcement efforts.

• Demonstrate and/or enhancement of crash analysis tools capable of identifying high-risk corridors and traffic areas for the purposes of enforcement planning and deploying other CMV-related crash countermeasures.

• The use of National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Certified Drug Recognition Experts at CMV weigh stations during high crash corridor safety initiatives.

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• Technology to improve the efficiency, effectiveness, or safety of CMV inspections.

For any research project, whether technology-focused or non-technology-focused, applicants shall specify the procedures by which all applicable deliverables related to the completed project—including, but not limited to, final research reports—will be transmitted to FMCSA. Such deliverables must be provided in a manner that enables FMCSA to utilize them to advance CMV safety initiatives, including, as appropriate, dissemination to additional stakeholders or partners.

Applicants must provide sufficient performance-based information for each of the required project narrative sections as described in Section D(1).

Please note that applicants seeking grant funds for the development and deployment of new and innovative technology solutions to support commercial motor vehicle information systems and networks must submit those projects under the HP-Innovative Technology Deployment (ITD) announcement.

5.3 Lead MCSAP State Agencies’ Compatibility

Applications for projects seeking to achieve or maintain compatibility with the FMCSRs in order to demonstrate the continued Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program (MCSAP) eligibility of a State as prescribed by 49 CFR Part 350 are authorized under this NOFO. Proposals which support a State’s correction and mitigation of MCSAP programmatic review findings and to avert future findings and/or potential disqualification of MCSAP funding are eligible.

States should ensure that applications submitted under this priority propose activities incorporating FMCSA-approved finding resolution strategies developed in partnership with, and approved by, the State’s MCSAP lead agency. Applicants must provide sufficient performance-based information for each of the required project narrative sections as described in Section D(1).

5.4 Public Awareness and Education

Public Awareness and Education projects provide information on a variety of traffic safety issues to educate motor carrier companies, CMV drivers, and the general public on the risks involving CMVs and non-CMVs operating around large trucks and buses. Proposed focus areas may include but are not limited to: human trafficking recognition, prevention, and reporting of human trafficking, passenger transportation safety, hazardous materials transportation safety, unsafe driving activity in the proximity of vulnerable road users (e.g., work zone safety), and share-the-road-safely initiatives.

In addition to the project narrative requirements provided in Section D(1), proposals for Public Education and Awareness activities should provide a baseline analysis of the proposed target audience and identify specific methods that will be used to carry out outreach efforts and engage with target groups. The level of effort to facilitate delivery of proposed activities (e.g., number of personnel, events) must be clearly described, and sufficient performance outcome reporting metrics must be established (e.g., attendance, marketing touches) to ensure realization of outreach goals.

5.5 Skill Performance Evaluation

Funds are available for States to attend FMCSA-approved training on the Skill Performance Evaluation (SPE) program. This alternative physical qualification activity, as outlined in 49 CFR § 391.49, allows drivers with missing or impaired limbs to operate CMVs in commerce when such drivers demonstrate the ability to operate commercial vehicles safely through an on and off-road performance evaluation.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-III/subchapter-B/part-350/subpart-D/section-350.415 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-III/subchapter-B/part-391/subpart-E/section-391.49

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The SPE course provides instruction for SPE Certification Specialists on how to prepare, administer, and score these evaluations under FMCSA’s Driver Waiver Program. Availability of training should be coordinated through FMCSA’s National Training Center (NTC).

Travel costs associated with attending the 24-hour NTC-approved SPE course are eligible. These costs, which may include travel, airfare, mileage, lodging, etc., should be clearly outlined within the application narrative and budget.

The NTC SPE Course is designed for personnel who are already certified and experienced in delivering skills testing associated with non-CDL and/or CDL driver applicants. As such, proposals under this priority should affirm the use of personnel who meet these criteria. Eligible applicants for this priority include State Driver Licensing Agencies (SDLAs) responsible for conducting driver skills testing. Other State agencies who plan to sub-award approved activities to SDLAs are also eligible.

Applicants are also authorized to conduct SPE activities in their jurisdiction when conducting evaluations in accordance with the procedures prescribed under FMCSA’s SPE Driver Waiver Program. These activities may include costs associated with completing evaluations of interstate driver applicants who apply for a Federal waiver as outlined in 49 CFR § 391.49, as well as expenses related to conducting evaluations of intrastate driver applicants when applying for a compatible State waiver.

FMCSA retains final decision authority on all Federal waiver applications. Given the small volume of SPE evaluations conducted by jurisdictions, only time directly spent conducting SPEs is eligible;

funding for full-time positions dedicated to the SPE program and other support positions is not allowed.

5.6 Performance and Registration Information Systems

Management (PRISM)

5.6.1 General and Performance Indicators

Only State agencies (including those of the District of Columbia and the Territories) are eligible for funding related to the PRISM national priority.

HP-CMV funding for PRISM projects supports the deployment and maintenance of safety mechanisms that link FMCSA and State CMV registration and other information systems. These systems identify and immobilize motor carriers with serious safety violations or who are prohibited from operating by FMCSA. Federal OOS Orders are issued to hold carriers accountable with registration and law enforcement sanctions.

All PRISM project narratives must indicate the jurisdiction’s current level of participation (Full, Enhanced, or Expanded) and explain how the project will meet specific program requirements to either maintain or enhance the State’s current level of participation. Please refer to the MCSAP Comprehensive Policy, Section 4.3.1, for PRISM implementation information.

5.6.2 Consideration for Funding

The applications received for HP-CMV PRISM projects will be considered as follows (in descending order of priority):

• Jurisdictions at Full PRISM Participation level which are applying for projects to achieve Enhanced Participation.

FMCSA defines Enhanced Participation as meeting requirements 1 through 6 for Full Participation, and additional requirements 6 through 12 for motor carriers operating CMVs in https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/national-training-center https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-III/subchapter-B/part-391/subpart-E/section-391.49

Page | 14 commerce of 26,001 lbs. Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) or more. For requirements details, please visit: https://ai.fmcsa.dot.gov/PRISM/Home/PrismLevels.

• Jurisdictions that are at the Enhanced Participation level and are applying for projects to achieve Expanded PRISM. Expanded PRISM is achieved when the non-International Registration Plan (IRP) CMV registration agency is applying PRISM requirements 1 through 6 to interstate motor carriers’ CMVs between 10,001 and 26,000 lbs. GVW.

• Jurisdictions at the Expanded PRISM level that seek PRISM projects to further enhance their participation through activities such as the following:

a. Implement PRISM web services or the PRISM-ITD web services as part of the registration process for real-time validation of carrier safety information, or;

b. Implement a process to retrieve license plates for motor carriers under a Federal OOS Order.

• Implement/update materials such as IRP manuals, cab cards or brochures to educate and/or require motor carriers to update the motor carrier responsible for safety.

• Operations and Maintenance (O&M) – FMCSA will consider applications for O&M costs associated with maintaining Full, Enhanced and Expanded Participation in PRISM. Eligible projects that maintain systems or capabilities required as part of Full, Enhanced and Expanded Participation as outlined in the MCSAP Grant Comprehensive Policy (MCP) will be considered.

An application from a non-MCSAP lead agency for O&M for PRISM projects will be considered before any MCSAP lead agency with similar funding requests.

5.6.3 PRISM Information

For more information on PRISM and its registration requirements, please visit the Data and Activity Safety Hub (DASH) at: https://ai.fmcsa.dot.gov/PRISM.

5.7 State Safety Data Quality (SSDQ)

5.7.1 General and Performance Indicators

FMCSA's safety programs use State-reported data on crashes and inspections to prioritize resources for the greatest impact on large truck and bus safety. The SSDQ program focuses on ensuring the availability of high-quality data from our State partners.

Data quality is monitored through a set of SSDQ performance measures that assess the completeness, timeliness, accuracy, and consistency of state-reported crash and inspection records. Each month, States receive overall ratings of “good,” “fair,” or “poor” based on ten SSDQ performance measures, which measures will also serve as performance indicators for HP-CMV awards related to the SSDQ national priority.

5.7.2 Consideration for Funding

FMCSA will consider for funding the applications received for SSDQ-related projects as follows:

• Innovative projects for improving the State’s performance in the SSDQ results overall or in specific measures. These projects include, but are not limited to, improving the timeliness and accuracy of crash reporting by local law enforcement and establishing a new benchmark for crashes to be reported within 45 days, and for inspections to be reported https://ai.fmcsa.dot.gov/PRISM/Home/PrismLevels https://ai.fmcsa.dot.gov/PRISM https://ai.fmcsa.dot.gov/PRISM

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• Data projects that improve and expand CMV data collected from police crash reports through increased application of the Model Minimum Uniform Crash Criteria (MMUCC). The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released the 5th edition MMUCC guideline in August 2017 which can be found at https://www.nhtsa.gov/mmucc-1. This guideline expands the information collected on CMVs in a new Large Vehicles and Hazardous Materials section.

• Training projects for State and local law enforcement to improve the collection of CMV data on inspections and crashes, or attendance at the next Data Quality & Systems Training scheduled for 2026.

• Technology projects that improve or expand commercial vehicle information collected through the State’s crash and/or inspection data. Such projects include, but are not limited to:

a. Automation or verification of driver, vehicle and motor carrier information;

b. Enhanced VIN screening and data input/verification through NHTSA’s Product

Information Catalog and Vehicle Listing (vPIC) VIN decoder (https://vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov/);

c. Collection and delivery of geo-location data of crashes or inspections;

d. Collection and analysis of CMV event data recorders, or;

e. Improving coordination between State crash analysts and NHTSA’s Fatality Analysis

Reporting System coders.

• Innovative projects for resolving Requests for Data Review (RDRs) entered through DataQs to improve timeliness, consistency, and/or accountability, such as an independent appeals process, special reviews for adjudicated citations, linking RDRs to training for inspectors, or additional staff to resolve backlogs.

5.7.3 Special Consideration for Improvement in SSDQ Performance There are additional constraints and priorities depending on which agency is submitting the application for a SSDQ project:

For Non- MCSAP Lead Agencies

Applications for projects that assist the State in meeting the MCSAP requirements for safety data collection and participation in information reporting will be considered on a priority basis. In this context, “meet the MCSAP requirements for participation” means achieving an overall “good” rating on the SSDQ measures if the State does not have an overall “good” rating at the time of HP-CMV application.

Applications that contain projects that will allow the State to exceed the MCSAP requirements for participation will be considered next. In this context, “exceed the MCSAP requirements for participation” means improving upon a “good” overall rating on SSDQ measures if the State already has an overall “good” rating at the time of HP-CMV application. For State SSDQ ratings, please visit and select your State:

https://ai.fmcsa.dot.gov/DataQuality/.

Note: Non-MCSAP lead agencies must confirm and document coordination in the application, including which MCSAP lead agencies were contacted, date contact was made, and who was contacted.

https://www.nhtsa.gov/mmucc-1 https://vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov/ https://ai.fmcsa.dot.gov/DataQuality/

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For MCSAP Lead Agencies

FMCSA has determined that States must achieve an overall data quality rating of “good” as of the application submission date to be considered eligible for MCSAP grants. Ratings are published in the SSDQ ratings map posted on FMCSA’s Analysis & Information website at: https://ai.fmcsa.dot.gov/DataQuality/.

HP-CMV applications that contain projects that will allow the State to exceed the MCSAP requirements for safety data collection and participation in information reporting will be considered. In this context, “exceed the MCSAP requirements” for participation means achieving or improving upon a “good” rating in SSDQ measures if the State has an overall “good” rating.

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SECTION D – APPLICATION CONTENTS AND FORMAT

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

1.1 Formatting

The application must follow the format and limitation guidance 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 1” on all pages. (Header and Footer are allowed in the margins).

c. Times New Roman 12 pt. 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 total pages, even if more than one project is included.

FMCSA will not read or consider any materials beyond the specified page limit in the application review process. NOTE: The 35 total page limit is inclusive of the introduction, problem statement(s), performance objective(s), project/performance activity(s), performance measurement(s) plan, monitoring and reporting plan, and budget narrative. Submission of documentation and forms described in Appendix A will not count against the application page limit.

f. The application package must contain the elements listed in subsections 1.2 and 2.3 below and all applicable documentation described in Appendix A to be considered for an award. Appendix B contains budget narrative guidance.

g. The application shall not include more than four projects.

1.2 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.

To learn more about requirements and to assistant with writing a successful narrative, please refer to the HP Grant Application Best Practices document. Examples of each section below are provided in the document.

The application must include the following sections in consecutive order for each of the proposed projects:

a. Introduction Provide a description of the purpose(s) for the project and must reference the applicable priority(s) being met as described in Section A(5) - National Priority Descriptions. This section https://ai.fmcsa.dot.gov/downloadFile.axd/HP_Best_Practices_20190628.pdf

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Please note, all applicants must include the Local Law Enforcement Agencies and Other Entities certification as outlined in Section B(1.2) within this narrative section. The introduction must also include information about the applicant’s organizational capacity. More specifically, provide an overview of the organization’s structure and a description of sufficient resources to be successful in administering the proposed project(s).

b. Problem Statement Provide a qualitative and quantitative description which demonstrates the problem(s) the project will address. Include details on the performance data used to identify the problem and to establish the baseline. Applicants must include an objective data source, source date, and trend analysis; and, also explain how the applicant collects, maintains, and analyzes the data. Data must include clear and concise information directly related to the problem(s). The required trend analysis must include the previous three-year performance metrics for the location of the identified problem(s), driver behaviors that contribute to the problem(s), and targeted location(s) (i.e., targeted State, city and/or county, highway and/or the mile markers involved).

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.

Performance objectives must include an examining of data available in FMCSA’s information systems and/or other relevant and timely sources as provided by the applicant. Information on PRISM status, SSDQ ratings, crash and safety statistics may be found on FMCSA’s Analysis & Information website https://ai.fmcsa.dot.gov. Specific performance indicators may vary based on the national priority as listed in Section C(5). Applicants should carefully review this information.

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 must be quantifiable and will measure the movement against the established baseline. Applicants are strongly encouraged to include a summary table formatted like the sample below, to include applicable activity categories. NOTE: The sample table is only a guide; please add or remove additional activity categories, as appropriate. For example, a research-focused project should not include or account for estimated traffic enforcement contacts if that is not directly part of the project (and performed by an entity with appropriate authority) during the period of performance.

SAMPLE Summary of Proposed Activities

Activity Category Benchmark / Target Totals (Numbers Only)

# of Traffic Enforcement Contacts (Total)

# of Traffic Enforcement Contacts CMV

# of Traffic Enforcement Contacts Non-CMV

# of Educational Events (Total)

# of Outreach Events (Total)

# of CMV Outreach Events Contacts https://ai.fmcsa.dot.gov/

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# of Non-CMV Outreach Events Contacts

# of Hours (Total)

# of Regular Hours

# of Overtime Hours

# of Employees (Total)

# of Full-Time Employees

# of Part-Time Employees

# of Citations (Total)

# of Non-CMV Citations

# of CMV Citations

# of Motor-coach Citations

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

Information must include: (1) personnel summary inclusive of the number of personnel assigned to the project, their percentage of time dedicated to the project and total number of hours needed to complete the project; (2) level of effort summary inclusive of the number and frequency of activities and number of enforcement details; and (3) a project timeline including dates, tasks, milestones, and project end-date associated with meeting the performance objectives.

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 applicant’s method for ongoing monitoring of the progress of the project. This should include who will conduct the monitoring, the frequency with which it will be carried out, and how and to whom reports will be made.

Each report must provide concise statements concerning activities relevant to the project, including activity and performance metrics directly relating to the performance of grant activities during that period. Applicants must state as specifically as possible what metrics they anticipate reporting within this section of their application.

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

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Each project must have its own budget narrative that matches the SF-424A Budget Categories Columns for each project.