GAMTTEP Signed NOFO.pdf

Office of the Administrator 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE

Washington, DC 20590

ACTION MEMORANDUM TO THE ACTING UNDER SECRETARY OF

TRANSPORTATION FOR POLICY

From: Shailen P. Bhatt

Administrator

X62240

Prepared by: Arlan Finfrock

Associate Administrator for Administration

X60125

Subject: Approval of Fiscal Years (FY) 2024 through 2026 Garrett A. Morgan

Technology and Transportation Education Program Notice of Funding

Opportunity, ($1.8 million) (Tier 3)

ACTION REQUESTED

I request that you approve this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) announcing $1.8 million for Fiscal Years (FY) 2024 through 2026 Garrett A. Morgan Technology and Transportation

Education Program (GAMTTEP).

SUMMARY

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) intends to post a NOFO to the Grants.gov

Website for GAMTTEP. FHWA anticipates Federal funding up to $1.8 million for Fiscal Years

(FY) 2024 through 2026.

The Office of Administration’s Workforce Programs Division has developed a GAMTTEP

NOFO for FY 2024 through 2026. Once approved, this NOFO will be posted to Grants.gov to solicit applications. Eligible applicants for GAMTTEP include accredited Local Educational

Agencies (LEA) or State Educational Agencies (SEA). In addition, institutions of higher education, businesses, or other entities may enter into a partnership or sub-agreement with a LEA or SEA to assist with program activities, but the prime award recipient must be a LEA or SEA.

The goals of the GAMTTEP grants are to 1) attract K-12 students in underrepresented groups to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education and careers in the transportation industry, 2) create a talent pipeline from GAMTTEP to other FHWA Workforce

Development Programs and other transportation careers, 3) foster creativity and forward-thinking by incorporating modern technologies, real-world program-solving, and hands-on experiences in the curriculum, and 4) develop strong partnerships between Government, educational institutions, and the private sector to create a collaborative community that supports, and uplifts underrepresented groups in transportation.

BACKGROUND

The GAMTTEP is authorized in Title 23, United States Code, Section 504(d), and is one of several research, technology, and education programs funded per Section 11101(c)(1)(C) in the

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), also known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

(Pub. L. 117-58).

The purpose of GAMTTEP is to address historical disparities in STEM education, particularly among females and minorities. The program was originally introduced in 1997 to reach and challenge students of all ages to focus on STEM and to prepare for the 21st Century

Transportation Workforce.

In 2005, Congress authorized its establishment as GAMTTEP in the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users. The GAMTTEP serves as a catalyst to enhance transportation education among youth through internships, mentoring, career and curriculum development, and other transportation-related activities.

To advance the goals of GAMTTEP grants, GAMTTEP awards would consist of providing support for grant recipients to develop and implement replicable practices such as internships, observation programs, and curriculum development to equip students with the necessary STEM knowledge and skills for transportation careers. FHWA’s workforce programs will offer peer mentorship opportunities to GAMTTEP student participants to encourage the creation of a transportation workforce pipeline from K-12, colleges, and universities. Grantees will collaborate and participate in partnerships among other grantees and transportation industry professionals, facilitating the sharing of best practices, peer exchange, and partnership exploration for workforce development.

In addition, a consortium of grant recipients will be formed to collaborate on showcasing practices, peer exchanges, and leveraging partnerships for workforce development. Project summaries and quarterly program updates will be submitted to FHWA by grantees to program outcome activities, success stories, and best practices. Through these initiatives, recipients contribute to building a diverse and skilled transportation workforce, aligning with GAMTTEP’s overarching goals of promoting STEM education and preparing students for transportation careers.

The total amount of funding available for awards under this NOFO is $1.8 million for FYs 2024 through 2026, with up to $300,000 available per award. This funding includes carry-over from the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act and funding from BIL. FHWA anticipates making a maximum of six awards as a result of this NOFO.

NEXT STEPS

FHWA intends to post a NOFO to the Grants.gov Website for GAMTTEP. FHWA will host outreach sessions during the NOFO application period, with dates to be announced on

Grants.gov under this NOFO’s page.

RECOMMENDATION

I recommend that you approve this NOFO announcing $1.8 million for FYs 2024 through 2026

GAMTTEP.

The Acting Under Secretary of Transportation for Policy

APPROVED: __________________

DATE: __________________

COMMENTS:

Attachments:

• GAMTTEP NOFO

• GAMTTEP Evaluation Plan

NOTICE OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITY FOR FISCAL YEAR (FY) 2024 – 2026

GARRETT A. MORGAN TECHNOLOGY AND TRANSPORTATION EDUCATION

PROGRAM

AGENCY: U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), Federal Highway Administration

(FHWA)

ACTION: Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for FYs 2024 through 2026 Garrett A.

Morgan Technology and Transportation Education Program (GAMTTEP)

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY NUMBER: 693JJ325NF0004

ASSISTANCE LISTING NUMBER: 20.215

TOTAL AMOUNT AVAILABLE: This NOFO will result in the distribution of up to $1.8 million. The actual amount available to be awarded under this Notice will be subject to the availability of funds. FHWA anticipates making a maximum of six awards of $300,000 each as a result of this NOFO.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: TBD

SUBMIT APPLICATIONS TO: FHWA uses www.Grants.gov for receipt of all applications.

Applicants must register and use the system to submit applications electronically. Applicants are encouraged to register in advance of the submission deadline and to register to receive notifications of updates/amendments to this Notice. Approval of user registrations for the site may take multiple weeks. It is the applicant’s responsibility to monitor for any updates to this

Notice.

FHWA POINT OF CONTACT (POC):

Charles Sager

Agreement Specialist

Office of Acquisition and Grants Management

Federal Highway Administration

U.S. Department of Transportation

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE.

Washington, DC 20590

Email: Charles.Sager@dot.gov

Phone: 202-366-4214

Alternate:

Transportationedu@dot.gov

Robin Hobbs

Agreement Officer/Specialist

Office of Acquisition and Grants Management http://www.grants.gov/ mailto:Robin.Hobbs@dot.gov mailto:Transportationedu@dot.gov

Federal Highway Administration

U.S. Department of Transportation

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE.

Washington, DC 20590

Email: Robin.Hobbs@dot.gov

Phone: 202-923-0190

Each section of this Notice contains information and instructions relevant to the application process. The applicant should read this Notice in its entirety so that they have the information they need to submit eligible and competitive applications.

FHWA will not review applications in advance, but FHWA staff are available for technical questions and assistance. FHWA will host outreach sessions during this NOFO application period, with dates to be announced at Grants.gov under this NOFO’s page. In addition, FHWA will post answers to questions and requests for clarifications at Grants.gov under this NOFO’s page.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

A. Program Description………………………………………………………………

B. Federal Award Information…………………………………………………………..9

C. Eligibility Information………………………………………………………………11

D. Application and Submission Information…………………………………………...13

E. Application Review Information……………………………………………………21

F. Federal Award Administration Information………………………………………...25

G. Federal Awarding Agency Contacts………………………………………………...33

H. Other Information…………………………………………………………………...34

SECTION A – PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

1. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

The purpose of this NOFO is to solicit applications for GAMTTEP grant awards and will result in the distribution of up to $1.8 million. The actual amount available to be awarded under this

Notice will be subject to the availability of funds.

2. LEGISLATIVE AUTHORITY

The legislative authority for this program is the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), also known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 (Pub. L. 117-58), Section 11101(c)(1)(C), the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act (Pub. L. 114-94), Section 6002(a)(3), and Title 23, United States Code (U.S.C.), Section 504(d).

3. BACKGROUND

The purpose of GAMTTEP is to address historical disparities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education, particularly among females and minorities at the elementary and secondary school level, by supporting innovative curriculum development, immersive learning experiences, and community engagement initiatives.

The program was originally introduced in 1997 as the Garrett A. Morgan Technology and

Transportation Futures Program (GAMTTFP) to reach and challenge students of all ages to focus on STEM and to prepare for the 21st century transportation workforce. The program served as a catalyst to enhance transportation education among youth through internships, mentoring, career and curriculum development, and other transportation-related activities. By the year 2000, GAMTTFP attained its initial goal to reach one million students.

In 2005, Congress authorized its establishment as GAMTTEP in the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), substituting

‘Education’ for ‘Futures’ in the name of the program. Congress continued to authorize the program for Fiscal Years (FY) 2016 through 2021 in the FAST Act and its subsequent extension.

The planned GAMTTEP grants resulting from this NOFO will continue to focus on improving the preparation of students, particularly females and minorities, in STEM and creating a talent pipeline from GAMTTEP to other FHWA Workforce Development Programs.

4. PROGRAM GOALS

The goals of GAMTTEP grants are to 1) attract K-12 students in underrepresented groups to

STEM education and careers in the transportation industry; 2) create a talent pipeline from

GAMTTEP to other FHWA Workforce Development Programs and other transportation careers;

3) foster creativity and forward-thinking by incorporating modern technologies, real-world problem-solving, and hands-on experiences in the curriculum; and 4) develop strong partnerships between Government, educational institutions, and the private sector to create a collaborative community that supports and uplifts underrepresented groups in transportation.

FHWA seeks to award grants as allowable by law and consistent with the goals of GAMTTEP, that proactively address equity and barriers to opportunity. This objective reflects Executive

Order (E.O.) 13985, Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities

Through the Federal Government (86 FR 7009).

5. STATEMENT OF WORK

FHWA is soliciting applications for educational institutions eligible under Title 23, U.S.C.

Section 504(d) to apply to administer GAMTTEP grants as outlined in the following requirements. The development and implementation of innovative experiential learning practices targeting students, especially females and minorities, in grades K-12 is required. This includes internships, observation programs, peer mentorship, and curriculum development focused on transportation-related STEM fields. Partnering with educators and industry professionals to create relevant, engaging curriculum is required. FHWA’s Workforce

Development Programs will offer peer mentorship opportunities to GAMTTEP student participants to encourage the creation of a transportation workforce pipeline from K-12, colleges, and universities. Grantees will collaborate and participate in partnerships among other grantees and transportation industry professionals, facilitating the sharing of best practices, peer exchange, and partnership exploration for workforce development. Recipients are required to participate actively in consortium activities, submit a draft project summary within 10 months of the award, and provide quarterly project updates during Year 2. By fulfilling these obligations, Recipients contribute to building a diverse and skilled transportation workforce, aligning with

GAMTTEP’s overarching goals of promoting STEM education and preparing students for transportation careers.

Task A: Development and Delivery of Replicable Practices

All Recipients must develop and carry out innovative, replicable practices in experiential learning to prepare students, particularly females and minorities, through transportation-related activities in STEM. Proposed solutions must focus on students at the K-12 grade levels. All

Recipients must create and effectively apply a program for students to develop STEM knowledge and skills necessary to thrive in transportation-related careers. Examples of experiential learning practices include:

• Internships that offer students experience in the transportation field;

• Programs that allow students to observe scientists and engineers working on projects in the transportation field; and/or

• Developing relevant curriculum that uses examples and problems related to transportation.

Within 3 weeks after award, the Recipient team must participate in a virtual kick-off meeting with the FHWA project team to discuss tasks and delivery schedule, delineate roles and responsibilities, and establish communication protocols.

Task B: Collaboration and Consortium Participation

NOTE: FHWA intends to facilitate bringing grantees together as a “consortium” and support an online portal (Website) to highlight grant program accomplishments and deliverables.

All Recipients must participate in a consortium of program grant recipients and work collectively to further the program goals. Recipients must collaborate on a plan to pull together the outcomes and deliverables from the various grants with the objectives to:

• Enable Recipients to showcase promising practices created from the grant projects;

• Encourage peer-to-peer exchange and collaboration opportunities;

• Discuss how to leverage partnerships for workforce development; and

• Coordinate on the development of overall GAMTTEP workplan goals, objectives, and performance measures.

Within 10 months after the effective date of the award, all Recipients must submit a draft project summary to be shared on the grant program Website. The project summary must describe all

Recipients’ activities performed under Task A to include project description, status, planned outcomes, measures, lessons learned, etc. FHWA will provide comments to all Recipients within 30 calendar days after receipt of the project summary, for which all Recipients will have

15 calendar days to revise and resubmit in final format.

During Year 2 of the grant period of performance, all Recipients must submit quarterly project updates to be posted on the grant program Website. The quarterly project updates must include all Recipients’ outcome activities to include success stories, pictures, and other best practices.

6. ADMINISTRATION GOALS

The GAMTTEP’s goals outlined in Section A, part 4 are integral to the evaluation process and align with the Administration’s goals detailed in this section. Applications will be assessed based on their effectiveness in attracting underrepresented K-12 students to STEM and transportation careers, creating a talent pipeline, fostering creativity and innovation, and developing strong partnerships. In addition, projects must demonstrate how they advance safety, climate change and sustainability, equity, and workforce development, job quality, and wealth creation, as outlined in the Administration goals listed in this section.

FHWA also seeks to fund transportation-related STEM activities under this NOFO that advance the following Administration priorities, where applicable.

Safety. DOT supports activities that promote an understanding of the importance of advancing safe and efficient transportation including in GAMTTEP.

Climate Change and Sustainability. DOT supports activities under GAMTTEP that promote an understanding of the importance of reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation sector, incorporating evidence-based climate resilience measures and features, reducing the lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions from the project materials, avoiding adverse environmental impacts to air or water quality, wetlands, and endangered species, and addressing the disproportionate negative environmental impacts of transportation on disadvantaged communities, consistent with E.O. 14008, Tackling the Climate Crisis at

Home and Abroad (86 FR 7619).

Equity. DOT seeks to support activities under GAMTTEP that promote an understanding of the importance of proportional impacts to all populations in a project area, removing transportation related disparities to all populations in a project area, and increasing equitable access to project benefits, consistent with E.O. 13985, Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government (86 FR 7009). Additional consideration will be given to applicants located in, or specifically serving, Disadvantaged

Communities (DACs), consistent with E.O. 14008, Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and

Abroad (86 FR 7619).

Workforce Development, Job Quality, and Wealth Creation. DOT intends to use

GAMTTEP to support activities that lead to good-paying jobs with the free and fair choice to join a union and the incorporation of strong labor standards and training and placement programs, especially registered apprenticeships consistent with E.O. 14025, Worker

Organizing and Empowerment (86 FR 22829), and E.O. 14052, Implementation of BIL

(86 FR 64335). DOT also intends to use GAMTTEP to support wealth creation, consistent with DOT’s Equity Action Plan through the inclusion of local inclusive economic development and entrepreneurship such as the utilization of Disadvantaged Business

Enterprises, Minority-owned businesses, women-owned businesses, or 8(a) firms.

7. REQUIRED SUBMITTALS OR MILESTONES FOR DELIVERABLES

Applicants will be required to submit materials periodically throughout the grant period. Below is a summary table outlining the specific program/performance requirements, reports, documents, and other deliverables that the grantee will need to provide.

Submittal/Milestone Description

Application Package Complete application package including Standard Forms (SF)

(SF 424, SF 424A, SF 424B, SF LLL) and Supplemental

Narrative (Volume 1 and 2).

Milestone Payment Plan Submission of a Milestone Payment Plan detailing milestone payments totaling the Federal amount requested for the grant award.

Detailed Budget Tables Detailed budget tables for Year 1, Year 2, and Cumulative

(Years 1 & 2) including labor rates, indirect rates, other direct costs, and subcontractor/sub-Recipient information.

Letters of

Commitment/Support

Signed letters of commitment from proposed partners/team members demonstrating commitment to perform proposed roles in the project.

Progress Reports Periodic progress reports detailing the progress made towards achieving project objectives, including program performance measures, milestones, and deliverables.

Financial Reports Financial reports providing an overview of project expenditures and budget utilization, including breakdowns of costs and expenses.

Staffing Plan Updates Updates to the staffing plan, including changes in project organizational structure, staffing levels, or key personnel.

Performance Metrics Data Data related to program performance metrics, outcomes, outputs, and process measures as outlined in the application.

Intellectual Property

Disclosures

Disclosure of any preexisting intellectual property used during award performance, including data rights during and after the award period.

System for Award

Management

(SAM) Number

Provision of the organization’s SAM Unique Entity

Identification (UEI) for Federal grants or cooperative agreements.

Conflict of Interest

Disclosures

Written disclosure of any actual or potential conflicts of interest that may affect the impartial and objective performance of the project.

Audit/Review Summary

Information

Summary information regarding any audits or reviews of the applicant’s accounting, purchasing, or property control systems conducted by Federal or State organizations.

Compliance

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgment of compliance with Federal regulations and reporting requirements specified in 2 Code of Federal

Regulation (CFR) §170 and Appendix A.

Legal Violations

Disclosures

Disclosure of any violations of Federal criminal law involving fraud, bribery, or gratuity violations.

Nonprofit Status Evidence Evidence of nonprofit or not-for-profit status, preferably from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

SECTION B – FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

1. FUNDING

The total amount of funding that may be made available for awards under this NOFO is $1.8 million, subject to the availability of funds in each of FYs 2024 through 2026 from amounts authorized in BIL (Pub. L. 117- 58) and the FAST Act for Training and Education programs.

The estimated amount of funding available per award under this NOFO is up to $300,000 each for performance of the tasks outlined in this NOFO in each of FYs 2024 through 2026.

Past recipients are eligible. Institutions selected to administer GAMTTEP grants are required to meet the eligibility criteria for GAMTTEP applicants.

*Please note that this NOFO is subject to availability of funding. The Government’s obligation under any resulting award is contingent upon the availability of funding. No legal liability on the part of the Government for any payment may arise until funds are available and obligated to an award. The Government reserves the right to make no awards under this NOFO.

2. ANTICIPATED NUMBER OF AWARDS

The Government anticipates making a maximum of six awards as a result of this NOFO.

3. TYPE OF AWARD

The planned award type is fixed amount grants with milestone-based payments.

NOTE: Under fixed amount grants, Recipients are NOT required to report actual costs incurred to the Government. Rather, all Recipients will be paid the approved fixed amounts based on acceptable completion of the milestones and in compliance with the terms of the award.

4. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The award period of performance is anticipated to be up to 2 years from the effective date of the award, as stated in the signed grant agreement.

5. DEGREE OF FEDERAL INVOLVEMENT

FHWA anticipates substantial Federal involvement between FHWA and all Recipients during this project. The anticipated Federal involvement may include:

1. Technical assistance and guidance to all Recipients;

2. Close monitoring of performance;

3. Participation in status meetings, including kick-off meetings, and annual budget reviews;

4. Conducting financial oversight;

5. Facilitating the consortium of grantees to collaborate and coordinate to meet the goals of the program; and

6. Involvement in technical decisions.

FHWA has the right to visit all Recipients and examine all material relevant to the grant, including books, records, documents, accounting procedures, bookkeeping practices, and other evidence.

The material must be of sufficient detail to reflect properly all direct costs of whatever nature claimed to have been incurred for the performance of this grant.

SECTION C – ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

1. ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

Competition is limited to eligible Applicants. Applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria to be considered for award. Applicants who do not meet the eligibility criteria should not respond to this NOFO.

An Applicant must be an accredited Local Educational Agency (LEA), or a State Educational

Agency (SEA) as defined in the Definitions section below. Applications will be rejected if they are not received from an LEA or SEA. Applicants must verify in the narrative that they meet the eligibility requirements. Institutions of higher education, businesses, or other entities may enter into a partnership or sub-agreement with an LEA or SEA to assist with program activities, but the prime award Recipient must be an LEA or SEA.

2. DEFINITIONS

Local Educational Agency – A public board of education or other public authority legally constituted within a State for either administrative control or direction of, or to perform a service function for, public elementary schools or secondary schools in a city, county, township, school district, or other political subdivision of a State, of or for a combination of school districts or counties that is recognized in a State as an administrative agency for its public elementary schools or secondary schools. The term includes any other public institution or agency having administrative control and direction of a public elementary school or secondary school. The term includes an elementary school or secondary school funded by the Bureau of Indian

Education (BIE) but only to the extent that including the school makes the school eligible for programs for which specific eligibility is not provided to the school in another provision of law, and the school does not have a student population that is smaller than the student population of the LEA receiving assistance under this chapter with the smallest student population, except that the school shall not be subject to the jurisdiction of any SEA other than the BIE. The term includes educational service agencies and consortia of those agencies. The term includes SEA in a State in which the SEA agency is the sole educational agency for all public schools. (Section

8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801)).

State Educational Agency – The agency primarily responsible for the State supervision of public elementary schools and secondary schools. (Section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary

Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801)).

Institution of Higher Education – An educational institution in any State that (1) admits as regular students only persons having a certificate of graduation from a school providing secondary education, or the recognized equivalent of such a certificate, or persons who meet the requirements of 20 U.S.C. 1091(d); (2) is legally authorized within such State to provide a program of education beyond secondary education; (3) provides an educational program for which the institution awards a bachelor's degree or provides not less than a 2-year program that is acceptable for full credit toward such a degree, or awards a degree that is acceptable for admission to a graduate or professional degree program, subject to review and approval by the

Secretary of Education; (4) is a public or other nonprofit institution; and (5) is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or association, or if not so accredited, is an institution that has been granted pre-accreditation status by such an agency or association that has been recognized by the Secretary of Education for the granting of pre-accreditation status, and the

Secretary of Education has determined that there is satisfactory assurance that the institution will meet the accreditation standards of such an agency or association within a reasonable time.

(Section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001)).

3. COST SHARING OR MATCHING

Cost-sharing or matching is not required.

SECTION D – APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

1. ADDRESS TO REQUEST APPLICATION PACKAGE

Applicants may obtain application forms at Grants.gov under this NOFO number cited herein.

All application materials may be found on Grants.gov at http://www.Grants.gov.

If potential Applicants are unable to download the application package from the internet, they may send a written request for a paper copy to the below address. Requests should be sent to

Transportationedu@dot.gov.

2. CONTENT AND FORM OF APPLICATION SUBMISSION

Application Format

The Supplemental Narrative must be prepared as follows:

• Narrative text must use a font size no less than 12-point font.

• Tables are permitted. Text in tables may be smaller than 12-point font but must be legible.

• Page margins must be a minimum of 1-inch top, bottom, and each side.

• Page numbers may be located within the 1-inch margin.

• A Header or Footer identifying the applicant/team and the Volume or Part, may be located within the 1-inch margins.

• Resumes are limited to 1 page.

• PAGE LIMITS: The Supplemental Narrative Volume 1 may be no longer than 25 single-spaced pages, to include a proposal for Tasks A and B. In the event a

Supplemental Narrative Volume 1 exceeds the page limitation, the Government will evaluate only the pages identified within the page limitation. The page count limitations include all narrative, figures, tables, appendices, and all other ancillary materials with the exception of the following.

• EXCEPTION ON PAGE LIMITS: The following items do not count against the page limitation.

• Document covers;

• Cover letters;

• Title pages;

• Divider pages;

• Table of contents;

• Lists of acronyms; and

• Letters of intent to participate from proposed subcontractors, consultants, partners and proposed new hires.

Application Content - Overview

The application package must consist of the following parts:

http://www.grants.gov./ mailto:Transportationedu@dot.gov

1) SF 424 (Application for Federal Assistance)

2) SF 424A (Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs)

3) SF424B (Assurances for Non-Construction Programs)

4) SF LLL (Disclosure of Lobbying Activities)

5) Supplemental Narrative (Volume 1 and 2) as an attachment to the SF 424 form

Application Content – Detailed Instructions

1) Standard Forms

A. SF 424, SF-424A, and SF-LLL

2) Volume 1 Technical Application/Project Narrative

NOTE: The Volume 1 Technical Application/Project Narrative must not exceed 25 pages.

Resumes and Letters of Intent are excluded from the page count.

A. Project Abstract: Summarize the scope of work that would be completed under the award, including project goals and outcomes anticipated.

B. Project Description: Include a detailed description and scope of work including specific milestones. Provide a technical and management plan describing in detail how the applicant proposes to carry out the work. Describe how the Applicant proposes to meet program goals listed in NOFO Section A. Identify project risks and how the applicant proposes to address these risks. Identify proposed project performance measures and how they will be evaluated.

C. Project Outcomes: Include a detailed description of how the project advances one or more of the Administration goals described in NOFO Section A.

D. Project Team Information: Include detailed information about the proposed applicant team, including any partnerships or collaborations with other entities to deliver the project. The information should specifically describe the role of each entity in delivering the project. Provide a staffing plan to perform the work, including names and positions of key personnel. Provide an organizational chart identifying proposed staff members assigned to this effort. The chart must be supported with narrative text to include the title and a brief description of each position’s responsibilities, as well as the proposed level of effort and allocation of time (percent in relation to their other duties) for each position on a yearly basis and in summary format. The level of effort may be displayed (single-spaced) in a table format. One table can be presented if the level of effort will be constant over the years, and the table is annotated as such. The hours in this table must be consistent with the information presented in the Budget

Volume.

E. Project Schedule: Include detailed information about the project schedule that identifies all major project milestones and, if applicable, required submittals.

F. Applicant Experience: Provide a description of completed projects, ongoing projects, or both, that demonstrate organizational, and staff experience relevant to the scope and complexity of the proposed project. Provide specific information on past or present projects to include title, work description, value, dates, sponsor/customer

POC, role of applicant in the project, and an explanation of why or how the project is considered relevant or similar to the project being proposed.

G. Letters of Intent to Participate: Provide a letter of intent or commitment from each proposed sub-recipient/subcontractor. This includes any sub-recipient/subcontractor that will be included in the Federal share, the non-Federal share or in a non-paid

(volunteer) capacity. Provide a letter of intent to participate from significant team members as the applicant deems necessary.

NOTE: FHWA will establish a GAMTTEP consortium comprising of representatives from key stakeholders, including FHWA, educational institutions, industry partners, community organizations, and relevant Government Agencies to encourage collaboration, accountability, and shared ownership of the program’s success.

3) Volume 2 Budget Application

NOTE: If needed, FHWA may request additional budget information to clarify an application. FHWA encourages Applicants to submit the most relevant and complete information they can provide.

A. Cost Information and Other Financial Information: Submit a completed Milestone

Payment Plan (see Attachment 1) such that milestone payments total the Federal amount requested for the grant award (up to $300,000 for Tasks A and B). Provide a separate detailed budget table for each of the following: Year 1, Year 2, and

Cumulative (Years 1 and 2).

The detailed budget tables must include the following items/sub-items as applicable.

Include amounts, and detailed budget footnotes to explain/justify the items as needed.

Items must be documented in a detailed Excel (or compatible) workbook containing spreadsheets/tabs (formatted to be printed out) and supporting information clearly delineating and supporting all estimated costs: Columns for Federal share and total costs (per year and in summary form) as outlined in “Budget Tables”.

B. Budget Tables: Provide a separate detailed budget table for each year and summarize the information for all years for all activities. Clearly show Federal share; Non-

Federal share; and total. Spreadsheets can be formatted similarly to the format in

DOT Form 4220.44, located at: 4220_44.xls (DOTot.gov). NOTE: Profit/fee is not allowable for the prime Recipient.

Budget tables must include the following cost elements as applicable to the project:

Labor Rates: Direct labor-by-labor categories to include hours, rates, and escalation. The https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/cfo/pdf/frm4220_44.pdf labor rates and annual direct labor escalations rate and its basis must be in accordance with 2 CFR 200.430.

Indirect Rates: Provide your organization’s signed current approved indirect cost rate from the cognizant Federal agency or letter of request to the cognizant agency for rate establishment or adjustment. Indirect cost rates must be established according to 2 CFR

200.414. NOTE: Per 2 CFR 200.414(f), Indirect (F&A) Costs, any Applicant that does not have a current negotiated (including provisional) rate, except for those non-Federal entities described in 2 CFR Part 200 appendix VII, paragraph D.1.b may elect to propose a de minimis indirect rate of 10 percent of modified total direct costs.

Other Direct Costs: Applicants must provide a breakout and justification of Other Direct

Costs by Category (travel, equipment, etc.). Direct costs must be in accordance with 2

CFR Part 200 Subpart E (Cost Principals).

Subcontractors/subrecipients: If subcontractors/subrecipients (lower-tiered organizations and/or individual consultants) will be used in carrying out this project, the following minimum information concerning such, must be furnished:

1. Name and address of the organization or consultant.

2. Description of the portion of work to be conducted by the organization or consultant.

3. Cost details for that portion of work.

4. Applicant’s cost/price analysis of each sub-recipient/contractor(s) showing how their price is fair and reasonable (this includes any sub-recipient/contractor(s) that will be included in the Federal share or the non-

Federal share).

5. Provide detail and support for cost share as part of the overall project budget.

6. Clearly delineate cost share match versus Federal share.

C. Other Business Information: Provide the following information relative to the prime applicant:

1) Identify any exceptions to the anticipated award terms and conditions as contained in Section F, Federal Award Administration Information.

2) Identify any preexisting intellectual property that the applicant anticipates using during award performance, and your position on its data rights during and after the award period of performance.

3) Applicant SAM UEI.

4) A statement to indicate whether the Applicant has previously completed an

A-133 Single Audit and, if so, the date that the last A-133 Single Audit was completed.

5) A statement regarding Conflicts of Interest. The Applicant must disclose in writing any actual or potential personal or organizational conflict of interest in its application that describes in a concise manner all past, present or planned organizational, contractual, or other interest(s), which may affect the Applicant’s ability to perform the proposed contract in an impartial and objective manner. Actual or potential conflicts of interest may include but are not limited to any past, present, or planned contractual, financial, or other relationships, obligations, commitments, or responsibilities, which may bias the Applicant or affect the Applicant’s ability to perform the project in an impartial and objective manner. FHWA will review the statement(s) and may require additional relevant information from the applicant. All such information, and any other relevant information known to FHWA, will be used to determine whether an award to the Applicant may create an actual or potential conflict of interest. If any such conflict of interest is found to exist, FHWA may (a) disqualify the Applicant, or (b) determine that it is otherwise in the best interest of the Government to contract with the Applicant and include appropriate provisions to mitigate or avoid such conflict in the award pursuant to 2 CFR 200.112.

6) A statement to indicate whether a Federal or State organization has audited or reviewed the Applicant’s accounting system, purchasing system, and/or property control system. If such systems have been reviewed, provide summary information of the audit/review results to include as applicable summary letter or agreement, date of audit/review, Federal or State POC for such review.

7) Terminated Contracts. List any contract/agreement that was awarded to the prime Applicant then later terminated for convenience of the Government within the past 3 years, and any contract/agreement that was terminated for default within the past 5 years. Briefly explain the circumstances in each instance.

8) Describe how the Applicant will obtain the necessary resources to fund and fulfill the proposed cost share, as applicable.

9) Review Title 2 CFR Part 170 (http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?c=ecfr&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title02/2cfr170_main_02.tpl) dated November

12, 2020, and Appendix A thereto, and acknowledge that the Applicant understands the requirement, has the necessary processes and systems in place, and is prepared to fully comply with the reporting described in the term if it receives funding resulting from this NOFO. The text of Appendix

A will be incorporated in the award document as a General Term and

Condition as referenced under this NOFO’s Section F, Federal Award

Administration Information.

http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?c=ecfr&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title02/2cfr170_main_02.tpl http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?c=ecfr&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title02/2cfr170_main_02.tpl

10) Disclose any violations of Federal criminal law involving fraud, bribery, or gratuity violations. Failure to make required disclosures can result in any of the remedies described in 2 CFR 200.339 entitled Remedies for

Noncompliance, including suspension or debarment. (See also 2 CFR Part

180 and 31 U.S.C. 3321).

11) If a nonprofit or not-for-profit status, provide evidence of this status preferably from the IRS.

12) DOT is committed to considering project funding decisions holistically among the various discretionary grant programs available in BIL. DOT also recognizes that applicants may be seeking grant program funding from multiple DOT grant programs and opportunities. An applicant may seek the same award amounts from multiple DOT grant programs opportunities or seek a combination of funding from multiple DOT opportunities. In those cases, the Applicant must indicate, within the Federal funding description, details as to what other potential DOT grant programs and opportunities it is currently applying for or intends to apply for and what award amounts it will be seeking. This information will be reviewed by DOT to ensure that a single project, or its sub-elements, is not awarded Federal funding under multiple DOT grant programs. DOT reserves the right to contact applicants to obtain additional information concerning those scopes of work to discuss any possible or actual overlap in scope.

13) Acknowledgement of acceptance of the NOFO terms and acknowledgement and acceptance of any Amendments issued to this NOFO. List amendment numbers and issue dates, if any.

3. UNIQUE ENTITY IDENTIFIER AND SYSTEM FOR AWARD (SAM)

Each Applicant is required to:

a. Have an active registration in SAM.gov at the time the application is submitted;

b. Provide a valid UEI in its application; and

c. Continue to maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which the Applicant has an active Federal award or an application or plan under consideration by a Federal awarding agency.

FHWA may not make a Federal award to an Applicant until the Applicant has complied with all applicable UEI and SAM requirements. If an Applicant has not fully complied with the requirements by the time the Federal awarding agency is ready to make a Federal award, the

Federal awarding agency may determine that the Applicant is not eligible to receive a Federal award and use that determination as a basis for making a Federal award to another Applicant.

NOTE TO APPLICANTS: The SAM requires the registrant to provide a UEI number to complete the registration. These processes can take several weeks to complete so should be started well before the application deadline.

4. SUBMISSION DATES AND TIMES

The application must be received electronically through www.Grants.gov by the application due date/time listed on page 1 of this NOFO (or as updated by a NOFO amendment, if applicable).

The due date/time is the date and time by which FHWA must receive the full and completed application, including all required sections.

For the submitted application package, FHWA suggests that pictures, graphics, and other large files be reduced in number and quality to keep the size of the files of the application manageable and in line with the Grants.gov maximum size of 200 megabytes for the entire grant application package.

A late application will not be reviewed or considered unless the Authorized Organization

(AO) determines that doing so is in FHWA’s best interest. FHWA will not consider late applications that are the result of failure to register or comply with Grants.gov applicant requirements in a timely manner. If an Applicant is unable to use the system due to verifiable technical difficulties, it must email complete applications directly to FHWA POC listed in this NOFO Section G no later than this NOFO’s application deadline cited herein, with explanation of the technical issue experienced and supporting documents regarding the nature of the technical difficulties. For instance, provide screen capture(s) of the technical issues experienced along with corresponding Grants.gov “Grant tracking number if you are experiencing difficulties with your submission, it is best to contact the Grants.gov Support

Center and get a ticket number. Provide the Grants.gov Help Desk tracking number since it will assist FHWA with tracking your issue and understanding background information on the system issue in the event of a late application. If the reported technical issues cannot be validated, late applications may be rejected as untimely.

GRANTS.GOV: Applicants must follow the instructions on Grants.gov to successfully use the Website to submit an application. Use of Grants.gov may entail the following steps for those setting up new accounts or first-time users.

a. Register with SAM at www.SAM.gov

b. Obtain a valid UEI;

c. Create a Grants.gov account; and

d. Respond to the registration email sent to the E-Business POC from Grants.gov, and login at Grants.gov to authorize the applicant as the Authorized Organization

Representative (AOR). Please note that there can be more than one AOR for an organization.

**Please note that the Grants.gov registration process may take 2 to 4 weeks.

GRANTS.GOV HELP: For Grants.gov training resources, including video tutorials, refer to: Home | GRANTS.GOV. For assistance with Grants.gov registration and application http://www.sam.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/ submittal, refer to the Grants.gov Support Center: Support | GRANTS.GOV.

5. INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVIEW

An application under this NOFO is not subject to the State review under E.O. 1237

6. FUNDING RESTRICTIONS

FHWA will not reimburse any pre-award costs or application preparation costs under this proposed award. Unused funds must be returned to FHWA within 120 days of the termination date of the grant.

https://www.grants.gov/support.html

SECTION E - APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

1. CRITERIA

FHWA will evaluate applications on following criteria:

MERIT: FHWA will evaluate applications against the following technical evaluation criteria and subparts, considered of equal importance. These criteria are distinct from eligibility criteria

(see Section C of this NOFO) that are addressed before an application is accepted for review.

1) Program Goals: The degree to which the proposed project successfully supports and addresses the program goals listed in Section A of this NOFO. Demonstrated understanding of how to accomplish the program goals, including:

i. Attracting K-12 students in underrepresented groups to

STEM education and careers in the transportation industry.

ii. Creating a talent pipeline from the GAMTTEP to other

FHWA Workforce Development Programs and other transportation careers.

iii. Fostering creativity and forward-thinking by incorporating modern technologies, real-world problem-solving, and hands-on experiences in the curriculum.

iv. Developing strong partnerships between Government, educational institutions, and the private sector to create a collaborative community that supports and uplifts underrepresented groups in transportation.

NOTE: As outlined in 23 U.S.C. 504(d)(3)(B), priority in making awards will be given to applicants that will encourage the participation of females and minorities.

2) Administration Goals: The degree to which the proposed project successfully supports, provides a demonstrated understanding of how to accomplish, and addresses the

Administration goals listed in Section A, part 6 of this NOFO, where applicable.

3) Key Departmental Objectives: After applying the above evaluation criteria, FHWA seeks to award grants as allowable by law and consistent with the goals of GAMTTEP, that proactively address equity and barriers to opportunity. This objective reflects E.O.13985, Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the

Federal Government (86 FR 7009).

4) Technical and Management Approach: Demonstration of a sound, feasible, and achievable technical and management approach to successfully perform the proposed project.

5) Staffing Approach: Demonstration of a sound, feasible, and achievable staffing approach to successfully perform the proposed project.

6) Experience: Demonstration of sufficient knowledge and relevant experience of the proposed team to successfully perform the proposed project.

COST: Relative cost will be considered in the award decision. The budget application will be analyzed to assess cost reasonableness and conformance to applicable cost principles. Proposed cost share will be evaluated to ensure the proposed amount meets the minimum matching requirements and that proposed costs are in compliance with 2 CFR § 200.306. This evaluation factor will not be rated.

Funding availability will also be considered in the award decision.

2. REVIEW AND SELECTION PROCESS

FHWA will utilize the following merit review process to evaluate applications:

The review and selection process will consist of a technical review and senior review. In the technical review, a team composed of technical staff from FHWA, and other agencies as needed, will review all eligible applications and rate projects based on how well the projects align with the selection criteria. The technical review panel will individually evaluate and rate each applicant using a qualitative rating system. The panel submits ratings for each applicant to the

FHWA GAMTTEP Program Manager. The panel member ratings are evaluated, and a ranked list is created. The GAMTTEP Program Manager determines the funding level based on several factors including the number of applicants, panel ratings, and funding availability.

The Senior Review Team (SRT) will consist of senior FHWA officials who have been requested to serve by the FHWA Administrator. The SRT, using the evaluation report prepared by the

Technical Evaluation Panel, including the technical evaluators’ feedback, ratings, and summary information prepared by the program office about the eligible…