HP-ITD Version for Posting - FMC-E-221020-005_-_Supporting_-_Updated Revised Clean re OST Recommended Edits from FMC-E-221020-001.pdf

Notice of Funding Opportunity Summary 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 Program – Innovative Technology Deployment (HP-ITD)

Announcement Type:

Initial

Funding Opportunity Number: FM-MHP-23-002

Assistance Listing:

20.237

Key Dates: Application Due Date – April 3, 2023 5:00pm EST

Point of Contact:

Financial Application:

James Ross 202-366-0133 James.Ross@dot.gov

Programmatic:

Leroy Taylor 202-527-4845 Leroy.Taylor@dot.gov mailto:Leroy.Taylor@dot.gov mailto:Leroy.Taylor@dot.gov

Table of Contents

SECTION A - PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

SECTION B – FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

SECTION C – ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

SECTION D - APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

SECTION E - APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

SECTION F - FEDERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

SECTION G - FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY CONTACTS

SECTION H - OTHER INFORMATION

APPENDIX A: APPLICATION PACKAGE REQUIREMENT CHECKLIST

APPENDIX B: PROJECT NARRATIVE GUIDANCE

APPENDIX C – BUDGET NARRATIVE GUIDANCE

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SECTION A - PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

1. Overview and Authorizing Legislation The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announces the Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 High Priority - Innovative Technology Deployment (HP-ITD) grant program Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), Funding Opportunity Number FM- MHP-23-002, to solicit applications from eligible entities to support HP-ITD activities.

The HP-ITD grant program is governed by 49 U.S.C. §§ 31102(l), as modified by Sections 23001(b) and 23003 through 23004 of Public Law Number 117-58 (2021), and 49 CFR Part 350. FMCSA anticipates awarding approximately $43,300,000 during FY 2023 under HP-ITD. Final funding amounts are subject to the availability of funding appropriated by Congress.

2. HP-ITD Goals and Objectives As the lead government agency responsible for the regulation and safety oversight of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs), FMCSA awards HP-ITD funds to support innovative and impactful projects that advance its mission to reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities involving large trucks and buses.

The objective of the HP-ITD program is to advance the technological capability and promote the deployment of intelligent transportation system applications for CMV operations, including CMV, commercial driver, and carrier-specific information systems and networks, and to support/maintain CMV information systems/networks to (i) link Federal motor carrier safety information systems with State CMV systems; (ii) improve safety and productivity of CMVs and commercial drivers; and (iii) reduce costs associated with CMV operations and regulatory requirements.

HP-ITD awards may be used for the deployment and development of new and innovative advanced technology solutions that support CMV information systems and networks, for planning activities, including the development or updating of program or top-level design plans in order to become eligible or maintain eligibility for the HP-ITD awards; and for the operation and maintenance costs associated with innovative technology.

High Priority-ITD financial assistance awards are in alignment with the following DOT strategic goals and the National Roadway Safety Strategy (NRSS):

• Safety: Make our transportation system safer for all people. Advance a future transportation system without transportation-related injuries and fatalities.

• Economic Strength & Modernization: Grow an inclusive and sustainable economy. Invest in our transportation system to provide American workers and businesses reliable and efficient access to resources, markets, and good-paying jobs.

• Equity: Reduce inequities across our transportation systems and the communities they affect.

Support and engage people and communities to promote safe, affordable, accessible, and multimodal access to opportunities and services while reducing transportation-related disparities and adverse community impacts and health effects.

• Climate & Sustainability: Tackle the climate crisis by ensuring that transportation plays a central role in the solution. Substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions and transportation-related pollution and build more resilient and sustainable transportation systems to benefit and protect communities.

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• Transformation: Design for the future. Invest in purpose-driven research and innovation to meet the challenge of the present and modernize a transportation system of the future that serves everyone today and in the decades to come.

• Organizational Excellence: Strengthen our world-class organization. Advance the Department’s mission by establishing policies, processes, and an inclusive and innovative culture to effectively serve communities and responsibly steward the public's resources.

The NRSS is a comprehensive plan to work with stakeholders across the country to significantly reduce injuries and deaths on America’s roadways using a safe system approach. This approach lowers risks by building in multiple layers of protection: safer roads, safer people, safer vehicles, safer speeds, and better post-crash care. https://www.transportation.gov/NRSS.

Where appropriate, applicants should demonstrate how proposed projects address the objectives of climate change/sustainability outlined in Executive Order 14008 and support/advance equity in transportation, particularly in underserved communities, as outlined in Executive Order 13985.

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

3. HP-ITD Award Performance Goals Applicants should include expected performance goals related to the national priorities as described under subsection D. See Subsection D.2 for additional information on applicant instructions.

i. Sources of Data

The FMCSA will measure the success of a HP-ITD post-award’s performance goals by examining data available in roadside inspection applications, Commercial Vehicle Information Exchange Window (CVIEW), FMCSA’s Safety and Fitness Electronic Records (SAFER) database, Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS), crash and safety statistics reported by the applicant, and any other data reported by the applicant for consideration.

ii. Performance Indicators The FMCSA will also measure whether an HP-ITD award meets the performance goals outlined in the application by assessing performance indicators.

In general, performance indicators of successful HP-ITD awarded projects may include, but are not limited to:

• CMV Safety Improvement: Activities conducted under the HP-ITD award that demonstrate CMV safety and regulatory compliance using performance metrics, including Out-of-Service (OOS) carrier and vehicle detection rates using electronic screening systems.

• Improvement of Data Sharing: HP-ITD award activities that enhance data quality among safety, credentialing, and screening systems. The FMCSA promotes the sharing of program safety data across jurisdiction boundaries to ensure Federal and State regulatory compliance and the overall efficiency of CMV operations. The FMCSA also monitors all ITD transaction data submitted to the SAFER system and publishes a monthly data quality report for use by all program jurisdictions.

• Electronic Credentials Administration: States should be handling at least 10 percent of transaction volume electronically. The capability to accept both vehicle registration and fuel tax renewals online, with ability to extend that capability to other CMV credentials or permitting systems, is a core element of the ITD program.

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In addition to the performance indicators above, all States have specific performance indicators tailored to their State performance goals included in the State’s Program Plan/Top Level Design (PP/TLD). The FMCSA approves each of these State PP/TLDs as part of grant eligibility. The PP/TLD is a technical document that provides management framework and system architecture to guide program deployment and to advise policy and decision makers regarding the funding and technical resources required for successful program implementation. The PP/TLD describes the various systems and networks at the State level that must be refined, revised, upgraded, or built to accomplish Core or Expanded capabilities. This PP/TLD is tailored to each State’s performance goals, projects to achieve those goals, performance indicators, and schedules and milestones. Grant applications should, where possible, relate their application performance goals to their currently approved PP/TLD.

Finally, performance indicators may vary based on the national priority outlined in subsection 4.

4. National Priority Descriptions Below are descriptions of the programmatic activities listed in order of priority. The national priorities support the HP-ITD goals and objectives.

Please note that additional information regarding cost eligibility may be found within the Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program (MCSAP) Grant Comprehensive Policy (MCP). An electronic copy of the MCP may be found at:

https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/mission/grants/motor-carrier-safety-assistance-program-grant-comprehensive-policy Note: A project consists of one or more activities that work towards achieving a defined goal and objective(s). If an applicant chooses to propose multiple HP-ITD projects within a single application, each application must contain separate and distinct project subtitles, project narratives, budget narratives, and line-item budgets for each subproject proposed in that application. Additionally, each project should cross-reference the corresponding activity in the State’s approved PP/TLD.

All Core ITD performance measures related to electronic safety information exchange, electronic screening, and electronic credential administration must be maintained for the State to remain Core-certified.

The applications received for HP-ITD projects will be given consideration for funding as follows:

i. HP-ITD Program Priorities

Applications received from State agencies to meet Core compliance (as defined within Section 6 of the MCP), which include, but are not limited to, the following activities:

• Projects that develop or update a Program Plan/Top Level Design (PP/TLD that describes the various systems and networks that must be refined, revised, upgraded or built to accomplish Core capabilities as defined in the MCP.

• Projects that include the development of a CVIEW which houses the national SAFER database. CVIEW is a key mechanism to share CMV credential and safety information within the State and with other jurisdictions across the country. This interstate data exchange enables numerous critical safety programs to check for high-risk motor carriers and Federal out-of-service orders. This also provides real-time electronic screening of interstate vehicles for safety, International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) status, International Registration Plan (IRP) compliance, oversize/overweight (OS/OW) permits, and other compliance information critical to a State’s safety program.

https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/mission/grants/motor-carrier-safety-assistance-program-grant-comprehensive-policy https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/mission/grants/motor-carrier-safety-assistance-program-grant-comprehensive-policy

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• Projects that automate the application, processing, and issuance of commercial vehicle operating credentials, including IRP license renewals and IFTA license renewals/IFTA quarterly taxes.

• Projects that electronically identify a commercial vehicle, verify its size, weight, and credentials information, and review its carrier’s past safety performance while the vehicle is in motion and then communicate safely to the driver to either pull in or bypass the roadside inspection station.

• Projects that deploy or maintain a work-zone, incident, or traffic queue electronic notification system that will inform the driver within the cab of the CMV of an active work zone, traffic congestion, or an incident ahead. This includes support that enables the sharing of real-time traffic data to existing roadway traffic advisory systems. The alerts must be designed or engineered to be safely broadcast through the CMVs’ transponders, electronic on-board systems, cell phones, and/or motor carrier routing and dispatching systems. Applications should consider using national work zone data exchange standards, such as WZDx (https://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/wz/wzdx/index.htm).

• Projects that deploy electronic screening technology to detect vehicles under a Federal Out-of-Service (OOS) order and assure immediate and appropriate action by a Certified CMV Inspector.

• Projects that deploy electronic screening technology used in detecting vehicle OOS issues, including, but not limited to, inoperable, defective, or deficient brakes, tires, exhaust systems, or any defect that may cause an unsafe condition. This electronic screening technology would be used while the vehicle is in motion and would provide the ability to alert or provide an indicator to an electronic screening system.

• Projects that safely demonstrate real-time dissemination to CMV drivers of parking space availability by using dynamic message signs, interactive voice recognition, smartphone app, or other proven technology.

• Projects that improve credentialing data quality between the State and FMCSA’s SAFER system. Grant applications should include projects that ensure CVIEW systems capture updates sent to and from the SAFER system in real time, or near real time. Such applications should describe the performance measures used to ensure the accuracy and quality of the data exchanged, promote efficient system communication, and prevent system corruption or performance degradation, and have the functionality to link the electronic technology to inspection results.

• Projects that implement technologies associated with the deployment of electronic inspection capabilities of CMVs and sharing that inspection data with FMCSA’s SafeSpect system.

• Applications that conduct a model deployment of enhanced data sharing via the CVIEW/SAFER interface amongst other jurisdictions that would minimize delays of safe and legal trucks as they cross State borders. Such data may include inspection, permitting, weight or other electronic screening results.

ii. Other ITD Program Priorities

Other typical projects and costs associated with HP-ITD funded by FMCSA are outlined in section 6 and Appendix H of the MCP.

https://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/wz/wzdx/index.htm

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Any innovative technology solutions meeting the goals established within the ITD program, but not listed in the MCP, may be submitted for consideration if the particular project is in the approved PP/TLD. However, the presence of a project in an approved PP/TLD is not an indication that any funding requested for that project within an application will be approved.

Applicants are required to outline evaluation activities as part of their grant projects.

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SECTION B – FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

1. Funding and Number of Awards The FMCSA anticipates making approximately 35 awards resulting from this NOFO. The FMCSA reserves the right to allocate additional funds for awards based on the volume and quality of applications. Awards under the HP-ITD program are subject to funding availability.

The FMCSA will limit Federal funding to a total amount of $2,000,000 per award.

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

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

3. Period of Performance The period of performance is the Federal fiscal year in which the award is made plus four additional fiscal years.

4. Degree of Federal Involvement

a. Cooperative Agreement

In accordance with 31 U.S.C. § 6305, FMCSA will award a cooperative agreement when substantial involvement between FMCSA and the recipient is anticipated when carrying out the activity.

Under a cooperative agreement, FMCSA may assign a FMCSA subject matter expert to: provide technical assistance to the recipient; assist with the exchange of ideas and information as necessary and permissible; and perform other actions relating to the monitoring of performance activities under the award.

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

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

b. Grant The FMCSA will award a grant when substantial Federal involvement is not expected when carrying out the activity outlined in the agreement. The FMCSA provides financial assistance, technical assistance, and oversight. Grant recipients provide the effort and expertise necessary to carry out the approved activities to improve CMV safety.

Grant recipients are responsible for performing the work and achieving the outcomes described in their grant award, complying with the grant requirements laid out in the grant award’s terms and conditions, local administration of the grant, and monitoring and oversight of any sub-recipients and/or sub-contractors.

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SECTION C – ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

1. Eligible Applicants

a. General

The HP-ITD awards are available to States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The FMCSA may award HP-ITD funds to eligible applicants that have an approved program plan as outlined in the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act. Individuals and businesses are not eligible to apply for HP-ITD funding.

To be eligible for HP-ITD funding, the State applicant shall:

• have a commercial motor vehicle information systems and networks program plan (the Program Plan/Top Level Design (PP/TLD)) approved by the U.S. Secretary of Transportation that describes the various systems and networks at the State level that need to be refined, revised, upgraded, or built to accomplish deployment of commercial motor vehicle information systems and network capabilities;

• certify that the State’s current Program Plan (PP/TLD) was approved by the Secretary as outlined in FAST Act (Pub. L. No. 114-94);

• certify to the Secretary that its commercial motor vehicle information systems and network deployment activities, including hardware procurement, software and system development, and infrastructure modifications:

o are consistent with the national intelligent transportation systems and commercial motor vehicle information systems and networks architectures and available standards;

and o promote interoperability and efficiency to the extent practicable.

• agree to execute interoperability tests developed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to verify that its systems conform with the national intelligent transportation systems architecture, applicable standards, and protocols for commercial motor vehicle information systems and networks; and

• certify that the State agency is the lead agency responsible for the PP/TLD, or if it is not the State agency responsible for the PP/TLD, demonstrate that it has a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), or other agreement with the ITD lead agency and confirm that the applicant has coordinated with the ITD lead agency regarding all projects requested in the application to ensure state-wide effectiveness and efficiency and to avoid any duplication of effort or other wastefulness in Federal funding initiatives.

2. Cost-Sharing and Matching Requirements The FMCSA will not require a matching share for fiscal year 2023 awards.

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SECTION D - APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

1. Address to Request Application Package

Potential applicants may obtain all forms at www.Grants.gov or may also request paper copies of materials at:

Email: FMCSA_GrantMgmtHelpdesk@dot.gov

Telephone: (202) 366-0621 (FMCSA Grants Management Help Desk)

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

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

Application packages must contain the below elements and all applicable documentation described in Appendix A to be considered for an award. Appendix B contains example formats that may, but are not required to be, used.

i. Formatting

The application must follow the format and limitation stated below:

a. Application must be prepared in 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 Romans 12pt. font must be used for all text, including tables and graphs.

d. Application 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 (5 page limit per narrative section, NOT per project). The FMCSA will not read or consider any materials beyond the specified page limit in the application review process. 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 shall not include more than four projects.

ii. Narrative Section Requirements http://www.grants.gov/ mailto:FMCSA_GrantMgmtHelpdesk@dot.gov

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Application narrative packages are limited to 35 total pages (up to 5 page limit for each section listed below.) 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 tips on writing a successful narrative, please refer to the HP 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 – up to 5-page maximum - Provide a description of the purpose(s) for the project and must reference the applicable priority(s) being met as described in Section A(4) National Priority Descriptions. This section must include the intended outcome(s) of the proposed project. Please note, all eligible entities must address Racial Equity and Climate Change & Sustainability as outlined in section E(1)(c).

b. Problem Statement – up to 5-page maximum - 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, county and/or county, highway and/or the mile markers involved).

c. Performance Objective – up to 5-page maximum - Provide a description of the applicant’s anticipated quantifiable objective(s) related to the problem statement. This can be measured in numbers, percentages, or other forms that accurately measure the outputs and outcomes the applicant anticipates will result from implementing the strategies and activities proposed. Objectives must 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 A(4). Applicants should carefully review this information.

d. Performance Activity Plan – up to 5-page maximum - Provide a description of the activities the applicant will conduct to help mitigate the identified problem(s), achieve the performance objective(s) and outcome(s). The description must include specific enforcement strategies which will be used to reduce the problem identified in the problem statement.

Information must include: (1) Personnel summary inclusive of the number 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 https://ai.fmcsa.dot.gov/downloadFile.axd/HP_Best_Practices_20190628.pdf https://ai.fmcsa.dot.gov/

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e. Performance Measurement Plan – up to 5-page maximum - Provide a description of how the applicant determined the 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 Reporting Plan – up to 5-page maximum - 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. Applicants should also detail the types and frequencies of enforcement actions taken when a commercial carrier/vehicle has been identified for inspection by the Inspection Selection System (ISS) score.

g. Budget Narrative – up to 5-page maximum - A budget narrative is a description, by budget category (object class), that details the costs necessary to complete the proposed projects.

A well-written budget narrative ensures that the applicant has properly documented proposed costs. In order to allow reviewers to evaluate the reasonableness, necessity, and allocability of all costs, applications must include a detailed budget narrative and a budget justification broken out by individual objectives. The level of detail must be sufficient to justify the funding requested. Please do not give bundled cost for expenses such as travel, equipment, supplies, conferences, etc. For example, travel cost must be broken out to show per person itemized cost of airfare, lodging, miles, etc.

Each project must have its own budget narrative which matches the SF-424A Budget Categories Columns for each project. DO NOT include cents for Federal costs on the SF-424, SF-424A, and budget narrative.

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

For instructions on completing the SF-424 and SF-424A, please go to Grants.gov, https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html. Section (iii) SF-424 and SF-424A forms below provides exceptions to the instructions and highlights key areas of the form.

A budget narrative template is included with the HP-ITD application package on Grants.gov. Applicants are strongly encouraged to use the template to aid with developing a responsive budget narrative. Please refer to the following links for https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html

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• Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program-Grant Comprehensive Policy (MCP)

• HP_Best_Practices.pdf

iii. SF-424 and SF-424A forms

• SF-424, Field 18 - Box (a) – Must reflect the total estimated Federal funding requested to complete the project plan. As no match/cost sharing is required, enter “0” in Box (b).

Box (g) should equal the total project amount, which is the sum of boxes (a) and (b). All costs must be rounded to the nearest whole dollar amount.

• SF-424A - Section A – Budget Summary – Must reflect the Federal share in column (e), and the total cost per project in column (g). Each project in the application must be shown on lines 1-4 as applicable with the grant total for each column on line 5. Note: line 5 column (e)(f) and (g) must reconcile with SF-424 field 18, as described above. All costs must be rounded to the nearest whole dollar amount.

• SF-424A Section B – Budget Categories - Capture the project total cost amount per object class categories, as applicable. In the column headings (1) through (4), enter the titles, that match narrative title, for each of the proposed projects.

Please note, the SF-424A Section B must cover the life of the project costs, and not just the first year (as stipulated in the SF-424A instructions). Section B must be completed and correspond with the Budget Narrative (see Section D(ii)(g)). All costs must be rounded to the nearest whole dollar amount.

iv. Requirements when One or More Projects are Proposed A project consists of one or more of the priorities described in Section A (4) National Priority Descriptions, which work towards achieving a defined objective(s).

When there are multiple projects, each project must include the following sections in consecutive order: Brief Introduction, Problem Statement, Performance Objectives, Project/Performance Activity Plan, Performance Measurement Plan, Monitoring and Reporting Plan, and Budget Narrative. For example, with multiple projects, project 1 includes the above sections in consecutive order, followed by project 2 including the above sections in consecutive order.

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

An HP-ITD application shall not include more than four (4) projects. The FMCSA will not review or consider any projects beyond the maximum four projects per application. An applicant may submit more than one grant application under this program.

v. Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and System for Award Management (SAM) The applicant must:

• Be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) before submitting an application at https://www.sam.gov; and https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/mission/grants/motor-carrier-safety-assistance-program-grant-comprehensive-policy https://www.sam.gov/

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• Effective April 1, 2022, entities will be required to use a unique entity identifier UEI created in SAM.gov.

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

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

3. Submission Dates and Times

a. Deadline

FULL AND COMPLETE APPLICATIONS FOR HP-ITD Financial Assistance ARE DUE ON April 3, 2023 by 5:00 pm EST. Once Grants.gov has received your submission, you will receive email messages to advise you of the progress of your application through the system. Over the next two business days, you should receive two emails: 1) confirming application receipt by the Grants.gov system; and 2) indicating that the application has either been successfully validated by Grants.gov prior to transmission to FMCSA or has been rejected due to errors. The applicant assumes all responsibility for a timely and complete application submission. See https://www.grants.gov/applicants/apply-for-grants.html for more information.

b. Consideration of Applications

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

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

4. Intergovernmental Review The HP-ITD Program and this funding opportunity are subject to Executive Order 12372, “Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.” The States with a Single Point of Contact (SPOC) and therefore a requirement to comply with E.O. 12372 are listed at the Office of Management and Budget's Web site: https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/ https://www.grants.gov/applicants/apply-for-grants.html https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/

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5. Funding Restrictions HP-ITD funds are awarded through a competitive evaluation process and are not guaranteed. All funding decisions will be made based on meeting the requirements of the NOFO, FMCSA’s HP national priorities, and the merits of the respective applications.

All cost elements of an application must be necessary, reasonable, allocable, and allowable to accomplish the objective(s) of the project. Cost eligibility standards are described in the applicable cost principles and administrative requirements:

• 2 CFR Part 200 Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards; and

• The FMCSA’s MCP, as revised (available from FMCSA's Division Offices) and on FMCSA’s MCSAP Website.

In accordance with the provisions of 49 CFR §§ 350.415 & 350.417 and the Federal Uniform Administrative Requirements Cost Principles, additional guidance on eligible expenses under HP is included in the MCP. The eligibility of all expenditures is subject to review by FMCSA.

The FMCSA is not obligated to approve costs incurred outside the award period of performance.

These costs are incurred at the sole risk of the applicant and impose no obligation on FMCSA to make an award or to increase the amount of the approved budget.

The FMCSA will not provide reimbursement for indirect costs if an approved indirect cost rate (IDC) agreement was not in place for the period of time when the indirect cost expenses were incurred. If claiming indirect cost charges, the grant recipient must include an active approved IDC agreement with the application submitted for funding. Should the grant recipient fail to provide an approved agreement during the pre-award phase and a grant is awarded, the grant recipient will have 90 days from the date of award acceptance to provide a copy of the IDC agreement. If we do not receive the required documentation within the allocated time frame, the grant recipient will not be reimbursed for indirect charges for that fiscal year. Once an approved rate is provided to FMCSA, the grant recipient will then, be allowed to claim indirect cost in the fiscal following the fiscal year of the award. 2 CFR § 200.414(c).

Any non–Federal entity that does not have a current negotiated (including provisional) rate, except for those non–Federal entities described in appendix VII of 2 CFR Part 200, may elect to charge a de minimis rate of 10 percent of modified total direct costs, which may be used indefinitely. No documentation is required to justify the 10 percent de minimis indirect cost rate. 2 CFR § 200.414(f).

All FMCSA grant programs are cost reimbursable, which means that grant recipients must first incur costs before submitting a request for reimbursement to FMCSA for costs associated with approved activities identified in the grant agreement. Recipients will be reimbursed by FMCSA for actual costs incurred provided that the costs are reasonable, approved, allowable, and allocable in accordance with the OMB regulations and FMCSA policy, within the approved budget, and supported by documentation. Recipients must request reimbursement at least once each quarter.

Recipients must submit requests for reimbursement electronically through the Delphi eInvoicing System (iSupplier). Additional information is available at https://einvoice.esc.gov/ The FMCSA will not provide reimbursement for salary-related bonus payments, either as a direct or indirect cost. Bonus costs are not a necessary expense under FMCSA awards. 2 CFR Part 200, Subpart E; 2 CFR §§ 200.403 – 200.405.

https://einvoice.esc.gov/

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

To submit an application through Grants.gov, applicants must:

• Create a username and password.

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

• Establish at least one Authorized Organization Representative (AOR); more than one AOR can be established.

Please note the registration process in Grants.gov usually takes 2-4 business weeks to complete. The FMCSA will not consider late applications due to failure to register or comply with Grants.gov requirements.

7. Standard Title VI/Non-Discrimination Program Assurance and Plan Title VI Assessments The Title VI Program Assurance commits the grant applicant to complying with Title VI and related nondiscrimination authorities to ensure that no person in the United States shall, on the grounds of, race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, low income, or limited English proficiency be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program or activity for which the applicant receives Federal financial assistance from FMCSA.

The FMCSA Title VI Program grant requirement consists of an approved Title VI Program Compliance Plan and Title VI Program Assurance. These documents are required to be approved and must be uploaded with the grant application. The FMCSA strongly urges that applicants contact the FMCSA Office of Civil Rights (OCR) as soon as the decision is made to apply for a grant opportunity.

This is critical to initiate the Title VI review process and obtaining guidance on submission requirements. To begin this coordination, please contact Mr. Lester Finkle, FMCSA National Title VI Program Manager, at lester.finkle@dot.gov.

The Title VI Program Assurance template and plan checklist are available on Grants.gov under the “Related Documents” tab. A technical assistance webinar was recorded and is available at https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/grantswebinars as an additional resource to assist with completing the following required documents:

• Title VI Program Assurance: The applicant must fill in the name of the applicant’s organization on pages #1-4 of the template. The Assurance will then be inserted as section two in the Plan or may be referenced in section two of the Plan and then attach it to the end of the Plan.

• Title VI Program Compliance Plan Checklist: The applicant will use the checklist as the format for the draft Plan. If the applicant has a FMCSA previously approved Plan that was developed using the Checklist, the applicant must update the Plan by having the applicant’s CEO re-sign/re-date the Policy Statement and Assurance. The remainder of the Plan will be updated by providing the status of any sections under development and/or any procedural changes to include updating any outdated information.

The Applicant must submit a draft Plan, or an updated previously approved Plan to the FMCSA OCR for review and comments/edits. After the applicant addresses the comments/edits, the final Plan/final updated Plan must be submitted to the FMCSA OCR for review and approval.

https://www.grants.gov/ mailto:support@grants.gov mailto:lester.finkle@dot.gov https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/grantswebinars

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SECTION E - APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

1. Criteria

a. Eligibility Criteria All applications received by the due date will undergo an initial intake review to determine if the application is eligible. In addition to the eligibility criteria under Section C, FMCSA will review the application for the following below criteria.

Application Requirement Instructions Deadline submission was met Section D.4, E.2.i Applicant eligibility was met Section A & C.1

SAM Registration Section D.3 SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance Section A, Section D.2.iii

Certification Regarding Lobbying Grants.gov Disclosure of Lobbying activities form (SF-LLL) Grants.gov

Key Contact forms include PI/PD and ADO contact information

Grants.gov

Current Indirect Cost Rate agreement included in the application

Section D.6

SF-424 lists any cost sharing or match amounts on line 18b

Section D.2.iii, iv, SF-424A, Budget Information Form Section A, D.2.ii ,iii Budget Narrative Section A, D.2.ii, iv

Application/Project Narrative Section A, D.2.ii Any other applicable Grants.gov document or attachment listed in Appendix A Appendix A

FMCSA OCR Title VI Program Compliance Plan (including FMCSA Title VI Program Assurance) approved for FFY 2023

Section B.4.

b. Merit Evaluation Criteria

The FMCSA subject matter experts will review all eligible applications using the following Merit Evaluation Criteria: Technical Merit Criteria; Budget Cost Analysis Criteria; Program-Specific Criteria; Past Performance Criteria; and Other Review Information.

i. Technical Merit The criteria are related to the technical//programmatic merit of an application. The FMCSA will consider the extent to which the applications:

1. Describe an ITD program that will meet the stated objectives of the NOFO to support innovative and impactful projects that advance FMCSA’s mission to reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities involving large trucks and buses, and achieve the other listed goals of the program;

2. Include components that address specific program priorities;

3. Propose methodology that meets the stated objectives of the NOFO;

4. Propose activities that identify and/or makes progress on new/existing technological

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5. Propose activities based on sound principles to gauge performance and project success;

6. Include staffing resource allocation, or contractual level of effort, that is sufficient to achieve the program objectives;

7. Demonstrate that the approach will ensure the maximum effectiveness of HP- ITD activities proposed;

8. Demonstrate appropriateness, rationale, and completeness of the proposed statement of project objectives;

9. Include clearly identified performance goals and measurements;

10. Demonstrate ability to develop performance-based metrics that adhere to FMCSA monitoring and reporting requirements;

11. Demonstrate that the proposed project/program is reasonable in scope and adequate to address existing and emerging information technology;

12. Have an identified geographical or national scope that the project will affect; and

13. Demonstrate efforts that are complementary and not duplicative, which, when taken together, will best achieve the programs goals and objectives.

ii. Budget/Cost Analysis Criteria

This category of criteria involves the budget: whether costs are allowable in accordance with Federal grant requirements, including the appropriateness and reasonableness of the budget estimate and the resources to be dedicated to the project; and the reasonableness and feasibility of the schedule relative to the application timeline. The budget should describe specific activities that support the objective(s) of the program.

The FMCSA will evaluate HP-ITD applications and other information, including, but not limited to:

1. Elements of work included in the application have associated budget costs and, conversely, all elements in the applicant’s budget have corresponding work elements included in the application;

2. Budget costs are allowable, allocable, necessary, and reasonable per 2 CFR Part 200;

3. Cost in a particular cost category have been properly identified as allowable, with the necessary detail for its use, and are not duplicative to the other budget line items;

4. The appropriate match is documented, as applicable;

5. All equipment, training, and travel components are clearly linked to the project goal and are necessary to adequately compensate, equip, train, and enable personnel to conduct the activities included in the project plan;

6. A suspension and debarment review that included a review of the applicant’s administrative capability self-certification form and a check against the records in SAM (currently the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System) ensures that the applicant is not suspended or debarred and does not have any unpaid Federal tax liability. Please note that an applicant, at its option, may review information in the designated integrity and performance systems accessible through SAM and comment on any information about itself that a Federal awarding agency previously entered and is currently in the designated integrity and performance system accessible through SAM;

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7. Any applicant included comments, which FMCSA will review, in addition to the other information in the designated integrity and performance system, in making a judgment about the applicant's integrity, business ethics, and record of performance under Federal awards when completing the review of risk posed by applicants as described in 2 CFR §

200.206 (Federal awarding agency review of risk posed by applicants);

8. An evaluation of the applicant’s Single Audit in accordance with OMB Uniform Guidance Audit Requirements 2 CFR Part 200 Subpart F, grantees shall provide copies of the audit reports to the Federal Audit Clearinghouse (FAC) (see 2 CFR Part 200.512 (b)). This is only applicable and federally mandated to recipients that expended $750,000 or more in Federal awards during their fiscal year. The FMCSA may, at its discretion, request further information and/or conduct an audit to confirm compliance as indicated on the SF-LLL – Disclosure of Lobbying Activities form, as provided for in the United States Code or the Code of Federal Regulations.

iii. Program Specific Criteria The application must include clearly identified performance goals and measurements that are supported by an appropriate and identified data source and that includes benchmarks and timelines that will facilitate evaluating the applicant’s progress towards project completion.

The FMCSA will also consider whether the application indicates how the recipient will continuously contribute to the success of the project by evaluating performance goals, objectives, activities, and outcomes and make adjustments as necessary.

iv. Past Performance Criteria Applicants that have previously received FMCSA grant funding will be evaluated in part on their past ability to complete prior awards on time, their compliance with those grant terms and conditions, including review of any financial and performance quarterly reports, and the results of any FMCSA grant monitoring activities, to include budget execution, final budget variance from original budget, and unexpended balances.

Applicants that have not previously received grant funding from FMCSA are not subject to this review, and their applications will not be eliminated from funding consideration for failure to show past performance.

The FMCSA will evaluate applications and past performance to determine the extent to which:

1. The applicant used Generally Accepted Accounting Principles as a guide to review prior personnel and budgetary practices, and past performance to judge if the proposed…