MA-PID-25-001 NOFO.pdf

FY 2025 Notice of Funding Opportunity

Port Infrastructure Development Program

Maritime Administration

US Department of Transportation (DOT)

A. BASIC INFORMATION

1. CHANGES FROM THE FY 2024 NOFO

B. ELIGIBILITY

1. ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

2. APPLICATION LIMIT

3. COST SHARING

4. PRE-AWARD AUTHORITY

5. LOCATION DESIGNATIONS AND DEFINITIONS

6. ELIGIBLE PROJECTS

7. PROJECT COMPONENTS

8. REDUCED AWARDS

C. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

1. PROGRAM HISTORY AND AUTHORIZATION

2. PROGRAM GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

3. AWARD SIZE

4. RESTRICTIONS ON FUNDING

5. AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS

6. PERFORMANCE MEASURES

D. APPLICATION CONTENT AND FORMAT

1. STANDARD FORM 424

2. FY 2025 PIDP COVER PAGE

3. PROJECT NARRATIVE

a) NARRATIVE SECTION I: PROJECT DESCRIPTION

b) NARRATIVE SECTION II: PROJECT LOCATION

c) NARRATIVE SECTION III: GRANT FUNDS, SOURCES, AND USE OF FUNDS

d) NARRATIVE SECTION IV: MERIT CRITERIA

e) NARRATIVE SECTION V: SELECTION CONSIDERATIONS

f) NARRATIVE SECTION VI: PROJECT READINESS

g) NARRATIVE SECTION VII: STATUTORY DETERMINATIONS

E. SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS AND DEADLINE

1. ADDRESS TO REQUEST APPLICATION PACKAGE

2. UNIQUE ENTITY IDENTIFIER (UEI) AND SYSTEM FOR AWARD MANAGEMENT

(SAM)

3. SUBMISSION DATES AND TIMES

4. INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVIEW

5. COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 508 OF THE REHABILITATION ACT OF 1973

F. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

1. CRITERIA

2. REVIEW AND SELECTION PROCESS

G. AWARD NOTICES

1. HOW PROJECT SELECTIONS ARE ANNOUNCED

2. ANNOUNCEMENT DATES

3. PRE-AWARD COSTS

4. REIMBURSABLE PROGRAM

H. POST-AWARD REQUIREMENTS AND ADMINISTRATION

1. ADMINISTRATIVE AND NATIONAL POLICY REQUIREMENTS

2. REPORTING

I. FEDERAL AWARD AGENCY CONTACT(S)

J. OTHER INFORMATION

1. PROTECTION OF CONFIDENTIAL BUSINESS INFORMATION

2. PUBLICATION AND SHARING OF APPLICATION INFORMATION

A. BASIC INFORMATION

SUMMARY OVERVIEW OF KEY INFORMATION: Port Infrastructure Development Program

(PIDP) Discretionary Grant Opportunity

Topic Description

Federal Agency

Name

Maritime Administration (MARAD)

Funding Opportunity

Title

FY 2025 Port Infrastructure Development Program

Announcement Type This is the initial announcement for the FY 2025 round of PIDP grants.

Funding Opportunity

Number

MA-PID-25-001

Assistance Listing

Number

20.823 Port Infrastructure Development Program

Funding Details It is anticipated that roughly $450 million in funding will be available for the FY 2025 funding opportunity, unless additional funding becomes available for the program under the FY 2025 Appropriations Act.

Key Dates Applications due: April 30, 2025 at 11:59:59 p.m. E.D.T.

Executive Summary PIDP assists in funding eligible projects for the purpose of improving the safety, efficiency, or reliability of the movement of goods through ports and intermodal connections to ports.

Eligible Applicants are:

• A State;

• A political subdivision of a State, or a local government;

• A public agency or publicly chartered authority established by 1 or more States;

• A special purpose district with a transportation function;

• An Indian Tribe, or a consortium of Indian Tribes;

• A multistate or multijurisdictional group of entities described above;

• A lead entity described above jointly with a private entity or group of private entities, including the owners or operators of a facility, or collection of facilities at a port.

Eligible Project

Types Projects within the boundary of a port, or outside the boundary of a port and directly related to port operations or to an intermodal connection to a port that improve the safety, efficiency, or reliability of:

• The loading and unloading of goods at a port;

• The movement of goods into, out of, around, or within a port;

• Operational improvements at a port;

• Environmental and emissions mitigation measures; or

1. CHANGES FROM THE FY 2024 NOFO

This FY 2025 PIDP NOFO makes the following changes from the FY 2024 PIDP NOFO:

• Updates rating rubrics for the statutory merit criteria.

• Clarifies guidance related to the factors reviewers will consider in project readiness evaluations.

• Updates the organization of the NOFO and use of references to comply with the recent changes to 2 CFR Part 200 Appendix I.

B. ELIGIBILITY

1. ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

An eligible applicant for a FY 2025 PIDP grant is:

• a State, a political subdivision of a State or a local government,

• a public agency or publicly chartered authority established by one or more States,

• a special purpose district with a transportation function,

• an Indian Tribe (as defined in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education

Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304), without regard to capitalization,) or a consortium of

Indian Tribes,

• a multistate or multijurisdictional group of entities described above, or

• a lead entity described above jointly with a private entity or group of private entities, including the owners or operators of a facility, or collection of facilities, at a port.

Federal agencies and individuals are not eligible applicants for the FY 2025 PIDP.

If submitting a joint application, applicants must identify in the application the eligible lead applicant as the primary point of contact. The lead applicant, who will be the primary recipient of the award and responsible for financial administration and monitoring of the project, must be an eligible lead entity described above (i.e., not a private entity). Joint applications should include a description of the roles and responsibilities of each applicant. If a joint applicant is providing some or all of the required non-Federal matching funds, a letter of funds commitment from that applicant should be provided as an attachment to the application.

MARAD expects that the lead applicant submitting the application will administer and deliver the project. If the lead applicant intends to act as a pass-through entity for disbursing funds to a subrecipient (including a private-entity joint applicant, if applicable) who will deliver all or a portion of the project, that intention should be made clear in the application and a letter of support from the intended subrecipient should be included as an attachment to the application.

• Infrastructure that supports seafood and seafood-related businesses.

(NOTE: Section B.6. provides additional information.)

Questions Email PIDPgrants@dot.gov

Agency Contact

Information

PIDPgrants@dot.gov or call Aubrey Parsons at 202–366–8047 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/appendix-Appendix%20I%20to%20Part%20200 mailto:PIDPgrants@dot.gov

Lead applicants intending to make subawards under their proposed FY 2025 PIDP project should refer to 2 CFR 200.331-333 on how to make subrecipient determinations and what requirements apply to pass-through entities. Applicants should be aware that all contracts executed under the PIDP award that create procurement relationships must follow the procurement standards at 2 CFR 200.317-327, including requirements regarding competition.

In order to be eligible for award, eligible applicants must provide a written statement that they have the authority to plan, construct, own, operate, and maintain the grant-funded project. In the case of joint applications, at least one of the eligible applicants must demonstrate this authority.

Refer to Section C.4. of this notice for restrictions on funding.

2. APPLICATION LIMIT

Each eligible applicant may submit no more than one application. If an applicant submits multiple applications, only the last one received by MARAD will be considered.

3. COST SHARING

Cost sharing means the portion of the project’s cost that is not paid by Federal funds. Cost share funds are typically stated as a percentage of the total project cost. Per 46 U.S.C. 54301(a)(8), the Federal share of the total costs of an eligible PIDP project must not exceed 80 percent; however, the Secretary may increase the Federal share of costs above 80 percent for:

(1) a grant for a project that is located in a rural area; or

(2) a grant awarded to a small project at a small port under 46 U.S.C. 54301(b).

Applicants should use the following equation when determining the cost share for their project:

(𝑃𝐼𝐷𝑃 𝐺𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑅𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑒𝑠𝑡 + 𝑂𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟 𝐹𝑒𝑑𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑙 𝐹𝑢𝑛𝑑𝑠)𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑃𝑟𝑜𝑗𝑒𝑐𝑡 𝐶𝑜𝑠𝑡 = 𝐹𝑒𝑑𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑙 𝐶𝑜𝑠𝑡 𝑆ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑒

For the PIDP, Total Project Cost means the sum of future eligible Federal and non-Federal costs that have not yet been incurred.

Non-Federal sources include State funds originating from programs funded by State revenue, local funds originating from State or local revenue-funded programs, or private funds. If repaid from non-Federal sources, Federal credit assistance is considered non-Federal share. The application must demonstrate, such as through a commitment letter or other documentation included in the PIDP application, the sources of the non-Federal funds. Unless otherwise authorized by statute, funds used to satisfy the non-Federal cost-share requirements of a different Federal program may not be counted as the non-Federal cost share for both the FY 2025 PIDP grant award and another Federal grant program.

MARAD will not consider previously incurred costs or previously expended or encumbered funds towards the non-Federal cost-share requirement, except for awards made under 46 U.S.C.

54301(b) (small projects at small ports). For awards made under 46 U.S.C. 54301(b), MARAD may consider certain eligible pre-construction costs towards the non-Federal cost-share requirement if incurred after the date of application submittal but before announcement of project selection, if the costs are clearly indicated in the budget included in the application and comply with all applicable Federal requirements. All non-Federal cost-share funds are subject to the same Federal requirements as awarded funds.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR031321e29ac5bbd https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR45ddd4419ad436d https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR45ddd4419ad436d

In addition to these cost share requirements, cost share will be evaluated according to the “Leveraging Federal Funding” criterion.

For each project that receives a PIDP grant award, the terms of the award will require the recipient to complete the project using at least the amount of non-Federal funding that was specified in the application. If the actual costs of the project are greater than the costs estimated in the application, the recipient will be responsible for addressing the funding shortfall by providing additional funds. If the actual costs of the project are less than the costs estimated in the application, MARAD will generally reduce the Federal contribution to ensure the recipient maintains the level of non-Federal funding stated in the application.

4. PRE-AWARD AUTHORITY

Consistent with the provisions in 46 U.S.C. 54301(a)(10)(B) and 2 CFR 200.458, unless “pre-award costs” are authorized by MARAD in writing after MARAD’s announcement of FY 2025 PIDP awards or a Small Project at a Small Port applicant has included pre-award costs in the application budget, consistent with Section B.3 above, any costs incurred prior to MARAD’s obligation of funds for a project are ineligible for reimbursement and are ineligible to count as match for cost share requirements.1

5. LOCATION DESIGNATIONS AND DEFINITIONS

Great Lakes port: A port on the Great Lakes and their connecting and tributary waters as defined under 33 CFR 83.03(o).

Coastal seaport: A port on navigable waters of the United States or territories that is subject to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers regulatory jurisdiction for oceanic and coastal waters under 33 CFR. 329.12 or that is otherwise capable of receiving oceangoing vessels with a draft of at least 20 feet (other than a Great Lakes port).

Inland river port: A harbor, marine terminal, or other shore side facility used principally for the movement of goods that is not at a coastal seaport or Great Lakes port.

Rural area: An area located outside of a 2020 U.S. Census-designated urban area with a population of 50,000 or more persons.2

Urban area: An area located within (or on the boundary of) a 2020 U.S. Census-designated urban area with a population of 50,000 or more persons.

Climate Change: Changes in average weather conditions that persist over multiple decades or longer due to natural or anthropogenic activities, especially from greenhouse gas emissions.

Climate change encompasses both increases and decreases in temperature, as well as shifts in precipitation, changing risk of certain types of severe weather events, and changes to other features of the climate system.

Pre-award costs are only costs incurred directly pursuant to the negotiation and anticipation of the PIDP award where such costs are necessary for efficient and timely performance of the scope of work, as determined by

MARAD.

2 Please use the DOT Rural Eligibility map for PIDP at https://www.transportation.gov/rural/eligibility to determine rural eligibility. This map identifies the areas in the 2020 U.S. Census that have a population of less than 50,000 and, therefore, are rural areas for the purposes of PIDP.

https://www.transportation.gov/rural/eligibility

Development phase activities: Includes planning, feasibility analysis, revenue forecasting, environmental review, permitting, and preliminary engineering and design work.

Environmental justice: The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income, with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.

Equity: The consistent and systematic fair, just, and impartial treatment of all individuals, including individuals who belong to underserved communities that have been denied such treatment.

Large project: A project at a port other than a Small Port, regardless of the amount of PIDP funding sought in the application; or a project at a Small Port for which the amount of PIDP funding sought in the application is greater than $11.25 million.

Port resilience: The ability to anticipate, prepare for, adapt to, withstand, respond to, and recover from operational disruptions and sustain critical operations at ports, including disruptions caused by natural or climate-related hazards (such as extreme temperatures, extreme rainfall, sea level change, Great Lakes and river water level changes, flooding, earthquakes, landslides, extreme storms [hurricanes, cyclones, typhoons, northeasters, etc.], storm surge, tsunami inundation, tornadoes, high wind events, wildfire, volcanic activity, or other extreme weather events) or human-made disruptions such as dredging and sediment management, terrorism, cyberattacks, disruptions to Position, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) data via the Global Positioning System (GPS) whether intentional or unintentional, public health emergencies, or shortages/bottlenecks at key elements of the supply chain.

Small Port: A coastal seaport, Great Lakes, or inland river port to and from which the average annual tonnage of cargo for the immediately preceding three calendar years from the time an application is submitted is less than 8,000,000 short tons, as determined by using U.S. Army Corps of Engineers data or data by an independent audit if the Secretary determines that it is acceptable to use such data instead of using U.S. Army Corps of Engineers data. When using U.S. Army Corps of Engineers data to determine whether the applicant qualifies as a Small Port, MARAD will use data that is specific to the eligible applicant. If an eligible applicant provides data by an independent audit, MARAD will use such data if it is a reasonable substitute for U.S.

Army Corps of Engineers data.

Small Project at a Small Port: A project at a Small Port seeking less than or equal to $11.25 million in funding under 46 U.S.C. 54301(b).

6. ELIGIBLE PROJECTS

Eligible projects for FY 2025 PIDP grants shall be located either within the boundary of a port, or outside the boundary of a port and directly related to port operations or to an intermodal connection to a port. Grants may be made for capital projects that will be used to improve the safety, efficiency, or reliability of:

I. the loading and unloading of goods at the port, such as for marine terminal equipment;

II. the movement of goods into, out of, around, or within a port, such as for highway or rail infrastructure, intermodal facilities, freight intelligent transportation systems, and digital infrastructure systems;

III. operational improvements, including projects to improve port resilience;

IV. environmental and emissions mitigation measures, including projects for—

a. port electrification or electrification master planning;

b. harbor craft or equipment replacements or retrofits;

c. development of port or terminal microgrids;

d. provision of idling reduction infrastructure;

e. purchase of cargo handling equipment and related infrastructure;

f. worker training to support electrification technology;

g. installation of port bunkering facilities from ocean-going vessels for fuels;

h. electric vehicle charging or hydrogen refueling infrastructure for drayage and medium or heavy-duty trucks and locomotives that service the port and related grid upgrades; or

i. other related port activities, including charging infrastructure, electric rubber-tired gantry cranes, and anti-idling technologies; or

V. port and port-related infrastructure that supports seafood and seafood-related businesses, including the loading and unloading of commercially harvested fish and fish products, seafood processing, cold storage, and other related infrastructure.

Activities eligible for funding under PIDP planning grants include those related to development phase activities—such as planning, feasibility analysis, revenue forecasting, environmental review, permitting, preliminary engineering and design work, development of master plans, electrification master planning, and planning to address a port’s ability to withstand probable occurrence or recurrence of an emergency or major disaster—of eligible PIDP capital projects that will not result in construction with FY 2025 PIDP funding.

Under the FY 2025 PIDP, if an application includes right-of-way acquisition, the project will be considered a capital project.

This program will not fund construction, reconstruction, reconditioning, or purchase of a vessel, unless the Secretary determines such vessel is necessary for a project and is not already receiving assistance under 46 U.S.C. chapter 537. In addition, this program will not fund any project within a small shipyard (as defined in 46 U.S.C. 54101).

Improvements to Federally owned facilities are ineligible under the FY 2025 PIDP, unless they are projects investing in port facilities that are located on Tribal land and for which title or maintenance responsibility is vested in the Federal Government.

This program will not fund the purchase or installation of fully automated cargo handling equipment, or the installation of terminal infrastructure that is designed for fully automated cargo handling equipment, if the Secretary determines that such equipment would result in a net loss of good jobs or reduction in the quality of jobs within the port or port terminal. In general, fully automated cargo handling systems transfer materials without the need, or a significantly reduced need, for human assistance. Such systems may be remotely operated or monitored, with or without the exercise of human intervention or control. Applicants that propose projects that include the acquisition of eligible cargo handling equipment or terminal infrastructure for cargo handling equipment must indicate in their application whether or not the equipment is fully automated (or whether the terminal infrastructure is designed for fully automated equipment). If fully automated equipment is proposed to be acquired or terminal infrastructure for such equipment is proposed to be created, the applicant must provide information describing the job changes that will result from the project, including supporting evidence demonstrating that the project will not directly result in a net loss of good jobs or degradation of job quality.

7. PROJECT COMPONENTS

An application must describe only one project, but that project may contain more than one component and may describe components that may be carried out by parties other than the applicant. MARAD expects, and will impose requirements on, fund recipients to ensure that all components included in an application will be delivered as part of the PIDP project, regardless of whether a component includes Federal funding. The status of each component should be clearly described (for example, in the project schedule and budget). MARAD may award funds for a component, instead of the larger project, if that component: (1) independently meets minimum award amounts described in Section C and all eligibility requirements described in Section B; (2) independently aligns with the selection criteria identified in Section F; and (3) meets National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements with respect to independent utility. Independent utility means that the component will represent a transportation improvement that is usable even if no other improvement is made in the area and will be ready for intended use upon completion of that component’s construction. All project components that are presented together in a single application must demonstrate a relationship or connection among them or MARAD may fund only one or more of the connected components and reduce the PIDP award.

MARAD strongly encourages applicants to identify in their applications the project components that have independent utility and separately detail costs and requested PIDP funding for those components. If the application identifies one or more project components with independent utility, the application should clearly identify how each component addresses the selection criteria and produces benefits on its own, in addition to describing how the full proposal of which the component is a part addresses the selection criteria described in Section F.

Applicants should be aware that, depending upon the relationship between project components and applicable Federal law, DOT funding of some project components may make other project components subject to Federal requirements.

8. REDUCED AWARDS

If selected for award, MARAD may decrease the PIDP funding amount from the applicant’s request if some elements of the project are ineligible or to comply with statutory set asides such as those related to geographic preference or small projects at small ports.

C. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

1. PROGRAM HISTORY AND AUTHORIZATION

The PIDP statute, codified at 46 U.S.C. 54301, establishes the port and intermodal improvement program to improve the safety, efficiency, or reliability of the movement of goods through ports and intermodal connections to ports. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Pub. L. 117- 58, November 15, 2021) (“Bipartisan Infrastructure Law” or “BIL”) appropriated $450 million to the PIDP for FY 2025 to make discretionary grants for eligible PIDP projects. In addition to the FY 2025 BIL PIDP funds, FY 2025 Appropriations Act funding, if appropriated, and unobligated prior year PIDP funds may be made available and awarded under this solicitation to eligible projects.

2. PROGRAM GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

The goal of PIDP is to assist in funding eligible projects for the purpose of improving the safety, efficiency, or reliability of the movement of goods through ports and intermodal connections to ports and that advance the Departmental priorities of safety, equity, Justice40, climate and sustainability, workforce development, job quality, and wealth creation, as described in the Department’s Strategic Plan3 and executive orders. Projects selected under this Notice are intended to further the program’s goals and objectives.

The Department seeks to fund projects under the PIDP that reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation sector; incorporate evidence-based climate resilience measures and features;

avoid adverse environmental impacts to air or water quality, wetlands, and endangered species;

and address the disproportionate negative environmental impacts of transportation on disadvantaged communities, consistent with Executive Order 14008, Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad.

In addition, the Department seeks to award projects under the PIDP that proactively evaluate whether a project will create proportional impacts to all populations in a project area and increase equitable access to project benefits, consistent with Executive Order 14091, Further Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government.

The Department also seeks to award projects that address environmental justice, particularly for communities that have experienced decades of underinvestment and are most impacted by climate change, pollution, and environmental hazards, consistent with Executive Order 14008, Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad.

PIDP advances President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, which set the goal that 40 percent of the overall benefits of certain climate, clean energy, and other covered Federal investments flow to

3 See U.S. Department of Transportation Strategic Plan FY 2022–2026 at https://www.transportation.gov/dotstrategic-plan.

https://www.transportation.gov/dot-strategic-plan https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/01/27/executive-order-on-tackling-the-climate-crisis-at-home-and-abroad/ https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/01/27/executive-order-on-tackling-the-climate-crisis-at-home-and-abroad/ https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2023/02/16/executive-order-on-further-advancing-racial-equity-and-support-for-underserved-communities-through-the-federal-government/ https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2023/02/16/executive-order-on-further-advancing-racial-equity-and-support-for-underserved-communities-through-the-federal-government/ https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2023/02/16/executive-order-on-further-advancing-racial-equity-and-support-for-underserved-communities-through-the-federal-government/ https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/01/27/executive-order-on-tackling-the-climate-crisis-at-home-and-abroad/ https://www.whitehouse.gov/environmentaljustice/justice40/ disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution.

In addition, the Department intends to use the PIDP to support the creation of 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, in project planning stages, consistent with Executive Order 14025, Worker Organizing and Empowerment, and Executive Order 14052, Implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The Department also intends to use the PIDP to support wealth creation, consistent with the Department's Equity Action Plan, through the inclusion of local inclusive economic development and entrepreneurship such as the utilization of Disadvantaged Business Enterprises or 8(a) firms.

3. AWARD SIZE

There is no minimum award size for funding under the BIL. Except as limited by the amount of available funding and statutory restrictions on funding identified in Section C.3., there is no maximum award size.

4. RESTRICTIONS ON FUNDING

MARAD must comply with the following funding restrictions:

As proscribed in Section 825 of the FY 2024 NDAA, no funds may be awarded to an entity that utilizes or provides in part or in whole: the national transportation logistics public information platform (commonly referred to as ‘LOGINK’) provided by the People’s Republic of China, or departments, ministries, centers, agencies, or instrumentalities of the Government of the People’s Republic of China; any national transportation logistics information platform provided by or sponsored by the People’s Republic of China, or a controlled commercial entity; or a similar system provided by Chinese state-affiliated entities.4

MARAD may retain up to 2% of available funding for oversight and administration of grants.

For more information on LOGINK, including information about potential vulnerabilities to maritime port equipment and networks, see the advisory on Worldwide Foreign Adversarial Technological, Physical, and Cyber Influence on the Maritime Security Communications Industry portal: https://www.maritime.dot.gov/msci-advisories.

Funding Restriction Amount

Small Projects at Small Ports At least 25% of available funding, which is $112.5 million

Per State No more than 25% of available funding which $112.5 million

Planning Projects No more than 10% of funding reserved for Small Projects at Small Ports and no more than 10% of funding available to large projects

Small Projects at Small Ports

Maximum Award size

No more than $11.25 million per award https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/04/26/executive-order-on-worker-organizing-and-empowerment/ https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2022/09/12/executive-order-on-the-implementation-of-the-energy-and-infrastructure-provisions-of-the-inflation-reduction-act-of-2022/ https://www.transportation.gov/priorities/equity/equity-action-plan https://www.maritime.dot.gov/msci-advisories

Federal funds awarded under this program may not be used to support or oppose union organizing, whether directly or as an offset for other funds.

5. AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS

The table below outlines the obligation and expenditure deadlines for FY 2025 PIDP funding.

Fiscal Year Funding Obligation Deadline Funding Expenditure Deadline

FY 2025 September 30, 2029 5 years after funds obligation for each individual award

MARAD seeks to obligate FY 2025 PIDP grant funds by September 30, 2029.

• Obligation occurs when a selected applicant and MARAD enter into a written grant agreement after the applicant has satisfied applicable local, State, and Federal requirements, including transportation planning and environmental review requirements, such as those under NEPA.

Per 46 U.S.C. 54301(a)(11)(B)(ii), MARAD also expects grant recipients to expend funds within five years of obligation of their award funds, which should be no later than September 30, 2034, depending on when each grant is executed.

• Expenditure occurs when a recipient is reimbursed for eligible project costs.

6. PERFORMANCE MEASURES

PIDP program performance measures can be found on the PIDP website (https://www.maritime.dot.gov/PIDPgrants).

7. PREVIOUS AWARDS

Previous program awards can be found on the PIDP website.

D. APPLICATION CONTENT AND FORMAT

MARAD expects the Project Narrative be prepared with standard formatting preferences (a single-spaced document, using a standard 12-point font such as Times New Roman, with 1-inch margins, and the narrative text in one column only). Documents should be submitted in PDF, unless otherwise specified (e.g., Benefit-Cost Analysis (BCA) calculations should be submitted in an unlocked Excel spreadsheet). The Project Narrative may not exceed 30 pages in length, excluding cover pages and table of contents. The only substantive portions that may exceed the 30-page limit are documents supporting assertions or conclusions made in the 30-page Project Narrative and documentation related to the required determinations. Except for the BCA, evaluators are not required to review supporting documents as part of the selection criteria review described in Section F. Supporting documentation should be dated, and MARAD recommends using appropriately descriptive file names (e.g., “Project Narrative,” “Maps,” “Memoranda of Understanding,” “Letters of Support,” “Engineering Drawings,” etc.) for all attachments. If supporting documents are submitted, applicants should clearly identify within the Project Narrative the relevant supporting document(s).

https://www.maritime.dot.gov/grants-finances/federal-grant-assistance/performance-measures https://www.maritime.dot.gov/PIDPgrants

1. STANDARD FORM 424

The application must include the Standard Form (SF) 424 (Application for Federal Assistance). Applicants are encouraged to also complete the SF-424C (Budget Information – Construction Programs). These forms may be found on Grants.gov and are also available at www.maritime.dot.gov/PIDPgrants.

2. FY 2025 PIDP COVER PAGE

Each application should include a cover page with information about the project included in the following chart:

Field Name Guidance

Name of lead applicant

Is the applicant applying as a lead applicant with any joint applicants?

If yes, identify by name each of the joint applicants.

Does the applicant or joint applicant own the property where the grant-funded improvements will occur?

Yes or No.

Is the applicant seeking funding under the small project at a small port set-aside?

Yes or No.

Project name Provide a concise (five- to seven-word) name of the project. For example: “Wharf and Uplands Improvement Project”

Project description Provide a brief (no more than 100 words) description of the project that focuses on what the project consists of. For example: “This project will fund construction of a new wharf at the X Terminal, renovate the uplands adjacent to the wharf, construct a 100,000 SF-refrigerated warehouse, and install approximately 20,000 LF of track to connect the new facilities to the port’s rail switch yard.”

Is this a planning project? Yes or No.

Is this a project at a coastal, Great Lakes, or inland river port?

Specify coastal, Great Lakes, or inland river port.

Is this project located in a noncontiguous

State or U.S. territory?

Yes or No. If yes, name the State or U.S.

territory.

Geographic Coordinates (in Latitude and

Longitude format)

Provide the coordinates of the approximate geographic center of the project. The latitude and longitude of the project should be reported as decimal degrees with a minimum of 5 decimal places.

Is this project in an urban or rural area? Use the guidance in Section B.5 of the NOFO to answer this question.

Project Zip Code Identify the zip code that corresponds to the coordinates identified above.

https://grants.gov/ http://www.maritime.dot.gov/PIDPgrants

Is the project located in a Historically

Disadvantaged Community?

Answer yes only if the project is wholly or partially in a Historically Disadvantaged Community. Provide information in support of the claim. For example, the Census Tract number and description. (If the project is located in multiple zones, the project will be designated as a HDC if the majority of the Project’s costs will be spent in the area that qualifies as a HDC.)

Has the same project been previously submitted for PIDP funding?

If so, identify the program and year of the prior submission (such as “PIDP FY 2023”).

Is the applicant applying for other Federal discretionary grant programs (managed by

DOT or a separate agency) in 2025 for the same work or related scopes of work?

If so, identify the program, amount of funding requested and scope (such as DOT RAISE FY 2025, $25 million, components 1 and 2 of this PIDP project).

Has the applicant previously received DOT funding for the same work or related scope of work?

If so, identify the program, amount of funding received and scope (such as U.S. Marine Highway Program FY 2022, $2 million, phase 1 of this PIDP project), and status of the NEPA review for the previously funded project.

Has the applicant previously received

TIGER, BUILD, RAISE, FASTLANE,

INFRA, USMHP, or PIDP funding?

If so, identify the program and year of the prior award (such as “INFRA FY 2023”).

PIDP Grant Amount Requested Enter the total amount of PIDP grant funds requested.

Total Project Cost Total Project Cost will be equal to the Total Future Eligible Project Cost, including the PIDP grant amount requested. (Only for small projects at small ports can this cost include previously incurred expenses). This number must be the same as the amount entered on line 18g of the SF-424.

Total Federal Funding Enter the amount of Federal funding from ALL sources that will be used for this project and list each source of Federal funding. This number must be the same as the amount entered on line 18a of the SF-424.

Total Non-Federal Funding Enter the amount of funds committed to the project from non-Federal sources.

Will the applicant be seeking approval to expend funds prior to grant agreement execution?

Yes or No.

Will RRIF or TIFIA funds be used as part of the project financing?

Indicate whether RRIF or TIFIA funding will be used for the project. If so, indicate the amount of funds that will be used.

Does the applicant use LOGINK or a similar logistics platform provided or sponsored by the People’s Republic of China or Chinese state-affiliated entities?

Yes or No. See Section C.4 of this NOFO.

3. PROJECT NARRATIVE

a) NARRATIVE SECTION I: PROJECT DESCRIPTION

This section of the Project Narrative should include:

• A detailed statement of work and describe the proposed PIDP project that is to be planned or constructed, focusing on the technical and engineering aspects of the project as well as the current design status of the project;

• A description of the transportation challenges that the project is intended to address and how the project will address those challenges;

• The project’s history, including a description of any previously completed components, to place the project into a broader context of other relevant infrastructure investments being pursued by the project sponsor (the applicant should make clear which related investments are outside the scope of the proposed PIDP project);

• A written statement that the eligible applicant has the authority to plan, construct, own, operate, and maintain the grant-funded project;

• If the lead applicant intends to act as a pass-through entity for disbursing funds to a subrecipient (including a private-entity joint applicant, if applicable) who will deliver all or a portion of the project, a description of that intention and the work the subrecipient will carry out should be included in this section and a letter of support from the intended subrecipient (as applicable) should be included as an attachment; and

• If the proposed project includes dredging, the applicant should confirm that the dredging is not for channel improvements or harbor deepening that are part of a Federally maintained navigation channel.

• Additionally, if submitting a joint application, applicants should also:

o Identify the lead recipient of the award who will be responsible for financial administration of the project; and o Include a description of the roles and responsibilities of each applicant.

b) NARRATIVE SECTION II: PROJECT LOCATION

This section of the application should describe the project location, provide a map or maps that clearly indicate the project’s location in the local area and the State or territory, provide photographs of the project location, and (if available) renderings of the proposed project. The project’s connections to existing transportation infrastructure should also be clearly described or illustrated.

This section should also clearly identify whether the project is:

• located in a rural or urban area (as defined in Section B.5.);

• a project at a coastal, Great Lakes, or inland river port (as defined in Section B.5.);

• a small project at a small port (as defined in Section B.5.) seeking funding under 46 U.S.C. 54301(b); and

• located in a HDC (as defined in Section B.5.), including the relevant census tract(s).

The location description should also include demographic information describing any minority, low income, or limited English proficient communities in the vicinity of, and potentially impacted by, the proposed project.

c) NARRATIVE SECTION III: GRANT FUNDS, SOURCES, AND USE OF

FUNDS

This section should present the budget for the PIDP project (i.e., the project scope that includes PIDP funding and matching funding), including information about the degree of design completion (e.g., 30 percent design) upon which the budget is based. Except for a project seeking funding under 46 U.S.C. 54301(b), the budget should not include any previously incurred expenses that are incurred prior to MARAD’s announcement of project selection.

Project budgets should show how different funding sources will share in each activity and present those data in dollars and percentages. The budget should identify other Federal funds, if any, that the applicant is applying for, has been awarded, or intends to use. Funding sources should be grouped into three categories: non-Federal, current FY 2025 PIDP funding request, and other Federal, with specific amounts from each funding source. The budget details should sufficiently demonstrate that the project satisfies the statutory non-Federal cost-sharing requirements described in Section B.3.

At a minimum, the project budget should include:

• Total Project Costs for the FY 2025 PIDP project (see Section B.3. for definition of Total Project Cost);

• FY 2025 PIDP grant funding request;

• Specific source, amount, type (grant, loan, etc.), and match requirements of other Federal funds to be used for eligible project costs;

• Specific sources and amounts of non-Federal funds, if included, to be used for eligible project costs; and

• If the project is located in two or more census tracts or is located only partially within an urbanized area, the budget needs to separate the costs between the various census tracts or areas designated as urban and rural.

In addition to the information enumerated above, this section should provide complete information on how all project funds may be used. For example, if a particular source of funds is available only after a condition is satisfied, the application should identify that condition and describe the applicant’s control over whether it is satisfied. Similarly, if a particular source of funds is available for expenditure only during a fixed time period, the application should describe that restriction. Complete information about project funds will ensure that MARAD’s expectations for award execution align with any funding restrictions unrelated to MARAD, even if an award differs from the applicant’s request. If a funding source is uncertain, the applicant should state that it is uncertain and describe the source of the uncertainty.

Applicants are encouraged to include the budget table below, filled out with project details:

[Component

1]

[Component

2] Total

PIDP Funds: [$XXX] [$XXX] [$XXX]

Other Federal Funds: [$XXX] [$XXX] [$XXX]

Non-Federal Funds: [$XXX] [$XXX] [$XXX]

Total: [$XXX] [$XXX] [$XXX]

If there is only a single component, remove “Component 2” column. If there are more than 2 components, add columns.

The budget should clearly identify any project expenses anticipated between the time of MARAD’s announcement of project selections and obligation that the applicant intends to request approval from MARAD to expend pursuant to 46 U.S.C.

54301(a)(10)(B) to count toward the non-Federal cost share or 2 C.F.R. 200.458 if its application is selected for award.14 These pre-obligation costs must still comply with all Federal requirements, including NEPA. The discussion should also reference (and summarize) supporting documentation of funding commitments for non-Federal funds to be used for eligible project costs. This supporting documentation must be submitted as an appendix and clearly marked. In preparing this section, applicants should also refer to the “Leveraging Federal Funding” merit criterion.

d) NARRATIVE SECTION IV: MERIT CRITERIA This section of the application should demonstrate how the project aligns with the statutory merit criteria described in Section F.1. of this notice. PIDP statutory merit criteria are: Achieving Safety, Efficiency, or Reliability Improvements; Supporting Economic Vitality at the Regional or National Level; Leveraging Federal Funding;

and Port Resilience. To assist project evaluators, MARAD encourages applicants to describe the project merit criteria in the order in which they are described in Section F.1, address each criterion separately, identify the elements of the proposed project that align with items listed under each criterion under the merit rating rubric, and support estimated benefit claims with data, details, and/or qualitative descriptions.

Insufficient information to assess any criterion will negatively impact the project rating. Guidance describing how MARAD will evaluate projects against the Merit Criteria is listed in Section F of this notice. Applicants should review that section before preparing their application.

e) NARRATIVE SECTION V: SELECTION CONSIDERATIONS

This section should address all the applicable selection considerations related to the Departmental priorities identified in Section F.1. below.

f) NARRATIVE SECTION VI: PROJECT READINESS

Project readiness describes an applicant’s preparedness to move a proposed project forward once it receives a PIDP grant. This portion of the narrative should include a detailed project schedule and information that, when considered with the project budget information, is sufficient for MARAD to evaluate whether the project is reasonably expected to begin the capital or planning project in a timely manner after satisfying applicable administrative requirements, including transportation planning and environmental review requirements, such as those under NEPA, and meet both the preferred obligation and expenditure deadlines. Project readiness consists of two factors: technical capacity and environmental risk. Technical capacity and environmental risk are described in detail in Section F.1.

g) NARRATIVE SECTION VII: STATUTORY DETERMINATIONS

To select a project for award, MARAD must determine that the project—as a whole, as well as each independent component of the project—satisfies several statutory requirements enumerated in 46 U.S.C. 54301(a)(6)(A) and restated in the table below.

The application must include sufficient information for MARAD to make these determinations for both the project as a whole and for each independent component of the project. Applicants should use this section of the application to summarize how their project and, if present, each independent project component, meets each of the following requirements. Applicants are not required to reproduce the table below in their application but following this format will help evaluators identify the relevant information that supports each project determination. Supporting information provided in appendices may be referenced.

Statutory Determination Guidance

1. The project improves the safety, efficiency, or reliability of the movement of goods through a port or intermodal connection to the port.

Please summarize how the project will improve the safety, efficiency, or reliability of the movement of goods through a port or intermodal connection to a port.

Detail specific elements of the project and their forecasted impact on port performance indicators (such as improvements in vessel dwell times, truck turn times, capacity, throughput, accident reductions, etc.).

If the project has multiple independent components, please provide sufficient information to describe the impact of each component on the overall project.

2. The project is cost effective. Please highlight the results of the BCA, as well as the analyses of independent project components, if applicable.

The Department will base its determination on the ratio of project benefits to project costs as assessed according to the Economic Vitality criterion.

Note: This determination is not applicable to small projects at small ports or large projects located in noncontiguous States or U.S. territories.

3. The eligible applicant has the authority to carry out the project.

Please provide citations of authority or other supporting documentation necessary to establish an applicant’s authority to carry out the project. The citations should be of sufficient detail to demonstrate that the applicant is an eligible applicant and to show how the applicant is related to the work on the property where the grant funds will be spent.

Examples of information that could assist with making this determination include: the citation of specific sections or chapters of state or local statutory language that demonstrate relevant authority; the inclusion of a narrative outlining the authority of the eligible entity applying for grant funding; information about who owns the property where the improvements will take place or who operates the facilities that will be improved by the project; or a description of the relationship between the applicant and the owner of the property that links the project to the authority to carry out the project (e.g., through a lease agreement).

4. The eligible applicant has sufficient funding available to meet the matching requirements.

Please indicate funding source(s) and amounts that will account for all project costs, broken down by independent project component, if applicable. Demonstrate that the funding is stable, dependable, and dedicated to this specific project by referencing a letter of commitment, a local government resolution, memorandum of understanding, or similar documentation.

Include proof that the matching funds will be available and/or committed prior to obligation of funds, regardless of the source of funding.

5. The project will be completed without unreasonable delay.

Please provide expected obligation date15 and construction start date, referencing project budget and schedule as needed. If the project has multiple independent components, or will be obligated and constructed in multiple phases, please provide sufficient information to show that each component meets this requirement.

MARAD will base its determination on the project risk rating assessed as part of the evaluation of the Project Readiness criterion.

6. The project cannot be easily…