NOFO Email QA_version 1-16-2024.pdf

“Saving Lives with Connectivity: Accelerating Vehicle to Everything (V2X) Deployment”

NOFO Q&A RECEIVED BY EMAIL

The following Questions and Answers (Q&As) received by email focus on the Saving Lives with Connectivity: Accelerating Vehicle to Everything (V2X) Deployment discretionary Cooperative Agreement Program and the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) posted on October 26, 2023.

Except for the statutes and regulations cited, the contents of this document do not have the force and effect of law and are not meant to bind the public in any way. This document is intended only to provide information regarding existing requirements under the law or agency policies.

1. Will a recording to the NOFO Webinar be added to the website or link to the recording be emailed?

The NOFO webinar slides used during the webinar will be posted at the same time as the NOFO Q&As. The NOFO webinar recording was posted in Amendment 1 on 1/12/2024.

2. Will the attendees of the NOFO webinar be shared publicly / with those who have attended? It would be so helpful for those of us looking to partner with each other.

No, the attendees of the webinar will not be shared publicly.

3. Regarding the grant referenced in the subject line, Company X is a technology company developing products to monitor impact to infrastructure (crash cushions, cable barriers, end terminals, etc.) and to guide drivers around incidents, work zones, etc. We are newcomers to the grant process. Our technology falls squarely into the "Saving Lives" and "Connectivity" space. May we arrange a brief telephone call to learn more about the process? Your assistance is greatly appreciated.

The grant application, selection, and award process is explained in the NOFO. The DOT Navigator website also provides information and technical assistance resources about applying for grants. Specific grant application resources can be found here.

4. The FCC has not approved C-V2X for use in the 5.9 ITS spectrum. They are only licensing DSRC. Licensees must apply for a rules waiver to use C-V2X.

https://www.transportation.gov/dot-navigator https://www.transportation.gov/dot-navigator https://www.transportation.gov/grants/dot-navigator/grant-application-resources

Accelerating V2X Deployment NOFO Grants.Gov Q&A

For this program V2X is a broader term embracing multiple wireless technologies and standards. Applicants are encouraged to carefully consider the details of the current FCC regulation, including information provided on the USDOT website here. As stated on page 10 in the NOFO, “Deployments that do not utilize the 5.9 GHz ITS licensed spectrum will not be considered for award.”

5. Should deployments as part of this grant expected to be 100% compliant with Connected Transportation Interoperability (CTI standards, e.g., CTI 4001, 4501)?

Page 10 of the NOFO explains that deployment sites are sought with attributes including demonstratable standards-enabled interoperability and conformant, effective utilization of the 5.9 GHz ITS licensed spectrum including the use of C-V2X standards. CTI standards were developed based on work done by FHWA and ITE to increase an understanding of how to interpret standards for intersections and increase an entity's ability to deploy interoperable intersection devices.

6. It is understood that USDOT is looking for operational deployments in this opportunity and systems engineering process would dictate the ability to have testing phases prior to full-scale deployments. The NOFO specifically states “Field tests on closed or otherwise controlled environments separate from operational transportation systems will not be considered for award.” Does this statement speak only to the ultimate/final deployment and interim testing in closed environments is allowable to ensure safety of system users or does the statement mean that the NOFO will not pay for any level of testing that is not in the ultimate deployment environment?

The statement pertains to the ultimate/final deployment site and interim testing in closed environments is allowable to ensure safety of system users. The point of this Program is to accelerate nationwide, interoperable V2X deployment. However, a team may choose to use a test bed for testing solutions before deploying. The grant funds may cover testing.

7. The synopsis on the website says two expected awards, but the PDF NOFO says DOT may make one, multiple or zero. Any clarification on that? Assume it just means that you will make awards based off of applications received and may not make any if you do not receive any applications or ones that meet eligibility.

As stated on page 48 of the NOFO in Section B.2, the Government anticipates making multiple awards as a result of this NOFO. The government may make one, multiple, or no awards based on applications received.

https://www.transportation.gov/content/safety-band

8. I am inquiring if there have been any thoughts of extending the application due date for the “Saving Lives with Connectivity: Accelerating Vehicle to Everything (V2X) Deployment” grant? If the deadline was to be extended, when would that be announced?

The deadline for submitting applications is posted in Grants.gov and any change in the deadline would be posted there as well.

9. Is there any limitation to the number of submissions a potential subcontractor can participate in? For instance, if an entity was asked to participate as a subcontracted participant by multiple entities that plan to submit, is there a restriction to how many projects we can be formally attached to?

There is no limitation on the number of applications that a subcontractor can participate in as long as the procurement standards identified in 2 CFR §§ 200.317 through 200.327 and 2 CFR § 1201.317 have been followed by the Prime Recipient. The Prime Recipient should become familiar with the procurement standards in 2 CFR Part 200 in total; however, non-state Prime Recipients should pay close attention to 2 CFR 200.318(a) General procurement standards and 2 CFR 200.319 Competition.

10. On Pg. 54 of the NOFO, under 3.A, it says that Profit/Fee is not allowable for the prime Recipient. Is profit/fee allowed for sub recipients who provide services, technology, and/or equipment?

See page 54 of the NOFO, Section D.2, which provides information on the Budget Application and states: “Profit/fee is not allowable for the Prime Recipient.”

An award recipient must follow 2 CFR 200.331 on determining whether an agreement is for a subrecipient or contractor.

The NOFO does not preclude contractors for the award recipient from including profit/fee;

however, the profit/fee must be in accordance with the 2 CFR Part 200 Subpart E Cost Principles, including that it is reasonable pursuant to 2 CFR 200.404.

11. As the proposal does require cost sharing up to 80%, we wondered if the cost-sharing funds must be made in cash, or will we be allowed to use "in-kind" money based on the sum of an individual team member's annual salary?

Review 2 CFR 200.306 Cost Sharing or matching for the detailed requirements of cost share.

See page 49, C.2 of the NOFO, which states that “The Federal share of the cost of a project or activity carried out by the Recipient shall not exceed 80 percent per section 516(c) of Title 23, U.S.C.”

Applicants should include detailed information on what is being offered as the match. See page 54 of the NOFO on the requirements for the Volume 2 Budget Application. Subject to 2 CFR 200.306, in-kind contributions may include staff time. The budget application should include specific detail on the individual’s labor category, hourly rate, anticipated number of hours being used toward the in-kind match, as well as any indirect cost, fringe overhead, etc.

Any cost that is provided in the way of match must meet all of the same Federal regulations as all other costs of the grant.

12. What are the maximum funds we can request for this proposal for a 30-month implementation period?

Section B.1 of the NOFO states that the total amount of funding available for awards under this NOFO is $40 million.

13. Will applicants have to be either a US citizen or a US permanent resident to be eligible for the application?

See page 49, Section C.1 of the NOFO, which states that “Eligible applicants include:

• non-Federal domestic public sector organizations,

• domestic academic institutions, and

• private sector/other entities incorporated in the United States.”

Private sector/other entities must be incorporated in the United States. All entities involved as applicants, in any way, must be incorporated in the United States.

14. Would you fund projects that improve mobility platform interoperability towards the deployment of connected vehicle technologies safely? The project would involve local transit, on-demand transportation, and local and state DOT.

See page 59, Section E.1 of the NOFO for the criteria the Government will use to evaluate proposals. The Government will evaluate applications against the evaluation criteria listed in the section.

15. Does competition for subcontracting opportunities have to be provided?

Yes. The Prime Recipient should follow the procurement standards identified in §§

200.317 - 200.327 and 2 CFR 1201.317.