nspb_2022_grants_overview_webinar.pdf

National Scenic Byways Program 2022 Grants & Technical Assistance

Notice of Funding Opportunity Overview Webinar

(693JJ322NF00008)

March 31, 2022 https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=338707

Agenda

• Welcome & Introductions

• NSBP Grants Overview

• NOFO Application

• Roles & Responsibilities

• Grants.gov

• Resources

• Questions

Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Byways Team

Danielle Blackshear

(202) 366-2064

Danielle.blackshear@dot.gov

Edward Starks

(202) 366-5407

Edward.Starks@dot.gov

Stefan Natzke

(202) 366-5010

Stefan.Natzke@dot.gov mailto:Danielle.blackshear@dot.gov mailto:Edward.Starks@dot.gov mailto:Stefan.Natzke@dot.gov

NSBP Grants Overview

National Scenic Byways Program (NSBP) •Established at FHWA by the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of

•Grass-roots collaborative effort to help recognize, preserve and enhance selected roads throughout the United States.

•The vision of the program is to create a distinctive collection of American roads, their stories and treasured places.

Lincoln Highway Scenic & Historic Byway, Nebraska Source: Nebraska Lincoln Highway Scenic and Historic Byway

Revolutionary Heritage Byway, Rhode Island Source: Linden Place

NSBP Overview

Designations

• National Scenic Byways (NSB) & All-

American Roads (AAR), known as America’s Byways®

• Reviving America's Scenic Byways Act of 2019 required a one-time solicitation of nominations for designation

• 2021 Designations resulted in 49 new byways (34 NSB, 15 AAR)

• 184 America’s Byways

Grants & Technical Assistance

• Available to States and Indian Tribes

• Congress last authorized discretionary NSBP funds in 2012

• $505,724,360 awarded between 1992-2012

• The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 appropriated $16 million for the NSBP

• The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022 appropriated $6 million for the

NSBP

The NSBP is established in Title 23, Section 162 of the United States Code (23 USC 162).

https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/hep/scenic_byways/us_code.cfm

Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021

• $16 million available for the NSBP under 23 USC 162

• Directs FHWA to issue a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) after 2021 Designations announced

• Funding should be prioritized for roads in rural areas

• Funds must be obligated by recipients by September 30, 2024

• Funds must be expended by September 30, 2029

• Directs FHWA to study economic benefits of scenic byways

Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022

• Additional $6 million available for the NSBP under 23

USC 162

• $22 million total available

Eligible Applicants

• Per 23 USC 162(b), Grants and Technical Assistance are made available to States and Indian Tribes

• Other entities may partner with a State DOT or Tribal government to submit an application, but may not act as lead applicant

• Tribes may apply through the State DOT or directly to FHWA

• Federal Land Management Agencies

(FLMAs) are NOT eligible to apply.

• FLMA may coordinate with State DOTs or Tribes to submit an application, but may not act as lead applicant

• If awarded, funding allocated to the State DOT / Tribe, who may enter into an agreement with the FLMA to carry out the project

• State DOT may also request the funding allocated directly to the FLMA for administration

Eligible Byways

• Per 23 USC 162(b), Grants and Technical Assistance are made available to States and Indian Tribes to implement projects on highways designated as:

• National Scenic Byways

• All-American Roads

• State scenic byways

• Indian tribe scenic byways

Fun Fact:

National Scenic Byways + All American Roads = America’s Byways

Eligible Projects Under 23 USC 162(c), the following 8 project types are eligible for NSBP grants:

1. State and Indian Tribe Scenic Byway Programs

2. Corridor Management Plans

3. Highway Safety Improvements

4. Construction of Byway Facilities

5. Access to Recreation

6. Resource Protection

7. Tourist and Interpretive Information

8. Marketing Programs

Example Activities 1 State and Indian Tribe Scenic Byway Programs

• Program Creation (Vision Statement & Goals, Resource Inventory, Citizen Participation Meetings)

• Revisions/Updates to Outdated Material and Guidelines

• Technical Assistance and Education to various Groups and Organizations

• Assistance with Continuing Education (Conferences, Seminars, Classes)

Corridor Management Plans

• Outreach Strategy to involve Community Groups and Stakeholders

• Conduct Community Meetings

• Development of CMP Implementation Plan

• Revisions/Updates to CMP

• Implementation of Activities described in the CMP

Example Activities 2 Highway Safety Improvements

• Improvement that increase safety and access for vehicles, pedestrians and bicyclists, through traffic, etc.

• Turn lanes

• Pedestrian crossing facilities

• Expanded roadway shoulders

• Clearer signage

• Improvements at sites with high accident frequency and severity rating

Byway Facilities

• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Improvements to enhance access

• Pedestrian and Bicyclist Facilities

• Rest Area

• Turnout

• Highway Shoulder Improvement

• Overlook

• Interpretive facility

Example Activities 3 Access to Recreation

• Safe Visitor Access

• Resource Protection, Rehabilitation, Education

• Trails / Trailheads

• Expanded Parking Areas

• Facilities for Picnics and Resting

• Recreational Plan Development

Resource Protection

• Viewshed Protection

• Acquisition of Land and

Conservation Easements

• Repair and Renovation of

Landmarks

• Wayside Exhibit Pullouts

• Removal of Billboards

• Resource Inventories, Plans, and

Education

Example Activities 4 Tourist and Interpretive Information

• Byway Logo Signs

• Guidebooks

• Websites

• Interpretive Markers and Signs

• Walking, Driving, Virtual Tours

• Byway Condition Information

• 511 Telephone Info Service

• Radio Broadcasts

• Interactive Kiosks

• Road Weather Info

Marketing Programs

• Marketing Material Development, Printing, & Distribution

• Brochures

• Videos

• Websites

• Guidebooks

• Travel Kiosks

• Media Press Kits

• Statewide / Byway Marketing

Plans

Principles & Practices for Eligible Projects https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/hep/scenic_byways/grants/information/categories.cfm https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/hep/scenic_byways/grants/information/categories.cfm

Archive of Funded Grant Projects https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/hep/scenic_byways/grants/funded/ https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/hep/scenic_byways/grants/funded/

Cost Sharing or Matching

• Per 23 U.S.C. 162(f), the Federal share of the cost of carrying out a project is limited to 80 percent [of total project costs].

• Exception – if a scenic byway project along a public road provides access to or within Federal or Indian land, an FLMA may use funds authorized for use by the agency as the non-Federal share.

• Private, local, Indian Tribe and State funds may be used as the non- Federal matching share.

• Property, materials, and services are accepted toward the match share if the source is an individual or a private entity, local government, or Indian Tribe submitting an application through the State DOT

• Indirect costs are allowable only if a State DOT or Indian Tribe has an indirect cost rate approved by the FHWA Division Office

• Additional information on non-Federal matching requirements can be found at https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/legsregs/directives/policy/fedaid_guidance_n fmr.pdf https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/legsregs/directives/policy/fedaid_guidance_nfmr.pdf

NOFO Application

2022 NSBP Grants NOFO

• The FY 2022 NSBP Grants & Technical Assistance Notice of Funding

Opportunity (NOFO) outlines the application requirements

• All applications must be submitted electronically through grants.gov by 11:59 pm (Eastern Time) on Monday, May 16, 2022.

Letter of Intent

• Optional, but strongly encouraged

• Fillable PDF form available on grants.gov and the NSBP Grants webpage

• Core components:

• Information about the applicant and impacted byway

• Proposed project title and brief abstract

• Alignment with project type and byway goals

• Separate LOI requested for each project

• Email completed form to scenicbyways@dot.gov by 4:00 pm ET on Monday, April 11, 2022 mailto:scenicbyways@dot.gov

Application Coordination

• A State DOT or Tribe may submit more than one application

• One project per application

• If submitting more than one application, please rank the projects (“1” highest priority)

• State DOTs may submit multi-State byway applications and Indian Tribes may submit multi-Tribe byway applications

• Must assign a single lead agency to prepare the application and administer the grant

• The lead State DOT or Indian Tribe determines the priority ranking of the projects

• If the proposed project falls on or is adjacent to both State DOT and Tribal land, the State DOT and Tribe should coordinate to determine who will act as lead

Application Outline

• Application must include:

• Cover page

• Project abstract

• Project narrative

• Cost breakdown

• Standard formatting (a double-spaced PDF document, using standard 12-point Times New Roman font, with 1-inch margins)

• 8 pages maximum; 4 additional pages for attachments (maps, graphics, etc.)

Mandatory Forms

• In addition to the application, the following forms must be submitted as individual PDF documents:

• Standard Form 424 (Application for Federal Assistance);

• Budget Information for Non- Construction Programs (SF424A) & Assurances for Non-Construction Programs (SF-424B); OR Budget Information for Construction Programs (SF-424C) & Assurances for Construction Programs (SF-424D);

• Disclosure of Lobbying Activities form

(SF-LLL);

• Grants.gov Lobbying Form; and

• Key Contacts (optional)

• Forms are available for download at https://www.grants.gov/web/gra nts/forms/sf-424-mandatory-family.html.

• Forms do not count against the page limit https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-mandatory-family.html

Project Narrative

• The following outline is recommended:

• Project Abstract (maximum five sentences)

• Applicant information

• Project Description

• Requested Grant Amount/Local Match Sources

• Project Selection Criteria

• Project narrative should include the information necessary for reviewers to determine that the project meets the statutory eligibility requirements and to assess the project selection criteria

Statutory Eligibility Criteria Applicants must identify:

1. The State DOT or Indian Tribe applying for funding.

2. Name and contact information for the application points of contact.

3. Cooperating or partner entities involved in the funding and/or implementation of the project, including a description of the entities’ specific role(s) in the project.

4. Name of the byway impacted by the proposed project, including the type of byway designation.

5. Name/title of proposed project.

6. If applicable, identifying information for other projects submitted by the applicant and the priority ranking of the proposed project (if a Tribe or State DOT is submitting applications for more than one project).

7. The eligible project under 23 U.S.C. 162(c).

Applicants must also include an explanation as to how the project will protect the scenic, historical, recreational, cultural, natural and archaeological integrity of a highway and adjacent areas.

Project Selection Criteria Applications must clearly describe the following:

1. Challenge(s) or issue(s) the proposed project is seeking to mitigate and/or address

2. How the proposed project will achieve one or more of the four NSBP goals: (1) Safety, (2) Equity and Accessibility, (3) Economic Strength, (4) Climate and Sustainability

3. The proposed timeline for the project, identifying any planning or other efforts that have already been put into the project and the project’s readiness for implementation if funding is awarded

4. The proposed project budget

5. How the project will benefit the byway community and/or traveler and how it will help manage the byway’s intrinsic qualities

6. How you will evaluate the success of the proposed project in meeting its stated purpose and goal(s), including specific evaluation metrics

Each criterion will be given a ranking of “Highly Qualified,” “Qualified,” or “Not Qualified.”

Statutory Priority and Policy Considerations Statutory Priority

Per 23 USC 162(b)(2), in making grants, FHWA shall give priority to:

• Each eligible project that is associated with a highway that has been designated as a National Scenic Byway or All-American Road and that is consistent with the corridor management plan (CMP) for the byway

• Each eligible project along a State or Indian Tribe scenic byway that is consistent with the corridor management plan for the byway, or is intended to foster the development of such a plan, and is carried out to make the byway eligible for designation as a National Scenic Byway or an All-American Road

• Each eligible project that is associated with the development of a State or Indian Tribe scenic byway program

Project Goal Priorities

FHWA shall give priority consideration to a project that will advance two or more of the NSBP goals.

Statutory Priority and Policy Considerations Cont’d

Policy Considerations

FHWA will give priority consideration to applications that address one or more of the following priorities:

• The majority of the project’s costs will be spent within (or on the boundary of) a Census-designated rural area.

• At least part of the project falls within an economically distressed community per the U.S.

Economic Development Administration. See http://www.statsamerica.org/distress/distress.aspx.

• The total cost of the project is $500,000 or larger.

• Applicant has identified cost sharing and leveraging of non-Federal funds beyond the required 20 percent non-Federal match.

http://www.statsamerica.org/distress/distress.aspx

Review and Selection Process

1. FHWA Byways Team conducts eligibility reviews.

2. Technical Review Team (FHWA staff) reviews and assigns applications a rating of “Highly Qualified,” “Qualified,” or “Not Qualified.”

3. Second Level Review Team (FHWA Senior Leadership) decides which projects to recommend to the FHWA Administrator.

4. FHWA Administrator selects final project awardees.

5. FHWA will announce the awarded projects by posting a list of selected projects on the National Scenic Byways Program website.

6. Successful applicants and unsuccessful applicants will receive notification emails.

https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/hep/scenic_byways/

FY2022 Grants Schedule Milestone Date

NOFO posted on Grants.gov March 16, 2022

Division Office Webinar March 28, 2022 @ 2:00-3:30 pm EDT

Public Webinar March 31, 2022 @ 2:30-4:00 pm EDT

Letter of Intent Due (optional) By 4:00 pm EDT on April 11, 2022

Applications Due By 11:59 pm EDT on May 16, 2022

Awardees Announced Fall 2022

Funds must be Obligated September 30, 2024

Funds must be Expended September 30, 2029

Roles & Responsibilities

FHWA Byways Team

•Provide overall program and policy direction.

•Review grant applications.

•Prepare decision materials for use by the FHWA Administrator.

For all grant application inquiries, please email scenicbyways@dot.gov.

mailto:scenicbyways@dot.gov

FHWA Office of Acquisition & Grants Management

• Answer technical questions related to the NOFO.

• Solicit and monitor application submissions on grants.gov.

• Conduct initial eligibility review of applications.

Lead POC Alternate POC

Rick Murray

(202) 366-4250 scenicbyways@dot.gov

Robin Hobbs

(202) 366-4004 scenicbyways@dot.gov

FHWA Division Offices / Federal Lands

• Provide technical assistance and guidance to applicants but cannot assist in the development or preparation of applications.

• Notify State & Tribes of important updates and deadlines.

• Conduct concurrence review of potential awarded projects. Indicate any risks or concerns.

• Conduct Federal-aid oversight of awarded projects.

State DOTs & Indian Tribes

• Coordinate with byway organizations, local government agencies, FLMAs, and/or other States and Tribes to develop project applications.

• Rank and prioritize applications, if submitting multiple applications.

• Register on Grants.gov and submit completed applications.

• Provide Stewardship and Oversight of projects once awarded.

• Submit quarterly progress reports to FHWA Division Office.

www.Grants.gov

Subscribe for Updates

View NOFO Documents

For Applicants https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants.html

Workspace Workflow Overview https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/workspace-overview.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/workspace-overview.html

Available Training Online https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-training.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-training.html

Grants.gov Resources

• Grants.gov Online Help

• Introduction to Grants.gov Video Series https://www.grants.gov/help/html/help/index.htm#t=GetStarted%2FGetStarted.htm https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sj3X2XPAQ5g&list=PLNSNGxQE7NWlPcYxVJsglJbRc6cPcfC8X

The Grants.gov Helpdesk is:

We are available 24 hours a day 7 days a week excluding federal holidays.

1-800-518-4726 (U.S.)

1-606-545-5053 (International) support@grants.gov

Uploading the Application

Uploading the Application Project Narrative

Uploading the Application Attachments

Resources

National Scenic Byways Program Website

NSBP Grants Webpage

• Letter of Intent Form

• NOFO Application link

• Webinar Recording

• Resources https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/hep/scenic_byways/grants/ https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/hep/scenic_byways/grants/

Scenic Byways Contacts

Questions?