OST-Bureau-241003-001-OST-C-001.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Office of the Acting Under Secretary of Transportation for Policy

Regional Infrastructure Accelerator Program

I. Basic Information

Federal Agency Name: Build America Bureau, U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)

Funding Opportunity Title: Regional Infrastructure Accelerator Program NOFO – FY 2024

Tier 2

Announcement Type: Initial announcement

Funding Details: A total of $10 million is available for this Program. The size of individual awards will be determined by the number of RIAs selected and the funding needed for each to meet the Program objectives. Depending on the strength of applications and total amount requested, the Bureau anticipates providing grants in the range of $975,000 to $2 million to establish between six and ten new RIAs. However, the Bureau may make smaller or larger awards depending on the applications received.

Key Dates: Application Deadline: 60 days after release of the NOFO

Executive Summary: The Build America Bureau (Bureau) is issuing this NOFO to solicit applications from eligible U.S. public entities for $10 million in Regional Infrastructure

Accelerator (RIA) grants. RIA grants assist entities in developing improved infrastructure priorities and financing strategies for the accelerated development of a project that is eligible for funding under the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) Credit

Program under Chapter 6 of Title 23, United States Code. These grants are intended to support

RIAs that: 1) serve a defined geographic area; 2) act as a resource to qualified entities in the geographic area; and 3) demonstrate the effectiveness of the RIA to expedite the delivery of projects eligible for the TIFIA credit program. Projects are not required to apply for or receive

TIFIA credit assistance to be eligible; however, applicants who are considering the appropriateness of innovative financing methods to accelerate the delivery of eligible projects are strongly encouraged to apply.

Each section of this notice contains information and instructions relevant to the application process for the RIA grants. All applicants should read this notice in its entirety so that they have the information they need to submit eligible and competitive applications.

Agency Contact Information:

- Program Manager: Carl Ringgold

- Phone: 202-366-2750

- Email: Carl.Ringgold@dot.gov

II. Eligibility

a) Eligible Applicants: U.S. public entities including state, multi-state, county, municipalities, MPOs, regional transportation planning organizations, Tribal governments, and others. No prior RIA designation is required, but priority will be given to new applicants.

To be selected as an RIA, an applicant must be an eligible applicant. An eligible applicant is:

A U.S. public entity, including a state, multi-state or multi-jurisdictional group, municipality, county, a special purpose district or public authority with a transportation function including a port authority or public transportation agency, a Tribal government or consortium of Tribal governments, MPO, regional transportation planning organization (RTPO), Regional

Transportation Commission, or a political subdivision of a State or local government, or combination of two or more of the foregoing.

If more than one public entity is applying in a single proposal, one of the entities must be designated as the lead applicant. Such applicant will be authorized to negotiate and enter into a cooperative agreement with the Government on behalf of the entities, will be responsible for performance, and will be accountable for Federal funds. Applications will be accepted from a partnership between one or more eligible applicants and another U.S. party, such as a private entity, consulting or engineering firms, etc., as long as one of the eligible public entities is designated as the lead applicant and that entity will enter into the cooperative agreement, with the shared goal of establishing and operating the RIA. The location of all

RIA application parties, their entire jurisdictions, and all proposed projects must be located solely in the United States and its territories. Proposed projects and project sponsors must meet the eligibility requirements for TIFIA credit assistance as further defined in Chapter 3 of the Bureau’s Credit Program Guide

(https://www.transportation.gov/sites/buildamerica.dot.gov/files/2019-

08/Bureau%20Credit%20Programs%20Guide_March_2017.pdf#page=29). In addition, the

Bureau will consider the extent to which an applicant demonstrates the capacity to accelerate projects eligible for the TIFIA credit program using innovative financing strategies, including but not limited to the TIFIA and RRIF credit programs, PABs, project bundling, and private investment. Further, the Bureau will consider applications from any RIA that was designated pursuant to the prior NOFO to the extent that funding is available, and only after giving primary consideration to applicants who have not previously received funding under this

Program.

b) Cost Sharing: There is no requirement for cost sharing or matching the grant funds.

c) Funding Restrictions: The Department will not reimburse any pre-award costs or application preparation costs under this proposed agreement. Construction of any project being contemplated or aided by the proposed RIA is not an allowable activity under this grant. All non-domestic travel must be approved in writing by the DOT-designated agreement officer prior to incurring costs. Travel requirements under the cooperative agreement will be met using the most economical form of transportation available. If economy class transportation is not available, the request for payment vouchers must be submitted with justification for use of higher-class travel indicating dates, times, and flight numbers.

III. Program Description

a) Background

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)’s Build America Bureau (Bureau) is responsible for driving transportation infrastructure development projects in the United States through innovative financing programs and project delivery methods. Its mission is to provide access to the Bureau’s credit programs in a streamlined, expedient, and transparent manner. The Bureau is also responsible for engaging stakeholders on behalf of the Secretary and promoting greater visibility and access to DOT policies, programs, and resources through the administration of various technical assistance programs. In accomplishing its mission, the Bureau also provides technical assistance and encourages innovative best practices in project planning, financing, delivery, and monitoring. The Bureau draws upon the full resources of DOT to best utilize the expertise of DOT’s Operating Administrations (OAs) including: 1) Federal Highway

Administration; 2) Federal Transit Administration; 3) Federal Railroad Administration; 4)

Federal Aviation Administration; and 5) Maritime Administration while promoting a culture of innovation and customer service.

Section 1441 of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act1 authorized the

Regional Infrastructure Accelerator (RIA) program (Program) to accelerate the delivery of projects through innovative finance and alternative delivery approaches. In 2021, the Bureau selected the first five Regional Infrastructure Accelerators. In 2022, five additional Regional

Infrastructure Accelerators were selected. The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022,2 appropriated $12 million for the Program and the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023,3 appropriated an additional $12 million for the Program. In 2023, fourteen additional Regional

Infrastructure Accelerators were selected. To see a list of past and current RIAs, please reference the Build America Bureau RIA program webpage here. The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024,4 appropriated $10 million for the Program and is the source of funding for this Notice of

Funding Opportunity (NOFO).

The RIA program was established to assist U.S. public entities in developing improved infrastructure priorities and financing strategies for the accelerated development of projects.

Assistance can include: (1) project planning; (2) studies and analysis (including feasibility, market analysis, project costs, value for money, public benefit, environmental reviews, etc.); (3) revenue forecasting; (4) preliminary engineering and design work (5); and statutory and regulatory compliance analyses. Ideally, when considering the previous rounds of awards under

1 Pub. L. 114-94, 129 Stat. 1312, 1435 (Dec. 4, 2015).

2 Pub. L. 117-103, div. L, tit. I, 136 Stat. 49, 699 (Mar. 15, 2022).

3 Pub. L. 117-328, div. L, tit. I (Dec. 29, 2022).

4 Pub. L. 118-122, div. F, tit. I (Mar. 9, 2024).

https://transportation.gov/buildamerica/technical-assistance/regional-infrastructure-accelerators-program this Program, there will be a diversity of RIAs selected for awards based on geography (e.g., rural, urban, disadvantaged community), organizational structure (e.g., within a State or

Metropolitan Planning Organization or regional transportation authority), operational business model and focus.

b) Regional Designation

For the purpose of this Program, the Bureau will consider regional designation as broadly defined in the following categories:

a. State or Multi-State: An RIA that serves one State or a group of State entities with common interest in transportation projects being delivered.

b. Urban or Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO): An RIA that serves a local government or group of local jurisdictions with transportation functions within a metropolitan area. For this Program, if the RIA serves MPOs sharing State boundaries, it would be considered under this category.

c. Rural: An RIA that serves a region of rural communities as defined in this notice. An

RIA serving multiple rural communities across state lines would be considered under this category. To be considered a rural RIA, most of the projects listed in the proposal must meet the definition of rural in Section C.5 of this notice.

d. Other: Any proposal that includes multiple jurisdictions with shared priorities and interest, such as a river basin, transportation corridor, etc.

c) Program Goals

The primary intent for the Program is to establish regional infrastructure accelerators to assist entities in increasing their capacity to deliver Transportation Infrastructure Finance and

Innovation Act (TIFIA)-eligible projects through innovative financing strategies. The

Department seeks to fund projects that advance the Departmental priorities of safety, equity, climate and sustainability, and workforce development, job quality, and wealth creation as described in the USDOT Strategic Plan; the Research, Development and Technology Strategic

Plan; the Equity Action Plan and in executive orders. This assistance can be in the form of any of the following, based on the needs of the project(s) that the applicant proposes to assist:

i. Project planning;

ii. Studies and analysis, including feasibility, market analysis, project costs, cost-benefit analysis, value for money, public benefit, economic assessments, and environmental reviews;

iii. Revenue forecasting, funding and financing options analyses, application of best practices, innovative financing/procurement, and public-private partnerships, where appropriate;

iv. Preliminary engineering and design work;

v. Statutory and regulatory compliance analyses;

vi. Assessment of opportunities for private financing, project bundling and/or phasing;

vii. Enhancement of rural project sponsors’ capacity to use the TIFIA credit program and to the extent applicable, the Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing

(RRIF) credit program, Private Activity Bonds (PABs), and other innovative financing methods, helping to bundle projects across multiple smaller jurisdictions to create a project at a scale that is more appropriate for the Bureau’s credit assistance, and pool the jurisdictions’ resources to apply for TIFIA credit assistance and, to the extent applicable, RRIF credit assistance and PABs, as well as leveraging DOT’s

Rural Opportunities to Use Transportation for Economic Success (ROUTES)

Initiatives’5 products and offerings; and

viii. Other direct, project-specific support as appropriate.

Funding, in the form of and pursuant to a cooperative agreement, will be provided for a period of two years, with an option for a third year for an RIA that meets or exceeds agreed-upon performance targets and subject to the availability of funding. Competitive proposals that demonstrate long-term self-sustainability will be given greater consideration. The Bureau intends to work closely with grant recipients in developing and, as applicable, financing projects within the RIA’s geographic area.

d) Changes from the FY 2023 NOFO

This FY 2024 NOFO is substantively similar to the FY 2023 NOFO. However, applicants should read the NOFO in its entirety to ensure they have the necessary information to submit a complete and competitive application.

e) Cooperative Agreement

The Bureau hereby requests applications from all interested parties to result in the expected awarding of between six and ten cooperative agreement(s), each containing substantial involvement on the part of the Federal government in accordance with 31 U.S.C. 6305. The

Bureau anticipates substantial involvement between it and the recipient during this Program, which will include:

i. Technical assistance and guidance to the recipients;

ii. Close monitoring of performance;

iii. Involvement in technical decisions; and

iv. Participation in status meetings including a kick-off meeting and annual technical and budget reviews.

IV. Application Contents and Format

a) Content and Form of Application Submission

The application must include the Standard Form 424 (Application for Federal Assistance), cover page, and the application narrative.

i. Cover Page

Each application should include a cover page that contains, at minimum, name of the applicant and sponsor, if applicable, the location; the region of designation; category of designation for which the applicant is to be considered; and RIA budget amount.

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

ii. Application Narrative

a. The application narrative should follow the basic outline below to address the

Program requirements and assist reviewers in locating relevant information.

Section Section Explained

(1) Applicant See IV.iii (1)

(2) Description of Proposed

Geographic/Jurisdictional Region

See IV.iii (2)

(3) Accelerator Proposal See IV.iii (3)

(4) Budget, Sources and Uses for Full

Accelerator Funds

See IV.iii (4)

(5) Selection Criteria See IV.iii (5)

The application narrative should include the information necessary for the Bureau to determine that the applicant(s) proposed regional focus, the overall accelerator proposal, list of intended projects, budget, and other information satisfy the eligibility requirements set forth in this notice as described in Section C and to assess the selection criteria specified in Section E.1. To the extent practicable, applicants should provide supporting data and documentation in a form that is directly verifiable by the Bureau. The Bureau may ask any applicant to supplement data in its application but expects applications to be complete upon submission.

iii. Additional Application Requirements

In addition to the information requested elsewhere in this notice, the proposal should include a table of contents, maps, and graphics, as appropriate, to make the information easier to review. The Bureau recommends that the proposal 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). The proposal narrative should 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. If possible, applicants should provide website links to supporting documentation rather than copies of these supporting materials. If supporting documents are submitted, applicants should clearly identify within the project narrative the relevant portion of the project narrative that each supporting document supports. The Bureau recommends using appropriately descriptive file names (e.g., “Project Narrative,” “Maps,” “Memoranda of Understanding” and

“Letters of Support,” etc.) for all attachments.

(1) Applicant: This section of the narrative should include information describing the organizational structure and formal/informal relationships between parties associated with the RIA application. It should directly address the eligibility requirements discussed in section C.1 of this notice. The applicant should use this section to explain the organization’s history, qualifications, and experience of key individuals who will be working in the proposed RIA. This section should also include descriptions of previous projects relevant to the RIA’s activities envisioned in this notice that the organization or its individuals completed. The narrative should place the projects into a broader context of transportation infrastructure investments being pursued by the proposed RIA and its sponsors, and how it will benefit communities within the region.

(2) Description of Proposed Geographic/Jurisdictional Region: This portion of the narrative should precisely identify the geographic region, the jurisdictions, and the agencies the RIA would serve and identify which of the four categories of RIA identified in Section A.2 that this proposal falls under and explain why. The narrative should explain the commonalities and shared interests of parties in the proposed region as the rationale for establishing a region of this construct, along with the affiliations within the proposed region. Consistent with the Department's

ROUTES Initiative (https://www.transportation.gov/rural), the Department encourages applicants to describe how activities proposed in their application would address the unique challenges facing rural transportation networks, regardless of the geographic location of those activities.

(3) Accelerator Proposal: This section of the narrative should explain how the applicant(s) propose to establish the RIA and the concept of how it would operate and provide the project-specific services identified in Section A of this notice, along with a proposed timeline for establishing the RIA, with key milestones and suggested performance targets during its operational phase. The applicant should describe, in sufficient detail, the applicant’s approach to identifying and building the pipeline of projects to be undertaken and how they will develop such projects utilizing their experience and expertise and identify an initial pipeline of projects that are eligible for TIFIA credit assistance and, to the extent applicable, RRIF credit assistance, PABs, and other innovative financing methods. The narrative should also contain a list of projects that the applicant(s) propose to assist under the RIA. This list, to the extent possible, should include, at a minimum:

• Project name and location;

• Project sponsor;

• Description;

• Bureau program most likely to apply (TIFIA, RRIF, PABs);

• Support activities the applicant envisions the RIA would provide;

• Project costs; and

• Project timeline

(4) Budget, Sources, and Uses for Full Accelerator Funds: The applicant should include a proposed financial plan and budget. Project budgets should show how different funding sources and in-kind contributions will share in each activity and present the data in dollars and percentages. The budget should identify other

Federal funds the applicant is applying for, has been awarded, or intends to use.

Funding sources should be grouped into three categories: non-Federal, current

RIA application, and other Federal with specific amounts for each funding source.

The proposed plan should also include a list of activities and projects as well as all associated costs of the proposed RIA. For non-Federal matching funds, the application should identify the sources as well as supporting documentation indicating the degree to which those funds are committed and dates of their availability. If the applicant proposes that the RIA will reach a point of long-term self-sustainability, the narrative should include a description of how this would happen, and where the long-term funds would be generated.

(5) Selection Criteria: This section of the application should demonstrate how the application aligns with the criteria described in Section E.1 of this notice. The

Bureau intends to select and designate RIA that demonstrate in the proposal the ability to effectively assist entities in developing improved infrastructure priorities and financing strategies for the accelerated development of one or more projects eligible for funding under the TIFIA and RRIF program. The Bureau will consider the extent to which an RIA is likely to effectively promote investment in eligible projects, develop a pipeline of regional transportation and/or transit oriented development projects, and result in the implementation of projects with innovative financing methods.

The Bureau encourages applicants to either address each criterion or expressly state that the project does not address the criterion. Applicants are not required to follow a specific format, but the outline suggested addresses each criterion separately and promotes a clear discussion that assists project reviewers. To minimize redundant information in the application, the Bureau encourages applicants to cross-reference from this section of their application to relevant substantive information in other sections of the application. The guidance in this section is about how the applicant should organize their application.

Guidance describing how the Bureau will assess projects against the Selection Criteria is in Section E.1 of this notice. Applicants also should review that section before considering how to organize their application.

Recipients should be prepared to demonstrate in their application how the RIA addresses the goals and priorities of the Department’s strategic plan

(https://www.transportation.gov/dot-strategic-plan). These include: 1) Safety, 2)

Economic Strength and Global Competitiveness, 3) Climate and Sustainability, 4)

Transformation, and 5) Organizational Excellence. These can include projects that: 1) Are consistent with the National Roadway Safety Strategy, 2) Improves access or provides economic growth opportunities for underserved, overburdened, or rural communities, 3)

Considers climate change and sustainability impacts in its planning and construction, 4)

Have innovative approaches or delivery methods, and 5) Support Organizational

Excellence.

V. Submission Requirements and Deadlines

a) Address to Request Application Package

Applicants must submit all applications through www.Grants.gov. Instructions for submitting applications can be found at https://www.transportation.gov/buildamerica/financing/tifia/regional-infrastructure-accelerators-program

b) Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and System for Award Management (SAM)

Each applicant must: (1) be registered in SAM before submitting its application; (2) provide a valid UEI in its application; and (3) maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which it has an active Federal award or an application or plan under consideration by a Federal awarding agency. The Department may not make an RIA grant to an applicant until the applicant has complied with all applicable UEI and SAM requirements and, if an applicant has not fully complied with the requirements by the time the Department is ready to make a grant, the Department may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive a grant and use that determination as a basis for making a grant to another applicant.

c) Submission Instructions

To apply through Grants.gov, applicants must:

(1) Obtain a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI);

(2) Register with SAM at www.sam.gov; and

(3) Create a Grants.gov username and password; and

(4) The E-business Point of Contact (POC) at the applicant's organization must also respond to the registration email from Grants.gov and login at Grants.gov to authorize the POC as an Authorized Organization Representative (AOR). Please note that there can only be one AOR per organization.

Please note that the Grants.gov registration process usually takes 4-6 weeks to complete, and that the Department will not consider late applications that are the result of failure to register or comply with Grants.gov applicant requirements in a timely manner. For information and instruction on each of these processes, please see instructions a https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-faqs.html. If interested parties experience difficulties at any point during the registration or application process, please call the

Grants.gov Customer Service Support Hotline at 1(800) 518-4726, Monday-Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. EST.

d) Submission Dates and Times

i. Deadline: Applications in response to this NOFO must be submitted through

Grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. EST on January 9, 2025. The Grants.gov “Apply” function will open on the date of publication. The Bureau may hold NOFO information session(s) before the due date.

ii. Late Applications: Applicants experiencing technical issues with Grants.gov that are beyond the applicant's control must contact RIA@dot.gov prior to the application https://www.transportation.gov/buildamerica/financing/tifia/regional-infrastructure-accelerators-program https://www.transportation.gov/buildamerica/financing/tifia/regional-infrastructure-accelerators-program deadline with the username of the registrant and details of the technical issue experienced. DOT must receive this email by 11:59 p.m. EST on January 9, 2025. The applicant must provide:

• Details of the technical issue experienced;

• Screen capture(s) of the technical issues experienced along with corresponding

Grants.gov “Grant tracking number”;

• The “Legal Business Name” for the applicant that was provided in the SF-424;

• The AOR name submitted in the SF-424;

• The UEI number associated with the application; and

• The Grants.gov Help Desk Tracking Number.

To ensure a fair competition of limited discretionary funds, the following conditions are not valid reasons to permit late submissions: (1) failure to complete the registration process before the deadline; (2) failure to follow Grants.gov instructions on how to register and apply as posted on its website; (3) failure to follow all the instructions in this notice of funding opportunity; and (4) technical issues experienced with the applicant’s computer or information technology environment.

After the Department reviews all information submitted and contacts the Grants.gov Help

Desk to validate reported technical issues, USDOT staff will contact late applicants to approve or deny a request to submit a late application through Grants.gov. If the reported technical issues cannot be validated, late applications will be rejected as untimely.

e) Intergovernmental Review

Applications under this NOFO are not subject to the State review under E.O. 12372.

VI. Application Review Information

a) Criteria

This section specifies the criteria that the Bureau will use to assess and award applications for

Program grants. The criteria incorporate statutory eligibility requirements. For each proposed

RIA, the Bureau will review the application for the criteria described in this section. The Bureau does not consider any criterion more important than the others.

The Bureau does not consider cost sharing as an independent criterion, and proposed cost sharing is considered in an application’s merit review only to the extent it is relevant to the criteria enumerated below in sections E.1.a–k, including Partnerships, Business Model, Readiness, Value, Equity and Accessibility, and Self-Sustainability.

i. Experience/Qualifications:

The Bureau will assess whether and to what extent the applicant(s):

• Possess the ability to assess and promote innovative financing methods for local projects including the use of TIFIA and RRIF and other Federal assistance programs where applicable;

• Possess the ability to provide technical assistance on best practices with respect to financing projects;

• Have experience in increasing transparency with respect to infrastructure project analysis and using innovative financing for public infrastructure projects;

• Have experience in deploying predevelopment capital programs designed to facilitate the creation of a pipeline of infrastructure projects available for investment;

• Have a history of successfully bundling smaller-scale and rural projects into larger proposals that may be more attractive for private investment;

• Have demonstrated success in reducing transaction costs for public project sponsors;

• Demonstrate the capacity to accelerate projects eligible for the TIFIA credit program through the use of innovative financing strategies such as the TIFIA and RRIF credit programs and PABs, but also other strategies such as project bundling, grant anticipation revenue vehicles, and incorporating private capital;

• Have experience in the development of project financial plans, including developing capital structures and identifying funding and financing sources, as well as a demonstrated track record for achieving financial close; and

• Have experience in working with private sector project sponsors and disadvantaged communities, including but not limited to rural and low resources communities, as well as working on revitalization projects.

An applicant that demonstrates substantial experience of 10 years or more in the development and delivery of projects, including the use of alternative delivery methods such as design-build and/or public-private partnerships as related to the items above, and innovative financing particularly the use of TIFIA, RRIF, or PABs will receive a

STRONG rating in this criterion. Those who demonstrate between 5 and 9 years or more in the development and delivery of projects will receive a MODERATE rating in this category and those who demonstrate less than 5 years of experience in the development and delivery of projects will receive a MARGINAL in this rating category.

ii. Partnerships:

The Bureau will consider the extent to which applicant(s) demonstrate strong collaboration among a broad range of stakeholders in the proposed geographic area of the

RIA. Applications with strong partnerships typically involve multiple partners in project development, funding, and finance. The Bureau will consider applicants that partner with

State, regional, local, and private entities for the development, funding, financing, and delivery of transportation projects to have strong partnerships. Reviewers will also consider the relationship of the RIA with its constituencies and authorities granted by them. The Bureau will assess the ability of the proposed RIA to develop projects quickly and effectively by having the support of its members and working across jurisdictions. An applicant that can demonstrate effective partnerships with the public sector, the private sector, and academic entities will receive a STRONG rating in this criterion. Partnerships that include participation in other Federal technical assistance and capacity building programs as part of the Thriving Communities Network, which includes DOT and HUD’s

Thriving Communities Programs, USDA’s Rural Partners Network, and the Department of Commerce Economic Recovery Corps (https://www.transportation.gov/federal-interagency-thriving-communities-network) will receive a STRONG rating. An applicant that can demonstrate an effective partnership with at least one of the aforementioned entities (public, private, academic) will receive a MODERATE rating in this criterion and those who cannot demonstrate any partnerships will receive a MARGINAL rating.

For some best practices on establishing partnerships, please see DOT’s Promising

Practices for Meaningful Public Involvement in Transportation Decision-Making at https://www.transportation.gov/priorities/equity/promising-practices-meaningful-public-involvement-transportation-decision-making.

iii. Business Model:

The Bureau will assess the thoroughness, viability, and efficiency that the applicant(s) can establish the RIA, commence operations, and deliver project-specific outcomes. In conducting this assessment, reviewers will consider:

• The effort, cost, and actions necessary to initially establish the proposed RIA, including workspaces, fixed and variable costs, staffing, and the development of relationships necessary to function effectively in the proposed region.

• How the proposed RIA will operate once established, including costs, organization, efficiency, availability of the technical expertise and resources needed to accelerate project delivery, work plan, and time required to achieve operational status.

An applicant that can demonstrate the ability to stand up the RIA and achieve operations status within 6 months of executing a cooperative agreement will receive a STRONG rating in this criterion. Those who can demonstrate the ability to begin operations within

9 months will receive a MODERATE rating in this criterion and those who cannot demonstrate that the RIA will be operational within 9 months will receive a

MARGINAL.

iv. Pipeline:

The Bureau will consider the proposed pipeline of projects and assess whether and to what extent they are likely to be eligible projects and appropriate for development activities as set forth in this notice. The proposed pipeline must include one or more projects likely to be eligible for TIFIA credit assistance. In assessing this criterion, the

Bureau will consider the number of eligible projects in the pipeline, the degree of local/regional support of the projects, and the project status and timeline as they relate to the likelihood the RIA can impact the project during the performance period of the cooperative agreement. Reviewers will also assess the degree to which the skills/experience of the applicant(s) are appropriate for the proposed projects. The Bureau https://www.transportation.gov/federal-interagency-thriving-communities-network https://www.transportation.gov/federal-interagency-thriving-communities-network https://www.transportation.gov/priorities/equity/promising-practices-meaningful-public-involvement-transportation-decision-making https://www.transportation.gov/priorities/equity/promising-practices-meaningful-public-involvement-transportation-decision-making will also assess the viability and proposed approach the applicant(s) have developed for attracting new projects into the RIA’s pipeline of projects and how they propose to assist and monitor the development of those projects.

An applicant that can demonstrate one or more projects in their pipeline that are likely eligible for TIFIA credit assistance, provide at least two letters indicating the degree of local/regional support for the projects and demonstrate a timeline that makes receipt of

TIFIA credit assistance likely within the RIA performance period will receive a STRONG rating in this criterion. An applicant that can demonstrate at least one or more projects in its pipeline that are likely eligible for TIFIA credit assistance and provide at least one letter indicating the degree of local/regional support for the project(s) but whose likelihood of receipt of TIFIA credit assistance is not within the RIA performance period will receive a MODERATE rating in this criterion. An applicant that can demonstrate at least one or more projects in its pipeline that are likely eligible for TIFIA credit assistance but cannot provide any documentation indicating the degree of local/regional support for the project(s) or any likelihood of receipt of TIFIA credit assistance at any point during the RIA performance period will receive a MARGINAL rating.

v. Readiness:

The Bureau will consider the extent to which the proposed RIA is prepared to commence operations and begin achieving project-specific results. Reviewers will also assess the viability of the proposed budget as it relates to the establishment and successful operations of the RIA as proposed. In considering this criterion, reviewers will also determine the likelihood that proposed milestones will be subject to delay and/or cost overruns and the risk that key milestones might be missed due to internal or external factors. Reviewers will also consider the readiness of the proposed RIA to commence operations, including but not limited to:

• Availability of facilities and equipment necessary to function;

• Existing governance structure as compared to proposed future structure; and

• Ability of existing relationships to rapidly deliver results.

An applicant that can demonstrate an effective plan to commence operations in at least the three aforementioned categories will receive a STRONG rating in this criterion. An applicant that can demonstrate an effective plan to commence operations in at least two will receive a MODERATE, and an applicant that cannot demonstrate an effective plan to commence operations in any of the above three categories will receive a MARGINAL rating.

vi. Underserved Communities:

The Department seeks to fund projects that advance the Departmental priorities of safety, equity, climate and sustainability, and workforce development, job quality, and wealth creation as described in the USDOT Strategic Plan, Research, Development and

Technology Strategic Plan, Equity Action Plan and in executive orders6. The Department encourages applicants to consider how the project will create positive outcomes that will reduce, mitigate, or reverse how a community is experiencing disadvantage through increasing affordable transportation options, improving health or safety, reducing pollution, connecting Americans to good-paying jobs, fighting climate change, and/or improving access to nature, resources, transportation or mobility, and quality of life.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to use the USDOT Equitable Transportation

Community (ETC) Explorer (arcgis.com) to understand how their project area is experiencing disadvantage in any of five areas that transportation projects with a direct relationship.

Where applicable, the Bureau will assess the degree to which the proposal can support individual rural project sponsors. The Bureau will consider opportunities proposed to overcome common barriers to using TIFIA and RRIF credit assistance and other innovative financing methods for rural project sponsors, such as project size or type, financial or institutional capabilities, and other issues. Consistent with the Department’s

ROUTES Initiative (https://www.transportation.gov/rural), the Department recognizes that rural transportation networks face unique challenges. To the extent that those challenges are reflected in the merit criteria listed in this section, the Department will consider how the activities proposed in the application will address those challenges, regardless of the geographic location of those activities. This can include delivering innovative technical assistance and leveraging the DOT ROUTES Initiative to provide user-friendly information and other assistance to rural project sponsors.

An applicant that can demonstrate an effective plan to support a rural project sponsor in overcoming common barriers to using federal credit assistance and innovative finance methods in at least one proposed project will receive a STRONG rating in this criterion.

An applicant that can demonstrate a plan to support rural project sponsors that are not immediately in its pipeline will receive a MODERATE rating in this criterion, and an applicant that cannot demonstrate a plan to support rural sponsors will receive a

MARGINAL rating.

vii. Self-Sustainability:

The Bureau will consider whether and to what extent the proposed RIA will achieve self-sustainability during the proposed award’s 2-year base period of performance. If a proposed RIA does not anticipate achieving self-sustainability, the Bureau will assess the extent to which the execution of a cooperative agreement for the RIA might deliver long-term benefits as the result of projects delivered during the 2-year base funding period.

6 Executive Order 14008, Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad (86 FR 7619).

Executive Order 13985, Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal

Government (86 FR 7009). Executive Order 14025, Worker Organizing and Empowerment (86 FR 22829), and

Executive Order 14052, Implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (86 FR 64335).

https://www.transportation.gov/rural

An applicant that can demonstrate a model of self-sustainability and continued benefits beyond the base 2-year period of Federal funding will receive a STRONG rating in this criterion. An applicant that can demonstrate a plan to achieve self-sustainability within the base 2-year period of funding based on measurable milestones will receive a

MODERATE rating, and an applicant that presents no plan for self-sustainability will receive a MARGINAL rating.

viii. Risk:

The Bureau will assess the risks to successful implementation and operation of the proposed RIA, and the degree to which proposed mitigation activities might address/offset those risks. Reviewers will also assess the practicality of proposed mitigation activities in terms of cost, complexity, and time required to implement the actions.

An applicant that can demonstrate the development of, at minimum, qualitative risk assessments of proposed projects in meeting Federal eligibility requirements (see Chapter

3 of the Bureau Credit Programs Guide:

https://www.transportation.gov/sites/buildamerica.dot.gov/files/2019-

08/Bureau%20Credit%20Programs%20Guide_March_2017.pdf#page=29) will receive a

STRONG rating in this criterion. An applicant that can demonstrate a plan to develop, at minimum, qualitative risk assessments of proposed projects within the base 2-year period of funding will receive a MODERATE rating, and an applicant that demonstrates no risk assessments or plans to develop them will receive a MARGINAL rating.

ix. Alignment with Department Priorities:

The Bureau will consider the extent to which each proposed project to be aided by the

RIA will address the following Department priorities:

• Safety: DOT will assess the project’s ability to provide substantial safety benefits (to commuters, workers, etc.) compared to existing conditions; mitigate to the extent practicable any significant safety risks that could result after the project’s completion;

and does not negatively impact the safety of the traveling public, and any relevant group applicable to the program.

• Climate Change and Sustainability: DOT will consider the extent to which the projects for which reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and improving climate resilience are a primary project purpose. Applicants are encouraged to use the DOT

Navigator Climate checklist in responding to this criterion. Applications that are rated highly on this criterion will be those that use data-driven and evidence-based methods to demonstrate that the project will significantly reduce GHG emissions in the transportation sector; and incorporate evidence-based climate resilience measures or features.

• Transit Oriented Development: The Bureau will consider the extent to which the proposed project addresses Departmental priorities to improve transportation systems, including: (i) Project Types: DOT will consider whether the project incorporates https://www.transportation.gov/sites/buildamerica.dot.gov/files/2019-08/Bureau%20Credit%20Programs%20Guide_March_2017.pdf#page=29 https://www.transportation.gov/sites/buildamerica.dot.gov/files/2019-08/Bureau%20Credit%20Programs%20Guide_March_2017.pdf#page=29 https://www.transportation.gov/grants/dot-navigator/checklist-strong-climate-change-mitigation-adaptation-and-resilience-grant https://www.transportation.gov/grants/dot-navigator/checklist-strong-climate-change-mitigation-adaptation-and-resilience-grant economic development and related infrastructure activities. Additionally, DOT will consider whether the project supports safety, environmental-sustainability, equity, and accessibility in a mix of commercial, residential, office, and entertainment uses; and

(ii) Transportation Access: DOT will consider if the project is accessible to one or more: (a) fixed guideway transit facilities, (b) passenger rail stations, (c) intercity bus stations, and (d) intermodal facilities (transit, freight transfer, etc.). The Bipartisan

Infrastructure Law (BIL), passed in November 2021, expanded TIFIA eligibility to make funding transit-oriented development explicitly eligible. 7

• Equity and Accessibility: DOT will consider the extent to which the project: (i) increases transportation choices and equity for individuals; (ii) expands access to essential services for communities across the United States, particularly for underserved or disadvantaged communities; (iii) improves connectivity for citizens to jobs, health care, and other critical destinations, or (iv) proactively addresses equity8 and barriers to opportunity, through the planning process or through incorporation of design elements. The project identifies and implements programs and policies that ensure the benefits of investments while mitigating economic displacement economically susceptible residents and businesses. Some examples include the preservation and/or production of affordable housing; expanding affordable, safe transportation and mobility options to areas where good jobs are concentrated; and supporting entrepreneurship, small business growth, tourism and access to capital through local hiring.

• Innovative Technology: Consistent with DOT’s objectives to encourage transformative projects that take the lead in deploying innovative technologies and practices that drive outcomes in terms of safety, environmental sustainability, quality of life, and state of good repair, DOT will assess the extent to which the applicant uses innovative strategies, including: (i) innovative technologies, (ii) innovative project delivery, or (iii) innovative financing.

• State of Good Repair: Consistent with the Department’s strategic objective to maintain and upgrade existing transportation systems, DOT will assess whether and to what extent: (i) the project is consistent with relevant plans to maintain transportation facilities or systems in a state of good repair and address current and projected vulnerabilities; (ii) if left unimproved, the poor condition of the asset will threaten future transportation network efficiency, mobility of goods or accessibility and mobility of people, or economic growth; (iii) the project is appropriately capitalized, including whether project sponsor has conducted scenario planning and/or fiscal impact analysis to understand the future impact on public finances; (iv) a sustainable source of revenue is available for operations and maintenance of the project and the project will reduce overall life-cycle costs; (v) the project will maintain or improve transportation infrastructure that supports border security

7 “U.S. Department of Transportation Expands Its Financing Program to Help Even More Infrastructure Projects Move Forward.” Department of

Transportation, October 4, 2022. https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/us-department-transportation-expands-its-financing-program-help-even-more. Press Statement.

8 Definitions for “racial equity” and “underserved communities” are found in Executive Order 13985, Advancing

Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government, Sections 2 (a) and (b).

https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/us-department-transportation-expands-its-financing-program-help-even-more https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/us-department-transportation-expands-its-financing-program-help-even-more functions; and (vi) the project includes a plan to maintain the transportation infrastructure in a state of good repair. DOT will prioritize projects that ensure the good condition of transportation infrastructure, including rural transportation infrastructure, that support commerce and economic growth.

An applicant that can demonstrate a pipeline of projects that address the TOD elements described in item (3) above and four others of the above-listed Department priorities in this Section E.1(j) (Transformative Projects) will receive a STRONG rating in this criterion. An applicant that does not address the TOD elements described in item (6) but does address at least four of the other Department priorities listed above in this Section E.1(j) will receive a MODERATE rating in this criterion and an applicant that does not address the TOD elements and addresses four or fewer of other Department priorities listed above in this Section E.1(j) will receive a

MARGINAL rating.

b) Review and Selection Process

A Review Team will review all eligible applications received by the deadline. This Review Team will consist of Modal Liaisons from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Federal

Railroad Administration (FRA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and Bureau employees designated by the Executive Director. The Program application review and selection process consists of two steps: (1) the Review Team will assess each proposal and determine eligibility based on criteria outlined in Section C.1 of this notice and, if deemed eligible; and (2) the

Review Team will assess the proposal based on the Selection Criteria in Section E.1 of this notice. In reviewing the application, each criterion will be given one of the following qualitative ratings: STRONG, MODERATE, or MARGINAL. These ratings are based on the proposal’s alignment with the criteria. No one criterion is weighted higher or lower than the others.