RCP-NOFO-FY22.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Office of the Secretary of Transportation

Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Reconnecting Communities Pilot (RCP)

Discretionary Grant Program

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary of Transportation, U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)

ACTION: Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), Assistance Listing #20.940

SUMMARY: The purpose of this notice is to solicit applications for Reconnecting Communities

Pilot (RCP) Program grants. Funds for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 RCP Program are to be awarded on a competitive basis for projects that reconnect communities by removing, retrofitting, or mitigating highways or other transportation facilities that create barriers to community connectivity, including to mobility, access, or economic development.

DATES: Applications must be submitted by 11:59 PM EDT on Thursday, October 13, 2022.

Late applications will not be accepted.

ADDRESSES: Applications must be submitted through https://www.grants.gov. Opportunity number, DOT-RCP-FY22-01.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:

Ongoing updates, webinar notices, FAQs: https://www.transportation.gov/reconnecting.

Email: reconnectingcommunities@dot.gov

Call: Faith Hall at (202) 366-9055. A Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) is available (202) 366-3993.

Contact DOT operating administration field or headquarters offices:

• Federal Highway Administration, https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/about/field.cfm;

• Federal Transit Administration, https://www.transit.dot.gov/about/regional-offices/regional-offices;

• Federal Railroad Administration, https://railroads.dot.gov/about-fra/contact-us.

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

A PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

B FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

C ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

D APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

E APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

F FEDERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

G FEDERAL AWARDING AGENCY CONTACTS

H OTHER INFORMATION

https://www.grants.gov./ https://www.transportation.gov/reconnecting mailto:reconnectingcommunities@dot.gov https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/about/field.cfm;

https://www.transit.dot.gov/about/regional-offices/regional-offices https://www.transit.dot.gov/about/regional-offices/regional-offices https://railroads.dot.gov/about-fra/contact-us

A. Program Description

1. Overview

The purpose of the RCP Program is to reconnect communities by removing, retrofitting, or mitigating transportation facilities such as highways and rail lines that create barriers to community connectivity including to mobility, access, or economic development.

The program provides technical assistance and grant funding for planning and capital construction to address infrastructure barriers, restore community connectivity, and improve peoples’ lives. The variety of transformative solutions to knit communities back together can include: high-quality public transportation, infrastructure removal, pedestrian walkways and overpasses, capping and lids, linear parks and trails, roadway redesigns and complete streets conversions, and main street revitalization. The RCP Program welcomes applications from diverse local, Tribal, and regional communities regardless of size, location, and experience administering Federal funding awards.

The total amount of funding available in this NOFO for FY 2022 is up to $195 million.1 The

FY 2022 funding will be implemented in alignment with the priorities in Executive Order 14052, Implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (86 FR 64355).2

2. RCP Grant Types and Deliverables

The RCP Program provides funding for two types of grants. Planning Grants fund the study of removing, retrofitting, or mitigating an existing facility to restore community connectivity; to conduct public engagement; and other transportation planning activities. Capital Construction

Grants are to carry out a project to remove, retrofit, mitigate, or replace an existing eligible facility with a new facility that reconnects communities. See Section C for further eligibility information.

3. RCP Grant Priorities and Policy Priorities

The primary goal of the RCP Program is to reconnect communities harmed by transportation infrastructure, through community-supported planning activities and capital construction projects that are championed by those communities. The RCP Program aligns with Biden-Harris

Administration policies and priorities, including the DOT Strategic Plan goals of Safety, 1 Sections 11101(d)(3) and 11509 of Division A of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Pub. L. 117-58, November 15, 2021, “Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,” or “BIL”) authorized a total of $500 million of contract authority from the Highway Trust Fund to be awarded by the DOT for the FY 2022-2026 RCP Program. Title VIII, Division J appropriated an additional $500 million from the General Fund to be awarded by the DOT for the FY

2022-2026 RCP Program. Of the total amount of the FY 2022 RCP funding available in this notice, $95 million is authorized contract authority from the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) and $100 million is appropriations from the

General Fund (GF). Due to the imposition of the obligation limitation on the HTF, approximately $86.7 million is available for award. Due to the Federal Highway Administration’s 1.5% administrative take-down from GF funds, $98.5 million is available for award.

2 The priorities of Executive Order 14052, Implementation of the Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act are: to invest efficiently and equitably, promote the competitiveness of the U.S. economy, improve job opportunities by focusing on high labor standards and equal employment opportunity, strengthen infrastructure resilience to hazards including climate change, and to effectively coordinate with State, local, Tribal, and territorial government partners.

Economic Strength, Equity, Climate and Sustainability, Transformation, and Organizational

Excellence. 3

A cornerstone of the RCP program is DOT’s Equity Strategic Goal to reduce inequities across our transportation systems and the communities they effect. The RCP Program seeks to redress the legacy of harm caused by transportation infrastructure, including barriers to opportunity, displacement, damage to the environment and public health, limited access, and other hardships. In pursuit of this goal, the program will support and engage economically disadvantaged communities to increase affordable, accessible, and multimodal access to daily destinations like jobs, healthcare, grocery stores, schools, places of worship, recreation, and park space.

Thus, the program will be implemented in line with the DOT Equity Action Plan4; Executive

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

Federal Government; Executive Order 12898, Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations; Executive Order 14008, Tackling the

Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad; Interim Implementation Guidance for the Justice40

Initiative; and these additional equity-related objectives:

• Housing Supply: DOT intends to further the goals of the White House Housing Supply

Action Plan5 by encouraging an increase in housing supply, particularly location-efficient affordable housing, locally-driven land use and zoning reform, rural main street revitalization, growth management, and transit-oriented development.

• Rural and Tribal Communities: Consistent with DOT’s Rural Opportunities to Use

Transportation for Economic Success (ROUTES) initiative, DOT seeks to award funding to rural and Tribal communities which face unique challenges related to mobility and economic development, including isolation, transportation cost burden, and traffic safety.

In addition to Equity, DOT will also promote the following DOT Strategic Plan priorities in evaluating applications and RCP program implementation:

• Safety: In support of the National Roadway Safety Strategy which commits DOT to respond to the current crisis in roadway fatalities6, DOT encourages communities to adopt and implement Complete Streets policies that prioritize safety of all users.7

• Economic Strength and Global Competitiveness: The program intends to strengthen the economy through the creation of good-paying jobs with the free and fair choice to join a union, strong labor standards, and workforce programs.

• Climate and Sustainability: As part of the United States’ commitment to reaching net-zero emissions economy-wide by 2050, applicants are encouraged to consider environmental justice, climate change, energy efficiency, sustainability, resilience, flood risk, and shifting trips to more affordable, safe, and less polluting modes of travel.

• Transformation: The program will advance innovative solutions to reconnecting communities through technical assistance, applicants’ research and study of communities divided by infrastructure, and program evaluation that will assess outcomes of the pilot.

See Section E.1.i for more detail on merit criteria that implement priorities outlined above.

4. Technical Assistance

The RCP Program provides DOT up to $30 million, cumulatively for FY 2022 – FY 2026, to provide technical assistance and capacity building support for RCP applicants and grant recipients that complements existing DOT technical assistance offerings.3

Recipients of FY 2022 Planning Grants and Capital Construction Grants will have access to

RCP technical assistance based on the availability of DOT resources. DOT will prioritize technical assistance for recipients serving economically disadvantaged communities. Overall, the goals of RCP technical assistance are to build organizational and community capacity to engage in transportation planning and support communities in identifying innovative solutions to infrastructure challenges as part of the Federal program.

Applicants may indicate their interest in receiving technical assistance by identifying the applicable topics listed in the Key Information table in Section D.2.ii. Later this year, DOT plans to issue more information about the availability of, and process for obtaining, access to a broad range of new technical assistance offerings that complement existing DOT resources.

For prospective applicants who are not ready to apply for an FY 2022 Planning or Capital

Construction Grant but would still like to receive technical assistance specific to the RCP program, DOT intends to provide technical assistance through learning academies starting in

2023. Separately, DOT will also conduct one or more future competitive solicitations to select partner organization(s) to provide technical assistance through the RCP program and other technical assistance programs.

B. Federal Award Information

1. Total Funding Available

In FY 2022, BIL allocates up to $195 million for the RCP program. It allocates $50 million for Planning Grants, which includes funding for technical assistance, and $145 million for

Capital Construction Grant funds. See Section C – Eligibility Information.

DOT understands that the amount allocated for Capital Construction Grants in FY 2022 may not cover the recipient’s full request. If a Capital Construction Grant recipient does not receive the full funds requested, the funded RCP project will receive a ‘Reconnecting Extra’ designation which encourages and facilitates RCP Program recipients’ pursuit of supplemental DOT discretionary program funding. If a project designated ‘Reconnecting Extra’ applies for funding under the FY 2023 – FY 2026 Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and

Equity (RAISE) or Multimodal Projects Discretionary Grant (MPDG) programs and is determined eligible, DOT will deem the RCP project application ‘Highly Recommended’ subject to evaluation with the relevant program’s merit criteria. The Department will still consider the

RCP project’s alignment with the relevant program’s requirements and any project risks before making any award to that RCP project. Projects with this designation that apply for DOT financing programs, such as the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act

3 See contact information on page 1 for DOT operating administration field and headquarters offices to learn more about existing technical assistance opportunities beyond this program.

(TIFIA) program and Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing (RRIF) program, will be considered for assistance to the extent permissible under law.

2. Availability of Funds

RCP Program grant funds are available until expended. However, to ensure that projects are started and completed in an efficient manner, DOT encourages all projects awarded with FY

2022 RCP Program grant funds to be obligated by the same date of September 30, 2025. DOT retains the right to prioritize projects for selection that are most likely to achieve this timeline and choose from which source to award funds to recipients, as applicable.

Obligation occurs when a selected applicant and DOT enter into a written grant agreement after the applicant has satisfied applicable administrative requirements. Unless authorized by

DOT in writing after DOT’s announcement of FY 2022 RCP Program awards, any costs incurred prior to DOT’s obligation of funds for a project (“pre-award costs”) are ineligible for reimbursement per 23 CFR 1.9.4 In order to meet this timeline, DOT will prioritize project readiness and the likelihood that obligation can occur by this deadline when making project selections.

RCP Program Funds are administered on a reimbursement basis. Grant recipients will generally be required to pay project costs up front using their own funds, and then request reimbursement for those costs through billings. DOT will reimburse recipients only for costs incurred and for work performed after a grant agreement has been executed, allowable expenses are incurred, and valid requests for reimbursement are submitted. DOT may at its sole discretion and in limited circumstances establish “pre-award” authority for recipients.

Because award recipients under the RCP program may be first-time recipients of Federal funding, DOT is committed to implementing the program as flexibly as permitted by statute and providing assistance to help award recipients through the process of securing a grant agreement and delivering both Planning Grants and Capital Construction Grants.

3. Award Size

i. Planning Grants

In FY 2022, DOT may award up to $50 million for eligible public engagement, feasibility studies, and other planning activities. BIL specifies that the maximum RCP Program Planning

Grant award is $2 million. DOT anticipates that Planning Grants may range from $100,000 to $2 million.

ii. Capital Construction Grants

In FY 2022, DOT may award up to $145 million for eligible construction activities necessary to carry out a project to remove, retrofit, or mitigate an existing eligible facility or replace an existing eligible facility with a new facility that reconnects communities. BIL specifies that the

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

DOT. Costs incurred under an advance construction (23 U.S.C. 115) authorization before the DOT announces that a project is selected for a FY 2022 RCP Program award cannot be charged to FY 2022 RCP funds. Likewise, costs incurred under an FTA Letter of No Prejudice under Chapter 53 of title 49 U.S.C. before the DOT announces that a project is selected for a FY 2022 RCP Program award, cannot be charged to FY 2022 RCP Program funds.

minimum capital construction grant award is $5 million. DOT anticipates that Capital

Construction Grants may range from $5 million to $100 million. If a project is partially funded, project components executed through the RCP award must demonstrate independent utility.

C. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

The designated lead applicant will serve as the recipient to administer and implement the project. If the applicant seeks to transfer the award to another entity, that intention should be made clear in the application and a letter of support from the otherwise eligible, designated entity should be included in the application.

Applicants without experience in DOT funding requirements may opt to jointly apply with a partner in the same State or region, that has an established financial relationship with DOT and has knowledge of Federal grant administration requirements, to minimize delays in establishing and implementing funding agreements. For joint application partners that would also receive grant funds through the recipient (lead applicant), or if the recipient seeks to transfer the award to another agency, the recipient must determine whether such arrangement would be contractual

(example, with philanthropic or community-based organizations), or if the partners would be treated as a sub-recipient (example, with other governmental entities). Ultimately, the recipient is responsible for compliance with all Federal requirements applicable to the award.

i. Planning Grants

Eligible applicants are: (1) a State; (2) a unit of local government; (3) a Federally recognized

Tribal government; (4) a Metropolitan Planning Organization; and (5) a non-profit organization.

ii. Capital Construction Grants

Eligible applicants must be the owner(s) of the eligible facility proposed in the project for which all necessary feasibility studies and other planning activities have been completed.5

Owners of an eligible facility, for the purposes of submitting a grant application, may submit a joint application with: (1) a State; (2) a unit of local government; (3) a Federally recognized

Tribal government; (4) a Metropolitan Planning Organization; and (5) a non-profit organization.

2. Cost Sharing and Matching

i. Match Requirements

Matching funds may include non-Federal sources such as:

• State funds originating from programs funded by State revenue,

• Local funds originating from State or local revenue-funded programs,

• Philanthropic funds, or

• Private funds.

5 DOT interprets this statutory pre-requisite (See Pub. L. 117-58, Section 11509 (d)(1)) to mean the capital construction project is included in the applicable Metropolitan Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and / or

Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP), Tribal Transportation Improvement Program (TTIP) or equivalent, as applicable, by the time of the obligation of the award. Public transportation projects should be included in the applicable Transit Asset Management Plan.

Grant recipients may also use in-kind or cash contributions toward local match requirements so long as those contributions meet the federal legal requirements. In-kind contributions may include compensation for community members’ time, materials, pro bono work provided to the project by third parties, and donations from private sponsors.6

ii. Federal Share

a) Planning Grants Federal Share

Planning Grants may not exceed 80 percent of the total cost of the project for which the grant is awarded. Recipients are required to contribute a local matching share of no less than 20 percent of eligible activity costs. As noted above, the local matching share may consist partially or entirely of in-kind contributions as well as contributions from the private sector and/or philanthropic organizations.

b) Capital Construction Grants Federal Share

Capital Construction Grants may not exceed 50 percent of the total cost of the project for which the grant is awarded. Federal assistance other than the RCP Program award (such as DOT formula funds, Tribal Transportation Program funds, or other Federal grants) may be used to partially satisfy the match requirement so long as total Federal assistance (all Federal sources), does not exceed 80 percent of the total cost of the project. Recipients are required to contribute a local matching share of no less than 20 percent of eligible activity costs. As noted above, the local matching share may consist partially or entirely of in-kind contributions as well as contributions from the private sector and/or philanthropic organizations.

3. Eligible Facilities, Activities, and Costs7

The proposed project must address an “eligible facility,” which is defined as a highway or other transportation facility that creates a barrier to community connectivity, including barriers to mobility, access, or economic development, due to high speeds, grade separations, or other design factors. Eligible facilities include: limited access highways, viaducts, any other principal arterial facilities, and other facilities such as transit lines, rail lines, gas pipelines, and airports.

See Section H - Definitions for “highway” and Section D - Key Information table for a suggested list of other facilities.

i. Eligible Planning Grant Activities and Costs:

a) Public engagement activities, including community visioning or other place-based strategies for public input into project plans.

b) Planning studies to assess the feasibility of removing, retrofitting, or mitigating an existing eligible facility to reconnect communities, including assessments of:

6 Any in-kind contributions used to fulfill the cost-share requirement for Planning Grants and Capital Construction

Grants must: be in accordance the cost principles in 2 CFR Part 200, Subpart E; including 2 CFR § 200.306(b) Cost

Sharing or Matching; include documented evidence of completion within the period of performance; and support the execution of the eligible activities in Section C.3. See 23 CFR § 710.505 for requirements related to the donation of real property.

7 Eligible activity costs must comply with the cost principles set forth in with 2 CFR Subpart E (i.e., 2 CFR §

200.403 and § 200.405). DOT reserves the right to make cost eligibility determinations on a case-by-case basis.

• Current traffic patterns on the facility and the surrounding street network.

• Capacity of existing transportation networks to maintain mobility needs.

• Alternative roadway designs or other uses for the right-of-way.

• The project’s impact on mobility of freight and people.

• The project’s impact on safety.

• The estimated cost to restore community connectivity and to convert the facility to a different design or use, compared to any expected maintenance or reconstruction costs.

• The project’s anticipated economic impact and development opportunities.

• The project’s environmental, public health, and community impacts.

c) Other planning activities in advance of the project, such as:

• Conceptual and preliminary engineering, or design and planning studies that support the environmental review for a construction project.

• Associated needs such as locally-driven land use and zoning reform, transit-oriented development, housing supply, in particular location-efficient affordable housing, managing gentrification and neighborhood change, proposed project impact mitigation, green and open space, local history and culture, access and mobility barriers, jobs and workforce, or other necessary planning activities as put forth by the applicant that do not result in construction.

ii. Eligible Capital Construction Grant Projects and Costs:

Eligible projects include those for which all necessary feasibility studies and other planning activities have been completed. Projects must be consistent with the Long-Range Statewide

Transportation Plan, included in the Metropolitan Long-Range Plan (if applicable), and in the

Metropolitan Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and / or Statewide Transportation

Improvement Program (STIP), Tribal Transportation Improvement Program (TTIP) or equivalent, as applicable, prior to the obligation of the award. Transit projects must be included in the investment prioritization of the relevant Transit Asset Management (TAM) Plan by the time of the obligation of the award.

Eligible construction grant activities include: preliminary and detailed design activities and associated environmental studies; predevelopment / preconstruction; permitting activities including the completion of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process; the removal, retrofit, or mitigation of an eligible facility; the replacement of an eligible facility with a new facility that restores community connectivity; delivering community benefits and the mitigation of impacts identified through the NEPA process or other planning and project development for the capital construction project.

iii. Prohibited Use

Funds may not be used to support or oppose union organizing.

4. Data Collection Requirements

Performance indicators used in reporting (See Section F.3) should align with project goals at least two of the merit criteria defined in Section E.1.i. DOT funds may be used for data collection and performance reporting and should be accounted for in the applicant’s budget.

DOT will work with grant recipients to determine the most appropriate indicators and metrics to assess project benefits before the grant agreement is established. Areas of measurement will relate to: 1) mobility, 2) access, 3) safety, 4) environmental impacts, 5) congestion, 6) economic development, 7) quality of life, and 8) community engagement. Indicators may document changes from an established baseline such as: new or improved physical pathways and crossings;

new transportation options and services; population changes in the project area; employment opportunities for residents; partnerships formed; reduction of fatalities and serious injuries in the project area; location-efficient affordable housing units preserved and created; changes in land value; and monetary commitments for reinvestment in the project area.

For Planning Grants, the planning process could be used to collect data and establish a baseline of existing conditions and populations in the project area. For Capital Construction

Grants, DOT will request a baseline report on existing conditions prior to the start of construction. (See Section F.3 – Reporting for specific requirements for deliverables and timelines.)

5. Application Limit

DOT encourages joint applications from place-based partnerships headed by a lead applicant.

A lead applicant may submit no more than three applications. Unrelated project components should not be bundled in a single application for the purpose of adhering to the limit. If a lead applicant submits more applications, only the last three received will be reviewed.

D. Application and Submission Information

1. Address to Request Application Package

All grant application materials can be accessed at grants.gov. Applicants must submit their applications via grants.gov under the Opportunity Number, DOT-RCP-FY22-01. Potential applicants may also request paper copies of materials at:

Telephone: (202) 366-4114

Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation

1200 New Jersey Avenue SE

W84-322

Washington, DC 20590

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

Planning Grants and Capital Construction Grants have distinct application submission and supporting document requirements. DOT strongly recommends use of the template provided below. All applications should submit the following: Standard Forms; Key Information;

Narrative; and Budget.

i. Standard Forms

All applicants must submit the following Standard Forms (SF):

• All applicants must submit the Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424)

• For Planning Grants:

o Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs (SF-424A) o Assurances for Non-Construction Programs (SF-424B)

• For Capital Construction Grants:

o Budget Information for Construction Programs (SF-424C) o Assurances for Construction Programs (SF-424D)

ii. Key Information Table

Lead applicant name and organization type.

(Please select one.)

☐ State

☐ Unit of local government

☐ Federally recognized Tribal government

☐ Metropolitan Planning Organization

☐ Nonprofit organization

☐ Facility Owner

If a joint application, please provide organizational names of sub-recipients that will receive funds and other key partners.

Indicate the annual budget and staffing of lead applicant organization and partner organization(s), if applicable.

For non-profits, also indicate how long your organization has been in operation.

Does the lead applicant have experience delivering Federally funded projects? If yes, please indicate granting Federal agency.

Application type:

☐ Planning Grant

☐ Capital Construction Grant

If interested in receiving DOT technical assistance, which of the following topics are of most interest for your organization?

(Please select all that apply.)

☐ Transportation Planning

☐ Community Engagement

☐ Environmental Compliance and Permit

Approvals

☐ Equitable Economic Revitalization

☐ Place-Making and Urban Design

☐ Community Stabilization

☐ Data, Performance, and Mapping

☐ Location-efficient Affordable Housing

☐ Other _____________________

Eligible Facility Type.

(Please select all that apply.)

☐ Interstate highway

☐ State highway

☐ Arterial roadway

☐ Other street or road

☐ Bridge or viaduct

☐ Transit

☐ Rail

☐ Airport

☐ Port

☐ Gas pipeline

Other infrastructure – please describe

Location of eligible facility and project area:

State and County, place name of the city, town, or jurisdiction.

Provide Census FIPS codes or other geographic code identifiers for the facility location and project area.

Provide geographic coordinates for the facility

(bounding box comprised of four pairs of coordinates that create a rectangle around the facility).

Are the eligible facility and project area located in an economically disadvantaged community?

See Section H - Definitions.

☐ Yes

☐ No

Is the project located in a rural area? See

Section H - Definitions.

For Capital Construction Grant applicants:

Is the lead applicant the Facility Owner?

Pre-requisite for Capital Construction Grant applicants:

Is the proposed project already included in the

STIP, TIP, or equivalent? For transit projects, is the project in the TAM Plan?

(Please select one and provide a link or include as a supplemental document.)

☐ No (Please provide additional details in the Project Readiness portion of the application describing how the project will be in such plan by the time of obligation of the award.)

iii. Narrative

The primary purpose of the Narrative is for the applicant to state their case for meeting the merit criteria laid out in Section E. For Planning Grants, the narrative should not exceed 10 pages; for Capital Construction Grants, the narrative should not exceed 20 pages. The Narrative should be in PDF format, with font size of no less than 12-point Times New Roman, single-spaced, minimum 1-inch margins on all sides, and page numbers. Supplemental Project

Readiness and Benefit Cost Analysis information for Capital Construction Grants will not count against this page limit.

Suggested Narrative Structure:

Planning &

Capital Construction

Overview D.2.iii.a

Planning &

Capital Construction

Location & Map D.2.iii.b

Planning &

Capital Construction

Response to Merit Criteria D.2.iii.c

Capital Construction Project Readiness: Environmental Risk D.2.iii.d

Capital Construction Benefit Cost Analysis D.2.iii.e

a) Overview

This section should provide an introduction, describe barriers posed by the eligible facility, describe the history and character of the community most impacted by the facility, and any other high-level background information that would be useful to understand the rest of the application.

b) Location & Map

This section should describe the location of the eligible facility that creates barriers to community connectivity, including to mobility, access, or economic development, as well as a description of the surrounding community impacted by the facility. This section should include a detailed geographic description and map of the facility location and identify elements of the existing transportation network.

c) Response to Merit Criteria

This section should describe how the project addresses each of the merit criteria: Equity, Environmental Justice, and Community Engagement; Mobility and Community Connectivity;

Community-based Stewardship, Management, and Partnerships; and Equitable Development and

Shared Prosperity. See Section E.1.i for detailed criteria descriptions.

d) Project Readiness

There is no narrative requirement for Project Readiness for Planning Grants. See Section

E.1.ii for details on how Planning Grant applications are reviewed for Project Readiness.

There are narrative requirements for the Environmental Risk element of Project Readiness for Capital Construction Grants. This section should include sufficient information for DOT to assess the project’s likelihood of being included in the STIP or equivalent by the time of award obligation, and in the TAM Plan for transit projects, and can be reasonably expected to begin construction in a timely manner. As DOT will perform an Environmental Risk review, the applicant should provide a project schedule and address required approvals and permits, NEPA class of action and status, public involvement, right-of-way acquisition plans, risk and mitigation strategies. See Section E.1.ii for full details on how Capital Construction Grant applications are reviewed for Project Readiness. For additional guidance and resources, visit https://www.transportation.gov/reconnecting

e) Benefit Cost Analysis for Capital Construction Grants

Planning Grant applicants do not need to submit the results of a benefit cost analysis (BCA).

Capital Construction Grant applicants should include the results of a BCA. The BCA should be briefly summarized in the Project Narrative. Applicants should provide the technical basis of the BCA sufficient to allow DOT to reproduce the analysis. Supplemental materials do not count against the overall application length. Many benefits of RCP Program projects may be difficult to quantify but should be explained as well as possible, whether such benefits are quantified or unquantified. Any claimed benefits should be clearly tied to the expected outcomes of the project and address benefits for users of the facility as well as benefits to the surrounding communities.

For additional guidance and resources, visit https://www.transportation.gov/reconnecting

iv. Budget

In addition to the SF-424, applicants should describe the budget for the RCP Program project. At a minimum, the project budget should include:

• Costs for the FY 2022 RCP project. If the project contains distinct components or phases, the costs of each project component or phase should be separated and described. For a

Capital Construction Grant, include information about the degree of design completion on which the cost estimates are based.

• The source, amount, and usage for all funds to be used for eligible project costs. Funding sources should be listed in one of three categories: Reconnecting Communities, other

Federal funds (which together with the Reconnecting Communities funds cannot exceed

80 percent of total costs) and the 20 percent non-Federal match such as local, State, Tribal, philanthropic, private, and/or “in-kind” funds.

• For Federal funds to be used for eligible project costs, the amount, nature, and source of any required non-Federal match for those funds. If applicable, the budget should identify

Federal funds that have been previously authorized by a Federal agency.

• For non-Federal funds to be used for eligible project costs, documentation of funding commitments.

• If the applicant is not a State DOT and contributions from a State DOT are included either as Federal funds or as non-Federal match, a supporting letter from the State DOT should be provided that indicates the amount and source of the funds

The budget should show the distribution of each funding source in each major planning or construction activity, including sub-recipient activity and compensation.

For each source of funds, the budget should discuss any restrictions on timing or use. 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.

Note: The budget should not include any expenses incurred prior to award of the grant.

Expenses incurred between time of award and obligation are not eligible for reimbursement or for cost sharing, unless written authorization is received at the time of award selection, as described in Section B.2.

• 3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM)

Each applicant is required to: (i) Register in SAM.gov before submitting an application; (ii)

Provide a valid unique entity identifier in its application; and (iii) 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 agency. DOT may not make a Federal award to an applicant until the applicant has complied with all unique entity identifier and SAM requirements. If an applicant has not fully complied with the requirements by the time DOT is ready to make an award, DOT may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive an award.

4. Submission Dates and Times

Applications must be submitted by 11:59 PM EDT on Thursday, October 13, 2022.

5. Funding Restrictions

For funding restrictions that may affect an applicant’s ability to develop an application and budget consistent with program requirements, see Section C of this notice.

6. Other Submission Requirements

The complete application must be submitted via www.grants.gov. In the event of system problems or the applicant experiences technical difficulties, contact grants.gov technical support via telephone at 1-800-518-4726 or email at support@grants.gov.

E. Application Review Information

1. Criteria

This section specifies the evaluation criteria DOT will use to evaluate and select Planning

Grant and Capital Construction Grant applications for RCP Program grant awards: Merit

Criteria, Project Readiness, Benefit Cost Analysis (for Capital Construction Projects), and Other

Considerations. Section E.2 describes the review, rating, and selection process. As described in greater detail in Sections E.1 and E.2, some evaluations are conducted for only a subset of eligible applications that advance to “Second-Tier Analysis.”

i. Merit Criteria

#1: Equity, Environmental Justice, and Community Engagement

DOT will rate Planning Grant proposals on their approach to, and Capital Construction Grant proposals on having addressed, one or more of the following:

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• Analysis, informed by community engagement findings and research, of harmful historic or current policies (e.g., displacement, segregation, exclusionary zoning8), existing socioeconomic disparities, environmental burdens and risks, the needs of the surrounding community—including special consideration for those most affected by the eligible facility—and how proposed solutions equitably distribute benefits and mitigate impacts supported by geospatial tools like EPA’s EJSCREEN and FHWA’s Screening Tool for

Equity Analysis of Projects.

• Community Participation Plan that facilitates meaningful engagement in planning, design, construction, operations, and related land use decisions. The Plan engages hard-to-access community members through culturally appropriate and innovative practices, which may include: surveys, interviews, focus groups, reimbursing local organizations and community members for their time and knowledge, childcare at public meetings, virtual and in-person platforms, and multi-language translation and outreach. The Plan establishes goals and measures for effectiveness.9

In addition to the above, Capital Construction Grant applications should also address mitigation plans for negative impacts of the proposed capital project by describing:

• Any construction-related displacement in the community and providing a robust mitigation plan that exceeds the basic requirements of the Uniform Relocation Act.

• The anticipated negative construction impacts, such as noise, dust, pollution, public transportation service disruptions, disturbances to sacred or historic sites, or flood risks, and a robust mitigation plan.

#2: Mobility and Community Connectivity

DOT will rate Planning Grant proposals on their approach to, and Capital Construction Grant proposals on having addressed, one or more of the following:

• Facility presents significant barriers to access, mobility, and economic development and is poorly suited to the community. Proposes removal of barriers, including over-reliance on automobiles, to reconnect communities for people to live, work, play, and move freely and safely.

• Existing feasibility studies provide basis for further investigation to creatively convert the corridor for better access to daily destinations like jobs, healthcare, grocery stores, schools, places of worship, recreation, and parks.

• New or improved, affordable transportation options to increase safe mobility and connectivity for all, including for people with disabilities, through lower-carbon travel like walking, cycling, rolling, and transit that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote active travel.

8 See How We Grow Economic Opportunity for All in USDOT’s Beyond Traffic report for more information, https://www.transportation.gov/sites/dot.gov/files/docs/BeyondTraffic_tagged_508_final.pdf.

9 For current recipients of Federal financial assistance, please describe how your Title VI Plan and Community

Participation Plan inform the activities described in the Reconnecting Communities grant application. For new applicants of Federal financial assistance, please describe any current or anticipated activities in support of drafting a

Title VI Plan and Community Participation Plan and timeline for completion pursuant to the Title VI regulations, See 49 CFR § 21. For details on the Community Participation Plan, see DOT Title VI Order 1000.12C. See also

Planning Assistance and Standards, Interested parties, public involvement, and consultation. For State DOTs, see 23

CFR § 450.210 (a)(1)(ix); For MPOs, see 23 CFR § 450.316 (a)(1)(x).

https://www.epa.gov/ejscreen https://hepgis.fhwa.dot.gov/fhwagis/buffertool/ https://hepgis.fhwa.dot.gov/fhwagis/buffertool/ https://www.transportation.gov/sites/dot.gov/files/docs/BeyondTraffic_tagged_508_final.pdf https://www.law.cornell.edu/definitions/index.php?width=840&height=800&iframe=true&def_id=10fc857d236d5a3e71243c1bba7d8109&term_occur=999&term_src=Title:23:Chapter:I:Subchapter:E:Part:450:Subpart:B:450.210

• Safe accommodation for all users and seamless integration with the surrounding character, context, and land use with consideration of climate resilience, stormwater and flood risk management, public health, and the economy.10

• Facility replacement or significant reconstruction is anticipated within a 20-year period based on facility age and condition.

In addition to the above, Capital Construction Grant applications should also address goods movement by describing:

• Impacts to goods movement, both regional and local, that uses the eligible facility.

#3: Community-based Stewardship, Management, and Partnerships

DOT will rate Planning Grant proposals on their approach to, and Capital Construction Grant proposals on having addressed, one or more of the following:

• Community-centered approach to envision a reconnection solution that meaningfully redresses inequities and benefits economically disadvantaged communities.

• Formal partnerships, substantiated through signed commitment letters and budget, include entities with geographic ties to communities adjacent to the facility. Partners may include community-based organizations, anchor institutions, community development financial institutions, philanthropic and civic organizations, private sector entities, and

State and local government.

• A representative community advisory group, advisory board or other place-based management organization to oversee community-developed priorities and initiatives, including the use of a community land trust, community benefits agreement, or other community development activities to redress transportation-related disparities.

Capital Construction Grant applications should also address how resources of partners and other Federal and non-Federal funds will support the success of proposed activities by providing:

• A complete description of resources committed to the project and fully outlining funding commitments from Federal and non-Federal sources, including: DOT formula funding, State or local funding, in-kind support, philanthropic contributions, public and private financing, and private sector funds. All funding should be reflected numerically in the budget.

Except as necessary to determine eligibility, as described in Section C.2, and as a factor in the Financial Completeness Assessment, as described in Section E.1.ii, DOT does not consider the proposed Federal share of an application when selecting among eligible applications.

#4: Equitable Development and Shared Prosperity

DOT will rate Planning Grant proposals on their approach to, and Capital Construction Grant proposals on having addressed, one or more of the following:

10 The project application demonstrates that the project will be constructed or upgraded consistent with the Federal

Flood Risk Management Standard, to the extent consistent with current law.

• Comprehensive plan or framework that outlines a community’s vision, policies, and priorities to increase mobility and connectivity, create thriving and resilient communities, and redress inequities and barriers to opportunity.

• Community restoration, stabilization, and anti-displacement strategies, such as value capture, assistance for renters and legacy homeowner and small businesses, preservation, rehabilitation and expansion of location-efficient affordable housing, mixed-income, mixed use development, affordable commercial spaces, and other community wealth-building activities.

• Creative place-making that celebrates local history and culture through public art, greenspace, and recreational spaces for residents and visitors.

• Local inclusive economic development and entrepreneurship such as the utilization of

Disadvantaged Business Enterprises, Minority-owned Businesses, Women-owned

Businesses, or 8(a) firms.

In addition to the above, Capital Construction Grant applications should also address labor considerations by describing how the grant will support and use:

• Good-paying jobs with the free and fair choice to join a union, the incorporation of strong labor standards, pro-active anti-discrimination and anti-harassment plans, project labor agreements, workplace rights notices, training and placement programs, and local hiring and procurement preferences, particularly for underrepresented workers and individuals with convictions.

• High-quality workforce development programs with supportive services to train, place, and retain workers, especially joint-labor management training partnerships and registered apprenticeships.

ii. Project Readiness

For projects that advance to Second-Tier Analysis during application evaluation, DOT will assess project readiness to evaluate the likelihood of a successful project. In the project readiness analysis, DOT will evaluate Planning Grant applications and Capital Construction Grant applications according to a Technical Assessment and Financial Completeness Assessment. DOT will also evaluate Capital Construction Grant applications for Environmental Risk.

Technical

Assessment

Financial

Completeness

Environmental

Risk

Planning Grants X X

Capital Construction Grants X X X

• Technical Assessment is based on information contained throughout the application and does not require an additional submission. The Technical Assessment addresses the applicant’s capacity to successfully deliver the project in compliance with Federal requirements, previous experience with DOT discretionary grant awards, and the technical experience and resources dedicated to the project.

• Financial Completeness Assessment is based on information contained throughout the application and does not require an additional submission. The Financial Completeness

Assessment reviews the availability of matching funds and whether the applicant presented a complete funding package. For projects that receive a rating of ‘complete’ and include funding estimates that are based on early stages of design (e.g., less than 30 percent design) or outdated cost estimates, without specified contingency, evaluators may add a comment to note the potential for uncertainty in the estimated project costs. All applicants should describe a plan to address potential cost overruns.

• Environmental Risk Assessment requires additional information from the Capital

Construction Grant applicant. It analyzes the project’s environmental approvals and the likelihood of outstanding, necessary approvals affecting project obligation.

iii. Benefit Cost Analysis (BCA)

For Capital Construction Grant projects that advance to a Second-Tier Analysis, DOT will consider the project’s costs and benefits. To the extent possible, DOT will rely on the applicant’s submission of well-supported BCA analysis results described in Section D.2.iii.e. DOT acknowledges that many of aspects of reconnecting solutions, such as connectivity, community benefits, and quality of life, are difficult to quantify. Applicants should nonetheless discuss these types of benefits qualitatively. DOT will assign a rating to the project of either negative (costs exceed benefits), positive (benefits exceed costs), or uncertain.