Safety Data Improvement Program

050 Objectives: The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's (FMCSA) objective is to fund State programs designed to improve the overall quality of commercial motor vehicle (CMV) data in accordance with the FMCSA State Safety Data Quality (SS

This program is now consolidated under the CFDA 20.218, High Priority Program. No further funding under this program.

A State shall be eligible for a grant under this section in a fiscal year if the Secretary determines that the State has (1) conducted a comprehensive audit of its commercial motor vehicle safety data system within the preceding 2 years; (2) developed a plan that identifies and prioritizes its commercial motor vehicle safety data needs and goals; and (3) identified performance-based measures to determine progress toward those goals. Eligible applicants include State Departments of Public Safety, Departments of Transportation, or State Law Enforcement Agencies in any of the several States of the United States, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, any territory or possession of the United States, or any agency or instrumentality of a State exclusive of local governments. The term does not include any public and Indian housing agency under United States Housing Act of 1937.

Any of the several States of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, any territory or possession of the United States, or any agency or instrumentality of a State exclusive of local governments. The term does not include any public and Indian housing agency under United States Housing Act of 1937.

FMCSA provides maintenance of expenditure certification by the entity or State that it meets the conditions for grant approval. The State agrees that the total expenditure of the amounts of the State and political subdivisions of the State, exclusive of amounts from the United States, for carrying out border commercial motor vehicle safety programs and related enforcement activities and projects will be maintained at a level at least equal to the average level of that expenditure by the State and political subdivisions of the State for the last two State or Federal fiscal years ending before October 1, 2005, whichever the State designates.

The FMCSA may award grants to improve the overall quality of commercial motor vehicle (CMV) data, and specifically, to improve the timeliness, efficiency, accuracy, and completeness of State processes and systems used to collect, analyze, and report large truck and bus crash and inspection data. The FMCSA gives priority to proposals received from States rated yellow (fair) and red (poor) on the State Safety Data Quality Map, viewable here: https://ai.fmcsa.dot.gov/DataQuality/National.aspx. Examples of uses for funding may include, but are not limited to the following: • Hiring staff to manage data quality improvement programs. • Hiring staff to code and enter CMV safety performance data. • Revising outdated crash report forms. • Developing software to transfer data from the State data repository to SAFETYNET. • Purchasing software for field data collection and data transfer. • Implementing data quality initiatives designed to support the Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) intervention strategies. • Improving the overall quality of FMCSA Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS) census data.

The initial grant period of performance is typically 24 months; grant program extensions are allowable by approval from FMCSA.

Applicants must register with Grants.gov to apply for funding. Applications should be submitted in accordance with the instructions provided and must be submitted electronically to FMCSA through the Grants.gov website.

The FMCSA considers the extent to which each application: 1. Addresses the program's national priorities and demonstrates knowledge of the program and potential barriers to successfully meeting those priorities. 2. Defines specific, measureable, and feasible program goals and objectives. 3. Outlines activities and accompanying timelines to achieve the project's goals. 4. Defines a plan to monitor the effective implementation of the strategies and plans to document the project outcomes. 5. Documents infrastructure and other organizational information to demonstrate an ability to perform the activities proposed in the application. 6. Includes proposed costs that are allocable, allowable, reasonable, and necessary. 7. Addresses program-specific requirements established in the Notice of Funding Availability

An evaluation panel will select award recipients based on an overall application score outlined in the application package, the potential for improvement of national Safety data collection and reporting rates, and the total funding available.

If the statutory eligibility criteria are met and funds are available, discussion with potential grantees continues until the project plan is mutually acceptable.

Renewals or request for extensions to the grant period of performance can be made through the FMCSA State Division Offices.

Appeals will be considered upon demonstration that the proposal meets SaDIP grant eligibility criteria and the State Safety Data Quality measures have been addressed.