Commercial Motor Vehicle Operator Safety Training Grants

Expand the number of commercial driver's license (CDL) holders possessing enhanced operator safety training to help reduce the severity and number of crashes on U.S. roads involving commercial motor vehicles, as defined in 49 U.S.C. 31301, and to ass

FMCSA's mission is to reduce crashes, injuries and fatalities involving large trucks and buses. FMCSA's program of awarding grants for operator safety training furthers that mission. The CMVOST grant program supports the Secretary's strategic goals. Its purpose is to train individuals in the safe operation of commercial motor vehicles. This program will prioritize current or former members of the U.S. Armed Forces, including National Guard and Reservists, in obtaining a CDL. FMCSA provides financial assistance under the CMVOST grant program to organizations that provide CMV operator training. CMVOST financial assistance awards are aligned with the following U.S. Department of Transportation's strategic goals: • Safety: Make our transportation system safer for all people. Work toward a future where transportation-related serious injuries and fatalities are eliminated and public health improved. • Economic Strength & Modernization: Grow an inclusive and sustainable economy.

Eligible applicants must be accredited by a government organization such as the Department of Education.

Eligible applicants must be accredited by a government organization such as the Department of Education.

Provide tuition assistance to eligible accredited applicants. Priority is given to programs that train current or former members of the U.S. Armed Forces, including National Guard and Reservists (defined in 10 U.S.C. Section 101) in safe CMV operation.

The maximum period of performance for a CMVOST grant is two fiscal years, including the fiscal year in which the grant agreement is executed. All new application proposals will be evaluated to ensure that proposed projects can be achieved within the requested timeframe. There is no mandatory minimum grant duration. Additionally, FMCSA may award a grant agreement with a period of performance for less than maximum period of performance timeframe, depending upon project complexity, reasonableness, and necessity. Amendment requests to extend the period of performance beyond the period of availability described above will not be approved.

2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. 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.

All discretionary (competitive) grant program applications undergo a series of reviews prior to award selection as required in 2 CFR §§ 200.204 and 205. These reviews include: 1) technical review that provides an independent assessment of the technical/programmatic merit of an application. At least three qualified individuals are selected to review each application to ensure diversity of perspective and knowledge. Individuals are selected based on their technical education and experience and the extent to which the individual has engaged in relevant work, the capacities in which the individual has done so, and the quality of such work; 2) suitability review that provides a risk assessment on each applicant's organization to ensure the applicant is suitable to receive and manage Federal funds. The risk assessment is conducted in several parts: 1) a debarment and suspension review that included a review of the applicant's administrative capability self-certification and a check against the applicant's records in the System for Award Management (www.sam.gov); 2) a review of the applicant's history with other Federal agencies in the Single Audit Clearinghouse Database; and 3) an evaluation of the applicant's Single Audit in accordance with the Single Audit Act; 3) past performance review that provides information that is considered as a possible indicator for predicting future performance. Many applicants for FMCSA programs have received FMCSA funding in the past and will be evaluated against their ability to complete prior year awards on-time, compliance with grant terms and conditions, and results from FMCSA grant monitoring activities. Applicants with no prior FMCSA grant awards will not be eliminated from funding consideration; and 4) budget/cost analysis that provides an assessment of allowable costs in accordance with Federal grant requirements, the cost realism of the budget estimate, appropriateness and reasonableness of resources, and reasonableness and feasibility of the schedule relative to the application timeline. Importantly, the budget evaluation provides initial insight to project-related risk, beyond those dealing with technical uncertainty, which is considered prior to recommendation. Application budgets are evaluated based on the same standards to which recipients will be held after award, which are outlined in the cost principles at 2 CFR part 200.101(c) Subpart E for all non-Federal entities, including commercial organizations.

90-120 days of the submission deadline (subject to availability of funds) or as soon thereafter as administratively practicable.

The deadline for application submission is included in each year's Notice of Funding Opportunity posted in Grants.gov.

Formal protests are not an option; unsuccessful applicants are notified in writing and may request a debriefing.