Whatcom Transportation Authority
Bellingham, WA Whatcom Transportation Authority
- UEI
- FFA5NLAKYDU1
- CAGE
- 6YS25, 5D7J9
- SAM.gov registration
- Active through
Company facts
- Self-certified in SAM.gov
- Entity structure
- U.S. Government Entity
- NAICS codes registered in SAM.gov
- SAM.gov registration date
- Physical address
- 4011 Bakerview Spur, Bellingham, WA 98226, USA
- Website
- ridewta.com
- Founded
- 1983
- Employees
- 51-250
- Estimated annual revenue
- $10M-$50M
- Industry
-
- Industrials
- Transportation
- Road & Rail
- Ground Transportation
- SIC code
- 41 Local & Interurban Passenger Transit
Registration and certifications come from SAM.gov and the SBA; company details from public web sources. Updated .
Recent federal awards
| Award | Agency | Obligated | Awarded |
|---|---|---|---|
| $500,000 awarded to whatcom transportation authority for rural and tribal assistance pilot program to support legal,… | Immediate Office of the Secretary of Transportation | $500,000 | |
| Application purpose: the purpose of this award is to provide operating assistance to whatcom transportation authority to… | Federal Transit Administration | $46,818,152 | |
| Application purpose: the purpose of this award is to replace approximately eight (8) paratransit buses that have reached… | Federal Transit Administration | $1,171,003 | |
| Application purpose: the purpose of this award is to purchase approximately eleven (11) replacement 40 FT.… | Federal Transit Administration | $3,009,428 | |
| Application purpose: the purpose of this award is to purchase approximately eight (8) 40 FT. Replacement no-emissions… | Federal Transit Administration | $20,193,974 |
About Whatcom Transportation Authority
Whatcom Transportation Authority, a local government transit authority based in Bellingham, Washington, is a federal grant recipient operating public transportation services across Whatcom County. The authority receives operating and capital assistance from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) under the Federal Transit Formula Grants program (CFDA 20.507) and related transit modernization programs, with no federal contracting footprint — all awards are grant receipts, not contracts.
Whatcom Transportation Authority functions exclusively as a prime recipient (94% of recent awards) with minimal sub-recipient activity. The organization operates as a local government entity structured as a transit authority, serving general public riders and paratransit-eligible passengers throughout Whatcom County. Its federal grant work supports three concrete capability streams: operating assistance covering payroll, fuel, maintenance, and administrative costs; fleet modernization through bus replacement and procurement; and transit service continuity. A $23.3 million operating-assistance grant from the FTA (awarded May 19, 2026, under CFDA 20.507) covers up to 50% of eligible 2026 operating expenses through June 30, 2027. Capital grants support fleet replacement — a $648,900 award (August 11, 2025, CFDA 20.526) procures approximately eleven paratransit buses to replace end-of-life vehicles and accommodate increased demand; a $648 thousand award (May 2, 2025) covers eleven 40-foot diesel-electric hybrid buses replacing older diesel and hybrid units; and an award (March 26, 2025) funds eight 40-foot no-emissions buses with eight chargers. The authority has also received pandemic-recovery operating assistance, including a $21.2 million American Rescue Plan grant (March 29, 2022) and a $9.3 million CRRSAA grant (August 9, 2021), both under CFDA 20.507 for payroll and employee benefits.
Customer concentration is absolute — the Federal Transit Administration accounts for all 32 prime awards, representing $142.5 million in combined obligated dollars across 34 total awards spanning back to 1999. Activity has accelerated recently, with four awards in 2025 and two in 2026 compared to one per year in 2022–2024. Two awards carry ultimate completion dates within the next twenty-four months, presenting minimal recompete exposure given the formula-grant structure of FTA funding. Two sub-recipient activities — a State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program sub-award (February 27, 2026) and a travel-training program sub-award (September 9, 2025) — indicate receipt of pass-through funding from state or other federal sources for specialized initiatives within Whatcom County.
Quick answers
What is Whatcom Transportation Authority's UEI?
Whatcom Transportation Authority's Unique Entity ID (UEI) in SAM.gov is FFA5NLAKYDU1.
What are Whatcom Transportation Authority's CAGE codes?
Whatcom Transportation Authority's CAGE codes are 6YS25 and 5D7J9.
What is Whatcom Transportation Authority's primary NAICS code?
Whatcom Transportation Authority's primary NAICS code is 926120 (Regulation and Administration of Transportation Programs).
Where is Whatcom Transportation Authority located?
Whatcom Transportation Authority's physical address in SAM.gov is 4011 Bakerview Spur, Bellingham, WA 98226, USA.
Is Whatcom Transportation Authority registered in SAM.gov?
Yes. Whatcom Transportation Authority's SAM.gov registration is active through March 29, 2027.
What is Whatcom Transportation Authority's most recent federal award?
Whatcom Transportation Authority's most recent federal grant award is $500,000 awarded to whatcom transportation authority for rural and tribal assistance pilot program to support legal,… (69A6212650049), from Immediate Office of the Secretary of Transportation, on November 2, 2026.
On GovTribe
See Whatcom Transportation Authority's full federal record
- Federal grant awards
- Funding analysis by agency, NAICS and set-aside
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