Notice2023-19984
Notice of Funding Opportunity To Establish Cooperative Agreements With Technical Assistance Providers for the Fiscal Year 2023 Thriving Communities Program
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Published
September 15, 2023
Issuing agencies
Transportation Department
Abstract
The purpose of this notice is to publish DOT's application submission requirements and application review procedures to select national and State, Tribal, or regional capacity builders to provide technical assistance, planning, and capacity building support to communities through cooperative agreements with DOT, as authorized by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 178 (Friday, September 15, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 178 (Friday, September 15, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63648-63671]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-19984]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Office of the Secretary
[Docket No. DOT-OST-2023-0125]
Notice of Funding Opportunity To Establish Cooperative Agreements
With Technical Assistance Providers for the Fiscal Year 2023 Thriving
Communities Program
AGENCY: Office of the Secretary of Transportation, U.S. Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), Assistance Listing
Number: 20.942.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The purpose of this notice is to publish DOT's application
submission requirements and application review procedures to select
national and State, Tribal, or regional capacity builders to provide
technical assistance, planning, and capacity building support to
communities through cooperative agreements with DOT, as authorized by
the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023.
DATES: The deadline for application submission is 4:59 p.m. eastern
time on November 28, 2023. Proposals or applications received after the
above deadlines will not be reviewed or considered. See section E of
this NOFO regarding DOT's review process and section G of the NOFO for
DOT's contact information.
ADDRESSES: Applications must be submitted through <a href="https://www.grants.gov">https://www.grants.gov</a>. Opportunity number: DOT-TCP-FY23-01.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Ongoing updates, webinar notices, FAQs: <a href="https://www.transportation.gov/thriving-communities">https://www.transportation.gov/thriving-communities</a>.
POC: Monica Guerra, (202) 366-7738, <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#a2cfcdcccbc1c38cc5d7c7d0d0c3e2c6cdd68cc5cdd4"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="1f727071767c7e31786a7a6d6d7e5f7b706b31787069">[email protected]</span></a>.
[[Page 63649]]
Email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#d480bca6bda2bdbab397bbb9b9a1babda0bdb1a794b0bba0fab3bba2"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="ecb8849e859a85828baf8381819982859885899fac888398c28b839a">[email protected]</span></a>.
A Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) is available (202)
366-3993.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Summary Overview and Key Information: Thriving Communities Program (TCP)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Issuing Agency........................ U.S. Department of
Transportation, Office of the
Secretary (OST).
Program Overview...................... The Consolidated Appropriations
Act, 2023 provided $25 million
to the US Department of
Transportation (DOT) for a
Thriving Communities Program
(TCP) to develop and implement
technical assistance, planning,
and capacity building to help
improve and foster thriving
communities through
transportation improvements.
Through TCP, DOT will award
cooperative agreements for
Capacity Builders to provide
technical assistance, planning,
and capacity building support
that advances transformative
infrastructure plans, projects,
and processes primarily in
communities that have
disproportionate rates of
pollution and poor air quality,
communities experiencing
disproportionate human health
and environmental effects (as
defined by Executive Order No.
12898), areas of persistent
poverty as defined in section
6702(a)(1) of title 49, United
States Code, or historically
disadvantaged communities.
Program Types......................... Thriving Communities National
Capacity Builder Program (TCP-
N): Funds TCP-N Capacity
Builders through cooperative
agreements to provide
individualized technical
assistance, planning, and
capacity building support to 15-
20 communities located around
the country, selected and
assigned by DOT, and organized
into a Community of Practice.
TCP-N Capacity Builders will
work with communities to co-
design tailored scopes of work
based on the community's
individual needs and stage in
the transportation planning,
design, and development process
to be carried out over two
years of intensive TCP support.
TCP-N Capacity Builders will
also facilitate peer learning
networks across the communities
assigned to their Community of
Practice. Evaluation,
reporting, resource
development, and transition
activities will be the Capacity
Builders' focus during the
third year of the period of
performance.
Thriving Communities Regional
Pilot Program (TCP-R): Funds
State and local governments and
their agencies, Tribal
governments, and regional
governments or organizations
through cooperative agreements
to provide support to
communities selected by the
applicant that are located
within their jurisdiction or
service area. The focus of this
program is to enable State,
Tribal, local, and regional
governments to support the
advancement of transportation
opportunities in disadvantaged
communities that align with
State, Tribal, or regional
housing, economic development,
public health, climate, and
other community development
goals. While this program
overlaps with the TCP-N Program
in scope and purpose, it has a
narrower focus on coordination
and alignment within a specific
geography. TCP-R Capacity
Builders will play a
coordination and capacity
building role rather than
providing intensive, tailored
technical assistance. TCP-R
Capacity Builders will
facilitate peer learning across
communities in their State,
Tribe and/or region to scale
program impact and act as a
model for other jurisdictions.
The first two years of the
period of performance will be
focused on both individual
community support and peer
learning, while the third year
will focus on evaluation,
reporting, resource
development, and transition
activities.
Eligible Activities................... TCP-N Capacity Builder
Cooperative Agreements: Deep-
dive technical assistance,
planning, and capacity building
support that could include, but
is not limited to, the
following set of activities:
<bullet> identifying and
responding to funding
opportunities that align
with projects that implement
local community mobility,
access, climate and
community development goals
and regional or statewide
plans.
<bullet> activities to
support grant writing,
project management, and
compliance with grant
administration requirements.
<bullet> conducting project
scoping, planning, and pre-
engineering studies, market,
and other technical
analysis.
<bullet> supplementing local
staffing, training, and
workforce development
capacity.
<bullet> developing systems
or structures that improve
compliance with Federal
grant management, including
but not limited to title VI
of the Civil Rights Act, the
Americans with Disabilities
Act, section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act, and
procurement requirements.
<bullet> supporting
comprehensive community
planning activities that
better coordinate
transportation with other
land use, housing, climate,
health, and other
infrastructure.
<bullet> implementing
innovative public engagement
strategies, particularly to
involve traditionally
underrepresented voices in
the planning, project
identification, and
prioritization process.
<bullet> sub-granting to
local technical assistance
and capacity building
partners who bring local
expertise and capacity.
<bullet> building
organizational capacity to
strengthen relationships
between key stakeholders
that deepen regional
engagement and
collaboration, position
partners for future funding
opportunities, and/or
support inclusive planning
processes.
<bullet> evaluating and
establishing emerging
transportation and planning
technologies, data systems,
and software.
<bullet> fostering peer
learning and participation
within a Community of
Practice to advance
policies, practices, and
projects informed by
meaningful public
involvement and partnership.
TCP-R Cooperative Agreements:
Support provided by State
governments and their agencies,
Tribal governments, local
governments and their agencies,
or regional governments and
organizations to advance
transformative infrastructure
in disadvantaged communities
that face barriers to
infrastructure advancement and
implementation. This may
include, but is not limited to:
<bullet> identifying funding
opportunities that align
with transportation goals
and advance mobility access,
climate resilience,
equitable community
development, healthy
communities in support of
regional or statewide plans.
<bullet> supporting
predevelopment planning and
scoping of projects that
coordinate transportation
with other land use,
housing, and infrastructure
development.
<bullet> building
organizational capacity and
strengthened relationships
between key stakeholders
that deepen regional
engagement and
collaboration, position
partners for future funding
opportunities, and/or
support inclusive planning
processes.
<bullet> funding planning and
technical assistance
activities that reform local
land use and zoning policies
to align transportation
infrastructure investment
with equitable community
development.
<bullet> establishing pooled
resources and/or innovative
funding tools that increase
community investments in
transportation, housing,
environment, and health.
<bullet> supporting regional
economic and workforce
development that promotes
local hiring, access to
transit, and jobs in high
quality industries.
<bullet> activities to
support grant writing,
project management, and
compliance with grant
administration requirements.
<bullet> peer-learning,
networking, and knowledge
sharing on strategies, types
of tools, and lessons
learned with other
communities in the
applicant's State or region.
Eligible Applicants................... TCP-N Capacity Builders:
<bullet> Non-profit
organizations;
<bullet> philanthropic
entities; and
<bullet> other technical
assistance providers
including academic
institutions and private
sector organizations with a
demonstrated capacity to
develop and provide
technical assistance,
planning, and capacity
building to a range of
communities located across
multiple States and regions.
TCP-R Capacity Builders:
<bullet> State governments
and their agencies;
<bullet> Indian Tribes;
<bullet> local governments
and their agencies;
<bullet> governmental
planning or transportation
organizations working at the
regional or metropolitan
level; or
<bullet> regional planning
non-profit organizations.
Funding Amount........................ For FY 2023, the Department
expects to award two different
types of cooperative agreements
through this NOFO, with up to
$22 million total being
available for award.
<bullet> TCP-N Capacity
Builder cooperative
agreements are anticipated
to be in the range of $4-5
million each; and
<bullet> TCP-R cooperative
agreements are anticipated
to be in the range of $1-2
million each.
[[Page 63650]]
Cost Share............................ No cost sharing or matching is
required as a condition of
eligibility under this
competition. DOT will fund up
to 100 percent of eligible
project costs through a monthly
reimbursement invoicing model.
Priority consideration will be
given to those applicants that
can demonstrate leveraging of
other funding and resources.
Deadlines............................. November 28, 2023 at 4:59 p.m.
ET via <a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a>. Opportunity
number: DOT-TCP-FY23-01.
Contact Information................... Ongoing updates, webinar
notices, FAQs: [<a href="https://www.transportation.gov/grants/thriving-communities">https://www.transportation.gov/grants/thriving-communities</a>].
Email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#712519031807181f16321e1c1c041f180518140231151e055f161e07"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="5d09352f342b34333a1e3230302833342934382e1d393229733a322b">[email protected]</span></a>.
Phone: (202) 366-7738.
A Telecommunications Device for
the Deaf (TDD) is available
(202) 366-3993.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table of Contents
A. Program Description
B. Federal Award Information
C. Eligibility Information
D. Application and Submission Information
E. Application Review Information
F. Federal Award Administration
G. Federal Awarding Agency Contacts
H. Other Supporting Information
Appendix A. Full Application Checklist
A. Program Description
1. Overview
The U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT or the Department)
Thriving Communities Program (TCP) was established by the Consolidated
Appropriations Act of 2022 (Pub. L. 117-103 division L, title I) and
received additional funding through the Consolidated Appropriations Act
of 2023 (Pub. L. 117-328 division L, title I). The goal of the TCP is
to ensure disadvantaged or transportation-insecure communities
adversely and/or disproportionately affected by environmental, climate,
and human health policy outcomes have the technical tools and
organizational capacity to comprehensively plan for and deliver quality
infrastructure projects and community development projects that enable
their communities and neighborhoods to thrive.
The TCP was created by Congress specifically to facilitate the
planning and development of transportation and community revitalization
activities supported by DOT under titles 23, 46, and 49, United States
Code, that increase mobility, reduce pollution from transportation
sources, expand affordable transportation options, facilitate efficient
land use, preserve or expand jobs, improve housing conditions, enhance
connections to health care, education, and food security, or improve
health outcomes. To achieve this, communities, particularly those that
are disadvantaged and/or transportation burdened or those that have
limited technical capacity or budgets, need greater levels of support
to successfully take advantage of the recent historic Federal
investments in transportation infrastructure and build capacity to
successfully fund these projects in the long-term.
DOT's FY2022-2026 Strategic Plan [<a href="https://www.transportation.gov/dot-strategic-plan">https://www.transportation.gov/dot-strategic-plan</a>] and its Equity Action Plan [<a href="https://www.transportation.gov/priorities/equity/equity-action-plan">https://www.transportation.gov/priorities/equity/equity-action-plan</a>] articulate
the Department's commitment to equity as a transportation cornerstone.
The TCP embodies this commitment with a focus on ensuring that all
communities, regardless of their size or current capacity, have the
necessary tools to access DOT funding and that equity is infused into
decision making and planning, procurement, and hiring processes. TCP is
a Justice40 covered program, created to ensure that disadvantaged
communities can successfully identify, develop, fund, and deliver
infrastructure projects informed by meaningful public involvement that
generate multiple economic, climate, health, equity, and other
community benefits. Find more information on the Justice40 Initiative
and other programs that that can support equity goals on the DOT
Justice40 website [<a href="https://www.transportation.gov/equity-Justice40">https://www.transportation.gov/equity-Justice40</a>].
This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) continues investment in a
national technical assistance program (TCP-N) and provides new
opportunities for State-, Tribal-, local-, and regional-level community
support through the Thriving Communities Regional Pilot Program (TCP-R)
that will drive innovation, advance equity outcomes, and build a
national pipeline of community-driven infrastructure projects. In its
first year, TCP supported deep-dive technical assistance in 64
communities across the country. For the TCP's second year, DOT seeks to
support at least another 45-60 communities through its National
program, depending on responses to the Letters of Interest and the size
and number of cooperative agreements awarded through this NOFO, and
additional communities selected by TCP-R applicants.
For the FY 2023 TCP, there are two distinct programs, each of which
will involve a team of Capacity Builders providing assistance to
disadvantaged and/or low-capacity communities. The opportunities to
provide and receive assistance are summarized below:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thriving Communities National (TCP-N) Thriving Communities Regional Pilots
program (TCP-R) program
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
National capacity Recipient TCP-R capacity Recipient
builders communities builders communities
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
How to Apply.................... Submit an Submit a Letter of Submit an No application
application via Interest via application via required;
grants.gov in [https:// grants.gov in communities
response to this www.transportatio response to this selected directly
NOFO. n.gov/grants/ NOFO. by TCP-R Capacity
thriving- Builder.
communities- Identified
program-LOI- communities must
webform]. include Letters
Find more of Commitment in
information in TCP-R
the Call for LOIs application.
[<a href="https://www.transportation.gov/grants/thriving-communities/call-for-letters-of-interest-fy23">https://www.transportation.gov/grants/thriving-communities/call-for-letters-of-interest-fy23</a>].
[[Page 63651]]
Purpose......................... Fund National Receive, at no Fund State, Receive, at no
Capacity Builders cost, TCP Tribal, local, cost, TCP
to provide direct technical and regional technical
no-cost planning, assistance, entities to assistance,
technical capacity provide direct no- capacity
assistance, and building, and cost planning, building, and
capacity building planning support technical planning support
support to from the DOT- assistance, and from the DOT-
selected TCP funded National capacity building funded TCP-R
communities Capacity Builders. to communities of Capacity
located across their choice Builders.
the country for a within their
three-year period jurisdictions for
of performance. a three-year
period of
performance.
Primary Activity................ Provide technical Receive technical Coordinate Receive assistance
assistance, assistance, assistance and and support to
planning, and planning, and support to advance and align
capacity building capacity building advance and align infrastructure
support. support. infrastructure goals and
goals and projects.
projects.
Eligible Applicants............. <bullet> Non- <bullet> States. <bullet> States <bullet> Local
profit <bullet> Local government and governments.
organizations. governments.. its agencies. <bullet> Indian
<bullet> <bullet> Indian <bullet> Indian Tribes.
philanthropic Tribes.. Tribes.. <bullet> United
entities; and. <bullet> United <bullet> Local States
<bullet> other States government and territories.
technical territories.. its agencies.. <bullet> transit
assistance <bullet> <bullet> a agencies.
providers metropolitan governmental <bullet> or other
including planning planning, political
academic organizations economic subdivisions of
institutions or (MPOs).. development, or State or local
private sector <bullet> transit transportation governments.
organizations agencies.. organization
with a <bullet> other working at the
demonstrated political regional or
capacity to subdivisions of metropolitan
develop and State or local level, or.
provide technical governments.. <bullet> a
assistance, regional, Tribal
planning, and or Statewide
capacity building planning non-
to a range of profit
communities organization..
located across
multiple States
and regions..
Partnership Requirements........ Applicants are Applicants are Applicants are Partnerships are
encouraged to required to encouraged to not required at
partner with identify at least partner with the community
other Capacity two community other Capacity level but are
Builders, which partners with Builders, which encouraged to
may include other whom they will may include other ensure meaningful
eligible work to advance entities coordination and
applicants local goals to be including local engagement across
including non- supported through governments, non- stakeholders.
profits, and TCP-N assistance. profits, and
other technical Find more other technical
assistance information in assistance
providers to the Call for LOIs providers to
deepen and [https:// deepen and
broaden technical www.transportatio broaden technical
assistance and n.gov/grants/ assistance and
capacity building thriving- capacity building
expertise. communities/call- expertise.
for-letters-of-
interest-fy23].
Anticipated Funding Levels per $4-$5 million..... None directly..... $1-$2 million..... None directly.
Cooperative Agreement.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DOT staff from headquarters and from regional and division offices
will be identified to serve as Federal liaisons with both the National
and Regional Capacity Builders and with selected TCP communities to
facilitate connections with other Federal technical assistance
resources that can assist in project pre-development, community
engagement, planning, financing, and project delivery activities. The
DOT Navigator [<a href="https://www.transportation.gov/dot-navigator">https://www.transportation.gov/dot-navigator</a>] provides
information on existing DOT-supported technical assistance resources
that may be a useful reference for Capacity Builders. Note that key
definitions for terms relevant to TCP are provided in section H.1 of
this NOFO.
a. National Capacity Builder Program
As it did in the first year of the program, the FY 2023 the TCP-N
will provide technical assistance, planning, and capacity building
support at a national level to help communities scope, develop, and
deliver transportation projects that advance community stabilization or
revitalization activities that benefit disadvantaged populations and
communities. Within the project scoping, development, and design
phases, the TCP will support and build local capacity to accelerate
projects; access and manage Federal funding; and deploy local hiring,
workforce development, and inclusive community engagement practices.
DOT seeks applications from technical assistance, planning, and
capacity building providers--henceforth referred to as TCP-N Capacity
Builders. Eligible applicants are identified in section C.1. of this
NOFO.
i. Individualized Deep Dive Technical Assistance, Planning, and
Capacity Building Support
The primary focus of support through TCP-N is on assisting
individual communities--recipients include government agencies and
their community partner organizations--to successfully advance projects
identified through meaningful public involvement that deliver a broad
set of transportation, climate, equity, housing, economic, and other
community benefits. DOT is requiring communities, through a separate
Letter of Interest (LOI) process, to form and apply as coalitions with
organizations that may also serve as local capacity building and
technical assistance implementation partners and generate deeper
community engagement, particularly from historically under-represented
populations and environmental justice stakeholders. The composition of
these community partnerships will be at the discretion of each LOI
applicant and identified in their LOI, but could include other
government entities, non-profits, non-governmental and community-based
organizations, labor unions, advocacy groups, chambers of commerce and
major employers or anchor institutions, and philanthropic
organizations. For an overview of the communities selected in FY 2022,
their challenges, and their visions for TCP support, visit the FY 2022
Selected Communities Fact Sheet [<a href="https://www.transportation.gov/grants/thriving-communities/thriving-communities-program-fy-2022-selected-communities-fact-sheet">https://www.transportation.gov/grants/thriving-communities/thriving-communities-program-fy-2022-selected-communities-fact-sheet</a>].
Each TCP-N Capacity Building team will provide individualized deep-
dive support to a set of 15-20 communities selected by DOT. DOT will
assign these recipient communities to a specific TCP-N Capacity Builder
team prior to finalizing cooperative agreements. Note
[[Page 63652]]
that there may be more than one Capacity Builder team per Community of
Practice, and the final number of communities assigned by DOT to the
TCP-N Capacity Builder teams will be informed by the LOIs received.
Once matched with the DOT-selected communities, TCP-N Capacity Builders
will develop processes to engage with these recipients and their
community partners to co-design a tailored scope of work and set of
equitable development outcomes to be achieved over a two-year period
within 90 days of the period of performance start date.
Technical assistance, planning, and capacity building support could
include, but is not limited to, the following set of activities:
<bullet> identifying and responding to funding opportunities that align
with projects that implement local community mobility, access, climate,
and community development goals and regional or statewide plans
<bullet> activities to support grant writing, project management, and
compliance with grant administration requirements
<bullet> conducting project scoping, planning, and pre-engineering
studies, market, and other technical analysis
<bullet> supplementing local staffing and workforce development
capacity
<bullet> developing systems or structures that improve compliance with
Federal grant management, including but not limited to Title VI of the
Civil Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, section 504 of
the Rehabilitation Act, and procurement requirements
<bullet> supporting comprehensive community planning activities that
better coordinate transportation with other land use, housing, climate,
health, and other infrastructure
<bullet> implementing innovative public engagement strategies,
particularly to involve traditionally underrepresented voices in the
planning, project identification, and prioritization process.
<bullet> sub-granting to local technical assistance and capacity
building partners who bring local expertise and capacity
<bullet> building organizational capacity to strengthen relationships
between key stakeholders that deepen regional engagement and
collaboration, position partners for future funding opportunities, and/
or support inclusive planning processes
<bullet> evaluating and establishing emerging transportation and
planning technologies, data systems, and software
ii. TCP Community of Practice Support
To build collective and sustained learning, TCP-N Capacity Builders
will also support a Community of Practice throughout the period of
performance that facilitates peer learning across selected TCP
communities. This may include face-to-face meetings, as well as web-
based collaborative environments to communicate, connect, and conduct
activities that collectively facilitate long-term capacity building and
systems change. Applicants should propose methods and tasks that will
be undertaken to support a Community of Practice among the specific
communities they are assigned to support and within the individual
communities to build capacity between the lead applicant and community
partners. DOT believes that communities best know the specific
challenges and opportunities they face. TCP-N Capacity Builders will
utilize a community-centered approach to work with selected recipient
communities to refine the areas of focus for specific places and for
the overall Community of Practice.
The full period of performance for the TCP-N is three years;
however, during the third year Capacity Builders will shift away from
individualized community support and focus on program evaluation and
reporting, transition activities for assigned communities within the
Community of Practice and developing shared resources for sustained
learning for those within and outside of the Community of Practice. See
section B for more information.
Communities of Practice Typology
DOT established three Communities of Practice in FY 2022 to
organize communities and their technical assistance, planning, and
capacity building needs in relation to shared demographics,
transportation challenges, and programmatic opportunities. These
include Main Streets, Complete Neighborhoods, and Networked
Communities. TCP seeks to amplify the program's impact and generate
noteworthy practices that can be scaled and replicated in other
regions. Within selected communities, Community of Practices provide an
opportunity to foster cross-sector collaboration between the lead
recipient of technical assistance (i.e., eligible government entities),
their identified community partners, and other community stakeholders
that have not historically been engaged in infrastructure, economic and
community development planning and decision making; or those who bear
the heaviest environmental, health, mobility, housing, economic and/or
social costs of infrastructure projects. These Communities of Practice
will be maintained for the FY 2023 program and include:
Main Streets
The Thriving Communities Main Streets communities of practice
consists of eligible rural recipients from Indian Tribes, US
Territories, rural communities, and small towns, including communities
that are not part of an MPO. Less dense populations, longer travel
distances, older and changing demographics, declining, or transitioning
economies, and smaller government budgets and inadequate staff are just
a few of the shared challenges faced by this cohort, which also impact
the ability of government to deploy innovative workforce development,
climate resilience, equity, and technology solutions. Illustrative of
the possible transportation issues that this cohort may address are
road network improvement and safety projects; resiliency and climate
related improvements; improving infrastructure conditions alongside
strategies to support economic and community revitalization with
investments in high-speed internet deployment, water and sewage lines,
and electric vehicle charging stations; rural transit, micro mobility
and transportation alternatives including multimodal trails; context
sensitive design solutions that will improve mobility and access
particularly for disadvantaged populations and populations of older
adults, people with disabilities, youth, and those without access to a
personal automobile; transportation worker recruitment and training
strategies; and place-making strategies to leverage local cultural,
natural, and community assets. State DOTs are a critical partner,
facility owner, and funder in these communities.
TCP-N Capacity Builder teams seeking to support the Main Streets
Community of Practice must demonstrate their expertise and familiarity
in working with rural, U.S. Territories, and/or Tribal communities,
such as through members of their team that have experience working with
culturally, racially, language diverse communities (e.g., experience
working with immigrant communities, foreign language competencies), or
proven experience working on Federal Tribal and rural transportation,
community, housing, and economic development programs.
[[Page 63653]]
Complete Neighborhoods
The Complete Neighborhoods Community of Practice consists of
eligible urban and suburban recipients that are included in a
metropolitan planning organization's (MPO) planning area. This cohort
is focused on comprehensive strategies to enhance community
connectivity, improve coordination of land use, housing, economic
development, and transportation, and to accelerate innovation
specifically for disadvantaged communities or neighborhoods. Areas of
persistent poverty and declining economies or property values create
challenges for some, while others may be experiencing market-induced or
climate-induced gentrification and displacement. Technical assistance
and capacity building can advance equity by addressing the inequities
and systemic barriers created by decades of discrimination,
segregation, urban renewal, and suburban sprawl impacting these
communities.
Illustrative of the possible transportation issues that the
Complete Neighborhoods Community of Practice may address are increasing
accessibility to affordable and reliable multi-modal transportation
options to reach regional jobs and community facilities, such as health
care centers, libraries, public schools and grocery stores; deploying
transit-oriented and walkable development policies; reducing greenhouse
gas emissions and improving air quality; and improving safety for all
users of the transportation system including bicyclists, pedestrians
and people of all ages and abilities. This cohort will look to leverage
planning, project development and transportation projects that serve
community and economic development goals and promote revitalization
strategies, such as street level retail and community space, urban
place-making, and local and economic hiring preferences to support
community wealth building in economically disadvantaged communities
within the region. MPOs and other types of regional planning bodies are
important infrastructure implementation partners, especially to
coordinate transportation with housing and economic development
planning and advance projects benefitting disadvantaged communities.
Networked Communities
The Networked Communities Community of Practice consists of
eligible recipients from urban, suburban, and rural communities that
are located near intercity transportation facilities, such as ports,
airports, and freight or passenger rail facilities. These communities
may face local environmental justice, economic development, and
mobility access issues exacerbated by their proximity to large-scale
regionally or nationally significant transportation projects. Networked
Communities have a distinct need to work with a range of stakeholders
to advance equity by addressing both existing and future mobility,
health and safety, and workforce development and labor opportunities
from locally disadvantaged communities given the context of each hub.
Illustrative of the possible transportation issues that this cohort may
face are community access and connectivity; roadway safety and design
improvements, including of major arterials and service roads;
strategies to reduce air and noise pollution, including transitioning
to decarbonization technologies and clean economies; or preparing for
new or extended passenger rail service. Private sector partners may
play a critical role as utility and facility owners, rail operators,
port and airport authorities, whose interests are generally broader
than those of the surrounding community. The technical assistance
priorities for the Networked Communities Community of Practice can
include advancing equity by addressing environmental injustice,
mobility, pollution, public health, economic development, and land use
planning through meaningful public involvement for communities,
particularly those that are lower income and/or have a higher
proportion of people of color, that reside near multimodal hubs. DOT
may decide to create sub-cohorts within each of these Communities of
Practice based upon the needs of the selected communities informed by
the LOI process.
For the FY 2023 TCP-N, Capacity Builders will support the
communities they have been specifically assigned for their selected
Community of Practice and will also support networking across all
Communities of Practice, including those established in FY 2022 and TCP
communities that may be selected in future years to build upon and
scale capacity building resources and learning opportunities. DOT may
assign Capacity Builders to provide targeted technical and limited
support to TCP communities and/or other DOT and Federal technical
assistance recipients, as needed, to assist disadvantaged communities
and government agencies to advance projects and processes aligned with
DOT's Strategic Plan and Equity Action Plan priorities for equity,
workforce development, labor and hiring preferences, small business
development and procurement, climate, safety, technology
transformation. TCP-N Capacity builders are not expected to provide
targeted support to more than a total of 20 total communities.
b. Thriving Communities Regional Pilots (TCP-R)
For the FY 2023 TCP, up to five TCP-Rs will be funded to advance
transformative infrastructure projects in disadvantaged communities or
jurisdictions located within a specific State, Tribe, or metropolitan
region that face barriers to implementation. For the TCP-R, ``region''
refers to the geographic area within an individual State or Indian
Tribe; or the service area covered by a regional transportation or
planning organization. The TCP-R will fund efforts by State, Tribal,
local, or regional organizations to provide technical assistance,
planning and capacity building support for transportation projects
located within their geography or service area that align with housing,
economic development, public health, climate, and other community
development plans and goals. Eligible applicants for TCP-R will select
the communities within their jurisdiction or service area to receive
technical assistance and capacity building support through TCP and will
use TCP funding to advance these types of transportation projects
forward into the next phase of development, deepen community
engagement, and align with local or regional zoning, land use, economic
development, or other plans and investments. This may include, but is
not limited to:
<bullet> identifying funding opportunities that align with
transportation goals and advance mobility access, climate resilience,
equitable community development, healthy communities in support of
regional or statewide plans
<bullet> supporting predevelopment planning and scoping of projects
that coordinate transportation with other land use, housing, and
infrastructure development
<bullet> building organizational capacity and strengthened
relationships between key stakeholders that deepen regional engagement
and collaboration, position partners for future funding opportunities,
and/or support inclusive planning processes
<bullet> fund planning and technical assistance activities that reform
local land use and zoning policies to align transportation
infrastructure investment with equitable community development;
[[Page 63654]]
<bullet> establishing pooled resources or innovative funding tools that
increase community investments in transportation, housing, environment,
and health;
<bullet> supporting regional economic and workforce development that
promotes local hiring, access to transit, and jobs in high quality
industries
<bullet> designing and implementing activities to deepen and expand
meaningful public involvement, especially to populations that are
under-represented in traditional planning processes and/or are
experience disproportionate transportation, environmental, or social
burden
<bullet> activities to support grant writing, project management, and
compliance with grant administration requirements
<bullet> peer-learning, networking, and knowledge sharing on
strategies, types of tools, and lessons learned with other communities
in the applicant's State or region.
DOT recognizes that many States, Indian Tribes, MPOs, and other
regional government and non-governmental entities are already
undertaking, or would like to undertake this important work, but
require additional resources in order to amplify their impact and more
comprehensively provide support to local communities. The TCP-R is
intended to fund these State, Tribal, and regional organizations to
scale up support to enable communities to develop, fund, and deliver
critical community-driven projects. Applicants must commit to providing
support to communities within their jurisdiction over a three-year
period to plan, develop, and deliver transportation projects that
interface with housing, climate, safety, economic development, public
health, and other sectors that align with TCP goals. The first two
years of the period of performance should be dedicated to providing
targeted support to selected communities, as well as peer learning and
exchange activities between these selected communities and others
within their region. During the third year, TCP-R Capacity Builders
will be expected to focus on program evaluation, reporting, transition
activities, and developing resources for long-term capacity building.
See section B for more information.
2. Changes From FY 2022 Thriving Communities Program
This FY 2023 NOFO updated and revised some key aspects of the
program. These include the following:
<bullet> Extension of the period of performance to three years,
with the first two years focused on deep-dive individual community
support, peer learning, and collaboration and the third year focused on
evaluation, reporting, community transitioning, and resource sharing.
<bullet> The inclusion of a separate Regional Pilot Program.
<bullet> Reductions to the maximum award amounts from up to $6
million to up to $5 million per National Capacity Builder and increases
the number of communities served by each Capacity Builder from 10-15 to
15-20.
<bullet> Revisions to the merit rating criteria, including how
applicants should respond to each criterion.
<bullet> Changes to the requirements for targeted support to
supported communities, including a new requirement to subgrant at least
20 percent of the budget to community recipients.
<bullet> Option to renew FY 2023 selected Capacity Builder
cooperative agreements for a second round of funding for FY 2024 (i.e.,
re-select Capacity Builders for a second three-year period of
performance), subject to authorization and available funding.
3. Coordination Across the Federal Government
The TCP is one of several technical assistance programs
administered through DOT's Build America Bureau. Participation in
technical assistance programs is voluntary and does not obligate the
awardee or recipients to apply for DOT grants or credit programs in the
future, nor does participation offer preferential treatment to future
applications or a guarantee of Federal funding.
The US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) received
$2.5 million from the FY 2023 appropriations bill to coordinate with
DOT's TCP. HUD will separately provide funding to technical assistance
providers to help jurisdictions consider housing and community
development needs as part of transportation infrastructure plans (for
example, identifying land that is near planned transportation projects
and suitable for housing development). HUD's technical assistance will
enable more communities to thoughtfully plan and boost location-
efficient housing supply. Applicants interested in HUD's Thriving
Communities Technical Assistance NOFO should visit <a href="https://www.huduser.gov/portal/nofos/thriving-communities.html">https://www.huduser.gov/portal/nofos/thriving-communities.html</a>.
The TCP will coordinate with and leverage other Federal place-based
technical assistance and capacity building initiatives being
coordinated through the Federal Thriving Communities Network [<a href="https://www.transportation.gov/federal-interagency-thriving-communities-network">https://www.transportation.gov/federal-interagency-thriving-communities-network</a>] to provide comprehensive support to selected recipient
communities. This may include, but is not limited to USDA's Rural
Partners Network, the Interagency Working Group on Coal and Power Plant
Communities and Economic Revitalization, the Economic Development
Administration's Build Back Better Regional Challenge, the General
Service Administration's Center for Urban Development, and the
Environmental Protection Agency's Environmental Justice Thriving
Communities Technical Assistance Centers.
B. Federal Award Information
Under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (Pub. L. 117-328),
Congress provided DOT with $25,000,000 for the Thriving Communities
Program, to be obligated by September 30, 2025. DOT will also utilize
up to $1 million in funds remaining from the FY 2022 TCP as part of
this NOFO, for a total of up to $22 million available. If DOT
identifies additional funding after the release of this NOFO, DOT may
elect to award such additional funding to Capacity Builders selected
under this NOFO, as permitted by law. Of the funds provided, DOT
anticipates awarding at least three separate cooperative agreements to
TCP-N Capacity Builders; and potentially as many as five, depending
upon the needs of the selected communities informed by the LOI process
and the number of TCP-Rs awarded. DOT anticipates awarding at least
four separate cooperative agreements through the TCP-R. Cooperative
agreements will be managed through substantial involvement by the
Office of Technical Assistance in DOT's Build America Bureau (see
Federal Award Administration Information in section F of this NOFO).
DOT will determine the amount of funds to be awarded but
anticipates a range of $4,000,000 to $5,000,000 for each TCP-N
cooperative agreement; and a range of $1,000,000 to $2,000,000 for each
TCP-R cooperative agreement. Multiple cooperative agreements are
expected, with an aggregate total of approximately $22,000,000. Awards
are at 100 percent Federal share. Final decisions on the amount of
funding per award and number of cooperative agreements will depend upon
applications received in response to the NOFO as well as the demand
from community applicants expressed
[[Page 63655]]
through Letters of Interest. DOT may elect to award any unobligated
funding through future NOFOs, if necessary.
1. Period of Performance
a. National Capacity Builders Period of Performance
The period of performance for the FY 2023 TCP-N will be three years
(36 months) from the date of execution in DOT's electronic grants
management system, unless the period of performance is extended before
expiration. The first two years of the period of performance must be
dedicated to providing targeted, deep-dive support to assigned
communities in accordance with the scopes of work co-designed with
communities. TCP-N Capacity Builders will also be expected to conduct
Community of Practice activities during the first two years of the
period of performance. During the third year of the period of
performance, TCP-N Capacity Builders will shift focus to evaluation,
reporting, resource development, and transitioning communities to self-
sustaining capacity building. The third year of the period of
performance must include:
<bullet> Strategic, targeted community of practice communications
(outlined in the workplan)
<bullet> Transition plan for awardees, which could include:
[cir] Stewarding existing cohort into sub-groups or other longer-term
capacity building models (based on geography or areas of interest), if
applicable
[cir] Connecting communities to other technical assistance resources or
networks
[cir] Bridging new partnerships that can leverage future funding (e.g.,
conferences/workshops/meetings with philanthropy, regional or State
partners, etc.)
<bullet> Elevating project wins and learnings via social media, blogs,
etc. (in partnership with DOT)
<bullet> Developing publicly available educational tools and resources
(e.g., toolkits, web-based portals)
<bullet> Participating in a Federal convening with new TCP awardees
(for FY 2024, subject to program authorization and appropriation) or
other Federal technical assistance networks
<bullet> A final report from Capacity Builders summarizing the goals,
impacts, process, and lessons learned from engagement with each
individual community and for the cohort as a whole.
If funding is appropriated for an FY 2024 TCP, and there is no
change in the TCP's authorization, DOT may elect not to issue a new
NOFO for the FY 2024 program; rather, it may select National Capacity
Builders from the FY 2023 awardees, provided that DOT determines that
awardees have demonstrated an appropriate level of performance and that
awardees have sufficient capacity to and agree to provide support to a
new cohort of communities. In this case, the Capacity Builders would be
asked to demonstrate capacity and propose a detailed plan and budget to
support additional communities. DOT would then establish a new
cooperative agreement with existing Capacity Builders for an additional
three-year period of performance with FY 2024 funds. If FY 2023
Capacity Builders have not demonstrated an appropriate level of
performance, DOT may select new Capacity Builders for FY 2024 from
other Highly Recommended applicants from FY 2023.
Subsequent year funding and additional funding from DOT will depend
upon priorities established by the Secretary of Transportation, future
authorizations and appropriations, and the Thriving Communities' annual
performance reviews.
b. Thriving Communities Regional Pilot Program Period of Performance
For the FY 2023 TCP-R Program, the period of performance will be
three years (36 months) from the date of execution in DOT's electronic
grants management system. The first two years of the period of
performance must be dedicated to providing support to the communities
identified in the application, in accordance with the activities
described in the application. The third year of the period of
performance will be focused on program evaluation and reporting,
transition activities for communities, and collecting and sharing
lessons learned and best practices from the first two years of support,
including sharing information with communities outside those who
received targeted support in the first two years to scale impact of the
program.
The third year of the period of performance must include:
<bullet> Strategic, targeted community of practice communications
(outlined in the workplan)
<bullet> Transition plan for awardees, which could include:
[cir] Stewarding existing cohort into sub-groups or other longer-term
capacity building models (based on geography or areas of interest), if
applicable
[cir] Connecting communities to other technical assistance resources or
networks
[cir] Bridging new partnerships that can leverage future funding (e.g.,
conferences/workshops/meeting with philanthropy, regional or State
partners, etc.)
<bullet> Elevating project wins and learnings via social media, blogs,
etc. (in partnership with DOT)
<bullet> Developing publicly available educational tools and resources
(e.g., toolkits, web-based portals)
<bullet> Participating in a Federal convening with new TCP awardees
(for FY 2024, subject to program authorization and appropriation) or
other Federal technical assistance networks
<bullet> Final reporting and program evaluation.
If funding is appropriated for an FY 2024 TCP, and there is no
change in the TCP's authorization, DOT may elect not to issue a new
NOFO for the FY 2024 program; rather, it may select Regional Capacity
Builders from the list of Highly Recommended, but not selected,
applicants from FY 2023. In this case, DOT would contact Highly
Recommended applicants to request confirmation that applicants are
still interested in participating in the program and have the capacity
to do so before selecting them for participation in the FY 2024
program.
Subsequent year funding and additional funding from DOT will depend
upon priorities established by the Secretary of Transportation, future
authorizations and appropriations, and the Thriving Communities' annual
performance reviews.
C. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants
For both the TCP-N and TCP-R, those applying to provide technical
assistance, planning, and capacity building can apply individually or
as part of a team of eligible applicants. DOT seeks Capacity Builders
that have technical knowledge across a diverse set of issues and
skills; therefore, the lead applicant is strongly encouraged to partner
with other eligible organizations to create Capacity Building teams
that represent a range of technical skills, geographic connections and
capacity building approaches. If applying as part of a team, the lead
applicant must be clearly identified and submit the application on
behalf of the team. The cooperative agreement will be between DOT and
the lead organization, which is the primary recipient of DOT TCP funds.
The recipient may make contracts or subawards \1\ to other team
[[Page 63656]]
members, but the recipient is responsible for compliance with Federal
requirements, including 2 CFR parts 200 and 1201.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Refer to 2 CFR 200.1 (Definitions) [<a href="https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-A/subject-group-ECFR2a6a0087862fd2c/section-200.1">https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-A/subject-group-ECFR2a6a0087862fd2c/section-200.1</a>] and 2 CFR 200.331
(Subrecipient and contractor determinations) [<a href="https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR031321e29ac5bbd/section-200.331">https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR031321e29ac5bbd/section-200.331</a>] for more information.
Refer also to the TCP Fact Sheet on Subcontracting and Subwards
posted on the program website.
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For the TCP-N Capacity Builders, eligible lead applicants are non-
profit organizations, philanthropic entities, and other technical
assistance providers, including but not limited to for-profit
organizations and academic institutions, with a demonstrated capacity
to develop and provide technical assistance, planning, and capacity
building to a range of communities located across multiple States and
regions (i.e., applicants must demonstrate capacity to provide support
at a national level, not just within specific regions or geographies).
For the TCP-R, eligible lead applicants are State governments and
their agencies; local governments and their agencies; Indian Tribes;
regional, Tribal, or statewide planning non-profit organizations; and
governmental planning, economic development, or transportation
organizations working at the regional or metropolitan level involved
with transportation issues.
Where applicable, each lead applicant and co-applicant must provide
documentation that supports each lead applicant's or co-applicant's
organizational status as an eligible entity. Refer to section D.2(b) of
this NOFO for more information on organizational documentation
requirements.
2. Cost Sharing and Matching
No cost sharing or matching is required as a condition of
eligibility under this competition. DOT will fund up to 100 percent of
eligible project costs. However, TCP-N and TCP-R applicants that
demonstrate an ability to leverage other funding, including from
philanthropy, and other Federal funding sources (e.g., formula funds,
State or local resources and in-kind contributions of staff, volunteer
time, facilities, or other resources) to amplify program impact and
support Thriving Communities Program goals and objectives in the long-
term will be prioritized.
3. Eligible Project Costs
Eligible costs include those that the Capacity Builders undertake
to directly assist in the development of technical assistance,
planning, or capacity building for communities to carry out eligible
projects and plans for which the award has been granted. Eligible costs
also include subgrants to build community capacity, including staff and
benefits plus other overhead costs such as rent, utilities, and office
equipment, hiring of new staff and fellows, building IT systems for
application processes and reporting, and website development for
education and training.
For both TCP-N and TCP-R applicants, DOT will give preference to
applications with the highest percentage of identified targeted support
budgeted for community recipients and their partners. ``Targeted
support'' means activities that directly enable the community to
advance efforts identified in their scope of work. This may include,
for instance, direct subgrants for the community to allocate
internally; funding to provide community stipends or pay for staffing,
apprenticeship, or fellowship positions located within the selected
communities; access to mapping, design and engineering, modeling, civic
participation or other data analytic or community engagement software
tools; no-cost consulting services; Capacity Builder staff time
dedicated to activities to advance individual communities' scopes of
work, including travel; or other types of direct support. Activities to
support the overall Community of Practice (e.g., trainings, convenings,
or webinars that support all or multiple communities within the cohort)
and overall program administration and grant management activities are
not considered targeted support.
For both TCP-N and TCP-R applicants, no more than 25 percent of the
proposed budget may be allotted to program administration and grant
management activities (e.g., workplan development, invoicing, team
meetings, evaluation report), and at least 20 percent of the proposed
budget must be allocated for subgrants to communities and their
partners. All applicants are expected to plan for at least one visit to
each assigned community per year for the first two years of the period
of performance.
Consistent with the provisions in 2 CFR 200.400, the Recipient may
not earn or keep any profit resulting from funds awarded under this
NOFO. Recipients may not allocate profit fees in their proposed or
final budget.
Eligible activity costs must comply with the cost principles set
forth in 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.
D. Application and Submission Information
Applications must include the materials listed in section D.2 of
this NOFO to be considered for funding.
1. Address To Request Application Package
Applications will only be accepted electronically through
<a href="http://www.grants.gov">www.grants.gov</a> (<a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a>) under Opportunity Number DOT-TCP-FY23-01.
Potential applicants may also request paper copies of materials at:
Telephone: 202-366-7738.
Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE,
W12-412, Washington, DC 20590.
2. Content and Form of Application Submission
This section describes the DOT and Federal grant assistance forms
and other documents required for a complete application for both the
TCP-N and TCP-R Programs under this NOFO. An application checklist can
be found in appendix A of this NOFO.
Sharing of Application Information--The Department may share
application information within the Department or with other Federal
agencies if the Department determines that sharing is relevant to the
respective program's objectives.
a. Required Forms
All applicants must submit the following required forms:
<bullet> Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424)
<bullet> Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs (SF-424A)
<bullet> Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL)
All relevant forms must be signed electronically by the applicant's
Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR); please see section D.6
of this NOFO for information on AOR requirements. The preferred
electronic file format for attachments is Adobe portable document
format (PDF); however, DOT will accept electronic files in Microsoft
Word or Microsoft Excel formats. DOT will not accept paper, facsimile,
or email transmissions of applications. All documentation and data
submitted should be current and applicable as of the date submitted.
Applicants may contact the appropriate contact listed in section G for
technical assistance before submitting an application.
b. Organizational Documentation
Each lead applicant and co-applicant must provide documentation
that
[[Page 63657]]
supports each lead applicant's or co-applicant's organizational status
as an eligible entity where applicable (section C.1 of this NOFO).
<bullet> States, Indian Tribes, cities, or other political
subdivisions of States, and institutions of higher education that are
100% publicly controlled are not required to submit organizational
documentation.
<bullet> Nonprofit organizations must submit documentation that
demonstrates their status as nonprofit organizations. This must include
articles of incorporation, bylaws, certificate of good standing, and a
copy of the most recent (not older than 18 months) IRS Form 990 (Return
of Organization Exempt from Income Tax) (without attachments or
schedules).
<bullet> Other entities, including institutions of higher education
that are not 100% publicly controlled, must provide documentation that
demonstrates their organization type.
c. Organization Descriptions
A one-page organization or company profile must be provided for
each member of the Capacity Building Team. These may be publicly shared
as part of the organization introductions. Profiles should include the
organization name, its role on the team, number of employees; location
of office or its geographic scope; whether it is a certified
disadvantaged business enterprise (e.g., 8(a) business), as defined by
the Small Business Administration (SBA), a small business as defined by
the SBA, a Historically Black College or University, a Minority Serving
Institution, a HUBZone, or woman owned or service-disabled veteran-
owned small businesses; \2\ a brief summary of the type of services it
provides; and involvement of team members that represent the types of
communities and stakeholders to be served. Key staff members of each
organization should be shown.
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\2\ Additional DOT guidance on small business contracting can be
found at <a href="https://www.transportation.gov/sites/dot.gov/files/2021-03/508_OSDBU%20Contracting_03102021.pdf">https://www.transportation.gov/sites/dot.gov/files/2021-03/508_OSDBU%20Contracting_03102021.pdf</a>.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
A template is provided for the fulfillment of this requirement. DOT
recommends, but does not require, the use of the template.
d. Indirect Costs (if Applicable)
If indirect costs are included in the budget, the applicant must
include documentation to support the indirect cost rate they are using
(unless claiming the 10 percent de minimis indirect cost rate,
discussed below). The applicant must submit a copy of its current,
approved, and negotiated indirect cost rate agreement (NICRA). If the
applicant does not have a current or pending NICRA, it may propose
indirect costs in its budget; however, the applicant must prepare and
submit an allocation plan and rate proposal for approval within ninety
days from the award start date (unless claiming the 10 percent de
minimis indirect cost rate, discussed below). See 2 CFR part 200 apps.
III, IV, V, VI, VII for guidance. The allocation plan and the rate
proposal shall be submitted to DOT. The applicant should include a
statement in its Budget Narrative that it does not have a current or
pending NICRA and will submit an allocation plan and rate proposal to
DOT or the applicant's cognizant Federal agency for approval.
In accordance with 2 CFR 200.414(f), an applicant that does not
have a current negotiated (including provisional) rate, may elect to
charge a de minimis rate of 10 percent of modified total direct costs
(subject to the exceptions of Sec. 200.414(f)). No documentation is
required to justify the 10 percent de minimis indirect cost rate;
however, an applicant electing to charge a de minimis rate of 10
percent must include a statement in its Budget Narrative that it does
not have a current negotiated (including provisional) rate and is
electing to charge the de minimis rate.
If the applicant is a State or local unit of government or an
Indian Tribe that receives less than $35 million in direct Federal
funding per year it may submit any of the following:
<bullet> a Certificate of Indirect Costs from the Department of the
Interior (DOI) or DOT;
<bullet> an acknowledgment received from the Department of Interior
(on behalf of DOT) and a Certificate of Indirect Costs in the form
prescribed at 2 CFR part 200, app. VII; or
<bullet> a NICRA.
e. Executive Summary
The Executive Summary will not be evaluated as part of application
review. If the applicant is selected for funding, the Executive Summary
may be used in a public announcement or on DOT's website.
TCP-N Capacity Builders
Applicants are required to submit an Executive Summary of no more
than 500 words that must:
<bullet> Clearly indicate the application is to be considered as a
Thriving Communities National Capacity Builder.
<bullet> Clearly identify which specific Community of Practice the
applicant is seeking to be considered to support (the applicant should
select only one Community of Practice). DOT reserves the right to
assign a Capacity Builder to a different Community of Practice, with
confirmation from the Capacity Builder, if it determines the Capacity
Builder has the skills and experience necessary to serve communities in
that Community of Practice.
<bullet> Provide a clear, concise, and descriptive summary of the
proposed approach to technical assistance and capacity building,
including identifying the types of targeted support that will be
provided with DOT resources and how this support is anticipated to
build local capacity and advance Thriving Communities Program goals
within the Community of Practice it seeks to support.
<bullet> Briefly discuss the strengths that its team provides in
areas of technical depth, diversity and capacity building approach to
underserved and disadvantaged communities.
<bullet> Identify the amount of funding the applicant is
requesting.
In addition, but separate from the 500-word limit, list all
proposed Capacity Builder team organizations and indicate whether the
organizations are designated as any of the following:
<bullet> a disadvantaged business (e.g., 8(a) business) as defined
by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA);
<bullet> a small business as defined by the SBA;
<bullet> a Historically Black College or University;
<bullet> other Minority Serving Institution;
<bullet> a HUBZone as defined by the SBA; or
<bullet> A woman-owned or service-disabled veteran-owned small
business as defined by the SBA.
TCP-R Capacity Builders
Applicants are required to submit an Executive Summary of no more
than 500 words that must:
<bullet> Clearly indicate the application is to be considered as a
Thriving Communities Regional Pilot Capacity Builder.
<bullet> Clearly identify the communities to be supported,
anticipated technical assistance and capacity building needs, and how
they intersect with plans for State or regional housing, economic
development, public health, climate and other community development
goals.
<bullet> List all proposed members of the TCP-R applicant team.
<bullet> Provide a clear and concise descriptive summary of the
proposed approach to supporting selected communities, including
identifying the types of targeted support that will be provided with
DOT resources that cannot be met with existing resources,
[[Page 63658]]
and how this support is anticipated to build local capacity and advance
Thriving Communities Program goals.
<bullet> Briefly discuss the strengths that the applicant provides
in areas of technical depth, diversity and capacity building to
underserved and disadvantaged communities within its service area
(i.e., the State, region, Tribal, or MPO boundaries).
f. Narrative Responses Addressing Merit Rating Criteria Sub-Factors
As detailed in NOFO section E, ``Application Review Information,''
any applicant that does not submit a narrative response that addresses
each of the 10 Merit Rating Criteria Sub-Factors within the page limits
described below will not be eligible for review. See NOFO section E for
more detail on the Merit Rating Criteria Sub-Factors. Your narrative
responses for the two Priority sub-factors must be less than 3-pages
each, and your narrative responses for all other sub-factors must be
less than 1-page each (for a total limit of 14 pages across all ten
sub-factors). Any additional pages will not be considered during the
merit rating review. All page limits are single-sided 8.5x11-inch
pages, with a minimum 12-point font and 1-inch margins.
g. Letters of Commitment From Communities (for TCP-R Applicants Only)
For each community that TCP-R applicants proposed to support,
applicants must submit a Letter of Commitment signed by the community's
top elected official or equivalent. Letters should clearly demonstrate
that the community is aware of and receptive to receiving support
through TCP over a two-year period. The Letter of Commitment should
demonstrate alignment with the applicant's described support
activities. Letters of Commitment can be submitted as PDF or Word
document attachments.
h. Staffing Plan
All applications must include a Staffing Plan listing all position
types proposed to be charged to the project for each Capacity Builder
partner organization, whether as Federal or non-Federal costs. The
Staffing Plan must include the position titles, hourly rates, and
percentage of time dedicated to the project. The sum of all salaries
charged to the project must equal the amount on the ``Personnel''
budget line item on Form SF-424A. The Staffing Plan should provide a
description of the capacities each position type will contribute and
how these positions will contribute to advancing the technical
assistance and capacity building approach.
Given that additional technical assistance and capacity building
needs may arise in response to the specific needs of selected
communities receiving support, refinements can be made to the proposed
staffing structure with DOT approval. Applicants are required to
include strategic hiring plan that may be utilized to supplement or
hire contingent staff that may work directly with recipients and their
community partners to ensure continuity of services.
Proposals should identify key project staff to advance the
identified technical assistance and capacity building approach. The
proposal should include a one-page resume for each key project staff
member. This should include a short summary of the individual's
relative areas of expertise; years of experience; employment and
education history; and brief snapshot of related project history noting
work with disadvantaged communities, comprehensive economic or
community development, and/or capacity building. Replacement of key
staff are subject to DOT approval. At least one key staff member must
be identified per Capacity Builder partner organization.
Resumes should be compiled and uploaded together as one PDF file.
Mid-level or junior staff may be shown without identification or
resumes. Key staff are defined as project managers, subject matter
experts, and individuals who have specialized knowledge key to delivery
of technical assistance.
i. Budget Proposal
Application submissions must include a completed SF-424A, Budget
Information--Non-Construction Programs, form. In preparing the SF-424A,
applicants should break down budget costs into the appropriate object
class categories in section B of the form. A detailed budget narrative
must accompany the SF-424A. The purpose of the narrative is to explain
and justify the proposed project expenditures. For clarity and
consistency, applicants should discuss each expense by object class in
the order that they appear on the SF-424A. The narrative must include
the dollar amounts of each object class category and include detailed
descriptions of how the dollar amounts were derived. Include an
explanation for each calculation and provide a narrative that supports
each budget category listed on the SF-424A. The costs provided in the
narrative must clearly equal total costs identified on the SF-424A form
and match the total listed on line 15. Applicants may use the Budget
Template as a starting point for their Budget Proposals and are
encouraged to customize the template to fit their individual needs and
provide an appropriate amount of detail. The Budget Proposal must
include tables that organize and summarize the information presented in
the narrative. The narrative, not including the table in the Budget
Template, should not exceed three pages in length.
The budget must clearly show total program administration and grant
management costs, which are not to exceed 25 percent of the overall
budget; and identify those costs associated with targeted support. TCP-
R applicants are encouraged to indicate in their budgets activities and
funds allocated to meaningful public involvement activities.
All applicants must allocate at least 20 percent of their budget
for sub-granting to communities to facilitate long-term capacity
building and to compensate local community partners who are serving as
technical assistance, planning, and capacity builders.
All applicants are expected to clearly delineate in the budget the
support costs for the first two years of deep-dive targeted community
support and peer learning support to the Community of Practice, and the
third year solely focused on Community of Practice management and
overall program reporting, knowledge sharing, evaluation, and
transition planning.
The narrative for following class objectives must address:
Personnel Costs: Explain lead applicant personnel costs by listing
each staff member who will be supported from funds, name (if possible),
position title, percentage of full-time equivalency, and annual salary.
Fringe Benefits: List the components that comprise the fringe
benefit rate, for example health insurance, taxes, unemployment
insurance, life insurance, retirement plans, and tuition reimbursement.
The fringe benefits should be directly proportional to that portion of
lead applicant personnel costs that are allocated for the project.
Travel: Provide a narrative that explains the destination,
estimated costs and type of transportation. Include the number of
travelers and related lodging and subsistence (per diem costs) for each
trip. Include a brief description of the travel involved, its purpose,
and explanation of how the proposed travel is necessary for successful
completion of the project. If travel details are unknown, then the
basis for proposed costs should be explained (i.e., historical
information)--do not ``pull
[[Page 63659]]
numbers out of the air'' or list a lump sum estimate. Travel costs can
be charged on an actual basis, on a per diem or mileage basis in lieu
of actual costs incurred, or a combination of the two if applied
consistently and results in reasonable charges. Applicants are expected
to budget for at least one site visit per community each year for the
first two years of the period of performance.
Equipment--``Equipment'' is nonexpendable, tangible personal
property with a unit cost of $5,000 or more having a useful life of
more than 1 year. Items that do not meet the ``equipment'' definition
can be included under supplies. List each piece of equipment to be
purchased and provide description of how it will be used in the
project. The budget narrative should explain why the equipment is
necessary for successful completion of the project. General use
equipment (i.e., computers, faxes, etc.) must be used 100% for the
proposed project if charged directly to the Thriving Communities
Program.
Supplies: List the supplies that the project will use to implement
the proposed project. Please note, items such as laptops, tablets, and
desktop computers are classified as a supply if the value is under the
$5,000 equipment threshold.
Contractual: Provide a list of all contracts anticipated for the
project. The contracts will be for services rendered by co-applicants,
contractors, and consultants. Provide the purpose of each contract for
services that you intend on awarding and award how the costs were
estimated. Applicants should not provide line-item details on proposed
contracts, instead provide the basis for your cost estimate for the
contract. For co-applicant and consultant services, identify each
consultant, the cost for each consultant, the services they will
perform, anticipated hours or days, and travel costs. The recipient is
responsible for ensuring that it has in place an established and
adequate procurement system with fully developed written procedures for
awarding and monitoring all contracts.
Other--Provide a list of all subawards anticipated for the project.
Provide a clear explanation as to the purpose of subaward and
justification. The actual number and costs of subawards may not be
known until each of the individualized community assessments are
completed. Applicant should provide an explanation on the basis for the
cost estimate in this section. The recipient is responsible for
ensuring it has in place an established and adequate grants management
system with fully developed written procedures for awarding, reporting,
and monitoring all subawards.
Grant Funds, Sources and Uses of Project Funds--Project budgets
should show how different funding sources will share in each activity
and present those data in dollars and percentages. The budget should
identify other Federal funds the applicant is applying for or has been
awarded, if any, that the applicant intends to leverage Funding sources
should be grouped into three categories: non-Federal, Thriving
Communities Program, and other Federal with specific amounts from each
funding source.
For TCP-N Capacity Builders
DOT is interested in the opportunities for broader outreach and
shared learning that can be supported through the dissemination of
materials developed by TCP-N Capacity Builders, and by the lessons
learned through the technical assistance engagement to inform future
program design and impact. This will include quarterly virtual meetings
with representatives of the Capacity Builders to be organized and
conducted by DOT; and an annual in-person 1.5-day TCP convening that
will include participation by Capacity Builders (estimate 4 people) and
recipient communities including community partners (estimate 3 people
per community). Capacity Builders should allocate a portion of their
budget to support this involvement for themselves and the recipient
communities. For the purpose of budget estimation, assume meetings are
held in Washington, DC at average-priced travel periods.
DOT invites, but does not require, applicants to propose how they
could provide targeted support to additional communities beyond those
selected by DOT, within the budget provided or through leveraging other
funding or associated technical assistance efforts that the applicant
or its team members may also be supporting. If doing so, applicants
must include information demonstrating these existing relationships and
submit Letters of Commitment from other entities providing additional
funding.
DOT will reimburse labor and direct costs incurred by the Capacity
Builder team, including subcontractors. Capacity Builders should
maintain a system for recording all project costs. Invoices must be
transmitted to DOT monthly.
The Capacity Builder must notify DOT in writing when 50% of the
project budget is expended. Further work must stop, and DOT must be
notified in writing when 90% of the project budget is expended.
Aggregate payment shall not exceed the cap shown in the cooperative
agreement. Costs incurred over the cap shown in the cooperative
agreement will not be reimbursed.
For TCP-R Capacity Builders
DOT is interested in the opportunities for broader outreach and
shared learning that can be supported through the peer learning and
knowledge sharing by regional organizations and their partners with
other jurisdictions and organizations within the State, Tribe, or
service area, including lessons learned through the pilot that can
inform future program design and impact. This will include quarterly
virtual meetings with TCP-R Capacity Builders to be organized and
conducted by DOT, the potential to participate in one or more State or
regional convenings, and potentially participation in the annual in-
person 1.5-day TCP convening by the TCP-R capacity builder (estimate 2
people). TCP-R Capacity Builders should allocate a portion of their
budget to support this involvement, but event specifics and their
associated costs will be finalized in cooperative agreements and
workplans. For the purpose of budget estimation, assume the annual
convening is held in Washington, DC at average-priced travel periods.
DOT will reimburse labor and direct costs incurred by the TCP-R
Capacity Builders. TCP-R Capacity Builders should maintain a system for
recording all project costs. Invoices may be transmitted to DOT
monthly.
DOT invites, but does not require, applicants to propose how they
could leverage other funding or associated technical assistance efforts
to support additional communities and/or support TCP goals in the long-
term. If doing so, applicants must include information demonstrating
these existing relationships and submit Letters of Commitment from
other entities providing additional funding.
The TCP-R Capacity Builder must notify DOT in writing when 50% of
the project budget is expended. Further, work must stop, and DOT must
be notified in writing when 90% of the project budget is expended.
Aggregate payment shall not exceed the cap shown in the cooperative
agreement. Costs incurred over the cap shown in the cooperative
agreement will not be reimbursed.
3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM)
To enable the use of a universal identifier and to enhance the
quality of
[[Page 63660]]
information available to the public as required by the Federal Funding
Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006, all applicants are
required to: (i) be registered in SAM before submitting an application;
(ii) provide a valid unique entity identifier in the application; (iii)
make certain certifications; and (iv) continue to maintain an active
SAM registration with current information at all times during which
they have an active Federal award or an application or plan under
consideration by a Federal awarding agency. DOT may not make a Federal
award to an applicant until the applicant has complied with all
applicable unique entity identifier and SAM requirements and, if an
applicant has not fully complied with the requirements by the time the
DOT is ready to make an award, DOT may determine that the applicant is
not qualified to receive an award and use that determination as a basis
for making an award to another applicant. Award recipients will be
subject to reporting requirements as identified in OMB guidance
published at 2 CFR parts 25 and 170.
4. Submission Dates and Times
The deadline for the receipt of an application is 4:59 p.m. Eastern
Time on November 28, 2023. Applications received after this deadline
may not be reviewed or considered for funding. Applications will only
be accepted electronically through <a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a>. Applicants are advised
to carefully read the submission information provided in section D of
this NOFO. The <a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a> system records the date and time that an
application is received.
DOT strongly suggests that applicants start early, review
instructions, and test systems well in advance of the application
deadline. Applications should be submitted in advance of the deadline,
and progress can be saved in the <a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a> system. Applicants should
save and print written proof of an electronic submission.
If technical issues arise that present difficulties for submission,
applicants should notify DOT. DOT must receive communication via
telephone, voicemail, or email regarding such technical difficulty by
4:59 p.m. Eastern Time on November 28, 2023; any correspondence
regarding technical difficulties received after this deadline will not
be considered as a reason to accept a late application. No extensions
to the deadline will be considered. In cases of documented technical
difficulty, the applicant is expected to submit the application
immediately upon resolution of technical difficulties, or a subsequent
deadline delivered in writing by DOT. In addition, please note the
following:
<bullet> DOT will not accept any unsolicited changes, additions,
revisions, or deletions to applications after the submission deadline.
<bullet> Throughout the review and selection process, DOT reserves
the right to seek clarification from applicants whose applications are
being reviewed and considered.
<bullet> Applicants may be asked to clarify objectives and work
plans and modify budgets or other specifics as necessary to comply with
Federal requirements and provide supplemental information required by
the agency before award.
<bullet> See section E of this NOFO for application review and
selection information.
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. DOT will not reimburse costs incurred
before the cooperative agreement has been signed by DOT and the lead
applicant.
The maximum dollar amount of allocable indirect costs for which DOT
will reimburse a recipient will be the lesser of the (i) line-item
amount for the Federal share of indirect costs contained in the DOT
approved budget for the award, or (ii) Federal share of the total
allocable indirect costs of the award based on either (a) the indirect
cost rate approved by DOT (or applicable cognizant Federal agency),
provided that the cost rate is current at the time the costs were
incurred and provided that the rate is approved on or before the award
end date, or (b) other acceptable documentation as indicated below.
6. Other Submission Requirements
The complete application must be submitted electronically via
<a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a>. To find this funding opportunity, search for DOT-TCP-FY23-
01 via the Funding Opportunity Number field. The most up-to-date
instructions for application submission can be found at <a href="https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applyfor-grants.html">https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applyfor-grants.html</a>. 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 <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#afdcdadfdfc0dddbefc8ddcec1dbdc81c8c0d9"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="86f5f3f6f6e9f4f2c6e1f4e7e8f2f5a8e1e9f0">[email protected]</span></a>.
Early Registration and Application Submission
In order to submit an application via <a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a>, applicants must
register with <a href="http://SAM.gov">SAM.gov</a> and <a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a>. Registration can take between
three to five business days or as long as four weeks. To avoid delays,
DOT strongly recommends that applicants start early and not wait until
the approaching deadline date before logging in, registering, reviewing
the application instructions, and applying.
AOR Requirement
Applicants must register as organizations, not as individuals. As
part of the registration process, you will register at least one AOR
for your organization. AORs registered at <a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a> are the only
officials with the authority to submit applications; please ensure that
your organization's application is submitted by an AOR. Note that a
given organization may designate multiple individuals as AORs for
<a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a> purposes. DOT may not accept late submissions caused by
registration issues with <a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a>, <a href="http://SAM.gov">SAM.gov</a>, or other systems.
Field Limitations and Special Characters
Please be advised of the following notice with respect to form
field limitations and special characters: <a href="https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/submitting-utf8-special-characters.html">https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/submitting-utf8-special-characters.html</a>.
Successful Submission Verification
It is your responsibility as an applicant to verify that your
submission was timely received and validated successfully at
grants.gov. Applicants should use the ``Track My Application'' function
(<a href="https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/track-my-application.html">https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/track-my-application.html</a>). For a successful submission, the application must be
received and validated by <a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a>, and an agency tracking number
must be assigned. If the date and time your application is validated
and timestamped by <a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a> is later than 4:59 p.m. eastern time on
the application deadline set forth in this NOFO, your application is
late. Once validation is complete, the status will change to
``Validated'' or ``Rejected with Errors.'' If the status is ``Rejected
with Errors,'' your application has not been received successfully. For
more detailed information about why an application may be rejected,
please consult with resources such as ``Encountering Error Messages''
(<a href="https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/encounteringerror-messages.html">https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/encounteringerror-messages.html</a>) and ``Frequently Asked Questions by Applicants''
(<a href="https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-faqs.html">https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-faqs.html</a>).
DOT requests that applicants kindly refrain from submitting
multiple copies
[[Page 63661]]
of the same application package. Applicants should save and print both
the confirmation screen provided on the <a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a> website after the
applicant has submitted an application and the confirmation email when
the application has been successfully received and validated in the
system. If an applicant receives an email from <a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a> indicating
that the application was received and subsequently validated but does
not receive an email from <a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a> indicating that DOT has retrieved
the application package within 72 hours of that email, the applicant
may contact the email address listed in section G of this announcement
to inquire if DOT is in receipt of the applicant's submission.
<a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a> System Issues
If you experience a systems issue (i.e., a technical problem or
glitch with the website) that you believe threatens your ability to
complete a submission in a timely manner, please (i) print any error
message received; (ii) contact the <a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a> Support Center at (800)
518-4726 for assistance; and (iii) contact DOT using the contact
information in section G of this NOFO in advance of the deadline.
Ensure that you obtain a case number regarding your communications with
<a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a>. Please note that problems with an applicant's internet
access, computer system or equipment are not considered systems issues.
Similarly, an applicant's failure to, e.g., (i) complete the required
registration, (ii) ensure that a registered AOR submits the
application, or (iii) notice receipt of an email message from
<a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a> are not considered systems issues. A <a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a> systems
issue is an issue occurring in connection with the operations of
<a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a> itself, such as the temporary loss of service by due to
unexpected volume of traffic or failure of information technology
systems, both of which are highly unlikely. In the event of a confirmed
systems issue, DOT reserves the right to accept an application in an
alternate format.
Applicants can visit the <a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a> Support Center [<a href="https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/support.html">https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/support.html</a>] for assistance in navigating
<a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a> and for a list of useful resources, including Frequently
Asked Questions by Applicants [<a href="https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-faqs.html">https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-faqs.html</a>]. If you do not find an answer to your
question there, contact <a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a> by email at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#0f7c7a7f7f607d7b4f687d6e617b7c21686079"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="8bf8fefbfbe4f9ffcbecf9eae5fff8a5ece4fd">[email protected]</span></a> or
telephone at (800) 518-4726. The <a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a> Contact Center is open 24
hours a day, seven days a week, except on Federal holidays.
E. Application Review Information
DOT will review applications in accordance with the requirements of
this NOFO. DOT will consider whether the application is clear, concise,
and well-organized. Throughout the review and selection process, DOT,
at its sole discretion, may seek clarification, including but not
limited to written clarifications and corrected or missing documents,
from applicants whose applications are being reviewed and considered
and require that applicants provide such clarifications or corrections
to continue to be considered for an award under this NOFO. DOT will
provide applicants a reasonable amount of time to provide any
additional documentation. An applicant's failure to provide complete
and accurate supporting documentation in a timely manner when requested
by DOT may result in the removal of that application from
consideration. DOT may ask applicants to clarify application materials,
objectives, and work plans, or modify budgets or other specifics as
necessary to comply with Federal requirements.
1. Merit Criteria/Rating Factors
The table below describes the four Rating Factors and the sub-
factors for each. The descriptions of each individual Rating Factor
notes where the requirements of the factor differ between the TCP-N and
TCP-R programs. Further, some Rating Factors contain a Priority Sub-
Factor, which are sub-factors that have been determined to be of higher
priority than the others and are denoted with an asterisk in the table
below. The table and language below also describe Additional
Considerations and Priority Considerations, which the Senior Review
Team considers when making its recommendations for selection.
TCP Rating Factors
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rating Factor 1: Approach to Technical Assistance and Capacity Building
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...................................... Technical Assistance Approach.*
B...................................... Capacity Building Approach.
C...................................... Community of Practice
Management Approach.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rating Factor 2: Teaming Arrangement
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...................................... Role of Partner Organizations.
B...................................... Staffing Plan and Demonstrated
Staff Expertise.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rating Factor 3: Proven Success
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...................................... Experience Supportive of
Technical Assistance
Approach.*
B...................................... Experience Supportive of
Capacity Building Approach.
C...................................... Experience Supportive of
Community of Practice
Management Approach.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rating Factor 4: Program Management and Evaluation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...................................... Schedule of Milestones and
Deliverables.
B...................................... Program Evaluation and
Assessment.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Additional Considerations
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...................................... Soundness of Proposed Budget.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Priority Considerations
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A...................................... Experience with Priority
Geographies.
B...................................... Diversity of Capacity Builder
Teams.
C...................................... Leveraging of Additional
Funding Sources.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Priority rating factor.
Each application will be assigned an overall score of ``Highly
Recommended,'' ``Recommended,'' or ``Not Recommended'' based on the
ratings for each of the four Rating Factors. See section E.2 below for
more details.
a. Rating Factor 1: Soundness of Approach to Targeted Community Support
and Capacity Building
i. Technical Assistance Approach (Priority Sub-Factor)
For TCP-N Applicants
Applicants must describe their proposed approach to providing
customized support to 15-20 individual communities at a national scale
over a two-year period for each of the following three key phases of
transportation decision-making: Project Planning and Scoping; Project
Development and Design; and Project Delivery. Selected Capacity
Builders will be expected to provide technical assistance support to
communities who may be in any of the three phases; therefore, DOT will
evaluate the strength of the applicant's described approach to
providing support in each of the three phases. These three phases are
described in section H.1 of this NOFO.
In their narratives, applicants must describe their approach to:
<bullet> Co-designing an individualized scope of work with
communities and their partners, including assessing existing technical
capacity and assets.
[[Page 63662]]
<bullet> Providing technical assistance support specific to the
three transportation decision-making phases.
<bullet> Incorporating meaningful and innovative public engagement
strategies, including but not limited to engagement with non-English
speakers, people with disabilities, and other under-represented groups
bridging racial, cultural, and economic barriers that affect community
participation; and strategies to tailor public involvement to unique
community requirements and preferences.
<bullet> Building community wealth through transportation
investments, innovative financing and leveraged funding approaches that
address the unique challenges of under-resourced, low-tax base and
credit-challenged communities.
<bullet> Supporting workforce development, hiring and labor
practices benefitting local economically disadvantaged communities.
<bullet> Strategically planning onsite engagement with individual
communities, including at least one visit to each community per year
for the first two years of the period of performance.
For TCP-R Applicants
TCP-R applicants must identify and describe the communities that
they have selected to support over two years of targeted support. As
noted in section D.2(g) of this NOFO, applicants must submit Letters of
Commitment from each community proposed for support in the application.
Applicants must describe in detail how and why they selected these
communities, addressing the following:
<bullet> The number of communities or projects the applicant
intends to support with the requested funding amount.
<bullet> Metrics and methods for verifying disadvantaged status or
transportation burden/disparity that the applicant used to select
communities, including the use of tools such as CEJST and ETC Explorer.
In their narratives, applicants must also describe their proposed
approach to providing support to these communities based on their
individual needs, including:
1. the types of local projects and capacity building needs that
will be supported through TCP funding and how this support will build
longer term capacity and meet critical technical assistance needs that
are not currently being supported through other resources.
2. how the proposed support will advance transportation projects
that intersect with goals related to State or regional housing,
economic development, public health, climate and other community
development goals and help to advance implementation of related State,
Tribal and/or regional plans.
3. how the work supported through the pilot may be scaled or
leveraged to support additional communities within the applicant's
service area (i.e., the larger metropolitan region, State, Territory or
Tribe).
4. approach to incorporating meaningful and innovative public
engagement strategies, including but not limited to engagement with
non-English speakers, people with disabilities, and other under-
represented groups; bridging racial, cultural, and economic barriers
that affect community participation; and strategies to tailor public
involvement to unique community requirements and preferences. DOT will
give preference to applications with robust meaningful public
engagement approaches. Refer to DOT's Promising Practices for
Meaningful Public Involvement in Transportation Decision-Making
[<a href="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</a>] for a
non-exhaustive list of public involvement tools and techniques.
5. approach to building community wealth through transportation
investments, innovative financing and leveraged funding approaches that
address the unique challenges of under-resourced, low-tax base and
credit-challenged communities.
For this rating criteria, DOT will evaluate applicants based on the
communities they propose to support, including their methods for
selecting communities and the description of community need and how
well they align with TCP goals. DOT will also evaluate the strength of
the proposed approach to providing technical assistance support to
these communities.
ii. Capacity Building Approach
For TCP-N Applicants
Applicants must describe how they will build lasting capacity for
TCP recipients and their community partners through activities
undertaken during the period of TCP support. Capacity building should
focus on ways to improve the long-term ability of a community to design
and undertake necessary technical, financial, business, and data
analyses; meet Federal oversight and project management requirements;
undertake statewide and metropolitan long-range planning and
programming activities; and implement other activities that broadly
support project planning, development, and delivery. This includes
developing long-term community capacity to sustain partnerships and
engage non-governmental partners, leadership and workforce development,
and program evaluation.
Capacity building approaches should include an element of
responsiveness to the needs of individual communities and adaptability
over the period of performance. Applicants may propose different areas
where they anticipate capacity needs to be the greatest, and strategies
they envision deploying to meet these needs through individualized
deep-dive support. They should also describe the process they will use
to adapt capacity building approaches, as needed.
Applicants must address the following in their capacity building
narrative:
<bullet> Approach to supplementing local staffing and workforce
development capacity
<bullet> Approach to developing systems or structures that improve
lasting compliance with Federal grant management, including but not
limited to title VI of the Civil Rights Act, the Americans with
Disabilities Act, section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and
procurement requirements
<bullet> Approach to sub-granting to local technical assistance and
capacity building partners who bring local expertise and capacity
<bullet> Approach to building organizational capacity to strengthen
relationships between key stakeholders that deepens regional engagement
and collaboration, positions partners for future funding opportunities,
and/or supports inclusive planning processes
<bullet> Approach to evaluating and establishing emerging
transportation and planning technologies, data systems, and software
As part of the capacity building narrative, applicants must also
describe their planned activities for the third year of the period of
performance to transition communities for sustained learning and
capacity building. Refer to section B of this NOFO for more information
on required activities for the third year of the period of performance.
DOT will evaluate applicants based on the strength of their
proposed approach, considering long-term impacts and relationship
building and the adaptability of the approach.
[[Page 63663]]
For TCP-R Applicants
Applicants must describe how they will build lasting capacity
within supported communities to continue advancing transformative
infrastructure projects. Capacity building should focus on ways to
ensure that the projects or planning efforts supported by the TCP-R
achieve results in the long-term, including how the proposed support
will inform and potentially catalyze systems change improvements to
advance community-driven projects in long-range plans, transportation
improvement programs, and other formal processes used to inform and
prioritize State, Tribal, and/or regional investments and funding
decisions. Emphasis should be on ensuring that the project or plan
moves forward within its current phase of development, and that the
community continues to move the project forward, including once TCP
support concludes.
Capacity building approaches should include an element of
responsiveness to the needs of individual communities and adaptability
over the period of performance. Applicants may propose different areas
where they anticipate capacity needs to be the greatest, and strategies
they envision deploying to meet these needs. They should also describe
the process they will use to adapt capacity building approaches, as
needed.
Applicants must address the following in their capacity building
narrative:
<bullet> Approach to empowering communities to access planning,
scoping, and funding resources in the long-term
<bullet> Approach to supporting local community partnerships and
expanding collaboration
<bullet> Approach to developing systems or structures that improve
lasting compliance with Federal grant management, including but not
limited to title VI of the Civil Rights Act, the Americans with
Disabilities Act, section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and
procurement requirements
<bullet> Approach to evaluating and establishing emerging
transportation and planning technologies, data systems, and software
<bullet> Approach to sub-granting to local technical assistance and
capacity building partners who bring local expertise and capacity
As part of the capacity building narrative, applicants must also
describe their planned activities for the third year of the period of
performance to transition communities for sustained learning and
capacity building. Refer to section B of this NOFO for more information
on required activities for the third year of the period of performance.
DOT will evaluate applicants based on the strength of their
proposed approach, considering long-term impacts and relationship
building and the adaptability of the approach.
iii. Community of Practice Management Approach
For TCP-N Applicants
Selected Capacity Builders will be expected not only to provide
individualized deep-dive support to their assigned communities but also
to facilitate peer learning, networking, and knowledge sharing across
communities facing similar challenges and building similar capacities.
Applicants must describe an approach to managing communities of
practice, building and sustaining cross-sector collaboration, and
strategies for encouraging member engagement, and facilitating learning
and capacity building across the communities within their assigned
Community of Practice over the first two years of the period of
performance. Applicants should also address how they will share
knowledge to communities beyond the selected cohort during the third
year of the period of performance to amplify program impact and
learnings.
DOT will evaluate applicants based on the strength of their
Community of Management approach and its ability to achieve TCP peer
learning and networking goals.
For TCP-R Applicants
Applicants will not select a Community of Practice but are required
to describe peer-learning, networking, and knowledge sharing activities
that the applicant will facilitate among communities within the lead
applicant's State or region. Applicants will describe strategies for
engaging regional partners, building and sustaining cross-sector
collaboration, and examples of tools used to prioritize community-based
goals and objectives. The emphasis of these activities should be on
addressing the unique State, Tribal, or regional challenges that are
shared among participating communities.
Applicants should also address how they will share knowledge to
communities within their jurisdiction that were not recipients of
direct support provided by the TCP-R Capacity Builder, particularly
during the third year of the period of performance. This kind of
knowledge sharing should emphasize how support provided to communities
during the support phase of the TCP-R Capacity Builder's work can serve
as models for other communities.
DOT will evaluate applicants based on the strength of their peer
learning approach and its ability to achieve TCP peer learning and
networking goals.
b. Rating Factor 2: Staffing and Teaming Arrangement
i. Role of Partner Organizations
For All Program Applicants
DOT seeks Capacity Builders that have technical knowledge across a
diverse set of issues and skills; therefore, the lead applicant is
strongly encouraged to partner with other eligible organizations to
form a diverse Capacity Builder team.
Applicants must describe the role of each partner organization on
the Capacity Builder team, including the skills, knowledge, and
expertise each organization brings to the team and how those skills and
experience will be applied in the team's approach to technical
assistance and capacity building. This description should align with
the specific steps and activities described in the approach to
technical assistance and capacity building. DOT will evaluate
applicants based on the strength of their partnerships, including the
diversity of skills, knowledge, and expertise the partner organizations
bring and how well they align with the applicant's proposed approach.
For TCP-R, DOT will evaluate the team's ability to address the specific
needs of the proposed communities.
ii. Demonstrated Staff Expertise
For All Program Applicants
As noted in section D.2(h) of this NOFO, all applicants must submit
a Staffing Plan and resumes as part of their applications. Applicants
must submit an accompanying narrative that describes how the staff
listed and their relevant areas of expertise will contribute to the
goals of TCP and to meeting individual community needs. DOT will
evaluate Staffing Plans based on their ability to demonstrate how
individual team members represent the different areas of expertise
needed to develop and implement a well-structured, feasible, and
scalable technical assistance, planning, and capacity building plan.
[[Page 63664]]
c. Rating Factor 3: Proven Success
i. Experience Supportive of Technical Assistance Approach (Priority
Sub-Factor)
For All Applicants
Applicants must demonstrate prior experience and successes related
to the tasks and activities described in the technical assistance
approach, clearly identifying which organization(s) have undertaken the
activities described. DOT will evaluate applicants based on their
descriptions of past experience and success undertaking activities
proposed in the technical assistance approach.
Narratives should include information on the following:
<bullet> Examples of conducting the activities described in the
technical assistance approach for each of the three transportation
phases, including outcomes and impacts
<bullet> Experience executing projects that address local community
mobility, access, climate and community development goals, in
accordance with regional or statewide plans
<bullet> Experience supporting disadvantaged, rural, and Tribal
communities on equity-related issues such as civil rights compliance,
equitable development, inclusive community engagement
<bullet> Experience supporting innovative, inclusive, and meaningful
public engagement activities, including experience engaging with
communities with Limited English Proficiency
<bullet> Experience and evidence of the team's knowledge of Federal
funding and technical assistance programs and the transportation
planning processes relevant to the Community of Practice being
supported that will support its role as a community navigator that
connects communities to existing technical assistance resources
available through DOT and other Federal agencies
<bullet> Experience and evidence of the team's knowledge and experience
with applicable Federal statutes such as NEPA, title VI, ADA, and
others
<bullet> Experience supporting workforce development, hiring and labor
practices benefitting local economically disadvantaged communities,
including specific examples
ii. Experience Supportive of Capacity Building Approach
For All Applicants
Applicants must demonstrate prior experience and successes related
to the tasks and activities described in the capacity building
approach, clearly identifying which organization(s) have undertaken the
activities described. DOT will evaluate applicants based on their
descriptions of past experience and success undertaking activities
proposed in the capacity building approach.
Narratives should include information on the following:
<bullet> Examples of conducting the activities described in the
capacity building approach, including outcomes and impacts
<bullet> Demonstration of experience applying strategies to nurture
small and disadvantaged business participation and development,
including capacity building initiatives and facilitating supportive
services within disadvantaged business enterprise community
marketplaces
<bullet> Experience with community wealth building and economic
development practices, including community ownership models,
apprenticeship, and business entrepreneurial programs
iii. Experience Supportive of Community of Practice Management Approach
For TCP-N Applicants
Applicants must demonstrate prior experience and successes related
to the tasks and activities described in the Community of Practice
Management approach, clearly identifying which organization(s) have
undertaken the activities described. DOT will evaluate applicants based
on their descriptions of past experience and success undertaking
activities proposed in the community of practice management approach.
Narratives should include information on the following:
<bullet> Examples of conducting the activities described in the
Community of Practice approach, including outcomes and impacts
<bullet> Specific examples of experiences relevant to the chosen
Community of Practice cohort (Main Streets, Complete Neighborhoods, or
Networked Communities)
<bullet> Demonstration of having conducted convenings to facilitate
peer learning among communities
For TCP-R Applicants
Applicants must demonstrate prior experience and successes related
to the tasks and activities described in the peer learning approach,
clearly identifying which organization(s) have undertaken the
activities described. DOT will evaluate applicants based on their
descriptions of past experience and success undertaking activities
proposed in the peer learning approach.
Narratives should include information on the following:
<bullet> Examples of conducting the activities described in the peer
learning approach, including outcomes and impacts
<bullet> Demonstration of having conducted convenings to facilitate
peer learning among communities; and/or support regional collaboratives
d. Rating Factor 4: Program Management and Evaluation
i. Schedule of Milestones and Deliverables
For All Program Applicants
Applications must include a proposed set of tasks and schedule
detailing the expected start and end date of tasks and major
deliverables described in the proposed approach. Applicants must
clearly delineate and describe tasks and deliverables expected in the
first two years of targeted community support, including peer learning
support, and the third year of peer learning, evaluation, reporting,
and transition activities. Applications should incorporate preparation
of the final report and presentation into the project timeline and
period of performance. The proposed task organization and schedule will
serve as a starting point for cooperative agreement negotiations with
the selected teams.
DOT will evaluate applicants based on the feasibility of the
schedule; level of detail; alignment with proposed technical
assistance, planning, and capacity building support; and alignment with
accomplishing TCP goals within the period of performance.
ii. Program Evaluation and Assessment
For All Program Applicants
Applicants must include specific performance metrics under each of
the specific work tasks describing how they will track, analyze, and
report on the results and outcomes of the technical assistance,
planning, and capacity building they are providing to individual
communities and to the Communities of Practice/network of peer
communities they are supporting. Performance metrics may be qualitative
and/or quantitative and should be described in terms of well-defined
goals that align with the goals of TCP.
DOT will evaluate the strength, clarity, and meaningfulness of
proposed metrics and methodologies.
A list of potential metrics is bulleted below each TCP goal below:
[[Page 63665]]
1. Facilitate the Planning and Development of Transportation and
Community Revitalization Activities Supported by DOT
<bullet> New projects that increase mobility, reduce pollution from
transportation sources, expand affordable transportation options,
facilitate efficient land use, preserve or expand jobs, and improve
housing conditions
<bullet> Enhanced access to health care, education, and food security,
or improved health outcomes
2. Build Capacity and Provide Support to Disadvantaged and/or
Transportation Burdened Communities
<bullet> Short- and long-term capacity increases (e.g., increased
staff, strategic hires)
<bullet> Sustained participation of key stakeholders that have
historically been excluded from planning and decision making processes
<bullet> Leveraging relationships with other entities to advance
community priorities
3. Increase the Level of Federal Investments in Transportation
Infrastructure
<bullet> Number of successful grant or funding applications for
projects supported through this program
<bullet> Implementation of new transportation infrastructure projects
4. Center and Advance Community-Driven Priorities
<bullet> Development of community-defined impact metrics to evaluate
local equity outcomes
<bullet> Demonstrate positive benefits for disadvantaged communities
<bullet> Establishment of resident steering or advisory committees
e. Priority Considerations
DOT will prioritize Capacity Builders based on the below priority
considerations. Priority considerations will be evaluated and
documented in the Merit Review phase but will not factor into Merit
Review scores. The documentation will be shared with the SRT for final
recommendations.
i. Experience With Priority Geographies
For All Program Applicants
To receive priority consideration under this factor, applicants
must clearly demonstrate their experience with supporting communities
facing transportation burden and disparity, including but not limited
to:
<bullet> Communities identified as disadvantaged in the transportation
category in the CEJST tool
<bullet> Communities identified as transportation insecure in the ETC
tool
Applicants should provide this information in their Experience
Supportive of Technical Assistance Approach and Experience Supportive
of Capacity Building Approach narratives.
ii. Diversity of Capacity Builder Teams
For TCP-N Program Applicants
Applicant Capacity Builder Teams include one or more partner
organization that can be classified as:
<bullet> a disadvantaged business (e.g., 8(a) business) as defined
by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA);
<bullet> a small business as defined by the SBA;
<bullet> a Historically Black College or University;
<bullet> other Minority Serving Institution;
<bullet> a HUBZone as defined by SBA [<a href="https://www.sba.gov/federal-contracting/contracting-assistance-programs/hubzone-program">https://www.sba.gov/federal-contracting/contracting-assistance-programs/hubzone-program</a>]; or
<bullet> a woman-owned or service-disabled veteran-owned small
business as defined by SBA.
Applicants should identify this information in their Executive
Summary and in each Organization Description attachment.
The diversity of the Capacity Builder teams is not a priority
consideration for the TCP-R program.
iii. Leveraging of Additional Funding Sources
For All Program Applicants
Applicants that demonstrate an ability to leverage other funding
and resources to provide support to additional communities, supported
by Letters of Commitment, will be prioritized. This may include
leveraging other funding, including from philanthropy, other Federal
funding sources (e.g., formula funds, State or local resources and in-
kind contributions of staff, volunteer time, facilities or other
resources) to amplify program impact and support Thriving Communities
Program goals and objectives in the long-term. Applicants should
identify this information in their Budget Proposals.
f. Additional Considerations
i. Soundness of Proposed Budget
Proposed budgets will not receive merit ratings, but will be
evaluated for soundness and strength, with reviewers providing comments
on the following factors for consideration by the Senior Review Team:
<bullet> Does the proposed budget seem reasonable, feasible, and
well-planned relevant to the activities proposed?
<bullet> Does the proposed budget allocate at least 20% of funding
for sub-granting to community organizations? Are these allocations
clearly described and reasonable?
<bullet> Does the budget clearly delineate between targeted support
provided during the first two years of the period of performance and
activities undertaken in the third year?
<bullet> DOT will prioritize applicants offering the highest
percentages of targeted support. How much of the budget is devoted to
targeted support?
<bullet> Does the proposed budget seem to provide high service
value relevant to the funding requested?
<bullet> Do reviewers have any concerns or foresee any risks with
the proposed budget? Examples of concerns/risks include, but are not
limited to: a budget line-item for profit; excessive employee salaries;
a total budget request in excess of what this NOFO offers; excessive
sub-contracting to consultants that are not on the applicant team; and
excessive allocation to third-year budgets.
<bullet> For TCP-R applicants only: DOT will view favorably
applicants that propose robust meaningful public engagement activities.
Does the applicant allocate a reasonable amount of budget for public
engagement activities in comparison to described approach?
DOT acknowledges that TCP-N applicants do not have details on
specific communities or the exact number of communities they would
support if selected at the time of application. If selected,
applicants' proposed budgets will be negotiated and finalized with DOT
as part of the cooperative agreement process.
2. Review and Selection Process
a. Review for Eligibility and Completeness
For each application, DOT staff will assess whether the applicant
is eligible and submitted all the information requested for a complete
application. The following elements are required for a complete
application:
<bullet> Required forms listed in section D.2(a)
<bullet> Organizational documentation (see section D.2(b))
<bullet> Organizational descriptions (see section D.2(c))
<bullet> Executive Summary (see section D.2(e))
<bullet> Narrative Responses (see section D.2(f))
<bullet> Letters of Commitment (TCP-R applicants only) (see section
D.2(g))
[[Page 63666]]
<bullet> Staffing Plan (see section D.2(h))
<bullet> Budget Proposal (see section D.2(i)))
Applications that do not have all the necessary components for a
complete application will be referred to an Evaluation Management
Oversight Team, which will contact the applicant if it is determined
they are an eligible applicant and request the missing information with
a response time of 5 business days. Applicants that do not supply
required information in this timeframe will be disqualified. For the
Executive Summary and Narrative Responses, DOT will contact applicants
only if these sections have been omitted entirely; applications that
lack substance for either of these items will not be disqualified but
are likely to receive low Merit Ratings.
Applicants will be disqualified if:
<bullet> Application does not include any one of the required
components listed above and does not respond within 5 business days
with complete application component(s).
<bullet> Lead applicant is not an eligible organization (as
described in section C.1).
<bullet> Activities proposed do not align with the purpose and
goals of the TCP.
<bullet> Application is submitted after the deadline (unless
application is late due to legitimate technical issue(s) documented in
advance of the application deadline and DOT is notified of the
technical issue prior to the deadline in section D.4).
<bullet> Application is submitted via any method other than
grants.gov (unless there is a confirmed systems issue and DOT exercises
its right to accept the application in an alternate format).
Applicants who are determined to be ineligible will be notified in
writing, and all determinations will be documented.
b. Evaluation Criteria Review
First-level Review Teams, comprised of staff from DOT, inter-agency
Federal staff, and contractor staff, will evaluate all eligible and
complete applications received by the deadline for an Evaluation Review
against the evaluation criteria in section E.1 of this NOFO.
Ratings will be determined by each reviewer on an individual basis,
and a compilation of ratings will be produced. The First-level Review
Team will conduct a panel discussion, revise scores as appropriate, and
prepare an overall project rating based on majority opinion of the
review team.
The First-level Review Team will consider the quality and
completeness of each rating sub-factor, which will result in a rating
of `High,' `Medium,' or `Low,' for each sub-factor.
Each Rating Factor will receive an overall rating of `High,'
`Medium,' or `Low,' based on ratings of the Sub-Factors A, B, and/or C.
For Rating Factors 1 and 3:
<bullet> Rating Factor will receive a `High' rating when:
[cir] Priority Sub-Factor A is rated `High;' AND,
[cir] Of the remaining two sub-factors (B and C), at least one is rated
`High,' and neither is rated `Low'
<bullet> Rating Factor will receive a `Medium' rating when:
[cir] The Rating Factor does not meet the criteria for a `High' rating;
AND,
[cir] Priority Sub-Factor A is rated at least `Medium;' AND,
[cir] Of the remaining two sub-factors (B and C), at least one is rated
`Medium' or higher
<bullet> Rating Factor will receive a `Low' rating when:
[cir] The Rating Factor does not meet the criteria for a `High' or
`Medium' rating; OR,
[cir] Priority Sub-Factor A is rated `Low'
For Rating Factors 2 and 4:
<bullet> Rating Factor will receive a `High' rating when both sub-
factors (A and B) are rated `High'
<bullet> Rating Factor will receive a `Medium' rating when:
[cir] either both sub-factors are rated `Medium;' OR
[cir] one sub-factor is rated `Medium' and another is rated `High'
<bullet> Rating Factor will receive a `Low' rating when at least
one sub-factor is rated `Low'
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rating scale High Medium Low
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Description.......................... The application is The application is The application is
substantively and moderately responsive minimally responsive
comprehensively to the criterion. It to the criterion. It
responsive to the makes a moderate case makes a weak case
criterion. It makes a about advancing the about advancing the
strong case about program goals as program goals as
advancing the program described in the described in the
goals as described in criterion descriptions. criterion
the criterion descriptions. Proposal
descriptions.. may be counter to the
criterion or does not
contain sufficient
information. It does
not advance or may
negatively impact
criterion goals
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Based on the criteria ratings, an overall application merit rating
of `Highly Recommended,' `Recommended,' or `Not Recommended' will be
assigned using the following methodology. The ratings on the individual
merit criteria translate to the following overall application rating
for merit criteria:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Overall merit rating Individual rating factors
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Highly Recommended................... <bullet> At least three Rating
Factors are `High'.
<bullet> No Rating Factor is
rated `Low'.
Recommended.......................... <bullet> Application received
fewer than three `High' ratings,
and;
<bullet> No more than one Rating
Factor is rated `Low',
Not Recommended...................... <bullet> Application received at
least two `Low' ratings.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
After completing the merit review, among applications of similar
merit, DOT will prioritize applicants that:
<bullet> demonstrate an ability to leverage other funding sources
<bullet> demonstrate experience working with priority geographies
<bullet> devote the highest percentage of their proposed budgets to
targeted community support
<bullet> have diverse Capacity Builder teams (for TCP-N applicants
only)
<bullet> describe robust meaningful public involvement approaches (for
TCP-R applicants only)
[[Page 63667]]
c. Leadership Selection Process
Applications that receive an overall application rating of Highly
Recommended will be advanced to a Senior Review Team (SRT), which will
include senior DOT and HUD leadership, to recommend applicants to the
Under Secretary of Transportation for Policy (Under Secretary) for
final selection. Final selection will be made with consideration to:
<bullet> Geographic, team member, and organizational diversity
<bullet> Applicant's demonstrated ability to leverage other funding
sources to support additional communities and advance TCP goals in the
long term
<bullet> Experience working with priority geographies
<bullet> Soundness of overall proposed budgets
<bullet> Applicants that devote the highest percentage of their
proposed budgets to targeted community support
<bullet> For TCP-N applicants, ability to meet anticipated technical
assistance needs of communities selected by DOT
<bullet> For the TCP-R, applicants with robust meaningful public
engagement approaches
The SRT at its sole discretion may elect to review and select for
cooperative agreements proposals rated as Recommended if the proposal
fulfills technical assistance needs that would not otherwise be met by
applications rated as Highly Recommended.
d. Under Secretary of Transportation for Policy Selection Phase
The SRT will present a list of applications for recommended
consideration to the Under Secretary for final selection. The SRT may
advise the Under Secretary on any application on the list, including
options for reduced awards. The Under Secretary will make final
selections based on applications that best address program requirements
and are most deserving of funding.
3. Risk Assessment
Prior to award, each selected applicant will be subject to a risk
assessment as required by 2 CFR 200.206. DOT must review and consider
any information about the applicant that is in the Federal Awardee
Performance and Integrity Information System (FAPIIS), the designated
integrity and performance system accessible through SAM. An applicant
may review information in FAPIIS and comment on any information about
itself that a Federal awarding agency previously entered. DOT will
consider comments by the applicant, in addition to the other
information in FAPIIS, in making a judgment about the applicant's
integrity, business ethics, and record of performance under Federal
awards when completing the review of risk posed by applicants.
F. Federal Award Administration
1. Federal Award Notice
This NOFO will remain open until November 28, 2023.Following the
evaluation process, DOT will notify successful applicants of their
selection for funding. DOT will also notify other applicants, whose
applications were received by the deadline, but have not been chosen
for award. The DOT will offer a written or telephonic debrief to
provide an explanation of, and guidance regarding, the reasons why the
application was not approved.
Final Award. After DOT has made selections, DOT will finalize
specific terms of the cooperative agreement and budget in consultation
with the selected lead applicant. If DOT and the selected applicant do
not finalize the terms and conditions of the cooperative agreement in a
timely manner, or the selected applicant fails to provide requested
information, an award will not be made to that applicant. In this case,
DOT may select another eligible applicant.
DOT will reimburse labor and direct costs incurred by the Capacity
Builder team, including subcontractors. Capacity Builders should
maintain a system for recording all project costs. Invoices may be
transmitted to DOT monthly. Aggregate payment will not exceed the cap
shown in the cooperative agreement.
Adjustments to Funding. To ensure the fair distribution of funds
and enable the purposes or requirements of a specific program to be
met, DOT reserves the right to fund less than the amount requested in
an application.
DOT Involvement. As the Federal awarding agency, DOT will maintain
substantial involvement and oversight throughout the three-year period
of performance of the executed cooperative agreements. This includes,
but may not be limited to:
<bullet> Assigning communities selected to receive support through the
TCP with specific Capacity Builder teams and finalizing work plans for
cohort specific Communities of Practice
<bullet> Review of deliverables including individualized community deep
dive work plans and technical assistance assessment
<bullet> Collecting and reviewing quarterly performance reports and
final reports
<bullet> Convening regular meetings or Capacity Builder calls to review
project activities, schedule, and progress toward the scope of work
<bullet> Identifying relevant Federal technical assistance programs to
be aligned with TCP efforts in specific communities and assigning
Federal agency staff to serve as liaisons with capacity builders,
technical assistance recipients and their community partners
<bullet> Reviewing and approving changes in key personnel or scope
changes
<bullet> Oversight of ongoing compliance with applicable Federal
regulations
<bullet> Budget oversight, including collecting and reviewing and
reimbursing monthly invoices for incurred costs and receiving
notification when budgets are 50% and 90% expended
<bullet> Conducting quarterly meetings with Capacity Builders and
involvement with an annual TCP convening with Capacity Builders and
community partners
2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
Administrative Budget
DOT requires that a selected applicant participates in negotiations
to determine an administrative budget. The administrative budget must
clearly identify the labor, associated indirect costs, travel, and
material and supply costs associated with your management of the award.
The administrative budget must track the different sources of funding
and associate administrative costs to each source. Should DOT not be
able to successfully conclude negotiations with a selected applicant
within a period determined by DOT, an award will not be made.
Performance under the grant program will be governed by and in
compliance with the following requirements as applicable to the type of
organization of the recipient and any applicable sub-recipients:
All awards will be administered pursuant to the Uniform
Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles and Audit Requirements for
Federal Awards found in 2 CFR part 200, as adopted by DOT at 2 CFR part
1201.
Other terms and conditions as well as performance requirements will
be addressed in further communications with the recipient. The full
terms and conditions may vary and are subject to discussions and
negotiations.
In connection with any program or activity conducted with or
benefiting from funds awarded under this notice, recipients of funds
must comply with all applicable requirements of Federal law, including,
without limitation, the Constitution of the United States
[[Page 63668]]
statutory, regulatory, and public policy requirements, including
without limitation, those protecting free speech, religious liberty,
public welfare, the environment, and prohibiting discrimination; the
conditions of performance, non-discrimination requirements, and other
assurances made applicable to the award of funds in accordance with
regulations of the Department of Transportation; and applicable Federal
financial assistance and contracting principles promulgated by the
Office of Management and Budget. In complying with these requirements,
recipients must ensure that no concession agreements are denied, or
other contracting decisions made on the basis of speech or other
activities protected by the First Amendment. If the Bureau determines
that a recipient has failed to comply with applicable Federal
requirements, the Bureau may terminate the award of funds and disallow
previously incurred costs, requiring the recipient to reimburse any
expended award funds.
Additionally, Executive Order 13858 directs the Executive Branch
Departments and agencies to maximize the use of goods, products, and
materials produced in the United States through the terms and
conditions of Federal financial assistance awards. If selected for an
award, grant recipients must be prepared to demonstrate how they will
maximize the use of domestic goods, products, and materials, as
applicable.
Administration Priorities
Civil Rights and Title VI: As a condition of a grant award, grant
recipients should demonstrate that the recipient has a plan for
compliance with civil rights obligations and nondiscrimination laws,
including title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and implementing
regulations (49 CFR 21), the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
(ADA), and section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, all other civil
rights requirements, and accompanying regulations. This should include
a signed agreement of standard Title VI/Non-Discrimination Assurances,
identified as an attachment in an executed cooperative agreement. DOT's
and the applicable Operating Administrations' Office of Civil Rights
may work with awarded grant recipients to ensure full compliance with
Federal civil rights requirements.
Performance and Program Evaluation: As a condition of grant award,
grant recipients may be required to participate in an evaluation
undertaken by DOT or another agency or partner. The evaluation may take
different forms such as an implementation assessment across grant
recipients, an impact and/or outcomes analysis of all or selected sites
within or across grant recipients, or a benefit/cost analysis or
assessment of return on investment. DOT may require applicants to
collect data elements to aid the evaluation and/or use information
available through other reporting. As a part of the evaluation, as a
condition of award, grant recipients must agree to: (1) make records
available to the evaluation contractor or DOT staff; (2) provide access
to program records, and any other relevant documents to calculate costs
and benefits; (3) in the case of an impact analysis, facilitate the
access to relevant information as requested; and (4) follow evaluation
procedures as specified by the evaluation contractor or DOT staff.
Recipients and subrecipients are also encouraged to incorporate
program evaluation including associated data collection activities from
the outset of their program design and implementation to meaningfully
document and measure their progress towards meeting an agency priority
goal(s). Title I of the Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act
of 2018 (Evidence Act), Public Law 115-435 (2019) urges Federal
awarding agencies and Federal assistance recipients and subrecipients
to use program evaluation as a critical tool to learn, to improve
equitable delivery, and to elevate program service and delivery across
the program lifecycle. Evaluation means ``an assessment using
systematic data collection and analysis of one or more programs,
policies, and organizations intended to assess their effectiveness and
efficiency.'' 5 U.S.C. 311. Credible program evaluation activities are
implemented with relevance and utility, rigor, independence and
objectivity, transparency, and ethics (OMB Circular A-11, part 6
section 290).
For grant recipients receiving an award, evaluation costs are
allowable costs (either as direct or indirect), unless prohibited by
statute or regulation, and such costs may include the personnel and
equipment needed for data infrastructure and expertise in data
analysis, performance, and evaluation. (2 CFR part 200).
Performance and Program Evaluation
Each cooperative agreement lead organization must submit quarterly
progress reports to monitor progress and ensure accountability and
financial transparency in the grant program. Each Capacity Builder must
collect and report to the Bureau performance information on the
technical assistance and advisory services being provided. The specific
performance information and reporting period will be determined on an
individual basis and communicated at the kickoff meeting of the
cooperative agreement. It is anticipated that the Bureau and the
Capacity Builder will hold regular, informal meetings or calls to
review project activities, schedule, and progress toward the scope of
work.
If funding is appropriated for an FY 2024 TCP, and there is no
change in the TCP's authorization, DOT may elect not to issue a new
NOFO for the FY 2024 TCP-N program; rather, it may select National
Capacity Builders from the FY 2023 awardees, provided that DOT
determines that awardees have demonstrated an appropriate level of
performance and that awardees have sufficient capacity to and agree to
provide support to a new cohort of communities. For the purposes of
this program, an appropriate level of performance is determined based
on the community recipients' overall satisfaction with technical
assistance and capacity building support and with the responsiveness by
the Capacity Builder to the needs of the community. Community
recipients of technical assistance may be contacted to assess their
level of satisfaction with Capacity Builder performance.
Additionally, it will be determined based on the Capacity Builder's
successful advancement of goals and objectives related to:
1. Project Management
2. Technical Assistance, Planning, and Capacity Building Services to
assigned TCP Communities
3. Meaningful Public Engagement to assigned TCP Communities
4. Establishing and Managing a National or Regional Community of
Practice
5. Program Evaluation and Performance Metrics Assessment Plan
6. Project Budget
Remedies for Noncompliance
Pursuant to 2 CFR 200.340 [<a href="https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR86b76dde0e1e9dc/section-200.340">https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR86b76dde0e1e9dc/section-200.340</a>], a Federal award may be terminated
in whole or in part if the grantee fails to comply with the terms and
conditions of the award or if DOT determines the award no longer
effectuates the program goals or agency priorities.
3. Reporting
If the total value of a selected applicant's currently active
grants, cooperative agreements, and procurement contracts from all
Federal awarding agencies exceeds $10,000,000
[[Page 63669]]
for any period of time during the period of performance of this Federal
award, then the applicant during that period of time must maintain the
currency of information reported to the SAM that is made available in
the designated integrity and performance system (currently FAPIIS)
about civil, criminal, or administrative proceedings described in
paragraph 2 of this award term and condition. This is a statutory
requirement under section 872 of Public Law 110-417, as amended (41
U.S.C. 2313). As required by section 3010 of Public Law 111-212, all
information posted in the designated integrity and performance system
on or after April 15, 2011, except past performance review required for
Federal procurement contracts, will be publicly available.
G. Federal Awarding Agency Contacts
If you have questions or need additional information about this
NOFO, you may contact <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#287c405a415e41464f6b4745455d46415c414d5b684c475c064f475e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="bde9d5cfd4cbd4d3dafed2d0d0c8d3d4c9d4d8cefdd9d2c993dad2cb">[email protected]</span></a>. Prospective
applicants may visit the following website for more information:
<a href="https://www.transportation.gov/grants/thriving-communities">https://www.transportation.gov/grants/thriving-communities</a>.
H. Other Supporting Information
1. Definitions
Areas of Persistent Poverty: An area of persistent poverty is a
county with 20 percent or more of the population living in poverty over
the 30 years preceding the date of enactment of the Infrastructure
Investment and Jobs Act, November 15, 2021, as measured by the 1990 and
2000 decennial census and the most recent Small Area Income and Poverty
Estimates. Alternatively, data to support eligibility may also be from
any census tract with a poverty rate of at least 20 percent as measured
by the 2013-2017, 5-year data series available from the American
Community Survey of the Census Bureau.
Authorized Organization Representative (AOR): The person authorized
to submit applications on behalf of the organization via <a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a>.
The AOR is authorized by the E-Biz point of contact in the System for
Award Management. The AOR is listed on the SF- 424.
Capacity Building: Activities designed to improve the ability of an
organization to design and implement the necessary technical,
financial, business, data analysis, and management skills of grantees
to access Federal funding, meet Federal requirements, undertake
statewide and metropolitan long-range planning and programming
activities, and implement other activities that broadly support project
development and delivery. This includes developing long-term community
capacity to sustain partnerships and engage non-governmental partners,
leadership and workforce development, and program evaluation.
Community-Based Organizations: The term ``community-based
organization'' means a public or private nonprofit organization of
demonstrated effectiveness that--(A) is representative of a community
or significant segments of a community; and (B) provides educational or
related services to individuals in the community.
Disadvantaged Business: According to the Small Business
Administration, a Disadvantaged business must be 51% owned or
controlled by one or more disadvantaged persons, and the firm must also
be small according to SBA's size standards. A full definition can be
found on SBA's website [<a href="https://www.sba.gov/federal-contracting/contracting-assistance-programs/small-disadvantaged-business">https://www.sba.gov/federal-contracting/contracting-assistance-programs/small-disadvantaged-business</a>].
Disadvantaged Community: (1) Any Tribal land or any Territory or
possession of the United States and (2) those census tracts (a)
experiencing disproportionate effects (as defined by Executive Order
12898); (b) that contain areas of persistent poverty as defined in 49
U.S.C. 6702(a)(1); (c) that are historically disadvantaged as defined
by CEQ's Climate & Economic Justice Screening Tool [<a href="https://screeningtool.geoplatform.gov/en/#3/33.47/-97.5">https://screeningtool.geoplatform.gov/en/#3/33.47/-97.5</a>] and DOT's USDOT
Equitable Transportation Community (ETC) Explorer [<a href="https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/0920984aa80a4362b8778d779b090723/page/ETC-Explorer---Homepage/">https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/0920984aa80a4362b8778d779b090723/page/ETC-Explorer---Homepage/</a>] mapping tool for Historically Disadvantaged
Communities; or (d) other federally designated community development
zones.
Equitable Development: Equitable development is a development
approach for meeting the needs of all communities, including
underserved communities through policies and programs that reduce
disparities while fostering livable places that are healthy and vibrant
for all.
<a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a>: The website serving as the Federal Government's central
portal for searching and applying for Federal financial assistance
throughout the Federal Government. Registration on <a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a> is
required for submission of applications to prospective agencies unless
otherwise specified in this NOFO.
Historically Disadvantaged Community: Any Tribal land or any
Territory or possession of the United States, or certain census tracts
census experiencing disadvantage when its overall disadvantaged index
score places it in the 65% (or higher) of all US census tracts in the
USDOT Equitable Transportation Community (ETC) Explorer [<a href="https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/0920984aa80a4362b8778d779b090723/page/ETC-Explorer---Homepage/">https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/0920984aa80a4362b8778d779b090723/page/ETC-Explorer---Homepage/</a>].
Indian Tribe: For the purposes of this NOFO, Indian Tribes include
federally recognized Tribal Governments (as defined by the Bureau of
Indian Affairs) [<a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/01/12/2023-00504/indian-entities-recognized-by-and-eligible-to-receive-services-from-the-united-states-bureau-of">https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/01/12/2023-00504/indian-entities-recognized-by-and-eligible-to-receive-services-from-the-united-states-bureau-of</a>].
Location-Efficient Housing: Housing that benefits from being
located in communities near work, schools, services, and amenities and
has accessibility to public transportation networks.
Meaningful Public Involvement: A process that proactively seeks
full representation from the community, considers public comments and
feedback, and incorporates that feedback into a project, program, or
plan when possible. The impact of community contributions encourages
early and continuous public involvement and brings diverse viewpoints
and values into the decision-making process. This process enables the
community and agencies to make better-informed decisions through
collaborative efforts.
Place-Making: A multi-faceted and collaborative approach to the
planning, design, and management of the public realm to re-activate or
co-create active, accessible and inviting public spaces that promote
the well-being of people.
Planning: Efforts that support inclusive public participation and
community engagement in developing and implementing a range of
activities to identify, assess, and evaluate community needs, including
but not limited to environmental reviews, data and mapping
visualization, market and mobility studies, health and safety impacts,
and climate vulnerability assessments. Planning assistance may involve
developing or designing for a program or project that aligns with the
goals of the DOT Strategic Plan [<a href="https://www.transportation.gov/dot-strategicplan">https://www.transportation.gov/dot-strategicplan</a>].
Project Planning and Scoping: Technical assistance in this phase
will support communities in efforts to identify projects that address a
problem in the community and complete planning activities to move these
projects toward development and implementation. Examples of areas of
technical assistance in this phase
[[Page 63670]]
include, but are not limited to environmental planning, transportation
planning (e.g., corridor studies, pre-engineering studies), visioning
and goal setting, feasibility studies, and other planning and scoping
activities.
Project Development and Design: Technical assistance in this phase
will support communities that have completed planning and scoping
activities for one or more projects and who need assistance with
completing relevant analyses and identifying and securing funding for
project delivery. Specific types of technical assistance that could be
provided for communities in this phase include, but are not limited to
environmental analysis (e.g., NEPA); equity analysis; mapping and data
analysis; title VI, ADA, and other regulatory compliance; benefit-cost
analysis; grant/funding identification and planning; grant writing; and
other pre-construction activities.
Project Delivery: Technical assistance in this phase will support
communities that have received funding for one or more projects and who
need assistance administering funding to successfully deliver projects.
Examples of technical assistance activities that could support
communities in this phase include but are not limited to project and
grant management; value engineering; right-of-way acquisition;
coordination with housing and community development, including anti-
displacement strategies; data and technology deployment; and other
project delivery activities.
Regional Planning Organization: For the purposes of this NOFO,
regional planning organizations serve metropolitan areas over 50,000
population, and can include public agencies that fall within one of the
eligible entities to receive support under this TCP NOFO that promote
and implement policy-driven, regional planning solutions. These may
include MPOs, regional transportation commissions, councils of
government, regional transportation agencies, and regional planning
councils. Non-profit regional planning organizations are eligible only
to provide support through the TCP-R.
Rural Area: Under this NOFO, communities are in rural areas if:
<bullet> The community is not located in a 2020 Census Bureau
designated urban area, or
<bullet> The community is located in a 2020 Census Bureau
designated urban area with a population of 50,000 or less.
A community is not in a rural area if located in a 2020 Census
Bureau designated urban area that has a population of more than 50,000
people. Applicants may use TigerWeb [<a href="https://tigerweb.geo.census.gov/tigerwebmain/TIGERweb_main.html">https://tigerweb.geo.census.gov/tigerwebmain/TIGERweb_main.html</a>] to determine if their community
located in a 2020 Urban Area. A list of urban areas with corresponding
populations for the 2020 Census is available in the Federal Register
[<a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/12/29/2022-28286/2020-census-qualifying-urban-areas-and-final-criteria-clarifications">https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/12/29/2022-28286/2020-census-qualifying-urban-areas-and-final-criteria-clarifications</a>].
Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP): A statewide
prioritized listing/program of transportation projects covering a
period of 4 years that is consistent with the long-range statewide
transportation plan, metropolitan transportation plan, and TIPs, and
required for projects to be eligible for funding under title 23 U.S.C.
and title 49 U.S.C. Chapter 53.
Technical Assistance: Programs, processes, and resources that
provide targeted support, knowledge or expertise to a community,
region, organization, or other beneficiary to help them access and
utilize Federal funding to develop, analyze, design, and deliver
transportation plans and projects.
Transportation Improvement Program (TIP): A prioritized listing/
program of transportation projects covering a period of 4 years that is
developed and formally adopted by an MPO as part of the metropolitan
transportation planning process, consistent with the metropolitan
transportation plan, and required for projects to be eligible for
funding under title 23 U.S.C. and title 49 U.S.C. chapter 53.
Issued in Washington, DC, on September 12, 2023.
Christopher Coes,
Assistant Secretary for Transportation Policy, Department of
Transportation.
Appendix A. Full Application Checklist
Before you submit your application to DOT, please ensure that
the following elements are included in your submission.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Requirement Location in NOFO
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[ballot] SF-424--Application for Federal D.2(a).
Assistance (submitted as an
attachment).
[ballot] SF-424A--Budget Information for D.2(a).
Non-Construction Programs
(submitted as an attachment).
[ballot] SF-LLL--Disclosure of Lobbying D.2(a).
Activities (submitted as an
attachment).
[ballot] Organizational Documentation D.2(b).
(submitted as an attachment, no
page limit).
[ballot] Organization Descriptions (one D.2(c).
page each for the lead and co-
applicants).
[ballot] Indirect Cost Documentation (if D.2(d).
applicable, submitted as an
attachment, no page limit).
[ballot] Executive Summary (500 words or D.2(e).
less).
[ballot] Letters of Commitment (TCP-R D.2(g).
applicants only).
[ballot] Staffing Plan (including key staff D.2(h).
resumes).
[ballot] Budget Proposal (template D.2(i).
required, maximum 3 pages *
(excluding tables)) (include
Letters of Commitment as
attachments, if applicable).
[ballot] Technical Assistance Approach E.1(a)(i).
Narrative (maximum 3 pages).
[ballot] Capacity Building Approach E.1(a)(ii).
Narrative (maximum 1 page).
[ballot] Community of Practice Management E.1(a)(iii).
Approach Narrative (maximum 1
page).
[ballot] Role of Partner Organizations E.1(b)(i).
Narrative (maximum 1 page).
[ballot] Demonstrated Staff Expertise E.1(b)(ii).
Narrative (maximum 1 page).
[ballot] Experience Supportive of Technical E.1(c)(i).
Assistance Approach Narrative
(maximum 3 pages).
[ballot] Experience Supportive of Capacity E.1(c)(ii).
Building Approach Narrative
(maximum 1 page).
[ballot] Experience Supportive of Community E.1(c)(iii).
of Practice Management Approach
Narrative (maximum 1 page).
[ballot] Schedule of Milestones and E.1(d)(i).
Deliverables Narrative (maximum 1
page).
[ballot] Program Evaluation and Assessment E.1(d)(ii).
Narrative (maximum 1 page).
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* All page limits are single-sided 8.5 x 11-inch pages, with a minimum
12-point font and 1-inch margins.
[[Page 63671]]
[FR Doc. 2023-19984 Filed 9-14-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-9P-P
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This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.