63648 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 178 / Friday, September 15, 2023 / Notices 

1The current inventory exhibits a total burden of 

51,993 hours and 4,567,826 responses, while the 

total burden in this notice is 51,930 hours and 

4,567,826 responses. As noted in the 60-day FRN, 

the decrease in burden is due to the proposed 

standardized reporting process using FRA F 

6180.179 and in this notice, FRA has made 

adjustments to correct rounding errors in previously 

reported burden hours. 

2OMB-approved form FRA F 6180.152 remains 

unchanged. 

3While included in the PRA table published, 

FRA inadvertently did not include the 10 vendors 

as part of the respondent universe summary. 

the railroad’s PTC system. 49 CFR 

236.1023(e)(1). In addition, FRA’s 

regulations require PTC vendors and 

suppliers to notify FRA of any safetyrelevant failure, defective condition, or 

previously unidentified hazard 

discovered by the vendor or supplier 

and the identity of each affected and 

notified railroad. 49 CFR 236.1023(h)(2). 

Currently, each railroad or PTC vendor 

and supplier that must submit 

notifications of such a failure, 

malfunction, or defective condition does 

so by emailing the information to an 

FRA inbox (FRAPart2361023

Notification@dot.gov). The information 

is sent in different formats by each 

railroad or PTC supplier and vendor 

because there is currently no 

standardized form. 

Therefore, FRA is hereby proposing to 

standardize the reporting process 

required by 49 CFR 236.1023(e)(1), (h), 

and (f) by creating the Errors and 

Malfunctions Notification Form (Form 

FRA F 6180.179), which is one part of 

the existing information collection 

request under OMB Control No. 2130– 

0553. This proposed Form FRA F 

6180.179 will be in an Excel format and 

will make it easier for the entities to 

notify FRA of each applicable failure, 

malfunction, or defective condition, and 

for FRA to synthesize and act on the 

reported failure. The Errors and 

Malfunctions Notification Form would 

not change the requirements that each 

railroad or PTC supplier and vendor 

currently must follow to notify FRA of 

each reportable failure, malfunction, or 

defective condition. See, e.g., 49 CFR 

236.1023(e), (h), and (f). The proposed 

Form FRA F 6180.179 would be 

submitted to FRAPart2361023

Notification@dot.gov within the 15-day 

deadline under 49 CFR 236.1023(f)(1). 

With the current reporting process, 

FRA estimated that each notification 

would take 8 hours to prepare. With the 

new standardized Form, FRA estimates 

that, on average, each notification will 

be reduced to 7.5 hours to prepare if the 

railroad or PTC supplier or vendor uses 

the FRA-provided Excel Form. This 

estimate is based on the fact that the 

proposed new Form FRA F 6180.179 

offers drop-down menus that would 

allow railroads or PTC suppliers and 

vendors to select an answer from an 

established list instead of creating each 

answer from scratch. The revised 

burden would also account for the 

review of the instructions in the FRAprovided Excel Form. Thus, FRA 

estimates that by creating this Form, the 

total annual burden hours will decrease 

by 14 hours.1

Type of Request: Revision to a 

currently approved collection. 

Affected Public: Businesses. 

Form(s): FRA F 6180.179 (new form) 

and FRA F 6180.152 (existing form).2

Respondent Universe: 742 railroads 

and 10 vendors.3

Frequency of Submission: On 

occasion. 

Total Estimated Annual Responses: 

4,567,826. 

Total Estimated Annual Burden: 

51,930 hours. 

Total Estimated Annual Burden Hour 

Dollar Cost Equivalent: $4,324,155. 

FRA informs all interested parties that 

it may not conduct or sponsor, and a 

respondent is not required to respond 

to, a collection of information that does 

not display a currently valid OMB 

control number. 

Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3501–3520. 

Christopher S. Van Nostrand, 

Acting Deputy Chief Counsel. 

[FR Doc. 2023–19976 Filed 9–14–23; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–06–P 

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 https://

www.grants.gov. Opportunity number: 

DOT–TCP–FY23–01. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Ongoing updates, webinar notices, 

FAQs: https://www.transportation.gov/ 

thriving-communities. 

POC: Monica Guerra, (202) 366–7738, 

monica.guerra@dot.gov. 


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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 178 / Friday, September 15, 2023 / Notices 63649 

Email: ThrivingCommunities@

dot.gov. 

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: 

• 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. 

• activities to support grant writing, project management, and compliance with grant administration requirements. 

• conducting project scoping, planning, and pre-engineering studies, market, and other technical analysis. 

• supplementing local staffing, training, and workforce development capacity. 

• 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.

• supporting comprehensive community planning activities that better coordinate transportation with other land use, housing, climate, 

health, and other infrastructure. 

• implementing innovative public engagement strategies, particularly to involve traditionally underrepresented voices in the planning, 

project identification, and prioritization process. 

• sub-granting to local technical assistance and capacity building partners who bring local expertise and capacity. 

• 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. 

• evaluating and establishing emerging transportation and planning technologies, data systems, and software. 

• 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: 

• 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. 

• supporting predevelopment planning and scoping of projects that coordinate transportation with other land use, housing, and infrastructure development. 

• 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. 

• funding planning and technical assistance activities that reform local land use and zoning policies to align transportation infrastructure investment with equitable community development. 

• establishing pooled resources and/or innovative funding tools that increase community investments in transportation, housing, environment, and health. 

• supporting regional economic and workforce development that promotes local hiring, access to transit, and jobs in high quality industries. 

• activities to support grant writing, project management, and compliance with grant administration requirements. 

• 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: 

• Non-profit organizations; 

• philanthropic entities; and 

• 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: 

• State governments and their agencies; 

• Indian Tribes; 

• local governments and their agencies; 

• governmental planning or transportation organizations working at the regional or metropolitan level; or 

• 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. 

• TCP–N Capacity Builder cooperative agreements are anticipated to be in the range of $4–5 million each; and 

• TCP–R cooperative agreements are anticipated to be in the range of $1–2 million each. 


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63650 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 178 / Friday, September 15, 2023 / Notices 

SUMMARY OVERVIEW AND KEY INFORMATION: THRIVING COMMUNITIES PROGRAM (TCP)—Continued 

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 Grants.gov. Opportunity number: DOT–TCP–FY23–01. 

Contact Information ......... Ongoing updates, webinar notices, FAQs: [https://www.transportation.gov/grants/thriving-communities]. 

Email: ThrivingCommunities@dot.gov. 

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 

[https://www.transportation.gov/dotstrategic-plan] and its Equity Action 

Plan [https://www.transportation.gov/ 

priorities/equity/equity-action-plan] 

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 [https://

www.transportation.gov/equityJustice40]. 

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) program Thriving Communities Regional Pilots (TCP–R) program 

National capacity builders Recipient communities TCP–R capacity builders Recipient communities 

How to Apply ........................... Submit an application via 

grants.gov in response to 

this NOFO.

Submit a Letter of Interest via 

[https://

www.transportation.gov/ 

grants/thriving-communitiesprogram-LOI-webform].

Find more information in the 

Call for LOIs [https://

www.transportation.gov/ 

grants/thriving-communities/ 

call-for-letters-of-interestfy23].

Submit an application via 

grants.gov in response to 

this NOFO.

No application required; communities selected directly by 

TCP–R Capacity Builder. 

Identified communities must 

include Letters of Commitment in TCP–R application. 


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Thriving Communities National (TCP–N) program Thriving Communities Regional Pilots (TCP–R) program 

National capacity builders Recipient communities TCP–R capacity builders Recipient communities 

Purpose .................................... Fund National Capacity Builders to provide direct no-cost 

planning, technical assistance, and capacity building 

support to selected TCP 

communities located across 

the country for a three-year 

period of performance.

Receive, at no cost, TCP technical assistance, capacity 

building, and planning support from the DOT-funded 

National Capacity Builders.

Fund State, Tribal, local, and 

regional entities to provide 

direct no-cost planning, technical assistance, and capacity building to communities of 

their choice within their jurisdictions for a three-year period of performance.

Receive, at no cost, TCP technical assistance, capacity 

building, and planning support from the DOT-funded 

TCP–R Capacity Builders. 

Primary Activity ........................ Provide technical assistance, 

planning, and capacity building support.

Receive technical assistance, 

planning, and capacity building support.

Coordinate assistance and 

support to advance and align 

infrastructure goals and 

projects.

Receive assistance and support to advance and align infrastructure goals and 

projects. 

Eligible Applicants .................... • Non-profit organizations. 

• philanthropic entities; and 

• other technical assistance 

providers including academic 

institutions or 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. 

• States. 

• Local governments. 

• Indian Tribes. 

• United States territories. 

• metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs). 

• transit agencies. 

• other political subdivisions of 

State or local governments. 

• States government and its 

agencies.

• Indian Tribes. 

• Local government and its 

agencies. 

• a governmental planning, 

economic development, or 

transportation organization 

working at the regional or 

metropolitan level, or 

• a regional, Tribal or Statewide planning non-profit organization. 

• Local governments. 

• Indian Tribes. 

• United States territories. 

• transit agencies. 

• or other political subdivisions 

of State or local governments. 

Partnership Requirements ....... Applicants are encouraged to 

partner with other Capacity 

Builders, which may include 

other eligible applicants including non-profits, and 

other technical assistance 

providers to deepen and 

broaden technical assistance 

and capacity building expertise.

Applicants are required to 

identify at least two community partners with whom they 

will work to advance local 

goals to be supported 

through TCP–N assistance. 

Find more information in the 

Call for LOIs [https://

www.transportation.gov/ 

grants/thriving-communities/ 

call-for-letters-of-interestfy23].

Applicants are encouraged to 

partner with other Capacity 

Builders, which may include 

other entities including local 

governments, non-profits, 

and other technical assistance providers to deepen 

and broaden technical assistance and capacity building expertise.

Partnerships are not required 

at the community level but 

are encouraged to ensure 

meaningful coordination and 

engagement across stakeholders. 

Anticipated Funding Levels per 

Cooperative Agreement.

$4–$5 million ............................ None directly. ........................... $1–$2 million ............................ None directly. 

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 [https:// 

www.transportation.gov/dot-navigator] 

provides information on existing DOTsupported 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, nonprofits, 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 [https:// 

www.transportation.gov/grants/thrivingcommunities/thriving-communitiesprogram-fy-2022-selected-communitiesfact-sheet]. 

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 


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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: 

• 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 

• activities to support grant writing, 

project management, and compliance 

with grant administration 

requirements 

• conducting project scoping, planning, 

and pre-engineering studies, market, 

and other technical analysis 

• supplementing local staffing and 

workforce development capacity 

• 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 

• supporting comprehensive 

community planning activities that 

better coordinate transportation with 

other land use, housing, climate, 

health, and other infrastructure 

• implementing innovative public 

engagement strategies, particularly to 

involve traditionally 

underrepresented voices in the 

planning, project identification, and 

prioritization process. 

• sub-granting to local technical 

assistance and capacity building 

partners who bring local expertise and 

capacity 

• 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 

• 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 highspeed 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. 


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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 largescale 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 TCPRs 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: 

• 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 

• supporting predevelopment planning 

and scoping of projects that 

coordinate transportation with other 

land use, housing, and infrastructure 

development 

• 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 

• fund planning and technical 

assistance activities that reform local 

land use and zoning policies to align 

transportation infrastructure 

investment with equitable community 

development; 


ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
63654 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 178 / Friday, September 15, 2023 / Notices 

• establishing pooled resources or 

innovative funding tools that increase 

community investments in 

transportation, housing, environment, 

and health; 

• supporting regional economic and 

workforce development that promotes 

local hiring, access to transit, and jobs 

in high quality industries 

• designing and implementing activities 

to deepen and expand meaningful 

public involvement, especially to 

populations that are underrepresented in traditional planning 

processes and/or are experience 

disproportionate transportation, 

environmental, or social burden 

• activities to support grant writing, 

project management, and compliance 

with grant administration 

requirements 

• 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: 

• 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. 

• The inclusion of a separate Regional 

Pilot Program. 

• 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. 

• Revisions to the merit rating 

criteria, including how applicants 

should respond to each criterion. 

• 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. 

• 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 threeyear 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 https://

www.huduser.gov/portal/nofos/thrivingcommunities.html. 

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 [https://

www.transportation.gov/federalinteragency-thriving-communitiesnetwork] 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 


ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
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1Refer to 2 CFR 200.1 (Definitions) [https://

www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/ 

Continued 

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, deepdive 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: 

• Strategic, targeted community of 

practice communications (outlined in 

the workplan) 

• Transition plan for awardees, which 

could include: 

Æ Stewarding existing cohort into subgroups or other longer-term capacity 

building models (based on geography 

or areas of interest), if applicable 

Æ Connecting communities to other 

technical assistance resources or 

networks 

Æ Bridging new partnerships that can 

leverage future funding (e.g., 

conferences/workshops/meetings 

with philanthropy, regional or State 

partners, etc.) 

• Elevating project wins and learnings 

via social media, blogs, etc. (in 

partnership with DOT) 

• Developing publicly available 

educational tools and resources (e.g., 

toolkits, web-based portals) 

• Participating in a Federal convening 

with new TCP awardees (for FY 2024, 

subject to program authorization and 

appropriation) or other Federal 

technical assistance networks 

• 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: 

• Strategic, targeted community of 

practice communications (outlined in 

the workplan) 

• Transition plan for awardees, which 

could include: 

Æ Stewarding existing cohort into subgroups or other longer-term capacity 

building models (based on geography 

or areas of interest), if applicable 

Æ Connecting communities to other 

technical assistance resources or 

networks 

Æ Bridging new partnerships that can 

leverage future funding (e.g., 

conferences/workshops/meeting with 

philanthropy, regional or State 

partners, etc.) 

• Elevating project wins and learnings 

via social media, blogs, etc. (in 

partnership with DOT) 

• Developing publicly available 

educational tools and resources (e.g., 

toolkits, web-based portals) 

• Participating in a Federal convening 

with new TCP awardees (for FY 2024, 

subject to program authorization and 

appropriation) or other Federal 

technical assistance networks 

• 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 


ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
63656 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 178 / Friday, September 15, 2023 / Notices 

part-200/subpart-A/subject-groupECFR2a6a0087862fd2c/section-200.1] and 2 CFR 

200.331 (Subrecipient and contractor 

determinations) [https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/subjectgroup-ECFR031321e29ac5bbd/section-200.331] for 

more information. Refer also to the TCP Fact Sheet 

on Subcontracting and Subwards posted on the 

program website. 

members, but the recipient is 

responsible for compliance with Federal 

requirements, including 2 CFR parts 200 

and 1201. 

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 www.grants.gov 

(Grants.gov) 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: 

• Application for Federal Assistance 

(SF–424) 

• Budget Information for NonConstruction Programs (SF–424A) 

• 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 


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2Additional DOT guidance on small business 

contracting can be found at https://

www.transportation.gov/sites/dot.gov/files/2021-03/ 

508_OSDBU%20Contracting_03102021.pdf. 

supports each lead applicant’s or coapplicant’s organizational status as an 

eligible entity where applicable (section 

C.1 of this NOFO). 

• 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. 

• 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). 

• 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. 

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 § 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: 

• a Certificate of Indirect Costs from 

the Department of the Interior (DOI) or 

DOT; 

• 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 

• 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: 

• Clearly indicate the application is 

to be considered as a Thriving 

Communities National Capacity Builder. 

• 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. 

• 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. 

• Briefly discuss the strengths that its 

team provides in areas of technical 

depth, diversity and capacity building 

approach to underserved and 

disadvantaged communities. 

• 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: 

• a disadvantaged business (e.g., 8(a) 

business) as defined by the U.S. Small 

Business Administration (SBA); 

• a small business as defined by the 

SBA; 

• a Historically Black College or 

University; 

• other Minority Serving Institution; 

• a HUBZone as defined by the SBA; 

or 

• A woman-owned or servicedisabled 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: 

• Clearly indicate the application is 

to be considered as a Thriving 

Communities Regional Pilot Capacity 

Builder. 

• 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. 

• List all proposed members of the 

TCP–R applicant team. 

• 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, 


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and how this support is anticipated to 

build local capacity and advance 

Thriving Communities Program goals. 

• 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 SubFactors 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 nonFederal 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. Midlevel 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 subgranting 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 


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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 


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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 Grants.gov. 

Applicants are advised to carefully read 

the submission information provided in 

section D of this NOFO. The Grants.gov 

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 Grants.gov 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: 

• DOT will not accept any unsolicited 

changes, additions, revisions, or 

deletions to applications after the 

submission deadline. 

• Throughout the review and 

selection process, DOT reserves the 

right to seek clarification from 

applicants whose applications are being 

reviewed and considered. 

• 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. 

• 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 Grants.gov. 

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 https://

www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/ 

applyfor-grants.html. In the event of 

system problems or the applicant 

experiences technical difficulties, 

contact grants.gov technical support via 

telephone at 1–800–518–4726 or email 

at support@grants.gov. 

Early Registration and Application 

Submission 

In order to submit an application via 

Grants.gov, applicants must register 

with SAM.gov and Grants.gov. 

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 

Grants.gov 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 Grants.gov purposes. DOT may not 

accept late submissions caused by 

registration issues with Grants.gov, 

SAM.gov, or other systems. 

Field Limitations and Special 

Characters 

Please be advised of the following 

notice with respect to form field 

limitations and special characters: 

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/ 

applicants/submitting-utf8-specialcharacters.html. 

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 (https://www.grants.gov/web/ 

grants/applicants/track-myapplication.html). For a successful 

submission, the application must be 

received and validated by Grants.gov, 

and an agency tracking number must be 

assigned. If the date and time your 

application is validated and 

timestamped by Grants.gov 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’’ (https://www.grants.gov/web/ 

grants/applicants/encounteringerrormessages.html) and ‘‘Frequently Asked 

Questions by Applicants’’ (https://

www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/ 

applicant-faqs.html). 

DOT requests that applicants kindly 

refrain from submitting multiple copies 


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of the same application package. 

Applicants should save and print both 

the confirmation screen provided on the 

Grants.gov 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 

Grants.gov indicating that the 

application was received and 

subsequently validated but does not 

receive an email from Grants.gov 

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. 

Grants.gov 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 

Grants.gov 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 Grants.gov. 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 

Grants.gov are not considered systems 

issues. A Grants.gov systems issue is an 

issue occurring in connection with the 

operations of Grants.gov 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 Grants.gov 

Support Center [https://www.grants.gov/ 

web/grants/support.html] for assistance 

in navigating Grants.gov and for a list of 

useful resources, including Frequently 

Asked Questions by Applicants [https:// 

www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/ 

applicant-faqs.html]. If you do not find 

an answer to your question there, 

contact Grants.gov by email at support@

grants.gov or telephone at (800) 518– 

4726. The Grants.gov 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.* 

TCP RATING FACTORS—Continued 

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: 

• Co-designing an individualized 

scope of work with communities and 

their partners, including assessing 

existing technical capacity and assets. 


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• Providing technical assistance 

support specific to the three 

transportation decision-making phases. 

• Incorporating meaningful and 

innovative public engagement strategies, 

including but not limited to engagement 

with non-English speakers, people with 

disabilities, and other underrepresented groups bridging racial, 

cultural, and economic barriers that 

affect community participation; and 

strategies to tailor public involvement to 

unique community requirements and 

preferences. 

• 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. 

• Supporting workforce development, 

hiring and labor practices benefitting 

local economically disadvantaged 

communities. 

• 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: 

• The number of communities or 

projects the applicant intends to support 

with the requested funding amount. 

• 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 

[https://www.transportation.gov/ 

priorities/equity/promising-practicesmeaningful-public-involvementtransportation-decision-making] 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 underresourced, low-tax base and creditchallenged 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 longterm community capacity to sustain 

partnerships and engage nongovernmental 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: 

• Approach to supplementing local 

staffing and workforce development 

capacity 

• 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 

• Approach to sub-granting to local 

technical assistance and capacity 

building partners who bring local 

expertise and capacity 

• 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 

• 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. 


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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: 

• Approach to empowering 

communities to access planning, 

scoping, and funding resources in the 

long-term 

• Approach to supporting local 

community partnerships and 

expanding collaboration 

• 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 

• Approach to evaluating and 

establishing emerging transportation 

and planning technologies, data 

systems, and software 

• 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 wellstructured, feasible, and scalable 

technical assistance, planning, and 

capacity building plan. 


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c. Rating Factor 3: Proven Success 

i. Experience Supportive of Technical 

Assistance Approach (Priority SubFactor) 

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: 

• Examples of conducting the activities 

described in the technical assistance 

approach for each of the three 

transportation phases, including 

outcomes and impacts 

• Experience executing projects that 

address local community mobility, 

access, climate and community 

development goals, in accordance 

with regional or statewide plans 

• Experience supporting disadvantaged, 

rural, and Tribal communities on 

equity-related issues such as civil 

rights compliance, equitable 

development, inclusive community 

engagement 

• Experience supporting innovative, 

inclusive, and meaningful public 

engagement activities, including 

experience engaging with 

communities with Limited English 

Proficiency 

• 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 

• Experience and evidence of the team’s 

knowledge and experience with 

applicable Federal statutes such as 

NEPA, title VI, ADA, and others 

• 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: 

• Examples of conducting the activities 

described in the capacity building 

approach, including outcomes and 

impacts 

• 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 

• 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: 

• Examples of conducting the activities 

described in the Community of 

Practice approach, including 

outcomes and impacts 

• Specific examples of experiences 

relevant to the chosen Community of 

Practice cohort (Main Streets, 

Complete Neighborhoods, or 

Networked Communities) 

• 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: 

• Examples of conducting the activities 

described in the peer learning 

approach, including outcomes and 

impacts 

• 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: 


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1. Facilitate the Planning and 

Development of Transportation and 

Community Revitalization Activities 

Supported by DOT 

• 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 

• 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 

• Short- and long-term capacity 

increases (e.g., increased staff, 

strategic hires) 

• Sustained participation of key 

stakeholders that have historically 

been excluded from planning and 

decision making processes 

• Leveraging relationships with other 

entities to advance community 

priorities 

3. Increase the Level of Federal 

Investments in Transportation 

Infrastructure 

• Number of successful grant or funding 

applications for projects supported 

through this program 

• Implementation of new transportation 

infrastructure projects 

4. Center and Advance CommunityDriven Priorities 

• Development of community-defined 

impact metrics to evaluate local 

equity outcomes 

• Demonstrate positive benefits for 

disadvantaged communities 

• 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: 

• Communities identified as 

disadvantaged in the transportation 

category in the CEJST tool 

• 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: 

• a disadvantaged business (e.g., 8(a) 

business) as defined by the U.S. Small 

Business Administration (SBA); 

• a small business as defined by the 

SBA; 

• a Historically Black College or 

University; 

• other Minority Serving Institution; 

• a HUBZone as defined by SBA 

[https://www.sba.gov/federalcontracting/contracting-assistanceprograms/hubzone-program]; or 

• 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 inkind 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: 

• Does the proposed budget seem 

reasonable, feasible, and well-planned 

relevant to the activities proposed? 

• Does the proposed budget allocate 

at least 20% of funding for sub-granting 

to community organizations? Are these 

allocations clearly described and 

reasonable? 

• 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? 

• DOT will prioritize applicants 

offering the highest percentages of 

targeted support. How much of the 

budget is devoted to targeted support? 

• Does the proposed budget seem to 

provide high service value relevant to 

the funding requested? 

• 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 subcontracting to consultants that are not 

on the applicant team; and excessive 

allocation to third-year budgets. 

• 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: 

• Required forms listed in section D.2(a) 

• Organizational documentation (see 

section D.2(b)) 

• Organizational descriptions (see 

section D.2(c)) 

• Executive Summary (see section 

D.2(e)) 

• Narrative Responses (see section 

D.2(f)) 

• Letters of Commitment (TCP–R 

applicants only) (see section D.2(g)) 


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• Staffing Plan (see section D.2(h)) 

• 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: 

• 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). 

• Lead applicant is not an eligible 

organization (as described in section 

C.1). 

• Activities proposed do not align 

with the purpose and goals of the TCP. 

• 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). 

• 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 SubFactors A, B, and/or C. 

For Rating Factors 1 and 3: 

• Rating Factor will receive a ‘High’ 

rating when: 

Æ Priority Sub-Factor A is rated ‘High;’ 

AND, 

Æ Of the remaining two sub-factors (B 

and C), at least one is rated ‘High,’ 

and neither is rated ‘Low’ 

• Rating Factor will receive a 

‘Medium’ rating when: 

Æ The Rating Factor does not meet the 

criteria for a ‘High’ rating; AND, 

Æ Priority Sub-Factor A is rated at least 

‘Medium;’ AND, 

Æ Of the remaining two sub-factors (B 

and C), at least one is rated ‘Medium’ 

or higher 

• Rating Factor will receive a ‘Low’ 

rating when: 

Æ The Rating Factor does not meet the 

criteria for a ‘High’ or ‘Medium’ 

rating; OR, 

Æ Priority Sub-Factor A is rated ‘Low’ 

For Rating Factors 2 and 4: 

• Rating Factor will receive a ‘High’ 

rating when both sub-factors (A and B) 

are rated ‘High’ 

• Rating Factor will receive a 

‘Medium’ rating when: 

Æ either both sub-factors are rated 

‘Medium;’ OR 

Æ one sub-factor is rated ‘Medium’ and 

another is rated ‘High’ 

• 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 substantively and 

comprehensively responsive to the 

criterion. It makes a strong case 

about advancing the program goals 

as described in the criterion descriptions..

The application is moderately responsive to the criterion. It makes a moderate case about advancing the program goals as described in the criterion descriptions.The application is minimally responsive 

to the criterion. It makes a weak 

case about advancing the program 

goals as described in the criterion 

descriptions. Proposal 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 ................................................. • At least three Rating Factors are ‘High’. 

• No Rating Factor is rated ‘Low’. 

Recommended ............................................................. • Application received fewer than three ‘High’ ratings, and; 

• No more than one Rating Factor is rated ‘Low’, 

Not Recommended ...................................................... • Application received at least two ‘Low’ ratings. 

After completing the merit review, 

among applications of similar merit, 

DOT will prioritize applicants that: 

• demonstrate an ability to leverage 

other funding sources 

• demonstrate experience working with 

priority geographies 

• devote the highest percentage of their 

proposed budgets to targeted 

community support 

• have diverse Capacity Builder teams 

(for TCP–N applicants only) 

• describe robust meaningful public 

involvement approaches (for TCP–R 

applicants only) 


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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: 

• Geographic, team member, and 

organizational diversity 

• Applicant’s demonstrated ability to 

leverage other funding sources to 

support additional communities and 

advance TCP goals in the long term 

• Experience working with priority 

geographies 

• Soundness of overall proposed 

budgets 

• Applicants that devote the highest 

percentage of their proposed budgets 

to targeted community support 

• For TCP–N applicants, ability to meet 

anticipated technical assistance needs 

of communities selected by DOT 

• 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: 

• Assigning communities selected to 

receive support through the TCP with 

specific Capacity Builder teams and 

finalizing work plans for cohort 

specific Communities of Practice 

• Review of deliverables including 

individualized community deep dive 

work plans and technical assistance 

assessment 

• Collecting and reviewing quarterly 

performance reports and final reports 

• Convening regular meetings or 

Capacity Builder calls to review 

project activities, schedule, and 

progress toward the scope of work 

• 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 

• Reviewing and approving changes in 

key personnel or scope changes 

• Oversight of ongoing compliance with 

applicable Federal regulations 

• Budget oversight, including collecting 

and reviewing and reimbursing 

monthly invoices for incurred costs 

and receiving notification when 

budgets are 50% and 90% expended 

• 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 subrecipients: 

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 


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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 [https://

www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/ 

chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/subjectgroup-ECFR86b76dde0e1e9dc/section200.340], 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 


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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 

ThrivingCommunities@dot.gov. 

Prospective applicants may visit the 

following website for more information: 

https://www.transportation.gov/grants/ 

thriving-communities. 

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 

Grants.gov. 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 nongovernmental 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 [https://

www.sba.gov/federal-contracting/ 

contracting-assistance-programs/smalldisadvantaged-business]. 

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 [https://screeningtool.

geoplatform.gov/en/#3/33.47/-97.5] and 

DOT’s USDOT Equitable Transportation 

Community (ETC) Explorer [https://

experience.arcgis.com/experience/

0920984aa80a4362b8778d779b090723/ 

page/ETC-Explorer---Homepage/] 

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. 

Grants.gov: The website serving as the 

Federal Government’s central portal for 

searching and applying for Federal 

financial assistance throughout the 

Federal Government. Registration on 

Grants.gov 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 [https://experience.arcgis.com/ 

experience/0920984aa80a4362b

8778d779b090723/page/ETC-Explorer--- 

Homepage/]. 

Indian Tribe: For the purposes of this 

NOFO, Indian Tribes include federally 

recognized Tribal Governments (as 

defined by the Bureau of Indian Affairs) 

[https://www.federalregister.gov/ 

documents/2023/01/12/2023-00504/ 

indian-entities-recognized-by-andeligible-to-receive-services-from-theunited-states-bureau-of]. 

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 decisionmaking 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 [https:// 

www.transportation.gov/dotstrategicplan]. 

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 


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include, but are not limited to 

environmental planning, transportation 

planning (e.g., corridor studies, preengineering 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; rightof-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: 

• The community is not located in a 

2020 Census Bureau designated urban 

area, or 

• 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 [https:// 

tigerweb.geo.census.gov/tigerwebmain/ 

TIGERweb_main.html] 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 [https://

www.federalregister.gov/documents/ 

2022/12/29/2022-28286/2020-censusqualifying-urban-areas-and-finalcriteria-clarifications]. 

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 

b SF–424—Application for Federal Assistance (submitted as an attachment) ....................................................................... D.2(a). 

b SF–424A—Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs (submitted as an attachment) ......................................... D.2(a). 

b SF–LLL—Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (submitted as an attachment) ......................................................................... D.2(a). 

b Organizational Documentation (submitted as an attachment, no page limit) ...................................................................... D.2(b). 

b Organization Descriptions (one page each for the lead and co-applicants) ........................................................................ D.2(c). 

b Indirect Cost Documentation (if applicable, submitted as an attachment, no page limit) .................................................... D.2(d). 

b Executive Summary (500 words or less) .............................................................................................................................. D.2(e). 

b Letters of Commitment (TCP–R applicants only) ................................................................................................................. D.2(g). 

b Staffing Plan (including key staff resumes) .......................................................................................................................... D.2(h). 

b Budget Proposal (template required, maximum 3 pages * (excluding tables)) (include Letters of Commitment as attachments, if applicable).D.2(i). 

b Technical Assistance Approach Narrative (maximum 3 pages) .......................................................................................... E.1(a)(i). 

b Capacity Building Approach Narrative (maximum 1 page) .................................................................................................. E.1(a)(ii). 

b Community of Practice Management Approach Narrative (maximum 1 page) ................................................................... E.1(a)(iii). 

b Role of Partner Organizations Narrative (maximum 1 page) ............................................................................................... E.1(b)(i). 

b Demonstrated Staff Expertise Narrative (maximum 1 page) ............................................................................................... E.1(b)(ii). 

b Experience Supportive of Technical Assistance Approach Narrative (maximum 3 pages) ................................................. E.1(c)(i). 

b Experience Supportive of Capacity Building Approach Narrative (maximum 1 page) ........................................................ E.1(c)(ii). 

b Experience Supportive of Community of Practice Management Approach Narrative (maximum 1 page) .......................... E.1(c)(iii). 

b Schedule of Milestones and Deliverables Narrative (maximum 1 page) ............................................................................. E.1(d)(i). 

b Program Evaluation and Assessment Narrative (maximum 1 page) ................................................................................... E.1(d)(ii). 

* All page limits are single-sided 8.5 x 11-inch pages, with a minimum 12-point font and 1-inch margins. 


ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 178 / Friday, September 15, 2023 / Notices 63671 

[FR Doc. 2023–19984 Filed 9–14–23; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–9P–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Office of the Secretary 

[Docket No. DOT–OST–2023–0116] 

Senior Executive Service Performance 

Review Board Membership 

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, 

Department of Transportation (DOT). 

ACTION: Notice of Performance Review 

Board (PRB) appointments. 

SUMMARY: DOT published the names of 

the persons selected to serve on 

Departmental PRBs. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Anne B. Audet, Director, Departmental 

Office of Human Resource Management 

(202) 366–2478. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The 

persons named below may be selected 

to serve on one or more Departmental 

PRBs. 

(Authority: 5 U.S.C. 4314(c)(4)) 

Issued in Washington, DC, on September 8, 

2023. 

Anne B. Audet, 

Director, Departmental Office of Human 

Resource Management. 

Department of Transportation 

Federal Highway Administration 

ALONZI, ACHILLE 

ARNOLD, ROBERT E 

BAKER, SHANA V 

BENJAMIN, RANDALL KEITH II 

BEZIO, BRIAN R 

BIONDI, EMILY CHRISTINE 

BRIGGS, VALERIE ANNETTE 

BURROWS, SHAY K 

CHIN, ARTHUR ANDREW 

CHRISTIAN, JAMES C 

CRONIN, BRIAN P 

CUNNINGHAM, JOSHUA BLAKE 

CURTIS, STEPHANIE 

EVANS, MONIQUE REDWINE 

FINFROCK, ARLAN E JR 

FLEURY, NICOLLE M 

FOUCH, BRIAN J 

GIGLIOTTI, DANA 

HARTMANN, JOSEPH L 

HUGHES, CAITLIN GWYNNE 

JENSEN, GARY ALAN 

KALLA, HARI 

KEHRLI, MARK R 

KNOPP, MARTIN C 

LEWIS, DAVID A 

MAMMANO, VINCENT P 

MARQUIS, RICHARD J 

MCLAURY, KEVIN L 

NEHME, JEAN ANTOINE 

NESBITT, MICHAEL D 

OSBORN, PETER W 

PETTY, KENNETH II 

REGAL, GERALDINE K 

RICHARDSON, CHRISTOPHER 

STEVEN 

RICO, IRENE 

RITTER, ROBERT G 

ROGERS, ANDREW CHARLES 

RUSNAK, ALLISON B 

SCHAFTLEIN, SHARI M 

SHAFFER, RHONDA C 

SHEPHERD, GLORIA MORGAN 

SOSA, MAYELA 

STEPHANOS, PETER J 

THORNTON, NICHOLAS R 

TURNER, DERRELL E 

WALKER, CHERYL J 

WILNER, MARCUS D 

WINTER, DAVID R 

WRIGHT, LESLIE JANICE 

Federal Motor Carrier Safety 

Administration 

ADAMS, EARL STANLEY JR 

FROMM, CHARLES J 

HERNANDEZ, SCOTT 

HUG, CARRIE A 

KEANE, THOMAS P 

KELLY, TAFT D 

KREEB, ROBERT M 

LAWLESS, SUE 

LENFERT, WINSOME A 

LIBERANTE, WENDY LOUISE 

LIBERATORE, THOMAS JOSEPH 

MINOR, LARRY W 

NEMONS, PATRICK D 

PIDUGU, PAVANKUMAR 

RIDDLE, KENNETH H. 

RUBAN, DARRELL L 

SCHREIBMAN, JACK L 

SENTEF, JOSEPH 

STEELE, GEORGIA SHARLENE 

Federal Railroad Administration 

ALEXY, JOHN KARL 

ALLAHYAR, MARYAM 

DYER, WILLIAM PATRICK 

FULTZ, ALLISON ISHIHARA 

GARLAND, JAMES JASON 

GLUCK, STUART MURRAY 

HAYWARD-WILLIAMS, CAROLYN R 

JORTLAND, BRETT ANDREW 

KING, CHARLES PAT 

KOUL, NEERAJ 

LESTINGI, MICHAEL W. 

LONG, MICHAEL T 

LONGLEY, MICHAEL M 

MITCHELL, JENNIFER LOUISE 

NISSENBAUM, PAUL 

OSTERHUES, MARLYS A 

PATTERSON, MARK A 

RENNERT, JAMIE P. 

REYES-ALICEA, REBECCA 

RIGGS, TAMELA LYNN 

Federal Transit Administration 

AHMAD, MOKHTEE 

ALLEN, REGINALD E 

BROOKINS, KELLEY 

BUTLER, PETER S 

DALTON-KUMINS, SELENE FAER 

DELORENZO, JOSEPH P 

GARCIA CREWS, THERESA 

GOODMAN, STEPHEN C 

IYER, SUBASH SUBRAMANIAN 

JAMES, FELICIA LANISE 

KOHLER, THERESA JANE 

LEARY, MARY A 

LYSSY, GAIL C 

NIFOSI, DANA C. 

PFISTER, JAMIE DURHAM 

ROBINSON, BRUCE A 

TAYLOR, YVETTE G 

TELLIS, RAYMOND S 

TERWILLIGER, CINDY E 

VANTERPOOL, VERONICA MARIA 

WELBES, MATTHEW J 

Maritime Administration 

BALLARD, JOHN R 

BECKETT, COREY ANDREW 

DAVIS, DELIA P 

DUNLAP, SUSAN LYNN 

HARRINGTON, DOUGLAS M 

HELLER, DAVID M 

KAMMERER, GREGORY LOUIS 

KUMAR, SHASHI N 

NUNAN, JOANNA MARIE 

PAAPE, WILLIAM 

TOKARSKI, KEVIN M 

WHERRY REESE FLACK, TAMEKIA 

ADEL 

National Highway Traffic Safety 

Administration 

BAUMANN, ROLAND T III 

BLINCOE, LAWRENCE J 

CARLSON, ANN ELIZABETH 

CHEN, CHOU-LIN 

CLAYTON, SEAN METRICE 

DANIELSON, JACK H. 

DOHERTY, JANE H 

DOLAS, RAJEEV K 

DONALDSON, K JOHN 

HATIPOGLU, CEM 

HINES, DAVID M 

JOHNSON, TIM J 

KOLODZIEJ, KERRY E 

MARSHALL, JOHN W 

MATHEKE, OTTO G III 

POSTEN, RAYMOND R 

SAUERS, BARBARA F 

SHULMAN, SOPHIE MIKHAL 

SOMMERS, TERRENCE 

SRINIVASAN, NANDA N 

SUMMERS, LORI K 

VALLESE, JULIETTE M. 

Office of the Secretary of Transportation 

ABRAHAM, JULIE 

ALBRIGHT, JACK G 

AUDET, ANNE H 

AUGUSTINE, JOHN E 

AYLWARD, ANNE D 

BAKER, SARAH ELIZABETH 

BARTLETT, MAEVE VALLELY 

BOHNERT, ROGER V 

BROWN, ALVIN 

CALLENDER, DUANE A 


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