[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 178 (Friday, September 15, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63648-63671]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-19984]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Office of the Secretary

[Docket No. DOT-OST-2023-0125]


Notice of Funding Opportunity To Establish Cooperative Agreements 
With Technical Assistance Providers for the Fiscal Year 2023 Thriving 
Communities Program

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary of Transportation, U.S. Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), Assistance Listing 
Number: 20.942.

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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, <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#a2cfcdcccbc1c38cc5d7c7d0d0c3e2c6cdd68cc5cdd4"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="1f727071767c7e31786a7a6d6d7e5f7b706b31787069">[email protected]</span></a>.

[[Page 63649]]

    Email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#d480bca6bda2bdbab397bbb9b9a1babda0bdb1a794b0bba0fab3bba2"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="ecb8849e859a85828baf8381819982859885899fac888398c28b839a">[email protected]</span></a>.
    A Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) is available (202) 
366-3993.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Summary Overview and Key Information: Thriving Communities Program (TCP)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Issuing Agency........................  U.S. Department of
                                         Transportation, Office of the
                                         Secretary (OST).
Program Overview......................  The Consolidated Appropriations
                                         Act, 2023 provided $25 million
                                         to the US Department of
                                         Transportation (DOT) for a
                                         Thriving Communities Program
                                         (TCP) to develop and implement
                                         technical assistance, planning,
                                         and capacity building to help
                                         improve and foster thriving
                                         communities through
                                         transportation improvements.
                                        Through TCP, DOT will award
                                         cooperative agreements for
                                         Capacity Builders to provide
                                         technical assistance, planning,
                                         and capacity building support
                                         that advances transformative
                                         infrastructure plans, projects,
                                         and processes primarily in
                                         communities that have
                                         disproportionate rates of
                                         pollution and poor air quality,
                                         communities experiencing
                                         disproportionate human health
                                         and environmental effects (as
                                         defined by Executive Order No.
                                         12898), areas of persistent
                                         poverty as defined in section
                                         6702(a)(1) of title 49, United
                                         States Code, or historically
                                         disadvantaged communities.
Program Types.........................  Thriving Communities National
                                         Capacity Builder Program (TCP-
                                         N): Funds TCP-N Capacity
                                         Builders through cooperative
                                         agreements to provide
                                         individualized technical
                                         assistance, planning, and
                                         capacity building support to 15-
                                         20 communities located around
                                         the country, selected and
                                         assigned by DOT, and organized
                                         into a Community of Practice.
                                         TCP-N Capacity Builders will
                                         work with communities to co-
                                         design tailored scopes of work
                                         based on the community's
                                         individual needs and stage in
                                         the transportation planning,
                                         design, and development process
                                         to be carried out over two
                                         years of intensive TCP support.
                                         TCP-N Capacity Builders will
                                         also facilitate peer learning
                                         networks across the communities
                                         assigned to their Community of
                                         Practice. Evaluation,
                                         reporting, resource
                                         development, and transition
                                         activities will be the Capacity
                                         Builders' focus during the
                                         third year of the period of
                                         performance.
                                        Thriving Communities Regional
                                         Pilot Program (TCP-R): Funds
                                         State and local governments and
                                         their agencies, Tribal
                                         governments, and regional
                                         governments or organizations
                                         through cooperative agreements
                                         to provide support to
                                         communities selected by the
                                         applicant that are located
                                         within their jurisdiction or
                                         service area. The focus of this
                                         program is to enable State,
                                         Tribal, local, and regional
                                         governments to support the
                                         advancement of transportation
                                         opportunities in disadvantaged
                                         communities that align with
                                         State, Tribal, or regional
                                         housing, economic development,
                                         public health, climate, and
                                         other community development
                                         goals. While this program
                                         overlaps with the TCP-N Program
                                         in scope and purpose, it has a
                                         narrower focus on coordination
                                         and alignment within a specific
                                         geography. TCP-R Capacity
                                         Builders will play a
                                         coordination and capacity
                                         building role rather than
                                         providing intensive, tailored
                                         technical assistance. TCP-R
                                         Capacity Builders will
                                         facilitate peer learning across
                                         communities in their State,
                                         Tribe and/or region to scale
                                         program impact and act as a
                                         model for other jurisdictions.
                                         The first two years of the
                                         period of performance will be
                                         focused on both individual
                                         community support and peer
                                         learning, while the third year
                                         will focus on evaluation,
                                         reporting, resource
                                         development, and transition
                                         activities.
Eligible Activities...................  TCP-N Capacity Builder
                                         Cooperative Agreements: Deep-
                                         dive technical assistance,
                                         planning, and capacity building
                                         support that could include, but
                                         is not limited to, the
                                         following set of activities:
                                           <bullet> identifying and
                                            responding to funding
                                            opportunities that align
                                            with projects that implement
                                            local community mobility,
                                            access, climate and
                                            community development goals
                                            and regional or statewide
                                            plans.
                                           <bullet> activities to
                                            support grant writing,
                                            project management, and
                                            compliance with grant
                                            administration requirements.
                                           <bullet> conducting project
                                            scoping, planning, and pre-
                                            engineering studies, market,
                                            and other technical
                                            analysis.
                                           <bullet> supplementing local
                                            staffing, training, and
                                            workforce development
                                            capacity.
                                           <bullet> developing systems
                                            or structures that improve
                                            compliance with Federal
                                            grant management, including
                                            but not limited to title VI
                                            of the Civil Rights Act, the
                                            Americans with Disabilities
                                            Act, section 504 of the
                                            Rehabilitation Act, and
                                            procurement requirements.
                                           <bullet> supporting
                                            comprehensive community
                                            planning activities that
                                            better coordinate
                                            transportation with other
                                            land use, housing, climate,
                                            health, and other
                                            infrastructure.
                                           <bullet> implementing
                                            innovative public engagement
                                            strategies, particularly to
                                            involve traditionally
                                            underrepresented voices in
                                            the planning, project
                                            identification, and
                                            prioritization process.
                                           <bullet> sub-granting to
                                            local technical assistance
                                            and capacity building
                                            partners who bring local
                                            expertise and capacity.
                                           <bullet> building
                                            organizational capacity to
                                            strengthen relationships
                                            between key stakeholders
                                            that deepen regional
                                            engagement and
                                            collaboration, position
                                            partners for future funding
                                            opportunities, and/or
                                            support inclusive planning
                                            processes.
                                           <bullet> evaluating and
                                            establishing emerging
                                            transportation and planning
                                            technologies, data systems,
                                            and software.
                                           <bullet> fostering peer
                                            learning and participation
                                            within a Community of
                                            Practice to advance
                                            policies, practices, and
                                            projects informed by
                                            meaningful public
                                            involvement and partnership.
                                        TCP-R Cooperative Agreements:
                                         Support provided by State
                                         governments and their agencies,
                                         Tribal governments, local
                                         governments and their agencies,
                                         or regional governments and
                                         organizations to advance
                                         transformative infrastructure
                                         in disadvantaged communities
                                         that face barriers to
                                         infrastructure advancement and
                                         implementation. This may
                                         include, but is not limited to:
                                           <bullet> identifying funding
                                            opportunities that align
                                            with transportation goals
                                            and advance mobility access,
                                            climate resilience,
                                            equitable community
                                            development, healthy
                                            communities in support of
                                            regional or statewide plans.
                                           <bullet> supporting
                                            predevelopment planning and
                                            scoping of projects that
                                            coordinate transportation
                                            with other land use,
                                            housing, and infrastructure
                                            development.
                                           <bullet> building
                                            organizational capacity and
                                            strengthened relationships
                                            between key stakeholders
                                            that deepen regional
                                            engagement and
                                            collaboration, position
                                            partners for future funding
                                            opportunities, and/or
                                            support inclusive planning
                                            processes.
                                           <bullet> funding planning and
                                            technical assistance
                                            activities that reform local
                                            land use and zoning policies
                                            to align transportation
                                            infrastructure investment
                                            with equitable community
                                            development.
                                           <bullet> establishing pooled
                                            resources and/or innovative
                                            funding tools that increase
                                            community investments in
                                            transportation, housing,
                                            environment, and health.
                                           <bullet> supporting regional
                                            economic and workforce
                                            development that promotes
                                            local hiring, access to
                                            transit, and jobs in high
                                            quality industries.
                                           <bullet> activities to
                                            support grant writing,
                                            project management, and
                                            compliance with grant
                                            administration requirements.
                                           <bullet> peer-learning,
                                            networking, and knowledge
                                            sharing on strategies, types
                                            of tools, and lessons
                                            learned with other
                                            communities in the
                                            applicant's State or region.
Eligible Applicants...................  TCP-N Capacity Builders:
                                           <bullet> Non-profit
                                            organizations;
                                           <bullet> philanthropic
                                            entities; and
                                           <bullet> other technical
                                            assistance providers
                                            including academic
                                            institutions and private
                                            sector organizations with a
                                            demonstrated capacity to
                                            develop and provide
                                            technical assistance,
                                            planning, and capacity
                                            building to a range of
                                            communities located across
                                            multiple States and regions.
                                        TCP-R Capacity Builders:
                                           <bullet> State governments
                                            and their agencies;
                                           <bullet> Indian Tribes;
                                           <bullet> local governments
                                            and their agencies;
                                           <bullet> governmental
                                            planning or transportation
                                            organizations working at the
                                            regional or metropolitan
                                            level; or
                                           <bullet> regional planning
                                            non-profit organizations.
Funding Amount........................  For FY 2023, the Department
                                         expects to award two different
                                         types of cooperative agreements
                                         through this NOFO, with up to
                                         $22 million total being
                                         available for award.
                                           <bullet> TCP-N Capacity
                                            Builder cooperative
                                            agreements are anticipated
                                            to be in the range of $4-5
                                            million each; and
                                           <bullet> TCP-R cooperative
                                            agreements are anticipated
                                            to be in the range of $1-2
                                            million each.

[[Page 63650]]

 
Cost Share............................  No cost sharing or matching is
                                         required as a condition of
                                         eligibility under this
                                         competition. DOT will fund up
                                         to 100 percent of eligible
                                         project costs through a monthly
                                         reimbursement invoicing model.
                                         Priority consideration will be
                                         given to those applicants that
                                         can demonstrate leveraging of
                                         other funding and resources.
Deadlines.............................  November 28, 2023 at 4:59 p.m.
                                         ET via Grants.gov. Opportunity
                                         number: DOT-TCP-FY23-01.
Contact Information...................  Ongoing updates, webinar
                                         notices, FAQs: [https://www.transportation.gov/grants/thriving-communities].
                                        Email:
                                         <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#712519031807181f16321e1c1c041f180518140231151e055f161e07"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="5d09352f342b34333a1e3230302833342934382e1d393229733a322b">[email protected]</span></a>.
                                        Phone: (202) 366-7738.
                                        A Telecommunications Device for
                                         the Deaf (TDD) is available
                                         (202) 366-3993.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Table of Contents

A. Program Description
B. Federal Award Information
C. Eligibility Information
D. Application and Submission Information
E. Application Review Information
F. Federal Award Administration
G. Federal Awarding Agency Contacts
H. Other Supporting Information
Appendix A. Full Application Checklist

A. Program Description

1. Overview

    The U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT or the Department) 
Thriving Communities Program (TCP) was established by the Consolidated 
Appropriations Act of 2022 (Pub. L. 117-103 division L, title I) and 
received additional funding through the Consolidated Appropriations Act 
of 2023 (Pub. L. 117-328 division L, title I). The goal of the TCP is 
to ensure disadvantaged or transportation-insecure communities 
adversely and/or disproportionately affected by environmental, climate, 
and human health policy outcomes have the technical tools and 
organizational capacity to comprehensively plan for and deliver quality 
infrastructure projects and community development projects that enable 
their communities and neighborhoods to thrive.
    The TCP was created by Congress specifically to facilitate the 
planning and development of transportation and community revitalization 
activities supported by DOT under titles 23, 46, and 49, United States 
Code, that increase mobility, reduce pollution from transportation 
sources, expand affordable transportation options, facilitate efficient 
land use, preserve or expand jobs, improve housing conditions, enhance 
connections to health care, education, and food security, or improve 
health outcomes. To achieve this, communities, particularly those that 
are disadvantaged and/or transportation burdened or those that have 
limited technical capacity or budgets, need greater levels of support 
to successfully take advantage of the recent historic Federal 
investments in transportation infrastructure and build capacity to 
successfully fund these projects in the long-term.
    DOT's FY2022-2026 Strategic Plan [https://www.transportation.gov/dot-strategic-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/equity-Justice40].
    This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) continues investment in a 
national technical assistance program (TCP-N) and provides new 
opportunities for State-, Tribal-, local-, and regional-level community 
support through the Thriving Communities Regional Pilot Program (TCP-R) 
that will drive innovation, advance equity outcomes, and build a 
national pipeline of community-driven infrastructure projects. In its 
first year, TCP supported deep-dive technical assistance in 64 
communities across the country. For the TCP's second year, DOT seeks to 
support at least another 45-60 communities through its National 
program, depending on responses to the Letters of Interest and the size 
and number of cooperative agreements awarded through this NOFO, and 
additional communities selected by TCP-R applicants.
    For the FY 2023 TCP, there are two distinct programs, each of which 
will involve a team of Capacity Builders providing assistance to 
disadvantaged and/or low-capacity communities. The opportunities to 
provide and receive assistance are summarized below:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   Thriving Communities National (TCP-N)   Thriving Communities Regional Pilots
                                                  program                             (TCP-R) program
                                 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   National capacity       Recipient        TCP-R capacity         Recipient
                                       builders           communities          builders           communities
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
How to Apply....................  Submit an           Submit a Letter of  Submit an           No application
                                   application via     Interest via        application via     required;
                                   grants.gov in       [https://           grants.gov in       communities
                                   response to this    www.transportatio   response to this    selected directly
                                   NOFO.               n.gov/grants/       NOFO.               by TCP-R Capacity
                                                       thriving-                               Builder.
                                                       communities-                            Identified
                                                       program-LOI-                            communities must
                                                       webform].                               include Letters
                                                      Find more                                of Commitment in
                                                       information in                          TCP-R
                                                       the Call for LOIs                       application.
                                                       [https://www.transportation.gov/grants/thriving-communities/call-for-letters-of-interest-fy23].

[[Page 63651]]

 
Purpose.........................  Fund National       Receive, at no      Fund State,         Receive, at no
                                   Capacity Builders   cost, TCP           Tribal, local,      cost, TCP
                                   to provide direct   technical           and regional        technical
                                   no-cost planning,   assistance,         entities to         assistance,
                                   technical           capacity            provide direct no-  capacity
                                   assistance, and     building, and       cost planning,      building, and
                                   capacity building   planning support    technical           planning support
                                   support to          from the DOT-       assistance, and     from the DOT-
                                   selected TCP        funded National     capacity building   funded TCP-R
                                   communities         Capacity Builders.  to communities of   Capacity
                                   located across                          their choice        Builders.
                                   the country for a                       within their
                                   three-year period                       jurisdictions for
                                   of performance.                         a three-year
                                                                           period of
                                                                           performance.
Primary Activity................  Provide technical   Receive technical   Coordinate          Receive assistance
                                   assistance,         assistance,         assistance and      and support to
                                   planning, and       planning, and       support to          advance and align
                                   capacity building   capacity building   advance and align   infrastructure
                                   support.            support.            infrastructure      goals and
                                                                           goals and           projects.
                                                                           projects.
Eligible Applicants.............  <bullet> Non-       <bullet> States.    <bullet> States     <bullet> Local
                                   profit             <bullet> Local       government and      governments.
                                   organizations.      governments..       its agencies.      <bullet> Indian
                                  <bullet>            <bullet> Indian     <bullet> Indian      Tribes.
                                   philanthropic       Tribes..            Tribes..           <bullet> United
                                   entities; and.     <bullet> United     <bullet> Local       States
                                  <bullet> other       States              government and      territories.
                                   technical           territories..       its agencies..     <bullet> transit
                                   assistance         <bullet>            <bullet> a           agencies.
                                   providers           metropolitan        governmental       <bullet> or other
                                   including           planning            planning,           political
                                   academic            organizations       economic            subdivisions of
                                   institutions or     (MPOs)..            development, or     State or local
                                   private sector     <bullet> transit     transportation      governments.
                                   organizations       agencies..          organization
                                   with a             <bullet> other       working at the
                                   demonstrated        political           regional or
                                   capacity to         subdivisions of     metropolitan
                                   develop and         State or local      level, or.
                                   provide technical   governments..      <bullet> a
                                   assistance,                             regional, Tribal
                                   planning, and                           or Statewide
                                   capacity building                       planning non-
                                   to a range of                           profit
                                   communities                             organization..
                                   located across
                                   multiple States
                                   and regions..
Partnership Requirements........  Applicants are      Applicants are      Applicants are      Partnerships are
                                   encouraged to       required to         encouraged to       not required at
                                   partner with        identify at least   partner with        the community
                                   other Capacity      two community       other Capacity      level but are
                                   Builders, which     partners with       Builders, which     encouraged to
                                   may include other   whom they will      may include other   ensure meaningful
                                   eligible            work to advance     entities            coordination and
                                   applicants          local goals to be   including local     engagement across
                                   including non-      supported through   governments, non-   stakeholders.
                                   profits, and        TCP-N assistance.   profits, and
                                   other technical     Find more           other technical
                                   assistance          information in      assistance
                                   providers to        the Call for LOIs   providers to
                                   deepen and          [https://           deepen and
                                   broaden technical   www.transportatio   broaden technical
                                   assistance and      n.gov/grants/       assistance and
                                   capacity building   thriving-           capacity building
                                   expertise.          communities/call-   expertise.
                                                       for-letters-of-
                                                       interest-fy23].
Anticipated Funding Levels per    $4-$5 million.....  None directly.....  $1-$2 million.....  None directly.
 Cooperative Agreement.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    DOT staff from headquarters and from regional and division offices 
will be identified to serve as Federal liaisons with both the National 
and Regional Capacity Builders and with selected TCP communities to 
facilitate connections with other Federal technical assistance 
resources that can assist in project pre-development, community 
engagement, planning, financing, and project delivery activities. The 
DOT Navigator [https://www.transportation.gov/dot-navigator] provides 
information on existing DOT-supported technical assistance resources 
that may be a useful reference for Capacity Builders. Note that key 
definitions for terms relevant to TCP are provided in section H.1 of 
this NOFO.
a. National Capacity Builder Program
    As it did in the first year of the program, the FY 2023 the TCP-N 
will provide technical assistance, planning, and capacity building 
support at a national level to help communities scope, develop, and 
deliver transportation projects that advance community stabilization or 
revitalization activities that benefit disadvantaged populations and 
communities. Within the project scoping, development, and design 
phases, the TCP will support and build local capacity to accelerate 
projects; access and manage Federal funding; and deploy local hiring, 
workforce development, and inclusive community engagement practices. 
DOT seeks applications from technical assistance, planning, and 
capacity building providers--henceforth referred to as TCP-N Capacity 
Builders. Eligible applicants are identified in section C.1. of this 
NOFO.
i. Individualized Deep Dive Technical Assistance, Planning, and 
Capacity Building Support
    The primary focus of support through TCP-N is on assisting 
individual communities--recipients include government agencies and 
their community partner organizations--to successfully advance projects 
identified through meaningful public involvement that deliver a broad 
set of transportation, climate, equity, housing, economic, and other 
community benefits. DOT is requiring communities, through a separate 
Letter of Interest (LOI) process, to form and apply as coalitions with 
organizations that may also serve as local capacity building and 
technical assistance implementation partners and generate deeper 
community engagement, particularly from historically under-represented 
populations and environmental justice stakeholders. The composition of 
these community partnerships will be at the discretion of each LOI 
applicant and identified in their LOI, but could include other 
government entities, non-profits, non-governmental and community-based 
organizations, labor unions, advocacy groups, chambers of commerce and 
major employers or anchor institutions, and philanthropic 
organizations. For an overview of the communities selected in FY 2022, 
their challenges, and their visions for TCP support, visit the FY 2022 
Selected Communities Fact Sheet [https://www.transportation.gov/grants/thriving-communities/thriving-communities-program-fy-2022-selected-communities-fact-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

[[Page 63652]]

that there may be more than one Capacity Builder team per Community of 
Practice, and the final number of communities assigned by DOT to the 
TCP-N Capacity Builder teams will be informed by the LOIs received. 
Once matched with the DOT-selected communities, TCP-N Capacity Builders 
will develop processes to engage with these recipients and their 
community partners to co-design a tailored scope of work and set of 
equitable development outcomes to be achieved over a two-year period 
within 90 days of the period of performance start date.
    Technical assistance, planning, and capacity building support could 
include, but is not limited to, the following set of activities:

<bullet> identifying and responding to funding opportunities that align 
with projects that implement local community mobility, access, climate, 
and community development goals and regional or statewide plans
<bullet> activities to support grant writing, project management, and 
compliance with grant administration requirements
<bullet> conducting project scoping, planning, and pre-engineering 
studies, market, and other technical analysis
<bullet> supplementing local staffing and workforce development 
capacity
<bullet> developing systems or structures that improve compliance with 
Federal grant management, including but not limited to Title VI of the 
Civil Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, section 504 of 
the Rehabilitation Act, and procurement requirements
<bullet> supporting comprehensive community planning activities that 
better coordinate transportation with other land use, housing, climate, 
health, and other infrastructure
<bullet> implementing innovative public engagement strategies, 
particularly to involve traditionally underrepresented voices in the 
planning, project identification, and prioritization process.
<bullet> sub-granting to local technical assistance and capacity 
building partners who bring local expertise and capacity
<bullet> building organizational capacity to strengthen relationships 
between key stakeholders that deepen regional engagement and 
collaboration, position partners for future funding opportunities, and/
or support inclusive planning processes
<bullet> evaluating and establishing emerging transportation and 
planning technologies, data systems, and software
ii. TCP Community of Practice Support
    To build collective and sustained learning, TCP-N Capacity Builders 
will also support a Community of Practice throughout the period of 
performance that facilitates peer learning across selected TCP 
communities. This may include face-to-face meetings, as well as web-
based collaborative environments to communicate, connect, and conduct 
activities that collectively facilitate long-term capacity building and 
systems change. Applicants should propose methods and tasks that will 
be undertaken to support a Community of Practice among the specific 
communities they are assigned to support and within the individual 
communities to build capacity between the lead applicant and community 
partners. DOT believes that communities best know the specific 
challenges and opportunities they face. TCP-N Capacity Builders will 
utilize a community-centered approach to work with selected recipient 
communities to refine the areas of focus for specific places and for 
the overall Community of Practice.
    The full period of performance for the TCP-N is three years; 
however, during the third year Capacity Builders will shift away from 
individualized community support and focus on program evaluation and 
reporting, transition activities for assigned communities within the 
Community of Practice and developing shared resources for sustained 
learning for those within and outside of the Community of Practice. See 
section B for more information.
Communities of Practice Typology
    DOT established three Communities of Practice in FY 2022 to 
organize communities and their technical assistance, planning, and 
capacity building needs in relation to shared demographics, 
transportation challenges, and programmatic opportunities. These 
include Main Streets, Complete Neighborhoods, and Networked 
Communities. TCP seeks to amplify the program's impact and generate 
noteworthy practices that can be scaled and replicated in other 
regions. Within selected communities, Community of Practices provide an 
opportunity to foster cross-sector collaboration between the lead 
recipient of technical assistance (i.e., eligible government entities), 
their identified community partners, and other community stakeholders 
that have not historically been engaged in infrastructure, economic and 
community development planning and decision making; or those who bear 
the heaviest environmental, health, mobility, housing, economic and/or 
social costs of infrastructure projects. These Communities of Practice 
will be maintained for the FY 2023 program and include:
Main Streets
    The Thriving Communities Main Streets communities of practice 
consists of eligible rural recipients from Indian Tribes, US 
Territories, rural communities, and small towns, including communities 
that are not part of an MPO. Less dense populations, longer travel 
distances, older and changing demographics, declining, or transitioning 
economies, and smaller government budgets and inadequate staff are just 
a few of the shared challenges faced by this cohort, which also impact 
the ability of government to deploy innovative workforce development, 
climate resilience, equity, and technology solutions. Illustrative of 
the possible transportation issues that this cohort may address are 
road network improvement and safety projects; resiliency and climate 
related improvements; improving infrastructure conditions alongside 
strategies to support economic and community revitalization with 
investments in high-speed internet deployment, water and sewage lines, 
and electric vehicle charging stations; rural transit, micro mobility 
and transportation alternatives including multimodal trails; context 
sensitive design solutions that will improve mobility and access 
particularly for disadvantaged populations and populations of older 
adults, people with disabilities, youth, and those without access to a 
personal automobile; transportation worker recruitment and training 
strategies; and place-making strategies to leverage local cultural, 
natural, and community assets. State DOTs are a critical partner, 
facility owner, and funder in these communities.
    TCP-N Capacity Builder teams seeking to support the Main Streets 
Community of Practice must demonstrate their expertise and familiarity 
in working with rural, U.S. Territories, and/or Tribal communities, 
such as through members of their team that have experience working with 
culturally, racially, language diverse communities (e.g., experience 
working with immigrant communities, foreign language competencies), or 
proven experience working on Federal Tribal and rural transportation, 
community, housing, and economic development programs.

[[Page 63653]]

Complete Neighborhoods
    The Complete Neighborhoods Community of Practice consists of 
eligible urban and suburban recipients that are included in a 
metropolitan planning organization's (MPO) planning area. This cohort 
is focused on comprehensive strategies to enhance community 
connectivity, improve coordination of land use, housing, economic 
development, and transportation, and to accelerate innovation 
specifically for disadvantaged communities or neighborhoods. Areas of 
persistent poverty and declining economies or property values create 
challenges for some, while others may be experiencing market-induced or 
climate-induced gentrification and displacement. Technical assistance 
and capacity building can advance equity by addressing the inequities 
and systemic barriers created by decades of discrimination, 
segregation, urban renewal, and suburban sprawl impacting these 
communities.
    Illustrative of the possible transportation issues that the 
Complete Neighborhoods Community of Practice may address are increasing 
accessibility to affordable and reliable multi-modal transportation 
options to reach regional jobs and community facilities, such as health 
care centers, libraries, public schools and grocery stores; deploying 
transit-oriented and walkable development policies; reducing greenhouse 
gas emissions and improving air quality; and improving safety for all 
users of the transportation system including bicyclists, pedestrians 
and people of all ages and abilities. This cohort will look to leverage 
planning, project development and transportation projects that serve 
community and economic development goals and promote revitalization 
strategies, such as street level retail and community space, urban 
place-making, and local and economic hiring preferences to support 
community wealth building in economically disadvantaged communities 
within the region. MPOs and other types of regional planning bodies are 
important infrastructure implementation partners, especially to 
coordinate transportation with housing and economic development 
planning and advance projects benefitting disadvantaged communities.
Networked Communities
    The Networked Communities Community of Practice consists of 
eligible recipients from urban, suburban, and rural communities that 
are located near intercity transportation facilities, such as ports, 
airports, and freight or passenger rail facilities. These communities 
may face local environmental justice, economic development, and 
mobility access issues exacerbated by their proximity to large-scale 
regionally or nationally significant transportation projects. Networked 
Communities have a distinct need to work with a range of stakeholders 
to advance equity by addressing both existing and future mobility, 
health and safety, and workforce development and labor opportunities 
from locally disadvantaged communities given the context of each hub. 
Illustrative of the possible transportation issues that this cohort may 
face are community access and connectivity; roadway safety and design 
improvements, including of major arterials and service roads; 
strategies to reduce air and noise pollution, including transitioning 
to decarbonization technologies and clean economies; or preparing for 
new or extended passenger rail service. Private sector partners may 
play a critical role as utility and facility owners, rail operators, 
port and airport authorities, whose interests are generally broader 
than those of the surrounding community. The technical assistance 
priorities for the Networked Communities Community of Practice can 
include advancing equity by addressing environmental injustice, 
mobility, pollution, public health, economic development, and land use 
planning through meaningful public involvement for communities, 
particularly those that are lower income and/or have a higher 
proportion of people of color, that reside near multimodal hubs. DOT 
may decide to create sub-cohorts within each of these Communities of 
Practice based upon the needs of the selected communities informed by 
the LOI process.
    For the FY 2023 TCP-N, Capacity Builders will support the 
communities they have been specifically assigned for their selected 
Community of Practice and will also support networking across all 
Communities of Practice, including those established in FY 2022 and TCP 
communities that may be selected in future years to build upon and 
scale capacity building resources and learning opportunities. DOT may 
assign Capacity Builders to provide targeted technical and limited 
support to TCP communities and/or other DOT and Federal technical 
assistance recipients, as needed, to assist disadvantaged communities 
and government agencies to advance projects and processes aligned with 
DOT's Strategic Plan and Equity Action Plan priorities for equity, 
workforce development, labor and hiring preferences, small business 
development and procurement, climate, safety, technology 
transformation. TCP-N Capacity builders are not expected to provide 
targeted support to more than a total of 20 total communities.
b. Thriving Communities Regional Pilots (TCP-R)
    For the FY 2023 TCP, up to five TCP-Rs will be funded to advance 
transformative infrastructure projects in disadvantaged communities or 
jurisdictions located within a specific State, Tribe, or metropolitan 
region that face barriers to implementation. For the TCP-R, ``region'' 
refers to the geographic area within an individual State or Indian 
Tribe; or the service area covered by a regional transportation or 
planning organization. The TCP-R will fund efforts by State, Tribal, 
local, or regional organizations to provide technical assistance, 
planning and capacity building support for transportation projects 
located within their geography or service area that align with housing, 
economic development, public health, climate, and other community 
development plans and goals. Eligible applicants for TCP-R will select 
the communities within their jurisdiction or service area to receive 
technical assistance and capacity building support through TCP and will 
use TCP funding to advance these types of transportation projects 
forward into the next phase of development, deepen community 
engagement, and align with local or regional zoning, land use, economic 
development, or other plans and investments. This may include, but is 
not limited to:

<bullet> identifying funding opportunities that align with 
transportation goals and advance mobility access, climate resilience, 
equitable community development, healthy communities in support of 
regional or statewide plans
<bullet> supporting predevelopment planning and scoping of projects 
that coordinate transportation with other land use, housing, and 
infrastructure development
<bullet> building organizational capacity and strengthened 
relationships between key stakeholders that deepen regional engagement 
and collaboration, position partners for future funding opportunities, 
and/or support inclusive planning processes
<bullet> fund planning and technical assistance activities that reform 
local land use and zoning policies to align transportation 
infrastructure investment with equitable community development;

[[Page 63654]]

<bullet> establishing pooled resources or innovative funding tools that 
increase community investments in transportation, housing, environment, 
and health;
<bullet> supporting regional economic and workforce development that 
promotes local hiring, access to transit, and jobs in high quality 
industries
<bullet> designing and implementing activities to deepen and expand 
meaningful public involvement, especially to populations that are 
under-represented in traditional planning processes and/or are 
experience disproportionate transportation, environmental, or social 
burden
<bullet> activities to support grant writing, project management, and 
compliance with grant administration requirements
<bullet> peer-learning, networking, and knowledge sharing on 
strategies, types of tools, and lessons learned with other communities 
in the applicant's State or region.

    DOT recognizes that many States, Indian Tribes, MPOs, and other 
regional government and non-governmental entities are already 
undertaking, or would like to undertake this important work, but 
require additional resources in order to amplify their impact and more 
comprehensively provide support to local communities. The TCP-R is 
intended to fund these State, Tribal, and regional organizations to 
scale up support to enable communities to develop, fund, and deliver 
critical community-driven projects. Applicants must commit to providing 
support to communities within their jurisdiction over a three-year 
period to plan, develop, and deliver transportation projects that 
interface with housing, climate, safety, economic development, public 
health, and other sectors that align with TCP goals. The first two 
years of the period of performance should be dedicated to providing 
targeted support to selected communities, as well as peer learning and 
exchange activities between these selected communities and others 
within their region. During the third year, TCP-R Capacity Builders 
will be expected to focus on program evaluation, reporting, transition 
activities, and developing resources for long-term capacity building. 
See section B for more information.

2. Changes From FY 2022 Thriving Communities Program

    This FY 2023 NOFO updated and revised some key aspects of the 
program. These include the following:
    <bullet> Extension of the period of performance to three years, 
with the first two years focused on deep-dive individual community 
support, peer learning, and collaboration and the third year focused on 
evaluation, reporting, community transitioning, and resource sharing.
    <bullet> The inclusion of a separate Regional Pilot Program.
    <bullet> Reductions to the maximum award amounts from up to $6 
million to up to $5 million per National Capacity Builder and increases 
the number of communities served by each Capacity Builder from 10-15 to 
15-20.
    <bullet> Revisions to the merit rating criteria, including how 
applicants should respond to each criterion.
    <bullet> Changes to the requirements for targeted support to 
supported communities, including a new requirement to subgrant at least 
20 percent of the budget to community recipients.
    <bullet> Option to renew FY 2023 selected Capacity Builder 
cooperative agreements for a second round of funding for FY 2024 (i.e., 
re-select Capacity Builders for a second three-year period of 
performance), subject to authorization and available funding.

3. Coordination Across the Federal Government

    The TCP is one of several technical assistance programs 
administered through DOT's Build America Bureau. Participation in 
technical assistance programs is voluntary and does not obligate the 
awardee or recipients to apply for DOT grants or credit programs in the 
future, nor does participation offer preferential treatment to future 
applications or a guarantee of Federal funding.
    The US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) received 
$2.5 million from the FY 2023 appropriations bill to coordinate with 
DOT's TCP. HUD will separately provide funding to technical assistance 
providers to help jurisdictions consider housing and community 
development needs as part of transportation infrastructure plans (for 
example, identifying land that is near planned transportation projects 
and suitable for housing development). HUD's technical assistance will 
enable more communities to thoughtfully plan and boost location-
efficient housing supply. Applicants interested in HUD's Thriving 
Communities Technical Assistance NOFO should visit https://www.huduser.gov/portal/nofos/thriving-communities.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/federal-interagency-thriving-communities-network] to provide comprehensive support to selected recipient 
communities. This may include, but is not limited to USDA's Rural 
Partners Network, the Interagency Working Group on Coal and Power Plant 
Communities and Economic Revitalization, the Economic Development 
Administration's Build Back Better Regional Challenge, the General 
Service Administration's Center for Urban Development, and the 
Environmental Protection Agency's Environmental Justice Thriving 
Communities Technical Assistance Centers.

B. Federal Award Information

    Under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (Pub. L. 117-328), 
Congress provided DOT with $25,000,000 for the Thriving Communities 
Program, to be obligated by September 30, 2025. DOT will also utilize 
up to $1 million in funds remaining from the FY 2022 TCP as part of 
this NOFO, for a total of up to $22 million available. If DOT 
identifies additional funding after the release of this NOFO, DOT may 
elect to award such additional funding to Capacity Builders selected 
under this NOFO, as permitted by law. Of the funds provided, DOT 
anticipates awarding at least three separate cooperative agreements to 
TCP-N Capacity Builders; and potentially as many as five, depending 
upon the needs of the selected communities informed by the LOI process 
and the number of TCP-Rs awarded. DOT anticipates awarding at least 
four separate cooperative agreements through the TCP-R. Cooperative 
agreements will be managed through substantial involvement by the 
Office of Technical Assistance in DOT's Build America Bureau (see 
Federal Award Administration Information in section F of this NOFO).
    DOT will determine the amount of funds to be awarded but 
anticipates a range of $4,000,000 to $5,000,000 for each TCP-N 
cooperative agreement; and a range of $1,000,000 to $2,000,000 for each 
TCP-R cooperative agreement. Multiple cooperative agreements are 
expected, with an aggregate total of approximately $22,000,000. Awards 
are at 100 percent Federal share. Final decisions on the amount of 
funding per award and number of cooperative agreements will depend upon 
applications received in response to the NOFO as well as the demand 
from community applicants expressed

[[Page 63655]]

through Letters of Interest. DOT may elect to award any unobligated 
funding through future NOFOs, if necessary.

1. Period of Performance

a. National Capacity Builders Period of Performance
    The period of performance for the FY 2023 TCP-N will be three years 
(36 months) from the date of execution in DOT's electronic grants 
management system, unless the period of performance is extended before 
expiration. The first two years of the period of performance must be 
dedicated to providing targeted, deep-dive support to assigned 
communities in accordance with the scopes of work co-designed with 
communities. TCP-N Capacity Builders will also be expected to conduct 
Community of Practice activities during the first two years of the 
period of performance. During the third year of the period of 
performance, TCP-N Capacity Builders will shift focus to evaluation, 
reporting, resource development, and transitioning communities to self-
sustaining capacity building. The third year of the period of 
performance must include:

<bullet> Strategic, targeted community of practice communications 
(outlined in the workplan)
<bullet> Transition plan for awardees, which could include:
[cir] Stewarding existing cohort into sub-groups or other longer-term 
capacity building models (based on geography or areas of interest), if 
applicable
[cir] Connecting communities to other technical assistance resources or 
networks
[cir] Bridging new partnerships that can leverage future funding (e.g., 
conferences/workshops/meetings with philanthropy, regional or State 
partners, etc.)
<bullet> Elevating project wins and learnings via social media, blogs, 
etc. (in partnership with DOT)
<bullet> Developing publicly available educational tools and resources 
(e.g., toolkits, web-based portals)
<bullet> Participating in a Federal convening with new TCP awardees 
(for FY 2024, subject to program authorization and appropriation) or 
other Federal technical assistance networks
<bullet> A final report from Capacity Builders summarizing the goals, 
impacts, process, and lessons learned from engagement with each 
individual community and for the cohort as a whole.

    If funding is appropriated for an FY 2024 TCP, and there is no 
change in the TCP's authorization, DOT may elect not to issue a new 
NOFO for the FY 2024 program; rather, it may select National Capacity 
Builders from the FY 2023 awardees, provided that DOT determines that 
awardees have demonstrated an appropriate level of performance and that 
awardees have sufficient capacity to and agree to provide support to a 
new cohort of communities. In this case, the Capacity Builders would be 
asked to demonstrate capacity and propose a detailed plan and budget to 
support additional communities. DOT would then establish a new 
cooperative agreement with existing Capacity Builders for an additional 
three-year period of performance with FY 2024 funds. If FY 2023 
Capacity Builders have not demonstrated an appropriate level of 
performance, DOT may select new Capacity Builders for FY 2024 from 
other Highly Recommended applicants from FY 2023.
    Subsequent year funding and additional funding from DOT will depend 
upon priorities established by the Secretary of Transportation, future 
authorizations and appropriations, and the Thriving Communities' annual 
performance reviews.
b. Thriving Communities Regional Pilot Program Period of Performance
    For the FY 2023 TCP-R Program, the period of performance will be 
three years (36 months) from the date of execution in DOT's electronic 
grants management system. The first two years of the period of 
performance must be dedicated to providing support to the communities 
identified in the application, in accordance with the activities 
described in the application. The third year of the period of 
performance will be focused on program evaluation and reporting, 
transition activities for communities, and collecting and sharing 
lessons learned and best practices from the first two years of support, 
including sharing information with communities outside those who 
received targeted support in the first two years to scale impact of the 
program.
    The third year of the period of performance must include:

<bullet> Strategic, targeted community of practice communications 
(outlined in the workplan)
<bullet> Transition plan for awardees, which could include:
[cir] Stewarding existing cohort into sub-groups or other longer-term 
capacity building models (based on geography or areas of interest), if 
applicable
[cir] Connecting communities to other technical assistance resources or 
networks
[cir] Bridging new partnerships that can leverage future funding (e.g., 
conferences/workshops/meeting with philanthropy, regional or State 
partners, etc.)
<bullet> Elevating project wins and learnings via social media, blogs, 
etc. (in partnership with DOT)
<bullet> Developing publicly available educational tools and resources 
(e.g., toolkits, web-based portals)
<bullet> Participating in a Federal convening with new TCP awardees 
(for FY 2024, subject to program authorization and appropriation) or 
other Federal technical assistance networks
<bullet> Final reporting and program evaluation.

    If funding is appropriated for an FY 2024 TCP, and there is no 
change in the TCP's authorization, DOT may elect not to issue a new 
NOFO for the FY 2024 program; rather, it may select Regional Capacity 
Builders from the list of Highly Recommended, but not selected, 
applicants from FY 2023. In this case, DOT would contact Highly 
Recommended applicants to request confirmation that applicants are 
still interested in participating in the program and have the capacity 
to do so before selecting them for participation in the FY 2024 
program.
    Subsequent year funding and additional funding from DOT will depend 
upon priorities established by the Secretary of Transportation, future 
authorizations and appropriations, and the Thriving Communities' annual 
performance reviews.

C. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

    For both the TCP-N and TCP-R, those applying to provide technical 
assistance, planning, and capacity building can apply individually or 
as part of a team of eligible applicants. DOT seeks Capacity Builders 
that have technical knowledge across a diverse set of issues and 
skills; therefore, the lead applicant is strongly encouraged to partner 
with other eligible organizations to create Capacity Building teams 
that represent a range of technical skills, geographic connections and 
capacity building approaches. If applying as part of a team, the lead 
applicant must be clearly identified and submit the application on 
behalf of the team. The cooperative agreement will be between DOT and 
the lead organization, which is the primary recipient of DOT TCP funds. 
The recipient may make contracts or subawards \1\ to other team

[[Page 63656]]

members, but the recipient is responsible for compliance with Federal 
requirements, including 2 CFR parts 200 and 1201.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ Refer to 2 CFR 200.1 (Definitions) [https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-A/subject-group-ECFR2a6a0087862fd2c/section-200.1] and 2 CFR 200.331 
(Subrecipient and contractor determinations) [https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR031321e29ac5bbd/section-200.331] for more information. 
Refer also to the TCP Fact Sheet on Subcontracting and Subwards 
posted on the program website.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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:

<bullet> Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424)
<bullet> Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs (SF-424A)
<bullet> Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL)

    All relevant forms must be signed electronically by the applicant's 
Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR); please see section D.6 
of this NOFO for information on AOR requirements. The preferred 
electronic file format for attachments is Adobe portable document 
format (PDF); however, DOT will accept electronic files in Microsoft 
Word or Microsoft Excel formats. DOT will not accept paper, facsimile, 
or email transmissions of applications. All documentation and data 
submitted should be current and applicable as of the date submitted. 
Applicants may contact the appropriate contact listed in section G for 
technical assistance before submitting an application.
b. Organizational Documentation
    Each lead applicant and co-applicant must provide documentation 
that

[[Page 63657]]

supports each lead applicant's or co-applicant's organizational status 
as an eligible entity where applicable (section C.1 of this NOFO).
    <bullet> States, Indian Tribes, cities, or other political 
subdivisions of States, and institutions of higher education that are 
100% publicly controlled are not required to submit organizational 
documentation.
    <bullet> Nonprofit organizations must submit documentation that 
demonstrates their status as nonprofit organizations. This must include 
articles of incorporation, bylaws, certificate of good standing, and a 
copy of the most recent (not older than 18 months) IRS Form 990 (Return 
of Organization Exempt from Income Tax) (without attachments or 
schedules).
    <bullet> Other entities, including institutions of higher education 
that are not 100% publicly controlled, must provide documentation that 
demonstrates their organization type.
c. Organization Descriptions
    A one-page organization or company profile must be provided for 
each member of the Capacity Building Team. These may be publicly shared 
as part of the organization introductions. Profiles should include the 
organization name, its role on the team, number of employees; location 
of office or its geographic scope; whether it is a certified 
disadvantaged business enterprise (e.g., 8(a) business), as defined by 
the Small Business Administration (SBA), a small business as defined by 
the SBA, a Historically Black College or University, a Minority Serving 
Institution, a HUBZone, or woman owned or service-disabled veteran-
owned small businesses; \2\ a brief summary of the type of services it 
provides; and involvement of team members that represent the types of 
communities and stakeholders to be served. Key staff members of each 
organization should be shown.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ Additional 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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    A template is provided for the fulfillment of this requirement. DOT 
recommends, but does not require, the use of the template.
d. Indirect Costs (if Applicable)
    If indirect costs are included in the budget, the applicant must 
include documentation to support the indirect cost rate they are using 
(unless claiming the 10 percent de minimis indirect cost rate, 
discussed below). The applicant must submit a copy of its current, 
approved, and negotiated indirect cost rate agreement (NICRA). If the 
applicant does not have a current or pending NICRA, it may propose 
indirect costs in its budget; however, the applicant must prepare and 
submit an allocation plan and rate proposal for approval within ninety 
days from the award start date (unless claiming the 10 percent de 
minimis indirect cost rate, discussed below). See 2 CFR part 200 apps. 
III, IV, V, VI, VII for guidance. The allocation plan and the rate 
proposal shall be submitted to DOT. The applicant should include a 
statement in its Budget Narrative that it does not have a current or 
pending NICRA and will submit an allocation plan and rate proposal to 
DOT or the applicant's cognizant Federal agency for approval.
    In accordance with 2 CFR 200.414(f), an applicant that does not 
have a current negotiated (including provisional) rate, may elect to 
charge a de minimis rate of 10 percent of modified total direct costs 
(subject to the exceptions of Sec.  200.414(f)). No documentation is 
required to justify the 10 percent de minimis indirect cost rate; 
however, an applicant electing to charge a de minimis rate of 10 
percent must include a statement in its Budget Narrative that it does 
not have a current negotiated (including provisional) rate and is 
electing to charge the de minimis rate.
    If the applicant is a State or local unit of government or an 
Indian Tribe that receives less than $35 million in direct Federal 
funding per year it may submit any of the following:
    <bullet> a Certificate of Indirect Costs from the Department of the 
Interior (DOI) or DOT;
    <bullet> an acknowledgment received from the Department of Interior 
(on behalf of DOT) and a Certificate of Indirect Costs in the form 
prescribed at 2 CFR part 200, app. VII; or
    <bullet> a NICRA.
e. Executive Summary
    The Executive Summary will not be evaluated as part of application 
review. If the applicant is selected for funding, the Executive Summary 
may be used in a public announcement or on DOT's website.
TCP-N Capacity Builders
    Applicants are required to submit an Executive Summary of no more 
than 500 words that must:
    <bullet> Clearly indicate the application is to be considered as a 
Thriving Communities National Capacity Builder.
    <bullet> Clearly identify which specific Community of Practice the 
applicant is seeking to be considered to support (the applicant should 
select only one Community of Practice). DOT reserves the right to 
assign a Capacity Builder to a different Community of Practice, with 
confirmation from the Capacity Builder, if it determines the Capacity 
Builder has the skills and experience necessary to serve communities in 
that Community of Practice.
    <bullet> Provide a clear, concise, and descriptive summary of the 
proposed approach to technical assistance and capacity building, 
including identifying the types of targeted support that will be 
provided with DOT resources and how this support is anticipated to 
build local capacity and advance Thriving Communities Program goals 
within the Community of Practice it seeks to support.
    <bullet> Briefly discuss the strengths that its team provides in 
areas of technical depth, diversity and capacity building approach to 
underserved and disadvantaged communities.
    <bullet> Identify the amount of funding the applicant is 
requesting.
    In addition, but separate from the 500-word limit, list all 
proposed Capacity Builder team organizations and indicate whether the 
organizations are designated as any of the following:
    <bullet> a disadvantaged business (e.g., 8(a) business) as defined 
by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA);
    <bullet> a small business as defined by the SBA;
    <bullet> a Historically Black College or University;
    <bullet> other Minority Serving Institution;
    <bullet> a HUBZone as defined by the SBA; or
    <bullet> A woman-owned or service-disabled veteran-owned small 
business as defined by the SBA.
TCP-R Capacity Builders
    Applicants are required to submit an Executive Summary of no more 
than 500 words that must:
    <bullet> Clearly indicate the application is to be considered as a 
Thriving Communities Regional Pilot Capacity Builder.
    <bullet> Clearly identify the communities to be supported, 
anticipated technical assistance and capacity building needs, and how 
they intersect with plans for State or regional housing, economic 
development, public health, climate and other community development 
goals.
    <bullet> List all proposed members of the TCP-R applicant team.
    <bullet> Provide a clear and concise descriptive summary of the 
proposed approach to supporting selected communities, including 
identifying the types of targeted support that will be provided with 
DOT resources that cannot be met with existing resources,

[[Page 63658]]

and how this support is anticipated to build local capacity and advance 
Thriving Communities Program goals.
    <bullet> Briefly discuss the strengths that the applicant provides 
in areas of technical depth, diversity and capacity building to 
underserved and disadvantaged communities within its service area 
(i.e., the State, region, Tribal, or MPO boundaries).
f. Narrative Responses Addressing Merit Rating Criteria Sub-Factors
    As detailed in NOFO section E, ``Application Review Information,'' 
any applicant that does not submit a narrative response that addresses 
each of the 10 Merit Rating Criteria Sub-Factors within the page limits 
described below will not be eligible for review. See NOFO section E for 
more detail on the Merit Rating Criteria Sub-Factors. Your narrative 
responses for the two Priority sub-factors must be less than 3-pages 
each, and your narrative responses for all other sub-factors must be 
less than 1-page each (for a total limit of 14 pages across all ten 
sub-factors). Any additional pages will not be considered during the 
merit rating review. All page limits are single-sided 8.5x11-inch 
pages, with a minimum 12-point font and 1-inch margins.
g. Letters of Commitment From Communities (for TCP-R Applicants Only)
    For each community that TCP-R applicants proposed to support, 
applicants must submit a Letter of Commitment signed by the community's 
top elected official or equivalent. Letters should clearly demonstrate 
that the community is aware of and receptive to receiving support 
through TCP over a two-year period. The Letter of Commitment should 
demonstrate alignment with the applicant's described support 
activities. Letters of Commitment can be submitted as PDF or Word 
document attachments.
h. Staffing Plan
    All applications must include a Staffing Plan listing all position 
types proposed to be charged to the project for each Capacity Builder 
partner organization, whether as Federal or non-Federal costs. The 
Staffing Plan must include the position titles, hourly rates, and 
percentage of time dedicated to the project. The sum of all salaries 
charged to the project must equal the amount on the ``Personnel'' 
budget line item on Form SF-424A. The Staffing Plan should provide a 
description of the capacities each position type will contribute and 
how these positions will contribute to advancing the technical 
assistance and capacity building approach.
    Given that additional technical assistance and capacity building 
needs may arise in response to the specific needs of selected 
communities receiving support, refinements can be made to the proposed 
staffing structure with DOT approval. Applicants are required to 
include strategic hiring plan that may be utilized to supplement or 
hire contingent staff that may work directly with recipients and their 
community partners to ensure continuity of services.
    Proposals should identify key project staff to advance the 
identified technical assistance and capacity building approach. The 
proposal should include a one-page resume for each key project staff 
member. This should include a short summary of the individual's 
relative areas of expertise; years of experience; employment and 
education history; and brief snapshot of related project history noting 
work with disadvantaged communities, comprehensive economic or 
community development, and/or capacity building. Replacement of key 
staff are subject to DOT approval. At least one key staff member must 
be identified per Capacity Builder partner organization.
    Resumes should be compiled and uploaded together as one PDF file. 
Mid-level or junior staff may be shown without identification or 
resumes. Key staff are defined as project managers, subject matter 
experts, and individuals who have specialized knowledge key to delivery 
of technical assistance.
i. Budget Proposal
    Application submissions must include a completed SF-424A, Budget 
Information--Non-Construction Programs, form. In preparing the SF-424A, 
applicants should break down budget costs into the appropriate object 
class categories in section B of the form. A detailed budget narrative 
must accompany the SF-424A. The purpose of the narrative is to explain 
and justify the proposed project expenditures. For clarity and 
consistency, applicants should discuss each expense by object class in 
the order that they appear on the SF-424A. The narrative must include 
the dollar amounts of each object class category and include detailed 
descriptions of how the dollar amounts were derived. Include an 
explanation for each calculation and provide a narrative that supports 
each budget category listed on the SF-424A. The costs provided in the 
narrative must clearly equal total costs identified on the SF-424A form 
and match the total listed on line 15. Applicants may use the Budget 
Template as a starting point for their Budget Proposals and are 
encouraged to customize the template to fit their individual needs and 
provide an appropriate amount of detail. The Budget Proposal must 
include tables that organize and summarize the information presented in 
the narrative. The narrative, not including the table in the Budget 
Template, should not exceed three pages in length.
    The budget must clearly show total program administration and grant 
management costs, which are not to exceed 25 percent of the overall 
budget; and identify those costs associated with targeted support. TCP-
R applicants are encouraged to indicate in their budgets activities and 
funds allocated to meaningful public involvement activities.
    All applicants must allocate at least 20 percent of their budget 
for sub-granting to communities to facilitate long-term capacity 
building and to compensate local community partners who are serving as 
technical assistance, planning, and capacity builders.
    All applicants are expected to clearly delineate in the budget the 
support costs for the first two years of deep-dive targeted community 
support and peer learning support to the Community of Practice, and the 
third year solely focused on Community of Practice management and 
overall program reporting, knowledge sharing, evaluation, and 
transition planning.
    The narrative for following class objectives must address:
    Personnel Costs: Explain lead applicant personnel costs by listing 
each staff member who will be supported from funds, name (if possible), 
position title, percentage of full-time equivalency, and annual salary.
    Fringe Benefits: List the components that comprise the fringe 
benefit rate, for example health insurance, taxes, unemployment 
insurance, life insurance, retirement plans, and tuition reimbursement. 
The fringe benefits should be directly proportional to that portion of 
lead applicant personnel costs that are allocated for the project.
    Travel: Provide a narrative that explains the destination, 
estimated costs and type of transportation. Include the number of 
travelers and related lodging and subsistence (per diem costs) for each 
trip. Include a brief description of the travel involved, its purpose, 
and explanation of how the proposed travel is necessary for successful 
completion of the project. If travel details are unknown, then the 
basis for proposed costs should be explained (i.e., historical 
information)--do not ``pull

[[Page 63659]]

numbers out of the air'' or list a lump sum estimate. Travel costs can 
be charged on an actual basis, on a per diem or mileage basis in lieu 
of actual costs incurred, or a combination of the two if applied 
consistently and results in reasonable charges. Applicants are expected 
to budget for at least one site visit per community each year for the 
first two years of the period of performance.
    Equipment--``Equipment'' is nonexpendable, tangible personal 
property with a unit cost of $5,000 or more having a useful life of 
more than 1 year. Items that do not meet the ``equipment'' definition 
can be included under supplies. List each piece of equipment to be 
purchased and provide description of how it will be used in the 
project. The budget narrative should explain why the equipment is 
necessary for successful completion of the project. General use 
equipment (i.e., computers, faxes, etc.) must be used 100% for the 
proposed project if charged directly to the Thriving Communities 
Program.
    Supplies: List the supplies that the project will use to implement 
the proposed project. Please note, items such as laptops, tablets, and 
desktop computers are classified as a supply if the value is under the 
$5,000 equipment threshold.
    Contractual: Provide a list of all contracts anticipated for the 
project. The contracts will be for services rendered by co-applicants, 
contractors, and consultants. Provide the purpose of each contract for 
services that you intend on awarding and award how the costs were 
estimated. Applicants should not provide line-item details on proposed 
contracts, instead provide the basis for your cost estimate for the 
contract. For co-applicant and consultant services, identify each 
consultant, the cost for each consultant, the services they will 
perform, anticipated hours or days, and travel costs. The recipient is 
responsible for ensuring that it has in place an established and 
adequate procurement system with fully developed written procedures for 
awarding and monitoring all contracts.
    Other--Provide a list of all subawards anticipated for the project. 
Provide a clear explanation as to the purpose of subaward and 
justification. The actual number and costs of subawards may not be 
known until each of the individualized community assessments are 
completed. Applicant should provide an explanation on the basis for the 
cost estimate in this section. The recipient is responsible for 
ensuring it has in place an established and adequate grants management 
system with fully developed written procedures for awarding, reporting, 
and monitoring all subawards.
    Grant Funds, Sources and Uses of Project Funds--Project budgets 
should show how different funding sources will share in each activity 
and present those data in dollars and percentages. The budget should 
identify other Federal funds the applicant is applying for or has been 
awarded, if any, that the applicant intends to leverage Funding sources 
should be grouped into three categories: non-Federal, Thriving 
Communities Program, and other Federal with specific amounts from each 
funding source.
For TCP-N Capacity Builders
    DOT is interested in the opportunities for broader outreach and 
shared learning that can be supported through the dissemination of 
materials developed by TCP-N Capacity Builders, and by the lessons 
learned through the technical assistance engagement to inform future 
program design and impact. This will include quarterly virtual meetings 
with representatives of the Capacity Builders to be organized and 
conducted by DOT; and an annual in-person 1.5-day TCP convening that 
will include participation by Capacity Builders (estimate 4 people) and 
recipient communities including community partners (estimate 3 people 
per community). Capacity Builders should allocate a portion of their 
budget to support this involvement for themselves and the recipient 
communities. For the purpose of budget estimation, assume meetings are 
held in Washington, DC at average-priced travel periods.
    DOT invites, but does not require, applicants to propose how they 
could provide targeted support to additional communities beyond those 
selected by DOT, within the budget provided or through leveraging other 
funding or associated technical assistance efforts that the applicant 
or its team members may also be supporting. If doing so, applicants 
must include information demonstrating these existing relationships and 
submit Letters of Commitment from other entities providing additional 
funding.
    DOT will reimburse labor and direct costs incurred by the Capacity 
Builder team, including subcontractors. Capacity Builders should 
maintain a system for recording all project costs. Invoices must be 
transmitted to DOT monthly.
    The Capacity Builder must notify DOT in writing when 50% of the 
project budget is expended. Further work must stop, and DOT must be 
notified in writing when 90% of the project budget is expended. 
Aggregate payment shall not exceed the cap shown in the cooperative 
agreement. Costs incurred over the cap shown in the cooperative 
agreement will not be reimbursed.
For TCP-R Capacity Builders
    DOT is interested in the opportunities for broader outreach and 
shared learning that can be supported through the peer learning and 
knowledge sharing by regional organizations and their partners with 
other jurisdictions and organizations within the State, Tribe, or 
service area, including lessons learned through the pilot that can 
inform future program design and impact. This will include quarterly 
virtual meetings with TCP-R Capacity Builders to be organized and 
conducted by DOT, the potential to participate in one or more State or 
regional convenings, and potentially participation in the annual in-
person 1.5-day TCP convening by the TCP-R capacity builder (estimate 2 
people). TCP-R Capacity Builders should allocate a portion of their 
budget to support this involvement, but event specifics and their 
associated costs will be finalized in cooperative agreements and 
workplans. For the purpose of budget estimation, assume the annual 
convening is held in Washington, DC at average-priced travel periods.
    DOT will reimburse labor and direct costs incurred by the TCP-R 
Capacity Builders. TCP-R Capacity Builders should maintain a system for 
recording all project costs. Invoices may be transmitted to DOT 
monthly.
    DOT invites, but does not require, applicants to propose how they 
could leverage other funding or associated technical assistance efforts 
to support additional communities and/or support TCP goals in the long-
term. If doing so, applicants must include information demonstrating 
these existing relationships and submit Letters of Commitment from 
other entities providing additional funding.
    The TCP-R Capacity Builder must notify DOT in writing when 50% of 
the project budget is expended. Further, work must stop, and DOT must 
be notified in writing when 90% of the project budget is expended. 
Aggregate payment shall not exceed the cap shown in the cooperative 
agreement. Costs incurred over the cap shown in the cooperative 
agreement will not be reimbursed.

3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM)

    To enable the use of a universal identifier and to enhance the 
quality of

[[Page 63660]]

information available to the public as required by the Federal Funding 
Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006, all applicants are 
required to: (i) be registered in SAM before submitting an application; 
(ii) provide a valid unique entity identifier in the application; (iii) 
make certain certifications; and (iv) continue to maintain an active 
SAM registration with current information at all times during which 
they have an active Federal award or an application or plan under 
consideration by a Federal awarding agency. DOT may not make a Federal 
award to an applicant until the applicant has complied with all 
applicable unique entity identifier and SAM requirements and, if an 
applicant has not fully complied with the requirements by the time the 
DOT is ready to make an award, DOT may determine that the applicant is 
not qualified to receive an award and use that determination as a basis 
for making an award to another applicant. Award recipients will be 
subject to reporting requirements as identified in OMB guidance 
published at 2 CFR parts 25 and 170.

4. Submission Dates and Times

    The deadline for the receipt of an application is 4:59 p.m. Eastern 
Time on November 28, 2023. Applications received after this deadline 
may not be reviewed or considered for funding. Applications will only 
be accepted electronically through 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:
    <bullet> DOT will not accept any unsolicited changes, additions, 
revisions, or deletions to applications after the submission deadline.
    <bullet> Throughout the review and selection process, DOT reserves 
the right to seek clarification from applicants whose applications are 
being reviewed and considered.
    <bullet> Applicants may be asked to clarify objectives and work 
plans and modify budgets or other specifics as necessary to comply with 
Federal requirements and provide supplemental information required by 
the agency before award.
    <bullet> See section E of this NOFO for application review and 
selection information.

5. Funding Restrictions

    For funding restrictions that may affect an applicant's ability to 
develop an application and budget consistent with program requirements, 
see section C of this notice. DOT will not reimburse costs incurred 
before the cooperative agreement has been signed by DOT and the lead 
applicant.
    The maximum dollar amount of allocable indirect costs for which DOT 
will reimburse a recipient will be the lesser of the (i) line-item 
amount for the Federal share of indirect costs contained in the DOT 
approved budget for the award, or (ii) Federal share of the total 
allocable indirect costs of the award based on either (a) the indirect 
cost rate approved by DOT (or applicable cognizant Federal agency), 
provided that the cost rate is current at the time the costs were 
incurred and provided that the rate is approved on or before the award 
end date, or (b) other acceptable documentation as indicated below.

6. Other Submission Requirements

    The complete application must be submitted electronically via 
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 <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#afdcdadfdfc0dddbefc8ddcec1dbdc81c8c0d9"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="86f5f3f6f6e9f4f2c6e1f4e7e8f2f5a8e1e9f0">[email protected]</span></a>.
Early Registration and Application Submission
    In order to submit an application via 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-special-characters.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-my-application.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/encounteringerror-messages.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

[[Page 63661]]

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 <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#0f7c7a7f7f607d7b4f687d6e617b7c21686079"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="8bf8fefbfbe4f9ffcbecf9eae5fff8a5ece4fd">[email protected]</span></a> or 
telephone at (800) 518-4726. The 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.*
B......................................  Experience Supportive of
                                          Capacity Building Approach.
C......................................  Experience Supportive of
                                          Community of Practice
                                          Management Approach.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Rating Factor 4: Program Management and Evaluation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A......................................  Schedule of Milestones and
                                          Deliverables.
B......................................  Program Evaluation and
                                          Assessment.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        Additional Considerations
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A......................................  Soundness of Proposed Budget.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         Priority Considerations
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A......................................  Experience with Priority
                                          Geographies.
B......................................  Diversity of Capacity Builder
                                          Teams.
C......................................  Leveraging of Additional
                                          Funding Sources.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Priority rating factor.

    Each application will be assigned an overall score of ``Highly 
Recommended,'' ``Recommended,'' or ``Not Recommended'' based on the 
ratings for each of the four Rating Factors. See section E.2 below for 
more details.
a. Rating Factor 1: Soundness of Approach to Targeted Community Support 
and Capacity Building
i. Technical Assistance Approach (Priority Sub-Factor)
For TCP-N Applicants
    Applicants must describe their proposed approach to providing 
customized support to 15-20 individual communities at a national scale 
over a two-year period for each of the following three key phases of 
transportation decision-making: Project Planning and Scoping; Project 
Development and Design; and Project Delivery. Selected Capacity 
Builders will be expected to provide technical assistance support to 
communities who may be in any of the three phases; therefore, DOT will 
evaluate the strength of the applicant's described approach to 
providing support in each of the three phases. These three phases are 
described in section H.1 of this NOFO.
    In their narratives, applicants must describe their approach to:
    <bullet> Co-designing an individualized scope of work with 
communities and their partners, including assessing existing technical 
capacity and assets.

[[Page 63662]]

    <bullet> Providing technical assistance support specific to the 
three transportation decision-making phases.
    <bullet> Incorporating meaningful and innovative public engagement 
strategies, including but not limited to engagement with non-English 
speakers, people with disabilities, and other under-represented groups 
bridging racial, cultural, and economic barriers that affect community 
participation; and strategies to tailor public involvement to unique 
community requirements and preferences.
    <bullet> Building community wealth through transportation 
investments, innovative financing and leveraged funding approaches that 
address the unique challenges of under-resourced, low-tax base and 
credit-challenged communities.
    <bullet> Supporting workforce development, hiring and labor 
practices benefitting local economically disadvantaged communities.
    <bullet> Strategically planning onsite engagement with individual 
communities, including at least one visit to each community per year 
for the first two years of the period of performance.
For TCP-R Applicants
    TCP-R applicants must identify and describe the communities that 
they have selected to support over two years of targeted support. As 
noted in section D.2(g) of this NOFO, applicants must submit Letters of 
Commitment from each community proposed for support in the application. 
Applicants must describe in detail how and why they selected these 
communities, addressing the following:
    <bullet> The number of communities or projects the applicant 
intends to support with the requested funding amount.
    <bullet> Metrics and methods for verifying disadvantaged status or 
transportation burden/disparity that the applicant used to select 
communities, including the use of tools such as CEJST and ETC Explorer.
    In their narratives, applicants must also describe their proposed 
approach to providing support to these communities based on their 
individual needs, including:
    1. the types of local projects and capacity building needs that 
will be supported through TCP funding and how this support will build 
longer term capacity and meet critical technical assistance needs that 
are not currently being supported through other resources.
    2. how the proposed support will advance transportation projects 
that intersect with goals related to State or regional housing, 
economic development, public health, climate and other community 
development goals and help to advance implementation of related State, 
Tribal and/or regional plans.
    3. how the work supported through the pilot may be scaled or 
leveraged to support additional communities within the applicant's 
service area (i.e., the larger metropolitan region, State, Territory or 
Tribe).
    4. approach to incorporating meaningful and innovative public 
engagement strategies, including but not limited to engagement with 
non-English speakers, people with disabilities, and other under-
represented groups; bridging racial, cultural, and economic barriers 
that affect community participation; and strategies to tailor public 
involvement to unique community requirements and preferences. DOT will 
give preference to applications with robust meaningful public 
engagement approaches. Refer to DOT's Promising Practices for 
Meaningful Public Involvement in Transportation Decision-Making 
[https://www.transportation.gov/priorities/equity/promising-practices-meaningful-public-involvement-transportation-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 under-resourced, low-tax base and 
credit-challenged communities.
    For this rating criteria, DOT will evaluate applicants based on the 
communities they propose to support, including their methods for 
selecting communities and the description of community need and how 
well they align with TCP goals. DOT will also evaluate the strength of 
the proposed approach to providing technical assistance support to 
these communities.
ii. Capacity Building Approach
For TCP-N Applicants
    Applicants must describe how they will build lasting capacity for 
TCP recipients and their community partners through activities 
undertaken during the period of TCP support. Capacity building should 
focus on ways to improve the long-term ability of a community to design 
and undertake necessary technical, financial, business, and data 
analyses; meet Federal oversight and project management requirements; 
undertake statewide and metropolitan long-range planning and 
programming activities; and implement other activities that broadly 
support project planning, development, and delivery. This includes 
developing long-term community capacity to sustain partnerships and 
engage non-governmental partners, leadership and workforce development, 
and program evaluation.
    Capacity building approaches should include an element of 
responsiveness to the needs of individual communities and adaptability 
over the period of performance. Applicants may propose different areas 
where they anticipate capacity needs to be the greatest, and strategies 
they envision deploying to meet these needs through individualized 
deep-dive support. They should also describe the process they will use 
to adapt capacity building approaches, as needed.
    Applicants must address the following in their capacity building 
narrative:

<bullet> Approach to supplementing local staffing and workforce 
development capacity
<bullet> Approach to developing systems or structures that improve 
lasting compliance with Federal grant management, including but not 
limited to title VI of the Civil Rights Act, the Americans with 
Disabilities Act, section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and 
procurement requirements
<bullet> Approach to sub-granting to local technical assistance and 
capacity building partners who bring local expertise and capacity
<bullet> Approach to building organizational capacity to strengthen 
relationships between key stakeholders that deepens regional engagement 
and collaboration, positions partners for future funding opportunities, 
and/or supports inclusive planning processes
<bullet> Approach to evaluating and establishing emerging 
transportation and planning technologies, data systems, and software

    As part of the capacity building narrative, applicants must also 
describe their planned activities for the third year of the period of 
performance to transition communities for sustained learning and 
capacity building. Refer to section B of this NOFO for more information 
on required activities for the third year of the period of performance.
    DOT will evaluate applicants based on the strength of their 
proposed approach, considering long-term impacts and relationship 
building and the adaptability of the approach.

[[Page 63663]]

For TCP-R Applicants
    Applicants must describe how they will build lasting capacity 
within supported communities to continue advancing transformative 
infrastructure projects. Capacity building should focus on ways to 
ensure that the projects or planning efforts supported by the TCP-R 
achieve results in the long-term, including how the proposed support 
will inform and potentially catalyze systems change improvements to 
advance community-driven projects in long-range plans, transportation 
improvement programs, and other formal processes used to inform and 
prioritize State, Tribal, and/or regional investments and funding 
decisions. Emphasis should be on ensuring that the project or plan 
moves forward within its current phase of development, and that the 
community continues to move the project forward, including once TCP 
support concludes.
    Capacity building approaches should include an element of 
responsiveness to the needs of individual communities and adaptability 
over the period of performance. Applicants may propose different areas 
where they anticipate capacity needs to be the greatest, and strategies 
they envision deploying to meet these needs. They should also describe 
the process they will use to adapt capacity building approaches, as 
needed.
    Applicants must address the following in their capacity building 
narrative:

<bullet> Approach to empowering communities to access planning, 
scoping, and funding resources in the long-term
<bullet> Approach to supporting local community partnerships and 
expanding collaboration
<bullet> Approach to developing systems or structures that improve 
lasting compliance with Federal grant management, including but not 
limited to title VI of the Civil Rights Act, the Americans with 
Disabilities Act, section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and 
procurement requirements
<bullet> Approach to evaluating and establishing emerging 
transportation and planning technologies, data systems, and software
<bullet> Approach to sub-granting to local technical assistance and 
capacity building partners who bring local expertise and capacity

    As part of the capacity building narrative, applicants must also 
describe their planned activities for the third year of the period of 
performance to transition communities for sustained learning and 
capacity building. Refer to section B of this NOFO for more information 
on required activities for the third year of the period of performance.
    DOT will evaluate applicants based on the strength of their 
proposed approach, considering long-term impacts and relationship 
building and the adaptability of the approach.
iii. Community of Practice Management Approach
For TCP-N Applicants
    Selected Capacity Builders will be expected not only to provide 
individualized deep-dive support to their assigned communities but also 
to facilitate peer learning, networking, and knowledge sharing across 
communities facing similar challenges and building similar capacities. 
Applicants must describe an approach to managing communities of 
practice, building and sustaining cross-sector collaboration, and 
strategies for encouraging member engagement, and facilitating learning 
and capacity building across the communities within their assigned 
Community of Practice over the first two years of the period of 
performance. Applicants should also address how they will share 
knowledge to communities beyond the selected cohort during the third 
year of the period of performance to amplify program impact and 
learnings.
    DOT will evaluate applicants based on the strength of their 
Community of Management approach and its ability to achieve TCP peer 
learning and networking goals.
For TCP-R Applicants
    Applicants will not select a Community of Practice but are required 
to describe peer-learning, networking, and knowledge sharing activities 
that the applicant will facilitate among communities within the lead 
applicant's State or region. Applicants will describe strategies for 
engaging regional partners, building and sustaining cross-sector 
collaboration, and examples of tools used to prioritize community-based 
goals and objectives. The emphasis of these activities should be on 
addressing the unique State, Tribal, or regional challenges that are 
shared among participating communities.
    Applicants should also address how they will share knowledge to 
communities within their jurisdiction that were not recipients of 
direct support provided by the TCP-R Capacity Builder, particularly 
during the third year of the period of performance. This kind of 
knowledge sharing should emphasize how support provided to communities 
during the support phase of the TCP-R Capacity Builder's work can serve 
as models for other communities.
    DOT will evaluate applicants based on the strength of their peer 
learning approach and its ability to achieve TCP peer learning and 
networking goals.
b. Rating Factor 2: Staffing and Teaming Arrangement
i. Role of Partner Organizations
For All Program Applicants
    DOT seeks Capacity Builders that have technical knowledge across a 
diverse set of issues and skills; therefore, the lead applicant is 
strongly encouraged to partner with other eligible organizations to 
form a diverse Capacity Builder team.
    Applicants must describe the role of each partner organization on 
the Capacity Builder team, including the skills, knowledge, and 
expertise each organization brings to the team and how those skills and 
experience will be applied in the team's approach to technical 
assistance and capacity building. This description should align with 
the specific steps and activities described in the approach to 
technical assistance and capacity building. DOT will evaluate 
applicants based on the strength of their partnerships, including the 
diversity of skills, knowledge, and expertise the partner organizations 
bring and how well they align with the applicant's proposed approach. 
For TCP-R, DOT will evaluate the team's ability to address the specific 
needs of the proposed communities.
ii. Demonstrated Staff Expertise
For All Program Applicants
    As noted in section D.2(h) of this NOFO, all applicants must submit 
a Staffing Plan and resumes as part of their applications. Applicants 
must submit an accompanying narrative that describes how the staff 
listed and their relevant areas of expertise will contribute to the 
goals of TCP and to meeting individual community needs. DOT will 
evaluate Staffing Plans based on their ability to demonstrate how 
individual team members represent the different areas of expertise 
needed to develop and implement a well-structured, feasible, and 
scalable technical assistance, planning, and capacity building plan.

[[Page 63664]]

c. Rating Factor 3: Proven Success
i. Experience Supportive of Technical Assistance Approach (Priority 
Sub-Factor)
For All Applicants
    Applicants must demonstrate prior experience and successes related 
to the tasks and activities described in the technical assistance 
approach, clearly identifying which organization(s) have undertaken the 
activities described. DOT will evaluate applicants based on their 
descriptions of past experience and success undertaking activities 
proposed in the technical assistance approach.
    Narratives should include information on the following:

<bullet> Examples of conducting the activities described in the 
technical assistance approach for each of the three transportation 
phases, including outcomes and impacts
<bullet> Experience executing projects that address local community 
mobility, access, climate and community development goals, in 
accordance with regional or statewide plans
<bullet> Experience supporting disadvantaged, rural, and Tribal 
communities on equity-related issues such as civil rights compliance, 
equitable development, inclusive community engagement
<bullet> Experience supporting innovative, inclusive, and meaningful 
public engagement activities, including experience engaging with 
communities with Limited English Proficiency
<bullet> Experience and evidence of the team's knowledge of Federal 
funding and technical assistance programs and the transportation 
planning processes relevant to the Community of Practice being 
supported that will support its role as a community navigator that 
connects communities to existing technical assistance resources 
available through DOT and other Federal agencies
<bullet> Experience and evidence of the team's knowledge and experience 
with applicable Federal statutes such as NEPA, title VI, ADA, and 
others
<bullet> Experience supporting workforce development, hiring and labor 
practices benefitting local economically disadvantaged communities, 
including specific examples
ii. Experience Supportive of Capacity Building Approach
For All Applicants
    Applicants must demonstrate prior experience and successes related 
to the tasks and activities described in the capacity building 
approach, clearly identifying which organization(s) have undertaken the 
activities described. DOT will evaluate applicants based on their 
descriptions of past experience and success undertaking activities 
proposed in the capacity building approach.
    Narratives should include information on the following:

<bullet> Examples of conducting the activities described in the 
capacity building approach, including outcomes and impacts
<bullet> Demonstration of experience applying strategies to nurture 
small and disadvantaged business participation and development, 
including capacity building initiatives and facilitating supportive 
services within disadvantaged business enterprise community 
marketplaces
<bullet> Experience with community wealth building and economic 
development practices, including community ownership models, 
apprenticeship, and business entrepreneurial programs
iii. Experience Supportive of Community of Practice Management Approach
For TCP-N Applicants
    Applicants must demonstrate prior experience and successes related 
to the tasks and activities described in the Community of Practice 
Management approach, clearly identifying which organization(s) have 
undertaken the activities described. DOT will evaluate applicants based 
on their descriptions of past experience and success undertaking 
activities proposed in the community of practice management approach.
    Narratives should include information on the following:

<bullet> Examples of conducting the activities described in the 
Community of Practice approach, including outcomes and impacts
<bullet> Specific examples of experiences relevant to the chosen 
Community of Practice cohort (Main Streets, Complete Neighborhoods, or 
Networked Communities)
<bullet> Demonstration of having conducted convenings to facilitate 
peer learning among communities
For TCP-R Applicants
    Applicants must demonstrate prior experience and successes related 
to the tasks and activities described in the peer learning approach, 
clearly identifying which organization(s) have undertaken the 
activities described. DOT will evaluate applicants based on their 
descriptions of past experience and success undertaking activities 
proposed in the peer learning approach.
    Narratives should include information on the following:

<bullet> Examples of conducting the activities described in the peer 
learning approach, including outcomes and impacts
<bullet> Demonstration of having conducted convenings to facilitate 
peer learning among communities; and/or support regional collaboratives
d. Rating Factor 4: Program Management and Evaluation
i. Schedule of Milestones and Deliverables
For All Program Applicants
    Applications must include a proposed set of tasks and schedule 
detailing the expected start and end date of tasks and major 
deliverables described in the proposed approach. Applicants must 
clearly delineate and describe tasks and deliverables expected in the 
first two years of targeted community support, including peer learning 
support, and the third year of peer learning, evaluation, reporting, 
and transition activities. Applications should incorporate preparation 
of the final report and presentation into the project timeline and 
period of performance. The proposed task organization and schedule will 
serve as a starting point for cooperative agreement negotiations with 
the selected teams.
    DOT will evaluate applicants based on the feasibility of the 
schedule; level of detail; alignment with proposed technical 
assistance, planning, and capacity building support; and alignment with 
accomplishing TCP goals within the period of performance.
ii. Program Evaluation and Assessment
For All Program Applicants
    Applicants must include specific performance metrics under each of 
the specific work tasks describing how they will track, analyze, and 
report on the results and outcomes of the technical assistance, 
planning, and capacity building they are providing to individual 
communities and to the Communities of Practice/network of peer 
communities they are supporting. Performance metrics may be qualitative 
and/or quantitative and should be described in terms of well-defined 
goals that align with the goals of TCP.
    DOT will evaluate the strength, clarity, and meaningfulness of 
proposed metrics and methodologies.
    A list of potential metrics is bulleted below each TCP goal below:

[[Page 63665]]

1. Facilitate the Planning and Development of Transportation and 
Community Revitalization Activities Supported by DOT

<bullet> New projects that increase mobility, reduce pollution from 
transportation sources, expand affordable transportation options, 
facilitate efficient land use, preserve or expand jobs, and improve 
housing conditions
<bullet> Enhanced access to health care, education, and food security, 
or improved health outcomes

2. Build Capacity and Provide Support to Disadvantaged and/or 
Transportation Burdened Communities

<bullet> Short- and long-term capacity increases (e.g., increased 
staff, strategic hires)
<bullet> Sustained participation of key stakeholders that have 
historically been excluded from planning and decision making processes
<bullet> Leveraging relationships with other entities to advance 
community priorities

3. Increase the Level of Federal Investments in Transportation 
Infrastructure

<bullet> Number of successful grant or funding applications for 
projects supported through this program
<bullet> Implementation of new transportation infrastructure projects

4. Center and Advance Community-Driven Priorities

<bullet> Development of community-defined impact metrics to evaluate 
local equity outcomes
<bullet> Demonstrate positive benefits for disadvantaged communities
<bullet> Establishment of resident steering or advisory committees
e. Priority Considerations
    DOT will prioritize Capacity Builders based on the below priority 
considerations. Priority considerations will be evaluated and 
documented in the Merit Review phase but will not factor into Merit 
Review scores. The documentation will be shared with the SRT for final 
recommendations.
i. Experience With Priority Geographies
For All Program Applicants
    To receive priority consideration under this factor, applicants 
must clearly demonstrate their experience with supporting communities 
facing transportation burden and disparity, including but not limited 
to:

<bullet> Communities identified as disadvantaged in the transportation 
category in the CEJST tool
<bullet> Communities identified as transportation insecure in the ETC 
tool

    Applicants should provide this information in their Experience 
Supportive of Technical Assistance Approach and Experience Supportive 
of Capacity Building Approach narratives.
ii. Diversity of Capacity Builder Teams
For TCP-N Program Applicants
    Applicant Capacity Builder Teams include one or more partner 
organization that can be classified as:
    <bullet> a disadvantaged business (e.g., 8(a) business) as defined 
by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA);
    <bullet> a small business as defined by the SBA;
    <bullet> a Historically Black College or University;
    <bullet> other Minority Serving Institution;
    <bullet> a HUBZone as defined by SBA [https://www.sba.gov/federal-contracting/contracting-assistance-programs/hubzone-program]; or
    <bullet> a woman-owned or service-disabled veteran-owned small 
business as defined by SBA.
    Applicants should identify this information in their Executive 
Summary and in each Organization Description attachment.
    The diversity of the Capacity Builder teams is not a priority 
consideration for the TCP-R program.
iii. Leveraging of Additional Funding Sources
For All Program Applicants
    Applicants that demonstrate an ability to leverage other funding 
and resources to provide support to additional communities, supported 
by Letters of Commitment, will be prioritized. This may include 
leveraging other funding, including from philanthropy, other Federal 
funding sources (e.g., formula funds, State or local resources and in-
kind contributions of staff, volunteer time, facilities or other 
resources) to amplify program impact and support Thriving Communities 
Program goals and objectives in the long-term. Applicants should 
identify this information in their Budget Proposals.
f. Additional Considerations
i. Soundness of Proposed Budget
    Proposed budgets will not receive merit ratings, but will be 
evaluated for soundness and strength, with reviewers providing comments 
on the following factors for consideration by the Senior Review Team:
    <bullet> Does the proposed budget seem reasonable, feasible, and 
well-planned relevant to the activities proposed?
    <bullet> Does the proposed budget allocate at least 20% of funding 
for sub-granting to community organizations? Are these allocations 
clearly described and reasonable?
    <bullet> Does the budget clearly delineate between targeted support 
provided during the first two years of the period of performance and 
activities undertaken in the third year?
    <bullet> DOT will prioritize applicants offering the highest 
percentages of targeted support. How much of the budget is devoted to 
targeted support?
    <bullet> Does the proposed budget seem to provide high service 
value relevant to the funding requested?
    <bullet> Do reviewers have any concerns or foresee any risks with 
the proposed budget? Examples of concerns/risks include, but are not 
limited to: a budget line-item for profit; excessive employee salaries; 
a total budget request in excess of what this NOFO offers; excessive 
sub-contracting to consultants that are not on the applicant team; and 
excessive allocation to third-year budgets.
    <bullet> For TCP-R applicants only: DOT will view favorably 
applicants that propose robust meaningful public engagement activities. 
Does the applicant allocate a reasonable amount of budget for public 
engagement activities in comparison to described approach?
    DOT acknowledges that TCP-N applicants do not have details on 
specific communities or the exact number of communities they would 
support if selected at the time of application. If selected, 
applicants' proposed budgets will be negotiated and finalized with DOT 
as part of the cooperative agreement process.

2. Review and Selection Process

a. Review for Eligibility and Completeness
    For each application, DOT staff will assess whether the applicant 
is eligible and submitted all the information requested for a complete 
application. The following elements are required for a complete 
application:

<bullet> Required forms listed in section D.2(a)
<bullet> Organizational documentation (see section D.2(b))
<bullet> Organizational descriptions (see section D.2(c))
<bullet> Executive Summary (see section D.2(e))
<bullet> Narrative Responses (see section D.2(f))
<bullet> Letters of Commitment (TCP-R applicants only) (see section 
D.2(g))

[[Page 63666]]

<bullet> Staffing Plan (see section D.2(h))
<bullet> Budget Proposal (see section D.2(i)))

    Applications that do not have all the necessary components for a 
complete application will be referred to an Evaluation Management 
Oversight Team, which will contact the applicant if it is determined 
they are an eligible applicant and request the missing information with 
a response time of 5 business days. Applicants that do not supply 
required information in this timeframe will be disqualified. For the 
Executive Summary and Narrative Responses, DOT will contact applicants 
only if these sections have been omitted entirely; applications that 
lack substance for either of these items will not be disqualified but 
are likely to receive low Merit Ratings.
    Applicants will be disqualified if:
    <bullet> Application does not include any one of the required 
components listed above and does not respond within 5 business days 
with complete application component(s).
    <bullet> Lead applicant is not an eligible organization (as 
described in section C.1).
    <bullet> Activities proposed do not align with the purpose and 
goals of the TCP.
    <bullet> Application is submitted after the deadline (unless 
application is late due to legitimate technical issue(s) documented in 
advance of the application deadline and DOT is notified of the 
technical issue prior to the deadline in section D.4).
    <bullet> Application is submitted via any method other than 
grants.gov (unless there is a confirmed systems issue and DOT exercises 
its right to accept the application in an alternate format).
    Applicants who are determined to be ineligible will be notified in 
writing, and all determinations will be documented.
b. Evaluation Criteria Review
    First-level Review Teams, comprised of staff from DOT, inter-agency 
Federal staff, and contractor staff, will evaluate all eligible and 
complete applications received by the deadline for an Evaluation Review 
against the evaluation criteria in section E.1 of this NOFO.
    Ratings will be determined by each reviewer on an individual basis, 
and a compilation of ratings will be produced. The First-level Review 
Team will conduct a panel discussion, revise scores as appropriate, and 
prepare an overall project rating based on majority opinion of the 
review team.
    The First-level Review Team will consider the quality and 
completeness of each rating sub-factor, which will result in a rating 
of `High,' `Medium,' or `Low,' for each sub-factor.
    Each Rating Factor will receive an overall rating of `High,' 
`Medium,' or `Low,' based on ratings of the Sub-Factors A, B, and/or C.
    For Rating Factors 1 and 3:
    <bullet> Rating Factor will receive a `High' rating when:

[cir] Priority Sub-Factor A is rated `High;' AND,
[cir] Of the remaining two sub-factors (B and C), at least one is rated 
`High,' and neither is rated `Low'

    <bullet> Rating Factor will receive a `Medium' rating when:

[cir] The Rating Factor does not meet the criteria for a `High' rating; 
AND,
[cir] Priority Sub-Factor A is rated at least `Medium;' AND,
[cir] Of the remaining two sub-factors (B and C), at least one is rated 
`Medium' or higher

    <bullet> Rating Factor will receive a `Low' rating when:

[cir] The Rating Factor does not meet the criteria for a `High' or 
`Medium' rating; OR,
[cir] Priority Sub-Factor A is rated `Low'

    For Rating Factors 2 and 4:
    <bullet> Rating Factor will receive a `High' rating when both sub-
factors (A and B) are rated `High'
    <bullet> Rating Factor will receive a `Medium' rating when:

[cir] either both sub-factors are rated `Medium;' OR
[cir] one sub-factor is rated `Medium' and another is rated `High'

    <bullet> Rating Factor will receive a `Low' rating when at least 
one sub-factor is rated `Low'

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Rating scale                        High                    Medium                    Low
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Description..........................  The application is       The application is       The application is
                                        substantively and        moderately responsive    minimally responsive
                                        comprehensively          to the criterion. It     to the criterion. It
                                        responsive to the        makes a moderate case    makes a weak case
                                        criterion. It makes a    about advancing the      about advancing the
                                        strong case about        program goals as         program goals as
                                        advancing the program    described in the         described in the
                                        goals as described in    criterion descriptions.  criterion
                                        the criterion                                     descriptions. Proposal
                                        descriptions..                                    may be counter to the
                                                                                          criterion or does not
                                                                                          contain sufficient
                                                                                          information. It does
                                                                                          not advance or may
                                                                                          negatively impact
                                                                                          criterion goals
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Based on the criteria ratings, an overall application merit rating 
of `Highly Recommended,' `Recommended,' or `Not Recommended' will be 
assigned using the following methodology. The ratings on the individual 
merit criteria translate to the following overall application rating 
for merit criteria:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Overall merit rating              Individual rating factors
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Highly Recommended...................  <bullet> At least three Rating
                                        Factors are `High'.
                                       <bullet> No Rating Factor is
                                        rated `Low'.
Recommended..........................  <bullet> Application received
                                        fewer than three `High' ratings,
                                        and;
                                       <bullet> No more than one Rating
                                        Factor is rated `Low',
Not Recommended......................  <bullet> Application received at
                                        least two `Low' ratings.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    After completing the merit review, among applications of similar 
merit, DOT will prioritize applicants that:

<bullet> demonstrate an ability to leverage other funding sources
<bullet> demonstrate experience working with priority geographies
<bullet> devote the highest percentage of their proposed budgets to 
targeted community support
<bullet> have diverse Capacity Builder teams (for TCP-N applicants 
only)
<bullet> describe robust meaningful public involvement approaches (for 
TCP-R applicants only)

[[Page 63667]]

c. Leadership Selection Process
    Applications that receive an overall application rating of Highly 
Recommended will be advanced to a Senior Review Team (SRT), which will 
include senior DOT and HUD leadership, to recommend applicants to the 
Under Secretary of Transportation for Policy (Under Secretary) for 
final selection. Final selection will be made with consideration to:

<bullet> Geographic, team member, and organizational diversity
<bullet> Applicant's demonstrated ability to leverage other funding 
sources to support additional communities and advance TCP goals in the 
long term
<bullet> Experience working with priority geographies
<bullet> Soundness of overall proposed budgets
<bullet> Applicants that devote the highest percentage of their 
proposed budgets to targeted community support
<bullet> For TCP-N applicants, ability to meet anticipated technical 
assistance needs of communities selected by DOT
<bullet> For the TCP-R, applicants with robust meaningful public 
engagement approaches

    The SRT at its sole discretion may elect to review and select for 
cooperative agreements proposals rated as Recommended if the proposal 
fulfills technical assistance needs that would not otherwise be met by 
applications rated as Highly Recommended.
d. Under Secretary of Transportation for Policy Selection Phase
    The SRT will present a list of applications for recommended 
consideration to the Under Secretary for final selection. The SRT may 
advise the Under Secretary on any application on the list, including 
options for reduced awards. The Under Secretary will make final 
selections based on applications that best address program requirements 
and are most deserving of funding.

3. Risk Assessment

    Prior to award, each selected applicant will be subject to a risk 
assessment as required by 2 CFR 200.206. DOT must review and consider 
any information about the applicant that is in the Federal Awardee 
Performance and Integrity Information System (FAPIIS), the designated 
integrity and performance system accessible through SAM. An applicant 
may review information in FAPIIS and comment on any information about 
itself that a Federal awarding agency previously entered. DOT will 
consider comments by the applicant, in addition to the other 
information in FAPIIS, in making a judgment about the applicant's 
integrity, business ethics, and record of performance under Federal 
awards when completing the review of risk posed by applicants.

F. Federal Award Administration

1. Federal Award Notice

    This NOFO will remain open until November 28, 2023.Following the 
evaluation process, DOT will notify successful applicants of their 
selection for funding. DOT will also notify other applicants, whose 
applications were received by the deadline, but have not been chosen 
for award. The DOT will offer a written or telephonic debrief to 
provide an explanation of, and guidance regarding, the reasons why the 
application was not approved.
    Final Award. After DOT has made selections, DOT will finalize 
specific terms of the cooperative agreement and budget in consultation 
with the selected lead applicant. If DOT and the selected applicant do 
not finalize the terms and conditions of the cooperative agreement in a 
timely manner, or the selected applicant fails to provide requested 
information, an award will not be made to that applicant. In this case, 
DOT may select another eligible applicant.
    DOT will reimburse labor and direct costs incurred by the Capacity 
Builder team, including subcontractors. Capacity Builders should 
maintain a system for recording all project costs. Invoices may be 
transmitted to DOT monthly. Aggregate payment will not exceed the cap 
shown in the cooperative agreement.
    Adjustments to Funding. To ensure the fair distribution of funds 
and enable the purposes or requirements of a specific program to be 
met, DOT reserves the right to fund less than the amount requested in 
an application.
    DOT Involvement. As the Federal awarding agency, DOT will maintain 
substantial involvement and oversight throughout the three-year period 
of performance of the executed cooperative agreements. This includes, 
but may not be limited to:

<bullet> Assigning communities selected to receive support through the 
TCP with specific Capacity Builder teams and finalizing work plans for 
cohort specific Communities of Practice
<bullet> Review of deliverables including individualized community deep 
dive work plans and technical assistance assessment
<bullet> Collecting and reviewing quarterly performance reports and 
final reports
<bullet> Convening regular meetings or Capacity Builder calls to review 
project activities, schedule, and progress toward the scope of work
<bullet> Identifying relevant Federal technical assistance programs to 
be aligned with TCP efforts in specific communities and assigning 
Federal agency staff to serve as liaisons with capacity builders, 
technical assistance recipients and their community partners
<bullet> Reviewing and approving changes in key personnel or scope 
changes
<bullet> Oversight of ongoing compliance with applicable Federal 
regulations
<bullet> Budget oversight, including collecting and reviewing and 
reimbursing monthly invoices for incurred costs and receiving 
notification when budgets are 50% and 90% expended
<bullet> Conducting quarterly meetings with Capacity Builders and 
involvement with an annual TCP convening with Capacity Builders and 
community partners

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

Administrative Budget
    DOT requires that a selected applicant participates in negotiations 
to determine an administrative budget. The administrative budget must 
clearly identify the labor, associated indirect costs, travel, and 
material and supply costs associated with your management of the award. 
The administrative budget must track the different sources of funding 
and associate administrative costs to each source. Should DOT not be 
able to successfully conclude negotiations with a selected applicant 
within a period determined by DOT, an award will not be made.
    Performance under the grant program will be governed by and in 
compliance with the following requirements as applicable to the type of 
organization of the recipient and any applicable sub-recipients:
    All awards will be administered pursuant to the Uniform 
Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles and Audit Requirements for 
Federal Awards found in 2 CFR part 200, as adopted by DOT at 2 CFR part 
1201.
    Other terms and conditions as well as performance requirements will 
be addressed in further communications with the recipient. The full 
terms and conditions may vary and are subject to discussions and 
negotiations.
    In connection with any program or activity conducted with or 
benefiting from funds awarded under this notice, recipients of funds 
must comply with all applicable requirements of Federal law, including, 
without limitation, the Constitution of the United States

[[Page 63668]]

statutory, regulatory, and public policy requirements, including 
without limitation, those protecting free speech, religious liberty, 
public welfare, the environment, and prohibiting discrimination; the 
conditions of performance, non-discrimination requirements, and other 
assurances made applicable to the award of funds in accordance with 
regulations of the Department of Transportation; and applicable Federal 
financial assistance and contracting principles promulgated by the 
Office of Management and Budget. In complying with these requirements, 
recipients must ensure that no concession agreements are denied, or 
other contracting decisions made on the basis of speech or other 
activities protected by the First Amendment. If the Bureau determines 
that a recipient has failed to comply with applicable Federal 
requirements, the Bureau may terminate the award of funds and disallow 
previously incurred costs, requiring the recipient to reimburse any 
expended award funds.
    Additionally, Executive Order 13858 directs the Executive Branch 
Departments and agencies to maximize the use of goods, products, and 
materials produced in the United States through the terms and 
conditions of Federal financial assistance awards. If selected for an 
award, grant recipients must be prepared to demonstrate how they will 
maximize the use of domestic goods, products, and materials, as 
applicable.
Administration Priorities
    Civil Rights and Title VI: As a condition of a grant award, grant 
recipients should demonstrate that the recipient has a plan for 
compliance with civil rights obligations and nondiscrimination laws, 
including title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and implementing 
regulations (49 CFR 21), the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 
(ADA), and section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, all other civil 
rights requirements, and accompanying regulations. This should include 
a signed agreement of standard Title VI/Non-Discrimination Assurances, 
identified as an attachment in an executed cooperative agreement. DOT's 
and the applicable Operating Administrations' Office of Civil Rights 
may work with awarded grant recipients to ensure full compliance with 
Federal civil rights requirements.
    Performance and Program Evaluation: As a condition of grant award, 
grant recipients may be required to participate in an evaluation 
undertaken by DOT or another agency or partner. The evaluation may take 
different forms such as an implementation assessment across grant 
recipients, an impact and/or outcomes analysis of all or selected sites 
within or across grant recipients, or a benefit/cost analysis or 
assessment of return on investment. DOT may require applicants to 
collect data elements to aid the evaluation and/or use information 
available through other reporting. As a part of the evaluation, as a 
condition of award, grant recipients must agree to: (1) make records 
available to the evaluation contractor or DOT staff; (2) provide access 
to program records, and any other relevant documents to calculate costs 
and benefits; (3) in the case of an impact analysis, facilitate the 
access to relevant information as requested; and (4) follow evaluation 
procedures as specified by the evaluation contractor or DOT staff.
    Recipients and subrecipients are also encouraged to incorporate 
program evaluation including associated data collection activities from 
the outset of their program design and implementation to meaningfully 
document and measure their progress towards meeting an agency priority 
goal(s). Title I of the Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act 
of 2018 (Evidence Act), Public Law 115-435 (2019) urges Federal 
awarding agencies and Federal assistance recipients and subrecipients 
to use program evaluation as a critical tool to learn, to improve 
equitable delivery, and to elevate program service and delivery across 
the program lifecycle. Evaluation means ``an assessment using 
systematic data collection and analysis of one or more programs, 
policies, and organizations intended to assess their effectiveness and 
efficiency.'' 5 U.S.C. 311. Credible program evaluation activities are 
implemented with relevance and utility, rigor, independence and 
objectivity, transparency, and ethics (OMB Circular A-11, part 6 
section 290).
    For grant recipients receiving an award, evaluation costs are 
allowable costs (either as direct or indirect), unless prohibited by 
statute or regulation, and such costs may include the personnel and 
equipment needed for data infrastructure and expertise in data 
analysis, performance, and evaluation. (2 CFR part 200).
Performance and Program Evaluation
    Each cooperative agreement lead organization must submit quarterly 
progress reports to monitor progress and ensure accountability and 
financial transparency in the grant program. Each Capacity Builder must 
collect and report to the Bureau performance information on the 
technical assistance and advisory services being provided. The specific 
performance information and reporting period will be determined on an 
individual basis and communicated at the kickoff meeting of the 
cooperative agreement. It is anticipated that the Bureau and the 
Capacity Builder will hold regular, informal meetings or calls to 
review project activities, schedule, and progress toward the scope of 
work.
    If funding is appropriated for an FY 2024 TCP, and there is no 
change in the TCP's authorization, DOT may elect not to issue a new 
NOFO for the FY 2024 TCP-N program; rather, it may select National 
Capacity Builders from the FY 2023 awardees, provided that DOT 
determines that awardees have demonstrated an appropriate level of 
performance and that awardees have sufficient capacity to and agree to 
provide support to a new cohort of communities. For the purposes of 
this program, an appropriate level of performance is determined based 
on the community recipients' overall satisfaction with technical 
assistance and capacity building support and with the responsiveness by 
the Capacity Builder to the needs of the community. Community 
recipients of technical assistance may be contacted to assess their 
level of satisfaction with Capacity Builder performance.
    Additionally, it will be determined based on the Capacity Builder's 
successful advancement of goals and objectives related to:

1. Project Management
2. Technical Assistance, Planning, and Capacity Building Services to 
assigned TCP Communities
3. Meaningful Public Engagement to assigned TCP Communities
4. Establishing and Managing a National or Regional Community of 
Practice
5. Program Evaluation and Performance Metrics Assessment Plan
6. Project Budget
Remedies for Noncompliance
    Pursuant to 2 CFR 200.340 [https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR86b76dde0e1e9dc/section-200.340], 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

[[Page 63669]]

for any period of time during the period of performance of this Federal 
award, then the applicant during that period of time must maintain the 
currency of information reported to the SAM that is made available in 
the designated integrity and performance system (currently FAPIIS) 
about civil, criminal, or administrative proceedings described in 
paragraph 2 of this award term and condition. This is a statutory 
requirement under section 872 of Public Law 110-417, as amended (41 
U.S.C. 2313). As required by section 3010 of Public Law 111-212, all 
information posted in the designated integrity and performance system 
on or after April 15, 2011, except past performance review required for 
Federal procurement contracts, will be publicly available.

G. Federal Awarding Agency Contacts

    If you have questions or need additional information about this 
NOFO, you may contact <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#287c405a415e41464f6b4745455d46415c414d5b684c475c064f475e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="bde9d5cfd4cbd4d3dafed2d0d0c8d3d4c9d4d8cefdd9d2c993dad2cb">[email protected]</span></a>. Prospective 
applicants may visit the following website for more information: 
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 non-governmental partners, 
leadership and workforce development, and program evaluation.
    Community-Based Organizations: The term ``community-based 
organization'' means a public or private nonprofit organization of 
demonstrated effectiveness that--(A) is representative of a community 
or significant segments of a community; and (B) provides educational or 
related services to individuals in the community.
    Disadvantaged Business: According to the Small Business 
Administration, a Disadvantaged business must be 51% owned or 
controlled by one or more disadvantaged persons, and the firm must also 
be small according to SBA's size standards. A full definition can be 
found on SBA's website [https://www.sba.gov/federal-contracting/contracting-assistance-programs/small-disadvantaged-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/0920984aa80a4362b8778d779b090723/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-and-eligible-to-receive-services-from-the-united-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 decision-making process. This process enables the 
community and agencies to make better-informed decisions through 
collaborative efforts.
    Place-Making: A multi-faceted and collaborative approach to the 
planning, design, and management of the public realm to re-activate or 
co-create active, accessible and inviting public spaces that promote 
the well-being of people.
    Planning: Efforts that support inclusive public participation and 
community engagement in developing and implementing a range of 
activities to identify, assess, and evaluate community needs, including 
but not limited to environmental reviews, data and mapping 
visualization, market and mobility studies, health and safety impacts, 
and climate vulnerability assessments. Planning assistance may involve 
developing or designing for a program or project that aligns with the 
goals of the DOT Strategic Plan [https://www.transportation.gov/dot-strategicplan].
    Project Planning and Scoping: Technical assistance in this phase 
will support communities in efforts to identify projects that address a 
problem in the community and complete planning activities to move these 
projects toward development and implementation. Examples of areas of 
technical assistance in this phase

[[Page 63670]]

include, but are not limited to environmental planning, transportation 
planning (e.g., corridor studies, pre-engineering studies), visioning 
and goal setting, feasibility studies, and other planning and scoping 
activities.
    Project Development and Design: Technical assistance in this phase 
will support communities that have completed planning and scoping 
activities for one or more projects and who need assistance with 
completing relevant analyses and identifying and securing funding for 
project delivery. Specific types of technical assistance that could be 
provided for communities in this phase include, but are not limited to 
environmental analysis (e.g., NEPA); equity analysis; mapping and data 
analysis; title VI, ADA, and other regulatory compliance; benefit-cost 
analysis; grant/funding identification and planning; grant writing; and 
other pre-construction activities.
    Project Delivery: Technical assistance in this phase will support 
communities that have received funding for one or more projects and who 
need assistance administering funding to successfully deliver projects. 
Examples of technical assistance activities that could support 
communities in this phase include but are not limited to project and 
grant management; value engineering; right-of-way acquisition; 
coordination with housing and community development, including anti-
displacement strategies; data and technology deployment; and other 
project delivery activities.
    Regional Planning Organization: For the purposes of this NOFO, 
regional planning organizations serve metropolitan areas over 50,000 
population, and can include public agencies that fall within one of the 
eligible entities to receive support under this TCP NOFO that promote 
and implement policy-driven, regional planning solutions. These may 
include MPOs, regional transportation commissions, councils of 
government, regional transportation agencies, and regional planning 
councils. Non-profit regional planning organizations are eligible only 
to provide support through the TCP-R.
    Rural Area: Under this NOFO, communities are in rural areas if:
    <bullet> The community is not located in a 2020 Census Bureau 
designated urban area, or
    <bullet> The community is located in a 2020 Census Bureau 
designated urban area with a population of 50,000 or less.
    A community is not in a rural area if located in a 2020 Census 
Bureau designated urban area that has a population of more than 50,000 
people. Applicants may use TigerWeb [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-census-qualifying-urban-areas-and-final-criteria-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
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[ballot]    SF-424--Application for Federal     D.2(a).
             Assistance (submitted as an
             attachment).
[ballot]    SF-424A--Budget Information for     D.2(a).
             Non-Construction Programs
             (submitted as an attachment).
[ballot]    SF-LLL--Disclosure of Lobbying      D.2(a).
             Activities (submitted as an
             attachment).
[ballot]    Organizational Documentation        D.2(b).
             (submitted as an attachment, no
             page limit).
[ballot]    Organization Descriptions (one      D.2(c).
             page each for the lead and co-
             applicants).
[ballot]    Indirect Cost Documentation (if     D.2(d).
             applicable, submitted as an
             attachment, no page limit).
[ballot]    Executive Summary (500 words or     D.2(e).
             less).
[ballot]    Letters of Commitment (TCP-R        D.2(g).
             applicants only).
[ballot]    Staffing Plan (including key staff  D.2(h).
             resumes).
[ballot]    Budget Proposal (template           D.2(i).
             required, maximum 3 pages *
             (excluding tables)) (include
             Letters of Commitment as
             attachments, if applicable).
[ballot]    Technical Assistance Approach       E.1(a)(i).
             Narrative (maximum 3 pages).
[ballot]    Capacity Building Approach          E.1(a)(ii).
             Narrative (maximum 1 page).
[ballot]    Community of Practice Management    E.1(a)(iii).
             Approach Narrative (maximum 1
             page).
[ballot]    Role of Partner Organizations       E.1(b)(i).
             Narrative (maximum 1 page).
[ballot]    Demonstrated Staff Expertise        E.1(b)(ii).
             Narrative (maximum 1 page).
[ballot]    Experience Supportive of Technical  E.1(c)(i).
             Assistance Approach Narrative
             (maximum 3 pages).
[ballot]    Experience Supportive of Capacity   E.1(c)(ii).
             Building Approach Narrative
             (maximum 1 page).
[ballot]    Experience Supportive of Community  E.1(c)(iii).
             of Practice Management Approach
             Narrative (maximum 1 page).
[ballot]    Schedule of Milestones and          E.1(d)(i).
             Deliverables Narrative (maximum 1
             page).
[ballot]    Program Evaluation and Assessment   E.1(d)(ii).
             Narrative (maximum 1 page).
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* All page limits are single-sided 8.5 x 11-inch pages, with a minimum
  12-point font and 1-inch margins.



[[Page 63671]]

[FR Doc. 2023-19984 Filed 9-14-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-9P-P


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