Motor Carrier Safety Assistance High Priority Activities Grants and Cooperative Agreements

 

Support, enrich, and augment Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) safety programs through partnerships with States, local governments, Federally recognized Indian tribes, other political jurisdictions, and other persons to carry out high priority activities and projects. The High Priority grant program includes: 1) High Priority (HP) grants to implement, promote, and maintain national programs to improve CMV safety; increase compliance with CMV safety regulations; increase public awareness about CMV safety; provide education on CMV safety and related issues; and demonstrate new safety related technologies; and 2) Information Technology Deployment (ITD) grants to advance technological capability and promote deployment of intelligent transportation system applications (CMV, carrier, and driver) as well as support/maintain CMV information systems and networks.

General information about this opportunity
Last Known Status
Active
Program Number
20.237
Federal Agency/Office
Federal Motor Carrier Safety, Department of Transportation
Type(s) of Assistance Offered
B - Project Grants
Program Accomplishments
Fiscal Year 2016 The FMCSA provided MHP funds to enable recipients to carry out enforcement activities and projects that improve CMV safety and compliance with CMV regulations. Projects commonly focused on enforcement of CMV regulations through state law enforcement details and strike-forces. These actions routinely involved the completion of CMV safety inspections, traffic enforcement, passenger carrier safety, public awareness and education and to demonstrate new technologies. In FY 2016, 42 grants were awarded totaling $15,000,000 for the above referenced project areas. These grants remain active and final performance achievements will be collected at the conclusion of the project period of performance. Estimated outcomes: Community outreach events – 24,183 Educational events – 134 CMV Inspections – 190,688 Traffic Enforcement/Safety strike-force contacts – 178,000
Fiscal Year 2017 Fiscal Year 2017: MHP funds are awarded in according to the FAST Act grant consolidation requirements. For FY 2017, grants were used to support a variety CMV safety activities including a projected 197,000 commercial motor vehicle inspections (focused through details and strike-forces in high crash areas) , over 182,000 projected traffic enforcement contacts, more than 2,100 high visibility crash prevention activities and several innovative technology projects to deploy enhanced safety technology (weigh-in-motion, inspection selection systems, automated vehicle information readers, etc.) on major interstates and high traffic areas. In addition, grant funds were awarded to conduct approximately 30 public education and outreach events, research into CMV safety education, technology investments and operational costs for State CMV safety technology and data quality systems.
Fiscal Year 2018 Fiscal Year 2018: Priorities established in FY 2018 mirrored the focus on high crash and targeted enforcement areas as identified in the FY 2017 opportunity. In addition, the FMCSA renewed its focus on the importance of identifying and immobilizing out-of-service carriers, investments in technology enhancements to State safety networks, as well as the need for PRISM compliance by the September 30, 2020 deadline provided in the FAST Act. Finally, FMCSA established priority funding for those jurisdictions impacted by severe weather events in calendar year 2017 to replace lost and/or damaged safety equipment related to these natural disasters.
Fiscal Year 2019 In FY 2019, the FMCSA awarded more than $43 million in High Priority grant funds to support commercial motor vehicle inspections, traffic enforcement, deployments of safety technologies, education and outreach events, national large truck safety campaigns and traffic safety research initiatives at institutes of higher learning.
Fiscal Year 2020 Accomplishments for FY 2020 have not been announced as awards have not yet been announced. Fiscal Year 2021: As the current surface transportation authorization bill (FAST Act) expires on September 30, 2020, the FMCSA anticipates awarding funds as appropriated by Congress and allowed under new authorization legislation. While the FMCSA expects State pandemic related responses to have an impact on CMV safety activities (inspections, investigations, etc.), public safety is not expected to be impacted as agencies will focus on efforts which minimize exposure.
Fiscal Year 2021 In FY 2021, the FMCSA awarded approximately $43 million in High Priority grant funds to support commercial motor vehicle inspections, traffic enforcement, deployments of safety technologies, education and outreach events, national large truck safety campaigns and traffic safety research initiatives at institutes of higher learning.
Fiscal Year 2023 Fiscal Year 2023: Accomplishments for FY 2023 have not been announced as awards have not yet been made at the time of publication. In FY 2022, FMCSA awarded approximately $43 million for HP-CMV and $40 million for HP-ITD grants to support commercial motor vehicle inspections, traffic enforcement, deployments of safety technologies, education and outreach events, national large truck safety campaigns, traffic safety research initiatives at institutes of higher learning, PRISM and SSDQ initiatives.
Fiscal Year 2024 Fiscal Year 2024: With the passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) in early FY22, FMCSA anticipates continuing awarding funds as appropriated by Congress and allowed under new authorization legislation. The FMCSA expects to emphasize the importance of safe commercial vehicle operation within highway construction zones, enforcement of traffic laws designed to mitigate driver behaviors associated with crashes (i.e. distracted driving), continued development and deployment of connected transportation systems and research into areas relating to crash prevention as core parts of its FY 2023 HP Grant. In addition, FMCSA will place significant emphasis on the improvement of commercial vehicle safety in-line with the strategies contained within the Department of Transportation’s National Roadway Safety Strategy (NRSS). This also includes renewed emphasis on areas where CMV and public safety intersect, such as combatting human trafficking and drug interdiction.
Authorization
• Innovative Technology Deployment (HP-ITD) and Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety (HP-CMV) – The HP-ITD and HP-CMV are programs are governed by 49 U.S.C. §§ 31102(l) and 31104 (as amended by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Public Law Number 117-58 (2021)), the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022, Pub. L. 117-103 (2022), and 49 CFR part 350.
Who is eligible to apply/benefit from this assistance?
Applicant Eligibility
Innovative Technology Deployment (HP-ITD) Eligible Entities The HP-ITD awards are available to States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Individuals and businesses are not eligible to apply for HP-ITD funding. To be eligible for HP-ITD funding, the State applicant shall: i. have a commercial motor vehicle information systems and networks program plan (the Program Plan/Top Level Design (PP/TLD)) approved by the Secretary that describes the various systems and networks at the State level that need to be refined, revised, upgraded, or built to accomplish deployment of commercial motor vehicle information systems and network capabilities; ii. certify that the State's current Program Plan (PP/TLD) was approved by the Secretary as outlined in FAST Act (Pub. L. No. 114-94); iii. certify to the Secretary that its commercial motor vehicle information systems and network deployment activities, including hardware procurement, software and system development, and infrastructure modifications: a. are consistent with the national intelligent transportation systems and commercial motor vehicle information systems and networks architectures and available standards; and b. promote interoperability and efficiency to the extent practicable. iv. agree to execute interoperability tests developed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to verify that its systems conform with the national intelligent transportation systems architecture, applicable standards, and protocols for commercial motor vehicle information systems and networks; and v. certify that the State agency is the lead agency responsible for the PP/TLD, or if it is not the State agency responsible for the PP/TLD, demonstrate that it has a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), or other agreement with the ITD lead agency and confirm that the applicant has coordinated with the ITD lead agency regarding all projects requested in the application to ensure State-wide effectiveness and efficiency and to avoid any duplication of effort or other wastefulness in Federal funding initiatives. Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety - (HP-CMV) Eligible Entities The HP-CMV awards are available to the following entities dependent on the selected priority: i. State government agencies including: District of Columbia, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands ii. local governments (including county, city, township, and special district) iii. Federally recognized Native American tribal governments iv. institutions of higher education v. non-profit organizations with a 501(c)(3) status with the Internal Revenue Service vi. For-profit organizations and individuals are not eligible recipients Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program (MCSAP) lead State agencies may request HP-CMV projects which augment initiatives funded by the MCSAP formula grant program. Such projects must clearly demonstrate that their objectives exceed initiatives approved in their State's Commercial Vehicle Safety Plan (CVSP).
Beneficiary Eligibility
FMCSA may award these grants to the agencies of States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Credentials/Documentation
Evidence of eligibility and of negotiated indirect rates and audit by cognizant agency.
What is the process for applying and being award this assistance?
Pre-Application Procedure
Preapplication coordination is not applicable.
Application Procedure
This program is excluded from coverage under 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards.
Award Procedure
90-120 days of the submission deadline (subject to availability of funds) or as soon thereafter as administratively practicable. Applicants must register with Grants.gov to apply for funding. Applications should be submitted in accordance with the instructions provided and must be submitted electronically to FMCSA through the Grants.gov website.
Deadlines
Contact the headquarters or regional location, as appropriate for application deadlines
Approval/Disapproval Decision Time
From 90 to 120 days. Contingent upon Agency funding levels.
Appeals
Not applicable.
Renewals
Not applicable.
How are proposals selected?
All discretionary (competitive) grant program applications undergo a series of reviews prior to award selection as required in 2 CFR ?? 200.204 and 205. These reviews include: 1) technical review that provides an independent assessment of the technical/programmatic merit of an application. At least three qualified individuals are selected to review each application to ensure diversity of perspective and knowledge. Individuals are selected based on their technical education and experience and the extent to which the individual has engaged in relevant work, the capacities in which the individual has done so, and the quality of such work; 2) suitability review that provides a risk assessment on each applicant's organization to ensure the applicant is suitable to receive and manage Federal funds. The risk assessment is conducted in several parts: 1) a debarment and suspension review that included a review of the applicant's administrative capability self-certification and a check against the applicant's records in the System for Award Management (www.sam.gov); 2) a review of the applicant's history with other Federal agencies in the Single Audit Clearinghouse Database; and 3) an evaluation of the applicant's Single Audit in accordance with the Single Audit Act; 3) past performance review that provides information that is considered as a possible indicator for predicting future performance. Many applicants for FMCSA programs have received FMCSA funding in the past and will be evaluated against their ability to complete prior year awards on-time, compliance with grant terms and conditions, and results from FMCSA grant monitoring activities. Applicants with no prior FMCSA grant awards will not be eliminated from funding consideration; and 4) budget/cost analysis that provides an assessment of allowable costs in accordance with Federal grant requirements, the cost realism of the budget estimate, appropriateness and reasonableness of resources, and reasonableness and feasibility of the schedule relative to the application timeline. Importantly, the budget evaluation provides initial insight to project-related risk, beyond those dealing with technical uncertainty, which is considered prior to recommendation. Application budgets are evaluated based on the same standards to which recipients will be held after award, which are outlined in the cost principles at 2 CFR part 200.101(c) Subpart E for all non-Federal entities, including commercial organizations.
How may assistance be used?
HP grant funds may be used to: increase public awareness and education on CMV safety and related issues; target unsafe driving of CMVs and non-CMVs in areas identified as high risk crash corridors; improve the safe and secure movement of hazardous materials; improve safe transportation of goods and persons in foreign commerce; demonstrate new technologies to improve CMV safety; support participation in Performance and Registration Information Systems Management (PRISM); and conduct safety data improvement projects that enhance data collection and data quality. ITD grants may be used to: improve safety and productivity of motor carriers, commercial vehicles, and their drivers; streamline enforcement operations; improve efficiency and effectiveness of commercial vehicle safety programs through targeted enforcement; improve security of data and the sharing of commercial vehicle data within States, and between States and FMCSA; reduce Federal/State and industry regulatory and administrative costs; and achieve nationwide deployment of the ITD grant program, with all jurisdictions participating at least at the Core deployment level.
What are the requirements after being awarded this opportunity?
Reporting
Performance Reports: Routine monitoring includes regular communication with borrowers regarding the status of projects and reviewing periodic reports that borrowers are required to submit. Scheduled monitoring is an annual scheduled activity that includes a desk review and for active projects, a site visit.
Auditing
There are no additional audit requirements.
Records
During the course of the grant project and for three years after the final voucher (invoice) is submitted, grant recipients must retain intact and to provide any data, documents, reports, records, contracts, and supporting materials relating to the project as FMCSA may require in addition to the reporting and record-keeping requirements set forth in 2 C.F.R. ? 200.333.
Other Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Statutory formula is not applicable to this assistance listing.

Matching is voluntary. 15%. A 15% match is required unless otherwise noted in the funding announcement.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
The maximum period of performance for an HP grant is three fiscal years, including the fiscal year in which the grant agreement is executed. The maximum period of performance for an ITD grant is four fiscal years including the fiscal year in which the grant agreement is executed. All new application project timelines will be evaluated to ensure they can be achieved within this timeframe. Additionally, FMCSA may award a grant agreement with a period of performance for less than maximum period of performance timeframe, depending upon project complexity, reasonableness, and necessity. Amendment requests to extend the period of performance beyond the period of availability described above will not be approved. Request for reimbursement.
Who do I contact about this opportunity?
Regional or Local Office
See regional agency offices: States may contact their States' FMCSA's Division Administrator
Headquarters Office
FMCSA Grants Management Office
1200 New Jersey Ave., SE
Washington, DC 20590 US
FMCSA_GrantMgmtHelpDesk@dot.gov
Phone: (202) 366-0621
Website Address
https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/mission/grants
Financial Information
Account Identification
69-8158-0-7-401
Obligations
(Project Grants) FY 22$64,217,071.00; FY 23 est $83,000,000.00; FY 24 est $83,000,000.00; FY 21$44,616,699.00; FY 20$45,190,762.00; FY 19$43,340,000.00; FY 18$42,424,178.00; FY 17$41,557,857.00; FY 16$15,000,000.00; -
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Awards range from $50,000 to $1,000,000.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
2 CFR 200 formerly OMB Circulars 2 CFR 215, A-122, A-133, A-110 and A-21, Regulations, Executive Orders, and related policy are on the public website at: www.fmcsa.dot.gov. A solicitation package (notice of funding availability) containing the appropriate forms and directions are made available through www.grants.gov.
Examples of Funded Projects
Fiscal Year 2016 The FMCSA provided MHP funds to enable recipients to carry out enforcement activities and projects that improve CMV safety and compliance with CMV regulations. Funding is also available for projects that are national in scope, increase public awareness and education, demonstrate new technologies and reduce the number and rate of CMV accidents. In FY 2016, 42 grants were awarded totaling $15,000,000 for passenger inspection projects, education, and the purchase of material and support for CMV safety projects.
Fiscal Year 2017 Fiscal Year 2017: $41,557,857
Fiscal Year 2018 Fiscal Year 2018: The HP-ITD projects include the deployment of intelligent transportation system applications for CMV operations; support/maintenance of CMV information systems/networks, the linking of FMCSA and state information systems, the improvement of safety and productivity of CMVs and commercial drivers and the reduction of costs associated with CMV operations and regulatory requirements. The HP-CMV projects include the augmentation of motor carrier safety projects planned in accordance with the Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program (MCSAP), as well as projects related to Performance and Registration Information Systems Management (PRISM) and State Safety Data Quality (SSDQ).
Fiscal Year 2019 The HP-ITD program provides financial assistance to advance technological capability and promote the deployment of intelligent transportation system applications. Projects funded under ITD support FMCSA’s safety initiatives for CMV operations, commercial drivers, and carrier-specific information systems and networks; support and maintain CMV information systems and networks; link FMCSA information systems with State CMV information systems; improve the safety and productivity of CMVs and drivers; and reduce the costs associated with CMV operations, and Federal and State CMV regulatory requirements. HP-CMV projects include the augmentation of projects funded by the Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program (MCSAP), as well as projects related to Performance and Registration Information Systems Management (PRISM) and State Safety Data Quality (SSDQ). Note: a project consists of one or more activities that work towards achieving a defined goal and objective(s). If an applicant chooses to propose multiple HP-CMV projects within a single application, each application must contain separate and distinct project narratives, budget narratives, line item budgets, and project subtitles for each subproject proposed in that application. The HP-CMV grant program prioritizes projects that augment motor carrier safety initiatives, and enhance efforts proposed in the MCSAP agency’s Commercial Vehicle Safety Plan (CVSP). The goal is to enable recipients to carry out projects that improve safety and compliance with FMCSA’s regulations. Funding is also available for projects that are national in scope, increase public awareness and education, demonstrate new technologies and reduce the number of CMV crashes.
Fiscal Year 2020 The HP-ITD program provides financial assistance to advance technological capability and promote the deployment of intelligent transportation system applications. Projects funded under ITD support FMCSA’s safety initiatives for CMV operations, commercial drivers, and carrier-specific information systems and networks; support and maintain CMV information systems and networks; link FMCSA information systems with State CMV information systems; improve the safety and productivity of CMVs and drivers; and reduce the costs associated with CMV operations, and Federal and State CMV regulatory requirements. HP-CMV projects include the augmentation of projects funded by the Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program (MCSAP), as well as projects related to Performance and Registration Information Systems Management (PRISM) and State Safety Data Quality (SSDQ). If an applicant chooses to propose multiple HP-CMV projects within a single application, each application must contain separate and distinct project narratives, budget narratives, line item budgets, and project subtitles for each subproject proposed in that application. The HP-CMV grant program prioritizes projects that augment motor carrier safety initiatives, and enhance efforts proposed in the MCSAP agency’s Commercial Vehicle Safety Plan (CVSP). The goal is to enable recipients to carry out projects that improve safety and compliance with FMCSA’s regulations. Funding is also available for projects that are national in scope, increase public awareness and education, demonstrate new technologies and reduce the number of CMV crashes.
Fiscal Year 2021 The HP-ITD program provides financial assistance to advance technological capability and promote the deployment of intelligent transportation system applications. Projects funded under ITD support FMCSA’s safety initiatives for CMV operations, commercial drivers, and carrier-specific information systems and networks; support and maintain CMV information systems and networks; link FMCSA information systems with State CMV information systems; improve the safety and productivity of CMVs and drivers; and reduce the costs associated with CMV operations, and Federal and State CMV regulatory requirements. HP-CMV projects include the augmentation of projects funded by the Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program (MCSAP), as well as projects related to Performance and Registration Information Systems Management (PRISM) and State Safety Data Quality (SSDQ). If an applicant chooses to propose multiple HP-CMV projects within a single application, each application must contain separate and distinct project narratives, budget narratives, line item budgets, and project subtitles for each subproject proposed in that application. The HP-CMV grant program prioritizes projects that augment motor carrier safety initiatives, and enhance efforts proposed in the MCSAP agency’s Commercial Vehicle Safety Plan (CVSP). The goal is to enable recipients to carry out projects that improve safety and compliance with FMCSA’s regulations. Funding is also available for projects that are national in scope, increase public awareness and education, demonstrate new technologies and reduce the number of CMV crashes.
Fiscal Year 2023 Innovative Technology Deployment (HP-ITD) Eligible Projects The HP-ITD program provides financial assistance to advance technological capability and promote the deployment of intelligent transportation system applications. Projects funded under ITD support FMCSA’s safety initiatives for CMV operations, commercial drivers, and carrier-specific information systems and networks; support and maintain CMV information systems and networks; link FMCSA information systems with State CMV information systems; improve the safety and productivity of CMVs and drivers; and reduce the costs associated with CMV operations, and Federal and State CMV regulatory requirements. Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety – (HP-CMV) Eligible Projects HP-CMV projects include the augmentation of projects funded by the Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program (MCSAP), as well as projects related to Performance and Registration Information Systems Management (PRISM) and State Safety Data Quality (SSDQ). The goal is to enable recipients to carry out projects that improve safety and compliance with FMCSA’s regulations. Funding is also available for projects that are national in scope, increase public awareness and education, demonstrate new technologies and reduce the number of CMV crashes.

 



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