Commercial Motor Vehicle Operator Safety Training Grants

 

Expand the number of commercial drivers license (CDL) holders possessing enhanced operator safety training to help reduce the severity and number of crashes on U.S. roads involving commercial motor vehicles, as defined in 49 U.S.C. 31301, and to assist current or former members of the U.S. Armed Forces, including National Guard and Reservists to obtain a CDL.

General information about this opportunity
Last Known Status
Active
Program Number
20.235
Federal Agency/Office
Federal Motor Carrier Safety, Department of Transportation
Type(s) of Assistance Offered
B - Project Grants
Program Accomplishments
Fiscal Year 2016 Awards were not issued until late September 2016; no data available; projected students to be trained during the current calendar year using FY 2016 funds: 250
Fiscal Year 2017 Fiscal Year 2017: Awarded 9 FY 2017 CMVOST grant totaling $1,000,000.
Fiscal Year 2018 In FY 2018, CMVOST awarded $1 million in grant funds to 10 non-profit, accredited educational institutions.
Fiscal Year 2019 In FY 2019, CMVOST awarded $2 million in grant funds to 16 entities, 12 accredited community college programs and non-accredited institutions that are approved by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) as an eligible training provider and who accepts Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) grants and approved by State Approving Agencies (SAA) and the Veterans Administration(VA) to accept VA benefits. • The purpose of the CMVOST grant program is to i) help reduce the severity and number of crashes involving CMVSs on U.S. roads by expanding the number of CDL Holder possessing enhanced operator training, and ii) to assist current or former members of the U.S. Armed Forces, including the National Guard and Reservists, as well as certain family members, to obtain a CDL. The priority is to provide grant funds for expenses for students who meet the definition of a qualified student, service members their spouses and children.
Fiscal Year 2020 In FY 2020, CMVOST awarded $2.2 million in grant funds to 22 entities, which included 16 accredited community college programs and 6 non-accredited institutions that are approved by the U.S. Department of Labor as an eligible training provider and who accepts Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act grants and approved by State Approving Agencies and the Veterans Administration (VA) to accept VA benefits.
Fiscal Year 2021 2021, CMVOST awarded $2 million in grant funds to 21 entities, which included 17 accredited community college programs and 4 non-accredited institutions that are approved by the U.S. Department of Labor as an eligible training provider and who accepts Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act grants and approved by State Approving Agencies and the Veterans Administration (VA) to accept VA benefits.
Fiscal Year 2022 In FY 2022, CMVOST awarded $3.1 million in discretionary grant funds to 19 entities, which included 14 accredited community college programs and 5 non-accredited institutions that are approved by the U.S. Department of Labor as an eligible training provider and who accepts Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act grants and approved by State Approving Agencies and the Veterans Administration (VA) to accept VA benefits.
Authorization
The Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, Pub. L. No. 114-94, § 5101(b) and (c) (2015)., Public Law 114-94, 49 U.S.C. 31103, 31104
The CMVOST program is governed by 49 U.S.C. §§ 31103 and 31104. In accordance with the provisions of the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018 (P.L. 115-56). No CFR reference.
Who is eligible to apply/benefit from this assistance?
Applicant Eligibility
Eligible applicants must be accredited by a government organization such as the Department of Education.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Eligible applicants must be accredited by a government organization such as the Department of Education.
Credentials/Documentation
Evidence of eligibility and of negotiated indirect rates and audit by cognizant agency; demonstration of accreditation; documentation of requested amounts and how those figures were calculated. 2 CFR 200, Subpart E - Cost Principles applies to this program.
What is the process for applying and being award this assistance?
Pre-Application Procedure
Preapplication coordination is not applicable.
Application Procedure
2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. 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.
Award Procedure
90-120 days of the submission deadline (subject to availability of funds) or as soon thereafter as administratively practicable.
Deadlines
The deadline for application submission is included in each year's Notice of Funding Opportunity posted in Grants.gov.
Approval/Disapproval Decision Time
From 90 to 120 days.
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?
Provide tuition assistance to eligible accredited applicants. Priority is given to programs that train current or former members of the U.S. Armed Forces, including National Guard and Reservists (defined in 10 U.S.C. Section 101) in safe CMV operation.
What are the requirements after being awarded this opportunity?
Reporting
Performance Reports: Through reports and regular contact with the Grantee by phone and site visits by Federal staff.
Auditing
In accordance with the provisions of 2 CFR 200, Subpart F - Audit Requirements, nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $750,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Non-Federal entities that expend less than $750,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in 2 CFR 200.503. In accordance with the provisions of 2 CFR 200, Subpart F - Audit Requirements, non-Federal entities that expend financial assistance of $750,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Non-Federal entities that expend less than $750,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in 2 CFR 200.503. See www.grants.gov for individual award announcements.
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%. The Federal share of the grant is 85 percent of the approved expenditures in the project plan. A 15 percent matching share by the recipient is required.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
The maximum period of performance for a CMVOST grant is two fiscal years, including the fiscal year in which the grant agreement is executed. All new application proposals will be evaluated to ensure that proposed projects can be achieved within the requested timeframe. There is no mandatory minimum grant duration. 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. Reimbursement
Who do I contact about this opportunity?
Regional or Local Office
None/Not specified.
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
69-8159-0-7-401
Obligations
(Project Grants (Discretionary)) FY 22$3,100,000.00; FY 23 est $3,200,000.00; FY 24 est $3,200,000.00; FY 21$2,000,000.00; FY 20$3,335,561.00; FY 19$2,000,000.00; FY 18$1,000,000.00; FY 17$1,000,000.00; FY 16$996,947.00; -
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Fiscal Year 2017: The average award was $110,000. Fiscal Year 2018: The average award was $100,000. Fiscal Year 2019: The average award was $100,000. Fiscal Year 2020: The average award was $100,000. Fiscal Year 2021: The average award was $100,000.
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 Not Available. All projects provided accredited organizations with funding for tuition assistance to veterans and members of the US armed forces
Fiscal Year 2017 Funded a community college to recruit, train, and place up to 118 veterans at a cost of $1,160 per student for in-state tuition and $3,465 per student for out-of-state tuition. The community college’s curriculum included 96 classroom hours and 288 hours of off-road and behind-the-wheel training. The community college is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and has an on-campus Office of Veterans Affairs and there are three military bases within 50 miles. The community college uses print and social media and job fairs to recruit students and partners with potential employers to assist graduates with job placement.
Fiscal Year 2018 FY 2018 CMVOST National Priorities - The FMCSA may not award grant funding to individuals for personal gain, such as individual requests for obtaining specialized training required for CDL licensing or to any private business for direct financial gain or profit. The FMCSA will prioritize the funding for tuition assistance for students meeting the definition of Qualified Student below. To help reduce the severity and number of crashes involving CMVs on U.S. roads by expanding the number of CDL holders possessing enhanced operator safety training. a) the number of students expected to be recruited, the number of students expected to complete the training/course curriculm, and the number of students expected to be placed in CDL driver positions; b) the duration, curriculum, and general content of the training; c) job placement for the students following graduation; and d) monitoring and evaluating protocols that are in place to measure success and performance outcomes.
Fiscal Year 2019 FY 2019 CMVOST National Priorities - The FMCSA may not award grant funding to individuals for personal gain, such as individual requests for obtaining specialized training required for CDL licensing or to any private business for direct financial gain or profit. The FMCSA will prioritize the funding for tuition assistance for students meeting the definition of Qualified Student below. To help reduce the severity and number of crashes involving CMVs on U.S. roads by expanding the number of CDL holders possessing enhanced operator safety training. a) the number of students expected to be recruited, the number of students expected to complete the training/course curriculm, and the number of students expected to be placed in CDL driver positions; b) the duration, curriculum, and general content of the training; c) job placement for the students following graduation; and d) monitoring and evaluating protocols that are in place to measure success and performance outcomes.
Fiscal Year 2020 • In FY 2020 FMCSA has approximately $3.3 million available CMVOST grant funding to award. Under the first Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), FMCSA did not receive $3.3 million in requests. A supplemental NOFO was issued to solicit additional applications for funding. • While awaiting Departmental approval approximately $2 million in funding recommendations, applications received under the supplemental NOFO announcement will be undergoing program ranking and funding recommendations. These recommendations must be made and approved by the Department, prior to awarding the approximate $1.3 million grant funding that remained available being issued. These steps must be completed before September 30, 2020, or the grant funding is returned to the U.S. Treasury. • While awaiting Congress’s action on the Departments reauthorization and appropriations bills for FY2021 and forward, FMCSA will be developing the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) based upon prior legislation, but will also incorporate any changes impacting the CMVOST Grant program as a result reauthorization and/or appropriation language. The Secretary of Transportation must approve the NOFO prior to public posting.
Fiscal Year 2021 • In FY 2021, FMCSA will be awarding approximately $2 million in available CMVOST grant funding. The purpose of the CMVOST Grant Program is to: i) help reduce the severity and number of crashes involving commercial motor vehicles on U.S. roads by expanding the number of CDL holders possessing enhanced operator training, and ii) assist current or former members of the U.S. Armed Forces, including the National Guard and Reservists, as well as certain family members, to obtain a CDL. • While awaiting Congress’ action on the Department’s reauthorization and appropriations bills for FY 2022 and forward, FMCSA will be developing the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) based on prior legislation, but will also incorporate any changes impacting the CMVOST Grant program as a result of reauthorization and/or appropriation language. The Secretary of Transportation must approve the NOFO prior to public posting.
Fiscal Year 2023 • In FY 2023, FMCSA will be awarding approximately $3.2 million in available CMVOST grant funding. The purpose of the CMVOST Grant Program is to: i) help reduce the severity and number of crashes involving commercial motor vehicles on U.S. roads by expanding the number of CDL holders possessing operator training, and ii) assist current or former members of the U.S. Armed Forces, including the National Guard and Reservists, as well as certain family members, to obtain a CDL.
Fiscal Year 2024 • FMCSA will be developing the fiscal year 2024 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to reflect and support the Department’s strategic goals and priorities as it relates to assist individuals obtain a CDL and equity.

 



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