FY 2026 Notice of Funding Opportunity: Bus Safety, Accessibility, and Innovation Research Program

Date Posted: July 29, 2026

Date Closed: September 28, 2026

Opportunity ID: FTA-2026-004-TRI

Grant Program:
Bus Safety, Accessibility and Innovation Research Program

Opportunity Announcement PDF:
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-07-29/pdf/2026-15316.pdf

Opportunity Announcement TXT:
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-07-29/html/2026-15316.htm

1. Basic Information

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announces the opportunity to apply for competitive awards totaling up to $10 million in Public Transportation Innovation Program (49 U.S.C. 5312) funds for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Bus Safety, Accessibility, and Innovation Research Program under Assistance Listing Number 20.530.

FTA anticipates funding up to two awards from the available funding.
If more funding becomes available for the program before projects are selected, FTA may add it to the total funding available for award under this NOFO.

Topic	Description
Prior Awards	None. Although it builds on the prior research described in Section 3, this is a new program. FTA published a “Bus Safety and Accessibility Research Program” NOFO on November 18, 2024, however FTA did not make any project selections or awards under that NOFO. Although that NOFO had a similar name, today’s NOFO has different requirements and criteria, making it a new program.
Dates	Complete proposals must be submitted electronically through the Grants.gov “APPLY” function by 11:59 pm Eastern time on September 28, 2026.
Eligible Activities	Research on bus designs, innovations, and technologies to improve: Transit bus operator safety and security Transit bus passenger safety and security Safety of vulnerable road users near transit buses Accessibility of transit buses for users with physical and cognitive disabilities Production of a prototype that can be retrofitted on existing buses or installed in new buses.
Application Instructions	Instructions for applying can be found on FTA’s website (https://www.transit.dot.gov/funding/grants/notices) and in the “FIND” module of Grants.gov. The funding opportunity ID is FTA-2026-004-TRI. Mail and fax submissions will not be accepted.
For Further Information, Contact:	Marcel Belanger, Bus Safety, Accessibility, and Innovation Research Program Manager, Office of Research, Demonstration, and Innovation, at marcel.belanger@dot.gov.
Questions, Answers, and Help	To ensure applicants receive accurate information about eligibility or the program, applicants are encouraged to contact FTA directly with questions rather than through intermediaries or third parties. FTA staff may conduct webinars on the competitive applications selection and award process. For issues with Grants.gov, please contact grants.gov by phone at 1-800-518-4726, or by email at support@grants.gov.

2. Eligibility

Topic	Description
Eligible Applicant Type	Eligible lead applicants include: Transit Vehicle Manufacturers (TVMs) and transit vehicle component manufacturers Departments, agencies, and instrumentalities of the Government, including Federal laboratories Providers of public transportation, including public transportation agencies, State or local government DOTs, and federally recognized Indian tribes Private for-profit and not-for-profit organizations, or consultants State, city, or local government entities, including multi-jurisdictional partnerships, and organizations such as Metropolitan Planning Organizations Other organizations, including research consortia, not-for-profit industry organizations, and institutions of higher education, including large research universities, and technical and community colleges
Additional Applicant Eligibility Requirements	To be eligible, applicants must have sufficient legal, financial, and technical capabilities to receive and administer Federal funds under this program. Teams must include a TVM in a prominent role.
Eligible Projects	Research on bus designs, innovations, and technologies to improve: Transit bus operator safety and security Transit bus passenger safety and security Safety of vulnerable road users near transit buses Accessibility of transit buses for users with physical and cognitive disabilities Production of a prototype that can be retrofitted on existing buses or installed in new buses.
Additional Project Eligibility Information	Only proposals from eligible recipients for eligible activities will be considered for funding. FTA seeks projects that can begin implementation within 2 months of award of the cooperative agreement. The maximum period of performance should not exceed 3 years from the date of award.
Cost Sharing	The maximum Federal share shall not exceed 80 percent of the net project cost. The application should include a description of the applicant’s financial commitment to the proposed project. More information about eligible sources of local match can be found in FTA Circular 6100.1E.
Other Criteria	See Section 3, Program Description, below, for additional details on allowable and unallowable costs.

3. Program Descriptions

Purpose, Program Goals and Objectives, and Legislative Authority

The Public Transportation Innovation Program (49 U.S.C. § 5312) authorizes FTA to enter into contracts or cooperative agreements for research, development, demonstration, deployment projects, and evaluation of research and technology of national significance to public transportation. This NOFO (Federal Assistance Listing: 20.530) is issued under this authority.

The FY 2026 Bus Safety, Accessibility, and Innovation Research Program supports FTA’s goal of enhancing the safety of transit fleets by addressing critical safety and accessibility issues in public transit buses, including:

Rising operator assaults.
The need to increase operator visibility and minimize blind spots to ensure safety around a bus for passengers, pedestrians, bicyclists, and all who encounter a transit vehicle.
Continued accessibility issues for people with disabilities in and around transit buses.

For this program, accessibility refers to the ability of people with physical and cognitive disabilities to:

Independently ascertain if an arriving bus is the one they intend to take.
Board the bus.
Pay any fares and/or confirm eligibility for Paratransit service.
Identify a seat or wheelchair-accessible spot.
Secure any mobility equipment on the bus.
Receive and understand stop announcements.
Identify the correct stop at which they intend to deboard.
Communicate to the driver that they would like to deboard at the next stop.
Exit the bus without encountering any physical, communication, or attitudinal barriers.

The goals of this program are to develop innovative concepts and to prototype technical implementations of these concepts to make existing and new buses safer for their operators, passengers, and vulnerable road users, and more accessible for their passengers. The program objectives include research on bus designs, innovations, and technologies, as well as production of a prototype that is available through a retrofit on existing buses and for installation in new buses. The program’s key focus areas are bus design and technology upgrades that:

Driver Safety – Protect the operator from physical dangers, especially dangers arising from passenger assaults and dealing with difficult public interactions.
Passenger Safety – Protect and increase the safety of passengers on the bus or boarding and alighting.
VRU Safety – Protect and increase the safety of vulnerable road users (VRUs) outside of the vehicle.
Passenger Accessibility – Increase accessibility for passengers.

Allowable and Unallowable Costs

There is no minimum or maximum grant award amount.
Projects may be awarded less than the amount applied for.
Refer to the table in Section 2, Eligibility, for information on activities that are allowable in this grant program.
Allowable direct and indirect expenses must be consistent with the Government-wide.
Uniform Administrative Requirements and Cost Principles (2 CFR 200) and
FTA Circular 5010.1F.

Building on Previous Research

This NOFO builds on prior research by the FTA and the Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP), particularly on enhancing protection for bus operators through secure bus compartments.

The Bus Operator Compartment Redesign Program (BCP) was awarded in 2020 to improve bus operator, passenger, and public safety. Key findings included issues with current bus operator compartment designs, such as ineffective barriers, large blind spots, and poor ergonomics for operators. The installation of barriers led to a greater sense of safety for some operators. FTA also held a listening session to receive stakeholder input on bus design, including accessibility, safety, and emerging bus technologies. Major themes of the feedback included bus operator health and safety, road safety, accessibility, and passenger compartment enhancements. Resources, including available reports and listening session documentation, are available on the Bus Safety and Accessibility Research Program website (https://www.transit.dot.gov/research-innovation/bus-safety-accessibility-and-innovation-research-program).

This NOFO also seeks to build on the findings of two recent TCRP studies:

“Bus Operator Barrier Design: Guidelines and Considerations.” The report on that study, TCRP Report 249, is available for download at: https://www.nationalacademies.org/publications/27877.
“Assessing Lifecycle and Human Costs of Bus Operator Workstation Design and Components (2024).” The report on that study, TCRP Report 247, is available for download at: https://www.nationalacademies.org/publications/27858.

Report 249 examines the potential benefits and shortcomings of three bus operator compartment barrier designs with respect to driver safety, visibility, and health; and passenger accessibility. Report 247 provides a toolkit for predicting the long-term safety and health performance of bus operator workstations, assessing the effects of operator size and shape, workstation geometry, and vehicle technologies.

Areas of Interest

FTA encourages applicants to address the following research and deployment needs and interests to the greatest extent possible in their project proposals. These needs and research interests have been identified from the TCRP reports cited above, a stakeholder listening session that was held on October 2, 2025, and follow-up written comments received, and FTA staff discussions of those inputs and relevant experiences. Some enhancements will require additional research, and others are available now and should be incorporated where appropriate.

Research Area	Greatest Research and Deployment Needs	Other Desired Enhancements
Operator compartment design for safety and security	OEM-integrated protective barriers Retrofittable protective barriers Emergency egress for operator and all passengers, including when the bus structure has been distorted	Enhanced crashworthiness Rain and spray management
Visibility, mirrors, camera/monitor systems, and vulnerable road user (VRU) detection and avoidance	Enhanced operator awareness outside the bus in all weather and lighting conditions Enhanced operator awareness of the inside of the bus Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) technologies	360-degree around-the-vehicle visualization and awareness AI-assisted real-time video analysis to alert operators and/or security staff of threatening behaviors, health emergencies, possible weapons, etc. Capture of photographic and/or video records of unlawful behaviors when they occur, and one-button forwarding to law enforcement
Operator health and comfort	Independent air purification, temperature control, humidity control, defogging, and circulation for operator Better operator ergonomics and human factors Adjustability to accommodate widely varying body proportions Ultraviolet light protection	Improved operator’s seat suspension
Fare collection	Modernized fare payment Alternative fare payment methods for unbanked riders	Eliminate cash handling
Passenger safety, accessibility, experience, and universal design	Fully accessible front-door boarding with wider doors and ample maneuvering room for wheelchairs, strollers, and other assistive devices Easier-to-use wheelchair securement areas Compatibility with universal docking/securement system standards Visual/textural contrast at floor discontinuities Improved air purification, temperature and humidity control, and circulation	Fresh, modern vehicle interior design and feel Easy-to-clean (or self-cleaning) bus interiors Integration of fareboxes and/or other fare collection systems into the vehicle dashboard/console Additional convertible seating positions Smoother acceleration, deceleration, and ride quality Improved next-stop request methods
Signage, announcements, and displays	Displays, signage, and pictograms quickly understandable to all riders including those with physical, cognitive, or developmental disabilities; out-of-town riders; etc. Distinct audible sound emitted outside the vehicle to alert VRUs that a bus is coming/present	Displays, signage, and pictograms quickly understandable to all riders including those with physical, cognitive, or developmental disabilities; out-of-town riders; etc. Distinct audible sound emitted outside the vehicle to alert VRUs that a bus is coming/present
System-level design	Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), including integrated user interface, antennas, modems, and other communication devices Robust cybersecurity Systems efficiency, especially Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Reduced total cost of ownership	Bus designs coordinated with stop/station infrastructure designs to improve system performance Reduced customization of bus options
Standards and Policy	Compliance with existing codes, standards, and policies (unless waived by the applicable authority)	Proposed approaches to Federal standards or policies (e.g., Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR)) or health insurance coverages that may be a barrier to implementation of innovative technologies Standardized emergency call systems

4. Application Contents and Format

A complete proposal submission includes two forms and a narrative proposal document, as described below.

Additional supporting attachments may be included in your submission, but information in them must be specifically called out in the supplemental form and/or the narrative proposal to ensure that they will be considered by the FTA review team.

1) SF‑424 Application for Federal Assistance
Available at Grants.gov. All sections of the SF-424 must be completed unless the form states a section is optional
2) Supplemental Form
Available at Grants.gov or the FTA website. You must attach the Supplemental Form, narrative proposal, and any supporting documents to the “Attachments” section of the SF-424. You must describe and reference supporting documentation by file name in the Supplemental Form, or FTA may not review it. FTA will use the information entered into the Supplemental Form to evaluate the project and determine whether the proposal will be funded according to the selection criteria described in Section 6 (Application Review Information) below. You must complete all sections of the Supplemental Form unless the form states a section is optional. Failure to submit the information as requested can delay review or disqualify the application.
3) Narrative Proposal
The proposal document must not exceed 25 pages. Concise proposals are appreciated. Proposal pages must be 8.5 x 11 inches, with 1-inch minimum margins. Page numbers, headers, footers, and footnotes may be located within the margins. Body text fonts must be at least 12-point. Proposals may include tables, figures, graphs, and other exhibits. FTA prefers that proposals be uploaded in PDF format. FTA can open and view some other file formats that are common in office environments, including Microsoft Office. FTA may not be able to review files uploaded in uncommon formats.
4) Additional Attachments
Additional attachments are not required, and should only be included where necessary to add essential detail to information in the supplemental form or proposal. Examples include, but are not limited to letters of support, project budgets, design drawings, etc. In general, it will be helpful to combine similar files, e.g., support letters, in a single file. Information in attachments that is not specifically called out in the supplemental form and/or the proposal by filename and page number may not be considered by the evaluation team. FTA prefers that submissions be uploaded in PDF format. FTA can open and view some other file formats that are common in office environments. FTA may not be able to review files uploaded in formats that are not typically used in office environments. The total file size of all uploaded files in your submission should be less than 200 MB.

Information required on the SF-424 and Supplemental Form, as indicated on each form, includes:

Topic	Description
Name	Name of federally recognized tribe and, if appropriate, the specific tribal agency submitting the application
UEI	Unique Entity ID (UEI) assigned by SAM.gov.
Contact	Contact information, including contact name, title, address, phone number, and email address.
District	Congressional district(s) where project will take place.

The Supplemental Form also requires the following information:

Topic	Description
Project Title	A brief descriptive title of the project.
Project Executive Summary	A short paragraph describing the proposed planning project.
Evaluation Review Criteria	The section includes text boxes for the applicant to address each of the evaluation review criteria identified in Section 6 (Application Review Information).

Additional details about how to fill out the SF-424 and Supplemental Form are available at Grants.gov.

5. Submission Requirements and Deadlines

How to Obtain Forms

• Visit Grants.gov.
• The Supplemental Form is also available here.

Application Deadline and How to Submit

Submission Requirements

Project proposals must be submitted through Grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on September 28, 2026.

Proposals submitted after the deadline will only be considered under extraordinary circumstances not under your control.
Applications are time and date stamped by Grants.gov upon successful submission.
Mail, email, and fax submissions will not be accepted.

Submission Confirmation

Within 48 hours after submitting an application, you should receive an email from Grants.gov saying the application has been received by Grants.gov and sent to the “receiving agency”. FTA is the receiving agency for this NOFO.

If you receive a rejection email from Grants.gov or FTA that the application is incomplete, then you must fix the application and resubmit it before the submission deadline. FTA’s rejection email will come from the email address “noreplyFACES.”
To avoid processing errors when re-submitting, you must include all original attachments (even if only some of them were updated) and you must check the resubmission box on the updated Supplemental Form.

Submission Tips
Register on the Grants.gov website well before the application deadline. Grants.gov registration is a multi-step process that may take several weeks to complete. If you have already registered in Grants.gov, you may still need to update your registration before you can apply. FTA strongly recommends you submit your proposal at least 72 hours before the due date. This allows time to correct any submission problems. FTA's system cannot accept Supplemental Forms that are: 1) scanned, a “print” to PDF, or a converted version using another text editor, etc.; or 2) from prior years. Use this year’s form and fill it out on your computer. Applicants can find more information on how to navigate Grants.gov on DOT Navigator.

Submission Tips

Register on the Grants.gov website well before the application deadline. Grants.gov registration is a multi-step process that may take several weeks to complete.
If you have already registered in Grants.gov, you may still need to update your registration before you can apply.
FTA strongly recommends you submit your proposal at least 72 hours before the due date. This allows time to correct any submission problems.
FTA's system cannot accept Supplemental Forms that are: 1) scanned, a “print” to PDF, or a converted version using another text editor, etc.; or 2) from prior years. Use this year’s form and fill it out on your computer.
Applicants can find more information on how to navigate Grants.gov on DOT Navigator.

Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM)

Applicants are required to:

Be registered in SAM before submitting an application;
Provide a valid unique entity identifier in its application; and
Continue to maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times when the applicant is applying for a grant or has an active grant from a Federal Agency.

SAM Tips
SAM registration usually takes about 3-5 business days. However, FTA recommends allowing several weeks for the registration process because there could be unexpected delays (such as needing to get an Employer Identification Number). For additional information on obtaining a unique entity identifier, please visit SAM.gov.

Intergovernmental Review

This program is not subject to Executive Order 12372, “Intergovernmental Review of Federal
Programs”.

6. Application Review Information

Responsiveness Review

FTA will reject any applications from ineligible applicants or for ineligible projects. See Section 2, Eligibility, above.

Review Criteria

FTA will evaluate applications using the criteria below.

Projects will be rated based on the information provided in the Supplemental Form and narrative proposal. Additional information may also be provided as attachments to support the responses in the Supplemental Form and narrative proposal.
Any additional documentation must be directly referenced on the Supplemental Form and/or narrative proposal, including the file name and page number where the additional information can be found.

Evaluation Criteria	To address each criterion, applicants should:
1. Demonstration of Transit Vehicle Design Experience	The application should provide evidence of the applicant’s relevant transit vehicle design understanding and experience, such as: Experience developing transit vehicle designs. Experience manufacturing transit vehicles or their component parts. Knowledge of transit vehicle components, systems, subsystems, and their functions. Understanding and following of applicable standards. Experience in transit vehicle testing. Awareness of potential barriers or challenges to production and proposed mitigation strategies.
2. Demonstration of Understanding in Emerging Transit Needs and Solutions	The application should clearly demonstrate a thorough understanding of existing and emerging needs and solutions in transit. This includes the needed and desired elements listed in the Program Description, above. It may also include an understanding of industry safety and the safe systems approach; mobility and operational needs; the accessibility and usability of systems to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act; process improvements in training, maintenance, and procurement; or work experience or familiarity with new and emerging safety technologies.
3. Key Personnel Experience and Organizational Capacity	The application should note the individuals who will be involved in the project, specifically identifying its proposed key personnel. The application should include details of relevant leadership experience in managing multi-stakeholder projects and the project team's technical expertise. The application should explain how the applicant will ensure the key personnel will have enough time and expertise to carry out project objectives to assess data, coordinate with stakeholders, develop designs, and oversee prototype production during the scheduled program.
4. Program Implementation Strategy	The application will be evaluated on an overall program implementation strategy, including proposed workplan tasks, schedule, and interim deliverables. In assessing whether the proposed implementation plans are reasonable and complete, FTA will review the proposed program work plan, including all necessary milestones and the overall program timeline. FTA will consider the proposal’s identification and assessment of risks to program implementation and the extent to which the program implementation strategy addresses these risks. Potential risks include the capacity to implement the program within 3 years after receiving an award and the ability to complete the program. FTA will also consider if the program’s implementation addresses how the project will support U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) data collection, sharing policies, and meeting the data management plan requirement under “Additional Considerations,” below.
5. Technical, Legal, and Financial Capacity	The applicant must demonstrate its and its team’s technical, legal, and financial readiness and capacity to oversee and implement its proposed program successfully. FTA may review relevant oversight assessments and records to determine whether any outstanding legal, technical, or financial issues with the applicant would affect the outcome of the proposed program. An applicant with outstanding legal, technical, or financial compliance issues from an FTA compliance review or Federal Transit Administration grant-related Single Audit finding must explain how corrective actions will mitigate negative impacts on the proposed program. For applications that include named project partners, FTA will also consider the proposed partners’ technical, legal, and financial capacity.
6. Planning and Partnerships	The applicant must identify all program partners and their specific roles. FTA will evaluate the extent to which the program contains strong, cohesive partnerships and the collaboration necessary to implement the proposed program successfully. The application should describe how program partners will work collaboratively and should show evidence of strong commitment and cooperation among program partners through letters of support, memoranda of understanding, or agreements among the partners. For a proposed program that will require formal coordination, approvals, or permits from government agencies or program partners, the applicant must demonstrate coordination with these organizations and their support for the program.
7. Financial Commitment	The applicant must identify the source of the non-Federal cost share and describe whether such funds are currently available for the program or will need to be secured if the program is selected for funding. FTA will consider the availability of the non-Federal cost share as evidence of the applicant’s financial commitment to the program. Additional consideration may be given to those programs with a higher non-Federal share of costs and for which non-Federal funds have already been made available or reserved. The applicant should submit evidence of the availability of funds for the program, for example, by including a board resolution, a letter of support from the State, a budget document highlighting the line item or section committing funds to the proposed program, or other documentation of the source of non-Federal funds.

Additional Considerations

Additional considerations include the following and should be addressed in the Supplemental Form:

Topic	Description
Scalability	FTA intends to fund up to two projects, and applicants may receive less than the amount originally requested. In those cases, applicants must show that the proposed project or subset of proposed activities can still be completed with the amount awarded. Discuss the minimum funding amount that the applicant can receive and the meaningful results that can be achieved at that funding level. Describe meaningful results that can be accomplished if the applicant receives intermediate reduced funding amount(s).
Benefits for Families and Communities	Describe how the project will improve the accessibility of transportation to families with young children, to include improved access to jobs, healthcare facilities, childcare facilities, recreational activities, and commercial activity. Describe how the project will improve the quality of life, raise the standard of living, or enable fuller participation in the economy by families.
Buy America	FTA’s Buy America (49 U.S.C. 5323(j)) and the Build America, Buy America Act (Pub. L. 117-58, §§ 70901 – 70927) require all steel, iron, manufactured products, and construction materials used in a project to be produced in the United States, unless a waiver applies. If your project will require a waiver under 49 U.S.C. 5323(j)(2)(A)-(B), or (D) (other than waivers the U.S. Department of Transportation or FTA already have provided), identify in your application the items that will need a waiver. You should not anticipate waivers will be granted.
Americans With Disabilities Act	All FTA recipients must comply with DOT regulations implementing the transportation provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), codified at 49 CFR parts 27, 37, 38, and 39. Compliance is required regardless of the receipt of Federal funding but is also a condition of eligibility for Federal funding. All vehicles and vehicle components must comply with the standards for accessibility for buses and vans found in 49 CFR part 38. Additionally, recipients for this program should account for the updated standards issued by the U.S. Access Board at 36 CFR part 1192. Of particular note is the requirement under 49 CFR 37.165(f), which requires personnel to assist individuals with disabilities with the use of securement systems, ramps and lifts, and requires personnel to leave their seats to provide such assistance if necessary. It will therefore be important to ensure that any bus driver compartments not only do not interfere with the boarding and disembarking of persons with disabilities, including wheelchair users, but that they not do so when in the open or closed position. Designs for autonomous vehicles should presume the presence of on-board personnel.
Bus Testing	To encourage innovation, the proposed research does not need to be based on a bus model that has passed FTA Bus Testing. However, new features should be designed to pass FTA Bus Testing when implemented in a production bus model.
Data Management Plan	FTA seeks to improve public transportation for America’s communities by sharing digital data or source code collected or developed through its research with the public. This allows research organizations, public transportation agencies, State DOTs, and other stakeholders to learn from and expand upon the insights developed from FTA-funded research. An award made pursuant to this Notice will be subject to the latest version of FTA’s Master Agreement, including Section 17 Patent Rights and Section 18 Rights in Data and Copyrights. All work conducted under this award must follow the Department data policies outlined in the USDOT Public Access Plan. The recipient is required to include these obligations in any sub-awards or other related funding agreements. Public Data Access requirements include developing a Data Management Plan (DMP) and submitting the DMP for FTA review. A DMP is a document that describes how the recipient plans to handle digital datasets, software, or code generated over the course of a research project pursuant to Federal and Departmental requirements. A DMP must be provided as a condition of receiving FTA funds under the Section 5312 Research Program and should adequately identify: (1) The data to be collected; (2) how the data will further the goals of this effort; (3) how the data will be made accessible; and (4) how the data will be stored. DMPs can be updated over time if the scope of the project or the type of data that will be collected changes. FTA staff are available to assist recipients with complying with public data access requirements. FTA expects recipients to remove confidential business information (CBI) and Personally Identifiable Information (PII) before providing public access to project data. Recipients must ensure the appropriate data are accessible to FTA or the public for a minimum of 5 years after the award’s performance period expires. FTA has rights to all data generated from this program. Recipients must make available to FTA copies of all work developed in performance of a project funded under this notice, including but not limited to software and data. Data rights must be in accordance with 2 CFR 200.315, Intangible Property, and the latest version of FTA’s Master Agreement.

Review and Selection Process

An evaluation committee will rate applications based on how well they respond to the evaluation criteria above. FTA may contact you for additional information or clarification about your application. Applications will be rated as Highly Recommended, Recommended, or Not Recommended. After considering the findings of the evaluation committee, the FTA Administrator will determine the final selection and amount of funding for each project.

As part of the selection process, the Administrator may also consider:

Geographic areas.
Size of the transit systems receiving funding;
Whether an applicant is from an urban, small urban, or rural area or is a Tribal government; and
If the applicant has received other Federal transit funds and the management of those funds.

The Department also intends to apply principles from DOT Order 2100.7 (Ensuring Reliance Upon Sound Economic Analysis in DOT’s Policies, Programs and Activities) and DOT Order 2100.9 (Ensuring Nondiscrimination and Equal Opportunity in Department of Transportation Policies, Programs, and Activities) when evaluating applications and making award selections. To the maximum extent permitted by law, FTA will prioritize projects that are in alignment with the principles outlined in DOT Orders 2100.7 and 2100.9.

Risk Review

FTA analyzes risk for all recipients through the Financial Commitment and Capacity Evaluation criterion described above.
Before making a Federal award with a total amount of Federal share greater than the simplified acquisition threshold, FTA must review and consider any information about the applicant that is in the Responsibility/Qualification records available in SAM.gov (see 41 U.S.C. 2313).
An applicant can review and comment on any information in the Responsibility/Qualification records available in SAM.gov.
Before making decisions in the risk review required by 2 CFR 200.206, FTA will consider any comments by the applicant, along with information available in the Responsibility/Qualification records in SAM.gov.

7. Award Notices

How Project Selections Are Announced

FTA will publish a list of the selected projects, including Federal dollar amounts, recipients, and discretionary IDs associated with the projects, on FTA’s website on the FY 2026 Bus Safety, Accessibility, and Innovation Research Program webpage.

Discretionary IDs are used to track competitive awards in FTA’s grant management system.
FTA does not notify unsuccessful applicants separately. If you are unsuccessful, you may request an application debrief within a certain timeframe after project selections are posted. See the Implementation Guidance document that will be published on the program webpage after selections are announced.

Pre-award Costs

If you are selected for an award, FTA authorizes you to incur costs for project expenses beginning after your selection is announced, but before an award is formally executed in FTA’s Transit Award Management System (TrAMS). These are called “pre-award” costs.

Pre-award costs are incurred at your own risk. An announcement that your project has been selected to receive an award is not a guarantee that FTA will, in fact, make an award. FTA is not required to reimburse pre-award costs if you do not receive an award or if the award you receive is less than anticipated and is inadequate to cover all pre-award costs.
Project costs incurred before project selections are announced are not eligible for reimbursement.
Pre-award costs must be otherwise allowable to receive reimbursement. This means pre-award costs must comply with Federal cost principles and adhere to all Federal requirements (e.g., procurement standards).
Funds must be used only for the specific purposes requested in the application and described in the resulting award.
Applicants are encouraged to discuss use of pre-award authority with the FTA Program Manager.

For more information about FTA’s policy on pre-award authority, please see the most recent Apportionment Notice.

How Funds Are Obligated

If selected, you will apply for a grant through TrAMS. The successful applicant must be prepared to submit a final statement of work and complete the application in TrAMS within 60 days of notification of selection. The recipient must follow the requirements of FTA Circular 6100.1E. Technical assistance regarding these requirements is available from FTA. The FTA Office of Research, Demonstration, and Innovation will award the grant in TrAMS, obligating the funds.

Applicant Certification

Except where prohibited by court order, pursuant to Section 3(b)(iv)(A) of Executive Order 14173, Ending Illegal Discrimination And Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity, the applicant certifies that its compliance in all respects with all applicable Federal anti-discrimination laws is material to the government’s payment decisions for purposes of section 3729(b)(4) of title 31, United States Code.

Except where prohibited by court order, pursuant to Section 3(b)(iv)(B) of Executive Order 14173, Ending Illegal Discrimination And Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity, the applicant certifies that it does not operate any programs promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives that violate any applicable Federal anti-discrimination laws.

It is the policy of the United States to strengthen the security and resilience of its critical infrastructure against all hazards, including physical and cyber risks, consistent with National Security Memorandum (NSM-22) on Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience, and the National Security Memorandum on Improving Cybersecurity for Critical Infrastructure Control Systems. Each applicant selected for Federal funding must demonstrate, prior to the signing of the grant agreement, effort to consider and address physical and cyber security risks relevant to the transportation mode and type and scale of the project. Projects that have not appropriately considered and addressed physical and cyber security and resilience in their planning, design, and project oversight, as determined by the DOT and the Department of Homeland Security, will be required to do so before receiving funds.

The applicant assures and certifies, with respect to any application and awarded Project under this NOFO, that it will comply with all applicable Federal laws, regulations, executive orders, policies, guidelines, and requirements as they relate to the application, acceptance, and use of Federal funds.
To the extent a court order bars the implementation or enforcement of one or more of these conditions with respect to a particular applicant or recipient, the Department will not implement or enforce the relevant condition(s) against that applicant or recipient for as long as the order remains in place.

8. Post-Award Requirements and Administration

Administrative and National Policy Requirements

Except as otherwise provided in this NOFO, FY 2026 Bus Safety, Accessibility, and Innovation Research Program awards are subject to the requirements of FTA Circular 6100.1E, “Research, Technical Assistance and Training Program: Application Instructions and Program Management Guidelines” and the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards at 2 CFR part 200.
Awards will incorporate by reference the terms of FTA’s most recent Master Agreement.
As a condition of award, a recipient must have completed FTA’s most recent Certifications and Assurances.
Any intellectual property developed as a part of this solicitation will be subject to provisions of 2 CFR 200.315 Intangible Property and FTA’s most recent Master Agreement related to patent rights and rights in data and copyrights and may be disseminated to the public for its use.
If selected, the recipient must use DOT’s Delphi system to submit invoices and requests for disbursement of funds from its cooperative agreement. Drawdowns using ECHO are prohibited. FTA staff are available to assist a recipient with gaining access and using the Delphi system.

External Communications

The recipient must communicate with the FTA Program Manager prior to engaging in any external communications regarding the program. This includes any work developing news or magazine stories with media organizations, including print, video, online, or otherwise. Additionally, the FTA Program Manager must be notified and approve if project information, including results and metrics, will be shared during a webinar or other presentation open to the public by the recipient or another organization. The recipient should consult with the FTA Program Manager at the beginning of the agreement to discuss and plan any external communications about the program.

Reporting Requirements

Post-award reporting requirements include submitting Federal Financial Reports (FFR) and Milestone Progress Reports (MPR) in TrAMS reporting. Applicants should include any goals, targets, and indicators referenced in their application for the project in the Executive Summary of the TrAMS application.

As part of completing the annual Certifications and Assurances required of FTA grant recipients, a successful applicant must report on the suspension or debarment status of its organization and principals. If a recipient’s active grants, cooperative agreements, and procurement contracts from all Federal awarding agencies exceed $10,000,000 for any period of time during the period of performance of an award made pursuant to this Notice, the recipient must ensure the information available in the responsibility/qualification records through SAM.gov, about civil, criminal, or administrative proceedings is current and complete. This requirement is in addition to the requirement that an applicant maintain an active SAM registration.

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), (Pub. L. 115–435) 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. As defined in 5 U.S.C. 311, 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.” 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).

Reporting and Payment

Post-award reporting requirements include quarterly electronic submission in TrAMS of Federal Financial Reports, Milestone Progress Reports, and narrative progress reports.

Documentation of eligible expenses is required for reimbursement. Additional reporting may be required specific to the program prescribed in this Notice, and the recipient may be expected to participate in events or peer networks related to the goals and objectives of the program. The Federal Financial Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA) requires data entry at the FFATA Sub Award Reporting System (FSRS) for all sub-awards and sub-contracts issued for $30,000 or more, as well as addressing executive compensation for both award recipients and sub-award organizations. The recipient will be required to disburse via Delphi and E-invoicing.

The successful applicant should include any goals, targets, and indicators referenced in its application in the Executive Summary of the TrAMS application.

As part of completing the annual certifications and assurances required of FTA grant recipients, a successful applicant must report on the suspension or debarment status of itself and its principals.

If the recipient’s active grants, cooperative agreements, and procurement contracts from all Federal awarding agencies exceed $10,000,000 for any period during the period of performance of an award made pursuant to this Notice, the recipient must comply with the Recipient Integrity and Performance Matters reporting requirements described in Appendix XII to 2 CFR part 200.

Termination for Failure to Make Progress on an Award

After providing written notice to the recipient of a project selected for funding, FTA may withdraw its support for the selected project (if a cooperative agreement has not yet been awarded) or suspend or terminate all or any part of the Federal assistance for the award if the recipient has failed to make reasonable progress implementing the project. FTA may withdraw its support for a project or terminate an award agreement if, among other reasons:

A recipient has not completed its application for funding in TrAMS within 60 days of the date FTA announces project selection.
A recipient has not begun its demonstration project within 1 year after funding was awarded in TrAMS.
A recipient has not delivered a project evaluation to FTA within 1 year of completing its demonstration project.
The proposed activities are no longer needed, or the recipient has violated the terms of FTA’s Cooperative Agreement.

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