How will FTA evaluate Demonstration of Need for proposals for new or expanded facilities?
FTA has defined the criteria for Demonstration of Need in the NOFO, including specific guidance for expansion projects.
Public Transit
Legacy ID
301
When demonstrating the state of need for replacement buses, is it best to attach documentation or verbalize the status in the narrative?
The narrative should provide a complete explanation of the need for replacement buses, including any relevant supporting information. Attachments, such as a fleet inventory, vehicle status report, or other documentation, may be used to support the statements in the narrative response.
What is the recommended documentation for local match?
The appropriate documentation may vary depending on the source of local match. Examples could include a city council or board resolution to provide local match for the project or a letter from the state attesting to the availability of state funding for the project.
I am a designated recipient and will be applying for multiple urban agencies. Should I use multiple SF 424s or just one SF 424 with multiple supplemental forms?
An applicant can choose either option; however, we recommend separate submissions for multiple urban agencies.
Is it possible or appropriate to attach signed support letters, resumes, and other documents as supplemental details to the application?
Grants.gov will allow you to upload supporting documents. Supporting documents may be helpful to reviewers, as they may confirm what is stated in the narrative.
Can I convert the supplemental form to a Word document and upload to Grants.gov?
An applicant must use the pdf supplemental form that is provided at Grants.gov or on FTA’s website. Other formats will not be accepted.
Where do you find the SF-424 Form? Where do you find the Supplemental Form?
Both the SF-424 and Program Supplemental forms can be downloaded from Grants.gov under the program opportunity tab. The supplemental form is also available from the FTA website at www.transit.dot.gov/funding/grants/lowno.
Can an applicant submit multiple grant application packages?
Yes, this is allowable. Projects will be evaluated on a project by project basis regardless of how they are submitted to grants.gov.
If we have already registered on Grants.gov for submission of other grants, do we need to re-register specifically for this application?
No, if you have registered and are up to date you should be able to apply for these opportunities.
Will projects that only request incremental costs be prioritized over projects that request the full amount?
Projects to fund the incremental costs of a project may receive a higher rating for the local financial commitment to the project, but will still be evaluated based on the remainder of the evaluation criteria provided in the NOFO.