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How Can We Help You?

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How can an SS4A grant recipient develop an impactful Comprehensive Safety Action Plan?

The goal of an Action Plan is to develop a holistic, well-defined strategy to prevent roadway fatalities and serious injuries in a locality, Tribal area, or region. A successful Action Plan includes the following seven key components, which are described in more detail in the Action Plan Components PDF. Aside from the key components, impactful Action Plans are developed in coordination with broad coalitions – such as political leaders, State Department of Transportation officials, law enforcement, and the public – to facilitate early buy-in and Action Plan sustainability. SS4A grant recipients can also review the "Comprehensive Safety Action Plans" section of the SS4A Clearinghouse to learn more.

If a SS4A grant recipient enters into an arrangement with a State Department of Transportation (DOT) or another State or local government entity to administer an SS4A grant, are the costs incurred managing the award eligible for reimbursement with SS4A fu

Yes. Under 2 CFR § 200, Subpart E, these costs may be reimbursed either as indirect costs if such costs are included in the grant recipient’s approved indirect cost rate, or as a direct cost if the cost is incurred specifically for the award and not otherwise accounted for the approved indirect cost rate. If a grant recipient intends to enter into such an arrangement and seek reimbursement of direct costs through the grant, those estimated costs should be included in the grant application. During administration, the grant recipient is responsible for ensuring direct costs incurred are eligible and allocable to the grant administration. States will not have direct funding relationships with USDOT. Additional information on reimbursement can be found in the SS4A Payment Request Quick Guide.

If awarded funding, when will an SS4A grant recipient receive funding?

U.S. Department of Transportation expects to obligate SS4A funding via a signed grant agreement between the Department and the SS4A grant recipient within 12 months after awards have been announced. Individual grant recipient timelines may vary depending on the complexity of project, status of project readiness, and other factors. Funding is expected to be provided on a reimbursement basis once a grant agreement is established, with corresponding invoices. In the meantime, SS4A grant recipients can review the SS4A Introductory Webinar, on Step 1 of the Grant Recipient Roadmap, to learn more about how to start their SS4A journey.

Given the five-year statutory deadline to expend grant funds, when does this period begin?

The five-year clock starts on the date the grant agreement is fully executed, which means it has been signed by both the SS4A grant recipient and the FHWA Agreement Officer.

Can cities, counties, or MPOs serve as a funding pass-through to have a State Department of Transportation (DOT) administer the entire grant agreement in its place?

SS4A grant agreements are directly between the applicant and USDOT. SS4A grant agreements are not with State DOTs, and eligible applicants cannot serve as a pass through for a State DOT to take full responsibility over the grant agreement. However, an applicant may choose to work with a State DOT and provide SS4A grant funding to State DOTs to assist in the execution of the grant activities separately from the grant agreement. But the SS4A grant recipient retains responsibility for ensuring completion of the grant activities and for compliance with the terms of the grant award and Federal requirements.

How does an SS4A grant recipient execute their grant agreement?

SS4A grant recipients will work with their assigned primary SS4A point of contact (POC) to execute their grant agreement. The POC will provide initial guidance during a kickoff meeting, share the grant agreement template, and answer any questions. SS4A grant recipients should also review the grant agreement general terms and conditions posted on the U.S. Department of Transportation website. Additionally, FHWA hosts an introductory grant agreement webinar after new recipients are announced. During this webinar, FHWA will talk about the grant agreement template as well as resources to help complete the template (e.g., SS4A grant application, award email from the Office of the Secretary of Transportation, and sam.gov account).

How long will it take to get an executed grant agreement?

The timeline depends on the specific circumstances of each grant. Individual timelines may vary but SS4A grant recipients should target to execute their grant agreements within the first 12 months of award notification. Typically, Planning grant agreements will take less time than Demonstration project or Implementation grant agreements. In the meantime, SS4A grant recipients can review the SS4A Introductory Webinar, on Step 1 of the Grant Recipient Roadmap, to learn more about how to start their SS4A journey.

Does the SS4A grant recipient complete the grant agreement template?

Yes, each grant recipient will develop the grant agreement using the approved grant agreement template, which may be obtained from the primary SS4A point of contact (POC) assigned to the grant. The POC can help answer any questions. Additionally, FHWA hosts an introductory grant agreement webinar after new recipients are announced. During this webinar, FHWA will talk about the grant agreement template as well as resources to help complete the template (e.g., SS4A grant application, award email from the Office of the Secretary of Transportation, and sam.gov account).

How can an SS4A grant recipient obtain a copy of the SS4A grant agreement template?

SS4A grant recipients should contact their primary SS4A point of contact (POC) assigned to their grant to obtain a copy of the grant agreement template. They can also visit the U.S. Department of Transportation website for the grant agreement terms and conditions.

Who schedules the kickoff meeting with SS4A grant recipients?

The primary SS4A point of contact (POC) assigned to each grant will contact the identified SS4A grant recipient POC to schedule a kickoff meeting. In the meantime, SS4A grant recipients can review the SS4A Introductory Webinar, on Step 1 of the Grant Recipient Roadmap, to learn more about how to start their SS4A journey.