Grants to USA Agencies and Tribes for Projects to Protect Wildlife and Motorists

Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program (WCPP)

Agency

Federal

GrantWatch ID#

209267

Funding Source

United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) - Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)

CFDA Number: 20.205

Funding or PIN Number: 693JJ323NF00011

Geographic Focus

All USA

Important Dates

Deadline: 08/01/23 11:59 PM Eastern Time

Grant Description

Grants to USA government agencies and tribes for projects to protect wildlife and motorists. Applicants are advised that required registrations may take several weeks to finalize. Funding is intended for construction projects as well as planning, educational activities, and research with the goal of reducing Wildlife Vehicle Collisions (WVCs) while improving habitat connectivity for terrestrial and aquatic species.

The WCPP provides funding for construction and non-construction projects. For more information and a list of example projects, see page 9 of the NOFO in RFP & Supporting Documents.

Construction Projects include engineering, design, permitting, right-of-way acquisition, and other activities related to the construction of infrastructure improvements, such as the building of a wildlife crossing overpass or underpass.
Non-Construction projects include planning, research, and educational activities that are not directly related to construction of infrastructure improvements, such as a hot spot analysis of WVCs.

All projects should seek to protect motorists and wildlife by reducing the number of WVCs and improve habitat connectivity for terrestrial and aquatic species. More information on eligible activities can be found on page 14 of the NOFO. See RFP & Supporting Documents.

Projects that reduce WVCs and improve habitat connectivity for terrestrial and aquatic species will be prioritized.

Recipient

Eligibility

Others (see text field entitled "Additional Eligibility Criteria" for clarification)

Additional Eligibility Criteria

Eligible entities for the WCPP are:
- State Departments of Transportation;
- Metropolitan Planning Organizations;
- Units of local government;
- Regional transportation authorities;
- Special purpose districts or public authorities with a transportation function;
- Indian tribes;
- Federal Land Management Agencies; and
- A group of any of the above entities.

Ineligible

Grants funds may not be used to support or oppose union organizing.

Pre-Proposal Conference

FHWA will host 2 webinars to assist applicants with applying to the WCPP.

Public Webinar: Wednesday April 26 1:30 – 3:00 pm ET
This webinar is intended to provide an overview of the WCPP, provide applicants with knowledge for applying to program, and clarify any questions associated with the application process. This webinar is free and open to the public. It is intended for a broad range of attendees, including representatives of entities eligible to receive funds under the WCPP, which are State Departments of Transportation, Metropolitan Planning Organizations, units of local governments, regional transportation authorities, special purpose districts of public authorities with a transportation function, Indian Tribes, and Federal Land Management Agencies.

Tribal Webinar: Wednesday May 17 1:30 – 3:00 pm ET
This webinar is intended to provide an overview of the WCPP, provide Tribal applicants with knowledge for applying to program, and clarify any questions associated with the application process. This webinar is free and open to the public but will be intended for Tribal representatives eligible to receive funds under the WCPP.

Register here: https://usdot.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN__TOrab54SpW3845bKGXv5A

Registration is required to attend.

FHWA is committed to providing equal access to this event for all participants. If you need alternative formats or services because of a disability, please indicate that in your registration.

Pre-Application Information

Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov no later than 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on August 1, 2023 (the "application deadline"). Applicants are encouraged to submit applications in advance of the application deadline; however, applications will not be evaluated, and awards will not be made, until after the application deadline.

DOT uses Grants.gov for receipt of all applications for this program's NOFO. Applicants must register and use the system to submit applications electronically. Applicants are encouraged to register in advance of the submission deadline and to register to receive notifications of updates/amendments to this NOFO. Approval of user registrations for the site may take multiple weeks. It is the Applicant's responsibility to monitor Grants.gov for any updates to this Notice.

Each applicant is required to:
a. Be registered in SAM before submitting their application;
b. Provide a valid UEI in their application; and
c. Continue to maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which the applicant has an active Federal award or an application or plan under consideration by a Federal awarding agency.

FHWA will not review applications in advance, but FHWA staff are available for technical questions and assistance. In addition, FHWA will post answers to questions and requests for clarifications at grants.gov under this NOFO’s page. To ensure applicants receive accurate information about eligibility or the program, the applicant is encouraged to contact FHWA directly, rather than through intermediaries or third parties, with questions.

Cost sharing (non-Federal match) means the portion of project costs not paid using Federal funds, including WCPP funds. As the WCPP is under Title 23, U.S.C., the Federal share for projects under the WCPP is 80 percent of total project costs, unless an exception, such as ones noted below, applies (23 U.S.C. 120(b)). This means that, unless a verified exception applies, awardees must provide at least 20 percent of the total project cost (not 20 percent of the Federal share) as a non-Federal match.

Payments:
- If the grant recipient is an FLMA or Indian Tribe, funds will be administered with advanced payment upon the execution of a grant agreement with the FHWA or through existing agreements, and FHWA’s Office of Federal Lands Highway will administer the project (23 U.S.C. 171(f)(2)(A)(i)).
- If the grant recipient is not an FLMA or Indian Tribe, grant awards will be administered on a reimbursement basis. In such situations, WCPP funds will reimburse recipients only for eligible costs incurred and for work performed after a grant agreement has been executed, allowable expenses are incurred, and valid requests for reimbursement are submitted. At FHWA’s sole discretion, alternative funding arrangements may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

There is no limitation on the number of applications that may be submitted by an eligible applicant.

Recording of the April 26 webinar:
https://usdot.zoomgov.com/rec/share/w5puhqBUL2Izw7l8Jbe4C5Nm63JyXvBuHO7fBe2Y0rfx2krp4bPgcJ9pl9Iewy4k.UCY5tJxoOrbOvIey?startTime=1682530230000

View this opportunity on Grants.gov:
https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=347288

Additional Funding Information

Estimated Total Program Funding:

$111,850,000

Estimated Size of Grant

There is no minimum or maximum award size; however, applicants are encouraged to submit comprehensive applications for large-scale projects with total project costs of $200,000 or greater. FHWA anticipates awarding between 15- 50 grants with anticipated awards ranging from $200,000 to $20 million, although FHWA may also make awards outside of this range.

Term of Contract

The FY 2022 funds must be obligated by September 20, 2025, and FY 2023 funds must be obligated by September 30, 2026.

Contact Information

If you have any questions, please contact wildlifecrossings@dot.gov.

Contacts:
Freida Byrd
Agreement Officer
Office of Acquisition and Grants Management
Federal Highway Administration
U.S. Department of Transportation
1200 New Jersey Ave., SE. (HCFA-33)
Washington, DC 20590
Email: wildlifecrossings@dot.gov (preferred)
Phone: (202) 366-6547

Alternate:
Hector R. Santamaria
Agreement Officer/Team Leader
Office of Acquisition and Grants Management
Federal Highway Administration
U.S. Department of Transportation
1200 New Jersey Ave., SE. (HCFA-33)
Washington, DC 20590
Email: wildlifecrossings@dot.gov (preferred)
Phone: (202) 493-2402

RFP & Supporting Documents

Before starting your grant application, please review the funding source's website listed below for updates / changes / addendums / conferences / LOIs.

1611602702_209267_WCPP_NOFO-_Final_NOFO_508.pdf

Grants to USA Agencies and Tribes for Projects to Protect Wildlife and Motorists

Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program (WCPP)

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