Notice of Public Transportation Grant Solicitation Opportunity
The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) Public Transportation Division (PTD) has opened the 2024-2026 Mid-Cycle Discretionary Grant Solicitation. The Mid-Cycle Discretionary Grant Solicitation offers funding on a competitive basis for public transportation projects. The solicitation opens on January 4, 2024 and the application deadline is March 12, 2024. Application materials can be accessed on the PTD's Funding Opportunities web page.
Funding is available for capital, operations, and planning projects. Pending Federal Transit Administration (FTA) approval, the grant agreement period for planning, operations, mobility management, and purchased service projects is from October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2026. The grant agreement period for all other capital projects, including rolling stock, is October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2028.
Funding is available from the following federal grant programs:
- Statewide Transportation Planning Grant Program (Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Section 5304)
- Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities (FTA Section 5310)
- Buses and Bus Facilities Program (FTA Section 5339)
- Vehicle Replacement Program (Surface Transportation Block Grant Bus Replacement)
There will be an estimated $16.9 million available for the Mid-Cycle Discretionary Grant Solicitation. See the full notice for additional details.
New to this Solicitation:
The Oregon Transportation Commission approved an update of the State’s long-term strategic plan in July 2023. To advance the goals and objectives of the Oregon Transportation Plan and better reflect ODOT priorities, PTD staff performed a review and update of the Mid-Cycle Grant Solicitation. The following changes have been incorporated into this year’s grant solicitation:
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Application process: Applications will be accepted through the Oregon Public Transit Information System (OPTIS) system. For access to OPTIS, contact PTD's Program Services or your Regional Transit Coordinator.
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Funding priorities: The Oregon Transportation Plan establishes safety, equity and climate mitigation as strategic priorities. As a result, safety, equity, and climate mitigation are key funding priorities for the Mid-Cycle Discretionary Grant Solicitation.
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Financial risk: Applications from agencies that are currently undergoing a forensic audit or have repeat audit findings of significant deficiency regarding internal control over final reporting will be subject to a financial risk review and may be deemed ineligible for funding.
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Vehicle replacement, right-sizing or expansion independent cost estimate: Vehicle acquisition projects must include an independent cost estimate to demonstrate the proposed vehicle can be procured for the proposed budget and within the proposed timeline.
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Standard fuel vehicles. The acquisition of standard fuel vehicles (i.e., diesel or gasoline) are eligible projects. However, applications must demonstrate that agencies considered applying for a low- or no-emission vehicle and determined that such vehicle is not a practicable option at this time. On the application, applicants will be asked why a low- or no-emission vehicle is not practicable and what efforts they made to reach this conclusion.
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Zero-emission capital projects. Agencies applying for funding for a zero-emission capital project, either a zero-emission vehicle (e.g., battery-electric vehicle) or related infrastructure (e.g., charging equipment), will need to include a zero-emission transition plan with their application.
Resources and Support
An overview of entry instructions will be provided on January 16, 2024, from 8:30 am - 9:30 am PST with optional drop-in question and answer session from 9:30 am - 12:00 pm PST.
To access the solicitation guidance and detailed application instructions by funding program, see Public Transportation Funding Opportunities page.
For more information or to obtain this information in an alternate format please contact Jovi Arellano, call 971-718-1050, or contact the Regional Transit Coordinator in your area.
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