Opportunity Information: Apply for FTA 2020 007 TR
The FY 2020 Competitive Funding Opportunity: Public Transportation on Indian Reservations Program is a discretionary federal grant competition run by the U.S. Department of Transportation through the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). It makes about $5 million available nationwide under the Tribal Transit Program (TTP), authorized by 49 U.S.C. 5311(c)(1)(A) and continued under the FAST Act (Public Law 114-94). The opportunity is framed as a national solicitation, meaning tribes across the country compete against one another for funding based on the proposal evaluation criteria described in the notice, rather than receiving a formula allocation automatically.
The main goal of the program is to strengthen and expand public transportation options serving tribal communities, with an emphasis on practical projects that build or improve transit services on Indian reservations. The funding is intended to support three broad types of activities: planning work (such as transit planning studies, service design, coordination planning, or related preparation needed to implement or improve service), capital projects (such as vehicles, equipment, facilities, technology, or other long-lasting assets used to deliver transit), and, in limited circumstances, operating assistance (support for day-to-day service costs, but only where permitted and justified under the program rules). In other words, the program is designed to help tribes start services, enhance reliability and coverage, or modernize and maintain the physical and operational foundation needed for transit.
Eligibility is limited to federally recognized Native American tribal governments. Awards are made as grants, and the listing notes an expectation of roughly 30 awards, indicating that FTA anticipated making multiple smaller selections rather than a single large award. The notice lists an award ceiling of $0, which typically signals that a fixed maximum was not stated in the summary fields and that award sizes are determined through the competitive process and the available total funding.
A key policy point in the announcement is that TTP funds are not supposed to replace or reduce funding tribes already receive indirectly through states under FTA's Section 5311 program. That language is meant to prevent substitution, ensuring that competitive tribal funds add to, rather than supplant, rural transit support that may already flow through state-administered channels. The program’s catalog identifier is CFDA 20.509, and the opportunity was posted on May 26, 2020, with an original application deadline of August 24, 2020.Apply for FTA 2020 007 TR
- The Department of Transportation, DOT/Federal Transit Administration in the transportation sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY 2020 Competitive Funding Opportunity: Public Transportation on Indian Reservations Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 20.509.
- This funding opportunity was created on May 26, 2020.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 24, 2020. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 30 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized).
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the FY 2020 Competitive Funding Opportunity: Public Transportation on Indian Reservations Program?
This is a discretionary (competitive) federal grant opportunity run by the U.S. Department of Transportation through the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) under the Tribal Transit Program (TTP). It is focused on supporting public transportation serving tribal communities and Indian reservations.
Who runs and administers this grant competition?
The competition is run by the U.S. Department of Transportation through the Federal Transit Administration (FTA).
How much funding is available under this opportunity?
Approximately $5 million is available nationwide under this FY 2020 competitive solicitation.
Is this funding awarded by formula or through competition?
This opportunity is a national competitive solicitation. Tribes across the country compete against one another based on the proposal evaluation criteria described in the notice, rather than receiving a formula allocation automatically.
What is the purpose of the program?
The main goal is to strengthen and expand public transportation options serving tribal communities, with an emphasis on practical projects that build or improve transit services on Indian reservations.
What types of projects or activities can be funded?
The funding is intended to support three broad categories of activities:
- Planning: transit planning studies, service design, coordination planning, and related preparation needed to implement or improve service.
- Capital projects: vehicles, equipment, facilities, technology, or other long-lasting assets used to deliver transit.
- Operating assistance (limited): support for day-to-day service costs, but only where permitted and justified under program rules.
Can the grant be used to pay for operating costs?
In limited circumstances, operating assistance may be supported for day-to-day service costs, but only where it is permitted and justified under the program rules described for the Tribal Transit Program competition.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited to federally recognized Native American tribal governments.
How are awards made under this program?
Awards are made as grants through a discretionary federal grant competition.
How many awards does FTA expect to make?
The listing indicates an expectation of roughly 30 awards, suggesting multiple smaller selections rather than a single large award.
Is there a maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The notice lists an award ceiling of $0, which typically indicates that a fixed maximum was not stated in the summary fields. Award sizes are determined through the competitive process and the total funding available.
What does it mean that this is a national solicitation?
It means proposals are evaluated and selected nationally, with tribes competing against each other across the country based on the evaluation criteria in the notice, rather than competing only within a state or receiving a preset amount.
What is the policy about not replacing existing Section 5311 funding?
A key policy point is that Tribal Transit Program funds are not supposed to replace or reduce funding tribes already receive indirectly through states under FTA's Section 5311 program. The intent is to prevent substitution so that competitive tribal funds add to, rather than supplant, rural transit support that may already flow through state-administered channels.
What is the authorizing authority for this program?
The Tribal Transit Program referenced here is authorized by 49 U.S.C. 5311(c)(1)(A) and continued under the FAST Act (Public Law 114-94).
What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?
The program catalog identifier (CFDA) is 20.509.
When was the opportunity posted?
The opportunity was posted on May 26, 2020.
What was the application deadline?
The original application deadline listed for this opportunity was August 24, 2020.
What kinds of outcomes is the program trying to support for tribal transit?
Based on the stated goals, the program is designed to help tribes start transit services, enhance reliability and coverage, modernize systems, and maintain or improve the physical and operational foundation needed to deliver public transportation.
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