Overview
The Department of Transportation (DOT) annually funds approximately $80 billion in grants, cooperative agreement, loans, and other transactions. Guidance for departmental formula and discretionary grant programs is contained in their authorizing legislation, program regulations, or departmental regulations.
Generally guidance includes general project management requirements and limitations, if any, on spending authority. Departmental grants are generally made to state and local governments. These grants are normally used to assist these entities in the planning, design, and construction of transportation improvements (e.g. highway, transit, and airport improvements). Funding is also available for research and development projects.
DOT Grant Related Regulations and Directives
Regulations issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation are published in the Federal Register and compiled in the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). The printed Federal Register and Code of Federal Regulations continue to be the official version of these regulations.
- Financial Assistance Guidance Manual
- 2 CFR 200 - Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards
- 49 CFR Part 17 - Intergovernmental Review of Department of Transportation Programs and Activities
- 49 CFR Part 20 - New Restrictions on Lobbying
- 49 CFR Part 21 - Nondiscrimination in Federally-Assisted Programs of the Department of Transportation -- Effectuation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
- 49 CFR Part 26 - New Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program
- 49 CFR Part 29 - Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension (non-procurement)
- 49 CFR Part 32 - Governmentwide Requirements for Drug-Free Workplace (Financial Assistance)
Financial Assistance Policy Letters
The establishment of Financial Assistance Policy Letters within DOT provides policy and procedural direction to DOT financial assistance workforce, in particular, contracting personnel addressing activities and critical issues that need immediate dissemination. DOT FAPL's include:
- Policies and procedures which may result in rulemakings or as material incorporated into the Transportation Acquisition Manual (TAM), as appropriate;
- Policies and procedures that need to be issued expeditiously to Operating Administrations (OAs) for prompt implementation;
- Short term information (no more than 1-2 years), which will be incorporated into regulation or guidance for permanent retention; and
- Subject matter is generally limited to CO and HCA responsibilities which are within the Senior Procurement Executive's line of authority.
Policy Letters
- FAPL-2008-01 - FFATA - Financial Assistance (Grants, Cooperative Agreements, Loan, and Other Transactions) Transmittal Dates and Procedural Requirements for all Operating Administrations - dated 6/19/08
- FAPL-2010-01 - Text Messaging While Driving - dated 2/2/10
- FAPL - 2015-01 - Departmental Policies and Procedures for External Reporting of Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA) - Financial Assistance (Grants, Cooperative Agreements, Loans, and Other Transactions) Award Data - dated 3/19/2015