Reconnecting Communities Pilot (RCP) Program - How to Apply

Preparing Your Application

• Learn about the RCP grant program: Review the RCP website and Notice of Funding Opportunity to determine if your project is a good fit for the program. The Frequently Asked Questions page addresses common programmatic questions. 
• Review USDOT’s grants resources: The DOT Navigator is a resource to help communities understand the best ways to apply for grants, and to plan for and deliver transformative infrastructure projects and services. For rural communities, we also encourage you to visit the Rural Opportunities to Use Transportation for Economic Success (ROUTES) initiative site.
• Read the application instructions: Carefully follow the requirements described in the NOFO to prepare your application. If your application does not include the required components in the required format, it may not be considered.
• Fill out the required Standard Forms (SF) (forms can be found on Valid Eval using the application links below)
  • Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424)
  • Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL)
  • Standard Forms for Community Planning applicants only:
    • Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs (SF-424A)
    • Assurances for Non-Construction Programs (SF-424B)
  • Standard Forms for Capital Construction applicants only:
    • Budget Information for Construction Programs (SF-424C)
    • Assurances for Construction Programs (SF-424D)
• Review BCA and Project Readiness Guidance below: (For construction applications only)
  • Benefit-Cost Analysis Guidance for Discretionary Grant Programs
  • Project Readiness Guidance for RCP FY2024

Submitting Your Application

Get your proposal in early. Allow for time to troubleshoot technical issues and submit by the deadline. Late applications will not be accepted. Review the following before beginning your application:

Applying to RCP:

• Begin the process with SAM.gov: Before submitting your materials, you must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number in order to apply. To request a UEI, please visit SAM.gov. Note that this may take up to 30 days.
• Register with Valid Eval: Valid Eval is a third-party web-based evaluation platform used by USDOT and other Federal programs to support program evaluation. Applicants will submit their applications via Valid Eval.
  • Follow the links below to Valid Eval’s signup page and register for one of two account types, depending on the grant type to which you are applying:
    • Register on Valid Eval to apply for Community Planning Grants.
    • Register on Valid Eval to apply for Capital Construction Grants.
  • Use your email address to register. The registration process should take approximately 10 minutes and can be done ahead of submitting your application. If you already have an account with Valid Eval, you do not need to register again.
  • Contact support@valideval.com or reconnectingcommunities@dot.gov with any technical issues.
• Do not apply through Grants.gov. You must apply through Valid Eval. Grants.gov will have the RCP opportunity posted, but you cannot apply through Grants.gov.
• Submit application: When you are ready to submit your application, go to the same sign-up link as above.
  • Log in to your account in Valid Eval.
  • Answer all of the registration details and key information questions on the page. 
  • Upload the completed Standard Forms and other applicable attachments at the bottom of the page. 
  • Click on “Submit Your Application.”
  • You will see a confirmation page letting you know your submission is complete. Take a screenshot with the time stamp if you finish your application the afternoon of September 30, 2024. Late applications will not be accepted.
  • If any required details on the page are missing, you will need to scroll up the page and complete the missing details before you can submit your application. Details are not saved if you exit this page before seeing the confirmation page.
  • Once submitted, you can return to your application until the NOFO closes by logging into https://usg.valideval.com/ using the login credentials you created at signup. You can also add additional team members to your profile who may need to be included on any feedback notifications.  

Funding Opportunity Parameters

• Grants.gov Opportunity Number: DOT-RCP-FY24-01
• Assistance Listing Number: 20.940 – Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program

Applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday, September 30, 2024. Late applications will not be accepted.