SS4A Grant Recipient FAQs
Grant Administration
Which Federal agency is administering SS4A grants?
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has the responsibility for administering all SS4A grants.
Grant Agreement Execution
I am a SS4A grant recipient. How may I obtain a copy of the SS4A grant agreement template?
Please contact the FHWA Division Office lead point of contact assigned to your grant to obtain a copy of the grant agreement template.
What if a grant recipient does not know the name of the FHWA Division Office lead point of contact assigned to the grant?
Please send an email to the Safe Streets and Roads for All Team at SS4A.FHWA@dot.gov, and the SS4A team can help connect you with the appropriate lead point of contact.
Who schedules the kickoff meeting with SS4A grant recipients?
The FHWA Division Office lead point of contact assigned to each grant will contact the identified SS4A grant recipient point of contact to schedule a kickoff meeting.
How may grant recipients update their point of contact information?
Recipients should reach out to their designated FHWA Division Office lead point of contact and let them know of any changes.
Will award letters with the award details be provided?
The award emails that the Department of Transportation sent to each recipient will serve as the official grant award letter.
Does the recipient complete the grant agreement template?
Yes, each grant recipient will develop the grant agreement using the approved grant agreement template, which may be obtained from the FHWA Division Office lead point of contact assigned to the grant. The Division Office lead point of contact can help answer any questions you may have.
How long will it take to get an executed grant agreement?
The timeline depends on the specific circumstances of each grant.
Does the grant recipient need to provide a basis for the budget for an Action Plan Grant?
The Action Plan Grant applicants had to complete an SF-424A form for their budget when submitting their application.
Given the 5-year limit to expend SS4A grant funds, when does this period begin?
The 5-year clock starts on the date that the grant agreement is fully executed, which means it has been signed by both the grant recipient and the FHWA Agreement Officer.
State Involvement in SS4A Grants
Since States are not eligible to apply for the SS4A grants, may a recipient establish an arrangement with a State department of transportation (DOT) or some other State or local governmental entity to administer an SS4A grant?
Yes. A recipient may establish an arrangement with a State DOT or another State or local governmental entity to administer an SS4A grant so long as that arrangement complies with State and local law. Under 2 CFR § 200.331, the recipient must determine whether such arrangement is contractual, such as an interagency agreement, or a subgrant. As provided at 2 CFR § 200.300(b), the recipient is responsible for compliance with all Federal requirements applicable to the award. States will not have direct funding relationships with USDOT.
Can cities, counties, or MPOs serve as a funding pass through to have a State DOT administer the entire grant agreement in its place?
SS4A grant agreements are directly between the applicant and the Department. SS4A grant agreements are not with State DOTs, and eligible applicants cannot serve as a pass through for a State DOT to take full responsibility over the grant agreement. However, an applicant may choose to work with a State DOT and provide SS4A grant funding to State DOTs to assist in the execution of the grant activities separately from the grant agreement. But the SS4A recipient retains responsibility for ensuring completion of the grant activities and for compliance with the terms of the grant award and federal requirements.
If a recipient enters into an arrangement with a State DOT or another State or local government entity to administer an SS4A grant, are the costs incurred managing the award eligible for reimbursement with SS4A funds?
Yes. Under 2 CFR § 200, Subpart E, these costs may be reimbursed either as indirect costs if such costs are included in the recipient’s approved indirect cost rate, or as a direct cost if the cost is incurred specifically for the award and not otherwise accounted for the approved indirect cost rate. If a recipient intends to enter into such an arrangement and seek reimbursement of direct costs through the grant, those estimated costs should be included in the grant application. During administration, the recipient is responsible for ensuring direct costs incurred are eligible and allocable to the grant administration. States will not have direct funding relationships with USDOT.
The contents of this page do not have the force and effect of law and are not meant to bind the public in any way. This document is intended only to provide information to the public regarding existing requirements under the law or agency policies. However, compliance with applicable statutes or regulations cited in this page is required.