Grant Program Overview:

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) is soliciting grant applications for the County’s FY 2024 Enhanced Mobility Grants Program from qualified organizations providing direct transportation services in the County. This program aims to increase access to transportation services for Montgomery County residents who are disabled as well as seniors, individuals with limited incomes, and other vulnerable populations, specifically in Underserved Communities.

Key dates for this program are:

• Program Opens for Applications: Monday, November 13, 2023
• MS Teams Live Online Grant Program Information Session: Monday, November 20, 2023 from 2:00 to 3:30 PM
• Submission Deadline: Monday, January 8, 2024 at 11:59 PM

Program Resources:

• FY24 Enhanced Mobility Grants Program Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) document in .pdf format
• Click here to watch the recording of the FY24 Enhanced Mobility Grants Program Information Session [note: you will be able to open Microsoft Teams to view the recording, but you may also select the "Watch on the web instead" option to view directly in your web browser.]
• Information Session PowerPoint
• 5 Steps to Prepare for Montgomery County Grants
• Eligibility Checklist
• Application Checklist
• Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

MCDOT expects a large number of applications and total funding requests that will greatly exceed the amount of resources available for FY24 Enhanced Mobility Grants Program. Priority in awarding funding will be given to proposals that: 

• Demonstrate a commitment to and experience with increasing access to transportation for at least one of the target populations as listed below:
  1. Individuals with physical, emotional, and/or intellectual disabilities 
  2. Seniors 63 years old and older (same eligibility for MCDOT’s Call-n-Ride Program)
  3. Individuals with limited incomes aged 18-62 
  4. Other vulnerable populations residing in Montgomery County, specifically in Underserved Communities
• Exhibit cultural proficiency and use a racial equity lens in providing services;  
• Transport individuals who are disabled, especially those who live in traditionally underserved areas of Montgomery County;  
• Work with ethnically diverse communities where English is not the first language; 
• Work to keep seniors (as described above) engaged and in touch with much needed safety net services;  
• Work with youth in high FARMS (Free and Reduced Meals Program) areas. 

MCDOT anticipates awarding about $800,000 through approximately eight to ten grant awards. It is anticipated that each grant award may range between $20,000 and $105,000, but the final amount will be dependent upon grant activities and final negotiation and may be lower or higher than the range. Applicants cannot propose more than $65,000 for capital expenditures and $40,000 for operating costs. The duration of any grant award under this solicitation is expected to be no more than one year (12 months). The estimated start of grants awarded under this solicitation is March 1, 2024. This Grant Program does not commit Montgomery County to make an award. The full details, eligibility requirements, and other criteria can be found in the NOFO document that is downloadable above.

A virtual information session on the grant program will be held via an MS Teams Live event on November 6, 2023 from 2:00 to 3:30 PM.  The event will be recorded and posted for applicants who miss the event or who wish to review it again.  A link to the live and recorded event can be found above.

The application will consist of the following Tasks:

• Applicant Information – Organization mission, contact information, background documents and optional demographics (Reusable Task)
• Applicant Background - Optional demographic and organization size questions (Reusable Task)
• Project Narrative – Series of narrative questions detailing the proposed project
• Outreach Plan - details the strategy for promoting the project among the target audience 
• Project Budget and Budget Narrative – Explanation of proposed project costs
• Project Work Plan/Timeline – Proposed project implementation schedule
• Performance Plan – Outline of metrics to be collected, targets for each metric, and the data collection method for each metric as well as any qualitative evaluation methods
• Supporting Documents – Optional upload of background documents supporting your proposal
• Application Certification, Acknowledgments, and Assurances – Confirmation of ethics considerations, legal terms, and the authenticity of the application

Additional Task Trainings: The Office Grants Management has provided a series of four trainings focused on a more detailed explanation of each standard Task, optional templates, and past Review Committee feedback on what they felt was useful. Each training session has been recorded and are available by clicking on the links below.

1. Applicant Information and Applicant Background Reusable Tasks
2. Project Strategy and Project Work Plan/Timeline Tasks
3. Project Budget, Project Budget Narrative/Justification, and Project Staffing Plan Tasks
4. Performance Plan and Performance History Task

MCDOT will recruit an independent Review Committee that will develop and submit recommendations for funding. The Review Committee will be composed of neutral, qualified individuals from Montgomery County Government, and possibly the broader Montgomery County community, selected for their experiences in the grant program’s subject area, grants administration, project management, and/or ability to analyze projects from a Racial Equity and Social Justice lens. The panel members will review and score applicant proposals based on the criteria and priorities established in the NOFO for this Grant Program with cumulative rankings and considerations as the County deems relevant at the time of award. These may include updated consideration of how well the applicant has performed on prior programs, the expert opinion of grant administrators with prior experience with applicants, updates to priorities, or other factors.

In addition to submitting this application, organizations should also do the following:

• Register and create a profile on this platform for each team member who will be working on your application.  Click on the green "Register" button in the top right corner to get started.
• Verify that your organization is registered with the Maryland State Department of Assessment and Taxation (SDAT).  Click here to go to the SDAT Business Express site to confirm.  Even if your organization is registered in another jurisdiction, you must be registered with SDAT for Montgomery County to finalize an award with your organization.
• If your organization is not in Good Standing with SDAT, take the necessary steps to get back into Good Standing.  SDAT will advise what steps are required.  Montgomery County cannot finalize an award with you or organization if you are not in Good Standing.  Your application for a grant could be disqualified if you are not in Good Standing.
• OGM now REQUIRES that all applicants already be registered with CVRS by each application deadline. Register with the Montgomery County Central Vendor Registration System (CVRS) by clicking here. If you or your organization receives an award from the County then you will need to be registered with CVRS to receive payments. 

Questions about the application process can be directed to Olga Kravets, Outgoing Grants Program Manager of the Office of Grants Management, by calling 240-773-3344 or emailing grants@montgomerycountymd.gov.