Notice of Funding Availability - Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP)

New York State Department of Transportation TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVES PROGRAM (TAP) NOTICE OF FUNDING AVAILABILITY November 2025 Background The New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) is making available up to $97.4 million to support bicycle, pedestrian, multi-use path and active transportation-related projects and programs that support the goals of NYSDOT’s Transportation Master Plan 2050 and New York’s nation-leading Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA). Projects selected under this solicitation will support the Department’s commitment to community-centered transportation by providing safe, reliable, equitable and resilient transportation systems. Selected projects will also connect communities, enhance the quality of life, protect the environment, and support the economic well-being of New York State. These funds, made available to the State through the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and administered by NYSDOT, are provided through the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP). Eligible Applicants The following entities are eligible for funding: Local Governments (Counties, Towns, Cities, and Villages) Transit Agencies Natural Resource or Public Land Agencies (NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, NYS Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, local fish and game or wildlife agencies) Tribal Governments Local or Regional Governmental Transportation or Recreational Trail Entity Eligible ONLY in Partnership with an Applicant listed above: School Districts Metropolitan Planning Organizations (serves an urbanized area with population of 200,000 or fewer) Regional Transportation Authorities Non-Governmental Organizations Other interested entities such as private companies and freight rail roads will need to partner with or have an eligible Sponsor submit the application and sponsor the project. An agreement between the organization and Sponsor is required prior to project implementation. Eligible Projects TAP funds a variety of transportation related projects which increase options for non-vehicular transportation including: Planning, Design and Construction of infrastructure related projects to improve non-driver safety and access to public transportation and enhanced mobility. Construction of turnouts, overlooks and viewing areas. Safe Routes to School (enables and encourages children to walk or bike to school). Planning, design and construction of on-road and off-road facilities for pedestrians, bicyclists, and non-motorized transportation users. Conversion and use of abandoned railroad corridors for trails for pedestrians, bicyclists, and non-motorized transportation users. Planning, design, and construction of boulevards and other roadways largely in the right-of-way of former divided highways. Community Improvement Activities (inventory, control, or removal of outdoor advertising, preserve historic transportation facilities, vegetation management practices, archeological activities). Environmental Mitigation Activities. Funding Availability NYSDOT is soliciting candidate projects for TAP funding. A total of $97.4 million is available for award. Project Sponsors must submit an application for proposed TAP projects detailing the scope, benefits, schedule and costs. Sponsors must also submit a mandatory Application Pre-Review package. During the mandatory Pre-Preview, applications will be reviewed with feedback provided to the Sponsor. All applicants must also attend a current TAP Informational Workshop. Maximum Award/Matching Funds/Eligibility The TAP project award shall be no less than $500,000 and no greater than $7.0 million for any single project. NYSDOT will provide up to 80 percent of the total eligible project costs with a minimum 20 percent match provided by the project Sponsor. For awarded projects on the state system NYSDOT may provide a portion of the required match (project sponsor will be responsible for the remaining portion). Eligible project costs may include planning, design/engineering services, right-of-way acquisition, construction, and construction inspection. Any costs incurred beyond an initially authorized project level shall be the sole responsibility of the project Sponsor. However, at the discretion of the department, sponsors may request additional funding for cost increases within the original scope of the project that are beyond the original award value. Such support is not guaranteed and is subject to NYSDOT approval and available funding. Project Review Process All candidate projects will be evaluated on their ability to meet eligibility criteria and their rank in a data driven scoring process conducted by subject matter experts (NYSDOT and Non-NYSDOT). Recommendations will reflect the statutory geographic limitation of funds. NYS Agencies will be limited to one project award under this NOFA. All other sponsors will be limited to a maximum of two project awards. Selection Factors In addition to the formal evaluation criteria, project selection is permitted to incorporate into the final selection of eligible projects an additional set of criteria which includes project type, eligible funding source, significance, cost-effectiveness, geographic balance, and benefits of overall investments that align with NYS CLCPA. TAP Project Eligibility The project has an eligible Sponsor. The project fits into one of the eligible TAP funding categories. The project relates to surface transportation (not exclusively recreational). TAP Project Evaluation Criteria Category Evaluation Criteria Available Points Project Benefits · Project benefits and proposed solutions (10) · Safety improvements (5) · Community Support (5) 20 Project Alignment · Alignment with TAP program and other surface transportation plans, projects, and systems (20) 20 Essential Project Management Elements · Schedule (15) · Budget (15) · Right-of-way assurance (15) · Match assurance and ability to deliver the project (15) 60 Total Points: 100 Important Requirements and Information For full consideration, all projects must: Conform to all Federal and State requirements, design specifications and construction standards. Meet appropriate service life requirements for implemented project or service, and for infrastructure projects, provide full and year-round public access. If access is restricted, any restrictions to public access must be explained, reasonable and allowable under federal aid funding regulations. Begin construction within 24 months from the execution of the State Local Agreement. Have an eligible Sponsor who is registered in the New York State Statewide Financial System (SFS) via the SFS Vendor Portal. For help, see the SFS User’s Handbook. Have a complete application, submitted by the deadline, with all application attachments and supporting documentation included. Have documented community support. Have documented match assurance. Have documented regional concurrence for projects on the state system. If the Regional Planning Office does not concur, the project will be deemed ineligible. Identify any property rights to be acquired for the proposed project in the application. The Sponsor is responsible for and must certify that it will undertake the acquisition of these property rights and must be reflected in the project schedule. Failure to identify needed property rights or to properly acquire them in a timely manner may void the TAP award. Eligible Sponsors must attend a current TAP Informational Workshop. Workshop schedules and other related information are listed on NYSDOT’s website at: https://www.dot.ny.gov/TAP-CMAQ Eligible Sponsor must also submit a project pre-review. Application Pre-Reviews - must be submitted via email to [email protected] by the date specified in the Key Program Dates Schedule document on the TAP Website. Project Sponsors must submit final applications through NYS Statewide Financial System. See Key Program Dates Schedule document. TAP program schedule, application guidance, instructions, information on the federal-aid process and other program resources for this solicitation are available on NYSDOTs web site at: https://www.dot.ny.gov/TAP-CMAQ Once project selections are made, applicants will be notified whether their application(s) have been selected or not selected for award. Applicants who are not selected for award in this solicitation may request a debrief within thirty (30) days of the delivery/receipt of the Funding Notice Letter. Debriefings are intended to assist the Sponsor to become a more viable competitor for future solicitations. Applicants who submitted a proposal for a NYSDOT competitive grant solicitation who are not selected for award may file a written protest within four (4) business days of the delivery/receipt of the Funding Notice Letter utilizing the Competitive Grant Protest Procedure. Comments and questions regarding this TAP solicitation may be submitted via email to [email protected]. NYSDOT will post a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) page to its website addressing commonly asked questions and update as questions are submitted during this solicitation offering. A State Local Agreement (SLA) provided to a Sponsor must be locally executed and returned to the Regional Office within 9-months of receipt. If a Sponsor fails to return the locally executed SLA within 9-months, NYSDOT may rescind the award. If the project does not begin implementation/construction within 24 months of the State Local Agreement execution, NYSDOT may rescind the award and repayment of Federal-Aid funds may be required, unless otherwise approved by NYSDOT. Any activities or purchases which occur prior to federal authorization are not eligible for reimbursement. Business enterprises awarded an identical or substantially similar procurement contract within the past five years: NA