Region 4 Small Business Transportation Technical Assistance Center (SBTTAC)

What the official notice requires

Pulled from the official notice Region_4_Short_NOFO_FINAL_09252026B.pdf (109 pages) so you can see the requirements at a glance. Each item shows the notice's own words. Open the page to read it in context.

Award size and project length

• Project period: 10 months · p. 48

  “Budget Period The 10-month financial reporting period within the base year used to track expenditures and performance goals.” Open page 48

Registrations you need first (2)

• SAM.gov, Unique Entity ID (UEI) · p. 3

  “Be registered and active in SAM.gov at the time of grant award (including a valid UEI). 3.” Open page 3

• Grants.gov · p. 13

  “Application Contents and Format Address to Request/Submit Application Package Applications are located on Grants.gov, and each proposal must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov.” Open page 13

The deadline is in 21 days. If your registration isn't already active, it may not be ready in time, so check it today. Get-ready checklist

What to submit

• Timeline or schedule of completion · p. 13

  “The Implementation Plan must address, at a minimum, the applicant’s approach, implementation timeline, staffing and management structure, partnerships, performance targets, and delivery of all required services identified in Section C of this NOFO” Open page 13

• Budget narrative / justification · p. 14

  “Budget Narrative/Justification Applicants must submit a budget narrative/justification that clearly explains and supports each cost category included in the proposed project budget.” Open page 14

• Audit or financial statements · p. 14

  “Financial Statements Each application must include the most recent two (2) years of the applying organization’s financial statements.” Open page 14

• Form SF-424 · p. 14

  “Standard Form 424 (SF-424):” Open page 14

• Form SF-424A · p. 14

  “Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs In addition to the Budget Narrative, applicants must complete the SF-424A to provide a structured breakdown of costs by object class category.” Open page 14

• Indirect cost rate agreement · p. 16

  “Indirect Cost Rate Agreement If Applicable PDF Required if claiming indirect costs (unless using de minimis).” Open page 16

• Resumes or bios of key staff · p. 16

  “Resumes of Key Personnel Required PDF Required for the project director and primary technical staff.” Open page 16

• Letters of support or commitment · p. 16

  “Cybersecurity & Risk Plan Required PDF Must include physical and cyber risk planning language per NSM- 22; 2-3 pages Proof of Tax-Exempt Status (if applicable/ required) PDF Please use a single PDF file Letters of Support/Commitment Optional PDF Please…” Open page 16

• Memorandum of understanding (MOU) · p. 38

  “No. 119-75 (February 3, 2026), and anticipated for future appropriations acts, and as implemented through USDOT Order 4200.6, the funds provided under this award shall not be used to enter into a contract, memorandum of understanding, or cooperative…” Open page 38

Formatting rules

• 1-inch margins · p. 13

  “Use 1-inch margins on all sides,” Open page 13

• single-spaced · p. 13

  “Be single-spaced and printed in a 12 points font (e.g.” Open page 13

How applications are scored (100 points in total)

Build your narrative outline from these criteria

• Approach & Strategy: 25 points · p. 18

  “Criteria 1 Approach & Strategy (25 points) Criteria 2 Stakeholder & Technical Assistance Network (25 points) Criteria 3 Organizational & Staff Capability (20 points) Criteria 4 Cost Proposal & Budget Effectiveness (20 points) Criteria 5 Risk Management &…” Open page 18

• Stakeholder & Technical Assistance Network: 25 points · p. 18

  “Criteria 1 Approach & Strategy (25 points) Criteria 2 Stakeholder & Technical Assistance Network (25 points) Criteria 3 Organizational & Staff Capability (20 points) Criteria 4 Cost Proposal & Budget Effectiveness (20 points) Criteria 5 Risk Management &…” Open page 18

• Organizational & Staff Capability: 20 points · p. 18

  “Criteria 1 Approach & Strategy (25 points) Criteria 2 Stakeholder & Technical Assistance Network (25 points) Criteria 3 Organizational & Staff Capability (20 points) Criteria 4 Cost Proposal & Budget Effectiveness (20 points) Criteria 5 Risk Management &…” Open page 18

• Cost Proposal & Budget Effectiveness: 20 points · p. 18

  “Criteria 1 Approach & Strategy (25 points) Criteria 2 Stakeholder & Technical Assistance Network (25 points) Criteria 3 Organizational & Staff Capability (20 points) Criteria 4 Cost Proposal & Budget Effectiveness (20 points) Criteria 5 Risk Management &…” Open page 18

• Risk Management & Program Compliance: 10 points · p. 18

  “Criteria 1 Approach & Strategy (25 points) Criteria 2 Stakeholder & Technical Assistance Network (25 points) Criteria 3 Organizational & Staff Capability (20 points) Criteria 4 Cost Proposal & Budget Effectiveness (20 points) Criteria 5 Risk Management &…” Open page 18

Cost share or match

• Cost share / match · p. 5

  “Cost Sharing and Match Requirement The Recipient is responsible for a cost-sharing contribution totaling 15% of the Federal Award.” Open page 5

• Cost share / match · p. 5

  “Under no circumstances may the in-kind portion exceed 50% of the total non-Federal share.” Open page 5

Dates in the notice

• October 1, 2026 · p. 1

  “October 1, 2026 Closing Date :” Open page 1

• October 31, 2026 · p. 17

  “Workforce Development and Regulatory Reform Performance, Accountability, and Small Business Participation Topic Description Proposal Deadline Date October 31, 2026 Submission Method and Time Submit via Grants.gov by 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time Accepted…” Open page 17

Mistakes that get applications rejected (6)

• Sent the wrong way or format: Mail and fax submissions will not be accepted. · p. 3

  “Mail and fax submissions will not be accepted.” Open page 3

• Not an eligible applicant: Any proposal that includes activities prohibited under Executive Order 14173 will be deemed ineligible for funding. · p. 4

  “Any proposal that includes activities prohibited under Executive Order 14173 will be deemed ineligible for funding.” Open page 4

• Missing a required part: Applications that do not include this will not be considered complete. · p. 15

  “Applications that do not include this will not be considered complete.” Open page 15

• Missing a required part: Failure to submit a complete application package by the deadline will result in the application being... · p. 17

  “Failure to submit a complete application package by the deadline will result in the application being deemed ineligible and it will not be reviewed.” Open page 17

• Could get your application rejected: However, failure of the prospective first tier participant to furnish a certification or an explanation... · p. 33

  “However, failure of the prospective first tier participant to furnish a certification or an explanation shall disqualify such a person from participation in this transaction. c.” Open page 33

• Missing a required part: Incomplete or non-responsive proposals must be disqualified. · p. 92

  “Incomplete or non-responsive proposals must be disqualified.” Open page 92