Small Business Transportation Technical Assistance Center (Region 3)

What the official notice requires

Pulled from the official notice Region_3_FY2027_NOFO_Short_FINAL_REV_Oct_6_2026.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. 49

  “Budget Period The 10-month financial reporting period within the base year used to track expenditures and performance goals.” Open page 49

Registrations you need first (2)

• Grants.gov · p. 2

  “Applicants must apply via Grants.gov by October 31, 2026, 11:59 PM EST.” Open page 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

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. 14

  “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 14

• Budget narrative / justification · p. 15

  “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 15

• Audit or financial statements · p. 15

  “Financial Statements Each application must include the most recent two (2) years of the applying organization’s financial statements.” Open page 15

• Form SF-424 · p. 15

  “Standard Form 424 (SF-424):” Open page 15

• Form SF-424A · p. 15

  “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 15

• Indirect cost rate agreement · p. 17

  “Indirect Cost Rate Agreement If Applicable PDF Required if claiming indirect costs (unless using de minimis).” Open page 17

• Resumes or bios of key staff · p. 17

  “Resumes of Key Personnel Required PDF Required for the project director and primary technical staff.” Open page 17

• Letters of support or commitment · p. 17

  “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 17

• Memorandum of understanding (MOU) · p. 39

  “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 39

Formatting rules

• 1-inch margins · p. 14

  “Use 1-inch margins on all sides,” Open page 14

• single-spaced · p. 14

  “Be single-spaced and printed in a 12 points font (e.g.” Open page 14

How applications are scored (100 points in total)

Build your narrative outline from these criteria

• Approach & Strategy: 25 points · p. 19

  “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 19

• Stakeholder & Technical Assistance Network: 25 points · p. 19

  “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 19

• Organizational & Staff Capability: 20 points · p. 19

  “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 19

• Cost Proposal & Budget Effectiveness: 20 points · p. 19

  “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 19

• Risk Management & Program Compliance: 10 points · p. 19

  “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 19

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. 18

  “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 www.Grants.gov by 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST)…” Open page 18

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. 16

  “Applications that do not include this will not be considered complete.” Open page 16

• Missing a required part: Failure to submit a complete application package by the deadline will result in the application being... · p. 18

  “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 18

• Could get your application rejected: However, failure of the prospective first tier participant to furnish a certification or an explanation... · p. 34

  “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 34

• Missing a required part: Incomplete or non-responsive proposals must be disqualified. · p. 93

  “Incomplete or non-responsive proposals must be disqualified.” Open page 93