Alaska DOT&PF Opens CTP and TAP Programs

This public notice is the formal announcement for a new award cycle of two community transportation programs administered by the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF). The Community Transportation Program (CTP) and the Transportation Alternative Program (TAP) are competitive surface transportation programs to preserve, upgrade or create new roads, bridges, and trails outside the Metropolitan Planning Organizations (Anchorage & Fairbanks) boundaries.

Program Process

Responding to community needs is important to the department and the State of Alaska. The Call for Projects will be broken into two phases. It is required to submit an NOIA in Phase One to be eligible for the Phase Two Call for Projects.

Phase One - Notice of Intent to Apply (NOIA) will help ensure DOT&PF supports community applications through the nomination process including an eligibility determination and development of a Scope, Schedule, and Estimate (SSE) for the project. Projects submitted to the DOT&PF will be screened for eligibility, and eligible projects will advance to the next phase. Early notification allows DOT&PF to work with communities to make projects more competitive. Completeing a NOIA is required to be eligibile to submit a project for Phase Two call for projects.

Phase Two – Call for Projects (CFP) requires a full project application, vetting matching funds and management responsibility for the project, and a community resolution of support.

After complete project applications are received during Phase Two, all projects will receive a preliminary score from the DOT&PF Area Planners. Those that score high enough will advance to the Project Evaluation Board for a final evaluation and potential project award.

Note that all projects require a 9.03% local match, and if the DOT&PF approved estimate increases over the life of the project, the community will be required to match the new estimate accordingly. For this reason, contingencies will be assessed on community match (50% on preconstruction phases and 15% on the construction estimate). A formal match agreement will be prepared for eligible projects that move forward to scoring.

Timeline

September 1 - October 3, 2022	Public Comment Opportunity for Project Evaluation Criteria
September 1 - October 31, 2022	Phase One - Intent to Apply - Communities wishing to apply must submit an NOIA form.  Applicants will be asked to provide project title, location/termini, scope, short justification, and answer eligibility screening.
November - February 2023	Phase Two - Call for Projects - DOT&PF will use preliminary project information to determine eligibility and prepare a Scope, Schedule, and Estimate. Communities develop full project applications for eligible projects.
February 28, 2023	APPLICATIONS DUE
March - April 2023	Pre-screening and project package development by DOT&PF for projects to compete at PEB (highest scoring projects).
April 3, 2023	FIELD OFFICE SCORES TO HQ
April 21, 2023	HQ PROJECT SELECTION FOR PEB
April 2023	Statewide Project Evaluation Board (PEB) Meeting
May 15, 2023	PEB PACKETS DUE TO HQ
May 30-31, 2023	PEB SCORING
May 2023	Project Awards Announced

 

Eligible Projects

Example CTP projects for this solicitation include:

• improve existing surface transportation facilities; improve or make new transportation facilities that provide access to important resources or connect communities; connect different types of transportation modes such as transit and trails or roads; enhance travel and tourism; electric vehicle charging infrastructure; reduction of wildlife-vehicle collisions, i.e., wildlife crossings.

Example TAP projects may include:

• on-road and off-road facilities for pedestrians and bicyclists; safe routes for non-drivers (formerly Safe Routes to School); convert abandoned railroad corridors for trails for non-motorized transportation users; create turnouts, scenic overlooks and viewing areas; support historic preservation and rehabilitation; support environmental mitigation related to stormwater and habitat connectivity; and, vulnerable road user safety assessments.

2022 CTP and TAP Award Amounts

We are expecting to award close to $80-120 million for CTP, and $20-30 million for TAP this award cycle.

CTP Projects are limited to two project submittals per public entity with a not-to-exceed federal share amount of $15,000,000, as determined through a DOT&PF certified estimate using recent unit costs and bid tabs from successful bids. DOT&PF is an eligible sponsor for CTP community roads.

TAP projects are limited to two project submittals per community with a not-to-exceed federal share amount of $5,000,000.