Notice of Upcoming CTP and TAP Programs

This public notice is the advanced and preparatory announcement for an upcoming State solicitation, Notice of Funding Opportunity, 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). CTP and TAP are competitive surface transportation programs to preserve, upgrade or create new roads, bridges, and non-motorized facilities outside the Metropolitan Planning Organizations (Anchorage & Fairbanks) boundaries.

Program Process

Listening to and responding to community needs is important to the Department and the State of Alaska. This solicitation will be broken into two phases.

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. 

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

After complete project applications are received from Phase Two, projects will receive a preliminary score from the DOT&PF area planners. Projects that score high enough will advance to the Project Evaluation Board (PEB) for a final evaluation and potential project award.

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.

Proposed Timeline

August 1, 2022	Pre-Notice of CTP & TAP Program Announcement
August – September 2022	Notice & Public Comment Opportunity on Project Evaluation Criteria
August - October 2022	Phase One– Notice of Intent to Apply (NOIA). Communities wishing to apply, must respond to the NOIA. Applicants will be asked to provide basic project information such as title, location, scope, justification, and answer eligibility screening questions.
October – February 2023	Phase Two – Call for Projects (CFP). DOT&PF will use preliminary project information to determine eligibility and prepare a Scope, Schedule, and Estimate. Communities will develop full project applications with assistance from DOT&PF for eligible projects.
March – April 2023	Pre-screening and project package development by DOT&PF for projects to compete at the PEB meeting (highest scoring projects)
Mid-April 2023	Project Evaluation Board (PEB)
May 2023	Project Awards Announced

What can you do to prepare now? 

• Sign up with GovDelivery to stay in the know (see link below). The next announcement will include draft scoring criteria for public review and comment, accompanied by an Intent to Apply period.
• Consult with your community or tribal representatives to identify your priority transportation needs. Early preparation will help ensure a thorough and competitive project nomination packet.
• Contact a DOT&PF Area Planner for help: https://dot.alaska.gov/stwdplng/cip/stip/assets/dotplanners.pdf  

Eligible Projects

TAP projects for this solicitation include, but are not limited to:

• on-road and off-road facilities for pedestrians and bicyclists;
• safe routes for non-drivers;
• 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.

2022-23 Award Amounts    

DOT&PF is actively engaged in soliciting input from transportation boards, economic development agencies, planning organizations, and others on the levels of funding distributions among State programs. Final amounts will be provided during the Phase I – Notice of Intent to Apply (NOIA).

• The estimated total amount of funding to be awarded this cycle for TAP will be between $20-30 million.
• TAP projects are limited to two project submittals per community with a not to exceed federal share amount of $5 million. DOT&PF is an eligible sponsor for TAP projects at the request of, or in partnership, with communities.

When does the CTP and TAP Notice of Intent to Apply (NOIA) Period Begin?

The formal Notice of Intent to Apply period (Phase One) is expected to begin in mid-August 2022 and will run through October 2022.

GovDelivery