Opportunity Information: Apply for FTA 2017 003 TPM LOWNO
The FY 2017 Competitive Funding Opportunity: Low or No Emission Grant is a discretionary grant program run by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Transit Administration (FTA) under the Low or No Emission (Low-No) Program (CFDA 20.526). The overall goal of this funding is to help public transit providers move their bus fleets toward the lowest-polluting and most energy-efficient options available, accelerating the adoption of zero-emission and low-emission transit technologies. In practical terms, the program is meant to reduce tailpipe emissions, improve local air quality, and support modernization of transit fleets through cleaner propulsion systems.
For FY 2017, FTA announced up to $55 million in available funding to support projects focused on the purchase or lease of qualifying low- or no-emission transit buses and related needs. The notice also explains that only $31.5 million was available under the then-current Continuing Resolution, which was set to expire on April 28, 2017, highlighting that the immediate amount accessible at that moment was tied to short-term federal budget authority. The opportunity was published on Grants.gov as FTA-2017-003-LowNo, with the full Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) providing the detailed requirements, evaluation approach, and submission instructions.
Eligible applicants include public entities that are typically involved in delivering or managing public transportation services and that are eligible to receive FTA assistance. Specifically, the opportunity identifies designated recipients of FTA grants, state governments, local governmental authorities (including county and city or township governments), and federally recognized Native American tribal governments as eligible. This reflects the program's focus on supporting public-sector transit systems and government-affiliated transit authorities that operate fixed-route or other qualifying public transportation services.
The types of projects supported by this program extend beyond simply buying buses. The Low-No program funds can be used for the purchase or lease of zero-emission and low-emission transit buses and for the acquisition, construction, or leasing of the supporting equipment and facilities needed to operate those vehicles. That can include items such as charging or fueling infrastructure and other facility-related investments that are required to deploy and maintain cleaner bus technologies. The emphasis on "related equipment or facilities" is important because transitioning to low- and no-emission vehicles often requires new infrastructure and upgrades to maintenance and storage facilities.
Applications were required to be submitted electronically through Grants.gov, and the deadline for submission was midnight Eastern Daylight Time on June 26, 2017. The grant announcement characterized the expected number of awards as 20, indicating a competitive selection process where FTA anticipated funding a limited set of projects nationwide. The award ceiling was not specified in the provided summary data, which typically means applicants needed to consult the NOFO to understand any practical limits, typical award ranges, match expectations, and how project budgets would be evaluated.
Overall, this opportunity was designed as a competitive federal investment to help transit agencies and eligible government entities replace or expand conventional bus fleets with cleaner alternatives, while also addressing the infrastructure needs that come with new propulsion technologies. By combining vehicle funding with facility and equipment support, the FY 2017 Low-No competition aimed to make deployments more feasible and scalable, helping agencies implement cleaner buses as part of broader fleet transition plans.Apply for FTA 2017 003 TPM LOWNO
- The DOT/Federal Transit Administration in the transportation sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY 2017 Competitive Funding Opportunity: Low or No Emission Grant" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 20.526.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2017-04-27.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2017-06-26. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 20 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Others.
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FY 2017 Low or No Emission (Low-No) Grant (FTA) - FAQs
What is the FY 2017 Competitive Funding Opportunity: Low or No Emission Grant?
It is a discretionary federal grant opportunity run by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Transit Administration (FTA) under the Low or No Emission (Low-No) Program (CFDA 20.526). The competition was published on Grants.gov as opportunity number FTA-2017-003-LowNo.
What is the goal of the Low-No Program funding?
The goal is to help public transit providers move bus fleets toward the lowest-polluting and most energy-efficient options available by accelerating adoption of zero-emission and low-emission transit technologies. The program is intended to reduce tailpipe emissions, improve local air quality, and modernize transit fleets through cleaner propulsion systems.
How much funding was announced for FY 2017?
FTA announced up to $55 million in available funding for FY 2017 projects.
Was all $55 million immediately available?
No. The notice explains that only $31.5 million was available under the then-current Continuing Resolution, which was set to expire on April 28, 2017. This indicates the immediately accessible amount at that time was tied to short-term federal budget authority.
Who is the federal agency administering this opportunity?
The opportunity is administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Transit Administration (FTA).
What is the CFDA number associated with this program?
The program is identified as CFDA 20.526.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include public entities that are typically involved in delivering or managing public transportation services and that are eligible to receive FTA assistance. The opportunity specifically identifies:
- Designated recipients of FTA grants
- State governments
- Local governmental authorities (including county and city or township governments)
- Federally recognized Native American tribal governments
Is this opportunity intended for private companies to apply directly?
The provided description focuses on public entities and government-affiliated transit authorities eligible to receive FTA assistance. It does not list private companies as eligible applicants.
What kinds of projects can be funded?
The program can fund projects focused on the purchase or lease of qualifying low- or no-emission transit buses and related needs. It also supports the acquisition, construction, or leasing of supporting equipment and facilities needed to operate those vehicles.
Does the program only pay for buses?
No. In addition to bus purchase or lease, funds can be used for related equipment and facilities required to deploy and maintain the buses, such as charging or fueling infrastructure and facility-related investments.
What does "related equipment or facilities" mean in this context?
It refers to the supporting equipment and facility investments needed to operate low- or no-emission buses. The description gives examples such as charging or fueling infrastructure and other facility-related upgrades required to deploy and maintain cleaner bus technologies.
What types of bus technologies are emphasized?
The opportunity emphasizes zero-emission and low-emission transit technologies and cleaner propulsion systems aimed at reducing tailpipe emissions and improving energy efficiency.
How were applications required to be submitted?
Applications were required to be submitted electronically through Grants.gov.
What was the application deadline?
The deadline was midnight Eastern Daylight Time on June 26, 2017.
Where can applicants find the detailed requirements and evaluation approach?
The full Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) contains the detailed requirements, evaluation approach, and submission instructions.
How competitive was the FY 2017 Low-No competition?
The grant announcement characterized the expected number of awards as 20, indicating a competitive selection process with a limited number of funded projects nationwide.
How many awards did FTA expect to make?
FTA expected to make about 20 awards.
Was there an award ceiling (maximum grant amount) listed in the summary provided?
No. The award ceiling was not specified in the provided summary data, meaning applicants would need to consult the NOFO for practical limits, typical award ranges, match expectations, and how budgets would be evaluated.
What practical outcomes is this funding meant to support?
The opportunity was designed to support replacement or expansion of conventional bus fleets with cleaner alternatives while also addressing infrastructure needs associated with new propulsion technologies, making deployments more feasible and scalable as part of broader fleet transition plans.
What is the Grants.gov opportunity number for this competition?
The opportunity was published on Grants.gov as FTA-2017-003-LowNo.
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