Questions and Answers
Q. May we apply for grant funding to support infrastructure or security improvements?
A. The Community Traffic Safety Grant Program is seeking proposals aimed at addressing and improving road user behavior through education, outreach, training, etc. It does not fund infrastructure (traffic lights, signage), automated enforcement systems, or related costs. If your project is primarily focused on buying equipment or physical improvements, it likely falls outside the scope of this grant program.
Q. As a previous grantee, we used an indirect cost rate. Are we able to avoid requesting the de minimis rate?
A. Yes. If your project includes indirect costs, you may either use your federally approved indirect cost rate agreement (supported by a copy of the agreement letter) or elect to use the de minimis rate of 15% of modified total direct costs. These costs are optional and not a requirement. For more information, please refer to page 6 of the AGF and Title 2 CFR Part 200, in particular 200.414.
Q. Are government agencies or municipalities eligible to apply for the Community Traffic Safety Grant Program?
A. This opportunity is open only to Massachusetts-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. Eligible applicants must be incorporated in Massachusetts (or run a chapter/affiliate that can legally contract with the Commonwealth), hold current IRS tax-exempt status, and have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and active SAM.gov registration. Please note that municipalities and agencies may still participate as a community partner within a nonprofit application.
Q. The AGF mentions that proposals selected for FFY27 funding may also qualify for one additional year of continuation funding in FFY28. How does that process work?
A. Selection does not guarantee continuation. It's possible that FFY27 grant recipients may qualify for one additional year of continuation funding in FFY28, but eligibility will depend on the availability of federal funds appropriated by NHTSA, the subrecipient's successful completion of deliverables, submission of a relevant and approved proposal under a future AGF, and continued compliance with all applicable state and federal requirements.
Q. We haven't completed SAM.gov registration. Can we still apply?
A. Yes, you may apply before your SAM.gov registration is active, but registration must be active before an award is made. Please refer to page 3 of the AGF for more information.
Q. Does the Community Traffic Safety Grant Program allow for traffic safety equipment like radar signs, speed trailers, and message signs?
A. For the purposes of this program, traffic safety equipment traditionally used by law enforcement (e.g., radar signs, speed trailers, LIDAR) will not be considered. Any equipment or related items purchased under this opportunity must be reasonable and directly related to supporting the development and implementation of the applicant's project to improve traffic safety.
Q. How much detail is needed about the community we plan to work with? Are we able to serve multiple communities? If so, what type of information should we provide about all the communities?
A. Proposals may include one or more communities. For each community identified, you must include local data demonstrating the specific problem you are seeking to address. Your needs assessment should be specific and tied to a defined geographic area, including the county, city, or town and identify the target population that is most affected. National or statewide statistics may provide background context but will not be sufficient on their own to support a proposal.