Federal Discretionary Grants 

---

Resources for Local Agencies

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is enthusiastic about the opportunity to work with our local agency partners to prepare them to be direct recipients of Federal Discretionary funds.  The material below is intended to provide strategies and resources to produce competitive applications.  For information on specific grant programs and application requirements, refer to the U.S.DOT Discretionary Grant information resources and the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).

• Benefit Cost Analysis (BCA) for Federal Grant Projects

Grant Information Sessions & Webinar

FDOT held a series of Grant Information Sessions throughout the state from August of 2022 through February of 2023. These Sessions, in conjunction with the Discretionary Grant Webinar described below, had over 1,000 attendees. Through these efforts, regional and local agencies were provided with an overview of the federal grant application process, resources for grant preparation, and implementation considerations for applicants. For those unable to attend, the following resources are available for review:

• Grant Information Sessions PowerPoint Slides

• Grant Information Sessions Resources Document
  
  
• Grant Information Sessions FAQ

• FHWA Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Document

• U.S. DOT Navigator Grant Resource Website

In August 2022, FDOT held a webinar on what to expect if you are a direct recipient of federal discretionary funds.   The webinar featured some of our local partners and what they have learned through the grant application and project implementation process.  To watch a recording of the webinar, click on the link below. 

Discretionary Grant Webinar Recording (August 26, 2022)
PowerPoint Slides
FDOT staff and guest panelists shared their knowledge about the ins and outs of being a direct recipient of federal discretionary funds.  While it is important to know how to create a competitive application, it is equally important to be knowledgeable on the requirements necessary to successfully manage an awarded grant. 

Letters of Consistency

Letters of consistency from FDOT can be provided with grant applications to demonstrate a local project is consistent with the adopted Work Program and the Florida Transportation Plan.  To request a letter of consistency from FDOT for an upcoming discretionary grant application, please contact the appropriate district grant coordinator:

• District 1 
  • Counties: Charlotte, Collier, De Soto, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Lee, Manatee, Okeechobee, Polk, and Sarasota.
• District 2
  • Counties: Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Clay, Columbia, Dixie, Duval, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Lafayette, Levy, Madison, Nassau, Putnam, St. Johns, Suwannee, Taylor, and Union.
• District 3
  • Counties: Bay, Calhoun, Escambia, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Wakulla, Walton, and Washington.
• District 4
  • Counties: Broward, Indian River, Martin, Palm Beach, and St. Lucie.
• District 5
  • Counties: Brevard, Flagler, Lake, Marion, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Sumter, and Volusia.
• District 6
  • Counties: Miami-Dade and Monroe.
• District 7 
  • Counties: Citrus, Hernando, Hillsborough, Pasco, and Pinellas.

Sample Application Narratives

Agencies interested in obtaining a copy of the recent application narratives of select FDOT award-winning projects listed below may contact: Allison.Beaty@dot.state.fl.us.  These narratives are provided to demonstrate the level of detail required in a competitive application.   There is no single format for applications.  Every Federal discretionary grant application is unique, and the application must follow the guidelines set forth in the NOFO.

• Tampa Heights Mobility Corridor (RAISE 2021)
• West Central Florida I-4 Truck Parking Facility (INFRA – 2022)
• Smart St. Augustine (RAISE 2022)

Direct Recipient Considerations

Transportation projects receiving Federal funds, are required to meet specific requirements for planning, compliance, implementation, and reporting.   

If your organization would like additional guidance on the implementation requirements for Federal funding, please visit the FDOT Local Programs Federal Discretionary Grants page. 

Federal discretionary grants that fund capital projects under Title 23 or Title 49, US Code must be in the TIP and STIP before executing a grant agreement with USDOT. For more information, please visit the STIP Information page.