The SS4A program provides funding and technical assistance to prevent roadway fatalities and serious injuries and to strengthen communities’ approach to roadway safety for all users.
Grant Recipient Roadmap
Overview
The SS4A Grant Recipient Roadmap includes four main steps and helps grant recipients successfully navigate the program.
The Action Plan section outlines the components of a Comprehensive Safety Action Plan and provides key resources to support SS4A grant recipients throughout the planning process.
U.S. Department of Transportation expects to obligate SS4A funding via a signed grant agreement between the Department and the SS4A grant recipient within 12 months after awards have been announced. Individual grant recipient timelines may vary depending on the complexity of project, status of project readiness, and other factors. Funding is expected to be provided on a reimbursement basis once a grant agreement is established, with corresponding invoices. In the meantime, SS4A grant recipients can review the SS4A Introductory Webinar, on Step 1 of the Grant Recipient Roadmap, to learn more about how to start their SS4A journey.
The five-year clock starts on the date the grant agreement is fully executed, which means it has been signed by both the SS4A grant recipient and the FHWA Agreement Officer.
SS4A grant agreements are directly between the applicant and USDOT. SS4A grant agreements are not with State DOTs, and eligible applicants cannot serve as a pass through for a State DOT to take full responsibility over the grant agreement. However, an applicant may choose to work with a State DOT and provide SS4A grant funding to State DOTs to assist in the execution of the grant activities separately from the grant agreement. But the SS4A grant recipient retains responsibility for ensuring completion of the grant activities and for compliance with the terms of the grant award and Federal requirements.
SS4A grant recipients will work with their assigned primary SS4A point of contact (POC) to execute their grant agreement. The POC will provide initial guidance during a kickoff meeting, share the grant agreement template, and answer any questions. SS4A grant recipients should also review the grant agreement general terms and conditions posted on the U.S. Department of Transportation website. Additionally, FHWA hosts an introductory grant agreement webinar after new recipients are announced. During this webinar, FHWA will talk about the grant agreement template as well as resources to help complete the template (e.g., SS4A grant application, award email from the Office of the Secretary of Transportation, and sam.gov account).
The timeline depends on the specific circumstances of each grant. Individual timelines may vary but SS4A grant recipients should target to execute their grant agreements within the first 12 months of award notification. Typically, Planning grant agreements will take less time than Demonstration project or Implementation grant agreements. In the meantime, SS4A grant recipients can review the SS4A Introductory Webinar, on Step 1 of the Grant Recipient Roadmap, to learn more about how to start their SS4A journey.
Yes, each grant recipient will develop the grant agreement using the approved grant agreement template, which may be obtained from the primary SS4A point of contact (POC) assigned to the grant. The POC can help answer any questions. Additionally, FHWA hosts an introductory grant agreement webinar after new recipients are announced. During this webinar, FHWA will talk about the grant agreement template as well as resources to help complete the template (e.g., SS4A grant application, award email from the Office of the Secretary of Transportation, and sam.gov account).
SS4A grant recipients should contact their primary SS4A point of contact (POC) assigned to their grant to obtain a copy of the grant agreement template. They can also visit the U.S. Department of Transportation website for the grant agreement terms and conditions.
SS4A grant recipients will receive more information about this from their primary SS4A point of contact (POC) during a grant recipient kickoff meeting. Additionally, FHWA hosts an introductory grant agreement webinar after new grant recipients are announced. During this webinar, FHWA will talk about the grant agreement template as well as resources to help complete the template (e.g., SS4A grant application, award email from the Office of the Secretary of Transportation, and sam.gov account). SS4A grant recipients can find the recordings of past webinars on the SS4A Clearinghouse website.
