Opportunity Information: Apply for 693JJ321NF00002

The Center for Excellence in Project Finance (CEPF) funding opportunity is a discretionary federal grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), issued through a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). It is designed to select a single recipient to run CEPF under a cooperative agreement, meaning FHWA expects to have an ongoing, active partnership with the awardee during the period of performance rather than simply providing funds and stepping back. The award is framed as part of FHWA's broader training and education mission and is tied to the federal assistance program identified under CFDA 20.205, Highway Training and Education.

At a practical level, the government is looking for one organization to take full responsibility for managing, operating, and maintaining the Center for Excellence in Project Finance. The Center's role, as implied by the NOFO language, is to provide financial and technical support related to project finance, and to strengthen FHWA's training and education program by expanding or improving the knowledge, tools, and capabilities available to transportation stakeholders who deal with project financing. The notice also highlights that CEPF is expected to respond to evolving federal initiatives, suggesting the selected recipient should be able to adapt programming and support as policy priorities and transportation financing approaches change over time.

This opportunity is categorized under Transportation and uses a cooperative agreement as the funding instrument. The total potential federal funding for the single award is up to $5,000,000 (the award ceiling), and FHWA anticipates making exactly one award. Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, meaning applications are open to any type of entity as long as they meet any conditions or clarifications that may be stated in the full eligibility section of the NOFO (for example, potential restrictions or required capabilities described in the narrative eligibility language).

Key identifying details from the posting include the funding opportunity title "Center for Excellence in Project Finance," funding opportunity number 693JJ321NF00002, and a creation date of May 21, 2021. The original application closing date was July 16, 2021. Overall, the grant is essentially a competitive selection to identify one qualified operator for CEPF who can deliver sustained operational management along with finance-related training, education, and technical assistance functions aligned with FHWA's mission and current federal transportation initiatives.

  • The Department of Transportation, DOT Federal Highway Administration in the transportation sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Center for Excellence in Project Finance" and is now available to receive applicants.
  • Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 20.205.
  • This funding opportunity was created on May 21, 2021.
  • Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 16, 2021. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
  • Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $5,000,000.00 in funding.
  • The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
  • Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.
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Center for Excellence in Project Finance (CEPF) Grant Opportunity: FAQs

What is the Center for Excellence in Project Finance (CEPF) funding opportunity?

The Center for Excellence in Project Finance (CEPF) funding opportunity is a discretionary federal grant issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) through a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). The purpose is to select one recipient to run CEPF under a cooperative agreement.

Which federal agency is offering this grant?

This opportunity is offered by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).

What type of grant is this (funding instrument)?

The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement. This indicates FHWA expects to have an ongoing, active partnership with the awardee during the period of performance, rather than providing funds with minimal involvement.

Is FHWA expected to be involved after the award is made?

Yes. Because the award is a cooperative agreement, FHWA anticipates continued, active involvement with the recipient throughout the period of performance.

How many awards does FHWA expect to make under this NOFO?

FHWA anticipates making exactly one award.

What is the maximum amount of federal funding available?

The total potential federal funding for the single award is up to $5,000,000 (the award ceiling).

What is the purpose of selecting a recipient for CEPF?

The government is seeking one organization to take full responsibility for managing, operating, and maintaining the Center for Excellence in Project Finance.

What is CEPF expected to do?

Based on the NOFO description, CEPF is expected to provide financial and technical support related to project finance and strengthen FHWA's training and education program by expanding or improving knowledge, tools, and capabilities for transportation stakeholders involved in project financing.

How does this opportunity connect to FHWA's broader mission?

The award is framed as part of FHWA's broader training and education mission, supporting and strengthening FHWA's training and education program related to project finance.

Does the Center need to adapt to changing federal priorities?

Yes. The notice highlights that CEPF is expected to respond to evolving federal initiatives, implying the selected recipient should be able to adapt programming and support as policy priorities and transportation financing approaches change over time.

What is the assistance listing or CFDA program associated with this funding?

This opportunity is tied to federal assistance under CFDA 20.205, Highway Training and Education.

What category does this funding opportunity fall under?

This opportunity is categorized under Transportation.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, meaning applications are open to any type of entity, subject to any conditions or clarifications that may be included in the full eligibility section of the NOFO (such as restrictions or required capabilities described in the narrative eligibility language).

Is this a competitive opportunity or a formula/pass-through grant?

This is a competitive opportunity. The NOFO describes a competitive selection process to identify a single qualified operator for CEPF.

What is the funding opportunity title?

The funding opportunity title is "Center for Excellence in Project Finance."

What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number is 693JJ321NF00002.

When was this funding opportunity created (posted)?

The creation date listed for the posting is May 21, 2021.

What was the application deadline?

The original application closing date was July 16, 2021.

What does it mean that the recipient will "run" CEPF?

In practical terms, the selected organization is expected to take full responsibility for the Center's ongoing operations, including managing, operating, and maintaining CEPF while delivering finance-related training, education, and technical assistance aligned with FHWA's mission.

What kind of support is CEPF expected to provide?

The NOFO language indicates CEPF is expected to provide financial and technical support related to project finance, along with training and education-oriented functions that improve tools, knowledge, and capabilities for transportation stakeholders dealing with project financing.

What is the overall goal of the grant as described in the posting?

Overall, the grant is intended to select one qualified operator for CEPF who can deliver sustained operational management and provide project finance-related training, education, and technical assistance in alignment with FHWA's mission and current federal transportation initiatives.

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