Notice of Funding Opportunity
State Agency Name: Iowa Department of Workforce Development
Funding Opportunity Title: Iowa Entry-Level Driver Training Program
Announcement Type: Initial
Iowa Workforce Development is requesting proposals from qualified applicants to support the Iowa Entry-Level Driver Training Program.
IMPORTANT DATES
Deadline: Grant applications are due by February 3, 2023, at 11:59 a.m. Central Standard Time. Grant applications will not be accepted until December 13, 2022.
Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) will host a webinar to provide information and an opportunity for a live Q&A on Tuesday, December 13th, 2022, at 3:00 p.m. CST .
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Purpose
The purpose of the Iowa Entry-Level Driver Training Program is to provide funding to reimburse Iowa-based employers, employer consortiums, and non-profits that provide Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) either in-house or through partnership with third-party certified training providers located in Iowa. Training must meet the minimum federal standards that entry-level drivers are required to complete before being permitted to take certain CDL skills or knowledge tests. All training providers must be certified with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association (FMCSA) Training Provider Registry prior to reimbursement. If using outside training provider(s), reimbursement must go towards the cost of ELDT tuition. If all or a portion of training is provided in-house, reimbursement can be used towards wage reimbursement for instructors, the purchase of ELDT curriculum materials, and/or the maintenance of equipment/location necessary to continue to provide ELDT. For purposes of this grant, in-house training must consist of theory training and/or behind-the-wheel training as outlined by ELDT regulations.
Applicants must be Iowa businesses, employer consortiums, or non-profits who employ Iowa CDL drivers. Applicants may provide ELDT for prospective employees whose position will require that the employee apply for a Class A or B CDL, upgrade an existing CDL from Class B to Class A, and/or add a hazardous materials, passenger, or school bus endorsement. To be eligible for reimbursement, applicant must provide documentation that each driver has their driver training certification uploaded to the Training Provider Registry and have passed the CDL exam within 30 days of their last day of training. If the driver fails the first exam attempt, the applicant must show that the driver has taken and passed their exam within 14 days of their first failed attempt to be eligible for reimbursement.
NOTE: Participants of this program are encouraged to be residents of the state of Iowa. If the applicant is the training provider and is located in an Iowa county that borders another state, then at least 75% of all participants trained must be Iowa residents by providing proof of an Iowa CDL certification. The remaining 25% of participants trained may be residents of the state(s) in which the Iowa border county borders by providing proof of the border state’s CDL certification. If an applicant is a training provider located in an Iowa county that does not border another state, then 100% of all participants must be residents of Iowa.
The applicant will be required to submit an itemized budget describing expenses incurred completing ELDT training In-House or through a third party ELDT Training Provider.
As a condition of receiving moneys appropriated under this funding opportunity, the subrecipient of the funds shall testify upon the request of any committee or subcommittee of the State of Iowa General Assembly regarding the expenditure of such moneys.
Funding Priorities
Priority will be given to applicants with the ability to train and certify new and upgraded truck drivers continuously and in higher volumes.
AWARD INFORMATION
Estimated Available Funds
The State of Iowa has identified $6,000,000 to support the Iowa Entry-Level Driver Training Program Grant. The source for funding will be the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Pub L. No. 117-2, Section 9901 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds.
Estimated Award Amount
Grant funding awarded through IWD may vary in amounts as determined by the scope of the project. Funding decisions are made as funding is available. IWD is not obligated to provide the maximum grant amount requested and may award multiple projects. Minimum awards will be set at $5,000. Maximum awards will be set at $400,000.
NOTE: Five percent (5%) of funds will be reserved for employers with 50 employees or fewer.
PROJECT and AWARD PERIOD
The first cohort training program must be scheduled to begin within four months of receipt of a fully executed contract agreement. Each cohort must be completed within a 60-day time period from the start date. Programs may contain multiple cohorts with certifying a minimum of 2 new or upgraded drivers per cohort. No costs incurred prior to 1/01/2023 or after 10/31/2024 are eligible. All receipts, reimbursement requests, proof of payment, and reporting documents must be claimed by sending to IWD by 12/01/24 or remaining award funds are forfeited. All SLFRF funds must be obligated by 12/31/2024.
Awardees must provide a detailed report of the progress of the project and the use of funds on a quarterly basis, beginning from the date the Memorandum of Understanding between the applicant and the State is fully executed.
General Guidance on the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds
The funds for this award are provided by the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (SLFRF), part of the American Rescue Plan. SLFRF requires that all costs be incurred during the period beginning March 3, 2021 and ending December 31, 2024. Therefore, all costs incurred prior to March 3, 2021 and after December 31, 2024 are not eligible uses of these funds. The period of performance for SLFRF funds runs until December 31, 2026, which will provide recipients an additional two years during which they may expend funds for costs incurred (i.e., obligated) by December 31, 2024. Any award funds not obligated or expended within these timeframes must be returned to the State. Recipients of these funds will be held accountable to these funding timeframes.
USE of FUNDS REQUIREMENTS
As a condition of receiving the funds appropriated under this request for proposal (RFP), the subrecipient shall testify upon the request of any committee or subcommittee of the State of Iowa General Assembly regarding the expenditures of such funds.
All funds requested through the Budget Narrative and Budget Summary Form should provide justification for the costs and the majority of the funds requested should closely match the program priorities. Grant funds provided may be used on:
ELDT Tuition for an Iowa-based, third-party training provider, up to $2,500 per driver licensed in the state of Iowa or neighboring border state (See Note provided in the Purpose Statement for eligibility.)
In-house training, net wage reimbursement for instructors providing the in-house training for up to $2,500 per drive
Curriculum and supplies for in-house training - textbooks, workbooks, curriculum software
Staff wage expense to train a new instructor – net wages only
Expenses to cover the FMCSA trainer certification if the Iowa-based business is not currently a certified trainer, up to $10,00
General maintenance and supplies necessary to conduct in-house training – vehicle(s) dedicated for training and skills pad (up to 25% of total award amount) including:
Initial measuring and striping the site on concrete and/or measuring and inserting markers in gravel
Interval remeasuring for correct course measurements
Regular snow removal
Paint maintenance
Signage
Lighting replacements and/or repairs
Fencing replacements and/or repairs
General or routine dedicated training vehicle(s) maintenance
Fuel charges for dedicated training vehicle(s)
Funds are administered as reimbursement only and no advance payment options are available. Applicants must provide an itemized budget describing expenses incurred completing ELDT training In-House and/or through a third party ELDT Training Provider located in the state of Iowa. Employers who use the funds to cover the outlined costs cannot also charge employees for those same costs.
Type of Award
Awards will operate as a reimbursement award. Applicants may receive of up to $2,500 towards each driver that they support completing ELDT with an Iowa-based, third-party training provider or towards each driver that completes ELDT in-house with the Iowa-based employer serving as the certified training provider. All training providers must be certified with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association (FMCSA) Training Provider Registry prior to reimbursement. If the Iowa-based business is not a certified FMCSA trainer, the award will provide up to $10,000 toward the expenses attributed to the completion of the certification.
To be eligible for reimbursement, applicant must provide proof that each driver has their driver training certification uploaded to the Training Provider Registry and pass their Iowa, or bordering state (if eligible), CDL test within 30 days of their last day of training or their second attempt within 14 days of the first failed attempt. The training for the first cohort m ust begin within four months of this enacting of the fully executed contract agreement. Reimbursement will only be provided for the members of the cohort who passed their CDL test on the first or second attempt with an uploaded copy of the Iowa, or bordering state (if eligible), CDL along with submission of the request.
Cost Sharing or Matching Funds
There is no cost sharing or matching fund requirement associated with this award.
