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Strategic Innovation for Revenue Collection (SIRC) Program

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Grant Insights

The purpose of the Strategic Innovation for Revenue Collection (SIRC) Program is to provide grants to eligible entities to test the feasibility of a road usage fee and other user-based alternative revenue mechanisms; focused on broad-based alternative revenue mechanisms that could ultimately be scaled to a national level to help maintain the long-term solvency of the Highway Trust Fund. Program funds are authorized through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). 
The agency intends to award projects aligned with the Administration’s Strategic Goals of improving safety, economic strength, equity, and climate resilience and sustainability. 

Key Updates U.S. Department of Transportation –  Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) 
Funding Opportunity
Strategic Innovation for Revenue Collection (SIRC) Program 

NOFO Release Date 03/27/2024 
Application Due Date 05/27/2024 by 11:59 p.m. EST via www.Grants.gov 
# of Programs
  1. Feasibility Testing of Road Usage Fee and User-Based Alternative Revenue Mechanisms 
Total Funding Available  $30,000,000 
Award Minimum N/A
Award Maximum $3,000,000 
Recipient Cost-Share/Match Requirements: Applicants must provide at least 20% of the total project costs via public sector or private sector, in-kind (non-federal) matching contributions. 
Summary SIRC grant funds must be used to carry out a pilot project that addresses one or more of the objectives provided in BIL section 13001(b)(3): 

(A) Test the design, acceptance, equity, and implementation of user-based alternative revenue mechanisms, including among—(i) differing income groups; and (ii) rural and urban drivers, as applicable.  

(B) Provide recommendations regarding adoption and implementation of user-based alternative revenue mechanisms.  

(C) Quantify and minimize the administrative costs of any potential user-based alternative revenue mechanisms.  

(D) Test a variety of solutions—including the use of independent and private third-party vendors—for the collection of data and fees from user-based alternative revenue mechanisms, including the reliability/security of the solutions and vendors. 

(E) Test solutions to ensure the privacy and security of data collected for the purpose of implementing a user-based alternative revenue mechanism.  

(F) Conduct education and outreach to increase public awareness of the need for user-based alternative revenue mechanisms for surface transportation programs.  

(G) Evaluate the ease of compliance/enforcement of a variety of implementation approaches for different users of the surface transportation system. 

(H) Ensure, to the greatest extent practicable, the use of innovation.  

(I) Consider, to the greatest extent practicable, the potential for revenue collection along a network of alternative fueling stations. 

(J) Evaluate the impacts of the imposition of a user-based alternative revenue mechanism on—(i) transportation revenues; (ii) personal mobility, driving patterns, congestion, and transportation costs; and (iii) freight movement and costs.  

(K) Evaluate options for the integration of a user-based alternative revenue mechanism with—(i) nationwide transportation revenue collections and regulations; (ii) toll revenue collection platforms; (iii) transportation network company fees; and (iv) any other relevant transportation revenue mechanisms. 
Eligible Applicants
  • State or group of States;
  • Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) or group of MPOs;
  • Local Government or group of Local Governments; and
  • Multijurisdictional Groups – any combination of States, Local Governments, or MPOs 
*In a multijurisdictional group application, one entity in the group will be required to administer the Federal funding, which may entail providing project oversight. 
**If a State has previously proven the viability of an alternative revenue mechanism in a limited capacity through its own research, it may still be a candidate for funding. 
***There is no limitation on the number of applications that may be submitted by an eligible applicant. However, only one project may be included in each application. 
Special Consideration FHWA will prioritize proposals that address gaps in information and the development of lessons learned from implementation of user-based alternative revenue mechanisms that can help advance multi-State and national application of these mechanisms. 

Applications for full, new pilot projects and for extensions or enhancements of previous pilot or demonstration projects are both eligible.
Notes Topics of particular interest include the following:
  • Quantifying implementation and operational costs for varying approaches, particularly those that are broadly scaled;
  • Harmonizing collection programs across States, including approaches to account for interstate travel that accommodate low-technology solutions as well as advanced technology-based solutions;
  • Collection methods or combinations of collection methods that would encompass all system users—including difficult-to-access populations, such as the unbanked and technology averse;
  • Enforcement and auditing of collections, particularly for potential programs that would apply to all system users;
  • Identifying relative advantages and disadvantages of alternative collection methods that engage different populations;
  • Impacts on the travel behavior of various populations from user-based alternative revenue mechanisms in comparison to fuel taxes;
  • Approaches for looking at user acceptance based on fees reflecting the costs associated with driving (e.g., fees that vary by vehicle weight or fuel efficiency), including pavement damage, environmental impacts, safety and health impacts, and other costs.  
Contact Information Title: FHWA Agreement Officer – Primary Contact 
Name: Ryan Buck 
Email/phone: SIRCFHWA@dot.gov (preferred); and (202) 366-4229 
 
Title: FHWA Agreement Officer/Team Leader – Alternate Contact 
Name: Robin Hobbs 
Email/phone: SIRCFHWA@dot.gov (preferred); and (202) 366-4004 

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