Applying for 5310 Funding
Types of funding available
Capital Awards:
Capital award funding includes 80% federal (FTA: Federal Transit Administration) funding, 10% state (FDOT), and 10% local matching funds (agency share). Local matching funds (10%) are the amount the agency is responsible for funding.
Facilities/Vehicles: The asset must be utilized for its originally intended purpose through its useful life and any incidental use MUST NOT interfere with or prevent the primary use by seniors and individuals with disabilities. Eligible facilities include buses, vans, sedans, and more.
Equipment: Equipment grant awards can be utilized for the total cost of an equipment project. The eligible asset must be utilized for its originally intended purpose through its useful life. Incidental use cannot interfere with or prevent the primary use to serve seniors and individuals with disabilities. Eligible equipment includes wheelchair lifts and ramps, radios, security cameras, signage, seatbelts, communication equipment, transportation software, and more.
Preventive Maintenance: Preventive Maintenance grant awards can be utilized for all maintenance costs related to vehicles funded using the Section 5310 program. This includes all the activities, supplies, materials, labor, services, and associated costs required to preserve or extend the functionality and serviceability of the asset in a cost-effective manner.
Operating Awards:
Operating award funding includes 50% federal (FTA) funding on a cost reimbursement basis, and 50% local matching funds (agency share).
Agencies' operational funds requests should be based on the difference between the transportation program incoming revenue and the outgoing costs expenses (shortfall). Operational awards can be utilized for costs associated with transportation services only, which includes salaries and wages, fuel, vehicle insurance, vehicle maintenance, licenses and taxes, and more.
The following steps and requirements are for agencies interested in applying for 5310 funding listed above:
First Steps & Ongoing Requirements
Step 1 - Eligibility: Eligible entities include municipalities, counties, and human services non-profit organizations. Please contact FDOT District 6 to discuss your agency's eligibility:
FDOT District 6 Contacts:
Raymond Freeman, Passenger Operations Manager: Raymond.Freeman@dot.state.fl.us - Phone: 305-470-5255
Step 2 - Coordination Fare Agreement: Each agency must obtain and maintain an active Coordination Fare Agreement (CFA) with the local Community Transportation Coordinator (CTC) as a pre-requisite to the 5310 grant application process and program. Click here for the contact information for the Miami-Dade County and Monroe County CTC’s.
For Miami-Dade County agencies, it is important to initiate this agreement process as soon as possible, as it is a lengthy process. Most CTC’s require annual renewal of the CFA and an annual operating report while your agency operates one or more FDOT vehicles.
Grant Cycle
Each year (usually in the Winter), FDOT District 6 holds a 5310 grant application workshop for interested and returning organizations. Although each grant cycle is different, applications are usually due in February or March of each year. Agencies are notified of grant awards approximately one year after the application is submitted. The grant award agreement usually provides a deadline by which the awarded vehicle(s) must be procured (purchased). Delivery of the awarded vehicle can take weeks or months after purchase.
Grant Application
The FDOT District 6 5310 workshop (usually in the Winter of each year) provides detailed step-by-step guidance for completing the 5310 grant application. Agencies also learn about federal and state grant requirements and types and amounts of funding available. Applications are submitted through TransCIP 2, FDOT’s grants management site. Contact FDOT District 6 to request to be added to FDOT District 6 5310 email list and/or to gain access to TransCIP 2:
FDOT District 6 Contact:
Raymond Freeman, Passenger Operations Manager, Raymond.Freeman@dot.state.fl.us - Phone: 305-470-5255
Each 5310 capital grant application must include details regarding the specific vehicle(s) and/or equipment to be purchased if awarded grant funds. There are many considerations when choosing the best vehicle for your 5310 program. You will want to review the Starting out Right page included in this Toolkit for more information.
Two agency policy documents must be submitted with each 5310 Grant Application:
Transportation Operating Procedure (TOP): Each 5310 agency must have a TOP that spells out the policies and procedures of the agency’s transportation program. A TOP draft must be submitted with the Grant Application. Visit the Resources & Templates page in this Toolkit to download the current TOP template to help you draft or update your agency’s TOP.
Title VI Plan: Title VI is a program that addresses discrimination in federally funded programs. Each 5310 agency must have a Title VI Plan that meets all requirements. A Title VI Plan should be submitted with the Grant Application. Visit the Resources & Templates page in this Toolkit to download the current Title VI Plan template to help you draft or update your Title VI Plan.
TransCIP 2
TransCIP 2 is FDOT’s Grants Management Platform that supports:
Submission of all 5310 grant applications, both capital and operating funding applications.
Submission of 5310 agency monthly operating reports and annual reporting.
Management and tracking of vehicle inventories.
Submission of agency lien release requests.
Completion of 5310 Triennial Compliance Reviews.
Bookmark this TransCIP2 link in your browser: Florida TransCIP - Log In (blackcattransit.com)
For TransCIP2 access, contact FDOT District 6:
Raymond Freeman, Passenger Operations Manager, Raymond.Freeman@dot.state.fl.us - Phone: 305-470-5255
Frequently Asked Questions
Q – We did not receive a renewal Coordination Fare Agreement (CFA) from Miami-Dade County for next year? What should we do?
A – First, verify that your organization submitted any required documentation to the Community Transportation Coordinator (CTC), including the Annual Operating Report (usually due around August annually). If the CTC does not receive this report, they may not issue a renewal agreement. Second, determine if the CTC has updated contact information for your organization. Follow-up with the CTC for your area by clicking here to find your CTC’s contact information: https://ctd.fdot.gov/ctcsbycounty.htm.
