FY 2026 HMSI GRANT AWARD

The FY 2026 Hazardous Materials State Inspection (HMSI) Grant solicitation, issued by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration under the U.S. Department of Transportation, aims to strengthen the safety of hazardous materials transportation by providing financial assistance to states for conducting shipper inspections aligned with federal regulations. This grant program, established in FY 2022, supports state agencies in planning, executing, and reporting on inspections of hazardous materials shippers while ensuring compliance with the Hazardous Materials Regulations under 49 CFR Part 32. Applicants must demonstrate state authority to conduct such inspections, clearly articulate the need for improved inspection coverage, and propose feasible activities within a 12- to 24-month performance period, with a required award start date no later than September 30, 2026. The solicitation closes on June 19, 2026, and submissions must be made electronically through grants.gov, with all applicants required to maintain an active Unique Entity Identifier in SAM.gov and comply with federal financial reporting and administrative standards under 2 CFR Part 200. Proposals are evaluated based on technical merit, programmatic feasibility, and risk assessment, with emphasis on alignment with the HMSI initiative, clarity of inspection objectives, realistic timelines, budget justification across eligible cost categories such as personnel, travel, and equipment, and evidence of organizational capacity. The award is merit-based, implying a trade-off approach where non-cost factors may outweigh price, and no Lowest Price Technically Acceptable methodology is indicated. Contractors are prohibited from using funds for overtimes, entertainment, or excessive office supplies, and must report measurable outputs including inspection counts and outcomes in a final performance report due within 120 days of period end. Invoicing is conducted exclusively through the DOT Delphi system, and payments are processed via EFT using SAM.gov financial information. Compliance with federal nondiscrimination laws, including Executive Order 14173 and Title VI, is mandatory, and key personnel changes require prior written approval. No physical delivery or packaging requirements apply, as this is a service-based grant focused on inspection activities conducted at shipper locations, not the transport of goods.