Tribal Transportation Safety Strategy Pilot Program

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology is offering a three-year cooperative agreement under solicitation TRIBALSAFETY-OSTR24 to develop and implement a Tribal Transportation Safety Strategy Pilot Program aimed at reducing disproportionately high traffic fatality rates in American Indian and Alaska Native communities. The initiative seeks to create a comprehensive toolbox of training materials, data analysis tools designed for low-data environments, and risk-based safety planning guidelines tailored to Tribal contexts, culminating in a pilot implementation with at least one federally recognized Tribe experiencing elevated fatality rates. The selected applicant will be responsible for designing and executing a temporary, low-cost infrastructure safety demonstration project, alongside developing a final Tribal Transportation Strategic Safety Plan, public policy briefs, a dedicated website portal, and training resources to be shared nationally. The program requires substantial federal involvement and collaboration with Tribal leaders throughout all phases, emphasizing culturally responsive and community-driven safety solutions. The anticipated award amount is fixed at up to $2,000,000, with a mandatory cost matching requirement of at least 50 percent of federal funds. Applications must be submitted via Grants.gov by August 28, 2026, and must adhere to a strict 25-page limit for the technical proposal, including all attachments such as the latest Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement and documentation of cost share sources. The project period will run from November 1, 2026, through October 31, 2029, with performance occurring primarily on Tribal lands and requiring close coordination with Tribal governments. Recipients must comply with 2 CFR Part 200, submit quarterly financial and technical reports, maintain an active Unique Entity Identifier in SAM.gov, and submit a Data Management Plan for approval post-award. Additional requirements include adherence to civil rights statutes such as Title VI and the ADA, advance approval for purchases over $10,000, and compliance with federal wage standards. Evaluation will prioritize technical merit, demonstrated experience with Tribal safety initiatives, feasibility of the plan, sustainability, and cost reasonableness under a trade-off methodology, not solely lowest price. The point of contact for inquiries is Kelley Severns, Special Projects Manager at OST-R.