The Bridge Investment Program is a competitive, discretionary program that focuses on existing bridges to reduce the overall number of bridges in poor condition, or in fair condition at risk of falling into poor condition. It also expands applicant eligibilities to create opportunity for all levels of government to be direct recipients of program funds. Alongside states and federal lands management agencies, metropolitan planning organizations and local and tribal governments can also apply directly to FHWA, making it easier to advance projects at the local level that meet community needs.
The Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Bridge Investment Program (BIP) was published on June 10, 2022, on http://www.grants.gov. Information on the program can be found at BIP - Funding Programs - Management and Preservation - Bridges & Structures - Federal Highway Administration (dot.gov), which includes a link to the NOFO, a fact sheet on the BIP, and an initial set of Q&As. Also posted on http://www.grants.gov with the NOFO are 3 application templates to provide a framework in assisting potential applicants applying to the program. Additional information and guidance will be posted to the website in the near future including a recorded webinar that should be beneficial to you and your stakeholders in providing an overview of the BIP.
The BIP was authorized in the President’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) for FY2022 through FY2026. In this first year of the program, the BIP NOFO solicits grant applications for Planning projects, Large Bridge Projects (over $100M in total eligible costs) and Bridge Projects (up to $100M in total eligible costs). Application due dates for FY2022 are:
Planning Grant Application: July 25, 2022
Large Bridge Project Grant Application: August 9, 2022
Bridge Project Grant Application: September 8, 2022
Eligible applicants for BIP grants include a State or a group of States, metropolitan planning organizations that serve urbanized areas with a population over 200,000, a unit of local government or a group of local governments, a political subdivision of a State or local government, a special purpose district or public authority with a transportation function, a Federal land management agency, a Tribal government or a consortium of Tribal governments, or a multistate or multijurisdictional group of any of the aforementioned entities. All applications must be submitted through http://www.grants.gov which requires applicants to have a unique identification number from http://www.sam.gov. As the process to obtain an identification number can take weeks, the NOFO recommends applicants start that process early and in parallel to developing a grant application.
Also, to manage questions on the BIP, a dedicated e-mail address (BridgeInvestmentProgam@dot.gov) has been setup to facilitate the submission of questions from both internal and external sources.
More details at: https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/bridge/bip/index.cfm