Small Community Air Service Development Program | DOT OST 2017 0155

Opportunity Information: Apply for DOT OST 2017 0155

The Small Community Air Service Development Program (SCASDP) is a discretionary grant opportunity run by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), Office of Aviation Analysis, intended to help smaller communities improve and strengthen their commercial air service. The program was created in federal law under the Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century and has been renewed multiple times through later aviation authorization acts, including Vision 100 and the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012, with additional amendments and funding authority provided through subsequent extension and appropriations legislation. In practical terms, this is a long-standing federal tool meant to address a common problem for smaller markets: limited flight options, high fares, unstable service, or difficulty attracting and retaining airlines.

The core purpose of the program is financial assistance to support projects that enhance air service in small communities. DOT provides support through monetary grants, and the funding is disbursed on a reimbursable basis, meaning recipients generally pay for eligible project costs first and then request reimbursement according to the grant terms and documentation requirements. The statutory authority for SCASDP is codified at 49 U.S.C. 41743, and its appropriations are authorized under 49 U.S.C. 41743(e)(2), as amended. The notice reflects that funding for the award cycle described was tied to FY 2016 appropriations that were extended into FY 2017 through continuing appropriations, with additional funding authority added by the FAA Extension, Safety, and Security Act of 2016 (including an additional $6 million authorized through FY 2017), followed by further appropriations provided in FY 2017.

For this specific opportunity posting, the funding opportunity title is Small Community Air Service Development Program, with opportunity number DOT OST 2017 0155, and it is listed under CFDA 20.930 in the transportation category. The instrument is a grant and the competition is discretionary, meaning applications are competitively reviewed and selected rather than funded by formula. DOT anticipated making around 40 awards, and the maximum award amount (award ceiling) was listed as $10,000,000, indicating that some projects could be funded at a fairly substantial scale depending on need, scope, and competitiveness.

Applications were required to be submitted electronically through Grants.gov by 4:00 PM Eastern on December 15, 2017. The narrative application itself had a strict length limit: no more than 20 one-sided pages, with specific items excluded from that page count (the SF-424 federal assistance form, a Summary Information schedule, and letters of support from the community or an air carrier). That structure signals that DOT expected proposals to be concise but complete, supported by standardized federal forms and concrete evidence of local and industry backing.

Eligibility was broadly noted as "Others" with additional clarification referenced in the full eligibility text, which typically means eligibility may include certain local or regional entities rather than only state governments. In this program context, applicants are generally small communities and their partners seeking to improve air service outcomes, often involving airports, local governments, regional authorities, and collaboration with air carriers or other stakeholders. A notable feature emphasized in the submission requirements is the value of letters showing support from the community or an air carrier, which underscores that DOT is looking for proposals with real commitment, stakeholder alignment, and a plausible path to implementation rather than purely aspirational plans.

Overall, this grant opportunity is aimed at helping smaller markets become more viable for air carriers and more useful for travelers by funding targeted, locally grounded efforts to enhance air service. It sits within a specific statutory framework, is supported by annual and continuing appropriations, and uses a competitive selection process with reimbursable grant funding, clear submission rules, and an expectation of measurable improvements in air service availability or quality.

• The Department of Transportation, DOT - Office of Aviation Analysis in the transportation sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Small Community Air Service Development Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 20.930.
• This funding opportunity was created on Oct 18, 2017.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Dec 15, 2017 Applications of no more than 20 one-sided pages each (excluding the completed Application for Federal Domestic Assistance (SF424), Summary Information schedule, and any letters from the community or an air carrier showing support for the application), including all required information, must be submitted to www.grants.gov no later than 400 PM EST on December 15, 2017.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $10,000,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 40 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for DOT OST 2017 0155

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