ACTION:
____________________________
Clerk/Secretary
Department: City Manager Item No: C1
Prepared by:
Angie Baggett, Management Analyst-Grant
Writer Meeting Date: April 8, 2025
Approved by:
Imelda M. Huerta, Assistant City Manager
John Conley, City Manager Agenda Location: Consent Calendar S
UBJECT: SUBMITTAL OF APPLICATIONS FOR SANDAG SMART GROWTH INCENTIVE
PROGRAM GRANT
RE
COMMENDATION: Adopt City Council Resolution No. 2025- , authorizing the filing of an application for grant funds through the San Diego Association of Governments and accepting the terms of the grant agreement.
CO
RRELATION TO CITY COUNCIL GOALS: Fiscal Responsibility; Climate and Environmental Responsibility; and Traffic: Continue to enhance mobility safety, improve the flow of traffic for all forms of travel, reduce congestion, and improve our roads and sidewalks.
P
RIOR ACTION: On April 10, 2018, adopted City Council Resolution No. 2018-41, authorizing the filing of an application for Smart Growth Incentive Grant Program funds through the San Diego Association of Governments and accepting the terms of the grant agreement (Vote: 5-0).
O
n February 24, 2015, adopted City Council Resolution No. 2015-25, authorizing the filing of an application for Smart Growth Incentive Grant Program funds through the San Diego Association of Governments for the Paseo Santa Fe Street Improvement Project, and accepting the terms of the grant agreement (Vote: 5-0).
Pleas
e see Exhibit 2 for the complete list of prior actions.
S
TATEMENT ON THE SUBJECT: The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) has issued the Cycle 6 TransNet Smart Growth Incentive Grant Program and Active Transportation Grant Program call for projects. The goals of the Smart Growth Incentive Program are “to fund comprehensive planning activities, public infrastructure projects, and climate action plan projects that facilitate compact, mixed-use, transit-oriented development and increase housing and transportation choices.” The current round of funding will award $45 million to successful applicants, distributed as follows:
• $3 million is available to prepare a new Climate Action Plan (CAP), update existing CAP ,
gr
eenhouse gas (GHG) reduction plans, or CAP or GHG reduction plan implementation and m
onitoring efforts that keep pace with state targets and goals for GHG emission reductions. • $12 million is available for plans and processes that accelerate smart growth activities but will not directly result in the construction of a public improvement project.
AGENDA
REPORT
CITY COUNCIL
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
SUCCESSOR AGENCY
BUENA SANITATION DISTRICT
JOINT POWERS FINANCING AUTHORITY
04/08/2025
C1
MEETING DATE: April 8, 2025 PAGE 2
SUBJECT: SUBMITTAL OF APPLICATIONS FOR SANDAG SMART GROWTH INCENTIVE
PROGRAM GRANT
• $30 million is available for capital projects that will result in the construction of public improvements. Project phases can include environmental review, design (conceptual, preliminary, or final), right-of-way, and construction.
S
ANDAG will notify selected applications on July 18, 2025.
S
ince multiple applications can be submitted, staff proposes applying for grant funds to support 1. The City’s CAP Update; 2. A City-wide Active Transportation Plan; and 3. The Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for Bobier Complete Streets.
1. S
taff proposes seeking an estimated grant amount of $400,000 from SANDAG’s Smart Growth Incentive Program to facilitate a CAP Update. The City of Vista’s CAP provides a comprehensive r
oadmap to reduce GHG emissions and address the challenges of climate change in the city. The C
ity first adopted a CAP in 2012, with the most recent update in 2021. The CAP will need to be updated and maintained if it is to remain relevant and effective. Thus, city staff will need to ev
aluate and monitor plan performance over time and make recommendations to alter or amend t
he plan if it is not achieving the proposed reduction targets. This will include conducting periodic GHG emissions inventory updates and analyzing measure performance. The city will prepare a CAP update every five years beginning in 2026. CAP updates would reflect the findings and r
ecommendations of the monitoring reports and inventory updates. This funding opportunity, if awarded, will aim to achieve this goal.
2. S
taff Proposes seeking an estimated grant amount of $751,000 to develop a City-Wide Active Transportation Plan (ATP), which will involve updating the city's active transportation networks.
This plan will identify needs and gaps in the transportation network, prioritize infrastructure and program recommendations, and establish a roadmap for building a safe and connected active t
ransportation system that is accessible to people of all ages and abilities. The ATP will provide V
ista with a clear and practical strategy to reduce bicycle and pedestrian collisions, promote w
alking, bicycling, micromobility, neighborhood electric vehicle use, and public transit use as part of a healthy lifestyle, and reduce transportation-related pollution. This initiative will play a significant role in creating a more just and sustainable Vista. It will complement the recently awarded $400,000 Sustainable Transportation Planning grant from Caltrans for FY 24-25, enhancing the dev
elopment of a robust and comprehensive city-wide planning document to address traffic safety and promoting active transportation infrastructure.
3. S
taff proposes seeking an estimated $3,500,000 for the Bobier Dr. Complete Streets Project. The pr
oject area is W. Bobier Drive from Marabou Lane to N. Santa Fe Drive. The scope includes a 4- to-2 lane road diet, sidewalks, curb extensions, ADA-curb ramps, enhanced pedestrian crossings with flashing beacons, buffered class II bike lanes, bike escape ramps, green vehicle bicycle c
onflict striping, roundabouts, traffic signal at Bobier Elementary School, raised medians, and high v
isibility signing and striping. The expected benefits include safer and more accessible pedestrian and bi
cycle facilities that connect residents to important community destinations. The improvements will calm traffic, reduce vehicle speeds, provide safer crossings for children who w
alk and bike to school, decrease pedestrian crossing distances, prevent bike lane blockages, and increase visibility and awareness of pedestrians and bicyclists for all roadway users. 04/08/2025
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MEETING DATE: April 8, 2025 PAGE 3
SUBJECT: SUBMITTAL OF APPLICATIONS FOR SANDAG SMART GROWTH INCENTIVE
PROGRAM GRANT
FISCAL IMPACT: There is no direct fiscal impact associated with the staff recommendation to submit a grant application; however, if the grant is awarded, staff will return to the City Council for acceptance of the grant and formal budget appropriation at that time.
EXHIBITS:
1. City Council Resolution No. 2025- , authorizing the filing of an application for grant funds from the San D
iego Association of Governments and accepting the terms of the grant agreement
2. Prior Actions
3. Grant Solicitation
4. Grant Agreement Template
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00029213 7
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CHARTERED CITY OF
VISTA, CALIFORNIA, AUTHORIZING THE FILING OF AN APPLICATION FOR
GRANT FUNDS FROM THE SAN DIEGO ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENTS
AND ACCEPTING THE TERMS OF THE GRANT AGREEMENT
The City Council of the City of Vista does resolve as follows:
1. Findings. The City Council hereby finds and declares the following:
A. Up to $ 45 million of TransNet funding for Smart Growth Incentive Program SGIP) projects is available to local jurisdictions and the County of San Diego through SGIP.
B. The City of Vista wishes to receive grant funding from SANDAG.
C. The City of Vista certifies that it has an adopted a Climate Action Plan ( CAP) or Greenhouse Gas ( GHG) reduction plan that includes all of the following items:
Establishes a locally appropriate 2030 GHG reduction target for communitywide GHG emissions derived from the State’s legislative target for 2030 ( as established by Senate Bill 32 or as amended by future legislation) and establishes long- term targets.
Quantifies, using substantial evidence, how local GHG reduction strategies, programs, and measures would meet or exceed the local GHG reduction target.
Establishes a mechanism to monitor the plan’s progress toward achieving the target, including reporting data to SANDAG and a requirement to amend the plan if it is not achieving adopted goals.
2. Action.
A. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Vista that the City of Vista is authorized to submit a grant application for the following project( s) to SANDAG:
Climate Action Plan Update
City- wide Active Transportation Plan
Bobier Dr. Complete Streets
B. If a grant award is made by SANDAG to the City to fund one or more of the above projects, the City of Vista commits to providing the matching fund amounts per project as listed in the grant application.
C. If a grant award is made by SANDAG to the City, the City Council authorizes staff to accept the grant funds, execute the grant agreement( s) with no exceptions and in substantially the same form as provided with the call for projects, and complete the Project( s). 04/08/2025
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EXHIBIT 1
RESOLUTION NO. 2022-
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CHARTERED CITY OF VISTA
PAGE 2
00029213 7EXH1 Resolution SANDAG SGIP Grant Applications. docx D. The City understands and agrees that SANDAG shall have no liability for costs that may arise associated with the project( s), if said costs are not included in the grant agreement( s), including but not limited to costs stemming from claims, litigation, changes in law, or force majeure events.
E. The City Council authorizes the City Manager, or the City Manager’s designee, to file an application and all related materials on behalf of the City of Vista for the SANDAG SGIP funding opportunity and to approve and execute, on behalf of the City of Vista, all agreements and related documents necessary and proper for the grant.
3. Adoption. PASSED AND ADOPTED at a meeting of the City Council of the City of Vista held on April 8, 2025, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
WALTERCHUNG, CITY ATTORNEY
By:
APPROVED
Walter C. Chung
20250331093844
JOHN B. FRANKLIN, MAYOR
ATTEST:
KATHYVALDEZ, CITY CLERK
By:
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PRIOR ACTIONS
SANDAG Smart Growth Incentive Program Grant Applications On April 10, 2018, adopted City Council Resolution No. 2018-41, authorizing the filing of an application for Smart Growth Incentive Grant Program funds through the San Diego Association of Governments and accepting the terms of the grant agreement (Vote: 5-0).
On February 24, 2015, adopted City Council Resolution No. 2015-25, authorizing the filing of an application for Smart Growth Incentive Grant Program funds through the San Diego Association of Governments for the Paseo Santa Fe Street Improvement Project, and accepting the terms of the grant agreement (Vote: 5-0).
On January 8, 2013, adopted City Council Resolutions No. 2013-3 and No. 2013-4, authorizing the filing of applications for Smart Growth Incentive Grant Program funds through the San Diego Association of Governments for the Paseo Santa Fe Streetscape and Infrastructure Improvement capital project and the Downtown Specific Plan Update planning project, and accepting the terms of the agreements (Vote: 5-0).
On January 8, 2013, adopted City Council Resolutions No. 2013-3 and No. 2013-4, authorizing the filing of applications for Smart Growth Incentive Grant Program funds through the San Diego Association of Governments for the Paseo Santa Fe Streetscape and Infrastructure Improvement capital project and the Downtown Specific Plan Update planning project, and accepting the terms of the agreements (Vote: 5-0). 04/08/2025
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EXHIBIT 2
Smart Growth Incentive Program ( SGIP)
Cycle 6 Call for Projects
Program Website
http:// www. sandag. org/ grants
Program Contact
Goldy Herbon
Senior Grants Program Analyst
619-699- 6990
grantsdistribution@sandag. org
Eligible Applicants
Cities in the County of San Diego and the
County of San Diego
In order to receive funding for Planning or
Capital projects, the Applicant must have
an adopted Climate Action Plan ( CAP).
Eligible Applicants who do not have an
adopted CAP can apply for a Climate
Action Plan project to receive funding to
develop a CAP.
Example Projects
Planning: Curb management plans,
specific or area plans, transit- oriented
development plans, complete streets
plans or policies, rezoning or zoning
updates, Program- level environmental
clearance, density bonus ordinance,
etc.
Capital: Updating housing supportive
infrastructure, bike and pedestrian
infrastructure enhancements, traffic
calming infrastructure such as
roundabouts, streetscape or
placemaking enhancements for
pedestrians, projects listed in CAPs as
applicable, etc.
Climate Action Plan: New or updates
to existing climate action plans and
GHG reduction plans
Program Overview
The San Diego Association of Governments ( SANDAG) is soliciting applications for its Smart Growth Incentive Program ( SGIP). The goal of this program is to fund comprehensive planning
activities, public infrastructure projects, and climate action plan projects that facilitate compact, mixed- use, transit- oriented development and increase housing and transportation choices.
Funding Source: TransNet Extension Ordinance
Amount of Funding Available: $ 45 million
Planning: $ 12million
Capital: $ 30 million
Climate Action Plan: $ 3 million
Matching Funds: Matching Funds are not required
Project Types
Applicants can submit multiple applications under each
project type.
Planning: Includes plans and processes that accelerate
smart growth activities but will not directly result in the construction of a public improvement project.
Capital: Will eventually result in the construction of public improvements. Project phases can include environmental, design ( conceptual, preliminary, or final), right- of- way, and construction.
Climate Action Plan: To prepare a new CAP or CAP Update and GHG reduction plans, or CAP or GHG reduction plan
implementation and monitoring efforts that keep pace
with state targets and goals for GHG emission reductions.
Award Sizes and Performance Period
Planning Capital Climate
Action Plan
Minimum
Award
150,000 $ 500, 000 $ 150,000
Maximum
Award
1,000, 000 $ 3,500,000 $ 400, 000
Performance
Period
3 years 3.5 years 3 years
Timeline
Activity Date
Release of the Call for Projects 1/6/2025
Pre- Application Webinar ( 10:30- 12:00) 1/15/2025
Call for Projects Question Deadline ( by 5 p.m.) 3/28/2025 Deadline to request application assistance 3/28/2025
Responses to all questions released in BidNet 4/ 4/ 2025 Application Deadline ( by 5 p.m.) 4/11/2025
Applicant Resolution Deadline 5/11/2025
SANDAG Regional Planning Committee Meeting ( proposed funding recommendations) 7/18/2025 SANDAG Transportation Committee Meeting ( proposed funding recommendations) 7/18/2025 SANDAG Board of Directors Meeting ( proposed funding recommendations) 7/25/2025 Grant Agreements Executed/ Notices to Proceed Issued 10/1/2025 04/08/2025
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EXHIBIT 3
SAIVDAG
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04/08/2025
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1 Contents
I. Glossary of Key Terms ......................................................................................................................... 1 II. List of Resources .................................................................................................................................. 6 III. Background ........................................................................................................................................ 7 A. About SANDAG ................................................................................................................................................................. 7 B. Smart Growth Incentive Program ...................................................................................................................... 7
1. Overview .............................................................................................................................................................................. 7
2. Goals and Objectives ................................................................................................................................................. 8 IV. Eligibility ............................................................................................................................................. 8 A. Eligible Applicants and Projects ......................................................................................................................... 8
1. Eligible Applicants ....................................................................................................................................................... 8
2. Eligible Project Types ................................................................................................................................................. 9
3. Other Project Eligibility Requirements ........................................................................................................ 11
4. Project Milestone and Completion Deadlines ......................................................................................... 11 B. Eligible Expenses .......................................................................................................................................................... 12 C. Ineligible Activities and Expenses ..................................................................................................................... 12 V. Funding .................................................................................................................................................. 12 A. Available Funding ......................................................................................................................................................... 12 B. Minimum and Maximum Grant Awards ...................................................................................................... 13 C. Matching Funds ............................................................................................................................................................. 13 D. Indirect Costs ................................................................................................................................................................... 13 VI. Other Program Requirements ................................................................................................... 14 A. SANDAG Board Policy No. 035 ............................................................................................................................ 14
1. Applicant Resolution................................................................................................................................................. 14
2. Grant Agreement Execution ............................................................................................................................... 14
3. Project Milestone and Completion Deadlines ........................................................................................ 14 B. Performance Measures ............................................................................................................................................ 15 C. Baseline Data Collection ( Capital projects only) ..................................................................................... 15 D. Project Implementation and Oversight Requirements .................................................................... 15
1. Project Communication ......................................................................................................................................... 15
2. Plan Review ( Capital projects only) ................................................................................................................ 15
3. Quarterly Progress Reports .................................................................................................................................. 16
4. Invoices ............................................................................................................................................................................... 16 04/08/2025
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2 5. Matching Funds ........................................................................................................................................................... 17
6. Final Progress Report, Invoice, and Project Closeout ....................................................................... 17 E. Public Record and Record Retention Policy ............................................................................................. 17 F. Notice of Prevailing Wage ...................................................................................................................................... 18 VII. Application and Submittal Process .......................................................................................... 18 A. Application Materials ................................................................................................................................................. 18 B. Applicant Webinar, Questions, and Application Assistance .......................................................... 18
1. Pre- Application Webinar ....................................................................................................................................... 18
2. Call for Projects Questions .................................................................................................................................... 18
3. Application Assistance ............................................................................................................................................. 19 C. Submittal Process ........................................................................................................................................................ 19 VIII. Application Evaluation Process and Awards ........................................................................ 19 A. Responsiveness Review ........................................................................................................................................... 19 B. Eligibility Screening .................................................................................................................................................... 19
1. Scope of Work Review ............................................................................................................................................ 20 C. Scoring and Awarding of Funds ....................................................................................................................... 20
1. Qualitative Scoring .................................................................................................................................................... 20
2. Quantitative Scoring ................................................................................................................................................ 20
3. Calculation of Total Application Scores ...................................................................................................... 20
4. Tiebreakers ....................................................................................................................................................................... 21
5. Minimum Total Application Score................................................................................................................... 21
6. Funding Recommendations and Geographic Funding Distribution .................................... 21
7. Social Equity Analysis ............................................................................................................................................... 21
8. Partial Awards ............................................................................................................................................................... 22
9. Review of Project Eligibility ................................................................................................................................. 22
10. Approval of the Funding Recommendations and Contingency List .............................. 22 D. Grant Agreement Execution ............................................................................................................................... 22 E. Protests ............................................................................................................................................................................... 23 Scoring Rubric……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 24-62 04/08/2025
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1 I. Glossary of Key Terms
Accessory Dwelling Unit ( ADU) is a secondary living unit on the same property as a primary residence that can provide independent living for one or more people.
Applicant is an organization that is considering or has submitted an application in response to a Call for Projects.
Application Deadline is the date and time when applications must be submitted in Bidnet in order to be considered. Applications submitted after the Application Deadline will not be considered. The Application Deadline is located on the first page of this CFP.
Average Qualitative Score is the sum of all evaluator scores for an application divided by the number of evaluators. The score is added to the application’ s Quantitative scores to produce the Total Application Score.
California Environmental Quality Act ( CEQA) requires state and local agencies in California to identify the significant environmental impacts of their actions, including impacts to cultural resources, and to avoid or mitigate those impacts if feasible.
California Tax Credit Allocation Committee/ Housing and Community Development TCAC/HCD) Opportunity Map identifies areas whose characteristics have been shown by research to be most strongly associated with positive economic, educational, and health outcomes for low- income families – particularly long- term outcomes for children – when compared to other neighborhoods in the same region. The map also identifies areas in California that are both high- poverty and racially segregated. The 2024 TCAC/HCD Opportunity Map is available here.
Call for Projects ( CFP) is the document that SANDAG releases to solicit applications to receive grant funding. The CFP contains information such as Applicant and project eligibility, the application submittal requirements, and the process SANDAG uses to select applications to receive funding, including the evaluation criteria.
Capital Project is a type of project that will eventually result in the construction of public improvements. Project phases can include environmental, design ( conceptual, preliminary, or final), right- of- way, and construction.
Climate Action Plan (CAP) is a comprehensive policy document that outlines the actions a local jurisdiction is taking or will take to reduce community- wide greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
Climate Action Plan Project is a type of project that will prepare a new CAP or a CAP Update, including a GHG reduction plan that keeps pace with state targets and goals for GHG emission reductions.
New CAP is a subtype under the Climate Action Plan Project type that will develop a CAP for an agency that does not have an adopted CAP.
CAP Update is a subtype under the Climate Action Plan Project type that will update an already adopted CAP. The California Office of Planning and Research recommends that a CAP be updated every 3-5 years.
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2 Implementation and/ or Monitoring of an Existing CAP is a subtype under the Climate Action Plan Project type that will develop an implementation or monitoring plan for an already adopted CAP.
Direct Cost is an expense that can be directly assigned to a grant relatively easily and with high accuracy. It typically consists of items such as salaries, consultant or contractor services, and other expenses that would not otherwise exist if the project were not in existence.
Environmental Impact Report ( EIR) is a detailed statement prepared under the California Environmental Quality Act ( CEQA) that describes and analyzes the significant environmental effects of a project and discusses ways to mitigate or avoid the effects.
Federally Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate (FNICR) is an Indirect Cost rate applicable to a specified past period that a federal agency has approved for use. All federal agencies and pass- through entities must accept the rate. An agency typically receives a Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement ( NICRA) that includes the rate.
General Plan A policy document required of California cities and counties by state law that describes a jurisdiction’ s future development in general terms. All land use decisions must be derived from this document. The General Plan contains broad policy statements about the jurisdiction' s goals. It also must contain seven mandatory elements: Land Use, Circulation, Housing, Conservation, Open Space, Noise, Safety, and Environmental Justice.
Grant Term is the period of time in which expenses for project- related activities can be incurred to be eligible for reimbursement. It begins on the NTP date and extends through the grant agreement expiration date.
Grantee is an organization that has been awarded funding through the Smart Growth Incentive Program and has entered into a grant agreement with SANDAG.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions ( GHG) are the release of water vapor, ozone, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, chlorofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and sulfur hexafluoride that influence global climate change.
Independent Taxpayer Oversight Committee ( ITOC) is a group of community members appointed by SANDAG to provide an enhanced level of accountability for expenditures of TransNet funds, as outlined in the TransNet Extension Ordinance and Expenditure Plan. The committee helps ensure that all voter mandates are carried out as required and develops recommendations for improvements to the financial integrity and performance of the program. The ITOC meetings are generally held on the second Wednesday of every month.
More details on ITOC are available here.
Indirect Cost Allocation Plan ( ICAP) is the documentation prepared by an agency that is used to substantiate its request for the establishment of an indirect cost rate. The indirect cost rate is the ratio ( expressed as a percentage) of the indirect costs to a direct cost base.
Indirect Cost is an expense incurred for a common or joint purpose benefiting more than one cost objective or project and cannot be readily assigned to a specific grant, contract, or other activity. Indirect costs typically include rent, insurance, copying expenses, fringe benefits, and other costs not directly charged to the grant project that the local jurisdiction’ s general fund typically supports.
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3 Local Transit Stop is any stop served by MTS bus routes or NCTD BREEZE services. A list of MTS transit services and stations is available here: https:// www. sdmts. com/ transit- services. A list of NCTD services and stations is available here: https:// gonctd. com/ services/ transit- centers/.
Major Transit Stop is a site containing an existing rail or bus rapid transit station, a ferry terminal served by either a bus or rail transit service, or the intersection of two or more major bus routes with a frequency of service interval of 15minutes or less during the morning and afternoon peak commute periods.
Match percentage is calculated by dividing the total Matching Funds by the sum of the Matching Funds and the grant award.
Matching Funds is the amount of funding other than the grant award that goes towards the total project cost. It is often represented as a percentage of the total project cost.
Minimum Total Application Score is the Total Application Score value that an application must be equal to or greater than in order to be eligible to receive funding from this Call for Projects.
Mixed Use is the combining of commercial, office, and residential land uses to provide easy pedestrian access and reduce the public’ s dependence on driving. It can be implemented in multistory buildings containing businesses and retail stores on the lower floors and housing on the upper floors.
Mobility Hubs are communities with a high concentration of people, destinations, and travel choices. They provide an integrated suite of mobility services, safe roads, and supporting amenities and technology to help people reach high- frequency transit or make short trips around a community. Mobility Hubs can span one, two, or a few miles, and each hub is uniquely designed to fulfill a variety of travel needs while strengthening the sense of place.
Non- Scalable Project is a project whose scope of work cannot be reduced because doing so a) is not possible, ( b) would create an incomplete project that contributes little to the grant program goals or provides little value to those intended to benefit from the project, or (c) would have scored substantially differently in the competitive process with a reduced scope of work.
Notice to Proceed ( NTP) is a written notice issued by SANDAG that allows the Grantee to begin working on the project and marks the beginning of the Grant Term.
Performance Measure is the numeric value assigned to the performance metric to show the quantity or extent of the item being observed by the metric. For example, the number of participants that attend an outreach meeting for a project is the performance measure that could be used to demonstrate the performance metric on increased stakeholder engagement.
Performance Metric is the specific, quantifiable unit of measurement that will be used to determine an SGIP project’ s success in meeting SGIP goals and objectives. For example, a performance metric could be the number of linear feet of class IV bicycle facilities constructed in the project area.
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4 Planning Project is a type of project that includes plans and processes that accelerate smart growth activities but will not directly result in the construction of a public improvement project.
Prohousing Designation is a designation that the California Department of Housing and Community Development gives to document a jurisdiction’ s commitment to implementing local policies that remove obstacles to new housing and recognizes the work that a jurisdiction has already done to address California’ s severe housing shortage and affordability crisis. Applicants seeking to build affordable housing projects in local governments that receive the Prohousing Designation can receive priority processing or funding points when applying for several funding programs. More information is available here.
Project Milestone and Completion Deadlines are outlined in SANDAG Board Policy No. 035 and require grantees to complete and implement projects quickly so the public can benefit from project deliverables as soon as possible. Failure to meet the deadlines following SANDAG’s issuance of the Notice to Proceed on the project may result in the revocation of all grant funds not already expended.
Qualitative Criteria are subjective criteria in which discretion is needed to provide a score.
Often, qualitative criteria seek to evaluate how well an Applicant responded to an application question or how well the proposed project will achieve a stated goal. These criteria are subjective in nature, and scores are determined at the evaluator' s discretion.
Quantitative Criteria are objective criteria for which a formula or conditional statement is used to provide a score. Often, quantitative criteria seek to evaluate a project- related data point or metric against a range or scale and assign a point value based on where the data point or metric falls within the range or scale. Other quantitative criteria assign a point value based on responses to a conditional statement, such as a yes/no question or the presence or absence of a condition.
Regional Housing Needs Assessment ( RHNA) quantifies the need for housing and informs land use planning in addressing identified existing and future housing needs resulting from population, employment, and household growth. The RHNA process is reassessed every eight years, and SANDAG is currently in its 6th cycle, covering April 15, 2021 – April 15, 2029.
Regional Planning Committee ( RPC) is one of six policy advisory committees at SANDAG that advise the Board of Directors on developing and implementing the Regional Plan and Sustainable Communities Strategy. The RPC reviews and provides recommendations to the Board on the eligibility and evaluation criteria of the Call for Projects and reviews and provides recommendations to the Board on the SGIP funding recommendations. The RPC also receives quarterly reports on the status of each awarded grant and has the authority to grant time extensions for individual projects. More details on RPC are available here.
Regional Transit Station is any station served by COASTER, SPRINTER, Trolley, Rapid, or Rapid Express Routes.
Regional Vision Zero Resolution is a resolution adopted by the SANDAG Board of Directors that contains actionable steps toward eliminating all traffic fatalities and severe injuries while increasing safe, healthy, and equitable mobility options for all. The Resolution is available here.
Safety Focus Network ( SFN) identifies roads with the highest concentration of fatal and serious injury crashes. SANDAG identified this regional network as part of its Vision Zero 04/08/2025
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5 program The SFN consists of 6% of the non- freeway network and accounts for 54% of fatal and serious injury crashes. A GIS layer detailing the Safety Focus Network locations is available on the SANDAG Traffic Safety Dashboard here.
Scalable Project is a project whose scope of work can be reduced while still furthering the grant program goals and providing significant value to the public intended to benefit from the project. SANDAG staff will consider how the project would have scored in the competitive process if the scope of work were reduced. If the project would have scored substantially the same with the scaled- down scope of work and the scaled- down project would further the grant program goals and provide significant value to the public, then the project may be scaled.
Smart Growth Incentive Program ( SGIP) is a competitive grant program funded by the TransNet Extension Ordinance that provides funding for transportation- related infrastructure improvements and planning efforts that support smart growth development.
Smart Growth is a compact, efficient, and environmentally sensitive pattern of development that provides people with additional travel, housing, and employment choices by focusing future growth away from rural areas and closer to existing and planned job centers and public facilities while preserving open space and natural resources.
Sustainable Communities Strategy is an element of the Regional Transportation Plan that demonstrates how development patterns and the transportation network, policies, and programs can work together to achieve the targets set by the California Air Resources Board for reducing regional greenhouse gas emissions from cars and light trucks in a region. More information is available here.
Systemic Safety Network ( SSN) is a proactive, risk- based network screening that identifies facilities with several features that strongly correlate with severe crashes. SANDAG has developed this regional network as part of its safety program. A map detailing the Systemic Safety Network locations is available on the SANDAG Traffic Safety Dashboard here.
Total Application Score is the sum of an application’ s Average Qualitative Score and the application’ s Quantitative scores. The score determines the order in which projects are recommended to receive funding through this CFP.
Total Project Cost is calculated as the sum of the grant award and the Matching Funds.
Transit Priority Area (TPA) is an area within a half- mile of a Major Transit Stop that is existing or planned.
Transit- Oriented Development ( TOD) is residential and employment growth that occurs near existing and planned public transit facilities.
TransNet Extension Ordinance and Expenditure Plan is the document that was approved by the voters in 2004 to extend the half- cent sales tax from 2008 through 2048. The document is available here.
TransNet is the half- cent sales tax administered by SANDAG to fund local transportation projects consistent with the Regional Plan. The first 20- year TransNet measure was approved by voters in 1987. It went into effect in 1988 and was extended by voters in 2004 for 40 years.
TransNet is the funding that is provided to grantees through the SGIP. 04/08/2025
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6 Transportation Committee ( TC) is one of six policy advisory committees at SANDAG that advise the Board of Directors on major policy- level matters related to transportation, including the Regional Plan. The TC reviews and provides recommendations to the Board on the eligibility and evaluation criteria of the Call for Projects and reviews and provides recommendations to the Board on the SGIP funding recommendations. The TC also receives quarterly reports on the status of each awarded grant and has the authority to grant time extensions for individual projects. More details on TC are available here.
Vehicle Miles Traveled ( VMT) is the total number of miles traveled on all roadways by all vehicles. Reducing VMT can help ease traffic congestion and improve air quality.
Vision Zero is a national campaign that uses a variety of strategies to work toward eliminating deaths and severe injuries on our streets by focusing on roadway design and policies that affect people’s choices.
II. List of Resources
Below is a list of resources referenced in this CFP and a description of how to use these resources.
Resource/ Links What to do?
BidNet
Access the CFP materials, submit and receive responses
to questions, receive any updates to the CFP, and submit a completed application for consideration.
SANDAG Board Policy No. 031,
Rule 21
Review the Board Policy and rule that outlines the
requirements for the use of TransNet funds for the
accommodation of bicyclists and pedestrians.
SANDAG Board Policy No. 035
Review the Board Policy that governs SANDAG' s
Competitive Grant Programs and provides the milestone
and completion deadlines for each project type.
SANDAG Grant Programs
Webpage
Explore SANDAG’s grant programs, review grant project
progress reports, and access documents applicable
across all grant programs, such as the Grant Program
Protest Procedures and BidNet registration and
navigation information.
SANDAG Traffic Safety
Dashboard
Interactive site with crash data from the Statewide
Integrated Traffic Records System, National Transit
Database, and Federal Rail Administration.
SGIP Cycle 6 Interactive
Mapping Tool
Utilize the map to determine project eligibility and how points will be determined for several evaluation criteria.
The map will also be used to submit information in the
application. The map contains layers for the following:
Transit Stops and a half- mile buffer area
SSN and SFN and a half- mile buffer area
TPAs
Mobility Hubs
Disadvantaged Communities
Jurisdiction boundaries
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7 SGIP Grant Program Webpage
Learn about the program, including program
requirements, past grant awards, and SANDAG
performance monitoring.
SGIP Performance Metrics
Review the examples of performance metrics that can
be used to measure a project’ s success in meeting the
SGIP goals. Select the metrics that apply to the project scope of work and include the metrics and baseline data in the application. This resource is available in BidNet with the Call for Projects materials.
TransNet Project Map
Provides an interactive map that shows some of the
projects funded by the TransNet Smart Growth Incentive
Program to date.
TransNet Webpage Learn more about the TransNet program.
III. Background
A. About SANDAG
The San Diego Association of Governments ( SANDAG) is the San Diego region' s primary public planning, transportation, and research agency, comprising the 18cities and the County of San Diego. SANDAG serves as the public forum for regional policy decisions about growth, transportation, environmental management, housing, open space, energy, public safety, and binational collaboration.
SANDAG’s vision is to pursue a brighter future for everyone living, working, or recreating in the San Diego region. To this end, SANDAG plans and implements projects that seek to use land more wisely, build a more efficient and accessible transportation system, protect the environment, improve public health, promote a strong regional economy, better manage our access to energy, incorporate equity into the planning process, address pressing needs on tribal lands, and support a vibrant international border.
SANDAG receives local, state, and federal funds to implement regional policies, programs, and projects that advance its vision. SANDAG passes through a portion of its funding through several competitive grant programs. These grant programs provide local, state, and federal funding to local jurisdictions, nonprofits, and other partners to accomplish regional goals at the local level. Grants awarded range from infrastructure projects to habitat management and monitoring efforts to specialized transportation services for senior and disabled populations. While each individual grant program maintains a particular focus, all work together to enhance our region’ s quality of life.
B. Smart Growth Incentive Program
1. Overview
The TransNet Extension Ordinance provides funding for a competitive grant program that supports local efforts to increase walking, biking, and transit use throughout the region: the Smart Growth Incentive Program ( SGIP).
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8 2. Goals and Objectives
The goals of the SGIP are to encourage comprehensive public infrastructure projects and planning activities that facilitate compact, mixed- use development focused near public transit, and that aim to increase housing and transportation choices, reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and improve public health. The SGIP seeks to fund projects that can serve as models around the region and attract private development.
Projects funded by this program must support the objectives outlined below, derived from the goals in the SANDAG 2021 Regional Plan ( Regional Plan) and its Sustainable Communities Strategy ( SCS).
Implement a comprehensive approach to influence land development by improving the public realm and encouraging private smart growth projects that, in combination, create great places, advance mobility hub concepts, and leverage advanced technologies.
Serve as model examples for smart growth in a variety of settings throughout the region.
Contribute to reducing GHG emissions and vehicle miles traveled, and improve public health by encouraging travel by means other than single- occupant vehicles.
In particular, proposed projects should support public transit usage by improving access to transit and be located in areas served by transit.
Support future housing development.
Fund proposed capital projects that are “ready to go” and serve as catalysts for further smart growth development.
IV. Eligibility
A. Eligible Applicants and Projects
1. Eligible Applicants
Individual Jurisdictions: Eligible Applicants include the 18incorporated cities in the SANDAG region and the County of San Diego.
Partnerships: Jurisdictions can opt to work together on an application to conduct eligible activities consistent with the goals and objectives of this program. Jurisdictions also may partner with a community- based organization CBO) or nonprofit providing services in the San Diego region to ensure the benefits of their activities are realized by a broad population and in an equitable manner. Only the 18 cities and the County of San Diego are eligible to serve as the lead Applicant and grantee, and the grant agreement cannot be assigned to a third party.
Applicants forming partnerships must provide a letter of support from each jurisdiction, CBO, or nonprofit.
Per the adoption of the 2021 Regional Plan and GHG Mitigation Measure 5A included in the Environmental Impact Report, Applicants must have a locally adopted CAP or GHG reduction plan to be eligible to receive grant funding for Planning and Capital Projects from the SGIP. The Applicant is required to self- certify through the submittal of a resolution that the Applicant has a locally adopted CAP 04/08/2025
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9 or GHG reduction plan or will adopt one before the Board of Directors' approval of the SGIP funding recommendations ( see the Timeline for the anticipated date).
Agencies that do not have a locally adopted CAP or GHG reduction plan can apply for SGIP funding to develop one under the Climate Action Plan project type. The evaluation criteria for this project type prioritize funding for new CAPs over other climate action plan activities.
2. Eligible Project Types
Proposed projects must be eligible under the TransNet program. The TransNet Extension Ordinance broadly defines the SGIP. Proposed projects can include a “broad array of transportation- related infrastructure improvements that will assist local agencies in better integrating transportation and land use, such as enhancements to streets and public places, funding of infrastructure needed to support development… and community planning efforts related to smart growth and improved land use/ transportation coordination” ( Section 2C.3, p. 8 of the TransNet Extension Ordinance). The ITOC recommends to the Board of Directors whether a project is eligible to receive TransNet funding. All projects must meet the SGIP goals and objectives to be deemed eligible.
Three types of projects are eligible for funding, as listed below. See the Glossary of Key Terms for the definition of each type. Example projects under each type are provided below. Additional project examples may also be eligible as long as the project meets the goals of the SGIP and is consistent with the TransNet Extension Ordinance and Expenditure Plan. Applicants are encouraged to contact SANDAG to request assistance in determining whether a particular project not listed below may be eligible.
Planning Projects
Comprehensive planning efforts:
o Specific area plans or community plans
o Amendments/ updates to general or specific plans
o Updates to complete street policies
Smaller- scale neighborhood planning activities:
o Traffic calming or mobility plans
o Feasibility studies for future capital improvements
o Parking management plans
o Form- based codes or design guidelines
o Planning efforts required to make smart growth zoning changes o Health Impact assessments ( HIAs) to inform the development of local planning efforts funded by the SGIP, such as specific plans, area plans, or specific plan amendments. Any proposed HIAs must be directly connected to a proposed SGIP planning project
Complete Streets Design Manuals
Financing Tools
Smart Growth Studies
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10 Transit Oriented Development Overlay Zones
Transit Oriented Concept Plans
Mobility Hub Plans
Capital Projects
Proposed projects must:
Meet the requirements for the accommodation of bicyclists and pedestrians outlined in SANDAG Board Policy No. 031, Rule 21.
Meet the minimum geometric standards outlined in the Caltrans Highway Design Manual ( Chapter 1000: Bicycle Transportation Design), the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, and design guidance established by a national association of public transportation officials such as the National Association of City Transportation Officials ( NACTO).
Meet the Public Rights- of- Way Accessibility Guidelines.
Applicants must have completed a feasibility study or an equivalent project feasibility evaluation.
Some examples of capital projects include, but are not limited to:
Public plazas
Pedestrian street crossings
Streetscape improvements ( such as median landscaping, street trees, lighting, and street furniture)
Parklets
Traffic calming features ( such as pedestrian bulb- outs or traffic circles) Access improvements to transit stations/ routes
Wayfinding signage
Community gateway features
Pedestrian and bike paths and bridges
On- street bike lanes
Bike parking
Low- impact development elements included as part of the above Climate Action Plan Projects
The 2021 Regional Plan and GHG Mitigation Measure 5A included in the Environmental Impact Report requires SANDAG to make funding available for local jurisdictions to prepare new CAPs and CAP Updates and GHG reduction plans that keep pace with future longer- term State targets and goals for GHG emissions reductions. Any new or updated CAP or GHG reduction plan receiving funding through SGIP shall meet the following minimum criteria:
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11 Be adopted by the jurisdiction' s governing body ( city council or Board of Supervisors).
Establish a locally appropriate 2030 GHG reduction target for communitywide GHG emissions derived from the State’s legislative target for 2030 ( as established by SB 32 or as amended by future legislation), and establish long- term targets.
Shall quantify, using substantial evidence, how local GHG reduction strategies, programs, and measures would meet or exceed the local GHG reduction target.
Shall establish a mechanism to monitor the plan’s progress toward achieving the target, including reporting data to SANDAG consistent with, and inclusion in, the Climate Action Data Portal or similar database, and a requirement to amend the plan if it is not achieving adopted goals.
3. Other Project Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible, a project must also meet all of the following criteria:
Funded projects must not have alcohol, political, religious, or discriminatory themes or affiliations.
Projects must be able to meet the performance measures that are included in the grant agreement between SANDAG and the Grantee.
Projects already underway and that are fully funded are eligible to apply ONLY if the application requests funds for additional work beyond the scope of the current project. TransNet funds cannot be used to replace existing project funding.
4. Project Milestone and Completion Deadlines
The project schedule must confirm the following milestone and completion deadlines established in SANDAG Board Policy No. 035.
Planning and Climate Action Plan Projects
If a consultant contract is required, the project must be completed within three years of receiving the Notice to Proceed ( NTP) from SANDAG.
If no consultant contract is necessary, the project must be completed within two years of receiving the NTP from SANDAG.
Completion is when the grantee approves the final planning project deliverable specified in the grant agreement. The grantee’ s policies shall determine the level of approval required ( e.g., staff or City Counsel).
Capital Projects
If a construction contract is required, the project must be open to the public within three and a half years following SANDAG’s issuance of the NTP.
If no construction contract is necessary, the project must be open to the public within eighteen months following SANDAG’s issuance of the NTP.
Completion of construction is when the prime construction contractor is relieved from its maintenance responsibilities.
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12 B. Eligible Expenses
Eligible expenses must be directly related to executing the project scope of work, including Direct and Indirect Costs. SANDAG will only reimburse costs that were actually incurred for the project after the Notice to Proceed has been issued, and only up to the amount awarded in the grant agreement. In the event of project cost overruns, SANDAG will not pay more than the original amount specified in the grant agreement.
C. Ineligible Activities and Expenses
Ineligible projects and activities are those that do not align with the program goals and objectives. Projects already funded by TransNet are not eligible.
The following activities and expenses are ineligible through the grant program:
Capital financing, operation, or funding related to programs of individual development projects
Administrative costs of persons employed by the grantee for activities not directly related to the preparation and adoption of the proposed activity or activities Costs for work performed prior to SANDAG issuing a Notice to Proceed or following the termination of the grant agreement; or
Claims or litigation costs
Curb, gutter, and other drainage improvements
Driveway Ramps Installed Across Sidewalks
If local roadway design standards require a roadway shoulder to be the standard bike lane width of five feet or wider, the cost of the shoulder construction is not eligible.
Projects, including roadway shoulder construction, that do not exclusively and explicitly provide bike or pedestrian infrastructure are ineligible.
Projects that are a required element of a larger capital improvement project.
If necessary, Applicants can include curb, gutter, and other drainage improvements as part of their broader application, and allocate Matching Funds toward their construction. Applicants should consult with SANDAG staff before they submit a grant application to confirm eligible and ineligible expenses. For example, if the removal and/ or replacement of curb and gutter, driveway ramps, drainage facilities, and other existing improvements will be necessary to construct a bikeway or sidewalk, the cost of this work is likely eligible; however, Applicants will be required to justify the necessary inclusion of such improvements before submitting the grant application.
V. Funding
A. Available Funding
45 million is available through this CFP. SANDAG intends to award projects from each of the three project types as described below. The total amount of funding awarded for each project type will be determined by the number of applications received, the Minimum Total Application Score, each application’ s Total Application Score, and the Application Evaluation Process described in this Call for Projects.
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13 Capital Projects - $ 30 million could be allocated to capital projects.
Planning Projects - $ 12million could be allocated to planning projects.
Climate Action Plan Projects - $ 3 million could be allocated to climate action plan projects.
SANDAG reserves the right to partially fund projects and to fund less than the amount available in a given grant cycle. See the section entitled “ Partial Awards”.
B. Minimum and Maximum Grant Awards
The minimum and maximum grant awards for an individual project under each project type are included in the table below.
Project Type Minimum Award Maximum Award
Planning $ 150,000 $ 1,000, 000
Capital $ 500, 000 $ 3,500, 000
Climate Action Plan $ 150,000 $ 400,000
C. Matching Funds
No Matching Funds are required; however, points will be awarded based on evidence of Matching Funds in the application. Matching funds can consist of in- kind services or cash match from the Applicant, funds from outside sources such as developer contributions, non- profit contributions, other state or federal funds ( e.g., Caltrans planning grants), or other quantifiable sources. Other TransNet funds, including Local Street and Road Program funding, cannot be used as Matching Funds. Applicants are required to provide adequate documentation of Matching Funds and the match source( s) in the application.
D. Indirect Costs
Grant funds may be used toward Indirect Costs if they are related to the project scope of work and the application indicates that reimbursement for indirect costs would be requested. Applicants who wish to request reimbursement for indirect costs are required to disclose this in their application.
Applicants must use one of the following options to receive reimbursement for indirect costs:
If the Applicant has a FNICR recognized by the federal government, that rate must be used, and the approval must be submitted to SANDAG.
Elect the de minimis rate under 2 CFR 200 if the Applicant has never received a FNICR.
The current de minimis rate is 15%. Applicants who have an ICAP approved by their elected body ( City Council or Board of Supervisors), management, another individual within the agency, or any other non- federally approved agency must choose to elect the de minimis rate when charging indirect costs.
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14 VI. Other Program Requirements
A. SANDAG Board Policy No. 035
SANDAG Board Policy No. 035, “Competitive Grant Program Procedures,” applies to all grant programs administered through SANDAG. Applicants should be aware of the following requirements.
1. Applicant Resolution
Within 30 days following the grant application deadline, Applicants must submit a resolution from their authorized governing body that:
commits to providing the minimum Matching Funds percentage outlined in the Call for Projects; and
authorizes the Applicant’ s staff to accept the grant funding and execute a grant agreement if an award is made by SANDAG.
If an Applicant fails to provide a resolution that meets the above requirements, that application will be considered nonresponsive and will no longer be considered in the competitive process. Applicants are encouraged to use the sample resolution included in this CFP.
If the Applicant wishes to submit its Board Policy No. 035 resolution with its Application by the Application Submission deadline, the Applicant may include its resolution in BidNet. If the Applicant does not submit its Board Policy No. 035 resolution by the Application Deadline, the resolution must be emailed to grantsdistribution@sandag. org by the date listed in the Timeline.
2. Grant Agreement Execution
After the Board approves the funding recommendations, SANDAG will present a grant agreement to the awarded Applicant. An authorized representative of the awarded Applicant must sign the grant agreement within 45 days from the date SANDAG presents the grant agreement to the awarded Applicant. Failure to meet this requirement may result in revocation of the grant award. Applicants are encouraged to review the sample grant agreement included with this CFP to ensure compliance with this provision.
3. Project Milestone and Completion Deadlines
When signing a grant agreement, grantees must agree to the project deliverables and schedule in the agreement. In addition, a grantee’ s project schedule in its application and grant agreement must adhere to the deadlines listed in the “Project Milestone and Completion Deadlines” in this call for projects. Failure to meet the project milestone and completion deadlines following SANDAG’s issuance of the Notice to Proceed on the project may result in the revocation of all grant funds not already expended.
Grantees may request and be granted a twelve- month extension at the SANDAG staff level. This twelve- month period is cumulative over the entire duration of the grant.
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15 committee for time extensions longer than twelve months. In all instances, a grantee seeking an extension must document previous efforts undertaken to maintain the project schedule, explain the reasons for the delay, explain why the delay is unavoidable, and demonstrate an ability to succeed in the extended timeframe the grantee proposes.
B. Performance Measures
SANDAG has identified numerous performance metrics that can be used to measure a project’ s success in meeting the SGIP goals and objectives. Applicants must review the SGIP Performance Metrics, select the ones that apply to their project, and provide baseline data in their application that will be used to measure their project’ s success at the end of the grant agreement. The SGIP Performance Metrics are provided as an attachment to this CFP and are available in BidNet.
All SGIP grantees must meet the performance measures they select during the application process, which are included in the grant agreement. The grantee must report on its progress toward meeting the performance measures in its quarterly progress report. If SANDAG believes the grantee will not be able to achieve the performance measures in its grant agreement, SANDAG will require the grantee to submit a plan that outlines how the grantee will meet the performance measures and a timeline to do so. If the grantee cannot meet its stated performance measures, the ITOC, RPC, and TC may be asked to provide direction to SANDAG staff, including whether to terminate the grant and repay any previously reimbursed expenses.
C. Baseline Data Collection ( Capital projects only)
Before the construction of grant- funded improvements, the Grantee must work with SANDAG and its consultant, who will develop a baseline data collection plan to gather information on walking and biking activity in the project area before the improvements are made. A subtask for this work has been included in the scope of work template.
D. Project Implementation and Oversight Requirements
1. Project Communication
The Grantee must provide SANDAG with contact information for the project manager and keep this information up- to- date. SANDAG should be notified promptly in case of a change to the Grantee’s project manager. Grantees must notify SANDAG of events related to the grant- funded project, such as groundbreakings, ribbon cuttings, and community workshops, and provide project before and after photos and required signage. The Grantee will be asked to provide project milestone information to support SANDAG media and communication efforts. SANDAG staff may attend any meetings as appropriate.
2. Plan Review ( Capital projects only)
The Grantee must submit project design drawings to SANDAG for review and comment at 30 percent, 60 percent, 90 percent, and 100 percent. SANDAG may comment on submitted plans regarding consistency with the original project application and accepted bike/ pedestrian facility and smart growth design standards. 04/08/2025
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16 3. Quarterly Progress Reports
Grantees must complete and submit quarterly progress reports that illustrate the grantee’ s efforts to make timely progress on their project, including meeting the performance measures. SANDAG will provide a standard progress report template that the grantee must use. Quarterly reports will be due on the last day of the month following the quarter' s close. SANDAG will summarize the information in the grantee’ s progress report, which will be provided to the RPC and TC at their next meeting. Staff also provides semi- annual progress reports to the ITOC in January and June each year.
Quarter Performance
Period
Report Due Date RPC and TC
Meeting Date
1 7/1 – 9/30 10/31 January
2 10/1 – 12/31 1/31 April
3 1/ 1 – 3/31 4/ 30 July
4 4/ 1 – 6/30 7/31 October
SANDAG will monitor the grantee' s progress and performance against the scope of work and schedule in the grant agreement. If SANDAG believes the grantee is not making timely progress or is not adhering to the terms of the grant agreement, this information will be reported to the RPC and TC. SANDAG will notify the grantee if it believes the grantee’ s performance warrants notification of RPC and TC. Poor performance may be grounds for termination of the grant agreement and revocation of the grant, as determined by RPC or TC.
4. Invoices
Grant funding is by reimbursement only. Funds will not be disbursed until SANDAG and the grantee have fully executed a grant agreement, and project expenses incurred by the grantee before the Notice to Proceed issuance are not eligible for reimbursement.
To be reimbursed for project expenses, grantees must submit an invoice packet consisting of an invoice coversheet, expense summary, and invoice history. Grantees are required to use the invoice template provided by SANDAG. Invoices submitted without a corresponding progress report will not be processed. Any third- party consultant or contractor expenses must be accompanied by proof of a competitive procurement or a sole source justification signed by the SANDAG Grants Program Manager to be eligible for reimbursement.
To qualify for reimbursement, the following requirements must be met:
Staff costs must be submitted with payroll documentation. Personally identifiable information ( social security numbers, home addresses, etc.) must not be provided to SANDAG.
Third- party vendor ( consultant or contractor) invoices must be submitted with:
o Proof of payment, such as a copy of a check provided to the vendor or a printout for the grantee’ s financial system showing the funds were dispersed. o The vendor’s invoice and backup documentation ( schedule of values, receipts for expenses)
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17 Clearly identify all grant- related expenses that include non- related costs. Grantees can highlight, circle, or use a separate document/ spreadsheet to differentiate the grant- related costs from other costs unrelated to the grant.
All receipts and invoices must be detailed, dated, directly related to the project scope of work, and incurred after the Notice to Proceed date and before the grant expiration date.
SANDAG will make payments for eligible invoices as promptly as SANDAG fiscal procedures permit upon receipt of the grantee’ s invoice packet, backup documentation, deliverables, and confirmation by the SGIP Program Manager that the grantee is in compliance with the requirements in the grant agreement. SANDAG shall retain 10 percent of the amounts invoiced until the completion of the project.
5. Matching Funds
If the grant agreement contains Matching Funds, the grantee must provide a cumulative match over the grant period such that the total Matching Funds amount provided at the end of the grant period is equal to or greater than the match percentage required under the grant agreement. Grantees may forfeit the grant award and be responsible for the repayment of grant funds to SANDAG if the cumulative match percentage falls below the required percentage or if grantees fail to provide sufficient documentation of Matching Funds.
6. Final Progress Report, Invoice, and Project Closeout Once the grantee determines the project is complete, a final progress report and invoice will be submitted to SANDAG. SANDAG will provide the final progress report template the grantee will be required to use. Final progress reports should detail all completed project activities, challenges, successes, and a description of how the project is expected to promote smart growth. The report will also include the performance measures listed in the grant agreement and document the grantee’ s ability to achieve them. The grantee should provide the deliverables listed in the scope of work with the final progress report. The final progress report should accompany a final invoice, including all remaining project expenses.
Upon receipt of a final progress report, invoice, and deliverables, SANDAG will verify that the full scope of work in the grant agreement was completed and that the performance measures were met. For capital projects, SANDAG will conduct a site visit of the project to ensure that the entire scope of work was completed. Photos of the completed project will be taken and provided to the RPC and TC. SANDAG will also confirm whether the contractor and the grantee have met all labor compliance requirements.
Once SANDG verifies that the project has been completed and can be closed out, the grantee will be asked to submit an invoice for the retention amounts withheld.
Following SANDAG’s payment of the grantee’ s retention invoice, the project will be closed.
E. Public Record and Record Retention Policy
All applications submitted in response to this CFP become the property of SANDAG and are considered a public record. As such, applications and other project- related documentation may be subject to public review per SANDAG Board Policy No. 015: Records Management. 04/08/2025
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18 Grantees must retain project- related documents for at least three years after receipt of final payment from SANDAG. These documents must be made available to SANDAG upon request.
F. Notice of Prevailing Wage
California law requires that public works projects pay prevailing wages for workers. As applicable, grantees are required to comply with the provisions of California Labor Code Sections 1775et seq, which includes the payment of prevailing wages to all workers performing prevailing wage work. Additional details can be found in the grant agreement.
VII. Application and Submittal Process
A. Application Materials
Application materials are available online at https:// www. bidnetdirect. com/ sandag/ sandag- grants. Different applications are available depending on the project type. The Applicant is responsible for completing the appropriate application for their project.
Applicants will submit their completed application with all required signatures by the Application Deadline. An incomplete application may be considered nonresponsive. For an application to be considered complete, it must include all the materials described in the application and be submitted prior to the Application Deadline.
SANDAG reserves the right to cancel or revise at any time, for any or no reason, in part or its entirety, this CFP. If SANDAG revises or cancels the CFP prior to the Application Deadline, Applicants who have downloaded the Call for Projects materials in BidNet will be notified by email.
B. Applicant Webinar, Questions, and Application Assistance
1. Pre- Application Webinar
SANDAG will host a pre- application webinar for all prospective Applicants to provide an overview of this CFP, the application process, and to address any questions. See the Timeline for the date and time of the webinar. SANDAG staff will also provide information and address questions on the eligibility, approval, contracting, and specific requirements of this grant program. This workshop will be held virtually. SANDAG will post the virtual meeting link and other details on BidNet.
2. Call for Projects Questions
Prospective Applicants may submit questions through the SANDAG web- based vendor portal BidNet, available at https:// www. bidnetdirect. com/ sandag/ sandag- grants.
Questions submitted after the Question Deadline or outside of BidNet will not be answered. See the Timeline for the deadline to submit questions. 04/08/2025
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19 3. Application Assistance
Prospective Applicants may request a meeting with SANDAG Grants staff to obtain assistance with an application, including a discussion of a possible project or assistance with utilizing BidNet. See the Timeline for the deadline to request a meeting.
C. Submittal Process
Applicants shall submit application documents via the SANDAG web- based vendor portal BidNet, available at https:// www. bidnetdirect. com/ sandag/ sandag- grants. Applications submitted by mail, facsimile, or email in lieu of electronic copies uploaded to the online web- based portal will not be acceptable and will not be considered. Any application that is missing pages or cannot be opened for any reason may be considered nonresponsive.
Applicants are responsible for fully uploading their entire application before the Application Deadline. It is the Applicant’ s sole responsibility to contact the SANDAG bid management provider, BidNet, to resolve any technical issues related to electronic submittal, including, but not limited to, registering as a vendor, updating password, updating profiles, uploading/ downloading documents, and submitting an electronic offer, prior to the submission deadline. BidNet’ s Vendor Support team is available Monday- Friday from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific Time at ( 800) 835-4603 or e-procurementsupport@bidnet. com.
VIII. Application Evaluation Process and Awards
A. Responsiveness Review
SANDAG Grants staff reviews submitted applications to ensure they are responsive to the requirements outlined in this CFP. If an application is deemed nonresponsive, SANDAG Grants staff will notify the Applicant in writing. Applicants may protest a nonresponsive determination pursuant to the protest procedures ( see Protest Procedures). Unless a protest is filed and substantiated, an application that is deemed nonresponsive will not continue in the competitive selection process.
B. Eligibility Screening
Following the application submittal period and concurrently with the responsiveness review, SANDAG staff will perform an eligibility screening of all submitted applications. An eligibility screening involves verifying that an Applicant and their proposed project meet the eligibility requirements included in this CFP. During the eligibility screening process, SANDAG reserves the right to request additional information and/ or clarification from any or all Applicants but is not required to do so. Staff may also seek input from a policy advisory committee to determine eligibility. Projects that pass the eligibility screening will be scored ( see Project Scoring).
Any Applicants deemed ineligible or whose projects have been deemed ineligible during the eligibility screening will be notified in writing when the determination is made. Applicants may protest the eligibility determination pursuant to the protest procedures ( see Protest Procedures). Unless a protest is filed and substantiated, an application that is deemed ineligible will not continue in the competitive selection process. 04/08/2025
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20 This CFP does not commit SANDAG to award a contract, defray any costs incurred in preparing an application pursuant to this CFP, or procure or contract for work. SANDAG may reject applications without providing the reason( s) underlying the rejection. Failure by SANDAG to award a funding agreement to Applicants will not result in a cause of action against SANDAG.
1. Scope of Work Review
SANDAG Grant' s staff will review the scope of work for all Planning and Climate Action Plan projects to ensure that there are tasks and subtasks with sufficient details needed to describe the project activities to be completed by the Applicant. Staff will meet with each Applicant to review the scope of work in detail and make any necessary changes to include additional tasks, subtasks, or other details that can assist with project monitoring, closeout, and future performance audits. The revised scope of work will be used in the evaluation process.
C. Scoring and Awarding of Funds
Eligible projects will be scored using the Qualitative and Quantitative criteria approved by the SANDAG Board of Directors and included in this CFP. There are three sets of scoring criteria: Capital, Planning, and Climate Action Plan. The application used will dictate which of the scoring criteria are used by the Evaluation Committee:
1. Qualitative Scoring
An external evaluation panel will provide the Qualitative criteria scores for eligible applications. The evaluation panel will typically consist of at least three but no more than five public members who are familiar with the San Diego region and the grant program goals and objectives.
To avoid conflicts of interest, all evaluation panel members will be screened to be sure they do not have an affiliation with any of the Applicants or proposed projects.
Individuals who work for a private company that could potentially receive a future contract from an SGIP Applicant due to the project being selected for funding will not be permitted to serve as evaluators.
2. Quantitative Scoring
SANDAG Grants and Data Science staff will provide the Quantitative criteria scores for each project. Points associated with Quantitative criteria undergo a quality assurance/ quality control ( QA/ QC) review to ensure that data used in the Quantitative scoring process are accurate and points were awarded appropriately.
3. Calculation of Total Application Scores
An application’ s Average Qualitative Score will be calculated by summing all evaluator scores for that application and dividing by the number of evaluators. The application’ s Average Qualitative Score will then be added to the Quantitative scores, producing the Total Application Score.
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21 4. Tiebreakers
If two or more projects receive the same Total Application Score, the following methodology in descending order will be used as the tiebreaker:
Capital Projects:
Highest score on the Criteria # 3
Highest combined score on Criteria # 4
Highest combined score on Criteria # 2
Planning Projects:
Highest score on Criteria # 3
Highest combined score on Criteria # 4
Highest combined score on Criteria # 2
Climate Action Plan Projects:
Project that is a new CAP or CAP Update
Highest combined score on Criteria # 2
Highest combined score on Criteria # 3
5. Minimum Total Application Score
To ensure grant funds support quality projects, a project must receive a Total Application Score that is at least 50 points to be eligible for funding.
6. Funding Recommendations and Geographic Funding Distribution Following the scoring process outlined above, applications in each project type will be placed in descending Total Application Score order ( from the highest to lowest).
Projects will be recommended to receive funding based on this order and the following.
As previously stated, partial awards may be recommended ( see the section entitled Partial Awards”).
First, for each project type the applications will be recommended to receive funding in descending Total Application Score order, until all Applicants with applications receiving scores 50 points or higher have received funding for at least one project or funding is exhausted, whichever comes first.
If funding remains, additional applications will be recommended to receive funding in descending Total Application Score order until funding is exhausted.
SANDAG will recommend a list of projects to the Board of Directors that are financially constrained by the amount of funding available.
7. Social Equity Analysis
SANDAG will conduct a social equity analysis to determine whether the funding recommendations if approved, will result in an equitable distribution in the region. 04/08/2025
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22 8. Partial Awards
Given the competitive nature of the grant program and the finite amount of funds available through this CFP, Applicants may receive partial awards. Additionally, SANDAG may choose to roll over any remaining funds not awarded through this Call for Projects to a future CFP. SANDAG handles partial awards differently based on the scalability of a project. SANDAG, at its sole discretion, will determine whether a project is Scalable or Non- Scalable.
Applicants whose projects are recommended for partial award and are Scalable will be required to work with SANDAG staff before grant agreement execution to alter the scope of work, budget, and schedule submitted as a part of the application to reflect a reduced scope of work.
Applicants whose projects are recommended for partial award and cannot be scaled will be asked if they would like to accept the partial funding award with the condition that the entire project, as proposed in the scope of work included in the application, must be completed. Applicants will be required to contribute additional Matching Funds than listed in their application to complete the project scope of work.
If an Applicant cannot provide the necessary Matching Funds and declines the partial funding award, the award will be offered consistent with the process identified in the section entitled “ Application Evaluation Process.” If no Applicant accepts the funding, the funding may be rolled over to future funding cycles.
9. Review of Project Eligibility
Prior to taking the funding recommendations to the policy advisory committee and Board of Directors, ITOC will be asked to review the recommended projects and verify that the projects are consistent with the TransNet Extension Ordinance and eligible for funding.
10. Approval of the Funding Recommendations and Contingency List Following the ITOC eligibility review, the funding recommendations will be presented to the relevant policy advisory committee for recommendation to the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors will then be asked to approve the proposed funding recommendations.
SANDAG will provide Applicants with a Notice of Intent to Award in advance of the publication of the meeting agenda in which the funding recommendations will be presented. See the Timeline for the Notice of Intent to Award date.
D. Grant Agreement Execution
If awarded funds, an Applicant will enter into a grant agreement with SANDAG for the approved project scope of services and become a “grantee.” A sample grant agreement is included with the CFP.
Applicants are encouraged to review the sample grant agreement within their organization prior to submitting an application. Aside from any potential errors or omissions, the terms of the grant agreement will be substantially the same as those in the sample grant agreement 04/08/2025
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23 and are non- negotiable. Failure to sign and return the grant agreement within 45 days of receiving the grant agreement from SANDAG may result in revocation of the grant award.
See the section entitled “ SANDAG Board Policy No. 035.” E. Protests
SANDAG grant program protest procedures may be obtained online at https:// www. sandag. org/ funding/ grant- programs.
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24 I. Capital Scoring Criteria and Rubric
Capital projects will be scored based on the Applicant' s responses to the Capital Project Scoring Criteria below. The Capital Project Scoring Rubric is a guide for SANDAG staff and the Evaluation Panel to assist with awarding points based on the Scoring Criteria. The Objective criteria ( points calculated by SANDAG’s Department of Data Science or Grants staff) are marked with an asterisk (*).
A. Capital Project Scoring Criteria
No. CRITERIA POINTS
POSSIBLE
1. * RELATIONSHIP TO REGIONAL TRANSIT 10
The project area includes or is within 0.5 miles of a 2035 Transit Priority Area
10 The project area includes or is within 0.5 miles of an existing or planned transit stop
5 2. FURTHERSTHE REGIONALPLAN AND SUSTAINABLECOMMUNITIES
IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES
15 A. The degree to which the project furthers the Sustainable Communities Strategy
i. * Proximity To A Mobility Hub
ii. Furthers The Sustainable Communities Strategy
5 B. The degree to which the project furthers safety and the Regional Vision Zero Resolution
i. * Proximity To The Safety Focus Network Or Systemic Safety Network ii. Proposed Safety Improvements
5 C. The degree to which the project furthers equity and benefits disadvantaged communities
i. * Project Location
ii. Benefit To A Disadvantaged Community
5 3. SMART GROWTH IMPLEMENTATION 15
The degree to which the project furthers smart growth principles and implementation
4. PROJECTFEASIBILITY 30
A. * Project development milestones that are completed on or before the Application Deadline. 10
B. The degree to which the project will efficiently use program funds, as demonstrated by the proposed project scope, schedule, and budget. 15 C. The degree to which community members have been engaged and outreach is incorporated throughout the project.
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25 5. * BOARD POLICYNO. 033 25
A. Prohousing Policies ( Favorable Zoning and Land Use, Acceleration of Housing Production Timeframes, Reduction of Construction and Development Costs, Providing Financial Subsidies)
12.5 B. Housing Equity/ Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing 12.5
6. * MATCHING FUNDS 5
Points will be awarded based on the scale provided in the Scoring Rubric.
TOTAL 100
B. Capital Scoring Rubric
Below is a general scoring guide that provides more specific language based on a project’ s ability to meet the evaluation criteria.
Term Definition
Clearly and convincingly to a considerable extent with substantive documentation or evidence
Sufficiently to a satisfactory extent with adequate
documentation or evidence
Mostly to a large extent with general documentation
or evidence
Partially to a limited extent with incomplete
documentation or evidence
Minimally to a small extent and without documentation
or evidence
Does Not Demonstrate unable to address criterion, even to a minimal extent
1. Relationship To Regional Transit
NOTE: The SANDAG Data Science staff will calculate the points awarded for these criteria.
Points will be awarded based on the proposed project’ s proximity to existing or programmed transit facilities included in the 2035 Transit Priority Areas identified in the SANDAG 2021 Regional Plan. An interactive map that identifies the Mobility Hubs can be found here:
https:// sandag. maps. arcgis. com/ apps/ Cascade/ index. html? appid= 897af882e8c14b1e996c33e 48bc15347.
A regional transit station is defined as any station served by COASTER, SPRINTER, Trolley, Rapid, or Rapid Express Routes. A local transit stop is defined as any stop served by MTS bus routes or NCTD BREEZE services. A list of MTS transit services and stations is available here:
https:// www. sdmts. com/ transit- services. A list of NCTD services and stations is available here:
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26 https:// gonctd. com/ services/ transit- centers/. Distance refers to walking distance based on actual available pathways. Up to 10 points possible
Applicant Response Points
The project area includes or is within 0.5 miles of a 2035 Transit Priority Area in the 2021 Regional Plan 10 points
The project area includes or is within 0.5 miles of an existing or planned transit stop 5 points
The project does not include or is not within 0.5 miles of an existing or planned transit stop 0 points
2. Furthers The Regional Plan And Sustainable Communities Implementation Strategies Up to 15points possible)
A. Sustainable Communities Strategy ( Up to 5 points possible) i. Proximity To A Mobility Hub
NOTE: The SANDAG Data Science staff will calculate the points awarded for these criteria. Points will be awarded based on the proposed project’ s proximity to one or more Mobility Hubs included in the SANDAG 2021 Regional Plan. An interactive map that identifies the Mobility Hubs can be found here:
https:// sandag. maps. arcgis. com/ apps/ Cascade/ index. html? appid= 897af882e8c14b1e9 96c33e48bc15347. Up to 2 points possible
Applicant Response Points
The project includes or is within a Mobility Hub 2 points The project does not include nor is within a Mobility Hub 0 points ii. Furthers The Sustainable Communities Strategy
The primary purpose of the Sustainable Communities Strategy is to show how development patterns and our transportation system will work together to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for cars and light trucks, providing a more sustainable future for our region. Ways to do this include implementing a land use strategy that facilitates VMT reduction, zoning for a higher density of housing than is currently allowed, improving jobs- housing balance, and planning for transportation/ mobility improvements to better connect housing to the existing/ planned regional transportation network. Applicants will receive points based on the degree to which the project furthers the Sustainable Communities Strategy.
Up to 3 points possible
Applicant Response Points
Clearly and convincingly demonstrates how it furthers the SCS and provides substantive documentation or evidence. 3 points 04/08/2025
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27 Sufficiently demonstrates how it furthers the SCS and provides adequate documentation or evidence. 2 points
Partially demonstrates how it furthers the SCS and provides incomplete documentation or evidence. 1point
Unable to address criterion, even to a minimal extent 0 points B. Furthers Safety And The Regional Vision Zero Resolution The SANDAG Board of Directors adopted a Regional Vision Zero Resolution that includes steps toward eliminating all traffic fatalities and severe injuries while increasing safe, healthy, and equitable mobility options for all. Applicants will receive points based on the degree to which the project furthers safety and the Region Vision Zero Resolution. Up to 5 points possible
i. Proximity To The Safety Focus Network Or Systemic Safety Network NOTE: The SANDAG Data Science staff will calculate the points awarded for this criterion. Points will be awarded based on the proposed project’ s proximity to the Safety Focus Network or Systemic Safety Network. An interactive map that identifies the SFN and SSN can be found here:
https:// sandag. maps. arcgis. com/ apps/ Cascade/ index. html? appid= 897af882e8c14b1e9 96c33e48bc15347. Up to 2 points possible
Applicant Response Points
The project is on or within . 25 miles of the Safety Focus Network ( SFN) or Systemic Safety Network ( SSN). 2 points
The project is not on or within . 25 miles of the Safety Focus Network SFN) or Systemic Safety Network ( SSN). 0 points
ii. Proposed Safety Improvements
The applicant will receive points if the project includes proven bicycle, pedestrian, and traffic calming safety countermeasures. Applicants should review the Federal Highway Administration’ s Proven Safety Countermeasures and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration ( NHTSA)’s Countermeasures That Work for examples and additional guidance. Up to 3 points possible
Applicant Response Points
The project includes proven bicycle, pedestrian, and traffic calming safety countermeasures. 3 points
The project does not include proven bicycle, pedestrian, and traffic calming safety countermeasures. 0 points
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28 C. Furthers Equity And Benefits Disadvantaged Communities ( Up to 5 points possible)
i. Project Location
NOTE: The SANDAG Data Science staff will calculate the points awarded for these criteria. Points will be awarded if the project is located in a disadvantaged community as identified in the SANDAG 2021 Regional Plan. An interactive map that identifies the disadvantaged communities can be found here:
https:// sandag. maps. arcgis. com/ apps/ Cascade/ index. html? appid= 897af882e8c14b1e9 96c33e48bc15347. Up to 2 points possible
Applicant Response Points
The project includes or is located in a disadvantaged community. 2 points The project does not include or is not located in a disadvantaged community
0 points
ii. Benefit To A Disadvantaged Community
Applicants will receive points based on the degree to which the project furthers equity and benefits disadvantaged communities. Up to 3 points possible Applicant Response Points
Sufficiently demonstrates that it furthers equity and benefits disadvantaged communities 3 points
Partially demonstrates that it furthers equity and benefits disadvantaged communities 1point
Does not demonstrate that it furthers equity and benefits disadvantaged communities 0 points
3. Smart Growth Implementation ( Up to 15 points possible) SANDAG seeks to promote a pattern of development with whole communities that feature a convenient mix of travel choices, safer streets, and supportive amenities. Smart Growth is a compact, efficient, and environmentally sensitive pattern of development that provides people with additional travel, housing, and employment choices by focusing future growth away from rural areas and closer to existing and planned job centers and public facilities while preserving open space and natural resources. The basic principles of smart growth include:
Mix land uses.
Take advantage of compact building design.
Create a range of housing opportunities and choices.
Create walkable neighborhoods.
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29 Foster distinctive, attractive communities with a strong sense of place.
Preserve open space, farmland, natural beauty, and critical environmental areas.
Strengthen and direct development towards existing communities.
Provide a variety of transportation choices.
Make development decisions predictable, fair, and cost effective.
Encourage community and stakeholder collaboration in development decisions Applicants will receive points based on the degree to which the proposed project furthers smart growth principles implementation and strategies. Up to 15points possible Applicant Response Points
Clearly and convincingly demonstrates smart growth policy implementation and directly furthers the basic principles of smart growth strategies by providing substantive documentation or evidence.
13-15
points
Sufficiently demonstrates smart growth policy implementation and furthers the basic principles of smart growth strategies by providing sufficient documentation or evidence.
10-12
points
Mostly demonstrates smart growth policy implementation and furthers the basic principles of smart growth strategies by providing adequate documentation or evidence.
7-9 points
Partially demonstrates smart growth policy implementation and furthers the basic principles of smart growth strategies by providing some documentation or evidence.
4- 6 points
Minimally demonstrates smart growth policy implementation and furthers the basic principles of smart growth strategies but provides no documentation or evidence.
1-3 points
Unable to address criterion, even to a minimal extent. 0 points
4. Project Feasibility ( Up to 30 Points Possible)
A. Completion Of Major Milestones
NOTE: SANDAG Grants staff will calculate the points awarded for this criterion.
Points will be awarded for project development milestones that are completed on or before the Application Deadline, based on the dates that the Applicant provides in the grant application. Up to 10points possible
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30 Applicant Response Points
Planning Document
The neighborhood- level plan, corridor study, or community active transportation strategy is completed on or before the Application Deadline. 1point The neighborhood- level plan, corridor study, or community active transportation strategy will be completed after the Application Deadline. 0 points Environmental Review
Environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act is completed or will be completed before the Application Deadline. 2 points Environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act will be completed after the Application Deadline. 0 points
Right- Of- Way Acquisition and All Necessary Entitlements Right- of- way acquisition and all necessary entitlements or evidence that right- of- way acquisition is not required are completed on or before the Application Deadline.
3 points
Right- of- way acquisition and all necessary entitlements or evidence that right- of- way acquisition is not required will be completed after the Application Deadline.
0 points
Ready To Bid for Construction
The project will be ready to bid for construction within 6 months or less of the Application Deadline. 4 points
The project will be ready to bid for construction within 12months or less of the Application Deadline. 3 points
The project will be ready to bid for construction within 18months or less of the Application Deadline. 2 points
The project will be ready to bid for construction within 24 months or less of the Application Deadline. 1point
The project will be ready to bid for construction within 24 months or more of the application deadline. 0 points
B. Efficient Use Of Program Funds
There are never enough grant funds to pay for all of the projects worthy of funding in the San Diego region. For this reason, SANDAG awards grant funds on a competitive basis that takes the Applicant’ s ability to perform their proposed project on a timely basis into account. SANDAG holds grantees accountable to the project schedules they have proposed in their grant application in order to ensure fairness in the competitive process and encourage grantees to implement projects quickly so the public can benefit from project deliverables as soon as possible.
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31 Applicants will receive points based on the degree to which the project will efficiently use program funds, as demonstrated by the proposed project scope, schedule, and budget and the following factors. Up to 15 points possible
The scope of work should identify all major tasks and subtasks that are necessary to complete the project. The Applicant should take into consideration any tasks or subtasks that may be necessary, even if, during project implementation, those tasks are deemed unnecessary. Projects currently in the planning phase should consider the steps it will take to complete the planning work, including robust stakeholder engagement. Projects that have not yet completed environmental review should consider the work necessary to achieve CEQA compliance. Projects that are not within the right- of- way owned by the Applicant should consider all right- of- way acquisition and entitlement requirements and the effort required to complete those steps, including subtasks when appropriate. Applicants are strongly encouraged to consider any regulatory influence on the project ( e.g. the Public Utilities Commission, California Coastal Commission, etc.). Any tasks that require approval or input from another public agency should also be included. All projects should consider the effort necessary to prepare a public works project for competitive bidding and ensure that their agency’s procurement requirements will be met before putting the project out to bid. The scope of work should also consider the approvals needed to enter into the contract with the construction contractor and any other consultant or support services ( e.g., design support, construction management, and labor compliance) needed during project construction.
The project schedule should include start dates that are reasonable, taking into account any work that has already been completed before the NTP has been issued, and any other tasks or subtasks that might impact the start date. Project durations and completion dates should be reasonable and take into account timeframes that the Applicant can actually achieve. Applicants should keep in mind that they will be required to adhere to the schedule listed in their grant application, and that all schedules must meet the Project Milestone and Completion Deadlines that are listed in SANDAG Board Policy No. 035. Applicants are strongly discouraged from including timeframes that are not reasonable, and Applicants should be aware that any awarded project that cannot meet the Project Milestone and Completion Deadlines will be put on the watch list and subject to scrutiny by the TransNet Independent Taxpayer Oversight Committee, and Regional Planning and Transportation Committees.
The project budget should consider all of the tasks and subtasks listed in the scope of work. Each task and subtask should identify reasonable costs to complete the task or subtask, and any matching funds should be included. Please note that all dates in the schedule are starting from the date SANDAG will issue the Notice to Proceed to the Applicant, which is typically within 30- 45 days of the funding awards being approved by the Board of Directors.
Applicant Response Points
Clearly and convincingly demonstrates that the project will efficiently use the grant funding.
13- 15
points
Sufficiently demonstrates the project will efficiently use the grant funding by providing sufficient documentation or evidence.
10-12
points
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32 Mostly demonstrates the project will efficiently use the grant funding by providing adequate documentation or evidence. 7-9 points Partially demonstrates the project will efficiently use the grant funding by providing some documentation or evidence. 4- 6 points
Minimally demonstrates the project will efficiently use the grant funding but provides no documentation or evidence. 1-3 points
Unable to address criterion, even to a minimal extent. 0 points C. Community Engagement
Applicants will receive points based on the degree to which community members have been engaged and outreach to the community is incorporated throughout the project.
Factors to be considered are the inclusiveness of the planning process, evidence that key stakeholders will be active participants in the process, and community priorities will be reflected in the proposed project. The highest- scoring projects will demonstrate strong community support for the project, substantial community input will be sought or has been included in the planning or other process, key stakeholders have been identified, including underserved and limited English proficiency populations, and the Applicant will ensure that the community has a meaningful role in the project.
Lower scoring projects will have minimal opportunities for community engagement in the scope of work, include generic letters of support that fail to demonstrate substantive stakeholder involvement, outreach or involvement to the community is or will be done at a minimal level, or the Applicant fails to account for limited English proficiency populations. Up to 5 points possible
Applicant Response Points
Clearly and convincingly demonstrates that the project has or will have strong community support and opportunity for input and a meaningful role in the project, including underserved and limited English proficiency populations.
5 points
Partially demonstrates that the project has or will have strong community support and opportunity for input and a meaningful role in the project, including underserved and limited English proficiency populations. 3 points
Minimally demonstrates that the project has or will have strong community support and opportunity for input and a meaningful role in the project, including underserved and limited English proficiency populations. 1point
Does not demonstrate that the project has or will have strong community support and opportunity for input and a meaningful role in the project, or excludes underserved and/ or limited English proficiency populations. 0 points
5. Board Policy No. 033
Points will be awarded based on the Applicant’ s adoption of Prohousing policies and demonstrated commitment to advancing housing equity. ( Up To 25 points possible) 04/08/2025
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33 NOTE: SANDAG Grants staff will calculate the points awarded for this criterion based on the Applicant’ s responses in the grant application.
A. Prohousing Policies
Applicants will be awarded 2.5 or 5 points, as indicated below, by demonstrating that the Applicant has implemented policies that accelerate the production of housing in the four categories listed below. An Applicant that has received a Prohousing Designation from HCD will receive 12.5 points. A maximum of 5 points can be earned per category for Applicants without a Prohousing Designation and no Applicant can receive more than
12.5 points when all subcriteria scores are added together. ( Up to 12.5 points possible) i. Favorable Zoning And Land Use (Up to 5 points)
Applicant Response Points
Housing element plan for zoned capacity of >150% of RHNA Permitting missing middle uses (e.g., duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, townhomes) in existing low- density single- family zones Eliminating minimum parking requirements
Allowing residential in commercial zones
5 points
Allowing more/ larger accessory dwelling units ( ADUs) than state law requires
Density bonus that is >10% more than state requirements Established Workforce Housing Opportunity Zone ( WHOZ) or housing sustainability district
Standards to promote more density
Housing element plan for zoned capacity of >125% of RHNA Reduced parking requirements
2.5 points
The Applicant has not implemented any of the above policies. 0 points ii. Acceleration Of Housing Production Timeframes ( Up to 5 points) Applicant Response Points
Ministerial approval of housing
Streamlined/ program- level California Environmental Quality Act CEQA) Environmental Impact Report ( EIR) for general plans/ specific plans etc.
Permit process that is less than two months
Elimination of public hearings for projects consistent with zoning/ general plan
5 points
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34 One- stop shop permitting processes or single point of contact Priority permit processing or reduced plan check times for ADUs/ junior ADUs, multifamily, or affordable housing
Streamlined housing development at the project level
Permit process that is less than four months
Three public hearings limit for projects consistent with zoning/ general plan
Eliminated or replaced subjective design standards with objective standards that simplify zoning
Standard entitlement application
Publicly posting online status updates on permit approvals
2.5 points
The Applicant has not implemented any of the above policies. 0 points iii. Reduction Of Construction And Development Costs (Up to 5 points) Applicant Response Points
Waived development impact fees for housing
Adopted universal design ordinances
Preapproved prototype plans for missing middle housing ( e.g., duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, townhomes)
5 points
Measures that reduce costs for transportation- related infrastructure or that encourage active transit or other alternatives to cars Reduced development impact fees for housing
Less restrictive ADU standards than state requirements
Fee reduction, including deferrals or reduced fees for housing with people with special needs
Promoting innovative housing types that reduced development costs
2.5 points
The Applicant has not implemented any of the above policies. 0 points iv. Providing Financial Subsidies ( Up to 5 points)
Applicant Response Points
Local housing trust fund or collaboration on regional fund Program to comply with Surplus Lands Act and make publicly owned land available for affordable housing
Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District ( EIFD)
5 points
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35 Prioritization of local general funds for affordable housing Grants/ low- interest loans for affordable ADUs
Direct residual redevelopment funds to affordable housing Development and regular use of housing subsidy pool,
local/ regional trust, or similar funding source
2.5 points
The Applicant has not implemented any of the above policies. 0 points B. Housing Equity
In February 2021, the SANDAG Board of Directors adopted a statement demonstrating its Commitment to Equity. Following Government Code section 8899. 50 and SANDAG' s Commitment to Equity, SANDAG encourages development in jurisdictions with Housing Equity policies. Applicants will be awarded 2.5 or 5 points, as indicated below, for each policy that advances housing equity and affirmatively furthers fair housing. A maximum of 5 points can be earned per category for Applicants without a Prohousing Designation, and no Applicant can receive more than 12.5 points when all subcriteria scores are added together. ( Up to 12.5 points possible)
Applicant Response Points
An adopted inclusionary housing ordinance
Rent stabilization policies
Anti- displacement policies in conjunction with transit improvements Strategies or funds to preserve naturally occurring affordable housing Tenant protection policies such as access to counsel, just cause eviction policy, etc.
Rezoning and other policies that result in a net gain of low- and moderate- income housing while concurrently mitigating development impacts on or from environmentally sensitive or hazardous areas.
Programs, and land use plans and policies that are intended to result in increased investment ( such as infrastructure, housing, open space, etc.) in lower opportunity areas. Such areas include but are not limited to, Low Resource and High Segregation & Poverty areas designated in the 2021 California Tax Credit Allocation Committee ( TCAC)/HCD Opportunity Maps and disadvantaged communities pursuant to California Senate Bill 535 (2012).
Zone changes or other policies ( other than those listed above) that increase low- and moderate- income housing and affordability in High Resource and Highest Resource areas, as designated in the 2021 TCAC/HCD Opportunity Maps.
5 points
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36 Displacement risk studies
Publicly available database of affordable housing properties at risk of losing affordability restrictions through the expiration of rent restrictions or tenant voucher programs
Proactive monitoring of housing at risk of losing affordability restrictions and proactive enforcement of state- mandated tenant notification provisions
2.5 points
The Applicant has not implemented any of the above policies. 0 points
6. Matching Funds
NOTE: SANDAG Grants staff will calculate the points awarded for this criterion.
Points for matching funds will be awarded based on the following scale. The matching fund percentage is derived by dividing the total matching funds provided in the grant application by the sum of the total SGIP grant requested and the total matching funds listed in the grant application. Up to 5 points possible
Percentage of Matching Funds Points
20.01% - 25.00% and above of the total project cost 5 points
15.01% - 20.00% of total project cost 4 points
10.01% - 15.00% of total project cost 3 points
5.01% - 10.00% of total project cost 2 points
0.01% - 5.00% of total project cost 1point
0% of total project cost 0 points
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37 II. Planning Scoring Criteria and Rubric
Planning projects will be scored based on the Applicant' s responses to the Planning Project Scoring Criteria below. The Planning Project Scoring Rubric is a guide for SANDAG staff and the Evaluation Panel to assist with awarding points based on the Scoring Criteria. The Objective criteria ( points calculated by SANDAG’s Department of Data Science or Grants staff) are marked with an asterisk (*).
A. Planning Project Scoring Criteria
No. CRITERIA POINTS
POSSIBLE
1. * RELATIONSHIP TO REGIONAL TRANSIT 10
The project area includes or is within 0.5 miles of a 2035 Transit Priority Area 10
The project area includes or is within 0.5 miles of an existing or planned transit stop 5
2. FURTHERSTHE REGIONALPLAN AND SUSTAINABLECOMMUNITIES
IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES 20
A.
The degree to which the project furthers the Sustainable Communities Strategy
i. * Proximity To A Mobility Hub
ii. Furthers The Sustainable Communities Strategy
10 B.
The degree to which the project furthers safety and the Regional Vision Zero Resolution
i. * Proximity To The Safety Focus Network Or Systemic Safety Network ii. Proposed Safety Improvements
5 C.
The degree to which the project furthers equity and benefits disadvantaged communities
i. * Project Location
ii. Benefit To A Disadvantaged Community
5 3. SMART GROWTH IMPLEMENTATION 15
A. * Smart Growth Activities 5
B. Furthers Smart Growth Implementation and Strategies 10
4. PROJECTFEASIBILITY 25
A. * The degree to which the project will efficiently use program funds, as demonstrated by the proposed project scope, schedule, and budget. 15 B. The degree to which community members have been engaged and outreach is incorporated throughout the project. 10
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38 5. * BOARD POLICY NO. 033 25
A.
Prohousing Policies ( Favorable Zoning and Land Use, Acceleration of Housing Production Timeframes, Reduction of Construction and Development Costs, Providing Financial Subsidies)
12.5 B. Housing Equity/ Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing 12.5
6. MATCHING FUNDS 5
Points will be awarded based on the scale provided in the Scoring Rubric.
TOTAL 100
B. Planning Scoring Rubric
Below is a general scoring guide that provides more specific language based on a project’ s ability to meet the evaluation criteria.
Term Definition
Clearly and convincingly to a considerable extent with substantive documentation or evidence
Sufficiently to a satisfactory extent with adequate
documentation or evidence
Mostly to a large extent with general documentation
or evidence
Partially to a limited extent with incomplete
documentation or evidence
Minimally to a small extent and without documentation
or evidence
Does Not Demonstrate unable to address criterion, even to a minimal extent
1. Relationship To Regional Transit
NOTE: The SANDAG Data Science staff will calculate the points awarded for these criteria.
Points will be awarded based on the proposed project’ s proximity to existing or programmed transit facilities included in the 2035 Transit Priority Areas identified in the SANDAG 2021 Regional Plan. An interactive map that identifies the Mobility Hubs can be found here:
https:// sandag. maps. arcgis. com/ apps/ Cascade/ index. html? appid= 897af882e8c14b1e996c33e 48bc15347.
A regional transit station is defined as any station served by COASTER, SPRINTER, Trolley, Rapid, or Rapid Express Routes. A local transit stop is defined as any stop served by MTS bus routes or NCTD BREEZE services. A list of MTS transit services and stations is available here:
https:// www. sdmts. com/ transit- services. A list of NCTD services and stations is available here:
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39 https:// gonctd. com/ services/ transit- centers/. Distance refers to walking distance based on actual available pathways. Up to 10 points possible
Applicant Response Points
The project area includes or is within 0.5 miles of a 2035 Transit Priority Area in the 2021 Regional Plan 10 points
The project area includes or is within 0.5 miles of an existing or planned transit stop 5 points
The project area does not include or is not within 0.5 miles of an existing or planned transit stop 0 points
2. Furthers The Regional Plan and Sustainable Communities Implementation Strategies Up to 20 points possible)
A. Sustainable Communities Strategy ( Up to 10points possible) i. Proximity To A Mobility Hub
NOTE: The SANDAG Data Science staff will calculate the points awarded for these criteria. Points will be awarded based on the proposed project’ s proximity to one or more Mobility Hubs included in the SANDAG 2021 Regional Plan. An interactive map that identifies the Mobility Hubs can be found here:
https:// sandag. maps. arcgis. com/ apps/ Cascade/ index. html? appid= 897af882e8c14b1e9 96c33e48bc15347. Up to 3 points possible
Applicant Response Points
The project includes or is within a Mobility Hub 3 points The project does not include nor is within a Mobility Hub 0 points ii. Furthers The Sustainable Communities Strategy
The primary purpose of the Sustainable Communities Strategy is to show how development patterns and our transportation system will work together to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for cars and light trucks, providing a more sustainable future for our region. Ways to do this include implementing a land use strategy that facilitates VMT reduction, zoning for a higher density of housing than is currently allowed, improving jobs- housing balance, and planning for transportation/ mobility improvements to better connect housing to the existing/ planned regional transportation network. Applicants will receive points based on the degree to which the project furthers the Sustainable Communities Strategy.
Up to 7 points possible
Applicant Response Points
Clearly and convincingly demonstrates how it furthers the SCS and provides substantive documentation or evidence. 7 points 04/08/2025
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40 Sufficiently demonstrates how it furthers the SCS and provides adequate documentation or evidence. 5-6 points
Mostly demonstrates how it furthers the SCS and provides general documentation or evidence. 3-4 points
Partially demonstrates how it furthers the SCS and provides incomplete documentation or evidence. 1-2 points
Unable to address criterion, even to a minimal extent 0 points B. Furthers Safety And The Regional Vision Zero Resolution The SANDAG Board of Directors adopted a Regional Vision Zero Resolution that includes steps toward eliminating all traffic fatalities and severe injuries while increasing safe, healthy, and equitable mobility options for all. Applicants will receive points based on the degree to which the project furthers safety and the Region Vision Zero Resolution. Up to 5 points possible
i. Proximity To The Safety Focus Network Or Systemic Safety Network NOTE: The SANDAG Data Science staff will calculate the points awarded for this criterion. Points will be awarded based on the proposed project’ s proximity to the Safety Focus Network or Systemic Safety Network. An interactive map that identifies the Mobility Hubs can be found here:
https:// sandag. maps. arcgis. com/ apps/ Cascade/ index. html? appid= 897af882e8c14b1e9 96c33e48bc15347. Up to 2 points possible
Applicant Response Points
The project is on or within . 25 miles of the Safety Focus Network ( SFN) or Systemic Safety Network ( SSN). 2 points
The project is not on or within . 25 miles of the Safety Focus Network SFN) or Systemic Safety Network ( SSN). 0 points
ii. Proposed Safety Improvements
The applicant will receive points if the project includes proven bicycle, pedestrian, and traffic calming safety countermeasures. Applicants should review the Federal Highway Administration’ s Proven Safety Countermeasures and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration ( NHTSA)’s Countermeasures That Work for examples and additional guidance. Up to 3 points possible
Applicant Response Points
The project includes proven bicycle, pedestrian, and traffic calming safety countermeasures. 3 points
The project does not include proven bicycle, pedestrian, and traffic calming safety countermeasures. 0 points
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41 C. Furthers Equity And Benefits Disadvantaged Communities ( Up to 5 points possible)
i. Project Location
NOTE: The SANDAG Data Science staff will calculate the points awarded for these criteria. Points will be awarded if the project is located in a disadvantaged community as identified in the SANDAG 2021 Regional Plan. An interactive map that identifies the Mobility Hubs can be found here:
https:// sandag. maps. arcgis. com/ apps/ Cascade/ index. html? appid= 897af882e8c14b1e9 96c33e48bc15347. Up to 2 points possible
Applicant Response Points
The project includes or is located in a disadvantaged community. 2 points The project does not include or is not located in a disadvantaged community
0 points
ii. Benefit To A Disadvantaged Community
Applicants will receive points based on the degree to which the project furthers equity and benefits disadvantaged communities. Up to 3 points possible Applicant Response Points
Sufficiently demonstrates that it furthers equity and benefits disadvantaged communities 3 points
Partially demonstrates that it furthers equity and benefits disadvantaged communities 1point
The project does not demonstrate that it furthers equity and benefits disadvantaged communities 0 points
3. Smart Growth Implementation ( Up to 15 points possible) SANDAG seeks to promote a pattern of development with whole communities that feature a convenient mix of travel choices, safer streets, and support amenities. Smart Growth is a compact, efficient, and environmentally sensitive pattern of development that provides people with additional travel, housing, and employment choices by focusing future growth away from rural areas and closer to existing and planned job centers and public facilities, while preserving open space and natural resources. The basic principles of smart growth include:
Mix land uses.
Take advantage of compact building design.
Create a range of housing opportunities and choices.
Create walkable neighborhoods.
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42 Foster distinctive, attractive communities with a strong sense of place.
Preserve open space, farmland, natural beauty, and critical environmental areas.
Strengthen and direct development towards existing communities.
Provide a variety of transportation choices.
Make development decisions predictable, fair, and cost effective.
Encourage community and stakeholder collaboration in development decisions A. Smart Growth Activities
NOTE: SANDAG Grants staff will calculate the points awarded for this criterion based on the Applicant’ s responses in the grant application.
Applicants will be awarded 2 points for each smart growth activity, and no Applicant can receive more than 10 points maximum. Up to 10points possible Applicant Response Points
Increasing density within a Transit Priority Area ( TPA) Planning Transit Oriented Development ( TOD) zones with incentives for affordable housing
Creating Smart Growth & Housing Overlay Zones — A set of zoning ordinances specifying land use and/ or design standards for a designated district; to ensure architectural character and urban form align with best practices in Smart Growth and support the development of a range of housing options including moderate and affordable housing options Establishing density minimums
Develop Smart Growth Design Guidelines — A set of standards that aims to promote walkability, active transportation, multimodal transportation options,
Developing Smart Growth Street Design Standards to promote walking and multimodal transit options. Plans may include narrowing travel- lane width, increasing bicycle lanes, decreasing on- street parking, medians, sidewalks, landscaping, lighting, crosswalks, pedestrian refuge islands, bulbouts, and accessibility ramps.
Creating zoning districts that allow mixed- use, mixed- income development by right ( i.e., without the need for a rezoning or special discretionary approval process).
Design guidelines to promote street- oriented buildings, with reduced or eliminated setbacks, building heights at least 50 percent of the street width, and locating vehicle entrances behind or on the sides of buildings.
Design guidelines that promote attractive building entrances and frontages through requiring awnings, canopies, or arcades that offer shade and 2 points
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43 weather protection for pedestrians and other standards to enhance the pedestrian realm.
Walkability or Bike Plans that include design improvements to the public realm such as street trees, increased crosswalk visibility, wider sidewalks, street benches, wayfinding signage, provisions for bicycle parking near building entrances using racks that can support the bicycle’s frame at two points, protected bikeways, reduced vehicle speed limits, etc.
Developing a comprehensive active transportation plan citywide, or within a targeted transit- rich neighborhood
Implementing Vision Zero plan city- wide
The project will offer people access to shared, on- demand transportation services that provide convenient and personalized travel options Measures that reduce costs for transportation- related infrastructure or that encourage active transit or other alternatives to cars
Increasing transportation options ( such as bus/ rail service, micromobility, active transit, etc.) that connect existing or planned housing to other land uses
The project will create a highly connected street grid network where all adjacent roads are connected to the internal street network and provide for future connection with adjacent properties.
Plan to provide amenities to improve mobility such as trip- planning kiosks, complimentary WiFi, mobile device charging options, electric vehicle charging options, parcel delivery lockers, mobile retail services, passenger loading areas, and secure parking and charging for bikes, scooters, and rideable electric vehicles.
The project includes plans to minimize the impacts of climate change, such as actions identified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ( e.g., building compactly and using energy- efficient, green building techniques).
Project includes measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and implement a jurisdiction’ s CAP
The project does not include any of the above smart growth activities. 0 points B. Furthers Smart Growth Implementation and Strategies
Applicants will receive points based on the degree to which the proposed project furthers smart growth implementation and strategies. Up to 5 points possible Applicant Response Points
Clearly and convincingly demonstrates smart growth implementation and directly furthers the basic principles of smart growth strategies by providing substantive documentation or evidence.
5 points
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44 Sufficiently demonstrates smart growth implementation and furthers the basic principles of smart growth strategies by providing sufficient documentation or evidence.
4 points
Mostly demonstrates smart growth policy implementation and furthers the basic principles of smart growth strategies by providing adequate documentation or evidence.
3 points
Partially demonstrates smart growth implementation and furthers the basic principles of smart growth strategies by providing some documentation or evidence.
2 points
Minimally demonstrates smart growth implementation and furthers the basic principles of smart growth strategies but provides no documentation or evidence.
1point
Unable to address criterion, even to a minimal extent. 0 points
4. Project Feasibility ( Up to 25 points possible)
A. Efficient Use Of Program Funds
There are never enough grant funds to pay for all of the projects worthy of funding in the San Diego region. For this reason, SANDAG awards grant funds on a competitive basis that takes the Applicant’ s ability to perform their proposed project on a timely basis into account. SANDAG holds grantees accountable to the project schedules they have proposed in their grant application in order to ensure fairness in the competitive process and encourage grantees to implement projects quickly so the public can benefit from project deliverables as soon as possible.
Applicants will receive points based on the degree to which the project will efficiently use program funds, as demonstrated by the proposed project scope, schedule, and budget and the following factors. Up to 15points possible
The scope of work should identify all major tasks and subtasks that are necessary to complete the project. The Applicant should take into consideration any tasks or subtasks that may be necessary, even if, during project implementation, those tasks are deemed unnecessary. Applicants should consider the steps necessary to complete the planning work, including robust stakeholder engagement. All projects should consider the effort necessary to prepare any necessary consultant work for competitive bidding and ensure that their agency’s procurement requirements will be met before advertising the solicitation. The scope of work should also consider the approvals needed to enter into the contract with the selected consultant.
The project schedule should include start dates that are reasonable, taking into account any work that has already been completed before the NTP has been issued, and any other tasks or subtasks that might impact the start date. Project durations and completion dates should be reasonable and take into account timeframes that the Applicant can actually achieve. Applicants should keep in mind that they will be required to adhere to the schedule listed in their grant application and that all schedules must meet the Project Milestone and Completion Deadlines that are listed in SANDAG Board Policy No. 035. Applicants are strongly discouraged from including timeframes that are not reasonable, and Applicants should be aware that any 04/08/2025
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45 awarded project that cannot meet the Project Milestone and Completion Deadlines will be put on the watch list and subject to scrutiny by the TransNet Independent Taxpayer Oversight Committee, and Regional Planning and Transportation Committees.
The project budget should consider all of the tasks and subtasks listed in the scope of work. Each task and subtask should identify reasonable costs to complete the task or subtask, and any matching funds should be included. Please note that all dates in the schedule start from the date SANDAG will issue the Notice to Proceed to the Applicant, which is typically within 30- 45 days of the funding awards being approved by the Board of Directors.
Applicant Response Points
Clearly and convincingly demonstrates the project will efficiently use the grant funding.
13- 15
points
Sufficiently demonstrates the project will efficiently use the grant funding by providing sufficient documentation or evidence.
10-12
points
Mostly demonstrates the project will efficiently use the grant funding by providing adequate documentation or evidence. 7-9 points Partially demonstrates the project will efficiently use the grant funding by providing some documentation or evidence. 4- 6 points
Minimally demonstrates the project will efficiently use the grant funding but provides no documentation or evidence. 1-3 points
Does not demonstrate that the project will efficiently use the grant funding 0 points
B. Community Engagement
Applicants will receive points based on the degree to which community members have been engaged and outreach to the community is incorporated throughout the project.
Factors to be considered are the inclusiveness of the planning process, evidence that key stakeholders will be active participants in the process, and community priorities will be reflected in the proposed project. The highest- scoring projects will demonstrate strong community support for the project, substantial community input will be sought or has been included in the planning or other process, key stakeholders have been identified, including underserved and limited English proficiency populations, and the Applicant will ensure that the community has a meaningful role in the project.
Lower scoring projects will have minimal opportunities for community engagement in the scope of work, include generic letters of support that fail to demonstrate substantive stakeholder involvement, outreach or involvement to the community is or will be done at a minimal level, or the Applicant fails to account for limited English proficiency populations. Up to 10points possible
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46 Applicant Response Points
Clearly and convincingly demonstrates that the project has or will have strong community support and opportunity for input and a meaningful role in the project, including underserved and limited English proficiency populations.
10 points
Sufficiently demonstrates that the project has or will have strong community support and opportunity for input and a meaningful role in the project, including underserved and limited English proficiency populations. 8- 9
points
Mostly demonstrates that the project has or will have strong community support and opportunity for input and a meaningful role in the project, including underserved and limited English proficiency populations. 5-7 points
Partially demonstrates that the project has or will have strong community support and opportunity for input and a meaningful role in the project, including underserved and limited English proficiency populations. 3-4
points
Minimally demonstrates that the project has or will have strong community support and opportunity for input and a meaningful role in the project, including underserved and limited English proficiency populations. 1-2 points
Does not demonstrate that the project has or will have strong community support and opportunity for input and a meaningful role in the project, or excludes underserved and/ or limited English proficiency populations. 0 points
5. Board Policy No. 033
Points will be awarded based on the Applicant’ s adoption of Prohousing policies and demonstrated commitment to advancing housing equity. ( Up To 25 points possible) NOTE: SANDAG Grants staff will calculate the points awarded for this criterion based on the Applicant’ s responses in the grant application.
A. Prohousing Policies
Applicants will be awarded 2.5 or 5 points, as indicated below, by demonstrating that the Applicant has implemented policies that accelerate the production of housing in the four categories listed below. An Applicant that has received a Prohousing Designation from HCD will receive 12.5 points. A maximum of 5 points can be earned per category for Applicants without a Prohousing Designation and no Applicant can receive more than
12.5 points when all subcriteria scores are added together. ( Up to 12.5 points possible) i. Favorable Zoning And Land Use (Up to 5 points)
Applicant Response Points
Housing element plan for zoned capacity of >150% of RHNA Permitting missing middle uses (e.g., duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, townhomes) in existing low- density single- family zones Eliminating minimum parking requirements
5 points
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47 Allowing residential in commercial zones
Allowing more/ larger accessory dwelling units ( ADUs) than state law requires
Density bonus that is >10% more than state requirements Established Workforce Housing Opportunity Zone ( WHOZ) or housing sustainability district
Standards to promote more density
Housing element plan for zoned capacity of >125% of RHNA Reduced parking requirements
2.5 points
The Applicant has not implemented any of the above policies. 0 points ii. Acceleration Of Housing Production Timeframes ( Up to 5 points) Applicant Response Points
Ministerial approval of housing
Streamlined/ program- level California Environmental Quality Act CEQA) Environmental Impact Report ( EIR) for general plans/ specific plans etc.
Permit process that is less than two months
Elimination of public hearings for projects consistent with zoning/ general plan
One- stop shop permitting processes or single point of contact Priority permit processing or reduced plan check times for ADUs/ junior ADUs, multifamily, or affordable housing
5 points
Streamlined housing development at the project level
Permit process that is less than four months
Three public hearings limit for projects consistent with zoning/ general plan
Eliminated or replaced subjective design standards with objective standards that simplify zoning
Standard entitlement application
Publicly posting online status updates on permit approvals
2.5 points
The Applicant has not implemented any of the above policies. 0 points 04/08/2025
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48 iii. Reduction Of Construction And Development Costs (Up to 5 points) Applicant Response Points
Waived development impact fees for housing
Adopted universal design ordinances
Preapproved prototype plans for missing middle housing ( e.g., duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, townhomes)
5 points
Measures that reduce costs for transportation- related infrastructure or that encourage active transit or other alternatives to cars Reduced development impact fees for housing
Less restrictive ADU standards than state requirements
Fee reduction, including deferrals or reduced fees for housing with people with special needs
Promoting innovative housing types that reduced development costs
2.5 points
The Applicant has not implemented any of the above policies. 0 points iv. Providing Financial Subsidies ( Up to 5 points)
Applicant Response Points
Local housing trust fund or collaboration on regional fund Program to comply with Surplus Lands Act and make publicly owned land available for affordable housing
Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District ( EIFD)
Prioritization of local general funds for affordable housing 5 points
Grants/ low- interest loans for affordable ADUs
Direct residual redevelopment funds to affordable housing Development and regular use of housing subsidy pool,
local/ regional trust, or similar funding source
2.5 points
The Applicant has not implemented any of the above policies. 0 points B. Housing Equity
In February 2021, the SANDAG Board of Directors adopted a statement demonstrating its Commitment to Equity. Following Government Code section 8899. 50 and SANDAG' s Commitment to Equity, SANDAG encourages development in jurisdictions with Housing Equity policies. Applicants will be awarded 2.5 or 5 points, as indicated below, for each policy that advances housing equity and affirmatively furthers fair housing. A maximum of 5 points can be earned per category for Applicants without a Prohousing Designation, 04/08/2025
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49 and no Applicant can receive more than 12.5 points when all subcriteria scores are added together. ( Up to 12.5 points possible)
Applicant Response Points
An adopted inclusionary housing ordinance
Rent stabilization policies
Anti- displacement policies in conjunction with transit improvements Strategies or funds to preserve naturally occurring affordable housing Tenant protection policies such as access to counsel, just cause eviction policy, etc.
Rezoning and other policies that result in a net gain of low- and moderate- income housing while concurrently mitigating development impacts on or from environmentally sensitive or hazardous areas.
Programs, and land use plans and policies that are intended to result in increased investment ( such as infrastructure, housing, open space, etc.) in lower opportunity areas. Such areas include but are not limited to, Low Resource and High Segregation & Poverty areas designated in the 2021 California Tax Credit Allocation Committee ( TCAC)/HCD Opportunity Maps and disadvantaged communities pursuant to California Senate Bill 535 (2012).
Zone changes or other policies ( other than those listed above) that increase low- and moderate- income housing and affordability in High Resource and Highest Resource areas, as designated in the 2021 TCAC/HCD Opportunity Maps.
5 points
Displacement risk studies
Publicly available database of affordable housing properties at risk of losing affordability restrictions through the expiration of rent restrictions or tenant voucher programs
Proactive monitoring of housing at risk of losing affordability restrictions and proactive enforcement of state- mandated tenant notification provisions
2.5 points
The Applicant has not implemented any of the above policies. 0 points
6. Matching Funds
NOTE: SANDAG Grants staff will calculate the points awarded for this criterion.
Points for matching funds will be awarded based on the following scale. The matching fund percentage is derived by dividing the total matching funds provided in the grant application by the total sum of the total SGIP grant requested and the total matching funds listed in the grant application. Up to 5 points possible
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50 Percentage of Matching Funds Points
20.01% - 25.00% and above of the total project cost 5 points
15.01% - 20.00% of total project cost 4 points
10.01% - 15.00% of total project cost 3 points
5.01% - 10.00% of total project cost 2 points
0.01% - 5.00% of total project cost 1point
0% of total project cost 0 points
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51 III. Climate Action Plan Scoring Criteria and Rubric Climate Action Plan projects will be scored based on the Applicant' s responses to the Climate Action Plan Scoring Criteria below. The Climate Action Plan Scoring Rubric is a guide for SANDAG staff and the Evaluation Panel to assist with awarding points based on the Scoring Criteria. The Objective criteria ( points calculated by SANDAG’s Department of Data Science or Grants staff) are marked with an asterisk (*).
A. Climate Action Plan Scoring Criteria
No. CRITERIA POINTS
POSSIBLE
1. NEW CLIMATE ACTION PLAN OR CAP UPDATE CONTENTS 20
A. * The project will develop a new CAP or update an existing CAP that was adopted three or more years ago. 4
B.
The new CAP or CAP Update includes a greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inventory for an appropriate recent baseline year, in accordance with adopted protocols, and includes near- and long- term GHG emissions forecasts and reduction targets ( e.g., 2035 and 2050). 8 C. The new CAP or CAP Update includes specific, quantifiable GHG reduction measures to achieve the GHG reduction targets. 8
2. IMPLEMENTATION AND MONITORING 25
A.
The new CAP or CAP Update describes the plan for implementing each GHG emissions reduction measure, including, but not limited to, the identification of responsible parties, key actions, timeline, costs, and funding sources.
OR
The project will develop an implementation plan for an existing CAP, including but not limited to the identification of responsible parties, key actions, timeline, costs, and funding sources.
10 B.
New CAP or CAP Update clearly describes how progress toward achievement of the GHG emissions reduction target( s) will be monitored, including but not limited to metrics for tracking progress, periodic updates to the GHG emissions inventory, regular reporting of progress, and timing of future CAP updates.
OR
The project will establish monitoring measures for an existing CAP including but not limited to metrics for tracking progress, periodic updates to the GHG emissions inventory, regular reporting of progress, and timing of future CAP updates.
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52 3. PROJECTFEASIBILITY 25
A. The degree to which the project will efficiently use program funds, as demonstrated by the proposed project scope, schedule, and budget. 15 B. The degree to which community engagement will be incorporated into the development, implementation, and/ or monitoring of the CAP. 10
4. * BOARD POLICY NO. 033 25
A.
Prohousing Policies ( Favorable Zoning and Land Use, Acceleration of Housing Production Timeframes, Reduction of Construction and Development Costs, Providing Financial Subsidies)
12.5 B. Housing Equity/ Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing 12.5
5. * MATCHING FUNDS 5
Points will be awarded based on the scale provided in the Scoring Rubric.
TOTAL 100
B. Climate Action Plan Scoring Rubric
Below is a general scoring guide that provides more specific language based on a project’ s ability to meet the evaluation criteria.
Term Definition
Clearly and convincingly to a considerable extent with substantive documentation or evidence
Sufficiently to a satisfactory extent with adequate
documentation or evidence
Mostly to a large extent with general documentation
or evidence
Partially to a limited extent with incomplete
documentation or evidence
Minimally to a small extent and without documentation
or evidence
Does Not Demonstrate unable to address criterion, even to a minimal extent
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53 1. New Climate Action Plan Or CAP Update Contents ( Up to 20 points possible) A. New CAP Or CAP Update Timeline
NOTE: SANDAG Grants staff will calculate the points awarded for this criterion.
The California Office of Planning and Research recommends that a CAP be updated every 3-5 years. It is encouraged that jurisdictions apply that are looking to develop a new CAP, or an update to a CAP adopted in the last three or more years by the governing agency.
Applicants are still eligible to apply if the grant application is for an update to an adopted CAP that was completed within less than three years. Up to 4 points possible Applicant Response Points
The project will develop a new CAP or update an existing CAP that was adopted three or more years ago.
4 points
The project will develop an update to a CAP that was adopted less than three years but more than one year ago.
2 points
The project will develop an update to a CAP that was adopted within the last year or the project will neither develop a new CAP nor CAP Update. 0 points
B. GHGEmissions Inventory And Near- And Long- Term GHGEmissions Forecasts And Reduction Targets
The new CAP or CAP Update includes a greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inventory for an appropriate recent baseline year, in accordance with adopted protocols. It also includes near- and long- term GHG emissions forecasts and reduction targets ( e.g., for 2035 and 2050). For new CAPs and CAP updates, the inventory baseline year is requested to be 2022 or newer. Up to 8 points possible
A GHG emissions inventory is a snapshot reference of the annual emissions associated with a jurisdiction’ s community- wide activities. GHG emissions inventories are a critical component of the CAP process used to establish emissions targets/ goals and monitor emissions over time. Inventories are developed based on the best available data and methods, which change over time and should be accounted for when comparing inventory years.
Applicant Response Points
Clearly and convincingly demonstrates that the CAP or CAP update has or will have an inventory with established protocols, and includes near- and long- term GHG emissions forecasts and reduction targets ( e.g., 2035 and 2050).
8 points
Sufficiently demonstrates that the CAP or CAP update has or will have an inventory with established protocols, and includes near- and long- term GHG emissions forecasts and reduction targets ( e.g., 2035 and 2050). 6 points
Partially demonstrates that the CAP or CAP update has or will have an inventory with established protocols, and includes near- and long- term GHG emissions forecasts and reduction targets ( e.g., 2035 and 2050). 4 points
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54 Minimally demonstrates that the CAP or CAP update has or will have an inventory with established protocols, and includes near- and long- term GHG emissions forecasts and reduction targets ( e.g., 2035 and 2050). 2 points
Does not demonstrate that the CAP or CAP update has or will have an inventory with established protocols, and includes near- and long- term GHG emissions forecasts and reduction targets ( e.g., 2035 and 2050). 0 points
C. GHG Reduction Measures
The new CAP or CAP update includes specific, quantifiable GHG reduction measures to achieve the GHG reduction targets. Up to 8 points possible Local CAP measures represent a jurisdiction’ s commitment to reduce GHG emissions.
While there are similarities in GHG reduction strategies across local CAPs, the measures within each CAP are uniquely crafted based on local needs and conditions. There are many considerations for selecting local reduction measures, including:
GHG reduction potential
ability, time, and cost to implement
available funding
equity
community priorities
co- benefits ( positive external impacts)
ability to monitor
Applicant Response Points
Clearly and convincingly demonstrates that the proposed CAP or CAP Update will include specific, quantifiable GHG reduction measures to achieve the GHG reduction targets.
8 points
Sufficiently demonstrates that the proposed CAP or CAP Update will include specific, quantifiable GHG reduction measures to achieve the GHG reduction targets.
5-7 points
Partially demonstrates that the proposed CAP or CAP Update will include specific, quantifiable GHG reduction measures to achieve the GHG reduction targets.
3-4 points
Minimally demonstrates that the proposed CAP or CAP Update will include specific, quantifiable GHG reduction measures to achieve the GHG reduction targets.
1-2 points
Does not demonstrate that the proposed CAP or CAP Update will include specific, quantifiable GHG reduction measures to achieve the GHG reduction targets.
0 points
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55 2. IMPLEMENTATION AND MONITORING (Up to 25 points possible) A. CAP Implementation
The new CAP or CAP Update describes the plan for implementing each GHG emissions reduction measure, including, but not limited to, the identification of responsible parties, key actions, timeline, costs, and funding sources.
OR
The project will develop an implementation plan for an existing CAP, including but not limited to the identification of responsible parties, key actions, timeline, costs, and funding sources.
CAP implementation involves coordinating various activities across many agencies and departments. While implementation is considered during CAP development, many jurisdictions develop an implementation plan following CAP adoption. An implementation plan lays out the process for implementing each GHG reduction measure of the CAP, including the staff roles and responsibilities, key actions, timelines, costs, and potential funding opportunities. Up to 10points possible Applicant Response Points
Clearly and convincingly demonstrates that the project’ s implementation plan identifies responsible parties, key actions, timeline, costs, and funding sources.
10 points
Sufficiently demonstrates that the project’ s implementation plan identifies responsible parties, key actions, timeline, costs, and funding sources. 7-8 points
Mostly demonstrates that the project’ s implementation plan identifies responsible parties, key actions, timeline, costs, and funding sources. 5-6 points
Partially demonstrates that the project’ s implementation plan identifies responsible parties, key actions, timeline, costs, and funding sources. 3-4 points
Minimally demonstrates that the project’ s implementation plan identifies responsible parties, key actions, timeline, costs, and funding sources. 1-2 points
Does not demonstrate that the project’ s implementation plan identifies responsible parties, key actions, timeline, costs, and funding sources. 0 points
B. CAP Monitoring
New CAP or CAP Update clearly describes how progress toward achievement of the GHG emissions reduction target( s) will be monitored, including but not limited to metrics for tracking progress, periodic updates to the GHG emissions inventory, regular reporting of progress, and timing of future CAP updates.
OR
The project will establish monitoring measures for an existing CAP including but not limited to metrics for tracking progress, periodic updates to the GHG emissions inventory, regular reporting of progress, and timing of future CAP updates. 04/08/2025
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56 Monitoring CAP implementation is a key part of the iterative climate planning process.
Regular monitoring allows a jurisdiction to evaluate progress toward reaching its GHG emissions target, alter strategies or goals based on performance, and reassess future emissions projections. Early in the development of a CAP, staff should consider what data will be necessary to best monitor the CAP after it is adopted. CAP implementation can be monitored by overall emissions and by reduction strategies, measures, and actions. GHG inventories may not reflect the impacts of all local CAP measures. Monitoring local activity may provide a way to demonstrate progress on specific measures. Up to 15points possible
Applicant Response Points
Clearly and convincingly demonstrates that the project includes metrics for tracking progress, periodic updates to the GHG emissions inventory, regular reporting of progress, and timing of future CAP updates. 15points
Sufficiently demonstrates that the project includes metrics for tracking progress, periodic updates to the GHG emissions inventory, regular reporting of progress, and timing of future CAP updates. 10-12
points
Mostly demonstrates that the project includes metrics for tracking progress, periodic updates to the GHG emissions inventory, regular reporting of progress, and timing of future CAP updates. 7-9
points
Partially demonstrates that the project includes metrics for tracking progress, periodic updates to the GHG emissions inventory, regular reporting of progress, and timing of future CAP updates. 4- 6
points
Minimally demonstrates that the project includes metrics for tracking progress, periodic updates to the GHG emissions inventory, regular reporting of progress, and timing of future CAP updates. 1-3 points
Does not demonstrate that the project includes metrics for tracking progress, periodic updates to the GHG emissions inventory, regular reporting of progress, and timing of future CAP updates. 0 points
3. Project Feasibility ( Up to 225 points possible)
A. Efficient Use Of Program Funds
There are never enough grant funds to pay for all of the projects worthy of funding in the San Diego region. For this reason, SANDAG awards grant funds on a competitive basis that takes the Applicant’ s ability to perform their proposed project on a timely basis into account. SANDAG holds grantees accountable to the project schedules they have proposed in their grant application in order to ensure fairness in the competitive process and encourage grantees to implement projects quickly so the public can benefit from project deliverables as soon as possible.
Applicants will receive points based on the degree to which the project will efficiently use program funds, as demonstrated by the proposed project scope, schedule, and budget and the following factors. Up to 15points possible
The scope of work should identify all major tasks and subtasks that are necessary to complete the project. The Applicant should take into consideration any tasks or 04/08/2025
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57 subtasks that may be necessary, even if, during project implementation, those tasks are deemed unnecessary. Applicants should consider the steps necessary to complete the planning work, including robust stakeholder engagement. All projects should consider the effort necessary to prepare any necessary consultant work for competitive bidding and ensure that their agency’s procurement requirements will be met before advertising the solicitation. The scope of work should also consider the approvals needed to enter into the contract with the selected consultant .
The project schedule should include start dates that are reasonable, taking into account any work that has already been completed before the NTP has been issued, and any other tasks or subtasks that might impact the start date. Project durations and completion dates should be reasonable and take into account timeframes that the Applicant can actually achieve. Applicants should keep in mind that they will be required to adhere to the schedule listed in their grant application and that all schedules must meet the Project Milestone and Completion Deadlines that are listed in SANDAG Board Policy No. 035. Applicants are strongly discouraged from including timeframes that are not reasonable, and Applicants should be aware that any awarded project that cannot meet the Project Milestone and Completion Deadlines will be put on the watch list and subject to scrutiny by the TransNet Independent Taxpayer Oversight Committee, and Regional Planning and Transportation Committees.
The project budget should consider all of the tasks and subtasks listed in the scope of work. Each task and subtask should identify reasonable costs to complete the task or subtask, and any matching funds should be included. Please note that all dates in the schedule start from the date SANDAG will issue the Notice to Proceed to the Applicant, which is typically within 30- 45 days of the funding awards being approved by the Board of Directors.
Applicant Response Points
Clearly and convincingly demonstrates that the project will efficiently use the grant funding.
13- 15
points
Sufficiently demonstrates that the project will efficiently use the grant funding by providing sufficient documentation or evidence. 10-12
points
Mostly demonstrates that the project will efficiently use the grant funding by providing adequate documentation or evidence. 7-9 points Partially demonstrates that the project will efficiently use the grant funding by providing some documentation or evidence. 4- 6 points Minimally demonstrates that the project will efficiently use the grant funding but provides no documentation or evidence. 1-3 points Does not demonstrate that the project will efficiently use the grant funding. 0 points
B. Community Engagement
Applicants will receive points based on the degree to which community members have been engaged and outreach to the community is incorporated throughout the project. 04/08/2025
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58 Factors to be considered are the inclusiveness of the planning process, evidence that key stakeholders will be active participants in the process, and community priorities will be reflected in the proposed project. The highest- scoring projects will demonstrate strong community support for the project, substantial community input will be sought or has been included in the planning or other process, key stakeholders have been identified, including underserved and limited English proficiency populations, and the Applicant will ensure that the community has a meaningful role in the project.
Lower scoring projects will have minimal opportunities for community engagement in the scope of work, include generic letters of support that fail to demonstrate substantive stakeholder involvement, outreach or involvement to the community is or will be done at a minimal level, or the Applicant fails to account for limited English proficiency populations. Up to 10points possible
Applicant Response Points
Clearly and convincingly demonstrates that the project has or will have strong community support and opportunity for input and a meaningful role in the project, including underserved and limited English proficiency populations.
10 points
Sufficiently demonstrates that the project has or will have strong community support and opportunity for input and a meaningful role in the project, including underserved and limited English proficiency populations. 7-8
points
Mostly demonstrates that the project has or will have strong community support and opportunity for input and a meaningful role in the project, including underserved and limited English proficiency populations. 5-6 points
Partially demonstrates that the project has or will have strong community support and opportunity for input and a meaningful role in the project, including underserved and limited English proficiency populations. 3-4
points
Minimally demonstrates that the project has or will have strong community support and opportunity for input and a meaningful role in the project, including underserved and limited English proficiency populations. 1-2points
Does not demonstrate that the project has or will have strong community support and opportunity for input and a meaningful role in the project, including underserved and limited English proficiency populations. 0 points
4. Board Policy No. 033
Points will be awarded based on the Applicant’ s adoption of Prohousing policies and demonstrated commitment to advancing housing equity. ( Up To 25 points possible) NOTE: SANDAG Grants staff will calculate the points awarded for this criterion based on the Applicant’ s responses in the grant application.
A. Prohousing Policies
Applicants will be awarded 2.5 or 5 points, as indicated below, by demonstrating that the Applicant has implemented policies that accelerate the production of housing in the four categories listed below. An Applicant that has received a Prohousing Designation from 04/08/2025
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59 HCD will receive 12.5 points. A maximum of 5 points can be earned per category for Applicants without a Prohousing Designation and no Applicant can receive more than
12.5 points when all subcriteria scores are added together. ( Up to 12.5 points possible) i. Favorable Zoning And Land Use (Up to 5 points)
Applicant Response Points
Housing element plan for zoned capacity of >150% of RHNA Permitting missing middle uses (e.g., duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, townhomes) in existing low- density single- family zones Eliminating minimum parking requirements
Allowing residential in commercial zones
5 points
Allowing more/ larger accessory dwelling units ( ADUs) than state law requires
Density bonus that is >10% more than state requirements Established Workforce Housing Opportunity Zone ( WHOZ) or housing sustainability district
Standards to promote more density
Housing element plan for zoned capacity of >125% of RHNA Reduced parking requirements
2.5 points
The Applicant has not implemented any of the above policies. 0 points ii. Acceleration Of Housing Production Timeframes ( Up to 5 points) Applicant Response Points
Ministerial approval of housing
Streamlined/ program- level California Environmental Quality Act CEQA) Environmental Impact Report ( EIR) for general plans/ specific plans etc.
Permit process that is less than two months
Elimination of public hearings for projects consistent with zoning/ general plan
One- stop shop permitting processes or single point of contact Priority permit processing or reduced plan check times for ADUs/ junior ADUs, multifamily, or affordable housing
5 points
Streamlined housing development at the project level
Permit process that is less than four months
2.5 points
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60 Three public hearings limit for projects consistent with zoning/ general plan
Eliminated or replaced subjective design standards with objective standards that simplify zoning
Standard entitlement application
Publicly posting online status updates on permit approvals The Applicant has not implemented any of the above policies. 0 points iii. Reduction Of Construction And Development Costs ( Up to 5 points) Applicant Response Points
Waived development impact fees for housing
Adopted universal design ordinances
Preapproved prototype plans for missing middle housing ( e.g., duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, townhomes)
5 points
Measures that reduce costs for transportation- related infrastructure or that encourage active transit or other alternatives to cars Reduced development impact fees for housing
Less restrictive ADU standards than state requirements
Fee reduction, including deferrals or reduced fees for housing with people with special needs
Promoting innovative housing types that reduced development costs
2.5 points
The Applicant has not implemented any of the above policies. 0 points iv. Providing Financial Subsidies ( Up to 5 points)
Applicant Response Points
Local housing trust fund or collaboration on regional fund Program to comply with Surplus Lands Act and make publicly owned land available for affordable housing
Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District ( EIFD)
Prioritization of local general funds for affordable housing 5 points
Grants/ low- interest loans for affordable ADUs
Direct residual redevelopment funds to affordable housing Development and regular use of housing subsidy pool,
local/ regional trust, or similar funding source
2.5 points
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61 The Applicant has not implemented any of the above policies. 0 points B. Housing Equity
In February 2021, the SANDAG Board of Directors adopted a statement to demonstrate its Commitment to Equity. Following Government Code section 8899. 50 and SANDAG' s Commitment to Equity, SANDAG encourages development in jurisdictions with Housing Equity policies. Applicants will be awarded 2.5 or 5 points, as indicated below, for each policy that advances housing equity and affirmatively furthers fair housing. A maximum of 5 points can be earned per category for Applicants without a Prohousing Designation and no Applicant can receive more than 12.5 points when all subcriteria scores are added together. ( Up to 12.5 points possible)
Applicant Response Points
An adopted inclusionary housing ordinance
Rent stabilization policies
Anti- displacement policies in conjunction with transit improvements Strategies or funds to preserve naturally occurring affordable housing Tenant protection policies such as access to counsel, just cause eviction policy, etc.
Rezoning and other policies that result in a net gain of low- and moderate- income housing while concurrently mitigating development impacts on or from environmentally sensitive or hazardous areas.
Programs, and land use plans and policies that are intended to result in increased investment ( such as infrastructure, housing, open space, etc.) in lower opportunity areas. Such areas include but are not limited to, Low Resource and High Segregation & Poverty areas designated in the 2021 California Tax Credit Allocation Committee ( TCAC)/HCD Opportunity Maps and disadvantaged communities pursuant to California Senate Bill 535 (2012).
Zone changes or other policies ( other than those listed above) that increase low- and moderate- income housing and affordability in High Resource and Highest Resource areas, as designated in the 2021 TCAC/HCD Opportunity Maps.
5 points
Displacement risk studies
Publicly available database of affordable housing properties at risk of losing affordability restrictions through the expiration of rent restrictions or tenant voucher programs
Proactive monitoring of housing at risk of losing affordability restrictions and proactive enforcement of state- mandated tenant notification provisions
2.5 points
The Applicant has not implemented any of the above policies. 0 points 04/08/2025
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62 5. Matching Funds
NOTE: SANDAG Grants staff will calculate the points awarded for this criterion.
Points for matching funds will be awarded based on the following scale. The matching fund percentage is derived by dividing the total matching funds provided in the grant application by the sum of the total SGIP grant requested and the total matching funds listed in the grant application. Up to 5 points possible
Percentage of Matching Funds Points
20.01% - 25.00% and above of the total project cost 5 points
15.01% - 20.00% of total project cost 4 points
10.01% - 15.00% of total project cost 3 points
5.01% - 10.00% of total project cost 2 points
0.01% - 5.00% of total project cost 1point
0% of total project cost 0 points
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1 GRANT AGREEMENT BETWEEN
THESAN DIEGOASSOCIATIONOFGOVERNMENTSAND
JURISDICTIONNAME]
REGARDING [FULL PROJECT TITLE]
TRANSNET SMART GROWTH INCENTIVE PROGRAM – CYCLE 6
SANDAGCONTRACTNO. [ERPNUMBER]
THIS GRANT AGREEMENT (“Agreement”) is made and entered into effective as of the last signature date below by and between the San Diego Association of Governments (“SANDAG”) and JURISDICTION NAME] (“Grantee”). This Agreement expires on [Month and Day, Year], unless amended in writing by mutual agreement of the parties.
The following recitals are a substantive part of this Agreement:
A. The SANDAG Board of Directors allocates funds under the TransNet local sales tax program to support local transportation- relatedinfrastructure projects in the San Diego region through a competitive process.
B. The TransNet Extension Ordinance contains provisions to fund the Smart Growth Incentive Program (SGIP), for which funding began on April 1, 2008. The SGIP encompasses projects that better integrate transportation and land use and recognizes the comprehensive effort to integrate smart growth place-making, access to transit, and environmental justice.
C. In January 2010, the SANDAG Board of Directors approved Board Policy No. 035: Competitive Grant Program Procedures, which is available in its updated version at https://www.sandag.org/about/bylaws-and-policies. This Agreement and the Grantee’s performance are subject to Board Policy No. 035, as the same may be amended from time to time, which includes multiple “use it or lose it” provisions.
D. On November 22, 2024, the SANDAG Board of Directors approved the program eligibility and evaluation criteria for the SGIP Cycle 6 Call for Projects, including up to $45 million in funding from TransNet.
E. On [Insert Date], SANDAG issued a call for projects from local jurisdictions in San Diego County that wish to apply for a portion of the TransNet SGIP funds for use on climate action planning, planning, and capital improvement projects meeting certain criteria.
F. On [Insert Date], the SANDAG Board of Directors approved a list of recommended SGIP Cycle 6 projects for this competitive grant cycle, and one of those projects is the subject of this Agreement Project). The Project Scope of Work and Budget, and Project Schedule are included as Attachments A and B, respectively.
G. The purpose of this Agreement is to establish the terms and conditions for SANDAG to provide Grantee with funding to implement the Project.
H. Although SANDAG will provide financial assistance to Grantee to support the Project, SANDAG will not take an active role or retain substantial control of the Project. Therefore, this Agreement is characterized as a funding agreement rather than a cooperative agreement. 04/08/2025
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EXHIBIT 4
2 NOW, THEREFORE, it is agreed as follows:
I. GRANT AWARD
A. The total amount payable by SANDAG to Grantee under this Agreement shall be the proportion of actual Project costs allocated to grant funding in the Project Budget (Attachment A) and shall not exceed the grant award of [dollar amount] (Fund Limit).
B. It is agreed and understood that this Agreement Fund Limit is a ceiling and that SANDAG will only reimburse the allowable cost of services rendered as authorized by SANDAG at or below the Fund Limit.
C. Grantee is included in the Regional Transportation Improvement Plan (RTIP). The TransNet MPO ID for the Project is [ID Number].
II. PROJECT BUDGET
The Grantee and SANDAG have agreed to a Project Budget outlined in Attachment A. The Grantee and third-party contractor(s) will incur obligations to the Project only as authorized by the Project Budget.
Grantee may, with prior written approval from the SGIP Program Manager, reallocate funds between tasks in the Project Budget as long as all of the following conditions are met:
1. The funds to be reallocated do not exceed an aggregate amount of ten percent for any particular task in the Project Budget,
2. The reallocation does not negatively impact the benefits obtained from the Project, and
3. There is no increase to the Fund Limit or decrease to the matching funds.
Any other changes to the Project Budget require the issuance of an amendment to this Agreement.
III. MATCHING FUNDS
Grantee agrees to provide matching funds in an amount of [dollar amount] of the actual cost of the Project, estimated to be [number including two decimals (e.g., 15.00)] percent based on the Project Budget. If the actual cost of the Project exceeds the Project Budget, Grantee is responsible for 100 percent of the actual cost greater than the Project Budget.
A. Availability of Grant Funding
Except where expressly allowed in writing herein, credits for matching funds will be made or allowed only for work performed on and after the Agreement effective date and before the termination date of this Agreement, unless expressly permitted by SANDAG in writing.
B. Reduction of Matching Funds
The Grantee agrees that no matching funds may be reduced unless a reduction of the proportional share of the grant funding provided by SANDAG under this Agreement is also made.
C. Prompt Payment of Grantee’s Share of Matching Funds
Grantee agrees to complete all actions necessary to provide its share of the Project costs at or before the time the matching funds are needed from Grantee to pay for Project costs. The Grantee agrees to provide not less than its cumulative required match amount of Project costs prior to invoicing SANDAG for reimbursement. Each of Grantee’s invoices must include its matching fund 04/08/2025
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3 contribution, along with supporting, descriptive, and explanatory documentation for the matching funds provided.
IV. PROJECT MANAGER
Grantee’s Project Manager is [Project Manager].
The SGIP Program Manager is Goldy Herbon,.
Project Manager continuity and experience are deemed essential in Grantee’s ability to carry out the Project under the terms of this Agreement. Should the Grantee change the Project Manager, it will provide written notice to the SGIP Program Manager within ten business days of the change, including contact information for the new Project Manager.
V. NOTICE
All notices required to be given, by either party to the other, shall be deemed fully given when made in writing and received by the parties at their respective addresses:
San Diego Association of Governments
Attention: Grants Program Manager
401 B Street, Suite 800
San Diego, CA 92101
Grantee:
Jurisdiction Name]
Attention: [Project Manager]
Address]
City, CA, ZIP]
VI. PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION
A. General
The Grantee agrees to carry out the Project as follows:
1. Project Description
Grantee agrees to perform the work as described in the Scope of Work included in Attachment A.
2. Grantee’s Capacity
The Grantee agrees to maintain or acquire sufficient legal, financial, technical, and managerial capacity to: (a) plan, manage, and complete the Project as described in Attachment A and provide for the use of any Project property; (b) carry out any safety and security aspects of the Project; and (c) comply with the terms of the Agreement and all applicable laws, regulations, and policies pertaining to the Project and the Grantee, as the same may be amended from time to time, including but not limited to Board Policy No. 035.
3. Project Schedule
The Grantee agrees to complete the Project according to the Project Schedule included in Attachment B and in compliance with Board Policy No. 035, as the same may be amended from time to time.
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4 4. Project Implementation and Oversight Requirements
Grantee agrees to comply with the Performance Measures included in Attachment C.
5. Changes to Project Scope of Work
This Agreement was awarded to Grantee based on the application submitted by Grantee with the intention that the awarded funds would be used to implement the Project as described in the project application. Any substantive deviation from Grantee’s Scope of Work during project implementationmay require reevaluation or result in loss of funding. If Grantee knows or should have known that substantive changes to the Project will occur or have occurred, Grantee will immediatelynotify SANDAG in writing. SANDAG will then determine whether the Project is still consistent with the overall objectives of the grant program and whether the changes would have negatively affected the Project ranking during the competitive grant evaluation process.
SANDAG reserves the right to have grant funding withheld from Grantee, or refunded to SANDAG, due to Grantee’s failure to complete the Project satisfactorilyor due to substantive changes to the Project not approved in advance by SANDAG.
B. Application of Laws
Should a federal or state law pre-empt or conflict with a local law, policy, or ordinance, the Grantee must comply with the federal or state law and implementing regulations. No provision of this Agreement requires the Grantee to observe or enforce compliance with any provision, perform any other act, or do any other task in contravention of federal, state, territorial, or local law, regulation, or ordinance. If compliance with any provision of this Agreement violates or would require the Grantee to violate any law, the Grantee agrees to notify SANDAG immediately in writing. Should this occur, SANDAG and the Grantee agree to make appropriate arrangements to proceed with or, if necessary, terminate the Project or affected portions expeditiously.
C. Changes in Project Performance
The Grantee agrees to notify SANDAG immediately, in writing, of any change in local law, conditions (including its legal, financial, or technical capacity), or any other event, including a force majeure event, that may adversely affect the Grantee’s ability to perform the Project under the terms of the Agreement and as required by Board Policy No. 035. The Grantee also agrees to notify SANDAG immediately, in writing, of any current or prospective major dispute, breach, default, or litigation that may adversely affect SANDAG’s interests in the Project; and agrees to inform SANDAG, also in writing, before naming SANDAG as a party to litigation for any reason, in any forum. At a minimum, the Grantee agrees to send each notice to SANDAG required by this subsection to SANDAG’s Grants Program Manager.
Include the following CIS language for capital projects only.] D. Compliance Information System ( CIS)
If Grantee will utilize persons other than its own employees to carry out work, Grantee and all of its third-party contractors and subcontractors (hereinafter “subcontractors”) shall report payment details using the SANDAG web-based CIS by the 15th of each month following receipt of payment by SANDAG. The CIS is available at https://sandag.sbdbe.com. CIS allows SANDAG to monitor the promptness of payment to subcontractors and will allow Grantee and its subcontractors to manage their own records, maintain accurate contract information, and report payment details online. CIS is mandatory for Grantee and subcontractors to use unless SANDAG instructs otherwise. After execution of this Agreement, Grantee will receive instructions on how to set up its account and enter required subcontractor data into CIS via an internet browser. Grantee must require each subcontractor to enter the required payment information into CIS. Failure of Grantee or its 04/08/2025
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5 subcontractors to enter required information and confirm payments on a timely basis will delay payment by SANDAG to Grantee until Grantee has cured any defects or provided the missing information. Should Grantee fail to provide the required information, SANDAG shall have sole discretion regarding whether to withhold payment or terminate this Agreement.
E. Licenses and Permits
Grantee represents and warrants to SANDAG that Grantee and its subcontractors will have all necessary licenses, permits, qualifications and approvals of whatever nature that are required to legally practice its profession and perform services under this Agreement at all times during the term of this Agreement.
Include the following DIR language for capital projects only.] F. Registration with DIR and Prevailing Wage Requirements All provisions of this section shall be passed through to any subcontractors performing work related to this Agreement. Additional requirements for public works projects are included in Attachment D.
1. Payment of Prevailing Wages
Grantee acknowledgesthat any work that qualifies as a “public work” within the meaning of California Labor Code section 1720 shall cause Grantee and its subcontractorsto comply with the provisions of California Labor Code sections 1775 et seq, which includes the payment of prevailing wages to all workers performing prevailing wage work.
2. Public Works Contractor Registration With DIR
If Grantee or its subcontractorswill engage in the performance of a public work as defined by California Labor Code sections 1720 et seq. and will utilize persons who are not employees of a public entity, registration and payment of an annual registration fee to the DIR shall be required of each entity performing the work. This requirement applies to anyone affected by the public works statutes found in the California Labor Code, including but not limited to landscapers, fencers, surveyors, soil testers, dredgers, heavy equipment operators, and inspectors. Registration can be completed online at https://www.dir.ca.gov/public-works/contractor-registration.html.
3. Subcontract Requirements
If Grantee will award any subcontractsfor the performance of a public work:
a. Grantee will create a Project Registration Form (PWC-100 form) for each subcontract using the online database of the California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR). b. Grantee shall notify SANDAG ten business days prior to the subcontractor performing the prevailing wage work so SANDAG can prepare for labor compliance monitoring. Grantee will provide to SANDAG the name, DIR registration number, and contractor’s license numbers of each subcontractor so SANDAG or its labor compliance designee can verify, that the selected subcontractor is currently licensed and registered with the DIR. If SANDAG finds that the selected subcontractor is not licensed and registered with the DIR, SANDAG will promptly notify Grantee and Grantee will be required to notify the selected subcontractor to stop work.
c. If there are any changes to a subcontractor or lower-tier subcontractor, Grantee will advise SANDAG of these changes as soon as those changes are known to the Grantee. 04/08/2025
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6 4. Certified Payroll Reporting to DIR
Grantee and all subcontractorsperforming a public work under this Agreement shall use the DIR’s Electronic Certified Payroll Reporting (eCPR) System, available at https://www.dir.ca.gov/Public-Works/Certified-Payroll-Reporting.html, to furnish certified payroll records to the California Labor Commissioner. Grantee and its subcontractorsare required to utilize the eCPR system throughout the entire duration of the public work.
5. Certified Payroll Reporting to SANDAG
In addition to the eCPR system, Grantee and all subcontractorsperforming a public work shall utilize the SANDAG Labor Compliance Monitoring System (LCMS), available at https://www.sandag.org/about/work-with-us/labor-compliance-monitoring-program to furnish certified payroll records to SANDAG. If Grantee desires to utilize a different system to provide certified payroll records to SANDAG, it must request prior authorization and receive approval in writing from the Grants Program Manager.
Grantee will be required to enter all of its subcontractors’ information into LCMS on an ongoing basis. The SANDAG LCMS will allow Grantee to convert certified payroll records to the XML file format for upload to the DIR system.
6. Retention and Inspection of Payroll Records and Employment of Registered Apprentices Grantee agrees to comply and cause any of its applicable subcontractorsto comply with Labor Code section 1776 regarding retention and inspection of payroll records and noncompliance penalties, Labor Code section 1777.5 regarding employment of registered apprentices, and Labor Code section 1813 regarding forfeiture for violations of the maximum hours per day and per week provisions contained in the same chapter. ln order to ensure compliance with the Labor Code, Grantee and its subcontractorsshall be subject to site visits and spot-check audits by SANDAG or its labor compliance designee. During these audits and inspections, SANDAG or its designee may request Grantee or subcontractor records, including but not limited to certified payroll, apprenticeship, and other ancillary records at any time during the term of the Agreement.
If such an audit or site visit discloses that Grantee or a subcontractorhas not kept complete and accurate records or complied with the requirements of the California Labor Code, SANDAG will notify the Grantee and request that the Grantee complete a written Action Plan that includes specific actions the Grantee will take to remedy the outstanding issues and a timeline to bring the Project into compliance. Should the Grantee be unable to submit its Action Plan by the deadline included in the notice or complete its Action Plan in a timely manner, SANDAG will notify the DIR of potential labor compliance issues related to the Project.
Additionally, if Grantee was provided an exception to utilizing the SANDAG LCMS, Grantee will be required to input and submit all applicable certified payrolls and accompanying documentation related to the Project, retroactive to the start of the Project, into the SANDAG LCMS.
G. Standard of Care
Grantee expressly warrants that the work to be performed under this Agreement shall be performed in accordance with the applicable standard of care. Where approval by SANDAG, its management, or other representative of SANDAG is indicated in the Scope of Work, it is understood to be conceptual approval only and does not relieve the Grantee of responsibility for complying with all laws, codes, industry standards, and liability for damages caused by negligent acts, errors, omissions, noncompliance with industry standards, or the willful misconduct of the Grantee or its third-party contractors.
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7 H. Third- Party Contracting
Although the Grantee may delegate any or almost all Project responsibilities to one or more third- party contractors, the Grantee agrees that it, rather than any third-party contractor, is ultimately responsible for compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and this Agreement. The first invoice utilizing any third-party contractor shall be accompanied by evidence of compliance with the following requirements:
1. Competitive Procurement
Grantee shall not award contracts with a cumulative value over $10,000 based on a noncompetitive procurement for work to be performed under this Agreement without the prior written approval of the SGIP Program Manager for such sole source. A Sole Source Request template can be obtained by contacting the SGIP Program Manager. Grantee shall submit its Request for Proposals or bid solicitation documents to SANDAG staff when requesting reimbursement of any third-party contractor expenses to ensure a competitive process was used.
If Grantee hires a third-party contractor to carry out work funded under this Agreement, Grantee shall: prepare a cost estimate prior to soliciting proposals/bids; publicly advertise for competing proposals/bids for the work; for professional services, use cost as a significant evaluation factor in selecting the third-party contractor; document a record of negotiation establishing that the amount paid by Grantee for the work is fair and reasonable; and pass through the relevant obligations in this Agreement to the third-party contractor.
2. Debarment
Grantee and its third-party contractors shall review debarment and suspension websites to confirm the proposed third-party contractor has not been disqualified from doing business with government entities. The documentation showing a lack of debarment shall be obtained from the following two websites:
Grantee will check the System for Award Management (SAM) at www.sam.gov to verify the third-party contractor and all of its subcontractors are not currently debarred or suspended by the federal government.
Entities in the United States are banned from doing business with companies with ownership based in countries such as Cuba, Sudan and China due to United States trade sanctions. A search on the US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) website can ensure Grantee will not be doing business with a vendor that is subject to trade sanctions. This can be done at https://sanctionssearch.ofac.treas.gov/.
3. Flowdown
Grantee agrees to take appropriate measures necessary, including the execution of a subagreement, lease, third-party contract, or other contractual agreement, to ensure that all Project participants, including alternate payees or third-party contractors at any tier, comply with all applicable federal laws, regulations, policies affecting Project implementation and Agreement requirements. In addition, if an entity other than the Grantee is expected to fulfill any responsibilities typically performed by the Grantee, the Grantee agrees to assure that the entity carries out the Grantee’s responsibilities as outlined in this Agreement. 04/08/2025
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8 4. No SANDAG Obligations to Third Parties
In connection with the Project, the Grantee agrees that SANDAG shall not be subject to any obligations or liabilities to any subcontractor, lessee, third-party contractor at any tier, or other person or entity that is not a party to the Agreement for the Project. Notwithstanding that SANDAG may have concurred in or approved any solicitation, subagreement, lease, alternate payee designation, or third-party contract at any tier, SANDAG has no obligations or liabilities to any entity other than the Grantee.
5. Equipment Purchases
Grantee shall maintain ownership of any equipment purchased using Agreement funding and shall use such equipment only for the purposes outlined in this Agreement. The parties agree to meet and confer in good faith to ensure the equipment's continued use for the intended purposes, which may include reimbursement to SANDAG when the fair market value of the equipment at Project completion exceeds $5,000. SANDAG and Grantee further agree that Grantee shall keep an inventory record for each piece of equipment purchased under this Agreement and maintain each piece of equipment in good operating order consistent with the purposes for which they were intended. SANDAG shall have the right to conduct periodic maintenance inspections to confirm the equipment's existence, condition, and proper maintenance.
VII. ETHICS
A. Grantee Code of Conduct/ Standards of Conduct
The Grantee agrees to maintain a written code of conduct or standards of conduct that shall govern the actions of its officers, employees, council or board members, or agents engaged in the award or administration of subagreements, leases, or third-party contracts supported with the grant funding.
The Grantee agrees that its code of conduct or standards of conduct shall specify that its officers, employees, council or board members, or agents may neither solicit nor accept gratuities, favors, or anything of monetary value from any present or potential subcontractor, lessee, or third-party contractor at any tier or agent thereof. The Grantee may set de minimis rules where the financial interest is not substantial, or the gift is an unsolicited item of nominal intrinsic value. The Grantee agrees that its code of conduct or standards of conduct shall also prohibit its officers, employees, board members, or agents from using their respective positions in a manner that presents a real or apparent personal or organizational conflict of interest or personal gain. As permitted by state or local law or regulations, the Grantee agrees that its code of conduct or standards of conduct shall include penalties, sanctions, or other disciplinary actions for violations by its officers, employees, council or board members, or their agents, or its third-party contractors or subcontractors or their agents.
B. Personal Conflicts of Interest
The Grantee agrees that its code of conduct or standards of conduct shall prohibit the Grantee’s employees, officers, council or board members, or agents from participating in the selection, award, or administration of any third-party contract or subagreement supported by the grant funding if a real or apparent conflict of interest would be involved. Such a conflict would arise when an employee, officer, board member, or agent, including any member of their immediate family, partner, or organization that employs, or intends to employ, any of the parties listed herein have a financial interest in a firm competing for award.
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9 C. Organizational Conflicts of Interest
The Grantee agrees that its code of conduct or standards of conduct shall include procedures for identifying and preventing real and apparent organizational conflicts of interest. An organizational conflict of interest exists when the nature of the work to be performed under a proposed third-party contract or subagreement may, without some restrictions on future activities, result in an unfair competitive advantage to the third-party contractor or subcontractor or impair its objectivity in performing the contract work.
D. SANDAG Code of Conduct
SANDAG has established policies concerning potential conflicts of interest. These policies apply to Grantee. For all awards by SANDAG, any practices that might result in unlawful activity are prohibited, including, but not limited to, rebates, kickbacks, or other unlawful considerations.
SANDAG staff members are specifically prohibited from participating in the selection process when those staff have a close personal relationship, family relationship, or past (within the last 12 months), present, or potential business or employment relationship with a person or business entity seeking a contract with SANDAG. It is unlawful for any contract to be made by SANDAG if any individual Board member or staff has a prohibited financial interest in the contract. Staff also are prohibited from soliciting or accepting gratuities from any organization seeking funding from SANDAG. SANDAG’s officers, employees, agents, and board members shall not solicit or accept gifts, gratuities, favors, or anything of monetary value from consultants, potential consultants, or parties to subagreements. By signing this Agreement, Grantee affirms that it has no knowledge of an ethical violation by SANDAG staff or Grantee. If Grantee has any reason to believe a conflict of interest exists concerning the Agreement or the Project, it shall notify the SANDAG Office of General Counsel immediately.
E. Bonus or Commission
The Grantee affirms that it has not paid and agrees not to pay any bonus or commission to obtain approval of its grant funding application for the Project.
F. False or Fraudulent Statements or Claims
The Grantee acknowledges and agrees that by executing the Agreement for the Project, the Grantee certifies or affirms the truthfulness and accuracy of each statement it has made, it makes, or it may make in connection with the Project, including, but not limited to, the Grantee’s grant application, progress reports, and invoices.
VIII. PAYMENTS
A. Reimbursement Basis
Payment to Grantee for work performed pursuant to this Agreement will be on a reimbursement basis and will be based on actual, substantiated, and allowable costs incurred by the Grantee with documentation provided to SANDAG.
B. Alternate Payee
If the Grantee designates a party as an Alternate Payee, Alternate Payee is authorized to submit payment requests directly to SANDAG to receive reimbursement for allowable Project costs. This does not alleviate Grantee from all obligations under this Grant Agreement. 04/08/2025
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10 C. Invoicing
Grantee or Alternate Payee is required to submit invoices no more often than quarterly using a template provided by SANDAG. Invoices must be accompanied by a quarterly report using the quarterly report template provided by SANDAG. SANDAG will make payments for eligible amounts to Grantee or Alternate Payee as promptly as SANDAG fiscal procedures permit upon receipt of Grantee’s or Alternate Payee’s itemized signed invoice(s), backup, deliverables, and confirmation by the SGIP Program Manager that Grantee is in compliance with the reporting and other requirements in this Agreement. SANDAG shall retain 10 percent from the amounts invoiced until the satisfactory completion of the Project. SANDAG shall promptly pay retention amounts to Grantee or Alternate Payee following satisfactory completion of the Scope of Work, including but not limited to receipt of all deliverables, completion of a final site visit and notification that all labor compliance requirements have been met (for capital projects), the final invoice, and all required documentation.
D. Eligible Costs
The Grantee agrees that Project costs eligible for grant funding must comply with the following requirements unless SANDAG determines otherwise in writing. To be eligible for reimbursement, Project costs must be:
1. Consistent with the Project Scope of Work, Schedule, and Project Budget, and other provisions of the Agreement.
2. Necessary to accomplish the Project.
3. Reasonable for the goods or services purchased.
4. Actual net costs to the Grantee (i.e., the price paid minus any refunds, rebates, or other items of value received by the Grantee that reduces the cost actually incurred, excluding program income). Project-generated revenue realized by the Grantee shall be used to support the Project. Project-generated revenue and expenditures, if any, shall be reported at the end of the Agreement period.
5. Incurred for work performed on or after the Agreement effective date and before the termination date, and also must have been paid for by the Grantee.
6. Satisfactorily documented with supporting documentation, which will be submitted with each invoice. Copies of third-party contractor invoices are required for goods or services provided by third parties.
7. Treated consistently following generally accepted accounting principles and procedures for the Grantee and any third-party contractors and subcontractors, (see Section entitled “Accounting, Reporting, Record Retention, and Access”).
8. Eligible for grant funding as part of the grant program through which the funds were awarded.
9. Indirect costs are only allowable if they were included in the Grantee’s original project application and Project Budget and were approved by SANDAG.
E. Excluded Costs
In determining the amount of TransNet funds SANDAG will provide for the Project, SANDAG will exclude the following:
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11 1. Any Project cost incurred by the Grantee before the Effective Date of the Agreement or applicable Amendment.
2. Any cost that is not included in the Project Budget.
3. Any cost for Project property or services received in connection with a subagreement, lease, third-party contract, or other arrangementthat is required to be, but has not been, concurred in or approved in writing by SANDAG.
4. Any cost ineligible for SANDAG participationas provided by applicable laws, regulations, or policies.
5. Indirect costs unless they were included in the Grantee’s original project application and Project Budget and were approved by SANDAG.
The Grantee understands and agrees that payment to the Grantee for any Project cost does not constitute SANDAG’s final decision about whether that cost is allowable and eligible for payment under the Project and does not constitute a waiver of any violation by the Grantee of the terms of this Agreement or Board Policy No. 035 (as the same may be amended). The Grantee acknowledges that SANDAG will not make a final determination about the allowability and eligibility of any cost until the final payment has been made on the Project or the results of an audit of the Project requested by SANDAG or its Independent Taxpayers’ Oversight Committee (ITOC) have been completed, whichever occurs latest. If SANDAG determines that the Grantee is not entitled to receive any portion of the grant funding requested or paid, SANDAG will notify the Grantee in writing, stating its reasons. The Grantee agrees that Project closeout will not alter the Grantee’s responsibility to return any funds due to SANDAG as a result of later refunds, corrections, performance deficiencies, or other similar actions; nor will Project closeout alter SANDAG’s right to disallow costs and recover funds provided for the Project on the basis of a later audit or other review. Upon notification to the Grantee that specific amounts are owed to SANDAG, whether for excess payments of grant funding, disallowed costs, or funds recovered from third parties or elsewhere, the Grantee agrees to promptly remit to SANDAG the amounts owed, including applicable interest, penalties and administrative charges.
IX. ACCOUNTING, REPORTING, RECORD RETENTION, AND ACCESS A. Project Accounts
The Grantee and Alternate Payee agree to establish and maintain for the Project either a separate set of accounts or separate accounts within the framework of an established accounting system that can be identified with the Project. The Grantee and Alternate Payee also agree to maintain documentation of all checks, payrolls, invoices, contracts, vouchers, orders, or other accounting documents related in whole or in part to the Project so that they may be clearly identified, readily accessible, and available to SANDAG upon request and, to the extent feasible, kept separate from documents not related to the Project.
B. Reports
1. The Grantee agrees to submit to SANDAG all reports required by law and regulation, policy, this Agreement, or any other reports SANDAG may specify. SANDAG reserves the right to specify that records be submitted in particular formats. Grantee may be required to attend meetings of SANDAG staff and committees, including but not limited to the TransNet IndependentTaxpayer Oversight Committee, Transportationand Regional Planning Committees and the SANDAG Board of Directors, to report on its progress and respond to questions from Committee or Board Members or the public. 04/08/2025
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12 2. Grantee’s performance shall be monitored for consistency with the Scope of Work. SANDAG will utilize Performance Measures (Attachment C) and the SANDAG Grant Monitoring Checklist provided by the SGIP Program Manager, to document compliance with this Agreement.
Grantee’s performance will be measured against the Performance Measures during the term of this Agreement. If the Grantee does not comply with provisions in this Agreement or achieve minimum performance requirements, SANDAG will issue Grantee a written Notice to Complete a Recovery Plan (Notice). Grantee’s Recovery Plan shall include a detailed description of how Grantee intends to come into compliance with the Agreement or Performance Measures.
Grantee’s Recovery Plan must include an implementationschedule that reflects compliance with the Agreement as referenced in the Notice, or achievement of its performance measure minimums within three months following the issue date of the Notice. Grantee must submit its Recovery Plan to the SGIP Program Manager within 30 calendar days following the issue date of the Notice. If Grantee’s performance is inconsistent with that proposed in its Recovery Plan, SANDAG, in its sole discretion, may terminate this Agreement.
3. Grantee must submit quarterly reports and invoices to SANDAG, detailing accomplishmentsin the quarter, anticipated progress next quarter, pending issues and actions toward resolution, and status of the Project’s budget, schedule, and Performance Measures using templates provided by SANDAG. The Quarterly Progress Report shall be submitted to SANDAG within 30 days after each period close, covering January 1 to March 31; April 1 to June 30; July 1 to September 30; and October 1 to December 31. Grantee will not be paid until all reports are completed and provided to SANDAG in the format and with the content SANDAG requires.
Furthermore, the Grantee agrees to provide project milestone information (such as presentations to community groups, other agencies, and elected officials, groundbreakings, and ribbon-cuttings) to support media and communications efforts. Grantee needs to document and track in-kind contributionsdesignated as matching funds as part of project management.
Grantee must provide all deliverables identified in the Scope of Work in order to receive payment.
4. Press materials shall be provided to SANDAG staff before they are distributed. SANDAG logo(s) should be included in press materials and other project collateral based on logo usage guidelines to be provided by SANDAG. Grantee agrees to provide project milestone information to support media and communications efforts.
5. Grantee is responsible for the following photo documentation:
For capital projects, pre-construction photos, which should illustrate the conditions of the project site before construction and demonstrate the need for improved facilities.
Project milestone photos (such as workshops, presentations to community groups, other agencies, and elected officials)
Photos should be high resolution (at least 4 inches by 6 inches with a minimum of 300 pixels per inch) and be provided to SANDAG with captions including project descriptions, dates, locations, and the names of those featured, if appropriate. Grantees must obtain the consent of all persons featured in photos (or that of a parent or guardian of persons under the age of 18) by using the SANDAG Photo and Testimonial Release form to be provided by SANDAG, or a similar release form developed by Grantee and agreed upon by SANDAG.
C. Record Retention
During the course of the Project and for three years thereafter from the date of transmission of the final invoice, the Grantee agrees to maintain, intact and readily accessible, all communications, data, documents, reports, records, contracts, and supporting materials relating to the Project, as 04/08/2025
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13 SANDAG may require. All communications and information provided to SANDAG become the property of SANDAG and public records, as such, may be subject to public review. Please see SANDAG’s Board Policy No. 015: Records Management Policy, which is available at https://www.sandag.org/about/bylaws-and-policies, for information regarding the treatment of documents designated as confidential.
D. Meeting Records
Grantee shall provide SANDAG with agendas and meeting summaries for all community meetings.
SANDAG staff may attend any meetings as appropriate.
E. Access to Records of Grantees and Third- Party Contractors The Grantee agrees to permit, and require its third-party contractors to permit, SANDAG or its authorized representatives, upon request, to inspect all Project work, materials, payrolls, and other data, and to audit the books, records, and accounts of the Grantee and its third-party contractors pertaining to the Project.
X. PROJECT COMPLETION, AUDIT, SETTLEMENT, AND CLOSEOUT
A. Project Completion
Within 90 calendar days following Project completion or termination by SANDAG, the Grantee agrees to submit a final invoice of Project expenses and final reports, as applicable. All payments made to the Grantee shall be subject to review for compliance by SANDAG with the requirements of this Agreement and shall be subject to an audit upon completion of the Project.
B. Project Audit
The Grantee agrees to have financial, performance, and compliance audits performed as SANDAG may require. The Grantee agrees that Project closeout will not alter the Grantee’s audit responsibilities. Audit costs are allowable Project costs.
C. Performance Audit
The Grantee agrees to cooperate with SANDAG or ITOC regarding any performance audit performed on the Project.
D. Project Closeout
Project closeout occurs when SANDAG notifies the Grantee that SANDAG has closed the Project, and, if applicable, either forwards the final grant funding payment and or acknowledges that the Grantee has remitted the proper refund. The Grantee agrees that Project closeout by SANDAG does not invalidate any continuing requirements imposed by the Agreement or any unmet requirements outlined in a written notification from SANDAG.
XI. TIMELY PROGRESS AND RIGHT OF SANDAG TO TERMINATE
A. Grantee shall make diligent and timely progress toward completion of the Project within the timelines outlined in the Project Schedule and consistent with Board Policy No. 035 and any amendments thereto.
B. In the event Grantee encounters or anticipates difficulty in meeting the Project Schedule, the Grantee shall immediately notify the SGIP Program Manager in writing, and shall provide pertinent details, including the reason(s) for the delay in performance and the date by which Grantee expects 04/08/2025
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14 to complete performance or delivery. This notification shall be informational in character only and receipt of it shall not be construed as a waiver by SANDAG of a project delivery schedule or date, or any rights or remedies provided by this Agreement, including Board Policy No. 035 requirements.
C. Grantee agrees that SANDAG, at its sole discretion, may suspend or terminate all or any part of the grant funding if the Grantee fails to make reasonable progress on the Project and/or violates the terms of the Agreement or Board Policy No. 035 (as the same may be amended from time to time), or if SANDAG determines that the continuation of grant funding for the Project would not adequately serve the purpose of the laws or policies authorizing the Project.
D. In general, termination of grant funding for the Project will not invalidate obligations properly incurred by the Grantee before the termination date to the extent those obligations cannot be canceled. If, however, SANDAG determines that the Grantee has willfully misused grant funding by failing to make adequate progress, complete the Scope of Work, meet the performance measures, or failing to comply with the terms of the Agreement, SANDAG reserves the right to require the Grantee to refund to SANDAG the entire amount of grant funding provided for the Project or any lesser amount as SANDAG may determine.
E. Expiration of any Project time period established in the Project Schedule will not automatically constitute an expiration or termination of the Agreement for the Project. However, Grantee must request, and SANDAG may agree to amend the Agreement in writing if the Project Schedule will not be met. An amendment to the Project Schedule may be made at SANDAG’s discretion if Grantee’s request is consistent with the provisions of Board Policy No. 035.
XII. CIVIL RIGHTS
The Grantee agrees to comply with all applicable civil rights laws, regulations and policies and shall include the provisions of this section in each subagreement, lease, third-party contract or other legally binding document to perform work funded by this Agreement. Applicable civil rights laws, regulations and policies include, but are not limited to, the following:
A. Nondiscrimination
SANDAG implements its programs without regard to income level, disability, race, color, and national origin in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. Grantee shall prohibit discrimination on these grounds, notify the public of their rights under these laws, and utilize a process for addressing complaints of discrimination. Furthermore, Grantee shall make the procedures for filing a complaint available to members of the public and will keep a log of all such complaints. Grantee must notify SANDAG immediately if a complaint related to the Project or program funded by this grant is lodged. If Grantee receives a Title VI-related or ADA- related complaint, Grantee must notify SANDAG in writing within 72 hours of receiving the complaint so that SANDAG can determine whether it needs to carry out its own investigation.
B. Equal Employment Opportunity
During the performance of this Agreement, Grantee and all of its third-party contractors, if any, shall not unlawfully discriminate, harass, or allow harassment against any employee or applicant for employment because of sex, race, color, ancestry, religious creed, national origin, disability including HIV and AIDS), mental disability, medical condition (cancer), age (over 40), marital status, denial of family and medical care leave, denial of pregnancy disability leave, veteran status, or sexual orientation. Grantee and its third-party contractors shall ensure that the evaluation and treatment of their employees and applicants for employment are free from such discrimination and harassment. Grantee and its third-party contractors shall comply with the provisions of the Fair Employment and Housing Act (California Government Code Section 12900, et seq.) and the 04/08/2025
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15 applicable regulations promulgated thereunder (California Code of Regulations, Title 2, Section 7285.0, et seq.). The applicable regulations of the Fair Employment and Housing Commission implementing California Government Code Section 12990 (a-f), outlined in Chapter 5 of Division 4 of Title 2 of the California Code of Regulations, are incorporated into this Agreement by this reference and are made a part hereof as if set forth in full. Grantee and its third-party contractors shall give written notice of their obligations under this clause to labor organizations with a collective bargaining or other Agreement.
XIII. DISPUTES AND VENUE
A. Choice of Law
This Agreement shall be interpreted under the laws of the State of California.
B. Dispute Resolution Process
If Grantee has a dispute with SANDAG during the performance of this Agreement, Grantee shall continue to perform unless SANDAG informs Grantee in writing to cease performance. The dispute resolution process for disputes arising under this Agreement shall be as follows:
1. Grantee shall submit a statement of the grounds for the dispute, including all pertinent dates, names of persons involved, and supporting documentation, to the SGIP Program Manager.
The SGIP Program Manager and other appropriate SANDAG staff will review the documentationpromptly and reply to Grantee within 20 calendar days. Upon receipt of an adverse decision by SANDAG, Grantee may submit a request for reconsiderationto SANDAG’s Chief Executive Officer or designee. The request for reconsiderationmust be received within ten calendar days from the postmark date of SANDAG’s reply. The Chief Executive Officer or designee will respond in writing to the request for reconsiderationwithin ten working days.
2. If Grantee is dissatisfied with the results following the exhaustion of the above dispute resolution procedures, Grantee shall make a written request to SANDAG for appeal to the SANDAG applicable policy advisory committee . SANDAG shall respond to a request for mediation within 30 calendar days. The decision of the applicable policy advisory committee shall be final. In the event that more than one policy advisory committee is responsible to make recommendationsrelated to SGIP grant awards, the written request shall be submitted to the next regularly scheduled policy advisory committee.
C. Venue
If any action is brought to interpret or enforce any term of this Agreement, the action shall be brought in a state or federal court situated in the County of San Diego, State of California. In the event of any such litigation between the parties, the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover all reasonable costs incurred, including reasonable attorney’s fees, litigation and collection expenses, witness fees, and court costs as determined by the court.
XIV. ASSIGNMENT
Grantee shall not assign, sublet, or transfer (whether by assignment or novation) this Agreement or any rights under or interest in this Agreement.
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16 XV. INDEMNIFICATION AND HOLD HARMLESS
A. Generally
With regard to any claim, protest, or litigation arising from or related to the Grantee’s performance in connection with or incidental to the Project or this Agreement, Grantee agrees to defend, indemnify, protect, and hold SANDAG and its agents, officers, Board members, and employees harmless from and against any and all claims, including, but not limited to prevailing wage claims against the Project, asserted or established liability for damages or injuries to any person or property, including injury to the Grantee’s or its third-party contractors’ employees, agents, or officers, which arise from or are connected with or are caused or claimed to be caused by the negligent, reckless, or willful acts or omissions of the Grantee and its third-party contractors and their agents, officers, or employees, in performing the work or services herein, and all expenses of investigating and defending against same, including attorney fees and costs; provided, however, that the Grantee’s duty to indemnify and hold harmless shall not include any claims or liability arising from the established sole negligence or willful misconduct of SANDAG, its Board of Directors, agents, officers, or employees.
B. Intellectual Property
Upon request by SANDAG, the Grantee agrees to indemnify, save, and hold harmless SANDAG and its Board of Directors, officers, agents, and employees acting within the scope of their official duties against any liability, including costs and expenses, resulting from any willful or intentional violation by the Grantee of proprietary rights, copyrights, or right of privacy, arising out of the publication, translation, reproduction, delivery, use, or disposition of any data furnished under the Project. The Grantee shall not be required to indemnify SANDAG for any liability caused solely by the wrongful acts of SANDAG employees or agents.
XVI. INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR
A. Status of Grantee
Grantee shall perform the services provided for within this Agreement as an independent contractor, not an employee of SANDAG. Grantee shall be under the control of SANDAG as to the result to be accomplished and not the means. The payments made to Grantee under this Agreement shall be the full compensation to which Grantee is entitled. SANDAG shall not make any federal or state tax withholdings on behalf of Grantee. SANDAG shall not be required to pay any workers’ compensation insurance on behalf of Grantee. Grantee agrees to indemnify SANDAG for any tax, retirement contribution, social security, overtime payment, or workers’ compensation payment which SANDAG may be required to make on behalf of Grantee or any employee of Grantee for work done under this Agreement.
B. Actions on Behalf of SANDAG
Except as SANDAG may specify in writing, Grantee shall have no authority, express or implied, to act on behalf of SANDAG in any capacity whatsoever, as an agent or otherwise. Grantee shall have no authority, express or implied, to bind SANDAG or its members, agents, or employees to any obligation whatsoever unless expressly provided for in this Agreement.
XVII. SEVERABILITY AND INTEGRATION
If any provision of the Agreement is determined invalid, the remainder of that Agreement shall not be affected if that remainder continues to conform to the requirements of applicable laws or regulations. 04/08/2025
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17 This Agreement, with its attachments and the resolution from Grantee’s governing body submitted with its application, represents the entire understanding of SANDAG and Grantee regarding those matters. No prior oral or written understanding shall be of any force or effect concerning those matters covered herein.
This Agreement may not be modified or altered except in writing, signed by SANDAG and the Grantee.
XVIII. SIGNATURES
The individuals executing this Agreement represent and warrant that they have the legal capacity and authority to do so on behalf of their respective legal entities.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the last signature date below.
SAN DIEGO ASSOCIATIONOF
GOVERNMENTS
JURISDICTION NAME]
SUSAN HUNTINGTON Date
Director of Financial Planning, Budgets,
and Grants
FULL NAME] Date Title]
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Office of General Counsel Date
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18 ATTACHMENT A
SCOPEOF WORKAND PROJECTBUDGET
Contracts to Insert final Scope and Project Budget from Excel file) 04/08/2025
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19 ATTACHMENTB
PROJECT SCHEDULE
Contracts to Insert final Project Schedule from Excel file) 04/08/2025
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20 ATTACHMENT C
PERFORMANCEMEASURES
Grantee must provide sufficient evidence that demonstrates the use of grant funding meets all SGIP goals and objectives. Grantee agrees to the following performance measures:
Contracts to Insert final Performance Measures provided by Grants Division) 04/08/2025
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21 ATTACHMENT D
PUBLICWORKSREQUIREMENTS
Any subcontract entered into as a result of the Agreement, shall contain all the provisions of these Public Works Requirements. Use of the term “Contractor” herein shall refer to “Grantee and its third-party contractors” as defined in the Agreement and use of the term “Contract” herein shall refer to the Agreement”.
7 1.01A LABOR CODE REQUIREMENTS
7 1.01A(1) HOURS OF LABOR
Eight (8) hours labor constitutes a legal day’s work. The Contractor or any subcontractor under the Contractor shall forfeit, as a penalty to SANDAG, twenty five dollars ($25) for each worker employed in the execution of the Contract by the respective Contractor or subcontractor for each calendar day during which that worker is required or permitted to work more than 8 hours in any one calendar day and forty 40) hours in any one calendar week in violation of the requirements of the Labor Code, and in particular, 1810 - 1815, thereof, inclusive, except that work performed by employees of Contractors in excess of eight (8) hours per day, and forty (40) hours during any one week, shall be permitted upon compensation for all hours worked in excess of eight (8) hours per day at not less than one and one half times the basic rate of pay, as provided in §1815 thereof.
7 1.01A(2) PREVAILING WAGE
The Contractor shall pay wage rates consistent with the State of California Labor Code and the California Department of Industrial Relations.
The wage rates determined by the Director of Industrial Relations can be found in the State Prevailing Wage Rates. If the published wage rate does not refer to a predetermined wage rate to be paid after the expiration date, said published rate of wage shall be in effect for the life of this Contract. If the published wage rate refers to a predetermined wage rate to become effective upon expiration of the published wage rate and the predetermined wage rate is on file with the Department of Industrial Relations, such predetermined wage rate shall become effective on the date following the expiration date and shall apply to this Contract in the same manner as if it had been published in said publication. If the predetermined wage rate refers to one or more additional expiration dates with additional predetermined wage rates, which expiration dates occur during the life of this Contract, each successive predetermined wage rate shall apply to this Contract on the date following the expiration date of the previous wage rate. If the last of such predetermined wage rates expires during the life of this Contract, such wage rate shall apply to the balance of the Contract.
Contractor and any subcontractor under Contractor shall comply with Labor Code §§1774 and 1775.
Pursuant to Section 1775, the Contractor and any subcontractor under the Contractor shall forfeit to SANDAG a penalty of not more than two-hundred dollars ($200) for each calendar day, or portion thereof, for each worker paid less than the prevailing rates as determined by the Director of Industrial Relations for the work or craft in which the worker is employed for any public work done under the Contract by the Contractor or by any subcontractor under the Contractor in violation of the requirements of the Labor Code and in particular, Labor Code §§ 1770 to 1780, inclusive. The amount of this forfeiture shall be determined by the Labor Commissioner and shall be based on consideration of the mistake, inadvertence, or neglect of the Contractor or subcontractor in failing to pay the correct rate of prevailing wages, or the previous record of the Contractor or subcontractor in meeting their respective prevailing wage obligations, or the willful failure by the Contractor or subcontractor to pay the correct rates of prevailing wages. A mistake, inadvertence, or neglect in failing to pay the correct rate of prevailing wages is not excusable if the Contractor or subcontractor had knowledge of the obligations under the Labor Code. In addition to the penalty and pursuant to Labor Code §1775, the difference between the prevailing wage rates and the amount paid to each worker for each calendar day or portion thereof for which each 04/08/2025
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22 worker was paid less than the prevailing wage rate shall be paid to each worker by the Contractor or subcontractor. If a worker employed by a subcontractor on a public works project is not paid the general prevailing per diem wages by the subcontractor, the prime contractor of the project is not liable for the penalties described above unless the prime contractor had knowledge of that failure of the subcontractor to pay the specified prevailing rate of wages to those workers or unless the prime contractor fails to comply with all of the following requirements:
A. The contract executed between Contractor and the subcontractor for the performance of work on the Project shall include a copy of the requirements in §§1720.9, 1771, 1775, 1776, 1777.5, 1813, and 1815 of the Labor Code.
B. Contractor shall monitor the payment of the specified general prevailing rate of per diem wages by the subcontractor to the employees, by periodic review of the certified payroll records of the subcontractor.
C. Upon becoming aware of the subcontractor’s failure to pay the specified prevailing rate of wages to the subcontractor’s workers, the contractor shall diligently take corrective action to halt or rectify the failure, including, but not limited to, retaining sufficient funds due the subcontractor for work performed on the public works project.
D. Prior to making final payment to the subcontractor for work performed on the public works project, Contractor shall obtain an affidavit signed under penalty of perjury from the subcontractor that the subcontractor has paid the specified general prevailing rate of per diem wages to the subcontractor’s employees on the public works project and any amounts due pursuant to Section 1813 of the Labor Code.
Pursuant to Section 1775 of the Labor Code, the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement shall notify a contractor on a public works project within fifteen (15) days of the receipt by the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement of a complaint of the failure of a subcontractor on that public works project to pay workers the general prevailing rate of per diem wages. If the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement determines that employees of a subcontractor were not paid the general prevailing rate of per diem wages and if SANDAG did not retain sufficient money under the Contract to pay those employees the balance of wages owed under the general prevailing rate of per diem wages, Contractor shall withhold an amount of moneys due the subcontractor sufficient to pay those employees the general prevailing rate of per diem wages if requested by the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement. Contractor shall pay any money retained from and owed to a subcontractor upon receipt of notification by the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement that the wage complaint has been resolved. If notice of the resolution of the wage complaint has not been received by the Contractor within 180 days of the filing of a valid notice of completion or acceptance of the public works project, whichever occurs later, Contractor shall pay all moneys retained from the subcontractor to SANDAG. These moneys shall be retained by SANDAG pending the final decision of an enforcement action.
Pursuant to the requirements in Labor Code §1773, SANDAG has obtained the general prevailing rate of wages (which rate includes employer payments for health and welfare, pension, vacation, travel time and subsistence pay as provided for in Labor Code §1773.1, apprenticeship or other training programs authorized by Labor Code §3093, and similar purposes) applicable to the work to be done, for straight time, overtime, Saturday, Sunday and holiday work. The holiday wage rate listed shall be applicable to all holidays recognized in the collective bargaining agreement of the particular craft, classification or type of workmen concerned.
The general prevailing wage rates and any applicable changes to these wage rates are available at the Labor Compliance Office at the offices of the District Director of Transportation for the district of Caltrans in which the work is situated or at the California Department of Industrial Relations’ website at:
http://www.dir.ca.gov.
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23 The wage rates determined by the Director of Industrial Relations for the project refer to expiration dates.
Prevailing wage determinations with a single asterisk after the expiration date are in effect on the date of advertisement for Bids and are good for the life of the Contract. Prevailing wage determinations with double asterisks after the expiration date indicate that the wage rate to be paid for work performed after this date has been determined. If work is to extend past this date, the new rate shall be paid and incorporated in the Contract. The Contractor shall contact the Department of Industrial Relations as indicated in the wage rate determinations to obtain predetermined wage changes.
Pursuant to §1773.2 of the Labor Code, general prevailing wage rates shall be posted by the Contractor at a prominent place at the site of the Work.
Changes in general prevailing wage determinations that conform to Labor Code §1773.6 and Title 8 California Code of Regulations §16204 shall apply to the Project when issued by the Director of Industrial Relations at least ten (10) days prior to the date of the Notice to Contractors for the Project.
Pursuant to Labor Code §1720.9, “public works” shall include the hauling and delivery of ready-mixed concrete to carry out a public works contract for SANDAG. 7 1.01A(2)(A) TRAVEL AND SUBSISTENCE PAYMENTS
Contractor shall make travel and subsistence payments to each workman, needed to execute the Work, in conformance with the requirements in Labor Code Section 1773.1. 7 1.01A(3)(A) PAYROLL RECORDS – LABOR CODE REQUIREMENTS Attention is directed to the requirements in Labor Code §1776, a portion of which is quoted below.
Regulations implementing Labor Code §1776 are located in §§16200 et seq. of Title 8, California Code of Regulations.
a) Each contractor and subcontractor shall keep accurate payroll records, showing the name, address, last 4 digits of social security number, work classification, straight time and overtime hours worked each day and week, and the actual per diem wages paid to each journeyman, apprentice, worker, or other employee employed by him or her in connection with the public work. Each payroll record shall contain or be verified by a written declaration that it is made under penalty of perjury, stating both of the following:
1) The information contained in the payroll record is true and correct. 2) The employer has complied with the requirements of Sections 1720.9, 1771, 1811, and 1815 of the Labor Code for any work performed by its employees on the public works project. b) The payroll records enumerated under subdivision (a) shall be certified and shall be available for inspection at all reasonable hours at the principal office of the contractor on the following basis:
1) A certified copy of an employee’s payroll record shall be made available for inspection or furnished to the employee or their authorized representative on request. 2) A certified copy of all payroll records enumerated in subdivision (a) shall be made available for inspection or furnished upon request to a representative of the body awarding the contract, the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement, and the Division of Apprenticeship Standards of the Department of Industrial Relations.
3) A certified copy of all payroll records enumerated in subdivision (a) shall be made available upon request by the public for inspection or for copies thereof. However, a request by the public shall be made through either the body awarding the contract, the Division of Apprenticeship Standards, or the Division of 04/08/2025
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24 Labor Standards Enforcement. If the requested payroll records have not been provided pursuant to paragraph (2), the requesting party shall, prior to being provided the records, reimburse the costs of preparation by the contractor, subcontractors, and the entity through which the request was made. The public shall not be given access to the records at the principal office of the contractor. c) The certified payroll records shall be on forms provided by the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement or shall contain the same information as the forms provided by the division. d) A contractor or subcontractor shall file a certified copy of the records enumerated in subdivision a) with the entity that requested the records within 10 days after receipt of a written request. e) Any copy of records made available for inspection as copies and furnished upon request to the public or any public agency by the awarding body, the Division of Apprenticeship Standards, or the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement shall be marked or obliterated in a manner so as to prevent disclosure of an individual’s name, address and social security number. The name and address of the contractor awarded the contract or the subcontractor performing the contract shall not be marked or obliterated.
f) The contractor shall inform the body awarding the contract of the location of the records enumerated under subdivision (a), including the street address, city, and county, and shall, within five working days, provide a notice of a change of location and address. g) The contractor or subcontractor shall have 10 days in which to comply subsequent to receipt of a written notice requesting the records enumerated in subdivision (a). In the event that the contractor or subcontractor fails to comply within the ten (10) day period, he or she shall, as a penalty to the state or political subdivision on whose behalf the contract is made or awarded, forfeit one hundred dollars ($100) for each calendar day, or portion thereof, for each worker, until strict compliance is effectuated. Upon the request of the Division of Apprenticeship Standards or the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement, these penalties shall be withheld from progress payments then due. A contractor is not subject to a penalty assessment pursuant to this section due to the failure of a subcontractor to comply with this section.”
The penalties specified in subdivision (h) of Labor Code Section 1776 for noncompliance with the requirements in Section 1776 may be deducted from any moneys due or which may become due to the Contractor.
A copy of all payrolls shall be uploaded weekly to the SANDAG Labor Compliance Monitoring System LCMS) no later than ten calendar days after the payroll week end date. Payrolls shall contain the full name, address and Social Security number of each employee, the employee’s correct classification, rate of pay, daily and weekly number of hours worked, itemized deductions made and actual wages paid.
They shall also indicate apprentices and ratio of apprentices to journeymen. The employee’s address and social security number must be entered on all payrolls. The payroll shall be accompanied by a “Statement of Compliance” signed by the employer or the employer’s agent indicating that the payrolls are correct and complete and that the wage rates contained therein are not less than those required by the Contract.
The “Statement of Compliance” shall be on forms furnished by SANDAG or on any form with identical wording. The Contractor shall be responsible to ensure submission of subcontractor payrolls in the LCMS and the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) eCPR systems. In addition, the contractor is responsible for maintaining physical copies of all (prime/subcontractor) payrolls for DIR auditing purposes.
Submitted certified payrolls for hauling and delivering ready-mix concrete must be accompanied by a written time record. The time record must include the following information and be uploaded to LCMS:
Truck driver’s full name
Name and location of the batch plant
Time the concrete was loaded
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25 Time the truck returned to the batch plant
Truck driver’s signature certifying under penalty of perjury that the information contained in it is true and correct.
TheContractorandeachsubcontractshallpreservetheir payrollrecordsfor aperiodof three (3) yearsfrom the date of completionof the Contract.
7 1.01A(3)(B) PAYROLL RECORDS – ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS The Contractor shall also maintain its records in conformance with the following:
A. At the preconstruction meeting, the Contractor will be provided with all necessary forms from the SANDAG current labor compliance consultant. The Contractor shall submit weekly a copy of all payrolls to SANDAG or to the labor compliance consultant, depending on the project. The copy shall be accompanied by a statement signed by the employer or its agent indicating that the payrolls are correct and complete, that the wage rates contained therein are not less than those determined by the Secretary of Labor or the State of California Labor Code, and that the classifications set forth for each laborer or mechanic conform to the work which he or she performed. The Prime Contractor shall be responsible for the submission of copies of payrolls of all subcontractors. The Contractor shall make the records required under the labor standards clauses of the Contract available for inspection by authorized representatives of SANDAG and the Department of Labor and shall permit such representatives to interview employees during working hours on the job.
B. Contractor, and each subcontractor having contracts exceeding $10,000, shall submit monthly a report of manpower utilization of the total work force for all work performed during the month. If Contractor or subcontractor does not perform work on the project during the month, a negative report shall be submitted. The reports shall be submitted by the 15th of the following month. Contractor shall be responsible for submission of reports of all subcontractors. If any required manpower utilization report is not received by the designated due date, SANDAG will retain 10 percent (10%) of the estimated value of the work during the month from the next monthly estimate, except that such retentions shall not exceed 10,000, nor be less than $1,000. Retentions for failure to submit manpower utilization reports will be additional to all other retentions provided for in this Contract. Retentions for failure to submit manpower utilization reports will be released for payment on the monthly estimate for partial payments next following the date that all the delinquent reports for which the retention was made are submitted C. The Contractor shall make its records available and is responsible for making its subcontractors’ records available for inspection by authorized representatives of SANDAG or the state or federal government and shall permit such representatives to interview employees during working hours on the job.
7 1.01A(5) APPRENTICE REQUIREMENTS
A. Contractor and its subcontractors are required to meet the apprenticeship ratio of one hour of apprentice work for every five hours of journeyman work per Title 8 California Code of Regulations, 230.1 for its public works projects exceeding $30,000, with the exception of design build projects, which have a higher ratio requirement that graduates from 20% to 60% between 2016 and 2020. California Labor Code §1777.5 requires all public works contractors and subcontractors to submit contract award information to applicable apprenticeship programs that can supply apprentices to the site of the public work, employ registered apprentices, and make training fund contributions to approved apprenticeship programs.
B. Contractor and its subcontractors shall comply with §§1777.5, 1777.6, and 1777.7 of the California Labor Code and Title 8, California Code of Regulations §200 et seq. To ensure compliance and complete understanding of the law regarding apprentices, and specifically the required ratio thereunder, each contractor or subcontractor should, where some question exists, contact the Division of 04/08/2025
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26 Apprenticeship Standards, or one of its branch offices prior to commencement of work on this Contract.
Responsibility for compliance with this Section lies with Contractor.
C. SANDAG encourages the employment and training of apprentices on public works contracts as may be permitted under local apprenticeship standards.
7 1.01A(7) WORKERS' COMPENSATION
Pursuant to the requirements in Labor Code §1860, the Contractor will be required to secure the payment of workers’ compensation to the Contractor’s employees in conformance with the requirements in Labor Code §3700.
7 1.01A(8) RECOVERY OF PENALTIES AND FORFEITURES
Attention is directed to Labor Code §§1730 to 1742, which calls for the Labor Commissioner to issue a civil wage and penalty assessment to Contractor or subcontractor or both if the Labor Commissioner determines after investigation that there has been a violation of the laws regulating public works contracts. Contractor or subcontractor may obtain review of a civil wage and penalty assessment by transmitting a written request for a hearing to the office of the Labor Commissioner that appears on the assessment within 60 days after service of the assessment. 7 1.01B CONTRACTOR’S LICENSING LAWS
Attention is directed to the provisions of Chapter 9 of Division 3 of the Business and Professions Code commencing with §7000) concerning the licensing of contractors.
All Contractors and subcontractors shall be licensed in accordance with the laws and regulations of the State of California and with the requirements of this Contract and any Contractor or subcontractor not so licensed is subject to the penalties imposed by those laws. Contractor must also provide the license number for any subcontractor completing work in excess of one half of one percent of the total bid. 04/08/2025
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