Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the TLC Program


TLC Technical Assistance Application Process

What is the due date for applications?

The deadline for project submissions for the FY 2011 round of TLC technical assistance has passed (May 12, 2010).

Where can I find the application?

The application may be found here: FY 2011 Application for TLC Technical Assistance. You will also need to complete the FY 2011 Project Overview. The application and project overview sheet are designed to be completed on your PC, saved or printed, and electronically transmitted (via e-mail). However, you may print the application, complete it, and return via mail or fax.

How do I submit my application(s)?

Information on application submission may be found here: Application Submission.

Why do I need to provide a letter of transmittal from my jurisdiction’s Chief Elected Official or Chief Administrative Officer?

Participation in the TLC technical assistance program is designed for TPB member jurisdictions. Because applications will be sent from planning offices, transportation offices, and other government offices, this letter informs the TPB that the leadership of the jurisdiction supports the jurisdiction’s application.

Is my jurisdiction a member of the Transportation Planning Board?

TPB member jurisdictions may be found here: TPB Member Jurisdictions.

My locality/organization/agency is not a member of the TPB. Can I still apply for technical assistance?

Yes. However, you must coordinate with the TPB member jurisdiction in which your locality/organization/agency is encompassed. Examples include:

  • The Town of Cheverly would coordinate with Prince George’s County to submit its application.
  • The Bethesda Urban Partnership would coordinate with Montgomery County to submit its application.
  • The Town of Vienna would coordinate with Fairfax County to submit its application.
  • The Crystal City Business Improvement District (BID) would coordinate with Arlington County to submit its application.

To submit your application, you will need to provide a letter of support from the Chief Elected Official or Chief Administrative Officer of your locality/organization/agency, as well as obtain a letter of support from a TPB member jurisdiction’s Chief Elected Official or Chief Administrative Officer.

When the application asks that I provide information about the scalability of my project, what does this mean?

The TPB is asking jurisdictions that submit an application for an amount of technical assistance greater than $30,000 to provide information about the scalability of the project. Please refer to the following examples:

  1. A jurisdiction wishes to submit an application for technical assistance for $50,000. In the written portion of the application, the jurisdiction must explain the scope of the project and, specifically, comment on why the project will require $50,000 to complete. If the applicant chooses to provide the selection panel with options, the TPB asks that the jurisdiction provide a version of the project that is scaled down. In this case, the jurisdiction may choose to alter the project and explain how a useful product or portion of the project could be completed for $25,000 (or any other reduced amount). This description must include a detail list of project elements that will be removed from the original project. This allows the selection panel to potentially include this project should they decide they wish to allocate the program’s limited resources more broadly.
  2. A jurisdiction wishes to submit an application for technical assistance for $50,000. In the written portion of the application, the jurisdiction must explain the scope of the project and, specifically, comment on why the project will require $50,000 to complete. The jurisdiction may choose not to provide any information about the scalability of the project if they feel that the project cannot be completed for any less than the requested amount. The project will only be considered at the $50,000 level of funding.

Does this program require a match on the part of the applicant agency?

No in-kind or monetary match is required.

I have a question about the application process that is not addressed on this page. Who do I contact?

You may contact TPB Staff at TLC@mwcog.org for more information. A staff member to the TLC Program will be in touch with you within one business day.

What is the application workshop?

At the request of many member jurisdictions, the TPB conducted a application workshop to assist jurisdiction staff in completing the application process for the FY 2010 round of TLC technical assistance. On April 1, 2010, the TPB hosted an application workshop for organizations and agencies wishin to apply for TLC technical asssitance. The following information was covered at the workshop:

  • The timeline for the FY 2011 round of TLC technical assistance.
  • Evaluation Criteria that will be used by the Selection Panel.
  • Lessons learned and success stories from past TLC technical assistance projects.

View the PowerPoint Presentation from the application workshop for more information about the FY 2011 round of TLC technical assistance.

TLC Technical Assistance Project Selection Information

When will projects be selected?

The TPB is currently scheduled to approve FY 2011 projects on July 21, 2010. The TPB will provide $220,000 in technical assistance from the FY 2011 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) and MDOT will provide an additional $100,000 for projects focused on transit-oriented development (TOD).

How will the projects be selected for participation in the FY 2011 TLC technical assistance program?

The TPB will convene a selection panel to review the applications. The panel will consist of national experts familiar with the transportation, land-use, and design industries. A TPB member will chair the panel in a non-voting capacity. The members of the panel will be instructed to review each application based on a set of evaluation criteria and rate the ability of each application to meet the criteria. The panel will then discuss the applications and ratings and develop a recommended slate of projects.

What criteria will be used to evaluate the applications?

These evaluation criteria will be used by the selection panel, in addition to the information provided by the jurisdiction on the Project Overview form.

What happens if my project is selected?

Upon TPB approval of the slate of projects for the FY2011 technical assistance round, selected applicants will be contacted to coordinate any necessary refinements to the scopes of work for projects and begin the process of soliciting consultant proposals. TPB staff manages the contracting with consultants – the applicant does not directly receive a monetary grant.

TLC Regional Clearinghouse Website and Toolkits

Coming soon!