Ames Area MPO

What is the TAP Program?
The Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) is a set-aside from the Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) federal program. It provides funding and investment opportunities for non-motorized transportation projects. The AAMPO is allocated regional TAP funding by the Iowa DOT to award to its member agencies and governments for eligible regional transportation projects and initiatives.

What projects are eligible?
The following projects are typically eligible to be awarded regional TAP funding by the AAMPO to its member agencies and governments. For a detailed description of eligible projects for an application cycle, please refer to the NOFO.

• Pedestrian/bicycle infrastructure projects (trails, shared-used paths, bike lanes, pedestrian/bicycle signals, etc.)
• Safe Routes to School (SRTS) projects
• Any other project identified in Section 2.2 of the Iowa DOT TAP guidance.

Application Timeline
The AAMPO typically solicits applications for TAP funding annually alongside its STBG and CRP programs. The application schedule and timeline is normally as follows:

• January: The AAMPO releases its Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) and makes the regional TAP application available to its member agencies.
• March: Completed applications are due to the AAMPO on the final business day of March.
• April: All received applications are reviewed by Iowa DOT and then evaluated by AAMPO staff and recommendations are determined.
• May: The AAMPO Transportation Technical Committee (TTC) and Transportation Policy Committee (TPC) review the recommended TAP projects for inclusion in the Draft Transportation Improvement Program (TIP).
• July: The Final TIP is approved by the TPC and submitted to Iowa DOT. All TAP projects included in the Final TIP are officially awarded funding and the AAMPO sends out award letters to all project sponsors that were awarded TAP funding.