Rail Fixed Guideway Public Transportation System State Safety Oversight Formula Grant Program

SSO Program
CFDA 20.528 Active Grant
No open Grants.gov opportunities under this program right now. Browse all Department of Transportation programs →

Program Funding

Annual program obligations reported to SAM.gov.

Latest annual funding (estimated)
$52.7M FY2026
$44.9M
FY24
$51.6M
FY25
$52.7M
FY26*
* estimated

Funded Projects

Examples of what this program has supported.

FY2025 FTA issued a special directive to all State Safety Oversight Agencies (SSOA). For example, A Risk-Based Inspection Toolkit has been provided as a tool for State Safety Oversight Agencies (SSOAs), the agencies that oversee safety at rail transit systems, to help them develop and implement a risk-based inspection program. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law identified actions that FTA, SSOAs, and rail transit agencies (RTAs) must take to implement effective risk-based inspection programs.

Program Objective

To improve public transportation safety by assisting States with the financing of safety oversight of rail fixed guideway public transportation systems in the jurisdiction of the state not regulated by the Federal Railroad Administration.

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants

  • U.S. State Government
  • State

Eligible States are those with a rail fixed guideway public transportation system within the jurisdiction of the State that is not subject to regulation by the Federal Railroad Administration; or a rail fixed guideway public transportation system in the engineering or construction phase of development within the jurisdiction of the State that will not be subject to regulation by the Federal Railroad Administration. Subrecipients must be public agencies that are eligible to become Federal Transit Administration recipients.

Beneficiaries

  • U.S. State Government
  • State

Eligible States are those with a rail fixed guideway public transportation system within the jurisdiction of the State that is not subject to regulation by the Federal Railroad Administration; or a rail fixed guideway public transportation system in the engineering or construction phase of development within the jurisdiction of the State that will not be subject to regulation by the Federal Railroad Administration. Subrecipients must be public agencies that are eligible to become Federal Transit Administration recipients.

How to Apply

Award Procedure

An FTA grant award obligating Federal funds is reflected in a grant agreement. Grants are awarded electronically using FTA's Transit Asset Management System (TrAMS) https://www.transit.dot.gov/funding/grantee-resources/teamtrams/transit-award-management-system-trams . Once the funds are reserved in TrAMS and the project information has been reviewed and approved by Headquarters, the recipient must execute the grant agreement to access the funds.

The approval process for the SSO Program can vary based on the number of applications per State. If you have questions, please contact FTA Regional Offices at https://www.transit.dot.gov/about/regional-offices/regional-offices

Program details & compliance

Description

FTA created the Safety Oversight (SSO) Program to improve rail transit safety. It provides safety oversight to the rail transit systems in their jurisdiction
Rail Fixed-Guideway Systems (RFGS) affected by this program include any light, heavy, or rapid rail system, monorail, inclined plane, funicular, trolley or automated guideway operating within the state’s jurisdiction that:
1.) is not regulated by the Federal Railroad Administration; 2.) is included in FTA’s calculation of fixed-guideway route
miles or receives funding under FTA’s formula program
for urbanized areas (49 U.S.C. 5336) or;
3.) has submitted documentation to FTA indicating its intent to be included in FTA’s calculation of fixed-guideway route miles to receive funding under FTA’s formula program for urbanized areas (49 U.S.C. 5336)

Mission Categories

Primary: Urban Mass Transit

Use of Funds

Allowed Uses

SSO funds may be used for:
- personnel costs
- training and certification
-travel and field work
-equipment and supplies
-safety oversight activities
- administration and indirect costs

Restrictions

Prohibited uses include:
-transit operations
-capital projects for commuter rail operations
-non-safety programs
-lobbying or political activities
-unapproved admin. costs

Required Documentation

Recipients must complete certifications and assurances as compiled in FTA's Annual List of Certifications and Assurances. Eligible costs will be in accordance with OMB cost principles for State and local governments in part 225 of Title 2 of the Code of Federal Regulations. Federal Register Notice FTA Fiscal Year Apportionments, Allocations, and Program Information, published annually, contain the capital investment apportionments. . Grant requirements will also be published in the Federal Register along with the program’s Fiscal Year apportionment. Apportionment notices and other grant information is available on the FTA website: www.fta.dot.gov/. Subrecipients State Safety Oversight Agencies must be included in the State Safety Oversight Program submission.

Matching Requirements

80% Federal / 20% State. Matching fund shall include in-kind contributions by an eligible State. The non-Federal share may not be met by any Federal funds, any funds received from a public transportation agency or any revenues earned by a public transportation agency.

Reporting & Compliance

Records Retention
3 years

Applicable 2 CFR 200 Subparts

  • Subpart E — Cost Principles
  • Subpart F — Audit Requirements

Formula

USC 49

Contacts

Tim Braxton
(202) 366-1646
FTA Office of Saftey and Oversight (TSO) TSO-21 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE, Washington, DC 20590
Data from SAM.gov Federal Assistance Listings. Source published: 2026-02-03. Spec v2.0. Last synced: 2026-05-29 05:36:42.