Assistance Listings

Coronavirus Economic Relief for Transportation Services Act

Objectives

Division N, Title IV, Section 421 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (the “Act”), Pub. L. No. 116-260 (December 27, 2020) authorized the $2 billion Coronavirus Economic Relief for Transportation Services (CERTS) program to provide grants to eligible motorcoach companies, school bus companies, passenger vessel companies, and pilotage companies that have experienced annual revenue losses of 25 percent or more as result of COVID-19 directly or indirectly. The priority use of grant funds was required to be for payroll costs, though grants may be used for operating expenses and the repayment of debt accrued to maintain payroll.

Examples of Funded Projects

Assistance Listing Description

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

Not Applicable. Treasury does not expect to issue new awards.

Accomplishments

Account Identification

20-0156-0-1-401

Types of Assistance

A - Formula Grants

Credentials and Documentation

Applicant Eligibility

Pursuant to subsections 421(a) and (c) of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, eligible providers of transportation services under the CERTS program were required to: (1) be a private sector company, including a corporation, limited liability company, partnership, or sole proprietorship; (2) be established or organized in the United States or pursuant to Federal law; (3) have significant operations and a majority of employees based in the United States; and (4) be one of the four following types of transportation service providers (motorcoach transportation service providers, school bus transportation service providers, passenger vessel transportation service providers, or pilotage vessel transportation service providers) that as of March 1, 2020, either (a) have had 500 or fewer than 500 full-time, part-time, or temporary employees and not been a subsidiary, parent, or affiliate of any other entity with a combined total workforce of more than 500 full-time, part-time, or temporary employees; or (b) have had more than 500 full-time, part-time, or temporary employees and have not received assistance under the Passenger air carriers Loan Program, loans and loan guarantees for cargo air carriers, or National Security Loan Program (loans and loan guarantees for businesses critical to maintaining national security) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), Pub. L. No. 116-136. Providers of transportation services were also subject to other eligibility criteria as described in subsection 421(c)(2)(B) of the of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021.

Beneficiary Eligibility

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Grant funds were required to be used within 1 year after the first date of receipt of the funds. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: Funds were released as two payments of approximately 80% of funds followed closely by a remaining 20% of funds. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: Funds were released as two payments of 80% of funds followed closely by a remaining 20% of funds.

Use of Assistance

Grantees were allowed to use grant funds for operating expenses, including but not limited to, payment of payroll costs and compensation of returning employees for lost pay and benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic; the acquisition of services, personal protective equipment, and other measures needed to protect workers and customers from COVID–19; operations and maintenance of existing capital equipment and facilities, such as rent, leases, insurance, and interest on regularly scheduled debt service; and compensation of returning employees for lost pay and benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic.Grantees were not allowed to use grant funds for any payment or prepayment of principal on a debt obligation, except for any principal on a debt obligation incurred during the COVID-19 pandemic for the purpose of maintaining the payment of payroll costs during the COVID-19 pandemic; capital expenditures; delinquent taxes; any compensation of an individual employee in excess of an annualized salary rate of $100,000 (i.e., any compensation in excess of $8,333 per month, $3,846 per bi-weekly period, $1,923 per week, etc.); any tax imposed or withheld under chapters 21 (Federal Insurance Contributions Act), 22 (Railroad Retirement Act Tax), or 24 (Collection of Income Tax at Source on Wages) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986; any compensation of an employee whose principal place of residence is outside the United States; any qualified sick leave wages for which a credit is allowed under section 7001 of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (26 U.S.C. § 3111 note, Public Law 116–127); any qualified family leave wages for which a credit is allowed under section 7003 of that Act (26 U.S.C. § 3111 note, Public Law 116–127); any bonus, raise in excess of inflation, or other form of additional employee compensation; or any expense for which funding or financing has been awarded, sub-awarded, or otherwise provided through another Federal program.

Deadlines

Preapplication Coordination

Preapplication coordination is not applicable. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedures

This program is excluded from coverage under 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards.

Not Applicable. Treasury does not expect to issue new awards.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Not Applicable. Treasury does not expect to issue new awards.

Award Procedure

Not Applicable. Treasury does not expect to issue new awards.

Date Range for Approval/Disapproval

Not Applicable. Not Applicable. Treasury does not expect to issue new awards.

Renewals

Not Applicable. No renewals, temporary program.

Appeals

Not Applicable. Not Applicable. Treasury does not expect to issue new awards.

Policy Requirements

Reports

Audits

Records

Grantees were required to maintain records and financial documents related to their use of grant funds in accordance with the requirements set forth in the grant agreement.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature

Not Applicable.

Formula and Matching Requirements

Regional or Local Locations:

Headquarters Office: