Women in Commercial Driver’s License Training Grant 2025

The Maine Department of Labor, in partnership with the Maine Department of Transportation, has released Request for Applications number 202508115, titled Women in Commercial Driver’s License Training. This initiative is designed to expand the participation of women in Maine’s transportation and construction workforce by supporting Commercial Driver’s License training. The program specifically focuses on Class B licenses with tanker endorsements and responds directly to the hiring needs of MaineDOT and related employers. It also advances Governor Mills’ Executive Order 7, which calls for increasing the representation of women in construction and infrastructure-related occupations. The grant program seeks to enroll at least 40 women in CDL training, though training cohorts are not restricted to women alone. The program intends to create sustainable career pathways by connecting participants to employment opportunities with MaineDOT and other employers. Applicants are encouraged to situate training programs near MaineDOT offices or in regions with high demand for CDL drivers. Priority will be given to providers based in Washington, Hancock, and Penobscot Counties. To maximize impact, applicants are urged to braid or leverage other sources of funding so that the program may serve more than the minimum of 40 women. The maximum cost per participant may not exceed $6,000. Eligible applicants must be part of Maine’s public workforce system and either be or partner with an existing CDL training provider with a demonstrated history of success in preparing participants for licensure and employment. Partnerships with community-based organizations are strongly encouraged, especially to improve recruitment of women and underserved populations. Applicants must demonstrate fiscal capacity to manage a grant of this size or partner with a qualified organization to provide financial oversight. Letters of support are required from financial management partners. Funding available for this program totals $300,000, with awards ranging from $100,000 to $300,000. Between one and three awards are expected. Funds may be used for instructor time, certification costs, program staff support, supplies under $5,000 per unit, partnership development, outreach, wraparound supports such as transportation or childcare (up to 10% of funding), and recruitment activities (up to 15% of funding). Funds may not be used for equipment purchases or construction expenses. Programs are expected to partner with MaineDOT for employment connections, provide wraparound support, and track participant outcomes in cooperation with the Department of Labor. Applications must be submitted electronically to proposals@maine.gov no later than 11:59 p.m. on September 26, 2025. Questions regarding the RFA must be submitted to the RFA Coordinator, Daniel Estes, by September 12, 2025. The application must include the completed form provided in the RFA, all required attachments, and letters of commitment from any partner organizations. Submissions must be in a single PDF file, and applications that are incomplete or late will not be considered. All communications must go through the RFA Coordinator, and applicants are prohibited from contacting other state employees regarding the program. Applications will be reviewed and scored on a 100-point scale. Proposals must pass an eligibility screen and will then be evaluated based on qualifications and experience (25 points), proposed project and participant projections (50 points), and budget with budget narrative (25 points). Awards are subject to contract negotiation and approval by the State Procurement Review Committee. The anticipated contract period is 12 months, beginning within three months of award, with reporting requirements including quarterly narrative and financial reports, outcome tracking, and a closeout report at the end of the contract term. Successful applicants will also participate in grantee meetings and provide at least two participant success stories for publication. Appeals of award decisions may be submitted in writing to the Director of the Bureau of General Services within 15 calendar days of award notification, in accordance with Maine statutes and rules. All awarded applicants will execute a State of Maine Service Contract and are considered independent contractors. This program represents a significant investment in diversifying Maine’s transportation workforce and ensuring that women have strong access to sustainable careers in construction and infrastructure-related sectors.

All communications through RFA Coordinator only. Ensure proposal validity for 180 days. Include letters of support from fiscal or program partners.