The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) has opened the Transit 5310 Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities – Call for Vehicles and Projects (CVP), Funding Opportunity 26-494-80-1291-01, CSFA 494-80-1291.
Program purpose: Section 5310 makes federal resources available to support transportation needs of older adults and individuals with disabilities when available transportation is insufficient, unavailable, or inappropriate. Through this Illinois CVP opportunity, IDOT purchases ADA-accessible paratransit vehicles for eligible nonprofit agencies. Vehicles must be used for specialized transportation serving seniors and/or individuals with disabilities.
Funding: IDOT lists $7,076,820 in estimated total program funding. This is not a cash grant to the recipient. The detailed NOFO states that IDOT purchases and awards the vehicles on behalf of grantees. No award floor or ceiling is stated, the anticipated number of awards is unknown, and no cost share or match is required. Indirect costs are not allowed.
Vehicles: The current NOFO identifies four available vehicle types: a five-passenger low-floor ramp minivan, a 12-passenger light-duty cutaway bus with lift, a 14-passenger medium-duty cutaway bus with lift, and a 26-passenger supermedium-duty cutaway bus with lift. The 26-passenger vehicle requires a CDL to operate.
Eligible applicants: The detailed NOFO limits eligibility to nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status and expressly excludes institutions of higher education.
Deadline source-control warning: The State’s official sources conflict on the exact deadline time. The GATA opportunity summary shows an application range ending September 21, 2026 at 4:30 PM. The attached official NOFO states that the application and all required documentation are due no later than September 21, 2026 at 11:59 PM CST. Because the earlier official time is more conservative, Atlas is using 4:30 PM on September 21, 2026 as the operational safety cutoff unless IDOT confirms otherwise. Applicants should verify the portal deadline before submission.
Evaluation: IDOT scores Level of Existing Services, Equipment Utilization, Asset Maintenance, Management Capacity, and Coordination Efforts at four points each, for a total of 20 points. Replacement requests must satisfy vehicle age and/or mileage requirements and cannot duplicate an already replaced vehicle; expansion or new-service vehicle requests must be adequately justified.
Post-award controls: IDOT retains a lien on each vehicle for its useful life. The grantee is responsible for preventive maintenance, general upkeep, repairs, and insurance. Grantees must submit annual Periodic Performance Reporting and a Section 5310 Annual Certification of Project Equipment Use.
Applicant precedent: IDOT’s published Consolidated Vehicle Procurement Awards list shows a substantial history of nonprofit recipients, including CJE SeniorLife, Clearbrook, Community Link, ComWell, Cornerstone Services, Ray Graham Association for People with Disabilities, and other Illinois organizations serving seniors or people with disabilities. Prior awards are useful for applicant discovery but do not by themselves establish current-cycle eligibility.
Atlas assessment: Atlas Opportunity Score 86/100. This is a strong Illinois special-populations and health-access opportunity because accessible transportation can materially support access to healthcare, human services, community programs, and independent living for seniors and people with disabilities. N9+ Fit Score: 0/100. This opportunity funds accessible transportation vehicles rather than remote physical-examination or connected-care technology, so N9+ should not be forced into the project. Direct Dr. Miltie path: not viable under the published 501(c)(3) nonprofit eligibility and vehicle-award structure.
Official sources: Illinois GATA opportunity summary; official IDOT NOFO; IDOT Public Transportation Providers.