Table of Contents

Program Element Selection

Choose one of the following: Yearlong STEP, STEP Wave or STEP – CMV project. Law enforcement agencies can only apply for a yearlong STEP or a STEP Wave, not both. However, law enforcement agencies that propose a yearlong STEP or a STEP Wave may also apply for a STEP - CMV project. Since eGrants limits an agency’s ability to submit more than one STEP proposal per year, please contact trf_egrantshelp@txdot.gov to apply for a STEP - CMV if you have already submitted, or propose to submit a STEP yearlong or a STEP Wave project.

Proposals for a yearlong STEP are limited to one or a combination of the following: Driving While Intoxicated (DWI)/Driving Under the Influence (DUI) of Alcohol by Minor, Occupant Protection (OP), Speed, Intersection Traffic Control (ITC), and enforcement of state and local ordinances on cellular and texting devices (DD). A community must submit one proposal that covers the desired traffic safety elements.

The STEP Wave program consists of four elements: Occupant Protection, Speeding, DWI/DUI of Alcohol by Minor, and Distracted Driving.. Please indicate which enforcement element(s) your agency is selecting. Proposals that address two or more elements will be titled “Comprehensive” by the eGrants system. Only select the element(s) that demonstrate a proven traffic safety problem in your jurisdiction.

STEP – CMV projects must include enforcement of the following components: Speed, Occupant Protection and Hazardous Moving Violations.

According to the Texas Transportation Code, Section 522, A Commercial Motor Vehicle is defined as a motor vehicle or combination of motor vehicles used to transport passengers or property that:
a) has a gross combination weight rating of 26,001 or more pounds, including a towed unit with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 10,000 pounds;
b) has a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 or more pounds;
c) is designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver; or
d) is transporting hazardous materials and is required to be placarded under 49 C.F.R. Part 172, Subpart F.

Note: A maximum funding amount has been established for STEP proposals submitted by communities, based on the population of the community and available crash data. An Agency can apply for a STEP Yearlong or a STEP Wave and a STEP CMV project, but no more than the following amounts will be awarded to a community for all enforcement activities during the fiscal year. Communities may request less than the maximum.

Maximum Federal Budget per Year Based on Population
Size of Jurisdiction Amount
1-4,999 $20,000
5,000 – 25,000 $40,000
25,001 – 50,000 $70,000
50,001 – 125,000 $110,000
125,001 – 300,000 $250,000
300,001 – 700,000 $450,000
700,001 and greater $1,000,000


Note: The number of STEP Wave grants will be limited to available funding. The maximum reimbursable amount allowable for a STEP Wave grant is $40,000.00 per agency.

Note: Communities with yearlong STEPs will be allowed to participate in mobilizations using special funds if they are approved for mobilization funding. Any special mobilizations will be handled through a separate process.

Note: If a DWI component is selected & upon execution of the grant, officers must be trained in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration / International Association of Chiefs of Police Standardized Field Sobriety Testing (SFST). In case of a first year Subgrantee, the Officers must be trained or scheduled to be SFST trained by the end of the grant year. For second or subsequent year grants, all officers working DWI enforcement must be SFST trained.

Subgrantees must ensure that the appropriate certifications or other supporting documentation is retained on file to substantiate the above requirements are met.

Click here to see Traffic Safety RFP Instructions.

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