Driver Incentive Grant Program
The Department of For-Hire Vehicles (DFHV) announces the Driver Incentive Grant Program, a grant opportunity for DFHV-licensed independent taxicab owner-operators, company-affiliated owners and rental drivers through which the Department will make up to twenty-five (25) awards of one-thousand dollars ($1,000) each. The Program rewards operators who have demonstrated a commitment to enhance and improve the for-hire industry through innovation in their business models – such as, for example, by using the DC TaxiApp, by participating in Transport DC, or by providing wheelchair accessible service to the disabled – for the purpose of growing innovation among taxicab operators. Company-affiliated owner-operators and rental drivers must be sponsored by the companies with which they are affiliated. Awards require approval of a complete application (including sponsorship application where required) and available funding.
WHEN TO APPLY
The application deadline is Monday, November 13, 2017 at 5 pm.
WHO MAY APPLY
Owners and operators may apply for grants. Companies may apply to be sponsors.
Independent Owner-Operators
Independent owner-operators with independent owner operating authority, including non-District residents with DC business addresses, may apply without company sponsorship.
Company-Affiliated Owners and Rental Drivers
Company-affiliated owners, meaning those who do not have independent operating authority, and rental drivers may apply with company sponsorship. Applicants should encourage their companies to apply as a sponsor; an award will not be made to the company-affiliated owner-operator or rental driver if the company is not approved as a sponsor.
Taxicab Companies Interested in Sponsorship
Companies affiliated with owner-operators and rental drivers seeking grants under the Program may apply to be sponsors. Awards to owner-operators and rental drivers will not be made if the affiliated company is not approved as a sponsor.
HOW TO APPLY
- Provide all required information (and required documents, if any).
- Each operator must submit a narrative.
- Questions? Contact Gladys Kamau at (202) 671-0567 or [email protected].
Independent Owner-Operators
- Step 1: Click “Apply” at the bottom of the page here.
- Step 2: Select “Independent Owner” under Applicant Type.
- Step 3: Complete the application in full including the narrative (see below).
- Step 4: Upload a completed W-9 Tax ID form.
Company-Affiliated Owners
- Step 1: Click “Apply” at the bottom of the page here.
- Step 2: Select “Affiliated Owner” under Applicant Type.
- Step 3: Complete the application in full including the narrative (see below).
Rental Drivers
- Step 1: Click “Apply” at the bottom of the page here.
- Step 2: Select “Rental Driver” under Applicant Type.
- Step 3: Complete the application in full including the narrative (see below).
All Operators - Narrative
Provide a narrative addressing the following topics to the extent they apply to your business model during the period of October 2016 to September 2017.
Points will be awarded based on your discussion of the topics.
It may be easier to write the narrative in Word and paste it into the narrative box.
The narrative is limited to 200 words.
(1) Industry and personal experiences (25 points)
(2) Innovative ideas to improve the industry (25 points)
(3) Past use of DC TaxiApp e-hails (10 points)
(4) Use of Digital Taxi Transformation Kit Installation (10 points)
(5) Participation in the Vehicle-on-Demand Program (10 points)
(6) Participation in Transport DC Trips (10 points)
(7) Describe Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle experience (10 points)
Taxicab Companies Interested in Sponsorship
- Step 1: Click “Apply” at the bottom of the page here.
- Step 2: Select “Company Sponsor” under Applicant Type.
- Step 3: Complete the company contact information.
- Step 4: Upload a completed W-9 Tax ID form.
- Step 5: Upload an Insurance Policy Affidavit.
Reservations:
DFHV reserves the right to issue addenda and/or amendments subsequent to the issuance of the innovation grant announcement.
