Cycle 5 Access Provider Kick-Off Webinar
On March 5, 2026, SAFA held kick-off webinar for the awarded and selected Access Providers for Funding Cycle 5, CY 2026. The meeting covered Access Provider roles and responsibilities per their signed and executed funding agreements with SAFA. Below are the items from the meeting.
SAFA Award Announcement
SAFA Announces Selected & Approved Access Providers for Access for All Program Cycle 5 (CY 2026)
February 18, 2026
The Statewide Access Fund Administrator (SAFA), GCAP Services, Inc., in partnership with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), is pleased to announce the total award of approximately $15.4 million to selected and approved Access Providers for the SAFA Access for All Program Cycle 5 (Calendar Year 2026).
Following a competitive solicitation and evaluation process, fifteen (15) funding agreements for eight (8) organizations have been selected and approved to provide on-demand Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) services in nine (9) designated counties throughout California. These providers demonstrated the capacity, experience, and commitment necessary to expand equitable transportation access for individuals with mobility needs.
Request for Proposals (RFP) for Cycle 5 Funding CY 2026
The Statewide Access Fund Administrator (SAFA), GCAP Services, Inc., has released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for available Access for All Program funding for potential Access Providers. Applications are due by November 12, 2025.
Prospective Applicant Webinar (Completed)
GCAP will be hosting a Prospective Applicant Webinar for the SAFA Access for All Program RFP Cycle 5 Funding CY 2026. This will be a virtual webinar to learn details of the RFP. Any interested entity who would like to become an Access Provider is highly encouraged to attend. The webinar will also be recorded and available for review after it has been completed.
Date: Wednesday, October 15, 2025
Time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM Pacific Time
Location: Microsoft Teams Webinar (Virtual)
Registration Required: Click Here to Register for the Prospective Applicant Webinar (Closed)
Access Provider Eligibility
Eligible applicants must directly provide, or contract with a separate organization or entity to provide, on-demand WAV transportation to meet the needs of persons with disabilities. For the full details of who is eligible as an Access Provider, please refer to the Request for Proposals (RFP) section for Eligibility.
Funding Availability
Here is the list of California counties and available funding for the SAFA Access for All Program for Calendar Year (CY) 2026: SAFA Counties Funding Availability Cycle 5 (CY 2026). Please note that a separate application must be submitted for each county you intend to serve.
If the county you are interested in is not listed, it may already be served by a Local Access Fund Administrator (LAFA). In that case, you will need to contact your designated LAFA for more information about Access Provider opportunities in those counties. Please visit the CPUC’s Access Provider Information website and scroll down to the list of Approved LAFAs and their contact information.
Solicitation & Application Process
If you are interested in becoming an Access Provider through the SAFA Access for All Program, please follow the steps below:
- Review the RFP: Carefully read the RFP to understand eligibility requirements, evaluation criteria, and funding expectations.
- Attend the Prospective Applicant Webinar: Participate in the informational webinar to learn more about the program, ask questions, and gain insight into the application process.
- Submit Your Application via the SAFA APP: Complete and submit your application through the SAFA APP by the specified deadline.
- Stay Responsive: Monitor your email and respond promptly to any communications from the SAFA Program team regarding your application status or additional requests.
Timeline & Due Dates
Here is the timeline for the active RFP:
- RFP Release: 10/1/25 (Completed)
- Prospective Applicant Webinar: 10/15/25 (Completed)
- Deadline for RFP Questions (by 5 p.m. Pacific Time): 10/22/25 (Completed)
- Response to all questions released on program website: 10/29/25 (Completed)
- Application Deadline (by 5 p.m. Pacific Time): 11/12/25 (Completed)
- Notice of Intent to Award: 02/02/26 –> 01/07/26 (Completed)
- Notice of Award (CPUC Approval): 03/01/26 –> 01/30/26 (Completed)
- Funding Agreement Execution: 03/30/26 –> 03/01/26
Reporting Requirements
Selected and approved Access Providers must complete and submit quarterly progress reports with documentation. Access Providers will be required to use specific reporting templates and submit reports to the SAFA Access Provider Portal (SAFA APP), an online platform for submissions to the SAFA. Reporting templates for Access Providers can be accessed at www.cpuc.ca.gov/tncaccessprovider under the “Application Instructions & Reporting Templates” section.
GCAP will conduct ongoing performance monitoring of Access Providers’ project goals and deliverables that are approved in the funding agreement.
SAFA Access Provider Portal
The SAFA Access Provider Portal (SAFA APP) is the official grant management system that GCAP will use to oversee and manage the SAFA Access for All Program. Hosted on the Submittable platform, the SAFA APP requires users to create a FREE account to access and complete their applications.
All interested Access Providers must submit their responses to the RFP through the SAFA APP.
GCAP will use the SAFA APP to review and evaluate applications. If selected, Access Providers will also be required to submit quarterly reports through the same system.
Funding Agreements
Approved Access Providers will enter into a funding agreement with GCAP Services, Inc. (SAFA). To provide transparency, GCAP has developed a sample agreement template, which will be used once providers are selected. The scope of work and budget will be tailored to each Access Provider and the county they serve. If a provider is approved for multiple counties, a separate scope and budget will be required for each county.
Approved Access Provider Resources
Below are resource links for approved Access Providers for the SAFA Access for All Program.
