National Resource Center for Human Service Transportation Coordination; Solicitation for Proposals, 51268-51274 [06-7231]

Agencies

• Federal Transit Administration
• DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 167 (Tuesday, August 29, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51268-51274]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-7231]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Transit Administration


National Resource Center for Human Service Transportation 
Coordination; Solicitation for Proposals

AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration, DOT.

ACTION:  Notice; request for proposals.

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SUMMARY: This solicitation is for proposals from national non-profit 
organizations with transportation coordination and technical assistance 
expertise for a cooperative agreement to develop and implement a 
National Resource Center for Human Service Transportation Coordination 
(NRC). The NCR will manage a program to improve and enhance the 
coordination of Federal resources for human service transportation with 
those of the Department of Transportation (DOT). The major goal of the 
NRC is to assist local communities and States in the expansion and 
provision of coordinated human service transportation for older adults, 
people with disabilities, and individuals with lower incomes. Federal 
Transit Administration (FTA) will award one four year agreement. Year 
one of the cooperative agreement is for one million, five hundred 
eighty-four thousand dollars ($1,584,000) as authorized in the Safe, 
Accountable, Flexible, and Efficient Transportation Equity Act--A 
Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) and subsequently appropriated. Funding 
for subsequent years will be based on annual appropriations as well as 
annual performance reviews.

DATES: Proposals must be submitted electronically by October 30, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Proposals shall be submitted electronically to https://
www.grants.gov. Grants.Gov allows organizations to find and apply for 
funding opportunities electronically from all Federal grant-making 
agencies. Grants.Gov is the single access point for over 1,000 
cooperative agreement programs offered by the 26 Federal grant-making 
agencies.
    Proposals can also be submitted in hard copy accompanied by an 
electronic version to Bryna Helfer, 400 7th Street, SW., Room 9114, 
Washington, DC 20590.

[[Page 51269]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bryna Helfer at 202-366-1663; FAX: 
202-366-3136; bryna.helfer@dot.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 3046 of the Safe, Accountable, 
Flexible, and Efficient Transportation Equity Act--a Legacy for Users 
(SAFETEA-LU); Pub. L. 109-059, authorized $1,600,000 in each of fiscal 
years 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009 under 49 U.S.C. 5314(c) for the 
management of a program to improve and enhance the coordination of 
Federal resources for human service transportation with those of the 
Department of Transportation, as follows:
    (1) Establishment. The Secretary of Transportation shall 
competitively select a national non-profit organization to manage the 
program.
    (2) Eligibility. To be eligible, an organization shall have 
demonstrated expertise in issues of transportation coordination and in 
providing technical assistance to local transportation organizations.
    (3) Use of Funds. The organization selected shall (i) Establish an 
advisory panel consisting of Federal, State and local officials and 
organizations; (ii) prepare an inventory of human service 
transportation agencies operating in the United States; (iii) prepare 
an inventory of Federal transportation spending; (iv) develop a program 
of technical assistance and training for human service transportation 
organizations that shall include on-site technical assistance, a 
resource clearinghouse, and preparation of technical manuals; (v) 
prepare an annual report for the Secretary of Transportation on 
activities under this program and make recommendations for improving 
coordination.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is soliciting proposals 
for a cooperative agreement to implement the human service 
transportation coordination program authorized in SAFETEA-LU. FTA will 
award a single four-year cooperative agreement, which will be funded 
annually at up to $1.6 million per year subject to the availability of 
appropriations. The purpose of this cooperative agreement is to develop 
and implement a NRC. The major goal of the NRC is to assist States in 
the coordination of human service transportation service at both the 
State and local levels. The tasks of the NRC include: (1) Collaboration 
with FTA and the Federal Interagency Coordinating Council on Access and 
Mobility; (2) research and development; (3) technical assistance and 
training; (4) strategic development in partnership, community 
involvement in human service transportation coordination; (5) 
communication and management information activities; and (6) 
administration. The NRC will follow a number of strategies in its 
development, especially partnerships, leadership development, knowledge 
management and customer-focused service in order to facilitate capacity 
building at the State level this is targeted to enhance local 
coordination efforts. NRCHST personnel will engage early and often with 
technical assistance (TA) recipients to ensure knowledge is transferred 
and relationships are developed. The NRC will develop an information 
and referral system as a key focal point to disseminate models, and 
identify useful practices for innovations in human service 
transportation service and systems. The NRC also will build 
coordination with and referrals to other TA centers focused in targeted 
areas related to human service transportation to build capacity and 
integrate aspects of coordination activities at the local levels. This 
project will entail creative, engaging and collaborative public and 
private partnerships at all levels--local, tribal, State and Federal, 
including a broad range of stakeholders interested in facilitating 
transportation access to employment, health, education, recreation and 
other community services for people with disabilities, older adults, 
and individuals with lower incomes.

II. Background

    In recognition of the fundamental importance of human service 
transportation and the continuing need to enhance coordination, 
President Bush issued an Executive Order on Human Service 
Transportation Coordination (EO) directing multiple Federal departments 
and agencies to work together to ensure that transportation services 
are seamless, comprehensive and accessible. Secretaries from the 
Departments of Transportation, Health and Human Services, Labor, 
Education, Interior, Housing and Urban Development, Agriculture, and 
Veterans Affairs; the Commissioner of the Social Security 
Administration; the Attorney General; and the Chairperson of the 
National Council on Disability are members of the Federal Interagency 
Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility (CCAM). Specifically, the 
CCAM is tasked with seeking ways to simplify access to transportation 
services for persons with disabilities, persons with lower incomes, and 
older adults. The EO requires that CCAM members work together to 
provide the most appropriate, cost effective services within existing 
resources, and reduce duplication to make funds available for more 
services. To meet the requirements of the EO, the CCAM has developed a 
comprehensive action plan and launched United We Ride (UWR), a national 
initiative on human service transportation coordination. The NRC will 
be linked with UWR and related technical assistance initiatives in the 
area of human service transportation. FTA will be the administering 
agency for this activity and will be collaborating with other members 
of CCAM on the implementation of the EO. Therefore, the technical 
assistance provided under this solicitation will seek to complement and 
optimize, not duplicate the technical assistance and related work 
funded in this area by other CCAM partners.
    The Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity 
Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), (Pub. L. 109-59, August 10, 2005) 
requires that projects selected for funding under the Elderly 
Individuals and Individuals with Disabilities, Job Access Reverse 
Commute, and New Freedom programs administered by the Federal Transit 
Administration be ``derived from a locally developed, coordinated 
public transit-human service transportation plan'' and that the plan be 
``developed through a process that includes representatives of public, 
private, and nonprofit transportation and human service providers and 
participation by members of the public.'' This new requirement leads to 
a need for an increased level of technical assistance related to the 
development and implementation of a coordinated public transit-human 
service transportation plan as well as ensuring broad based 
participation by diverse stakeholders.
    Human service transportation is defined as a network of 
transportation services for older adults, individuals with 
disabilities, and people with lower incomes, including but not limited 
to vehicle acquisition, adaptation and driver transition; pedestrian 
access; public transportation; demand response (curb to curb, door to 
door, door through door); vanpooling and other ridesharing services; 
taxi services; and volunteer services. The technical assistance, to be 
funded through this cooperative arrangement is a process that enables a 
goal-focused, strategy-oriented, accountable organization to transfer 
knowledge to human service agencies, transportation providers, 
consumers, and other interested stakeholders. Technical assistance is 
intended to provide extensive information and assistance to facilitate 
adoption or application of research-based or

[[Page 51270]]

practice-based products, policies, or knowledge in order to improve the 
provision of transportation services for people with disabilities, 
older adults, and individuals with lower incomes. In order to ensure 
that all communities have access to technical assistance, the NRC will 
assist States with building capacity and accessing resources to be used 
in local communities across their States. In addition, the NRC will 
work closely with other technical assistance centers focused in areas 
of human service transportation when working with local communities to 
address coordination issues.
    Technical assistance will need to focus on creating one-stop access 
to transportation services, streamlining eligibility, enhancing 
transportation coordination, mobility management, identifying solutions 
for coordinating policy and funding issues, implementing technology 
solutions, and social marketing to get information out to providers, 
policy makers and consumers. Technical assistance may include 
information dissemination, training, and enhancing capacity for 
building more efficient transportation services at the local and State 
levels. However, it is also intended to provide more intensive 
interaction to facilitate systems change related to practice, policy, 
research, resources, and programs at the Federal regional, State, and 
local levels. The NRC also will coordinate with other technical 
assistance initiatives related to human service transportation to 
ensure a coordinated approach in this area. In addition, all efforts of 
the NRC shall ensure consumer input and involvement such that all 
technical assistance to human service transportation organizations has 
a person centered, self-determination and independence focus in 
addition to a focus on the institutional relationships between transit 
and human service transportation.

Task 1--Collaboration with FTA and the Federal Coordinating Council on 
Access and Mobility

    a. The grantee, in coordination with the Federal Project Officer 
shall provide technical assistance to the Coordinating Council on 
Access and Mobility (CCAM). This may include organizing monthly 
conference calls, providing input regarding infrastructure development 
of the CCAM activities related to human service transportation, 
formulating agendas, developing briefing materials, coordinating 
speakers for CCAM and their executive council meetings.
    b. The grantee shall provide research-related technical assistance 
to project directors involved with human service transportation funded 
activities in CCAM member agencies. This includes queries regard 
specific information, publications, existing tools, strategies, and 
available data as requested.
    c. Assist Federal program staff to conduct one special interest 
meeting each year on a targeted topic selected in consultation with 
FTA, members of the CCAM, and the NRS steering committee. Special 
interests meetings should target topics that require input and 
consultation from a broad perspective, and are targeted to include 
stakeholders from National, State, and local levels that have expertise 
on the selected topic addressed at the meeting. Participant lists and 
invitations for the meeting should be submitted to the Federal Project 
Officer for review at least 60 days prior to the targeted meeting date 
for approval. Briefing materials should be submitted to the Project 
Officer at least two weeks prior to the meeting for review and 
approval. The meeting should lead to the outcome of a publications 
(e.g., strategy paper, tool, fact sheet, etc.) related to the topic 
discussed. In addition, the grantee should submit a summary report of 
the meeting within 30 working days.

Task 2--Research and Development

    SAFETEA-LU outlines several specific research projects to be 
conducted by the recipient and include the following:
    a. In year one, the NRC shall prepare an inventory of human service 
transportation agencies operating in the United States and a plan to 
update the information on a regular schedule. The applicant should 
present a detailed methodology for conducting this specific research 
project as part of the submission in the initial application for this 
funding.
    b. In year two, the NRC shall prepare an inventory of Federal 
transportation spending and a plan to update this information on an 
ongoing basis.
    c. Each year, the NRC shall submit an annual report to the 
Secretary of Transportation on activities under this program and make 
recommendations for improving coordination.
    d. In addition, the NRC shall conduct relevant research in years 3-
5 for coordinating human service transportation identified by the 
Federal Interagency Coordinating Council, members of the national 
coalition, and other stakeholders. This specific scope of the research 
agenda will be determined in collaboration with the Federal Project 
Officer for each targeted year.
    Each of these reports must be submitted to the Project Officer and 
steering committee for review and approval prior to final publication. 
All documents produced are subject to internal policy reviews from 
senior management within the Department of Transportation and other 
members of the CCAM. All revisions will be made by the grantee on 
behalf of FTA and the CCAM.

Task 3--Technical Assistance and Training

    Technical Assistance and Training. When conducting and coordinating 
technical assistance, sites should have individual technical assistance 
plans that outline the specific need, intended outcome, plan for 
assistance, and evaluation components. Technical assistance will be 
provided via E-mail, phone, Web-based strategies, and on-site 
strategies, using the following principles:
     Assessment and Planning: Assistance should be provided for 
facilitating assessment of resources available for human service 
transportation and facilitating planning for coordinating services 
based on needs identified at the State and local levels.
     Knowledge Management: Constant assessment should be made 
of areas of technical assistance focus to ensure useful practices are 
disseminated, issue briefs are developed as needed, and expert 
relationships with technical assistance recipients result in long-term 
information and knowledge transfer.
     Training: Training should be made available via various 
media to target specific topics related to human service transportation 
across the range of service options. Outreach regarding training should 
be available for human service providers, transportation providers, and 
consumers.
     Facilitation, Coalition Building, and Strategic Planning. 
Assistance should be provided to States in order to build coordinated 
strategies and dialogue across organizational cultures and agencies. 
Assistance should also be offered to assist States in identifying 
strategies for facilitating the adoption and implementation of useful 
practices at both the State and local levels.
     Follow up and Monitoring: Following any intervention 
(e.g., assessment, planning, training, etc.), follow up through E-mail, 
phone, and through on-site contacts are necessary to facilitate 
implementation of any key activities identified as part of the 
individual technical assistance plans.

[[Page 51271]]

     Evaluation: Assistance should provide skill development 
and process related assistance to States in order to establish 
mechanisms for monitoring and evaluating coordination activities at the 
State and local levels.
    Technical Assistance Activities: The grantee will develop the 
following initiatives using the principles outlined above: the NRC role 
is to assist States and communities to build the capacity for 
coordinating human service transportation; to facilitate access to 
existing resources and training, and to work with other TA centers to 
effectively establish triage and referral mechanisms for States and 
local communities. The applicant will submit a detailed methodology and 
approach for providing for the activities identified below:
    a. Provide ongoing technical assistance to the 50 States, the 
District of Columbia, and territories on the development and 
implementation of coordinated human service transportation systems 
through the activities through a proactive management approach that 
includes information sharing, training, site visits, telephone, 
electronic interfaces and other forms of ongoing interaction.
    b. During the life of the cooperative agreement, develop and 
implement a technical assistance plan with each of the 50 States and 
territories to facilitate the implementation of coordinated human 
service transportation at the State and local levels.
    c. Organize a systematic approach for annual site visits annually 
with States. The grantee shall work with the Federal project officer to 
develop criteria for determining the appropriateness of a site visit, 
selection of staff or consultants to conduct the site visits, actions 
needed prior to site visit by both staff and recipient, and intended 
goals/outcomes for the site visit. Prior to each site visit, the staff 
or grantee shall develop, with input from stakeholders (e.g., 
consumers, public and private transportation agencies, human service 
providers), an agenda and goals for the site visit. The grantee shall 
maintain documentation regarding all site visits to be included in 
quarterly reports.
    d. Develop a strategy for ensuring that local communities and 
associated stakeholders have access to technical assistance for 
building and implementing coordinated human service transportation 
plans and strategies.
    e. Coordinate technical assistance activities with other federally 
funded technical assistance centers focused on human service 
transportation. These centers include Project ACTION, JobLinks, the 
Community Transportation Assistance Program, the National Rural 
Transportation Assistance Program, the Planning Peer to Peer project, 
the Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Peer to Peer project, the 
National Center for Senior Transportation, and others. In coordination 
with the Project Officer, the grantee shall develop efficient 
strategies and methods of establishing linkages, triage, referral, and 
data sharing processes with other federally funded technical assistance 
centers in the areas of human service transportation and others 
interested in building access and mobility. The role of the grantee is 
to ensure that technical assistance, training, and other activities are 
coordinated between the centers to avoid duplication, and maximize 
resources and available expertise.
    f. Coordinate with other federally funded technical assistance 
centers to facilitate the development and implementation of a 
coordinated human service transportation system when working with local 
communities. This includes three components: (1) Strategies that 
address interdisciplinary approaches for providing transportation 
services that enhance access to employment, education, health, and 
other community activities for targeted populations; (2) strategies to 
develop, implement, and connect a family of services including auto 
acquisition and modification programs, driving transition, pedestrian 
environments, fixed route transit, paratransit services, flex route, 
vanpooling and ridesharing, taxi programs, door through door or escort 
options, voucher models, and volunteer transportation programs; and (3) 
strategies for integrating concepts for mobility management.
    g. Measure and evaluate the performance of the NRC in providing 
technical assistance, and monitor progress towards targeted goals and 
outcomes.

Task 4--Strategic Development in Partnerships, Community Involvement in 
Human Service Transportation Coordination

    Human service transportation coordination is very dynamic and new 
areas of significance continually emerge. It is essential that the 
grantee respond appropriately and address emerging issues. 
Additionally, the grantee shall provide expertise in strategic 
direction in human service transportation related to community 
involvement and public awareness as follows:
    a. The grantee shall assess, analyze, and measure trends in the 
implementation of human service transportation activities on a State 
and regional basis and submit this information to FTA on an annual 
basis.
    b. The grantee shall provide quarterly updates to FTA on pending 
and enacted legislation at all governmental levels related to human 
service transportation coordination, and the United We Ride initiative.
    c. The grantee shall develop and maintain a comprehensive national 
coalition on human service transportation that is inclusive of advocacy 
organizations; public interest organizations; and provider 
organizations. This coalition shall include a network of transportation 
professionals, human service professionals, consumers, and policymakers 
at every level who understand the issues involved in the coordination 
of human service transportation and how coordination can be 
accomplished. The NRC will develop a strategic plan for the coalition 
that includes education, outreach, technical assistance and advocacy 
oriented activities that can be addressed collectively or by individual 
organizations. This coalition will serve to facilitate the development 
of state and local coalitions in all States and territories over the 
course of the cooperative agreement.
    d. The grantee, shall assess, analyze and monitor key activities 
and milestones related to human service transportation of national 
organizations and Federal agencies, interagency liaison groups, private 
industry, workforce development organizations, faith-based/community 
organizations, professional organizations and others involved in the 
coalition on an annual basis.
    e. Establish and/or expand up to 10 State coalitions annually that 
mirror the national coalition in regard to membership and strategy. The 
grantee shall provide guidance, direction, tools and strategies on 
establishing coalitions, which can be integrally involved in providing 
strategic direction for State and community involvement in human 
service transportation. Analyze, assess and evaluate the value of these 
coalitions and their activities with the Project Officer.

Task 5--Communication and Management Information Activities

    The grantee must provide on-site assistance as needed at the U.S. 
Department of Transportation for tasks outlined in this section.
    a. Coordinate all aspects (e.g., planning, logistics, design, 
travel, speakers, materials, briefing, etc.) of 10 interdisciplinary 
UWR regional

[[Page 51272]]

meetings on behalf of the CCAM during this four year cooperative 
agreement. The planning of these meetings shall be conducted in 
consultation with a planning committee in each region that includes, at 
a minimum, Federal partners at the regional level, State agencies, and 
representatives from stakeholder groups representing different 
audiences targeted for participation. The Planning Committee and FTA 
Project Officer must review all documentation, plans, speaker 
information, invitation letters, participant lists, and information 
related to these meetings prior to any dissemination.
    b. The grantee shall coordinate the development and dissemination 
of products and publications as needed based on an assessment of 
existing products, publications, training, and resources available 
through various sources. The grantee shall manage the United We Ride 
clearinghouse for all UWR products, publications, and information. This 
includes the availability and dissemination of hard and electronic 
copies upon request by individuals, agencies, organizations, speakers, 
and all others, including for distribution at meetings and events. 
Alternative formats (e.g., braille, electronic, large print) must be 
made available for all publications and products.
    c. The grantee will develop at least one new publication each year. 
The type and nature of the product or publication will be determined in 
coordination with the Project Officer and the steering committee and 
shall be based on the needs assessment from states and local 
communities. All new publications must be reviewed and approved by the 
Project Officer and are subject to review by senior level management 
within DOT and other members of the CCAM. The grantee shall work 
collaboratively with FTA to coordinate input, direction and advice 
regarding required Federal clearances on all publications regardless of 
the medium (e.g., print, video, electronic, etc).
    d. The grantee shall coordinate all aspects of the management and 
implementation of the United We Ride Web site (https://
www.unitedweride.gov), which includes: (a) Maintaining and updating all 
information for each section of the Web site using Red Dot technology 
on a regularly scheduled basis; (b) updating the front page once each 
month; (c) entering up to 5 useful practices in the database each 
month; (d) posting up to 10 documents and/or announcements per month; 
(e) maintain an active list serve and consistent distribution of real-
time information using GovDocs technology; (f) responding to 
submissions to the United We Ride electronic mailbox within 3 business 
days; and (g) providing ongoing recommendations for improvement 
strategies as needed. All documents and information posted on the Web 
site must meet the requirements and compliance of Section 508 of the 
Rehabilitation Act. The grantee must have a staff person with knowledge 
and experience relating to knowledge management available to be trained 
in Red-Dot technology and also available to work on-site at the U.S. 
Department of Transportation to post information directly. The grantee 
shall work with the Project Officer to establish a plan for approval of 
content for posting and disseminating information using these 
mechanisms.
    e. Develop and disseminate a minimum of four electronic newsletters 
per year. The grantee shall submit the newsletter to the FTA Project 
Officer for approval three weeks prior to publication for approval.
    f. In the first year, the grantee shall develop a database to be 
compatible with and integrated into the UWR Web site. This database 
shall include products and publications developed by various resources 
(including other technical assistance centers, national organizations, 
States, local organizations, etc.) that could potentially provide added 
value for human service transportation coordination. This includes 
video, curricula, and fact sheets and other publications. This database 
shall include the title, description, and information on how to obtain 
the documents included in the database. The database will also include 
any evaluation information related to the publication(s).
    g. The grantee shall plan for at least ten (10) presentations at 
National meetings annually that involve other than local travel. The 
grantee shall submit a plan to the Project Officer at the beginning of 
each calendar year and coordinate with FTA and other federally funded 
TA centers to reduce duplication of effort. The presentations NRC staff 
intends to make at a local, State and national level are to be fully 
coordinated, with an ample timeline for discussion and approval by the 
Project Officer.
    h. The grantee shall plan to coordinate and manage the UWR exhibit 
for up to 10 national, regional, and State meetings. These exhibits can 
be the same meetings where presentations are also taking place. It is 
expected that the grantee will use the newly developed United We Ride 
exhibits already available. In addition, the grantee will make the 
exhibit and handouts available to members of the national coalition, 
States, and other TA centers for use at targeted meetings. The grantee 
shall submit a plan to the Project Officer at the beginning of each 
calendar year and coordinate the FTA and other federal funded TA 
centers to reduce duplication of effort.

Task 6--Project Management and Administration

    a. The grantee shall meet with the Project Officer and task order 
monitor within ten (10) working days after issuance of the task order 
to discuss the objectives of the cooperative agreement and any related 
projects.
    b. The grantee will hold monthly meetings with the Project Officer 
to review the status of the project. Areas of discussion will include: 
(1) Accomplishments to date, (2) reviewing progress on tasks, and (3) 
challenges or problems in addressing specific tasks or meeting targeted 
deliverable dates. The grantee shall provide minutes of the meeting to 
the Project Officer five business days after the meeting.
    c. The Project Coordinator of the NRC shall submit quarterly 
progress reports to the FTA project manager. The reports shall include 
the following items and provide information relevant for the particular 
period:
     General assessment of the progress of the NRC development 
and design;
     Significant accomplishments by objective and task;
     Project issues/concerns and recommended solutions;
     Updated project schedule:
    [cir] Status of current tasks;
    [cir] List of completed tasks;
    [cir] Percent complete by task;
    [cir] If slips in the schedule occur, the grantee shall propose how 
to mitigate the schedule deviations).
     Total budget by task:
    [cir] Amount spent to date by task;
    [cir] Amount remaining by task;
     Travel expense report.
    d. The grantee will brief FTA and other members of the CCAM semi-
annually on their technical assistance findings, key themes and 
results.
    e. The NRC shall include a national steering committee to provide 
guidance and feedback throughout the life of the technical assistance 
center. Steering committee members shall consist of Federal, State, and 
local officials and organizations. Participation from organizations 
representing human service agencies representing various interests 
(e.g., Medicaid, workforce investment, rehabilitation services, aging 
networks, etc.), transportation

[[Page 51273]]

organizations, and consumers are strongly encouraged. The steering 
committee shall participate in the review and development of products, 
publications, materials, and information. The NRC shall host full face 
to face committee meetings at least two times during the year. Other 
meetings can be held more often by phone.

II. Award Information

    FTA will fund one cooperative agreement for a four year award. Year 
one of the cooperative agreement is for one million, five hundred 
eighty-four thousand dollars ($1,584,000). The anticipated notification 
date is the fall of 2006, with an anticipated starting date for the 
successful applicant of October 2006. Subsequent annual funding will be 
based on annual appropriations. FTA grantees with existing FTA projects 
are eligible to complete for this cooperative agreement.
    The FTA will participate in activities by attending review 
meetings, commenting on technical reports, maintaining frequent contact 
with the project manager and approving key decisions and activities any 
redirecting activities if needed.

III. Eligibility Information

    FTA is particularly interested in proposals for this cooperative 
agreement from national non-profit organizations with demonstrated 
capacity in State and community transportation services for older 
adults, people with disabilities, and individuals with lower incomes. A 
strong applicant has the following characteristics:
     An understanding of concepts and strategies for developing 
integrated access, including single entry point and one-stop 
transportation systems;
     An understanding of strategies for building a coordinated 
human service transportation program that utilizes and connects a 
comprehensive family of services;
     Demonstrated success with interdisciplinary strategies in 
human service and transportation related work;
     Experience with the development and implementation of 
integrated transportation systems with health care, education, 
employment and social support programs;
     Capacity for maintaining management information systems;
     Experience in implementation of consumer directed 
services;
     Capacity and experience in building coordination and 
collaboration between public and private sector, as well as critical 
pathways which include linkages with intermediary organizations such as 
employment and training agencies, hospital discharge planners, private 
pay insurance, special education transition programs, rehabilitation 
agencies, various social service and transportation system networks.
     Experience and demonstrated capacity to facilitate large 
and small group processes regarding policy development, resource 
allocation, systems change, administrative processes, and capacity 
building;
     Experience and knowledge of consumer involvement and 
consumer directed models in program planning and implementation;
     Capacity for developing and managing a technical 
assistance network using multiple types of intervention strategies 
(e.g., long distance, peer-to-peer, onsite, communities of practice, 
etc.);
     Capacity and experience in large scale systems change 
efforts;
     Capacity and experience for providing effective off-site 
technical assistance, including technical assistance by telephone and 
E-mail, moderated and unmoderated list-serves, Web-based seminars, 
topic-based conference calls, the internet (including the development 
of Web content), etc.;
     Understanding implementation of a range of transportation 
services including older driver, pedestrian access, fixed route, 
paratransit, assisted (door to door; hand to hand; escort) services, 
volunteer, taxi, and other types of transportation services provision;
     Capacity and experience for conducting face-to-face and 
Web-based training for consumers, human service providers, and 
transportation agencies.

IV. Proposal Content

    Proposals shall be submitted in double-spaced format using Times 
New Roman 12 point font. The application must contain the following 
components:
    1. Cover sheet (1 page): Includes entity submitting proposal, 
principal investigator, title, and contact information (e.g., address, 
phone, fax, and E-mail). Name and contact information for the entity' 
key point of contact for all cooperative activities (if different from 
principle investigators).
    2. Abstract (2 pages): Abstract shall include background, purpose, 
methodology, intended outcomes, and plan for evaluation.
    3. Detailed budget proposal and budget narrative.
    4. Project narrative (not to exceed 75 pages): Project narrative 
shall include the following information:
    a. Staff qualifications, experience in providing technical 
assistance and implementing the other tasks outlined in the 
solicitation. The proposal shall also include the proposed staff 
members' knowledge of issues related to human service transportation. 
One page biographical sketches for staff members shall be included in 
the appendices section of the proposal;
    b. Existing and future capacity of organization to address the 
issues outlined in the proposal and ability to implement tasks 1-6 
outlined under Section I in this solicitation;
    c. Methodology for addressing tasks 1-6 outlined under Section I in 
this solicitation. The proposal shall also include objectives, 
activities, deliverables, milestones, timeline and intended outcomes 
for achieving the goals outlined in the scope for the first year;
    d. Plan to work with stakeholders and build partnerships at the 
national, State, and local levels;
    5. Project Management Plan that includes well defined objectives, 
tasks, activities, timelines, deliverables, indicators, and outcomes.
    6. Plan for evaluation of NRC activities and data collection.
    7. Supplemental materials and letters of support can be included in 
an appendices section that is beyond the 75 page limit. In addition to 
the full proposal, entities have the option to submit supplemental 
material such as: Brochures, publications, products, etc. These 
materials shall be delivered to Bryna Helfer, Federal Transit 
Administration, 400 7th Street SW., Room 9114, Washington, DC 20590.

V. Application Review Information.

    Interdisciplinary review panels, including those external to FTA 
will be convened to review each proposal. Project proposals will be 
evaluated based on the following criteria and scoring system:
    1. Staff qualifications, which includes experience in delivering 
technical assistance and training, knowledge of human service 
transportation, demonstrated process skills in assessment, strategic 
planning, facilitation, and other key areas associated with identified 
tasks. The entity shall also address a plan for knowledge retention. 
(15%).
    2. Existing capacity of the organization, which includes 
clearinghouse functions, Web development and maintenance, technical 
assistance, training, long distance and on-site intervention 
strategies, and other identified tasks. (15%).
    3. Understanding and reasonability of proposed goals, objectives,

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methodologies, activities, timelines, deliverables, and budget. (40%).
    4. Plan to collaborate with stakeholders and establish effective 
partnerships to implement tasks. (20%).
    5. Plan for evaluation and data collection. (10%).

VI. Award Administration Information

    The anticipated notification date for the award of this cooperative 
agreement is the fall of 2006, with an anticipated start date for the 
successful applicant by late fall 2006. The Federal Transit 
Administrator's (FTA) will notify the successful entity. Following 
receipt of the FTA Administrator's notification letter, the successful 
entity will be required to submit its proposal through the FTA 
Transportation Electronic Award Management (TEAM) system Web site. FTA 
will manage the cooperative agreement through the TEAM system Web site. 
Before FTA may award Federal financial assistance through a Federal 
cooperative agreement, the entity must submit all certifications and 
assurances pertaining to itself and its project as required by Federal 
laws and regulations. Since Federal fiscal year 1995, FTA has been 
consolidating the various certifications and assurances that may be 
required of its awardees and the projects into a single document 
published in the Federal Register. The fiscal year 2006 Annual List of 
Certifications and Assurances for FTA Cooperative Agreements and 
Cooperative Agreements and Guidelines will be published in the Federal 
Register and posted on the FTA Web site at https://www.fta.dot.gov.

    Issued on: August 24, 2006.
James S. Simpson,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 06-7231 Filed 8-28-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-57-M