Over-the-Road Bus Accessibility Program Grants, 41323-41330 [2011-17651]

Agencies

• Federal Transit Administration
• DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 134 (Wednesday, July 13, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41323-41330]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-17651]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Transit Administration


Over-the-Road Bus Accessibility Program Grants

AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration (FTA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of Availability of Fiscal Year 2011 Funds: Solicitation 
of Grant Applications.

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    Funds: Solicitation of project proposals.

SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) Federal Transit 
Administration (FTA) announces the availability of funds in Fiscal Year 
(FY) 2011 for the Over-the-Road Bus (OTRB) Accessibility Program, 
authorized by Section 3038 of the Transportation Equity Act for the 
21st Century (TEA-21). The OTRB Accessibility Program makes funds 
available to private operators of over-the-road buses to

[[Page 41324]]

finance the incremental capital and training costs of complying with 
DOT's over-the-road bus accessibility regulation. The authorizing 
legislation calls for national solicitation of applications, with 
grantees to be selected on a competitive basis. Federal transit funds 
are available to intercity fixed-route providers and other OTRB 
providers at up to 90 percent of the project cost. A total of 
$8,800,000 is now available for both intercity fixed-route and other 
providers of services using over-the-road buses.

DATES: Complete applications for OTRB Program grants must be submitted 
electronically by September 12, 2011 through the Grants.gov Web site. 
Applicants should initiate the process of registering on the Grants.gov 
site immediately to ensure completion of registration before the 
deadline for submission. Paper and/or faxed applications will not be 
accepted. FTA will announce grant selections in the Federal Register 
when the competitive selection process is complete.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact the appropriate FTA Regional 
Administrator (Appendix B) for application-specific information and 
issues. For general program information, contact Blenda Younger, Office 
of Program Management, (202) 366- 4345, e-mail: blenda.younger@dot.gov. 
A TDD is available at 1-800-877-8339 (TDD/FIRS).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Table of Contents

I. Funding Opportunity Description
II. Award Information
III. Eligibility Information
IV. Application and Submission Information
V. Evaluation Criteria
VI. Award Administration Information
VII. Agency Contacts
Appendix A Over-the-Road Bus Accessibility Program Application
Appendix B FTA Regional and Metropolitan Offices
Appendix C FY 2011 Discretionary Programs Schedule

I. Funding Opportunity Description

A. Authority

    The program is authorized under Section 3038 of the Transportation 
Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21), Public Law 105-85 as amended 
by the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient, Transportation Equity 
Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), Public Law 109-059, August 10, 
2005.

B. Background

    OTRBs are used in intercity fixed-route service as well as other 
services, such as commuter, charter, and tour bus services. These 
services are an important element of the U.S. transportation system. 
TEA-21 authorized FTA's OTRB Accessibility Program to assist OTRB 
operators in complying with the Department's OTRB Accessibility 
regulation, ``Transportation for Individuals with Disabilities'' (49 
CFR part 37, subpart H).
Summary of DOT's OTRB Accessibility Rule Deadlines for Acquiring 
Accessible Vehicles
    Under the OTRB Accessibility regulation, all new buses obtained by 
large (Class I carriers, i.e., those with gross annual transportation 
revenues of $8.7 million or more), fixed-route carriers after October 
30, 2000, must be accessible, with wheelchair lifts and tie-downs that 
allow passengers to ride in their own wheelchairs. The rule required 50 
percent of the fixed-route operators fleets to be accessible by 2006, 
and 100 percent of the vehicles in their fleets to be accessible by 
October 29, 2012. New buses acquired by small (gross transportation 
revenues of less than $8.7 million annually) fixed-route operators 
after October 29, 2001, also are required to be lift-equipped, although 
they do not have a deadline for total fleet accessibility. Small 
operators also can provide equivalent service in lieu of obtaining 
accessible buses. Starting in 2001, charter and tour companies must 
provide service in an accessible bus on 48 hours advance notice. Fixed-
route operators must also provide this kind of service on an interim 
basis until their fleets are completely accessible.
Deadlines for Delivering Accessible Service
    The rules for delivering accessible motorcoach service went into 
effect October 29, 2001, for large fixed-route, charter, tour and other 
demand-responsive motorcoach operators, and for small operators on 
October 28, 2002. Operators should consult 49 CFR part 37, subpart H, 
regarding the acquisition of accessible vehicles and the provision of 
accessible service to determine the applicable section that best 
describes their operating characteristics.
    Specifications describing the design features of an accessible 
over-the-road bus are listed in 49 CFR part 38, subpart G.

C. Purpose

    The purpose of the OTRB program is to improve mobility and shape 
America's future by ensuring that the transportation system is 
accessible, integrated, and efficient, and offers flexibility of 
choices which is a key strategic goal of the DOT. OTRB Accessibility 
projects will improve mobility for individuals with disabilities by 
providing financial assistance to help make vehicles accessible and 
training to ensure that drivers and others are properly trained to use 
accessibility features as well as how to treat patrons with 
disabilities.

D. Vehicle and Service Definitions

    An ``over-the-road bus'' is defined in 49 CFR 37.3 as a bus 
characterized by an elevated passenger deck located over a baggage 
compartment.
    Intercity, fixed-route over-the-road bus service is regularly 
scheduled bus service for the general public, using an OTRB that 
operates with limited stops over fixed routes connecting two or more 
urban areas not in close proximity or connecting one or more rural 
communities with an urban area not in close proximity; has the capacity 
for transporting baggage carried by passengers; and makes meaningful 
connections with scheduled intercity bus service to more distant 
points. The application includes six criteria factors that will be 
reviewed to determine eligibility for a portion of the funding 
available to operators that qualify under this definition.
    ``Other'' OTRB service means any other transportation using OTRBs, 
including local fixed-route service, commuter service, and charter or 
tour service (including tour or excursion service that includes 
features in addition to bus transportation such as meals, lodging, 
admission to points of interest or special attractions). While some 
commuter service may also serve the needs of some intercity fixed-route 
passengers, the statute includes commuter service in the definition of 
``other'' service. Commuter service providers may apply for these 
funds, even though the services designed to meet the needs of commuters 
may also provide service to intercity fixed-route passengers on an 
incidental basis. If a commuter service provider can document that more 
than 50 percent of its passengers are using the service as intercity 
fixed-route service, the provider may apply for the funds designated 
for intercity fixed-route operators.

II. Award Information

    Federal transit funds are available to intercity fixed-route 
providers and other OTRB providers at up to 90 percent of the project 
cost. A total of $8,800,000 was appropriated for the program in FY 
2011. Successful applicants will be

[[Page 41325]]

awarded grants. Typical grants under this program range from $25,000 to 
$180,000, with most grants being less than $40,000, for lift equipment 
for a single vehicle.

III. Eligibility Information

A. Eligible Applicants

    Grants will be made directly to operators of OTRBs. Intercity, 
fixed-route OTRB service providers may apply for the funds that were 
appropriated for intercity fixed-route providers in FY 2011. Applicants 
must establish eligibility as intercity fixed-route providers by 
meeting established criteria on six factors identified in the 
application. Other OTRB service providers, including operators of local 
fixed-route service, commuter service, and charter or tour service may 
apply for the funds that were appropriated in FY 2011 for these 
providers. OTRB operators who provide both intercity, fixed-route 
service and another type of service, such as commuter, charter or tour, 
may apply for both categories of funds with a single application. 
Private for-profit operators of over-the-road buses are eligible to be 
direct applicants for this program. This is a departure from most other 
FTA programs for which the direct applicant must be a State or local 
public body. FTA does not award grants to public entities under this 
program.
    Section 50 of FTA's Master Agreement, titled ``Special Provisions 
for Over-the-Road Bus Accessibility Projects,'' incorporates the U.S. 
Department of Transportation's regulations implementing the Americans 
with Disabilities Act of 1990 (49 CFR part 37). Section 37.213 of the 
implementing regulation requires private OTRB operators to file annual 
submissions with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's 
(FMCSA) Office of Data Analysis and Administration. Because compliance 
with all applicable Federal laws is a term and condition of grant 
eligibility, applicants who are not in compliance with the FMCSA filing 
requirements will be ineligible to participate in this program.

B. Eligible Projects

    Projects to finance the incremental capital and training costs of 
complying with DOT's OTRB accessibility rule (49 CFR part 37) are 
eligible for funding. Incremental capital costs eligible for funding 
include adding lifts, tie-downs, moveable seats, doors and training 
costs associated with using the accessibility features and serving 
persons with disabilities. Retrofitting vehicles with such 
accessibility components is also an eligible expense. Please see Buy 
America section for further conditions of eligibility.
    FTA may award funds for costs already incurred by the applicants. 
Any new wheelchair accessible vehicles delivered after June 8, 1998, 
the date that the TEA-21 became effective, are eligible for funding 
under the program. Vehicles of any age that have been retrofitted with 
lifts and other accessibility components after June 8, 1998, are also 
eligible for funding.
    Eligible training costs are those required by the final 
accessibility rule as described in 49 CFR 37.209. These activities 
include training in proper operation and maintenance of accessibility 
features and equipment, boarding assistance, securement of mobility 
aids, sensitive and appropriate interaction with passengers with 
disabilities, and handling and storage of mobility devices. The costs 
associated with developing training materials or providing training for 
local providers of OTRB services for these purposes are also eligible 
expenses.
    FTA will not fund the incremental costs of acquiring used 
accessible OTRBs that were previously owned, as it may be impossible to 
verify whether or not FTA funds were already used to make the vehicles 
accessible. Also, it would be difficult to place a value on the 
accessibility features based upon the depreciated value of the vehicle. 
The legislative intent of this grant program is to increase the number 
of wheelchair accessible OTRBs available to persons with disabilities 
throughout the country. The purchase of previously-owned accessible 
vehicles, whether or not they were funded by FTA, does not further this 
objective of increasing the number of wheelchair accessible OTRBs.
    FTA has sponsored the development of accessibility training 
materials for public transit operators. FTA-funded Project ACTION is a 
national technical assistance program to promote cooperation between 
the disability community and the transportation industry. Project 
ACTION provides training, resources and technical assistance to 
thousands of disability organizations, consumers with disabilities, and 
transportation operators. It maintains a resource center with up-to-
date information on transportation accessibility. Project ACTION may be 
contacted at: Project ACTION,
    1425 K Street NW., Suite 200, Washington, DC 20005, Phone: 1-800-
659-6428 (TDD: (202) 347-7385), Internet address: https://www.projectaction.org/.

C. Cost Sharing or Matching

    Federal transit funds are available to intercity fixed-route 
providers and other OTRB providers at up to 90 percent of the project 
cost. A 10 percent match is required.

IV. Application and Submission Information

A. Address To Request Application Package

    Project proposals must be submitted electronically through https://www.Grants.gov and a synopsis of this announcement will be available in 
the ``FIND'' module. The mandatory SF424 Form must be completed. Use 
the Supplemental FTA form (Applicant and Proposal Profile) to address 
proposal content and evaluation criteria specified in this notice. The 
Supplemental FTA form can be found at https://www.fta.dot.gov/otrb.

B. Content and Form of Application Submission

Guidelines for Preparing Grant Application
    The application should provide information on all items for which 
you are requesting funding in FY 2011. If you use another company's 
previous application as a guide, remember to modify all elements as 
appropriate to reflect your company's situation. The application must 
include a brief project narrative in the Standard Form 424, 
``Application for Federal Assistance'', and a more substantive 
narrative in the Supplemental FTA form.
Application Content
     Applicant Information, This addresses basic identifying 
information, including:
    a. Company name.
    b. Dun and Bradstreet (D&B) Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) 
number.
    c. Contact information for notification of project selection: 
contact name, address, email address, fax and phone number.
    d. Description of services provided by company, including areas 
served.
    e. For fixed-route carriers, whether you are a large (Class I, with 
gross annual transportation revenues of $8.7 million or more) or small 
(gross transportation revenues of less than $8.7 million annually) 
carrier.
    f. Existing fleet and employee information, including number of 
over-the-road buses used for (1) Intercity fixed-route service, and (2) 
other service, and number of employees.
    g. If you provide both intercity fixed-route service and another 
type of

[[Page 41326]]

service, such as commuter, charter or tour service, please provide an 
estimate of the proportion of your service that is intercity.
    h. Description of your technical, legal, and financial capacity to 
implement the proposed project. Include evidence that you currently 
possess appropriate operating authority (e.g., DOT number if you 
operate interstate or identifier assigned by State if you do not 
operate interstate service).
     Project Information, Every application must:
    a. Provide the Federal amount requested for each purpose for which 
funds are sought in the format in Appendix A.
    b. Document matching funds, including amount and source.
    c. Describe project, including components to be funded (e.g., 
lifts, tie-downs, moveable seats, or training).
    d. Provide project timeline, including significant milestones such 
as date or contract for purchase of vehicle(s), and actual or expected 
delivery date of vehicles.
    e. Address each of the five statutory evaluation criteria described 
in V.
    f. If requesting funding for intercity service, provide evidence 
that:
    1. The applicant provides scheduled, intercity, fixed route, over-
the-road bus service that interlines with one or more scheduled, 
intercity bus operators. (Such evidence includes applicant's membership 
in the National Bus Traffic Association or participation in separate 
interline agreements, and participation in interline tariffs or price 
lists issued by, or on behalf of, scheduled, intercity bus operators 
with whom the applicant interlines); and
    2. The applicant has obtained authority from the Federal Motor 
Carrier Safety Administration or the Interstate Commerce Commission to 
operate scheduled, intercity, fixed route service; and as many of the 
following as are applicable;
    3. The applicant is included in Russell's Official National Motor 
Coach Guide showing that it provides regularly scheduled, fixed route 
OTRB service with meaningful connections with scheduled intercity bus 
service to more distant points.
    4. The applicant maintains a Website showing routes and schedules 
of its regularly scheduled, fixed route OTRB service and its meaningful 
connections to other scheduled, intercity bus service.
    5. The applicant maintains published schedules showing its 
regularly scheduled, fixed route OTRB service and its meaningful 
connections to other scheduled, intercity bus service.
    6. The applicant participates in the International Registration 
Plan (IRP) apportionment program.
     Labor Information:
    The Applicant agrees to comply with the terms and conditions of the 
Special Warranty for the Over-the-Road Bus Accessibility Program that 
is most current as of the date of execution of the Grant Agreement or 
Cooperative Agreement for the project, and any alternative comparable 
arrangements specified by U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) for 
application to the Applicant's project, in accordance with DOL 
guidelines, ``Section 5333(b), Federal Transit Law,'' 29 CFR part 215, 
and any revisions thereto. Any DOL Special Warranty that may be 
provided and any documents cited therein are incorporated by reference 
and made part of the Grant Agreement.
    Additional information regarding grants that require referral can 
be found on DOL's Web site: https://www.dol.gov/esa/olms/regs/compliance/redesign_2006/redesign2006_transitemplprotect.htm.

 C. Submission Dates and Times

    Complete proposals for the Over-the-Road Bus Program must be 
submitted electronically through the Grants.gov Web site by September 
12, 2011. Applicants are encouraged to begin the process of 
registration on the Grants.gov site well in advance of the submission 
deadline. Registration is a multi-step process, which may take several 
weeks to complete before an application can be submitted. In addition 
to the mandatory SF424 Form that will be downloaded from Grants.gov, 
FTA requires applicants to complete the Supplemental FTA form to enter 
descriptive and data elements of individual program proposals for the 
Over-the-Road Bus Program. This supplemental form provides guidance and 
a consistent format for applicants to respond to the criteria outlined 
in this NOFA and is described in detail on the FTA Web site at https://www.fta.dot.gov/otrb. Applicants must use this Supplemental FTA form 
and attach it to their submission in Grants.gov to successfully 
complete the application process. Within 24-48 hours after submitting 
an electronic application, the applicant should receive an e-mail 
validation message from Grants.gov. The validation will state whether 
Grants.gov found any issues with the submitted application. As an 
additional notification, FTA's system will notify the applicant if 
there are any problems with the submitted Supplemental FTA form. If 
making a resubmission for any reason, include all original attachments 
regardless of which attachments were updated. Complete instructions on 
the application process can be found at https://www.fta.dot.gov/otrb. 
Important: FTA urges applicants to submit their applications at least 
72 hours prior to the due date to allow time to receive the validation 
message and to correct any problems that may have caused a rejection 
notification.

D. Intergovernmental Review

    This program is not generally subject to Executive Order (EO) 
12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.'' For more 
information, contact the State's Single Point of Contact (SPOC) to find 
out about and comply with the State's process under EO 12372. The names 
and addresses of the SPOCs are listed in the Office of Management and 
Budget's homepage at https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html.

E. Funding Restrictions

    Only applications from eligible recipients for eligible activities 
will be considered for funding (see Section III). Due to funding 
limitations, applicants that are selected for funding may receive less 
than the amount requested.

V. Evaluation Criteria

    Project Evaluation Criteria--Projects will be evaluated according 
to the following criteria:
    a. The identified need for OTRB accessibility for persons with 
disabilities in the areas served by the applicant.
    b. The extent to which the applicant demonstrated innovative 
strategies and financial commitment to providing access to OTRBs to 
persons with disabilities.
    c. The extent to which the OTRB operator acquired equipment 
required by DOT's over-the-road bus accessibility rule prior to the 
required time-frame in the rule.
    d. The extent to which financing the costs of complying with DOT's 
rule presents a financial hardship for the applicant.
    e. The impact of accessibility requirements on the continuation of 
OTRB service with particular consideration of the impact of the 
requirements on service to rural areas and for low-income individuals.

    Note:  These are the statutory criteria upon which funding 
decisions will be made. In addition to these criteria, FTA may also 
consider other factors, such as the size of the applicant's fleet 
and the level of FTA funding previously awarded to applicants in 
prior years. Applicants will not be considered for funding as 
intercity fixed-route operators

[[Page 41327]]

unless they satisfy, at a minimum, the first two criteria and at 
least one of criteria three through six listed in the Project 
Information section of the application; these criteria are 
applicable to intercity fixed-route applicants.

VI. Selection Process and Award Administration Information

A. Review and Selection Process

    Each application may be screened by a panel of members consisting 
of FTA headquarters and regional staff. Incomplete or non-responsive 
applications will be disqualified. Intercity fixed-route service 
providers must provide evidence that they meet at a minimum the first 
two criteria and at least one of the next three criteria set forth in 
Project Information, if funds are requested under this category (see 
Appendix A, 2, B). Applicants that do not qualify as intercity-fixed 
route operators may be considered for funding in the ``other'' category 
using the same application. FTA will make an effort to award every 
qualified applicant at least one lift.

B. Award Notices

    FTA will screen all applications to determine whether all required 
eligibility elements, as described in Part III ``Eligibility 
Information,'' are present. The FTA evaluation team will evaluate each 
application according to the criteria described in this announcement. 
FTA will notify all applicants, both those selected for funding and 
those not selected when the competitive selection process is complete. 
Projects selected for funding will be published in a Federal Register 
notice. Applicants selected for funding must then apply to the FTA 
regional office for the actual grant award, sign Certifications and 
Assurances, and execute a grant contract before funds can be drawn 
down.

C. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

1. Grant Requirements
    Applicants selected for funding must include documentation 
necessary to meet the requirements of FTA's Nonurbanized Area Formula 
program (Title 49, United States Code, section 5311). Technical 
assistance regarding these requirements is available from each FTA 
regional office. The regional offices will contact those applicants 
selected for funding regarding procedures for making the required 
certifications and assurances to FTA before grants are made.
    The authority for these requirements is provided by TEA-21, Public 
Law 105-178, June 9, 1998, as amended by the TEA-21 Restoration Act 
105-206, 112 Stat. 685, July 22, 1998; 49 U.S.C. Section 5310, note; 
and DOT and FTA regulations and FTA Circulars.
2. Buy America
    Under the OTRB Accessibility Grant Program, FTA's Buy America 
regulations, 49 CFR part 661, apply to the incremental capital costs of 
making vehicles accessible.
    Generally, Buy America applies to all accessibility equipment 
acquired with FTA funds, i.e., all of the manufacturing processes for 
the product take place in the United States. The lift, the moveable 
seats, and the securement devices will each be considered components 
for purposes of this program; accordingly, as components, each must be 
manufactured in the United States regardless of the origin of its 
respective subcomponents.
    It should also be noted that FTA has issued a general public 
interest waiver for all purchases under the Federal ``small purchase'' 
threshold, which is currently $100,000. (See 49 CFR 661.7, Appendix 
A(e)). Because Section 3038(b) of TEA-21, limited FTA financing to the 
incremental capital costs of compliance with DOT's OTRB accessibility 
rule, the small purchase waiver applies only to the incremental cost of 
the accessibility features. Where more than one bus is being made 
accessible, the grantee must calculate the incremental cost increase of 
the entire procurement when determining if the small purchase waiver 
applies. For example, if $30,000 is the incremental cost for the 
accessibility features eligible under this program per bus (regardless 
of the Federal share contribution), then a procurement of three buses 
with a total such cost of $90,000, would qualify for the small purchase 
waiver. No special application to FTA would be required.
    The grantee must obtain a certification from the bus or component 
manufacturer that all items included in the incremental cost for which 
the applicant is applying for funds meet Buy America requirements. The 
Buy America regulations can be found at https://www.fta.dot.gov/library/legal/buyamer/.
3. Labor Protection
    Section 3013(h) of SAFETEA-LU amended 49 U.S.C. Section 5311(j)(1) 
to permit the Secretary of Labor to utilize a special warranty that 
provides a fair and equitable arrangement to protect the interest of 
employees as set forth in 49 U.S.C. 5333(b). Pursuant to this 
authorization, the DOL amended its implementing regulations at 29 CFR 
part 215 (73 FR 47046, Aug.13, 2008). On October 1, 2008, DOL began 
using a revised special warranty for the Section 5311 program which is 
appropriate for use with OTRB grants. All OTRB grants awarded after 
October 1, 2008 will be subject to the special warranty for labor 
protective arrangements under the Section 5311 program, which will be 
incorporated by reference in the grant agreement.
4. Planning
    Applicants are encouraged to notify the appropriate State 
Departments of Transportation and Metropolitan Planning Organizations 
(MPO) in areas likely to be served by equipment made accessible through 
funds made available in this program. Those organizations, in turn, 
should take appropriate steps to inform the public, and individuals 
requiring fully accessible services in particular, of operators' 
intentions to expand the accessibility of their services. Incorporation 
of funded projects in the plans and transportation improvement programs 
of states and metropolitan areas by States and MPOs also is encouraged, 
but is not required.
5. Standard Assurances
    The Applicant assures that it will comply with all applicable 
Federal statutes, regulations, executive orders, FTA circulars, and 
other Federal administrative requirements in carrying out any project 
supported by the FTA grant. The Applicant acknowledges that it is under 
a continuing obligation to comply with the terms and conditions of the 
grant agreement issued for its project with FTA. The Applicant 
understands that Federal laws, regulations, policies, and 
administrative practices might be modified from time to time and affect 
the implementation of the project. The Applicant agrees that the most 
recent Federal requirements will apply to the project, unless FTA 
issues a written determination otherwise. Certifications and Assurances 
for grants to be awarded under this program in FY 2011 are included in 
the FTA Certifications and Assurances for FY 2011 which were published 
in the Federal Register of November 2, 2010, and made available for 
electronic signature in FTA's grants system. Every applicant must 
submit Certification 01, ``For Each Applicant.'' Each applicant for 
more than $100,000 must provide both Certification 01, and, 02, the 
``Lobbying Certification.''
6. Reporting
    Post-award reporting requirements include submission of final 
Federal Financial Report and milestone report, or annual reports for 
grants remaining

[[Page 41328]]

open at the end of each Federal fiscal year (September 30). 
Documentation is required for payment.

VII. Agency Contact(s)

    Contact the appropriate FTA Regional Administrator (Appendix B) for 
application-specific information and issues. For general program 
information, contact Blenda Younger, Office of Program Management, 
(202) 366-4345, e-mail: blenda.younger@dot.gov. A TDD is available at 
1-800-877-8339 (TDD/FIRS).

    Issued in Washington, DC, this 7th day of July, 2011.
Peter Rogoff,
Administrator.

Appendix A--Over-the-Road Bus Accessibility Program Project Proposal 
Application (Electronic Project Narrative)

    (See Section IV.B of Federal Register announcement for detailed 
explanation of application content).
    In addition to OMB Standard Form 424, Application For Federal 
Assistance, provide the following information on the Supplemental Form:
    1. Applicant Information
    A. Company Name:
    B. DUNS Number:
    C. For Notification of Project Selection Contact:
    Name of Individual:
    Address:
    Fax:
    Telephone number:
    E-mail:
    D. Describe Services Provided by Company, including Areas Served:
    E. Intercity Fixed-Route Carriers:
----Large/Class I (gross annual transportation revenues of $8.7 Million 
or more).
----Small (gross annual transportation revenues of less than $8.7 
Million).
    F. Existing Fleet and Employee Information:
----Total number of over-the-road buses in fleet.
----Number of over-the-road buses in fleet used for intercity fixed-
route service.
----Number of over-the-road buses intercity-fixed-route service that 
currently have lifts.
----Number of over-the-road buses in fleet used for Other Service, 
e.g., Charter, Tour, & Commuter.
----Number of over-the-road buses used in ``other'' service that 
currently have lifts.
----Number of Employees.
    G. Estimate of the proportion of service, if any, that is intercity 
fixed-route ---- % of services is intercity fixed-route.
    H. Describe your technical, legal, and financial capacity to 
implement the proposed project. Include evidence of operating 
authority.
    2. Project Information
    A. Federal Amount Requested (Up to 90% Federal Share):
Intercity Fixed Route Service:
$------ for  ------ New Over-the-road Buses
$------ for  ------ Retrofits
$------ for  ------Employees--Training
Other Service (Commuter, Charter, or Tour)
$------ for  ------New Over-the-road Buses
$------ for  ------Retrofits
$------ for  ------Employees--Training
    B. If requesting funding for intercity service, provide evidence of 
any of the following that are applicable:
    1. The applicant provides scheduled, intercity, fixed-route, over-
the-road bus service that interlines with one or more scheduled, 
intercity bus operators. Such evidence includes applicant's membership 
in the National Bus Traffic Association or participation in separate 
interline agreements, and participation in interline tariffs or price 
lists issued by, or on behalf of, scheduled, intercity bus operators 
with whom the applicant interlines.
    2. The applicant has obtained authority from the Federal Motor 
Carrier Safety Administration or the Interstate Commerce Commission to 
operate scheduled, intercity, fixed route service.
    3. The applicant is included in Russell's Official National Motor 
Coach Guide showing that it provides regularly scheduled, fixed route 
OTRB service with meaningful connections with scheduled intercity bus 
service to more distant points.
    4. The applicant maintains a website showing routes and schedules 
of its regularly scheduled, fixed-route OTRB service and its meaningful 
connections to other scheduled, intercity bus service.
    5. The applicant maintains published schedules showing its 
regularly scheduled, fixed-route OTRB service and its meaningful 
connections to other scheduled, intercity bus service.
    6. The applicant participates in the International Registration 
Plan (IRP) apportionment program.
    C. Document Matching Funds, including Amount and Source.
    D. Describe Project, including Components to be funded (i.e., 
lifts, tie-downs, moveable seats or training).
    E. Provide Project Time Line, including significant milestones such 
as date of contract for purchase of vehicle(s), and actual or expected 
delivery date of vehicles.
    F. Project Evaluation Criteria.
    Provide information addressing the following criteria:
     The identified need for OTRB accessibility for persons 
with disabilities in the areas served by the applicant.
     The extent to which the applicant demonstrated innovative 
strategies and financial commitment to providing access to OTRBs to 
persons with disabilities.
     The extent to which the over-the-road bus operator 
acquired equipment required by DOT's OTRB accessibility rule prior to 
the required time frame in the rule.
     The extent to which financing the costs of complying with 
DOT's rule presents a financial hardship for the applicant.
     The impact of accessibility requirements on the 
continuation of OTRB service with particular consideration of the 
impact of the requirements on service to rural areas and for low income 
individuals.
    G. Labor Information
     List labor organizations that may represent your employees 
and all labor organizations that represent the employees of any transit 
providers in the service area of the project.
     For each local of a nationally affiliated union, provide 
the name of the national organization and the number or other 
designation of the local union.
     For each independent labor organization, provide the local 
information, including: name of organization, address, contact person, 
phone and fax numbers.
     For transit employee unions in service area of project, 
provide information including: contact person, address, telephone 
number and fax number for your company and associated union 
information.

Appendix B

[[Page 41329]]



                  FTA Regional and Metropolitan Offices
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mary Beth Mello, Regional            Robert C. Patrick, Regional
 Administrator, Region 1--Boston,     Administrator, Region 6--Ft.
 Kendall Square, 55 Broadway, Suite   Worth, 819 Taylor Street, Room
 920, Cambridge, MA 02142-1093,       8A36, Ft. Worth, TX 76102, Tel.
 Tel. 617-494-2055.                   817-978-0550.
States served: Connecticut, Maine,   States served: Arkansas, Louisiana,
 Massachusetts, New Hampshire,        Oklahoma, New Mexico and Texas.
 Rhode Island, and Vermont.
Brigid Hynes-Cherin, Regional        Mokhtee Ahmad, Regional
 Administrator, Region 2--New York,   Administrator, Region 7--Kansas
 One Bowling Green, Room 429, New     City, MO, 901 Locust Street, Room
 York, NY 10004-1415, Tel. 212-668-   404, Kansas City, MO 64106, Tel.
 2170.                                816-329-3920.
States served: New Jersey, New York  States served: Iowa, Kansas,
                                      Missouri, and Nebraska.
New York Metropolitan Office,
 Region 2--New York, One Bowling
 Green, Room 428, New York, NY
 10004-1415, Tel. 212-668-2202.
                                     Terry Rosapep, Regional
                                      Administrator, Region 8--Denver,
                                      12300 West Dakota Ave., Suite 310,
                                      Lakewood, CO 80228-2583, Tel. 720-
                                      963-3300.
                                     States served: Colorado, Montana,
                                      North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah,
                                      and Wyoming.
Letitia Thompson, Regional
 Administrator, Region 3--
 Philadelphia, 1760 Market Street,
 Suite 500, Philadelphia, PA 19103-
 4124, Tel. 215-656-7100.
States served: Delaware, Maryland,
 Pennsylvania, Virginia, West
 Virginia, and District of
 Columbia.
Philadelphia Metropolitan Office,
 Region 3--Philadelphia, 1760
 Market Street, Suite 500,
 Philadelphia, PA 19103-4124, Tel.
 215-656-7070.
Washington, DC Metropolitan Office,
 1990 K Street, NW, Room 510,
 Washington, DC 20006, Tel. 202-219-
 3562.
Yvette Taylor, Regional              Leslie T. Rogers, Regional
 Administrator, Region 4--Atlanta,    Administrator, Region 9--San
 230 Peachtree Street, NW, Suite      Francisco, 201 Mission Street,
 800, Atlanta, GA 30303, Tel. 404-    Room 1650, San Francisco, CA 94105-
 865-5600.                            1926, Tel. 415-744-3133.
States served: Alabama, Florida,     States served: American Samoa,
 Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi,      Arizona, California, Guam, Hawaii,
 North Carolina, Puerto Rico, South   Nevada, and the Northern Mariana
 Carolina, Tennessee, and Virgin      Islands.
 Islands.
                                     Los Angeles Metropolitan Office,
                                      Region 9--Los Angeles, 888 S.
                                      Figueroa Street, Suite 1850, Los
                                      Angeles, CA 90017-1850, Tel. 213-
                                      202-3952.
Marisol Simon, Regional              Rick Krochalis, Regional
 Administrator, Region 5--Chicago,    Administrator, Region 10--Seattle,
 200 West Adams Street, Suite 320,    Jackson Federal Building, 915
 Chicago, IL 60606, Tel. 312-353-     Second Avenue, Suite 3142,
 2789.                                Seattle, WA 98174-1002, Tel. 206-
States served: Illinois, Indiana,     220-7954
 Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and      States served: Alaska, Idaho,
 Wisconsin.                           Oregon, and Washington.
Chicago Metropolitan Office, Region
 5--Chicago, 200 West Adams Street,
 Suite 320, Chicago, IL 60606, Tel.
 312-353-2789.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


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[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN13JY11.017

[FR Doc. 2011-17651 Filed 7-12-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P