Rides to Wellness Demonstration and Innovative Coordinated Access and Mobility Grants, 17549-17553 [2016-07008]
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Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 60 / Tuesday, March 29, 2016 / Notices
exempt from the break requirement. A
Notice of Final Determination granting
the OTA exemption was published on
March 18, 2015 [80 FR 14227].
The substance of the exemption is not
affected by this extension. The
exemption covers only the 30-minute
break requirement [49 CFR
395.3(a)(3)(ii)]. The exemption is
restricted to drivers operating CMVs
engaged in interstate logging originating
in Oregon forestlands during periods in
which the Oregon Department of
Forestry (ODOF) imposes Industrial Fire
Precaution Level 3 (IPFL3) on those
lands, restricting the transportation of
logs to certain hours of the day because
of an elevated risk of forest fire.1 Drivers
operating under this exemption must be
released from duty no more than 12
consecutive hours after the time they
come on duty following 10 consecutive
hours off duty. They must maintain a
record of duty status (‘‘log book’’) for the
days on which they travel outside a 100
air-mile radius of their normal work
reporting location. If an individual
chose to forego this short-haul
exemption either by travelling outside
the 100 air-miles or by working a 14
hour day instead of the 12 hours
required by the exemption, he or she
would be required to maintain a logbook
for that day and also to comply with the
30-minute rest break provision.
The FMCSA does not believe the
safety record of any driver operating
under this exemption will deteriorate.
However, should deterioration in safety
occur, FMCSA will take all steps
necessary to protect the public interest,
including revocation of the exemption.
The FMCSA has the authority to
terminate the exemption at any time the
Agency has the data/information to
conclude that safety is being
compromised.
Issued on: March 23, 2016.
T. F. Scott Darling, III,
Acting Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2016–07041 Filed 3–28–16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–EX–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
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Federal Transit Administration
Rides to Wellness Demonstration and
Innovative Coordinated Access and
Mobility Grants
AGENCY:
Federal Transit Administration
(FTA), DOT.
Funding Opportunity Number: FTA–
2015–012–TPM–RTW
1 Neither IFPL 1 nor IFPL 2 restricts the
transportation of timber.
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Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
(CFDA) Number: 20.514
ACTION: Notice of funding opportunity
(NOFO): solicitation of project proposals
for Rides to Wellness Demonstration
and Innovative Coordinated Access and
Mobility Grants.
SUMMARY:
The Federal Transit
Administration (FTA) announces the
availability of approximately $5.3
million of funding from two programs to
support the Rides to Wellness
Demonstration and Innovative
Coordinated Access and Mobility Grants
(R2W Demonstration Grants). The
funding sources are: Section 3006(b) of
the Fixing America’s Surface
Transportation Act (FAST), Pub. L. 114–
94, which authorizes a pilot program for
innovative coordinated access and
mobility; and 49 U.S.C. 5312 (Section
5312).
The goal of the competitive R2W
Demonstration Grants is to find and test
promising, replicable public
transportation healthcare access
solutions that support the following
goals: increased access to care,
improved health outcomes and reduced
healthcare costs. Eligible applicants
include: States, Tribes, and Designated
or Direct Recipients for funds under 49
U.S.C. 5307, 5310 or 5311. Proposers
must serve as the lead agency of a local
consortium that includes stakeholders
from the transportation, healthcare,
human service or other sectors.
Members of this consortium are eligible
as subrecipients. Further, proposers
must demonstrate that the proposed
project was planned through an
inclusive process with the involvement
of the transportation, healthcare and
human service industries. Eligible
projects must have implementationready capital and operating projects that
enhance access, such as: mobility
management; health and transportation
provider partnerships; technology; and
other actions that drive change. These
R2W Demonstration Grants will develop
best practice solutions that other
communities can replicate.
This announcement is available on
the FTA Web site at: https://
www.fta.dot.gov/legislation_law/
federal_register_notices.php. A synopsis
of this funding opportunity will be
posted in the FIND module of the
government-wide electronic grants Web
site at https://www.GRANTS.GOV. FTA
will announce final selections on the
FTA Web site and may also announce
selections in the Federal Register.
DATES: Complete proposals must be
submitted electronically through the
GRANTS.GOV ‘‘APPLY’’ function by
May 31, 2016. Prospective applicants
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17549
should initiate the process by registering
on the GRANTS.GOV Web site promptly
to ensure completion of the application
process before the submission deadline.
Instructions for applying can be found
on FTA’s Web site at https://
www.fta.dot.gov/grants/15066.html and
in the ‘‘FIND’’ module of
GRANTS.GOV. Mail and fax
submissions will not be accepted.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Danielle Nelson, FTA Office of Program
Management, 202–366–2160, or
Danielle.Nelson@dot.gov.
Table Of Contents
A. Program Description
B. Federal Award Information
C. Eligibility Information
D. Application and Submission Information
E. Application Review Information
F. Federal Award Administration
G. Federal Awarding Agency Contact
A. Program Description
FTA announces the availability of
funding from two programs to support
the R2W Demonstration Grants. The
funding sources are: Section 3006(b) of
the FAST Act, which authorizes a pilot
program for innovative coordinated
access and mobility; and the 49 U.S.C.
5312 Research Program.
Current changes in the healthcare
industry, from the passage of the
Affordable Care Act to the increasing
focus on preventive care, present an
opportunity for public transportation to
address transportation-related
challenges to reduce healthcare costs,
increase access to care and improve
health outcomes for people. The
healthcare industry’s increasing focus
on prevention and other improvements
to the effectiveness and efficiency of
care has resulted in an increased
understanding of the value of
partnerships between health and
transportation.
R2W Demonstration Grants are part of
a series of activities to support FTA’s
Rides to Wellness Program (R2W
Program). The R2W Program seeks to
address challenges for the transportation
disadvantaged in getting access to
healthcare, such as getting to the doctor,
returning home from a hospital
procedure; getting to rehabilitation
services; getting to behavioral health
services; getting to the pharmacy; and
getting to free health screenings. Across
the country, communities are
experimenting with ways to overcome
barriers to these essential services by
leveraging partnerships across
transportation, health, and wellness
providers.
Through the R2W Demonstration
Grants, FTA will fund projects with
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strategies that enhance access, such as
mobility management, health and
transportation provider partnerships,
technology, and other actions that drive
change. For historically disadvantaged
populations, there are many challenges
to maintaining optimal health. Through
community partnerships that break
down industry silos, leverage existing
resources, enhance mobility for targeted
groups, and develop a person-centric
model, these projects will provide
ladders of opportunity that improve the
health of our citizens.
The goals of the R2W Program are to:
1. Increase access to care;
2. Improve health outcomes; and
3. Reduce healthcare costs.
To support these goals, the R2W
Demonstration Grants will:
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1. Develop replicable, innovative,
sustainable solutions to healthcare access
challenges.
2. Foster local partnerships between
health, transportation, home and communitybased services and other sectors to
collaboratively develop and support
solutions that increase healthcare access.
3. Demonstrate the impacts of
transportation solutions on improved access
to healthcare and health outcomes and
reduced costs to the healthcare and
transportation sectors.
Building upon previous planning
activities and private or federally
funded research activities, R2W
Demonstration Grants will be awarded
to communities ready to implement a
public transportation healthcare access
solution.
FTA’s goal for these demonstration
grants is to select and test promising
transportation healthcare access
solutions that other communities can
replicate. It is expected that successful
projects will work collaboratively and
leverage partnerships among Federal
agencies of the Coordinating Council on
Access and Mobility (CCAM), including
the Department of Health and Human
Services’ operating divisions such as the
Administration for Community Living,
the Health Resources and Services
Administration, and the Centers for
Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Partnerships that cross health and
transportation sectors facilitate better
health for communities through
increased access to health/wellness
services through transportation. The
R2W Demonstration Grants will operate
as pilots for up to eighteen (18) months.
Within the first year, projects must be
able to demonstrate impacts related to
the goals of R2W: Increased access to
care, improved health outcomes, and
reduced healthcare costs.
This notice solicits proposals for
funding under two programs:
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• Approximately $2 million in fiscal
year (FY) 2016 funds under Section
3006(b) of the FAST Act, which
authorizes a pilot program for
innovative coordinated access and
mobility.
• Approximately $3.3 million in FY
2015 funds for research projects under
Section 5312, authorized by the Moving
Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century
Act (MAP 21), Public Law 112–141.
Section 3006(b) of the FAST Act
authorizes a pilot program for
innovative coordinated access and
mobility. Under this program, the
Secretary may make grants to eligible
recipients to assist in financing
innovative projects for the
transportation disadvantaged that
improve the coordination of
transportation services and nonemergency medical transportation
services, including:
(A) The deployment of coordination
technology;
(B) Projects that create or increase access
to community One-Call/One-Click Centers,
and;
(C) Such other projects as determined
appropriate by the Secretary.
49 U.S.C. 5312, as amended by MAP–
21 and continued in the FAST Act,
authorizes research, development,
demonstration and deployment projects.
Through this program, FTA may make
grants, or enter into contracts,
cooperative agreements and other
agreements for research, development,
demonstration and deployment projects,
and evaluation of research and
technology of national significance to
public transportation that the Secretary
of Transportation determines will
improve public transportation. A
demonstration and deployment project
that receives assistance under this
section must seek to build on successful
research, innovation, and development
efforts to facilitate:
(A) The deployment of research and
technology development resulting from
private efforts or Federally funded efforts,
and;
(B) The implementation of research and
technology development to advance the
interests of public transportation.
This notice includes priorities
established by FTA for these
competitive funds, criteria FTA will use
to identify meritorious projects for
funding, and the process to apply for
funding.
B. Federal Award Information
Only proposals from eligible
recipients for eligible activities will be
considered for funding. Due to funding
limitations, proposers that are selected
for funding may receive less than the
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amount originally requested. In those
cases, applicants must be able to
demonstrate that the proposed projects
are still viable and can be completed
with the amount awarded.
Type of Award: Competitive Grants.
Estimated Available Funds:
$5,300,000. Contingent upon the
availability of funds and the quality of
applications, FTA may make additional
awards in FY 2016 if additional
resources become available.
There is no minimum or maximum
grant award amount; however, FTA
intends to fund as many meritorious
projects as possible at funding levels
necessary to conduct meaningful pilot
testing.
C. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants
Eligible proposers for awards must be:
i. States, Tribes, Designated or Direct
Recipients under 49 U.S.C. 5307, 5310
or 5311.
Proposers must serve as the lead
agency of a local consortium that
includes stakeholders from the
transportation, healthcare, human
service or other sectors. Members of this
consortium are eligible as subrecipients.
Further, proposers must demonstrate
that the proposed project was planned
through an inclusive process with the
involvement of the transportation,
healthcare and human service
industries. An implementation plan and
schedule must be submitted as part of
the proposal.
2. Cost Sharing or Matching
The federal share of project costs for
R2W Demonstration Grants is 80%, with
the applicant providing a local share of
20% of the net project cost and
documenting the source of the local
match in the grant application.
The local match may include:
i. Cash from non-governmental
sources other than revenues from
providing public transportation
services;
ii. Non-farebox revenues from the
operation of public transportation
service, such as the sale of advertising
and concession revenues. A voluntary
or mandatory fee that a college,
university, or similar institution
imposes on all its students for free or
discounted transit service is not farebox
revenue;
iii. Amounts received under a service
agreement with a State or local social
service agency or private social service
organization;
iv. Undistributed cash surpluses,
replacement or depreciation cash funds,
reserves available in cash, or new
capital;
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v. Amounts appropriated or otherwise
made available to a department or
agency of the Federal Government
(other than the U.S. Department of
Transportation);
vi. In-kind contribution such as the
market value of in-kind contributions
integral to the project may be counted
as a contribution toward local share;
and
vii. Value capture revenue (revenue
generated from value capture financing
mechanisms).
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3. Other
Eligible projects under this program
are implementation-ready capital and
operating projects that enhance public
transportation access such as: Mobility
management; health and transportation
provider service partnerships;
technology; and other activities. These
demonstration grants are meant to build
upon previous private or federally
funded efforts such as: projects
developed through the National Center
for Mobility Management’s Healthcare
Access Mobility Design Challenge; the
Administration for Community Living’s
Inclusive Coordinated Transportation
Project, Round 2; the Veterans
Transportation and Community Living
Initiative (VTCLI); the Mobility Services
for All Americans (MSAA) Initiative; or
similar efforts. FTA’s goal for these
demonstration grants is to identify and
test promising healthcare access
solutions that other communities can
replicate.
D. Application And Submission
Information
All proposals must be submitted
electronically through the
GRANTS.GOV APPLY function. Any
agency intending to apply should
initiate the process of registering on the
GRANTS.GOV site immediately to
ensure completion of registration before
the submission deadline. Instructions
for applying can be found on FTA’s Web
site at http:/www.fta.dot.govbus, and in
the ‘‘FIND’’ module of GRANTS.GOV.
A complete proposal submission will
consist of at least two files: (1) The SF
424 Mandatory form (downloaded from
GRANTS.GOV); and (2) the Applicant
and Proposal Profile supplemental form
for R2W Pilot program (supplemental
form) found on the FTA Web site at
https://www.fta.dot.gov/grants/
15926.html. The supplemental form
provides guidance and a consistent
format for proposers to respond to the
criteria outlined in this Notice of
Funding Opportunity. Once completed,
the supplemental form and business
plan must be placed in the attachments
section of the SF 424 Mandatory form.
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Proposers must use the supplemental
form designated for the R2W Pilot
program and attach it to their
submission in GRANTS.GOV to
successfully complete the application
process. A proposal submission may
contain additional supporting
documentation as attachments.
Within 24–48 hours after submitting
an electronic application, the applicant
should receive three email messages
from GRANTS.GOV: (1) Confirmation of
successful transmission to
GRANTS.GOV, (2) confirmation of
successful validation by GRANTS.GOV
and (3) confirmation of successful
validation by FTA. If confirmations of
successful validation are not received
and a notice of failed validation or
incomplete materials is received, the
applicant must address the reason for
the failed validation, as described in the
email notice, and resubmit before the
submission deadline. If making a
resubmission for any reason, include all
original attachments regardless of which
attachments were updated and check
the box on the supplemental form
indicating this is a resubmission.
Complete instructions on the
application process can be found at
https://www.fta.dot.gov/about/
15035.html. Important: FTA urges
proposers to submit their applications at
least 72 hours prior to the due date to
allow time to receive the validation
messages and to correct any problems
that may have caused a rejection
notification. FTA will not accept
submissions after the stated submission
deadline. GRANTS.GOV scheduled
maintenance and outage times are
announced on the GRANTS.GOV Web
site at https://www.GRANTS.GOV.
Deadlines will not be extended due to
scheduled maintenance or outages.
Proposers 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. Registered
proposers may still be required to take
steps to keep their registration up to
date before submissions can be made
successfully: (1) Registration in the
System for Award Management (SAM)
is renewed annually and (2) persons
making submissions on behalf of the
Authorized Organization Representative
(AOR) must be authorized in
GRANTS.GOV by the AOR to make
submissions. Instructions on the
GRANTS.GOV registration process are
listed in Appendix A.
Information such as proposer name,
Federal amount requested, local match
amount, description of areas served, etc.
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17551
may be requested in varying degrees of
detail on both the SF 424 form and
supplemental form. Proposers must fill
in all fields unless stated otherwise on
the forms. Proposers should use both
the ‘‘Check Package for Errors’’ and the
‘‘Validate Form’’ validation buttons on
both forms to check all required fields
on the forms, and ensure that the federal
and local amounts specified are
consistent.
1. Address To Request Application
Package
To request a paper copy of the
application materials for this program,
contact Danielle Nelson, Federal Transit
Administration, phone: (202) 366–2160,
fax: (202) 366–3475, or email:
Danielle.Nelson@dot.gov. A TDD is
available at 1–800–877–8339
(TDDFIRS).
2. Content and Form of Application
Submission
For complete and up to date guidance
on the project information and project
evaluation criteria that must be
documented, refer to the Rides to
Wellness Demonstration and Innovative
Coordinated Access and Mobility Grants
program on the FTA Web site: https://
www.fta.dot.gov/grants/13077.html.
At a minimum, every proposal must:
• Submit an SF–424 with the correct
supplemental form attached.
• Submit the supplemental form that
clearly shows how the proposed project
will meet FTA’s goal to find and test
promising public transportation
healthcare access solutions that other
communities can replicate.
• Include all relevant letters of
commitment or support (these will not
count against the page limit for the
solicitation response).
• Provide a project timeline,
including significant milestones.
• Provide Congressional district
information for the project’s place of
performance.
3. Unique Entity Identifier and System
for Award Management (SAM)
Each applicant (unless the applicant
is an individual or Federal awarding
agency that is excepted from those
requirements under 2 CFR 25.110(b) or
(c), or has an exception approved by the
Federal awarding agency under 2 CFR
25.110(d)) is required to: (i) Be
registered in SAM before submitting its
application; (ii) provide a valid unique
entity identifier in its application; and
(iii) continue to maintain an active SAM
registration with current information at
all times during which it has an active
grant or an application or plan under
consideration. FTA may not make an
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award to an applicant until the
applicant has complied with all
applicable unique entity identifier and
SAM requirements. If an applicant has
not fully complied with the
requirements by the time FTA is ready
to make a Federal award, the FTA may
determine that the applicant is not
qualified to receive a Federal award and
use that determination as a basis for
making a Federal award to another
applicant.
4. Submission Dates and Times
Project proposals must be submitted
electronically through https://
www.GRANTS.GOV by 11:59 p.m.
E.D.T. on May 31, 2016. Mail and fax
submissions will not be accepted.
5. Intergovernmental Review—Not
Applicable
6. Funding Restrictions
Eligible expenditures include capital
and operating expenses such as mobility
management activities, equipment,
software and information systems; as
well as the acquisition of services as
part of a pilot demonstration.
The FTA will issue specific guidance
to recipients regarding pre-award
authority at the time of selection. The
FTA does not provide pre-award
authority for competitive funds until
projects are selected and even then there
are Federal requirements that must be
met before costs are incurred. For more
information about FTA’s policy on preaward authority, please see the FY 2016
Apportionment Notice published on
February 16, 2016. https://
www.fta.dot.gov/grants/12853.html.
7. Other Submission Requirements
Project proposals must be submitted
electronically through https://
www.GRANTS.GOV by 11:59 p.m.
E.D.T. on May 31, 2016. Mail and fax
submissions will not be accepted.
E. Application Review Information
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1. Project Evaluation Criteria
FTA will evaluate proposals
submitted according to the following
criteria: (i.) Demonstration of need; (ii.)
demonstration of benefits; (iii.) planning
and partnership; (iv.) local financial
commitment; (v.) project readiness; and
(vi.) technical, legal and financial
capacity. Each proposer is encouraged
to demonstrate the responsiveness of a
project to any and all criteria with the
most relevant information that the
proposer can provide, regardless of
whether such information has been
specifically requested, or identified in
this notice.
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i. Demonstration of Need
iv. Local Financial Commitment
FTA will evaluate proposals on the
scale of the local healthcare access
challenge addressed through the project.
Both the scope of the overall challenge,
as well as the size of the specific
segment of the population served by the
proposed project will also be
considered.
Applicants must identify the source of
the local share and describe whether
such funds are currently available for
the project or will need to be secured if
the project is selected for funding. FTA
will consider the availability of the local
share as evidence of local financial
commitment to the project. In addition,
an applicant may propose a local share
that is greater than the minimum
requirement or provide documentation
of previous local investment in the
project as evidence of local financial
commitment.
ii. Demonstration of Benefits
FTA will evaluate proposals on the
basis of the benefits from the proposed
project. Benefits will be tied to the R2W
Program’s goals of increased access to
care; improved health outcomes; and
reduced healthcare costs. Benefits
identified in the proposals will be
evaluated at both the individual level,
and that of the local health and
transportation providers. Proposals will
be judged on the extent to which the
proposed project demonstrates a benefit
to the healthcare access challenge
demonstrated above. Projects will be
evaluated on the ability of the proposed
project to yield data demonstrating
impacts on the goals of FTA’s
R2WProgram: To increase access to care,
improve health outcomes and reduce
healthcare costs. Proposals must show
an ability to provide impactful data
during and at the conclusion of the pilot
project. Applicants need to be aware
that if chosen for award, an independent
evaluation of the demonstration grant
may occur at various points in the
deployment process and at the end of
the pilot project.
iii. Planning and Partnership
Proposers must provide a description
of the eligible project and outline
project partners and their specific role
in the project—including private
entities and nonprofit entities involved
in the coordination of nonemergency
medical transportation services for the
transportation disadvantaged. Include a
description of how the eligible project
would improve local coordination, or
access to coordinated transportation
service; reduce duplication of service, if
applicable; and provide innovative
solutions in the State and/or
community. Proposers should provide
evidence of strong commitment from
key partners, including letters of
support from relevant local
stakeholders. An eligible recipient may
submit an application in partnership
with other entities that intend to
participate in the implementation of the
project. Applicants are advised that any
changes to the proposed partnership
will require FTA advance approval, and
would need to be consistent with the
scope of the approved project.
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v. Project Readiness
FTA will evaluate the project on the
proposed schedule and the consortium’s
ability to implement it. Proposers
should indicate the short-term, midrange and long-term goals for the
project. Proposers also should provide a
description of how the project will help
the transportation disadvantaged and
improve the coordination of
transportation services and nonemergency medical transportation
services, such as—the deployment of
coordination technology; projects that
create or increase access to community
One-Call/One-Click Centers; mobility
management; etc. Proposals should
provide specific performance measures
the eligible project will use to quantify
actual outcomes against expected
outcomes. FTA will evaluate the project
on the extent to which it was developed
inclusively, incorporating meaningful
involvement from key stakeholders
including consumer representatives of
the target groups and providers from the
healthcare, transportation and human
service sectors, among others.
Significant, ongoing involvement of the
intended target population of the
intervention must be shown.
vi. Technical, Legal and Financial
Capacity
FTA will evaluate proposals on the
capacity of the lead agency and any
partners to successfully execute the
pilot effort. There should be no
outstanding legal, technical, or financial
issues with the proposer that would
make this a high-risk project. FTA will
evaluate each proposal (including the
business plan, financial projections, and
other relevant data) for feasibility and
longer-term sustainability of both the
pilot project as well as the proposed
project at full deployment. It is FTA’s
intent to select projects with a high
likelihood of long-term success and
sustainability.
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2. Review and Selection Process
In addition to other FTA staff that
may review the proposals, an interagency technical evaluation committee
with membership from one or more
agencies of the Coordinating Council on
Access and Mobility may review
proposals under the project evaluation
criteria. Members of the technical
evaluation committee and other
involved FTA staff reserve the right to
screen and rate the applications
received and to seek clarification from
any applicant about any statement in its
application that FTA finds ambiguous
and/or request additional
documentation to be considered during
the evaluation process to clarify
information contained within the
proposal.
After consideration of the ratings of
the technical evaluation, the FTA will
determine the final selection and
amount of funding for each project.
Geographic diversity and the applicant’s
receipt of other Federal funding may be
considered in FTA’s award decisions.
FTA may provide reduced funding or
fund only part of an application.
F. Federal Award Administration
Information
1. Federal Award Notices
FTA may publish awards in a Federal
Register Notice and on the FTA public
Web site.
2. Administrative and National Policy
Requirements
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i. Pre-Award Authority
The FTA will issue specific guidance
to recipients regarding pre-award
authority at the time of selection. The
FTA does not provide pre-award
authority for competitive funds until
projects are selected and even then there
are Federal requirements that must be
met before costs are incurred. For more
information about FTA’s policy on preaward authority, please see the FY 2016
Apportionment Notice published on
February 16, 2016. https://
www.fta.dot.gov/grants/12853.html.
ii. Grant Requirements
If selected, awardees will apply for a
grant through FTA’s electronic grant
management system and adhere to the
customary FTA grant requirements. All
competitive grants, regardless of award
amount, will be subject to the
congressional notification and release
process. The FTA emphasizes that thirdparty procurement applies to all funding
awards, as described in FTA.C.4220.1F.
However, FTA may approve
applications that include a specifically
identified partnering organization(s) (2
VerDate Sep<11>2014
21:00 Mar 28, 2016
Jkt 238001
CFR part 200, Section 200.320, sub
paragraph (f)). When included, the
application, budget and budget narrative
should provide a clear understanding of
how the selection of these organizations
is critical for the project and of
sufficient detail to understand the costs
involved.
iii. Planning
The FTA encourages proposers to
engage the appropriate State
Departments of Transportation, Regional
Transportation Planning Organizations,
or Metropolitan Planning Organizations
in areas likely to be served by the
project funds made available under this
programs.
iv. 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 may 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. The applicant
must submit the Certifications and
Assurances before receiving a grant if it
does not have current certifications on
file.
3. Reporting
Post-award reporting requirements
include submission of Federal Financial
Reports and Milestone Reports in FTA’s
electronic grants management system.
G. Federal Awarding Agency Contact
For questions about applying for the
programs outlined in this notice, please
contact Danielle Nelson, Federal Transit
Administration, phone: (202) 366–2160,
fax: (202) 366–3475, or email,
Danielle.Nelson@dot.gov. A TDD is
available at 1–800–877–8339
(TDDFIRS).
Ellen Partridge,
Chief Counsel.
[FR Doc. 2016–07008 Filed 3–28–16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P
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Frm 00129
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17553
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Transit Administration
FY16 Competitive Funding
Opportunity: Grants for Buses and Bus
Facilities and Low or No Emission
Grant Programs; 5339(b) Grants for
Buses and Bus Facilities Program and
5339(c) Low or No Emission Program
AGENCY:
Federal Transit Administration
(FTA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of Funding Opportunity
(NOFO).
SUMMARY:
The Federal Transit
Administration (FTA) announces the
availability of approximately $211
million of Fiscal Year (FY) 2016 funds
for the Section 5339(b) Grants for Buses
and Bus Facilities Competitive Grant
Program (Bus Program) and
approximately $55 million for 5339(c)
Low or No Emission Bus Competitive
Grant Program (Low-No Program).
Funds awarded for the Bus Program will
finance capital projects to replace,
rehabilitate, purchase or lease buses and
related equipment and to rehabilitate,
purchase, construct or lease bus-related
facilities, including programs of bus and
bus-related projects for subrecipients
that are public agencies, private
companies engaged in public
transportation, or private non-profit
organizations. Funds awarded for the
Low-No Program will finance the
purchase or lease of low or no emission
vehicles that use advanced technologies,
including related equipment or
facilities, for transit revenue operations.
Projects may include costs incidental to
the acquisition of buses or to the
construction of facilities, such as the
costs of related workforce development
and training activities, and project
development. FTA may award
additional funding that is made
available to the program prior to the
announcement of project selections.
DATES: Complete proposals must be
submitted electronically through the
GRANTS.GOV ‘‘APPLY’’ function by
May 13, 2016. Prospective applicants
should initiate the process by registering
on the GRANTS.GOV Web site promptly
to ensure completion of the application
process before the submission deadline.
Instructions for applying can be found
on FTA’s Web site at https://
transit.dot.gov/howtoapply and in the
‘‘FIND’’ module of GRANTS.GOV. Mail
and fax submissions will not be
accepted.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
the Bus Program, contact Sam Snead,
FTA Office of Program Management,
202–366–1089, or samuel.snead@
E:\FR\FM\29MRN1.SGM
29MRN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 60 (Tuesday, March 29, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17549-17553]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-07008]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Transit Administration
Rides to Wellness Demonstration and Innovative Coordinated Access
and Mobility Grants
AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration (FTA), DOT.
Funding Opportunity Number: FTA-2015-012-TPM-RTW
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 20.514
ACTION: Notice of funding opportunity (NOFO): solicitation of project
proposals for Rides to Wellness Demonstration and Innovative
Coordinated Access and Mobility Grants.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announces the
availability of approximately $5.3 million of funding from two programs
to support the Rides to Wellness Demonstration and Innovative
Coordinated Access and Mobility Grants (R2W Demonstration Grants). The
funding sources are: Section 3006(b) of the Fixing America's Surface
Transportation Act (FAST), Pub. L. 114-94, which authorizes a pilot
program for innovative coordinated access and mobility; and 49 U.S.C.
5312 (Section 5312).
The goal of the competitive R2W Demonstration Grants is to find and
test promising, replicable public transportation healthcare access
solutions that support the following goals: increased access to care,
improved health outcomes and reduced healthcare costs. Eligible
applicants include: States, Tribes, and Designated or Direct Recipients
for funds under 49 U.S.C. 5307, 5310 or 5311. Proposers must serve as
the lead agency of a local consortium that includes stakeholders from
the transportation, healthcare, human service or other sectors. Members
of this consortium are eligible as subrecipients. Further, proposers
must demonstrate that the proposed project was planned through an
inclusive process with the involvement of the transportation,
healthcare and human service industries. Eligible projects must have
implementation-ready capital and operating projects that enhance
access, such as: mobility management; health and transportation
provider partnerships; technology; and other actions that drive change.
These R2W Demonstration Grants will develop best practice solutions
that other communities can replicate.
This announcement is available on the FTA Web site at: https://www.fta.dot.gov/legislation_law/federal_register_notices.php. A
synopsis of this funding opportunity will be posted in the FIND module
of the government-wide electronic grants Web site at https://www.GRANTS.GOV. FTA will announce final selections on the FTA Web site
and may also announce selections in the Federal Register.
DATES: Complete proposals must be submitted electronically through the
GRANTS.GOV ``APPLY'' function by May 31, 2016. Prospective applicants
should initiate the process by registering on the GRANTS.GOV Web site
promptly to ensure completion of the application process before the
submission deadline. Instructions for applying can be found on FTA's
Web site at https://www.fta.dot.gov/grants/15066.html and in the
``FIND'' module of GRANTS.GOV. Mail and fax submissions will not be
accepted.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Danielle Nelson, FTA Office of Program
Management, 202-366-2160, or Danielle.Nelson@dot.gov.
Table Of Contents
A. Program Description
B. Federal Award Information
C. Eligibility Information
D. Application and Submission Information
E. Application Review Information
F. Federal Award Administration
G. Federal Awarding Agency Contact
A. Program Description
FTA announces the availability of funding from two programs to
support the R2W Demonstration Grants. The funding sources are: Section
3006(b) of the FAST Act, which authorizes a pilot program for
innovative coordinated access and mobility; and the 49 U.S.C. 5312
Research Program.
Current changes in the healthcare industry, from the passage of the
Affordable Care Act to the increasing focus on preventive care, present
an opportunity for public transportation to address transportation-
related challenges to reduce healthcare costs, increase access to care
and improve health outcomes for people. The healthcare industry's
increasing focus on prevention and other improvements to the
effectiveness and efficiency of care has resulted in an increased
understanding of the value of partnerships between health and
transportation.
R2W Demonstration Grants are part of a series of activities to
support FTA's Rides to Wellness Program (R2W Program). The R2W Program
seeks to address challenges for the transportation disadvantaged in
getting access to healthcare, such as getting to the doctor, returning
home from a hospital procedure; getting to rehabilitation services;
getting to behavioral health services; getting to the pharmacy; and
getting to free health screenings. Across the country, communities are
experimenting with ways to overcome barriers to these essential
services by leveraging partnerships across transportation, health, and
wellness providers.
Through the R2W Demonstration Grants, FTA will fund projects with
[[Page 17550]]
strategies that enhance access, such as mobility management, health and
transportation provider partnerships, technology, and other actions
that drive change. For historically disadvantaged populations, there
are many challenges to maintaining optimal health. Through community
partnerships that break down industry silos, leverage existing
resources, enhance mobility for targeted groups, and develop a person-
centric model, these projects will provide ladders of opportunity that
improve the health of our citizens.
The goals of the R2W Program are to:
1. Increase access to care;
2. Improve health outcomes; and
3. Reduce healthcare costs.
To support these goals, the R2W Demonstration Grants will:
1. Develop replicable, innovative, sustainable solutions to
healthcare access challenges.
2. Foster local partnerships between health, transportation,
home and community-based services and other sectors to
collaboratively develop and support solutions that increase
healthcare access.
3. Demonstrate the impacts of transportation solutions on
improved access to healthcare and health outcomes and reduced costs
to the healthcare and transportation sectors.
Building upon previous planning activities and private or federally
funded research activities, R2W Demonstration Grants will be awarded to
communities ready to implement a public transportation healthcare
access solution.
FTA's goal for these demonstration grants is to select and test
promising transportation healthcare access solutions that other
communities can replicate. It is expected that successful projects will
work collaboratively and leverage partnerships among Federal agencies
of the Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility (CCAM), including
the Department of Health and Human Services' operating divisions such
as the Administration for Community Living, the Health Resources and
Services Administration, and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid
Services. Partnerships that cross health and transportation sectors
facilitate better health for communities through increased access to
health/wellness services through transportation. The R2W Demonstration
Grants will operate as pilots for up to eighteen (18) months. Within
the first year, projects must be able to demonstrate impacts related to
the goals of R2W: Increased access to care, improved health outcomes,
and reduced healthcare costs.
This notice solicits proposals for funding under two programs:
Approximately $2 million in fiscal year (FY) 2016 funds
under Section 3006(b) of the FAST Act, which authorizes a pilot program
for innovative coordinated access and mobility.
Approximately $3.3 million in FY 2015 funds for research
projects under Section 5312, authorized by the Moving Ahead for
Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP 21), Public Law 112-141.
Section 3006(b) of the FAST Act authorizes a pilot program for
innovative coordinated access and mobility. Under this program, the
Secretary may make grants to eligible recipients to assist in financing
innovative projects for the transportation disadvantaged that improve
the coordination of transportation services and non-emergency medical
transportation services, including:
(A) The deployment of coordination technology;
(B) Projects that create or increase access to community One-
Call/One-Click Centers, and;
(C) Such other projects as determined appropriate by the
Secretary.
49 U.S.C. 5312, as amended by MAP-21 and continued in the FAST Act,
authorizes research, development, demonstration and deployment
projects. Through this program, FTA may make grants, or enter into
contracts, cooperative agreements and other agreements for research,
development, demonstration and deployment projects, and evaluation of
research and technology of national significance to public
transportation that the Secretary of Transportation determines will
improve public transportation. A demonstration and deployment project
that receives assistance under this section must seek to build on
successful research, innovation, and development efforts to facilitate:
(A) The deployment of research and technology development
resulting from private efforts or Federally funded efforts, and;
(B) The implementation of research and technology development to
advance the interests of public transportation.
This notice includes priorities established by FTA for these
competitive funds, criteria FTA will use to identify meritorious
projects for funding, and the process to apply for funding.
B. Federal Award Information
Only proposals from eligible recipients for eligible activities
will be considered for funding. Due to funding limitations, proposers
that are selected for funding may receive less than the amount
originally requested. In those cases, applicants must be able to
demonstrate that the proposed projects are still viable and can be
completed with the amount awarded.
Type of Award: Competitive Grants.
Estimated Available Funds: $5,300,000. Contingent upon the
availability of funds and the quality of applications, FTA may make
additional awards in FY 2016 if additional resources become available.
There is no minimum or maximum grant award amount; however, FTA
intends to fund as many meritorious projects as possible at funding
levels necessary to conduct meaningful pilot testing.
C. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants
Eligible proposers for awards must be:
i. States, Tribes, Designated or Direct Recipients under 49 U.S.C.
5307, 5310 or 5311.
Proposers must serve as the lead agency of a local consortium that
includes stakeholders from the transportation, healthcare, human
service or other sectors. Members of this consortium are eligible as
subrecipients. Further, proposers must demonstrate that the proposed
project was planned through an inclusive process with the involvement
of the transportation, healthcare and human service industries. An
implementation plan and schedule must be submitted as part of the
proposal.
2. Cost Sharing or Matching
The federal share of project costs for R2W Demonstration Grants is
80%, with the applicant providing a local share of 20% of the net
project cost and documenting the source of the local match in the grant
application.
The local match may include:
i. Cash from non-governmental sources other than revenues from
providing public transportation services;
ii. Non-farebox revenues from the operation of public
transportation service, such as the sale of advertising and concession
revenues. A voluntary or mandatory fee that a college, university, or
similar institution imposes on all its students for free or discounted
transit service is not farebox revenue;
iii. Amounts received under a service agreement with a State or
local social service agency or private social service organization;
iv. Undistributed cash surpluses, replacement or depreciation cash
funds, reserves available in cash, or new capital;
[[Page 17551]]
v. Amounts appropriated or otherwise made available to a department
or agency of the Federal Government (other than the U.S. Department of
Transportation);
vi. In-kind contribution such as the market value of in-kind
contributions integral to the project may be counted as a contribution
toward local share; and
vii. Value capture revenue (revenue generated from value capture
financing mechanisms).
3. Other
Eligible projects under this program are implementation-ready
capital and operating projects that enhance public transportation
access such as: Mobility management; health and transportation provider
service partnerships; technology; and other activities. These
demonstration grants are meant to build upon previous private or
federally funded efforts such as: projects developed through the
National Center for Mobility Management's Healthcare Access Mobility
Design Challenge; the Administration for Community Living's Inclusive
Coordinated Transportation Project, Round 2; the Veterans
Transportation and Community Living Initiative (VTCLI); the Mobility
Services for All Americans (MSAA) Initiative; or similar efforts. FTA's
goal for these demonstration grants is to identify and test promising
healthcare access solutions that other communities can replicate.
D. Application And Submission Information
All proposals must be submitted electronically through the
GRANTS.GOV APPLY function. Any agency intending to apply should
initiate the process of registering on the GRANTS.GOV site immediately
to ensure completion of registration before the submission deadline.
Instructions for applying can be found on FTA's Web site at http:/
www.fta.dot.govbus, and in the ``FIND'' module of GRANTS.GOV.
A complete proposal submission will consist of at least two files:
(1) The SF 424 Mandatory form (downloaded from GRANTS.GOV); and (2) the
Applicant and Proposal Profile supplemental form for R2W Pilot program
(supplemental form) found on the FTA Web site at https://www.fta.dot.gov/grants/15926.html. The supplemental form provides
guidance and a consistent format for proposers to respond to the
criteria outlined in this Notice of Funding Opportunity. Once
completed, the supplemental form and business plan must be placed in
the attachments section of the SF 424 Mandatory form. Proposers must
use the supplemental form designated for the R2W Pilot program and
attach it to their submission in GRANTS.GOV to successfully complete
the application process. A proposal submission may contain additional
supporting documentation as attachments.
Within 24-48 hours after submitting an electronic application, the
applicant should receive three email messages from GRANTS.GOV: (1)
Confirmation of successful transmission to GRANTS.GOV, (2) confirmation
of successful validation by GRANTS.GOV and (3) confirmation of
successful validation by FTA. If confirmations of successful validation
are not received and a notice of failed validation or incomplete
materials is received, the applicant must address the reason for the
failed validation, as described in the email notice, and resubmit
before the submission deadline. If making a resubmission for any
reason, include all original attachments regardless of which
attachments were updated and check the box on the supplemental form
indicating this is a resubmission.
Complete instructions on the application process can be found at
https://www.fta.dot.gov/about/15035.html. Important: FTA urges proposers
to submit their applications at least 72 hours prior to the due date to
allow time to receive the validation messages and to correct any
problems that may have caused a rejection notification. FTA will not
accept submissions after the stated submission deadline. GRANTS.GOV
scheduled maintenance and outage times are announced on the GRANTS.GOV
Web site at https://www.GRANTS.GOV. Deadlines will not be extended due
to scheduled maintenance or outages.
Proposers 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. Registered proposers
may still be required to take steps to keep their registration up to
date before submissions can be made successfully: (1) Registration in
the System for Award Management (SAM) is renewed annually and (2)
persons making submissions on behalf of the Authorized Organization
Representative (AOR) must be authorized in GRANTS.GOV by the AOR to
make submissions. Instructions on the GRANTS.GOV registration process
are listed in Appendix A.
Information such as proposer name, Federal amount requested, local
match amount, description of areas served, etc. may be requested in
varying degrees of detail on both the SF 424 form and supplemental
form. Proposers must fill in all fields unless stated otherwise on the
forms. Proposers should use both the ``Check Package for Errors'' and
the ``Validate Form'' validation buttons on both forms to check all
required fields on the forms, and ensure that the federal and local
amounts specified are consistent.
1. Address To Request Application Package
To request a paper copy of the application materials for this
program, contact Danielle Nelson, Federal Transit Administration,
phone: (202) 366-2160, fax: (202) 366-3475, or email:
Danielle.Nelson@dot.gov. A TDD is available at 1-800-877-8339
(TDDFIRS).
2. Content and Form of Application Submission
For complete and up to date guidance on the project information and
project evaluation criteria that must be documented, refer to the Rides
to Wellness Demonstration and Innovative Coordinated Access and
Mobility Grants program on the FTA Web site: https://www.fta.dot.gov/grants/13077.html.
At a minimum, every proposal must:
Submit an SF-424 with the correct supplemental form
attached.
Submit the supplemental form that clearly shows how the
proposed project will meet FTA's goal to find and test promising public
transportation healthcare access solutions that other communities can
replicate.
Include all relevant letters of commitment or support
(these will not count against the page limit for the solicitation
response).
Provide a project timeline, including significant
milestones.
Provide Congressional district information for the
project's place of performance.
3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM)
Each applicant (unless the applicant is an individual or Federal
awarding agency that is excepted from those requirements under 2 CFR
25.110(b) or (c), or has an exception approved by the Federal awarding
agency under 2 CFR 25.110(d)) is required to: (i) Be registered in SAM
before submitting its application; (ii) provide a valid unique entity
identifier in its application; and (iii) continue to maintain an active
SAM registration with current information at all times during which it
has an active grant or an application or plan under consideration. FTA
may not make an
[[Page 17552]]
award to an applicant until the applicant has complied with all
applicable unique entity identifier and SAM requirements. If an
applicant has not fully complied with the requirements by the time FTA
is ready to make a Federal award, the FTA may determine that the
applicant is not qualified to receive a Federal award and use that
determination as a basis for making a Federal award to another
applicant.
4. Submission Dates and Times
Project proposals must be submitted electronically through https://www.GRANTS.GOV by 11:59 p.m. E.D.T. on May 31, 2016. Mail and fax
submissions will not be accepted.
5. Intergovernmental Review--Not Applicable
6. Funding Restrictions
Eligible expenditures include capital and operating expenses such
as mobility management activities, equipment, software and information
systems; as well as the acquisition of services as part of a pilot
demonstration.
The FTA will issue specific guidance to recipients regarding pre-
award authority at the time of selection. The FTA does not provide pre-
award authority for competitive funds until projects are selected and
even then there are Federal requirements that must be met before costs
are incurred. For more information about FTA's policy on pre-award
authority, please see the FY 2016 Apportionment Notice published on
February 16, 2016. https://www.fta.dot.gov/grants/12853.html.
7. Other Submission Requirements
Project proposals must be submitted electronically through https://www.GRANTS.GOV by 11:59 p.m. E.D.T. on May 31, 2016. Mail and fax
submissions will not be accepted.
E. Application Review Information
1. Project Evaluation Criteria
FTA will evaluate proposals submitted according to the following
criteria: (i.) Demonstration of need; (ii.) demonstration of benefits;
(iii.) planning and partnership; (iv.) local financial commitment; (v.)
project readiness; and (vi.) technical, legal and financial capacity.
Each proposer is encouraged to demonstrate the responsiveness of a
project to any and all criteria with the most relevant information that
the proposer can provide, regardless of whether such information has
been specifically requested, or identified in this notice.
i. Demonstration of Need
FTA will evaluate proposals on the scale of the local healthcare
access challenge addressed through the project. Both the scope of the
overall challenge, as well as the size of the specific segment of the
population served by the proposed project will also be considered.
ii. Demonstration of Benefits
FTA will evaluate proposals on the basis of the benefits from the
proposed project. Benefits will be tied to the R2W Program's goals of
increased access to care; improved health outcomes; and reduced
healthcare costs. Benefits identified in the proposals will be
evaluated at both the individual level, and that of the local health
and transportation providers. Proposals will be judged on the extent to
which the proposed project demonstrates a benefit to the healthcare
access challenge demonstrated above. Projects will be evaluated on the
ability of the proposed project to yield data demonstrating impacts on
the goals of FTA's R2WProgram: To increase access to care, improve
health outcomes and reduce healthcare costs. Proposals must show an
ability to provide impactful data during and at the conclusion of the
pilot project. Applicants need to be aware that if chosen for award, an
independent evaluation of the demonstration grant may occur at various
points in the deployment process and at the end of the pilot project.
iii. Planning and Partnership
Proposers must provide a description of the eligible project and
outline project partners and their specific role in the project--
including private entities and nonprofit entities involved in the
coordination of nonemergency medical transportation services for the
transportation disadvantaged. Include a description of how the eligible
project would improve local coordination, or access to coordinated
transportation service; reduce duplication of service, if applicable;
and provide innovative solutions in the State and/or community.
Proposers should provide evidence of strong commitment from key
partners, including letters of support from relevant local
stakeholders. An eligible recipient may submit an application in
partnership with other entities that intend to participate in the
implementation of the project. Applicants are advised that any changes
to the proposed partnership will require FTA advance approval, and
would need to be consistent with the scope of the approved project.
iv. Local Financial Commitment
Applicants must identify the source of the local share and describe
whether such funds are currently available for the project or will need
to be secured if the project is selected for funding. FTA will consider
the availability of the local share as evidence of local financial
commitment to the project. In addition, an applicant may propose a
local share that is greater than the minimum requirement or provide
documentation of previous local investment in the project as evidence
of local financial commitment.
v. Project Readiness
FTA will evaluate the project on the proposed schedule and the
consortium's ability to implement it. Proposers should indicate the
short-term, mid-range and long-term goals for the project. Proposers
also should provide a description of how the project will help the
transportation disadvantaged and improve the coordination of
transportation services and non-emergency medical transportation
services, such as--the deployment of coordination technology; projects
that create or increase access to community One-Call/One-Click Centers;
mobility management; etc. Proposals should provide specific performance
measures the eligible project will use to quantify actual outcomes
against expected outcomes. FTA will evaluate the project on the extent
to which it was developed inclusively, incorporating meaningful
involvement from key stakeholders including consumer representatives of
the target groups and providers from the healthcare, transportation and
human service sectors, among others. Significant, ongoing involvement
of the intended target population of the intervention must be shown.
vi. Technical, Legal and Financial Capacity
FTA will evaluate proposals on the capacity of the lead agency and
any partners to successfully execute the pilot effort. There should be
no outstanding legal, technical, or financial issues with the proposer
that would make this a high-risk project. FTA will evaluate each
proposal (including the business plan, financial projections, and other
relevant data) for feasibility and longer-term sustainability of both
the pilot project as well as the proposed project at full deployment.
It is FTA's intent to select projects with a high likelihood of long-
term success and sustainability.
[[Page 17553]]
2. Review and Selection Process
In addition to other FTA staff that may review the proposals, an
inter-agency technical evaluation committee with membership from one or
more agencies of the Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility may
review proposals under the project evaluation criteria. Members of the
technical evaluation committee and other involved FTA staff reserve the
right to screen and rate the applications received and to seek
clarification from any applicant about any statement in its application
that FTA finds ambiguous and/or request additional documentation to be
considered during the evaluation process to clarify information
contained within the proposal.
After consideration of the ratings of the technical evaluation, the
FTA will determine the final selection and amount of funding for each
project. Geographic diversity and the applicant's receipt of other
Federal funding may be considered in FTA's award decisions. FTA may
provide reduced funding or fund only part of an application.
F. Federal Award Administration Information
1. Federal Award Notices
FTA may publish awards in a Federal Register Notice and on the FTA
public Web site.
2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
i. Pre-Award Authority
The FTA will issue specific guidance to recipients regarding pre-
award authority at the time of selection. The FTA does not provide pre-
award authority for competitive funds until projects are selected and
even then there are Federal requirements that must be met before costs
are incurred. For more information about FTA's policy on pre-award
authority, please see the FY 2016 Apportionment Notice published on
February 16, 2016. https://www.fta.dot.gov/grants/12853.html.
ii. Grant Requirements
If selected, awardees will apply for a grant through FTA's
electronic grant management system and adhere to the customary FTA
grant requirements. All competitive grants, regardless of award amount,
will be subject to the congressional notification and release process.
The FTA emphasizes that third-party procurement applies to all funding
awards, as described in FTA.C.4220.1F. However, FTA may approve
applications that include a specifically identified partnering
organization(s) (2 CFR part 200, Section 200.320, sub paragraph (f)).
When included, the application, budget and budget narrative should
provide a clear understanding of how the selection of these
organizations is critical for the project and of sufficient detail to
understand the costs involved.
iii. Planning
The FTA encourages proposers to engage the appropriate State
Departments of Transportation, Regional Transportation Planning
Organizations, or Metropolitan Planning Organizations in areas likely
to be served by the project funds made available under this programs.
iv. 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 may
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. The applicant must submit the
Certifications and Assurances before receiving a grant if it does not
have current certifications on file.
3. Reporting
Post-award reporting requirements include submission of Federal
Financial Reports and Milestone Reports in FTA's electronic grants
management system.
G. Federal Awarding Agency Contact
For questions about applying for the programs outlined in this
notice, please contact Danielle Nelson, Federal Transit Administration,
phone: (202) 366-2160, fax: (202) 366-3475, or email,
Danielle.Nelson@dot.gov. A TDD is available at 1-800-877-8339
(TDDFIRS).
Ellen Partridge,
Chief Counsel.
[FR Doc. 2016-07008 Filed 3-28-16; 8:45 am]
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