Public Transportation Innovation Funding Opportunity; Mobility on Demand (MOD) Sandbox Demonstration Program, 26621-26626 [2016-10320]

Agencies

• Federal Transit Administration
• DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 85 (Tuesday, May 3, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 26621-26626]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-10320]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Transit Administration


Public Transportation Innovation Funding Opportunity; Mobility on 
Demand (MOD) Sandbox Demonstration Program

AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration (FTA), DOT. Funding Opportunity 
Number: FTA-2016-006-TRI Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) 
Number: 20.514

ACTION: Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) and Solicitation of 
Project Proposals for the Mobility on Demand (MOD) Sandbox 
Demonstration Program.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announces the 
availability of $8 Million in Fiscal Year (FY) 2014 and FY 2016 
research funds, for a new program to demonstrate and evaluate 
innovative approaches to integrated ``Mobility on Demand'' (MOD) 
solutions within a public transportation framework. The MOD Sandbox 
Demonstration Program is intended to provide a platform where 
integrated MOD concepts and solutions are supported and demonstrated 
through local partnerships in a real-world setting. FTA will fund 
project teams to adopt innovative business models to deliver high 
quality, seamless and equitable mobility options for all travelers. The 
MOD Sandbox further emphasizes FTA's interest in transit and mobility 
innovation, and builds upon FTA's recent XPEDITE Innovation initiative, 
which sought industry input through an online dialogue on transit 
innovation, particularly technology trends that increase public 
transportation efficiency, effectiveness and enhance the quality of 
customer travel.

[[Page 26622]]

    This notice also includes: (1) Reference to a number of areas for 
demonstrations of particular interest to FTA (to be used to guide but 
not limit innovative proposal concepts), (2) criteria that the FTA will 
use to identify projects for funding, and (3) the process for applying 
for the funding.
    This announcement is available on the FTA Web site at: https://www.fta.dot.gov. 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 are due by 11:59 p.m. EDT on July 5, 2016. 
Complete proposals must be submitted electronically through the 
GRANTS.GOV APPLY function. Prospective applicants should initiate the 
process by registering on the GRANTS.GOV 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/13077.html and in the ``find'' module of 
grants.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Please send any questions on this 
notice to MODsandbox@dot.gov, or contact Christina Gikakis, MOD Program 
Manager, Office of Research, Demonstration and Innovation, (202) 366-
2637, or christina.gikakis@dot.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Table of Contents

A. Program Description
B. Federal Award Information
C. Eligibility Information
    1. Eligible Applicants
    2. Eligible Projects
    3. Cost Sharing or Matching
    4. Other Requirements
D. Application and Submission Information
    1. Address and Form of Application Submission
    2. Proposal Content
    3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management 
(SAM)
    4. Submission Dates and Times
    5. Funding Restrictions
E. Application Review
    1. Selection Criteria
    2. Review and Selection Process
F. Federal Award Administration
    1. Federal Award Notice
    2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
G. Federal Awarding Agency Contacts

A. Program Description

    The MOD Sandbox Demonstration Program is part of a larger MOD 
research effort at FTA and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) 
that seeks to support transit agencies and communities as they navigate 
the dynamic, evolving landscape of personal mobility and integrated 
multimodal transportation networks.
    The goals of FTA's mobility research, in general, are to:
     Improve transportation efficiency by promoting agile, 
responsive, accessible, and seamless multimodal service inclusive of 
transit through enabling technologies and innovative partnerships.
     Increase transportation effectiveness by ensuring that 
transit is fully integrated and a vital element of a regional transport 
network that provides consistent, reliable and accessible service to 
every traveler.
     Enhance the customer experience by providing each 
individual equitable, accessible, traveler-centric service leveraging 
public transportation's long-standing capability and traditional role 
in this respect.
    The primary objectives of this MOD Sandbox Demonstration Program 
are to:
     Enhance transit industry preparedness for MOD.
     Assist the transit industry to develop the ability to 
integrate MOD practices with existing transit service.
     Validate the technical and institutional feasibility of 
innovative MOD business models and document MOD best practices that may 
emerge from the demonstrations.
     Measure the impacts of MOD on travelers and transportation 
systems.
     Examine relevant public sector and federal requirements, 
regulations and policies that may support or impede transit sector 
adoption of MOD.
    The market for personal mobility is changing rapidly due, in part, 
to changing social and cultural trends as well as to technological 
advances, such as smart phones, information processing and widespread 
data connectivity. New mobility concepts and solutions, from bike and 
car sharing systems to innovative demand response bus services, are 
providing travelers with new, flexible and tailored transportation 
options. These developments already are impacting the traditional 
transit market, and could conceivably disrupt current business and 
funding models.
    MOD envisions a multimodal, integrated, automated, accessible, and 
connected transportation system in which personalized mobility is a key 
objective. MOD enables the use of on-demand information, real-time 
data, and predictive analysis to provide individual travelers with 
transportation choices that best serve their specific needs and 
circumstances. MOD leverages technologies that allow for a traveler-
centric approach by providing improved mobility options for all.
    As envisioned, the MOD Sandbox Demonstration Program provides a 
forum where integrated MOD concepts and solutions supported through 
local partnerships are demonstrated in a real-world setting. FTA seeks 
to fund project teams seeking to participate in the MOD Sandbox Program 
through demonstrations of MOD solutions integrated with existing public 
transportation options.
    The MOD Sandbox provides a space for project teams to innovate, 
explore partnerships, develop new business models, integrate transit 
and MOD solutions, and investigate new, enabling technical capabilities 
such as integrated or open payment systems, vehicle prioritization 
schemes, or incentives for influencing traveler choices. The MOD 
Sandbox will provide FTA the opportunity to measure project impacts, 
and, importantly, assess how existing FTA policies and regulations may 
support or impede these new service transportation models through 
evaluation of all project efforts.
    The MOD Sandbox guiding principles are:
     System Integration--the MOD Sandbox Program seeks 
operational integration of MOD products and services with existing 
transit service. Examples of this include open data platforms, common 
user interfaces, and practices and technologies that encourage and 
ensure system interoperability.
     Partnership Driven--MOD Sandbox projects should 
demonstrate teaming efforts, from public and private sectors, with 
partners committed to supporting the proposed MOD project both 
technically and institutionally.
     Innovative Business Model--the MOD Sandbox is structured 
to encourage innovative business models where MOD solution providers 
and transit operators partner to collectively deliver better service to 
travelers, while mutually benefitting from the partnership.
     Equity of Service Delivery--MOD Sandbox projects will 
demonstrate and promote equitable mobility service for all travelers, 
including communities such as low income, the aging population, and 
persons with disabilities, including wheelchair users.
    FTA expects that MOD Sandbox demonstration projects will be subject 
to current regulations and policies. However, FTA also understands that 
innovations in MOD may require new regulatory guidelines or changes to 
existing regulations and policies. As

[[Page 26623]]

such, FTA encourages applicants to identify in their applications any 
regulatory or policy waivers needed for the implementation of the 
proposed demonstration. Such requests will be reviewed as part of the 
application process. Consequently, FTA will consider relaxing FTA rules 
and requirements as appropriate and where possible to advance 
innovative mobility services and business models. This also corresponds 
to comments received through FTA's online dialogue, known as the 
XPEDITE Innovation initiative, where the transit research community 
expressed interest in having FTA address barriers to implementing 
innovative demonstration projects, including examining policy and 
regulatory requirements.

B. Federal Award Information

    Section 5312 of Title 49, United States Code, as amended by MAP-21 
and the FAST Act, authorizes FTA's Research, Development, Demonstration 
and Deployment program. 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.
    The MOD Sandbox projects are funded under Section 5312 program 
authority. A total of $8 Million in FY 2014 and FY 2016 funds are 
available for awards under this announcement. FTA intends to award 
multiple MOD Sandbox demonstration projects under this announcement.
    FTA may, at its discretion, provide additional funds for selections 
made under this announcement or for additional meritorious proposals 
from funds made available by the FAST Act for Section 5312 of Title 49, 
United States Code. FTA seeks MOD Sandbox projects that can be 
implemented within 12 months of program award, and are demonstrated and 
evaluated for a minimum of 12 months.
    FTA recognizes that the funding made available under this 
announcement for the Sandbox program may be insufficient to fund all 
meritorious projects. For meritorious projects not selected for 
funding, FTA may, at its discretion, invite project teams to take part 
in the Sandbox through a participation agreement that does not award 
MOD Sandbox Program funding to the project but provides project 
sponsors the flexibility that the program confers upon funded grantees. 
FTA would work with the project teams under these participation 
agreements to refine projects, determine eligibility of project 
activities, and review requests for waivers or deviations from certain 
requirements to allow projects to be implemented effectively and 
advance innovative MOD concepts and solutions.

C. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

    Eligible applicants under this notice are providers of public 
transportation, including public transit agencies, state/local 
government DOTs, and federally recognized Indian tribes. Eligible 
applicants must identify one or more strategic project partner(s) with 
a substantial interest and involvement in the project. Applications 
must clearly identify the eligible applicant and all project partners 
on the project team.
    Eligible project partners under this program may include, but are 
not limited to:
    a. Private for-profit and not-for-profit organizations, including 
shared use mobility providers, and technology system suppliers;
    b. Operators of transportation services, such as employee shuttle 
services, airport connector services, university transportation 
systems, or parking and tolling authorities;
    c. State or local government entities;
    d. Other organizations that may contribute to the success of the 
project team including consultants, research consortia or not-for-
profit industry organizations, and institutions of higher education.
    The applicant must have the ability to carry out the proposed 
agreement and procurements, if needed, with project partners in 
compliance with Federal, State, and local laws. Applicants can 
designate any partner as a key partner that shares the costs, risks, 
and rewards of early deployment and demonstration of innovation. FTA 
may also determine that any named project partner in the proposal is a 
key partner and make any award conditional upon the participation of 
that key partner. A key partner is essential to the project as approved 
by FTA and is therefore eligible for a noncompetitive award by the 
applicant to provide the goods or services described in the 
application. A key partner's participation on a selected project may 
not later be substituted without FTA's knowledge and approval.

2. Eligible Projects

    FTA is seeking bold and innovative ideas to demonstrate improved 
personal mobility using emerging technologies, applications, practices, 
and service models in concert with existing public transportation 
systems and resources. Eligible activities include all activities 
leading to the demonstration of the innovative MOD and transit 
integration concept, such as planning and developing business models, 
obtaining equipment and service, acquiring/developing software and 
hardware interfaces to implement the project, and operating the 
demonstration.
    Eligible projects must respond to the guiding principles of the MOD 
Sandbox: System Integration; Partnership Driven; Innovative Business 
Model; and Equity of Service Delivery. Projects should also consider 
how to address accessibility for persons with disabilities, including 
persons who use wheelchairs, and for older Americans, affordability for 
individuals with lower incomes, impacts on the local community, broad 
access to mobility options for all travelers, payment options that can 
accommodate all users, including the unbanked, and provisions for 
leveraging the system for emergency transportation needs.
    To help guide the thinking on developing a proposal, the following 
is a list of potential MOD applications that proponents may find 
helpful in scoping their prospective projects. FTA strongly encourages 
applicants to propose innovative approaches, business models, 
technology applications and collaborative partnerships that meet the 
guiding principles of the MOD Sandbox, satisfy the evaluation criteria, 
and support the demonstration of enhanced, traveler-centric mobility 
with public transportation as an integrated component.

Innovative Use Cases

 First mile/last mile connectivity
 Provisioning of ADA paratransit services
 Urban center/community short distance mobility
 Off-peak, late night services
 Human service transportation (e.g., Rides to Wellness)
 Service disruption/incident management preparedness
 Local land use and development incentives (e.g., retirement 
communities)
 Integration or support for use of zero-emission technologies 
and vehicles
 Congestion mitigation

Collaborative Multimodal Service

 Augmentation of existing public transportation resources
 Shared-use, on demand services
 Paratransit, demand-response services
 Parking/tolling applications

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 Employee, neighborhood or campus shuttles
 Enhanced airport ground transportation
 Intercity services

Enabling Technologies and Enhanced Service Capabilities

 Integrated or open payment systems
 Internet of Things/Smart City applications
 Advanced traveler information systems
 Traveler decision support systems
 Gamification as traveler engagement tools (such as games, 
rewards, and incentives)
 Crowdsourcing of travel information
 Open data and big data analytics
 Connected/automated vehicles

3. Cost Sharing or Matching

    The federal share of project costs under this program is limited to 
80 percent. Proposers may seek a lower Federal contribution. The 
applicant must provide the local share of the net project cost in cash, 
or in-kind, and must document in its application the source of the 
local match. Eligible sources of local match are detailed in FTA 
Research Circular 6100.1E. (available at https://www.fta.dot.gov/legislation_law/12349_16434.html).

4. Other Requirements

a. Evaluation and Data Requirements
    In order to achieve a comprehensive understanding of the impacts 
and implications of each proposed MOD business model and demonstration, 
FTA, or its designated independent evaluator, requires access to 
project data. Projects should include a data capture component that 
allows for the reliable and consistent collection of information 
relevant to gauging the impact and outcomes of the demonstration.
    At any time during the period of performance, the project team may 
be requested to coordinate data collection activities in order to 
provide interim information under the requirements of this award. A 
project team may be asked to provide the data directly to FTA or to a 
designated independent evaluator. This information, if requested, will 
be used to conduct program evaluation during the execution of the 
project and after it has been completed.
    All information submitted as part of or in support of the MOD 
Sandbox project shall use publicly available data or data that can be 
made public and methodologies that are accepted by industry practice 
and standards, to the extent possible. If the submission includes 
information the applicant considers to be trade secret or confidential 
commercial or financial information, the applicant should do the 
following: (1) Note on the front cover that the submission ``Contains 
Confidential Business Information (CBI)''; (2) mark each affected page 
``CBI''; and (3) highlight or otherwise denote the CBI portions. FTA 
protects such information from disclosure to the extent allowed under 
applicable law. In the event that FTA receives a Freedom of Information 
Act (FOIA) request for the information, FTA will follow the procedures 
described in the U.S. DOT FOIA regulations at 49 CFR 7.17. Only 
information that is ultimately determined to be confidential under that 
procedure will be exempt from disclosure under FOIA. Should FTA receive 
an order from a court of competent jurisdiction ordering the release of 
the information, FTA will provide applicant timely notice of such order 
to allow the applicant the opportunity to challenge such an order. FTA 
will not challenge a court order on behalf of applicant.
b. Participation in Information Exchange
    MOD Sandbox teams may be asked to participate in MOD information 
exchange meetings, webinars, or outreach events where MOD Sandbox teams 
share information with other teams and the mobility industry on the 
progress and results of their MOD Sandbox activities. These sessions 
will assist the FTA in identifying policy and implementation issues as 
they emerge.

D. Application and Submission Information

1. Address and Form of Application Submission

    Project proposals must be submitted electronically through https://www.GRANTS.GOV. Mail and fax submissions will not be accepted.
    A complete proposal submission will consist of at least two files: 
(1) The SF 424 Mandatory form (downloaded from GRANTS.GOV); (2) the 
Applicant and Proposal Profile supplemental form for MOD Sandbox 
Program (supplemental form) found on the FTA Web site at https://www.transit.dot.gov/research-innovation/mobility-demand-mod-sandbox-program.html. The supplemental form provides guidance and a consistent 
format for proposers to respond to the criteria outlined in this NOFO, 
and enables FTA to collect information to evaluate proposal submissions 
as described in section D.2 of this notice ``Proposal Content''. 
Proposers must use the supplemental form designated for the MOD Sandbox 
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 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.
    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 the Appendix.
    Information such as proposer name, Federal amount requested, local 
match amount, description of transportation service, 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

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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.

2. Proposal Content

    At a minimum, every proposal must include an SF-424 form, with the 
Applicant and a Proposal Profile supplemental form attached. The 
Applicant and Proposal Profile supplemental form for MOD Sandbox 
Program found on the FTA Web site at https://www.transit.dot.gov/research-innovation/mobility-demand-mod-sandbox-program.html.
    All applicants are required to provide detailed information on the 
Applicant and Proposal Profile supplemental form, including:
    a. A discussion of the overall goals of the proposed project, 
including the current state of MOD practices in the community or 
service area of the proposed project, current challenges in providing 
robust, flexible and accessible transportation options, integration 
challenges or gaps, and how the proposed project will address those 
needs. The discussion should include a description of the current 
opportunities to improve mobility choices for all, and if applicable, 
recent trends or developments (local and/or national) that make this 
proposed project particularly timely.
    b. A description of the proposed project scope to include all MOD 
products and services that the project will incorporate, including a 
description of the MOD interface technology that will be developed or 
acquired to integrate the MOD project elements with local transit 
services.
    c. A description of the project partners, their roles, and their 
anticipated contributions. Indicate which of the project partners are 
``key partners'' essential to the success of the proposed project. 
Additionally, the project team is encouraged to provide letters of 
commitment or support from each of the project partners as well as any 
agreements among the project partners.
    d. A description of the business model or approach that will be 
used to implement the MOD Sandbox demonstration project and any public/
private partnerships formed to achieve the project objectives. Specify 
any unique or innovative approaches used to coordinate and coalesce the 
project partners.
    e. A discussion of the expected outcomes and benefits of the 
proposed project to the individual travelers and the community.
    f. A description of the extent to which the proposed project is 
replicable in other communities, and the national significance of the 
project, if any.
    g. A description of how, and the extent to which the proposed 
project addresses accessible and equitable mobility service for all 
travelers, including communities such as low income, the aging 
population, and persons with disabilities, including wheelchair users.
    h. A description of any exceptions or waivers to Federal, State or 
local requirements or policies that the project team seeks in order to 
successfully and fully implement the proposed project.
    i. Details on types of data that will be generated and how the 
project team will provide access for FTA or its designee to this 
project-related data for purposes of evaluation.
    j. A timeline of project implementation detailing all significant 
milestones and the roles of the responsible project partners. The 
timeline should include such elements as when the project will start, 
when it will be fully operational, and length of time for anticipated 
data collection activities.
    k. Financials and Budget
    i. Identify funding requirements for the proposed project, noting 
the specific sources and uses for the funds proposed, with enough 
detail to indicate the various key components of the project.
    ii. Document the matching funds, including amount and source of the 
match (may include local or private sector financial participation in 
the project), or documents supporting the commitment of non-federal 
funding to the project, or a timeframe upon which those commitments 
would be made.
    Applicants may attach to the supplemental form supporting materials 
and documentation as appropriate. Applicants are encouraged to clearly 
reference all attachments in the Applicant and Proposal supplemental 
form. Suggested attachments include graphics, maps, letters of support, 
and other documents to support the proposal.

3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM)

    Registration in Brief: Registration can take as little as 3-5 
business days, but since there could be unexpected steps or delays (for 
example, if you need to obtain an Employer Identification Number), FTA 
recommends allowing ample time, up to several weeks, for completion of 
all steps.
    STEP 1: Obtain DUNS Number: Same day. If requested by phone (1-866-
705-5711) DUNS is provided immediately. If your organization does not 
have one, you will need to go to the Dun & Bradstreet Web site at 
https://fedgov.dnb.com/webform to obtain the number.
    STEP 2: Register With SAM: Three to five business days or up to two 
weeks. If you already have a Taxpayer ID Number, your SAM registration 
will take 3-5 business days to process. If you are applying for an 
Employer Identification Number please allow up to two weeks. Ensure 
that your organization is registered with the System for Award 
Management (SAM). www.sam.gov. If your organization is not, an 
authorizing official of your organization must register.
    STEP 3: Username & Password: Same day. Complete your AOR 
(Authorized Organization Representative) profile on Grants.gov and 
create your username and password. You will need to use your 
organization's DUNS Number to complete this step. https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/OrcRegister.
    STEP 4: AOR Authorization: Same day (depending on responsiveness of 
your E-Biz POC). The E-Business Point of Contact (E-Biz POC) at your 
organization must login to Grants.gov to confirm you as an Authorized 
Organization Representative (AOR). Please note that there can be more 
than one AOR for your organization. In some cases the E-Biz POC is also 
the AOR for an organization.
    STEP 5: TRACK AOR STATUS: At any time, you can track your AOR 
status by logging in with your username and password. Login as an 
Applicant (enter your username & password you obtained in Step 3) under 
applicant profile.

4. Submission Dates and Times

    Project proposals must be submitted electronically through https://www.GRANTS.GOV by 11:59 p.m. EDT on July 5, 2016.

5. Funding Restrictions

    Funds under this NOFO cannot be used to reimburse projects for 
otherwise eligible expenses incurred prior to FTA award of a Grant 
Agreement or Cooperative Agreement unless FTA has issued a ``Letter of 
No Prejudice'' for the project before the expenses are incurred.
    The MOD Sandbox Program is a research and development effort and as 
such FTA Research Circular 6100.1E rules will apply in administering 
the program.

[[Page 26626]]

E. Application Review

1. Selection Criteria

    Projects will be evaluated by FTA according to the following five 
evaluation criteria and based on the information provided in each 
proposal. FTA strongly encourages each proposer to demonstrate the 
responsiveness of a project to all criteria shown below with the most 
relevant information that the proposer can provide.
    The FTA will assess the extent to which a project addresses the 
following criteria:
    a. Project Impact and Outcomes--Extent to which the project is 
consistent with overarching MOD goals to deliver high quality, 
seamless, accessible, and equitable mobility options to all travelers; 
provides support for the MOD Sandbox Program objectives; provides a 
platform for integration of mobility options in a community; and has 
national or regional applicability by providing a replicable model for 
other communities.
    b. Project Approach and Business Model--Quality of the project 
approach and business model, including interface design, existing 
partnerships and local efforts toward MOD, collaboration strategies 
among the project partners, mechanism for involving travelers in the 
process and strategy for garnering support from the community. Projects 
will also be evaluated on the extent to which the proposed project 
incorporates innovative technologies and practices; the ability of the 
team to implement the demonstration effort within 12 months of program 
selection; and the extent to which the proposed business model is 
sustainable beyond the MOD Sandbox project period of performance.
    c. Team Capacity and Commitment--Extent to which the team can 
successfully implement the proposed project, including the 
qualifications and experience of the team and their documented 
commitment to the project objectives. Evaluation includes project 
management and technical capabilities of the team, including past 
program management performance, quality and availability of match, and 
evidence of commitment, such as partnership agreements or letter of 
commitment from project partners.
    d. Equity and Accessibility--Extent to which the proposed project 
addresses equity and accessibility to transportation systems and 
incorporates a service-to-all approach that provides mechanisms for all 
travelers to participate and benefit from the MOD concepts and outcomes
    e. Support for Data Collection and Evaluation--Documented 
commitment to participate in data collection, evaluation and transfer 
of lessons learned. Documented willingness to participate in data 
collection and evaluation including an expressed commitment from the 
project team to grant access to project related data to FTA or FTA's 
designee to facilitate effective evaluation of project impacts.

2. Review and Selection Process

    A technical evaluation panel comprising FTA and other U.S. DOT 
staff will review project proposals against the evaluation criteria 
listed above. The technical evaluation committee may seek clarification 
from any proposer about any statement made in a proposal. The FTA may 
also request additional documentation or information to be considered 
during the evaluation process. After the evaluation of all eligible 
proposals, the technical evaluation committee will provide project 
recommendations to the FTA Administrator. The FTA Administrator will 
determine the final list of project selections, and the amount of 
funding for each project. Geographic diversity, diversity of project 
type, and the applicant's receipt of other Federal funding may be 
considered in FTA's award decisions.

F. Federal Award Administration

    The FTA intends to fund multiple meritorious projects to support 
executing eligible project activities. Due to funding limitations, 
proposers that are selected for funding may receive less than the 
amount originally requested.

1. Federal Award Notice

    Subsequent to an announcement by the Federal Transit Administration 
of the final project selections posted on the FTA Web site, FTA may 
publish a list of the selected projects, including Federal dollar 
amounts and recipients.

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

a. 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. Preparation of proposals is not an eligible pre-award 
expense.
b. Grant Requirements
    Successful proposals will be awarded through FTA's Transit Award 
Management System (TrAMS) as Cooperative Agreements.
c. 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.
d. 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.
e. Reporting
    Post-award reporting requirements include submission of Federal 
Financial Reports and Milestone Reports in FTA's electronic grants 
management system on a quarterly basis for all projects.

G. Federal Awarding Agency Contacts

    For further information concerning this notice please contact the 
FTA MOD Program staff via email at MODSandbox@dot.gov, or contact 
Christina Gikakis, FTA MOD Program manager, at 202-366-2637. A TDD is 
available for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing at 1-800-877-
8339.

Carolyn Flowers,
Acting Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2016-10320 Filed 5-2-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE P