Notice of Funding Availability for the Small Business Transportation Resource Center Program, 53191-53196 [2016-18326]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
• Office of the Secretary of Transportation

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 155 (Thursday, August 11, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53191-53196]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-18326]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Office of the Secretary of Transportation


Notice of Funding Availability for the Small Business 
Transportation Resource Center Program

AGENCY: Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU), 
Office of the Secretary of Transportation (OST), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of funding availability for the Gulf Region SBTRC.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Transportation (DOT), Office of the 
Secretary (OST), Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization 
(OSDBU) announces the opportunity for business centered community-based 
organizations, transportation-related trade associations, colleges and 
universities, community colleges, or chambers of commerce, registered 
with the Internal Revenue Service as 501 C(6) or 501 C(3) tax-exempt 
organizations, to compete for participation in OSDBU's Small Business 
Transportation Resource Center (SBTRC) program in the Gulf Region 
(Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas).

DATES: Complete Proposals must be received on or September 16, 2016, 
6:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST). Proposals received after the 
deadline will be considered non-responsive and will not be reviewed.

ADDRESSES: Applications must be electronically submitted through 
Grants.gov. Only applicants who comply with all submission requirements 
described in this notice and electronically submit valid applications 
through Grants.gov will be eligible for award

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information concerning 
this notice, contact Ms. Steronica Mattocks, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, 
1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC, 20590. Telephone: (202) 
366-0658. Email: sbtrc@dot.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: OSDBU will enter into Cooperative Agreements 
with these organizations to provide outreach to the small business 
community in their designated region and provide financial and 
technical assistance, business training programs, business assessment, 
management training, counseling, marketing and outreach, and the 
dissemination of information, to encourage and assist small businesses 
to become better prepared to compete for, obtain, and manage DOT funded 
transportation-related contracts and subcontracts at the federal, state 
and local levels. Throughout this notice, the term ``small business'' 
will refer to: 8(a), small disadvantaged businesses (SDB), 
disadvantaged business enterprises (DBE), women owned small businesses 
(WOSB), HubZone, service disabled veteran owned businesses (SDVOB), and 
veteran owned small businesses (VOSB). Throughout this notice, 
``transportation-related'' is defined as the maintenance, 
rehabilitation, restructuring, improvement, or revitalization of any of 
the nation's modes of transportation.
    Funding Opportunity Number: USDOT-OST-OSDBU/SBTRCGULF-2016-1.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 20.910 
Assistance to Small and Disadvantaged Businesses.
    Type of Award: Cooperative Agreement Grant.
    Award Ceiling: $190,000.
    Award Floor: $170,000.
    Program Authority: DOT is authorized under 49 U.S.C. 332 (b) (4), 
(5) & (7) to design and carry out programs to assist small 
disadvantaged businesses in getting transportation-related contracts 
and subcontracts; develop support mechanisms, including management and 
technical services, that will enable small disadvantaged businesses to 
take advantage of those business opportunities; and to make 
arrangements to carry out the above purposes.

Table of Contents

A. Program Description and Goals
B. Federal Award Information
C. Eligibility Information
    1. Eligible Applicant
    2. Program/Recipient Requirements
    3. Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization 
(OSDBU) Responsibilities
D. Application and Submission Information
E. Application Review
    1. Selection Criteria
    a. Approach and Strategy
    b. Linkages
    c. Organizational Capability
    d. Staff Capabilities and Experience
    e. Cost Proposal (Budget)
    f. Scoring Application
    g. Conflicts of Interest
    2. Review and Selection Process
F. Federal Award Administration
    a. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
    b. Reporting
G. Federal Awarding Agency Contacts
H. Protection of Confidential Business Information

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A. Program Description and Goals

    The national SBTRC program utilizes Cooperative Agreements with 
chambers of commerce, trade associations, educational institutions and 
business-centered community based organizations to establish SBTRCs to 
provide business training, technical assistance and information to DOT 
grantees and recipients, prime contractors and subcontractors. In order 
to be effective and serve their target audience, the SBTRCs must be 
active in the local transportation community in order to identify and 
communicate opportunities and provide the required technical 
assistance. SBTRCs must already have, or demonstrate the ability to, 
establish working relationships with the state and local transportation 
agencies and technical assistance agencies (i.e. The U.S. Department of 
Commerce's Minority Business Development Centers (MBDCs), Small 
Business Development Centers (SBDCs), and Procurement Technical 
Assistance Centers (PTACs), SCORE and State DOT highway supportive 
services contractors in their region. Utilizing these relationships and 
their own expertise, the SBTRCs are involved in activities such as 
information dissemination, small business counseling, and technical 
assistance with small businesses currently doing business with public 
and private entities in the transportation industry.
    Effective outreach is critical to the success of the SBTRC program. 
In order for their outreach efforts to be effective, SBTRCs must be 
familiar with DOT's Operating Administrations, its funding sources, and 
how funding is awarded to DOT grantees, recipients, contractors, 
subcontractors, and its financial assistance programs. SBTRCs must 
provide outreach to the regional small business transportation 
community to disseminate information and distribute DOT-published 
marketing materials, such as Short Term Lending Program (STLP) 
Information, Bonding Education Program (BEP) information, SBTRC 
brochures and literature, DOT Procurement Forecasts; Contracting with 
DOT booklets, Women and Girls in Transportation Initiative (WITI) 
information, and any other materials or resources that DOT or OSDBU may 
develop for this purpose. To maximize outreach, the SBTRC may be called 
upon to participate in regional and national conferences and seminars. 
Quantities of DOT publications for on-hand inventory and dissemination 
at conferences and seminars will be available upon request from the 
OSDBU office.

B. Federal Award Information

    The DOT established OSDBU in accordance with Public Law 95-507, an 
amendment to the Small Business Act and the Small Business Investment 
Act of 1958. The mission of OSDBU at DOT is to ensure that the small 
and disadvantaged business policies and goals of the Secretary of 
Transportation are developed and implemented in a fair, efficient and 
effective manner to serve small and disadvantaged businesses throughout 
the country. The OSDBU also administers the provisions of Title 49, 
Section, 332, the Minority Resource Center (MRC) which includes the 
duties of advocacy, outreach and financial services on behalf of small 
and disadvantaged business and those certified under 49 CFR parts 23 
and 26 as Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (SBE) and the development 
of programs to encourage, stimulate, promote and assist small 
businesses to become better prepared to compete for, obtain and manage 
transportation-related contracts and subcontracts.
    The Regional Assistance Division of OSDBU, through the SBTRC 
program, allows OSDBU to partner with local organizations to offer a 
comprehensive delivery system of business training, technical 
assistance and dissemination of information, targeted towards small 
business transportation enterprises in their regions. The SBTRCs are 
established and funded through Cooperative Agreements between eligible 
applicants and OSDBU. The SBTRCs function as regional offices of OSDBU 
and fully execute the mission of the OSDBU nationally.
    OSDBU enters into Cooperative Agreements with recipients to 
establish and fund a regional SBTRC. Under the Cooperative Agreement 
OSDBU will be ``substantially involved'' with the overall operations of 
the SBTRC. This involvement includes directing SBTRC staff to travel 
and represent OSDBU on panels and events. OSDBU will make one award 
under this announcement. Award ceiling for this announcement is 
$190,000. The recipient will begin performing on the award on October 
1, 2016 and the period of performance (POP) will be October 1, 2016 to 
September 30, 2017. This is a 1 year grant with an option to renew for 
2 additional years at the discretion of U.S. DOT.
    Cooperative agreement awards will be distributed to the region(s) 
as follows:

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Gulf Region.........................  Ceiling: $190,000 per year.
                                      Floor: $170,000 per year.
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    Cooperative agreement awards by region are based upon an analysis 
of DBEs, Certified Small Businesses, and US DOT transportation dollars 
in each region.
    It is OSDBU's intent to maximize the benefits received by the small 
business transportation community through the SBTRC. Funding will 
reimburse an on-site Project Director for 100% of salary plus fringe 
benefits, an on-site Executive Director up to 20% of salary plus fringe 
benefits, up to 100% of a Project Coordinator salary plus fringe 
benefits, the cost of designated SBTRC space, other direct costs, and 
all other general and administrative expenses. Selected SBTRC partners 
will be expected to provide in-kind administrative support. Submitted 
proposals must contain an alternative funding source with which the 
SBTRC will fund administrative support costs. Preference will be given 
to proposals containing in-kind contributions for the Project Director, 
the Executive Director, the Project Coordinator, cost of designated 
SBTRC space, other direct costs, and all other general and 
administrative expenses. The SBTRC will furnish all labor, facilities 
and equipment to perform the services described in this announcement.

C. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicant
    To be eligible, an organization must be an established, nonprofit, 
community-based organization, transportation-related trade association, 
chamber of commerce, college or university, community college, and any 
other qualifying transportation-related non-profit organization which 
has the documented experience and capacity necessary to successfully 
operate and administer a coordinated delivery system that provides 
access for small businesses to prepare and compete for transportation-
related contracts.
    In addition, to be eligible, the applicant organization must:
    (a) Be an established 501 C (3) or 501 C (6) tax-exempt 
organization and provide documentation as verification. No application 
will be accepted without proof of tax-exempt status;
    (b) Have at least one year of documented and continuous experience 
prior to the date of application in providing advocacy, outreach, and 
technical assistance to small businesses within the region in which 
proposed services will be provided. Prior performance providing 
services to the transportation community is preferable, but not 
required; and

[[Page 53193]]

    (c) Have an office physically located within the proposed city in 
the designated headquarters state in the region for which they are 
submitting the proposal that is readily accessible to the public.
2. Program Requirements/Recipient Responsibilities
(a) Assessments, Business Analyses
    Conduct an assessment of small businesses in the SBTRC region to 
determine their training and technical assistance needs, and use 
information that is available at no cost to structure programs and 
services that will enable small businesses to become better prepared to 
compete for and receive transportation-related contract awards.
(b) General Management & Technical Training and Assistance
    Utilize OSDBU's Intake Form to document each small business 
assisted by the SBTRC and type of service(s) provided. A complete list 
of businesses that have filled out the form shall be submitted as part 
of the SBTRC report, submitted via email to the Regional Assistance 
Division on a regular basis (using the SBTRC report). This report will 
detail SBTRC activities and performance results. The data provided must 
be supported by the narrative (if asked).
    Ensure that an array of information is made available for 
distribution to the small business transportation community that is 
designed to inform and educate the community on DOT/OSDBU services and 
opportunities. Coordinate efforts with OSDBU in order to maintain an 
on-hand inventory of DOT/OSDBU informational materials for general 
dissemination and for distribution at transportation-related 
conferences and other events.
(c) Business Counseling
    Collaborate with agencies, such as State, Regional, and Local 
Transportation Government Agencies, SBA, U.S. Department of Commerce's 
Minority Business Development Centers (MBDCs), Service Corps of Retired 
Executives (SCORE), Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTACs), 
and Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs), to offer a broad range 
of counseling services to transportation-related small business 
enterprises.
    Create a technical assistance plan that will provide each counseled 
participant with the knowledge and skills necessary to improve the 
management of their own small business to expand their transportation-
related contracts and subcontracts portfolio.
    Provide a minimum of 20 hours of individual or group counseling 
sessions to small businesses per month. This counseling includes in-
person meetings or over the phone, and does not include any time taken 
to do email correspondence.
(d) Planning Committee
    Establish a Regional Planning Committee consisting of at least 10 
members that includes representatives from the regional community and 
federal, state, and local agencies. The highway, airport, and transit 
authorities for the SBTRCs headquarters state must have representation 
on the planning committee. The committee shall be established no later 
than 60 days after the execution of the Cooperative Agreement between 
the OSDBU and the selected SBTRC.
    Provide a forum for the federal, state, and local agencies to 
disseminate information about upcoming DOT procurements and SBTRC 
activities. Hold either monthly or quarterly meetings at a time and 
place agreed upon by SBTRC and planning committee members (conference 
calls and/or video conferences are acceptable).
    Use the initial session hosted by the SBTRC to explain the mission 
of the committee and identify roles of staff and the members of the 
group. Responsibility for the agenda and direction of the Planning 
Committee should be handled by the SBTRC Project Director or his/her 
designee.
(e) Outreach Services/Conference Participation
    Utilize the services of the System for Award Management (SAM) and 
other sources to construct a database of regional small businesses that 
currently are or may in the future participate in DOT direct and DOT 
funded transportation related contracts, and make this database 
available to OSDBU upon request. Utilize the database of regional 
transportation-related small businesses to match opportunities 
identified through the planning committee forum, FedBiz Opps (a Web-
based system for posting solicitations and other Federal procurement-
related documents on the Internet), and other sources to eligible small 
businesses and inform the small business community about those 
opportunities.
    Develop a ``targeted'' database of firms (100-150) that have the 
capacity and capabilities, and are ready, willing and able to 
participate in DOT contracts and subcontracts immediately. This control 
group will receive ample resources from the SBTRC, i.e., access to 
working capital, bonding assistance, business counseling, management 
assistance and direct referrals to DOT agencies at the state and local 
levels, and to prime contractors as effective subcontractor firms.
    Identify regional, state and local conferences where a significant 
number of small businesses, with transportation related capabilities, 
are expected to be in attendance. Maintain and submit a list of those 
events to the regional Assistance Division for review and posting on 
the OSDBU Web site on a regular basis. Clearly identify the events 
designated for SBTRC participation and include recommendations for 
OSDBU participation. This information can be submitted as part of the 
SBTRC report.
    Conduct outreach and disseminate information to small businesses at 
regional transportation-related conferences, seminars, and workshops. 
In the event that the SBTRC is requested to participate in an event, 
the OSDBU will provide DOT materials, the OSDBU banner and other 
information that is deemed necessary for the event.
    Submit a conference summary report within the ``Events'' section of 
the SBTRC Report. The conference summary report should summarize the 
activity, contacts made, outreach results, and recommendations for 
continued or discontinued participation in future similar events 
sponsored by that organization.
    Upon request by OSDBU, coordinate efforts with DOT's grantees and 
recipients at the state and/or local levels to sponsor or cosponsor and 
OSDBU transportation related conference in the region (commonly 
referred to as ``Small Business Summits'').
    Participate in the SBTRC Monthly teleconference call, hosted by the 
OSDBU Regional Assistance Division.
(f) Short Term Lending Program (STLP)
    Work with STLP participating banks and if not available, other 
institutions to deliver a minimum of five (5) seminars/workshops per 
year on the STLP, and/or other financial assistance programs, to the 
transportation-related small business community. Seminars/workshops 
must cover the entire STLP/loan process, form completion of STLP/loan 
applications and preparation of the loan package.
    Provide direct support, technical support, and advocacy services to 
potential STLP applicants to increase the probability of STLP loan 
approval and generate a minimum of four (4) completed STLP applications 
per year. Provide direct support, technical support, and advocacy 
services to Small and Disadvantaged Businesses

[[Page 53194]]

interested in obtaining a loan from another type of Government Lending 
Program. Government Lending Programs include Federal, State, and Local 
level programs. The SBTRC will be required to generate a minimum of 
three (3) completed Government Lending Program applications per year.
(g) Bonding Education Program (BEP)
    Work with OSDBU, bonding industry partners, local small business 
transportation stakeholders, and local bond producers/agents in your 
region to deliver a minimum of two (2) complete Bonding Education 
Programs and secure 3% of the total DBE contract value for each 
transportation project. The BEP consists of the following components; 
(1) The stakeholder's meeting; (2) the educational workshops component; 
(3) the bond readiness component; and (4) follow-on assistance to BEP 
participants to provide technical and procurement assistance based on 
the prescriptive plan determined by the BEP. For each BEP event, work 
with the local bond producers/agents in your region and the 
disadvantaged business participants to deliver a minimum of ten (10) 
disadvantaged business participants in the BEP with either access to 
bonding or an increase in the bonding capacity. The programs will be 
funded separately and in addition to the amount listed in 1.3 of the 
solicitation.
(h) Women and Girls in Transportation Initiative (WITI)
    Pursuant to Executive Order 13506, and 49 U.S.C. 332(b)(4) & (7), 
the SBTRC shall administer the WITI in their geographical region. The 
SBTRC shall implement the DOT WITI program as defined by the DOT WITI 
Policy. The WITI program is designed to identify, educate, attract, and 
retain women and girls from a variety of disciplines in the 
transportation industry. The SBTRC shall also be responsible for 
outreach activities in the implementation of this program and 
advertising the WITI program to all colleges and universities and 
transportation enemies in their region. The WITI program shall be 
developed in conjunction with the skill needs of the U.S. DOT, state 
and local transportation agencies and appropriate private sector 
transportation-related participants including, S/WOBs/DBEs, and women 
organizations involved in transportation. Emphasis shall be placed on 
establishing partnerships with transportation-related businesses. The 
SBTRC will be required to host 1 WITI event and attend at least 5 
events where WITI is presented and marketed.
    Each region will establish a Women in Transportation Advisory 
Committee. The committee will provide a forum to identify and provide 
workable solutions to barriers that women-owned businesses encounter in 
transportation-related careers. The committee will have 5 members 
(including the SBTRC Project Director) with a 1 year membership. 
Meetings will be conducted on a quarterly basis at an agreeable place 
and time.
3. Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) 
Responsibilities
    (a) Provide consultation and technical assistance in planning, 
implementing, and evaluating activities under this announcement.
    (b) Provide orientation and training to the applicant organization.
    (c) Monitor SBTRC activities, cooperative agreement compliance, and 
overall SBTRC performance.
    (d) Assist SBTRC to develop or strengthen its relationships with 
federal, state, and local transportation authorities, other technical 
assistance organizations, and DOT grantees.
    (e) Facilitate the exchange and transfer of successful program 
activities and information among all SBTRC regions.
    (f) Provide the SBTRC with DOT/OSDBU materials and other relevant 
transportation related information for dissemination.
    (g) Maintain effective communication with the SBTRC and inform them 
of transportation news and contracting opportunities to share with 
small businesses in their region.
    (h) Provide all required forms to be used by the SBTRC for 
reporting purposes under the program.
    (i) Perform an annual performance evaluation of the SBTRC. 
Satisfactory performance is a condition of continued participation of 
the organization as an SBTRC and execution of all option years.

D. Application and Submission Information

(a) Format for Proposals
    Each proposal must be submitted to Grants.gov in the format set 
forth in the application form attached as Appendix A to this 
announcement.
(b) Address; Number of Copies; Deadlines for Submission
    Any eligible organization, as defined in Section C of this 
announcement, will submit only one proposal per region for 
consideration by OSDBU. Applications must be double spaced, and printed 
in a font size not smaller than 12 points. Applications will not exceed 
35 single-sided pages, not including any requested attachments. All 
pages should be numbered at the top of each page. All documentation, 
attachments, or other information pertinent to the application must be 
included in a single submission. Proposal packages must be submitted 
electronically to Grants.gov.
    (c) Each applicant must be registered in System for Award 
Management (SAM) and provide their unique Entity Identifier with the 
proposal.
    (d) Proposals must be received in Grants.gov no later than 
September 16, 2016, 6:00 pm Eastern Standard Time (EST).

E. Application Review

1. Selection Criteria
    OSDBU will award the cooperative agreement on a best value basis, 
using the following criteria to rate and rank applications:
    Applications will be evaluated using a point system (maximum number 
of points = 100);

[cir] Approach and strategy (25 points)
[cir] Linkages (25 points)
[cir] Organizational Capability (25 points)
[cir] Staff Capabilities and Experience (15 points)
[cir] Cost Proposal (10 points)
(a) Approach and Strategy (25 points)
    The applicant must describe their strategy to achieve the overall 
mission of the SBTRC as described in this solicitation and service the 
small business community in their entire geographic regional area. The 
applicant must also describe how the specific activities outlined in 
Section C will be implemented and executed in the organization's 
regional area. OSDBU will consider the extent to which the proposed 
objectives are specific, measurable, time-specific, and consistent with 
OSDBU goals and the applicant organization's overall mission. OSDBU 
will give priority consideration to applicants that demonstrate 
innovation and creativity in their approach to assist small businesses 
to become successful transportation contractors and increase their 
ability to access DOT contracting opportunities and financial 
assistance programs. Applicants must also submit the estimated direct 
costs, other than labor, to execute their proposed strategy. OSDBU will 
consider the quality of the applicant's plan for conducting program 
activities and the likelihood that the proposed methods will be 
successful in achieving proposed objectives at the proposed cost.

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(b) Linkages (25 points)
    The applicant must describe their established relationships within 
their geographic region and demonstrate their ability to coordinate and 
establish effective networks with DOT grant recipients and local/
regional technical assistance agencies to maximize resources. OSDBU 
will consider innovative aspects of the applicant's approach and 
strategy to build upon their existing relationships and establish 
networks with existing resources in their geographical area. The 
applicant should describe their strategy to obtain and collaboration on 
SBTRC from DOT grantees and recipients, transportation prime 
contractors and subcontractors, the SBA, U.S. Department of Commerce's 
Minority Business Development Centers (MBDCs), Service Corps of Retired 
Executives (SCORE), State DOTs, and State Highway supportive services 
contractors. In rating this factor, OSDBU will consider the extent to 
which the applicant demonstrates ability to multidimensional. The 
applicant must demonstrate that they have the ability to access a broad 
range of supportive services to effectively serve a broad range of 
transportation-related small businesses within their respective 
geographical region. Emphasis will also be placed on the extent to 
which the applicant identifies a clear outreach strategy related to the 
identified needs that can be successfully carried out within the period 
of this agreement and a plan for involving the Planning Committee in 
the execution of that strategy.
(c) Organizational Capability (25 points)
    The applicant must demonstrate that they have the organizational 
capability to meet the program requirements set forth in Section C. The 
applicant organization must have sufficient resources and past 
performance experience to successfully provide outreach to 
transportation-related small businesses in their geographical area and 
carry out the mission of the SBTRC. In rating this factor, OSDBU will 
consider the extent to which the applicant's organization has recent, 
relevant and successful experience in advocating for and addressing the 
needs of small businesses. Applicants will be given points for 
demonstrated past transportation-related performance. The applicant 
must also describe technical and administrative resources it plans to 
use in achieving proposed objectives. In their description, the 
applicant must describe their facilities, computer and technical 
facilities, ability to tap into volunteer staff time, and a plan for 
sufficient matching alternative financial resources to fund the general 
and administrative costs of the SBTRC. The applicant must also describe 
their administrative and financial staff. It will be the responsibility 
of the successful candidate to not only provide the services outlined 
herein to small business in the transportation industry, but to also 
successfully manage and maintain their internal financial, payment, and 
invoicing process with their financial management offices. OSDBU will 
place an emphasis on capabilities of the applicant's financial 
management staff. Additionally, a site visit will be required prior to 
award for those candidates that are being strongly considered. A member 
of the OSDBU team will contact those candidates to schedule the site 
visits prior to the award of the agreement.
(d) Staff Capability and Experience (15 Points)
    The applicant organization must provide a list of proposed 
personnel for the project, with salaries, fringe benefit burden 
factors, education levels and previous experience clearly delineated. 
The applicant's project team must be well-qualified, knowledgeable, and 
able to effectively serve the diverse and broad range of small 
businesses in their geographical region. The Executive Director and the 
Project Director shall be deemed key personnel. Detailed resumes must 
be submitted for all proposed key personnel and outside consultants and 
subcontractors. Proposed key personnel must have detailed demonstrated 
experience providing services similar in scope and nature to the 
proposed effort. The proposed Project Director will serve as the 
responsible individual for the program. 100% of the Project Director's 
time must be dedicated to the SBTRC. Both the Executive and Project 
Directors must be located on-site. In this element, OSDBU will consider 
the extent to which the applicant's proposed Staffing Plan; (a) clearly 
meets the education and experience requirements to accomplish the 
objectives of the cooperative agreement; (b) delineates staff 
responsibilities and accountability for all work required and; (c) 
presents a clear and feasible ability to execute the applicant's 
proposed approach and strategy.
(e) Cost Proposal (10 Points)
    Applicants must submit the total proposed cost of establishing and 
administering the SBTRC in the applicant's geographical region for a 12 
month period, inclusive of costs funded through alternative matching 
resources. The applicant's budget must be adequate to support the 
proposed strategy and costs must be reasonable in relation to project 
objectives. The portion of the submitted budget funded by OSDBU cannot 
exceed the ceiling outlined in Section B. Applicants are encouraged to 
provide in-kind costs and other innovative cost approaches.
(f) Scoring Applications
    A review panel will score each application based upon the 
evaluation criteria listed above. Points will be given for each 
evaluation criteria category, not to exceed the maximum number of 
points allowed for each category. Proposals which are deemed non-
responsive, do not meet the established criteria, or incomplete at the 
time of submission will be disqualified.
    OSDBU will perform a responsibility determination of the 
prospective awardee in the region, which will include a site visit, 
before awarding the cooperative agreement.
(g) Conflicts of Interest
    Applicants must submit signed statements by key personnel and all 
organization principals indicating that they, or members of their 
immediate funded transportation project, nor any relationships with 
local or state transportation agencies that may have the appearance of 
a conflict of interest.
2. Review and Selection Process
    A team of people will evaluate the proposals. Those proposals 
meeting the mandatory criteria will be assessed based on the above 
mentioned criteria. The proposals demonstrating the organization's 
capacity to fully execute the requirements of this grant will be 
considered. The proposal receiving the highest overall score will be 
awarded.

F. Federal Award Administration

    Following the evaluation outlined in Section E, the OSDBU will 
announce the awarded applicant with a written Notice of Funding Award. 
The NOFA will also include the cooperative agreement for signature.
(a) Administrative and National Policy Requirements
    All awards will be administered pursuant to the Uniform 
Administrative Cost Principles and Audit Requirements for Federal 
Awards found in 2 CFR part 200, as adopted by DOT as 2 CFR part 1201.
(b) Reporting
    Performance Reporting--The recipient of this cooperative agreement

[[Page 53196]]

must collect information and report on the cooperative agreement 
performance with respect to the relevant deliverables that are expected 
to be achieved through the cooperative agreement. Performance 
indicators will include formal goals or targets, but will include 
baseline measures for an agreed-upon timeline, and will be used to 
evaluate and monitor the results that the cooperative agreement funds 
achieve to ensure that funds achieve the intended long-term outcomes of 
the cooperative agreement program.
    Progress Reporting--The recipient for this cooperative agreement 
funding must submit quarterly progress reports and annual Federal 
Financial Report (SF-425) on the financial condition of the cooperative 
agreement and its progress, as well as an Annual Budget Review and 
Implementation Plan to monitor the use of Federal funds and ensure 
accountability and financial transparency in the program.

G. Federal Awarding Agency Contracts

    For further information this notice please contact the OSDBU 
program staff via email at sbtrc@dot.gov, or call Ms. Steronica 
Mattocks at 202-366-0658. To ensure applicants receive accurate 
information about eligibility or the program, the applicant is 
encouraged to contact DOT directly, rather than through intermediaries 
or third parties, with questions.

H. Protection of Confidential Business Information

    All information submitted as part of or in support of any 
application 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 application includes 
information you consider to be a 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. DOT 
protects such information from disclosure to the extent allowed under 
applicable law. In the event DOT received a Freedom of Information Act 
(FOIA) request for the information, DOT will follow the procedures 
described in its FOIA regulation as 49 CFR 7.17. Only information that 
is ultimately determined to be confidential under that procedure will 
be exempt from disclosure under FOIA.

    Issued On: July 25, 2016.
John G. Ralston,
Acting Director.
[FR Doc. 2016-18326 Filed 8-10-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-9X-P