Solicitation of Proposals for the National Aging and Disability Transportation Center, 33786-33789 [2020-11846]

Agencies

• Federal Transit Administration
• DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 106 (Tuesday, June 2, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33786-33789]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-11846]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Transit Administration


Solicitation of Proposals for the National Aging and Disability 
Transportation Center

AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration (FTA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of funding opportunity.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is soliciting 
proposals under FTA's Technical Assistance and Workforce Development 
Program, to select an entity to administer the National Aging and 
Disability Transportation Center (NADTC). The NADTC will carry out 
activities to promote the availability and accessibility of 
transportation options that serve the needs of people with 
disabilities, seniors, and their caregivers, with a focus on 
effectively leveraging the program funds of the Enhanced Mobility of 
Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Formula grants and other 
transit investments. The NADTC provides effective solutions that 
improve mobility for seniors and individuals with disabilities 
throughout the country by helping systems remove barriers to 
transportation services and expanding community transportation mobility 
options. The FTA intends to fund the NADTC up to $1,900,000, for the 
first year, subject to availability of funds. The FTA may extend 
funding for this center for up to five (5) years; however, subsequent 
funding will depend upon: (1) Future authorizations and appropriations; 
(2) decisions and program priorities established by the Secretary of 
Transportation related to the implementation of provisions set forth in 
49 U.S.C. 5314; and (3) annual performance reviews.

DATES: Complete proposals for funding opportunity FTA-2020-009-NADTC 
must be submitted electronically through GRANTS.GOV. All applications 
must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on July 2, 2020.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Elan Flippin, FTA Office of Program 
Management, (202) 366-3800 or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

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 Information
G. Federal Awarding Agency Contact(s)

A. Program Description

    The FTA is soliciting proposals to administer the National Aging 
and Disability Transportation Center (NADTC). The mission of the NADTC 
is to promote the availability and accessibility of transportation 
options for older adults, people with disabilities, caregivers and 
communities. The need for accessible transportation that supports 
independent community living is growing in the United States. The U.S. 
Census Bureau American Community Survey in 2018 estimated that 12.6 
percent of the U.S. population (40.6 million) living in the community 
has a disability. The population age 65 and over was 52 million in 
2018, 16 percent of the population. Employment and poverty rates 
disproportionately negatively affect people with disabilities and older 
adults. Investment in accessible public transportation, including the 
over $280 million in funding provided annually through the Enhanced 
Mobility of Seniors and People with Disabilities Program (Section 
5310), is an important enabler of the American dream for many people. 
The NADTC makes a significant difference in helping communities enhance 
the benefits of public transportation, including high impact Section 
5310 projects that improve mobility for people with disabilities and 
older adults.
    The work of the NADTC builds upon the work of the Coordinating 
Council on Access and Mobility (CCAM), promoting coordination to ensure 
older adults, people with disabilities, people of low income, and 
disadvantaged communities benefit from coordinated planning activities 
and the resulting projects. The NADTC carries out activities that 
demonstrate impact and achieve the following goals:
     Promoting the essential role of accessible transportation 
in furthering the economic inclusion, access to healthcare, links to 
education, connections to recreation/leisure activities, and 
independent living of people with disabilities and older adults;
     Increasing the effectiveness, efficiency and quality of 
coordinated human service transportation activities;
     Ensuring that the planning of transportation services for 
people with disabilities, older adults and caregivers is done in 
conjunction with broader planning activities at all levels;
     Highlighting and assisting in the development of promising 
practices, including the use of technology, to solve transportation 
challenges for people with disabilities and older adults and maximizing 
the effectiveness of Federal investments in specialized transportation 
services. For more information on the various programs and services 
currently provided by the NADTC, visit the NADTC website at: https://www.nadtc.org/.

B. Federal Award Information

    FTA intends to fund the NADTC through a cooperative agreement at up 
to $1,900,000 for the first year with the option to extend for up to 
four (4) additional years. FTA's decision to exercise these options is 
subject to: (1) Decisions and program priorities established by the 
Secretary of Transportation related to the implementation of the 
Technical Assistance and Workforce Development program (49 U.S.C. 
5314); (2) future authorizations and appropriations; and (3) annual 
reviews of the NADTC's performance.

C. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

    Eligible applicants are non-profit organizations with experience in 
the delivery of programs and services that seek to serve the targeted 
population of older adults and people with disabilities; experience in 
public transportation-related technical assistance; and the 
organizational capacity to administer a national technical assistance 
center program.

[[Page 33787]]

2. Cost Sharing or Matching

    This funding opportunity will be awarded under the terms of a 
cooperative agreement. The federal share is 100 percent. There is no 
required local matching share.

D. Application and Submission Information

1. Address To Request Application Package

    Applications must be submitted electronically through GRANTS.GOV, 
as described above. General information for registering and submitting 
applications through GRANTS.GOV can be found at https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants.html along with specific instructions for the 
forms and attachments required for submission. 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), and (2) a narrative application document in Microsoft 
Word, Adobe Acrobat, or compatible file format. The narrative 
application should be in the format outlined in section 2 below. Once 
completed, the narrative application must be placed in the attachments 
section of the SF-424 Mandatory form. Applicants must attach the 
narrative application file to their submission in GRANTS.GOV to 
successfully complete the proposal process. A proposal submission may 
contain additional supporting documentation as attachments.

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

    Proposals shall be submitted in a Microsoft Word, Adobe Acrobat, or 
compatible file format, double-spaced using Times New Roman, 12-point 
font. The proposal must contain the following components and adhere to 
the specified maximum lengths:
    a. Cover sheet (1 page).
    The cover sheet must include the name of the entity submitting the 
proposal, the principal's name, title, and contact information (e.g., 
address, phone, and email), and the name and contact information for 
the key point of contact for each function of the agreement referenced 
under the ``Program Description'' section of this Notice.
    b. Abstract (not to exceed 4 pages).
    The abstract must include the following sections: Background, 
purpose, methodology, intended outcomes, and plan for evaluation.
    c. Detailed budget proposal and budget narrative (not to exceed 3 
pages).
    d. Project narrative (not to exceed 25 pages).
    The project narrative must include the following information:
    i. The methodology for addressing the goals and objectives;
    ii. Objectives, activities, deliverables, milestones, timeline and 
intended outcomes for achieving the goals outlined in the scope for the 
first year;
    iii. The existing and future capacity of the organization to 
address the issues outlined in the proposal and the organization's 
ability to implement goals and objectives;
    iv. A detailed plan for communication, technical assistance, and 
outreach at the State and local levels;
    v. A plan to work with stakeholders and build partnerships at the 
national level and;
    vi. Staff qualifications, including: (1) Prior experience providing 
technical assistance, especially related to transportation for people 
with disabilities and older adults, (2) prior experience implementing 
the other tasks outlined in this solicitation, (3) staff members' 
knowledge of issues related to transportation for people with 
disabilities and older adults, and (4) a one-page biographical sketch 
for each staff member.
    e. Plan for evaluation of NADTC technical assistance center 
activities and performance measures (not to exceed 5 pages).
    f. Supplemental materials, such as bios and letters of support, can 
be included in an appendices section that is beyond the page limit 
above but are not to exceed 15 additional pages.

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

    Each applicant is required to: (1) Register in SAM before applying; 
(2) provide a valid unique SAM entity identifier in its application; 
and (3) continue to maintain an active SAM registration with current 
information, during which the applicant has an active Federal award or 
an application or plan under consideration by FTA. These requirements 
do not apply if the applicant: (1) Is excepted from the requirements 
under 2 CFR 25.110(b) or (c); or (2) has an exception approved by FTA 
under 2 CFR 25.110(d). The FTA may not make an award 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 an award, FTA may 
determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive an award and 
use that determination as a basis for making a Federal award to another 
applicant. SAM registration takes approximately 3-5 business days, but 
FTA recommends allowing ample time, up to several weeks, for completion 
of all steps. For additional information on obtaining a unique entity 
identifier, please visit https://www.sam.gov/SAM/pages/public/index.jsf.

4. Submission Dates and Times

    Project proposals must be submitted electronically through 
GRANTS.GOV and must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on July 2, 
2020. GRANTS.GOV attaches a time stamp to each application at the time 
of submission. Proposals submitted after the deadline will be 
considered only under extraordinary circumstances not under the 
applicant's control. Mail and fax submissions will not be accepted.
    Within 48 hours after submitting an electronic application, the 
applicant should receive two email messages from GRANTS.GOV: (1) 
Confirmation of successful transmission to GRANTS.GOV, and (2) 
confirmation of successful validation by GRANTS.GOV. If confirmations 
of successful validation are not received or 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.
    The FTA urges applicants to submit proposals 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. GRANTS.GOV scheduled maintenance and outage times are 
announced on the GRANTS.GOV website. Deadlines will not be extended due 
to scheduled website maintenance.
    Applicants are encouraged to begin the process of registration on 
the GRANTS.GOV site well in advance of the submission deadline. 
Registration is a multi-step process, which may take several weeks to 
complete before an application can be submitted. Registered applicants 
may still be required to take steps to keep their registration up to 
date before submissions can be made successfully: (1) Registration in 
SAM is renewed annually; and (2) persons making submissions on behalf 
of the Authorized Organization Representative

[[Page 33788]]

(AOR) must be authorized in GRANTS.GOV by the AOR to make submissions. 
To register and for detailed instructions, please see the 
``APPLICANTS'' tab in GRANTS.GOV (https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants.html).
    To be eligible to apply for this opportunity, organizations must 
have a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number, active System for 
Award Management (SAM) registration, and an established GRANTS.GOV 
account. DUNS and SAM registrations may take several weeks. Therefore, 
an organization's registration should be done in sufficient time to 
ensure it does not impact the entity's ability to meet required 
application submission deadlines. Complete organization instructions 
can be found on GRANTS.GOV: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration.html.

5. Funding Restrictions

    This award is subject to the governmentwide Uniform Cost Principles 
for Federal Awards at 2 CFR part 200, subpart E.

6. Other Submission Requirements

    Detailed instructions on application and submission requirements 
are found under ``Section D, Application and Submission Requirements'' 
of this notice. Project proposals must be submitted electronically 
through GRANTS.GOV by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on July 2, 2020. 
Late applications will not be accepted. Mail and fax submissions will 
not be accepted.

E. Application Review Information

1. Criteria

    The FTA will evaluate proposals based on each applicant's response 
to the following criteria: (1) Methodology to Meet the Goals of the 
NADTC; (2) Qualifications of Key Personnel, Experience, and Knowledge; 
(3) Communication, Technical Assistance, and Outreach Strategy; (4) 
Technical, Legal, and Financial Capacity; (5) Ability to Work with 
Stakeholders and Build Partnerships at the National Level; and (6) Plan 
to Evaluate the NADTC activities. The criteria are explained below:
a. Methodology To Meet the Goals of the National Aging and Disability 
Transportation Center
    The FTA is seeking innovative and effective approaches and 
strategies to accomplish the project objectives. Proposals will be 
evaluated based on the proposed methodology for addressing the goals 
and objectives of the NADTC, as well as the capacity of the 
organization to address the issues outlined in the proposal. The 
proposal should clearly explain the objectives, activities, 
deliverables, milestones, timelines and intended outcomes for achieving 
the goals outlined in the scope for the first year, and how the 
organization intends to implement them.
b. Qualifications of Key Personnel, Experience, and Knowledge
    The proposal should demonstrate that key personnel have the 
appropriate skills and experience to carry out the activities. The FTA 
will evaluate the qualifications and experience of the key staff 
detailed in the proposal for their: (1) Prior experience providing 
technical assistance, especially related to transportation for people 
with disabilities and older adults, (2) prior experience implementing 
the other tasks outlined in this solicitation, and (3) knowledge of 
issues related to transportation for people with disabilities and older 
adults.
c. Communication, Technical Assistance, and Outreach Strategy
    The proposal should demonstrate the ability to execute a technical 
assistance program with a national scope, as well as strategies for 
delivering targeted assistance to State, regional, and local 
stakeholders. Proposing organizations are encouraged to think 
innovatively about this technical assistance delivery.
    The proposal should also demonstrate the ability to carry out 
outreach, dissemination, and information management activities. These 
activities will include capturing and sharing useful and best practices 
in the delivery of Coordinated Human Services Transportation Services, 
serving the targeted population of older adults and people with 
disabilities. The proposal should demonstrate innovative approaches, 
such as the use of communication that is accessible through social 
media and other information technologies, to manage, plan, and deliver 
effective technical assistance strategies to stakeholders. Coordination 
of services for the targeted population is challenging as resources are 
limited, services are costly, and the population's needs are unique. 
The proposal should demonstrate effective strategies for providing 
technical assistance to overcome challenges and address the uniquely 
unmet needs of the targeted population.
d. Technical, Legal, and Financial Capacity
    The proposal must include an effective project management plan to 
administer and manage the NADTC and must demonstrate that the applicant 
has the technical, legal, and financial capacity to carry out the plan. 
FTA will evaluate the applicant's:
    a. Technical capacity to administer and manage the services 
proposed;
    b. Total budget and staffing; and
    c. Evidence of understanding of the NADTC mission and comprehensive 
technical approach to delivering the NADTC.
    The proposal should indicate a strong organizational capability to 
address the issues and activities outlined in the proposal. In 
addition, the proposal should indicate experience in managing and 
monitoring sub-recipients and contractors, if any are included in the 
proposal. The applicant selected must be an eligible recipient for a 
cooperative agreement with FTA and able to sign the required 
certifications and assurances. The successful applicant must have no 
technical, legal or financial issues that would impact its eligibility 
and authority to apply for and accept FTA funds, or carry out the 
award's scope of work.
e. Ability To Work With Stakeholders and Build Partnerships at the 
National Level
    The proposal must include a plan for effective and meaningful 
stakeholder engagement. The proposal will be evaluated based on the 
quality and effectiveness of the plan for engaging and supporting 
stakeholder engagement to drive the activities of the NADTC.
f. Plan To Evaluate the NADTC Activities
    FTA will evaluate the effectiveness of proposed performance 
measures and the plan for collecting and reporting on data related to 
the NADTC's products, activities, and outcomes.

2. Review and Selection Process

    A technical evaluation committee made up of FTA staff will evaluate 
proposals based on the published evaluation criteria outlined in this 
notice (refer to Section E). The technical evaluation committee will 
advise the FTA Administrator.
    The final award decision will be made by the FTA Administrator. In 
making this decision, the Administrator will take into consideration:
    a. Recommendations of the review panel;

[[Page 33789]]

    b. past performance of the applicant regarding programmatic and 
grants management compliance;
    c. the reasonableness of the estimated cost to the government 
considering the available funding and anticipated results; and
    d. the likelihood that the proposed project will result in the 
technical assistance outcomes expected.

3. Responsibility Review

    FTA is required to review and consider any information about the 
applicant that is in the designated integrity and performance system 
accessible through SAM (currently FAPIIS) (see 41 U.S.C. 2313). An 
applicant, at its option, may review information in the designated 
integrity and performance systems accessible through SAM and comment on 
any information about itself that a Federal awarding agency previously 
entered and is currently in the designated integrity and performance 
system accessible through SAM. FTA will consider any comments by the 
applicant, in addition to the other information in the designated 
integrity and performance system, in making a judgment about the 
applicant's integrity, business ethics, and record of performance under 
Federal awards when completing the review of risk posed by applicants 
as described in 2 CFR 200.205 Federal awarding agency review of risk 
posed by applicants.

F. Federal Award Administration Information

1. Federal Award Notices

    The FTA will notify the successful organization and may announce 
the selection on its website https://www.transit.dot.gov. Following 
notification, the successful entity will be required to submit its 
application through the FTA Transit Award Management System (TrAMS). 
The FTA will work with the successful applicant to develop a detailed 
Statement of Work and may require modifications to the proposal before 
a cooperative agreement is awarded. The FTA will award and manage the 
cooperative agreement through TrAMS.

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

    (a) Grant Requirements.
    Award will be made under FTA's Section 5314 program, and the 
successful applicant will adhere to the customary FTA cooperative 
agreement requirements of the Section 5314 Program. Assistance 
regarding these requirements is available from FTA.
    (b) The selection of a cooperative agreement recipient under this 
NOFO will go through the Congressional notification and release 
process.
    (c) 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 cooperative agreement. The applicant acknowledges 
that it is under a continuing obligation to comply with the terms and 
conditions of the cooperative 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 that modifications 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 cooperative agreement if it does not have current 
certifications on file.

3. Reporting

    Post-award reporting requirements include submission of Federal 
Financial Reports and Milestone Progress Reports in TrAMS on a 
quarterly basis. Additional reporting may be required specific to 
functions outlined in the Statement of Work for NADTC. The recipient 
may be expected to participate in events or peer networks related to 
the Section 5310 Program and targeted populations. The Federal 
Financial Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA) requires data 
entry at the FFATA Sub Award Reporting System (https://www.FSRS.gov) for 
all sub-awards and sub-contracts issued for $25,000 or more, as well as 
addressing executive compensation for both grantee and sub-award 
organizations.
    Additionally, FTA may evaluate and report on the success of the 
program. Applicants may be required to provide information for this 
purpose indicating the need, problem, or opportunity addressed by 
activities of the program. The national significance and relevance to 
the public transportation industry must also be clearly demonstrated.

G. Federal Awarding Agency Contact(s)

    For further information concerning this notice, please contact the 
Technical Assistance Center program manager, Elan Flippin, by phone at 
202-366-3800, or by email at [email protected] A TDD is available 
for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing at 800-877-8339.

K. Jane Williams,
Acting Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2020-11846 Filed 6-1-20; 8:45 am]
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