Fiscal Year 2021 Competitive Research Funding Opportunity: Transit Workforce Center (TWC), 19941-19948 [2021-07749]

Agencies

• Federal Transit Administration
• DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 71 (Thursday, April 15, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19941-19948]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-07749]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Transit Administration


Fiscal Year 2021 Competitive Research Funding Opportunity: 
Transit Workforce Center (TWC)

AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration (FTA), U.S. Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability of $5 million in Fiscal 
Year (FY) 2020 and 2021 Technical Assistance and Workforce Development 
funds to establish a Transit Workforce Center (TWC) that supports 
public transit agencies' workforce development needs for all modes of 
public transit across urban, tribal, and rural entities. The 
overarching mission of this new center is to assist public transit 
agencies to recruit, hire, train, and retain the diverse workforce 
needed now and in the future.

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DATES: Complete proposals for the Transit Workforce Center must be 
submitted electronically through the GRANTS.GOV ``APPLY'' function by 
11:59 p.m. Eastern time on May 10, 2021. Late applications will not be 
accepted. Prospective applicants should initiate the process by 
registering on the GRANTS.GOV website promptly to ensure completion of 
the application process before the submission deadline. Instructions 
for applying can be found on FTA's website at https://transit.dot.gov/howtoapply and in the ``FIND'' module of GRANTS.GOV. The funding 
opportunity ID is FTA-2021-002-TRI-WD. Mail and fax submissions will 
not be accepted.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions or need 
additional information about this Notice of Funding Opportunity, you 
may contact Ms. Betty Jackson by phone at (202) 366-1730 or by email at 
[email protected].
    A TDD is available for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing 
at 800.877.8339. Prospective applicants may visit the following website 
for more information: https://www.transit.dot.gov/research-innovation/workforce-development-initiative.

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
G. Federal Awarding Agency Contacts
H. Other Supporting Information

A. Program Description

    This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), under Federal Assistance 
Listing number 20.531, supports FTA's strategic goals and objectives 
through the timely and efficient investment in public transportation. 
The FTA solicits proposals for a cooperative agreement to establish, 
build and manage a Transit Workforce Center (TWC) that is a sustainable 
public transportation workforce development technical assistance 
center. The mission of the TWC is to help transit agencies recruit, 
hire, train, and retain the diverse workforce they need for today and 
tomorrow.
    Even as public transit agencies face daunting workforce development 
challenges--that have been exacerbated by the coronavirus disease 2019 
(COVID-19) public health emergency--there are tremendous opportunities 
for the transit workforce to play a central role in helping achieve 
President Biden's vision for America to Build Back Better.
    Frontline workforce shortages continue, especially in positions 
relating to bus operation and bus maintenance. Addressing these 
shortages by developing a skilled transit workforce will create good-
paying, secure jobs for workers in communities throughout the country.
    A well-trained transit workforce is also central to the United 
States' response to COVID-19. In response to the public health 
emergency, transit agencies have had to train workers on various new 
protocols for drivers and operators to ensure safe operations. In 
addition, deeper and more frequent sanitation and decontamination of 
stations and rolling stock may require new procedures and additional 
workers. Effective workforce training will help keep workers and 
transit riders safe and will speed our recovery from this public health 
emergency.
    In the longer term, technology has the potential to open new doors 
for a well-trained transit workforce. Advanced technologies such as 
smart systems and transit automation, increased rider expectations for 
real-time information, and new service models utilizing shared 
services, micro-transit, and data analytics have the potential to 
transform the transit industry. Training the transit workforce of the 
future is essential to ensuring that the United States remains 
competitive in the global economy.
    The transit workforce will also play a central role in responding 
to the climate crisis. With the increased adoption of energy-efficient 
low- or no-emission vehicles, transit fleets are changing. Maintaining 
these vehicles requires new skill sets, including knowledge of 
electricity, charging systems, and a variety of fuels. These vehicles 
also often require enhancements to maintenance facilities, equipment, 
and protocols. In furtherance of President Biden's Executive Order 
14008, Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad, these changes in 
vehicle technologies will offer ``opportunities to create well-paying 
union jobs to build a modern and sustainable infrastructure, deliver an 
equitable, clean energy future, and put the United States on a path to 
achieve net-zero emissions, economy-wide, by no later than 2050.'' It 
is within this evolving and complex landscape that FTA is launching 
this new resource for transit agencies.
    The TWC will perform two primary programs: 1. Conduct technical 
assistance activities within and for transit agencies that promote more 
effective and efficient training of frontline workers involved in 
public transportation maintenance and operations, which is needed to 
support transformations in public transportation services and assets; 
and 2. Implement technical assistance activities through collaborative 
partnerships between transit agency management and labor, including 
apprenticeships, thereby providing an opportunity to begin addressing 
social inequities that exist in public transit and creating diversity 
within and among the transit industry workforce.
    Over the last ten years, FTA invested more than $20 million for 
Innovative Transit Workforce Development Grants. Over forty-five 
different grants explored projects in several areas, including: (1) New 
Entrants; (2) Incumbent Worker Training; (3) Youth Engagement and 
Outreach; (4) Internships, Apprenticeships, Work-Based Skills Training 
or New Technology Training; and (5) Curriculum Development. FTA 
recently released an evaluation of the 2015 grants, and a summary of 
findings from all the projects (see Section H for links to these 
reports). For just the 2015 grants, over 7,500 individuals participated 
in the various workforce development projects. Many historically 
underserved individuals benefited from these employment projects, 
including veterans, women, racial and ethnic minorities, low-income 
individuals, re-entering citizens, individuals with disabilities, 
persons from immigrant communities, as well as urban, tribal, and rural 
transit providers. The TWC will act as a clearinghouse for previously 
completed Innovative Transit Workforce Development reports, project 
models, training materials and curricula, for ease of dissemination.
    In December 2018, with facilitation from the Transportation 
Learning Center and the National Transit Institute at Rutgers 
University, FTA hosted a two-day gathering of more than two dozen 
transit industry labor and management representatives to engage in in-
depth discussions on frontline workforce training needs across the 
country. This session was held to build on the results of FTA's more 
than 45 workforce projects. The meeting also helped to identify 
immediate, short-term, and long-term training needs for the frontline 
public transportation workforce in the U.S. and ways to develop 
apprenticeship and formal training programs to support these needs. The 
group focused on three key priority areas of the frontline workforce 
development life cycle--Recruitment, Development, and Retention--and 
developed recommended actions for each of these priority areas. The

[[Page 19943]]

synthesis report can be found on FTA's website and is linked in Section 
H.
    The TWC will build upon the results and the findings of these 
investments and meetings and function as a one-stop shop for transit 
agencies, stakeholders and providers to find information and receive 
assistance on all transit workforce related areas. The TWC will help 
agencies identify the best use for the 0.5% of their FTA Urbanized Area 
Formula Program funds eligible for workforce programs. See 49 U.S.C. 
5314(b)(4). The primary activities of the TWC are to:
    1. Provide public transportation workforce development technical 
assistance to public transit agencies;
    2. Provide targeted workforce development training to public 
transit agencies as funds allow, if not provided by the National 
Transit Institute;
    3. Develop roadmaps for public transportation agency workforce 
functions and personnel that address readiness for implementing 
transformative technologies and practices;
    4. Develop outreach and marketing materials on promising workforce 
development projects for dissemination to public transit agencies;
    5. Lead workforce strategic planning activities for public transit 
agencies and FTA;
    6. Create a sustainable funding model among its partnerships to 
continue after FTA's initial funding ends; and
    7. Develop key performance metrics as well as identify dataset 
needs and data analytic activities to monitor trends in public 
transportation workforce needs and issues, including identification of 
areas to further diversity, equity and inclusion.
    The TWC will be managed by the recipient of the cooperative 
agreement in coordination with FTA headquarters staff. It will be the 
first FTA-funded technical assistance resource to support public 
transit workforce development. Eligible applicants are national 
nonprofit organizations with a demonstrated capacity to develop and 
provide workforce development programs through labor management 
partnerships and apprenticeships.
    This Notice solicits competitive proposals addressing the mission, 
goals, and tasks set forth for this new TWC, provides instructions for 
submitting proposals, and describes the evaluation criteria for 
proposal selection.
    This announcement is available on the FTA website at: https://www.fta.dot.gov/grants/130707.html. A synopsis of this funding 
opportunity will be posted in the ``FIND'' module of the government-
wide, electronic grants website called GRANTS.GOV, which can be 
accessed at this web address: https://www.grants.gov.

B. Federal Award Information

    FTA will award the TWC as a cooperative agreement to a national 
nonprofit organization with a demonstrated capacity to develop and 
provide workforce development programs though labor management 
partnerships and apprenticeships. This cooperative agreement will be 
managed by the FTA Workforce Program manager in its headquarters 
office. FTA will fund up to 100 percent of the initial project, with a 
maximum of $5 million available for the first two years of the 
cooperative agreement with a start date to be determined in 2021, but 
FTA may give priority consideration to proposals that include local 
match. The local match can be derived through in-kind activities not 
funded by the Federal Government and match from other Federal Agencies 
as noted in the Coordinated Council on Access and Mobility resources on 
match. Applicants are particularly encouraged to find ways to leverage 
both FTA and Department of Labor funds and programs. Additional funding 
may be provided by other strategic partners to address critical transit 
workforce issues. Subsequent funding from FTA will depend upon 
decisions and program priorities established by the Secretary of 
Transportation, future authorizations and appropriations, and the TWC's 
annual performance reviews.
    The maximum period of performance covered by the award amount shall 
not exceed twenty-four (24) months from the date of execution in FTA's 
electronic grants management system.
    The FTA Administrator will determine the amount of funds to be 
awarded in the cooperative agreement, up to $5 million. This funding 
opportunity will be awarded under the terms of a cooperative agreement.

C. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

    Eligible lead applicants are national nonprofit organizations 
capable of a national reach with a demonstrated capacity to develop and 
provide workforce development programs though labor management 
partnerships, apprenticeships, among other applicable methods. The lead 
applicant may partner with other organizations as described below.
    The cooperative agreement will be between FTA and the selected 
organization, which must have a primary or substantial interest in 
performing a majority of the work in the project and must not simply 
act as a pass-through for funds. Applicants may apply individually or 
in a group of eligible applicants. The group of eligible applicants 
must include a lead applicant as the primary recipient of Federal 
funds. Individuals, for-profit entities, and other Federal agencies are 
ineligible to apply for this funding.

2. Cost Sharing

    The FTA will fund up to 100 percent Federal share, but may give 
priority consideration to proposals that include local match.

D. Application and Submission Information

1. Address To Request Application Package

    Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov. 
Mail and fax submissions will not be accepted. A complete proposal 
submission will consist of at least two files: (1) The Standard Form 
(SF) 424 Application for Federal Assistance, and (2) a narrative 
application document in Microsoft Word, Adobe Acrobat, or compatible 
file format. The SF-424 can be downloaded from Grants.gov. The required 
form and content of the narrative application are described below.

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 applicant should 
submit a project narrative statement describing:
    i. The methodology for addressing the project goals, objectives, 
activities, deliverables, milestones, timeline and

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intended outcomes for achieving the goals outlined in the scope for the 
first year;
    ii. The methodology for measuring the outputs, and benefits of the 
proposed project for which Federal assistance is being requested;
    iii. The methodology used to develop performance measures and a 
data plan showing how the TWC team will assess success;
    iv. How the applicant demonstrates an understanding of public 
transportation workforce needs, both broadly at a strategic level, and 
more specifically, at functional levels both for what types of skills/
roles transit agencies need to succeed today and in the future;
    v. The applicants' awareness not only of frontline worker needs, 
but also of new transit worker needs, associated with emerging 
technologies and service models;
    vi. The applicants' dedication to and focus on furthering diversity 
and equity for transit workers;
    vii. The applicants' dedication to and focus on emerging technology 
areas, including those relevant to responding to the climate crisis;
    viii. The existing and future capacity of the organization to 
address the issues outlined in the proposal;
    ix. A detailed plan for communication, technical assistance, and 
outreach at the State and local levels;
    x. A detailed plan to address the three recommendations from the 
Government Accountability Office's (GAO) report dated May 6, 2019, 
titled ``Transit Workforce Development: Improved Strategic Planning 
Practices Could Enhance FTA Efforts, GAO-19-290'';
    xi. A plan to work with stakeholders and build partnerships at the 
national level; and
    xii. Staff qualifications including: (1) Prior experience providing 
technical assistance, especially related to public transit agencies' 
workforce development needs for all modes of public transit across 
urban, tribal, and rural entities, (2) prior experience implementing 
the other tasks outlined in this solicitation, (3) staff members' 
knowledge of issues related to the recruiting, hiring, training and 
retaining the diverse workforce needed now and in the future, and (4) a 
one-page biographical sketch for each staff member.
    e. Additional Project Narrative Context. The application also 
should discuss how the recipient will perform the following short- and 
long-term activities:
    Short-Term Activities:
    (1) Hiring needed staff and setting up the new center, including 
developing an interactive website that houses and delivers a library of 
workforce development tools, topics, articles, best practices; acts as 
a clearinghouse for transit workforce information; and facilitates 
outreach.
    (2) Developing an online fully functional workflow system TWC Help 
Desk that will enable email and phone technical assistance inquiries 
and responses on workforce development questions/topics; this system 
should be able to gather performance measures that track web-analytics, 
technical assistance requests, time to resolution of requests, types of 
requests, and enable a quarterly report to FTA on what activities have 
been completed, how many people have received assistance; the cost of 
that assistance; and the satisfaction of those who sought assistance.
    (3) Creating a draft transit workforce development strategic plan 
and submitting it to FTA within six weeks of award that notes key 
workforce functions needed today and those that will need to be 
developed for the future.
    (4) Based upon the final workforce strategic plan, develop 
recruitment, training and retention standards and best practices for 
both urban and rural transit entities operating all transit modes.
    (5) Make recommendations to FTA on the data needs to help track and 
assess public transit workforce needs.
    Long-term/ongoing activities:
    (1) Promoting promising practices resulting from more than 45 FTA-
funded workforce projects over the last ten years, through videos, 
pamphlets, and webinars;
    (2) Providing a mentor/training program for transit instructors as 
resident instructors;
    (3) Tracking and sharing results from successful apprenticeship 
programs;
    (4) Providing peer-to-peer meeting exchanges and collaboration 
opportunities, while expanding dialogue with transit workforce industry 
partners and fostering relationships with other non-traditional Federal 
partners, in an effort to address social inequities and lack of racial 
diversity within and among the transit industry workforce;
    (5) Developing written and electronic training materials that 
explain how to leverage funds from partners and to use the half percent 
available from some FTA formula funds (currently totaling over $30 
Million annually) for workforce development/human resource activities;
    (6) Developing a feedback system that enables opportunities for 
improvement of the Center's customer service, programs and processes; 
and
    (7) Conducting an evaluation of the Center and its activities.
    f. Evaluation Plan. Plan for evaluation of TWC, technical 
assistance center activities and performance measures (not to exceed 5 
pages).
    g. Supplemental Materials. Supplemental materials, such as letters 
of support, can be included in appendices that are beyond the page 
limit above but are not to exceed 15 additional pages.
    h. Geographic Location, Target Groups, and Emphasis Areas. Give a 
precise location or locations of the proposed partners, while 
identifying their area(s) of expertise, and impacts expected from their 
direct involvement in the Center. Information or other graphic aids may 
be attached as needed.
    i. Strategic Partners. FTA expects bidders to develop a broad base 
of partnerships for the TWC. Though there should be one overall 
responsible party, the approach to the work should be through a 
consortium, where different, experienced, organizations work together 
to meet the diverse needs of public transit agencies.
    To be eligible for funding under this NOFO, applicants must 
demonstrate that the proposed project is supported by the primary 
eligible applicant in partnership with labor and management 
organizations and other external partners as needed.
    Partner entities to the lead applicant could include, but are not 
limited to:
    (1) Operators of public transportation.
    (2) Educational institutions, which include entities providing 
professional accreditation, apprenticeship programs, degree, and/or 
certification programs, such as universities, community colleges, or 
trade schools, either non-profit or for-profit.
    (3) Public workforce investment systems, such as local Workforce 
Investment Boards and their one-stop systems.
    (4) Labor organizations, such as labor unions and labor management 
organizations.
    (5) Non-profit organizations that support the mission of transit 
and transportation workforce development.
    An applicant should include a letter of confirmed support from each 
partner as part of its application. Applicants also must include 
sufficient evidence of the partnership. Sufficient evidence may include 
a memorandum of agreement or letter of intent signed by all parties 
that describes the parties'

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roles, responsibilities and financial commitment in the proposed 
project.

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

    Each applicant is required to: (i) Be registered in SAM before 
submitting its application; (ii) provide a valid unique entity 
identifier in its application; and (iii) continue to maintain an active 
SAM registration with current information at all times during which it 
has an active Federal award or an application or plan under 
consideration by a Federal awarding agency. FTA may not make a Federal 
award to an applicant until the applicant has complied with all 
applicable unique entity identifier and SAM requirements and, if an 
applicant has not fully complied with the requirements by the time FTA 
is ready to make a Federal award, FTA may determine that the applicant 
is not qualified to receive a Federal award and use that determination 
as a basis for making award to another applicant. Non-federal entities 
that have received a federal award are required to report certain 
civil, criminal, or administrative proceedings to SAM (currently the 
Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System (FAPIIS)) 
to ensure registration information is current and comply with federal 
requirements. Applicants should reference 2 CFR 200.113, for more 
information.

4. Submission Dates and Time

    Project proposals must be submitted electronically through the 
GRANTS.GOV website at https://www.Grants.GOV by 11:59 p.m. Eastern time 
on May 10, 2021. Applications submitted after the deadline will not be 
accepted. Prospective applicants should initiate the process by 
registering on the GRANTS.GOV website promptly to ensure completion of 
the application process before the submission deadline.
    FTA suggests applicants begin the registration process on 
GRANTS.GOV well in advance of the deadline and submit applications at 
least 72 hours prior to the deadline, 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.

5. Funding Restrictions

    Proposed projects under the TWC must provide direct support to 
public transit agency workforce development goals and objectives. 
Capital expenses such as equipment purchases are not considered to be 
eligible costs unless they directly relate to the workforce development 
program being supported by FTA funds. Acceptable costs can include but 
are not limited to faculty or instructors, technology and start-up 
costs for information technology systems and website resources, subject 
matter expert consultants in workforce development areas as needed, 
salaries and fringe benefits of direct staff, support staff, classroom 
space, books, materials and supplies, and transportation stipends for 
students.
    The FTA funds under this program are not intended as an offset to 
regular transit agency employee salaries and may not be used to cover 
the regular or overtime salaries of employees at transit agencies 
offering training. Funds may be used to cover the costs of staff 
directly engaged in a program management or training role at an agency.
    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. 
Allowable direct and indirect expenses must be consistent with the 
Governmentwide Uniform Administrative Requirements and Cost Principles 
(2 CFR part 200) and FTA Circular 5010.1E.

6. Other Submission Requirements

    Complete proposals for the Transit Workforce Center (TWC) must be 
submitted electronically through the GRANTS.GOV website by 11:59 p.m. 
Eastern time on May 10, 2021. Late applications will not be accepted. 
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.
    Applicants may submit more than one proposal. However, each 
proposal must not be duplicative. Submission of multiple proposals from 
a single entity will not increase that entity's chances of being 
awarded funding.
    In addition to submittal in GRANTS.GOV, proposers are encouraged to 
begin the process of registration on the GRANTS.GOV website 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) (formerly the Central Contracting Registry (CCR) system) is 
required; 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.
    Within 24 to 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 reasons for the 
failed validation, as described in the email notice, and resubmit 
before the submission deadline. If making a resubmission for any 
reasons, include all original attachments regardless of which 
attachments were updated and check the box on the supplemental form 
indicating this is a resubmission. FTA strongly encourages 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.
    Eligible entities must have or must secure a DUNS number for the 
purposes of formal application and potential entry into a cooperative 
agreement with FTA. The DUNS number is a unique nine-character number 
that identifies your organization. It is a tool of the Federal 
government to track how Federal money is distributed. Each FTA 
applicant's DUNS number will be maintained as part of the applicant's 
profile. This number can be obtained free through the Dun and 
Bradstreet (D&B) website (https://www.dnb.com/US/duns_update/).
    In addition, each entity that applies and does not have an 
exemption under 2 CFR 25.110 must:
     Be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) 
prior to submitting an application or plan (www.sam.gov), and
     Maintain an active SAM registration with current 
information at all times during which it has an active Federal award or 
an application or plan under consideration by an agency.

[[Page 19946]]

E. Application Review Information

1. Criteria

    FTA will assess the extent to which a proposal addresses the 
following criteria:
    a. Innovation in Technical Assistance Provision--FTA will evaluate 
the extent to which an applicant identifies a unique or innovative 
approach in providing technical assistance to address workforce 
development issues in public transit.
    b. Outreach, Marketing and Training Capacity for the Transit 
Workforce--FTA will evaluate whether an applicant's proposal 
demonstrates the ability to carry out outreach, marketing and training 
activities that focus on current and emerging transit workforce needs. 
Additionally, the applicant must be able to identify, develop, share 
and implement outreach, marketing and workforce training models.
    c. Strategic Partnership Development--FTA will evaluate whether 
proposals demonstrate an ability to develop long-standing and strong 
transit workforce partnerships among current industry partners, new 
partners and within the Federal Government.
    d. Project Management and Organizational Capacity--FTA will 
evaluate the capacity of the applicant and its required partners to 
effectively staff the proposed initiative and deliver the proposed 
outcomes, as well as the fiscal, administrative, and performance 
management capacity in implementing key components (e.g. technical 
assistance, outreach and marketing, etc.) of this project.
    e. Promotion of Workforce Diversity and Equity--FTA will evaluate 
the extent to which the applicant demonstrates a dedication to and 
focus on furthering diversity and equity for transit workers.
    f. Emphasis on Emerging Technology--FTA will evaluate the extent to 
which the applicant demonstrates a dedication to and focus on transit 
workforce development in emerging technology areas, including 
technologies relevant to responding to the climate crisis.
    g. Sustainability of Center--FTA will evaluate the extent to which 
the applicants and required partners demonstrate a results-oriented 
approach to managing, operating and sustaining a technical assistance 
center after receiving initial FTA funding. In doing so, FTA will 
evaluate the track record of the applicants and its required partners, 
to implement projects of similar focus, size, and scope.

2. Review and Selection Process

    A technical evaluation committee will review proposals under the 
project selection criteria. Members of the technical evaluation 
committee and the FTA Workforce Program Manager will screen each 
application for eligibility and rate the applications it receives, and 
may seek clarification from any applicant about any statement in its 
application that FTA finds ambiguous or to request additional 
documentation to be considered during the evaluation process to clarify 
information contained within the proposal. FTA may fund successful 
applications at up to 100 percent of project costs, and non-Federal 
matching contributions are not required. However, FTA may give priority 
consideration to applications that include non-Federal match. After 
consideration of the findings of the technical evaluation committee, 
the FTA Administrator will determine the final selection.

3. FAPIIS Check

    FTA, prior to making a Federal award with a total amount of Federal 
share greater than the simplified acquisition threshold, 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 the Office of Management and Budget's Uniform Requirements 
for Federal Awards (2 CFR 200.206).

F. Federal Award Administration

1. Federal Award Notice

    After the FTA Administrator has selected the proposal to be funded, 
the successful applicant will be notified by email or telephone of 
their status.

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

a. Notification of Award
    Upon notification of intent to award funds, FTA may withdraw its 
offer to provide Federal assistance if the recipient does not provide a 
formal application consistent with its proposal submission within 90 
days following the date of the offer.
b. Execution of the FTA Agreement
    The successful applicant will be instructed by FTA on how to 
execute their cooperative agreement in FTA's electronic grants 
management system.
c. Start Date and Incurred Costs
    Absent special circumstances, costs incurred prior to FTA award are 
not eligible as project expenses. The recipient may begin to incur 
project costs when the project is executed in FTA's Transit Award 
Management System (TrAMS). FTA expects recipients to implement the 
projects awarded as soon as possible and to fully expend grant funds 
during the period of performance, recognizing that full transparency 
and accountability are required for all expenditures.
d. Standard Assurances
    Selected recipients must comply with all Federal statutes, 
regulations, executive orders, directives, FTA circulars, and other 
Federal administrative requirements in carrying out project supported 
activities by this FTA award. In addition to these requirements, 
recipients and sub-recipients of FTA funds are required to submit the 
Certifications and Assurances before entering into a grant or 
cooperative agreement, if there is no current certifications and 
assurances documents on file.
e. Statement of Work
    Once selected for award, the recipient is asked to outline a plan 
of action, organized by work task, timelines, pertaining to the scope 
and detail of how the proposed work will be accomplished. List 
estimated milestone dates and performance measures/goals for major 
activities and products which are SMART--specific, measurable, 
achievable, relevant, and timebound. Activities should be justified in 
terms of eligible program activities and proposals should clearly 
demonstrate the connection between the planned work and at least one of 
the specific program activities cited. The Statement of Work also 
should address supporting activities, such as marketing plans for 
engaging participants and/or

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dissemination strategies for sharing the results, if such are critical 
to the success of the supported program. There is a sense of urgency to 
set-up and implement this center, and FTA is dedicated to moving 
quickly once a final recipient is selected. Once selected, the 
applicant will have 60 days to work with the FTA assigned program 
manager to set-up, reserve and obligate the project within the FTA 
electronic grant making system. Applicants are encouraged to develop 
statements of work that can be easily edited and modified into a TrAMS 
application. This cooperative agreement will be managed from FTA's 
headquarters office.
    Note: FTA, and any additional funding agencies, will participate in 
activities by negotiating the final statement of work, attending review 
meetings, commenting on technical reports, maintaining frequent contact 
with the project manager, approving key decisions and activities, and 
redirecting project activities, as needed.
    Explain how your organization and the proposed partners' staff, 
systems, and experience will enable success in the development, 
implementation, and management of this new workforce development 
technical assistance center. Describe your specific approach, and how 
its innovative aspects have potential for nationwide or regional return 
on investments and sustainability. In addition to innovative workforce 
practices, cite the unique features of your services, such as design or 
technological innovations, reductions in cost or time, jobs created, 
new jobs facilitated, environmental benefits, internships/
apprenticeships created, benefits to transit employees, or social and 
community involvement. Finally, identify uncertainties and external 
factors that could affect the schedule, cost, success, or 
sustainability of the Center. Supporting documentation may be provided 
as an attachment that will not count toward the total page limit.
f. Independent Evaluation
    The selected recipient and its sub-recipients will be subject to 
evaluation by an independent evaluator selected and funded separately 
by FTA. Recipients will be required to coordinate with the independent 
evaluator to assist in developing an evaluation plan; and collecting, 
sorting, and managing data required to fulfill that evaluation plan, 
including providing documentation for all costs associated with the 
project.
g. Draft Workforce Metrics
    The recipient funded here will be required to support efforts of 
FTA or its designee in the evaluation of the project and its outcomes 
against a set of workforce metrics.
h. Data Access & Data Sharing
    Recipients funded under this announcement will be required to 
gather and share all relevant and required data with FTA within 
appropriate and agreed-upon timelines, to support any project 
evaluations.
    In response to the White House Office of Science and Technology 
Policy memorandum, dated February 22, 2013, entitled ``Increasing 
Access to the Results of Federally Funded Scientific Research,'' the 
Department is incorporating Public Access requirements into all funding 
award (e.g. grants, cooperative agreements, etc.) for scientific 
research. Recipients are required to include these obligations in any-
sub-awards or other related funding agreements.
    Recipients must remove all Confidential Business Information (CBI) 
or PII information before providing public access to any project data. 
All appropriate data are to be accessible to FTA and/or the public for 
a minimum of five (5) years after the period of performance has 
expired.
    Recipients and sub-recipients must make available to FTA copies of 
all work developed in performance of a project funded under this 
announcement, including but not limited to software and data.
i. Knowledge Transfer
    Recipients and sub-recipients may be asked, during the period of 
performance, to participate in information exchange meetings, webinars, 
or outreach events to support FTA's goal of advancing models of success 
and information that is helping to address the critical workforce 
issues.

3. Reporting

    Post-award reporting requirements include the electronic submission 
of Federal Financial Reports and Milestone Progress Reports in FTA's 
electronic grants management system. Applicant should include any 
goals, targets, and indicators referenced in their application in the 
Executive Summary of the TrAMS application.
    As part of completing the annual certifications and assurances 
required of FTA recipients, a successful applicant must report on the 
suspension or debarment status of itself and its principals. If the 
award recipient's active grants, cooperative agreements, and 
procurement contracts from all Federal awarding agencies exceeds 
$10,000,000 for any period of time during the period of performance of 
an award made pursuant to this Notice, the recipient must comply with 
the Recipient integrity and Performance Matters reporting requirements 
described in Appendix XII to 2 CFR part 200.

G. Federal Awarding Agency Contacts

    If you have questions or need additional information about this 
Notice of Funding Opportunity, you may contact Ms. Betty Jackson by 
phone at 202.366.1730 or by email at [email protected]. A TDD is 
available for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing at 
800.877.8339. Prospective applicants may visit the following websites 
for more information: https://www.fta.dot.gov.
    For more on managing projects in accordance with FTA Circular 
6100.1E: Transit Research and Technology Programs: Application 
Instructions and Program Management Guidelines: https://www.transit.dot.gov/sites/fta.dot.gov/files/docs/FTA_Cir_6100.1E.docx_4.08.2015_%282%29_0.pdf. This Circular includes 
requirements on project management and administration including 
quarterly reporting, financial management, and payment.
    For general program information, please use the contact information 
identified in the front of this notice. Please contact the GRANTS.GOV 
Helpdesk for assistance with electronic applications at https://www.grants.gov. You also may contact [email protected] or call toll-
free (800.518.4726).

H. Other Supporting Information

    a. FTA Annual Report on Technical Assistance and Workforce 
Development for FY 2018--https://www.transit.dot.gov/sites/fta.dot.gov/files/docs/research-innovation/132006/fta-annual-report-technical-assistnce-and-workforce-development-fy-2018-ftareportno0132_0.pdf.
    b. Advancing Frontline Workforce Development Meeting: Synthesis 
(Report 0154) (2018)--https://www.transit.dot.gov/research-innovation/advancing-frontline-workforce-development-meeting-synthesis-report-0154.
    c. Innovative Transit Workforce Development Projects of 2015: 
Summative Evaluation (Report-0153)--https://www.transit.dot.gov/research-innovation/innovative-transit-workforce-development-projects-2015-summative-evaluation.

[[Page 19948]]

    d. Innovative Transit Workforce Development Projects of 2012: 
Summative Evaluation--https://www.transit.dot.gov/sites/fta.dot.gov/files/docs/research-innovation/130981/innovative-transit-workforce-development-projects-2012-summative-evaluation-fta-report-no0128_0.pdf.
    e. Innovative Transit Workforce Development Projects of 2011 Report 
(0094)--https://www.transit.dot.gov/research-innovation/innovative-transit-workforce-development-projects-2011-report-report-0094.
    f. Innovative Transit Workforce Development Program: Key Lessons 
Learned (Report 0139)--https://www.transit.dot.gov/research-innovation/innovative-transit-workforce-development-program-key-lessons-learned-report-0139.
    g. Transit Workforce Development: Improved Strategic Planning 
Practices Could Enhance FTA Efforts, GAO-19-290--https://www.gao.gov/assets/700/697562.pdf.
    h. Summary of Workforce Development Summit Proceedings--https://www.transit.dot.gov/research-innovation/summary-workforce-development-summit-proceedings-report-0096.
    i. All of FTA's Research Reports and Publications can be found 
here: https://www.transit.dot.gov/research-innovation/fta-reports-and-publications.

Nuria I. Fernandez,
Deputy Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2021-07749 Filed 4-14-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-57-P