Fiscal Year 2021 Competitive Funding Opportunity: Route Planning Restoration Program, 51220-51224 [2021-19735]
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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 175 / Tuesday, September 14, 2021 / Notices
advice to FMCSA on ‘‘medical
standards for operators of commercial
motor vehicles that will ensure that the
physical condition of operators of
commercial motor vehicles is adequate
to enable them to operate the vehicles
safely.’’ The MRB operates in
accordance with FACA under the terms
of the MRB charter, filed November 25,
2019.
II. Agenda
At the meeting, the agenda will cover
MRB’s consideration of the U.S. Food
and Drug Administration’s June 30,
2021 announcement regarding the
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assist medical examiners on the
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drivers who use these CPAPs on
identifying reliable sources of
information concerning options for
drivers with machines covered by the
recall.
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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
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CONTACT section on the topics to be
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Table of Contents
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
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 Contacts
H. Other Information
Federal Transit Administration
A. Program Description
Larry W. Minor,
Associate Administrator for Policy.
[FR Doc. 2021–19803 Filed 9–13–21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–EX–P
Fiscal Year 2021 Competitive Funding
Opportunity: Route Planning
Restoration Program
Federal Transit Administration
(FTA), Department of Transportation
(DOT).
ACTION: Notice of Funding Opportunity
(NOFO).
AGENCY:
The Federal Transit
Administration (FTA) announces the
opportunity to apply for $25,000,000 in
Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 funding under the
Route Planning Restoration Program
(Federal Assistance Listing: 20.505). As
required by Federal public
transportation law and subject to
funding availability, funds will be
awarded competitively to support
planning designed to (i) increase
ridership and reduce travel times, while
maintaining or expanding the total level
of vehicle revenue miles of service
provided in the planning period; or (ii)
make service adjustments to increase
the quality or frequency of service
provided to low-income riders and
disadvantaged neighborhoods or
communities. FTA may award
additional funding that is made
available to the program prior to the
announcement of project selections.
DATES: Complete proposals must be
submitted through the GRANTS.GOV
‘‘APPLY’’ function by 11:59 p.m. EDT
November 15, 2021. Prospective
applicants should initiate the process by
registering on the GRANTS.GOV
website promptly to ensure completion
of registration before the submission
deadline. Instructions for applying can
be found on FTA’s website at https://
www.transit.dot.gov/howtoapply and in
the ‘‘FIND’’ module of GRANTS.GOV.
The GRANTS.GOV funding opportunity
ID is FTA–2021–007–TPE. Mail and fax
submissions will not be accepted.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Colby McFarland, FTA Office of
Planning and Environment, (202) 366–
1648, or Colby.McFarland@dot.gov. A
TDD is available at 1–800–877–8339
(TDD/FIRS).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
SUMMARY:
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The American Rescue Plan Act of
2021 (Pub. L. 117–2, March 11, 2021)
provides funds to eligible applicants for
the planning of public transportation
associated with the restoration of transit
service as the coronavirus disease 2019
(COVID–19) pandemic subsides. This
funding opportunity is being announced
under Federal Assistance Listing
Number 20.505.
FTA will competitively award grants
to undertake transit route planning
activities that are designed to (i)
increase ridership and reduce travel
times, while maintaining or expanding
the total level of vehicle revenue miles
of service provided in the planning
period; or (ii) make service adjustments
to increase the quality or frequency of
service provided to low-income riders
and disadvantaged neighborhoods or
communities. Route Planning
Restoration Program grant projects may
be in partnership with other local
governmental entities, non-profits,
social service organizations, or housing
agencies, among others to identify
barriers to opportunity for low-income
riders and disadvantaged neighborhoods
and communities that are dependent on
transit.
This program supports FTA’s strategic
goals and objectives through timely and
efficient investment in public
transportation. This program supports
the President’s plan to mobilize
American ingenuity to build a modern
infrastructure and an equitable future.
By planning for the restoration of transit
service that increases access for
environmental justice populations,
utilizes equity-focused community
outreach and public engagement of
underserved communities, and adopts
equity-focused policies, this NOFO
advances the goals of Executive Order
13985: Advancing Racial Equity and
Support for Underserved Communities
Through the Federal Government.
Additionally, intelligent route planning
and transit service restoration can help
reduce greenhouse gas emissions, in
support of Executive Order 13990:
Protecting Public Health and the
Environment and Restoring Science to
Tackle Climate Crisis; and Executive
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Order 14008: Tackling the Climate
Crisis at Home and Abroad.
B. Federal Award Information
FTA intends to award all available
funding ($25 million) in the form of
grants to selected applicants responding
to this NOFO. Additional funds made
available prior to project selection may
be allocated to eligible projects. Only
proposals from eligible recipients for
eligible activities will be considered for
funding. FTA anticipates maximum
grant awards of $1,000,000.
C. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants
Applicants must be eligible recipients
under Section 5307 of Title 49, United
States Code (FTA’s Urbanized Area
Formula Grants program), as of the
publication date of this NOFO on
GRANTS.GOV.
Additionally, applicants must have
experienced a reduction in transit
service any time on or after January 20,
2020, as a result of the COVID–19
pandemic.
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2. Cost Sharing or Matching
The Federal funding share is 100
percent. FTA will not review more
favorably applications that propose nonFederal funding contributions.
3. Eligible Projects
Projects must be associated with a
public transportation service area that
experienced a reduction in transit
services from pre-pandemic levels any
time on or after January 20, 2020, as a
result of the COVID–19 pandemic. Any
planning activities proposed for funding
must be designed to (i) increase
ridership and reduce travel times, while
maintaining or expanding the total level
of vehicle revenue miles of service
provided in the planning period; or (ii)
make service adjustments to increase
the quality or frequency of service
provided to low-income riders and
disadvantaged neighborhoods or
communities. For a discussion of
eligible planning activities, applicants
should refer to FTA Circular
C8100.1D—Program Guidance for
Metropolitan Planning and State
Planning and Research Program Grants,
and FTA Circular 9030.1E—Urbanized
Area Formula Program: Program
Guidance and Application Instructions.
Eligible applicants should utilize the
definition of ‘‘low-income individual’’
in 49 U.S.C. 5302(11) when considering
the service provided to ‘‘low-income
riders’’ and the definitions of ‘‘minority
population’’ and ‘‘low-income
population’’ found in FTA Circular
C4702.1B—Title VI Requirements and
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Guidelines for Federal Transit
Administration Recipients when
considering the service provided to
‘‘disadvantaged neighborhoods or
communities’’ for the purposes of this
program.
FTA will not make awards for:
a. Capital, operating, or maintenance
activities;
b. Route planning specifically related
to transitioning public transportation
service provided as of the date of receipt
of funds to a transportation network
company or other third-party contract
provider, unless the existing provider of
public transportation service is a thirdparty contract provider; or
c. Route planning focused on public
transportation service areas that have
not experienced a reduction in service
any time on or after January 20, 2020,
as a result of the COVID–19 pandemic.
D. Application and Submission
Information
1. Address To Request Application
Package
A complete proposal submission
includes two forms: The Standard Form
(SF)–424 Application for Federal
Assistance (downloaded from
GRANTS.GOV) and the supplemental
form for the FY 2021 Route Planning
Restoration Program (downloaded from
GRANTS.GOV or the FTA website at
www.transit.dot.gov.
2. Content and Form of Application
Submission
A complete proposal must include a
completed SF–424 and the following
documents attached to the
‘‘Attachments’’ section of the SF–424:
i. A supplemental form for the Route
Planning Restoration Program. The
information on the supplemental form
will be used to determine applicant and
project eligibility for the program, and
to evaluate the proposal against the
selection criteria described in Part E of
this notice; and
ii. A map of the proposed study area
showing the transit routes, low-income
and other disadvantaged neighborhoods
or communities, major roadways, major
landmarks, and the geographic
boundaries of the proposed planning
activities.
FTA will accept only one
supplemental form per SF–424
submission.
Applicants may attach additional
supporting information to the SF–424
submission, including but not limited to
letters of support, project budgets,
relevant data, or excerpts from relevant
planning documents. Supporting
documentation must be described and
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referenced by file name in the
appropriate response section of the
supplemental form, or it may not be
reviewed.
A complete application must include
responses to all sections of the SF–424
and the supplemental form. Information
such as the applicant’s name, Federal
amount requested, and description of
the study area are requested in varying
degrees of detail on both the SF–424
and supplemental form. Applicants
must fill in all fields unless stated
otherwise on the forms. Applicants
should not place ‘‘N/A’’ or ‘‘refer to
attachment’’ in lieu of typing in
responses in the field sections.
Applicants should use both the ‘‘Check
Package for Errors’’ and the ‘‘Validate
Form’’ buttons on both forms to check
all required fields, and ensure the
Federal amounts requested are
consistent.
The SF–424 and supplemental form
will prompt applicants to address the
following items:
i. Provide the name of the lead
applicant and, if applicable, the specific
co-sponsors submitting the application.
ii. Provide the applicant’s Dun and
Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering
System (DUNS) number.
iii. Provide contact information
including: Contact name, title, address,
phone number, and email address.
iv. Specify the Congressional
district(s) where the planning project
will take place.
v. Identify the project title and project
scope to be funded, including
anticipated substantial deliverables and
the milestones at when they will be
provided to FTA.
vi. Identify and describe an eligible
transit planning project that meets the
requirements of Section C, subsection 3
of this notice.
vii. Address each evaluation criterion
separately, demonstrating how the
project responds to each criterion
described in Section E.
viii. Provide a line-item budget for the
total planning effort, with enough detail
to show the various key components of
the planning project.
ix. Identify the Federal amount
requested.
x. Provide an explanation of the
scalability of the project.
xi. Address whether other Federal
funds have been sought or received for
the planning project.
xii. Provide a schedule and process
for the development of the plan that
includes anticipated dates for
completing major tasks and substantial
deliverables, and for completing the
overall planning effort.
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xiii. Identify potential State, local or
other impediments to the products of
the planning work and its
implementation, and how the
impediments will be addressed.
xiv. Address the extent to which the
proposed activities address climate
change. Applicants should identify any
air quality nonattainment or
maintenance areas under the Clean Air
Act in the planning or study area.
Nonattainment or maintenance areas
should be limited to the following
applicable National Ambient Air
Quality Standards criteria pollutants:
Carbon monoxide, ozone, and
particulate matter 2.5 and 10. The U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency’s
Green Book (available at https://
www.epa.gov/green-book) is a publiclyavailable resource for nonattainment
and maintenance area data. This
consideration will further the goals of
Executive Order 13990: Protecting
Public Health and the Environment and
Restoring Science to Tackle the Climate
Crisis, and Executive Order 14008:
Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and
Abroad.
xv. Describe how the proposed
activities serve environmental justice
populations and other disadvantaged
neighborhoods or communities,
promote racial equity, and reduce
barriers to opportunity.
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3. Unique Entity Identifier and System
for Award Management (SAM)
Each applicant is required to: (1) Be
registered in SAM before submitting an
application; (2) provide a valid unique
entity identifier in its application; and
(3) continue to maintain an active SAM
registration with current information at
all times during which the applicant has
an active Federal award or an
application or plan under consideration
by FTA. 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.
These requirements do not apply if the
applicant is an individual or has an
exemption approved by FTA or the U.S.
Office of Management and Budget
pursuant to 2 CFR 25.110. 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
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unique entity identifier, please visit
www.sam.gov.
4. Submission Dates and Times
Project proposals must be submitted
electronically through GRANTS.GOV by
11:59 p.m. EDT November 15, 2021.
GRANTS.GOV attaches a time stamp to
each application at the time of
submission. Proposals submitted after
the deadline will only be considered
under extraordinary circumstances not
under the applicant’s control.
Applications are time and date stamped
by GRANTS.GOV upon successful
submission. 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.
FTA will then validate the application
and will attempt to notify any
applicants whose applications could not
be validated. If the applicant does not
receive confirmation of successful
validation or a notice of failed
validation or incomplete materials, 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 it is a resubmission. An
application that is submitted at the
deadline and cannot be validated will
be marked as incomplete and will not
receive additional time to re-submit.
FTA urges applicants to submit their
applications at least 96 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
maintenance or outages.
Applicants are encouraged to begin
the registration process on the
GRANTS.GOV site well in advance of
the submission deadline. Registration in
GRANTS.GOV 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 the System for Award
Management (SAM) is renewed
annually and (2) persons making
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submissions on behalf of the Authorized
Organization Representative (AOR)
must be authorized in GRANTS.GOV by
the AOR to make submissions.
5. Funding Restrictions
See Section C of this NOFO for
detailed eligibility requirements. Funds
must be used only for the specific
purposes requested in the application.
Allowable direct and indirect expenses
must be consistent with the
Governmentwide Uniform
Administrative Requirements and Cost
Principles (2 CFR part 200) and FTA
Circular C5010.1E—Award Management
Requirements.
Funds awarded under this NOFO
cannot be used to reimburse projects for
otherwise eligible expenses incurred
prior to an FTA award under this
program. FTA will issue pre-award
authority to incur costs for selected
projects beginning on the date that
project selections are announced. FTA
does not provide pre-award authority
for competitive funds until projects are
selected, and even then, there are
Federal requirements that must be met
before costs are incurred. FTA will issue
specific guidance to awardees regarding
pre-award authority at the time of
selection. For more information about
FTA’s policy on pre-award authority,
please see the most recent
Apportionment Notice on FTA’s
website.
6. Other Submission Requirements
All applications must be submitted
via the GRANTS.GOV website. FTA
does not accept applications on paper,
by fax machine, email, or other means.
For information on application
submission requirements, please see
Section D.1., Address to Request
Application and Section D.4.,
Submission Dates and Times.
E. Application Review Information
1. Criteria
Project proposals will be evaluated
primarily on the responses provided in
the supplemental form. Additional
information may be provided to support
the responses; however, any additional
documentation must be directly
referenced on the supplemental form,
including the file name where the
additional information can be found.
Applications will be evaluated based on
the quality and extent to which the
following evaluation criteria are
addressed.
Applicants are encouraged to identify
scaled funding options in case
insufficient funding is available to fund
a project at the full requested amount.
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If an applicant proposes that a project is
scalable, the applicant must provide an
appropriate minimum funding amount
that will fund an eligible project that
achieves the objectives of the program
and meets all relevant program
requirements. The applicant must
provide a clear explanation of how the
project budget would be affected by a
reduced award.
a. Demonstrated Need
FTA will evaluate each project to
determine the need for funding based on
the following factors:
i. Pre-pandemic service levels versus
current service levels using both
absolute numbers and relative
proportions of service reduction and
elimination of:
a. Service routes and route mileage;
and
b. Scheduled daily hours of service;
and
c. Vehicle-revenue miles of service.
ii. Pre-pandemic versus current levels
of ridership due to reduced or
eliminated services:
a. Number and percentage of all
transit riders impacted by reduced or
eliminated services; and
b. Number and percentage of lowincome transit riders impacted by
reduced or eliminated services.
iii. Pre-pandemic versus current
numbers and percentages of low-income
residents of affected neighborhoods or
communities. Number and percentage of
residents of affected disadvantaged
neighborhoods or communities.
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b. Demonstrated Benefits
FTA will evaluate the potential
benefits of the proposed planning
project based on the extent to which the
public transit route planning activity
would address the following:
i. Transit service levels;
ii. Anticipated ridership;
iii. Anticipated transit travel times;
iv. Improved transit service quality
provided to low-income riders;
v. Improved transit service frequency
provided to low income riders;
vi. Improved transit service quality
provided to disadvantaged
neighborhoods or communities;
vii. Improved transit service
frequency provided to disadvantaged
neighborhoods or communities.
viii. Racial Equity and Barriers to
Opportunity; FTA will evaluate the
extent to which the route planning
study addresses racial equity and
barriers to opportunity, including
automobile dependence as a barrier.
FTA will also consider the extent to
which applications incorporate such
activities as equity-focused community
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outreach and public engagement of lowincome transit riders, disadvantaged
neighborhoods and communities in the
planning process, and adoption of an
equity and inclusion program or plan or
equity-focused policies; and
ix. Environmental Justice. FTA will
evaluate the extent to which the route
planning study will support increased
access to transit for environmental
justice populations and engages such
populations in plan or study
development.
c. Project Implementation Strategy
FTA will evaluate the strength of the
work plan, schedule and process
included in an application based on the
following factors:
i. Extent to which the schedule
contains sufficient detail, identifies all
deliverables and steps needed to
implement the work proposed, and is
achievable;
ii. Extent to which deliverables would
provide guidelines implementing a
realistic sequence of route restoration
steps that could be taken to restore and/
or expand transit service levels to
improve ridership and serve lowincome riders and disadvantaged
neighborhoods or communities;
iii. Extent to which the route planning
process will engage the local public,
including low-income riders and
disadvantaged neighborhoods or
communities, as well as stakeholder
groups; and
iv. Extent to which there is
coordination with city/county local
government agencies, the metropolitan
planning process, local social service
agencies, housing authorities, and
employers.
v. Use of reliable route planning
methods to undertake the route
planning activities to estimate future
ridership, changes in travel times,
increases in vehicle revenue miles, and
quality of transit service.
vi. Use of reliable data and route
planning methods to identify lowincome riders and disadvantaged
communities and neighborhoods and
assess equitable provision of transit
service to low income riders and
disadvantaged neighborhoods or
communities.
vii. Identification of deliverables
(service plans, routing schemes, etc.)
that will be produced from the route
planning study.
d. Technical, Legal, and Financial
Capacity
Applicants must demonstrate they
have the technical, legal, and financial
capacity to undertake the project. FTA
will review relevant oversight
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assessments and records to determine
whether there are any outstanding legal,
technical, or financial issues with the
applicant that would affect the outcome
of the proposed project. Applicants with
unresolved legal, technical, or financial
compliance issues from an FTA
compliance review or Federal grantrelated Single Audit finding must
explain how corrective actions taken
will mitigate negative impacts on the
proposed project.
2. Review and Selection Process
In addition to other FTA staff who
may review the proposals, a technical
evaluation committee will verify each
proposal’s eligibility and evaluate
proposals based on the published
evaluation criteria. Members of the
technical evaluation committee and
other FTA staff may request additional
information from applicants, if
necessary.
Based on the findings of the technical
evaluation committee, the FTA
Administrator will determine the final
selection of projects for program
funding. In determining the allocation
of program funds, FTA may consider
geographic diversity, diversity in the
size of the grant recipients receiving
funding, or the applicant’s receipt of
other competitive awards.
3. Performance and Integrity Review
Prior to making an award, FTA is
required to review and consider any
information about the applicant that is
in the Federal Awardee Performance
and Integrity Information Systems
(FAPIIS) accessible through SAM. An
applicant may review and comment on
information about itself that a Federal
awarding agency previously entered.
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 200.206 Federal awarding agency
review of risk posed by applicants.
F. Federal Award Administration
Information
1. Federal Award Notices
The FTA Administrator will
announce the final project selections on
the FTA website. Selected applicants
should contact their FTA regional office
for additional information regarding
allocations for projects under the Route
Planning Restoration Program.
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2. Administrative and National Policy
Requirements
a. Pre-Award Authority
FTA will issue specific guidance to
recipients regarding pre-award authority
at the time of selection. FTA does not
provide pre-award authority for
competitive funds until projects are
selected and even then, there are
Federal requirements that must be met
before costs are incurred. Funds under
this NOFO cannot be used to reimburse
applicants for otherwise eligible
expenses incurred prior to FTA award
of a Grant Agreement until FTA has
issued pre-award authority for selected
projects, or unless FTA has issued a
‘‘Letter of No Prejudice’’ for the project
before the expenses are incurred. For
more information about FTA’s policy on
pre-award authority, please see the most
recent Apportionment Notice at: https://
www.transit.dot.gov.
b. Grant Requirements
If selected, awardees will apply for a
grant through FTA’s Transit Award
Management System (TrAMS). All
competitive grants, regardless of award
amount, will be subject to the
Congressional Notification and release
process. Technical assistance regarding
these requirements is available from
each FTA regional office.
c. Disadvantaged Business Enterprise
FTA requires its recipients receiving
planning, capital, or operating
assistance that will award prime
contracts exceeding $250,000 in FTA
funds in a Federal fiscal year comply
with the U.S. Department of
Transportation’s Disadvantaged
Business Enterprise (DBE) program
regulations (49 CFR part 26). Applicants
should expect to include any funds
awarded in setting their overall DBE
goal.
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d. Planning
FTA encourages applicants to notify
the appropriate metropolitan planning
organizations in areas likely to be served
by the funds made available under this
program. Selected projects must be
incorporated into the unified planning
work programs of metropolitan areas
before they are eligible for FTA funding
or pre-award authority.
e. Standard Assurances
If selected, the applicant must assure
that it will comply with all applicable
Federal statutes, regulations, executive
orders, directives, FTA circulars, and
other Federal administrative
requirements in carrying out any project
supported by the FTA grant. The
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applicant acknowledges that it will be
under a continuing obligation to comply
with the terms and conditions of the
grant agreement issued for its project
with FTA. The applicant understands
that Federal laws, regulations, policies,
and administrative practices might be
modified from time to time and may
affect the implementation of the project.
The most recent Federal requirements
will apply to the project unless FTA
issues a written determination
otherwise. The applicant must submit
the Certifications and Assurances before
receiving a grant if it does not have
current certifications on file.
3. Reporting
Post-award reporting requirements
include submission of Federal Financial
Reports and Milestone Progress Reports
in FTA’s electronic grants management
system on a quarterly basis. Applicants
should include any goals, targets, and
indicators referenced in their
application to the project in the
Executive Summary of the TrAMS
application. Awardees must also submit
copies of the substantial deliverables
identified in the work plan to the FTA
regional office at the corresponding
milestones.
As part of completing the annual
Certifications and Assurances required
of FTA grant 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 exceed $10,000,000
for any period of time during the period
of performance of an award made
pursuant to this Notice, the recipient
must maintain the currency of
information reported to the System for
Award Management (SAM) that is made
available in the designated integrity and
performance system (currently the
Federal Awardee Performance and
Integrity Information System (FAPIIS))
about civil, criminal, or administrative
proceedings in connection with the
award or performance of a grant,
cooperative agreement, or procurement
contract from the Federal Government.
See Appendix XII to 2 CFR part 200 for
more information.
G. Federal Awarding Agency Contacts
For program-specific questions, please
contact Colby McFarland, Office of
Planning and Environment, (202) 366–
1648, email: Colby.McFarland@dot.gov.
A TDD is available at 1–800–877–8339
(TDD/FIRS). Any addenda that FTA
releases on the application process will
be posted at https://www.transit.dot.gov.
PO 00000
Frm 00127
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
To ensure applicants receive accurate
information about eligibility or the
program, the applicant is encouraged to
contact FTA directly, rather than
through intermediaries or third parties.
FTA staff may also conduct briefings on
the FY 2021 competitive grants
selection and award process upon
request. Contact information for FTA’s
regional offices can be found on FTA’s
website at https://www.transit.dot.gov.
For assistance with GRANTS.GOV,
please contact GRANTS.GOV by phone
at 1–800–518–4726 or by email at
support@grants.gov.
H. Other Program Information
This program is not subject to
Executive Order 12372,
‘‘Intergovernmental Review of Federal
Programs.’’
Nuria I. Fernandez,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2021–19735 Filed 9–13–21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–57–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Maritime Administration
[Docket Number MARAD–2021–0209]
Agency Request for Approval of a New
Information Collection: Mariner Survey
Pre-Test
Maritime Administration,
Department of Transportation.
ACTION: Notice and request for
comments.
AGENCY:
The Maritime Administration
(MARAD) invites public comments
about our intention to request the Office
of Management and Budget (OMB)
approval for a new information
collection. This Mariner Survey Pre-Test
collection provides for cognitive
interviews and a pilot survey of a
sample of appropriately credentialed
U.S. merchant mariners to validate and
improve the study design for a
subsequent Mariner Survey.
DATES: Written comments should be
submitted by November 15, 2021.
MARAD will consider comments filed
after this date to the extent practicable.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
identified by Docket No. MARAD–
2021–0209 through one of the following
methods:
• Electronic Submission: Go to https://
www.regulations.gov. Search by using
the docket number (provided above).
Follow the instructions for submitting
comments on the electronic docket site.
• Mail: Docket Management Facility;
U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\14SEN1.SGM
14SEN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 175 (Tuesday, September 14, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51220-51224]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-19735]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Transit Administration
Fiscal Year 2021 Competitive Funding Opportunity: Route Planning
Restoration Program
AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announces the
opportunity to apply for $25,000,000 in Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 funding
under the Route Planning Restoration Program (Federal Assistance
Listing: 20.505). As required by Federal public transportation law and
subject to funding availability, funds will be awarded competitively to
support planning designed to (i) increase ridership and reduce travel
times, while maintaining or expanding the total level of vehicle
revenue miles of service provided in the planning period; or (ii) make
service adjustments to increase the quality or frequency of service
provided to low-income riders and disadvantaged neighborhoods or
communities. FTA may award additional funding that is made available to
the program prior to the announcement of project selections.
DATES: Complete proposals must be submitted through the GRANTS.GOV
``APPLY'' function by 11:59 p.m. EDT November 15, 2021. Prospective
applicants should initiate the process by registering on the GRANTS.GOV
website promptly to ensure completion of registration before the
submission deadline. Instructions for applying can be found on FTA's
website at https://www.transit.dot.gov/howtoapply and in the ``FIND''
module of GRANTS.GOV. The GRANTS.GOV funding opportunity ID is FTA-
2021-007-TPE. Mail and fax submissions will not be accepted.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Colby McFarland, FTA Office of
Planning and Environment, (202) 366-1648, or [email protected]. A
TDD is available at 1-800-877-8339 (TDD/FIRS).
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 Contacts
H. Other Information
A. Program Description
The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Pub. L. 117-2, March 11,
2021) provides funds to eligible applicants for the planning of public
transportation associated with the restoration of transit service as
the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic subsides. This funding
opportunity is being announced under Federal Assistance Listing Number
20.505.
FTA will competitively award grants to undertake transit route
planning activities that are designed to (i) increase ridership and
reduce travel times, while maintaining or expanding the total level of
vehicle revenue miles of service provided in the planning period; or
(ii) make service adjustments to increase the quality or frequency of
service provided to low-income riders and disadvantaged neighborhoods
or communities. Route Planning Restoration Program grant projects may
be in partnership with other local governmental entities, non-profits,
social service organizations, or housing agencies, among others to
identify barriers to opportunity for low-income riders and
disadvantaged neighborhoods and communities that are dependent on
transit.
This program supports FTA's strategic goals and objectives through
timely and efficient investment in public transportation. This program
supports the President's plan to mobilize American ingenuity to build a
modern infrastructure and an equitable future. By planning for the
restoration of transit service that increases access for environmental
justice populations, utilizes equity-focused community outreach and
public engagement of underserved communities, and adopts equity-focused
policies, this NOFO advances the goals of Executive Order 13985:
Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through
the Federal Government. Additionally, intelligent route planning and
transit service restoration can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions,
in support of Executive Order 13990: Protecting Public Health and the
Environment and Restoring Science to Tackle Climate Crisis; and
Executive
[[Page 51221]]
Order 14008: Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad.
B. Federal Award Information
FTA intends to award all available funding ($25 million) in the
form of grants to selected applicants responding to this NOFO.
Additional funds made available prior to project selection may be
allocated to eligible projects. Only proposals from eligible recipients
for eligible activities will be considered for funding. FTA anticipates
maximum grant awards of $1,000,000.
C. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants
Applicants must be eligible recipients under Section 5307 of Title
49, United States Code (FTA's Urbanized Area Formula Grants program),
as of the publication date of this NOFO on GRANTS.GOV.
Additionally, applicants must have experienced a reduction in
transit service any time on or after January 20, 2020, as a result of
the COVID-19 pandemic.
2. Cost Sharing or Matching
The Federal funding share is 100 percent. FTA will not review more
favorably applications that propose non-Federal funding contributions.
3. Eligible Projects
Projects must be associated with a public transportation service
area that experienced a reduction in transit services from pre-pandemic
levels any time on or after January 20, 2020, as a result of the COVID-
19 pandemic. Any planning activities proposed for funding must be
designed to (i) increase ridership and reduce travel times, while
maintaining or expanding the total level of vehicle revenue miles of
service provided in the planning period; or (ii) make service
adjustments to increase the quality or frequency of service provided to
low-income riders and disadvantaged neighborhoods or communities. For a
discussion of eligible planning activities, applicants should refer to
FTA Circular C8100.1D--Program Guidance for Metropolitan Planning and
State Planning and Research Program Grants, and FTA Circular 9030.1E--
Urbanized Area Formula Program: Program Guidance and Application
Instructions. Eligible applicants should utilize the definition of
``low-income individual'' in 49 U.S.C. 5302(11) when considering the
service provided to ``low-income riders'' and the definitions of
``minority population'' and ``low-income population'' found in FTA
Circular C4702.1B--Title VI Requirements and Guidelines for Federal
Transit Administration Recipients when considering the service provided
to ``disadvantaged neighborhoods or communities'' for the purposes of
this program.
FTA will not make awards for:
a. Capital, operating, or maintenance activities;
b. Route planning specifically related to transitioning public
transportation service provided as of the date of receipt of funds to a
transportation network company or other third-party contract provider,
unless the existing provider of public transportation service is a
third-party contract provider; or
c. Route planning focused on public transportation service areas
that have not experienced a reduction in service any time on or after
January 20, 2020, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
D. Application and Submission Information
1. Address To Request Application Package
A complete proposal submission includes two forms: The Standard
Form (SF)-424 Application for Federal Assistance (downloaded from
GRANTS.GOV) and the supplemental form for the FY 2021 Route Planning
Restoration Program (downloaded from GRANTS.GOV or the FTA website at
www.transit.dot.gov.
2. Content and Form of Application Submission
A complete proposal must include a completed SF-424 and the
following documents attached to the ``Attachments'' section of the SF-
424:
i. A supplemental form for the Route Planning Restoration Program.
The information on the supplemental form will be used to determine
applicant and project eligibility for the program, and to evaluate the
proposal against the selection criteria described in Part E of this
notice; and
ii. A map of the proposed study area showing the transit routes,
low-income and other disadvantaged neighborhoods or communities, major
roadways, major landmarks, and the geographic boundaries of the
proposed planning activities.
FTA will accept only one supplemental form per SF-424 submission.
Applicants may attach additional supporting information to the SF-
424 submission, including but not limited to letters of support,
project budgets, relevant data, or excerpts from relevant planning
documents. Supporting documentation must be described and referenced by
file name in the appropriate response section of the supplemental form,
or it may not be reviewed.
A complete application must include responses to all sections of
the SF-424 and the supplemental form. Information such as the
applicant's name, Federal amount requested, and description of the
study area are requested in varying degrees of detail on both the SF-
424 and supplemental form. Applicants must fill in all fields unless
stated otherwise on the forms. Applicants should not place ``N/A'' or
``refer to attachment'' in lieu of typing in responses in the field
sections. Applicants should use both the ``Check Package for Errors''
and the ``Validate Form'' buttons on both forms to check all required
fields, and ensure the Federal amounts requested are consistent.
The SF-424 and supplemental form will prompt applicants to address
the following items:
i. Provide the name of the lead applicant and, if applicable, the
specific co-sponsors submitting the application.
ii. Provide the applicant's Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal
Numbering System (DUNS) number.
iii. Provide contact information including: Contact name, title,
address, phone number, and email address.
iv. Specify the Congressional district(s) where the planning
project will take place.
v. Identify the project title and project scope to be funded,
including anticipated substantial deliverables and the milestones at
when they will be provided to FTA.
vi. Identify and describe an eligible transit planning project that
meets the requirements of Section C, subsection 3 of this notice.
vii. Address each evaluation criterion separately, demonstrating
how the project responds to each criterion described in Section E.
viii. Provide a line-item budget for the total planning effort,
with enough detail to show the various key components of the planning
project.
ix. Identify the Federal amount requested.
x. Provide an explanation of the scalability of the project.
xi. Address whether other Federal funds have been sought or
received for the planning project.
xii. Provide a schedule and process for the development of the plan
that includes anticipated dates for completing major tasks and
substantial deliverables, and for completing the overall planning
effort.
[[Page 51222]]
xiii. Identify potential State, local or other impediments to the
products of the planning work and its implementation, and how the
impediments will be addressed.
xiv. Address the extent to which the proposed activities address
climate change. Applicants should identify any air quality
nonattainment or maintenance areas under the Clean Air Act in the
planning or study area. Nonattainment or maintenance areas should be
limited to the following applicable National Ambient Air Quality
Standards criteria pollutants: Carbon monoxide, ozone, and particulate
matter 2.5 and 10. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Green
Book (available at https://www.epa.gov/green-book) is a publicly-
available resource for nonattainment and maintenance area data. This
consideration will further the goals of Executive Order 13990:
Protecting Public Health and the Environment and Restoring Science to
Tackle the Climate Crisis, and Executive Order 14008: Tackling the
Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad.
xv. Describe how the proposed activities serve environmental
justice populations and other disadvantaged neighborhoods or
communities, promote racial equity, and reduce barriers to opportunity.
3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM)
Each applicant is required to: (1) Be registered in SAM before
submitting an application; (2) provide a valid unique entity identifier
in its application; and (3) continue to maintain an active SAM
registration with current information at all times during which the
applicant has an active Federal award or an application or plan under
consideration by FTA. 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. These requirements do not apply if the applicant is an
individual or has an exemption approved by FTA or the U.S. Office of
Management and Budget pursuant to 2 CFR 25.110. 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
www.sam.gov.
4. Submission Dates and Times
Project proposals must be submitted electronically through
GRANTS.GOV by 11:59 p.m. EDT November 15, 2021. GRANTS.GOV attaches a
time stamp to each application at the time of submission. Proposals
submitted after the deadline will only be considered under
extraordinary circumstances not under the applicant's control.
Applications are time and date stamped by GRANTS.GOV upon successful
submission. 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. FTA will then
validate the application and will attempt to notify any applicants
whose applications could not be validated. If the applicant does not
receive confirmation of successful validation or a notice of failed
validation or incomplete materials, 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 it is a resubmission. An application that is submitted at
the deadline and cannot be validated will be marked as incomplete and
will not receive additional time to re-submit.
FTA urges applicants to submit their applications at least 96 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 maintenance or outages.
Applicants are encouraged to begin the registration process on the
GRANTS.GOV site well in advance of the submission deadline.
Registration in GRANTS.GOV 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 the System for Award Management (SAM) is renewed
annually and (2) persons making submissions on behalf of the Authorized
Organization Representative (AOR) must be authorized in GRANTS.GOV by
the AOR to make submissions.
5. Funding Restrictions
See Section C of this NOFO for detailed eligibility requirements.
Funds must be used only for the specific purposes requested in the
application. Allowable direct and indirect expenses must be consistent
with the Governmentwide Uniform Administrative Requirements and Cost
Principles (2 CFR part 200) and FTA Circular C5010.1E--Award Management
Requirements.
Funds awarded under this NOFO cannot be used to reimburse projects
for otherwise eligible expenses incurred prior to an FTA award under
this program. FTA will issue pre-award authority to incur costs for
selected projects beginning on the date that project selections are
announced. FTA does not provide pre-award authority for competitive
funds until projects are selected, and even then, there are Federal
requirements that must be met before costs are incurred. FTA will issue
specific guidance to awardees regarding pre-award authority at the time
of selection. For more information about FTA's policy on pre-award
authority, please see the most recent Apportionment Notice on FTA's
website.
6. Other Submission Requirements
All applications must be submitted via the GRANTS.GOV website. FTA
does not accept applications on paper, by fax machine, email, or other
means. For information on application submission requirements, please
see Section D.1., Address to Request Application and Section D.4.,
Submission Dates and Times.
E. Application Review Information
1. Criteria
Project proposals will be evaluated primarily on the responses
provided in the supplemental form. Additional information may be
provided to support the responses; however, any additional
documentation must be directly referenced on the supplemental form,
including the file name where the additional information can be found.
Applications will be evaluated based on the quality and extent to which
the following evaluation criteria are addressed.
Applicants are encouraged to identify scaled funding options in
case insufficient funding is available to fund a project at the full
requested amount.
[[Page 51223]]
If an applicant proposes that a project is scalable, the applicant must
provide an appropriate minimum funding amount that will fund an
eligible project that achieves the objectives of the program and meets
all relevant program requirements. The applicant must provide a clear
explanation of how the project budget would be affected by a reduced
award.
a. Demonstrated Need
FTA will evaluate each project to determine the need for funding
based on the following factors:
i. Pre-pandemic service levels versus current service levels using
both absolute numbers and relative proportions of service reduction and
elimination of:
a. Service routes and route mileage; and
b. Scheduled daily hours of service; and
c. Vehicle-revenue miles of service.
ii. Pre-pandemic versus current levels of ridership due to reduced
or eliminated services:
a. Number and percentage of all transit riders impacted by reduced
or eliminated services; and
b. Number and percentage of low-income transit riders impacted by
reduced or eliminated services.
iii. Pre-pandemic versus current numbers and percentages of low-
income residents of affected neighborhoods or communities. Number and
percentage of residents of affected disadvantaged neighborhoods or
communities.
b. Demonstrated Benefits
FTA will evaluate the potential benefits of the proposed planning
project based on the extent to which the public transit route planning
activity would address the following:
i. Transit service levels;
ii. Anticipated ridership;
iii. Anticipated transit travel times;
iv. Improved transit service quality provided to low-income riders;
v. Improved transit service frequency provided to low income
riders;
vi. Improved transit service quality provided to disadvantaged
neighborhoods or communities;
vii. Improved transit service frequency provided to disadvantaged
neighborhoods or communities.
viii. Racial Equity and Barriers to Opportunity; FTA will evaluate
the extent to which the route planning study addresses racial equity
and barriers to opportunity, including automobile dependence as a
barrier. FTA will also consider the extent to which applications
incorporate such activities as equity-focused community outreach and
public engagement of low-income transit riders, disadvantaged
neighborhoods and communities in the planning process, and adoption of
an equity and inclusion program or plan or equity-focused policies; and
ix. Environmental Justice. FTA will evaluate the extent to which
the route planning study will support increased access to transit for
environmental justice populations and engages such populations in plan
or study development.
c. Project Implementation Strategy
FTA will evaluate the strength of the work plan, schedule and
process included in an application based on the following factors:
i. Extent to which the schedule contains sufficient detail,
identifies all deliverables and steps needed to implement the work
proposed, and is achievable;
ii. Extent to which deliverables would provide guidelines
implementing a realistic sequence of route restoration steps that could
be taken to restore and/or expand transit service levels to improve
ridership and serve low-income riders and disadvantaged neighborhoods
or communities;
iii. Extent to which the route planning process will engage the
local public, including low-income riders and disadvantaged
neighborhoods or communities, as well as stakeholder groups; and
iv. Extent to which there is coordination with city/county local
government agencies, the metropolitan planning process, local social
service agencies, housing authorities, and employers.
v. Use of reliable route planning methods to undertake the route
planning activities to estimate future ridership, changes in travel
times, increases in vehicle revenue miles, and quality of transit
service.
vi. Use of reliable data and route planning methods to identify
low-income riders and disadvantaged communities and neighborhoods and
assess equitable provision of transit service to low income riders and
disadvantaged neighborhoods or communities.
vii. Identification of deliverables (service plans, routing
schemes, etc.) that will be produced from the route planning study.
d. Technical, Legal, and Financial Capacity
Applicants must demonstrate they have the technical, legal, and
financial capacity to undertake the project. FTA will review relevant
oversight assessments and records to determine whether there are any
outstanding legal, technical, or financial issues with the applicant
that would affect the outcome of the proposed project. Applicants with
unresolved legal, technical, or financial compliance issues from an FTA
compliance review or Federal grant-related Single Audit finding must
explain how corrective actions taken will mitigate negative impacts on
the proposed project.
2. Review and Selection Process
In addition to other FTA staff who may review the proposals, a
technical evaluation committee will verify each proposal's eligibility
and evaluate proposals based on the published evaluation criteria.
Members of the technical evaluation committee and other FTA staff may
request additional information from applicants, if necessary.
Based on the findings of the technical evaluation committee, the
FTA Administrator will determine the final selection of projects for
program funding. In determining the allocation of program funds, FTA
may consider geographic diversity, diversity in the size of the grant
recipients receiving funding, or the applicant's receipt of other
competitive awards.
3. Performance and Integrity Review
Prior to making an award, FTA is required to review and consider
any information about the applicant that is in the Federal Awardee
Performance and Integrity Information Systems (FAPIIS) accessible
through SAM. An applicant may review and comment on information about
itself that a Federal awarding agency previously entered. 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 200.206 Federal
awarding agency review of risk posed by applicants.
F. Federal Award Administration Information
1. Federal Award Notices
The FTA Administrator will announce the final project selections on
the FTA website. Selected applicants should contact their FTA regional
office for additional information regarding allocations for projects
under the Route Planning Restoration Program.
[[Page 51224]]
2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
a. Pre-Award Authority
FTA will issue specific guidance to recipients regarding pre-award
authority at the time of selection. FTA does not provide pre-award
authority for competitive funds until projects are selected and even
then, there are Federal requirements that must be met before costs are
incurred. Funds under this NOFO cannot be used to reimburse applicants
for otherwise eligible expenses incurred prior to FTA award of a Grant
Agreement until FTA has issued pre-award authority for selected
projects, or unless FTA has issued a ``Letter of No Prejudice'' for the
project before the expenses are incurred. For more information about
FTA's policy on pre-award authority, please see the most recent
Apportionment Notice at: https://www.transit.dot.gov.
b. Grant Requirements
If selected, awardees will apply for a grant through FTA's Transit
Award Management System (TrAMS). All competitive grants, regardless of
award amount, will be subject to the Congressional Notification and
release process. Technical assistance regarding these requirements is
available from each FTA regional office.
c. Disadvantaged Business Enterprise
FTA requires its recipients receiving planning, capital, or
operating assistance that will award prime contracts exceeding $250,000
in FTA funds in a Federal fiscal year comply with the U.S. Department
of Transportation's Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program
regulations (49 CFR part 26). Applicants should expect to include any
funds awarded in setting their overall DBE goal.
d. Planning
FTA encourages applicants to notify the appropriate metropolitan
planning organizations in areas likely to be served by the funds made
available under this program. Selected projects must be incorporated
into the unified planning work programs of metropolitan areas before
they are eligible for FTA funding or pre-award authority.
e. Standard Assurances
If selected, the applicant must assure that it will comply with all
applicable Federal statutes, regulations, executive orders, directives,
FTA circulars, and other Federal administrative requirements in
carrying out any project supported by the FTA grant. The applicant
acknowledges that it will be under a continuing obligation to comply
with the terms and conditions of the grant agreement issued for its
project with FTA. The applicant understands that Federal laws,
regulations, policies, and administrative practices might be modified
from time to time and may affect the implementation of the project. The
most recent Federal requirements will apply to the project unless FTA
issues a written determination otherwise. The applicant must submit the
Certifications and Assurances before receiving a grant if it does not
have current certifications on file.
3. Reporting
Post-award reporting requirements include submission of Federal
Financial Reports and Milestone Progress Reports in FTA's electronic
grants management system on a quarterly basis. Applicants should
include any goals, targets, and indicators referenced in their
application to the project in the Executive Summary of the TrAMS
application. Awardees must also submit copies of the substantial
deliverables identified in the work plan to the FTA regional office at
the corresponding milestones.
As part of completing the annual Certifications and Assurances
required of FTA grant 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 exceed
$10,000,000 for any period of time during the period of performance of
an award made pursuant to this Notice, the recipient must maintain the
currency of information reported to the System for Award Management
(SAM) that is made available in the designated integrity and
performance system (currently the Federal Awardee Performance and
Integrity Information System (FAPIIS)) about civil, criminal, or
administrative proceedings in connection with the award or performance
of a grant, cooperative agreement, or procurement contract from the
Federal Government. See Appendix XII to 2 CFR part 200 for more
information.
G. Federal Awarding Agency Contacts
For program-specific questions, please contact Colby McFarland,
Office of Planning and Environment, (202) 366-1648, email:
[email protected]. A TDD is available at 1-800-877-8339 (TDD/
FIRS). Any addenda that FTA releases on the application process will be
posted at https://www.transit.dot.gov. To ensure applicants receive
accurate information about eligibility or the program, the applicant is
encouraged to contact FTA directly, rather than through intermediaries
or third parties. FTA staff may also conduct briefings on the FY 2021
competitive grants selection and award process upon request. Contact
information for FTA's regional offices can be found on FTA's website at
https://www.transit.dot.gov. For assistance with GRANTS.GOV, please
contact GRANTS.GOV by phone at 1-800-518-4726 or by email at
[email protected].
H. Other Program Information
This program is not subject to Executive Order 12372,
``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.''
Nuria I. Fernandez,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2021-19735 Filed 9-13-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-57-P