Fiscal Year 2025 Solicitation of Proposals for the National Rural Transit Assistance Program, 74360-74366 [2024-20655]

Agencies

• Federal Transit Administration
• DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 177 (Thursday, September 12, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 74360-74366]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-20655]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Transit Administration


Fiscal Year 2025 Solicitation of Proposals for the National Rural 
Transit Assistance Program

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

ACTION: Notice of funding opportunity (NOFO).

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SUMMARY: The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announces the 
opportunity to apply for $3,250,723 in Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Rural 
Transportation Assistance Program funds through a competitive 
cooperative agreement award. FTA is soliciting proposals under the 
agency's Formula Grants for Rural Areas Program to select an entity to 
administer a National Rural Transit Assistance Program (National RTAP). 
The National RTAP will carry out activities to design and implement 
training and technical assistance projects and other support services 
tailored to meet the specific needs of transit operators in rural 
areas, including tribal transit services. Primary activities will 
include the development of information and materials for use by local 
operators and State administering agencies and supporting research and 
technical assistance projects of national interest.

DATES: Complete proposals for the National RTAP must be submitted 
electronically through the Grant.GOV ``Apply'' function by 11:59 p.m. 
Eastern time on November 12, 2024. Late applications will not be 
accepted. Prospective applicants should register as soon as possible on 
the GRANTS.GOV website to ensure completion of the application process 
before submission deadline.

ADDRESSES: Instructions for applying can be found on FTA's website at 
https://www.transit.dot.gov/notices-funding/fy24-notice-funding-opportunity-national-rural-transit-assistance-program and in the 
``FIND'' module of GRANTS.GOV. The funding opportunity ID is FTA-2024-
014-TPM-NRTAP Mail and fax submissions will not be accepted.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Heather Edmonds, FTA Office of Program 
Management at (202) 366-3748; Email [email protected]. A TDD is 
available for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing at 
800.877.8339.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

[[Page 74361]]



  Summary of Key Information: National Rural Transit Assistance Program
                     Competitive Funding Opportunity
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  Federal Transit Administration, U.S.
        Issuing agency                Department of Transportation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Program Overview.............  The National RTAP provides for the
                                development of information and materials
                                for use by rural and tribal transit
                                operators, State DOTs and State funded
                                transit agencies, and supports research
                                and technical assistance projects of
                                national interest.
Eligible Applicants..........  Eligible applicants are non-profit
                                organizations with rural and tribal
                                transportation experience that have the
                                capacity to provide public
                                transportation-related technical
                                assistance and the ability to deliver a
                                national technical assistance and
                                training program.
Eligible Projects............  The National RTAP is funded under the
                                Formula Grants for Rural Areas Program
                                to enhance the delivery of public
                                transportation services provided by
                                State Departments of Transportation
                                (DOTs) and operators of rural and tribal
                                transit. Rural transit systems and
                                community transit drivers, dispatchers,
                                maintenance workers, managers, and board
                                members need special skills and
                                knowledge to provide quality service to
                                their diverse customers across large,
                                rural service areas. The National RTAP
                                carries out projects of a national scope
                                that provide transportation technical
                                assistance in these areas.
Funding Amount...............  $3,250,723 for the first year, including
                                $500,000 for programs specific to tribal
                                transit.
Cost Share...................  The maximum Federal share of project
                                costs under this program is 100 percent.
Deadline.....................  November 12, 2024 at 11:59 PM Eastern
                                Time.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 Information

A. Program Description

    This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) supports FTA's strategic 
goals and objectives by promoting safe, affordable, accessible, and 
multimodal access to opportunities and services while reducing 
transportation-related disparities, adverse community impacts, and 
health effects. FTA is soliciting proposals for a cooperative agreement 
for a project of national scope under the Rural Transit Assistance 
Program (49 U.S.C. 5311(b)(3)), Assistance Listing 20.509. The Formula 
Grants for Rural Areas Program authorizes the Secretary of 
Transportation to carry out a Rural Transit Assistance Program (RTAP) 
in rural areas to enhance the delivery of public transportation 
services provided by State Departments of Transportation (DOTs) and 
operators of rural and tribal transit. Since 1979, FTA has provided 
grants to States under the Formula Grants for Rural Areas Program and 
its predecessor programs to establish and maintain transit systems in 
communities with populations of less than 50,000 individuals. Rural 
transit systems and community transit drivers, dispatchers, maintenance 
workers, managers, and board members need special skills and knowledge 
to provide quality service to their diverse customers across large, 
rural service areas. The National RTAP was created in 1997 to carry out 
projects of a national scope that provide transportation assistance in 
these areas.
    The National RTAP provides for the development of information and 
materials for use by local operators, State DOTs and State funded 
transit agencies, and supports research and technical assistance 
projects of national interest. The FTA carries out the objectives of 
the National RTAP through a cooperative agreement that establishes and 
provides financial assistance for these activities. FTA selected the 
current recipient to administer the National RTAP in 2019. Consistent 
with the U.S. Department of Transportation's policy to maximize 
competition in discretionary awards, every five years the FTA competes 
the administration of the National RTAP.
    FTA also supports assistance for local RTAP activities through 
funding apportionments to the States. The State RTAPs develop and 
implement training and technical assistance in conjunction with the 
State's administration of the Formula Grants for Rural Areas Program. 
The State RTAPs and the National RTAP complement each other, and both 
are funded under the Formula Grants for Rural Areas Program. The 
objectives of the National RTAP are:
     Objective 1: To promote the delivery of safe, effective 
and efficient public transportation in rural areas, including tribal 
transit systems.
     Objective 2: To support State and local governments, 
including tribal governments, in addressing the training and technical 
assistance needs of the rural and tribal transit community.
     Objective 3: To conduct research, including analysis of 
data reported to FTA's National Transit Database, and to maintain 
current profiles of the characteristics of rural transit as well as an 
inventory of rural, tribal and specialized transportation providers.
     Objective 4: To develop materials, tools, trainings and 
network opportunities to address the unique needs of tribal transit 
providers and help build sustainable capacity in tribal transit 
programs.
     Objective 5: To implement pilot grants to develop 
community and state-level transportation innovations focused on 
increasing access and mobility in rural and tribal areas.
    Since its inception, the National RTAP has developed and 
distributed training materials, provided technical assistance, 
generated reports, published best practices, produced scholarships, 
conducted research, and offered peer assistance with the goal of 
improved mobility for the millions of Americans living in rural 
communities. The National RTAP also has developed tools for use by 
rural transit providers in providing their service, and provided access 
to scholarship, research and training through sponsorship of and 
participation in conferences attended by a variety of constituents with 
interest in rural and tribal transit. For more information on the 
various programs and services provided by the National RTAP, visit the 
National RTAP website at https://www.nationalrtap.org.

B. Federal Award Information

    FTA is authorized to use two percent of funds appropriated for the 
Formula Grants for Rural Areas Program for research, technical 
assistance, training, and related support services in rural areas. Of 
this amount, not more than 15 percent can be used for the National 
RTAP, with the remaining amount apportioned to states for state RTAP 
activities. FTA intends to fund the National RTAP with $3,250,723 in 
Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 funds for the first year. This includes an 
additional $500,000 made available through the Consolidated 
Appropriations Act, 2024 for National RTAP programming specific to 
tribal transit. FTA may extend funding for this center for up to

[[Page 74362]]

five years in total; however, subsequent funding will depend upon: (1) 
future authorization and appropriations; (2) decisions and program 
priorities established by the Secretary of Transportation related to 
implementation of the National Rural Transit Assistance program; and 
(3) performance of the recipient.
    This funding opportunity will be awarded under the terms of a 
cooperative agreement. This cooperative agreement will be managed from 
FTA's headquarters office. FTA 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.
    FTA will issue specific guidance to the awardee 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, https://www.transit.dot.gov/funding/apportionments/current-apportionments.

C. Eligibility Information

    Eligible applicants are non-profit organizations with rural and 
tribal transportation experience that have the capacity to provide 
public transportation-related technical assistance and the ability to 
deliver a national technical assistance and training program. 
Individuals, for-profit entities, and Federal agencies are ineligible 
to apply for this funding.
    There is no requirement for non-federal matching funds or cost 
sharing for this program.

D. Application and Submission Information

1. Address To Request Application Package

    Applications must be submitted electronically through GRANTS.GOV, 
as described above. General information for registering and submitting 
applications through GRANTS.GOV can be found at https://www.grants.gov/applicants/grant-applications/how-to-apply-for-grants along with 
specific instructions for the forms and attachments required for 
submission. Mail and fax submissions will not be accepted.

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

    A complete proposal submission will consist of at least two files: 
(1) the Standard Form (SF) 424 Application for Federal Assistance 
(downloaded from GRANTS.GOV or the FTA website https://www.transit.dot.gov/notices-funding/fy24-notice-funding-opportunity-national-rural-transit-assistance-program; and (2) a narrative 
application document submitted in a Microsoft Word, Adobe Acrobat, or 
compatible file format, double-spaced using Times New Roman, 12-point 
font. Once completed, the narrative application must be placed in the 
attachments section of the SF-424 form. Applicants must attach the 
narrative application file to their submission in GRANTS.GOV to 
successfully complete the proposal process. The narrative application 
should be in the format outlined in Section 2 below. A proposal 
submission may contain additional supporting documentation as 
attachments.
    The application must include responses to all sections of the SF-
424 Mandatory Form and all components of the narrative application 
document unless a section is indicated as optional. FTA will use the 
information in the narrative application document 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.
    Applicants must fill in all fields unless stated otherwise on the 
SF-424 form and include all requested components of the narrative 
application document. If applicants copy information from another 
source, they should verify that the form and narrative application 
document have fully captured pasted text and that it has not truncated 
the text due to character limits built into the form. Applicants should 
use both the ``Check Package for Errors'' and the ``Validate Form'' 
buttons on all required fields in the SF-424.
    The narrative application 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 (if different from principal) referenced under the 
``Project Description'' section of this Notice.
    b. Detailed budget proposal and budget narrative (not to exceed 3 
pages).
    c. Project narrative and qualifications (not to exceed 10 pages) 
The project narrative should address:
    i. The methodology for addressing the project goals, objectives, 
activities, deliverables, milestones, timeline and intended outcomes 
for the National Rural Transit Assistance Program;
    ii. The methodology to develop performance measures and track the 
outcomes and benefits of the National Rural Transit Assistance Program, 
including how applicant will assess success;
    iii. The existing and future capacity of the organization to 
address the issues outlined in the proposal and the organization's 
ability to implement goals, objectives, activities, milestones, 
deliverables and intended outcomes;
    iv. The applicants' understanding of rural and tribal transit 
needs; including knowledge and experience with identifying and 
addressing issues related to funding and operation of rural and tribal 
transit systems;
    v. A detailed plan for communication, technical assistance, and 
outreach at the state and local levels;
    vi. The applicant's experience with grant-making, developing 
performance measures, tracking performance measures and spending and 
communicating lessons learned and project benefits to stakeholders;
    vii. A plan to work with stakeholders and build partnerships at the 
national level; including how the applicant will work with State and 
local partners and stakeholders to promote coordination of 
transportation services;
    viii. Qualifications of lead staff, not to exceed one page per 
person, including: (1) Prior experience providing technical assistance, 
especially related to public transit in rural and tribal areas; (2) 
prior experience implementing the other tasks outlined in this 
solicitation; (3) staff members' knowledge of issues related to public 
transit in rural and tribal communities, (4) staff members' experience 
working directly with tribal entities; and (5) a biographical sketch 
for each lead staff member.
    d. Statement of Activities (not to exceed 10 pages). The 
application also should discuss how the recipient will perform the 
following short-term and long-term activities:
    Short-Term Activities:
    1. Hiring needed staff and setting up the center, including 
developing an interactive website that houses and delivering a library 
of tools, topics, articles, best practices for rural and tribal transit 
providers; acting as a clearinghouse for rural and tribal transit 
information; and facilitating outreach to

[[Page 74363]]

State and local partners and stakeholders.
    2. Developing an online fully functional National RTAP Help Desk 
that will enable email and phone technical assistance inquiries and 
responses on rural and tribal transit questions/topics; this system 
should be able to gather performance measures that track web-analytics, 
technical assistance 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. Developing a Scope of Work for National RTAP's first year of 
operations, including but not limited to:
    [cir] A communications and outreach plan to promote the center, 
training and technical assistance products and relevant news through 
various channels (e.g., social media, newsletter, blogs) and engage 
stakeholders, partners and State RTAP programs.
    [cir] Recommendations to FTA on a planning/pilot grant program that 
support partnerships and innovative transportation solutions to 
increase community access in rural and tribal areas.
    [cir] A plan for how National RTAP will deliver training and 
technical assistance and recommendations to FTA on the data needs to 
help track and assess rural and tribal transit needs.
    Long-term/ongoing activities:
    1. Providing technical assistance in a variety of ways to rural and 
tribal transit operators and support to State RTAP programs:
    [cir] Operating a toll-free number and email to respond to 
inquiries from rural and tribal transit operators. Developing a system 
to track inquires and responses.
    [cir] Developing and promoting written and electronic training 
materials that assist rural and tribal operators (e.g., online courses, 
technical briefs, toolkits, case studies, etc.).
    [cir] Maintaining a resource library of case studies, promising and 
best practices, videos, publications, webinars and other training 
materials.
    2. Providing technical assistance to assist recipients, 
subrecipients, and potential future grantees with challenges around 
accessing FTA funding programs (e.g., Section 5311 and Tribal Transit 
Program) to increase transit sustainability.
    3. Coordinating with other organizations to build national 
connections to assist states and rural communities with transit system 
improvements.
    4. Developing a community grant program that offers funding for 
planning and/or pilot projects to foster partnerships, coordination of 
services and increased transit access for rural and tribal communities.
    5. Providing peer-to-peer meeting exchanges and collaboration 
opportunities, while expanding dialogue with rural and tribal transit 
partners and fostering relationships with other non-traditional 
partners.
    6. Developing a feedback system that enables opportunities for 
improvement of the Center's customer service, programs, and processes.
    7. Identifying performance measures, evaluating and reporting on 
National RTAP activities and outputs.
    e. Supplemental Materials. Supplemental materials such as bios and 
letters of support may be included in an appendices section that is 
beyond the page limits above but may not exceed 15 additional pages.

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

    Each applicant is required to: (1) register in SAM.GOV before 
submitting an application; (2) provide a valid unique SAM 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.GOV 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 the award to another 
applicant. These requirements do not apply if the applicant: (1) Is 
excepted from the requirements under 2 CFR 25.110(b) or (c); or (2) has 
an exception approved by FTA under 2 CFR 25.110(d). SAM.GOV 
registration takes approximately 3-5 business days, but FTA recommends 
allowing ample time, up to several weeks, for completion of all steps. 
For additional information on obtaining a unique entity identifier, 
please visit https://www.sam.gov.

4. Submission Dates and Times

    Project proposals must be submitted electronically through 
GRANTS.GOV and must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on November 
12, 2024. GRANTS.GOV attaches a time stamp to each application at the 
time of submission. Late applications will not be accepted. Mail and 
fax submissions 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 urges applicants to submit proposals at least 72 hours prior to 
the due date to allow time to receive the validation messages and to 
correct any problems that may have caused a rejection notification. 
GRANTS.GOV scheduled maintenance and outage times are announced on the 
GRANTS.GOV website. Deadlines will not be extended due to scheduled 
website maintenance.
    Within 48 hours after submitting an electronic application, the 
applicant should receive two email messages from GRANTS.GOV: (1) 
Confirmation of successful transmission to GRANTS.GOV; and (2) 
confirmation of successful validation by GRANTS.GOV. If confirmation of 
successful validation is not received or a notice of failed validation 
or incomplete materials is received, the applicant must address the 
reason for the failed validation, as described in the email notice, and 
resubmit before the submission deadline. If making a resubmission for 
any reason, include all original attachments regardless of which 
attachments were updated.
    Applicants are encouraged to begin the process of registration on 
the GRANTS.GOV site well in advance of the submission deadline. 
Registration is a multi-step process, which may take several weeks to 
complete before an application can be submitted. Registered applicants 
may be required to take steps to keep their registration up to date 
before submissions can be made successfully. Registration in SAM.GOV is 
renewed annually and 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

    This award is subject to the Governmentwide Uniform Administrative 
Requirements and Cost Principles (2 CFR part 200) and FTA Circular 
5010.1. Capital expenses such as equipment purchases are not considered 
to be eligible costs unless they directly relate to the technical 
assistance being supported by FTA funds. Acceptable costs can include 
but are not limited to technology and start-up costs for information 
technology systems and website resources, subject

[[Page 74364]]

matter expert consultants as needed, salaries and fringe benefits of 
direct staff, support staff, staff travel to attend relevant 
conferences and provide on-site technical assistance, office space, 
program materials and supplies, and indirect costs.
    Funds awarded under this notice 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 5010.1.

E. Application Review Information

1. Criteria

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

2. Review and Selection Process

    A technical evaluation committee made up of FTA staff will screen 
each application for eligibility and evaluate proposals based on the 
published evaluation criteria outlined in this notice. FTA may request 
additional information from applicants to clarify information contained 
within the proposal. After consideration of the findings of the 
technical evaluation committee, the FTA Administrator will determine 
the final selection.

3. Integrity and Performance 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.GOV. 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 FAPIIS, 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

1. Federal Award Notices

    FTA will notify the successful organization by email or telephone 
of their status and the selection will be announced FTA's website. 
Following

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notification, the successful entity will be required to submit its 
application through the FTA Transit Award Management System (Tramps). 
FTA will work with the successful applicant to develop a detailed 
cooperative agreement and may require modifications to the proposal 
before a cooperative agreement is awarded. FTA will award and manage a 
cooperative agreement through Tramps. The selection of a cooperative 
agreement recipient under this NOFO will go through the Congressional 
notification and release process.

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

a. Grant Requirements
    The successful applicant will execute their cooperative agreement 
through TrAMS and adhere to the FTA grant requirements of the National 
RTAP Program. For more information, see FTA Circular 9040.1G: Formula 
Grants for Rural Areas: Program Guidance and Application Instructions, 
available here: https://www.transit.dot.gov/regulations-and-guidance/fta-circular-90401g-formula-grants-rural-areas-program-guidance-and. 
Upon notification of intent to award funds, the recipient must execute 
the Award in TrAMS within 90 days; otherwise, FTA may withdraw its 
award.
b. 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 of FTA funds are required to execute the most current 
Certifications and Assurances before entering into a grant or 
cooperative agreement.
c. Statement of Work
    Once selected for award, the recipient will be asked to outline a 
plan of action, a Statement of Work (SOW), in a format provided by FTA. 
The SOW includes estimated milestone dates and performance measures and 
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 plans for 
engaging participants and/or dissemination strategies for sharing the 
results, if such are critical to the success of the supported program.
d. Measuring Outcomes
    The recipient will be required to assist FTA in evaluating the 
project and its outcomes. FTA will evaluate the project according to 
the metrics and goals approved in the Statement of Work for the 
project. FTA anticipates applying metrics, among others, that will 
demonstrate target audience usage and feedback on the services and 
resources of the center.
e. 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 August 25, 2022, titled ``Ensuring Free, 
Immediate, and Equitable Access to Federally Funded Research,'' the 
Department is incorporating Public Access requirements into all funding 
awarded (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 personally identifiable information (PII) information before 
providing public access to any project data. All appropriate data are 
to be accessible to FTA and the public for a minimum of five 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.
f. 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 human services 
transportation coordination.

3. Reporting

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

G. Federal Awarding Agency Contacts

    For further information concerning this notice, please contact the 
Technical Assistance program manager Heather Edmonds by phone at 202-
366-3748, or by email at [email protected]. A TDD is available 
for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing at 800-877-8339.
    To ensure that applicants receive accurate information about 
eligibility or the program, applicants are encouraged to contact FTA 
directly with questions, rather than through intermediaries or third 
parties.

H. Other Information

    For more information on FTA's Rural and Tribal Transit Resources, 
visit https://www.transit.dot.gov/rural.
    For more information on FTA's Sponsored Technical Assistance 
Centers see https://www.transit.dot.gov/regulations-and-programs/access/ccam/about/federal-transit-administration-sponsored-technical.
    For information on the Rural Transportation Assistance Program, 
visit https://www.transit.dot.gov/funding/

[[Page 74366]]

grants/rural-transportation-assistance-program-5311b3.

Veronica Vanterpool,
Acting Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2024-20655 Filed 9-11-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-57-P