[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 10 (Friday, January 15, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2583-2589]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-703]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Transit Administration
Over-the-Road Bus Accessibility Program Grants
AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration (FTA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of Availability of Fiscal Year 2009 Funds: Solicitation
of Grant Applications.
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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Federal Transit
Administration (FTA) announces the availability of funds in Fiscal Year
(FY) 2009 for the Over-the-Road Bus (OTRB) Accessibility Program,
authorized by Section 3038 of the Transportation Equity Act for the
21st Century (TEA-21). The OTRB Accessibility Program makes funds
available to private operators of over-the-road buses to finance the
incremental capital and training costs of complying with DOT's over-
the-road bus accessibility regulation. The authorizing legislation
calls for national solicitation of applications with grantees to be
selected on a competitive basis. Federal transit funds are available to
intercity fixed-route providers and other OTRB providers at up to 90
percent of the project cost.
A total of $8,800,000 has been appropriated for the program in FY
2009. FY 2006 funds have lapsed in the amount of $1,867,900. The total
amount available for allocation is $10,710,435 which includes FY 2009
appropriations and lapsed funds. This announcement is available on the
Internet on the FTA Web site at: http://www.fta.dot.gov. FTA will
announce final selections on the Web site and in the Federal Register.
A synopsis of this announcement will be posted in the FIND module of
the government-wide electronic grants Web site at http://www.grants.gov. Applications may be submitted to the appropriate FTA
Regional Office (see Appendix B) in hard copy or electronically through
the Grants.Gov APPLY function.
DATES: Complete applications for OTRB Program grants must be submitted
to the appropriate FTA regional office (see Appendix B) by April 15,
2010, or submitted electronically through the Grants.Gov Web site by
the same date. Anyone intending to apply electronically should initiate
the process of registering on the Grants.Gov site immediately to ensure
completion of registration before the deadline for submission. FTA will
announce grant selections in the Federal Register when the competitive
selection process is complete.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact the appropriate FTA Regional
Administrator (Appendix B) for application-specific information and
issues. For general program information, contact Blenda Younger, Office
of Program Management, (202) 366-2053, e-mail: [email protected].
A TDD is available at 1-800-877-8339 (TDD/FIRS).
Overview Information
Federal Agency Name: Department of Transportation. Federal Transit
Administration (FTA).
Funding Opportunity Title: Capital And Training Assistance Program
For Over-The-Road Bus Accessibility.
Announcement Type: Initial Announcement: Notice of Availability of
Fiscal Year 2009.
Funds: Solicitation of Grant Applications.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 20.518
Capital and Training Assistance Program For Over-The-Road Bus
Accessibility.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Table of Contents
I. Funding Opportunity Description
II. Award Information
III. Eligibility Information
IV. Application and Submission Information
V. Application Review Information
VI. Selection Process and Award Administration Information
VII. Agency Contacts
Appendix A Over-the-Road Bus Accessibility Program Application
Appendix B FTA Regional Offices
I. Funding Opportunity Description
A. Authority
The program is authorized under Section 3038 of the Transportation
Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21), Public Law 105-85 as amended
by the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient, Transportation Equity
Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), Public Law 109-059, August 10,
2005.
B. Background
Buses purchased under the OTRB program are used in intercity fixed-
route service as well as other services, such as commuter, charter, and
tour bus services. These services are an important element of the U.S.
transportation system. TEA-21 authorized FTA's OTRB Accessibility
Program to assist OTRB operators in complying with the Department's
OTRB Accessibility regulation, ``Transportation for Individuals with
[[Page 2584]]
Disabilities'' (49 CFR part 37, Subpart H).
Summary of DOT's OTRB Accessibility Rule Deadlines for Acquiring
Accessible Vehicles
Under the OTRB Accessibility regulation, all new buses obtained by
large (Class I carriers, i.e., those with gross annual transportation
revenues of $8.6 million or more), fixed-route carriers must be
accessible, with wheelchair lifts and securement locations that allow
passengers to ride in their own wheelchairs. Specifications describing
the design features of an accessible over-the-road bus are listed in 49
CFR part 38, subpart G.
The rule required 50 percent of a fixed-route operator's fleet to
be accessible by October 30, 2006, and 100 percent of the vehicles in
their fleet to be accessible by October 29, 2012. New buses acquired by
small (gross annual transportation revenues of less than $8.6 million)
fixed-route operators after October 29, 2001, also are required to be
lift-equipped, unless the operator can provide equivalent service to
passengers with disabilities on a 48-hour advance notice basis. Unlike
large operators, small fixed-route operators do not have a deadline for
total fleet accessibility. Small demand responsive OTRB operators such
as charter and tour companies are required to provide service in an
accessible bus on 48 hours advance notice. Small mixed service
operators must also provide this kind of service on an interim basis
until their fleets are completely accessible.
OTRB operators must submit three types of reports annually by the
last Monday of every October, with each annual report covering the time
period from October 1 of the prior calendar year through September 30
of the current calendar year: (1) OTRB operators must submit a summary
of all individual requests they receive for accessible and/or
equivalent service in each 12-month reporting period; (2) Large and
small fixed route OTRB companies must submit an annual report that
summarizes the number of passengers with disabilities who used the lift
to board accessible buses in a given 12-month reporting period; and (3)
OTRB companies must submit acquisition and lease data to the DOT
annually. Additional information on the filing requirements can be
found on the following Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Web
page: http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/bus/company/ada-guidelines.htm.
Deadlines for Delivering Accessible Service
The rules for delivering accessible motorcoach service went into
effect October 29, 2001, for large fixed-route, charter, tour and other
demand-responsive motorcoach operators, and for small operators on
October 28, 2002. Operators should consult 49 CFR part 37, Subpart H,
regarding the acquisition of accessible vehicles and the provision of
accessible service to determine the applicable section that best
describes their operating characteristics. Specifications describing
the design features of an accessible over-the-road bus are listed in 49
CFR part 38, subpart G.
C. Purpose
Improving mobility and shaping America's future by ensuring that
the transportation system is accessible, integrated, and efficient, and
offers flexibility of choices is a key strategic goal of the DOT. OTRB
Accessibility projects will improve mobility for individuals with
disabilities by providing financial assistance to help make vehicles
accessible and training to ensure that drivers and others are properly
trained to use accessibility features as well as how to treat patrons
with disabilities.
D. Vehicle and Service Definitions
An ``over-the-road bus'' is defined in 49 CFR 37.3 as a bus
characterized by an elevated passenger deck located over a baggage
compartment.
Intercity, fixed-route over-the-road bus service is regularly
scheduled bus service for the general public, using an OTRB that
operates with limited stops over fixed routes connecting two or more
urban areas not in close proximity or connecting one or more rural
communities with an urban area not in close proximity; has the capacity
for transporting baggage carried by passengers; and makes meaningful
connections with scheduled intercity bus service to more distant
points. The application includes five criteria factors that will be
reviewed to determine eligibility for a portion of the funding
available to operators that qualify under this definition.
``Other'' OTRB service means any other transportation using OTRBs,
including local fixed-route service, commuter service, and charter or
tour service (including tour or excursion service that includes
features in addition to bus transportation such as meals, lodging,
admission to points of interest or special attractions). While some
commuter service may also serve the needs of some intercity fixed-route
passengers, the statute includes commuter service in the definition of
``other'' service. Commuter service providers may apply for these
funds, even though the services designed to meet the needs of commuters
may also provide service to intercity fixed-route passengers on an
incidental basis. If a commuter service provider can document that more
than 50 percent of its passengers are using the service as intercity
fixed-route service, the provider may apply for the funds designated
for intercity fixed-route operators.
II. Award Information
Federal transit funds are available to intercity fixed-route
providers and other OTRB providers at up to 90 percent of the project
cost. A total of $8,800,000 was appropriated for the program in FY 2009
which together with $1,910,435 in prior year unobligated funds make a
total of $10,710,435 available for allocation. Successful applicants
will be awarded grants. Typical grants under this program range from
$25,000 to $180,000, with most grants being less than $40,000, for lift
equipment for a single vehicle.
III. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants
Grants will be made directly to operators of OTRBs. Intercity,
fixed-route OTRB service providers may apply for the funds that are
anticipated to be appropriated for intercity fixed-route providers in
FY 2009. Applicants must establish eligibility as intercity fixed-route
providers by meeting established criteria on six factors identified in
Part 2B of the application. Other OTRB service providers, including
operators of local fixed-route service, commuter service, and charter
or tour service may apply for the funds appropriated in FY 2009 for
these providers. OTRB operators who provide both intercity, fixed-route
service and another type of service, such as commuter, charter or tour,
may apply for both categories of funds with a single application.
Private for-profit operators of over-the-road buses are eligible to be
direct applicants for this program. This is a departure from most other
FTA programs for which the direct applicant must be a State or local
public body. FTA does not award grants to public entities under this
program.
2. Eligible Projects
Projects to finance the incremental capital and training costs of
complying with DOT's OTRB accessibility rule (49
[[Page 2585]]
CFR part 37) are eligible for funding. Incremental capital costs
eligible for funding include adding lifts, tie-downs, moveable seats,
doors and training costs associated with using the accessibility
features and serving persons with disabilities. Retrofitting vehicles
with such accessibility components is also an eligible expense. Please
see Buy America section for further conditions of eligibility.
FTA may award funds for costs already incurred by the applicants.
Any new wheelchair accessible vehicles delivered after June 8, 1998,
the date that the TEA-21 became effective, are eligible for funding
under the program. Vehicles of any age that have been retrofitted with
lifts and other accessibility components after June 8, 1998, are also
eligible for funding.
Eligible training costs are those required by the final
accessibility rule as described in 49 CFR 37.209. These activities
include training in proper operation and maintenance of accessibility
features and equipment, boarding assistance, securement of mobility
aids, sensitive and appropriate interaction with passengers with
disabilities, and handling and storage of mobility devices. The costs
associated with developing training materials or providing training for
local providers of OTRB services for these purposes are also eligible
expenses.
FTA will not fund the incremental costs of acquiring used
accessible OTRBs that were previously owned, as it may be impossible to
verify whether or not FTA funds were already used to make the vehicles
accessible. Also, it would be difficult to place a value on the
accessibility features based upon the depreciated value of the vehicle.
The legislative intent of this grant program is to increase the number
of wheelchair accessible OTRBs available to persons with disabilities
throughout the country. The purchase of previously-owned accessible
vehicles, whether or not they were funded by FTA, does not further this
objective of increasing the number of wheelchair accessible OTRBs.
FTA has sponsored the development of accessibility training
materials for public transit operators. Project ACTION is an FTA funded
national technical assistance program to promote cooperation between
the disability community and the transportation industry. Project
ACTION provides training, resources and technical assistance to
thousands of disability organizations, consumers with disabilities, and
transportation operators. It maintains a resource center with up-to-
date information on transportation accessibility. Project ACTION may be
contacted at: Project ACTION, 1425 K Street, NW., Suite 200,
Washington, DC 20005, Phone: 1-800-659-6428 (TDD: (202) 374-7385),
Internet address: http://www.projectaction.org/.
3. Cost Sharing or Matching
Federal transit funds are available to intercity fixed-route
providers and other OTRB providers at up to 90 percent of the project
cost. A 10 percent match is required.
IV. Application and Submission Information
1. Address to Request Application Package
This announcement includes all of the application materials. It is
also available on the Internet on the FTA Web site at http://www.fta.dot.gov. FTA will announce final selections on its Web site and
in the Federal Register. A synopsis of this announcement will be posted
in the FIND module of the government-wide electronic grants Web site at
http://www.grants.gov.
2. Content and Form of Application Submission
Guidelines for Preparing Grant Application
The application should provide information on all items for which
you are requesting funding in FY 2009. If you use another company's
previous application as a guide, remember to modify all elements as
appropriate to reflect your company's situation. The application must
include a project narrative in the format provided in Appendix A, in
addition to Standard Form 424, ``Application for Federal Assistance.''
Application Content
I. Applicant Information
This addresses basic identifying information, including:
a. Company name.
b. Dun and Bradstreet (D&B) Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS)
number.
c. Contact information for notification of project selection:
contact name, address, email address, fax and phone number.
d. Description of services provided by company, including areas
served.
e. For fixed-route carriers, whether you are a large (Class I, with
gross annual operating revenues of $8.1 million or more) or small
(gross operating revenues of less than $8.1 million annually) carrier.
f. Existing fleet and employee information, including number of
over-the-road buses used for (1) intercity fixed-route service, and (2)
other service, and number of employees.
g. If you provide both intercity fixed-route service and another
type of service, such as commuter, charter or tour service, please
provide an estimate of the proportion of your service that is
intercity.
h. Description of your technical, legal, and financial capacity to
implement the proposed project. Include evidence that you currently
possess appropriate operating authority (e.g., DOT number if you
operate interstate or identifier assigned by State if you do not
operate interstate service).
II. Project Information
Every application must:
a. Provide the Federal amount requested for each purpose for which
funds are sought in the format in Appendix A.
b. Document matching funds, including amount and source.
c. Describe project, including components to be funded (e.g.,
lifts, tie-downs, moveable seats, or training).
d. Provide project timeline, including significant milestones such
as date or contract for purchase of vehicle(s), and actual or expected
delivery date of vehicles.
e. Address each of the five statutory evaluation criteria described
in V.
f. If requesting funding for intercity service, provide evidence
that:
1. The applicant provides scheduled, intercity, fixed route, over-
the-road bus service that interlines with one or more scheduled,
intercity bus operators. (Such evidence includes applicant's membership
in the National Bus Traffic Association or participation in separate
interline agreements, and participation in interline tariffs or price
lists issued by, or on behalf of, scheduled, intercity bus operators
with whom the applicant interlines); and
2. The applicant has obtained authority from the Federal Motor
Carrier Safety Administration or the Interstate Commerce Commission to
operate scheduled, intercity, fixed route service; and as many of the
following as are applicable;
3. The applicant is included in Russell's Official National Motor
Coach Guide showing that it provides regularly scheduled, fixed route
OTRB service with meaningful connections with scheduled intercity bus
service to more distant points.
4. The applicant maintains a Web site showing routes and schedules
of its regularly scheduled, fixed route OTRB service and its meaningful
connections to other scheduled, intercity bus service.
[[Page 2586]]
5. The applicant maintains published schedules showing its
regularly scheduled, fixed route OTRB service and its meaningful
connections to other scheduled, intercity bus service.
6. The applicant participates in the International Registration
Plan (IRP) apportionment program.
III. Labor Information
a. Identify any labor organizations that may represent your
employees and employees of any transit providers in the service area of
the project. For each local union of a nationally affiliated union, the
applicant must provide the name of the national organization and the
number or other designation of the local union (e.g., Amalgamated
Transit Union local 1258). Since the Department of Labor (DOL) makes
its referral to the national union's headquarters, there is no need to
provide a means of contacting the local organization.
b. For each independent labor organization (i.e., a union that is
not affiliated with a national or international organization) the local
information will be necessary (name of organization, address, contact
person, phone, fax numbers).
c. Where a labor organization represents transit employees in the
service area of the project, DOL must refer the proposed protective
arrangements to each union and to each recipient. For this reason,
please provide DOL with a contact person, address, telephone number and
fax number for your company and associated union information.
3. Submission Dates and Times
Complete applications for OTRB Accessibility Program grants must be
submitted to the appropriate FTA regional office (Appendix B) April 15,
2010 or submitted electronically through http://www.grants.gov by the
same date. Applicants planning to apply electronically 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. FTA will announce grant selections when the
competitive selection process is complete.
4. Intergovernmental Review
This program is not generally subject to Executive Order (EO)
12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.'' For more
information, contact the State's Single Point of Contact (SPOC) to find
out about and comply with the State's process under EO 12372. The names
and addresses of the SPOCs are listed in the Office of Management and
Budget's homepage at http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html.
5. Funding Restrictions
Only applications from eligible recipients for eligible activities
will be considered for funding (see Section III). Due to funding
limitations, applicants that are selected for funding may receive less
than the amount requested.
6. Other Submission Requirements
Applicants should submit three copies of their project proposal
application, consistent with the application format provided at
Appendix A, to the appropriate regional office or apply electronically
through the government wide electronic grant application portal at
http://www.grants.gov.
V. Application Review Information
1. Project Evaluation Criteria--Projects will be evaluated
according to the following criteria:
A. The identified need for OTRB accessibility for persons with
disabilities in the areas served by the applicant (20 points).
B. The extent to which the applicant demonstrated innovative
strategies and financial commitment to providing access to OTRBs to
persons with disabilities (20 points).
C. The extent to which the OTRB operator acquired equipment
required by DOT's over-the-road bus accessibility rule prior to the
required timeframe in the rule (20 points).
D. The extent to which financing the costs of complying with DOT's
rule presents a financial hardship for the applicant (20 points).
E. The impact of accessibility requirements on the continuation of
OTRB service with particular consideration of the impact of the
requirements on service to rural areas and for low-income individuals
(20 points).
Note: These are the statutory criteria upon which funding
decisions will be made. In addition to these criteria, FTA may also
consider other factors, such as the size of the applicant's fleet
and the level of FTA funding previously awarded to applicants in
prior years. Applicants will not be considered for funding as
intercity fixed-route operators unless they satisfy, at a minimum,
the first two criteria and at least one of criteria three through
five listed in the Project Information section of the application;
these criteria are applicable to intercity fixed-route applicants.
VI. Selection Process and Award Administration Information
1. Review and Selection Process
Each application is screened by a panel of members consisting of
FTA headquarters and regional staff. Incomplete or non-responsive
applications will be disqualified. Intercity fixed-route service
providers must provide evidence that they meet at a minimum the first
two criteria and at least one of the next three criteria set forth in
Project Information, if funds are requested under this category (see
Appendix A, 2, B). Applicants that do not qualify as intercity-fixed
route operators may be considered for funding in the ``other'' category
using the same application. FTA will make an effort to award every
qualified applicant at least one lift.
2. Award Notices
FTA will screen all applications to determine whether all required
eligibility elements, as described in Part III ``Eligibility
Information,'' are present. The FTA evaluation team will evaluate each
application according to the criteria described in this announcement.
FTA will notify all applicants, both those selected for funding and
those not selected when the competitive selection process is complete.
Projects selected for funding will be published in a Federal Register
notice. Applicants selected for funding must then apply to the FTA
regional office for the actual grant award, sign Certifications and
Assurances, and execute a grant contract before funds can be drawn
down.
3. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
A. Grant Requirements
Applicants selected for funding must include documentation
necessary to meet the requirements of FTA's Nonurbanized Area Formula
program (Title 49, United States Code, Section 5311). Technical
assistance regarding these requirements is available from each FTA
regional office. The regional offices will contact those applicants
selected for funding regarding procedures for making the required
certifications and assurances to FTA before grants are made.
The authority for these requirements is provided by TEA-21, Public
Law 105-178, June 9, 1998, as amended by the TEA-21 Restoration Act
105-206, 112 Stat. 685, July 22, 1998; 49 U.S.C. Section 5310, note;
and DOT and FTA regulations and FTA Circulars.
[[Page 2587]]
B. Buy America
Under the OTRB Accessibility Grant Program, FTA's Buy America
regulations, 49 CFR part 661, apply to the incremental capital costs of
making vehicles accessible.
Generally, Buy America applies to all accessibility equipment
acquired with FTA funds, i.e., all of the manufacturing processes for
the product take place in the United States. The lift, the moveable
seats, and the securement devices will each be considered components
for purposes of this program; accordingly, as components, each must be
manufactured in the United States regardless of the origin of its
respective subcomponents.
It should also be noted that FTA has issued a general public
interest waiver for all purchases under the Federal ``small purchase''
threshold, which is currently $100,000. (See 49 CFR 661.7, Appendix
A(e)). Because Section 3038(b) of TEA-21, limited FTA financing to the
incremental capital costs of compliance with DOT's OTRB accessibility
rule, the small purchase waiver applies only to the incremental cost of
the accessibility features. Where more than one bus is being made
accessible, the grantee must calculate the incremental cost increase of
the entire procurement when determining if the small purchase waiver
applies. For example, if $30,000 is the incremental cost for the
accessibility features eligible under this program per bus (regardless
of the Federal share contribution), then a procurement of three buses
with a total such cost of $90,000, would qualify for the small purchase
waiver. No special application to FTA would be required.
The grantee must obtain a certification from the bus or component
manufacturer that all items included in the incremental cost for which
the applicant is applying for funds meet Buy America requirements. The
Buy America regulations can be found at http://www.fta.dot.gov/library/legal/buyamer/.
C. Labor Protection
Before FTA may award a grant for capital assistance, 49 U.S.C.
5333(b) requires that fair and equitable arrangements must be made to
protect the interests of transit employees affected by FTA assistance.
Those arrangements must be certified by the Secretary of Labor as
meeting the requirements of the statute. When a labor organization
represents a group of affected employees in the service area of an FTA
project, the employee protective arrangement is usually the product of
negotiations or discussions with the union. The grant applicant can
facilitate DOL certification by identifying in the application any
previously certified protective arrangements that have been applied to
similar projects undertaken by the grant applicant, if any. Receiving
funds under the OTRB Accessibility program, however, will not require
the grantee's employees to be represented by organized labor. Nothing
in the labor protection provisions in 49 U.S.C 5333(b) requires a
motorcoach operator to become a union carrier or encourages union
organizing in any manner. Upon receipt of a grant application requiring
employee protective arrangements, FTA will transmit the application to
DOL and request certification of the employee protective arrangements.
In accordance with DOL guidelines, DOL notifies the relevant unions in
the area of the project that a grant for assistance is pending and
affords the grant applicant and union the opportunity to agree to an
arrangement establishing the terms and conditions of the employee
protections. If necessary, DOL furnishes technical and mediation
assistance to the parties during their negotiations. The Secretary of
Labor may determine the protections to be certified if the parties do
not reach an agreement after good faith bargaining and mediation
efforts have been exhausted. DOL will also set the protective
conditions when affected employees in the service area are not
represented by a union. When DOL determines that employee protective
arrangements comply with labor protection requirements, DOL will
provide a certification to FTA. The grant agreement between FTA and the
grant applicant incorporates by reference the employee protective
arrangements certified by DOL.
Applicants must identify any labor organizations that may represent
their employees and all labor organizations that represent the
employees of any other transit providers in the service area of the
project.
For each local of a nationally affiliated union, the applicant must
provide the name of the national organization and the number or other
designation of the local union (e.g., Amalgamated Transit Union local
1258). Since DOL makes its referral to the national union's
headquarters, there is no need to provide a means of contacting the
local organization.
However, for each independent labor organization (i.e., a union
that is not affiliated with a national or international organization)
the local information will be necessary, such as the name of
organization, address, contact person, phone, and fax numbers.
Where a labor organization represents transit employees in the
service area of the project, DOL must refer the proposed protective
arrangements to each union and to each recipient. For this reason,
please provide DOL with a contact person, address, telephone number and
fax number for your company, and associated union information.
DOL issued a Federal Register notice addressing the new TEA-21
programs, including the OTRB Accessibility Program, ``Amendment to
Section 5333(b) Guidelines to Carry Out New Programs Authorized by the
Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21);'' Final Rule,
dated July 28, 1999. FTA issued a ``Dear Colleague'' letter, dated
December 5, 2000, addressing DOL processing of grant applications.
Attached to the letter is an application checklist, which provides
information that DOL must have in order to review and certify FTA grant
applications. This letter and attachment can be found at: http://www.fta.dot.gov/office/public/c0019.html. Questions concerning
protective arrangements and related matters pertaining to transit
employees should be addressed to the Division of Statutory Programs,
Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Room N-5411,
Washington, DC 20210; telephone (202) 693-0126, fax (202) 219-5338.
D. Planning
Applicants are encouraged to notify the appropriate State
Departments of Transportation and Metropolitan Planning Organizations
(MPO) in areas likely to be served by equipment made accessible through
funds made available in this program. Those organizations, in turn,
should take appropriate steps to inform the public, and individuals
requiring fully accessible services in particular, of operators'
intentions to expand the accessibility of their services. Incorporation
of funded projects in the plans and transportation improvement programs
of states and metropolitan areas by States and MPOs also is encouraged,
but is not required.
E. Standard Assurances
The applicant assures that it will comply with all applicable
Federal statutes, regulations, executive orders, FTA circulars, and
other Federal administrative requirements in carrying out any project
supported by the FTA grant. The applicant acknowledges that it is under
a continuing obligation to comply with the terms and conditions of the
grant agreement issued for its project with FTA. The applicant
[[Page 2588]]
understands that Federal laws, regulations, policies, and
administrative practices might be modified from time to time and
affects the implementation of the project. The applicant agrees that
the most recent Federal requirements will apply to the project, unless
FTA issues a written determination otherwise. Certifications and
Assurances for grants to be awarded under this program in FY 2009 will
be included in the FTA Certifications and Assurances for FY 2009, which
will be published in the Federal Register at a later date, and made
available for electronic signature in FTA's grants system. Every
applicant must submit Certification 01, ``For Each Applicant.'' Each
applicant for more than $100,000 must provide both Certification 01,
and, 02, the ``Lobbying Certification.''
4. Reporting
Post-award reporting requirements include submission of final
Financial Status Report and milestone report, or annual reports for
grants remaining open at the end of each Federal fiscal year (September
30). Documentation is required for payment.
VII. Agency Contact(s)
Contact the appropriate FTA Regional Administrator (Appendix B) for
application-specific information and issues. For general program
information, contact Blenda Younger, Office of Program Management,
(202) 366-2053, e-mail: [email protected]. A TDD is available at
1-800-877-8339 (TDD/FIRS).
Issued in Washington, DC, this 12th day of January, 2010.
Peter Rogoff,
Administrator.
Appendix A Over-the-Road Bus Accessibility Program Project Proposal
Application (Paper or electronic project narrative)
(See Section IV.2 of Federal Register announcement for detailed
explanation of application content).
In addition to OMB Standard Form 424, Application For Federal
Assistance, provide the following information:
1. Applicant Information
A. Company Name:
B. DUNS Number:
C. For Notification of Project Selection Contact:
Name of Individual:
Address:
FAX:
Telephone number:
E-mail:
D. Describe Services Provided by Company, including Areas Served:
E. Intercity Fixed-Route Carriers:
------Large/Class I (gross annual operating revenues of $8.1
Million or more).
------Small (gross annual revenues of less than $8.1 Million).
F. Existing Fleet and Employee Information:
------Total number of over-the-road buses in fleet.
------Number of over-the-road buses in fleet used for intercity
fixed-route service.
------Number of over-the-road buses intercity-fixed-route
service that currently have lifts.
------Number of over-the-road buses in fleet used for Other
Service, e.g., Charter, Tour, & Commuter.
------Number of over-the-road buses used in ``other'' service
that currently have lifts.
------Number of Employees.
G. Estimate of the proportion of service, if any, that is intercity
fixed-route
------% of services is intercity fixed-route.
H. Describe your technical, legal, and financial capacity to
implement the proposed project. Include evidence of operating
authority.
2. Project Information
A. Federal Amount Requested (Up to 90% Federal Share):
Intercity Fixed Route Service:
$--------for-------- New Over-the-road Buses
$--------for-------- Retrofits
$--------for-------- Employees--Training
Other Service (Commuter, Charter, or Tour)
$--------for-------- New Over-the-road Buses
$--------for-------- Retrofits
$--------for-------- Employees--Training
B. If requesting funding for intercity service, provide evidence
of any of the following that are applicable:
1. The applicant provides scheduled, intercity, fixed route,
over-the-road bus service that interlines with one or more
scheduled, intercity bus operators. Such evidence includes
applicant's membership in the National Bus Traffic Association or
participation in separate interline agreements, and participation in
interline tariffs or price lists issued by, or on behalf of,
scheduled, intercity bus operators with whom the applicant
interlines.
2. The applicant has obtained authority from the Federal Motor
Carrier Safety Administration or the Interstate Commerce Commission
to operate scheduled, intercity, fixed route service.
3. The applicant is included in Russell's Official National
Motor Coach Guide showing that it provides regularly scheduled,
fixed route OTRB service with meaningful connections with scheduled
intercity bus service to more distant points.
4. The applicant maintains a website showing routes and
schedules of its regularly scheduled, fixed route OTRB service and
its meaningful connections to other scheduled, intercity bus
service.
5. The applicant maintains published schedules showing its
regularly scheduled, fixed route OTRB service and its meaningful
connections to other scheduled, intercity bus service.
6. The applicant participates in the International Registration
Plan (IRP) apportionment program.
C. Document Matching Funds, including Amount and Source
D. Describe Project, including Components to be funded (i.e.,
lifts, tie-downs, moveable seats or training).
E. Provide Project Time Line, including significant milestones
such as date of contract for purchase of vehicle(s), and actual or
expected delivery date of vehicles.
F. Project Evaluation Criteria
Provide information addressing the following criteria:
The identified need for OTRB accessibility for persons
with disabilities in the areas served by the applicant (20 points).
The extent to which the applicant demonstrated
innovative strategies and financial commitment to providing access
to OTRBs to persons with disabilities (20 points).
The extent to which the over-the-road bus operator
acquired equipment required by DOT's OTRB accessibility rule prior
to the required time frame in the rule (20 points).
The extent to which financing the costs of complying
with DOT's rule presents a financial hardship for the applicant (20
points).
The impact of accessibility requirements on the
continuation of OTRB service with particular consideration of the
impact of the requirements on service to rural areas and for low
income individuals (20 points).
G. Labor Information
List labor organizations that may represent your
employees and all labor organizations that represent the employees
of any transit providers in the service area of the project.
For each local of a nationally affiliated union,
provide the name of the national organization and the number or
other designation of the local union.
For each independent labor organization, provide the
local information, including: name of organization, address, contact
person, phone and fax numbers.
For transit employee unions in service area of project,
provide information including: contact person, address, telephone
number and fax number for your company and associated union
information.
Appendix B
FTA Regional Offices
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Richard H. Doyle, Regional Robert C. Patrick, Regional
Administrator, Region 1--Boston, Administrator, Region 6-Ft. Worth,
Kendall Square, 55 Broadway, Suite 819 Taylor Street, Room 8A36, Ft.
920, Cambridge, MA 02142-1093, Worth, TX 76102, Tel. 817-978-
Tel. 617-494-2055. 0550.
[[Page 2589]]
States served: Connecticut, Maine, States served: Arkansas, Louisiana,
Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Texas.
Rhode Island, and Vermont.
Brigid Hynes-Cherin, Regional Mokhtee Ahmad, Regional
Administrator, Region 2--New York, Administrator, Region 7--Kansas
One Bowling Green, Room 429, New City, MO, 901 Locust Street, Room
York, NY 10004-1415, Tel. 212-668- 404, Kansas City, MO 64106, Tel.
2170. 816-329-3920.
States served: New Jersey, New
York.
New York Metropolitan Office, States served: Iowa, Kansas,
Region 2--New York, One Bowling Missouri, and Nebraska.
Green, Room 428, New York, NY
10004-1415, Tel. 212-668-2202.
Letitia Thompson, Regional Terry Rosapep, Regional
Administrator, Region 3-- Administrator, Region 8--Denver,
Philadelphia, 1760 Market Street, 12300 West Dakota Ave., Suite 310,
Suite 500, Philadelphia, PA 19103- Lakewood, CO 80228-2583, Tel. 720-
4124, Tel. 215-656-7100. 963-3300.
States served: Delaware, Maryland, States served: Colorado, Montana,
Pennsylvania, Virginia, West North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah,
Virginia, and District of and Wyoming.
Columbia.
Philadelphia Metropolitan Office,
Region 3--Philadelphia, 1760
Market Street, Suite 500,
Philadelphia, PA 19103-4124, Tel.
215-656-7070.
Washington, DC Metropolitan Office,
1990 K Street, NW., Room 510,
Washington, DC 20006, Tel. 202-219-
3562.
Yvette Taylor, Regional Leslie T. Rogers, Regional
Administrator, Region 4--Atlanta, Administrator, Region 9--San
230 Peachtreet Street, NW., Suite Francisco, 201 Mission Street,
800, Atlanta, GA 30303, Tel. 404- Room 1650, San Francisco, CA 94105-
865-5600. 1926, Tel. 415-744-3133.
States served: Alabama, Florida, States served: American Samoa,
Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Arizona, California, Guam, Hawaii,
North Carolina, Puerto Rico, South Nevada, and the Northern Mariana
Carolina, Tennessee, and Virgin Islands.
Islands.
Los Angeles Metropolitan Office,
Region 9--Los Angeles, 888 S.
Figueroa Street, Suite 1850, Los
Angeles, CA 90017-1850, Tel. 213-
202-3952.
Marisol Simon, Regional Rick Krochalis, Regional
Administrator, Region 5--Chicago, Administrator, Region 10--Seattle,
200 West Adams Street, Suite 320, Jackson Federal Building, 915
Chicago, IL 60606, Tel. 312-353- Second Avenue, Suite 3142,
2789. Seattle, WA 98174-1002, Tel. 206-
220-7954.
States served: Illinois, Indiana, States served: Alaska, Idaho,
Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Oregon, and Washington.
Wisconsin.
Chicago Metropolitan Office, Region
5--Chicago, 200 West Adams Street,
Suite 320, Chicago, IL 60606, Tel.
312-353-2789.
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[FR Doc. 2010-703 Filed 1-14-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P