[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 104 (Wednesday, June 1, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-13275]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: June 1, 1994]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------


DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
 

Human Services Transportation Research and Analysis Project

AGENCY: The Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation and the 
Director of the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs (IGA) of the 
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

ACTION: Request for applications for research and analysis in the area 
of human services transportation from national organizations with a 
record of successfully completing recognized research and analysis 
informing the field of human services transportation.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This announcement solicits applications and describes the 
application process for the award of the cooperative agreement. It is 
the intent of HHS to fund one project which address the various task 
areas in this announcement. The project period will be for three years. 
However, an award will be funded only for the first year with funding 
for years two and three subject to the government's determination to 
continue the project. A total of $100,000 is available for this 
cooperative agreement.

DATES: The closing date for submittal of applications under this 
announcement is August 1, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Send application to Grants Officer, Office of the Assistant 
Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, Department of Health and Human 
Services, 200 Independence Avenue, SW., room 405-F, Hubert H. Humphrey 
Building, Washington, DC 20201. Attn: Al Cutino.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Technical Questions, Dianne L. 
McSwain, HHS/IGA, at (202) 690-6036. Questions may be faxed to (202) 
690-5672 (applications may not be faxed for submission).

Eligible Applicants

    Eligible applicants are nationally-recognized organizations, 
institutions, or for profit entities with a record of study and 
analysis in rural and special transportation needs. However, for-profit 
organizations are advised that no cooperative agreement funds may be 
paid as profit to any recipient of a grant or subgrant. Profit is any 
amount in excess of allowable direct or indirect costs of the grantee. 
Such applicants should indicate a significant publication history 
indicating a range of analysis and study projects in human services or 
specialized transportation brought to successful completion. Experience 
in working with special populations which represent HHS target 
populations will be of particular interest.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Part I

Legislative Authority

    The Transportation Coordination Research and Analysis Project 
cooperative agreement is authorized by Section 1110 of the Social 
Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1310) and awards will be made from funds 
appropriated under Public Law 103-112 (DHHS Appropriations Act for FY 
1994).

Project History and Purpose

    In FY 1990, Congress authorized $250,000 for the provision of 
technical assistance to human services transportation providers. This 
effort included the compilation of data on specific target populations, 
the development of mechanisms for dissemination of information, and the 
preparation of a report to the Secretary on the provision of 
transportation services to human service clients. For FYs 1991, 1992 
and 1993, the Congress authorized $500,000 for this effort, adding 
funding for specific technical assistance in the implementation of the 
requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). For FY 1994, 
the Congress has again authorized $500,000 for continued technical 
assistance and research and analysis in human services transportation.
    The purpose of this announcement is to solicit applications for the 
performance of research and data analysis in various issue areas 
informing the provision of human services transportation to the clients 
of HHS-funded programs. This announcement represents a partial follow-
on activity to the efforts funded in FYs 1991-1993 in that the short-
term research and analysis tasks of the prior projects have been 
incorporated into a separate announcement for FY 1994.
    It is the policy of HHS to coordinate related programs at the 
Federal level wherever possible and to promote maximum feasible 
coordination at the State and local level. Coordination and 
collaborative effort maximize the resources available to address 
specific needs. Reflecting this policy, HHS and the DOT have 
established the Joint DHHS/DOT Coordinating Council on Human Services 
Transportation (Coordinating Council) as a focal point for the effort 
to coordinate HHS and DOT resources for transportation of HHS program 
client populations. The goals of the Coordinating Council are as 
follows: (1) To achieve the most cost-effective use of Federal, State 
and local resources for specialized and human services transportation; 
(2) to encourage State and local governments to take a more active role 
in the management and coordination of programs supporting specialized 
and human services transportation; (3) to adopt administrative and 
management practices in the implementation of Federal programs which 
encourage coordination among service providers and increase access to 
specialized and human services transportation; (4) to share technical 
resources and information with recipients of Federal assistance and 
transportation providers; and (5) to encourage the most efficient 
system of providing services, including consideration of private sector 
providers and use of competitive bidding.
    The research and analysis tasks of this effort represent data 
acquisition and synthesis support activities to the Coordinating 
Council and the Human Services Transportation Technical Assistance 
Project. In support of these goals, HHS has identified the following 
objectives for the Human Services Transportation Research and Analysis 
Project: (1) To develop information on the most efficient use of 
equipment, facilities, and staff resources at the State and local 
level; (2) to examine and analyze issues and concerns identified by the 
Coordinating Council; and (3) to provide information, technical data, 
and assistance for use by State and local agencies to improve 
management of transportation services and the acquisition of 
appropriate equipment and facilities. Applicants should reflect an 
understanding of these goals and objectives in their applications.

Available Funds

    HHS intends to award one cooperative agreement in the amount of 
$100,000 resulting from this announcement.

Period of Performance

    The start-up date of the project will be on or before August 1, 
1994 for a project period of 36 months. However, an award will be 
funded only for the first year with funding for years two and three 
subject to the government's determination to continue the project.

Part II--Human Services Transportation Technical Assistance Project--
Responsibilities of the Awardee and the Federal Government

Awardee Responsibilities

    The Human Services Transportation Research and Analysis project 
requires data acquisition, synthesis, examination, evaluation and 
analysis support for the Human Services Transportation Technical 
Assistance project and the Coordinating Council on the issues affecting 
efficient use of transit resources, equipment and facilities to serve 
the clients of HHS-funded programs. Applicants should be aware of and 
be sensitive to the need for flexibility to accommodate the shifting 
information needs and to coordinate the activities herein with the 
activities of the Community Transportation Assistance Project (CTAP) 
funded by HHS and the Rural Transit Assistance Program (RTAP) funded 
through the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) of the Department of 
Transportation (DOT) and as well as work undertaken through the 
Transportation Research Board and ongoing relevant transportation 
efforts by other federal departments. Knowledge of the universe of 
federal efforts pertaining to the transportation of human services 
clients will be considered partially indicative of ability to perform 
the required tasks.
    The following tasks are to be specifically addressed in the project 
narrative of the application. Applicants are encouraged to be 
innovative and to suggest additional or alternative approaches through 
subtasks that may improve the potential for successful completion of 
the task. However, applicants are cautioned to provide suggestions for 
additional subtasks judiciously with concern for the overall cost of 
the project. There will be no additional funds beyond those 
appropriated by Congress for this project.

Task I: Project Planning and Coordination

    Task I entails the preparation of a detailed work plan of the 
activities proposed to meet the stated objectives of the project, 
including monthly meetings with the federal project staff, quarterly 
written progress reports, and a final report due at the end of each 
identified activity. In addition, an overall final report of the 
project activities and recommendations for future activities due at the 
end of the project year should be included. The work plan provides 
detailed descriptions of task activities and specific time frames for 
the accomplishment of the activities in measurable terms and reflects 
periodic consultation with the Federal Project Officer (FPO). In the 
second and third year, additional planning with the FPO should be 
reflected to allow for the minor project adjustments needed to keep the 
tasks relevant to consumer need.

Task II: Identification of Research and/or Analysis Topics

    Task II consists of the identification of the research and analysis 
topics to be examined during the initial and subsequent project years. 
Such topics might include a comprehensive review of the human service 
transportation interests and information needs among the members of the 
Coordinating Council; an evaluation of the Community Transportation 
Assistance Project (CTAP), identification of the information needs of 
Head Start grantees regarding the pending transportation regulations; 
development of a comprehensive database of the authorizing legislation 
for HHS programs providing funding for transportation services 
permitting tracking of the authorization cycles; examine the 
transportability of mobility devices; identify, describe and recommend 
solutions to inconsistencies in existing HHS regulations posing 
barriers to the effective coordination of transportation resources; and 
assisting the Coordinating Council with an ongoing strategic planning 
process. Some consideration should be made for the appearance of 
unanticipated topics during each project year.
    The nature of the work of the Coordinating Council is such that 
issues/topics evolve quickly and the need for information within the 
human services transportation network can become critical quite 
quickly. Therefore, the awardee should anticipate sufficient resources 
to explore two to three additional topics beyond those proposed and 
agreed upon by the FPO at the initial project meeting. The suggestion 
of additional topics not listed herein will be considered indicative of 
knowledge of the field and current practices.
    The activities which might be undertaken to accomplish this task 
could include: (1) Review of existing reports from meetings, 
conferences and roundtables which have identified current issues and 
concerns as identified by the providers and consumers of human services 
transportation; (2) discussions with the membership of the Coordinating 
Council and the workgroup supporting the Council on information needs 
within the various member programs; (3) consultation with the grantee 
supporting the CTAP project with regard to the most requested topics 
through the TAP-IN bulletin board and the hotline; (4) compilation of a 
suggested prioritized list of topics with rationale for inclusion and 
the resources necessary for completion of each activity; and (5) 
presentation of the topics list to the FPO for consultation and 
approval.

Task III: Performance of Topic Activities

    Task IV represents the research and analysis activities to be 
undertaken as identified in Tasks II and III. No more than six separate 
topics will be explored during each project year from the list created 
in Task III as well as the unanticipated topics discussed in Task I. 
The number of completed activities will be driven by the complexity of 
the topics undertaken and the need for information within the human 
services transportation network.
    The activities that might be undertaken with each topic to be 
explored under this task could include: (1) A comprehensive 
description/definition of the issue(s) with relevant existing data; (2) 
a detailed description of the proposed activity (analysis, synthesis, 
etc.) with resource requirements; (3) a rationale for the proposed 
approach; (4) a request for any required technical support from the 
FPO, other federal staff or the CTAP project; (5) completion of the 
proposed activities; and (6) monthly oral reports and quarterly written 
reports (if the activity will entail more than three months work) as 
well as a well documented written final report for each topic.

Part III--Application Preparation and Evaluation Criteria

    This part contains information on the preparation of an application 
for submission under this announcement and the evaluation criteria 
under which the applications will be reviewed. Potential applicants 
should read this part carefully in conjunction with the information 
provided in Part II.
    To ensure that organizations with the greatest capacity for 
providing quality services participate in this effort, applicants for 
funding under the announcement should reflect, in the program narrative 
section of the application, how they will be able to fulfill the 
responsibilities and requirements described in this section of the 
announcement. Applicants must address all the identified tasks. It is 
the intent of HHS to make an award sufficient to accomplish the entire 
scope of effort described in this announcement, if submissions of 
sufficient scope and quality are received to permit it.
    The applicant should include: (1) A management plan, which sets 
forth how the project will be managed and who will be the key personnel 
involved, including a Gantt chart and other graphics which specifically 
display the management information provided in text; and (2) a budget 
plan, which specifically delineates the costs associated with the 
project. When the applicant chooses to suggest additional efforts to 
support a task, the cost of those additional efforts (not required by 
this announcement) should be separately identified. However, at no time 
will a proposed budget in excess of $100,000 for all the Tasks listed 
in the Announcement be considered for funding, unless the amount in 
excess of $100,000 represents grantee cost-sharing.

Review Process and Funding Information

    Applications that are submitted by the deadline date and which meet 
the screening criteria will be reviewed and scored competitively. The 
applications will be reviewed using the evaluation criteria listed 
below to score the applications. These review results will be a primary 
factor in funding decisions.
    HHS reserves the option to discuss applications with other Federal 
agencies, Central or Regional Office staff, specialists, experts, 
States and the general public. Comments from these sources, along with 
those of the reviewers, will be considered in making funding decisions.

State Single Point of Contact (E.O. No. 12372)

    The Department of Health and Human Services has determined that 
this program is not subject to Executive Order No. 12372, 
Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs, because it is a program 
that is national in scope and the only impact on State and local 
governments would be through subgrants. Applicants are not required to 
seek intergovernmental review of their applications within the 
constraints of E.O. No. 12372.

Deadline for Submittal of Applications

    The closing date for submittal of applications under this 
announcement is August 1, 1994. Applications must be postmarked or 
hand-delivered to the application receipt point no later than 5 p.m. on 
August 1, 1994.
    Hand-delivered applications will be accepted Monday through Friday 
prior to and on August 1, 1994 during the working hours of 9 a.m. to 5 
p.m. in the lobby of the Hubert H. Humphrey building located at 200 
Independence Avenue, SW., in Washington, DC. When hand-delivering an 
application, call 690-8794 from the lobby for pick up. A staff person 
will be available to receive applications.
    An application will be considered as meeting the deadline if it is 
either: (1) Received at, or hand-delivered to, the mailing address on 
or before August 1, 1994, or (2) Postmarked before midnight of the 
deadline date, August 1, 1994 and received in time to be considered 
during the competitive review process (within two weeks of the deadline 
date).
    When mailing application packages, applicants are strongly advised 
to obtain a legibly dated receipt from a commercial carrier (such as 
UPS, Federal Express, etc.) or from the U.S. Postal Service as proof of 
mailing by the deadline date. If there is a question as to when an 
application was mailed, applicants will be asked to provide proof of 
mailing by the deadline date. When proof is not provided, an 
application will not be considered for funding. Private metered 
postmarks are not acceptable as proof of timely mailing.
    Applications which do not meet the August 1, 1994 deadline are 
considered late applications and will not be considered or reviewed in 
the current competition. HHS will send a letter to this effect to each 
late applicant.
    HHS reserves the right to extend the deadline for all applications 
due to acts of God, such as floods, hurricanes or earthquakes; due to 
acts of war; if there is widespread disruption of the mail; or if HHS 
determines a deadline extension to be in the best interest of the 
Government. However, HHS will not waive or extend the deadline for any 
applicant unless the deadline is waived or extended for all applicants.
    Application Requirements: Applicants are advised to read and follow 
this section very carefully. Applications which do not meet these 
initial requirements may not be considered or reviewed in the 
competition, and the applicant will be so informed. A complete and 
conforming application must meet the following requirements:
    Eligible applicants are nationally-recognized organizations, 
institutions, or for profit entities with a record of study and 
analysis in rural and special transportation needs. However, for-profit 
organizations are advised that no cooperative agreement funds may be 
paid as profit to any recipient of a grant or subgrant. Profit is any 
amount in excess of allowable direct or indirect costs of the grantee. 
Such applicants should indicate a significant publication history 
indicating a range of analysis and study projects in human services or 
specialized transportation brought to successful completion. Experience 
in working with special populations which represent HHS target 
populations will be of particular interest.
    Application Instructions and Forms See section entitled 
``Components of a Complete Applications''. All of these documents must 
accompany the application package. Copies of applications should be 
requested from and submitted to: Grants Officer, Office of the 
Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, U.S. Department of 
Health and Human Services, room 405-F, 200 Independence Avenue, SW., 
Washington, DC 20201, Phone (202) 401-3951. No faxes will be accepted. 
Questions concerning the preceding information should be submitted to 
the Grants Officer at the same address.
    Maximum Length: No specific limit will be set for the length of the 
application. However, applications that are overly long and/or contain 
superfluous material will be viewed as indicating an inefficient 
approach.
    Evaluation Criteria: The evaluation criteria correspond to the 
outline for the development of the Program Narrative Statement of the 
application. Although not mandatory, it is strongly recommended that 
applications be prepared with the format indicated by this outline.
    Applications which meet the initial requirements will be reviewed 
by a panel of at least three reviewers. Reviewers will determine the 
strengths and weaknesses of each application in terms of the evaluation 
criteria listed below, provide comments and assign numerical scores. 
The point value following each criterion heading indicates the maximum 
numerical weight that each section will be given in the review process.

1. Understanding of the Effort

    The application discusses in detail the applicant's understanding 
of the need for the project, the background and evolution of the effort 
to coordinate human services transportation, the significant 
participants in the coordination effort, the universe of current 
federal activities, and the specific relevance of the proposed tasks to 
the identified need. The application relates the project to the goals 
and objectives described in the first section of this announcement. 20 
points

2. Project Approach

    The application outlines a sound and workable approach to the 
effort and details how the proposed tasks will be accomplished; cites 
factors which might accelerate or decelerate the work, giving 
acceptable reasons for taking this approach as opposed to others; 
describes and supports any unusual features of the project, such as 
design or technological innovations, reductions in cost or time, or 
extraordinary collaborative involvements; and provides for projections 
of the accomplishments to be achieved. It lists the activities to be 
carried out in chronological order, showing a reasonable schedule of 
accomplishments and target dates.
    To the extent applicable, the application identifies the kinds of 
data to be collected and/or maintained, and discusses the criteria to 
be used to evaluate the results and successes of the project. It 
describes the evaluation methodology that will be used to determine if 
the needs identified and discussed are being met and if the results and 
benefits identified are being achieved. The application also lists each 
organization, agency, consultant, or other key individuals or groups 
who will work on the project, along with a description of the 
activities and nature of their effort or contribution. 35 points

3. Staffing Utilization, Staff Background and Experience

    The application identifies the background of the principal project 
staff members. The name, address, training, educational background, and 
other qualifying experience are provided for the project director and 
the key project staff. Any staff to be added as a result of the award 
of this Cooperative agreement should be clearly delineated. The 
applicant provides assurance that the proposed staff will be available 
to work on the project effort upon award of the cooperative agreement. 
The principal author of the application is identified and that person's 
role in the project is identified. 20 points

4. Organizational Experience

    The application identifies the qualifying experience of the 
organization to demonstrate the applicant's ability to effectively and 
efficiently administer this project. The application specifically 
identifies the applicant as a nationally-recognized organization, 
institution, or company with a record of study and analysis of rural 
and special transportation needs. Previous specific experience with 
work similar to the Tasks proposed is clearly and specifically 
described. The relationship between this project and other work 
planned, anticipated, or underway by the applicant is described, 
including a chart which lists all related Federal assistance received 
within the last five years. In the event a consortium of applicants is 
proposed, the project history of prior joint work should be provided. 
The previous Federal assistance is identified by project number, 
Federal agency, and grants or contracting officer. 25 points

Components of a Complete Application

    A complete application consists of the following items in this 
order:
    1. Application for Federal Assistance (Standard Form 424, REV 4-
88);
    2. Budget Information--Non-construction Programs (Standard Form 
424A, REV 4-88);
    3. Assurances--Non-construction Programs (Standard Form 424B, REV 
4-88);
    4. Table of Contents;
    5. Budget justification for Section B-Budget Categories;
    6. Proof of non-profit status, if appropriate;
    7. Copy of the applicant's approved indirect cost rate agreement, 
if necessary;
    8. Project Narrative Statement, organized in four sections 
addressing the following areas:
    (a) Understanding of the Effort,
    (b) Project Approach,
    (c) Staffing Utilization, Staff Background, and Experience
    (d) Organizational Experience;
    9. Any appendices/attachments;
    10. Certification Regarding Drug-Free Workplace;
    11. Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension and Other 
Responsibility Matters; and
    12. Certification and, if necessary, Disclosure Regarding Lobbying.
    13. Supplement to Section II--Key Personnel.
    14. Application for Federal Assistance Checklist.

    Dated: May 17, 1994.
David T. Ellwood,
Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation.
[FR Doc. 94-13275 Filed 5-31-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4151-04-M