[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 135 (Tuesday, July 15, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37917-37921]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-18528]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Office of the Secretary
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.
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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
[[Page 37918]]
addresses 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.
DATES: The closing date for submittal of applications under this
announcement is August 29, 1997.
ADDRESSES: Send application to Grants Officer, Department of Health and
Human Services, ASPE/IO, 200 Independence Avenue, SW., Room 405-F,
Washington, DC 20201. Attn: Adrienne D.B. Little.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Technical Questions, Dianne L.
McSwain, HHS/IGA, at (202) 401-5926. 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 grant 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.
Part I. Supplementary Information
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 104-208 (DHHS Appropriation Act for FY
1997).
Project History and Purpose
In FY 1990, Congress authorized $250,000 for the provision of
technical assistance to human service 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 through
1996 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). In FY 1994,
the Department made the decision to fund a separate research and
analysis project for this effort and funded the effort for three years.
For FY 1997, Congress has again authorized $500,000 for continued
technical assistance 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.
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 the
planning and 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 resulting from this
announcement of approximately $100,000.
Period of Performance
The start-up date of the project will be on or before September 15,
1997 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 Research and Analysis 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
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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, periodic
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.
In the first project year, such topics might include an examination of
current approaches to employment transportation: an evaluation of the
Community Transportation Assistant Project (CTAP), identification of
the information needs of Head Start grantees regarding the pending
transportation regulations; 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 Internet web site 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; (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
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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 29, 1997. Applications must be postmarked or
hand-delivered to the application receipt point no later than 5 p.m. on
August 29, 1997.
Hand-delivered applications will be accepted Monday through Friday
prior to and on August 29, 1997, 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 29, 1997, or (2) Postmarked before midnight of the
deadline date, August 29, 1997, and received in time to be considered
during the competitive review process (within one week 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 29, 1997, 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 grant 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 Application''. All
of these documents must accompany the application package. Copies of
applications would 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-A, 200 Independence
Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20201, Phone (202) 401-3951. No faxes will
be accepted. Questions concerning the preceding information would 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 that
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
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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: July 9, 1997.
David F. Garrison,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation.
[FR Doc. 97-18528 Filed 7-14-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4151-04-M