[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 177 (Wednesday, September 14, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54438-54441]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-18274]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Transit Administration


State Coordination Grants; Solicitation for Proposals

AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of request for proposals.

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SUMMARY: This solicitation is for states to submit proposals for the 
State Coordination Grants component of the United We Ride initiative 
(UWR). The intent of the UWR initiative is to break down the barriers 
among Federal programs as they relate to transportation to ensure that 
transportation services are seamless, comprehensive and accessible. 
Specifically, UWR is tasked with seeking ways to simplify access to 
transportation services for persons with disabilities, persons with 
lower incomes, and older adults.

[[Page 54439]]

    States Coordination Grants may be used to assist states through 
either planning or implementation grants. Planning grants are for 
states that have not yet received a UWR grant, and do not have a 
comprehensive action plan. Planning grants can be used to conduct a 
comprehensive state assessment using the UWR Framework for Action and 
to develop a comprehensive state action plan for coordinating human 
service transportation. Implementation grants are for states which have 
developed a comprehensive state action plan. Implementation grants can 
be used for implementing one or more of the elements identified within 
a state action plan consistent with the UWR Framework for Action. The 
UWR Framework for Action is a self- assessment tool for states and 
communities to conduct comprehensive state assessments to identify 
areas of success and highlight the actions still needed to improve the 
coordination of human service transportation. The self- assessment tool 
is designed to address the needs of people with disabilities, older 
adults, and individuals with lower-incomes. For further information on 
the Framework for Action, please visit: Framework for Action at the 
United We Ride Web site (http://www.unitedweride.gov).

DATES: Proposals must be submitted November 28, 2005. States are 
advised to begin the Grants.Gov registration process immediately, if 
they have not previously submitted grant applications through http://www.Grants.Gov in order to be able to meet the deadline. Grants.gov 
allows organizations to electronically find and apply for competitive 
grant opportunities from all Federal grant-making agencies. Grants.gov 
is the single access point for over 1000 grant programs offered by the 
26 Federal grant-making agencies.

ADDRESSES: Proposals are to be submitted electronically through http://www.Grants.Gov Proposals can also be submitted in hard copy to at the 
address below. All proposals must be postmarked by midnight November 
28, 2005.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bryna Helfer at PH: 202-366-1663; FAX: 
202-366-3136; United We Ride Grants, 400 7th Street, SW., Room 9114, 
Washington, DC or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    United We Ride (UWR) is an initiative of the Federal Interagency 
Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility (CCAM), established by 
President George W. Bush under the Executive Order on Human Service 
Transportation Coordination. The CCAM includes eleven Federal 
Departments working together to simplify access; reduce duplication; 
and enhance cost efficiencies within existing resources.
    The Congress and the Executive Branch are interested in ensuring 
that various human service transportation activities funded by various 
Federal programs are better coordinated. The Government Accountability 
Office (GAO) issued a report on ``Transportation Disadvantaged 
Populations'' (June 2003) that identified sixty-two different Federal 
Programs across eight Federal agencies that provide funding that may be 
used to support community transportation services.
    The GAO Report points out that there are multiple public and 
private agencies that provide human service transportation in any one 
community, and services vary greatly in terms of eligibility 
requirements, hours or scope of operation, specific destinations and 
quality. Given the multiplicity of programs and the significant dollar 
amounts spent, more effective coordination is needed to ensure better 
service to more people. This is especially true when Federal, state, 
and local budgets for human service activities are under extreme 
pressure. GAO, many objectives have been achieved however, the 
fragmentation and lack of also indicated that coordination among 
supporting agencies continues to be a challenge. In 2005, the CCAM 
submitted a report to the President outlining five overarching 
recommendations. As such, most of the recommendations represent 
interim, coordination-based solutions that the CCAM believes will 
strengthen existing transportation services to be more cost-effective 
and accountable and help providers become more responsive to consumers. 
The five recommendations include: (1) Coordinated transportation 
planning; (2) vehicle sharing; (3) cost allocation, (4) reporting and 
evaluation, and (5) consolidated access transportation demonstration 
program. The report also includes both collective and departmental 
action plans related to CCAM members' specific program objectives.

Program Goals for State Coordination Grants

    1. Increase overall capacity of states to deliver comprehensive and 
coordinated human service transportation that meets the needs of the 
transportation-disadvantaged population (i.e., individuals with lower 
incomes, older adults, and persons with disabilities across the 
lifespan).
    2. Increase cross agency/department collaboration to facilitate 
coordination, enhance services, and address duplication and 
redundancies of programs and services.
    3. Implement elements of the statewide action plan that lead to a 
more fully coordinated human service transportation system.

Eligibility of Applicants

    Eligible applicants include the Governor's office from each state. 
The Governor may designate a ``lead'' agency, in writing. This 
designation should be submitted with the state's proposal. The Federal 
Transit Administration (FTA) will accept proposals submitted in 
electronic and/or hard copy. The proposal must clearly demonstrate 
collaboration among multiple state agencies. The Governor's office or 
designated ``lead'' agency is responsible for leading the application, 
implementation, reporting and evaluation process.

Purpose

    State Coordination Grants are intended to assist states that want 
to strengthen or jump start efforts to coordinate human service 
transportation. The UWR Framework for Action and its accompanying 
Facilitator's Guide enable leaders at the state level to guide a 
coordinating council, an interagency working group, through a 
transportation coordination assessment and action planning process. 
State Coordination Grants may be used to assist states through either 
planning or implementation. Planning grants can be used to conduct a 
comprehensive state assessment using the UWR Framework for Action and 
to develop a comprehensive state action plan for coordinating human 
service transportation. Implementation grants are for states that have 
developed a comprehensive state action plan. Implementation grants can 
be used for implementing one or more of the elements identified within 
their state action plan related to the UWR Framework for Action. States 
applying for implementation grants are encouraged to address at least 
one of the following priority areas, which will be given additional 
consideration in the evaluation and review process:
    Priority 1: Development and implementation of transit pass policy 
and programs with Medicaid and other agencies.
    Priority 2: Development of strategies for meeting the 
transportation needs of older adults, people with disabilities,

[[Page 54440]]

and individuals with lower incomes during natural or man-made 
disasters.
    Priority 3: Development of a cross agency coordinated tracking and 
accountability system; including real time eligibility, billing, and 
reporting.

Examples of How States May Use State Coordination Grants Funds

Planning Grants

     Conduct a statewide assessment of current needs, resources 
and services related to human service transportation using UWR 
Framework for Action.
     Based on the UWR Framework for Action assessment, develop 
action plans that improve coordination of human service transportation 
for individuals with disabilities, older adults, and persons with lower 
incomes.

(Note: Pertains only to states that have not previously received 
planning grants.)

Implementation Grants

     Implement statewide interagency transit pass program.
     Conduct statewide seminars/conferences to establish 
statewide dialogue that leads to effective action steps for future 
coordination of human service transportation issues.
     Develop a statewide regionalized coordination system.
     Replicate a successful model in one or more communities 
across the state (i.e., transit pass program; volunteer driver; travel 
training; etc.).
    [squf] Integrate technology to address the needs of coordination on 
human service transportation, including real time eligibility, 
accountability, billing, and reporting.
    [squf] Develop and test a mobility management strategy.

Assistance to Grantee

    States receiving grants may also receive technical assistance 
through a variety of resources. Specific resource centers include the 
Community Transportation Assistance Program (CTAP), the Rural 
Transportation Assistance Program (RTAP), Easter Seals Project ACTION, 
Intelligent Transportation Systems Peer to Peer Program,and the Multi-
State Technical Assistance Program. The range of services available 
includes, but is not limited to, assistance with coalition building, 
assessment, strategic planning, training, policy development, customer 
outreach, implementation strategies, and evaluation. Technical 
assistance is provided via phone, e-mail, during on-site visits when 
appropriate. States will also be able to receive technical assistance 
through the UWR ambassador program. The UWR ambassador program is a 
program to provide hands-on assistance to states in the development and 
delivery of coordinated human service transportation programs.

Proposal Submission

    Your proposal should be compatible with Microsoft Word and 
submitted electronically through the http://.www.Grants.Gov web site. 
The proposal must include a project narrative that addresses all of the 
elements for submission in either the planning or implementation 
category. Proposals may not exceed ten pages, not including the budget 
or letters of support. Proposals should be submitted double-spaced, in 
Times New Roman, 12-point font. Applicants must also submit letters of 
support either via fax to United We Ride at 202-366-3136, or scanned 
documents attached to the http://.www.Grants.Gov. submission.
    Applicants may apply for grants in the areas of planning or 
implementation. Planning grant applicants should address ALL of the 
following elements in their proposal applications.
    1. Briefly describe the state's mission as it relates to the 
coordination of human service transportation.
    2. Briefly describe the state's strategy for conducting the 
Framework for Action or other tool that leads to enhanced dialogue and 
understanding of current status of coordinated transportation system.
    3. Briefly describe how this grant will address and support your 
plans to develop a comprehensive state action plan for coordinating 
human service transportation.
    4. Describe the level of coordination/collaboration with other 
state agencies and other partners (e.g., providers, consumers, planning 
entities, private for profit, non-profit organizations, and 
government).
    5. Briefly describe how the state action (3.) plan will 
meaningfully involve consumers in the development and implementation of 
human service transportation planning process.
    6. Briefly describe the plan for coordination/collaboration with 
the emergency planning efforts in the state regarding transportation 
for people with disabilities, older adults, and individuals with lower 
incomes during a natural or man-made disaster.
    7. Submit a narrative of your proposed project that includes a 
project time-line with deliverables.
    8. The proposal must include a budget that includes a line item for 
each budget category and a budget narrative. Note: Grant funds may not 
be used to support capital equipment, or for the provision of services.
    9. Submit letters of support from state agencies, the Governor and 
other stakeholders.

Criteria for Rating and Selecting Proposals (Planning Grants)

    1. The extent to which the applicant demonstrates a high level of 
executive leadership and commitment, shared decision making, and policy 
adoption among agencies within the state. Applicants should submit 
letters of commitment from partner agencies. Letters of commitment 
should be submitted via fax separately to UWR at fax number 202-366-
3136 or as scanned documents attached to the http://.www.grants.gov 
submission.
    2. The extent to which the applicant's planning process includes a 
comprehensive range of transportation services for older adults, people 
with disabilities, and individuals with lower incomes.
    3. The extent to which the applicant has clearly defined a plan for 
conducting the Framework for Action or other process for building 
dialogue and understanding current status of coordination issues in the 
state.
    4. The extent to which the applicant has clearly described the 
process, timeline, stakeholder input, and strategies for developing a 
multi-agency action plan for coordinated human service transportation 
plan.
    5. The extent to which the applicant has clearly outlined the level 
of coordination/collaboration with other state agencies and other 
partners (e.g., providers, consumers, planning entities, private for 
profit, non-profit organizations, and government).
    6. The extent that there is a plan to include agencies involved in 
emergency preparedness to address transportation needs during natural 
or man-made disasters.
    7. The extent to which the applicant has clearly defined the 
strategy and approach for meaningful involvement of consumers in the 
development and implementation of human service transportation grant 
activities.
    8. The extent to which the proposed project's goals, objectives, 
timelines, evaluation plan and budget are congruent with the proposed 
activities.
    Implementation grant applicants should address ALL of the following 
elements in their proposal applications.
    1. Applicants for implementation grants must submit Page 41 of the 
Framework for Action self-assessment tool and a copy of the state's 
action plan.

[[Page 54441]]

    2. Briefly described the state's mission as it relates to the 
coordination of human service transportation.
    3. Describe the level of coordination/collaboration with state 
agencies and any other partners (e.g., providers, consumers, private 
for profit, non-profit organizations, or government).
    4. Briefly describe how the state action plan will meaningfully 
involve consumers in the development and implementation of human 
service transportation grant activities.
    5. Submit a narrative of proposed project activities that includes 
a project time-line with deliverables, milestones, and evaluation plan. 
Briefly describe how these activities related to the state's action 
plan and the Framework for Action.
    6. Describe a plan for evaluation of the implementation activities 
outlined in the proposal.
    7. Submit a budget that includes a line by line itemized budget and 
a budget narrative. Note: Grant funds may not be used to support 
capital equipment, or for the provision of services.
    8. Submit letters of support from state agencies, the Governor and 
other stakeholders.
    9. Optional: Briefly address how the state will address one of the 
priority areas outlined in the solicitation, including strategies, 
partners, deliverables, timelines, and evaluation strategies. Discuss 
how this proposed activity relates to the state action plan. NOTE: 
States choosing this option may use an additional three pages to submit 
their priority area.

Criteria for Rating and Selecting Proposals (Implementation Grants)

    1. The extent to which the state has a well established action plan 
on human service transportation coordination adopted by multiple state 
agencies and addresses the transportation needs of older adults, people 
with disabilities and individuals with lower incomes.
    2. The extent to which the state demonstrates leadership and 
resources (e.g., funding, staff, policies, etc.) to implement 
coordinated human service transportation initiatives.
    3. The extent to which the state adequately demonstrates 
coordination/collaboration with state agencies and any other partners 
(e.g., providers, consumers, private for profit, non-profit 
organizations, or government).
    4. The extent to which the state demonstrates meaningful 
involvement of consumers in the development and implementation of human 
service transportation grant activities.
    5. The extent to which the proposed activities, timelines, 
evaluation plan, and budget are congruent with the proposed goals, 
objectives, and outcomes for the project and state action plan.
    6. The extent the state has addressed the development and 
implementation of performance measures and evaluation strategy for the 
targeted activities outlined in the proposal.
    7. Priority areas: States will receive additional consideration for 
addressing one of the priority areas. Evaluation in this area will be 
based on the extent that the state has clearly defined a strategy and 
approach to address the priority area. The extent to which there is 
adequate consideration and participation by the relevant agencies and 
leadership for successful implementation and change process.
    Eligibility/Expenses: Grant funds may not be used for capital 
purchases, or provision of services. Grant funds may be used to support 
personnel for planning, training, coordination, mobility management, 
and other administration activities required to enhance coordination 
among and across agencies within the state. Supplies, small equipment 
(computers, etc.), and travel are also eligible expenses.
    Review and Award Process: Interagency panels from CCAM will review 
each grant application. The Federal Transit Administrator will notify 
successful applicants. The anticipated notification of grantee 
selections is January 2, 2006. Regional offices will work with 
respective Washington, DC based offices and technical assistance 
providers to assist states with implementation after the selections are 
announced. Selected recipients will have pre-award authority as of the 
date of notification of project selection. FTA will manage the grants 
through FTA's electronic award and management web-based system.
    Grant Periods and Awards: The grant period is one year (starting on 
the date of the grant contract obligation date and ending one year from 
that date.) Grants will be given to states that submit proposals and 
meet the requirements outlined in this notice. In FY 2005 $1,250,000 is 
available for UWR State Coordination Grants initiative. Grants under 
this initiative range from $35,000 to $75,000. Maximum funding for 
states applying for planning grants is $35,000. Maximum funding for 
states applying for implementation grants is $75,000.

    Issued On: September 8, 2005.
Jennifer L. Dorn,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 05-18274 Filed 9-13-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-57-M