[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 221 (Friday, November 14, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67568-67571]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-27124]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Transit Administration


United We Ride State/Tribal Mobility Management Coordination 
Grants; Solicitation for Proposals and Technical Assistance/Training 
Available

AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of request for proposals.

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SUMMARY: This notice solicits proposals from States and tribal 
associations or consortia for United We Ride (UWR) mobility management 
grants. This solicitation is issued by the Federal Transit 
Administration (FTA) on behalf of the Federal Interagency Coordinating 
Council on Access and Mobility (CCAM). Funding in the amount of $1.5 
million is provided by FTA to support grants ranging up to $300,000 
each. These grants are intended to assist States and tribal 
associations in supporting the development of transportation 
coordination capabilities and capacity within local or regional human 
service networks to address the individualized customer transportation 
needs of persons and families with low income, persons with 
disabilities, older adults and youth. Specifically, these grants seek 
to address individual customer needs for mobility within workforce 
development, health care, aging, youth, disability, education, housing, 
veterans and other social service or human service support networks. 
State or tribal mobility management proposals may include the 
development of educational programs, training and technical assistance 
activities, and mobility management coordination pilots for or within 
such networks. These grants are not intended to fund the capital or 
operating costs of specific transportation services or transportation 
brokerage programs. The projects proposed should represent new or 
expanded activities, not just the maintenance of existing actions 
already being funded. FTA-funded technical assistance and training 
programs are described that may prove helpful to applicants in either 
developing or implementing proposals.

DATES: Proposals must be submitted February 12, 2009. 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. Alternatively, proposals can also be submitted in hard 
copy at the address below. All proposals must be received by close of 
business February 12, 2009. Use of a commercial delivery service is 
recommended as U.S. Postal Service delivery to the Department is 
routinely subject to delays. [Proposals may not be submitted by e-
mail.]
    Douglas Birnie, United We Ride Grants, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., 
Room E46-309, Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Doug Birnie at PH: 202-366-1666; FAX: 
202-366-3394; 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 Executive Order 13330 on Human Service 
Transportation Coordination. The CCAM includes eleven Federal 
departments working together to coordinate Federal programs funding 
transportation. The goals are to simplify access for customers, reduce 
transportation service duplication, and enhance cost efficiencies 
within existing resources.
    There are 64 different Federal programs across nine Federal 
agencies that provide funding that may be used to support community 
transportation

[[Page 67569]]

services. The Congress and the Executive Branch are interested in 
ensuring that various human service transportation activities funded by 
various Federal programs are better coordinated and more efficient.
    The intent of the UWR initiative is to break down the barriers 
among Federal programs 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, individuals and families with lower incomes, 
older adults and youth.
    Mobility management projects are short term planning and management 
activities intended to coordinate transportation service modes in order 
to address the individualized needs of customers, in this case those 
within transportation disadvantaged populations, e.g., persons with 
disabilities, older adults, youth, and individuals and lower income 
families).

Grant Purpose

    Grants are intended to provide states and tribal associations with 
financial support to help their local or regional education, health 
care, workforce development and human service agencies and provider 
networks address their customers' transportation needs in support of 
their program objectives through mobility management actions.

Eligible Coordination Grant Activities

    Grants could be used by State and tribal associations:
    1. Assist States and tribal associations to build capabilities and 
capacity of human service and other service networks to address their 
customers' mobility needs by participating and providing input/feedback 
on transportation needs/issues in collaborative local or regional 
coordinated public transit/human services transportation planning 
processes and by working with public, private non-profit and private 
for-profit transportation organizations to deliver comprehensive and 
coordinated transportation that meets the needs of the transportation-
disadvantaged population (e.g., individuals with low incomes, older 
adults, youth and persons of all ages with disabilities).
    2. Educate and train human service case workers/personnel and other 
service system personnel to assess customer mobility needs, develop 
appropriate individualized transportation plans and strategies, 
identify appropriate transportation service options, provide or arrange 
travel training for customers, and make service placements that are 
reachable and accessible to customers.
    3. Develop transportation capabilities and capacity by establishing 
local or regional mobility managers, or travel navigators 
(transportation resource coordinators) working with or within 
education, health care, human service and workforce development and 
other service networks. The intent is to develop leadership 
capabilities and transportation knowledge in order to help these 
networks address the needs of transportation disadvantaged populations 
and to work on increasing cross-agency/departmental collaboration to 
facilitate coordination, enhance services, and address duplication and 
redundancies of programs and services. Local mobility resource 
coordinators or travel navigators working with or operating in human 
service, workforce development, health care, education and other 
community-based networks would provide or arrange travel orientation 
and training, trip planning, and other skill building and information 
activities to help customers address their transportation needs.
    4. Implement additional elements in their coordination plans (i.e., 
plans developed under this or previous UWR State grants) to address 
capacity building within human service and other networks addressing 
the needs of transportation disadvantaged populations.

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. Eligible 
applicants also include tribal associations or consortia that would 
address the needs of multiple tribal networks addressing the human 
service transportation needs of the tribes. FTA will accept proposals 
submitted in electronic or hard copy. The proposal must clearly 
demonstrate collaboration among multiple State or tribal agencies. The 
Governor's Office, designated ``lead'' agency, or a designated tribal 
organization, is responsible for submitting the application, overseeing 
the implementation of the project and submitting required reports and 
evaluations.

State and Tribal Association/Consortia Grant Elements

    The grants are to encourage States and tribal associations to 
develop, support, and demonstrate the potential of mobility management 
with specialized customer markets and within human service and other 
networks. These grants are meant to help States and tribal 
associations/consortia build transportation capacity and capabilities 
within these networks to meet customer travel needs and to provide 
feedback to transportation providers, planners, and political decision-
makers on transportation services and service needs of human service 
network customers. The purpose of these grants is to apply the mobility 
management framework for targeted consumer groups--persons with 
disabilities, youth, older adults, and individuals and families with 
low incomes--and to develop transportation infrastructure for mobility 
management coordination within human service, workforce development, 
health care, education and other community-based networks.
    Projects proposed for funding under this announcement must address 
the required elements listed below and give consideration to including 
other elements listed or developed in the plan, as appropriate.
    1. Consult with an advisory board or planning committee to design 
the plan for grant-related activities. Members should include, but not 
be limited to, customers, social and community services, education 
organizations, local businesses, workforce development, health care, 
human service and other agencies from target networks, community 
organizations (faith-based or otherwise), and local leadership. 
(Required)
    2. Provide forums for interagency dialogue on mobility management 
strategic plans and designs that invite the participation of key 
agencies (e.g., human service, workforce development, health care, 
education, transportation other appropriate networks), personnel 
serving youth with disabilities, older adults, and individuals and 
families with low incomes, and the business community. Education about 
mobility management and development of strategic plans and designs 
should involve the participation of consumers, community service 
providers, advocacy organizations and other key stakeholders. 
(Required)
    3. Undertake actions to make stakeholders and advocacy groups 
representing youth with disabilities, older adult, and individuals and 
families with low incomes aware of the benefits of mobility management 
activities and to involve them in coordinated transportation and 
mobility management planning at the State, regional, and local levels. 
(Required)
    4. Design and conduct an evaluation of statewide, local or tribal 
programs related to mobility management throughout the country to 
discern

[[Page 67570]]

promising practices and organize this information to facilitate the 
adoption of such practices by communities. (Optional)
    5. Conceptualize, design, and deliver community awareness and 
training programs, targeting specialized providers, advocates, and 
customers, aimed at building mobility management capacity within social 
service, workforce development, health care, education, and other 
appropriate networks. This capacity-building training would strengthen 
participants' ability to implement mobility management programs across 
their communities, states and tribes. (Optional)
    6. Undertake pilot programs and actions to assist local human 
service, workforce development, education, and health care 
organizations and their staff address their customer transportation 
needs, including travel training, individualized trip planning, 
transportation information, and other needed service skills and 
methods. (Optional)

Proposal Submission

    The proposal should be prepared in a format compatible with 
Microsoft Word and submitted electronically through the http://www.Grants.Gov Web site. The proposal must include a project narrative 
that addresses the required and other selected elements described in 
the section above on ``State/Tribal Association/Consortia Grant 
Elements'' and the evaluation criteria below. Proposals may not exceed 
(20) pages, not including the budget or letters of support. The 
proposal should include an activity budget. The proposal narrative 
should be double-spaced, in Times New Roman, 12-point font. Applicants 
must also submit letters of support via scanned documents attached to 
the http://www.Grants.Gov submission.

Criteria for Rating and Selecting Proposals

    1. The extent to which the state or tribal association/consortia 
proposal has developed an action plan or program adopted by and 
coordinated with multiple-State agencies or tribal organizations that 
addresses the building of capacity and capabilities within service 
networks to address customer mobility needs of older adults, youth, 
people with disabilities, and individuals and families with lower 
incomes. The proposal should reflect this plan and, at a minimum, 
demonstrate support from the Governor's office or tribal leadership and 
involvement from at least the State or tribal transportation, aging, 
labor and education departments.
(20 points)
    2. The extent to which the state or tribal association/consortia 
demonstrates leadership and resources (e.g., matching funds, staff, 
policies) to implement coordinated human service transportation 
initiatives. This includes the extent to which the state or tribal 
association/consortia has addressed the key elements of change 
management including senior leadership support and ensuring that key 
personnel either have the skills and experience to lead coordination 
and strategic planning or will receive the training necessary to 
achieve success. (20 points)
    3. The extent to which the state or tribal association adequately 
demonstrates coordination/collaboration with other partners including 
communication plans for keeping key stakeholders informed and involved 
(e.g., providers, consumers, private for profit, non-profit 
organizations, or government). (15 points)
    4. The extent to which the state or tribal association/consortia 
demonstrates meaningful involvement of consumers in the development and 
implementation of human service transportation planning and grant 
activities at the State, regional and local levels. (15 points)
    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. (15 
points)
    6. The extent to which the state or tribal association/consortia 
has addressed the development and implementation of performance 
measures and evaluation strategy for the targeted activities outlined 
in the proposal. (15 points)

Eligibility/Expenses

    Grant funds may not be used for capital purchases or operating 
costs for provision of transportation services or brokerages. Grant 
funds may be used to support personnel for planning, outreach, 
training, coordination, mobility management, and other administration 
activities required to enhance coordination among and across agencies 
within the state or tribes to increase transportation coordination and 
customer service capabilities of state, regional and local human 
service networks. Supplies, small equipment (computer hardware and 
software, etc.), and travel are also eligible expenses.

Review and Award Process

    Interagency panels from CCAM will review each grant application. 
FTA will notify successful applicants. The anticipated notification of 
grantee selections is March 2009. FTA 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 recieve pre-award authority as of 
the date of notification of project selection. FTA will manage the 
grants through FTA's Transportation Electronic Award Management web-
based system (TEAM).

Grant Periods and Awards

    The grant period is two years (starting on the date of the grant 
contract obligation and ending two years from that date.) Grants will 
be awarded competitively based upon the criteria described, provided 
states and tribal associations that submit proposals meet the 
requirements outlined this notice.

Technical Assistance and Training

Technical Assistance Available

    Technical assistance is available in developing or implementing 
human network transportation capabilities and capacity building 
programs. States or tribes may receive technical assistance through a 
variety of resources. Specific resource centers include the National 
Resource Center on the Human Service Transportation Coordination (NRC), 
Community Transportation Assistance Project (CTAP), the Rural 
Transportation Assistance Program (RTAP), Easter Seals Project ACTION, 
the National Center on Senior Transportation (NCST), Intelligent 
Transportation Systems (ITS) Peer-to-Peer Program, the Multi-State 
Technical Assistance Program (MTAP), the Joblinks Employment 
Transportation Initiative (Joblinks). The range of services available 
includes, but is not limited to, assistance with coalition building, 
assessment, strategic planning, policy development, customer outreach, 
implementation strategies and evaluation. Technical assistance is 
provided via phone, email, and during on-site visits when appropriate. 
States and tribal associations will also be able to receive technical 
assistance through the UWR ambassador program. The UWR ambassador 
program provides hands-on assistance to states and tribes in the 
development and delivery of coordinated human service transportation 
programs. Information on these technical assistance systems can be 
found at the United We Ride

[[Page 67571]]

Website, under the technical assistance section [http://www.unitedweride.gov.]

Training Available

    Training is also available to support the program goals.
    1. Transportation Solutions: Linking People with Their Community 
Training: A new training on community-level mobility management 
activities has been developed by the Community Transportation 
Association of America and Easter Seals. This 1-day in-person training 
teaches an individual to become a Certified Transportation Resources 
Coordinator (TRC) within his or her community. During the course, the 
TRC will learn about:
     Strategies and templates for gathering information on all 
available community transportation services.
     Transportation funding sources and programs.
     How to keep the gathered information updated.
     How to develop an individualized transportation plan.
     Support services that assist people in using available 
transportation options.
     Steps to take to impact their community's efforts to 
improve transportation options.
    The TRC would then serve as a resource person for direct-service 
providers on potential transportation solutions within his or her 
agency or community, depending on the size of the service area. The TRC 
would also conduct a four-hour training course for interested direct-
service providers in local human service agencies, workforce 
development agencies, and other groups on the resources specific to 
that community. The TRC will receive instruction and a written manual 
on how to implement the four-hour training when they attend the initial 
day-long training. The TRC training also provides three new tools for 
participants: the Individualized Transportation Plan, the 
Transportation Provider Profile, and the Report of Unmet Transportation 
Needs.
    Initial development of this training was made possible with support 
of the Office of Disability Employment Policy, U.S. Department of 
Labor.
    The training will be available beginning January 1, 2009. For more 
information, contact Len Cahill, Training Coordinator, Community 
Transportation Association of America, 202.415.9653 or 800.891.0590 
x705, [email protected].
    2. Coordinated Mobility: Unified Transportation Management Solution 
Training: The National Transit Institute (NTI) administered by Rutgers 
State University of New Jersey offers a two-day course on creative 
mobility management approaches for transforming fragmented 
transportation systems to a more seamless network with a customer-
focused mindset.
    Objectives and Course Content:
     Identify ways to forge partnerships with community players 
to coordinate multimodal transportation options around the needs of the 
customer.
     Develop an understanding of the customer travel needs of 
today.
     Create awareness of the opportunities.
     Present elements of mobility management and planning 
techniques.
     Identify and promote the benefits of mobility management 
for communities.
     Identify funding resources.
    Audience and Fees: Human Service Professionals, Transit Providers, 
Brokerage Firms Personnel, State Agency Staff, transit managers for all 
of the different services, Metropolitan Planning Organization's (MPO), 
Transportation Management Association's (TMA's), Councils of 
Governments, Policy Makers are encouraged to register for this course. 
Tuition shall be waived for Federal, State and local government 
employees (including tribal employees) who work in transportation or 
related areas. Fee for contractors and consultants: $300.00.1.6 CEU 
credits are offered.
    For more information, contact [email protected] or call 
(732) 932-1700.
    3. Introduction to Travel Training: This is a three-day course 
sponsored by Easter Seals Project ACTION. Delivered by Veteran Travel 
Trainers, this course will provide information on Travel Training 
Assessment Processes, Trip Planning, The Built and Natural Environment, 
Designing Travel Instruction Plans, Teaching Street Crossings, Teaching 
Boarding, Riding, Deboarding Vehicles and Understanding Vehicle 
Features, Preparing for Unforeseen Incidents and Emergencies. This in-
person learning event is delivered in both a classroom and field 
setting.
    Four courses will be offered during the fiscal year and information 
will be available beginning in October 2008. For more information, 
contact Kristi Ross, Easter Seals Project ACTION, 800.659.6428, 
[email protected].

    Issued on: November 4, 2008.
James S. Simpson,
Administrator, Federal Transit Administration.
 [FR Doc. E8-27124 Filed 11-13-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-57-P