[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 206 (Friday, October 24, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63659-63663]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-25310]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Transit Administration


Innovative Public Transportation Workforce Development Program 
(Ladders of Opportunity Initiative)

AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of Funding Availability.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announces a Notice of 
Funding Availability (NOFA) for the Innovative Public Transportation 
Workforce Development Program (Ladders of Opportunity Initiative). FTA 
has budgeted approximately $9 million for this solicitation. This NOFA 
solicits proposals that promote innovative nationally and regionally 
significant public transportation workforce development models and 
programs that invest in America's economic growth and help build 
ladders of opportunity into the middle class for American workers.

DATES: Complete proposals are due by 11:59 p.m. EST on December 23, 
2014.

ADDRESSES: All proposals must be submitted electronically through the 
GRANTS.GOV ``APPLY'' function. All entities intending to apply should 
initiate the process of registering on the GRANTS.GOV Web site 
immediately to ensure completion of registration before the submission 
deadline. Instructions for applying can be found in the ``FIND'' module 
of GRANTS.GOV. Mail and fax submissions will not be accepted.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For specific information regarding the 
areas of research targeted within this NOFA, please contact Betty 
Jackson, Workforce Development Program Manager, Office of Research, 
Demonstration and Innovation, phone: (202) 366-1730, fax: (202) 366-
3765, or email: [email protected]. A TDD is available at 1-800-877-
8339 (TDD/FIRS).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Discretionary Program Overview

A. Authority

    Section 5322(b) of Title 49, United States Code authorizes FTA's 
discretionary Innovative Public Transportation Workforce Development 
Program, pursuant to which FTA makes grants to transit agencies and 
other entities to undertake workforce development activities, including 
those that create employment training programs, conduct outreach 
programs to increase minority and female employment in transit, conduct 
research on public transportation personnel and training needs, and 
provide training and assistance for minority business opportunities. 
Under this authority, FTA is issuing this funding opportunity for the 
Innovative Public Transportation Workforce Development, Ladders of 
Opportunity Initiative. FTA plans to fund nationally or regionally 
significant public transportation workforce projects that will assist 
in building ladders of opportunity for American workers to move into 
the middle class, as well as build the critical skillset needed in the 
public transportation industry.
    FTA has budgeted approximately $9,000,000 for the program. FTA may 
choose to fund the program for more or less than the announced amount, 
including applying any future appropriated funds toward the projects 
proposed in response to this NOFA. Future funding will depend in part 
on Congressional appropriation.

B. Policy Priorities

    Supporting a highly-skilled transit workforce is critical to 
maintaining a competitive and efficient public transportation system. 
As public transportation experiences significant growth in the United 
States and investments continue in the physical capital of the nation's 
transit systems, it is essential to build and maintain the nation's 
human capital in public transportation as well.
    FTA is seeking projects that create a new nationally or regionally 
significant workforce development program, or augment or replicate a 
successful

[[Page 63660]]

existing program that will have benefits for transit agencies or the 
transit industry. While either type of effort will be considered, 
programs or approaches with an existing track record of success are 
likely to receive significant consideration.
    FTA is prioritizing applications that focus on one or more of the 
following activity areas:
     Targeting areas with high rates of unemployment;
     helping persons in local communities to directly benefit 
from employment opportunities created by the construction and operation 
of new transit capital projects or other public transportation 
activities within their region;
     providing career pathways that support the movement of 
targeted populations (e.g., new transit entrants and other underserved 
populations) from initial or short-term employment opportunities to 
sustainable careers;
     helping to increase through outreach and training the 
employment of minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, 
veterans, low-income populations and other underserved populations in 
public transportation activities;
     addressing gaps in areas with current or projected 
workforce shortages in fields related to public transportation;
     pre-employment training/preparation/tracking; and/or
     recruitment and hiring.

II. Program Information

A. Program Description and Purpose

    The Innovative Public Transportation Workforce Development Program 
assists in the development of innovative programs and activities in 
public transportation that address the human resources needs of public 
transportation operators, as well as build pathways to long-term 
careers in the public transportation industry.

B. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants
    Eligible applicants are urban and rural transit agencies; state 
departments of transportation (DOTs) providing public transportation 
services; Metropolitan Planning Organizations; Indian Tribes; nonprofit 
institutions; and institutions of higher education. Only these types of 
organizations are eligible to apply to this program. The cooperative 
agreement will be between FTA and the selected organization, which must 
have a substantial interest in the project and must not simply act as a 
pass-through for funds. Applicants may apply individually or in a 
consortium of eligible applicants. The consortium of eligible 
applicants must include a lead applicant as the primary recipient of 
federal funds.
    Individuals, for-profit entities other than for-profit educational 
institutions, and Federal agencies are not eligible to apply to this 
program.
2. Strategic Partnerships
    To be eligible for funding under this NOFA, applicants must 
demonstrate that the proposed project is supported by the primary 
applicant in partnership with one or more external strategic partner(s) 
with a substantial interest and involvement in the project. An external 
partner must be an entity that has no direct relationship to the 
primary applicant. For example, the external partner may not be a 
department within the applicant's organization. If the primary 
applicant is not a transit agency or consortia of transit agencies, the 
external partners must include at least one transit agency as an 
external partner.
    In addition to transit agencies, an external partner entity could 
include, but is not limited to:
    a. Educational institutions, which include entities providing 
professional accreditation, degree, and/or certification programs, such 
as universities, community colleges, or trade schools, either non-
profit or for-profit.
    b. Public workforce investment systems, such as local Workforce 
Investment Boards and their one-stop systems.
    c. Labor organizations, such as labor unions and labor management 
organizations.
    d. Non-profit organizations that support the mission of transit and 
transportation workforce development.
    Applicants should include a letter of confirmed support from each 
potential partner as part of their application.
    Applicants must include sufficient evidence of the partnership. 
Sufficient evidence may include a memorandum of agreement or letter of 
intent signed by all parties that describes the parties' roles, 
responsibilities and financial commitment in the proposed project. FTA 
may contact each partner to determine its level of involvement and 
financial commitment in the proposed application.
3. Cost Sharing
    Funds used for this NOFA were authorized by both SAFETEA-LU and 
MAP-21. There is a minimum 50 percent non-Federal cost share for all 
funds awarded. Regardless of minimum share requirements, cost sharing 
is an evaluation criterion and proposals with higher non-Federal cost 
share will be considered more favorably. Cash and other high-quality 
match will be considered more favorably than in-kind cost matching, 
though all are acceptable. FTA will not approve deferred local share. 
Recipients must comply with all applicable FTA requirements.
    a. Eligible sources of matching funds include:
    i. Cash from non-governmental sources other than revenues from 
providing public transportation services;
    ii. Non-farebox revenues from the operation of public 
transportation service, such as the sale of advertising and concession 
revenues. A voluntary or mandatory fee that a college, university, or 
similar institution imposes on all its students for free or discounted 
transit service is not farebox revenue;
    iii. Amounts received under a service agreement with a State or 
local social service agency or private social service organization;
    iv. Undistributed cash surpluses, replacement or depreciation cash 
funds, reserves available in cash, or new capital;
    v. In-kind contributions, such as the market value of in-kind 
contributions integral to the project, may be counted as a contribution 
toward local share.
4. Other Eligibility Requirements
a. Allowable Activities
    Projects must provide direct support to workforce development 
projects. Capital expenses such as equipment purchases are not 
considered to be eligible costs unless they directly relate to the 
workforce development program being supported by FTA funds. Acceptable 
costs can include, but are not limited to: Faculty/instructors, 
including salaries and fringe benefits, support staff, classroom space, 
books, materials and supplies, transportation stipends for students.
b. Unallowable Costs
    FTA funds under this program are not intended as an offset to 
regular transit agency employee salaries and may not be used to cover 
the regular or overtime salaries of employees at transit agencies 
offering training. Funds may be used to cover the costs of staff 
directly engaged in a program management or training role at an agency.

C. Evaluation Criteria, Review and Selection

    When evaluating competing projects for discretionary grant awards 
otherwise eligible under the program, FTA will

[[Page 63661]]

consider whether the project can help Americans move up to the middle 
class by providing transportation options that are more affordable and 
reliable, and improving their quality of life through greater access to 
education and new job opportunities, including jobs in the 
transportation industry. These considerations are the foundation of 
FTA's ``Ladders of Opportunity Initiative'' and will serve as 
distinguishing factors for purposes of project selection. FTA will 
evaluate the applications submitted according to the criteria set forth 
below. Proposals must have a minimum threshold of $200,000 and a 
maximum of $1,000,000.
    FTA will assess the extent to which a proposal addresses the 
following criteria:
a. National or Regional Applicability
    FTA will evaluate whether the project has national or regional 
applicability and whether it will provide a replicable model of 
workforce development practices.
b. Statement of Need
    FTA will evaluate the extent to which the project identifies a 
clear and specific industry need for the Federal investment in the 
proposed transit workforce development activities. An applicant must 
submit data and provide evidence of the industry need and value for the 
proposed program.
c. Innovation
    FTA will evaluate the extent to which a project identifies a 
unique, significant, or innovative approach to address workforce 
development issues in a transit agency.
d. Project Management and Organizational Capacity
    FTA will evaluate the capacity of the applicant and its required 
partners to effectively staff the proposed initiative and deliver the 
proposed outcomes, as well as the fiscal, administrative, and 
performance management capacity to implement the key components of this 
project. FTA will also evaluate the strength of the strategic 
partnership applying for the project. Additionally, FTA will evaluate 
the track record of the applicant and its required partners to 
implement projects of similar focus, size, and scope.
e. Strategy and Project Work Plan
    FTA anticipates awarding proposals for projects that will be 
completed within 18 to 24 months of receipt of the funding award. The 
period of performance will be up to 24 months from the date of 
execution of the grant documents. This performance period includes all 
necessary implementation and start-up activities, execution of the 
program, and completion of final deliverables as specified in the 
applicant's Scope of Work.
    FTA will evaluate the project work plan pursuant to the following 
factors: (1) The presentation of a coherent plan that demonstrates the 
applicant's complete understanding of all the activities, 
responsibilities, and costs required to implement each phase of the 
project and achieve projected outcomes; (2) the demonstrated 
feasibility and reasonableness of the timeline for accomplishing all 
necessary implementation activities, including the ability to 
expeditiously begin training; and (3) the extent to which the budget 
aligns with the proposed work plan and is justified with respect to the 
adequacy and reasonableness of resources requested.
f. Outcomes and Deliverables
    FTA will evaluate the extent to which the applicant and required 
partners demonstrate a results-oriented approach to managing and 
operating the project by providing projections for all applicable 
outcome categories relevant to measuring the success or impact of the 
project, describing the products and deliverables that will be produced 
as a result of the project activities, and fully demonstrating the 
appropriateness and feasibility of achieving these results. The 
applicant must include projected outcomes, which will be used as goals 
for the project.
g. Furthering Ladders of Opportunity
    FTA has prioritized and will use the following activity areas of: 
(1) Targeting areas with high rates of unemployment; (2) helping 
persons in local communities to directly benefit from employment 
opportunities created by the construction and operation of new transit 
capital projects or other public transportation activities within their 
region; (3) providing career pathways that support the movement of 
targeted populations (e.g. new transit entrants and other underserved 
populations, etc.) from initial or short-term employment opportunities 
to sustainable careers; (4) helping to increase through outreach and 
training the employment of minorities, women, individuals with 
disabilities, veterans, low income populations and other underserved 
populations in public transportation activities; (5) addressing gaps in 
areas with current or projected workforce shortages in fields related 
to public transportation; (6) pre-employment training/preparation/
tracking; and/or (7) recruitment and hiring. Further, these activity 
areas will be used to evaluate the extent to which an applicant and its 
required partners demonstrate how this program or project can assist in 
building ladders of opportunity to the middle class; how the proposed 
program can connect people and economic opportunities in public 
transportation; and how it can build pathways to new job opportunities 
in the transit field.

D. Review and Selection Process

    A technical evaluation committee will review proposals under the 
project selection criteria. Members of the technical evaluation 
committee and the FTA Workforce Program Manager reserve the right to 
screen and rate the applications FTA receives and to seek clarification 
from any applicant about any statement in its application that FTA 
finds ambiguous and/or to request additional documentation to be 
considered during the evaluation process to clarify information 
contained within the proposal.
    After consideration of the findings of the technical evaluation 
committee, the FTA Administrator will determine the final selection and 
amount of funding for each project. Additionally, as provided at 49 
U.S.C. 5322(b)(2), the FTA will consider and select, to the maximum 
extent feasible, recipients that:
     Are geographically diverse;
     Address the workforce and human resources needs of large 
public transportation providers;
     Address the workforce and human resources needs of small 
public transportation providers;
     Address the workforce and human resources needs of urban 
public transportation providers;
     Address the workforce and human resources needs of rural 
public transportation providers;
     Advance training related to maintenance of alternative 
energy, energy efficiency, or zero emission vehicles and facilities 
used in public transportation;
     Target areas with high rates of unemployment; and
     Address current or projected workforce shortages in areas 
that require technical expertise.

III. Proposal Preparation and Submission

A. Proposal Submission Process

    Applicants may submit more than one proposal. However, each 
proposal must support a new idea or program and not be duplicative. 
Submission of multiple proposals from a single entity will not

[[Page 63662]]

increase that entity's chances of being awarded a grant.
    Complete proposals for the Innovative Public Transportation 
Workforce Development Program Ladders of Opportunity Initiative must be 
submitted electronically through the GRANTS.GOV Web site by 11:59 EST 
on December 23, 2014. Late applications will not be accepted. Proposers 
are encouraged to begin the process of registration on the GRANTS.GOV 
site well in advance of the submission deadline. Registration is a 
multi-step process, which may take several weeks to complete before an 
application can be submitted. Registered proposers may still be 
required to take steps to keep their registration up to date before 
submissions can be made successfully: (1) Registration in the Systems 
for Award Management (SAM) (formerly the Central Contracting Registry 
(CCR) system) is required; and (2) persons making submissions on behalf 
of the Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) must be authorized 
in GRANTS.GOV by the AOR to make submissions.
    Eligible entities must have or must secure a DUNS number for the 
purposes of formal application and potential entry into a cooperative 
agreement with FTA. The DUNS number is a unique nine-character number 
that identifies your organization. It is a tool of the federal 
government to track how federal money is distributed. Each FTA 
applicant's DUNS number will be maintained as part of the applicant's 
profile. This number can be obtained free through the Dun and 
Bradstreet (D&B) Web site (http://www.dnb.com/US/duns_update).
    In addition, each entity that applies and does not have an 
exemption under 2 CFR Sec.  25.110 should:
    (1) Be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) prior to 
submitting an application or plan (www.sam.gov), and
    (2) Maintain an active SAM registration with current information at 
all times during which it has an active Federal award or an application 
or plan under consideration by an agency.

B. Proposal Content

    The applicant should submit a project narrative statement 
describing the project objectives, proposed work tasks, outputs, and 
benefits of the proposed project for which Federal assistance is being 
requested. If the project is a proposal seeking support for an existing 
program, it should describe the proposed FTA-supported project within 
the context of the larger effort.
    The narrative also should indicate whether matching funds will be 
provided, the expected duration of the project, and other information 
that would assist FTA to understand and evaluate the project. Each 
submission for a project narrative statement should not exceed 12 pages 
(single-spaced, single-sided, 12 point font on 8.5x11 inch paper) and 
must include the information listed below:
1. Project Title, Objective(s), and Contact Person
    At the top of the document, state the title of the project and 
provide 2-3 sentences describing the intended project goals and 
outcomes. List the contact person for this application along with his 
or her address, title, phone number, fax number, and email address.
2. Statement of the Problem(s)
    Provide a description of the new or existing program to be 
supported by the proposed project. Describe the national or regional 
impact of this project. Characterize the workforce issue or problem 
present in the public transportation industry that the project directly 
addresses. Describe how the project will specifically address the issue 
for the applying organization. Explain why the specified approach is 
being taken as opposed to others, and how its innovative aspects have 
potential for nationwide or regional application. In addition to 
innovative workforce practices, cite the unique features of the 
project, such as design or technological innovations, reductions in 
cost or time, environmental benefits, benefits to riders, or social and 
community involvement. Finally, identify uncertainties and external 
factors that could affect the schedule, cost, or success of the 
program. Supporting documentation may be provided as an attachment that 
will not count toward the total page limit. Such information will be 
considered supplementary and will not necessarily be considered by FTA 
in the project selection process.
3. Geographic Location, Target Groups, and Emphasis Areas
    Give a precise location or locations of the project and identify 
the area(s), and target group(s) to be directly served by the proposed 
effort. Maps or other graphic aids may be attached as needed.
4. Strategic Partners
    Provide a list of the strategic partner(s) that will be 
participating in the project, as well as a description of each 
organization, the unique skill sets and capacity they will bring to the 
project, and the activities they will carry out. Also provide 
documentation of the strategic partnership, such as a memorandum of 
agreement or letter of intent signed by all parties that describes the 
parties' roles, responsibilities and financial commitment in the 
proposed project.
5. Scope of Work
    Outline a plan of action, organized by work task, pertaining to the 
scope and detail of how the proposed work will be accomplished. List 
estimated milestone dates for major activities and products. Activities 
should be justified in terms of eligible program activities and 
proposals should clearly demonstrate the connection between the planned 
work and at least one of the specific program activities cited. The 
Scope of Work also should address supporting activities, such as 
marketing plans for engaging participants and/or dissemination 
strategies for sharing the results, if such are critical to the success 
of the supported program.
    Proposals must describe at least one final project deliverable and 
how it will improve the state of the practice. Final products and 
project deliverables must be made available at no cost to FTA and other 
agencies at the project's close for dissemination and sharing 
throughout the industry. Acceptable final products and deliverables 
include, but are not limited to, class materials, Web sites or 
software, recruitment materials, flyers, brochures and reports. This 
product is in addition to the performance reporting requirements 
described in Section 6 below. Additionally, a written Final Report that 
is consistent with FTA Report guidelines: http://ftanet.fta.dot.gov/TRI/Documents/Preparation%20Instructions%20for%20FTA%20Final%20Reports.pdf is 
required.
    If a phased plan is being proposed, describe the context and 
additional phases on a separate page or separate pages.
6. Period of Performance
    Provide a schedule for completion of tasks assuming a total period 
of performance of up to 24 months. If a phased plan is being proposed, 
describe schedule for additional phases on a separate page or separate 
pages (not counted toward the page maximum).
7. Cost/Budget Proposal
    Provide the Federal amount requested, and a cost proposal 
indicating staffing levels, hours, and direct costs for the total 
project and amount of funding requested from FTA. The proposal must 
describe the source

[[Page 63663]]

and amount of matching funds. As appropriate, the cost proposal also 
must set forth the nature and value of in-kind resources that team 
members will contribute to meet the match requirement.
    Provide a line-item budget for the total project, with enough 
detail to indicate the various key components of the project. As FTA 
may elect to fund only a portion of a proposal rather than the full 
amount requested by the applicant, the budget should set forth the 
minimum amount necessary to fund specific project components. As 
funding for the Innovative Public Transportation Workforce Development 
Program (Ladders of Opportunity Initiative) is limited, an application 
that can be scaled may receive additional consideration for funding.
8. Performance Measurement
    Provide an approach for demonstrating the local, nationwide or 
regional impact(s) of the project on the transit industry and broader 
employment opportunities. The proposal should include a description of 
the applicant's plan for recording the outcomes and reporting in a 
Final Report, at a minimum, the following to FTA at the end of the 
project:
     The number of individuals affected by the project. 
Applicants should define ``affected individuals'' in terms that make 
sense for the proposed project. For example, other common reported 
outcomes could include:
    [ssquf] Target Individuals (Veterans, Women, Youth, Incumbent 
Workers, etc.);
    [ssquf] Number of eligible individuals entered into program;
    [ssquf] Number of individuals who successfully complete the 
program, achieve applicable credential, etc.;
    [ssquf] Number of placed new workers and/or advanced incumbent 
workers;
    [ssquf] Number of retained workers after 90 days.
     The costs of the project and the share of federal 
investment.
     At least one performance metric. Quantitative metrics are 
preferred, but qualitative metrics will be considered if they are based 
on the experiences of those affected by the program (as opposed to the 
self-assessment of the applicant or partner agencies). Metrics could 
include, but are not limited to, survey results; exit interviews; or 
longitudinal tracking of staff (during the period of performance only).
     A 1-2 page project description that will state the 
project's initial goals and measure achievements against those goals. 
This statement can also include ``lessons learned.''
     A 1-2 page statement of applicability to other entities. 
Once the program is complete, the applicant must describe how the 
project could be scaled and/or altered for application elsewhere, and 
what types of benefits could be realized by doing so.
     Any other performance measure that the applicant 
determines would describe the strengths and weaknesses of the project.
    As part of the proposal, provide projections (for quantitative 
measures) or short hypotheses (for qualitative measures) of what type 
of impact/performance FTA could expect from the project.
9. Project Management
    Describe the applicant's approach for managing and staffing the 
project, including the distribution of responsibilities among partner 
entities and an organizational chart, if applicable. Include 
responsibilities such as regular reporting, performance measurement, 
and technical/management interactions with FTA. Quarterly cost and 
activity progress reporting is required and can be submitted in the FTA 
electronics grant award system and by email submission to the FTA 
Workforce Program Manager. FTA will provide a template upon request.
10. Project Staff
    List each organization, operator, consultant, or other key 
individuals who will work on the project, along with short descriptions 
of their appropriate technical expertise and experience (such as past, 
relevant research). Attach resumes or curriculum vitae if available. 
Project staff resumes or curriculum vitae will not count towards the 
total page count for proposal submissions.

IV. Award Information

    FTA will award grants of a minimum of $200,000 and a maximum of 
$1,000,000. FTA intends to award as many meritorious projects as 
possible, and may elect to award less than the amount requested by an 
applicant. In addition, geographic diversity and the applicant's 
receipt of other discretionary awards may be considered in FTA's award 
decisions.
    A. Notification. After FTA has selected the proposals to be funded, 
successful applicants will be notified by email or telephone of their 
status. In addition, FTA will publish a notice in the Federal Register 
announcing successful applicants. Upon notification of intent to award 
funds, FTA may withdraw its offer to provide Federal assistance if the 
recipient does not provide a formal application consistent with its 
proposal submission within 90 days following the date of the offer.
    B. Execution of the FTA Agreement. FTA will instruct successful 
applicants on how to execute their cooperative agreements in FTA's 
electronic grants management system.
    C. Start Date and Incurred Costs. Absent special circumstances, 
costs incurred prior to FTA award are not eligible as project expenses. 
Absent highly unusual circumstances, FTA cannot retroactively approve a 
project. The recipient may begin to incur project costs as of the date 
the award letter is signed by FTA and the awardee executes the final 
signature. FTA expects grantees to implement the projects awarded as 
soon as possible and to fully expend grant funds during the period of 
performance, recognizing that full transparency and accountability are 
required for all expenditures.

V. Contacts for Additional Information

    Prospective applicants may visit the following Web sites for more 
information:
     http://www.fta.dot.gov.
     For more on managing projects in accordance with FTA 
Circular 6100.1D: Transit Research and Technology Programs: Application 
Instructions and Program Management Guidelines: http://fta.dot.gov/legislation_law/12349_12669.html. This Circular includes requirements 
on project management and administration including quarterly reporting, 
financial management, and payment.
    For general program information, please use the contact information 
identified in the front of this notice. Please contact the Grants.gov 
Helpdesk for assistance with electronic applications at http://www.grants.gov. You also may contact [email protected] or call toll-
free (800) 518-4726.

Therese W. McMillan,
Acting Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2014-25310 Filed 10-23-14; 8:45 am]
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