[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 60 (Tuesday, March 29, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17549-17553]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-07008]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Transit Administration


Rides to Wellness Demonstration and Innovative Coordinated Access 
and Mobility Grants

AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration (FTA), DOT.
Funding Opportunity Number: FTA-2015-012-TPM-RTW
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 20.514

ACTION: Notice of funding opportunity (NOFO): solicitation of project 
proposals for Rides to Wellness Demonstration and Innovative 
Coordinated Access and Mobility Grants.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announces the 
availability of approximately $5.3 million of funding from two programs 
to support the Rides to Wellness Demonstration and Innovative 
Coordinated Access and Mobility Grants (R2W Demonstration Grants). The 
funding sources are: Section 3006(b) of the Fixing America's Surface 
Transportation Act (FAST), Pub. L. 114-94, which authorizes a pilot 
program for innovative coordinated access and mobility; and 49 U.S.C. 
5312 (Section 5312).
    The goal of the competitive R2W Demonstration Grants is to find and 
test promising, replicable public transportation healthcare access 
solutions that support the following goals: increased access to care, 
improved health outcomes and reduced healthcare costs. Eligible 
applicants include: States, Tribes, and Designated or Direct Recipients 
for funds under 49 U.S.C. 5307, 5310 or 5311. Proposers must serve as 
the lead agency of a local consortium that includes stakeholders from 
the transportation, healthcare, human service or other sectors. Members 
of this consortium are eligible as subrecipients. Further, proposers 
must demonstrate that the proposed project was planned through an 
inclusive process with the involvement of the transportation, 
healthcare and human service industries. Eligible projects must have 
implementation-ready capital and operating projects that enhance 
access, such as: mobility management; health and transportation 
provider partnerships; technology; and other actions that drive change. 
These R2W Demonstration Grants will develop best practice solutions 
that other communities can replicate.
    This announcement is available on the FTA Web site at: http://www.fta.dot.gov/legislation_law/federal_register_notices.php. A 
synopsis of this funding opportunity will be posted in the FIND module 
of the government-wide electronic grants Web site at http://www.GRANTS.GOV. FTA will announce final selections on the FTA Web site 
and may also announce selections in the Federal Register.

DATES: Complete proposals must be submitted electronically through the 
GRANTS.GOV ``APPLY'' function by May 31, 2016. Prospective applicants 
should initiate the process by registering on the GRANTS.GOV Web site 
promptly to ensure completion of the application process before the 
submission deadline. Instructions for applying can be found on FTA's 
Web site at http://www.fta.dot.gov/grants/15066.html and in the 
``FIND'' module of GRANTS.GOV. Mail and fax submissions will not be 
accepted.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Danielle Nelson, FTA Office of Program 
Management, 202-366-2160, or [email protected].

Table Of Contents

A. Program Description
B. Federal Award Information
C. Eligibility Information
D. Application and Submission Information
E. Application Review Information
F. Federal Award Administration
G. Federal Awarding Agency Contact

A. Program Description

    FTA announces the availability of funding from two programs to 
support the R2W Demonstration Grants. The funding sources are: Section 
3006(b) of the FAST Act, which authorizes a pilot program for 
innovative coordinated access and mobility; and the 49 U.S.C. 5312 
Research Program.
    Current changes in the healthcare industry, from the passage of the 
Affordable Care Act to the increasing focus on preventive care, present 
an opportunity for public transportation to address transportation-
related challenges to reduce healthcare costs, increase access to care 
and improve health outcomes for people. The healthcare industry's 
increasing focus on prevention and other improvements to the 
effectiveness and efficiency of care has resulted in an increased 
understanding of the value of partnerships between health and 
transportation.
    R2W Demonstration Grants are part of a series of activities to 
support FTA's Rides to Wellness Program (R2W Program). The R2W Program 
seeks to address challenges for the transportation disadvantaged in 
getting access to healthcare, such as getting to the doctor, returning 
home from a hospital procedure; getting to rehabilitation services; 
getting to behavioral health services; getting to the pharmacy; and 
getting to free health screenings. Across the country, communities are 
experimenting with ways to overcome barriers to these essential 
services by leveraging partnerships across transportation, health, and 
wellness providers.
    Through the R2W Demonstration Grants, FTA will fund projects with

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strategies that enhance access, such as mobility management, health and 
transportation provider partnerships, technology, and other actions 
that drive change. For historically disadvantaged populations, there 
are many challenges to maintaining optimal health. Through community 
partnerships that break down industry silos, leverage existing 
resources, enhance mobility for targeted groups, and develop a person-
centric model, these projects will provide ladders of opportunity that 
improve the health of our citizens.
    The goals of the R2W Program are to:

    1. Increase access to care;
    2. Improve health outcomes; and
    3. Reduce healthcare costs.

    To support these goals, the R2W Demonstration Grants will:

    1. Develop replicable, innovative, sustainable solutions to 
healthcare access challenges.
    2. Foster local partnerships between health, transportation, 
home and community-based services and other sectors to 
collaboratively develop and support solutions that increase 
healthcare access.
    3. Demonstrate the impacts of transportation solutions on 
improved access to healthcare and health outcomes and reduced costs 
to the healthcare and transportation sectors.

Building upon previous planning activities and private or federally 
funded research activities, R2W Demonstration Grants will be awarded to 
communities ready to implement a public transportation healthcare 
access solution.
    FTA's goal for these demonstration grants is to select and test 
promising transportation healthcare access solutions that other 
communities can replicate. It is expected that successful projects will 
work collaboratively and leverage partnerships among Federal agencies 
of the Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility (CCAM), including 
the Department of Health and Human Services' operating divisions such 
as the Administration for Community Living, the Health Resources and 
Services Administration, and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid 
Services. Partnerships that cross health and transportation sectors 
facilitate better health for communities through increased access to 
health/wellness services through transportation. The R2W Demonstration 
Grants will operate as pilots for up to eighteen (18) months. Within 
the first year, projects must be able to demonstrate impacts related to 
the goals of R2W: Increased access to care, improved health outcomes, 
and reduced healthcare costs.
    This notice solicits proposals for funding under two programs:
     Approximately $2 million in fiscal year (FY) 2016 funds 
under Section 3006(b) of the FAST Act, which authorizes a pilot program 
for innovative coordinated access and mobility.
     Approximately $3.3 million in FY 2015 funds for research 
projects under Section 5312, authorized by the Moving Ahead for 
Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP 21), Public Law 112-141.
    Section 3006(b) of the FAST Act authorizes a pilot program for 
innovative coordinated access and mobility. Under this program, the 
Secretary may make grants to eligible recipients to assist in financing 
innovative projects for the transportation disadvantaged that improve 
the coordination of transportation services and non-emergency medical 
transportation services, including:

    (A) The deployment of coordination technology;
    (B) Projects that create or increase access to community One-
Call/One-Click Centers, and;
    (C) Such other projects as determined appropriate by the 
Secretary.

    49 U.S.C. 5312, as amended by MAP-21 and continued in the FAST Act, 
authorizes research, development, demonstration and deployment 
projects. Through this program, FTA may make grants, or enter into 
contracts, cooperative agreements and other agreements for research, 
development, demonstration and deployment projects, and evaluation of 
research and technology of national significance to public 
transportation that the Secretary of Transportation determines will 
improve public transportation. A demonstration and deployment project 
that receives assistance under this section must seek to build on 
successful research, innovation, and development efforts to facilitate:

    (A) The deployment of research and technology development 
resulting from private efforts or Federally funded efforts, and;
    (B) The implementation of research and technology development to 
advance the interests of public transportation.

    This notice includes priorities established by FTA for these 
competitive funds, criteria FTA will use to identify meritorious 
projects for funding, and the process to apply for funding.

B. Federal Award Information

    Only proposals from eligible recipients for eligible activities 
will be considered for funding. Due to funding limitations, proposers 
that are selected for funding may receive less than the amount 
originally requested. In those cases, applicants must be able to 
demonstrate that the proposed projects are still viable and can be 
completed with the amount awarded.
    Type of Award: Competitive Grants.
    Estimated Available Funds: $5,300,000. Contingent upon the 
availability of funds and the quality of applications, FTA may make 
additional awards in FY 2016 if additional resources become available.
    There is no minimum or maximum grant award amount; however, FTA 
intends to fund as many meritorious projects as possible at funding 
levels necessary to conduct meaningful pilot testing.

C. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

    Eligible proposers for awards must be:
    i. States, Tribes, Designated or Direct Recipients under 49 U.S.C. 
5307, 5310 or 5311.
    Proposers must serve as the lead agency of a local consortium that 
includes stakeholders from the transportation, healthcare, human 
service or other sectors. Members of this consortium are eligible as 
subrecipients. Further, proposers must demonstrate that the proposed 
project was planned through an inclusive process with the involvement 
of the transportation, healthcare and human service industries. An 
implementation plan and schedule must be submitted as part of the 
proposal.

2. Cost Sharing or Matching

    The federal share of project costs for R2W Demonstration Grants is 
80%, with the applicant providing a local share of 20% of the net 
project cost and documenting the source of the local match in the grant 
application.
    The local match may 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;

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    v. Amounts appropriated or otherwise made available to a department 
or agency of the Federal Government (other than the U.S. Department of 
Transportation);
    vi. In-kind contribution such as the market value of in-kind 
contributions integral to the project may be counted as a contribution 
toward local share; and
    vii. Value capture revenue (revenue generated from value capture 
financing mechanisms).

3. Other

    Eligible projects under this program are implementation-ready 
capital and operating projects that enhance public transportation 
access such as: Mobility management; health and transportation provider 
service partnerships; technology; and other activities. These 
demonstration grants are meant to build upon previous private or 
federally funded efforts such as: projects developed through the 
National Center for Mobility Management's Healthcare Access Mobility 
Design Challenge; the Administration for Community Living's Inclusive 
Coordinated Transportation Project, Round 2; the Veterans 
Transportation and Community Living Initiative (VTCLI); the Mobility 
Services for All Americans (MSAA) Initiative; or similar efforts. FTA's 
goal for these demonstration grants is to identify and test promising 
healthcare access solutions that other communities can replicate.

D. Application And Submission Information

    All proposals must be submitted electronically through the 
GRANTS.GOV APPLY function. Any agency intending to apply should 
initiate the process of registering on the GRANTS.GOV site immediately 
to ensure completion of registration before the submission deadline. 
Instructions for applying can be found on FTA's Web site at http:/
www.fta.dot.govbus, and in the ``FIND'' module of GRANTS.GOV.
    A complete proposal submission will consist of at least two files: 
(1) The SF 424 Mandatory form (downloaded from GRANTS.GOV); and (2) the 
Applicant and Proposal Profile supplemental form for R2W Pilot program 
(supplemental form) found on the FTA Web site at http://www.fta.dot.gov/grants/15926.html. The supplemental form provides 
guidance and a consistent format for proposers to respond to the 
criteria outlined in this Notice of Funding Opportunity. Once 
completed, the supplemental form and business plan must be placed in 
the attachments section of the SF 424 Mandatory form. Proposers must 
use the supplemental form designated for the R2W Pilot program and 
attach it to their submission in GRANTS.GOV to successfully complete 
the application process. A proposal submission may contain additional 
supporting documentation as attachments.
    Within 24-48 hours after submitting an electronic application, the 
applicant should receive three email messages from GRANTS.GOV: (1) 
Confirmation of successful transmission to GRANTS.GOV, (2) confirmation 
of successful validation by GRANTS.GOV and (3) confirmation of 
successful validation by FTA. If confirmations of successful validation 
are not received and a notice of failed validation or incomplete 
materials is received, the applicant must address the reason for the 
failed validation, as described in the email notice, and resubmit 
before the submission deadline. If making a resubmission for any 
reason, include all original attachments regardless of which 
attachments were updated and check the box on the supplemental form 
indicating this is a resubmission.
    Complete instructions on the application process can be found at 
http://www.fta.dot.gov/about/15035.html. Important: FTA urges proposers 
to submit their applications at least 72 hours prior to the due date to 
allow time to receive the validation messages and to correct any 
problems that may have caused a rejection notification. FTA will not 
accept submissions after the stated submission deadline. GRANTS.GOV 
scheduled maintenance and outage times are announced on the GRANTS.GOV 
Web site at http://www.GRANTS.GOV. Deadlines will not be extended due 
to scheduled maintenance or outages.
    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 System for Award Management (SAM) is renewed annually 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. Instructions on the GRANTS.GOV registration process 
are listed in Appendix A.
    Information such as proposer name, Federal amount requested, local 
match amount, description of areas served, etc. may be requested in 
varying degrees of detail on both the SF 424 form and supplemental 
form. Proposers must fill in all fields unless stated otherwise on the 
forms. Proposers should use both the ``Check Package for Errors'' and 
the ``Validate Form'' validation buttons on both forms to check all 
required fields on the forms, and ensure that the federal and local 
amounts specified are consistent.

1. Address To Request Application Package

    To request a paper copy of the application materials for this 
program, contact Danielle Nelson, Federal Transit Administration, 
phone: (202) 366-2160, fax: (202) 366-3475, or email: 
[email protected]. A TDD is available at 1-800-877-8339 
(TDDFIRS).

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

    For complete and up to date guidance on the project information and 
project evaluation criteria that must be documented, refer to the Rides 
to Wellness Demonstration and Innovative Coordinated Access and 
Mobility Grants program on the FTA Web site: http://www.fta.dot.gov/grants/13077.html.
    At a minimum, every proposal must:
     Submit an SF-424 with the correct supplemental form 
attached.
     Submit the supplemental form that clearly shows how the 
proposed project will meet FTA's goal to find and test promising public 
transportation healthcare access solutions that other communities can 
replicate.
     Include all relevant letters of commitment or support 
(these will not count against the page limit for the solicitation 
response).
     Provide a project timeline, including significant 
milestones.
     Provide Congressional district information for the 
project's place of performance.

3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM)

    Each applicant (unless the applicant is an individual or Federal 
awarding agency that is excepted from those requirements under 2 CFR 
25.110(b) or (c), or has an exception approved by the Federal awarding 
agency under 2 CFR 25.110(d)) is required to: (i) Be registered in SAM 
before submitting its application; (ii) provide a valid unique entity 
identifier in its application; and (iii) continue to maintain an active 
SAM registration with current information at all times during which it 
has an active grant or an application or plan under consideration. FTA 
may not make an

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award to an applicant until the applicant has complied with all 
applicable unique entity identifier and SAM requirements. If an 
applicant has not fully complied with the requirements by the time FTA 
is ready to make a Federal award, the FTA may determine that the 
applicant is not qualified to receive a Federal award and use that 
determination as a basis for making a Federal award to another 
applicant.

4. Submission Dates and Times

    Project proposals must be submitted electronically through http://www.GRANTS.GOV by 11:59 p.m. E.D.T. on May 31, 2016. Mail and fax 
submissions will not be accepted.

5. Intergovernmental Review--Not Applicable

6. Funding Restrictions

    Eligible expenditures include capital and operating expenses such 
as mobility management activities, equipment, software and information 
systems; as well as the acquisition of services as part of a pilot 
demonstration.
    The FTA will issue specific guidance to recipients regarding pre-
award authority at the time of selection. The FTA does not provide pre-
award authority for competitive funds until projects are selected and 
even then there are Federal requirements that must be met before costs 
are incurred. For more information about FTA's policy on pre-award 
authority, please see the FY 2016 Apportionment Notice published on 
February 16, 2016. http://www.fta.dot.gov/grants/12853.html.

7. Other Submission Requirements

    Project proposals must be submitted electronically through http://www.GRANTS.GOV by 11:59 p.m. E.D.T. on May 31, 2016. Mail and fax 
submissions will not be accepted.

E. Application Review Information

1. Project Evaluation Criteria

    FTA will evaluate proposals submitted according to the following 
criteria: (i.) Demonstration of need; (ii.) demonstration of benefits; 
(iii.) planning and partnership; (iv.) local financial commitment; (v.) 
project readiness; and (vi.) technical, legal and financial capacity. 
Each proposer is encouraged to demonstrate the responsiveness of a 
project to any and all criteria with the most relevant information that 
the proposer can provide, regardless of whether such information has 
been specifically requested, or identified in this notice.
i. Demonstration of Need
    FTA will evaluate proposals on the scale of the local healthcare 
access challenge addressed through the project. Both the scope of the 
overall challenge, as well as the size of the specific segment of the 
population served by the proposed project will also be considered.
ii. Demonstration of Benefits
    FTA will evaluate proposals on the basis of the benefits from the 
proposed project. Benefits will be tied to the R2W Program's goals of 
increased access to care; improved health outcomes; and reduced 
healthcare costs. Benefits identified in the proposals will be 
evaluated at both the individual level, and that of the local health 
and transportation providers. Proposals will be judged on the extent to 
which the proposed project demonstrates a benefit to the healthcare 
access challenge demonstrated above. Projects will be evaluated on the 
ability of the proposed project to yield data demonstrating impacts on 
the goals of FTA's R2WProgram: To increase access to care, improve 
health outcomes and reduce healthcare costs. Proposals must show an 
ability to provide impactful data during and at the conclusion of the 
pilot project. Applicants need to be aware that if chosen for award, an 
independent evaluation of the demonstration grant may occur at various 
points in the deployment process and at the end of the pilot project.
iii. Planning and Partnership
    Proposers must provide a description of the eligible project and 
outline project partners and their specific role in the project--
including private entities and nonprofit entities involved in the 
coordination of nonemergency medical transportation services for the 
transportation disadvantaged. Include a description of how the eligible 
project would improve local coordination, or access to coordinated 
transportation service; reduce duplication of service, if applicable; 
and provide innovative solutions in the State and/or community. 
Proposers should provide evidence of strong commitment from key 
partners, including letters of support from relevant local 
stakeholders. An eligible recipient may submit an application in 
partnership with other entities that intend to participate in the 
implementation of the project. Applicants are advised that any changes 
to the proposed partnership will require FTA advance approval, and 
would need to be consistent with the scope of the approved project.
iv. Local Financial Commitment
    Applicants must identify the source of the local share and describe 
whether such funds are currently available for the project or will need 
to be secured if the project is selected for funding. FTA will consider 
the availability of the local share as evidence of local financial 
commitment to the project. In addition, an applicant may propose a 
local share that is greater than the minimum requirement or provide 
documentation of previous local investment in the project as evidence 
of local financial commitment.
v. Project Readiness
    FTA will evaluate the project on the proposed schedule and the 
consortium's ability to implement it. Proposers should indicate the 
short-term, mid-range and long-term goals for the project. Proposers 
also should provide a description of how the project will help the 
transportation disadvantaged and improve the coordination of 
transportation services and non-emergency medical transportation 
services, such as--the deployment of coordination technology; projects 
that create or increase access to community One-Call/One-Click Centers; 
mobility management; etc. Proposals should provide specific performance 
measures the eligible project will use to quantify actual outcomes 
against expected outcomes. FTA will evaluate the project on the extent 
to which it was developed inclusively, incorporating meaningful 
involvement from key stakeholders including consumer representatives of 
the target groups and providers from the healthcare, transportation and 
human service sectors, among others. Significant, ongoing involvement 
of the intended target population of the intervention must be shown.
vi. Technical, Legal and Financial Capacity
    FTA will evaluate proposals on the capacity of the lead agency and 
any partners to successfully execute the pilot effort. There should be 
no outstanding legal, technical, or financial issues with the proposer 
that would make this a high-risk project. FTA will evaluate each 
proposal (including the business plan, financial projections, and other 
relevant data) for feasibility and longer-term sustainability of both 
the pilot project as well as the proposed project at full deployment. 
It is FTA's intent to select projects with a high likelihood of long-
term success and sustainability.

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2. Review and Selection Process

    In addition to other FTA staff that may review the proposals, an 
inter-agency technical evaluation committee with membership from one or 
more agencies of the Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility may 
review proposals under the project evaluation criteria. Members of the 
technical evaluation committee and other involved FTA staff reserve the 
right to screen and rate the applications received and to seek 
clarification from any applicant about any statement in its application 
that FTA finds ambiguous and/or request additional documentation to be 
considered during the evaluation process to clarify information 
contained within the proposal.
    After consideration of the ratings of the technical evaluation, the 
FTA will determine the final selection and amount of funding for each 
project. Geographic diversity and the applicant's receipt of other 
Federal funding may be considered in FTA's award decisions. FTA may 
provide reduced funding or fund only part of an application.

F. Federal Award Administration Information

1. Federal Award Notices

    FTA may publish awards in a Federal Register Notice and on the FTA 
public Web site.

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

i. Pre-Award Authority
    The FTA will issue specific guidance to recipients regarding pre-
award authority at the time of selection. The FTA does not provide pre-
award authority for competitive funds until projects are selected and 
even then there are Federal requirements that must be met before costs 
are incurred. For more information about FTA's policy on pre-award 
authority, please see the FY 2016 Apportionment Notice published on 
February 16, 2016. http://www.fta.dot.gov/grants/12853.html.
ii. Grant Requirements
    If selected, awardees will apply for a grant through FTA's 
electronic grant management system and adhere to the customary FTA 
grant requirements. All competitive grants, regardless of award amount, 
will be subject to the congressional notification and release process. 
The FTA emphasizes that third-party procurement applies to all funding 
awards, as described in FTA.C.4220.1F. However, FTA may approve 
applications that include a specifically identified partnering 
organization(s) (2 CFR part 200, Section 200.320, sub paragraph (f)). 
When included, the application, budget and budget narrative should 
provide a clear understanding of how the selection of these 
organizations is critical for the project and of sufficient detail to 
understand the costs involved.
iii. Planning
    The FTA encourages proposers to engage the appropriate State 
Departments of Transportation, Regional Transportation Planning 
Organizations, or Metropolitan Planning Organizations in areas likely 
to be served by the project funds made available under this programs.
iv. Standard Assurances
    The applicant assures that it will comply with all applicable 
Federal statutes, regulations, executive orders, FTA circulars, and 
other Federal administrative requirements in carrying out any project 
supported by the FTA grant. The applicant acknowledges that it is under 
a continuing obligation to comply with the terms and conditions of the 
grant agreement issued for its project with FTA. The applicant 
understands that Federal laws, regulations, policies, and 
administrative practices might be modified from time to time and may 
affect the implementation of the project. The applicant agrees that the 
most recent Federal requirements will apply to the project, unless FTA 
issues a written determination otherwise. The applicant must submit the 
Certifications and Assurances before receiving a grant if it does not 
have current certifications on file.

3. Reporting

    Post-award reporting requirements include submission of Federal 
Financial Reports and Milestone Reports in FTA's electronic grants 
management system.

G. Federal Awarding Agency Contact

    For questions about applying for the programs outlined in this 
notice, please contact Danielle Nelson, Federal Transit Administration, 
phone: (202) 366-2160, fax: (202) 366-3475, or email, 
[email protected]. A TDD is available at 1-800-877-8339 
(TDDFIRS).

Ellen Partridge,
Chief Counsel.
[FR Doc. 2016-07008 Filed 3-28-16; 8:45 am]
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