[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 151 (Monday, August 6, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38452-38455]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-16689]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Transit Administration


Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO): Solicitation of Project 
Proposals for the National Center for Mobility Management

AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration (FTA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is soliciting 
proposals under FTA's Technical Assistance and Workforce Development 
Program to select an entity to administer the National Center for 
Mobility Management (NCMM) and provide funding for the entity's 
activities through the NCMM. The NCMM will carry out activities to 
improve and enhance the coordination of Federal resources for human 
service transportation, especially transportation for people with 
disabilities, older adults, and people with low incomes. Primary 
activities will include supporting partners in adopting proven, 
sustainable, replicable, customer-centered mobility strategies that 
promote good health, economic vitality, self-sufficiency, and community 
unity.
    The FTA intends to fund the NCMM at up to $1,900,000 for the first 
year. The FTA may extend funding for this center for up to five (5) 
years; however, subsequent funding will depend upon: (1) Future 
authorization and appropriations; (2) decisions and program priorities 
established by the Secretary of Transportation related to the 
implementation of provisions set forth in 49 U.S.C. 5314; and (3) 
annual performance reviews.

DATES: Complete proposals for funding opportunity FTA-2018-005-TPM-NCMM 
must be submitted electronically through GRANTS.GOV. All applications 
must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on October 5, 2018.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Carl Ringgold, FTA Office of Program 
Management, (202) 366-6508 or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Table of Contents

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

A. Program Description

    Federal Transit Administration funding for the NCMM is authorized 
by 49 U.S.C. 5314, Technical Assistance and Workforce Development. 
Subsequent funding from FTA will depend upon program priorities 
established by the Secretary of Transportation, future appropriations, 
and annual performance reviews. In recognition of the fundamental 
importance of human service transportation and the continuing need to 
enhance coordination, Executive Order 13330 (February 24, 2004) on 
Human Service Transportation Coordination, establishing the 
Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility (CCAM), directed multiple 
federal departments and agencies to work together to ensure that 
transportation services are seamless, comprehensive, and accessible. 
The members of the CCAM are: The Secretaries from the Departments of 
Transportation (DOT), Health and Human Services, Labor, Education, 
Interior, Housing and Urban Development, Agriculture, and Veterans 
Affairs; the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration; the 
Attorney General; and the Chairperson of the National Council on 
Disability.
    The CCAM is tasked with seeking ways to simplify access to 
transportation services for persons with disabilities, persons with 
lower incomes, older adults, and other transportation disadvantaged 
populations.
    Federal transit law as amended by the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, 
Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) 
first authorized funding for the management of a program to improve and 
enhance the coordination of Federal resources for human services 
transportation with those of the Department of Transportation. The 
major goal of the program was to assist states and local communities in 
the provision and expansion of coordinated human service transportation 
for older adults, people with disabilities, and individuals with lower 
incomes.
    Federal transit law as amended by the Fixing America's Surface 
Transportation (FAST) Act continues to authorize funding for technical 
assistance under 49 U.S.C 5314(a)(2)(B) to help providers of public 
transportation comply with human services transportation coordination 
requirements and to enhance the coordination of Federal resources for 
human services transportation with those of the Department of 
Transportation through technical assistance, training, and support 
services related to complying with such requirements.

[[Page 38453]]

    Further, the FAST Act requires the CCAM to develop a strategic plan 
to strengthen interagency collaboration, address outstanding 
recommendations, and eliminate burdensome regulatory barriers to human 
services transportation coordination.
    The FTA has carried out such activities through a cooperative 
agreement that establishes and provides financial assistance for the 
NCMM. FTA selected the current recipients to administer the NCMM in May 
2013. Consistent with the Uniform Administrative Requirements (2 CFR 
200), FTA periodically recompetes the administration of its technical 
assistance centers.
    Building upon past efforts, FTA seeks to expand the use of mobility 
management strategies and to improve human service transportation 
coordination through the National Center for Mobility Management by 
implementing the goal and objectives below:
    Goal: Enhance Transportation Coordination and Mobility Management 
in Federal, State, and Local Transportation Programs.
     Objective 1: Support and improve local- and state-
coordinated transportation planning processes to improve coordination 
of federally funded human service transportation.
     Objective 2: Encourage the implementation of mobility 
management infrastructure and strategies in relevant industries, 
including but not limited to the transit, workforce, medical, veteran, 
and human service industries.
     Objective 3: Promote and assist in the development of 
accessible one call/one click strategies that conveniently connect 
customers to transportation services and funding options.
     Objective 4: Support the activities and initiatives of the 
CCAM, its workgroups, and member agencies that improve Federal 
coordination.
     Objective 5: Conduct targeted technical assistance, 
research, or demonstration, including demonstration grant programs, as 
requested by CCAM and its members and supported by requisite funding 
availability.

B. Federal Award Information

    The FTA expects to award the administration of the NCMM as a 
cooperative agreement The FTA will fund the cooperative agreement over 
a period of up to five (5) years, with up to $1,900,000 available for 
the first year of activities with a start date to be determined in 
2019. Additional funding may be provided by other CCAM members to 
support their mobility management and coordinated transportation 
priorities. Subsequent funding from FTA will depend upon decisions and 
program priorities established by the Secretary of Transportation, 
future authorization and appropriations, and annual performance 
reviews.
    The FTA, and any additional CCAM funding agencies, will participate 
in activities by negotiating the final statement of work, attending 
review meetings, commenting on technical reports, maintaining frequent 
contact with the project manager, approving key decisions and 
activities, and redirecting project activities, as needed.

C. Eligibility Information

    Only national non-profit organizations are eligible to submit a 
proposal in response to this notice. Organizations must have 
transportation and/or mobility management experience, the capacity to 
provide public transportation-related technical assistance, expertise 
regarding accessible and equitable transportation options and needs, 
and the ability to deliver a national technical assistance and training 
program. A single lead organization must be designated in the proposal. 
Other organizations may participate as subcontractors or subrecipients.

D. Application and Submission Information

1. Address To Request Application Package

    Applications must be submitted electronically through GRANTS.GOV, 
as described above. General information for registering and submitting 
applications through Grants.gov can be found at https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants.html along with specific instructions for the 
forms and attachments required for submission. Mail and fax submissions 
will not be accepted. A complete proposal submission will consist of at 
least two files: (1) The SF-424 Mandatory form (downloaded from 
GRANTS.GOV), and (2) a narrative application document in Microsoft 
Word, Adobe Acrobat, or compatible file format. The narrative 
application should be in the format outlined in section 2 below. Once 
completed, the narrative application must be placed in the attachments 
section of the SF-424 Mandatory form. Proposers must attach the 
narrative application file to their submission in GRANTS.GOV to 
successfully complete the proposal process. A proposal submission may 
contain additional supporting documentation as attachments.

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

    Proposals shall be submitted in a Microsoft Word, Adobe Acrobat, or 
compatible file format, double-spaced using Times New Roman, 12-point 
font. The proposal must contain the following components and adhere to 
the specified maximum lengths:
    a. Cover sheet (1 page): The cover sheet must include: The name of 
the entity submitting the proposal, the principal's name, title, and 
contact information (e.g., address, phone, fax, and email), and the 
name and contact information for the key point of contact for all five 
activities (if different from principal).
    b. Abstract (not to exceed 4 pages): The abstract must include the 
following sections: Background, purpose, methodology, intended 
outcomes, and plan for evaluation.
    c. Detailed budget proposal and budget narrative (not to exceed 3 
pages).
    d. Project narrative (not to exceed 25 pages): The project 
narrative must include the following information:
    i. The methodology for addressing the goals and objectives.
    ii. Objectives, activities, deliverables, milestones, timeline and 
intended outcomes for achieving the goals outlined in the scope for the 
first year;
    iii. The existing and future capacity of the organization to 
address the issues outlined in the proposal and the organization's 
ability to implement goals and objectives;
    iv. A detailed plan for communication, technical assistance, and 
outreach at the State and local levels;
    v. A plan to work with stakeholders and build partnerships at the 
national level; and
    vi. Staff qualifications, including: (1) Prior experience providing 
technical assistance, especially related to mobility management, (2) 
prior experience implementing the other tasks outlined in this 
solicitation, (3) staff members' knowledge of issues related to human 
service transportation, and (4) a one-page biographical sketch for each 
staff member.
    e. Plan for evaluation of NCMM activities and performance measures 
(not to exceed 5 pages).
    f. Supplemental materials, such as bios and letters of support, can 
be included in an appendices section that is beyond the page limit 
above but are not to exceed 15 additional pages.

[[Page 38454]]

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

    Each applicant is required to: (1) Register in SAM before applying; 
(2) provide a valid unique SAM entity identifier in its application; 
and (3) continue to maintain an active SAM registration with current 
information at all times during which the applicant has an active 
Federal award or an application or plan under consideration by FTA. 
These requirements do not apply if the applicant: (1) Is excepted from 
the requirements under 2 CFR 25.110(b) or (c); or (2) has an exception 
approved by FTA under 2 CFR 25.110(d). The FTA may not make an award 
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 an award, FTA 
may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive an award 
and use that determination as a basis for making a Federal award to 
another applicant. SAM registration takes approximately 3-5 business 
days, but FTA recommends allowing ample time, up to several weeks, for 
completion of all steps. For additional information on obtaining a 
unique entity identifier, please visit www.sam.gov.

4. Submission Dates and Times

    Project proposals must be submitted electronically through 
GRANTS.GOV and must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on October 
5, 2018. GRANTS.GOV attaches a time stamp to each application at the 
time of submission. Proposals submitted after the deadline will only be 
considered under extraordinary circumstances not under the applicant's 
control. Mail and fax submissions will not be accepted.
    Within 48 hours after submitting an electronic application, the 
applicant should receive two email messages from GRANTS.GOV: (1) 
Confirmation of successful transmission to GRANTS.GOV, and (2) 
confirmation of successful validation by GRANTS.GOV. If confirmations 
of successful validation are not received or 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.
    The FTA urges applicants to submit proposals 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. GRANTS.GOV scheduled maintenance and outage times are 
announced on the GRANTS.GOV website. Deadlines will not be extended due 
to scheduled website maintenance.
    Applicants 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 applicants 
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.

5. How To Register To Apply Through Grants.gov.

    To register and for detailed instructions, please see the 
``APPLICANTS'' tab in Grants.gov (https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants.html). To be eligible to apply for this opportunity, 
organizations must have a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) 
Number, active System for Award Management (SAM) registration, and an 
established Grants.gov account.
    Creating a Grants.gov account can be completed online in minutes, 
but DUNS and SAM registrations may take several weeks. Therefore, an 
organization's registration should be done in sufficient time to ensure 
it does not impact the entity's ability to meet required application 
submission deadlines.
    Complete organization instructions can be found on Grants.gov: 
https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration.html.

E. Application Review Information

    Proposals will be evaluated by a review team based on the 
proposal's: (1) Ability to meet the goals of the NCMM; (2) 
qualifications of key personnel, experience, and knowledge; (3) 
communication, technical assistance, and outreach strategy; (4) 
research and demonstration capacity; and (5) management approach. The 
criteria are detailed below:

1. Ability To Meet the Goals of the NCMM

    Proposals will be evaluated based on the planned approach and 
activities identified that will assist the industry in making progress 
towards improved human service transportation coordination and mobility 
management as set forth in the goal and objectives. The FTA is seeking 
innovative and effective approaches and strategies to accomplish the 
project objectives.

2. Qualifications of Key Personnel, Experience, and Knowledge

    The proposal should demonstrate that key personnel have the 
appropriate skills and experience to carry out the activities. The FTA 
will evaluate the qualifications and experience of the key staff 
detailed in the proposal for their:
    a. Knowledge and experience with a variety of transportation 
services (transit, paratransit, taxi, non-profit social service, 
volunteer, etc.);
    b. Knowledge and experience with mobility management; and
    c. Knowledge and experience with human service, workforce, 
veterans, and health care systems.

3. Communication, Technical Assistance, and Outreach Strategy

    The proposal should demonstrate the ability to execute a technical 
assistance program with a national scope, as well as strategies for 
delivering targeted assistance to State, regional, and local 
stakeholders. Proposing organizations are encouraged to think 
innovatively about this technical assistance delivery.
    The proposal should also demonstrate the ability to carry out 
outreach, dissemination, and information management activities. These 
activities will include capturing and sharing useful and best practices 
in mobility management and human service transportation coordination, 
as well as supporting activities related to the CCAM. The proposal 
should demonstrate innovative approaches, such as the use of 
communication that is accessible through social media and other 
information technologies, to accomplish effective stakeholder 
strategies that both manage and plan the engagement. These 
communities--people with disabilities, older adults, and people with 
low incomes--have unique needs, and the proposal should reflect 
engagement touchpoints and the ability to meaningfully engage with 
these communities in other to produce successful transportation 
outcomes for these targeted communities.

[[Page 38455]]

4. Research and Demonstration Capacity

    The proposal should demonstrate the applicant's capability and 
capacity (either internally or through external sources) to conduct 
research, analysis, and demonstration projects related to mobility 
management and transportation coordination in support of the CCAM and 
its members.

5. Management Approach

    The proposal must include an effective project management plan to 
administer and manage the NCMM and must demonstrate that the applicant 
has the technical capacity to carry out the plan. FTA will evaluate the 
applicant's:
    a. Technical capacity to administer and manage the services 
proposed;
    b. Total budget and staffing;
    c. Evidence of understanding of the NCMM mission and comprehensive 
technical approach to delivering the NCMM;
    d. Plan for evaluation and data collection;
    e. Plan for effective and meaningful stakeholder engagement; and
    f. Plan for coordinating with FTA and other CCAM member staff.

F. Federal Award Administration

1. Federal Award Notices

    Final award decisions will be made by the Administrator of the 
Federal Transit Administration. In making these decisions, the 
Administrator will take into consideration:
    a. Recommendations of the review panel;
    b. past performance of the applicant regarding programmatic and 
grants management compliance;
    c. the reasonableness of the estimated cost to the government 
considering the available funding and anticipated results; and
    d. the likelihood that the proposed project will result in the 
transportation outcomes expected.
    The FTA will notify the successful organization and may announce 
the selection on its website https://www.transit.dot.gov. Following 
notification, the successful entity will be required to submit its 
application through the FTA Transit Award Management System (TrAMS). 
The FTA will work with the successful applicant to develop a detailed 
cooperative agreement. The FTA will award and manage a cooperative 
agreement through TrAMS.

2. Award Administration

    a. Grant Requirements: The successful applicant will apply for a 
cooperative agreement through TrAMS and adhere to the customary FTA 
grant requirements of Section 5314, Technical Assistance and Workforce 
Development. There is no pre-award authority for this project. 
Discretionary grants and cooperative agreements greater than $500,000 
will go through the Congressional notification and release process. 
Assistance regarding these requirements is available from FTA.
    b. 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 cooperative 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 that modifications 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 cooperative agreement if it does not 
have current certifications on file.

3. Reporting

    Post-award reporting requirements include submission of Federal 
Financial Reports and Milestone Progress Reports in TrAMS on a monthly 
or quarterly basis, as determined by the FTA Project Manager. 
Documentation is required for payment. Additional reporting may be 
required specific to the National Center for Mobility Management and 
the recipient may be expected to participate in events or peer networks 
related to mobility management and coordinated transportation. The 
Federal Financial Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA) requires 
data entry at the FFATA Sub Award Reporting System (http://www.FSRS.gov) for all sub-awards and sub-contracts issued for $25,000 
or more, as well as addressing executive compensation for both grantee 
and sub-award organizations.
    Additionally, FTA is required to report to Congress every year on 
the value of Section 5314 investments. Applicants will be required to 
provide details indicating the need, problem, or opportunity addressed 
by activities of the program. The national significance and relevance 
to the public transportation industry must also be clearly detailed.

4. Legal Capacity

    Applicants must certify that there are no legal issues which would 
impact their eligibility and authority to apply for FTA funds, or 
prevent their acceptance of FTA funds.

G. Federal Awarding Agency Contacts

    For further information concerning this notice, please contact the 
Technical Assistance program manager Carl Ringgold by phone at 202-366-
6508, or by email at [email protected]. A TDD is available for 
individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing at 800-877-8339.

K. Jane Williams,
Acting Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2018-16689 Filed 8-3-18; 8:45 am]
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