[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 152 (Tuesday, August 9, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48550-48557]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-17015]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Transit Administration


FY 2022 Competitive Funding Opportunity: Mobility, Access, & 
Transportation Insecurity: Creating Links to Opportunity Demonstration 
Research: Program Lead

AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of funding opportunity.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announces the 
opportunity to apply for $6,000,000 of fiscal year (FY) 2021 funds 
under the Public Transportation Innovation Program to serve as the 
Program Lead for the Mobility, Access, & Transportation Insecurity: 
Creating Links to Opportunity Demonstration Research Program 
(``Program''). The Program Lead is responsible for the planning, 
deployment and evaluation of research demonstrations that provide the 
transportation resources necessary to implement targeted strategies 
that mitigate transportation insecurity for a defined population and 
determine the value of that mitigation to individuals and communities. 
FTA seeks to enter into a cooperative agreement with an experienced 
program management or research organization to coordinate all aspects 
of the Program. The FTA may award additional funds, if they are made 
available to the Program prior to the announcement of project 
selection.

DATES: Complete proposals must be submitted electronically through the 
GRANTS.GOV ``APPLY'' function by 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on October 11, 
2022.
    Prospective applicants should initiate the process by registering 
on the GRANTS.GOV website promptly to ensure completion of the 
application process before the submission deadline. Instructions for 
applying can be found on FTA's website at http://www.transit.dot.gov/howtoapply and in the ``FIND'' module of GRANTS.GOV. The GRANTS.GOV 
funding opportunity ID is FTA-2022-012-TRI. Mail and fax submissions 
will not be accepted.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Hendrik Opstelten, FTA Office of 
Research, Demonstration, and Innovation, 202-366-8094, or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

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 Information
G. Federal Awarding Agency Contacts
H. Other Information

A. Program Description

1. Program Authority and Research Question

    FTA's Public Transportation Innovation Program (49 U.S.C. 5312) 
supports research and demonstrations to develop and deploy ideas, 
practices and approaches that advance the interests of public 
transportation. This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) (Federal 
Assistance Listing: 20.530) will establish a research demonstration 
program to explore interventions that promote mobility access and 
reduce transportation insecurity and evaluate outcomes and impacts upon 
individuals and communities.
    Transportation insecurity is the condition in which people are 
unable to regularly and reliably satisfy the travel necessary to meet 
the needs of daily life. Nationally, there are well-established 
policies and programs that aim to address food insecurity and housing 
insecurity, but not transportation insecurity. A growing body of 
research indicates that transportation insecurity is a significant 
factor in persistent poverty. This Program will develop and implement 
demonstrations that augment public transportation to mitigate 
transportation insecurity, and subsequently evaluate outcomes and 
effectiveness. This Program will also document the impacts and 
potential strategies to address transportation insecurity.

2. Program Components and Deliverables

    The Program is comprised of several discrete components: (1) 
overall program management and coordination, (2) demonstration 
recruitment and selection through a two-stage competitive process, (3) 
human-centered demonstration design, (4) implementation of 
demonstrations, (5) demonstration cohort management and collaboration, 
and (6) structured quantitative and qualitative evaluation at the 
individual and aggregated levels culminating with a peer-reviewed 
report of findings.
    The Program Lead is encouraged to assemble and lead appropriate 
partnerships to deliver all components of the Program.
    Applicants must submit, attached to a SF-424, a narrative proposal 
describing their ability to satisfy all required

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program components and deliverables as detailed in this Notice.
i. Program Management and Coordination
    The Program Lead will be responsible for overall program 
management, coordination, and adherence to project timelines. This 
includes all aspects of resource management, compliance, and reporting, 
including oversight for all subrecipients.
ii. Demonstration Recruitment and Selection
    The Program Lead will execute a two-stage competition to recruit, 
select, design, and support the implementation of comparable 
demonstrations of locally appropriate interventions to address 
transportation insecurity in various urban areas across the country. 
The demonstration recruitment process is expected to pay explicit 
attention to engaging non-traditional partners and communities.
    The Program Lead, or a designated team partner, will design and 
execute a competitive application process to solicit and select 
proposals from community coalitions, in close collaboration and with 
input from FTA's research office. Tasks include solicitation and 
outreach, evaluation of applications, and recommendation of 
applications for selection. The first stage of competition will focus 
on innovative and committed demonstration partnerships. Partnerships 
must include, at a minimum, representation from: public transportation 
providers, local government authorities, and community-based 
organizations representing the target population. The second stage of 
competition will select a subset of Stage 1 partnerships to implement 
their designed demonstrations, supporting their collection of data for 
not less than two years, and the evaluation of impacts in line with the 
demonstrations' design.
iii. Human-Centered Demonstration Design
    Stage 1 of the competitive demonstration selection process will 
identify up to ten community coalitions selected to engage in a human-
centered design process resulting in fully formed, funding-ready plans 
for the implementation of a transportation insecurity mitigation 
demonstration. The human-centered design process implemented in Stage 1 
will plan for the demonstration of locally appropriate and viable 
interventions for transportation insecurity for a specifically 
identified local target population. The identification of a target 
population will consider, among other factors, the ability to support a 
statistically valid test group for a period of two years. The 
demonstration design process must engage representative persons from 
the local target population as valued subject-matter experts and 
participants.
    Demonstration design must include a stakeholder engagement plan for 
recruitment of study participants and other essential partners such as 
government entities, philanthropies, local employers, transportation 
providers, community organizations, academic institutions, and the 
general public.
    The demonstration design process must produce a financial plan for 
demonstration, including identification and pursuit of non-federal 
support for the two-year demonstration period. Demonstration plans 
submitted into Stage 2 should identify additional committed 
demonstration partners and resources.
    To be eligible for consideration in Stage 2, demonstration designs 
must include a research program ``off ramp'' to either sustain or 
responsibly transition the demonstration at the conclusion of the two-
year demonstration and research period funded under the Program. 
Eligible demonstration plans will also have a deployment timeline and 
critical milestones with associated roles and responsibilities for 
demonstration partners.
iv. Demonstration Deployments
    Up to five designated demonstration designs may be selected to 
advance to Stage 2 of the Program, for implementation. The Program Lead 
will design a selection process that will take into consideration key 
priorities of the Administration, including those reflected in the 
President's January 20, 2021, Executive Order 13990 on Protecting 
Public Health and the Environment and Restoring Science to Tackle the 
Climate Crisis as well as Executive Order 13985, Advancing Racial 
Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Throughout the Federal 
Government. The Program Lead will execute and manage subrecipient 
agreements with the designated demonstration leads and aid in 
successful implementation of selected demonstrations as designed, in 
accordance with all applicable regulations and guidance. Demonstrations 
are anticipated to have a duration of two years.
v. Cohort Management and Collaboration
    The Program Lead will manage the demonstration cohort and 
facilitate their interaction, bringing demonstration partners together 
periodically to gather qualitative research and provide feedback on 
their respective findings regarding the demonstration implementation 
and impact. The applicant should lay out plans for ongoing interaction 
using a variety of means and a system for the measurement of meaningful 
impacts from cohort management activities on the successful completion 
of the Demonstration efforts.
    The Program Lead will maintain regular contact with the selected 
communities to monitor the collection and analysis of data to ensure 
the validity and consistency of findings in accordance with the goals 
of this Notice and with input of the Research Advisory Committee, as 
described in Section A.2.vi. Structured Demonstration and National 
Research, below.
    Cohort management will include the collection of shared experiences 
across demonstration locations and unique ``storytelling'' of 
individual participants in the various demonstrations. Cohort 
management is intended to ensure that the customized strategies and 
targeted investments are having a discernable impact.
vi. Structured Demonstration and National Research
    The Program Lead will develop a structured research framework for 
both individual local demonstrations and nationally aggregated 
research. The Program Lead will establish and regularly meet with a 
Research Advisory Committee that will review the research framework and 
methodology, data collection plan, and preliminary and final findings, 
and offer feedback to ensure the Demonstration answers the most 
appropriate research questions in the most valid and impactful ways. 
The Program Lead or partners will assist all selected demonstration 
leads in identifying and securing a local research partner from an 
accredited research institution and assist in any necessary 
Institutional Review Board (IRB) processes. The Program Lead will aid 
designated demonstration leads in establishing and maintaining 
randomized control and treatment groups and ensuring the collection of 
baseline/pre-test surveys and subsequent data collection methodologies 
and tools, striving for consistency across demonstrations. The Program 
Lead will also compile and

[[Page 48552]]

assess data from across all demonstrations and complete an overall 
research findings synthesis report.

3. Program Alignment With Priorities

    The purpose of this research is to assess and measure person-based 
interventions, leveraging public transportation, to mitigate 
transportation insecurity in underserved communities. As such, this 
research conforms with Executive Order 13985--Advancing Racial Equity 
and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government 
and Executive Order 14008--Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and 
Abroad.
    Research conducted under this NOFO will advance the strategic goals 
of the U.S. Department of Transportation to ``make our transportation 
system safer for all people (Safety); reduce inequities across our 
transportation systems and the communities they affect (Equity); build 
more resilient and sustainable transportation systems to benefit and 
protect communities (Climate and Sustainability); grow an inclusive and 
sustainable economy (Economic Strength); and invest in purpose-driven 
research and innovation (Transformation).'' Furthermore, this NOFO 
advances the Department's Innovation Principles to: ``Serve our policy 
priorities, Help America win the 21st century, Support workers, Allow 
for experimentation and learn from failure, Provide opportunities to 
collaborate, and Be flexible and adapt as technology changes.''

B. Federal Award Information

    This Notice makes available $6 million to award one competitively 
selected Program Lead. Funding is available under FTA's Public 
Transportation Innovation Program (49 U.S.C. 5312). FTA may, at its 
discretion, provide additional funding for the selection made under 
this Notice from FTA's Public Transportation Innovation Program (49 
U.S.C. 5312).
    An applicant whose proposal is selected for funding will receive a 
cooperative agreement with FTA. FTA will have substantial involvement 
in the administration of the cooperative agreement. FTA's role includes 
the right to participate in decisions to redirect and reprioritize 
project activities, goals, and deliverables. Applicants are encouraged 
to assemble and secure partnerships necessary to conduct the Program in 
accordance with the requirements outlined in this Notice.
    Only proposals from eligible recipients for eligible activities 
will be considered for funding.
    Pre-award authority is subject to FTA approval and is only 
available for costs incurred after the announcement of the project 
selection on FTA's website.
    Projects under this Notice are for research efforts and, as such, 
FTA Circular 6100.1E, ``Research, Technical Assistance and Training 
Program Guidance'' (available at https://www.fta.dot.gov/regulations-and-guidance/fta-circulars/research-technical-assistance-and-training-program), will apply in administering the program.

C. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

    Eligible applicants under this Notice include the following:

 Departments, agencies, and instrumentalities of the 
Government, including Federal laboratories
 Institutions of higher education including research 
universities, particularly those with Minority Serving Institution 
status
 Non-profit organizations
 For-profit organizations
 Technical and community colleges

    Applicants must demonstrate experience conducting comprehensive 
research demonstrations, including those focused on civic research, and 
data- and technology-oriented research and innovation in the areas of 
social services, mobility options, urban spaces, public health, public 
safety, and related areas.
    Applicants or proposed partners must demonstrate technical 
capabilities to:
     Effectively manage a national research program.
     Design a credible research study that includes human 
subjects and Institutional Review Board (IRB) processes.
     Implement data-driven and community-centered decision-
making in the iteration of program management.
     Manage Federal funding and eligible expenses.
     Conduct human-centered design.
     Engage with public agencies, authorities, research 
institutions, community-based organizations, and systemically 
disadvantaged populations to ensure their meaningful input in the 
design of systems change-focused research and activities.
     Design and support effective, targeted, adaptive, and 
creative human-centered policies and services responsive to a local 
area's socioeconomic and political distinctions.
     Leverage best practices in shared transportation mobility 
and payment systems.
     Apply insights from the Centers for Disease Control Social 
Determinants of Health.
    Eligible applicants are encouraged to identify in their proposal 
one or more project partners with a substantial interest and 
involvement in the project activities or objectives. If an application 
that involves such a partnership is selected for funding, the 
competitive selection process will be deemed to satisfy the requirement 
for a competitive procurement under 49 U.S.C. 5325(a) for the named 
entities. Applicants are advised that any changes to the proposed 
partnership after the award will require FTA's written approval and 
must be consistent with the scope of the approved project.
    To be considered eligible, an applicant must be able to demonstrate 
the requisite legal, financial, and technical capabilities to receive 
and administer Federal funds under this program.

2. Cost Sharing or Matching

    Per 49 U.S.C. 5312(g), the eligible Federal share may be up to 100 
percent for the Mobility, Access, & Transportation Insecurity: Creating 
Links to Opportunity Demonstration Research Program. Applicants may 
apply without a cost share. Applicants may also apply with a cost share 
and must provide the local share of the net project in cash, or in-
kind, and must document in its application the source of the local 
match. Eligible sources of local match are detailed in FTA C 6100.1E.

3. Eligible Projects

    This Notice solicits applications to select a Program Lead to 
establish a research demonstration program that will explore 
interventions to address transportation insecurity and evaluate 
outcomes and impacts. Eligible activities include data collection, 
transportation feasibility study and analysis, economic analysis, 
stakeholder engagement and outreach, obtaining any necessary equipment 
and services, acquiring or developing software and hardware interfaces 
to implement the project, and performance measurement and evaluation.
    Eligible demonstrations must target low-income people and 
communities that routinely experience transportation insecurity. All 
demonstrations should share similar characteristics of target 
population, urban context, and availability of public transportation 
resources. Eligible research demonstration activities include planning, 
engineering, or development of technical or financing plans; public

[[Page 48553]]

engagement and participant recruitment; capital or operating expenses 
serving the treatment group; technology applications, or similar 
necessary components to design and select demonstrations.

4. Data Management Plan

    FTA seeks to improve public transportation for America's 
communities by sharing digital data or source code collected or 
developed through its research with the public. This allows research 
organizations, transit agencies, and other stakeholders to learn from 
and expand upon the insights developed from FTA-funded research.
    An award made pursuant to this NOFO will be subject to the latest 
version of FTA's Master Agreement (available at https://www.transit.dot.gov/funding/granteeresources/sample-fta-agreements/fta-grant-agreements), including Section 17 Patent Rights and Section 18 
Rights in Data and Copyrights. All work conducted under this award must 
follow the Department data policies outlined in the DOT Public Access 
Plan at: https://ntl.bts.gov/public-access/how-comply. Recipients are 
required to include these obligations in any sub-awards or other 
related funding agreements.
    Public Data Access requirements include developing a Data 
Management Plan (DMP) and submitting the DMP for FTA review. A DMP is a 
document that describes how recipients plan to handle digital datasets, 
software, or code generated over the course of a research project 
pursuant to federal and Departmental requirements. A DMP must be 
provided as a condition of receiving FTA funds under the Section 5312 
Research Program and should adequately identify: (1) The data to be 
collected, (2) how the data will further the goals of this effort, (3) 
how the data will be made accessible, and (4) how the data will be 
stored. DMPs can be updated over time if the scope of the project or 
the type of data that will be collected changes. FTA staff is available 
to assist recipients with complying with public data access 
requirements.
    FTA expects recipients to remove confidential business information 
(CBI) and Personally Identifiable Information (PII) before providing 
public access to project data. Recipients must ensure the appropriate 
data are accessible to FTA or the public for a minimum of five years 
after the award's period of performance expires.
    Recipients must make available to the Department copies of all work 
developed in performance of a project funded under this Notice, 
including but not limited to software and data. Data rights shall be in 
accordance with 2 CFR 200.315, Intangible Property.

D. Application and Submission Information

1. Address To Request Application

    Applications must be made using the Standard Form 424 (SF-424), 
which can be downloaded from GRANTS.GOV.

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

a. Proposal Submission
    General information for submitting applications along with specific 
instructions for the forms and attachments required for submission can 
be found at GRANTS.GOV. A complete proposal submission will consist of 
at least two files: (1) The SF-424 ``Application for Federal 
Assistance'' and (2) a narrative proposal document in Microsoft Word, 
Adobe Acrobat, or a compatible file format that addresses the required 
elements contained in this Notice. The narrative proposal should be in 
the format outlined in the ``Proposal Preparation and Content'' 
section. A narrative proposal submission may contain additional 
supporting documentation as attachments. Once completed, the narrative 
proposal and any supporting documents must be placed in the 
``Attachments'' section of the SF-424. Applicants must attach the 
narrative proposal file to their submission in GRANTS.GOV to 
successfully complete the application process. The applicant must 
respond to all sections of the SF-424 Application for Federal 
Assistance and the requirements of this Notice. The information in the 
narrative proposal will be used to determine applicant and project 
eligibility for the program, and to evaluate the proposal against the 
selection criteria described in this Notice. Applicants should 
carefully review the criteria noted in Section E and ensure their 
proposal addresses the factors listed.
    Failure to submit the information as requested can delay review or 
disqualify the application.
b. Proposal Preparation and Content
    Applicants must submit one electronic file for Proposals 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:
    1. Cover Sheet (not to exceed 1 page): The cover sheet must include 
the entity submitting the proposal, principal's name, title, and 
contact information (e.g., address, office and mobile phone, fax, and 
email). The cover sheet must also include name and contact information 
for the entity's point of contact for all cooperative agreement 
administrative activities (if different from principal).
    2. Abstract (not to exceed 1 page): The Abstract must include 
background, purpose, methodology, intended outputs, outcomes, impacts, 
and plan for accomplishing the goals and objectives of this program.
    3. Table of Contents (not to exceed 1 page): The Table of Contents 
shall list each section of the proposal (including Appendices) by title 
and page number.
    4. Project Budget (not to exceed 5 pages): The proposed project 
budget must account for multiple years and outline the total cost of 
all services and products including salaries and fringe benefits, 
supplies, travel, equipment, and proposed contractual arrangements 
(e.g., subcontracts, consultant services) and how these estimated costs 
are connected to the project scope.
    5. Project Work Plan (not to exceed fifteen pages total): The 
proposed project work plan must include the following information:
    a. Methodology--Provide a methodology for addressing the goals and 
objectives described above under Section A of this Notice; include the 
methodology for executing a multistage competitive solicitation process 
and engaging, coordinating, and assisting with identified local target 
populations as directed by FTA that address the needs of transportation 
insecurity.
    b. Statement of Work--Provide all proposed work tasks for the 
project and how the proposed work tasks will be accomplished. Include 
the tasks for proposed activities, resources, milestones, and a 
timeline with outcomes for implementing a two-stage competition.
    i. Staffing Plan--Describe the approach for managing the project 
team, including the distribution of responsibilities among project 
partners, and what activities each project team member will perform.
    ii. Coordination with FTA--Identify the plan for coordinating the 
project team's activities and deliverables with the FTA Research office 
and other USDOT offices, as needed.
    iii. Research and Data Collection--Identify activities and the plan 
for electronic collection, maintenance, storage, and dissemination of 
demographic, financial, and economic development data for the use by 
the

[[Page 48554]]

project team, stakeholders, FTA, and other customers.
    iv. Communication Plan--Provide a proposed plan for communications 
at the local level, including with local target population and 
stakeholders. The plan should identify innovative communication 
strategies including, but not limited to the following: social media 
(e.g., Facebook, Twitter, YouTube), text alerts, email, website 
publication, and toll-free telephone numbers.
    v. Performance Measures--Identify multiple performance measures 
that FTA should use to assess the Program's effectiveness on a local 
target population's well-being and quality of life.
    vi. Deliverables--Provide a proposed list of proposed deliverables 
(e.g., community plans, reports, services, etc.). Include quarterly 
reports and the synthesis report to be submitted to FTA.
    6. Staff Qualifications (not to exceed 10 pages total):
    a. Organizational Capacity--Provide a narrative that briefly 
describes the structure of the proposer including its history and 
experience in performing complex research activities. Include a 
narrative of the proposer's understanding of the activities in this 
solicitation and its responsibility for delivery of a two-stage 
competition to address transportation insecurity. Include the 
proposer's organization chart.
    b. Project Team Structure--Provide a narrative that briefly 
describes the structure and makeup of the project team. Include the 
names of all partner organizations, and the legal relationship, if any, 
between the applicant and each proposed partner. Include the names and 
functional titles of each project team member. Proposers must also 
provide documentation of the project team, such as a memorandum of 
agreement or letter of intent signed by all parties that describes the 
parties' roles, responsibilities, commitment in the proposed project, 
and how the applicant will ensure they will have enough time to devote 
to the project. Include an organization chart for the entire project 
team.
    c. Technical Capacity of Project Team--Provide a detailed 
description of the technical capacity of the project team members and 
what activities each team member will perform. Include project staff 
qualifications, education, knowledge, and results of prior experience 
in public transportation, economic development, human-centered design 
and development, stakeholder coordination and engagement, including 
engaging diverse community stakeholders in a targeted manner with 
proven and impactful methods. Additionally, applicants should discuss 
successful completion of similar or relevant projects--case studies, 
journal articles, or references.
    d. Biographical Sketches--In addition to the Staff Qualifications 
narrative (10 page maximum), include a one-page biographical sketch for 
each staff member proposed to take a principal role or perform 
significant work on the project.
    7. Proposals shall adhere to the specified maximum page lengths. 
Supplemental materials such as letters of support can be included with 
the proposal in an appendices section that is beyond the page limit 
above (all supplemental materials not to exceed 18 pages). Supplemental 
materials will not be evaluated independently.

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

    Each applicant is required to: (1) be registered in SAM before 
submitting an application; (2) provide a valid unique entity identifier 
in its application; and (3) continue to always maintain an active SAM 
registration with current information during which the applicant has an 
active Federal award or an application or plan under consideration by 
FTA. 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. These requirements do not 
apply if the applicant has an exception approved by FTA or the U.S. 
Office of Management and Budget under 2 CFR 25.110(c) or (d).
    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 by 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on October 11, 2022. Proposals 
submitted after the deadline will only be considered under 
extraordinary circumstances not under the applicant's control. Mail, 
fax, and email submissions will not be accepted.
    FTA urges applicants to submit applications at least 72 hours prior 
to the due date to allow time to correct any problems that may have 
caused either GRANTS.GOV or FTA systems to reject the submission. 
GRANTS.GOV attaches a time stamp to each application at the time of 
submission. Proposals submitted after the deadline will be considered 
only if lateness was due to extraordinary circumstances not under the 
applicant's control. GRANTS.GOV scheduled maintenance and outage times 
are announced in advance on the GRANTS.GOV website. Deadlines will not 
be extended due to scheduled website maintenance.
    Within 48 hours after submitting an electronic application, the 
applicant should receive an email message from GRANTS.GOV with 
confirmation of successful transmission to GRANTS.GOV. If 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.
    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 
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. Funding Restrictions

    Refer to Section C.3., Eligible Projects, for information on 
activities that are allowable. Allowable direct and indirect expenses 
must be consistent with the Governmentwide Uniform Administrative 
Requirements and Cost Principles (2 CFR part 200) and FTA Circular 
5010.1E.
    Funds available under this NOFO cannot be used to reimburse 
applicants for otherwise eligible expenses incurred prior to FTA 
issuing pre-award authority for selected projects.

[[Page 48555]]

E. Application Review Information

1. Criteria

    Projects will be evaluated solely on the materials provided in the 
Proposal document. FTA will evaluate proposals based on the following 
criteria:
a. Organizational Capacity and Key Personnel Experience
    Applicants should note the structure of the lead organization 
including its history and experience in performing complex research 
activities. Applicants should include a narrative of the applicant's 
understanding of the activities called for in this funding opportunity 
and its responsibility for coordinating with local community 
organizations for demonstration activities. Applicants should describe 
the structure and makeup of the project team to clearly demonstrate the 
applicant's ability to secure and promote coordination of human 
services and targeted/coordinated investments to mitigate 
transportation insecurity via partnerships and other effective 
collaborative approaches. These collaborations should encourage 
participation from local municipalities, philanthropies, local 
employers, community services (education, health, public safety), 
economic development organizations, metropolitan planning 
organizations, etc. Applicants should note key project team personnel 
who will be involved in the project and how the applicant will ensure 
they will have enough time to devote to the project. Additionally, 
applicants should discuss successful completion of similar or relevant 
projects--case studies, journal articles, or references.
b. Proposer and Proposal Team Technical Expertise
    Applicants should clearly detail the technical capacity of the lead 
organization and what activities each team member will perform. In 
addition to their qualifications in conducting nationally significant 
research, applicants should demonstrate project team knowledge in 
public transportation, economic development, human-centered design and 
development, and stakeholder coordination and engagement, including 
engaging diverse community stakeholders in a targeted manner with 
proven and impactful methods.
c. Academic, Applied Research and Other Related Experience
    Applicants should provide evidence of academic, applied research 
experience and other related experience (e.g., past program management 
utilizing federal funding, collaboration with research institutions, or 
program design and implementation) including research focused on 
economically distressed communities and vulnerable populations and 
their barriers or challenges to accessing adequate and reliable 
transportation. The proposal should detail the applicant's ability to 
identify and address transportation issues, such as identifying 
transportation proximity to desired goods, services, activities, and 
destinations, to support the program's measurement goals.
d. Proposed Partnerships
    Applicants should provide a narrative that discusses a creative and 
durable collaboration model to successfully implement a project that 
addresses transportation insecurity. The narrative must include a 
strong framework that fosters partnerships that safeguard equity and 
cultural diversity in local communities. The partnership model must 
demonstrate an ability to reach and engage underserved communities for 
demonstration development and selection and to support and empower 
these communities throughout implementation with an emphasis toward 
long-term sustainability for well performing models. Emphasis should be 
placed on the proposing entity's ability to engage trusted community-
based organizations, local municipalities, philanthropies, local 
employers, community services (education, public health, public 
safety), metropolitan planning organizations, and research 
institutions. The approach or framework must have the agility to pivot 
and embrace evolving change.
e. Project Approach and Work Plan
    Applicants will be evaluated on the proposed methodology and 
overall project approach pursuant to the inclusion of a multi-year work 
plan that demonstrates the Program Lead's understanding of all 
activities, responsibilities, and costs required to establish and 
implement the prescribed work. In assessing whether the proposed 
implementation plans are reasonable and complete, FTA will review the 
proposed project work plan, including all necessary project milestones 
and the overall project timeline, as well as ensuring the viability of 
the project team in subsequent years.
f. Technical, Legal, and Financial Capacity
    Applicants must demonstrate the financial and organizational 
capacity and managerial experience to successfully oversee and 
implement this project. FTA may review relevant assessments and public 
records to determine whether there are any outstanding legal, 
technical, or financial issues with the applicant that would affect the 
outcome of the proposed project.
    For applications that include named project partners, FTA will also 
consider the technical, legal, and financial capacity of the proposed 
partners.

2. Review and Selection Process

    An FTA technical evaluation committee will evaluate proposals based 
on the published evaluation criteria. Members of the technical 
evaluation committee may request additional information from 
applicants, if necessary. Based on the review of the technical 
evaluation committee, the FTA Administrator will determine the final 
selection for program funding.
    When selecting the Program Lead, FTA will consider the applicants' 
ability and its proposed plan to recruit and select demonstration sites 
to address key priorities of the Administration, including making 
selections that advance the President's January 20, 2021, Executive 
Order 13990, the selecting official will consider applications that may 
provide other air quality benefits as part of the application review. 
When selecting demonstration areas, applicants should identify any 
nonattainment or maintenance areas under the Clean Air Act in the 
proposed service area. Nonattainment or maintenance areas should be 
limited to the following applicable National Ambient Air Quality 
Standards criteria pollutants: carbon monoxide, ozone, and particulate 
matter 2.5 and 10. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Green 
Book (available at https://www.epa.gov/green-book) is a publicly 
available resource for nonattainment and maintenance area data. This 
consideration will further the goals of the Executive Order, including 
the goal to prioritize environmental justice (EJ), and historically 
disadvantaged communities.
    In further support of Executive Order 14008, FTA will give priority 
consideration to applications that create significant community 
benefits relating to the environment, including those projects that 
address greenhouse gas emissions and climate change impacts. FTA 
encourages applicants to demonstrate whether they have considered 
climate change and environmental justice in terms of the transportation 
planning process or anticipated design components with outcomes that 
address climate change

[[Page 48556]]

(e.g., resilience or adaptation measures). The application should 
describe what specific climate change or environmental justice 
activities can be incorporated, including whether a project supports a 
Climate Action Plan, whether an equitable development plan can be 
prepared, and whether tools such as EPA's EJSCREEN (https://www.epa.gov/ejscreen) can be applied in project planning. The 
application should also describe specific and direct ways the program 
will mitigate or reduce climate change impacts including any components 
that reduce emissions, promote energy efficiency, incorporate 
electrification or low emission or zero emission vehicle 
infrastructure, increase resiliency, or recycle or redevelop existing 
infrastructure.
    In addition, FTA will consider benefits to EJ communities when 
reviewing applications received under this program. Applicants should 
identify any EJ populations to be served within potential service areas 
and describe anticipated benefits to that population(s) should the 
applicant receive a grant under this program. A formal EJ analysis that 
is typically included in transportation planning or environmental 
reviews is not requested. Among the factors, in determining the 
allocation of program funds FTA may consider geographic diversity, 
diversity in the size of the grantees receiving funding, or the 
applicant's receipt of other competitive awards. Respectively, FTA will 
evaluate demonstration proposals to determine the extent that the 
proposed project will address affordable housing needs, provide 
equitable housing choices for environmental justice populations, and 
avoid displacement of low-income households.
    In support of Executive Order 14008, and consistent with the Office 
of Management & Budget's (OMB's) Interim Implementation Guidance for 
the Justice40 Initiative (https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/M-21-28.pdf), Historically Disadvantaged Communities 
include (a) certain qualifying census tracts, (b) any Tribal land, or 
(c) any territory or possession of the United States. The USDOT has 
provided a mapping tool to assist applicants in identifying whether a 
project is located in a Historically Disadvantaged Community located 
at: https://usdot.maps.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/d6f90dfcc8b44525b04c7ce748a3674a. Use of this map tool is optional; in 
both Stage 1 and Stage 2, demonstration applicants may provide an image 
of the map tool outputs, or alternatively, consistent with OMB's 
Interim Guidance, demonstration applicants can supply quantitative, 
demographic data of their participants demonstrating the percentage of 
their participants that meets the criteria described in Executive Order 
14008 for disadvantaged populations. Examples of Disadvantaged 
Communities that an applicant could address using geographic or 
demographic information include low income, high and/or persistent 
poverty, high unemployment and underemployment, racial and ethnic 
residential segregation, linguistic isolation, or high housing cost 
burden and substandard housing. Additionally, in support of the 
Justice40 Initiative, the applicant also should provide evidence of 
strategies that the applicant has used in the planning process to seek 
out and consider the needs of those traditionally disadvantaged and 
underserved by existing transportation systems. For technical 
assistance using the mapping tool, please contact [email protected].

3. Integrity and Performance Review

    Prior to making an award, FTA is required to review and consider 
any information about the applicant that is in FAPIIS, the designated 
integrity and performance system accessible through SAM. An applicant 
may review and comment on any information about itself that a Federal 
awarding agency previously entered. FTA will consider any comments by 
the applicant, in addition to the other information in the designated 
integrity and performance system, in making a judgment about the 
applicant's and proposed partners' integrity, business ethics, and 
record of performance under Federal awards when completing the review 
of risk posed by applicants as described in the Office of Management 
and Budget's Uniform Requirements for Federal Awards (2 CFR 200.206).

F. Federal Award Administration Information

1. Federal Award Notices

    FTA will notify the successful applicant and may announce the 
selection on its website, https://www.transit.dot.gov. Following 
notification, the successful applicant will be required to submit its 
application through the FTA Transit Award Management System (TrAMS).

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

a. Pre-Award Authority
    At the time the project selection is announced, FTA may extend pre-
award authority for the successful applicant. There is no blanket pre-
award authority for the project before announcement. FTA will issue 
specific guidance to the selected recipient regarding pre-award 
authority at the time of selection. 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 most recent Apportionments, Allocations and 
Program Information Notice at: https://www.transit.dot.gov/regulations/federal-register-documents/2022-09143.
b. Cooperative Agreement Requirements
    The successful applicant will apply for a cooperative agreement 
through TrAMS and adhere to the customary FTA grant requirements of 49 
U.S.C. 5312, Public Transportation Innovation, including those of FTA C 
6100.1E, where applicable. FTA will award and manage a cooperative 
agreement through TrAMS. 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.
c. Made in America
    All capital procurements must meet FTA's Buy America requirements 
(49 U.S.C. 5323(j) and 49 CFR part 661) and the Build America, Buy 
America Act's domestic preference requirements for infrastructure 
projects (Sec. Sec.  70901-70927 of the Infrastructure Investment and 
Jobs Act, Pub. L. 117-58), which together require that all iron, steel, 
manufactured goods and construction materials be produced in the United 
States, and set minimum domestic content and final assembly 
requirements for rolling stock.
d. Disadvantaged Business Enterprises
    Recipients receiving planning, capital, or operating assistance 
that will award prime contracts exceeding $250,000 in FTA funds in a 
Federal fiscal year must comply with Department of Transportation 
Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program regulations (49 CFR 
part 26). Applicants should expect to include any funds awarded, 
excluding those to be used for vehicle procurements, in setting their 
overall DBE goal.
e. Standard Assurances
    If an applicant receives an award, the applicant must assure that 
it will comply with all applicable Federal statutes, regulations, 
executive orders, directives, FTA circulars, and other

[[Page 48557]]

Federal administrative requirements in carrying out any project 
supported by the FTA award. The applicant acknowledges that it will be 
under a continuing obligation to comply with the terms and conditions 
of the 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 most recent Federal 
requirements will apply to the project unless FTA issues a written 
determination otherwise. The applicant must submit the most recent FTA 
Certifications and Assurances before receiving an award if it does not 
have current certifications on file.
f. External Communications
    The successful applicant must communicate with their FTA project 
manager prior to engaging in any external communications regarding the 
Program. This includes any work developing news or magazine stories 
with media organizations, including print, video, online, or otherwise. 
Additionally, the FTA project manager must be notified if project 
information, including results and metrics, will be shared during a 
webinar or other presentation open to the public produced either by the 
recipient itself or another organization. The successful applicant must 
consult with their FTA project manager at the beginning of their 
agreement to discuss and plan any external communications about their 
project.
g. Software Provisions
    Any standards, guidance, tools or software developed as a part of 
this solicitation will be subject to provisions of FTA's Master 
Agreement and evaluated for the potential to be shared for FTA 
purposes.

3. Reporting

    Post-award reporting requirements include the electronic submission 
of Federal Financial Reports and Milestone Progress Reports in TrAMS on 
a quarterly basis. Documentation is required for payment. Additional 
reporting may be required specific to the Transportation Insecurity 
Mitigation Demonstration Research Program and the recipient may be 
expected to participate in events or peer networks related to the goals 
and objectives of the program. 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 $30,000 or more, as well as addressing executive 
compensation for both award recipients and sub-award organizations.
    The successful applicant should include any goals, targets, and 
indicators referenced in their application in the Executive Summary of 
the TrAMS application.
    As part of completing the annual certifications and assurances 
required of FTA grant recipients, a successful applicant must report on 
the suspension or debarment status of itself and its principals.
    If the award recipient's active grants, cooperative agreements, and 
procurement contracts from all Federal awarding agencies exceeds 
$10,000,000 for any period of time during the period of performance of 
an award made pursuant to this Notice, the recipient must comply with 
the Recipient Integrity and Performance Matters reporting requirements 
described in Appendix XII to 2 CFR part 200.

G. Federal Awarding Agency Contacts

    For further information concerning this Notice, please contact the 
Transportation Insecurity Mitigation Team, FTA Office of Research, 
Demonstration, and Innovation, by phone at 202-366-8094, or by email at 
[email protected]. A TDD is available for individuals who are deaf or hard 
of hearing at 800-877-8339. In addition, FTA will post answers to 
questions and requests for clarifications on FTA's website at: https://www.transit.dot.gov/research-innovation/mobility-access-and-transportation-insecurity-creating-links-opportunity.
    To ensure applicants receive accurate information about 
eligibility, applicants are encouraged to contact FTA directly, rather 
than through intermediaries or third parties, with questions. FTA staff 
may also conduct briefings on the FY 2022 competitive grants selection 
and award process upon request.
    For issues with GRANTS.GOV, please contact GRANTS.GOV by phone at 
1-800-518-4726 or by email at [email protected].

H. Other Information

    This program is not subject to Executive Order 12372, 
``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.''

Nuria I. Fernandez,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2022-17015 Filed 8-8-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-57-P