[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 197 (Friday, October 13, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 71074-71081]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-22521]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Transit Administration


FY 2022 and 2023 Competitive Funding Opportunity: Accelerating 
Advanced Digital Construction Management Systems Program

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

ACTION: Notice of funding opportunity (NOFO).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announces the 
opportunity to competitively apply for $5,093,000 under the Fiscal Year 
(FY) 2022 and 2023 Public Transportation Innovation Program to serve as 
the Program Lead for the Accelerating Advanced Digital Construction 
Management Systems (``ADCMS'') program.

DATES: Complete proposals must be submitted electronically through the 
Grants.gov ``APPLY'' function by 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on February 
12, 2024.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: ADCMS Program Team, FTA Office of 
Research, Demonstration, and Innovation, by email at [email protected] or 
by phone at (202) 366-2182.
    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 https://www.transit.dot.gov/howtoapply and in the ``FIND'' module of Grants.gov. The Grants.gov 
funding opportunity ID is FTA-2023-012-TRI-ADCMS. Mail and fax 
submissions will not be accepted.

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. Background

    FTA's Public Transportation Innovation Program (49 U.S.C. 5312) 
supports research and demonstrations to develop and deploy ideas, 
practices, and approaches that improve public transportation. This 
Notice (Federal Assistance Listing 20.526) will establish a program to 
plan, deploy, evaluate, and promote ADCMS technologies under 49 U.S.C. 
5312(b)(4).
    Construction is often the costliest and potentially most disruptive 
phase of any public transportation infrastructure project. Effective 
and efficient management of all elements and life cycle phases of 
infrastructure construction is key to on-time and on-budget project 
delivery. Project teams must know how and why specific changes or 
improvements are being made, ideally in real-time, and be aware of 
variations in methods of construction, delays, and stakeholder inputs. 
Public transportation infrastructure projects could have delays, cost 
overruns, avoidable revisions and change orders, worker injuries, or 
substandard build quality without effective and efficient 
infrastructure construction management strategies.
    The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Public Law 117-58 (also 
called the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL)), prioritizes the 
modernization of public transportation systems and acknowledges that 
the successful implementation of the ADCMS program relies on creating a 
new digital solution for the infrastructure construction industry. BIL 
codified 49 U.S.C. 5312(b)(4), which requires FTA to accelerate the 
implementation and deployment of ADCMS in the public transportation 
industry. ADCMS is broadly defined as empowering more timely and 
productive information sharing among stakeholders through reduced 
reliance on outdated pen-and-paper methods. ADCMS potentially makes 
modern digital technology available to infrastructure construction 
employees and enables them to perform tasks faster, more safely, 
smartly, and accurately, and with reduced oversight and supervision.
    Section 5312(b)(4) lists nine goals for the accelerated 
implementation and deployment of ADCMS technologies in the public 
transportation industry. They are:
    1. Accelerated adoption of advanced digital systems applied 
throughout the lifecycle of transportation infrastructure (including 
through the planning, design and engineering, construction, operations, 
and maintenance phases) that maximize interoperability with other 
systems, products, tools, or applications; boost productivity; manage 
complexity; reduce project delays and cost overruns; enhance safety and 
quality; and reduce total costs for the entire lifecycle of 
transportation infrastructure assets.
    2. More timely and productive information sharing among 
stakeholders through reduced reliance on paper to manage construction 
processes and deliverables such as blueprints, design drawings, 
procurement and supply-chain orders, equipment logs, daily progress 
reports, and punch lists.
    3. Deployment of digital management systems that enable and 
leverage the use of digital technologies on construction sites by 
contractors, such as state-of-the-art automated and connected machinery 
and optimized routing software that allows construction workers to 
perform tasks faster, more safely, more

[[Page 71075]]

accurately, and with minimal supervision.
    4. The development and deployment of best practices for use in 
digital construction management.
    5. Increased technology adoption and deployment by States, local 
governmental authorities, and designated recipients that enable project 
sponsors to integrate the adoption of digital management systems and 
technologies in contracts and to weigh the cost of digitization and 
technology in setting project budgets.
    6. Technology training and workforce development to build the 
capabilities of project managers and sponsors that enable States, local 
governmental authorities, or designated recipients to better manage 
projects using advanced construction management technologies and to 
properly measure and reward technology adoption across projects.
    7. Development of guidance to assist States, local governmental 
authorities, and designated recipients in updating regulations to allow 
project sponsors and contractors to report data relating to the project 
in digital formats and to fully capture the efficiencies and benefits 
of advanced digital construction management systems and related 
technologies.
    8. Reduction in the environmental footprint of construction 
projects using advanced digital construction management systems 
resulting from eliminating congestion through more efficient projects.
    9. Enhanced worker and pedestrian safety resulting from increased 
transparency.

2. Program Goals and Objectives

    FTA is soliciting proposals for a Program Lead to carry out 
demonstrations of ADCMS software on transit construction projects and 
report on the results and experiences, with the purpose of assisting 
other transit agencies considering adopting ADCMS on their construction 
projects.
    FTA expects this ADCMS demonstration program to consist of the 
following basic program elements, which are described in additional 
detail below: (1) overall program management and coordination; (2) 
demonstration of ADCMS on public transportation construction projects; 
(3) an evaluation of the demonstration projects centered on the nine 
program goals in 49 U.S.C. 5312(b)(4); and (4) development of ``lessons 
learned'' documents of project findings and an implementation guide 
intended to assist public transportation agencies accelerate the 
deployment of ADCMS programs.
    The Program Lead is encouraged to assemble and lead appropriate 
partnerships to deliver all components of the ADCMS program as 
described in this Notice.
i. Management and Coordination
    The Program Lead will be responsible for overall program 
management, coordination, and adherence to established project 
timelines in accordance with available funding. This includes all 
aspects of resource management, compliance, and reporting, including 
oversight of sub-recipients, if any. Eligible activities include data 
collection, feasibility study and analysis, economic analysis, 
stakeholder engagement, and outreach, obtaining necessary equipment and 
services, acquiring or developing software and hardware interfaces to 
implement the project demonstrations, performance measurement and 
evaluation, planning, engineering, development of technical or 
financing plans, public engagement, and participant recruitment, 
capital and operating expenses, technology applications, or similar 
necessary components to design, select, and carry out demonstrations.
    The Program Lead is expected to work closely and have frequent 
contact with the transit agency owners of the demonstration 
construction projects to monitor the collection and analysis of data to 
ensure the validity and consistency of findings, in accordance with the 
goals and requirements of this Notice, and with input of the Research 
Stakeholder Committee, as described in Section A.2.iv., Structured 
Demonstration and National Research, below.
ii. Demonstration Projects
    The Program Lead must provide for at least two transit agencies to 
demonstrate at least two different ADCMS solutions, and the 
construction projects used for demonstrations must be FTA-funded 
projects. Accordingly, the Program Lead must have the capability to 
support the implementation of more than one ADCMS-integrated software 
solution. The Program Lead must allow a public transportation agency 
sponsoring a demonstration to choose its own ADCMS software, and cannot 
be a provider of, or have a financial interest in, a proprietary ADCMS 
software solution.
    In proposing construction projects for demonstrations, the Program 
Lead should consider, among other factors, the nature and type of 
construction management processes being proposed for ADCMS 
demonstrations, each transit agency's ability to implement ADCMS, the 
ADCMS products to be demonstrated, and each transit agency's ability to 
manage project data. FTA expects demonstrations to have a duration not 
to exceed four years from project start date. The Project Lead shall 
propose demonstration projects to ensure that the customized ADCMS 
strategies and targeted investments are having a measurable impact at 
the demonstration sites.
    Demonstration activities should include the full lifecycle for 
planning, implementing, integrating, testing, and final deployment of 
the solution. For example, (1) gathering and confirming business 
requirements from the recipients selected for the demonstration, (2) 
configuring the ADCMS software noted in the application for the 
respective partner, (3) testing and integrating the software solution 
with any internal systems already deployed that relate to digital 
construction management, (4) final deployment, and (5) lessons learned 
in the process.
    Demonstrations will include the collection of data and experiences 
from participants in the demonstration projects and unique 
``storytelling'' of individual participants in the various 
demonstrations that will form the basis of the Project Lead's 
evaluation of the demonstrations and preparation of ``lessons learned'' 
materials for dissemination.
    Proposals must include a research program ``off-ramp plan'' to 
financially support and sustain the ADCMS program for the demonstration 
recipients at the conclusion of the demonstration and research period. 
Competitive proposals will also have a deployment timeline and critical 
milestones with associated roles and responsibilities for demonstration 
transit agencies.
iii. Demonstration Project Evaluation
    A Demonstration Project Evaluation report is required to assess the 
research project's process, outcomes, and impact. This report should 
provide an unbiased assessment of the project's strengths, weaknesses, 
and lessons learned.
iv. Development of Lessons Learned
    The Program Lead will facilitate the interaction between the 
demonstration project transit agencies by bringing demonstration 
partners together periodically to gather qualitative research and 
provide feedback on their respective findings regarding the 
demonstration's implementation and impact.

[[Page 71076]]

    The Program Lead will develop a structured research framework for 
the demonstrations. The Program Lead will establish and regularly meet 
with a Research Stakeholder Committee consisting of representatives 
from federal agencies involved in research and development initiatives 
related to the project's domain, experts from relevant industries from 
non-profit and/or private sector organizations that have a vested 
interest in the research area; representatives from academia that can 
contribute their knowledge, research expertise, and academic 
perspectives to guide the project and ensure its alignment with current 
scientific understanding; and end users or practitioners from 
organizations such as public transportation agencies or relevant 
professionals who will be the direct beneficiaries or users of project 
outcomes. The Research Stakeholder Committee will review the 
demonstration framework and methodology, data collection plan, and 
preliminary and final findings and offer feedback to ensure the 
demonstration satisfies the nine goals of the ADCMS program in the most 
valid and impactful ways. The successful applicant will collaborate 
with FTA on the membership composition of the committee. FTA will also 
be a member of the committee. The Program Lead will aid the selected 
demonstration sites in establishing and maintaining the collection of 
project data and tools, striving for consistency across demonstrations 
to the greatest extent possible. The Program Lead will also compile and 
synthesize data and lessons learned from the demonstrations. Project 
deliverables should include data collection instruments, including 
surveys, interview guides, observation protocols, or experimental 
protocols used to collect primary data; copies of oral and/or visual 
presentations summarizing the project objectives, methodology, 
findings, and recommendations; copies of all raw and/or processed data 
collected during the demonstrations that can be used to facilitate 
replication, further analysis, or meta-analyses; and, a comprehensive 
demonstration project evaluation report, summarizing the evaluation 
methodology, findings, and recommendations. The evaluation report 
should be tailored to different stakeholders' needs and should be 
easily accessible and understandable. Additionally, opportunities for 
presenting the findings and engaging stakeholders in discussions should 
be provided in the report to ensure that the evaluation results are 
utilized for decision-making and improvement.
    Research and demonstration conducted under this Notice will advance 
the strategic goals of the U.S. Department of Transportation, as 
outlined in its FY 2022-2026 Strategic Plan, and the Department's 
Innovation Principles, which can be found at https://www.transportation.gov/priorities/transformation/us-dot-innovation-principles.

B. Federal Award Information

    This Notice makes available $5,093,000 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 multi-year selections made 
under this Notice from FTA's Public Transportation Innovation Program 
(49 U.S.C. 5312), subject to the availability of appropriated funds.
    An applicant whose proposal is selected for funding as the Program 
Lead 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. 
FTA expects to provide the Program Lead with substantive input and 
direction at each stage of the project. 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 for the Program Lead under this Notice include 
the following:

 Departments, agencies, and instrumentalities of local, state, 
and federal 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

    Eligibility is limited to United States entities. Applicants must 
demonstrate experience conducting comprehensive research 
demonstrations, including those focused on data- and technology-
oriented research and application in the infrastructure construction 
industry, and related areas.
    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 new program.

2. Cost Sharing or Matching

    Per 49 U.S.C. 5312(g), the eligible Federal share will not exceed 
80 percent of net project cost. Applicants for Program Lead must 
provide a minimum 20 percent non-federal cost share. Applicants may 
also apply with a larger non-federal cost share. The non-federal share 
of the net project cost may be provided in cash or in kind, and the 
applicant must document in its application the source of the non-
federal match. Eligible sources of non-federal match are detailed in 
FTA Circular 6100.1E.

3. Conflicts of Interest

    It is FTA's intent that the ADCMS program benefits public 
transportation agencies irrespective of their choice of ADCMS software. 
Therefore, the Program Lead and its principal staff engaged in this 
project cannot be a provider of, or have a financial interest in, a 
proprietary ADCMS software solution or vendor. Each applicant must 
include a statement to this effect in its application.

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

[[Page 71077]]

proposal submission must consist of: (1) The SF-424 ``Application for 
Federal Assistance;'' (2) the Supplemental Form; and (3) a narrative 
proposal document in Microsoft Word, PDF, 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 Supplemental Form, narrative proposal, and any 
supporting documents must be placed in the ``Attachments'' section of 
the SF-424 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 Supplemental Form. The 
information in the application 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.

1. Proposal Preparation and Content

    Applicants must submit one electronic file for Proposals in a 
Microsoft Word, PDF, 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, 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 2 pages): The Abstract must include 
background, purpose, methodology, intended outputs, outcomes, impacts, 
and plan for accomplishing the goals and objectives as outlined in this 
Notice.
    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): Project budgets should 
show how different funding sources will share in each activity and 
present those data in dollars and percentages. The budget should 
identify other Federal funds the applicant is applying for or has been 
awarded, if any, that the applicant intends to use. Funding sources 
should be grouped into three categories: non-Federal, ADCMS, and other 
Federal, with specific amounts from each funding source. 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 ten 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; identify the 
transit agencies and construction projects proposed as demonstrations 
and the ADCMS products proposed to be demonstrated, and how the 
applicant will integrate ADCMS into the construction projects.
    b. Statement of Work--Provide 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.
    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's Research 
office, as needed and relevant.
    iii. Research and Data Collection--Identify activities and the plan 
for electronic collection, maintenance, storage, and dissemination of 
data for use by the project team, stakeholders, FTA, and other 
customers.
    iv. Communication Plan--Provide a plan for communications of 
project results. The plan should identify innovative communication 
strategies including, but not limited to the following: webinars, in-
person presentations at industry events, 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 overall effectiveness in 
accordance with the nine stated goals of the ADCMS program.
    vi. Deliverables--Provide a proposed list of proposed deliverables 
(e.g., guides, plans, reports, services, etc.). Include quarterly 
reports, financial forms, guidance documents, and final reports to be 
submitted to FTA.
    6. Staff Qualifications (not to exceed 5 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 the demonstrations, data 
collection, and results dissemination called for in this Notice. 
Include the proposer's organization chart. The applicant must affirm 
that neither it nor the individual members of its principal staff (see 
d., below) has a financial interest or affiliation with the vendors 
whose ADCMS solutions it proposes to demonstrate.
    b. Project Team Structure--Provide a narrative that briefly 
describes the structure and makeup of the project team. 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, must be consistent with the 
scope of the approved project, and may require a competitive 
procurement process. 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 to the proposed project, and how the 
applicant will ensure they will have enough time to devote to the 
project. Include an organizational 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

[[Page 71078]]

project staff qualifications, education, knowledge, and results of 
prior experience related to the topic called for in this notice. 
Additionally, applicants should discuss the successful completion of 
similar or relevant projects.
    d. Biographical Summary--In addition to the Staff Qualifications 
narrative (5 page maximum), include a biographical summary 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. Supplemental materials will not be evaluated independently.
    The Department may share application information within the 
Department or with other Federal agencies if the Department determines 
that sharing is relevant to the respective program's objectives.
    Applications submitted in response to this NOFO become the property 
of FTA and may be subject to Freedom of Information Act requests. 
Please segregate and clearly mark any portions of the application 
containing confidential or privileged trade secrets or commercial or 
financial information.

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

    Each applicant is required to: (1) be registered in SAM before 
applying; (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 yet to fully comply 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, to complete all 
steps. For additional information on obtaining a unique entity 
identifier, please visit https://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 February 12, 2024. 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 registration process 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 
allowable activities. 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 Notice cannot be used to reimburse 
applicants for otherwise eligible expenses incurred prior to FTA 
issuing pre-award authority for selected projects.

E. Application Review Information

1. Evaluation 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 and 
software configuration and deployment activities. Applicants should 
include a narrative of the applicant's understanding of the activities 
called for in this funding opportunity and their responsibility for 
coordinating demonstration activities. Applicants should describe the 
structure and makeup of the project team to clearly demonstrate the 
applicant's technical abilities to meet the requirements called for in 
this funding opportunity.
    Applicants should note key project team personnel who will be 
involved in the project and how the applicant will ensure they have 
enough time to devote to the project. Additionally, applicants should 
discuss successful completion of similar or relevant real-world 
projects--case studies, journal articles, references, etc.
    Applicants or proposed partners must demonstrate technical 
capabilities to:

 Effectively manage a national research program
 Implement data-driven decision-making in the iteration of 
program management
 Manage Federal funding and eligible expenses
 Engage with public agencies, authorities, research 
institutions, private organizations, and potentially community-based 
organizations
 Implement agile software development (i.e., deliver small 
pieces of working software quickly to improve customer satisfaction and 
continuously evaluate and implement customer requirements in response 
to change)
 Leverage best practices within the public transportation and 
construction infrastructure industries
 Apply insights from the National Academy of Sciences and other 
credible research organizations

[[Page 71079]]

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 and software configuration and deployment, applicants should 
demonstrate project team knowledge in public transportation, 
infrastructure construction, digital construction technologies, and 
stakeholder coordination and engagement, including engaging 
stakeholders in a targeted manner with proven and impactful methods.
c. Applied Research and Other Related Experience
    Applicants should provide evidence of 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 digital 
construction in the public transportation or other relevant industry. 
The proposal should detail the applicant's ability to identify and 
address transportation infrastructure issues called for in this Notice 
to support the program's measurement goals.
d. Proposed Partnerships
    Applicants should provide a narrative that discusses a creative and 
durable collaboration model to implement a project successfully. The 
narrative must include a strong framework that fosters partnerships.
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 ensure the project team's 
viability in subsequent years.
f. Technical, Legal, and Financial Capacity
    Applicants must demonstrate the financial and organizational 
capacity and managerial experience to oversee and implement this 
project successfully. FTA may review relevant assessments and public 
records to determine whether any outstanding legal, technical, or 
financial issues with the applicant would affect the outcome of the 
proposed project.
    For applications that include named project partners, FTA will also 
consider the proposed partners' technical, legal, and financial 
capacity.

6. 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. After considering 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 applicant's 
ability and its proposed plan to recruit and select demonstration sites 
to address key priorities of the Administration. Consistent with the 
President's January 20, 2021, Executive Order 13990 which aims to 
promote clean energy, conservation, and environmental justice; 
emphasizes scientific integrity and evidence-based decision-making; and 
aligns with goals to mitigate climate change and prioritize 
environmental sustainability, the selecting official will consider 
applications that may promote these key priorities as part of the 
application review.

7. Integrity and Performance Review

    Prior to making an award, FTA is required to review and consider 
any information about the applicant 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 their 
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, Federal requirements 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 (88 FR 23117).
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.  70901-Sec.  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. 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, public transportation agencies, State

[[Page 71080]]

DOTs, and other stakeholders to learn from and expand upon the insights 
developed from FTA-funded research.
    An award made pursuant to this Notice 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 performance period 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.
e. 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 used for vehicle procurements, in setting their overall 
DBE goal.
f. 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 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.
g. External Communications
    The successful applicant must communicate with the 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 the FTA project manager at the beginning of their 
agreement to discuss and plan any external communications about their 
project.
h. 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.
i. Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience
    It is the policy of the United States to strengthen the security 
and resilience of its critical infrastructure against both physical and 
cyber threats. Each applicant selected for Federal funding under this 
Notice must demonstrate, prior to the signing of the grant agreement, 
effort to consider and address physical and cyber security risks 
relevant to the transportation mode and type and scale of the project. 
Projects that have not appropriately considered and addressed physical 
and cyber security and resilience in their planning, design, and 
project oversight, as determined by the Department of Transportation 
and the Department of Homeland Security, will be required to do so 
before receiving funds for construction, consistent with Presidential 
Policy Directive 21--``Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience 
and the National Security Presidential Improving Cybersecurity for 
Critical Infrastructure Control Systems.''
3. Reporting and Payment
    Post-award reporting requirements include the electronic submission 
of Federal Financial Reports and Milestone Progress Reports in TrAMS 
quarterly. Documentation is required for payment. Additional reporting 
may be required specific to the program prescribed in this Notice, 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 (https://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 selected recipient will be required to 
disburse via Delphi and E-invoicing.
    The successful applicant should include any goals, targets, and 
indicators referenced in its 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 exceed 
$10,000,000 for any period 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.

[[Page 71081]]

4. Termination for Failure To Make Progress on an Award

    After providing written notice to the recipient of a project 
selected for funding, FTA may withdraw its support for the selected 
project (if a cooperative agreement has not yet been awarded) or 
suspend or terminate all or any part of the federal assistance for the 
award if the recipient has failed to make reasonable progress 
implementing the project. FTA may withdraw its support for a project or 
terminate an award agreement if:
    1. A recipient has not completed its application for funding in 
TrAMS within 60 days of the date FTA announces project selection.
    2. A recipient has not begun its demonstration project within one 
year after funding was awarded in TrAMS.
    3. A recipient has not delivered a project evaluation to FTA within 
one year of completing its demonstration project.
    4. FTA may also withdraw support from a project or terminate an 
award agreement if the proposed activities are no longer needed or if 
the recipient has violated the terms of FTA's Annual Agreement.

G. Federal Awarding Agency Contacts

    For further information concerning this Notice, please contact the 
ADCMS Program Team, FTA Office of Research, Demonstration, and 
Innovation, 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/ADCMS.
    To ensure applicants receive accurate eligibility information, 
applicants are encouraged to contact FTA directly, rather than through 
intermediaries or third parties, with questions. FTA staff may also 
conduct briefings on the 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. 2023-22521 Filed 10-12-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-57-P