[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 126 (Monday, July 1, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54636-54643]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-14429]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Transit Administration
FY 2024 Competitive Funding Opportunity: Enhancing Mobility
Innovation
AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of funding opportunity (NOFO).
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SUMMARY: The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announces the
opportunity to apply for a total of $1,936,000 in Fiscal Year (FY) 2023
Public Transportation Innovation funds in competitive cooperative
agreement awards for projects that enhance mobility innovations for
transit. Funds will be awarded for projects that advance emerging
technologies, strategies, and innovations in traveler-centered mobility
in two distinct areas. Of the total available funds, $968,000 is
available for projects to accelerate innovations that improve mobility
and enhance the rider experience with a focus on innovative service
delivery models, creative financing, novel partnerships, and integrated
payment solutions. Another $968,000 is available for projects to
develop software solutions that facilitate the provision of integrated
demand-response public transportation service that dispatches public
transportation fleet vehicles through riders' mobile devices or other
means. Projects will be selected based on the criteria outlined in this
notice. FTA may award additional funding that is made available to the
program prior to the announcement of project selections.
DATES: Complete proposals must be submitted electronically through the
GRANTS.GOV ``APPLY'' function by 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on August 30,
2024.
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 funding
opportunity ID is FTA-2024-010-TRI-EMI. Mail, fax, and email
submissions will not be accepted.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Natalie Covill-Fontaine, FTA Office of
Research, Demonstration and Innovation, phone: 202-366-7564, or email:
[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
Summary Overview of Key Information: Enhancing Mobility Innovation
Competitive Funding Opportunity
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Issuing Agency............... Federal Transit Administration, U.S.
Department of Transportation.
Program Overview............. The Enhancing Mobility Innovation
Competitive Funding Opportunity seeks
projects that advance emerging
technologies, strategies, and
innovations in traveler-centered
mobility in two areas:
Concepts development and/or demonstration
projects that improve mobility and
enhance the rider experience, with a
focus on innovative service delivery
models, creative financing, novel
partnerships, and integrated payment
solutions; and
Software development projects that
facilitate the provision of demand-
response public transportation services
that dispatch public transportation
fleet vehicles through riders' mobile
devices or other advanced means.
Eligible Applicants.......... Providers of public
transportation, including public
transportation agencies, state or
local government DOTs, and federally
recognized Indian tribes.
[[Page 54637]]
Private for-profit and not-
for-profit organizations incorporated
in a jurisdiction of the United
States, including shared-use mobility
providers, private operators of
transportation services, technology
system suppliers and integrators, bus
or vehicle manufacturers or
suppliers, software and technology
developers, financial institutions,
consultants, research consortia, and
industry organizations.
State, city, or local
government entities, including multi-
jurisdictional partnerships and
organizations such as Metropolitan
Planning Organizations; or
Institutions of higher
education, including large research
universities, particularly those with
Minority Serving Institution status.
Eligible Projects............ Concepts Development and/or Demonstration
Projects:
Activities may include all
activities that advance promising
technologies, practices, and
strategies and accelerate innovations
in mobility for transit, including,
but not limited to, planning,
acquiring essential equipment or
services, project implementation, and
evaluating project results.
For projects that develop
novel operational concepts without a
demonstration component, activities
may include data collection,
technology scanning and feasibility
analysis, engagement and outreach,
benefits and costs analysis, and
modeling forecasts of proposed
concepts' climate and equity impacts.
Software Development Projects:
Activities may include
establishing user needs, defining
system requirements, development,
validation, and verification of the
software, modeling, and simulation,
and/or pilot implementation with a
software solution that can be
demonstrated to FTA.
Funding Amount............... Concepts Development and/or Demonstration
Projects: $968,000.
Software Development Projects: $968,000.
Additional funds made available prior to
project selection may be allocated to
eligible projects.
Cost Share................... The maximum Federal share of project
costs under this program is 80 percent.
Deadline..................... August 30, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern
Time.
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A. Program Description
Under FTA's Public Transportation Innovation Program (49 U.S.C.
5312(b)), FTA may make grants or enter into contracts or cooperative
agreements for research, development, demonstration, and deployment
projects of national significance to public transportation. FTA
developed this NOFO (Federal Assistance Listing: 20.530) under this
authority. The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (Pub. L. 117-328)
directs FTA to competitively fund $1,000,000 in cooperative agreements
to accelerate innovations that improve mobility and enhance the rider
experience and $1,000,000 in cooperative agreements for the development
of software solutions to facilitate demand-response public
transportation. After the required takedown of $32,000 per program, for
$64,000 total for the two program areas, to support the U.S. Department
of Transportation's Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program,
a total of $1,936,000 is available under this notice.
Specifically, FTA is seeking projects that advance emerging
technologies, strategies, and innovations in traveler-centered mobility
in two distinct areas: (a) to develop novel operational concepts and/or
demonstrate innovations that improve mobility and enhance the rider
experience, with a focus on innovative service delivery models,
creative financing, novel partnerships, and integrated payment
solutions; and (b) to develop software solutions that facilitate the
provision of demand-response public transportation service that
dispatches public transportation fleet vehicles through riders' mobile
devices or other advanced means.
These research efforts build upon over $46 million in prior FTA
investments in mobility innovation through FTA's Mobility on Demand
(MOD) Sandbox, the Integrated Mobility Innovation (IMI) Program, the
Accelerating Innovative Mobility (AIM) Challenge Grant Initiative, and
the previous Enhancing Mobility Innovation (EMI) funding opportunity.
The EMI program seeks to continue the momentum of the over 68 previous
projects to provide safe, reliable, equitable, accessible, and carefree
mobility for all travelers. This NOFO also advances the goals of
Executive Order 13990, ``Protecting Public Health and the Environment
and Restoring Science to Tackle the Climate Crisis'' (86 FR 7037).
B. Federal Award Information
To ensure the most impactful projects for each project area, FTA is
seeking projects with a minimum award amount of $400,000. FTA
anticipates awarding two to four projects under this funding
opportunity. Due to funding limitations, applicants that are selected
for funding may receive less than the requested amount. 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 project
selections on FTA's website. See the description of pre-award authority
further down in this notice.
Projects under this competition are for research and development
efforts and, as such, FTA Research Circular 6100.1E (available at
https://www.fta.dot.gov/regulations-and-guidance/fta-circulars/research-technical-assistance-and-training-program) guidance will apply
in administering the program.
An applicant whose proposal is selected for funding will receive a
cooperative agreement award with FTA to be administered according to
Circular 6100.1E and as set forth in 31 U.S.C. 6305. 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.
C. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants
Eligible applicants under this notice are:
Providers of public transportation, including public
transportation agencies, state or local government DOTs, and federally
recognized Indian tribes.
Private for-profit and not-for-profit organizations
incorporated in a jurisdiction of the United States, including shared-
use mobility providers, private operators of transportation services,
technology system suppliers and integrators, bus or vehicle
manufacturers or suppliers, software and technology developers,
[[Page 54638]]
financial institutions, consultants, research consortia, and industry
organizations.
State, city, or local government entities, including
multi-jurisdictional partnerships, and organizations such as
metropolitan planning organizations; or
Institutions of higher education, including large research
universities, particularly those with Minority Serving Institution
status.
Eligibility is limited to United States entities.
On the application form, eligible applicants are encouraged to
identify one or more project partners with a substantial interest and
involvement in the project to participate in the implementation of the
project. Eligible applicants that are not providers of public
transportation are encouraged to identify in the application at least
one provider of public transportation as a project partner.
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 will require FTA written approval, must be
consistent with the scope of the approved project, and may necessitate
a competitive procurement. FTA encourages applicants to thoroughly vet
potential partners before applying, as changes in key project partners
could result in project termination.
The applicant must be able to carry out the proposed agreement and
procurements, if needed, with project partners in compliance with all
applicable Federal, state, and local laws.
To be considered eligible, applicants 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
The maximum Federal share of project costs under this program is 80
percent. Applicants may seek a lower Federal contribution. The
applicant must provide the non-Federal share of the net project cost in
cash or in-kind and 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. Eligible Projects
This notice solicits applications in two topical areas: (a)
projects that develop novel operational concepts and/or demonstrate
innovations that improve mobility and enhance the rider experience,
with a focus on innovative service delivery models, creative financing,
novel partnerships, integrated payment solutions, or other innovative
solutions; and (b) projects that develop software to facilitate the
provision of demand-response public transportation service that
dispatches public transportation fleet vehicles through riders' mobile
devices or other advanced means. Applicants must clearly indicate on
the supplemental form the topical area for which the application is
seeking funding.
FTA seeks applications for projects that enhance the current state
of mobility innovation research or build on existing successful
projects and partnership efforts, including previously awarded
Enhancing Mobility Innovation projects.
For illustrative purposes, some examples of project research areas
include novel data approaches for improved service delivery; data-
driven tools and strategies to predict and influence traveler behavior;
projects that encourage climate-smart choices and/or provide
personalized mobility options to travelers; payment systems and
solutions that enhance integrated mobility management and
interoperability across a variety of modes; mobility payment
integration with dynamic pricing strategies; and novel approaches for
providing more effective transportation and mobility options in
underserved communities.
a. Concepts Development and/or Demonstration Projects
For this topical area, eligible activities may include all
activities that advance promising technologies, practices, and
strategies and accelerate innovations in mobility for transit,
including, but not limited to, planning, acquiring essential equipment
or services, project implementation, and evaluating project results.
For projects that develop novel operational concepts without a
demonstration component, eligible project activities may include data
collection, technology scanning and feasibility analysis, engagement
and outreach, benefits and costs analysis, and modeling forecasts of
proposed concepts' climate and equity impacts.
b. Software Development Projects
For this topical area, eligible activities may include establishing
user needs, defining system requirements, development, validation, and
verification of the software, modeling, and simulation, and/or pilot
implementation with a software solution that can be demonstrated to
FTA. Software products developed will be subject to the provisions of
FTA's most recent Master Agreement available at https://www.transit.dot.gov/funding/grantee-resources/sample-fta-agreements/fta-grant-agreements and may be disseminated to public transit agencies
for their use. Software developed under this program should be
interoperable, adaptable, secure, and able to be seamlessly integrated
into other transportation and transit management systems. The project
team should also consider how the development effort supports the
development or use of open standards, specifications, or protocols. FTA
will evaluate the potential for software developed under this NOFO to
be shared for use by public transportation agencies.
FTA intends to advance innovations that are of national
significance and can benefit transit agencies, cities, and communities
across the United States. As such, project teams should consider how to
structure development efforts to ensure the resulting research outputs
are broadly relevant and can lead to adoption or use by other transit
agencies or transportation providers.
D. Application and Submission Information
1. Address To Request Application
Applications must be submitted electronically through GRANTS.GOV.
General information for submitting applications through GRANTS.GOV can
be found at https://www.transit.dot.gov/howtoapply. Applications must
be made using the Standard Form 424 (SF-424), which can be downloaded
from GRANTS.GOV. The supplemental form for the FY 2024 Enhancing
Mobility Innovation NOFO and the project overview template can be
downloaded from GRANTS.GOV or the FTA website at https://www.transit.dot.gov/funding/grants/EMI. Failure to submit the
information as requested can delay review or disqualify the
application.
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
must consist of (1) the SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance, (2)
the supplemental form, and (3) the project overview in Microsoft Word,
PDF, or a compatible file format that addresses the required elements
contained in this notice. The
[[Page 54639]]
project overview should be in the format outlined in the ``Application
Content'' section. The supplemental form, project overview, and any
supporting documents must be attached to the ``Attachments'' section of
the SF-424. The application must include responses to all sections of
the SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance, the supplemental form,
and the project overview unless indicated as optional.
The information on the supplemental form and project overview will
be used to determine applicant and project eligibility for the program
and to evaluate the proposal against the selection criteria described
in Section E of this notice. If an applicant chooses to apply for both
topical areas ((a) concepts development and/or demonstration, and (b)
software development), the applicant must submit separate proposals for
individual consideration by FTA, with a separate SF-424 supplemental
form, and project overview for each project area.
FTA will accept only one supplemental form and one project overview
per SF-424 submission. Applicants may attach additional supporting
information to the SF-424 submission, including but not limited to
letters of support, project budgets, visual aids, excerpts from
relevant planning documents, or project narratives. Any supporting
documentation must be described and referenced by file name in the
appropriate response section of the supplemental form, or it may not be
reviewed.
Information such as applicant name, Federal amount requested, local
match amount, and description of areas served may be requested in
varying degrees of detail on both the SF-424 and supplemental form.
Applicants must fill in all fields unless stated otherwise on the
forms. If information is copied into the supplemental form from another
source, applicants should verify that pasted text is fully captured on
the supplemental form and has not been truncated by the character
limits built into the form. Applicants should use both the ``Check
Package for Errors'' and the ``Validate Form'' validation buttons on
both forms to check all required fields on the forms and ensure that
the Federal and local amounts specified are consistent.
b. Application Content
The SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance and the supplemental
form will prompt applicants for required information, including:
1. Applicant name.
2. Unique entity identifier (UEI) (generated by SAM.GOV)
3. Key contact information (including name, address, email address,
and phone).
4. Congressional district(s) where the project will take place.
5. Project information (including title, executive summary, and
type).
6. Information on areas served by the project, including the
current state of public transportation and mobility in the area served.
7. A detailed description of the project and how it will either (a)
advance innovative mobility technologies that focus on innovative
service delivery models, creative financing, novel partnerships,
integrated payment solutions, or other innovative solutions or (b)
develop interoperable software solutions to facilitate the provision of
demand-response public transportation service.
8. A description of each innovative technology, practice, or
strategy proposed as part of the project scope.
9. A description of project benefits, including the national
significance of the project to advance innovative, carefree mobility
solutions and how the project may advance climate-smart solutions and
equity.
10. Information on any project partners, their roles, and
anticipated contributions.
11. A description of the project implementation strategy, including
a description of the approach to data, data access, and project
evaluation, and how the project will support the Department of
Transportation's public data access requirements.
12. A description of the technical, legal, and financial capacity
of the applicant and all named partners.
13. A detailed project budget specifying Federal and local share.
Project budgets should show how different funding sources will share in
each activity and present the data in dollars and percentages. The
budget should identify other Federal funds the applicant is applying
for, has been awarded, or intends to use. Funding sources should be
grouped into three categories: non-Federal, current application
Enhancing Mobility Innovation, and other Federal with specific amounts
for each funding source.
14. Information on source of matching funds for the project's local
cost share.
15. A description of the scalability of the project, including
minimum Federal Funds necessary to complete the project in case of
limited funding.
16. A detailed project timeline, including all proposed project
milestones.
The project overview should be submitted as a one-page document in
Microsoft Word, PDF, or other compatible file format and should follow
the template that can be downloaded at GRANTS.GOV and https://www.transit.dot.gov/funding/grants/EMI. The project overview should
include a header with the project title and lead applicant and a brief
description (two to three sentences or bullet points) of the following
four project areas: (1) innovation, including how the proposed
innovative technology, strategy, or practice compares to state of the
art; (2) benefits and potential impact; (3) team and partners,
including the roles of key personnel and project partners; and (4)
approach, including expected project accomplishments and proposed
measures of success.
3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM)
Each applicant is required to (1) be registered in SAM.GOV before
submitting an application; (2) provide a valid unique entity identifier
in its application; and (3) continue to always maintain an active
SAM.GOV registration with current information while the applicant has
an active Federal award, application, or plan under consideration by
FTA. FTA may not award until the applicant has complied with all
applicable unique entity identifier and SAM.GOV 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.GOV 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 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 August 30, 2024. GRANTS.GOV
attaches a time stamp to each application at the time of submission.
Proposals submitted after the deadline will only be considered
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under extraordinary circumstances and 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 receive the validation messages and to
correct any problems that may have caused a rejection notification.
GRANTS.GOV scheduled maintenance and outage times are announced on the
GRANTS.GOV website. Deadlines will not be extended due to scheduled
website maintenance.
Within 48 hours after submitting an electronic application, the
applicant should receive an email message from GRANTS.GOV with
confirmation of successful transmission. 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, the applicant must 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 must be 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 submission. If the
applicant encounters system problems or technical difficulties using
the GRANTS.GOV website, the applicant should address those technical
issues to GRANTS.GOV.
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 (https://www.transit.dot.gov/research-innovation/circular-5010).
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.
6. Scaled Funding Options
Applicants are encouraged to identify scaled funding options in
case insufficient funding is available to fund a project at the full
requested amount. If an applicant indicates that a project is scalable,
the applicant must provide an appropriate minimum funding amount that
will fund an eligible project that achieves the objectives of the
program and meets all relevant program requirements. The applicant must
provide a clear explanation of how the project budget would be affected
by a reduced award. FTA may award a lesser amount regardless of whether
a scaled option is provided.
E. Application Review Information
1. Criteria
Projects will be evaluated primarily on the responses provided in
the supplemental form and project overview. Additional information may
be provided to support the responses; however, any additional
documentation must be directly referenced on the supplemental form,
including the file name where the additional information can be found.
FTA will evaluate proposals based on the criteria described in this
notice.
If an applicant is proposing to deploy autonomous vehicles or other
innovative motor vehicle technology, the application should demonstrate
that all vehicles will comply with applicable safety requirements,
including those administered by the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA) and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration (FMCSA). Specifically, the application should show that
vehicles acquired for the proposed project will comply with applicable
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) and Federal Motor
Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR). If the vehicles do not comply, the
application should either (1) show that the vehicles and their proposed
operations are within the scope of an exemption or waiver that has
already been granted by NHTSA, FMCSA, or both agencies or (2) directly
address whether the project will require exemptions or waivers from the
FMVSS, FMCSR, or any other regulation and, if the project will require
exemptions or waivers, present a plan for obtaining them.
a. Demonstration of Innovation
FTA is seeking projects focused on the next iteration of the most
promising technologies, practices, and strategies to accelerate
innovations in mobility for public transportation. Projects will be
evaluated on the extent to which they develop and deploy novel,
innovative, or transformative mobility technologies and solutions and
advance the state of the practice. A proposal should clearly identify a
specific innovative premise and should provide a description of how it
compares to the current state of the art. FTA will assess the extent to
which the applicant uses innovative strategies, including (i)
innovative technologies, (ii) innovative financing, or (iii) innovative
operations to advance mobility innovation that produces climate-smart
and equitable outcomes.
b. Demonstration of Benefits
The application should demonstrate how the proposed project will
accelerate the transit industry's ability to implement new
technologies, operational innovations, approaches, or service models
that support safe, equitable, and climate-smart mobility options for
all travelers. FTA will evaluate proposals based on their capacity to
accelerate the development and adoption of innovative technologies,
practices, and service models to improve mobility and enhance the rider
experience, better position transit agencies to adapt to unprecedented
operational challenges, and meet evolving traveler expectations.
FTA will consider the extent to which each proposal will advance
the transit industry by producing knowledge of national significance
that advances the state of the practice for public transportation in
the United States; advances technologies, innovations, practices, or
partnership models that are relevant and replicable; leverages private
sector innovation; advances robust, replicable business models and
sustainable public private partnerships; and advances tools or
approaches that enable transportation system carbon reductions and
promote equity.
FTA welcomes integrated mobility projects that embrace a holistic
view of multimodal mobility that centers and supports public
transportation. FTA encourages applicants to consider integrated
mobility from the perspectives of system owners, operators, and
travelers. FTA seeks projects that produce novel, bold, and yet
realistic concepts to accelerate the transformation of integrated
mobility and public transportation, influence traveler behavior, and
produce meaningful and lasting impacts on climate and equity.
For software development projects, FTA will consider the extent to
which the development results in robust,
[[Page 54641]]
interoperable, and adaptable software-based solutions for demand-
response transit service dispatched through riders' mobile devices or
other advanced means. Additionally, software development projects will
be assessed on the extent to which the development effort will support
strategies for the use of open standards, specifications, or protocols
and would permit the software to be shared for use by public
transportation agencies.
c. Project Team and Partnerships
The application should identify the team that will carry out the
proposed project, including key personnel and all project partners. FTA
will evaluate the extent to which the project team has the necessary
expertise, collaboration, and capacity to successfully implement the
project and to which the project contains strong, cohesive
partnerships.
Applicants must identify all project partners and their specific
roles. Applications should describe how project partners plan to work
collaboratively and should show evidence of strong commitment and
cooperation among project partners through letters of support or
agreements among the partners. Applications should describe how
partners will participate in each aspect of project planning,
implementation, and evaluation. FTA will also evaluate the experience,
capacity, and demonstrated commitment of the named project partners as
pertains to successful implementation of the proposed project.
Applicants are advised to submit information on the partners'
qualifications and experience as a part of the application. Applicants
that are not providers of public transportation are encouraged to
identify in the application at least one provider of public
transportation as a project partner. Entities who will be involved in
the project but not named in the application will be required to be
selected through a competitive procurement unless an exception to
competition requirements applies.
d. Local Financial Commitment
Applicants must identify the source of the non-Federal cost share
and describe whether such funds are currently available for the project
or will need to be secured if the project is selected for funding. FTA
will consider the availability of the non-Federal cost share as
evidence of the applicant's financial commitment to the project,
including whether non-Federal funds have already been made available or
reserved. Applicants should submit evidence of the availability of
funds for the project, for example, by including a board resolution, a
letter of support from the State, a budget document highlighting the
line item or section committing funds to the proposed project, or other
documentation of the source of non-Federal funds.
e. Project Implementation Strategy
The application should explain the applicant's approach to carrying
out the project, including all necessary project milestones and the
overall project timeline. Projects will be evaluated based on the
extent to which the applicant's proposed implementation plans are
reasonable and complete. To assess whether the implementation plans are
reasonable and complete, FTA will review and consider the project
milestones, timeline, budget, risks to implementation, and how well the
project implementation plan addresses these risks. FTA will also
consider if the project's implementation strategy addresses how the
project will support data access and sharing of project results and
project evaluation against mobility-specific metrics. For projects that
will require formal coordination, approvals, or permits from government
agencies or project partners, the applicant must demonstrate
coordination with these organizations and their support for the
project, such as through letters of support.
f. Technical, Legal, and Financial Capacity
FTA will evaluate proposals on the capacity of the project
applicant and all partners to successfully execute the project.
Demonstrated experience by the project applicant or project partners in
successfully implementing a mobility innovation development and
demonstration project will be considered.
FTA may review relevant oversight assessments and records to
determine whether the applicant has any outstanding legal, technical,
or financial issues that would affect the proposed project's outcome.
Applicants with outstanding legal, technical, or financial compliance
issues from an FTA compliance review or grant-related Single Audit
finding must explain how corrective actions will mitigate negative
impacts on the proposed project.
For applications that include named project partners, FTA will also
consider the technical, legal, and financial capacity of the partner to
successfully implement the proposed project. Applicants are advised to
submit information on the partners' qualifications and experience as
part of the application.
2. Review and Selection Process
A technical evaluation committee made up of federal staff will
evaluate proposals based on the published evaluation criteria. FTA may
request additional information from applicants if necessary. Based on
the findings of the technical evaluation committee, the FTA
Administrator will determine the final selection of projects for
funding.
Consistent with 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.
In determining the allocation of program funds, FTA may consider
geographic diversity, diversity in the size of the grant recipients
receiving funding, or the applicant's receipt of other competitive
awards, among other factors. FTA may also consider capping the amount a
single applicant may receive.
Prior to making an award, FTA is required to review and consider
any information about the applicant that is in the Federal Awardee
Performance Integrity Information System (FAPIIS) 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 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 200.205).
F. Federal Award Administration Information
1. Federal Award Notices
FTA will announce the final project selections on the FTA website.
Due to funding limitations, applicants that are selected for funding
may receive less than the amount originally requested. In those cases,
applicants must be able to demonstrate that the proposed projects are
still viable and can be completed with the amount awarded.
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2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
a. Pre-Award Authority
At the time the project selections are announced, FTA may extend
pre-award authority for the selected projects. There is no blanket pre-
award authority for these projects before announcement. FTA will issue
specific guidance to recipients regarding pre-award authority at the
time of selection. FTA does not consider requests for pre-award
authority for competitive funds until after projects are selected, and
additional 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 at https://www.transit.dot.gov/funding/apportionments.
b. Cooperative Agreement Requirements
If selected, awardees will apply for a cooperative agreement
through FTA's Transit Award Management System (TrAMS). Successful
applicants must be prepared to submit a complete statement of work and
application in TrAMS within 90 days of notification of award. All
recipients must follow the requirements of FTA Circular 6100.1E.
Technical assistance regarding these requirements is available from
FTA.
Awardees must disburse funds from their cooperative agreement using
DOT's Delphi system. Drawdowns using ECHO are prohibited. FTA staff are
available to assist awardees in gaining access to and using the Delphi
system.
c. Buy America and Domestic Preferences for Infrastructure Projects
As expressed in Executive Order 14005, ``Ensuring the Future Is
Made in All of America by All of America's Workers'' (86 FR 7475), the
Executive Branch should maximize, consistent with law, the use of
goods, products, and materials produced in, and services offered in,
the United States. Therefore, all capital procurements must comply with
FTA's Buy America requirements (49 U.S.C. 5323(j)), which require that
all iron, steel, and manufactured products be produced in the United
States. In addition, any award must comply with the Build America, Buy
America Act (BABA) (Pub. L. 117-58, sections 70901-27). BABA provides
that none of the funds provided under an award made pursuant to this
notice may be used for a project unless all iron, steel, manufactured
products, and construction materials are produced in the United States.
FTA's Buy America requirements are consistent with BABA requirements
for iron, steel, and manufactured products.
Any proposal that will require a waiver of any domestic preference
standard must identify the items for which a waiver will be sought in
the application. Applicants should not proceed with the expectation
that waivers will be granted.
d. Disadvantaged Business Enterprise
FTA requires that its recipients receiving planning, capital, or
operating assistance that will award prime contracts exceeding $250,000
in FTA funds in a Federal fiscal year comply with the U.S. Department
of Transportation's Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program
regulations (49 CFR part 26). If an applicant also receives FTA
planning, capital, or operating assistance, it should expect to include
any funds awarded, excluding those to be used for vehicle procurements,
in setting its overall DBE goal. Note, however, that projects,
including vehicle procurements, remain subject to the DBE program
regulations.
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 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. Data Access and Data Sharing
FTA seeks to improve America's communities through public
transportation by sharing digital data or source code collected or
developed through its research with the public. This allows research
organizations, public transportation agencies, state DOTs, and others
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/grantee-resources/sample-fta-agreements/fta-grant-agreements), including Section 17 Patent Rights and Section
18 Rights in Data and Copyrights. All work funded under this NOFO must
follow the Department's data collection and sharing policies outlined
in the DOT Public Access Plan at: https://www.transportation.gov/mission/open/official-dot-public-access-plan-v11. 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.
g. External Communications
Recipients must communicate with their FTA project manager prior to
engaging in any external communications regarding their project. 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. Recipients should consult
with their FTA project manager at the beginning of their agreement to
discuss and plan any external communications about their project.
h. Independent Evaluation
Projects funded under this announcement may be subject to
evaluation by an independent evaluator selected by FTA. Recipients may
be required to coordinate with the
[[Page 54643]]
independent evaluator to assist in developing an evaluation plan and
collecting, storing, and managing data required to fulfill that
evaluation plan.
i. Mobility Metrics
Projects funded under this notice will be required to support the
efforts of FTA or its designee to evaluate the project and its outcomes
against mobility-specific metrics. FTA will work with the project team
to implement evaluation plans that are consistent with FTA's mobility-
specific metrics as detailed in the FTA report, Mobility Performance
Metrics (MPM) For Integrated Mobility and Beyond (February 2020),
available at https://www.transit.dot.gov/sites/fta.dot.gov/files/docs/research-innovation/147791/mobility-performance-metrics-integrated-mobility-and-beyond-fta-report-no-0152.pdf.
j. Software Provisions
Any software developed as a part of this solicitation will be
subject to provisions of FTA's Master Agreement related to patent
rights and rights in data and copyrights and may be disseminated to
public transit agencies for their use.
3. Reporting
Post-award reporting requirements include the electronic submission
of Federal Financial Reports and Milestone Progress Reports in FTA's
electronic grants management system, TrAMS. Applicants 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 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.
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.
G. Federal Awarding Agency Contacts
For further information concerning this notice, please contact
Natalie Covill-Fontaine, FTA Office of Research, Demonstration, and
Innovation, by phone at 202-366-7564 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 may post
answers to questions and requests for clarifications on FTA's website
at https://www.transit.dot.gov/funding/grants/EMI. To ensure applicants
receive accurate information about eligibility or the program,
applicants are encouraged to contact FTA directly rather than through
intermediaries or third parties. FTA staff may also conduct briefings
on the FY 2024 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.''
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. All
applications and supporting materials submitted to FTA will become the
records of FTA. If an applicant submits information the applicant
considers to be a trade secret or confidential commercial or financial
information, the applicant must provide that information in a separate
document, which the applicant may cross-reference from the application
narrative or other portions of the application. For the separate
document containing confidential information, the applicant must state
on the cover of the document that it ``Contains Confidential Business
Information (CBI),'' mark each page that contains confidential
information with ``CBI,'' and highlight or otherwise identify the
confidential content on each page. FTA will protect confidential
information, complying with these requirements to the extent required
under applicable law. If FTA receives a Freedom of Information Act
(FOIA) request for the information that the applicant has marked in
accordance with this section, FTA will follow the procedures described
in U.S. DOT's FOIA regulation at 49 CFR 7.29. Only information that is
in the separate document, marked in accordance with this section, and
ultimately determined to be confidential under section 7.29 will be
exempt from disclosure under FOIA.
Veronica Vanterpool,
Acting Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2024-14429 Filed 6-28-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-57-P