National Rural Transportation Assistance Program: Solicitation for Proposals |
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Peter Rogoff
Federal Transit Administration
December 26, 2013
[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 248 (Thursday, December 26, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 78493-78502]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-30820]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Transit Administration
National Rural Transportation Assistance Program: Solicitation
for Proposals
Agency: Federal Transit Administration (FTA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice; request for proposals.
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SUMMARY: The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is soliciting
proposals under FTA's Formula Grants for Rural Areas Program (49 U.S.C.
5311), to fund a National Rural Transportation Assistance Program
(National RTAP). The National RTAP provides a source of funding to
assist in the design and implementation of training and technical
assistance projects and other support services tailored to meet the
specific needs of transit operators in rural areas. The National RTAP
provides for the development of information and materials for use by
local operators and State administering agencies, and supports research
and technical assistance projects of national interest. The total
duration of this cooperative agreement, including the exercising of any
options under this text, shall not exceed 5 years. FTA intends to fund
the National RTAP at $1,794,903 for the first year, as authorized by
the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21), Public
Law 112-141 (2012). Funding beyond the first year will depend upon (1)
future appropriations and authorizations, and (2) annual performance
reviews.
This solicitation describes the priorities established for the
National RTAP, the proposal submission process, and criteria upon which
proposals will be evaluated. This announcement is available on FTA's
Web site at: http://www.fta.dot.gov/grants/13077.html. FTA will
announce the final selection on the FTA Web site and in the Federal
Register. A synopsis of this announcement will be posted in the FIND
module of the government-wide electronic grants Web site at http://www.grants.gov. Proposals must be submitted to FTA, electronically
through the GRANTS.GOV ``APPLY'' function.
DATES: Complete proposals must be submitted electronically by 11:59
p.m., Eastern Time, on February 10, 2014. All proposals must be
submitted electronically through the ``GRANTS.GOV'' APPLY function.
Interested organizations that have not already done so should initiate
the process of registering on the
[[Page 78494]]
GRANTS.GOV site immediately to ensure completion of registration before
the deadline for submission.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For general program information, as
well as proposal-specific questions, please contact Lorna Wilson at
lorna.wilson@dot.gov or (202) 366-0893. A TDD is available at 1-800-
877-8339 (TDD/FIRS).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Table of Contents
A. Overview
B. Background
C. Scope of Work
1. Task 1: Project Planning and Coordination
2. Task 2: Development and Promotion of Training Materials
3. Task 3: Support for State Administration of RTAP
4. Task 4: Outreach and Coordination with Other Organizations
Involved with Rural Transit
5. Task 5: RTAP Rural Resource Center
6. Task 6: Peer-to-Peer Networking
7. Task 7: Research and Technical Support
8. Task 8: Mechanism for User Input and Feedback
9. Task 9: Project Management and Administration
D. Award Information
E. Eligibility Information
F. Proposal Submission Process
1. Submission Method
2. Proposal Content
G. Proposal Review, Selection, and Notification
1. Technical Approach
2. Qualifications and Experience of the Organization and Its
Personnel
3. Past Performance and Technical, Legal, and Financial Capacity
4. Evaluation Scores and Weights
H. Award Administration
1. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
2. Reporting
3. Legal Capacity
4. Transition Period/Phase-In Plan
I. Agency Contacts
Appendix A: Scope of Work
Appendix B: Sample Format for Progress Report
A. Overview
The Formula Grants for Rural Areas Program (49 U.S.C. 5311(b)(3)),
as amended by MAP-21, authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to
carry out a Rural Transportation Assistance Program (RTAP) in rural
areas.
FTA is authorized to use two percent of its Formula Grants for
Rural Areas Program appropriation for RTAP. In fiscal year 2013,
$11,966,020 was made available for administration of RTAP to make
grants and contracts for transportation research, technical assistance,
training, and related support services in rural areas. Of this amount,
$1,794,903 was reserved to carry out competitively selected National
RTAP projects, and the balance was apportioned to the States to carry
out State RTAP activities.
B. Background
FTA's National RTAP is funded under the Formula Grants for Rural
Areas Program to enhance the delivery of public transportation services
provided by State DOTs and operators of rural public transportation.
Since 1979, FTA has provided grants to States under the Formula Grants
for Rural Areas Program and its predecessor programs to establish and
maintain transit systems in communities with populations of fewer than
50,000 individuals. Rural community transit drivers, dispatchers,
maintenance workers, managers, and board members need special skills
and knowledge to provide quality service to their diverse customers
across large service areas. So, in 1987, the National RTAP was created.
Since its inception, the National RTAP has developed and distributed
training materials, provided technical assistance, generated reports,
published best practices, produced scholarship, conducted research, and
offered Peer Assistance with the goal of improved mobility for the
millions of Americans living in rural communities. For more information
on the various programs and services provided by the National RTAP,
visit the National RTAP Web site at http://www.nationalrtap.org/AboutUs.aspx.
FTA also supports local RTAP activities through funding
apportionments to the States. The State RTAPs develop and implement
training and technical assistance in conjunction with the State's
administration of the Formula Grants for Rural Areas Formula program.
The National RTAP provides for the development of information and
materials for use by local operators and State administering agencies
and supports research and technical assistance projects of national
interest. The State RTAPs and National RTAP complement each other and
both are funded under the Formula Grants for Rural Areas assistance
program.
The objectives of the National RTAP are:
Objective 1--To promote the delivery of safe and effective and
efficient public transportation in rural areas.
Objective 2--To support State and local governments in addressing
the training and technical assistance needs of the rural transportation
community.
Objective 3--To conduct research, including analysis of data
reported to FTA's National Transit Database, and to maintain current
profiles of the characteristics of rural transit and the inventory of
providers of rural and specialized transportation providers.
C. Scope of Work
The recipient will have the lead responsibility for overall
management of the National RTAP, which includes: planning and preparing
the annual work program; supporting and assisting the entities
administering the State RTAP activities; developing and promoting
training materials; conducting outreach and coordination with other
organizations involved in rural public transportation; attending
national and regional meetings focused on rural technical assistance
and training; and monitoring the success of the RTAP programs through
user input and feedback.
The recipient will also have the lead responsibility for operation
of the National RTAP Rural Resource Center, which shall include:
Providing toll-free telephone assistance; disseminating information
electronically; distributing resource materials; collecting and
maintaining available information resources; regularly updating a
catalog of relevant training materials; developing timely information
briefs; leveraging and adopting the current technology developed and
used by National RTAP in the Cloud; performing research as required;
and maintaining information about the characteristics and status of
rural transit and inventory of specialized transportation providers.
FTA will actively participate in directing project activities by
approving the annual Work Plan; participating in review board meetings;
reviewing all aspects of technical products; and maintaining frequent
contact with project managers.
1. Task 1: Project Planning and Coordination
The recipient will assume primary responsibility for administration
and management of the National RTAP. Subtasks include developing:
A Work Plan, which specifies how the stated objectives of
project will be met and ensures integration of all project tasks.
A Management Plan, which sets forth how the project will
be managed and who will be the key personnel involved.
A Budget Plan, which specifies what will be the costs
associated with the project.
A progress report after each project quarter and a final
project report at the end of the project year.
A communications strategy for promoting the National RTAP.
[[Page 78495]]
2. Task 2: Development and Promotion of Training Materials
The recipient will develop and disseminate training materials
designed for use by rural transit providers. Subtasks include:
Developing, field testing, and disseminating to the State
RTAPs training packages or courses designed for use by rural transit
providers. Selection of topics shall be guided by and consistent with
the identified training needs of rural transit providers and the State
RTAP activities. Prior to beginning developmental work on any training
package, the recipient shall submit to FTA for approval a plan for the
development of the package. The plan shall include an overview for each
of the component parts to be produced as part of the training package,
a time line for development and final production, and a budget. This
task may include development of courses for delivery by the National
Transit Institute (NTI) or other organizations (e.g., the Tribal
Technical Assistance Program (TTAP)).
Identifying and reviewing training materials developed outside of
the National RTAP, especially by States under the State RTAP and by
private vendors. Maintain information on new and currently available
materials in a regularly updated catalogue of existing training
materials, made available to state DOTs and others through appropriate
means, including electronic dissemination.
3. Task 3: Support for State Administration of RTAP
The recipient will establish a liaison relationship with State RTAP
managers to ensure that the products developed and activities
undertaken through the National RTAP are useful to and supportive of
the State programs, promote information exchange at all levels, and
encourage coordination of State efforts. Subtasks include:
Providing a forum for networking with State RTAP managers
while establishing communication for information dissemination (e.g., a
newsletter or bulletin). The recipient will report on national and
State program accomplishments and activities.
Promoting and participating in three or four regional RTAP
meetings annually, to share information about National RTAP products
and other relevant FTA initiatives.
Providing individualized technical assistance to State
RTAP managers as requested by the State or by FTA.
4. Task 4: Outreach and Coordination with Other Organizations Involved
with Rural Transit
The recipient will coordinate with other organizations and
technical assistance centers that are involved with rural public
transportation and related interests, such as FTA's National Center on
Mobility Management and non-FTA centers that support these activities,
to avoid duplication of efforts and to draw on these organizations'
networks for the promotion of National RTAP products and services. The
recipient will coordinate activities with the Federal Highway
Administration Local Area Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) and TTAP.
Subtasks include:
Coordinating activities with LTAP, TTAP, and other FTA-
funded technical assistance centers, and participating in the National
Consortium on Human Service.
Participating in conferences, workshops, and meetings of
other national and regional organizations, both to learn about their
activities and to promote the National RTAP.
Remaining informed about other national rural
transportation assistance activities within and outside of FTA.
Hosting a National Rural Technical Assistance Conference,
the focus of which must be approved by FTA, during the five-year period
of the cooperative agreement.
Participating in the Transportation Research Board (TRB)
biennial National Conference on Rural Public and Intercity Bus
Transportation.
5. Task 5: RTAP Rural Resource Center
The recipient will maintain a national clearinghouse for rural
public transportation technology sharing and information dissemination,
a central collection of products and services that are useful to rural
transit professionals. The recipient will promote and monitor usage of
the National RTAP Rural Resource Center. Subtasks include:
Collecting and maintaining relevant information resources,
training and technical assistance materials, contacts and referrals,
and developing expertise about issues of concern to the rural transit
community.
Operating a telephone hotline information service that
provides timely responses to questions and requests for information.
Developing and providing electronic access to information
resources maintained at the National RTAP Rural Resource Center.
Disseminating information on new rural public
transportation technical assistance and training materials and updated
databases.
Collecting and disseminating materials created by State
RTAPs.
Promoting and monitoring the effectiveness of the National
RTAP Rural Resource Center's products and services through: regular
reports of the Center's use statistics; promotion in publications
widely read by the target audience; participation in national,
regional, and State meetings; dissemination of materials about the
Center; and telephone surveys of operators or other feedback
mechanisms, such as postage-paid comment cards included with Center
mailings.
The recipient must have expertise to maintain and update
the National RTAP's software tools and platforms and ensure that any
modification or additional software applications that are developed for
use by rural and tribal transit providers are compatible with the
National RTAP environment.
The recipient will provide a Web site, a National RTAP in
the Cloud portal, and a number of hosted software applications that are
available for rural and tribal transit providers. The Web site
currently operates on Microsoft Windows Server 2008 using an Internet
Information Service (IIS) 6.0 or higher. The software tools and
platforms currently include: Dotnet Framework 2.0, Microsoft sqlserver
2008 R2, Ajax Control Toolkit, Itextsharp, Telerik Controls, and Ionic
Zip/SharpZipLib. In addition, the following tools are used to
interconnect with other applications: Podio.API, Twitterized, Free
TextBox, and Facebook Api. National RTAP in the Cloud also utilizes
DotNetNuke Community Edition (DNN) version 05.06.02 (144).
6. Task 6: Peer-to-Peer Networking
The recipient will develop and implement a national self-help
technical assistance network that facilitates the exchange of
technologies and techniques among rural transit operators on a peer-to-
peer basis. Specific subtasks include:
Identifying expert peers in areas of current interest on a
continuing basis.
Setting up technical assistance workshops for the
efficient utilization of a peer-to-peer network, in coordination with
regularly scheduled meetings of national, State, and regional groups.
Matching peers with those needing assistance on a one-to-
one basis.
Encouraging and facilitating peer-to-peer exchange and
provide support services to promote peer assistance.
[[Page 78496]]
7. Task 7: Research and Technical Support
The recipient will provide research and technical support capacity
to FTA to address issues of immediate concern to the rural transit
programs. Examples of specific subtasks to be performed at the request
of the FTA project manager could include, but are not limited to:
Assisting with new MAP-21 directives for rural areas,
including new safety and asset management provisions.
Preparing issue papers or reports in response to FTA
requests.
Convening focus groups or small meetings on specific
topics as necessary.
8. Task 8: Mechanism for User Input and Feedback
The recipient will maintain a mechanism for user input and
feedback, such as the existing National RTAP Review Board.
Historically, the National RTAP Review Board has functioned as the
mechanism for providing the National RTAP with guidance on priority
needs in the areas of training materials development, information
dissemination, and technical assistance. If project funding is
insufficient to support the National RTAP Review Board, an alternative
mechanism will be developed. Specific subtasks related to the National
RTAP Review Board include:
Convening no more than two official meetings of the
National RTAP Review Board each year of the project. One official
meeting must be held in Washington, DC The second meeting may be held
at the TRB Biennial National Conference on Rural Public and Intercity
Bus Transportation or another appropriate national meeting. All
official National RTAP Review Board meetings shall be approved by the
FTA project manager.
The National RTAP Review Board will function to:
[cir] Provide the National RTAP with guidance on priority needs in
the areas of training material development, information dissemination,
and technical assistance.
[cir] Oversee the quality of National RTAP products and services.
[cir] Promote the National RTAP to States and operators.
The following principles have been developed to guide the
National RTAP Review Board:
[cir] The National RTAP Review Board will be limited to 15 or fewer
members, roughly half of which are representatives of transit providers
and half representatives of State DOTs. In the event that a National
RTAP Review Board member is no longer employed by a rural transit
provider or State transit agency (including tribal rural operators),
there shall be an automatic vacancy for that member's position on the
National RTAP Review Board.
[cir] National RTAP Review Board membership shall be of limited
duration and regular rotations shall be timed so that continuity is
maintained.
[cir] The recipient shall conduct an appropriate orientation for
new National RTAP Review Board members, including an introduction to
the National RTAP's history, goals, and objectives, and current status.
The orientation shall provide new members with relevant materials,
including summaries of past National RTAP Review Board meetings,
information on National RTAP Review Board member roles and
responsibilities, and other relevant information.
9. Task 9: Project Management and Administration
The recipient will meet with the FTA Project Manager within ten
(10) working days after issuance of the task order to discuss the
objectives of the cooperative agreement and any related projects. The
recipient's principal in charge of the National RTAP will submit
quarterly progress reports and financial status reports to the FTA
project manager. The reports shall include the items listed in the
Sample Format for Progress Reports in Appendix B and provide
information relevant to the particular reporting period.
D. Award Information
FTA expects to award the National RTAP as a cooperative agreement.
FTA will fund the cooperative agreement over a period of 5 years, with
$1,794,903 available for the first year of activities. Funding beyond
the first year will depend upon (1) future appropriations and
authorizations, and (2) annual performance reviews.
E. Eligibility Information
Eligible proposers are non-profit organizations with rural and
tribal transportation experience that have the capacity to provide
public transportation-related technical assistance and the ability to
deliver a national technical assistance and training program.
F. Proposal Submission Process
1. Submission Method
Complete proposals for the National RTAP must be submitted
electronically through the GRANTS.GOV Web site no later than 11:59
p.m., Eastern Time on February 10, 2014. The proposer is encouraged to
begin the process of registration on the GRANTS.GOV site well in
advance of the submission deadline. Mail and fax submissions will not
be accepted.
A complete proposal submission will consist of at least two files:
(1) The SF-424 Mandatory form (available from GRANTS.GOV) and (2) a
narrative application document in Microsoft Word (DOC), Adobe portable
document format (PDF), or a compatible file format. At GRANTS.GOV, the
proposer will be able to download a copy of the application packet,
complete it off-line, and then upload and submit the application via
the GRANTS.GOV Web site. The narrative application should be in the
format outlined below. Once completed, the narrative application must
be placed in the attachments section of the SF-424 Mandatory form. The
proposers must attach the narrative application file to its submission
in GRANTS.GOV to successfully complete the proposal process. A proposal
submission may contain additional supporting documentation as
attachments.
Within 48 hours after submitting an electronic proposal, the
proposer should receive two email messages from GRANTS.GOV: (1)
Confirmation of successful transmission to GRANTS.GOV and (2)
confirmation of successful validation by GRANTS.GOV. If confirmations
of successful transmission and validation are not received and a notice
of failed validation or incomplete materials is received, the proposer
must address the reason for the failed validation as described in the
notice, and resubmit before the submission deadline. If making a
resubmission for any reason, the proposer must include all original
attachments, regardless of which attachments were updated.
For assistance with GRANTS.GOV, please contact support@grants.gov
or 1-800-518-4726 between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., Eastern Time.
Important: FTA urges the proposer to submit its proposal at least
72 hours prior to the due date to allow time to receive the validation
message and to correct any problems that may have caused a rejection
notification. Submissions after the stated submission deadline will not
be accepted. GRANTS.GOV scheduled maintenance and outage times are
announced on the GRANTS.GOV Web site. Deadlines will not be extended
due to scheduled maintenance or outages.
2. Proposal Content
The Mandatory SF424 Form must be downloaded from GRANTS.GOV and
incorporated into the proposal
[[Page 78497]]
submission package. Proposals shall be submitted in a Microsoft Word
(DOC), Adobe portable document format (PDF), or a 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:
i. Cover sheet (not to exceed 1 page): Includes entity submitting
proposal, principal investigator, title, and contact information (e.g.,
address, phone, fax, and email). Name and contact information for the
entity, key point of contact for all cooperative activities (if
different from principle investigator).
ii. Abstract (not to exceed 2 pages): Includes background, purpose,
methodology, intended outcomes, and plan for evaluation.
iii. Detailed budget proposal and budget narrative. Includes all
elements of cost with supporting detail for estimated direct labor
hours, direct and indirect rates, materials and subcontracts, and any
other elements.
iv. Project narrative (not to exceed 75 pages): Includes the
following information regarding the proposer's technical approach to
implementing the program:
a. Staff qualifications and experience in providing technical
assistance and ability to implement the other tasks outlined in the
solicitation. The proposal shall also include the proposed staff
members' knowledge of issues related to rural public transportation and
specialized transportation services. One-page biographical sketches for
staff members shall be included in the appendices section of the
proposal.
b. Existing and future capacity of the organization to address the
issues outlined in the proposal and ability to implement tasks I
through IX in Appendix A, Scope of Work.
c. Methodology for addressing tasks I through IX in Appendix A,
Scope of Work. The proposal shall also include objectives, activities,
deliverables, milestones, timelines, and intended outcomes for
achieving the goals of the Scope of Work for the first year.
d. Plan to work with stakeholders and build partnerships at the
national, State, and local levels.
e. Description of the organization's worksite. The organization may
perform services at an offsite facility and maintain a presence within
the Washington, DC region.
v. Project Management Plan: Includes well defined objectives,
tasks, activities, timelines, deliverables, indicators, and outcomes.
vi. Evaluation Plan: Includes evaluation process for National RTAP
activities and data collection.
vii. Supplemental materials and letters of support: May be included
in an appendices section that is beyond the 75-page limit.
In addition to the full proposal, entities have the option to
submit supplemental material, such as brochures, publications,
products, etc. These materials shall be delivered to Lorna Wilson,
Federal Transit Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Room E43-
465, Washington, DC 20590.
G. Proposal Review, Selection, and Notification
Proposals will be evaluated by an interagency review team based on
each applicant's ability to address the National RTAP Scope of Work
(see Appendix A) and response to the following criteria: (1) Technical
approach; (2) qualifications and experience of the organization and its
personnel; (3) past performance reviews (if applicable); (4) completed
proposal package. The criteria are explained below:
1. Technical Approach
The overall technical approach to the requirements of the Scope of
Work will be evaluated. The proposer should also address how the
organization manages strategic and operational risk, including quality
assurance and internal controls. The proposer should demonstrate
understanding of the objectives of the National RTAP and how those
objectives will be met by its proposal. The proposal should respond to
the specific requirements of the Scope of Work and clearly explain how
those requirements will be accomplished.
2. Qualifications and Experience of the Organization and Its Personnel
The proposer nonprofit organization must demonstrate that it has a
broad-based constituency and a purpose relevant to rural public
transportation interests. The individual qualifications and work
experience of proposed project personnel will be carefully examined.
The organization must demonstrate that it has the management
capabilities to oversee the project. The organization must show that it
will be able to assign employees with a variety of skills and
knowledge, including familiarity with rural operational issues facing
both public and private transportation operators; experience in dealing
with innovative solutions to rural transportation needs; knowledge of
current Federal policy initiatives; demonstrated ability to develop and
implement a broad program of rural technical assistance; knowledge of
information dissemination techniques and training and technical
assistance methodology; and organizational skills to coordinate the
diverse individuals and organizations involved in such a program.
3. Past Performance and Technical, Legal, and Financial Capacity
The proposal should indicate a strong capability for managing an
active and varied rural technical assistance program. Experience in
working with rural transportation professionals from local, city,
county, State, and Federal governments, public and private operators,
and volunteer organizations is an important requirement. The
organization should also demonstrate coalition building and
organizational development skills. In addition, the proposal should
indicate experience in managing and monitoring subrecipients and
contractors, if any are included in the proposal. The recipient
selected must be an eligible recipient for a cooperative agreement with
FTA and able to sign the required certifications and assurances and
cooperative agreement. An effective proposer in this regard will have
the following characteristics:
Non-profit organization with an entrepreneurial approach
to risk based performance.
Ability to inspire creative and innovative approaches to
technical assistance for current and future trends.
Demonstrated track record for managing large scale
projects.
Exhibition of strong analytical skills.
4. Evaluation Scores and Weights
The weights (points) associated with each Evaluation Factors are as
follows:
Note: All sub-components of each evaluation criteria and
responses to the Scope of Work will be evaluated.
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Evaluation Factors Points
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V.1. Technical Approach.................................... 45
V.2. Qualifications and Experience of the Organization and 35
Personnel.................................................
V.3. Past Performance and Technical, Legal, Financial 20
Capacity..................................................
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Total.................................................. 100
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FTA may elect to meet with the most qualified proposers in person.
Such a meeting will be held at the U.S. Department of Transportation
headquarters in Washington, DC The proposers will be notified of a date
and time during which they will be asked to present their proposal to
the FTA
[[Page 78498]]
review panel. If an entity proposes to perform an individual task or
tasks less than the full project, the proposal will be evaluated
accordingly on its merits. If selected, the proposer may be asked to
form a consortium with the applicant chosen to manage the larger
project.
Final award decisions will be made by the Administrator of the
Federal Transit Administration. In making these decisions, the
Administrator will take into consideration: recommendations of the
review panel; reviews for programmatic and grants management
compliance; the reasonableness of the estimated cost to the government
considering the available funding and anticipated results; and the
likelihood that the proposed project will result in the benefits
expected.
Proposers may propose to provide some or all of the services listed
in the tasks described in the Appendix A, Scope of Work. FTA reserves
the right to award one or more cooperative agreements.
H. Award Administration
FTA will notify the successful organization in writing and FTA may
announce the selection on its Web site, www.fta.dot.gov, and in the
Federal Register. Following notification, the successful entity (or
entities) will be required to submit its application through FTA's
Electronic Grants Management system. FTA may require the successful
proposer to modify its Statement of Work to address FTA priorities. FTA
will award and manage a cooperative agreement through the Electronic
Grants Management System. There is no cost sharing or pre-award
authority for this project.
1. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
i. Electronic Application. The successful proposer will apply for a
cooperative agreement through FTA's Electronic Grants Management
System. A discretionary project number will be assigned for tracking
purposes and must be used in the Electronic Grants Management System.
The successful proposer will work with the FTA program manager to
finalize the grant application in FTA's Electronic Grants Management
System. Assistance regarding these requirements is available from FTA.
ii. Congressional Notification. Discretionary grants and research
earmarks greater than $500,000 will go through the congressional
notification and release process.
iii. Standard Assurances. The proposer assures that it will comply
with all applicable Federal statutes, regulations, executive orders,
FTA circulars, and other Federal administrative requirements in
carrying out any project supported by the FTA grant. The proposer will
adhere to the grant requirements of 49 U.S.C. 5311, including those of
FTA Circular 9040.1F, Formula Grants for Rural Areas. The proposer
acknowledges that it will be under a continuing obligation to comply
with the terms and conditions of the cooperative agreement issued for
its project with FTA. The proposer understands that Federal laws,
regulations, policies, and administrative practices might be modified
from time to time and that modifications may affect the implementation
of the project. The proposer agrees that the most recent Federal
requirements will apply to the project, unless FTA issues a written
determination otherwise. The proposer must submit the Certifications
and Assurances before receiving a cooperative agreement if it does not
have current certifications on file.
2. Reporting
Post-award reporting requirements include submission of Federal
Financial Reports and Milestone Reports in FTA's Electronic Grants
Management System on a monthly or quarterly basis, as determined by the
FTA project manager, for all projects. Documentation is required for
payment. Please see Appendix B for the reporting format.
The Federal Financial Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA)
requires data entry at the FFATA Subaward Reporting System, http://www.FSRS.gov, for all sub-awards and sub-contracts issued for $25,000
or more, as well as for executive compensation for recipient and
subrecipient organizations.
3. Legal Capacity
Proposers must indicate that there are no legal issues which would
impact their eligibility and authority to apply for and accept FTA
funds.
4. Transition Period/Phase-In Plan
As part of its proposal, the successful proposer will have provided
the FTA with a Phase-In Plan. After award of the follow-on cooperative
agreement has been announced, the FTA project manager will schedule a
meeting with the successful proposer to receive a briefing on the
Phase-In Plan's details, schedules, and procedures.
I. Agency Contacts
For general program information, as well as proposal-specific
questions, please contact Lorna Wilson at lorna.wilson@dot.gov or (202)
366-0893. A TDD is available at 1-800-877-8339 (TDD/FIRS).
Issued in Washington, DC, this 19th day of December, 2013.
Peter Rogoff,
Administrator.
Appendix A--National Rural Transportation Assistance Program (RTAP)
Scope of Work
Scope Statement
The recipient will provide technical assistance that will be useful
to beneficiaries of the FTA National RTAP under this Scope of Work.
Deliverables
i. The recipient will have the lead responsibility for overall
management of the National RTAP, which includes: Planning and preparing
the annual work program; supporting and assisting the entities
administering the State RTAP activities; developing and promoting
training materials; conducting outreach and coordination with other
organizations involved in rural public transportation; convening
national and regional meetings on rural topics; and monitoring the
success of the RTAP programs through user input and feedback.
ii. The recipient will also have the lead responsibility for
operation of the RTAP Rural Resource Center, which shall include:
Providing toll-free telephone assistance; disseminating information
electronically; distributing resource materials; collecting and
maintaining available information resources; regularly updating a
catalog of relevant training materials; developing timely information
briefs; leveraging and adopting the current technology developed and
used by National RTAP in the Cloud; performing research as required;
and maintaining information about the characteristics and status of
rural transit and inventory of specialized transportation.
iii. FTA will actively participate in the project activities by
attending National RTAP Review Board meetings, commenting on all
aspects of technical reports, products, and web services, and
maintaining frequent contact with the recipient's project manager. FTA
will participate in any redirection of activities as needed.
Exclusions
None.
[[Page 78499]]
Milestones
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Description
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Task I
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Project Planning and Coordination.. The recipient will assume
primary responsibility for
administration and management
of the National RTAP.
Subtasks:
a.................................. A Work Plan, which specifies
how the stated objectives of
the project will be met and
ensures integration of all
project tasks.
b.................................. A Management Plan, which sets
forth how the project will be
managed and who will be the
key personnel involved.
c.................................. A Budget Plan, which specifies
what will be the costs
associated with the project.
d.................................. A progress report after each
project quarter and a final
project report at the end of
the project year.
f.................................. A communications Strategy for
the promotion of the National
RTAP.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Task II
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Development and Promotion of The recipient will develop and
Training Materials. disseminate training materials
designed for use by rural
transit providers.
Subtasks:
a.................................. Develop, field test, and
disseminate to the State RTAPs
training packages or courses
designed for use by rural
transit providers. Selection
of topics shall be guided by
and consistent with the
identified training needs of
rural transit providers and
the State RTAP activities.
Prior to beginning
developmental work on any
training package, the
recipient shall submit to FTA
for its approval a plan for
the development of the
package. The plan shall
include an overview for each
of the component parts to be
produced as part of the
training package, a time line
for development and final
production, and a budget. This
task may include development
of courses for delivery by the
National Transit Institute
(NTI) or other organizations
(e.g., the Tribal Technical
Assistance Program (TTAP)).
b.................................. Identify and review training
materials that are being
developed outside of the
National RTAP, especially by
States under the RTAP State
program and by private
vendors. Maintain information
on new and currently available
materials in a regularly
updated catalogue of existing
training materials, made
available to state DOTs and
others through appropriate
means, including electronic
dissemination.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Task III
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Support for State Administration of The recipient will establish a
RTAP. liaison relationship with the
State RTAP managers to ensure
that the products developed
and activities undertaken
through the National RTAP are
useful to and supportive of
the State programs, promote
information exchange at all
levels, and encourage
coordination of state efforts.
Subtasks:
a.................................. Provide a forum for networking
with State RTAP managers while
establishing communication for
information dissemination
(e.g., newsletter or
bulletin). The recipient will
report on national and State
program accomplishments and
activities.
b.................................. Promote and participate in
three or four RTAP regional
meetings annually, to share
information about National
RTAP products and other
relevant FTA initiatives.
d.................................. Provide individualized
technical assistance to State
RTAP managers as requested by
the state or by FTA.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Task IV
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Outreach and Coordination with The recipient will coordinate
other Organizations Involved with with other organizations and
Rural Transit. technical assistance centers
that are involved with rural
public transportation and
related interests, such as
FTA's National Center on
Mobility Management and non-
FTA centers that support these
activities, to avoid
duplication of efforts and to
draw on these organizations'
networks to promote National
RTAP products and services.
Subtasks:
a.................................. Coordinate activities with the
FHWA Local Area Technical
Assistance Program (LTAP) and
Tribal Technical Assistance
Program (TTAP).
Participate in conferences,
workshops, and meetings of
other national and regional
organizations both to learn
about their activities and to
promote FTA's National RTAP.
[[Page 78500]]
b.................................. Remain informed about other
national rural transportation
assistance activities within
and outside of FTA.
c.................................. Host a National Rural Technical
Assistance Conference, the
focus of which shall be
approved by FTA's program
manager, during the five-year
period of the cooperative
agreement.
d.................................. Participate in the
Transportation Research Board
(TRB) biennial National
Conference on Rural Public and
Intercity Bus Transportation.
f.................................. Coordinate with other FTA-
funded technical assistance
centers, and participating in
the National Consortium on
Human Service.
g.................................. Consult with the FTA project
manager as to the appropriate
form of support for each of
these activities.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Task V
------------------------------------------------------------------------
RTAP Rural Resource Center......... Maintain a national
clearinghouse for rural public
transportation technology
sharing and information
dissemination, a central
collection of products and
services that are useful to
rural transit professionals.
The recipient will promote and
monitor usage of the National
RTAP Rural Resource Center.
Subtasks I:
a.................................. Collect and maintain relevant
information resources,
training and technical
assistance materials, and
contacts and referrals, and
developing expertise about
issues of concern to the rural
transit community.
b.................................. Operate a telephone hotline
information service that
provides timely responses to
questions and requests for
information.
c.................................. Develop and provide electronic
access to information
resources maintained at the
National RTAP Rural Resource
Center.
d.................................. Disseminate information on new
rural public transportation
technical assistance and
training materials and updated
databases.
e.................................. Collect and disseminate
materials created by the State
RTAPs.
h.................................. Promote and monitor the
effectiveness of the National
RTAP Rural Resource Center's
products and services through:
Regular reports of Center use
statistics; promotion in
publications widely read by
the target audience;
participation in national,
regional and State meetings;
dissemination of materials
about the Center; telephone
surveys of operators or other
feedback mechanisms, such as
postage-paid comment cards
included with Center mailings.
Subtask II......................... The successful vendor must have
expertise in order to maintain
and update the software tools
and platforms, and ensure that
any current modification or
additional software
applications that are
developed for use by rural and
tribal transit providers are
compatible with the following
environment.
Web capabilities/Specifications.... The recipient will provide a
Web site, a National RTAP in
the Cloud portal, and a number
of hosted software
applications that are
available for rural and tribal
transit providers. The Web
site operates on Microsoft
Windows Server 2008 using an
Internet Information Service
(IIS) 6.0 or higher. The
software tools and platforms
include: Dotnet Framework 2.0,
Microsoft sqlserver 2008 R2,
Ajax Control Toolkit,
Itextsharp, Telerik Controls
and Ionic Zip/SharpZipLib. In
addition, the following tools
are used to interconnect with
other applications: Podio.API,
Twitterized, Free TextBox and
Facebook Api. National RTAP in
the Cloud also utilizes
DotNetNuke Community Edition
(DNN) version 05.06.02 (144).
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Task VI
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Peer-to-Peer Networking............ The recipient will develop and
implement a national self-help
technical assistance network
that facilitates the exchange
of technologies and techniques
among rural transit operators
on a peer-to-peer basis.
Subtask(s):
a.................................. Identify expert peers in areas
of current interest on a
continuing basis.
b.................................. Set up technical assistance
workshops to utilize a peer-to-
peer network efficiently, in
coordination with regularly
scheduled meetings of
national, State, and regional
groups.
c.................................. Match peers with those needing
assistance on a one-to-one
basis.
d.................................. Encourage and facilitating peer-
to-peer exchange and providing
support services to promote
peer assistance.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 78501]]
Task VII
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Research and Technical Support..... The recipient will provide a
research and technical support
capacity to FTA to address
issues of immediate concern to
the rural transit programs.
Examples of specific subtasks
to be performed at the request
of the FTA project manager
could include, but are not
limited to, the following:
Subtasks:
a.................................. Assist with new MAP-21
directives for rural areas
including new safety and asset
management provisions
b.................................. Prepare issue papers or reports
in response to FTA requests.
d.................................. Convene focus groups or small
meetings on specific topics.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Task VIII
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maintain Mechanism for User Input The recipient will maintain a
and Feedback. mechanism for user input and
feedback such as the National
RTAP Review Board.
Historically, the National
RTAP Review Board has
functioned as the mechanism
for providing the National
RTAP with guidance on priority
needs in the areas of training
materials development,
information dissemination, and
technical assistance. If
project funding is
insufficient to support the
National RTAP Review Board, an
alternative mechanism should
be developed.
Subtasks:
a.................................. Convene no more than two (2)
official meetings of the
National RTAP Review Board
each year of the project. One
official meeting must be held
in Washington, D.C. The second
meeting may be held at the TRB
Biennial National Conference
on Rural Public and Intercity
Bus Transportation or another
national meeting. All official
review board meetings will be
approved by the FTA project
manager.
The National RTAP Review Board,
or alternative mechanism, will
function to:
Provide the National RTAP with
guidance on priority needs in
the areas of training material
development, information
dissemination, and technical
assistance.
Oversee the quality of the
National RTAP products and
services.
Promote the National RTAP to
States and operators.
b.................................. The following principles have
been developed to guide the
National RTAP Review Board:
The National RTAP Review Board
will be limited to 15 or fewer
members--roughly half of which
from transit providers and
half as State DOT
representatives. In the event
that a Board member is no
longer employed by a rural
transit provider or state
transit agency (including
tribal rural operators), there
shall be an automatic vacancy
for that individual's position
on the National RTAP Review
Board.
National RTAP Review Board
membership shall be of limited
duration, and regular
rotations shall occur so that
continuity is maintained.
The recipient shall conduct an
appropriate orientation for
new Board members, including
an introduction to the
National RTAP's history, goals
and objectives and current
status, and provide relevant
materials including summaries
of past board meetings,
information on Board member
roles and responsibilities,
and other relevant
information.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Task IX
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Project Management and The recipient shall meet with
Administration. the FTA Program Manager and
task order monitor within ten
(10) working days after
issuance of the task order to
discuss the objectives of the
cooperative agreement and any
related projects.
The recipient's principal in
charge of the National RTAP
shall submit quarterly
progress reports, and
financial status reports to
the FTA project manager. The
reports shall include the
items as listed in the Sample
Format for Progress Reports
and provide information
relevant for the particular
period (see appendix B).
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appendix B--Sample Format for Progress Report
Goal:
Objective:
[ssquf] Objective's Total Budget
[ssquf] Expenditures this quarter, this objective
[ssquf] Total expenditures, this objective (The expenditures
reported on the
[[Page 78502]]
account shall match the progress of the project.)
Status as of ---- : (end date of reporting period):
Activity Planned (Relative to Project Task Elements, Indicators,
and Milestone Activities):
Actual Activity (Relative to Project Task Elements, Indicators, and
Milestone Activities):
Difficulties Encountered (As applicable, should include information
on specific reasons why goals and objectives or milestones were not
met, and analysis and explanations of cost overruns):
[ssquf] Goal/Objective or Milestone Not Met:
[ssquf] Problem(s):
[ssquf] Resolution/corrective action plan and schedule:
Activity anticipated for next reporting period:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Budget Expended Q1 Expended Q2 Expended Q3 Expended Q4 Balance
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Task 1............................
Task 2............................
Task 3............................
Task 4............................
Task 5............................
Task 6............................
Staff Travel......................
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[FR Doc. 2013-30820 Filed 12-24-13; 8:45 am]
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