[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 167 (Tuesday, August 29, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51268-51274]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-7231]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Transit Administration
National Resource Center for Human Service Transportation
Coordination; Solicitation for Proposals
AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice; request for proposals.
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SUMMARY: This solicitation is for proposals from national non-profit
organizations with transportation coordination and technical assistance
expertise for a cooperative agreement to develop and implement a
National Resource Center for Human Service Transportation Coordination
(NRC). The NCR will manage a program to improve and enhance the
coordination of Federal resources for human service transportation with
those of the Department of Transportation (DOT). The major goal of the
NRC is to assist local communities and States in the expansion and
provision of coordinated human service transportation for older adults,
people with disabilities, and individuals with lower incomes. Federal
Transit Administration (FTA) will award one four year agreement. Year
one of the cooperative agreement is for one million, five hundred
eighty-four thousand dollars ($1,584,000) as authorized in the Safe,
Accountable, Flexible, and Efficient Transportation Equity Act--A
Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) and subsequently appropriated. Funding
for subsequent years will be based on annual appropriations as well as
annual performance reviews.
DATES: Proposals must be submitted electronically by October 30, 2006.
ADDRESSES: Proposals shall be submitted electronically to http://www.grants.gov. Grants.Gov allows organizations to find and apply for
funding opportunities electronically from all Federal grant-making
agencies. Grants.Gov is the single access point for over 1,000
cooperative agreement programs offered by the 26 Federal grant-making
agencies.
Proposals can also be submitted in hard copy accompanied by an
electronic version to Bryna Helfer, 400 7th Street, SW., Room 9114,
Washington, DC 20590.
[[Page 51269]]
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bryna Helfer at 202-366-1663; FAX:
202-366-3136; [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 3046 of the Safe, Accountable,
Flexible, and Efficient Transportation Equity Act--a Legacy for Users
(SAFETEA-LU); Pub. L. 109-059, authorized $1,600,000 in each of fiscal
years 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009 under 49 U.S.C. 5314(c) for the
management of a program to improve and enhance the coordination of
Federal resources for human service transportation with those of the
Department of Transportation, as follows:
(1) Establishment. The Secretary of Transportation shall
competitively select a national non-profit organization to manage the
program.
(2) Eligibility. To be eligible, an organization shall have
demonstrated expertise in issues of transportation coordination and in
providing technical assistance to local transportation organizations.
(3) Use of Funds. The organization selected shall (i) Establish an
advisory panel consisting of Federal, State and local officials and
organizations; (ii) prepare an inventory of human service
transportation agencies operating in the United States; (iii) prepare
an inventory of Federal transportation spending; (iv) develop a program
of technical assistance and training for human service transportation
organizations that shall include on-site technical assistance, a
resource clearinghouse, and preparation of technical manuals; (v)
prepare an annual report for the Secretary of Transportation on
activities under this program and make recommendations for improving
coordination.
I. Funding Opportunity Description
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is soliciting proposals
for a cooperative agreement to implement the human service
transportation coordination program authorized in SAFETEA-LU. FTA will
award a single four-year cooperative agreement, which will be funded
annually at up to $1.6 million per year subject to the availability of
appropriations. The purpose of this cooperative agreement is to develop
and implement a NRC. The major goal of the NRC is to assist States in
the coordination of human service transportation service at both the
State and local levels. The tasks of the NRC include: (1) Collaboration
with FTA and the Federal Interagency Coordinating Council on Access and
Mobility; (2) research and development; (3) technical assistance and
training; (4) strategic development in partnership, community
involvement in human service transportation coordination; (5)
communication and management information activities; and (6)
administration. The NRC will follow a number of strategies in its
development, especially partnerships, leadership development, knowledge
management and customer-focused service in order to facilitate capacity
building at the State level this is targeted to enhance local
coordination efforts. NRCHST personnel will engage early and often with
technical assistance (TA) recipients to ensure knowledge is transferred
and relationships are developed. The NRC will develop an information
and referral system as a key focal point to disseminate models, and
identify useful practices for innovations in human service
transportation service and systems. The NRC also will build
coordination with and referrals to other TA centers focused in targeted
areas related to human service transportation to build capacity and
integrate aspects of coordination activities at the local levels. This
project will entail creative, engaging and collaborative public and
private partnerships at all levels--local, tribal, State and Federal,
including a broad range of stakeholders interested in facilitating
transportation access to employment, health, education, recreation and
other community services for people with disabilities, older adults,
and individuals with lower incomes.
II. Background
In recognition of the fundamental importance of human service
transportation and the continuing need to enhance coordination,
President Bush issued an Executive Order on Human Service
Transportation Coordination (EO) directing multiple Federal departments
and agencies to work together to ensure that transportation services
are seamless, comprehensive and accessible. Secretaries from the
Departments of Transportation, Health and Human Services, Labor,
Education, Interior, Housing and Urban Development, Agriculture, and
Veterans Affairs; the Commissioner of the Social Security
Administration; the Attorney General; and the Chairperson of the
National Council on Disability are members of the Federal Interagency
Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility (CCAM). Specifically, the
CCAM is tasked with seeking ways to simplify access to transportation
services for persons with disabilities, persons with lower incomes, and
older adults. The EO requires that CCAM members work together to
provide the most appropriate, cost effective services within existing
resources, and reduce duplication to make funds available for more
services. To meet the requirements of the EO, the CCAM has developed a
comprehensive action plan and launched United We Ride (UWR), a national
initiative on human service transportation coordination. The NRC will
be linked with UWR and related technical assistance initiatives in the
area of human service transportation. FTA will be the administering
agency for this activity and will be collaborating with other members
of CCAM on the implementation of the EO. Therefore, the technical
assistance provided under this solicitation will seek to complement and
optimize, not duplicate the technical assistance and related work
funded in this area by other CCAM partners.
The Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity
Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), (Pub. L. 109-59, August 10, 2005)
requires that projects selected for funding under the Elderly
Individuals and Individuals with Disabilities, Job Access Reverse
Commute, and New Freedom programs administered by the Federal Transit
Administration be ``derived from a locally developed, coordinated
public transit-human service transportation plan'' and that the plan be
``developed through a process that includes representatives of public,
private, and nonprofit transportation and human service providers and
participation by members of the public.'' This new requirement leads to
a need for an increased level of technical assistance related to the
development and implementation of a coordinated public transit-human
service transportation plan as well as ensuring broad based
participation by diverse stakeholders.
Human service transportation is defined as a network of
transportation services for older adults, individuals with
disabilities, and people with lower incomes, including but not limited
to vehicle acquisition, adaptation and driver transition; pedestrian
access; public transportation; demand response (curb to curb, door to
door, door through door); vanpooling and other ridesharing services;
taxi services; and volunteer services. The technical assistance, to be
funded through this cooperative arrangement is a process that enables a
goal-focused, strategy-oriented, accountable organization to transfer
knowledge to human service agencies, transportation providers,
consumers, and other interested stakeholders. Technical assistance is
intended to provide extensive information and assistance to facilitate
adoption or application of research-based or
[[Page 51270]]
practice-based products, policies, or knowledge in order to improve the
provision of transportation services for people with disabilities,
older adults, and individuals with lower incomes. In order to ensure
that all communities have access to technical assistance, the NRC will
assist States with building capacity and accessing resources to be used
in local communities across their States. In addition, the NRC will
work closely with other technical assistance centers focused in areas
of human service transportation when working with local communities to
address coordination issues.
Technical assistance will need to focus on creating one-stop access
to transportation services, streamlining eligibility, enhancing
transportation coordination, mobility management, identifying solutions
for coordinating policy and funding issues, implementing technology
solutions, and social marketing to get information out to providers,
policy makers and consumers. Technical assistance may include
information dissemination, training, and enhancing capacity for
building more efficient transportation services at the local and State
levels. However, it is also intended to provide more intensive
interaction to facilitate systems change related to practice, policy,
research, resources, and programs at the Federal regional, State, and
local levels. The NRC also will coordinate with other technical
assistance initiatives related to human service transportation to
ensure a coordinated approach in this area. In addition, all efforts of
the NRC shall ensure consumer input and involvement such that all
technical assistance to human service transportation organizations has
a person centered, self-determination and independence focus in
addition to a focus on the institutional relationships between transit
and human service transportation.
Task 1--Collaboration with FTA and the Federal Coordinating Council on
Access and Mobility
a. The grantee, in coordination with the Federal Project Officer
shall provide technical assistance to the Coordinating Council on
Access and Mobility (CCAM). This may include organizing monthly
conference calls, providing input regarding infrastructure development
of the CCAM activities related to human service transportation,
formulating agendas, developing briefing materials, coordinating
speakers for CCAM and their executive council meetings.
b. The grantee shall provide research-related technical assistance
to project directors involved with human service transportation funded
activities in CCAM member agencies. This includes queries regard
specific information, publications, existing tools, strategies, and
available data as requested.
c. Assist Federal program staff to conduct one special interest
meeting each year on a targeted topic selected in consultation with
FTA, members of the CCAM, and the NRS steering committee. Special
interests meetings should target topics that require input and
consultation from a broad perspective, and are targeted to include
stakeholders from National, State, and local levels that have expertise
on the selected topic addressed at the meeting. Participant lists and
invitations for the meeting should be submitted to the Federal Project
Officer for review at least 60 days prior to the targeted meeting date
for approval. Briefing materials should be submitted to the Project
Officer at least two weeks prior to the meeting for review and
approval. The meeting should lead to the outcome of a publications
(e.g., strategy paper, tool, fact sheet, etc.) related to the topic
discussed. In addition, the grantee should submit a summary report of
the meeting within 30 working days.
Task 2--Research and Development
SAFETEA-LU outlines several specific research projects to be
conducted by the recipient and include the following:
a. In year one, the NRC shall prepare an inventory of human service
transportation agencies operating in the United States and a plan to
update the information on a regular schedule. The applicant should
present a detailed methodology for conducting this specific research
project as part of the submission in the initial application for this
funding.
b. In year two, the NRC shall prepare an inventory of Federal
transportation spending and a plan to update this information on an
ongoing basis.
c. Each year, the NRC shall submit an annual report to the
Secretary of Transportation on activities under this program and make
recommendations for improving coordination.
d. In addition, the NRC shall conduct relevant research in years 3-
5 for coordinating human service transportation identified by the
Federal Interagency Coordinating Council, members of the national
coalition, and other stakeholders. This specific scope of the research
agenda will be determined in collaboration with the Federal Project
Officer for each targeted year.
Each of these reports must be submitted to the Project Officer and
steering committee for review and approval prior to final publication.
All documents produced are subject to internal policy reviews from
senior management within the Department of Transportation and other
members of the CCAM. All revisions will be made by the grantee on
behalf of FTA and the CCAM.
Task 3--Technical Assistance and Training
Technical Assistance and Training. When conducting and coordinating
technical assistance, sites should have individual technical assistance
plans that outline the specific need, intended outcome, plan for
assistance, and evaluation components. Technical assistance will be
provided via E-mail, phone, Web-based strategies, and on-site
strategies, using the following principles:
Assessment and Planning: Assistance should be provided for
facilitating assessment of resources available for human service
transportation and facilitating planning for coordinating services
based on needs identified at the State and local levels.
Knowledge Management: Constant assessment should be made
of areas of technical assistance focus to ensure useful practices are
disseminated, issue briefs are developed as needed, and expert
relationships with technical assistance recipients result in long-term
information and knowledge transfer.
Training: Training should be made available via various
media to target specific topics related to human service transportation
across the range of service options. Outreach regarding training should
be available for human service providers, transportation providers, and
consumers.
Facilitation, Coalition Building, and Strategic Planning.
Assistance should be provided to States in order to build coordinated
strategies and dialogue across organizational cultures and agencies.
Assistance should also be offered to assist States in identifying
strategies for facilitating the adoption and implementation of useful
practices at both the State and local levels.
Follow up and Monitoring: Following any intervention
(e.g., assessment, planning, training, etc.), follow up through E-mail,
phone, and through on-site contacts are necessary to facilitate
implementation of any key activities identified as part of the
individual technical assistance plans.
[[Page 51271]]
Evaluation: Assistance should provide skill development
and process related assistance to States in order to establish
mechanisms for monitoring and evaluating coordination activities at the
State and local levels.
Technical Assistance Activities: The grantee will develop the
following initiatives using the principles outlined above: the NRC role
is to assist States and communities to build the capacity for
coordinating human service transportation; to facilitate access to
existing resources and training, and to work with other TA centers to
effectively establish triage and referral mechanisms for States and
local communities. The applicant will submit a detailed methodology and
approach for providing for the activities identified below:
a. Provide ongoing technical assistance to the 50 States, the
District of Columbia, and territories on the development and
implementation of coordinated human service transportation systems
through the activities through a proactive management approach that
includes information sharing, training, site visits, telephone,
electronic interfaces and other forms of ongoing interaction.
b. During the life of the cooperative agreement, develop and
implement a technical assistance plan with each of the 50 States and
territories to facilitate the implementation of coordinated human
service transportation at the State and local levels.
c. Organize a systematic approach for annual site visits annually
with States. The grantee shall work with the Federal project officer to
develop criteria for determining the appropriateness of a site visit,
selection of staff or consultants to conduct the site visits, actions
needed prior to site visit by both staff and recipient, and intended
goals/outcomes for the site visit. Prior to each site visit, the staff
or grantee shall develop, with input from stakeholders (e.g.,
consumers, public and private transportation agencies, human service
providers), an agenda and goals for the site visit. The grantee shall
maintain documentation regarding all site visits to be included in
quarterly reports.
d. Develop a strategy for ensuring that local communities and
associated stakeholders have access to technical assistance for
building and implementing coordinated human service transportation
plans and strategies.
e. Coordinate technical assistance activities with other federally
funded technical assistance centers focused on human service
transportation. These centers include Project ACTION, JobLinks, the
Community Transportation Assistance Program, the National Rural
Transportation Assistance Program, the Planning Peer to Peer project,
the Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Peer to Peer project, the
National Center for Senior Transportation, and others. In coordination
with the Project Officer, the grantee shall develop efficient
strategies and methods of establishing linkages, triage, referral, and
data sharing processes with other federally funded technical assistance
centers in the areas of human service transportation and others
interested in building access and mobility. The role of the grantee is
to ensure that technical assistance, training, and other activities are
coordinated between the centers to avoid duplication, and maximize
resources and available expertise.
f. Coordinate with other federally funded technical assistance
centers to facilitate the development and implementation of a
coordinated human service transportation system when working with local
communities. This includes three components: (1) Strategies that
address interdisciplinary approaches for providing transportation
services that enhance access to employment, education, health, and
other community activities for targeted populations; (2) strategies to
develop, implement, and connect a family of services including auto
acquisition and modification programs, driving transition, pedestrian
environments, fixed route transit, paratransit services, flex route,
vanpooling and ridesharing, taxi programs, door through door or escort
options, voucher models, and volunteer transportation programs; and (3)
strategies for integrating concepts for mobility management.
g. Measure and evaluate the performance of the NRC in providing
technical assistance, and monitor progress towards targeted goals and
outcomes.
Task 4--Strategic Development in Partnerships, Community Involvement in
Human Service Transportation Coordination
Human service transportation coordination is very dynamic and new
areas of significance continually emerge. It is essential that the
grantee respond appropriately and address emerging issues.
Additionally, the grantee shall provide expertise in strategic
direction in human service transportation related to community
involvement and public awareness as follows:
a. The grantee shall assess, analyze, and measure trends in the
implementation of human service transportation activities on a State
and regional basis and submit this information to FTA on an annual
basis.
b. The grantee shall provide quarterly updates to FTA on pending
and enacted legislation at all governmental levels related to human
service transportation coordination, and the United We Ride initiative.
c. The grantee shall develop and maintain a comprehensive national
coalition on human service transportation that is inclusive of advocacy
organizations; public interest organizations; and provider
organizations. This coalition shall include a network of transportation
professionals, human service professionals, consumers, and policymakers
at every level who understand the issues involved in the coordination
of human service transportation and how coordination can be
accomplished. The NRC will develop a strategic plan for the coalition
that includes education, outreach, technical assistance and advocacy
oriented activities that can be addressed collectively or by individual
organizations. This coalition will serve to facilitate the development
of state and local coalitions in all States and territories over the
course of the cooperative agreement.
d. The grantee, shall assess, analyze and monitor key activities
and milestones related to human service transportation of national
organizations and Federal agencies, interagency liaison groups, private
industry, workforce development organizations, faith-based/community
organizations, professional organizations and others involved in the
coalition on an annual basis.
e. Establish and/or expand up to 10 State coalitions annually that
mirror the national coalition in regard to membership and strategy. The
grantee shall provide guidance, direction, tools and strategies on
establishing coalitions, which can be integrally involved in providing
strategic direction for State and community involvement in human
service transportation. Analyze, assess and evaluate the value of these
coalitions and their activities with the Project Officer.
Task 5--Communication and Management Information Activities
The grantee must provide on-site assistance as needed at the U.S.
Department of Transportation for tasks outlined in this section.
a. Coordinate all aspects (e.g., planning, logistics, design,
travel, speakers, materials, briefing, etc.) of 10 interdisciplinary
UWR regional
[[Page 51272]]
meetings on behalf of the CCAM during this four year cooperative
agreement. The planning of these meetings shall be conducted in
consultation with a planning committee in each region that includes, at
a minimum, Federal partners at the regional level, State agencies, and
representatives from stakeholder groups representing different
audiences targeted for participation. The Planning Committee and FTA
Project Officer must review all documentation, plans, speaker
information, invitation letters, participant lists, and information
related to these meetings prior to any dissemination.
b. The grantee shall coordinate the development and dissemination
of products and publications as needed based on an assessment of
existing products, publications, training, and resources available
through various sources. The grantee shall manage the United We Ride
clearinghouse for all UWR products, publications, and information. This
includes the availability and dissemination of hard and electronic
copies upon request by individuals, agencies, organizations, speakers,
and all others, including for distribution at meetings and events.
Alternative formats (e.g., braille, electronic, large print) must be
made available for all publications and products.
c. The grantee will develop at least one new publication each year.
The type and nature of the product or publication will be determined in
coordination with the Project Officer and the steering committee and
shall be based on the needs assessment from states and local
communities. All new publications must be reviewed and approved by the
Project Officer and are subject to review by senior level management
within DOT and other members of the CCAM. The grantee shall work
collaboratively with FTA to coordinate input, direction and advice
regarding required Federal clearances on all publications regardless of
the medium (e.g., print, video, electronic, etc).
d. The grantee shall coordinate all aspects of the management and
implementation of the United We Ride Web site (http://www.unitedweride.gov), which includes: (a) Maintaining and updating all
information for each section of the Web site using Red Dot technology
on a regularly scheduled basis; (b) updating the front page once each
month; (c) entering up to 5 useful practices in the database each
month; (d) posting up to 10 documents and/or announcements per month;
(e) maintain an active list serve and consistent distribution of real-
time information using GovDocs technology; (f) responding to
submissions to the United We Ride electronic mailbox within 3 business
days; and (g) providing ongoing recommendations for improvement
strategies as needed. All documents and information posted on the Web
site must meet the requirements and compliance of Section 508 of the
Rehabilitation Act. The grantee must have a staff person with knowledge
and experience relating to knowledge management available to be trained
in Red-Dot technology and also available to work on-site at the U.S.
Department of Transportation to post information directly. The grantee
shall work with the Project Officer to establish a plan for approval of
content for posting and disseminating information using these
mechanisms.
e. Develop and disseminate a minimum of four electronic newsletters
per year. The grantee shall submit the newsletter to the FTA Project
Officer for approval three weeks prior to publication for approval.
f. In the first year, the grantee shall develop a database to be
compatible with and integrated into the UWR Web site. This database
shall include products and publications developed by various resources
(including other technical assistance centers, national organizations,
States, local organizations, etc.) that could potentially provide added
value for human service transportation coordination. This includes
video, curricula, and fact sheets and other publications. This database
shall include the title, description, and information on how to obtain
the documents included in the database. The database will also include
any evaluation information related to the publication(s).
g. The grantee shall plan for at least ten (10) presentations at
National meetings annually that involve other than local travel. The
grantee shall submit a plan to the Project Officer at the beginning of
each calendar year and coordinate with FTA and other federally funded
TA centers to reduce duplication of effort. The presentations NRC staff
intends to make at a local, State and national level are to be fully
coordinated, with an ample timeline for discussion and approval by the
Project Officer.
h. The grantee shall plan to coordinate and manage the UWR exhibit
for up to 10 national, regional, and State meetings. These exhibits can
be the same meetings where presentations are also taking place. It is
expected that the grantee will use the newly developed United We Ride
exhibits already available. In addition, the grantee will make the
exhibit and handouts available to members of the national coalition,
States, and other TA centers for use at targeted meetings. The grantee
shall submit a plan to the Project Officer at the beginning of each
calendar year and coordinate the FTA and other federal funded TA
centers to reduce duplication of effort.
Task 6--Project Management and Administration
a. The grantee shall meet with the Project Officer 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.
b. The grantee will hold monthly meetings with the Project Officer
to review the status of the project. Areas of discussion will include:
(1) Accomplishments to date, (2) reviewing progress on tasks, and (3)
challenges or problems in addressing specific tasks or meeting targeted
deliverable dates. The grantee shall provide minutes of the meeting to
the Project Officer five business days after the meeting.
c. The Project Coordinator of the NRC shall submit quarterly
progress reports to the FTA project manager. The reports shall include
the following items and provide information relevant for the particular
period:
General assessment of the progress of the NRC development
and design;
Significant accomplishments by objective and task;
Project issues/concerns and recommended solutions;
Updated project schedule:
[cir] Status of current tasks;
[cir] List of completed tasks;
[cir] Percent complete by task;
[cir] If slips in the schedule occur, the grantee shall propose how
to mitigate the schedule deviations).
Total budget by task:
[cir] Amount spent to date by task;
[cir] Amount remaining by task;
Travel expense report.
d. The grantee will brief FTA and other members of the CCAM semi-
annually on their technical assistance findings, key themes and
results.
e. The NRC shall include a national steering committee to provide
guidance and feedback throughout the life of the technical assistance
center. Steering committee members shall consist of Federal, State, and
local officials and organizations. Participation from organizations
representing human service agencies representing various interests
(e.g., Medicaid, workforce investment, rehabilitation services, aging
networks, etc.), transportation
[[Page 51273]]
organizations, and consumers are strongly encouraged. The steering
committee shall participate in the review and development of products,
publications, materials, and information. The NRC shall host full face
to face committee meetings at least two times during the year. Other
meetings can be held more often by phone.
II. Award Information
FTA will fund one cooperative agreement for a four year award. Year
one of the cooperative agreement is for one million, five hundred
eighty-four thousand dollars ($1,584,000). The anticipated notification
date is the fall of 2006, with an anticipated starting date for the
successful applicant of October 2006. Subsequent annual funding will be
based on annual appropriations. FTA grantees with existing FTA projects
are eligible to complete for this cooperative agreement.
The FTA will participate in activities by attending review
meetings, commenting on technical reports, maintaining frequent contact
with the project manager and approving key decisions and activities any
redirecting activities if needed.
III. Eligibility Information
FTA is particularly interested in proposals for this cooperative
agreement from national non-profit organizations with demonstrated
capacity in State and community transportation services for older
adults, people with disabilities, and individuals with lower incomes. A
strong applicant has the following characteristics:
An understanding of concepts and strategies for developing
integrated access, including single entry point and one-stop
transportation systems;
An understanding of strategies for building a coordinated
human service transportation program that utilizes and connects a
comprehensive family of services;
Demonstrated success with interdisciplinary strategies in
human service and transportation related work;
Experience with the development and implementation of
integrated transportation systems with health care, education,
employment and social support programs;
Capacity for maintaining management information systems;
Experience in implementation of consumer directed
services;
Capacity and experience in building coordination and
collaboration between public and private sector, as well as critical
pathways which include linkages with intermediary organizations such as
employment and training agencies, hospital discharge planners, private
pay insurance, special education transition programs, rehabilitation
agencies, various social service and transportation system networks.
Experience and demonstrated capacity to facilitate large
and small group processes regarding policy development, resource
allocation, systems change, administrative processes, and capacity
building;
Experience and knowledge of consumer involvement and
consumer directed models in program planning and implementation;
Capacity for developing and managing a technical
assistance network using multiple types of intervention strategies
(e.g., long distance, peer-to-peer, onsite, communities of practice,
etc.);
Capacity and experience in large scale systems change
efforts;
Capacity and experience for providing effective off-site
technical assistance, including technical assistance by telephone and
E-mail, moderated and unmoderated list-serves, Web-based seminars,
topic-based conference calls, the internet (including the development
of Web content), etc.;
Understanding implementation of a range of transportation
services including older driver, pedestrian access, fixed route,
paratransit, assisted (door to door; hand to hand; escort) services,
volunteer, taxi, and other types of transportation services provision;
Capacity and experience for conducting face-to-face and
Web-based training for consumers, human service providers, and
transportation agencies.
IV. Proposal Content
Proposals shall be submitted in double-spaced format using Times
New Roman 12 point font. The application must contain the following
components:
1. Cover sheet (1 page): Includes entity submitting proposal,
principal investigator, title, and contact information (e.g., address,
phone, fax, and E-mail). Name and contact information for the entity'
key point of contact for all cooperative activities (if different from
principle investigators).
2. Abstract (2 pages): Abstract shall include background, purpose,
methodology, intended outcomes, and plan for evaluation.
3. Detailed budget proposal and budget narrative.
4. Project narrative (not to exceed 75 pages): Project narrative
shall include the following information:
a. Staff qualifications, experience in providing technical
assistance and implementing the other tasks outlined in the
solicitation. The proposal shall also include the proposed staff
members' knowledge of issues related to human service transportation.
One page biographical sketches for staff members shall be included in
the appendices section of the proposal;
b. Existing and future capacity of organization to address the
issues outlined in the proposal and ability to implement tasks 1-6
outlined under Section I in this solicitation;
c. Methodology for addressing tasks 1-6 outlined under Section I in
this solicitation. The proposal shall also include objectives,
activities, deliverables, milestones, timeline and intended outcomes
for achieving the goals outlined in the scope for the first year;
d. Plan to work with stakeholders and build partnerships at the
national, State, and local levels;
5. Project Management Plan that includes well defined objectives,
tasks, activities, timelines, deliverables, indicators, and outcomes.
6. Plan for evaluation of NRC activities and data collection.
7. Supplemental materials and letters of support can 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 Bryna Helfer, Federal Transit
Administration, 400 7th Street SW., Room 9114, Washington, DC 20590.
V. Application Review Information.
Interdisciplinary review panels, including those external to FTA
will be convened to review each proposal. Project proposals will be
evaluated based on the following criteria and scoring system:
1. Staff qualifications, which includes experience in delivering
technical assistance and training, knowledge of human service
transportation, demonstrated process skills in assessment, strategic
planning, facilitation, and other key areas associated with identified
tasks. The entity shall also address a plan for knowledge retention.
(15%).
2. Existing capacity of the organization, which includes
clearinghouse functions, Web development and maintenance, technical
assistance, training, long distance and on-site intervention
strategies, and other identified tasks. (15%).
3. Understanding and reasonability of proposed goals, objectives,
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methodologies, activities, timelines, deliverables, and budget. (40%).
4. Plan to collaborate with stakeholders and establish effective
partnerships to implement tasks. (20%).
5. Plan for evaluation and data collection. (10%).
VI. Award Administration Information
The anticipated notification date for the award of this cooperative
agreement is the fall of 2006, with an anticipated start date for the
successful applicant by late fall 2006. The Federal Transit
Administrator's (FTA) will notify the successful entity. Following
receipt of the FTA Administrator's notification letter, the successful
entity will be required to submit its proposal through the FTA
Transportation Electronic Award Management (TEAM) system Web site. FTA
will manage the cooperative agreement through the TEAM system Web site.
Before FTA may award Federal financial assistance through a Federal
cooperative agreement, the entity must submit all certifications and
assurances pertaining to itself and its project as required by Federal
laws and regulations. Since Federal fiscal year 1995, FTA has been
consolidating the various certifications and assurances that may be
required of its awardees and the projects into a single document
published in the Federal Register. The fiscal year 2006 Annual List of
Certifications and Assurances for FTA Cooperative Agreements and
Cooperative Agreements and Guidelines will be published in the Federal
Register and posted on the FTA Web site at http://www.fta.dot.gov.
Issued on: August 24, 2006.
James S. Simpson,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 06-7231 Filed 8-28-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-57-M