[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 38 (Tuesday, February 26, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10327-10332]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-3604]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Transit Administration
National Rural Transportation Assistance Program Request for
Proposals (RFP)
AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice; request for proposals.
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SUMMARY: This solicitation is for proposals from not-for-profit
entities with rural transit and technical assistance expertise for a
cooperative agreement to develop and implement a National Rural
Transportation Assistance Program (RTAP). The entity or entities
selected will manage a National technical assistance program that
improves and enhances the coordination of Federal resources for
[[Page 10328]]
rural transportation. The major goal of the National RTAP is to assist
States and local communities in the expansion and provision of rural
public transportation. The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) will
award one or more five-year agreement(s), funded annually. Year one of
the cooperative agreement(s) is for $1.212 million dollars as
authorized in the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, and Efficient
Transportation Equity Act--A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) and
appropriated in FY2007. Funding for subsequent years will be based on
annual appropriations, as well as annual performance reviews. However,
years 2010 and 2011 are subject to the next reauthorization.
DATES: Proposals must be submitted electronically by April 11, 2008.
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 Pamela Brown, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, E43-465,
Washington, DC 20590, or by electronic mail to [email protected].
FOR FURTHER PROGRAM INFORMATION CONTACT: Pamela Brown at 202-493-2503;
FAX: 202-366-7951; or via e-mail: [email protected].
I. Funding Opportunity Description
FTA is soliciting proposals for a cooperative agreement (or
agreements) to implement the National RTAP. FTA will award one or more
five-year cooperative agreements, which will be funded annually at $1.2
to $1.5 million (subject to the availability of appropriations). The
purpose of this cooperative agreement is to develop and implement an
RTAP. The major goal of the National RTAP is to assist States in the
service provision of rural public transportation at both the State and
local levels. RTAP funds may be used for training, technical
assistance, research, and related support services. The National RTAP
includes the following tasks: (1) To promote the delivery of safe and
effective public transportation in non-urbanized areas; (2) To make
more effective use of public and private resources in the provision of
rural public transportation; (3) To support the coordination of public
and human service transportation; (4) To foster the development of
State and local capacity for addressing the training and technical
assistance needs of the rural transportation community; (5) To
facilitate peer-to-peer self-help through networks of transit
professionals; (6) To improve the quality of information and technical
assistance available through the development of training and technical
assistance resource materials; (7) To disseminate information and
resources efficiently to those who need them; (8) To conduct research
and analysis about rural transit; (9) Maintain Mechanism for User Input
and Feedback; and (10) Project Management and Administration.
The National RTAP will pursue the following strategies in its
development and delivery of technical assistance services targeted to
enhance rural public transportation: building partnerships, leadership
development, knowledge management and customer-focused service in order
to facilitate capacity building at the State and local levels, and the
provision of technical expertise for research and analysis, either
through staff resources or contracts. RTAP personnel will engage early
and often with Technical Assistance (TA) recipients to ensure knowledge
is transferred and relationships are developed. The RTAP will develop
an information and referral system as a key focal point to disseminate
models, and identify useful practices for innovations in rural public
transportation and systems. The RTAP also will build coordination with
and referrals to other TA centers focused in targeted areas related to
rural public transportation to build capacity (for example, the
National Resource Center for Coordination, the National Senior
Transportation Center, JOBLINKS, and Project ACTION).
The National RTAP program will create and maintain collaborative
public and private partnerships at all levels--local, tribal, State and
Federal, including a broad range of stakeholders interested in
facilitating rural public transportation access to employment, health,
education, recreation and other community services for elderly
individuals, individuals with disabilities, low income individuals and
the general public in rural and small urban areas.
II. Background
From Fiscal Years (FY) 1988-2005, the RTAP was funded at
approximately $5 million each FY, with approximately $500-750,000 each
year devoted to a National project. RTAP consists of two components,
the State program and the national program. The RTAP program is
currently funded as a two percent takedown from the Section 5311
program. 85 percent of the takedown is used to fund the State RTAP
program and the remaining 15 percent is for the National RTAP program.
FTA implements the national program through a cooperative agreement
with a private nonprofit organization demonstrating a commitment to
serving rural, small urban, and specialized transit providers. The
nonprofit organization which FTA selects through a competitive process
may receive assistance under cooperative agreements for up to five
consecutive years before FTA conducts a new competitive selection.
RTAP is FTA's major funding mechanism for rural training, technical
assistance and research initiatives. The objectives of the National
RTAP are:
1. To promote the delivery of safe and effective public
transportation in nonurbanized areas;
2. To make more effective use of public and private resources in
the provision of rural transportation;
3. To support the coordination of public and human service
transportation;
4. To foster the development of state and local capacity for
addressing the training and technical assistance needs of the rural
transportation community;
5. To facilitate peer-to-peer self help through networks of transit
professionals;
6. To improve the quality of information and technical assistance
available through the development of training and technical assistance
resource materials;
7. To disseminate information and resources efficiently to those
who need them; and
8. To conduct research, including analysis of data reported to
FTA's National Transit Database (NTD), and to maintain current profiles
of the characteristics of rural transit and the inventory of providers
of rural and specialized transportation providers.
III. Objective
The objective of this project is to provide technical support
through a cooperative agreement with a nonprofit entity currently
demonstrating an independent commitment to serving the ultimate
beneficiaries of FTA's National RTAP.
IV. Scope of Work
The recipient will provide technical assistance that will be useful
to beneficiaries of the FTA National RTAP. Under this arrangement:
The recipient will have the lead responsibility for
overall management of
[[Page 10329]]
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.
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; performing research as required; and maintaining information
about the characteristics and status of rural transit and inventory of
specialized transportation providers.
Task I: Project Planning and Coordination
The recipient will assume primary responsibility for administration
and management of the National RTAP. Subtasks include:
Submitting to the FTA project manager, prior to the award
of the cooperative agreement each year, for approval;
(1) A Work Plan, which specifies how the stated objectives of
project will be met;
(2) a Management Plan, which sets forth how the project will be
managed and who will be the key personnel involved; and
(3) a Budget Plan, which specifies what will be the costs
associated with the project.
Submitting a progress report after each project quarter,
and a final project report at the end of the project year;
Ensuring the integration of all projects tasks;
Coordinating and implementing a comprehensive set of
activities designed to encourage use of National RTAP program products
and services. Special goals will be the preparation on a regular basis
of ``press release'' type articles that can be used by state and other
national organizations to promote National RTAP products, and
maintenance of appropriate promotional materials that can be
distributed at state and national conferences.
Task II: 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
RTAP's 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 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. Tribal Technical
Assistance Program (TTAP)).
Identifying and reviewing 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.
Promoting the RTAP training packages. Activities include
preparing articles for use in state and national publications to
announce the package for distribution through the RTAP state program
and at national, regional and state meetings; and conducting
demonstration workshops at selected national and regional meetings to
build the capacity of state and system level personnel to facilitate
the sound delivery of the training packages.
Task III: Support for State Administration of RTAP
The recipient will establish a 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. Specific subtasks include:
Provide a forum for networking with state RTAP managers
while establishing communication for information dissemination (i.e.,
newsletter or bulletin). The recipient will report on national and
state program accomplishments and activities.
Promoting and participating in three or four RTAP regional
meetings annually, to share information about RTAP products and other
relevant FTA initiatives.
Assisting state DOTs to evaluate the benefits of their
state RTAP activities. This effort will provide information to FTA on
how well the RTAP program is working to meet the program goals and
objectives.
Providing individualized technical assistance to state
RTAP managers as requested by the state or by FTA.
In undertaking these subtasks, the recipient will work to assure
that activities are complementary and not duplicative.
Task IV: Outreach and Coordination With other Organizations Involved
with Rural Transit
The recipient will coordinate with other organizations involved
with rural public transportation and related interests to avoid
duplication of efforts and to draw on these organizations' networks to
promote National RTAP products and services. Specific subtasks that
will be undertaken by the recipient will include:
Participating in conferences, workshops, and meetings of
other national and regional organizations both to learn about their
activities and to promote FTA RTAP.
Staying informed about other national rural transportation
assistance activities within and outside FTA.
Participating in the Transportation Research Board (TRB)
biennial National Conference on Rural Public and Intercity Bus
Transportation.
Coordinating activities with the FHWA Local Area Technical
Assistance Program (LTAP and TTAP).
Coordinating with other FTA-funded technical assistance
centers, and participating in the National Consortium on Human Service
Coordination (National Consortium) and the National Resource Center for
Human Service Transportation Coordination (NRC).
The recipient will consult with the FTA project manager as to the
appropriate form of support for each of these activities.
Task V: 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
[[Page 10330]]
usage of the RTAP rural resource center. Specific activities under this
task include:
Collecting and maintaining relevant information resources,
training and technical assistance materials, and contacts and
referrals, and developing expertise about issues of concern to the
rural transit community;
Operating a telephone hotline information service, which
provides timely response to questions and requests for information;
Developing and providing electronic access to information
resources maintained at the center;
Disseminating information on new rural public
transportation technical assistance and training materials and updated
databases;
Collecting and disseminating materials created by the
state RTAP's;
Monitoring rural transit-related legislation and
regulations and preparing timely summaries for dissemination;
Researching and preparing information and technical
assistance briefs to fill identified gaps in available information
resources in response to time-sensitive issues and areas of common
interest;
Promoting and monitoring the effectiveness of the 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; and telephone surveys of
operators or other feedback mechanisms such as postage-paid comment
cards included with center mailings.
Task VI: Rural Transit Database
The recipient is responsible for maintaining the database of FTA-
funded rural and specialized systems. Subtasks include:
Maintaining an accurate and up-to-date inventory of
subrecipients under FTA's Elderly and Persons with Disabilities Program
(Section 5310) in coordination with the National Senior Transportation
Center.
Preparing profiles and analyses based upon the data
submitted to the FTA rural NTD, and creating resource materials based
on the data.
Task VII: 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 to utilize a
peer-to-peer network efficiently, 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
providing support services to promote peer assistance.
Task VIII: 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:
Preparing issue papers or reports in response to FTA
requests;
Convening a focus group or small meeting on a specific
topic;
Compiling data.
Task IX: Maintain Mechanism for User Input and Feedback
The recipient will maintain a mechanism for user input and feedback
such as the program review board. Historically, the review board has
functioned as the mechanism for providing the national program 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 review board, an
alternative mechanism should be developed. Specific subtasks include:
Convening no more than two (2) official meetings of the
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 national meeting. All official review board meetings will be
approved by the FTA project manager. The board, or alternative
mechanism, will function to:
Provide the national program with guidance on priority
needs in the areas of training material development, information
dissemination, and technical assistance.
Oversee the quality of national program products and
services.
Promote the national program to States and operators.
The following principles have been developed to guide the review
board:
The review board will be limited to 15 or fewer members--
roughly half transit providers and half State DOT representatives. In
the event that a board member is no longer employed by a nonurbanized
transit provider or State transit agency (including Tribal rural
operators), there shall be an automatic vacancy for that individual's
position on the board.
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 project'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 X. Project Management and Administration
a. The recipient 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 Project Coordinator of the RTAP 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:
Sample Format for Progress Report
Goal:
Objective:
Objective's Total Budget
Expenditures this quarter, this objective
Total expenditures, this objective. (The expenditures
reported on the 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 costs overruns)
Goal/Objective or Milestone Not Met:
Problem(s):
Resolution/corrective action plan and schedule:
Activity anticipated for next reporting period:
[[Page 10331]]
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Budget Expended Q1 Expended Q2 Expended Q3 Expended Q4 Balance
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Task 1
Task 2
Task 3
Task 4
Task 5
Task 6
Staff Travel
Consultant Services--Ambassadors
Salaries, fringe, indirect, direct
administrative costs
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Total
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Contact Information: All documentation for the project, financial
and administrative, shall be forwarded to: Pamela Brown, Project
Manager, Federal Transit Administration, 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE, 4th
Floor, Room E43-465, Washington, DC 20590, 202-493-2503,
[email protected].
V. Evaluation Criteria
The following evaluation criteria will be used to rate all
proposals responding to this announcement, listed in descending order
of relative importance:
1. Technical approach.
2. Qualifications and experience of the organization and its
personnel.
3. Program management capability.
4. Application review information.
Award of this cooperative agreement will be determined by the
proposal that offers to provide the greatest value to the beneficiaries
of the FTA RTAP in terms of performance rather than the proposal
offering the lowest price. Applicants may propose to provide some or
all of the services listed in the tasks described in the Scope of Work
above. FTA reserves the right to award one or more cooperative
agreements.
1. Technical Approach
The overall technical approach to the requirements of the statement
of work will be examined. Particular attention will be given to the
proposer's understanding of the objectives of the National RTAP and how
those objectives will be met by their proposal. The proposal should
respond to the specific requirements of the statement of work and
clearly explain how those requirements will be accomplished.
2. Qualifications and Experience of the Organization and Its Personnel
The nonprofit organization must demonstrate that it has a broad
based constituency and purpose relevant to rural public transportation
interests. The individual qualifications and work experience of
proposed project personnel will be carefully examined. The organization
must show that it will be able to assign employees with a variety of
skills and knowledge which include: 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.
FTA is particularly interested in proposals for this cooperative
agreement from national non-profit organizations with demonstrated
capacity in State and community transportation and rural public
transportation services. A strong applicant has the following
characteristics:
Demonstrated track record for managing large scale
projects.
Exhibits strong analytical skills.
Performance based organization with an entrepreneurial
approach to problem solving.
Ability to breathe new life into a program by creating
something new or revamping an existing structure.
3. Program Management Capability
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 government, 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 of a cooperative agreement with FTA and be able to
sign the required certifications and assurances and cooperative
agreement.
4. Application Review Information
An FTA review panel 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. Capacity of the organization, which includes clearinghouse
functions, Web development and maintenance, technical assistance,
training, long distance and on-site intervention
[[Page 10332]]
strategies, and other, identified tasks. (15%).
3. Understanding and reasonability of proposed goals, objectives,
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%).
6. FTA may elect to meet in person two or three of the most
qualified applicants.
This meeting will be held at the Department of Transportation, in
Washington, DC. The applicants will be notified of a date and time
during which they will be asked to present their proposal to the FTA
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
VI. 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, include 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 I-X
outlined under Section IV. (Scope of Work) in this solicitation;
c. Methodology for addressing tasks I-X outlined under Section IV.
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 RTAP 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 Pamela Brown, Federal Transit
Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., 4th Floor--East Building,
Room E43-465, Washington, DC 20590.
VII. Instructions
1. Submit five copies of proposal to the following address: Federal
Transit Administration, TPM-5, Office of Program Management, United We
Ride Office, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., 4th Floor--East Building,
Room E43-465, Washington, DC 20590, Attn: Pamela Brown; or apply
through Grants.Gov.
2. Proposals must be received no later than 5:30 p.m., EDT, April
28, 2008
3. Technical questions and requests for clarifications may be
addressed to Lorna R. Wilson at 202-366-2053.
4. The recipient will be selected and the candidates notified
approximately two months after the application deadline.
5. The recipient selected will be asked to submit an application
for a cooperative agreement by July 1, 2008, with funding of $1,212,000
for the first year anticipated to be awarded before October 30, 2008.
VIII. Award Information
FTA reserves the right to fund one or more cooperative agreements
for a five year award. Year one of the cooperative agreement is for
$1.212 million. The anticipated notification date is the Spring of
2008, with an anticipated starting date for the successful applicant of
July, 2008. Subsequent annual funding will be based on annual
appropriations. FTA recipients 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, approving key decisions/activities and
negotiating any redirecting activities if needed.
IX. Award Administration Information
The anticipated notification date for the award of this cooperative
agreement is Spring of 2008, with an anticipated start date for the
successful applicant by late Spring. 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 FY 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 FY 2008 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 in Washington, DC, this 21st day of February, 2008.
James S. Simpson,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. E8-3604 Filed 2-25-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-57-P