Alternatives Analysis (20.522)
Program
20.522 Alternatives Analysis
Federal Agency
FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Authorization
49 U.S.C. 5339.
Program Number
20.522
Last Known Status
Active
Objectives
To assist in financing the evaluation of all reasonable modal and multimodal alternatives and general alignment options for identified transportation needs in a particular, broadly defined travel corridor.
Types of Assistance
Project Grants.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Funds may be used to assist State and local governmental authorities in conducting alternatives analyses as part of the early planning for capital projects for new fixed guideway systems and extensions to existing fixed guideway systems.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Public agencies, including States; municipalities and other subdivisions of States; public agencies and instrumentalities of one or more States; and public corporations, boards, and commissions established under State law. Applicant must have legal, financial, and technical capacity to carry out proposed project and maintain facilities and equipment purchased with Federal assistance. Private non-profit organizations are not directly eligible recipients.
Beneficiary Eligibility
The general public, both users and non-users of public transportation and public agencies. Private consultants may participate through contractual arrangements with a public agency grantee.
Credentials/Documentation
Resolution by an authorized public body approving the filing for an application; projects must be included in an urbanized area's Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) and approved by FTA and FHWA. Applicant must complete certifications and assurances as compiled in FTA's Annual List of Certifications and Assurances. Cost will be in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-87 for State and local governments.
Application and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process that the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review. An environmental impact statement may be required for this program. An environmental impact statement may also be required upon completion of the review.
Application Procedure
Project funds may be allocated by Congress for specific projects. Applications are made to the regional offices of the Federal Transit Administration listed in part 151 of this application. If discretionary funds are available for competitive award, applications for and notification of the grant program are available at http://www.grants.gov.
Award Procedure
An FTA grant award obligating Federal funds is reflected in a grant agreement. Grants are awarded electronically using FTA's Transportation Electronic Award Management (TEAM) system, http://ftateamweb.fta.dot.gov/fta-flash2b.html. In order to access this system, a user name and password are needed and can be obtained by contacting the regional offices. Once the funds are reserved in TEAM and the project information has been reviewed and approved by Headquarters, the recipient must execute the grant agreement to access the funds.
Deadlines
Funds designated by Congress for Alternatives Analysis projects must be obligated within three fiscal years, unless extended by Congress.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Appeals
Not applicable.
Renewals
Funding is made available annually, FY 2006-2009, through the appropriations process. Grants may be amended to add.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Funds for Alternatives Analysis projects are allocated based on statutory or discretionary basis. A grant may be made up to 80 percent of net project cost.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Terms and conditions are contractually agreed on between FTA and the applicant. The grants may be awarded in one lump sum or in smaller increments as specified by the grantee.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
(1) Progress reports; (2) Financial status reports.
Audits
In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A- 133, Audits of State and Local Governments and Nonprofit Organizations; nonfederal entities that expend $500,000 or more in a year in Federal awards shall have a single or program specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year with certain exceptions as stated in OMB Circular No. A-133.
Records
Recipient is required to retain intact, for 3 years following submission of final expenditure report, pending resolution of audit findings, all project contract documents, financial records, and supporting documents.
Program Accomplishments
The program will support alternatives analysis for over 18 new fixed guideway transit systems, ultimately resulting in more effective decision making at the local level and to support future Federal investment in major capital projects.
Financial Information
Account Identification
69-1120-0-1-401.
Obligations
FY 05 $0 (Program not yet enacted); FY 06 $24,750,000; and FY 07 $25,000,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
In FY 2006 Congressional designations range from $300,000 to $2,500,000 with an average of $138,889.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
Contact the FTA Regional Offices. See Federal Register/ Vol.70, No. 229/ Wednesday, November 30, 2005/ Notices.
Related Programs
20.205, Highway Planning and Construction; 20.500, Federal Transit_Capital Investment Grants; 20.505, Federal Transit_Metropolitan Planning Grants.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
See list of regional office contacts located in Appendix IV.
Headquarters Office
Federal Transit Administration, Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590. FTA Office of Program Management, Kimberly Sledge (202) 366-2053, kimberly.sledge@fta.dot.gov.
Web Site Address
Examples of Funded Projects
The program is new in FY 2006. Funding will be for studies conducted as part of the transportation planning process to include an assessment of a wide range of public transportation alternatives designed to address a transportation problem in a corridor or subarea.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Major, non-recurring capital investment Congressional designation.
