Alternatives Analysis (20.522)
Program
20.522 Alternatives Analysis
Federal Agency
Agency: Department of Transportation
Office: Federal Transit Administration (FTA)
Authorization
Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), 109 Stat. 59, 49 U.S.C 533.
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. OMB Circular No. A-87 applies to this program.
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. An environmental impact statement is required for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.
Application Procedure
This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-102. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110. Project funds may be allocated by Congress for specific projects. When applicable, a Notice of Funding Availability is published to announce the availability of discretionary funds and application process. The notification and application are also available at http://www.grants.gov.
Award Procedure
Project funds may be allocated by Congress for specific projects. When applicable, a Notice of Funding Availability is published to announce the availability of discretionary funds and application process. The notification and application are also available at http://www.grants.gov.
Deadlines
Contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate, for application deadlines.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
FTA awards more than 80 percent of grants within 60 days of receipt of a completed application, with an average processing time of 36 days or less.
Appeals
Not Applicable.
Renewals
Funding is made available annually, FY 2006-2009, through the appropriations process. Grants may be amended to add newly available funds for a continuing project.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Statutory formulas are not applicable to this program.
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 total project cost.
MOE requirements are not applicable to this program.
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. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: by letter of credit.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
(1) Progress reports; (2) Financial status reports. SF-272. (1) Progress reports; (2) Financial status reports. SF-269. (1) Progress reports; (2) Financial status reports.
Audits
In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a 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, except as noted in Circular No. A-133. 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
Fiscal Year 2008: The program will support alternatives analysis for over 15 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. Fiscal Year 2009: No Current Data Available Fiscal Year 2010: No Current Data Available
Financial Information
Account Identification
69-8350-0-7-401.
Obligations
(Project Grants) FY 08 $27,794,000; FY 09 est $31,478,550; FY 10 est not reported. - FY 08 act. $27,794,000; and FY 09 $31,478,550; and FY 10 est. not available.
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
Please visit the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) website or contact the appropriate FTA Region office for more information. 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 Regional Agency Offices. See list of regional office contacts located in Appendix IV.
Headquarters Office
Sylvia L. Marion 1200 New Jersey Ave., S.E , Washington, District of Columbia 20590 Phone: (202) 366-6680
Web Site Address
Examples of Funded Projects
Fiscal Year 2008: Projects funded include 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. Fiscal Year 2009: No Current Data Available Fiscal Year 2010: No Current Data Available
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Major, non-recurring capital investment Congressional designation.
