Capital and Training Assistance Program for Over-the-Road Bus Accessibility

 

To make funds available to private operators of over-the-road buses to finance the incremental capital and training costs of complying with requirements of the Department of Transportation's Over-the-Road Bus Accessibility regulation, "Transportation for Individuals with Disabilities" (49 CFR Part 37, Subpart H). The program was repealed under the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21).

General information about this opportunity
Last Known Status
Active
Program Number
20.518
Federal Agency/Office
Federal Transit Administration, Department of Transportation
Type(s) of Assistance Offered
B - Project Grants
Program Accomplishments
Fiscal Year 2016 All funds are awarded and obligated under this program. 85 percent of funds are obligated under this program.
Fiscal Year 2017 90 percent of funds have been obligated.
Fiscal Year 2018 All funds were obligated.
Authorization
Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient, Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), Public Law 109-059., Public Law 109-059
Who is eligible to apply/benefit from this assistance?
Applicant Eligibility
Private operators of over-the-road buses that provide intercity fixed route bus service and other providers, including operators of over-the-road buses of local fixed-route service, commuter service and charter or tour service.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Persons with disabilities.
Credentials/Documentation
Costs are determined in accordance with program guidance in an annual Federal Register Notice soliciting applications. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87.
What is the process for applying and being award this assistance?
Pre-Application Procedure
Preapplication coordination is not applicable.
Application Procedure
2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. FTA conducted national solicitations for applications annually. Grant awards were made on a competitive basis. Applications were submitted through Grants.Gov.
Award Procedure
The announcement of awards is published in a Federal Register Notice. Successful applicants file a grant application with FTA. An FTA grant award obligating federal funds is reflected in a grant agreement. To access funds, the recipient must execute the grant agreement.
Deadlines
Not applicable.
Approval/Disapproval Decision Time
Project selections were announced approximately six months following the application deadline for competitive consideration.
Appeals
Not applicable.
Renewals
Not applicable.
How are proposals selected?
Guidance contained in Federal Register Notice was published annually.
How may assistance be used?
Program funds were used to finance the incremental capital and training costs of complying with DOT's Over-the-Road Bus Accessibility regulation. Capital projects eligible for funding included adding wheelchair lifts and other accessibility components to new vehicle purchases, and purchasing lifts to retrofit existing vehicles. Eligible training costs included training in proper operation and maintenance of equipment, boarding assistance, and securement, handling and storage of mobility devices, and sensitivity training. In FY 2014, $8.8 million was available for discretionary award.
What are the requirements after being awarded this opportunity?
Reporting
Not applicable.
Auditing
This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular 2CFR 200. As requested by FTA.
Records
Recipient is required to retain intact, for 3 years following submission of the final expenditure report, pending resolution of audit findings, all grant products, financial records, and supporting documents.
Other Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Statutory formula is not applicable to this assistance listing.

Matching is voluntary. 10%.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Funds are available for obligation to grantees for 3 fiscal years. Any funds not obligated by FTA by the end of this period will be added to the succeeding year's program allocation. Reimbursement of eligible expenses.
Who do I contact about this opportunity?
Regional or Local Office
See Catalog Appendix for listing of Federal Transit Administration regional offices.
Headquarters Office
Elan Flippin
1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington , DC 20590 US
elan.flippin@dot.gov
Phone: (202) 366-3800
Website Address
http://www.fta.dot.gov
Financial Information
Account Identification
69-8350-0-7-401
Obligations
(Project Grants) FY 18$0.00; FY 19 est $0.00; FY 20 est $0.00; FY 17$195,330.00; FY 16$0.00; - This program was repealed under the MAP-21 Act.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
$25,000 to $ 180,000. Average: $25,000.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
Federal Register Notices, published annually.
Examples of Funded Projects
Fiscal Year 2016 Grants are expected to be used for training, new lifts and retrofits for wheelchair lifts. Grants are used for training, new lifts and retrofits for wheelchair lifts.

 



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