Federal Transit Technical Assistance (20.512)
Program
20.512 Federal Transit Technical Assistance
Federal Agency
FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Authorization
49 U.S.C. 5312(a).
Program Number
20.512
Last Known Status
Deleted 06/10/2005 (Program has not been funded since FY 1993.)
Objectives
To improve mass transportation service, to contribute toward meeting total urban transportation needs at a minimum cost, and to assist in the reduction of urban transportation needs by improving the ability of transit industry operating officials to plan, manage, and operate their systems more effectively and safely.
Types of Assistance
Project Grants; Cooperative Agreements; Dissemination of Technical Information; Training.
Uses and Use Restrictions
FTA funds projects which develop, test, and demonstrate innovative technologies, service concepts, techniques, and analytical tools for planning, operating and managing transit enterprises and improving customer service. It also funds projects which provide technical assistance in safety, security, and drug and alcohol control, as well as practical know-how for solving fundamental industry-wide problems, such as how to accommodate the travel needs of persons with disabilities, how to finance transit infrastructure construction and maintenance, and how to meet requirements of the Clean Air Act.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Grants and Cooperative Agreements: Public bodies, nonprofit institutions, private for-profit organizations, State and local agencies, universities, and legally constituted public agencies.
Beneficiary Eligibility
State and local governments, transit agencies, private organizations, profit organizations, nonprofit organizations and universities.
Credentials/Documentation
Grants and Cooperative Agreements: Initial proposal should include project objectives, background, and project description including time schedule, budget and applicant's organizational experience. Legal opinion and compliance with labor requirements are required later. Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-87 for State and local governments, A-21 for universities, A-122 for private nonprofit organizations, the Federal Acquisition Regulations for private for-profit organizations.
Application and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
Although applications may be submitted at any time, potential applicants are encouraged to communicate with FTA before submitting formal applications. This initial contact may be made by telephone, by submitting a written outline, or by personally meeting with appropriate FTA headquarters staff. This preliminary contact will serve to: (1) Establish a base for communication between FTA and the applicant; (2) determine the applicant's eligibility; (3) eliminate any proposals which have little or no chance for Federal funding before applicants incur expenditures involved in proposal preparation; and (4) determine funding available and conformance to FTA policy and program objectives. 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 the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review. The standard application forms as furnished by the Federal agency and required by 49 CFR Part 18 or 49 CFR Part 19 must be used for this program.
Application Procedure
Potential applicants should follow guidance in FTA C 6100.1C, "Transit Redearch and Technology Programs." This circular may be obtained from the Office of Research, Demonstration and Innovation, Federal Transit Administration (TRI-1, Room 9401), 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590. This program is subject to the provisions of 49 CFR Part 18 for State and local governments and 49 CFR Part 19 for universities and private nonprofit organizations.
Award Procedure
The Administrator, Federal Transit Administration, makes the final decision to approve a project. An FTA grant or cooperative agreement award obligating Federal funds is reflected in a grant agreement or cooperative agreement. To access funds, the recipient must execute the grant agreement or cooperative agreement.
Deadlines
No fixed or standard deadlines.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Appeals
Not applicable.
Renewals
Not applicable.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
FTA encourages cost sharing by performing organizations under Section 5312(a) to the extent feasible and equitable. Cost sharing is not a prerequisite to funding; however, it is actively considered in the evaluation of proposals. The amount of such sharing is determined by mutual agreement between FTA and the recipient. More weight is given to programs with a greater local share and proposals with cash contributions rather than in-kind contributions.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Varies.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
(1) Quarterly financial; (2) quarterly or monthly progress; and (3) interim and final.
Audits
In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133, "Audits of State and Local Governments and Nonprofit Organizations," nonfederal entities (including universities) 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 Circular No. A-133. For direct procurement contracts, audits will be conducted in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulations.
Records
Grant recipient shall retain records for 3 years following submission of a final expenditure report, pending resolution of audit findings, all project contract documents, financial records, and supporting documents.
Program Accomplishments
See accomplishments listed under National Planning and Research Program, 49 U.S.C., Section 5314, below at 20.514.
Financial Information
Account Identification
69-1137-0-1-401.
Obligations
(Grants and Contracts) Section 5312(a) activities are now funded under Section 5314(a), also listed in this Catalog.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
None established.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
See Fiscal Year 2003 Annual List of Certifications and Assurances for Federal Transit Administration Grants and Cooperative Agreements; Notice, published annually. For fiscal year 2003, the publication date was October23, 2002. For other fiscal years, contact the FTA Office of Research Demonstration and Innovation to obtain the publication dates. FTA website www.fta.dot.gov/library/legal. Other information will be made available upon request.
Related Programs
20.514, Transit Planning and Research.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
None.
Headquarters Office
Associate Administrator for Research, Demonstration and Innovation (TRI-1), Federal Transit Administration, Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Room 9401, Washington, DC 20590. Telephone: (202) 366-4052. Henry Nejako, FTA Office of Research, Demonstration and Innovation, (202) 366-0184.
Web Site Address
http://www.fta.dot.gov/research
Examples of Funded Projects
Projects are funded through the National Planning and Research Program, 49 U.S.C., Section 5314. See examples under the listing for that program, below at 20.514.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Proposals must support the FTA Strategic Plan, available on the FTA Home Page of the Internet (http://www.fta.dot.gov/fta/library/intro/). If a preliminary proposal is judged to meet program need and funding availability, FTA will invite a formal proposal submission or cooperative agreement application. Criteria for preliminary approval include: (1) compatibility with FTA Strategic Plan; (2) availability of funding; (3) nonfederal funding match; (4) importance of proposal to the fiscal year program activity; (5) potential for impact on the state-of-the-art from the viewpoint of innovation in transit technology, services and operations; (6) technical feasibility and potential for successful introduction into use in the transit industry; (7) background, experience, and demonstrated capabilities of applicant; (8 geographic distribution of existing projects; and (9) other pertinent matters, such as questions of environmental impact and labor impact.
