Human Resource Programs (20.511)
Program
20.511 Human Resource Programs
Federal Agency
FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Authorization
49 U.S.C. 5322.
Program Number
20.511
Last Known Status
Deleted 06/10/2005 (Program not funded since FY 1993)
Objectives
To provide financial assistance for national, regional and local initiatives that address human resource needs as they apply to public transportation activities. Such programs may include but are not limited to employment training programs; outreach programs to increase minority and female employment in public transportation activities; research on public transportation manpower and training needs; and training and assistance for minority business opportunities. This description is applicable only to projects awarded directly by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) under the authority of Section 5314(a), the National component of the Transit Planning and Research Program.
Types of Assistance
Project Grants (Cooperative Agreements); Dissemination of Technical Information.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Projects may include, but are not limited to, employment training programs; outreach programs to increase minority and women's employment in public transportation activities; research on public transportation manpower and training needs; and training and assistance for minority business opportunities who meet Section 120 program criteria.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Projects are awarded as a grant or cooperative agreement to State and local transit agencies, and local governmental entities, other legally constituted public agencies, institutions of higher education, (colleges and universities), and private nonprofit organizations. Through its direct procurement program, FTA awards contracts on a competitive basis to small and disadvantaged businesses, independent contractors, and other for-profit businesses to obtain professional services, supplies, and research needs.
Beneficiary Eligibility
All public and private sector bodies and organizations, universities, and individuals.
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. Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-87 for States, local governments, and Federally recognized Indian Tribal governments, A-21 for educational institutions, and A-122 for nonprofit organizations. For direct procurement contracts, businesses need to provide the necessary charter or license.
Application and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
Initial proposals may be submitted at any time of the year to the FTA Director, Office of Civil Rights. FTA preapplication instructions and forms will be provided upon request. However, to assure that a proposal is considered for funding in the upcoming fiscal year, the preapplication should be submitted to the Headquarters Office of Civil Rights no later than September 1. This program is eligible for coverage under Executive Order 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should contact the official designated as the single point of contact in the FTA Office of Civil Rights for more information.
Application Procedure
Potential applicants should follow guidance in FTA Circular 4715.1A, "Human Resource Programs (Section 20) Application and Project Management Guidelines." This circular may be obtained from the Federal Transit Administration, Office of Civil Rights, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Room 9102, Washington, D.C. 20590. This program is subject to the requirements of 49 CFR Part 18 for State and local governments, and 49 CFR Part 19 for universities and nonprofit organizations. Preapplication proposals for Section 5322 Human Resource Projects will be acknowledged by the FTA Director of Civil Rights, or the Human Resource Program Manager, Washington, D.C. The Office of Civil Rights will review the preapplication budget proposal and recommend to the Federal Transit Administrator those projects that should be funded in the annual program plan. Only those activities that best complement the program emphasis areas of the FTA Strategic Plan will be approved for funding under the Section 5314(a) National Transit Planning and Research Program. Once an applicant is notified that a proposal has been endorsed for funding, the grant/cooperative agreement applicant should prepare and submit the Standard Form (SF) 424 (Rev. 4/88), Application for Financial Assistance.
Award Procedure
The Federal Transit Administrator makes the final decision on the approval of funds for projects. 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
Application proposals are accepted for review throughout the fiscal year. However funding is limited, and decisions on the types of projects for funding and the level of funding usually is made by September 1.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Appeals
Not applicable.
Renewals
Not applicable.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Human Resource projects are ordinarily funded under the National Transit Planning and Research Program, 49 USC 5314(a) which allows a wide range of discretion in setting the local match. Occasionally, grants are made from other sections of 49 USC ch. 53, as amended, and the matching requirements of that section apply.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Varies.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Quarterly progress reports and final products and report; quarterly and final financial reports; special reports on an "as needed" basis.
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 OMB Circular No. A-133. For direct procurement contracts, audits will be conducted in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulations.
Records
Project sponsor shall retain records for 3 years following submission of a final expenditure report and other project deliverables, all project contract documents, financial records, and supporting documents pending resolution of audit findings.
Program Accomplishments
The development and implementation of innovative disadvantaged business enterprise (DBE) technical assistance programs; transit agency training programs that enhance job skills and advancement; effective means of disseminating information to minority/women entrepreneurs regarding contracting opportunities offered by recipients of FTA funds and its grantees and transit vehicle manufacturers; encouragement of students in Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribal Colleges and Universities, and Hispanic-Serving Institutions to explore the field of transportation as a career choice; assistance to transit agencies and others in the industry to understand the benefits of increasing diversity through hiring and promotions and to provide successful methods of achieving diversity; and creation of an outreach program to ensure that minority community interests provide input in transit planning and operations.
Financial Information
Account Identification
69-1137-0-1-401.
Obligations
(Grants, Cooperative Agreements, and Direct Procurement Contracts) Section 5322 activities are now funded under Section 5314(a), also included in this Catalog.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
None established.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
FTA Circular FTA C 4715.1A, which includes FTA preapplication instructions and forms, is available upon request. Also, Annual List of Certifications and Assurances for Federal Transit Administration Grants and Cooperative Agreements; Notice, published annually. For fiscal year 2003, the publication date is March 12, 2003. For other fiscal years, contact the FTA Office of Civil Rights to obtain the publication dates. FTA website: www.fta.dot.gov/library/legal.
Related Programs
20.514, Transit Planning and Research.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
The program is administered by the Federal Transit Administration Office of Civil Rights in Washington, DC. All inquiries should be directed to this office.
Headquarters Office
Director, Office of Civil Rights, Federal Transit Administration, Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Room 9102, Washington, DC 20590. Telephone: (202) 366-4018.
Web Site Address
Examples of Funded Projects
(1) Transit agencies' technical assistance programs to enhance the participation of disadvantaged business enterprises (DBE) in transit-related projects and other contracting opportunities; (2) career development/employment programs to increase the diversity of minorities and women in the workforce; (3) training programs for disadvantaged youths to obtain entry-level employment and training in skilled crafts; and (4) implementation of transit-related projects for Native American tribes and organizations.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
If a preliminary proposal is judged to meet program need and funding is available, FTA will ask for a formal application submission. Criteria for preliminary approval will be determined annually, based on FTA's National program emphasis areas in the Strategic Plan.
