84 FR 20182 - Competitive Funding Opportunity: Integrated Mobility Innovation (IMI) Demonstration Program

The Federal Transit Administration's (FTA) Integrated Mobility Innovation (IMI) Demonstration program's primary purpose is to fund projects that demonstrate innovative, effective approaches, practices, partnerships, and technologies to enhance public transportation effectiveness, increase efficiency, expand quality, promote safety, and improve the traveler's experience. This notice announces the availability of up to $15 million in Fiscal Year (FY) 2017 and FY 2018 FTA research funds in the form of cooperative agreements for eligible projects. FTA may award additional funds, if available. This IMI Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) brings together three distinct areas of inquiry: Mobility on Demand (MOD) Sandbox demonstrations; FTA's Strategic Transit Automation Research (STAR); and Mobility Payment Integration (MPI). These areas are integrated in this NOFO to allow applicants to comprehensively plan multiple areas of mobility research. FTA requests that all applicants identify the specific area(s) for which they are applying. The Integrated Mobility Innovation Demonstration program will also leverage FTA's leadership of the Accessible Transportation Technologies Research Initiative (ATTRI) to ensure that all activities conducted under this NOFO advance the vision of a Complete Trip for All. The Complete Trip concept reflects the understanding that a person's travel comprises a chain of steps beginning with an often-spontaneous decision to make a trip, through to planning an itinerary, traversing the built environment and its transportation networks (with or without a vehicle); navigating streets, intersections, facilities, stations, and stops to their destination--safely, efficiently, and carefree. The Complete Trip is the realization that if any part of the trip-making chain is broken, the trip cannot be completed, and an opportunity is lost.

[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 89 (Wednesday, May 8, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20182-20191]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2019-09269]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Transit Administration


Competitive Funding Opportunity: Integrated Mobility Innovation 
(IMI) Demonstration Program

AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration (FTA), U.S. Department of 
Transportation (USDOT).

ACTION: Notice of funding opportunity.

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    Funding opportunity Number XXXXXXXX; Catalogue of Federal Domestic 
Assistance (CFDA) No. 20.530

SUMMARY: The Federal Transit Administration's (FTA) Integrated Mobility 
Innovation (IMI) Demonstration program's primary purpose is to fund 
projects that demonstrate innovative, effective approaches, practices, 
partnerships, and technologies to enhance public transportation 
effectiveness, increase efficiency, expand quality, promote safety, and 
improve the traveler's experience. This notice announces the 
availability of up to $15 million in Fiscal Year (FY) 2017 and FY 2018 
FTA research funds in the form of cooperative agreements for eligible 
projects. FTA may award additional funds, if available.
    This IMI Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) brings together three 
distinct areas of inquiry: Mobility on Demand (MOD) Sandbox 
demonstrations; FTA's Strategic Transit Automation Research (STAR); and 
Mobility Payment Integration (MPI). These areas are integrated in this 
NOFO to allow applicants to comprehensively plan multiple areas of 
mobility research. FTA requests that all applicants identify the 
specific area(s) for which they are applying.
    The Integrated Mobility Innovation Demonstration program will also 
leverage FTA's leadership of the Accessible Transportation Technologies 
Research Initiative (ATTRI) to ensure that all activities conducted 
under this NOFO advance the vision of a Complete Trip for All. The 
Complete Trip concept reflects the understanding that a person's travel 
comprises a chain of steps beginning with an often-spontaneous decision 
to make a trip, through to planning an itinerary, traversing the built 
environment and its transportation networks (with or without a 
vehicle); navigating streets, intersections, facilities, stations, and 
stops to their destination--safely, efficiently, and carefree. The 
Complete Trip is the realization that if any part of the trip-making 
chain is broken, the trip cannot be completed, and an opportunity is 
lost.

DATES: Applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time August 
6, 2019 through Grants.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Please send any questions regarding this 
notice to Mr. Hendrik Opstelten, Program Manager, Office of Research, 
Demonstration and Innovation, (202) 366-8094, or 
[email protected]. A Telecommunication Device for the Deaf 
(TDD) is available for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing at 
202-366-3993. In addition, FTA will post answers to questions and 
requests for clarifications as well as information about webinars FTA 
will host to provide further guidance at https://www.transit.dot.gov/imi

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Each section of this notice contains 
information and instructions relevant to the application process for 
IMI Demonstration projects, and all applicants should read this notice 
in its entirety so that they have the information required to submit 
eligible and competitive applications.

Table of Contents

A. Program Description
B. Federal Award Information
C. Eligibility
D. Application and Submission Information
E. Application Review
F. Federal Award Administration
G. Federal Awarding Agency Contacts

A. Program Description

    FTA's Public Transportation Innovation program is authorized by 
Federal public transportation law at 49 U.S.C. 5312. Under this 
authority, FTA may make grants, or enter into contracts, cooperative 
agreements, and other agreements for research, development, 
demonstration, deployment, and evaluation projects of national 
significance to public transportation that the Secretary determines 
will improve public transportation. The Integrated Mobility Innovation 
(IMI) Demonstration program was developed under this authority.
    The IMI Demonstration program and its constituent areas of inquiry 
advance the Secretary's strategic goal to lead the development and 
deployment of

[[Page 20183]]

innovative practices and technologies that improve the performance of 
the nation's transportation system and support economic growth. 
Further, this program follows FTA's vision of mobility for all--
promoting equitable, accessible, and safe transportation for everyone. 
The program is built upon the opportunities offered by new mobility 
options that utilize public-private partnerships, various local assets, 
and innovative approaches to enhance personal mobility. These new 
models offer travelers more options, more information, and greater 
temporal and geographic coverage, thus increasing the vibrancy of all 
American communities.
    The IMI Demonstration program's goals include:
     Exploring new business approaches and emerging technology 
solutions that support transformational mobility services;
     Enabling communities to adopt innovative mobility 
solutions that enhance transportation efficiency and effectiveness; and
     Facilitating the widespread deployment of proven mobility 
solutions that foster expanded personal mobility.
    All applicants are expected to suggest performance measures in 
their applications to gauge the success of the proposed solutions 
within the above goals. Applicants are also required to note the data 
that will be provided to the Department to evaluate performance as well 
as provide an overview of how a public data access plan will be 
developed.
    This NOFO announces the availability of $15 million in Fiscal Year 
(FY) 2017 and 2018 FTA research funds. The $15 million will fund 
solutions in one or more of the three areas: Mobility on Demand (MOD), 
Transit Automation, and Mobility Payment Integration. FTA may make 
multiple awards (i.e., select multiple project teams) in each of these 
areas. Applicants should identify the area(s) in which they wish to 
have their proposal considered for funding. FTA reserves the right to 
ultimately determine which Area(s) of Inquiry apply to each proposal.

1. MOD Sandbox Demonstration ($8 Million)

    FTA's Mobility on Demand (MOD) initiative envisions improved 
mobility through a traveler-centric approach that leverages innovations 
in technologies, service methods, and business models. FTA's MOD 
Sandbox Demonstrations provide a venue for integrated MOD concepts and 
solutions--supported through local partnerships--demonstrated in real-
world settings.
    In support of the Mobility on Demand vision, the Sandbox 
Demonstration program seeks to:
     Advance the transit industry's adoption of MOD;
     Enhance the transit industry's ability to formulate and 
implement MOD practices, with existing transit service as the backbone 
of an integrated mobility ecosystem;
     Validate the technical and institutional feasibility of 
innovative MOD business models and document best practices emerging 
from the demonstrations;
     Measure the impacts of MOD on travelers and transportation 
systems; and
     Examine requirements, regulations, and policies supporting 
the adoption of MOD.
    The 2016 MOD Sandbox program (https://www.transit.dot.gov/research-innovation/mobility-demand-mod-sandbox-program) offered a platform 
where transit providers formed partnerships with innovative mobility 
providers, technology suppliers, and other partners to demonstrate 
innovative concepts and solutions to deliver high-quality, 
transformative mobility options in a real-world setting. The eleven 
demonstration projects and complementary independent evaluations in the 
2016 MOD Sandbox program are helping FTA and related stakeholders learn 
how to approach MOD-related policies, and identify which technologies 
and business models hold promise. This NOFO solicits projects that 
build upon the existing knowledge base of the 2016 MOD Sandbox, and 
other demonstration and pilot projects, advancing the state of the 
practice and continuing to test MOD models across rural, suburban, and 
urban settings.
    The state of practice for MOD has evolved since 2016. FTA is aware 
that a growing number of transit agencies and communities have 
partnered with private mobility providers to integrate new mobility 
options for transit users. Some agencies transformed their own 
operational and business practices to better meet passenger needs with 
new or enhanced services, such as new trip planning tools and 
applications; on-demand bus and microtransit operations; and other 
flexible service models.
    The 2016 Sandbox projects are yielding valuable insights into how 
agencies can take advantage of new mobility options. These insights 
include the potential value for travelers, and some of the challenges 
or potential pitfalls in using these methods of service.
    Some initial lessons learned include:
     Well-functioning first-mile/last-mile connections are 
essential to implementing effective MOD projects regardless of the MOD 
technology or business model demonstrated;
     Though MOD technologies and approaches can provide new and 
enhanced transportation options for all travelers and all communities, 
the benefits and impacts of new MOD service models may vary across 
different communities;
     Access to data and information on demonstration projects 
is essential to understanding the impacts of MOD, validating new MOD-
focused metrics, and enabling transit agencies to make effective 
operational decisions. However, potential hurdles exist to accessing 
MOD pilot project data, including privacy concerns, the protection of 
proprietary business information, and data accuracy issues;
     Business models must be sustainable for all project 
partners, throughout the pilot and beyond; and
     The flexibility inherent in research authority allows 
project adjustments to respond to changing realities or changing 
business priorities, minimizing risk to project participants.
    To build on these initial findings, and to continue to advance the 
state of the practice, the MOD Sandbox Demonstration component of this 
NOFO will focus on the three key areas below, while encouraging other 
innovative models and ideas that may not fall into any one category.
    Key MOD Sandbox Demonstration Areas:
     Projects that enhance traveler linkages (first mile/last 
mile) to transportation hubs, enabling travelers to access existing 
transportation resources and foster personal mobility. This can include 
improved trip planning and payment mechanisms; new service models for 
linking travelers to transit stations and other transportation hubs; 
and innovative partnerships and approaches that provide new or expanded 
options for traveler linkages.
     Projects that explore new MOD accessibility models, 
approaches, and technologies, especially those that increase access to 
transportation choices for older Americans; school-aged populations 
traveling independently; persons with disabilities; or other 
individuals with limited ability to access existing public 
transportation services.
     Projects that provide innovative approaches to data 
sharing arrangements and data collection methods, enabling increased

[[Page 20184]]

understanding of impacts to travelers and the community. Innovative 
approaches include projects that provide open data platforms, open 
source technologies, and data sharing agreements that allow public and 
controlled access to project data. Innovative approaches can also 
include collecting relevant project data to understand MOD impacts such 
as crowdsourcing information, and incentive-based participation in data 
collection efforts. FTA expects demonstrations funded under this NOFO 
to provide a vital real-world testbed as FTA continues to develop a set 
of mobility metrics that support the vision of the IMI Demonstration 
program.
    New MOD Sandbox demonstration projects selected and funded from 
this NOFO will be subject to current regulations and policies, the 
applicability of which is explained by FTA's Shared Mobility Frequently 
Asked Questions document at https://www.transit.dot.gov/shared-mobility. However, FTA understands that innovations proposed in the MOD 
Sandbox projects may require new Federal guidelines or changes to 
existing regulations and policies. Thus, FTA encourages applicants to 
identify in their applications any regulatory or policy challenges they 
expect to encounter in the implementation of the proposed 
demonstration. Such requests will be reviewed as part of the 
application process, and used to help FTA understand barriers to full 
implementation of MOD demonstrations. This corresponds to the 
Department's and FTA's commitment to supporting innovation by examining 
barriers to implementing inventive and practicable demonstration 
projects in the transit sector, including examining policy and 
regulatory requirements.

2. Transit Automation ($5 Million, Including $3 Million for 
Demonstration 1 and $2 Million for Demonstration 2)

    FTA developed the five-year Strategic Transit Automation Research 
(STAR) Plan (https://www.transit.dot.gov/research-innovation/strategic-transit-automation-research-plan-report-0116) to explore the use of 
vehicle automation technologies in bus transit operations. The transit 
industry is increasingly interested in the potential applications and 
benefits of automation, including safety and operational improvements, 
cost savings, and new forms of transit service that provide increased 
mobility, flexibility, and convenience. Additionally, an initial 
analysis confirmed there are several partial automation applications 
with a clear business case for transit agency investment. That is, the 
technology investment costs for these applications could readily be 
recouped through future operational savings (STAR Plan, Appendix D: 
Transit Automation Benefit-Cost Analysis Report. https://www.transit.dot.gov/research-innovation/strategic-transit-automation-research-plan-report-0116).
    The goal of STAR is to advance transit readiness for automation by:
     Conducting enabling research to achieve safe and effective 
transit automation deployments;
     Identifying and resolving barriers to deployment of 
transit automation;
     Leveraging technologies from other sectors to move transit 
automation forward;
     Demonstrating market-ready technologies in real-world 
settings; and
     Transferring knowledge to the transit stakeholder 
community.
    This NOFO solicits specific automation projects noted in the STAR 
plan roadmap, including:
     Automated Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) for 
Transit Buses, which seek to demonstrate market-ready or near market-
ready advanced driver assistance technologies (automation levels 0-2 as 
defined in Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) J3016 [June 2018]) to 
support partial transit automation in revenue service. And
     Automated Shuttles, focusing on shuttle buses with Level 4 
automation and with use cases including circulator and feeder bus 
service.
    All automation projects must address a range of factors related to 
transit, including:
     System performance, capabilities, limitations, and 
effectiveness;
     Transit operations and maintenance;
     Service quality;
     Safety and security, including cybersecurity;
     Passenger experience, comfort, acceptance, and willingness 
to use;
     Communication and equipment needs and costs;
     Overall cost-effectiveness; and
     Transferability.
    Additional factors that should be included are noted for each of 
the specific demonstration areas.
Automated Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) for Transit Buses 
($3 Million)--Demonstration 1
    In support of the STAR Plan's goal to demonstrate ADAS for Transit 
Buses (defined as a rubber-tired automotive vehicle used for the 
provision of public transportation service) projects are sought that 
will demonstrate use cases including, but not limited to:
     Smooth acceleration and deceleration;
     Automatic emergency braking and pedestrian collision 
avoidance;
     Curb avoidance;
     Object avoidance;
     Precision docking;
     Narrow lane/shoulder operations; and
     Platooning.
    A project team may demonstrate one or more use cases. Applicants 
may also propose other ADAS use cases not identified above.
    In addition to the factors related to automation demonstrations, 
generally, ADAS demonstrations must address:
     Human factors, including training drivers in ADAS 
operation, establishing understanding to avoid over-reliance on or 
under-utilization of ADAS, and evaluating the driver-vehicle interface; 
and
     Bus operator experience and acceptance.
    Eligible Projects: FTA is seeking innovative projects to 
demonstrate market-ready or near market-ready advanced driver 
assistance technologies to support partial transit automation in 
revenue service. Demonstrations can be conducted with technologies and 
vehicles that can be adapted or retrofitted to the purpose relatively 
quickly. Eligible activities include applicable project planning and 
systems engineering activities leading to the demonstration of ADAS use 
cases, such as requirements, architecture and design development, 
installation integration, and testing.
Automated Shuttles ($2 Million)--Demonstration 2
    FTA will fund one or more projects that demonstrate the integration 
of automated shuttles into a transit system (e.g., connecting to 
existing transit stops or integrating with fare payment and trip 
planning systems) using a route (or several routes) in mixed traffic on 
public roads.
    Demonstrations will utilize nearly market-ready automated shuttles 
to support transit automation (SAE Level 4). Preference will be given 
to projects operating in revenue service. Existing automated shuttle 
projects in the United States and abroad have demonstrated basic 
functionality and user acceptance, so appropriate projects should seek 
to demonstrate operations in more complex operating environments (e.g., 
in mixed traffic on public roads, including operations at 
intersections) and integrate with an existing transit service (e.g., a 
station feeder service or

[[Page 20185]]

other new routes that provide links to existing transit stops), 
possibly including integration with payment and trip planning systems. 
For more information on the Department's voluntary guidance on 
automated driving systems at SAE levels 3-5 please refer to AV 3.0 at 
https://www.transportation.gov/av/3.
    Projects can include one or more automated shuttle use case 
including, but not limited to, circulator service and/or feeder 
service.
    In addition to the factors related to automation demonstrations, 
generally, automated shuttle demonstrations must address:
     Human factors, including communicating shuttle intent and 
human-machine interface;
     Accessibility for people with disabilities, at a level 
which complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and beyond, 
ensuring contribution to an accessible Complete Trip;
     On-board attendant experience and acceptance; and
     Perceptions and acceptance by other road users, such as 
bicyclists and pedestrians.
    Applicants should also provide information showing that any 
automated shuttles comply with the National Highway Safety 
Administration's (NHTSA) Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) 
or are operating consistent with an exemption from those standards 
issued by NHTSA. If, conversely, an applicant wishes to use a vehicle 
that is not compliant and does not have an applicable exemption, the 
applicant should provide information concerning its plan to apply for 
the necessary exemption.
    In addition, FTA may also select the Automated Shuttles 
Demonstration project for ``twinning,'' which is an ongoing knowledge 
exchange, with a relevant European Commission-funded automated road 
transport research project.
    Eligible Projects: FTA is seeking innovative projects to 
demonstrate nearly market-ready automated shuttles to support transit 
automation (SAE level 4). Eligible activities include applicable 
project design and planning activities leading to the demonstration of 
automated shuttle use cases.

3. Mobility Payment Integration ($2 Million)

    The Mobility Payment Integration (MPI) research area was developed 
from FTA's recognition of the emergence and rapid evolution of the 
mobility payment marketplace, its importance in managing and 
integrating mobility, and ultimately, its overall influence on mobility 
outcomes. Integrating payment for different types of transportation 
services in a region can facilitate seamless travel across a variety of 
modes, including public transportation, transportation network 
companies, car and bike sharing services, micro-transit providers, and 
even private vehicles. Payment integration will enable the full use and 
coordination of public-sector and private-sector mobility resources to 
expand mobility options in communities across America. In keeping with 
FTA's commitment to equity and accessibility, payment integration 
solutions funded under this NOFO will address universal usability by 
all people, including those with disabilities as well as those who are 
under-banked or unbanked.
    Convenient, useful payment systems are a key provision of FTA's 
Mobility Innovation goals. To advance the state of the practice in this 
area, FTA seeks to assess the feasibility of different payment 
integration technologies and strategies through the MPI demonstrations. 
Key areas to explore will include back-office operational models 
(including financial and accounting systems), institutional 
collaboration and experience, user experience, and interoperability and 
sustainability of such systems. Furthermore, MPI is also structured to 
explore the feasibility and impact of integrating payment services 
beyond the traditional mobility ecosystem, such as retail, banking, and 
health care industries.
    This NOFO solicits demonstration projects in MPI with a focus on 
two topical areas: Payment Equity and Human Service Transportation 
Coordination; and Integrated Mobility and Beyond.
Payment Equity and Human Service Transportation Coordination
    An informal assessment of data suggests that between 10 and 50% of 
transit riders use cash as their primary method of payment, to include 
on-vehicle payment and at transit ticket vending machines. Reasons for 
cash only payments range from personal preference to lack of access to 
non-cash payment products or services. In addition, some American 
households do not have relationships with traditional financial 
institutions (i.e., they are unbanked). To address these populations, 
MPI Demonstration 1 will focus on the development and demonstration of 
mobility payment solutions for one or more of the following groups:
    a. Unbanked and underbanked populations;
    b. Populations without access to mobile devices and/or mobile data 
access; and
    c. Human service transportation users.
    Projects selected under this MPI focus area will plan, develop, 
demonstrate, evaluate, and refine solutions to ensure equitable access 
to transit and mobility systems by: Unbanked or underbanked 
populations; the technology disadvantaged; and vulnerable groups (low-
income, minority, older adults, students and young travelers, and 
people with disabilities). Furthermore, projects should seek to 
validate payment integration's ability to enhance the experience of 
travelers from the targeted groups, thus enabling them to more 
effectively use the mobility system to connect them with more economic, 
healthcare, educational, social, and recreational opportunities. This 
demonstration aims to uncover and showcase how public transportation 
agencies and mobility providers can ensure equity and accessibility 
when deploying integrated payment solutions.
Integrated Mobility and Beyond
    Multi-modal and multi-provider payment integration requires 
enabling technologies and institutional partnerships. Demonstration(s) 
in this topical area will focus on operationalizing an integrated 
single payment account across multiple public and private mobility 
services (i.e., some combination of single or multiple transit agencies 
plus transportation network companies, bikeshare, carshare, ride 
hailing, taxi, scooters, and/or microtransit). FTA welcomes 
applications that address the following opportunities for integration:
     Transportation adjacencies (e.g., tolling, parking, motor 
vehicle administrative transactions, electric charging stations);
     Specialized and demand-response transportation (e.g., 
human service transportation, faith-based transportation, non-emergency 
medical transportation, paratransit, volunteer-based transportation, 
closed or open-loop shuttle services, employee and campus 
transportation);
     Multiple non-transit/non-mobility services (e.g., retail, 
incentivization, loyalty programs);
     Social programs (e.g., travelers with disabilities, 
student discounts, transit benefits, social security, senior citizens, 
veteran benefits, human service programs); and
     Access and authorization (e.g., student cards, government 
IDs, campus/academic cards, library access,

[[Page 20186]]

community and facility access, municipal programs, age-based program 
IDs).
    Applicants wishing to pursue an integrated mobility demonstration 
should address practical and sustainable partnership models among 
multiple agencies and providers. Applicants will investigate effective 
system-wide mobility and business or technology partnerships. These 
partnerships should be supported by scalable and sustainable back-
office procedures and operations. Institutional collaboration should 
address harmonization of business rules and fare policies, as well as 
collaborative incentivization strategies.
    Due to the anticipated complexity of structuring and developing a 
multi-agency, multi-modal, multi-provider system, FTA recognizes that 
most applicants will plan and implement their respective mobility 
payment integration projects in phases beyond the scope of this 
demonstration. Phases can be structured to capture different aspects 
such as incremental expansion of service areas or regions, layering of 
different service providers (transportation, mobility, retail, 
government, etc.) over a period, expansion of interregional operations, 
or geography-agnostic interoperability, etc. This incremental approach 
can leverage lessons learned in each phase to refine and optimize 
subsequent strategies.
    FTA requires that all applicants describe their vision and phased 
planning and implementation plan toward an integrated mobility payment 
system, and clearly indicate which phase(s) the requested funding will 
address.

B. Federal Award Information

1. Amount Available

    This notice makes available $15 million under the Public 
Transportation Innovation program (49 U.S.C. 5312(b)), which FTA 
intends to award in the form of cooperative agreements, to support the 
research, development, demonstration, deployment, and evaluation of 
research and technology of national significance to public 
transportation that the Secretary determines will improve public 
transportation.

2. Award Size

    There is no minimum or maximum award amount. Rather, project scale 
will be bounded by each project's ability to complete all proposed 
planning and development activities and launch the demonstration within 
12 months of project award. FTA intends to fund as many meritorious 
projects as possible. Only proposals from eligible recipients for 
eligible activities will be considered for funding. Due to funding 
limitations, applications that are selected for funding may receive 
less than the amount originally requested. In those cases, applicants 
must be able to demonstrate that the proposed projects are still viable 
and can be completed with the amount awarded.

3. Type of Assistance Instrument

    Projects funded through this NOFO will be structured as cooperative 
agreements in which the federal government will have substantial 
involvement. The federal role will include active participation in the 
project activities by attending review meetings, commenting on 
technical reports, and maintaining frequent contact with the local 
project manager. FTA reserves the right to re-direct project activities 
and funding for projects supported under this NOFO and their related 
activities.

4. Previous Award

    Recipients of funding under the 2016 Mobility on Demand Sandbox 
demonstration program may apply for funding to support additional 
projects or enhancements to previously developed activities. To be 
competitive, the applicant should demonstrate the extent to which the 
newly proposed project is indeed a new effort, and not a continuation 
of a prior project.

5. Project Timelines

    Projects funded under the IMI Demonstration program will be allowed 
a maximum of 12 months for project planning. A minimum of 12 months of 
demonstration activity is required.

6. Restrictions on Funding

    The IMI Demonstration program is a research and development effort 
and, as such, FTA Research Circular 6100.1E (available at https://www.transit.dot.gov/regulations-and-guidance/fta-circulars/research-technical-assistance-and-training-program) rules will apply in 
administering the program.

C. Eligibility

    To be selected for the IMI Demonstration program, an applicant must 
be an eligible applicant and the project must be an eligible project as 
defined below:

1. Eligible Applicants

    Eligible applicants under this notice are providers of public 
transportation, including public transportation agencies, state/local 
government DOTs, and federally recognized Indian tribes. Eligible 
applicants must identify one or more strategic project partner(s) with 
a substantial interest and involvement in the project. Applications 
must clearly identify the eligible applicant and all project partners 
on the project team.
    Eligible project partners under this program may include, but are 
not limited to:
     Private for-profit and not-for-profit organizations, 
including shared-use mobility providers, technology system suppliers 
and integrators, automated vehicle technology providers, property 
managers and developers, and others;
     private operators of transportation services, such as 
employee shuttle services, airport connector services, university 
transportation systems, or parking and tolling authorities;
     bus manufacturers;
     state or local government entities, including multi-
jurisdictional partnerships, and organizations such as a Metropolitan 
Planning Organization; or
     other organizations including consultants, research 
consortia or not-for-profit industry organizations, and institutions of 
higher education.
    The project team should include all project partners necessary to 
successfully carry out the prospective project, and structured to 
efficiently leverage Federal funds.
    The applicant must be able to carry out the proposed agreement and 
procurements, if needed, with project partners in compliance with all 
applicable Federal, state, and local laws.
    Key Partners can be designated by applicants. A key partner is 
defined as one that shares the costs, risks, and rewards of early 
deployment and demonstration of innovation. FTA may also determine that 
any identified project partner in the proposal is a key partner and 
make any award conditional upon the participation of that key partner. 
A key partner is essential to the project as approved by FTA and is 
therefore eligible for a noncompetitive award by the applicant to 
provide the goods or services described in the application. The 
applicant shall clearly indicate whether each partner is a key partner. 
A key partner's participation on a selected project may not be 
substituted later without FTA's approval.

2. Eligible Projects

    Eligible activities include all activities leading to the 
demonstration, such as planning and developing business models, 
obtaining equipment and service, acquiring or developing software and 
hardware interfaces to

[[Page 20187]]

implement the project, operating the demonstration, and providing data 
to support performance measurement and evaluation.
    FTA continues to seek bold and innovative ideas to advance the 
vision of MOD: Complete trips for all travelers using emerging 
technologies, applications, practices, and service models in concert 
with existing public transportation systems and resources.
    Where applicable, eligible projects should consider how to address 
accessibility for persons with disabilities, including persons who use 
wheelchairs, and for older riders, affordability for individuals with 
lower incomes, impacts on the local community, broad access to mobility 
options for all travelers, as well as payment options that can 
accommodate all users, including the unbanked and underbanked. Planning 
activities should ensure that all stakeholders are involved, including 
people with disabilities. Eligible demonstrations will consist of a 
minimum 12-month field test and must be implemented and operational 
within 12 months of project award.
    It should be noted that the program description section of this 
NOFO contains additional eligibility information with respect to the 
transit automation programmatic area. All applicants should closely 
review the Program Description section of this NOFO.

3. Cost Sharing or Matching

    The Federal share of project costs under this program is limited to 
80 percent. Applicants may seek a lower Federal contribution. The 
applicant must provide the local share of the net project cost in cash, 
or in-kind, and must document in its application the source of the 
local match. Eligible sources of local match are detailed in FTA 
Research Circular 6100.1E. (available at https://www.transit.dot.gov/sites/fta.dot.gov/files/docs/FTACir6100.1E.docx4.08.2015%282%290.pdf).

D. Application and Submission Information

1. Address

    Applications must be submitted electronically through GRANTS.GOV. 
General information for submitting applications through GRANTS.GOV can 
be found at the following URL: https://www.transit.dot.gov/funding/grants/applying/applying-fta-funding along with specific instructions 
for the forms and attachments required for submission. Mail and fax 
submissions will not be accepted. A complete proposal submission 
consists of two forms: The SF424 Application for Federal Assistance 
(available at GRANTS.GOV) and the supplemental form for the 2018 
Integrated Mobility Innovation Demonstration program (available at 
GRANTS.GOV). Failure to submit the information as requested can delay 
review or disqualify the application.

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

i. Submission
    The application must include the Standard Form 424 (Application for 
Federal Assistance), cover page, and the Project Narrative, with the 
Applicant and a Proposal Profile supplemental form attached. The 
application must include responses to all sections of the SF-424 
mandatory form and the supplemental form unless a section is designated 
as optional. FTA will use the information on the supplemental form to 
determine applicant and project eligibility for the program and to 
evaluate the proposal against the selection criteria described in part 
E of this notice. FTA will accept only one supplemental form per SF-424 
submission. FTA encourages applicants to consider submitting a single 
supplemental form that includes multiple activities to be evaluated as 
a consolidated proposal. If an applicant chooses to submit separate 
proposals for individual consideration by FTA, it must submit each 
proposal with a separate SF-424 and supplemental form.
    An applicant may attach additional supporting information to the 
SF-424 submission and supplemental form submission, including but not 
limited to letters of support, project budgets, fleet status reports, 
or excerpts from relevant planning documents. Supporting documentation 
must be described and referenced by file name in the appropriate 
response section of the supplemental form, or it may not be reviewed.
    Information such as applicant name, Federal amount requested, local 
match amount, description of areas served, etc., may be requested in 
varying degrees of detail on both the SF-424 form and supplemental 
form. An applicant must fill in all fields unless stated otherwise on 
the forms. If copying information into the supplemental form from 
another source, the applicant should verify that the supplemental form 
has fully captured pasted text and that it has not truncated the text 
due to character limits built into the form. An applicant should use 
both the ``Check Package for Errors'' and the ``Validate Form'' 
validation buttons on both forms to check all required fields on the 
forms. An applicant should also ensure that the Federal and local 
amounts specified are consistent throughout the application.
ii. Application Content
    The SF-424 Mandatory Form and the supplemental form will prompt 
applicants for the required information, including:
    a. Applicant name.
    b. Dun and Bradstreet (D&B) Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) 
number.
    c. Key contact information (including contact name, address, email 
address, and phone).
    d. Congressional districts where the project will be carried out.
    e. A description of the technical, legal, and financial capacity of 
the applicant.
    f. A discussion of the overall goals of the proposed project, with 
proposed performance measures including the current state of mobility 
innovation in the community or service area of the proposed project, 
current challenges in providing robust, flexible, and accessible 
transportation options, integration challenges or gaps, and how the 
proposed project will address those needs. The discussion should 
include demographics for the areas expected to be served, a description 
of the current opportunities and need to improve mobility choices for 
all, and if applicable, recent local and/or national trends or 
developments that make this proposed project particularly timely. 
Additionally, all proposals should describe the extent to which the 
project builds, if applicable, on past research, innovation, or 
development efforts, and how this project will further advance 
innovative practices.
    g. A description of the project partners, both technical and 
institutional, their roles, and their anticipated contributions. 
Indicate which of the project partners are ``key partners'' essential 
to the success of the proposed project. Additionally, the project team 
is encouraged to provide letters of commitment or support from each of 
the project partners as well as any agreements among the project 
partners. Describe the business model, service model, or approach that 
will be used to implement the demonstration project and any public-
private partnerships formed to achieve the project objectives. Specify 
any unique or innovative approaches used to

[[Page 20188]]

coordinate and coalesce the project partners and local stakeholders.
    h. A discussion of the expected outcomes and benefits of the 
proposed project to the individual travelers and the community; and how 
the goals and outcomes will be measured.
    i. A description of the extent to which the proposed project is 
replicable in other communities, and the national significance of the 
project, if any.
    j. A description of how, and the extent to which, the proposed 
project addresses accessible and equitable mobility service for all 
travelers, including persons with disabilities, older individuals, 
school age populations, and individuals with lower incomes or in 
underserved communities.
    k. A description of any Federal, state, or local requirements or 
policies that the project team expects to present challenges to 
successfully implementing the proposed project.
    l. A preliminary data management plan (DMP) which details the types 
of data that will be generated, and how the project team will provide 
access for FTA or its designee to this project-related data for 
purposes of evaluation, and a subset to the public.
    m. A detailed description and supporting evidence (e.g., signed 
memorandum of understanding, executed data agreements, detailed plans 
on what and how to share data between partners, etc.) related to 
project data collection, management, sharing, and usage.
    n. A timeline of project implementation detailing all significant 
milestones and the roles of the responsible project partners. The 
timeline should include elements such as when the project will start, 
when it will be fully operational, and the length of time for 
anticipated data collection activities.
    o. Financials and Budget
     Identify funding requirements for the proposed project, 
noting the specific sources and uses for the funds proposed, with 
enough detail to indicate the various key components of the project.
     Document the matching funds, including amount and source 
of the match (may include local or private sector financial 
participation in the project), or documents supporting the commitment 
of non-Federal funding to the project, or a timeframe upon which those 
commitments would be made.
    Applicants may attach to the supplemental form supporting materials 
and documentation as appropriate. Applicants are encouraged to clearly 
reference all attachments in the Applicant and Proposal supplemental 
form. Suggested attachments include graphics, maps, letters of support, 
and other documents to support the proposal.

3. Dun and Bradstreet Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number and 
System for Award Management (SAM)

    Each applicant is required to: (i) Be registered in SAM before 
submitting its application; (ii) provide a valid DUNS number in its 
application; and (iii) continue to maintain an active SAM registration 
with current information at all times during which it has an active 
Federal award or an application under consideration by FTA. FTA may not 
make a grant award to an applicant until the applicant has complied 
with all applicable DUNS and SAM requirements. FTA will review an 
applicant's SAM registration status to make responsibility 
determination.
    These requirements do not apply if the applicant: (1) Is an 
individual; (2) is excepted from the requirements under 2 CFR 25.110(b) 
or (c); or (3) has an exception approved by FTA under 2 CFR 25.110(d). 
FTA may not make an award until the applicant has complied with all 
applicable unique entity identifier and SAM requirements. If an 
applicant has not fully complied with the requirements by the time FTA 
is ready to make an award, FTA may determine that the applicant is not 
qualified to receive an award and use that determination as a basis for 
making a Federal award to another applicant. All applicants must 
provide a unique entity identifier provided by SAM. Registration in SAM 
may take as little as 3-5 business days, but there can be unexpected 
steps or delays. For example, the applicant may need to obtain an 
Employer Identification Number. FTA recommends allowing ample time, up 
to several weeks, to complete all steps. For additional information on 
obtaining a unique entity identifier, please visit www.sam.gov.

4. Submission Dates and Times

    Project proposals must be submitted electronically through 
GRANTS.GOV by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on August 6, 2019. Mail and fax 
submissions will not be accepted.
    FTA urges applicants to submit applications at least 72 hours prior 
to the due date to allow time to correct any problems that may have 
caused either GRANTS.GOV or FTA systems to reject the submission. 
Proposals submitted after the deadline will only be considered under 
extraordinary circumstances not under the applicant's control. 
Deadlines will not be extended due to scheduled website maintenance. 
GRANTS.GOV scheduled maintenance and outage times are announced on the 
GRANTS.GOV website. Within 48 hours after submitting an electronic 
application, the applicant should receive two email messages from 
GRANTS.GOV: (1) Confirmation of successful transmission to GRANTS.GOV; 
and (2) confirmation of successful validation by GRANTS.GOV. If the 
applicant does not receive confirmation of successful validation or 
receives a notice of failed validation or incomplete materials, the 
applicant must address the reason for the failed validation, as 
described in the email notice, and resubmit before the submission 
deadline. If making a resubmission for any reason, applicants must 
include all original attachments regardless of which attachments were 
updated and check the box on the supplemental form indicating this is a 
resubmission.
    Applicants are encouraged to begin the process of registration on 
the GRANTS.GOV site well in advance of the submission deadline. 
Registration is a multi-step process, which may take several weeks to 
complete before an application can be submitted. Registered applicants 
may still be required to update their registration before submitting an 
application. Registration in SAM is renewed annually and persons making 
submissions on behalf of the Authorized Organization Representative 
(AOR) must be authorized in GRANTS.GOV by the AOR to make submissions.

5. Executive Order 12372 (Intergovernmental Review)

    The regulations effectuating Executive Order 12372 regarding 
intergovernmental consultation on Federal programs and activities apply 
to this NOFO.

6. Funding Restrictions

    Funds under this NOFO cannot be used to reimburse projects for 
otherwise eligible expenses incurred prior to FTA award of a 
Cooperative Agreement unless FTA has issued a ``Letter of No 
Prejudice'' for the project before the expenses are incurred.
    The Integrated Mobility Innovation Demonstration program is a 
research, development, and demonstration effort and as such FTA 
Research Circular 6100.1E rules will apply in administering the 
program.

7. Other Submission Requirements

    FTA encourages applicants to identify scaled funding options in 
case

[[Page 20189]]

insufficient funding is available to fund a project at the full 
requested amount. If an applicant indicates that a project is scalable, 
the applicant must provide an appropriate minimum funding amount that 
will fund an eligible project that achieves the objectives of the 
program and meets all relevant program requirements. The applicant must 
provide a clear explanation of how a reduced reward would affect the 
project budget. FTA may award a lesser amount regardless of whether the 
applicant provides a scalable option.

E. Application Review

1. Selection Criteria

    Project proposals will be evaluated by FTA per the following five 
selection criteria. FTA strongly encourages each applicant to 
demonstrate the responsiveness of a project to all criteria shown below 
with the most relevant information that the applicant can provide.
    The five selection criteria are:
    i. Project Impact and Outcomes--FTA is seeking projects that 
address demonstrated mobility needs in the local community and uncover 
the potential of integrated mobility innovation to benefit the mobility 
of all users, including those with a range of functional abilities. 
Applicants should provide adequate contextual information about the 
nature of these needs (supported with statistical analysis, operational 
data, maps, and/or diagrams, where relevant) and clearly articulate how 
their proposal is designed to address those challenges, and meet FTA's 
goals for Mobility Innovation.
    Applications should indicate how they expect to use the data they 
collect to evaluate the impact of their project, recognizing that 
ultimately this will involve collaboration between the applicant and an 
independent evaluator. Specifically, an essential element of all 
applications is a set of performance measures that clearly notes how 
success with the goals of the proposal will be measured and how the 
data will be collected.
    ii. Innovation--The application should discuss the expected utility 
of new service models, systems, and technologies in ways that advance 
FTA's mobility goals and the state of the practice. Applications that 
test multiple innovative approaches will be given higher consideration.
    iii. Transferability and Technology Transfer--Since knowledge 
transfer is a key goal of demonstrations, proposals that have a high 
degree of transferability to other public transportation agencies and 
locations or are otherwise scalable will be given priority. 
Additionally, applicants should note how they will support technology 
transfer of their findings, and are encouraged to note outreach 
mechanisms to support information sharing.
    iv. Project Approach--The proposed project must be explained in 
sufficient detail and clarity to engender confidence in its eventual 
success. The proposal should present a realistic and detailed 
description of the overall project workflow, delineating project roles 
and responsibilities, and noting potential project risks and 
mitigations. The project budget should be supported by documentation on 
the source and credibility of the estimates. Sources of local matching 
funds should be clearly identified and documented, noting any 
restrictions or limitations to use. A robust evaluation framework 
should be provided, including details on how relevant demonstration 
data will both be collected, stored, and shared, with assurances that 
there are no contractual or other impediments to sharing data with FTA 
and the independent evaluator. FTA favors applications that evidence 
detailed readiness (such as a signed data agreement) among all project 
partners for project data collection, management, sharing, and use. 
Applications that demonstrate strong commitment to share data with FTA, 
in a way that addresses confidential business information (CBI) or 
Personally Identifiable Information (PII) concerns, will be viewed more 
positively.
    v. Team Capacity, Experience, and Commitment--Applicants should 
provide information on the experience and capabilities of the project 
management team and implementation staff, and the extent of local 
commitment to the project and any relevant partnerships, including with 
other public-sector entities. Applications must evidence an 
understanding of the current state of the practice in mobility. 
Applicants are advised to submit information on partners' qualification 
and experience as a part of the application. FTA is seeking proposals 
that minimize project risk through appropriate staffing and robust 
community support. However, prior experience with similar projects is 
not required.
    Each selection criterion will be judged in the frame of the Area of 
Inquiry identified by the applicant. Therefore, applicants should 
clearly reference how their proposal advances the specific goals, 
objectives, and other intents of the applicable Area of Inquiry as they 
address the selection criteria.

2. Review and Selection Process

    A technical evaluation panel comprising FTA, other Departmental, 
and/or Federal agency staff will review project proposals against the 
selection criteria listed above. The technical evaluation committee may 
seek clarification from any applicant about any statement made in a 
proposal. FTA may also request additional documentation or information 
to be considered during the evaluation process. After the evaluation of 
all eligible proposals, the technical evaluation committee will provide 
project recommendations to the FTA Administrator. The FTA Administrator 
will determine the final list of project selections, and the amount of 
funding for each project. Geographic diversity, diversity of project 
type, the applicant's receipt of other Federal funding, and projects 
located in or that support public transportation service in a qualified 
opportunity zone designated pursuant to 26 U.S.C. 1400Z-1 may be 
considered in FTA's award decisions. FTA may prioritize projects 
proposed with a higher local share.
    In addition to the criteria and considerations outlined in this 
section, the FTA Administrator will consider the following key 
Departmental objectives:
     Supporting economic vitality at the national and regional 
level;
     Leveraging Federal funding to attract other, non-Federal 
sources of investment, including value capture;
     Using innovative approaches to improve safety and expedite 
project delivery; and
     Holding grant recipients accountable for their performance 
and achieving specific, measurable outcomes with supporting data.

F. Federal Award Administration

1. Federal Award Notice

    The FTA Administrator will announce the final project selections on 
the FTA website.

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

i. Independent Evaluation
    Projects funded under this announcement will be subject to 
evaluation by an independent evaluator selected and funded separately 
by FTA. Recipients will be required to coordinate with the independent 
evaluator to assist in developing an evaluation plan; and collecting, 
storing, and managing data required to fulfill that evaluation plan.

[[Page 20190]]

ii. Draft Mobility Metrics
    Projects funded under this announcement will be required to support 
the efforts of FTA or its designee to evaluate the project and its 
outcomes against a set of in-development Mobility Metrics, which will 
be shared with selected project teams upon award.
iii. Data Access and Data Sharing
    Projects funded under this announcement will be required to gather 
and share all relevant and required data with the FTA within 
appropriate and agreed-upon timelines, to support project evaluation.
    The Department may make available a secure data system to store 
data for evaluation (more information available at https://its.dot.gov/data/secure/), or projects may suggest an appropriate third-party 
system where Departmental analysts can conduct their work, with FTA 
approval. Applicants should budget for the costs of data storage and 
sharing as appropriate.
    In response to the White House Office of Science and Technology 
Policy memorandum dated February 22, 2013, entitled Increasing Access 
to the Results of Federally Funded Scientific Research, the Department 
is incorporating Public Access requirements into all funding awards 
(grants and cooperative agreements) for scientific research. All work 
conducted under the Integrated Mobility Innovation Demonstration 
program must follow the Department data policies outlined in the DOT 
Public Access Plan at: https://ntl.bts.gov/public-access/how-comply. 
Recipients are required to include these obligations in any sub-awards 
or other related funding agreements.
    The FTA expects Recipients to remove CBI and PII before providing 
public access to project data. Recipients must ensure the appropriate 
data are accessible to the FTA and/or the public for a minimum of five 
years after the award period of performance expires.
    Additionally, information submitted as part of or in support of an 
IMI Demonstration program-funded project shall make every attempt to 
use publicly available data or data that can be made public and 
methodologies that are accepted by industry practice and standards, to 
the extent possible. FTA recognizes that certain partnerships may pose 
a challenge to data sharing and will work with each recipient to 
develop an appropriate data management plan (DMP) building upon the 
preliminary DMP submitted in the application.
    Recipients must make available to the Department copies of all work 
developed in performance of a project funded under this announcement, 
including but not limited to software and data. Data rights shall be in 
accordance with 2 CFR 200.315, Intangible property.
    If the submission includes information the applicant considers to 
be trade secret or confidential commercial or financial information, 
the applicant should do the following: (1) Note on the front cover that 
the submission ``Contains Confidential Business Information (CBI)''; 
(2) mark each affected page ``CBI''; and (3) highlight or otherwise 
denote the CBI portions. FTA protects such information from disclosure 
to the extent allowed under applicable law. If FTA receives a Freedom 
of Information Act (FOIA) request for the information, FTA will follow 
the procedures described in the Department's FOIA regulations at 49 CFR 
part 7.
iv. Knowledge and Technology Transfer
    Project teams may be asked to participate in information exchange 
meetings, webinars, or outreach events to support FTA's goal of 
advancing the state of the practice. Project teams will be required to 
work with FTA to support knowledge transfer by participating in a 
relevant community of practice or similar activity. Applicants should 
allocate a portion of their budgets to support such work, which may 
include travel or presentations at key industry gatherings, such as 
conferences of the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), 
Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA), American 
Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), 
Intelligent Transportation Society of America (ITSA) America, 
Transportation Research Board (TRB), and the Department, among others.
    Projects with significant potential impacts on the mobility of 
persons with disabilities will be specifically encouraged to 
participate in FTA-supported cross-program coordination efforts. Such 
collaboration will bring together experts from the public, private, 
government, and academic sectors who share information and lessons 
learned from the development of technologies and business models with 
the potential to reduce the mobility barrier facing those with 
disabilities. The intent of this participation is to promote the 
success of projects funded under this NOFO, and to transfer knowledge 
and practices specific to accessibility.
v. Equity and Accessibility Planning
    Funded projects will be required to produce, within 4 months of 
award, a draft equity and accessibility plan. Such plans will clearly 
identify the steps to be taken to ensure the usability of the proposed 
service or technology by people with disabilities, as well as those who 
are unbanked or have lower incomes. As part of these plans, projects 
will be required to engage a stakeholder group comprised of 
representatives of impacted communities, and to clearly identify how 
stakeholder input will be garnered and utilized in the project's 
development.
vi. Pre-Award Authority
    FTA will issue specific guidance to recipients regarding pre-award 
authority at the time of selection. FTA does not provide pre-award 
authority for discretionary funds until projects are selected, and even 
then, there are Federal requirements that must be met before costs are 
incurred. For more information about FTA's policy on pre-award 
authority, please see the FY 2018 Apportionment Notice published on 
July 16, 2018. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2018-07-16/pdf/2018-14989.pdf.
vii. Planning
    FTA encourages applicants to notify the appropriate State 
Departments of Transportation and Metropolitan Planning Organizations 
(MPO) in areas likely to be served by the project funds made available 
under these initiatives and programs.
viii. Standard Assurances
    The applicant assures that it will comply with all applicable 
Federal statutes, regulations, executive orders, directives, FTA 
circulars, and other Federal administrative requirements in carrying 
out any project supported by the FTA agreement. The applicant 
acknowledges that it is under a continuing obligation to comply with 
the terms and conditions of the grant or cooperative agreement issued 
for its project with FTA. The applicant understands that Federal laws, 
regulations, policies, and administrative practices might be modified 
from time to time and may affect the implementation of the project. The 
applicant agrees that the most recent Federal requirements will apply 
to the project, unless FTA issues a written determination otherwise. 
The applicant must submit the Certifications and Assurances before 
entering into a grant or cooperative agreement if it does not have 
current certifications on file.

[[Page 20191]]

ix. Buy America
    FTA requires that all capital procurements meet FTA's Buy America 
requirements per 49 U.S.C. 5323(j), which require that all iron, steel, 
or manufactured products be produced in the United States. Federal 
public transportation law provides for a phased increase in the 
domestic content for rolling stock. For FY 2019, the cost of components 
and subcomponents produced in the United States must be more than 65 
percent of the cost of all components. For FY 2020 and beyond, the cost 
of components and subcomponents produced in the United States must be 
more than 70 percent of the cost of all components. There is no change 
to the requirement that final assembly of rolling stock must occur in 
the United States. FTA issued guidance on the implementation of the 
phased increase in domestic content on September 1, 2016 (81 FR 60278). 
Applicants should read the policy guidance carefully to determine the 
applicable domestic content requirement for their project. Any proposal 
that will require a waiver must identify in the application the items 
for which a waiver will be sought. Applicants should not proceed with 
the expectation that waivers will be granted, nor should applicants 
assume that selection of a project under the Low-No Program that 
includes a partnership with a manufacturer, vendor, consultant, or 
other third party constitutes a waiver of the Buy America requirements 
applicable at the time the project is undertaken. Consistent with 
Executive Order 13858 Strengthening Buy-American Preferences for 
Infrastructure Projects, signed by President Trump on January 31, 2019, 
applicants should maximize the use of goods, products, and materials 
produced in the United States, in Federal procurements and through the 
terms and conditions of Federal financial assistance awards. Additional 
information on Buy America requirements can be found at https://www.transit.dot.gov/buyamerica.

G. Federal Awarding Agency Contacts

    For further information concerning this NOFO, please contact Mr. 
Hendrik Opstelten by phone at 202-366-8094, or by email at 
[email protected]. A TDD is available for individuals who are 
deaf or hard of hearing at 800-877-8339. In addition, FTA will post 
answers to questions and requests for clarifications on FTA's website 
at https://www.transit.dot.gov/imi. To ensure applicants receive 
accurate information about eligibility or the program, the applicant is 
encouraged to contact FTA directly, rather than through intermediaries 
or third parties, with questions.

    Issued in Washington, DC.
K. Jane Williams,
Acting Administrator.

Address Name
Address Line 2

City, State, Zip

Dear Name:

    Thank you for your letter supporting the application submitted by 
Applicant under the U.S. Department of Transportation's Fiscal Year 
(FY) 2019 Integrated Mobility Innovation (IMI) Demonstration program.
    The IMI Demonstration program is administered by the Federal 
Transit Administration (FTA), and funded under Federal public 
transportation law (49 U.S.C. 5312) through the Federal Public 
Transportation Innovation program. FTA expects to award several 
cooperative agreements up to a total of $15 million under this program.
    The IMI Demonstration program's primary purpose is to fund projects 
that demonstrate innovative, effective approaches, practices, 
partnerships, and technologies to enhance public transportation 
effectiveness, increase efficiency, expand quality, promote safety, and 
improve the traveler's experience. The program will fund solutions in 
one or more of the three areas identified in the notice of funding 
opportunity: Mobility on Demand, Transit Automation, and Mobility 
Payment Integration.
    All properly submitted applications for this funding will receive 
full and careful consideration. FTA will announce final project 
selections after the review process is complete.
    Your interest in this program is appreciated.

Sincerely,

Signatory

[FR Doc. 2019-09269 Filed 5-7-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-57-P