83 FR 32185 - FY 2018 Competitive Funding Opportunity: Public Transportation on Indian Reservations Program; Tribal Transit Program

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Transit Administration

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 133 (July 11, 2018)

Page Range		32185-32189
FR Document		2018-14748

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announces the availability of approximately $5 million in funding provided by the Public Transportation on Indian Reservations Program (Tribal Transit Program). This notice is a national solicitation for project proposals and includes the selection criteria and program eligibility information for Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 projects. FTA may fund the program for more or less than the full year appropriation when made available, and may include other funding if available from prior fiscal years toward project proposals received in response to this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). This announcement is available on the FTA website at: http:// www.transit.dot.gov. Additionally, a synopsis of the funding opportunity, FTA-2018-001-TPM-TR, will be posted in the FIND module of the government-wide electronic grants website at http://www.grants.gov. The program is located in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) under 20.509.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 133 (Wednesday, July 11, 2018)

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 133 (Wednesday, July 11, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32185-32189]
From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-14748]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Transit Administration

FY 2018 Competitive Funding Opportunity: Public Transportation on
Indian Reservations Program; Tribal Transit Program

AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration (FTA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of funding opportunity (NOFO).

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SUMMARY: The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announces the
availability of approximately $5 million in funding provided by the
Public Transportation on Indian Reservations Program (Tribal Transit
Program). This notice is a national solicitation for project proposals
and includes the selection criteria and program eligibility information
for Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 projects. FTA may fund the program for more
or less than the full year appropriation when made available, and may
include other funding if available from prior fiscal years toward
project proposals received in response to this Notice of Funding
Opportunity (NOFO).
This announcement is available on the FTA website at: http://www.transit.dot.gov. Additionally, a synopsis of the funding
opportunity, FTA-2018-001-TPM-TR, will be posted in the FIND module of
the government-wide electronic grants website at http://www.grants.gov.
The program is located in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
(CFDA) under 20.509.

DATES: Complete proposals for the TTP announced in this Notice must be
submitted by 11:59 p.m. EDT on September 10, 2018. All proposals must
be submitted electronically through the GRANTS.GOV APPLY function. Any
applicant intending to apply should initiate the process of registering
on the GRANTS.GOV site immediately to ensure completion of registration
before the submission deadline. Instructions for applying can be found
on FTA's website at http://www.transit.dot.gov and in the ``FIND''
module of GRANTS.GOV. Mail and fax submissions will not be accepted.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact the appropriate FTA Regional
Office at http://www.transit.dot.gov for proposal-specific information
and issues. For general program information, contact Douglas Moore,
Office of Program Management, (202) 366-0876, email:
douglas.moore@dot.gov. A TDD is available at 1-800-877-8339 (TDD/FIRS).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Table of Contents

A. Program Description
B. Federal Award Information
C. Eligibility Information
D. Application and Submission Information
E. Application Review
F. Federal Award Administration
G. Federal Awarding Agency Contacts
Appendix A: Registering in SAM and Grants.gov

A. Program Description

The Tribal Transit Program is authorized by Federal Transit law 49
U.S.C. 5311(c)(1)(A), as amended by the Fixing America's Surface
Transportation (FAST) Act, Public Law 114-94 (December 4, 2015),
contingent on full appropriations. The FAST Act increased the Tribal
Transit formula program from $25 million to $30 million and continued
the $5 million competitive program authorized under 49 U.S.C.
5311(c)(1). The program authorizes grants ``under such terms and
conditions as may be established by the Secretary'' to Indian tribes
for any purpose eligible under FTA's Formula Grants for Rural Areas
Program, 49 U.S.C. 5311. Tribes may apply for this funding directly.
The primary purpose of these competitively selected grants is to
support planning, capital, and, in limited circumstances, operating
assistance for tribal public transit services. Funds distributed to
Indian tribes under the TTP should NOT replace or reduce funds that
Indian tribes receive from States through FTA's Formula Grants for
Rural Areas Program. Specific project eligibility under this
competitive allocation is described in Section C of this notice.

B. Federal Award Information

Five million dollars is authorized for the Tribal Transit
competitive allocation in FY 2018 to projects selected pursuant to the
process described in the following sections. Federal awards under this
competitive program will be in the form of grants. Additionally, there
is a $25,000 cap on planning grant awards, and FTA has the discretion
to cap capital and operating awards.

C. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants include federally recognized Indian tribes or
Alaska Native villages, groups, or communities as identified by the
U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA).
As evidence of Federal recognition, an Indian tribe may submit a copy
of the most up-to-date Federal Register notice published by BIA:
Entities Recognized and Eligible to Receive Service from the United
States Bureau of Indian Affairs. To be an eligible recipient, an Indian
tribe must have the requisite legal, financial and technical
capabilities to receive and administer Federal funds under this
program. Additionally, applicants must be located and provide service
in a rural area with a population of 50,000 or less. A service area can
include some portions of urban areas, as long as the tribal transit
service begins in and serves rural areas. An applicant must be
registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) database and
maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all
times during which it has an active Federal award or an application or
plan under consideration by FTA.

2. Cost Sharing or Matching

There is a 90 percent Federal share for projects selected under the
TTP competitive program, unless the Indian tribe can demonstrate a
financial hardship in its application. FTA is interested in the Indian
tribe's financial commitment to the proposed project, thus the proposal
should include a description of the Indian tribe's financial
commitment. Tribes may use any eligible local match under Chapter 53.

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3. Eligible Projects

Eligible projects include public transportation planning and
capital expenses. Operating projects are eligible in limited
circumstances. In FY 2018, FTA will only consider operating assistance
requests from tribes without existing transit service, or those tribes
who received a TTP formula allocation of less than $20,000.
Public transportation includes regular, continuing shared-ride
surface transportation services open to the public or open to a segment
of the public defined by age, disability, or low income. FTA will award
grants to eligible Indian tribes located in rural areas. Applicants may
submit one proposal for each project or one proposal containing
multiple projects. Specific types of projects include: Capital projects
for start-ups, replacement or expansion needs; operating assistance for
start-ups; and planning projects up to $25,000. Indian tribes applying
for capital replacement or expansion needs must demonstrate a
sustainable source of operating funds for existing or expanded
services.

D. Application and Submission Information

1. Address To Request Application Package

A complete proposal submission will consist of at least two files:
(1) The SF 424 Mandatory form (downloaded from GRANTS.GOV); and (2) the
Tribal Transit supplemental form found on the FTA website at http://www.transit.dot.gov. The Tribal Transit supplemental form provides
guidance and a consistent format for applicants to respond to the
criteria outlined in this NOFO.

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

(i) Proposal Submission
A complete proposal submission will consist of at least two files:
(1) The SF 424 Mandatory form (downloaded from GRANTS.GOV); and (2) the
Tribal Transit supplemental form found on the FTA website at http://www.transit.dot.gov. The applicant must place the supplemental form in
the attachments section of the SF-424 Mandatory form. Applicants must
use the supplemental form designated for TTP and attach the form to
their submission in GRANTS.GOV to complete the application process. A
proposal submission may include additional supporting documentation as
attachments. Within 24 to 48 hours after submitting an electronic
application, the applicant should receive three email messages from
GRANTS.GOV: (1) Confirmation of successful or unsuccessful transmission
to GRANTS.GOV; (2) confirmation of successful validation by GRANTS.GOV;
and (3) confirmation of successful validation by FTA. If the applicant
does not receive confirmations of successful validation or instead
receives a notice of failed validation or incomplete materials, the
applicant must address the reason(s) for the failed validation or
incomplete materials, as described in the notice, and resubmit the
proposal before the submission deadline. If making a resubmission for
any reason, the applicant must include all original attachments
regardless of which attachments were updated and check the box on the
supplemental form indicating this is a resubmission.
Complete instructions on the application process can be found at
http://www.transit.dot.gov. Important: FTA urges applicants to submit
their project proposals at least 72 hours prior to the due date to
allow time to receive the validation message and to correct any
problems that may have caused a rejection notification. FTA will not
accept submissions after the stated submission deadline. GRANTS.GOV
scheduled maintenance and outage times are announced on the GRANTS.GOV
website http://www.GRANTS.GOV. The deadline will not be extended due to
scheduled maintenance or outages.
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 proposers
may still be required to take steps to keep their registration up to
date before submissions can be made successfully: (1) Registration in
the SAM is renewed annually; and (2) persons making submissions on
behalf of the Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) must be
authorized in Grants.gov by the AOR to make submissions. Instructions
on the Grants.gov registration process are provided at https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants.html.
Applicants may submit one proposal for each project or one proposal
containing multiple projects. Applicants submitting multiple projects
in one proposal must be sure to clearly define each project by
completing a supplemental form for each project. Additional
supplemental forms must be added within the proposal by clicking the
``add project'' button in Section II of the supplemental form.
Information such as applicant name, Federal amount requested,
description of areas served, and other information may be requested in
varying degrees of detail on both the SF 424 form and supplemental
form. Applicants must fill in all fields unless stated otherwise on the
forms. Applicants 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, and ensure that the Federal and local
amounts specified are consistent.
(ii) Application Content
The SF 424 Mandatory Form and the Supplemental Form will prompt
applicants for the required information, including:
a. Name of federally recognized tribe and, if appropriate, the
specific tribal agency submitting the application.
b. Dun and Bradstreet (D&B) Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS)
number if available. (Note: If selected, applicant will be required to
provide DUNS number prior to grant award.)
c. Contact information including: Contact name, title, address, fax
and phone number, email address if available.
d. Description of public transportation services including areas
currently served by the tribe, if any.
e. Name of person(s) authorized to apply on applicant's behalf must
accompany the proposal (attach a signed transmittal letter).
f. Complete Project Description: Indicate the category for which
funding is requested (i.e., project type: capital, operating or
planning), and then indicate the project purpose (i.e., start-up,
expansion or replacement). Describe the proposed project and what it
will accomplish (e.g., number and type of vehicles, routes, service
area, schedules, type of services, fixed route or demand responsive,
safety aspects), route miles (if fixed route), ridership numbers
expected (actual if an existing system, estimated if a new system),
major origins and destinations, population served, and whether the
tribe provides the service directly, contracts for services, and note
vehicle maintenance plans.
g. Project Timeline: Include significant milestones such as date of
contract for purchase of vehicle(s), actual or expected delivery date
of vehicles; facility project phases (e.g., NEPA compliance, design,
construction); or dates for completion of planning studies. If applying
for operational funding for new services,

[[Page 32187]]

indicate the period of time funds are used to operate the system (e.g.,
one year). This section should also include any needed timelines for
tribal council project approvals, if applicable.
h. Budget: Provide a detailed budget for each proposed purpose
noting the Federal amount requested and any additional funds that will
be used. An Indian tribe may use up to fifteen percent of a grant award
for capital projects for specific project-related planning and
administration, and the indirect cost rate may not exceed ten percent
(if necessary add as an attachment) of the total amount requested/
awarded. Indian tribes must also provide their annual operating budget
as an attachment or under the Financial Commitment and Operating
Capacity section of the supplemental form.
i. Technical, Legal, Financial Capacity: Applicants must be able to
demonstrate adequate technical, legal and financial capacity to be
considered for funding. Every proposal MUST describe this capacity to
implement the proposed project.
1. Technical Capacity: Provide examples of management of other
Federal projects, including previously funded FTA projects and/or
similar types of projects for which funding is being requested.
Describe the resources available to implement the proposed transit
project.
2. Legal Capacity: Provide documentation or other evidence to
demonstrate status as a federally recognized Indian tribe. Further,
demonstrate evidence of an authorized representative with authority to
bind the applicant and execute legal agreements with FTA. If applying
for capital or operating funds, identify whether appropriate Federal or
State operating authority exists.
3. Financial Capacity: Provide documentation or other evidence
demonstrating current adequate financial systems to receive and manage
a Federal grant. Fully describe: (1) All financial systems and
controls; (2) other sources of funds currently managed; and (3) the
long-term financial capacity to maintain the proposed or existing
transit services.

3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM)

Each applicant is required to: (1) Be registered in SAM before
submitting an application; (2) provide a valid unique entity identifier
in its application; and (3) continue to maintain an active SAM
registration with current information at all times during which the
applicant has an active Federal award or an application or plan under
consideration by FTA. 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. SAM registration takes
approximately 3-5 business days, but FTA recommends allowing ample
time, up to several weeks, for completion of all steps.
Step 1: Obtain DUNS Number
If requested by phone (1-866-705-5711) DUNS is provided
immediately. If your organization does not have one, you will need to
go to the Dun & Bradstreet website at http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform to
obtain the number.
Step 2: Register With SAM
Three to five business days or up to two weeks. If you already have
a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), your SAM registration will take
three to five business days to process. If you are applying for an
Employer Identification Number (EIN) please allow up to two weeks.
Ensure that your organization is registered with the System for Award
Management (SAM) at https://www.sam.gov. If your organization is not,
an authorizing official of your organization must register.
Step 3: Establish an Account in Grants.gov--Username & Password
Complete your Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) profile
in Grants.gov and create your username and password. You will need to
use your organization's DUNS Number to complete this step. https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/OrcRegister.
Step 4: Grants.gov--AOR Authorization
The E-Business Point of Contact (E-Biz POC) at your organization
must login to Grants.gov to confirm an Authorized Organization
Representative (AOR). Please note that there can be more than one AOR
for your organization. In some cases the E-Biz POC is also the AOR for
an organization. *Time depends on responsiveness of your E-Biz POC.
Step 5: Track AOR Status
At any time, you can track your AOR status by logging in with your
username and password. Login as an Applicant (enter your username &
password you obtained in Step 3) using the following link:
applicant_profile.jsp.

4. Submission Dates and Times

Project proposals must be submitted electronically through
GRANTS.GOV by 11:59 p.m. EDT on September 10, 2018. Mail and fax
submissions will not be accepted. Proposals submitted after the
deadline will not be considered under any circumstance. Applications
are time and date stamped by the FTA's Discretionary Grants System
(DGS) upon successful submission.

5. Funding Restrictions

Funds must be used only for the specific purposes requested in the
application. Funds under this NOFO cannot be used to reimburse projects
for otherwise eligible expenses incurred prior to FTA award under this
program.

6. Other Submission Requirements

FTA requires that all project proposals be submitted electronically
through http://www.GRANTS.GOV by 11:59 p.m. EDT on September 10, 2018.
Mail and fax submissions will not be accepted.

E. Application Review

1. Selection Criteria

FTA will use the following primary selection criteria when
evaluating competing capital and operating assistance projects eligible
under this program. Applications will be evaluated based on the quality
and extent to which the following evaluation criteria are addressed.
i. Planning and Local/Regional Prioritization
Applications will be evaluated based on the degree to which the
applicant: (1) Describes how the proposed project was developed; (2)
demonstrates that a sound basis for the project exists; and (3)
demonstrates that the applicant is ready to implement the project if
funded. Information may vary depending upon how the planning process
for the project was conducted and what is being requested. Planning and
local/regional prioritization should:
a. Describe the planning document and/or the planning process
conducted to identify the proposed project;
b. Provide a detailed project description including the proposed
service, vehicle and facility needs, and other pertinent
characteristics of the

[[Page 32188]]

proposed or existing service implementation;
c. Identify existing transportation services in and near the
proposed service area, and document in detail whether the proposed
project will provide opportunities to coordinate service with existing
transit services, including human service agencies, intercity bus
services, or other public transit providers;
d. Discuss the level of support by the community and/or tribal
government for the proposed project;
e. Describe how the mobility and client-access needs of tribal
human services agencies were considered in the planning process;
f. Describe what opportunities for public participation were
provided in the planning process and how the proposed transit service
or existing service has been coordinated with transportation provided
for the clients of human services agencies, with intercity bus
transportation in the area, or with any other rural public transit
providers;
g. Describe how the proposed service complements rather than
duplicates any currently available services;
h. Describe the implementation schedule for the proposed project,
including time period, staffing, and procurement; and
i. Describe any other planning or coordination efforts not
mentioned above.
ii. Project Readiness
Applications will be evaluated on the degree to which the applicant
describes readiness to implement the project. The project readiness
factor involves assessing whether:
a. Project is a Categorical Exclusion (CE) or the required
environmental work has been initiated or completed for construction
projects requiring an Environmental Assessment (EA) or Environmental
Impact Statement (EIS) under, among others, the National Environmental
Policy Act of 1969, as Amended;
b. Project implementation plans are complete, including initial
design of facilities Projects;
c. Project funds can be obligated and the project can be
implemented quickly, if selected; and
d. Applicant demonstrates the ability to carry out the proposed
project successfully.
iii. Demonstration of Need
Applications will be evaluated based on the degree to which the
applicant identifies the need for transit resources. In addition to
project-specific criteria, FTA will consider the project's impact on
service delivery and whether the project represents a one-time or
periodic need that cannot reasonably be funded from the FTA program
formula allocations or State and/or local resources. FTA will evaluate
how the proposal demonstrates the transit needs of the Indian tribe as
well as how the proposed transit improvements or the new service will
address identified transit needs. Proposals should include information
such as destinations and services not currently accessible by transit,
needs for access to jobs or health care, safety enhancements or special
needs of elders, individuals with disabilities, behavioral health care
needs of youth, income-based community needs, or other mobility needs.
If an applicant received a planning grant in previous fiscal years, it
should indicate the status of the planning study and how the proposed
project relates to that study.
Applicants applying for capital expansion or replacement projects
should also address the following factors in their proposal. If the
proposal is for capital funding associated with an expansion or
expanded service, the applicant should describe how current or growing
demand for the service necessitates the expansion (and therefore, more
capital) and/or the degree to how the project is addressing a current
capacity constraint. Capital replacement projects should include
information about the age, condition, and performance of the asset to
be replaced by the proposed project and/or how the replacement may be
necessary to maintain the transit system in a state of good repair.
iv. Demonstration of Benefits
Applications will be evaluated based on the degree to which the
applicant identifies expected or, in the case of existing service,
achieved project benefits. FTA is particularly interested in how these
investments will improve the quality of life for the tribe and
surrounding communities in which it is located. Applicants should
describe how the transportation service or capital investment will
provide greater access to employment opportunities, educational
centers, healthcare, or other needs that profoundly impact the quality
of life for the community, as described in the program purpose above.
Possible examples include increased or sustained ridership and daily
trips, improved service, elimination of gaps in service, improved
operations and coordination, increased reliability, health care,
education, and economic benefits to the community. Benefits can be
demonstrated by identifying the population of tribal members and non-
tribal members in the proposed project service area and estimating the
number of daily one-way trips the proposed transit service will provide
or the actual number of individual riders served. Applicants are
encouraged to consider qualitative and quantitative benefits to the
Indian tribe and to the surrounding communities that are meaningful to
them.
Based on the information provided under the demonstration of
benefits, FTA will rate proposals based on the quality and extent to
which they discuss the following four factors:
a. The project's ability to improve transit efficiency or increase
ridership;
b. Whether the project will improve or maintain mobility, or
eliminate gaps in service for the Indian tribe;
c. Whether the project will improve or maintain access to important
destinations and services;
d. Any other qualitative benefits, such as greater access to jobs,
education and health care services.
v. Financial Commitment and Operating Capacity
Applications must identify the source of local match (10 percent is
required for all operating and capital projects), and any other funding
sources used by the Indian tribe to support proposed transit services,
including human service transportation funding, FHWA's Tribal
Transportation Program funding, or other FTA programs. If requesting
that FTA waive the local match based on financial hardship, the
applicant must submit budgets and sources of other revenue to
demonstrate hardship. FTA will review this information and notify
tribes at the time of award if the waiver is approved. If applicable,
the applicant also should describe how prior year TTP funds were spent
to date to support the service. Additionally, Indian tribes applying to
operate new services should provide a sustainable funding plan that
demonstrates how it intends to maintain operations.

[[Page 32189]]

In evaluating proposals, FTA will consider any other resources the
Indian tribe will contribute to the project, including in-kind
contributions, commitments of support from local businesses, donations
of land or equipment, and human resources. The proposal should describe
to what extent the new project or funding for existing service
leverages other funding. Based upon the information provided, the
proposals will be rated on the extent to which the proposal
demonstrates that:
a. TTP funding does not replace existing funding;
b. The Indian tribe will provide non-financial support to the
project;
c. The Indian tribe is able to demonstrate a sustainable funding
plan; and
d. Project funds are used in coordination with other services for
efficient utilization of funds.
vi. Evaluation Criteria for Planning Proposals
For planning grants, the proposal must describe the need for and a
general scope of the proposed study. Applications will be evaluated
based on the degree to which the applicant addresses the following:
1. The tribe's long-term commitment to transit; and
2. The method used to implement the proposed study and/or further
tribal transit.

2. Review and Selection Process

An FTA technical evaluation committee will review proposals under
the project evaluation criteria. Members of the technical evaluation
committee and other involved FTA staff reserve the right to screen,
rate the applications, and seek clarification about any statement in an
application. After consideration of the findings of the technical
evaluation committee, the FTA Administrator will determine the final
selection and amount of funding for each project. Geographic diversity
and the applicant's receipt and management of other Federal transit
funds may be considered in FTA's award decisions. After applying the
above preferences, the FTA Administrator will consider the following
key Departmental objectives:
(A) Supporting economic vitality at the national and regional
level;
(B) Utilizing alternative funding sources and innovative financing
models to attract non-Federal sources of infrastructure investment;
(C) Accounting for the life-cycle costs of the project to promote
the state of good repair;
(D) Using innovative approaches to improve safety and expedite
project delivery; and,
(E) Holding grant recipients accountable for their performance and
achieving specific, measurable outcomes identified by grant applicants.
Prior to making an award, FTA is required to review and consider
any information about the applicant that is in the designated integrity
and performance system accessible through SAM (currently FAPIIS). An
applicant, at its option, may review information in the designated
integrity and performance systems accessible through SAM and comment on
any information about itself that a Federal awarding agency previously
entered and is currently in the designated integrity and performance
system accessible through SAM.

F. Federal Award Administration

1. Federal Award Notice

FTA will publish a list of the selected projects, including Federal
dollar amounts and award recipients on the FTA's website. Project
recipients should contact their FTA Regional Offices and tribal liaison
for information about setting up grants in FTA's Transit Award
Management System (TrAMS).

2. Award Administration

Successful proposals will be awarded through FTA's TrAMS as grant
agreements. The appropriate FTA Regional Office and tribal liaison will
manage project agreements.

3. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

Except as otherwise provided in this NOFO, TTP grants are subject
to the requirements of 49 U.S.C. 5311(c)(1) as described in the latest
FTA Circular 9040 for the Formula Grants for Rural Areas Program.

4. Reporting

The post award reporting requirements include submission of the
Federal Financial Report (FFR) and Milestone Progress Report in TrAMs,
and FTA's National Transit Database (NTD) reporting as appropriate (see
FTA Circular 9040). Reports to TrAMS and NTD are due annually.

G. Federal Awarding Agency Contacts

For further information concerning this notice, please contact
Douglas Moore, Office of Program Management, (202) 366-0876, email:
douglas.moore@dot.gov. A TDD is available at 1-800-877-8339 (TDD/FIRS).

H. Other Information

This program is not subject to Executive Order 12372,
``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.'' FTA will consider
applications for funding only from eligible recipients for eligible
projects listed in Section C-2. Due to funding limitations, applicants
that are selected for funding may receive less than the amount
requested.
Additionally, to assist tribes with understanding requirements
under the TTP, FTA has conducted Tribal Transit Technical Assistance
Workshops and will continue those efforts in FY 2018. FTA has expanded
its technical assistance to tribes receiving funds under this program.
Through the Tribal Transit Technical Assistance Assessments Initiative,
FTA collaborates with Tribal Transit Leaders to review processes and
identify areas in need of improvement and then assists to offer
solutions to address these needs--all in a supportive and mutually
beneficial manner that results in technical assistance. FTA has
completed thirty assessments to date and expects to conduct fifteen
assessments in FY 2018. These assessments include discussions of
compliance areas pursuant to the Master Agreement, a site visit,
promising practices reviews, and technical assistance from FTA and its
contractors. These workshops and assessments have received exemplary
feedback from Tribal Transit Leaders and provided FTA with invaluable
opportunities to learn more about Tribal Transit Leaders' perspectives
and better honor the sovereignty of tribal nations.
FTA will post information about upcoming workshops to its website
and will disseminate information about the assessments through its
regional offices.
Contact information for FTA's regional offices can be found on
FTA's website at www.transit.dot.gov. Applicants may also receive
technical assistance by contacting their FTA regional Tribal Liaison. A
list of Tribal Liaisons is available on FTA's website at
www.transit.dot.gov.

Issued in Washington, DC.
K. Jane Williams,
Acting Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2018-14748 Filed 7-10-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P

32188 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 133 / Wednesday, July 11, 2018 / Notices

proposed or existing service iii. Demonstration of Need needs that profoundly impact the
implementation; Applications will be evaluated based quality of life for the community, as
c. Identify existing transportation on the degree to which the applicant described in the program purpose
services in and near the proposed identifies the need for transit resources. above. Possible examples include
service area, and document in detail In addition to project-specific criteria, increased or sustained ridership and
whether the proposed project will FTA will consider the project’s impact daily trips, improved service,
provide opportunities to coordinate on service delivery and whether the elimination of gaps in service, improved
service with existing transit services, project represents a one-time or periodic operations and coordination, increased
including human service agencies, need that cannot reasonably be funded reliability, health care, education, and
intercity bus services, or other public from the FTA program formula economic benefits to the community.
transit providers; allocations or State and/or local Benefits can be demonstrated by
d. Discuss the level of support by the resources. FTA will evaluate how the identifying the population of tribal
community and/or tribal government for proposal demonstrates the transit needs members and non-tribal members in the
the proposed project; of the Indian tribe as well as how the proposed project service area and
e. Describe how the mobility and proposed transit improvements or the estimating the number of daily one-way
client-access needs of tribal human new service will address identified trips the proposed transit service will
services agencies were considered in the transit needs. Proposals should include provide or the actual number of
planning process; information such as destinations and individual riders served. Applicants are
f. Describe what opportunities for services not currently accessible by encouraged to consider qualitative and
public participation were provided in transit, needs for access to jobs or health quantitative benefits to the Indian tribe
the planning process and how the care, safety enhancements or special and to the surrounding communities
proposed transit service or existing needs of elders, individuals with that are meaningful to them.
service has been coordinated with disabilities, behavioral health care Based on the information provided
transportation provided for the clients needs of youth, income-based under the demonstration of benefits,
of human services agencies, with community needs, or other mobility FTA will rate proposals based on the
intercity bus transportation in the area, needs. If an applicant received a quality and extent to which they discuss
or with any other rural public transit planning grant in previous fiscal years, the following four factors:
providers; it should indicate the status of the a. The project’s ability to improve
g. Describe how the proposed service planning study and how the proposed transit efficiency or increase ridership;
complements rather than duplicates any project relates to that study. b. Whether the project will improve or
currently available services; Applicants applying for capital maintain mobility, or eliminate gaps in
expansion or replacement projects service for the Indian tribe;
h. Describe the implementation
should also address the following c. Whether the project will improve or
schedule for the proposed project,
factors in their proposal. If the proposal maintain access to important
including time period, staffing, and
is for capital funding associated with an destinations and services;
procurement; and
expansion or expanded service, the d. Any other qualitative benefits, such
i. Describe any other planning or as greater access to jobs, education and
applicant should describe how current
coordination efforts not mentioned health care services.
or growing demand for the service
above.
necessitates the expansion (and v. Financial Commitment and Operating
ii. Project Readiness therefore, more capital) and/or the Capacity
degree to how the project is addressing
Applications will be evaluated on the Applications must identify the source
a current capacity constraint. Capital
degree to which the applicant describes of local match (10 percent is required
replacement projects should include
readiness to implement the project. The for all operating and capital projects),
information about the age, condition,
project readiness factor involves and any other funding sources used by
and performance of the asset to be
assessing whether: the Indian tribe to support proposed
replaced by the proposed project and/or
a. Project is a Categorical Exclusion how the replacement may be necessary transit services, including human
(CE) or the required environmental work to maintain the transit system in a state service transportation funding, FHWA’s
has been initiated or completed for of good repair. Tribal Transportation Program funding,
construction projects requiring an or other FTA programs. If requesting
Environmental Assessment (EA) or iv. Demonstration of Benefits that FTA waive the local match based
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Applications will be evaluated based on financial hardship, the applicant
under, among others, the National on the degree to which the applicant must submit budgets and sources of
Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as identifies expected or, in the case of other revenue to demonstrate hardship.
Amended; existing service, achieved project FTA will review this information and
b. Project implementation plans are benefits. FTA is particularly interested notify tribes at the time of award if the
complete, including initial design of in how these investments will improve waiver is approved. If applicable, the
facilities Projects; the quality of life for the tribe and applicant also should describe how
c. Project funds can be obligated and surrounding communities in which it is prior year TTP funds were spent to date
the project can be implemented quickly, located. Applicants should describe to support the service. Additionally,
if selected; and how the transportation service or capital Indian tribes applying to operate new
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d. Applicant demonstrates the ability investment will provide greater access services should provide a sustainable
to carry out the proposed project to employment opportunities, funding plan that demonstrates how it
successfully. educational centers, healthcare, or other intends to maintain operations.

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Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 133 / Wednesday, July 11, 2018 / Notices 32189

In evaluating proposals, FTA will (C) Accounting for the life-cycle costs (202) 366–0876, email: douglas.moore@
consider any other resources the Indian of the project to promote the state of dot.gov. A TDD is available at 1–800–
tribe will contribute to the project, good repair; 877–8339 (TDD/FIRS).
including in-kind contributions, (D) Using innovative approaches to
commitments of support from local improve safety and expedite project H. Other Information
businesses, donations of land or delivery; and, This program is not subject to
equipment, and human resources. The (E) Holding grant recipients
Executive Order 12372,
proposal should describe to what extent accountable for their performance and
‘‘Intergovernmental Review of Federal
the new project or funding for existing achieving specific, measurable
Programs.’’ FTA will consider
service leverages other funding. Based outcomes identified by grant applicants.
Prior to making an award, FTA is applications for funding only from
upon the information provided, the
required to review and consider any eligible recipients for eligible projects
proposals will be rated on the extent to
which the proposal demonstrates that: information about the applicant that is listed in Section C–2. Due to funding
in the designated integrity and limitations, applicants that are selected
a. TTP funding does not replace for funding may receive less than the
existing funding; performance system accessible through
SAM (currently FAPIIS). An applicant, amount requested.
b. The Indian tribe will provide non-
at its option, may review information in Additionally, to assist tribes with
financial support to the project;
the designated integrity and understanding requirements under the
c. The Indian tribe is able to performance systems accessible through TTP, FTA has conducted Tribal Transit
demonstrate a sustainable funding plan; SAM and comment on any information Technical Assistance Workshops and
and about itself that a Federal awarding will continue those efforts in FY 2018.
d. Project funds are used in agency previously entered and is FTA has expanded its technical
coordination with other services for currently in the designated integrity and assistance to tribes receiving funds
efficient utilization of funds. performance system accessible through under this program. Through the Tribal
vi. Evaluation Criteria for Planning SAM. Transit Technical Assistance
Proposals F. Federal Award Administration Assessments Initiative, FTA collaborates
with Tribal Transit Leaders to review
For planning grants, the proposal 1. Federal Award Notice processes and identify areas in need of
must describe the need for and a general FTA will publish a list of the selected improvement and then assists to offer
scope of the proposed study. projects, including Federal dollar solutions to address these needs—all in
Applications will be evaluated based on amounts and award recipients on the a supportive and mutually beneficial
the degree to which the applicant FTA’s website. Project recipients should manner that results in technical
addresses the following: contact their FTA Regional Offices and assistance. FTA has completed thirty
1. The tribe’s long-term commitment tribal liaison for information about assessments to date and expects to
to transit; and setting up grants in FTA’s Transit conduct fifteen assessments in FY 2018.
2. The method used to implement the Award Management System (TrAMS). These assessments include discussions
proposed study and/or further tribal of compliance areas pursuant to the
2. Award Administration
transit. Master Agreement, a site visit,
Successful proposals will be awarded
2. Review and Selection Process promising practices reviews, and
through FTA’s TrAMS as grant
technical assistance from FTA and its
An FTA technical evaluation agreements. The appropriate FTA
contractors. These workshops and
committee will review proposals under Regional Office and tribal liaison will
manage project agreements. assessments have received exemplary
the project evaluation criteria. Members feedback from Tribal Transit Leaders
of the technical evaluation committee 3. Administrative and National Policy and provided FTA with invaluable
and other involved FTA staff reserve the Requirements opportunities to learn more about Tribal
right to screen, rate the applications, Transit Leaders’ perspectives and better
and seek clarification about any Except as otherwise provided in this
NOFO, TTP grants are subject to the honor the sovereignty of tribal nations.
statement in an application. After
consideration of the findings of the requirements of 49 U.S.C. 5311(c)(1) as FTA will post information about
technical evaluation committee, the described in the latest FTA Circular upcoming workshops to its website and
FTA Administrator will determine the 9040 for the Formula Grants for Rural will disseminate information about the
final selection and amount of funding Areas Program. assessments through its regional offices.
for each project. Geographic diversity 4. Reporting Contact information for FTA’s
and the applicant’s receipt and regional offices can be found on FTA’s
The post award reporting
management of other Federal transit website at www.transit.dot.gov.
requirements include submission of the
funds may be considered in FTA’s Applicants may also receive technical
Federal Financial Report (FFR) and
award decisions. After applying the assistance by contacting their FTA
Milestone Progress Report in TrAMs,
above preferences, the FTA regional Tribal Liaison. A list of Tribal
and FTA’s National Transit Database
Administrator will consider the Liaisons is available on FTA’s website at
(NTD) reporting as appropriate (see FTA
following key Departmental objectives:
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Circular 9040). Reports to TrAMS and www.transit.dot.gov.
(A) Supporting economic vitality at NTD are due annually. Issued in Washington, DC.
the national and regional level;
(B) Utilizing alternative funding G. Federal Awarding Agency Contacts K. Jane Williams,
sources and innovative financing For further information concerning Acting Administrator.
models to attract non-Federal sources of this notice, please contact Douglas [FR Doc. 2018–14748 Filed 7–10–18; 8:45 am]
infrastructure investment; Moore, Office of Program Management, BILLING CODE P

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Document Created: 2018-07-10 23:53:31
Document Modified: 2018-07-10 23:53:31

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Notices
Action		Notice of funding opportunity (NOFO).
Dates		Complete proposals for the TTP announced in this Notice must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. EDT on September 10, 2018. All proposals must be submitted electronically through the GRANTS.GOV APPLY function. Any applicant intending to apply should initiate the process of registering on the GRANTS.GOV site immediately to ensure completion of registration before the submission deadline. Instructions for applying can be found on FTA's website at http://www.transit.dot.gov and in the ``FIND'' module of GRANTS.GOV. Mail and fax submissions will not be accepted.
Contact		Contact the appropriate FTA Regional Office at http://www.transit.dot.gov for proposal-specific information and issues. For general program information, contact Douglas Moore, Office of Program Management, (202) 366-0876, email: [email protected] A TDD is available at 1-800-877-8339 (TDD/FIRS).
FR Citation		83 FR 32185

83 FR 32185 - FY 2018 Competitive Funding Opportunity: Public Transportation on Indian Reservations Program; Tribal Transit Program

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATIONFederal Transit Administration

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 133 (July 11, 2018)

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Transit Administration