Notice2024-28271
Fiscal Year 2024 Competitive Funding Opportunity: Technology Transfer (T2) Program
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
December 3, 2024
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Transit Administration
Abstract
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announces the opportunity to apply for a total of $5,000,000 from Fiscal Years (FY) 2022, 2023, and 2024 in Public Transportation Innovation Program funds for a competitive cooperative agreement to develop and manage a new FTA Technology Transfer (T2) Program.
Full Text
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 232 (Tuesday, December 3, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 95902-95908]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-28271]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Transit Administration
Fiscal Year 2024 Competitive Funding Opportunity: Technology
Transfer (T2) Program
AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of funding opportunity (NOFO).
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SUMMARY: The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announces the
opportunity to apply for a total of $5,000,000 from Fiscal Years (FY)
2022, 2023, and 2024 in Public Transportation Innovation Program funds
for a competitive cooperative agreement to develop and manage a new FTA
Technology Transfer (T2) Program.
DATES: Complete applications must be submitted electronically through
the <a href="http://grants.gov">grants.gov</a> ``APPLY'' function by 11:59 p.m. eastern time on
February 11, 2025. Prospective applicants should initiate the process
by registering on the <a href="http://grants.gov">grants.gov</a> website promptly to ensure completion
of the application process before the submission deadline. Instructions
for applying can be found on FTA's website at <a href="https://www.transit.dot.gov/howtoapply">https://www.transit.dot.gov/howtoapply</a> and in the ``FIND'' module of
<a href="http://grants.gov">grants.gov</a>. The funding opportunity ID is FTA-2025-002-TRI. Mail, fax,
and email submissions will not be accepted.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shapell Randolph, FTA Office of
Research, Demonstration, and Innovation, phone: 202-366-1086, or email
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#6b18030a1b0e070745190a050f04071b032b0f041f450c041d"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="1b68737a6b7e777735697a757f74776b735b7f746f357c746d">[email protected]</span></a>. In addition, up to the application deadline,
the U.S. Department of Transportation (Department) will post answers to
common questions and requests for clarifications on the Department's
website at <a href="https://www.transit.dot.gov/grant-programs/technology-transfer-t2-program">https://www.transit.dot.gov/grant-programs/technology-transfer-t2-program</a>.
Summary Overview of Key Information--FTA Technology Transfer (T2)
Program Competitive Funding Opportunity
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Issuing Agency............... Federal Transit Administration, U.S.
Department of Transportation.
Program Overview............. To establish a Technology Transfer (T2)
Program under 49 U.S.C. 5312(e)(2) to
promote the early deployment and
demonstration of innovation in public
transportation that has broad
applicability to public transportation.
Eligible Applicants.......... Departments, agencies, and
instrumentalities of the Government,
including Federal laboratories; State
and local governmental entities;
providers of public transportation;
private or non-profit organizations;
institutions of higher education; and
technical and community colleges.
Eligible Project............. Activities may include: All activities
that promote the early deployment and
demonstration of innovative research,
advance promising technologies,
practices and strategies including, but
not limited to planning, acquiring
essential services, and program
implementation.
Activities that seek to commercialize
technologies developed through FTA
funding.
Funding Amount............... $5,000,000.
Additional funds made available prior to
project selection may be allocated to
eligible projects.
Deadline..................... February 11, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. eastern
time.
Cost share................... The maximum Federal share of project
costs under this program is 100 percent.
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SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Table of Contents
A. Program Description
B. Federal Award Information
C. Eligibility Information
D. Application and Submission Information
E. Application Review Information
F. Federal Award Administration Information
G. Federal Awarding Agency Contacts
H. Other Information
A. Program Description
Background
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Public Transportation
Innovation Program (49 U.S.C. 5312) funds research, development,
demonstration, and deployment projects, and evaluation of research and
technology of national significance to public transportation that will
improve public transportation. On average, on a yearly basis, FTA
manages a research investment portfolio of over $200 million in active
projects. When these projects identify and finalize useful, promising
solutions and practices, it is essential that FTA has a way to quickly
facilitate the deployment of these findings to transit agencies for
their use.
This notice (Federal Assistance Listing: 20.531) announces a new
Technology Transfer (T2) Program under 49 U.S.C. 5312(e)(2) to promote
the early deployment and demonstration of innovation in public
transportation that has broad applicability to public transportation.
The T2 program will seek to build on successful research, innovation,
and development efforts to facilitate the deployment of research and
technology development resulting from federally funded efforts and the
implementation of research and technology development to advance the
interests of public transportation. A quarterly planning process
between the FTA Research Office and the recipient of this award will
facilitate the selection of which programs and projects to deploy. T2
will also support ensuring that FTA's Innovative Research activities
meet Executive Order 14104, Federal Research and Development in Support
of Domestic Manufacturing and United States Jobs (88 FR 51203). This
Executive Order calls for the enhancement of U.S. manufacturing while
encouraging technology transfer and commercialization and allowing
small businesses and nonprofit organizations to retain ownership of and
commercialize their federally funded products or inventions. As
appropriate, T2 will also provide an opportunity for recipients of FTA
innovative research funding to not only broadly share their
[[Page 95903]]
research or inventions but to potentially commercialize them.
For this notice of funding opportunity (NOFO), FTA is defining
``technology transfer'' as the exchange of information to enable the
deployment, adoption, and potentially the commercialization of FTA-
funded research findings. Currently, FTA tracks and assesses the impact
of technology adoption in two ways. First, FTA tracks technology
research projects along the lifecycle of the projects and notes whether
the recipient conducting the research chooses to adopt the new
technology or process. Secondly, FTA analyzes data from the internal
database of all FTA-funded programs using natural language search
techniques to assess the level of deployment of FTA researched
solutions. By further investing in the process of technology adoption
through T2, FTA can reach a wider audience in the transit industry and
more effectively track the use of FTA research findings.
In many instances, transit agencies and other stakeholders may not
have the proper resources to access information that could potentially
be beneficial to their organization. They may also be reluctant to
participate in the exchange of information or hesitant to adopt new
technology. The T2 program will address these deployment barriers and
explore solutions to facilitate change management in the use of
promising FTA innovative research adoption.
Program Goals
FTA is soliciting applications to develop and implement a new T2
program to facilitate the deployment of promising innovative research
solutions resulting from FTA's research investments. A strategic aim
for this work includes strengthening U.S. manufacturing by encouraging
technology transfer and, as appropriate, supporting small businesses
and nonprofit organizations' retention of intellectual property and
helping commercialize their federally funded innovations.
The goals of the T2 program are to:
(1) Develop processes, systems, and resources to support the
deployment and adoption of FTA's innovative research results in the
public transportation industry.
(2) Support the commercialization and production of technologies
developed in the U.S., in part through FTA-funded research and
development.
(3) Overcome barriers and challenges affecting the adoption of
research products in transit agencies.
Management and Coordination
The awardee will be responsible for overall program management,
coordination, and adherence to established project timelines in
accordance with available funding. This includes all aspects of
resource management, compliance, and reporting, including oversight of
sub-recipients, if any. Eligible activities include data collection,
deployment specialists for planning, outreach, and knowledge transfer.
Development of Lessons Learned
Research conducted under this notice will advance the strategic
goals of the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) as outlined in
its active Strategic Plan FY 2022-2026 and the Department's Innovation
Principles, which can be found at <a href="https://www.transportation.gov/priorities/transformation/us-dot-innovation-principles">https://www.transportation.gov/priorities/transformation/us-dot-innovation-principles</a>.
B. Federal Award Information
This notice announces the availability of $5,000,000 to award one
competitively selected application to develop and manage FTA's T2
program with an expected period of performance spanning at least 48
months. Funding is available under FTA's Public Transportation
Innovation Program (49 U.S.C. 5312). FTA may, at its discretion,
provide additional funding made under this notice, subject to the
availability of funds.
An applicant whose application is selected for funding will receive
a cooperative agreement with FTA. FTA will have substantial involvement
in the administration of the cooperative agreement. FTA's role includes
the right to participate in decisions to redirect and reprioritize
project activities, goals, and deliverables. FTA expects to provide the
recipient with substantive input and direction at each stage of the
project. Applicants are encouraged to assemble and secure partnerships
necessary to conduct the Program in accordance with the requirements
outlined in this notice.
Projects under this notice will be for research efforts and, as
such, FTA Circular 6100.1E, ``Research, Technical Assistance, and
Training Program Guidance'' (available at <a href="https://www.fta.dot.gov/regulations-and-guidance/fta-circulars/research-technical-assistance-and-training-program">https://www.fta.dot.gov/regulations-and-guidance/fta-circulars/research-technical-assistance-and-training-program</a>), will apply in administering the program.
C. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants
Eligible applicants under this notice are departments, agencies,
and instrumentalities of the Federal government, including Federal
laboratories; State, local, and Tribal governmental entities; providers
of public transportation; private or non-profit organizations;
institutions of higher education; and technical and community colleges.
Eligibility is limited to United States entities. Applicants must
demonstrate experience supporting the deployment of research findings,
developing useful resources to facilitate technology transfer/
deployment, digital repository development/management, and national-
level program management expertise.
2. Cost Sharing or Matching
Per 49 U.S.C. 5312(g), the maximum Federal share is 100 percent of
net project cost. Applicants are encouraged to consider some level of
match. The non-Federal share of the net project cost may be provided in
cash or in kind, and the applicant must document in its application the
source of the non-Federal match. Eligible sources of non-Federal match
are detailed in FTA Circular 6100.1E.
3. Conflicts of Interest
It is FTA's intent that the T2 program benefits public
transportation agencies. Therefore, the principal staff and any sub-
recipients staff engaged in this project cannot have a financial
interest in the commercialization of a product.
D. Application and Submission Information
1. Address To Request Application
Applications must be made using the Standard Form 424 (SF-424),
which can be downloaded from <a href="https://www.transit.dot.gov/grant-programs/technology-transfer-t2-program">https://www.transit.dot.gov/grant-programs/technology-transfer-t2-program</a>.
2. Content and Form of Application Submission
a. Application Submission
A T2 application must include the following: SF-424, Budget
Information for Non-Construction Programs (SF-424A), Assurances for
Non-Construction Programs (SF-424B), Project Narrative, and Summary
Budget Narrative.
Additionally, applicants must submit a Negotiated Indirect Cost
Rate Agreement (NICRA) and a Data Management Plan (DMP) if applicable.
i. A complete application must consist of the SF-424, which
provides
[[Page 95904]]
basic information about the applicant and the project, including
details such as the applicant's name, unique entity identifier (UEI),
key contact information, and a summary of the project. The SF-424A form
is used to present a detailed budget for the project, ensuring that all
financial aspects are accounted for and justified. The SF-424B form
outlines the assurance that the applicant agrees to comply with the
terms and conditions set forth by the Federal government.
ii. In addition to these forms, the application must include a
supplemental form, a project narrative, and a summary budget narrative.
The supplemental form and project overview should be prepared in
Microsoft Word, PDF, or another compatible file format and must address
all required elements outlined in the Notice of Funding Opportunity
(NOFO). These documents should be attached to the ``Attachments''
section of the SF-424 form.
iii. For the budget, applicants must provide a summary and a high-
level overview of estimated activity costs, organized major cost
elements. The budget should clearly differentiate between the Federal
funding share and non-Federal share funds, including the value of in-
kind contributions. The budget form must not include previously
incurred expenses or costs incurred before the award time. All budget
information must be presented using SF-424A form. General submission
instructions and specific form requirements can be found on <a href="http://grants.gov">grants.gov</a>.
The applicant must respond to all sections of the SF-424 and the
requirements of this notice. The information in the narrative
application will be used to determine applicant and project eligibility
for the program and to evaluate the application against the selection
criteria described in this notice. Applicants should carefully review
the criteria noted in Section E and ensure their proposal addresses the
factors listed.
Failure to submit the information as requested can delay review or
disqualify the application.
b. Application Preparation and Content
i. Consolidated Budget Form: The Consolidated Budget Form must
align with the dollar amount specified in the SF-424 and meet the
eligible use requirements outlined in the notice of funding opportunity
(NOFO). It includes a budget narrative and a detailed budget
spreadsheet, with costs consistent with project scope and allowable
under relevant regulations. If indirect costs are included,
documentation such as a negotiated indirect cost rate agreement is
required.
ii. Allowable costs are determined in accordance with the cost
principles identified in 2 CFR part 200, including subpart E, and in 48
CFR part 31 for commercial organizations. The detailed budget
spreadsheet must reflect the cost categories that appear on the SF-424A
and include itemized calculations for each cost placed under those
categories. If indirect costs are included in the proposed budget, the
applicant must provide a copy of the approved negotiated indirect cost
rate agreement if this rate was negotiated with a cognizant Federal
agency or otherwise document those indirect costs consistent with 2 CFR
200.414.
iii. Required Standard Federal Financial Assistance Forms and
Documentation: Applicants must submit the SF-424, SF-424A, and SF-424B
forms, along with any Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement and Data
Management Plan.
iv. The SF-424 and supplemental form prompt applicants for
essential information such as applicant details, project description,
and budget breakdown. This includes a detailed project budget
specifying Federal and local shares, funding sources, and matching
funds. Additionally, it covers descriptions of project benefits,
implementation strategy, scalability, and a detailed project timeline.
v. The project overview, submitted as a one-page document, should
include a header with project title and lead applicant, along with
brief description of innovation, benefits, team and partners, and
approach. The format aligns with templates available on <a href="http://grants.gov">grants.gov</a>.
vi. Budget Narrative: The budget narrative provides detailed
explanations of proposed costs, aligning with the detailed budget
spreadsheet and only including allowable expenses within the project
scope. It should describe each cost item and its basis, including the
Federal share, non-Federal share, and any in-kind contributions. Any
indirect costs must be accompanied by relevant documentation. The
narrative also explains leveraged resources and ensures consistency
with SF-424 and SF-424A forms.
Applicants must submit one electronic file for applications in a
Microsoft Word, PDF, or compatible file format, double-spaced using
Times New Roman, 12-point font. The application must contain the
following components and adhere to the specified maximum lengths:
1. Cover Sheet (not to exceed 1 page): The Cover Sheet must include
the entity submitting the application, the principal's name, title, and
contact information (e.g., address, office and mobile phone, and
email). The cover sheet must also include name and contact information
for the entity's point of contact for all cooperative agreement
administrative activities (if different from principal).
2. Abstract (not to exceed 1 page): The Abstract must include
background, purpose, methodology, intended outputs, outcomes, impacts,
and plan for accomplishing the goals and objectives as outlined in this
notice.
3. Table of Contents (not to exceed 1 page): The Table of Contents
shall list each section of the application (including Appendices) by
title and page number.
4. Project Budget (not to exceed five pages): The Project Budget
should show how different funding sources will share in each activity
and present those data in dollars and percentages. The budget should
identify other Federal funds the applicant is applying for or has been
awarded, if any, that the applicant intends to use. The proposed
project budget must account for multiple years and outline the total
cost of all services and products, including salaries and fringe
benefits, supplies, travel, equipment, and proposed contractual
arrangements (e.g., subcontracts, consultant services) and how these
estimated costs are connected to the project scope.
5. Project Work Plan (not to exceed ten pages total): The proposed
Project Work Plan must include the following information:
a. Methodology--Provide a methodology for addressing the goals
described above and under Section A of this notice.
b. Statement of Work--Provide proposed work tasks for the project
and how the goals will be accomplished with a detailed set of
objectives and activities. Include the tasks for proposed activities,
resources, and milestones, with a timeline that also notes critical
path milestones. Note in the application how risk management related to
barriers to deployment will be addressed. Please also note a
sustainability strategy for how this work will be maintained in the
future.
i. Staffing Plan--Describe the approach for managing the project
team, including the distribution of responsibilities among project
partners and what activities each project team member will perform.
ii. Coordination with FTA--Identify the plan for coordinating the
project
[[Page 95905]]
team's activities and deliverables with the FTA's Research office
including suggesting a methodology for a regular review of research
results and a process to select research ready for deployment.
iii. Research and Data Collection--Identify activities and the plan
for electronic collection, maintenance, storage, and dissemination of
data for use by the project team, stakeholders, FTA, and other
customers.
iv. Communication Plan--Provide a plan for communication of project
results. The plan should identify innovative communication strategies
including, but not limited to, the following: webinars, in-person
presentations at industry events, social media (e.g., Facebook,
Twitter, YouTube), text alerts, email, website publication, and toll-
free telephone numbers.
v. Performance Measures--Identify multiple performance measures
that FTA should use to assess the Program's overall effectiveness.
vi. Deliverables--Provide a list of proposed deliverables (e.g.,
guides, plans, reports, services, etc.). Include quarterly reports,
financial forms, guidance documents, and final reports to be submitted
to FTA.
6. Staff Qualifications (not to exceed 5 pages total):
a. Organizational Capacity--Provide a narrative that briefly
describes the structure of the applicant, including its history and
experience in technology transfer and the national deployment of
research findings, preferably in the transportation sector. Include a
narrative of the applicant's understanding of the activities in this
solicitation and its responsibility for the data collection and results
deployment called for in this notice. Include the applicant's
organization chart.
b. Project Team Structure--Provide a narrative that briefly
describes the structure and makeup of the project team. Provide resumes
or biographies of key staff to highlight the relevant skills and
experience of the proposed team. Eligible applicants are encouraged to
identify in their application one or more project partners with a
substantial interest and involvement in the project activities or
objectives.
Applications submitted in response to this notice become FTA
records and as such, may be subject to Freedom of Information Act
requests. Please segregate and clearly mark any portions of the
application containing confidential or privileged trade secrets or
commercial or financial information.
3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM.GOV)
Each applicant is required to: (1) be registered in SAM.GOV before
applying; (2) provide a valid unique entity identifier in its
application; and (3) maintain an active SAM.GOV 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. FTA may not make an award until the applicant has complied with
all applicable unique entity identifier and SAM.GOV requirements. If an
applicant has yet to fully comply 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. These requirements do not
apply if the applicant has an exception approved by FTA or the U.S.
Office of Management and Budget under 2 CFR 25.110(c) or (d).
SAM.GOV registration takes approximately 3-5 business days, but FTA
recommends allowing ample time, up to several weeks, to complete all
steps. For additional information on obtaining a unique entity
identifier, please visit <a href="https://www.sam.gov">https://www.sam.gov</a>.
4. Submission Dates and Times
Project applications must be submitted electronically through
<a href="http://grants.gov">grants.gov</a> by 11:59 p.m. eastern time on February 11, 2025. Proposals
submitted after the deadline will only be considered under
extraordinary circumstances, not under the applicant's control. Mail,
fax, and email 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 <a href="http://grants.gov">grants.gov</a> or FTA systems to reject the submission.
Grants.gov attaches a time stamp to each application at the time of
submission. Applications submitted after the deadline will be
considered only if lateness was due to extraordinary circumstances not
under the applicant's control. Grants.gov scheduled maintenance and
outage times are announced in advance on the <a href="http://grants.gov">grants.gov</a> website.
Deadlines will not be extended due to scheduled website maintenance.
Within 48 hours after submitting an electronic application, the
applicant should receive an email message from <a href="http://grants.gov">grants.gov</a> with
confirmation of successful transmission to <a href="http://grants.gov">grants.gov</a>. If a notice of
failed validation or incomplete materials is received, 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, 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 registration process on the
<a href="http://grants.gov">grants.gov</a> 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 take steps to keep their registration up to
date before submissions can be made successfully: (1) registration in
<a href="http://sam.gov">sam.gov</a> is renewed annually, and (2) persons making submissions on
behalf of the Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) must be
authorized in <a href="http://grants.gov">grants.gov</a> by the AOR to make submissions.
5. Funding Restrictions
Refer to Section C.3., Eligible Projects, for information on
allowable activities. Allowable direct and indirect expenses must be
consistent with the Government-Wide Uniform Administrative Requirements
and Cost Principles (2 CFR part 200) and FTA Circular 5010.1F.
Funds available under this notice cannot be used to reimburse
applicants for otherwise eligible expenses incurred prior to FTA
issuing pre-award authority for selected projects.
E. Application Review Information
1. Evaluation Criteria
Projects will be evaluated solely on the materials provided in the
application document. FTA will evaluate applications based on the
following criteria:
a. Organizational Capacity and Key Personnel Experience
Applicants should note the structure of the lead organization,
including its history and experience in performing complex research and
deployment activities. Applicants should include a narrative of the
applicant's understanding of the activities called for in this funding
opportunity. Applicants should describe the structure and makeup of the
project team to clearly demonstrate the applicant's technical abilities
to meet the requirements called for in this funding opportunity.
Applicants should note key project team personnel who will be involved
in the project and how the applicant will ensure they have enough time
to devote
[[Page 95906]]
to the project. Additionally, applicants should discuss successful
completion of similar or relevant real-world projects--case studies,
journal articles, references, etc.
b. Applicant and Applicant Team Technical Expertise
Applicants should clearly detail the technical capacity of the lead
organization and what activities each team member will perform. In
addition to their qualifications in conducting nationally significant
research and deployment, applicants should demonstrate project team
knowledge in public transportation, technology transfer and stakeholder
coordination and engagement, including engaging stakeholders in a
targeted manner with proven and impactful methods.
c. Familiarity With the Public Transportation Industry
Applicants should be familiar with the work conducted by FTA's
Public Transportation Innovation Program (49 U.S.C. 5312). This would
include familiarity with public transportation associations, University
Transportation Centers, metropolitan planning organizations, different
types of transit agencies (i.e., rural, small, and large urban, bus,
rail, Tribal, community-based organizations that provide shared rides,
and other entities that focus on public transportation.
d. Applicants Must Be Able To Demonstrate Previous Work and a Thorough
Understanding of Technology Transfer and Research Results Deployment
FTA is looking for innovative ways to facilitate the deployment of
promising research findings including the use of online resources and
repositories. Any repositories suggested must not duplicate the USDOT's
Research Hub (a web-based, searchable database of USDOT-sponsored
research, development, and technology project records) and the
Transportation Research Board (TRB) Transport Research International
Documentation TRID database (an integrated database that combines the
records from TRB's Transportation Research Information Services (TRIS)
Database and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development
(OECD's) Joint Transport Research Centre's International Transport
Research Documentation (ITRD) Database).
e. Project Approach and Work Plan
Applicants will be evaluated on the proposed methodology and
overall project approach pursuant to the inclusion of a multi-year work
plan (i.e., $5,000,000 over a minimum of 48 months) that demonstrates
the applicant's understanding of all activities, responsibilities, and
costs required to develop, implement, and measure a robust T2 program.
In assessing whether the proposed implementation plans are reasonable
and complete, FTA will review the proposed project work plan, including
all necessary project milestones and the overall project timeline, as
well as ensure the project team's viability in subsequent years.
f. Technical, Legal, and Financial Capacity
Applicants must demonstrate the financial and organizational
capacity and managerial experience to oversee and implement this
project successfully. FTA may review relevant assessments and public
records to determine whether any outstanding legal, technical, or
financial issues with the applicant would affect the outcome of the
proposed project.
For applications that include named project partners, FTA will also
consider the proposed partners' technical, legal, and financial
capacity.
2. Review and Selection Process
An FTA technical evaluation committee will evaluate applications
based on the published evaluation criteria. Members of the technical
evaluation committee may request additional information from applicants
if necessary. After considering the review of the technical evaluation
committee, the FTA Administrator will determine the final selection for
program funding.
3. Integrity and Performance Review
Prior to making an award, FTA is required to review and consider
any information about the applicant that is in the Federal Awardee
Performance and Integrity Information Systems (FAPIIS), the designated
integrity and performance system accessible through <a href="http://sam.gov">sam.gov</a>. An
applicant may review and comment on any information about itself that a
Federal awarding agency previously entered. FTA will consider any
comments by the applicant, in addition to the other information in the
designated integrity and performance system, in making a judgment about
the applicant's integrity, business ethics, and record of performance
under Federal awards when completing the review of risk posed by
applicants as described in the Office of Management and Budget's
Uniform Requirements for Federal Awards (2 CFR 200.206).
F. Federal Award Administration Information
1. Federal Award Notices
FTA will notify the successful applicant and may announce the
selection on its website, <a href="https://www.transit.dot.gov">https://www.transit.dot.gov</a>. Following
notification, the successful applicant will be required to submit their
application through the FTA Transit Award Management System (TrAMS).
2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
a. Pre-Award Authority
At the time the project selection is announced, FTA may extend pre-
award authority for the successful applicant. There is no blanket pre-
award authority for the project before announcement. FTA will issue
specific guidance to the selected recipient regarding pre-award
authority at the time of selection. FTA does not provide pre-award
authority for these competitive funds until projects are selected, and
even then, Federal requirements must be met before costs are incurred.
For more information about FTA's policy on pre-award authority, please
see the most recent Apportionments, Allocations, and Program
Information Notice at 89 FR 47211.
b. Cooperative Agreement Requirements
The successful applicant will apply for a cooperative agreement
through TrAMS and adhere to the customary FTA grant requirements of 49
U.S.C. 5312, Public Transportation Innovation, including those of FTA C
6100.1E, where applicable. FTA will award and manage a cooperative
agreement through TrAMS. Discretionary grants and cooperative
agreements greater than $500,000 will go through the Congressional
notification and release process. Assistance regarding these
requirements is available from FTA.
c. Data Management Plan
FTA seeks to improve public transportation for America's
communities by sharing digital data or source code collected or
developed through its research with the public. This allows research
organizations, public transportation agencies, State DOTs, and other
stakeholders to learn from and expand upon the insights developed from
FTA-funded research.
An award made pursuant to this notice will be subject to the latest
version of FTA's Master Agreement (available at <a href="https://www.transit.dot.gov/funding/granteeresources/sample-fta-agreements/fta-grant-agreements">https://www.transit.dot.gov/funding/granteeresources/sample-fta-agreements/fta-grant-agreements</a>),
[[Page 95907]]
including Section 17 Patent Rights and Section 18 Rights in Data and
Copyrights. All work conducted under this award must follow the
Department data policies outlined in the USDOT Public Access Plan at:
<a href="https://ntl.bts.gov/public-access/how-comply">https://ntl.bts.gov/public-access/how-comply</a>. Recipients are required
to include these obligations in any sub-awards or other related funding
agreements.
Public Data Access requirements include developing a Data
Management Plan (DMP) and submitting the DMP for FTA review. A DMP is a
document that describes how recipients plan to handle digital datasets,
software, or code generated over the course of a research project
pursuant to Federal and Departmental requirements. A DMP must be
provided as a condition of receiving FTA funds under the Section 5312
Research Program and should adequately identify: (1) The data to be
collected, (2) how the data will further the goals of this effort, (3)
how the data will be made accessible, and (4) how the data will be
stored. DMPs can be updated over time if the scope of the project or
the type of data that will be collected changes. FTA staff is available
to assist recipients with complying with public data access
requirements.
FTA expects recipients to remove confidential business information
(CBI) and Personally Identifiable Information (PII) before providing
public access to project data. Recipients must ensure the appropriate
data are accessible to FTA or the public for a minimum of five years
after the award's performance period expires.
Recipients must make available to the Department copies of all work
developed in performance of a project funded under this notice,
including but not limited to software and data. Data rights shall be in
accordance with 2 CFR 200.315, Intangible Property.
d. Disadvantaged Business Enterprises/Civil Rights and Title VI
All FTA recipients must comply with the Department of
Transportation Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program
regulation (49 CFR part 26). A recipient has different obligations
depending on the amount and type of FTA funds it awards in a year. A
recipient that awards up to $670,000 in FTA funds in prime contracts in
a fiscal year must adhere to certain recordkeeping and reporting
requirements and take steps to foster the participation of small
businesses but need not develop a DBE participation goal. A recipient
that awards more than $670,000 of FTA funds in prime contracts in a
fiscal year must have a full DBE program, including setting a DBE goal.
Applicants should expect to include any funds awarded, excluding those
used for vehicle procurements, in setting their overall DBE goal.
As a condition of a grant award, grant recipients should
demonstrate that the recipient has a plan for compliance with civil
rights obligations and nondiscrimination laws, including Title VI of
the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (49 CFR part 21), the Americans with
Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) (49 CFR parts 37, 38, and 39), section
504 of the Rehabilitation Act, other civil rights requirements, and all
implementing regulations. This should include a current Title VI plan,
completed Community Participation Plan (alternatively called a Public
Participation Plan and often part of the overall Title VI program
plan), if applicable. DOT's and the applicable Operating
Administrations' Office of Civil Rights may work with awarded grant
recipients to ensure full compliance with Federal civil rights
requirements.
e. Standard Assurances
If an applicant receives an award, the applicant must assure 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 award. The applicant acknowledges that it will be under a
continuing obligation to comply with the terms and conditions of the
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 most recent Federal requirements will apply to the
project unless FTA issues a written determination otherwise. The
applicant must submit the most recent FTA Certifications and Assurances
before receiving an award if it does not have current certifications on
file.
f. External Communications
The successful applicant must communicate with the FTA project
manager prior to engaging in any external communications regarding the
Program. This includes any work developing news or magazine stories
with media organizations, including print, video, online, or otherwise.
Additionally, the FTA project manager must be notified if project
information, including results and metrics, will be shared during a
webinar or other presentation open to the public, produced either by
the recipient itself or another organization. The successful applicant
must consult with the FTA project manager at the beginning of their
agreement to discuss and plan any external communications about their
project.
g. Software Provisions
Any standards, guidance, tools, or software developed as a part of
this solicitation will be subject to provisions of FTA's Master
Agreement and evaluated for the potential to be shared for FTA
purposes.
Critical Infrastructure Security, Cybersecurity and Resilience: It
is the policy of the United States to strengthen the security and
resilience of its critical infrastructure against all hazards,
including physical and cyber risks, consistent with Presidential Policy
Directive 21--Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience, and the
National Security Memorandum on Improving Cybersecurity for Critical
Infrastructure Control Systems. The applicant selected for funding
under this program must demonstrate, prior to the signing of the grant
agreement, effort to consider and address physical and cyber security
risks relevant to the transportation mode and type and scale of the
project. Projects that have not appropriately considered and addressed
physical and cyber security and resilience in their planning, design,
and project oversight, as determined by the Department and the
Department of Homeland Security, will be required to do so before
receiving funds.
3. Reporting and Payment
Post-award reporting requirements include the electronic submission
of Federal Financial Reports and Milestone Progress Reports in TrAMS
quarterly. Documentation is required for payment. Additional reporting
may be required specific to the program prescribed in this notice, and
the recipient may be expected to participate in events or peer networks
related to the goals and objectives of the program. The Federal
Financial Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA) requires data
entry at the FFATA Sub Award Reporting System (<a href="https://www.FSRS.gov">https://www.FSRS.gov</a>)
for all sub-awards and sub-contracts issued for $30,000 or more, as
well as addressing executive compensation for both award recipients and
sub-award organizations. The selected recipient will be required to
disburse via Delphi and E-invoicing.
The successful applicant should include any goals, targets, and
indicators referenced in its application
[[Page 95908]]
in the Executive Summary of the TrAMS application.
As part of completing the annual certifications and assurances
required of FTA grant recipients, a successful applicant must report on
the suspension or debarment status of itself and its principals.
If the award recipient's active grants, cooperative agreements, and
procurement contracts from all Federal awarding agencies exceed
$10,000,000 for any period during the period of performance of an award
made pursuant to this notice, the recipient must comply with the
Recipient Integrity and Performance Matters reporting requirements
described in appendix XII to 2 CFR part 200.
4. Termination for Failure To Make Progress on an Award
After providing written notice to the recipient of a project
selected for funding, FTA may withdraw its support for the selected
project (if a cooperative agreement has not yet been awarded) or
suspend or terminate all or any part of the Federal assistance for the
award if the recipient has failed to make reasonable progress
implementing the project. FTA may withdraw its support for a project or
terminate an award agreement if, among other reasons:
1. A recipient has not completed its application for funding in
TrAMS within 60 days of the date FTA announces project selection.
2. A recipient has not begun its demonstration project within one
year after funding was awarded in TrAMS.
3. A recipient has not delivered a project evaluation to FTA within
one year of completing its demonstration project.
4. FTA may also withdraw support from a project or terminate an
award agreement if the proposed activities are no longer needed or if
the recipient has violated the terms of FTA's Annual Agreement.
G. Federal Awarding Agency Contacts
For further information concerning this notice, please contact the
T2 Program Manager, FTA Office of Research, Demonstration, and
Innovation, by email at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c2b1aaa3b2a7aeaeecb0a3aca6adaeb2aa82a6adb6eca5adb4"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="b9cad1d8c9dcd5d597cbd8d7ddd6d5c9d1f9ddd6cd97ded6cf">[email protected]</span></a>. 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: <a href="https://www.transit.dot.gov/research-innovation">https://www.transit.dot.gov/research-innovation</a>.
To ensure applicants receive accurate eligibility information,
applicants are encouraged to contact FTA directly, rather than through
intermediaries or third parties, with questions. FTA staff may also
conduct briefings on the FY 2024 competitive grants selection and award
process upon request.
For issues with <a href="http://grants.gov">grants.gov</a>, please contact <a href="http://grants.gov">grants.gov</a> by phone at
1-800-518-4726 or by email at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#4635333636293432067a27662e3423207b" http: grants.gov">grants.gov</a>">support@<a href="http://grants.gov">grants.gov</a></a>.
H. Other Information
This program is not subject to Executive Order 12372,
``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.'' There are resources
available that may help in responding to this notice, as listed below.
The FTA website has information about FTA, application forms, statutory
and administrative requirements, etc. Applicants are encouraged to use
the FTA link provided and other information, as listed, as much as is
needed.
Veronica Vanterpool,
Deputy Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2024-28271 Filed 12-2-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-57-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on December 3, 2024.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.