FY 2019 Competitive Funding Opportunity: Public Transportation on Indian Reservations Program; Tribal Transit Program

Published date10 May 2019
Citation84 FR 20694
Record Number2019-09332
SectionNotices
CourtFederal Transit Administration
Federal Register, Volume 84 Issue 91 (Friday, May 10, 2019)
[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 91 (Friday, May 10, 2019)]
                [Notices]
                [Pages 20694-20699]
                From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
                [FR Doc No: 2019-09332]
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                DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
                Federal Transit Administration
                FY 2019 Competitive Funding Opportunity: Public Transportation on
                Indian Reservations Program; Tribal Transit Program
                AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration (FTA), DOT.
                ACTION: Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).
                -----------------------------------------------------------------------
                SUMMARY: The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announces the
                availability of approximately $5 million in funding, subject to the
                availability of appropriations, for 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) 2019
                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 other 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-2019-004-TPM-TRTR, 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 Tribal Transit Program announced in
                this Notice must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. EDT on July 9, 2019. 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 Jasmine Clemons,
                Office of Program Management, (202) 366-2343, email:
                [email protected]. 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 Public Transit
                law at 49 U.S.C. 5311(c)(1)(A), contingent on full appropriations. 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 Tribal Transit Program 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 Program
                competitive allocation in FY 2019 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
                Tribal Transit Program competitive program, unless the Indian tribe can
                demonstrate
                [[Page 20695]]
                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.
                3. Eligible Projects
                 Eligible projects include public transportation planning and
                capital expenses. Operating projects are eligible in limited
                circumstances. In FY 2019, FTA will only consider operating assistance
                requests from tribes without existing transit service, or those tribes
                who received a Tribal Transit Program 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 the Tribal Transit Program 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 48 hours after
                submitting an electronic application, the applicant should receive two
                email messages from GRANTS.GOV: (1) Confirmation of successful
                transmission to GRANTS.GOV and (2) confirmation of successful
                validation by GRANTS .GOV. If the applicant does not receive
                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 at 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 applicants
                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 in the Appendix.
                 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
                [[Page 20696]]
                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, indicate the period of time
                that funds would be 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
                 Registration may take 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 authorized 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. See 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 log in 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 to complete depends on responsiveness of your
                E-Biz POC.
                Step 5: Track or 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).
                4. Submission Dates and Times
                 Project proposals must be submitted electronically through
                GRANTS.GOV by 11:59 p.m. EDT on July 9, 2019. 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 an FTA award under
                this program.
                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 proposed or existing service implementation;
                [[Page 20697]]
                 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. The 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. The 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 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; special needs
                of elders or 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, the
                proposal 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 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; and 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.
                 Using the information provided under this criterion, 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, the Federal Highway
                Administration'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 a tribe at the time of award if the waiver is approved. If
                applicable, the applicant also should describe how prior year Tribal
                Transit Program 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.
                 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. Tribal Transit Program funding does not replace existing
                funding;
                [[Page 20698]]
                 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:
                 a. The tribe's long-term commitment to transit; and
                 b. 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 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 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, Tribal Transit Program
                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
                Jasmine Clemons, Office of Program Management, (202) 366-2343, email:
                [email protected]. 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 of this Notice. 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 Tribal Transit Program, FTA has conducted Tribal Transit
                Technical Assistance Workshops and will continue those efforts in FY
                2019. 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 over fifty assessments to date and
                expects to conduct fifteen assessments in FY 2019. 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.
                K. Jane Williams,
                Acting Administrator.
                Appendix A
                Registering in SAM and Grants.gov
                 Registration in Brief: Registration takes approximately three to
                five business days; please allow four weeks for completion of all
                steps.
                 In order to apply for a grant, you and/or your organization must
                first complete the registration process in Grants.gov. The
                registration process for an Organization or an Individual can take
                between three to five business days or as long as four weeks if all
                steps are not completed in a timely manner. So please register in
                Grants.gov early.
                 The Grants.gov registration process ensures that applicants for
                Federal funds have the basic prerequisites to apply for and to
                receive Federal funds. Applicants for FTA competitive funds must:
                 Have a valid DUNS number
                 Have a current registration in SAM (formerly CCR)
                 Register and apply in Grants.gov
                 The required registration steps are described in greater detail
                on the Grants.gov website. The following is a link to a helpful
                checklist and explanations published by Grants.gov to assist
                applicants: Organization
                [[Page 20699]]
                Registration Checklist. If you have not recently applied for Federal
                funds, we recommend that you initiate your search, registration, and
                application process with Grants.gov. Visiting the Grants.gov site
                will inform you of how to apply for grant opportunities, as well as
                assist you in linking to the other required registrations, i.e., Dun
                & Bradstreet to obtain a DUNS Number, and System for Award
                Management (SAM).
                 Summary of steps (these steps are available in Grants.gov during
                registration):
                Step 1: Obtain DUNS Number
                 Same day. 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 authorized official of your organization
                must register.
                Step 3: Establish an Account in Grants.gov--Username & Password
                 Same day. Complete your Authorized Organization Representative
                (AOR) profile on Grants.gov and create your username and password.
                You will need to use your organization's DUNS Number to complete
                this step. See https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/OrcRegister.
                Step 4: Grants.gov--AOR Authorization
                 *Same day. The E-Business Point of Contact (E-Biz POC) at your
                organization must login to Grants.gov to confirm you as 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 to complete
                depends on responsiveness of your E-Biz POC.
                 * Please Note: Grants.gov gives you the option of registering as
                an ``individual'' or as an ``Organization.'' If you register in
                Grants.gov as an as an ``Individual,'' your ``Organization'' will
                not be allowed to use the Grants.gov username and password. To apply
                for grants as an Organization, you must register as an Organization
                and use that specific username and password issued during the
                ``Organization'' registration process.
                [FR Doc. 2019-09332 Filed 5-9-19; 8:45 am]
                BILLING CODE P
                

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