[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 206 (Friday, October 24, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63659-63663]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-25310]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Transit Administration
Innovative Public Transportation Workforce Development Program
(Ladders of Opportunity Initiative)
AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of Funding Availability.
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SUMMARY: The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announces a Notice of
Funding Availability (NOFA) for the Innovative Public Transportation
Workforce Development Program (Ladders of Opportunity Initiative). FTA
has budgeted approximately $9 million for this solicitation. This NOFA
solicits proposals that promote innovative nationally and regionally
significant public transportation workforce development models and
programs that invest in America's economic growth and help build
ladders of opportunity into the middle class for American workers.
DATES: Complete proposals are due by 11:59 p.m. EST on December 23,
2014.
ADDRESSES: All proposals must be submitted electronically through the
GRANTS.GOV ``APPLY'' function. All entities intending to apply should
initiate the process of registering on the GRANTS.GOV Web site
immediately to ensure completion of registration before the submission
deadline. Instructions for applying can be found in the ``FIND'' module
of GRANTS.GOV. Mail and fax submissions will not be accepted.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For specific information regarding the
areas of research targeted within this NOFA, please contact Betty
Jackson, Workforce Development Program Manager, Office of Research,
Demonstration and Innovation, phone: (202) 366-1730, fax: (202) 366-
3765, or email: betty.jackson@dot.gov. A TDD is available at 1-800-877-
8339 (TDD/FIRS).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Discretionary Program Overview
A. Authority
Section 5322(b) of Title 49, United States Code authorizes FTA's
discretionary Innovative Public Transportation Workforce Development
Program, pursuant to which FTA makes grants to transit agencies and
other entities to undertake workforce development activities, including
those that create employment training programs, conduct outreach
programs to increase minority and female employment in transit, conduct
research on public transportation personnel and training needs, and
provide training and assistance for minority business opportunities.
Under this authority, FTA is issuing this funding opportunity for the
Innovative Public Transportation Workforce Development, Ladders of
Opportunity Initiative. FTA plans to fund nationally or regionally
significant public transportation workforce projects that will assist
in building ladders of opportunity for American workers to move into
the middle class, as well as build the critical skillset needed in the
public transportation industry.
FTA has budgeted approximately $9,000,000 for the program. FTA may
choose to fund the program for more or less than the announced amount,
including applying any future appropriated funds toward the projects
proposed in response to this NOFA. Future funding will depend in part
on Congressional appropriation.
B. Policy Priorities
Supporting a highly-skilled transit workforce is critical to
maintaining a competitive and efficient public transportation system.
As public transportation experiences significant growth in the United
States and investments continue in the physical capital of the nation's
transit systems, it is essential to build and maintain the nation's
human capital in public transportation as well.
FTA is seeking projects that create a new nationally or regionally
significant workforce development program, or augment or replicate a
successful
[[Page 63660]]
existing program that will have benefits for transit agencies or the
transit industry. While either type of effort will be considered,
programs or approaches with an existing track record of success are
likely to receive significant consideration.
FTA is prioritizing applications that focus on one or more of the
following activity areas:
Targeting areas with high rates of unemployment;
helping persons in local communities to directly benefit
from employment opportunities created by the construction and operation
of new transit capital projects or other public transportation
activities within their region;
providing career pathways that support the movement of
targeted populations (e.g., new transit entrants and other underserved
populations) from initial or short-term employment opportunities to
sustainable careers;
helping to increase through outreach and training the
employment of minorities, women, individuals with disabilities,
veterans, low-income populations and other underserved populations in
public transportation activities;
addressing gaps in areas with current or projected
workforce shortages in fields related to public transportation;
pre-employment training/preparation/tracking; and/or
recruitment and hiring.
II. Program Information
A. Program Description and Purpose
The Innovative Public Transportation Workforce Development Program
assists in the development of innovative programs and activities in
public transportation that address the human resources needs of public
transportation operators, as well as build pathways to long-term
careers in the public transportation industry.
B. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants
Eligible applicants are urban and rural transit agencies; state
departments of transportation (DOTs) providing public transportation
services; Metropolitan Planning Organizations; Indian Tribes; nonprofit
institutions; and institutions of higher education. Only these types of
organizations are eligible to apply to this program. The cooperative
agreement will be between FTA and the selected organization, which must
have a substantial interest in the project and must not simply act as a
pass-through for funds. Applicants may apply individually or in a
consortium of eligible applicants. The consortium of eligible
applicants must include a lead applicant as the primary recipient of
federal funds.
Individuals, for-profit entities other than for-profit educational
institutions, and Federal agencies are not eligible to apply to this
program.
2. Strategic Partnerships
To be eligible for funding under this NOFA, applicants must
demonstrate that the proposed project is supported by the primary
applicant in partnership with one or more external strategic partner(s)
with a substantial interest and involvement in the project. An external
partner must be an entity that has no direct relationship to the
primary applicant. For example, the external partner may not be a
department within the applicant's organization. If the primary
applicant is not a transit agency or consortia of transit agencies, the
external partners must include at least one transit agency as an
external partner.
In addition to transit agencies, an external partner entity could
include, but is not limited to:
a. Educational institutions, which include entities providing
professional accreditation, degree, and/or certification programs, such
as universities, community colleges, or trade schools, either non-
profit or for-profit.
b. Public workforce investment systems, such as local Workforce
Investment Boards and their one-stop systems.
c. Labor organizations, such as labor unions and labor management
organizations.
d. Non-profit organizations that support the mission of transit and
transportation workforce development.
Applicants should include a letter of confirmed support from each
potential partner as part of their application.
Applicants must include sufficient evidence of the partnership.
Sufficient evidence may include a memorandum of agreement or letter of
intent signed by all parties that describes the parties' roles,
responsibilities and financial commitment in the proposed project. FTA
may contact each partner to determine its level of involvement and
financial commitment in the proposed application.
3. Cost Sharing
Funds used for this NOFA were authorized by both SAFETEA-LU and
MAP-21. There is a minimum 50 percent non-Federal cost share for all
funds awarded. Regardless of minimum share requirements, cost sharing
is an evaluation criterion and proposals with higher non-Federal cost
share will be considered more favorably. Cash and other high-quality
match will be considered more favorably than in-kind cost matching,
though all are acceptable. FTA will not approve deferred local share.
Recipients must comply with all applicable FTA requirements.
a. Eligible sources of matching funds include:
i. Cash from non-governmental sources other than revenues from
providing public transportation services;
ii. Non-farebox revenues from the operation of public
transportation service, such as the sale of advertising and concession
revenues. A voluntary or mandatory fee that a college, university, or
similar institution imposes on all its students for free or discounted
transit service is not farebox revenue;
iii. Amounts received under a service agreement with a State or
local social service agency or private social service organization;
iv. Undistributed cash surpluses, replacement or depreciation cash
funds, reserves available in cash, or new capital;
v. In-kind contributions, such as the market value of in-kind
contributions integral to the project, may be counted as a contribution
toward local share.
4. Other Eligibility Requirements
a. Allowable Activities
Projects must provide direct support to workforce development
projects. Capital expenses such as equipment purchases are not
considered to be eligible costs unless they directly relate to the
workforce development program being supported by FTA funds. Acceptable
costs can include, but are not limited to: Faculty/instructors,
including salaries and fringe benefits, support staff, classroom space,
books, materials and supplies, transportation stipends for students.
b. Unallowable Costs
FTA funds under this program are not intended as an offset to
regular transit agency employee salaries and may not be used to cover
the regular or overtime salaries of employees at transit agencies
offering training. Funds may be used to cover the costs of staff
directly engaged in a program management or training role at an agency.
C. Evaluation Criteria, Review and Selection
When evaluating competing projects for discretionary grant awards
otherwise eligible under the program, FTA will
[[Page 63661]]
consider whether the project can help Americans move up to the middle
class by providing transportation options that are more affordable and
reliable, and improving their quality of life through greater access to
education and new job opportunities, including jobs in the
transportation industry. These considerations are the foundation of
FTA's ``Ladders of Opportunity Initiative'' and will serve as
distinguishing factors for purposes of project selection. FTA will
evaluate the applications submitted according to the criteria set forth
below. Proposals must have a minimum threshold of $200,000 and a
maximum of $1,000,000.
FTA will assess the extent to which a proposal addresses the
following criteria:
a. National or Regional Applicability
FTA will evaluate whether the project has national or regional
applicability and whether it will provide a replicable model of
workforce development practices.
b. Statement of Need
FTA will evaluate the extent to which the project identifies a
clear and specific industry need for the Federal investment in the
proposed transit workforce development activities. An applicant must
submit data and provide evidence of the industry need and value for the
proposed program.
c. Innovation
FTA will evaluate the extent to which a project identifies a
unique, significant, or innovative approach to address workforce
development issues in a transit agency.
d. Project Management and Organizational Capacity
FTA will evaluate the capacity of the applicant and its required
partners to effectively staff the proposed initiative and deliver the
proposed outcomes, as well as the fiscal, administrative, and
performance management capacity to implement the key components of this
project. FTA will also evaluate the strength of the strategic
partnership applying for the project. Additionally, FTA will evaluate
the track record of the applicant and its required partners to
implement projects of similar focus, size, and scope.
e. Strategy and Project Work Plan
FTA anticipates awarding proposals for projects that will be
completed within 18 to 24 months of receipt of the funding award. The
period of performance will be up to 24 months from the date of
execution of the grant documents. This performance period includes all
necessary implementation and start-up activities, execution of the
program, and completion of final deliverables as specified in the
applicant's Scope of Work.
FTA will evaluate the project work plan pursuant to the following
factors: (1) The presentation of a coherent plan that demonstrates the
applicant's complete understanding of all the activities,
responsibilities, and costs required to implement each phase of the
project and achieve projected outcomes; (2) the demonstrated
feasibility and reasonableness of the timeline for accomplishing all
necessary implementation activities, including the ability to
expeditiously begin training; and (3) the extent to which the budget
aligns with the proposed work plan and is justified with respect to the
adequacy and reasonableness of resources requested.
f. Outcomes and Deliverables
FTA will evaluate the extent to which the applicant and required
partners demonstrate a results-oriented approach to managing and
operating the project by providing projections for all applicable
outcome categories relevant to measuring the success or impact of the
project, describing the products and deliverables that will be produced
as a result of the project activities, and fully demonstrating the
appropriateness and feasibility of achieving these results. The
applicant must include projected outcomes, which will be used as goals
for the project.
g. Furthering Ladders of Opportunity
FTA has prioritized and will use the following activity areas of:
(1) Targeting areas with high rates of unemployment; (2) helping
persons in local communities to directly benefit from employment
opportunities created by the construction and operation of new transit
capital projects or other public transportation activities within their
region; (3) providing career pathways that support the movement of
targeted populations (e.g. new transit entrants and other underserved
populations, etc.) from initial or short-term employment opportunities
to sustainable careers; (4) helping to increase through outreach and
training the employment of minorities, women, individuals with
disabilities, veterans, low income populations and other underserved
populations in public transportation activities; (5) addressing gaps in
areas with current or projected workforce shortages in fields related
to public transportation; (6) pre-employment training/preparation/
tracking; and/or (7) recruitment and hiring. Further, these activity
areas will be used to evaluate the extent to which an applicant and its
required partners demonstrate how this program or project can assist in
building ladders of opportunity to the middle class; how the proposed
program can connect people and economic opportunities in public
transportation; and how it can build pathways to new job opportunities
in the transit field.
D. Review and Selection Process
A technical evaluation committee will review proposals under the
project selection criteria. Members of the technical evaluation
committee and the FTA Workforce Program Manager reserve the right to
screen and rate the applications FTA receives and to seek clarification
from any applicant about any statement in its application that FTA
finds ambiguous and/or to request additional documentation to be
considered during the evaluation process to clarify information
contained within the proposal.
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. Additionally, as provided at 49
U.S.C. 5322(b)(2), the FTA will consider and select, to the maximum
extent feasible, recipients that:
Are geographically diverse;
Address the workforce and human resources needs of large
public transportation providers;
Address the workforce and human resources needs of small
public transportation providers;
Address the workforce and human resources needs of urban
public transportation providers;
Address the workforce and human resources needs of rural
public transportation providers;
Advance training related to maintenance of alternative
energy, energy efficiency, or zero emission vehicles and facilities
used in public transportation;
Target areas with high rates of unemployment; and
Address current or projected workforce shortages in areas
that require technical expertise.
III. Proposal Preparation and Submission
A. Proposal Submission Process
Applicants may submit more than one proposal. However, each
proposal must support a new idea or program and not be duplicative.
Submission of multiple proposals from a single entity will not
[[Page 63662]]
increase that entity's chances of being awarded a grant.
Complete proposals for the Innovative Public Transportation
Workforce Development Program Ladders of Opportunity Initiative must be
submitted electronically through the GRANTS.GOV Web site by 11:59 EST
on December 23, 2014. Late applications will not be accepted. Proposers
are encouraged to begin the process of registration on the GRANTS.GOV
site well in advance of the submission deadline. Registration is a
multi-step process, which may take several weeks to complete before an
application can be submitted. Registered proposers may still be
required to take steps to keep their registration up to date before
submissions can be made successfully: (1) Registration in the Systems
for Award Management (SAM) (formerly the Central Contracting Registry
(CCR) system) is required; 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.
Eligible entities must have or must secure a DUNS number for the
purposes of formal application and potential entry into a cooperative
agreement with FTA. The DUNS number is a unique nine-character number
that identifies your organization. It is a tool of the federal
government to track how federal money is distributed. Each FTA
applicant's DUNS number will be maintained as part of the applicant's
profile. This number can be obtained free through the Dun and
Bradstreet (D&B) Web site (http://www.dnb.com/US/duns_update).
In addition, each entity that applies and does not have an
exemption under 2 CFR Sec. 25.110 should:
(1) Be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) prior to
submitting an application or plan (www.sam.gov), and
(2) 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 an agency.
B. Proposal Content
The applicant should submit a project narrative statement
describing the project objectives, proposed work tasks, outputs, and
benefits of the proposed project for which Federal assistance is being
requested. If the project is a proposal seeking support for an existing
program, it should describe the proposed FTA-supported project within
the context of the larger effort.
The narrative also should indicate whether matching funds will be
provided, the expected duration of the project, and other information
that would assist FTA to understand and evaluate the project. Each
submission for a project narrative statement should not exceed 12 pages
(single-spaced, single-sided, 12 point font on 8.5x11 inch paper) and
must include the information listed below:
1. Project Title, Objective(s), and Contact Person
At the top of the document, state the title of the project and
provide 2-3 sentences describing the intended project goals and
outcomes. List the contact person for this application along with his
or her address, title, phone number, fax number, and email address.
2. Statement of the Problem(s)
Provide a description of the new or existing program to be
supported by the proposed project. Describe the national or regional
impact of this project. Characterize the workforce issue or problem
present in the public transportation industry that the project directly
addresses. Describe how the project will specifically address the issue
for the applying organization. Explain why the specified approach is
being taken as opposed to others, and how its innovative aspects have
potential for nationwide or regional application. In addition to
innovative workforce practices, cite the unique features of the
project, such as design or technological innovations, reductions in
cost or time, environmental benefits, benefits to riders, or social and
community involvement. Finally, identify uncertainties and external
factors that could affect the schedule, cost, or success of the
program. Supporting documentation may be provided as an attachment that
will not count toward the total page limit. Such information will be
considered supplementary and will not necessarily be considered by FTA
in the project selection process.
3. Geographic Location, Target Groups, and Emphasis Areas
Give a precise location or locations of the project and identify
the area(s), and target group(s) to be directly served by the proposed
effort. Maps or other graphic aids may be attached as needed.
4. Strategic Partners
Provide a list of the strategic partner(s) that will be
participating in the project, as well as a description of each
organization, the unique skill sets and capacity they will bring to the
project, and the activities they will carry out. Also provide
documentation of the strategic partnership, such as a memorandum of
agreement or letter of intent signed by all parties that describes the
parties' roles, responsibilities and financial commitment in the
proposed project.
5. Scope of Work
Outline a plan of action, organized by work task, pertaining to the
scope and detail of how the proposed work will be accomplished. List
estimated milestone dates for major activities and products. Activities
should be justified in terms of eligible program activities and
proposals should clearly demonstrate the connection between the planned
work and at least one of the specific program activities cited. The
Scope of Work also should address supporting activities, such as
marketing plans for engaging participants and/or dissemination
strategies for sharing the results, if such are critical to the success
of the supported program.
Proposals must describe at least one final project deliverable and
how it will improve the state of the practice. Final products and
project deliverables must be made available at no cost to FTA and other
agencies at the project's close for dissemination and sharing
throughout the industry. Acceptable final products and deliverables
include, but are not limited to, class materials, Web sites or
software, recruitment materials, flyers, brochures and reports. This
product is in addition to the performance reporting requirements
described in Section 6 below. Additionally, a written Final Report that
is consistent with FTA Report guidelines: http://ftanet.fta.dot.gov/TRI/Documents/Preparation%20Instructions%20for%20FTA%20Final%20Reports.pdf is
required.
If a phased plan is being proposed, describe the context and
additional phases on a separate page or separate pages.
6. Period of Performance
Provide a schedule for completion of tasks assuming a total period
of performance of up to 24 months. If a phased plan is being proposed,
describe schedule for additional phases on a separate page or separate
pages (not counted toward the page maximum).
7. Cost/Budget Proposal
Provide the Federal amount requested, and a cost proposal
indicating staffing levels, hours, and direct costs for the total
project and amount of funding requested from FTA. The proposal must
describe the source
[[Page 63663]]
and amount of matching funds. As appropriate, the cost proposal also
must set forth the nature and value of in-kind resources that team
members will contribute to meet the match requirement.
Provide a line-item budget for the total project, with enough
detail to indicate the various key components of the project. As FTA
may elect to fund only a portion of a proposal rather than the full
amount requested by the applicant, the budget should set forth the
minimum amount necessary to fund specific project components. As
funding for the Innovative Public Transportation Workforce Development
Program (Ladders of Opportunity Initiative) is limited, an application
that can be scaled may receive additional consideration for funding.
8. Performance Measurement
Provide an approach for demonstrating the local, nationwide or
regional impact(s) of the project on the transit industry and broader
employment opportunities. The proposal should include a description of
the applicant's plan for recording the outcomes and reporting in a
Final Report, at a minimum, the following to FTA at the end of the
project:
The number of individuals affected by the project.
Applicants should define ``affected individuals'' in terms that make
sense for the proposed project. For example, other common reported
outcomes could include:
[ssquf] Target Individuals (Veterans, Women, Youth, Incumbent
Workers, etc.);
[ssquf] Number of eligible individuals entered into program;
[ssquf] Number of individuals who successfully complete the
program, achieve applicable credential, etc.;
[ssquf] Number of placed new workers and/or advanced incumbent
workers;
[ssquf] Number of retained workers after 90 days.
The costs of the project and the share of federal
investment.
At least one performance metric. Quantitative metrics are
preferred, but qualitative metrics will be considered if they are based
on the experiences of those affected by the program (as opposed to the
self-assessment of the applicant or partner agencies). Metrics could
include, but are not limited to, survey results; exit interviews; or
longitudinal tracking of staff (during the period of performance only).
A 1-2 page project description that will state the
project's initial goals and measure achievements against those goals.
This statement can also include ``lessons learned.''
A 1-2 page statement of applicability to other entities.
Once the program is complete, the applicant must describe how the
project could be scaled and/or altered for application elsewhere, and
what types of benefits could be realized by doing so.
Any other performance measure that the applicant
determines would describe the strengths and weaknesses of the project.
As part of the proposal, provide projections (for quantitative
measures) or short hypotheses (for qualitative measures) of what type
of impact/performance FTA could expect from the project.
9. Project Management
Describe the applicant's approach for managing and staffing the
project, including the distribution of responsibilities among partner
entities and an organizational chart, if applicable. Include
responsibilities such as regular reporting, performance measurement,
and technical/management interactions with FTA. Quarterly cost and
activity progress reporting is required and can be submitted in the FTA
electronics grant award system and by email submission to the FTA
Workforce Program Manager. FTA will provide a template upon request.
10. Project Staff
List each organization, operator, consultant, or other key
individuals who will work on the project, along with short descriptions
of their appropriate technical expertise and experience (such as past,
relevant research). Attach resumes or curriculum vitae if available.
Project staff resumes or curriculum vitae will not count towards the
total page count for proposal submissions.
IV. Award Information
FTA will award grants of a minimum of $200,000 and a maximum of
$1,000,000. FTA intends to award as many meritorious projects as
possible, and may elect to award less than the amount requested by an
applicant. In addition, geographic diversity and the applicant's
receipt of other discretionary awards may be considered in FTA's award
decisions.
A. Notification. After FTA has selected the proposals to be funded,
successful applicants will be notified by email or telephone of their
status. In addition, FTA will publish a notice in the Federal Register
announcing successful applicants. Upon notification of intent to award
funds, FTA may withdraw its offer to provide Federal assistance if the
recipient does not provide a formal application consistent with its
proposal submission within 90 days following the date of the offer.
B. Execution of the FTA Agreement. FTA will instruct successful
applicants on how to execute their cooperative agreements in FTA's
electronic grants management system.
C. Start Date and Incurred Costs. Absent special circumstances,
costs incurred prior to FTA award are not eligible as project expenses.
Absent highly unusual circumstances, FTA cannot retroactively approve a
project. The recipient may begin to incur project costs as of the date
the award letter is signed by FTA and the awardee executes the final
signature. FTA expects grantees to implement the projects awarded as
soon as possible and to fully expend grant funds during the period of
performance, recognizing that full transparency and accountability are
required for all expenditures.
V. Contacts for Additional Information
Prospective applicants may visit the following Web sites for more
information:
http://www.fta.dot.gov.
For more on managing projects in accordance with FTA
Circular 6100.1D: Transit Research and Technology Programs: Application
Instructions and Program Management Guidelines: http://fta.dot.gov/legislation_law/12349_12669.html. This Circular includes requirements
on project management and administration including quarterly reporting,
financial management, and payment.
For general program information, please use the contact information
identified in the front of this notice. Please contact the Grants.gov
Helpdesk for assistance with electronic applications at http://www.grants.gov. You also may contact support@grants.gov or call toll-
free (800) 518-4726.
Therese W. McMillan,
Acting Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2014-25310 Filed 10-23-14; 8:45 am]
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