[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 36 (Wednesday, February 23, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-4011]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: February 23, 1994]
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Part XI
Department of Transportation
_______________________________________________________________________
Office of the Secretary
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National Service; Announcement of Request for Proposals; Notice
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (DOT)
Office of the Secretary
National Service; Announcement of Request for Proposals
AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, Department of Transportation.
ACTION: Notice of requests for proposals.
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SUMMARY: The Corporation for National and Community Service (the
``Corporation'') offers support for national service activities
designed to help address the Nation's human, educational, environmental
and public safety needs. The President has urged all Federal agencies
to incorporate national service into their Federal programs. The
Department of Transportation will join the Corporation in its effort by
supporting and promoting transportation-related national service
programs. This request solicits proposals for transportation-related
national service projects, and describes what kind of local service
organizations might wish to apply. It also lists specific program areas
in which DOT encourages proposals. DOT will evaluate all the proposals
received. After programs have been selected, DOT may enter into a
formal agreement to establish a partnership with their sponsors and
include those programs as part of DOT's application to the Corporation
for operating funds and for the funding of educational awards.
FOR GENERAL INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul B. Larsen, Office of the General
Counsel, telephone (202) 366-9161; or CDR Timothy Beltz, Military
Assistant to the Secretary of Transportation, U.S. Department of
Transportation, 400 7th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590, telephone
(202) 366-5742.
FOR INFORMATION ABOUT SPECIFIC PROGRAMS: Contact the persons indicated
in the programs described in this announcement.
SEND PROPOSALS TO: Mrs. Brenda L. Harris, Office of Small and
Disadvantaged Business Utilization, U.S. Department of Transportation,
400 7th Street, SW., room 9414, Washington, DC 20590.
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF PROPOSALS: March 23, 1994, 4 p.m. EST.
Dated: February 16, 1994.
Federico Pena,
Secretary of Transportation.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
1.1 Background
1.2 Programs and Purpose
1.3 General Program Requirements
1.4 Eligibility Requirements
2. Program Descriptions
2.1 Overview
2.2 Rehabilitation, Reclamation, and Beautification of
Transportation-Related Facilities
2.3 Transit Ambassadors
2.4 Operation Lifesaver
2.5 Hazardous Materials Transportation Emergency Preparedness
Assistance
2.6 Youth Traffic Safety Education Programs
3. Submission of Proposals
3.1 Content and Format for Proposals
3.2 Address, Number of Copies, Deadline for Submission
3.3 Coordination with State Community Service Plan
4. Selection Criteria
4.1 General Criteria
4.2 Priority Consideration
4.3 Priorities for Specific DOT Programs
4.4 Preferences Applying to Urban Youth Corps Programs
5. Funding
5.1 Direct Funding from DOT
5.2 National Service Corporation Funding
5.3 Matching Funds
5.4 Restrictions on Use of Federal and Corporation Funds
Application Form for Proposals--Appendix A
1. Introduction
1.1 Background
On September 21, 1993, the President signed into law the National
and Community Service Trust Act (the ``Act''). The purpose of the Act
is to engage Americans of all ages and backgrounds in community-based
service to address the Nation's educational, public safety, human, and
environmental needs. The Act establishes several different types of
service programs designed to accomplish these goals, and establishes
the Corporation for National and Community Service (the ``National
Service Corporation'') to administer these programs.
The service program that this Request for Proposals (``RFP'')
addresses is the ``AmeriCorps'' program. The AmeriCorps program will
enable dedicated individuals to work on a variety of community and
national service programs on a full-time or part-time basis for a
period of at least nine months. In exchange for their contribution,
participants will receive living stipends and, at the end of their
terms of service, may receive educational awards to pay for further
education or to pay off student loans.
In order to further the goals of his national service initiative,
the President has urged all Federal agencies to explore ways in which
to incorporate national and community service into their Federal
programs. To encourage the integration of national and community
service with Federal programs, the National Service Corporation has
earmarked up to $16.3 million that may be available specifically for
the planning and operation of national and community service programs
to be operated by Federal agencies or by other eligible entities (as
defined in Section 1.4.1, ``Eligible Service Organizations,'' of this
RFP) in partnership with Federal agencies. Federal agencies may also
apply for educational awards for program participants.
At the Department of Transportation (``DOT''), we intend to fully
embrace this opportunity to use national and community service programs
to further our transportation-related community, state, and national
goals. It is our mission to provide future generations with a
transportation system that is safer, more environmentally sound, and
more efficient. The strategic goals that we have set to accomplish this
mission go hand-in-hand with the goals of the National and Community
Service Trust Act. At DOT, we are striving to:
--Tie America together through an effective intermodal transportation
system;
--Promote safe and secure transportation;
--Actively enhance our environment through wise transportation
decisions;
--Put people first in our transportation system by making it relevant
and accessible to users.
We believe that national and community service can contribute
effectively to the achievement of all of these transportation-related
goals.
1.2 Programs and Purpose
Since DOT is new to the community service field, our intent is to
tap the resources of existing community service organizations to
implement our national and community service programs. The purpose of
this RFP is to solicit proposals from eligible service organizations
for transportation-related national and community service projects.
Applicants may submit proposals involving activities within one or a
combination of the five transportation-related programs that have been
developed by DOT as being particularly suitable for national and
community service projects:
1. Rehabilitation, Reclamation and Beautification of
Transportation-Related Facilities;
2. ``Transit Ambassadors''--providing assistance to the elderly,
disabled, and children in Head Start programs in using public
transportation systems;
3. ``Operation Lifesaver''--making rail/highway crossings safer;
4. Hazardous Materials Transportation Emergency Preparedness
Assistance; and
5. Youth Traffic Safety Education Programs.
Each of these five programs are explained in more detail later in
this RFP and are referred to throughout as the ``DOT Programs.''
DOT will evaluate all of the proposals that it receives based on
the criteria and priorities set forth in Section 4 of this RFP, and
will enter into formal agreements to establish partnerships with
service organizations that submit the proposals that are selected.
Initially, these projects will most likely be concentrated in
geographic areas of the greatest need based on the criteria set forth
in the regulations issued under the National and Community Service
Trust Act (see ``Needs'' under Section 4.1, ``General Criteria'' in
this RFP). However, DOT views these initial projects to be the
beginning of a broader, more comprehensive program.
DOT plans to fund the initial projects in these programs through
two sources. First, DOT funds appropriated to DOT agencies will be
available to partially finance projects in some of the five DOT
Programs in fiscal year 1994. In addition, DOT may apply to the
National Service Corporation for additional funding for operational
costs and for educational awards (if requested) from the funds set
aside by the National Service Corporation for Federal agency programs.
(Since there is no guarantee that DOT will receive funding from the
National Service Corporation, a proposal selected by DOT ultimately
might not be fully funded or funded at all if DOT's request for funding
from the National Service Corporation is not granted.) The service
organizations sponsoring the project will have to provide matching
funds for a portion of project costs.
Any funds that DOT receives from the National Service Corporation
will be from the $16.3 million that has been earmarked for Federal
agencies. Therefore, the DOT Programs may provide service organizations
with access to a source of funds for which they are otherwise not
eligible.
DOT will inform applicants prior to April 15, 1994, as to whether
they have been selected to receive DOT funding and whether they will be
included in DOT's application to the National Service Corporation. DOT
anticipates that notification of National Service Corporation awards
for Federal agency programs will occur in May or June of 1994.
1.3 General Program Requirements
Any proposal submitted under this RFP must comply with the general
requirements for service programs that are set forth in the National
and Community Service Trust Act and related regulations. These
requirements include:
1. Employing participants on a full-time basis (1700 hours for a
period of not less than nine months and not more than a year); or on a
part-time basis (900 hours for a period of not more than two years, or,
if the individual is enrolled in an institution of higher education
while performing all or part of the service, not more than three
years).
2. Employing at least 20 full time equivalent participants unless
an explanation is provided as to why a smaller number is appropriate.
3. Paying participants a living allowance of at least $7,440 for
fiscal year 1994 (but not more than twice that amount).
4. Providing participants with health care benefits and, if
necessary, child care benefits during the term of service.
5. Providing for participants to receive educational awards (either
from the National Service Corporation or from some other source) in an
amount of $4,725 for one full-time term of service or $2,360 for one
part-time term of service, for up to two terms of service. (If
educational awards will not be received by all participants, the
program must ensure that the distribution of educational awards is
performed in an equitable manner that treats equally all participants
doing the same or essentially similar work. Distribution based solely
on economic needs of participants is not encouraged.)
6. Not displacing other employees or positions, nor supplanting the
hiring or promotion of employees. The written concurrence of any local
labor organization representing employees engaged in the same or
substantially similar work must be obtained.
If a proposal is selected and funded, the service organization will
be required to enter into a formal agreement to establish the
partnership with DOT, which will set forth the specific terms and
conditions of the partnership arrangement, including provisions for
monitoring and evaluating the project. The selected service
organization will also be required to enter into formal agreements with
the participants in its project to spell out the terms and conditions
of service.
1.4 Eligibility Requirements
1.4.1 Eligible Service Organizations
Subdivisions of states, Indian Tribes, public or private nonprofit
organizations (including labor organizations), institutions of higher
education, or a consortia of entities that propose to administer or
operate a national or community service program are eligible to submit
proposals for the DOT Programs.
1.4.2 Eligible Participants
Eligibility for individual participation in community and national
service projects is limited to participants who: (1) are 17 years of
age or older at the commencement of service, unless the individual is
in a youth corps program, in which case the participant must be between
the ages of 16 and 25; (2) either have received a high school diploma
or its equivalent, including an alternative diploma or certificate for
those individuals with mental and physical disabilities for whom such
alternative diploma or certificate is appropriate, or agree to obtain a
high school diploma or its equivalent. (However, if the program
conducts an independent evaluation demonstrating that the potential
participant is incapable of obtaining a high school diploma or its
equivalent, this requirement may be waived); (3) have not dropped out
of elementary or secondary school in order to enroll as a national
service participant, unless the participant is enrolled in an
institution of higher education on an ability to benefit basis and is
considered eligible for funds under section 484 of the Higher Education
Act of 1965; (4) are citizens or nationals of the United States; and
(5) meet the task-related eligibility requirements established by the
program.
2. Program Descriptions
2.1 Overview
To implement its national and community service program, DOT has
identified five specific national and community service programs that
combine the goals and priorities of the National and Community Service
Trust Act and the goals and priorities of DOT. Applicants may submit
proposals falling within one or a combination of DOT Programs. The
proposals should tailor the selected DOT Program(s) to the specific
needs of the community to be served. The following is a description of
the five DOT Programs:
2.2 Rehabilitation, Reclamation, and Beautification of Transportation-
Related Facilities
2.2.1 Description of Program
The DOT program for ``Rehabilitation, Reclamation and
Beautification of Transportation-Related Facilities'' has been
developed to implement the provisions of section 106(d) of the Act,
which establishes an urban youth corps in DOT, and authorizes the
Secretary of Transportation to enter into formal agreements to form
partnerships with qualified urban youth corps. The Secretary may make
grants of DOT funds to States (and through States to local governments)
for the purpose of supporting qualified urban youth corps projects. In
addition, proposals for qualified urban youth corps projects to be
conducted by eligible service organizations (as defined in Section
1.4.1 of this RFP) may be included in DOT's application for funding
from the National Service Corporation. These include projects that the
Secretary is authorized to carry out under other authority of law
involving public works resources or facilities.
Section 106(d) is based on the finding of Congress that public
works and transportation resources are in need of labor intensive
rehabilitation, reclamation, and beautification work that has been
neglected in the past and cannot be adequately carried out by Federal,
State, and local government at existing personnel levels.
Rehabilitation, reclamation, and beautification of public roads and
public works facilities through the efforts of young people in the
United States participating in urban youth corps can benefit these
youths and their communities.
An urban youth corps project that would qualify under this DOT
Program is one that is established by an eligible service organization
(as defined under Section 1.4.1 of this RFP) and that:
a. Is capable of offering meaningful, full-time, productive work
for individuals between the ages of 16 and 25, inclusive, in an urban
public works or transportation setting;
b. Gives participants a mix of work experience, basic and life
skills, education, training, and support services; and
c. Provides participants with the opportunity to develop
citizenship values and skills through service to their communities and
the United States.
Although any project proposed under this Program should involve an
urban youth corps in a significant portion of the work, the proposal
may also include other eligible groups of community service
participants that will work along with the urban youth corps.
Potential projects include organizing and managing community
beautification projects to plant trees and flowers adjacent to highways
and transportation terminals and corridors; coordinating with railroad
companies to organize clean up campaigns and work days along railroad
tracks and rights of way; working with local artists to beautify
terminals and facilities with art work; and clean up and beautification
of roadsides, transportation corridors, and access to transportation
facilities. Community service projects will be associated with at least
one mode of transportation, i.e., rail, transit, or highway.
All projects will need to be coordinated with the organizations
having authority over the relevant transportation facilities (such as
State Departments of Transportation, local Metropolitan Planning
Organizations (MPOs), or transit authorities). As part of its proposal
under this DOT Program, an applicant will need to show that the project
is acceptable to the relevant transportation organizations.
2.2.2 Goals and Priorities
This program addresses the following national priorities
established by the National Service Corporation:
a. Education--Urban youth corps projects will include specific
project-related and general job skills training that will prepare
participants for future employment opportunities. Training will also
include specific skills related to the project being undertaken, such
as carpentry, landscaping, and environmental planning.
b. Public Safety--Recruiting at-risk youths in urban settings for
participation in youth corps activities will provide opportunities for
youths to be productively involved in community activities, reducing
the inclination to turn to activities such as drug dealing or other
crimes. In addition, cleaner transportation facilities will make the
facilities more attractive, drawing more users, and in turn, making
them safer for use by all.
c. Human Needs--Urban youth corps projects will provide job skills
training that will help individuals become self-sufficient. Job skills
will include basics such as taking responsibility for attendance, being
accountable for work products, and dealing with supervisors. In
addition, these projects will be targeted at improving communities and
neighborhoods.
d. Environment--Rehabilitation, reclamation and beautification of
transportation facilities will enhance neighborhoods as well as assist
in conserving and restoring the environment.
2.2.3 Anticipated Outcomes and Results
Urban youth corps projects will result in benefits to communities,
neighborhoods, and transportation facilities in the form of renovated,
restored, and cleaner facilities and areas. Participants will not only
have the opportunity to perform community service but will learn job
skills that will prepare them for future employment opportunities.
2.2.4 Funding
The Federal share of funding for urban youth corps projects may be
provided from existing DOT program funds and state Federal-aid funds.
DOT intends to apply for any additional funds needed for program costs,
including living allowances, educational awards, health insurance, and
child care costs, from the National Service Corporation. It is
anticipated that direct funding for the Rehabilitation, Reclamation,
and Beautification of Transportation-Related Facilities Program may be
available from DOT in future years.
2.2.5 DOT Agency Involvement and Expertise Available
DOT agencies involved in this Program include the Federal Highway
Administration, the Federal Transit Administration, and the Federal
Railroad Administration. For the selected proposals, DOT
representatives will work with sponsoring organizations to contact
State DOTs, MPOs, transit authorities, etc., with authority over the
relevant transportation facilities to assist with project arrangements
and agreements.
2.2.6 DOT Contacts
Karen Kabel, Federal Highway Administration (HMS-31) (202) 366-9074,
FAX (202) 366-3235
Gordon Smith, Federal Railroad Administration (RAD-10.1) (202) 366-
0589, FAX (202) 366-7439
Roger Tate, Federal Transit Administration (TTS-31) (202) 366-0235, FAX
(202) 366-3765
Address: 400 7th St., SW., Washington, DC 20950.
2.3 Transit Ambassadors
2.3.1 Description of Program
The DOT Federal Transit Administration's program for ``Transit
Ambassadors'' proposes to use participants in community service
programs to help elderly and disabled persons learn to use public
transportation systems in their communities. Program participants,
called ``transit ambassadors'', would assist these targeted individuals
in locating bus stops, understanding how the fare system works, and
identifying potential destinations, such as grocery stores, medical
facilities, etc. Transit ambassadors would teach individuals how to use
public transportation, and how to read maps and time schedules. In
addition, transit ambassadors will accompany persons who need such
assistance to navigate their way on conventional, fixed route public
transportation service.
Assistance may be of a one-time nature to acquaint an individual
with public transportation routes and services. Transit Ambassadors may
also provide regular or scheduled guide services. The most minimal sort
of service the transit ambassador could provide would simply be
visiting an individual and providing schedule and fare information, and
answering questions about a pending trip or series of trips. The
service would include training individuals about their neighborhood and
the shops within it, increasing the confidence level for those who then
could move around independently and provide overall better security in
the affected neighborhoods.
As part of this program, transit ambassadors will assess the local
transportation facilities to identify obstacles that prevent disabled
and elderly persons from safely and easily traveling on public
transportation, and will work with local transportation authorities to
remove these obstacles. The transit ambassadors will also work with the
local transit authorities to develop and distribute information that
will facilitate and encourage the use of public transportation by the
elderly and disabled (such as more easily readable bus schedules,
community maps showing routes to locations of particular interest, or
information on special fares or rates available for the elderly or
disabled).
This program also has the potential for developing partnerships
with other Federal agencies (such as the Department of Health and Human
Services or the Department of Education) to accompany youths to and
from Head Start Programs and, in addition, provide assistance to Head
Start teachers during class. In such a partnership, transit ambassadors
could also be trained as aides on transportation vehicles to and from
Head Start facilities/programs. Transit ambassadors could instruct Head
Start children and their parents on the routes to bus stops, and teach
the children about proper behavior and safety procedures while riding
on a bus. Transit ambassadors could also act as aides to Head Start
teachers during the remainder of the day.
2.3.2 Goals and Priorities
Transit Ambassadors will address the following national priorities:
a. Public Safety. By providing escorts and training for elderly and
disabled persons, this program will help decrease potential violence to
elderly and disabled citizens; transportation assistance for the Head
Start program will also increase safety to and from bus stops and on
those buses.
b. Health and Human Needs. Transportation assistance for elderly
and disabled persons will enable them to get to medical and other
facilities more readily and more independently.
c. Mitigate the impact of unfunded mandates. The Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA) requires all public transit systems to provide
supplementary door-to-door paratransit service for those individuals
who are unable to use even fully accessible public transit. The Transit
Ambassador Program will help instill confidence in elderly and disabled
persons in the use of conventional public transportation and limit the
call for more expensive door-to-door paratransit to individuals with
mobility difficulties.
d. Education. Transit ambassador participating in programs with the
elderly and disabled will learn about the needs of those populations
and will help to integrate them into mainstream society.
In addition, if cooperative partnerships are formed with other
Federal agencies such as the Department of Health and Human Services
and the Department of Education, the Transit Ambassadors Program will
provide aides for Head Start programs and help make children more
``school ready.'' In such a partnership, transit ambassadors will be
able to work with children on the bus and in class, and provide
information to them and their parents.
2.3.3 Anticipated Outcomes and Results
a. The program will benefit the local community and transit
operators. Elderly and disabled citizens will be able to participate in
the community. Transit Ambassadors will develop knowledge of needs of
the populations served and increase skills for dealing with these
populations.
b. Disciplines learned in this program can be carried over into
careers in the medical field, social services, transportation and
education.
2.3.4 Funding
Funding for this proposal will be available from the Federal
Transit Administration at an anticipated level of up to $235,000 for
program costs. DOT intends to apply for any additional funds needed for
program costs, including living allowances, educational awards, health
insurance, and child care costs, from the National Service Corporation.
It is anticipated that direct funding for the Transit Ambassadors
Program may be available from DOT in future years.
2.3.5 DOT Agency Involvement and Expertise Available
The Federal Transit Administration will be the agency within DOT
that will implement the Transit Ambassador Program.
2.3.6 DOT Contact
Roger Tate, Federal Transit Administration, Room 6100 A, 400 7th Street
SW., Washington, DC 20590, Phone: (202) 366-0235.
2.4 Operation Lifesaver
2.4.1 Description of Program
``Operation Lifesaver'' is an active, continuous national public
information and education program that works in conjunction with the
DOT Federal Railroad Administration. This program provides help in
preventing and reducing crashes, injuries and fatalities and in
improving driver performance at the nation's 300,000 public and private
rail/highway grade crossings. Operation Lifesaver originated in Idaho
in 1972 after Union Pacific Railroad and community leaders in the state
decided to band together and fight the growing number of rail/highway
grade crossing crashes, injuries and fatalities with a public education
program. At the end of the first year the rail/highway grade crossing
fatality rate dropped a resounding 39 percent.
The program is now national in scope as all states have their own
Operation Lifesaver programs. It is at the grassroots level--in the
cities, in rural communities, and in the schools--where Operation
Lifesaver has been most effective. States have reported fatality
reductions at rail/highway grade crossings ranging from 28 percent to
100 percent one year after establishing the program.
There are two concepts through which Operation Lifesaver may be
incorporated within the umbrella of the DOT National Service program:
a. The first would use a community service organization to assess
the number and location of railroad/street, road, and highway
intersections within the defined geographic area. Based upon the data
developed, the community service organization would be responsible for
developing and presenting an educational program suitable for
elementary schools, secondary schools, colleges, civic organizations,
service organizations and fraternal groups.
b. The second would address the provision of organizational and
administrative assistance to the various state Operation Lifesaver
offices through the recruitment and placement of assistant program
coordinators. These individuals would enhance the ability of the State
office to acquire information and establish geographic databases;
organize and plan educational programs and campaigns; coordinate media
initiatives and relationships; and systematize internal procedures and
processes. This concept involves placement of individuals in single
positions in a number of different states, and would be part of a
multi-state program that would fall under the national service
provisions of the Act. This portion of the program would be implemented
incrementally based upon fiscal considerations.
Organizations that could participate in the first concept include
community service organizations eligible to participate under the
National and Community Service Trust Act (see Section 1.4.1 of the
RFP).
Implementation of the second concept would be coordinated through
the national Operation Lifesaver headquarters office located in
Alexandria, Virginia. This second concept would facilitate individual
recruitment of National Service volunteers at the local level and would
provide participants with opportunities to provide service to their
local communities and states and to participate in the development of
viable transportation safety programs.
2.4.2 Goals and Priorities
This program addresses the following national priorities:
a. Education--Participants will be exposed to a variety of project
specific tasks and general job skills that could prepare participants
for future employment opportunities.
b. Public Safety--Operation Lifesaver assists in promoting public
awareness of the dangers associated with rail crossings, trespassing on
railroad properties, and improper use of motor vehicles around rail
facilities. Further, it will bring the audiences into contact with
local police and other law enforcement agencies, which will open the
lines of communication and create opportunities for cooperation.
c. Human Needs--This Program will stimulate awareness of rail and
highway safety-related problems within local and State communities and
bring people together to address them. The programs will also provide
safety training to a wide audience, ranging in age from pre-schoolers
to senior citizens.
d. Environment--Operation Lifesaver has been successful in reducing
community environmental hazards associated with rail crossings.
2.4.3 Anticipated Outcomes and Results
a. The utilization of a community service organization would result
in benefits to the local communities and provide needed public
education in the area of rail safety to the specifically targeted
audiences and the general public. As past records have shown, there
should be a downward trend in accidents, injuries, and trespasser
violations in conjunction with the Operation Lifesaver Program. The
statistics developed would be readily available for program evaluation,
cost analysis, and community acceptance and adoption.
b. The hiring and placement of assistant administrative
coordinators throughout the Operation Lifesaver system would result in
better coordination of the program with railroad companies, law
enforcement agencies, local and state governments, the various
informational media and the general population. The opportunity to
function within an established program would enhance the job skills and
personal marketability for the participants for future endeavors.
Both concepts will expose the participants to the opportunity to
perform community service, and enhance the development of personal
qualities, educational values and positive work ethics.
2.4.4 Funding
DOT intends to apply for funding for program costs, including
living allowances, educational awards, health insurance, and child care
costs, from the National Service Corporation. A budgetary review is
ongoing at this time to seek other sources of funding within DOT. The
National and Community Service Act will be an item in the Fiscal Year
1996 budget submission of the Federal Railroad Administration, and it
is anticipated that direct funding for national service involvement in
the Operation Lifesaver program may be available from DOT in future
years.
2.4.5 DOT Agency Involvement and Expertise Available
The Operation Lifesaver and adjunct trespasser programs are
addressed by several of the DOT modal administrations, specifically the
Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and the Federal Highway
Administration (FHWA).
2.4.6 DOT Contacts
Gordon J. Smith, Federal Railroad Administration, Office of
Administration, (202) 366-0589, FAX (202) 366-7439
Bruce George, Highway Rail Crossing and Trespasser Division, Federal
Railroad Administration, (202) 366-0533
Mailing Address: Room 8232, 400 7th St. SW., Washington DC 20590
2.5 Hazardous Materials Transportation Emergency Preparedness
Assistance
2.5.1 Description of Program
a. Background. The DOT Research and Special Programs
Administration, Office of Hazardous Materials Safety (OHMS), currently
carries out a national safety program to protect against the risks to
life, health, property, and the environment inherent in the
transportation of hazardous materials by water, air, highway and
railroad. OHMS plans, implements, and manages hazardous materials
regulatory, enforcement, and outreach programs, and administers a user
fee funded grant program to States and Indian tribes for planning and
training for hazardous materials emergencies.
The number and type of entities regulated by OHMS have increased
dramatically since 1990, when the Hazardous Materials Transportation
Act (HMTA) was amended. Prior to 1990, the office had jurisdiction over
approximately 40,000 hazardous materials shippers and carriers. In the
future, the inclusion of intrastate shippers and carriers will bring an
additional 110,000 newly regulated shippers and carriers mandated by
the HMTA amendment under the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR).
Certain shippers and carriers are required to register with the
Department and pay an annual fee. The Hazardous Materials Registration
Program, which began in September 1992, funds emergency preparedness
grants to States and Indian tribes for training and preparing to
respond to hazardous materials emergencies.
The HMTA Grant Program was presented to Congress in 1990 during the
legislative process reauthorizing the Hazardous Materials
Transportation Act of 1974. Grant funds were first distributed in
Fiscal Year 1993. The HMTA grant program is carefully crafted to build
upon existing programs and relationships. It has increased the emphasis
on improving the capability of communities to plan for the full range
of transportation related hazardous materials risks they face.
Forty-seven States are participating in the HMTA grant program--an
overwhelming first year response. Fifty-eight grants, totaling
approximately $8.4 million, were given to States, Tribes, and
Territories in the first grant budget period. 180,000 emergency
responders will be trained with HMTA grant funds in the first year of
the program; 81% of these responders are either paid or volunteer
firefighters.
The existing grant process begins with each participating State's
Governor determining which agency within the State receives the HMTA
grant. The selected agency distributes funds in accordance with HMTA
grant rules and required certifications, ensuring the assistance is
provided to intended recipients. The grant distribution system allows
each State's Governor to make decisions on funding based on local
factors, and allows DOT to leverage resources, thereby operating the
HMTA grant program efficiently. The HMTA grant distribution system is
lean, and gives exceptionally responsive service to State grantees.
b. National Service Corps. Under the OHMS's ``Hazardous Materials
Transportation Emergency Preparedness Assistance'' Program, national
service funding will be used to employ national service participants as
assistants to the State Emergency Response Commission (SERC), Local
Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC), and State Emergency Management
Agency levels. This Program will reinforce the Nation's Hazardous
Materials Transportation Emergency Response/State Emergency Response
structure, one of the objectives of the existing HMTA grant program.
Local SERC/LEPC/emergency management national service participants
may serve as assistants to prepare local emergency plans, perform
hazardous materials commodity flow studies, and coordinate exercise of
plans. These jobs, requiring little previous experience, could be
learned mainly through on-the-job training.
Use of national service funds to increase the effectiveness of the
nationally recognized HMTA grant program would not only help the nation
and localities, but also give national service participants experience
in, and access to, an industry which is experiencing growth. The
Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986, a reaction
in part to the Bhopal, India tragedy, created SERCs and LEPCs to plan
for emergency response, including feedback and coordination from
broadly based local groups; many responsibilities were levied on states
and localities with little funding. This program can provide assistance
not previously available. Similarly, state emergency management
agencies need assistance with hazardous materials planning and training
grants.
It is proposed that national service participants be involved as
follows:
1. A day in the life of a national service participant might
include assignment to an LEPC. For this participant the day might
include working under the LEPC chairperson's supervision to gather data
at the state police inspection point for a commodity flow study. The
participant might use the data while interacting with LEPC members at
an evening meeting. As a result of the meeting the LEPC might modify
their emergency plan.
2. At other times the participant might distribute material safety
data sheets to the public, conduct community outreach meetings, or
receive notification of a hazardous materials release and provide
support for the SERC/LEPC or the community. At a state emergency
information center, the participant might assist the watch officer in
preparing and distributing the daily situation report.
3. Daily activities provide on-the-job training. For example, data
may have indicated heavy transport of gasoline indicating the need for
training in response to tanker incidents. The participant learns from
experience the interaction between data, planning, and training. The
participant might also be mentored by the members of the LEPC, the
response community, or the trucking industry. In this way, the public
good is served and the participant receives valuable training.
2.5.2 Goals and Priorities
The proposed program meets all criteria for funding under the
President's National Service program; it improves public safety and
health, guards the environment, and educates program participants. The
program addresses national service priorities while at the same time
provides an opportunity for public service and giving participants
training that may enable them to gain employment later. It specifically
addresses the following national priorities:
a. Environment. The program will help eliminate environmental risks
through education of communities and through risk preparation/
prevention. Development of currently unavailable databases could
provide the information especially helpful in accident avoidance and
response. Hazardous materials planning and training assistant positions
at SERC/LEPCs and HMTA State grantee offices are currently going
unfilled.
b. Education. If students are selected for these positions, this
program will meet the ``Education'' national priority. On-the-job
training will provide unparalleled opportunities for individuals to
learn skills leading to diplomas or equivalent recognition of
accomplishment.
In addition, this program addresses two Department of
Transportation Strategic Goals: (1) Promoting safe and secure
transportation, and (2) enhancing the environment through wise
transportation decisions.
2.5.3 Anticipated Outcomes and Results
Communities and individuals will benefit from national service
participation. Participants can contribute to an increased awareness of
environmental protection and emergency response. Community outreach, a
possible activity for participants, can help involve residents in
discussion of issues and formulation of policy that can directly
benefit the community.
An ultimate goal of individual programs would be improved emergency
response. Schools and community groups can be targets for educational
programs, thereby increasing the knowledge level in the community.
2.5.4 Funding
Up to $60,000 of the Federal share of living allowances for
participants may be provided by the Research and Special Programs
Administration in DOT. DOT intends to apply for any additional funds
needed for program costs, including living allowances, educational
awards, health insurance, and child care costs, from the National
Service Corporation.
2.5.5 DOT Agencies Involved and Expertise Available
The Office of Hazardous Materials Safety within the Research and
Special Programs Administration will be the office in DOT that will
implement this Program.
2.5.6 DOT Contact
The primary contact for DOT for the Hazardous Materials
Transportation Emergency Preparedness Assistance Program will be:
Charles Rogoff, HMTA Grants Manager, Office of Hazardous Materials
Safety, the Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA). (202)
366-0001,
The National Service Program contact is:
Jim Kabel, Office of Policy and Program Support, RSPA (202) 366-6714.
2.6 Youth Traffic Safety Education Programs
2.6.1 Description of Program
a. Background and purpose. The DOT National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration's program for Youth Traffic Safety Education offers the
opportunity to train young volunteers aged 16 to 25 to be proficient in
traffic safety and then become positive role models for traffic safety
behaviors for both younger children and their young adult peers. The
children, youth, and young adult populations are over-represented in
fatal motor vehicle crashes and are therefore at very high risk of
being involved in potentially life-threatening or debilitating motor
vehicle incidents.
In the U.S., injury is the leading cause of death for people ages 1
to 44. Traffic crashes alone are consistently the leading cause of
death for persons between the ages of 5 and 34. Many of the deaths and
injuries that occur on our roads are not the result of unavoidable
incidents. By and large, these consequences are the result of failure
to take proper precautions such as wearing safety belts and bicycle
helmets as well as unsafe behaviors such as speeding and impaired
driving. These losses strike particularly hard on young families and
young children.
Attempts to improve chances of survival focusing on injury
prevention call for traffic safety programs to increase safe behaviors.
Increasing safe behaviors depends largely on educating individuals
about precautionary measures and rules of the road such as using child
safety seats to transport young children, buckling up all motor vehicle
passengers, practicing safe bicycle and pedestrian behaviors, not
speeding, and never driving impaired or riding with an impaired driver.
b. Scope of work. This project calls for a two-phase activity for
the grantee to train young adult volunteer participants on critical
traffic safety issues and to conduct educational activities using
trained volunteers to promote highway safety for children and youth
from prekindergarten through eighth grade. The educational activities
use peer and cross-age mentoring as a teaching technique that has been
found quite effective with this age group. Phase one is the development
and conduct of training. Phase two is the program implementation.
Prior to applying, the potential applicant shall conduct a
preliminary assessment and problem identification, to the extent
possible, of the current status of community traffic fatalities and
injuries as well as safety activities and resources, consulting sources
such as the state office of highway safety, law enforcement agencies,
hospitals, health clinics, and local chapters of other organizations
involved with traffic safety efforts such as SAFE KIDS Coalition,
Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), and Students Against Driving
Drunk (SADD). The state office of highway safety may be able to provide
a general outline of the problem and many of the activities underway
within a designated area. The applicant shall use the preliminary
assessment to help design a complementary plan of educational
activities, providing both the preliminary community assessment and the
educational activity plan as part of the application.
i. Program Phase One. Phase one will entail completing the
preliminary community assessment, finalizing the educational program
plan, and developing and implementing the training component. In
preparation for dealing with the complex and technical highway safety
issues, a training program for community service volunteers including
specialized training and experiential learning will be the integral
part of the preparation for conducting educational safety activities.
The training program will be developed and implemented with the
consultation and coordination of the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (``NHTSA'') and community experts corresponding with the
educational activity plan. The training program must also be
coordinated with and approved by the traffic unit of the local law
enforcement department. Ideally, local law enforcement will be
represented in training sessions to the extent possible. All
participating program volunteers will complete initial training
demonstrating a minimum level of knowledge and skills before beginning
traffic safety education activities. The training program may extend
into the program implementation phase as appropriate for continued
instruction and consultation with experts.
ii. Program Phase Two. The grantee will then utilize trained
volunteers to implement key traffic safety programs to meet local needs
using available resources. Programs should incorporate one or more of
the following traffic safety areas: child passenger safety, pedestrian
safety, bicycle safety, safety belt use, and alcohol impairment.
Several activities may be done concurrently or consecutively for added
impact in a given traffic safety area or increased exposure to distinct
traffic safety issues. Subjects may also be combined for a more
comprehensive traffic-safety message. Suggested activities in the
corresponding traffic safety areas include but are not limited to the
following:
Child Passenger Safety
Bounty Program
A Bounty Program utilizes volunteers to work with merchants and
others to remove no-longer-safe child safety seats from the reuse and
resale markets. No-longer-safe car seats include those manufactured
before current standards; no longer containing labeling identifying
model and manufacturer; missing parts; containing broken, cracked,
frayed, or rusted parts; under recall; or previously involved in a
motor vehicle crash. Volunteers could work with local newspapers to
publish public service announcements in the classified sections
alerting the garage sale market about the program. Safe child car seats
are available at low cost in many areas through discount stores, car
seat loaner programs, insurance companies, and other sources.
Additional child passenger safety activities could include working with
local distributors to develop a local shopping guide specifying sites
with child safety seat model availability and price lists. A ``how to''
manual is available from NHTSA to help establish a bounty program. (Can
be conducted in conjunction with hospitals, police departments, fire
departments, and day care centers.)
Pedestrian Safety
Pedestrian Safety Elementary Education Program
Two programs are available to reach young children with safe
pedestrian information. The ``Willy Whistle'' program can be conducted
in one or two pedestrian safety lessons. Resources include an age
appropriate video for children from kindergarten through third grade or
fourth through seventh grade and teaching guides with discussion
questions, activity ideas, and a parent letter. Both videos teach
critical behaviors needed by young pedestrians to avoid dangerous
situations. ``Wary Walker'' is a pedestrian safety school-based
curriculum consisting of five classroom lessons, an outdoor field day,
and a two-part parent/child activity workbook to be completed at home
by the family. The focus is on teaching elementary school children
basic pedestrian skills emphasizing street crossing while encouraging
independent thinking, making safe choices, and evaluating themselves
and others as pedestrians using a variety of props including
instructional videos, worksheets, cartoon characters, a pedestrian
safety rap song, and a Map to Safety. (Can be conducted in conjunction
with schools.)
School Crossing Guard Program
Adult school crossing guard programs have been developed to help
safely expedite the movement of children to and from school by creating
gaps in traffic. Crossing guards act in identified high risk
intersections separately from school student safety patrols who assist
students on school property. The crossing guard program is used in
cities of all sizes and has become an integral part of school crossing
protection programs across the country. Most crossing guard programs
are organized and administered by local law enforcement units in
cooperation and coordination with school authorities and require strict
reliability of participants. State or local legislation may establish
procedures and guidelines pertaining to school crossing guards which
could include minimum age, education requirements, and uniform attire
for guards. Training materials available through the American
Automobile Association (AAA) and other sources may be used if standard
training materials are not already established in a particular
locality. (Can be conducted in conjunction with law enforcement and
schools. Note that this project can only be implemented if it will not
displace other employees.)
Bicycle Safety
Bicycle Helmet Program
Despite the effectiveness of wearing helmets in preventing death
and serious head injury, only a very small percentage of cyclists wear
them for many reasons including misperceptions of helmets being uncool,
ugly, too hot, and too heavy. Purchasing bicycle helmets may also be
cost prohibitive to consumers not fully aware of their potential life-
saving benefits. Bicycle videos promoting safe cycling through
increased use of helmets and videos demonstrating the proper fit of
helmets are available through the American Academy of Pediatrics and
other organizations. Potential program activities could include bicycle
helmet demonstrations allowing first-hand helmet use, the distribution
of bicycle helmet discount coupons obtained with the cooperation of
local merchants or manufacturers, and the development and distribution
of local shopping guides specifying area stores with model
availability, sizes, and price lists. (Can be conducted in conjunction
with parent and teacher organizations, civic groups, and schools.)
Bicycle Rodeo
Bicycle rodeos are half or full-day events requiring fairly
extensive planning and design which teach children of all ages how to
ride their bikes safely and correctly. The rodeo allows participants to
ride their bicycles while they practice and improve bicycle safety
skills and learn about traffic situations while rotating through
several activity stations. Some of the skills are also transferable to
situations in which children are pedestrians. Complete guides for
conducting rodeos are available for assistance. (Can be conducted in
conjunction with law enforcement, schools, and youth centers.)
Safety Belts
School Safety Belt Use Program
Young drivers and passengers have the lowest safety belt use rates
of any age group. Their reasons often include not wanting to wrinkle
their clothes, not wanting to appear uncool or wimpy in front of
friends, and include myths such as ``I could never be involved in a
crash,'' ``I'd rather be thrown clear from the car in a crash,'' and
``I don't want to be trapped if the car catches on fire.'' Safety belt
use programs can be designed to correct the misperceptions with facts
and include activities that will raise awareness about the importance
of wearing a safety belt properly every time a person rides in a motor
vehicle. Activities can include taking children out to a car to
instruct them how to properly buckle up in both the front and back
seats and allowing them to practice, conducting a safety belt speed
challenge to show that buckling up only takes a couple of seconds that
could save a life, demonstrating the effectiveness of safety belts
through a carefully designed egg experiment, taking an observational
safety belt use survey of people arriving and departing school
property, and having students sign pledge cards to wear safety belts
and encourage others to do the same. (Can be conducted in conjunction
with schools and student clubs.)
Alcohol
Teen Courts
Teen courts represent an intervention approach that employs the
dramatic role of peer influence responding to youth problem behaviors
often prompted by peer pressure, such as underage drinking, impaired
driving, and other antisocial behaviors. Teen courts could supplement
the traditional juvenile justice system in which volunteers (teens or
young adults) could work with the local justice system to implement and
administer a teen court system, serving as bailiffs, clerks,
prosecuting and defense attorneys, and, in some cases, judges.
Volunteers would also coordinate recruiting youth jurors from the
community to sit on juries for individual cases. Information on how to
set up a teen court is available from NHTSA. On the whole, teen courts
help provide a diversion from the juvenile justice system, appear to
reduce recidivism, and capitalize on peer influence to alleviate
illegal behaviors. Additional alcohol-awareness activism for volunteers
could include efforts to utilize youth as court room monitors to
collect data and make recommendations to solve problems, conduct
intergenerational issue presentations, and use impaired driving victim
impact panels in presentations. (Can be conducted in conjunction with
juvenile justice system, schools, law enforcement, and Mothers Against
Drunk Driving.)
c. Volunteer Participant and Program Requirements. Due to the
highly technical nature of the program and the limitation of available
funds, this project is designed as a pilot program to train the
equivalent of 10 full-time youth or young adult volunteers. Volunteers
should be between the ages of 16 and 25, with a high school diploma or
its equivalent, working in a single city or community. The volunteers
should be proficient speaking the dominant language or languages of the
area. Volunteers should be divided into two teams of five with two
volunteers designated as team leaders. Team leaders should be full-time
volunteers with a college diploma or some college experience.
Preference will be given to volunteers, especially team leaders, with
experience or interest in education, public safety, public health,
recreation, physical education, marketing, public relations,
journalism, or media relations.
Eligible applicants will be required to demonstrate, through a
letter of cooperation, the support of the traffic division of the local
law enforcement agency for the implementation of the planned program.
Additional support organizations might include: Highway safety
agencies, emergency medical services units, motor vehicle
administration, educational institutions, public health officials, and
private industry representatives. The applicant shall also provide both
the preliminary community assessment and the educational activity plan
as part of the application. The program shall incorporate evaluation
measurements to determine the level of success of the program
activities.
2.6.2 Goals and Priorities
This program addresses the following national service priorities:
a. Human Needs.--Motor vehicle crashes cost the nation nearly $14
billion in health care expenditures each year. With each serious injury
prevented saving approximately $35,000 in health care costs, as much as
$1 billion could be saved nationally through the prevention of traffic
deaths and injuries. U.S. Transportation Secretary Federico Pena has
called for stepped-up national efforts to reduce the proportion of
alcohol involved traffic crashes to 43 percent and increase safety belt
use to 75 percent by 1997 as part of President Clinton's health care
initiative and year 2000 objectives.
b. Education.--Traffic safety education for children and youth ages
3 through 13 (prekindergarten through grade 8) aims to increase school
readiness and further early childhood development. Before children are
able to learn in school, they must be able to arrive at school safely
each day. With traffic incidents as the leading cause of death and
disability for school age children, they face a risk every day in their
transport to and from school and other activities.
c. Public Safety.--Through better education and peer mentoring,
traffic-related crimes can be reduced.
2.6.3 Anticipated Outcomes and Results
Young adult volunteers as mentors can make a constructive
contribution to a national and community traffic safety problem while
gaining practical learning experiences. The objective of these efforts
is to improve the quality of life for young citizens by raising public
awareness, reducing the severity and frequency of traffic safety
problems, and providing highway safety experiences which could lead to
related future career field choices. This program will allow volunteers
to work cooperatively with law enforcement and other organizations
within a designated community developing a positive, visible, outcome-
oriented relationship to decrease death and injury due to motor vehicle
crashes. The educational program will expose young children to
appropriate behaviors which can become habits they will model to others
and will practice to help keep themselves and others safe now and in
the future. If the program proves beneficial to the community and
agency, future expansion of a refined program with an increased number
of participants may be explored.
2.6.4 Funding
Funding available from DOT for program development, implementation,
and administration is $50,000. Application will be made to the National
Service Corporation for any additional program costs, living allowance,
education awards, health insurance, and child care costs as appropriate
for participating volunteers. It is anticipated that direct funding of
the Youth Traffic Safety Education Programs may be available from DOT
in future years.
2.2.5 DOT Agency Involvement and Expertise Available
NHTSA will act as the project monitor working directly with the
grantee to develop and implement a traffic safety training program
through the local law enforcement department and facilitate additional
state and community contacts with other organizations interested in and
working on similar efforts. NHTSA may also provide access to additional
materials, training, technical assistance, and data as appropriate. In
addition to its headquarters staff, NHTSA has ten regional offices that
work directly with the states to implement highway safety programs to
reduce motor vehicle crashes including related fatalities, injuries,
and economic loss.
2.2.6 DOT Contact
Ms. Susan Gorcowski, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration,
Office of Occupant Protection, 400 7th Street, SW., NTS-11, Washington,
DC 20590, (202) 366-2712/FAX (202) 366-2766.
3. Submission of Proposals
3.1 Content and Format for Proposals
Each proposal submitted to DOT must be in the format and must
contain the information set forth in the application form attached as
Appendix A to this RFP. DOT may need to seek additional information
from applicants as a result of changes in the proposed regulations
issued by the National Service Corporation or to more fully clarify and
define specific proposals.
3.2 Address; Number of Copies; Deadline for Submission
Any eligible organization (as defined in Section 1.4.1 of this RFP)
may submit one or more proposals for consideration by DOT. Each
proposal may involve activities under a single DOT Program or may
combine related activities under more that one of the DOT Programs set
forth in Section 2 of this RFP.
Applications should be double sided, double spaced, and printed in
a font size not smaller than 12 points. One unbound copy of the
proposal with original signatures suitable for reproduction, plus two
bound copies, should be submitted. All pages should be numbered and the
specific DOT Program or Programs to be addressed should be identified
at the top of each page. All documentation, attachments, or other
information pertinent to the application must be included in a single
submission.
Proposals should be submitted to: Brenda L. Harris, Office of Small
and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, Department of Transportation,
400 7th Street S.W., Room 9414, Washington, D.C. 20590.
Proposals must be received at DOT no later than March 23, 1994, 4
p.m. EST.
3.3 Coordination With State Community Service Plan
The proposed regulations issued under the National and Community
Service Trust Act require that all community service projects be
coordinated with their state community service plan in order to assure
that the projects build on existing programs and that they are not
duplicative.
Any service organization submitting a proposal for a DOT program
must show evidence that the proposal has been reviewed and approved by
the community service commission for the state(s) in which the project
will be performed.
In addition, DOT requests that each proposal include a preliminary
evaluation by the state on national and community service for the state
in which the project is to be performed (the ``state commission''). An
evaluation form to be completed by the state commission is included as
``Attachment 6'' to the attached application form. The evaluation by
the state commissions are not mandatory and are not binding on DOT.
However, DOT believes that any information from the state commissions
would be extremely helpful in our review and, therefore, we strongly
encourage all applicants to obtain an evaluation from the state
commission.
4. Selection Criteria
4.1 General Criteria
The following criteria and weights will be used by DOT to select
national and community service proposals:
1. Need (10%).
DOT will take into consideration the extent to which both the
overall program and its particular projects will address needs
important to the community and be conducted in areas of need as defined
in the National and Community Service Trust Act. These areas of need
are:
a. Communities designated by the Federal government or states as
empowerment zones or redevelopment areas, targeted for special economic
incentives, or otherwise identifiable as having high concentrations of
low-income people.
b. Areas that are environmentally distressed.
c. Areas adversely affected by Federal actions related to the
management of Federal lands that result in significant regional job
losses and economic dislocation.
d. Areas adversely affected by reduction in Defense spending or the
closure or realignment of military installations.
e. Areas that have unemployment rates greater than the national
average unemployment for the most recent 12 months for which
satisfactory data are available.
2. Program Design (40%).
DOT will consider the quality of the program based on: the
potential impact of using proposed national service participants to
meet the community needs being addressed; inclusion of a clear and
compelling mission statement; identification of specific objectives and
indicators of success; development of an effective recruitment,
selection, and training plan for staff and participants, including
recruitment of participants and staff from the community to be served;
ability to provide appropriate supervision, counseling, service-
learning and other education opportunities, and outplacement to
participants; the involvement of participants and community residents
in the design, operation, and leadership of the program; development of
a sound plan for continually improving the program based on self-
assessment and monitoring of community and participant satisfaction
with work performed; inclusion of an appropriate organization and
staffing plan; and the program's cost-effectiveness in achieving
identified outcomes, including per participant cost.
3. Organizational Capacity (30%).
DOT will consider organizational capacity based on: the quality of
the leadership of the national service program; the past performance of
the organization or program; the organization's connection to the
community; the extent to which the program builds on existing programs;
evidence of strong and broad-based community support for the program;
and availability of additional funding sources for the program.
An application proposing the replication of an existing program
will also be evaluated based on the success of the program in its
original site, including the results of any evaluation undertaken; the
program's analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the original
program; reasons for selecting the replication site and discussion of
adjustments needed for adaptation to a new site; and the qualification
of the leaders of the program at the new site.
4. Sustainability (10%).
DOT will consider the ability of the program to sustain itself
beyond the period of support from DOT or from the National Service
Corporation as evidenced by strong and broad-based community support;
presence of multiple or private funding sources; and cost-
effectiveness. Additional consideration will be given to programs that
significantly exceed the regional match with non-Federal funds.
5. Innovation and Replication (10%).
DOT will consider the degree to which needs coincide to program
design, the innovative aspects of the program, and the appropriateness
of replicating the program in the future.
4.2 Priority Consideration
In addition to the criteria on which individual applications will
be rated, DOT may give priority consideration to all or some of the
following issues:
1. Early Start Date. DOT is interested in programs that will be
able to start up quickly after completing an appropriate planning phase
(ideally by September of 1994).
2. Participant Diversity.
DOT seeks a broadly diverse participant pool that includes a large
representation of young adults; a mixture of individuals who have not
attended college and those with college-education experience;
approximately equal numbers of men and women; individuals of all races
and ethnicities; and individuals with physical and cognitive
disabilities.
3. Location.
While DOT will attempt to assure that programs funded are
geographically diverse, at the same time, for the first year of
funding, DOT may give priority consideration to fund programs in any or
all of the areas of greatest need as determined by criteria set forth
in the regulations issued under the National and Community Service
Trust Act (see ``Need'' in Section 4.1. ``General Criteria,'' of this
RFP).
4. Matching Funds in Excess of Requirements. Priority consideration
will be given to any proposals that provide funding from other sources
in excess of the required match amounts (see Section 5.3, ``Matching
Funds,'' in this RFP).
5. Overall Compliance and Consistency with the National and
Community Service Trust Act and related regulations and all other
applicable laws and regulations.
6. Ability to Achieve Transportation-Related Goals.
DOT is particularly interested in programs that will address one or
more of the following transportation-related goals:
a. Tying America together through an effective intermodal
transportation system;
b. Promoting safe and secure transportation;
c. Actively enhancing our environment through wise transportation
decisions;
d. Putting people first in our transportation system by making it
relevant and accessible to users.
4.3 Priorities for Specific DOT Programs
For each specific DOT Program, priority consideration will be given
for proposals with the following characteristics:
a. Priorities for Rehabilitation, Reclamation, and Beautification
of Transportation-Related Facilities Program:
1. Proposal's balance between work experience, basic and life
skills, education, training, and support services.
2. Ability to adequately oversee and supervise crews of youths.
3. Demonstrated ability to network with other organizations and
proposed coordination with and use of other available organizational
resources.
4. Demonstration of how participation will address currently unmet
needs in community.
b. Priorities for Transit Ambassadors Program:
1. Ability to deal with the elderly, disabled, and Head-Start
populations;
2. Ability to deal with minor emergency medical situations, or to
provide training in this area;
3. Knowledge of the types of transportation and the schedules
available in the community, such as bus, subway, light rail, and taxis;
4. Procedures for summoning (such as a two-way communication)
emergency medical services and police for assistance;
5. Understanding of the community lifestyles;
6. Knowledge of the layout of the community being served, for
example, major intersections, street lights, and traffic patterns.
7. Knowledge of the location of destination points such as medical
facilities, supermarkets, recreational facilities, etc.
c. Priorities for Operation Lifesaver Program:
1. Knowledge of railroad and road network in geographical areas.
2. Demonstrated ability to network with other organizations,
including local law enforcement units and proposed coordination and
collaboration with other organizations.
3. Ability to coordinate and implement a training and certification
program, along with local law enforcement departments, and appropriate
education departments.
4. Feasibility of the proposed approach or work plan and the extent
to which the project addresses traffic safety objectives.
5. Administrative capabilities and staff expertise required to
successfully complete the proposed project.
6. Past and present organizational experience in the performance of
similar projects.
7. Ability to provide sound evaluative information.
d. Priorities for Hazardous Materials Transportation Assistance
Program:
1. Feasibility and utility of work program planned for National
Service participants.
2. Ability of program to assist local agencies responsible for
hazardous materials planning and training.
3. Ability of program to address the National Service priorities of
Environment and Education, and the DOT Strategic Goals of promoting
safe and secure transportation and enhancing the environment through
wise transportation decisions.
4. Ability of program to address currently unmet hazardous
materials needs.
5. Demonstrated strength of current state or local planning and
response structure to effectively use national service participation to
its full advantage.
e. Priorities for Youth Traffic Safety Education Programs:
1. Knowledge of basic traffic safety issues and status of related
state and community efforts within designated locality.
2. Demonstrated ability to network with other organizations
including local law enforcement units and proposed coordination and
collaboration with other organizations.
3. Ability to coordinate and implement a training and certification
program along with local law enforcement departments.
4.4 Preferences Applying to Urban Youth Corps Programs
Preferences will be given to the following types of projects if
urban youth corps are used to implement the projects:
a. Projects that will provide long-term public benefits
b. Projects that will instill in the participant a work ethic and a
sense of public responsibility.
c. Projects that will be labor intensive.
d. Projects that can be planned and initiated promptly.
e. Projects that will provide academic, experiential, or community
education opportunities.
5. Funding
5.1 Direct Funding from DOT
Funds appropriated to DOT agencies will be available to partially
finance initial national and community service projects in some of the
five DOT programs in fiscal year 1994 (see individual discussions on
funding in the individual DOT Program descriptions set forth in Section
2). These funds also may be allocated to finance portions of projects
involving activities in more than one program area.
Appropriations for fiscal year 1995, which begins October 1, 1994,
are not expected to be enacted until September 1994, and it is not
possible to verify the availability of follow-on funding at this time.
However, it is anticipated that direct funding of all DOT national and
community service Programs identified in this RFP may be available from
DOT in future years.
Depending on the nature of the proposal and the DOT Program to be
implemented, it may be necessary for DOT funding to be given to State
or local agencies, which will in turn pass the funding through to the
service organization implementing the projects. DOT officials will
advise and assist a service organization in arranging such coordination
if its proposal is selected, and this coordination should not be viewed
as an obstacle to the submission of an application at this time.
Other restrictions on the use of Federal funds are discussed in
Section 5.4 below.
5.2 National Service Corporation Funding
DOT will submit a multi-program application containing all of the
selected proposals and related partnership agreements to the National
Service Corporation in order to request funding for the remaining
program costs that cannot be covered by direct funding from DOT and
matching funds from the service organization. Any funding provided by
the National Service Corporation will come from the funds earmarked for
Federal agencies. Since there is no guarantee that DOT will receive
funding from the National Service Corporation, a proposal accepted by
DOT ultimately may not be fully funded or funded at all if DOT's
request for funding from the National Service Corporation is not
granted.
5.3 Matching Funds
Each selected applicant must provide matching funds equal to at
least 25% of the cost of the program. Where authorized, other federal,
state or local sources (not including funds provided directly by DOT or
the National Service Corporation) may be counted as matching funds. In-
kind contributions, including facilities, equipment, goods or services,
may also be counted as matching funds. (In-kind contributions to be
used as a match in more that one program must be divided between the
programs in proportion to use.) Note that a preference will be given to
proposals that provide the match through non-federal sources and
matches that exceed the minimum match requirement.
5.4 Restrictions on Use of Federal and Corporation Funds
a. Restrictions on Benefits
No more than 85% of the living stipend for participants may be paid
from federal sources (including funds received from the National
Service Corporation and any other federal funds received, including DOT
funds). No more than 85% of the costs of the most affordable health
care policy that provides minimum benefits may be paid from with
National Service Corporation funds. Payment of the 15% of the living
stipend from non-federal sources and 15% of health care benefits from
non-Corporation sources will be included as part of the overall match
for the program.
b. Restrictions on Administrative Costs
Not more than 5% of the National Service Corporation funds may be
used to pay for administrative costs. Administrative costs are costs
associated with the overall administration of the program. Such costs
include the following: (1) Indirect costs (i.e., costs identified with
two or more cost objectives but not identified with a particular cost
objective) as described in applicable provisions of Office of
Management and Budget Circulars that relate to indirect costs; (2)
costs for financial, accounting, or contracting functions; (3) costs
for insurance that protects the entity that operates the program; and
(4) costs related to the evaluation of the program; and (5) costs for
salaries and benefits of staff who recruit, train, place, or supervise
participants.
Particular costs such as those associated with staff who perform
both administrative and program functions may be prorated between
administrative costs and costs directly related to program operations.
c. Restrictions on Equipment Purchases.
Not more than 10% of National Service Corporation funds may be used
to purchase equipment to be used for programmatic operation.
d. Compliance with OMB Circulars
Programs must comply with all applicable Office of Management and
Budget circulars for grant management, including Circulars A-133, A-128
and A-110, and with all applicable Federal, State and local laws.
Appendix A--Application Form for Proposals for the Department of
Transportation National and Community Service Program
Proposals for the DOT National and Community Service Program
should contain all of the following information and should be
submitted in the following format. DOT may need to seek additional
information from applicants as a result of changes in the proposed
regulations issued by the National Service Corporation or to more
fully clarify and define specific proposals.
Applications should be double sided, double spaced, and printed
in a font size not smaller than 12 points. One unbound copy of the
proposal with original signatures suitable for reproduction, plus
two bound copies, should be submitted. All pages should be numbered
and the specific DOT Program or Programs to be addressed should be
identified at the top of each page. All documentation, attachments,
or other information pertinent to the application should be included
in a single submission, forwarded directly to the address listed
below. Proposals should be submitted to:
Brenda L. Harris
Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization
Department of Transportation
400 7th Street SW., room 9410
Washington, DC 20590
Proposals must be received by DOT no later than March 23, 1994,
4 p.m. EST.
1. Title page (to be completed on the attached form identified
as ``Attachment 1''), along with a Table of Contents for the
proposal.
2. Application summary page, providing a one page overview of
the following:
a. Identification of which of the five DOT Programs the
applicant intends to implement.
b. The specific needs to be met, particularly as they relate to
the national priorities identified for the individual DOT
Program(s).
c. Key elements of the program design.
d. Recruitment goals, including the percentage of participants
(if any) to be drawn from the national recruitment system
established by the National Service Corporation.
e. Description of the administering organization and
identification of primary program partners.
3. Program mission statement and annual objectives (to be
completed on the attached form identified as ``Attachment 2''). The
National Service Corporation has identified three goals of National
Service:
a. Community service. Meeting community needs by getting things
done through direct and demonstrable service in education, public
safety, human needs, and the environment.
b. Participant development. Positively impacting participants by
developing leadership skills, fostering active, productive
citizenship, and enhancing educational opportunities.
c. Community building. Strengthening communities by bringing
together both institutions and individuals to cooperate in affecting
lasting and constructive change.
Each applicant will need to articulate a program mission
statement that expresses the program's vision and must specify
primary objectives to be achieved with respect to each of these
three goals. (Applicants should complete three separate forms to
address each goal.) More specific directions can be found on the
back of the form.
4. Program narrative. In approximately 10 pages, organized and
labeled in the stipulated categories, provide the following
information in a narrative form with as much specificity as
possible.
a. DOT program to be addressed. Identify the DOT Program or
Programs to be implemented (see section 2 of the RFP).
b. Needs to be met and appropriateness for national service.
Identify the nature of the specific needs to be met by the proposed
national service program, including how and why these needs are
appropriately or uniquely addressed by a national service program.
(i) Needs
--Identify the specific needs that the program will address.
--Explain how these needs relate to the priorities and goals of the
selected DOT Program.
(ii) Process
--Describe the process by which the needs were identified.
--Explain who was involved in identifying the needs.
--Explain the extent to which the residents of the community to be
served were involved in the needs assessment.
c. Programs design. Describe the concept and design for the
program, including the nature of specific service activities to be
performed by participants and how these activities address the
identified needs and meet the program objectives.
(i) Program concept.
--Explain the basic concept of the program.
--Describe how the program will be structured.
--Describe where it will be located.
--Describe any institutional or programmatic collaborations or
partnerships that will be involved in operating the program,
including the extent to which the program builds on existing
infrastructure.
--Explain how the program will be cost-effective and how
participants will be fully and effectively utilized.
(ii) Service activities.
--Describe the projects or activities that the participants will
conduct.
--Explain how these projects or activities will result in direct,
measurable service that addresses the identified needs.
--Describe a typical week in the life of program participants,
giving concrete examples of the types of activities or duties
participants will perform. (Please note that projects must do more
than just keep participants busy, offer temporary solutions, or
provide free labor to organizations.)
--State the length of time required to complete the projects or
activities (must be at least one year and cannot be more than three
years)
--State an estimated date when the activities could begin. (Note
that DOT will inform applicants as to whether they have been
selected to receive DOT funding and/or to be included in DOT's
application to the National Service Corporation prior to April 15,
1994, and anticipates that notification of awards of National
Service Corporation funds will occur in May or June of 1994.)
(iii) Relation to need.
--Explain how the service activities respond to the identified
needs.
(iv) Participant training and support.
--Explain how participants will be trained, supported, or otherwise
prepared for their assignments.
--Describe the key elements of the participant training, in-service
education, or service-learning curriculum employed to improve
participants' skills, prepare them for placement, and foster
positive civic values, and promote an ongoing interest in community
service. (Note that the program must, in a non-partisan manner,
encourage participants to vote.)
(v) Participant placement and supervision.
--Explain how participants will be placed (in teams or individually)
and matched with assignments.
--Describe how service sponsors or host-sites will be oriented and
prepared for that placement.
--Explain how participants will be supervised.
--Outline the standards of conduct for participants (all community
and national service programs will be required to establish a
standard of conduct to be stringently enforced.)
(vi) Nondisplacement.
--Explain what steps have been taken to ensure that no displacement
or supplantation of other employees will occur as a result of the
project, or the project will not result in other employees not being
hired or not receiving promotions. Include a summary of any
discussions or contacts with labor organizations in related fields
of work. The written concurrence of any local labor organization
representing employees engaged in the same or substantially similar
work must be obtained.
d. Participant profile, recruitment strategy, and benefits.
Provide a description of the total number (full- or part-time) of
participants to be recruited in the program, including the expected
characteristics, attributes or skills of participants. Describe the
benefits these participants will receive.
(i) Number and characteristics of participants.
--State the expected number and characteristics of participants,
including racial or ethnic background, socio-economic status,
gender, and educational attainment.
--If the program will recruit fewer than 20 participants, please
explain why this smaller number is appropriate to the purpose and
design of the program.
(ii) Participant recruitment.
--Explain the methods that will be used or the strategies undertaken
to recruit participants.
--Explain what measures will be taken to recruit diverse
participants based on economic background, race, ethnicity, age,
gender, marital status, education levels, and disabilities.
(iii) Participant selection.
--Explain the methods or strategy that you will use to select
participants.
--Describe selection criteria, including minimum qualifications for
participants.
--Identify any specialized skills that participants will be required
to possess in order to carry out service assignments.
(iv) Participant benefits.
--Identify the benefits that the participants will receive. (Note
that all participants must receive health benefits and, if needed,
child care.)
--Describe the amount of the living allowance provided to each
participant. (Note that the living allowance must be at least $7,440
for fiscal year 1994 for full-time participants and must be at least
$3,960 for each part-time participant, and cannot exceed twice these
amounts.)
--Describe the amount of the educational awards to be provided to
each participant. (Note that proposals should provide for
participants to receive educational awards (either from the National
Service Corporation or from some other source) in an amount of
$4,725 for one full-time term of service or $2,360 for one part-time
term of service, for up to two terms of service.)
--Describe how national service educational awards will be
apportioned among program participants if not provided to all
participants. (In general, the distribution should treat equally all
participants doing the same or essentially similar work.
Distribution based solely on economic needs of participants is not
encouraged.)
--Describe any alternative post-service benefits that might be used
(e.g., tuition credits at an institution of higher education or
transition assistance).
(v) Participant welfare.
--Describe what measures will be taken to ensure the safety and
well-being of participants while working on service projects.
e. Internal Evaluation and Monitoring Activities. Describe
internal evaluation and monitoring activities.
(i) Internal evaluation and monitoring.
--Explain how you will monitor progress toward your program
objectives (Note that monitoring approaches such as community
advisory councils, participant advisory councils, peer reviews,
quality control inspections, and customer participant surveys are
encouraged).
--Explain how you will assess, on an ongoing basis, the quality of
services and the satisfaction of both the participants and the
individuals or institutions served.
--Explain how you will collect required descriptive and demographic
data (e.g., reporting requirements will include data regarding the
characteristics of participants and data regarding services to be
conducted in areas of economic or environmental distress.)
(ii) Previous evaluations.
--If your proposal is to replicate an existing program in other
areas, state whether the original program has been evaluated.
--Explain who conducted the evaluation and describe the results of
the evaluation regarding community and participant impact.
--If the original program has not been evaluated, explain what
evidence exists of successful performance or of a track record to
demonstrate its appropriateness for replication or expansion.
f. Institutional and personnel information. Provide a
description of the administering organization's past experience and
institutional capacity to operate or coordinate a program comparable
to the program(s) proposed, including the organization's ability to
recruit and train staff.
(i) Principal staff.
--Describe the background, experience and major accomplishments of
the program director and principal staff, and how their
qualifications relate to their duties in and responsibilities for
the proposed programs. (Attach resumes if appropriate.)
--If the staff has not yet been hired, explain what qualifications
the candidates must fulfill.
--Give a name, address, and telephone number of a contact person for
the program who can address any questions about the program.
(ii) Training.
Describe what kind of orientation and training, if any, will be
provided for the staff.
(iii) Institutional strengths.
Explain what institutional resources or expertise the
administering organization(s) provide that will contribute to the
overall success of the program.
g. Achievement of Transportation Goals.
(i) DOT community service goals and objectives.
Explain how the program will meet any of the following
transportation-related community service goals:
--Tie America together through an effective intermodal
transportation system;
--Promote safe and secure transportation;
--Actively enhance our environment through wise transportation
decisions;
--Put people first in our transportation system by making it
relevant and accessible to users.
(ii) Consultation with State DOTs and local MPOs.
--Consultation with your local Metropolitan Planning Organization
(``MPO'') (or State Department of Transportation if you have no
local MPO) is highly recommended. Explain in what manner you have
consulted with the State DOT and local MPO in developing your
proposal. (For information concerning the contact person for your
local Metropolitan Planning Organization, please call Ms. Susan
Gaskins at 202-366-5781.)
--Explain in what way you will involve State DOTs and local MPOs
and/or keep them informed as the program progresses.
--For projects to be performed under the ``Rehabilitation,
Reclamation, and Beautification of Transportation-Related
Facilities'' Program, explain what coordination has been conducted
with the organization having authority over the relevant
transportation facility (such as the State Department of
Transportation, the local MPO, the transit authority, etc.) to
determine that the project is acceptable.
(iii) DOT expertise.
Explain to what extent you will use expertise or rely on
information provided by the Federal DOT, your State DOT, or other
local transportation agency.
5. Budget form page and budget narrative.
Complete the provided budget form identified as ``Attachment
3.'' A separate budget form must be completed for each proposal. A
budget narrative should be attached to the form with containing any
necessary explanatory information. Applicants must identify either
on the form or in an attached narrative the source of its matching
funds and whether it has a firm commitment for those funds.
If activities under two or more DOT Programs are combined in a
single proposal, separate budget forms must be completed to show
program costs for each DOT Program, along with a separate aggregate
budget form for the entire proposal.
6. Assurances Signature Form. Complete the attached form
identified as ``Attachment 4.''
7. Certification Signature Form. Complete the attached form
identified as ``Attachment 5.''
8. State Coordination and Evaluation Form.
The proposed regulations issued under the National and Community
Service Trust Act require that all community service projects be
coordinated with their state community service plan in order to
assure that the projects are building on existing programs and that
they are not duplicative. Any community service organization
submitting a proposal for a DOT Program must show evidence that the
proposal has been reviewed and approved by the community service
commission for the state in which it is located. Evidence of
coordination can be shown by completion of the attached evaluation
form (identified as ``Attachment 6'') by the state community service
commission, by written correspondence from the state community
service commission, or by documentation of a meeting with the state
community service commission.
In addition, DOT also asks that each proposal include a
preliminary evaluation of the project by the state commission on
national and community service for the state in which the project
will be performed (the ``state commission''). An evaluation form to
be completed by the state commission is attached (``Attachment 6'').
Evaluations by the state commissions are optional and are not
binding on DOT. However, DOT believes that any information from the
state commissions would be extremely helpful in our review, and
therefore strongly encourages all applicants to obtain an evaluation
from their state commission.
9. Standard Form 424 (Request for Federal Assistance). Complete
the attached Standard Form 424 identified as ``Attachment 7.''
Please be sure that all forms have been signed by an authorized
official who can legally represent the organization.
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