To
assist in development of transportation improvement programs, long-range
transportation plans, and other technical studies.
TYPES
OF ASSISTANCE:
Formula Grants. Place Cursor Here for Definition
USES
AND USE RESTRICTIONS:
Activities
assisted under this section may include preparation of transportation
plans including transportation improvement programs and management
systems; studies related to transportation management, operations,
capital requirements, and economic feasibility; evaluation of previously
funded capital projects; and other related activities in preparation
for the construction, acquisition, or improved operation of transportation
systems, facilities, and equipment.
ELIGIBILITY
REQUIREMENTS:
Applicant
Eligibility: Apportionments are made to the
States for formula distribution to the Metropolitan Planning Organization
to be used in urbanized areas within each State.
Beneficiary
Eligibility: Apportionments are made to the
States for formula distribution to the Metropolitan Planning Organizations
to be used in urbanized areas within each State.
Credentials/Documentation:
The Federal Register dated January 2, 2002, (FTA Fiscal Year 2002
Apportionments, Allocations and Program Information; Notice),
provides in Table 2 the State apportionments. For other fiscal
years, contact the FTA Regional Office or access http://www.fta.dot.gov/library/legal/federalregister.
Pre-application
Coordination: Each State must submit to FTA
for approval a formula, developed in cooperation with affected MPOs,
for the distribution of a State's Section 5303 apportionment to
MPOs in each urbanized area. This program is eligible for coverage
under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs."
MPOs should consult the office or official designated as the single
point of contact in his or her State for more information on the
process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance,
if the State has selected the program for review.
Application
Procedure: Application for a grant should
be addressed to the appropriate Regional Office of the Federal
Transit Administration. FTA Circular 8100.1B dated October 25,
1996, Program Guidance and Application Instructions for Metropolitan
Planning Grants, provides detailed application information. Available
on Internet at: http://www.fta.dot.gov.office/planning.htm. States
may apply through a paperless electronic grant application, review,
approval, acceptance, and management process. This program is
excluded from coverage under 49 CFR Part 19.
Award
Procedure: FTA will approve and release the
grant by the end of the quarterly cycle or earlier provided the
application is complete.
Deadlines:
Grant applications are due in the appropriate FTA Regional Office
no later than the first business day of the quarter.
Range
of Approval/Disapproval Time: If completed
applications are submitted to FTA no later than the first business
day of the quarter, FTA will then award grants by the last business
day of the Quarter.
Appeals:
Not applicable.
Renewals:
Amendments may be granted.
ASSISTANCE
CONSIDERATIONS:
Formula
and Matching Requirements: The new budget authority
for Fiscal Year 2002 Section 5303 appropriation to States for Metropolitan
Planning Organizations totals $55,422,400. Added to this is $240,571
in prior year deobligated funds. A basic allocation of 80 percent
of this amount, $44,530,377, is distributed to the States based
on urbanized area population for State distribution. A supplemental
allocation of the remaining 20 percent, $11,132,594 is also provided
to the states based on an FTA administrative formula to address
planning needs in the larger urbanized areas. A January 2, 2002
Federal Register Notice, FTA Fiscal Year 2002 Apportionments and
Allocations, provides a table (Table 2) which contains the final
combined State apportionments. The funding ratio for these grants
is 80 percent Federal, 20 percent local match of net project costs.
In addition, under provisions enacted in section 1103(i) of TEA-21,
current year funds can be transferred from the Federal Highway Administration
to form Metropolitan Consolidated Planning Grants.
Length
and Time Phasing of Assistance: Funds are
available for 3 years following the year for which they were appropriated.
POST
ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Reports:
(1) Progress reports; (2) Financial report upon completion of the
project; and (3) Final technical study report (if applicable).
Audits:
In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A- 133,
"Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations,"
nonfederal entities that expend $300,000 or more in a year in
Federal awards shall have a single or program specific audit conducted
that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $300,000
a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements
for that year with certain exceptions as stated in OMB Circular
No. A-133.
Records:
Project sponsor is required to retain intact, for 3 years following
submission of the final Financial Status Report pending resolution
of audit findings, all project contract documents, financial records,
and supporting documents.
FINANCIAL
INFORMATION:
Account
Identification: 69-1137-0-1-401.
Obligations:
(Grants) FY 01 $40,301,000; FY 02 est $55,422,000; and FY 03 est
$60,386,000.
Range
and Average of Financial Assistance: $20,000 to $5,000,000.
Since 1992, $180,000,000 have been obligated for transportation
planning activities in metropolitan areas. Multimodal transportation
planning studies are emphasized through coordinated funding with
other DOT administrations. Refinement of the transit elements of
long-range plans and an expansion of short-range planning for improvements
to the existing urban transportation system are also emphasized.
Capital transportation improvement programs are produced annually/biennially
as well as metropolitan transportation plans.
REGULATIONS,
GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:
FTA Fiscal Year 2002 Apportionments, Allocations, and Program Information;
Notice and Fiscal Year 2002 Annual List of Certifications and Assurances
for Federal Transit Administration Grants and Cooperative Agreements;
Notice, published annually. For fiscal year 2002, the publication
date is January 2, 2002. For other fiscal years, contact the FTA
Regional Office to obtain the publication date for other fiscal
years. FTA website: www.fta.dot.gov/library/legal.
INFORMATION
CONTACTS:
Regional
or Local Office: See Appendix IV of the Catalog
for a listing of Federal Transit Administration regional offices
and DOT Metropolitan Offices.
Headquarters
Office: FTA Office of Planning (TPL-11), Candace
Noonan, (202) 366-1648, Federal Transit Administration, Department
of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590.
Web
Site Address: http://www.fta.dot.gov/htl/grants.htm
EXAMPLES
OF FUNDED PROJECTS:
The Metropolitan Council of Twin Cities area received planning funds
from the State of Minnesota to support the transportation planning
process in the Minneapolis-St. Paul urbanized area.
CRITERIA
FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS:
Funding is allocated to the States for pass through to various Metropolitan
Planning Organizations within their jurisdictions.
