To
provide financial assistance for national, regional and local initiatives
that address human resource needs as they apply to public transportation
activities. Such programs may include but are not limited to employment
training programs; outreach programs to increase minority and female
employment in public transportation activities; research on public
transportation manpower and training needs; and training and assistance
for minority business opportunities. This description is applicable
only to projects awarded directly by the Federal Transit Administration
(FTA) under the authority of Section 5314(a), the National component
of the Transit Planning and Research Program.
TYPES
OF ASSISTANCE:
Project Grants. Place Cursor Here for Definition
Dissemination of Technical Information. Place Cursor Here for Definition
USES
AND USE RESTRICTIONS:
Projects
may include, but are not limited to, employment training programs;
outreach programs to increase minority and women's employment in
public transportation activities; research on public transportation
manpower and training needs; and training and assistance for minority
business opportunities.
ELIGIBILITY
REQUIREMENTS:
Applicant
Eligibility: Projects are awarded as a grant
or cooperative agreement to State and local transit agencies, and
local governmental entities, other legally constituted public agencies,
institutions of higher education, (colleges and universities), and
private nonprofit organizations. Through its direct procurement
program, FTA awards contracts on a competitive basis to small and
disadvantaged businesses, independent contractors, and other for-profit
businesses to obtain professional services, supplies, and research
needs.
Beneficiary
Eligibility: All public and private sector
bodies and organizations, universities, and individuals.
Credentials/Documentation:
Grants and Cooperative Agreements: Initial proposal should include
project objectives, background, and project description including
time schedule, budget and applicant's organizational experience.
Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-87
for State and local governments, A-21 for universities, and A-122
for private nonprofit organizations. For direct procurement contracts,
businesses need to provide the necessary charter or license.
Pre-application
Coordination: Initial proposals may be submitted
at any time of the year to the FTA Director, Office of Civil Rights.
FTA preapplication instructions and forms will be provided upon
request. This program is eligible for coverage under Executive Order
12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant
should contact the official designated as the single point of contact
in the FTA Office of Civil Rights for more information.
Application
Procedure: Potential applicants should follow
guidance in FTA Circular 4715.1A, "Human Resource Programs (Section
20) Application and Project Management Guidelines." This circular
may be obtained from the Federal Transit Administration, Office
of Civil Rights, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Room 9102, Washington,
D.C. 20590. This program is subject to the requirements of 49
CFR Part 18 for State and local governments, and 49 CFR Part 19
for universities and nonprofit organizations. Preapplication proposals
for Section 5322 Human Resource Projects will be acknowledged
by the FTA Director of Civil Rights, or the Human Resource Program
Manager, Washington, D.C. The Office of Civil Rights will review
the preapplication budget proposal and recommend to the Federal
Transit Administrator those projects that should be funded in
the annual program plan. Only those activities that best complement
the program emphasis areas of the FTA Strategic Plan will be approved
for funding under the Section 5314(a) National Transit Planning
and Research Program. Once an applicant is notified that a proposal
has been endorsed for funding, the grant/cooperative agreement
applicant should prepare and submit the Standard Form (SF) 424
(Rev. 4/88), Application for Financial Assistance.
Award
Procedure: The Federal Transit Administrator
makes the final decision on the approval of funds for projects.
An FTA grant or cooperative agreement award obligating Federal
funds is reflected in a grant agreement or cooperative agreement.
To access funds, the recipient must execute the grant agreement
or cooperative agreement.
Deadlines:
Application proposals are accepted for review throughout the fiscal
year. However funding is limited, and decisions on the types of
projects for funding and the level of funding usually is made
prior to the beginning of the Federal fiscal year.
Range
of Approval/Disapproval Time: Six months.
Appeals:
Not applicable.
Renewals:
Not applicable.
ASSISTANCE
CONSIDERATIONS:
Formula
and Matching Requirements: Human Resource projects
are ordinarily funded under the National Transit Planning and Research
Program, 49 USC 5314(a) which allows a wide range of discretion
in setting the local match. Occasionally, grants are made from other
sections of 49 USC ch. 53, as amended, and the matching requirements
of that section apply.
Length
and Time Phasing of Assistance: Varies.
POST
ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Reports:
Quarterly progress reports and final products and report; quarterly
and final financial reports; special reports on an "as needed" basis.
Audits:
In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133, "Audits
of State and Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations,"
nonfederal entities (including universities) that expend $300,000
or more in a year in Federal awards shall have a single or program-specific
audit conducted for 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. For direct procurement contracts, audits
will be conducted in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulations.
Records:
Project sponsor shall retain records for 3 years following submission
of a final expenditure report and other project deliverables,
all project contract documents, financial records, and supporting
documents pending resolution of audit findings.
FINANCIAL
INFORMATION:
Account
Identification: 69-1137-0-1-401.
Obligations:
(Grants, Cooperative Agreements, and Direct Procurement Contracts)
Section 5322 activities are now funded under Section 5314(a),
also included in this Catalog.
Range
and Average of Financial Assistance: None
established.
The development and implementation of innovative disadvantaged business
enterprise (DBE) technical assistance programs; transit agency training
programs that enhance job skills and advancement; effective means
of disseminating information to minority/women entrepreneurs regarding
contracting opportunities offered by recipients of FTA funds and
its grantees and transit vehicle manufacturers; encouragement of
students in Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribal
Colleges and Universities, and Hispanic-Serving Institutions to
explore the field of transportation as a career choice; assistance
to transit agencies and others in the industry to understand the
benefits of increasing diversity through hiring and promotions and
to provide successful methods of achieving diversity; and creation
of an outreach program to ensure that minority community interests
provide input in transit planning and operations.
REGULATIONS,
GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:
FTA Circular FTA C 4715.1A, which includes FTA preapplication instructions
and forms, is available upon request. Also, Annual List of Certifications
and Assurances for Federal Transit Administration Grants and Cooperative
Agreements; Notice, published annually. For fiscal year 2001, the
publication date is January 18, 2001. For other fiscal years, contact
the FTA Office of Civil Rights to obtain the publication dates.
FTA website: www.fta.dot.gov/library/legal.
NFORMATION
CONTACTS:
Regional
or Local Office: The program is administered
by the Federal Transit Administration Office of Civil Rights in
Washington, DC. All inquiries should be directed to this office.
Headquarters
Office: Director, Office of Civil Rights,
Federal Transit Administration, Department of Transportation,
400 Seventh Street, SW., Room 9102, Washington, DC 20590. Telephone:
(202) 366-4018.
Web
Site Address: http://www.fta.dot.gov
EXAMPLES
OF FUNDED PROJECTS:
(1) Transit agencies' technical assistance programs to enhance the
participation of disadvantaged business enterprises (DBE) in transit-related
projects and other contracting opportunities; (2) career development/employment
programs to increase the diversity of minorities and women in the
workforce; (3) training programs for disadvantaged youths to obtain
entry-level employment and training in skilled crafts; and (4) implementation
of transit-related projects for Native American tribes and organizations.
CRITERIA
FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS:
If a preliminary proposal is judged to meet program need and funding
is available, FTA will ask for a formal application submission.
Criteria for preliminary approval will be determined annually, based
on FTA's National program emphasis areas in the Strategic Plan.
