Rides to Wellness Demonstration and Innovative Coordinated Access and Mobility Grants |
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Ellen Partridge
Federal Transit Administration
29 March 2016
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 60 (Tuesday, March 29, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17549-17553]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-07008]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Transit Administration
Rides to Wellness Demonstration and Innovative Coordinated Access
and Mobility Grants
AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration (FTA), DOT.
Funding Opportunity Number: FTA-2015-012-TPM-RTW
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 20.514
ACTION: Notice of funding opportunity (NOFO): solicitation of project
proposals for Rides to Wellness Demonstration and Innovative
Coordinated Access and Mobility Grants.
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SUMMARY: The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announces the
availability of approximately $5.3 million of funding from two programs
to support the Rides to Wellness Demonstration and Innovative
Coordinated Access and Mobility Grants (R2W Demonstration Grants). The
funding sources are: Section 3006(b) of the Fixing America's Surface
Transportation Act (FAST), Pub. L. 114-94, which authorizes a pilot
program for innovative coordinated access and mobility; and 49 U.S.C.
5312 (Section 5312).
The goal of the competitive R2W Demonstration Grants is to find and
test promising, replicable public transportation healthcare access
solutions that support the following goals: increased access to care,
improved health outcomes and reduced healthcare costs. Eligible
applicants include: States, Tribes, and Designated or Direct Recipients
for funds under 49 U.S.C. 5307, 5310 or 5311. Proposers must serve as
the lead agency of a local consortium that includes stakeholders from
the transportation, healthcare, human service or other sectors. Members
of this consortium are eligible as subrecipients. Further, proposers
must demonstrate that the proposed project was planned through an
inclusive process with the involvement of the transportation,
healthcare and human service industries. Eligible projects must have
implementation-ready capital and operating projects that enhance
access, such as: mobility management; health and transportation
provider partnerships; technology; and other actions that drive change.
These R2W Demonstration Grants will develop best practice solutions
that other communities can replicate.
This announcement is available on the FTA Web site at: http://www.fta.dot.gov/legislation_law/federal_register_notices.php. A
synopsis of this funding opportunity will be posted in the FIND module
of the government-wide electronic grants Web site at http://www.GRANTS.GOV. FTA will announce final selections on the FTA Web site
and may also announce selections in the Federal Register.
DATES: Complete proposals must be submitted electronically through the
GRANTS.GOV ``APPLY'' function by May 31, 2016. Prospective applicants
should initiate the process by registering on the GRANTS.GOV Web site
promptly to ensure completion of the application process before the
submission deadline. Instructions for applying can be found on FTA's
Web site at http://www.fta.dot.gov/grants/15066.html and in the
``FIND'' module of GRANTS.GOV. Mail and fax submissions will not be
accepted.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Danielle Nelson, FTA Office of Program
Management, 202-366-2160, or Danielle.Nelson@dot.gov.
Table Of Contents
A. Program Description
B. Federal Award Information
C. Eligibility Information
D. Application and Submission Information
E. Application Review Information
F. Federal Award Administration
G. Federal Awarding Agency Contact
A. Program Description
FTA announces the availability of funding from two programs to
support the R2W Demonstration Grants. The funding sources are: Section
3006(b) of the FAST Act, which authorizes a pilot program for
innovative coordinated access and mobility; and the 49 U.S.C. 5312
Research Program.
Current changes in the healthcare industry, from the passage of the
Affordable Care Act to the increasing focus on preventive care, present
an opportunity for public transportation to address transportation-
related challenges to reduce healthcare costs, increase access to care
and improve health outcomes for people. The healthcare industry's
increasing focus on prevention and other improvements to the
effectiveness and efficiency of care has resulted in an increased
understanding of the value of partnerships between health and
transportation.
R2W Demonstration Grants are part of a series of activities to
support FTA's Rides to Wellness Program (R2W Program). The R2W Program
seeks to address challenges for the transportation disadvantaged in
getting access to healthcare, such as getting to the doctor, returning
home from a hospital procedure; getting to rehabilitation services;
getting to behavioral health services; getting to the pharmacy; and
getting to free health screenings. Across the country, communities are
experimenting with ways to overcome barriers to these essential
services by leveraging partnerships across transportation, health, and
wellness providers.
Through the R2W Demonstration Grants, FTA will fund projects with
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strategies that enhance access, such as mobility management, health and
transportation provider partnerships, technology, and other actions
that drive change. For historically disadvantaged populations, there
are many challenges to maintaining optimal health. Through community
partnerships that break down industry silos, leverage existing
resources, enhance mobility for targeted groups, and develop a person-
centric model, these projects will provide ladders of opportunity that
improve the health of our citizens.
The goals of the R2W Program are to:
1. Increase access to care;
2. Improve health outcomes; and
3. Reduce healthcare costs.
To support these goals, the R2W Demonstration Grants will:
1. Develop replicable, innovative, sustainable solutions to
healthcare access challenges.
2. Foster local partnerships between health, transportation,
home and community-based services and other sectors to
collaboratively develop and support solutions that increase
healthcare access.
3. Demonstrate the impacts of transportation solutions on
improved access to healthcare and health outcomes and reduced costs
to the healthcare and transportation sectors.
Building upon previous planning activities and private or federally
funded research activities, R2W Demonstration Grants will be awarded to
communities ready to implement a public transportation healthcare
access solution.
FTA's goal for these demonstration grants is to select and test
promising transportation healthcare access solutions that other
communities can replicate. It is expected that successful projects will
work collaboratively and leverage partnerships among Federal agencies
of the Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility (CCAM), including
the Department of Health and Human Services' operating divisions such
as the Administration for Community Living, the Health Resources and
Services Administration, and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid
Services. Partnerships that cross health and transportation sectors
facilitate better health for communities through increased access to
health/wellness services through transportation. The R2W Demonstration
Grants will operate as pilots for up to eighteen (18) months. Within
the first year, projects must be able to demonstrate impacts related to
the goals of R2W: Increased access to care, improved health outcomes,
and reduced healthcare costs.
This notice solicits proposals for funding under two programs:
Approximately $2 million in fiscal year (FY) 2016 funds
under Section 3006(b) of the FAST Act, which authorizes a pilot program
for innovative coordinated access and mobility.
Approximately $3.3 million in FY 2015 funds for research
projects under Section 5312, authorized by the Moving Ahead for
Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP 21), Public Law 112-141.
Section 3006(b) of the FAST Act authorizes a pilot program for
innovative coordinated access and mobility. Under this program, the
Secretary may make grants to eligible recipients to assist in financing
innovative projects for the transportation disadvantaged that improve
the coordination of transportation services and non-emergency medical
transportation services, including:
(A) The deployment of coordination technology;
(B) Projects that create or increase access to community One-
Call/One-Click Centers, and;
(C) Such other projects as determined appropriate by the
Secretary.
49 U.S.C. 5312, as amended by MAP-21 and continued in the FAST Act,
authorizes research, development, demonstration and deployment
projects. Through this program, FTA may make grants, or enter into
contracts, cooperative agreements and other agreements for research,
development, demonstration and deployment projects, and evaluation of
research and technology of national significance to public
transportation that the Secretary of Transportation determines will
improve public transportation. A demonstration and deployment project
that receives assistance under this section must seek to build on
successful research, innovation, and development efforts to facilitate:
(A) The deployment of research and technology development
resulting from private efforts or Federally funded efforts, and;
(B) The implementation of research and technology development to
advance the interests of public transportation.
This notice includes priorities established by FTA for these
competitive funds, criteria FTA will use to identify meritorious
projects for funding, and the process to apply for funding.
B. Federal Award Information
Only proposals from eligible recipients for eligible activities
will be considered for funding. Due to funding limitations, proposers
that are selected for funding may receive less than the amount
originally requested. In those cases, applicants must be able to
demonstrate that the proposed projects are still viable and can be
completed with the amount awarded.
Type of Award: Competitive Grants.
Estimated Available Funds: $5,300,000. Contingent upon the
availability of funds and the quality of applications, FTA may make
additional awards in FY 2016 if additional resources become available.
There is no minimum or maximum grant award amount; however, FTA
intends to fund as many meritorious projects as possible at funding
levels necessary to conduct meaningful pilot testing.
C. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants
Eligible proposers for awards must be:
i. States, Tribes, Designated or Direct Recipients under 49 U.S.C.
5307, 5310 or 5311.
Proposers must serve as the lead agency of a local consortium that
includes stakeholders from the transportation, healthcare, human
service or other sectors. Members of this consortium are eligible as
subrecipients. Further, proposers must demonstrate that the proposed
project was planned through an inclusive process with the involvement
of the transportation, healthcare and human service industries. An
implementation plan and schedule must be submitted as part of the
proposal.
2. Cost Sharing or Matching
The federal share of project costs for R2W Demonstration Grants is
80%, with the applicant providing a local share of 20% of the net
project cost and documenting the source of the local match in the grant
application.
The local match may include:
i. Cash from non-governmental sources other than revenues from
providing public transportation services;
ii. Non-farebox revenues from the operation of public
transportation service, such as the sale of advertising and concession
revenues. A voluntary or mandatory fee that a college, university, or
similar institution imposes on all its students for free or discounted
transit service is not farebox revenue;
iii. Amounts received under a service agreement with a State or
local social service agency or private social service organization;
iv. Undistributed cash surpluses, replacement or depreciation cash
funds, reserves available in cash, or new capital;
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v. Amounts appropriated or otherwise made available to a department
or agency of the Federal Government (other than the U.S. Department of
Transportation);
vi. In-kind contribution such as the market value of in-kind
contributions integral to the project may be counted as a contribution
toward local share; and
vii. Value capture revenue (revenue generated from value capture
financing mechanisms).
3. Other
Eligible projects under this program are implementation-ready
capital and operating projects that enhance public transportation
access such as: Mobility management; health and transportation provider
service partnerships; technology; and other activities. These
demonstration grants are meant to build upon previous private or
federally funded efforts such as: projects developed through the
National Center for Mobility Management's Healthcare Access Mobility
Design Challenge; the Administration for Community Living's Inclusive
Coordinated Transportation Project, Round 2; the Veterans
Transportation and Community Living Initiative (VTCLI); the Mobility
Services for All Americans (MSAA) Initiative; or similar efforts. FTA's
goal for these demonstration grants is to identify and test promising
healthcare access solutions that other communities can replicate.
D. Application And Submission Information
All proposals must be submitted electronically through the
GRANTS.GOV APPLY function. Any agency intending to apply should
initiate the process of registering on the GRANTS.GOV site immediately
to ensure completion of registration before the submission deadline.
Instructions for applying can be found on FTA's Web site at http:/
www.fta.dot.govbus, and in the ``FIND'' module of GRANTS.GOV.
A complete proposal submission will consist of at least two files:
(1) The SF 424 Mandatory form (downloaded from GRANTS.GOV); and (2) the
Applicant and Proposal Profile supplemental form for R2W Pilot program
(supplemental form) found on the FTA Web site at http://www.fta.dot.gov/grants/15926.html. The supplemental form provides
guidance and a consistent format for proposers to respond to the
criteria outlined in this Notice of Funding Opportunity. Once
completed, the supplemental form and business plan must be placed in
the attachments section of the SF 424 Mandatory form. Proposers must
use the supplemental form designated for the R2W Pilot program and
attach it to their submission in GRANTS.GOV to successfully complete
the application process. A proposal submission may contain additional
supporting documentation as attachments.
Within 24-48 hours after submitting an electronic application, the
applicant should receive three email messages from GRANTS.GOV: (1)
Confirmation of successful transmission to GRANTS.GOV, (2) confirmation
of successful validation by GRANTS.GOV and (3) confirmation of
successful validation by FTA. If confirmations of successful validation
are not received and a notice of failed validation or incomplete
materials is received, the applicant must address the reason for the
failed validation, as described in the email notice, and resubmit
before the submission deadline. If making a resubmission for any
reason, include all original attachments regardless of which
attachments were updated and check the box on the supplemental form
indicating this is a resubmission.
Complete instructions on the application process can be found at
http://www.fta.dot.gov/about/15035.html. Important: FTA urges proposers
to submit their applications at least 72 hours prior to the due date to
allow time to receive the validation messages and to correct any
problems that may have caused a rejection notification. FTA will not
accept submissions after the stated submission deadline. GRANTS.GOV
scheduled maintenance and outage times are announced on the GRANTS.GOV
Web site at http://www.GRANTS.GOV. Deadlines will not be extended due
to scheduled maintenance or outages.
Proposers are encouraged to begin the process of registration on
the GRANTS.GOV site well in advance of the submission deadline.
Registration is a multi-step process, which may take several weeks to
complete before an application can be submitted. Registered proposers
may still be required to take steps to keep their registration up to
date before submissions can be made successfully: (1) Registration in
the System for Award Management (SAM) is renewed annually and (2)
persons making submissions on behalf of the Authorized Organization
Representative (AOR) must be authorized in GRANTS.GOV by the AOR to
make submissions. Instructions on the GRANTS.GOV registration process
are listed in Appendix A.
Information such as proposer name, Federal amount requested, local
match amount, description of areas served, etc. may be requested in
varying degrees of detail on both the SF 424 form and supplemental
form. Proposers must fill in all fields unless stated otherwise on the
forms. Proposers should use both the ``Check Package for Errors'' and
the ``Validate Form'' validation buttons on both forms to check all
required fields on the forms, and ensure that the federal and local
amounts specified are consistent.
1. Address To Request Application Package
To request a paper copy of the application materials for this
program, contact Danielle Nelson, Federal Transit Administration,
phone: (202) 366-2160, fax: (202) 366-3475, or email:
Danielle.Nelson@dot.gov. A TDD is available at 1-800-877-8339
(TDDFIRS).
2. Content and Form of Application Submission
For complete and up to date guidance on the project information and
project evaluation criteria that must be documented, refer to the Rides
to Wellness Demonstration and Innovative Coordinated Access and
Mobility Grants program on the FTA Web site: http://www.fta.dot.gov/grants/13077.html.
At a minimum, every proposal must:
Submit an SF-424 with the correct supplemental form
attached.
Submit the supplemental form that clearly shows how the
proposed project will meet FTA's goal to find and test promising public
transportation healthcare access solutions that other communities can
replicate.
Include all relevant letters of commitment or support
(these will not count against the page limit for the solicitation
response).
Provide a project timeline, including significant
milestones.
Provide Congressional district information for the
project's place of performance.
3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM)
Each applicant (unless the applicant is an individual or Federal
awarding agency that is excepted from those requirements under 2 CFR
25.110(b) or (c), or has an exception approved by the Federal awarding
agency under 2 CFR 25.110(d)) is required to: (i) Be registered in SAM
before submitting its application; (ii) provide a valid unique entity
identifier in its application; and (iii) continue to maintain an active
SAM registration with current information at all times during which it
has an active grant or an application or plan under consideration. FTA
may not make an
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award to an applicant until the applicant has complied with all
applicable unique entity identifier and SAM requirements. If an
applicant has not fully complied with the requirements by the time FTA
is ready to make a Federal award, the FTA may determine that the
applicant is not qualified to receive a Federal award and use that
determination as a basis for making a Federal award to another
applicant.
4. Submission Dates and Times
Project proposals must be submitted electronically through http://www.GRANTS.GOV by 11:59 p.m. E.D.T. on May 31, 2016. Mail and fax
submissions will not be accepted.
5. Intergovernmental Review--Not Applicable
6. Funding Restrictions
Eligible expenditures include capital and operating expenses such
as mobility management activities, equipment, software and information
systems; as well as the acquisition of services as part of a pilot
demonstration.
The FTA will issue specific guidance to recipients regarding pre-
award authority at the time of selection. The FTA does not provide pre-
award authority for competitive funds until projects are selected and
even then there are Federal requirements that must be met before costs
are incurred. For more information about FTA's policy on pre-award
authority, please see the FY 2016 Apportionment Notice published on
February 16, 2016. http://www.fta.dot.gov/grants/12853.html.
7. Other Submission Requirements
Project proposals must be submitted electronically through http://www.GRANTS.GOV by 11:59 p.m. E.D.T. on May 31, 2016. Mail and fax
submissions will not be accepted.
E. Application Review Information
1. Project Evaluation Criteria
FTA will evaluate proposals submitted according to the following
criteria: (i.) Demonstration of need; (ii.) demonstration of benefits;
(iii.) planning and partnership; (iv.) local financial commitment; (v.)
project readiness; and (vi.) technical, legal and financial capacity.
Each proposer is encouraged to demonstrate the responsiveness of a
project to any and all criteria with the most relevant information that
the proposer can provide, regardless of whether such information has
been specifically requested, or identified in this notice.
i. Demonstration of Need
FTA will evaluate proposals on the scale of the local healthcare
access challenge addressed through the project. Both the scope of the
overall challenge, as well as the size of the specific segment of the
population served by the proposed project will also be considered.
ii. Demonstration of Benefits
FTA will evaluate proposals on the basis of the benefits from the
proposed project. Benefits will be tied to the R2W Program's goals of
increased access to care; improved health outcomes; and reduced
healthcare costs. Benefits identified in the proposals will be
evaluated at both the individual level, and that of the local health
and transportation providers. Proposals will be judged on the extent to
which the proposed project demonstrates a benefit to the healthcare
access challenge demonstrated above. Projects will be evaluated on the
ability of the proposed project to yield data demonstrating impacts on
the goals of FTA's R2WProgram: To increase access to care, improve
health outcomes and reduce healthcare costs. Proposals must show an
ability to provide impactful data during and at the conclusion of the
pilot project. Applicants need to be aware that if chosen for award, an
independent evaluation of the demonstration grant may occur at various
points in the deployment process and at the end of the pilot project.
iii. Planning and Partnership
Proposers must provide a description of the eligible project and
outline project partners and their specific role in the project--
including private entities and nonprofit entities involved in the
coordination of nonemergency medical transportation services for the
transportation disadvantaged. Include a description of how the eligible
project would improve local coordination, or access to coordinated
transportation service; reduce duplication of service, if applicable;
and provide innovative solutions in the State and/or community.
Proposers should provide evidence of strong commitment from key
partners, including letters of support from relevant local
stakeholders. An eligible recipient may submit an application in
partnership with other entities that intend to participate in the
implementation of the project. Applicants are advised that any changes
to the proposed partnership will require FTA advance approval, and
would need to be consistent with the scope of the approved project.
iv. Local Financial Commitment
Applicants must identify the source of the local share and describe
whether such funds are currently available for the project or will need
to be secured if the project is selected for funding. FTA will consider
the availability of the local share as evidence of local financial
commitment to the project. In addition, an applicant may propose a
local share that is greater than the minimum requirement or provide
documentation of previous local investment in the project as evidence
of local financial commitment.
v. Project Readiness
FTA will evaluate the project on the proposed schedule and the
consortium's ability to implement it. Proposers should indicate the
short-term, mid-range and long-term goals for the project. Proposers
also should provide a description of how the project will help the
transportation disadvantaged and improve the coordination of
transportation services and non-emergency medical transportation
services, such as--the deployment of coordination technology; projects
that create or increase access to community One-Call/One-Click Centers;
mobility management; etc. Proposals should provide specific performance
measures the eligible project will use to quantify actual outcomes
against expected outcomes. FTA will evaluate the project on the extent
to which it was developed inclusively, incorporating meaningful
involvement from key stakeholders including consumer representatives of
the target groups and providers from the healthcare, transportation and
human service sectors, among others. Significant, ongoing involvement
of the intended target population of the intervention must be shown.
vi. Technical, Legal and Financial Capacity
FTA will evaluate proposals on the capacity of the lead agency and
any partners to successfully execute the pilot effort. There should be
no outstanding legal, technical, or financial issues with the proposer
that would make this a high-risk project. FTA will evaluate each
proposal (including the business plan, financial projections, and other
relevant data) for feasibility and longer-term sustainability of both
the pilot project as well as the proposed project at full deployment.
It is FTA's intent to select projects with a high likelihood of long-
term success and sustainability.
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2. Review and Selection Process
In addition to other FTA staff that may review the proposals, an
inter-agency technical evaluation committee with membership from one or
more agencies of the Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility may
review proposals under the project evaluation criteria. Members of the
technical evaluation committee and other involved FTA staff reserve the
right to screen and rate the applications received and to seek
clarification from any applicant about any statement in its application
that FTA finds ambiguous and/or request additional documentation to be
considered during the evaluation process to clarify information
contained within the proposal.
After consideration of the ratings of the technical evaluation, the
FTA will determine the final selection and amount of funding for each
project. Geographic diversity and the applicant's receipt of other
Federal funding may be considered in FTA's award decisions. FTA may
provide reduced funding or fund only part of an application.
F. Federal Award Administration Information
1. Federal Award Notices
FTA may publish awards in a Federal Register Notice and on the FTA
public Web site.
2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
i. Pre-Award Authority
The FTA will issue specific guidance to recipients regarding pre-
award authority at the time of selection. The FTA does not provide pre-
award authority for competitive funds until projects are selected and
even then there are Federal requirements that must be met before costs
are incurred. For more information about FTA's policy on pre-award
authority, please see the FY 2016 Apportionment Notice published on
February 16, 2016. http://www.fta.dot.gov/grants/12853.html.
ii. Grant Requirements
If selected, awardees will apply for a grant through FTA's
electronic grant management system and adhere to the customary FTA
grant requirements. All competitive grants, regardless of award amount,
will be subject to the congressional notification and release process.
The FTA emphasizes that third-party procurement applies to all funding
awards, as described in FTA.C.4220.1F. However, FTA may approve
applications that include a specifically identified partnering
organization(s) (2 CFR part 200, Section 200.320, sub paragraph (f)).
When included, the application, budget and budget narrative should
provide a clear understanding of how the selection of these
organizations is critical for the project and of sufficient detail to
understand the costs involved.
iii. Planning
The FTA encourages proposers to engage the appropriate State
Departments of Transportation, Regional Transportation Planning
Organizations, or Metropolitan Planning Organizations in areas likely
to be served by the project funds made available under this programs.
iv. Standard Assurances
The applicant assures that it will comply with all applicable
Federal statutes, regulations, executive orders, FTA circulars, and
other Federal administrative requirements in carrying out any project
supported by the FTA grant. The applicant acknowledges that it is under
a continuing obligation to comply with the terms and conditions of the
grant agreement issued for its project with FTA. The applicant
understands that Federal laws, regulations, policies, and
administrative practices might be modified from time to time and may
affect the implementation of the project. The applicant agrees that the
most recent Federal requirements will apply to the project, unless FTA
issues a written determination otherwise. The applicant must submit the
Certifications and Assurances before receiving a grant if it does not
have current certifications on file.
3. Reporting
Post-award reporting requirements include submission of Federal
Financial Reports and Milestone Reports in FTA's electronic grants
management system.
G. Federal Awarding Agency Contact
For questions about applying for the programs outlined in this
notice, please contact Danielle Nelson, Federal Transit Administration,
phone: (202) 366-2160, fax: (202) 366-3475, or email,
Danielle.Nelson@dot.gov. A TDD is available at 1-800-877-8339
(TDDFIRS).
Ellen Partridge,
Chief Counsel.
[FR Doc. 2016-07008 Filed 3-28-16; 8:45 am]
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