FY 2017 Competitive Funding Opportunity: Public Transportation on Indian Reservations Program; Tribal Transit Program

Carolyn Flowers
Federal Transit Administration
19 January 2017

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 12 (Thursday, January 19, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6716-6721]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-01171]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Transit Administration


FY 2017 Competitive Funding Opportunity: Public Transportation on 
Indian Reservations Program; Tribal Transit Program

AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration (FTA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).

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SUMMARY: The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announces the 
availability of approximately $5 million in funding provided by the 
Public Transportation on Indian Reservations Program (Tribal Transit 
Program), as authorized by Federal Transit law 49 U.S.C. 5311(c)(1)(A), 
as amended by the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, 
Public Law 114-94 (December 4, 2015), contingent on full 
appropriations. This notice is a national solicitation for project 
proposals and includes the selection criteria and program eligibility 
information for FY 2017 projects. FTA may fund the program for more or 
less than the full year appropriation when made available, and may 
include other funding toward project proposals received in response to 
this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).
    This announcement is available on the FTA Web site at: 
www.transit.dot.gov/funding/grants/grant-programs/public-transportation-indian-reservations-program-tribal-transit-fy-2017. 
Additionally, a synopsis of the funding opportunity, FTA-2017-002-TPM, 
will be posted in the FIND module of the government-wide electronic 
grants Web site at http://www.grants.gov. The program can be located in 
the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) under 20.509.

DATES: Complete proposals for the Tribal Transit Program announced in 
this Notice must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. EDT on March 20, 2017. All 
proposals must be submitted electronically through the GRANTS.GOV APPLY 
function. Any applicant 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 www.transit.dot.gov/funding/grants/notices and in the ``FIND'' module of GRANTS.GOV. Mail and fax 
submissions will not be accepted.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact the appropriate FTA Regional 
Office at www.transit.dot.gov/about/regional-offices/regional-offices 
for proposal-specific information and issues. For general program 
information, contact [Eacute]lan Flippin, Office of Program Management, 
(202) 366-3800, email: elan.flippin@dot.gov. A TDD is available at 1-
800-877-8339 (TDD/FIRS).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Table of Contents

A. Program Description
B. Federal Award Information
C. Eligibility Information
D. Application and Submission Information
E. Application Review
F. Federal Award Administration
G. Federal Awarding Agency Contacts
Appendix A: Registering in SAM and Grants.gov

A. Program Description

    The Tribal Transit Program (TTP) was established by the Safe, 
Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy 
for Users (SAFETEA-LU) as a competitive program from FY 2006 & FY 2012. 
The Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21) Act modified 
the program to include a $25 million formula component and a $5 million 
competitive program, totaling $30 million. The FAST Act increased the 
Tribal Transit Formula Program to $30 million and continued the $5 
million competitive program found at

[[Page 6717]]

49 U.S.C. 5311(c)(1). The program authorizes grants ``under such terms 
and conditions as may be established by the Secretary'' to Indian 
tribes for any purpose eligible under FTA's Formula Grants for Rural 
Areas Program, 49 U.S.C. 5311. Tribes may apply for this funding 
directly.
    The primary purpose of these competitively selected grants is to 
support planning, capital, and, in limited circumstances, operating 
assistance for tribal public transit services. Funds distributed to 
Indian tribes under the TTP should NOT replace or reduce funds that 
Indian tribes receive from States through FTA's Formula Grants for 
Rural Areas Program. Specific project eligibility under this 
competitive allocation is described in Section C below.

B. Federal Award Information

    Five million dollars is authorized for the Tribal Transit 
comptitive allocation in FY 2017 subject to enactment of funds to 
projects selected pursuant to the process described in the following 
sections. Federal awards under this comepetitive program will be in the 
form of grants. Additionally, there is a cap on planning grant awards 
at $25,000, and FTA has the discretion to cap capital and operating 
awards as well.

C. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

    Eligible applicants include federally recognized Indian tribes or 
Alaska Native villages, groups, or communities as identified by the 
U.S. Department of Interior (DOI) Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). As 
evidence of Federal recognition, an Indian tribe may submit a copy of 
the most up-to-date Federal Register Notice published by BIA: Entities 
Recognized and Eligible to Receive Service from the United States 
Bureau of Indian Affairs (81 FR 5019, January 29, 2016). To be an 
eligible recipient, an Indian tribe must have the requisite legal, 
financial and technical capabilities to receive and administer Federal 
funds under this program. Addtionally, applicants must be located and 
provide service in a rural area with a population of 50,000 or less. A 
service area can include some portions of urban areas, as long as the 
tribal transit service begins in and serves rural areas. Any applicant 
must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) database 
and maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all 
times during which it has an active Federal award or an application or 
plan under consideration by FTA.

2. Cost Sharing or Matching

    There is a 90 percent federal share for projects selected under the 
TTP competitive program, unless the Indian tribe can demonstrate a 
financial hardship in its application. FTA is interested in the Indian 
tribe's financial commitment to the proposed project, thus the proposal 
should include a description of the Indian tribe's financial 
commitment. Tribes may use any eligible local match under Chapter 53.

3. Eligible Projects

    Eligible projects include public transportation planning and 
capital expenses. Operating projects are eligible in limited 
circumstances as, in FY 2017, FTA will only consider operating 
assistance requests from tribes without existing transit service, or 
those tribes who received a TTP formula allocation of less than 
$20,000.
    Public transportation includes regular, continuing shared-ride 
surface transportation services open to the public or open to a segment 
of the public defined by age, disability, or low income. Projects 
exclusive to an urbanized area, as defined by the Census Bureau, are 
not eligible. FTA will award grants to eligible Indian tribes located 
in rural areas. Applicants may submit one proposal for each project or 
one proposal containing multiple projects. Specific types of projects 
include: Capital projects for start-ups, replacement or expansion 
needs; operating assistance for start-ups; and planning projects up to 
$25,000. Indian tribes applying for capital replacement or expansion 
needs must demonstrate a sustainable source of operating funds for 
existing or expanded services.

D. Application and Submission Information

1. Address To Request Application Package

    A complete proposal submission will consist of at least two files: 
(1) The SF 424 Mandatory form (downloaded from GRANTS.GOV); and (2) the 
Tribal Transit supplemental form found on the FTA Web site at 
www.transit.dot.gov/funding/grants/tribal-transit-2017-supplemental-form. The Tribal Transit supplemental form provides guidance and a 
consistent format for applicants to respond to the criteria outlined in 
this NOFO.

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

(i) Proposal Submission
    A complete proposal submission will consist of at least two files: 
(1) The SF 424 Mandatory form (downloaded from GRANTS.GOV); and (2) the 
Tribal Transit supplemental form found on the FTA Web site at 
www.transit.dot.gov/funding/grants/tribal-transit-2017-supplemental-form. The applicant must place the supplemental form in the attachments 
section of the SF-424 Mandatory form. Applicants must use the 
supplemental form designated for TTP and attach the form to their 
submission in GRANTS.GOV to complete the application process. A 
proposal submission may contain additional supporting documentation as 
attachments. Within 24 to 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 the applicant does not 
receive confirmations of successful validation or instead receives a 
notice of failed validation or incomplete materials, the applicant must 
address the reason for the failed validation or incomplete materials, 
as described in the notice, and resubmit the proposal before the 
submission deadline. If making a resubmission for any reason, the 
applicant must 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 https://www.transit.dot.gov/funding/grants/notices.
    Important: FTA urges applicants to submit their project proposals 
at least 72 hours prior to the due date to allow time to receive the 
validation message 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 http://www.GRANTS.GOV. 
The deadline will not be extended due to scheduled maintenance or 
outages.
    Applicants 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

[[Page 6718]]

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 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 provided in the 
Appendix.
    Applicants may submit one proposal for each project or one proposal 
containing multiple projects. Applicants submitting multiple projects 
in one proposal must be sure to clearly define each project by 
completing a supplemental form for each project. Additional 
supplemental forms must be added within the proposal by clicking the 
``add project'' button in Section II of the supplemental form.
    Information such as applicant name, Federal amount requested, 
description of areas served, and other information may be requested in 
varying degrees of detail on both the SF 424 form and supplemental 
form. Applicants must fill in all fields unless stated otherwise on the 
forms. Applicants 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.
(ii) Application Content
    The SF424 Mandatory Form and the Supplemental Form will prompt 
applicants for the required information, including:
    a. Name of federally recognized tribe and, if appropriate, the 
specific tribal agency submitting the application.
    b. Dun and Bradstreet (D&B) Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) 
number if available. (Note: If selected, applicant will be required to 
provide DUNS number prior to grant award).
    c. Contact information including: Contact name, title, address, fax 
and phone number, email address if available.
    d. Description of existing public transportation services including 
areas currently served by the tribe, if any.
    e. Name of person(s) authorized to apply on applicant's behalf must 
accompany the proposal (attach a signed transmittal letter).
    f. Complete Project Description:
    Indicate the category for which funding is requested (i.e., project 
type: Capital, operating or planning), and then indicate the project 
purpose (i.e., start-up, expansion or replacement). Describe the 
proposed project and what it will accomplish (e.g., number and type of 
vehicles, routes, service area, schedules, type of services, fixed 
route or demand responsive, safety aspects), route miles (if fixed 
route), ridership numbers expected (actual if an existing system, 
estimated if a new system), major origins and destinations, population 
served, and whether the tribe provides the service directly, contracts 
for services, and note vehicle maintenance plans.
    g. Project Timeline:
    Include significant milestones such as date of contract for 
purchase of vehicle(s), actual or expected delivery date of vehicles; 
facility project phases (e.g. NEPA compliance, design, construction); 
or dates for completion of planning studies. If applying for 
operational funding for new services, indicate the period of time funds 
are used to operate the system (e.g. one year). This section should 
also include any needed timelines for tribal council project approvals, 
if applicable.
    h. Budget:
    Provide a detailed budget for each proposed purpose noting the 
Federal amount requested and any additional funds that will be used. An 
Indian tribe may use up to fifteen percent of a grant award for capital 
projects for specific project-related planning and administration, and 
the indirect costs rate may not exceed ten percent (if necessary add as 
an attachment) of the total amount requested/awarded. Indian tribes 
must also provide their annual operating budget as an attachment or 
under the Financial Commitment and Operating Capacity of the 
supplemental form.
    i. Technical, Legal, Financial Capacity: Applicants must be able to 
demonstrate adequate technical, legal and financial capacity to be 
considered for funding. Every proposal MUST describe this capacity to 
implement the proposed project.
    1. Technical Capacity: Provide examples of management of other 
Federal projects, including previously funded FTA projects and/or 
similar types of projects for which funding is being requested. 
Describe the resources available to implement the proposed transit 
project.
    2. Legal Capacity: Provide documentation or other evidence to 
demonstrate status as a federally recognized Indian tribe. Further, 
demonstrate evidence of an authorized representative with authority 
bind the applicant and execute legal agreements with FTA. If applying 
for capital or operating funds, identify whether appropriate Federal or 
State operating authority exists.
    3. Financial Capacity: Provide documentation or other evidence 
demonstrating current adequate financial systems to receive and manage 
a Federal grant. Fully describe: (1) All financial systems and 
controls; 2) other sources of funds currently managed; and (3) the 
long-term financial capacity to maintain the proposed or existing 
transit services.

3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM)

    Each applicant is required to: (1) Be registered in SAM before 
submitting an application; (2) provide a valid unique entity identifier 
in its application; and (3) continue to maintain an active SAM 
registration with current information at all times during which the 
applicant has an active Federal award or an application or plan under 
consideration by FTA. These requirements do not apply if the applicant: 
(1) Is an individual; (2) is excepted from the requirements under 2 CFR 
25.110(b) or (c); or (3) has an exception approved by FTA under 2 CFR 
25.110(d). FTA may not make an Award 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 an Award, FTA may determine that the applicant is 
not qualified to receive an Award and use that determination as a basis 
for making a Federal award to another applicant. SAM registration takes 
approximately three to five business days, but FTA recommends allowing 
ample time, up to several weeks, for completion of all steps.
Step 1: Obtain DUNS Number
    Same day. If requested by phone (1-866-705-5711) DUNS is provided 
immediately. If your organization does not have one, you will need to 
go to the Dun & Bradstreet Web site at http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform to 
obtain the number.
Step 2: Register With SAM
    Three to five business days or up to two weeks. If you already have 
a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), your SAM registration will take 
three to five business days to process. If you are applying for an 
Employer Identification Number (EIN) please allow up to two weeks. 
Ensure that your organization is registered with the System for Award 
Management (SAM) at https://www.sam.gov. If your organization is not, 
an authorizing official of your organization must register.

[[Page 6719]]

Step 3: Establish an Account in Grants.gov--Username & Password
    Same day. Complete your Authorized Organization Representative 
(AOR) profile on Grants.gov and create your username and password. You 
will need to use your organization's DUNS Number to complete this step. 
https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/OrcRegister.
Step 4: Grants.gov--AOR Authorization
    * Same day. The E-Business Point of Contact (E-Biz POC) at your 
organization must login to Grants.gov to confirm an Authorized 
Organization Representative (AOR). Please note that there can be more 
than one AOR for your organization. In some cases the E-Biz POC is also 
the AOR for an organization. *Time depends on responsiveness of your E-
Biz POC.
Step 5: Track AOR Status
    At any time, you can track your AOR status by logging in with your 
username and password. Login as an Applicant (enter your username & 
password you obtained in Step 3) using the following link: 
applicant_profile.jsp.

4. Submission Dates and Times

    Project proposals must be submitted electronically through 
GRANTS.GOV by March 20, 2017. Mail and fax submissions will not be 
accepted. Proposals submitted after the deadline will not be considered 
under any circumstance. Applications are time and date stamped by the 
Discretionary Grants System (DGS) upon successful submission.

5. Funding Restrictions

    Funds must be used only for the specific purposes requested in the 
application. Funds under this NOFO cannot be used to reimburse projects 
for otherwise eligible expenses incurred prior to FTA award.

6. Other Submission Requirements

    FTA requires that all project proposals be submitted electronically 
through http://www.GRANTS.GOV by 11:59 p.m. EDT on March 20, 2017. Mail 
and fax submissions will not be accepted.

E. Application Review

1. Selection Criteria

    FTA will use the following primary selection criteria when 
evaluating competing capital and operating assistance projects eligible 
under this program. Applications will be evaluated based on the quality 
and extent to which the following evaluation criteria are addressed.
i. Planning and Local/Regional Prioritization
    Applications will be evaluated based on the degree to which the 
applicant: (1) Describes how the proposed project was developed; (2) 
demonstrates that a sound basis for the project exists; and (3) 
demonstrates that the applicant is ready to implement the project if 
funded. Information may vary depending upon how the planning process 
for the project was conducted and what is being requested. Planning and 
local/regional prioritization should:
    a. Describe the planning document and/or the planning process 
conducted to identify the proposed project;
    b. Provide a detailed project description including the proposed 
service, vehicle and facility needs, and other pertinent 
characteristics of the proposed or existing service implementation;
    c. Identify existing transportation services in and near the 
proposed service area, and document in detail whether the proposed 
project will provide opportunities to coordinate service with existing 
transit services, including human service agencies, intercity bus 
services, or other public transit providers;
    d. Discuss the level of support by the community and/or tribal 
government for the proposed project;
    e. Describe how the mobility and client-access needs of tribal 
human service agencies were considered in the planning process;
    f. Describe what opportunities for public participation were 
provided in the planning process and how the proposed transit service 
or existing service has been coordinated with transportation provided 
for the clients of human service agencies, with intercity bus 
transportation in the area, or with any other rural public transit 
providers;
    g. Describe how the proposed service complements rather than 
duplicates any currently available services;
    h. Describe the implementation schedule for the proposed project, 
including time period, staffing, and procurement; and
    i. Describe any other planning or coordination efforts not 
mentioned above.
    ii. Project Readiness: Applications will be evaluated on the degree 
to which the applicant describes readiness to implement the project. 
The project readiness factor involves assessing whether:
    a. Project is a Categorical Exclusion (CE) or the required 
environmental work has been initiated or completed for construction 
projects requiring an Environmental Assessment (EA) or Environmental 
Impact Statement (EIS) under, among others, the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969, as Amended;
    b. Project implementation plans are complete, including initial 
design of facilities Projects;
    c. Project funds can be obligated and the project can be 
implemented quickly, if selected; and
    d. Applicant demonstrates the ability to carry out the proposed 
project successfully.
iii. Demonstration of Need
    Applications will be evaluated based on the degree to which the 
applicant identies the need for transit for resources. In addition to 
project-specific criteria, FTA will consider the project's impact on 
service delivery and whether the project represents a one-time or 
periodic need that cannot reasonably be funded from the FTA program 
formula allocations or State and/or local resources. FTA will evaluate 
how the proposal demonstrates the transit needs of the Indian tribe as 
well as how the proposed transit improvements or the new service will 
address identified transit needs. Proposals should include information 
such as destinations and services not currently accessible by transit, 
needs for access to jobs or health care, safety enhancements or special 
needs of elders, individuals with disabilities, behavioral health care 
needs of youth, income-based community needs, or other mobility needs. 
If an applicant received a planning grant in previous fiscal years, it 
should indicate the status of the planning study and how the proposed 
project relates to that study.
    Applicants applying for capital expansion or replacement projects 
should also address the following factors in their proposal. If the 
proposal is for capital funding associated with an expansion or 
expanded service, the applicant should describe how current or growing 
demand for the service necessitates the expansion (and therefore, more 
capital) and/or the degree to how the project is addressing a current 
capacity constraint. Capital replacement projects should include 
information about the age, condition, and performance of the asset to 
be replaced by the proposed project and/or how the replacement may be 
necessary to maintain the transit system in a state of good repair.
iv. Demonstration of Benefits
    Applications will be evaluated based on the degree to which the 
applicant

[[Page 6720]]

identifies expected or, in the case of existing service, achieved/
project benefits. FTA is particularly interested in how these 
investments will improve the quality of life for the tribe and 
surrounding communities in which it is located. Applicants should 
describe how the transportation service or capital investment will 
provide greater access to employment opportunities, educational 
centers, healthcare, or other needs that profoundly impact the quality 
of life for the community, as described in the program purpose above. 
Possible examples include increased or sustained ridership and daily 
trips, improved service, elimination of gaps in service, improved 
operations and coordination, increased reliability, health care, 
education, and economic benefits to the community. Benefits can be 
demonstrated by identifying the population of tribal members and non-
tribal members in the proposed project service area and estimating the 
number of daily one-way trips the proposed transit service will provide 
or the actual number of individual riders served. Applicants are 
encouraged to consider qualitative and quantitative benefits to the 
Indian tribe and to the surrounding communities that are meaningful to 
them.
    Based on the information provided under the demonstration of 
benefits, FTA will rate proposals rated based on the quality and extent 
to which they discuss the following four factors:
    a. The project's ability to improve transit efficiency or increase 
ridership;
    b. Whether the project will improve or maintain mobility, or 
eliminate gaps in service for the Indian tribe;
    c. Whether the project will improve or maintain access to important 
destinations and services;
    d. Any other qualitative benefits, such as greater access to jobs, 
education and health care.
v. Financial Commitment and Operating Capacity
    Applications must identify the source of local match (ten percent 
is required for all operating and capital projects), and any other 
funding sources used by the Indian tribe to support proposed transit 
services, including human service transportation funding, FHWA's Tribal 
Transportation Program funding, or other FTA programs. If requesting 
that FTA waive the local match based on financial hardship, the 
applicant must submit budgets and sources of other revenue to 
demonstrate hardship. FTA will review this information and notify 
tribes at the time of award if the waiver is approved. If applicable, 
the applicant also should describe how prior year TTP funds were spent 
to date to support the service. Additionally, Indian tribes applying 
for operating of new services should provide a sustainable funding plan 
that demonstrates how it intends to maintain operations.
    In evaluating proposals, FTA will consider any other resources the 
Indian tribe will contribute to the project, including in-kind 
contributions, commitments of support from local businesses, donations 
of land or equipment, and human resources. The proposal should describe 
to what extent the new project or funding for existing service 
leverages other funding. Based upon the information provided, the 
proposals will be rated on the extent to which the proposal 
demonstrates that:
    a. TTP Funding does not replace existing funding;
    b. The Indian tribe will provide non-financial support to the 
project;
    c. The Indian tribe is able to demonstrate a sustainable funding 
plan; and
    d. Project funds are used in coordination with other services for 
efficient utilization of funds.
vi. Evaluation Criteria for Planning Proposals
    For planning grants, the proposal must describe the need for and a 
general scope of the proposed study. Applications will be evaluated 
based on the degree to which the applicant addresses the following:
    1. The tribes' long-term commitment to transit; and
    2. The method used to implement the proposed study and/or further 
tribal transit.

2. Review and Selection Process

    A technical evaluation committee will review proposals under the 
project evaluation criteria. Members of the technical evaluation 
committee and other involved FTA staff reserve the right to screen, 
rate the applications, and seek clarification about any statement in an 
application. After consideration of the findings of the technical 
evaluation committee, the FTA Administrator will determine the final 
selection and amount of funding for each project. Geographic diversity 
and the applicant's receipt and management of other Federal transit 
funds may be considered in FTA's award decisions. FTA expects to 
announce the selected projects and notify successful applicants in the 
spring of 2017.

F. Federal Award Administration

1. Federal Award Notice

    Subsequent to an announcement by the FTA Administrator of the final 
project selections posted on the FTA Web site, FTA will publish a list 
of the selected projects, including Federal dollar amounts and 
recipients in the Federal Register. Project recipients should contact 
their FTA Regional Offices and tribal liaison for information about 
setting up grants in FTA's Transit Award Management System (TrAMS).

2. Award Administration

    Successful proposals will be awarded through TrAMS as Grant 
Agreements. The appropriate FTA Regional Office and tribal liaison will 
manage project agreements.

3. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

    Except as otherwise provided in this NOFO, TTP grants are subject 
to the requirements of 49 U.S.C. 5311(c)(1) as described in the latest 
FTA Circular 9040.1G for the Formula Grants for Rural Areas Program.

4. Reporting

    The post award reporting requirements include submission of the 
Federal Financial Report (FFR) and Milestone Progress Report in TrAMs, 
and National Transit Database (NTD) reporting as appropriate (see FTA 
Circular 9040.1G). Reports to TrAMS and NTD are due annually.

G. Federal Awarding Agency Contacts

    For further information concerning this notice, please contact 
[Eacute]lan Flippin, Office of Program Management, (202) 366-3800, 
email: elan.flippin@dot.gov. A TDD is available at 1-800-877-8339 (TDD/
FIRS).

H. Other Information

    This program is not subject to Executive Order 12372, 
``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.'' FTA will consider 
applications for funding only from eligible recipients for eligible 
projects listed in Section C-2. Due to funding limitations, applicants 
that are selected for funding may receive less than the amount 
requested.
    Additionally, to assist tribes with understanding requirements 
under the TTP, FTA has conducted Tribal Transit Technical Assistance 
Workshops, and will continue those efforts in FY2017. FTA also has 
expanded its technical assistance to tribes receiving funds under this 
program. Additionally, through the Tribal Transit Technical

[[Page 6721]]

Assistance Assessments Initiative, FTA collaborates with Tribal Transit 
Leaders to review processes and identify areas in need of improvement 
and then assists to offer solutions to address these needs--all in a 
supportive and mutually beneficial manner that results in technical 
assistance. FTA has completed thirty assessments to date, and expects 
to do fifteen assessments in FY17. These assessments include 
discussions of compliance areas pursuant to the Master Agreement, a 
site visit, promising practices reviews, and technical assistance from 
FTA and its contractors. These workshops and assessments have received 
exemplary feedback from Tribal Transit Leaders and provided FTA with 
invaluable opportunities to learn more about Tribal Transit Leaders' 
perspectives so to better honor the sovereignty of tribal nations.
    FTA will post information about upcoming workshops to its Web site 
and will disseminate information about the assessments through its 
regional offices. Contact information for FTA's regional offices can be 
found on FTA's Web site at www.transit.dot.gov/about/regional-offices. 
Applicants may also receive technical assistance by contacting their 
FTA regional Tribal Liaison. A list of Tribal Liaisons is available on 
FTA's Web site at www.transit.dot.gov/funding/grants/grant-programs/public-transportation-indian-reservations-program-tribal-transit.

Carolyn Flowers,
Acting Administrator.

Appendix A

Registering in SAM and Grants.Gov

Registration in Brief

    Registration takes approximately three to five business days, 
please allow four weeks for completion of all steps.
    In order to apply for a grant, you and/or your organization must 
first complete the registration process in Grants.gov. The 
registration process for an Organization or an Individual can take 
between three to five business days or as long as four weeks if all 
steps are not completed in a timely manner. So please register in 
Grants.gov early.
    The Grants.gov registration process ensures that applicants for 
Federal Funds have the basic prerequisites to apply for and to 
receive federal funds. Applicants for FTA competitive funds must:

 Have a valid DUNS number
 Have a current registration in SAM (formerly CCR)
 Register and apply in Grants.gov

    The required registration steps are described in greater detail 
on Grants.gov Web site. The following is a link to a helpful 
checklist and explanations published by Grants.gov to assist 
applicants: Organization Registration Checklist. If you have not 
recently applied for federal funds, we recommend that you initiate 
your search, registration, and application process with Grants.gov. 
Visiting the Grants.gov site will inform you of how to apply for 
grant opportunities, as well as assist you in linking to the other 
required registrations, i.e., Dun & Bradstreet to obtain a DUNS 
Number, and System for Award Management (SAM).
    Summary of steps (these steps are available in Grants.gov during 
registration):

Step 1: Obtain DUNS Number

    Same day. If requested by phone (1-866-705-5711) DUNS is 
provided immediately. If your organization does not have one, you 
will need to go to the Dun & Bradstreet Web site at http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform to obtain the number.

Step 2: Register With SAM

    Three to five business days or up to two weeks. If you already 
have a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), your SAM registration 
will take three to five business days to process. If you are 
applying for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) please allow up 
to two weeks. Ensure that your organization is registered with the 
System for Award Management (SAM) at https://www.sam.gov. If your 
organization is not, an authorizing official of your organization 
must register.

Step 3: Establish an Account in Grants.gov--Username & Password

    Same day. Complete your Authorized Organization Representative 
(AOR) profile on Grants.gov and create your username and password. 
You will need to use your organization's DUNS Number to complete 
this step. https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/OrcRegister.

Step 4: Grants.gov--AOR Authorization

    * Same day. The E-Business Point of Contact (E-Biz POC) at your 
organization must login to Grants.gov to confirm you as an 
Authorized Organization Representative (AOR). Please note that there 
can be more than one AOR for your organization. In some cases the E-
Biz POC is also the AOR for an organization. *Time depends on 
responsiveness of your E-Biz POC.
    * Please Note: Grants.gov gives you the option of registering as 
an ``individual'' or as an ``organization.'' If you register in 
Grants.gov as an as an ``Individual,'' your ``Organization'' will 
not be allowed to use the Grants.gov username and password. To apply 
for grants as an Organization you must register as an Organization 
and use that specific username and password issued during the 
``organization'' registration process.

[FR Doc. 2017-01171 Filed 1-18-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE P