[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 233 (Monday, December 6, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 70501-70504]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-26751]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Transit Administration


United We Ride State Coordination Grants Announcement

AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration (FTA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice identifies state agencies selected for United We 
Ride State Coordination Grants and provides instructions for applying 
for the grant funds.

EFFECTIVE DATE: State agencies selected for State Coordination Grants 
may begin application procedures upon receipt of letters from FTA 
Administrator Jennifer L. Dorn informing them of their selection. 
Applicants should submit their electronic grant applications to FTA by 
February 28, 2005. Grant activities should be complete, with all funds 
drawn down from the grant, by February 28, 2006.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Applicants may contact the appropriate 
FTA Regional Administrator (see Appendix A) for grant-specific issues; 
or Elizabeth Solomon, 202-366-0242, for general information about the 
United We Ride State Coordination Grants.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Those states selected for funding were found 
to meet the objective of the United We Ride initiative which is to 
implement the President's Executive Order on Human Service 
Transportation Coordination by breaking down barriers among Federal 
programs to enhance coordination of human service transportation 
programs for individuals with disabilities, older adults, and lower 
income populations who depend on transportation services to access 
employment, health, and other community services. The purpose of the 
State Coordination Grants is to increase the overall capacity of states 
to deliver comprehensive and coordinated human services transportation 
that meets the needs of transportation-disadvantaged individuals and to 
increase cross-agency collaboration to facilitate coordination, enhance 
services, and address redundancies of programs and services. These 
grants may be used to assist states in conducting a comprehensive state

[[Page 70502]]

assessment using the United We Ride Framework for Action; developing a 
comprehensive state action plan for coordinating human services 
transportation; or, for those states that already have a comprehensive 
state action plan, to implement one or more of the elements identified 
in the Framework for Action.
    Grant Selections. The solicitation announcement for the United We 
Ride state coordination grants called for applications to be submitted 
by August 23, 2004. FTA received 45 proposals, all of which were 
evaluated and approved by an interagency team of reviewers. Grants will 
be made for between $19,000 and $35,000. No local match is required for 
these grants. Of the applicants, 38 are state DOTs and the remaining 
seven are various other state agencies. We encourage these other state 
applicants to partner with the state DOTs for submittal of grant 
applications.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               State                     Lead agency          Amount
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alabama...........................  Alabama Department           $35,000
                                     of Senior Services.
Alaska............................  Alaska Department of          35,000
                                     Transportation and
                                     Public Facilities.
Arizona...........................  Arizona Department            35,000
                                     of Transportation.
Arkansas..........................  Arkansas State                19,000
                                     Highway and
                                     Transportation
                                     Department.
California........................  California                    34,027
                                     Department of
                                     Transportation.
Colorado..........................  Colorado Department           35,000
                                     of Transportation.
Connecticut.......................  Connecticut                   35,000
                                     Department of
                                     Transportation.
Delaware..........................  Delaware Transit              35,000
                                     Corporation.
District of Columbia..............  Washington DC                 35,000
                                     Department of
                                     Transportation.
Florida...........................  Florida Commission            35,000
                                     for the
                                     Transportation
                                     Disadvantaged.
Georgia...........................  Georgia Department            34,750
                                     of Transportation.
Idaho.............................  Idaho Department of           35,000
                                     Transportation.
Illinois..........................  Illinois Department           35,000
                                     of Transportation.
Iowa..............................  Iowa Department of            30,000
                                     Transportation.
Kansas............................  Kansas Department of          35,000
                                     Transportation.
Kentucky..........................  Kentucky                      35,000
                                     Transportation
                                     Cabinet.
Louisiana.........................  Louisiana Department          34,984
                                     of Transportation
                                     and Development.
Maine.............................  Maine Department of           35,000
                                     Transportation.
Maryland..........................  Maryland Transit              35,000
                                     Administration.
Massachusetts.....................  Massachusetts Human           35,000
                                     Service
                                     Transportation
                                     Office.
Michigan..........................  Michigan Department           35,000
                                     of Transportation.
Minnesota.........................  Minnesota Department          35,000
                                     of Transportation.
Mississippi.......................  Mississippi Division          35,000
                                     of Medicaid.
Missouri..........................  Missouri Department           35,000
                                     of Transportation.
Montana...........................  Office of the                 25,450
                                     Governor.
Nebraska..........................  Nebraska Department           35,000
                                     of Roads.
Nevada............................  Nevada Department of          30,000
                                     Transportation.
New Hampshire.....................  New Hampshire                 35,000
                                     Department of
                                     Transportation.
New Jersey........................  New Jersey Transit            35,000
                                     Corporation.
New Mexico........................  New Mexico State              35,000
                                     Highway and
                                     Transportation
                                     Department.
New York..........................  New York Department           35,000
                                     of Transportation.
North Carolina....................  North Carolina                35,000
                                     Department of
                                     Health and Human
                                     Services.
Ohio..............................  Ohio Department of            28,700
                                     Transportation.
Oklahoma..........................  Oklahoma Department           35,000
                                     of Transportation.
Oregon............................  Oregon Department of          35,000
                                     Transportation.
Pennsylvania......................  Pennsylvania                  35,000
                                     Department of
                                     Transportation.
South Carolina....................  South Carolina                35,000
                                     Department of
                                     Transportation.
Tennessee.........................  Tennessee Department          35,000
                                     of Transportation.
Texas.............................  Texas Department of           35,000
                                     Transportation.
Utah..............................  Utah Department of            35,000
                                     Transportation.
Vermont...........................  Vermont Agency of             35,000
                                     Transportation.
Virgin Islands....................  Virgin Islands                35,000
                                     Department of
                                     Public Works.
Virginia..........................  Virginia Department           35,000
                                     of Rail and Public
                                     Transportation.
West Virginia.....................  West Virginia                 35,000
                                     Division of Public
                                     Transit.
Wisconsin.........................  Wisconsin Bureau of           29,816
                                     Aging and Long Term
                                     Care.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Eligible Costs. Funds may be used to support personnel for 
planning, training, coordination, and other administrative activities 
required to enhance coordination among and across agencies within the 
state. Supplies, small equipment (computers, etc.), and travel are also 
eligible expenses.
    Ineligible Costs. Funds may not be used for provision of 
transportation services, such as for capital costs for large equipment, 
e.g. vehicles, or operating costs.
    Planning Requirements. Because the State Coordination grants are 
financed with planning and research funds, they are exempt from 
inclusion in the Metropolitan Transportation Improvement Programs 
(TIPs) and the State Transportation Improvement Programs (STIPs). 
However, FTA encourages States to share information on their proposed 
work activities with affected local officials. In urbanized areas, 
States are encouraged to coordinate with Metropolitan Planning 
Organizations (MPOs), including possible reference of their work 
activities in the Unified Planning Work Program. In non-urbanized 
areas, States are encouraged to share information on proposed State 
Coordination Grant activities with local officials through each State's 
required consultation process with non-metropolitan local officials 
regarding participation in statewide transportation planning and 
programming. FTA regards the involvement of local officials as critical

[[Page 70503]]

to achieving effective coordination of human services transportation.
    Pre-Award Authority. Costs may be incurred for activities in the 
approved proposal prior to FTA approval. However, in exercising pre-
award authority, applicants must comply with all Federal requirements. 
Failure to do so will render costs ineligible for FTA financial 
assistance. Applicants must consult the appropriate FTA regional office 
regarding the eligibility of the project for future FTA funds or the 
applicability of the conditions and Federal requirements. Pre-award 
spending authority is provided effective as of November 9, 2004, the 
date on which letters of project selection were sent to applicants.
    Certification and Assurances. In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 5323(n), 
certifications and assurances have been compiled for the various FTA 
programs. Before FTA may award a Federal grant, each successful 
applicant must provide to FTA all certifications and assurances 
required by Federal laws and regulations applicable to itself and its 
project. A state providing certifications and assurances on behalf of 
its prospective subrecipients should obtain sufficient documentation 
from those subrecipients needed to provide informed certifications and 
assurances. All of the Federal requirements that apply to State 
Coordination grant applicants are included in those applicable to all 
grantees, so Category 1, Required of Each Applicant, is the category 
that State Coordination Grant applicants will select. If FTA already 
has the State applicant's signed certifications and assurances for the 
current fiscal year and it has provided adequate certifications and 
assurances to qualify for a State Coordination Grant, the State 
applicant need not submit separate certifications and assurances for 
assistance. FTA's (FY) 2005 Certifications and Assurances Notice was 
published in the Federal Register on October 26, 2004. A copy of that 
Federal Register notice can be found on the FTA Web site at http://www.fta.dot.gov/legal/federal_register/2004/12174_16165_ENG_HTML.htm. The document is also available on the Main Menu of the 
Transportation Electronic Award and Management (TEAM) Web site. 
Applicants that need further assistance should contact the appropriate 
FTA regional office (see Appendix A) for further information.
    Applying for Funds. Applicants for State Coordination funds will 
submit their applications electronically through TEAM, the Web-based 
FTA electronic system that FTA uses for grant award and management. The 
content of these grant applications must reflect the approved proposal. 
This application does not require Department of Labor Certification. 
Regional Office (Appendix A) staff can advise how specific laws, 
regulations, Federal Register notices, and Executive Orders may be 
obtained.
    Payment Procedures. All FTA payments to grantees are made through 
the Electronic Clearing House Operation (ECHO) system. New grantees can 
work with regional staff to obtain an ECHO account number and a 
password for ECHO access. Grantees may transmit an ECHO drawdown 
request message to FTA in order to receive funds necessary to meet 
immediate cash disbursement needs. The ECHO system processes the 
grantee's message and if no problems are noted by FTA, the amount 
requested is transmitted to Treasury. Treasury electronically transfers 
the payment to the grantee's financial institution within 24 hours.
    Reporting Requirements. By October 31 each year, the state should 
submit to FTA a milestone progress report and a financial status report 
in TEAM for each active grant covering the 12-month period ending 
September 30 or the period from when the grant was awarded through 
September 30, and, upon completion of the grant project, submit a final 
report. These reports are intended to meet at least the minimal program 
information needs at the regional and national levels. Copies of 
planning documents or products developed from grant activities, if any, 
can be submitted as attachments in the TEAM system. Grantees must also 
submit the Overall State Self-Assessment of the Framework for Action. 
Grantees can: access this document at http://www.fta.dot.gov/ccam/framework_states.doc; copy the Overall State Self-Assessment page near 
the end of the document; and provide, in text, ratings for each of the 
six sections. The document can then be saved as a text document and 
submitted as an attachment in TEAM with an annual or final report.
    Data Collection. United We Ride is targeted to simplify access to 
transportation services, reduce duplication and increase cost 
efficiencies. Too often, information to measure our progress in 
coordinating human service transportation and achieving cost and 
service results is lacking. FTA will be providing guidance to assist 
grantees with collecting data regarding expenditures, costs and 
benefits of coordinated transportation services.

    Issued on November 30, 2004.
Jennifer L. Dorn,
Administrator.

Appendix A--FTA Regional Offices

Region I

    Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, 
and Vermont. Richard Doyle, FTA Regional Administrator, Volpe 
National Transportation Systems Center, Kendall Square, 55 Broadway, 
Suite 920, Cambridge, MA 02142-1093, (617) 494-2055.

Region II

    New Jersey, New York, and Virgin Islands. Letitia Thompson, FTA 
Regional Administrator, One Bowling Green, Room 429, New York, NY 
10004-1415, (212) 668-2170.

Region III

    Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, 
Virginia, and West Virginia. Susan Borinsky, FTA Regional 
Administrator, 1760 Market Street, Suite 500, Philadelphia, PA 
19103-4124, (215) 656-7100.

Region IV

    Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North 
Carolina, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Hiram Walker, 
FTA Regional Administrator, 61 Forsyth Street, SW., Suite 17T50, 
Atlanta, GA 30303, (404) 562-3500.

Region V

    Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin. 
Joel Ettinger, FTA Regional Administrator, 200 West Adams Street, 
Suite 2410, Chicago, IL 60606-5232, (312) 353-2789.

Region VI

    Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. Robert 
Patrick, FTA Regional Administrator, 819 Taylor Street, Room 8A36, 
Ft. Worth, TX 76102, (817) 978-0550.

Region VII

    Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska. Mokhtee Ahmad, FTA 
Regional Administrator, 901 Locust Street, Suite 404, Kansas City, 
MO 64106, (816) 329-3920.

Region VIII

    Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and 
Wyoming. Lee Waddleton, FTA Regional Administrator, 12300 West 
Dakota, Suite 310, Lakewood, CO 80228-2583, (720) 963-3300.

Region IX

    American Samoa, Arizona, California, Guam, Hawaii, Nevada, and 
the Northern Mariana Islands. Leslie Rogers, FTA Regional 
Administrator, 201 Mission Street, Suite 2210, San Francisco, CA 
94105-1839, (415) 744-3133.

Region X

    Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. Richard F. Krochalis, FTA 
Regional Administrator, Jackson Federal Building, 915

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Second Avenue, Suite 3142, Seattle, WA 98174-1002, (206) 220-7954.

[FR Doc. 04-26751 Filed 12-3-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-57-P