Human Services Transportation Technical Assistance Project

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Office of the Secretary

Human Services Transportation Technical Assistance Project

AGENCY: The Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation and the

Director of the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs (IGA) of the

Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

ACTION: Requests for applications for technical assistance in the area

of human services transportation from national organizations with a

record of assisting rural and special transportation needs.

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SUMMARY: This announcement solicits applications and describes the

application process for the award of the cooperative agreement. It is

the intent of HHS to fund one project which addresses the various task

areas in this announcement. The project period will be for three years.

However, an award will be funded only for the first year with funding

for years two and three subject to the government's determination to

continue the project.

DATES: The closing date for submittal of applications under this

announcement is August 29, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Send application to Grants Officer, Department of Health and

Human Services, ASPE/IO, 200 Independence Avenue, SW., Room 405-A,

Washington, DC 20201. Attn: Adrienne D.B. Little.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Technical Questions, Dianne L. McSwain, HHS/IGA, 200 Independence

Avenue, SW., Room 630-F, Washington, DC 20201, Telephone: (202) 401-

5926. Questions may be faxed to (202) 690-5672 (applications may not be

faxed for submission). Application Instructions and Forms, Copies of

applications should be requested from and submitted to: Grants Officer,

Department of Health and Human Services, ASPE/IO, 200 Independence

Avenue, SW., Room 405-A, Washington, DC 20201, phone (202) 690-8794. No

faxes will be accepted. Questions concerning the preceding information

should be submitted to the Grants Officer at the same address.

Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants are national organizations or large

institutions with a record of assisting rural and special

transportation needs. Congress has indicated that the funded

organization should have experience in administering a national toll-

free hotline and electronic informational bulletin boards. It should

regularly publish a national technical assistance periodical, maintain

a national network of local and State affiliates, and have demonstrated

experience in providing information and technical assistance on human

services transportation to local agencies and programs.

Part I. Supplementary Information

Legislative Authority

The Transportation Coordination Technical Assistance Project

cooperative agreement(s) are authorized by section 1110 of the Social

Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1310) and awards will be made from funds

appropriated under Public Law 104-208.

Project History and Purpose

In FY 1990, Congress authorized $250,000 for the provision of

technical assistance to human service transportation providers. This

effort included the compilation of data on specific target populations,

the development of mechanisms for dissemination of information, and the

preparation of a report to the Secretary on the provision of

transportation services to human service clients. For FYs 1991 through

1996, the Congress authorized $500,000 for this effort, adding funding

for specific technical assistance in the implementation of the

requirements of the Americans with

[[Page 37914]]

Disabilities Act (ADA). For FY 1997, the Congress has again authorized

$500,000 for continued technical assistance in human services

transportation.

The purpose of this announcement is to solicit applications for the

provision of technical assistance to those organizations, agencies and

individuals involved in the planning and provision of human services

transportation to the clients of HHS-funded programs. This announcement

represents a follow-on activity to the efforts funded in FYs 1991-1996.

It is the policy of HHS to coordinate related programs at the

Federal level wherever possible and to promote maximum feasible

coordination at the State and local level. Coordination and

collaborative effort maximize the resources available to address

specific needs. Reflecting this policy, HHS and the DOT have

established the Joint DHHS/DOT Coordinating Council on Human Services

Transportation (Coordinating Council) as a focal point for the effort

to coordinate HHS and DOT resources for transportation of HHS program

client populations. The goals of the Coordinating Council are as

follows: (1) To achieve the most cost-effective use of Federal, State

and local resources for specialized and human services transportation;

(2) to encourage State and local governments to take a more active role

in the management and coordination of programs supporting specialized

and human services transportation; (3) to adopt administrative and

management practices in the implementation of Federal programs which

encourage coordination among service providers and increase access to

specialized and human services transportation; (4) to share technical

resources and information with recipients of Federal assistance and

transportation providers; and (5) to encourage the most efficient

system of providing services, including consideration of private sector

providers and use of competitive bidding.

In support of these goals, HHS has identified the following

objectives for the Human Services Transportation Technical Assistance

Project: (1) To promote more efficient use of equipment, facilities,

and staff resources at the State local level; (2) to provide

information, technical data, and assistance to State and local agencies

to improve management of transportation services and the acquisition of

appropriate equipment and facilities and, more specifically, to assist

states and localities in identifying needs, planning and implementing

transportation alternatives for those individuals moving from welfare

to work. Applicants should reflect an understanding of these goals and

objectives in their applications.

Available Funds

HHS intends to award one cooperative agreement resulting from this

announcement. HHS anticipates awarding approximately $400,000 through a

cooperative agreement.

Period of Performance

The start-up date of the project will be September 15, 1997 for a

project period of 36 months. However, an award will be funded only for

the first year with funding for years two and three subject to the

government's determination to continue the project.

Part II. Human Services Transportation Technical Assistance Project--

Responsibilities of the Awardees and the Federal Government

Awardee Responsibilities

The Human Services Technical Assistance project requires the

development and maintenance of mechanisms to provide information,

technical assistance, and training to HHS human services transportation

planners and providers on the efficient use of transit resources,

equipment and facilities. Applicants should be aware of and be

sensitive to the need to coordinate the activities herein with the

activities of the Rural Transit Assistance Program (RTAP) funded

through the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) of the Department of

Transportation (DOT) and ongoing relevant transportation efforts by

other federal departments. A listing of federal human services

transportation funding sources can be found in the publication,

``Building Mobility Partnerships'' available through the National

Transit Resource Center at 1-800-527-8279. Knowledge of the universe of

federal efforts pertaining to the transportation of human services

clients will be considered partially indicative of ability to perform

the required tasks.

The following tasks are to be specifically addressed in the project

narrative of the application. Applicants are encouraged to be

innovative and to suggest additional or alternative approaches through

subtasks that may improve the potential for successful completion of

the task. However, applicants are cautioned to provide suggestions for

additional subtasks judiciously with concern for the overall cost of

the project. There will be no additional funds beyond those

appropriated by Congress for this project.

Task I: Project Planning and Coordination

Task I entails the preparation of a detailed work plan of the

activities proposed to meet the stated objectives of the project,

including monthly meetings with the federal project staff, quarterly

written progress reports and a final report due at the end of the

project period. The work plan provides detailed descriptions of task

activities, details on the intended staffing pattern and specific

responsibilities within the project, specific time frames for the

accomplishment of the activities in measurable terms and reflects

consultation with the Federal Project Officer (FPO). In the second and

third year, additional planning with the FPO should be reflected to

allow for the annual minor project adjustments needed to keep the tasks

relevant to consumer need.

In addition, it is anticipated that an evaluation of the

effectiveness of the technical assistance efforts of the Community

Transportation Assistance Project (CTAP) may be undertaken through the

Human Service Transportation Research and Analysis project. The awardee

might include possible activities to support and assist in this

evaluation.

Task II: Development and Maintenance of Human Services Transportation

Resource Center

Task II addresses the development and maintenance of a central

repository of information and technical assistance materials for

developing or improving coordinated transportation systems (hereafter

known as the Resource Center). Access to the Resource Center should be

available to State and local human service agencies, planning entities,

government decision-makers and transportation service providers. The

Resource Center will be the focal point for the ongoing collection and

dissemination of information on issues of specific concern to human

services transportation planners and providers as the issues evolve. A

priority of the Resource Center will be the support of regional, State

or local groups seeking to improve coordination of human services

transportation as well as those groups emphasizing employment and child

care transportation for low-income and welfare recipients.

The Resource Center collection of materials will represent the

universe of reports, studies, and additional written and video

materials that represent the current knowledge base in human services

transportation. The Resource Center will include, at a minimum,

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federal- and State-produced reports, technical assistance and training

materials, federal human service transit-related legislation and

regulations, training and technical assistance materials that will be

developed through this effort, relevant research reports, and other

relevant materials as identified by HHS, the Coordinating Council, or

the awardee. All materials distributed through this project should

carry the appropriate attribution in commonly accepted format. A

thorough listing of proposed initial holdings for the Resource Center

will be considered partially indicative of the ability to undertake

this task. Although the awardee is encouraged to minimize costs by

referral to other resources for acquisition of documents, a minimum of

one copy of each identified referral piece will be maintained in the

Resource Center for research purposes. In order to encourage students

and practitioners to further the knowledge base, the Resource Center

will be made available, within reasonable constraints, to individuals

or organizations wishing to do research in the area of human services

transportation.

Activities that might be undertaken to accomplish this task

include: (1) Providing ready access to the technical assistance and

information of the Center such as through the use of physical access,

``hotlines'' and the Internet; (2) developing a mechanism for periodic

systematic searches of appropriate online information services to

identify new materials; (3) maintaining ongoing relationships with the

recognized individuals undertaking research in relevant fields in order

to identify new work and to provide feedback on new issues to be

explored; (4) identifying and maintaining contact with relevant

transportation-related programs in colleges and universities; (5)

developing and maintaining a calendar of the meetings, conferences and

events of major organizations that would be of interest to the human

services transportation field; and (6) developing procedures to ensure

that organizations or individuals obtain requested materials or

information in a timely manner. (Applicants are encouraged to

disseminate information through links with other agencies rather than

attempting to store and disseminate documents large quantities of

documents);

Task III: Development and Coordination of a Resource Network of

Knowledgeable Practitioners of Human Services Transportation

Task II represents the establishment and coordination of a network

of identified, certified practitioners in the field of human services

transportation whose expertise can be made available to transportation

planners or providers. Such expertise might be called upon for

presentations at conferences or meetings, through telephone or written

exchange, or on-site visits.

The following activities at a minimum, might be undertaken to

complete this task; (1) Develop a set of criteria against which

practitioners may be certified, (2) develop and implement a plan to

identify practitioners for certification, (3) develop an automated

database to manage the certified practitioner data, including name,

contact information, specific expertise, title and description of

current transportation position, and record of activity within the peer

network; (4) develop a mechanism for screening requests for technical

assistance which will identify the need for practitioner assistance and

that assistance can be provided by telephone, in writing, or if an on-

site visit is warranted, and (5) develop a process for documenting the

practitioner contacts for inclusion in the Resource Center and to be

summarized in the quarterly reports. Emphasis might be placed on the

use of certified peers in ways to meet the most need.

Task IV: Disseminate Information on the Provision of Human Services

Transportation

Task IV addresses the dissemination of the information compiled

through the Resource Center activities, information accumulated under

Task III, and information that the federal government deems necessary

for distribution to the human services transportation network. The

dissemination of information and materials relating to the implementing

of the ADA transportation requirements, the effective coordination of

transportation resources and successful approaches to employment and

child care transportation for low-income individuals and welfare

recipients are of priority under this task.

Project dissemination activities under Task IV will be coordinated

with those of regional, State and other federal human services

transportation coordination efforts to avoid duplication of efforts and

to construct complementary and mutually beneficial activities. Under no

circumstances should the awardee undertake the development of technical

assistance or training information or materials that knowingly

duplicate existing information or materials without prior written

permission of the FPO. Whenever possible, partnering in the development

of technical assistance materials is desirable with the understanding

that the use of project funds for such an effort must be clearly

identifiable.

At a minimum the awardee would be expected to undertake the

following activities in support of Task IV: (1) Identifying

opportunities to disseminate information through the existing

publications of relevant human services organizations on human services

transportation issues (a minimum of 6 articles during the project

period); (2) identifying and coordinating through the practitioner

network requests for conveners and facilitator for regional, State and

local-level human services organizations and forums (a minimum of 6

opportunities); (3) identifying, tracking and coordinating activities

of other major national or regional human services organizations

interested in human services transportation with activities planned

under this project including identifying opportunities to participate

in national or regional conferences (present at minimum of 5 human

services meetings); (4) assist with the planning and facilitation of

such regional conferences as may be held by HHS and FTA; (5) ensuring

the availability of current information on the project resources and

the Resource Center including the dissemination of a basic information

package on the Resource Center through the major human services

networks, at a minimum of once a year; (6) continue to disseminate the

information on the transportation requirements of the ADA, as well as

additional transportation requirements such as drug and alcohol testing

and blood born pathogens handling, prepared summaries on these

requirements as prepared during previous Human Services Transportation

Training and Technical Assistance projects; (7) compile information on

the transportation needs and experiences related to moving individuals

from welfare to work, as well as the necessary link to child care, (8)

compiling information on the usage of the Resource Center and

dissemination activities, including but not limited to the data on the

rate of use, kinds of inquiries, and types of requesting organizations,

to be included in the monthly project meetings; and (9) indicate a

process for screening requests for information and technical assistance

which will identify the appropriate level and type of technical

assistance, such as immediate telephone response, research and

compilation of a written response, practitioner network assistance by

telephone, in writing, or through an on-site visit.

[[Page 37916]]

Federal Government Cooperative Agreement Responsibilities

HHS or its representatives will provide: (1) Consultation and

technical assistance in planning, operating, and evaluating the

technical assistance activities of the project; (2) up-to-date

information on federal government regulations identified as affecting

the provision of transportation services to human service clients; (3)

assistance in the evaluation of project effectiveness; (4) assistance

in collaborating with appropriate State and local governmental entities

in the performance of the project activities; (5) assistance in the

identification of HHS information and technical assistance resources

pertinent to the success of this project; and (6) assistance in the

transfer of ``successful practices'' in the human services

transportation to other Federal, State and local entities.

Part III. Application Preparation and Evaluation Criteria

This part contains information on the preparation of an application

for submission under this announcement, the forms necessary for

submission and the evaluation criteria under which the applications

will be reviewed. Potential applicants should read this part carefully

in conjunction with the information provided in Part II.

To ensure that organizations with the greatest capacity for

providing quality services participate in this effort, applicants for

funding under the announcement should reflect, in the program narrative

section of the application, how they will be able to fulfill the

responsibilities and requirements described in this section of the

announcement. Applicants must address all the identified tasks. It is

the intent of HHS to make an award sufficient to accomplish the entire

scope of effort described in this announcement, if submissions of

sufficient scope and quality are received to permit it.

The applicant should include: (1) A management plan, which sets

forth how the project will be managed and who will be the key personnel

involved, including a Gantt chart and other graphics which specifically

display the management information provided in text; and (2) a budget

plan, which specifically delineates the costs associated with the

project. When the applicant chooses to suggest additional efforts to

support a task, the cost of those additional efforts (not required by

this announcement) should be separately identified. However, at no time

will a proposed budget in excess of $400,000 for all the Tasks listed

in the Announcement be considered for funding, unless the amount in

excess of $400,000 represents grantee cost-sharing.

Review Process and Funding Information

Applications that are submitted by the deadline date and which meet

the screening criteria will be reviewed and scored competitively. The

applications will be reviewed using the evaluation criteria listed

below to score the applications. These review results will be a primary

factor in funding decisions.

HHS reserves the option to discuss applications with other Federal

agencies, Central or Regional Office staff, specialists, experts,

States and the general public. Comments from these sources, along with

those of the reviewers, will be considered in making funding decisions.

State Single Point of Contact (E.O. No. 12372)

The Department of Health and Human Services has determined that

this program is not subject to Executive Order No. 12372,

Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs, because it is a program

that is national in scope and the only impact on State and local

governments would be through subgrants. Applicants are not required to

seek intergovernmental review of their applications within the

constraints of E.O. No. 12372.

Deadline for Submittal of Applications

The closing date for submittal of applications under this

announcement is August 29, 1997. Applications must be postmarked or

hand-delivered to the application receipt point no later than 5 p.m. on

August 29, 1997.

Hand-delivered applications will be accepted Monday through Friday

prior to and on August 29, 1997, during the working hours of 9 a.m. to

5 p.m. in the lobby of the Hubert H. Humphrey building located at 200

Independence Avenue, SW, in Washington, DC. When hand-delivering an

application, call 690-8794 from the lobby for pick up. A staff person

will be available to receive applications.

An application will be considered as meeting the deadline if it is

either: (1) Received at, or hand-delivered to, the mailing address on

or before August 29, 1997, or (2) Postmarked before midnight of the

deadline date, August 29, 1997, and received in time to be considered

during the competitive review process (within two weeks of the deadline

date).

When mailing application packages, applicants are strongly advised

to obtain a legibly dated receipt from a commercial carrier (such as

UPS, Federal Express, etc.) or from the U.S. Postal Service as proof of

mailing by the deadline date. If there is a question as to when an

application was mailed, applicants will be asked to provide proof of

mailing by the deadline date. When proof is not provided, an

application will not be considered for funding. Private metered

postmarks are not acceptable as proof of timely mailing.

Applications which do not meet the August 29, 1997, deadline are

considered late applications and will not be considered or reviewed in

the current competition. HHS will send a letter to this effect to each

late applicant.

HHS reserves the right to extend the deadline for all applications

due to acts of God, such as floods, hurricanes or earthquakes; due to

acts of war; if there is widespread disruption of the mail; or if HHS

determines a deadline extension to be in the best interest of the

Government. However, HHS will not waive or extend the deadline for any

applicant unless the deadline is waived or extended for all applicants.

Application Requirements

Applicants are advised to read and follow this section very

carefully. Applications which do not meet these initial requirements

may not be considered or reviewed in the competition, and the applicant

will be so informed. A complete and conforming application must meet

the following requirements:

Eligible applicants are national organizations or large

institutions with a record of assisting rural and special

transportation needs. Congress has indicated that the funded

organization should have experience in administering a national toll-

free hotline and electronic informational bulletin boards. It should

regularly publish a national technical assistance periodical, maintain

a national network of local and State affiliates, and have demonstrated

experience in providing information and technical assistance on human

service transportation to local agencies and programs.

Application Forms

See section entitled ``Components of a Complete Application.'' All

of these documents must accompany the application package.

Maximum Length

No specific limit will be set for the length of the application.

However, applications that are overly long and/or

[[Page 37917]]

contain superfluous material will be viewed as indicating an

inefficient approach.

Evaluation Criteria

The evaluation criteria correspond to the outline for the

development of the Program Narrative Statement of the application.

Although not mandatory, it is strongly recommended that applications be

prepared with the format indicated by this outline.

Applications which meet the initial requirements will be reviewed

by a panel of at least three reviewers. Reviewers will determine the

strengths and weaknesses of each application in terms of the evaluation

criteria listed below, provide comments and assign numerical scores.

The point value following each criterion heading indicates the maximum

numerical weight that each section will be given in the review process.

1. Understanding of the Effort. The application discusses in detail

the applicant's understanding of the need for the project, the

background and evolution of the effort to coordinate human services

transportation, the significant participants in the coordination

effort, the universe of current federal activities, and the specific

relevance of the proposed tasks to the identified need. The application

relates the project to the goals and objectives described in the first

section of this announcement. 20 points

2. Project Approach. The application outlines a sound and workable

approach to the effort and details how the proposed tasks will be

accomplished; cites factors which might accelerate or decelerate the

work, giving acceptable reasons for taking this approach as opposed to

others; describes and supports any unusual features of the project,

such as design or technological innovations, reductions in cost or

time, or extraordinary collaborative involvements; and provides for

projections of the accomplishments to be achieved. It lists the

activities to be carried out in chronological order, showing a

reasonable schedule of accomplishments and target dates.

To the extent applicable, the application identifies the kinds of

data to be collected and/or maintained, and discusses the criteria to

be used to evaluate the results and successes of the project. It

describes the evaluation methodology that will be used to determine if

the needs identified and discussed are being met and if the results and

benefits identified are being achieved. The application also lists each

organization, agency, consultant, or other key individuals or groups

who will work on the project, along with a description of the

activities and nature of their effort or contribution. 35 points

3. Staffing Utilization, Staff Background and Experience. The

application identifies the background of the principal project staff

members. The name, address, training, educational background, and other

qualifying experience are provided for the project director and the key

project staff. Any staff to be added as a result of the award of this

Cooperative agreement should be clearly delineated. The applicant

provides assurance that the proposed staff will be available to work on

the project effort upon award of the cooperative agreement. The

principal author of the application is identified and that person's

role in the project is identified. An assurance of timely notification

of staff changes and/or revised staff responsibilities is requested. 20

points

4. Organizational Experience. The application identifies the

qualifying experience of the organization to demonstrate the

applicant's ability to effectively and efficiently administer this

project. Congress has directed HHS to identify the applicant as a

national organization or large institution with a record of assisting

rural and special transportation needs. The organization should have

experience in administering a national toll free assistance hotline and

electronic informational bulletin boards. It should regularly publish a

national technical assistance periodical, maintain a national network

of local and state affiliates, and have demonstrated experience in

providing information and technical assistance on human services

transportation to local agencies and programs. Previous specific

experience with work similar to the tasks proposed in clearly and

specifically described.

The relationship between this project and other work planned,

anticipated, or underway by the applicant is described, including a

chart which lists all related Federal assistance received within the

last five years. In the event a consortium of applicants is proposed,

the project history of prior joint work should be provided. The

previous Federal assistance is identified by project number, Federal

agency, and grants or contracting officer. 25 points

Components of a Complete Application

A complete application consists of the following items in this

order:

1. Application for Federal Assistance (Standard Form 424, REV 4-88);

2. Budget Information--Non-construction Programs (Standard Form 424A,

REV 4-88);

3. Assurances--Non-construction Programs (Standard Form 424B, REV 4-

88);

4. Table of Contents;

5. Budget justification for Section B-Budget Categories;

6. Proof of non-profit status, if appropriate;

7. Copy of the applicant's approved indirect cost rate agreement, if

necessary;

8. Project Narrative Statement, organized in four sections addressing

the following areas:

(a) Understanding of the Effort,

(b) Project Approach,

(c) Staffing Utilization, Staff Background, and Experience,

(d) Organizational Experience;

9. Any appendices/attachments;

10. Certification Regarding Drug-Free Workplace;

11. Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension and Other

Responsibility Matters;

12. Certification and, if necessary, Disclosure Regarding Lobbying;

13. Supplement to Section II--Key Personnel;

14. Application for Federal Assistance Checklist.

Dated: July 9, 1997.

David Garrison,

Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation.

[FR Doc. 97-18527 Filed 7-14-97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4151-04-M