National Rural Transportation Assistance Program: Solicitation for Proposals

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is soliciting proposals under FTA's Formula Grants for Rural Areas Program (49 U.S.C. 5311), to fund a National Rural Transportation Assistance Program (National RTAP). The National RTAP provides a source of funding to assist in the design and implementation of training and technical assistance projects and other support services tailored to meet the specific needs of transit operators in rural areas. The National RTAP provides for the development of information and materials for use by local operators and State administering agencies, and supports research and technical assistance projects of national interest. The total duration of this cooperative agreement, including the exercising of any options under this text, shall not exceed 5 years. FTA intends to fund the National RTAP at $1,794,903 for the first year, as authorized by the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21), Public Law 112-141 (2012). Funding beyond the first year will depend upon (1) future appropriations and authorizations, and (2) annual performance reviews. This solicitation describes the priorities established for the National RTAP, the proposal submission process, and criteria upon which proposals will be evaluated. This announcement is available on FTA's Web site at: http://www.fta.dot.gov/grants/13077.html. FTA will announce the final selection on the FTA Web site and in the Federal Register. A synopsis of this announcement will be posted in the FIND module of the government-wide electronic grants Web site at http:// www.grants.gov. Proposals must be submitted to FTA, electronically through the GRANTS.GOV "APPLY" function.