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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 101 / Thursday, May 27, 2021 / Notices
project budget would be affected by a reduced award. FTA may award a lesser amount regardless of whether a scalable option is provided.
All applications must be submitted via the GRANTS.GOV website. FTA
does not accept applications on paper, by fax machine, email, or other means.
For information on application submission requirements, please see Section D.1., Address to Request Application.
E. Application Review Information
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1. Criteria Proposals for capital and operating assistance projects will be evaluated primarily on the responses provided in the supplemental form. Additional information may be provided to support the responses; however, any additional documentation must be directly referenced on the supplemental form, including the file name where the additional information can be found.
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 services agencies were considered in the planning process;

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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 services 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. If the Tribe is already providing transit service, describe if this project is included in the Tribes transit asset management plan;
i. Describe the implementation schedule for the proposed project, including time period, staffing, and procurement; and j. 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. The project qualifies for a categorical exclusion see 23 CFR
771.118, or the required environmental work has been initiated or completed, for construction projects requiring an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement 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. The 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 identifies the need for transit resources.
In addition to project-specific criteria, FTA will consider the projects impact on service delivery and whether the project represents a one-time or periodic need that cannot reasonably be funded from 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
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currently accessible by transit; needs for access to jobs or health care; safety enhancements; special needs of elders or 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, the proposal 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 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 impact the quality of life for the community, and how it is expected to improve the environment. Possible examples include: Increased or sustained ridership and daily trips;
improved service; elimination of gaps in service; improved operations and coordination; increased reliability; and other applicable community benefits related to health care, education, the economy, or the environment. Benefits can be demonstrated by identifying the population of tribal members and nontribal 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.

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