Opportunity Information: Apply for FTA 2012 008 TPE AA
Apply for FTA 2012 008 TPE AA
- The DOT/Federal Transit Administration in the transportation sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FTA Alternatives Analysis Program Solicitation of Project Proposals" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 20.522 Alternatives Analysis.
- This funding opportunity was created on Mar 12, 2012 and posted on Mar 12, 2012.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 19, 2012. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $25,000,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $2,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 70 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: City or township governments Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification) County governments Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments) Special district governments.
- Federal transit funds are available to States, authorities of the States, metropolitan planning organizations, and local governmental authorities at up to 80 percent of the study cost.
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Opportunity Summary:
The FTA Alternatives Analysis Program Solicitation of Project Proposals (Funding Opportunity Number FTA 2012 008 TPE AA) is a discretionary federal grant opportunity offered by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to help communities plan and evaluate major transit investments. The program makes funding available under Section 5339 (Alternatives Analysis) to support studies that compare different transit options and help local and regional partners decide what solution best fits their corridor, community goals, and long-term transportation needs. A key emphasis in this solicitation is alignment with USDOT livability efforts, meaning proposals are expected to consider outcomes like improved access, better connections between housing, jobs, and services, and transportation choices that support stronger, more sustainable communities.
For Fiscal Year 2012, FTA indicated it expected to fund the program with about $25 million in unallocated Section 5339 funds made available through the Surface and Air Transportation Programs Extension Act of 2011 (Temporary Authorization, 2012), Public Law 112 30, which extended federal transit program authorization through March 31, 2012. Because this funding depended on congressional action, the notice makes clear that awards are subject to availability of funds. It also notes that, if Congress later appropriated additional funds, FTA could potentially make FY 2013 awards from proposals submitted under this same notice, giving applicants a chance to be considered beyond the immediate fiscal year.
The solicitation anticipated a relatively large number of awards (an estimated 70), with individual award sizes ranging from a floor of $50,000 up to a ceiling of $2,000,000. The activity category is transportation, and the related CFDA listing is 20.522 (Alternatives Analysis). Because this is an alternatives analysis planning grant program, the funding is aimed at study work rather than construction, and it is meant to strengthen decision-making by requiring applicants to clearly define the mobility problem, identify a reasonable range of strategies and modes, and evaluate tradeoffs using credible methods and data.
A cost sharing requirement applies. The notice states that federal transit funds may cover up to 80 percent of the study cost, meaning applicants must provide at least a 20 percent non-federal match. That match is typically provided by state or local sources, and applicants should be prepared to document where the match will come from and how it will be committed over the life of the study. The program is structured to ensure local and regional partners have meaningful ownership in the planning effort and that studies are feasible, adequately resourced, and positioned to lead to implementable outcomes.
Eligible applicants are public-sector and certain tribal entities involved in transportation planning and project development. Specifically, the opportunity lists eligibility for city or township governments, county governments, special district governments, federally recognized Native American tribal governments, and other Native American tribal organizations, with additional clarification referenced in the full notice. The eligibility information also highlights that federal transit funds in this context are available to states, state authorities, metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs), and local governmental authorities, reflecting the reality that alternatives analysis work is often led by MPOs or transit agencies in partnership with local jurisdictions. In practice, applicants should expect to demonstrate that they have the legal and institutional capacity to manage a federal grant and to carry out the proposed planning work.
FTA notes that it established priorities and selection criteria for these discretionary funds and that it would use those criteria to identify meritorious projects for funding. While the summary information here does not list each criterion in detail, the solicitation emphasizes consistency with program mission, compliance with eligibility requirements, and support of DOT livability initiatives. Applicants therefore would be expected to describe how their study improves transportation choices and access, integrates with local and regional land use and economic development goals, and follows sound planning principles. Typically, that also means showing clear study objectives, a defined corridor or project area, a realistic scope and schedule, stakeholder involvement, coordination with the metropolitan transportation planning process, and a credible approach to evaluating alternatives.
The timeline for this opportunity was straightforward. It was posted and created on March 12, 2012, with an application closing date of April 19, 2012. The opportunity was later archived on May 19, 2012. FTA planned to announce final selections on its website and indicated it might also publish selections in the Federal Register. The announcement referenced a web posting on the FTA site and a Federal Register notice (dated March 12, 2012) where applicants could find the complete requirements, priorities, evaluation criteria, and application instructions.
For applicants needing help accessing the full announcement or navigating the process, the listed point of contact was Kenneth Cervenka in FTA's Office of Planning and Environment, reachable at (202) 493 0512.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the FTA Alternatives Analysis Program Solicitation of Project Proposals?
This opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number FTA 2012 008 TPE AA) is a discretionary federal grant offered by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to help communities plan and evaluate major transit investments through alternatives analysis studies.
What is the purpose of this funding?
The program provides funding under Section 5339 (Alternatives Analysis) to support studies that compare different transit options and help local and regional partners determine which solution best fits a corridor, community goals, and long-term transportation needs.
What kinds of activities does the grant support?
The funding is intended for planning and study work (alternatives analysis), not construction. Projects are expected to define the mobility problem, identify a reasonable range of strategies and modes, and evaluate tradeoffs using credible methods and data.
How does this opportunity relate to USDOT livability efforts?
A key emphasis is alignment with USDOT livability initiatives. Proposals are expected to consider outcomes such as improved access, better connections between housing, jobs, and services, and transportation choices that support stronger, more sustainable communities.
How much funding did FTA expect to make available for FY 2012?
For Fiscal Year 2012, FTA indicated it expected to fund the program with about $25 million in unallocated Section 5339 funds made available through the Surface and Air Transportation Programs Extension Act of 2011 (Temporary Authorization, 2012), Public Law 112 30 (which extended authorization through March 31, 2012).
Are awards guaranteed once selected?
No. The notice states awards are subject to the availability of funds, and funding depended on congressional action.
Could proposals be considered for FY 2013 funding?
Yes. The notice indicates that if Congress later appropriated additional funds, FTA could potentially make FY 2013 awards from proposals submitted under the same notice.
How many awards did FTA anticipate making?
The solicitation anticipated an estimated 70 awards.
What is the minimum and maximum award size?
Individual awards were expected to range from $50,000 (minimum) to $2,000,000 (maximum).
What is the activity category for this opportunity?
The activity category is transportation.
What is the CFDA number associated with this program?
The related CFDA listing is 20.522 (Alternatives Analysis).
Is there a cost share or local match requirement?
Yes. Federal transit funds may cover up to 80 percent of the study cost, so applicants must provide at least a 20 percent non-federal match.
What sources can be used for the non-federal match?
The notice states the match is typically provided by state or local sources, and applicants should be prepared to document where the match will come from and how it will be committed over the life of the study.
Why does the program require a match?
The program is structured to ensure local and regional partners have meaningful ownership in the planning effort and that studies are feasible, adequately resourced, and positioned to lead to implementable outcomes.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include public-sector and certain tribal entities involved in transportation planning and project development. The opportunity lists eligibility for city or township governments, county governments, special district governments, federally recognized Native American tribal governments, and other Native American tribal organizations (with additional clarification referenced in the full notice).
Are states, MPOs, or local governmental authorities eligible?
Yes. The eligibility information highlights that federal transit funds in this context are available to states, state authorities, metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs), and local governmental authorities, reflecting that alternatives analysis work is often led by MPOs or transit agencies in partnership with local jurisdictions.
What capacity should applicants be prepared to demonstrate?
Applicants should expect to demonstrate they have the legal and institutional capacity to manage a federal grant and to carry out the proposed planning work.
How will FTA select projects for funding?
FTA stated it established priorities and selection criteria for these discretionary funds and would use them to identify meritorious projects. The summary emphasizes consistency with the program mission, compliance with eligibility requirements, and support of DOT livability initiatives.
What types of project details are applicants generally expected to describe?
Based on the solicitation summary, applicants would be expected to explain how the study improves transportation choices and access, integrates with local and regional land use and economic development goals, and follows sound planning principles. This typically includes clear study objectives, a defined corridor or project area, a realistic scope and schedule, stakeholder involvement, coordination with the metropolitan transportation planning process, and a credible approach to evaluating alternatives.
When was this opportunity posted, and what was the application deadline?
The opportunity was posted/created on March 12, 2012, and the application closing date was April 19, 2012.
When was the opportunity archived?
The opportunity was archived on May 19, 2012.
How and where would FTA announce final selections?
FTA planned to announce final selections on its website and indicated it might also publish selections in the Federal Register.
Where could applicants find the full requirements and instructions?
The announcement referenced a web posting on the FTA website and a Federal Register notice dated March 12, 2012, where applicants could find complete requirements, priorities, evaluation criteria, and application instructions.
Who is the point of contact for questions about this solicitation?
The listed point of contact was Kenneth Cervenka in FTA's Office of Planning and Environment, reachable at (202) 493 0512.
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