Opportunity Information: Apply for FTA 2011 023 OTRB
Apply for FTA 2011 023 OTRB
- The DOT/Federal Transit Administration in the transportation sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Over the Road Bus Accessibility Program Grants Notice of Availability of Fiscal Year 2011 Funds" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 20.518 Capital and Training Assistance Program for Over the Road Bus Accessibility.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jul 13, 2011 and posted on Jul 13, 2011.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 12, 2011. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $8,800,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
- Grants will be made directly to operators of OTRBs. Intercity, fixed route OTRB service providers may apply for the funds that were appropriated for intercity fixed route providers in FY 2011. Applicants must establish eligibility as intercity fixed route providers by meeting established criteria on six factors identified in the application. Other OTRB service providers, including operators of local fixed route service, commuter service, and charter or tour service may apply for the funds that were appropriated in FY 2011 for these providers. OTRB operators who provide both intercity, fixed route service and another type of service, such as commuter, charter or tour, may apply for both categories of funds with a single application. Private for profit operators of over the road buses are eligible to be direct applicants for this program. This is a departure from most other FTA programs for which the direct applicant must be a State or local public body. FTA does not award grants to public entities under this program.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA), within the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), offered this discretionary grant opportunity in Fiscal Year 2011 under the Over the Road Bus (OTRB) Accessibility Program. The program is authorized by Section 3038 of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) and is designed to help private over-the-road bus operators cover the added (incremental) capital expenses and training costs needed to comply with DOT regulations on over-the-road bus accessibility. Funding is awarded through a national, competitive solicitation rather than by formula, meaning applicants compete against each other and FTA selects projects based on the merits and eligibility requirements described in the notice.
The purpose of the funding is specifically tied to accessibility compliance for over-the-road buses, with an emphasis on the real, additional costs that operators face when they upgrade equipment or provide training to meet federal accessibility rules. Projects generally fall into two broad buckets reflected in the program description: capital activities (for example, accessibility-related equipment or vehicle modifications) and training activities (for example, training staff to properly use accessibility equipment and to provide accessible service consistent with federal requirements). The notice highlights that the grants are meant to support compliance, not general fleet replacement or unrelated operating needs.
A total of $8,800,000 was made available for FY 2011, covering both intercity fixed-route providers and other types of over-the-road bus service providers. The federal share could be up to 90 percent of a project’s cost, which means a local share or match is required (the listing explicitly notes that cost sharing or matching is required). While the posting lists an award ceiling and floor as zero, that reflects that the notice did not set fixed per-award minimums or maximums in the summary fields; actual award sizes would depend on what was requested, what was eligible, and how FTA selected projects through the competition.
Eligibility is unusually direct compared to many other FTA programs. Grants under this program are made directly to operators of over-the-road buses, including private, for-profit companies. This is a major distinction from typical FTA programs where the direct applicant is often a state or local public entity. Under this program, FTA does not award grants to public entities; the direct recipients are the private OTRB operators themselves.
The notice separates eligible applicants into two categories for funding purposes. First, intercity fixed-route over-the-road bus service providers may apply for the portion of FY 2011 funds appropriated for intercity fixed-route providers. To qualify in that category, applicants must demonstrate they meet FTA’s definition of intercity fixed-route service by addressing six specific factors identified in the application requirements. Second, other OTRB service providers may apply for the portion of funds appropriated for non-intercity providers. This includes operators providing local fixed-route service, commuter service, and charter or tour service using over-the-road buses. Operators that provide both intercity fixed-route service and another type of service (such as commuter, charter, or tour) are allowed to apply for both categories of funds using a single application, which simplifies the process for mixed-service companies.
Administratively, this opportunity was posted on July 13, 2011, and the application deadline was September 12, 2011. The funding opportunity number is FTA-2011-023-OTRB, and the CFDA number associated with the program is 20.518, titled the Capital and Training Assistance Program for Over-the-Road Bus Accessibility. The official public notice was published in the Federal Register (Volume 76, Number 134, dated Wednesday, July 13, 2011), which is where applicants would find the full requirements, selection criteria, and instructions. For help accessing the full announcement, the notice provided a contact at FTA: Blenda Younger, Office of Program Management, at (202) 366-4345.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): FTA FY 2011 Over-the-Road Bus (OTRB) Accessibility Program
What is this grant opportunity?
This is a discretionary (competitive) grant opportunity offered by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) within the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) in Fiscal Year (FY) 2011 under the Over the Road Bus (OTRB) Accessibility Program. The program provides capital and training assistance to help over-the-road bus operators comply with federal accessibility regulations.
Which agency administers the program?
The program is administered by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), which is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT).
What law authorizes this program?
The OTRB Accessibility Program is authorized by Section 3038 of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21).
What is the main purpose of the funding?
The funding is intended to help private over-the-road bus operators cover the added (incremental) capital expenses and training costs needed to comply with DOT regulations on over-the-road bus accessibility. The emphasis is on the real additional costs associated with accessibility compliance, not unrelated needs.
What kinds of projects are typically supported?
Projects generally fall into two broad categories:
- Capital activities: Accessibility-related equipment purchases or vehicle modifications tied to accessibility compliance for over-the-road buses.
- Training activities: Training for staff to properly use accessibility equipment and provide accessible service consistent with federal requirements.
Is this funding meant for general fleet replacement or operating costs?
No. The notice highlights that these grants are meant to support accessibility compliance. They are not intended for general fleet replacement or unrelated operating needs.
How much total funding was available for FY 2011?
A total of $8,800,000 was made available for FY 2011 under this opportunity, covering both intercity fixed-route providers and other types of over-the-road bus service providers.
Is the program competitive or formula-based?
The program is competitive. Funding is awarded through a national, competitive solicitation rather than by formula, meaning applicants compete against each other and FTA selects projects based on the merits and eligibility requirements described in the notice.
What is the maximum federal share, and is a match required?
The federal share could be up to 90 percent of a project’s cost. A local share (match) is required, and the opportunity explicitly notes that cost sharing or matching is required.
Were there minimum or maximum award amounts?
The summary fields list the award ceiling and floor as zero, which indicates the notice did not set fixed per-award minimums or maximums in those fields. Actual award sizes would depend on the amount requested, what costs were eligible, and how FTA selected projects through the competition.
Who is eligible to apply?
Grants are made directly to operators of over-the-road buses, including private, for-profit companies. Under this program, the direct recipients are the private OTRB operators themselves.
Can public entities apply directly for this grant?
No. The notice states that FTA does not award grants to public entities under this program. The direct applicants and recipients are private over-the-road bus operators.
What are the two applicant categories described in the notice?
The notice separates eligible applicants into two categories for funding purposes:
- Intercity fixed-route over-the-road bus service providers: May apply for the portion of FY 2011 funds appropriated for intercity fixed-route providers. Applicants must demonstrate they meet FTA’s definition of intercity fixed-route service by addressing six specific factors listed in the application requirements.
- Other OTRB service providers (non-intercity): May apply for the portion of funds appropriated for non-intercity providers, including operators providing local fixed-route service, commuter service, and charter or tour service using over-the-road buses.
If an operator provides both intercity fixed-route service and other services, can they apply to both categories?
Yes. Operators that provide both intercity fixed-route service and another type of service (such as commuter, charter, or tour) are allowed to apply for both categories of funds using a single application.
How does an intercity fixed-route provider show they qualify as intercity fixed-route?
To qualify for the intercity fixed-route funding category, applicants must demonstrate they meet FTA’s definition of intercity fixed-route service by addressing six specific factors identified in the application requirements (as described in the notice).
When was the opportunity posted, and what was the application deadline?
The opportunity was posted on July 13, 2011, and the application deadline was September 12, 2011.
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is FTA-2011-023-OTRB.
What is the CFDA number and program title associated with this grant?
The CFDA number associated with the program is 20.518, titled Capital and Training Assistance Program for Over-the-Road Bus Accessibility.
Where was the official announcement published?
The official public notice was published in the Federal Register, Volume 76, Number 134, dated Wednesday, July 13, 2011. The Federal Register notice is where applicants would find the full requirements, selection criteria, and instructions.
Who can be contacted for help accessing the full announcement?
The notice provided an FTA contact for assistance: Blenda Younger, Office of Program Management, at (202) 366-4345.
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