Opportunity Information: Apply for FTA 2016 001 TPM
Apply for FTA 2016 001 TPM
- The DOT-FTA in the transportation sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Public Transportation on Indian Reservations Program; Tribal Transit Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 20.509.
- This funding opportunity was created on Mar 14, 2016 and posted on Mar 14, 2016.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 13, 2016. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $5,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 80 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Opportunity Summary:
The Public Transportation on Indian Reservations Program, also known as the Tribal Transit Program (TTP), is a Federal Transit Administration (FTA) discretionary grant opportunity under the U.S. Department of Transportation. For Fiscal Year 2016, FTA made about $5 million available through a national competition to support public transportation projects serving tribal communities. The program is authorized under 49 U.S.C. 5311(j) and reflects updates made under the FAST Act (Public Law 114-94, enacted December 4, 2015). In practical terms, this opportunity was designed to help federally recognized tribes strengthen or expand transit options on and around Indian reservations, with a clear focus on improving mobility and access to essential destinations.
Funding under this solicitation is intended primarily for planning and capital needs, with operating assistance allowed only in limited circumstances. Planning support can include activities like developing transit plans, service design, coordination strategies, or readiness work needed to launch or improve service. Capital support typically covers tangible investments that make transit possible or more reliable, such as vehicles, equipment, facilities, technology, or related transit infrastructure. Operating support, when permitted, can help cover the day-to-day costs of running a transit service, but the notice emphasizes that the program is not mainly an operating subsidy; it is geared toward building and strengthening tribal transit capacity.
A key condition in the announcement is that TTP funds are not meant to replace or reduce other transit funding tribes may already receive through states under FTA's Section 5311 program (formula funding for rural areas). In other words, these competitive awards should add to existing resources rather than backfill budgets or offset formula funds. That distinction matters because it frames TTP as an enhancement and expansion tool, supporting new service, increased reach, improved reliability, or better coordination rather than simply maintaining the status quo.
FTA also highlighted a priority theme: projects that expand "ladders of opportunity" would receive priority consideration. This refers to transit investments that improve access to employment, job training, education, and other pathways that can increase economic stability and long-term opportunity for riders. The notice points to examples such as improved access to work and training sites, and partnerships that connect riders to health care, medical services, education providers, social and human services, and other transportation providers. The underlying idea is coordinated service delivery: using transit investments to better link systems and reduce barriers for people who need to reach multiple essential services, especially in rural or geographically isolated areas common in many tribal communities.
From an administrative standpoint, this was posted on March 14, 2016, and had a single closing date of May 13, 2016. The opportunity number is FTA 2016 001 TPM, and the CFDA listing is 20.509. The expected number of awards was about 80, indicating relatively small, widely distributed grants rather than a handful of large projects. The listing shows an award ceiling of $5,000,000, which aligns with the overall funding availability described, meaning the total pot for the solicitation was approximately that amount.
Eligibility is centered on federally recognized Native American tribal governments, with the posting also noting that additional eligible applicants may exist as described in the full eligibility language. Overall, the grant competition was structured to fund practical, implementation-focused tribal transit improvements that increase access to opportunity and encourage coordination with community and governmental service partners, while ensuring these funds supplement rather than supplant other federal rural transit support.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Public Transportation on Indian Reservations Program (Tribal Transit Program, or TTP)?
The Public Transportation on Indian Reservations Program, commonly called the Tribal Transit Program (TTP), is a discretionary grant program run by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) within the U.S. Department of Transportation. It supports public transportation projects that serve tribal communities on and around Indian reservations.
Which federal agency administers this grant opportunity?
This opportunity is administered by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), an agency of the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Is this grant formula-funded or competitively awarded?
It is a discretionary program awarded through a national competition (a competitive solicitation), rather than a formula distribution.
How much funding was available under this solicitation (FY 2016)?
For Fiscal Year 2016, FTA made approximately $5 million available through this national competition.
What is the primary purpose of the TTP funding described here?
The solicitation was designed to help federally recognized tribes strengthen or expand transit options, with an emphasis on improving mobility and access to essential destinations. The overall intent is to build and strengthen tribal transit capacity rather than serve as a long-term operating subsidy.
What types of projects are primarily funded (planning, capital, operating)?
Funding is intended primarily for planning and capital needs. Operating assistance is allowed only in limited circumstances, and the notice emphasizes that the program is not mainly an operating subsidy.
What counts as eligible planning activities under this opportunity?
Planning support can include developing transit plans, service design, coordination strategies, and readiness work needed to launch or improve transit service.
What counts as eligible capital expenses under this opportunity?
Capital support generally covers tangible investments that enable or improve transit service, such as vehicles, equipment, facilities, technology, and related transit infrastructure.
Is operating assistance allowed?
Yes, but only in limited circumstances. The solicitation frames operating support as secondary to planning and capital investments and emphasizes that the program is geared toward strengthening transit capacity rather than primarily paying ongoing day-to-day operating costs.
Can TTP funds be used to replace other rural transit funding a tribe already receives?
No. A key condition is that TTP funds are not meant to replace or reduce other transit funding tribes may already receive through states under FTA's Section 5311 program (formula funding for rural areas). These competitive awards are intended to supplement existing resources rather than backfill budgets or offset formula funds.
What does the solicitation mean by "supplement rather than supplant"?
In this context, it means the competitive TTP award should add to existing transit resources (for example, supporting new service, expanded reach, improved reliability, or better coordination) rather than maintaining the status quo by substituting for existing Section 5311 formula funding.
What priority did FTA highlight for proposals?
FTA highlighted priority consideration for projects that expand "ladders of opportunity," meaning transit investments that improve access to employment, job training, education, and other pathways that can strengthen long-term economic stability and opportunity for riders.
What are examples of "ladders of opportunity" outcomes mentioned in the notice?
Examples include improving access to work and training sites and forming partnerships that connect riders to health care, medical services, education providers, social and human services, and other transportation providers.
Does the opportunity encourage coordination or partnerships?
Yes. The notice points to coordinated service delivery and partnerships, emphasizing improved linkages among systems and reduced barriers for people who need to reach multiple essential services, particularly in rural or geographically isolated areas.
Who is eligible to apply based on the posting?
Eligibility is centered on federally recognized Native American tribal governments. The posting also notes that additional eligible applicants may exist as described in the full eligibility language.
What is the legal authority for this program?
The program is authorized under 49 U.S.C. 5311(j).
How did the FAST Act relate to this opportunity?
The solicitation reflects updates made under the FAST Act (Public Law 114-94), enacted December 4, 2015.
What is the opportunity number for this solicitation?
The opportunity number listed is FTA 2016 001 TPM.
What is the CFDA number for this grant listing?
The CFDA listing is 20.509.
When was the solicitation posted and when did it close?
The opportunity was posted on March 14, 2016, and had a single closing date of May 13, 2016.
How many awards were expected?
The expected number of awards was about 80, suggesting relatively small, widely distributed grants rather than a few large projects.
What was the award ceiling shown for this listing?
The listing shows an award ceiling of $5,000,000, which aligns with the overall funding availability described for the solicitation.
Is this funding intended for projects on reservations only, or also nearby areas?
The solicitation describes projects serving tribal communities on and around Indian reservations, indicating a focus that includes reservations and surrounding areas tied to tribal community mobility needs.
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