Elderly and Disabled Specialized Transit Program (FTA 5310)

Chuck Gunter
Branch Chief
Toll free: (888) 472-6816
Fax: (916) 657-4068

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CALL FOR PROJECTS FOR ffy 2012 GRANT CYCLE

Approximately $13 million is available for the Federal Fiscal Year 2012 utilizing the remaining funding from Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU).

Call for Projects Letter of Announcement

Fact Sheet

RTPA Scoring Workshop Flyer

Program Overview

This capital grants funding program was established by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA Section 5310) for meeting the transportation needs of elderly persons and persons with disabilities in areas where public mass transportation services are otherwise unavailable, insufficient, or inappropriate. It allows for the procurement of accessible vans and busses; communication equipment; and computer hardware and software for eligible applicants.

The final FTA Circular, (FTA C 9070.1F, effective May 1, 2007) incorporates provisions of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU). This requires projects selected for funding be derived from a locally developed, coordinated public transit-human services transportation plan and that the plan be developed through a process that includes representatives of a public, private, and non-profit transportation and human service providers and participation by members of the public.

The procurement element of this program works in partnership with the Procurement & Grants Management Branch within the Division of Mass Transportation. For additional information their web site is: http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/MassTrans/Procurement-Grants-Management.html

Eligible Applicants

Private nonprofit corporations or public agencies where no private nonprofits are readily available to provide the proposed service or that have been approved by the State of California to coordinate services for elderly persons and persons with disabilities.

Program Requirements

Successful applicants enter into a project agreement with Caltrans that stipulates the terms and conditions under which the equipment must be procured and operated. The agreement remains in effect until the project is terminated and formal disposition of the equipment has been made with the approval of Caltrans in accordance with Federal grant standards. Section 5310 grantee agencies are required to furnish a semi-annual progress report on the use of their Section 5310 vehicles and/or equipment. Caltrans also makes biennially inspections of local projects to verify the condition and appropriate use of the equipment.

Funding Selection Process

Projects are awarded through a competitive application process. Regional transportation planning agencies score projects from their region utilizing the California Transportation Commission (Commission) adopted project-scoring criteria and send a scored list of their projects to Caltrans. Caltrans forwards the regional lists to the State Review Committee (SRC) which supplies a draft statewide prioritized list based on project scores calculated by the regions and determine a "cutoff point" (score) on the draft list based on the Commission's adopted criteria. The committee rescores any projects that are incorrectly scored by the regions and creates a statewide-prioritized list of projects representing 110% of the estimated available funds. The SRC holds a staff level hearing for all stakeholders to discuss the statewide-prioritized list and hear any appeals on technical issues. The SRC submits a final statewide-prioritized list to the Commission. The Commission holds a public hearing to discuss the prioritized list, overall program policies and adopts the prioritized list.

Funding Availability for Federal Fiscal Year 2012

Approximately $13 million is available for the federal fiscal year 2012. Agencies receive up to 100% in federal funds with the usage of Toll Credits (this cycle only). The Call for Projects was sent out on November 15, 2012. The website has been updated to reflect the current cycle call for projects. The new application is complete with due dates to the RTPA/MPO for scoring.

Headquarter's Section 5310 Staff Contacts

Send web page comments and suggestions to Branch Chief - FTA Section 5310 - Elderly & Disabled Speicalized Transit Program