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Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

Program Descriptions

20.701:  University Transportation Centers Program

Objectives:  To provide grants to nonprofit institutions of higher learning for the purpose of establishing and operating university transportation centers that conduct research, education and technology transfer programs concerning regional and national transportation issues.

PROGRAM AND AWARD	FINANCIAL AND INFORMATION CONTACTS
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS	FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFO.
APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS	INFORMATION CONTACTS
RELATED PROGRAMS	ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS
PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS	POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS

20.701 ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility:  For the program's competitive grants, public and private nonprofit institutions of higher learning that offer baccalaureate or higher degrees related to transportation, have established transportation research programs, and are accredited by one of the six regional accrediting associations in the United States. The grant recipients must have established surface transportation programs encompassing several modes of transportation with regularly budgeted institutional funds of at least $200,000 per year. Participation in the program by minority colleges and universities is encouraged. For non-competitive grants, limited to those public and private nonprofit institutions of higher learning designated in 49 U.S.C. 5505(j).

Beneficiary Eligibility:  Public and private nonprofit institutions of higher learning.

Credentials/Documentation:  A formal application outlining in detail how the institution meets program mission and goals; proposed management of the center; detailed delineation of organization, staff, faculty, and budget. Costs are determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-21. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87.

20.701 APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS:

Preapplication Coordination:  None. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure:  No new grants will be awarded during the program's remaining authorization (through 2003).

Award Procedure:  If the program is reauthorized in 2003, applications will be reviewed by a Departmental panel. Ten competitive grants will be awarded, one in each of the ten Standard Federal Regions. Twenty-three non-competitive grants will be awarded to the institutions named in 49 U.S.C. 5505(j).

Deadlines:  See Application Procedures.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:  See Award Procedure.

Appeals:  Not applicable.

Renewals:  Not applicable.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals:  Not applicable.

Examples of Funded Projects:  See University Transportation Centers Program Projects and Publications, 1987-1996 (available at Headquarters Office); UTC Program website at utc.dot.gov/.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:  Between $300,000 and $2,000,000 per center per fiscal year.

20.701 RELATED PROGRAMS:

20.701 PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

20.701 FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFO:

Federal Agency:  RESEARCH AND SPECIAL PROGRAMS ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Type of Assistance:  Project Grants.

Obligations:  (Grants) FY 99 $33,550,400; FY 00 est $33,250,000; and FY 01 est $33,250,000.

Budget Account Number:  69-1136-0-1-401, 69-8083-0-7-401.

Authorization:  49 U.S.C. 5505.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature:  Regulations and delegations of authority are or will be published in the Federal Register and on the Program website at "utc.dot.gov/".

20.701 INFO CONTACTS:

Regional or Local Office:  None.

Headquarters Office:  Research and Special Programs Administration, Office of University Research and Education (DRA-2), Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Room 8417, Washington, DC 20590. Phone: (202) 366-4434.

(See Appendix IV for more contact info.)

20.701 ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements:  The Federal share of a grant shall be 50 percent of the costs of establishing and operating the university transportation center.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:  Four or six years, as designated in 49 U.S.C. 5505(i).

Uses and Use Restrictions:  The University Transportation Centers will address surface transportation problems and issues and will seek solutions to both long-range and immediate transportation problems. The Department's role will be to furnish a mission and goals to the centers, manage the program and assure that no unnecessary duplication of effort exists.

20.701 POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports:  Semiannual progress reports, annual center reports, and a final technical report at the end of each research project.

Audits:  In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 24, 1997), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that receive financial assistance of $300,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $300,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.

Records:  Recipient is required to retain intact, for 3 years following submission of the final expenditure report, pending resolution of audit findings, all grant products, financial records, and supporting documents.