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TO: |
Board of Trustees |
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THROUGH: |
Mary DeLoretto, Interim Executive Director |
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FROM: |
David Hancock, Acting Chief Service Development Officer |
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PRESENTER(S): |
Patti Garver, Manager of Environmental and Grant Services |
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TITLE:
title
R2021-10-02 - Resolution Authorizing the Execution of a Public Transportation COVID-19 Research Demonstration Grant Agreement for the E-Voucher System Phase 2 Development Project
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AGENDA ITEM TYPE:
Resolution
RECOMMENDATION:
Approve Resolution 2021-10-02 authorizing execution by the Executive Director of the Public Transportation COVID-19 Research Demonstration grant agreement that is being developed in the Federal Transit Administration Awards Management System (TrAMS) for the E-Voucher System Phase 2 Development project.
BACKGROUND:
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) published a notice of funding opportunity for the Public Transportation COVID-19 Research Demonstration Grant Program on October 5, 2020. Eligible projects will demonstrate innovative solutions to improve the operational efficiencies of transit systems and enhance mobility for their communities in four major areas: (1) Vehicle, facility, equipment and infrastructure cleaning and disinfection; (2) exposure mitigation measures; (3) innovative mobility such as contactless payments; and (4) measures that strengthen public confidence in transit services. UTA submitted a grant application on November 2, 2020 for the Electronic Voucher (E-Voucher) System Phase 2 Development project. This project is eligible under grant area 3, innovative mobility. No local match is required.
DISCUSSION:
FTA selected UTA to receive an award amount of $508,200 for their E-voucher system on January 19, 2021. No match is required, but this project will include an in-kind match of $30,000 in the form of UTA staff time to support the total project cost of $538,200. The in-kind match is estimated at 120 hours of time for the Coordinated Mobility Manager and 300 hours for the Coordinated Mobility Technical Specialist.
The E-Voucher System Phase 2 Development project will support human service organizations, seniors, people with disabilities, veterans, and low-income populations through electronic vouchers and payments for transportation services.
Phase 1 of the E-voucher system is currently being tested and deployed by the UTA Coordinated Mobility Department using FY 2018 funds awarded to UTA through FTA’s Innovative Coordinated Access and Mobility program. This system replaces traditional paper voucher programs that are prevalent throughout all communities in the United States. This project will potentially benefit all paper voucher programs across the country including our current pilot programs.
Phase 2 will include enhanced functionality for agencies, clients and drivers including functionality for commercial transportation options such as Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) and electronic public transit fare purchases.
ALTERNATIVES:
If this grant is not executed, sufficient funds will not be available for completing Phase 2 of the E-voucher system development project.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The award amount will be $508,200. No match is required, but this project will include an in-kind match of $30,000 in the form of UTA staff time to support the total project cost of $538,200. The in-kind match is estimated at 120 hours of time for the Coordinated Mobility Manager and 300 hours for the Coordinated Mobility Technical Specialist.
ATTACHMENTS:
R2021-10-02 - Resolution Authorizing the Execution of a Public Transportation COVID-19 Research Demonstration Grant Agreement for the E-Voucher System Phase 2 Development Project Board Resolution R2021-10-02