For all potential applicants:
Please be sure you comply with all the requirements listed below before applying. Applicants that do not meet these criteria will not be considered:
- An eligible applicant must submit the application.
- Complete application, in a single PDF document, must be received by email by the deadline of October 1, 2021, 11:59 pm Eastern time.
- Total grant funds requested cannot exceed $75,000.
- The applicant has included a detailed operations plan.
- The applicant has provided documentation that it has followed the key steps, outlined above, of the human-centered design process in developing the planned solution. Applicants must provide documentation (written description, results, images, etc.) that its team engaged in the following steps of the human-centered design process:
- Implemented primary research with the target population related to one or more of the three focus areas for these grants: (1) becoming more fully engaged in economic opportunities; (2) improving health and well-being; and/or (3) becoming more integrated into their community. Primary research means research data gathered by the applicant from within the community, from the target population, and from those who serve the target population.
- Gathered secondary data related to the focus area. Secondary research means information gathered from previously conducted studies.
- As a team, analyzed the primary and secondary data to develop insights as to the needs of the target population and what type of solutions would work best for them.
- Implemented one or more idea-generation sessions to create 2-3 potential solutions, using the insights for inspiration.
- Tested the potential solutions with members of the target audience and other stakeholders to determine if the solutions: 1) would respond to the target audience’s needs and be readily adopted by them (“customer desirability” test); 2) could be operationalized (“operational feasibility” test); and 3) could attract and retain sustainable funding (“financial viability” test).
Application Process
1. The RFP lists each of you as the contact person for this project, but in two different locations. Who is the correct contact person for final submission of the application?
Answer: Please submit applications to Amy Conrick at conrick@ctaa.org
Eligible Recipients
Timeline
4. Your 2021 ready to launch questions and answers do not seem to align with the current RFP – selection date mentions December 1, 2020 and grantees have until approximately July 2021 to complete activities and request reimbursement. Is a current version of the Q&A answers available via another location or link on your website?
Answer: This is the only version of the Q&A. Applications due, October 15, 2021. Work will be completed by September 30, 2022. We hope to notify applicants by December 2021, pending review of NCMM's choices by FTA.
Eligible Activities
1. We would like to use our this grant to purchase a wheelchair-accessible vehicle. Will we have to wait a great deal of time for reimbursement for that purchase or is reimbursement made upon submission of the documented expenditure?
Answer: The purchase of vehicles is not allowed under this grant.
2. Can we use this funding to continue a previous project in which our engagement efforts and extensive human-centered design process was halted because of COVID 19?
Answer: If your project completed the Research/Insight, Ideation, Assumption Testing, and Limited Launch/Learning Launch phases of the human-centered design process before COVID-19, then you may apply for NCMM funding.
3. The application requests in section M for consultants/contractors to be listed if they will be performing any of the work for the project. If a vendor (not a consultant or contractor) will be used for the project should the vendor be listed in section m?
Answer: Yes
4. Can this grant be used for individuals /residents that’s transportation disadvantaged populations?
Answer: Yes
5. Would this grant cover all models of transportation? (E.g.: travel training/peer to peer training)
Answer: The eligible activities are listed in the RFP under II.C.
Funding
Choice of Focus Area
Supporting Documentation
1. Can teams submit further documentation on it solution that goes beyond what is required in the RFP without being penalized for doing so?
Answer: NCMM would prefer that teams not submit additional documentation, and instead include all the required information in the responses to the questions in the RFP.