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Mass Transit Program

Call-for-Projects, FYs 2011-2015

The MPO is seeking applications for funding from public agencies located within the MPO planning area to implement regional plans to modernize and improve mass transit in Middle Tennessee.

Program Highlights

• The Mass Transit Program is authorized by the MPO's 2035 Regional Transportation Plan as a way to advance the region's policy initiative to establish a bold, new vision for mass transit.
• The 2035 Regional Transportation Plan identifies approximately $77 million in federal funds over the next 25 years for the program. Funding is awarded to specific projects through the region's Transportation Improvement Program in 4 or 5-year intervals. The MPO has programmed $1.65 million in federal funds for the current FYs 2011-2015 Transportation Improvement Program.
• Grant recipients will be required to provide a non-federal match of at least 20 percent of the total project cost.

Eligible Applicants

Any public-sector entity located within the MPO's planning area may apply for STP grant funds being made available by this competitive call-for-projects including city governments, county governments, state government, and local or regional public transit agencies. Private non-profit organizations are encouraged to coordinate with public-sector agencies for grant funding opportunities.

Eligible Project Categories

Any project that meets the federal requirements of the Surface Transportation Program that improves or expands infrastructure to accommodate existing or future transit service or promotes or implements various other transportation demand management strategies such as ridesharing, telecommuting, etc. shall be eligible. Funding may be used to conduct transit alternatives analyses for regionally significant transit projects, implement a stand-alone transit project, or supplement an existing project to ensure the inclusion of the appropriate transit accommodations. Highest priority will be given to the projects that help implement the vision for mass transit as identified by the MPO's 2035 Regional Transportation Plan.

Project Evaluation & Selection Process

• Project evaluation will be completed in three stages and involve participation by MPO staff and an evaluation committee appointed by the MPO Technical Coordinating Committee (TCC):
  • Initial Evaluation by MPO Staff - MPO staff will evaluate each project for its ability to meet current or projected travel demand. Staff will prepare an information sheet for each of the proposed projects detailing the characteristics of the areas/corridors affected by the proposed improvement including: levels of congestion and traffic volumes, existing and forecasted population and employment densities, environmental constraints or conflicts, social equity concerns, traffic safety, among others.
    • Depending on the number of proposals submitted, projects may be scored and sorted into three tiers (high, medium, and low) to eliminate low ranking projects from further consideration.
    • MPO Staff and the TCC evaluation committee will jointly review the applications to ensure a common understanding of each proposal, and then decide which application should continue into the second round of evaluation.
  • Qualitative Assessment by TCC Evaluation Committee - The committee will perform a qualitative evaluation of each project, scoring applications from 0 (worst) to 5 (best) within the four factor areas assigned to each category of projects. A) Infrastructure Projects: 1. Promotion of Environmental & Personal Health, 2. Expected Utility/ Usage, 3. Contribution to the Built Environment, 4. Value over No Build/ No Action; B) Non-Infrastructure Projects: 1. Scope of Audience/ Reach, 2. Consistency of Message to Regional Goals, 3. Synergy with other Programs, 4. Sustainability of Effort.
    • Depending on the number of proposals submitted, projects may be scored and sorted into three tiers (high, medium, and low) to eliminate low ranking projects from further consideration.
    • MPO Staff and the TCC evaluation committee will jointly review projects in the lowest tier and decide which should continue into the third round of evaluation.
  • Qualitative Assessment by MPO Staff - MPO staff will develop the final proposal ranking taking into consideration FYs 11-15 TIP budget constraints, the performance history of projects sponsors, the long-term sustainability of the project (e.g., ongoing operations and maintenance), and consistency with the 2035 Regional Transportation Plan.
• Project Selection will occur in three stages and involve participation by MPO staff, MPO Technical Coordinating Committee, and MPO Executive Board:
  • MPO staff will make recommendations for project awards to the TCC and MPO Executive Board.
  • The MPO TCC will be requested to endorse MPO staff recommendations for consideration by the MPO Executive Board.
  • The MPO Executive Board will be asked to adopt MPO staff recommendations.
• Upon action by the MPO Executive Board, letters will be mailed to award recipients with instructions on how to move forward with the contracting process.

Application Document & Submission Instructions

All proposals must include the following:

• Cover Letter from the principal elected official or chief executive indicating that local matching funds are available during the project's proposed timeline
• Completed Application Form
• Proposal Narrative (not to exceed 10 pages total in addressing each of the 7 sections)
• Completed Budget Worksheet
• An appendix of additional illustrations, letters of support, or documentation that helps communicate the importance of the proposed project (optional)

Application Materials:

• Application Package (interactive forms)
• Excel Version of Budget Worksheet

Please submit five (5) hard copies and one (1) electronic copy of the application package to Ms. Lou Edwards by 2:00 PM on FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2012:

Mailing Address:
Mass Transit Program
c/o Nashville Area MPO
800 Second Avenue South
PO BOX 196300
Nashville, TN 37219

Delivery Address (for FedEx, UPS, etc.):
Mass Transit Program
c/o Nashville Area MPO
800 Second Avenue South
Nashville, TN 37210

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