Provide (1) one year of operating expenses for fixed route demand response transit services in the navarre-miramar beach-destin FL UZA (1) one year of preventative maintenance expenses (1) one year of…

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) awarded Okaloosa County, Florida $3.23 million under the Federal Transit Formula Grants program (CFDA 20.507) on August 18, 2024, to support one year of public transportation operations and related activities for the Navarre-Miramar Beach-Destin urbanized area (October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2025). The grant funds fixed-route and demand-response transit services operated through a third-party contractor, including all eligible operational expenses calculated based on incurred and projected costs, scheduled preventative maintenance to maintain vehicles in a state of good repair, project administration, and compliance training. Okaloosa County will manage third-party procurement in accordance with federal requirements and ensure contractors are not on the FTA Suspension and Debarment List.

Additional eligible activities supported by this award include information technology projects, Federal Transit Administration/Florida Department of Transportation compliance training and travel, and planning activities delivered in partnership with the Emerald Coast Regional Planning Council (Metropolitan Planning Organization). The award benefits residents, visitors, and tourists utilizing the county's transit services by enabling continued safe, efficient, and accessible public transportation while maintaining rolling stock assets in adequate operating condition throughout the urbanized service area.

Purpose

The purpose of this award is to provide (1) one year of operating expenses for fixed route demand response transit services in the navarre-miramar beach-destin FL UZA (1) one year of preventative maintenance expenses (1) one year of project administration and (1) one year of planning activities for the period of october 1 2024 to september 30 2025.

Activities

Funds will be used to cover all eligible operational expenses determined by incurred and projected expenses for the countys third party contractor for services provided in operation of fixed route and demand response services and vehicle required and scheduled preventative maintenance. This is inclusive of the third party contractors monthly or annual rate per revenue hour for services rendered. Okaloosa county BCC will follow all third-party procurement policies as defined in C4220.1F. If with the exception of procurements related to a declared emergency where temporary relief from federal requirements has been granted. Okaloosa county BCC will ensure third party contractors procured through procurement process will not be on FTA suspension and debarment list . Also funds will be used to cover eligible information technology projects FTA FDOT flctd compliance training/travel and planning activities consisting of technical support research and development from metropolitan planning organization emerald coast regional planning council for assistance with public transportation services within the navarre-miramar beach-destin FL UZA.

Expected outcomes

Funding will permit okaloosa county BCC (EC rider) to meet preventative maintenance standards continue to provide operations and keepmaintain rolling stock vehicles in a state of good repair.

Intended beneficiaries

Okaloosa county BCC (EC rider) and the riders residents visitors and tourists that utilize its service will benefit from continued transit services; by providing safe efficient and accessible public transit services for work school leisure and other destinations in the navarre-miramar beach-destin FL UZA.