This is an FFY 2021 section 5311 ARP funding application in the amount of $8418220 representing 100% federal share of the total eligible amount

This $16.8 million project grant from the Department of Transportation Federal Transit Administration will fund rural public transportation services in Oklahoma through February 2028 under the Formula Grants for Rural Areas and Tribal Transit Program (CFDA 20.509). The Oklahoma Department of Transportation will use the funding to provide operating assistance to 20 rural agencies and three intercity bus operators for reliable transit operations in nonurbanized areas. Over $12 million will support intercity bus services through subawards to entities including Central Oklahoma Community Action Agency, Big Five Community Services, and Southwest Oklahoma Community Action Group. The funding will allow these subawardees to continue safe and effective transit operations for rural Oklahoma communities through February 2028.

Purpose

The purpose of this award is to provide the state of oklahoma and its subrecipients operating assistance and the rural transit assistance program (rtap) for the state and its subrecipients.

Activities

Funds will be used to cover eligible operating expenses such as driver salaries fuel items having a useful life of less than one year and preventive maintenance in order to continue transit operations. Funds will also be used for training technical assistance and state administration.

Expected outcomes

Continued safe and effective operation of transit services for rural areas of oklahoma.

Intended beneficiaries

Oklahoma state transit agencies and citizens in the rural and non-urbanized areas of the state.

Subrecipient activities

Twenty rural agencies will receive operating assistance along with three intercity bus operator. No capital equipment will be purchased. 15% of the total apportionment or $1242722 has been allotted for intercity bus services. Intercity project administration and operating assistance are to be used for administrative and operation activities/services. These agencies will provide reliable and accessible intercity services in accordance with section 5311 intercity guidelines.summary of FTA funds available$8284815 - ARP act apportionment $133405 - rtap $8418220 - total funds available************************************************************$1129616 - ARP act project administration $5912477 - ARP act project operating$133405 - ARP rtap$1242722 ARP intercity $8418220 total FTA funds requested**********************************************************************************$8418220- total funds requested under this application $8418220- total funds available the recipient agrees that if IT receives federal funding from the federal emergency management agency (FEMA) or through a pass-through entity through the robert t. Stafford disaster relief and emergency assistance act a different federal agency or insurance proceeds for any portion of a project activity approved for FTA funding under this grant agreement IT will provide written notification to FTA and reimburse FTA for any federal share that duplicates funding provided by FEMA another federal agency or an insurance company.per ARP the project(s) in this application are not required to be programmed in the long-range transportation plan statewide transportation plan or statewide transportation improvement program.pre-award authority was selected because the subrecipients will be allowed to submit reimbursement for expenditures from january 20 2020 to present after the award gets executed and ODOT executes an agreement with the subrecipients. This funds will overlap with the fain OK-2021-018 OK-2020-021-02 OK-2022-016 and 1565-2022-1. The other funds are insufficient to cover the operating expenses and extra funds are needed.