This is a section 5310 grant application for the knoxville tennessee urbanized area in the amount of $1181774 (federal) from the section 5310 large UZA apportionment

This $1,753,225 Project Grant from the Federal Transit Administration's Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities program (CFDA 20.513) provides funding to the Knoxville-Knox County Metropolitan Planning Commission for transportation services benefiting seniors and individuals with disabilities in the Knoxville, Tennessee urbanized area. The grant award, issued on April 5, 2022 and running through March 31, 2029, supports capital purchases such as eleven accessible vans and two mini-buses for non-profit agencies, as well as operating assistance for volunteer driver programs and demand-response transit services. Mobility management activities are also funded. Sub-awards were made to eight organizations for capital vehicle purchases and operating assistance to provide approximately 700,000 one-way trips annually through the grant period.

This application requests $587787 from FFY 2020 and $593987 from FFY 2021. This application also includes $12682 (insurance) in federal funds being returned due to disposal of a wrecked vehicle before its federal life was met.knoxville regional transportation planning organization (TPO) is the MPO for the urban area and the designated recipient of section 5310 funds. Knoxville knox county metropolitan planning commission (MPC) is the contracting agency for TPO. The TPO held a publicly advertised call-for-projects. Projects are included in and in-keeping with the human services transportation coordination plan locally developed and approved though a process that included participation by seniors and individuals with disabilities. Projects were approved by TPO executive board and added to the transportation improvement program (tip). This grant funds a variety of both traditional and non-traditional projects including vans and/or mini-buses for non-profits demand response transit services (beyond ADA) and three volunteer assisted transportation programs (including mobility management activities).a tip-stip project sheet (with relevant information highlighted) is attached. Also attached is a summary table of tip pages that includes project listings corresponding alis federal dollar amounts and tip year. The program of projects (POP) is attached. The POP provides a listing of projects and sub-recipients. All projects except administration are matched. Operating projects require 50/50 match. Capital projects require 80/20 match. Tennessee department of transportation will provide half of the local match. Sub-recipients will provide remaining local match or what portion tdot does not provide.TPO/MPC will use a DE-minimus indirect cost rate. The required FTA certification is attached.funds are from FFY20 and FFY21. FYY20 funds will lapse on 9/30/22. Please note: i also am adding in funding that was returned due to an insurance settlement on a wrecked van that had not met its useful federal life ($12682). The grant this van was originally funded under has been closed. Funding summaryapportionments (federal)FFY20 = $587787FFY21 = $593987TOTAL funds FFY20 and FFY21 = $1181774FUNDS being returned due to disposal of vehicle before federal life mettraditional capital = $12682TOTAL funds availabletotal funds FFY20 and FFY21 = $1181774RETURNED funds = $12682 (these funds are not actually physically in the grant. These are funds returned to MPC from an insurance settlement as part of a wrecked van that had not completely met its FTA useful life. The funds are held by MPC and will be applied to the purchase of a van of like kind.total all funds available = $1194456TIME framestart: july 1 2021 (pre-award authority)end: march 31 2029DISTRIBUTION (federal) from FFY20 and FFY21 fundingadministration = $118000OPERATING = $407342CAPITAL = $656432TOTAL distribution = $1181744REMAINING = $0MEETING minimum 55% threshold for each FFY (does not include funding returned for disposal of vehicle).FFY20 federal funds = $587787ADMINISTRATION = $58775 (10.0%)operating = $203671 (34.7%)traditional capital = $325341 (55.4%) meets 55.0% minimum THRESHOLDFFY21 federal funds = $593987ADMINISTRATION = $59225 (10.0%)operating = $203671 (34.3%)traditional capital = $331091 (55.7%) meets 55% minimum thresholdmeeting minimum 55% threshold for each ALI FFY (does not include funding returned for disposal of vehicle).federal dollars onlyali: 17.7L00 traditional other capital items (mobility management) = $188000ALI: 11.12.15 traditional buy replacement van (quantity #1) = $34400ALI: 11.13.15 traditional buy van for SVC expansion (quantity #10) = $338318ALI: 11.12.04 traditional bus replacement under 30 FT. (quantity #1) = $51000ALI: 11.13.04 traditional bus expansion under 30 FT. (quantity #1) = $44714SUB total traditional = $656432.ALI: 30.09.01 non-traditional operating assistance (quantity #4 different services) = $407342SUB total non-traditional = $407342ALI: 11.80.00 administration = $118000SUB total administration = $118000SUB total traditional = $656432 (55.6%)sub total non-traditional = $407342 (34.5%)sub total administration = $118000 (9.9%)total all federal funds = $1181174 (100%)-------------------------------------------------distribution of the funding returned for disposal of vehiclefederal dollars onlyali: 11.13.15 traditional buy van for SVC expansion (quantity #10) = $12682 (please note this funding is not actually included in the ALI as the funds are held at MPC as part of insurance funds received due to a wrecked van. This is to only represent IT will be applied to a like replacement vehicles that are included in the ALI: 11:13:15 traditional budget line item. All funds will be used for traditional capital for purchase of like van.sub total traditional = $12682OMB 5 elements NARRATIVES1. Purpose of awardthe knoxville regional human services transportation coordination plan identified several gaps in services in the knoxville urban area. Many of these gaps dealt with the lack of transportation options for seniors and individuals with disabilities in the community. There are times and/or locations within the urban area that the fixed-route mass-transit service and the required ADA complimentary paratransit does not serve. In fact geographically the mass-transit service and the required ADA complimentary paratransit service cover approximately 25-30% of the urban area. This leaves approximately 70-75% of the urban area with limited demand response transit services. Therefore the human services transportation coordination plan list as strategies to address the identified needs and gaps in services with the use of section 5310 funding. This includes helping to provide expanded services throughout the urban area. One way the plan recommends accomplishing this is to provide section 5310 capital funding to non-profits and human resources service agencies to purchase vans and mini-buses. Another strategy is the use of mobility management techniques to expand more transit options and to better coordinate the existing services. A final strategy is to use section 5310 operating funding for volunteer assisted transportation programs and expanded demand response transit services. The benefit of doing these strategies are more seniors and persons with disabilities have access to transportation options which provides them the freedom to travel to take jobs and to participate in society. The purpose of this award is to provide grant funds to sub-recipients to implement both capital and operating projects to provide more transportation services to seniors and persons who are disabled in the knoxville urban area.2. Activities to be performed - this grant will provide the following activities:(1) seven (7) awards to sevem (7) different non-profits and human service agencies to purchase of eleven (11) vans and two (2) mini-buses (cutaways);(2) two (2) awards to two (2) different agencies to provide mobility management services;(3) four (4) awards to agencies for operating funds in which three (3) agencies will provide volunteer assisted transportation services and one (1) agency will provide demand response transportation services; and(4) administration funding to the TPO to help manage the overall regional section 5310 program.3. Expected outcomesthe human services transportation coordination plan identified several gaps in services in the knoxville urban area. Many of these gaps dealt with the lack of transportation options for seniors and individuals with disabilities in the community. One way the plan recommends accomplishing eliminating gaps is to provide capital funding to non-profits and human resources service agencies to purchase vans and mini-buses. This grant awards funding to seven (7) non-profits/human service agencies to purchase eleven (11) vans and (2) mini-buses. The federal life expectancy for a van is four (4) years and five (5) for a mini-bus (recognizing most vehicles will remain in service long after the federal life expectancy). For this grant the eleven (11) vans and two (2) mini-buses should provide approximately 700000 one-way trips over their federal live expectancy (four/five years) to seniors and persons who are disabled in the knoxville urban area. The human services transportation coordination plan identifies as a critical need the funding of operating services for governmental agencies non-profits human resources service agencies and private providers to help fill in the gaps of needed transportation services for seniors and individuals with disabilities. Most often this requires providing services through volunteer driver type programs (mobility management) and providing strategically located demand response transit services (outside regular fixed-route mass-transit service area and beyond ADA complimentary paratransit service requirements). The operating projects provide an invaluable service to seniors and individuals with disabilities in the tpos urban area. The volunteer programs provide services for those who need that extra level of assistance often the frailest in the community. The driver accompanies the rider throughout the entire trip and can help them with certain activities such as carrying groceries or helping them to their doctors office (not just dropping off at curb). IT is projected the operating services funded through this grant will provide approximately 44000 trips per year. The programs are funded between 12-24 months depending on each agencys application for funding. 4. Intended beneficiariesthe intended beneficiaries of this grant are seniors and persons who are disabled in the knoxville urban area. This grant provides transportation services to seniors and persons who are disabled that might not otherwise have any other transportation options. Often the seniors transported are the frailest in the community and require an extra level of care. The persons who have disabilities most often are intellectually developmental and physically challenged. These transportation services help provide them access to therapy doctors appointments work and social opportunities. Without these transportation services most would be homebound. 5. Subrecipient activitiesthe TPO (except for administration funding) awards all funding/projects to sub-recipients. For this grant the following subrecipients are awarded funds (with activities listed).capital sub-recipient #1 sertoma center for the purchase of up to four (4) accessible vans for fleet expansion to cover a recent increase in services. Sertoma center is a non-profit agency that serves knoxville urban area adults with intellectual disabilities through the highest quality of residential vocational and community services that empower the persons served to reach their fullest potential. Capital sub-recipient #2 emory valley center for the purchase of up to four (4) accessible vans for fleet expansion to cover a recent increase in services. The emory valley center is a non-profit agency supporting adults with intellectual developmental and physical disabilities. Capital sub-recipient #3 - ARC knox county - sunshine industries for the purchase of one (1) van for fleet expansion to cover a recent increase in services and the purchase of one (1) non-accessible 14 passenger van as a replacement. Sunshine industries is a non-profit that provides vocational training for intellectual and developmental delayed individuals who need to improve their work skills in preparation for community employment. Capital sub-recipient #4 knox county CAC transit (CAC) for the purchase of one (1) accessible mini-bus (under 30 FT.) to replace one that has met its useful life. CAC provides transportation to seniors and individuals who are disabled who live in knox county for whom the public fixed-route and ADA paratransit services are not available.capital sub-recipient #5 catholic charities (horizon house) for the purchase of one (1) accessible van for fleet expansion to cover a recent increase in services. Horizon house is a non-profit agency that serves knoxville urban area that provides permanent supportive housing for adults with chronic and severe mental illness. The program focuses on socialization life skills and coordination of psychiatric and medical services. Capital sub-recipient #6 gateway to independence for the purchase of one (1) accessible mini-bus (under 30 FT.) for fleet expansion to cover a recent increase in services. Gateway for independence is a non-profit agency that serves knoxville urban area adults who are developmentally and intellectually disabled. Capital sub-recipient #7 knoxville knox county CAC volunteer assisted transportation (VAT) program mobility management. CAC will provide continuing transportation counseling coordination and assistance in accessing transportation resources for seniors or individuals with disabilities (or helping concerned family members with information). CAC VAT can provide travel training as needed. Mobility management is to enhance transportation access for populations served by more than one agency or organization within the community. CAC will help persons interested in transportation by providing a one-stop information referral and coordination service which will include working with the other transit providers in the urban area. The funding should last approximately 18-24 months. Capital sub-recipient #8 sevier county live-IT mobility management. Live-IT will provide mobility management to enhance transportation access for seniors and persons who are disabled. Live-IT is a volunteer assisted transportation program that uses volunteer drivers to help transport sevier county residents who are a senior and/or disabled and need some level of assistance by the driver. This funding will help pay for computerized software that helps match volunteers with clients needing transportation. This funding should last approximately 24 months. Operating assistance sub-recipient #1 knoxville knox county community action committee (CAC) volunteer assisted transportation (VAT) program. The CAC will continue its VAT service that recruits volunteers to provide assisted transportation to seniors or individuals who are disabled that require an escort to medical appointments essential errands and non-essential trips for social and recreational purposes. This funding will provide approximately 18-24 months of service. Operating assistance sub-recipient #2 blount county community action agency (BAA) smiles program. The smiles program will continue its service that recruits volunteers to provide assisted transportation to seniors or individuals who are disabled and over age 60 that require an escort to medical appointments essential errands and non-essential trips for social and recreational purposes. This funding will provide approximately 18-24 months of service. Funding helps coordinators recruit volunteers maintain a computerized trip making system and make sure volunteers provide the transportation to the client. Operating assistance sub-recipient #3 sevier county live-IT. The sevier county live-IT program recruits volunteers to provide assisted transportation to seniors or individuals who are disabled and who are over age 60 that require an escort to medical appointments essential errands and non-essential trips for social and recreational purposes. This funding will provide approximately 18-24 months of service. Funding helps coordinators recruit volunteers maintain a computerized trip making system and make sure volunteers provide the transportation to the client. Operating assistance sub-recipient #4 east tennessee human resource agency (ethra). Ethra will provide demand response transportation services for the seniors and individuals who are disabled throughout the urban area while concentrating service outside of knox county (well outside the fixed route and the ADA complementary service area). Ethra will provide services for a variety of trip purposes including medical pharmacy grocery and essential errands. This funding will provide services for approximately 12-18 months.