NEORide-2023_and_2024_ATTAIN-_Vol2.pdf

Proposal Prepared By

NEORide

Submitted To:

US Department of Transportation

In Response To:

Advanced Transportation Technology and Innovation

Date:

February 2, 2024

Volume 2. Budget Application

EZ Data and NEOTech: A Comprehensive Approach to Managing and Utilizing Multi-Agency/Multi-State Real-Time and Archived Mobility Data Exchange Submitted by NEORide Prepared for USDOT ATTAIN Program (NOFO#: 693JJ324NF00005)

EZ Data and NEOTech: A Comprehensive Approach to Managing and Utilizing Multi- Agency/Multi-State Real-Time and Archived Mobility Data Exchange Submitted by NEORide Prepared for USDOT ATTAIN Program (NOFO#: 693JJ324NF00005) i

Table of Contents

1 SECTION I- APPLICABLE STANDARD FORMS (SF)

2 SECTION II-SUMMARY BUDGET NARRATIVE

2.1 TASK 1A: PROJECT MANAGEMENT

2.2 TASK 1B: PROGRAM REPORTING

2.3 TASK 2: PLANNING

2.4 TASK 3: DESIGN

2.5 TASK 4: SYSTEM IMPLEMENTATION

2.6 TASK 5: EVALUATION

2.7 TASK 6: FINAL REPORT

2.8 DIRECT COSTS

3 SECTION III- COST SHARE

4 SECTION IV-GRANT FUNDS, SOURCES AND USE OF PROJECT FUNDS

5 SECTION V-ORGANIZATIONAL INFO

6 SECTION VI EXHIBIT

USDOT Advanced Transportation Technologies and Innovation program Funding Opportunity Number: 693JJ321NF00005 EZData and NEOTech Project, Submitted by NEORide

1 Section I- Applicable Standard Forms (SF) All forms are submitted online on grants.gov.

2 Section II-Summary Budget Narrative

EZData and NEOTech deployment is expected to span across 4 years. As a part of this project, NEORide and its partners will design, deploy and evaluate the proposed system. The total project cost is estimated to be $2,000,000.

For this deployment, NEORide requests $1,600,000 in Federal assistance. This request for Federal assistance has been derived from detailed discussions with all Partners.

Table 1 provides a fully detailed breakdown of the project budget which includes labor, capital and direct costs.

Table 1. Proposed Budget Summary

Following subsections provide a detailed description of the budget allocated for each task:

EZData and NEOTech Project, Submitted by NEORide

2.1 Task 1A: Project Management

Project Management efforts include coordination efforts like Kick-Off, regular coordination meetings with USDOT and effort required to finalize agreement between USDOT and NEORide team. Most of the efforts included in this task will be covered in the first year, however, general coordination calls will continue throughout the project.

Costs included as a part of this task are labor hour costs which amount to $50,000 over the period of 4 years. These costs will be split between different partners as key personnel include staff from different organizations.

This task will be led by NEORide and supported by Arcadis.

2.2 Task 1B: Program Reporting

This task covers labor costs for developing progress reports for USDOT as follows:

• Quarterly progress reports.

• Annual Budget Review and Program Plan Reporting.

• Annual Report to the Secretary.

A total of $50,000 is allocated for these activities for the period of 4 years.

This task will be led by NEORide and supported by Arcadis.

2.3 Task 2: Planning

The project team will develop concept of operations (ConOps) and system requirements for the required system. Also, we will develop a Systems Engineering Management Plan. The budget includes labor costs incurred for development of the required documents.

Task 2 is expected to be completed in the first 9 months since the Notice to Proceed (NTP), in Year 1. Budget for this task is $250,000.

This task will involve Arcadis, Demand Trans and stakeholders.

2.4 Task 3: Design

The project team will develop detailed design for cloud infrastructure for compute and storage, extract-transform-load (ETL) routines using standard data formats, and reports.

Task 3 is expected to be completed in the first 9 months since the Notice to Proceed (NTP), in Year 1. Budget for this task is $380,000. Some subtasks in Task 3 will run in parallel to Task 2.

This task will involve Arcadis, Demand Trans and stakeholders.

2.5 Task 4: System Implementation

Task 4 involves development, testing and launch of EZData infrastructure. It will include setting up the cloud data store, developing ETL routines for data ingestion, and analytics scripts to meet the initial use cases.

EZData and NEOTech Project, Submitted by NEORide

Task 4 will take 12-15 months to complete, and the system will go live by the end of Year 2.

Some refinements will be completed in Year 3 as well. Total budget for this task is $550,000.

This task will be performed by Arcadis and Demand Trans.

2.6 Task 5: Evaluation

This task will involve developing evaluation and data management plans, data collection and analysis to conduct the evaluation. The task will be conducted by the OSU and will take $220,000 to complete.

2.7 Task 6: Final Report

The final report will be developed at the end of the project in Year 4. This task will be led by Arcadis and NEORide and a total of $10,000 of labor budget is allocated for this task.

2.8 Direct Costs

The proposed deployment will feature other direct costs in the project budget by Arcadis, Demand Trans and OSU. The following is a detailed overview of the Partners’ other direct costs related to travel.

• Travel: The proposed total travel budget of $30,000 is conservative due to the increased cost related to the COVID-19 pandemic and includes the following elements.

• Canton/Akron, Ohio. Project deployment meetings o Arcadis: 4 person trips from Dayton, Boston and San Francisco for initial kick- off and system design meetings, in Year 1, total cost = $5,000 o Demand Trans: 2 person meeting from Chicago for initial kickoff and design meetings., in Year 1, total cost=$2,500.

o Arcadis: 7 person trips from Dayton, Boston and San Francisco for design and testing, in Year 2, total cost = $10,000 o 4 person trips for OSU from Columbus annually for Year 1, 2, 3 and 4 for data collection. Total cost: $5,000.

o Demand Trans: 2-person meeting from Chicago for initial kickoff and design meetings., in Year 2, total cost=$2,500.

o Travel cost for agencies to participate in meetings: $5,000. (this is being provided by agencies as match)

3 Section III- Cost Share Partner agencies have committed to providing the required 20% match as cash and in-kind support. Approximately 50% of the non-federal (local) match has already been planned as cash. I-kind support will be provided through participation of agency staff in the project. Letters of support provided by agencies confirm that they will be contributing to the project with the required match amount from local funds.

EZData and NEOTech Project, Submitted by NEORide

Table 2. Non-Federal Cost Share

Please note that while currently the proposal does not include any state funding for match or other needs, we have also included a letter of support from Ohio Department of Transportation.

4 Section IV-Grant Funds, Sources and Use of Project Funds No other funding source is being planned for EZData and NEOTech projects.

EZConnect, referenced in this application is funded by ATCMTD, ODOT and FTA-EMI grants.

Initial discovery and conceptualization for EZData and NEOTech has been done using those funds.

5 Section V-Organizational Info

1. NEORide does not perceive any anticipated exceptions to the award terms and conditions. NEORide does hold a trademark for “EZfare”. There is no perceived conflict with sharing all property and data with project partners.

2. NEORide Duns Number: 117658003

3. NEORide has not been subject to an A-113 Single Audit. We have completed Ohio State Audits for 2015-2020 with no findings.

4. There are no actual or perceived conflicts of interest with this application in past, present or planned organizational, contractual or other interests which may affect NEORide’s ability to perform the proposed project in an impartial and objective manner.

5. NEORide has completed Ohio State Audits for 2021-2022 with no findings on all its financials.

Attached (State Audit Appendix) are the audits published by the Ohio State Auditor for 2015-2018.

6. NEORide has had no contracts/agreements terminated for convenience of the government in the last three years or any contracts terminated for default in the last five years.

EZData and NEOTech Project, Submitted by NEORide

7. NEORide has reviewed Title 2 CFR and is prepared to fully comply with the reporting requirements.

8. NEORide nor its partner agencies have violations of federal criminal law involving fraud, bribery, or gratuity violations.

6 Section VI Exhibit

• Exhibit A-Letters of Support.

Monday, January 29, 2024

US Department of Transportation Attn: Mr. Pete Buttigieg, Secretary of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE Washington DC, 20590

Re: Advanced Transportation Technologies and Innovative (ATTAIN) Program

Dear Secretary Buttigieg, On behalf of Arcadis, I would like to express my commitment for the NEORide multi-agency project, EZData being submitted as part of the USDOT ATTAIN Grant initiative. This project will build a real-time and archived cloud-based data fusion system to address the following significant challenges for NEORide and partner agencies: 1) consolidated trip exchange for management and reporting on full life cycle of para/DRT trips; 2) operations, maintenance and revenue data store for agencies for one-stop analytics and reporting on individual and coordinated fixed route services; and 3) a single source of truth for disseminating omni-channel real-time information to customers on multimodal trips. Further, NEORide will stand up a NEOTech department to help member agencies address their ad-hoc data needs capitalizing on EZData infrastructure. The project will help bridge the data divide that exists between transportation agencies of different sizes and utilizes the unique nature of NEORide to better capitalize on the next generational data capabilities, improving operational efficiency for better customer experience.

Arcadis understands that the system will be initially utilized by 5 transit agencies across the states of Ohio and Indiana but will be expandable to include approximately 30 agencies across 7 states. This project will use standard data formats for data exchange with source and destination systems to ensure replicability by similar deployments nationwide.

We believe that EZData is an innovative project that will provide a industry first for data management specific to the needs of public transit. Arcadis is really excited and is eagerly looking forward to this project. If you have any questions, please contact me by email at santosh.mishra@arcadis.com or by phone at 312-451-7694.

Sincerely, Santosh Mishra Director, Transit and Emerging Mobility

January 29, 2024

The Honorable Pete Buttigieg Secretary of Transportation US Department of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE Washington DC, 20590

Re: Advanced Transportation Technologies and Innovative (ATTAIN) Program

Dear Mr. Secretary, The Shared-Use Mobility Center (SUMC) expresses our support for NEORide's submission of the EZData multi-agency project for the USDOT ATTAIN grant program. NEORide's project will build a real-time and archived cloud-based data fusion system to address significant challenges for itself and partner agencies. The proposed project will help bridge the data divide between transportation agencies of different sizes and utilize the unique nature of NEORide to better capitalize on the next generational data capabilities, improving operational efficiency for a better customer experience.

SUMC provided technical assistance to NEORide's EZFare project through the Federal Transit Administration's Integrated Mobility Integration (IMI) demonstration project grant program. With support from the FTA's grant, NEORide successfully implemented a stored-value mobile ticketing fare payment program across 13 transit systems in Ohio and adjacent regions in Kentucky and Michigan. EZfare enables contactless mobile and cash payments through retail partners for unbanked and underbanked core users.

NEORide's EZData project aligns with SUMC's work supporting multimodal data integration platforms and systems that foster data interoperability across regions and mobility providers.

222 W. Merchandise Mart Plz, Suite 1212 Chicago, IL 60654

SUMC provides technical assistance and capacity-building resources to local governments, community organizations, and transit agencies to advance innovative solutions that promote equity and strengthen communities through programs like USDOT's Thriving Communities Program and FTA's IMI Program.

SUMC believes in NEORide's ability to build extensive regional partnerships, execute this project, and deliver impact. EZData is an innovative project that will provide an industry first for data management specific to public transit needs. We would be happy to provide further information if needed.

Sincerely, Benjamin de la Peña CEO, Shared-Use Mobility Center

222 W. Merchandise Mart Plz, Suite 1212 Chicago, IL 60654

DemandTrans Solutions, Inc.

211 W. Wacker Drive, Suite 300 Chicago, IL 60606

January 29, 2024

Attn: Mr. Pete Buttigieg, Secretary of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE Washington DC, 20590

Re: Advanced Transportation Technologies and Innovative (ATTAIN) Program

Dear Secretary Buttigieg, On behalf of DemandTrans Solutions, I would like to express my commitment for the NEORide multi-agency project, EZData being submitted as part of the USDOT ATTAIN Grant initiative.

This project will build a real-time and archived cloud-based data fusion system to address the following significant challenges for NEORide and partner agencies: 1) consolidated trip exchange for management and reporting on full life cycle of para/DRT trips; 2) operations, maintenance and revenue data store for agencies for one-stop analytics and reporting on individual and coordinated fixed route services; and 3) a single source of truth for disseminating omni-channel real-time information to customers on multimodal trips. Further, NEORide will stand up a NEOTech department to help member agencies address their ad-hoc data needs capitalizing on EZData infrastructure. The project will help bridge the data divide that exists between transportation agencies of different sizes and utilizes the unique nature of NEORide to better capitalize on the next generational data capabilities, improving operational efficiency for better customer experience.

DemandTrans Solutions understands that the system will be initially utilized by 5 transit agencies across the states of Ohio and Indiana but will be expandable to include approximately 30 agencies across 7 states. This project will use standard data formats for data exchange with source and destination systems to ensure replicability by similar deployments nationwide.

We believe that EZData is an innovative project that will provide a industry first for data management specific to the needs of public transit. DemandTrans Solutions is really excited and is eagerly looking forward to this project. If you have any questions, please contact me by email at roger.teal@demandtrans.com or by phone at 847-256-8866.

Sincerely, Roger Teal, Ph.D.

President, DemandTrans Solutions, Inc.

mailto:roger.teal@demandtrans.com

January 26, 2024

Attn: Mr. Pete Buttigieg, Secretary of Transportation

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE

Washington DC, 20590

Re: Advanced Transportation Technologies and Innovative (ATTAIN) Program

Dear Secretary Buttigieg, On behalf of Avail Technologies, Inc., I would like to express my commitment to the NEORide multi‐agency project, EZData, being submitted as part of the USDOT ATTAIN Grant initiative. This project will build a real‐time and archived cloud‐based data fusion system to address the following significant challenges for NEORide and partner agencies:

1) consolidated trip exchange for management and reporting on full life cycle of para/DRT trips.

2) operations, maintenance, and revenue data store for agencies for one‐stop analytics and reporting on individual and coordinated fixed route services; and

3) a single source of truth for disseminating omni‐channel real‐time information to customers on multimodal trips.

Further, NEORide will stand up a NEOTech department to help member agencies address their ad‐hoc data needs capitalizing on EZData infrastructure. The project will help bridge the data divide that exists between transportation agencies of different sizes and utilizes the unique nature of NEORide to better capitalize on the next generational data capabilities, improving operational efficiency for better customer experience.

Avail Technologies, Inc. understands that the system will be initially utilized by 5 transit agencies across the states of Ohio and Indiana but will be expandable to include approximately 30 agencies across 7 states. This project will use standard data formats for data exchange with source and destination systems to ensure replicability by similar deployments nationwide.

We believe that EZData is an innovative project that will provide an industry first for data management specific to the needs of public transit. Avail Technologies, Inc. is really excited and is eagerly looking forward to this project. If you have any questions, please contact me by email at rspangler@availtec.com or by phone at (814) 883‐9231.

Rick Spangler

Chief Technology Officer

January 16, 2024

Attn: Mr. Pete Buttigieg, Secretary of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE Washington DC, 20590

Re: Advanced Transportation Technologies and Innovative (ATTAIN) Program

Dear Secretary Buttigieg, On behalf of Masabi LLC (Masabi), I would like to express my commitment to the NEORide multi-agency project, EZData being submitted as part of the USDOT ATTAIN Grant initiative.

This project will build a real-time and archived cloud-based data fusion system to address the following significant challenges for NEORide and partner agencies: 1) consolidated trip exchange for management and reporting on the full life cycle of para/DRT trips; 2) operations, maintenance, and revenue data store for agencies for one-stop analytics and reporting on individual and coordinated fixed route services; and 3) a single source of truth for disseminating omnichannel real-time information to customers on multimodal trips.

Further, NEORide will stand up a NEOTech department to help member agencies address their ad-hoc data needs capitalizing on EZData infrastructure. The project will help bridge the data divide that exists between transportation agencies of different sizes and utilizes the unique nature of NEORide to better capitalize on the next generational data capabilities, improving operational efficiency for a better customer experience.

Masabi understands that the system will be initially utilized by 5 transit agencies across the states of Ohio and Indiana but will be expandable to include approximately 30 agencies across 7 states. This project will use standard data formats for data exchange with source and destination systems to ensure replicability by similar deployment nationwide.

We believe that EZData is an innovative project that will provide a industry first for data management specific to the needs of public transit. Masabi is really excited and is eagerly looking forward to this project. If you have any questions, please contact me by email at brandon.leonhard@masabi.com. or by phone at (317) 373-3964.

Respectfully, Brandon Leonhard

Vice President of Business Development, North America Masabi LLC 1330 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 23A New York, NY 10019

Masabi LLC, 1330 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 23A New York, NY 10019 T: 617.592.6228 E: info@masabi.com W: www.masabi.com

Office of Research

Office of Sponsored Programs

Research Administration Building 1960 Kenny Road

Columbus, OH 43210

614-292-3815 Phone 614-292-5913 Fax osp.osu.edu

29 January, 2024

Attn: Mr. Pete Buttigieg, Secretary of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE Washington DC, 20590

Re: Advanced Transportation Technologies and Innovative (ATTAIN) Program

Dear Secretary Buttigieg, On behalf of The Ohio State University (OSU) team, I would like to express my commitment for the NEORide multi-agency project, EZData, being submitted as part of the USDOT ATTAIN Grant initiative. This project will build a real-time and archived cloud-based data fusion system to address the following significant challenges for NEORide and partner agencies: (1) consolidated trip exchange for management and reporting on full life cycle of paratransit/demand-responsive transit trips; (2) operations, maintenance and revenue data store for agencies for one-stop analytics and reporting on individual and coordinated fixed route services; and (3) a single source of truth for disseminating omni-channel real-time information to customers on multimodal trips. Further, NEORide will stand up a NEOTech department to help member agencies address their ad-hoc data needs capitalizing on EZData infrastructure. The project will help bridge the data divide that exists between transportation agencies of different sizes and utilizes the unique nature of NEORide to better capitalize on the next generational data capabilities, improving operational efficiency for better customer experience.

The OSU team understands that the system will be initially utilized by 5 transit agencies across the states of Ohio and Indiana but will be expandable to include approximately 30 agencies across 7 states. This project will use standard data formats for data exchange with source and destination systems to ensure replicability by similar deployments nationwide.

We believe that EZData is an innovative project that will be an industry-first in providing unified data management capabilities serving multiple public transit agencies. OSU is excited about participating in this effort as an independent evaluator of the impact of EZData and its implementation several data-intensive functionalities.

Margie Tate Sponsored Programs Officer The Ohio State University