Pilot program to demonstrate the benefits of remote infrared audible signage (RIAS) technology for provision of way-finding and information to people who are visually, cognitively, or learning disabled

The summary for the Pilot program to demonstrate the benefits of remote infrared audible signage (RIAS) technology for provision of way-finding and information to people who are visually, cognitively, or learning disabled grant is detailed below. This summary states who is eligible for the grant, how much grant money will be awarded, current and past deadlines, Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) numbers, and a sampling of similar government grants. Verify the accuracy of the data FederalGrants.com provides by visiting the webpage noted in the Link to Full Announcement section or by contacting the appropriate person listed as the Grant Announcement Contact. If any section is incomplete, please visit the website for the DOT Federal Transit Administration, which is the U.S. government agency offering this grant.

Pilot program to demonstrate the benefits of remote infrared audible signage (RIAS) technology for provision of way-finding and information to people who are visually, cognitively, or learning disabled: DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (DOT) Federal Transit Administration PILOT PROGRAM TO DEMONSTRATE THE BENEFITS OF REMOTE INFRARED AUDIBLE SIGNAGE (RIAS) TECHNOLOGY FOR PROVISION OF WAY-FINDING AND INFORMATION TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE VISUAL, COGNITIVE, OR LEARNING DISABILITIES AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration (FTA), DOT ACTION: Notice for Request for Proposal (RFP) SUMMARY: The Remote Infrared Audible Signage Model Accessibility Program (RIAS MAP) will evaluate the impact of the RIAS technology on the work, education, and quality of life for persons with visual, cognitive and learning disabilities. The technology consists of infrared transmitters that broadcast repeating human voice messages which identify critical locations, directions, and public transit vehicles. Users with visual, cognitive, and learning disabilities hear these audible messages using small, hand-held or head-mounted receivers that pick up the recorded human voice messages from the transmitters. The system is installed at public transit systems and on transit vehicles. However, a multimodal, comprehensive, and seamless system deployment is necessary to allow individuals with visual, cognitive, and learning disabilities to travel unfamiliar public transit systems and public places without assistance. The objective of this pilot program is to provide Federal assistance to carry out a project to demonstrate the operation of the RIAS technology and to determine its benefits. The project also requires a report to Congress that includes the following evaluations: 1) Effect on multimodal accessibility in public transportation with regard to persons with visual, cognitive, or learning disabilities 2) Effect on public transportation operators and their customers 3) Effect on making public transportation accessible to persons with visual, cognitive, or learning disabilities, who use public transit and paratransit 4) Effect on education, community integration, work life and general quality of life of the targeted populations The Secretary of the Department of Transportation shall forward the final project report to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban affairs of the Senate no later than September 30, 2009. The cooperative project will require coordination among FTA, various transit agencies, and RIAS technology experts. The integration and use of the RIAS technologies and Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) will enable transit agencies to provide greater access and service to persons with visual, cognitive, or learning disabilities. DATES: An applicant must submit a proposal electronically to http://www.grants.gov by July 31, 2006 for consideration. The applicant should also email an electronic copy of the proposal to the FTA Project Manager prior to July 31, 2006. All potential applicants are advised to begin the http://www.grants.gov registration process immediately, if they have not previously submitted Federal assistance applications through http://www.grants.gov, in order to be able to meet the deadline. FTA expects to award funds through a cooperative agreement in FY 2006 which will allow for a 3-year execution of all phases of the project, including the final project report due to the Secretary of Transportation, prior to September 30, 2009. In the event of a system problem or technical difficulty with the application submittal, the applicants should contact the FTA Project Manager for delivery instructions. All proposals should reference "Demonstration of Benefits of Remote Infrared Audible Signage Technology." The FTA Project Manager for this project is Mr. Raj Wagley, Office of Mobility Innovation (TRI-10), Room 9402, Federal Transit Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW, Washington, D.C. 20590; email address: [email protected]. ADDRESSES: The website http://www.grants.gov allows applicant organizations to electronically find and apply for competitive opportunities from all Federal agencies that award Federal assistance. This website is the single access point for over 1000 Federal assistance programs administered by the 26 Federal agencies. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Technical, program management and cooperative agreement administrative questions should be directed to Mr. Raj Wagley, Office of Mobility and Innovation (TRI-10), Room 9402, Federal Transit Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW, Washington, D.C. 20590 via phone at 202-366-5386 or via e-mail to [email protected]. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: CONTENTS I. Background II. Visions, Goals and Objectives III. Funding IV. Schedule V. Eligibility VI. Proposal VII. Application Review Information VIII. Award Administration Information IX. Document Requirements X. Additional Resources I. Background The improvement of public transit service for persons with disabilities is a key focus of the FTA. To support efforts to make transportation accessible to all persons, the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed in 1990. The FTA ensures ADA compliance by monitoring non-discriminatory provision of transit services. The United We Ride (UWR) is an initiative of the Federal Interagency Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility, which FTA provides leadership to implement. The UWR initiative is a high-priority and multi-year effort that enhances transportation services for people with disabilities, older adults and individuals with lower incomes, improves transportation coordination by breaking the barriers between transit and human service programs. UWR encourages the deployment of emerging technologies to achieve these goals. FTA recognizes the importance of transportation for all persons to reach their destinations without any discrimination. To this end, FTA is committed to fostering safe, efficient, accessible, and convenient public transit service for all persons living and working in rural and urban areas alike. To fulfill this commitment, FTA will ensure that a coordinated effort is made to enhance the accessibility of transit service to persons with visual, cognitive, and learning disabilities. By applying Remote Infrared Audible Signage (RIAS) technology to public transit and paratransit operations, the potential exists to enhance services, integrate communities and give persons with visual, cognitive, or learning disabilities access to jobs, health care, education, social contacts, and other important day-to-day activities. RIAS technology will aid in meeting the goals of both ADA and the UWR initiative by providing benefits to persons with visual, cognitive, and learning disabilities. The RIAS Model Accessibility Program (RIAS MAP) is authorized under section 3046(a)(6) of the safe, Accountable, Flexible, and Efficient Transportation Equity Act - A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) to evaluate the impact of the RIAS technology on the work, education, and quality of life for persons with visual, cognitive, and learning disabilities. RIAS technologies for persons with visual, cognitive and learning disabilities have been deployed in the United States (U.S.), Japan, Norway, and Canada. In this country, the application of RIAS technology has been proven in San Francisco, Seattle, Lansing, Phoenix, and other cities. Many disabled communities in these cities have supported the RIAS equipment deployments which have increased ability of a person to find his or her way to a given destination (wayfinding) effectively and safely. Emerging technologies, such as RIAS, can enhance transportation further by delivering seamless travel from one place to another using local bus, Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), and all rail modes for persons who are visually, cognitively, and/or learning disabilities. Integrating ITS technologies into transit systems can improve the system as a whole-for both the provider and customer. While the RIAS technology has been tested in several locations in both urban and suburban transit systems, it has not seen widespread deployment in public transit systems, nor has it been tested in an integrated fashion with other ITS systems. This RIAS MAP project will explore the benefits and barriers of implementing integrated RIAS technologies in a multi-modal transit environment. II. Objectives This RFP will seek applications from public agencies for the installation, demonstration, and data collection of RIAS systems within a multi-modal transit setting. The successful RIAS MAP applicant shall meet the program objectives of a multi-modal demonstration of RIAS throughout various public transit modes. The public agency should implement RIAS in a multi-modal transit system that is accessible to persons with visual, cognitive, and learning disabilities. This should include installing RIAS in a multi-modal transit environment to include a combination of bus, paratransit, and rail services including stations and stops. Other places with transit service for RIAS installation can include airports, cross-walks, street poles, and others, as deemed necessary to meet the objectives of the project. This project should identify current and new innovative RIAS technologies, and gather information on the benefits of RIAS system to persons with disabilities. Moreover, entities (public agencies, their private sector partners, and advocacy organizations) associated with the selected RIAS operational strategies may be asked to provide continued stakeholder input in the development of the RIAS MAP program. There may be various versions of RIAS technologies and systems that can be used or developed during the life of the project in meeting the U.S. DOTs objectives. While a variety of RIAS technologies can be used for this project, there are a number of non- technical issues that the recipient must address prior to selecting specific RIAS technologies. In the end, this project anticipates the integration of multiple transit agency systems with RIAS technologies. However, agency issues such as institutional, operational and financial coordination and arrangements among participating agencies and transportation providers will have to be addressed by the recipient before selecting specific technologies. Various RIAS technologies are currently available, but the means to deploy them effectively in a multi-modal transit environment needs to be expanded and improved. The RIAS project will seek to integrate these technologies within the framework of the ADA, coordinate with other public agencies to provide enhanced public transportation service, and finally to demonstrate: 1. Operational Efficiencies - Improvement of public transit system operations specifically for persons with visual, cognitive, or learning disabilities. 2. Customer Service - An improvement in service levels to customers, awareness of available transit services, more accurate information, and reduce anxiety for customers while waiting for vehicles to arrive. 3. Agency Coordination - A focus on multi-department coordination among transit operators, other government agencies, and/or private transit service providers into a multi-modal transportation system that directly benefits the quality of life for all residents of the community to include persons with disabilities. Project Description The RIAS MAP is a technology evaluation project to incorporate new, and existing technology in providing information to transit customers with visual, cognitive, or learning disabilities. RIAS operates by using a transmitter at transit stations or on transit vehicles that repeatedly send infrared signals (voice modulated) towards transit customers who have visual, cognitive, or learning disabilities. The handheld receiver carried by customers receives the signal and demodulates to an audible message which contains the way-finding, vehicle, and directional information. There are other RIAS systems that have been integrated into bus personal address (PA) system that have multi-language capability. It is envisioned that all of the project funds will be spent in the RIAS planning, installation and testing, and final evaluation. The RIAS project will involve a recipient being solely responsible for purchasing, deploying the RIAS technology and equipment, and testing the technology and demonstrations, for purposes of producing a study on the benefits of the technology. The recipient should execute design selection and equipment installation and technology testing such that the project will effectively be complete no later than August 31, 2008. This will allow enough time for an independent evaluation of the project. Independent Evaluation A major goal of the U.S. DOT is to promote the development of innovative applications of Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) technologies. In order to encourage the widespread adoption of technological innovations and results, the RIAS MAP project must be independently evaluated. To that end, a system evaluation of the technological benefits will be conducted using an evaluation plan developed by an independent contractor. This will also include a final report that provides test details and whether the project benefits meet the pilot program objectives, as demonstrated by the recipient. The project recipient will not be responsible for the independent evaluation. The recipient will also provide the independent contractor with full access to the RIAS test sites and the equipments in operational condition during this period. III. Funding The RIAS MAP project will provide a total funding of $1,980,000 for the period FY 2006 through FY 2009. There will be only one cooperative agreement awarded to implement this project; however, a portion of the total project funds will be obligated for each of the projects four years. In addition, a portion of the total project funds will be withheld by FTA for the conduct of a review of ongoing project activities and an independent project evaluation. The decision to proceed with a subsequent project phase will depend on Congressional appropriations, successful completion of project milestones, availability of program funds, and approval of the FTA Administrator. This notice is a request for proposal (RFP) for selecting a recipient for procuring, installing, demonstrating, and testing of the RIAS technology and equipment. The U.S. DOT intends to issue a second RFP (independent of the first RFP) for an independent project evaluation at a later date. The second RFP will be to select a contractor to conduct an RIAS MAP evaluation and final report submission. Funds for the cooperative agreement are authorized to be appropriated in SAFETEA-LU under Section 3046 (a)(6)of the National Research and Technology Program. All funds obligated are to be consistent with the purpose of Section 3046(a)(6) and consistent with 49 U.S.C. Section 5312(a). The U.S. DOT has the right to access all documents pertaining to the use of federal funds and non-federal contributions. Non-federal partners must submit sufficient documentation during final negotiations and on a regular basis during the life of the project to substantiate these costs. Such items as direct labor, fringe benefits, material costs, consultant costs, subcontractor costs, and travel costs should be included in that documentation. IV. Schedule It is anticipated that the RIAS MAP project will last a maximum of thirty six (36) months. This includes project start-up, design, procurement, installation, technology integration, operation, and test for 24 months, and independent evaluation and report submission for 12 months. This means that the cooperative agreement recipient will complete the project in 24 months, before September 30, 2008. This will provide a minimum of twelve (12) months period for independent evaluation, analysis and report coordination, before a final evaluation report is submitted to the Congress. The cooperative agreement recipient shall make certain that the RIAS system will remain operational throughout the independent evaluation process until the final report is received by FTA, unless otherwise permitted by FTA. V. ELIGIBILITY All public agencies and private agencies in formal partnerships with those public agencies are eligible to submit proposals. Public transit agencies and transit providers, state DOTs, MPOs, and health and human service agencies are eligible to apply. Community Access Program (CAP) recipients are also considered eligible. In cases where the applicant is not a local transit agency, a statement explaining why a local transit partner is unable to submit the application and serve as a recipient must be included in the proposal. This eligibility restriction applies only to the agency submitting the proposal and serving as the applicant, and does not limit project partners. Consortia, combinations, or partnerships among eligible parties are also encouraged to apply. All agencies that submit proposals in response to this notice shall consent to be publicly identified as respondents. VI. Proposal FTA will select only one RIAS MAP proposal for funding under this RFP. This RFP is intended to solicit proposals for a cooperative agreement for the installation of RIAS technology and coordination of existing transportation resources to enhance transit benefits to persons with visual, cognitive, or learning disabilities. Applications that demonstrate the greatest multi- agency coordination and integrated use of RIAS technology to benefit visually, cognitively, and learning-disabled persons and provide greater access to education and work and an overall improvement in quality of life, will receive greater consideration. Proposal Guidelines A proposal should not exceed thirty (30) pages in length, including title, index, tables, maps, appendices, abstracts, and other supporting materials except resumes (i.e., resumes may be in addition to the 30 pages). A page is defined as one (1) side of an 8.5 by 11-inch paper, with 12 point Arial Font and single line spacing. The proposals should be submitted electronically only on http://www.grants.gov. An electronic copy of the proposal must also be submitted to the FTA Project Manager. The cover sheet or front page of the proposal shall include the name, address, and phone number of an individual to whom correspondence and questions about the application may be directed. In addition, an SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance form must be completed and submitted with the proposal. The form may be obtained at http://www.grants.gov. Each proposal shall include a Technical Plan, Financial Plan, and a Management and Staffing Plan that describes how the proposed objectives will be met within the specified time frame and budget. Technical Plan General Requirements The proposal must provide a comprehensive and concise plan that ensures development and deployment of the agreements and technology necessary to support the development and implementation of a RIAS MAP system. The technical plan must contain a description of the local area/jurisdiction where the operational test will take place. This description should include size, population, income levels, economy, and other supporting information as necessary. In addition, a full description of the proposed RIAS transit environment including ridership statistics (fare structure, number of routes), modes, legacy/current/future ITS, and agency coordination, should be included. Project Overview In addition to general project overview, the following should be highlighted: 1. Describe how the existing infrastructure will be expanded and used to support the proposed RIAS system. Identify existing technological and institutional linkages within and across agencies. 2. Describe the proposed system, including new and improved services, and how it will be integrated with ITS infrastructure as well as other non-transportation applications and participating private sector institutions (if applicable). 3. Summarize the expectations of the proposed system (e.g., costs, benefits, risks, operations, maintenance issues, plans, and system support). Technical Approach The Technical Approach will be judged on its ability to incorporate the requirements of a regionally coordinated and integrated public transit system. FTA recognizes that a considerable number of technologies are available to transit agencies and that no one proposal will be able to incorporate all of the ideas presented in this document. However, proposals will be evaluated on the partys willingness to coordinate with various agencies and implement the necessary technology to ensure the agency coordination is both successful and beneficial to the operating agency and customer. Within the Technical Approach, the following areas must be clearly addressed: 1. Define and describe the goals and objectives of the system, and each of the service providers participating in the proposed RIAS MAP system. Address both customer service and operating efficiency. 2. Describe the system design concept. Include evidence of consumer input in design. 3. Describe the extent of proposed agency coordination, technologies to be used, system integration, and partners. 4. Describe implementation of the system in probable phases or sub phases with funding for each phase or sub phase clearly specified. 5. Document the schedule of work, assumptions and technical uncertainties, and propose specific approaches to resolve any uncertainties. 6. Describe the approach by which the system design concept will be refined, developed, and operationally tested. Include consumer participation and input in testing. 7. Show evidence that the project team has considered service delivery issues. Examples include: Who will use the enhanced transit benefits? What problems will it solve for the participating transportation providers? What are the anticipated benefits of the new system and how will the project team market the system to the user? 8. Describe the plan for including participation of persons with visual, cognitive, or learning disabilities in the design, testing, and implementation of the RIAS project. 9. Describe the plan for concluding the operational test, indicating whether hardware, software, and infrastructure will remain in service, be sold, or returned to participating vendors, if applicable. Describe how long the RIAS system will remain operational for independent evaluation. Management and Staffing Plan 1. Provide names and positions of all personnel related to managing the project 2. Identify key management and control responsibilities for the overall program 3. Provide a timeline and define key milestones and deliverables for the project 4. Provide estimated professional and technical staffing in staff-months and staff-hours 5. Demonstrate that the project manager is capable, available, and able to commit to a level of involvement that ensures project success 6. Include biographical data on key management personnel Financial Plan 1. Provide a description of total project costs 2. Provide a system budget, identifying costs for system design, development, implementation, project management, operations, maintenance, and evaluation support 3. Provide cost estimates by phase as defined in the Technical Approach 4. All financial commitments to the project, from both public and private sectors, shall be documented in a signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and included in the proposal 5. The proposal shall provide an in-depth description and assessment of the total cost of achieving the objectives of the implementation of advanced technology in the RIAS MAP project 6. The financial plan should describe a phased approach that delineates what will be accomplished with the project funding VII. Application Review Information Criteria The primary evaluation criterion for the proposal will be the degree to which the proposal demonstrates the potential for successfully implementing an integrated RIAS system. Significant consideration will be given to those projects that involve coordination among public agencies and/or private sectors for the enhancement of the overall transit system and utilize ITS technologies. Proposals must demonstrate local viability and must also show strong potential for providing the baseline for a national model. Proposals should emphasize the nature and arrangement of any public-private partnerships. Proposals should present the potential benefits as well as associated risks and costs to collaborating partners. In addition to the above general evaluation criteria, the FTA will use the following specific criteria in evaluating the proposals: 1. Local Share - proposals with greater levels of private and local funding contributions (cost sharing) will be given preference. 2. Qualifications and experience - qualifications and experience of individuals and organizations with respect to project management and technical capabilities. 3. Interagency coordination - ability to demonstrate the potential for successful coordination among participating agencies and organizations in providing transportation services for customers/clients. 4. System interoperability - ability to integrate RIAS technologies with other ITS systems (e.g., existing AVL, APC, and GIS systems) to produce an interoperable, multi-agency system. 5. Ability to upgrade and expand the system - ability to upgrade the system with additional RIAS technologies functionality, and to expand the system to include additional organizations and customers/clients. 6. Number of transportation providers and other organizations involved - the number of transportation providers and other organizations involved in the project should be large enough to demonstrate operational efficiencies and cost savings, but not too large to impede the feasibility and practicality of the project. 7. Geographic coverage - a significant percentage of the geographic area in which transportation services are provided should implement RIAS technology. 8. System cost - the cost of the project should reflect the scope of the project. 9. Consumer input - the project should involve significant participation of the consumers who have visual, cognitive and learning disabilities, during design and testing. 10. Reasonableness to execute plan - the project should have a reasonable chance of being successfully executed, schedules met and milestones reached. Proposals will be accepted immediately, as of the issue date of this RFP. Each proposal will be evaluated on its own merits against the above criteria (as opposed to a competitive process). Review and Selection Process The FTA will establish a proposal review panel to evaluate all eligible applications based on the criteria and requirements defined in this Notice. The FTA panelists may include Federal agencies outside of the U.S. DOT to provide diversified perspectives and expertise related to human service transportation. VIII. Award Administration Information Award Notices It is anticipated that successful applicants will be notified within 15 days from the closing date of this RFP. The FTA Project Manager will notify the successful applicants. Administrative and National Policy Requirements Following receipt of the FTA notification letter, the successful applicants will be required to submit their proposal through the FTA Transportation Electronic Award and Management (TEAM) system website. FTA will manage the cooperative agreement using the TEAM system website. Before FTA may award Federal financial assistance through a cooperative agreement, each applicant must submit all certifications and assurances pertaining to itself and its project as required by Federal laws and regulations. Since Federal fiscal year 1995, FTA has been consolidating the various certifications and assurances that may be required of its awardees and the projects into a single document published in the Federal Register. Fiscal year 2006 Annual List of Certifications and Assurances for FTA Grants and Cooperative Agreements and guidelines are published in the Federal Register and posted on the FTA Web site at http://www.fta.dot.gov. The recipient must comply with all program requirements, including reporting requirements, set forth in FTA Circular 6100.1C Transit Research and Technology Programs found at http://www.fta.dot.gov/396_14724_ENG_HTML.htm. Deliverables After the project is awarded, the recipient will submit a Statement of Work (SOW) which is mutually agreed by the FTA and the recipient. The SOW will include a detailed project plan and project deliverables for the entire project duration. IX. Document Requirements The following items are required for the RIAS MAP project: 1. Completion of SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance form (see section V.A above), 2. Signed Certifications and Assurances, and 3. Executed FTA Cooperative Agreement, which incorporates FTAs Master Agreement by reference. X. Additional Resources There are a number of resources available that may help in responding to this RFP. The FTA website has information about FTA, application forms, statutory, and administrative requirements, etc. Applicants are encouraged to use the FTA website as much as is needed. They are also invited to visit the transit technology websites listed below. 1. Federal Transit Administration-http://www.fta.dot.gov 2. ITS Joint Program Office-http://www.its.dot.gov 3. ITS America-http://www.itsa.org 4. United We Ride Initiative-http://www.unitedweride.gov 5. Guidelines for Accessible Public Right of Ways, November 23, 2005 6. U.S. DOT, FTA, Advanced Public Transportation Systems: The State of the Art Update 2006, March 2006 7. U.S. DOT, FHWA, "ITS Deployment Guidance for Transit Systems," April 1997 What is Grants.gov? Grants.gov allows organizations to electronically find and apply for competitive grant opportunities from all Federal grant-making agencies. Grants.gov is THE single access point for over 900 grant programs offered by the 26 Federal grant-making agencies. The US Department of Health and Human Services is proud to be the managing partner for Grants.gov, an initiative that will have an unparalleled impact on the grant community. Register with Grants.gov Anyone intending to apply electronically for a Federal Transit Administration Program grant should initiate the process of registering on the GRANTS.GOV site immediately to ensure completion of registration before the deadline for submission. Visit http://www.grants.gov/ and select "Get Started" to learn more about how to register. There are several steps in this process, including Step 1. Register Your Organization Step 2. Register Yourself as an AOR Step 3. Get Authorized as an AOR by Your Organization Step 4. Install the PureEdge Viewer on your computer Determine if you are Eligible Before you apply, read the opportunity carefully to determine if your company and your project are eligible. Download the Application Package Once you have located the grant opportunity on grants.gov, click the "How to Apply" button to select application forms and instruction for download. You must have the PureEdge viewer installed on your computer to work with these forms. Complete the Application Package The FTA Program Grant Application Package contains 2 Forms: 1. Standard Form 424 2. Optional Other Attachments Standard Form 424 You MUST fill out all yellow highlighted fields. These fields are also marked with an asterisk *. Please note that some fields only allow for numeric values, such as congressional district. Optional Other Attachments You should attach any additional documents using this form as indicated by the opportunity. Documents in Word/.DOC, .TXT, and .PDF formats are acceptable. Submit the Application Package Once all registration and forms have been completed, you should be able to submit the application package to our offices for processing. If your application package has errors, be sure to read the error messages carefully and correct them; packages with errors cannot be submitted. Once you have submitted your application package to grants.gov, you will be notified by email when your application package has been retrieved by FTA Program offices. After that time, Please refer to the Grants.gov #/Project Number, and the Funding Opportunity Number /Project Title provided in that email when inquiring for any reason about your application. Assistance If you have any technical difficulty in downloading the application package, installing any plug-ins, or opening and saving any forms, Visit http://www.grants.gov/ and select "Customer Support" for FAQ, and other assistance. If you require additional information regarding the program to which you are applying, such as questions regarding eligibility, application review procedures, or award administration that are not covered by these instructions, contact the Program Manager indicated on the opportunity. 2 12