New Freedom Program
Program Objective
The New Freedom program (Section 5317) provided grants for new capital and operating projects aimed at reducing, beyond the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, transportation barriers faced by individuals with disabilities to expand mobility through transportation, including transportation to and from jobs and employment support services. The New Freedom Program was repealed under MAP-21; however, New Freedom type projects are eligible for funding under the new Section 5310 Program (Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Program – Circular FTA C 9070.1H; Assistance Listing 20.536)
Eligibility
Eligible Applicants
- U.S. State Government
- Federally Recognized Tribal Government
- Local Government Consortium
- Nonprofit Organization
- Transit Authority
The chief executive officer of each State or an official designee must designate a public entity to be the recipient for New Freedom funds. In urbanized areas with populations less than 200,000 and in non-urbanized areas, the State is the designated recipient. For these areas, the chief executive officer of a State designates a State agency responsible for administering the New Freedom Program, and officially notifies the appropriate Federal Transit Administration (FTA) regional office in writing of that designation. The chief executive officer of a State may designate the State agency that receives Other Than Urbanized Area (Non-urbanized Area, Section 5311) and/or the Elderly Individuals and Individuals with Disabilities (Section 5310) Program funds to be the New Freedom recipient, or the chief executive officer of a State may designate a different agency. In urbanized areas over 200,000 in population, the recipient charged with administering the New Freedom Program must be officially designated through a process consistent with 49 U.S.C. 5307(a)(2): an entity designated in accordance with the planning process under Sections 5303, 5304, and 5306, by the chief executive officer of a State, responsible local officials, and publicly owned operators of public transportation, to receive and apportion amounts under Section 5336 that are attributable to transportation management areas identified under Section 5303.
How to Apply
Award Procedure
The New Freedom Program has been repealed. No funding will be appropriated in FY 2014 or beyond. For previously awarded FTA New Freedom grants, awards and funds are obligated in an electronic grant agreement. The recipient must execute the grant agreement, and access FTA's electronic funds management system; the funds management system allows the grantee to drawdown funds after invoices are received. The grantee directs funds to subrecipients.
It is a goal of the Federal Transit Administration to obligate grants within 36 days of the submission of a complete grant application.
Program details & compliance
Description
The New Freedom program (Section 5317) provided grants for new capital and operating projects aimed at reducing, beyond the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, transportation barriers faced by individuals with disabilities to expand mobility through transportation, including transportation to and from jobs and employment support services. The New Freedom Program was repealed under MAP-21; however, New Freedom type projects are eligible for funding under the new Section 5310 Program (Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Program – Circular FTA C 9070.1H).
Mission Categories
Primary: Urban Mass Transit
Use of Funds
Allowed Uses
To be eligible, a project had to either be a new public transportation service or a public transportation alternative beyond those required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the project must assist individuals with disabilities with transportation, including transportation to and from jobs and employment support services. Capital and operating expenses for projects that meet the purpose of the statute are eligible to be funded. The recipient may use up to 10 percent of apportioned funds for administration, planning, and technical assistance.
Required Documentation
Compliance with FTA's Annual list of Certifications and Assurances was required. Eligible costs were in accordance with 2CFR200. The New Freedom program provided grants for new capital and operating projects aimed at reducing, beyond the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, transportation barriers faced by individuals with disabilities to assist with transportation, including transportation to and from jobs and employment support services. The New Freedom Program was repealed under MAP-21; however, New Freedom projects are eligible for funding under the new Section 5310 Program.
Matching Requirements
New Freedom funds may be used to finance capital and operating expenses. The Federal share of eligible capital and planning costs may not exceed 80 percent of the net cost of the activity. The Federal share of the eligible operating costs may not exceed 50 percent of the net operating costs of the activity. Recipients may use up to 10 percent of their apportionment to support program administrative costs including administration, planning, and technical assistance, which may be funded at 100 percent Federal share. The local share of eligible capital and planning costs shall be no less than 20 percent of the net cost of the activity, and the local share for eligible operating costs shall be no less than 50 percent of the net operating costs.
Reporting & Compliance
Applicable 2 CFR 200 Subparts
- Subpart B — General Provisions
- Subpart C — Pre-Federal Award Requirements
- Subpart D — Post-Federal Award Requirements
- Subpart F — Audit Requirements