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Evaluation Criteria

Hampton Roads Area Coordinated Human Services Plan JARC & New Freedom Project Evaluation Criteria

In addition to the requirement for all JARC and New Freedom projects to be derived from a locally developed, Coordinated Human Service Mobility Plan, projects must be selected on a competitive basis. Applicants should provide the following information as part of their application:

Project Needs/Goals and Objectives (maximum 25%)

  • Describe the unmet need (expand upon the information identified in the Coordinated Plan) that the project seeks to address. How will these needs be addressed?
  • Estimate the number of people within the target population the project will serve and briefly describe the rationale for the projection – total number of people to be served and average number of one-way trips provided (if applicable) per month. Also, if applicable, include the current percentage of low-income passengers and/or passengers with disabilities.
  • Describe the service area and community. (Add tables, charts, maps to support your responses.)
  • What other solutions have been explored? Why was this project chosen as the best approach?
  • (For New Freedom project) describe how the requested funds (capital or operating) are used to provide a “new service”. Provide specific information how the projects/funding will address gaps in current service for your community. Will the project also help meet transportation needs outside this population (if yes, explain how)?

Implementation Plan (maximum 20%)

  • Provide an operational plan for providing service. Include time tables and maps (if applicable) showing the service coverage from the project.
  • Provide a description on how the agency intends to implement the project – describe process. Include a timeline for project implementation.
  • Explain how the project relates to other services or programs provided by the agency and community, and demonstrate how it can be achieved with the agency’s technical ability.
  • Describe how the agency will market the project to the target population and how the agency will promote public awareness of the program.
  • How does the project improve safety and mobility?

Ability of Applicant/Sustainability of Project (maximum 30%)

  • Provide number of years the applicant has provided services/transportation for low-income persons and/or individuals with disabilities.
  • Provide information on the number of agency personnel (e.g., management/ administrative staff, existing drivers, etc.) to support the project. Will the agency hire additional personnel to support the project? Identify relevant qualifications and training for these staff.
  • Identify the agency’s plan to sustain the proposed program beyond FTA Coordination funds requested.
  • Describe the agency’s vehicle maintenance program (if applicable), addressing the following:
    • Pre-trip inspections
    • Preventive and routine maintenance
    • Contingency Plan for when equipment is out of service
  • What is the cost per individual (unduplicated) rider? Include Managerial staff time + coordination time + driver’s time + other operational costs such as fuel and insurance. For example if the project is estimated at $100,000 and there are 100 people served, the cost would be $1,000 per person.
  • What is the cost per trip? Include Managerial staff time + coordination time + driver’s time + other operational costs such as fuel and insurance. For example if the project is estimated at $100,000 and there are 100 people riding, 2 times per day, 5 days per week, the cost would be $100 per trip.

Coordination Efforts (maximum 25%)

  • In addition to participation in the Coordinated Human Service Mobility Plan, identify ways in which applicant will continue to involve key stakeholders on a consistent basis.
  • Describe how the project will be coordinated with other public transportation or social service programs in the area. Please be as detailed as possible, including identification of any agency(ies) with which you will be coordinating. Describe how your agency will:
    • Share vehicles with other agencies;
    • Share dispatching or scheduling duties;
    • Share in maintenance costs;
    • Coordinate client trips;
    • Coordinate staff training program;
    • Other strategies.

    Or, if none of these, why not?

    • If applicant is a public agency, how were private sector partners included in developing the project?
    • If applicant is a private agency, how were public sector partners included in developing the project?
  • Describe consultation that has occurred with private provider(s) on how to achieve this project’s objectives. If none, explain why.