Tribal Transportation Program Assistance

In 2006, SAFETEA-LU authorizing legislation created a new Tribal Transit Program (TTP). Under the TTP, Federally recognized Indian tribes were eligible direct recipients of FTA funds. From FY 2006 to FY 2012, FTA awarded TTP grants directly to eligible Tribes based upon an annual national competitive selection process. In 2012, under MAP-21, TTP funding doubled from the levels authorized by SAFETEA-LU and created a formula program.

In 2010, FTA contracted with DMP to develop the first of its kind TTP Technical Assistance Assessment Program. In coordination with FTA, DMP developed a pilot program designed to assess Tribes’ understanding of FTA requirements, transit system operation guidance, and best practices, and to provide technical assistance to Tribes to support the provision of public transportation on Tribal lands. DMP developed program guidance, assessment tools, standard operating procedures, risk assessment models, and a technical assistance resource library. In 2012, FTA made the TTP Technical Assistance and Assessment Program a standing program. In 2015, the technical assistance program for Tribal Transit recipients DMP developed with FTA was selected for a U.S. DOT Secretary Team Award for “Tribal Assessments and Technical Assistance – For developing a new Tribal Transit technical assistance assessment project to support excellence and effectiveness in Tribal Nations implementation of grants.” DMP continues to support FTA’s TTP Technical Assistance and Assessment Program, conducting approximately 20 TTP Technical Assistance Assessments each year, along with conducting large-group TTP training and targeted technical assistance. DMP is the only FTA contractor resource with substantial experience performing program oversight of Tribal transit operators.

Based on our work with FTA’s TTP Technical Assistance and Assessment Program, in 2015, the Federal Highway Administration – Federal Lands Highway (FHWA-FLH) contracted with DMP to help further develop a similar Tribal Transportation Program. FHWA-FLH’s objective was to fulfill its responsibility to provide stewardship and oversight to ensure the efficient and effective administration of the program, mitigate program risk, and build grantee (Tribal)) capacity and sustainability.  In support of the achievement of FHWA-FLA’s objectives, DMP assisted FHWA-FLH by 1) establishing and periodically updating program guidance; 2) developing and delivering program training, and 3) conducting program reviews of its grantees (including Tribes and the Bureau of Indian Affairs) to assess grantee performance, monitor and manage risk, and confirm and facilitate grantee compliance.

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