FTA Oversight Procedures - Federal Transit Administration - U.S. ...

including: the applicability of Federal regulations, alternative procurement practices; procurement
planning; solicitation; award; DBE; Contract Clauses; the pros and cons of design versus performance
specifications; Contract Administration; Close out; Disputes. It provides references to all relevant
legislation, regulations, letters and circulars.
This comprehensive document provides guidance on the whole project cycle, providing further guidance
on:
• Evaluation of projects at low levels of specification (below 10%), defining program goals, and
relating vehicle procurements to program goals;
• Procurement methodologies leading to best value;
• Advantages and issues with performance based specifications and FTA position on this issue;
• Steps required in assuring specification compliance;
• Laws and regulations pertaining to procurement of Transit Systems using Federal Funds.
5.0 PROJECT SPONSOR SUBMITTALS
The PMOC shall develop a program of submittal review that is intended to assure the FTA’s interests are
protected economically, and not be a duplication of the work undertaken by the sponsor and its
consultants. Under 49 U.S.C. 5325, 18 CFR 18.36(i), 49 CFR 633.17 all supplier submittals are available
as sponsor submittals to the PMOC. Some of the key documents and papers that require attention from the
PMOC are discussed below:
5.1 EIS/EIR
Primarily, the PMOC shall confirm that the intended vehicle does not potentially conflict with any
statements made in the EIS/EIR. List any discrepancies and bring them to the attention of the grantee.
Report action taken by grantee.
5.2 Grant Application
Does the vehicle under consideration fulfill the needs stated in the grant application? Pay attention to
fulfilling operational needs, cost to procure vehicles, maintenance intentions, and prospects for add-on
procurements. List any discrepancies and bring them to the attention of the grantee. Report action taken
by grantee.
5.3 Useful Reading
In review of the Specification in its developmental stages, the PMOC should pay particular attention to:
• Comparing the vehicle being procured with the vehicle required to satisfy the EIS;
• Determining whether the payment schedule provides the leverage required to assure
compliance. Special attention must be paid to payment schedules that are front loaded (even if
justified on fiscal grounds) to assure that the project sponsor retains sufficient funds to
maintain the supplier’s attention;
• Assuring the key technical documents will be approved before hardware delivery;
• Identifying whether the vehicle to be delivered can be maintained by the resources at the
grantee’s disposal;
OP26B Bus and Rail Vehicle Technical Review
Revision 0, June 2008
Page 3 of 6