§ 601.3 General responsibilities.
The general responsibilities of each of the offices which comprise the headquarters organization of FTA are:
(a) Office of Administration. Directed by an Associate Administrator for Administration, this office develops and administers comprehensive programs to meet FTA's resource management and administrative support requirements in the following areas: Organization and management planning, information resources management, human resources, contracting and procurement, and administrative services.
(b) Office of Budget and Policy. Directed by an Associate Administrator for Budget and Policy, this office is responsible for policy development and performance measurement, strategic and program planning, program evaluation, budgeting, and accounting. The office provides policy direction on legislative proposals and coordinates the development of regulations. The office formulates and justifies FTA budgets within the Department of Transportation, to the Office of Management and Budget, and Congress. The office establishes apportionments and allotments for program and administrative funds, ensures that all funds are expended in accordance with Administration and congressional intent, and prepares and coordinates statutory reports to Congress. The office coordinates with and supports the Department of Transportation Chief Financial Officer on all FTA accounting and financial management matters. This office also serves as the audit liaison in responding to the Office of the Inspector General and the Government Accountability Office.
(c) Office of Chief Counsel. Directed by a Chief Counsel, this office provides legal advice and support to the Administrator and FTA management. The office is responsible for reviewing development and management of FTA-sponsored projects; representing the Administration before civil courts and administrative agencies; drafting and reviewing legislation and regulations to implement the Administration's programs; and working to ensure that the agency upholds the highest ethical standards. The office coordinates with and supports the U.S. Department of Transportation's General Counsel on FTA legal matters.
(d) Office of Civil Rights. Directed by an Associate Administrator for Civil Rights, this office ensures full implementation of civil rights and equal opportunity initiatives by all recipients of FTA assistance, and ensures nondiscrimination in the receipt of FTA benefits, employment, and business opportunities. The office advises and assists the Administrator and other FTA officials in ensuring compliance with applicable civil rights regulations, statutes and directives, including but not limited to the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) participation, and Equal Employment Opportunity, within FTA and in the conduct of federally assisted public transportation projects and programs. The office monitors the implementation of and compliance with civil rights requirements, investigates complaints, conducts compliance reviews, and provides technical assistance to recipients of FTA assistance and members of the public.
(e) Office of Communications and Congressional Affairs. Directed by an Associate Administrator for Communications and Congressional Affairs, this office is the agency's lead office for media relations, public affairs, and Congressional relations, providing quick response support to the agency, the public, and Members of Congress on a daily basis. The office distributes information about FTA programs and policies to the public, the transit industry, and other interested parties through a variety of media. This office also coordinates the Administrator's public appearances and is responsible for managing correspondence and other information directed to and issued by the Administrator and Deputy Administrator.
(f) Office of Planning and Environment. Directed by an Associate Administrator for Planning and Environment, this office administers a national program of planning assistance that provides funding, guidance, and technical support to State and local transportation agencies. In partnership with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), this office oversees a national program of planning assistance and certification of metropolitan and statewide planning organizations, implemented by FTA Regional Offices and FHWA Divisional Offices. The office provides national guidance and technical support in emphasis areas including planning capacity building, financial planning, transit-oriented development, joint development, project cost estimation, travel demand forecasting, and other technical areas. This office also oversees the Federal environmental review process as it applies to transit projects throughout the country, including implementation of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Clean Air Act, and related laws and regulations. The office provides national guidance and oversight of planning and project development for proposed major transit capital fixed guideway projects, commonly referred to as the Capital Investment Grants (CIG) program. In addition, this office is responsible for the evaluation and rating of proposed projects based on a set of statutory criteria, and applies these ratings as input to the Annual CIG Report and funding recommendations submitted to Congress, as well as for FTA approval required for CIG projects to advance into preliminary engineering, final design, and full funding grant agreements.
(g) Office of Program Management. Directed by an Associate Administrator for Program Management, this office administers a national program of capital and operating assistance by managing financial and technical resources and by directing program implementation. The office coordinates all grantee directed guidance, in the form of circulars and other communications, develops and distributes procedures and program guidance to assist the field staff in grant program administration and fosters responsible stewardship of Federal transit resources by facilitating and assuring consistent grant development and implementation nationwide (Statutory, Formula, Discretionary and Earmarks). This office manages the oversight program for agency formula grant programs and provides national expertise and direction in the areas of capital construction, rolling stock, and risk assessment techniques.
(h) Office of Research, Demonstration, and Innovation. Directed by an Associate Administrator for Research, Demonstration and Innovation, this office provides transit industry leadership in delivery of solutions that improve public transportation. The office undertakes research, development, and demonstration projects that help to increase ridership; improve capital and operating efficiencies; enhance safety and emergency preparedness; and better protect the environment and promote energy independence. The office leads FTA programmatic efforts under the National Research Programs (49 U.S.C. 5314).
(i) Office of Transit Safety and Oversight. Directed by an Associate Administrator for Transit Safety and Oversight, this office administers a national transit safety program and program compliance oversight process to advance the provision of safe, reliable, and equitable transit service through adherence to legislative, policy and regulatory requirements as established by FTA.
(j) Office of Regional Services. Directed by an Associate Administrator for Regional Services, this office promotes successful and accountable program delivery, national consistency, and effective communication and collaboration with the FTA Regional Offices, leveraging their expertise and experience to improve FTA's administration of programs. The Associate Administrator for Regional Services supports the regional teams responsible for effectively administering the national federal transit program by ensuring program stewardship and oversight; advancing consistent corporate business practices in the areas of performance management and risk management; increasing the use of data and information for decision making; and improving operational efficiency.