Agency User Guide 1 February 05, 2013 | Leading the Nation in Transportation Excellence | www.mass.gov/massdot Notice of Nondiscrimination Rights and Protections to Beneficiaries Federal “Title VI/Nondiscrimination” Protections The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) operates its programs, services, and activities in compliance with federal nondiscrimination laws including Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI), the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987, and related statutes and regulations. Title VI prohibits discrimination in federally assisted programs and requires that no person in the United States of America shall, on the grounds of race, color, or national origin (including limited English proficiency), be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal assistance. Related federal nondiscrimination laws administrated by the Federal Highway Administration, the Federal Transit Administration, or both prohibit discrimination on the basis of age, sex, and disability. These protected categories are contemplated within MassDOT’s Title VI Programs consistent with federal interpretation and administration. Additionally, MassDOT provides meaningful access to its programs, services, and activities to individuals with limited English proficiency, in compliance with US Department of Transportation policy and guidance on federal Executive Order 13166. State Nondiscrimination Protections MassDOT also complies with the Massachusetts Public Accommodation Law, M.G.L. c 272 §§ 92a, 98, 98a, prohibiting making any distinction, discrimination, or restriction in admission to or treatment in a place of public accommodation based on race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability, or ancestry. Likewise, MassDOT complies with the Governor’s Executive Order 526, section 4 requiring all programs, activities, and services provided, performed, licensed, chartered, funded, regulated, or contracted for by the state shall be conducted without unlawful discrimination based on race, color, age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, creed, ancestry, national origin, disability, veteran's status (including Vietnam-era veterans), or background. Additional Information To request additional information regarding Title VI and related federal and state nondiscrimination obligations, please contact: Title VI Specialist MassDOT, Office of Diversity and Civil Rights 10 Park Plaza Boston, MA 02116 857-368-8580 TTY: 857-368-0603 MASSDOT.CivilRights@state.ma.us Complaint Filing To file a complaint alleging a violation of Title VI or related federal nondiscrimination law, contact the Title VI Specialist (above) within 180 days of the alleged discriminatory conduct. To file a complaint alleging a violation of the state’s Public Accommodation Law, contact the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination within 300 days of the alleged discriminatory conduct at: Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD) One Ashburton Place, 6th Floor Boston, MA 02109 617-994-6000 TTY: 617-994-6196 Translation English: If this information is needed in another language, please contact the MassDOT Title VI Specialist at 857-368-8580. Portuguese: Caso esta informação seja necessária em outro idioma, favor contar o Especialista em Título VI do MassDOT pelo telefone 857-368-8580. Spanish: Si necesita esta información en otro idioma, por favor contacte al especialista de MassDOT del Título VI al 857-368-8580. Chinese Simplified: (mainland & Singapore): 如果需要使用其它语言了解信息,请联系马萨诸塞州 交通部(MassDOT)《民权法案》第六章专员,电话857-368-8580。 Chinese Traditional: (Hong Kong & Taiwan): 如果需要使用其它語言了解信息,請聯繫馬薩諸塞 州交通部(MassDOT)《民權法案》第六章專員,電話857-368-8580。 Russian: Если Вам необходима данная информация на любом другом языке, пожалуйста, свяжитесь со cпециалистом по Титулу VI Департамента Транспорта штата Массачусетс (MassDOT) по тел: 857-368-8580. Haitian Creole: Si yon moun vle genyen enfòmasyon sa yo nan yon lòt lang, tanpri kontakte Espesyalis MassDOT Title VI la nan nimewo 857-368-8580. Vietnamese: Nếu quý vị cần thông tin này bằng tiếng khác, vui lòng liên hệ Chuyên viên Luật VI của MassDOT theo số điện thoại 857-368-8580. French: Si vous avez besoin d'obtenir une copie de la présente dans une autre langue, veuillez contacter le spécialiste du Titre VI de MassDOT en composant le 857-368-8580. Italian: Se ha bisogno di ricevere queste informazioni in un’altra lingua si prega di contattare lo Specialista MassDOT del Titolo VI al numero 857-368-8580. Khmer: ប្រសិនបរើបោក-អ្នកប្រូវការរកប្ប្រព័រ៌មានបនេះ សូមទាក់ទកអ្នកឯកបទសប ើជំពូកទី6 ររស់MassDot តាមរយៈប ខទូរស័ពទ 857- 368-8580 Arabic: يُرجى االتصال بأخصائي الفقرة السادسة على،إن كنت بحاجة إلى هذه المعلومات بلغة أخرى 857- 368-8580 الهاتف Table of Contents Section 1: Introduction ....................................................................................... 2 1.1 What is BlackCat Grant Management System? ...................................... 2 1.2 This User’s Guide ...................................................................................... 2 Section 2: Getting Started .................................................................................. 3 2.1 User Access ............................................................................................... 3 2.2 Access Location ........................................................................................ 3 Section 3: Dashboard Page ............................................................................... 4 3.1 Overview .................................................................................................... 4 Section 4: Projects.............................................................................................. 6 4.1 Upload Certifications and Assurances .................................................... 6 4.2 Creating a New Project ............................................................................. 8 4.3 Add a Funding Request .......................................................................... 10 4.4 Completing an Application ..................................................................... 12 Additional Information .................................................................................. 17 BlackCat Grants_MassDOT_ User’s Guide_ v1_020513 2/5/2013 Page 1 User’s Guide Section 1: Introduction 1.1 What is BlackCat Grant Management System? Panther International, LLC is proud to offer the BlackCat Grant Management System, a grant management application developed specifically for the transportation industry BlackCat Grants is a secure, web-based system designed and developed to facilitate the storage, management, and analysis of transportation grants and funding resource information for agency staff, Department of Transportation (DOT) personnel, and other governmental entities requiring grant management, specific funding information and historical archives. This tool will be utilized to coordinate budget and grant tracking, facilitate project management, and guide project planning and funding in one easily accessible database 1.2 This User’s Guide This user’s guide was created to assist transit agencies and other the designated users with the efficient use and operation of the BlackCat Grants application. If additional help is needed, a user can contact a system support representative by selecting the “Online Support” link at the bottom of every page. A representative will respond to both phone and email inquiries. Additional “Help” features can be accessed as available throughout the application BlackCat Grants_MassDOT_ User’s Guide_ v1_020513 2/5/2013 Page 2 Section 2: Getting Started 2.1 User Access Please request a username and password from your DOT representative in order to access and begin using the BlackCat Grants system. Your representative will provide user access information for authorized users only Please note: Once you have received your user access information and have logged into the system, you can select the ‘My Account’ feature (in the upper right corner of the screen) and change your user access information at anytime 2.2 Access Location BlackCat Grants is a secure, web-based application. To locate the BlackCat Grants login screen, go to: http://ma.blackcatgrants.com. Enter your username and password to gain access to the application Please note: The website address (URL) is subject to change. Users will be notified in advance of any URL address changes BlackCat Grants_MassDOT_ User’s Guide_ v1_020513 2/5/2013 Page 3 Section 3: Dashboard Page 3.1 Overview Users will log on and initially access the Dashboard page. (see Figure 3.1a) The Dashboard page provides key information: • System announcement information • Other components will be added as increased functionality is added to the system (Figure 3.1a) The Announcement section provides information applicable to all users including critical announcements, bulletins, or upcoming maintenance periods The application is sub-divided into several tabs. Each agency user will have access to the Dashboard page, Projects section, Organizations page, Resources section, and Reports page and each of these sections can be accessed by the tabs across the top of the application (see Figure 3.1b) (Figure 3.1b) Additional features are located in the upper right corner of the application (see Figure 3.1c) BlackCat Grants_MassDOT_ User’s Guide_ v1_020513 2/5/2013 Page 4 (Figure 3.1c) The My Account feature allows the user to change certain profile information. Each user is identified by a User Name that is not editable. But other information such as: first name, last name, phone number, email address, password can be changed as needed by the user (see Figure 3.1d) (Figure 3.1d) Also located in the upper right corner of the application is a Logout option for the user to properly exit the application. And the Help link will list all available help information and any new edits (as additional information becomes available) (see Figure 3.1e) (Figure 3.1e) The BlackCat Grants Support Phone Line, Accessibility Info, and Contact Support options are located at the bottom right corner and should be used to request any variety of user technical assistance (see Figure 3.1f) (Figure 3.1f) BlackCat Grants_MassDOT_ User’s Guide_ v1_020513 2/5/2013 Page 5 Section 4: Projects Select the Projects tab. (see Figure 4.0a) (Figure 4.0a) All project information and requests for funding will be submitted and stored in this section. A user will be able to access this section at any time to review any current, open or closed projects for his/her agency However, before a new project can be added for the current fiscal year, an executed version of the federal and state Certifications and Assurances must be uploaded in the Organizations section (see Figure 4.0a - above) 4.1 Upload Certifications and Assurances To Upload a current Certification and Assurances document: • Select the Organizations tab • Select the Certification tab in the left hand navigation. (see Figure 4.1a) (Figure 4.1a) BlackCat Grants_MassDOT_ User’s Guide_ v1_020513 2/5/2013 Page 6 • Select the Certification and Assurances link to download the current version of this form (see Figure 4.1b) (Figure 4.1b) • The Certification and Assurances document will open. It should be printed, properly executed, and scanned so that it can be uploaded into the designated area provided (see Figure 4.1c) (Figure 4.1c) • Select the current Fiscal Year • Check to attest that this is a properly executed version of the Certifications and Assurances • Select Upload to upload the document • Once this is complete, you will be able to create projects for the selected Fiscal Year (see Figure 4.1d) BlackCat Grants_MassDOT_ User’s Guide_ v1_020513 2/5/2013 Page 7 (Figure 4.1d) • Select the Certification and Assurances document will open, should be printed, properly executed, and then uploaded in the area provided (see Figure 4.1c) 4.2 Creating a New Project To Create a New Project: • Select the Projects tab • Select the Add New button. (see Figure 4.2a) (Figure 4.2a) • The Project Details page will appear. BlackCat Grants_MassDOT_ User’s Guide_ v1_020513 2/5/2013 Page 8 • A FTA Line Item Code must be selected that closely matches the description or type of the project or item to be funded. To do this, select the Lookup button. (see Figure 4.2b) (Figure 4.2b) • Select the appropriate Category • Select the corresponding FTA Line Item Code/Description that best represents the Project • The select the Select Code button to save the option (see Figure 4.2c) (Figure 4.2c) BlackCat Grants_MassDOT_ User’s Guide_ v1_020513 2/5/2013 Page 9 • Select the Year the project needs to be funded • Provide the Total Estimated Cost of the project, the Priority for that year, and any Notes related to the project • Then select Save to create the project (see Figure 4.2d) (Figure 4.2d) • The resulting view is the Project Summary for the new project (see Figure 4.2e) (Figure 4.2e) 4.3 Add a Funding Request • To submit a project for funding consideration, a Funding Request and Application must be completed and submitted • Select the Add New button in the Funding Requests section (see Figure 4.3a) BlackCat Grants_MassDOT_ User’s Guide_ v1_020513 2/5/2013 Page 10 (Figure 4.3a) • Select the Add New button in the Requests section to enter the specific type of funding you are requesting (see Figure 4.3b) (Figure 4.3b) • Select the Type of Funding that is being requested • Select the specific Fund Source • Provide the Amount of funds requested from this fund source • Repeat this process to add additional federal, state or local match amounts until the total amount of all requests equals the total amount of the project (see Figure 4.3c and 4.3.d) BlackCat Grants_MassDOT_ User’s Guide_ v1_020513 2/5/2013 Page 11 (Figure 4.3c) (Figure 4.3d) 4.4 Completing an Application • To submit a project for funding consideration of a competitive funding program, most funding programs require an application to be fully completed and submitted. The selection of the funding programs will determine the type of application required • Once the Funding Request has been created, the appropriate Application will be served up in a link of the predominate funding request (see Figure 4.4a) • Select the Application link (see Figure 4.4a) BlackCat Grants_MassDOT_ User’s Guide_ v1_020513 2/5/2013 Page 12 (Figure 4.4a) • The Application will open in a separate browser. Work can be saved and user can return to make edits to the application as needed up until it is submitted for review (see Figure 4.4b) (Figure 4.4b) • Users can utilize the navigation on the left hand side to go to specific sections of the application (see Figure 4.4b above) • Users are encouraged to use the Save buttons at the end of each section to save all work entered so that no data is lost if the application needs to be closed (see Figure 4.4c) • Arrow Icons are available to take the user back to the top of the page when seeking to select another navigation option (see Figure 4.4c) BlackCat Grants_MassDOT_ User’s Guide_ v1_020513 2/12/2013 Page 13 (Figure 4.4c) • Most currency and budget sections assist in calculating values and providing uniform options to assist the applicant and ease the possibility of error (see Figure 4.4d) BlackCat Grants_MassDOT_ User’s Guide_ v1_020513 2/5/2013 Page 14 (Figure 4.4d) • Users will be asked to upload specific supporting documentation to help justify the funding request (see Figure 4.4e) (Figure 4.4e) • Once the application is complete and ready to submit, check the box in the Submit Application section to attest that the application has been properly completed • Select Submit. The browser will close (see Figure 4.4f) BlackCat Grants_MassDOT_ User’s Guide_ v1_020513 2/5/2013 Page 15 (Figure 4.4f) • When the browser closes, a Submit button will be available in the Request Summary area • Select Submit to send the application to review. Please note: that once an application is submitted it can still be viewed but it can no longer be edited (see Figure 4.4g) (Figure 4.4g) • Once submitted, the status of the Funding Request will change to Submitted on the Project Summary page. The status field can then be monitored for further status changes as the request moves through the funding cycle (see Figure 4.4h) (Figure 4.4h) BlackCat Grants_MassDOT_ User’s Guide_ v1_020513 2/5/2013 Page 16 Additional Information For additional information, please contact: Scott Entin BlackCat Grants Product Manager Panther International, LLC Scott@PantherInternational.com 727.556.0990 x1007 BlackCat Grants_MassDOT_ User’s Guide_ v1_020513 2/5/2013 Page 17 1