((a)) ** .—** In the interest of fulfilling the general purposes of this chapter under section 5301(b), the Secretary shall—

((1)) better coordinate public and private sector-provided public transportation services;

((2)) promote more effective utilization of private sector expertise, financing, and operational capacity to deliver costly and complex new fixed guideway capital projects; and

((3)) promote transparency and public understanding of public-private partnerships affecting public transportation.

((b)) ** .—** The Secretary shall—

((1)) provide technical assistance to recipients of Federal transit grant assistance, at the request of a recipient, on practices and methods to best utilize private providers of public transportation; and

((2)) educate recipients of Federal transit grant assistance on laws and regulations under this chapter that impact private providers of public transportation.

((c)) ** .—** Upon request by a sponsor of a new fixed guideway capital project, the Secretary shall—

((1)) identify best practices for public-private partnerships models in the United States and in other countries;

((2)) develop standard public-private partnership transaction model contracts; and

((3)) perform financial assessments that include the calculation of public and private benefits of a proposed public-private partnership transaction.

((d)) ** .—** Nothing in this section shall be construed to alter—

((1)) the eligibilities, requirements, or priorities for assistance provided under this chapter; or

((2)) the requirements of section 5306(a).