RAILROAD SAFETY TECHNOLOGY GRANTS
The Department of Transportation's mission is to ensure fast, safe, efficient, accessible and convenient transportation that meets vital national interests and enhances the quality of life of the American people, today and into the future.
If necessary to contact a regional office, the contact information will be in a grant agreement.
Program Accomplishments
Not Applicable.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Projects that that make train control technologies interoperable between railroad systems, accelerate the deployment of train control technology on high risk corridors such as those that have high volumes of hazardous materials shipments or over which commuter or passenger trains operate or benefit both passenger and freight safety and efficiency.
Any proposed project that is merely an idea or a concept without prior proofs or tests to demonstrate its technical and scientific soundness will not be considered.
Proposed technologies or methods must be practical and reduce risks associated with completing the deployment of the core PTC network by December 31, 2015.
Grant funds may not be used for lobbying or in direct support of litigation.
Potential recipients should note these funds are awarded on project-by-project basis and are not block grants.
The detailed focus areas are defined in the agency announcement.
Grant funds may not be used for lobbying or in direct support of litigation.
Potential recipients should note these funds are awarded on project-by-project basis and are not block grants.
The detailed focus areas are defined in the agency announcement.
100 percent of the funds are discretionary grants.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Passenger and freight railroad carriers, railroad suppliers, and State and local governments.
Applicants need not have developed plans required under subsection 20156(e)(2) of title 49, United States Code section 20157 of such title.
Priority will be given to applicants who have completed the plans required under subsection 20156(e)(2) of title 49, United States Code section 20157
Individuals are not eligible for these awards.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Passenger and freight railroad carriers, railroad suppliers, and State and local governments.
Credentials/Documentation
U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Railroad Administration Assurances and Certification forms http://www.fra.dot.gov/downloads/admin/assurancesandcertifications.pdf.
Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, and Other Responsibility Matters-Primary Covered Transactions, Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusion-Lower Tier Covered Transactions, Certification Regarding Drug-Free Workplace Requirements, Certification Regarding Lobbying, Assurances-Non-Construction Programs, SF 424E, Certificate of Indirect Costs, Assurances - Construction Programs SF-424D. OMB Circular No. A-87 applies to this program.
Aplication and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
Preapplication coordination is not applicable.
Environmental impact information is not required for this program.
This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.
12372.
Application Procedures
OMB Circular No. A-102 applies to this program. OMB Circular No. A-110 applies to this program. The applicant must submit the following information: Application for Federal Assistance SF-424; U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Railroad Administration Assurances and Certification forms http://www.fra.dot.gov/downloads/admin/assurancesandcertifications.pdf; Certification Regarding Debarment, suspension, and other Responsibility Matters - Primary Covered Transactions; Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusion - Lower Tier Covered Transactions; Certification Regarding Drug-Free Workplace Requirements; Certification Regarding Lobbying; Assurances - Non-Construction Programs, SF 424E; Certificate of Indirect Costs; Detailed project descriptions, statement of work, and budgets; Description of work completed to date; and description of type and source of matching funds.
Award Procedures
FRA will review the application package to ensure that all required documents are complete and signed by the appropriate person. FRA will review the statement of work (SOW) and budget to ensure the appropriation language requirements are met. FRA will review the SOW for technical issues and budget for appropriate costs, including compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act and related laws and orders. A competitive comparison of applications to determine relative satisfaction of published selection criteria might occur for some grants. Following selection (if applicable) and after the application package is acceptable to both parties; a grant agreement is drafted, reviewed, and signed upon agreement by both parties. Detailed evaluation criteria are listed in the agency announcement. Preference will be given to proposals whose results will support interoperable PTC deployment by multiple railroads and have active railroad carrier participation. Grants will be awarded to applicants with the highest merit until the available funds are exhausted.
Deadlines
Contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate, for application deadlines.
Authorization
Section 105 of the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008, Public Law 110-432, 49 U.S.C 20158.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
60 to 120 days after submission deadline. Awards on high priority projects generally would take less time.
Appeals
Renewals generally require reapplication with a new proposal. Extensions can generally be handled under the terms of the original grant, cooperative agreement, or other transaction contingent upon availability of funding..
Renewals
Other - Not Specified.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Statutory Formula: Title 49, Part 20158.
Matching Requirements: Percent: 80.%. Federal funds for any eligible project shall not exceed 80 percent of the total cost of such project.
This program does not have MOE requirements.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Funds in the amount of $50 million will be available until expended. The specific period of performance for any single award will depend upon the complexity of the proposal, but in no case will the period of performance extend past December 31, 2015. Entities submitting proposals must identify and justify the expected duration to accomplish the work proposed. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: FRA will award grants for the full federal amount, however, recipients shall receive funds on a reimbursable basis.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Quarterly progress reports giving an account of significant progress (findings, events, trends, etc.) made during the reporting period, and a description of any technical and/or cost problems encountered or anticipated that will affect completion of the grant.
Transactions reports using SF-272, Federal Cash Transaction Report.
Are required quarterly.
Quarterly financial status reports using SF-425, Federal Financial Report.
Quarterly Federal Cash.
Program office provides oversight.
Audits
In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133. These audits are due to the FRA submitted through the Federal Audit Clearinghouse, not later than 9 months after the end of the grantees fiscal year.
Records
Each recipient must maintain sufficient records to permit determination that the funds were used appropriately for the award purpose. All financial records, supporting documents and all other records pertinent to the award shall be retained by the organization for at least 3 years from the submission date of the final financial status report.
Financial Information
Account Identification
69-0701-0-1-401.
Obigations
(Salaries) FY 09 $0; FY 10 est $50,000,000; FY 11 est $0 - These funds can be used for salaries and benefits.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
This is an initial announcement. FRA anticipates multiple awards not to exceed $50 million. Awards may be of any dollar value so long as those amounts do not exceed the total amount available.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
The Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-432) and associated regulations.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
None. If necessary to contact a regional office, the contact information will be in a grant agreement.
Headquarters Office
Mark Hartong, Office of Railroad Safety, Federal Railroad Administration, Mail Stop 25, 1200 New Jersey Ave SE. , Washington, District of Columbia 20590 Email: mark.hartong@dot.gov Phone: (202) 493-1332.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Any technology forming the basis for a proposal must be capable of application to improve the ability to timely deploy interoperable PTC systems that meet the requirements of Public Law 110-432. This may include improvements to the railroad capital equipment or infrastructure in train control and dispatching/traffic control systems, or to the quality improvement of processes and procedures of train operation. The work and cost estimates are reasonable and are within the scope of the appropriation language. For the grants competed, the selection criteria will be specified in the final regulations, and shall include, but shall not be limited to, prioritizing criteria defined in relevant authorizing and appropriations law, and criteria intended to ensure the timely completion of funding projects.
Social Entrepreneurship
Spotlight
Prisons and Social Enterprise
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