80_FR_15107 80 FR 15053 - Notice of Funding Availability and Solicitation of Applications for Magnetic Levitation Projects

80 FR 15053 - Notice of Funding Availability and Solicitation of Applications for Magnetic Levitation Projects

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 54 (March 20, 2015)

Page Range15053-15057
FR Document2015-06542

This notice of funding availability (NOFA or Notice) details the grant application requirements and submission procedures for obtaining up to $27.8 million in Federal funding, as authorized by sections 1101(a)(18) and 1307 of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU, Public Law 109-59 (August 10, 2005)), as amended by section 102 of the SAFETEA-LU Technical Corrections Act of 2008, Public Law 110-244 (June 6, 2008), for existing magnetic levitation (maglev) projects located east of the Mississippi River. Pursuant to the Joint Committee statement accompanying the SAFETEA-LU Technical Corrections Act, three projects are eligible for funding under this Notice: The ``Pittsburgh project'', the ``Baltimore-Washington project'', and the ``Atlanta- Chattanooga project''. FRA previously announced the availability of funds for maglev projects located east of the Mississippi River pursuant to a NOFA issued on October 16, 2008, but one of the selected applicants has decided not to pursue the project for which the funds were allocated resulting in the availability of the funds for this Notice. Funds awarded under this Notice can be used for preconstruction planning activities and capital costs of a viable maglev project.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 54 (Friday, March 20, 2015)
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 54 (Friday, March 20, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15053-15057]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-06542]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration


Notice of Funding Availability and Solicitation of Applications 
for Magnetic Levitation Projects

AGENCY: Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of funding availability.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This notice of funding availability (NOFA or Notice) details 
the grant application requirements and submission procedures for 
obtaining up to $27.8 million in Federal funding, as authorized by 
sections 1101(a)(18) and 1307 of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, 
Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU, 
Public Law 109-59 (August 10, 2005)), as amended by section 102 of the 
SAFETEA-LU Technical Corrections Act of 2008, Public Law 110-244 (June 
6, 2008), for existing magnetic levitation (maglev) projects located 
east of the Mississippi River. Pursuant to the Joint Committee 
statement accompanying the SAFETEA-LU Technical Corrections Act, three 
projects are eligible for funding under this Notice: The ``Pittsburgh 
project'', the ``Baltimore-Washington project'', and the ``Atlanta-
Chattanooga project''. FRA previously announced the availability of 
funds for maglev projects located east of the Mississippi River 
pursuant to a NOFA issued on October 16, 2008, but one of the selected 
applicants has decided not to pursue the project for which the funds 
were allocated resulting in the availability of the funds for this 
Notice. Funds awarded under this Notice can be used for preconstruction 
planning activities and capital costs of a viable maglev project.

DATES: Applications for funding under this NOFA are due no later than 
5:00 p.m. EST, April 20, 2015. Applications for funding received after 
5:00 p.m. EST on April 20, 2015, will not be considered. See Section 4 
of this Notice for additional information regarding the application 
process.

ADDRESSES: Applications must be submitted via Grants.gov. For any 
required or supporting application materials that an applicant is 
unable to submit via Grants.gov (such as oversized engineering 
drawings), an applicant may submit an original and two (2) copies to 
Renee Cooper, Office of Program Delivery, Federal Railroad 
Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Mail Stop 20, Washington, 
DC 20590. However, due to delays caused by enhanced screening of mail 
delivered via the U.S. Postal Service, applicants are advised to use 
other means of conveyance (such as courier service) to assure timely 
receipt of materials.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information regarding this 
Notice, please contact Renee Cooper, Office of Program Delivery, 
Federal Railroad Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Mail Stop 
20, Washington, DC 20590; Email: [email protected]; Phone: (202) 493-
0491; Fax: (202) 493-6333.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: FRA strongly suggests that applicants read 
this Notice in its entirety prior to preparing application materials. 
There are programmatic prerequisites and administrative requirements 
described herein that applicants must comply with in order to submit an 
application and be considered for funding.

Table of Contents

1. Funding Opportunity Description
2. Award Information
3. Eligibility and Review Criteria
4. Application and Submission Information
5. Application Review Information
6. Award Administration Information
7. Agency Contact

Section 1: Funding Opportunity Description

    Section 102 of the SAFETEA-LU Technical Corrections Act (Public Law 
110-244, June 6, 2008) (the 2008 Act), amended sections 1101(a)(18) and 
1307 of SAFETEA-LU and provided $45 million in contract authority for 
maglev projects located east of the Mississippi River. Of the funding 
available for projects east of the Mississippi River ($45 million), 
approximately $27.8 million in funding is available for award under 
this NOFA.
    In the Joint Explanatory Statement of the House Transportation and 
Infrastructure Committee and the Senate Environmental and Public Works, 
Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, and Commerce, Science and 
Transportation Committees accompanying the 2008 Act (the Joint 
Explanatory Statement), Congress explained that in amending SAFETEA-LU 
to allow FRA discretion to award funds to ``projects'' located east of 
the Mississippi River, ``the intent is to limit the eligible projects 
to three existing

[[Page 15054]]

projects east of the Mississippi River: Pittsburgh, Baltimore-
Washington, and Atlanta-Chattanooga.'' Based upon that clear 
Congressional direction, the solicitation for applications under this 
NOFA is limited to those three projects.
    Through this NOFA, FRA will determine whether any of the three 
eligible projects east of the Mississippi River will receive all or a 
portion of available funds for maglev projects (based upon a review of 
submitted applications) and has the discretion to award funds to one or 
more of those three projects.

Section 2: Award Information

    FRA will make available up to $27.8 million in funding available 
under this NOFA. Should additional funds become available after the 
release of this Notice, FRA may elect to select an additional project 
for award or contribute additional funding to a selected project 
submitted under this NOFA (matching fund requirements would still 
apply). FRA may select one or more of the eligible projects for funding 
and may award less than the amount of project funding requested by the 
applicant based on considerations such as individual project scope and 
total available funding. FRA reserves the right to apportion the 
available funding at its discretion.
    Fund recipients under this NOFA must comply with the requirements 
outlined in Title 2, CFR (particularly 2 CFR part 200, Uniform 
Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements 
for Federal Awards), as required by the grant award conditions, and all 
other applicable Federal and DOT/FRA guidance. The funding provided 
under this NOFA will be made available in the form of a Cooperative 
Agreement between FRA and the selected applicant(s). Cooperative 
agreements allow for greater Federal involvement in carrying out the 
agreed upon investment, including technical assistance, review of 
interim work products, and increased program oversight. Funds will be 
transmitted to selected applicants on a reimbursable basis.

Section 3: Eligibility and Review Criteria

3.1 Applicant Eligibility

    In accordance with the Joint Explanatory Statement, eligible 
projects are limited to three existing projects east of the Mississippi 
River: Pittsburgh, PA; Baltimore, MD-Washington, DC; and Atlanta, GA-
Chattanooga, TN. Applicants must be a State, States, or an authority 
designated by one or more States.
    If the project proponents propose service in more than one State, a 
single State or designated State authority should apply on behalf of 
all participating States. FRA encourages States to submit applications 
through their respective Departments of Transportation.

3.2 Project Eligibility

    Congress established three project eligibility requirements for 
financial assistance under this program. The project must: (1) Involve 
a segment or segments of a high-speed ground transportation corridor; 
(2) result in an operating transportation facility that provides a 
revenue producing service; and (3) be approved by the Secretary based 
on an application submitted to the Secretary by a State or authority 
designated by one or more States. With respect to the second criterion, 
Congress titled section 1307 ``Deployment of Magnetic Levitation 
Transportation Projects'' and the funding provided through section 
1101(a)(18) of SAFETEA-LU, as amended by the 2008 Act, is made 
available for the ``deployment of magnetic levitation projects.'' FRA 
interprets the statute as a whole as evidencing a Congressional intent 
that the Federal funds be used to directly advance and result in the 
construction of a maglev project. Thus, in order to be eligible for 
funding under this program, an application must include evidence that 
an operating transportation facility that provides a revenue producing 
service will be constructed.
    Congress also defined other key terms and program requirements. 
Maglev is defined to mean ``transportation systems employing magnetic 
levitation that would be capable of safe use by the public at a speed 
in excess of 240 miles per hour.''
    Eligible project costs can include costs for preconstruction 
planning work and/or capital costs for fixed guideway infrastructure 
for a maglev project (see SAFETEA-LU section 1307(a)(1) for the 
complete definition).
    These criteria and definitions are prerequisites to FRA evaluating 
an application and the application materials must include data to 
support these eligibility requirements. If the criteria are not met to 
FRA's satisfaction, the project is not eligible for funding.

3.3 Cost Sharing and Matching Fund Requirements

    The Federal share of a selected project or projects shall not 
exceed 80 percent of the total project cost (based on the final project 
scope selected for funding by FRA). The grantee(s) is (are) responsible 
for providing a minimum of 20 percent of the total project cost from 
non-federal sources.

Section 4: Application and Submission Information

4.1 Submission Dates and Times

    Complete applications must be submitted to Grants.gov no later than 
5:00 p.m. EST on April 20, 2015. Applicants are strongly encouraged to 
apply early to ensure that all materials are received before this 
deadline.

4.2 Application Procedures

    This NOFA will be available to the public beginning March 19, 2015. 
To apply for funding through Grants.gov, applicants must be properly 
registered. Complete instructions on how to register and submit an 
application can be found at Grants.gov. Registering with Grants.gov is 
a one-time process; however, it can take up to several weeks for first-
time registrants to receive confirmation and a user password. FRA 
recommends that applicants start the registration process as early as 
possible to prevent delays that may preclude submitting an application 
package by the application deadline. Under no circumstances will 
applications be accepted after the due date. Delayed registration is 
not an acceptable justification for extending the application deadline.
    In order to apply for funding under this announcement and to apply 
for funding through Grants.gov, all applicants are required to complete 
the following:
    1. Acquire a DUNS Number. A Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) 
number is required for Grants.gov registration. The Office of 
Management and Budget requires that all businesses and nonprofit 
applicants for Federal funds include a DUNS number in their 
applications for a new award or renewal of an existing award. A DUNS 
number is a unique nine-digit sequence recognized as the universal 
standard for identifying and keeping track of entities receiving 
Federal funds. The identifier is used for tracking purposes and to 
validate address and point of contact information for Federal 
assistance applicants, recipients, and sub recipients. The DUNS number 
will be used throughout the grant life cycle. Obtaining a DUNS number 
is a free, one-time activity. Applicants may obtain a DUNS number by 
calling 1-866-705-5711 or by applying online at http://www.dnb.com/us.

[[Page 15055]]

    2. Acquire or Renew Registration with the System for Award 
Management (SAM) Database. All applicants for Federal financial 
assistance must maintain current registrations in the System for Award 
Management (SAM) database. An applicant must be registered in SAM to 
successfully register in Grants.gov. The SAM database is the repository 
for standard information about Federal financial assistance applicants, 
recipients, and sub recipients. Organizations that have previously 
submitted applications via Grants.gov are already registered with SAM, 
as it is a requirement for Grants.gov registration. Please note, 
however, that applicants must update or renew their SAM registration at 
least once per year to maintain an active status, so it is critical to 
check registration status well in advance of the application deadline. 
Information about SAM registration procedures can be accessed at 
www.sam.gov.
    3. Acquire an Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) and a 
Grants.gov Username and Password. Applicants must complete an AOR 
profile on Grants.gov and create a username and password. Applicants 
must use the organization's DUNS number to complete this step. 
Additional information about the registration process is available at 
www.grants.gov/applicants/get_registered.jsp.
    4. Acquire Authorization for your AOR from the E-Business Point of 
Contact (E-Biz POC). The Applicant's E-Biz POC must log in to 
Grants.gov to confirm a representative as an AOR. Please note that 
there can be more than one AOR at an organization.
    5. Search for the Funding Opportunity on Grants.gov. The Catalog of 
Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number for this opportunity is 
20.318, titled ``Railroad Development.''
    6. Submit an Application Addressing All of the Requirements 
Outlined in this Funding Availability Announcement. After submitting 
the application through Grants.gov, a confirmation screen will appear 
on the applicant's computer screen. This screen will confirm that the 
applicant has submitted an application and provide a tracking number to 
track the status of the submission. Within 24 to 48 hours after 
submitting an electronic application, an applicant should receive an 
email validation message from Grants.gov. The validation message will 
explain whether the application has been received and validated or 
rejected, with an explanation. Applicants are urged to submit an 
application at least 72 hours prior to the due date of the application 
to allow time to receive the validation message and to correct any 
problems that may have caused a rejection notification.
    If an applicant experiences difficulties at any point during this 
process, please call the Grants.gov Customer Center Hotline at 1-800-
518-4726, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (closed on Federal holidays).
    Note: Please use generally accepted formats such as .pdf, .doc, 
.docx, .xls, .xlsx and .ppt, when uploading attachments. While 
applicants may imbed picture files, such as .jpg, .gif, and .bmp, in 
document files, please do not submit attachments in these formats. 
Additionally, the following formats will not be accepted: .com, .bat, 
.exe, .vbs, .cfg, .dat, .db, .dbf, .dll, .ini, .log, .ora, .sys, and 
.zip.

4.3 Content of Application

    Required documents for the application package are outlined in the 
checklist below. Applicants are encouraged to visit the FRA Web site 
(www.fra.dot.gov) to download the required templates and forms.
FRA Documents and Forms
 Project Narrative
 Statement of Work
 FRA's Additional Assurances and Certifications
OMB Standard Forms
 SF 424: Application for Federal Assistance
 SF 424A: Budget Information--Non Construction (for projects 
with planning costs only)
 SF 424B: Assurances--Non Construction
 SF 424C: Budget Information--Construction
 SF 424D: Assurances--Construction
 SF LLL: Disclosure of Lobbying Activities

    Applicants must complete and submit all components of the 
application package. FRA welcomes the submission of other relevant 
supporting documentation that may have been developed by the applicant 
(planning, environmental documentation, engineering and design 
documentation, letters of support, etc.).
    Applicants should submit all application materials through 
Grants.gov. For any required or supporting application materials that 
an applicant is unable to submit via Grants.gov (such as oversized 
engineering drawings), an applicant may submit an original and two (2) 
copies to Renee Cooper, Office of Program Delivery, Federal Railroad 
Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Mail Stop 20, Washington, 
DC 20590. However, due to delays caused by enhanced screening of mail 
delivered via the U.S. Postal Service, applicants are advised to use 
other means of conveyance (such as courier service) to assure timely 
receipt of materials.
4.3.1 Project Narrative
    The following points describe the minimum content which will be 
required in the Project Narrative component of grant applications 
(additionally, FRA recommends that the Project Narrative generally 
adhere to the following outline sequence). These requirements must be 
satisfied through a narrative statement submitted by the applicant, and 
may be supported by spreadsheet documents, tables, maps, drawings, and 
other materials, as appropriate. The Project Narrative may not exceed 
25 pages in length (including any appendices).
    The FRA recommends that applicants read this section carefully and 
submit all required information:
    1. Include a title page that lists the following elements in either 
a table or formatted list: project title, location (city, State, 
district), the applicant organization name, the name of any co-
applicants, and the amount of Federal funding requested and the 
proposed non-Federal match.
    2. Designate a point of contact for the application and provide his 
or her name and contact information, including phone number, mailing 
address, and email address. The point of contact must be an employee of 
an eligible applicant.
    3. Indicate the amount of Federal funding requested, the proposed 
non-Federal match, and total project cost, including the methodology or 
practices deployed for accurately estimating costs (such as the best 
practices cited in the Government Accountability Office's Cost Estimate 
and Assessment Guide). Additionally, identify any other sources of 
Federal funds committed to the project, as well as any pending Federal 
funding requests. Make sure to also note if the requested Federal 
funding must be obligated or expended by a certain date due to 
dependencies or relationships with other Federal or non-Federal funding 
sources, related projects, or other factors. Finally, specify whether 
Federal funding has ever previously been sought for the project and not 
secured, and name the Federal program and fiscal year from which the 
funding was requested.
    4. Explain how the applicant meets the respective applicant and 
project

[[Page 15056]]

eligibility criteria described earlier in Section 3 of this NOFA.
    5. Provide a brief 4-6 sentence summary of the proposed project, 
capturing the transportation challenges the proposed project aims to 
address, the market to be served by the new service, as well as the 
intended outcomes and anticipated benefits that will result from the 
proposed project.
    6. Include a detailed project description that expands upon the 
brief summary required above. This detailed description should provide, 
at a minimum, additional background on the transportation challenges 
the project aims to address, the expected users, beneficiaries, and 
outcomes of the project, and any other information the applicant deems 
necessary to justify the proposed project. Be specific regarding the 
relevance or relationship of the proposed project to other investments 
in the region along the corridor, as well as the operating changes that 
are anticipated to result from the introduction and integration of 
maglev services within existing transportation corridors and assess the 
major risks (including safety risks) or obstacles to maglev's 
successful deployment and operation. Provide a detailed summary of all 
work done to date, including any preliminary engineering work, the 
project's previous accomplishments and funding history, and a 
chronology of key documents produced and funding events (e.g., grants 
and contracts).
    7. Include a thorough discussion of how the project meets all of 
the selection criteria for the respective project type, as outlined in 
Section 5 of this notice. In responding to the criteria, applicants are 
reminded to clearly identify, quantify, and compare expected benefits 
and costs of proposed projects.
    8. Describe proposed project implementation and project management 
arrangements for the full maglev corridor project, including the 
activities proposed in this application. Include descriptions of the 
expected arrangements for project contracting, contract oversight, 
change-order management, risk management, and conformance to Federal 
requirements for project progress reporting.
    9. Describe the plan to finance any planning, land acquisition, 
buildout, testing, and implementation of the project, and specify long 
term financial plans to own, operate and maintain maglev services.
    10. Describe anticipated environmental or historic preservation 
impacts associated with the proposed project, any environmental or 
historic preservation analyses that have been prepared, and any ongoing 
progress toward completing environmental documentation or clearance 
required for the proposed project under the National Environmental 
Policy Act (NEPA), the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), 
section 4(f) of the DOT Act, the Clean Water Act, or other applicable 
Federal or State laws, and provide, as available, timeline associated 
with the process to complete these actions. Applicants and grantees 
under FRA's financial assistance programs are encouraged to contact FRA 
and obtain preliminary direction regarding the appropriate NEPA class 
of action and required environmental documentation. Generally, projects 
will be ineligible to receive funding if they have begun construction 
activities prior to the applicant/grantee receiving written approval 
from FRA that all environmental and historical analyses have been 
completed.
4.3.2 Statement of Work
    Applicants are required to submit a Statement of Work (SOW) that 
addresses the scope, schedule, and budget for the proposed project if 
it were to be selected for award. The SOW should contain sufficient 
detail so that both FRA and the applicant can understand the individual 
tasks that comprise the project and the expected outcomes of the 
proposed work to be performed, and monitor progress toward completing 
project tasks and deliverables during a prospective grant's period of 
performance.

Section 5: Application Review Information

5.1 Application Review and Selection Process

    Across all funding programs, FRA awards funds to projects that 
achieve the maximum public benefit possible given the amount of funding 
available for that project. Analysis provided by applicants that 
quantifies the monetary value (whenever possible) of the anticipated or 
potential public benefits of the project is relevant to FRA when 
assessing and evaluating applications for funding.

5.2 Selection Criteria

    FRA will review applications and assess them against the following 
selection criteria:
    1. The extent to which the project will address at least one or 
more serious challenges to the feasibility of integrating maglev 
systems with conventional rail systems.
    2. The extent to which funds awarded under this section will result 
in investments that are beneficial not only to the maglev project, but 
also to other current or near-term transportation projects. Applicants 
should keep in mind, however, that--while project eligibility requires 
three areas of satisfaction, including the project resulting in an 
operating transportation facility that provides a revenue producing 
source--Federal funds may not be used for station construction costs or 
solely for land acquisition pursuant to securing operation right-of-
way.
    3. The degree to which the project demonstrates the potential for a 
public-private partnership for the corridor in which the maglev project 
is involved, and/or for the project independently. Any corridor 
exhibiting partnership potential must meet at least the following 
conditions: (a) Once built and paid for, the corridor will stand alone 
as a complete, self-sustaining operation; (b) the total, fully 
allocated operating expenses of the maglev service are projected to be 
offset by revenues attributable to the service; and (c) the total 
public benefits of a maglev corridor must equal or exceed its total 
societal costs.
    4. The extent of the demonstrated financial commitment to the 
construction of the proposed project from both non-Federal public 
sources and private sources, including any financial contributions or 
commitment the applicant has secured from non-Federal entities that are 
expected to benefit from the project. If applicable, also include the 
extent to which the State or private entities exceed the required 20 
percent match.
    5. The extent to which the project demonstrates the ability to meet 
all applicable Federal and State statutes, regulations, and 
environmental requirements--to include coordination and consistency 
with any ongoing or completed environmental and planning studies for 
passenger rail on or connecting to the geographic route segment being 
proposed for maglev investment (e.g., NEC FUTURE Tier 1 EIS and Service 
Development Plan and Atlanta-Chattanooga High Speed Ground 
Transportation Tier 1 EIS).
    6. The degree to which the project will demonstrate the variety of 
maglev operating conditions which are to be expected in the United 
States. For example, these conditions might include a variety of at-
grade, elevated and depressed guideway structures, extreme 
temperatures, and intermodal connections at terminals.
    7. The feasibility of the project meeting a top speed of at least 
240 miles per hour (MPH). FRA will also consider

[[Page 15057]]

favorably the ability to meet higher speeds as well as the duration 
that speeds of at least 240 MPH can be attained.

Section 6: Award Administration Information

6.1 Award Notices

    Applications selected for funding will be announced after the 
application review period. FRA will contact applicants with successful 
applications after announcement with information and instructions about 
the award process. Notification of a selected application is not an 
authorization to begin proposed project activities.

6.2 Administrative and National Policy Requirements

    Applicants selected for funding (and any subrecipient(s)) must 
comply with all applicable laws and regulations governing the grant 
agreement. A non-exclusive list of administrative and national policy 
requirements that grantees must follow includes: Procurement standards, 
compliance with Federal civil rights laws and regulations, 
disadvantaged business enterprises (DBE), debarment and suspension, 
drug-free workplace, FRA's and OMB's Assurances and Certifications, 
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), labor standards, safety 
oversight, environmental protection, National Environmental Policy Act 
(NEPA), and environmental justice. In addition, FRA expects applicants 
to comply with the Buy America standards in 49 U.S.C. 24405(a). FRA 
expects this to apply to any capital costs funded under this NOFA for 
steel, iron, or manufactured goods used in construction of the Maglev 
project.

6.3 General Requirements

    The grantee must comply with all post-award implementing, 
reporting, auditing, monitoring, and close-out requirements, as 
described in Title 2, CFR (particularly 2 CFR part 200, Uniform 
Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements 
for Federal Awards), as required by the grant award conditions, and all 
other applicable Federal and DOT/FRA guidance.

Section 7: Agency Contact

    For further information regarding this notice and the grants 
program, please contact Renee Cooper, Office of Program Delivery, 
Federal Railroad Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Mail Stop 
20, Washington, DC 20590; Email: [email protected]; Phone: (202) 493-
0491; Fax: (202) 493-6333.

    Authority: The Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient 
Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (Pub. L. 109-59, 
August 10, 2005), and the SAFETEA-LU Technical Corrections Act (Pub. 
L. 110-244, June 6, 2008.)

    Issued in Washington, DC, on March 18, 2015.
Corey Hill,
Director, Office of Program Delivery.
[FR Doc. 2015-06542 Filed 3-19-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-06-P



                                                                                  Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 54 / Friday, March 20, 2015 / Notices                                            15053

                                                  the parts-marking requirements of the                     Issued in Washington, DC, under authority           engineering drawings), an applicant
                                                  Theft Prevention Standard (49 CFR part                  delegated in 49 CFR Part 1.95.                        may submit an original and two (2)
                                                  541). This conclusion is based on the                   Raymond R. Posten,                                    copies to Renee Cooper, Office of
                                                  information BMW provided about its                      Associate Administrator for Rulemaking.               Program Delivery, Federal Railroad
                                                  device.                                                 [FR Doc. 2015–06384 Filed 3–19–15; 8:45 am]           Administration, 1200 New Jersey
                                                                                                                                                                Avenue SE., Mail Stop 20, Washington,
                                                     For the foregoing reasons, the agency                BILLING CODE 4910–59–P
                                                                                                                                                                DC 20590. However, due to delays
                                                  hereby grants in full BMW’s petition for
                                                                                                                                                                caused by enhanced screening of mail
                                                  exemption for the MY 2016 X1 MPV                                                                              delivered via the U.S. Postal Service,
                                                                                                          DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
                                                  line from the parts-marking                                                                                   applicants are advised to use other
                                                  requirements of 49 CFR part 541. The                    Federal Railroad Administration                       means of conveyance (such as courier
                                                  agency notes that 49 CFR part 541,                                                                            service) to assure timely receipt of
                                                  Appendix A–1, identifies those lines                    Notice of Funding Availability and                    materials.
                                                  that are exempted from the Theft                        Solicitation of Applications for
                                                                                                                                                                FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
                                                  Prevention Standard for a given MY. 49                  Magnetic Levitation Projects
                                                                                                                                                                further information regarding this
                                                  CFR 543.7(f) contains publication                       AGENCY: Federal Railroad                              Notice, please contact Renee Cooper,
                                                  requirements incident to the disposition                Administration (FRA), Department of                   Office of Program Delivery, Federal
                                                  of all Part 543 petitions. Advanced                     Transportation (DOT).                                 Railroad Administration, 1200 New
                                                  listing, including the release of future                                                                      Jersey Avenue SE., Mail Stop 20,
                                                                                                          ACTION: Notice of funding availability.
                                                  product nameplates, the beginning                                                                             Washington, DC 20590; Email: FRA-
                                                  model year for which the petition is                    SUMMARY:    This notice of funding                    Grants@dot.gov; Phone: (202) 493–0491;
                                                  granted and a general description of the                availability (NOFA or Notice) details the             Fax: (202) 493–6333.
                                                  antitheft device is necessary in order to               grant application requirements and                    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: FRA
                                                  notify law enforcement agencies of new                  submission procedures for obtaining up                strongly suggests that applicants read
                                                  vehicle lines exempted from the parts-                  to $27.8 million in Federal funding, as               this Notice in its entirety prior to
                                                  marking requirements of the Theft                       authorized by sections 1101(a)(18) and                preparing application materials. There
                                                  Prevention Standard.                                    1307 of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible,              are programmatic prerequisites and
                                                     If BMW decides not to use the                        Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A                administrative requirements described
                                                  exemption for this line, it must formally               Legacy for Users (SAFETEA–LU, Public                  herein that applicants must comply
                                                                                                          Law 109–59 (August 10, 2005)), as                     with in order to submit an application
                                                  notify the agency. If such a decision is
                                                                                                          amended by section 102 of the                         and be considered for funding.
                                                  made, the line must be fully marked as
                                                                                                          SAFETEA–LU Technical Corrections
                                                  required by 49 CFR 541.5 and 541.6                                                                            Table of Contents
                                                                                                          Act of 2008, Public Law 110–244 (June
                                                  (marking of major component parts and                   6, 2008), for existing magnetic levitation
                                                  replacement parts).                                                                                           1. Funding Opportunity Description
                                                                                                          (maglev) projects located east of the                 2. Award Information
                                                     NHTSA notes that if BMW wishes in                    Mississippi River. Pursuant to the Joint              3. Eligibility and Review Criteria
                                                  the future to modify the device on                      Committee statement accompanying the                  4. Application and Submission Information
                                                  which this exemption is based, the                      SAFETEA–LU Technical Corrections                      5. Application Review Information
                                                  company may have to submit a petition                   Act, three projects are eligible for                  6. Award Administration Information
                                                                                                                                                                7. Agency Contact
                                                  to modify the exemption.                                funding under this Notice: The
                                                     Part 543.7(d) states that a Part 543                 ‘‘Pittsburgh project’’, the ‘‘Baltimore-              Section 1: Funding Opportunity
                                                  exemption applies only to vehicles that                 Washington project’’, and the ‘‘Atlanta-              Description
                                                  belong to a line exempted under this                    Chattanooga project’’. FRA previously                   Section 102 of the SAFETEA–LU
                                                  part and equipped with the anti-theft                   announced the availability of funds for               Technical Corrections Act (Public Law
                                                                                                          maglev projects located east of the                   110–244, June 6, 2008) (the 2008 Act),
                                                  device on which the line’s exemption is
                                                                                                          Mississippi River pursuant to a NOFA                  amended sections 1101(a)(18) and 1307
                                                  based. Further, § 543.9(c)(2) provides for
                                                                                                          issued on October 16, 2008, but one of                of SAFETEA–LU and provided $45
                                                  the submission of petitions ‘‘to modify
                                                                                                          the selected applicants has decided not               million in contract authority for maglev
                                                  an exemption to permit the use of an                    to pursue the project for which the
                                                  antitheft device similar to but differing                                                                     projects located east of the Mississippi
                                                                                                          funds were allocated resulting in the                 River. Of the funding available for
                                                  from the one specified in that                          availability of the funds for this Notice.
                                                  exemption.’’                                                                                                  projects east of the Mississippi River
                                                                                                          Funds awarded under this Notice can be                ($45 million), approximately $27.8
                                                     The agency wishes to minimize the                    used for preconstruction planning                     million in funding is available for award
                                                  administrative burden that Part                         activities and capital costs of a viable              under this NOFA.
                                                  543.9(c)(2) could place on exempted                     maglev project.                                         In the Joint Explanatory Statement of
                                                  vehicle manufacturers and itself. The                   DATES: Applications for funding under                 the House Transportation and
                                                  agency did not intend Part 543 to                       this NOFA are due no later than 5:00                  Infrastructure Committee and the Senate
                                                  require the submission of a modification                p.m. EST, April 20, 2015. Applications                Environmental and Public Works,
                                                  petition for every change to the                        for funding received after 5:00 p.m. EST              Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs,
                                                  components or design of an antitheft                    on April 20, 2015, will not be                        and Commerce, Science and
                                                  device. The significance of many such                   considered. See Section 4 of this Notice
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                                                                                                                                Transportation Committees
                                                  changes could be de minimis. Therefore,                 for additional information regarding the              accompanying the 2008 Act (the Joint
                                                  NHTSA suggests that if the                              application process.                                  Explanatory Statement), Congress
                                                  manufacturer contemplates making any                    ADDRESSES: Applications must be                       explained that in amending SAFETEA–
                                                  changes the effects of which might be                   submitted via Grants.gov. For any                     LU to allow FRA discretion to award
                                                  characterized as de minimis, it should                  required or supporting application                    funds to ‘‘projects’’ located east of the
                                                  consult the agency before preparing and                 materials that an applicant is unable to              Mississippi River, ‘‘the intent is to limit
                                                  submitting a petition to modify.                        submit via Grants.gov (such as oversized              the eligible projects to three existing


                                             VerDate Sep<11>2014   20:14 Mar 19, 2015   Jkt 235001   PO 00000   Frm 00149   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\20MRN1.SGM   20MRN1


                                                  15054                           Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 54 / Friday, March 20, 2015 / Notices

                                                  projects east of the Mississippi River:                 authority designated by one or more                   of the total project cost (based on the
                                                  Pittsburgh, Baltimore-Washington, and                   States.                                               final project scope selected for funding
                                                  Atlanta-Chattanooga.’’ Based upon that                    If the project proponents propose                   by FRA). The grantee(s) is (are)
                                                  clear Congressional direction, the                      service in more than one State, a single              responsible for providing a minimum of
                                                  solicitation for applications under this                State or designated State authority                   20 percent of the total project cost from
                                                  NOFA is limited to those three projects.                should apply on behalf of all                         non-federal sources.
                                                     Through this NOFA, FRA will                          participating States. FRA encourages
                                                                                                          States to submit applications through                 Section 4: Application and Submission
                                                  determine whether any of the three                                                                            Information
                                                  eligible projects east of the Mississippi               their respective Departments of
                                                  River will receive all or a portion of                  Transportation.                                       4.1      Submission Dates and Times
                                                  available funds for maglev projects                     3.2 Project Eligibility                                 Complete applications must be
                                                  (based upon a review of submitted                          Congress established three project                 submitted to Grants.gov no later than
                                                  applications) and has the discretion to                 eligibility requirements for financial                5:00 p.m. EST on April 20, 2015.
                                                  award funds to one or more of those                     assistance under this program. The                    Applicants are strongly encouraged to
                                                  three projects.                                         project must: (1) Involve a segment or                apply early to ensure that all materials
                                                  Section 2: Award Information                            segments of a high-speed ground                       are received before this deadline.
                                                                                                          transportation corridor; (2) result in an             4.2      Application Procedures
                                                     FRA will make available up to $27.8                  operating transportation facility that
                                                  million in funding available under this                 provides a revenue producing service;                    This NOFA will be available to the
                                                  NOFA. Should additional funds become                    and (3) be approved by the Secretary                  public beginning March 19, 2015. To
                                                  available after the release of this Notice,             based on an application submitted to                  apply for funding through Grants.gov,
                                                  FRA may elect to select an additional                   the Secretary by a State or authority                 applicants must be properly registered.
                                                  project for award or contribute                         designated by one or more States. With                Complete instructions on how to
                                                  additional funding to a selected project                respect to the second criterion, Congress             register and submit an application can
                                                  submitted under this NOFA (matching                     titled section 1307 ‘‘Deployment of                   be found at Grants.gov. Registering with
                                                  fund requirements would still apply).                   Magnetic Levitation Transportation                    Grants.gov is a one-time process;
                                                  FRA may select one or more of the                       Projects’’ and the funding provided                   however, it can take up to several weeks
                                                  eligible projects for funding and may                   through section 1101(a)(18) of                        for first-time registrants to receive
                                                  award less than the amount of project                   SAFETEA–LU, as amended by the 2008                    confirmation and a user password. FRA
                                                  funding requested by the applicant                      Act, is made available for the                        recommends that applicants start the
                                                  based on considerations such as                         ‘‘deployment of magnetic levitation                   registration process as early as possible
                                                  individual project scope and total                      projects.’’ FRA interprets the statute as             to prevent delays that may preclude
                                                  available funding. FRA reserves the                     a whole as evidencing a Congressional                 submitting an application package by
                                                  right to apportion the available funding                intent that the Federal funds be used to              the application deadline. Under no
                                                  at its discretion.                                      directly advance and result in the                    circumstances will applications be
                                                     Fund recipients under this NOFA                      construction of a maglev project. Thus,               accepted after the due date. Delayed
                                                  must comply with the requirements                       in order to be eligible for funding under             registration is not an acceptable
                                                  outlined in Title 2, CFR (particularly 2                this program, an application must                     justification for extending the
                                                  CFR part 200, Uniform Administrative                    include evidence that an operating                    application deadline.
                                                  Requirements, Cost Principles, and                      transportation facility that provides a                  In order to apply for funding under
                                                  Audit Requirements for Federal                          revenue producing service will be                     this announcement and to apply for
                                                  Awards), as required by the grant award                 constructed.                                          funding through Grants.gov, all
                                                  conditions, and all other applicable                       Congress also defined other key terms              applicants are required to complete the
                                                  Federal and DOT/FRA guidance. The                       and program requirements. Maglev is                   following:
                                                  funding provided under this NOFA will                   defined to mean ‘‘transportation systems                 1. Acquire a DUNS Number. A Data
                                                  be made available in the form of a                      employing magnetic levitation that                    Universal Numbering System (DUNS)
                                                  Cooperative Agreement between FRA                       would be capable of safe use by the                   number is required for Grants.gov
                                                  and the selected applicant(s).                          public at a speed in excess of 240 miles              registration. The Office of Management
                                                  Cooperative agreements allow for                        per hour.’’                                           and Budget requires that all businesses
                                                  greater Federal involvement in carrying                    Eligible project costs can include                 and nonprofit applicants for Federal
                                                  out the agreed upon investment,                         costs for preconstruction planning work               funds include a DUNS number in their
                                                  including technical assistance, review of               and/or capital costs for fixed guideway               applications for a new award or renewal
                                                  interim work products, and increased                    infrastructure for a maglev project (see              of an existing award. A DUNS number
                                                  program oversight. Funds will be                        SAFETEA–LU section 1307(a)(1) for the                 is a unique nine-digit sequence
                                                  transmitted to selected applicants on a                 complete definition).                                 recognized as the universal standard for
                                                  reimbursable basis.                                        These criteria and definitions are                 identifying and keeping track of entities
                                                                                                          prerequisites to FRA evaluating an                    receiving Federal funds. The identifier
                                                  Section 3: Eligibility and Review                       application and the application                       is used for tracking purposes and to
                                                  Criteria                                                materials must include data to support                validate address and point of contact
                                                  3.1   Applicant Eligibility                             these eligibility requirements. If the                information for Federal assistance
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                                                                          criteria are not met to FRA’s                         applicants, recipients, and sub
                                                    In accordance with the Joint                          satisfaction, the project is not eligible             recipients. The DUNS number will be
                                                  Explanatory Statement, eligible projects                for funding.                                          used throughout the grant life cycle.
                                                  are limited to three existing projects east                                                                   Obtaining a DUNS number is a free,
                                                  of the Mississippi River: Pittsburgh, PA;               3.3 Cost Sharing and Matching Fund                    one-time activity. Applicants may
                                                  Baltimore, MD–Washington, DC; and                       Requirements                                          obtain a DUNS number by calling 1–
                                                  Atlanta, GA–Chattanooga, TN.                              The Federal share of a selected project             866–705–5711 or by applying online at
                                                  Applicants must be a State, States, or an               or projects shall not exceed 80 percent               http://www.dnb.com/us.


                                             VerDate Sep<11>2014   20:14 Mar 19, 2015   Jkt 235001   PO 00000   Frm 00150   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\20MRN1.SGM    20MRN1


                                                                                  Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 54 / Friday, March 20, 2015 / Notices                                           15055

                                                     2. Acquire or Renew Registration with                to allow time to receive the validation               Avenue SE., Mail Stop 20, Washington,
                                                  the System for Award Management                         message and to correct any problems                   DC 20590. However, due to delays
                                                  (SAM) Database. All applicants for                      that may have caused a rejection                      caused by enhanced screening of mail
                                                  Federal financial assistance must                       notification.                                         delivered via the U.S. Postal Service,
                                                  maintain current registrations in the                      If an applicant experiences difficulties           applicants are advised to use other
                                                  System for Award Management (SAM)                       at any point during this process, please              means of conveyance (such as courier
                                                  database. An applicant must be                          call the Grants.gov Customer Center                   service) to assure timely receipt of
                                                  registered in SAM to successfully                       Hotline at 1–800–518–4726, 24 hours a                 materials.
                                                  register in Grants.gov. The SAM                         day, 7 days a week (closed on Federal
                                                  database is the repository for standard                 holidays).                                            4.3.1    Project Narrative
                                                  information about Federal financial                        Note: Please use generally accepted                   The following points describe the
                                                  assistance applicants, recipients, and                  formats such as .pdf, .doc, .docx, .xls,              minimum content which will be
                                                  sub recipients. Organizations that have                 .xlsx and .ppt, when uploading                        required in the Project Narrative
                                                  previously submitted applications via                   attachments. While applicants may                     component of grant applications
                                                  Grants.gov are already registered with                  imbed picture files, such as .jpg, .gif,              (additionally, FRA recommends that the
                                                  SAM, as it is a requirement for                         and .bmp, in document files, please do                Project Narrative generally adhere to the
                                                  Grants.gov registration. Please note,                   not submit attachments in these formats.              following outline sequence). These
                                                  however, that applicants must update or                 Additionally, the following formats will              requirements must be satisfied through
                                                  renew their SAM registration at least                   not be accepted: .com, .bat, .exe, .vbs,              a narrative statement submitted by the
                                                  once per year to maintain an active                     .cfg, .dat, .db, .dbf, .dll, .ini, .log, .ora,        applicant, and may be supported by
                                                  status, so it is critical to check                      .sys, and .zip.                                       spreadsheet documents, tables, maps,
                                                  registration status well in advance of the                                                                    drawings, and other materials, as
                                                  application deadline. Information about                 4.3 Content of Application
                                                                                                                                                                appropriate. The Project Narrative may
                                                  SAM registration procedures can be                        Required documents for the                          not exceed 25 pages in length (including
                                                  accessed at www.sam.gov.                                application package are outlined in the               any appendices).
                                                     3. Acquire an Authorized                             checklist below. Applicants are                          The FRA recommends that applicants
                                                  Organization Representative (AOR) and                   encouraged to visit the FRA Web site                  read this section carefully and submit
                                                  a Grants.gov Username and Password.                     (www.fra.dot.gov) to download the                     all required information:
                                                  Applicants must complete an AOR                         required templates and forms.                            1. Include a title page that lists the
                                                  profile on Grants.gov and create a                                                                            following elements in either a table or
                                                  username and password. Applicants                       FRA Documents and Forms
                                                                                                                                                                formatted list: project title, location
                                                  must use the organization’s DUNS                        • Project Narrative
                                                                                                          • Statement of Work                                   (city, State, district), the applicant
                                                  number to complete this step.                                                                                 organization name, the name of any co-
                                                  Additional information about the                        • FRA’s Additional Assurances and
                                                                                                            Certifications                                      applicants, and the amount of Federal
                                                  registration process is available at                                                                          funding requested and the proposed
                                                  www.grants.gov/applicants/get_                          OMB Standard Forms                                    non-Federal match.
                                                  registered.jsp.
                                                     4. Acquire Authorization for your                    • SF 424: Application for Federal                        2. Designate a point of contact for the
                                                  AOR from the E-Business Point of                           Assistance                                         application and provide his or her name
                                                  Contact (E-Biz POC). The Applicant’s E-                 • SF 424A: Budget Information—Non                     and contact information, including
                                                  Biz POC must log in to Grants.gov to                       Construction (for projects with                    phone number, mailing address, and
                                                  confirm a representative as an AOR.                        planning costs only)                               email address. The point of contact
                                                  Please note that there can be more than                 • SF 424B: Assurances—Non                             must be an employee of an eligible
                                                  one AOR at an organization.                                Construction                                       applicant.
                                                     5. Search for the Funding Opportunity                • SF 424C: Budget Information—                           3. Indicate the amount of Federal
                                                  on Grants.gov. The Catalog of Federal                      Construction                                       funding requested, the proposed non-
                                                  Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number for                   • SF 424D: Assurances—Construction                    Federal match, and total project cost,
                                                  this opportunity is 20.318, titled                      • SF LLL: Disclosure of Lobbying                      including the methodology or practices
                                                  ‘‘Railroad Development.’’                                  Activities                                         deployed for accurately estimating costs
                                                     6. Submit an Application Addressing                     Applicants must complete and submit                (such as the best practices cited in the
                                                  All of the Requirements Outlined in this                all components of the application                     Government Accountability Office’s
                                                  Funding Availability Announcement.                      package. FRA welcomes the submission                  Cost Estimate and Assessment Guide).
                                                  After submitting the application through                of other relevant supporting                          Additionally, identify any other sources
                                                  Grants.gov, a confirmation screen will                  documentation that may have been                      of Federal funds committed to the
                                                  appear on the applicant’s computer                      developed by the applicant (planning,                 project, as well as any pending Federal
                                                  screen. This screen will confirm that the               environmental documentation,                          funding requests. Make sure to also note
                                                  applicant has submitted an application                  engineering and design documentation,                 if the requested Federal funding must be
                                                  and provide a tracking number to track                  letters of support, etc.).                            obligated or expended by a certain date
                                                  the status of the submission. Within 24                    Applicants should submit all                       due to dependencies or relationships
                                                  to 48 hours after submitting an                         application materials through                         with other Federal or non-Federal
                                                  electronic application, an applicant                    Grants.gov. For any required or                       funding sources, related projects, or
                                                                                                                                                                other factors. Finally, specify whether
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                  should receive an email validation                      supporting application materials that an
                                                  message from Grants.gov. The validation                 applicant is unable to submit via                     Federal funding has ever previously
                                                  message will explain whether the                        Grants.gov (such as oversized                         been sought for the project and not
                                                  application has been received and                       engineering drawings), an applicant                   secured, and name the Federal program
                                                  validated or rejected, with an                          may submit an original and two (2)                    and fiscal year from which the funding
                                                  explanation. Applicants are urged to                    copies to Renee Cooper, Office of                     was requested.
                                                  submit an application at least 72 hours                 Program Delivery, Federal Railroad                       4. Explain how the applicant meets
                                                  prior to the due date of the application                Administration, 1200 New Jersey                       the respective applicant and project


                                             VerDate Sep<11>2014   20:14 Mar 19, 2015   Jkt 235001   PO 00000   Frm 00151   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\20MRN1.SGM   20MRN1


                                                  15056                           Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 54 / Friday, March 20, 2015 / Notices

                                                  eligibility criteria described earlier in               prepared, and any ongoing progress                    investments that are beneficial not only
                                                  Section 3 of this NOFA.                                 toward completing environmental                       to the maglev project, but also to other
                                                     5. Provide a brief 4–6 sentence                      documentation or clearance required for               current or near-term transportation
                                                  summary of the proposed project,                        the proposed project under the National               projects. Applicants should keep in
                                                  capturing the transportation challenges                 Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the                  mind, however, that—while project
                                                  the proposed project aims to address,                   National Historic Preservation Act                    eligibility requires three areas of
                                                  the market to be served by the new                      (NHPA), section 4(f) of the DOT Act, the              satisfaction, including the project
                                                  service, as well as the intended                        Clean Water Act, or other applicable                  resulting in an operating transportation
                                                  outcomes and anticipated benefits that                  Federal or State laws, and provide, as                facility that provides a revenue
                                                  will result from the proposed project.                  available, timeline associated with the               producing source—Federal funds may
                                                     6. Include a detailed project                        process to complete these actions.                    not be used for station construction
                                                  description that expands upon the brief                 Applicants and grantees under FRA’s                   costs or solely for land acquisition
                                                  summary required above. This detailed                   financial assistance programs are                     pursuant to securing operation right-of-
                                                  description should provide, at a                        encouraged to contact FRA and obtain                  way.
                                                  minimum, additional background on the                   preliminary direction regarding the                      3. The degree to which the project
                                                  transportation challenges the project                   appropriate NEPA class of action and                  demonstrates the potential for a public-
                                                  aims to address, the expected users,                    required environmental documentation.                 private partnership for the corridor in
                                                  beneficiaries, and outcomes of the                      Generally, projects will be ineligible to             which the maglev project is involved,
                                                  project, and any other information the                  receive funding if they have begun                    and/or for the project independently.
                                                  applicant deems necessary to justify the                construction activities prior to the                  Any corridor exhibiting partnership
                                                  proposed project. Be specific regarding                 applicant/grantee receiving written                   potential must meet at least the
                                                  the relevance or relationship of the                    approval from FRA that all                            following conditions: (a) Once built and
                                                  proposed project to other investments in                environmental and historical analyses                 paid for, the corridor will stand alone as
                                                  the region along the corridor, as well as               have been completed.                                  a complete, self-sustaining operation; (b)
                                                  the operating changes that are                                                                                the total, fully allocated operating
                                                  anticipated to result from the                          4.3.2    Statement of Work                            expenses of the maglev service are
                                                  introduction and integration of maglev                    Applicants are required to submit a                 projected to be offset by revenues
                                                  services within existing transportation                 Statement of Work (SOW) that addresses                attributable to the service; and (c) the
                                                  corridors and assess the major risks                    the scope, schedule, and budget for the               total public benefits of a maglev corridor
                                                  (including safety risks) or obstacles to                proposed project if it were to be selected            must equal or exceed its total societal
                                                  maglev’s successful deployment and                      for award. The SOW should contain                     costs.
                                                  operation. Provide a detailed summary                   sufficient detail so that both FRA and                   4. The extent of the demonstrated
                                                  of all work done to date, including any                 the applicant can understand the                      financial commitment to the
                                                  preliminary engineering work, the                       individual tasks that comprise the                    construction of the proposed project
                                                  project’s previous accomplishments and                  project and the expected outcomes of                  from both non-Federal public sources
                                                  funding history, and a chronology of key                the proposed work to be performed, and                and private sources, including any
                                                  documents produced and funding                          monitor progress toward completing                    financial contributions or commitment
                                                  events (e.g., grants and contracts).                    project tasks and deliverables during a               the applicant has secured from non-
                                                     7. Include a thorough discussion of                                                                        Federal entities that are expected to
                                                                                                          prospective grant’s period of
                                                  how the project meets all of the                                                                              benefit from the project. If applicable,
                                                                                                          performance.
                                                  selection criteria for the respective                                                                         also include the extent to which the
                                                  project type, as outlined in Section 5 of               Section 5: Application Review                         State or private entities exceed the
                                                  this notice. In responding to the criteria,             Information                                           required 20 percent match.
                                                  applicants are reminded to clearly                                                                               5. The extent to which the project
                                                                                                          5.1 Application Review and Selection
                                                  identify, quantify, and compare                                                                               demonstrates the ability to meet all
                                                                                                          Process
                                                  expected benefits and costs of proposed                                                                       applicable Federal and State statutes,
                                                  projects.                                                 Across all funding programs, FRA                    regulations, and environmental
                                                     8. Describe proposed project                         awards funds to projects that achieve                 requirements—to include coordination
                                                  implementation and project                              the maximum public benefit possible                   and consistency with any ongoing or
                                                  management arrangements for the full                    given the amount of funding available                 completed environmental and planning
                                                  maglev corridor project, including the                  for that project. Analysis provided by                studies for passenger rail on or
                                                  activities proposed in this application.                applicants that quantifies the monetary               connecting to the geographic route
                                                  Include descriptions of the expected                    value (whenever possible) of the                      segment being proposed for maglev
                                                  arrangements for project contracting,                   anticipated or potential public benefits              investment (e.g., NEC FUTURE Tier 1
                                                  contract oversight, change-order                        of the project is relevant to FRA when                EIS and Service Development Plan and
                                                  management, risk management, and                        assessing and evaluating applications                 Atlanta-Chattanooga High Speed
                                                  conformance to Federal requirements                     for funding.                                          Ground Transportation Tier 1 EIS).
                                                  for project progress reporting.                                                                                  6. The degree to which the project
                                                                                                          5.2     Selection Criteria
                                                     9. Describe the plan to finance any                                                                        will demonstrate the variety of maglev
                                                  planning, land acquisition, buildout,                     FRA will review applications and                    operating conditions which are to be
                                                  testing, and implementation of the                      assess them against the following                     expected in the United States. For
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                  project, and specify long term financial                selection criteria:                                   example, these conditions might
                                                  plans to own, operate and maintain                        1. The extent to which the project will             include a variety of at-grade, elevated
                                                  maglev services.                                        address at least one or more serious                  and depressed guideway structures,
                                                     10. Describe anticipated                             challenges to the feasibility of                      extreme temperatures, and intermodal
                                                  environmental or historic preservation                  integrating maglev systems with                       connections at terminals.
                                                  impacts associated with the proposed                    conventional rail systems.                               7. The feasibility of the project
                                                  project, any environmental or historic                    2. The extent to which funds awarded                meeting a top speed of at least 240 miles
                                                  preservation analyses that have been                    under this section will result in                     per hour (MPH). FRA will also consider


                                             VerDate Sep<11>2014   20:14 Mar 19, 2015   Jkt 235001   PO 00000   Frm 00152   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\20MRN1.SGM   20MRN1


                                                                                  Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 54 / Friday, March 20, 2015 / Notices                                                 15057

                                                  favorably the ability to meet higher                    Phone: (202) 493–0491; Fax: (202) 493–                performance, capacity constraints,
                                                  speeds as well as the duration that                     6333.                                                 infrastructure planning and
                                                  speeds of at least 240 MPH can be                         Authority: The Safe, Accountable, Flexible,         development, and effective coordination
                                                  attained.                                               Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy         among suppliers, carriers, and users of
                                                                                                          for Users (Pub. L. 109–59, August 10, 2005),          energy resources. Agenda items for this
                                                  Section 6: Award Administration
                                                                                                          and the SAFETEA–LU Technical Corrections              meeting include introduction of new
                                                  Information                                             Act (Pub. L. 110–244, June 6, 2008.)                  members, a performance measures
                                                  6.1   Award Notices                                       Issued in Washington, DC, on March 18,              review, industry segment updates by
                                                     Applications selected for funding will               2015.                                                 RETAC members, a presentation on the
                                                  be announced after the application                      Corey Hill,                                           outlook for U.S. petroleum production,
                                                  review period. FRA will contact                         Director, Office of Program Delivery.                 and a roundtable discussion.
                                                                                                                                                                   The meeting, which is open to the
                                                  applicants with successful applications                 [FR Doc. 2015–06542 Filed 3–19–15; 8:45 am]
                                                                                                                                                                public, will be conducted in accordance
                                                  after announcement with information                     BILLING CODE 4910–06–P
                                                                                                                                                                with the Federal Advisory Committee
                                                  and instructions about the award
                                                                                                                                                                Act, 5 U.S.C. app. 2; Federal Advisory
                                                  process. Notification of a selected
                                                                                                          DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION                          Committee Management regulations, 41
                                                  application is not an authorization to
                                                                                                                                                                CFR pt. 102–3; RETAC’s charter; and
                                                  begin proposed project activities.
                                                                                                          Surface Transportation Board                          Board procedures. Further
                                                  6.2 Administrative and National                                                                               communications about this meeting may
                                                  Policy Requirements                                     [STB Docket No. EP 670 (Sub-No. 1)]                   be announced through the Board’s Web
                                                     Applicants selected for funding (and                 Notice of Rescheduled Rail Energy                     site at WWW.STB.DOT.GOV.
                                                  any subrecipient(s)) must comply with                                                                            Written Comments: Members of the
                                                                                                          Transportation Advisory Committee
                                                  all applicable laws and regulations                                                                           public may submit written comments to
                                                                                                          Meeting
                                                  governing the grant agreement. A non-                                                                         RETAC at any time. Comments should
                                                                                                          AGENCY:    Surface Transportation Board,              be addressed to RETAC, c/o Michael
                                                  exclusive list of administrative and
                                                                                                          DOT.                                                  Higgins, Surface Transportation Board,
                                                  national policy requirements that
                                                  grantees must follow includes:                          ACTION:Notice of Rescheduled Rail                     395 E Street SW., Washington, DC
                                                  Procurement standards, compliance                       Energy Transportation Advisory                        20423–0001 or Michael.Higgins@
                                                  with Federal civil rights laws and                      Committee meeting.                                    stb.dot.gov.
                                                                                                                                                                   This action will not significantly
                                                  regulations, disadvantaged business                     SUMMARY:   Notice is hereby given of a                affect either the quality of the human
                                                  enterprises (DBE), debarment and                        meeting of the Rail Energy                            environment or the conservation of
                                                  suspension, drug-free workplace, FRA’s                  Transportation Advisory Committee                     energy resources.
                                                  and OMB’s Assurances and                                (RETAC), pursuant to the Federal
                                                  Certifications, Americans with                                                                                  Authority: 49 U.S.C. 721, 49 U.S.C. 11101;
                                                                                                          Advisory Committee Act (FACA), 5                      49 U.S.C. 11121.
                                                  Disabilities Act (ADA), labor standards,                U.S.C. app. 2 10(a)(2). This meeting was
                                                  safety oversight, environmental                         originally scheduled for Thursday,                      Decided: March 17, 2015.
                                                  protection, National Environmental                      March 5, 2015, 80 FR 8760. However,                     By the Board, Rachel D. Campbell,
                                                  Policy Act (NEPA), and environmental                    the meeting was cancelled because of                  Director, Office of Proceedings.
                                                  justice. In addition, FRA expects                       inclement weather in Washington, DC,                  Brendetta S. Jones,
                                                  applicants to comply with the Buy                       which ultimately led the Federal                      Clearance Clerk.
                                                  America standards in 49 U.S.C.                          Government to close that day.                         [FR Doc. 2015–06424 Filed 3–19–15; 8:45 am]
                                                  24405(a). FRA expects this to apply to
                                                                                                          DATES: The rescheduled meeting will be                BILLING CODE 4915–01–P
                                                  any capital costs funded under this
                                                                                                          held on Tuesday, April 14, 2015, at 9:00
                                                  NOFA for steel, iron, or manufactured
                                                                                                          a.m., E.D.T.
                                                  goods used in construction of the
                                                                                                          ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held in                DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS
                                                  Maglev project.
                                                                                                          the Hearing Room on the first floor of                AFFAIRS
                                                  6.3   General Requirements                              the Board’s headquarters at 395 E Street
                                                                                                          SW., Washington, DC 20423.                            Advisory Committee on Minority
                                                    The grantee must comply with all                                                                            Veterans; Notice of Meeting
                                                  post-award implementing, reporting,                     FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                                  auditing, monitoring, and close-out                     Michael Higgins (202) 245–0284;                          The Department of Veterans Affairs
                                                  requirements, as described in Title 2,                  Michael.Higgins@stb.dot.gov.                          (VA) gives notice under the Public Law
                                                  CFR (particularly 2 CFR part 200,                       [Assistance for the hearing impaired is               92–463 (Federal Advisory Committee
                                                  Uniform Administrative Requirements,                    available through the Federal                         Act) that a meeting of the Advisory
                                                  Cost Principles, and Audit                              Information Relay Service (FIRS) at:                  Committee on Minority Veterans will be
                                                  Requirements for Federal Awards), as                    (800) 877–8339].                                      held in Seattle, Washington from April
                                                  required by the grant award conditions,                 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: RETAC                      21–23, 2015, at the below times and
                                                  and all other applicable Federal and                    was formed in 2007 to provide advice                  locations:
                                                  DOT/FRA guidance.                                       and guidance to the Board and to serve                   On April 21, from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00
                                                                                                          as a forum for discussion of emerging                 p.m., at the VA Puget Sound Health
                                                  Section 7: Agency Contact
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                                                                                          issues related to the transportation of               Care System, Building 100, 1660 South
                                                    For further information regarding this                energy resources by rail, including coal,             Columbian Way, Seattle, Washington;
                                                  notice and the grants program, please                   ethanol, and other biofuels,                          1:30 p.m. to 3:15 p.m., at the Seattle
                                                  contact Renee Cooper, Office of Program                 Establishment of a Rail Energy                        Regional Benefit Office, Jackson Federal
                                                  Delivery, Federal Railroad                              Transportation Advisory Committee,                    Building, 915 2nd Avenue, Seattle, WA;
                                                  Administration, 1200 New Jersey                         Docket No. EP 670. The purpose of this                from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., at the
                                                  Avenue SE., Mail Stop 20, Washington,                   meeting is to continue discussions                    Seattle Vet Center, 4735 E. Marginal
                                                  DC 20590; Email: FRA-grants@dot.gov;                    regarding issues such as rail                         Way S, Room 1103, Seattle, WA;


                                             VerDate Sep<11>2014   20:14 Mar 19, 2015   Jkt 235001   PO 00000   Frm 00153   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\20MRN1.SGM   20MRN1



Document Created: 2015-12-18 11:34:10
Document Modified: 2015-12-18 11:34:10
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionNotice of funding availability.
DatesApplications for funding under this NOFA are due no later than 5:00 p.m. EST, April 20, 2015. Applications for funding received after 5:00 p.m. EST on April 20, 2015, will not be considered. See Section 4 of this Notice for additional information regarding the application process.
ContactFor further information regarding this Notice, please contact Renee Cooper, Office of Program Delivery, Federal Railroad Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Mail Stop 20, Washington, DC 20590; Email: [email protected]; Phone: (202) 493- 0491; Fax: (202) 493-6333.
FR Citation80 FR 15053 

2025 Federal Register | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy
USC | CFR | eCFR