81 FR 45354 - Capital Cost Estimating Guidance
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 134 (July 13, 2016)
Federal Railroad Administration
Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 134 (July 13, 2016)
| Page Range | 45354-45355 | |
| FR Document | 2016-16544 |
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 134 (Wednesday, July 13, 2016)] [Notices] [Pages 45354-45355] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2016-16544] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Railroad Administration [Docket No. FRA-2016-0035] Capital Cost Estimating Guidance AGENCY: Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Department of Transportation (DOT). ACTION: Request for public comment on FRA's Capital Cost Estimating Guidance. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: FRA invites public comment on its Capital Cost Estimating Guidance, available on FRA's Web site at https://www.fra.dot.gov/Page/P0926. DATES: Submit comments on or before August 29, 2016. ADDRESSES: All comments must make reference to the ``Federal Railroad [[Page 45355]] Administration'' and the title ``Capital Cost Estimating Guidance.'' Submit comments by only one of the following methods: Electronic Docket: Follow the instructions for submitting comments on the U.S. Government electronic docket site at http://www.regulations.gov. Delivery Service or Hand Delivery: Submit two copies of comments to U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Docket Operations, M-30, Room W12-140 (first floor of the West Building), Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. For confirmation that the FRA has received the comments, include a self-addressed stamped postcard. Comments will be posted without change to www.regulations.gov, including any personal information included in a comment. Refer to the Privacy Act in the Supplementary Information section below. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Susan Herre, Transportation Industry Analyst, Office of Program Delivery, Federal Railroad Administration, (202) 631-1825. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: FRA developed this guidance document on capital cost estimating for project sponsors and the industry as part of its continuing efforts to provide technical assistance and ensure successful project delivery. FRA's guidance emphasizes accuracy, comprehensiveness, and completeness of estimating materials, as well as credibility. These are all qualities highlighted by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) in its own capital cost estimating guidance, which describes the same primary capital cost estimating methodologies and activities as stated in this document. FRA's guidance focuses specifically on railroad projects; it provides examples of common estimating shortfalls in railroad projects; and it defines agency-specific requirements for project sponsors regarding format and submission of cost estimate-related materials. FRA recognizes that it is not always easy to persuade stakeholders and funders of a project's merit, or to withstand criticism for capital costs that seem ``too high'' and schedules that seem ``too long.'' The pressures associated with project development and implementation can be immense. GAO recognized these pressures when it stated, ``many organizations are not mature enough to acknowledge . . . cost risk realism because of the possible repercussions [and] . . . fear that the program could be canceled.'' With this in mind, FRA's guidance asserts that true or ``non-depressed'' costs can get funded, and reminds us that delivering projects ``as promised'' increases industry credibility. By following FRA's guidance, project sponsors should be better able to compensate for uncertainties, unforeseen conditions, and unknowns in capital cost estimates. Such should improve estimate reliability, and enable as-built costs to land within a reasonable range of the estimates generated at every project phase. With a consistent estimating approach, project sponsors should be better able to make useful comparisons among estimates, and to evaluate their own estimates. This guidance will be incorporated by reference into FRA's Notices of Funding Availability/Opportunity and grant and loan agreements. FRA expects project sponsors to adhere to this guidance, and the principles and methods described herein. Privacy Act FRA wishes to inform all interested parties that anyone is able to search the electronic form of any written communications and comments received into any of our dockets by the name of the individual submitting the comment (or signing the comment, if submitted on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). Interested parties may review DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published on April 11, 2000, 65 FR 19477, or see http://www.regulations.gov/#!privacyNotice for the privacy notice of regulations.gov. Issued in Washington, DC, on July 7, 2016. Paul Nissenbaum, Associate Administrator for Railroad Policy and Development. [FR Doc. 2016-16544 Filed 7-12-16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-06-P
![45354 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 134 / Wednesday, July 13, 2016 / Notices
9. To appropriate Federal, State, and We annually provide our employees request in writing or in person. If a
local agencies, entities, and persons and contractors with appropriate person requests information by
when: security awareness training that telephone on behalf of another person,
(a) We suspect or confirm that the includes reminders about the need to the subject person must be on the
security or confidentiality of protect PII and the criminal penalties telephone with the requesting person
information in this system of records that apply to unauthorized access to, or and us in the same phone call. We will
has been compromised; disclosure of, PII (5 U.S.C. 552a(i)(1)). establish the subject person’s identity
(b) we determine that, as a result of Furthermore, employees and contractors (his or her name, SSN, address, date of
the suspected or confirmed with access to databases maintaining PII birth, and place of birth, along with one
compromise, there is a risk of harm to must sign a sanctions document other piece of information, such as
economic or property interests, identity annually acknowledging their mother’s maiden name) and ask for his
theft or fraud, or harm to the security or accountability for inappropriately or her consent to provide information to
integrity of this system or other systems accessing or disclosing such the requesting person. These procedures
or programs that rely upon the information. are in accordance with our regulations
compromised information; and (20 CFR 401.40 and 401.45).
(c) we determine that disclosing the RETENTION AND DISPOSAL:
information to such agencies, entities, We retain and dispose of records in RECORD ACCESS PROCEDURES:
and persons is necessary to assist in our accordance with NARA’s General Same as notification procedures.
efforts to respond to the suspected or Records Schedule 4.2, Information Persons must also reasonably describe
confirmed compromise and prevent, Access and Protection Records (DAA– the record contents they are seeking.
minimize, or remedy such harm. GRS–2013–0007–0002). These procedures are in accordance
10. To NARA, Office of Government with our regulations (20 CFR 401.40(c)).
SYSTEM MANAGER AND ADDRESS:
Information Services (OGIS), to the
Freedom of Information Officer, CONTESTING RECORD PROCEDURES:
extent necessary to fulfill its
responsibilities in 5 U.S.C. 552(h) to Social Security Administration, Office Same as notification procedures.
review administrative agency policies, of the General Counsel, Office of Privacy Persons must also reasonably identify
procedures and compliance with the and Disclosure, 6401 Security the record, specify the information they
FOIA, and to facilitate OGIS’ offering of Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland 21235– are contesting, and state the corrective
mediation services to resolve disputes 6401. action sought and the reasons for the
between persons making FOIA requests correction with supporting justification
NOTIFICATION PROCEDURES:
and administrative agencies. showing how the record is incomplete,
Persons can determine if this system untimely, inaccurate, or irrelevant.
DISCLOSURE TO CONSUMER REPORTING contains a record about them by writing These procedures are in accordance
AGENCIES: to the system manager at the above with our regulations (20 CFR 401.65(a)).
None. address and providing their name, SSN,
or other information that may be in this RECORD SOURCE CATEGORIES:
POLICIES AND PRACTICES FOR STORING,
RETRIEVING, ACCESSING, RETAINING, AND
system of records that will identify We obtain information in this system
DISPOSING OF RECORDS IN THE SYSTEM: them. Persons requesting notification by of records primarily from the person to
mail must include a notarized statement whom the record pertains.
STORAGE:
to us to verify their identity or must
We will maintain records in this certify in the request that they are the SYSTEMS EXEMPTED FROM CERTAIN PROVISIONS
system in paper and in electronic form. OF THE PRIVACY ACT:
person they claim to be and that they
understand that the knowing and willful None.
RETRIEVABILITY:
We will retrieve records in this request for, or acquisition of, a record [FR Doc. 2016–16547 Filed 7–12–16; 8:45 am]
system by the name and Social Security pertaining to another person under false BILLING CODE 4191–02–P
number (SSN) of the requester or pretenses is a criminal offense.
appellant; case number assigned to the Persons requesting notification of
request or appeal; name of attorney records in person must provide the DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
representing the requester or appellant; same information, as well as provide an
the name of an individual who is the identity document, preferably with a Federal Railroad Administration
subject of such a request or appeal; or photograph, such as a driver’s license. [Docket No. FRA–2016–0035]
subject matter. Persons lacking identification
documents sufficient to establish their Capital Cost Estimating Guidance
SAFEGUARDS: identity must certify in writing that they
We retain electronic records with are the person they claim to be and that AGENCY: Federal Railroad
personal identifiers in secure storage they understand that the knowing and Administration (FRA), Department of
areas accessible only by our authorized willful request for, or acquisition of, a Transportation (DOT).
employees and contractors who have a record pertaining to another person ACTION: Request for public comment on
need for the information when under false pretenses is a criminal FRA’s Capital Cost Estimating
performing their official duties. Security offense. Guidance.
measures include the use of access Persons requesting notification by
codes and profiles, personal telephone must verify their identity by SUMMARY: FRA invites public comment
jstallworth on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
identification number (PIN) and providing identifying information that on its Capital Cost Estimating Guidance,
password, and personal identification parallels the information in the record available on FRA’s Web site at https://
verification (PIV) cards. We keep paper about which they are requesting www.fra.dot.gov/Page/P0926.
records in cabinets within secure areas, notification. If we determine that the DATES: Submit comments on or before
with access limited to only those identifying information the person August 29, 2016.
employees who have an official need for provides by telephone is insufficient, ADDRESSES: All comments must make
access in order to perform their duties. we will require the person to submit a reference to the ‘‘Federal Railroad
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![Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 134 / Wednesday, July 13, 2016 / Notices 45355
Administration’’ and the title ‘‘Capital repercussions [and] . . . fear that the SUMMARY: NHTSA announces a meeting
Cost Estimating Guidance.’’ Submit program could be canceled.’’ With this of the FICEMS to be held in the
comments by only one of the following in mind, FRA’s guidance asserts that Washington, DC area. This notice
methods: true or ‘‘non-depressed’’ costs can get announces the date, time, and location
Electronic Docket: Follow the funded, and reminds us that delivering of the meeting, which will be open to
instructions for submitting comments projects ‘‘as promised’’ increases the public. Pre-registration is
on the U.S. Government electronic industry credibility. encouraged.
docket site at http:// By following FRA’s guidance, project DATES: The meeting will be held on
www.regulations.gov. sponsors should be better able to August 4, 2016, from 1 p.m. EDT to 3
Delivery Service or Hand Delivery: compensate for uncertainties, p.m. EDT.
Submit two copies of comments to U.S. unforeseen conditions, and unknowns ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at
Department of Transportation, 1200 in capital cost estimates. Such should the Headquarters of the U.S. Department
New Jersey Avenue SE., Docket improve estimate reliability, and enable of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey
Operations, M–30, Room W12–140 (first as-built costs to land within a Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590,
floor of the West Building), Washington, reasonable range of the estimates Oklahoma City Conference Room.
DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., generated at every project phase. With a FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Monday through Friday, except Federal consistent estimating approach, project Gamunu Wijetunge, U.S. Department of
holidays. For confirmation that the FRA sponsors should be better able to make Transportation, Office of Emergency
has received the comments, include a useful comparisons among estimates, Medical Services, National Highway
self-addressed stamped postcard. and to evaluate their own estimates. Traffic Safety Administration, 1200 New
Comments will be posted without This guidance will be incorporated by Jersey Avenue SE., NPD–400,
change to www.regulations.gov, reference into FRA’s Notices of Funding Washington, DC 20590,
including any personal information Availability/Opportunity and grant and gamunu.wijetunge@dot.gov, or 202–
included in a comment. Refer to the loan agreements. FRA expects project 493–2793.
Privacy Act in the Supplementary sponsors to adhere to this guidance, and
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section
Information section below. the principles and methods described
10202 of the Safe, Accountable,
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: herein.
Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity
Susan Herre, Transportation Industry Privacy Act Act: A Legacy For Users (SAFETEA–
Analyst, Office of Program Delivery, LU), Public Law 109–59, provides that
Federal Railroad Administration, (202) FRA wishes to inform all interested
the FICEMS consist of several officials
631–1825. parties that anyone is able to search the
from Federal agencies as well as a State
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: FRA electronic form of any written
emergency medical services director
developed this guidance document on communications and comments
appointed by the Secretary of
capital cost estimating for project received into any of our dockets by the
Transportation.
sponsors and the industry as part of its name of the individual submitting the Registration Information: This
continuing efforts to provide technical comment (or signing the comment, if meeting will be open to the general
assistance and ensure successful project submitted on behalf of an association, public; however, pre-registration is
delivery. FRA’s guidance emphasizes business, labor union, etc.). Interested highly encouraged to comply with
accuracy, comprehensiveness, and parties may review DOT’s complete security procedures. Members of the
completeness of estimating materials, as Privacy Act Statement in the Federal public wishing to attend should register
well as credibility. These are all Register published on April 11, 2000, 65 online at http://www.cvent.com/d/
qualities highlighted by the U.S. FR 19477, or see http:// 2fqyqr no later than August 2, 2016.
Government Accountability Office www.regulations.gov/#!privacyNotice Please note that the information
(GAO) in its own capital cost estimating for the privacy notice of regulations.gov. collected for registration, including full
guidance, which describes the same Issued in Washington, DC, on July 7, 2016. name, place of business, telephone
primary capital cost estimating Paul Nissenbaum, number and email address, will be used
methodologies and activities as stated in Associate Administrator for Railroad Policy solely for the purposes of providing
this document. and Development. registrants with access to the meeting
FRA’s guidance focuses specifically [FR Doc. 2016–16544 Filed 7–12–16; 8:45 am] site and to provide meeting materials to
on railroad projects; it provides BILLING CODE 4910–06–P registrants via email when they become
examples of common estimating available.
shortfalls in railroad projects; and it A picture I.D. must be provided to
defines agency-specific requirements for DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION enter the U.S. DOT Headquarters
project sponsors regarding format and Building. It is suggested that visitors
submission of cost estimate-related National Highway Traffic Safety arrive 30 minutes early in order to
materials. Administration facilitate entry. Attendees who are not
FRA recognizes that it is not always United States citizens must produce a
easy to persuade stakeholders and [Docket No. NHTSA–2016–0072] valid passport to enter the building.
funders of a project’s merit, or to Please be aware that visitors to the U.S.
withstand criticism for capital costs that Meeting Notice—Federal Interagency DOT Headquarters Building are subject
seem ‘‘too high’’ and schedules that Committee on Emergency Medical to search and must pass through a
jstallworth on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
seem ‘‘too long.’’ The pressures Services (FICEMS) magnetometer. Weapons of any kind are
associated with project development AGENCY: National Highway Traffic strictly forbidden in the building unless
and implementation can be immense. Safety Administration (NHTSA), U.S. authorized through the performance of
GAO recognized these pressures when it Department of Transportation (U.S. the official duties of your employment
stated, ‘‘many organizations are not DOT). (i.e., law enforcement officer). Federal
mature enough to acknowledge . . . cost staff will be in the lobby beginning at 12
ACTION: Meeting notice—FICEMS.
risk realism because of the possible p.m. EDT on the day of the meeting to
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Document Created: 2016-07-13 01:44:06
Document Modified: 2016-07-13 01:44:06
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Request for public comment on FRA's Capital Cost Estimating Guidance. | |
| Dates | Submit comments on or before August 29, 2016. | |
| Contact | Susan Herre, Transportation Industry Analyst, Office of Program Delivery, Federal Railroad Administration, (202) 631-1825. | |
| FR Citation | 81 FR 45354 |
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