81 FR 50047 - Notice of Funding Opportunity for FY 2017 Positive Train Control Grant Funds
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration
Federal Transit Administration Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 146 (July 29, 2016)
Federal Railroad Administration
Federal Transit Administration
Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 146 (July 29, 2016)
| Page Range | 50047-50052 | |
| FR Document | 2016-17943 |
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 146 (Friday, July 29, 2016)] [Notices] [Pages 50047-50052] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2016-17943] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Railroad Administration Federal Transit Administration Notice of Funding Opportunity for FY 2017 Positive Train Control Grant Funds AGENCY: Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Department of Transportation (DOT). ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: This notice details the application requirements and procedures to obtain funding for the installation of Positive Train Control (PTC) systems required under the Railroad Safety Improvement Act of 2008, as amended by the Positive Train Control Enforcement and Implementation Act of 2015. The opportunities described in this notice are available under Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number 20.321, ``Positive Train Control.'' FRA will review applications for funding under this NOFO and will select the projects for funding. FTA will award the grant funds and administer and manage the grants after award. FRA will help FTA monitor the PTC implementation and progress of the grantees. In addition, applicants should contact FRA with PTC technical questions. DATES: Applications for funding under this solicitation are due no later than 5:00 p.m. EDT, September 27, 2016. Applications for funding received after 5:00 p.m. EDT on September 27, 2016 will not be considered for funding. See Section 4 of this notice for additional information on 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 Ms. Amy Houser, Office of Program Delivery, Federal Railroad Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Room W36-412, 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: If you have a PTC project related question, you may contact Dr. Mark Hartong, Senior Scientific Technical Advisor, [[Page 50048]] Federal Railroad Administration (phone: (202) 493-1332; email: [email protected]), or Mr. Devin Rouse, Program Manager, Federal Railroad Administration (phone: (202) 493-6185, email: [email protected]). Grant application submission and processing questions should be addressed to Ms. Amy Houser, Office of Program Delivery, Federal Railroad Administration (1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Room W36-412, Washington, DC 20590; email: [email protected]). For questions regarding FTA administration of grants awarded under this competition, contact Mr. Eric Hu, Office of Program Management, Federal Transit Administration (phone: (202) 366-0870; email: [email protected]). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notice to applicants: FRA and FTA recommend applicants read this notice in its entirety prior to preparing application materials. There are several administrative prerequisites described herein that applicants must comply with to submit an application and specific eligibility requirements applicants must meet. Additionally, applicants should note that the required Project Narrative component of the application package may not exceed 25 pages in length (including any appendices). Table of Contents 1. Program Description 2. Federal Award Information 3. Eligibility Information 4. Application and Submission Information 5. Application Review 6. Federal Award Administration 7. Federal Awarding Agency Contacts Section 1: Program Description The purpose of this notice is to solicit applications for grants to assist financing the installation of PTC systems required under 49 U.S.C. 20157 (Implementation of positive train control systems). The maximum $197.01 million of funding available under this NOFO after approximately $2 million is set aside for program oversight is authorized by section 3028 of the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act (Public Law 114-94). All projects that receive funding under this notice must comply with the applicable requirements of 49 U.S.C. 20157 and 49 CFR part 236, subpart I, including 236.1005 (Requirements for Positive Train Control Systems). The funding described in this notice is authorized to be appropriated for Federal Fiscal Year 2017 beginning October 1, 2016. Funding allocations made under this notice are subject to the availability of funds. Section 2: Federal Award Information The maximum funding authorized under this NOFO is $197.01 million after approximately $2 million is set aside for program oversight per the FAST Act. Per the FAST Act, FRA anticipates selecting multiple projects for the funding made available in this notice, and is not predetermining any minimum or maximum dollar amounts for awards. However, given the limited amount of funding currently available, applicants are encouraged to identify scalable project phases or elements that would result in the installation of components necessary for the deployment of a PTC system required under 49 U.S.C. 20157, because FRA may choose to make project selections for less than the total amount requested in the application. Section 3: Eligibility Information This section of the notice explains the requirements for submitting an eligible grant application. Applications that do not meet the requirements in this section will be considered ineligible for funding. Instructions for conveying eligibility information to FRA are detailed in Section 4 of this NOFO. 3.1 Applicant Eligibility Eligible applicants for PTC system funding under this notice are entities that are recipients of funds under 49 U.S.C. Chapter 53. a. This includes, but is not limited to, the following entities: i. Public transit agencies operating commuter railroads; and ii. State and local governments. b. Applicants must: i. Have submitted a revised Positive Train Control Implementation Plan (PTCIP) to FRA as required by 49 U.S.C. 20157(a); or ii. Be tenants on one or more host railroads whose host railroad(s) have submitted a revised PTCIP as required by 49 U.S.C. 20157(a). c. An applicant who has not submitted a revised PTCIP to FRA as required by 49 U.S.C. 20157(a), and is not a tenant on one or more host railroads who have submitted a revised PTCIP as required by 49 U.S.C. 20157(a), may be eligible for funding under this notice if the applicant can demonstrate to FRA's satisfaction in the grant application that the: i. Applicant is not required to submit a revised PTCIP as required by 49 U.S.C. 20157(a); and ii. Proposed project will assist in financing the installation of a PTC system required under 49 U.S.C. 20157. 3.2 Project Eligibility Projects eligible for funding under this NOFO must help install PTC systems required under 49 U.S.C. 20157. The capital costs of PTC systems installation would be eligible project activities including but not limited to: Back office systems; wayside, communications and onboard hardware equipment, software; equipment installation; and spectrum acquisition. Examples of eligible PTC system projects include the following: a. Installation of PTC systems; b. Installation of shared PTC system infrastructure (e.g., back office systems and computer-aided dispatch (CAD) systems); c. Advancement of PTC system interoperability related to installation, such as spectrum acquisition, spectrum sharing, and radio interference and desensitization; d. Installation of technologies that will lower costs, accelerate PTC implementation, increase interoperability between host and tenant operations, and improve reliability of PTC systems; and e. Installation of technologies that will eliminate PTC system communications interference, provide solutions to configuration management of multi-railroad PTC software and firmware deployments, and provide host-tenant railroad PTC interoperability and PTC System Certification. These are examples of eligible projects, and FRA will evaluate any other projects meeting the criteria of this NOFO for eligibility and consideration for award. Preventive maintenance and overhaul costs, new vehicle procurement, real estate property acquisition, building construction and acquisition, and operating expenses are not eligible costs under this NOFO. 3.3 Cost Eligibility Funds awarded under this notice must not exceed 80 percent of the total cost of a project. The required 20 percent non-Federal share may be comprised of public sector (state or local) or private sector funding. However, FRA will not consider any other Federal grant funds, nor any non-Federal funds already expended (or otherwise encumbered), towards the matching requirement. FRA is limiting the method for calculating the non-Federal match to cash contributions only--FRA will not accept ``in-kind'' contributions and transportation development credits. FRA will consider non-Federal matching funds exceeding the minimum requirement when evaluating the merit of an application. [[Page 50049]] Section 4: Application and Submission Information 4.1 Submission Dates and Times Applicants must submit complete applications to Grants.gov no later than 5:00 p.m. EDT, September 27, 2016. Delayed registration is not an acceptable reason for late submission. In order to apply for funding under this announcement, all applicants are expected to be registered as an organization with Grants.gov. Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply early to ensure that all materials are received before this deadline. Late applications that are the result of failure to register or comply with Grants.gov applicant requirements in a timely manner will not be considered. 4.2 Application Content Applicants should read this section carefully and must submit all required information. Project Narrative This section describes the minimum content required in the Project Narrative component of grant applications (FRA also recommends the Project Narrative generally adhere to the following outline). 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). FRA will not review or consider for award applications with Project Narratives exceeding the 25 page limitation. a. The Project Narrative must: i. Include a title page that lists the following elements in either a table or formatted list: Project title; location (i.e., city, State, Congressional district); applicant organization name; name of any co- applicants; amount of Federal funding requested; and proposed non- Federal match; ii. Designate a point of contact for the applicant 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; iii. Indicate the amount of Federal funding requested, the proposed non-Federal match, and total project cost. Additionally, identify any other sources of Federal funds committed to the project and any pending Federal requests. You must also note if the requested Federal funding must be obligated or spent by a certain date due to dependencies or relationships with other Federal or non-Federal funding sources, related projects, law, or other factors. Finally, specify whether you ever previously sought Federal funding for the project, and name the Federal program and fiscal year for the funding request; iv. Explain how the applicant meets the applicant eligibility criteria outlined in Section 3 of this notice; v. Provide a brief 4-6 sentence summary of the proposed project, capturing the PTC challenges the proposed project aims to address, as well as the intended outcomes and anticipated benefits that will result from the proposed project; vi. 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 PTC challenges the project aims to address, the expected users and beneficiaries of the project, the specific components and elements of the project, and any other information the applicant deems necessary to justify the proposed project. The detailed description should also clearly explain how the proposed project meets the project eligibility criteria in Section 3 of this notice; vii. Include a thorough discussion of how the proposed project meets all of the evaluation criteria for the respective project type, as outlined in Section 5 of this notice. Applicants should note that FRA reviews applications based upon the evaluation criteria. If an application does not sufficiently address the evaluation criteria, it is unlikely to be a competitive application. In responding to the criteria, applicants should clearly identify, quantify, and compare expected benefits and costs of proposed projects; viii. Describe proposed project implementation and project management arrangements. 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. Additional Application Elements b. Applicants must: i. Submit a Statement of Work (SOW) that addresses the scope, schedule, and budget for the proposed project if it were selected for award. The SOW must contain sufficient detail so that FRA and FTA, and the applicant, can understand 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. FRA developed a standard SOW template that applicants must use to be considered for award. The SOW templates and other required forms are located at http://www.fra.dot.gov/Page/P0021. ii. Describe anticipated environmental and historic preservation impacts associated with the proposed project, any environmental or historic preservation analyses that have been prepared, and progress toward completing any environmental documentation or clearance required for the proposed project under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the National Historic Preservation Act, section 4(f) of the U.S. DOT Act, the Clean Water Act, and other applicable Federal or State laws such as the FCC requirements for antenna transmission. Applicants are encouraged to contact FTA and obtain preliminary direction regarding the appropriate NEPA action and required environmental documentation. Generally, projects will be ineligible to receive funding if they have begun construction activities prior to the applicant receiving written approval from FTA that all environmental and historical analyses have been completed. Additional information regarding FTA's environmental processes and requirements are located at https://www.transit.dot.gov/regulations-and-guidance/environmental-programs/environmental-analysis-review. iii. Submit an SF 424A--Budget Information for Non-Construction or SF 424C. iv. Budget Information for Construction; v. Submit an SF 424B--Assurances for Non-Construction or SF 424D-- Assurances for Construction; and vi. Submit an SF LLL: Disclosure of Lobbying Activities. 4.3 Submission Instructions 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 onetime 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. Applications will not be accepted after the due date. Delayed registration is not an acceptable justification for an application extension. (Please note that if a Dun & [[Page 50050]] Bradstreet (DUNS) number must be obtained or renewed, this may take a significant amount of time to complete.) Late applications that are the result of failure to register or comply with Grants.gov applicant requirements in a timely manner will not be considered. Required documents for the application package are outlined in the following paragraphs. 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, engineering and design documentation, and letters of support). In particular, applications accompanied by completed feasibility studies and cost estimates may be more favorably considered during the evaluation process, as they demonstrate that an applicant has a greater understanding of the scope and cost of the project. Applicants must submit all application materials through Grants.gov. For any required or supporting application materials that an applicant cannot submit via Grants.gov (such as oversized engineering drawings), an applicant may submit an original and two (2) copies to Ms. Amy Houser, Office of Program Delivery, Federal Railroad Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Room W36-412, Washington, DC 20590. However, due to delays caused by enhanced screening of mail delivered via the U.S. Postal Service, FRA advises applicants to use other means of conveyance (such as courier service) to assure timely receipt of materials. Additionally, if documents can be obtained online, explaining to FRA how to access files on a referenced Web site may also be sufficient. 4.4 Funding Restrictions Use of Grant Funds for Federal Credit Assistance At the request of an eligible applicant under Section 3 of this NOFO, and subject to DOT approval and any applicable laws that may otherwise prohibit using Federal grant funds in such a manner, amounts awarded to an eligible applicant under this grant may be used to pay certain costs applicants incur under sections 502 through 504 of the Railroad Revitalization and Regulatory Reform Act of 1976 (45 U.S.C. 801, et seq.) (Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing (RRIF) program). Requirements to use the grant money awarded under this NOFO for RRIF costs are explained further below. In general, the RRIF program provides loans and loan guarantees to finance railroad and intermodal equipment and infrastructure, including PTC installation. Under the RRIF program, a RRIF loan applicant or other non-Federal source must pay a Credit Risk Premium (CRP) assessed based on the overall risk of each transaction. In addition, the RRIF applicant pays an evaluation charge to reimburse the Secretary for costs incurred to administer the program, including financial and legal advice (administrative costs). Eligible applicants may use amounts awarded under this NOFO to pay the RRIF CRP and/or administrative costs associated with a RRIF loan or loan guarantee made to finance the same PTC system installation project for which the grant under this NOFO was awarded. To be clear, the funds made available under this NOFO may only be used to finance the installation of PTC systems required under 49 U.S.C. 20157. Availability The grant funds made available under this NOFO must be obligated in a grant agreement no later than September 30, 2018. Therefore, for an eligible applicant to use grant funds to pay the CRP and/or administrative costs associated with a RRIF loan or loan guarantee, the applicable loan or loan guarantee must be executed by September 30, 2018. Subsidy and administrative costs associated with a RRIF loan or loan guarantee agreement that is not executed by September 30, 2018 are not eligible for funding under this NOFO. Section 5: Application Review FRA will conduct a three-part application review process, as follows: a. Screen applications for completeness and eligibility; b. Evaluate eligible applications (completed by technical panels applying the evaluation criteria); and c. Select projects for funding (completed by the FRA Administrator applying additional selection criteria). 5.1 Intake and Eligibility FRA first will screen each application for eligibility (eligibility requirements are outlined in Section 3 of this notice) and completeness (application documentation and submission requirements are outlined in Section 4 of this notice). FRA-led technical panels of subject-matter experts will evaluate all eligible and complete applications using the evaluation criteria outlined in this section. The FRA Administrator then will select for funding the projects that are well-aligned with one or more of the evaluation and selection criteria. 5.2 Evaluation Criteria FRA will give preference to applicants that can demonstrate an ability to substantially complete the project work, or otherwise provide benefits to industry, prior to the statutory deadlines the Positive Train Control Enforcement and Implementation Act of 2015 (PTCEI Act) established. The PTCEI Act extended the statutory deadline for implementation of PTC systems to at least December 31, 2018, and allows railroads to request approval from FRA for an extension beyond December 31, 2018, but no later than December 31, 2020, for implementation of certain operational, non-hardware aspects of PTC systems, upon completion of statutory prerequisites. FRA will review applications using the following four evaluation criteria:Accrued safety benefits; Expeditious PTC system deployment; Technical merit; and Project development approach. a. Accrued Safety Benefits FRA will consider a proposed project's accrued safety benefits, including the following factors: i. The number of passengers for which the proposed project will improve safety by reducing the threat of train-to-train collisions, over speed derailments, incursions into established work zone limits, and the movement of a train through a misaligned switch; and ii. The number of miles of roadway work zones protected by the proposed project. b. Expeditious PTC System Deployment FRA will consider a proposed project's achievement of expeditious PTC system deployment, including the following factors: i. The degree to which the proposed project expedites the installation of the PTC system; ii. The degree to which the proposed project expedites testing and certification of the PTC system; and iii. The ability for the proposed project to maintain the railroad's PTC system implementation timeline or reduce/eliminate schedule risks. c. Technical Merit FRA will consider a proposed project's technical merit, including the following factors: i. The degree to which the proposed project exhibits a sound scientific and engineering basis; ii. The degree to which the proposed project is practically applied in and [[Page 50051]] compatible with the railroad's operating environment and infrastructure; and iii. The likelihood of technical and practical success. d. Project Development Approach FRA will consider a proposed project's project development approach, including the following factors: i. The technical qualifications and demonstrated experience of key personnel proposed to lead and perform the technical efforts, and the qualifications of the primary and supporting organizations to fully and successfully execute the proposed project within the proposed timeframe and budget; ii. The degree to which proposed project is supported by multiple entities (letters of support are encouraged); iii. The affordability and degree to which the proposed project is a good value for the amount of funding requested. Good value means the goods/services received are worth the price paid. (Examples of the types of factors that may be considered include, but are not limited to, suitability, quality, skills, price, and life-cycle cost. The mix of these and other factors and the relevant importance of each will vary on a case by case basis); iv. The reasonableness of the proposed costs; and v. The extent of proposed cost sharing or cost participation (exclusive of the applicant's prior investment). 5.3 Selection Criteria In addition to the evaluation criteria, the FRA Administrator will apply the following four selection criteria to further ensure that the projects selected for funding advance FRA's current PTC mission and key priorities: Alignment with DOT strategic goals and priorities; Project delivery performance; Region/location; and Innovation/resource development. a. Alignment With DOT Strategic Goals and Priorities i. Improving transportation safety; ii. Maintaining transportation infrastructure in a state of good repair; iii. Promoting economic competitiveness; iv. Advancing environmentally sustainable transportation policies; v. Enhancing quality of life; and vi. Building ladders of opportunity to expand the middle class. Proposed projects that demonstrate the ability to provide reliable, safe and affordable transportation choices to connect economically disadvantaged populations, non-drivers, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities in disconnected communities with employment, training and education will receive particular consideration during project selection. b. Project Delivery Performance i. The applicant's track record in successfully delivering previous DOT grants on time, on budget, and for the full intended scope; ii. The applicant's means for achieving satisfactory continuing control over project assets in a timely manner, including public ownership of project assets or agreements with commuter railroad operators and infrastructure owners at the time of application; and iii. The extent to which the proposed project complements previous DOT awards. c. Region/Location i. The extent to which the proposed project increases the economic productivity of land, capital, or labor at specific locations, particularly in economically distressed areas; ii. Ensuring appropriate level of regional balance across the country; iii. Ensuring consistency with national transportation and rail network objectives; and iv. Ensuring integration with other rail services and transportation modes. d. Innovation/Resource Development i. Promoting innovations that demonstrate the value of new approaches to, among other things, transportation funding and finance, contracting, project delivery, congestion management, safety management, asset management, or long-term operations and maintenance. 6. Federal Award Administration 6.1 Federal Award Notice Final project selections will be posted on DOT, FRA, and FTA's Web sites. 6.2 Award Administration Due to funding limitations, projects that are selected for funding may receive less than the amount originally requested. In those cases, applicants must be able to demonstrate that the proposed projects are still viable and can be completed with the amount awarded. Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System (FAPIIS) Review Before making a Federal award with a total amount of Federal share greater than the simplified acquisition threshold (see 2 CFR 200.88 Simplified Acquisition Threshold), FTA will review and consider any information about the applicant that is in the designated integrity and performance system accessible through the System for Award Management (SAM) (currently the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System (FAPIIS)) (see 41 U.S.C. 2313). An applicant, at its option, may review information in the designated integrity and performance systems accessible through SAM and comment on any information about itself that a Federal awarding agency previously entered and is currently in the designated integrity and performance system accessible through SAM. FTA will consider any comments by the applicant, in addition to the other information in the designated integrity and performance system, in making a judgment about the applicant's integrity, business ethics, and record of performance under Federal awards when completing the review of risk posed by applicants as described in 2 CFR 200.205. 6.3 Administrative and National Policy Requirements a. Pre-Award Authority Once selected, FTA will issue specific guidance to recipients regarding pre-award authority at the time of selection. FTA does not provide pre-award authority for discretionary funds until projects are selected and even then there are Federal requirements that must be met before costs are incurred. For more information about FTA's policy on pre-award authority, please see the FY 2016 Apportionment Notice published on February 16, 2016. https://www.thefederalregister.org/fdsys/pkg/FR-2016-02-16/pdf/2016-02821.pdf. b. Grant Requirements If selected, awardees will apply for a grant through FTA's Transit Award Management System (TrAMS). Recipients of PTC Funding are subject to the requirements of 49 U.S.C. Chapter 53, including FTA's Buy America requirements, Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, and Planning Requirements. All recipients must follow the Grants Management Requirements of FTA Circular 5010.1D, the labor protections of 49 U.S.C. 5333(b), and the third party procurement requirements of FTA Circular 4220.1F. All discretionary grants, regardless of award amount, will be subject to the congressional notification and release process. Technical assistance regarding these requirements is available from each FTA regional office. [[Page 50052]] c. Standard Assurances The applicant must assure it will comply with all applicable Federal statutes, regulations, executive orders, FTA circulars, and other Federal administrative requirements in carrying out any project supported by the FTA grant. The applicant must acknowledge that it is under a continuing obligation to comply with the terms and conditions of the grant agreement issued for its project with FTA. The applicant understands that Federal laws, regulations, policies, and administrative practices might be modified from time to time and may affect the implementation of the project. The applicant must agree that the most recent Federal requirements will apply to the project, unless FTA issues a written determination otherwise. The applicant must submit the Certifications and Assurances before receiving a grant if it does not have current certifications on file. d. Reporting Post-award reporting requirements include submission of Federal Financial Reports and Milestone Progress Reports in TrAMS. e. Technical Assistance and Other Program Information This program is not subject to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.'' FRA will consider applications for funding only from eligible recipients as explained in Section 3. 7. Federal Awarding Agency Contacts If you have a PTC technical project related question, you may contact Dr. Mark Hartong, Senior Scientific Technical Advisor (phone: (202) 493-1332; email: [email protected]), or Mr. Devin Rouse, Program Manager (phone: (202) 493-6185, email: [email protected].) Grant application submission and processing questions should be addressed to Ms. Amy Houser, Office of Program Delivery, Federal Railroad Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Room W36-412, Washington, DC 20590; email: [email protected]. For questions relating to grant requirements, please contact Eric Hu, Program Manager, Urban Programs (phone: (202) 366-0870, email [email protected]). FTA grantees may also contact their FTA regional office. Contact for FTA's regional offices can be found on FTA's Web site at: https://www.transit.dot.gov/about/regional-offices/regional-offices. Information Collection: The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approved the information collection associated with the PTC Grants Program. The approval number for this collection of information is OMB No. 2130-0587. Issued in Washington, DC on July 21, 2016. Carolyn Flowers, Acting Administrator, FTA. Sarah E. Feinberg, Administrator, FRA. [FR Doc. 2016-17943 Filed 7-28-16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-06-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 146 / Friday, July 29, 2016 / Notices 50047
Instructions: All submissions must In 49 CFR 397.73, the FMCSA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
include the Agency name and docket requires that each State and Indian tribe,
number. For detailed instructions on through its routing agency, provide Federal Railroad Administration
submitting comments and additional information identifying new, or changes
information on the exemption process, to existing, hazardous materials routing Federal Transit Administration
see the Public Participation heading designations within its jurisdiction
below. Note that all comments received within 60 days after their establishment Notice of Funding Opportunity for FY
will be posted without change to http:// (or 60 days of the change). That 2017 Positive Train Control Grant
www.regulations.gov, including any information is collected and Funds
personal information provided. Please consolidated by FMCSA and published AGENCY: Federal Railroad
see the Privacy Act heading below. annually, in whole or as updates, in the Administration (FRA) and Federal
Docket: For access to the docket to Federal Register. Transit Administration (FTA),
read background documents or Title: Transportation of Hazardous Department of Transportation (DOT).
comments received, go to http:// Materials, Highway Routing. ACTION: Notice.
www.regulations.gov, and follow the OMB Control Number: 2126–0014.
online instructions for accessing the Type of Request: Extension of a SUMMARY: This notice details the
dockets, or go to the street address listed currently-approved information application requirements and
above. collection. procedures to obtain funding for the
Privacy Act: Anyone is able to search Respondents: The reporting burden is installation of Positive Train Control
(PTC) systems required under the
the electronic form of all comments shared by 50 States, the District of
Railroad Safety Improvement Act of
received into any of our dockets by the Columbia, Indian tribes with designated
2008, as amended by the Positive Train
name of the individual submitting the routes, and U.S. Territories including;
Control Enforcement and
comment (or signing the comment, if Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam,
Implementation Act of 2015. The
submitted on behalf of an association, the Commonwealth of the Northern
opportunities described in this notice
business, labor union, etc.). You may Mariana Islands and the U.S. Virgin
are available under Catalog of Federal
review DOT’s complete Privacy Act Islands.
Domestic Assistance number 20.321,
Statement for the Federal Docket Estimated Number of Respondents: 57 ‘‘Positive Train Control.’’
Management System published in the [36 States and the District of Columbia, FRA will review applications for
Federal Register on January 17, 2008 with designated hazardous materials funding under this NOFO and will
(73 FR 3316), or you may visit http:// highway routes + 20 States/U.S. select the projects for funding. FTA will
edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdfE8- Territories without designated award the grant funds and administer
794.pdf. hazardous materials highway routes + 1 and manage the grants after award. FRA
Public Participation: The Federal Indian tribe with a designated route = will help FTA monitor the PTC
eRulemaking Portal is available 24 57]. implementation and progress of the
hours each day, 365 days each year. You Estimated Time per Response: 15 grantees. In addition, applicants should
can obtain electronic submission and minutes. contact FRA with PTC technical
retrieval help and guidelines under the Expiration Date: None. questions.
‘‘help’’ section of the Federal Frequency of Response: Once every DATES: Applications for funding under
eRulemaking Portal Web site. If you two years.
want us to notify you that we received this solicitation are due no later than
Estimated Total Annual Burden: 7 5:00 p.m. EDT, September 27, 2016.
your comments, please include a self- hours [57 annual respondents × 1 Applications for funding received after
addressed, stamped envelope or response per 2 years × 15 minutes per 5:00 p.m. EDT on September 27, 2016
postcard, or print the acknowledgement response/60 minutes per response =
page that appears after submitting will not be considered for funding. See
7.125 hours rounded to 7 hours]. Section 4 of this notice for additional
comments online. Comments received Public Comments Invited: You are
after the comment closing date will be information on the application process.
asked to comment on any aspect of this ADDRESSES: Applications must be
included in the docket and will be information collection, including: (1)
considered to the extent practicable. submitted via Grants.gov. For any
Whether the proposed collection is required or supporting application
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. necessary for the performance of materials that an applicant is unable to
Vincent Babich, Office of Enforcement FMCSA’s functions; (2) the accuracy of submit via Grants.gov (such as oversized
and Compliance, Hazardous Materials the estimated burden; (3) ways for engineering drawings), an applicant
Division, Department of Transportation, FMCSA to enhance the quality, may submit an original and two (2)
FMCSA, West Building 6th Floor, 1200 usefulness, and clarity of the collected copies to Ms. Amy Houser, Office of
New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, information; and (4) ways that the Program Delivery, Federal Railroad
DC 20590. Telephone: 202–366–4871; burden could be minimized without Administration, 1200 New Jersey
email vincent.babich@dot.gov. reducing the quality of the collected Avenue SE., Room W36–412,
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: information. The agency will summarize Washington, DC 20590. However, due to
or include your comments in the request delays caused by enhanced screening of
Background: The data for the
for OMB’s clearance of this information mail delivered via the U.S. Postal
Transportation of Hazardous Materials;
collection. Service, applicants are advised to use
Highway Routing ICR is collected under
ebenthall on DSK5MVXVN1PROD with NOTICES
authority of 49 U.S.C. 5112 and 5125. Issued under the authority of 49 CFR 1.87 other means of conveyance (such as
Specifically, 49 U.S.C. 5112(c) requires on: July 21, 2016. courier service) to assure timely receipt
that the Secretary, in coordination with Kelly Regal, of materials.
the States, ‘‘shall update and publish Associate Administrator for Office of FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If
periodically a list of currently effective Research and Information Technology. you have a PTC project related question,
hazardous material highway route [FR Doc. 2016–17974 Filed 7–28–16; 8:45 am] you may contact Dr. Mark Hartong,
designations.’’ BILLING CODE 4910–EX–P Senior Scientific Technical Advisor,
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![50052 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 146 / Friday, July 29, 2016 / Notices
c. Standard Assurances Information Collection: The Office of participants priority for carriage of
The applicant must assure it will Management and Budget (OMB) peacetime cargos.
comply with all applicable Federal approved the information collection DATES: VISA Program applications must
associated with the PTC Grants be received on or before August 29,
statutes, regulations, executive orders,
Program. The approval number for this 2016.
FTA circulars, and other Federal
collection of information is OMB No.
administrative requirements in carrying ADDRESSES: Submit applications and
2130–0587.
out any project supported by the FTA questions related to this notice to
grant. The applicant must acknowledge Issued in Washington, DC on July 21, 2016. William G. McDonald, Director, Office
that it is under a continuing obligation Carolyn Flowers, of Sealift Support, U.S. Department of
to comply with the terms and Acting Administrator, FTA. Transportation, Maritime
conditions of the grant agreement issued Sarah E. Feinberg, Administration, 1200 New Jersey
for its project with FTA. The applicant Administrator, FRA. Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
understands that Federal laws, [FR Doc. 2016–17943 Filed 7–28–16; 8:45 am]
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
regulations, policies, and administrative William G. McDonald, Director, Office
BILLING CODE 4910–06–P
practices might be modified from time of Sealift Support, U.S. Department of
to time and may affect the Transportation, Maritime
implementation of the project. The DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Administration, 1200 New Jersey
applicant must agree that the most Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
recent Federal requirements will apply Maritime Administration Telephone (202) 366–0688; Fax (202)
to the project, unless FTA issues a 366–5904, electronic mail to
written determination otherwise. The Voluntary Intermodal Sealift william.g.mcdonald@dot.gov or visit
applicant must submit the Certifications Agreement Open Season http://www.marad.dot.gov.
and Assurances before receiving a grant AGENCY: Maritime Administration, SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The VISA
if it does not have current certifications Department of Transportation. program was established pursuant to
on file. Section 708 of the Defense Production
ACTION: Notice of open season for
d. Reporting enrollment in the VISA program. Act of 1950, as amended (DPA). The
VISA program was created to provide
Post-award reporting requirements SUMMARY: The Maritime Administration for voluntary agreements for emergency
include submission of Federal Financial (MARAD) announces that the open preparedness programs. Pursuant to the
Reports and Milestone Progress Reports season for Fiscal Year 2017 applications DPA, voluntary agreements for
in TrAMS. for participation in the Voluntary preparedness programs, including the
e. Technical Assistance and Other Intermodal Sealift Agreement (VISA) VISA program expire five (5) years after
Program Information program will run for 30 days beginning the date they became effective.
today and ending August 29, 2016. The The VISA program is open to U.S.-flag
This program is not subject to purpose of this notice is to invite vessel operators of oceangoing militarily
Executive Order 12372, interested, qualified U.S.-flag vessel useful vessels. An operator is defined as
‘‘Intergovernmental Review of Federal operators that are not currently enrolled an owner or bareboat charterer of a
Programs.’’ FRA will consider in the VISA program to apply. This is vessel. Operators include vessel owners
applications for funding only from the only planned enrollment period for and bareboat charter operators if
eligible recipients as explained in carriers to join the VISA program and satisfactory signed agreements are in
Section 3. derive benefits for Department of place committing the assets of the
7. Federal Awarding Agency Contacts Defense (DOD) peacetime contracts owner to VISA. Voyage and space
initiated during the period from October charterers are not considered U.S.-flag
If you have a PTC technical project 1, 2016, through September 30, 2017. vessel operators for purposes of VISA
related question, you may contact Dr. Any U.S.-flag vessel operator eligibility.
Mark Hartong, Senior Scientific organized under the laws of a state of
Technical Advisor (phone: (202) 493– the United States, or the District of VISA Program
1332; email: mark.hartong@dot.gov), or Columbia, who is able and willing to The VISA program provides for the
Mr. Devin Rouse, Program Manager commit militarily useful sealift assets staged, time-phased availability of
(phone: (202) 493–6185, email: and assume the related consequential participants’ shipping services/systems
devin.rouse@dot.gov.) Grant application risks of commercial disruption, may be through pre-negotiated contracts
submission and processing questions eligible to participate in the VISA between the Government and
should be addressed to Ms. Amy program. participants. Such arrangements are
Houser, Office of Program Delivery, The mission of VISA is to provide jointly planned with the MARAD, the
Federal Railroad Administration, 1200 commercial sealift and intermodal United States Transportation Command
New Jersey Avenue SE., Room W36– shipping services and systems, (USTRANSCOM), and participants in
412, Washington, DC 20590; email: including access to vessels, vessel peacetime to allow effective and best
amy.houser@dot.gov. space, intermodal systems and valued use of commercial sealift
For questions relating to grant equipment, terminal facilities, and capacity, provide DOD assured
requirements, please contact Eric Hu, related management services, to the contingency access, and to minimize
Program Manager, Urban Programs Department of Defense (DOD), as commercial disruption.
ebenthall on DSK5MVXVN1PROD with NOTICES
(phone: (202) 366–0870, email necessary, to meet national defense Throughout the activation of any
eric.hu@dot.gov). FTA grantees may also contingency requirements or national stages of VISA, DOD may utilize
contact their FTA regional office. emergencies. Carriers enrolled in the voluntary commitment of sealift
Contact for FTA’s regional offices can be VISA program provide DOD with capacity or systems. Requests for
found on FTA’s Web site at: https:// assured access to such services during volunteer capacity will be extended
www.transit.dot.gov/about/regional- contingencies. In return for their VISA simultaneously to both participants and
offices/regional-offices. commitment, DOD gives VISA other carriers. First priority for
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Document Created: 2018-02-08 07:51:38
Document Modified: 2018-02-08 07:51:38
| 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 | Notice. | |
| Dates | Applications for funding under this solicitation are due no later than 5:00 p.m. EDT, September 27, 2016. Applications for funding received after 5:00 p.m. EDT on September 27, 2016 will not be considered for funding. See Section 4 of this notice for additional information on the application process. | |
| Contact | If you have a PTC project related question, you may contact Dr. Mark Hartong, Senior Scientific Technical Advisor, Federal Railroad Administration (phone: (202) 493-1332; email: [email protected]), or Mr. Devin Rouse, Program Manager, Federal Railroad Administration (phone: (202) 493-6185, email: [email protected]). Grant application submission and processing | |
| FR Citation | 81 FR 50047 |
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