81 FR 59717 - Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act-Productive and Timely Expenditure of Funds

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 168 (August 30, 2016)

Page Range		59717-59718
FR Document		2016-20814

By this notice, FHWA announces a new Web site providing information and guidance on the use of programmatic approaches to project delivery in accordance with section 1421 of the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act (``Productive and Timely Expenditure of Funds''). The FHWA requests comments on what procedures, techniques, programmatic approaches, or best practices should be considered for inclusion on the Web site. In addition, FHWA is requesting comment on any information resources that are readily available regarding practices and procedures that avoid unnecessary delays, minimize cost overruns, and ensure the effective use of Federal funds.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 168 (Tuesday, August 30, 2016)

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 168 (Tuesday, August 30, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59717-59718]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-20814]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration

[FHWA Docket No. FHWA-2016-0020]


Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act--Productive and 
Timely Expenditure of Funds

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice; request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: By this notice, FHWA announces a new Web site providing 
information and guidance on the use of programmatic approaches to 
project delivery in accordance with section 1421 of the Fixing 
America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act (``Productive and Timely 
Expenditure of Funds''). The FHWA requests comments on what procedures, 
techniques, programmatic approaches, or best practices should be 
considered for inclusion on the Web site. In addition, FHWA is 
requesting comment on any information resources that are readily 
available regarding practices and procedures that avoid unnecessary 
delays, minimize cost overruns, and ensure the effective use of Federal 
funds.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before October 31, 2016. Late 
comments will be considered to the extent practicable.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by the docket number 
FHWA-2016-0020 by any one of the following methods:
    Fax: 1-202-493-2251;
    Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, 
West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., 
Washington, DC 20590;
    Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey 
Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, except Federal holidays; or electronically through the 
Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the 
online instructions for submitting comments.
    Instructions: All submissions must include the agency name, docket 
name and docket number for this notice (FHWA-2016-0020). The DOT posts 
these comments, without edit, including any personal information the 
commenter provides, to www.regulations.gov, as described in the system 
of records notice (DOT/ALL-14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at 
www.dot.gov/privacy.
    Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or 
comments received, go to http://www.regulations.gov at any time or to 
U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West 
Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., 
Washington, DC 20950, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Gerald Yakowenko, FHWA Office of 
Program Administration, 202-366-1562, or via email at 
[email protected]. For legal questions, please contact Ms. 
Jennifer Mayo, FHWA Office of the Chief Counsel, 202-366-1523, or via 
email at [email protected]. Office hours for the FHWA are from 8 
a.m. to 4:30 p.m., ET, Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Electronic Access

    An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded from the 
Federal Register's home page at: http://www.archives.gov and the 
Government Printing Office's database at: http://www.access.thefederalregister.org/nara.

Background

    On December 4, 2015, President Obama signed into law the FAST Act. 
The FAST Act authorizes $305 billion over fiscal years 2016 through 
2020 for DOT's highway, highway and motor vehicle safety, public 
transportation, motor carrier safety, hazardous materials safety, rail, 
and research, technology and statistics programs.
    Section 1421 of the FAST Act, ``Productive and Timely Expenditure 
of Funds,'' states that the Secretary shall develop guidance that 
encourages the use of programmatic approaches to project delivery, 
expedited and prudent procurement techniques, and other best practices 
to facilitate productive, effective, and timely expenditure of funds 
for projects eligible for funding under title 23, United States Code. 
The Secretary is directed to work with States to ensure that any 
guidance developed under section 1421(a) is consistently implemented by 
States and the Federal Highway Administration to avoid unnecessary 
delays in completing projects; minimize cost overruns; and ensure the 
effective use of Federal funding.
    For the purposes of section 1421, FHWA interprets the term 
``programmatic approach'' to mean a method, procedure, tool, or 
technique that promotes increased efficiency by taking advantage of 
economy of scale (e.g., a construction contract that provides for the 
replacement of bridges at multiple locations in lieu-of separate 
contracts for each bridge). The term ``programmatic agreement'' means 
an agreement that sets procedures for consultation, review, and 
compliance with Federal laws. Programmatic agreements allow repetitive 
actions to be handled on a program basis rather than on a project-by-
project basis (e.g., an agreement between a State department of 
transportation and an FHWA Division Office concerning the roles and 
responsibilities associated with review and approval of changes in 
Interstate-System Access). Programmatic approaches may include 
programmatic agreements.
    The FHWA invites public comment on the following:
    1. As it relates to section 1421, what procedures, techniques, 
programmatic approaches, or best practices should be considered for 
inclusion on the Web site?
    2. What information resources are readily available that will 
provide documentation regarding procedures that avoid unnecessary 
delays, minimize cost overruns, and ensure the effective use of funds?
    An example list of resources is available at the following Web 
site: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/construction/contracts/section1421.cfm. 
The FHWA will consider posting information regarding the recommended 
procedures, techniques, programmatic approaches,

[[Page 59718]]

and best practices collected through this public notice and comment 
process.

    Issued on: August 22, 2016.
Gregory G. Nadeau,
Administrator, Federal Highway Administration.
[FR Doc. 2016-20814 Filed 8-29-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-22-P

Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 168 / Tuesday, August 30, 2016 / Notices 59717

commenter’s specific goals for proposed FHWA–2016–0020 by any one of the vehicle safety, public transportation,
assumption of additional authorities, following methods: motor carrier safety, hazardous
changes to legislation, non-legislative Fax: 1–202–493–2251; materials safety, rail, and research,
actions FHWA might take to achieve Mail: U.S. Department of technology and statistics programs.
those goals, the benefits and costs Transportation, Docket Operations, M– Section 1421 of the FAST Act,
associated with the proposed 30, West Building Ground Floor, Room ‘‘Productive and Timely Expenditure of
assumption of authority, whether the W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Funds,’’ states that the Secretary shall
proposal affects only FHWA or may Washington, DC 20590; develop guidance that encourages the
have impacts on the responsibilities of Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of use of programmatic approaches to
other Federal agencies, the rationale and Transportation, Docket Operations, project delivery, expedited and prudent
evidence to support the West Building Ground Floor, Room procurement techniques, and other best
recommendation, and the roles of other W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., practices to facilitate productive,
stakeholders. Legislative Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. effective, and timely expenditure of
recommendations and specific, and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, funds for projects eligible for funding
actionable proposals for the revision of except Federal holidays; or under title 23, United States Code. The
existing regulations, policies, guidance, electronically through the Federal Secretary is directed to work with States
and/or administrative practices are most eRulemaking Portal: http:// to ensure that any guidance developed
useful. As a result, commenters are www.regulations.gov. Follow the online under section 1421(a) is consistently
encouraged to focus on matters within instructions for submitting comments. implemented by States and the Federal
the control of FHWA and Congress. Instructions: All submissions must Highway Administration to avoid
include the agency name, docket name unnecessary delays in completing
Issued on: August 22, 2016.
and docket number for this notice projects; minimize cost overruns; and
Gregory G. Nadeau, ensure the effective use of Federal
(FHWA–2016–0020). The DOT posts
Administrator, Federal Highway funding.
Administration.
these comments, without edit, including
any personal information the For the purposes of section 1421,
[FR Doc. 2016–20818 Filed 8–29–16; 8:45 am]
commenter provides, to FHWA interprets the term
BILLING CODE 4910–22–P
www.regulations.gov, as described in ‘‘programmatic approach’’ to mean a
the system of records notice (DOT/ALL– method, procedure, tool, or technique
14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at that promotes increased efficiency by
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION taking advantage of economy of scale
www.dot.gov/privacy.
Docket: For access to the docket to (e.g., a construction contract that
Federal Highway Administration provides for the replacement of bridges
read background documents or
at multiple locations in lieu-of separate
[FHWA Docket No. FHWA–2016–0020] comments received, go to http://
contracts for each bridge). The term
www.regulations.gov at any time or to
‘‘programmatic agreement’’ means an
Fixing America’s Surface U.S. Department of Transportation,
agreement that sets procedures for
Transportation Act—Productive and Docket Operations, M–30, West
consultation, review, and compliance
Timely Expenditure of Funds Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140,
with Federal laws. Programmatic
1200 New Jersey Avenue SE.,
AGENCY: Federal Highway agreements allow repetitive actions to
Washington, DC 20950, between 9 a.m.
Administration (FHWA), Department of be handled on a program basis rather
and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
Transportation (DOT). than on a project-by-project basis (e.g.,
except Federal holidays.
ACTION: Notice; request for comments. an agreement between a State
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. department of transportation and an
SUMMARY: By this notice, FHWA Gerald Yakowenko, FHWA Office of FHWA Division Office concerning the
announces a new Web site providing Program Administration, 202–366–1562, roles and responsibilities associated
information and guidance on the use of or via email at gerald.yakowenko@ with review and approval of changes in
programmatic approaches to project dot.gov. For legal questions, please Interstate-System Access). Programmatic
delivery in accordance with section contact Ms. Jennifer Mayo, FHWA approaches may include programmatic
1421 of the Fixing America’s Surface Office of the Chief Counsel, 202–366– agreements.
Transportation (FAST) Act (‘‘Productive 1523, or via email at jennifer.mayo@ The FHWA invites public comment
and Timely Expenditure of Funds’’). dot.gov. Office hours for the FHWA are on the following:
The FHWA requests comments on what from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., ET, Monday 1. As it relates to section 1421, what
procedures, techniques, programmatic through Friday, except Federal holidays. procedures, techniques, programmatic
approaches, or best practices should be SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: approaches, or best practices should be
considered for inclusion on the Web considered for inclusion on the Web
Electronic Access
site. In addition, FHWA is requesting site?
comment on any information resources An electronic copy of this document 2. What information resources are
that are readily available regarding may be downloaded from the Federal readily available that will provide
practices and procedures that avoid Register’s home page at: http:// documentation regarding procedures
unnecessary delays, minimize cost www.archives.gov and the Government that avoid unnecessary delays,
overruns, and ensure the effective use of Printing Office’s database at: http:// minimize cost overruns, and ensure the
effective use of funds?
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES

Federal funds. www.access.gpo.gov/nara.
An example list of resources is
DATES: Comments must be received on Background available at the following Web site:
or before October 31, 2016. Late On December 4, 2015, President http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/construction/
comments will be considered to the Obama signed into law the FAST Act. contracts/section1421.cfm. The FHWA
extent practicable. The FAST Act authorizes $305 billion will consider posting information
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments over fiscal years 2016 through 2020 for regarding the recommended procedures,
identified by the docket number DOT’s highway, highway and motor techniques, programmatic approaches,

VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:04 Aug 29, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00121 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\30AUN1.SGM 30AUN1

59718 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 168 / Tuesday, August 30, 2016 / Notices

and best practices collected through this comments, go to http:// resulting in impaired cognitive function
public notice and comment process. www.regulations.gov at any time or that occurred without warning in the
Issued on: August 22, 2016. Room W12–140 on the ground level of past 12 months and no recurrent (2 or
Gregory G. Nadeau,
the West Building, 1200 New Jersey more) severe hypoglycemic episodes in
Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9 the last 5 years. His endocrinologist
Administrator, Federal Highway
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through certifies that Mr. Barr understands
Administration.
Friday, except Federal holidays. The diabetes management and monitoring,
[FR Doc. 2016–20814 Filed 8–29–16; 8:45 am]
Federal Docket Management System has stable control of his diabetes using
BILLING CODE 4910–22–P
(FDMS) is available 24 hours each day, insulin, and is able to drive a CMV
365 days each year. If you want safely. Mr. Barr meets the requirements
acknowledgment that we received your of the vision standard at 49 CFR
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
comments, please include a self- 391.41(b)(10). His optometrist examined
Federal Motor Carrier Safety addressed, stamped envelope or him in 2016 and certified that he does
Administration postcard or print the acknowledgement not have diabetic retinopathy. He holds
page that appears after submitting an operator’s license from Florida.
[Docket No. FMCSA–2016–0219] comments on-line. John L. Bauers
Privacy Act: In accordance with 5
Qualification of Drivers; Exemption U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits comments Mr. Bauers, 56, has had ITDM since
Applications; Diabetes Mellitus from the public to better inform its 2001. His endocrinologist examined him
AGENCY: Federal Motor Carrier Safety rulemaking process. DOT posts these in 2016 and certified that he has had no
Administration (FMCSA). comments, without edit, including any severe hypoglycemic reactions resulting
personal information the commenter in loss of consciousness, requiring the
ACTION: Notice of applications for
provides, to www.regulations.gov, as assistance of another person, or
exemptions; request for comments. resulting in impaired cognitive function
described in the system of records
SUMMARY: FMCSA announces receipt of notice (DOT/ALL–14 FDMS), which can that occurred without warning in the
applications from 37 individuals for be reviewed at www.dot.gov/privacy. past 12 months and no recurrent (2 or
exemption from the prohibition against FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
more) severe hypoglycemic episodes in
persons with insulin-treated diabetes Christine A. Hydock, Chief, Medical the last 5 years. His endocrinologist
mellitus (ITDM) operating commercial Programs Division, (202) 366–4001, certifies that Mr. Bauers understands
motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate fmcsamedical@dot.gov, FMCSA, diabetes management and monitoring,
commerce. If granted, the exemptions Department of Transportation, 1200 has stable control of his diabetes using
would enable these individuals with New Jersey Avenue SE., Room W64– insulin, and is able to drive a CMV
ITDM to operate CMVs in interstate 113, Washington, DC 20590–0001. safely. Mr. Bauers meets the
commerce. Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., e.t., requirements of the vision standard at
Monday through Friday, except Federal 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His
DATES: Comments must be received on ophthalmologist examined him in 2016
or before September 29, 2016. holidays.
and certified that he has stable
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy.
bearing the Federal Docket Management I. Background He holds a Class A CDL from Nebraska.
System (FDMS) Docket No. FMCSA–
Under 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315, Robert J. Borgese
2016–0219 using any of the following
FMCSA may grant an exemption from
methods: Mr. Borgese, 68, has had ITDM since
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety
2014. His endocrinologist examined him
http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the Regulations for a 2-year period if it finds
in 2016 and certified that he has had no
on-line instructions for submitting ‘‘such exemption would likely achieve a
severe hypoglycemic reactions resulting
comments. level of safety that is equivalent to or
in loss of consciousness, requiring the
• Mail: Docket Management Facility; greater than the level that would be
assistance of another person, or
U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 achieved absent such exemption.’’ The
resulting in impaired cognitive function
New Jersey Avenue SE., West Building statute also allows the Agency to renew
that occurred without warning in the
Ground Floor, Room W12–140, exemptions at the end of the 2-year
past 12 months and no recurrent (2 or
Washington, DC 20590–0001. period. The 37 individuals listed in this
more) severe hypoglycemic episodes in
• Hand Delivery: West Building notice have recently requested such an
the last 5 years. His endocrinologist
Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 exemption from the diabetes prohibition
certifies that Mr. Borgese understands
New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, in 49 CFR 391.41(b) (3), which applies
diabetes management and monitoring,
DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday to drivers of CMVs in interstate
has stable control of his diabetes using
through Friday, except Federal commerce. Accordingly, the Agency
insulin, and is able to drive a CMV
Holidays. will evaluate the qualifications of each
safely. Mr. Borgese meets the
• Fax: 1–202–493–2251. applicant to determine whether granting
requirements of the vision standard at
Instructions: Each submission must the exemption will achieve the required
49 CFR 391.41(b)(10). His optometrist
include the Agency name and the level of safety mandated by statute.
examined him in 2016 and certified that
docket numbers for this notice. Note II. Qualifications of Applicants he does not have diabetic retinopathy.
that all comments received will be
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES

He holds a Class B CDL from New
posted without change to http:// Scott G. Barr
Jersey.
www.regulations.gov, including any Mr. Barr, 47, has had ITDM since
personal information provided. Please 2014. His endocrinologist examined him Rodger L. Bratton
see the Privacy Act heading below for in 2016 and certified that he has had no Mr. Bratton, 68, has had ITDM since
further information. severe hypoglycemic reactions resulting 2015. His endocrinologist examined him
Docket: For access to the docket to in loss of consciousness, requiring the in 2016 and certified that he has had no
read background documents or assistance of another person, or severe hypoglycemic reactions resulting

VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:04 Aug 29, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00122 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\30AUN1.SGM 30AUN1

Document Created: 2018-02-09 11:42:53
Document Modified: 2018-02-09 11:42:53

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; request for comments.
Dates		Comments must be received on or before October 31, 2016. Late comments will be considered to the extent practicable.
Contact		Mr. Gerald Yakowenko, FHWA Office of Program Administration, 202-366-1562, or via email at [email protected] For legal questions, please contact Ms. Jennifer Mayo, FHWA Office of the Chief Counsel, 202-366-1523, or via email at [email protected] Office hours for the FHWA are from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., ET, Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
FR Citation		81 FR 59717

81 FR 59717 - Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act-Productive and Timely Expenditure of Funds

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATIONFederal Highway Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 168 (August 30, 2016)

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration