82 FR 24445 - Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology; University Transportation Centers (UTC) Program, Competition for Regions 1, 2, and 3
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 101 (May 26, 2017)
Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 101 (May 26, 2017)
| Page Range | 24445-24447 | |
| FR Document | 2017-10927 |
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 101 (Friday, May 26, 2017)] [Notices] [Pages 24445-24447] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2017-10927] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology; University Transportation Centers (UTC) Program, Competition for Regions 1, 2, and 3 AGENCY: Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology (OST-R), DOT. ACTION: Notice of Funding Availability. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The United States Department of Transportation (the Department) is publishing this notice to give eligible nonprofit institutions of higher learning in Standard Federal Regions 1, 2, and 3 advance notice that they will have an opportunity to submit, through a re-competition, grant applications as a Regional Center, for Standard Federal Regions 1, 2 and 3, in the University Transportation Centers (UTCs) program (Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number 20.701). Funds for this grant program were authorized beginning on October 1, 2015. In the near future, the Department, via the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology (OST-R), will release a grant solicitation through Grants.gov, and the UTC Program's Web site, http://utc.dot.gov, describing the competition and deadlines for applications. Proposals will be evaluated through a competitive process on the basis of demonstrated ability, research, technology transfer and education resources, leadership, multimodal research capability, commitment to transportation workforce development programs, dissemination of results, and the use of peer review, cost effectiveness and partnerships to advance diversity. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Kevin Womack, Director, Office of Research, Development and Technology, mail code RDT-10, OST-R, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590. Telephone Number (405) 954- 7312 or Email: [email protected]. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Table of Contents I. Background II. Eligibility III. Matching Requirements IV. Application Process V. Program Funding and Award VI. Use of Grant Funds I. Background The Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act; Pub. L. 114-94, Sec. 6002(a)(5); December 4, 2015) authorizes $72.5 million for Federal fiscal year (FY) 2016, $75 million for FY 2017 and FY 2018, and $77.5 million for FY 2019 and FY 2020 for up to 35 competitive grants for UTCs. The FY 2016 through FY 2020 funds are subject to appropriations and to an annual obligation limitation. The amount of budget authority available in a given year may be less than the amount authorized for that fiscal year. The FAST Act authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to make grants to eligible nonprofit institutions of higher education to establish and operate UTCs. Nonprofit institutions of higher education may include qualifying two-year institutions (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)). OST-R will manage the UTC Program for the Department. The [[Page 24446]] Department will solicit competitive grant applications for three Regional University Transportation Centers, one each in Standard Federal Regions 1, 2, and 3. Previously, the Department solicited competitive grant applications for these three regions; however, the Department did not select any of the submitted applications. UTCs will be selected by the Secretary, in consultation as appropriate with the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology, and the Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration and other modal administrators as appropriate. (49 U.S.C. 5505(b)(4)(B) as amended by Pub. L. 114-94, Sec. 6016). The Department plans to competitively select three Regional UTCs, one in each Standard Federal Regions 1, 2, and 3, with an initial annual award ofup to $2,570,600 each. The role of each UTC is to advance transportation expertise and technology in the varied disciplines that comprise the field of transportation through education, research, and technology transfer activities; to provide for a critical transportation knowledge base outside of the Department of Transportation; and to address critical workforce needs and educate the next generation of transportation leaders. II. Eligibility A UTC must be located in the United States or territories. A change in the UTC Program from prior authorizations is that each UTC must be a consortium of two or more nonprofit institutions of higher learning (49 U.S.C. 5505(b)(1) as amended by Public Law 114-94, Sec. 6016). A Regional UTC must be located in the region for which the grant is sought. (49 U.S.C. 5505(c)(3)(B)(ii) as amended by Pub. L. 114-94, Sec. 6016). All members of a Regional UTC consortium must be located in the region for which the grant is sought. For Region 1, the eligible states are: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont. For Region 2, the eligible states/territories are: New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. For Region 3, the eligible states are: Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. Institutions may collaborate with state and local departments of transportation, Metropolitan Planning Organizations, the private sector and non-governmental organizations; however, these organizations or others that are not U.S. nonprofit institutions of higher learning may not be considered members of a consortium. A change from previous UTC Program competitions is that two-year institutions may be members of a consortium if they meet the definition of ``institution of higher learning'' in 20 U.S.C. 1001(a). The grantee institution (lead institution of a consortium of institutions) will be the direct and primary recipient of UTC program funds. The grantee institution must perform a substantive role in carrying out UTC activities, and not serve merely as a conduit for awards to other parties. Applicants are reminded of the following restriction (49 U.S.C. 5505(b)(2)(A) as amended by Public Law 114-94, Sec. 6016): A lead institution of a consortium of nonprofit institutions of higher education may only receive one grant per fiscal year for each type of Center. Thus, a lead institution may receive grants as a National Center, a Regional Center, and a Tier 1 Center, but not more than one grant in each category. Ill. Matching Requirements Each UTC is required to obtain matching funds from non-federal sources. The amount of matching funds required for a Regional UTC is 100 percent of the Federal award. The matching amounts may include the amounts made available to a grant recipient under 23 U.S.C. 504(b) or 505. IV. Application Process Full and Open Competition. The Department will conduct the UTC program selection based on principles of full and open competition. Three Regional Centers will be selected from the pool of applicants. Subject Matter Focus. A change to the UTC Program in this competition is that applicants must address the following selected research priorities taken from section 6503, Subtitle III of title 49 as amended by Public Law 114-94, Sec. 6016: A. Improving mobility of people and goods; B. Reducing congestion; C. Promoting safety; D. Improving the durability and extending the life of transportation infrastructure; and E. Preserving the existing transportation system. The Secretary has selected nonexclusive candidate topic areas that will fall within these priority areas. Each UTC will be awarded a grant based on its ability to address one of the priorities and the topic areas that fall within the priority area selected. Regional UTCs: One UTC will be selected in each of Standard Federal Regions 1, 2, and 3. Regional UTCs are required to focus on transportation research and education (49 U.S.C. 5505(c)(3)(B) as amended by Pub. L. 114-94, Sec. 6016). Regional UTCs must be able to conduct research in an area of focus from among nonexclusive candidate topic areas established by the Secretary that address the research priorities identified in section 6503, Subtitle III of title 49 as amended by Public Law 114-94, Sec. 6016. An applicant for a Regional UTC must designate the region in which it is applying. Selection criteria. The Department will evaluate and select UTC applicants based on the nine selection criteria outlined in the FAST Act: ``(i) the demonstrated ability of the recipient to address each specific topic area described in the research and strategic plans of the recipient; ``(ii) the demonstrated research, technology transfer, and education resources available to the recipient to carry out this section; ``(iii) the ability of the recipient to provide leadership in solving immediate and long-range national and regional transportation problems; ``(iv) the ability of the recipient to carry out research, education, and technology transfer activities that are multimodal and multidisciplinary in scope; ``(v) the demonstrated commitment of the recipient to carry out transportation worliforce development programs through- ``(!) degree-granting programs or programs that provide other industry-recognized credentials; and ``(II) outreach activities to attract new entrants into the transportation field including women and underrepresented populations; ``(vi) the demonstrated ability of the recipient to disseminate results and spur the implementation of transportation research and education programs through national or statewide continuing education programs; ``(vii) the demonstrated commitment ofthe recipient to the use of peer review principles and other research best practices in the selection, management, and dissemination of research projects; ``(viii) the strategic plan submitted by the recipient describing the proposed research to be carried out by the recipient and the performance metrics to be used in assessing the performance of the recipient in meeting the stated research, technology transfer, education, and outreach goals; and ``(ix) the ability of the recipient to implement the proposed program in a cost-efficient manner, such as through cost sharing and overall reduced overhead, facilities, and administrative costs. '' (49 U.S.C. 5505(b)(4)(B) as amended by Pub. L. 114-94, Sec. 6016). The following additional selection criteria also apply to Regional UTCs: Regional UTCs. The lead institution in a Regional consortium must have a well-established, nationally recognized program in research and education, as shown by: (i) recent expenditures by the institution in highway or public transportation research; [[Page 24447]] (ii) a historical track record of awarding graduate degrees in professional fields closely related to highways and public transportation; and (iii) an experienced faculty who specialize in professional fields closely related to highways and public transportation. (49 U.S.C. 5505(c)(3)(B) (iii) as amended by Pub. L. 114-94, Sec. 6016). Past Performance. The Department is required by 2 CFR part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, Section 205, to review risk posed by applicants. This may be done through such publicly available information collections as the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) and/or through specifically collected information about the applicant's record in managing Federal awards. External Stakeholders. The Department will consult with external stakeholders (including the Transportation Research Board ofthe National Academy of Sciences, among others), to the maximum extent practicable, to evaluate and review all proposals. (49 U.S.C. 5505(b)(6) as amended by Pub. L. 114-94, Sec. 6016). V. Program Funding and Award UTCs will be selected by the Secretary, in consultation as appropriate with the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology, the Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration and other modal administrators as appropriate. Awards will be made no later than December 4, 2017, with Federal FY 2016 funds awarded at that time. Subsequent Federal FY 2017-FY 2020 funding will be awarded approximately annually after that date, subject to availability of funds and grantee compliance with grant terms and conditions. VI. Use of Grant Funds Grantees will have until September 30, 2023 to expend all funds, assuming availability of annual appropriations. Issued in Washington, DC, on May 23, 2017. Elaine L. Chao, Secretary. [FR Doc. 2017-10927 Filed 5-25-17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-9X-P
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III. Request for Comments these means. FMCSA recommends that opportunity to submit, through a re-
In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) you include your name and a mailing competition, grant applications as a
and 31315, FMCSA requests public address, an email address, or a phone Regional Center, for Standard Federal
comment from all interested persons on number in the body of your document Regions 1, 2 and 3, in the University
the exemption petitions described in so that FMCSA can contact you if there Transportation Centers (UTCs) program
this notice. We will consider all are questions regarding your (Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
comments received before the close of submission. number 20.701).
business on the closing date indicated To submit your comment online, go to Funds for this grant program were
in the date section of the notice. http://www.regulations.gov and in the authorized beginning on October 1,
FMCSA notes that section 4129 of the search box insert the docket number 2015. In the near future, the
Safe, Accountable, Flexible and FMCSA–2017–0036 and click the search Department, via the Office of the
Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A button. When the new screen appears, Assistant Secretary for Research and
Legacy for Users requires the Secretary click on the blue ‘‘Comment Now!’’ Technology (OST–R), will release a
to revise its diabetes exemption program button on the right hand side of the grant solicitation through Grants.gov,
established on September 3, 2003 (68 FR page. On the new page, enter and the UTC Program’s Web site, http://
52441).1 The revision must provide for information required including the utc.dot.gov, describing the competition
individual assessment of drivers with specific section of this document to and deadlines for applications.
diabetes mellitus, and be consistent which each comment applies, and Proposals will be evaluated through a
with the criteria described in section provide a reason for each suggestion or competitive process on the basis of
4018 of the Transportation Equity Act recommendation. If you submit your demonstrated ability, research,
for the 21st Century (49 U.S.C. 31305). comments by mail or hand delivery, technology transfer and education
Section 4129 requires: (1) Elimination submit them in an unbound format, no resources, leadership, multimodal
of the requirement for 3 years of larger than 81⁄2 by 11 inches, suitable for research capability, commitment to
experience operating CMVs while being copying and electronic filing. If you transportation workforce development
treated with insulin; and (2) submit comments by mail and would programs, dissemination of results, and
establishment of a specified minimum like to know that they reached the the use of peer review, cost effectiveness
period of insulin use to demonstrate facility, please enclose a stamped, self- and partnerships to advance diversity.
stable control of diabetes before being addressed postcard or envelope. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr.
allowed to operate a CMV. We will consider all comments and Kevin Womack, Director, Office of
In response to section 4129, FMCSA material received during the comment Research, Development and
made immediate revisions to the period. FMCSA may issue a final Technology, mail code RDT–10, OST–R,
diabetes exemption program established determination at any time after the close 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE.,
by the September 3, 2003 notice. of the comment period. Washington, DC 20590. Telephone
FMCSA discontinued use of the 3-year V. Viewing Comments and Documents Number (405) 954–7312 or Email:
driving experience and fulfilled the Kevin.Womack@dot.gov.
To view comments, as well as any
requirements of section 4129 while SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
documents mentioned in this preamble,
continuing to ensure that operation of go to http://www.regulations.gov and in Table of Contents
CMVs by drivers with ITDM will the search box insert the docket number
achieve the requisite level of safety I. Background
FMCSA–2017–0036 and click ‘‘Search.’’ II. Eligibility
required of all exemptions granted Next, click ‘‘Open Docket Folder’’ and III. Matching Requirements
under 49 U.S.C. 31136 (e). you will find all documents and IV. Application Process
Section 4129(d) also directed FMCSA comments related to this notice. V. Program Funding and Award
to ensure that drivers of CMVs with VI. Use of Grant Funds
ITDM are not held to a higher standard Issued on: May 18, 2017.
than other drivers, with the exception of Larry W. Minor, I. Background
limited operating, monitoring and Associate Administrator for Policy. The Fixing America’s Surface
medical requirements that are deemed [FR Doc. 2017–10764 Filed 5–25–17; 8:45 am] Transportation Act (FAST Act; Pub. L.
medically necessary. BILLING CODE 4910–EX–P 114–94, Sec. 6002(a)(5); December 4,
The FMCSA concluded that all of the 2015) authorizes $72.5 million for
operating, monitoring and medical Federal fiscal year (FY) 2016, $75
requirements set out in the September 3, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION million for FY 2017 and FY 2018, and
2003 notice, except as modified, were in $77.5 million for FY 2019 and FY 2020
compliance with section 4129(d). Office of the Assistant Secretary for for up to 35 competitive grants for
Therefore, all of the requirements set Research and Technology; University UTCs. The FY 2016 through FY 2020
out in the September 3, 2003 notice, Transportation Centers (UTC) funds are subject to appropriations and
except as modified by the notice in the Program, Competition for Regions 1, 2, to an annual obligation limitation. The
Federal Register on November 8, 2005 and 3 amount of budget authority available in
(70 FR 67777), remain in effect. AGENCY: Office of the Assistant a given year may be less than the
IV. Submitting Comments Secretary for Research and Technology amount authorized for that fiscal year.
(OST–R), DOT. The FAST Act authorizes the
You may submit your comments and Secretary of Transportation to make
ACTION: Notice of Funding Availability.
material online or by fax, mail, or hand grants to eligible nonprofit institutions
delivery, but please use only one of SUMMARY: The United States Department of higher education to establish and
of Transportation (the Department) is operate UTCs. Nonprofit institutions of
1 Section 4129(a) refers to the 2003 notice as a
publishing this notice to give eligible higher education may include
‘‘final rule.’’ However, the 2003 notice did not issue
a ‘‘final rule’’ but did establish the procedures and
nonprofit institutions of higher learning qualifying two-year institutions (20
standards for issuing exemptions for drivers with in Standard Federal Regions 1, 2, and 3 U.S.C. 1001(a)). OST–R will manage the
ITDM. advance notice that they will have an UTC Program for the Department. The
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(ii) a historical track record of awarding DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY approvals for business forms,
graduate degrees in professional fields recordkeeping requirements, and third-
closely related to highways and public Internal Revenue Service party reporting requirements or to
transportation; and combine any number of forms,
(iii) an experienced faculty who specialize Proposed Collection; Comment recordkeeping requirements, and/or
in professional fields closely related to Request for Forms 1065, 1065–B, 1066, third-party disclosure requirements
highways and public transportation. 1120, 1120–C, 1120–F, 1120–FSC, (usually related in subject matter) under
1120–H, 1120–L, 1120–ND, 1120–PC, one OMB Control Number. Agency
(49 U.S.C. 5505(c)(3)(B) (iii) as amended 1120–POL, 1120–S, 1120–SF, 1120– decisions on whether to group
by Pub. L. 114–94, § 6016). REIT, 1120–RIC, and Related individual requirements under a single
Past Performance. The Department is Attachments OMB Control Number or to disaggregate
required by 2 CFR part 200, Uniform AGENCY: Internal Revenue Service (IRS), them and request separate OMB Control
Administrative Requirements, Cost Treasury. Numbers are based largely on
Principles, and Audit Requirements for considerations of administrative
ACTION: Notice and request for
Federal Awards, Section 205, to review practicality.
comments. The PRA also requires agencies to
risk posed by applicants. This may be
done through such publicly available SUMMARY: The Internal Revenue Service, estimate the burden for each collection
information collections as the System as part of its continuing effort to reduce of information. Accordingly, each OMB
for Award Management (SAM.gov) and/ paperwork and respondent burden, Control Number has an associated
invites the general public and other burden estimate. The burden estimates
or through specifically collected
Federal agencies to take this for each control number are displayed
information about the applicant’s record
opportunity to comment on proposed in (1) the PRA notices that accompany
in managing Federal awards. collections of information, (2) Federal
and continuing information collections,
External Stakeholders. The as required by the Paperwork Reduction Register notices such as this one, and
Department will consult with external Act of 1995 (PRA). This notice requests (3) in OMB’s database of approved
stakeholders (including the comments on all forms used by business information collections. If more than
Transportation Research Board ofthe entity taxpayers: one form, recordkeeping requirement,
National Academy of Sciences, among Forms 1065, 1065–B, 1066, 1120, and/or third-party disclosure
others), to the maximum extent 1120–C, 1120–F, 1120–FSC, 1120–H, requirement is approved under a single
practicable, to evaluate and review all 1120–L, 1120–ND, 1120–PC, 1120–POL, control number, then the burden
proposals. (49 U.S.C. 5505(b)(6) as 1120–S, 1120–SF, 1120–REIT, 1120– estimate for that control number reflects
amended by Pub. L. 114–94, § 6016). RIC; and all attachments to these forms the burden associated with all of the
(see the Appendix to this notice). With approved forms, recordkeeping
V. Program Funding and Award requirements, and/or third-party
this notice, the IRS is also announcing
significant changes to (1) the manner in disclosure requirements.
UTCs will be selected by the As described below under the heading
Secretary, in consultation as appropriate which tax forms used by business
‘‘New Burden Model,’’ the IRS’s new
with the Assistant Secretary for taxpayers will be approved under the
Business Taxpayer Burden Model
Research and Technology, the PRA and (2) its method of estimating the
(BTBM) estimates of taxpayer burden
Administrator of the Federal Highway paperwork burden imposed on all
are based on taxpayer characteristics
business taxpayers.
Administration and other modal and activities, taking into account,
administrators as appropriate. Awards DATES: Written comments should be among other things, the forms and
will be made no later than December 4, received on or before July 25, 2017 to be schedules generally used by those
2017, with Federal FY 2016 funds assured of consideration. groups of business taxpayers and the
awarded at that time. Subsequent ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments recordkeeping and other activities
Federal FY 2017–FY 2020 funding will to Laurie Brimmer, Internal Revenue needed to complete those forms. The
be awarded approximately annually Service, Room 6526, 1111 Constitution BTBM represents the second phase of a
after that date, subject to availability of Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20224. long-term effort to improve the ability of
Requests for additional information or IRS to measure the burden imposed on
funds and grantee compliance with
copies of the form and instructions various groups of taxpayers by the
grant terms and conditions. should be directed to Sara Covington, at federal tax system. While the new
VI. Use of Grant Funds Internal Revenue Service, Room 6526, methodology provides a more accurate
1111 Constitution Avenue NW., and comprehensive description of
Grantees will have until September Washington, DC 20224, or through the business taxpayer burden, it will not
30, 2023 to expend all funds, assuming internet, at Sara.L.Covington@irs.gov. provide burden estimates on a form-by-
availability of annual appropriations. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: form basis, as has been done under the
Issued in Washington, DC, on May 23, previous methodology. When the prior
Change in PRA Approval of Forms model was developed in the mid-1980s,
2017. Used by Business Taxpayers
Elaine L. Chao,
almost all tax returns were prepared
Under the PRA, OMB assigns a manually, either by the taxpayer or a
Secretary. control number to each ‘‘collection of paid provider. In this context, it was
[FR Doc. 2017–10927 Filed 5–25–17; 8:45 am] information’’ that it reviews and determined that estimating burden on a
BILLING CODE 4910–9X–P approves for use by an agency. A single form-by-form basis was an appropriate
information collection may consist of methodology. Today, over 90 percent of
one or more forms, recordkeeping all business entity tax returns are
requirements, and/or third-party prepared using software or with
disclosure requirements. Under the PRA preparer assistance. In this
and OMB regulations, agencies have the environment, in which many taxpayers’
discretion to seek separate OMB activities are no longer as directly
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Document Created: 2017-05-26 02:24:01
Document Modified: 2017-05-26 02:24:01
| 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 of Funding Availability. | |
| Contact | Dr. Kevin Womack, Director, Office of Research, Development and Technology, mail code RDT-10, OST-R, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590. Telephone Number (405) 954- 7312 or Email: [email protected] | |
| FR Citation | 82 FR 24445 |
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