83 FR 18120 - FY 2018 Competitive Funding Opportunity: Low or No Emission Grant Program
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Transit Administration Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 80 (April 25, 2018)
Federal Transit Administration
Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 80 (April 25, 2018)
| Page Range | 18120-18126 | |
| FR Document | 2018-08636 |
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 80 (Wednesday, April 25, 2018)] [Notices] [Pages 18120-18126] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2018-08636] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Transit Administration FY 2018 Competitive Funding Opportunity: Low or No Emission Grant Program AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration (FTA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of funding opportunity (NOFO). ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announces the opportunity to apply for $84,450,000 in competitive grants under the fiscal year (FY) 2018 Low or No Emission Grant Program (Low-No Program; Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number: 20.526). In addition to $55 million authorized by federal transit law, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 authorizes an additional $29,450,000 for the Low-No Program for FY 2018. As required by Federal transit law, funds will be awarded competitively for the purchase or lease of low or no emission vehicles that use advanced technologies for transit revenue operations, including related equipment or facilities. Projects may include costs incidental to the acquisition of buses or to the construction of facilities, such as the costs of related workforce development and training activities, and project administration expenses. FTA may award additional funding that is made available to the program prior to the announcement of project selections. DATES: Complete proposals must be submitted electronically through the GRANTS.GOV ``APPLY'' function by 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on June 18, 2018. Prospective applicants should initiate the process by registering on the GRANTS.GOV website promptly to ensure completion of the application process before the submission deadline. Instructions for applying can be found on FTA's website at http://transit.dot.gov/howtoapply and in the ``FIND'' module of GRANTS.GOV. The funding opportunity ID is FTA-2018-003-LowNo. Mail and fax submissions will not be accepted. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tara Clark, FTA Office of Program Management, 202-366-2623, or [email protected]. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Table of Contents A. Program Description B. Federal Award Information C. Eligibility D. Application and Submission Information E. Application Review F. Federal Award Administration G. Federal Awarding Agency Contacts H. Technical Assistance and Other Program Information A. Program Description Section 5339(c) of Title 49, United States Code, as amended by the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, (Pub. L. 114-94, Dec. 4, 2015), authorizes FTA to award grants for low or no emission buses through a competitive process, as described in this notice. The Low or No Emission Bus Program (Low-No Program) provides funding to State and local governmental authorities for the purchase or lease of zero-emission and low-emission transit buses, including acquisition, construction, and leasing of required supporting facilities such as recharging, refueling, and maintenance facilities. FTA recognizes that a significant transformation is occurring in the transit [[Page 18121]] bus industry, with the increasing availability of low and zero emission bus vehicles for transit revenue operations. B. Federal Award Information 5339(c) Low or No Emission Discretionary Program Federal transit law authorizes $55 million in FY 2018 for grants under the Low-No Program. The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 authorizes an additional $29,450,000 for the Low-No Program for FY 2018, for a total authorization of $84,450,000. In FY 2017, the program received applications for 129 projects requesting a total of $515 million. Fifty-one projects were funded at a total of $55 million. FTA will grant pre-award authority starting on the date of project announcement for the FY 2018 awards. Funds are available for obligation until September 30, 2021. Funds are only available for projects that have not incurred costs prior to the announcement of project selections. C. Eligibility Information 1. Eligible Applicants Eligible applicants include designated recipients, States, local governmental authorities, and Indian Tribes. Except for projects proposed by Indian Tribes, proposals for funding projects in rural (non-urbanized) areas must be submitted as part of a consolidated State proposal. To be considered eligible, applicants must be able to demonstrate the requisite legal, financial and technical capabilities to receive and administer Federal funds under this program. States and other eligible applicants also may submit consolidated proposals for projects in urbanized areas. Proposals may contain projects to be implemented by the recipient or its eligible subrecipients. Eligible subrecipients are entities that are otherwise eligible recipients under this program. An eligible recipient may submit an application in partnership with other entities that intend to participate in the implementation of the project, including, but not limited to, specific vehicle manufacturers, equipment vendors, owners or operators of related facilities, or project consultants. If an application that involves such a partnership is selected for funding, the competitive selection process will be deemed to satisfy the requirement for a competitive procurement under 49 U.S.C. 5325(a) for the named entities. Applicants are advised that any changes to the proposed partnership will require advanced FTA written approval, must be consistent with the scope of the approved project, and may necessitate a competitive procurement. 2. Cost Sharing or Matching All eligible expenses under the Low-No Program are attributable to compliance with the Clean Air Act. Therefore, under the provisions of 49 U.S.C. 5323(i), the maximum Federal participation in the costs of leasing or acquiring a transit bus financed under the Low-No Program is 85 percent of the total transit bus cost. Further, the maximum Federal participation in the cost of leasing or acquiring low or no emission bus-related equipment and facilities under the Low-No Program, such as recharging or refueling facilities, is 90 percent of the net project cost of the equipment or facilities that are attributable to compliance with the Clean Air Act. FTA may prioritize projects proposed with a higher local share. Eligible sources of local match include the following: cash from non-Government sources other than revenues from providing public transportation services; revenues derived from the sale of advertising and concessions; amounts received under a service agreement with a State or local social service agency or private social service organization; revenues generated from value capture financing mechanisms; funds from an undistributed cash surplus; replacement or depreciation cash fund or reserve; new capital; or in-kind contributions. In addition, transportation development credits or documentation of in-kind match may substitute for local match if identified in the application. 3. Eligible Projects Under 49 U.S.C. 5339 (c)(1)(B), eligible projects include projects or programs of projects in an eligible area for: (1) Purchasing or leasing low or no emission buses; (2) acquiring low or no emission buses with a leased power source; (3) constructing or leasing facilities and related equipment for low or no emission buses; (4) constructing new public transportation facilities to accommodate low or no emission buses; (5) or rehabilitating or improving existing public transportation facilities to accommodate low or no emission buses. As specified under 49 U.S.C. 5339(c)(5)(A), FTA will only consider eligible projects relating to the acquisition or leasing of low or no emission buses or bus facilities that make greater reductions in energy consumption and harmful emissions than comparable standard buses or other low or no emission buses. As specified under 49 U.S.C. 5339(c)(5)(B), all proposed projects must be part of the intended recipient's long-term integrated fleet management plan. If a single project proposal involves multiple public transportation providers, such as when an agency acquires vehicles that will be operated by another agency, the proposal must include a detailed statement regarding the role of each public transportation provider in the implementation of the project. Under 49 U.S.C. 5339(c)(1)(E), a low or no-emission bus is defined as ``a passenger vehicle used to provide public transportation that significantly reduces energy consumption or harmful emissions, including direct carbon emissions, when compared to a standard vehicle.'' The statutory definition includes zero-emission transit buses, which are defined as buses that produce no direct carbon emissions and no particulate matter emissions under any and all possible operational modes and conditions. Examples of zero emission bus technologies include, but are not limited to, hydrogen fuel-cell buses and battery-electric buses. All new transit bus models procured with funds awarded under the Low-No Program must complete FTA bus testing for production transit buses pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 5318. All transit vehicles must be procured from certified transit vehicle manufacturers in accordance with the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) regulations at 49 CFR part 26. The development or deployment of prototype vehicles is not eligible for funding under the Low-No program. Recipients are permitted to use up to 0.5 percent of their requested grant award for workforce development activities eligible under 49 U.S.C 5314(b) and an additional 0.5 percent for costs associated with training at the National Transit Institute. Applicants must identify the proposed use of funds for these activities in the project proposal and identify them separately in the project budget. D. Application and Submission Information 1. Address To Request Application Applications must be submitted electronically through GRANTS.GOV. General information for submitting applications through GRANTS.GOV can be found at www.fta.dot.gov/howtoapply along with specific instructions for the forms and attachments required for submission. Mail and fax submissions will not be accepted. A complete proposal submission consists of two [[Page 18122]] forms: the SF424 Application for Federal Assistance (available at GRANTS.GOV) and the supplemental form for the FY 2018 Low-No Program (downloaded from GRANTS.GOV or the FTA website at https://www.transit.dot.gov/funding/grants/lowno). Failure to submit the information as requested can delay review or disqualify the application. 2. Content and Form of Application Submission (i) Proposal Submission A complete proposal submission consists of two forms: (1) The SF424 Application for Federal Assistance; and (2) the supplemental form for the FY 2018 Low-No Program. The supplemental form and any supporting documents must be attached to the ``Attachments'' section of the SF- 424. The application must include responses to all sections of the SF424 Application for Federal Assistance and the supplemental form, unless indicated as optional. The information on the supplemental form will be used to determine applicant and project eligibility for the program, and to evaluate the proposal against the selection criteria described in part E of this notice. FTA will accept only one supplemental form per SF-424 submission. FTA encourages States and other applicants to consider submitting a single supplemental form that includes multiple activities to be evaluated as a consolidated proposal. If a State or other applicant chooses to submit separate proposals for individual consideration by FTA, each proposal must be submitted using a separate SF-424 and supplemental form. Applicants may attach additional supporting information to the SF-424 submission, including but not limited to letters of support, project budgets, fleet status reports, or excerpts from relevant planning documents. Any supporting documentation must be described and referenced by file name in the appropriate response section of the supplemental form, or it may not be reviewed. Information such as proposer name, Federal amount requested, local match amount, description of areas served, etc. may be requested in varying degrees of detail on both the SF424 and Supplemental Form. Proposers must fill in all fields unless stated otherwise on the forms. If information is copied into the supplemental form from another source, applicants should verify that pasted text is fully captured on the supplemental form and has not been truncated by the character limits built into the form. Proposers should use both the ``Check Package for Errors'' and the ``Validate Form'' validation buttons on both forms to check all required fields on the forms, and ensure that the federal and local amounts specified are consistent. (ii) Application Content The SF424 Application for Federal Assistance and the Supplemental Form will prompt applicants for the required information, including: a. Applicant Name b. Dun and Bradstreet (D&B) Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number c. Key contact information (including contact name, address, email address, and phone) d. Congressional district(s) where project will take place e. Project Information (including title, an executive summary, and type) f. A detailed description of the need for the project g. A detailed description on how the project will support the Low-No program objectives h. Evidence that the project is consistent with local and regional planning documents i. Evidence that the applicant can provide the local cost share j. A description of the technical, legal, and financial capacity of the applicant k. A detailed project budget l. An explanation of the scalability of the project m. Details on the local matching funds n. A detailed project timeline 3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM) Each applicant is required to: (1) Be registered in SAM before submitting an application; (2) provide a valid unique entity identifier in its application; and (3) continue to maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which the applicant has an active Federal award or an application or plan under consideration by FTA. These requirements do not apply if the applicant: (1) Is an individual; (2) is excepted from the requirements under 2 CFR 25.110(b) or (c); or (3) has an exception approved by FTA under 2 CFR 25.110(d). FTA may not make an award until the applicant has complied with all applicable unique entity identifier and SAM requirements. If an applicant has not fully complied with the requirements by the time FTA is ready to make an award, FTA may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive an award and use that determination as a basis for making a Federal award to another applicant. All applicants must provide a unique entity identifier provided by SAM. Registration in SAM may take as little as 3-5 business days, but since there could be unexpected steps or delays (for example, if you need to obtain an Employer Identification Number), FTA recommends allowing ample time, up to several weeks, for completion of all steps. For additional information on obtaining a unique entity identifier, please visit www.sam.gov. 4. Submission Dates and Times Project proposals must be submitted electronically through GRANTS.GOV by 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on June 18, 2018. GRANTS.GOV attaches a time stamp to each application at the time of submission. Proposals submitted after the deadline will only be considered under extraordinary circumstances not under the applicant's control. Mail and fax submissions will not be accepted. Within 48 hours after submitting an electronic application, the applicant should receive two email messages from GRANTS.GOV: (1) Confirmation of successful transmission to GRANTS.GOV, and (2) confirmation of successful validation by GRANTS.GOV. If confirmations of successful validation are not received or a notice of failed validation or incomplete materials is received, the applicant must address the reason for the failed validation, as described in the email notice, and resubmit before the submission deadline. If making a resubmission for any reason, include all original attachments regardless of which attachments were updated and check the box on the supplemental form indicating this is a resubmission. FTA urges proposers to submit applications at least 72 hours prior to the due date to allow time to receive the validation messages and to correct any problems that may have caused a rejection notification. GRANTS.GOV scheduled maintenance and outage times are announced on the GRANTS.GOV website. Deadlines will not be extended due to scheduled website maintenance. Proposers are encouraged to begin the process of registration on the GRANTS.GOV site well in advance of the submission deadline. Registration is a multi-step process, which may take several weeks to complete before an application can be submitted. Registered proposers may still be required to take steps to keep their registration up to date before submissions can be made successfully: (1) Registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) is renewed annually; and, (2) persons [[Page 18123]] making submissions on behalf of the Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) must be authorized in GRANTS.GOV by the AOR to make submissions. 5. Funding Restrictions Funds under this NOFO cannot be used to reimburse applicants for otherwise eligible expenses incurred prior to FTA award of a Grant Agreement until FTA has issued pre-award authority for selected projects. 6. Other Submission Requirements Applicants are encouraged to identify scaled funding options in case insufficient funding is available to fund a project at the full requested amount. If an applicant indicates that a project is scalable, the applicant must provide an appropriate minimum funding amount that will fund an eligible project that achieves the objectives of the program and meets all relevant program requirements. The applicant must provide a clear explanation of how the project budget would be affected by a reduced award. FTA may award a lesser amount whether a scalable option is provided. E. Application Review Projects will be evaluated primarily on the responses provided in the supplemental form. Additional information may be provided to support the responses; however, any additional documentation must be directly referenced on the supplemental form, including the file name where the additional information can be found. FTA will evaluate proposals for the Low-No Program based on the criteria described in this notice. i. Demonstration of Need Since the purpose of this program is to fund vehicles and facilities, applications will be evaluated based on the quality and extent to which they demonstrate how the proposed project will address an unmet need for capital investment in vehicles and/or supporting facilities. For example, an applicant may demonstrate that it requires additional or improved charging or maintenance facilities for low or no emission vehicles, that it intends to replace existing vehicles that have exceeded their minimum useful life, or that it requires additional vehicles to meet current ridership demands. FTA will consider an applicant's responses to the following criteria when assessing need for capital investment underlying the proposed project: a. Consistency with Long-Term Fleet Management Plan: As required by 49 U.S.C. 5339 (c)(5)(b), all project proposals must demonstrate that they are part of the intended recipient's long-term integrated fleet management plan, as demonstrated through an existing transit asset management program, fleet procurement plan, or similarly documented program or policy. These plans must be attached to the application. FTA will evaluate the consistency of the proposed project with the applicant's long-term fleet management plan, as well as the applicant's previous experience with the relevant low or no emissions vehicle technologies. b. For low or no emission bus projects (replacement and/or or expansion): Applicants must provide information on the age, condition and performance of the vehicles to be replaced by the proposed project. Vehicles to be replaced must have met their minimum useful life at the time of project completion. For service expansion requests, applicants must provide information on the proposed service expansion and the benefits for transit riders and the community from the new service. For all vehicle projects, the proposal must address whether the project conforms to FTA's spare ratio guidelines. Low or no emission vehicles funded under this program are not exempted from FTA's standard spare ratio requirements which apply to and are calculated on the agency's entire fleet. c. For bus facility and equipment projects (replacement, rehabilitation, and/or expansion): Applicants must provide information on the age and condition of the asset to be rehabilitated or replaced relative to its minimum useful life. ii. Demonstration of Benefits Applicants must demonstrate how the proposed project will support statutory requirements of 49 U.S.C 5339(c)(5)(A). In particular, FTA will consider the quality and extent to which applications demonstrate how the proposed project will: (1) Reduce Energy Consumption; (2) Reduce Harmful Emissions; and (3) Reduce Direct Carbon Emissions. a. Reduce Energy Consumption: Applicants must describe how the proposed project will reduce energy consumption. FTA will evaluate applications based on the degree to which the proposed technology reduces energy consumption as compared to more common vehicle propulsion technologies. b. Reduce Harmful Emissions: Applicants must demonstrate how the proposed vehicles or facility will reduce the emission of particulates that create local air pollution, which leads to local environmental health concerns, smog, and unhealthy ozone concentrations. FTA will evaluate the rate of particulate emissions by the proposed vehicles or vehicles to be supported by the proposed facility, compared to the emissions from the vehicles that will be replaced or moved to the spare fleet as a result of the proposed project, as well as comparable standard buses. c. Reduce Direct Carbon Emissions: Applicants should demonstrate how the proposed vehicles or facility will reduce emissions of greenhouse gases from transit vehicle operations. FTA will evaluate the rate of direct carbon emissions by the proposed vehicles or vehicles to be supported by the proposed facility, compared to the emissions from the vehicles that will be replaced or moved to the spare fleet as a result of the proposed project, as well as comparable standard buses. iii. Planning and Local/Regional Prioritization Applicants must demonstrate how the proposed project is consistent with local and regional long range planning documents and local government priorities. FTA will evaluate applications based on the quality and extent to which they assess whether the project is consistent with the transit priorities identified in the long range plan; and/or contingency/illustrative projects included in that plan; or the locally developed human services public transportation coordinated plan. Applicants are not required to submit copies of such plans, but FTA will consider how the project will support regional goals and applicants may submit support letters from local and regional planning organizations attesting to the consistency of the proposed project with these plans. Evidence of additional local or regional prioritization may include letters of support for the project from local government officials, public agencies, and non-profit or private sector partners. iv. Local Financial Commitment Applicants must identify the source of the local cost share and describe whether such funds are currently available for the project or will need to be secured if the project is selected for funding. FTA will consider the availability of the local cost share as evidence of local financial commitment to the project. Applicants should submit evidence of the availability of funds for the project, for example by including a [[Page 18124]] board resolution, letter of support from the State, or other documentation of the source of local funds such as a budget document highlighting the line item or section committing funds to the proposed project. In addition, an applicant may propose a local cost share that is greater than the minimum requirement or provide documentation of previous local investments in the project, which cannot be used to satisfy local matching requirements, as evidence of local financial commitment. Additional consideration will be given to those projects that propose a larger local cost share. FTA will also note if an applicant proposes to use grant funds only for the incremental cost of new technologies over the cost of replacing vehicles with standard propulsion technologies. v. Project Implementation Strategy FTA will rate projects higher if grant funds can be obligated within 12 months of selection and the project can be implemented within a reasonable time frame. In assessing when funds can be obligated FTA will consider whether the project qualifies for a Categorical Exclusion (CE), or whether the required environmental work has been initiated or completed for projects that require an Environmental Assessment (EA) or Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended. The proposal must state when grant funds can be obligated and indicate the timeframe under which the Metropolitan Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and/or Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) can be amended to include the proposed project. In assessing whether the proposed implementation plans are reasonable and complete, FTA will review the proposed project implementation plan, including all necessary project milestones and the overall project timeline. For projects that will require formal coordination, approvals or permits from other agencies or project partners, the applicant must demonstrate coordination with these organizations and their support for the project, such as through letters of support. For project proposals that involve a partnership with a manufacturer, vendor, consultant, or other third party, applicants must identify by name any project partners, including but not limited to other transit agencies, bus manufacturers, owners or operators of related facilities, or any expert consultants. FTA will evaluate the experience and capacity of the named project partners to successfully implement the proposed project based on the partners' experience and qualifications. Applicants are advised to submit information on the partners' qualification and experience as a part of the application. Entities involved in the project that are not named in the application will be required to be selected through a competitive procurement. For project proposals that will require a competitive procurement, applicants must demonstrate familiarity with the current market availability of the proposed advanced vehicle propulsion technology. vi. Technical, Legal, and Financial Capacity Applicants must demonstrate that they have the technical, legal and financial capacity to undertake the project. FTA will review relevant oversight assessments and records to determine whether there are any outstanding legal, technical, or financial issues with the applicant that would affect the outcome of the proposed project. vii. Review and Selection Process In addition to other FTA staff that may review the proposals, a technical evaluation committee will evaluate proposals based on the published evaluation criteria. Members of the technical evaluation committee and other FTA staff may request additional information from applicants, if necessary. Based on the findings of the technical evaluation committee, the FTA Administrator will determine the final selection of projects for program funding. FTA may consider geographic diversity, diversity in the size of the transit systems receiving funding, and/or the applicant's receipt of other competitive awards in determining the allocation of program funds. FTA may consider capping the amount a single applicant may receive and prioritizing investments in rural areas. Projects that have a higher local financial commitment may also be prioritized. After applying the above preferences, the FTA Administrator will consider the following key Departmental objectives: (A) Supporting economic vitality at the national and regional level; (B) Utilizing alternative funding sources and innovative financing models to attract non-Federal sources of infrastructure investment; (C) Accounting for the life-cycle costs of the project to promote the state of good repair; (D) Using innovative approaches to improve safety and expedite project delivery; and, (E) Holding grant recipients accountable for their performance and achieving specific, measurable outcomes identified by grant applicants. Prior to making an award, FTA is required to review and consider any information about the applicant that is in the designated integrity and performance system accessible through SAM (currently FAPIIS). 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 the 2 CFR 200.205 Federal awarding agency review of risk posed by applicants. F. Federal Award Administration The FTA Administrator will announce the final project selections on the FTA website. Recipients should contact their FTA Regional Offices for additional information regarding allocations for projects under the Low-No Program. At the time the project selections are announced, FTA will extend pre-award authority for the selected projects. There is no blanket pre-award authority for these projects before announcement. 1. Federal Award Notices Funds under the Low-No Program are available to States, designated recipients, local governmental authorities and Indian Tribes. There is no minimum or maximum grant award amount; however, FTA intends to fund as many meritorious projects as possible. Only proposals from eligible recipients for eligible activities will be considered for funding. Due to funding limitations, proposers 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. [[Page 18125]] 2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements i. Pre-Award Authority 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 2017 Apportionment Notice published on January 19, 2017. https://www.thefederalregister.org/fdsys/pkg/FR-2017-01-19/pdf/2017-01194.pdf. ii. Grant Requirements If selected, awardees will apply for a grant through FTA's Transit Award Management System (TrAMS). All Low-No Emission recipients are subject to the grant requirements of Section 5307 Urbanized Area Formula Grant program, including those of FTA Circular 9030.1E. All recipients must follow the Grants Management Requirements of FTA Circular 5010.1 and the labor protections of 49 U.S.C. 5333(b). Technical assistance regarding these requirements is available from each FTA regional office. iii. Buy America FTA requires that all capital procurements meet FTA's Buy America requirements, which require that all iron, steel, or manufactured products be produced in the U.S. These requirements help create and protect manufacturing jobs in the U.S. The Low-No Program will have a significant economic impact on meeting the objectives of the Buy America law. Federal transit law amended the Buy America requirements to provide for a phased increase in the domestic content for rolling stock. For FY 2018 and FY 2019, the cost of components and subcomponents produced in the United States must be more than 65 percent of the cost of all components. For FY 2020 and beyond, the cost of components and subcomponents produced in the United States must be more than 70 percent of the cost of all components. There is no change to the requirement that final assembly of rolling stock must occur in the United States. FTA issued guidance on the implementation of the phased increase in domestic content on September 1, 2016. A copy of the policy guidance may be found in 81 Federal Register 60278 (September 1, 2016). Applicants should read the policy guidance carefully to determine the applicable domestic content requirement for their project. Any proposal that will require a waiver must identify the items for which a waiver will be sought in the application. Applicants should not proceed with the expectation that waivers will be granted, nor should applicants assume that selection of a project under the Low- No Program that includes a partnership with a manufacturer, vendor, consultant, or other third party constitutes a waiver of the Buy America requirements applicable at the time the project is undertaken. iv. Disadvantaged Business Enterprise FTA requires that its recipients receiving planning, capital and/or operating assistance that will award prime contracts exceeding $250,000 in FTA funds in a Federal fiscal year comply with the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program regulations at 49 CFR part 26. Applicants should expect to include any funds awarded, excluding those to be used for vehicle procurements, in setting their overall DBE goal. Note, however, that projects including vehicle procurements remain subject to the DBE program regulations. The rule requires that, prior to bidding on any FTA-assisted vehicle procurement, entities that manufacture vehicles, perform post-production alterations or retrofitting must submit a DBE Program plan and goal methodology to FTA. Further, to the extent that a vehicle remanufacturer is responding to a solicitation for new or remanufactured vehicles with a vehicle to which the remanufacturer has provided post-production alterations or retro-fitting (e.g., replacing major components such as an engine to provide a ``like new'' vehicle), the vehicle remanufacturer is considered a transit vehicle manufacturer and must also comply with the DBE regulations. The FTA will then issue a transit vehicle manufacturer (TVM) concurrence/certification letter. Grant recipients must verify each entity's compliance with these requirements before accepting its bid. A list of compliant, certified TVMs is posted on FTA's web page at https://www.fta.dot.gov/regulations-and-guidance/civil-rights-ada/eligible-tvms-list. Please note, that this list is nonexclusive and recipients must contact FTA before accepting bids from entities not listed on this web-posting. Recipients may also establish project specific DBE goals for vehicle procurements. FTA will provide additional guidance as grants are awarded. For more information on DBE requirements, please contact Janelle Hinton, Office of Civil Rights, 202-366-9259, email: [email protected]. v. Planning FTA encourages proposers to notify the appropriate State Departments of Transportation and MPOs in areas likely to be served by the project funds made available under these initiatives and programs. Selected projects must be incorporated into the long-range plans and transportation improvement programs of States and metropolitan areas before they are eligible for FTA funding. As described under the evaluation criteria, FTA may consider whether a project is consistent with or already included in these plans when evaluating a project. vi. Standard Assurances The applicant assures that it will comply with all applicable Federal statutes, regulations, executive orders, directives, FTA circulars, and other Federal administrative requirements in carrying out any project supported by the FTA grant. The applicant acknowledges 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 agrees 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. 3. Reporting Post-award reporting requirements include the electronic submission of Federal Financial Reports and Milestone Progress Reports in FTA's electronic grants management system. G. Federal Awarding Agency Contacts This program is not subject to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.'' FTA will consider applications for funding only from eligible recipients for eligible projects listed in Section C. Complete applications must be submitted through GRANTS.GOV by 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on June 18, 2018. For issues with GRANTS.GOV please contact GRANTS.GOV by phone at 1-800-518- 4726 or by email at [email protected]. Contact information for FTA's regional [[Page 18126]] offices can be found on FTA's website at www.fta.dot.gov. H. Technical Assistance and Other Program Information For further information concerning this notice, please contact the Low-No Program manager Tara Clark by phone at 202-366-2623, or by email at [email protected]. A TDD is available for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing at 800-877-8339. In addition, FTA will post answers to questions and requests for clarifications on FTA's website at https://www.transit.dot.gov/funding/grants/lowno. To ensure applicants receive accurate information about eligibility or the program, the applicant is encouraged to contact FTA directly, rather than through intermediaries or third parties, with questions. FTA staff may also conduct briefings on the FY 2018 discretionary grants selection and award process upon request. K. Jane Williams, Acting Administrator. [FR Doc. 2018-08636 Filed 4-24-18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE P
![18120 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 80 / Wednesday, April 25, 2018 / Notices
DATES: Please submit comments by May agency will be asked to respond to a $29,450,000 for the Low-No Program for
25, 2018. one-time survey containing questions FY 2018. As required by Federal transit
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments about the agency’s ROW cost estimation law, funds will be awarded
identified by DOT Docket ID 2018–0028 process and management. competitively for the purchase or lease
by any of the following methods: Frequency: There will be one survey of low or no emission vehicles that use
Website: For access to the docket to only. advanced technologies for transit
read background documents or Estimated Average Burden per revenue operations, including related
comments received go to the Federal Response: Approximately 8–16 person- equipment or facilities. Projects may
eRulemaking Portal: Go to http:// hours to fully and accurately respond to include costs incidental to the
www.regulations.gov. Follow the online the survey, depending on the size and acquisition of buses or to the
instructions for submitting comments. complexity of an individual agency’s construction of facilities, such as the
Fax: 1–202–493–2251. transportation program. costs of related workforce development
Mail: Docket Management Facility, Estimated Total Annual Burden and training activities, and project
U.S. Department of Transportation, Hours: Approximately 900 hours. (This administration expenses. FTA may
West Building Ground Floor, Room is the estimated total burden, for award additional funding that is made
W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, approximately 60 State and local available to the program prior to the
Washington, DC 20590–0001. government transportation agencies to announcement of project selections.
Hand Delivery or Courier: U.S. respond to a single survey.) DATES: Complete proposals must be
Department of Transportation, West Public Comments Invited: You are submitted electronically through the
Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140, asked to comment on any aspect of this GRANTS.GOV ‘‘APPLY’’ function by
1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, information collection, including: (1) 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on June 18,
Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. Whether the proposed collection is 2018. Prospective applicants should
and 5 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, necessary for the FHWA’s performance; initiate the process by registering on the
except Federal holidays. (2) the accuracy of the estimated GRANTS.GOV website promptly to
burdens; (3) ways for the FHWA to ensure completion of the application
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr.
enhance the quality, usefulness, and process before the submission deadline.
Peter Clark, 703–404–6306, Realty
clarity of the collected information; and Instructions for applying can be found
Specialist, FHWA–HEPR–10, Federal
(4) ways that the burden could be on FTA’s website at http://
Highway Administration, Department of
minimized, including the use of transit.dot.gov/howtoapply and in the
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Ave.,
electronic technology, without reducing ‘‘FIND’’ module of GRANTS.GOV. The
Washington DC. Office hours are from
the quality of the collected information. funding opportunity ID is FTA–2018–
7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through
The agency will summarize and/or 003-LowNo. Mail and fax submissions
Friday, except Federal holidays.
include your comments in the request will not be accepted.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: for OMB’s clearance of this information
Title: ‘‘Right-of-Way Cost Estimation FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tara
collection.
Processes; State of the Practice’’. Clark, FTA Office of Program
Government agencies that acquire real Authority: The Paperwork Reduction Act Management, 202–366–2623, or
property for a Federal-aid highway of 1995; 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35, as amended; tara.clark@dot.gov.
and 49 CFR 1.48.
program typically consider the cost of SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
many alternatives for a potential project. Issued on: April 19, 2018.
As a part of this consideration, estimates Michael Howell, Table of Contents
of the cost of right-of-way needed for FHWA Information Collection Officer. A. Program Description
potential highway alignments must be [FR Doc. 2018–08651 Filed 4–24–18; 8:45 am] B. Federal Award Information
determined and documented. Agencies C. Eligibility
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
may use several different methods to D. Application and Submission Information
E. Application Review
determine the estimate and document F. Federal Award Administration
these costs. The methods range from a DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION G. Federal Awarding Agency Contacts
process using only paper and pencil, all H. Technical Assistance and Other Program
the way to a process utilizing Federal Transit Administration Information
Geographic Information System (GIS)
mapping and electronic data capture FY 2018 Competitive Funding A. Program Description
methods. The electronic methods Opportunity: Low or No Emission Section 5339(c) of Title 49, United
presumably include an electronic Grant Program States Code, as amended by the Fixing
calculation method which tabulates and AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration America’s Surface Transportation
calculates total costs, area to be (FTA), DOT. (FAST) Act, (Pub. L. 114–94, Dec. 4,
acquired, and the numbers of ACTION: Notice of funding opportunity 2015), authorizes FTA to award grants
relocations of residential and business (NOFO). for low or no emission buses through a
property owners and tenants. Utilizing competitive process, as described in this
the paper-based method necessarily SUMMARY: The Federal Transit notice. The Low or No Emission Bus
requires manual collection, organization Administration (FTA) announces the Program (Low-No Program) provides
and calculation which are likely opportunity to apply for $84,450,000 in funding to State and local governmental
competitive grants under the fiscal year authorities for the purchase or lease of
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
expensive and inefficient, both in terms
of dedicated staff time and dollars (FY) 2018 Low or No Emission Grant zero-emission and low-emission transit
spent. Program (Low-No Program; Catalog of buses, including acquisition,
Respondents: Each State DOT will be Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) construction, and leasing of required
asked to respond, as well as a limited number: 20.526). In addition to $55 supporting facilities such as recharging,
number (5–10) of local government million authorized by federal transit refueling, and maintenance facilities.
agencies that have large and complex law, the Consolidated Appropriations FTA recognizes that a significant
transportation programs. Each invited Act, 2018 authorizes an additional transformation is occurring in the transit
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![18126 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 80 / Wednesday, April 25, 2018 / Notices
offices can be found on FTA’s website associated with energetic materials DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
at www.fta.dot.gov. characterization and transport, safe
transport of energy products, safe Office of the Comptroller of the
H. Technical Assistance and Other Currency
Program Information containment and transportation of
compressed gasses, safe packaging and
For further information concerning Agency Information Collection
transportation of charge storage devices,
this notice, please contact the Low-No Activities: Information Collection
and others. One focus will be a
Program manager Tara Clark by phone Renewal; Submission for OMB Review;
discussion on the safety gaps recently Credit Risk Retention
at 202–366–2623, or by email at
tara.clark@dot.gov. A TDD is available identified in a 2017 cooperative
research report completed by the AGENCY: Office of the Comptroller of the
for individuals who are deaf or hard of
National Academy of Sciences titled Currency (OCC), Treasury.
hearing at 800–877–8339. In addition,
FTA will post answers to questions and ‘‘Safely Transporting Hazardous Liquids ACTION: Notice and request for comment.
requests for clarifications on FTA’s and Gases in a Changing U.S. Energy
Landscape.’’ The identification of other SUMMARY: The OCC, as part of its
website at https://www.transit.dot.gov/ continuing effort to reduce paperwork
funding/grants/lowno. To ensure research gaps related to the
and respondent burden, invites the
applicants receive accurate information transportation of hazardous materials
general public and other federal
about eligibility or the program, the will be encouraged in an effort to meet
agencies to take this opportunity to
applicant is encouraged to contact FTA the holistic needs of the transportation comment on a continuing information
directly, rather than through community and the U.S. Department of collection as required by the Paperwork
intermediaries or third parties, with Transportation’s (DOT) strategic goals: Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA).
questions. FTA staff may also conduct Safety, investment in infrastructure, In accordance with the requirements
briefings on the FY 2018 discretionary innovation and accountability. of the PRA, the OCC may not conduct
grants selection and award process upon
DATES: May 16 and 17, 2018 from 8:30 or sponsor, and the respondent is not
request.
a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time required to respond to, an information
K. Jane Williams, on both days. collection unless it displays a currently
Acting Administrator. valid Office of Management and Budget
[FR Doc. 2018–08636 Filed 4–24–18; 8:45 am] ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at (OMB) control number. The OCC is
BILLING CODE P
the National Transportation Safety soliciting comment concerning the
Board Boardroom and Conference renewal of its information collection
Center at 420 10th Street SW, titled ‘‘Credit Risk Retention.’’ The OCC
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Washington, DC 20594. also is giving notice that it has sent the
Registration: The DOT requests that collection to OMB for review.
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials DATES: You should submit written
Safety Administration attendees pre-register for these meetings
by completing the form at https:// comments by May 25, 2018.
[Docket No.: PHMSA–2018–0004; Notice No. www.surveymonkey.com/r/P7CMR3R. ADDRESSES: Commenters are encouraged
2018–04] to submit comments by email, if
Conference call-in and ‘‘live meeting’’
possible. You may submit comments by
Hazardous Materials: Public Meeting capability will be provided. Specific
any of the following methods:
Notice for the Research and information about conference call-in • Email: prainfo@occ.treas.gov.
Development Forum and live meeting access will be posted, • Mail: Legislative and Regulatory
when available, at: https:// Activities Division, Office of the
AGENCY: Pipeline and Hazardous
Materials Safety Administration www.phmsa.dot.gov/research-and- Comptroller of the Currency, Attention:
(PHMSA), DOT. development/hazmat/rd-meetings-and- 1557–0249, 400 7th Street SW, Suite
events under ‘‘Upcoming Events.’’ 3E–218, Washington, DC 20219.
ACTION: Notice of public meeting.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eva • Hand Delivery/Courier: 400 7th
SUMMARY: This notice is designed to Rodezno or Rick Boyle, Office of Street SW, Suite 3E–218, Washington,
inform the interested public that the DC 20219.
Hazardous Materials Safety, Research
Office of Hazardous Materials Safety • Fax: (571) 465–4326.
and Development, Pipeline and Instructions: You must include
(OHMS) of the Pipeline and Hazardous
Materials Safety Administration Hazardous Materials Safety ‘‘OCC’’ as the agency name and ‘‘1557–
(PHMSA) will hold a public Research Administration, U.S. Department of 0249’’ in your comment. In general, the
and Development Forum that will be Transportation, Washington, DC. OCC will publish them on
held May 16 and 17, 2018, in Telephone: (202) 366–8799 and (202) www.reginfo.gov without change,
Washington, DC. OHMS will host the 366–2993. Email: eva.rodezno@dot.gov including any business or personal
forum to present the results of recently or rick.boyle@dot.gov. information that you provide, such as
completed projects, brief new project Signed on April 19, 2018 in Washington, name and address information, email
plans with stakeholder input, and DC. addresses, or phone numbers.
discuss the direction of current and William S. Schoonover, Comments received, including
future research projects. attachments and other supporting
Associate Administrator for Hazardous
During the meeting, OHMS will
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
materials, are part of the public record
Materials Safety.
solicit comments related to new and subject to public disclosure. Do not
[FR Doc. 2018–08586 Filed 4–24–18; 8:45 am]
research topics that may be considered include any information in your
for inclusion in its future work. OHMS BILLING CODE 4910–60–P comment or supporting materials that
also reviews research needs statements you consider confidential or
from industry, academia, and other inappropriate for public disclosure.
stakeholders. OHMS is particularly Additionally, please send a copy of
interested in the research gaps your comments by mail to: OCC Desk
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Document Created: 2018-11-02 08:17:04
Document Modified: 2018-11-02 08:17:04
| 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 opportunity (NOFO). | |
| Dates | Complete proposals must be submitted electronically through the GRANTS.GOV ``APPLY'' function by 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on June 18, 2018. Prospective applicants should initiate the process by registering on the GRANTS.GOV website promptly to ensure completion of the application process before the submission deadline. Instructions for applying can be found on FTA's website at http://transit.dot.gov/ howtoapply and in the ``FIND'' module of GRANTS.GOV. The funding opportunity ID is FTA-2018-003-LowNo. Mail and fax submissions will not be accepted. | |
| Contact | Tara Clark, FTA Office of Program Management, 202-366-2623, or [email protected] | |
| FR Citation | 83 FR 18120 |
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