83_FR_29731 83 FR 29609 - Fiscal Year 2018 Competitive Funding Opportunity; Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Infrastructure Investment Program

83 FR 29609 - Fiscal Year 2018 Competitive Funding Opportunity; Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Infrastructure Investment Program

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Transit Administration

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 122 (June 25, 2018)

Page Range29609-29614
FR Document2018-13554

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announces the opportunity to apply for approximately $366.3 million in fiscal year (FY) 2018 funds under the Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Infrastructure Investment Program (CFDA #20.526). As required by federal transit law and subject to funding availability, funds will be awarded competitively to assist in the financing of capital projects to replace, rehabilitate, purchase or lease buses and related equipment, and to rehabilitate, purchase, construct or lease bus-related 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 funds if they are made available to the program prior to the announcement of project selections.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 122 (Monday, June 25, 2018) 
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 122 (Monday, June 25, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29609-29614]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-13554]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Transit Administration


Fiscal Year 2018 Competitive Funding Opportunity; Grants for 
Buses and Bus Facilities Infrastructure Investment Program

AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration (FTA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of funding opportunity (NOFO).

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SUMMARY: The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announces the 
opportunity to apply for approximately $366.3 million in fiscal year 
(FY) 2018 funds under the Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities 
Infrastructure Investment Program (CFDA #20.526). As required by 
federal transit law and subject to funding availability, funds will be 
awarded competitively to assist in the financing of capital projects to 
replace, rehabilitate, purchase or lease buses and related equipment, 
and to rehabilitate, purchase, construct or lease bus-related 
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 funds if they are 
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 August 6, 
2018. Prospective applicants should initiate the process by promptly 
registering on the GRANTS.GOV website 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 GRANTS.GOV 
funding opportunity ID is FTA-2018-005-TPM. Mail and fax submissions 
will not be accepted.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mark Bathrick, FTA Office of Program 
Management, 202-366-9955, or mark.bathrick@dot.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Table of Contents

A. Program Description
B. Federal Award Information
C. Eligibility Information
D. Application and Submission Information
E. Application Review
F. Review and Selection Process

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G. Federal Award Administration
H. Technical Assistance and Other Program Information
I. Federal Awarding Agency Contacts

A. Program Description

    Section 5339(b) 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 funds for the Grants for Buses 
and Bus Facilities Infrastructure Investment Program (Buses and Bus 
Infrastructure Program) through a competitive process, as described in 
this notice, for capital projects to replace, rehabilitate, purchase or 
lease buses and related equipment and to rehabilitate, purchase, 
construct or lease bus-related facilities.
    The purpose of the Buses and Bus Infrastructure Program is to 
assist in the financing of buses and bus facilities capital projects, 
including replacing, rehabilitating, purchasing or leasing buses or 
related equipment, and rehabilitating, purchasing, constructing or 
leasing bus-related facilities.
    The Buses and Bus Infrastructure Program provides funds to 
designated recipients that allocate funds to fixed route bus operators, 
and to States, and local governmental authorities that operate fixed 
route bus service. FTA also may award grants to eligible recipients for 
projects to be undertaken by subrecipients that are public agencies or 
private non-profit organizations engaged in public transportation. In 
accordance with 49 U.S.C. 5339(b)(2), FTA will ``consider the age and 
condition of buses, bus fleets, related equipment, and bus-related 
facilities'' in selecting projects for funding. FTA may prioritize 
projects that demonstrate how they will address significant repair and 
maintenance needs, improve the safety of transit systems, and deploy 
connective projects that include advanced technologies to connect bus 
systems with other networks.

B. Federal Award Information

    Federal transit law at 49 U.S.C. 5338(a)(2)(M) authorizes 
$246,514,000 in FY 2018 funds for the Section 5339(b) Buses and Bus 
Infrastructure Program. The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 
appropriated an additional $161,446,000 for the Buses and Bus 
Infrastructure Program. After the oversight takedown and previously 
announced allocations of $37,973,775 in FY 2018 Buses and Bus 
Infrastructure Program funds to projects competitively selected during 
the FY 2017 Buses and Bus Infrastructure Program competition on April 
5, 2018, $366,293,150 is available for the Buses and Bus Infrastructure 
Program through this notice.
    As required under 49 U.S.C. 5339(b)(5), a minimum of 10 percent of 
the amount awarded under the Buses and Bus Infrastructure Program will 
be awarded to projects located in rural areas. As required by 49 U.S.C. 
5339(b)(8), no single grantee will be awarded more than 10 percent of 
the amounts made available.
    FTA will grant pre-award authority to incur costs for selected 
projects beginning on the date that project selections are announced. 
Funds are only available for projects that have not incurred costs 
prior to the selection of projects and will remain available for 
obligation for three Federal fiscal years, not including the year in 
which the funds are allocated to projects.

C. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

    Under 49 U.S.C. 5339(b)(1), eligible applicants include designated 
recipients that allocate funds to fixed route bus operators, states or 
local governmental entities that operate fixed route bus service, and 
Indian tribes. Eligible subrecipients include all otherwise eligible 
applicants and also private nonprofit organizations engaged in public 
transportation.
    Under 49 U.S.C. 5339(b)(3), States may submit a statewide 
application on behalf of public agencies or private nonprofit 
organizations engaged in public transportation in rural areas or for 
other areas for which a State allocates funds. Except for projects 
proposed by Indian tribes, all proposals for projects in rural (non-
urbanized) areas must be submitted by a State, either individually or 
as a part of a statewide application. States and other eligible 
applicants may also submit consolidated proposals for projects in 
urbanized areas. The submission of a statewide or consolidated 
urbanized area application shall not preclude the submission and 
consideration of any application from other eligible recipients in an 
urbanized area in a State. Proposals may contain projects to be 
implemented by the recipient or its subrecipients.
    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.

2. Cost Sharing or Matching

    The maximum federal share for projects selected under the Buses and 
Bus Infrastructure Program is 80 percent of the net project cost, 
unless noted below by one of the exceptions.
    i. The maximum federal share is 85 percent of the net project cost 
of acquiring vehicles (including clean-fuel or alternative fuel 
vehicles) that are compliant with the Clean Air Act (CAA) and/or the 
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990.
    ii. The maximum federal share is 90 percent of the net project cost 
of acquiring, installing or constructing vehicle-related equipment or 
facilities (including clean fuel or alternative-fuel vehicle-related 
equipment or facilities) that are required by the ADA of 1990, or that 
are necessary to comply with or maintaining compliance with the Clean 
Air Act. The award recipient must itemize the cost of specific, 
discrete, vehicle-related equipment associated with compliance with ADA 
or CAA to be eligible for the maximum 90 percent Federal share for 
these costs.
    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; or funds from an undistributed cash surplus; replacement or 
depreciation cash fund or reserve; or new capital. 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(b)(1), eligible projects are capital projects 
to replace, rehabilitate purchase, or lease buses, vans, and related 
equipment, and capital projects to rehabilitate, purchase, construct, 
or lease bus-related facilities.
    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

    Applications must be submitted electronically through GRANTS.GOV. 
General information for submitting applications through GRANTS.GOV can

[[Page 29611]]

be found at https://www.transit.dot.gov/funding/grants/applying/applying-fta-funding 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 forms: The 
SF424 Application for Federal Assistance (downloaded from GRANTS.GOV) 
and the supplemental form for the FY 2018 Buses and Bus Infrastructure 
Program (downloaded from GRANTS.GOV or the FTA website at 
www.transit.dot.gov/busprogram). Applicants may also attach additional 
supporting information. Failure to submit the information as required 
can delay or prevent review of the application.

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

    A complete proposal submission consists of two forms: The SF424 
Application for Federal Assistance and the FY 2018 Buses and Bus 
Infrastructure Program supplemental form. The supplemental form and any 
supporting documents must be attached to the ``Attachments'' section of 
the SF424. A complete 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 SF424 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 SF424 and 
supplemental form.
    Applicants may attach additional supporting information to the 
SF424 submission, including but not limited to letters of support, 
project budgets, fleet status reports, or excerpts from relevant 
planning documents. 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. 
Applicants should not place N/A or ``refer to attachment'' in lieu of 
typing in responses in the field sections. 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.
    The SF424 Mandatory Form 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 Bus 
Infrastructure Program's objectives
h. Evidence that the project is consistent with local and regional 
planning objectives
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 on August 6, 2018. Mail and fax 
submissions will not be accepted.
    FTA urges proposers to submit applications at least 72 hours prior 
to the due date to allow time to correct any problems that may have 
caused either Grants.gov or FTA systems to reject the submission. 
Proposals submitted after the deadline will only be considered under 
extraordinary circumstances not under the applicant's control. 
Deadlines will not be extended due to scheduled website maintenance. 
GRANTS.GOV scheduled maintenance and outage times are announced on the 
GRANTS.GOV website.
    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, applicants must include all original 
attachments regardless of which attachments were updated and check the 
box on the supplemental form indicating this is a resubmission.
    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

[[Page 29612]]

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 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 or not a 
scalable option is provided.

E. Application Review

    FTA will evaluate project proposals for the Buses and Bus 
Infrastructure Program based on the criteria described in this notice. 
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.

a. Demonstration of Need

    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 bus vehicles and/or supporting 
facilities. For example, an applicant may demonstrate an excessive 
reliance on vehicles that are beyond their intended service life, 
insufficient maintenance facilities due to size or condition, a vehicle 
fleet that is insufficient to meet current ridership demands, or 
passenger facilities that are insufficient for their current use. 
Applicants should address whether the project represents a one-time or 
periodic need that cannot reasonably be funded from FTA formula program 
allocations and State or local resources. As a part of the response for 
demonstration of need, applicants should provide the following 
information:
    i. For bus projects (replacement, rehabilitation or expansion): 
Applicants must provide information on the age, condition and 
performance of the asset(s) to be replaced or rehabilitated by the 
proposed project. 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 how the project conforms to 
FTA's spare ratio guidelines.
    ii. 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.

b. Demonstration of Benefits

    Applications will be evaluated based on how well they describe how 
the proposed project will improve the condition of the transit system, 
improve the reliability of transit service for its riders, and enhance 
access and mobility within the service area.
    System Condition: FTA will evaluate the potential for the project 
to improve the condition of the transit system by repairing and/or 
replacing assets that are in poor condition or have surpassed their 
minimum or intended useful life benchmarks, lowering the average age of 
vehicles in the fleet, and/or reducing the cost of maintaining outdated 
vehicles, facilities and equipment.
    Service Reliability: FTA will evaluate the potential for the 
project to reduce the frequency of breakdowns or other service 
interruptions as caused by the age and condition of the agency's bus 
fleet. Applicants should document their current service reliability 
metrics and benchmark goals, including their strategy for improving 
reliability with or without the award of Bus Infrastructure Program 
funds.
    Enhanced Access and Mobility: FTA will evaluate the potential for 
the project to improve access and mobility for the transit riding 
public, such as through increased reliability, improved headways, 
creation of new transportation choices, or eliminating gaps in the 
current route network. Proposed benefits should be based on documented 
ridership demand and be well-described or documented through a study or 
route planning proposal.

c. Planning and Local/Regional Prioritization

    Applicants must demonstrate how the proposed project will be 
consistent with local and regional long-range planning documents and 
local government priorities. This will involve assessing 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 should describe how the project will support 
regional goals. Additional consideration will be given to applications 
including support letters from local and regional planning 
organizations, local government officials, public agencies, and/or non-
profit or private sector partners attesting to the consistency of the 
proposed project with these plans. Applicants may also address how the 
proposed project will impact overall system performance, asset 
management performance, or specific performance measures tracked and 
monitored by the applying entity to demonstrate how the proposed 
project will address local and regional planning priorities.
    Evidence of additional local or regional prioritization (i.e., STIP 
and LRTP) should include letters of support for the project from local 
government officials, public agencies (i.e., MPOs), and non-profit or 
private sector partners.

d. 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. Additional consideration 
will be given to those projects for which local funds have already been 
made available or reserved. Applicants should submit evidence of the 
availability of funds for the project, for example by including a 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.

e. Project Implementation Strategy

    Projects will be evaluated based on the extent to which the project 
is ready to implement within a reasonable

[[Page 29613]]

period of time and whether the applicant's proposed implementation 
plans are reasonable and complete.
    In assessing whether the project is ready to implement within a 
reasonable period of time, 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 also state whether grant funds 
can be obligated within 12 months from time of award, if selected, 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. 
Additional consideration will be given to projects for which grant 
funds can be obligated within 12 months from time of award.
    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.

f. 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. Applicants with 
outstanding legal, technical, or financial compliance issues from a 
Federal Transit Administration compliance review or Federal Transit 
grant-related Single Audit finding must explain how corrective actions 
taken will mitigate negative impacts on the project.

F. 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. 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.
    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 discretionary awards in determining 
the allocation of program funds. Not less than 10 percent of the Buses 
and Bus Infrastructure Program funds will be distributed to projects in 
rural areas. In addition, FTA will not award more than 10 percent of 
the funds to a single grantee.

G. Federal Award Administration

i. Federal Award Notice

    Subsequent to an announcement by the FTA Administrator of the final 
project selections, which will be posted on the FTA website, FTA will 
publish a list of the selected projects, a summary of final scores for 
selected projects, Federal award amounts and recipients in the Federal 
Register. Project recipients should contact their FTA regional offices 
for additional information regarding allocations for projects under the 
Buses and Bus Infrastructure 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.

ii. Award Administration

    Funds under the Buses and Bus Infrastructure Program are available 
to designated recipients that allocate funds to fixed route bus 
operators, or state or local governmental entities, including Indian 
tribes, that operate fixed route bus service. 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 stand-alone projects that can be completed with the amount 
awarded.

iii. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

a. Pre-Award Authority
    The FTA will issue specific guidance to recipients regarding pre-
award authority at the time of selection. The 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. 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 through a notification in the Federal Register, or 
unless FTA has issued a ``Letter of No Prejudice'' for the project 
before the expenses 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.
b. Grant Requirements
    If selected, awardees will apply for a grant through FTA's Transit 
Award Management System (TrAMS). Recipients of Buses and Bus 
Infrastructure Program funding in urban areas are subject to the grant 
requirements of section 5307 Urbanized Area Formula Grant program, 
including those of FTA Circular 9030.1E. Recipients of Buses and Bus 
Infrastructure Program funding in rural areas are subject to the grant 
requirements of section 5311 Formula Grants for Rural Areas Program, 
including those of FTA Circular 9040.1G. All recipients must follow the 
Grants Management Requirements of FTA Circular 5010.1E, and the labor 
protections of 49 U.S.C. 5333(b). Technical assistance regarding these

[[Page 29614]]

requirements is available from each FTA regional office.
c. Buy America
    The 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 Bus 
Infrastructure Program will have a significant economic impact toward 
meeting the objectives of the Buy America law. The FAST Act 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 final guidance on the 
implementation of the phased increase in domestic content on September 
1, 2016. Any proposal that will require a waiver must identify the 
items for which a waiver will be sought in the application.
d. 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 engine to 
provide a ``like new'' vehicle), the vehicle remanufacturer is 
considered a transit vehicle manufacturer and must also comply with the 
DBE regulations.
    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. The 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: janelle.hinton@dot.gov.
e. 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 this program. 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.
f. Standard Assurances
    By submitting a grant application, 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. Further, 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.
g. Reporting
    Post-award reporting requirements include the electronic submission 
of Federal Financial Reports and Milestone Progress Reports in FTA's 
electronic grants management system.

H. Technical Assistance and Other Program Information

    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 August 6, 2018. For 
assistance with GRANTS.GOV please contact GRANTS.GOV by phone at 1-800-
518-4726 or by email at support@grants.gov. Contact information for 
FTA's regional offices can be found on FTA's website at https://www.transit.dot.gov/about/regional-offices/regional-offices.

I. Federal Awarding Agency Contacts

    For further information concerning this notice please contact the 
Buses and Bus Infrastructure Program manager, Mark Bathrick, via email 
at mark.bathrick@dot.gov, or by phone at 202-366-9955. 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 http://transit.dot.gov/busprogram. 
FTA staff will also conduct a webinar for potential applicants to learn 
more about the program and submittal process. To ensure applicants 
receive accurate information about eligibility or the program, 
applicants are encouraged to contact FTA directly, rather than through 
intermediaries or third parties, with questions.

    Issued in Washington, DC.
K. Jane Williams,
Acting Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2018-13554 Filed 6-22-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE P

Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 122 / Monday, June 25, 2018 / Notices 29609 TABLE 1—FY 16 GRANTS FOR BUSES AND BUS FACILITIES COMPETITION PROJECT SELECTIONS—Continued Funded State Applicant Project ID Project description Project rating amount WA .................. Intercity Transit ...................... D2017–BUSC–116 Pattison Street Facility Ren- $1,375,000 Highly Recommended. ovation and Expansion Project. WA .................. King County Department of D2017–BUSC–117 2 Projects: (1) Eastlake Off- $1,375,000 Highly Recommended. Transportation. Street Layover Facility/ (2) King County Metro Fleet Replacement—Battery Electric Buses. WA .................. Muckleshoot Indian Tribe ...... D2017–BUSC–118 Muckleshoot Transit Bus Fa- $800,000 Highly Recommended. cility Rehabilitation. WA .................. Pierce County Public Trans- D2017–BUSC–119 CNG Bus Replacement ......... $1,375,000 Highly Recommended. portation Benefit Area Cor- poration. WA .................. Skagit Transit System ........... D2017–BUSC–120 Skagit Transit System Main- $1,375,000 Highly Recommended. tenance Operations and Administration Facility Project. WA .................. Snohomish County Transpor- D2017–BUSC–121 Double Decker Replacement $1,375,000 Highly Recommended. tation Benefit Area. Buses. WA .................. Spokane Transit Authority ..... D2017–BUSC–122 Fixed Route Coaches ............ $1,375,000 Highly Recommended. WI ................... City of Oshkosh ..................... D2017–BUSC–123 Bus Replacement .................. $1,200,000 Highly Recommended. WI ................... Wisconsin Department of D2017–BUSC–124 City of Hartford Replacement $32,000 Highly Recommended. Transportation (WisDOT). non-accessible Mini-van. WI ................... Wisconsin Department of D2017–BUSC–125 Rural Transit Technology Im- $134,880 Highly Recommended. Transportation (WisDOT). provements. WI ................... City of Appleton ..................... D2017–BUSC–126 2 Projects: (1) Bus $350,506 Highly Recommended. Replacement/ (2) Facilities Renovation Project. WI ................... City of Janesville ................... D2017–BUSC–127 Replacement Buses .............. $350,506 Highly Recommended. WI ................... City of Sheboygan ................. D2017–BUSC–128 Roof Replacement for Shore- $350,506 Highly Recommended. line Metro Administrative and Maintenance Facility. WI ................... Wisconsin Department of D2017–BUSC–129 City of West Bend—Replace- $181,600 Highly Recommended. Transportation (WisDOT). ment non-accessible mini- van and replacement ADA- accessible cutaway mini- buses. WV .................. Eastern Panhandle Transit D2017–BUSC–130/ Transit Operations and $4,491,510/ Highly Recommended. Authority. D2017–BUSC– Transfer Center. $8,490 131 .................... Total ............................... $264,446,775 [FR Doc. 2018–13558 Filed 6–22–18; 8:45 am] by federal transit law and subject to website to ensure completion of the BILLING CODE P funding availability, funds will be application process before the awarded competitively to assist in the submission deadline. Instructions for financing of capital projects to replace, applying can be found on FTA’s website DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION rehabilitate, purchase or lease buses and at http://transit.dot.gov/howtoapply and related equipment, and to rehabilitate, in the ‘‘FIND’’ module of Federal Transit Administration purchase, construct or lease bus-related GRANTS.GOV. The GRANTS.GOV facilities. Projects may include costs funding opportunity ID is FTA–2018– Fiscal Year 2018 Competitive Funding incidental to the acquisition of buses or 005–TPM. Mail and fax submissions Opportunity; Grants for Buses and Bus to the construction of facilities, such as will not be accepted. Facilities Infrastructure Investment Program the costs of related workforce FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: development and training activities, and Mark Bathrick, FTA Office of Program AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration project administration expenses. FTA (FTA), DOT. Management, 202–366–9955, or may award additional funds if they are mark.bathrick@dot.gov. ACTION: Notice of funding opportunity made available to the program prior to (NOFO). the announcement of project selections. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES1 SUMMARY: The Federal Transit DATES: Complete proposals must be Table of Contents Administration (FTA) announces the submitted electronically through the A. Program Description opportunity to apply for approximately GRANTS.GOV ‘‘APPLY’’ function by B. Federal Award Information $366.3 million in fiscal year (FY) 2018 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on August 6, C. Eligibility Information funds under the Grants for Buses and 2018. Prospective applicants should D. Application and Submission Information Bus Facilities Infrastructure Investment initiate the process by promptly E. Application Review Program (CFDA #20.526). As required registering on the GRANTS.GOV F. Review and Selection Process VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:58 Jun 22, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00082 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\25JNN1.SGM 25JNN1

29610 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 122 / Monday, June 25, 2018 / Notices G. Federal Award Administration Infrastructure Program through this i. The maximum federal share is 85 H. Technical Assistance and Other Program notice. percent of the net project cost of Information As required under 49 U.S.C. acquiring vehicles (including clean-fuel I. Federal Awarding Agency Contacts 5339(b)(5), a minimum of 10 percent of or alternative fuel vehicles) that are A. Program Description the amount awarded under the Buses compliant with the Clean Air Act (CAA) and Bus Infrastructure Program will be and/or the Americans with Disabilities Section 5339(b) of Title 49, United awarded to projects located in rural Act (ADA) of 1990. States Code, as amended by the Fixing areas. As required by 49 U.S.C. ii. The maximum federal share is 90 America’s Surface Transportation 5339(b)(8), no single grantee will be percent of the net project cost of (FAST) Act (Pub. L. 114–94, Dec. 4, awarded more than 10 percent of the acquiring, installing or constructing 2015), authorizes FTA to award funds amounts made available. vehicle-related equipment or facilities for the Grants for Buses and Bus FTA will grant pre-award authority to (including clean fuel or alternative-fuel Facilities Infrastructure Investment incur costs for selected projects vehicle-related equipment or facilities) Program (Buses and Bus Infrastructure beginning on the date that project that are required by the ADA of 1990, Program) through a competitive process, selections are announced. Funds are or that are necessary to comply with or as described in this notice, for capital only available for projects that have not maintaining compliance with the Clean projects to replace, rehabilitate, incurred costs prior to the selection of Air Act. The award recipient must purchase or lease buses and related projects and will remain available for itemize the cost of specific, discrete, equipment and to rehabilitate, purchase, obligation for three Federal fiscal years, vehicle-related equipment associated construct or lease bus-related facilities. not including the year in which the The purpose of the Buses and Bus with compliance with ADA or CAA to funds are allocated to projects. be eligible for the maximum 90 percent Infrastructure Program is to assist in the financing of buses and bus facilities C. Eligibility Information Federal share for these costs. capital projects, including replacing, Eligible sources of local match 1. Eligible Applicants include the following: Cash from non- rehabilitating, purchasing or leasing Under 49 U.S.C. 5339(b)(1), eligible Government sources other than buses or related equipment, and applicants include designated recipients revenues from providing public rehabilitating, purchasing, constructing that allocate funds to fixed route bus transportation services; revenues or leasing bus-related facilities. The Buses and Bus Infrastructure operators, states or local governmental derived from the sale of advertising and entities that operate fixed route bus concessions; amounts received under a Program provides funds to designated service, and Indian tribes. Eligible service agreement with a State or local recipients that allocate funds to fixed subrecipients include all otherwise social service agency or private social route bus operators, and to States, and eligible applicants and also private service organization; revenues generated local governmental authorities that nonprofit organizations engaged in from value capture financing operate fixed route bus service. FTA public transportation. mechanisms; or funds from an also may award grants to eligible Under 49 U.S.C. 5339(b)(3), States recipients for projects to be undertaken undistributed cash surplus; replacement may submit a statewide application on or depreciation cash fund or reserve; or by subrecipients that are public agencies behalf of public agencies or private or private non-profit organizations new capital. In addition, transportation nonprofit organizations engaged in development credits or documentation engaged in public transportation. In public transportation in rural areas or accordance with 49 U.S.C. 5339(b)(2), of in-kind match may substitute for for other areas for which a State local match if identified in the FTA will ‘‘consider the age and allocates funds. Except for projects condition of buses, bus fleets, related application. proposed by Indian tribes, all proposals equipment, and bus-related facilities’’ in for projects in rural (non-urbanized) 3. Eligible Projects selecting projects for funding. FTA may areas must be submitted by a State, Under 49 U.S.C. 5339(b)(1), eligible prioritize projects that demonstrate how either individually or as a part of a projects are capital projects to replace, they will address significant repair and statewide application. States and other rehabilitate purchase, or lease buses, maintenance needs, improve the safety eligible applicants may also submit vans, and related equipment, and of transit systems, and deploy consolidated proposals for projects in capital projects to rehabilitate, purchase, connective projects that include urbanized areas. The submission of a construct, or lease bus-related facilities. advanced technologies to connect bus statewide or consolidated urbanized Recipients are permitted to use up to systems with other networks. area application shall not preclude the 0.5 percent of their requested grant B. Federal Award Information submission and consideration of any award for workforce development application from other eligible activities eligible under 49 U.S.C. Federal transit law at 49 U.S.C. recipients in an urbanized area in a 5338(a)(2)(M) authorizes $246,514,000 5314(b) and an additional 0.5 percent State. Proposals may contain projects to for costs associated with training at the in FY 2018 funds for the Section 5339(b) be implemented by the recipient or its Buses and Bus Infrastructure Program. National Transit Institute. Applicants subrecipients. must identify the proposed use of funds The Consolidated Appropriations Act, To be considered eligible, applicants 2018 appropriated an additional for these activities in the project must be able to demonstrate the proposal and identify them separately in $161,446,000 for the Buses and Bus requisite legal, financial and technical Infrastructure Program. After the the project budget. capabilities to receive and administer oversight takedown and previously Federal funds under this program. D. Application and Submission amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES1 announced allocations of $37,973,775 in Information FY 2018 Buses and Bus Infrastructure 2. Cost Sharing or Matching Program funds to projects competitively The maximum federal share for 1. Address selected during the FY 2017 Buses and projects selected under the Buses and Applications must be submitted Bus Infrastructure Program competition Bus Infrastructure Program is 80 percent electronically through GRANTS.GOV. on April 5, 2018, $366,293,150 is of the net project cost, unless noted General information for submitting available for the Buses and Bus below by one of the exceptions. applications through GRANTS.GOV can VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:58 Jun 22, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00083 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\25JNN1.SGM 25JNN1

Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 122 / Monday, June 25, 2018 / Notices 29611 be found at https://www.transit.dot.gov/ Supplemental Form. Proposers must fill entity identifier and SAM requirements. funding/grants/applying/applying-fta- in all fields unless stated otherwise on If an applicant has not fully complied funding along with specific instructions the forms. Applicants should not place with the requirements by the time FTA for the forms and attachments required N/A or ‘‘refer to attachment’’ in lieu of is ready to make an award, FTA may for submission. Mail and fax typing in responses in the field sections. determine that the applicant is not submissions will not be accepted. A If information is copied into the qualified to receive an award and use complete proposal submission consists supplemental form from another source, that determination as a basis for making of two forms: The SF424 Application for applicants should verify that pasted text a Federal award to another applicant. Federal Assistance (downloaded from is fully captured on the supplemental All applicants must provide a unique GRANTS.GOV) and the supplemental form and has not been truncated by the entity identifier provided by SAM. form for the FY 2018 Buses and Bus character limits built into the form. Registration in SAM may take as little Infrastructure Program (downloaded Proposers should use both the ‘‘Check as 3–5 business days, but since there from GRANTS.GOV or the FTA website Package for Errors’’ and the ‘‘Validate could be unexpected steps or delays (for at www.transit.dot.gov/busprogram). Form’’ validation buttons on both forms example, if you need to obtain an Applicants may also attach additional to check all required fields on the forms, Employer Identification Number), FTA supporting information. Failure to and ensure that the federal and local recommends allowing ample time, up to submit the information as required can amounts specified are consistent. several weeks, for completion of all delay or prevent review of the The SF424 Mandatory Form and the steps. For additional information on application. Supplemental Form will prompt obtaining a unique entity identifier, applicants for the required information, please visit www.sam.gov. 2. Content and Form of Application Submission including: 4. Submission Dates and Times a. Applicant Name A complete proposal submission b. Dun and Bradstreet (D&B) Data Project proposals must be submitted consists of two forms: The SF424 Universal Numbering System (DUNS) electronically through GRANTS.GOV by Application for Federal Assistance and number 11:59 p.m. Eastern on August 6, 2018. the FY 2018 Buses and Bus c. Key contact information (including Mail and fax submissions will not be Infrastructure Program supplemental contact name, address, email address, accepted. form. The supplemental form and any FTA urges proposers to submit and phone) supporting documents must be attached d. Congressional district(s) where applications at least 72 hours prior to to the ‘‘Attachments’’ section of the project will take place the due date to allow time to correct any SF424. A complete application must e. Project Information (including title, problems that may have caused either include responses to all sections of the an executive summary, and type) Grants.gov or FTA systems to reject the SF424 Application for Federal f. A detailed description of the need for submission. Proposals submitted after Assistance and the supplemental form, the project the deadline will only be considered unless indicated as optional. The g. A detailed description on how the under extraordinary circumstances not information on the supplemental form project will support the Bus under the applicant’s control. Deadlines will be used to determine applicant and Infrastructure Program’s objectives will not be extended due to scheduled project eligibility for the program, and h. Evidence that the project is consistent website maintenance. GRANTS.GOV to evaluate the proposal against the with local and regional planning scheduled maintenance and outage selection criteria described in part E of objectives times are announced on the this notice. i. Evidence that the applicant can GRANTS.GOV website. FTA will accept only one provide the local cost share Within 48 hours after submitting an supplemental form per SF424 j. A description of the technical, legal, electronic application, the applicant submission. FTA encourages States and and financial capacity of the applicant should receive two email messages from other applicants to consider submitting k. A detailed project budget GRANTS.GOV: (1) Confirmation of a single supplemental form that l. An explanation of the scalability of successful transmission to includes multiple activities to be the project GRANTS.GOV and (2) confirmation of evaluated as a consolidated proposal. If m. Details on the local matching funds successful validation by GRANTS.GOV. a State or other applicant chooses to n. A detailed project timeline If confirmations of successful validation submit separate proposals for individual are not received or a notice of failed 3. Unique Entity Identifier and System validation or incomplete materials is consideration by FTA, each proposal for Award Management (SAM) received, the applicant must address the must be submitted using a separate SF424 and supplemental form. Each applicant is required to: (1) Be reason for the failed validation, as Applicants may attach additional registered in SAM before submitting an described in the email notice, and supporting information to the SF424 application; (2) provide a valid unique resubmit before the submission submission, including but not limited to entity identifier in its application; and deadline. If making a resubmission for letters of support, project budgets, fleet (3) continue to maintain an active SAM any reason, applicants must include all status reports, or excerpts from relevant registration with current information at original attachments regardless of which planning documents. Supporting all times during which the applicant has attachments were updated and check documentation must be described and an active Federal award or an the box on the supplemental form referenced by file name in the application or plan under consideration indicating this is a resubmission. appropriate response section of the by FTA. These requirements do not Proposers are encouraged to begin the amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES1 supplemental form, or it may not be apply if the applicant: (1) Is an process of registration on the reviewed. individual; (2) is excepted from the GRANTS.GOV site well in advance of Information such as proposer name, requirements under 2 CFR 25.110(b) or the submission deadline. Registration is Federal amount requested, local match (c); or (3) has an exception approved by a multi-step process, which may take amount, description of areas served, etc. FTA under 2 CFR 25.110(d). FTA may several weeks to complete before an may be requested in varying degrees of not make an award until the applicant application can be submitted. Registered detail on both the SF424 and has complied with all applicable unique proposers may still be required to take VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:58 Jun 22, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00084 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\25JNN1.SGM 25JNN1

29612 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 122 / Monday, June 25, 2018 / Notices steps to keep their registration up to from FTA formula program allocations c. Planning and Local/Regional date before submissions can be made and State or local resources. As a part Prioritization successfully: (1) Registration in the of the response for demonstration of Applicants must demonstrate how the System for Award Management (SAM) need, applicants should provide the proposed project will be consistent with is renewed annually; and, (2) persons following information: local and regional long-range planning making submissions on behalf of the i. For bus projects (replacement, documents and local government Authorized Organization Representative rehabilitation or expansion): Applicants priorities. This will involve assessing (AOR) must be authorized in must provide information on the age, whether the project is consistent with GRANTS.GOV by the AOR to make condition and performance of the the transit priorities identified in the submissions. asset(s) to be replaced or rehabilitated long range plan; and/or contingency/ 5. Funding Restrictions by the proposed project. For service illustrative projects included in that expansion requests, applicants must plan; or the locally developed human Funds under this NOFO cannot be provide information on the proposed used to reimburse applicants for services public transportation service expansion and the benefits for coordinated plan. Applicants are not otherwise eligible expenses incurred transit riders and the community from prior to FTA award of a Grant required to submit copies of such plans, the new service. For all vehicle projects, but should describe how the project will Agreement until FTA has issued pre- the proposal must address how the award authority for selected projects. support regional goals. Additional project conforms to FTA’s spare ratio consideration will be given to 6. Other Submission Requirements guidelines. applications including support letters ii. For bus facility and equipment from local and regional planning Applicants are encouraged to identify projects (replacement, rehabilitation, organizations, local government scaled funding options in case and/or expansion): Applicants must officials, public agencies, and/or non- insufficient funding is available to fund provide information on the age and profit or private sector partners attesting a project at the full requested amount. condition of the asset to be rehabilitated to the consistency of the proposed If an applicant indicates that a project or replaced relative to its minimum project with these plans. Applicants is scalable, the applicant must provide useful life. may also address how the proposed an appropriate minimum funding amount that will fund an eligible project b. Demonstration of Benefits project will impact overall system that achieves the objectives of the performance, asset management Applications will be evaluated based performance, or specific performance program and meets all relevant program on how well they describe how the requirements. The applicant must measures tracked and monitored by the proposed project will improve the applying entity to demonstrate how the provide a clear explanation of how the condition of the transit system, improve project budget would be affected by a proposed project will address local and the reliability of transit service for its regional planning priorities. reduced award. FTA may award a lesser riders, and enhance access and mobility amount whether or not a scalable option Evidence of additional local or within the service area. regional prioritization (i.e., STIP and is provided. System Condition: FTA will evaluate LRTP) should include letters of support E. Application Review the potential for the project to improve for the project from local government FTA will evaluate project proposals the condition of the transit system by officials, public agencies (i.e., MPOs), for the Buses and Bus Infrastructure repairing and/or replacing assets that and non-profit or private sector Program based on the criteria described are in poor condition or have surpassed partners. in this notice. Projects will be evaluated their minimum or intended useful life benchmarks, lowering the average age of d. Local Financial Commitment primarily on the responses provided in the supplemental form. Additional vehicles in the fleet, and/or reducing the Applicants must identify the source of information may be provided to support cost of maintaining outdated vehicles, the local cost share and describe the responses; however, any additional facilities and equipment. whether such funds are currently documentation must be directly Service Reliability: FTA will evaluate available for the project or will need to referenced on the supplemental form, the potential for the project to reduce be secured if the project is selected for including the file name where the the frequency of breakdowns or other funding. FTA will consider the additional information can be found. service interruptions as caused by the availability of the local cost share as age and condition of the agency’s bus evidence of local financial commitment a. Demonstration of Need fleet. Applicants should document their to the project. Additional consideration Applications will be evaluated based current service reliability metrics and will be given to those projects for which on the quality and extent to which they benchmark goals, including their local funds have already been made demonstrate how the proposed project strategy for improving reliability with or available or reserved. Applicants should will address an unmet need for capital without the award of Bus Infrastructure submit evidence of the availability of investment in bus vehicles and/or Program funds. funds for the project, for example by supporting facilities. For example, an Enhanced Access and Mobility: FTA including a board resolution, letter of applicant may demonstrate an excessive will evaluate the potential for the support from the State, or other reliance on vehicles that are beyond project to improve access and mobility documentation of the source of local their intended service life, insufficient for the transit riding public, such as funds such as a budget document maintenance facilities due to size or through increased reliability, improved highlighting the line item or section amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES1 condition, a vehicle fleet that is headways, creation of new committing funds to the proposed insufficient to meet current ridership transportation choices, or eliminating project. demands, or passenger facilities that are gaps in the current route network. insufficient for their current use. Proposed benefits should be based on e. Project Implementation Strategy Applicants should address whether the documented ridership demand and be Projects will be evaluated based on project represents a one-time or periodic well-described or documented through a the extent to which the project is ready need that cannot reasonably be funded study or route planning proposal. to implement within a reasonable VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:58 Jun 22, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00085 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\25JNN1.SGM 25JNN1

Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 122 / Monday, June 25, 2018 / Notices 29613 period of time and whether the above preferences, the FTA ii. Award Administration applicant’s proposed implementation Administrator will consider the Funds under the Buses and Bus plans are reasonable and complete. following key Departmental objectives: Infrastructure Program are available to In assessing whether the project is (A) Supporting economic vitality at designated recipients that allocate funds ready to implement within a reasonable the national and regional level; to fixed route bus operators, or state or period of time, FTA will consider (B) Utilizing alternative funding local governmental entities, including whether the project qualifies for a sources and innovative financing Indian tribes, that operate fixed route Categorical Exclusion (CE), or whether models to attract non-Federal sources of bus service. There is no minimum or the required environmental work has infrastructure investment; maximum grant award amount; been initiated or completed for projects (C) Accounting for the life-cycle costs however, FTA intends to fund as many that require an Environmental of the project to promote the state of meritorious projects as possible. Only Assessment (EA) or Environmental good repair; (D) Using innovative approaches to proposals from eligible recipients for Impact Statement (EIS) under the eligible activities will be considered for National Environmental Policy Act of improve safety and expedite project delivery; and funding. Due to funding limitations, 1969 (NEPA), as amended. The proposal proposers that are selected for funding must also state whether grant funds can (E) Holding grant recipients accountable for their performance and may receive less than the amount be obligated within 12 months from originally requested. In those cases, time of award, if selected, and indicate achieving specific, measurable outcomes identified by grant applicants. applicants must be able to demonstrate the timeframe under which the that the proposed projects are still Metropolitan Transportation Prior to making an award, FTA is required to review and consider any viable stand-alone projects that can be Improvement Program (TIP) and/or completed with the amount awarded. Statewide Transportation Improvement information about the applicant that is Program (STIP) can be amended to in the designated integrity and iii. Administrative and National Policy include the proposed project. performance system accessible through Requirements Additional consideration will be given SAM (currently FAPIIS). An applicant, at its option, may review information in a. Pre-Award Authority to projects for which grant funds can be obligated within 12 months from time of the designated integrity and The FTA will issue specific guidance award. performance systems accessible through to recipients regarding pre-award In assessing whether the proposed SAM and comment on any information authority at the time of selection. The implementation plans are reasonable about itself that a Federal awarding FTA does not provide pre-award and complete, FTA will review the agency previously entered and is authority for discretionary funds until proposed project implementation plan, currently in the designated integrity and projects are selected and even then there including all necessary project performance system accessible through are Federal requirements that must be milestones and the overall project SAM. met before costs are incurred. Funds timeline. For projects that will require The FTA Administrator will under this NOFO cannot be used to formal coordination, approvals or determine the final selection of projects reimburse applicants for otherwise for program funding. FTA may consider eligible expenses incurred prior to FTA permits from other agencies or project geographic diversity, diversity in the award of a Grant Agreement until FTA partners, the applicant must size of the transit systems receiving has issued pre-award authority for demonstrate coordination with these funding, and/or the applicant’s receipt selected projects through a notification organizations and their support for the of other discretionary awards in in the Federal Register, or unless FTA project, such as through letters of determining the allocation of program has issued a ‘‘Letter of No Prejudice’’ for support. funds. Not less than 10 percent of the the project before the expenses are f. Technical, Legal, and Financial Buses and Bus Infrastructure Program incurred. For more information about Capacity funds will be distributed to projects in FTA’s policy on pre-award authority, Applicants must demonstrate that rural areas. In addition, FTA will not please see the FY 2017 Apportionment they have the technical, legal and award more than 10 percent of the funds Notice published on January 19, 2017. financial capacity to undertake the to a single grantee. b. Grant Requirements project. FTA will review relevant G. Federal Award Administration oversight assessments and records to If selected, awardees will apply for a determine whether there are any i. Federal Award Notice grant through FTA’s Transit Award outstanding legal, technical, or financial Subsequent to an announcement by Management System (TrAMS). issues with the applicant that would the FTA Administrator of the final Recipients of Buses and Bus affect the outcome of the proposed project selections, which will be posted Infrastructure Program funding in urban project. Applicants with outstanding on the FTA website, FTA will publish areas are subject to the grant legal, technical, or financial compliance a list of the selected projects, a summary requirements of section 5307 Urbanized issues from a Federal Transit of final scores for selected projects, Area Formula Grant program, including Administration compliance review or Federal award amounts and recipients those of FTA Circular 9030.1E. Federal Transit grant-related Single in the Federal Register. Project Recipients of Buses and Bus Audit finding must explain how recipients should contact their FTA Infrastructure Program funding in rural corrective actions taken will mitigate regional offices for additional areas are subject to the grant negative impacts on the project. information regarding allocations for requirements of section 5311 Formula amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES1 projects under the Buses and Bus Grants for Rural Areas Program, F. Review and Selection Process Infrastructure Program. including those of FTA Circular In addition to other FTA staff that At the time the project selections are 9040.1G. All recipients must follow the may review the proposals, a technical announced, FTA will extend pre-award Grants Management Requirements of evaluation committee will evaluate authority for the selected projects. There FTA Circular 5010.1E, and the labor proposals based on the published is no blanket pre-award authority for protections of 49 U.S.C. 5333(b). evaluation criteria. After applying the these projects before announcement. Technical assistance regarding these VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:58 Jun 22, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00086 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\25JNN1.SGM 25JNN1

29614 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 122 / Monday, June 25, 2018 / Notices requirements is available from each FTA vehicle manufacturer and must also H. Technical Assistance and Other regional office. comply with the DBE regulations. Program Information FTA will then issue a transit vehicle c. Buy America This program is not subject to manufacturer (TVM) concurrence/ Executive Order 12372, The FTA requires that all capital certification letter. Grant recipients ‘‘Intergovernmental Review of Federal procurements meet FTA’s Buy America must verify each entity’s compliance Programs.’’ FTA will consider requirements, which require that all with these requirements before applications for funding only from iron, steel, or manufactured products be accepting its bid. A list of compliant, eligible recipients for eligible projects produced in the U.S. These certified TVMs is posted on FTA’s web listed in Section C. Complete requirements help create and protect page at https://www.fta.dot.gov/ regulations-and-guidance/civil-rights- applications must be submitted through manufacturing jobs in the U.S. The Bus GRANTS.GOV by 11:59 p.m. eastern Infrastructure Program will have a ada/eligible-tvms-list. Please note, that this list is nonexclusive and recipients time on August 6, 2018. For assistance significant economic impact toward with GRANTS.GOV please contact meeting the objectives of the Buy must contact FTA before accepting bids from entities not listed on this web- GRANTS.GOV by phone at 1–800–518– America law. The FAST Act amended 4726 or by email at support@grants.gov. the Buy America requirements to posting. Recipients may also establish project specific DBE goals for vehicle Contact information for FTA’s regional provide for a phased increase in the offices can be found on FTA’s website domestic content for rolling stock. For procurements. The FTA will provide additional guidance as grants are at https://www.transit.dot.gov/about/ FY 2018 and FY 2019, the cost of regional-offices/regional-offices. components and subcomponents awarded. For more information on DBE produced in the United States must be requirements, please contact Janelle I. Federal Awarding Agency Contacts more than 65 percent of the cost of all Hinton, Office of Civil Rights, 202–366– For further information concerning components. For FY 2020 and beyond, 9259, email: janelle.hinton@dot.gov. this notice please contact the Buses and the cost of components and e. Planning Bus Infrastructure Program manager, subcomponents produced in the United Mark Bathrick, via email at FTA encourages proposers to notify States must be more than 70 percent of mark.bathrick@dot.gov, or by phone at the appropriate State Departments of the cost of all components. There is no 202–366–9955. A TDD is available for Transportation and MPOs in areas likely change to the requirement that final individuals who are deaf or hard of to be served by the project funds made assembly of rolling stock must occur in hearing at 800–877–8339. In addition, available under this program. Selected the United States. FTA issued final FTA will post answers to questions and projects must be incorporated into the guidance on the implementation of the requests for clarifications on FTA’s long-range plans and transportation phased increase in domestic content on website at http://transit.dot.gov/ improvement programs of states and September 1, 2016. Any proposal that busprogram. FTA staff will also conduct metropolitan areas before they are will require a waiver must identify the a webinar for potential applicants to eligible for FTA funding. items for which a waiver will be sought learn more about the program and in the application. f. Standard Assurances submittal process. To ensure applicants d. Disadvantaged Business Enterprise By submitting a grant application, the receive accurate information about applicant assures that it will comply eligibility or the program, applicants are FTA requires that its recipients with all applicable federal statutes, encouraged to contact FTA directly, receiving planning, capital and/or regulations, executive orders, directives, rather than through intermediaries or operating assistance that will award FTA circulars, and other federal third parties, with questions. prime contracts exceeding $250,000 in administrative requirements in carrying Issued in Washington, DC. FTA funds in a Federal fiscal year out any project supported by the FTA K. Jane Williams, comply with the Disadvantaged grant. Further, the applicant Acting Administrator. Business Enterprise (DBE) program acknowledges that it is under a regulations at 49 CFR part 26. [FR Doc. 2018–13554 Filed 6–22–18; 8:45 am] continuing obligation to comply with Applicants should expect to include any the terms and conditions of the grant BILLING CODE P funds awarded, excluding those to be agreement issued for its project with used for vehicle procurements, in FTA. The applicant understands that setting their overall DBE goal. Note, Federal laws, regulations, policies, and DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY however, that projects including vehicle administrative practices might be procurements remain subject to the DBE Office of Foreign Assets Control modified from time to time and may program regulations. The rule requires affect the implementation of the project. Notice of OFAC Sanctions Actions that, prior to bidding on any FTA- The applicant agrees that the most assisted vehicle procurement, entities recent Federal requirements will apply AGENCY: Office of Foreign Assets that manufacture vehicles, perform post- to the project, unless FTA issues a Control, Treasury. production alterations or retrofitting written determination otherwise. The ACTION: Notice. must submit a DBE Program plan and applicant must submit the Certifications goal methodology to FTA. Further, to and Assurances before receiving a grant SUMMARY: The Department of the the extent that a vehicle remanufacturer if it does not have current certifications Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets is responding to a solicitation for new on file. Control (OFAC) is publishing the names amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES1 or remanufactured vehicles with a of one or more persons that have been vehicle to which the remanufacturer has g. Reporting placed on OFAC’s Specially Designated provided post-production alterations or Post-award reporting requirements Nationals and Blocked Persons List retro-fitting (e.g., replacing major include the electronic submission of based on OFAC’s determination that one components such as engine to provide Federal Financial Reports and Milestone or more applicable legal criteria were a ‘‘like new’’ vehicle), the vehicle Progress Reports in FTA’s electronic satisfied. All property and interests in remanufacturer is considered a transit grants management system. property subject to U.S. jurisdiction of VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:58 Jun 22, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00087 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\25JNN1.SGM 25JNN1


Document Created: 2018-06-23 02:29:18
Document Modified: 2018-06-23 02:29:18
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionNotice of funding opportunity (NOFO).
DatesComplete proposals must be submitted electronically through the GRANTS.GOV ``APPLY'' function by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on August 6, 2018. Prospective applicants should initiate the process by promptly registering on the GRANTS.GOV website 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 GRANTS.GOV funding opportunity ID is FTA-2018-005-TPM. Mail and fax submissions will not be accepted.
ContactMark Bathrick, FTA Office of Program Management, 202-366-9955, or [email protected]
FR Citation83 FR 29609 
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