83 FR 46251 - Pilot Program for Expedited Project Delivery
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Transit Administration Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 177 (September 12, 2018)
Federal Transit Administration
Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 177 (September 12, 2018)
| Page Range | 46251-46253 | |
| FR Document | 2018-19860 |
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 177 (Wednesday, September 12, 2018)] [Notices] [Pages 46251-46253] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2018-19860] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Transit Administration Pilot Program for Expedited Project Delivery AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration, DOT. ACTION: Notice; request for expressions of interest to participate. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is soliciting expressions of interest for the Expedited Project Delivery Pilot Program (Pilot Program) authorized by the Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act (FAST). The Pilot Program is aimed at expediting delivery of new fixed guideway capital projects, small starts projects, or core capacity improvement projects that utilize public-private partnerships, are planned to be operated and maintained by employees of an existing public transportation provider, and have a Federal share not exceeding 25 percent of the project cost. It is also aimed at increasing innovation, improving efficiency and timeliness of project implementation, and encouraging new revenue streams. The law specifies that not more than eight projects can be awarded grants under the Pilot Program. FTA intends to work with selected project sponsors to further define the steps that must be completed before a construction grant can be awarded under the Pilot Program, including expedited FTA reviews of technical capacity, local financial commitment, and project justification. This announcement is available on the FTA's website at: www.transit.dot.gov/funding/grants/expedited-project-delivery-capital-investment-grants-pilot-3005b. DATES: Expressions of interest to become one of the participants in the Pilot Program for Expedited Project Delivery must be submitted to FTA by mail, email or facsimile by 11:59 p.m. EDT November 13, 2018. ADDRESSES: Mail submission must be addressed to the Office of Planning and Environment, Federal Transit Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Room E45-119, Washington, DC 20590 and postmarked no later than November 13, 2018. Email submissions must be sent to [email protected] by 11:59 p.m. EDT on November 13, 2018. Facsimile submissions must be submitted to the attention of Expedited Project Delivery Pilot Program at 202-493-2478 by 11:59 p.m. EDT ON November 13, 2018. If there are insufficient candidate projects that FTA determines meet the requirements of the Pilot Program, FTA may conduct additional requests for expressions of interest in the future. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Susan Eddy, FTA Office of Planning and Environment, telephone (202) 366-5499 or email [email protected]. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 1. Background FTA, together with its transit industry partners, invests billions of dollars in capital projects designed to improve public transportation by reinvesting in existing assets to expand capacity or by increasing the extent and quality of public transportation service by making new investments. These projects take considerable time to plan, develop, design, approve, and deploy. While it is important for FTA to ensure that it selects only well-conceived projects that are implemented in the most efficient and effective manner, a lengthy process delays the delivery of the intended benefits to the riding public. 2. Pilot Program Section 3005(b) of the FAST Act, Public Law 114-94 (December 4, 2015), authorizes the Pilot Program for FTA to make not more than eight grants for new fixed guideway capital projects, small starts projects, or core capacity improvement projects that have not yet entered a construction grant agreement with the FTA. The law defines these types of eligible projects for the Pilot Program in a manner similar to, but not entirely the same as, the CIG program. Thus, FTA encourages project sponsors to review closely the definitions found in Section 3005(b) to ensure the project's eligibility. Eligible applicants to the Pilot Program are state or local government authorities. Proposed projects must utilize public-private partnerships; be operated and maintained by employees of an existing provider of fixed guideway or bus rapid transit public transportation in the service area of the project, or if none exists, by employees of an existing public transportation provider in the service area; and have a Federal share not exceeding 25 percent of the net capital project cost. Project sponsors also must have financial advisors providing guidance to them on the terms and structure of the project that are independent from investors in the project. Sponsors must further certify that the existing public transportation system is in a state of good repair as defined by law. (See Pub. L. 114-94, 129 STAT. 1458; 49 U.S.C. 5302; 49 U.S.C. 5326(b)(1); 49 CFR 625.5.) [[Page 46252]] The Pilot Program requires FTA to use an expedited technical capacity review process for sponsors that have recently and successfully completed at least one new fixed guideway capital project, small start project, or core capacity improvement project, if the sponsor achieved budget, cost, and ridership outcomes for the project that are consistent with or better than projections and the applicant demonstrates that it continues to have staff expertise and other resources to implement a new project. While not all of the following are required with the expression of interest submission, project sponsors should understand that prior to being considered for a grant agreement, Section 3005(b) requires that project sponsors requesting a construction grant under the Pilot Program must meet all requirements of Section 3005(B) and submit: (1) Information identifying the proposed eligible project; (2) a schedule and finance plan for the construction and operation of the project; (3) an analysis of the efficiencies of the proposed eligible project development and delivery methods and innovative financing arrangement for the eligible project. This submission must include documents related to the public-private partnership and justification of the project based on mobility improvements attributable to the project; environmental benefits associated with the project; congestion relief associated with the project; economic development effects derived as a result of the project; and estimated ridership projections; (4) a certification that the project sponsor's existing public transportation system is in a state of good repair, or, in the event that the applicant does not operate a public transportation system, the public transportation system to which the proposed project will be attached, is in a state of good repair. Alternatively, with respect to the state of good repair certification, for core capacity improvement projects, a sponsor may include a description of how the eligible project will allow it to make substantial progress in achieving a state of good repair. FTA may not award a construction grant agreement until after the project sponsor has completed necessary planning and activities required under the National Environmental Policy Act, 42 U.S.C. 4321, et seq., and the recipient has demonstrated the necessary legal, technical, and financial capacity to successfully complete the project. Project sponsors must also demonstrate an acceptable degree of local financial commitment and show evidence of stable and dependable financing sources. Part of FTA's consideration includes, but is not limited to, an analysis of the private contributions, management of the transfer of project risk, financial partnering, and other strategies included in the public-private partnership. The law also requires participants in the program to develop a Before and After Study Report that describes and analyzes the impacts of the project on public transportation services and ridership, describes and analyzes the consistency of predicted and actual benefits and costs of the innovative project development and delivery or innovative financing, and identifies reasons for any differences between the predicted and actual outcomes. The law requires the project sponsor to submit the Before and After Study Report to FTA not later than two years after the initiation of revenue service of the project. All projects that receive a grant through the Pilot Program are expected to be constructed and enter revenue service. Therefore, Section 3005(b) specifies that a sponsor must repay all Federal funds plus interest and penalty charges if the project is not completed. This provision is intended to ensure that all Federal interest is protected if a public-private partnership fails to deliver a project. At present, $5 million has been appropriated by Congress in Fiscal Year 2016 and $20 million in Fiscal Year 2017 for the Pilot Program. The FY 2018 Consolidated Appropriations Act did not provide funding for the Pilot Program; and the President's FY 2019 budget proposal to Congress did not recommend any funding for the Pilot Program. If selected for the Pilot Program, project sponsors will be invited to propose alternative ways that FTA might satisfy the requirements established by law for Pilot projects. For example, FTA expects that it will be necessary to establish the cost, scope, and schedule for Pilot projects to a reasonable level of confidence, which could be accomplished in a number of ways, in particular to address the requirement in law for an expedited technical capacity review process for sponsors with successful past performance. Project sponsors selected for the Pilot Program may suggest alternate approaches to any aspect of the statutory evaluation process that the sponsor believes will save time and effort, while still assuring compliance with the Pilot Program requirements outlined in law. FTA is particularly interested in receiving expressions of interest from project sponsors who are considering pursuing Value Capture techniques as part of their innovative project financing arrangements. 3. Expression of Interest Submission Process Project sponsors must submit the required information by mail, email or facsimile by 11:59 p.m. EDT November 13, 2018, as specified in the DATES section of this Notice above. FTA reserves the right to request additional clarifying information from any and all project sponsors before making a selection to participate in the Pilot Program. Project sponsors wishing to participate in the Pilot Program must submit an expression of interest to FTA no longer than 10 pages in length including any supporting documentation. While there is no specific format that must be followed for the expression of interest, the narrative provided by the project sponsor to FTA should include the following information: a. A description of the proposed project that provides sufficient information to demonstrate its eligibility as a new fixed guideway capital project, small starts project, or core capacity improvement project as defined in Section 3005(b); b. The proposed project schedule and an outline of the proposed financing plan for the project, including the total amount of Federal funding being sought; c. A description of the public-private partnership included in the project; d. A description of the advisors providing guidance to the project sponsor on the terms and structure of the project that are independent from investors in the project; e. How the project sponsor intends to analyze the predicted and actual benefits and costs of the innovative project development and delivery methods or innovative financing for the eligible project in order to complete the Before and After Study required by Section 3005(b); f. A certification that the project sponsor's existing public transportation system is in a state of good repair, or for core capacity improvement projects, a description of how the eligible project includes elements designed to aid the existing fixed guideway system in making substantial progress towards achieving a state of good repair; g. Documentation that the project has completed the steps required by the Metropolitan Planning process or the Statewide and Non- Metropolitan Planning process, as applicable. Specifically, provide evidence that the [[Page 46253]] project is included in the approved Metropolitan Transportation Plan and Transportation Improvement Program or Statewide Transportation Improvement Program, or provide a schedule demonstrating the project will complete the process in the foreseeable future; h. Documentation that the project has completed the NEPA process or a schedule demonstrating the project will complete the NEPA process in the foreseeable future. 4. Candidate Project Evaluation and Selection FTA will evaluate the proposals to determine which proposed projects best meet the intent of Section 3005(b). FTA will work with the selected project sponsors to further define the steps in law required before a construction grant can be awarded under the program. K. Jane Williams, Acting Administrator. [FR Doc. 2018-19860 Filed 9-11-18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE P
![Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 177 / Wednesday, September 12, 2018 / Notices 46251
https://www.fra.dot.gov/eLib/Details/ DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION determines meet the requirements of the
L19057. Pilot Program, FTA may conduct
Federal Transit Administration additional requests for expressions of
3. Reporting
interest in the future.
a. Progress Reporting on Grant Activity Pilot Program for Expedited Project FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Delivery Susan Eddy, FTA Office of Planning and
Each applicant selected for a grant
will be required to comply with all AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration, Environment, telephone (202) 366–5499
standard FRA reporting requirements, DOT. or email Susan.Eddy@dot.gov.
including quarterly progress reports, ACTION: Notice; request for expressions SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
quarterly Federal financial reports, and of interest to participate. 1. Background
interim and final performance reports,
as well as all applicable auditing, SUMMARY: The Federal Transit FTA, together with its transit industry
monitoring and close out requirements. Administration (FTA) is soliciting partners, invests billions of dollars in
Reports may be submitted expressions of interest for the Expedited capital projects designed to improve
electronically. Project Delivery Pilot Program (Pilot public transportation by reinvesting in
Program) authorized by the Fixing existing assets to expand capacity or by
b. Performance Reporting America’s Surface Transportation Act increasing the extent and quality of
Each applicant selected for funding (FAST). The Pilot Program is aimed at public transportation service by making
must collect information and report on expediting delivery of new fixed new investments. These projects take
the project’s performance using guideway capital projects, small starts considerable time to plan, develop,
measures mutually agreed upon by FRA projects, or core capacity improvement design, approve, and deploy. While it is
and the recipient to assess progress in projects that utilize public-private important for FTA to ensure that it
achieving strategic goals and objectives. partnerships, are planned to be operated selects only well-conceived projects that
and maintained by employees of an are implemented in the most efficient
G. Federal Awarding Agency Contacts existing public transportation provider, and effective manner, a lengthy process
For further information regarding this and have a Federal share not exceeding delays the delivery of the intended
notice and the grants program, please 25 percent of the project cost. It is also benefits to the riding public.
contact Ms. Amy Houser, Office of aimed at increasing innovation,
2. Pilot Program
Program Delivery, Federal Railroad improving efficiency and timeliness of
Administration, 1200 New Jersey project implementation, and Section 3005(b) of the FAST Act,
Avenue SE, Room W36–412, encouraging new revenue streams. The Public Law 114–94 (December 4, 2015),
Washington, DC 20590; email: law specifies that not more than eight authorizes the Pilot Program for FTA to
amy.houser@dot.gov; phone: 202–493– projects can be awarded grants under make not more than eight grants for new
0303. the Pilot Program. FTA intends to work fixed guideway capital projects, small
with selected project sponsors to further starts projects, or core capacity
H. Other Information define the steps that must be completed improvement projects that have not yet
All information submitted as part of before a construction grant can be entered a construction grant agreement
or in support of any application shall awarded under the Pilot Program, with the FTA. The law defines these
use publicly available data or data that including expedited FTA reviews of types of eligible projects for the Pilot
can be made public and methodologies technical capacity, local financial Program in a manner similar to, but not
that is accepted by industry practice and commitment, and project justification. entirely the same as, the CIG program.
standards, to the extent possible. If the This announcement is available on the Thus, FTA encourages project sponsors
application includes information the FTA’s website at: www.transit.dot.gov/ to review closely the definitions found
applicant considers to be a trade secret funding/grants/expedited-project- in Section 3005(b) to ensure the
or confidential commercial or financial delivery-capital-investment-grants-pilot- project’s eligibility.
information, the applicant should do the 3005b. Eligible applicants to the Pilot
following: (1) Note on the front cover Program are state or local government
DATES: Expressions of interest to become authorities. Proposed projects must
that the submission ‘‘Contains one of the participants in the Pilot
Confidential Business Information utilize public-private partnerships; be
Program for Expedited Project Delivery operated and maintained by employees
(CBI)’’; (2) mark each affected page must be submitted to FTA by mail,
‘‘CBI’’; and (3) highlight or otherwise of an existing provider of fixed
email or facsimile by 11:59 p.m. EDT guideway or bus rapid transit public
denote the CBI portions. November 13, 2018.
DOT protects such information from transportation in the service area of the
ADDRESSES: Mail submission must be project, or if none exists, by employees
disclosure to the extent allowed under
applicable law. In the event DOT addressed to the Office of Planning and of an existing public transportation
receives a Freedom of Information Act Environment, Federal Transit provider in the service area; and have a
(FOIA) request for the information, DOT Administration, 1200 New Jersey Federal share not exceeding 25 percent
will follow the procedures described in Avenue SE, Room E45–119, of the net capital project cost. Project
its FOIA regulations at 49 CFR 7.17. Washington, DC 20590 and postmarked sponsors also must have financial
Only information that is ultimately no later than November 13, 2018. Email advisors providing guidance to them on
determined to be confidential under that submissions must be sent to the terms and structure of the project
procedure will be exempt from ExpeditedProjectDelivery@dot.gov by that are independent from investors in
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES
disclosure under FOIA. 11:59 p.m. EDT on November 13, 2018. the project. Sponsors must further
Facsimile submissions must be certify that the existing public
Issued in Washington, DC. submitted to the attention of Expedited transportation system is in a state of
Ronald Louis Batory, Project Delivery Pilot Program at 202– good repair as defined by law. (See Pub.
Administrator. 493–2478 by 11:59 p.m. EDT ON L. 114–94, 129 STAT. 1458; 49 U.S.C.
[FR Doc. 2018–19740 Filed 9–11–18; 8:45 am] November 13, 2018. If there are 5302; 49 U.S.C. 5326(b)(1); 49 CFR
BILLING CODE 4910–06–P insufficient candidate projects that FTA 625.5.)
VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:41 Sep 11, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00116 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\12SEN1.SGM 12SEN1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/83_FR_46428/page/1.svg)
![Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 177 / Wednesday, September 12, 2018 / Notices 46253
project is included in the approved Mail: Docket Management Facility, Type of Request: New collection.
Metropolitan Transportation Plan and M–30, U.S. Department of OMB Clearance Number: None.
Transportation Improvement Program or Transportation, West Building, Ground Requested Expiration Date of
Statewide Transportation Improvement Floor, 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE, Room Approval: Three years from date of
Program, or provide a schedule W12–140, Washington, DC 20590. approval.
demonstrating the project will complete Hand Delivery: West Building Ground Summary of the Collection of
the process in the foreseeable future; Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Information: NHTSA proposes to collect
h. Documentation that the project has Avenue SE, Washington, DC, between 9 information from the public to support
completed the NEPA process or a a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through the development of design criteria for
schedule demonstrating the project will Friday, except Federal holidays. the mobility of the shoulder of a new
complete the NEPA process in the Fax: (202) 493–2251. child-size crash test dummy. Minors age
foreseeable future. Instructions: Each submission must 8–12 will participate after informed
include the Agency name and the consent of the parent/guardian is
4. Candidate Project Evaluation and Docket number for this Notice. Note that
Selection received. After researchers measure the
all comments received will be posted
participant’s anthropometry (height,
FTA will evaluate the proposals to without changes to http://
weight, shoulder landmarks, etc.), the
determine which proposed projects best www.regulations.gov including any
participant will undergo a fun, low-
meet the intent of Section 3005(b). FTA personal information provided.
intensity exercise activity under the
will work with the selected project FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
direction of the researchers while the
sponsors to further define the steps in Jason Stammen, Ph.D., Applied parent/guardian observes. The activity
law required before a construction grant Biomechanics Division, Vehicle will involve motion of the participant’s
can be awarded under the program. Research and Test Center, NHTSA, shoulder while resisting forces are
10820 State Route 347—Bldg. 60, East collected. The data from all participants
K. Jane Williams,
Liberty, Ohio 43319; Telephone (937) will then be compiled to develop design
Acting Administrator. 666–4511; Facsimile: (937) 666–3590;
[FR Doc. 2018–19860 Filed 9–11–18; 8:45 am] criteria for the crash test dummy
email address: jason.stammen@dot.gov. shoulder.
BILLING CODE P SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the Description of the Need for the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 Information and Proposed Use of the
U.S.C. 3501–3520), before an agency Information: In the early 2000’s, NHTSA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION submits a proposed collection of evaluated the Hybrid III 10-year-old
National Highway Traffic Safety information to OMB for approval, it child dummy. While this dummy was
Administration must first publish a document in the deemed adequate for the evaluation of
Federal Register providing a 60-day large child restraints and eventually
[Docket No. NHTSA–2018–0078] comment period and otherwise consult federalized in 2012, one of the
with members of the public and affected shortcomings NHTSA identified of the
Reports, Forms, and Recordkeeping agencies concerning each proposed
Requirements child dummy is a shoulder that has very
collection of information. The OMB has
little mobility with no interaction with
AGENCY: National Highway Traffic promulgated regulations describing
the ribcage. In 2011, the NHTSA Vehicle
Safety Administration (NHTSA), what must be included in such a
Research & Test Center Applied
Department of Transportation (DOT). document. Under OMB’s regulation (at
Biomechanics Division initiated a
5 CFR 1320.8(d), an agency must ask for
ACTION: Notice. research program to develop a new
public comment on the following:
(i) Whether the proposed collection of crash dummy representing a large child
SUMMARY: The National Highway Traffic with improved biofidelity called the
Safety Administration (NHTSA) is information is necessary for the proper
performance of the functions of the Large Omnidirectional Child (LODC)
announcing an opportunity for public dummy. NHTSA used pediatric
comment on the proposed collection of agency, including whether the
information will have practical utility; biomechanical information from
certain information by the Agency. literature to guide the design of the
Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of (ii) the accuracy of the agency’s
estimate of the burden of the proposed LODC prototype. However, there was
1995 (the PRA), Federal Agencies are very little biomechanical information on
required to publish a notice in the collection of information, including the
validity of the methodology and the response of the pediatric shoulder.
Federal Register concerning each As the shoulder is a very important
proposed collection of information and assumptions used;
(iii) how to enhance the quality, structure of the body for managing
to allow 60 days for public comment in interaction of the restraint and body in
response to the notice. This notice utility, and clarity of the information to
be collected; a motor vehicle crash, new
solicits comments on an information biomechanical data is needed to guide
(iv) how to minimize the burden of
collection supporting the development the design of the LODC shoulder.
the collection of information on those
of improved child-size crash test Historically, child dummy component
who are to respond, including the use
dummies. responses have simply been scaled from
of appropriate automated, electronic,
DATES: Comments must be received on mechanical, or other technological adult post-mortem surrogate tests.
or before November 13, 2018. collection techniques or other forms of However, there is a large body of
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments information technology, e.g. permitting research that has demonstrated that
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES
using any of the following methods. All electronic submission of responses. In children are not simply small adults
comments must have the applicable compliance with these requirements, when it comes to behavior in a high-
DOT docket number noted NHTSA asks for public comments on speed crash scenario. Developmental
conspicuously on them. the following proposed collection of anatomy must be considered in addition
Electronic submissions: Go to http:// information: to mass and anthropometry in the
www.regulations.gov. Follow the online Title: Pediatric Shoulder Response in creation of design targets for child
instructions for submitting comments. Frontal Loading. dummies.
VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:41 Sep 11, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00118 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\12SEN1.SGM 12SEN1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/83_FR_46428/page/3.svg)
Document Created: 2018-09-12 02:06:31
Document Modified: 2018-09-12 02:06:31
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Notice; request for expressions of interest to participate. | |
| Dates | Expressions of interest to become one of the participants in the Pilot Program for Expedited Project Delivery must be submitted to FTA by mail, email or facsimile by 11:59 p.m. EDT November 13, 2018. | |
| Contact | Susan Eddy, FTA Office of Planning and Environment, telephone (202) 366-5499 or email [email protected] | |
| FR Citation | 83 FR 46251 |
2025 Federal Register | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy
USC | CFR | eCFR