83_FR_698 83 FR 694 - Notice of Funding Opportunity for America's Marine Highway Projects

83 FR 694 - Notice of Funding Opportunity for America's Marine Highway Projects

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Maritime Administration

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 4 (January 5, 2018)

Page Range694-697
FR Document2018-00033

The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2017, signed by the President on May 5, 2017, appropriated $5,000,000 to the Short Sea Transportation Program, commonly referred to as the America's Marine Highway Program (AMHP). The purpose of the appropriation is to make grants to previously designated Marine Highway Projects that support the development and expansion of documented vessels, and port and landside infrastructure. This notice announces the availability of funding for grants and establishes selection criteria and application requirements. The U.S. Department of Transportation (Department) will award Marine Highway Grants to implement projects or components of projects previously designated by the Secretary of Transportation (Secretary) under AMHP. Only sponsors of designated Marine Highway Projects are eligible to apply for a Marine Highway Grant as described in this notice.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 4 (Friday, January 5, 2018)
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 4 (Friday, January 5, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 694-697]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-00033]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Maritime Administration


Notice of Funding Opportunity for America's Marine Highway 
Projects

AGENCY: Maritime Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of funding opportunity.

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SUMMARY: The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2017, signed by

[[Page 695]]

the President on May 5, 2017, appropriated $5,000,000 to the Short Sea 
Transportation Program, commonly referred to as the America's Marine 
Highway Program (AMHP). The purpose of the appropriation is to make 
grants to previously designated Marine Highway Projects that support 
the development and expansion of documented vessels, and port and 
landside infrastructure. This notice announces the availability of 
funding for grants and establishes selection criteria and application 
requirements.
    The U.S. Department of Transportation (Department) will award 
Marine Highway Grants to implement projects or components of projects 
previously designated by the Secretary of Transportation (Secretary) 
under AMHP. Only sponsors of designated Marine Highway Projects are 
eligible to apply for a Marine Highway Grant as described in this 
notice.

DATES: Applications must be received by the Maritime Administration by 
5 p.m. EST on March 2, 2018.

ADDRESSES: Grant applications must be submitted electronically using 
Grants.gov (https://www.grants.gov). Please be aware that you must 
complete the Grants.gov registration process before submitting your 
application, and that the registration process usually takes 2 to 4 
weeks to complete. Applicants are strongly encouraged to make 
submissions in advance of the deadline.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information concerning 
this notice, please contact Tori Collins, Office of Ports & Waterways 
Planning, Room W21-315, Maritime Administration, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE, Washington, DC 20590, phone 
202-366-0795 or email Tori.Collins@dot.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Each section of this notice contains 
information and instructions relevant to the application process for 
these Marine Highway Grants, and all applicants should read this notice 
in its entirety so that they have the information they need to submit 
eligible and competitive applications. Applications received after the 
deadline will not be considered except in the case of unforeseen 
technical difficulties as outlined below in Section D.4.

Table of Contents

A. Program Description
B. Federal Award Information
C. Eligibility Information
D. Application and Submission Information
E. Application Review Information
F. Federal Award Administration Information
G. Federal Awarding Agency Contacts

A. Program Description

    Section 55601 of Title 46, United States Code directs the Secretary 
to establish a short sea transportation grant program to implement 
projects or components of designated marine highway projects. The grant 
funds currently available are for projects related to documented 
vessels and to port and landside infrastructure.

B. Federal Award Information

    The Secretary, through the Maritime Administration (MARAD), intends 
to award $4,850,000 through grants to the extent that there are 
qualified applications. MARAD will seek to obtain the maximum benefit 
from the available funding by awarding grants to as many qualified 
projects as possible; however, MARAD reserves the right to award all 
funds to just one project. MARAD may partially fund applications by 
selecting discrete components of projects. The start date and period of 
performance for each award will depend on the specific project to which 
MARAD must agree. MARAD will administer each Marine Highway Grant 
pursuant to a grant agreement with the Marine Highway Grant recipient.
    Recipients of prior Marine Highway Grants in earlier rounds of this 
program may apply for funding to support additional phases of a 
designated project. However, to be competitive, the applicant should 
demonstrate the extent to which the previously funded project phase has 
met estimated project schedules and budget, as well as the ability to 
realize the benefits expected for the new award.

C. Eligibility Information

    To be selected for a Marine Highway Grant, an applicant must be an 
Eligible Applicant, and the project must be an Eligible Project.

1. Eligible Applicants

    Applicants eligible for Marine Highway Grants are sponsors of 
projects that the Secretary has previously designated as a Marine 
Highway Project under the AMHP. Project sponsors are public entities, 
including metropolitan planning organizations, state governments 
(including state departments of transportation), port authorities, and 
tribal governments.
    Project sponsors are encouraged to develop coalitions and public/
private partnerships, which include vessel owners and operators; third-
party logistics providers; trucking companies; shippers; railroads; 
port authorities; state, regional, and local transportation planners; 
environmental organizations; impacted communities; or any combination 
of entities working in collaboration on a single application. However, 
only the public entity sponsor may be a direct recipient of Federal 
funds under this award.
    If multiple project sponsors submit a joint application, they must 
identify a lead applicant as the primary point of contact. Joint 
applications must include a description of the roles and 
responsibilities of each applicant and must be signed by each 
applicant. Although we encourage a single award recipient, where 
circumstances require more than one award recipient, the application 
must identify the recipients of the award.

2. Cost Sharing or Matching

    An applicant must provide at least 20 percent of project costs from 
non-Federal sources. The application should demonstrate, such as 
through a letter or other documentation, the sources of these funds.

3. Other

Eligible Projects
    This grant program intends to create new marine highway services or 
to expand existing marine highway services. Only projects or their 
components that the Secretary has previously designated as Marine 
Highway Projects are eligible for this round of grant funding, and they 
must support the development and expansion of documented vessels, and 
port and landside infrastructure. The current list of designated Marine 
Highway Projects, and sponsors thereof, can be found on the Marine 
Highway website at: https://www.marad.dot.gov/wp-content/uploads/pdf/Click-here-for-Marine-Highway-Project-Designations-1.pdf.

D. Application and Submission Information

1. Address To Request Application Package

    Applications may be found at and must be submitted through 
Grants.gov. Applications must include the Standard Form 424 
(Application for Federal Assistance), which is available on the 
Grants.gov website at https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html.

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

    In addition to the SF-424, the application should include all the 
information requested below. MARAD reserves the right to ask any 
applicant

[[Page 696]]

for supplemental data but expects applications to be complete upon 
submission. Applicants are encouraged to provide quantitative 
information, including baseline information that demonstrates the 
project's merits and economic viability.
    a. Length of Application. The narrative portion of the application 
should be in the standard academic format (i.e., 12 pt. font, double-
spaced) and must not exceed ten pages. Documentation supporting 
assertions made in the narrative portion must also be provided but 
should be limited to relevant information. If possible, website links 
to supporting documentation should be provided instead of copies of 
these materials. At the applicant's discretion, relevant materials 
provided previously in support of a Marine Highway Project application 
may be referenced and described as unchanged. To the extent referenced, 
this information need not be resubmitted in support of a Marine Highway 
Grant application.
    b. First Page of Application Narrative. The first page of the 
narrative portion of the application should provide the following items 
of information:
    (i) Marine Highway Project name (as stated on the Marine Highway 
Program's list of Designated Projects);
    (ii) Primary point of contact for applicant;
    (iii) Total amount of the project cost in dollars and the amount of 
grant funds the applicant is seeking, along with sources and share of 
matching funds;
    (iv) Summary statement of how the grant funding will be applied;
    (v) Project parties; and
    (vi) Unique Entity Identifier (e.g., DUNS) number. Recipients of 
Marine Highway Grants and their first-tier sub-awardees must have 
Unique Entity Identifier numbers (https://fedgov.dnb.com/webform) and 
current registrations in the System for Award Management (https://www.SAM.gov).
    c. Contact Information. An application must include the name, phone 
number, email address, and business address of the primary point of 
contact for the applicant. MARAD will use this information to inform 
applicants of our decision regarding selection of grant recipients, as 
well as to contact them if we need additional or supplemental 
information regarding an application.
    d. Grant Funds and Sources and Uses of Project Funds. An 
application should include specific information about the amount of 
grant funding requested, sources and uses of all project funds, total 
project costs, the percentage of project costs that would be paid with 
Marine Highway Grant funds, and the identity and percentage shares of 
all parties providing funds for the project.
    e. National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Requirement. Projects 
selected for grant award must comply with NEPA and any other applicable 
environmental laws. If the environmental review process is underway but 
not complete at the time of the application, the application must 
detail where the project is in the process, indicate the anticipated 
date of completion, and provide a website link or other reference to 
copies of any environmental documents prepared.
    f. Other Federal, State, and Local Actions. An application must 
indicate whether the proposed project is likely to require actions by 
other agencies (e.g., permits), indicate the status of such actions, 
provide a website link or other reference to materials submitted to the 
other agencies, and demonstrate compliance with other Federal, state, 
or local regulations and permits as applicable.
    g. Certification Requirements. For an application to be considered 
for a grant award, the Chief Executive Officer, or equivalent, of the 
applicant is required to certify, in writing, the following:
    (i) That, except as noted in this grant application, nothing has 
changed from the original application for formal designation as a 
Marine Highway Project;
    (ii) The project sponsor will administer the project and any funds 
received will be spent efficiently and effectively; and
    (iii) Applicant will provide information, data, and reports as 
required.
    h. Protection of Confidential Commercial Information. Applicants 
should submit, as part of or in support of an application, publicly 
available data or data that can be made public and methodologies that 
are accepted by industry practice and standards to the extent possible. 
If the application includes information that the applicant considers to 
be a trade secret or confidential commercial or financial information, 
the applicant should do the following: (1) Note on the front cover that 
the submission contains ``Confidential Commercial Information (CCI)''; 
(2) mark each affected page ``CCI''; and (3) highlight or otherwise 
denote the CCI portions. MARAD will protect such information from 
disclosure to the extent allowed under applicable law. In the event 
MARAD receives a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request for the 
information, procedures described in the Department's FOIA regulation 
at 49 CFR 7.29 will be followed. Only information that is ultimately 
determined to be confidential under that procedure will be exempt from 
disclosure under FOIA.

3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM)

    MARAD will not make an award to an applicant until the applicant 
has complied with all applicable Unique Entity Identifier and SAM 
requirements. Each applicant must be registered in SAM before applying, 
provide a valid Unique Entity Identifier number in its application, and 
maintain an active SAM registration with current information throughout 
the period of the award. Applicants may register with the SAM at 
www.SAM.gov. Applicants can obtain a Unique Entity Identifier number at 
http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform. If an applicant has not fully complied 
with the requirements by the time MARAD is ready to make an award, 
MARAD may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive a 
Federal award under this program.

4. Submission Dates and Times

    Applications must be received by 5 p.m. EST on March 2, 2018. Late 
applications that are the result of failure to register or comply with 
Grants.gov application requirements in a timely manner will not be 
considered. Applicants experiencing technical issues with Grants.gov 
that are beyond the applicant's control must contact MH@dot.gov or Tim 
Pickering at 202-366-0704 prior to the deadline with the user name of 
the registrant and details of the technical issue experienced. The 
applicant must provide: (1) Details of the technical issue experienced; 
(2) screen capture(s) of the technical issue experienced along with the 
corresponding ``Grant tracking number'' that is provided via Grants.gov 
(3) the ``Legal Name'' for the applicant that was provided in the SF-
424; (4) the name and contact information for the person to be 
contacted on matters involving submission that is included on the SF-
424; (5) the Unique Entity Identifier number (e.g., DUNS) associated 
with the application; and (6) the Grants.gov Help Desk Tracking Number.

5. Funding Restrictions

    MARAD will not allow reimbursement of any pre-Federal award costs 
that may have been incurred by an applicant.
    Grant funds may only be used for the purposes described in 46 
U.S.C. 55601(b)(1) and (3) and may not be used as an operating subsidy.

[[Page 697]]

6. Other Submission Requirements

    Grant applications must be submitted electronically using 
Grants.gov (https://www.grants.gov).

E. Application Review Information

1. Selection Criteria

    When reviewing grant applications, MARAD will consider how the 
proposed service could satisfy, in whole or in part, 46 U.S.C. 
55601(b)(1) and (3) and any of the following criteria found at 46 
U.S.C. 55601(g)(2)(B):
    (i) The project is financially viable;
    (ii) The funds received will be spent efficiently and effectively; 
and
    (iii) A market exists for the services of the proposed project as 
evidenced by contracts or written statements of intent from potential 
customers.
    In awarding grants under the program, MARAD will give preference to 
those projects or components that present the most financially viable 
marine highway transportation services and require the lowest total 
percentage Federal share of the costs. MARAD will also give special 
consideration to projects which emphasize improved infrastructure 
condition, or facilitate economic or competitiveness in rural areas.

2. Review and Selection Process

    Upon receipt, MARAD will evaluate the application using the 
criteria outlined above. Upon completion of the technical review, MARAD 
will forward the applications to a Department inter-agency review team 
(Intermodal Review Team). The Intermodal Review Team will include 
members of MARAD, other Operating Administrations, and representatives 
from the Office of the Secretary of Transportation. The Intermodal 
Review Team will assign ratings of ``highly recommended,'' 
``recommended,'' ``not recommended,'' ``incomplete,'' or ``not 
eligible'' for each application based on the criteria set forth above. 
The Intermodal Review Team will provide their findings to the Program 
Office. The Program Office will use those findings to inform the 
recommendations that will be made to the Maritime Administrator and the 
Secretary.
    Prior to making a Federal award over the simplified acquisition 
threshold of $150,000 MARAD will review and consider any information 
about the applicant that is in the designation integrity and 
performance system accessible through SAM (currently the Federal 
Awardee Performance Integrity Information System (FAPIIS)). An 
applicant may review information in FAPIIS and comment on any 
information about itself. MARAD will consider comments by the 
applicant, in addition to the other information in FAPIIS, in making a 
judgment about the applicant's integrity, business ethics, and record 
of performance under Federal awards when completing the review of risk 
posed by applicants.

F. Federal Award Administration Information

1. Federal Award Notices

    Following the evaluation outlined in Section E, we will announce 
the selected projects on the MARAD website (https://www.marad.dot.gov).

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

    All awards must be administered pursuant to the ``Uniform 
Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles and Audit Requirements for 
Federal Awards'' found at 2 CFR part 200, as adopted by the Department 
at 2 CFR part 1201. Additionally, all applicable Federal laws and 
regulations will apply to projects that receive Marine Highway Grants. 
The period following award that a project is expected to expend grant 
funds and start construction, acquisition, or procurement will be 
considered on a case-by-case basis and will be specified in the 
project-specific grant agreement. We reserve the right to revoke any 
award of Marine Highway Grant funds and to award such funds to another 
project to the extent that such funds are not expended in a timely or 
acceptable manner and in accordance with the project schedule. Federal 
wage rate requirements included at 40 U.S.C. 3141-3148 apply to all 
projects receiving funds under this program and apply to all parts of 
the project, whether funded with other Federal funds or non-Federal 
funds.

3. Reporting

    Award recipients are required to submit quarterly reports to the 
Program Office to keep MARAD informed of all activities during the 
reporting period. The reports will indicate progress made, planned 
activities for the next period, and a listing of any purchases made 
with grant funds during the reporting period. In addition, the report 
will include an explanation of any deviation from the projected budget 
and timeline. Quarterly status reports will also contain, at a minimum, 
the following: (1) A statement as to whether the award recipient has 
used the grant funds consistent with the terms contemplated in the 
grant agreement; (2) if applicable, a description of the budgeted 
activities not procured by recipient; (3) if applicable, the rationale 
for recipient's failure to execute the budgeted activities; (4) if 
applicable, an explanation as to how and when recipient intends to 
accomplish the purposes of the grant agreement; and (5) a budget 
summary showing funds expended since commencement, anticipated 
expenditures for the next reporting period, and expenditures compared 
to overall budget.

4. Requirements for Domestic Content (``Buy American,'' ``Buy 
America,'' and ``Cargo Preference'')

    Consistent with the requirements of section 410 of Title IV of 
Division K, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related 
Agencies Appropriations Act, 2017, of the Consolidated Appropriations 
Act of 2017 (Pub. L. 115-31), the Buy American requirements of Chapter 
83 of Title 41 U.S.C. apply to funds made available under this Notice 
of Funding Opportunity. Depending on other funding streams, the project 
may be subject to ``Buy America'' requirements. If a project intends to 
use any product with foreign content or of foreign origin, this 
information should be listed and addressed in the application. If 
certain foreign-content is granted an exception or waiver from Buy 
American or Buy America requirements, a Cargo Preference requirement 
may apply.

G. Federal Awarding Agency Contacts

    For further information concerning this notice, please contact Tori 
Collins, Office of Ports & Waterways Planning, Room W21-315, Maritime 
Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Ave. 
SE, Washington, DC 20590, phone 202-366-0795 or email 
Tori.Collins@dot.gov. To ensure applicants receive accurate information 
about eligibility, the program, or in response to other questions, 
applicants are encouraged to contact MARAD directly, rather than 
through intermediaries or third parties.
* * * * *

    Dated: January 2, 2018.

    By Order of the Maritime Administrator.
T. Mitchell Hudson, Jr.,
Secretary, Maritime Administration.
[FR Doc. 2018-00033 Filed 1-4-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-81-P



                                               694                              Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 4 / Friday, January 5, 2018 / Notices

                                               of safety equivalent to or greater than                 cotton bales that are grouped together                 general provisions relating to required
                                               the level that would be achieved by the                 into large singular units.                             tiedowns and other securement devices,
                                               current regulation (49 CFR 381.305).                       AFTC states that ‘‘For the past several             (c) construction of loads, and (d)
                                                  The decision of the Agency must be                   years, Agricultural haulers in California              securement of loads.
                                               published in the Federal Register (49                   have been utilizing annual exemptions                     The exemption would apply to all
                                               CFR 381.315(b)). If the Agency denies                   granted by the CHP to continue to allow                commercial motor vehicle operators
                                               the request, it must state the reason for               the use of previously existing cargo                   nationwide that transport agricultural
                                               doing so. If the decision is to grant the               securement methods for hauling                         commodities in interstate commerce as
                                               exemption, the notice must specify the                  agricultural products. The California                  described in the attachment to the
                                               person or class of persons receiving the                annual exemptions were granted                         exemption application. AFTC states that
                                               exemption and the regulatory provision                  because the strict application of the                  the alternative securement requirements
                                               or provisions from which an exemption                   cargo securement requirements that                     ‘‘will provide an increased level of
                                               is granted. The notice must specify the                 FMCSA identified in a Final Rule in                    safety and these securement techniques
                                               effective period of the exemption (up to                2002 and became effective in 2004                      have been tested by the Volpe National
                                               5 years) and explain the terms and                      would have resulted in a less secure                   Transportation Systems Center in
                                               conditions of the exemption. The                        agricultural commodity cargo                           cooperation with FMCSA and the
                                               exemption may be renewed (49 CFR                        securement environment.’’                              California Highway Patrol.’’ Further,
                                               381.315(c) and 49 CFR 381.300(b)).                         In support of its application, AFTC                 AFTC notes that granting the exemption
                                                                                                       states that ‘‘We are requesting this                   ‘‘will provide an increased level of
                                               AFTC Application for Exemption                          exemption after the Federal Motor                      safety as the alternate securement
                                                  AFTC applied for an exemption from                   Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)                  methods require more cargo securement
                                               49 CFR 393.102, 393.106, 393.110, and                   performed testing and evaluation of                    than is currently required under the
                                               393.114 to allow alternate methods for                  various methods utilized in securing a                 California exemptions the industry has
                                               the securement of (1) agricultural                      wide variety of agricultural products for              been operating under for the past few
                                               commodities transported in wood and                     transport that occurred in 2007 and                    years.’’
                                               plastic boxes and bins and large                        2008. Many cargo securement methods
                                               fiberglass tubs, and (2) hay, straw, and                were tested including those used to                    Request for Comments
                                               cotton bales that are grouped together                  secure plastic and wood bins, large                       In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31315
                                               into large singular units. A copy of the                fiberglass tubs, and hay and cotton                    and 31136(e), FMCSA requests public
                                               application is included in the docket                   bales. The study with FMCSA was a                      comment from all interested persons on
                                               referenced at the beginning of this                     collaborative effort with the California               AFTC’s application for an exemption
                                               notice.                                                 Highway Patrol . . . , California                      from 49 CFR 393.102, 393.106, 393.110,
                                                  On September 27, 2002, FMCSA                         Department of Food and Agriculture,                    and 393.114. All comments received
                                               published new cargo securement rules                    California Trucking Association and                    before the close of business on the
                                               (67 FR 61212). The rules were based on                  several of our carrier members.’’ A copy               comment closing date indicated at the
                                               the North American Cargo Securement                     of the draft report has been included in               beginning of this notice will be
                                               Standard Model Regulation, reflecting                   the docket referenced at the beginning                 considered and will be available for
                                               (1) the results of a multi-year research                of this notice.                                        examination in the docket at the
                                               program to evaluate U.S. and Canadian                      AFTC notes that the alternate                       location listed under the ADDRESSES
                                               cargo securement regulations; (2) the                   securement methods for boxes, bins,                    section of this notice.
                                               motor carrier industry’s best practices;                and tubs are intended to apply only to                   Comments received after the comment
                                               and (3) recommendations presented                       the transportation of agricultural                     closing date will be filed in the public
                                               during a series of public meetings                      products from the field or storage to the              docket and will be considered to the
                                               involving U.S. and Canadian industry                    first point of processing and the return               extent practicable. In addition to late
                                               experts, Federal, State, and Provincial                 or delivery of empty containers to the                 comments, FMCSA will continue to file
                                               enforcement officials, and other                        field or storage location. Additionally,               relevant information in the public
                                               interested parties.                                     loads transported in vans or that are                  docket that becomes available after the
                                                  The cargo securement rules include                   contained on four sides by racks, or for               comment closing date. Interested
                                               general securement rules applicable to                  other than agricultural operation as                   persons should continue to examine the
                                               all types of articles or cargo, with                    described above must be transported in                 public docket for new material.
                                               certain exceptions (§§ 393.100–393.114),                accordance with the general cargo
                                               and commodity-specific rules for                        securement rules of §§ 393.100–393.114.                  Issued on: December 28, 2017.
                                               cargoes that require specialized means                  AFTC states ‘‘The reason for the                       Larry W. Minor,
                                               of securement (§§ 393.116–393.136).                     requested variances is because these                   Associate Administrator for Policy.
                                               The commodity-specific requirements                     agricultural commodities are ‘grouped’                 [FR Doc. 2018–00013 Filed 1–4–18; 8:45 am]
                                               take precedence over the general rules                  into larger singular ‘units’ and these                 BILLING CODE 4910–EX–P
                                               for a commodity listed in those sections.               larger grouped units of cargo behave
                                               This means all cargo securement                         differently when tested to the
                                               systems must meet the general                           performance requirements under 49                      DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
                                               requirements, except to the extent a                    CFR 393.102.’’
                                               commodity-specific rule imposes                            Interested parties are referred to the              Maritime Administration
                                               additional requirements that prescribe                  detailed cargo securement requirements
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES




                                               in more detail the securement method to                 outlined by AFTC in an attachment to                   Notice of Funding Opportunity for
                                               be used. There are no commodity-                        its exemption application for each box/                America’s Marine Highway Projects
                                               specific rules applicable to the                        bin/tub scenario and for hay and cotton                AGENCY:   Maritime Administration, DOT.
                                               transportation of (1) agricultural                      bales. The attachment includes                         ACTION:   Notice of funding opportunity.
                                               commodities transported in wood and                     information regarding (a) the
                                               plastic boxes and bins and large                        applicability of the alternative                       SUMMARY: The Consolidated
                                               fiberglass tubs, and (2) hay, straw, and                securement methods and definitions, (b)                Appropriations Act of 2017, signed by


                                          VerDate Sep<11>2014   16:30 Jan 04, 2018   Jkt 244001   PO 00000   Frm 00041   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\05JAN1.SGM   05JAN1


                                                                                Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 4 / Friday, January 5, 2018 / Notices                                             695

                                               the President on May 5, 2017,                               Information                                        state, regional, and local transportation
                                               appropriated $5,000,000 to the Short                    G. Federal Awarding Agency Contacts                    planners; environmental organizations;
                                               Sea Transportation Program, commonly                    A. Program Description                                 impacted communities; or any
                                               referred to as the America’s Marine                                                                            combination of entities working in
                                               Highway Program (AMHP). The purpose                       Section 55601 of Title 46, United                    collaboration on a single application.
                                               of the appropriation is to make grants to               States Code directs the Secretary to                   However, only the public entity sponsor
                                               previously designated Marine Highway                    establish a short sea transportation grant             may be a direct recipient of Federal
                                               Projects that support the development                   program to implement projects or                       funds under this award.
                                               and expansion of documented vessels,                    components of designated marine                          If multiple project sponsors submit a
                                               and port and landside infrastructure.                   highway projects. The grant funds                      joint application, they must identify a
                                               This notice announces the availability                  currently available are for projects                   lead applicant as the primary point of
                                               of funding for grants and establishes                   related to documented vessels and to                   contact. Joint applications must include
                                               selection criteria and application                      port and landside infrastructure.                      a description of the roles and
                                               requirements.                                           B. Federal Award Information                           responsibilities of each applicant and
                                                 The U.S. Department of                                                                                       must be signed by each applicant.
                                               Transportation (Department) will award                    The Secretary, through the Maritime                  Although we encourage a single award
                                               Marine Highway Grants to implement                      Administration (MARAD), intends to                     recipient, where circumstances require
                                               projects or components of projects                      award $4,850,000 through grants to the                 more than one award recipient, the
                                               previously designated by the Secretary                  extent that there are qualified                        application must identify the recipients
                                               of Transportation (Secretary) under                     applications. MARAD will seek to                       of the award.
                                               AMHP. Only sponsors of designated                       obtain the maximum benefit from the
                                                                                                       available funding by awarding grants to                2. Cost Sharing or Matching
                                               Marine Highway Projects are eligible to
                                               apply for a Marine Highway Grant as                     as many qualified projects as possible;                   An applicant must provide at least 20
                                               described in this notice.                               however, MARAD reserves the right to                   percent of project costs from non-
                                                                                                       award all funds to just one project.                   Federal sources. The application should
                                               DATES: Applications must be received
                                                                                                       MARAD may partially fund applications                  demonstrate, such as through a letter or
                                               by the Maritime Administration by 5                     by selecting discrete components of
                                               p.m. EST on March 2, 2018.                                                                                     other documentation, the sources of
                                                                                                       projects. The start date and period of                 these funds.
                                               ADDRESSES: Grant applications must be                   performance for each award will depend
                                               submitted electronically using                          on the specific project to which MARAD                 3. Other
                                               Grants.gov (https://www.grants.gov).                    must agree. MARAD will administer                      Eligible Projects
                                               Please be aware that you must complete                  each Marine Highway Grant pursuant to
                                               the Grants.gov registration process                                                                              This grant program intends to create
                                                                                                       a grant agreement with the Marine
                                               before submitting your application, and                                                                        new marine highway services or to
                                                                                                       Highway Grant recipient.
                                               that the registration process usually                     Recipients of prior Marine Highway                   expand existing marine highway
                                               takes 2 to 4 weeks to complete.                         Grants in earlier rounds of this program               services. Only projects or their
                                               Applicants are strongly encouraged to                   may apply for funding to support                       components that the Secretary has
                                               make submissions in advance of the                      additional phases of a designated                      previously designated as Marine
                                               deadline.                                               project. However, to be competitive, the               Highway Projects are eligible for this
                                                                                                       applicant should demonstrate the extent                round of grant funding, and they must
                                               FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:      For                                                                      support the development and expansion
                                               further information concerning this                     to which the previously funded project
                                                                                                       phase has met estimated project                        of documented vessels, and port and
                                               notice, please contact Tori Collins,                                                                           landside infrastructure. The current list
                                               Office of Ports & Waterways Planning,                   schedules and budget, as well as the
                                                                                                       ability to realize the benefits expected               of designated Marine Highway Projects,
                                               Room W21–315, Maritime                                                                                         and sponsors thereof, can be found on
                                               Administration, U.S. Department of                      for the new award.
                                                                                                                                                              the Marine Highway website at: https://
                                               Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Ave.                    C. Eligibility Information                             www.marad.dot.gov/wp-content/
                                               SE, Washington, DC 20590, phone 202–                                                                           uploads/pdf/Click-here-for-Marine-
                                               366–0795 or email Tori.Collins@dot.gov.                   To be selected for a Marine Highway
                                                                                                       Grant, an applicant must be an Eligible                Highway-Project-Designations-1.pdf.
                                               SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Each
                                               section of this notice contains                         Applicant, and the project must be an                  D. Application and Submission
                                               information and instructions relevant to                Eligible Project.                                      Information
                                               the application process for these Marine                1. Eligible Applicants                                 1. Address To Request Application
                                               Highway Grants, and all applicants                        Applicants eligible for Marine                       Package
                                               should read this notice in its entirety so              Highway Grants are sponsors of projects
                                               that they have the information they                                                                               Applications may be found at and
                                                                                                       that the Secretary has previously                      must be submitted through Grants.gov.
                                               need to submit eligible and competitive                 designated as a Marine Highway Project
                                               applications. Applications received after                                                                      Applications must include the Standard
                                                                                                       under the AMHP. Project sponsors are                   Form 424 (Application for Federal
                                               the deadline will not be considered                     public entities, including metropolitan
                                               except in the case of unforeseen                                                                               Assistance), which is available on the
                                                                                                       planning organizations, state                          Grants.gov website at https://
                                               technical difficulties as outlined below                governments (including state
                                               in Section D.4.                                                                                                www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-
                                                                                                       departments of transportation), port                   424-family.html.
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                                               Table of Contents                                       authorities, and tribal governments.
                                                                                                         Project sponsors are encouraged to                   2. Content and Form of Application
                                               A. Program Description                                                                                         Submission
                                               B. Federal Award Information
                                                                                                       develop coalitions and public/private
                                               C. Eligibility Information                              partnerships, which include vessel                        In addition to the SF–424, the
                                               D. Application and Submission Information               owners and operators; third-party                      application should include all the
                                               E. Application Review Information                       logistics providers; trucking companies;               information requested below. MARAD
                                               F. Federal Award Administration                         shippers; railroads; port authorities;                 reserves the right to ask any applicant


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                                               696                              Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 4 / Friday, January 5, 2018 / Notices

                                               for supplemental data but expects                       Marine Highway Grant funds, and the                    7.29 will be followed. Only information
                                               applications to be complete upon                        identity and percentage shares of all                  that is ultimately determined to be
                                               submission. Applicants are encouraged                   parties providing funds for the project.               confidential under that procedure will
                                               to provide quantitative information,                       e. National Environmental Policy Act                be exempt from disclosure under FOIA.
                                               including baseline information that                     (NEPA) Requirement. Projects selected
                                               demonstrates the project’s merits and                   for grant award must comply with                       3. Unique Entity Identifier and System
                                               economic viability.                                     NEPA and any other applicable                          for Award Management (SAM)
                                                  a. Length of Application. The                        environmental laws. If the                               MARAD will not make an award to an
                                               narrative portion of the application                    environmental review process is                        applicant until the applicant has
                                               should be in the standard academic                      underway but not complete at the time
                                                                                                                                                              complied with all applicable Unique
                                               format (i.e., 12 pt. font, double-spaced)               of the application, the application must
                                                                                                                                                              Entity Identifier and SAM requirements.
                                               and must not exceed ten pages.                          detail where the project is in the
                                                                                                                                                              Each applicant must be registered in
                                               Documentation supporting assertions                     process, indicate the anticipated date of
                                                                                                                                                              SAM before applying, provide a valid
                                               made in the narrative portion must also                 completion, and provide a website link
                                                                                                                                                              Unique Entity Identifier number in its
                                               be provided but should be limited to                    or other reference to copies of any
                                                                                                                                                              application, and maintain an active
                                               relevant information. If possible,                      environmental documents prepared.
                                                                                                          f. Other Federal, State, and Local                  SAM registration with current
                                               website links to supporting                                                                                    information throughout the period of
                                               documentation should be provided                        Actions. An application must indicate
                                                                                                       whether the proposed project is likely to              the award. Applicants may register with
                                               instead of copies of these materials. At                                                                       the SAM at www.SAM.gov. Applicants
                                               the applicant’s discretion, relevant                    require actions by other agencies (e.g.,
                                                                                                       permits), indicate the status of such                  can obtain a Unique Entity Identifier
                                               materials provided previously in                                                                               number at http://fedgov.dnb.com/
                                               support of a Marine Highway Project                     actions, provide a website link or other
                                                                                                       reference to materials submitted to the                webform. If an applicant has not fully
                                               application may be referenced and                                                                              complied with the requirements by the
                                               described as unchanged. To the extent                   other agencies, and demonstrate
                                                                                                       compliance with other Federal, state, or               time MARAD is ready to make an
                                               referenced, this information need not be                                                                       award, MARAD may determine that the
                                               resubmitted in support of a Marine                      local regulations and permits as
                                                                                                       applicable.                                            applicant is not qualified to receive a
                                               Highway Grant application.                                                                                     Federal award under this program.
                                                  b. First Page of Application Narrative.                 g. Certification Requirements. For an
                                               The first page of the narrative portion of              application to be considered for a grant               4. Submission Dates and Times
                                               the application should provide the                      award, the Chief Executive Officer, or
                                               following items of information:                         equivalent, of the applicant is required                  Applications must be received by 5
                                                  (i) Marine Highway Project name (as                  to certify, in writing, the following:                 p.m. EST on March 2, 2018. Late
                                               stated on the Marine Highway Program’s                     (i) That, except as noted in this grant             applications that are the result of failure
                                               list of Designated Projects);                           application, nothing has changed from                  to register or comply with Grants.gov
                                                  (ii) Primary point of contact for                    the original application for formal                    application requirements in a timely
                                               applicant;                                              designation as a Marine Highway                        manner will not be considered.
                                                  (iii) Total amount of the project cost               Project;                                               Applicants experiencing technical
                                               in dollars and the amount of grant funds                   (ii) The project sponsor will                       issues with Grants.gov that are beyond
                                               the applicant is seeking, along with                    administer the project and any funds                   the applicant’s control must contact
                                               sources and share of matching funds;                    received will be spent efficiently and                 MH@dot.gov or Tim Pickering at 202–
                                                  (iv) Summary statement of how the                    effectively; and                                       366–0704 prior to the deadline with the
                                               grant funding will be applied;                             (iii) Applicant will provide                        user name of the registrant and details
                                                  (v) Project parties; and                             information, data, and reports as                      of the technical issue experienced. The
                                                  (vi) Unique Entity Identifier (e.g.,                 required.                                              applicant must provide: (1) Details of
                                               DUNS) number. Recipients of Marine                         h. Protection of Confidential                       the technical issue experienced; (2)
                                               Highway Grants and their first-tier sub-                Commercial Information. Applicants                     screen capture(s) of the technical issue
                                               awardees must have Unique Entity                        should submit, as part of or in support                experienced along with the
                                               Identifier numbers (https://                            of an application, publicly available                  corresponding ‘‘Grant tracking number’’
                                               fedgov.dnb.com/webform) and current                     data or data that can be made public and               that is provided via Grants.gov (3) the
                                               registrations in the System for Award                   methodologies that are accepted by                     ‘‘Legal Name’’ for the applicant that was
                                               Management (https://www.SAM.gov).                       industry practice and standards to the                 provided in the SF–424; (4) the name
                                                  c. Contact Information. An                           extent possible. If the application                    and contact information for the person
                                               application must include the name,                      includes information that the applicant                to be contacted on matters involving
                                               phone number, email address, and                        considers to be a trade secret or                      submission that is included on the SF–
                                               business address of the primary point of                confidential commercial or financial                   424; (5) the Unique Entity Identifier
                                               contact for the applicant. MARAD will                   information, the applicant should do the               number (e.g., DUNS) associated with the
                                               use this information to inform                          following: (1) Note on the front cover                 application; and (6) the Grants.gov Help
                                               applicants of our decision regarding                    that the submission contains                           Desk Tracking Number.
                                               selection of grant recipients, as well as               ‘‘Confidential Commercial Information
                                               to contact them if we need additional or                (CCI)’’; (2) mark each affected page                   5. Funding Restrictions
                                               supplemental information regarding an                   ‘‘CCI’’; and (3) highlight or otherwise
                                               application.                                            denote the CCI portions. MARAD will                      MARAD will not allow
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                                                  d. Grant Funds and Sources and Uses                  protect such information from                          reimbursement of any pre-Federal
                                               of Project Funds. An application should                 disclosure to the extent allowed under                 award costs that may have been
                                               include specific information about the                  applicable law. In the event MARAD                     incurred by an applicant.
                                               amount of grant funding requested,                      receives a Freedom of Information Act                    Grant funds may only be used for the
                                               sources and uses of all project funds,                  (FOIA) request for the information,                    purposes described in 46 U.S.C.
                                               total project costs, the percentage of                  procedures described in the                            55601(b)(1) and (3) and may not be used
                                               project costs that would be paid with                   Department’s FOIA regulation at 49 CFR                 as an operating subsidy.


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                                                                                Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 4 / Friday, January 5, 2018 / Notices                                                      697

                                               6. Other Submission Requirements                        consider comments by the applicant, in                 applicable, the rationale for recipient’s
                                                  Grant applications must be submitted                 addition to the other information in                   failure to execute the budgeted
                                               electronically using Grants.gov (https://               FAPIIS, in making a judgment about the                 activities; (4) if applicable, an
                                               www.grants.gov).                                        applicant’s integrity, business ethics,                explanation as to how and when
                                                                                                       and record of performance under                        recipient intends to accomplish the
                                               E. Application Review Information                       Federal awards when completing the                     purposes of the grant agreement; and (5)
                                               1. Selection Criteria                                   review of risk posed by applicants.                    a budget summary showing funds
                                                  When reviewing grant applications,                   F. Federal Award Administration                        expended since commencement,
                                               MARAD will consider how the                             Information                                            anticipated expenditures for the next
                                               proposed service could satisfy, in whole                                                                       reporting period, and expenditures
                                                                                                       1. Federal Award Notices                               compared to overall budget.
                                               or in part, 46 U.S.C. 55601(b)(1) and (3)
                                               and any of the following criteria found                   Following the evaluation outlined in
                                                                                                       Section E, we will announce the                        4. Requirements for Domestic Content
                                               at 46 U.S.C. 55601(g)(2)(B):                                                                                   (‘‘Buy American,’’ ‘‘Buy America,’’ and
                                                  (i) The project is financially viable;               selected projects on the MARAD
                                                                                                       website (https://www.marad.dot.gov).                   ‘‘Cargo Preference’’)
                                                  (ii) The funds received will be spent
                                               efficiently and effectively; and                        2. Administrative and National Policy                     Consistent with the requirements of
                                                  (iii) A market exists for the services of            Requirements                                           section 410 of Title IV of Division K,
                                               the proposed project as evidenced by                                                                           Transportation, Housing and Urban
                                               contracts or written statements of intent                 All awards must be administered
                                                                                                       pursuant to the ‘‘Uniform                              Development, and Related Agencies
                                               from potential customers.
                                                                                                       Administrative Requirements, Cost                      Appropriations Act, 2017, of the
                                                  In awarding grants under the program,
                                               MARAD will give preference to those                     Principles and Audit Requirements for                  Consolidated Appropriations Act of
                                               projects or components that present the                 Federal Awards’’ found at 2 CFR part                   2017 (Pub. L. 115–31), the Buy
                                               most financially viable marine highway                  200, as adopted by the Department at 2                 American requirements of Chapter 83 of
                                               transportation services and require the                 CFR part 1201. Additionally, all                       Title 41 U.S.C. apply to funds made
                                               lowest total percentage Federal share of                applicable Federal laws and regulations                available under this Notice of Funding
                                               the costs. MARAD will also give special                 will apply to projects that receive                    Opportunity. Depending on other
                                               consideration to projects which                         Marine Highway Grants. The period                      funding streams, the project may be
                                               emphasize improved infrastructure                       following award that a project is                      subject to ‘‘Buy America’’ requirements.
                                               condition, or facilitate economic or                    expected to expend grant funds and                     If a project intends to use any product
                                               competitiveness in rural areas.                         start construction, acquisition, or                    with foreign content or of foreign origin,
                                                                                                       procurement will be considered on a                    this information should be listed and
                                               2. Review and Selection Process                         case-by-case basis and will be specified               addressed in the application. If certain
                                                  Upon receipt, MARAD will evaluate                    in the project-specific grant agreement.               foreign-content is granted an exception
                                               the application using the criteria                      We reserve the right to revoke any                     or waiver from Buy American or Buy
                                               outlined above. Upon completion of the                  award of Marine Highway Grant funds                    America requirements, a Cargo
                                               technical review, MARAD will forward                    and to award such funds to another                     Preference requirement may apply.
                                               the applications to a Department inter-                 project to the extent that such funds are
                                               agency review team (Intermodal Review                   not expended in a timely or acceptable                 G. Federal Awarding Agency Contacts
                                               Team). The Intermodal Review Team                       manner and in accordance with the
                                               will include members of MARAD, other                    project schedule. Federal wage rate                      For further information concerning
                                               Operating Administrations, and                          requirements included at 40 U.S.C.                     this notice, please contact Tori Collins,
                                               representatives from the Office of the                  3141–3148 apply to all projects                        Office of Ports & Waterways Planning,
                                               Secretary of Transportation. The                        receiving funds under this program and                 Room W21–315, Maritime
                                               Intermodal Review Team will assign                      apply to all parts of the project, whether             Administration, U.S. Department of
                                               ratings of ‘‘highly recommended,’’                      funded with other Federal funds or non-                Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Ave.
                                               ‘‘recommended,’’ ‘‘not recommended,’’                   Federal funds.                                         SE, Washington, DC 20590, phone 202–
                                               ‘‘incomplete,’’ or ‘‘not eligible’’ for each                                                                   366–0795 or email Tori.Collins@dot.gov.
                                                                                                       3. Reporting                                           To ensure applicants receive accurate
                                               application based on the criteria set
                                               forth above. The Intermodal Review                        Award recipients are required to                     information about eligibility, the
                                               Team will provide their findings to the                 submit quarterly reports to the Program                program, or in response to other
                                               Program Office. The Program Office will                 Office to keep MARAD informed of all                   questions, applicants are encouraged to
                                               use those findings to inform the                        activities during the reporting period.                contact MARAD directly, rather than
                                               recommendations that will be made to                    The reports will indicate progress made,               through intermediaries or third parties.
                                               the Maritime Administrator and the                      planned activities for the next period,
                                                                                                                                                              *     *     *     *    *
                                               Secretary.                                              and a listing of any purchases made
                                                  Prior to making a Federal award over                 with grant funds during the reporting                    Dated: January 2, 2018.
                                               the simplified acquisition threshold of                 period. In addition, the report will                     By Order of the Maritime Administrator.
                                               $150,000 MARAD will review and                          include an explanation of any deviation                T. Mitchell Hudson, Jr.,
                                               consider any information about the                      from the projected budget and timeline.                Secretary, Maritime Administration.
                                               applicant that is in the designation                    Quarterly status reports will also
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                                                                                                                                                              [FR Doc. 2018–00033 Filed 1–4–18; 8:45 am]
                                               integrity and performance system                        contain, at a minimum, the following:
                                                                                                                                                              BILLING CODE 4910–81–P
                                               accessible through SAM (currently the                   (1) A statement as to whether the award
                                               Federal Awardee Performance Integrity                   recipient has used the grant funds
                                               Information System (FAPIIS)). An                        consistent with the terms contemplated
                                               applicant may review information in                     in the grant agreement; (2) if applicable,
                                               FAPIIS and comment on any                               a description of the budgeted activities
                                               information about itself. MARAD will                    not procured by recipient; (3) if


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Document Created: 2018-10-26 09:31:19
Document Modified: 2018-10-26 09:31:19
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.
DatesApplications must be received by the Maritime Administration by 5 p.m. EST on March 2, 2018.
ContactFor further information concerning this notice, please contact Tori Collins, Office of Ports & Waterways Planning, Room W21-315, Maritime Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE, Washington, DC 20590, phone 202-366-0795 or email [email protected]
FR Citation83 FR 694 

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