FEDERAL
RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
AUTHORIZATION:
Department
of Transportation Appropriations Act of Fiscal Year 2002; Public
Law 107-87; Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century, Public
Law 105-178.
To
stimulate the implementation of High Speed Passenger Rail Systems.
TYPES
OF ASSISTANCE:
Project Grants. Place Cursor Here for Definition
USES
AND USE RESTRICTIONS:
Projects
must show a demonstrable benefit to the research, development, design,
or ultimate operation of incremental High Speed Passenger Rail Systems.
ELIGIBILITY
REQUIREMENTS:
Applicant
Eligibility: Any United States private business,
educational institution located in the United States, State or local
government or public authority, or agency of the Federal government
is eligible for assistance relating to Next Generation High Speed
Passenger Rail Systems.
Beneficiary
Eligibility: No restrictions.
Credentials/Documentation:
As specified in program solicitations and Federal Register Notices.
Pre-application
Coordination: The FRA will announce specific
pre- application coordination activities for each project area in
the Federal Register. This program is excluded from coverage under
E.O. 12372.
Application
Procedure: As specified in NOTICES for specific
project areas.
Award
Procedure: As specified in notices for specific
project areas.
Deadlines:
As specified in notices for specific project areas.
Range
of Approval/Disapproval Time: Four to 16 weeks
after application.
Appeals:
To Deputy Administrator, Federal Railroad Administration.
Renewals:
Grants, cooperative agreements or contracts contemplated in this
program are predominantly project-oriented rather than on-going
efforts and are therefore non-renewable.
ASSISTANCE
CONSIDERATIONS:
Formula
and Matching Requirements: Not applicable to
technology development efforts.
Length
and Time Phasing of Assistance: As specified
in individual project NOTICES.
POST
ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Reports:
A final report detailing the work conducted and the progress accomplished
will be required for all projects.
Audits:
For projects assisting States, local governments, and nonprofit
organizations in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-133. For projects
assisting private businesses in accordance with 48 CFR Chapter
I Subpart 31.2, Contracts with Commercial organizations. In accordance
with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 24,
1997), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations,"
nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $300,000
or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific
audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend
less than $300,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal
audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular
No. A-133.
Records:
In accordance with requirements of the specific project agreement.
This program was initiated in fiscal year 1995, and focuses on technology
development in (a) High Speed, High Acceleration Fossil-Fueled Locomotives;
(b) Advanced Communications Based Train Control Systems; (c) Highway-Rail
Grade Crossing Sensor and Warning Systems; and (d) Low Cost, Innovative
Technologies. Federal Register Notice was issued on September 8,
1994, requesting applications for a demonstration of High Speed
Positive Train Control (HSPTC) on one or more corridors designated
under Section 1010 of ISTEA. Awards totaling $20 million have been
made in fiscal 1995 through fiscal year 2001 to the State of Michigan.
Awards totaling $28 million have been made to the State of Illinois.
Four Advanced Locomotive Awards totaling $12.5 million of Federal
funding have been made to the State of New York with 50/50 matching
provided by the New York State Department of Transportation. A cooperative
agreement has produced a 150 mph turbine-powered locomotive with
Federal funding totaling $13 million to Bombardier Transit, Inc.
with 50/50 matching by Bombardier. Awards totaling over $20 million
have been made to various contractors and States for technology
to mitigate grade crossing hazards.
REGULATIONS,
GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:
DOT Appropriations Act of Fiscal Year 2002, Public Law 107-87. Prospective
applications should note that the Department of Transportation and
Related Agencies Appropriation Acts and associated congressional
report language may have designated applications of program funding.
Broad Agency Announcement BAA-2001-02, Funds Availability for Research
Projects and Technology Advancements under the NGHSR Program, June
2001.
INFORMATION
CONTACTS:
Regional
or Local Office: Not applicable.
Headquarters
Office: Office of Railroad Development, RDV-13,
Federal Railroad Administration, 1120 Vermont Avenue, NW., Washington,
DC 20590.
Web
Site Address: http://www.fra.dot.gov
EXAMPLES
OF FUNDED PROJECTS:
Examples are described in the paragraph on program accomplishments.
CRITERIA
FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS:
For technology development activities: (1) Overall scientific and/or
technical merit; (2) Degree to which the overall technical effort
will advance U.S. High Speed Passenger Rail Technology; (3) Technical
qualifications and demonstrated experience of key personnel proposed
to perform technical efforts; (4) Administrative qualifications
and demonstrated experience of the proposing organization(s); (5)
Reasonableness and realism of proposed costs and fee (if any); and,
(6) The degree to which Federal funds are leveraged by private,
nonfederal, and/or Federal funds from sources other than this program.
