|
Grant Community.com Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program Descriptions |
CATALOG OF FEDERAL DOMESTIC
ASSISTANCE
20.109: Air Transportation Centers of Excellence
|
| PROGRAM AND AWARD | FINANCIAL AND INFORMATION CONTACTS |
| ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS | FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFO. |
| APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS | INFORMATION CONTACTS |
| RELATED PROGRAMS | ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS |
| PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS | POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS |
Applicant Eligibility: Applicants are limited to colleges and universities with the financial resources to meet statutory requirements for matching Federal funds and maintenance of effort. Academic institutions may partners with industry affiliates.
Beneficiary Eligibility: Recipients are limited to colleges and universities with the financial resources to meet statutory requirements for matching Federal grants and maintenance of effort. In conducting research, a Center of Excellence may contract with nonprofit research organizations and other appropriate persons.
Credentials/Documentation: Required documentation is outlined in each solicitation package. After each Notice of Solicitation is published in the Federal Register, copies of the Solicitation are available from the Office of Research and Technology Applications AAR-201, FAA Technical Center, Atlantic City International Airport, NJ 08405. To establish a Center of Excellence, a solicitation, review, and evaluation is required. Public Law 101-508 has established the following six selection criteria: (1) The extent to which the needs of the State in which the applicant is located are representative of the needs of the region for improved air transportation services and facilities. (2) The demonstrated research and extension resources available to the applicant for carrying out this program. (3) The capability of the applicant to provide leadership in making national and regional contributions to the solution of both long- range and immediate air transportation problems. (4) The extent to which the applicant has an established air transportation program. (5) The demonstrated ability of the applicant to disseminate results of air transportation research and educational programs through a State-wide or region-wide continuing education program. (6) The projects which the applicant proposes to carry out under the grant. Each proposal must include the following: (a) description of current research projects in the research area, (b) a schedule of expenses for establishing and operating the Center of Excellence, (c) a plan for meeting the 50 percent nonfederal contribution toward the cost of establishing and operating the Center of Excellence, (d) a statement showing its aggregate expenditures from all other sources for establishing and operating a research center in air transportation excellence and related research activities in its 2 fiscal years preceding November 5, 1990, (e) all data sufficient for the evaluation team to determine the extent to which the applicant is able to satisfy the six selection criteria outlined in the preceding paragraph. Each proposal must contain: 1. a cover sheet in the general format of FAA Form 9550-1; 2. table of contents; 3. summary of proposed research; 4. a summary of results from FAA funding in the past 5 years; 5. biographical sketches of senior personnel and a list of their principal accomplishments and publications during the past five years; 6. budget for the initial three years; 7. current and pending support on all research awards from all sources; 8. available facilities and major items of equipment to be available to conduct research, and that which is necessary to acquire. Other required forms are Disclosure of Lobbying Activities form SF-LLL and certification of Compliance with Civil Rights Act.
Preapplication Coordination: FAA may hold an informational meeting prior to submission of proposals. Questions may be submitted to the Office of Research and Technology Applications, FAA Technical Center, Atlantic City International Airport, NJ 08405. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.
Application Procedure: Colleges and universities may apply after the FAA has published a Notice of Availability of Solicitation for a Center of Excellence in a specific research area in the Federal Register. Solicitation and application packages are available from the Office of Research and Technology Applications, FAA Technical Center, Atlantic City International Airport, NJ 08405.
Award Procedure: Each Air Transportation Center of Excellence is awarded on behalf of the FAA Administrator. The Office of Research and Technology Applications (AAR-201) issues solicitations, receives all proposals, convenes evaluation teams to evaluate eligible institutions for Centers of Excellence awards. Applicants should be prepared to attend an informational meeting and to host an onsite inspection of existing research facilities.
Deadlines: Contact the Center of Excellence Program Office for applications and application deadlines. Deadlines will also be published in the Notice of Solicitation.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time: From the closing date for applications, the FAA requires at least 6 months for evaluation and selection procedures.
Appeals: None.
Renewals: Not applicable.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals: Public Law 101-508 has established the following six selection criteria: (1) The extent to which the needs of the State in which the applicant is located are representative of needs of the region for improved air transportation services and facilities; (2) The demonstrated research and extension resources available to the applicant for carrying out this program; (3) The capability of the applicant to provide leadership in making national and regional contributions to the solution of both long-range and immediate air transportation problems; (4) The extent to which the applicant has an established air transportation program; (5) The demonstrated ability of the applicant to disseminate results of air transportation research and educational programs through a State-wide or region-wide continuing education program; and (6) The projects which the applicant proposes to carry out under the grant. Public Law 101-508 mandates reasonable geographic equity in location and funding of Centers of Excellence. Depending on the outcome of evaluation under the six mandated criteria, geographic location may become a additional selection factor.
Examples of Funded Projects: Centers of Excellence in Computational Modeling of Aircraft Structures, Airport Pavement Research, Operations Research, Airworthiness Assurance.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance: Grant assistance is expected to average $500,000 per year for each Center. In addition, sole source contract awards may reach $110 million over the next 8 years.
None.
1) Program planning completed; 2) Agency Directive written and currently under coordination; and 3) First Joint Center established in 1992; 4) Second Center awarded in Airport Pavement Research, April, 1995; and 5) Center established in 1996 in Operations Research; award pending for Center in Airworthiness Assurance.
Federal Agency: FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION.
Type of Assistance: Project Grants; Use of Property, Facilities, and Equipment; Provision of Specialized Services.
Obligations: (Grants) FY 99 $900,000; FY 00 est $1,200,000; and FY 01 est $1,200,000.
Budget Account Number: 69-8108-0-7-402.
Authorization: Federal Aviation Administration Research, Engineering and Development Authorization Act of 1990, Public Law 101-508; Catastrophic Failure Prevention Centers of Excellence, Section 9208; Aviation Research Centers of Excellence, Section 9209.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature: OMB Circulars A-133, A-122, A110 and A-21, Regulations and Executive Orders are referenced in Appendix 2 of the FAA Research Grants Order 9550. When the FAA is soliciting for a Center of Excellence, a solicitation and application package containing the appropriate forms and directions will be available.
Regional or Local Office: Not applicable.
Headquarters Office: Office of Research and Technology Applications AAR-201, FAA Technical Center, Atlantic City Airport, NJ 08405. Phone: (609) 485-5043. Fax: (609) 485-6509.
(See Appendix IV for more contact info.)
Formula and Matching Requirements: This program has no statutory formula. Matching Funds - The Federal share shall be 50 percent of the costs of establishing and operating the Center of Excellence and related research activities. Maintenance of Effort - Each recipient will maintain its aggregate expenditures from all other sources for establishing and operating the Center and related research activities at or above the average level of such expenditures in its 2 fiscal years preceding November 1990.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance: The FAA intends to support a Center of Excellence in three year increments over a maximum of ten years. Each Center will undergo a reassessment every three years. Research is reviewed yearly. Budgets and research projects are negotiated yearly. As a consequence of changing needs, or diminished requirements, the agency reserves the right not to renew support for a Center of Excellence at any time. Funds from program offices and additional appropriations may increase funding at any time providing the institution can demonstrate matching funds.
Uses and Use Restrictions: Centers of Excellence are established for long term continuing research in specific areas of technology. Funding may be used for the establishment and operation of the Centers of Excellence and the related research projects. The FAA determines a need for a Center of Excellence in a specific area of technology and publishes a Notice of Availability of Solicitation in the Federal Register. Each applicant submits a description of the facilities and equipment to be included in the proposed Center and proposed research projects to be conducted by Center scientists. Researchers at the Center are expected to maintain a close working relationship with relevant FAA program offices who have responsibility in areas related to their research, and to conduct semi-annual reviews, and a conference at the conclusion of each three-year phase of research. RESTRICTIONS: 1. Matching Funds - The Federal grant shall be 50 percent of the cost of establishing the Center of Excellence and related research activities. 2. Maintenance of Effort - Each recipient will maintain its aggregate expenditures from all other sources for establishing and operating the Center and related research activities at or above the average level of such expenditures in its 2 fiscal years preceding November 1990. 3. Locations shall be geographically equitable.
Reports: Technical Reporting Requirements per Attachment H of OMB Circular No. A-110 and Attachment I to OMB Circular No. A-102. Financial reporting requirements as per Attachment G of OMB Circular No. A-110 and Attachment H of OMB Circular No. A-102. Semi-annual reports on matching funds, as well as an annual review of the research completed and in progress at each Center of Excellence. The annual review focuses on the relevance, merit and direction of research efforts in the designated area, and negotiation of projects and budget for the next year.
Audits: Single Audit Act assigns responsibility to either the Department of Health and Human Services or the Department of Defense for most institutions. The FAA reserves the right to conduct individual audits as needed within the constraints of applicable laws and regulations.
Records: Technical and financial records must be retained for a minimum of 3 years (or longer, depending on special situations) following termination of the Center of Excellence.
About
News Grant
Management Software Federal
Grant Programs Audits
Studies Expenditures
Links
Last Updated, November, 2000
Comments or Questions? ©Grant
Community.com 2000, All Rights Reserved