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Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

Program Descriptions

CATALOG OF FEDERAL DOMESTIC ASSISTANCE

20.312: High Speed Ground Transportation: Next Generation High Speed Rail Program

Objectives: To stimulate the implementation of High Speed Passenger Rail Systems.

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

20.312 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.

20.312 APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS:

Preapplication 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 contemplated in this program are predominantly project-oriented rather than on-going efforts and are therefore non-renewable.

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.

Examples of Funded Projects: Examples are described in the paragraph on program accomplishments.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance: $100,000 to $6,000,000; $250,000.

20.312 RELATED PROGRAMS:

None.

20.312 PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

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 $10.08 million have been made in fiscal 1995 through fiscal year 1997 to the State of Michigan. Awards totaling $7 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 to produce a 150 mph turbine-powered locomotive with Federal funding totaling $10,000,000 has been made to Bombardier Transit, Inc. with 50/50 matching by Bombardier. Awards totaling over $5 million have been made to various contractors and States for technology to mitigate grade crossing hazards.

20.312 FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFO:

Federal Agency: FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Type of Assistance: Project Grants (Cooperative Agreements).

Obligations: (Grants/Cooperative Agreements) FY 99 $22,000,000; FY 00 est $29,000,000; and FY 01 est $22,000,000.

Budget Account Number: 69-0722-0-1-401; 69-9973-0-7-401.

Authorization: DOT Appropriations Act of Fiscal Year 1998; Public Law 105-66; Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century, Public Law 105-178.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature: DOT Appropriations Act of Fiscal Year 1998, Public Law 105-66. 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-98-01, Funds Availability for Research Projects and Technology Advancements under the NGHSR Program, June 18, 1998.

20.312 INFO CONTACTS:

Regional or Local Office: Not applicable.

Headquarters Office: Office of Railroad Development, RDV-13, Federal Railroad Administration, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590.

(See Appendix IV for more contact info.)

20.312 ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements: Not applicable to technology development efforts.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance: As specified in individual project NOTICES.

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.

20.312 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 receive 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.