High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail (HSIPR) Program, 38344-38365 [2010-15992]

Agencies

• Federal Railroad Administration
• DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 126 (Thursday, July 1, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38344-38365]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-15992]



[[Page 38343]]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Part IV





Department of Transportation





-----------------------------------------------------------------------



Federal Railroad Administration



-----------------------------------------------------------------------



High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail (HSIPR) Program; Notices

Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 126 / Thursday, July 1, 2010 / 
Notices

[[Page 38344]]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration


High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail (HSIPR) Program

AGENCY: Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of funding availability for Service Development 
Programs; issuance of interim program guidance.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This notice details the application requirements and 
procedures for obtaining funding for high-speed and intercity passenger 
rail Service Development Programs available under the Transportation, 
Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act 
for 2010 (Div. A of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2010 (Pub. L. 
111-117, Dec. 16, 2009)). The Federal Railroad Administration has 
issued a separate notice in today's edition of the Federal Register for 
Fiscal Year 2010 funding made available for Individual Projects.
    This document incorporates interim guidance required for the HSIPR 
program pursuant to the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, 
and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for 2010 and 49 U.S.C. 
24402(a)(2). The funding opportunities described in this notice are 
available under Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number 
20.319.

DATES: Applications for funding under this solicitation are due no 
later than 5 p.m. EDT, August 6, 2010. FRA reserves the right to modify 
this deadline.

ADDRESSES: Comments must be submitted through https://www.grantsolutions.gov. See Section 4 for additional information 
regarding the application process.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information regarding this 
notice and the HSIPR program, please contact the FRA HSIPR Program 
Manager via e-mail at HSIPR@dot.gov, or by mail: U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Federal Railroad Administration, MS-20, 1200 New Jersey 
Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590 Att'n: HSIPR Program.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Table of Contents:

1. Funding Opportunity Description
2. Award Information
3. Eligibility Information
4. Application and Submission Information
5. Application Review Information
6. Award Administration Information
7. Agency Contact
Appendix 1: Definition of High-Speed and Intercity Passenger Rail
Appendix 2: Additional Information on Stages of Project Development
Appendix 3: Additional Information on Financial Plans
Appendix 4: Additional Information on Applicant Budgets
Appendix 5: List of Acronyms and Abbreviated References

Section 1: Funding Opportunity Description

1.1 Legislative Authority

    This interim program guidance and financial assistance announcement 
pertains to the funding made available for Service Development Programs 
under FRA's HSIPR program. The authority for this grant program is 
contained in two pieces of legislation:
     The Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008 
(PRIIA), under Sections 301, 302, and 501: Intercity Passenger Rail 
Service Corridor Capital Assistance (codified at 49 U.S.C. chapter 
244), General Passenger Rail Transportation (codified at 49 U.S.C. 
chapter 24105), and High-Speed Rail Assistance (codified at 49 U.S.C. 
chapter 26106), respectively; and
     The Fiscal Year 2010 Consolidated Appropriations Act 
(Title I of Division A of Pub. L. 111-117, December 16, 2009) (FY 2010 
DOT Appropriations Act), under the title ``Capital Assistance for High 
Speed Rail Corridors and Intercity Passenger Rail Service.''
    This document incorporates interim guidance required for the HSIPR 
program pursuant to the FY 2010 DOT Appropriations Act and 49 U.S.C. 
24402(a)(2).

1.2 Funding Approach

    The FY 2010 DOT Appropriations Act appropriated a total of $2.5 
billion for the HSIPR program. FRA is soliciting grant applications 
separately for the different components of this appropriation:
     FY 2010 Service Development Programs (at least $2,125 
million): Service Development Programs with a 20 percent non-Federal 
match. This solicitation is for these funds.
     FY 2010 Individual Projects (up to $245 million): Final 
Design/Construction or Preliminary Engineering/NEPA for Individual 
Projects with a 20 percent non-Federal match. The notice of funding 
availability (NOFA) for these funds is being issued concurrently with 
this solicitation.
     FY 2010 Planning Projects (up to $50 million): Planning 
projects with a 20 percent non-Federal match. The solicitation for 
these funds was published on April 1, 2010, and applications were due 
May 19, 2010.
     FY 2010 Multi-State Proposals (from $50 million for 
Planning Projects): Proposals for Federally-led preparation of planning 
documents for high-speed rail corridors that cross multiple States. The 
guidance for submitting proposals was published on April 1, 2010, and 
the proposals were due May 19, 2010.
    The balance of the $2.5 billion is allocated to HSIPR program 
administration and research.

1.3 Approach to Service Development Programs

    Investment in Service Development Programs is the long-term 
emphasis of the HSIPR program. Service Development Programs are aimed 
at developing new high-speed or intercity passenger rail services or 
substantially upgrading existing services. (See Appendix 1 for the 
definition of ``high-speed and intercity passenger rail.'') Service 
Development Programs contain sets of inter-related projects that 
constitute the entirety or a distinct phase (or geographic section) of 
a long-range Service Development Plan (SDP)--projects which 
collectively produce benefits greater than the sum of each individual 
project. These investments will generally address, in a comprehensive 
manner, the construction and acquisition of infrastructure, equipment, 
stations, and facilities necessary to operate high-speed and intercity 
passenger rail service.
1.3.1 Service Development Program Administration
    While the characteristics and outcomes of a Service Development 
Program will be unique to each individual application, for the purposes 
of this solicitation, FRA will classify Service Development Programs 
into two categories: Major Capital Projects and Standard Capital 
Projects.
    As required by PRIIA (49 U.S.C. 24403(a)), and in keeping with 
project management approaches in use by other DOT agencies (e.g., FTA's 
Project Management Oversight program (49 CFR part 633), and FHWA's IPD 
Major Project Delivery Guidance), large, complex capital projects, 
designated as ``Major Capital Projects'' call for a particularly 
rigorous approach towards project management and oversight.
    Administratively, three primary distinctions exist between the 
Major and Standard Capital Project designation when applied to a 
Service Development Program: (1) The approach to the environmental 
review process; (2) FRA's use of a Letter of Intent (LOI) to 
contingently commit funds to the Service Development Program (as

[[Page 38345]]

described in Section 2); and, (3) the project delivery tools required 
and employed by FRA in managing the Service Development Program.
    Given the scope, complexity, and project delivery risk inherent in 
implementing a Service Development Program, all Service Development 
Program applications are considered to be ``Major Capital Projects'' 
unless the FRA Administrator determines that this classification and 
the attendant requirements will not benefit the implementation of the 
proposed program. Applicants for funding for a Service Development 
Program may request to be considered a ``Standard Capital Project'' in 
their Application Form (see Section 4.2.1). This designation will 
typically be limited to Service Development Programs that:
    1. Involve a recipient whose past experience in implementing 
similar HSIPR projects indicates that the program will be delivered 
successfully;
    2. Generally are expected to have a total project cost less than 
$100 million;
    3. Are intended to benefit intercity passenger rail service 
operating at top speeds of 79 mph or less; and
    4. Solely involve the use of proven technology.
    As the HSIPR program develops and Service Development Programs 
become its primary focus, the approach to the Major and Standard 
designations may change. As the HSIPR program matures, FRA expects to 
work with project sponsors from the beginning of the service 
development process and will designate a Service Development Program as 
``Major'' or ``Standard'' in coordination with project sponsors during 
or before the planning phase of project development.
1.3.2 Service Development Program Environmental Review
    There are two general methods to satisfying National Environmental 
Policy Act (NEPA) requirements for intercity passenger rail capital 
investment projects:
     A tiered approach, utilizing a Tier 1 environmental impact 
statement (EIS) to address broad service level issues (``programmatic'' 
or ``Service'' NEPA), followed by Tier 2 EISs, environmental 
assessments (EAs), or categorical exclusions (CEs) to address site-
specific project environmental reviews (``project'' NEPA); or
     A non-tiered approach, in which one EIS or EA would cover 
both service issues and individual project components.
    Generally, FRA prefers to take a tiered approach with Major Service 
Development Programs, and a non-tiered approach with Standard Service 
Development Programs. For Major Service Development Programs, FRA also 
generally prefers to use a Tier 1 environmental impact statement (EIS) 
for the initial evaluation of the application. FRA encourages 
applicants developing Standard Service Development Programs to develop 
a single EIS or EA that covers both service and project environmental 
analysis.
    FRA is responsible for the NEPA process, including the 
establishment of the scope of environmental reviews and the decision to 
use tiering or a unified project-level document. FRA encourages 
applicants to contact FRA as early as possible in the planning process 
to discuss the appropriate form and level of NEPA documentation. For 
more information on the NEPA process and FRA's requirements, please see 
Section 4.2.5 and Appendix 2.2 of this solicitation.

1.4 Forthcoming Interim Guidance

    FRA is preparing a draft guidance document as part of the process 
of establishing a long-term framework for the HSIPR program. This 
document, anticipated for publication later this year, will include 
details about each stage of the project development process (from 
planning and design through construction and operation), as well as 
provide substantial technical assistance on the processes and 
documentation needed for successful project development and delivery. 
This guidance is intended for future program administration and does 
not apply to this funding solicitation or the application process 
described in this notice.
    The initial draft of this pending guidance document will be open 
for public comment, and FRA will utilize various outreach mechanisms 
for soliciting feedback from the HSIPR stakeholder community. FRA 
expects to modify the draft guidance document taking into account this 
feedback and to eventually issue Final Guidance that will include 
standards and guidelines that will be applicable to future funding 
opportunities.

Section 2: Award Information

    Of the $2.5 billion appropriated under the FY 2010 DOT 
Appropriations Act, Congress mandated that not less than 85 percent of 
funds ($2.125 billion) be allocated to programs aimed at developing new 
high-speed or intercity passenger rail services or substantially 
upgrading existing corridor services. These grants are authorized under 
49 U.S.C. 24406, 49 U.S.C. 24105, and 49 U.S.C. 26106.
    FRA will make awards for Service Development Programs through 
cooperative agreements. Cooperative agreements allow for greater 
Federal involvement in carrying out the agreed upon investment. The 
substantial Federal involvement for these programs will include 
technical assistance, review of interim work products, and increased 
program oversight. The funding provided under these cooperative 
agreements will be made available to grantees on a reimbursable basis.
    For Major Service Development Programs, FRA will issue a Letter of 
Intent (LOI) that represents the Federal Government's contingent 
financial commitment--up to a prescribed amount of funding--to 
implement the Service Development Program. An LOI will contain defined 
milestones, grant conditions, and other requirements agreed upon by FRA 
and the grantee that must be fulfilled or met prior to any funding 
obligation or disbursement. These milestones and conditions will be put 
in place to ensure successful and timely completion of projects. An LOI 
does not represent an obligation or disbursement of funds. Funding will 
be obligated through cooperative agreements and disbursed to grantees 
as the agreed upon milestones are achieved. See Section 1.3 for further 
information on Major and Standard Service Development Programs.
    While there are no predetermined minimum or maximum dollar 
thresholds for awards, FRA anticipates making multiple awards from the 
$2.125 billion or more available for Service Development Programs. As 
such, FRA expects applicants to tailor their applications and proposed 
project scopes accordingly. Pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 24402(g)(1), FRA will 
establish the net project cost for the scope of work proposed in an 
application, based on engineering materials, studies of economic 
feasibility, information on the expected use of equipment or 
facilities, and other project information provided in an application. 
FRA reserves the right to contact applicants with any questions or 
comments related to applications.

Section 3: Eligibility Information

    Applications under this solicitation will be required to meet 
minimum requirements related to applicant eligibility, project 
eligibility, and the fulfillment of other eligibility requirements. To 
the extent that an application's substance exceeds the minimum 
eligibility requirements described below, such information will be 
considered in evaluating the merits of an application (see Section 5 
for evaluation and selection criteria).

[[Page 38346]]

3.1 Eligible Applicants

    Eligible applicant entities are as follows:
     States (including the District of Columbia);
     Groups of States (Sections 301 and 501 of PRIIA);
     Interstate compacts (Sections 301 and 501);
     Public agencies established by one or more States and 
having responsibility for providing intercity passenger rail service 
(Section 301) or high-speed passenger rail service (Section 501);
     Amtrak (Section 501); and
     Amtrak, in cooperation with States (Sections 301 and 302; 
see 49 U.S.C. 24402(e) for additional information on Amtrak's 
eligibility requirements when applying for grants in cooperation with 
States).

3.2 Minimum Qualifications for Applicant Eligibility

    An applicant must, in addition to demonstrating that it is an 
eligible applicant type for the Service Development Program, 
affirmatively demonstrate that the applicant has or will have the 
legal, financial, and technical capacity to carry out the activities 
proposed within an application. A prospective applicant that does not 
fall within the definition of a State, group of States, or Amtrak will 
also be required to submit documentation (such as copies of 
legislation) demonstrating its legal authority to provide intercity or 
high-speed passenger rail service on behalf of a State or group of 
States.
    In addition, the applicant must demonstrate that it has or will 
have satisfactory continuing control over the use of equipment or 
facilities acquired, constructed, or improved by the project and the 
capability and willingness to maintain such equipment or facilities.
    For an applicant to demonstrate the legal, financial, and technical 
capacity to carry out the activities proposed in the application, the 
applicant will be required to address the following qualifications:
     The applicant's ability to absorb potential cost overruns 
or financial shortfalls;
     The applicant's experience in effectively administering 
grants of similar scope and value (including timely completion of grant 
deliverables, compliance with grant conditions, and quality and cost 
controls); and
     The applicant's experience in managing railroad investment 
project development activities of a nature similar to those for which 
funding is being requested.
    For an applicant to demonstrate that it has or will have 
satisfactory continuing control over the use of equipment or facilities 
acquired, constructed, or improved by the project, the applicant will 
be required to show either:
     That the applicant has or will have direct ownership of 
the equipment or facilities acquired, constructed, or improved by the 
project; or
     That the applicant has secured or has made progress 
towards securing and will have enforceable contractual agreements 
providing satisfactory continuing control in place with the entity or 
entities (e.g., one or more railroads, or a local government) that have 
or will have direct ownership of such assets.
    For an applicant to demonstrate that it has or will have the 
capability and willingness to maintain the equipment or facilities 
acquired, constructed, or improved by the project, the applicant will 
be required to show:
     That it has made progress toward, and will have 
contractual agreements in place with, any entity or entities (e.g., one 
or more railroads, or a local government) that have or will have direct 
ownership of the equipment or facilities acquired, constructed, or 
improved by the project, which address financial and operational 
responsibility for asset use and maintenance for the useful life of the 
asset;
     That, to the extent financial responsibility will fall to 
the applicant, a viable funding source(s) has been identified to cover 
maintenance costs; and
     The applicant's experience in maintaining assets with 
similar financial and operational maintenance requirements as those 
assets for which funding is being requested.
    Information and documentation demonstrating the fulfillment of the 
minimum qualifications described above must be submitted as part of the 
application (see Section 4.2).

3.3 Cost Sharing

3.3.1 Applicant Cost Sharing
    The Federal share of the costs of projects funded through this 
solicitation shall not exceed 80 percent.
    If an applicant chooses the option of contributing, from its own, 
its partner project sponsors', or other interested parties' resources, 
more than the required 20 percent non-Federal share of the costs of its 
proposed project, such additional contributions will be considered in 
evaluating the merit of its application.
3.3.2 Requirements for Applicant Cost Sharing
    An applicant's contribution toward the cost of its proposed project 
may be in the form of cash or, with FRA approval, in-kind contributions 
of services or supplies related to the activities proposed for funding. 
As part of its application, an applicant offering an in-kind 
contribution must provide a documented estimate of the monetary value 
of any such contribution and its eligibility under 49 CFR 18.24 or 
19.23. However, all in-kind contributions must be allowable, 
reasonable, allocable, and in accordance with applicable OMB cost 
principles, and must not represent double-counting of costs otherwise 
accounted for in an indirect cost rate pursuant to which the applicant 
will seek reimbursement.
    The applicant must provide, as part of its application, 
documentation that demonstrates that it has committed and will be able 
to fulfill any required and pledged contribution, including committing 
any required financial resources that are budgeted or planned at the 
time the application is submitted.
    All applicants will be required to identify a viable funding 
source(s) at the time of application to absorb any cost overruns and 
deliver the proposed project with no Federal funding or financial 
assistance beyond that provided in the cooperative agreement.

3.4 Eligible Service Development Programs

    Eligible Service Development Program activities under this funding 
announcement must consist of a coordinated and comprehensive grouping 
of capital projects that will result in the introduction of new high-
speed or intercity passenger rail services or significant improvements 
to existing corridor services. These investments will generally 
address, in a comprehensive manner, the construction and acquisition of 
infrastructure, equipment, and stations, and other facilities necessary 
to operate high-speed and intercity passenger rail service.
    Capital projects are defined by 49 U.S.C. 24401(2) and 49 U.S.C. 
26106(b)(3) as acquiring, constructing, improving, or inspecting 
equipment, track and track structures, or a facility for use in or for 
the primary benefit of high-speed and intercity passenger rail service, 
expenses incidental to the acquisition or construction (including 
designing, engineering, location surveying, mapping, environmental 
studies, and acquiring rights-of-way), payments for the capital 
portions of rail

[[Page 38347]]

trackage rights agreements, highway-rail grade crossing improvements 
related to high-speed and intercity passenger rail service, mitigating 
environmental impacts, communication and signalization improvements, 
relocation assistance, acquiring replacement housing sites, acquiring, 
constructing, relocating, and rehabilitating replacement housing, 
rehabilitating, remanufacturing or overhauling rail rolling stock and 
facilities used primarily in intercity passenger rail service; 
providing access to rolling stock for nonmotorized transportation and 
storage capacity in trains for such transportation, equipment, and 
other luggage; and the first-dollar liability costs for insurance 
related to the provision of intercity passenger rail service under 49 
U.S.C. 24404. FRA will not fund activities not included in this 
definition nor consider the funding of any such activities in 
calculating an applicant's required cost share.
    Service Development Programs applying for funding under this 
solicitation may not include individual projects that have received 
HSIPR program funding under previous solicitations.
3.4.1 Major Service Development Programs
    To be considered eligible for HSIPR program funding, an applicant 
applying for funding for a Major Service Development Program must have 
completed and submitted a NEPA document satisfying FRA's ``Service 
NEPA'' requirement with its application. See Section 4.2.5 and Appendix 
2.2 for additional details on NEPA requirements.
    Project PE, site-specific NEPA, final design, and construction 
activities are eligible for funding. See Appendix 2 of this 
solicitation for additional information on these activities.
3.4.2 Standard Service Development Programs
    As with Major Service Development Programs, an applicant applying 
for funding for a Standard Service Development Program must have 
completed and submitted with its application an EIS or EA that 
addresses, at a minimum, Service NEPA issues. For applications for 
Standard Service Development Programs that are intended to advance 
directly into Final Design, FRA requires project NEPA documents and all 
Preliminary Engineering (PE) for project components to be completed and 
submitted with the application. See Appendix 2.2 for additional details 
on NEPA requirements, and Appendix 2.3 for further details regarding PE 
requirements.
    Remaining project PE and site-specific NEPA, final design, and 
construction activities are eligible for funding. See Appendix 2 of 
this solicitation for additional information on these activities.
3.4.3 Previously Funded Service Development Programs
    An application proposing to augment a Service Development Program, 
or component thereof, which received funding from FRA under the 
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 must demonstrate the 
following:
     The applicant has, at the time it submits the new 
application, sufficiently refined the scope of previously funded 
elements of the Service Development Plan to ensure those elements will 
result in high-speed or intercity passenger rail service with 
operational independence, as defined in Section 3.5.2 of this notice;
     Any new elements of a Service Development Program proposed 
in the current application will also result in high-speed or intercity 
passenger rail service with operational independence, either 
cumulatively with the previous investment or as an independent 
operating segment of the Service Development Program;
     The applicant possesses the capacity and capability to 
manage and implement the proposed increase in scope of the Service 
Development Program in addition to the scope of work funded under the 
previous award; and
     There is a demonstrated need for immediate additional 
funding to implement the proposed increase in scope of the Service 
Development Program and the ability to expend the original and 
additional funds in the near term.

3.5 Additional Eligibility Requirements

3.5.1 Service Development Program Planning
    Service Development Programs proposed for funding must be 
identified through a Service Development Plan meeting the requirements 
of this interim guidance. A Service Development Plan is prepared during 
the planning phase for HSIPR Service Development Programs and lays out 
the overall scope and approach for the proposed service. At a minimum, 
a Service Development Plan must clearly demonstrate the purpose and 
need for new or improved intercity passenger rail service; analyze 
alternatives for the proposed new or improved intercity passenger rail 
service, and identify the alternative that would best address the 
identified purpose and need; identify the discrete capital projects 
that will be required to implement the alternative that is proposed to 
be pursued; demonstrate the operational and financial feasibility of 
the alternative that is proposed to be pursued; and, as applicable, 
describe how the implementation of the HSIPR Service Development 
Program may be divided into discrete phases. More information on the 
objectives and preparation of Service Development Plans is included in 
Appendix 2.1.
3.5.2 Operational Independence
    All Service Development Programs that are proposed to be advanced 
using HSIPR program funding must have operational independence. A 
Service Development Program is considered to have operational 
independence if, upon being implemented, it will result in a minimal 
operating segment of new or substantially improved high-speed or 
intercity passenger rail service that demonstrates tangible and 
measurable benefits, even if no additional investments in the same 
service are made. Examples of these benefits would include operational 
reliability improvements, travel-time reductions, and additional 
service frequencies resulting in increased ridership.
    Applications that include benefits or proposed activities that are 
contingent upon FRA's selection of another application will not be 
considered for funding.
3.5.3 Availability of Funds
    It is important for awarded projects to be brought promptly to 
obligation through execution of a cooperative agreement by the 
applicant and FRA and for awarded funds to be expended without delay 
and in accordance with the statement of work and project schedules 
included in the cooperative agreement. Under 49 U.S.C. 24402(h), if any 
amount awarded under the HSIPR program is not obligated within 2 years 
of the date on which the award is made, FRA may cancel the award and 
redistribute the funds to other HSIPR projects at the FRA 
Administrator's sole discretion. Similarly, FRA may require the return 
of obligated funds that remain unexpended if the grantee is not making 
satisfactory progress in implementing the project or program as 
provided for in the cooperative agreement.
3.5.4 Eligibility Restrictions
    Pursuant to the provisions of Sections 301, 302, and 501 of PRIIA, 
the following activities are ineligible to

[[Page 38348]]

receive Federal funding under this solicitation:
     Applications submitted by private entities other than 
Amtrak;
     Projects for which commuter rail passenger transportation 
is the primary intended beneficiary (see Appendix 1);
     Projects in which the physical improvements are located 
outside of the United States; and
     Any expenses associated with passenger rail operating 
costs.
3.5.5 Funding Restrictions
    In general, only those costs considered allowable pursuant to OMB 
Circular A-87, ``Cost Principles for State, Local, and Indian Tribal 
Governments'' (codified at 2 CFR part 225), will be considered for 
funding. Additionally, the following funding restrictions will apply to 
cooperative agreements awarded under this solicitation and must be 
taken into consideration in the development of budget information 
submitted as part of an application:
     Funding may not be used to fund expenses associated with 
the operation of intercity passenger rail service; and
     While there is no cap on a grant recipient's use of grant 
funds for management and administrative costs, such costs must be 
allowable, reasonable, allocable, and in accordance with applicable OMB 
cost principles cited above.
    FRA will also consider reimbursement of pre-award costs incurred 
after the enactment of the FY 2010 DOT Appropriations Act (December 16, 
2009). However, such costs will be considered for reimbursement only to 
the extent that they are otherwise allowable under the applicable cost 
principles. To the extent such pre-award costs are incurred prior to 
the date of submission of an application, the application must show in 
detail what costs have been incurred in order for such costs to be 
considered for reimbursement. Projects for which construction 
activities commenced prior to receipt of an FRA environmental 
determination under NEPA will not be eligible for funding.
    Additionally, a grant recipient may not generally expend any of the 
funds provided in an award on construction or other activities that 
represent an irretrievable commitment of resources to a particular 
course of action affecting the environment until after all 
environmental and historic preservation analyses required by the 
National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4332) (NEPA), the National 
Historic Preservation Act (16 U.S.C. 470(f)) (NHPA), and related laws 
and regulations have been completed and FRA has provided the grant 
recipient with a written notice authorizing it to proceed.
3.5.6 Standards for Equipment Procurement or Design Grants
    If the applicant is seeking a grant for the procurement or design 
of railroad equipment, the proposed equipment should be consistent with 
specifications developed by the Next Generation Corridor Equipment Pool 
Committee. This Committee was established under Section 305 of PRIIA to 
develop a pool of standardized next-generation rail corridor equipment. 
Compliance with Section 305 of PRIIA will assist in creating the 
economies of scale necessary to achieve the Administration's goal of 
developing a sustainable railroad equipment manufacturing base in the 
United States, as outlined in the Vision for High-Speed Rail in America 
(April 2009). The Next Generation Corridor Equipment Pool Committee 
will be issuing specifications for bi-level cars this summer, single-
level cars this winter, and locomotives in 2011.
3.5.7 Positive Train Control (PTC)
    If, as a component of an overall Service Development Plan intended 
to benefit high-speed or intercity passenger rail service, a project 
involves installation and/or improvements to railroad signaling/control 
systems, the application must demonstrate that the proposed 
improvements are consistent with a comprehensive plan for complying 
with the requirements for PTC implementation under Section 104 of the 
Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (``RSIA,'' Division A of Pub. L. 
110-432, October 16, 2008, codified at 49 U.S.C. 20157) and with FRA's 
final rule on Positive Train Control Systems published in the Federal 
Register on January 15, 2010 (75 FR 2598).

Section 4: Application and Submission Information

4.1 Application Procedures

4.1.1 Applying Online Through GrantSolutions
    FRA participates in the Grants Management Line of Business (GMLoB) 
E-Gov initiative. As part of that initiative, FRA uses the 
Administration for Children and Families' (ACF) GrantSolutions (GS) 
Grants Management System. All applications must be submitted to FRA 
through GrantSolutions. To access the system, go to https://www.grantsolutions.gov. Should an applicant encounter difficulties 
accessing using GS, please contact the GrantSolutions Help Desk at 1-
866-577-0771 or via e-mail at help@grantsolutions.gov. Applicants must 
complete the following three steps prior to submitting an application 
through GS:
     Register in GS. Go to https://www.grantsolutions.gov and 
select ``Register'' on the right side of the page. Applicants should 
begin the process immediately to meet the application submission 
deadlines.
     Obtain a Data Universal Number System (DUNS) number. All 
applicants must include a DUNS number in their application. 
Applications without a DUNS number are incomplete. A DUNS number is a 
unique nine-digit number recognized as the universal standard for 
identifying and keeping track of entities receiving Federal funds. The 
identifier is used for tracking purposes and to validate address and 
point of contact information for Federal assistance applicants, 
recipients and subrecipients. The DUNS number will be used throughout 
the grant lifecycle. Obtaining a DUNS number is a free, simple, one-
time activity. Obtain a number by calling 1-866-705-5177 or by applying 
online at https://fedgov.dnb.com/webform/displayHomePage.do.
     Register in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) 
database. FRA also requires that all applicants (other than 
individuals) for Federal financial assistance maintain current 
registrations in the CCR database. The CCR database is the repository 
for standard information about Federal financial assistance applicants, 
recipients and subrecipients. Organizations that have previously 
submitted applications via https://www.grants.gov or GrantSolutions 
should already be registered with CCR. Please note, however, that 
applicants must update or renew their CCR registration at least once 
per year to maintain an active status. Information about registration 
procedures can be accessed at https://www.ccr.gov.
    Standard OMB forms (identified in Section 4.2.3) will be available 
electronically on the Funding Opportunity page at https://
www.GrantSolutions.gov. The Funding Opportunity screen provides 
applicants with general announcement information and access to all 
application kit materials in order to view and print application forms 
and information. In addition, applicants can apply online through this 
screen.
    Program-specific forms (identified in Sections 4.2.1, 4.2.2, and 
4.2.4) may be downloaded from FRA's Web site at https://www.fra.dot.gov/Pages/477.shtml.

[[Page 38349]]

4.1.2 Address To Request Paper Application Package
    If Internet access is unavailable, please write to FRA at the 
address below to request a paper application: U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Federal Railroad Administration, Attn: HSIPR Program 
Information (RPD-10), Mail Stop 20, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., 
Washington, DC 20590.

4.2 Application Package

    Required documents for the application package are summarized in 
the checklist below.

                          Application Checklist
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      Documents                             Format
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           1. Application Form
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[ballot] HSIPR Service Development Program                          Form
 Application Form
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       2. Budget and Schedule Form
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[ballot] HSIPR Service Development Program Budget                   Form
 and Schedule Form
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          3. OMB Standard Forms
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[ballot] SF 424: Application for Federal Assistance                 Form
[ballot] SF 424C: Budget Information--Construction                  Form
[ballot] SF 424D: Assurances--Construction                          Form
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       4. FRA Assurances Document
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[ballot] FRA Assurances Document                                    Form
------------------------------------------------------------------------
             5. Service Development Supporting Documentation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[ballot] Service Development Plan                           No Specified
                                                                  Format
[ballot] NEPA Documentation                                 No Specified
                                                                  Format
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              6. Service Delivery Supporting Documentation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[ballot] Project Management Plan                            No Specified
                                                                  Format
[ballot] Financial Plan                                     No Specified
                                                                  Format
[ballot] System Safety Plan                                 No Specified
                                                                  Format
[ballot] Railroad and Project Sponsor Agreements            No Specified
                                                                  Format
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  7. Optional Supporting Documentation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[ballot] Preliminary Engineering (PE) and/or Final          No Specified
 Design (FD) Documentation                                        Format
[ballot] Other Relevant and Available Documentation                  n/a
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Applicants must complete and submit all components of the 
application package; failure to do so may result in the application 
being removed from consideration for award. All components of the 
application package must be submitted through GrantSolutions (including 
optional supporting documentation), as described in Section 4.1.1.
    The HSIPR Service Development Program application package contains 
seven components:
    1. HSIPR Service Development Program Application Form (see Section 
4.2.1).
    2. HSIPR Service Development Program Budget and Schedule Form (see 
Section 4.2.2).
    3. OMB Standard Forms (see Section 4.2.3).
    4. FRA Assurances Document (see Section 4.2.4).
    5. Service Development Supporting Documentation (see Section 
4.2.5).
    6. Service Delivery Supporting Documentation (see Section 4.2.6).
    7. Optional Supporting Documentation (see Section 4.2.7).
    For any other documentation required prior to award that is not 
specified in this notice, FRA will make individual arrangements with 
applicants for the submission of the required documentation.
    It is in the best interest of an applicant who is submitting an 
application for a Service Development Program that is exceptionally 
complex, long-term, or broad in scope to submit phased application 
packages for the same Service Development Program. Applicants pursuing 
this option should divide the activities into discrete phases, each 
with operational independence, based on geographic section, type of 
activity, or other appropriate criteria.
    To apply for funding using this approach, an applicant should 
structure the applications in such a way that an application for a 
specific phase also includes all of the project activities and funding 
requested in applications for all previous phases, in addition to the 
set of activities and funding requested for the current phase. This 
``nested'' approach will give FRA flexibility to select for funding 
those phases of a Service Development Program that are sufficiently 
developed to realize significant benefits, rather than selecting or not 
selecting the entire program based on insufficient development of some 
constituent parts.
    For example, an applicant applying for funding for a Service 
Development Program may break the program into three distinct phases 
and apply as follows:
     Application 1 includes package of projects A for $X;
     Application 2 includes package of projects A + B for $X + 
$Y; and
     Application 3 includes package of projects A + B + C for 
$X + $Y + $Z.
    Applicants taking this phased approach to their application 
submittals must ensure that each individual application includes all of 
the required documentation described below. FRA recognizes that in 
certain instances the same document may be used to support each of the 
individual applications; however, to support FRA's eligibility and 
evaluation review processes, each application package must be complete 
and include all required documentation.
4.2.1 HSIPR Service Development Program Application Form
    The Application Form includes fields that have been developed by 
FRA to capture pertinent qualitative and quantitative program-specific 
information that is needed for FRA to confirm applicant and project 
eligibility, as well as information needed for evaluation and selection 
of applications. The Application Form requests four types of 
information:
    1. General applicant and Service Development Program information;
    2. Narratives that allow the applicant to make arguments for the 
benefits of the proposed Service Development Program and other factors 
that are used to evaluate the merits of the application (see Section 
5.2 for evaluation criteria);
    3. A corridor service overview that presents the applicant's 
comprehensive vision for the development or improvement of a corridor 
service and provides a navigation tool for multiple applications 
related to a particular Service Development Program; and
    4. An ``executive summary'' that outlines the major milestones for 
the Service Development Program. It is FRA's intent that this portion 
of the application form will provide the framework for the Letter of 
Intent (LOI) if the project is selected for funding.

[[Page 38350]]

    The Application Form also asks applicants who wish to be considered 
for designation as a Standard Service Development Program to provide a 
narrative describing how they meet the factors described in Section 
1.3.1.
4.2.2 HSIPR Service Development Program Budget and Schedule Form
    The HSIPR Service Development Program Budget and Schedule Form is a 
Microsoft Excel document that supports the qualitative and quantitative 
claims made in the applicant's HSIPR Service Development Program 
Application Form. In addition to capturing detailed program budget and 
schedule information, the form also describes the standard cost 
categories developed by FRA to assist in evaluating and selecting 
projects.
4.2.3 OMB Standard Forms
    The Standard Forms are developed by the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) and are required of all grant applicants. Applicants 
applying for funding should submit the following forms electronically 
through GrantSolutions:
     Standard Form 424: Application for Federal Assistance;
     Standard Form 424C: Budget Information--Construction 
Programs; and
     Standard Form 424D: Assurances--Construction Programs.
4.2.4 FRA Assurances Document
    The FRA Assurances document contains standard Department 
certifications on grantee suspension and debarment, drug-free workplace 
requirements, and Federal lobbying. The FRA Assurances document can be 
obtained from FRA's Web site at https://www.fra.dot.gov/downloads/admin/assurancesandcertifications.pdf. The document should be signed by an 
authorized certifying official for the applicant, scanned into 
electronic format, and submitted through GrantSolutions.
4.2.5 Service Development Supporting Documentation
    The service development documentation below focuses on the physical 
attributes of a project and its anticipated outcomes. These materials 
must demonstrate that the project has completed specified prerequisites 
and is ready to progress to the next phase of development.
     Service Development Plan--Applicants must submit the 
Service Development Pan (SDP) that informed the Service Development 
Program. The SDP lays out the overall scope and approach for the 
proposed service. The SDP must address the following objectives:
    [cir] Clearly demonstrate the purpose and need for new or improved 
HSIPR service;
    [cir] Analyze alternatives for the proposed new or improved HSIPR 
service and identify the alternative that would best address the 
identified purpose and need;
    [cir] Demonstrate the operation and financial feasibility of the 
alternative that is proposed to be pursued;
    [cir] Identify the discrete capital projects that will be required 
to implement the alternative that is proposed to be pursued; and
    [cir] As applicable, describe how the implementation of the HSIPR 
Service Development Program may be divided into discrete phases.
    FRA recognizes that a variety of formats and types of information 
may meet the objectives described above. Applications that do not 
demonstrate fulfillment of these objectives may be determined by FRA to 
be not ready for consideration and evaluation. See Appendix 2.1 for 
additional information and suggested content for an SDP that satisfies 
the objectives above.
     National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Documentation--
Applicants must provide a completed Environmental Assessment or a 
completed Final Environmental Impact Statement that demonstrates, at a 
minimum, satisfaction of ``Service NEPA'' for the proposed Service 
Development Program (either submitted with the application package or 
references through an accurate URL). If the applicant has completed 
project NEPA to satisfy this requirement, particularly for Standard 
Service Development Programs, this documentation should be submitted. 
If the applicant has prepared second-tier project NEPA documents for 
projects within the program, those may also be submitted. Any NEPA 
documentation submitted must be approved by the responsible State 
agency as sufficient and complete. A NEPA decision document (a Record 
of Decision or Finding of No Significant Impact) is not required for an 
application but must have been issued by FRA prior to award of a 
construction grant and commencement of any construction activities 
related to the project. NEPA requirements are detailed in Appendix 2.2 
of this solicitation.
4.2.6 Service Delivery Supporting Documentation
    Service delivery documentation of the types described below focuses 
on the implementation of the project and how the risks and 
uncertainties associated with the project will be managed.
    FRA recognizes that a variety of formats and types of information 
may meet the objectives described below. Applications that do not 
demonstrate fulfillment of these objectives may be determined by FRA to 
be not ready for consideration and evaluation.
     Project Management Plan--Under PRIIA (49 U.S.C. 24403(a)), 
all Major Capital Projects (which includes most Service Development 
Programs) must prepare and carry out a Project Management Plan (PMP) 
approved by FRA. A PMP is a formal integrated document that serves as 
an overview of the applicant's approach toward the planning, 
monitoring, and implementation of a project. This documentation 
establishes the who, what, when, where, why, and how of the project. 
While elements of the PMP may draw information from outputs of the 
project development process (such as scope and design specifications, 
cost estimates, and project schedules), the PMP serves as FRA's primary 
source of information related to an applicant's plan for implementing 
the project. Applications submitted pursuant to this solicitation must 
include a PMP that demonstrates that the applicant's management 
procedures and organization give it the legal, financial, and technical 
capability and capacity to carry out successfully the Service 
Development Plan. In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 24403(a), the PMP must, 
at a minimum, address the following topics:
    [cir] Adequate recipient staff organization with well-defined 
reporting relationships, statements of functional responsibilities, job 
descriptions, and job qualifications of key personnel and positions;
    [cir] A budget covering the project management organization, 
appropriate consultants, property acquisition, utility relocation, 
systems demonstration staff, audits, and miscellaneous payments the 
recipient may be prepared to justify;
    [cir] A construction schedule for the project;
    [cir] A document control procedure and recordkeeping system;
    [cir] A change order procedure that includes a documented, 
systematic approach to handling the construction change orders;
    [cir] Organizational structures, management skills, and staffing 
levels required throughout the construction phase;
    [cir] Quality control and quality assurance functions, procedures, 
and responsibilities for construction, system

[[Page 38351]]

installation, and integration of system components;
    [cir] Material testing policies and procedures;
    [cir] Internal plan implementation and reporting requirements;
    [cir] Criteria and procedures to be used for testing the 
operational system or its major components;
    [cir] Periodic updates of the plan, especially related to project 
budget and project schedule, financing, and ridership estimates; and
    [cir] The project sponsor's commitment to submit periodically a 
project budget and project schedule to FRA if the project is selected.
     Financial Plan--A Financial Plan is a formal integrated 
document that addresses the applicant's approach toward managing the 
financial resources necessary to deliver the project and must be 
included with any application submitted pursuant to this solicitation. 
For a Service Development Program, the objectives of a Financial Plan 
are to (1) identify the sources of funding that will be used to satisfy 
the financing requirements to develop and implement the project (as 
based on the requirements established in project cost estimates); (2) 
describe the risks associated with the financing of the project (such 
as uncertainty regarding the commitment of required funding and the 
potential for unanticipated cost overruns); (3) identify the sources of 
any funding required to support the operations of the project. See 
Appendix 3 for additional information and suggested content for a 
Financial Plan that satisfies the objectives above.
     System Safety Plan--A System Safety Plan (SSP) must be 
submitted that demonstrates that the Service Development Program's 
design, implementation, and operation will comply with all applicable 
FRA safety requirements and will be performed in a manner that places 
safety as the highest priority. In general, the length, detail, and 
complexity of the SSP will depend significantly on the size and 
complexity of the Service Development Program. For relatively simple 
Service Development Programs, the SSP may be limited, describing the 
program's compliance with specific safety regulations and providing 
reference to procedures that will be followed for ensuring safe 
implementation. As applicable, the preparation of the SSP should be 
closely coordinated with, and may draw content from, documentation 
prepared by the applicant to satisfy requirements of the FRA Office of 
Railroad Safety, especially the guidelines for an APTA/FRA System 
Safety Program Plan, the FRA guidelines for collision hazard analysis, 
and any subsequent FRA regulations currently being developed requiring 
System Safety Plans. Prior to FRA issuing an LOI or cooperative 
agreement for a Service Development Program, an applicant must complete 
a System Security Plan.
     Railroad and Project Sponsor Agreements--Although the 
implementation of a HSIPR Service Development Program will generally 
require the development of numerous agreements of varying complexity 
between the parties involved with and affected by the project, two 
categories of agreement represent key elements of project delivery: (1) 
Agreements between the project sponsor(s) and the railroad(s) that own 
the infrastructure and that operate the service, and (2) agreements 
between multiple project sponsors, for projects that cross 
jurisdictional boundaries and/or involve subrecipients.
    [cir] Railroad Agreements--Applications for Service Development 
Programs must include, at a minimum, agreements in principle with 
railroads that own any infrastructure to be improved as part of the 
Service Development Program and the operator of the HSIPR service(s) 
that will benefit from the project. Agreements in principle must 
demonstrate the railroads' commitment to taking all steps within their 
control to ensure the achievement of the public benefits (and 
particularly all operational benefits) of the Service Development 
Program that are described in the application, and their concurrence 
with the program of capital project identified as being required to 
achieve those benefits. Such agreements in principle should be 
structured so as to be able serve as the basis for future contractual 
agreements through which the railroads' cooperation in achieving the 
public benefits may be enforced by the project sponsor.
    [cir] Project Sponsor Agreements--For any project that has multiple 
potential grantees or project sponsors, application must include a 
Project Sponsor Agreement executed among all of the parties involved 
that establishes the relationships between these entities and that 
identifies a single legal Grantee who will be responsible to and serve 
as the primary point of contact for FRA.
4.2.7 Optional Supporting Documentation
     Preliminary Engineering (PE) and/or Final Design (FD) 
Documentation--While not required as part of the application package, 
applicants should provide any documents that demonstrate the PE status 
(or Final Design status, if completed) of the proposed projects within 
the program. PE refines project plans and conceptual designs in order 
to identify the specific design alternative that can assure delivery of 
project objectives. At a minimum, completed PE documentation must 
demonstrate fully (1) the construction and operational feasibility of 
the project, (2) a level of project design, cost estimates, and 
schedules sufficient to advance immediately into full implementation, 
e.g., through a ``design-build'' contract, and (3) identification of 
service operation outcomes sufficient to support agreements with 
stakeholders (e.g., railroads) needed to deliver those benefits. See 
Appendix 2.3 for additional information on Preliminary Engineering and 
Appendix 2.4 for information on Final Design.
     Other Relevant and Available Documentation--To support the 
Application Form, FRA welcomes the submission of other relevant and 
available supporting documentation that may have been developed by the 
applicant. The format and structure of any optional supporting 
documents is at the discretion of the applicant. Optional supporting 
documentation may be provided one of two ways: (1) As attachments to 
the application or (2) in hard copy to the address in Section 4.5 for 
materials that cannot otherwise be provided electronically. Applicants 
should provide notification of any documentation being submitted in 
hard copy in the appropriate section of the Application Form.

4.3 Submission Dates and Times

    Applications for these funds must be submitted through 
GrantSolutions by 5 p.m. EDT, August 6, 2010.

4.4 Intergovernmental Review

    This program has not been designated as subject to Executive Order 
12372 pursuant to 49 CFR part 17.

4.5 Other Submission Information

    As detailed in Section 4.1.1, all application materials, including 
supporting documentation, should be submitted through GrantSolutions. 
Should an applicant encounter technical difficulties using the 
GrantSolutions system, please contact the GrantSolutions Help Desk at 
1-866-577-0771 or via e-mail at help@grantsolutions.gov. If the 
applicant experiences technical issues that may cause the applicant to 
miss the application deadline, the applicant must contact FRA at 
HSIPR@dot.gov immediately to request consideration to

[[Page 38352]]

submit the application after the deadline. FRA staff may ask the 
applicant to e-mail the complete grant application, the DUNS number, 
and provide a GrantSolutions Customer Support tracking number(s). After 
FRA reviews all of the information submitted and contacts the 
GrantSolutions Customer Support to validate the technical issues 
reported, FRA will contact the applicant to either approve or deny the 
request to submit a late application. If the technical issues reported 
cannot be validated, the application may be rejected as untimely. For 
applications submitted by e-mail, the applicant should print, sign, 
scan into electronic format (preferably Adobe Portable Document Format 
(.pdf)), and attach to the submission e-mail copies of all application 
forms requiring the applicant's signature.
    For optional supporting documentation that an applicant is unable 
to submit electronically (such as oversized engineering drawings), an 
applicant may submit an original and two copies to the address below. 
However, due to delays caused by enhanced screening of mail delivered 
via the U.S. Postal Service, applicants are advised to use other means 
of conveyance (such as courier service) to assure timely receipt of 
materials.
    U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Railroad Administration, 
Attn: HSIPR Program Information (RPD-10) Room 38-302, Mail Stop 20, 
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.

Section 5: Application Review Information

5.1 Review and Selection Process

    Complete applications are due by 5 p.m. EDT, August 6, 2010. 
Applications will proceed through a three-step process:
    1. Screening for completeness and eligibility (requirements 
outlined above in Section 3);
    2. Review of each eligible application individually by a technical 
panel applying ``evaluation criteria''; and
    3. Final review of all eligible applications collectively and 
selection by the FRA Administrator applying ``selection criteria.''
    All applications will first be screened for completeness and 
applicant and project eligibility. Applications determined to be both 
complete and eligible will be referred to a technical panel consisting 
of subject-matter experts for an evaluation review. The panels will be 
comprised of professional staff employed by FRA and other DOT modal 
administrations, as appropriate.
    Applications will be individually reviewed and assessed against the 
evaluation criteria outlined in Section 5.2. For each of the criteria, 
the panel will assign a rating of zero to three points, based on the 
application's fulfillment of the objectives of each criterion. These 
individual criterion ratings will then be combined according to 
priority of criteria to arrive at an overall rating for the 
application.
    The evaluation criteria, ranked in order of priority, are:
    1. Public Benefits.
    2. Sustainability of Benefits.
    3. Project Delivery Approach.
    In addition to the ratings assigned by the technical evaluation 
panels, the FRA Administrator may take into account several cross-
cutting and comparative selection criteria to determine awards. The 
Administrator will review the preliminary results to ensure that the 
scoring has been applied consistently and that the collective results 
meet several key priorities essential to the success and sustainability 
of the program (see Section 5.3). The five selection criteria are:
    1. Fulfillment of DOT Strategic Goals.
    2. Region/Location.
    3. Innovation/Resource Development.
    4. Partnerships/Participation.
    5. Prior Federal Funding and State Investments.
    In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 24402(c), FRA may also consider 
``other relevant factors as determined by the Secretary'' of 
Transportation, in addition to the evaluation and selection criteria 
described below.

5.2 Evaluation Criteria

    Careful economic analysis that quantifies and demonstrates the 
monetary value of user benefits and, if available, public benefits, 
will be particularly relevant to FRA in evaluating applications. The 
systematic process of comparing expected benefits and costs helps 
decision-makers organize information about, and evaluate trade-offs 
between, alternative transportation investments. FRA will consider 
benefits and costs using standard data provided by applicants and will 
evaluate applications in a manner consistent with Executive Order 
12893, Principles for Federal Infrastructure Investments, 59 FR 4233 
(January 31, 1994).
5.2.1 Public Benefits
    Evaluation against this criterion will consider the qualitative 
factors outlined below, as supported by key quantitative metrics. 
Applicants must determine and identify service outcomes to quantify the 
anticipated benefits of the Service Development Program (or distinct 
phase or geographic segment) proposed in an application.
5.2.1.1 Transportation Benefits
    Each application will be assessed based on its demonstration of the 
potential of the proposed Service Development Program investments to 
achieve transportation benefits in a cost-effective manner. Factors to 
be considered in assigning a rating include the contribution the 
proposed Service Development Program would make to:
     Supporting the development of intercity high-speed rail 
service;
     Generating improvements to existing high-speed and 
intercity passenger rail service, as reflected by estimated increases 
in ridership (as measured in passenger-miles), increases in operational 
reliability (as measured in reductions in delays), reductions in trip 
times, additional service frequencies to meet anticipated or existing 
demand, and other related factors;
     Generating cross-modal benefits, including anticipated 
favorable impacts on air or highway traffic congestion, capacity, or 
safety, and cost avoidance or deferral of planned investments in 
aviation and highway systems;
     Cr