High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail (HSIPR) Program, 38365-38383 [2010-15993]

Agencies

• Federal Railroad Administration
• DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 126 (Thursday, July 1, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38365-38383]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-15993]


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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 Individual Projects; 
issuance of interim program guidance.

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SUMMARY: This notice details the application requirements and 
procedures for obtaining funding for individual high-speed and 
intercity passenger rail projects 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 Service Development 
Programs.
    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 Applicant Budgets
Appendix 4: 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 Individual Projects 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 Individual Projects (up to $245 million): Final 
Design/Construction or Preliminary Engineering/NEPA for Individual 
Projects with a 20 percent non-Federal match. This solicitation is for 
these funds.
     FY 2010 Service Development Programs (at least $2,125 
million): Service Development Programs 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 Forthcoming Interim Guidance

    FRA is preparing a draft guidance document as part of the process 
of

[[Page 38366]]

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 by Congress, up to $245 million is 
available for individual projects. These grants are authorized under 49 
U.S.C. 24406, 49 U.S.C. 24105, and 49 U.S.C. 26106.
    Individual grants made under this solicitation are intended to 
assist States and other eligible applicants with the capital costs of 
improving existing high-speed or intercity passenger rail service. (See 
Appendix 1 for the definition of ``high-speed and intercity passenger 
rail.'') This financial assistance opportunity is for projects that 
involve the following activities:
     Final design (FD)/Construction of projects that already 
have completed site-specific NEPA documentation (project final 
environmental impact statement (EIS), final environmental assessment 
(EA) or categorical exclusion (CE) documentation) and completed 
preliminary engineering (PE); or
     Completion of project NEPA and PE documentation. 
Completion of the grant activities should result in all of the 
documentation necessary for the project to move into the FD/
Construction stage.
    The intent of the Individual Project solicitations is to fund 
discrete Individual Projects that result in operational or other 
tangible improvements (such as station rehabilitation) benefiting one 
or more existing high-speed or intercity passenger rail services.
    FRA will make awards for these projects through cooperative 
agreements. Cooperative agreements allow for greater Federal 
involvement in carrying out the agreed upon investment. The substantial 
Federal involvement for these projects 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.
    While there are no predetermined minimum or maximum dollar 
thresholds for awards, FRA anticipates making multiple awards from the 
maximum $245 million available for Individual Projects. 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).

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 Individual Project, 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 its 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

[[Page 38367]]

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 Individual Projects

    Eligible Individual Project activities under this funding 
announcement include completion of PE/NEPA documentation, final design 
(FD), and construction activities. These activities are broken into two 
categories for the purpose of this solicitation and the application 
process: PE/NEPA completion and FD/Construction activities.
    This solicitation will fund activities to advance discrete capital 
projects that will result in service benefits or other tangible 
improvements on a corridor. 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 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.
3.4.1 Eligible FD/Construction Activities
    FRA intends for grants awarded for FD/Construction activities to 
fund the design, construction, and full implementation of projects that 
have completed PE/NEPA requirements, as outlined in Section 4.2.5 
below.
    FRA may consider funding only final design for projects that 
represent a critical strategic investment for HSIPR service, are 
sufficiently complex and broad in scope, and for which final design 
would constitute a substantial step in implementing the project. See 
Section 4.2.5 and Appendix 2 for more information on requirements for 
demonstrating completion of PE/NEPA and the requirements for Final 
Design.
3.4.2 Eligible PE/NEPA Activities
    FRA intends for PE/NEPA grants to fund activities that lead 
directly to completion of preliminary engineering (PE) and/or project 
NEPA and related environmental documentation. See Appendix 2.2 for more 
information on NEPA documentation and Appendix 2.3 for more information 
on PE materials.
    Activities proposed in an application must include all remaining 
work needed to fully complete both PE and NEPA documentation to be 
eligible for consideration under this solicitation. The PE/NEPA 
documents resulting from the grant activities must be sufficiently 
developed to support immediate commencement of final design or 
construction activities; however, these final design and construction 
activities would not be funded as part of the grant award.
3.4.3 Standard and Major Capital Projects
    FRA will be distinguishing between ``Standard'' and ``Major'' 
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.
    All Individual Projects will be assumed to be Standard Capital 
Projects. However, the Administrator may designate an Individual 
Project as a Major Capital Project if it is determined that the project 
carries more delivery risk and therefore would benefit from a more 
rigorous approach toward project management. Individual Major Capital 
Projects will typically be those that:

[[Page 38368]]

     Involve a recipient whose past experience in managing and 
overseeing similar HSIPR projects is limited;
     Involve the use of new or unproven technology;
     Involve particularly complex institutional relationships 
among project stakeholders (e.g., multiple rail freight operators, 
intercity and commuter rail passenger operators, infrastructure-owning 
railroads, and government agencies); and/or
     Are expected to have a total project cost in excess of 
$100 million.

3.5 Additional Eligibility Requirements

3.5.1 Project Planning
    Individual Projects must be identified through a rational planning 
process that analyzes the investment needs and service objectives of 
the service that the Individual Project is intended to benefit. This 
document may be a Service Development Plan, State Rail Plan, or similar 
planning document.
    At a minimum, the project planning process must demonstrate that 
the project has been identified as the best solution for solving a 
specific existing transportation problem, and make the case for 
investing in the proposed solution. In doing so, project planning must 
encompass activities such as identifying the purpose and need for the 
project and analyzing the costs, benefits, and impacts of a range of 
alternatives for implementing the project and alternatives to the 
project. More information on the objectives and preparation of project 
planning is included in Appendix 2.1.
3.5.2 Operational Independence
    All projects that are proposed to be advanced using HSIPR program 
funding must have operational independence. A project is considered to 
have operational independence if, upon being implemented, it will 
provide tangible and measurable benefits, even if no additional 
investments in the same service are made. Examples of these benefits 
include operational reliability improvements, travel-time reductions, 
and additional service frequencies resulting in increased ridership. 
When applying for funding for PE/NEPA activities, an applicant must 
demonstrate that the project will have operational independence were it 
to advance to construction and full implementation.
    Applications for projects the benefits of which are fully 
contingent upon FRA's selection of another application, or which fail 
to provide information on the stand-alone benefits of the project, 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 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 investment 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

[[Page 38369]]

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 email 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.
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 vary by type of 
grant activity, as summarized in the checklist below.

                                              Application Checklist
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                            Grant activity
                                                                                     ---------------------------
                    Documents                                   Format                     FD/
                                                                                      Construction    PE/ NEPA
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              1. Application Forms
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[ballot] HSIPR Individual Project Application     Form..............................      [check]   ............
 Form--FD/Construction.
[ballot] HSIPR Individual Project Application     Form..............................  ............      [check]
 Form--PE/NEPA.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           2. Budget and Schedule Form
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[ballot] HSIPR Individual Project Budget and      Form..............................      [check]   ............
 Schedule Form.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              3. OMB Standard Forms
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[ballot] SF 424: Application for Federal          Form..............................      [check]       [check]
 Assistance.
[ballot] SF 424A: Budget Information-Non          Form..............................            *       [check]
 Construction.
[ballot] SF 424B: Assurances-Non Construction...  Form..............................            *       [check]
[ballot] SF 424C: Budget Information-             Form..............................   [check] **   ............
 Construction.
[ballot] SF 424D: Assurances-Construction.......  Form..............................   [check] **   ............
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           4. FRA Assurances Document
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[ballot] FRA Assurances Document................  Form..............................      [check]       [check]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 5. Project Development Supporting Documentation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[ballot] Project Planning Documentation.........  No Specified Format...............      [check]       [check]
[ballot] Preliminary Engineering (PE)             No Specified Format...............      [check]   ............
 Documentation.
[ballot] NEPA Documentation.....................  No Specified Format...............      [check]   ............
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 38370]]

 
                                  6. Project Delivery Supporting Documentation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[ballot] Project Management Documentation.......  No Specified Format...............      [check]       [check]
[ballot] Financial Planning Documentation.......  No Specified Format...............      [check]       [check]
[ballot] System Safety Plan.....................  No Specified Format...............      [check]   ............
[ballot] Railroad and Project Sponsor Agreements  No Specified Format...............      [check]       [check]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      7. Optional Supporting Documentation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[ballot] Other Relevant and Available             n/a...............................     Optional      Optional
 Documentation.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* These documents are required for FD/Construction projects that include investments that are not construction
  activities.
** These documents are not required for FD/Construction applications that only include investments that are not
  construction activities.

    Applicants must complete and submit all components of the 
application package as required by grant activity; 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 application package for HSIPR Individual Projects contains 
seven components:
    1. HSIPR Individual Project Application Form (varies by project 
type) (see Section 4.2.1)
    2. HSIPR Individual Project Budget and Schedule Form (see Section 
4.2.2)
    3. OMB Standard Forms (vary by project type) (see Section 4.2.3)
    4. FRA Assurances Document (see Section 4.2.4)
    5. Project Development Supporting Documentation (see Section 4.2.5)
    6. Project 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.
4.2.1 HSIPR Individual Project Application Forms
    Applicants applying for funding for PE/NEPA completion must 
complete the HSIPR Individual Project--PE/NEPA Application Form; 
applicants applying for funding for FD/Construction activities should 
complete the HSIPR Individual Project--FD/Construction Application 
Form.
    The Application Forms include fields that have been developed by 
FRA to capture pertinent qualitative and quantitative project-specific 
information that is needed for FRA to confirm applicant and project 
eligibility, as well as information needed for evaluation and selection 
of applications. Both Application Forms request three types of 
information:
    1. General applicant and project information;
    2. Narratives that allow the applicant to make arguments for the 
benefits of the proposed project or underlying project and other 
factors that are used to evaluate the merits of the application (see 
Section 5.2 for evaluation criteria); and
    3. A Statement of Work (SOW)--scope, schedule, and budget--that 
provides a description of the work that will be completed under the 
cooperative agreement, including the objectives, deliverables, 
milestones, project management information, and a budget broken down by 
deliverables and milestones that includes the assumptions used to 
develop the estimates. See Appendix 3 of this solicitation for more 
information on preparing project budgets.
4.2.2 HSIPR Individual Project Budget and Schedule Form
    The HSIPR Individual Project Budget and Schedule Form is a 
Microsoft Excel document that supports the qualitative and quantitative 
claims made in the applicant's HSIPR Individual Project Application 
Form. In addition to capturing detailed project 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. While all 
applicants must submit Standard Forms with their application materials, 
the specific forms required vary by grant activity.
    Applicants applying for funding for FD/Construction activities 
(except for projects that do not include construction activities) 
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.
    Applicants applying for funding for PE/NEPA completion or for FD/
Construction activities that do not include construction activities 
should submit the following forms electronically through 
GrantSolutions:
     Standard Form 424: Application for Federal Assistance;
     Standard Form 424A: Budget Information--Non-Construction 
Programs; and
     Standard Form 424B: Assurances--Non-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 Project Development Supporting Documentation
    The project development documentation below focuses on the physical 
attributes of a project and its

[[Page 38371]]

anticipated outcomes and varies by the type of activity for which 
funding is being sought. These materials must demonstrate that the 
project has completed the specified prerequisites for the project's 
prior phases of development, and is ready to progress to the next phase 
of development.
     Project Planning Documentation--
     [cir] All projects: Applicants should provide documents that 
identifies the proposed project as an outcome of a rational planning 
process, demonstrates that the project has been identified as the best 
solution for solving a specific existing transportation problem, and 
makes the case for investing in the proposed solution. This document 
may be a Service Development Plan, State Rail Plan, or other project 
planning document. At a minimum, the project planning process must 
demonstrate that the project has been identified as the best solution 
for solving a specific existing transportation problem and make the 
case for investing in the proposed solution. In doing so, project 
planning must encompass activities such as identifying the purpose and 
need for the project and analyzing the costs, benefits, and impacts of 
a range of alternatives for implementing the project and alternatives 
to the project. 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 project planning 
documentation that satisfies the objectives above.
     Preliminary Engineering (PE) Documentation--
     [cir] FD/Construction projects: Applicants should provide 
documents that demonstrate completion of PE (or Final Design, if 
completed) for the proposed project. 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, 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, as 
applicable, (3) identification of service operation outcomes sufficient 
to support agreements with other parties (e.g., railroads) needed to 
deliver those benefits.
     [cir] PE/NEPA projects: Applicants should provide any documents 
that demonstrate the PE status, if begun, of the proposed project.
    See Appendix 2.3 for additional information on Preliminary 
Engineering.
     National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Documentation--
     [cir] FD/Construction projects: Applicants must provide documents 
(e.g., a Categorical Exclusion (CE) worksheet, a completed 
Environmental Assessment (EA), or a completed Final Environmental 
Impact Statement (FEIS)) that demonstrate completion of the NEPA 
process for the proposed project (either submitted with the application 
package or referenced through an accurate URL). Any NEPA documentation 
submitted must be approved by the responsible state agency as 
sufficient and complete. While a project NEPA determination (a Record 
of Decision, Finding of No Significant Impact, or CE determination) is 
not required at the time of application submission, this determination 
must be issued by FRA prior to award of a construction grant and 
commencement of any construction activities related to the project. FRA 
will not consider for an award any project that is not supported by an 
adequate and appropriate NEPA document.
     [cir] PE/NEPA projects: Applicants should provide any documents 
that demonstrate the status of NEPA documentation, if begun, of the 
proposed project.
    NEPA requirements are detailed in Appendix 2.2 of this 
solicitation.
4.2.6 Project Delivery Supporting Documentation
    Project 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 Documentation--Project management 
documentation serves as a summary of the applicant's approach toward 
the planning, monitoring, and implementation of a project. While this 
documentation may reference outputs of the project development process 
(such as scope and design specifications, cost estimates, and project 
schedules), this documentation should stand on its own as the primary 
source of information related to an applicant's plan for project 
implementation. At a minimum, an application must demonstrate that the 
applicant's management procedures and organization give it the legal, 
financial, and technical capability and capacity to carry out 
successfully the activities for which funding is being sought (e.g., 
PE/NEPA or FD/Construction activities), as well as identification of 
accountable individuals or key positions.
     Financial Planning Documentation--Financial planning 
documentation addresses the applicant's approach toward managing the 
financial resources necessary to deliver the project. At a minimum, the 
financial planning documentation for Individual Projects must include 
the following:
     [cir] Documentation of the applicant's legal and other necessary 
authority to accept and spend Federal and non-Federal funds for the 
project;
     [cir] Information describing the recent and forecasted financial 
condition and health of the applicant and other key partners that are 
anticipated to provide funding for the project;
     [cir] Documentation demonstrating that any non-HSIPR program 
funding necessary to complete an application's proposed activities has 
been, or is reasonably expected to be, committed;
     [cir] Description of the risks associated with project financing 
(e.g., any uncertainty regarding funding commitments and the potential 
for unanticipated cost overruns) and of the approach to managing those 
risks;
     [cir] A cash flow forecast showing the individual sources and uses 
of all project funding (preferably by quarter); and
     [cir] Documentation demonstrating that the HSIPR service that is 
intended to benefit from the project will remain operationally and 
financially viable throughout the anticipated life of the project 
improvements (e.g., State operating support to make up any deficits).
    Financial planning documentation accompanying a PE/NEPA application 
must only address the PE/NEPA phase of the project's development, not 
the future final design and construction activities of the underlying 
project.
     System Safety Plan--A System Safety Plan (SSP) must be 
submitted that demonstrates that the project'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 project. 
For relatively simple Individual Construction Projects, the SSP may be 
very limited, describing the project

[[Page 38372]]

design's compliance with specific safety regulations, and providing 
reference to procedures that will be followed for ensuring the 
project's 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 a cooperative 
agreement for an Individual Project, an applicant must complete a 
System Security Plan. Neither a System Safety Plan nor System Security 
Plan is required for a PE/NEPA application.
     Railroad and Project Sponsor Agreements--Although the 
implementation of a HSIPR Individual Project 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. Agreements with these key 
project stakeholders should be appropriate for the phase of development 
the project has reached:
     [cir] FD/Construction applications: Applications for FD/
Construction activities must include, at a minimum, agreements in 
principle with railroads that own any infrastructure to be improved as 
part of the project 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 Individual Project that are described in 
the application. 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] PE/NEPA applications: Prior to commencement of PE/NEPA 
activities, project sponsors must reach agreements in principle with 
all involved railroads (whether operators or infrastructure owners) 
that address the following three topics in detail (as applicable):
    1. Concurrence with the suitability of the identified project 
alternative to fulfill the purpose and need of the project;
    2. Participation in the refinement of project designs, cost 
estimates, and schedules; and
    3. Site access to support the completion of project NEPA.
     [cir] For any project (FD/Construction or PE/NEPA) that has 
multiple potential grantees or project sponsors, the 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
     Other Relevant and Available Documentation--To support the 
application package, 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 notifications of any documentation being submitted in 
hard copy in the appropriate section of the Application Form.

4.3 Submission Date and Time

    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 email 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 submit the 
application after the deadline. FRA staff may ask the applicant to 
email 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 email, the applicant should print, sign, scan into electronic format 
(preferably Adobe Portable Document Format (.pdf)), and attach to the 
submission email 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

[[Page 38373]]

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/Project Delivery Approach
    2. Sustainability of Benefits
    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
    For applications for funding for FD/Construction activities, the 
evaluation and selection criteria will be applied to the proposed 
projects. For applications for funding for PE/NEPA completion, the 
evaluation and selection criteria will be applied to the underlying 
projects that will be the subject of PE/NEPA development, except where 
explicitly indicated.
    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 project (or underlying project for PE/NEPA) 
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 project or underlying project to achieve 
transportation benefits in a cost-effective manner. Factors to be 
considered in assigning a rating include the contribution the proposed 
project 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;
     Creating an integrated high-speed and intercity passenger 
rail network, including integration with existing intercity passenger 
rail services, allowance for and support of future network expansion, 
and promotion of technical interoperability and standardization 
(including standardizing operations, equipment, and signaling);
     Encouragement of intermodal connectivity and integration 
through provision of direct, efficient transfers among intercity 
transportation and local transit networks at train stations, including 
connections at airports, bus terminals, subway stations, ferry ports, 
and other modes of transportation;
     Enhancing intercity travel options;
     Ensuring a state of good repair of key intercity passenger 
rail assets;
     Promoting standardized rolling stock, signaling, 
communications, and power equipment;
     Improved freight or commuter rail operations, in relation 
to proportional cost-sharing (including donated property) by those 
other benefiting rail users;
     Equitable financial participation in the project's 
financing, including, but not limited to, consideration of donated 
property interests or services; financial contributions by freight and 
commuter rail carriers commensurate with the benefit expected to their 
operations; and financial commitments from host railroads, non-Federal 
governmental entities, nongovernmental entities, and others;
     Encouragement of the implementation of positive train 
control (PTC) technologies (with the understanding that 49 U.S.C. 20147 
requires all Class I railroads and entities that provide regularly 
scheduled intercity or commuter rail passenger services to fully 
institute interoperable PTC systems by December 31, 2015); and
     Incorporating private investment in the financing of 
capital projects or service operations.
5.2.1.2 Other Public Benefits
    Each application will be assessed based on its demonstration of the 
potential of the proposed project or underlying project to achieve 
other public benefits in a cost-effective manner. Factors to be 
considered in assigning a rating will include the contribution the 
proposed project (or underlying project for PE/NEPA) would make to:
     Environmental quality and energy efficiency and reduction 
in dependence on foreign oil, including use of renewable energy 
sources, energy savings from traffic diversions from other modes, 
employment of green building and manufacturing methods, reductions in 
key emissions types, and the purchase and use of environmentally 
sensitive, fuel-efficient, and cost-effective passenger rail equipment;
     Promoting interconnected livable communities, including 
complementing local or state efforts to concentrate higher-density, 
mixed-use, development in areas proximate to multi-modal transportation 
options (including intercity passenger rail stations);
     Improving historic transportation facilities; and
     Creating jobs and stimulating the economy. Although this 
solicitation is not funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment 
Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5), these goals remain a top priority of 
this Administration. Therefore, Individual Project

[[Page 38374]]

applications will be evaluated on the extent to which the project is 
expected to quickly create and preserve jobs and stimulate rapid 
increases in economic activity, particularly jobs and activity that 
benefit economically distressed areas, as defined by section 301 of the 
Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965, as amended (42 
U.S.C. 3161) (``Economically Distressed Areas'').
5.2.2 Project Delivery Approach
    Each application will be assessed to determine the risk associated 
with the project's delivery within budget, on time, and as designed. 
Evaluation against this criterion will consider the factors outlined 
below, which take into account the thoroughness and quality of the 
supporting documentation submitted with the application. For 
applications to complete PE/NEPA documentation, the following factors 
will be applied to the proposed PE/NEPA development activities rather 
than to the underlying project. Factors to be considered in assigning a 
rating will include:
     The applicant's financial, legal, and technical capacity 
to implement the project, including whether the application depends 
upon receipt of any waiver(s) of Federal railroad safety regulations 
that have not been obtained;
     The applicant's experience in administering similar grants 
and projects, including a demonstrated ability to deliver on prior FRA 
financial assistance programs;
     The soundness and thoroughness of the cost methodologies, 
assumptions, and estimates for the proposed project;
     The reasonableness of the schedule for project 
implementation;
     The thoroughness and quality of project management 
documentation;
     The timing and amount of the project's future noncommitted 
investments;
     The overall completeness and quality of the application, 
including the comprehensiveness of its supporting documentation;
     The readiness of the pr