Notice of Fiscal Year 2011 Safety Grants and Solicitation for Applications, 40023-40026 [2010-17067]
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Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 133 / Tuesday, July 13, 2010 / Notices
contractors cannot ‘‘provide testimony
or produce any material contained in
the files of the Department, or disclose
any information or produce any material
acquired as part of the performance of
that employee’s official duties or
because of that employee’s official duty
status’’ unless authorized by agency
counsel after determining that, in legal
proceedings between private litigants,
such testimony would be in the best
interests of the Department or that of the
United States Government if disclosed.
Finally, the name of those interviewed
will not be requested.
Form Number(s): FRA F 6180.126A;
FRA F 6180.126B.
Affected Public: Railroad Employees
and Key Non-railroad Stakeholders.
Respondent Universe: 300 Select
Railroad Employees/Non-railroad
Stakeholders.
Frequency of Submission: On
occasion.
Collection instrument
Respondent
universe
Total annual
responses
Average time
per response
Form FRA F 6180.126A .................................................................................
Form FRA F 6180.126B .................................................................................
300 Individuals
300 Individuals
133.5 forms ....
133.5 forms ....
60 minutes .....
60 minutes .....
Total Responses: 267.
Estimated Annual Burden: 267 hours.
Status: Re-Approval under Regular
Clearance Procedures.
Pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 3507(a) and 5
CFR 1320.5(b), 1320.8(b)(3)(vi), FRA
informs all interested parties that it may
not conduct or sponsor, and a
respondent is not required to respond
to, a collection of information unless it
displays a currently valid OMB control
number.
Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3501–3520.
Issued in Washington, DC, on July 7, 2010.
Kimberly Coronel,
Director, Office of Financial Management,
Federal Railroad Administration.
[FR Doc. 2010–17017 Filed 7–12–10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–06–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration
[FMCSA Docket No. FMCSA–2010–0212]
Notice of Fiscal Year 2011 Safety
Grants and Solicitation for
Applications
jlentini on DSKJ8SOYB1PROD with NOTICES
AGENCY: Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration (FMCSA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice; request for comments.
SUMMARY: This notice is to inform the
public of the Federal Motor Carrier
Safety Administration’s (FMCSA)
anticipated Fiscal Year (FY) 2011 safety
grant opportunities. At present, FMCSA
is operating under an extension of the
Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient
Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy of
Users (Pub. L. 109–59) which will
expire December 31, 2010, unless
extended further by Congress. While the
Agency expects new authorization to
make changes to its grant programs, the
Agency is preparing for FY 2011 using
the assumption that the following grant
programs will continue in the new
authorization.
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The FMCSA invites comments on the
proposed application deadlines for its
FY 2011 safety grants programs. The 11
safety programs include the Motor
Carrier Safety Assistance Program
(MCSAP) Basic grants; MCSAP
Incentive grants; MCSAP New Entrant
Safety Audit grants; MCSAP High
Priority grants; Commercial Motor
Vehicle (CMV) Operator Safety Training
grants; Border Enforcement grants
(BEG); Commercial Driver’s License
Program Improvement (CDLPI) grants;
Commercial Driver’s License
Information System (CDLIS)
Modernization grants; Performance and
Registration Information Systems
Management (PRISM) grants; Safety
Data Improvement Program grants
(SaDIP); and the Commercial Vehicle
Information Systems and Networks
(CVISN) grants. The purpose of this
notice is to provide grantees with
information well in advance of the
Agency’s proposed FY 2011 safety grant
application deadlines and to request
comments on the deadlines and other
changes in the Agency’s safety grant
programs.
DATES: Comments must be received on
or before September 13, 2010.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
identified by Docket Number FMCSA–
2010–0212, using any of the following
methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://
www.regulations.gov. Follow the online
instructions for submitting comments.
Mail: Docket Management Facility,
U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200
New Jersey Avenue, SE., West Building,
Ground Floor, Room W12–140,
Washington, DC 20590–0001.
Hand Delivery or Courier: West
Building, Ground Floor, Room W12–
140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE.,
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. E.T., Monday
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
Fax: 202–493–2251.
Instructions: All submissions must
include the Agency name and docket
number. Note that all comments
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40023
Total annual
burden hours
133.5 hours.
133.5 hours.
received will be posted without change
to https://www.regulations.gov, including
any personal information provided.
Please see the Privacy Act heading for
further information.
Docket: For access to the docket to
read background documents or
comments received, go to https://
www.regulations.gov and follow the
online instructions for accessing the
docket or physically go to the street
address listed above.
Privacy Act: Anyone is able to search
the electronic form of all comments
received into any of our dockets by the
name of the individual submitting the
comment (or signing the comment, if
submitted on behalf of an association,
business, labor union, etc.). You may
review DOT’s Privacy Act Statement for
the Federal Docket Management System
published in the Federal Register on
January 17, 2008 (73 FR 3316), or you
may visit https://edocket.access.gpo.gov/
2008/pdf/E8-785.pdf.
Public Participation: The Federal
eRulemaking Portal is available 24
hours each day, 365 days each year. You
can get electronic submission and
retrieval help and guidelines under the
‘‘help’’ section of the Federal
eRulemaking Portal Web site. If you
want us to notify you that we received
your comments, please include a selfaddressed, stamped envelope or
postcard, or print the acknowledgement
page that appears after submitting
comments online.
Comments received after the comment
closing date will be included in the
docket, and we will consider late
comments to the extent practicable.
FMCSA may, however, issue a final
determination at any time after the close
of the comment period.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Please contact the following FMCSA
staff with questions or needed
information on the Agency’s grant
programs:
New Entrant Safety Audits Grants—
Arthur Williams,
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Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 133 / Tuesday, July 13, 2010 / Notices
arthur.williams@dot.gov, 202–366–
3695
Border Enforcement Grants—Carla
Vagnini, carla.vagnini@dot.gov, 202–
366–3771
MCSAP Basic/Incentive Grants—
Deborah Snider,
deborah.snider@dot.gov, 202–366–
2941
MCSAP High Priority Grants—Cim
Weiss, cim.weiss@dot.gov, 202–366–
0275
CMV Operator Safety Training Grants—
Julie Otto, julie.otto@dot.gov, 202–
366–0710
CDLPI Grants—Brandon Poarch,
brandon.poarch@dot.gov, 202–366–
3030
SaDIP Grants—Cim Weiss,
cim.weiss@dot.gov, 202–366–0275
PRISM Grants—Tom Lawler,
tom.lawler@dot.gov, 202–366–3866
CVISN Grants—Julie Otto,
julie.otto@dot.gov, 202–366–0710.
All staff may be reached at FMCSA,
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE.,
Washington, DC 20590. Office hours are
from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., EST, Monday
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
FMCSA recognizes that State and local
governments and other grantees are
dependent on its safety grants to
develop and maintain important
commercial motor vehicle (CMV) safety
programs. The FMCSA further
acknowledges that delays in awarding
grant funds may have an adverse impact
on these important safety programs. As
a result, FMCSA completed a grants
process review to identify ways to
streamline the application, award, and
grants management processes, and to
award grant funds earlier each fiscal
year. In addition, FMCSA made changes
in the grants application, award and
oversight processes to standardize
application forms, increase the use of
electronic documents, standardize
quarterly reports and reduce the number
of needed grant amendments.
The FMCSA continues to enter into
grant agreements beginning October 1 or
as soon thereafter as administratively
practicable. FMCSA intends to enter
into grant agreements no later than 90
days from the date the application is
due.
The FMCSA is using a standard grant
application form and a new quarterly
reporting process. The FMCSA requires
the Standard Form 424 (‘‘Application for
Federal Assistance’’) and its attachments
for all grant program applications.
While each grant program may request
different data in some of the data fields
on the form, the use of the Standard
Form 424 is mandatory. FMCSA
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adopted the Standard Form—Project
Progress Report (SF–PPR) as its required
form for quarterly reporting. Again, each
grant program may, in certain instances,
request different data be submitted in
some of the fields or boxes on the form
but SF–PRR is mandatory for quarterly
reporting.
The number of original copies of grant
agreements required to be submitted to
FMCSA was reduced from three copies
to two. In addition, FMCSA will provide
most grant agreement documents
electronically to its financial processing
office. Grantees will, however, be
required to submit the completed
Automated Clearing House (ACH)
Vendor Payment Form (SF–3881)
directly to FMCSA’s financial
processing office by U.S. Postal Service,
courier service or secure fax. We request
information on any impacts of these
proposed changes.
The FMCSA continues to request
comments and suggestions from
grantees concerning improvement of the
application, award and grants
management processes. Additional
information is provided below for each
individual grant program.
MCSAP Basic and Incentive Grants
Sections 4101 and 4107 of SAFETEA–
LU authorize FMCSA’s Motor Carrier
Safety Grants. MCSAP Basic and
Incentive formula grants are governed
by 49 U.S.C. 31102–31104 and 49 CFR
Part 350. Under the Basic and Incentive
grants programs, a State lead MCSAP
agency, as designated by its Governor, is
eligible to apply for Basic and Incentive
grant funding by submitting a
commercial vehicle safety plan (CVSP).
See 49 CFR 350.201 and 350.205. The
following jurisdictions are not eligible
for Incentive funds: The Virgin Islands,
American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico,
and the Commonwealth of the Northern
Mariana Islands. Pursuant to 49 U.S.C.
31103 and 49 CFR 350.303, FMCSA will
reimburse each lead State MCSAP
agency 80 percent of eligible costs
incurred in a fiscal year. Each State will
provide a 20 percent match to qualify
for the program. The FMCSA
Administrator waives the requirement
for matching funds for the Virgin
Islands, American Samoa, Guam, and
the Commonwealth of the Northern
Mariana Islands. See 49 CFR 350.305. In
accordance with 49 CFR 350.323, the
Basic grant funds will be distributed
proportionally to each State’s lead
MCSAP agency using the following four,
equally weighted (25 percent) factors:
(1) 1997 road miles (all highways) as
defined by the FMCSA;
(2) All vehicle miles traveled (VMT)
as defined by the FMCSA;
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(3) Population—annual census
estimates as issued by the U.S. Census
Bureau; and
(4) Special fuel consumption (net after
reciprocity adjustment) as defined by
the FMCSA.
A State’s lead MCSAP agency may
qualify for Incentive Funds if it can
demonstrate that the State’s CMV safety
program has shown improvement in any
or all of the following five categories:
(1) Reduction in the number of large
truck-involved fatal accidents;
(2) Reduction in the rate of largetruck-involved fatal accidents or
maintenance of a large-truck-involved
fatal accident rate that is among the
lowest 10 percent of such rates for
MCSAP recipients and is not higher
than the rate most recently achieved;
(3) Upload of CMV accident reports in
accordance with current FMCSA policy
guidelines;
(4) Verification of Commercial
Driver’s Licenses during all roadside
inspections; and
(5) Upload of CMV inspection data in
accordance with current FMCSA policy
guidelines.
Incentive funds will be distributed in
accordance with 49 CFR 350.327(b).
Prior to the start of each fiscal year,
FMCSA calculates the amount of Basic
and Incentive funding each State is
expected to receive. This information is
provided to the States and is made
available on the Agency’s Web site. The
FY 2011 information is available at
www.fmcsa.dot.gov.
It should be noted that MCSAP Basic
and Incentive formula grants are
awarded based on the State’s
submission of the CVSP. The evaluation
factors described in the section below
titled ‘‘Application Information for FY
2011 Grants’’ will not be considered.
MCSAP Basic and Incentive grant
applications must be submitted
electronically through grants.gov
(https://www.grants.gov).
New Entrant Safety Audit Grants
Sections 4101 and 4107 of SAFETEA–
LU also authorize the Motor Carrier
Safety Grants to enable grant recipients
to conduct interstate New Entrant safety
audits consistent with 49 CFR Parts
350.321 and 385.301. Eligible recipients
are State agencies, local governments,
and organizations representing
government agencies that use and train
qualified officers and employees in
coordination with State motor vehicle
safety agencies. The FMCSA’s share of
these grant funds will be 100 percent.
New Entrant grant applications must be
submitted electronically through
grants.gov (https://www.grants.gov).
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MCSAP High Priority Grants
Section 4107 of SAFETEA–LU also
authorizes the Motor Carrier Safety
Grants to enable recipients to carry out
activities and projects that improve
CMV safety and compliance with CMV
regulations. Funding is available for
projects that are national in scope,
increase public awareness and
education, demonstrate new
technologies and reduce the number
and rate of CMV accidents. Eligible
recipients are State agencies, local
governments, and organizations
representing government agencies that
use and train qualified officers and
employees in coordination with State
motor vehicle safety agencies.
For grants awarded for public
education activities, the Federal share
will be 100 percent. For all High Priority
grants other than those awarded in
support of public education activities,
FMCSA will provide reimbursements
for no more than 80 percent of all
eligible costs, and recipients will be
required to provide a 20 percent match.
FMCSA may reserve High Priority
funding exclusively for innovative
traffic enforcement projects, with
particular emphasis on work zone
enforcement and rural road safety. Also,
FMCSA may reserve funding for an
innovative traffic enforcement initiative
known as ‘‘Ticketing Aggressive Cars
and Trucks’’ or TACT. TACT provides a
research-based safety model that can be
replicated by States when conducting a
high-visibility traffic enforcement
program to promote safe driving
behaviors among car and truck drivers.
The objective of this program is to
reduce the number of commercial truck
and bus related crashes, fatalities and
injuries resulting from improper
operation of motor vehicles and
aggressive driving behavior. More
information regarding TACT can be
found at https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/
safety-security/tact/abouttact.htm.
High Priority grant applications must
be submitted electronically through
grants.gov.
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CMV Operator Safety Training Grants
Section 4134 of SAFETEA–LU
established a grant program which
enables recipients to train current and
future drivers in the safe operation of
CMVs, as defined in 49 U.S.C. 31301(4).
Eligible awardees include State
governments, local governments and
accredited post-secondary educational
institutions (public or private) such as
colleges, universities, vocationaltechnical schools and truck driver
training schools. Funding priority for
this discretionary grant program will be
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given to regional or multi-state
educational or nonprofit associations
serving economically distressed regions
of the United States. The Federal share
of these funds will be 80 percent, and
recipients will be required to provide a
20 percent match. CMV Operator Safety
Training grant applications must be
submitted electronically through
grants.gov.
Border Enforcement Grants (BEG)
Section 4110 of SAFETEA–LU
established the BEG program. The
purpose of this discretionary program is
to provide funding for border CMV
safety programs and related enforcement
activities and projects. An entity or a
State that shares a land border with
another country is eligible to receive
this grant funding. Eligible awardees
include State governments, local
governments, and entities (i.e.,
accredited post-secondary public or
private educational institutions such as
universities). Requests from entities
must be coordinated with the State lead
CMV inspection agency. Applications
must include a Border Enforcement Plan
and meet the required maintenance of
expenditure requirement. BEG funding
decisions take into consideration the
State or entity’s performance on
previous BEG awards; its ability to
expend the awarded funds with the BEG
performance year; and activities meeting
the BEG national criteria established by
FMCSA. As established by SAFETEA–
LU, the Federal share of these funds will
be 100 percent. As a result, there is no
matching requirement. BEG grant
applications must be submitted
electronically through grants.gov.
announcement on grants.gov will
provide more detailed information on
the application process; national
funding priorities for FY 2011;
evaluation criteria; required documents
and certifications; State maintenance of
expenditure requirements; and
additional information related to the
availability of funds. CLDPI grant
applications must be submitted
electronically through grants.gov.
SaDIP Grants
Section 4128 of SAFETEA–LU
established a Safety Data Improvement
Program (SaDIP) grant program to
improve the quality of crash and
inspection truck and bus data reported
by the States to FMCSA, as described 49
U.S.C. 31102. Eligible recipients are
State agencies, local governments, and
organizations representing government
agencies that are involved with highway
traffic safety activities and must
demonstrate a capacity to work with
highway traffic safety stakeholders. The
State’s SaDIP proposal must focus on a
project that enhances the accuracy,
timeliness, and completeness of the
collection and reporting of Commercial
Motor Vehicle crash information in all
components of the State’s record
system. An applicant’s proposed SaDIP
project must address the seven (7)
application requirements plus the
overriding indicator established for the
State Safety Data Quality (SSDQ)
program. The FMCSA will provide
reimbursements for no more that 80
percent of all eligible costs and
recipients are required to provide a 20
percent match.
CDLPI Grants
Section 4124 of SAFETEA–LU
established a discretionary grant
program that provides funding for
improving States’ implementation of the
Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)
program, including expenses for
computer hardware and software,
publications, testing, personnel, and
training. Funds may not be used to rent,
lease, or buy land or buildings. The
agency designated by each State as the
primary driver licensing agency
responsible for the development,
implementation, and maintenance of the
CDL program is eligible to apply for
grant funding. State grant proposals
must include the State’s assessment of
its CDL program and a detailed budget
explaining how the funds will be used.
The Federal share of funds for projects
awarded under this grant is established
by SAFETEA–LU as 100 percent;
therefore, there is no State matching
requirement. The funding opportunity
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PRISM Grants
Section 4109 of SAFETEA–LU
authorizes FMCSA to award financial
assistance funds to States to implement
the Performance and Registration
Information Systems Management
(PRISM) requirements that link Federal
motor carrier safety information systems
with State CMV registration and
licensing systems. This program enables
a State to determine the safety fitness of
a motor carrier or registrant when
licensing or registering or while the
license or registration is in effect.
PRISM grant applications must be
submitted electronically through
grants.gov. No matching funds are
required.
CVISN Grants
Section 4126 of SAFETEA–LU
authorizes FMCSA to award financial
assistance to States to deploy, operate,
and maintain elements of their
Commercial Vehicle Information
Systems and Networks (CVISN)
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Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 133 / Tuesday, July 13, 2010 / Notices
Program, including commercial vehicle,
commercial driver, and carrier-specific
information systems and networks. The
agency in each State designated as the
primary agency responsible for the
development, implementation, and
maintenance of a CVISN-related system
is eligible to apply for grant funding.
Section 4126 of SAFETEA–LU
distinguishes between two types of
CVISN projects: Core and Expanded. To
be eligible for funding of Core CVISN
deployment project(s), a State must have
its most current Core CVISN Program
Plan and Top-Level Design approved by
FMCSA and the proposed project(s)
should be consistent with its approved
Core CVISN Program Plan and TopLevel Design. If a State does not have a
Core CVISN Program Plan and TopLevel Design, it may apply for up to
$100,000 in funds to either compile or
update a Core CVISN Program Plan and
Top-Level Design.
A State may also apply for funds to
prepare an Expanded CVISN Program
Plan and Top-Level Design if FMCSA
acknowledged the State as having
completed Core CVISN deployment. In
order to be eligible for funding of any
Expanded CVISN deployment project(s),
a State must have its most current
Expanded CVISN Program Plan and
Top-Level Design approved by FMCSA
and any proposed Expanded CVISN
project(s) should be consistent with its
Expanded CVISN Program Plan and
Top-Level Design. If a State does not
have an existing or up-to-date Expanded
CVISN Program Plan and Top-Level
Design, it may apply for up to $100,000
in funds to either compile or update an
Expanded CVISN Program Plan and
Top-Level Design.
CVISN grant applications must be
submitted electronically through
grants.gov. Awards for approved CVISN
grant applications are made on a firstcome, first-served basis. States must
provide a match of 50 percent.
jlentini on DSKJ8SOYB1PROD with NOTICES
Application Information for FY 2011
Grants
General information about the
FMCSA grant programs is available in
the Catalog of Federal Domestic
Assistance (CFDA) which can be found
on the internet at https://www.cfda.gov.
To apply for funding, applicants must
register with grants.gov at https://
www.grants.gov/applicants/get—
registered.jsp and submit an application
in accordance with instructions
provided.
Evaluation Factors: The following
evaluation factors will be used in
reviewing the applications for all
FMCSA discretionary grants:
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(1) Prior performance—Completion of
identified programs and goals per the
project plan.
(2) Effective Use of Prior Grants—
Demonstrated timely use and expensing
of available funds.
(3) Cost Effectiveness—Applications
will be evaluated and prioritized on the
basis of expected impact on safety
relative to the investment of grant funds.
Where appropriate, costs per unit will
be calculated and compared with
national averages to determine
effectiveness. In other areas, proposed
costs will be compared with historical
information to confirm reasonableness.
(4) Applicability to announced
priorities—If national priorities are
included in the grants.gov notice, those
grants that specifically address these
issues will be given priority
consideration.
(5) Ability of the applicant to support
the strategies and activities in the
proposal for the entire project period of
performance.
(6) Use of innovative approaches in
executing a project plan to address
identified safety issues.
(7) Feasibility of overall program
coordination and implementation based
upon the project plan.
(8) Any grant-specific evaluation
factors, such as program balance or
geographic diversity, will be included in
the grants.gov application information.
Proposed Application Due Dates: For
the following grant programs, FMCSA
will consider funding complete
applications or plans submitted by the
following dates:
MCSAP Basic and Incentive Grants—
August 1, 2010
Border Enforcement Grants—September
15, 2010
MCSAP High Priority Grants—
September 15, 2010
CMV Operator Safety Training Grants—
October 1, 2010
New Entrant Safety Audit Grants—
October 15, 2010
CVISN Grants—October 15, 2010
CDLPI Grants—November 1, 2010
PRISM Grants—November 1, 2010
SaDIP Grants—November 1, 2010
Applications submitted after due
dates may be considered on a case-bycase basis and are subject to availability
of funds.
Issued on: July 6, 2010.
William A. Quade,
Associate Administrator for Enforcement and
Program Delivery.
[FR Doc. 2010–17067 Filed 7–12–10; 8:45 am]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration
Petition for Waiver of Compliance
In accordance with part 211 of Title
49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR),
notice is hereby given that the Federal
Railroad Administration (FRA) has
received a request for a waiver of
compliance from certain requirements
of its safety standards. The individual
petition is described below, including
the party seeking relief, the regulatory
provisions involved, the nature of the
relief being requested, and the
petitioner’s arguments in favor of relief.
City of Mishawaka, Indiana
[Waiver Petition Docket Number FRA–2010–
0110]
The City of Mishawaka, IN (City), and
the Norfolk Southern Corporation (NS)
jointly seek a temporary waiver of
compliance from certain provisions of
the Use of Locomotive Horns at
Highway-Rail Grade Crossings, 49 CFR
part 222. The City intends to establish
a Pre-Rule Quiet Zone that it had
previously continued under the
provisions of 49 CFR 222.41(c)(1). The
City is seeking a waiver for the
requirement to construct and complete
a Pre-Rule Quiet Zone by June 24, 2010,
as required by 49 CFR 222.41(c)(2), and
for an extension of such date to October
31, 2010.
There are 19 crossings in the existing
Pre-Rule Quiet Zone extending from
Elder Road (MP 429.21) to Russell
Avenue (MP 434.21) on the NS
Dearborn Division, Chicago Line
Subdivision. 3 of these crossings will be
treated with Supplementary Safety
Measures (SSM) and Alternative Safety
Measures (ASM) as follows: 1 crossing
closure (SSM), 1 crossing with gates and
traffic channelization devices (SSM),
and 1 crossing with a modified SSM
consisting of gates and channelization
(ASM). The 2 SSMs will be completed
by June 24, 2010, and the ASM will be
completed within 45 working days of
receipt of the ASM approval from FRA.
In the future, 2 other crossings will be
modified as part of an Indiana
Department of Transportation project
resulting in 1 grade separation and 1
closure. The City requests that the
existing Pre-Rule Quiet Zone be allowed
to continue until October 31, 2010, by
which time the 2 SSMs and 1 ASM
improvements will have been
completed.
The City states that it has had its prerule quiet zone since 1974, and that its
residents and others have become
accustomed to its existence. It asserts
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 133 (Tuesday, July 13, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 40023-40026]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-17067]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
[FMCSA Docket No. FMCSA-2010-0212]
Notice of Fiscal Year 2011 Safety Grants and Solicitation for
Applications
AGENCY: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: This notice is to inform the public of the Federal Motor
Carrier Safety Administration's (FMCSA) anticipated Fiscal Year (FY)
2011 safety grant opportunities. At present, FMCSA is operating under
an extension of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient
Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy of Users (Pub. L. 109-59) which
will expire December 31, 2010, unless extended further by Congress.
While the Agency expects new authorization to make changes to its grant
programs, the Agency is preparing for FY 2011 using the assumption that
the following grant programs will continue in the new authorization.
The FMCSA invites comments on the proposed application deadlines
for its FY 2011 safety grants programs. The 11 safety programs include
the Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program (MCSAP) Basic grants; MCSAP
Incentive grants; MCSAP New Entrant Safety Audit grants; MCSAP High
Priority grants; Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) Operator Safety
Training grants; Border Enforcement grants (BEG); Commercial Driver's
License Program Improvement (CDLPI) grants; Commercial Driver's License
Information System (CDLIS) Modernization grants; Performance and
Registration Information Systems Management (PRISM) grants; Safety Data
Improvement Program grants (SaDIP); and the Commercial Vehicle
Information Systems and Networks (CVISN) grants. The purpose of this
notice is to provide grantees with information well in advance of the
Agency's proposed FY 2011 safety grant application deadlines and to
request comments on the deadlines and other changes in the Agency's
safety grant programs.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before September 13, 2010.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by Docket Number FMCSA-
2010-0212, using any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the
online instructions for submitting comments.
Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., West Building, Ground
Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
Hand Delivery or Courier: West Building, Ground Floor, Room W12-
140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. E.T.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
Fax: 202-493-2251.
Instructions: All submissions must include the Agency name and
docket number. Note that all comments received will be posted without
change to https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal
information provided. Please see the Privacy Act heading for further
information.
Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or
comments received, go to https://www.regulations.gov and follow the
online instructions for accessing the docket or physically go to the
street address listed above.
Privacy Act: Anyone is able to search the electronic form of all
comments received into any of our dockets by the name of the individual
submitting the comment (or signing the comment, if submitted on behalf
of an association, business, labor union, etc.). You may review DOT's
Privacy Act Statement for the Federal Docket Management System
published in the Federal Register on January 17, 2008 (73 FR 3316), or
you may visit https://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-785.pdf.
Public Participation: The Federal eRulemaking Portal is available
24 hours each day, 365 days each year. You can get electronic
submission and retrieval help and guidelines under the ``help'' section
of the Federal eRulemaking Portal Web site. If you want us to notify
you that we received your comments, please include a self-addressed,
stamped envelope or postcard, or print the acknowledgement page that
appears after submitting comments online.
Comments received after the comment closing date will be included
in the docket, and we will consider late comments to the extent
practicable. FMCSA may, however, issue a final determination at any
time after the close of the comment period.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Please contact the following FMCSA
staff with questions or needed information on the Agency's grant
programs:
New Entrant Safety Audits Grants--Arthur Williams,
[[Page 40024]]
arthur.williams@dot.gov, 202-366-3695
Border Enforcement Grants--Carla Vagnini, carla.vagnini@dot.gov, 202-
366-3771
MCSAP Basic/Incentive Grants--Deborah Snider, deborah.snider@dot.gov,
202-366-2941
MCSAP High Priority Grants--Cim Weiss, cim.weiss@dot.gov, 202-366-0275
CMV Operator Safety Training Grants--Julie Otto, julie.otto@dot.gov,
202-366-0710
CDLPI Grants--Brandon Poarch, brandon.poarch@dot.gov, 202-366-3030
SaDIP Grants--Cim Weiss, cim.weiss@dot.gov, 202-366-0275
PRISM Grants--Tom Lawler, tom.lawler@dot.gov, 202-366-3866
CVISN Grants--Julie Otto, julie.otto@dot.gov, 202-366-0710.
All staff may be reached at FMCSA, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE.,
Washington, DC 20590. Office hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., EST,
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FMCSA recognizes that State and local
governments and other grantees are dependent on its safety grants to
develop and maintain important commercial motor vehicle (CMV) safety
programs. The FMCSA further acknowledges that delays in awarding grant
funds may have an adverse impact on these important safety programs. As
a result, FMCSA completed a grants process review to identify ways to
streamline the application, award, and grants management processes, and
to award grant funds earlier each fiscal year. In addition, FMCSA made
changes in the grants application, award and oversight processes to
standardize application forms, increase the use of electronic
documents, standardize quarterly reports and reduce the number of
needed grant amendments.
The FMCSA continues to enter into grant agreements beginning
October 1 or as soon thereafter as administratively practicable. FMCSA
intends to enter into grant agreements no later than 90 days from the
date the application is due.
The FMCSA is using a standard grant application form and a new
quarterly reporting process. The FMCSA requires the Standard Form 424
(``Application for Federal Assistance'') and its attachments for all
grant program applications. While each grant program may request
different data in some of the data fields on the form, the use of the
Standard Form 424 is mandatory. FMCSA adopted the Standard Form--
Project Progress Report (SF-PPR) as its required form for quarterly
reporting. Again, each grant program may, in certain instances, request
different data be submitted in some of the fields or boxes on the form
but SF-PRR is mandatory for quarterly reporting.
The number of original copies of grant agreements required to be
submitted to FMCSA was reduced from three copies to two. In addition,
FMCSA will provide most grant agreement documents electronically to its
financial processing office. Grantees will, however, be required to
submit the completed Automated Clearing House (ACH) Vendor Payment Form
(SF-3881) directly to FMCSA's financial processing office by U.S.
Postal Service, courier service or secure fax. We request information
on any impacts of these proposed changes.
The FMCSA continues to request comments and suggestions from
grantees concerning improvement of the application, award and grants
management processes. Additional information is provided below for each
individual grant program.
MCSAP Basic and Incentive Grants
Sections 4101 and 4107 of SAFETEA-LU authorize FMCSA's Motor
Carrier Safety Grants. MCSAP Basic and Incentive formula grants are
governed by 49 U.S.C. 31102-31104 and 49 CFR Part 350. Under the Basic
and Incentive grants programs, a State lead MCSAP agency, as designated
by its Governor, is eligible to apply for Basic and Incentive grant
funding by submitting a commercial vehicle safety plan (CVSP). See 49
CFR 350.201 and 350.205. The following jurisdictions are not eligible
for Incentive funds: The Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto
Rico, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Pursuant to
49 U.S.C. 31103 and 49 CFR 350.303, FMCSA will reimburse each lead
State MCSAP agency 80 percent of eligible costs incurred in a fiscal
year. Each State will provide a 20 percent match to qualify for the
program. The FMCSA Administrator waives the requirement for matching
funds for the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam, and the
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. See 49 CFR 350.305. In
accordance with 49 CFR 350.323, the Basic grant funds will be
distributed proportionally to each State's lead MCSAP agency using the
following four, equally weighted (25 percent) factors:
(1) 1997 road miles (all highways) as defined by the FMCSA;
(2) All vehicle miles traveled (VMT) as defined by the FMCSA;
(3) Population--annual census estimates as issued by the U.S.
Census Bureau; and
(4) Special fuel consumption (net after reciprocity adjustment) as
defined by the FMCSA.
A State's lead MCSAP agency may qualify for Incentive Funds if it can
demonstrate that the State's CMV safety program has shown improvement
in any or all of the following five categories:
(1) Reduction in the number of large truck-involved fatal
accidents;
(2) Reduction in the rate of large-truck-involved fatal accidents
or maintenance of a large-truck-involved fatal accident rate that is
among the lowest 10 percent of such rates for MCSAP recipients and is
not higher than the rate most recently achieved;
(3) Upload of CMV accident reports in accordance with current FMCSA
policy guidelines;
(4) Verification of Commercial Driver's Licenses during all
roadside inspections; and
(5) Upload of CMV inspection data in accordance with current FMCSA
policy guidelines.
Incentive funds will be distributed in accordance with 49 CFR
350.327(b).
Prior to the start of each fiscal year, FMCSA calculates the amount
of Basic and Incentive funding each State is expected to receive. This
information is provided to the States and is made available on the
Agency's Web site. The FY 2011 information is available at
www.fmcsa.dot.gov.
It should be noted that MCSAP Basic and Incentive formula grants
are awarded based on the State's submission of the CVSP. The evaluation
factors described in the section below titled ``Application Information
for FY 2011 Grants'' will not be considered. MCSAP Basic and Incentive
grant applications must be submitted electronically through grants.gov
(https://www.grants.gov).
New Entrant Safety Audit Grants
Sections 4101 and 4107 of SAFETEA-LU also authorize the Motor
Carrier Safety Grants to enable grant recipients to conduct interstate
New Entrant safety audits consistent with 49 CFR Parts 350.321 and
385.301. Eligible recipients are State agencies, local governments, and
organizations representing government agencies that use and train
qualified officers and employees in coordination with State motor
vehicle safety agencies. The FMCSA's share of these grant funds will be
100 percent. New Entrant grant applications must be submitted
electronically through grants.gov (https://www.grants.gov).
[[Page 40025]]
MCSAP High Priority Grants
Section 4107 of SAFETEA-LU also authorizes the Motor Carrier Safety
Grants to enable recipients to carry out activities and projects that
improve CMV safety and compliance with CMV regulations. Funding is
available for projects that are national in scope, increase public
awareness and education, demonstrate new technologies and reduce the
number and rate of CMV accidents. Eligible recipients are State
agencies, local governments, and organizations representing government
agencies that use and train qualified officers and employees in
coordination with State motor vehicle safety agencies.
For grants awarded for public education activities, the Federal
share will be 100 percent. For all High Priority grants other than
those awarded in support of public education activities, FMCSA will
provide reimbursements for no more than 80 percent of all eligible
costs, and recipients will be required to provide a 20 percent match.
FMCSA may reserve High Priority funding exclusively for innovative
traffic enforcement projects, with particular emphasis on work zone
enforcement and rural road safety. Also, FMCSA may reserve funding for
an innovative traffic enforcement initiative known as ``Ticketing
Aggressive Cars and Trucks'' or TACT. TACT provides a research-based
safety model that can be replicated by States when conducting a high-
visibility traffic enforcement program to promote safe driving
behaviors among car and truck drivers. The objective of this program is
to reduce the number of commercial truck and bus related crashes,
fatalities and injuries resulting from improper operation of motor
vehicles and aggressive driving behavior. More information regarding
TACT can be found at https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/safety-security/tact/abouttact.htm.
High Priority grant applications must be submitted electronically
through grants.gov.
CMV Operator Safety Training Grants
Section 4134 of SAFETEA-LU established a grant program which
enables recipients to train current and future drivers in the safe
operation of CMVs, as defined in 49 U.S.C. 31301(4). Eligible awardees
include State governments, local governments and accredited post-
secondary educational institutions (public or private) such as
colleges, universities, vocational-technical schools and truck driver
training schools. Funding priority for this discretionary grant program
will be given to regional or multi-state educational or nonprofit
associations serving economically distressed regions of the United
States. The Federal share of these funds will be 80 percent, and
recipients will be required to provide a 20 percent match. CMV Operator
Safety Training grant applications must be submitted electronically
through grants.gov.
Border Enforcement Grants (BEG)
Section 4110 of SAFETEA-LU established the BEG program. The purpose
of this discretionary program is to provide funding for border CMV
safety programs and related enforcement activities and projects. An
entity or a State that shares a land border with another country is
eligible to receive this grant funding. Eligible awardees include State
governments, local governments, and entities (i.e., accredited post-
secondary public or private educational institutions such as
universities). Requests from entities must be coordinated with the
State lead CMV inspection agency. Applications must include a Border
Enforcement Plan and meet the required maintenance of expenditure
requirement. BEG funding decisions take into consideration the State or
entity's performance on previous BEG awards; its ability to expend the
awarded funds with the BEG performance year; and activities meeting the
BEG national criteria established by FMCSA. As established by SAFETEA-
LU, the Federal share of these funds will be 100 percent. As a result,
there is no matching requirement. BEG grant applications must be
submitted electronically through grants.gov.
CDLPI Grants
Section 4124 of SAFETEA-LU established a discretionary grant
program that provides funding for improving States' implementation of
the Commercial Driver's License (CDL) program, including expenses for
computer hardware and software, publications, testing, personnel, and
training. Funds may not be used to rent, lease, or buy land or
buildings. The agency designated by each State as the primary driver
licensing agency responsible for the development, implementation, and
maintenance of the CDL program is eligible to apply for grant funding.
State grant proposals must include the State's assessment of its CDL
program and a detailed budget explaining how the funds will be used.
The Federal share of funds for projects awarded under this grant is
established by SAFETEA-LU as 100 percent; therefore, there is no State
matching requirement. The funding opportunity announcement on
grants.gov will provide more detailed information on the application
process; national funding priorities for FY 2011; evaluation criteria;
required documents and certifications; State maintenance of expenditure
requirements; and additional information related to the availability of
funds. CLDPI grant applications must be submitted electronically
through grants.gov.
SaDIP Grants
Section 4128 of SAFETEA-LU established a Safety Data Improvement
Program (SaDIP) grant program to improve the quality of crash and
inspection truck and bus data reported by the States to FMCSA, as
described 49 U.S.C. 31102. Eligible recipients are State agencies,
local governments, and organizations representing government agencies
that are involved with highway traffic safety activities and must
demonstrate a capacity to work with highway traffic safety
stakeholders. The State's SaDIP proposal must focus on a project that
enhances the accuracy, timeliness, and completeness of the collection
and reporting of Commercial Motor Vehicle crash information in all
components of the State's record system. An applicant's proposed SaDIP
project must address the seven (7) application requirements plus the
overriding indicator established for the State Safety Data Quality
(SSDQ) program. The FMCSA will provide reimbursements for no more that
80 percent of all eligible costs and recipients are required to provide
a 20 percent match.
PRISM Grants
Section 4109 of SAFETEA-LU authorizes FMCSA to award financial
assistance funds to States to implement the Performance and
Registration Information Systems Management (PRISM) requirements that
link Federal motor carrier safety information systems with State CMV
registration and licensing systems. This program enables a State to
determine the safety fitness of a motor carrier or registrant when
licensing or registering or while the license or registration is in
effect. PRISM grant applications must be submitted electronically
through grants.gov. No matching funds are required.
CVISN Grants
Section 4126 of SAFETEA-LU authorizes FMCSA to award financial
assistance to States to deploy, operate, and maintain elements of their
Commercial Vehicle Information Systems and Networks (CVISN)
[[Page 40026]]
Program, including commercial vehicle, commercial driver, and carrier-
specific information systems and networks. The agency in each State
designated as the primary agency responsible for the development,
implementation, and maintenance of a CVISN-related system is eligible
to apply for grant funding.
Section 4126 of SAFETEA-LU distinguishes between two types of CVISN
projects: Core and Expanded. To be eligible for funding of Core CVISN
deployment project(s), a State must have its most current Core CVISN
Program Plan and Top-Level Design approved by FMCSA and the proposed
project(s) should be consistent with its approved Core CVISN Program
Plan and Top-Level Design. If a State does not have a Core CVISN
Program Plan and Top-Level Design, it may apply for up to $100,000 in
funds to either compile or update a Core CVISN Program Plan and Top-
Level Design.
A State may also apply for funds to prepare an Expanded CVISN
Program Plan and Top-Level Design if FMCSA acknowledged the State as
having completed Core CVISN deployment. In order to be eligible for
funding of any Expanded CVISN deployment project(s), a State must have
its most current Expanded CVISN Program Plan and Top-Level Design
approved by FMCSA and any proposed Expanded CVISN project(s) should be
consistent with its Expanded CVISN Program Plan and Top-Level Design.
If a State does not have an existing or up-to-date Expanded CVISN
Program Plan and Top-Level Design, it may apply for up to $100,000 in
funds to either compile or update an Expanded CVISN Program Plan and
Top-Level Design.
CVISN grant applications must be submitted electronically through
grants.gov. Awards for approved CVISN grant applications are made on a
first-come, first-served basis. States must provide a match of 50
percent.
Application Information for FY 2011 Grants
General information about the FMCSA grant programs is available in
the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) which can be found on
the internet at https://www.cfda.gov. To apply for funding, applicants
must register with grants.gov at https://www.grants.gov/applicants/get_
registered.jsp and submit an application in accordance with
instructions provided.
Evaluation Factors: The following evaluation factors will be used
in reviewing the applications for all FMCSA discretionary grants:
(1) Prior performance--Completion of identified programs and goals
per the project plan.
(2) Effective Use of Prior Grants--Demonstrated timely use and
expensing of available funds.
(3) Cost Effectiveness--Applications will be evaluated and
prioritized on the basis of expected impact on safety relative to the
investment of grant funds. Where appropriate, costs per unit will be
calculated and compared with national averages to determine
effectiveness. In other areas, proposed costs will be compared with
historical information to confirm reasonableness.
(4) Applicability to announced priorities--If national priorities
are included in the grants.gov notice, those grants that specifically
address these issues will be given priority consideration.
(5) Ability of the applicant to support the strategies and
activities in the proposal for the entire project period of
performance.
(6) Use of innovative approaches in executing a project plan to
address identified safety issues.
(7) Feasibility of overall program coordination and implementation
based upon the project plan.
(8) Any grant-specific evaluation factors, such as program balance
or geographic diversity, will be included in the grants.gov application
information.
Proposed Application Due Dates: For the following grant programs,
FMCSA will consider funding complete applications or plans submitted by
the following dates:
MCSAP Basic and Incentive Grants--August 1, 2010
Border Enforcement Grants--September 15, 2010
MCSAP High Priority Grants--September 15, 2010
CMV Operator Safety Training Grants--October 1, 2010
New Entrant Safety Audit Grants--October 15, 2010
CVISN Grants--October 15, 2010
CDLPI Grants--November 1, 2010
PRISM Grants--November 1, 2010
SaDIP Grants--November 1, 2010
Applications submitted after due dates may be considered on a case-
by-case basis and are subject to availability of funds.
Issued on: July 6, 2010.
William A. Quade,
Associate Administrator for Enforcement and Program Delivery.
[FR Doc. 2010-17067 Filed 7-12-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-EX-P
