FY 2011 Discretionary Sustainability Funding Opportunity Transit Investments for Greenhouse Gas and Energy Reduction (TIGGER) Program and Clean Fuels Grant Program, Augmented With Discretionary Bus and Bus Facilities Program, 37175-37184 [2011-15913]

Agencies

• Federal Transit Administration
• DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 122 (Friday, June 24, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37175-37184]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-15913]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Transit Administration


FY 2011 Discretionary Sustainability Funding Opportunity Transit 
Investments for Greenhouse Gas and Energy Reduction (TIGGER) Program 
and Clean Fuels Grant Program, Augmented With Discretionary Bus and Bus 
Facilities Program

AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration (FTA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of availability of FTA environmental sustainability 
program funds: Solicitation of project proposals.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announces the 
availability of discretionary funds in Fiscal Year (FY) 2011 for the 
Transit Investments for Greenhouse Gas and Energy Reduction (TIGGER) 
program and Clean Fuels Grant program, augmented with Section 5309 Bus 
and Bus Facilities program funds. These discretionary program funds 
will be distributed in accordance with the mission of each program and 
in support of the U. S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) 
environmental sustainability efforts.
    This notice includes priorities established by FTA for these 
discretionary funds, the criteria FTA will use to identify meritorious 
projects for funding, and describes how to apply for funding under each 
discretionary program. This announcement is available on the FTA Web 
site at: https://www.fta.dot.gov. FTA will announce final selections on 
the Web site and in the Federal Register. Additionally, a synopsis of 
each funding opportunity will be posted in the FIND module of the 
government-wide electronic grants Web site at https://www.grants.gov.

DATES: Complete proposals for both the Clean Fuels/Bus and Bus 
Facilities and TIGGER discretionary grant programs must be submitted by 
August 23, 2011. All proposals must be submitted electronically through 
the GRANTS.GOV APPLY function. Any agency intending to apply should 
initiate the process of registering on the GRANTS.GOV site immediately 
to ensure completion of registration before the submission deadline. 
Instructions for applying can be found on FTA's Web site at https://fta.dot.gov/tigger and https://fta.dot.gov/cleanfuels and in the 
``FIND'' module of GRANTS.GOV.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact the appropriate FTA Regional 
Administrator (Appendix A) for proposal-specific information and 
issues. For general program information on the TIGGER program, contact 
Walter Kulyk, Office of Mobility Innovation, (202) 366-4995, e-mail: 
walter.kulyk@dot.gov. For program information on the Clean Fuels/Bus 
and Bus Facilities Program; contact Vanessa Williams, Office of Program 
Management, (202) 366-4818, e-mail: vanessa.williams@dot.gov. A TDD is 
available at 1-800-877-8339 (TDD/FIRS).

[[Page 37176]]


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Table of Contents

I. FTA Sustainability Program Overview
II. Sustainability Program Information
    A. Transit Investments for Greenhouse Gas and Energy Reduction 
(TIGGER) Program
    1. Program Purpose
    2. Eligible Applicants
    3. Eligible Projects
    4. Cost Sharing or Matching
    5. Application Content
    6. Evaluation Criteria
    7. Award Administration Information
    B. Clean Fuels/Bus and Bus Facilities Program
    1. Program Purpose
    2. Eligible Applicants
    3. Eligible Projects
    4. Cost Sharing or Matching
    5. Application Content
    6. Evaluation Criteria
III. Technical Assistance
Appendix A FTA Regional Offices
Appendix B Glossary of Terms (TIGGER Program)
Appendix C Discretionary Program Timeline
Appendix D Program Matrix

I. FTA Sustainability Program Overview

A. Authority

    These programs are authorized under Section 5308, 5309(b) (as 
amended by the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient, Transportation 
Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU)) August 10, 2005, and 
Section 2223 of the Department of Defense and Full-Year Continuing 
Appropriations Act, 2011(enacted April 15, 2011).

B. Policy Priority

    Among the goals of the Obama Administration is one to improve our 
Nation's environment and to secure its energy future. Effective 
provision of public transportation is a key part of this goal. The 
Administration believes that we must commit ourselves to an economic 
future in which the strength of our economy is not tied to the 
unpredictability of oil markets. We must make the investments in clean 
energy sources that will both enhance the environment through improved 
air quality and curb our dependence on fossil fuels, making America 
energy independent by:
     Breaking Dependence on Oil. Promote the next generation of 
vehicles and the fuels they use and provide alternate modes of 
transportation that minimize the use of fossil fuels.
     Producing More Energy at Home. Enhance U.S. energy 
supplies through responsible development of domestic renewable energy, 
fossil fuels, advanced biofuels and nuclear energy.
     Promoting Energy Efficiency. Promote investments in the 
transportation, electricity, industrial, building and agricultural 
sectors that reduce energy bills.
    FTA advances these energy and environmental goals by funding 
projects that:
     Enhance the quality of public transportation services.
     Assist nonattainment and maintenance areas in achieving or 
maintaining the National Ambient Air Quality standards for ozone and 
carbon monoxide.
     Support emerging Clean Fuel and advanced propulsion 
technologies for transit buses and markets for those technologies.
     Reduce greenhouse gas emissions of public transportation 
systems.
    By this notice, FTA announces the availability of at least $101.4 
million in FY 2011 discretionary resources to help promote the usage 
and development of energy efficient technologies that reduce energy 
use, greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants. Projects funded as 
a result of this notice will further the Department's environmental 
sustainability efforts. As each program has separate eligibility and 
program requirements, FTA encourages applicants to carefully consider 
which program to apply under. FTA will provide $49.9 million under the 
TIGGER program. This program is intended for projects of innovative and 
national significance with a minimum project cost of $1 million. To 
complement TIGGER, FTA also will award approximately $51.5 million 
under the Clean Fuels Grant program. FTA also intends to further our 
environmental sustainability goals by allowing applicants in attainment 
areas that are not eligible under the Clean Fuels Grant program to 
apply for projects which promote the use of clean fuels and fund those 
projects with Bus and Bus Facilities program funds as appropriate. 
Please refer to Appendix C for information on additional availability 
of FTA funds.

II. Sustainability Program Information

A. TIGGER Program

    The Department of Defense and Full-Year Continuing Appropriations 
Act, 2011 (Pub. L. 112-10), appropriated $49.9 million for grants to 
public transit agencies for capital investments that will reduce the 
energy consumption or greenhouse gas emissions of their public 
transportation systems, referred to as the Transit Investments for 
Greenhouse Gas and Energy Reduction (TIGGER) program. In the previous 
two years a total of $175 million was provided for TIGGER in the 
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) and The 
Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development, and Related Agencies 
Appropriations Act 2010 and thus awarded by FTA.
    Based on lessons learned in the application, review, and 
implementation processes from the previous two years of the TIGGER 
program, FTA is altering some of the application procedures for the FY 
2011-funded TIGGER program to continue to simplify the process and 
provide greater efficiency, documentation, and transparency. 
Additionally, given the availability of other FTA discretionary 
programs in FY 2011, such as the Clean Fuels Grant program, FTA will 
rate more favorably innovative technologies of national significance 
and other forward-looking technologies, not normally funded out of 
other FTA programs.
    This notice announces the availability of the grant program 
funding, application requirements, and deadlines for submitting 
proposals for funding.
1. Program Purpose
    There are two eligible purposes for TIGGER grants: (1) For capital 
investments that will assist in reducing the energy consumption of a 
transit system; or (2) for capital investments that will reduce 
greenhouse gas emissions of a public transportation system. Project 
proposals may be submitted under either or both categories. FTA has 
established a range of funding that will be considered for approval. 
Each submitted proposal must request a minimum of $1,000,000 and must 
not exceed a maximum of $15,000,000. Proposals that include projects 
less than $1,000,000 may be applied for if they are part of a 
consolidated proposal submitted by the State Department of 
Transportation (State DOT) or a consortium of smaller agencies working 
in tangent that, in total, meets or exceeds the $1,000,000 threshold. 
FTA may decide to provide only partial funding for certain proposals to 
maximize the impact of this program. Detailed budget proposals and a 
minimum value needed to achieve project results are expected in all 
proposals. FTA encourages applicants with projects that are not 
technologically innovative, or which do not meet these funding 
thresholds to apply under the Clean Fuels program which has simpler 
application criteria.
2. Eligible Applicants
    Under TIGGER, only public transportation agencies, Federally 
recognized Tribes or State DOTs may apply. A public transportation 
agency

[[Page 37177]]

may apply for one or multiple projects in one proposal. Likewise, 
public transportation agencies working in a consortium to meet the 
minimum funding threshold may also submit a proposal detailing 
individual projects. Additionally, a State DOT may submit a 
consolidated proposal for multiple projects from one or more transit 
agencies in order to meet the $1,000,000 threshold. Consolidated 
proposals from either State DOTs or agency consortia must contain 
individual project level information, as described in Section 5 
Application Content, for each project included in the consolidated 
proposal. Grant awards will be made for a particular project directly 
to public transportation agencies, Tribes, or State Departments of 
Transportation on behalf of a public transportation agency.
3. Eligible Projects
    Eligible expenses must meet the following criteria: (1) The expense 
must be an eligible capital expense as defined under 49 U.S.C. 
5302(a)(1); and (2) the project will assist in the reduction of the 
energy consumption of a public transportation system and/or the 
reduction of greenhouse gas emissions of a public transportation 
system.
4. Cost Sharing or Matching
    The expected Federal share for TIGGER grants is 90 percent, 
although applicants may request a different Federal share. A proposed 
Federal share can be less than 90 percent, or up to 100 percent. 
However, applicants requesting a lower Federal share may be given a 
higher rating in the evaluation process, all else being equal.
5. Application Content
a. Proposal Submission Process
    Project proposals must follow the submission guidelines that are 
provided at https://www.fta.dot.gov/tigger. A synopsis of this 
announcement will is also posted in the ``FIND'' module of the 
GRANTS.GOV. Mail and fax submissions will not be accepted.
    Complete proposals for the TIGGER program must be submitted 
electronically through the GRANTS.GOV Web site by August 23, 2011. 
Applicants are encouraged to begin the process of registration on the 
GRANTS.GOV site well in advance of the submission deadline. 
Registration is a multi-step process, which may take several weeks to 
complete before an application can be submitted. In addition to the 
Mandatory SF424 Form that will be downloaded from GRANTS.GOV, FTA 
requires applicants to complete the Supplemental FTA Form to enter 
descriptive and data elements of individual program proposals for these 
discretionary programs. These supplemental forms provide guidance and a 
consistent format for applicants to respond to the criteria outlined in 
this Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) and described in detail on 
the FTA Web site at https://www.fta.dot.gov/tigger. Applicants must use 
this Supplemental Form and attach it to their submission in GRANTS.GOV 
to successfully complete the application process. Within 24-48 hours 
after submitting an electronic application, the applicant should 
receive an e-mail validation message from GRANTS.GOV. The validation 
will state whether GRANTS.GOV found any issues with the submitted 
application. As an additional notification, FTA's system will notify 
the applicant if there are any problems with the submitted Supplemental 
FTA Form. If making a resubmission for any reason, include all original 
attachments regardless of which attachments were updated. Complete 
instructions on the application process can be found at https://www.fta.dot.gov/tigger. Important: FTA urges applicants to submit their 
applications at least 72 hours prior to the due date to allow time to 
receive the validation message and to correct any problems that may 
have caused a rejection notification.
b. Proposal Content
    Proposals from public transit agencies may contain multiple 
projects. Agencies may submit multiple proposals, but each proposal 
must be clearly defined. Additionally, a proposal may contain multiple 
projects, but each project much be clearly defined as a separate 
project within the Supplemental Form provided on https://fta.dot.gov/tigger.
    Proposals from State DOTs may also contain multiple projects from 
one or more transit agencies in order to meet the $1,000,000 threshold. 
Consolidated proposals must contain individual project level 
information, as described below, for each project included in the 
consolidated proposal.
    Project Summary--The applicant is requested to enter summary 
information about the proposed project into a project Supplemental Form 
to be attached with the SF 424 Mandatory Form provided on GRANTS.GOV. 
Additional guidelines for application procedures, further instructions, 
and application tools will be located on FTA's Web site at https://www.fta.dot.gov/tigger. Information that should be considered essential 
for project evaluation includes, but is not limited to:
    (1) Applicant Information.
    This addresses basic identifying information, including:
    i. Applicant name;
    ii. Contact information (including contact name, address, e-mail 
address, phone and fax number;
    iii. Description of services provided by the agency, including 
areas served;
    iv. Congressional district(s) served by the proposed project.
    v. If the project proposal includes vehicles, provide existing 
fleet information, such as a current rail or bus fleet management plan, 
if not already on file with the FTA Regional Office, and
    vi. A description of the technical, legal and financial capacity of 
the project sponsor.
    (2) Project Information.
    Every proposal must:
    i. Include a project management plan to be utilized to implement 
the proposed project.
    ii. Address whether the project is to be evaluated under energy 
reduction or greenhouse gas reduction criteria, or both criteria;
    iii. Include the project scope, including descriptions of the 
proposed capital investment as well as the existing system, subsystem, 
facility, vehicle, or component that the investment will replace or be 
applied to. The project scope determines where measurement of energy 
reductions or greenhouse gas emissions reductions will take place and 
must be directly related to the actual capital investment. It should be 
determined in a manner that permits measurement before and after the 
investment to determine either the energy savings or greenhouse gas 
reductions, or both;
    iv. Include a line-item budget for the project and its total cost. 
For scalable projects, a scaling plan describing the minimum amount 
necessary for a feasible project and the energy or greenhouse gas 
reduction impacts of a reduced funding level;
    v. State the expected useful life of the investment based on 
accepted FTA and industry practices;
    vi. Provide a project time-line outlining steps from project 
development through completion, including significant milestones such 
as date of contract awards and dates of project implementation; and
    vii. Include the proposed location of the project. For facilities 
and other infrastructure this means the city or county where the 
infrastructure will be located. For transit vehicles it means the 
cities or counties where transit services are likely to be provided.
    (3) Project Measurement Information
    i. Proposals must provide a narrative describing how the greenhouse 
gas and/

[[Page 37178]]

or energy saving estimates were calculated. Proposals also must 
identify the process the agency will use to determine the actual energy 
savings and/or greenhouse gas emission reductions realized once the 
investment is implemented. FTA will post on its Web site (https://www.fta.dot.gov/tigger) the information or other application tools that 
may be used to develop these calculations.
    ii. Project Measurement Criteria for Energy Reduction Projects: The 
proposal must include:
    (A) Project's Current Annual Energy Use.
    (B) Project's Estimated Annual Energy Use.
    (C) Project's Estimated Annual Energy Savings.
    (D) Project's Total Estimated Energy Savings Over Its Useful Life.
    (E) Project's Total Energy Savings as a Percentage of the Agency's 
Total Annual Energy Use. This can be reported as less than one percent 
or the proposal must include:
    (A) Total Annual Energy Consumption of the Public Transportation 
Agency.
    (B) The Project's Total Energy Savings as a Percentage of the Total 
Annual Energy Consumption of the Public Transportation Agency.
    iii. Project Measurement Criteria for Greenhouse Gas Emission 
Reduction Projects: Proposals must include:
    (A) Project's Current Annual Greenhouse Gas Emissions.
    (B) Project's Estimated Annual Greenhouse Gas Emissions.
    (C) Project's Estimated Annual Greenhouse Gas Savings.
    (D) Project's Total Estimated Greenhouse Gas Savings Over the 
Project's Useful Life.
    (4) Proposed Deviations From FTA Circular 5010.
    FTA's capital program includes the introduction of new technology, 
through innovative and improved products, into public transportation as 
an eligible expense. FTA intends to apply 49 U.S.C. 53 requirements and 
FTA Circular 5010.1.D Grant Management Requirements issued on November 
1, 2008 to this program. This Circular may be found at: https://www.fta.dot.gov/laws/circulars/leg_reg_8640.html. The applicant 
should identify any waivers to these requirements it anticipates it may 
need that would affect its ability to introduce new technology. 
However, FTA is disinclined to grant any Buy America waivers.
    (5) A project proposal should address each of the evaluation 
criteria separately, except for geographic diversity which need not be 
addressed by the applicant.
c. Funding Restrictions
    Only proposals from eligible recipients for eligible activities 
will be considered for funding (see Section II of this Notice).
6. Evaluation Criteria
    Proposals will be evaluated for their ability to reduce energy 
consumption and/or greenhouse gas emissions of the transit agency. An 
applicant will be evaluated under both criteria if it provides the 
necessary project measurement information.
a. Evaluation Criteria for Energy Consumption Reduction Projects
    FTA will evaluate proposals on total energy consumption savings 
projected to result from the project, and projected energy savings of 
the project as a percentage of the total energy usage of the public 
transit agency. Refer to Appendix B for definitions.
b. Evaluation Criterion for Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Projects
    FTA will evaluate proposals based on the total amount of greenhouse 
gas reductions projected to result from the project.
c. Evaluation Criteria for All Projects
    In addition, FTA will evaluate all proposals on the following 
criteria:
    (1) Project Innovation.
    The project identifies a unique, significant, or innovative 
approach to reducing energy consumption or greenhouse gas emissions. 
FTA encourages qualified projects that will demonstrate innovative 
technologies leading to operational efficiencies and other approaches 
to reducing energy consumption or greenhouse gas emissions. FTA will 
give some priority consideration to these projects if all other project 
evaluation criteria are comparable.
    Examples of innovation include:
    i. On-Board Vehicle Energy Management (energy storage, regenerative 
braking, fuel cells, turbines, engine auto start/stop, etc.).
    ii. Electrification of Accessories (air conditioning, air 
compressor, power steering, etc.).
    iii. Bus Design (lightweight materials, component packaging, 
maintainability, etc.).
    iv. Rail Transit Energy Management (energy storage, regenerative 
braking, solar propulsion engine systems, power load-leveling, etc.)
    v. Locomotive Design (energy storage, regenerative braking, fuel 
cells, turbines, engine auto start/stop, lightweight material, etc).
    vi. Innovative Intelligent transportation systems (ITS) involving 
bus or rail operations such as transit signal priority, wireless engine 
monitoring devices, and dynamic dispatching systems.
    vii. Other innovative approaches to reduce energy consumption or 
greenhouse gas emissions.
    (2) National Applicability. The national applicability of the 
project as an example of energy savings or greenhouse gas reductions, 
including whether the project could be replicated by other transit 
agencies regionally or nationally and is consistent with FTA livability 
and environmental sustainability goals should be demonstrated.
    (3) Project Readiness. FTA will evaluate the proposed timeframe of 
the project for timeliness and reasonableness.
    (4) Project Management. The applicant demonstrates the capacity to 
carry out the project.
    i. The applicant is in a fundable status for the FTA grant program.
    ii. The applicant's project team demonstrates the technical 
capacity to carry out the project, including the project approach or 
project management plan.
    iii. The applicant has the ability to collect information and 
demonstrate the results of the project for at least one year following 
project implementation.
    (5) Return on Investment. This factor addresses the energy savings 
and/or greenhouse gas reduction relative to the total project cost, 
including the proposed Federal and local shares.
    (6) Geographic Diversity. To provide the ability to evaluate 
technologies in a wide variety of conditions, FTA may select projects 
to ensure there is sufficient geographic diversity.
d. Review and Selection Process
    Proposals first will be screened by a technical review committee. 
During the process, FTA may seek clarifications or corrections to some 
proposals to ensure adequate information is available to evaluate the 
proposal. After evaluating proposals based on the established criteria, 
FTA will publish the list of all selected projects and funding levels 
in the Federal Register.
7. Award Administration Information
a. Award
    Once proposals have been reviewed and projects have been selected, 
successful applicants will apply for and FTA will award grant funding 
through FTA's Transportation Electronic Award and Management (TEAM) 
grant

[[Page 37179]]

management system. These grants will be administered and managed by FTA 
regional offices in accordance with the applicable Federal requirements 
of 49 U.S.C. Chapter 53.
    Depending on award amount, FTA may require a scope and project 
budget reduction before a grant is submitted in TEAM.
b. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
    (1) Grant Requirements
    If selected, project sponsors will apply for a grant through TEAM 
and adhere to the customary FTA grant requirements of 49 U.S.C. Chapter 
53, including those identified in FTA Circular 5010.1D and the FTA 
Master Agreement, unless otherwise specified in the grant agreement. 
Technical assistance regarding these requirements is available from the 
corresponding FTA regional office.
    Applicants must sign and submit current Certifications and 
Assurances before receiving a grant. If the applicant has already 
submitted the annual Certifications and Assurances in TEAM, they do not 
need to be resubmitted. The Applicant assures that it will comply with 
all applicable Federal statutes, regulations, executive orders, FTA 
circulars, and other Federal administrative requirements in carrying 
out any project supported by the FTA grant. The Applicant acknowledges 
that it is under a continuing obligation to comply with the terms and 
conditions of the grant agreement issued for its project with FTA. The 
Applicant understands that Federal laws, regulations, policies, and 
administrative practices might be modified from time to time and may 
affect the implementation of the project. The Applicant agrees that the 
most recent Federal requirements will apply to the project, unless FTA 
issues a written determination otherwise.
    (2) Planning
    Applicants are encouraged to notify the appropriate State DOT and 
Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) in areas likely to be served 
by the project funds made available under this program. Incorporation 
of funded projects in the long-range plans and transportation 
improvement programs of States and metropolitan areas is required of 
all funded projects. FTA cannot obligate grant funds unless the project 
is contained in a Federally approved State Transportation Improvement 
Plan (STIP).
    Similarly, all environmental requirements must be complete before 
FTA can obligate and award a grant in TEAM.
c. Reporting Requirements
    FTA reporting requirements include standard reporting requirements 
identified in FTA Circular 5010.1D, and the Master Grant Agreement. In 
addition, the TIGGER program has additional reporting requirements. A 
recipient of TIGGER funds must report on an annual basis:
    (1) Actual annual energy consumed within the project scope 
attributable to the investment for energy consumption reduction 
projects;
    (2) Actual greenhouse gas emissions within the project scope 
attributable to the investment for greenhouse gas reduction projects; 
and
    (3) Actual annual reductions or increases in operating costs 
attributable to the investment for all projects.

B. Clean Fuels/Bus and Bus Facilities Program

    The Clean Fuels Grant program was first established as the Clean 
Fuels Formula Grant program in Section 3008 of the Transportation 
Equity Act for the 21st Century, Public Law 105-178, June 9, 1998 (now 
codified at 49 U.S.C. Sec. 5308). The program was developed to assist 
non-attainment or maintenance areas in achieving or maintaining the 
National Ambient Air Quality Standards for ozone and carbon monoxide 
(CO). Additionally, the program supported emerging clean fuel and 
advanced propulsion technologies for transit buses and markets for 
those technologies. FY 2011 unallocated funding provides $51.5 million 
dollars in discretionary Clean Fuels Grant program resources. 
Additionally, FTA is expanding the eligible applicant pool and may fund 
projects that meet the Clean Fuels Grant program objectives in 
attainment areas using a portion of discretionary Bus and Bus 
Facilities program resources that are available.
1. Program Purpose
    The Clean Fuels/Bus and Bus Facilities program has a two-fold 
purpose. First, the Clean Fuels Grant program was developed to assist 
nonattainment and maintenance areas in achieving or maintaining the 
National Ambient Air Quality Standards for ozone and CO. The second 
program purpose is to support emerging clean fuel and advanced 
propulsion technologies for transit buses and markets for those 
technologies.
2. Eligible Applicants
    Eligible applicants under the FY 2011 Clean Fuels Grant program 
are:
    a. Designated recipients in maintenance or non-attainment areas for 
ozone or CO, which are entities designated to receive Federal urbanized 
formula funds under 49 U.S.C. 5307.
    b. FTA will also accept applications from direct recipients, 
tribes, and State Departments of Transportation in attainment areas.
3. Eligible Projects
    Section 5308 grants authority to the Secretary to make grants under 
this section to assist recipients to finance eligible projects such as 
the following: (1) Purchasing or leasing clean fuel buses, including 
buses that employ a lightweight composite primary structure and vans 
for use in revenue service. The purchase or lease of non-revenue 
vehicles is not an eligible project; (2) Constructing or leasing clean 
fuel bus facilities or electrical recharging facilities and related 
equipment; (3) Projects relating to clean fuel, biodiesel, hybrid 
electric, or zero emissions technology buses that exhibit equivalent or 
superior emissions reductions to existing clean fuel or hybrid electric 
technologies.
    Funds made available under this program cannot be used to fund 
operating expenses or preventive maintenance. The purchase or lease of 
non-revenue vehicles is not an eligible project. Funds made available 
under this program cannot be used to reimburse projects that have 
incurred prior eligible expenses without a Letter of No Prejudice 
(LONP) issued by FTA for the project before the costs are incurred.
4. Cost Sharing or Matching
    For projects awarded funding, costs will be shared as follows:
    (1) Vehicles--90 percent FTA/10 percent local contribution for the 
net incremental cost of the clean fuels component (not the whole 
vehicle). For administrative simplicity, FTA allows recipients to apply 
an 83 percent Federal share for the whole vehicle. The 83 percent share 
is a blended figure representing 80 percent of the vehicle and 90 
percent of the vehicle-related equipment to be acquired in compliance 
with the Clean Air Act (CAA).
    (2) Facilities--The 83 percent Federal share does not apply to 
facilities, for which the costs are more variable. The Federal share is 
90 percent of the cost of the CAA elements of the facility.
    (3) The FY 2011 Appropriations Act allows a 90 percent Federal 
share for the total cost of a biodiesel bus.
    (4) The FY 2011 Appropriations Act allows a 90 percent Federal 
share for the net capital cost of factory installed hybrid electric 
propulsion systems and any equipment related to such a system. For 
administrative simplicity, FTA

[[Page 37180]]

allows recipients to compute the Federal share at 83 percent for 
eligible vehicle purchases.
    (5) FTA will not approve deferred local share.
5. Application Content
a. Proposal Submission Process
    (1) Project proposals must be submitted electronically through 
https://www.grants.gov and a synopsis of this announcement will be 
available in the ``FIND'' module. The Mandatory SF424 Form must be 
completed. Use the Supplemental FTA form (Applicant and Proposal 
Profile) to address proposal content and evaluation criteria specified 
in this notice. Please refer to the ``Dates'' section in this notice 
for more information on application instructions.
    Complete proposals for the Clean Fuels program must be submitted 
electronically through the GRANTS.GOV Web site by August 23, 2011. 
Applicants are encouraged to begin the process of registration on the 
GRANTS.GOV site well in advance of the submission deadline. 
Registration is a multi-step process, which may take several weeks to 
complete before an application can be submitted. In addition to the 
Mandatory SF424 Form that will be downloaded from GRANTS.GOV, FTA 
requires applicants to complete the Supplemental FTA Form to enter 
descriptive and data elements of individual program proposals for these 
discretionary programs. These supplemental forms provide guidance and a 
consistent format for applicants to respond to the criteria outlined in 
this NOFA and described in detail on the FTA Web site at https://www.fta.dot.gov/cleanfuels. Applicants must use this Supplemental Form 
and attach it to their submission in GRANTS.GOV to successfully 
complete the application process. Within 24-48 hours after submitting 
an electronic application, the applicant should receive an e-mail 
validation message from GRANTS.GOV. The validation will state whether 
GRANTS.GOV found any issues with the submitted application. As an 
additional notification, FTA's system will notify the applicant if 
there are any problems with the submitted Supplemental FTA Form. If 
making a resubmission for any reason, include all original attachments 
regardless of which attachments were updated. Complete instructions on 
the application process can be found at https://www.fta.dot.gov/cleanfuels. Important: FTA urges applicants to submit their 
applications at least 72 hours prior to the due date to allow time to 
receive the validation message and to correct any problems that may 
have caused a rejection notification.
    (2) Applicants can only apply for funds currently available for 
allocation. However, an applicant may propose a project that would 
expend money over multiple years. The project, however, should be ready 
to implement and should be completed in a reasonable period of time. In 
sum, the period of performance of the award is separate from the year 
that funds are awarded. Funds allocated under this program will remain 
for obligation available during the FY year selections are announced 
awarded plus two additional years.
b. Proposal Content
    (1) Applicant Information
    This addresses basic identifying information, including:
    i. Proposer's name,
    ii. Applicant eligibility, whether the applicant's area is 
attainment, non- attainment, or maintenance for ozone or CO,
    iii. Description of services provided by the agency, including 
areas served.
    (2) Eligibility Information
    Every proposal must:
    i. Describe the project to be funded and include with the proposal 
any necessary supporting documentation. Example: Information on the age 
of the current fleet, MPO concurrence letters, ridership information.
6. Evaluation Criteria for Clean Fuels Grant Program
a. Project Evaluation Criteria
    Projects will be evaluated according to the following criteria:
    (1) Planning and prioritization at local/regional level
    i. Project is consistent with the transit priorities identified in 
the long range plan and/or contingency/illustrative projects. The 
project could not be included in the financially constrained 
Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP)/STIP due to lack of funding (if 
selected, project must be in federally approved STIP before grant 
award).
    ii. Local support is demonstrated by availability of local match 
for this and/or related projects and letters of support.
    iii. In an area with more than one transit operator, the 
application demonstrates coordination with and support of other transit 
operators, or other related projects within the applicant's MPO or the 
geographic region within which the proposed project will operate.
    (2) The project is ready to implement.
    i. Any required environmental work has been initiated for 
construction projects requiring an Environmental Assessment (EA).
    ii. Implementation plans are ready, including initial design of 
facilities projects.
    iii. TIP/STIP can be amended (evidenced by MPO/State endorsement).
    iv. Project can be obligated and begin implementation quickly, if 
selected.
    (3) The applicants demonstrate the technical, legal, and financial 
capacity to carry out the project. This criterion refers to 
implementation of the particular project proposed.
    i. The applicant has the technical capacity to administer the 
project
    ii. The acquisition is consistent with the bus fleet management 
plan
    iii. There are no outstanding legal, technical, or financial issues 
with the grantee that would make this a high-risk project.
    iv. Source of local match is identified and is available for prompt 
project implementation if selected (no deferred local share will be 
allowed).
    (4) Demonstrated Need
    i. Project represents a one-time or periodic need that cannot 
reasonably be funded from formula allocations or State and/or local 
revenues.
    ii. Other Federal funds have not been made available for this 
project.
    iii. The project will have a positive impact on air quality.
    iv. The project is consistent with the applicant's bus fleet 
management plan.
    v. The project is a transportation control measure in an approved 
State Implementation Plan (if applicable).
    (5) The applicant demonstrates the benefits of the proposed project 
in reducing transportation related pollutants.
    (6) The proposed project supports emerging clean fuels technologies 
or advanced technologies for transit buses.
    (7) Geographic Diversity. To provide the ability to evaluate 
technologies in a wide variety of conditions, FTA may select projects 
to ensure there is sufficient geographic diversity.
    (8) Budget Information
    i. Provide a line-item budget for the project and its total cost.
    ii. Provide the Federal amount requested for each purpose for which 
funds are sought.
    iii. Document matching funds, including amount and source of the 
match.
    iv. Provide project time-line, including significant milestones 
such as date or contract for purchase of vehicle(s), actual or expected 
delivery date of vehicles and contract award and completion of facility 
improvements.
    v. Congressional district(s): Place of performance of the proposed 
project.

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c. Funding Restrictions
    Only proposals from eligible recipients for eligible activities 
will be considered for funding. Due to funding limitations, applicants 
that are selected for funding may receive less than the amount 
requested.

III. Technical Assistance

    FTA will post answers to commonly asked questions about the TIGGER 
program as well as provide information to assist in calculations at 
https://www.fta.dot.gov/tigger. Commonly asked questions about the FY 
2011 Clean Fuels Grant program can be found at https://www.fta.dot.gov/funding/grants/grants_financing_3560.html. Technical assistance 
regarding these requirements is available from each FTA regional office 
listed in Appendix A. The regional offices will contact those 
applicants selected for funding regarding grants and reporting 
requirements and will provide assistance in preparing the documentation 
necessary for the grant award.
    Contact the appropriate FTA Regional or Metropolitan Office for 
application-specific information and issues. For general TIGGER program 
information, contact Walter Kulyk, Office of Mobility Innovation, (202) 
366-4995, e-mail: walter.kulyk@dot.gov.
    For program information on the Clean Fuels/Bus and Bus Facilities 
Program; contact Vanessa Williams, Office of Program Management, (202) 
366-4818, e-mail: Vanessa.williams@dot.gov. A TDD is available at 1-
800-877-8339 (TDD/FIRS).

     Issued in Washington, DC, this 21st day of June, 2011.
Peter Rogoff,
Administrator

Appendix A

                  FTA Regional and Metropolitan Offices
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mary Beth Mello, Regional            Robert C. Patrick, Regional
 Administrator, Region 1--Boston,     Administrator, Region 6--Ft.
 Kendall Square, 55 Broadway, Suite   Worth, 819 Taylor Street, Room
 920, Cambridge, MA 02142-1093,       8A36, Ft. Worth, TX 76102, Tel.
 Tel. 617-494-2055.                   817-978-0550.
States served: Connecticut, Maine,   States served: Arkansas, Louisiana,
 Massachusetts, New Hampshire,        Oklahoma, New Mexico and Texas.
 Rhode Island, and Vermont.
Brigid Hynes-Cherin, Regional        Mokhtee Ahmad, Regional
 Administrator, Region 2--New York,   Administrator, Region 7--Kansas
 One Bowling Green, Room 429, New     City, MO, 901 Locust Street, Room
 York, NY 10004-1415, Tel. 212-668-   404, Kansas City, MO 64106, Tel.
 2170.                                816-329-3920.
States served: New Jersey, New       States served: Iowa, Kansas,
 York.                                Missouri, and Nebraska.
New York Metropolitan Office,
 Region 2--New York, One Bowling
 Green, Room 428, New York, NY
 10004-1415, Tel. 212-668-2202.
Letitia Thompson, Regional           Terry Rosapep, Regional
 Administrator, Region 3--            Administrator, Region 8--Denver,
 Philadelphia, 1760 Market Street,    12300 West Dakota Ave., Suite 310,
 Suite 500, Philadelphia, PA 19103-   Lakewood, CO 80228-2583, Tel. 720-
 4124, Tel. 215-656-7100.             963-3300.
States served: Delaware, Maryland,   States served: Colorado, Montana,
 Pennsylvania, Virginia, West         North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah,
 Virginia, and District of            and, Wyoming.
 Columbia.
Philadelphia Metropolitan Office,
 Region 3--Philadelphia, 1760
 Market Street, Suite 500,
 Philadelphia, PA 19103-4124, Tel.
 215-656-7070.
Washington, D.C. Metropolitan
 Office, 1990 K Street, NW, Room
 510, Washington, DC 20006, Tel.
 202-219-3562.
Yvette Taylor, Regional              Leslie T. Rogers, Regional
 Administrator, Region 4--Atlanta,    Administrator, Region 9--San
 230 Peachtree Street, NW Suite       Francisco, 201 Mission Street,
 800, Atlanta, GA 30303, Tel. 404-    Room 1650, San Francisco, CA 94105-
 865-5600.                            1926, Tel. 415-744-3133.
States served: Alabama, Florida,     States served: American Samoa,
 Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi,      Arizona, California, Guam, Hawaii,
 North, Carolina, Puerto Rico,        Nevada, and the Northern Mariana,
 South Carolina, Tennessee, and       Islands.
 Virgin Islands.
                                     Los Angeles Metropolitan Office,
                                      Region 9--Los Angeles, 888 S.
                                      Figueroa Street, Suite 1850, Los
                                      Angeles, CA 90017-1850, Tel. 213-
                                      202-3952.
Marisol Simon, Regional              Rick Krochalis, Regional
 Administrator, Region 5--Chicago,    Administrator, Region 10--Seattle,
 200 West Adams Street, Suite 320,    Jackson Federal Building, 915
 Chicago, IL 60606, Tel. 312-353-     Second Avenue, Suite 3142,
 2789.                                Seattle, WA 98174-1002, Tel. 206-
                                      220-7954.
States served: Illinois, Indiana,    States served: Alaska, Idaho,
 Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and       Oregon, and Washington.
 Wisconsin.
Chicago Metropolitan Office, Region
 5--Chicago, 200 West Adams Street,
 Suite 320, Chicago, IL 60606, Tel.
 312-353-2789.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Appendix B

Tigger Program Glossary of Terms

    Energy Use of the Public Transportation System is the sum of the 
lower (net) heating value of fuels purchased directly by the public 
transportation system plus electricity purchased directly by the 
public transportation system. It includes energy used to perform 
both revenue and non revenue operations directly operated by the 
agency, but not energy used by purchased services. It includes fuels 
used by an agency to generate energy, but not energy generated by an 
agency. As an example, an applicant would count the lower heating 
value of the diesel fuel used to operate a diesel generator by an 
agency but not the electricity produced by the generator. Energy 
produced on-site using solar or wind power is also not counted as 
part of consumption.
    Expected Useful Life is the expected lifetime of project 
property, or the acceptable period of use in service, based on 
standard industry practices such as those defined in FTA Circular 
9300.1B. If a useful life is claimed that differs from standard 
industry practices, or for which no standard practice exists, the 
assumed useful life of a project should be justified using 
appropriate citations or well-documented assumptions and reasoning.
    Greenhouse Gases are gases that trap heat in the atmosphere 
expressed in Carbon Dioxide (C02)-equivalent mass. The 
principal greenhouse gases that enter the atmosphere because of 
human activities are: Carbon Dioxide (CO2); Methane 
(CH4); Nitrous Oxide (N2O); and Fluorinated 
Gases (Hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and sulfur 
hexafluoride).
    Greenhouse Gas Emissions of the Public Transportation Agency are 
greenhouse gas emissions from public transportation systems vehicles 
or facilities, otherwise known as direct emissions. It does not 
include indirect emissions (e.g., from third-party power plants) or 
displaced emissions (e.g.,

[[Page 37182]]

emissions from manufacturing transit equipment, waste disposal, 
emissions released by upstream processes prior to purchase of the 
fuel or electricity by the transit agency, etc.).
    Project is the proposed capital investment as well as the 
existing system, subsystem, facility, vehicle, or component that the 
investment will replace or be applied to. The project scope 
determines where measurement of energy reductions or emissions 
reductions will take place and must be directly related to the 
actual capital investment.
    Total Project Energy Savings is the estimated annual project 
energy savings multiplied by the expected useful life of the 
investment.
    Total Project Greenhouse Gas Emission Reductions is the 
estimated annual project greenhouse gas emission reductions 
multiplied by the expected useful life of the investment.



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