Notice of Funding Availability for the Tribal Transportation Program Safety Funds, 47480-47486 [2013-18769]

Agencies

• Federal Highway Administration
• DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 150 (Monday, August 5, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47480-47486]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-18769]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration

[Docket No. FHWA-2013-0012]


Notice of Funding Availability for the Tribal Transportation 
Program Safety Funds

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of funding availability.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability of funding and requests 
grant applications for FHWA's Tribal Transportation Program Safety 
Funds (TTPSF). In addition, this notice addresses comments received on 
the interim notice of funding availability (Docket No. FHWA-2013-0012), 
announces selection criteria, application requirements, and technical 
assistance during the grant solicitation period for the TTPSF.
    The TTPSF is authorized within the Tribal Transportation Program 
(TTP) under the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-
21). The FHWA will distribute these funds as described in this final 
notice on a competitive basis in a manner consistent with the selection 
criteria.
    On April 30, 2013, FHWA published an interim notice that announced 
funding availability. Because this is a new program, the interim notice 
also requested comments on the proposed selection and evaluation 
criteria. The FHWA considered the comments that were submitted in 
accordance with the interim notice. The FHWA's response to the comments 
and revisions made in this final notice are described below in the 
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section. In the event that this solicitation 
does not result in the award and obligation of all available funds, 
FHWA may decide to publish an additional solicitation.

DATES: Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov no later than 
5 p.m. e.t. on September 19, 2013 (the ``Application Deadline''). 
Applicants are encouraged to submit applications in advance of the 
Application Deadline, however, applications will not be evaluated, and 
awards will not be made until after the Application Deadline.
    The FHWA plans to conduct outreach regarding the TTPSF in the form 
of a Webinar on August 8, 2013, at 2:00 e.t., (participants can pre-
register online at: https://www.nhi.fhwa.dot.gov/resources/webconference/web_conf_learner_reg.aspx?webconfid=26241). The 
Webinar will be recorded and posted on FHWA's Web site at: https://www.flh.fhwa.dot.gov/programs/ttp/.

ADDRESSES: Applications must be submitted electronically through 
Grants.gov. The FHWA will not accept applications that are sent 
directly to FHWA outside of the Grants.gov process. Instructions for 
submitting through Grants.gov are included in Section V(E) of this 
final notice.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information concerning 
this notice please contact Russell Garcia, TTPSF Program Manager, via 
email at russell.garcia@dot.gov; by telephone at 202-366-9815; or by 
mail at Federal Highway Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., 
Washington, DC 20590. Office hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 
e.t., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. A TDD is 
available for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing at 202-366-
3993. For

[[Page 47481]]

legal questions, please contact Ms. Vivian Philbin, Office of the Chief 
Counsel, by telephone at (720) 963-3445; by email at 
vivian.philbin@dot.gov; or by mail at Federal Highway Administration, 
Central Federal Lands Highway Division, 12300 West Dakota Avenue, 
Lakewood, CO 80228. Office hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. m.t., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On April 30, 2013, FHWA published an interim 
notice announcing the availability of funding for the TTPSF. Because 
this is a new program, the interim notice also requested comments on 
the proposed selection and evaluation criteria in awarding TTPSF 
grants. The FHWA considered the six comments that were submitted in 
accordance with the interim notice and revised some elements of the 
selection criteria as described below.

Response to Comments

    This final notice addresses comments and revises the interim notice 
published on April 30, 2013, (Docket No. FHWA-2013-0012) as follows:
    1. This final notice clarifies the types of projects eligible for 
funding under the four TTPSF funding categories. This clarification is 
in response to: (1) Comments that asked FHWA to include examples of 
eligible projects and activities for each TTPSF funding category, and 
(2) specific questions regarding the eligibility of multimodal 
projects, bus inspection facilities, and projects and activities that 
would be eligible under the Safe Routes to School Program.
    2. The FHWA received comments concerning the use of Grants.gov as 
part of the application process. Commenters expressed concern that 
Grants.gov is cumbersome, that Indian tribes may not be familiar with 
this process, and that Indian tribes may not have reliable Internet 
access. Grants.gov is the mandated system for accessing Federal funds. 
The FHWA will provide technical assistance, as needed, to TTPSF 
applicants during the solicitation period. The FHWA will also address 
the use of Grants.gov during the TTPSF Webinars.
    3. The FHWA received a comment expressing concern over the role of 
the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) in providing technical assistance, 
and stewardship and oversight of TTPSF grants. The FHWA will help to 
coordinate any necessary BIA assistance including working with BIA on 
the TTPSF funding process and program requirements.
    4. This final notice revises the funding limits for safety planning 
activities. However, due to the limited amount of funding availability, 
and the desire to fund as many tribal safety plans as possible, FHWA 
reminds applicants that the evaluation of safety planning activities as 
well as the evaluation of engineering improvements, enforcement and 
emergency services improvements, and education programs, all include 
leveraging TTPSF funds with other (private or public) funding sources.
    5. The FHWA received a comment expressing a desire for flexibility 
in funding goals for each eligibility category. The FHWA believes there 
is sufficient funding flexibility in each of the funding categories 
and, therefore, no change is necessary.
    6. The FHWA received a comment to consider substituting the phrase 
``activities or projects'' for ``projects'' in all cases. The FHWA 
believes that the phrase ``projects'' is broadly defined in Sections I 
(Background) and IIB (Eligible Uses of Funds) which include strategies, 
activities, and projects on a public road and therefore, no change is 
necessary.
    This is the final notice; FHWA is no longer considering comments on 
the proposed selection and evaluation criteria for TTPSF. This final 
notice is the operative notice of funding availability, selection and 
evaluation criteria, application requirements, and technical assistance 
during the grant solicitation period for the TTPSF.

Table of Contents

I. Background
II. Eligibility
    A. Entities Eligible To Apply for Funding
    B. Eligible Uses of Funds
III. Selection Criteria and Policy Considerations
    A. Safety Planning Activities (Funding Goal 40% of TTPSF)
    B. Engineering Improvements (Funding Goal 30% of TTPSF)
    C. Enforcement and Emergency Services Improvements (Funding Goal 
20% of TTPSF)
    D. Education Programs (Funding Goal 10% of TTPSF)
IV. Evaluation Process
V. Application Process
    A. Contents of Applications
    B. Standard Form 424, Applications for Federal Assistance
    C. Narrative (Attachment to SF-424)
    D. Contact Information
    E. Additional Information on Applying Through Grants.gov
    F. Experiencing Unforeseen Grants.gov Technical Issues
VI. Program Funding and Award
VII. Consultation

I. Background

    On July 6, 2012, President Obama signed into law MAP-21 (Pub. L. 
112-141), which authorizes TTPSF as a set aside of not more than 2 
percent of the funds made available under the TTP for each of Federal 
Fiscal Years (FY) 2013 and 2014. Section 202(e) of title 23, United 
States Code (U.S.C.), provides that the funds are to be allocated based 
on an identification and analysis of highway safety issues and 
opportunities on tribal lands, as determined by the Secretary, on 
application of the Indian tribal governments for eligible projects 
described in 23 U.S.C. 148(a)(4). Eligible projects described in 
section 148(a)(4) include strategies, activities, and projects on a 
public road that are consistent with a State strategic highway safety 
plan and correct or improve a hazardous road location or feature, or 
address a highway safety problem.
    Section 202(e) further specifies that in applying for TTPSF, an 
Indian tribal government, in cooperation with the Secretary of the 
Interior and, as appropriate, with a State, local government, or 
metropolitan planning organization, shall select projects from the 
transportation improvement program (TIP), subject to the approval of 
the Secretary of Transportation and the Secretary of the Interior.

II. Eligibility

A. Entities Eligible To Apply for Funding

    Section 202(e) specifies that TTPSF are to be made available to 
Indian tribal governments. Accordingly, consistent with other FHWA 
funding provided to tribes, any federally recognized tribe identified 
on the list of ``Indian Entities Recognized and Eligible to Receive 
Services from the Bureau of Indian Affairs'' (published at 77 FR 47868) 
is eligible to apply for TTPSF.

B. Eligible Uses of Funds

    Under section 202(e), projects for which Indian tribal governments 
may apply are highway safety improvement projects eligible under the 
Highway Safety Improvement Program as described in 23 U.S.C. 148(a)(4). 
Projects eligible for funding may include strategies, activities, or 
projects on a public road that are consistent with a State Strategic 
Highway Safety Plan (SHSP) and correct or improve a hazardous road 
location or feature, or address a highway safety problem.\1\ This

[[Page 47482]]

includes infrastructure and non-infrastructure strategies, activities 
or projects including education activities. For purposes of the TTPSF, 
for a project to be consistent with a State's SHSP it must be data-
driven or address a priority in an applicable tribal transportation 
safety plan that considers the priorities and strategies addressed in 
the State SHSP. To be considered eligible for TTPSF, roadway or 
transportation facilities improvement projects also must be: (1) 
Included in the tribe's official National Tribal Transportation 
Facility Inventory, as identified in 23 U.S.C. 202(b)(1), and (2) 
listed in the TIP.
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    \1\ Examples of eligible HSIP projects include but are not 
limited to the projects set for in 23 U.S.C. 148(a)(4)(B).
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III. Selection Criteria and Policy Considerations

    The FHWA will award TTPSF funds based on the selection criteria and 
policy considerations as outlined below.
    The FHWA shall give priority consideration to eligible projects 
under 23 U.S.C. 148(a)(4) that fall within one of the following four 
categories: (1) Safety planning activities; (2) engineering 
improvements; (3) enforcement and emergency services improvements; and 
(4) education programs. The priority categories were determined in 
consultation with the Tribal Transportation Program Coordinating 
Committee (TTPCC) \2\ and are intended to strengthen safety planning 
activities in tribal transportation while also directing resources to 
needed safety improvements. The categories are also consistent with the 
FHWA SHSP for Indian Lands which has as its mission to, ``Implement 
effective transportation safety programs to save lives while respecting 
Native American culture and tradition by fostering communication, 
coordination, collaboration, and cooperation.'' \3\ These categories 
are also consistent with the Tribal Safety Management Implementation 
Plan (TSMIP). The TSMIP recognizes that, ``tribal safety plans are an 
essential component and an effective planning tool for prioritizing and 
implementing safety solutions.'' \4\ The TSMIP also states that 
``reducing highway fatalities and serious injuries with any sustained 
success requires that all four elements (4Es) of highway safety be 
addressed--engineering, enforcement, education, and emergency services. 
A Tribal Safety Program, whether large or small, should work to address 
the 4Es, and its foundation, data.''
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    \2\ The TTPCC is a committee established in 25 CFR part 170 and 
is charged with providing input and recommendations to the Bureau of 
Indian Affairs (BIA) and FHWA in developing TTP policies and 
procedures. Its members are appointed by the Secretary of the 
Interior and represent all 12 BIA Regions. Tribal consultation is 
described further in Section VIII of this notice.
    \3\ The Strategic Safety Plan of Indian Lands is available at: 
https://flh.fhwa.dot.gov/programs/ttp/safety/documents/strategic-hsp.pdf
    \4\ The SMS Implementation Plan is available at: https://flh.fhwa.dot.gov/programs/ttp/safety/documents/sms-implementation.pdf.
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    The FHWA will allocate the TTPSF among the four categories as 
follows: (1) Safety planning activities (40 percent); (2) engineering 
improvements (30 percent); (3) enforcement and emergency services 
improvements (20 percent); and (4) education programs (10 percent). 
These funding goals were established with the TTPCC and will be 
reviewed annually and may be adjusted to reflect current tribal 
transportation safety priorities and needs. These proposed allocation 
amounts provide substantial funding for tribal safety plans to reflect 
the strong need that has been identified in this area and to ensure 
that all tribes have an opportunity to assess their safety needs and 
prioritize safety projects. The remaining proposed allocation amounts 
were established based on the significant need for transportation 
related capital improvement projects, while still allowing for 
applications that would cover all 4Es of safety.

A. Safety Planning Activities (Funding Goal 40 Percent of TTPSF)

    The development of a tribal safety plan that is data driven, 
identifies transportation safety issues, prioritizes activities, is 
coordinated with the State SHSP and promotes a comprehensive approach 
to addressing safety needs by including all 4Es is a critical step in 
improving highway safety. Additional information on developing a tribal 
safety plan can be found at: https://flh.fhwa.dot.gov/programs/ttp/safety/.
    Accordingly, FHWA will award TTPSF for developing and updating 
tribal safety plans, and other safety planning activities. Eligible 
uses of funds are described in Section II of this notice and example 
projects are listed in 23 U.S.C. 148(a)(4), which can be found at: 
https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/map21/docs/title23usc.pdf.
    The FHWA will use the following criteria in the evaluation of TTPSF 
funding requests for tribal safety plans: (1) Development of a tribal 
safety plan where none currently exists; and (2) age and status of 
existing tribal safety plans. The FHWA will use the following criteria 
in the evaluation of TTPSF funding requests for safety planning 
activities: (1) Inclusion of the activity in a completed State SHSP or 
tribal transportation safety plan that is no more than 5 years old; (2) 
submission of supporting data that clearly demonstrates the need for 
the activity; (3) leveraging of private or other public funding;
    (4) extent to which the project compliments a comprehensive 
approach to safety and addresses elements of the 4Es.
    Examples of eligible safety planning activities include, but are 
not limited to:
     Development of tribal transportation safety plans;
     Collection, analysis, and improvement of safety data; and
     Road safety assessments.

B. Engineering Improvements (Funding Goal 30 Percent of TTPSF)

    Eligible uses of funds are described in Section II of this notice 
and example projects are listed in 23 U.S.C. 148(a)(4) which can be 
found at: https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/map21/docs/title23usc.pdf.
    The FHWA will use the following criteria in the evaluation of 
funding requests for engineering improvements: (1) Inclusion of the 
activity in a completed State SHSP or tribal transportation safety plan 
that is no more than 5 years old; (2) inclusion of the activity in a 
completed road safety audit, engineering study, impact assessment or 
other engineering document; (3) submission of supporting data that 
clearly demonstrates the need for the project; (4) ownership of the 
facility; (5) leveraging of private or other public funding; (6) years 
since the tribe has last received funding for an TTPSF engineering 
improvement project; (7) extent to which the project compliments a 
comprehensive approach to safety and addresses elements of the 4Es.
    Examples of eligible engineering improvement projects include, but 
are not limited to:
     Intersection safety improvements;
     Pavement and shoulder widening (including addition of a 
passing lane to remedy an unsafe condition);
     Installation of rumble strips or another warning device, 
if the rumble strips or other warning devices do not adversely affect 
the safety or mobility of bicyclists and pedestrians, including persons 
with disabilities;
     Installation of a skid-resistant surface at an 
intersection or other location with a high frequency of crashes;
     Improvements for pedestrian or bicyclist safety or safety 
of persons with disabilities;
     Construction and improvement of railway-highway grade 
crossing safety feature;
     Installation of protective devices;
     Construction of a traffic calming feature;

[[Page 47483]]

     Elimination of a roadside hazard;
     Installation, replacement, and other improvement of 
highway signage and pavement markings, or a project to maintain minimum 
levels of retroreflectivity that addresses a highway safety;
     Installation of a traffic control or other warning device 
at a location with high crash potential;
     Installation of guardrails, barriers (including barriers 
between construction work zones and traffic lanes for the safety of 
road users and workers), and crash attenuators;
     The addition or retrofitting of structures or other 
measures to eliminate or reduce crashes involving vehicles and 
wildlife;
     Installation of yellow-green signs and signals at 
pedestrian and bicycle crossings and in school zones;
     Construction and operational improvements on high risk 
rural roads;
     Geometric improvements to a road for safety purposes that 
improve safety;
     Roadway safety infrastructure improvements consistent with 
the recommendations included in the publication of the Federal Highway 
Administration entitled `Highway Design Handbook for Older Drivers and 
Pedestrians';
     Truck parking facilities eligible for funding under 
section 1401 of the MAP-21;
     Systemic safety improvements; and
     Transportation-related safety projects for modes such as 
trails, docks, boardwalks, ice roads, and others that are eligible for 
TTP funds.

C. Enforcement and Emergency Services Improvements (Funding Goal 20 
Percent of TTPSF)

    Eligible uses of funds are described in Section II of this notice 
and example projects are listed in 23 U.S.C. 148(a)(4) which can be 
found at: https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/map21/docs/title23usc.pdf.
    The FHWA will use the following criteria in the evaluation of 
funding requests for enforcement and emergency services improvements: 
(1) Inclusion of the activity in a completed State SHSP or tribal 
transportation safety plan that is no more than 5 years old; (2) 
submission of supporting data that clearly demonstrates the need for 
the project; (3) leveraging of private or other public funding; (4) 
extent to which the project compliments a comprehensive approach to 
safety and addresses elements of the 4Es.
    Examples of eligible enforcement and emergency services improvement 
activities include, but are not limited to:
     The conduct of a model traffic enforcement activity at a 
railway-highway crossing;
     Installation of a priority control system for emergency 
vehicles at signalized intersections; and
     Planning integrated interoperable emergency communications 
equipment, operational activities, or traffic enforcement activities 
(including police assistance) relating to work zone safety.

D. Education Programs (Funding Goal 10 Percent of TTPSF)

    Eligible uses of funds are described in Section II of this notice 
and example projects are listed in 23 U.S.C. 148(a)(4) which can be 
found at: https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/map21/docs/title23usc.pdf.
    The FHWA will use the following criteria in the evaluation of 
funding requests for education projects: (1) Inclusion of the activity 
in a completed State SHSP or tribal transportation safety plan that is 
no more than 5 years old; (2) submission of supporting data that 
clearly demonstrates the need for the project; (3) leveraging of 
private or other public funding; (4) extent to which the project 
compliments a comprehensive approach to safety and addresses elements 
of the 4Es.
    Examples of eligible education activities include, but are not 
limited to:
     Safety Management System Implementation Plan activities;
     Public service announcements; and
     Programs implemented to inform the public or address 
behaviors that affect transportation safety.

IV. Evaluation Process

    The TTPSF grant applications will be evaluated in accordance with 
the below discussed evaluation process. The FHWA will establish an 
evaluation team to review each application received by FHWA prior to 
the Application Deadline. The evaluation team will be led by FHWA and 
will include members from the BIA. The team will include technical and 
professional staff with relevant experience and expertise. The 
evaluation teams will be responsible for evaluating and rating all of 
the projects and making funding recommendations.
    All applications will be evaluated and assigned a rating of 
``Highly Qualified,'' ``Qualified,'' or ``Not Qualified.'' The ratings, 
as defined below, are proposed within each priority funding category as 
follows:
1. Safety Plans and Safety Planning Activities
    a. Highly Qualified Safety Plans: requests (up to a maximum of 
$12,500) for development of new tribal safety plans or to update 
incomplete tribal safety plans and requests (up to a maximum of 
$7,500.00) to update existing tribal safety plans that are more than 3 
years old; significant leverage with other funding.
    b. Qualified: requests for other safety planning efforts that are 
in a current State SHSP or tribal safety plan; and are part of a 
comprehensive approach including other safety efforts.
    c. Not Qualified: projects that do not meet the eligibility 
requirements; any request to update an existing tribal safety plan that 
is less than 3 years old; projects that are not included in a State 
SHSP or tribal safety plan or do not have a comprehensive approach to 
safety with other partners.
    If the number of applications rated as ``highly qualified'' exceed 
the amount of available funding, FHWA will give priority funding 
consideration to requests for development of new tribal safety plans.
2. Engineering Improvements
    a. Highly Qualified: efforts that are in a current State SHSP or 
tribal safety plan; data included in the application that directly 
supports the project; project is in a current road safety audit, 
engineering study, impact assessment, or other engineering study; 
projects located on a BIA or Tribal facility; significant leverage with 
other funding; the tribe has not received funding for a safety 
construction project in more than 10 years or the project is part of a 
comprehensive approach to safety which includes three or more other 
safety efforts.
    b. Qualified: efforts that are in a current State SHSP or tribal 
safety plan, but the plan is more than 5 years old; some data included 
in the application that supports the project; project is in a road 
safety audit, engineering study, impact assessment, or other 
engineering study that is more than 5 years old; project is located on 
a transportation facility not owned by a tribe or BIA; some leveraging 
with other funding; the tribe has not received funding for a safety 
construction project in the last 10 years or the projects is part of a 
coordinated approach with one to two other safety efforts.
    c. Not Qualified: projects that do not meet the eligibility 
requirements; are not included in a State SHSP or tribal safety plan; 
no data provided in the application to support the request; are not 
included in a road safety audit, engineering study, impact assessment, 
or other engineering study; have received funding for a safety 
construction project within the last 2

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years or do not have a comprehensive approach to safety with other 
partners.
    If the number of applications rated as ``highly qualified'' exceed 
the amount of available funding, FHWA will give priority funding 
consideration to those applicants that have provided sufficient data 
that supports the project and indicates that the project is included in 
a road safety audit or other engineering study that clearly identifies 
the improvements that are needed.
3. Enforcement and Emergency Services
    a. Highly Qualified: efforts that are in a current State SHSP or 
tribal safety plan; data included in the application that directly 
supports the requested project, significant leverage with other funding 
or are part of a comprehensive approach to safety, including three or 
more other safety efforts.
    b. Qualified: efforts that are in a current State SHSP or tribal 
safety plan but the plan is more than 5 years old; some data included 
in the application that supports the project; some leveraging with 
other funding or are coordinated with one to two other safety efforts.
    c. Not Qualified: projects that do not meet the eligibility 
requirements; are not included in a State SHSP or tribal safety plan; 
no data provided in the application that supports the project does not 
have a comprehensive approach to safety with other partners.
    If the number of applications rated as ``highly qualified'' exceed 
the amount of available funding, FHWA will give priority funding 
consideration to those applicants that have provided sufficient data 
that supports the project and indicates that the project is included in 
an existing transportation safety plan
4. Education Programs
    a. Highly Qualified: efforts that are in a current State SHSP or 
tribal safety plan; data included in the application that directly 
supports the requested project; significant leverage with other funding 
or are part of a comprehensive approach to safety including three or 
more other safety efforts.
    b. Qualified: efforts that are in a current State SHSP or tribal 
safety plan but the plan is more than 5 years old; some data included 
in the application that supports the project; some leveraging with 
other funding or are coordinated with one to two other safety efforts.
    c. Not Qualified: projects that do not meet the eligibility 
requirements; are not included in a State SHSP or tribal safety plan; 
no data provided in the application that supports the project does not 
have a comprehensive approach to safety with other partners.
    If the number of applications rated as ``highly qualified'' exceed 
the amount of available funding, FHWA will give priority funding 
consideration to those applicants that have provided sufficient data 
that supports the project and shown the project is included in an 
existing transportation safety plan.

V. Application Process

A. Contents of Applications

    The applicants must include all of the information requested below 
in their applications. The FHWA may request any applicant to supplement 
the data in its application, but encourages applicants to submit the 
most relevant and complete information the applicant could provide. The 
FHWA also encourages applicants, to the extent practicable, to provide 
data and evidence of project merits in a form that is publicly 
available or verifiable.
    A complete application must consist of: (1) The Standard Form 424 
(SF 424) available from Grants.gov; and (2) the narrative attachment to 
the SF 424 as described below.

B. Standard Form 424, Application for Federal Assistance

    Applicants should see www.grants.gov/assets/SF424Instructions.pdf 
for instructions for completing the SF 424, which is part of the 
standard Grants.gov submission.

C. Narrative (Attachment to SF 424)

    Applicants must attach a supplemental narrative to their submission 
in Grants.gov to successfully complete the application process. Once 
completed, the applicant must include the supplemental narrative in the 
attachments section of the SF 424 mandatory form.
    The applicant must identify in the project narrative the 
eligibility category under which the project identified in the 
application fits. The applicant also would respond to the application 
requirements proposed below. The FHWA recommends that the application 
be prepared with standard formatting preferences (e.g. a single-spaced 
document, using a standard 12-point font, such as Times New Roman, with 
1-inch margins).
    An application must include any information needed to verify that 
the project meets the statutory eligibility criteria as well as other 
information required for FHWA to assess each of the criteria specified 
in Section III (Selection Criteria). Applicants are required to 
demonstrate the responsiveness of their proposal to any pertinent 
selection criteria with the most relevant information that applicants 
could provide, regardless of whether such information is specifically 
requested, or identified, in the final notice. Applicants should 
provide concrete evidence of project milestones, financial capacity and 
commitment in order to support project readiness.
    Consistent with the requirements for an eligible highway safety 
improvement project under 23 U.S.C. 148(a)(4), applicants must describe 
clearly how the project would correct or improve a hazardous road 
location or feature or would address a highway safety problem. The 
application must include supporting data.
    For ease of review, FHWA recommends that the project narrative 
generally adhere to the following basic outline, and include a table of 
contents, project abstract, maps, and graphics:
    1. Project Abstract: Describe project work that would be completed 
under the project, the hazardous road location or feature or the 
highway safety problem that the project would address, and whether the 
project is a complete project or part of a larger project with prior 
investment (maximum five sentences). The project abstract must 
succinctly describe how this specific request for TTPSF would be used 
to complete the project.
    2. Project Description: (Including information on the expected 
users of the project, a description of the hazardous road location or 
feature or the highway safety problem that the project would address, 
and how the project would address these challenges);
    3. Applicant information and coordination with other entities 
(identification of the Indian tribal government applying for TTPSF, 
description of cooperation with other entities in selecting projects 
from the TIP as required under 23 U.S.C. 202(e)(2), information 
regarding any other entities involved in the project);
    4. Grant Funds and Sources/Uses of Project Funds (information about 
the amount of grant funding requested for the project, availability/
commitment of funds sources and uses of all project funds, total 
project costs, percentage of project costs that would be paid for with 
the TTPSF, and the identity and percentage shares of all parties 
providing funds for the project (including Federal funds provided under 
other programs));
    5. A description of how the proposal meets the Selection Criteria 
identified in Section III (Selection Criteria and Policy 
Considerations) and the statutory

[[Page 47485]]

eligibility criteria as described in Section II (Eligibility).

D. Contact Information

    The applicant must include contact information requested as part of 
the SF-424. The FHWA will use this information if additional 
application information is needed or to inform parties of FHWA's 
decision regarding selection of projects. Contact information should be 
provided for a direct employee of the lead applicant. Contact 
information for a contractor, agent, or consultant of the lead 
applicant is insufficient for FHWA's purposes.

E. Additional Information on Applying Through Grants.gov

    Applications for TTPSF must be submitted through Grants.gov. To 
apply for funding through Grants.gov, applicants must be properly 
registered. Complete instructions on how to register and apply can be 
found at www.grants.gov. If interested parties experience difficulties 
at any point during registration or application process, they should 
call the Grants.gov Customer Support Hotline at 1-800-518-4726, Monday-
Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. e.t.
    Registering with Grants.gov is a one-time process; however, 
processing delays may occur and it can take up to several weeks for 
first-time registrants to receive confirmation and a user password. 
Accordingly, FHWA highly recommends that potential applicants start the 
registration process as early as possible to prevent delays that may 
preclude submitting an application by the deadlines specified. 
Applications will not be accepted after the relevant due date; delayed 
registration is not an acceptable reason for extensions. In order to 
apply for TTPSF under this announcement and to apply for funding 
through Grants.gov, all applicants are required to complete the 
following:
    1. Acquire a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number. A DUNS 
number is required for Grants.gov registration. The Office of 
Management and Budget requires that all applicants for Federal funds 
include a DUNS number in their applications for a new award or renewal 
of an existing award. A DUNS number is a unique nine-digit sequence 
recognized as the universal standard for identifying and keeping track 
of entities receiving Federal funds. The identifier is used for 
tracking purposes and to validate address and point of contact 
information for Federal assistance applicants, recipients, and sub-
recipients. The DUNS number will be used throughout the grant life 
cycle. Obtaining a DUNS number is a free, one-time activity that can be 
completed by calling 1-866-705-5711 or by applying online at https://fedgov.dnb.com/webform.
    2. Acquire or Renew Registration with the Central Contractor 
Registration (CCR) Database. All applicants for Federal financial 
assistance maintain current registrations in the CCR database. An 
applicant must be registered in the CCR to successfully register in 
Grants.gov. The CCR database is the repository for standard information 
about Federal financial assistance applicants, recipients, and sub-
recipients. Entities that have previously submitted applications via 
Grants.gov are already registered with CCR, as it is a requirement for 
Grants.gov registration. Please note, however, that applicants must 
update or renew their CCR registration at least once per year to 
maintain an active status, so it is critical to check registration 
status well in advance of relevant application deadlines. Information 
about CCR registration procedures can be accessed at: https://www.sam.gov/portal/public/SAM/.
    3. Acquire an Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) and a 
Grants.gov Username and Password. Applicants will need to complete an 
AOR profile on Grants.gov and create a username and password. The 
assigned DUNS Number is required to complete this step. For more 
information about the registration process, go to: www.grants.gov/applicants/get_registered.jsp.
    4. Acquire Authorization for the AOR from the E-Business Point of 
Contact (E-Biz POC). The E-Biz POC for the tribe must log in to 
Grants.gov to confirm the applicant as an AOR. Please note that there 
can be more than one AOR for your tribe.
    5. Search for the Funding Opportunity on Grants.gov. Applicants 
would use the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number for this 
solicitation is 20.205, titled Highway Planning and Construction, when 
searching for the TTPSF opportunity on Grants.gov.
    6. Submit an Application Addressing All of the Requirements 
Outlined in this Funding Availability Announcement. Within 24 to 48 
hours after submitting an electronic application, applicants should 
receive an email validation message from Grants.gov. The validation 
message will specify whether the application has been received and 
validated or rejected, with an explanation. Applicants are encouraged 
to submit applications at least 72 hours prior to the due date of the 
application to allow time to receive the validation message and to 
correct any problems that may have caused a rejection notification.

    Note: When uploading attachments, applicants should use 
generally accepted formats such as .pdf, .doc, and .xls. While 
applicants may imbed picture files such as .jpg, .gif, .bmp, in your 
files, they should not save and submit the attachment in these 
formats. Additionally, the following formats will not be accepted: 
.com, .bat, .exe, .vbs, .cfg, .dat, .db, .dbf, .dll, .ini, .log, 
.ora, .sys, and .zip.

F. Experiencing Unforeseen Grants.gov Technical Issues

    If an applicant experiences unforeseen Grants.gov technical issues 
beyond its control that prevent the submission of an application by the 
established deadline, such applicant must contact Grants.gov.
    To ensure a fair competition for limited TTPSF, the following 
conditions are not valid reasons to permit late submissions: (1) 
Failure to complete the registration process before the deadline date; 
(2) failure to follow Grants.gov instructions on how to register and 
apply as posted on its Web site; (3) failure to follow all of the 
instructions in the funding availability notice; and (4) technical 
issues experienced with the applicant's computer or information 
technology environment.

VI. Program Funding and Award

    Section 1101 of MAP-21 authorized $450,000,000 for the TTP for each 
of FY 2013 and 2014. Section 1119 of MAP-21 amends 23 U.S.C. 202(e) to 
provide that not more than 2 percent of such funds made available for 
the TTP may be allocated for TTPSF. Accordingly, FHWA expects that a 
maximum of $9,000,000 could be made available in each of FYs 2013 and 
2014 for TTPSF. The FHWA anticipates high demand for this limited 
amount of funding and encourages applications for modest-sized, 
scalable requests that allow more tribes to receive funding.

VII. Consultation Process

    The DOT issued Order 5301.1, ``Department of Transportation 
Programs, Policies, and Procedures Affecting American Indians, Alaska 
Natives, and Tribes'' on November 16, 1999. This Order affirmed the 
DOT's and its Modal Administrations' unique legal relationship with 
Indian tribes, established DOT's consultation and coordination process 
with Indian tribes for any action that may significantly or uniquely 
affect them, and listed goals for Modal Administrations to meet when 
carrying out policies, programs, and activities affecting American

[[Page 47486]]

Indians, Alaska Natives, and tribes. The Department affirms its 
commitment to these principles, and those set forth in Executive Order 
13175 and the President's November 5, 2009, memorandum in establishing 
the DOT Consultation Plan dated March 4, 2010, and found at: https://www.dot.gov/sites/dot.dev/files/docs/Tribal%20Consultation%20Plan.pdf
    In furtherance of these documents pertaining to consultation, FHWA 
informally consulted with the TPPCC in categorizing the eligible 
activities and determining funding priorities as described herein. In 
addition to soliciting comments on this notice, FHWA expects to provide 
other outreach opportunities with tribes through webinars in advance of 
publication of a final notice of funding availability.

    Authority: Section 1119 of Pub. L. 112-141; 23 U.S.C. 202(e).

    Issued on: July 29, 2013.
Victor M. Mendez,
FHWA Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2013-18769 Filed 8-2-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-P