Notice of Funding Availability for the Tribal Transportation Program Safety Funding, 36885-36891 [2015-15709]

Agencies

• Federal Highway Administration
• DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 123 (Friday, June 26, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36885-36891]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-15709]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Notice of Funding Availability for the Tribal Transportation 
Program Safety Funding

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

ACTION: Notice of funding availability.

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

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 identifies 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), as extended. The FHWA will distribute these funds as described in 
this notice on a competitive basis in a manner consistent with the 
selection criteria.

DATES: Applications must be submitted through ttpsf@dot.gov no later 
than 5 p.m., e.t. on August 25, 2015 (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 July 15, 2015 at 2:00 p.m., e.t. To join the Webinar, 
please click this link then enter the room as a guest: https://connectdot.connectsolutions.com/tribaltrans/. The audio portion of the 
Webinar can be accessed from this teleconference line: TOLL FREE 1-888-
251-2909; ACCESS CODE 4442306. The Webinar will be recorded and posted 
on FHWA's Web site at: https://www.flh.fhwa.dot.gov/programs/ttp/safety/. A TDD is available for individuals who are deaf or hard of 
hearing at 202-366-3993.

ADDRESSES: Applications must be submitted electronically to 
ttpsf@dot.gov.

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 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 
e.t., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. For 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 August 5, 2013, FHWA published the first 
notice of funding availability for the TTPSF (78 FR 47480). On November 
13, 2013, FHWA awarded 183 tribes a total of $8.6 million for 193 
projects. On May 14, 2014, FHWA published the second notice of funding 
availability for the TTPSF (78 FR 47480). On March 10, 2015, FHWA 
awarded 82 tribes a total of $8.5 million for 94 projects to improve 
transportation safety on tribal lands. The FHWA is publishing this 
third notice to announce the availability of an additional round of 
funding and request grant applications.

Table of Contents

A. Program Description
B. Federal Award Information
C. Eligibility Information
    1. Eligible Applicants
    2. Cost Sharing or Matching
D. Application and Submission Information
    1. Address To Request Application Package
    2. Content and Form of Application Submission
    3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management 
(SAM)
    4. Submission Dates and Time
    5. Intergovernmental Review
    6. Funding Restrictions
    7. Other Submission Requirements
E. Application Review Information
    1. Criteria
    i. Safety Plans and Safety Planning Activities (funding goal 40 
percent of TTPSF)
    ii. Engineering Improvements (funding goal 30 percent of TTPSF)
    iii. Enforcement and Emergency Services Improvements (funding 
goal 20 percent of TTPSF)
    iv. Education Programs (funding goal 10 percent of TTPSF)
    2. Review and Selection Process
    i. Safety Plans and Safety Planning Activities
    ii. Engineering Improvements
    iii. Enforcement and Emergency Services
    iv. Education Programs
F. Federal Award Administration Information
    1. Federal Award Notice
    2. Administrative and National Policy
    3. Reporting
G. Federal Awarding Agency Contact(s)
H. Other Information
    1. Protection of Confidential Business Information

A. Program Description

    Since the TTPSF was created under MAP-21, $17.1 million has been 
awarded to 265 Indian tribes for 287 projects to address safety issues 
in Indian country over two rounds of competitive grants. The intent of 
the TTPSF is to address the prevention and reduction of death or 
serious injuries in transportation related crashes on tribal lands 
where statistics are consistently higher than the rest of the nation as 
a whole.
    The TTPSF emphasizes the development of Strategic Transportation 
Safety Plans using a data driven process as a means for tribes to 
determine how transportation safety needs will be addressed in tribal 
communities. Tribal Transportation Safety Plans are a tool used to 
identify risk factors that lead to serious injury or death and organize 
various entities to strategically reduce risk; projects submitted must 
be tied to a comprehensive safety strategy and be based on incident 
history (i.e., data).
    Throughout the past two grant cycles, TTPSF awards have supported 
safety

[[Page 36886]]

planning, engineering, enforcement and emergency services, and 
education projects. Successful TTPSF projects leverage resources, 
encourage partnership, and have the data to support the applicants' 
approach in addressing the prevention and reduction of death or serious 
injuries in transportation related crashes. A listing of the safety 
projects/activities that were previously submitted by the Tribes and 
awarded TTP safety funds, as well as additional safety related 
information can be found on the TTP Safety Web site at https://flh.fhwa.dot.gov/programs/ttp/safety/ttpsf.htm.
    In FY 2015, the TTPSF will continue to fund projects of all 
eligible types, including projects that are highway safety improvement 
projects eligible under the Highway Safety Improvement Program as 
described in 23 United States Code (U.S.C.) 148(a)(4), in the same four 
categories identified in the previous two rounds: (1) Safety plans and 
safety planning activities (40 percent); (2) engineering improvements 
(30 percent); (3) enforcement and emergency services improvements (20 
percent); and (4) education programs (10 percent).
    The TTPSF Web site includes a series of tools to help an applicant 
prepare a successful grant application. Please explore the grant 
application tools at: https://flh.fhwa.dot.gov/programs/ttp/safety/ttpsf.htm.

B. Federal Award Information

    The MAP-21 (Pub. L. 112-141) authorizes TTPSF as a set aside of not 
more than 2 percent of the funds made available under the TTP for FY 
2013 and 2014. The Highway Transportation Funding Act of 2014 (Pub. L. 
113-159) extended the provisions of MAP-21, including the TTPSF set 
aside, through May 31, 2015. Although the Fiscal Year (FY) 2015 TTPSF 
full-year funding level is unknown at this time, this notice of funding 
availability solicits proposals under the TTPSF for FY 2015. Section 
202(e) of Title 23, U.S.C., provides that 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, subject to the approval of the 
Secretary of Transportation and the Secretary of the Interior.
    Upon award, TTPSF will be administered the same way as all TTP 
funds: FHWA Agreement tribes will receive funds in accordance with 
their Program Agreement through a Referenced Funding Agreement (RFA); 
Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Agreement tribes will receive their 
funds through their BIA Regional Office; and Compact tribes will 
receive their funds through the Department of the Interior's Office of 
Self Governance. Upon completion of a TTPSF project, funds that are not 
expended are to be recovered and returned to the TTPSF funding pool to 
be made available for the following TTPSF grant cycle.

C. Eligibility Information

    To be selected for a TTPSF award, an applicant must be a federally 
recognized Indian tribe and the project must be an Eligible Project.

1. Eligible Applicants

    Eligible Applicants for TTPSF discretionary grants are federally 
recognized tribes identified on the list of ``Indian Entities 
Recognized and Eligible to Receive Services from the Bureau of Indian 
Affairs'' (published at 77 FR 47868). Other entities may partner with a 
tribal government to submit an application, but the Eligible Applicant 
must be a federally recognized Indian tribe. A tribe may submit more 
than one application; however, only one project may be included in each 
application.
    Recipients of prior TTPSF funds may submit applications during this 
current round according to the selection criteria. However, to be 
competitive, the applicant should demonstrate the extent to which the 
previously funded project or projects has been able to meet estimated 
project schedules and budget, as well as the ability to realize the 
outcomes for previous awards.

2. Cost Sharing or Matching

    There is no matching requirement for the TTPSF. However, if the 
total amount of funding requested for applications rated ``highly 
qualified'' or ``qualified'' exceeds the amount of available funding, 
FHWA will give priority consideration to those projects that show a 
commitment of other funding sources to complement the TTPSF funding 
request. Therefore, leveraging a TTPSF request with other funding 
sources identified in Section E is encouraged.

D. Application and Submission Information

1. Address To Request Application Package

    Application package can be downloaded from the TTPSF Web site: 
https://flh.fhwa.dot.gov/programs/ttp/safety/ttpsf.htm. Applicants may 
also request a paper copy of this application package by contacting 
Russell Garcia at 202-366-9815. For a Telephone Device for the Deaf 
(TDD) please call 202-366-3993. The application must be submitted 
through ttpsf@dot.gov. 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.

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

    Additional information, including additional data, may be requested 
by FHWA to clarify an application, but FHWA encourages applicants to 
submit the most relevant and complete information the applicant can 
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.
    The applicants should include the following information in their 
applications:
i. Standard Form 424, Applications for Federal Assistance
    A complete application must consist of the Standard Form 424 (SF 
424) available at https://flh.fhwa.dot.gov/programs/ttp/safety.
ii. Narrative (Attachment to SF 424)
    Applicants must attach a supplemental narrative to their submission 
to successfully complete the application process. The applicant must 
include the supplemental narrative in the attachments section of the SF 
424 mandatory form.
    The applicant must identify the eligibility category for which the 
applicant is seeking funds in the project narrative. In addition, the 
applicant should address each question or statement in the application. 
It is recommended that the applicant use standard formatting (e.g., a 
single-spaced document, using a standard 12-point font, such as Times 
New Roman, with 1-inch margins) to prepare their

[[Page 36887]]

application narrative. An application must include any information 
needed to verify that the project meets the statutory eligibility 
criteria in order for the FHWA to evaluate the application against 
TTPSF criteria.
    Applicants should demonstrate the responsiveness of their proposal 
to any pertinent selection criteria with the most relevant information 
that applicants can provide, and substantiated by data, regardless of 
whether such information is specifically requested, or identified, in 
the final notice. Applicants should provide evidence of the feasibility 
of achieving certain 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:
    a. 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.
    b. Project Description: Include 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;
    c. Applicant information and coordination with other entities: 
Identify the Indian tribal government applying for TTPSF, a description 
of cooperation with other entities in selecting projects from the TIP 
as required under 23 U.S.C. 202(e)(2), and information regarding any 
other entities involved in the project;
    d. Grant Funds and Sources/Uses of Project Funds: Include 
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);
    e. Include a description of how the proposal meets the Selection 
Criteria identified in Section E, Subsection 1 Criteria.

3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM)

    The TTPSF requires applicants to be either registered in SAM or 
provide their Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number with their 
application.

4. Submission Dates and Time

    i. Deadline--Applications must be submitted through ttpsf@dot.gov 
no later than 5 p.m., e.t. on August 25, 2015 (the ``application 
deadline'').
    ii. 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.
    iii. Upon submission of the applications to ttpsf@dot.gov, the 
applicants will receive automatic reply confirming transmittal of the 
application to the FHWA. Please contact Russell Garcia at 202-366-9815, 
should you not receive any confirmation from the FHWA.
    iv. Late Applications--Applications received after the deadline 
will not be considered except in the case of unforeseen technical 
difficulties that are beyond the applicant's control. The FHWA will 
consider late applications on a case-by-case basis. Applicants are 
encouraged to submit additional information documenting the technical 
difficulties experienced, including a screen capture of any error 
messages received.

5. Intergovernmental Review

    The TTPSF is not subject to the Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs.

6. Funding Restrictions

    There are no funding restrictions on any applications. However, 
FHWA anticipates high demand for this limited amount of funding and 
encourages applications with scalable requests that allow more tribes 
to receive funding and for requests that identify a commitment of other 
funding sources to complement the TTPSF funding request. Applicants 
should demonstrate the capacity to successfully implement the proposed 
request in a timely manner, and ensure that cost estimates and 
timelines to complete deliverables are included in their application.

7. Other Submission Requirements

    Applications must be submitted electronically to ttpsf@dot.gov.

E. Application Review Information

1. Criteria

    The FHWA will award TTPSF funds based on the selection criteria and 
policy considerations as outlined below. However, to be competitive, 
the applicant should demonstrate the extent to which a previously 
funded project or projects has been able to meet estimated project 
schedules and budget, as well as the ability to realize the outcomes 
for previous awards.
    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 plans and 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) and are 
intended to strengthen safety plans and safety planning activities in 
tribal transportation while also directing resources to needed safety 
improvements. The categories are also consistent with the FHWA State 
Strategic Highway Safety Plan (State 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.'' 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.'' 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.''
    The FHWA will allocate the TTPSF among the four categories as 
follows: (1) Safety plans and safety planning activities (40 percent); 
(2) engineering improvements (30 percent); (3) enforcement and 
emergency services improvements (20 percent); and (4)

[[Page 36888]]

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. 
Because these percentages are only goals, they may be further adjusted 
to reflect the amounts requested in the applications received in 
response to this notice.
i. Safety Plans and 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. 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 or status of an 
existing tribal safety plan.
    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 demonstrates the need for the activity; (3) leveraging of private 
or other public funding; or (4) the project is part of a comprehensive 
approach to safety which includes other safety efforts.
    Examples of eligible safety planning activities include, but are 
not limited to:
     Collection, analysis, and improvement of safety data; and
     Road safety assessments.
ii. Engineering Improvements (Funding Goal 30 Percent of TTPSF)
    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 
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; or (7) the project is part of a comprehensive approach to 
safety which includes other safety efforts.
    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;
     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 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 FHWA publication entitled ``Highway 
Design Handbook for Older Drivers and Pedestrians'';
     Truck parking facilities eligible for funding under 
section 1401 of 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.
iii. Enforcement and Emergency Services Improvements (Funding Goal 20 
Percent of TTPSF)
    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 demonstrates the need for the 
project; (3) leveraging of private or other public funding; or (4) the 
project is part of a comprehensive approach to safety which includes 
other safety efforts.
    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.
iv. Education Programs (Funding Goal 10 Percent of TTPSF)
    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

[[Page 36889]]

safety plan that is no more than 5 years old; (2) submission of 
supporting data that demonstrates the need for the project; (3) 
leveraging of private or other public funding; or (4) the project is 
part of a comprehensive approach to safety which includes other safety 
efforts.
    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.

2. Review and Selection Process

    The TTPSF grant applications will be evaluated in accordance with 
evaluation process discussed below. The FHWA will establish an 
evaluation team to review each application received by FHWA prior to 
the application deadline. The FHWA will lead the evaluation team, which 
will include members from the BIA. The evaluation team will include 
technical and professional staff with relevant experience and expertise 
in tribal transportation safety issues. The evaluation team will be 
responsible for evaluating and rating all eligible projects. The 
evaluation team will review each application against the evaluation 
criteria in each of the four categories and assign a rating of ``Highly 
Qualified,'' ``Qualified,'' or ``Not Qualified'' to each application 
for the FHWA Administrator's review. The FHWA Administrator will 
forward funding recommendations to the Office of the Secretary. The 
final funding decisions will be made by the Secretary of 
Transportation.
    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:
i. Safety Plans and Safety Planning Activities \1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ The development of a tribal safety plan is the cornerstone 
for all future tribal safety activities including education, 
enforcement and emergency services, engineering improvements and 
other safety planning activities. Because of the importance of 
developing, completing or updating a tribal safety plan and for this 
one category only, applications will be deemed either ``highly 
qualified'' or ``not qualified.'' All applications to develop a new 
tribal safety plan, update an incomplete safety plan, or update an 
existing tribal safety plan more than 3 years old are deemed to be 
highly qualified. Applications not directed to developing, updating 
or completing existing a tribal safety plan or which address a plan 
not older than 3 years are deemed ``Not Qualified.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

I. Development of Tribal Safety Plans
    a. Highly Qualified: 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) to update 
existing tribal safety plans that are more than 3 years old.
    b. 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.
II. Other Safety Planning Activities
    a. Highly Qualified: Requests for other safety planning activities 
that are in a current State SHSP or tribal safety plan that is not more 
than 5 years old; submission of data that demonstrates the need for the 
activities; significant leveraging of private or public funding; and 
are part of a comprehensive approach to safety which includes other 
safety efforts. If the total amount of funding requested for 
applications rated as ``highly qualified'' exceeds the amount of 
available funding, FHWA will give priority funding consideration to 
funding one or more independent components of a highly qualified 
project. To be eligible, a component must meet eligibility criteria and 
must be a transportation safety project that has independent utility 
(i.e., is usable and a reasonable expenditure of Federal funds even if 
no other improvements are made in the area). In other words, FHWA may 
fund an independent component of a project, instead of the full project 
described in the application, only if that component provides 
transportation benefits and will be ready for its intended use upon 
completion of that component.
    Applicants should be aware that while it is anticipated that most 
of these projects will be categorical exclusions because they do not 
lead to construction or have potentially significant traffic or other 
impacts, depending on the relationship between the overall project and 
the independent component, the NEPA review for the independent 
component may have to include evaluation of all project components as 
connected, similar, or cumulative actions, as detailed at 40 CFR 
1508.25. Priority consideration will also be given to funding requests 
that include a commitment of other funding sources to complement the 
TTPSF, and those requests where the applicants demonstrate the capacity 
to successfully implement the proposed project in a timely manner.
    b. Qualified: Requests for other safety planning activities that 
are in a current State SHSP or tribal safety plan that is more than 5 
years old; submission of some data that demonstrates the need for the 
activity; some leveraging of private or public funding; and is part of 
a comprehensive approach to safety which includes other safety efforts.
    If the total amount of funding requested for applications rated as 
``qualified'' exceeds the amount of available funding, FHWA will give 
priority funding consideration to funding one or more independent 
components of a qualified project. To be eligible, a component must 
meet eligibility criteria and must be a transportation safety project 
that has independent utility (i.e., is usable and a reasonable 
expenditure of Federal funds even if no other improvements are made in 
the area). In other words, FHWA may fund an independent component of a 
project, instead of the full project described in the application, only 
if that component provides transportation benefits and will be ready 
for its intended use upon completion of that component. Applicants 
should be aware that while it is anticipated that most of these 
projects will be categorical exclusions because they do not lead to 
construction or have potentially significant traffic or other impacts, 
depending on the relationship between the overall project and the 
independent component, the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) 
review for the independent component may have to include evaluation of 
all project components as connected, similar, or cumulative actions, as 
detailed at 40 CFR 1508.25. Priority consideration will also be given 
to funding requests that include a commitment of other funding sources 
to complement the TTPSF, and those requests where the applicants 
demonstrate the capacity to successfully implement the proposed project 
in a timely manner.
    c. Not Qualified: Projects that do not meet the eligibility 
requirements; projects that are not included in a State SHSP or tribal 
safety plan.
ii. Engineering Improvements
    a. Highly Qualified: Efforts that are in a current State SHSP or 
tribal safety plan that is less than 5 years old; data included in the 
application that directly supports the project; project is in a current 
road safety audit, impact assessment, or other safety engineering 
study; projects located on a BIA or tribal facility; significant 
leverage with other funding; the tribe has not received funding for a 
TTPSF transportation 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.
    If the total amount of funding requested for applications rated as 
``highly qualified'' exceeds the amount

[[Page 36890]]

of available funding, FHWA will give priority funding consideration to 
funding one or more independent components of a highly qualified 
project. To be eligible, a component must meet eligibility criteria and 
must be a transportation improvement that has independent utility 
(i.e., is usable and a reasonable expenditure of Federal funds even if 
no other improvements are made in the area). In other words, FHWA may 
fund an independent component of a project, instead of the full project 
described in the application, only if that component provides 
transportation benefits and will be ready for its intended use upon 
completion of that component's construction. Applicants should be aware 
that, depending on the relationship between the overall project and the 
independent component, the NEPA review for the independent component 
may have to include evaluation of all project components as connected, 
similar, or cumulative actions, as detailed at 40 CFR 1508.25. Priority 
consideration will also be given to funding requests that include a 
commitment of other funding sources to complement the TTPSF, and those 
requests where the applicants demonstrate the capacity to successfully 
implement the proposed project in a timely manner.
    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, impact assessment, or other safety 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 TTPSF transportation 
safety construction project in the last 2 to 10 years or the projects 
is part of a coordinated approach with one to two other safety efforts.
    If the total amount of funding requested for applications rated as 
``qualified'' exceeds the amount of available funding, FHWA will give 
priority funding consideration to funding one or more independent 
components of a qualified project. To be eligible, a component must 
meet eligibility criteria and must be a transportation improvement that 
has independent utility (i.e., is usable and a reasonable expenditure 
of Federal funds even if no other improvements are made in the area). 
In other words, FHWA may fund an independent component of a project, 
instead of the full project described in the application, only if that 
component provides transportation benefits and will be ready for its 
intended use upon completion of that component's construction. 
Applicants should be aware that, depending on the relationship between 
the overall project and the independent component, the NEPA review for 
the independent component may have to include evaluation of all project 
components as connected, similar, or cumulative actions, as detailed at 
40 CFR 1508.25. Priority consideration will also be given to funding 
requests that include a commitment of other funding sources to 
complement the TTPSF, and those requests where the applicants 
demonstrate the capacity to successfully implement the proposed project 
in a timely manner.
    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, impact assessment, or other safety 
engineering study; have received funding for a TTPSF transportation 
safety construction project within the last 2 years or do not have a 
comprehensive approach to safety with other partners.
iii. Enforcement and Emergency Services
    a. Highly Qualified: Efforts that are in a current State SHSP or 
tribal safety plan that is less than 5 years old; 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.
    If the total amount of funding requested for applications rated as 
``highly qualified'' exceeds the amount of available funding, FHWA will 
give priority funding consideration to funding one or more independent 
components of a highly qualified project. To be eligible, a component 
must meet eligibility criteria and must be a transportation safety 
project that has independent utility (i.e., is usable and a reasonable 
expenditure of Federal funds even if no other improvements are made in 
the area). In other words, FHWA may fund an independent component of a 
project, instead of the full project described in the application, only 
if that component provides transportation benefits and will be ready 
for its intended use upon completion of that component. Applicants 
should be aware that while it is anticipated that most of these 
projects will be categorical exclusions because they do not lead to 
construction or have potentially significant traffic or other impacts, 
depending on the relationship between the overall project and the 
independent component, the NEPA review for the independent component 
may have to include evaluation of all project components as connected, 
similar, or cumulative actions, as detailed at 40 CFR 1508.25. Priority 
consideration will also be given to funding requests that include a 
commitment of other funding sources to complement the TTPSF, and those 
requests where the applicants demonstrate the capacity to successfully 
implement the proposed project in a timely manner.
    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.
    If the total amount of funding requested for applications rated as 
``qualified'' exceeds the amount of available funding, FHWA will give 
priority funding consideration to funding one or more independent 
components of a qualified project. To be eligible, a component must 
meet eligibility criteria and must be a transportation safety project 
that has independent utility (i.e., is usable and a reasonable 
expenditure of Federal funds even if no other improvements are made in 
the area). In other words, FHWA may fund an independent component of a 
project, instead of the full project described in the application, only 
if that component provides transportation benefits and will be ready 
for its intended use upon completion of that component. Applicants 
should be aware that while it is anticipated that most of these 
projects will be categorical exclusions because they do not lead to 
construction or have potentially significant traffic or other impacts, 
depending on the relationship between the overall project and the 
independent component, the NEPA review for the independent component 
may have to include evaluation of all project components as connected, 
similar, or cumulative actions, as detailed at 40 CFR 1508.25. Priority 
consideration will also be given to funding requests that include a 
commitment of other funding sources to complement the TTPSF, and those 
requests where the applicants demonstrate the capacity to successfully 
implement the proposed project in a timely manner.
    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;

[[Page 36891]]

does not have a comprehensive approach to safety with other partners.
iv. Education Programs
    a. Highly Qualified: Efforts that are in a current State SHSP or 
tribal safety plan that is less than 5 years old; 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.
    If the total amount of funding requested for applications rated as 
``highly qualified'' exceeds the amount of available funding, FHWA will 
give priority funding consideration to funding one or more independent 
components of a highly qualified project. To be eligible, a component 
must meet eligibility criteria and must be a transportation safety 
project that has independent utility (i.e., is usable and a reasonable 
expenditure of Federal funds even if no other improvements are made in 
the area). In other words, FHWA may fund an independent component of a 
project, instead of the full project described in the application, only 
if that component provides transportation benefits and will be ready 
for its intended use upon completion of that component. Applicants 
should be aware that while it is anticipated that most of these 
projects will be categorical exclusions because they do not lead to 
construction or have potentially significant traffic or other impacts, 
depending on the relationship between the overall project and the 
independent component, the NEPA review for the independent component 
may have to include evaluation of all project components as connected, 
similar, or cumulative actions, as detailed at 40 CFR 1508.25. Priority 
consideration will also be given to funding requests that include a 
commitment of other funding sources to complement the TTPSF, and those 
requests where the applicants demonstrate the capacity to successfully 
implement the proposed project in a timely manner.
    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.
    If the total amount of funding requested for applications rated as 
``qualified'' exceeds the amount of available funding, FHWA will give 
priority funding consideration to funding one or more independent 
components of a qualified project. To be eligible, a component must 
meet eligibility criteria and must be a transportation safety project 
that has independent utility (i.e., is usable and a reasonable 
expenditure of Federal funds even if no other improvements are made in 
the area). In other words, FHWA may fund an independent component of a 
project, instead of the full project described in the application, only 
if that component provides transportation benefits and will be ready 
for its intended use upon completion of that component. Applicants 
should be aware that while it is anticipated that most of these 
projects will be categorical exclusions because they do not lead to 
construction or have potentially significant traffic or other impacts, 
depending on the relationship between the overall project and the 
independent component, the NEPA review for the independent component 
may have to include evaluation of all project components as connected, 
similar, or cumulative actions, as detailed at 40 CFR 1508.25. Priority 
consideration will also be given to funding requests that include a 
commitment of other funding sources to complement the TTPSF, and those 
requests where the applicants demonstrate the capacity to successfully 
implement the proposed project in a timely manner.
    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.

F. Federal Award Administration Information

1. Federal Award Notice

    The FHWA will announce the awarded projects by posting a list of 
selected projects at https://flh.fhwa.dot.gov/programs/ttp/safety/. 
Following the announcement, successful applicants and unsuccessful 
applicants will be notified separately.

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

    All awards will be administered pursuant to the Uniform 
Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements 
for Federal Awards found in 2 CFR part 200. Applicable Federal laws, 
rules, and regulations set forth in title 23, U.S.C., and title 23 of 
the CFR, apply.
    The TTPSF will be administered the same way as all TTP funds: FHWA 
Agreement tribes will receive funds in accordance with their Program 
Agreement through a RFA; BIA Agreement tribes will receive their funds 
through their BIA Regional Office; and Compact tribes will receive 
their funds through the Department of the Interior's Office of Self 
Governance.

3. Reporting

    Required reporting follows the requirements for regular TTP funds.

G. Federal Awarding Agency Contact(s)

    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 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. e.t., Monday 
through Friday, except Federal holidays. For 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.

H. Other Information

1. Protection of Confidential Business Information

    All information submitted as part of or in support of any 
application shall use publicly available data or data that can be made 
public and methodologies that are accepted by industry practice and 
standards, to the extent possible. If the application includes 
information you consider to be a trade secret or confidential 
commercial or financial information, the applicant should do the 
following: (1) Note on the front cover that the submission ``Contains 
Confidential Business Information (CBI)''; (2) mark each affected page 
``CBI,'' and (3) highlight or otherwise denote the CBI portions.

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

    Issued on: June 19, 2015.
Gregory G. Nadeau,
Acting Administrator, Federal Highway Administration.
[FR Doc. 2015-15709 Filed 6-25-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-22-P