Notice of Proposed Buy America Waiver for Replacement Gondola Components, 43552-43553 [2015-17909]

Download as PDF tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 43552 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 140 / Wednesday, July 22, 2015 / Notices Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nicole Katsikides, 202–366–6993, Office of Freight Management & Operations (HOFM–1), Office of Operations, Federal Highway Administration, Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590. Office hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: USDOT Survey and Comparative Assessment of Truck Parking Facilities. Background: U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) is directed to complete a survey and comparative assessment of truck parking facilities in each State as required by Section 1401(c) of Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP–21). MAP–21 Section 1401(c) required the survey in order to evaluate the capability of the States to provide adequate parking and rest facilities for commercial motor vehicles engaged in interstate transportation. Other work activities required under this section of MAP–21 were: An assessment of the volume of commercial motor vehicle traffic in each State and the development of a system of metrics designed to measure the adequacy of commercial motor vehicle truck parking facilities in each state. The results of this survey shall be made available on a publicly accessible Department of Transportation Web site and updated periodically USDOT seeks to continue to collect data to support updates to the survey. Respondents: State Transportation and Enforcement Officials, Private Sector Facility Owners/Operators, Trucking Company owners or their designee, and Truck Drivers. The target groups of respondents are individuals who are responsible for providing or overseeing the operation of truck parking facilities and stakeholders that depend on such facilities to safely conduct their business. The target group identified in the legislation is ‘‘state commercial vehicle safety personnel’’; the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has interpreted this term to include the Department of Transportation personnel in each State involved in commercial vehicle safety program activities and State enforcement agency personnel directly involved in enforcing highway safety laws and regulations and in highway incident and accident response. In VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:59 Jul 21, 2015 Jkt 235001 addition, FHWA finds that the survey on the adequacy of truck parking opportunities is not limited to publicly owned facilities; input from private sector facility owners/operators must be obtained to adequately complete the required work provided in the federal legislation. FHWA also finds that input obtained from trucking company representatives (owners or their designees, especially those in logistics or who schedule drivers) and truck drivers, key stakeholders for truck parking facilities who are most likely to know where truck parking is needed, will be necessary to complete the survey requirements. Types of Survey Questions: FHWA intends to survey Department of Transportation personnel in each State on the location, number of spaces, availability and demand for truck parking in their State, including at rest facilities, as well as any impediments to providing adequate truck parking capacity (including but not limited to legislative, regulatory, or financial issues; zoning; public and private impacts, approval, and participation; availability of land; insurance requirements and other issues). FHWA intends to survey private truck stop operators in each State on the location, number of truck parking spaces, availability and demand they observe at their facilities. FHWA intends to survey public safety officials in each State on their records and observations of truck parking use and patterns, including the location and frequency of trucks parked adjacent to roadways and on exit and entrance ramps to roadway facilities. FHWA intends to survey trucking companies and truck drivers regarding the location and frequency of insufficient truck parking and capacity at rest facilities, future truck parking needs and locations, availability of information on truck parking capacity, and other impediments to identification, access and use of truck parking. Other questions may be included as needed as a result of input from the focus groups, stakeholder outreach or at FHWA’s discretion, or as follow-up to the survey. Estimate: State Departments of Transportation = 50 (4 hours each) = up to 200 hours; State Enforcement Personnel = 50 (1 hour each) = up to 50 hours; Private Facility Owners/Operators = 229 (1 hour each) = up to 229 hours; and Trucking Company Representatives and Drivers = 150 (1 hour each) = up to 150 hours; Total number of respondents = 479 for the survey. Total burden hours = no more than 629 hours (as allocated above). PO 00000 Frm 00167 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Estimated Total Annual Burden: This survey will be updated periodically; the estimated total burden for each survey cycle for all respondents is no more than 629 hours. Public Comments Invited: You are asked to comment on any aspect of this information collection, including: (1) Whether the proposed collection is necessary for the FHWA’s performance; (2) the accuracy of the estimated burdens; (3) ways for the FHWA to enhance the quality, usefulness, and clarity of the collected information; and (4) ways that the burden could be minimized, including the use of electronic technology, without reducing the quality of the collected information. The agency will summarize and/or include your comments in the request for OMB’s clearance of this information collection. Authority: The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995; 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35, as amended; and 49 CFR 1.48. Issued on: July 17, 2015. Michael Howell, Information Collection Officer. [FR Doc. 2015–17951 Filed 7–21–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–22–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Transit Administration [Docket No. FTA–2015–0011] Notice of Proposed Buy America Waiver for Replacement Gondola Components AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration, DOT. Notice of proposed Buy America waiver and request for comment. ACTION: The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) received a request for a waiver to permit the purchase of replacement gondola components that are non-compliant with Buy America requirements using FTA funding. The request is from the Colorado Department of Transportation on behalf of the Town of Mountain Village for its public transportation gondola system. In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 5323(j)(3)(A), FTA is providing notice of the waiver request and seeks public comment before deciding whether to grant the request. If granted, the waiver would apply only to FTA-funded procurements by Mountain Village necessary for the current gondola refurbishment projects described herein. DATES: Comments must be received by August 5, 2015. Late-filed comments SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\22JYN1.SGM 22JYN1 tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 140 / Wednesday, July 22, 2015 / Notices will be considered to the extent practicable. ADDRESSES: Please submit your comments by one of the following means, identifying your submissions by docket number FTA–2015–0011: 1. Web site: https:// www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments on the U.S. Government electronic docket site. 2. Fax: (202) 493–2251. 3. Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Docket Operations, M–30, West Building, Ground Floor, Room W12–140, Washington, DC 20590–0001. 4. Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Docket Operations, M–30, West Building, Ground Floor, Room W12–140, Washington, DC 20590–0001 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. Instructions: All submissions must make reference to the ‘‘Federal Transit Administration’’ and include docket number FTA–2015–0011. Due to the security procedures in effect since October 2011, mail received through the U.S. Postal Service may be subject to delays. Parties making submissions responsive to this notice should consider using an express mail firm to ensure the prompt filing of any submissions not filed electronically or by hand. Note that all submissions received, including any personal information therein, will be posted without change or alteration to https:// www.regulations.gov. For more information, you may review DOT’s complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477), or you may visit https://www.regulations.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Richard Wong, FTA Attorney-Advisor, at (202) 366–0675 or Richard.Wong@ dot.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The purpose of this notice is to provide notice and seek comment on whether the FTA should grant a non-availability waiver for Mountain Village’s procurement of certain replacement gondola components for its public transportation gondola system. With certain exceptions, FTA’s Buy America requirements prevent FTA from obligating an amount that may be appropriated to carry out its program for a project unless ‘‘the steel, iron, and manufactured goods used in the project are produced in the United States.’’ 49 U.S.C. 5323(j)(1). A manufactured product is considered produced in the United States if: (1) all of the VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:59 Jul 21, 2015 Jkt 235001 manufacturing processes for the product take place in the United States; and (2) all of the components of the product are of U.S. origin. A component is considered of U.S. origin if it is manufactured in the United States, regardless of the origin of its subcomponents. 49 CFR 661.5(d). If, however, FTA determines that ‘‘the steel, iron, and goods produced in the United States are not produced in a sufficient and reasonably available amount or are not of a satisfactory quality,’’ then FTA may issue a waiver (non-availability waiver). 49 U.S.C. 5323(j)(2)(B); 49 CFR 661.7(c). The Town of Mountain Village provides free public transportation via gondola (also known as a tramway) between Mountain Village and the Town of Telluride. The gondola operates continuous fixed route service 17 hours per day, 7 days per week, 280 or more days per year, serving over 2,000,000 passengers per year. According to Mountain Village, the existing low-speed conveyor components (bearings, pulleys, tires and other related components) and gondola grip components (coil springs, movable jaws, fixed jaws, bearings, bolts, bushings, wheels and other related components) are nearing the end of their useful service lives and are showing signs of wear and fatigue. Without periodic capital equipment replacement/rebuild, the likelihood of mechanical downtime increases significantly, equating to prolonged service outages for commuters. Mountain Village also needs to refurbish the 59 gondola cabins due to wear and tear. Mountain Village intends to replace these gondola components over several phases during the coming years. Specifically, procurement of the lowspeed conveyor components and the grips will be procured in two phases, one in 2015 and one in 2016; parts for the cabin refurbishment are anticipated to be procured over a six-year period. Any non-availability waiver granted would be effective for all phases of these projects, but would expire upon completion of these projects. Mountain Village asserts that there are no companies that manufacture these gondola components in the United States and that each of the gondola components to be procured is only available from a single source, the original equipment manufacturers. The Colorado Passenger Tramway Safety Board (CPTSB) has agreed and concluded that, because gondolas are specialized and the market limited, there are no aftermarket manufacturers for these gondola components. CPTSB has concluded that, for these parts, there PO 00000 Frm 00168 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 43553 are no alternatives to the original equipment manufacturers, Dopplemayer and CWA, which do not manufacture the components in the United States. Although there is a new U.S. manufacturer for tramways in the United States, it does not produce detachable tramways like the one used by Mountain Village. In addition, parts for the remainder of the tramway are of a different design and cannot be used in other gondola systems. The purpose of this notice is to publish the Colorado Department of Transportation request, made on behalf of Mountain Village, and seek public comment from all interested parties in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 5323(j)(3)(A). Comments will help FTA understand completely the facts surrounding the request, including the effects of a potential waiver and the merits of the request. A full copy of the request has been placed in docket number FTA– 2015–0011. Dana C. Nifosi, Deputy Chief Counsel. [FR Doc. 2015–17909 Filed 7–21–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–57–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Transit Administration [Docket No. FTA–2015–0010] Notice of Proposed Buy America Waiver for a Variable Refrigerant Flow HVAC System AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration, DOT. Notice of proposed Buy America waiver and request for comment. ACTION: The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) received a request for a waiver to permit the purchase of a Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) HVAC system that is non-compliant with Buy America requirements using FTA funding. The request is from the City of Kansas City, Missouri (Kansas City) for its Vehicle Maintenance Facility (VMF) associated with the Kansas City Downtown Streetcar Project. In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 5323(j)(3)(A), FTA is providing notice of the waiver request and seeks public comment before deciding whether to grant the request. If granted, the waiver would apply only to the FTA-funded procurement of a VRF HVAC system by Kansas City. DATES: Comments must be received by August 5, 2015. Late-filed comments will be considered to the extent practicable. SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\22JYN1.SGM 22JYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 140 (Wednesday, July 22, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43552-43553]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-17909]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Transit Administration

[Docket No. FTA-2015-0011]


Notice of Proposed Buy America Waiver for Replacement Gondola 
Components

AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed Buy America waiver and request for comment.

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

SUMMARY: The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) received a request 
for a waiver to permit the purchase of replacement gondola components 
that are non-compliant with Buy America requirements using FTA funding. 
The request is from the Colorado Department of Transportation on behalf 
of the Town of Mountain Village for its public transportation gondola 
system. In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 5323(j)(3)(A), FTA is providing 
notice of the waiver request and seeks public comment before deciding 
whether to grant the request. If granted, the waiver would apply only 
to FTA-funded procurements by Mountain Village necessary for the 
current gondola refurbishment projects described herein.

DATES: Comments must be received by August 5, 2015. Late-filed comments

[[Page 43553]]

will be considered to the extent practicable.

ADDRESSES: Please submit your comments by one of the following means, 
identifying your submissions by docket number FTA-2015-0011:
    1. Web site: https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions 
for submitting comments on the U.S. Government electronic docket site.
    2. Fax: (202) 493-2251.
    3. Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue 
SE., Docket Operations, M-30, West Building, Ground Floor, Room W12-
140, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
    4. Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Docket Operations, M-30, West Building, Ground 
Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001 between 9 a.m. and 5 
p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    Instructions: All submissions must make reference to the ``Federal 
Transit Administration'' and include docket number FTA-2015-0011. Due 
to the security procedures in effect since October 2011, mail received 
through the U.S. Postal Service may be subject to delays. Parties 
making submissions responsive to this notice should consider using an 
express mail firm to ensure the prompt filing of any submissions not 
filed electronically or by hand. Note that all submissions received, 
including any personal information therein, will be posted without 
change or alteration to https://www.regulations.gov. For more 
information, you may review DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the 
Federal Register published April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477), or you may 
visit https://www.regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Richard Wong, FTA Attorney-Advisor, at 
(202) 366-0675 or Richard.Wong@dot.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The purpose of this notice is to provide 
notice and seek comment on whether the FTA should grant a non-
availability waiver for Mountain Village's procurement of certain 
replacement gondola components for its public transportation gondola 
system.
    With certain exceptions, FTA's Buy America requirements prevent FTA 
from obligating an amount that may be appropriated to carry out its 
program for a project unless ``the steel, iron, and manufactured goods 
used in the project are produced in the United States.'' 49 U.S.C. 
5323(j)(1). A manufactured product is considered produced in the United 
States if: (1) all of the manufacturing processes for the product take 
place in the United States; and (2) all of the components of the 
product are of U.S. origin. A component is considered of U.S. origin if 
it is manufactured in the United States, regardless of the origin of 
its subcomponents. 49 CFR 661.5(d). If, however, FTA determines that 
``the steel, iron, and goods produced in the United States are not 
produced in a sufficient and reasonably available amount or are not of 
a satisfactory quality,'' then FTA may issue a waiver (non-availability 
waiver). 49 U.S.C. 5323(j)(2)(B); 49 CFR 661.7(c).
    The Town of Mountain Village provides free public transportation 
via gondola (also known as a tramway) between Mountain Village and the 
Town of Telluride. The gondola operates continuous fixed route service 
17 hours per day, 7 days per week, 280 or more days per year, serving 
over 2,000,000 passengers per year. According to Mountain Village, the 
existing low-speed conveyor components (bearings, pulleys, tires and 
other related components) and gondola grip components (coil springs, 
movable jaws, fixed jaws, bearings, bolts, bushings, wheels and other 
related components) are nearing the end of their useful service lives 
and are showing signs of wear and fatigue. Without periodic capital 
equipment replacement/rebuild, the likelihood of mechanical downtime 
increases significantly, equating to prolonged service outages for 
commuters. Mountain Village also needs to refurbish the 59 gondola 
cabins due to wear and tear. Mountain Village intends to replace these 
gondola components over several phases during the coming years. 
Specifically, procurement of the low-speed conveyor components and the 
grips will be procured in two phases, one in 2015 and one in 2016; 
parts for the cabin refurbishment are anticipated to be procured over a 
six-year period. Any non-availability waiver granted would be effective 
for all phases of these projects, but would expire upon completion of 
these projects.
    Mountain Village asserts that there are no companies that 
manufacture these gondola components in the United States and that each 
of the gondola components to be procured is only available from a 
single source, the original equipment manufacturers. The Colorado 
Passenger Tramway Safety Board (CPTSB) has agreed and concluded that, 
because gondolas are specialized and the market limited, there are no 
aftermarket manufacturers for these gondola components. CPTSB has 
concluded that, for these parts, there are no alternatives to the 
original equipment manufacturers, Dopplemayer and CWA, which do not 
manufacture the components in the United States. Although there is a 
new U.S. manufacturer for tramways in the United States, it does not 
produce detachable tramways like the one used by Mountain Village. In 
addition, parts for the remainder of the tramway are of a different 
design and cannot be used in other gondola systems.
    The purpose of this notice is to publish the Colorado Department of 
Transportation request, made on behalf of Mountain Village, and seek 
public comment from all interested parties in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 
5323(j)(3)(A). Comments will help FTA understand completely the facts 
surrounding the request, including the effects of a potential waiver 
and the merits of the request. A full copy of the request has been 
placed in docket number FTA-2015-0011.

Dana C. Nifosi,
Deputy Chief Counsel.
[FR Doc. 2015-17909 Filed 7-21-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-57-P

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