Notice of a Buy America Waiver for Proposed Innovative Electronic Platform Track Intrusion System, 76739-76740 [2015-31153]

Download as PDF mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 237 / Thursday, December 10, 2015 / Notices is obliged to formally inspect the car for compliance. All the information in the customer request is forwarded to the region for review. Once the inspection is completed, the assigned inspector provides his report in a memorandum to the Motive, Power, and Equipment (MP&E) Specialist. The MP&E Specialist reviews the documents and provides a memo to the Regional Administrator who sends a response by memorandum to FRA Headquarters of the finding from the field inspection. FRA Headquarters is responsible for gathering all the information from the request from the customer as well as assigning and forwarding the information to the Region. All the information is reviewed by the MP&E Specialist at Headquarters. The MP&E Specialist prepares a grid letter response for the MP&E Staff Director who then offers the response letter to the Director, Office of Safety Assurance and Compliance. The formal response letter is then sent to the customer through the Control Correspondence Management (CCM) system. Type of Request: Revision of a currently approved information collection. Affected Public: Businesses (Railroads). Form(s): New Forms FRA F 6180.161(a)–(k). Total Annual Estimated Responses: 121. Total Annual Estimated Burden: 121 hours. Title: FRA Safety Advisory 2015–03, Operational and Signal Modifications for Compliance with Maximum Authorized Passenger Train Speeds and Other Restrictions. OMB Control Number: 2130–0613. Abstract: FRA issued Safety Advisory 2015–03 on June 12, 2015 (see 80 FR 33585) to stress to passenger railroads and railroads that host passenger service and their employees the importance of compliance with Federal regulations and applicable railroad rules governing applicable passenger train speed limits. This safety advisory makes recommendations to these railroads to ensure that compliance with applicable passenger train speed limits is addressed by appropriate railroad operating policies and procedures and signal systems. Type of Request: Regular Clearance without change of a currently approved Emergency Clearance. Affected Public: Businesses (Railroads). Form(s): N/A. Total Annual Estimated Responses: 5,880. VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:33 Dec 09, 2015 Jkt 238001 Total Annual Estimated Burden: 2,217 hours. Addressee: Send comments regarding these information collections to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, 725 Seventeenth Street NW., Washington, DC, 20503, Attention: FRA Desk Officer. Comments may also be sent via email to OMB at the following address: oira_submissions@ omb.eop.gov. Comments are invited on the following: Whether the proposed collections of information are necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Department, including whether the information will have practical utility; the accuracy of the Department’s estimates of the burden of the proposed information collections; ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and ways to minimize the burden of the collections of information on respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. A comment to OMB is best assured of having its full effect if OMB receives it within 30 days of publication of this notice in the Federal Register. Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3501–3520. Issued in Washington, DC, on December 4, 2015. Corey Hill, Acting Executive Director. [FR Doc. 2015–31048 Filed 12–9–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–06–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Transit Administration [Docket No. FTA–2015–0026] Notice of a Buy America Waiver for Proposed Innovative Electronic Platform Track Intrusion System AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration, DOT. ACTION: Notice of a Buy America waiver. The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) received a request from the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) for a Buy America nonavailability waiver for the procurement of a proposed innovative electronic platform track intrusion system (PTIDS). LACMTA seeks to procure the PTIDS for research and testing purposes to determine whether such a system will help to increase rail safety by identifying obstacles in the right-of-way. PTIDS uses radar transponder SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00086 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 76739 technology, such as sensors, to detect intrusions on rail tracks. If an object is detected, the sensors immediately send notification to personnel who may then stop the train and take appropriate action. LACMTA seeks a waiver for the PTIDS because it contains twelve components, six of which only are available from a single source and currently are not manufactured in the United States. In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 5323(j)(3)(A), FTA published a notice of the waiver request and sought public comment in deciding whether to grant the request. Having received no comments opposing the waiver, FTA is hereby granting a non-availability waiver for this one procurement of the specific PTIDS components identified in this waiver request, and not to any future procurement by LACMTA or others. DATES: This waiver is effective immediately. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Laura Goldin, FTA Attorney-Advisor, at (202) 366–2743 or laura.goldin@dot.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The purpose of this Notice is to announce that FTA is granting a non-availability waiver to LACMTA for the procurement of a PTIDS. On May 1, 2015, LACMTA requested a Buy America nonavailability waiver for the PTIDS because several components are only available from a single source and are not produced in sufficient and reasonably available quantities of a satisfactory quality in the United States. 49 U.S.C. 5323(j)(2)(A); 49 CFR 661.7(c). LACMTA operates both heavy rail and light rail for 80 stations spanning 87 service miles. In December 2013, LACMTA entered into a partnership with Honeywell International, Inc. (Honeywell) and ProTran Technology LLC to submit an application in response to FTA’s Notice of Funding Availability Solicitation of Project Proposals for Innovative Safety, Resiliency, and All-Hazards Emergency Response and Recovery Research Demonstrations. The goal of LACMTA’s proposal is to demonstrate that the PTIDS is the most reliable, efficient, and secure system available and can immediately identify any right-of-way obstacles. The PTIDS relies on radar transponder technology to send an instant warning to rail operation safety systems and personnel. If an intrusion is detected, the PTIDS sensors trigger safety systems and notify personnel, so that the train can be stopped. Due to the accuracy and immediacy of the technology, LACMTA claims that the PTIDS allows for the greatest response time so more accidents will be avoided. E:\FR\FM\10DEN1.SGM 10DEN1 mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 76740 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 237 / Thursday, December 10, 2015 / Notices PTIDS also has fail-safe mechanisms and uses algorithms to prevent false alarms, which plague many other platform intrusion detection systems on the market. In addition, LACMTA states that some components of this system are custom-designed. For instance, the PTIDS uses a radio-wave based sensor sub-system, a signal processing subsystem, a video sub-system, and a communications sub-system that provides alerts to operators. All of these sub-systems work together and are connected to one another by custom cables that are designed for the particular rail system and equipment. Honeywell currently manufactures the safety system equipment in Germany. LACMTA states that some PTIDS components currently are not available in the United States and no U.S. manufacturers make acceptable substitutes. Therefore, LACMTA requested a Buy America nonavailablily waiver for certain PTIDS components that are manufactured abroad. 49 CFR 661.7. According to LACMTA’s request, six of the 12 components that comprise the PTIDS are foreign-made and require a non-availability waiver under 49 CFR 661.7. Those components requiring a waiver are: The AXIS fixed outdoor dome camera manufactured in Sweden; the AXIS wall mount for dome cameras manufactured in Sweden; the Honeywell Module Radar Sensor Modules Pair manufactured in Germany; the Honeywell GPC/CCU controller units manufactured in Germany; the Honeywell GPC Cabinet for equiptment manufactured in Germany and; the Honeywell Custom Cables for interconnection manufactured in Germany. FTA also conducted a scouting search through its Interagency Agreement with the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The scouting search identified three domestic manufacturers as potential matches for this opportunity: Extreme Endeavors in West Virginia, Innovative Solutions Through Technology in Kentucky, and BFW, Inc. in Kentucky. The manufacturers identified either produce similar products to the PTIDS sought, possess the capabilities to produce this PTIDS, have produced an item similar to the PTIDS in the past, or have expressed a business interest in producing the PTIDS. However, none of these U.S. manufacturers identified currently produce the exact PTIDS that LACMTA is seeking, as described in this Notice. With certain exceptions, FTA’s Buy America requirements prevent FTA from obligating an amount that may be VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:33 Dec 09, 2015 Jkt 238001 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). LACMTA requested a Buy America non-availability waiver in order to conduct research on and test the PTIDS for future use. LACMTA also notes that Honeywell may consider domestic manufacturing of certain elements of the PTIDS if this research and testing is successful and if there is adequate industry demand. On Tuesday, September 29, 2015, and in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 5323(j)(3)(A), FTA published a notice in the Federal Register announcing the LACMTA Buy America waiver request (80 FR 58530), seeking comment from all interested parties, including potential vendors and suppliers. The comment period closed on October 13, 2015, and no comments were received. Based on the representations from LACMTA, the lack of any comments, and the fact that the NIST supplier scouting search did not identify a domestically made PTIDS, FTA is granting a non-availability waiver for the procurement of a PTIDS described above. Issued on December 7, 2015. Dana Nifosi, Deputy Chief Counsel. [FR Doc. 2015–31153 Filed 12–9–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–57–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Transit Administration [Docket No. FTA–2015–0027] Notice of Buy America Waiver for Voith Propulsion Unit AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration, DOT. ACTION: PO 00000 Notice of Buy America waiver. Frm 00087 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) received a request from the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) for a Buy America waiver for Voith Turbo Schneider Propeller GmbH (Voith) 21/ R5 propulsion units based on nonavailability. Voith, located in Germany, is the sole manufacturer of the required propulsion units. VDOT is procuring the propulsion units as part of an engine and drive system replacement for the Ferry Boat Pocahontas, which is operated by VDOT. There are no domestic manufacturers of equivalent propulsion units. In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 5323(j)(3)(A), FTA published a notice of the waiver request and sought public comment in deciding whether to grant the request. Having received no comments opposing the waiver, FTA is hereby granting a non-availability waiver for this one procurement of the specific Voith Turbo Schneider Propeller GmbH identified in this waiver request, and not to any future procurement by VDOT or others. DATES: This waiver is effective immediately. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Laura Ames, FTA Attorney-Advisor, at (202) 366–2743 or laura.ames@dot.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The purpose of this Notice is to announce that FTA is granting a non-availability waiver to VODT for the purchase of two (2) Voith 21/R5 propulsion units based on non-availability. On August 12, 2015, VDOT requested a Buy America waiver for the procurement of the propulsion units. VDOT’s request identified Voith, located in Germany, as the sole manufacturer of the required propulsion units. No known domestic equivalents exist. VDOT is procuring the propulsion units as part of an engine and drive system replacement for the Ferry Boat Pocahontas, which is operated by VDOT on the Jamestown-Scotland ferry route crossing the James River in Virginia. The original propulsion units have reached the end of their useful life. Although the new ferry engines will be manufactured domestically by Caterpillar, Inc., the vessel has a specific propulsion design utilizing a vertical axis cycloidal propeller. The Pocahontas was designed around the vertical propeller configuration. The entirety of the vessel’s hull, the engine housing, the dimensions of the vessel, and the ballast locations, are all configured to work with a vertical propulsion unit, which ensures proper piloting and vessel stability. As part of the procurement planning, VDOT contracted with Alion Science and Technology Corp. (Alion) to develop the design of the entire SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\10DEN1.SGM 10DEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 237 (Thursday, December 10, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 76739-76740]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-31153]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Transit Administration

[Docket No. FTA-2015-0026]


Notice of a Buy America Waiver for Proposed Innovative Electronic 
Platform Track Intrusion System

AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of a Buy America waiver.

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

SUMMARY: The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) received a request 
from the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority 
(LACMTA) for a Buy America non-availability waiver for the procurement 
of a proposed innovative electronic platform track intrusion system 
(PTIDS). LACMTA seeks to procure the PTIDS for research and testing 
purposes to determine whether such a system will help to increase rail 
safety by identifying obstacles in the right-of-way. PTIDS uses radar 
transponder technology, such as sensors, to detect intrusions on rail 
tracks. If an object is detected, the sensors immediately send 
notification to personnel who may then stop the train and take 
appropriate action. LACMTA seeks a waiver for the PTIDS because it 
contains twelve components, six of which only are available from a 
single source and currently are not manufactured in the United States. 
In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 5323(j)(3)(A), FTA published a notice of 
the waiver request and sought public comment in deciding whether to 
grant the request. Having received no comments opposing the waiver, FTA 
is hereby granting a non-availability waiver for this one procurement 
of the specific PTIDS components identified in this waiver request, and 
not to any future procurement by LACMTA or others.

DATES: This waiver is effective immediately.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Laura Goldin, FTA Attorney-Advisor, at 
(202) 366-2743 or laura.goldin@dot.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The purpose of this Notice is to announce 
that FTA is granting a non-availability waiver to LACMTA for the 
procurement of a PTIDS. On May 1, 2015, LACMTA requested a Buy America 
non-availability waiver for the PTIDS because several components are 
only available from a single source and are not produced in sufficient 
and reasonably available quantities of a satisfactory quality in the 
United States. 49 U.S.C. 5323(j)(2)(A); 49 CFR 661.7(c).
    LACMTA operates both heavy rail and light rail for 80 stations 
spanning 87 service miles. In December 2013, LACMTA entered into a 
partnership with Honeywell International, Inc. (Honeywell) and ProTran 
Technology LLC to submit an application in response to FTA's Notice of 
Funding Availability Solicitation of Project Proposals for Innovative 
Safety, Resiliency, and All-Hazards Emergency Response and Recovery 
Research Demonstrations. The goal of LACMTA's proposal is to 
demonstrate that the PTIDS is the most reliable, efficient, and secure 
system available and can immediately identify any right-of-way 
obstacles. The PTIDS relies on radar transponder technology to send an 
instant warning to rail operation safety systems and personnel. If an 
intrusion is detected, the PTIDS sensors trigger safety systems and 
notify personnel, so that the train can be stopped. Due to the accuracy 
and immediacy of the technology, LACMTA claims that the PTIDS allows 
for the greatest response time so more accidents will be avoided.

[[Page 76740]]

PTIDS also has fail-safe mechanisms and uses algorithms to prevent 
false alarms, which plague many other platform intrusion detection 
systems on the market. In addition, LACMTA states that some components 
of this system are custom-designed. For instance, the PTIDS uses a 
radio-wave based sensor sub-system, a signal processing sub-system, a 
video sub-system, and a communications sub-system that provides alerts 
to operators. All of these sub-systems work together and are connected 
to one another by custom cables that are designed for the particular 
rail system and equipment. Honeywell currently manufactures the safety 
system equipment in Germany. LACMTA states that some PTIDS components 
currently are not available in the United States and no U.S. 
manufacturers make acceptable substitutes. Therefore, LACMTA requested 
a Buy America non-availablily waiver for certain PTIDS components that 
are manufactured abroad. 49 CFR 661.7.
    According to LACMTA's request, six of the 12 components that 
comprise the PTIDS are foreign-made and require a non-availability 
waiver under 49 CFR 661.7. Those components requiring a waiver are: The 
AXIS fixed outdoor dome camera manufactured in Sweden; the AXIS wall 
mount for dome cameras manufactured in Sweden; the Honeywell Module 
Radar Sensor Modules Pair manufactured in Germany; the Honeywell GPC/
CCU controller units manufactured in Germany; the Honeywell GPC Cabinet 
for equiptment manufactured in Germany and; the Honeywell Custom Cables 
for interconnection manufactured in Germany.
    FTA also conducted a scouting search through its Interagency 
Agreement with the U.S. Department of Commerce's National Institute of 
Standards and Technology (NIST). The scouting search identified three 
domestic manufacturers as potential matches for this opportunity: 
Extreme Endeavors in West Virginia, Innovative Solutions Through 
Technology in Kentucky, and BFW, Inc. in Kentucky. The manufacturers 
identified either produce similar products to the PTIDS sought, possess 
the capabilities to produce this PTIDS, have produced an item similar 
to the PTIDS in the past, or have expressed a business interest in 
producing the PTIDS. However, none of these U.S. manufacturers 
identified currently produce the exact PTIDS that LACMTA is seeking, as 
described in this Notice.
    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).
    LACMTA requested a Buy America non-availability waiver in order to 
conduct research on and test the PTIDS for future use. LACMTA also 
notes that Honeywell may consider domestic manufacturing of certain 
elements of the PTIDS if this research and testing is successful and if 
there is adequate industry demand.
    On Tuesday, September 29, 2015, and in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 
5323(j)(3)(A), FTA published a notice in the Federal Register 
announcing the LACMTA Buy America waiver request (80 FR 58530), seeking 
comment from all interested parties, including potential vendors and 
suppliers. The comment period closed on October 13, 2015, and no 
comments were received. Based on the representations from LACMTA, the 
lack of any comments, and the fact that the NIST supplier scouting 
search did not identify a domestically made PTIDS, FTA is granting a 
non-availability waiver for the procurement of a PTIDS described above.

    Issued on December 7, 2015.
Dana Nifosi,
Deputy Chief Counsel.
[FR Doc. 2015-31153 Filed 12-9-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-57-P

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