Capital Cost Estimating Guidance, 45354-45355 [2016-16544]

Download as PDF 45354 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 134 / Wednesday, July 13, 2016 / Notices 9. To appropriate Federal, State, and local agencies, entities, and persons when: (a) We suspect or confirm that the security or confidentiality of information in this system of records has been compromised; (b) we determine that, as a result of the suspected or confirmed compromise, there is a risk of harm to economic or property interests, identity theft or fraud, or harm to the security or integrity of this system or other systems or programs that rely upon the compromised information; and (c) we determine that disclosing the information to such agencies, entities, and persons is necessary to assist in our efforts to respond to the suspected or confirmed compromise and prevent, minimize, or remedy such harm. 10. To NARA, Office of Government Information Services (OGIS), to the extent necessary to fulfill its responsibilities in 5 U.S.C. 552(h) to review administrative agency policies, procedures and compliance with the FOIA, and to facilitate OGIS’ offering of mediation services to resolve disputes between persons making FOIA requests and administrative agencies. DISCLOSURE TO CONSUMER REPORTING AGENCIES: None. POLICIES AND PRACTICES FOR STORING, RETRIEVING, ACCESSING, RETAINING, AND DISPOSING OF RECORDS IN THE SYSTEM: STORAGE: We will maintain records in this system in paper and in electronic form. RETRIEVABILITY: We will retrieve records in this system by the name and Social Security number (SSN) of the requester or appellant; case number assigned to the request or appeal; name of attorney representing the requester or appellant; the name of an individual who is the subject of such a request or appeal; or subject matter. jstallworth on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SAFEGUARDS: We retain electronic records with personal identifiers in secure storage areas accessible only by our authorized employees and contractors who have a need for the information when performing their official duties. Security measures include the use of access codes and profiles, personal identification number (PIN) and password, and personal identification verification (PIV) cards. We keep paper records in cabinets within secure areas, with access limited to only those employees who have an official need for access in order to perform their duties. VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:08 Jul 12, 2016 Jkt 238001 We annually provide our employees and contractors with appropriate security awareness training that includes reminders about the need to protect PII and the criminal penalties that apply to unauthorized access to, or disclosure of, PII (5 U.S.C. 552a(i)(1)). Furthermore, employees and contractors with access to databases maintaining PII must sign a sanctions document annually acknowledging their accountability for inappropriately accessing or disclosing such information. RETENTION AND DISPOSAL: We retain and dispose of records in accordance with NARA’s General Records Schedule 4.2, Information Access and Protection Records (DAA– GRS–2013–0007–0002). SYSTEM MANAGER AND ADDRESS: Freedom of Information Officer, Social Security Administration, Office of the General Counsel, Office of Privacy and Disclosure, 6401 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland 21235– 6401. NOTIFICATION PROCEDURES: Persons can determine if this system contains a record about them by writing to the system manager at the above address and providing their name, SSN, or other information that may be in this system of records that will identify them. Persons requesting notification by mail must include a notarized statement to us to verify their identity or must certify in the request that they are the person they claim to be and that they understand that the knowing and willful request for, or acquisition of, a record pertaining to another person under false pretenses is a criminal offense. Persons requesting notification of records in person must provide the same information, as well as provide an identity document, preferably with a photograph, such as a driver’s license. Persons lacking identification documents sufficient to establish their identity must certify in writing that they are the person they claim to be and that they understand that the knowing and willful request for, or acquisition of, a record pertaining to another person under false pretenses is a criminal offense. Persons requesting notification by telephone must verify their identity by providing identifying information that parallels the information in the record about which they are requesting notification. If we determine that the identifying information the person provides by telephone is insufficient, we will require the person to submit a PO 00000 Frm 00081 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 request in writing or in person. If a person requests information by telephone on behalf of another person, the subject person must be on the telephone with the requesting person and us in the same phone call. We will establish the subject person’s identity (his or her name, SSN, address, date of birth, and place of birth, along with one other piece of information, such as mother’s maiden name) and ask for his or her consent to provide information to the requesting person. These procedures are in accordance with our regulations (20 CFR 401.40 and 401.45). RECORD ACCESS PROCEDURES: Same as notification procedures. Persons must also reasonably describe the record contents they are seeking. These procedures are in accordance with our regulations (20 CFR 401.40(c)). CONTESTING RECORD PROCEDURES: Same as notification procedures. Persons must also reasonably identify the record, specify the information they are contesting, and state the corrective action sought and the reasons for the correction with supporting justification showing how the record is incomplete, untimely, inaccurate, or irrelevant. These procedures are in accordance with our regulations (20 CFR 401.65(a)). RECORD SOURCE CATEGORIES: We obtain information in this system of records primarily from the person to whom the record pertains. SYSTEMS EXEMPTED FROM CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE PRIVACY ACT: None. [FR Doc. 2016–16547 Filed 7–12–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4191–02–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Railroad Administration [Docket No. FRA–2016–0035] Capital Cost Estimating Guidance Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Department of Transportation (DOT). ACTION: Request for public comment on FRA’s Capital Cost Estimating Guidance. AGENCY: FRA invites public comment on its Capital Cost Estimating Guidance, available on FRA’s Web site at https:// www.fra.dot.gov/Page/P0926. DATES: Submit comments on or before August 29, 2016. ADDRESSES: All comments must make reference to the ‘‘Federal Railroad SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\13JYN1.SGM 13JYN1 jstallworth on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 134 / Wednesday, July 13, 2016 / Notices Administration’’ and the title ‘‘Capital Cost Estimating Guidance.’’ Submit comments by only one of the following methods: Electronic Docket: Follow the instructions for submitting comments on the U.S. Government electronic docket site at https:// www.regulations.gov. Delivery Service or Hand Delivery: Submit two copies of comments to U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Docket Operations, M–30, Room W12–140 (first floor of the West Building), Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. For confirmation that the FRA has received the comments, include a self-addressed stamped postcard. Comments will be posted without change to www.regulations.gov, including any personal information included in a comment. Refer to the Privacy Act in the Supplementary Information section below. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Susan Herre, Transportation Industry Analyst, Office of Program Delivery, Federal Railroad Administration, (202) 631–1825. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: FRA developed this guidance document on capital cost estimating for project sponsors and the industry as part of its continuing efforts to provide technical assistance and ensure successful project delivery. FRA’s guidance emphasizes accuracy, comprehensiveness, and completeness of estimating materials, as well as credibility. These are all qualities highlighted by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) in its own capital cost estimating guidance, which describes the same primary capital cost estimating methodologies and activities as stated in this document. FRA’s guidance focuses specifically on railroad projects; it provides examples of common estimating shortfalls in railroad projects; and it defines agency-specific requirements for project sponsors regarding format and submission of cost estimate-related materials. FRA recognizes that it is not always easy to persuade stakeholders and funders of a project’s merit, or to withstand criticism for capital costs that seem ‘‘too high’’ and schedules that seem ‘‘too long.’’ The pressures associated with project development and implementation can be immense. GAO recognized these pressures when it stated, ‘‘many organizations are not mature enough to acknowledge . . . cost risk realism because of the possible VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:08 Jul 12, 2016 Jkt 238001 repercussions [and] . . . fear that the program could be canceled.’’ With this in mind, FRA’s guidance asserts that true or ‘‘non-depressed’’ costs can get funded, and reminds us that delivering projects ‘‘as promised’’ increases industry credibility. By following FRA’s guidance, project sponsors should be better able to compensate for uncertainties, unforeseen conditions, and unknowns in capital cost estimates. Such should improve estimate reliability, and enable as-built costs to land within a reasonable range of the estimates generated at every project phase. With a consistent estimating approach, project sponsors should be better able to make useful comparisons among estimates, and to evaluate their own estimates. This guidance will be incorporated by reference into FRA’s Notices of Funding Availability/Opportunity and grant and loan agreements. FRA expects project sponsors to adhere to this guidance, and the principles and methods described herein. Privacy Act FRA wishes to inform all interested parties that anyone is able to search the electronic form of any written communications and comments received into any of our dockets by the name of the individual submitting the comment (or signing the comment, if submitted on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). Interested parties may review DOT’s complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published on April 11, 2000, 65 FR 19477, or see https:// www.regulations.gov/#!privacyNotice for the privacy notice of regulations.gov. Issued in Washington, DC, on July 7, 2016. Paul Nissenbaum, Associate Administrator for Railroad Policy and Development. [FR Doc. 2016–16544 Filed 7–12–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–06–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION National Highway Traffic Safety Administration [Docket No. NHTSA–2016–0072] Meeting Notice—Federal Interagency Committee on Emergency Medical Services (FICEMS) National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT). ACTION: Meeting notice—FICEMS. AGENCY: PO 00000 Frm 00082 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 45355 NHTSA announces a meeting of the FICEMS to be held in the Washington, DC area. This notice announces the date, time, and location of the meeting, which will be open to the public. Pre-registration is encouraged. DATES: The meeting will be held on August 4, 2016, from 1 p.m. EDT to 3 p.m. EDT. ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Headquarters of the U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, Oklahoma City Conference Room. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gamunu Wijetunge, U.S. Department of Transportation, Office of Emergency Medical Services, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., NPD–400, Washington, DC 20590, gamunu.wijetunge@dot.gov, or 202– 493–2793. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 10202 of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy For Users (SAFETEA– LU), Public Law 109–59, provides that the FICEMS consist of several officials from Federal agencies as well as a State emergency medical services director appointed by the Secretary of Transportation. Registration Information: This meeting will be open to the general public; however, pre-registration is highly encouraged to comply with security procedures. Members of the public wishing to attend should register online at https://www.cvent.com/d/ 2fqyqr no later than August 2, 2016. Please note that the information collected for registration, including full name, place of business, telephone number and email address, will be used solely for the purposes of providing registrants with access to the meeting site and to provide meeting materials to registrants via email when they become available. A picture I.D. must be provided to enter the U.S. DOT Headquarters Building. It is suggested that visitors arrive 30 minutes early in order to facilitate entry. Attendees who are not United States citizens must produce a valid passport to enter the building. Please be aware that visitors to the U.S. DOT Headquarters Building are subject to search and must pass through a magnetometer. Weapons of any kind are strictly forbidden in the building unless authorized through the performance of the official duties of your employment (i.e., law enforcement officer). Federal staff will be in the lobby beginning at 12 p.m. EDT on the day of the meeting to SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\13JYN1.SGM 13JYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 134 (Wednesday, July 13, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45354-45355]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-16544]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket No. FRA-2016-0035]


Capital Cost Estimating Guidance

AGENCY: Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Request for public comment on FRA's Capital Cost Estimating 
Guidance.

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

SUMMARY: FRA invites public comment on its Capital Cost Estimating 
Guidance, available on FRA's Web site at https://www.fra.dot.gov/Page/P0926.

DATES: Submit comments on or before August 29, 2016.

ADDRESSES: All comments must make reference to the ``Federal Railroad

[[Page 45355]]

Administration'' and the title ``Capital Cost Estimating Guidance.'' 
Submit comments by only one of the following methods:
    Electronic Docket: Follow the instructions for submitting comments 
on the U.S. Government electronic docket site at https://www.regulations.gov.
    Delivery Service or Hand Delivery: Submit two copies of comments to 
U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Docket 
Operations, M-30, Room W12-140 (first floor of the West Building), 
Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays. For confirmation that the FRA has received the 
comments, include a self-addressed stamped postcard. Comments will be 
posted without change to www.regulations.gov, including any personal 
information included in a comment. Refer to the Privacy Act in the 
Supplementary Information section below.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Susan Herre, Transportation Industry 
Analyst, Office of Program Delivery, Federal Railroad Administration, 
(202) 631-1825.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: FRA developed this guidance document on 
capital cost estimating for project sponsors and the industry as part 
of its continuing efforts to provide technical assistance and ensure 
successful project delivery. FRA's guidance emphasizes accuracy, 
comprehensiveness, and completeness of estimating materials, as well as 
credibility. These are all qualities highlighted by the U.S. Government 
Accountability Office (GAO) in its own capital cost estimating 
guidance, which describes the same primary capital cost estimating 
methodologies and activities as stated in this document.
    FRA's guidance focuses specifically on railroad projects; it 
provides examples of common estimating shortfalls in railroad projects; 
and it defines agency-specific requirements for project sponsors 
regarding format and submission of cost estimate-related materials.
    FRA recognizes that it is not always easy to persuade stakeholders 
and funders of a project's merit, or to withstand criticism for capital 
costs that seem ``too high'' and schedules that seem ``too long.'' The 
pressures associated with project development and implementation can be 
immense. GAO recognized these pressures when it stated, ``many 
organizations are not mature enough to acknowledge . . . cost risk 
realism because of the possible repercussions [and] . . . fear that the 
program could be canceled.'' With this in mind, FRA's guidance asserts 
that true or ``non-depressed'' costs can get funded, and reminds us 
that delivering projects ``as promised'' increases industry 
credibility.
    By following FRA's guidance, project sponsors should be better able 
to compensate for uncertainties, unforeseen conditions, and unknowns in 
capital cost estimates. Such should improve estimate reliability, and 
enable as-built costs to land within a reasonable range of the 
estimates generated at every project phase. With a consistent 
estimating approach, project sponsors should be better able to make 
useful comparisons among estimates, and to evaluate their own 
estimates.
    This guidance will be incorporated by reference into FRA's Notices 
of Funding Availability/Opportunity and grant and loan agreements. FRA 
expects project sponsors to adhere to this guidance, and the principles 
and methods described herein.

Privacy Act

    FRA wishes to inform all interested parties that anyone is able to 
search the electronic form of any written communications and comments 
received into any of our dockets by the name of the individual 
submitting the comment (or signing the comment, if submitted on behalf 
of an association, business, labor union, etc.). Interested parties may 
review DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register 
published on April 11, 2000, 65 FR 19477, or see https://www.regulations.gov/#!privacyNotice for the privacy notice of 
regulations.gov.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on July 7, 2016.
Paul Nissenbaum,
Associate Administrator for Railroad Policy and Development.
[FR Doc. 2016-16544 Filed 7-12-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-06-P

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