Federal Transit Administration, 40058-40063 [2017-17814]
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Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 162 / Wednesday, August 23, 2017 / Notices
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration
Sunshine Act Meetings; Unified Carrier
Registration Plan Board of Directors
Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration (FMCSA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of Unified Carrier
Registration Plan Board of Directors
Meeting.
AGENCY:
Issued on: August 18, 2017.
Larry W. Minor,
Associate Administrator for Policy, Federal
Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
[FR Doc. 2017–17903 Filed 8–21–17; 11:15 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–EX–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO):
Solicitation of Project Proposals for
the Passenger Ferry Grant Program
Federal Transit Administration
(FTA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
The Federal Transit
Administration (FTA) announces the
opportunity to apply for $30 million in
Fiscal Year (FY) 2017 Section 5307
Urbanized Area Formula Program funds
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
#20.507) authorized for competitively
selected passenger ferry projects. As
required by Federal transit law and
subject to funding availability, funds
will be awarded competitively to
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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Vanessa Williams, FTA Office of
Program Management, (202) 366–4818,
or Vanessa.williams@dot.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Table of Contents
A. Program Description
B. Federal Award Information
C. Eligibility
D. Application and Submission Information
E. Application Review
F. Federal Award Administration
G. Federal Awarding Agency Contact(s)
H. Technical Assistance and Other Program
Information
Appendix A: Frequently Asked Questions
A. Program Description
Federal Transit Administration
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Complete proposals must be
submitted electronically through the
GRANTS.GOV ‘‘APPLY’’ function by
11:59 p.m. EDT October 23, 2017.
Prospective applicants should initiate
the process by registering on the
GRANTS.GOV Web site promptly to
ensure completion of the application
process before the submission deadline.
Instructions for applying can be found
on FTA’s Web site at https://
transit.dot.gov/howtoapply and in the
‘‘FIND’’ module of GRANTS.GOV. The
funding opportunity ID is FTA–2017–
005–TPM–PF. Mail and fax submissions
will not be accepted.
DATES:
The meeting will be held
on August 24, 2017, from 1:00 p.m. to
5:00 p.m., Pacific Daylight Time.
PLACE: The meetings will be open to the
public at the Double Tree Suites Doheny
Beach, 34402 Pacific Coast Highway,
Dana Point, CA 92629, and via
conference call. Those not attending the
meeting in person may call 1–877–422–
1931, passcode 2855443940, to listen
and participate in the meeting.
STATUS: Open to the public.
MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED: The Unified
Carrier Registration Plan Board of
Directors (the Board) will continue its
work in developing and implementing
the Unified Carrier Registration Plan
and Agreement and to that end, may
consider matters properly before the
Board.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr.
Avelino Gutierrez, Chair, Unified
Carrier Registration Board of Directors at
(505) 827–4565.
TIME AND DATE:
SUMMARY:
designated recipients or eligible direct
recipients of Section 5307 funds to
assist in the financing of capital projects
to support existing passenger ferry
service, establish new ferry service, and
to repair and modernize ferry boats,
terminals, and related facilities and
equipment. FTA may award additional
funding made available to the program
prior to the announcement of project
selections.
Section 5307(h) of Title 49, United
States Code, as amended by the Fixing
America’s Surface Transportation
(FAST Act) (Pub. L. 114–94, Dec. 4,
2015), authorizes FTA to award funds
through a competitive process, as
described in this notice, for capital
projects to improve the condition and
quality of existing passenger ferry
services, support the establishment of
new passenger ferry services, and to
repair and modernize ferry boats,
terminals, and related facilities and
equipment. FTA recognizes that
passenger ferries provide critical and
cost-effective transportation links in
urban areas throughout the United
States but face a critical backlog of state
of good repair and safety investments.
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B. Federal Award Information 5307(h)
Passenger Ferry Grant Program
Federal transit law authorizes $30
million in FY 2017 for passenger ferry
grants under 49 U.S.C. 5307(h) (Ferry
program). FTA may supplement the
total available with future
appropriations. FTA will grant preaward authority to incur costs for
selected projects beginning on the date
that project selections are announced.
Funds are only available for projects
that have not already incurred costs and
will be available for obligation until
September 30, 2022. In FY 2015 and FY
2016, the program received 21 proposals
from 10 states and the U.S. Virgin
Islands requesting $98.1 million in
Federal funds. Eighteen projects were
funded at a total of $58.9 million.
C. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants
Eligible applicants under this program
must be designated recipients or eligible
direct recipients of Section 5307 funds,
which include public entities engaged
in providing a public transportation
passenger ferry service in urbanized
areas. If the recipient is eligible to
receive 5307 funds, but does not
currently have an active grant with FTA,
upon selection, the recipient will be
required to work with the FTA regional
office to establish its organization as an
active grantee. This process may require
additional documentation to support the
organization’s technical, financial, and
legal capacity to receive and administer
Federal funds under this program.
2. Cost Sharing or Matching
Projects funded under the Section
5307(h) program are eligible for a
maximum 80 percent Federal share,
unless they qualify for one of the
following exceptions:
The Federal share is 85 percent for net
project costs for acquiring vehicles
(including Clean-fuel or alternative fuel)
that are compliant with the Clean Air
Act (CAA) or compliant with the
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
of 1990.
The Federal share is 90 percent for net
project costs for vehicle-related
equipment or facilities (including cleanfuel or alternative-fuel vehicle-related
equipment or facilities) required by the
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
of 1990, or for purposes of complying
with or maintaining compliance with
the Clean Air Act.
The FTA considers vehicle-related
equipment to be equipment on or
attached to the vehicle. The award
recipient may itemize the cost of
specific, discrete, vehicle-related
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equipment being purchased to be in
compliance with ADA or CAA.
After the appropriate Federal share is
established, the applicant must provide
the local share of the net project cost
and must document in its grant
application the source of the local
match. The local match may include:
i. Cash from non-governmental
sources other than revenues from
providing public transportation
services;
ii. Non-farebox revenues from the
operation of public transportation
service, such as the sale of advertising
and concession revenues. A voluntary
or mandatory fee that a college,
university, or similar institution
imposes on all its students for free or
discounted transit service that is not
farebox revenue;
iii. Monies received under a service
agreement with a State or local social
service agency or private social service
organization;
iv. Undistributed cash surpluses,
replacement or depreciation cash funds,
reserves available in cash, or new
capital;
v. Amounts appropriated or otherwise
made available to a department or
agency of the Government (other than
the U.S. Department of Transportation);
vi. In-kind contribution such as the
market value of in-kind contributions
integral to the project may be counted
as a contribution toward local share;
vii. Revenue bond proceeds for a
capital project, with prior FTA
approval; and
viii. Transportation Development
Credits (TDC) (formerly referred to as
Toll Revenue Credits). Please refer to
FTA Circular 9030 for more information
regarding the use of TDCs.
Note: FTA will not retroactively approve
TDCs as match if they are not included in the
proposal submitted under this competition.
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3. Eligible Projects
Eligible projects are capital projects
for the purchase, replacement, or
rehabilitation of ferries, terminals,
related infrastructure, related equipment
(including fare equipment and
communication devices) and expansion.
Projects are required to support a
passenger ferry service that operates
within an urbanized area, as defined
under Federal transit law, but may
include services that operate between an
urbanized area and non-urbanized areas.
Ferry systems that accommodate cars
must also accommodate walk-on
passengers in order to be eligible for
funding.
Recipients are permitted to use up to
0.5 percent of their requested grant
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award for workforce development
activities eligible under 49 U.S.C.
5314(b) and an additional 0.5 percent
for costs associated with training at the
National Transit Institute. Applicants
must identify the proposed use of funds
for these activities in the project
proposal and identify them separately in
the project budget.
C. Application and Submission
Information
1. Address To Request Application
Package
Applications must be submitted
electronically through GRANTS.GOV.
General information for submitting
applications through GRANTS.GOV can
be found at www.fta.dot.gov/howtoapply
along with specific instructions for the
forms and attachments required for
submission. Mail and fax submissions
will not be accepted. A complete
proposal submission consists of at least
two forms: The SF424 Mandatory Form
(downloaded from GRANTS.GOV) and
the supplemental form for the FY 2017
Passenger Ferry Grant Program
(downloaded from GRANTS.GOV or the
FTA Web site at https://
www.transit.dot.gov/funding/grants/
passenger-ferry-grant-program-section5307). Failure to submit the information
as requested can delay review or
disqualify the application.
2. Content and Form of Application
Submission
i. Proposal Submission
A complete proposal submission
consists of at least two forms: (1) The
SF424 Mandatory Form; and (2) the
supplemental form for the FY 2017
Passenger Ferry Grant Program. The
application must include responses to
all sections of the SF424 Mandatory
Form and the supplemental form, unless
indicated as optional. The information
on the supplemental form will be used
to determine applicant and project
eligibility for the program, and to
evaluate the proposal against the
selection criteria described in part E of
this notice.
An applicant may submit multiple
project proposals in a single submission,
but must include all project proposals
on a single supplemental form. To add
additional projects, select the ‘‘add
project’’ button and complete a separate
‘‘project detail’’ section for each project.
FTA will only accept one supplemental
form per submission.
The supplemental form must be
submitted as an attachment to the SF424
Mandatory Form. All project proposals
will be evaluated separately, regardless
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of whether they are submitted as a
single submission.
An applicant may submit additional
supporting documentation for each
project proposal as attachments. Any
supporting documentation must be
described and referenced by file name
in the appropriate response section of
the supplemental form, or it may not be
reviewed.
Information such as proposer name,
Federal amount requested, local match
amount, description of areas served, etc.
may be requested in varying degrees of
detail on both the SF424 form and
Supplemental Form. Proposers must fill
in all fields unless stated otherwise on
the forms. If information is copied into
the supplemental form from another
source, applicants should verify that
pasted text is fully captured on the
supplemental form and has not been
truncated by the character limits built
into the form. Proposers should use both
the ‘‘Check Package for Errors’’ and the
‘‘Validate Form’’ validation buttons on
both forms to check all required fields
on the forms, and ensure that the
Federal and local amounts specified are
consistent.
ii. Application Content
The SF424 Mandatory Form and the
Supplemental Form will prompt
applicants for the required information,
including:
a. Applicant Name
b. Dun and Bradstreet (D&B) Data
Universal Numbering System
(DUNS) number
c. Key contact information (including
contact name, address, email
address, and phone)
d. Congressional district(s) where
project will take place
e. Project Information (including title,
an executive summary, and type)
f. A detailed description of the need for
the project
g. A detailed description on how the
project will support the Ferry
program objectives
h. Evidence that the project is consistent
with local and regional planning
documents
i. Evidence that the applicant can
provide the local cost share
j. A description of the technical, legal,
and financial capacity of the
applicant
k. A detailed project budget
l. An explanation of the scalability of
the project
m. Details on the local matching funds
n. A detailed project timeline
3. Unique Entity Identifier and System
for Award Management (SAM)
Each applicant is required to: (1) Be
registered in SAM before submitting an
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application; (2) provide a valid unique
entity identifier in its application; and
(3) continue to maintain an active SAM
registration with current information at
all times during which the applicant has
an active Federal award or an
application or plan under consideration
by FTA. These requirements do not
apply if the applicant: (1) Is an
individual; (2) is excepted from the
requirements under 2 CFR 25.110(b) or
(c); or (3) has an exception approved by
FTA under 2 CFR 25.110(d). FTA may
not make an award until the applicant
has complied with all applicable unique
entity identifier and SAM requirements.
If an applicant has not fully complied
with the requirements by the time FTA
is ready to make an award, FTA may
determine that the applicant is not
qualified to receive an award and use
that determination as a basis for making
a Federal award to another applicant.
All applicants must provide a unique
entity identifier provided by SAM.
Registration in SAM may take as little
as 3–5 business days, but since there
could be unexpected steps or delays (for
example, if you need to obtain an
Employer Identification Number), FTA
recommends allowing ample time, up to
several weeks, for completion of all
steps. For additional information on
obtaining a unique entity identifier,
please visit www.sam.gov.
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4. Submission Dates and Times
Project proposals must be submitted
electronically through GRANTS.GOV by
11:59 p.m. EDT on October 23, 2017.
GRANTS.GOV attaches a time stamp to
each application at the time of
submission. Proposals submitted after
the deadline will only be considered
under extraordinary circumstances not
under the applicant’s control. Mail and
fax submissions will not be accepted.
Within 48 hours after submitting an
electronic application, the applicant
should receive three email messages
from GRANTS.GOV: (1) Confirmation of
successful transmission to
GRANTS.GOV, (2) confirmation of
successful validation by GRANTS.GOV,
and (3) confirmation of successful
validation by FTA. If confirmations of
successful validation are not received or
a notice of failed validation or
incomplete materials is received, the
applicant must address the reason for
the failed validation, as described in the
email notice, and resubmit before the
submission deadline. If making a
resubmission for any reason, include all
original attachments regardless of which
attachments were updated and check
the box on the supplemental form
indicating this is a resubmission.
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FTA urges proposers to submit
applications at least 72 hours prior to
the due date to allow time to receive the
validation messages and to correct any
problems that may have caused a
rejection notification. GRANTS.GOV
scheduled maintenance and outage
times are announced on the
GRANTS.GOV Web site. Deadlines will
not be extended due to scheduled Web
site maintenance.
Proposers are encouraged to begin the
process of registration on the
GRANTS.GOV site well in advance of
the submission deadline. Registration is
a multi-step process, which may take
several weeks to complete before an
application can be submitted. Registered
proposers may still be required to take
steps to keep their registration up to
date before submissions can be made
successfully: (1) Registration in the
System for Award Management (SAM)
is renewed annually; and, (2) persons
making submissions on behalf of the
Authorized Organization Representative
(AOR) must be authorized in
GRANTS.GOV by the AOR to make
submissions.
1. Demonstration of Need
Applicants are encouraged to identify
scaled funding options in case
insufficient funding is available to fund
a project at the full requested amount.
If an applicant indicates that a project
is scalable, the applicant must provide
an appropriate minimum funding
amount that will fund an eligible project
that achieves the objectives of the
program and meets all relevant program
requirements. The applicant must
provide a clear explanation of how the
project budget would be affected by a
reduced award. FTA may award a lesser
amount whether or not a scalable option
is provided.
Applications will be evaluated based
on the quality and extent to which they
demonstrate how the proposed project
will address an unmet need for capital
investment in passenger ferry vehicles,
equipment, and/or facilities. FTA will
also evaluate the project’s impact on
service delivery and whether the project
represents a one-time or periodic need
that cannot reasonably be funded from
FTA formula program allocations or
State and/or local resources. In
evaluating applications, FTA will
consider, among other factors, certain
project-specific criteria as outlined
below:
i. For vessel replacement or
rehabilitation projects:
• The age of the asset to be replaced
or rehabilitated by the proposed project,
relative to its useful life.
• Condition and performance of the
asset to be replaced by the proposed
project, as ascertained through
inspections or otherwise, if available.
ii. For infrastructure (facility)
improvements or related-equipment
acquisitions:
• The age of the facility or equipment
to be rehabilitated or replaced relative to
its useful life.
• The degree to which the proposed
project will enable the agency to
improve the maintenance and condition
of the agency’s fleet and/or other related
ferry assets.
iii. For expansion or new service
requests (vessel or facility-related):
• The degree to which the proposed
project addresses a current capacity
constraint that is limiting the ability of
the agency to provide reliable service,
meet ridership demands, or maintain
vessels and related-equipment.
• The degree the proposed new
service is supported by ridership
demand.
iv. Additional consideration will be
given to projects in which the
beneficiary of the award contributes a
greater share of the total project costs.
E. Application Review Information
2. Demonstration of Benefits
i. Criteria: Projects will be evaluated
primarily on the responses provided in
the supplemental form. Additional
information may be provided to support
the responses; however, any additional
documentation must be directly
referenced on the supplemental form,
including the file name where the
additional information can be found.
FTA will evaluate project proposals for
competitive passenger ferry grants based
on the criteria described in this notice.
Applications will be evaluated based
on how the ferry project will improve
the safety and state of good repair of the
system or provide additional
transportation options to potential
riders within the service area. FTA will
consider potential benefits such as
increased reliability of service,
improved operations or maintenance
capabilities, or expanded mobility
options, intermodal connections, and
economic benefits to the community.
5. Funding Restrictions
Funds made available under the Ferry
program may not be used to fund
operating expenses, planning, or
preventive maintenance.
6. Other Submission Requirements
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3. Planning and Local/Regional
Prioritization
Applications will be evaluated based
on whether the proposed project is
consistent with local and regional
planning documents and identified
priorities. In particular, FTA will
evaluate applications based on the
quality and extent to which they assess
whether the project is consistent with
the transit priorities identified in the
long-range transportation plan and/or
the State and Metropolitan
Transportation Improvement Program
(STIP/TIP). Proposers should note if the
project could not be included in the
financially constrained STIP or TIP due
to lack of funding; however, if selected,
the project must be in the federally
approved STIP before grant award.
FTA encourages applicants to
demonstrate local support by including
letters of support from State
Departments of Transportation, local
transit agencies and other relevant
stakeholders. In an area with both ferry
and other public transit operators, FTA
will evaluate whether project proposals
demonstrate coordination with and
support of other related projects within
the proposer’s Metropolitan Planning
Organization (MPO) or the geographic
region within which the proposed
project will operate.
4. Project Readiness
FTA will evaluate the extent to which
the project is ready to be implemented.
This will involve assessing whether the
project is a Categorical Exclusion (CE) or
if required environmental work has
been initiated or completed for
construction projects requiring an
Environmental Assessment (EA) or
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
FTA will consider whether project
implementation plans are ready,
including initial design of facility
projects, the TIP/STIP can be amended
(evidenced by MPO/State endorsement),
whether local match is available,
whether the project funds can be
obligated within 12 months from time of
selection, and whether the project will
require a Buy America waiver.
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5. Technical, Legal, and Financial
Capacity
Applicants must demonstrate that
they have the technical, legal and
financial capacity to undertake the
project. FTA will review relevant
oversight assessments and records to
determine whether there are any
outstanding legal, technical, or financial
issues with the applicant that would
affect the outcome of the proposed
project.
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6. Connectivity to Other Modes of
Transportation
FTA will evaluate the degree to which
the ferry service to be supported by the
proposed project provides service that is
integrated with other regional modes of
transportation, including but not limited
to: Rail, bus, intercity bus, and private
transportation providers. Supporting
documentation should include data that
demonstrates the number of trips
(passengers and vehicles), the number of
walk-on passengers, and the frequency
of transfers to other modes (if
applicable).
meritorious projects as possible. Only
proposals from eligible recipients for
eligible activities will be considered for
funding. Due to funding limitations,
proposers that are selected for funding
may receive less than the amount
originally requested. In those cases,
applicants must be able to demonstrate
that the proposed projects are still
viable and can be completed with the
amount awarded.
ii. Review and Selection Process
In addition to other FTA staff that
may review the proposals, a technical
evaluation committee will evaluate
proposals based on the published
evaluation criteria. Members of the
technical evaluation committee and
other FTA staff may request additional
information from applicants, if
necessary. Based on the findings of the
technical evaluation committee, the
FTA Administrator will determine the
final selection of projects for program
funding. FTA may consider geographic
diversity, diversity in the size of the
transit systems receiving funding,
and/or the applicant’s receipt of other
competitive awards in determining the
allocation of program funds. FTA may
give additional consideration to projects
in which the beneficiary of the award
contributes a greater share of the total
project costs. FTA may consider
capping the amount a single applicant
may receive.
FTA will issue specific guidance to
recipients regarding pre-award authority
at the time of selection. FTA does not
provide pre-award authority for
competitive funds until projects are
selected and even then there are Federal
requirements that must be met before
costs are incurred. For more information
about FTA’s policy on pre-award
authority, please see the FY 2017
Apportionment Notice published on
January 19, 2017. https://www.gpo.gov/
fdsys/pkg/FR-2017-01-19/pdf/201701194.pdf.
F. Federal Award Administration
1. Federal Award Notices
Subsequent to an announcement by
the FTA Administrator of the final
project selections, which will be posted
on the FTA Web site, FTA will publish
a list of the selected projects, Federal
award amounts, and recipients in the
Federal Register. Project recipients
should contact their FTA Regional
Offices for additional information
regarding allocations for projects under
the Ferry program.
At the time the project selections are
announced, FTA will extend pre-award
authority for the selected projects. There
is no blanket pre-award authority for
these projects before announcement.
2. Award Administration
Funds under the Ferry program are
available to designated recipients or
eligible direct recipients of Section 5307
funds. There is no minimum or
maximum grant award amount;
however, FTA intends to fund as many
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3. Administrative and National Policy
Requirements
i. Pre-Award Authority
ii. Grant Requirements
If selected, awardees will apply for a
grant through FTA’s Transit Award
Management System (TrAMS). All Ferry
recipients are subject to the grant
requirements of Section 5307 Urbanized
Area Formula Grant program, including
those of FTA Circular 9030.1. All
recipients must follow the Award
Management Requirements Circular
5010.1E, and the labor protections of 49
U.S.C. 5333(b). All competitive grants,
regardless of award amount, will be
subject to the congressional notification
and release process. Technical
assistance regarding these requirements
is available from each FTA regional
office.
iii. Buy America
FTA requires that all capital
procurements meet FTA’s Buy America
requirements that require all iron, steel,
or manufactured products be produced
in the U.S., to help create and protect
manufacturing jobs in the U.S. The
Ferry program will have a significant
economic impact toward meeting the
objectives of the Buy America law. The
FAST Act amended the Buy America
requirements, 49 U.S.C. 5323(j), to
provide for a phased increase in the
domestic content for rolling stock. For
FY 2016 and FY 2017, the cost of
components and subcomponents
produced in the United States must be
more than 60 percent of the cost of all
components. For FY 2018 and FY 2019,
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the cost of components and
subcomponents produced in the United
States must be more than 65 percent of
the cost of all components. For FY 2020
and beyond, the cost of components and
subcomponents produced in the United
States must be more than 70 percent of
the cost of all components. There is no
change to the requirement that final
assembly of rolling stock must occur in
the United States. The Buy America
requirements can be found in 49 CFR
part 661 and additional guidance on the
implementation of the phased increase
in domestic content can be found at 81
FR 60278 (Sept. 1, 2016). Any proposal
that will require a waiver must identify
the items for which a waiver will be
sought in the application. Applicants
should not proceed with the expectation
that waivers will be granted.
iv. Disadvantaged Business Enterprise
Projects that include ferry
acquisitions are subject to the
Disadvantaged Business Enterprise
(DBE) program regulations at 49 CFR
part 26 and ferry manufacturers must be
certified Transit Vehicle Manufacturers
(TVMs) to be eligible to bid on an FTAassisted ferry procurement. The rule
requires that, prior to bidding on any
FTA-assisted vehicle procurement,
entities that manufacture ferries must
submit a DBE Program plan and annual
goal methodology to FTA. The FTA will
then issue a TVM concurrence/
certification letter. Grant recipients
must verify each entity’s compliance
before accepting its bid. A list of
certified TVMs is posted on FTA’s Web
page at https://www.fta.dot.gov/
civilrights/12891.html. Recipients
should contact FTA before accepting
bids from entities not listed on this
Web-posting. In lieu of using a certified
TVM, recipients may also establish
project specific DBE goals for ferry
purchases. The FTA will provide
additional guidance as grants are
awarded. For more information on DBE
requirements, please contact Janelle
Hinton, Office of Civil Rights, 202–366–
9259, email: janelle.hinton@dot.gov.
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v. Planning
FTA encourages proposers to notify
the appropriate State Departments of
Transportation and MPOs in areas likely
to be served by the project funds made
available under these initiatives and
programs. Selected projects must be
incorporated into the long-range plans
and transportation improvement
programs of States and metropolitan
areas before they are eligible for FTA
funding.
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16:47 Aug 22, 2017
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vi. Standard Assurances
The applicant assures that it will
comply with all applicable Federal
statutes, regulations, executive orders,
directives, FTA circulars, and other
Federal administrative requirements in
carrying out any project supported by
the FTA grant. The applicant
acknowledges that it is under a
continuing obligation to comply with
the terms and conditions of the grant
agreement issued for its project with
FTA. The applicant understands that
Federal laws, regulations, policies, and
administrative practices might be
modified from time to time and may
affect the implementation of the project.
The applicant agrees that the most
recent Federal requirements will apply
to the project, unless FTA issues a
written determination otherwise. The
applicant must submit the Certifications
and Assurances before receiving a grant
if it does not have current certifications
on file.
4. Reporting
Post-award reporting requirements
include the electronic submission of
Federal Financial Reports and Milestone
Progress Reports in FTA’s electronic
grants management system.
G. Federal Awarding Agency Contacts
For further information concerning
this notice, please contact the Ferry
program manager Vanessa Williams by
phone at 202–366–4818, or by email at
vanessa.williams@dot.gov. A TDD is
available for individuals who are deaf or
hard of hearing at 800–877–8339. In
addition, FTA will post answers to
questions and requests for clarifications
on FTA’s Web site at https://
www.transit.dot.gov/funding/grants/
passenger-ferry-grant-program-section5307. To ensure applicants receive
accurate information about eligibility or
the program, the applicant is
encouraged to contact FTA directly,
rather than through intermediaries or
third parties. FTA staff may also
conduct briefings on the FY 2017
competitive grants selection and award
process upon request.
H. Technical Assistance and Other
Program Information
This program is not subject to
Executive Order 12372,
‘‘Intergovernmental Review of Federal
Programs.’’ FTA will consider
applications for funding only from
eligible recipients for eligible projects
listed in Section C. Complete
applications must be submitted through
GRANTS.GOV by 11:59 p.m. EDT on
October 23, 2017. For issues with
GRANTS.GOV please contact
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GRANTS.GOV by phone at 1–800–518–
4726 or by email at support@grants.gov.
Contact information for FTA’s
regional offices can be found on FTA’s
Web site at www.fta.dot.gov.
Matthew J. Welbes,
Executive Director.
Appendix A
Ferry Program
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is a designated recipient?
Answer: A designated recipient is an entity
designated by the governor of a state,
responsible local official, and publicly
owned operators of public transportation to
receive and apportion amounts under Section
5336 to urbanized areas of 200,000 or more
in population, or a state or regional authority,
if the authority is responsible under the laws
of a state for a capital project and for
financing and directly providing public
transportation.
2. What is a direct recipient?
Answer: A direct recipient is an eligible
entity authorized by a designated recipient or
state to receive Urbanized Area Formula
Program funds directly from FTA.
3. Is there a list of designated recipients
under Section 5307?
Answer: Contact the FTA regional office
for help with identifying the 5307 designated
recipient in your area. The regional office
contact information can be found at
www.fta.dot.gov.
4. How can an entity determine whether it
operates within the area of a Censusdesignated urbanized area?
Answer: Contact the FTA regional office to
determine the designated urbanized area. The
regional contact information can be found at
www.fta.dot.gov.
5. Can I apply if I am not currently a direct
recipient?
Answer: Yes, FTA will accept applications
from entities in urbanized areas that are
eligible to be direct recipients, even if they
are currently not a direct recipient.
6. How can I apply if I am not an eligible
direct recipient or designated recipient?
Answer: Coordinate the project with the
designated or eligible direct recipient for that
entity to apply on your behalf. However, if
your project is selected for an award, the
designated or eligible direct recipient would
obligate the funds.
7. Can State DOTs apply on behalf of
public agencies within the state in which
they administer FTA funds?
Answer: Yes, as long as the service is
within an urbanized area.
8. If an agency previously received 5307
funds but now receives 5311 funds, can they
still apply?
Answer: No, Section 5311 rural providers
are not eligible to apply for the Passenger
Ferry Grant Program. Applicants must be
eligible designated or direct recipients of
Section 5307.
9. Is a new start eligible under the Ferry
program?
Answer: Capital for new systems is eligible
if the project is not in the planning phase.
E:\FR\FM\23AUN1.SGM
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Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 162 / Wednesday, August 23, 2017 / Notices
Planning activities are not eligible under this
competition.
10. Are public car-ferries eligible?
Answer: Ferry systems that accommodate
cars must also accommodate walk-on
passengers in order to be eligible.
11. Is the construction of a ferry
maintenance facility an eligible capital
project?
Answer: Yes.
12. Is a new vessel construction funded by
FTA grants considered a public work or
rolling stock and therefore subject to Davis
Bacon?
Answer: Yes, a new vessel construction is
rolling stock. Davis Bacon applies to
construction, alteration, or repairs of public
buildings or public works, but it does not
apply to rolling stock.
13. Does the term ‘‘terminals & related
infrastructure’’ projects include the floating
docks and access ramps where the passengers
board?
Answer: Yes.
14. Is there a difference between the FTA’s
Passenger Ferry Grant Program and FHWA’s
Ferry Boat Formula Grant Funding Program?
Answer: There may be subtle differences
between FTA’s and FHWA’s programs.
However, FHWA no longer has a competitive
program. It is now a formula program. Please
refer to FHWA’s page for more information:
https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/.
15. What is the grant process after an entity
is selected?
Answer: An agency would work with the
FTA regional office to apply for the funds in
FTA’s electronic management system. The
Federal Register announcing selection will
also provide grant-making instructions.
[FR Doc. 2017–17814 Filed 8–22–17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–57–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Bureau of the Fiscal Service
Proposed Collection of Information:
U.S. Treasury Auction Submitter
Agreement
Notice and request for
comments.
ACTION:
The Department of the
Treasury, as part of its continuing effort
to reduce paperwork and respondent
burden, invites the general public and
other Federal agencies to take this
opportunity to comment on proposed
and/or continuing information
collections, as required by the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
Currently the Bureau of the Fiscal
Service within the Department of the
Treasury is soliciting comments
concerning Automatic Enrollment
Individual Retirement Accounts (AutoIRAs).
DATES: Written comments should be
received on or before October 23, 2017
to be assured of consideration.
asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with NOTICES
SUMMARY:
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16:47 Aug 22, 2017
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40063
Direct all written comments DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS
and requests for additional information
AFFAIRS
to Bureau of the Fiscal Service, Bruce A.
[OMB Control No. 2900–0670]
Sharp, 200 Third Street A4–A,
Parkersburg, WV 26106–1328, or
Agency Information Collection Activity
bruce.sharp@fiscal.treasury.gov.
Under OMB Review: Fiduciary
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Statement in Support of Appointment
Title: Resolution for Transactions
AGENCY: Veterans Benefits
Involving Treasury Securities.
Administration, Department of Veterans
OMB Number: 1530–0056.
Transfer of OMB Control Number: The Affairs.
ACTION: Notice.
Bureau of Public Debt (BPD) and
Financial Management Service (FMS)
SUMMARY: In compliance with the
have consolidated to become the Bureau
Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of
of the Fiscal Service (Fiscal Service).
1995, this notice announces that the
Information collection requests
Veterans Benefits Administration
previously held separately by BPD and
(VBA), Department of Veterans Affairs,
FMS will now be identified by a 1530
will submit the collection of
prefix, designating Fiscal Service.
information abstracted below to the
Form Number: FS Form 5441.
Office of Management and Budget
Abstract: The information is
(OMB) for review and comment. The
requested from entities wishing to
PRA submission describes the nature of
participate in U.S. Treasury Securities
the information collection and its
auctions via TAAPSLink.
expected cost and burden and it
Current Actions: Extension of a
includes the actual data collection
currently approved collection.
instrument.
Type of Review: Regular.
DATES: Written comments and
Affected Public: Depository
recommendations on the proposed
Institutions, Brokers/Dealers,
collection of information should be
Assessment Management Companies,
received on or before September 22,
Pension Funds, and other Institutional
2017.
Investors.
Estimated Number of Respondents:
ADDRESSES: Submit written comments
1000.
on the collection of information through
Estimated Time Per Respondent: 5
www.Regulations.gov, or to Office of
minutes.
Information and Regulatory Affairs,
Estimated Total Annual Burden
Office of Management and Budget, Attn:
Hours: 80.
VA Desk Officer; 725 17th St. NW.,
Request for Comments: Comments
Washington, DC 20503 or sent through
submitted in response to this notice will electronic mail to oira_submission@
be summarized and/or included in the
omb.eop.gov. Please refer to ‘‘OMB
request for OMB approval. All
Control No. 2900–0670’’ in any
comments will become a matter of
correspondence. During the comment
public record. Comments are invited on: period, comments may be viewed online
1. Whether the collection of information through the FDMS.
is necessary for the proper performance
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
of the functions of the agency, including Cynthia Harvey-Pryor, Enterprise
whether the information shall have
Records Service (005R1B), Department
practical utility; 2. the accuracy of the
of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont
agency’s estimate of the burden of the
Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20420,
collection of information; 3. ways to
(202) 461–5870 or email cynthia.harveyenhance the quality, utility, and clarity
pryor@va.gov. Please refer to ‘‘OMB
of the information to be collected; 4.
Control No. 2900–0670’’ in any
ways to minimize the burden of the
correspondence.
collection of information on
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
respondents, including through the use
Authority: Public Law 104–13; 44
of automated collection techniques or
U.S.C. 3501–3521.
other forms of information technology;
Title: Fiduciary Statement in Support
and 5. estimates of capital or start-up
of Appointment (VA Form 21P–0792).
costs and costs of operation,
OMB Control Number: 2900–0670.
maintenance, and purchase of services
Type of Review: Revision of a
to provide information.
currently approved collection.
Dated: August 18, 2017.
Abstract: VA Form 21P–0792 will be
Bruce A. Sharp,
completed by individuals who are
Bureau Clearance Officer.
seeking to be appointed as fiduciaries of
[FR Doc. 2017–17815 Filed 8–22–17; 8:45 am]
VA beneficiaries. The information will
be used by VA field examiners to
BILLING CODE 4810–AS–P
ADDRESSES:
PO 00000
Frm 00084
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
E:\FR\FM\23AUN1.SGM
23AUN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 162 (Wednesday, August 23, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 40058-40063]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-17814]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Transit Administration
Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO): Solicitation of Project
Proposals for the Passenger Ferry Grant Program
AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration (FTA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announces the
opportunity to apply for $30 million in Fiscal Year (FY) 2017 Section
5307 Urbanized Area Formula Program funds (Catalog of Federal Domestic
Assistance #20.507) authorized for competitively selected passenger
ferry projects. As required by Federal transit law and subject to
funding availability, funds will be awarded competitively to designated
recipients or eligible direct recipients of Section 5307 funds to
assist in the financing of capital projects to support existing
passenger ferry service, establish new ferry service, and to repair and
modernize ferry boats, terminals, and related facilities and equipment.
FTA may award additional funding made available to the program prior to
the announcement of project selections.
DATES: Complete proposals must be submitted electronically through the
GRANTS.GOV ``APPLY'' function by 11:59 p.m. EDT October 23, 2017.
Prospective applicants should initiate the process by registering on
the GRANTS.GOV Web site promptly to ensure completion of the
application process before the submission deadline. Instructions for
applying can be found on FTA's Web site at https://transit.dot.gov/howtoapply and in the ``FIND'' module of GRANTS.GOV. The funding
opportunity ID is FTA-2017-005-TPM-PF. Mail and fax submissions will
not be accepted.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Vanessa Williams, FTA Office of
Program Management, (202) 366-4818, or Vanessa.williams@dot.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Table of Contents
A. Program Description
B. Federal Award Information
C. Eligibility
D. Application and Submission Information
E. Application Review
F. Federal Award Administration
G. Federal Awarding Agency Contact(s)
H. Technical Assistance and Other Program Information
Appendix A: Frequently Asked Questions
A. Program Description
Section 5307(h) of Title 49, United States Code, as amended by the
Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST Act) (Pub. L. 114-94,
Dec. 4, 2015), authorizes FTA to award funds through a competitive
process, as described in this notice, for capital projects to improve
the condition and quality of existing passenger ferry services, support
the establishment of new passenger ferry services, and to repair and
modernize ferry boats, terminals, and related facilities and equipment.
FTA recognizes that passenger ferries provide critical and cost-
effective transportation links in urban areas throughout the United
States but face a critical backlog of state of good repair and safety
investments.
B. Federal Award Information 5307(h) Passenger Ferry Grant Program
Federal transit law authorizes $30 million in FY 2017 for passenger
ferry grants under 49 U.S.C. 5307(h) (Ferry program). FTA may
supplement the total available with future appropriations. FTA will
grant pre-award authority to incur costs for selected projects
beginning on the date that project selections are announced. Funds are
only available for projects that have not already incurred costs and
will be available for obligation until September 30, 2022. In FY 2015
and FY 2016, the program received 21 proposals from 10 states and the
U.S. Virgin Islands requesting $98.1 million in Federal funds. Eighteen
projects were funded at a total of $58.9 million.
C. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants
Eligible applicants under this program must be designated
recipients or eligible direct recipients of Section 5307 funds, which
include public entities engaged in providing a public transportation
passenger ferry service in urbanized areas. If the recipient is
eligible to receive 5307 funds, but does not currently have an active
grant with FTA, upon selection, the recipient will be required to work
with the FTA regional office to establish its organization as an active
grantee. This process may require additional documentation to support
the organization's technical, financial, and legal capacity to receive
and administer Federal funds under this program.
2. Cost Sharing or Matching
Projects funded under the Section 5307(h) program are eligible for
a maximum 80 percent Federal share, unless they qualify for one of the
following exceptions:
The Federal share is 85 percent for net project costs for acquiring
vehicles (including Clean-fuel or alternative fuel) that are compliant
with the Clean Air Act (CAA) or compliant with the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990.
The Federal share is 90 percent for net project costs for vehicle-
related equipment or facilities (including clean-fuel or alternative-
fuel vehicle-related equipment or facilities) required by the Americans
with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, or for purposes of complying with
or maintaining compliance with the Clean Air Act.
The FTA considers vehicle-related equipment to be equipment on or
attached to the vehicle. The award recipient may itemize the cost of
specific, discrete, vehicle-related
[[Page 40059]]
equipment being purchased to be in compliance with ADA or CAA.
After the appropriate Federal share is established, the applicant
must provide the local share of the net project cost and must document
in its grant application the source of the local match. The local match
may include:
i. Cash from non-governmental sources other than revenues from
providing public transportation services;
ii. Non-farebox revenues from the operation of public
transportation service, such as the sale of advertising and concession
revenues. A voluntary or mandatory fee that a college, university, or
similar institution imposes on all its students for free or discounted
transit service that is not farebox revenue;
iii. Monies received under a service agreement with a State or
local social service agency or private social service organization;
iv. Undistributed cash surpluses, replacement or depreciation cash
funds, reserves available in cash, or new capital;
v. Amounts appropriated or otherwise made available to a department
or agency of the Government (other than the U.S. Department of
Transportation);
vi. In-kind contribution such as the market value of in-kind
contributions integral to the project may be counted as a contribution
toward local share;
vii. Revenue bond proceeds for a capital project, with prior FTA
approval; and
viii. Transportation Development Credits (TDC) (formerly referred
to as Toll Revenue Credits). Please refer to FTA Circular 9030 for more
information regarding the use of TDCs.
Note: FTA will not retroactively approve TDCs as match if they
are not included in the proposal submitted under this competition.
3. Eligible Projects
Eligible projects are capital projects for the purchase,
replacement, or rehabilitation of ferries, terminals, related
infrastructure, related equipment (including fare equipment and
communication devices) and expansion. Projects are required to support
a passenger ferry service that operates within an urbanized area, as
defined under Federal transit law, but may include services that
operate between an urbanized area and non-urbanized areas. Ferry
systems that accommodate cars must also accommodate walk-on passengers
in order to be eligible for funding.
Recipients are permitted to use up to 0.5 percent of their
requested grant award for workforce development activities eligible
under 49 U.S.C. 5314(b) and an additional 0.5 percent for costs
associated with training at the National Transit Institute. Applicants
must identify the proposed use of funds for these activities in the
project proposal and identify them separately in the project budget.
C. Application and Submission Information
1. Address To Request Application Package
Applications must be submitted electronically through GRANTS.GOV.
General information for submitting applications through GRANTS.GOV can
be found at www.fta.dot.gov/howtoapply along with specific instructions
for the forms and attachments required for submission. Mail and fax
submissions will not be accepted. A complete proposal submission
consists of at least two forms: The SF424 Mandatory Form (downloaded
from GRANTS.GOV) and the supplemental form for the FY 2017 Passenger
Ferry Grant Program (downloaded from GRANTS.GOV or the FTA Web site at
https://www.transit.dot.gov/funding/grants/passenger-ferry-grant-program-section-5307). Failure to submit the information as requested
can delay review or disqualify the application.
2. Content and Form of Application Submission
i. Proposal Submission
A complete proposal submission consists of at least two forms: (1)
The SF424 Mandatory Form; and (2) the supplemental form for the FY 2017
Passenger Ferry Grant Program. The application must include responses
to all sections of the SF424 Mandatory Form and the supplemental form,
unless indicated as optional. The information on the supplemental form
will be used to determine applicant and project eligibility for the
program, and to evaluate the proposal against the selection criteria
described in part E of this notice.
An applicant may submit multiple project proposals in a single
submission, but must include all project proposals on a single
supplemental form. To add additional projects, select the ``add
project'' button and complete a separate ``project detail'' section for
each project. FTA will only accept one supplemental form per
submission.
The supplemental form must be submitted as an attachment to the
SF424 Mandatory Form. All project proposals will be evaluated
separately, regardless of whether they are submitted as a single
submission.
An applicant may submit additional supporting documentation for
each project proposal as attachments. Any supporting documentation must
be described and referenced by file name in the appropriate response
section of the supplemental form, or it may not be reviewed.
Information such as proposer name, Federal amount requested, local
match amount, description of areas served, etc. may be requested in
varying degrees of detail on both the SF424 form and Supplemental Form.
Proposers must fill in all fields unless stated otherwise on the forms.
If information is copied into the supplemental form from another
source, applicants should verify that pasted text is fully captured on
the supplemental form and has not been truncated by the character
limits built into the form. Proposers should use both the ``Check
Package for Errors'' and the ``Validate Form'' validation buttons on
both forms to check all required fields on the forms, and ensure that
the Federal and local amounts specified are consistent.
ii. Application Content
The SF424 Mandatory Form and the Supplemental Form will prompt
applicants for the required information, including:
a. Applicant Name
b. Dun and Bradstreet (D&B) Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS)
number
c. Key contact information (including contact name, address, email
address, and phone)
d. Congressional district(s) where project will take place
e. Project Information (including title, an executive summary, and
type)
f. A detailed description of the need for the project
g. A detailed description on how the project will support the Ferry
program objectives
h. Evidence that the project is consistent with local and regional
planning documents
i. Evidence that the applicant can provide the local cost share
j. A description of the technical, legal, and financial capacity of the
applicant
k. A detailed project budget
l. An explanation of the scalability of the project
m. Details on the local matching funds
n. A detailed project timeline
3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM)
Each applicant is required to: (1) Be registered in SAM before
submitting an
[[Page 40060]]
application; (2) provide a valid unique entity identifier in its
application; and (3) continue to maintain an active SAM registration
with current information at all times during which the applicant has an
active Federal award or an application or plan under consideration by
FTA. These requirements do not apply if the applicant: (1) Is an
individual; (2) is excepted from the requirements under 2 CFR 25.110(b)
or (c); or (3) has an exception approved by FTA under 2 CFR 25.110(d).
FTA may not make an award until the applicant has complied with all
applicable unique entity identifier and SAM requirements. If an
applicant has not fully complied with the requirements by the time FTA
is ready to make an award, FTA may determine that the applicant is not
qualified to receive an award and use that determination as a basis for
making a Federal award to another applicant. All applicants must
provide a unique entity identifier provided by SAM. Registration in SAM
may take as little as 3-5 business days, but since there could be
unexpected steps or delays (for example, if you need to obtain an
Employer Identification Number), FTA recommends allowing ample time, up
to several weeks, for completion of all steps. For additional
information on obtaining a unique entity identifier, please visit
www.sam.gov.
4. Submission Dates and Times
Project proposals must be submitted electronically through
GRANTS.GOV by 11:59 p.m. EDT on October 23, 2017. GRANTS.GOV attaches a
time stamp to each application at the time of submission. Proposals
submitted after the deadline will only be considered under
extraordinary circumstances not under the applicant's control. Mail and
fax submissions will not be accepted.
Within 48 hours after submitting an electronic application, the
applicant should receive three email messages from GRANTS.GOV: (1)
Confirmation of successful transmission to GRANTS.GOV, (2) confirmation
of successful validation by GRANTS.GOV, and (3) confirmation of
successful validation by FTA. If confirmations of successful validation
are not received or a notice of failed validation or incomplete
materials is received, the applicant must address the reason for the
failed validation, as described in the email notice, and resubmit
before the submission deadline. If making a resubmission for any
reason, include all original attachments regardless of which
attachments were updated and check the box on the supplemental form
indicating this is a resubmission.
FTA urges proposers to submit applications at least 72 hours prior
to the due date to allow time to receive the validation messages and to
correct any problems that may have caused a rejection notification.
GRANTS.GOV scheduled maintenance and outage times are announced on the
GRANTS.GOV Web site. Deadlines will not be extended due to scheduled
Web site maintenance.
Proposers are encouraged to begin the process of registration on
the GRANTS.GOV site well in advance of the submission deadline.
Registration is a multi-step process, which may take several weeks to
complete before an application can be submitted. Registered proposers
may still be required to take steps to keep their registration up to
date before submissions can be made successfully: (1) Registration in
the System for Award Management (SAM) is renewed annually; and, (2)
persons making submissions on behalf of the Authorized Organization
Representative (AOR) must be authorized in GRANTS.GOV by the AOR to
make submissions.
5. Funding Restrictions
Funds made available under the Ferry program may not be used to
fund operating expenses, planning, or preventive maintenance.
6. Other Submission Requirements
Applicants are encouraged to identify scaled funding options in
case insufficient funding is available to fund a project at the full
requested amount. If an applicant indicates that a project is scalable,
the applicant must provide an appropriate minimum funding amount that
will fund an eligible project that achieves the objectives of the
program and meets all relevant program requirements. The applicant must
provide a clear explanation of how the project budget would be affected
by a reduced award. FTA may award a lesser amount whether or not a
scalable option is provided.
E. Application Review Information
i. Criteria: Projects will be evaluated primarily on the responses
provided in the supplemental form. Additional information may be
provided to support the responses; however, any additional
documentation must be directly referenced on the supplemental form,
including the file name where the additional information can be found.
FTA will evaluate project proposals for competitive passenger ferry
grants based on the criteria described in this notice.
1. Demonstration of Need
Applications will be evaluated based on the quality and extent to
which they demonstrate how the proposed project will address an unmet
need for capital investment in passenger ferry vehicles, equipment,
and/or facilities. FTA will also evaluate the project's impact on
service delivery and whether the project represents a one-time or
periodic need that cannot reasonably be funded from FTA formula program
allocations or State and/or local resources. In evaluating
applications, FTA will consider, among other factors, certain project-
specific criteria as outlined below:
i. For vessel replacement or rehabilitation projects:
The age of the asset to be replaced or rehabilitated by
the proposed project, relative to its useful life.
Condition and performance of the asset to be replaced by
the proposed project, as ascertained through inspections or otherwise,
if available.
ii. For infrastructure (facility) improvements or related-equipment
acquisitions:
The age of the facility or equipment to be rehabilitated
or replaced relative to its useful life.
The degree to which the proposed project will enable the
agency to improve the maintenance and condition of the agency's fleet
and/or other related ferry assets.
iii. For expansion or new service requests (vessel or facility-
related):
The degree to which the proposed project addresses a
current capacity constraint that is limiting the ability of the agency
to provide reliable service, meet ridership demands, or maintain
vessels and related-equipment.
The degree the proposed new service is supported by
ridership demand.
iv. Additional consideration will be given to projects in which the
beneficiary of the award contributes a greater share of the total
project costs.
2. Demonstration of Benefits
Applications will be evaluated based on how the ferry project will
improve the safety and state of good repair of the system or provide
additional transportation options to potential riders within the
service area. FTA will consider potential benefits such as increased
reliability of service, improved operations or maintenance
capabilities, or expanded mobility options, intermodal connections, and
economic benefits to the community.
[[Page 40061]]
3. Planning and Local/Regional Prioritization
Applications will be evaluated based on whether the proposed
project is consistent with local and regional planning documents and
identified priorities. In particular, FTA will evaluate applications
based on the quality and extent to which they assess whether the
project is consistent with the transit priorities identified in the
long-range transportation plan and/or the State and Metropolitan
Transportation Improvement Program (STIP/TIP). Proposers should note if
the project could not be included in the financially constrained STIP
or TIP due to lack of funding; however, if selected, the project must
be in the federally approved STIP before grant award.
FTA encourages applicants to demonstrate local support by including
letters of support from State Departments of Transportation, local
transit agencies and other relevant stakeholders. In an area with both
ferry and other public transit operators, FTA will evaluate whether
project proposals demonstrate coordination with and support of other
related projects within the proposer's Metropolitan Planning
Organization (MPO) or the geographic region within which the proposed
project will operate.
4. Project Readiness
FTA will evaluate the extent to which the project is ready to be
implemented. This will involve assessing whether the project is a
Categorical Exclusion (CE) or if required environmental work has been
initiated or completed for construction projects requiring an
Environmental Assessment (EA) or Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
FTA will consider whether project implementation plans are ready,
including initial design of facility projects, the TIP/STIP can be
amended (evidenced by MPO/State endorsement), whether local match is
available, whether the project funds can be obligated within 12 months
from time of selection, and whether the project will require a Buy
America waiver.
5. Technical, Legal, and Financial Capacity
Applicants must demonstrate that they have the technical, legal and
financial capacity to undertake the project. FTA will review relevant
oversight assessments and records to determine whether there are any
outstanding legal, technical, or financial issues with the applicant
that would affect the outcome of the proposed project.
6. Connectivity to Other Modes of Transportation
FTA will evaluate the degree to which the ferry service to be
supported by the proposed project provides service that is integrated
with other regional modes of transportation, including but not limited
to: Rail, bus, intercity bus, and private transportation providers.
Supporting documentation should include data that demonstrates the
number of trips (passengers and vehicles), the number of walk-on
passengers, and the frequency of transfers to other modes (if
applicable).
ii. Review and Selection Process
In addition to other FTA staff that may review the proposals, a
technical evaluation committee will evaluate proposals based on the
published evaluation criteria. Members of the technical evaluation
committee and other FTA staff may request additional information from
applicants, if necessary. Based on the findings of the technical
evaluation committee, the FTA Administrator will determine the final
selection of projects for program funding. FTA may consider geographic
diversity, diversity in the size of the transit systems receiving
funding, and/or the applicant's receipt of other competitive awards in
determining the allocation of program funds. FTA may give additional
consideration to projects in which the beneficiary of the award
contributes a greater share of the total project costs. FTA may
consider capping the amount a single applicant may receive.
F. Federal Award Administration
1. Federal Award Notices
Subsequent to an announcement by the FTA Administrator of the final
project selections, which will be posted on the FTA Web site, FTA will
publish a list of the selected projects, Federal award amounts, and
recipients in the Federal Register. Project recipients should contact
their FTA Regional Offices for additional information regarding
allocations for projects under the Ferry program.
At the time the project selections are announced, FTA will extend
pre-award authority for the selected projects. There is no blanket pre-
award authority for these projects before announcement.
2. Award Administration
Funds under the Ferry program are available to designated
recipients or eligible direct recipients of Section 5307 funds. There
is no minimum or maximum grant award amount; however, FTA intends to
fund as many meritorious projects as possible. Only proposals from
eligible recipients for eligible activities will be considered for
funding. Due to funding limitations, proposers that are selected for
funding may receive less than the amount originally requested. In those
cases, applicants must be able to demonstrate that the proposed
projects are still viable and can be completed with the amount awarded.
3. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
i. Pre-Award Authority
FTA will issue specific guidance to recipients regarding pre-award
authority at the time of selection. FTA does not provide pre-award
authority for competitive funds until projects are selected and even
then there are Federal requirements that must be met before costs are
incurred. For more information about FTA's policy on pre-award
authority, please see the FY 2017 Apportionment Notice published on
January 19, 2017. https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2017-01-19/pdf/2017-01194.pdf.
ii. Grant Requirements
If selected, awardees will apply for a grant through FTA's Transit
Award Management System (TrAMS). All Ferry recipients are subject to
the grant requirements of Section 5307 Urbanized Area Formula Grant
program, including those of FTA Circular 9030.1. All recipients must
follow the Award Management Requirements Circular 5010.1E, and the
labor protections of 49 U.S.C. 5333(b). All competitive grants,
regardless of award amount, will be subject to the congressional
notification and release process. Technical assistance regarding these
requirements is available from each FTA regional office.
iii. Buy America
FTA requires that all capital procurements meet FTA's Buy America
requirements that require all iron, steel, or manufactured products be
produced in the U.S., to help create and protect manufacturing jobs in
the U.S. The Ferry program will have a significant economic impact
toward meeting the objectives of the Buy America law. The FAST Act
amended the Buy America requirements, 49 U.S.C. 5323(j), to provide for
a phased increase in the domestic content for rolling stock. For FY
2016 and FY 2017, the cost of components and subcomponents produced in
the United States must be more than 60 percent of the cost of all
components. For FY 2018 and FY 2019,
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the cost of components and subcomponents produced in the United States
must be more than 65 percent of the cost of all components. For FY 2020
and beyond, the cost of components and subcomponents produced in the
United States must be more than 70 percent of the cost of all
components. There is no change to the requirement that final assembly
of rolling stock must occur in the United States. The Buy America
requirements can be found in 49 CFR part 661 and additional guidance on
the implementation of the phased increase in domestic content can be
found at 81 FR 60278 (Sept. 1, 2016). Any proposal that will require a
waiver must identify the items for which a waiver will be sought in the
application. Applicants should not proceed with the expectation that
waivers will be granted.
iv. Disadvantaged Business Enterprise
Projects that include ferry acquisitions are subject to the
Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program regulations at 49 CFR
part 26 and ferry manufacturers must be certified Transit Vehicle
Manufacturers (TVMs) to be eligible to bid on an FTA-assisted ferry
procurement. The rule requires that, prior to bidding on any FTA-
assisted vehicle procurement, entities that manufacture ferries must
submit a DBE Program plan and annual goal methodology to FTA. The FTA
will then issue a TVM concurrence/certification letter. Grant
recipients must verify each entity's compliance before accepting its
bid. A list of certified TVMs is posted on FTA's Web page at https://www.fta.dot.gov/civilrights/12891.html. Recipients should contact FTA
before accepting bids from entities not listed on this Web-posting. In
lieu of using a certified TVM, recipients may also establish project
specific DBE goals for ferry purchases. The FTA will provide additional
guidance as grants are awarded. For more information on DBE
requirements, please contact Janelle Hinton, Office of Civil Rights,
202-366-9259, email: janelle.hinton@dot.gov.
v. Planning
FTA encourages proposers to notify the appropriate State
Departments of Transportation and MPOs in areas likely to be served by
the project funds made available under these initiatives and programs.
Selected projects must be incorporated into the long-range plans and
transportation improvement programs of States and metropolitan areas
before they are eligible for FTA funding.
vi. Standard Assurances
The applicant assures that it will comply with all applicable
Federal statutes, regulations, executive orders, directives, FTA
circulars, and other Federal administrative requirements in carrying
out any project supported by the FTA grant. The applicant acknowledges
that it is under a continuing obligation to comply with the terms and
conditions of the grant agreement issued for its project with FTA. The
applicant understands that Federal laws, regulations, policies, and
administrative practices might be modified from time to time and may
affect the implementation of the project. The applicant agrees that the
most recent Federal requirements will apply to the project, unless FTA
issues a written determination otherwise. The applicant must submit the
Certifications and Assurances before receiving a grant if it does not
have current certifications on file.
4. Reporting
Post-award reporting requirements include the electronic submission
of Federal Financial Reports and Milestone Progress Reports in FTA's
electronic grants management system.
G. Federal Awarding Agency Contacts
For further information concerning this notice, please contact the
Ferry program manager Vanessa Williams by phone at 202-366-4818, or by
email at vanessa.williams@dot.gov. A TDD is available for individuals
who are deaf or hard of hearing at 800-877-8339. In addition, FTA will
post answers to questions and requests for clarifications on FTA's Web
site at https://www.transit.dot.gov/funding/grants/passenger-ferry-grant-program-section-5307. To ensure applicants receive accurate
information about eligibility or the program, the applicant is
encouraged to contact FTA directly, rather than through intermediaries
or third parties. FTA staff may also conduct briefings on the FY 2017
competitive grants selection and award process upon request.
H. Technical Assistance and Other Program Information
This program is not subject to Executive Order 12372,
``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.'' FTA will consider
applications for funding only from eligible recipients for eligible
projects listed in Section C. Complete applications must be submitted
through GRANTS.GOV by 11:59 p.m. EDT on October 23, 2017. For issues
with GRANTS.GOV please contact GRANTS.GOV by phone at 1-800-518-4726 or
by email at support@grants.gov.
Contact information for FTA's regional offices can be found on
FTA's Web site at www.fta.dot.gov.
Matthew J. Welbes,
Executive Director.
Appendix A
Ferry Program
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is a designated recipient?
Answer: A designated recipient is an entity designated by the
governor of a state, responsible local official, and publicly owned
operators of public transportation to receive and apportion amounts
under Section 5336 to urbanized areas of 200,000 or more in
population, or a state or regional authority, if the authority is
responsible under the laws of a state for a capital project and for
financing and directly providing public transportation.
2. What is a direct recipient?
Answer: A direct recipient is an eligible entity authorized by a
designated recipient or state to receive Urbanized Area Formula
Program funds directly from FTA.
3. Is there a list of designated recipients under Section 5307?
Answer: Contact the FTA regional office for help with
identifying the 5307 designated recipient in your area. The regional
office contact information can be found at www.fta.dot.gov.
4. How can an entity determine whether it operates within the
area of a Census-designated urbanized area?
Answer: Contact the FTA regional office to determine the
designated urbanized area. The regional contact information can be
found at www.fta.dot.gov.
5. Can I apply if I am not currently a direct recipient?
Answer: Yes, FTA will accept applications from entities in
urbanized areas that are eligible to be direct recipients, even if
they are currently not a direct recipient.
6. How can I apply if I am not an eligible direct recipient or
designated recipient?
Answer: Coordinate the project with the designated or eligible
direct recipient for that entity to apply on your behalf. However,
if your project is selected for an award, the designated or eligible
direct recipient would obligate the funds.
7. Can State DOTs apply on behalf of public agencies within the
state in which they administer FTA funds?
Answer: Yes, as long as the service is within an urbanized area.
8. If an agency previously received 5307 funds but now receives
5311 funds, can they still apply?
Answer: No, Section 5311 rural providers are not eligible to
apply for the Passenger Ferry Grant Program. Applicants must be
eligible designated or direct recipients of Section 5307.
9. Is a new start eligible under the Ferry program?
Answer: Capital for new systems is eligible if the project is
not in the planning phase.
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Planning activities are not eligible under this competition.
10. Are public car-ferries eligible?
Answer: Ferry systems that accommodate cars must also
accommodate walk-on passengers in order to be eligible.
11. Is the construction of a ferry maintenance facility an
eligible capital project?
Answer: Yes.
12. Is a new vessel construction funded by FTA grants considered
a public work or rolling stock and therefore subject to Davis Bacon?
Answer: Yes, a new vessel construction is rolling stock. Davis
Bacon applies to construction, alteration, or repairs of public
buildings or public works, but it does not apply to rolling stock.
13. Does the term ``terminals & related infrastructure''
projects include the floating docks and access ramps where the
passengers board?
Answer: Yes.
14. Is there a difference between the FTA's Passenger Ferry
Grant Program and FHWA's Ferry Boat Formula Grant Funding Program?
Answer: There may be subtle differences between FTA's and FHWA's
programs. However, FHWA no longer has a competitive program. It is
now a formula program. Please refer to FHWA's page for more
information: https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/.
15. What is the grant process after an entity is selected?
Answer: An agency would work with the FTA regional office to
apply for the funds in FTA's electronic management system. The
Federal Register announcing selection will also provide grant-making
instructions.
[FR Doc. 2017-17814 Filed 8-22-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-57-P
