Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Maritime Administration's Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP) Under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, 20231-20245 [2021-07852]

Agencies

• Maritime Administration
• DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 72 (Friday, April 16, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20231-20245]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-07852]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Maritime Administration


Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Maritime Administration's 
Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP) Under the Consolidated 
Appropriations Act, 2021

AGENCY: Maritime Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of Funding Opportunity.

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SUMMARY: The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 appropriated $230 
million for the Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP) to make 
grants to improve facilities within, or outside of and directly related 
to operations of or an intermodal connection to, coastal seaports, 
inland river ports, and Great Lakes ports. This notice announces the 
availability of funding for grants under this program and establishes 
selection criteria and application requirements. The Act directed that 
at least $205 million of the appropriated funds shall be for grants to 
coastal seaports or Great Lakes ports. Additionally, the National 
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 directed that not less 
than $41.4 million shall be for projects at ``Small Ports and 
Terminals'' meeting certain requirements described in this NOFO. Funds 
for the PIDP are to be awarded as discretionary grants on a competitive 
basis for projects that will improve the safety, efficiency, or 
reliability of the movement of goods into, out of, around, or within a 
port. All PIDP grant recipients must meet all applicable Federal 
requirements, including the Buy American Act. The purpose of this 
notice is to solicit grant applications for the PIDP.

DATES: Applications must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on July 30, 
2021.

ADDRESSES: Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information concerning 
this notice, please contact the PIDP staff via email at 
[email protected], or call Peter Simons, Supervisory Transportation 
Specialist, Office of Port

[[Page 20232]]

Infrastructure Development, at 202-366-8921. A TDD is available for 
individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing at 202-366-3993. In 
addition, the Department of Transportation (DOT) may post answers to 
questions and requests for clarifications as well as information about 
webinars for further information at www.maritime.dot.gov/PIDPgrants.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Each section of this notice contains 
information and instructions relevant to the application process for 
the FY 2021 PIDP discretionary grants, and all applicants should read 
this notice in its entirety to prepare eligible and competitive 
applications. Some of the program criteria have been modified since the 
FY 2020 PIDP.

Table of Contents

A. Program Description
B. Federal Award Information
C. Eligibility Information
D. Application and Submission Information
E. Application Review Information
F. Federal Award Administration Information
G. Federal Awarding Agency Contact(s)
H. Other Information

A. Program Description

1. Overview

    The PIDP was established under 46 U.S.C. 50302, which authorizes 
DOT to establish a port and intermodal improvement program to improve 
the safety, efficiency, or reliability of the movement of goods through 
ports and intermodal connections to ports. The Consolidated 
Appropriations Act, 2021 (Pub. L. 116-260, December 27, 2020) (``FY21 
Appropriations Act'' or the ``Act'') appropriated $230 million to the 
PIDP to make discretionary grants to improve the safety, efficiency, or 
reliability of the movement of goods into, out of, around, or within 
coastal seaports, inland river ports, or Great Lakes ports. To carry 
out a project under this program, DOT may provide grants for port and 
intermodal infrastructure-related projects.
    Throughout the program, these discretionary grant awards have 
supported projects that improve facilities within, or outside of and 
directly related to operations of or an intermodal connection to, 
coastal seaports, inland river ports, and Great Lakes ports consistent 
with DOT's strategic infrastructure goal.\1\ FY 2021 PIDP grants 
continue to align with DOT's infrastructure goal by supporting projects 
that enable safe, efficient, and reliable movement of goods into, out 
of, around, or within a port. To maximize the value of FY 2021 PIDP 
funds for all Americans, DOT seeks projects that enable safe, 
efficient, and reliable movement of goods and support the following 
program objectives: (1) Supporting economic vitality at the national 
and regional level; (2) addressing climate change and environmental 
justice impacts; (3) advancing racial equity and reducing barriers to 
opportunity; and, (4) leveraging Federal funding to attract non-Federal 
sources of infrastructure investment.
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    \1\ See U.S. Department of Transportation Strategic Plan for FY 
2018-2022 (Feb. 2018) at https://www.transportation.gov/dot-strategic-plan.
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    Consistent with DOT's R.O.U.T.E.S. initiative, DOT seeks rural 
projects that address deteriorating conditions and disproportionately 
high fatality rates on rural transportation infrastructure. DOT will 
consider how a proposed project will address the challenges faced by 
rural areas. Please visit https://www.transportation.gov/rural to learn 
more about DOT's efforts to address disparities in rural 
infrastructure.

2. Changes From the FY 2020 NOFO

    The FY 2021 PIDP notice includes new priorities related to climate 
change, racial equity, and job creation. These priorities are part of 
two new program objectives that are incorporated into the FY 2021 PIDP 
evaluation process: (i) Climate Change and Environmental Justice 
Impacts and (ii) Racial Equity and Barriers to Opportunity. See Section 
D of this NOFO for details.
    Section D.2.VII of this notice provides additional detail and 
instructions to applicants related to the statutory determinations that 
are required prior to award selection.
    This notice also includes provisions related to applications for 
assistance for certain projects at small ports, per 46 U.S.C. 50302(d) 
as amended by the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 
2021 (Pub. L. 116-283, January 1, 2021) (``NDAA''). This guidance 
applies to eligible applicants with eligible projects meeting two 
conditions: (1) The eligible applicant is a port with average annual 
tonnage of cargo during the three calendar years immediately preceding 
the time of application of less than 8,000,000 short tons and (2) the 
application seeks a certain level of Federal funding (less than or 
equal to $4.14 million). These projects are referred to in this notice 
as ``small projects at small ports''.

3. Additional Information

    Section E of this notice, which outlines FY 2021 PIDP Grant 
selection criteria, describes the process for selecting projects that 
further the program's goals. Section F.3 describes progress and 
performance reporting requirements for selected projects, including the 
relationship between these reporting requirements and the program's 
selection criteria.
    The PIDP is described in the Federal Assistance Listings (formerly 
known as the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance) under the 
assistance listing program title ``Port Infrastructure Development 
Program'' and assistance listing number 20.823.

B. Federal Award Information

1. Amount Available

    DOT intends to award up to $230 million on a competitive basis for 
projects that improve facilities within, or outside of and directly 
related to operations of or an intermodal connection to, coastal 
seaports, inland river ports, and Great Lakes ports. The FY21 
Appropriations Act directed that at least $205 million of this amount 
be reserved for grants to coastal seaports or Great Lakes ports. 
Additionally, the NDAA directed that not less than $41.4 million shall 
be for projects meeting certain requirements described in this NOFO for 
``small projects at small ports''. The FY21 Appropriations Act allows 
up to two percent ($4.6 million) of the funds appropriated to be 
available for necessary costs of grant administration. If the Maritime 
Administration (MARAD) does not receive sufficient qualified 
applications, it will award less than the amount available.
    In addition to the FY 2021 PIDP funds, unobligated prior year PIDP 
funds may be made available and awarded under this solicitation to 
eligible projects. DOT presently estimates that approximately $20 
million in prior year funds may be awarded under this solicitation. If 
this solicitation does not result in the award and obligation of all 
available funds, DOT may publish additional solicitations.

2. Award Size

    The minimum PIDP award size is $1 million. Except as limited by the 
amount of available funding and the statutory restrictions on funding 
identified in Section B.3, there is no maximum award size.

3. Restrictions on Funding

    The FY21 Appropriations Act and NDAA impose several restrictions on 
awards under this notice:
     Not more than 25 percent of the available funds ($57.5 
million) can be

[[Page 20233]]

used to make grants for projects in any one State.
     At least $205 million is reserved for coastal seaport 
projects or Great Lakes port projects (as defined in Section C.3.e. 
below).
     Eighteen percent ($41.4 million) is reserved for small 
projects at small ports awarded under 46 U.S.C. 50302(d), and no single 
grant award under 46 U.S.C. 50302(d) may be more than 10 percent ($4.14 
million) of this amount. Of this reserved $41.4 million, not more than 
10 percent ($4.14 million) may be used to make grants for development 
phase activities under 46 U.S.C. 50302(d)(3)(A)(ii)(III).
     Not more than 10 percent ($18.4 million) of the funds not 
reserved for small projects at small ports may be awarded for 
development phase activities for large projects (as defined in Section 
C.3.e. below) that do not result in construction.

4. Availability of Funds

    To ensure the funds are expended in a timely manner, DOT, to the 
extent possible, seeks to obligate FY 2021 PIDP funds by September 30, 
2024. Obligation occurs when a selected applicant and DOT enter into a 
written grant agreement after the applicant has satisfied applicable 
administrative requirements, including transportation planning and 
environmental review requirements. Unless authorized by DOT in writing 
after DOT's announcement of FY 2021 PIDP awards, any costs incurred 
prior to DOT's obligation of funds for a project (``pre-award costs'') 
are ineligible for reimbursement and are ineligible to count as match 
for cost share requirements. DOT also seeks to expend funds within five 
years of obligation. As part of the review and selection process 
described in Section E.2.b., DOT will consider a project's likelihood 
to be ready for obligation of funds by September 30, 2024 and 
liquidation of these obligations within five years of obligation.

5. Previous PIDP Awards

    Recipients of prior PIDP grants may apply for funding to support 
additional phases of a project previously awarded funds in the PIDP 
program. However, to be competitive, the applicant should demonstrate 
the extent to which the previously funded project phase has met 
estimated project schedules and budget, as well as the ability to 
realize the benefits expected for the project. A previous PIDP award, 
or application, does not affect competitiveness under the FY 2021 PIDP 
competition.

C. Eligibility Information

    To be selected for a FY 2021 PIDP discretionary grant, an applicant 
must be an eligible applicant and the project must be an eligible 
project.

1. Eligible Applicants

    An eligible applicant for a FY 2021 PIDP discretionary grant is a 
port authority, a commission or its subdivision or agent under existing 
authority, a State or political subdivision of a State or local 
government, a Tribal government, a public agency or publicly chartered 
authority established by one or more States, a special purpose district 
with a transportation function, a multistate or multijurisdictional 
group of entities, or a lead entity described above jointly with a 
private entity or group of private entities (including the owners or 
operators of a facility, or collection of facilities, at a port).
    If submitting a joint application, applicants should identify a 
lead applicant as the primary point of contact and also identify the 
primary recipient of the award. The applicant that will be responsible 
for financial administration of the project must be an eligible 
applicant. Joint applications should include a description of the roles 
and responsibilities of each applicant.
    Applicants must demonstrate that they have the authority to carry 
out the project and are encouraged to submit an assertion with citation 
of authority with their application. See Section D.2.VII. for more 
information.

2. Cost Sharing or Matching

    This section of the notice describes cost share requirements for an 
FY 2021 PIDP Grant award.
    Per the FY21 Appropriations Act, the Federal share of the costs for 
which an expenditure is made under a PIDP grant may not exceed 80 
percent; however, the Secretary may increase the Federal share of costs 
above 80 percent for: (1) Large project grant awards less than $10 
million; or, (2) grants awarded to small projects at small ports under 
46 U.S.C. 50302(d).
    Non-Federal sources include State funds originating from programs 
funded by State revenue, local funds originating from State or local 
revenue funded programs, or private funds. The application should 
demonstrate, such as through a commitment letter or other 
documentation, the sources of the non-Federal funds. Unless otherwise 
authorized by statute, State or local cost-share may not be counted as 
the non-Federal share for both the FY 2021 PIDP Grant award and another 
Federal grant program.
    DOT will not consider previously incurred costs or previously 
expended or encumbered funds towards the matching requirement for any 
project, except for awards made under 46 U.S.C. 50302(d) (small 
projects at small ports). For awards made under 46 U.S.C. 50302(d), DOT 
may consider certain eligible pre-construction costs towards the 
matching requirement if incurred after the date of application 
submittal but before award announcement and if the costs are clearly 
indicated in the budget included in the application and comply with all 
applicable Federal requirements. Matching funds are subject to the same 
Federal requirements described in Section F.2. as awarded funds.
    For the purpose of eligibility, the proceeds of Federal assistance 
under chapter 6 of Title 23, United States Code or sections 501 through 
504 of the Railroad and Revitalization and Regulatory Reform Act of 
1976 (Pub. L. 94-210), as amended, shall be considered to be part of 
the non-Federal share of project costs if the loan is repayable from 
non-Federal funds, unless otherwise requested by the project sponsor.
    In addition to these cost share requirements, cost share will be 
evaluated according to the ``Leverage of Federal Funding'' criterion 
described in Section E. Preference will be given to those projects that 
require a lower percentage Federal share of costs. See Section E.1.a. 
for information on how DOT will evaluate leverage. That section 
explains that DOT seeks applications for projects that maximize the 
non-Federal share. See Section D.2.III. for information about 
documenting cost sharing in the application.
    For each project that receives a PIDP grant award, the terms of the 
award will require the recipient to complete the project using at least 
the level of non-Federal funding that was specified in the application. 
If the actual costs of the project are greater than the costs estimated 
in the application, the recipient will be responsible for increasing 
the non-Federal contribution. If the actual costs of the project are 
less than the costs estimated in the application, DOT will generally 
reduce the Federal contribution.

3. Other

a. Eligible Projects
    Eligible projects for FY 2021 PIDP grants shall be located either 
within the boundary of a port, or outside the boundary of a port and 
directly related to port operations or to an intermodal

[[Page 20234]]

connection to a port. Eligible projects are limited to:
    (1) Port gate improvements;
    (2) road improvements both within and connecting to the port;
    (3) rail improvements both within and connecting to the port;
    (4) berth improvements (including docks, wharves, piers, and 
dredging incidental to the improvement project);
    (5) fixed landside improvements in support of cargo operations 
(such as silos, elevators, conveyors, container terminals, Ro/Ro 
structures including parking garages necessary for intermodal freight 
transfer, warehouses including refrigerated facilities, lay-down areas, 
transit sheds, and other such facilities);
    (6) utilities necessary for safe operations (including lighting, 
stormwater, and other such improvements that are incidental to a larger 
infrastructure project); or
    (7) a combination of activities described above.
    Projects addressing environmental mitigation measures, freight 
intelligent transportation systems, and digital infrastructure systems 
are eligible if those components support one of the eligible project 
types listed above. This program will not fund construction, 
reconstruction, reconditioning, or purchase of a vessel, nor any 
project within a small shipyard (as defined in 46 U.S.C. 54101). Mobile 
equipment, such as mobile harbor cranes or vehicles and similar 
equipment whose utility depends, in part, on their ability to be 
routinely relocated from one location to another, is not eligible for 
funding.
    Development phase activities (including planning, feasibility 
analysis, revenue forecasting, environmental review, permitting, and 
preliminary engineering and design work) that support these capital 
projects are also eligible. However, DOT will prioritize funding for 
projects that propose to move into the construction phase within the 
grant's performance period. Accordingly, applications for only 
development phase activities will be less competitive than capital 
grants.
    Improvements to Federally owned facilities are ineligible under the 
FY 2021 PIDP.
    Refer to Section D.5, Funding Restrictions, for more information 
when determining eligibility.
b. Determinations
    DOT must make the following determinations under 46 U.S.C. 
50302(c)(6)(A) before selecting a project for award. Evidence that a 
project meets these determinations should be clearly indicated in the 
Project Narrative as outlined in Section D.2.VII.
    (1) The project improves the safety, efficiency, or reliability of 
the movement of goods through a port or intermodal connection to the 
port. Refer to Section D.2.VII. for what to include in the application, 
and to Section E.1.a. for how DOT will make this determination.
    (2) The project is cost effective. DOT will determine a project is 
cost effective if it estimates that the project's benefit-cost ratio is 
equal to or greater than one. Refer to Section D.2.VII. for what to 
include in the application and to Section E.1.a. for how DOT will make 
this determination. This requirement does not apply to awards for small 
projects at small ports (i.e., awards made under 46 U.S.C. 50302(d)).
    (3) The eligible applicant has the authority to carry out the 
project. Refer to Section D.2.VII. for what to include in the 
application, and to Section E.2.b. for how DOT will make this 
determination.
    (4) The eligible applicant has sufficient funding available to meet 
the matching requirements. DOT's determination of sufficient and 
available non-Federal matching funds will be based on the information 
provided in the project's Grant Funds, Sources, and Uses of Project 
Funds section of the application (see Section D.2.III). Refer to 
Section D.2.VII. for what to include in the application, and to Section 
E.2.b. for how DOT will make this determination.
    (5) The project will be completed without unreasonable delay. The 
application must demonstrate that the project will meet the timeline 
outlined in Section B.4. This eligibility requirement is separate from 
the Project Readiness Selection Criteria described in Section E.1.b. 
Refer to Section D.2.VII. for what to include in the application, and 
to Section E.2.b. for how DOT will make this determination.
    (6) The project cannot be easily and efficiently completed without 
Federal funding or financial assistance available to the project 
sponsor. DOT's determination will be based on the impacts to the 
project if Federal funding or financial assistance is unavailable for 
the project. Refer to Section D.2.VII. for what to include in the 
application, and to Section E.2.b. for how DOT will make this 
determination.
c. Project Components
    An application may describe a project that contains more than one 
component and may describe components that may be carried out by 
parties other than the applicant. DOT may award funds for a component, 
instead of the larger project, if that component (1) independently 
meets minimum award amounts described in Section B and all eligibility 
requirements described in Section C; (2) independently aligns well with 
the merit criteria specified in Section E; and (3) meets National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements with respect to 
independent utility. Independent utility means that the component will 
represent a transportation improvement that is usable, even if no other 
improvement is made in the area, and will be ready for intended use 
upon completion of that component's construction. All project 
components that are presented together in a single application must 
demonstrate a relationship or connection among them.
    Applicants should be aware that, depending upon the relationship 
between project components and applicable Federal law, Federal funding 
of some project components may make other project components that have 
not received Federal funding subject to Federal requirements as 
described in Section F.2.
    DOT strongly encourages applicants to identify in their 
applications the project components that have independent utility and 
separately detail costs and requested PIDP funding for those 
components. If the application identifies one or more independent 
project components, the application should clearly identify how each 
independent component addresses the selection criteria and produces 
benefits on its own, in addition to describing how the full proposal of 
which the independent component is a part addresses the criteria 
described in Section E.
d. Application Limit
    Each lead applicant may submit no more than one application.
e. Definitions
    Coastal seaport: A port on navigable waters of the United States or 
territories that are subject to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 
regulatory jurisdiction for oceanic and coastal waters under 33 CFR 
329.12 or that is otherwise capable of receiving oceangoing vessels 
with a draft of at least 20 feet (other than a Great Lakes port).
    Development phase activities: Planning, feasibility analysis, 
revenue forecasting, environmental review, permitting, and preliminary 
engineering and design work.
    Great Lakes port: A port on the Great Lakes and their connecting 
and tributary waters as defined under 33 CFR 83.03(o).

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    Large projects: A project at a port other than a small port, 
regardless of the amount of PIDP funding sought in the application; or, 
a project at a small port for which the amount of PIDP funding sought 
in the application is greater than $4.14 million.
    Rural area: An area located outside a 2010 Census-designated 
urbanized area.
    Small port: A coastal seaport, Great Lakes, or inland river port to 
and from which the average annual tonnage of cargo for the immediately 
preceding 3 calendar years from the time an application is submitted is 
less than 8,000,000 short tons, as determined using U.S. Army Corps of 
Engineers data or data provided by an independent audit the findings of 
which are acceptable to the Secretary.
    Small project at a small port: A project at a small port seeking 
less than or equal to $4.14 million in funding under 46 U.S.C. 
50302(d).

D. Application and Submission Information

1. Address To Request Application Package

    Applications must be submitted to Grants.gov. Instructions for 
submitting applications can be found at https://www.maritime.dot.gov/office-port-infrastructure-development/port-and-terminal-infrastructure-development/how-apply-port along with specific 
instructions for the forms and attachments required for submission.

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

    The application must include the Standard Form 424 (Application for 
Federal Assistance) and the Project Narrative. More detailed 
information about the Project Narrative follows. Applicants are 
encouraged to also complete the SF-424C (Budget Information--
Construction Programs) and attach to their application the FY 2021 PIDP 
Project Information form. These forms may be found on grants.gov and 
are also available at www.maritime.dot.gov/PIDPgrants.
    DOT recommends that the Project Narrative be prepared with standard 
formatting preferences (a single-spaced document, using a standard 12-
point font such as Times New Roman, with 1-inch margins, and the 
narrative text in one column only). The Project Narrative may not 
exceed 30 pages in length, excluding cover pages and table of contents. 
The only substantive portions that may exceed the 30-page limit are 
documents supporting assertions or conclusions made in the 30-page 
Project Narrative and documentation related to the required 
determinations. Except for the benefit cost analysis, DOT does not 
consider supporting documentation or websites an essential part of the 
application. Supporting documentation should be dated, and DOT 
recommends using appropriately descriptive files names (e.g., ``Project 
Narrative,'' ``Maps,'' ``Memoranda of Understanding and Letters of 
Support'') for all attachments. If supporting documents are submitted, 
applicants should clearly identify within the Project Narrative the 
relevant portion of the Project Narrative that each supporting document 
supports.
    DOT recommends that the Project Narrative follow the basic outline 
below to address the program requirements and assist evaluators in 
locating relevant information.

I. Project Description..........................  See D.2.I.
II. Project Location............................  See D.2.II.
III. Grant Funds, Sources, and Uses of Project    See D.2.III.
 Funds.
IV. Merit Criteria..............................  See D.2.IV.
    A. Achieving Safety, Efficiency, or
     Reliability Improvements
    B. Supporting Economic Vitality at the
     National and Regional Level
    C. Addressing Climate Change and
     Environmental Justice Impacts
    D. Advancing Racial Equity and Reducing
     Barriers to Opportunity
    E. Leveraging Federal Funding To Attract Non-
     Federal Sources of Infrastructure
     Investment
V. Project Readiness............................  See D.2.V.
    A. Technical Capacity
    B. Environmental Approvals
    C. Risk Mitigation
VI. Domestic Preference.........................  See D.2.VI.
VII. Determinations.............................  See D.2.VII.
 

    The Project Narrative should include the information necessary for 
DOT to determine that the project satisfies project requirements 
described in Sections B and C and to assess the criteria specified in 
Section E.1. In addition to a detailed statement of work, detailed 
project schedule, and detailed project budget, the Project Narrative 
should include a table of contents, maps and graphics, as appropriate, 
to make the information easier to review. To the extent practicable, 
applicants should provide supporting data and documentation in a form 
that is directly verifiable by DOT. DOT may ask any applicant to 
supplement data in its application, but expects applications to be 
complete upon submission. DOT may seek clarifying or additional 
information from applicants according to circumstances described in 
Section E.2. DOT recommends applications include the following content:
I. Project Description
    The first section of the application should provide a concise 
description of the project, the challenges that it is intended to 
address, and how it will address those challenges. The project 
description should provide both a high-level overview of the overall 
project and a clear itemization of its major components. This section 
may discuss the project's history, including a description of any 
previously completed components. The applicant may use this section to 
place the project into a broader context of other transportation 
infrastructure investments being pursued by the project sponsor. This 
section should focus on eligibility and technical aspects of the 
project, but should not directly address the selection criteria 
described in paragraph IV., below.
II. Project Location
    This section of the application should describe the project 
location, including a detailed geographical description of the proposed 
project, a map of the project's location and connections to existing 
transportation infrastructure, and geospatial data describing the 
project location. This section should also clearly identify whether the 
project is:
    (a) Located in a rural area (as defined in Section C.3.e);
    (b) a Great Lakes port project (as defined in Section C.3.e);

[[Page 20236]]

    (c) a Coastal seaport project (as defined in Section C.3.e);
    (d) a small project at a small port (as defined in Section C.3.e) 
seeking funding under 46 U.S.C. 50302(d); and
    (e) located in a Federally designated community development zone 
such as a qualified Opportunity Zone,\2\ Empowerment Zone,\3\ Promise 
Zone,\4\ or Choice Neighborhood.\5\
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    \2\ See https://opportunityzones.hud.gov/.
    \3\ See https://www.hud.gov/hudprograms/empowerment_zones.
    \4\ See https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/field_policy_mgt/fieldpolicymgtpz.
    \5\ See https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/public_indian_housing/programs/ph/cn.
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III. Grant Funds, Sources, and Uses of Project Funds
    This section of the application should describe the FY 2021 PIDP 
project's budget (i.e., the project scope that includes PIDP funding) 
and leverage of non-Federal funds. Except for a project seeking funding 
under 46 U.S.C. 50302(d), the budget should not include any previously 
incurred expenses. At a minimum, this section should include:
    (a) PIDP project costs; \6\
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    \6\ For a project seeking funding under 46 U.S.C. 50302(d), the 
project costs may include eligible costs incurred by the applicant 
between the date of application submittal and the date of award 
announcement as long as these costs comply with the PIDP 
administrative and national policy requirements described in Section 
F.2 and are for pre-construction activities. Costs incurred prior to 
the execution of a grant agreement will not be reimbursed or used to 
satisfy cost share requirements unless authorized in writing by DOT. 
See Section F.1.
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    (b) For all funds to be used for eligible project costs, the source 
and amount of those funds;
    (c) Documentation of funding commitments for non-Federal funds to 
be used for eligible project costs (documentation may be referenced and 
submitted as an appendix);
    (d) For Federal funds to be used for eligible project costs, the 
amount, nature, and source of any required non-Federal match for those 
funds. Applicants should also refer to the Leverage of Federal Funding 
merit criterion in Section E.1.a.v.;
    (e) A budget showing how each source of funds will be spent. The 
budget should show how each funding source will share in each major 
construction activity, and present that data in dollars and 
percentages. Funding sources should be grouped into three categories: 
Non-Federal; PIDP; and other Federal. If the project contains 
individual components, the budget should separate the costs of each 
project component. If the project will be completed in phases, the 
budget should separate the costs of each phase. The budget detail 
should sufficiently demonstrate that the project satisfies the 
statutory cost-sharing requirements described in Section C.2.
    In addition to the information enumerated above, this section 
should provide complete information on how all project funds may be 
used. For example, if a particular source of funds is available only 
after a condition is satisfied, the application should identify that 
condition and describe the applicant's control over whether it is 
satisfied. Similarly, if a particular source of funds is available for 
expenditure only during a fixed time period, the application should 
describe that restriction. Complete information about project funds 
will ensure that DOT's expectations for award execution align with any 
funding restrictions unrelated to DOT, even if an award differs from 
the applicant's request. If a funding source is uncertain, the 
applicant should state that it is uncertain and describe the source of 
the uncertainty. Failure to document funding sources, as described in 
paragraph (c) above or failure to address uncertainty may prevent DOT 
from making the determination at Section C.3.b.4 necessary to select 
the project for an award.
IV. Merit Criteria
    This section should be structured to clearly address each of the 
following merit criteria in accordance with the Application Review 
guidance in Section E.
A. Effect on the Movement of Goods
    The application should contain information to assess the project's 
impact on safety, efficiency, or reliability of the movement of goods 
through a port or intermodal connection to a port. The application may, 
as part of this discussion, identify features the applicant will 
incorporate into the project and highlight specific benefits of the 
project (such as indicators of improved efficiency and reliability like 
reduced vessel and truck turn times; enhancements to or increases in 
system capacity; improved connectivity; decreases in the number, rate, 
and consequences of transportation-related accidents, serious injuries, 
and fatalities).
    For applications seeking funding for a small project at a small 
port, the narrative should also contain information that addresses the 
degree to which the project would promote the enhancement and 
efficiencies of the port.
B. Supporting Economic Vitality at the National and Regional Level
    1. Large Projects. For large projects (as defined in Section 
C.3.e.) this criterion will measure the quantified benefits against the 
costs of the project. Among otherwise comparable applications, DOT will 
prioritize projects that maximize net benefits.
    a. This portion of the application should describe the anticipated 
benefits of the project. The applicant should summarize the conclusions 
of the benefit-cost analysis, including estimates of the project's 
benefit-cost ratio and net benefits. The applicant should also describe 
economic impacts and other data-supported benefits that are not 
included in the benefit-cost analysis, such as how the project creates 
good-paying jobs with the choice to join a union and how the project 
supports American industry.
    b. This paragraph describes the recommended approach for the 
completion and submission of a benefit-cost analysis (BCA) as an 
appendix to the Project Narrative. The BCA itself should be provided as 
an appendix to the Project Narrative, but the results of the analysis 
should also be summarized in the Project Narrative directly.
    The appendix should provide present value estimates of a project's 
benefits and costs relative to a no-build baseline. To calculate 
present values, applicants should apply a real discount rate (i.e., the 
discount rate net of the inflation rate) of 7 percent per year to the 
project's streams of benefits and costs. The purpose of the BCA is to 
enable DOT to evaluate the project's cost-effectiveness by estimating a 
benefit-cost ratio and calculating the magnitude of net benefits for 
the project. The primary economic benefits from projects eligible for 
PIDP grants are likely to relate to the value of travel time savings, 
vehicle and port operating cost savings, and safety considerations for 
both existing users of the improved facility and new users who may be 
attracted to it because of the project. Savings in infrastructure 
maintenance costs may also be quantified. Applicants may describe other 
categories of benefits in the BCA that are more difficult to quantify 
and value in economic terms, such as improving the reliability of 
travel times, while also providing numerical estimates of the magnitude 
and timing of each of these additional impacts wherever possible. Any 
benefits claimed for the project, both quantified and unquantified, 
should be clearly tied to the expected outcomes of the project.
    The BCA should include the full costs of developing, constructing, 
operating,

[[Page 20237]]

and maintaining the proposed project, as well as the expected timing or 
schedule for costs in each of these categories. The BCA may also 
consider the present discounted value of any remaining service life of 
the asset at the end of the analysis period. The costs and benefits 
that are compared in the BCA should also cover the same project scope, 
including the costs of other related projects on which the benefits of 
the PIDP project depend.
    The BCA should carefully document the assumptions and methodology 
used to produce the analysis, including a description of the baseline, 
the sources of data used to project the outcomes of the project, and 
the values of key input parameters. Applicants should provide all 
relevant files used for their BCA, including any spreadsheet files (in 
their original format such as Excel) and technical memos describing the 
analysis (whether created in-house or by a contractor). The 
spreadsheets and technical memos should present the calculations in 
sufficient detail and transparency to allow the analysis to be 
reproduced by DOT evaluators.
    Detailed guidance for estimating some types of quantitative 
benefits and costs, together with recommended economic values for 
converting them to dollar terms and discounting to their present 
values, are available in DOT's guidance for conducting BCAs for 
projects seeking funding under the PIDP. A link to DOT's guidance is 
available on the PIDP website: www.maritime.dot.gov/PIDPgrants.
    c. Applicants should also describe economic impacts and other data-
supported benefits that are not included in the benefit-cost analysis, 
such as how the project creates good-paying jobs that provide the 
chance to join a union, how the project will support American industry, 
and how the project will benefit the local and regional economy such as 
through the use of project labor agreements, local hiring preferences, 
and project-related initiatives that address disparities in economic 
opportunities.
    2. Small Projects at Small Ports. For small projects at small ports 
(as defined in Section C.3.e.), this criterion will assess the 
project's impact on the economic advantage and contribution to freight 
transportation at the port. The criterion will also consider the 
competitive disadvantage of the port. Small projects at small ports are 
not required to submit a benefit-cost analysis.
    a. Information related to a project's impact on economic advantage 
should include improvements the project will generate as reflected in 
commitments or other documentation. It could also include analysis and 
documentation related to how the project will enhance traditional 
elements of economic advantage such as capitalizing on or creating 
economies of scale, overcoming barriers to entry, or creating more 
efficient access for labor, resources, and customers. The narrative's 
discussion of the project's contribution to freight transportation 
should address how the project will improve the physical process of 
transporting commodities, merchandise, goods, cargo, and related 
externalities. Information that helps reviewers understand how the 
project will benefit both direct stakeholders (such as shippers, 
carriers, or consignees) and other members of society who may not 
benefit directly from cargo movements (such as by reducing some of the 
negative impacts of freight transportation such as air, noise, and 
water pollution, vegetation and wildlife destruction, etc.) should also 
be included. The consideration of sustainable development strategies in 
project development and execution should also be addressed, if 
applicable.
    b. Applicants should also include information that will help 
reviewers understand the competitive disadvantage of the port and, as 
appropriate, how the project will improve the port's competitive 
position. For example, the application could provide information on 
elements of competitive disadvantage (such as technology limitations or 
a port's geography) and explain how PIDP funding will help reduce or 
ameliorate those elements (such as by correcting the element resulting 
in the competitive disadvantage). The application could also identify 
how a PIDP-funded project's values-based approach (such as an emphasis 
on respect for people and the environment or commitment to individual 
economic opportunities) will address the competitive disadvantage of 
the port. Applicants should include data and/or well-reasoned analyses 
when providing inputs on the economic vitality of the proposed project. 
Economic vitality supports the development of transportation systems 
that stimulate, support, and enhance the movement of goods to ensure a 
prosperous economy. When preparing the Project Narrative, applicants 
should consider that the concept of economic vitality includes 
recognizing a full range of multimodal and intermodal freight needs, 
public-private partnerships, sustainability, and institutional linkages 
within the community.
    c. The applicant should also describe economic impacts and other 
data-supported benefits, such as how the project creates good-paying 
jobs that provide the chance to join a union, how the project will 
support American industry, and how the project will benefit the local 
and regional economy such as through the use of project labor 
agreements, local hiring preferences, and project-related initiatives 
that address disparities in economic opportunities.
C. Addressing Climate Change and Environmental Justice Impacts
    This section of the application should demonstrate whether the 
project has incorporated climate change and environmental justice in 
terms of planning and policy and/or design components. To address the 
planning and policies element of this criterion, the application should 
describe what specific climate change or environmental justice 
activities have been completed for the project. The application should 
indicate whether a project is incorporated in a climate action plan, 
whether an equitable development plan has been prepared, and whether 
tools such as EPA's EJSCREEN have been applied in project planning.\7\ 
To address the design component element of this criterion, the 
application should describe specific and direct ways that the project 
will mitigate or reduce climate change impacts. This may include a 
description of how the project encourages modal shift, results in 
changes in asset utilization to reduce congestion, or incorporates 
multimodal infrastructure to reduce climate impacts. This section may 
also describe ways that the project reduces emissions or uses 
technology to increase energy efficiency, incorporates resiliency 
measures for disaster preparedness and mitigation, or recycles and 
enhances existing idle or dilapidated infrastructure. See Section 
E.1.a.iii. for additional information related to evaluation of this 
criterion.
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    \7\ The EJSCREEN tool can be found on the EPA site: https://ejscreen.epa.gov/mapper/.
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D. Advancing Racial Equity and Reducing Barriers to Opportunity
    This section of the application should include sufficient 
information to evaluate how the applicant and the project will advance 
the Racial Equity and Barriers to Opportunity program objective. The 
applicant should indicate which (if any) planning and policies related 
to racial equity and barriers to opportunity they are implementing or 
have implemented along with the specific project investment details 
necessary for DOT to evaluate if the investments are being made to 
either

[[Page 20238]]

proactively advance racial equity and reduce barriers to opportunity or 
redress prior inequities and barriers to opportunity. All project 
investment costs for the project that are related to advancing racial 
equity and reducing barriers to opportunity should be summarized here, 
even if those project costs are ineligible for the PIDP grant. Any 
policies, plans, and outreach documentation related to advancing racial 
equity or reducing barriers to opportunity should be provided as an 
appendix to the Project Narrative. See Section E.1.a.iv. for additional 
information.
E. Leveraging Federal Funding To Attract Non-Federal Sources of 
Infrastructure Investment
    While the Leveraging Criterion will be assessed according to the 
methodology described in Section E.1.a.v., this section of the 
application may be used to include additional information that may 
strengthen DOT's understanding of the project sponsor's effort to 
improve non-Federal leverage.
V. Project Readiness
    During application evaluation, DOT will consider project readiness 
to assess the likelihood of a successful project. In that analysis, DOT 
will evaluate two categories of project readiness: Technical Capacity 
and Environmental Risk. Technical Capacity will assess the applicant's 
experience working with Federal agencies, previous experience with 
PIDP, BUILD, or INFRA awards, and the technical experience and 
resources dedicated to the project. This section of the narrative 
should include information on the project schedule and a discussion of 
project risk. Risks do not disqualify projects from award, but 
competitive applications clearly and directly describe achievable risk 
mitigation strategies. A project with mitigated risks or with a risk 
mitigation plan is more competitive than a comparable project with 
unaddressed risks. Environmental Risk analyzes the project's 
environmental approvals and likelihood of the necessary approvals 
affecting project obligation. To minimize redundant information in the 
application, DOT encourages applicants to cross-reference from this 
section of their application to relevant substantive information in 
other sections of the application.
(a) Technical Capacity
    The applicant should provide information demonstrating technical 
capacity to implement the project based on experience and understanding 
of Federal requirements. This section may include a description of the 
applicant's history of delivering similar projects or experience 
completing a Federally supported project. The application should also 
demonstrate a project's feasibility or constructability and schedule, 
and how the project (such as design and construction) will comply with 
applicable Federal requirements.
    The applicant should also indicate whether the project is part of 
an ongoing planning effort, such as at the local, regional, or state 
level. Information on whether the project is included in a local or 
state freight plan, part of a facility or organization strategic plan, 
or included in other planning efforts should be included. Applicants 
should provide links or other documentation supporting the project's 
inclusion in these planning efforts.
    (1) Project Schedule. The applicant should include a detailed 
project schedule that identifies all major project milestones. Examples 
of such milestones include State and local planning approvals; start 
and completion of NEPA, and other Federal environmental reviews and 
approvals including permitting; design completion; right of way 
acquisition; approval of plans, specifications, and estimates; 
procurement; State and local approvals; project partnership and 
implementation agreements, including agreements with non-governmental 
entities involved in or impacted by the project; and construction. The 
project schedule should be sufficiently detailed to demonstrate that 
the project can begin construction quickly upon obligation of PIDP 
funds, and that the grant funds will be spent expeditiously once 
construction starts.
    (2) Assessment of Project Readiness Risks and Mitigation 
Strategies. The applicant should identify project risks, such as 
approval or permit delays, procurement delays, technical challenges in 
design or construction, environmental uncertainties, increases in real 
estate acquisition costs, or lack of legislative approval, that affect 
the likelihood of successful project start and completion. The 
applicant should assess the greatest risks to the project and include a 
discussion that identifies how the project parties will mitigate those 
risks.
(b) Environmental Risk
    (1) Information about the NEPA status of the project. The applicant 
should indicate the anticipated NEPA level of review for the project 
and describe any environmental analysis in progress or completed. This 
includes Categorical Exclusion, Environmental Assessment/Finding of No 
Significant Impact, or Environmental Impact Statement/Record of 
Decision. The applicant should review Maritime Administration Manual of 
Orders MAO 600-1 prior to submission. The application should detail the 
type of NEPA review underway, where the project is in the process, and 
indicate the anticipated date of completion of all milestones and of 
the final NEPA determination. If the last agency action with respect to 
NEPA documents occurred more than three years before the application 
date, the applicant should describe why the project has been delayed 
and include a proposed approach for verifying and, if necessary, 
updating this material in accordance with applicable NEPA requirements. 
If applicable, applicants should include a description of discussions 
with the appropriate Maritime Administration NEPA Coordinator in the 
Maritime Administration Office of Environment regarding the project's 
compliance with NEPA and other applicable Federal environmental reviews 
and approvals.
    (2) Environmental Permits and Reviews. The application should 
demonstrate receipt (or reasonably anticipated receipt) of all 
environmental permits and approvals necessary, including Section 106 of 
the National Historical Preservation Act, 54 U.S.C. 306108, and Section 
7 of the Endangered Species Act, 16 U.S.C. 1531, for the project to 
proceed to construction on the timeline specified in the project 
schedule and necessary to meet the statutory obligation deadline, 
including satisfaction of all Federal, State, and local requirements 
and completion of the NEPA process.
    (3) State and Local Approvals. The applicant should demonstrate 
receipt of State and local approvals on which the project depends, such 
as State and local environmental permitting and planning. Additional 
support from relevant State and local officials is not required; 
however, an applicant should demonstrate that the project has broad 
public support.
    (4) Information on environmental reviews, approvals, and permits by 
other agencies. An application should indicate whether the proposed 
project requires reviews or approval actions by other agencies,\8\ 
indicate the status of such actions, and provide detailed information 
about the status of those reviews or approvals and should demonstrate 
compliance with any other applicable Federal, State, or local

[[Page 20239]]

requirements, and when such approvals are expected. Applicants should 
provide a website link or other reference to copies of any reviews, 
approvals, and permits prepared.
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    \8\ Projects that may impact protected resources such as 
wetlands, species habitat, or cultural or historic resources require 
review and approval by Federal and State agencies with jurisdiction 
over those resources.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (5) A description of whether the project is dependent on, or 
affected by, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers investment and the U.S. Army 
Corps of Engineers planned activities as it relates to the project.
    (6) Environmental studies or other documents, preferably through a 
website link, that describe in detail known project impacts, and 
possible mitigation for those impacts. This could include State NEPA 
analysis information as applicable.
VI. Domestic Preference
    This section should include a description of whether materials and 
manufactured products to be used in the project are mined, produced, or 
manufactured domestically. The Department expects all PIDP applicants 
to comply with that requirement without needing a waiver. However, this 
section should also include an assessment of what, if any, materials or 
manufactured products would require an exception or waiver of the Buy 
American provisions described in Section F.2 of this notice and the 
applicant's current efforts and planned future efforts to maximize 
domestic content. The content of this section of the application is 
particularly important for projects that propose the acquisition of 
heavy equipment, construction components, or bollard and fendering 
systems, which are often available from foreign manufacturers. As 
described in Section E.1.c, failure to address Buy American compliance 
can affect whether an application is considered competitive for award 
and may prevent an award.
VII. Determinations
    To select a project for award, the Department must determine that 
the project--as a whole, as well as each independent component of the 
project--satisfies several statutory requirements enumerated in 46 
U.S.C. 50302(c)(6)(A) and restated in the table below. The application 
must include sufficient information for the Department to make these 
determinations for both the project as a whole and for each independent 
component of the project. Applicants should use this section of the 
application to summarize how their project and, if present, each 
independent project component, meets each of the following 
requirements. Applicants are not required to reproduce the table below 
in their application, but following this format will help evaluators 
identify the relevant information that supports each project 
determination. Supporting information provided in appendices may be 
referenced.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Project determination                       Guidance
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. The project improves the safety,      Please summarize how the
 efficiency, or reliability of the        project will improve the
 movement of goods through a port or      safety, efficiency, or
 intermodal connection to the port.       reliability of the movement of
                                          goods through a port or
                                          intermodal connection to a
                                          port.
                                         Detail specific elements of the
                                          project and their forecasted
                                          impact on port performance
                                          indicators (such as
                                          improvements in vessel dwell
                                          times, truck turn times,
                                          capacity, throughput, accident
                                          reductions, etc.)
                                         If the project has multiple
                                          independent components, please
                                          provide sufficient information
                                          to describe the impact of each
                                          component on the overall
                                          project.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. The project is cost effective.......  Highlight the results of the
                                          benefit cost analysis, as well
                                          as the analyses of independent
                                          project components, if
                                          applicable.
                                         The Department will base its
                                          determination on the ratio of
                                          project benefits to project
                                          costs as assessed according to
                                          the Economic Vitality
                                          criterion.
                                         Note: This determination is not
                                          applicable to small projects
                                          at small ports.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. The eligible applicant has the        Please provide citations of
 authority to carry out the project.      authority or other supporting
                                          documentation necessary to
                                          establish an applicant's
                                          authority to carry out the
                                          project. The citations should
                                          be of sufficient detail to
                                          demonstrate that the applicant
                                          is an eligible applicant and
                                          to show how the applicant is
                                          related to the work on the
                                          property where the grant funds
                                          will be spent.
                                         Examples of information that
                                          could assist with making this
                                          determination include: The
                                          citation of specific sections
                                          or chapters of state or local
                                          statutory language that
                                          demonstrate relevant
                                          authority; the inclusion of a
                                          narrative outlining the
                                          authority of the eligible
                                          entity applying for grant
                                          funding; or, a description of
                                          the relationship between the
                                          applicant and the owner of the
                                          property that links the
                                          project to the authority to
                                          carry out the project.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. The eligible applicant has            Please indicate funding
 sufficient funding available to meet     source(s) and amounts that
 the matching requirements.               will account for all project
                                          costs, broken down by
                                          independent project component,
                                          if applicable. Demonstrate
                                          that the funding is stable,
                                          dependable, and dedicated to
                                          this specific project by
                                          referencing a letter of
                                          commitment, a local government
                                          resolution, memorandum of
                                          understanding, or similar
                                          documentation. The Department
                                          will base its determination on
                                          an assessment of this
                                          information by PIDP program
                                          evaluators.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 20240]]

 
5. The project will be completed         Please provide expected
 without unreasonable delay.              obligation date \9\ and
                                          construction start date,
                                          referencing project budget and
                                          schedule as needed. If the
                                          project has multiple
                                          independent components, or
                                          will be obligated and
                                          constructed in multiple
                                          phases, please provide
                                          sufficient information to show
                                          that each component meets this
                                          requirement.
                                         DOT will base its determination
                                          on the project risk rating
                                          assessed as part of the
                                          evaluation of the Project
                                          Readiness criterion.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
6. The project cannot be easily and      Describe the potential negative
 efficiently completed without Federal    impacts on the proposed
 funding or financial assistance          project if the PIDP grant (or
 available to the project sponsor.        other Federal funding) is not
                                          awarded. In the narrative,
                                          address the following:
                                         1. How would the project scope
                                          be affected if PIDP (or other
                                          Federal) funds were not
                                          received?
                                         2. How would the project
                                          schedule be affected if PIDP
                                          (or other Federal) funds were
                                          not received?
                                         3. How would the project cost
                                          be affected if PIDP (or other
                                          Federal) funds were not
                                          received?
                                         If there are no negative
                                          impacts to the project scope,
                                          schedule, or budget if PIDP
                                          funds are not received, state
                                          that explicitly. Impacts to a
                                          portfolio of projects will not
                                          satisfy this requirement;
                                          please describe only project-
                                          specific impacts. Re-stating
                                          the project's importance for
                                          national or regional economy,
                                          mobility, or safety will not
                                          satisfy this requirement. The
                                          Department will base its
                                          determination on an assessment
                                          of this information by PIDP
                                          program evaluators.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM).
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    \9\ Obligation occurs when a selected applicant enters a 
written, project-specific agreement with the Department and is 
generally after the applicant has satisfied applicable 
administrative requirements, including transportation planning and 
environmental review requirements.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Each applicant must: (1) Be registered in SAM before submitting its 
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 it has an active 
Federal award or an application or plan under consideration by a 
Federal awarding agency. DOT may not make an FY 2021 PIDP Grant award 
to an applicant until the applicant has complied with all applicable 
unique entity identifier and SAM requirements and, if an applicant has 
not fully complied with the requirements by the time DOT is ready to 
make a PIDP grant award, DOT may determine that the applicant is not 
qualified to receive a PIDP grant award and use that determination as a 
basis for making a PIDP grant award to another applicant.

4. Submission Dates and Times

    Applications must be submitted to Grants.gov. Instructions for 
submitting applications can be found at www.maritime.dot.gov/PIDPgrants 
along with specific instructions for the forms and attachments required 
for submissions.
    Applications must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. E.D.T. on July 30, 
2021. The funding opportunity on Grants.gov will open by March 29, 
2021. Please note that the Grants.gov registration process usually 
takes 2-4 weeks to complete and that DOT will not consider late 
applications that are the result of a failure to register or comply 
with Grants.gov applicant requirements in a timely manner.

5. Funding Restrictions

    Grants under the FY 2021 PIDP may not be used to fund construction, 
reconstruction, reconditioning, or purchase of a vessel that is 
eligible for assistance under 46 U.S.C. chapter 537, nor any project 
within a small shipyard (as defined in 46 U.S.C. 54101).
    Funds granted to small projects at small ports under 46 U.S.C. 
50302(d) may not be used for: Any single grant award more than $4.14 
million; or, activities, including channel improvements or harbor 
deepening, that are part of a Federal channel, authorized, as of the 
date of the application for assistance, to be carried out by the U. S. 
Army Corps of Engineers.
    Improvements to Federally owned facilities are ineligible under the 
FY 2021 PIDP.
    Mobile equipment, such as mobile harbor cranes or vehicles and 
similar equipment whose utility depends, in part, on an ability to be 
routinely relocated from one location to another, is not eligible for 
funding.
    DOT will not consider previously incurred costs or previously 
expended or encumbered funds towards the matching requirement for any 
project, except for certain costs related to a small project at a small 
port (e.g., grants under 46 U.S.C. 50302(d)). Unless authorized in 
writing by DOT, an expense incurred before a grant agreement is 
executed will not be reimbursed or count towards cost share 
requirements.
    Federal award recipients and subrecipients are prohibited from 
obligating or expending grant funds to procure or obtain, extend or 
renew a contract to procure or obtain, or enter into a contract (or 
extend or renew a contract) to procure or obtain equipment, services, 
or systems that use covered telecommunications equipment or services as 
a substantial or essential component of any system, or as critical 
technology as part of any system. See Section 889 of Public Law 115-232 
(National Defense Authorization Act, 2019) and 2 CFR 200.216 & 200.471.

6. Other Submission Requirements

a. Submission Location
    Applications must be submitted to Grants.gov. To submit an 
application through Grants.gov, applicants must:
    (1) Obtain a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number;
    (2) Register with the System for Award Management (SAM) at 
www.SAM.gov;
    (3) Create a Grants.gov username and password; and
    (4) Complete Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) 
registration in Grants.gov. The E-Business Point of Contact (POC) at 
the applicant's organization must respond to the registration email 
from Grants.gov and login at Grants.gov to authorize the applicant as 
the AOR. Please note that

[[Page 20241]]

there can be more than one AOR for an organization.
    Please note that the Grants.gov registration process usually takes 
2-4 weeks to complete and that DOT will not consider late applications 
that are the result of a failure to register or comply with Grants.gov 
applicant requirements in a timely manner. For information and 
instruction on each of these processes, please see instructions at 
https://www.grants.gov/applicants/applicant-faqs.html.
    If applicants experience difficulties at any point during the 
registration or application process, please call the Grants.gov 
Customer Service Support Hotline at 1(800) 518-4726, Monday-Friday from 
7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. ET.
b. Consideration of Applications
    Only applicants who comply with all submission deadlines described 
in this notice and electronically submit valid applications through 
Grants.gov will be eligible for award. Applicants are strongly 
encouraged to make submissions in advance of the deadline and to verify 
that their submissions comply with all of the requirements in this 
notice.
c. Late Applications
    Applicants experiencing technical issues with Grants.gov that are 
beyond the applicant's control must contact [email protected] prior to 
the application deadline with the user name of the registrant and 
details of the technical issue experienced. The applicant must provide:
    (1) Details of the technical issue(s) experienced;
    (2) Screen capture(s) of the technical issues(s) experienced along 
with corresponding Grants.gov ``Grant tracking number'';
    (3) The ``Legal Business Name'' for the applicant that was provided 
in the SF-424;
    (4) The AOR name submitted in the SF-424;
    (5) The DUNS number associated with the application; and
    (6) The Grants.gov Help Desk Tracking Number.
    To ensure a fair competition for limited discretionary funds, the 
following conditions are not valid reasons to permit late submissions: 
(1) Failure to complete the various registration processes before the 
deadline; (2) failure to follow Grants.gov instructions on how to 
register and apply as posted on its website; (3) failure to follow all 
instructions in this notice of funding opportunity; and (4) technical 
issues experienced with the applicant's computer or information 
technology environment. After DOT reviews all information submitted and 
contacts the Grants.gov Help Desk to validate reported technical 
issues, DOT staff will contact late applicants to approve or deny a 
request to submit a late application through Grants.gov. If the 
reported technical issues cannot be validated, late applications will 
be rejected as untimely.

E. Application Review Information

1. Criteria

    a. Merit Criteria. This section specifies the merit criteria that 
DOT will use to evaluate and award applications for FY 2021 PIDP 
grants. Per the FY21 Appropriations Act, DOT will evaluate whether the 
project improves the safe, efficient, and reliable movement of goods. 
Per 46 U.S.C. 50302, the Secretary shall also give substantial weight 
to the utilization of non-Federal contributions (leverage) and economic 
vitality, considering the net benefits from the cost-benefit analysis 
of the project, as applicable. The DOT also seeks projects that address 
climate change and environmental justice, and advance racial equity and 
reduce barriers to opportunity. DOT encourages applicants to address 
each of the following criteria in their narrative.
i. Effect on the Movement of Goods
    DOT will evaluate the extent to which the project will improve the 
safety, efficiency, or reliability of the movement of goods through a 
port or intermodal connection to a port. To address this criterion, the 
application must include a discussion about how the project improves 
the safety, efficiency, or reliability of the movement of goods. In 
addition, for small projects at small ports, the application must 
include information about the degree to which a project would promote 
the enhancement and efficiencies of a port.
ii. Economic Vitality
    A. Large Projects. DOT will consider the costs and benefits of 
large projects (as defined in Section C.3.e.) seeking PIDP funding. To 
the extent possible, DOT will rely on quantitative, data-supported 
analysis to assess how well a project addresses this criterion, 
including an assessment of the project's estimated benefit-cost ratio 
and net benefits based on the applicant-supplied BCA described in 
Section D.2.IV.b.
    Based on DOT's assessment, DOT will group projects into ranges 
based on their estimated benefit costs ratio (BCR) and assign a level 
of confidence associated with each project's assigned BCR rating. DOT 
will use these ranges for BCR: Less than 1; 1-1.5; 1.5-3; and greater 
than 3. The confidence levels are high, medium, and low.
    B. Small Projects at Small Ports (i.e., applications for funding 
under 46 U.S.C. 50302(d)). DOT will consider the impact of the proposed 
small project at a small port on the economic advantage and the 
contribution to freight transportation at a port. DOT will also 
consider the competitive disadvantage of the port seeking the funding. 
In making this assessment, DOT will consider all relevant information 
provided by the applicant.
    Based on DOT's assessment, DOT will group projects according to 
their impacts. A ``high'' impact project is one for which documentation 
submitted by the applicant indicates will improve the economic 
advantage of the port, contribute to freight transportation at the 
port, and improve the competitive advantage of the port seeking 
funding. A ``medium'' impact project is one for which documentation 
submitted by the applicant indicates will improve two of the factors 
identified above. A ``low'' impact project is one for which 
documentation submitted by the applicant indicates will improve one or 
none of the factors identified above.
iii. Climate Change and Environmental Justice
    DOT encourages applicants to (1) consider climate change and 
environmental justice in project planning efforts and (2) to 
incorporate project elements dedicated to mitigating or reducing the 
impacts of climate change. The project will be assigned a Climate 
Change and Environmental Justice rating based on how it addresses these 
areas. Applications that incorporate climate change or environmental 
justice in both planning activities and specific project elements will 
receive a high rating. Applications that incorporate climate change or 
environmental justice in planning activities or project elements, but 
not both, will receive a medium rating. Applications that address this 
criterion in neither planning activities nor project elements will 
receive a low rating.
    Applicants intending to address the planning portion of the Climate 
Change and Environmental Justice criterion should describe in detail, 
provide supporting documentation, or otherwise demonstrate how they 
meet at least one of the following options: a local/regional/state 
Climate Action Plan which results in lower greenhouse gas emissions has 
been prepared and the project directly supports that plan; a local/
regional/state Equitable

[[Page 20242]]

Development Plan has been prepared and the project directly supports 
that plan; the project sponsor has used environmental justice tools 
such as the EJSCREEN (https://ejscreen.epa.gov/mapper/) to minimize 
impacts to environmental justice communities; or, a local/regional/
state Energy Baseline Study has been prepared and the project directly 
supports that study.
    Applicants intending to address the project components portion of 
the climate change and environmental justice criterion should describe 
how they meet at least one of the following options: The project 
supports a multimodal shift in freight movement to reduce vehicle miles 
traveled; the project incorporates electrification infrastructure, 
zero-emission vehicle infrastructure or both (such as charging stations 
for electric port equipment); the project utilizes one or more demand 
management strategies to reduce congestion and greenhouse gas 
emissions; the project promotes energy efficiency (such as through a 
reduction in vessel dwell time or use of cold ironing technology); the 
project serves the renewable energy supply chain; the project improves 
disaster preparedness and resiliency; the project supports bringing 
existing idle or dilapidated infrastructure that is currently causing 
environmental harm into a state of good repair (such as brownfield 
redevelopment); the project supports or incorporates the construction 
of energy- and location-efficient buildings; or, the project proposes 
recycling of materials, use of materials known to reduce or reverse 
carbon emissions or both.
iv. Racial Equity and Barriers to Opportunity
    DOT encourages applicants to describe credible planning activities 
and actions to address potential inequities and barriers to equal 
opportunity in the project as reflected in Executive Order 13985, 
Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through 
the Federal Government. Each application will be assigned a Racial 
Equity and Barriers to Opportunity rating based on how it addresses 
racial equity and barriers to equal opportunity in (1) planning and 
policies and (2) project investments. Applications that address both 
planning and policies and project investments will receive a high 
rating. Applications that address either planning and policies or 
project investment will receive a medium rating. Applications that do 
not address racial equity and barriers to opportunity in either their 
planning and policies or investments will receive a low rating.
    An application will be determined to have met the planning and 
policy element of this criterion if it incorporates any of the 
following: A racial equity impact analysis for the project; 
documentation of equity-focused community outreach and public 
engagement in the project's planning in underserved communities; the 
adoption of an equity and inclusion program/plan or implementation of 
equity-focused policies related to project procurement, material 
sourcing, construction, inspection or other activities designed to 
ensure rapid racial equity in the overall project delivery and 
implementation. Note that these examples are illustrative and are not 
the only bases that DOT may use to determine that an application 
addresses this element.
    An application will be determined to have met the project 
investments element of this criterion if the investments either 
proactively address racial equity and barriers to opportunity or 
redress prior inequities and barriers to opportunity. Those investments 
must be documented by previously incurred and/or future costs of the 
project. Examples of such investments include but are not limited to:

 Investments that improve or newly connect underserved 
communities to proactively address barriers to opportunity or redress 
past inequities and barriers to opportunity (such as: Physical-barrier-
mitigating land bridges, caps, lids, linear parks, and multimodal 
mobility investments that are directly related to the project and 
either address past barriers to opportunity or that proactively create 
new connections and opportunities for underserved communities; or, new 
or improved freight access to underserved communities to increase 
access to goods and job opportunities for those underserved 
communities)
 Investments that directly partner with underserved communities 
to proactively address barriers to opportunity or redress past 
inequities and barriers to opportunity (such as: Project sponsor 
partnerships with land banks or land trusts for equitable and fair 
transfer of excess right-of-way and other properties directly related 
to the project; or, projects that result in hiring from local 
communities)

    Definitions for ``racial equity'' and ``underserved communities'' 
are found in Executive Order 13985.
v. Leverage of Federal Funding
    To maximize the impact of PIDP awards, DOT seeks to leverage PIDP 
funding with non-Federal contributions. To evaluate this criterion, DOT 
will assign a rating to each project based on the calculated non-
Federal share of the project's future eligible project costs. DOT will 
sort project applications' non-Federal leverage percentage from high to 
low, and the assigned ratings will be based on quintile: Projects in 
the 80th percentile and above receive the highest rating; the 60th-79th 
percentile receive the second highest rating; 40th-59th, the third 
highest rating; 20th-39th, the fourth highest rating; and 0-19th, the 
lowest rating.
    This evaluation criterion is separate from the statutory cost share 
requirements for PIDP grants, which are described in Section C.2. Those 
statutory requirements establish the minimum permissible non-Federal 
share; they do not define a competitive PIDP project.
    The project's non-Federal leverage percentage will be calculated 
based on the best available information provided by the applicant. In 
cases in which the ultimate source of the funding is unclear, the 
funding will be treated as Federal for the purposes of this 
calculation. For the purposes of evaluating leverage, proceeds of 
Federal assistance under chapter 6 of Title 23, United States Code or 
sections 501 through 504 of the Railroad and Revitalization and 
Regulatory Reform Act of 1976 (Pub. L. 94-210), as amended, shall be 
considered to be part of the non-Federal share of project costs if the 
loan is repayable from non-Federal funds, unless otherwise requested by 
the project sponsor.
    b. Project Readiness. DOT will consider significant risks to 
successful completion of a project, including risks associated with 
technical capacity, environmental review, permitting, and the 
applicant's overall capacity to manage project delivery. Risks do not 
disqualify projects from award, but competitive applications clearly 
and directly describe achievable risk mitigation strategies. A project 
with mitigated risks is more competitive than a comparable project with 
unaddressed risks.
    c. Domestic Preference. DOT will consider whether an exception/
waiver of the Buy American provisions will be necessary to complete the 
project. Among otherwise comparable applications, projects that depend 
on materials or manufactured products that do not comply with domestic 
preference requirements will be less competitive than projects that 
comply with those requirements. Among otherwise comparable applications 
that require exceptions or waivers, an application that presents an 
effective plan to

[[Page 20243]]

maximize domestic content will be more competitive than one that does 
not. DOT will not award projects that likely need a waiver but present 
no plan to maximize domestic content.
    d. Additional Considerations.
i. Community Development Zones
    DOT will consider whether a project is located within a Federally 
designated community development zone such as a qualified opportunity 
zone, Empowerment Zone, Promise Zone, or Choice Neighborhood. 
Applicants can find additional information about each of the designated 
zones at the sites indicated below:
 Opportunity Zones: (https://opportunityzones.hud.gov/)
 Empowerment Zones: (https://www.hud.gov/hudprograms/empowerment_zones)
 Promise Zones: (https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/field_policy_mgt/fieldpolicymgtpz)
 Choice Neighborhoods: (https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/public_indian_housing/programs/ph/cn)

    A project located in a Federally designated community development 
zone is more competitive than a similar project that is not located in 
a Federally designated community development zone. The Department will 
rely on applicant-supplied information to make this determination and 
will only consider this if the applicant expressly identifies the 
designation in their application.
ii. Projects Awarded Less Than $10,000,000 in PIDP Funds
    For PIDP awards that are under $10,000,000, DOT will give priority 
consideration for ports that handled less than 10,000,000 short tons in 
2017, as identified by the Army Corps of Engineers.

2. Review and Selection Process

a. Review Process
    The PIDP evaluation consists of Intake, a Technical Review Phase, 
and a Senior Review Phase. During the Technical Review Phase, DOT staff 
will analyze applications and provide ratings, consistent with the 
descriptions in this notice.
    Based on this analysis, the Senior Review Team assembles a list of 
Projects for Consideration for selection by the Secretary based on the 
criteria described in Section E. The Secretary makes final selections 
based on the criteria described in Section E.
b. Determinations
    DOT must make the following determinations under 46 U.S.C. 
50302(c)(6)(A) prior to award selection. Refer to Section D.2.VII. for 
what to include in the application.
i. Effect on the Movement of Goods
    If the application demonstrates that the project will positively 
improve the movement of goods, the project will satisfy the 
determination listed under Section C.2.b.(1).
ii. Economic Vitality
    For applications that seek funding for projects under 46 U.S.C. 
50302(c) and that have a BCR greater than or equal to 1.0, the project 
will satisfy the determination in Section C.3.b.(2). For applications 
that seek funding for projects under 46 U.S.C. 50302(d), the project 
will not be required to satisfy the determination in Section C.3.b.(2).
iii. Authority To Carry Out the Project
    If the applicant demonstrates that they have the authority to carry 
out the project by providing citations of authority, or other 
supporting documentation with their application, the project will 
satisfy the determination outlined in Section C.3.b.3.
iv. Unreasonable Delay
    If the application narrative and project schedule demonstrate that 
the project is reasonably expected to begin construction no later than 
18 months after the date of obligation of funds for the project, and 
will be fully completed within five years of obligation, the project 
satisfies the determination outlined in Section C.3.b.5.
v. Sufficient Matching Funds
    In assessing the availability of the proposed non-Federal financial 
commitments, DOT will consider the degree to which financing sources 
are dedicated to the proposed purposes and are highly likely to be 
available within the proposed project schedule. If the application 
narrative and project budget demonstrate that the applicant has 
sufficient funding available to meet the matching requirements, the 
project will satisfy the determination outlined in Section C.3.b.4.
vi. Cannot Be Easily and Efficiently Completed Without Federal Funding
    DOT will evaluate how well the project demonstrates that it cannot 
be easily and efficiently completed without Federal funding or 
financial assistance available to the project sponsor. If applications 
sufficiently describe the impacts on the project of Federal funding or 
financial assistance being unavailable for the project, and show the 
project cannot be easily or efficiently completed without such 
assistance, the project will satisfy the determination outlined in 
Section C.3.b.6.
c. Follow-Up With Applicants
    DOT may ask any applicant to supplement data in its application but 
is not required to do so. Lack of supporting information provided with 
the application negatively affects competitiveness of the application. 
Throughout the review and selection process, DOT may seek additional 
information from an applicant related to project eligibility, whether 
the project can be completed with a reduced award, or data needed to 
complete project analysis.

3. Additional Information

    Development phase grant applications will be evaluated against the 
same criteria as capital grant applications, and DOT will prioritize 
funding for projects that propose to move into the construction phase 
within the period of obligation. Accordingly, applications for 
development phase activities will be less competitive than capital 
grants.
    Prior to grant obligation, each selected applicant will be subject 
to a risk assessment as required by 2 CFR 200.206. DOT must review and 
consider any information about the applicant that is in the designated 
integrity and performance system accessible through SAM (currently the 
Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System (FAPIIS)). 
An applicant may review information in FAPIIS and comment on any 
information about itself. DOT will consider comments by the applicant, 
in addition to the other information in FAPIIS, in making a judgment 
about the applicant's integrity, business ethics, and record of 
performance under Federal awards when completing the review of risk 
posed by applicants.

F. Federal Award Administration Information

1. Federal Award Notice

    Following the evaluation outlined in Section E, DOT will announce 
awarded projects by posting a list of selected projects at 
www.maritime.dot.gov/PIDPgrants. Notice of selection is not 
authorization to begin performance or to incur costs for the proposed 
project. Following that announcement, MARAD will contact the point of 
contact listed

[[Page 20244]]

in the SF 424 to initiate negotiation of the grant agreement.
    Recipients of an award will not receive a lump-sum cash 
disbursement at the time of award announcement or obligation of funds. 
Instead, PIDP grant funds will reimburse recipients only after a grant 
agreement has been executed, allowable expenses are incurred, and a 
valid request for reimbursement has been submitted. PIDP grant 
recipients must adhere to applicable requirements and follow 
established procedures to receive reimbursement.

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

    DOT will determine the period of performance for each award based 
on the specific project that was evaluated and selected. DOT will 
administer each PIDP Grant pursuant to a grant agreement with the grant 
recipient. Amounts awarded as a grant under this notice that are not 
expended by the grant recipient shall remain available to DOT for use 
for grants under this program.
    The grant agreement between a grant recipient and MARAD includes 
two attachments: One labelled ``Exhibits'' and one labelled ``General 
Terms and Conditions.'' These attachments include most of the 
administrative and national policy requirements applicable to PIDP 
grant awards. Please visit https://www.maritime.dot.gov/grants/federal-grant-assistance/federal-grant-assistance for the Exhibits and General 
Terms and Conditions for FY 2020 PIDP awards. The FY 2021 PIDP Exhibits 
and General Terms and Conditions will be similar to the FY 2020 PIDP 
documents, but may include updates.
    Unless authorized by DOT in writing after DOT's announcement of FY 
2021 PIDP awards, any costs incurred prior to DOT's obligation of funds 
for a project (``pre-award costs'') are ineligible for reimbursement 
and are ineligible to count as match for cost share requirements.\10\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \10\ Pre-award costs are costs incurred prior to the effective 
date of the Federal award directly pursuant to the negotiation and 
anticipation of the PIDP award where such costs are necessary for 
efficient and timely performance of the scope of work, as determined 
by DOT.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    All awards will be administered pursuant to the Uniform 
Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles and Audit Requirements for 
Federal Awards found in 2 CFR part 200, as adopted by DOT at 2 CFR part 
1201. Additionally, other applicable Federal laws, Executive Orders, 
and any rules, regulations, and requirements of MARAD will apply to the 
projects that receive PIDP Grant awards.
    As expressed in Executive Order 14005, Ensuring the Future Is Made 
in All of America by All of America's Workers (86 FR 7475), it is the 
policy of the executive branch to use terms and conditions of Federal 
financial assistance awards to maximize the use of goods, products, and 
materials produced in, and services offered in, the United States. 
Consistent with the requirements of Section 410 of Division L--
Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies 
Appropriations Act, 2021 (Pub. L. 116-260, December 27, 2020), the Buy 
American requirements of 41 U.S.C. 8301-8305 apply to funds made 
available under this notice and other expenditures within the scope of 
the award, and all grant recipients must apply, comply with, and 
implement all provisions of the Buy American Act and related provisions 
in the grant agreement when implementing PIDP Grant projects. If 
selected for an award, grant recipients will be required to obtain 
approval from DOT before applying any Buy American Act exception. To 
obtain that approval, grant recipients must be prepared to demonstrate 
how they will maximize the use of domestic goods, products, and 
materials in constructing their project.
    In connection with any program or activity conducted with or 
benefiting from funds awarded under this notice, recipients of funds 
must comply with all applicable requirements of Federal law, including, 
without limitation, the Constitution of the United States; statutory, 
regulatory, and public policy requirements, including without 
limitation, those protecting free speech, religious liberty, public 
welfare, the environment, and prohibiting discrimination; the 
conditions of performance, nondiscrimination requirements, and other 
assurances made applicable to the award of funds in accordance with 
regulations of DOT; and applicable Federal financial assistance and 
contracting principles promulgated by the Office of Management and 
Budget. In complying with these requirements, recipients, in 
particular, must ensure that no concession agreements are denied or 
other contracting decisions made on the basis of speech or other 
activities protected by the First Amendment. If DOT determines that a 
recipient has failed to comply with applicable Federal requirements, 
DOT may terminate the award of funds and disallow previously incurred 
costs, requiring the recipient to reimburse any expended award funds.
    The Recipient shall award each contract or sub-contract for program 
management, construction management, planning studies, feasibility 
studies, architectural services, preliminary engineering, design, 
engineering, surveying, mapping, or related services with respect to 
the project in the same manner that a contract for architectural and 
engineering services is negotiated under the Brooks Act, 40 U.S.C. 
1101-1104, or an equivalent qualifications-based requirement prescribed 
for or by the Recipient and approved in writing by DOT.
    Additionally, Federal wage rate requirements included in subchapter 
IV of chapter 31 of title 40, U.S.C., apply to all projects receiving 
funds under this program, and apply to all parts of the project, 
whether funded with PIDP grant funds, other Federal funds, or non-
Federal funds.

3. Reporting

    This section of the notice provides general information about the 
reporting requirements that accompany PIDP Grant funding. Potential 
applicants should review these requirements to ensure that they can 
satisfy them if they receive an award. A recipient's failure to timely 
submit required reports may result in termination of an award and a 
legal requirement for the recipient to return funding to DOT.
a. Progress Reporting on Grant Activities
    Each applicant selected for PIDP Grants funding must submit 
quarterly progress reports and Federal Financial Reports (SF-425) to 
monitor project progress and ensure accountability and financial 
transparency in the PIDP.
b. Outcome Performance Reporting
    Each applicant selected for PIDP grant funding must collect 
information and report on the project's observed performance with 
respect to the relevant long-term outcomes that are expected to be 
achieved through construction of the project. Performance indicators 
will include formal goals or targets for a period determined by DOT. 
They will be used to evaluate and compare projects and monitor the 
results that grant funds achieve to the intended long-term outcomes of 
the PIDP. To the extent possible, performance indicators used in the 
reporting will relate to at least one of the merit criteria defined in 
Section E and to a benefit estimated in the BCA. DOT expects that the 
level of performance will be consistent with estimates used in the 
applicant's BCA. Performance reporting continues for three years after 
project construction is completed, and DOT does not provide

[[Page 20245]]

PIDP grant funding specifically for performance reporting. For each 
project selected for award, DOT, with input from the grant recipients, 
will identify the measures to be collected. Those measures and the 
reporting requirements will be formalized in the agreement obligating 
award funds for the project.
c. Port Performance Reporting
    DOT is required to report annually on port performance (see Sec. 
6314 of the FAST Act). To help DOT more accurately assess port 
performance, PIDP grant recipients will be required to enter a data 
sharing agreement to submit to DOT information where consistent data 
related to the project, particularly on cargo throughput, is not 
publicly available and difficult to collect from ports and port 
terminals. Data, which must originate from the port, that will be 
required as a condition of award may include some or all the following:

 Total capacity of inbound and outbound cargo
 Total volume of inbound and outbound cargo
 Average number of lifts per hour of containers by crane
 Average vessel turn time by vessel type
 Average cargo or container dwell time
 Port storage capacity and utilization
 Modal throughput statistics, including rail and truck turn 
times
 Types of cargo moved
 Presences and location of intermodal connectors
 Physical size of the terminals within the port boundaries
 Maximum authorized channel depth and maximum actual/current 
channel depth
 Schedule vessel arrivals (for use in determining vessel on-
time performance)
 Berth utilization

    Details and definitions on the data elements described above will 
be provided in the data sharing agreement with DOT.
d. Reporting of Matters Related to Recipient Integrity and Performance
    If the total value of a selected applicant's currently active 
grants, cooperative agreements, and procurement contracts from all 
Federal awarding agencies exceeds $10,000,000 for any period of time 
during the period of performance of this Federal award, then the 
applicant during that period of time must maintain the currency of 
information reported to the SAM that is made available in the 
designated integrity and performance system (currently FAPIIS) about 
civil, criminal, or administrative proceedings described in paragraph 2 
of this award term and condition. This is a statutory requirement under 
section 872 of Public Law 110-417, as amended (41 U.S.C. 2313). As 
required by section 3010 of Public Law 111-212, all information posted 
in the designated integrity and performance system on or after April 
15, 2011, except past performance reviews required for Federal 
procurement contracts, will be publicly available.

G. Federal Awarding Agency Contacts

    For further information concerning this notice please contact the 
PIDP staff via email at [email protected], or call Peter Simons, 
Supervisory Transportation Specialist, Office of Port Infrastructure 
Development, at 202-366-8921. A TDD is available for individuals who 
are deaf or hard of hearing at 202-366-3993. In addition, DOT will post 
answers to questions and requests for clarifications at 
www.maritime.dot.gov/PIDPgrants. To ensure applicants receive accurate 
information about eligibility or the program, the applicant is 
encouraged to contact DOT directly, rather than through intermediaries 
or third parties, with questions. DOT may also conduct briefings on the 
PIDP Grants selection and award process upon request.

H. Other Information

1. Protection of Confidential Business Information

    All information submitted as part of or in support of any 
application shall use publicly available data or data that can be made 
public and methodologies that are accepted by industry practice and 
standards, to the extent possible. If the applicant submits information 
that the applicant considers to be a trade secret or confidential 
commercial or financial information, the applicant must provide that 
information in a separate document, which the applicant may cross-
reference from the application narrative or other portions of the 
application. For the separate document containing confidential 
information, the applicant must do the following: (1) State on the 
cover of that document that it ``Contains Confidential Business 
Information (CBI)''; (2) mark each page that contains confidential 
information with ``CBI''; (3) highlight or otherwise denote the 
confidential content on each page; and (4) at the end of the document, 
explain how disclosure of the confidential information would cause 
substantial competitive harm. DOT will protect confidential information 
complying with these requirements to the extent required under 
applicable law. If DOT receives a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) 
request for the information that the applicant has marked in accordance 
with this section, DOT will follow the procedures described in its FOIA 
regulations at 49 CFR 7.29. Only information that is in the separate 
document, marked in accordance with this section, and ultimately 
determined to be confidential under 7.29 will be exempt from disclosure 
under FOIA.

2. Publication/Sharing of Application Information

    Following the completion of the selection process and announcement 
of awards, DOT intends to publish a list of all applications received 
along with the names of the applicant organizations and funding amounts 
requested. Except for the information properly marked as described in 
Section H.1., DOT may make application narratives publicly available or 
share application information within DOT or with other Federal agencies 
if DOT determines that sharing is relevant to the respective program's 
objectives.

(Authority: 46 U.S.C. 50302, Pub. L. 116-260 (December 27, 2020), 49 
CFR 1.93(a))

    By Order of the Acting Maritime Administrator.
T. Mitchell Hudson, Jr.,
Secretary, Maritime Administration.
[FR Doc. 2021-07852 Filed 4-15-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-81-P