FY 2021 Competitive Funding Opportunity: Passenger Ferry Grant Program, 43304-43310 [2021-16790]

Agencies

• Federal Transit Administration
• DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 149 (Friday, August 6, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43304-43310]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-16790]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Transit Administration


FY 2021 Competitive Funding Opportunity: Passenger Ferry Grant 
Program

AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration (FTA), U.S. Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of funding opportunity (NOFO).

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SUMMARY: The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announces the 
opportunity to apply for $38 million in competitive grants under the 
Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 Passenger Ferry Grant Program (Ferry Program). Of 
that amount, $4 million is available only for low or zero-emission 
ferries or ferries using electric battery or fuel cell components and 
the infrastructure to support such ferries. As required by Federal 
public transportation law, funds will be awarded competitively to

[[Page 43305]]

designated recipients or eligible direct recipients of Urbanized Area 
Formula funds to support capital projects to improve existing passenger 
ferry service, establish new ferry service, and repair and modernize 
ferry boats, terminals, and related facilities and equipment. FTA may 
award additional funding made available to the program prior to the 
announcement of project selections.

DATES: Complete proposals must be submitted electronically through the 
GRANTS.GOV ``APPLY'' function by 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on October 5, 
2021. Prospective applicants should initiate the process by promptly 
registering on the GRANTS.GOV website to ensure completion of the 
application process before the submission deadline. Instructions for 
applying can be found on FTA's website at https://www.transit.dot.gov/funding/grants/applying/applying-fta-funding and in the ``FIND'' module 
of GRANTS.GOV. The funding opportunity ID is FTA-2021-006-TPM-Ferry. 
Mail and fax submissions will not be accepted.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Vanessa Williams, FTA Office of 
Program Management, (202) 366-4818, or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

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

    Federal public transportation law (49 U.S.C. 5307(h)) authorizes 
FTA to award grants for passenger ferries through a competitive 
process, as described in this notice. The Ferry Program provides 
funding to designated recipients and direct recipients under FTA's 
Urbanized Area Formula Program, as well as public entities engaged in 
providing public transportation passenger ferry service in urban areas 
that are eligible to be direct recipients. Projects funded under the 
program will improve the condition and quality of existing passenger 
ferry services, support the establishment of new passenger ferry 
services, and repair and modernize ferry boats, terminals, and related 
facilities and equipment. FTA recognizes that passenger ferries provide 
critical and cost-effective transportation links in urban areas 
throughout the United States but face a critical backlog of state of 
good repair and safety investments. The Ferry Program (Federal 
Assistance Listing: 20.507) supports FTA's strategic goals and 
objectives through the timely and efficient investment in public 
transportation. This program also supports the President's goals to 
mobilize American ingenuity to build a modern infrastructure and an 
equitable, clean energy future. In addition, this NOFO will advance the 
goals of the President's January 20, 2021, Executive Order 13990, 
``Protecting Public Health and the Environment and Restoring Science to 
Tackle the Climate Crisis.''

B. Federal Award Information

    Federal public transportation law (49 U.S.C. 5336(h)(1)) apportions 
$30 million in FY 2021 funds for competitive grants under the Ferry 
Program. The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (Pub. L. 116-260), 
appropriated an additional $8 million for the Ferry Program, for a 
total of $38 million. Of that amount, $4 million is available only for 
low or zero-emission ferries or ferries using electric battery or fuel 
cell components and the infrastructure to support such ferries. FTA may 
award additional funding made available to the program prior to the 
announcement of project selections.
    In FY 2020, FTA received 19 eligible proposals from 15 States and 
territories requesting $102 million in Federal funds. Twelve projects 
were funded at a total of $47.5 million, using a combination of funding 
from FY 2020 and funding remaining from prior year appropriations.
    FTA will grant pre-award authority to incur costs for selected 
projects beginning on the date the FY 2021 project selections are 
announced on FTA's website. Funds are available for obligation for five 
years after the fiscal year in which the competitive awards are 
announced. Funds are available only for projects that have not already 
incurred costs prior to the announcement of project selections.

C. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

    Eligible applicants are: (1) Designated recipients as defined in 
FTA Circular ``Urbanized Area Formula Program: Program Guidance and 
Application Instructions'' (FTA.C.9030.1E) and (2) direct recipients of 
FTA's Urbanized Area Formula Grants, as well as public entities engaged 
in providing public transportation passenger ferry service in urban 
areas that are eligible to be direct recipients.
    If an applicant does not currently have an active Urbanized Area 
Formula Program grant with FTA, the applicant is encouraged to contact 
the FTA Ferry Program manager for assistance with determining if it is 
eligible to receive funds under the Ferry Program. An eligible 
applicant that does not currently have an active grant with FTA will, 
upon selection, be required to work with an FTA regional office to 
establish its organization as an active grant recipient. This process 
may require additional documentation to support the organization's 
technical, financial, and legal capacity to receive and administer 
Federal funds under this program.

2. Cost Sharing or Matching

    a. The maximum Federal share for projects selected under the Ferry 
Program is 80 percent of the net project cost, with the following 
exceptions.
    b. The maximum Federal share is 85 percent of the net project cost 
of acquiring vehicles (including clean-fuel or alternative fuel 
vehicles) for purposes of complying with or maintaining compliance with 
the Clean Air Act (CAA) and/or the Americans with Disabilities Act 
(ADA) of 1990.
    c. The maximum Federal share is 90 percent of the net project cost 
of acquiring, installing or constructing vehicle-related equipment or 
facilities (including clean fuel or alternative-fuel vehicle-related 
equipment or facilities) for purposes of complying with or maintaining 
compliance with the ADA or CAA. The award recipient must itemize the 
cost of specific, discrete, vehicle-related equipment associated with 
compliance with the ADA or CAA to be eligible for the maximum 90 
percent Federal share for these costs.
    Eligible sources of non-Federal matching funds include:
    i. Cash from non-governmental sources other than revenues from 
providing public transportation services;
    ii. Non-farebox revenues from the operation of public 
transportation service, such as the sale of advertising and concession 
revenues;
    iii. Monies received under a service agreement with a State or 
local social service agency or private social service organization;
    iv. Undistributed cash surpluses, replacement or depreciation cash 
funds, reserves available in cash, or new capital;
    v. Amounts appropriated or otherwise made available to a department 
or agency of the Government (other than the U.S. Department of 
Transportation),

[[Page 43306]]

that are eligible to be expended for public transportation;
    vi. In-kind contributions integral to the project;
    vii. Revenue bond proceeds for a capital project, with prior FTA 
approval; and
    viii. Transportation Development Credits (TDC) (formerly referred 
to as Toll Revenue Credits).
    If an applicant proposes a Federal share greater than 80 percent, 
the applicant must clearly explain why the project is eligible for the 
proposed Federal share.

3. Eligible Projects

    Eligible projects are capital projects for the purchase, 
construction, replacement, or rehabilitation of ferries, terminals, 
related infrastructure, and related equipment (including fare equipment 
and communication devices). Projects are required to support a 
passenger ferry service that serves an urbanized area, and may include 
services that operate between an urbanized area and non-urbanized 
areas. Ferry systems that accommodate cars must also accommodate walk-
on passengers to be eligible for funding.
    Recipients are permitted to use up to 0.5 percent of their grant 
award to pay for not more than 80 percent of the cost for workforce 
development activities eligible under Federal public transportation law 
(49 U.S.C 5314(b)) and an additional 0.5 percent for costs associated 
with training at the National Transit Institute. Applicants must 
identify the proposed use of funds for these activities in the project 
proposal and identify them separately in the project budget.

D. Application and Submission Information

1. Address To Request Application

    A complete proposal submission consists of two forms: The SF-424 
Application for Federal Assistance can be downloaded from GRANTS.GOV 
and the supplemental form for the FY 2021 Passenger Ferry Grant Program 
can be downloaded from GRANTS.GOV or the FTA website at: https://www.transit.dot.gov/funding/grants/passenger-ferry-grant-program-section-5307.

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

a. Proposal Submission
    Applications must be submitted electronically through GRANTS.GOV. 
General information for submitting applications along with specific 
instructions for the forms and attachments required for submission can 
be found at GRANTS.GOV. Mail and fax submissions will not be accepted. 
A complete proposal submission consists of two forms: (1) The SF-424 
Application for Federal Assistance; and (2) the FY 2021 Passenger Ferry 
Grant Program supplemental form. The supplemental form and any 
supporting documents must be attached to the ``Attachments'' section of 
the SF-424. The application must include responses to all sections of 
the SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance and the supplemental 
form, unless designated as optional. The information on the 
supplemental form will be used to determine applicant and project 
eligibility for the program, and to evaluate the proposal against the 
selection criteria described in part E of this notice. Failure to 
submit the information as requested can delay review or disqualify the 
application.
    FTA will accept only one supplemental form per SF-424 submission. 
FTA encourages States and other applicants to consider submitting a 
single supplemental form that includes multiple activities to be 
evaluated as a consolidated proposal. If a State or other applicant 
chooses to submit separate proposals for individual consideration by 
FTA, each proposal must be submitted using a separate SF-424 and 
supplemental form.
    Applicants may attach additional supporting information to the SF-
424 submission, including but not limited to letters of support, 
project budgets, fleet status reports, or excerpts from relevant 
planning documents. Supporting documentation should be described and 
referenced by file name in the appropriate response section of the 
supplemental form, or it may not be reviewed.
    Information such as applicant name, Federal amount requested, local 
match amount, and description of areas served may be requested in 
varying degrees of detail on both the SF-424 and Supplemental Form. 
Applicants must fill in all fields unless otherwise stated on the 
forms. Applicants should not place N/A or ``refer to attachment'' in 
lieu of typing in responses in the field sections. If information is 
copied into the supplemental form from another source, applicants 
should verify that pasted text is fully captured on the supplemental 
form and has not been truncated by the character limits built into the 
form. Applicants should use both the ``Check Package for Errors'' and 
the ``Validate Form'' validation buttons on both forms to check all 
required fields on the forms, and ensure that the Federal and local 
amounts specified are consistent.
b. Application Content
    The SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance and the supplemental 
form will prompt applicants for the required information:
    a. Applicant name
    b. Dun and Bradstreet (D&B) Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) 
number
    c. Key contact information (including contact name, address, email 
address, and phone)
    d. Congressional district(s) where project will take place
    e. Project information (including title, executive summary, and 
type)
    f. A detailed description of the need for the project
    g. A detailed description of how the project will support the Ferry 
Program objectives
    h. Evidence that the project is consistent with local and regional 
planning objectives
    i. Evidence that the applicant can provide the local cost share
    j. A description of the technical, legal, and financial capacity of 
the applicant
    k. A detailed project budget
    l. An explanation of the scalability of the project
    m. Details on the local matching funds
    n. A detailed project timeline

3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM)

    Each applicant is required to: (1) Be registered in SAM before 
submitting an application; (2) provide a valid unique entity identifier 
in its application; and (3) continue to maintain an active SAM 
registration with current information at all times during which the 
applicant has an active Federal award or an application or plan under 
consideration by FTA. FTA may not make an award until the applicant has 
complied with all applicable unique entity identifier and SAM 
requirements. If an applicant has not fully complied with the 
requirements by the time FTA is ready to make an award, FTA may 
determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive an award and 
use that determination as a basis for making a Federal award to another 
applicant. These requirements do not apply if the applicant: Has an 
exception approved by FTA or the U.S. Office of Management and Budget 
under 2 CFR 25.110(c) or (d). Non-Federal entities that have received a 
Federal award are required to report certain civil, criminal, or 
administrative proceedings to SAM (currently the Federal Awardee

[[Page 43307]]

Performance and Integrity Information System (FAPIIS)) to ensure 
registration information is current and comply with Federal 
requirements. Applicants should reference 2 CFR 200.113, for more 
information.
    All applicants must provide a unique entity identifier provided by 
SAM. Registration in SAM may take as little as 3-5 business days, but 
since there could be unexpected steps or delays (for example, if there 
is a need to obtain an Employee Identification Number), FTA recommends 
allowing ample time, up to several weeks, for completion of all steps. 
For additional information on obtaining a unique entity identifier, 
please visit www.sam.gov.

4. Submission Dates and Times

    Project proposals must be submitted electronically through 
GRANTS.GOV by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on October 5, 2021. GRANTS.GOV 
attaches a time stamp to each application at the time of submission. 
Mail and fax submissions will not be accepted.
    FTA urges applicants to submit applications at least 72 hours prior 
to the due date to allow time to correct any problems that may have 
caused either GRANTS.GOV or FTA systems to reject the submission. 
Proposals submitted after the deadline will be considered only under 
extraordinary circumstances not under the applicant's control. Mail and 
fax submissions will not be accepted. Deadlines will not be extended 
due to scheduled website maintenance. GRANTS.GOV scheduled maintenance 
and outage times are announced on the GRANTS.GOV website.
    Within 48 hours after submitting an electronic application, the 
applicant should receive an email message from GRANTS.GOV with 
confirmation of successful transmission to GRANTS.GOV. If a notice of 
failed validation or incomplete materials is received, the applicant 
must address the reason for the failed validation, as described in the 
email notice, and resubmit before the submission deadline. If making a 
resubmission for any reason, include all original attachments 
regardless of which attachments were updated and check the box on the 
supplemental form indicating this is a resubmission.
    Applicants are encouraged to begin the process of registration on 
the GRANTS.GOV site well in advance of the submission deadline. 
Registration is a multi-step process, which may take several weeks to 
complete before an application can be submitted. Registered applicants 
may still be required to take steps to keep their registration up to 
date before submissions can be made successfully: (1) Registration in 
SAM is renewed annually; and (2) persons making submissions on behalf 
of the Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) must be authorized 
in GRANTS.GOV by the AOR to make submissions.

5. Funding Restrictions

    Funds made available under the Ferry Program may not be used to 
fund operating expenses, planning, or preventive maintenance. Any 
project that does not include the purchase, construction, replacement, 
or rehabilitation of ferries, terminals, related infrastructure, or 
related equipment is not eligible. Funds made available under this NOFO 
cannot be used to reimburse applicants for otherwise eligible expenses 
incurred prior to the posting of project selections on FTA's website 
and the corresponding issuance of preaward authority. Allowable direct 
and indirect expenses must be consistent with the Governmentwide 
Uniform Administrative Requirements and Cost Principles (2 CFR part 
200) and FTA Circular 5010.1E.

6. Other Submission Requirements

    Applicants are encouraged to identify scaled funding options in 
case insufficient funding is available to fund a project at the full 
requested amount. If an applicant advises that a project is scalable, 
the applicant must provide an appropriate minimum funding amount that 
will fund an eligible project that achieves the objectives of the 
program and meets all relevant program requirements. The applicant must 
provide a clear explanation of how the project budget would be affected 
by a reduced award. FTA may award a lesser amount whether or not a 
scalable option is provided.

E. Application Review Information

1. Criteria

    Projects will be evaluated primarily on the responses provided in 
the supplemental form. Additional information may be provided to 
support the responses; however, any additional documentation must be 
directly referenced on the supplemental form, including the file name 
where the additional information can be found. FTA will evaluate 
project proposals for competitive passenger ferry grants based on the 
criteria described in this notice. Criteria are weighted equally.
a. Demonstration of Need
    Applications will be evaluated based on the quality and extent to 
which they demonstrate how the proposed project will address an unmet 
need for capital investment in passenger ferry vehicles, equipment, or 
facilities. FTA also will evaluate the project's impact on service 
delivery and whether the project represents a one-time or periodic need 
that cannot reasonably be funded from FTA formula program allocations 
or State and/or local resources. In evaluating applications, FTA will 
consider, among other factors, certain project-specific criteria as 
outlined below:
    i. For vessel replacement or rehabilitation projects (including low 
or zero emission ferries):
     The age of the asset to be replaced or rehabilitated by 
the proposed project, relative to its useful life.
     Condition and performance of the asset to be replaced by 
the proposed project, as ascertained through inspections or otherwise, 
if available.
    ii. For facility infrastructure improvements or related-equipment 
acquisitions:
     The age of the facility or equipment to be rehabilitated 
or replaced, relative to its useful life.
     The degree to which the proposed project will enable the 
agency to improve the maintenance and condition of the agency's fleet 
and/or other related ferry assets.
    iii. For vessel or facility-related expansion or new service 
requests:
     The degree to which the proposed project addresses a 
current capacity constraint that is limiting the ability of the agency 
to provide reliable service, meet ridership demands, or maintain 
vessels and related equipment.
     The degree the proposed new service is supported by 
ridership demand.
b. Demonstration of Benefits
    Applications will be evaluated based on how the ferry project will 
improve the (1) safety of existing ferry systems, (2) the state of good 
repair of the existing system, and/or (3) provide additional 
transportation options to existing or potential riders within the 
service area. FTA also will consider potential benefits such as 
increased reliability of service, improved operations or maintenance 
capabilities, or expanded mobility options, intermodal connections, and 
improved community benefits related to the economy or the environment.
    For low or no emission projects, applicants should demonstrate how 
the proposed ferries or infrastructure will reduce the emission of 
particulates that create local air pollution, which leads to local 
environmental health concerns,

[[Page 43308]]

smog, and unhealthy ozone concentrations. Applicants should also 
demonstrate how the proposed ferries or infrastructure will reduce 
emissions of greenhouse gases from transit vehicle operations.
    Applicants should address how the ferry service to be supported by 
the proposed project is integrated with other regional modes of 
transportation, including but not limited to: Rail, bus, intercity bus, 
and private transportation providers. Supporting documentation should 
include data that demonstrates the number of trips (passengers and 
vehicles), the number of walk-on passengers, and the frequency of 
transfers to other modes if applicable.
c. Planning and Local/Regional Prioritization
    Applicants must demonstrate how the proposed project is consistent 
with local and regional planning documents and identified priorities. 
This will involve assessing whether the project is consistent with the 
transit priorities identified in the long-range transportation plan and 
the State and Metropolitan Transportation Improvement Program (STIP/
TIP). Applicants should note if the project could not be included in 
the financially constrained STIP or TIP due to lack of funding, and if 
selected that the project can be added to the federally approved STIP 
before grant award.
    FTA encourages applicants to demonstrate local support by including 
letters of support from State Departments of Transportation, local 
transit agencies, local government officials and public agencies, local 
non-profit or private sector organizations, and other relevant 
stakeholders. In an area with both ferry and other public transit 
operators, FTA will evaluate whether project proposals demonstrate 
coordination with and support of other related projects within the 
applicant's Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) or the geographic 
region within which the proposed project will operate.
d. Local Financial Commitment
    Applicants must identify the source of the local cost share and 
describe whether such funds are currently available for the project or 
will need to be secured if the project is selected for funding. FTA 
will consider the availability of the local cost share as evidence of 
local financial commitment to the project. Additional consideration 
will be given to those projects for which local funds have already been 
made available or reserved. Applicants should submit evidence of the 
availability of funds for the project, by including, for example, a 
board resolution, letter of support from the State, or other 
documentation of the source of local funds such as a budget document 
highlighting the line item or section committing funds to the proposed 
project.
    An applicant may provide documentation of previous local 
investments in the project, which cannot be used to satisfy local 
matching requirements, as evidence of local financial commitment.
    Applicants that request a Federal share greater than 80 percent 
must clearly explain why the project is eligible for the proposed 
Federal share.
e. Project Implementation Strategy
    Projects will be evaluated based on the extent to which the project 
is ready to implement within a reasonable period of time and whether 
the applicant's proposed implementation plans are reasonable and 
complete.
    In assessing whether the project is ready to implement within a 
reasonable period of time, FTA will consider whether the project 
qualifies for a Categorical Exclusion, or whether the required 
environmental work has been initiated or completed for projects that 
require an Environmental Assessment or Environmental Impact Statement 
under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. As such, 
applicants should submit information describing the project's 
anticipated path and timeline through the environmental review process. 
The proposal must also state whether grant funds can be obligated 
within 12 months from time of award, if selected, and the timeframe 
under which the Metropolitan TIP and/or STIP can be amended to include 
the proposed project. Additional consideration will be given to 
projects for which grant funds can be obligated within 12 months from 
time of award.
    In assessing whether the proposed implementation plans are 
reasonable and complete, FTA will review the proposed project 
implementation plan, including all necessary project milestones and the 
overall project timeline. For projects that will require formal 
coordination, approvals, or permits from other agencies or project 
partners, the applicant must demonstrate coordination with these 
organizations and their support for the project, such as through 
letters of support.
f. Technical, Legal, and Financial Capacity
    Applicants must demonstrate that they have the technical, legal, 
and financial capacity to undertake the project. FTA will review 
relevant oversight assessments and records to determine whether there 
are any outstanding legal, technical, or financial issues with the 
applicant that would affect the outcome of the proposed project.
    Applicants with outstanding legal, technical, or financial 
compliance issues from an FTA compliance review or FTA grant-related 
Single Audit finding must explain how corrective actions taken will 
mitigate negative impacts on the project.

2. Review and Selection Process

    FTA technical evaluation committees will evaluate proposals using 
the project evaluation criteria. Members of the technical evaluation 
committees and other FTA staff may request additional information from 
applicants, if necessary. After consideration of the findings of the 
technical evaluation committees, FTA will determine the final selection 
of projects for program funding. In determining the allocation of 
program funds, FTA may consider geographic diversity, diversity in the 
size of the transit systems receiving funding, and the applicant's 
receipt of other competitive awards. FTA will also consider whether the 
project will include low or zero-emission ferries or ferries using 
electric battery or fuel cell components and the infrastructure to 
support such ferries. FTA may consider capping the amount a single 
applicant may receive. After applying the above criteria, in support of 
the President's January 20, 2021, Executive Order 13990, ``Protecting 
Public Health and the Environment and Restoring Science to Tackle the 
Climate Crisis,'' the FTA Administrator will give priority 
consideration to applications that are expected to create significant 
community benefits relating to the environment, including those 
projects that incorporate low or no emission technology. FTA seeks to 
select projects that have considered climate change and environmental 
justice in the planning stage and were designed with specific elements 
to address climate change impacts. Projects should directly support 
Climate Action Plans or apply environmental justice screening tools in 
the planning stage. As stated in this NOFO, of the $38 million, $4 
million is available only for low or zero-emission ferries or ferries 
using electric battery or fuel cell components and the infrastructure 
to support such ferries. Projects should include components that reduce 
emissions, promote energy efficiency, incorporate electrification or 
zero emission vehicle infrastructure,

[[Page 43309]]

increase resiliency, and recycle or redevelop existing infrastructure.
    Furthermore, in support of Executive Order 13985, ``Advancing 
Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the 
Federal Government,'' FTA may consider projects that advance racial 
equity and overcomes barriers to opportunity for underserved 
communities. FTA seeks to select projects that have considered racial 
equity in the planning stage and were designed with specific elements 
to address racial equity and barriers to opportunity. 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 FTA to evaluate if the investments are being made either 
to proactively advance racial equity and remove barriers to 
opportunity, or to redress prior inequities and barriers to 
opportunity. All project investment costs for the project that are 
related to racial equity and barriers to opportunity should be 
summarized.
    Prior to making an award, FTA is required to review and consider 
any information about the applicant that is in the FAPIIS accessible 
through SAM. An applicant may review and comment on information about 
itself that a Federal awarding agency previously entered. FTA may 
consider any 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 as 
described in the Office of Management and Budget's Uniform Requirements 
for Federal Awards (2 CFR 200.206).

F. Federal Award Administration Information

1. Federal Award Notices

    Final project selections will be posted on the FTA website. Only 
proposals from eligible recipients for eligible activities will be 
considered for funding. There is no minimum or maximum grant award 
amount; however, FTA intends to fund as many meritorious projects as 
possible. Due to funding limitations, projects that are selected for 
funding may receive less than the amount originally requested. In those 
cases, applicants must be able to demonstrate that the proposed 
projects are still viable and can be completed with the amount awarded.
    Recipients should contact their FTA Regional Offices for additional 
information regarding allocations for projects under the Ferry Program.

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

i. Pre-Award Authority
    At the time the project selections are announced, FTA will extend 
pre-award authority for the selected projects. There is no blanket pre-
award authority for these projects before announcement and pre-award 
authority cannot be used prior to FTA issuance of pre-award authority. 
FTA does not provide pre-award authority for competitive funds until 
projects are selected and even then, there are Federal requirements 
that must be met before costs are incurred. For more information about 
FTA's policy on pre-award authority, please see the most recent 
Apportionment Notice at https://www.transit.dot.gov.
ii. Grant Requirements
    If selected, awardees will apply for a grant through FTA's Transit 
Award Management System (TrAMS). All Ferry Program recipients are 
subject to the grant requirements of the Urbanized Area Formula Grant 
program (49 U.S.C. 5307), FTA's Master Agreement for financial 
assistance awards, the annual Certifications and Assurances required of 
applicants, and FTA Circular ``Urbanized Area Formula Program: Program 
Guidance and Application Instructions'' (FTA.C.9030.1E). All recipients 
must also follow the Award Management Requirements (FTA.C.5010.1) and 
the labor protections required by Federal public transportation law (49 
U.S.C. 5333(b)). All these documents are available on FTA's website. 
Technical assistance regarding these requirements is available from 
each FTA regional office.
iii. Buy America
    FTA requires that all capital procurements meet FTA's Buy America 
requirements (49 U.S.C. 5323(j)) which require all iron, steel, or 
manufactured products be produced in the United States. Any proposal 
that will require a waiver must identify the items for which a waiver 
will be sought in the application. Applicants should not proceed with 
the expectation that waivers will be granted.
iv. Disadvantaged Business Enterprise
    Projects that include ferry acquisitions are subject to the 
Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program regulations (49 CFR 
part 26) and ferry manufacturers must comply with that part to be 
eligible to bid on an FTA-assisted ferry procurement. Grant recipients 
must verify each Transit Vehicle Manufacturer's (TVM) compliance before 
accepting its bid. A list of certified TVMs is posted on FTA's web page 
at https://www.transit.dot.gov/TVM. Recipients should contact FTA 
before accepting bids from entities not listed on this web-posting. In 
lieu of using a certified TVM, recipients may also establish project 
specific DBE goals for ferry purchases. The FTA will provide additional 
guidance as grants are awarded. For more information on DBE 
requirements, please contact Monica McCallum, Director of Regional 
Operations, Office of Civil Rights, 206-220-7519, email: 
[email protected].
v. Planning
    FTA encourages applicants to notify the appropriate State 
Departments of Transportation and MPOs in areas likely to be served by 
the project funds made available under these initiatives and programs. 
Selected projects must be incorporated into the long-range plans and 
transportation improvement programs of States and metropolitan areas 
before they are eligible for FTA funding. As described under the 
evaluation criteria, FTA may consider whether a project is consistent 
with or already included in these plans when evaluating a project.
vi. Standard Assurances
    The applicant assures that it will comply with all applicable 
Federal statutes, regulations, executive orders, directives, FTA 
circulars, and other Federal administrative requirements in carrying 
out any project supported by the FTA grant. The applicant acknowledges 
that it is under a continuing obligation to comply with the terms and 
conditions of the grant agreement issued for its project with FTA. The 
applicant understands that Federal laws, regulations, policies, and 
administrative practices might be modified from time to time and may 
affect the implementation of the project. The applicant agrees that the 
most recent Federal requirements will apply to the project, unless FTA 
issues a written determination otherwise. The applicant must submit the 
Certifications and Assurances before receiving a grant if it does not 
have current certifications on file.

3. Reporting

    Post-award reporting requirements include the electronic submission 
of Federal Financial Reports and Milestone

[[Page 43310]]

Progress Reports. Applicant should include goals, targets, and 
indicators referenced in their application to the project in the 
Executive Summary of the TrAMS application. Recipients of funds made 
available through this NOFO are also required to regularly submit data 
to the National Transit Database. National Transit Database reports 
include total sources of revenue and complete expenditure reports for 
all public transportation operations, not just those funded by this 
project. Applicants partnering with a private operator should ensure 
that the private operator will meet all of the comprehensive reporting 
requirements of the National Transit Database.
    As part of completing the annual certifications and assurances 
required of FTA grant recipients, a successful applicant must report on 
the suspension or debarment status of itself and its principals. If the 
award recipient's 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 
an award made pursuant to this Notice, the recipient must comply with 
the Recipient Integrity and Performance Matters reporting requirements 
described in Appendix XII to 2 CFR part 200.

G. Federal Awarding Agency Contacts

    For further information concerning this notice, please contact the 
Ferry Program manager, Vanessa Williams, by phone at 202-366-4818, or 
by email at [email protected]. A TDD is available for 
individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing at 800-877-8339. In 
addition, FTA will post answers to questions and requests for 
clarifications on FTA's website at: https://www.transit.dot.gov/funding/grants/passenger-ferry-grant-program-section-5307. To ensure 
receipt of accurate information about eligibility or the program, the 
applicant is encouraged to contact FTA directly, rather than through 
intermediaries or third parties.

H. Other Information

    This program is not subject to Executive Order 12372, 
``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.'' FTA will consider 
applications for funding only from eligible recipients for eligible 
projects listed in Section C. Complete applications must be submitted 
through GRANTS.GOV by 11:59 p.m. EST on October 5, 2021. For issues 
with GRANTS.GOV, please contact GRANTS.GOV by phone at 1-800-518-4726 
or by email at [email protected]. Contact information for FTA's 
regional offices can be found on FTA's website at https://www.transit.dot.gov/.

Nuria I. Fernandez,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2021-16790 Filed 8-5-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P