Federal Transit-Capital Investment Grants (20.500)
Program
20.500 Federal Transit-Capital Investment Grants
Federal Agency
FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Authorization
49 U.S.C. 5309.
Program Number
20.500
Last Known Status
Active
Objectives
To assist in financing the acquisition, construction, reconstruction, and improvement of facilities, rolling stock and equipment for use, by operation, lease, or otherwise, in mass public transportation service and in coordinating service with highway and other transportation in such areas.
Types of Assistance
Formula Grants; Project Grants.
Uses and Use Restrictions
The Secretary of Transportation may make grants and loans under this section to assist State and local governmental authorities in financing: capital projects for new fixed guideway systems, and extensions to existing fixed guideway systems, including the acquisition of real property, the initial acquisition of rolling stock for the systems, alternatives analysis related to the development of the systems, and the acquisition of rights of way, and relocation, for fixed guideway corridor development for projects in the advanced stages of alternatives analysis or preliminary engineering; capital projects, the acquisition, construction, reconstruction and improvement of facilities and equipment for use by operation or lease or otherwise in mass transportation service, including property and improvements needed for an efficient and coordinated mass transportation system, including buses and bus facility equipment; the capital costs of coordinating transit with other transportation; and the introduction of new technology, through innovative and improved transportation; and the introduction of new technology, through innovative and improved products. Consideration may also be given for projects which enhance urban economic development; establish new or enhanced coordination between transit and other transportation; or enhance the effectiveness of a transit project and are related physically or functionally to that transit project. It could also include financing for transit projects planned, designed, and carried out to meet the special needs of elderly individuals and individuals with disabilities; for the development of corridors to support fixed guideway systems, including protecting rights of way through acquisition, construction of dedicated bus and high occupancy vehicle lanes and park-and-ride lots, and other nonvehicular capital improvements that the Secretary may decide would result in increased transit usage in the corridor.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Public agencies, including States; municipalities and other subdivisions of States; public agencies and instrumentalities of one or more States; and public corporations, boards, and commissions established under State law. Applicant must have legal, financial, and technical capacity to carry out proposed project and maintain facilities and equipment purchased with Federal assistance.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Public agencies, although private transportation companies may participate through contractual arrangements with public agency grantee.
Credentials/Documentation
Resolution by an authorized public body approving the filing for an application; projects must be included in an urbanized area's transportation improvement program (TIP), in the State transportation improvement program (STIP) and approved by FTA and FHWA; information must be provided on labor and relocation; environmental impact statement; legal opinion; coordinated regional planning documentation; maintenance certification; and compliance with certifications and assurances as compiled in FTA's Annual List of Certifications and Assurances. Cost will be in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-87 for State and local governments. Federal Register Notice FTA Fiscal Year Apportionments, Allocations, and Program Information, published annually contains the capital investment apportionments. For fiscal year 2003, the publication date was March 12, 2003. For other fiscal years, contact the FTA Regional Office to obtain the publication dates. FTA website: www.fta.dot.gov/.
Application and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review. The standard application forms as furnished by the Federal agency and required by 49 CFR Part 18 must be used for this program. An environmental impact assessment may be required for this program. An environmental impact statement may also be required upon completion of review of the assessment.
Application Procedure
This program is subject to the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-87 and 49 CFR Part 18 and FTA Circular 9300.1A, "Capital Program: Grant Application Instructions," October 1, 1998. Applications are made to the regional offices of the Federal Transit Administration listed in Appendix IV of the Catalog.
Award Procedure
An FTA grant award obligating Federal funds is reflected in a grant agreement. To access funds, the recipient must execute the grant agreement.
Deadlines
At the beginning of each fiscal year, closing dates are established for the receipt of applications in the Regional Office.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Appeals
Not applicable.
Renewals
Amendments may be granted.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Funds for fixed guideway modernization are apportioned by statutory formula principally to eleven specified areas. Other areas that have fixed guideway mileage that is over 7 years old. Funds for bus and bus related improvements are allocated on a discretionary basis. Funds for construction of new fixed guideway systems are allocated based on statutory or discretionary basis. A grant may be made up to 80 percent of net project cost. Vehicle related equipment required to comply with ADA or Clean Air Act may be funded at 90 percent Federal share.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Terms and conditions are contractually agreed on between FTA and the applicant.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
(1) Progress reports; (2) Financial status reports.
Audits
In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A- 133, "Audits of State and Local Governments and Nonprofit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend $300,000 or more in a year in Federal awards shall have a single or program specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $300,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year with certain exceptions as stated in OMB Circular No. A-133.
Records
Recipient is required to retain intact, for 3 years following submission of final expenditure report, pending resolution of audit findings, all project contract documents, financial records, and supporting documents.
Program Accomplishments
In fiscal year 2002, $2,500,000,000 billion had been obligated under the capital grant charge from the FTA Regional Offices.
Financial Information
Account Identification
69-8191-0-7-401; 69-1134-0-1-401.
Obligations
(Discretionary Grants) FY 02 $8,446,000; FY 03 est $46,649,000; and FY 04 est $0. (Capital Investment Grants) FY 02 $2,913,549,000; FY 03 est $3,695,778,000; and FY 04 est $4,661,000,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Varies according to local programming formulas.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
Contact the FTA Regional Offices. See FTA Circular 9300.1A, "Capital Program: Grant Application Instructions," October 1, 1998.
Related Programs
20.205, Highway Planning and Construction; 20.505, Federal Transit_Metropolitan Planning Grants; 20.507, Federal Transit_Formula Grants.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
See Appendix IV: Agency Regional and Local Office Addresses of the Catalog for a listing of the Federal Transit regional offices.
Headquarters Office
Federal Transit Administration, Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590. FTA Office of Program Management, Joyce Larkins (202) 366-2053.
Web Site Address
http://www.fta.dot.gov/htl/grants.htm
Examples of Funded Projects
(1) Preliminary engineering, fesign, environmental work for a new transit center, Kirkland, Washington; (20 3 replacement buses, Central Arkansas Transis authority; (3) Construction of additional parking at the Norwalk/Santa Fe Springs Transportation Center, Santa Fe Springs, California.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
1. Major, non-recurring capital investments. 2. Prior programming of all formula funds.
