Maritime Security Fleet Program (20.813)
Program
20.813 Maritime Security Fleet Program
Federal Agency
MARITIME ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Authorization
Merchant Marine Act of 1936, Title VI, Subtitle B as amended; Public Law 104-239.
Program Number
20.813
Last Known Status
Active
Objectives
To maintain a U.S.-flag merchant fleet crewed by U.S. mariners to serve both the commercial and national security needs of the United States.
Types of Assistance
Direct Payments for Specified Use.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Vessel's Operations restricted to U.S. foreign trade.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
U.S. citizens and certain specified foreign corporations.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Ownership and operation of vessels and facilities useful to the United States in time of war or national emergency.
Credentials/Documentation
Ownership of U.S. documented vessels.
Application and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
None. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.
Application Procedure
Solicitation for applications in the Federal Register.
Award Procedure
Office of Sealift Support and the Department of Defense review applications against criteria established in Title VI B of the Merchant Marine Act of 1936, as amended.
Deadlines
As published in application solicitation.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Appeals
Decisions concerning administration of the Maritime Security Program will be referred to the Maritime Administrator.
Renewals
Program is based on 1-year contracts renewable each year subject to funding not to extend past fiscal year 2005.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Program provides for payment of up to $2.1 million per vessel per year subject to statutory reductions.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
One year contracts, renewable yearly, payable in monthly installments.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Vouchers on a monthly basis.
Audits
Maritime Security Program subject to both internal and external audit. These audits will be made by the Office of the Inspector General (DOT) in accordance with the General Accounting Office guidelines, "Standards for Audit of Government Organizations, Programs, Activities and Functions," and additional OMB guidance.
Records
Vouchers on a monthly basis.
Program Accomplishments
As of January 1, 2003, 47 ships were enrolled in the program.
Financial Information
Account Identification
69-1711-0-1-054.
Obligations
(Direct payments) FY 02 $98,700,000; FY 03 $98,700,000; and FY 04 est $98,700,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
$2.1 million per vessel per year.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
46 CFR Part 295.
Related Programs
None.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
None.
Headquarters Office
Taylor E. Jones, Director, Office of Sealift Support, Maritime Administration, Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590. Telephone: (202) 366-2323. FAX Number: (202) 366-3128.
Web Site Address
Examples of Funded Projects
Maritime Security Program payments are paid to vessels operating in U.S. foreign commerce. Vessels include containerships, lighter-aboard ships (LASH) and Roll-on/Roll-off vessels (RO/RO).
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
(1) Vessel is required to maintain U.S.-flag presence in foreign commerce and/or necessary for meeting military sealift requirements; (2) Applicant possesses operational expertise and intermodal assets useful to the United States in meeting its sealift requirements; (3) Maritime Security Program participants are required to commit sealift and intermodal capacity to the Emergency Preparedness Program (EPP), approved by the Secretary of Defense (SECDEF).
