Payments For Small Community Air Service Development (20.930)

 

Program

20.930 Payments For Small Community Air Service Development

 

Federal Agency

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

 

Authorization

Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century (AIR-21), 49 U.S.C. 41743, Public Law 106-181; Vision 100-Century in Aviation Reauthorization Act, Public Law 108-176.

 

Program Number

20.930

 

Last Known Status

Active

 

Objectives

To help smaller communities enhance their air service and increase access to the national transportation system.

 

Types of Assistance

Project Grants (for specified projects).

 

Uses and Use Restrictions

Grants for specified use, provided on a reimbursable basis. Grant funds can be used to cover a variety of expenses depending on the approved project. For example, funds can be expended for marketing, advertising or promotional activities, new studies designed to measure air service deficiencies, or to measure traffic loss or diversion to other communities.

 

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

For calendar year 1997, the airport serving the community or consortium was not larger that a small hub airport, and had insufficient air carrier service; or unreasonably high air fares. Eligible communities/airports are those within the United States and its territories and possessions.

Beneficiary Eligibility

Eligible local communities or consortia of communities, local airports serving those communities, and air carriers.

Credentials/Documentation

Communities must apply for the grant program by submitting a project proposal with required data to justify its proposal in accordance with the Department-issued Request for Proposals.

 

Application and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

None. This program is excluded from coverage under Executive Order 12372.

Application Procedure

A Request for Proposals (RFP) soliciting applications from eligible communities is issues each year. The RFP can be accessed on the internet through the DOT docket system at http://dms.dot.gov/. The REP is also published in the Federal Register.

Award Procedure

Applications will be evaluated according to factors established in the RFP and under the guidance of the Vision 100-Century in Aviation Reauthorization Act, P.L. 108-176.

Deadlines

The deadline for filing of proposals is established and specified for each fiscal year in the FRP and can vary from year to year. However, the Department generally provides grant applicants a minimum of 60 days to submit an application.

 

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Appeals

None.

Renewals

Application procedures are repeated each year. However, grant recipients are precluded by statute from seeking additional grants in support of the same project.

 

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

This program has no statutory formula or matching requirements. However, cost sharing by the grant applicant is highly encouraged and can accord the grant applicant priority consideration under certain circumstances set forth in the statute.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

The period of time for awards will vary with the complexity of the project. Minimum grant duration is one year. The statute limits use of grant funds for air carrier subsidy to a maximum period of three years. The same limitation applies to other forms of ongoing support for air carrier programs. Financial assistance is provided on a reimbursable basis; cash advances will not be made. Funds obligated remain available until expended.

 

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

Quarterly progress and emplacement reports, and a final report is required.

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 $500,000 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 $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt for Federal audit Requirements for that year. For direct procurement contracts, audit will be conducted in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation.

Records

The grant recipient is expected to retain all documents Relevant to the grant award for a period of seven years from completion of the project.

 

Program Accomplishments

Initial grant projects still active; information not available.

 

Financial Information

Account Identification

69-8106-0-7-402.

Obligations

(Grants) FY 03 not available; FY 04 est $19,880,000; and FY 05 est $20,000,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

$20,000 TO $1,500,000. Average: $500,000.

 

Regulations, Guidelines and Literature

49 U.S.C. 41743, et. Seq.; 14 CFR 302.12 (Rule 12); 49 CFR 1.56a(f), 49 CFR 18.36; P.L. 106-181; P.L. 106-176; P.L. 108-199.

 

Related Programs

None.

 

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

None.

Headquarters Office

Terri Bingham, Associate Director, Small Community Air Service Development Program, Office of Aviation Analysis (X-50), Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW, Washington, DC 20590. Telephone: (202) 366-1032. Fax (202) 366-7638.

Web Site Address

http://ostpxweb.dot.gov/aviation/index.html

 

Examples of Funded Projects

Lake Charles, Louisiana to support the community's efforts to secure air service from a second carrier by using funds to provide a subsidy to the new airline during the initial stages of service. Rhinelander, Wisconsin; Charleston, West Virginia; Hailey, Idaho; Augusta, Georgia; Fort Smith, Arknasas; Bakersfield, California; and Duluth, Minnesota to support the efforts of these communities to expand their services to new routes.

 

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Established by statute and annual Department order soliciting grant proposals.