Rail and Transit Security Grant Program (97.075)

Program

97.075 Rail and Transit Security Grant Program

Federal Agency

Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Authorization

Emergency Wartime Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2003, Public Law 108-11; The U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act of 2007, Public Law 110-28; Implementng Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007, Section 1406, Public Law 110-53; Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act 2009, Public Law 110-329.

Program Number

97.075

Last Known Status

Active

Objectives

To create sustainable programs for the protection of critical bus, rail, and ferry system infrastructure from terrorism, with special emphasis on the use of explosives and non-conventional threats which would result in major loss of life and severe disruption.

Types of Assistance

PROJECT GRANTS

Uses and Use Restrictions

Programs included under the CFDA number are: the Transit Security Grant Program (TSGP), the TSGP Intercity Passenger Rail, and the TSGP Freight Rail Security Grant Program (FRSGP) Funds may be used for planning, organizational activities, equipment acquisitions, training, exercises, management and administrative activities, and other costs the Secretary deems appropriate to support the objectives of the program. The program guidance outlines uses and restrictions in detail.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

The Governor of each State and Territory has designated a State Administrative Agency (SAA) to apply for and administer funds under the TSGP. The SAA for each designated transit system is the only agency eligible to apply for transit mode (rail and bus transit and ferry service) funds and is responsible for obligating transit mode funds to local units of government and designated recipients. The SAA is responsible for obligating TSGP funds to the appropriate individual transit agencies within 60 days after receipt of funds. The National Passenger Railroad Corporation (Amtrak) is the only entity eligible to apply for funding under the TSGP Intercity Passenger Rail Security Supplemental. Agencies eligible for the TSGP Ferry System Security Supplemental were identified using comprehensive, empirically grounded risk analysis modeling. The risk methodology for the IPP programs is consistent across the modes and is linked to the risk methodology used to determine eligibility for the core Department of Homeland Security State and local grant programs. The program guidance identifies the agencies eligible for funding.

Beneficiary Eligibility

Specialized group; general public.

Credentials/Documentation

No Credentials or documentation are required. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87.

Application and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

Agencies eligible were identified using comprehensive, empirically grounded risk analysis modeling. The risk methodology for the Infrastructure Protection Activities is consistent across the modes and is linked to the risk methodology used to determine eligibility for the core Department of Homeland Security State and local grant programs. The program guidance identifies the agencies eligible for funding.
Each designated transit system is the only agency eligible to apply for transit mode (rail and bus transit and ferry service) funds and is responsible for obligating transit mode funds. The National Passenger Railroad Corporation (Amtrak) is the only entity eligible to apply for funding under the TSGP Intercity Passenger Rail. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. 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.

Application Procedure

OMB Circular No. A-102 applies to this program. OMB Circular No. A-110 applies to this program. Application deadline and other information are contained in the application/program guidance.

Award Procedure

Applications or plans are reviewed by DHS program and administrative staff. Any issues or concerns noted in the application will be negotiated with the successful applicant prior to the award being issued.

Deadlines

Contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate, for application deadlines.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Refer to program guidance document.

Appeals

None.

Renewals

None.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

Statutory formulas are not applicable to this program.

Matching requirements are not applicable to this program.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this program.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Refer to program guidance. Awards are subject to the Cash Management Improvement Act for payment and/or reimbursement of expenditures. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: Refer to program guidance.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

Categorical Assistance Progress Reports (CAPR) are required semi-annually and are due within 30 days after the end of the reporting period (July 30 with a reporting period of January 1 through June 30, and January 30 with a reporting period of July 1 through December 31) for the life of the award. Grantees are also required to submit quarterly Financial Status Reports (FSR). The FSR are due 30 days after the end of each calendar quarter on January 30, April 30, July 30, and October 30. Final CAPR and FSR reports are due 90 days after the expiration or termination of grant award, whichever occurs first. Refer to program guidance. Refer to program guidance. Refer to program guidance. Refer to program guidance.

Audits

In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133. In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations, nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards (or receive property, or a combination of both, within the fiscal year) will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular A-133. These audits are due to the cognizant Federal agency, submitted through the Federal Audit Clearinghouse, not later than 9 months after the end of the grantees fiscal year.

Records

Grant records shall be retained for a period of 3 years from the day the recipient submits its final expenditure report. If any litigation, claim, negotiation, audit, or other action involving the records has been started before the expiration of the 3-year period, the records must be retained until completion of the action and resolution of all issues which arise from it, or until the end of the regular 3-year period, whichever is later. Grant records include financial and program/progress reports, support documents, statistical records, and other documents that support the activity and/or expenditure of the recipient or sub-recipient under the award.

Program Accomplishments

Fiscal Year 2008: Funding provided to enhance preparedness and security for America's Transit Systems. Fiscal Year 2009: No Current Data Available Fiscal Year 2010: No Current Data Available

Financial Information

Account Identification

70-0560-0-1-999.

Obligations

(Project Grants) FY 08 $388,600,000; FY 09 est $388,600,000; FY 10 est not reported. - FY 2010 Authorized $900,000,000, est. Amount $388,600,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

Refer to program guidance.

Regulations, Guidelines and Literature

For regulations and guidelines, please refer to the program guidance and application kit.

Related Programs

97.008 Urban Areas Security Initiative ; 97.056 Port Security Grant Program ; 97.057 Intercity Bus Security Grants; 97.059 Truck Security Program; 97.067 Homeland Security Grant Program; 97.078 Buffer Zone Protection Program (BZPP)

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

None.

Headquarters Office

Transportation Infrastructure Support Branch 800 K Street NW, Washington, District of Columbia 20472 Email: askcsid@dhs.gov Phone: (1-800) 368-6498

Web Site Address

www.dhs.gov.

Examples of Funded Projects

Fiscal Year 2008: Projects addressing: protection of high risk/high consequence underwater and underground rail assets; protection of other high risk/high consequence assets and systems that have been identified through system-wide risk assessments; use of visible, unpredictable deterrence; targeted counter-terrorism training for key front-line staff; emergency preparedness drills and exercises; public awareness and preparedness campaigns; and efforts in support of the national preparedness architecture. Fiscal Year 2009: No Current Data Available Fiscal Year 2010: No Current Data Available

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Refer to the program guidance for information on criteria for selecting proposals.