Railroad Development (20.314)
Program
20.314 Railroad Development
Federal Agency
FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Authorization
Public Law 109-59: Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), subsequent surface transportation authorizations, and annual appropriation legislation.
Program Number
20.314
Last Known Status
Active
Objectives
To provide financial assistance for: planning and developing railroad corridors (including environmental studies), purchasing rail equipment, rail line relocation and improvement projects, construction projects that improve rail lines, enhance service, and add capacity to the national rail system, capital construction, rehabilitation and improvements benefiting train operations.
Types of Assistance
Project Grants (Cooperative Agreements).
Uses and Use Restrictions
1. The financial assistance may fund, but is not limited to, rehabilitation or construction of railroads, including planning activities and associated studies. 2. Specific descriptions are based on the language in the authorizing or appropriating legislation. 3. Discretionary funds are not available.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
State governments Regional and local governments For-profit organizations, such as railroads.
Beneficiary Eligibility
State governments Regional and local governments For-profit organizations, such as railroads.
Credentials/Documentation
US Department of Transportation Federal Railroad Administration Assurances and Certification forms ( http://www.fra.dot.gov/downloads/admin/assurancesandcertifications.pdf). o Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, and Other Responsibility Matters Primary Covered Transactions o Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusion Lower Tier Covered Transactions o Certification Regarding Drug-Free Workplace Requirements o Certification Regarding Lobbying o Assurances Non-Construction Programs, SF 424E o Certificate of Indirect Costs Assurances - Construction Programs SF-424D.
Application and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
Ensure that National Environmental Policy Act and related law requirements are fulfilled as needed. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.
Application Procedure
The applicant must submit the following information to the FRA through www.grants.gov: Application for Federal Assistance SF-424 US Department of Transportation Federal Railroad Administration Assurances and Certification forms http://www.fra.dot.gov/downloads/admin/assurancesandcertifications.pdf: o Certification Regarding Debarment, suspension, and other Responsibility Matters Primary Covered Transactions. o Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusion Lower Tier Covered Transactions. o Certification Regarding Drug-Free Workplace Requirements. o Certification Regarding Lobbying. o Assurances Non-Construction Programs, SF 424E o Certificate of Indirect Costs. Assurances - Construction Programs SF-424D Statement of Work Budget.
Award Procedure
Review the application package to ensure that all required documents are complete and signed by the appropriate person. Review the statement of work (SOW) and budget to ensure the appropriation language requirements are met. Review SOW for technical issues and budget for appropriate costs, including compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act and related laws and orders. After the application package is acceptable to both parties, a grant agreement is drafted, reviewed, and signed upon agreement by both parties.
Deadlines
On a case-by-case basis as posted for a project on www.grants.gov.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Appeals
None.
Renewals
None.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
These programs have no statutory formula. This program has MOE requirements; see funding agency for further details.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
No restriction on period of time the assistance normally is available. Assistance is usually awarded upon request for reimbursement.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
The grantee shall submit the following reports: Quarterly progress reports giving an account of significant progress (findings, events, trends, etc.) made during the reporting period, and a description of any technical and/or cost problems encountered or anticipated that will affect completion of the grant. Quarterly financial status reports using SF 269 or 269A, Financial Status Report.. Quarterly Federal Cash Transactions reports using SF 272, Federal Cash Transaction Report.. Final report giving details of the results and benefits of the Grantee's improvement efforts.
Audits
In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 24, 1997), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that receive financial assistance of $300,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $300,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.
Records
The grantee must keep satisfactory records with regard to the use of the property, equipment, and supplies and submit these records to FRA upon request.
Program Accomplishments
This program has assisted the rehabilitation and construction of railroad projects and associate studies. Specific grants are provided for in legislation, usually one application is submitted for each grant. It is anticipated that for FY 2006 that there will continue to be one application for each grant agreement.
Financial Information
Account Identification
27-0700-0-1-401.
Obligations
FY 05 $0; FY 06 $0; and FY 07 $0.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Grants within this program range from $50,000 to over $700,000,000. The average financial assistance varies considerably.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
These two Acts and associated regulations provide the primary guidance for this program: The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 as amended (42 USC 4321 et seq.), and related laws Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (Public Law 109-59).
Related Programs
None.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
If necessary to contact a regional office, the contact information will be in a grant agreement..
Headquarters Office
Peter Montague, Acting Chief of Passenger Rail Programs, RDV-13 Railroad Development, 1120 Vermont Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20005, 202-493-6393 (phone) 202-493-6330 (fax).
Web Site Address
Examples of Funded Projects
Vermont Rail Project Alaska Railroad Rail Safety and Infrastructure Improvements Florida High Speed Rail Study.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
The work and cost estimates are reasonable and are within the scope of the appropriation language.
