Railroad Research and Development (20.313)

Program

20.313 Railroad Research and Development

Federal Agency

Agency: Department of Transportation
Office: Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)

Authorization

Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008, Public Law 110-432, U.S.C 102.

Program Number

20.313

Last Known Status

Active

Objectives

To foster long-range enhancement of the Federal Railroad Administration's program of research in support of rail safety by developing cooperative research relationships between the Administration and university organizations.

Types of Assistance

PROJECT GRANTS

Uses and Use Restrictions

Projects must show a relationship towards advancing railroad safety. Applicants must demonstrate 5 years of railroad research activity.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

Applicants must be major academic research institutions with backgrounds in the rail transportation arena. A minimum of 5 years of railroad or railroad related research experience is required.

Beneficiary Eligibility

No restrictions.

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

The FRA will announce specific pre- application coordination activities for each project area in the Federal Register. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure

This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-102. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110. As specified periodically in the Federal Register, eligible applicants must submit a Program Application that consists of a University Profile and Proposed Research Projects. The applications are subject to the requirements of OMB Circular A-1 10. Applications may be obtained from the Office of Research and Development, Mail Stop 20, 1200 New Jersey Avenue S.E., Washington, DC 20590. Telephone: (202) 493-1339. Fax: 202-493-6333. Email: Jai.Saunders@dot.gov

Award Procedure

As specified in Federal Register notices, applicants must first demonstrate satisfactory background and experience to the Office of Research and Development, Federal Railroad Administration. Second, proposed research projects are reviewed to determine those which most closely match the Administration's research objectives. Those applicants with one or more projects satisfying the second step criteria will be rank ordered based on qualifications and probability of success. From this rank ordering, the Administration established a group of selected universities as pre-qualified to perform solicited or approved research projects. Applicants within this group will be invited to enter into cooperative agreements.

Deadlines

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

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Four to 16 weeks after application.

Appeals

To Administrator, Federal Railroad Administration.

Renewals

Grants contemplated in this program are predominantly project-oriented rather than on-going efforts and are therefore non-renewable.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

This program has no statutory formula.

This program has no matching requirements.

This program does not have MOE requirements.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Not applicable. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: by letter of credit.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

A final report detailing the work conducted and the progress accomplished will be required. Presentations at an annual workshop are expected. SF-272. A final report detailing the work conducted and the progress accomplished will be required. Presentations at an annual workshop are expected. SF-269. Performance monitoring is not applicable.

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 No. 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 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 OMB Circular No. A-133.

Records

In accordance with requirements of the specific project agreement.

Program Accomplishments

Not Applicable.

Financial Information

Account Identification

69-0745-0-1-401.

Obligations

(Cooperative Agreements) FY 08 $2,875,000; FY 09 est $1,536,000; FY 10 est $1,536,000

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

$50,000 to $250,000. Average: $100,000.

Regulations, Guidelines and Literature

Not Applicable.

Related Programs

Not Applicable.

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

None.

Headquarters Office

Dr. Magdy El-Sibaie 1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E., , Washington, District of Columbia 20590 Phone: (202)493-6359

Web Site Address

http://www.fra.dot.gov.

Examples of Funded Projects

Not Applicable.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

In descending order of relative importance: (1) Overall scientific and/technical merit; (2) Degree to which it may improve upon or advance railroad safety; (3) Likelihood for its near term adoption and implementation of possible recommendations; (4) Degree to which the proposed project fits into the Administration's overall research objectives: (5) Reasonableness and realism of the proposed cost, and the availability of funds (to include due consideration for proposed cost-sharing by the applicant).