Public Transportation Emergency Relief Program

 

The Emergency Relief Program is intended to provide operating assistance and capital funding to aid recipients and sub-recipients in restoring public transportation service, and in repairing and reconstructing public transportation assets to a state of good repair, as expeditiously as possible following an emergency or major disaster.

General information about this opportunity
Last Known Status
Active
Program Number
20.527
Federal Agency/Office
Federal Transit Administration, Department of Transportation
Type(s) of Assistance Offered
B - Project Grants
Program Accomplishments
Fiscal Year 2017 FTA will continue to award grants that fund long term recovery and rebuilding of public transit systems from Hurricane Sandy, and that increase the resilience of these transit systems to future natural disasters.
Fiscal Year 2016 FTA has continued to award grants that fund long term recovery and rebuilding of public transit systems from Hurricane Sandy, and that increase the resilience of these transit systems to future natural disasters. FTA has continued to award grants that fund long term recovery and rebuilding of public transit systems from Hurricane Sandy, and that increase the resilience of these transit systems to future natural disasters.
Fiscal Year 2018 FTA will continue to award grants that fund long term recovery and rebuilding of public transit systems from Hurricane Sandy, and that increase the resilience of these transit systems to future natural disasters.
Authorization
Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act, 49 U.S.C. 5324
Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, 49 U.S.C. 5324
Who is eligible to apply/benefit from this assistance?
Applicant Eligibility
An entity that operates public transportation service in an area impacted by an emergency or major disaster, as defined by a gubernatorial or presidential declaration of such an emergency or disaster, and that receives federal transit funds directly from FTA.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Beneficiaries of funding include public transportation operators and the general public in areas for which an emergency or major disaster has been declared as defined under section 5324.
Credentials/Documentation
Resolution by an authorized public body approving the filing for an application; projects must be included in an urbanized area's transportation improvement program (TIP), in the State transportation improvement program (STIP) and approved by FTA and FHWA unless the project does not change the location, function, or capacity of the transit asset being repaired or replaced; information must be provided on labor and relocation; environmental impact statement; legal opinion; coordinated regional planning documentation; maintenance certification; and compliance with certifications and assurances as compiled in FTA's Annual List of Certifications and Assurances. Costs will be in accordance with 2 CFR 225 for State and local governments. Requirements associated with Chapter 53 of Title 49, U.S. Code, and other DOT regulations may be waived by FTA.
What is the process for applying and being award this assistance?
Pre-Application Procedure
Preapplication coordination is required. An environmental impact statement is required for this listing. 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
2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. This program is subject to the provisions of OMB Circular 2CFR 200. Applications are made to the regional offices of the Federal Transit Administration listed at https://www.transit.dot.gov/about/regional-offices/regional-offices.
Award Procedure
An FTA grant award obligating Federal funds is reflected in a grant agreement. Grants are awarded electronically. In order to access this system, a user name and password are needed and can be obtained by contacting the regional offices. Once the funds are reserved in TrAMS and the project information has been reviewed and approved, the recipient must execute the grant agreement to access the funds.
Deadlines
Contact the headquarters or regional location, as appropriate for application deadlines
Approval/Disapproval Decision Time
Not applicable.
Appeals
Not applicable.
Renewals
Funding is made available as necessary through the appropriation process. Grants may be amended to add newly available funds for a continuing project.
How are proposals selected?
Funds will be allocated based on detailed damage assessments conducted in the aftermath of an emergency or major disaster and on demonstrated operational costs incurred in preparation for and in response to an emergency or major disaster. Damage assessments must provide detailed information on the extent of damage to a public transportation system and the costs of restoring the system to a state of good repair. Project proposals that improve the resiliency of a public transportation system's infrastructure will be evaluated on the basis of proposed costs and benefits based, in part, on the likelihood and extent of potential damage from future events.
How may assistance be used?
The ER Program allows FTA to make grants for eligible public transportation capital and operating costs in the event of a catastrophic event, such as a natural disaster, that affects a wide area, and, as a result of which, the Governor of a State has declared an emergency or the President has declared a major disaster under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. Eligible projects include emergency operations, emergency repairs, permanent repairs, actual engineering and construction costs on eligible projects, and resiliency projects designed to protect rolling stock, equipment, facilities and infrastructure from future damage.
What are the requirements after being awarded this opportunity?
Reporting
Performance Reports: A milestones progress report is required.
Auditing
Not applicable.
Records
Recipient is required to retain intact, for 3 years following submission of final expenditure report, pending resolution of audit findings, all project contract documents, financial records, and supporting documents.
Other Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Statutory formula is not applicable to this assistance listing.

Matching is mandatory. 20%. There is an 80% federal 20% non-federal match, subject to waiver by FTA.

This program has MOE requirements, see funding agency for further details. Additional Information:
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Funds are available until expended. Reimbursement
Who do I contact about this opportunity?
Regional or Local Office
None/Not specified.
Headquarters Office
John Bodnar
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington,, DC 20590 US
John.Bodnar@dot.gov
Phone: 202-366-9091
Website Address
https://www.transit.dot.gov/funding/grant-programs/emergency-relief-program/emergency-relief-program
Financial Information
Account Identification
69-1140-0-1-401
Obligations
(Project Grants) FY 18$1,256,503,966.00; FY 19 est $1,214,382,654.00; FY 20 est $648,356,936.00; FY 17$2,093,010,830.00; FY 16$487,049,008.00; - Future obligations will be made in response to assessed needs and subject to the availability of program funds.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Future obligations will be made in response to assessed needs and subject to the availability of program funds.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
49 CFR Part 602 "Emergency Relief Program" and the FTA Emergency Relief Manual, found at https://www.transit.dot.gov/funding/grant-programs/emergency-relief-program/emergency-relief-manual-reference-manual-states
Examples of Funded Projects
Fiscal Year 2016 Recovery projects include the replacement of water-damaged facilities and equipment for New York City Transit’s subway system and New Jersey Transit’s commuter rail network. Examples of resilience projects include the elevation of ventilation shafts for the Washington, DC Metro system and the protection of essential track, signal and power systems within the New York City subway system. Recovery projects include the replacement of water-damaged facilities and equipment for New York City Transit’s subway system and New Jersey Transit’s commuter rail network. Examples of resilience projects include the elevation of ventilation shafts for the Washington, DC Metro system and the protection of essential track, signal and power systems within the New York City subway system.
Fiscal Year 2017 FTA will continued to award grants that fund long term recovery and rebuilding of public transit systems.
Fiscal Year 2018 Eligible projects include emergency operations, emergency repairs, permanent repairs, actual engineering and construction costs on eligible projects, and resiliency projects designed to protect rolling stock, equipment, facilities and infrastructure from future damage.

 


Related Federal Grants


Federal Grants Resources