Notice2021-16790
FY 2021 Competitive Funding Opportunity: Passenger Ferry Grant Program
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Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
August 6, 2021
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Transit Administration
Abstract
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announces the opportunity to apply for $38 million in competitive grants under the Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 Passenger Ferry Grant Program (Ferry Program). Of that amount, $4 million is available only for low or zero-emission ferries or ferries using electric battery or fuel cell components and the infrastructure to support such ferries. As required by Federal public transportation law, funds will be awarded competitively to designated recipients or eligible direct recipients of Urbanized Area Formula funds to support capital projects to improve existing passenger ferry service, establish new ferry service, and repair and modernize ferry boats, terminals, and related facilities and equipment. FTA may award additional funding made available to the program prior to the announcement of project selections.
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[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 149 (Friday, August 6, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43304-43310]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2021-16790]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Transit Administration
FY 2021 Competitive Funding Opportunity: Passenger Ferry Grant
Program
AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration (FTA), U.S. Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of funding opportunity (NOFO).
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SUMMARY: The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announces the
opportunity to apply for $38 million in competitive grants under the
Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 Passenger Ferry Grant Program (Ferry Program). Of
that amount, $4 million is available only for low or zero-emission
ferries or ferries using electric battery or fuel cell components and
the infrastructure to support such ferries. As required by Federal
public transportation law, funds will be awarded competitively to
[[Page 43305]]
designated recipients or eligible direct recipients of Urbanized Area
Formula funds to support capital projects to improve existing passenger
ferry service, establish new ferry service, and repair and modernize
ferry boats, terminals, and related facilities and equipment. FTA may
award additional funding made available to the program prior to the
announcement of project selections.
DATES: Complete proposals must be submitted electronically through the
GRANTS.GOV ``APPLY'' function by 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on October 5,
2021. Prospective applicants should initiate the process by promptly
registering on the GRANTS.GOV website to ensure completion of the
application process before the submission deadline. Instructions for
applying can be found on FTA's website at <a href="https://www.transit.dot.gov/funding/grants/applying/applying-fta-funding">https://www.transit.dot.gov/funding/grants/applying/applying-fta-funding</a> and in the ``FIND'' module
of GRANTS.GOV. The funding opportunity ID is FTA-2021-006-TPM-Ferry.
Mail and fax submissions will not be accepted.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Vanessa Williams, FTA Office of
Program Management, (202) 366-4818, or <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#8ff9eee1eafcfceea1f8e6e3e3e6eee2fccfebe0fba1e8e0f9"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c6b0a7a8a3b5b5a7e8b1afaaaaafa7abb586a2a9b2e8a1a9b0">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Table of Contents
A. Program Description
B. Federal Award Information
C. Eligibility Information
D. Application and Submission Information
E. Application Review Information
F. Federal Award Administration Information
G. Federal Awarding Agency Contact(s)
H. Other Information
A. Program Description
Federal public transportation law (49 U.S.C. 5307(h)) authorizes
FTA to award grants for passenger ferries through a competitive
process, as described in this notice. The Ferry Program provides
funding to designated recipients and direct recipients under FTA's
Urbanized Area Formula Program, as well as public entities engaged in
providing public transportation passenger ferry service in urban areas
that are eligible to be direct recipients. Projects funded under the
program will improve the condition and quality of existing passenger
ferry services, support the establishment of new passenger ferry
services, and repair and modernize ferry boats, terminals, and related
facilities and equipment. FTA recognizes that passenger ferries provide
critical and cost-effective transportation links in urban areas
throughout the United States but face a critical backlog of state of
good repair and safety investments. The Ferry Program (Federal
Assistance Listing: 20.507) supports FTA's strategic goals and
objectives through the timely and efficient investment in public
transportation. This program also supports the President's goals to
mobilize American ingenuity to build a modern infrastructure and an
equitable, clean energy future. In addition, this NOFO will advance the
goals of the President's January 20, 2021, Executive Order 13990,
``Protecting Public Health and the Environment and Restoring Science to
Tackle the Climate Crisis.''
B. Federal Award Information
Federal public transportation law (49 U.S.C. 5336(h)(1)) apportions
$30 million in FY 2021 funds for competitive grants under the Ferry
Program. The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (Pub. L. 116-260),
appropriated an additional $8 million for the Ferry Program, for a
total of $38 million. Of that amount, $4 million is available only for
low or zero-emission ferries or ferries using electric battery or fuel
cell components and the infrastructure to support such ferries. FTA may
award additional funding made available to the program prior to the
announcement of project selections.
In FY 2020, FTA received 19 eligible proposals from 15 States and
territories requesting $102 million in Federal funds. Twelve projects
were funded at a total of $47.5 million, using a combination of funding
from FY 2020 and funding remaining from prior year appropriations.
FTA will grant pre-award authority to incur costs for selected
projects beginning on the date the FY 2021 project selections are
announced on FTA's website. Funds are available for obligation for five
years after the fiscal year in which the competitive awards are
announced. Funds are available only for projects that have not already
incurred costs prior to the announcement of project selections.
C. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants
Eligible applicants are: (1) Designated recipients as defined in
FTA Circular ``Urbanized Area Formula Program: Program Guidance and
Application Instructions'' (FTA.C.9030.1E) and (2) direct recipients of
FTA's Urbanized Area Formula Grants, as well as public entities engaged
in providing public transportation passenger ferry service in urban
areas that are eligible to be direct recipients.
If an applicant does not currently have an active Urbanized Area
Formula Program grant with FTA, the applicant is encouraged to contact
the FTA Ferry Program manager for assistance with determining if it is
eligible to receive funds under the Ferry Program. An eligible
applicant that does not currently have an active grant with FTA will,
upon selection, be required to work with an FTA regional office to
establish its organization as an active grant recipient. This process
may require additional documentation to support the organization's
technical, financial, and legal capacity to receive and administer
Federal funds under this program.
2. Cost Sharing or Matching
a. The maximum Federal share for projects selected under the Ferry
Program is 80 percent of the net project cost, with the following
exceptions.
b. The maximum Federal share is 85 percent of the net project cost
of acquiring vehicles (including clean-fuel or alternative fuel
vehicles) for purposes of complying with or maintaining compliance with
the Clean Air Act (CAA) and/or the Americans with Disabilities Act
(ADA) of 1990.
c. The maximum Federal share is 90 percent of the net project cost
of acquiring, installing or constructing vehicle-related equipment or
facilities (including clean fuel or alternative-fuel vehicle-related
equipment or facilities) for purposes of complying with or maintaining
compliance with the ADA or CAA. The award recipient must itemize the
cost of specific, discrete, vehicle-related equipment associated with
compliance with the ADA or CAA to be eligible for the maximum 90
percent Federal share for these costs.
Eligible sources of non-Federal matching funds include:
i. Cash from non-governmental sources other than revenues from
providing public transportation services;
ii. Non-farebox revenues from the operation of public
transportation service, such as the sale of advertising and concession
revenues;
iii. Monies received under a service agreement with a State or
local social service agency or private social service organization;
iv. Undistributed cash surpluses, replacement or depreciation cash
funds, reserves available in cash, or new capital;
v. Amounts appropriated or otherwise made available to a department
or agency of the Government (other than the U.S. Department of
Transportation),
[[Page 43306]]
that are eligible to be expended for public transportation;
vi. In-kind contributions integral to the project;
vii. Revenue bond proceeds for a capital project, with prior FTA
approval; and
viii. Transportation Development Credits (TDC) (formerly referred
to as Toll Revenue Credits).
If an applicant proposes a Federal share greater than 80 percent,
the applicant must clearly explain why the project is eligible for the
proposed Federal share.
3. Eligible Projects
Eligible projects are capital projects for the purchase,
construction, replacement, or rehabilitation of ferries, terminals,
related infrastructure, and related equipment (including fare equipment
and communication devices). Projects are required to support a
passenger ferry service that serves an urbanized area, and may include
services that operate between an urbanized area and non-urbanized
areas. Ferry systems that accommodate cars must also accommodate walk-
on passengers to be eligible for funding.
Recipients are permitted to use up to 0.5 percent of their grant
award to pay for not more than 80 percent of the cost for workforce
development activities eligible under Federal public transportation law
(49 U.S.C 5314(b)) and an additional 0.5 percent for costs associated
with training at the National Transit Institute. Applicants must
identify the proposed use of funds for these activities in the project
proposal and identify them separately in the project budget.
D. Application and Submission Information
1. Address To Request Application
A complete proposal submission consists of two forms: The SF-424
Application for Federal Assistance can be downloaded from GRANTS.GOV
and the supplemental form for the FY 2021 Passenger Ferry Grant Program
can be downloaded from GRANTS.GOV or the FTA website at: <a href="https://www.transit.dot.gov/funding/grants/passenger-ferry-grant-program-section-5307">https://www.transit.dot.gov/funding/grants/passenger-ferry-grant-program-section-5307</a>.
2. Content and Form of Application Submission
a. Proposal Submission
Applications must be submitted electronically through GRANTS.GOV.
General information for submitting applications along with specific
instructions for the forms and attachments required for submission can
be found at GRANTS.GOV. Mail and fax submissions will not be accepted.
A complete proposal submission consists of two forms: (1) The SF-424
Application for Federal Assistance; and (2) the FY 2021 Passenger Ferry
Grant Program supplemental form. The supplemental form and any
supporting documents must be attached to the ``Attachments'' section of
the SF-424. The application must include responses to all sections of
the SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance and the supplemental
form, unless designated as optional. The information on the
supplemental form will be used to determine applicant and project
eligibility for the program, and to evaluate the proposal against the
selection criteria described in part E of this notice. Failure to
submit the information as requested can delay review or disqualify the
application.
FTA will accept only one supplemental form per SF-424 submission.
FTA encourages States and other applicants to consider submitting a
single supplemental form that includes multiple activities to be
evaluated as a consolidated proposal. If a State or other applicant
chooses to submit separate proposals for individual consideration by
FTA, each proposal must be submitted using a separate SF-424 and
supplemental form.
Applicants may attach additional supporting information to the SF-
424 submission, including but not limited to letters of support,
project budgets, fleet status reports, or excerpts from relevant
planning documents. Supporting documentation should be described and
referenced by file name in the appropriate response section of the
supplemental form, or it may not be reviewed.
Information such as applicant name, Federal amount requested, local
match amount, and description of areas served may be requested in
varying degrees of detail on both the SF-424 and Supplemental Form.
Applicants must fill in all fields unless otherwise stated on the
forms. Applicants should not place N/A or ``refer to attachment'' in
lieu of typing in responses in the field sections. If information is
copied into the supplemental form from another source, applicants
should verify that pasted text is fully captured on the supplemental
form and has not been truncated by the character limits built into the
form. Applicants should use both the ``Check Package for Errors'' and
the ``Validate Form'' validation buttons on both forms to check all
required fields on the forms, and ensure that the Federal and local
amounts specified are consistent.
b. Application Content
The SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance and the supplemental
form will prompt applicants for the required information:
a. Applicant name
b. Dun and Bradstreet (D&B) Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS)
number
c. Key contact information (including contact name, address, email
address, and phone)
d. Congressional district(s) where project will take place
e. Project information (including title, executive summary, and
type)
f. A detailed description of the need for the project
g. A detailed description of how the project will support the Ferry
Program objectives
h. Evidence that the project is consistent with local and regional
planning objectives
i. Evidence that the applicant can provide the local cost share
j. A description of the technical, legal, and financial capacity of
the applicant
k. A detailed project budget
l. An explanation of the scalability of the project
m. Details on the local matching funds
n. A detailed project timeline
3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM)
Each applicant is required to: (1) Be registered in SAM before
submitting an application; (2) provide a valid unique entity identifier
in its application; and (3) continue to maintain an active SAM
registration with current information at all times during which the
applicant has an active Federal award or an application or plan under
consideration by FTA. FTA may not make an award until the applicant has
complied with all applicable unique entity identifier and SAM
requirements. If an applicant has not fully complied with the
requirements by the time FTA is ready to make an award, FTA may
determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive an award and
use that determination as a basis for making a Federal award to another
applicant. These requirements do not apply if the applicant: Has an
exception approved by FTA or the U.S. Office of Management and Budget
under 2 CFR 25.110(c) or (d). Non-Federal entities that have received a
Federal award are required to report certain civil, criminal, or
administrative proceedings to SAM (currently the Federal Awardee
[[Page 43307]]
Performance and Integrity Information System (FAPIIS)) to ensure
registration information is current and comply with Federal
requirements. Applicants should reference 2 CFR 200.113, for more
information.
All applicants must provide a unique entity identifier provided by
SAM. Registration in SAM may take as little as 3-5 business days, but
since there could be unexpected steps or delays (for example, if there
is a need to obtain an Employee Identification Number), FTA recommends
allowing ample time, up to several weeks, for completion of all steps.
For additional information on obtaining a unique entity identifier,
please visit <a href="http://www.sam.gov">www.sam.gov</a>.
4. Submission Dates and Times
Project proposals must be submitted electronically through
GRANTS.GOV by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on October 5, 2021. GRANTS.GOV
attaches a time stamp to each application at the time of submission.
Mail and fax submissions will not be accepted.
FTA urges applicants to submit applications at least 72 hours prior
to the due date to allow time to correct any problems that may have
caused either GRANTS.GOV or FTA systems to reject the submission.
Proposals submitted after the deadline will be considered only under
extraordinary circumstances not under the applicant's control. Mail and
fax submissions will not be accepted. Deadlines will not be extended
due to scheduled website maintenance. GRANTS.GOV scheduled maintenance
and outage times are announced on the GRANTS.GOV website.
Within 48 hours after submitting an electronic application, the
applicant should receive an email message from GRANTS.GOV with
confirmation of successful transmission to GRANTS.GOV. If a notice of
failed validation or incomplete materials is received, the applicant
must address the reason for the failed validation, as described in the
email notice, and resubmit before the submission deadline. If making a
resubmission for any reason, include all original attachments
regardless of which attachments were updated and check the box on the
supplemental form indicating this is a resubmission.
Applicants are encouraged to begin the process of registration on
the GRANTS.GOV site well in advance of the submission deadline.
Registration is a multi-step process, which may take several weeks to
complete before an application can be submitted. Registered applicants
may still be required to take steps to keep their registration up to
date before submissions can be made successfully: (1) Registration in
SAM is renewed annually; and (2) persons making submissions on behalf
of the Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) must be authorized
in GRANTS.GOV by the AOR to make submissions.
5. Funding Restrictions
Funds made available under the Ferry Program may not be used to
fund operating expenses, planning, or preventive maintenance. Any
project that does not include the purchase, construction, replacement,
or rehabilitation of ferries, terminals, related infrastructure, or
related equipment is not eligible. Funds made available under this NOFO
cannot be used to reimburse applicants for otherwise eligible expenses
incurred prior to the posting of project selections on FTA's website
and the corresponding issuance of preaward authority. Allowable direct
and indirect expenses must be consistent with the Governmentwide
Uniform Administrative Requirements and Cost Principles (2 CFR part
200) and FTA Circular 5010.1E.
6. Other Submission Requirements
Applicants are encouraged to identify scaled funding options in
case insufficient funding is available to fund a project at the full
requested amount. If an applicant advises that a project is scalable,
the applicant must provide an appropriate minimum funding amount that
will fund an eligible project that achieves the objectives of the
program and meets all relevant program requirements. The applicant must
provide a clear explanation of how the project budget would be affected
by a reduced award. FTA may award a lesser amount whether or not a
scalable option is provided.
E. Application Review Information
1. Criteria
Projects will be evaluated primarily on the responses provided in
the supplemental form. Additional information may be provided to
support the responses; however, any additional documentation must be
directly referenced on the supplemental form, including the file name
where the additional information can be found. FTA will evaluate
project proposals for competitive passenger ferry grants based on the
criteria described in this notice. Criteria are weighted equally.
a. Demonstration of Need
Applications will be evaluated based on the quality and extent to
which they demonstrate how the proposed project will address an unmet
need for capital investment in passenger ferry vehicles, equipment, or
facilities. FTA also will evaluate the project's impact on service
delivery and whether the project represents a one-time or periodic need
that cannot reasonably be funded from FTA formula program allocations
or State and/or local resources. In evaluating applications, FTA will
consider, among other factors, certain project-specific criteria as
outlined below:
i. For vessel replacement or rehabilitation projects (including low
or zero emission ferries):
<bullet> The age of the asset to be replaced or rehabilitated by
the proposed project, relative to its useful life.
<bullet> Condition and performance of the asset to be replaced by
the proposed project, as ascertained through inspections or otherwise,
if available.
ii. For facility infrastructure improvements or related-equipment
acquisitions:
<bullet> The age of the facility or equipment to be rehabilitated
or replaced, relative to its useful life.
<bullet> The degree to which the proposed project will enable the
agency to improve the maintenance and condition of the agency's fleet
and/or other related ferry assets.
iii. For vessel or facility-related expansion or new service
requests:
<bullet> The degree to which the proposed project addresses a
current capacity constraint that is limiting the ability of the agency
to provide reliable service, meet ridership demands, or maintain
vessels and related equipment.
<bullet> The degree the proposed new service is supported by
ridership demand.
b. Demonstration of Benefits
Applications will be evaluated based on how the ferry project will
improve the (1) safety of existing ferry systems, (2) the state of good
repair of the existing system, and/or (3) provide additional
transportation options to existing or potential riders within the
service area. FTA also will consider potential benefits such as
increased reliability of service, improved operations or maintenance
capabilities, or expanded mobility options, intermodal connections, and
improved community benefits related to the economy or the environment.
For low or no emission projects, applicants should demonstrate how
the proposed ferries or infrastructure will reduce the emission of
particulates that create local air pollution, which leads to local
environmental health concerns,
[[Page 43308]]
smog, and unhealthy ozone concentrations. Applicants should also
demonstrate how the proposed ferries or infrastructure will reduce
emissions of greenhouse gases from transit vehicle operations.
Applicants should address how the ferry service to be supported by
the proposed project is integrated with other regional modes of
transportation, including but not limited to: Rail, bus, intercity bus,
and private transportation providers. Supporting documentation should
include data that demonstrates the number of trips (passengers and
vehicles), the number of walk-on passengers, and the frequency of
transfers to other modes if applicable.
c. Planning and Local/Regional Prioritization
Applicants must demonstrate how the proposed project is consistent
with local and regional planning documents and identified priorities.
This will involve assessing whether the project is consistent with the
transit priorities identified in the long-range transportation plan and
the State and Metropolitan Transportation Improvement Program (STIP/
TIP). Applicants should note if the project could not be included in
the financially constrained STIP or TIP due to lack of funding, and if
selected that the project can be added to the federally approved STIP
before grant award.
FTA encourages applicants to demonstrate local support by including
letters of support from State Departments of Transportation, local
transit agencies, local government officials and public agencies, local
non-profit or private sector organizations, and other relevant
stakeholders. In an area with both ferry and other public transit
operators, FTA will evaluate whether project proposals demonstrate
coordination with and support of other related projects within the
applicant's Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) or the geographic
region within which the proposed project will operate.
d. Local Financial Commitment
Applicants must identify the source of the local cost share and
describe whether such funds are currently available for the project or
will need to be secured if the project is selected for funding. FTA
will consider the availability of the local cost share as evidence of
local financial commitment to the project. Additional consideration
will be given to those projects for which local funds have already been
made available or reserved. Applicants should submit evidence of the
availability of funds for the project, by including, for example, a
board resolution, letter of support from the State, or other
documentation of the source of local funds such as a budget document
highlighting the line item or section committing funds to the proposed
project.
An applicant may provide documentation of previous local
investments in the project, which cannot be used to satisfy local
matching requirements, as evidence of local financial commitment.
Applicants that request a Federal share greater than 80 percent
must clearly explain why the project is eligible for the proposed
Federal share.
e. Project Implementation Strategy
Projects will be evaluated based on the extent to which the project
is ready to implement within a reasonable period of time and whether
the applicant's proposed implementation plans are reasonable and
complete.
In assessing whether the project is ready to implement within a
reasonable period of time, FTA will consider whether the project
qualifies for a Categorical Exclusion, or whether the required
environmental work has been initiated or completed for projects that
require an Environmental Assessment or Environmental Impact Statement
under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. As such,
applicants should submit information describing the project's
anticipated path and timeline through the environmental review process.
The proposal must also state whether grant funds can be obligated
within 12 months from time of award, if selected, and the timeframe
under which the Metropolitan TIP and/or STIP can be amended to include
the proposed project. Additional consideration will be given to
projects for which grant funds can be obligated within 12 months from
time of award.
In assessing whether the proposed implementation plans are
reasonable and complete, FTA will review the proposed project
implementation plan, including all necessary project milestones and the
overall project timeline. For projects that will require formal
coordination, approvals, or permits from other agencies or project
partners, the applicant must demonstrate coordination with these
organizations and their support for the project, such as through
letters of support.
f. Technical, Legal, and Financial Capacity
Applicants must demonstrate that they have the technical, legal,
and financial capacity to undertake the project. FTA will review
relevant oversight assessments and records to determine whether there
are any outstanding legal, technical, or financial issues with the
applicant that would affect the outcome of the proposed project.
Applicants with outstanding legal, technical, or financial
compliance issues from an FTA compliance review or FTA grant-related
Single Audit finding must explain how corrective actions taken will
mitigate negative impacts on the project.
2. Review and Selection Process
FTA technical evaluation committees will evaluate proposals using
the project evaluation criteria. Members of the technical evaluation
committees and other FTA staff may request additional information from
applicants, if necessary. After consideration of the findings of the
technical evaluation committees, FTA will determine the final selection
of projects for program funding. In determining the allocation of
program funds, FTA may consider geographic diversity, diversity in the
size of the transit systems receiving funding, and the applicant's
receipt of other competitive awards. FTA will also consider whether the
project will include low or zero-emission ferries or ferries using
electric battery or fuel cell components and the infrastructure to
support such ferries. FTA may consider capping the amount a single
applicant may receive. After applying the above criteria, in support of
the President's January 20, 2021, Executive Order 13990, ``Protecting
Public Health and the Environment and Restoring Science to Tackle the
Climate Crisis,'' the FTA Administrator will give priority
consideration to applications that are expected to create significant
community benefits relating to the environment, including those
projects that incorporate low or no emission technology. FTA seeks to
select projects that have considered climate change and environmental
justice in the planning stage and were designed with specific elements
to address climate change impacts. Projects should directly support
Climate Action Plans or apply environmental justice screening tools in
the planning stage. As stated in this NOFO, of the $38 million, $4
million is available only for low or zero-emission ferries or ferries
using electric battery or fuel cell components and the infrastructure
to support such ferries. Projects should include components that reduce
emissions, promote energy efficiency, incorporate electrification or
zero emission vehicle infrastructure,
[[Page 43309]]
increase resiliency, and recycle or redevelop existing infrastructure.
Furthermore, in support of Executive Order 13985, ``Advancing
Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the
Federal Government,'' FTA may consider projects that advance racial
equity and overcomes barriers to opportunity for underserved
communities. FTA seeks to select projects that have considered racial
equity in the planning stage and were designed with specific elements
to address racial equity and barriers to opportunity. The applicant
should indicate which (if any) planning and policies related to racial
equity and barriers to opportunity they are implementing or have
implemented, along with the specific project investment details
necessary for FTA to evaluate if the investments are being made either
to proactively advance racial equity and remove barriers to
opportunity, or to redress prior inequities and barriers to
opportunity. All project investment costs for the project that are
related to racial equity and barriers to opportunity should be
summarized.
Prior to making an award, FTA is required to review and consider
any information about the applicant that is in the FAPIIS accessible
through SAM. An applicant may review and comment on information about
itself that a Federal awarding agency previously entered. FTA may
consider any comments by the applicant, in addition to the other
information in FAPIIS, in making a judgment about the applicant's
integrity, business ethics, and record of performance under Federal
awards when completing the review of risk posed by applicants as
described in the Office of Management and Budget's Uniform Requirements
for Federal Awards (2 CFR 200.206).
F. Federal Award Administration Information
1. Federal Award Notices
Final project selections will be posted on the FTA website. Only
proposals from eligible recipients for eligible activities will be
considered for funding. There is no minimum or maximum grant award
amount; however, FTA intends to fund as many meritorious projects as
possible. Due to funding limitations, projects that are selected for
funding may receive less than the amount originally requested. In those
cases, applicants must be able to demonstrate that the proposed
projects are still viable and can be completed with the amount awarded.
Recipients should contact their FTA Regional Offices for additional
information regarding allocations for projects under the Ferry Program.
2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
i. Pre-Award Authority
At the time the project selections are announced, FTA will extend
pre-award authority for the selected projects. There is no blanket pre-
award authority for these projects before announcement and pre-award
authority cannot be used prior to FTA issuance of pre-award authority.
FTA does not provide pre-award authority for competitive funds until
projects are selected and even then, there are Federal requirements
that must be met before costs are incurred. For more information about
FTA's policy on pre-award authority, please see the most recent
Apportionment Notice at <a href="https://www.transit.dot.gov">https://www.transit.dot.gov</a>.
ii. Grant Requirements
If selected, awardees will apply for a grant through FTA's Transit
Award Management System (TrAMS). All Ferry Program recipients are
subject to the grant requirements of the Urbanized Area Formula Grant
program (49 U.S.C. 5307), FTA's Master Agreement for financial
assistance awards, the annual Certifications and Assurances required of
applicants, and FTA Circular ``Urbanized Area Formula Program: Program
Guidance and Application Instructions'' (FTA.C.9030.1E). All recipients
must also follow the Award Management Requirements (FTA.C.5010.1) and
the labor protections required by Federal public transportation law (49
U.S.C. 5333(b)). All these documents are available on FTA's website.
Technical assistance regarding these requirements is available from
each FTA regional office.
iii. Buy America
FTA requires that all capital procurements meet FTA's Buy America
requirements (49 U.S.C. 5323(j)) which require all iron, steel, or
manufactured products be produced in the United States. Any proposal
that will require a waiver must identify the items for which a waiver
will be sought in the application. Applicants should not proceed with
the expectation that waivers will be granted.
iv. Disadvantaged Business Enterprise
Projects that include ferry acquisitions are subject to the
Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program regulations (49 CFR
part 26) and ferry manufacturers must comply with that part to be
eligible to bid on an FTA-assisted ferry procurement. Grant recipients
must verify each Transit Vehicle Manufacturer's (TVM) compliance before
accepting its bid. A list of certified TVMs is posted on FTA's web page
at <a href="https://www.transit.dot.gov/TVM">https://www.transit.dot.gov/TVM</a>. Recipients should contact FTA
before accepting bids from entities not listed on this web-posting. In
lieu of using a certified TVM, recipients may also establish project
specific DBE goals for ferry purchases. The FTA will provide additional
guidance as grants are awarded. For more information on DBE
requirements, please contact Monica McCallum, Director of Regional
Operations, Office of Civil Rights, 206-220-7519, email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#4d002223242e2c63002e0e2c212138200d292239632a223b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="64290b0a0d07054a290727050808110924000b104a030b12">[email protected]</span></a>.
v. Planning
FTA encourages applicants to notify the appropriate State
Departments of Transportation and MPOs in areas likely to be served by
the project funds made available under these initiatives and programs.
Selected projects must be incorporated into the long-range plans and
transportation improvement programs of States and metropolitan areas
before they are eligible for FTA funding. As described under the
evaluation criteria, FTA may consider whether a project is consistent
with or already included in these plans when evaluating a project.
vi. Standard Assurances
The applicant assures that it will comply with all applicable
Federal statutes, regulations, executive orders, directives, FTA
circulars, and other Federal administrative requirements in carrying
out any project supported by the FTA grant. The applicant acknowledges
that it is under a continuing obligation to comply with the terms and
conditions of the grant agreement issued for its project with FTA. The
applicant understands that Federal laws, regulations, policies, and
administrative practices might be modified from time to time and may
affect the implementation of the project. The applicant agrees that the
most recent Federal requirements will apply to the project, unless FTA
issues a written determination otherwise. The applicant must submit the
Certifications and Assurances before receiving a grant if it does not
have current certifications on file.
3. Reporting
Post-award reporting requirements include the electronic submission
of Federal Financial Reports and Milestone
[[Page 43310]]
Progress Reports. Applicant should include goals, targets, and
indicators referenced in their application to the project in the
Executive Summary of the TrAMS application. Recipients of funds made
available through this NOFO are also required to regularly submit data
to the National Transit Database. National Transit Database reports
include total sources of revenue and complete expenditure reports for
all public transportation operations, not just those funded by this
project. Applicants partnering with a private operator should ensure
that the private operator will meet all of the comprehensive reporting
requirements of the National Transit Database.
As part of completing the annual certifications and assurances
required of FTA grant recipients, a successful applicant must report on
the suspension or debarment status of itself and its principals. If the
award recipient's active grants, cooperative agreements, and
procurement contracts from all Federal awarding agencies exceeds
$10,000,000 for any period of time during the period of performance of
an award made pursuant to this Notice, the recipient must comply with
the Recipient Integrity and Performance Matters reporting requirements
described in Appendix XII to 2 CFR part 200.
G. Federal Awarding Agency Contacts
For further information concerning this notice, please contact the
Ferry Program manager, Vanessa Williams, by phone at 202-366-4818, or
by email at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#2f594e414a5c5c4e0158464343464e425c6f4b405b01484059"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="82f4e3ece7f1f1e3acf5ebeeeeebe3eff1c2e6edf6ace5edf4">[email protected]</span></a>. A TDD is available for
individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing at 800-877-8339. In
addition, FTA will post answers to questions and requests for
clarifications on FTA's website at: <a href="https://www.transit.dot.gov/funding/grants/passenger-ferry-grant-program-section-5307">https://www.transit.dot.gov/funding/grants/passenger-ferry-grant-program-section-5307</a>. To ensure
receipt of accurate information about eligibility or the program, the
applicant is encouraged to contact FTA directly, rather than through
intermediaries or third parties.
H. Other Information
This program is not subject to Executive Order 12372,
``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.'' FTA will consider
applications for funding only from eligible recipients for eligible
projects listed in Section C. Complete applications must be submitted
through GRANTS.GOV by 11:59 p.m. EST on October 5, 2021. For issues
with GRANTS.GOV, please contact GRANTS.GOV by phone at 1-800-518-4726
or by email at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#384b4d4848574a4c785f4a59564c4b165f574e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d1a2a4a1a1bea3a591b6a3b0bfa5a2ffb6bea7">[email protected]</span></a>. Contact information for FTA's
regional offices can be found on FTA's website at <a href="http://www.transit.dot.gov/">http://www.transit.dot.gov/</a>.
Nuria I. Fernandez,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2021-16790 Filed 8-5-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on August 6, 2021.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.