Agency Information Collection Activities: Approval of Information Collection

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Published

April 4, 2024

Issuing agencies

Transportation Department

Abstract

The proposed information collection request (ICR) renewal described below will be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA). The Department of Transportation (DOT) is soliciting public comments on this proposed collection renewal. The collection is necessary for administration of the Multimodal Project Discretionary Grants (MPDG). This includes three funding opportunities: the "National Infrastructure Project Assistance grants program (Mega)," the "Nationally Significant Multimodal Freight and Highways Projects grants program (INFRA)", and the "Rural Surface Transportation Grant program (Rural)". The MPDG provides Federal financial assistance for surface transportation infrastructure projects--including highway and bridge, intercity passenger rail, railway-highway grade and separation, wildlife crossing, public transportation, marine highway, and freight and multimodal projects, or groups of such projects, of national or regional significance, as well as to projects to improve and expand the surface transportation infrastructure in rural areas. The DOT on its own made additional changes to update time and estimated costs. Additionally, DOT removed the program evaluation stage (survey) and will submit that separately if conducted.

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<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 66 (Thursday, April 4, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 66 (Thursday, April 4, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23626-23628]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-07055]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Office of the Secretary

[Docket No. DOT-OST-2023-0063]

Agency Information Collection Activities: Approval of Information
Collection

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary (OST), DOT.

ACTION: 30-Day notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The proposed information collection request (ICR) renewal
described below will be submitted to the Office of Management and
Budget (OMB) for review and approval, as required by the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA). The Department of Transportation (DOT) is
soliciting public comments on this proposed collection renewal. The
collection is necessary for administration of the Multimodal Project
Discretionary Grants (MPDG). This includes three funding opportunities:
the ``National Infrastructure Project Assistance grants program
(Mega),'' the ``Nationally Significant Multimodal Freight and Highways
Projects grants program (INFRA)'', and the ``Rural Surface
Transportation Grant program (Rural)''. The MPDG provides Federal
financial assistance for surface transportation infrastructure
projects--including highway and bridge, intercity passenger rail,
railway-highway grade and separation, wildlife crossing, public
transportation, marine highway, and freight and multimodal projects, or
groups of such projects, of national or regional significance, as well
as to projects to improve and expand the surface transportation
infrastructure in rural areas. The DOT on its own made additional
changes to update time and estimated costs. Additionally, DOT removed
the program evaluation stage (survey) and will submit that separately
if conducted.

DATES: Written comments should be submitted by May 6, 2024.

ADDRESSES: To ensure that you do not duplicate your docket submissions,
please submit them by only one of the following means:
<bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">http://www.regulations.gov</a> and follow the online instructions for submitting
comments.
<bullet> Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE, West Building Ground Floor,
Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
<bullet> Hand Delivery: West Building Ground Floor, Room W-12-140,
1200 New Jersey Ave. SE, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through
Friday, except Federal holidays. The telephone number is 202-366-9329.
Instructions: To ensure proper docketing of your comment, please
include the agency name and docket number [DOT-OST-2023-0063] at the
beginning of your comments. All comments received will be posted
without change to <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">http://www.regulations.gov</a>, including any personal
information provided.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information regarding this
notice, please contact the Office of the Secretary via email at
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#b7fae7f3f0d0c5d6d9c3c4f7d3d8c399d0d8c1"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="4b061b0f0c2c392a253f380b2f243f652c243d">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>, or call Paul Baumer at (202) 366-1092. A TDD is
available for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing at 202-366-
3993.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: New Collection. OMB number will be issued
after the collection is approved.
Title: Multimodal Project Discretionary Grant (MPDG).
Form Numbers: None.
Type of Review: New Information Collection Request (ICR).
Background: The Office of the Secretary (``OST'') within the
Department of Transportation (DOT) provides financial assistance for
surface transportation infrastructure projects--including to highway
and bridge, intercity passenger rail, railway-highway grade and
separation, wildlife crossing, public transportation, marine highway,
and freight and multimodal projects, or groups of such projects, of
national or regional significance, as well as to projects to improve
and expand the surface transportation infrastructure in rural areas.
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Pub. L. 117-58, November 15,
2021) (Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, or BIL) provided funds to the
Department across three programs to invest in projects of national or
regional significance--the National Infrastructure Project Assistance
grants program, found under 49 U.S.C. 6701 (``Mega''), the Nationally
Significant Multimodal Freight and Highways Projects grants program,
found at 23 U.S.C. 117 (Infrastructure for Rebuilding America or
``INFRA''), and the Rural Surface Transportation Grant program, found
at 23 U.S.C. 173 (``Rural''). To help streamline the process for
applicants, the Department has combined the applications for the Mega,
INFRA, and Rural programs into the MPDG common application.
The Nationally Significant Multimodal Freight and Highways Projects
grants program (``INFRA'') (23 U.S.C. 117) was established in the
Fixing American's Surface Transportation Act of 2015 (``FAST ACT''),
Public Law 114-94 Sec. 1105, and continued in the Infrastructure
Investment and Jobs Act, Public Law 117-58 (2021). OST is referring to
these grants as ``FASTLANE'' or ``INFRA'' Discretionary Grants,
depending on the year of award.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law established two new programs
along with the reauthorization of INFRA. The Mega Program, known
statutorily as the National Infrastructure Project Assistance program
(49 U.S.C. 6701), will support large, complex projects that are
difficult to fund by other means and likely to generate national or
regional economic, mobility, or safety benefits. The Rural Surface
Transportation Grant Program (23 U.S.C. 173) will support projects to
improve and expand the surface transportation infrastructure in rural
areas to increase connectivity, improve the safety and reliability of
the movement of people and freight, and generate regional economic
growth and improve quality of life.
The DOT combined these three programs into single Notice of Funding
Opportunity (NOFO) to provide a more efficient application process for
project sponsors. While they remain separate

[[Page 23627]]

programs for the purposes of award, the programs share many common
characteristics. Because of these shared characteristics, it is
possible for many projects to be eligible and considered for multiple
programs using a single application.
This notice seeks comments on the proposed information collection,
which will collect information necessary to support the ongoing
oversight and administration of previous awards, the evaluation and
selection of new applications, and the funding agreement negotiation
stage for new awards.
The reporting requirements for the program is as follows:
To be considered to receive a MPDG grant, a project sponsor must
submit an application to DOT containing a project narrative, as
detailed in the NOFO. The project narrative should include the
information necessary for the Department to determine that the project
satisfies eligibility requirements as warranted by law.
Following the announcement of a funding award, the recipient and
DOT will negotiate and sign a funding agreement. In the agreement, the
recipient must describe the project that DOT agreed to fund, which is
the project that was described in the MPDG application or a reduced-
scope version of that project. The agreement also includes project
schedule milestones, a budget, and project-related climate change and
equity planning and policies.
During the project monitoring stage, grantees will submit reports
on the financial condition of the project and the project's progress.
Grantees will submit progress and monitoring reports to the Government
on a quarterly basis until completion of the project. The progress
reports will include an SF-425, Federal Financial Report, and other
information determined by the administering DOT Operating
Administration. This information will be used to monitor grantees' use
of Federal funds, ensuring accountability and financial transparency in
the MPDG programs.
For the purposes of estimating the information collection burden
below for new applicants and awardees, the Department is assuming that
for each year 2023-2025, the Department will review approximately 500
applications in Year 1, negotiate 45 funding agreements in Year 2, and
begin quarterly project monitoring for 45 projects in Year 3. For a new
applicant in 2023, their burden will be 100 hours in 2023, 6 hours in
2024, and 20 hours in 2025. See Table 1 below:

Table 1
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year 1 (2023) Year 2 (2024) Year 3 (2025)
Respondent ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Total
Hours Frequency Hours Frequency Hours Frequency
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2023 Applicant (500)........ 100 1 .......... .......... .......... .......... 50,000
2023 Awardee (45)........... .......... .......... 6 1 .......... .......... 270
2023 Recipient (45)......... .......... .......... .......... .......... 5 4 900
2024 Applicant (500)........ .......... .......... 100 1 .......... .......... 50,000
2024 Awardee (45)........... .......... .......... .......... .......... 6 1 270
2024 Recipient (45)......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........
2025 Applicant (500)........ .......... .......... .......... .......... 100 1 50,000
2025 Awardee (45)........... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........
2025 Recipient (45)......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ..........
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This Notice is separately estimating the information collection
burden for projects awarded from 2016-2022. Approximately 60 of these
projects are in the project monitoring phase in Year 1, while 47
projects are still negotiating funding agreements. In Year 2,
approximately 30 of these projects will begin project monitoring, while
approximately 20 projects will cease reporting once their projects are
completed. In Year 3, 10 projects will begin project monitoring while
20 projects will cease reporting. The individual burden for a project
awarded from 2016-2021 will depend on when they were selected, when
they completed negotiation of their funding agreement, and when their
project reaches completion. See Table 2 below:

Table 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year 1 Year 2 Year 3
Respondent ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Total
Number Hrs Freq Number Hrs Freq Number Hrs Freq
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2016-2022 Awardee.......................................... 47 4 1 10 4 1 0 4 1 200
2016-2022 Recipient........................................ 70 5 4 77 5 4 64 5 4 3,800
2016-2022 Project Closed................................... 0 0 0 20 0 0 43 0 0 .......
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The Department's estimated burden for this information collection
is the following:
For New Applications:
Expected Number of Respondents: Approximately 500 per year.
Frequency: Once.
Estimated Average Burden per Response: 100 hours for each new
Application.
For Funding Agreements:
Expected Number of Respondents: Approximately 45 in Year 1, 2 and
3.
Frequency: Once.
Estimated Average Burden per Response: 6 hours for each new Funding
Agreement.
For Project Monitoring:
Expected Number of Respondents: Approximately 47 in Year 1, 93 in
Year 2, 130 in Year 3.
Frequency: Quarterly.
Estimated Average Burden per Response: 5 hours for each request for
Quarterly Progress and Monitoring Report.
Estimated Total 3-Year Burden on Respondents: 79,700 hours. (New

[[Page 23628]]

Applicants [75,000 hrs], New Awardees/Recipients [700 hrs] + Prior
Awardees/Recipients [4000 hrs]).
The following is detailed information and instructions regarding
the specific reporting requirements for each report identified above:

Application Stage

To be considered to receive a MPDG grant, a project sponsor must
submit an application to DOT containing a project narrative, as
detailed in the NOFO. The project narrative should include the
information necessary for the Department to determine that the project
satisfies eligibility requirements.
Applications must be submitted through <a href="http://www.Grants.gov">www.Grants.gov</a>. Instructions
for submitting applications can be found at <a href="https://www.transportation.gov/grants/mpdg-how-apply">https://www.transportation.gov/grants/mpdg-how-apply</a>. The application must
include the Standard Form 424 (Application for Federal Assistance),
Standard Form 424C (Budget Information for Construction Programs),
cover page, and the Project Narrative.
The application should include a table of contents, maps, and
graphics, as appropriate, to make the information easier to review. The
Department recommends that the application be prepared with standard
formatting preferences (i.e., a single-spaced document, using a
standard 12-point font such as Times New Roman, with 1-inch margins).
The project narrative may not exceed 25 pages in length, excluding
cover pages and table of contents. The only substantive portions that
may exceed the 25-page limit are documents supporting assertions or
conclusions made in the 25-page project narrative. If possible, website
links to supporting documentation should be provided rather than copies
of these supporting materials. If supporting documents are submitted,
applicants should clearly identify within the project narrative the
relevant portion of the project narrative that each supporting document
supports. At the applicant's discretion, relevant materials provided
previously to a modal administration in support of a different USDOT
financial assistance program may be referenced and described as
unchanged.
OST estimates that it takes approximately 100 person-hours to
compile an application package for a MPDG application. Since OST
expects to receive 500 applications per funding round, the total hours
required are estimated to be 50,00 hours (100 hours x 500 applications
= 50,000 hours) on a one-time basis, per funding round.

Funding Agreement Stage

DOT enters a funding agreement with each recipient. In the
agreement, the recipient describes the project that DOT agreed to fund,
which is typically the project that was described in the MPDG
application or a reduced-scope version of that project. The agreement
also includes a project schedule, budget, and project related climate
change and equity planning and policies.
OST estimates that it takes approximately 6 person-hours to respond
to provide the information necessary for funding agreements. Based on
previous rounds of MPDG awards, OST estimates that there will likely be
45 agreements negotiated per additional funding round. The total hours
required are estimated to be 270 (6 hours x 45 agreements = 270 hours)
on a one-time basis, per funding round.

Project Monitoring Stage

OST requires each recipient to submit quarterly reports during the
project to ensure the proper and timely expenditure of Federal funds
under the grant.
The requirements comply with 2 CFR part 200 and are restated in the
funding agreement. During the project monitoring stage, the grantee
will complete Quarterly Progress Reports to allow DOT to monitor the
project budget and schedule.
OST estimates that it takes approximately 5 person-hours to develop
and submit a quarterly progress report. OST expects approximately 45
projects to be awarded per funding round, while grants awarded in prior
years will reach completion during the year and would no longer need to
submit these reports. OST expects recipients and awardees from 2016-
2021 will require 3800 hours to submit project monitoring reports while
new recipients and awardees will require 900 hours from 2023-2025.
Authority: The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995; 44 U.S.C. Chapter
35, as amended; and 49 CFR 1.48.

John Augustine,
Director of the Office of Infrastructure Finance and Innovation, Office
of the Under Secretary for Transportation Policy.
[FR Doc. 2024-07055 Filed 4-3-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-9X-P

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