Assistance Listings Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail
Overview
Objectives
To fund capital projects that repair, replace, or rehabilitate publicly-owned or controlled railroad assets and improve intercity passenger rail performance.
Examples of Funded Projects
Fiscal Year 2024: An on-going project initiated in FY 2019 continued with improvement of state of good repairs by performing rehabilitation and mitigation of qualified railroad assets to reduce the state of good repair backlog and improve intercity passenger rail performance.
Fiscal Year 2025: An on-going project initiated in FY 2022-2023 continued conducting right-of-way (ROW) acquisition, final design and construction activities for various track, station, signal, communication improvements and equipment.
Assistance Listing Description
Financial Information
Obligation(s) | FY 23 | FY 24 (est.) | FY 25 (est.) |
---|---|---|---|
Project Grants Total | $254,192,339 | $6,119,448,823 | $9,542,000,000 |
Grants within these programs ranged from $100,000 to $2,346,861,343 with an average of $75,876,681. | $254,192,339 | $6,119,448,823 | $9,542,000,000 |
Totals | $254,192,339 | $6,119,448,823 | $9,542,000,000 |
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Grants within these programs ranged from $100,000 to $2,346,861,343 with an average of $75,876,681.
Accomplishments
Fiscal Year 2024: In FY 2024, FRA announced the FY 2022-2023 award selections of grant projects not located on the Northeast Corridor (NEC). The awards, funded through the FSP Program supports projects that improve safety, economic strength and global competitiveness, equity, climate and sustainability, and transformation, consistent with the U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) strategic goals. FRA published an FY 2024 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) making FY 2024 funds available.
Fiscal Year 2025: FRA anticipates announcing project selections under the FY 2024 FSP-National NOFO.
Account Identification
69-2810-0-1-401
Criteria for Applying
Types of Assistance
B - Project Grants
Credentials and Documentation
SF424 (Application for Federal Assistance); SF 424A - Budget Information for Non-Construction or SF 424C Budget Information for Construction; SF 424B – Assurances for Non-Construction or SF 424D – Assurances for Construction; and FRA’s Additional Assurances and Certifications. Other documents may be required as pre-requisites to funding based on program type; documentation demonstrating applicant eligibility (for applicants other than States); National Environmental Policy Act documentation for construction projects and service development programs; program-specific Assurances and Certifications; planning and engineering documentation. 2 CFR 200, Subpart E - Cost Principles applies to this program. 2 CFR 200, Subpart E - Cost Principles applies to this program.
Applicant Eligibility
Designations
Interstate, Profit organization, State(A) a State (including the District of Columbia); (B) a group of States; (C) an Interstate Compact; (D) a public agency or publicly chartered authority established by 1 or more States; (E) a political subdivision of a State; (F) Amtrak, acting on its own behalf or under a cooperative agreement with 1 or more States; or (G) any combination of the entities described in (A) through (F).
Beneficiary Eligibility
Designations
Profit organization, Interstate, StateProfit organization, Interstate, State, Local (A) a State (including the District of Columbia); (B) a group of States; (C) an Interstate Compact; (D) a public agency or publicly chartered authority established by 1 or more States; (E) a political subdivision of a State; (F) Amtrak, acting on its own behalf or under a cooperative agreement with 1 or more States; or (G) any combination of the entities described in subparagraphs (A) through (F).
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
No restriction on period of time the assistance normally is available. Assistance is awarded upon request for reimbursement Method of awarding/releasing assistance: Funding is obligated through cooperative agreements or grants, and outlays occur as reimbursement. Funding will only be obligated and disbursed as milestones are achieved.
Use of Assistance
Designations
TransportationCapital projects to replace or rehabilitate qualified railroad assets, including— (1) capital projects to replace existing assets in-kind; (2) capital projects to replace existing assets with assets that increase capacity or provide a higher level of service; (3) capital projects to ensure that service can be maintained while existing assets are brought to a state of good repair; and (4) capital projects to bring existing assets into a state of good repair. FY 2017, FY 18, FY 19 and FY20through FY 2022 Restrictions: 1% takedown. Qualified Railroad Assets in the Partnership Program under 49 U.S.C. 24911(a)(5) include infrastructure, equipment, or facilities that are: 1. Owned or controlled by an eligible applicant; 2. Contained in the planning document developed under 49 U.S.C. § 24904 and for which a cost-allocation policy has been developed under 49 U.S.C. § 24905(c), or is contained in an equivalent planning document and for which a similar cost allocation policy has been developed.FY 17, FY 18, FY 19 and FY20 Restrictions: 1% takedown. Qualified Railroad Assets in the Partnership Program under 49 U.S.C. 24911(a)(5) include infrastructure, equipment, or facilities that are: 1. Owned or controlled by an eligible applicant; 2. Contained in the planning document developed under 49 U.S.C. § 24904 and for which a cost-allocation policy has been developed under 49 U.S.C. § 24905(c), or is contained in an equivalent planning document and for which a similar cost allocation policy has been developed. (FRA interpreted this language in the NOFO to require that the asset be contained in the Northeast Corridor (NEC) Commission’s Capital Investment Plan, or for non-NEC projects, the relevant State Rail Plan(s), and subject to the NEC Commuter and Intercity Rail Cost Allocation Policy (PRIIA 212) or State-Supported intercity passenger rail cost-sharing methodology (PRIIA 209), or a similar cost-sharing agreement to PRIIA 209 for the project.), 3. Not in a state-of-good repair as of the passage of the FAST Act in December 2015. Capital projects may include final design; however, final design costs are only be eligible in conjunction with an award for project construction and acquisition. Environmental and related clearances, including all work necessary for FRA to approve the project under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and related statutes and regulations are not eligible for funding. Amtrak and public authorities providing commuter passenger transportation at the grant project location must comply with the cost allocation policy required in 49 U.S.C. § 24905(c)(2).
Applying for Assistance
Deadlines
Contact the headquarters or regional location, as appropriate for application deadlines
Preapplication Coordination
Preapplication coordination is required. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. 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 Procedures
2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFO) for this listing will be posted on Grants.gov (opens in new window) (opens in new window). An initial review of the applicant, project application and eligibility. The required documents for an application package are: Project Narrative, Statement of Work, Benefit-Cost Analysis, Environmental Compliance Documentation, SF424 – Application for Federal Assistance, SF 424C – Budget Information for Construction, or, for an equipment procurement project without any construction costs, or SF 424A – Budget Information for Non-Construction, SF 424D – Assurances for Construction, or, for an equipment procurement project without any construction costs, or SF 424B – Assurances for Non-Construction, and FRA’s Additional Assurances and Certifications. Application is then reviewed and rated against the key criteria set forth in the NOFO.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Applications proceed through a three-part application review process, as follows: • Screening applications for completeness and eligibility; • Evaluating the technical merit and benefits of eligible applications; and • Selecting projects for funding FRA will give preference to projects for which: • Amtrak is not the sole applicant; • Applications were submitted jointly by multiple applicants; • Proposed Federal share of total project costs does not exceed 50 percent; After applying the above preferences, FRA will take in account the key Departmental priorities; ) the cost-benefit analysis of the proposed project; the applicant’s past performance in developing and delivering similar projects, and previous financial contributions; whether the applicant has, or will have—the legal, financial, and technical capacity to carry out the project; satisfactory continuing control over the use of the equipment or facilities; and the capability and willingness to maintain the equipment or facilities; and if applicable, the consistency of the project with planning guidance and documents set forth by the Secretary or required by law.
Award Procedure
Applications selected for funding will be announced in a press release and on FRA's website after the application review period. FRA will contact applicants with successful applications after announcement with information and instructions about the award process. This notification is not an authorization to begin proposed project activities. A formal grant agreement or cooperative agreement signed by both the grantee and the FRA, including an approved scope, schedule, and budget, is required before the award is considered complete.
Date Range for Approval/Disapproval
FRA is committed to responding to applicants in a reasonable and timely manner. Response times will vary based on size, scope, complexity and volume of applications.
Renewals
Not Applicable.
Appeals
Not Applicable.
Compliance Requirements
Policy Requirements
Subpart B, General provisions
Subpart C, Pre-Federal Award Requirements and Contents of Federal Awards
Subpart D, Post Federal; Award Requirements
Subpart E, Cost Principles
Subpart F, Audit Requirements
Not Applicable
Additional Information:
Reports
Program 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 and; Final report giving details of the results and benefits of the Grantee's improvement efforts. Cash Reports: SF-270 Request for Advance or Reimbursement Progress Reports: Quarterly progress reports. Expenditure Reports: Quarterly financial status reports using SF-425 Federal Financial Report Performance Reports: Grant recipients will be monitored periodically by FRA to ensure that the project goals, objectives, performance requirements, timelines, milestones, budgets, and other related program criteria are being met. Monitoring may include onsite visits or detailed, interactive desk reviews. In addition, grantees are provided with intensive technical assistance from grants staff on a daily basis. Each applicant selected for funding must collect information and report on the project's performance using measures mutually agreed upon by FRA and the grantee to assess progress in achieving strategic goals and objectives.
Audits
https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-F
Additional audit requirements:
No additional requirements.
Records
During the course of its activities under a grant agreement and for three years thereafter, the applicant must agree to retain intact and to provide any data, documents, reports, records, contracts, and supporting materials relating to its performance under the agreement as FRA may require. Reporting and record-keeping requirements are set forth in 2 CFR Part 200 for private non-profit and for-profit Grantees. Closeout does not alter these requirements.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
Recipients of funds must comply with all applicable requirements of Federal law, including, without limitation, the Constitution of the United States; the conditions of performance, nondiscrimination requirements, and other assurances made applicable to the award of funds in accordance with regulations of the Department of Transportation; and applicable Federal financial assistance and contracting principles promulgated by the Office of Management and Budget. In complying with these requirements, recipients, in particular, must ensure that no concession agreements are denied or other contracting decisions made on the basis of speech or other activities protected by the First Amendment. If the Department determines that a recipient has failed to comply with applicable Federal requirements, the Department may terminate the award of funds and disallow previously incurred costs, requiring the recipient to reimburse any expended award funds. Examples of administrative and national policy requirements include: 2 CFR Part 200; procurement standards; compliance with Federal civil rights laws and regulations; requirements for disadvantaged business enterprises, debarment and suspension requirements, and drug-free workplace requirements; FRA’s and OMB’s Assurances and Certifications; Americans with Disabilities Act; safety requirements; NEPA; environmental justice requirements; performance measures under 49 U.S.C. 22907(f); grant conditions under 49 U.S.C. 22905, including the Buy America requirements, the provision deeming operators rail carriers for certain purposes and grantee agreements with railroad right-of-way owners for projects using railroad right-of way. See an example of standard terms and conditions for FRA grant awards at https://www.fra.dot.gov/eLib/Details/L19057.
Formula and Matching Requirements
Matching requirements are voluntary.
Contact Information
Regional or Local Locations:
None.Headquarters Office:
Acting Chief, Grant & Loan Program Development Division, Office of Rail Program Development 1200 New Jersey Ave SE,
Washington, DC 20590
mariam.ouhamou@dot.gov
(202) 493-6437