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Assistance Listings
Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail

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Note: This Assistance Listing was not updated by the issuing agency in 2025. Please contact the issuing agency listed under "Contact Information" for more information.

Assistance Listing

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

The Federal-State Partnership for State of Good Repair Grant Program (Partnership Program) will support capital projects that repair, replace, or rehabilitate qualified railroad assets to reduce the state of good repair backlog and improve intercity passenger rail performance. Eligible applications may involve railroad infrastructure, equipment, or facility assets such as track, ballast, switches and interlockings, bridges, communication and signal systems, power systems, highway-rail grade crossings, stations, passenger cars, locomotives, maintenance-of-way equipment, and yards, terminal areas, and maintenance shops.

Authorizations

Sections 11103 and 11302 of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act) (2015), Public Law 114-94, 49 US Code 24911

Infrastructure and Investment Jobs Act, Public Law 117-58

Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017, Div. K, Tit. I, Public Law 115-31

Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018, Div. L, Tit. I, Public Law 115-141

Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2019, Div. G, Tit. I, Public Law 116-6

Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020, Div. H, Tit. I, Public Law 116-94

Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, Div. L, Tit. I, Public Law 116-260

Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022, Div. L, Tit. I, Public Law 117-103

Financial Information

These funding amounts do not reflect the award amounts that are displayed on USASpending.gov
Obligation(s)FY 23FY 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, State

Profit 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

Transportation

Capital 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

The following 2CFR policy requirements apply to this assistance listing:

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

The following 2CFR policy requirements are excluded from coverage under this assistance listing:

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

Refer to the link below for 2 CFR Subpart F Audit Requirements.
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

Statutory formula is not applicable to this assistance listing.
Matching Requirements: Percent: 20 The Federal share of total project costs under this section shall not exceed 80 percent.

Matching requirements are voluntary.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.

Contact Information

Regional or Local Locations:

None.

Headquarters Office:

Mariam Ouhamou
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
Website: https://railroads.dot.gov/

History