Federal Transportation Grants

Pursuant to the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2024, Pub. L. 118-42, the Federal Railroad Administration is to make available to Amtrak $758,036,398 to cover Operating, Capital, and Debt Service which will be used until December 31, 2026, or until expended. In order to receive these funds, Amtrak must complete the grant application and submit the following items electronically: (a) Application for Federal Assistance SF-424; (b) Statement of Work, (c) A description of the projected operating and capital costs for the upcoming fiscal year for Northeast Corridor activities, including train services and infrastructure, and National Network activities, including State-supported routes and long-distance routes, in comparison to prior fiscal year actual financial performance; (d) A description of the capital projects to be funded, with cost estimates and an estimated timetable for completion of the projects covered by the request; (e) a description of the status of efforts to improve Amtraks safety culture; (f) SF-424B Assurances Non-Construction Programs; (g) SF- 424D Assurances Construction Programs; and (h) Signed copies of the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Railroad Administration Assurances and Certification forms (http://www.fra.dot.gov/downloads/admin/assurancesandcertifications.pdf).

This funding opportunity provides up to $800 million to local governments and other eligible entities for using low-carbon construction materials in federally funded transportation projects, promoting sustainability and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

This notice details the application requirements and procedures to obtain grant funding for projects on the Northeast Corridor (NEC) under the Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Program for Fiscal Year 2024. The program aims to reduce the State of Good Repair backlog, improve performance, or expand or establish new intercity passenger rail service. Eligible applicants include states, groups of states, interstate compacts, public agencies, political subdivisions, Amtrak, federally recognized Indian tribes, and combinations of these entities. The total funding available is $2,034,420,932, and applications are due by July 15, 2024. The projects must be listed in the 2024 Northeast Corridor Project Inventory and comply with the selection and evaluation criteria outlined in the notice.

The Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008 (PRIIA) Section 212 requires establishment of a Northeast Corridor Commission (NEC Commission). The NEC Commission was established to promote mutual cooperation and planning pertaining to the rail operations and related activities of the Northeast Corridor. The statute requires several deliverables, including a statement of goals, recommendations, access costs and a report on Northeast Corridor economic development. The NEC Commission is comprised of 18 voting members, nine of which represent each of the eight states and the District of Columbia five of, which represent the U.S. Department of Transportation, and four of which represent Amtrak.

This program provides funding to eligible public transit agencies in designated urban areas to improve security and resilience against terrorism and other threats through various protective measures and enhancements.

The purpose of the R Program is to provide grants for Initiating, Restoring, or Enhancing Intercity Rail Passenger Transportation operations.

Pursuant to the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2024, Pub. L.118-42, the Federal Railroad Administration is to make available to Amtrak $582,742,520 to cover Capital and Debt Service which will be used until December 31, 2026, or until expended. In order to receive these funds, Amtrak must complete the grant application and submit the following items electronically: (a) Application for Federal Assistance SF-424; (b) Statement of Work; (c) A description of the projected operating and capital costs for the upcoming fiscal year for Northeast Corridor activities, including train services and infrastructure, and National Network activities, including State-supported routes and long-distance routes, in comparison to prior fiscal year actual financial performance; (d) A description of the capital projects to be funded, with cost estimates and an estimated timetable for completion of the projects covered by the request; (e) a description of the status of efforts to improve Amtraks safety culture; (f) SF-424B Assurances Non-Construction Program (g) SF-424D Assurances Construction Programs; and (h) Signed copies of the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Railroad Administration Assurances and Certification forms (http://www.fra.dot.gov/downloads/admin/assurancesandcertifications.pdf).

This grant provides funding to state and local governments, tribal governments, educational institutions, and nonprofit organizations to improve safety and reduce accidents involving large trucks and buses through various initiatives.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations and educational institutions for managing travel, logistics, and training services that strengthen criminal justice systems and promote the rule of law in Africa and the Middle East.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announces the opportunity to apply for $216 million in competitive grants under the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Ferry Service for Rural Communities Program (FSRC) (Federal Assistance Listing #20.532). FSRC makes funding available competitively to assist in the financing of capital, planning, and operating assistance for eligible ferry services. This is a joint Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) and announces the availability of FY 2024 funding for the Passenger Ferry Grant Program (Passenger Ferry Program), Electric or Low-Emitting Ferry Pilot Program (LowNo Ferry Program), and Ferry Service for Rural Communities Program (Rural Ferry Program). All programs can be found under Federal Assistance Listing: 20.532. Federal public transportation law (49 U.S.C. 5307(h)) authorizes FTA to award grants for passenger ferries through a competitive process. The Passenger 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. Section 71102 of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (also called the ‘‘Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’’ or ‘‘BIL’’) (Pub. L. 117–58) authorizes FTA to award grants for electric or lowemitting ferries through a competitive process, as described in this notice. The Low-No Ferry Program is available to any eligible designated or direct recipient of FTA’s Urbanized Area Formula Program or Formula Grants for Rural Areas funding, including States (including territories and Washington, DC), local governmental authorities, and tribal governments. Grants will be awarded under this program for the purchase of electric or low-emitting ferries, the electrification of or other reduction of emissions from existing ferries, and related charging or other fueling infrastructure (for which the applicants will maintain satisfactory continuing control) to reduce emissions or produce zero onboard emissions under normal operation. Section 71103 of the BIL authorizes FTA to award grants for the Rural Ferry Program through a competitive process, as described in this notice. The Rural Ferry Program provides funding for capital, operating, and planning expenses to States and territories for ferry service to rural areas. Applicants to this program are required to have operated ferry public transportation service on a regular schedule at any time during the five-year period from March 1, 2015, to March 1, 2020, and operated at least one route segment of more than 50 sailing (nautical) miles between two rural areas. The Department seeks to fund projects that advance the Departmental priorities of safety, equity, climate and sustainability, workforce development, job quality, and wealth creation as described in the USDOT Strategic Plan, Research, Development and Technology Strategic Plan, and in executive orders.1

This funding opportunity provides $8 million to support a four-year project that will enhance the U.S. shipbuilding workforce through international training partnerships, focusing on critical trades and promoting fair labor standards.

This grant provides funding to the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority for the design and construction of a new passenger rail station in Ettrick, Virginia, to improve rail infrastructure and accommodate increasing ridership.

The Pilot Program for TOD Planning helps support FTAs mission of improving public transportation for Americas communities by providing funding to local communities to integrate land use and transportation planning around a new fixed guideway or core capacity improvement project. Per statute, any comprehensive or site-specific planning funded through the program must examine ways to improve economic development and ridership, foster multimodal connectivity and accessibility, improve transit access for pedestrian and bicycle traffic, engage the private sector, identify infrastructure needs, and enable mixed-use development near transit stations.

This program funds projects that improve the safety, efficiency, and reliability of intercity passenger and freight rail. The Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program is authorized under 49 U.S.C. 22907. The purpose of the CRISI Program is to invest in a wide range of projects within the United States to improve railroad safety, efficiency, and reliability; mitigate congestion at both intercity passenger rail and freight rail chokepoints to support more efficient travel and goods movement; enhance multi-modal connections; and lead to new or substantially improved Intercity Passenger Rail Transportation corridors. This program invests in railroad infrastructure projects that improve safety, support economic vitality (including through opportunities for small businesses), create good-paying jobs with the free and fair choice to join a union, increase capacity and supply chain resilience, apply innovative technology, and explicitly address climate change, gender equity and racial equity. The purpose of this notice is to solicit applications for the competitive CRISI Program provided in Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, division L, title I, Public Law 117–328 (2023 Appropriation), Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024, division F, title I, Public Law 118–42 (2024 Appropriation) and the 2023 and 2024 advance appropriation in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, division J, title II, Public Law 117–58 (2021).

This funding opportunity is designed for non-U.S.-based research entities to develop innovative AI technologies that improve maritime security through enhanced scene perception for unmanned vessels in complex marine environments.

This funding provides Amtrak with financial support to improve and modernize its train services and infrastructure across the Northeast Corridor and the National Network.

This grant provides funding for small businesses to develop artificial intelligence solutions that improve the integration and data sharing between military systems, enhancing operational efficiency in tactical environments.

The Small Community Program was established by the Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century (Pub. L. No. 106-181), reauthorized by the Vision 100-Century of Aviation Reauthorization Act (Pub. L. No. 108-176), and subsequently reauthorized by the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (Pub. L. No. 112-95) as amended, the Disaster Tax Relief and Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2017 (Pub. L. No. 115-63), the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (Pub. L. No. 115-254) (FAA 2018), and the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, Pub L. No. 118-63, May 16, 2024 (FAA 2024). The program is codified at 49 U.S.C. 41743. The program is designed to provide financial assistance to small communities to help them enhance their air service. The Department seeks to fund projects that advance the Departmental priorities of safety, equity, climate and sustainability, and workforce development, job quality, and wealth creation as described in the USDOT Strategic Plan, Research, Development and Technology Strategic Plan, and in executive orders.[1] The Department provides this assistance in the form of grants that are disbursed on a reimbursable basis. The Small Community Program is authorized to receive appropriations under 49 U.S.C. 41743(e)(2). Appropriations are provided for this program for award selection in FY 2023 pursuant to the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (Pub. L. No. 117-328).[2] B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION No more than four communities or consortia of communities, or a combination thereof, from the same State may be selected to participate in the program in any fiscal year. No more than 40 communities or consortia of communities, or a combination thereof, may be selected to participate in the program in each year for which the funds are appropriated. Applications for renewal or supplementation of existing projects are not eligible to compete. Pursuant to the authorities described above, the Department will make up to $12 million available for FY 2023 grant awards to carry out this program. There is no minimum or maximum individual award amount, and the amounts awarded will vary depending upon the features and merits of the selected applications. In past years, the Departments individual grant sizes have ranged from $20,000 to nearly $1.6 million. Funding amounts made available for reimbursement may be impacted by future limitations placed on the spending authority and appropriations enacted for the Department. The Department may, at its discretion, issue partial funding awards up to the level authorized and provided that the above conditions are met. Additional information on the budget process may be found in OMB A-11: https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/information-for-agencies/circulars/. Finally, as more fully discussed in Section E.1.a below, the Department intends to award FY 2023 grants for durations of three years to complete studies, four years for marketing and promotion (including advertising and public relations) of the airport, community, carrier, or destination, and five years for projects that target a revenue guarantee, subsidy, or other financial incentives. .

This funding opportunity is designed for small businesses to develop AI technologies that improve the operation and safety of large ground combat vehicles, enhancing driver awareness and vehicle maneuverability in challenging environments.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to state authorities for developing and improving programs that prevent damage to underground pipelines during excavation activities.