Restoration and Enhancement

 

This program provides operating assistance grants for initiating, restoring, or enhancing intercity rail passenger transportation. This may include establishing a new service, restoring previously operated service, or enhancements to current service, such as: additional frequencies, service extensions and offering new on-board services.

Active 20.324 Federal Railroad Administration, Department of Transportation B - Project Grants Fiscal Year 2017 One application was received requesting FY 17 funds and it is anticipated that one award will be made.
Fiscal Year 2019 The selection of one project totaling $4.4 million in FY 2017 funding was announced.
Fiscal Year 2020 In May 2020, FRA announced the selection of 3 FY 2018-2020 Restoration and Enhancements projects ($22.4 million) for intercity passenger rail service across 8 states.
Fiscal Year 2021 FRA is working to obligate the four projects selected under this program in previous fiscal years.
Fiscal Year 2022 In FY 2022, FRA obligated the first grant under the program. The project will add a ninth weekday round-trip train New Haven and Hartford, CT and add customer service support at Hartford Union Station. FRA will continue to obligate grants selected from previous year funding, including FYs 2017 through 2020.
Fiscal Year 2023 FRA does not anticipate any activity in this program in FY 2023.
Fiscal Year 2024 In FY 2024, FRA anticipates publishing a NOFO to solicit projects for funding appropriated in FY 2021 and FY 2022. FRA will continue to obligate grants selected from previous year funding, including FYs 2017 through 2020. Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act, Public Law 114-94 (2015), 49 US Code 22908
Infrastructure and Investment Jobs Act, Public Law 117-58, 49 US Code 22908
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 Interstate, State (includes District of Columbia), Local, Profit organization, State (1) a State, including the District of Columbia; (2) a group of States; (3) an Interstate Compact; (4) a public agency or publicly chartered authority established by 1 or more States; (5) a political subdivision of a State; (6) Amtrak or another rail carrier that provides intercity rail passenger transportation; (7) Any rail carrier in partnership with at least 1 of the entities described in (1) through (5); and (8) any combination of the entities described in paragraphs (1) through (7). Interstate, State Profit organization, State, Local, Public nonprofit institution/organization (1) a State, including the District of Columbia; (2) a group of States; (3) an Interstate Compact; (4) a public agency or publicly chartered authority established by 1 or more States; (5) a political subdivision of a State; (6) Amtrak or another rail carrier that provides intercity rail passenger transportation; (7) Any rail carrier in partnership with at least 1 of the entities described in paragraphs (1) through (5); and (8) any combination of the entities described in (1) through (7). 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. Preapplication coordination is required. 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. 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. Required documents for an application package are a Project Narrative, Statement of Work, SF424 - Application for Federal Assistance, SF 424A - Budget Information for Non-Construction, SF 424B - Assurances for Non-Construction, and FRA's Additional Assurances and Certifications. Additionally, an applicant for a grant shall submit: (1) A capital and mobilization plan that--(A) describes any capital investments, service planning actions (such as environmental reviews), and mobilization actions (such as qualification of train crews) required for initiation of intercity rail passenger transportation; and (B) includes the timeline for undertaking and completing each of the investments and actions referred to in (A); (2) an operating plan that describes the planned operation of the service, including--(A) the identity and qualifications of the train operator; (B) the identity and qualifications of any other service providers; (C) service frequency; (D) the planned routes and schedules; (E) the 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. Contact the headquarters or regional location, as appropriate for application deadlines 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. Not applicable. Not applicable. Applications proceed through a three-part application review process, as follows: o Screening applications for completeness and eligibility; Evaluating the technical merit and benefits of eligible applications; and Selecting projects for funding In awarding grants, priority to applications will be-- (1) for which planning, design, any environmental reviews, negotiation of agreements, acquisition of equipment, construction, and other actions necessary for initiation of service have been completed or nearly completed; (2) that would restore service over routes formerly operated by Amtrak, including routes described in section 11304 of the Passenger Rail Reform and Investment Act of 2015; (3) that would provide daily or daytime service over routes where such service did not previously exist; (4) that include funding (including funding from railroads), or other significant participation by State, local, and regional governmental and private entities; (5) that include a funding plan that dem Operating assistance for the purpose of initiating, restoring, or enhancing intercity rail passenger transportation. 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. Not applicable. 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 C.F.R. Part 200 for private non-profit and for-profit Grantees. Closeout does not alter these requirements. Statutory Formula: Public Law 114-94 Portion of R&E funding for Special Transportation Circumstances Grants.

Matching is voluntary. 20% year 1, 40% year 2, 60% year 3 Grants may not exceed— (A) 80 percent of the projected net operating costs for the first year of service; (B) 60 percent of the projected net operating costs for the second year of service; and (C) 40 percent of the projected net operating costs for the third year of service.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing. Not more than 6 of the operating assistance grants awarded may be simultaneously active. Federal operating assistance grants authorized for any individual intercity rail passenger transportation route may not provide funding for more than 6 years and may not be renewed. Funding is obligated through cooperative agreements or grants, and outlays occur as reimbursement. Funding will only be obligated and disbursed as milestones are achieved. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: Funding is obligated through cooperative agreements, and outlays occur as reimbursement. Funding will only be obligated and disbursed as milestones are achieved. Funding is obligated through cooperative agreements, and outlays occur as reimbursement. Funding will only be obligated and disbursed as milestones are achieved. None/Not specified. Matthew Lorah
Chief, Grants & Program Management Division, Office of Infrastructure Investment
1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, DC 20590 US
Matthew.Lorah@dot.gov
Phone: (202) 579-1074 https://railroads.dot.gov 69-0127-0-1-401 (Project Grants) FY 22$4,395,615.00; FY 23 est $13,000,000.00; FY 24 est $5,000,000.00; FY 21$4,395,616.00; FY 20$0.00; FY 19$0.00; FY 18$0.00; FY 17$0.00; FY 16$0.00; - The range was between $4,395,661 to $4,395,661 and the average was $4,395,661. The range was between $4,395,661 to $4,395,661 and the average was $4,395,661. 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. Fiscal Year 2020 An example of a project funded in FY20 is the restoration of intercity passenger rail service along the Gulf Coast between New Orleans, Louisiana and Mobile, Alabama.
Fiscal Year 2021 An example of a project funded in FY21 is the restoration of intercity passenger rail service along the Gulf Coast between New Orleans, Louisiana and Mobile, Alabama.
Fiscal Year 2022 An example of a project selected in a previous year but obligated in FY 2022 is the addition of a ninth weekday round-trip train New Haven and Hartford, CT and customer service support at Hartford Union Station. Other projects funded in FY 2022 will provide operating assistance to routes subject to section 209 of the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008.
Fiscal Year 2023 FRA does not anticipate obligating any projects in FY 2023. An example of a project obligated in FY 2022 is the addition of a ninth weekday round-trip train New Haven and Hartford, CT and customer service support at Hartford Union Station.
Fiscal Year 2024 Projects funded in FY 2024 will provide operating assistance to routes subject to section 209 of the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008.