HomeMy Public PortalAbout12-8346 Submit the Application for the Tiger Discretionary Grant Program to the United State Department of Transportation Sponsored by: City Manager
Resolution No. 12-8346
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF OPA-LOCKA, FLORIDA, TO AUTHORIZE THE
CITY MANAGER TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION FOR THE
TIGER DISCRETIONARY GRANT PROGRAM TO THE
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
(US.DOT) REQUESTING FUNDS IN AN AMOUNT UP TO
TEN MILLION DOLLARS ($10,000,000.00); PROVIDING
FOR INCORPORATION OF RECITALS; PROVIDING FOR
AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the TIGER Discretionary Grant is for capital investment in surface
transportation infrastructure and will provide the funds for the City of Opa-locka's transportation
infrastructure improvements; and
WHEREAS,the grant will be given to projects that have a significant impact on improving
the condition of existing transportation; and
WHEREAS, the City Commission of the City of Opa-locka desires to use the funds to
address a network of roadways with significant damage, flooding problems and to construct new
roadways in the City of Opa-;locka; and
WHEREAS, the City of Opa-locka, will be required to provide matching funds of 20%of
the TIGER Discretionary Grant, payable toward the total eligible costs of the project awarded,
WHEREAS,the source of the matching funds will be payable from a number of projects in
accounts: 47-541806, 44-541806, 47-541805, 44-541805, 47-541807, 44-541807, 47-541810,
44-541810, 64-533630, 47-541630, 44-541816, 63-533630, 35-535630; and
Resolution No. 12-8346
WHEREAS, the City Commission of the City of Opa-locka authorizes the City Manager
to submit an application to the United States Department of Transportation for the TIGER
Discretionary Grant:
NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT DULY RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF
THE CITY OF OPA-LOCKA, FLORIDA:
Section 1. The recitals to the preamble herein are incorporated by reference.
Section 2. The City Commission of the City of Opa-locka hereby authorizes and directs
the City Manager to submit an application for the TIGER Discretionary Grant program to the United
States Department of Transportation requesting funds in an amount up to Ten Million Dollars
($10,000,000.00).
Section 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 1St day of March, 2012.
ir-At
A4CV
DO TH JOHNSON
VICE MAYOR
Attest to: App oved as t fo and legal s roc.-ncy:
I4 ._
I
•anna Flores Jo :s " _i eller
nterim City Clerk Cit Atto rey
Resolution No. 12-8346
Moved by: COMMISSIONER MILLER
Seconded by: COMMISSIONER HOLMES
Commission Vote: 3-0
Commissioner Holmes: YES
Commissioner Miller: YES
Commissioner Tydus: NOT PRESENT
Vice-Mayor Johnson: YES
Mayor Taylor: NOT PRESENT
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^ows-06
Memorandum
TO: Mayor Myra L. Taylor
Vice Mayor Doroth Johnson
Commissioner 'liothy Holmes
Commissioner Rose Tydus
Commissioner Gail Miller
FROM: Bryan K. Finnie, Ci/'►: anager
DATE: Februa ry 24, '
RE: Authoriza on to Apply for the Surface Transportation Infrastructure —
Discretionary Grant for Capital Investment(TIGER).
Request: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF OPA-LOCKA,
FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION FOR
THE TIGER DISCRETIONARY GRANT PROGRAM TO THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION (DOT) REQUESTING FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF TEN MILLION
($10,000,000.00); PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Description: The TIGER Discretionary Grant is for capital investments in surface transportation
infrastructure and will be awarded on a competitive basis for projects that will have a significant
impact on the Nation, a metropolitan area or a region. The FY 2012 Continuing Appropriations Act
specifies that TIGER Discretionary Grants may not be less than $10 million and not greater than
$200 million. TIGER Discretionary Grants may be used for up to 80% of the costs of a project but
priority will be given to projects for which Federal funding is required to complete an overall
financing package and projects can increase their competitiveness by demonstrating significant non-
Federal contributions. Priority will be given to projects that have a significant impact on improving
the condition of existing transportation facilities and systems with particular emphasis on
minimizing the life cycle costs; contribute to the economic competitiveness of the United States
over the medium-to long-term, foster livable communities through place-based policies and
investments that increases transportation choices and access to transportation services for people;
improving energy efficiency, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and benefitting the environment;
improving the safety of transportation facilities and systems; job creation and near-term economic
activity; uses innovative strategies to pursue the long-term outcomes; and demonstrate strong
collaboration among a broad range of participants and /or integration with other public service
efforts. Eligible projects include, but are not limited to roads, highway or bridge projects; public
transportation projects; passenger and freight rail transportation projects; and port infrastructure
investments.
Financial Impact: A 20% non-Federal match, payable from several account numbers, which are
listed in attachment #1, is required. The U.S. DOT will consider any non-Federal funds for
purposes of meeting the 20% match requirement, whether such funds are contributed by the public
sector, State or local, or the private sector. However, U.S. DOT will not consider funds already
expended at the time of the award for the purposes of meeting the 20%match requirement.
Implementation Time Line: Immediately. Application due date is March 19, 2012.
Legislative History: None
Recommendation(s): Staff is recommending the approval. A successful application will provide
the City with funds to address a network of roadways with significant damage, flooding problems
and construct new roadways.
Attachment(s): 1. TIGER Notice of Funding Availability
2. Identified Roadway System Improvements Map.
Prepare by: Charmaine Parchment, Grant Writer& Coordinator
Mohammad Nasir, City Engineer
END OF MEMORANDUM
ATTACHMENT 1
SOURCE OF MATCHING FUNDS
Below is the list of projects with corresponding account numbers that will be used as the match for the
TIGER grant. The projects below total$2,606,714.
Project Name FY 20112 Fund Account
Budget Number
NW 128th Street Drainage Improvements $161,458 PTP Fund 47-541806
NW 128th Street Drainage Improvements $161,458 Capital Projects Fund 44-541806
Total Budget NW 128th Street Drainage $322,916
Improvements
NW 143rd Street Drainage Improvements $292,500 PTP Fund 47-541805
NW 143rd Street Drainage Improvements $292,500 Capital Projects Fund 44-541805
Total Budget NW 143rd Street Drainage $585,000
Improvements
Rutland Street Improvements $60,414 PTP Fund 47-541807
Rutland Street Improvements $60,414 Capital Projects Fund 44-541807
Total Budget Rutland Street Improvements $120,828
Bus Circulator $145,123 PTP Fund 47-541810
Bus Circulator $238,072 Capital Projects Fund 44-541810
Total Budget Bus Circulator $383,195
Roundabout Design &Construction $12,500 Water&Sewer Fund 64-533630
Roundabout Design &Construction $195,000 PTP Fund 47-541630
Total Budget Roundabout Design & $207,500
Construction
Roadway Milling and Resurfacing Projects:
Intersection of Sesame&Superior $30,000 PTP Fund 47-541630
Opa-locka Blvd & Burlington East to Sinbad $50,000 PTP Fund 47-541630
Intersection of Jann & Bahman $25,000 PTP Fund 47-541630
Citywide Sidewalk Improvements $200,000 PTP Fund 47-541630
Bus Shelters $152,275 Capital Projects Fund 44-541816
Water Meter Replacement Program $30,000 Water&Sewer Fund 63-533630
SSES CCTV& Lining $300,000 Water&Sewer Fund 35-535630
Water&Sewer Atlas $150,000 Water&Sewer Fund 64-533630
Fire Hydrant Valve & Replacement $30,000 Water& Sewer Fund 64-533630
Leak Detection Program $20,000 Water&Sewer Fund 64-533630
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// Federal Register/Vol. 77, No. 20/Tuesday, January 31, 2012/Notices 4863
those projects that are transportation activities that are reported on a application and application
related.Each area on the fillable pdf quarterly basis. requirements for the National
form must be filled in electronically by Respondents:SBTRC Regional Field Infrastructure Investments.
the Field Offices and submitted every Offices. The Consolidated and Further
quarter to OSDBU.The Offices will Estimated Number of Respondents: Continuing Appropriations Act,2012
retain a copy of each Intake Form for 100. (Pub.L. 112-055,Nov. 18, 2011) ("FY
their records.The completion of the Frequency:The information will be 2012 Appropriations Act")appropriated
form is used as a tool for making collected quarterly. $500 million to be awarded by the
decisions about the needs of the Estimated Number of Responses:100. Department of Transportation("DOT")
business,such as;referral to technical Estimated Total Annual Burden on for National Infrastructure Investments.not
assistance
profession agencies for
or trade of the identifying Respondents:Publi Comm 1200
its Invited:You are identical to the appropriation fortthe
the business,the type of certification that asked to comment on any aspect of this Transportation Investment Generating
the business holds,length of time in information collection,including(a) Economic Recovery,or"TIGER
business,and location of the firm.This whether the proposed collection of Discretionary Grant",program
data can assist the Field Offices in information is necessary for the proper authorized and implemented pursuant
performance of the functions of the to the American Recovery and
developing a business plan or adjusting Departm nt including whether the Reinvestment Act of 2009(the
toemarket its goods and services to
information will have practical utility; "Recovery Act").Because of the
buyers and potential users of their (b)the accuracy of the Department's similarity in program structure,DOT
services. estimate of the burden of the proposed will continue to refer to the program as
information collection; (c)ways to "TIGER Discretionary Grants."As with
Respondents:SBTRC Regional Field enhance the quality,utility and clarity previous rounds of TIGER,funds for the
Estimated Number of Respondents: of the information collection;and(d) FY 2012 TIGER program are to be
100. ways to minimize the burden of the awarded on a competitive basis for
Frequency:The information will be collection of information on projects that will have a significant
collected quarterly. respondents,by the use of electronic impact on the Nation,a metropolitan
means,including the use of automated area or a region.
Estimated Number of Responses:100. collection techniques or other forms of Through this notice,DOT is soliciting
Estimated Total Annual Burden on information technology.The agency will applications for TIGER Discretionary
Respondents:600 hours per year. summarize and/or include your Grants.In the event that this solicitation
Background:The Regional Field comments in the request for OMB's does not result in the award and
Offices Quarterly Report Form(DOT F clearance of this information collection. obligation of all available funds,DOT
4502)by each Field Office must be decide to publish an additional
submitted as a quarterly status report of Authority:The Paperwork Reduction Act may e P
business activities conducted during the of 1995;44 U.S.C.Chapter 35,as amended; solicitation(s).
three month time frame.The form is and 49 CFR 1:48. DATES:Pre-applications must be
used to capture activities and Issued in Washington,DC on January 24, submitted by February 20, 2012,at 5
accomplishments that were made by the 2012. p.m.EST(the"Pre Application
Regional Field Offices during the course Brandon Neal, Deadline").Final applications must be
of the quarter.In addition,the form Director,Office of Small and Disadvantaged, submitted through Grants.gov by March
includes a data collection section where Business Utilization. 19,2012,at 5 p.m.EDT(the
numbers and hours are reported and a [FR Doc.2012-2044 Filed 1-30-12;8:45 am] "Application Deadline").The DOT pre-
section that is assigned for a written BILLING CODE 4910-9X-P application system will open on or
narrative that provides back up which before February 13,2012,to allow
supports the data. prospective applicants to submit pre-
Activities to be reported are(1) DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION applications.Subsequently,the
Counseling Activity which identifies the Grants.gov"Apply"function will open
Office of the Secretary of on February 22,2012,allowing
counseling hours provided to Transportation Y g
businesses,number of new applicants to submit applications.
appointments,and follow-up on [Docket No.DOT—OST-2012-0012] Applicants are encouraged to submit
counseled clients. (2)Activity for pre-applications and applications in
Businesses Served identifies the type of Notice of Funding Availability for the advance of the deadlines.
small business that is helped,such as a Department of Transportation's ADDRESSES:Pre-applications must be
DBE,8(a),WOB,HubZone,SDB, National Infrastructure Investments submitted electronically to DOT and
SDVOB,or VOSB. (3)Marketing Under the Full-Year Continuing applications must be submitted
Activity includes the name of an event Appropriations,2012;and Request for electronically through Grants.gov.Only
attended by the SBTRC and the role Comments pre-applications received by DOT and
played when participating in a AGENCY: Office of the Secretary of applications received electronically
conference,workshop or any other Transportation,DOT. through Grants.gov will be deemed
venue that relates to small businesses. ACTION:Notice of Funding Availability, submitting rop filed.Instructions to DOT and
(4)Meetings that are held with Request for Comments. pre-applications
government representatives in the applications through Grants.gov are
region,or at the state level,are an SUMMARY:This notice announces the included in Section VII(Pre-Application
activity that is reported. (5)Events availability of funding and requests and Application Cycle).
Hosted by the SBTRC Regional Field proposals for the Department of FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
Offices,such as small business Transportation's National Infrastructure further information concerning this
workshops,financial assistance Investments.In addition,this notice notice please contact the TIGER
workshops,matchmaking events,are announces selection criteria and pre- Discretionary Grant program staff via
4864 Federal Register/Vol. 77, No. 20/Tuesday, January 31, 2012/Notices
email at TIGERGrants @dot.gov,or call Grants and prospective applicants August 12, 2011,Federal Register
Howard Hill at(202)366-0301.A TDD should read this notice in its entirety so notice.
is available for individuals who are deaf that they have the information they FY 2012 TIGER Discretionary Grants
or hard of hearing at(202) 366-3993.In need to submit eligible and competitive
addition,DOT will regularly post applications. Like the previous rounds,this year's
answers to questions and requests for Table of Contents TIGER Discretionary Grants are for
clarifications on DOT's Web site at capital investments in surface
www.dot.gov/TIGER.Applicants are I.Background transportation infrastructure and are to
encouraged to contact DOT directly and TIGER Discretionary Grants be awarded on a competitive basis for
II.Selection Criteria and Guidance on that will have a significant
rather than rely on third parties to projects g
receive information about TIGER Application of Selection Criteria impact on the Nation,a metropolitan
III.Evaluation and Selection Process
Discretionary Grants. IV.Grant Administration area,or a region.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:This V.Projects in Rural Areas "Eligible Applicants"for TIGER
notice is substantially similar to the VI.TIGER TIFIA Payments Discretionary Grants are State,local,
Final notice published for the TIGER Application Requirements and tribal governments,including U.S.
Discretionary Grant program in the VII.Pre-Application and Application Cycle territories,transit agencies,port
Federal Register on August 12,2011. VIII.Project Benefits authorities,metropolitan planning
g g IX.Questions and Clarifications organizations (MPOs),other political
However,there are a few significant Appendix A:Additional Information on
differences: Benefit-Cost Analysis subdivisions of State or local
1.To ensure applicants receive the Appendix B:Additional Information on governments,and multi-State or multi
most accurate information possible, Applying Through Grants.gov jurisdictional groups applying through a
Eligible Applicants must contact DOT Appendix C:Additional Information on single lead applicant(for multi-
directly,rather than through Guidelines for Project Readiness jurisdictional groups,each member of
intermediaries,to get questions I.Background the group,including the lead applicant,
answered,set up briefings on the TIGER must be an otherwise Eligible Applicant
answered,set
Grants selection and On November 18, 2011,the President as defined in this paragraph).
Discretionary signed the FY 2012 Appropriations Act. To ensure applicants receive the most
award process,or receive other This Act appropriated$500 million to accurate information possible,Eligible
assistance. DOT for National Infrastructure Applicants must contact DOT directly,
2.As in previous rounds of TIGER, Investments,using language that is rather than through intermediaries,to
high speed and intercity passenger rail similar,but not identical to the language get questions answered,set up briefings
projects remain eligible for funding in appropriations bills from FY 2010 on the TIGER Discretionary Grants
under this program and a high priority and FY 2011 and the Recovery Act. selection and award process,or receive
of this Administration.DOT would like This program was first created in the other assistance.Assistance can be
to encourage those seeking funding for 2009 Recovery Act,since which time obtained by simply calling or emailing
passenger rail projects to consider DOT has referred to these grants as the TIGER Discretionary Grant program
TIGER and will,therefore,make up to Transportation Investment Generating staff via email at TIGERGrants @dot.gov,
$100 million in TIGER funds available Economic Recovery or"TIGER or by calling Howard Hill at(202)366—
to high speed and intercity passenger Discretionary Grants."Through the 0301.
rail projects. Recovery Act and continuing through Projects that are eligible for TIGER
3.Applications must include a the FY 2010 and 2011 appropriations Discretionary Grants ("Eligible
detailed statement of work,detailed processes,Congress has provided DOT Projects")include,but are not limited
project schedule,and detailed project with three rounds of competitive grants to: (1)Highway or bridge projects
budget in the project narrative.Due to totaling just over$2.6 billion for capital eligible under title 23,United States
the shorter timeframe allowed for the investments in surface transportation Code; (2)public transportation projects
obligation of TIGER Discretionary Grant infrastructure. See DOT's Web site at eligible under chapter 53 of title 49,
funds in this round of funding in http://www.dot.gov/tiger/index.html for United States Code; (3)passenger and
comparison to previous rounds, further background on the disbursement freight rail transportation projects;and
applicants must include this detailed of past rounds of TIGER Discretionary (4)marine port infrastructure
information in their application in order Grants. investments.Federal wage rate
to demonstrate that their projects are DOT's most recent solicitation for requirements included in subchapter IV
ready to proceed within this shortened TIGER Discretionary Grants occurred of chapter 31 of title 40,United States
timeframe. through a notice of funding availability Code,apply to all projects receiving
4.The discussion on Benefit-Cost published in the Federal Register on funds,and apply to all parts of the
Analysis(Appendix A:Additional August 12,2011 (an interim notice was project,whether funded with TIGER
Information on Benefit-Cost Analysis) published on July 1,2011).Applications Discretionary Grant funds,other federal
has been streamlined and includes tools for TIGER Discretionary Grants were funds,or non-federal funds.This
to aid applicants in preparing their due on October 31,2011 and 848 description of Eligible Projects is
analyses. applications were received with funding identical to the description of eligible
Other than these differences,and requests totaling approximately$14.29 projects under earlier rounds of the
minor edits for clarification and those billion.Awards for 46 capital projects TIGER Discretionary Grant program.'
made to conform the notice to the totaling$511 million were announced
statutory circumstances of this round of on December 15,2011.Grant awards Consistent with the FY 2012 Appropriations
TIGER Discretionary Grants funding, ranged from$1 million to$13.5 million Act,DOT will apply the following principles in
there have been no material changes for projects in rural areas and$10 determining whether a project is eligible as a capital
made to the notice.Each section of this million to$20 million for projects in investment in surface transportation:(1)surface
notice contains information and urban areas.Projects were selected for transportation facilities generally include roads,
f highways and bridges,marine ports,freight and
instructions relevant to the application funding based on their alignment with passenger railroads,transit systems,and projects
process for these TIGER Discretionary the selection criteria specified in the that connect transportation facilities to other modes
Federal Register/Vol. 77, No. 20/Tuesday, January 31, 2012/Notices 4865
As was the case in earlier rounds of The FY 2012 Appropriations Act percent non-Federal cost share and a
the TIGER Discretionary Grant program, specifies that TIGER Discretionary minimum grant size of$10 million,the
Eligible Projects do not include Grants may be not less than$10 million minimum total project size for an
research,demonstration,or pilot (except in rural areas)and not greater eligible project is$12.5 million(where
projects that do not result in publically than$200 million.The FY 2012 the minimum$10 million TIGER
accessible surface transportation Appropriations Act does not provide Discretionary Grant request represents
infrastructure.To be funded,projects or authority to waive the minimum$10 80 percent of the total project cost).The
elements of a project must demonstrate million grant size for projects located in minimum total project size for an
independent utility,which means that urbanized areas.For projects located in eligible project in a rural area is$1
the project provides transportation rural areas(as defined in Section V million(where the entire project cost is
benefits and is ready for broad public (Projects in Rural Areas)),the minimum funded with a TIGER Discretionary
use upon completion of project TIGER Discretionary Grant size is$1 Grant).However,the statutory
construction. million.The term"grant"in the requirement to give priority to projects
Each applicant may submit no more provision of the FY 2012 that use Federal funds to complete an
than three applications for Appropriations Act specifying a overall financing package applies to
consideration to the TIGER minimum grant size does not include projects located in rural areas as well,
Discretionary Grant Program to focus TIGER TIFIA Payments,as described and projects located in rural areas can
submissions on those applications that below. increase their competitiveness for
are most likely to align well with DOT's DOT reserves the right to award funds purposes of the TIGER program by
selection criteria.While applications for a part of the project,not the full demonstrating significant non-Federal
may include requests to fund more than project,if a part of the project has financial contributions.In the FY2011
one project,applicants may not bundle independent utility and aligns well with competition,on average,urban projects
together unrelated projects in the same the selection criteria specified in this pledged 65% non-Federal funds while
application for purposes of avoiding the notice. rural projects featured more than 46%
three application limit that applies to Pursuant to the FY 2012 non-Federal funds.Three TIGER—TIFIA
each applicant.Please note that the Appropriations Act,no more than 25 projects will use only 2%TIGER funds
percent of the funds made three application limit applies only to TIGER Discretionary Grants (or$125 non-Federal non-Federal investment$DOTiI`ltt billion
applications where the applicant is the million)may be awarded to projects in
lead applicant,and there is no limit on y P 1 consider any non-Federal funds as well
applications for which an applicant can a single State. as funds from the Indian Reservation
be listed as a partnering agency.Also, The FY 2012 Appropriations Act Roads Program as a local match for
DOT will not count any agency.of for directs that not less than$120 million purposes of this program,whether such
a multistate project against the three of the funds provided for TIGER funds are contributed by the public
application u tist limit ct against
extent multiple Discretionary Grants be used for projects sector(State or local)or the private
P located in rural areas.Further,in sector.However,DOT cannot consider
states are partnering to submit the awarding TIGER Discretionary Grants funds already expended as a local
application.Furthermore,jurisdictions pursuant to the FY 2012 Appropriations match.
that collaborate with regional partners Act,DOT must take measures to ensure The 2012 Appropriations Act requires
on a priority application are more likely an equitable geographic distribution of that TIGER funds are only available for
to be successful than those that choose grant funds,an appropriate balance in obligation through September 30, 2013.
separate priorities and apply separately addressing the needs of urban and rural The limited amount of time for which
because DOT will give priority to areas and the investment in a variety of the funds will be made available means
applications that demonstrate a high transportation modes.As in previous that DOT will focus on the extent to
degree of Jurisdictional&Stakeholder rounds of TIGER,high speed and which a project is ready to proceed with
Collaboration(see Section II.Selection intercity passenger rail projects remain obligation of grant funds when
Criteria and Guidance on Application of eligible for funding under this program evaluating applications,and give
Selection Criteria).If any lead applicant and a high priority of this priority to those projects that are ready
submits more than three applications, Administration.DOT would like to to proceed sooner than other
only the first three received will be encourage those seeking funding for competitive projects.
considered. passenger rail projects to consider The FY 2012 Appropriations Act
The FY 2012 Appropriations Act TIGER and will,therefore,make up to allows for an amount not to exceed$175
requires a new solicitation of $100 million in TIGER funds available million of the$500 million to be used
applications and,therefore,any to high speed and intercity passenger to pay the subsidy and administrative
unsuccessful applicant for earlier rail projects. costs for a project receiving credit
rounds of TIGER Discretionary Grants TIGER Discretionary Grants may be assistance under the Transportation
that wishes to be considered for a TIGER used for up to 80 percent of the costs of Infrastructure Finance and Innovation
Discretionary Grant this year must a project,but priority must be given to Act of 1998("TIFIA")program,if it
reapply according to the procedures in projects for which Federal funding is would further the purposes of the
this notice. required to complete an overall TIGER Discretionary Grant program.
financing package and projects can DOT is referring to these payments as
of transportation;and(2)surface transportation increase their competitiveness by "TIGER TIFIA Payments."The amount
facilities also include any highway or bridge project demonstrating significant non-Federal of budget authority required to support
eligible under title 23,U.S.C.,or public contributions.DOT may increase the TIFIA credit assistance is calculated on
transportation project eligible under chapter 53 of
title 49,U.S.C.Please note that the Department may Federal share above 80 percent only for a project-by-project basis.Applicants for
use a TIGER Discretionary Grant to pay for the projects located in rural areas,in which TIGER TIFIA Payments should submit
surface transportation components of a broader case DOT may fund up to 100 percent an application pursuant to this notice
project that has non-surface transportation of the costs of a project.Therefore,for and a separate TIFIA letter of interest,alicants are encouraged to
components,apply for TIGER Di sc R D retionary Grants to pay for the projects located in urban areas,based on as described below in Section VI(TIGER
surface transportation components of these projects. the statutory requirements of at least 20 TIFIA Payments).Unless otherwise
4866 Federal Register/Vol. 77, No. 20/Tuesday, January 31, 2012/Notices
noted,or the context requires otherwise, eligibility requirements for this (42 U.S.C. 3161) ("Economically
references in this notice to TIGER program,which are specified in this Distressed Areas").2
Discretionary Grants include TIGER notice as relevant.This section is 2. Secondary Selection Criteria
TIFIA Payments. divided into two parts.Part A(Selection
Due to the limited funding available Criteria)specifies the criteria that DOT (a)Innovation
under this program,applicants that will use to rate projects.Additional DOT will give priority to projects that
require a substantial amount of funds to guidance about how DOT will apply use innovative strategies to pursue the
complete a financing package should these criteria,including illustrative long-term outcomes outlined above.
consider whether a TIGER TIFIA metrics and examples,is provided in
Payment may provide more value for Part B (Additional Guidance on (b)Partnership
their project than a comparable award of Selection Criteria). DOT will give priority to projects that
grant funds.DOT reserves the right to A.Selection Criteria demonstrate strong collaboration among
offer a TIGER TIFIA Payment to an a broad range of participants,integration
applicant that applied for a TIGER TIGER Discretionary Grants will be of transportation with other public
Discretionary Grant even if DOT does awarded based on the selection criteria service efforts,and/or are the product of
not choose to fund the requested TIGER as outlined below.There are two a robust planning process.
Discretionary Grant and the applicant categories of selection criteria,"Primary
did not specifically request a TIGER Selection Criteria"and"Secondary B.Additional Guidance on Selection
TIFIA Payment. Selection Criteria." Criteria
While TIFIA support has most often 1.Primary Selection Criteria The following additional guidance
been sought for road and bridge projects (a)Long Term Outcomes explains how DOT will evaluate each of
(including multiple TIGER TIFIA the selection criteria identified above in
payments for managed lanes projects), DOT will give priority to projects that Section II(A) (Selection Criteria).
TIFIA is a multimodal program.DOT have a significant impact on desirable Applicants are encouraged to
encourages applicants seeking support long-term outcomes for the Nation,a demonstrate the responsiveness of a
for large multimodal projects that meet metropolitan area,or a region. project to any and all of the selection
TIFIA eligibility criteria,including Applications that do not demonstrate a criteria with the most relevant
major transit projects,to consider TIGER likelihood of significant long-term information that applicants can provide,
TIFIA Payments as a means for federal benefits in this criterion will not regardless of whether such information
support of these projects.In the past two proceed in the evaluation process.The has been specifically requested,or
rounds of TIGER Discretionary Grants, following types of long-term outcomes identified,in this notice.Any such
two TIGER TIFIA Payments were will be given priority: information shall be considered part of
awarded to transit agencies for the (i)State of Good Repair:Improving the application,not supplemental,for
expansion of fixed guideway transit the condition of existing transportation purposes of the application size limits
systems. facilities and systems,with particular specified below in Section VII(D)
TIGER grant recipients may apply for emphasis on projects that minimize life- (Length of Application).
funding to support additional phases of cycle costs.
a project awarded funds in earlier (ii)Economic Competitiveness: 1.Primary Selection Criteria
rounds of this program.However,to be Contributing to the economic (a)Long-Term Outcomes
competitive,any phase awarded competitiveness of the United States In d orer to measure a project's
funding in the past should be at or near over the medium-to long-term. ali nor with this criterion,DOT will
completion,and the applicant should (iii)Livability:Fostering livable g
provide data about how the project is communities through policies and assess the public benefits generated by
P P investments that increase transportation the project,as measured by the extent to
performing based on the benefits which a roject produces one or more
expected in the original application. choices and access to transportation of the followin outcomes.
The FY 2012 Appropriations Act services for people in communities g
across the United States. (i)State of Good Repair:In order to
provides that the Secretary of determine whether the project will
Transportation may retain up to$20 (iv)Environmental Sustainability: P 7
million of the$500 million to fund the Improving energy efficiency,reducing improve the condition of existing
award and oversi ht of TIGER dependence on oil,reducing greenhouse transportation facilities or systems,
g gas emissions and benefitting the including whether life-cycle costs will
Discretionary Grants.Portions of the$20 g g be minimized,DOT will assess (i)
million may be transferred for these environment.
y (v) Safety:Improving the safety of whether the project is part of,or
purposes to the Administrators of the U.S.transportation facilities and consistent with,relevant State,local or
Federal Highway Administration,the systems. regional efforts and plans to maintain
Federal Transit Administration,the transportation facilities or systems in a
Federal Railroad Administration,and (b)Job Creation and Near-Term state of good repair,(ii)whether an
the Federal Maritime Administration. Economic Activity important aim of the project is to
The purpose of this notice is to solicit Job creation and near-term economic rehabilitate,reconstruct or upgrade
applications for TIGER Discretionary activity remain a top priority of this
Grants.This is a final notice. Administration;therefore,DOT will 2 While Economically Distressed Areas are
TIGER Discretionary Grants give priority to projects that are typically identified under the Public Works and
Economic Development Act at the county level,for
II.Selection Criteria and Guidance on expected to quickly create and preserve the purposes of this program DOT will consider
jobs and promote rapid increases in regions,municipalities,smaller areas within larger
Application of Selection Criteria economic activity,particularly jobs and communities,or other geographic areas to be
This section specifies the criteria that activity that benefit economically Economically Distressed Areas if an applicant can
DOT will use to evaluate applications distressed areas as defined by section demonstrate that any such area otherwise meets the
PP y requirements of an Economically Distressed Area as
for TIGER Discretionary Grants.The 301 of the Public Works and Economic defined in section 301 of the Public Works and
criteria incorporate the statutory Development Act of 1965,as amended Economic Development Act of 1965.
Federal Register/Vol. 77, No. 20/Tuesday, January 31, 2012/Notices 4867
surface transportation assets that,if left Economic competitiveness may be transportation choices.3 Specifically,
unimproved,threaten future demonstrated by the project's ability to DOT will qualitatively assess whether
transportation network efficiency, increase the efficiency and effectiveness the project:
mobility of goods or accessibility of of the transportation system through (1)Will significantly enhance or
people,or economic growth due to their integration or better use of all existing reduce the average cost of user mobility
poor condition, (iii)whether the project transportation infrastructure.This may through the creation of more convenient
is appropriately capitalized up front and be evidenced by the project's transportation options for travelers;
uses asset management approaches that involvement with or benefits to more (2)Will improve existing
optimize its long-term cost structure, than one mode and/or its compatibility transportation choices by enhancing
and(iv)the extent to which a with and its connection to other modes points of modal connectivity,increasing
sustainable source of revenue is and facilities.Applications that the number of modes accommodated on
available for long-term operations and demonstrate increases in efficiency for existing assets,or reducing congestion
maintenance of the project.The exports will be given priority in the on existing modal assets;
application should include any evaluation process. (3)Will improve accessibility and
quantifiable metrics of the facility or For purposes of demonstrating transport services for economically
system's current condition and economic benefits,applicants should disadvantaged populations,non-drivers,
performance and,to the extent possible, estimate National-level or region-wide senior citizens,and persons with
projected condition and performance, economic benefits on productivity and disabilities,or will make goods,
with an explanation of how the project production(e.g.,reduced shipping costs commodities,and services more readily
will improve the facility or system's or travel times for U.S.exports available to these groups;and/or
condition,performance and/or long- originating both inside and outside of (4)Is the result of a planning process
term cost structure,including the region),and should take care not to which coordinated transportation and
calculations of avoided operations and include economic benefits that are being land-use planning decisions and
maintenance costs and associated shifted from one location in the United encouraged community participation in
delays. States to another location.Highly the process,such as planning conducted
(ii)Economic Competitiveness:In localized benefits will receive the most with TIGER II Planning Grants,the
order to determine whether a project consideration under circumstances Department of Housing and Urban
promotes the economic competitiveness where such benefits are most likely to Development's Regional Planning
of the United States,DOT will assess improve an Economically Distressed Grants,or the Environmental Protection
whether the project will measurably Area(as defined herein)or otherwise Agency's Brownfield Area-Wide
contribute over the long term to growth improve access to more productive Planning Pilot Program as well as
employment opportunities for under- technical assistance programs focused
in the productivity of the American
economy.For purposes of aligning a employed and disadvantaged on livability or economic development
project with this outcome,applicants po ulations. planning.
(iii)Livability:Livability investments Livability improvements may include
should provide evidence of how are projects that not only deliver projects for new or improved biking and
improvements in transportation transportation benefits,but are also walking infrastructure.However,
outcomes(such as time savings and designed and planned in such a way particular attention will be paid to the
operating cost savings)translate into that they have a positive impact on degree to which such projects contribute
long-term economic productivity qualitative measures of community life. significantly to broader traveler
benefits.These long-term economic This element of long-term outcomes mobility,including for people with
benefits that are provided by the delivers benefits that are inherently
completed project are different from the Y disabilities,through edjob om
P P 1 difficult to measure.However,it is connections,enhanced job commuting
near-term economic benefits of implicit to livability that its benefits are options,or improved connections
construction that are captured in the Job shared and therefore magnified by the between residential and commercial
Creation&Near-Term Economic number of potential users in the affected areas.Projects that appear designed
Activity criterion.In weighing long-term community.Therefore,descriptions of primarily as recreational facilities and
economic competitiveness benefits, how projects enhance livability should do not enhance traveler mobility as
applicants should describe how the include a description of the affected described above will not be funded.
project supports increased long-term community and the scale of the project's (iv)Environmental Sustainability:In
efficiency and productivity. impact as measured in person-miles order to determine whether a project
Priority consideration will be given to traveled or number of trips affected.In promotes a more environmentally
projects that:(i)Improve long-term order to determine whether a project sustainable transportation system,DOT
efficiency,reliability or cost- improves the quality of the living and will assess the project's ability to:
competitiveness in the movement of working environment of a community, (1)Improve energy efficiency,reduce
workers or goods,with a particular DOT will consider whether the project dependence on oil and/or reduce
focus on projects that have a significant furthers the six livability principles greenhouse gas emissions, (applicants
effect on reducing the costs of developed by DOT with the Department are encouraged to provide quantitative
transporting export cargoes,or(ii)make of Housing and Urban Development information regarding expected
improvements that increase the (HUD)and the Environmental reductions in emissions of CO2 or fuel
economic productivity of land,capital Protection Agency(EPA)as part of the consumption as a result of the project,
or labor at specific locations, Partnership for Sustainable or expected use of clean or alternative
particularly Economically Distressed Communities,which are listed fully at
Areas.Applicants may propose other http://www.dot.gov/affairs/2009/ 3In full,this principle reads:"Provide more
methods of demonstrating a project's dot8009.htm.For this criterion,the transportation choices.Develop safe,reliable and
contribution to the economic Department will give particular economical transportation choices to decrease
competitiveness of the country and such consideration to the first principle, household transportation costs,reduce our nations'
P rY dependence on foreign oil,improve air quality,
methods will be reviewed on a case-by- which prioritizes the creation of reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote
case basis. affordable and convenient public health."
4868 Federal Register/Vol. 77, No. 20/Tuesday, January 31, 2012/Notices
sources of energy;projects that compare expected benefits and costs, achieved through construction of the
demonstrate a projected decrease in the subject to the following qualifications: project.
movement of people or goods by less All applicants will be expected to (b)Job Creation and Near-Term
energy-efficient vehicles or systems will prepare an analysis of benefits and Economic Activity
be given priority under this factor);and costs;however,DOT understands that In order to measure a project's
(2)Maintain,protect or enhance the the detail of analysis that should be alignment with this criterion,DOT will
environment,as evidenced by its expected(for items such as surveys, assess whether the project promotes the
avoidance of adverse environmental travel demand forecasts,market short-or long-term creation or
impacts(for example,adverse impacts forecasts,statistical analyses)is less for preservation of jobs and whether the
related to air or water quality,wetlands, smaller projects than for larger projects. project rapidly promotes new or
and endangered species)and/or by its The level of resources devoted to expanded business opportunities during
environmental benefits (for example, preparing the benefit-cost analysis construction of the project or thereafter.
improved air quality,wetlands creation should be reasonably related to the size Applicants are encouraged to provide
or improved habitat connectivity). of the overall project and the amount of information to assist DOT in making
Applicants are encouraged to provide grant funds requested in the application. these assessments,including the total
quantitative information that validates Any subjective estimates of benefits and amount of funds that will be expended
the existence of substantial costs should still be quantified,and on construction and construction-
transportation-related costs related to applicants should provide whatever related activities by all of the entities
energy consumption and adverse evidence they have available to lend participating in the project and,to the
environmental effects and evidence of credence to their subjective estimates. extent measurable,the number and type
the extent to which the project will Estimates of benefits should be of jobs to be created and/or preserved by
reduce or mitigate those costs. presented in monetary terms whenever the project by calendar quarters during
(v) Safety:In order to determine possible;if a monetary estimate is not construction and annually thereafter.
whether the project improves safety, possible,then at least a quantitative Applicants should also identify any
DOT will assess the project's ability to estimate(in physical,non-monetary business enterprises to be created or
reduce the number,rate and terms,such as crash rates,ridership benefited by the project during its
consequences of surface transportation- estimates,emissions levels,etc.)should construction and once it becomes
related crashes,injuries,and fatalities be provided. operational.
among drivers and/or non drivers in the The lack of a useful analysis of DOT will continue to apply the
United States or in the affected expected project benefits and costs may Updated Implementing Guidance for the
metropolitan area or region,and/or the be the basis for not selecting a project American Recovery and Reinvestment
project's contribution to the elimination for award of a TIGER Discretionary Act of 2009 issued by the Office of
of highway/rail grade crossings,the Grant to an applicant.If it is clear to Management and Budget("OMB")on
protection of pipelines,or the DOT that the total benefits of a project April 3,2009(the"OMB Guidance")to
prevention
protection of pipelines,or
release of are not reasonably likely to justify the the TIGER Discretionary Grants program
hazardous materials. project's costs,DOT will not award a
TIGER Discretionary Grant to the 5 The Executive Office of the President,Council
Evaluation of Expected Project Costs of Economic Advisers,(CEA),issued a
and Benefits:DOT believes that benefit-
project. memorandum in May 20.09 on"Estimates of Job
f Detailed guidance for the preparation Creation from the American Recovery and
cost analysis("BCA")is an important of benefit-cost analyses is provided in Reinvestment Act of 2009."That memorandum
discipline.For BCA to yield useful Appendix A.Benefits should be provides a simple rule for estimating job-years
results,a robust consideration of costs created by government spending,which is that
presented,whenever possible,in a
and benefits is necessary.These include tabular form showin g benefits and costs $92,000 of government spending creates one job-
quantified fuel and travel time year(or 10,870 job-years per billion dollars of
Q an savings in each year for the useful life of the spending).More recently,in September 2011,based
as well as reductions in greenhouse gas project.Benefits and costs should both on further analysis both of actual job-creation
emissions,water quality impacts,and be discounted to the year 2012,and experience from transportation projects under the
public health effects as well as present discounted values of both the Recovery Act and on further macroeconomic
uantlfication of other costs and p analysis,the CEA determined that a job-year is
q stream of benefits and the stream of created by every$76,923 in transportation
benefits that are more indirectly related costs should be calculated.If the project infrastructure spending(or 13,000 job-years per
to vehicle-miles or that are harder to has multiple parts,each of which has billion dollars of transportation infrastructure
measure.In addition,BCA should independent utility,the benefits and spending).This figure can now be used in place of
attempt to measure the indirect effects p y' the earlier$92,000/job-year estimate.Applicants
p costs of each part should be estimated can use this estimate as an appropriate indicator of
of transportation investments on land and presented separately.The results of direct,indirect and induced job-years created by
use and on the portions of household the benefit-cost analysis should be TIGER Discretionary Grant spending,but are
budgets spent on transportation.The summarized in the Project Narrative encouraged to supplement or modify this estimate
Project to the extent they can demonstrate that such
systematic process of comparing section of the application itself,but the modifications are justified.However,since this
expected benefits and costs helps details may be presented in an guidance makes job creation purely a function of
decision-makers organize information attachment to the application if the full the level of expenditure,applicants should also
about,and evaluate trade-offs between, analysis cannot be included within the demonstrate how quickly jobs will be created under
y the proposed project.Projects that generate a given
alternative transportation investments.4 page limit for the project narrative. number of jobs more quickly will have a more
Therefore,applicants for TIGER Evaluation of Project Performance: favorable impact on economic recovery.A quarter-
Discretionary Grants are generally Each applicant selected for TIGER by-quarter projection of the number of direct job-
required to identify,quantify,and Discretionary Grant funding will be hours expected to be created by the project is useful
in assessing the impacts of a project on economic
required to work with DOT on the
Q recovery.Furthermore,applicants should be aware
4 DOT has a responsibility under Executive Order development and implementation of a that certain types of expenditures are less likely to
12893,Principles for Federal Infrastructure plan to collect information and report align well with the Job Creation&Near-Term
Investments,59 FR 4233,to base infrastructure Activity criterion.These types of
investments on systematic analysis of expected Ori the project's performance with expenditures include,among other things,
benefits and costs,including both quantitative and respect to the relevant long-term engineering or design work and purchasing existing
qualitative measures. outcomes that are expected to be facilities or right-of-way.
Federal Register/Vol. 77, No. 20/Tuesday, January 31, 2012/Notices 4869
as a matter of policy,and consistent will be spent steadily and expeditiously once An applicant seeking to demonstrate
with applicable Federal laws. construction starts;the schedule should timely environmental review and permitting
Applicants are encouraged to provide show how many direct,on-project jobs are should submit the information listed below
information to assist DOT in assessing expected to be created or sustained during with its application:
1 whether the project will promote the each calendar quarter after the project is a.The information required under Sections
O P 1 P underway.Any applicant that is applying for VII(C)(2)(V)and VII(F)–(G)(Contents of
creation of job opportunities for low- a TIGER Discretionary Grant and does not Applications)of this notice;
income workers through the use of best own all of the property or right-of-way b.Environmental studies or other
practice hiring programs and required to complete the project should documents—preferably by way of a Web site
apprenticeship(including pre- provide evidence that the property and/or link—that describe in detail known potential
apprenticeship)programs;(2)whether right-of-way owner whose permission is project impacts,and possible mitigation for
the project will provide maximum required to complete the project supports the those impacts;
practicable opportunities for small application and will cooperate in carrying c.A description of completed,or planned
P pp out the activities to be supported by the and anticipated coordination with Federal
businesses and disadvantaged business TIGER Discretionary Grant; and State regulatory agencies for permits and
enterprises,including veteran-owned (ii)Environmental Approvals:Receipt(or approvals;
small businesses and service disabled reasonably anticipated receipt)of all d.An estimate of the time required for
veteran-owned small businesses; (3) environmental approvals and permits completion of NEPA and all other required
whether the project will make effective necessary for the project to proceed to Federal,State or local environmental
use of community-based organizations construction on the timeline specified in the approvals;and
in connecting disadvantaged workers project schedule and necessary to meet the e.An identification of the proposed NEPA
statutory obligation deadline,including class of action(i.e.,Categorical Exclusion,
with economic opportunities; (4) satisfaction of all Federal,State and local
whether the project will support entities Environmental Assessment,or
p J pp requirements and completion of the National Environmental Impact Statement).
that have a sound track record on labor Environmental Policy Act("NEPA")process; (iii)Legislative Approvals:Receipt of all
practices and compliance with Federal To demonstrate satisfaction of this necessary legislative approvals(for example,
laws ensuring that American workers requirement,applicants will be asked to legislative authority to charge user fees or set
are safe and treated fairly;and(5) provide assurances with their pre- toll rates),and evidence of support from State
whether the project implements best applications and evidence with their and local elected officials;evidence of
practices,consistent with our Nation's applications that NEPA review is complete or support from all relevant State and local
P substantially complete and submit relevant officials is not required,however,the
civil rights and equal opportunity laws, draft or final NEPA documentation— evidence should demonstrate that the project
for ensuring that all individuals— evidonde should demonstrate that the project
g preferably by way of a Web site link—for is broadly supported;
regardless of race,gender,age, DOT review. (iv)State and Local Planning:The
disability,and national origin—benefit DOT is unlikely to select a project for planning requirements of the operating
from TIGER grant funding. TIGER Discretionary Grant funding if it administration administering the TIGER
To the extent possible,applicants involves,or potentially involves,significant project will apply.?Where required by an
should indicate whether the environmental impacts and/or is not clearly operating administration,applicants should
populations most likely to benefit from likely to complete required environmental demonstrate that a project that is required to
the creation or preservation of jobs or and regulatory reviews in time to meet the be included in the relevant State,
P jobs obligation deadline of September 30,2013. metropolitan,and local planning documents,
new or expanded business opportunities If an applicant has not substantially has been or will be included.One way
are from Economically Distressed Areas. completed the NEPA process the applicant applicants may do this is by providing a link
In addition,to the extent possible, should provide information on the project's to a Web site showing the planning
applicants should indicate whether the current status in the NEPA process and an documents.If the project is not included in
project's procurement plan is likely to estimate of the latest date that the NEPA the relevant planning documents at the time
process is reasonably expected to be
create follow-on jobs and near-term the application is submitted,applicants
economic activity for manufacturers and completed.If an applicant has not initiated should submit a certification from the
suppliers that support the construction the NEPA process,the applicant must appropriate planning agency that actions are
PP PP provide a reasonable justification for why the underway at the time of the application to
industry. NEPA process has not yet been initiated as
In evaluating a project's alignment of the date of this notice and an assurance
with this criterion,DOT will assess that the necessary environmental reviews can 'All regionally significant projects requiring an
whether a project is ready to proceed be completed with enough time for any post- action by the FHWA or the plan must be in the
metropolitan transportation plan,TIP and STIP.
rapidly upon receipt of a TIGER NEPA,pre-obligation activities to be Further,in air quality non-attainment and
Discretionary Grant(see Appendix C: completed by June 30,2013,in order to give maintenance areas,all regionally significant
Additional Information on Project DOT comfort that all of the TIGER projects,regardless of the funding source,must be
Readiness Guidelines for further Discretionary Grant funds are likely to be included in the conforming metropolitan
transportation plan and TIP.To the extent a project
details),as evidenced by: obligated 1 ,sa in advance dead n of the September 30, p P a j
) 3' 2013,statutory deadline.An example of a is required to be on a metropolitan transportation
(i)Project Schedule:Applicants must reasonable justification for why an applicant plan,TIP and/or STIP it will not receive a TIGER
include a detailed project schedule in this has not initiated NEPA review would be if, Discretionary Grant until it is included in such
section of their application,which should prior to the availability of TIGER plans.Projects not currently included in these plans
PP can be amended in by the State and MPO.Projects
include major and minor project milestones. Discretionary Grant funds,there was no that are not required to be in long range
If the project will be completed in individual reasonable expectation of receiving Federal transportation plans,STIPs and TIPs will not need
segments or phases,these segments or phases funding for the project.A project selected for to be included in such plans in order to receive a
must be described individually.A feasible award that has not completed the NEPA TIGER Discretionary Grant.Freight and passenger
and sufficiently detailed project schedule process may not be permitted to use grant rail projects are not required to be on the State Rail
demonstrating that the project can begin funds for construction and related activities Plans called for in the Passenger Rail Investment
until NEPA is complete and all other and Improvement Act of 2008.This is consistent
construction quickly upon receipt of a TIGER P with the exemption for high speed and intercity
Discretionary Grant,6 and that the grant funds necessary environmental approvals have passenger rail projects under the Recovery Act.
been received. However,applicants seeking funding for freight and
n Each applicant should demonstrate that any passenger rail projects are encouraged to
potential grant funding awarded to their project can the September 30,2013,statutory deadline,and that demonstrate that they have done sufficient planning
be obligated no later than June 30,2013,in order any unexpected delays will not put TIGER to ensure that projects fit into a prioritized list of
to give DOT comfort that the TIGER Discretionary Discretionary Grant funds at risk of expiring before capital needs and are consistent with long-range
Grant funds are likely to be obligated in advance of they are obligated. goals.
4870 Federal Register/Vol. 77, No. 20/Tuesday, January 31, 2012/Notices
include the project in the relevant planning agreements signed by the grant other public entities,or private or
document; recipients and will be based on critical nonprofit entities,including projects
(v) Technical Feasibility:The technical path items identified by applicants in that engage parties that are not
feasibility of the project should be response to items(i)through(vi)above. traditionally involved in transportation
demonstrated by previously performed and/
or ongoing engineering and design studies DOT expects that pre-conditions be projects,such as nonprofit community
and activities;the development of design complete and TIGER Discretionary groups.Pursuant to the OMB Guidance,
criteria and/or a basis of design;the basis for Grants funds obligated on or before June DOT will give priority to projects that
the cost estimate presented in the TIGER 30,2013,in order to give DOT comfort make effective use of community-based
application,including the identification of that all TIGER Discretionary Grant funds organizations in connecting
contingency levels appropriate to its level of will be obligated before the statutory disadvantaged people with economic
design;and any scope,schedule,and budget deadline of September 30, 2013.By opportunities.Letters of commitment
risk-mitigation measures.Applicants must statute,DOT's ability to obligate funds and other supporting documentation
include a detailed statement of work that
focuses on the technical and engineering for TIGER Discretionary Grants expires showing existing or confirmed
aspects of the project.If the project will be on September 30,2013,and DOT has no collaboration,partnerships,etc.,should
completed in individual segments or phases, authority to extend the deadline. be provided(preferably through a Web
these segments or phases must be described site link)to demonstrate alignment with
individually.For projects generating ongoing 2.Secondary Selection Criteria this criterion.
operating expenses,an estimate of those (a)Innovation In compliance with the FY 2012
expenses and a basis for the estimate must be Appropriations Act,DOT will give
included.Technical feasibility also includes In order to measure a project's priority to projects for which a TIGER
the technical capacity of the project sponsor, alignment with this criterion,DOT will Discretionary Grant will help to
including a staffing and management plan, assess the extent to which the project complete an overall financing package.
demonstrated experience in successfully uses innovative technology(including, An applicant should clearly
implementing(on-time and on-budget) for example,intelli intelligent trans ortation
similar capital investments,and other p g transportation in the application the
indications of sponsor and partner technical systems,dynamic pricing,value extent to which the project cannot be
capacity to construct the project;and capture,rail wayside or on board energy readily and efficiently completed
(vi)Financial Feasibility:The viability and recovery,smart cards,real-time without Federal assistance,and the
completeness of the project's financing dispatching,active traffic management, extent to which other sources of Federal
package(assuming the availability of the radio frequency identification(RFID),or assistance are or are not readily
requested TIGER Discretionary Grant funds), others)to pursue one or more of the available for the project.DOT will
including evidence of stable and reliable long-term outcomes outlined above and/ assess the amount of private debt and
capital and(as appropriate)operating or to significantly enhance the equity to be invested in the project or
revenue commitments sufficient to cover operational performance of the q y p )
estimated costs;the availability of p p the amount of co-investment from State,
contingency reserves should planned capital transportation system.DOT will also local or other non-profit sources.
or operating revenue sources not materialize; assess the extent to which the project DOT will also assess the extent to
evidence of the financial condition of the incorporates innovations that which the project application
project sponsor;and evidence of the grant demonstrate the value of new demonstrates collaboration among
recipient's ability to manage grants. approaches to,among other things, neighboring or regional jurisdictions to
Applicants must demonstrate financial transportation funding and finance, achieve National,regional or
feasibility by including a detailed project contracting,project delivery,congestion metropolitan benefits.Multiple States or
budget in this section of their application, safety management,saf management,asset
which should include a detailed breakdown g y mana g jurisdictions may submit a joint
of how the funds will be spent that provides management,or long-term operations application and should identify a lead
estimates—both dollar amount and and maintenance.The applicant should State or jurisdiction as the primary
percentage of cost—of how much each clearly demonstrate that the innovation point of contact.Where multiple States
activity would cost—e.g.preparation, is designed to pursue one or more of the or jurisdictions are submitting a joint
grading,asphalt,etc.If the project will be long-term outcomes outlined above and/ application,the application should
completed in individual segments or phases, or significantly enhance the demonstrate how the project costs are
a budget for each individual segment or transportation system. apportioned between the States or
phase must be included. DOT will consider the extent to which jurisdictions to assist DOT in making
DOT reserves the right to revoke any innovative,multi-modal projects might the distributional determinations
award of TIGER Discretionary Grant be difficult to fund under other described below in Section III(C)
funds and to award such funds to programs and will give priority to (Distribution of Funds).
another project to the extent that such projects that align well with the Primary (ii)Disciplinary Integration:In order
funds cannot be timely expended and/ Selection Criteria but are unlikely to to demonstrate the value of partnerships
or construction does not begin in receive funding under traditional across government agencies that serve
accordance with the project schedule. programs. various public service missions and to
Because projects have different (b)Partnership promote collaboration on the objectives
schedules DOT will consider on a case- outlined in this notice,DOT will give
by-case basis how much time after (i)Jurisdictional&Stakeholder priority to projects that are supported,
selection for award of a TIGER Collaboration:In order to measure a financially or otherwise,by non-
Discretionary Grant each project has project's alignment with this criterion, transportation public agencies that are
before funds must be obligated DOT will assess the project's pursuing similar objectives.For
(consistent with law)and construction involvement of non-Federal entities and example,DOT will give priority to
started through an executed grant the use of non-Federal funds,including transportation projects that are
agreement between the selected the scope of involvement and share of coordinated with economic
applicant and Cognizant Modal total funding.DOT will give priority to development,housing,water
Administration.This deadline will be projects that receive financial infrastructure and land use plans and
specified for each TIGER Discretionary commitments from,or otherwise policies;similarly,DOT will give
Grant in the project-specific grant involve,State and local governments, priority to transportation projects that
Federal Register/Vol. 77, No. 20/Tuesday, January 31, 2012/Notices 4871
encourage energy efficiency or improve 2.NEPA has been addressed,as evaluation process will require team
the environment and are supported by described above in Section II(B)(2)(b)(ii) members to evaluate and rate
relevant public agencies with energy or (Environmental Approvals); applications individually before
environmental missions.Projects that 3.The project is included in the convening with other members to
grow out of a robust planning process— relevant State,metropolitan,and local discuss ratings.
such as those conducted with TIGER II planning documents,or will be DOT will not assign specific
Planning Grants,the Department of included,if applicable; numerical scores to projects based on
Housing and Urban Development's 4.The project expects to be ready to the selection criteria outlined above in
Regional Planning Grants,or the obligate all of the TIGER Discretionary Section II(A) (Selection Criteria).Rather,
Environmental Protection Agency's Grant funds no later than June 30, ratings of"highly recommended,"
Brownfield Area-Wide Planning Pilot 2013;8 and "recommended,""acceptable,"or"not
Program as well as technical assistance 5.Local matching funds to support 20 recommended"will be assigned to
programs focused on livability or percent or more of the costs for the projects for each of the selection criteria.
economic development planning—will project are identified and committed in DOT will award TIGER Discretionary
also be given priority. applications for projects in urban areas.s Grants to projects that are well-aligned
To the extent the pre-application with one or more of the selection
III.Evaluation and Selection Process evaluation team determines that a pre- criteria.In addition,DOT will consider
A.Evaluation Process application does not satisfy these key whether a project has a negative effect
threshold requirements,DOT will on any of the selection criteria,and any
TIGER Discretionary Grant inform the project sponsor that an such negative effect may reduce the
applications will be evaluated in application for the project will not be likelihood that the project will receive
accordance with the below discussed reviewed unless the application a TIGER Discretionary Grant.To the
evaluation process.DOT will establish a submitted on or prior to the Application extent the initial evaluation process
pre application evaluation team to Deadline can demonstrate that the does not sufficiently differentiate among
review each pre application that is requirement has been addressed. highly rated projects,DOT will use a
received by DOT on or prior to the Pre- DOT will establish application similar rating process to re-assess the
Application Deadline.This evaluation evaluation teams to review each projects that were highly rated and
team will be organized and led by the application that is received by DOT identify those that should be most
Office of the Secretary and will include Prior to the Application Deadline.These highly rated.
members from the relevant modal evaluation teams will be organized and DOT will give more weight to the two
administrations in DOT with the most led by the Office of the Secretary and Primary Selection Criteria(Long-Term
Near-
experience and/or expertise in the will include members from each of the Outcomes and Job Creation&Near-
experience and areas(the"Cognizant the Cognizant Modal Administrations. Term Economic Activity),which will be
relevant Modal Administrations").ecareas(te This These representatives will include weighted equally,than to the two
Modal evaluation is will be responsible for technical and professional staff with Secondary Selection Criteria
relevant experience and/or expertise. (Innovation and Partnership)which will
analyzing whether the pre-application The evaluation teams will be also be weighted equally.The following
satisfies the following key threshold responsible for evaluating and rating all table summarizes the weighting of the
requirements: of the projects and making funding selection criteria,as described in the
1.The project is an Eligible Project; recommendations to the Secretary.The preceding paragraphs:
Primary Selection Criteria
Long-Term Outcomes DOT will give more weight to this criterion than to either of the Secondary Selection Criteria. In addition,
this criterion has a minimum threshold requirement. Projects that are unable to demonstrate a likelihood
of significant long-term benefits in any of the five long-term outcomes identified in this criterion will not
proceed in the evaluation process.
Job Creation & Near-Term Eco- DOT will give more weight to this criterion than to either of the Secondary Selection Criteria.This criterion
nomic Activity. will be considered after it is determined that a project demonstrates a likelihood of significant long-term
benefits in at least one of the five long-term outcomes identified in the long-term outcomes criterion.
Secondary Selection Criteria
Innovation&Partnership DOT will give less weight to these criteria than to the Primary Selection Criteria. These criteria will be
weighted equally.
As noted below in Section III(C) will adjust the list of recommended B.Evaluation of Eligibility
(Distribution of Funds),upon projects to satisfy the statutory To be selected for a TIGER
completion of this competitive rating distributional requirements while Discretionary Grant,a project must be
process DOT will analyze the remaining as consistent as possible with an Eligible Project and the applicant
preliminary list and determine whether the competitive ratings.The Secretary of must be an Eligible Applicant.DOT may
the purely competitive ratings are Transportation will make the final consider one or more components of a
consistent with the distributional project selections. large project to be an Eligible Project,
requirements of the FY 2012 but only to the extent that the
Appropriations Act.If necessary,DOT components have independent utility,
s See footnote 7,above. 9 For FHWA and FTA committed funds are obligated for transportation purposes"as described
defined as:"Funds that have been dedicated or in 23 CFR 450.104.
4872 Federal Register/Vol. 77, No. 20/Tuesday, January 31, 2012/Notices
meaning the components themselves, be in a rural area if all or the majority Unless otherwise expressly noted
not the project of which they are a part, of a project(determined by geographic herein,any and all requirements that
are Eligible Projects and satisfy the location(s)where majority of project apply to TIGER Discretionary Grants
selection criteria identified above in money is to be spent)is located in a pursuant to the FY 2012 Appropriations
Section II(A) (Selection Criteria).For rural area.Therefore,if all or the Act,this notice,or otherwise,apply to
these projects,the benefits described in majority of a project is located in a rural TIGER TIFIA Payments.
an application must be related to the area,such a project is eligible to apply
Pre-Application and Application Cycle
components of the project for which for less than$10 million,but at least$1
funding is requested,not the full project million in TIGER Discretionary Grant VII.Pre-Application and Application
of which they are a part.DOT will not funds,and up to 100% of the project's Cycle
fund individual phases of a project if costs may be paid for with federal A. Two Stages of Application Cycle
the benefits of completing only these funds.To the extent more than a de
phases would not align well with the minimis portion of a project is located The application cycle for TIGER
selection criteria specified in this Notice in an Urbanized Area,applicants should Discretionary Grants has two stages:
because the overall project would still identify the estimated percentage of 1.Pre-Application:In Stage 1,
be incomplete. project costs that will be spent in applicants must submit a pre-
C. Transparency of Process Urbanized Areas and the estimated application form to the DOT.This step
In the interest of transparency,DOT percentage that will be spent in rural qualifies applicants to submit an
areas. application in Stage 2.No application
will disclose as much of the information
related to its evaluation process as is VI.TIGER TIFIA Payments submitted during Stage 2 that does not
practical and consistent with law.DOT correlate with a properly completed
expects that the TIGER Discretionary Up to$175 million of the$500 Stage 1 pre-application will be
Grant program may be reviewed and/or million available for TIGER considered.
audited by Congress,the i U.S. Discretionary Grants may be used for 2.Application:In Stage 2,applicants
Government Accountablity Office, TIGER TIFIA Payments.Applicants must submit a complete application
DOT's Inspector General,or others,and seeking TIGER TIFIA Payments should package through Grants.gov.If an
has taken,and will continue to take apply in accordance with all of the applicant is seeking a TIGER TIFIA
steps to document its decision-making criteria and guidance specified in this payment,applicants must also submit
notice for TIGER Discretionary Grant electronically a TIFIA letter of interest
process. applications and will be evaluated to the TIFIA office at
IV.Grant Administration concurrently with all other applicants. TIFIACredit @dot.gov.TIFIA letters of
DOT expects that each TIGER Any applicant seeking a TIGER TIFIA interest must comply with all of the
Discretionary Grant will be Payment is also required to submit a program's standard requirements(the
administered by one of the Cognizant TIFIA letter of interest concurrent with TIFIA program guide can be
Modal Administration,pursuant to a the TIGER TIFIA Payment application, downloaded from http://
grant agreement between the TIGER If selected for a TIGER TIFIA Payment, tifia.fhwa.dot.gov/).
Discretionary Grant recipient and the the applicant must comply with all of Pre-applications must be submitted to
Cognizant Modal Administration. the TIFIA program's standard DOT by the Pre-Application Deadline,
Service Outcome Agreements and application and approval requirements which is February 20,2012,at 5 p.m.
Stakeholder Agreements will be including submission of a complete EST.Final applications must be
incorporated into the TIGER grant TIFIA application and$50,000 submitted through Grants.gov by the
agreements,where appropriate.In application fee(the TIFIA program Application Deadline,which is March
accordance with the FY 2012 guide can be downloaded from http:// 19,2012,at 5 p.m.EDT.The DOT pre-
Appropriations Act,the Secretary has tifia.fhwa.dot.gov/). application system will open on or
the discretion to delegate such Applicants should demonstrate that before February 13,2012,to allow
responsibilities to the appropriate the TIFIA loan will be ready to close on prospective applicants to submit pre-
operating administration. or before June 30,2013,in accordance applications. Subsequently,the
Applicable Federal laws,rules and with the guidance specified above in Grants.gov"Apply"function will open
regulations of the Cognizant Modal Section II(B)(1)(b) (Job Creation &Near- on February 22,2012,allowing
Administration administering the Term Economic Activity).DOT's TIFIA applicants to submit applications.While
project will apply to projects that Joint Program Office will assist DOT in applicants are encouraged to submit
receive TIGER Discretionary Grants. determining a project's readiness to pre-applications in advance of the Pre-
proceed Projects in Rural Areas proceed rapidly upon receipt of a TIGER Application Deadline,pre-applications
I TIFIA Payment. will not be reviewed until after the Pre-
The FY 2012 Appropriations Act Applicants seeking TIGER TIFIA Application Deadline. Similarly,while
directs that not less than$120 million Payments may also apply for a TIGER applicants are encouraged to submit
of the funds provided for TIGER Discretionary Grant for the same project applications in advance of the
Discretionary Grants are to be used for and must indicate the type(s)of funding Application Deadline,applications will
projects in rural areas.For purposes of for which they are applying clearly on not be evaluated,and selections for
this notice,DOT is defining"rural area" the face of their applications.An awards will not be made,until after the
as any area not in an Urbanized Area, applicant for a TIGER TIFIA Payment Application Deadline.
as such term is defined by the Census must submit an application pursuant to Pre-applications(stage 1)must be
Bureau,10 and will consider a project to this notice for a TIGER TIFIA Payment submitted to the DOT.The pre-
even if it does not wish to apply for a application form will be available on the
"For Census 2000,the Census Bureau defined an TIGER Discretionary Grant. DOT Web site at www.dot.gov/TIGER by
Urbanized Area WA)as an area that consists of J anuar y 30,2012,together with
densely settled territory that contains 50,000 or
more people.Updated lists of UAs are available on will be considered rural areas for purposes of the instructions for submitting the pre-
the Census Bureau Web site.Urban Clusters(UCs) TIGER Discretionary Grant program. application form electronically to DOT.
Federal Register/Vol. 77, No. 20/Tuesday, January 31, 2012/Notices 4873
Applications(Stage 2)must be 3.For linear projects on existing To the extent the pre-application does
submitted through Grants.gov.To apply roads,route number(Interstate,U.S. not provide adequate assurances for
for funding through Grants.gov, Route,or State Route)or road name and items xvii through xxii,DOT will
applicants must be properly registered. the latitude and longitude in decimal inform the project sponsor that an
Complete instructions on how to degrees to an accuracy of 5 decimal application for the project will not be
register and submit applications can be places(e.g.0.12345)of the beginning reviewed unless the application
found at www.grants.gov.Please be and ending points of the project; submitted on or prior to the Application
aware that the registration process viii.Project title(descriptive); Deadline can demonstrate that each
usually takes 2-4 weeks and must be ix.Project type:highway,transit, requirement has been addressed.
completed before an application can be freight rail,intercity passenger rail, C. Contents of Applications
submitted.If interested parties marine port,multimodal,or bicycle and
experience difficulties at any point pedestrian activity(if the project is a An applicant for a TIGER
during the registration or application multimodal project,the pre-application Discretionary Grant must include all of
process,please call the Grants.gov form will require that applicants the information requested below in its
Customer Support Hotline at 1—(800) provide additional information application.DOT reserves the right to
518-4726,Monday-Friday from 7 a.m. identifying the affected modes); ask any applicant to supplement the
to 9 p.m.EST.Additional information x.Whether the project is requesting a data in its application,but expects
on applying through Grants.gov is TIGER TIFIA Payment; applications to be complete upon
available in Appendix B. xi.Project description(describe the submission.To the extent practical,
project in plain English,using no more DOT encourages applicants to provide
B. Contents of Pre-Applications than 50 words(e.g."the project will data and evidence of project merits in a
An applicant for a TIGER replace the existing bridge over the W form that is publicly available or
Discretionary Grant should provide all river on interstate-X between the cities verifiable.For TIGER TIFIA Payments,
of the information requested below in of Y and Z")do not describe the these requirements apply only to the
its pre-application form.DOT reserves project's benefits,background,or applications required under this notice;
the right to ask any applicant to alignment with the selection criteria the standard TIFIA letter of interest and
supplement the data in its pre- here); loan application requirements,
application,but expects pre- xii.Total cost of the project; including the standard$50,000.00
applications to be complete upon xiii.Total amount of TIGER application fee,are separately described
submission.Applicants must complete Discretionary Grant funds requested; in the Program Guide and Application
the pre application form and send it to xiv.Contact name,phone number, Form found at
DOT electronically on or prior to the email address,and physical address for http://tifia.fhwa.dot.gov/.
Pre-Application Deadline,in accordance applicant; 1.Standard Form 424,Application for
xv.the instructions specified at Congressional districts affected by Federal Assistance pp
www.dot.gov/TIGER.The pre- the project;
application form must include the xvi.Type of jurisdiction where the Please see www07.grants.gov/assets/
following information: project is located(urban or rural,as SF4247nstructions.pdf for instructions
i.Name of applicant(if the defined above in Section V(Projects in on how to complete the SF 424,which
application is to be submitted by more Rural Areas)); is part of the standard Grants.gov
than one entity,a lead submitted
applicant must xvii.Whether or not the project is in submission.Additional clarifying
than n onefeed); an Economically Distressed Area,as guidance and FAQs to assist applicants
be defined in Section II(A) (Selection in completing the SF-424 will be
ii.Applicant's DUNS(Data Universal Criteria); available at www.dot.gov/TIGER by
Numbering System)number; xviii.An assurance that the NEPA
iii.Type of applicant(State and/or environmental review process is function within in Grants.gov when the"Apply"
government,local government,U.S. complete,substantially complete,or in accept within Grann.gov opens to
territory,Tribal government,transit p y p accept applications under this notice.
y' g progress (and the expected outcome of
agency,port authority,metropolitan the process)and is expected to be 2.Project Narrative(Attachment to SF
planning organization,or other unit of completed in time to meet the obligation 424)
government); deadline of September 30,2013; The project narrative must respond to
iv. State(s)where the project is xix.The schedule for completing the application requirements outlined
located; right-of-way acquisition and final below.DOT recommends that the
v.County(s)where the project is design;approval of plans, project narrative be prepared with
located; specifications,and estimates; standard formatting preferences (e.g.a
vi.City(s)where the project is located; xx.The date that the project is single-spaced document,using a
vii.Information about the geographic expected to be ready for obligation of standard 12-point font,such as Times
location of the project for mapping grant funds,which should be no later New Roman,with 1-inch margins).
purposes using one of the following than June 30,2013,in order to give DOT A TIGER Discretionary Grant
methods: comfort that the funds will be obligated application must include information
1.A geographic information system before they expire on September 30, required for DOT to assess each of the
(GIS)file that indicates the location of 2013;and criteria specified in Section II(A)
the project; xxi.An assurance that non-Federal (Selection Criteria),as such criteria are
2.For locating point specific projects, matching funds to support 20 percent or explained in Section II(B)(Additional
latitude and longitude in decimal more of the costs of the project are Guidance on Selection Criteria).
degrees to an accuracy of 5 decimal identified and committed(as noted in Applicants must demonstrate the
places (e.g.0.12345)using the WGS 84 Section I(Background),this responsiveness of a project to any
datum(the default datum used by requirement does not apply to projects pertinent selection criteria with the
Global Positioning System(GPS) located in rural areas,as defined above most relevant information that
equipment;or in Section V(Projects in Rural Areas)). applicants can provide,regardless of
4874 Federal Register/Vol. 77, No. 20/Tuesday, January 31, 2012/Notices
whether such information has been a.Long-Term Outcomes form(if necessary)may also be outside
specifically requested,or identified,in i.State of Good Repair of the 30-page narrative.Otherwise,the
this notice.Applicants should provide ii.Economic Competitiveness only substantive portions of the
concrete evidence of project milestones, iii.Livability application that should exceed the 30-
iv.Sustainability
financial capacity and commitment in v.Safety page limit are any supporting
order to support project readiness.Any b.Job Creation&Near-Term Economic documents(including a more detailed
such information shall be considered Activity discussion of the benefit-cost analysis)
part of the application,not c.Innovation provided to support assertions or
supplemental,for purposes of the d.Partnership conclusions made in the 30-page
application size limits identified below e.Results of Benefit-Cost Analysis narrative section.
in Part D(Length of Applications). V.Project Readiness and NEPA
Information provided pursuant to this (information about how ready the project is E. Contact Information
to move forward quickly,including
paragraph must be quantified,to the information about the project schedule, Contact information is requested as
extent possible,to describe the project's environmental approvals,legislative part of the SF-424.DOT will use this
benefits to the Nation,a metropolitan approvals,state and local planning,technical information to inform parties of DOT's
area,or a region.Information provided feasibility,financial feasibility,and decision regarding selection of projects,
pursuant to this paragraph should stakeholder partnerships and implementation as well as to contact parties in the event
include projections for both the build agreements); that DOT needs additional information
and no-build scenarios for the project VI.Federal Wage Rate Certification(an about an application.Contact
for a point in time at least 20 years application must include a certification, information must be provided for a
beyond the project's completion date or signed by the applicant,stating that it will direct employee of the lead applicant
comply with the requirements of subchapter organization.Contact information for a
the lifespan of the project,whichever is IV of chapter 31 of title 40,United States or g
closest to the present. Code(Federal wage rate requirements),as contractor,agent,or consultant of the
All applications should include a required by the FY 2011 Continuing lead applicant organization is
detailed description of the proposed Appropriations Act);and insufficient for DOT's purposes.
project and geospatial data for the VII.To the extent relevant,the final page 3'
F.National Environmental Policy Act
project,including a map of the project's of the application should describe(in one
location and its connections to existing made or to the pre-application form. were Requirement Ana )cation for a TIGER
transportation infrastructure.An application
should also include a The purpose of this recommended Discretionary Grant must detail whether
description of how the project addresses format is to ensure that applications are the project will significantly impact the
the needs of an urban and/or rural area. provided in a format that clearly natural,social and/or economic
An application should clearly describe addresses the application requirements environment.If the NEPA process is
the transportation challenges that the and makes critical information readily completed,an applicant must indicate
project aims to address,and how the apparent and easy to locate. the date of,and provide a Web site link
ro ect will address these challen Length Applications
or other reference to,the final
P challenges. D j g D.Len h o f A lications
The description should include relevant Categorical Exclusion,Finding of No
data such as,for example,passenger or The project narrative may not exceed Significant Impact or Record of
freight volumes,congestion levels, 30 pages in length.Documentation Decision.If the NEPA process is
infrastructure condition,or safety supporting the assertions made in the underway but not complete,the
experience. narrative portion may also be provided, application must detail where the
DOT recommends that the project but should be limited to relevant project is in the process,indicate the
narrative generally adhere to the information.If possible,Web site links anticipated date of completion and
following basic outline,and include a to supporting documentation(including provide a Web site link or other
table of contents,maps and graphics a more detailed discussion of the reference to copies of any NEPA
benefit-cost analysis)should be documents prepared.
that make the information easier to P re P
review: provided rather than copies of these
materials.At the applicant's discretion, G.Environmentally Related Federal,
I.Project Description(including relevant materials provided previously State and Local Actions
information on the expected users of the to a Cognizant Modal Administration in An application for a TIGER
project,a description of the transportation support of a different DOT discretionary Discretionary Grant must indicate
challenges that the project aims to address,
and how the project will address these program(for example,New Starts or whether the proposed project requires
challenges); TIFIA)may be referenced and described actions by other agencies(e.g.,permits),
II.Project Parties(information about the as unchanged.To the extent referenced, indicate the status of such actions and
grant recipient and other project parties); this information need not be provide a Web site link or other
III.Grant Funds and Sources/Uses of resubmitted for the TIGER Discretionary reference to materials submitted to the
Project Funds(information about the amount Grant application(although provision of other agencies,and/or demonstrate
of grant funding requested,availability/ a Web site link would facilitate DOT's compliance with other Federal,State
commitment of funds sources and uses of all consideration of the information).DOT and local regulations as applicable,
project funds,total project costs,percentage
of project costs that would be paid for with recommends use of appropriately including,but not limited to,Section
TIGER Discretionary Grant funds,and the descriptive file names(e.g.,"Project 4(f)Parklands,Recreation Areas,
identity and percentage shares of all parties Narrative,""Maps," "Memoranda of Refuges, &Historic Properties;Section
providing funds for the project(including Understanding and Letters of Support," 106 Historic and Culturally Significant
Federal funds provided under other etc.)for all attachments.Cover pages Properties;Clean Water Act Wetlands
programs)); and tables of contents do not count and Water;Executive Orders Wetlands,
N.Selection Criteria(information about towards the 30-page limit for the Flood plains,Environmental Justice;
how the project aligns with each of the p j
primary and secondary selection criteria and narrative portion of the application,and Clean Air Act Air Quality(specifically
a description of the results of the benefit-cost the Federal wage rate certification and note if the project is located in a
analysis): one-page update of the pre-application nonattainment area);Endangered
Federal Register/Vol. 77, No. 20/Tuesday, January 31, 2012/Notices 4875
Species Act Threatened and Grants cooperate in Departmental efforts United States as a whole are made better off
Endangered Biological Resources; to collect and report on information as a result of the project.
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery related to the benefits produced by the The best applications are often prepared by
Conservation and Management Act projects that receive TIGER transportation agencies that have used in-
house Fish Habitat;and/or any State Discretionary Grants. house economic expertise and cost/benefit
and local requirements.abita ; analysis to influence the design of the project
Because of the limited nature of this from the beginning.All Applicants should
H.Protection of Confidential Business program,these benefits are likely to be also consult the BCA Resource Page available
Information reported on a project-by-project basis on the USDOT TIGER Web site(http://
All information submitted as part of and trends across projects that were www.dot.gov/TIGER)that will provide
P selected for TIGER Discretionary Grants supplemental information,standard
or in support of any application shall may not be readily available.In monetized values(where available),and
use publicly available data or data that addition,because many of these benefits updates for preparing a BCA.If after reading
can be made public and methodologies are long-term outcomes,it may be years this appendix applicants need additional
that are accepted by industry practice help,DOT staff are available to answer
and standards,to the extent possible.If before the value of the investments can questions and offer technical assistance until
the application includes information be quantified and fully reported.DOT is the final application deadline has passed.
that the applicant considers to be a trade considering the most appropriate way to This appendix provides general
secret or confidential commercial or collect and report information about information and guidance on conducting an
financial information,the applicant these potential and actual project analysis.In addition to this guidance,
should do the following:(1)Note on the benefits. applicants should refer to OMB Circulars A-
4 and A-94 in preparing their analysis
front cover that the submission IX.Questions and Clarifications (http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/circulars/).
"Contains Confidential Business Circular A-4 also cites textbooks on cost-
Information(CBI);" (2)mark each For further information concerning benefit analysis(e.g.,Mishan and Quah 11)if
affected page"CBI;"and(3)highlight or this notice please contact the TIGER an applicant wants to review additional
otherwise denote the CBI portions.DOT Discretionary Grant program staff via background material.
protects such information from email at TIGER Grants@dot.gov,or call In the Executive Summary for any benefit-
disclosure to the extent allowed under Howard Hill at(202)366-0301.A TDD cost analysis,applicants should provide a
applicable law.In the event DOT is available for individuals who are deaf project matrix describing the project and
receives a Freedom of Information Act or hard of hearing at(202) 366-3993. what it changes(see below).This can either
(FOIA)request for the information,DOT DOT will regularly post answers to be in Word or in Excel.The first column
these questions and other important provides a description of the current
th
will follow the procedures described in infrastructure baseline(including anticipated
clarifications on DOT's Web site at
its FOIA regulations at 49 CFR§7.17. changes over the analysis period)and
Only information that is ultimately www.dot.gov/TIGER.w.dot.gov/TIGER. identifies the problem that the project will
determined to be confidential under that Appendix A:Additional Information on address.The second column describes how
procedure will be exempt from Benefit-Cost Analysis the project would change the current
disclosure under FOIA. infrastructure baseline.The third and fourth
Each applicant should provide evidence columns describe the impact of that change
VIII.Project Benefits that the expected benefits of the project and the corresponding population that it
DOT expects to identify and report on justify the costs(recognizing that some costs affects.The fifth column identifies the
the benefits of the projects that it funds and benefits are difficult to quantify).If it is corresponding societal benefit.The last
clear that the benefits do not justify the costs, columns summarize the results and reference
with TIGER Discretionary Grants.To the Department will not award a TIGER where in the analysis they calculate the
this end,DOT will request that Discretionary Grant to the project.Benefits benefits.The matrix below provides an
recipients of TIGER Discretionary include the extent to which residents of the example of a completed matrix.
Reduce wait
Stop light at lightly time for Number of drivers Estimated dollar
used(non-peak)rural Replace with vehicles(non- with reduced wait Monetized value of value of time
intersection/excess roundabout/signal peak)&reduce time &number of reduced travel savings,reduced
waiting time and phasing accidents accidents/fatalities times,emissions, pollution,and pp.15-18 and
safety hazard improvement (peak) &injuries per year and accident costs safety benefits p.19
If an application contains multiple separate In addition to the matrix,the applicant travelers only over the course of five years.
projects(but that are linked together in a should summarize all pertinent data and In practice,applicants must estimate both
common objective),each of which has quantifiable cost and benefit calculations in benefits and costs for each year after the
independent utility,the applicant should a single spreadsheet tab(or table in Word). project's start date and for a period of time
provide a separate matrix(and analysis)for It should also summarize all other benefits of at least 20 years in the future(or the
each project.The Executive Summary should that are difficult to quantify,and the project's useful life if it is shorter).If the
also include the full cost of a project, applicant would also present this at the project will continue to have benefits beyond
including Federal,State,local,and private beginning of the BCA.The following
funding,as well as expected operations and provides a simplified example for expository the end of the analysis period,applicants can
maintenance costs,and not simply the purposes of discounted benefits from a road include a residual value of the project at the
requested grant amount or the local amount. project providing travel time savings to local end of the analysis period,and treat that as
11 E.J.Mishan and Euston Quah,Cost-Benefit
Analysis,5th edition(New York:Routledge,2007).
4876 Federal Register/Vol. 77, No. 20/Tuesday, January 31, 2012/Notices
an additional benefit,discounted from the
end of the analysis period.
Total Value of Initial Operations&
Calendar Project Affected Travel Time Saved Time Saved Costs Maintenace Costs Undiscounted Net Discounted at
Year Year Drivers (hours)1 ($2008)2 ($2005) ($2008)3 Benefits 7%
2011 1 $38,500,000 $6,000,000 -$44,500,000 -$41,588,785
2012 2 80,000 1,040,000 $14,248,000 $700,000 $13,548,000 $11,833,348
2013 3 95,000 1,235,000 $16,919,500 $700,000 $16,219,500 $13,239,943
2014 4 100,000 1,300,000 $17,810,000 $700,000 $17,110,000 $13,053,137
2015 5 102,000 1,326,000 $18,166,200 $700,000 $17,466,200 $12,453,159
2016 6 109,000 1,417,000 $19,412,900 $700,000 $18,712,900 $12,469,195
NPV
$21,459,998
1.Number of drivers times three minutes a day(3/60 hours)over 260 workdays
2.Hours at$13.70 per hour($2008)
3.Includes costs from delays to users during construction
The following sections will help guide facility,it is unrealistic to assume that,in the Affected Population&Types of Impacts
applicants through the matrix.This is useful absence of the project,individuals would Applicants need to carefully identify the
both to fill out the matrix(and in the process ship cargo by truck for thousands of miles, different impacts a project will have.For
to adequately scope and outline the analysis) whereas they would ship the same cargo by example,the rationale for many highway
and to actually carry out the analysis. rail with the project.A realistic description projects is to relieve peak-hour congestion
Baselines of current traffic would have current cargo which in turn reduces travel times and
traffic going by rail for most of the distance,
Applicants should measure costs and and then by truck for the relatively short vehicle emissions.Other highway projects
benefits of a proposed project against a distance over which rail transportation is not can improve road safety and in turn reduce
baseline(also called a"base case"or a"no available. accidents and corresponding property
build"case).The baseline should be an The applicant must make clear exactly damage,injuries,and fatalities.It is
assessment of the way the world would look what portions of the project form the basis of important that applicants then match the
if the project did not receive the requested the estimates of benefits and costs.It is types of impacts to the corresponding
TIGER Discretionary Grant funding. incorrect to claim benefits for the entire affected population(group and number of
Sometimes,it is reasonable to forecast that project but only count as costs the costs of affected entities).For example,for a
that baseline world resembles the present the portion of the project funded by the passenger project applicants should measure
state.However,it is important to factor in TIGER Discretionary Grant.Thus,it would be the number of passengers and for a freight
any projected changes(e.g.,baseline incorrect to attribute all the benefits from a project the amount of freight affected.
economic growth,increased traffic volumes, new port facility to a TIGER Discretionary Applicants should measure affected
or completion of already planned and funded Grant when the costs that are counted only passenger and freight traffic in passenger-
projects)that would occur even in the cover the portion of the project funded by the miles and freight ton-miles(and possibly
absence of the requested project. TIGER Discretionary Grant,for example, value of freight).If,as is often the case(e.g.,
Baseline assumptions need to incorporate paving a loading area. projected growth in highway traffic),the
the transportation options with the highest There are cases where a grant may
net benefits that would be available in the accelerate completion of the project that an affected population is not the same for all
absence of the project.Baselines should applicant already was going to build.The years,then the applicant needs to break out
incorporate accurate descriptions of current benefits and costs in this case should thus be affected population annually.Measures of
traffic/shipping patterns.It is also important limited to the marginal benefits(and freight traffic might include growing levels of
that the applicant assume the continuation of marginal costs)of completing the project in port calls.In some cases,the relevant
reasonable and sound management practices a shorter period of time and including the population is the volume of traffic that the
in establishing a baseline.Assuming a cost of expending resources on the project project diverts from one mode to another.
baseline scenario in which the owner of the sooner than otherwise planned(i.e.,a"now Applicants should be realistic as to how the
facility does no maintenance on the facility versus later"comparison). project affects these populations.
and ignores traffic problems and Alternatives Benefits—Long Term Outcomes
maintenance is not realistic and will lead to Ana applicant should present and consider
the overstatement of project benefits and will pp p Each application must include in its
reasonable alternatives in the analysis. analysis estimates of the project's expected
affect the rating of the BOA. Applicants should evaluate smaller-scale and benefits with respect to each of the five long-
Applicants must demonstrate that the more focused projects for comparison term outcomes that DOT s ecified in Section
proposed project has independent utility. purposes.For example,if an applicant is p
II(A)(Selection Criteria).We recognize that it
Sub-components of a larger project may have requesting funds to replace a pier,it should
little or no transportation value in the also analyze the alternative of rehabilitating may in some cases be unclear in which of
absence of the other components.For the current pier.Similarly,if an applicant g these categories of outcomes an applicant
example,a ramp to an undeveloped site does seeks funds to establish a relatively large should list a benefit.In these cases,it is less
not have much utility if the site does not get streetcar project,it should also evaluate a important in which category an applicant
developed.The correct baseline is then the more focused project serving only the more lists a benefit than to make sure that they list
current level of traffic and not the projected densely populated corridors of an area.A and measure it(but only once).The following
traffic if the site is developed. careful evaluation of the baseline will yield table maps some of the types of benefits to
Baselines also need to be realistic in the several alternative actions.The analysis a long-term outcome.These are some of the
transportation assumptions that they make.If should demonstrate that the proposed project primary benefit categories,but this is not an
a project would construct a short freight rail is the most cost-effective option of all the exhaustive list.We describe these categories
spur from a railroad mainline to a particular alternatives considered. later.
Federal Register/Vol. 77, No. 20/Tuesday, January 31, 2012/Notices 4877
Livability Land Use Changes that reduce VMT
Accessibility
Property Value Increases
Economic Competiveness Travel Time Savings
Operating Cost Savings
Safety Prevented Accidents (property damage),
Injuries, and Fatalities
State of Good Repair Long-Term Replacement
Maintenance & Repair Savings
Reduced VMT from not closing bridges.
Environmental Sustainability Environmental Benefits from Reduced
Emissions
Types of Societal Benefits derivation of the travel time savings to the funded by the requested grant.Once the
Travel time savings can result from affected population.If travel time savings applicant generates its estimate of hours
transportation improvements whose purpose vary over time,the applicant must clearly saved,it should apply the Department's
is to expand capacity or improve state of show savings by year.The applicant must guidance on the value of time to those
also be careful to estimate savings solely from estimates(http://ostpxweb.dot.gov/policy/
good repair.Where this is the case, the project funded by the requested grant, reports.htm)to monetize them for both
applicants should clearly demonstrate the and not from other related projects not business and non-business travelers.
Total Annual Hourly Value of Annual Benefit
Hours Saved Time
Operating cost savings frequently occur generate such benefits.However,applicants emissions and produce Environmental
from both freight-related and passenger- must be careful to count the value of the fuel Benefits given reduced idling and otherwise
related projects.Freight-related projects that and other operating cost savings(however constant vehicle-miles travelled.Also,
improve roads,rails,and ports frequently allocated among carriers,shippers,and transportation projects that encourage
generate savings to carriers(e.g.,fuel savings consumers)only once in the benefit-cost transportation users to shift from more-
and other operating cost savings)that they analysis;it cannot be re-counted in full each polluting modes to less-polluting modes can
may pass on in whole or in part to shippers time it transfers from one group to the other similarly reduce emissions.Applicants
by way of lower freight rates.Shippers may, as this would entail double-counting of the claiming these types of benefits must clearly
in turn,pass on,in whole or in part,these same benefit. demonstrate and quantify how the project
savings to consumers.Passenger-related Transportation can generate environmental will reduce emissions.Once an applicant has
projects can also reduce operating costs for costs in the form of emissions of"criteria adequately quantified levels of emission
passengers by providing lower-cost pollutants"(e.g.,SO,,,NO,,,and particulates) reductions,it should estimate the dollar
alternatives to the use of private vehicles or and from the emission of greenhouse gases, value of these benefits.For sources of
by reducing the operating costs of those such as carbon dioxide(CO2).Increased information on the social benefits of reducing
vehicles.If applicants are projecting these traffic congestion results in increased levels criteria pollutant emissions,applicants
savings as benefits,they need to carefully of these emissions.Transportation projects should refer to the online BCA Resource Page
demonstrate how the proposed project would that reduce congestion can reduce these (http://www.dot.gov/TIGER).
Total Annual Value of Annual Benefit
Emission- Pollutant(e.g.
Reduction ==> CO2)
Many infrastructure projects that improve infrastructure is out of service due to the state of good repair,applicants should
the state of good repair of transportation maintenance and repairs,or may prevent a provide accepted measures for assessing an
infrastructure can reduce long-term facility(such as a bridge)from being removed asset's current condition.For example,
maintenance and repair costs.These benefits from service entirely.The application should applicants can use Present Serviceability
are in addition to the benefits of reductions also consider differences in maintenance and Ratings(PSR)or the International Roughness
in travel time,shipping costs,and crashes repair costs when comparing different project Index to discuss pavement condition and
which the applicant should account for alternatives.For example,an applicant can bridge sufficiency ratings to discuss the
separately.Applicants should include these compare the maintenance costs that would be condition of a bridge.As discussed in the
maintenance and repair savings as benefits. required after rehabilitating an existing pier section on costs,the Department expects
Improving state of good repair may also with those that would be required after p p
reduce operating costs and congestion by building a new one.As part of the data that applicants to consider the life-cycle costs of
the project when making these comparisons.
reducing the amount of time that the go into estimating the benefits of improving
4878 Federal Register/Vol. 77, No. 20/Tuesday, January 31, 2012/Notices
Projects can also improve the Safety of crashes to show the extent to which the type provide a clear analysis of why the forecasted
transportation.A well-designed project can of improvements proposed would actually modal diversion will take place.Once the
reduce fatalities and injuries as well as reduce the likelihood of the kinds of crashes applicant has established a reasonable count
reduce other crash costs.The applicant that actually had occurred.Alternatively, of the incidents that the project will likely
should clearly demonstrate how the project when only a few cases are involved,the prevent,it should apply the Department's
will improve safety.For example,to claim a applicant should provide a description of the guidance on value of life and injuries(http://
reduction in fatalities,an applicant must incidents and demonstrate the linkage
clearly demonstrate how the existence of the between the proposed project and crash ostpxweb.dot.gov/policy/reports.htm)to
project would have prevented the types of reduction.In some cases,safety benefits may monetize them.This and other relevant
fatalities that commonly occur in that area. occur because of modal diversion from a less information on Abbreviated Injury Scale
Applicants should use crash causation safe mode to a safer mode.When applicants (AIS)are available at the BCA Resource Page
factors or similar analyses of causes of claim this type of benefit,they should (http://www.dot.gov/TIGER).
Total Annual Value of Annual Benefit
Reduction in Statistical Life
Fatalities
Applicants must carefully net out other Other costs of the project,along with capital costs.
effects before taking benefits from Property Transfers are not benefits.Analysis should In addition to construction costs,other direct
Value Increases(e.g.from a transit station). distinguish between real benefits and transfer costs may include design and land
For example,if the property value goes up by payments.Benefits reflect real resource usage acquisition.If the time period considered in
the exact same value as the developer's and overall benefits to society,while the analysis is long enough to require the
investment then this is not a benefit.Property transfers represent payments by one group to rehabilitation of the facility during the period
value increases over and above the another and do not represent a net increase of analysis,then the costs of that
developer's investment may potentially be a in societal benefits.In the case of job rehabilitation should be included.Applicants
benefit from the project.The analysis should creation,for example,every job represents should consider external costs,such as noise,
also consider to what extent an increase in both a cost to the employer(paying a wage) increased congestion,and environmental
land values induced by the project in one and a benefit to the employee(receiving a pollutants resulting from the use of the
area causes a reduction in land values in wage),so it is a transfer payment,rather than facility or related changes in usage on other
some other area.Applicants must also net out a net benefit.While wages are a transfer facilities in the same network in the analysis.
any property value increases that result from payment,increases in the productivity of the Additionally,applicants should include,to
time savings or other benefits that have labor force,measured by increases in how the extent possible,costs to users during
already been counted.Applicants can only much workers produce per hour,can be construction,such as delays and increased
count the net increase in land value as a included as a benefit of the project,but these vehicle operating costs associated with work
benefit.Simply asserting that there is a P 1 zones or detours.The applicant should
property tax increase net of time savings is benefits must be carefully measured and correctly discount annual costs to arrive at a
inadequate.The Department expects any justified to be included.With respect to Y
applicant claiming these types of benefits to economic development,providing estimates present value of the project's cost.
of capital investments or property tax Applicants should discount future benefits
provide a rigorous justification of the benefit. revenues are not legitimate benefits in a and costs to present values using a real
Applicants should note that any claimed benefit-cost analysis.s.For example,while the discount rate(i.e.,a discount rate that reflects
societal benefit from a property value Y P the opportunity cost of money net of the rate
increase is only a one-time stock benefit. tax is a benefit to the tax assessor it is a cost PP Y Y
to the taxpayer.These transfers are of inflation)of 7 percent,following guidance
Applicants can not treat it as a stream of
commonly included in"economic impact provided by OMB in Circulars A-4 and A—
benefits accruing annually.To the extent Y P
possible,applicant should use survey analyses;"an economic impact analysis is 94(http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/
methods to estimate the value of the estimate not acceptable as a substitute for a benefit- circulars_default/).Applicants may also
the value of the expected property value cost analysis.Other examples of transfers provide an alternative analysis using a real
increase from transit or other transportation include port/rail projects whose purpose is to discount rate of 3 percent.They should use
improvements. take away business from competitors. the latter approach when the alternative use
Transit and bicycle paths may provide However,the transportation cost savings(if of funds currently dedicated to the project
greater accessibility to alternative any)and the like from shifting traffic to a would be for other public expenditures,
transportation modes,but they will not more convenient location would be a benefit. rather than private investment.In presenting
actually enhance livability unless people use Applicants should not include employment these year-by-year streams,applicants should
them,and the desire to use them will depend or output multipliers that purport to measure measure them in constant(or"real")dollars
secondary effects as societal benefits because prior to discounting.Applicants should not
in part on where these modes go and on the
amenities provided with them.One useful these secondary effects are generally the add in the effects of inflation to the estimates
source of guidance on measuring benefits of same(per dollar spent)regardless of what of future benefits and costs prior to
bicycle facilities(particularly for kind of project is funded. discounting.
understanding demand estimation)is the As noted above,the estimate of Costs must Benefit-cost analyses of transportation
Transportation Research Board's National pertain to the same project as the estimate of projects almost always depend on forecasts
Cooperative Highway Research Program benefits.If the TIGER Discretionary Grant is of projected levels of usage(road traffic,port
Report 552,Guidelines for Analysis of to pay for only part of the project,but the calls,etc.).When an applicant is using such
Investments in Bicycle Facilities project is indivisible(i.e.,no one part of the forecasts to generate benefit estimates,it
(Washington:TRB,2006) project would have independent utility),then must assess the reliability of these forecasts.
(Available at http://onlinepubs.trb.org/ the applicant should compare the benefits of If the applicant is using outside forecasts,it
onlinepubs/nchrp/nchrp_rpt_552.pdf). the whole project to the costs of the whole must provide a citation and an appropriate
Transit and bicycle paths can also induce project,including costs paid for by State, page number for the forecasts.Applicants
land use changes that result in greater local,and private partners other than the should incorporate indirect effects into their
density of development and more mixed-use Federal government.In general,applicants forecasts where possible(e.g.,induced
development,thus reducing the number of should use a life-cycle cost analysis approach demand).Applicants should also take great
passenger-miles of transportation needed to in estimating the costs of the project.The care to match forecasts of usage levels to the
access jobs,schools,shopping,and Department expects applicants to include corresponding year.For example,using
recreational opportunities. operating,maintenance,and other life-cycle projected traffic levels for 2030 to generate
Federal Register/Vol. 77, No. 20/Tuesday, January 31, 2012/Notices 4879
benefits for all the earlier years is incorrect. 1.Acquire a DUNS Number.A DUNS urged to submit your application at least 72
For more information on forecasting, number is required for Grants.gov hours prior to the due date of the application
applicants can refer to the forecasting section registration.The Office of Management and to allow time to receive the validation
of FHWA's Economic Analysis Primer Budget requires that all businesses and message and to correct any problems that
(http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/infrastructure/ nonprofit applicants for Federal funds may have caused a rejection notification.
asstmgmt/primer06.cfm).While produced for include a DUNS(Data Universal Numbering Note:When uploading attachments please
analysis of highway projects,the primer is a System)number in their applications for a use generally accepted formats such as.pdf,
good source of information on issues related new award or renewal of an existing award. .doc,and.xls.While you may imbed picture
to all transportation forecasting. A DUNS number is a unique nine-digit files such as.jpg,.gif,.bmp,in your files,
Applicants should make every effort to sequence recognized as the universal please do not save and submit the attachment
make the results of their analyses as standard for identifying and keeping track of in these formats.Additionally,the following
transparent and reproducible as possible.A entities receiving Federal funds.The formats will not be accepted:.com,.bat,.exe,
Department reviewer reading the analysis identifier is used for tracking purposes and .vbs,.cfg,.dat,.db,.dbf,.dll,.ini,.log,.ora,
should be able to understand the basic to validate address and point of contact .sys,and.zip.
elements of the analysis and the way in information for Federal assistance applicants,
which the applicant derived the estimates.It recipients,and sub-recipients.The DUNS Experiencing Unforeseen Grants.gov
is inadequate for the applicant only to number will be used throughout the grant life Technical Issues
provide links to large documents or cycle.Obtaining a DUNS number is a free, If you experience unforeseen Grants.gov
spreadsheets as sources.The Department one-time activity.Obtain a DUNS number by technical issues beyond your control that
expects applicants to clearly cite all outside calling 1-(866)705-5711 or by applying prevent you from submitting your
data sources with the corresponding page online at http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform. application by the deadline of March 19,
number(or cell number,for a spreadsheet). 2.Acquire or Renew Registration with the 2012,at 5 p.m.EDT,you must contact
For more detailed documentation,applicants Central Contractor Registration(CCR) TIGERGrants@dot.gov or Howard Hill at
must include a thorough verbal description Database.All applicants for Federal financial (202)366-0301 within the 24 hours
of how they did the calculation.This should assistance maintain current registrations in following the deadline and request approval
include
spreadsheet.references to tabs
description and
ls in the
should the Central Contractor Registration(CCR) to submit your application after the deadline
ser
include specific sources for all the numbers
should database.An applicant must be registered in has passed.At that time,DOT staff will
in the spreadsheet(i.e.those that the the CCR to successfully register in require you to provide your DUNS number
Grants.gov.The CCR database is the and your Grants.gov Help Desk tracking itself does not calculate).If an Y g p g
applicant uses a"pre-packaged"economic repository for standard information about number(s).After DOT staff review all of the
model to calculate net benefits,the applicant Federal financial assistance applicants, information submitted and contact the
should provide annual benefits and costs by recipients,and sub-recipients.Organizations Grants.gov Help Desk to validate the
benefit and cost type for the entire analysisy that have previously submitted applications technical issues you reported,DOT staff will
period(including forecast year traffic via Grants.gov are already registered with contact you to either approve or deny your
volumes).In any case,applicants must CCR,as it is a requirement for Grants.gov request to submit a late application through
provide a detailed explanation of the registration.Please note,however,that Grants.gov.If the technical issues you
assumptions used to run the model(e.g., applicants must update or renew their CCR reported cannot be validated,your
peak traffic hours and traffic volume during registration at least once per year to maintain application will be rejected as untimely.
peak hours,mix of traffic by cars,buses,and an active status,so it is critical to check To ensure a fair competition for limited
trucks,etc.).The applicant must provide registration status well in advance of relevant discretionary funds,the following conditions
enough information so that a Department application deadlines.Information about are not valid reasons to permit late
reviewer can follow the general logic of the CCR registration procedures can be accessed submissions:(1)Failure to complete the
estimates(and,in the case of spreadsheet at www.ccr.gov. registration process before the deadline date;
models,reproduce them). 3.Acquire an Authorized Organization (2)failure to follow Grants.gov instructions
Representative(AOR)and a Grants.gov on how to register and apply as posted on its
Appendix B:Additional Information on Username and Password.Complete your Web site;(3)failure to follow all of the
Applying Through Grants.gov AOR profile on Grants.gov and create your instructions in the funding availability
Applications(Stage 2)for TIGER username and password.You will need to notice;and(4)technical issues experienced
Discretionary Grants must be submitted use your organization's DUNS Number to with the applicant's computer or information
through Grants.gov.To apply for funding complete this step.For more information technology(IT)environment.
through Grants.gov,applicants must be about the registration process,go to Appendix C:Additional Information on
properly registered.Complete instructions on ivy'w•grants.gov/applicants/ PP
how to register and apply can be found at get_registered.jsp. Project Readiness Guidelines
www.grants.gov.If interested parties 4.Acquire Authorization for your AOR As applicants develop their applications,
experience difficulties at any point during from the E-Business Point of Contact(E-Biz there are some guidelines on project
registration or application process,please POC).The E-Biz POC at your organization readiness that they should consider.The
call the Grants.gov Customer Support Hotline must log in to Grants.gov to confirm you as TIGER Discretionary Grant funds are
at 1(800)518-4726,Monday—Friday from 7 an AOR.Please note that there can be more available for a limited period of time(DOT's
a.m.to 9 p.m.EST. than one AOR for your organization. ability to obligate the funds expires after
Registering with Grants.gov is a one-time 5.Search for the Funding Opportunity on September 30,2013),and DOT may be
process;however,processing delays may Grants.gov.Please use the following limited as to when they may obligate the
occur and it can take up to several weeks for identifying information when searching for TIGER Discretionary Grant funds to a project
first-time registrants to receive confirmation the TIGER funding opportunity on if it is not far enough along in the project
and a user password.It is highly Grants.gov.The Catalog of Federal Domestic development process.The application
recommended that applicants start the Assistance(CFDA)number for this package should provide concrete evidence of
registration process as early as possible to solicitation is 20.933,titled National project milestones,financial capacity and
prevent delays that may preclude submitting Infrastructure Investments. commitment in order to support project
an application by the deadlines specified. 6.Submit an Application Addressing All of readiness.Each operating administration
Applications will not be accepted after the the Requirements Outlined in this Funding with the responsibility for obligating the
relevant due date;delayed registration is not Availability Announcement.Within 24-48 TIGER Discretionary Grant funds has its own
an acceptable reason for extensions.In order hours after submitting your electronic regulations,policies,and procedures that
to apply for TIGER Discretionary Grant application,you should receive an email they may apply for projects that have been
funding under this announcement and to validation message from Grants.gov.The selected for TIGER Discretionary Grant funds.
apply for funding through Grants.gov,all validation message will tell you whether the In some cases,an operating administration
applicants are required to complete the application has been received and validated may obligate a portion of the overall amount
following: or rejected,with an explanation.You are of funds that an applicant has been selected
4880 Federal Register/Vol. 77, No. 20/Tuesday, January 31, 2012/Notices
to receive so that such an applicant may use funds for construction or other activities is construction or other activities by an
that portion of the TIGER Discretionary Grant contingent on the project being included in operating administration may be contingent
funds for eligible pre-construction activities, the relevant planning documents,applicants on completion of right-of-way acquisition
delaying the balance of the obligation of should demonstrate they can reasonably and final design approval,and/or additional
funds until all pre-construction requirements expect to have the project included in such approvals contingent on completion of right-
have been completed. planning documents by March 30,2013.DOT of-way acquisition and design,applicants
The guidelines below provide additional is using the March 30 milestone since should demonstrate,through their project
details about some of these pre-construction applicants should demonstrate in their schedule,that they reasonably expect to have
steps if a project element is for pre- project schedule that all additional, right-of-way and design completed,and
construction activities,or requirements necessary pre-construction steps if a project completion of any other needed pre-
before the total award is obligated(including, element is for pre-construction activities,or construction steps if a project element is for
but not limited to,planning requirements, requirements before the total award is pre-construction activities,or other approvals
environmental approvals,right-of-way obligated will be complete on or before June by June 30,2013.Applicants should submit
acquisitions,and design completion)and 30,2013,and planning must be complete a reasonable schedule of when right-of-way
suggests milestones each project should aim before other pre-construction or other (if applicable),design,and any other required
to achieve in order to obligate the full activities can be completed..The applicant approvals are expected to be obtained.
amount of awarded TIGER Discretionary should provide a schedule demonstrating Applicants may expect that DOT may
Grant funds,in advance of the obligation when the project will be added to the obligate TIGER funds for right-of-way and
deadline of September 30,2013.Applicants relevant planning documents. design completion only after planning and
should demonstrate that they can reasonably Environmental Approvals:Projects should environmental approvals are obtained.
expect to complete all of these pre- have received all environmental approvals, Completion of Obligation:Applicants
construction steps if a project element is for including satisfaction of all Federal,State should plan to have all necessary pre-
pre-construction activities,or requirements and local requirements and completion of the construction or other approvals and activities
before the total award is obligated no later National Environmental Policy Act("NEPA") completed by June 30,2013.In some
than June 30,2013,so that all the TIGER process at the time the application is instances,DOT may not obligate for
Discretionary Grant funds are obligated in submitted or should demonstrate,through construction or other activities until all
advance of or b the September 30,2013, their project schedule and narrative,that
Y P planning and environmental approvals are
statutory deadline,and that any unexpected receipt of NEPA approval,and all additional, obtained and right-of-way and final design
delays will not put TIGER Discretionary necessary pre-construction steps if a project are complete.If a project is selected for a
Grant funds at risk of expiring before they element is for pre-construction activities,or TIGER Discretionary Grant and the TIGER
can be fully obligated.DOT may reallocate other approvals can occur by June 30,2013. Discretionary Grant funding will be used to
unobligated TIGER Discretionary Grant funds If the obligation of TIGER Discretionary complete all of these activities,DOT may
Grant funds for construction or other
towards projects that are ready to use TIGER obligate the funding in phases,in accordance
Discretionary Grant funds if a project is not activities is contingent on completion of with the laws,regulations,and policies of the
other approvals that can only take place after
ready for DOT to obligate all TIGER the environmental approvals process,the operating administration that is
Discretionary Grant funds before the administering the grant.
September 30,2013,statutory deadline. applicant should demonstrate,through their
Applicants that are unfamiliar with,or have project schedule and narrative,that they can Issued on:January 25,2012.
questions about,the requirements that a reasonably expect to obtain all environmental Ray LaHood,
proposed project or projects may need to approvals by March 30,2013,or other date Secretary.
com lete in order for the o eratin sufficiently in advance of June 30,2013.Like
P P g planning,the environmental approvals must [FR Doc.2012-1996 Filed 1-30-12;8:45 am]
administration to obligate TIGER be obtained prior to completing other pre- BILLING CODE 4910-9X-P
Discretionary Grant funds may contact construction steps if a project element is for
TIGERGrants@dot.gov with questions.The pre-construction activities,or other activities.
below information is not an exhaustive list of To demonstrate that this suggested DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
the requirements that a project may need to milestone is achievable,applicants should
comply with in order for TIGER provide information about the anticipated Federal Highway Administration
Discretionary Grant funds to be obligated by class of action,the budget for completing
the operating administration that is NEPA,including hiring a consultant if [FHWA Docket No.FHWA-2011-0122]
administering the TIGER Discretionary Grant. necessary,and a schedule that demonstrates
State and Local Planning:Project activities when NEPA will be complete.The schedule Revision of Form FHWA-1273
that are focused on refining scope and should show how the suggested milestones AGENCY:Federal Hi hwa
completing Federal environmental reviews described in this section will be complied g y
are eligible capital expenses under the TIGER with,and include any anticipated Administration(FHWA),DOT.
Discretionary Grants Program and are an coordination with Federal and State ACTION:Notice;request for comments.
essential part of project development.A regulatory agencies for permits and
project that receives TIGER Discretionary approvals.The budget should demonstrate SUMMARY:The FHWA is requesting
Grant funds may be required to be approved how costs to complete NEPA factor into the comments on a proposed revision of
by the Metropolitan Planning Organization or overall cost to complete the project.The form FHWA-1273—"Required Contract
State in the Long Range Plans and budget and schedule for completing NEPA Provisions Federal-Aid Construction
Transportation Improvement Program(TIP)/ should be reasonable and be comparable to Contracts."This form includes certain
Statewide Transportation Improvement a budget and schedule of a typical project of contract provisions that are required on
to (Sh tP).Applicants
f nts should
included take steps the same type.The applicant should provide all Federal-aid construction projects.
P project P 1 q the NEPA froc support from State and to local
The revisions are necessary to provide
the relevant plan if the project is required to
be included in such planning documents elected officials as well as the public. consistency with the current policies of
before an operating administration may Additionally,the applicant should provide the FHWA and other Federal agencies.
obligate funds to the project. environmental studies or other documents DATES: Comments must be received on
If the project is not included in the relevant (preferably by way of a Web site link)that or before March 1,2012.
planning documents at the time the TIGER describe in detail known potential project ADDRESSES:Mail or hand deliver
application is submitted,applicants should impacts and possible mitigation for these comments to the U.S.Department of
submit a certification from the appropriate impacts.The applicant should supply p
planning agency that actions are underway at sufficient documentation for DOT to Transportation,Dockets Management
the time of application to include the project adequately review the project's NEPA status. Facility, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE.,
in the relevant planning document.If the Right-of-Way and Design:If the obligation Washington,DC 20590,or submit
obligation of TIGER Discretionary Grant of TIGER Discretionary Grant funds for electronically at www.regulations.gov or