May 24, 2023

RAIL

MOVING AMERICA FORWARD

Presented by:

Marc Dixon • Jessie Samwel • Ryan Arbuckle

FY 2022–2023 Interstate Rail Compacts NOFO Webinar
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Welcome:

FRA Administrator

Amit Bose
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FRA Presenters

Marc Dixon

Transportation Industry 

Analyst, Rail Program Policy 

and Performance Division

Jessie Samwel

Community Planner, 

Project Planning Division

Ryan Arbuckle

Chief, Program 

Coordination & Strategy
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• Interstate Rail Compact Program Overview

• How to Apply

• Best Practices 

o Project Narrative

o Statement of Work

o Benefit-Cost Analysis

o Environmental Readiness

• Q & A 

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Agenda
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Interstate Rail Compacts 

Grant Program 
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• Interstate Rail Compacts grant program is a new competitive program that will provide financial 

assistance to entities implementing Interstate Rail Compacts. 

• Improve, promote, and develop intercity passenger rail service, including activities related to 

the financing of such service, and to encourage multi-state grant applications. 

• Published in the Federal Register on May 9, 2023 

• $5.8 million available in FY 2022–2023 supplemental advance and annual appropriations 

• Applications due by 5 PM ET on July 10, 2023

• Concurrent applications and resubmissions are allowed

• Indicate other program(s) you may have applied to (e.g., CRISI, RAISE)

Program Purpose & Funding Overview

Purpose

Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)

CRISI: Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements Grant Program

RAISE: Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity Grants
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Eligible Applicants and Activities

• Entities implementing Interstate Rail Compacts, 

which means an existing entity, such as a 

commission, that has been established by member 

states to implement the Interstate Rail Compact

• Cost of Administration

• Systems Planning

• Promotion of Intercity Passenger Rail Operations

• Preparation of Applications for Competitive Federal 

Grant Programs

• Service Operations Coordination

Applicants

Activities*

*Costs must be consistent with 2 CFR 200 cost principles
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Award Limitations 

$ $3,000,000

Set aside per fiscal year

$1,000,000

Maximum award per year of

No more than a total of

10 Awards

Per fiscal 

year

Non-Federal 50% match required 
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Key Program Definitions

Interstate Rail Compact

For the purposes of the NOFO, an interstate rail compact is a legislatively enacted agreement or 

compact that establishes a formal, legally binding relationship between two or more States to prepare 

for and provide intercity passenger rail service.

Intercity Passenger Rail Transportation (IPR)

Rail passenger transportation, except commuter rail passenger transportation (see 49 U.S.C. 

24911(a)(2)). In the IRC NOFO, “Intercity Passenger Rail Service” and “Intercity Passenger Rail 

Transportation” are equivalent terms to “Intercity Rail Passenger Transportation.”
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IRC and Other BIL Grant Programs 

• Interstate Rail Compacts are eligible applicants for other FRA grant programs:

o Corridor Identification and 

Development Program

o Federal-State Partnership for 

Intercity Passenger Rail Grant Program

o Restoration and Enhancement 

Grant Program

o Consolidated Rail Infrastructure 

and Safety Improvements (CRISI) 

Grant Program

o More information on new and 

enhanced grant programs under the 

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law: 

https://railroads.dot.gov/BIL
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Project Benefits

• Effects on system and service performance along an interstate passenger rail route;

• Effects on the promotion of intercity passenger rail service;

• Efficiencies from improved coordination of interstate passenger rail services with shared 

freight operations; and

• Ability to incorporate community and stakeholder engagement in transportation 

planning.

Program Evaluation & Selection Criteria

Evaluation Criteria
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Technical Merit:

• Tasks and subtasks outlined in the SOW are appropriate to achieve the expected outcomes of the 

proposed project

• Applications indicate ongoing commitment from each member State to achieving the proposed 

project

• The applicant has, or will have the legal, financial, and technical capacity to carry out the proposed 

project 

• The technical qualifications and experience of key personnel proposed to lead and perform the 

technical efforts, and the qualifications of the primary and supporting organizations to fully 

and successfully execute the proposed project within the proposed timeframe and budget, are 

demonstrated

• The proposed project is consistent with planning guidance and documents set forth by DOT, 

including those required by law or State rail plans developed under Title 49, United States Code, 

chapter 227, as appropriate

Program Evaluation & Selection Criteria

Evaluation Criteria
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Program Evaluation & Selection Criteria

Key Departmental Objectives

Safety

FRA will assess the project's ability to foster a safe 

transportation system for the movement of goods 

and people, consistent with the Department's 

strategic goal to reduce transportation-related 

fatalities and serious injuries across the 

transportation system. 

Economic Strength and Global 

Competitiveness 

FRA will assess the project's ability to contribute to 

economic progress stemming from infrastructure 

investment and associated job creation in the 

industry. 

Equity

FRA will assess the project's ability to address equity 

and barriers to opportunity, to the extent possible 

within the program and consistent with law.

DOT will assess the project’s ability to meet one or more of these objectives. Such considerations can include, 

but are not limited to, the extent to which an application promotes:
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NOFO Overview

& How to Apply
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What is a NOFO?

A Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO): 

• Announces the grant opportunity

• Contains details about the application requirements 

and procedures to request Federal funding for eligible 

projects

• Is the authoritative source of all information related to 

the funding opportunity. 

Key Parts of a NOFO
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What information is in a NOFO?

• Program Summary

• Key Dates

• Addresses

• FRA Contact Information

Key Parts of a NOFO

• Table of Contents

o Program Description

o Federal Award Information

o Eligibility Information

o Application and Submission Information

o Application Review Information

o Federal Award Administration 

Information

o Federal Awarding Agency Contacts

o Other Information
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Where do I start?

Check the FRA Competitive Discretionary Grant Programs webpage

• https://railroads.dot.gov/grants-loans/competitive-discretionary-grant-programs/competitivediscretionary-grant-programs

Click the link 

to access the 

NOFO
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Where is the FY22 Partnership Program NOFO? 

NOFO in the Federal Register

• https://www.federalregister.gov/d

ocuments/2023/05/09/2023-

09863/notice-of-fundingopportunity-for-interstate-railcompacts#h-42
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Search Grants tab on Grants.gov: 

Click the Opportunity 

Number to see the Synopsis

Where do I find “How to Apply” information?
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Summary information about the grant opportunity in Grants.gov: 

What is the Synopsis?
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How do I apply?

• Obtain a Unique Entity Identifier

• Register early in the Federal government's 

System for Award Management (SAM)

• For Grants.gov, complete an Authorized 

Organization Representative profile and 

create a username and password

• Submit an application addressing all 

requirements outlined in the NOFO

Key Steps

NOTE:

• SAM registration can take up to 2 

weeks (longer if you do not have an 

Employer Identification Number).

• FRA does not control or have the 

authority to expedite SAM renewal 

requests.

• GSA reported that as of December 6, 

2022, the average time to complete 

a manual review otherwise known as 

Entity Validation is thirteen (13) 

business days.
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What do I include in my application?

• Project Narrative

• Statement of Work 

o Scope, Schedule, Budget 

and Performance Measures

Required Documents
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What forms are required?

• SF424 (Application for Federal Assistance)

oEither: SF 424A or 424C – Budget info for Non-Construction OR Construction

oEither: SF 424B or 424D – Assurances for Non-Construction OR for 

Construction

• FRA’s Additional Assurances and Certifications (FRA F 30)

• FRA’s Applicant Financial Capability Questionnaire (FRA F 251)

• SF LLL: Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (only required if reportable Lobbying 

activities exist)

Required Forms
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Where do I find additional information and help?

Find Additional Information about the grant opportunity in Grants.gov at the 

bottom of the Synopsis page: 
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Each application is reviewed for completeness and 

eligibility to determine which applications move to 

the evaluation stage

Each complete and eligible application is evaluated 

by a panel of DOT subject matter experts using 

criteria outlined in the NOFO 

Final funding decisions are made by taking into 

account the evaluation and selection criteria 

outlined in the NOFO 

1. Intake and Eligibility

2. Evaluation

3. Selection

4. Announcement

FRA press release announces selections approximately 

7 to 9 months following application due date

Application Review and Selection Process

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FRA’s Competitive Grants Application Process webpage

Grant Application Process
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Best Practices
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 Read the NOFO completely and carefully to 

understand the criteria for eligibility and 

selection, and what information each 

application must include 

 FRA has identified several focus areas where 

applications that are not selected often 

demonstrate deficiencies: 

o Project Narrative

o Statement of Work (SOW)

Best Practices & Helpful Hints
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Best Practices—

Project Narrative
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 Structure your project narrative 

in accordance with the outline 

specified in the NOFO

 Include all elements identified in 

the outline

 Follow the instructions for 

each element

 Adhere to 15-page limit – Cover 

Page does not count against limit

Project Narrative Outline

Best Practices – Project Narrative

I. Cover Page

II. Project Summary

III. Project Funding

IV. Applicant Eligibility Criteria

V. Project Eligibility Criteria

VI. Detailed Project Description

VII. Project Location

VIII. Evaluation and Selection Criteria

IX. Project Implementation and Management
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I. Cover Page

II. Project Summary

III. Project Funding

IV. Applicant Eligibility Criteria

V. Project Eligibility Criteria

VI. Detailed Project Description

VII. Project Location

VIII. Evaluation and Selection Criteria

IX. Project Implementation and Management

Best Practices – Project Narrative

 Indicate if an application for the 

project has been submitted 

previously to another Federal grant 

program—include the program and 

year, lead applicant, project cost, 

lifecycle stage, intercity route 

benefitting, infrastructure owner

Project Narrative Outline
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Best Practices – Project Narrative

Project Narrative Outline

 Briefly describe the project in 

4 to 6 sentences, its anticipated 

benefits, and the transportation 

challenges the project will 

address

 Think of this section of the 

application as your elevator pitch 

for the project to the DOT 

Secretary and FRA Administrator

I. Cover Page

II. Project Summary

III. Project Funding

IV. Applicant Eligibility Criteria

V. Project Eligibility Criteria

VI. Detailed Project Description

VII. Project Location

VIII. Evaluation and Selection Criteria

IX. Project Implementation and Management
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Best Practices – Project Narrative

Project Narrative Outline

 Only include eligible costs

 Specify each source of 

non-Federal match

 Provide details about in-kind match

 Indicate public- vs. private-sector 

match 

 Describe the non-Federal 

funding arrangements

 Attach funding commitment letters

 Identify if the proposed match will not 

be available until a certain date or if 

funds must be spent by a deadline

I. Cover Page

II. Project Summary

III. Project Funding

IV. Applicant Eligibility Criteria

V. Project Eligibility Criteria

VI. Detailed Project Description

VII. Project Location

VIII. Evaluation and Selection Criteria

IX. Project Implementation and Management
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Best Practices – Project Narrative

Project Narrative Outline

 Thoroughly discuss the 

transportation challenges and 

benefits

 Include data to support project 

benefits

 Describe how project 

components are related and will 

be sequenced

 Include photographs or diagrams

 Identify all host railroads, 

operators, and beneficiaries

I. Cover Page

II. Project Summary

III. Project Funding

IV. Applicant Eligibility Criteria

V. Project Eligibility Criteria

VI. Detailed Project Description

VII. Project Location

VIII. Evaluation and Selection Criteria

IX. Project Implementation and Management
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Best Practices – Project Narrative

Project Narrative Outline

 Identify cities, counties, and 

states where project is located

 Include a map of the project 

activities, as appropriate 

 Geospatial data—longitude and 

latitude (in decimals), if 

applicable 

I. Cover Page

II. Project Summary

III. Project Funding

IV. Applicant Eligibility Criteria

V. Project Eligibility Criteria

VI. Detailed Project Description

VII. Project Location

VIII. Evaluation and Selection Criteria

IX. Project Implementation and Management
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Best Practices – Project Narrative

Project Narrative Outline

 Include a separate section in the 

project narrative focused on how the 

project meets each of the evaluation 

and selection criteria

 DO NOT rely solely on the contents 

of the “detailed project description” 

section to satisfy this requirement—

it is OK to repeat key points in this 

section

 Quantify benefits whenever possible

I. Cover Page

II. Project Summary

III. Project Funding

IV. Applicant Eligibility Criteria

V. Project Eligibility Criteria

VI. Detailed Project Description

VII. Project Location

VIII. Evaluation and Selection Criteria

IX. Project Implementation and Management
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Best Practices – Project Narrative

Project Narrative Outline

 Highlight applicant’s past 

experiences managing and 

overseeing similar projects, including 

FRA- or DOT-funded projects

 Describe expected arrangements for 

project contracting, contract 

oversight, change-order 

management, risk management, and 

conformance with Federal 

requirements for progress reporting

I. Cover Page

II. Project Summary

III. Project Funding

IV. Applicant Eligibility Criteria

V. Project Eligibility Criteria

VI. Detailed Project Description

VII. Project Location

VIII. Evaluation and Selection Criteria

IX. Project Implementation and Management
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Best Practices—

Statement of Work
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 See FRA’s Statements of Work webpage:

https://railroads.dot.gov/grants-loans/

grant-administration/statements-work

 Use templates for the 

o SOW (Attachment 2)

o Schedule (Attachment 3) 

o Budget (Attachment 4)

o Performance Measures 

(Attachment 5)

Best Practices – Statement of Work
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 Organize the scope of work into discrete and logically sequenced tasks  Provide appropriate timing for tasks  Identify the deliverables required to communicate progress and 

completion of tasks to FRA

 Check the budget to ensure numbers are consistent with cost information 

submitted in forms and other areas of 

the application

Best Practices – Statement of Work
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• Capital Cost Estimating Guidance:

o https://railroads.dot.gov/rail-network-development/

training-guidance/capital-cost-estimating-guidance

• Utilize FRA’s Standard Cost Categories as a way to organize 

the scope of work and budget

o https://railroads.dot.gov/elibrary/mp-33-scc-worksheets

• Ensure consistency among the project narrative, statement of 

work, and other application materials

Best Practices – Statement of Work
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Recap &

Reminders
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Recap & Reminders

• Always read the NOFO carefully

• Determine what a successful project 

looks like

• Ensure you submit all required documents

• Address all the evaluation and selection criteria 

on which you will be rated

o Be clear and direct in responding to criteria

o Make your application easy to read and 

evaluate

o Don’t bury key points!

Submit your application on time! Late applications will not be reviewed.
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Recap & Reminders

• Verify funding and budget amounts for consistency! 

o Ensure amounts match in different parts of your application package 

(e.g., cover sheet, SOW, Project Narrative, SF-424)

o Numbers in columns and rows should add up properly in budget tables

o Only include project costs that are expected to be incurred after 

grant selection 

• Name key partners, indicate in-place agreements, and include letters of support

• Have an objective “cold reader” — i.e., an individual unfamiliar with the grant 

application — review your final document before submission
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Pre-Obligation Post-Obligation

Pre-Obligation Post Obligation Closeout

Project Selected 

for Award Obligated Period of PerformanceEnds Closed

Grant Agreement (NGA): 

• Scope, schedule, and 

budget

• Performance measures

Terms and Conditions

Grant Administration 

• Meetings with FRA

• Quarterly Progress and Financial Reports

• Invoicing schedule of eligible expenses per NGA

• Invoice and Deliverable Reviews 

Monitoring

• Routine monitoring

• Annual monitoring reviews/Site visits

Final Invoice 

• Financial 

reconciliation

Final Performance 

Report

• Documentation 

of results, 

outcomes, and 

public benefits

6 to 15 months 2 to 5 years 1 to 3 months

Grant Lifecycle and Approximate Time Frames
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QUESTIONS?
Contact Us

Federal Railroad Administration

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE

Washington, DC 20590

Connect with us USDOTFRA

FRA-NOFO-Support@dot.gov

FRA Competitive Discretionary Grant Programs 

Webpage https://www.fra.dot.gov/grants