91482 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 223 / Tuesday, November 19, 2024 / Notices 

do not meet the recipient’s original 

specifications. If there are no 

domestically produced products that 

also meet the recipient’s specifications, 

and the recipient has exercised 

appropriate diligence, FRA may waive 

its Buy America requirements based on 

nonavailability, consistent with 49 

U.S.C. 22905(a)(2)(B). 

If FRA determines a waiver is 

appropriate, FRA will provide notice 

and seek comment from the public in 

accordance with the requirements of 

both section 22905(a) and BABA, if 

applicable. In addition, FRA will 

consult with the National Institute of 

Standards and Technology’s 

Manufacturing Extension Partnership 

before granting a waiver, consistent with 

section 70916 of BABA. Unless 

otherwise specified, waiver decisions 

are non-precedential and are only 

applicable to the entities and products 

for the specific project identified in the 

final decision. 

IV. Summary of Products Requiring 

Waiver 

ASPA requests a waiver for two (2) 

rubber-tired gantry cranes, including 

spreaders. The total value of the noncompliant materials is 7–8 percent of 

the total project cost. 

V. ASPA’s Request for Waiver 

In its request for a waiver, ASPA 

described its efforts to identify domestic 

sources and consider the use of 

alternative products. ASPA conducted a 

market research study to determine the 

availability of rubber-tired gantry cranes 

from domestic manufacturers and to get 

ahead of long-lead times in 

manufacturing. The study found one 

U.S.-based manufacturer who had made 

similar products; however, this 

manufacturer had not made a product 

that met the technical specifications 

ASPA developed for the Project. ASPA 

issued a request for proposals (RFP) in 

late 2023 based on its technical 

specifications. ASPA contacted six 

manufacturers, including the sole U.S.- 

based manufacturer identified in 

ASPA’s market research. Of the six 

manufacturers contacted, five 

acknowledged receipt, and three 

submitted proposals. However, only 

non-domestic manufacturers whose 

products would not be complaint with 

Buy America requirements submitted 

proposals; the sole U.S.-based 

manufacturer declined to submit a 

proposal, with no reasons given in their 

email response. 

Upon receipt and confirmation of the 

three responsive bids, ASPA conducted 

an evaluation of bids using price, 

performance, compliance with ASPA’s 

technical specifications, references and 

quality track record of similar 

equipment delivered and operating in 

the U.S., schedule, geographic location 

of parts and service, alternatives offered 

and substitutions, and warranties. ASPA 

used a point system to evaluate and 

rank the proposals. Based on its review, 

ASPA has selected a preferred 

manufacturer for the crane, which 

ASPA indicated will be assembled 

domestically, but will not be 

manufactured in the US. FRA was not 

involved in ASPA’s procurement 

process. FRA’s role is limited to 

reviewing ASPA’s request for a waiver, 

consistent with 49 U.S.C. 22905(a)(2). 

Due to the lack of responsive bids 

from domestic manufacturers and based 

on its market research, ASPA has 

concluded that cranes that meet FRA’s 

Buy America requirements are not 

domestically available. In the absence of 

a waiver, ASPA asserts that it would not 

be able to deliver the Project, as planned 

operations are not possible without two 

rubber-tired gantry cranes meeting 

ASPA’s technical specifications. 

VI. Findings and Proposed Waiver 

FRA has preliminarily determined 

that the two rubber-tired gantry cranes, 

including spreaders, that meet ASPA’s 

technical specifications are not 

produced in the United States in a 

sufficient and reasonably available 

amount or satisfactory quality, 

consistent with 49 U.S.C. 22905(a)(2)(B). 

FRA finds ASPA has conducted 

appropriate due diligence through 

market research and an open 

procurement process to identify 

potential domestic suppliers for the 

products. ASPA’s efforts included a 

market research study that identified 

one potential supplier that ultimately 

did not respond to ASPA’s RFP for the 

Project. Based on its review of the 

waiver request and ASPA’s market 

research, FRA proposes to waive its Buy 

America requirements for the products 

listed in section IV of this notice. FRA 

is not proposing to waive any 

requirements under BABA, as the 

proposed waiver does not apply to 

construction materials used in the 

Project. 

The proposed waiver would apply 

only to products listed above for use in 

the Project, as described in the grant 

agreement between FRA and ASPA. The 

proposed waiver would not apply to 

other FRA recipients or to other grants 

that might be made to ASPA for other 

projects. The proposed waiver will 

expire upon the end of the period of 

performance and closeout of the grant 

agreement for the project, estimated to 

be April 30, 2028. 

VII. Request for Comment 

FRA will consider comments received 

during the 15-day comment period, 

consistent with BABA and 2 CFR 184.7, 

FRA may consider comments received 

after this period to the extent 

practicable. Consistent with 49 U.S.C. 

22905(a)(4), if FRA determines it is 

necessary to waive its Buy America 

requirements, FRA will publish its 

decision in the Federal Register and 

provide an opportunity for public 

comment on such finding for a 

reasonable period of time not to exceed 

15 days. After such period, FRA’s 

decision will be effective. 

Issued in Washington, DC. 

Amitabha Bose, 

Administrator. 

[FR Doc. 2024–26877 Filed 11–18–24; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–06–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Transit Administration 

Notice of Meeting of the Transit 

Advisory Committee for Safety 

AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration, 

Department of Transportation. 

ACTION: Notice of public meeting. 

SUMMARY: The Federal Transit 

Administration (FTA) announces a 

public meeting of the Transit Advisory 

Committee for Safety (TRACS). 

DATES: The TRACS meeting will be held 

on December 4, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 

4:30 p.m. Eastern Time and December 5, 

2024, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. eastern time. 

Requests to attend the meeting in person 

or virtually must be received no later 

than November 29, 2024. Requests for 

disability accommodations must be 

received no later than November 29, 

2024. Requests to verbally address the 

committee during the meeting must be 

submitted with a written copy of the 

remarks to the U.S. Department of 

Transportation (DOT) no later than 

November 29, 2024. Requests to submit 

written materials to be reviewed during 

the meeting must be received no later 

than November 29, 2024. 

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held in 

person at DOT Headquarters, 1200 New 

Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, District 

of Columbia, 20590 and virtually via 

Zoom for Government. Any committee 

related requests should be sent by email 

to TRACS@dot.gov. The virtual 

meeting’s online access link and a 

detailed agenda will be provided upon 

registration. They will also be posted on 

the TRACS web page at: https://

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Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 223 / Tuesday, November 19, 2024 / Notices 91483 

guidance/safety/transit-advisorycommittee-safety-tracs one week in 

advance of the meeting. A copy of the 

meeting minutes and other TRACS 

related information will also be 

available on the TRACS web page. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Joseph DeLorenzo, TRACS Designated 

Federal Officer, Associate 

Administrator, FTA Office of Transit 

Safety and Oversight, (202) 366–1783, 

Joseph.DeLorenzo@dot.gov; or Bridget 

Zamperini, TRACS Program Manager, 

FTA Office of Transit Safety and 

Oversight, TRACS@dot.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This 

notice is provided in accordance with 

the Federal Advisory Committee Act 

(FACA) (5 U.S.C. ch. 10). TRACS is 

composed of up to 25 members 

representing a broad base of 

perspectives on transit safety necessary 

to discharge its responsibilities. Please 

see the TRACS web page for additional 

information at https://

www.transit.dot.gov/regulations-andguidance/safety/transit-advisorycommittee-safety-tracs. 

I. Background 

The U.S. Secretary of Transportation 

(Secretary) established TRACS in 

accordance with FACA to provide 

information, advice, and 

recommendations to the Secretary and 

FTA Administrator on matters relating 

to the safety of public transportation 

systems. 

II. Agenda 

TRACS Meeting—Wednesday, 

December 4, 2024 (Day One, 10 a.m.– 

4:30 p.m. ET): 

1. 10:00 a.m.–10:15 a.m. ET: Welcoming 

Remarks from Bridget Zamperini, 

TRACS Program Manager 

2. 10:15 a.m.–10:25 a.m. ET: TRACS 

Designated Federal Office (DFO) 

Remarks from Joe DeLorenzo, 

Associate Administrator for Transit 

Safety and Oversight (TSO) and Chief 

Safety Officer 

3. 10:25 a.m.–10:40 a.m. ET: 

Introduction from Veronica 

Vanterpool, FTA Deputy 

Administrator 

4. 10:40 a.m.–10:50 a.m. ET: Break 

5. 10:50 a.m.–11:00 a.m. ET: Updates 

from TRACS Chairperson and Vice 

Chairperson, Jim Keane and Lisa Staes 

6. 11:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m. ET: Update 

from Advancing Rider and Worker 

Safety Subcommittee Lead, Raymond 

Lopez 

7. 11:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m. ET: Update 

from Reducing Bus Collisions, 

Subcommittee Lead, Brian Lapp 

8. 12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m. ET: Lunch 

9. 1:00 p.m.–1:30 p.m. ET: Update from 

Cyber and Data Security Systems 

Subcommittee Lead, Brian Alberts 

10. 1:30 p.m.–4:10 p.m. ET: 

Subcommittee Breakout Working 

Sessions 

11. 4:10 p.m.–4:30 p.m. ET: Summary of 

Deliverables and Concluding Remarks 

TRACS Meeting—Thursday, 

December 5, 2024 (Day Two, 9 a.m.–2 

p.m. ET): 

1. 9:00 a.m.–9:15 a.m. ET: Welcoming 

Remarks from Bridget Zamperini, 

TRACS Program Manager 

2. 9:15 a.m.–11:30 a.m. ET: 

Subcommittee Breakout Working 

Sessions 

3. 11:30 a.m.–12:15 p.m. ET: Lunch 

4. 12:15 p.m.–12:45 p.m. ET: Advancing 

Rider and Worker Safety 

Subcommittee Presentation and 

Discussion 

5. 12:45 p.m.–1:15 p.m. ET: Reducing 

Bus Collisions Subcommittee 

Presentation and Discussion 

6. 1:15 p.m.–1:45 p.m. ET: Cyber and 

Data Security Systems Subcommittee 

Presentation and Discussion 

7. 1:45 p.m.–1:55 p.m. ET: Public 

Comments 

8. 1:55 p.m.–2:00 p.m. ET: Summary of 

Deliverables, Next Steps, and 

Concluding Remarks 

III. Public Participation 

The meeting will be open to the 

public. Members of the public who wish 

to participate are asked to register via 

email by submitting their name and 

affiliation to the email address listed in 

the ADDRESSES section. 

DOT is committed to providing equal 

access to this meeting for all 

participants. If you need alternative 

formats or services because of a 

disability, such as sign language, 

interpretation, or other ancillary aids, 

please contact the email address listed 

in the ADDRESSES section. 

There will be a total of 30 minutes 

allotted for oral comments from 

members of the public at the meeting. 

To accommodate as many speakers as 

possible, the time for each commenter 

may be limited. Individuals wishing to 

reserve speaking time during the 

meeting must submit a request with the 

individual’s name, address, and 

organizational affiliation to the email 

address listed in the ADDRESSES section. 

Written and oral comments for 

consideration by TRACS during the 

meeting must be submitted no later than 

the deadline listed in the DATES section 

to ensure transmission to TRACS 

members prior to the meeting. 

Comments received after that date will 

be distributed to the members but may 

not be reviewed prior to the meeting. 

Joseph P. DeLorenzo, 

Associate Administrator for Transit Safety 

and Oversight. 

[FR Doc. 2024–26882 Filed 11–18–24; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–57–P 


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