[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 131 (Monday, July 11, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41168-41177]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-14692]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Transit Administration


FY 2022 Competitive Funding Opportunity: Passenger Ferry Grant 
Program, Electric or Low-Emitting Ferry Pilot Program, and Ferry 
Service for Rural Communities Program

AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration (FTA), U.S. Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).

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[[Page 41169]]

SUMMARY: The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announces the 
opportunity to apply for $294.5 million in competitive grants under the 
Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 Passenger Ferry Grant Program (Passenger Ferry 
Program), Electric or Low-Emitting Ferry Pilot Program (Low-No Ferry 
Program), and Ferry Service for Rural Communities Program (Rural Ferry 
Program). Of the amount being made available, $36.5 million is for the 
Passenger Ferry Program, $49 million is for the Low-No Ferry Program, 
and approximately $209 million is for the Rural Ferry Program. While 
applicants can choose to apply for only one grant program, this 
combined solicitation will allow applicants to submit one application 
to multiple programs. FTA may award additional funding made available 
to the program prior to the announcement of project selections.

DATES: Complete proposals must be submitted electronically through the 
GRANTS.GOV ``APPLY'' function by 11:59 p.m. Eastern time, September 6, 
2022. Prospective applicants should initiate the process by promptly 
registering on the GRANTS.GOV website to ensure completion of the 
application process before the submission deadline. Instructions for 
applying can be found on FTA's website at https://www.transit.dot.gov/funding/grants/applying/applying-fta-funding and in the ``FIND'' module 
of GRANTS.GOV. The funding opportunity ID for the Passenger Ferry 
Program is FTA-2022-006-TPM-FERRY, the funding opportunity ID for the 
Electric or Low-Emitting Ferry Pilot Program is FTA-2022-007-TPM-
FERRYPILOT, and the funding opportunity ID for the Rural Ferry Program 
is FTA-2022-008-TPM-FERRYRURAL. Mail and fax submissions will not be 
accepted.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#43051702052631313a13312c2431222e3003272c376d242c35"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="05435144436077777c55776a627764687645616a712b626a73">[email protected]</span></a> or Vanessa 
Williams, FTA Office of Program Management, (202) 366-4818, or Sarah 
Clements, FTA Office of Program Management, (202) 366-3062.

Table of Contents

A. Program Description
B. Federal Award Information
C. Eligibility Information
D. Application and Submission Information
E. Application Review Information
F. Federal Award Administration Information
G. Federal Awarding Agency Contacts
H. Other Information

A. Program Description

    This is a joint NOFO and announces the availability of FY 2022 
funding for the Passenger Ferry Grant Program (Passenger Ferry 
Program), Electric or Low-Emitting Ferry Pilot Program (Low-No Ferry 
Program), and Ferry Service for Rural Communities Program (Rural Ferry 
Program). All programs can be found in Federal Assistance Listing: 
20.532.
    Federal public transportation law (49 U.S.C. 5307(h)) authorizes 
FTA to award grants for passenger ferries through a competitive 
process. The Passenger Ferry Program provides funding to designated 
recipients and direct recipients under FTA's Urbanized Area Formula 
Program, as well as public entities engaged in providing public 
transportation passenger ferry service in urban areas that are eligible 
to be direct recipients. Projects funded under the program will improve 
the condition and quality of existing passenger ferry services, support 
the establishment of new passenger ferry services, and repair and 
modernize ferry boats, terminals, and related facilities and equipment.
    Section 71102 of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) (enacted 
as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Pub. L. 117-58) 
authorizes FTA to award grants for electric or low-emitting ferries 
through a competitive process, as described in this notice. The Low-No 
Ferry Program is available to any eligible designated or direct 
recipient of FTA's Urbanized Area Formula Program or Formula Grants for 
Rural Areas funding, including States (including territories and 
Washington, DC), local governmental authorities, and tribal 
governments. Grants will be awarded under this program for the purchase 
of electric or low-emitting ferries, the electrification of or other 
reduction of emissions from existing ferries, and related charging or 
other fueling infrastructure (for which the applicants will maintain 
satisfactory continuing control) to reduce emissions or produce zero 
onboard emissions under normal operation.
    Section 71103 of the BIL authorizes FTA to award grants for the 
Rural Ferry Program through a competitive process, as described in this 
notice. The Rural Ferry Program provides funding for capital, 
operating, and planning expenses to States and territories for ferry 
service to rural areas. Projects funded under this program will support 
ferry transportation service that operated a regular schedule at any 
time during the five-year period from March 1, 2015, to March 1, 2020, 
and includes at least one route segment of at least 50 sailing 
(nautical) miles between two rural areas. The Consolidated 
Appropriations Act, 2022 (Pub. L. 117-103) provided an additional 
$12,965,000 for ferry service that serves at least two rural areas with 
a single route segment over 20 miles between the two rural areas and is 
not otherwise eligible under the Passenger Ferry Program, meaning it 
does not serve an urbanized area.
    FTA recognizes that passenger ferries provide critical and cost-
effective transportation links throughout the United States but face a 
critical backlog of state of good repair and safety investments. These 
programs support FTA's priorities and objectives through investments 
that (1) renew our transit systems, (2) reduce greenhouse gas emissions 
from public transportation, (3) advance racial equity, (4) maintain and 
create good-paying jobs with a free and fair choice to join a union, 
and (5) connect communities. These programs will be implemented, as 
appropriate and consistent with law, in alignment with the priorities 
in Executive Order 14052, Implementation of the Infrastructure 
Investment and Jobs Act (86 FR 64355). In addition, this NOFO will 
advance the goals of the President's January 20, 2021, Executive Order 
14008, Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad and Executive 
Order 13985, Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved 
Communities Through the Federal Government.

B. Federal Award Information

    Federal public transportation law (49 U.S.C. 5307(h)) authorizes 
$30 million in FY 2022 contract authority funds for competitive grants 
under the Passenger Ferry Program. Additionally, the Consolidated 
Appropriations Act of 2022 appropriated an additional $6.5 million. Of 
that latter amount, $3.25 million is available only for low or zero-
emission ferries or ferries using electric battery or fuel cell 
components and the infrastructure to support such ferries. FTA may 
award additional funding made available to the program prior to the 
announcement of project selections.
    In FY 2021, FTA received 24 project proposals to the Passenger 
Ferry Program from 11 States and territories requesting $114 million in 
Federal funds. Eleven projects were funded at a total of $45.2 million, 
using a combination of funding from FY 2021 and funding remaining from 
prior year appropriations.
    Division J of the BIL provides an advance appropriation of $50 
million in FY 2022 funds for competitive grants under the Low-No Ferry 
Program. Of that amount $995,000 is for FTA oversight, $5,000 is 
transferred to the DOT Office of the Inspector General (OIG), and $49 
million is available for award.

[[Page 41170]]

    Division J of the BIL provides an advance appropriation of $200 
million in FY 2022 funds for the Rural Ferry Program. Of that amount 
$3,980,000 is for FTA oversight, $20,000 is transferred to the OIG, and 
$196 million is available for award. Additionally, the FY 2022 
Consolidated Appropriations Act appropriated an additional $12,965,000 
that may be allocated to passenger ferry service that serves at least 
two rural areas with a single segment over 20 miles between the two 
rural areas and that is not otherwise eligible for funding under the 
Passenger Ferry Program.
    FTA will grant pre-award authority to incur costs for selected 
projects beginning on the date the FY 2022 project selections are 
announced on FTA's website. Funds are available for obligation for five 
years after the fiscal year in which the awards are announced. Funds 
are available only for projects that have not already incurred costs 
prior to the announcement of project selections.

C. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

                              Summary Table
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Program                        Eligible applicants
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Passenger Ferry Program...........  1. Designated Recipients of Section
                                     5307 Funding.
                                    2. Direct Recipients of Section 5307
                                     Funding.
                                    3. Public Entities engaged in
                                     providing public transportation
                                     passenger ferry service in urban
                                     areas that are eligible to be a
                                     Direct Recipient.
Low-No Ferry Program..............  1. Designated Recipients of Section
                                     5307 Funding.
                                    2. Direct Recipients of Section 5307
                                     Funding.
                                    3. Public Entities engaged in
                                     providing public transportation
                                     passenger ferry service in urban
                                     areas that are eligible to be a
                                     Direct Recipient.
                                    4. States and Territories.
                                    5. Tribal Governments.
Rural Ferry Program...............  1. States and Territories.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Eligible applicants for the Passenger Ferry Program are: (1) 
designated recipients as defined in FTA Circular ``Urbanized Area 
Formula Program: Program Guidance and Application Instructions'' 
(FTA.C.9030.1E) and (2) direct recipients of FTA's Urbanized Area 
Formula Grants, as well as public entities engaged in providing public 
transportation passenger ferry service in urban areas that are eligible 
to be direct recipients.
    Eligible applicants for the Low-No Ferry Program are any eligible 
recipient of Section 5307 or Section 5311 funding. Eligible Section 
5307 recipients are the same as for the Passenger Ferry Program: (1) 
designated recipients as defined in FTA Circular ``Urbanized Area 
Formula Program: Program Guidance and Application Instructions'' 
(FTA.C.9030.1E) and (2) direct recipients of FTA's Urbanized Area 
Formula Grants, as well as public entities engaged in providing public 
transportation passenger ferry service in urban areas that are eligible 
to be direct recipients. Eligible Section 5311 recipients are States or 
Territories or Tribal governments. In addition, as required by statute, 
before the conclusion of the grant competition that utilizes FY 2026 
funds, FTA must select: (1) at least one project from a ferry service 
that serves the State with the largest number of Marine Highway System 
miles, and (2) at least one project for a bi-State ferry service with 
an aging fleet and whose development of zero- and low-emission power 
source ferries will propose to advance the state of the technology 
toward increasing the range and capacity of zero-emission power source 
ferries. If an applicant's ferry service operates in the State with the 
largest number of Marine Highway System miles or is a bi-State ferry 
service (a ferry service that serves two states) with an aging fleet 
and whose development of zero- and low-emission power source ferries 
will propose to advance the state of the technology toward increasing 
the range and capacity of zero-emission power source ferries, the 
applicant must identify themselves as such and submit documentation 
demonstrating those operating characteristics.
    Eligible applicants for the Rural Ferry Program are States and 
Territories in which eligible service is operated. For the $196 million 
made available under Division J of the BIL, eligible service includes 
passenger ferry service that operated a regular schedule at any time 
between March 1, 2015, and March 1, 2020, and operated at least one 
segment between two rural areas located more than 50 sailing (nautical) 
miles apart. FTA defines a regular schedule as a published schedule for 
either seasonal or annual ferry service. For the $12,965,000 
appropriated in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022, eligible 
service also includes any passenger ferry service that operated a 
regular schedule at any time between March 1, 2015, and March 1, 2020, 
and operated at least one segment more than 20 sailing (nautical) miles 
between two rural areas. Applicants must document their eligibility for 
the Rural Ferry Program by providing the following:
    (A) Documentation such as dated and published sailing schedules to 
demonstrate the operation of regular scheduled service at any time 
during the five-year period ending March 1, 2020.
    (B) Documentation such as route maps to demonstrate provision of 
service for at least one direct segment between two rural areas that 
meet the distance requirements described above (either at least 50 or 
20 nautical sailing miles) during the five-year period ending March 1, 
2020.
    FTA will confirm the segment length based upon data reported to the 
National Census of Ferry Operators maintained by the Bureau of 
Transportation Statistics.
    An eligible applicant that does not currently have an active grant 
with FTA will, upon selection, be required to work with an FTA regional 
office to establish its organization as an active grant recipient. This 
process may require additional documentation to support the 
organization's technical, financial, and legal capacity to receive and 
administer Federal funds under this program.

2. Cost Sharing or Matching

    a. The maximum Federal share for capital projects selected under 
each program is 80 percent of the net project cost, with the exceptions 
described in paragraphs b and c below, per 49 U.S.C. 5323. The maximum 
Federal share for operating projects selected under the Rural Ferry 
Program is 50 percent. The maximum Federal share for planning projects 
selected under the Rural Ferry Program is 80 percent.

[[Page 41171]]

    b. The maximum Federal share is 85 percent of the net project cost 
of acquiring vehicles (including clean-fuel or alternative fuel 
vehicles) for purposes of complying with or maintaining compliance with 
the Clean Air Act (CAA) or the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 
1990.
    c. The maximum Federal share is 90 percent of the net project cost 
of acquiring, installing, or constructing vehicle-related equipment or 
facilities (including clean fuel or alternative-fuel vehicle-related 
equipment or facilities) for purposes of complying with or maintaining 
compliance with the ADA or CAA. The award recipient must itemize the 
cost of specific, discrete, vehicle-related equipment associated with 
compliance with the ADA or CAA to be eligible for the maximum 90 
percent Federal share for these costs.
    Eligible sources of non-Federal matching funds include:
    i. Cash from non-governmental sources other than revenues from 
providing the ferry services (such as fare revenues, vehicle, or cargo 
charges, etc.);
    ii. Non-farebox revenues from the operation of public 
transportation service, such as the sale of advertising and concession 
revenues;
    iii. Monies received under a service agreement with a State or 
local social service agency or private social service organization;
    iv. Undistributed cash surpluses, replacement or depreciation cash 
funds, reserves available in cash, or new capital;
    v. Amounts appropriated or otherwise made available to a department 
or agency of the Government (other than the U.S. Department of 
Transportation), that are eligible to be expended for public 
transportation;
    vi. In-kind contributions integral to the project;
    vii. Revenue bond proceeds for a capital project, with prior FTA 
approval; and
    viii. Transportation Development Credits (formerly referred to as 
Toll Revenue Credits).
    If an applicant proposes a Federal share greater than 80 percent, 
the applicant must clearly explain why the project is eligible for the 
proposed Federal share.

3. Eligible Projects

                              Summary Table
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Program                         Eligible projects
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Passenger Ferry Program...........  1. Capital Projects--purchase,
                                     construction, replacement, or
                                     rehabilitation of ferries,
                                     terminals, related infrastructure
                                     and related equipment (including
                                     electric or low-emitting ferry
                                     vessels and related
                                     infrastructure).
Low-No Ferry Program..............  1. Capital Projects--purchase of
                                     electric or low-emitting ferry
                                     vessels and related infrastructure.
Rural Ferry Program...............  1. Capital Projects--purchase,
                                     construction, replacement, or
                                     rehabilitation of ferries,
                                     terminals, related infrastructure
                                     and related equipment (including
                                     electric or low-emitting ferry
                                     vessels and related
                                     infrastructure).
                                    2. Planning Projects--for rural
                                     ferry service only.
                                    3. Operating Projects--for rural
                                     ferry service only.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

3A. Passenger Ferry Program--Eligible Projects

    Under the Passenger Ferry Program, eligible projects are capital 
projects for the purchase, construction, replacement, or rehabilitation 
of ferries, terminals, related infrastructure, and related equipment 
(including fare equipment and communication devices). Projects are 
required to support a passenger ferry service that serves an urbanized 
area, and may include services that operate between an urbanized area 
and non-urbanized areas. Ferry systems that accommodate cars must also 
accommodate walk-on passengers to be eligible for funding. Operating 
costs and planning projects are not eligible.
    Under the Passenger Ferry Program only, recipients are permitted to 
use up to 0.5 percent of their grant award to pay for not more than 80 
percent of the cost for workforce development activities eligible under 
Federal public transportation law (49 U.S.C 5314(b)) and an additional 
0.5 percent for costs associated with training at the National Transit 
Institute. Applicants must identify the proposed use of funds for these 
activities in the project proposal and identify them separately in the 
project budget.

3B. Low-No Ferry Program--Eligible Projects

    Under the Low-No Ferry Program, eligible projects are capital 
projects for the purchase of electric or low-emitting ferry vessels 
that reduce emissions by using alternative fuels or on-board energy 
storage systems and related charging infrastructure or other fueling 
infrastructure to reduce emissions or produce zero onboard emissions 
under normal operation. Ferry systems that accommodate cars must also 
accommodate walk-on passengers to be eligible for funding. Operating 
costs and planning projects are not eligible.
    Alternative fuel means:
    (A) methanol, denatured ethanol, and other alcohols;
    (B) a mixture containing at least 85 percent of methanol, denatured 
ethanol, and other alcohols by volume with gasoline or other fuels;
    (C) natural gas;
    (D) liquefied petroleum gas;
    (E) hydrogen;
    (F) fuels (except alcohol) derived from biological materials; and
    (G) electricity (including electricity from solar energy).

3C. Rural Ferry Program--Eligible Projects

    Under the Rural Ferry Program, eligible projects are capital, 
operating, or planning assistance. Eligible capital projects include 
the purchase, construction, replacement, or rehabilitation of ferries, 
terminals, related infrastructure, and related equipment (including 
fare equipment and communication devices). Only net operating expenses 
are eligible for assistance. Net operating expenses are those expenses 
that remain after the provider subtracts operating revenues from 
eligible operating expenses. States may further define what constitutes 
operating revenues, but, at a minimum, operating revenues must include 
farebox revenues and other fees generated directly by the ferry service 
such as vehicle fares, cargo fees, and cabin fees. Farebox revenues are 
fares paid by riders, including those who are later reimbursed by a 
human service agency or other user-side subsidy arrangement. For more 
information please see FTA Circular 9040.1G at https://www.transit.dot.gov/regulations-and-guidance/fta-circulars/formula-grants-rural-areas-program-guidance-and-application. Eligible projects 
are

[[Page 41172]]

not required to be implemented on the same route segments that resulted 
in applicant eligibility (e.g., the project need not be implemented on 
a segment of more than 20 or 50 sailing (nautical) miles). Ferry 
systems that accommodate cars must also accommodate walk-on passengers 
to be eligible for funding.

D. Application and Submission Information

1. Address To Request Application Package

    Applications must be submitted electronically through GRANTS.GOV. 
General information for accessing and submitting applications through 
GRANTS.GOV can be found at www.fta.dot.gov/howtoapply along with 
specific instructions for the forms and attachments required for 
submission. Mail or fax submissions will not be accepted. The required 
SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance can be downloaded from 
GRANTS.GOV and the required supplemental form can be downloaded from 
GRANTS.GOV or the FTA website at: https://www.transit.dot.gov/grants/fta-ferry-programs.

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

a. Proposal Submission
    A complete proposal submission consists of two forms: (1) the SF-
424 Application for Federal Assistance; and (2) the FY 2022 Passenger 
Ferry Program, Low-No Ferry Program, and Rural Ferry Program 
supplemental form. An application eligible under the Low-No Ferry 
Program may also be eligible under either the Passenger Ferry Program 
or Rural Ferry Program. If an applicant is applying to multiple 
programs, they must submit the application materials through the 
GRANTS.GOV opportunity ID's listed for each program. If an applicant is 
submitting different proposals to different programs, the applicant 
must submit an application for each project to each program separately. 
The supplemental form and any supporting documents must be attached to 
the ``Attachments'' section of the SF-424. The application must include 
responses to all sections of the SF-424 Application for Federal 
Assistance and the supplemental form, unless designated as optional. 
The information on the supplemental form will be used to determine 
applicant and project eligibility for the program, and to evaluate the 
proposal against the selection criteria described in part E of this 
notice. Failure to submit the information as requested can delay review 
or disqualify the application.
    FTA will accept only one supplemental form per SF-424 submission. 
FTA encourages States and other applicants to consider submitting a 
single supplemental form that includes multiple activities as one 
project to be evaluated as a consolidated proposal. If a State or other 
applicant chooses to submit separate proposals for individual 
consideration by FTA, each proposal must be submitted using a separate 
SF-424 and supplemental form.
    Applicants may attach additional supporting information to the SF-
424 submission, including but not limited to documentation supporting 
the applicant's eligibility for the grant programs, letters of support, 
project budgets, fleet status reports, or excerpts from relevant 
planning documents. Supporting documentation should be described and 
referenced by file name in the appropriate response section of the 
supplemental form, or it may not be reviewed.
    Information such as applicant name, Federal amount requested, local 
match amount, and description of areas served may be requested in 
varying degrees of detail on both the SF-424 and supplemental form. 
Applicants must fill in all fields unless otherwise stated on the 
forms. Applicants should not place N/A or ``refer to attachment'' in 
lieu of typing in responses in the field sections. If information is 
copied into the supplemental form from another source, applicants 
should verify that pasted text is fully captured on the supplemental 
form and has not been truncated by the character limits built into the 
form. Applicants should use both the ``Check Package for Errors'' and 
the ``Validate Form'' validation buttons on both forms to check all 
required fields on the forms, and ensure that the Federal and local 
amounts specified are consistent.
b. Application Content
    The SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance and the supplemental 
form will prompt applicants for the required information:

a. Applicant name
b. Unique entity identifier (generated by SAM.GOV)
c. Key contact information (including contact name, address, email 
address, and phone)
d. Congressional district(s) in which project is located
e. Project information (including title, executive summary, and type)
f. A detailed description of the need for the project
g. A detailed description of how the project will support the program 
objectives
h. Evidence that the project is consistent with local and regional 
planning objectives
i. Evidence that the applicant can provide the non-Federal cost share
j. A description of the technical, legal, and financial capacity of the 
applicant
k. A detailed project budget
l. An explanation of the scalability of the project
m. Details on the non-Federal matching funds
n. A detailed project timeline

3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM)

    Each applicant is required to: (1) be registered in SAM before 
submitting an application; (2) provide a valid unique entity identifier 
in its application; and (3) continue to maintain an active SAM 
registration with current information at all times during which the 
applicant has an active Federal award or an application or plan under 
consideration by FTA. FTA may not make an award until the applicant has 
complied with all applicable unique entity identifier and SAM 
requirements. If an applicant has not fully complied with the 
requirements by the time FTA is ready to make an award, FTA may 
determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive an award and 
use that determination as a basis for making a Federal award to another 
applicant. These requirements do not apply if the applicant has an 
exception approved by FTA or the U.S. Office of Management and Budget 
under 2 CFR 25.110(c) or (d).
    All applicants must provide a unique entity identifier provided by 
SAM. Registration in SAM may take as little as 3-5 business days, but 
since there could be unexpected steps or delays (for example, if there 
is a need to obtain an Employer Identification Number), FTA recommends 
allowing ample time, up to several weeks, for completion of all steps. 
For additional information on obtaining a unique entity identifier, 
please visit http://www.sam.gov.

4. Submission Dates and Times

    Project proposals must be submitted electronically through 
GRANTS.GOV by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on September 6, 2022. GRANTS.GOV 
attaches a time stamp to each application at the time of submission. 
Mail and fax submissions will not be accepted.
    FTA urges applicants to submit applications at least 72 hours prior 
to the deadline to allow time to correct any problems that may have 
caused either

[[Page 41173]]

GRANTS.GOV or FTA systems to reject the submission. Proposals submitted 
after the deadline will be considered only if lateness was due to 
extraordinary circumstances not under the applicant's control. 
Deadlines will not be extended due to scheduled website maintenance. 
GRANTS.GOV scheduled maintenance and outage times are announced on the 
GRANTS.GOV website.
    Within 48 hours after submitting an electronic application, the 
applicant should receive an email message from GRANTS.GOV with 
confirmation of successful transmission to GRANTS.GOV. If a notice of 
failed validation or incomplete materials is received, the applicant 
must address the reason for the failed validation, as described in the 
email notice, and resubmit before the submission deadline. If making a 
resubmission for any reason, include all original attachments 
regardless of which attachments were updated and check the box on the 
supplemental form indicating this is a resubmission.
    Applicants are encouraged to begin the process of registration on 
the GRANTS.GOV site well in advance of the submission deadline. 
Registration is a multi-step process, which may take several weeks to 
complete before an application can be submitted. Registered applicants 
may still be required to take steps to keep their registration up to 
date before submissions can be made successfully: (1) registration in 
SAM is renewed annually; and (2) persons making submissions on behalf 
of the Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) must be authorized 
in GRANTS.GOV by the AOR to make submissions.

5. Funding Restrictions

    Funds made available under the Passenger Ferry Program and Low-No 
Ferry Programs may not be used to fund operating expenses, planning, or 
preventive maintenance. Any project under those programs that does not 
include the purchase, construction, replacement, or rehabilitation of 
ferries, terminals, related infrastructure, or related equipment is not 
eligible. Applicants to the Rural Ferry Program may apply for capital, 
operating, or planning assistance.
    Funds made available under this NOFO cannot be used to reimburse 
applicants for otherwise eligible expenses incurred prior to the 
posting of project selections on FTA's website and the corresponding 
issuance of pre-award authority. Allowable direct and indirect expenses 
must be consistent with the Government-wide Uniform Administrative 
Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal 
Awards (2 CFR part 200) and FTA Circular 5010.1E. Additionally, as 
required by statute for the Low-No Ferry Program, prior to the 
conclusion of the grant competition using FY 2026 funds, FTA must 
select at least one project from a ferry service that serves the State 
with the largest number of Marine Highway System miles and at least one 
project from a bi-State ferry service with an aging fleet and whose 
development of zero- and low-emission power source ferries will propose 
to advance the state of the technology toward increasing the range and 
capacity of zero-emission power source ferries.
    As required by statute, an eligible ferry service that receives 
funds from a state under the Rural Ferry Program shall not be 
attributed to an urbanized area for purposes of apportioning funds 
under chapter 53 of Title 49, U.S. Code. In addition, an eligible 
service that receives funds from a State under the Rural Ferry Program 
shall not receive funds apportioned under Section 5336 or 5337 of Title 
49, United States Code, in the same fiscal year.

6. Other Submission Requirements

    Applicants are encouraged to identify scaled funding options in 
case insufficient funding is available to fund a project at the full 
requested amount. If an applicant advises that a project is scalable, 
the applicant must provide an appropriate minimum funding amount that 
will fund an eligible project that achieves the objectives of the 
program and meets all relevant program requirements. The applicant must 
provide a clear explanation of how the project budget would be affected 
by a reduced award. FTA may award a lesser amount whether or not a 
scalable option is provided.

E. Application Review Information

1. Criteria

    Projects will be evaluated primarily on the responses provided in 
the supplemental form. Additional information may be provided to 
support the responses; however, any additional documentation must be 
directly referenced on the supplemental form, including the file name 
where the additional information can be found. FTA will evaluate 
project proposals based on the criteria described in this notice.
a. Demonstration of Need
    Applications for capital expenses to the Passenger Ferry Program, 
Low-No Ferry Program, or Rural Ferry Program will be evaluated based on 
the quality and extent to which they demonstrate how the proposed 
project will address an unmet need for capital investment in passenger 
ferry vehicles, equipment, or facilities. FTA also will evaluate the 
project's impact on service delivery and whether the project represents 
a one-time or periodic need that cannot reasonably be funded from FTA 
formula program allocations or State or local resources. In evaluating 
applications, FTA will consider, among other factors, certain project-
specific criteria as outlined below:
    i. For vessel replacement or rehabilitation projects (including low 
or zero-emission ferries or electric and low-emitting ferries)
    <bullet> The age of the asset to be replaced or rehabilitated by 
the proposed project, relative to its useful life--those applicants 
that are already FTA grantees should reference the useful life 
benchmark for the vehicles to be replaced identified in their Transit 
Asset Management Plan and reported to the National Transit Database.
    <bullet> The condition of the asset to be replaced by the proposed 
project, as ascertained through inspections or otherwise, if available.
    ii. For facility infrastructure improvements or related-equipment 
acquisitions:
    <bullet> The age of the facility or equipment to be rehabilitated 
or replaced, relative to its useful life--those applicants that are 
already FTA grantees should reference whether the asset to be replaced 
has been identified in the investment prioritization of their Transit 
Asset Management Plan.
    <bullet> The degree to which the proposed project will enable the 
agency to improve the maintenance and condition of the agency's fleet 
or related ferry assets.
    iii. For vessel or facility-related expansion or new service 
requests:
    <bullet> The degree to which the proposed project addresses a 
current capacity constraint that is limiting the ability of the agency 
to provide reliable service, meet ridership demands, or maintain 
vessels and related equipment.
    <bullet> The degree the proposed new service is supported by 
ridership demand.
    For operating projects under the Rural Ferry Program:
    <bullet> The degree to which the application addresses how 
additional operating resources will lead to more reliable or improved 
service, or meet additional service demands.
    <bullet> The financial need demonstrated by the applicant, 
including actual or projected need to maintain or initiate ferry 
service and a description of how

[[Page 41174]]

existing operating resources are insufficient to meet the need.
    <bullet> For expansion operating projects, projected ridership on 
the new service and the methodology used by the applicant to determine 
the projection.
    For planning projects under the Rural Ferry Program:
    <bullet> The degree to which the application addresses how planning 
resources will lead to more reliable or improved service, or meet 
additional service demands.
b. Demonstration of Benefits
    All Applications will be evaluated based on how the ferry project 
will either improve the (1) safety of existing ferry systems, (2) the 
state of good repair of the existing system, (3) provide additional 
transportation options that foster community development and access to 
economic opportunities, and/or (4) improve the quality of transit 
service to underserved communities.
    Additionally, all applications will be evaluated on (5) their 
support for walk-on passengers as follows:
    For replacement or rehabilitation projects, benefits will be 
evaluated in part based on the percentage of riders that are walk-on 
compared to passengers using the service to transport automobiles.
    For expansion projects, benefits will be evaluated in part based on 
what convenient infrastructure is provided at the origin and 
destination of the service and at any intermediary stops that supports 
transit and intercity bus riders, pedestrians, or bicycles. Supporting 
documentation should include data that demonstrates the number of trips 
(passengers and vehicles), the number of walk-on passengers, and the 
frequency of transfers to other modes if applicable.
    In addition to the above five elements, projects for low- or zero-
emission ferries under any program or projects for operating assistance 
under the Rural Ferry program will be evaluated as follows:
    For low- or zero-emission ferries, applicants should demonstrate 
how the proposed ferries or infrastructure will reduce the emission of 
particulates and other pollutants that create local air pollution, 
which leads to local environmental health concerns, smog, and unhealthy 
ozone concentrations. Applicants should also demonstrate how the 
proposed ferries or infrastructure will reduce emissions of greenhouse 
gases from ferry operations. Projects that propose zero-emission 
projects will be more competitive.
    For operating projects under the Rural Ferry Program, applicants 
should address and document how the requested operating funds will be 
used to augment, and not replace, existing state or local operating 
funds. The applicant should provide the amount of state or local funds 
provided for operating assistance for the three years of operation 
prior to the start of the pandemic, January 20, 2020. Applicants, at 
their discretion, may provide the three years of data ending on the 
last day of the applicant's fiscal year ending prior to January 20, 
2020; end of the Federal fiscal year ending prior to January 20, 2020; 
or ending January 20, 2020. For any grant that includes operating 
assistance, FTA will require the State or locality to provide, at a 
minimum 75 percent of the three-year average on an annual basis to 
support ferry service. For example, if a state or locality normally 
provides $1 million in operating assistance annually, an applicant 
should include at least $750,000 in state or local operating 
assistance, which can be matched with $750,000 in Federal funds for 
total operating assistance of $1.5 million.
c. Planning and Local/Regional Prioritization
    Applicants must demonstrate how the proposed project is consistent 
with local and regional planning documents and identified priorities. 
This will involve assessing whether the project is consistent with the 
transit priorities identified in the long-range transportation plan and 
the State and Metropolitan Transportation Improvement Program (STIP/
TIP). Applicants should note if the project could not be included in 
the financially constrained STIP or TIP due to lack of funding, and if 
selected that the project can be added to the federally approved STIP 
before grant award.
    FTA encourages applicants to demonstrate state or local support by 
including letters of support from State departments of transportation, 
local transit agencies, local government officials and public agencies, 
local non-profit or private sector organizations, and other relevant 
stakeholders. Applications that include letters of support will be 
viewed more favorably than those that do not. For FTA to fully consider 
a letter of support, the letter must be included in the application 
package. In an area with both ferry and other public transit operators, 
FTA will evaluate whether project proposals demonstrate coordination 
with and support of other related projects within the applicant's 
Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) or the geographic region 
within which the proposed project will operate.
d. Local Financial Commitment
    Applicants must identify the source of the local cost share and 
describe whether such funds are currently available for the project or 
will need to be secured if the project is selected for funding. FTA 
will consider the availability of the local cost share as evidence of 
local financial commitment to the project. Additional consideration 
will be given to those projects for which local funds have already been 
made available or reserved. Applicants should submit evidence of the 
availability of funds for the project, by including, for example, a 
board resolution, letter of support from the State, a budget document 
highlighting the line item or section committing funds to the proposed 
project, or other documentation of the source of non-Federal funds.
    An applicant may provide documentation of previous and recent local 
investments in the project, which cannot be used to satisfy non-Federal 
matching requirements, as evidence of local financial commitment.
    Applicants that request a Federal share for a capital project 
greater than 80 percent must clearly explain why the project is 
eligible for the proposed Federal share. For planning projects under 
the Rural Ferry Program, the Federal share may not exceed 80 percent. 
For operating projects under the Rural Ferry Program, the Federal share 
may not exceed 50 percent.
e. Project Implementation Strategy
    Projects will be evaluated based on the extent to which the project 
is ready to implement within a reasonable period of time and whether 
the applicant's proposed implementation plans are reasonable and 
complete.
    In assessing whether the project is ready to implement within a 
reasonable period of time, FTA will consider whether the project 
qualifies for a Categorical Exclusion, or whether the required 
environmental work has been initiated or completed for projects that 
require an Environmental Assessment or Environmental Impact Statement 
under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. As such, 
applicants should submit information describing the project's 
anticipated path and timeline through the environmental review process. 
If the project will qualify as a Categorical Exclusion, the applicant 
must say so explicitly in the application. The proposal must also state 
whether grant funds can be obligated within 12 months from time of 
award, if selected, and if necessary, the timeframe under which the

[[Page 41175]]

Metropolitan TIP and STIP can be amended to include the proposed 
project. Additional consideration will be given to projects for which 
grant funds can be obligated within 12 months from time of award.
    In assessing whether the proposed implementation plans are 
reasonable and complete, FTA will review the proposed project 
implementation plan, including all necessary project milestones and the 
overall project timeline. For projects that will require formal 
coordination, approvals, or permits from other agencies or project 
partners, the applicant must demonstrate coordination with these 
organizations and their support for the project, such as through 
letters of support.
f. Technical, Legal, and Financial Capacity
    Applicants must demonstrate that they have the technical, legal, 
and financial capacity to undertake the project. FTA will review 
relevant oversight assessments and records to determine whether there 
are any outstanding legal, technical, or financial issues with the 
applicant that would affect the outcome of the proposed project. 
Additional information on the compliance requirements for these grants 
appears later in this notice.
    Applicants with outstanding legal, technical, or financial 
compliance issues from an FTA compliance review or FTA grant-related 
Single Audit finding must explain how corrective actions taken will 
mitigate negative impacts on the project.

2. Review and Selection Process

    FTA technical evaluation committees will evaluate proposals using 
the project evaluation criteria. FTA staff may request additional 
information from applicants, if necessary. After consideration of the 
findings of the technical evaluation committees, FTA will determine the 
final selection of projects for program funding. In determining the 
allocation of program funds, FTA may consider geographic diversity, 
diversity in the size of the transit systems receiving funding, walk-on 
vs. vehicle boardings for the impacted service, and the applicant's 
receipt of other competitive awards. FTA will also consider whether the 
project will include low or zero-emission ferries or ferries using 
electric battery or fuel cell components and the infrastructure to 
support such ferries. FTA may consider capping the amount a single 
applicant may receive.
    After applying the above criteria, and in support of Executive 
Order 13985, Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved 
Communities Through the Federal Government, Executive Order 14008, 
Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad, and Executive Order 
14052, Implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, 
FTA will give priority to the following additional considerations:
    In further support of Executive Order 14008, FTA will give priority 
consideration to applications that are expected to create significant 
community benefits relating to the environment, including those 
projects that incorporate low or no emission technology or specific 
elements to address greenhouse gas emissions and climate change 
impacts. FTA encourages applicants to demonstrate whether they have 
considered climate change and environmental justice in terms of the 
transportation planning process or anticipated design components with 
outcomes that address climate change (e.g., resilience or adaptation 
measures). The application should describe what specific climate change 
or environmental justice activities have been incorporated, including 
whether a project supports a Climate Action Plan, whether an equitable 
development plan has been prepared, and whether tools such as EPA's 
EJSCREEN (https://www.epa.gov/ejscreen) or DOT's Historically 
Disadvantaged Community tool at Transportation Disadvantaged Census 
Tracts (arcgis.com) have been applied in project planning. Applicants 
could also address how a project is related to housing or land use 
reforms to increase density to reduce climate impacts. The application 
should also describe specific and direct ways the project will mitigate 
or reduce climate change impacts including any components that reduce 
emissions, promote energy efficiency, incorporate electrification or 
low emission or zero emission vehicle infrastructure, increase 
resiliency, recycle or redevelop existing infrastructure, or if located 
in a floodplain be constructed or upgraded consistent with the Federal 
Flood Risk Management Standard, to the extent consistent with current 
law.
    FTA also will give priority consideration to applications that 
advance racial equity in two areas: (1) planning and policies related 
to racial equity and overcoming barriers to opportunity; and (2) 
project investments that either proactively address racial equity and 
barriers to opportunity, including automobile dependence as a form of 
barrier, or redress prior inequities and barriers to opportunity. 
Applicants could also address how a project is related to housing or 
land use reforms to address historic barriers to opportunity. This 
objective has the potential to enhance environmental stewardship and 
community partnerships, and reflects Executive Order 13985, Advancing 
Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the 
Federal Government. FTA encourages the applicant to include sufficient 
information to evaluate how the applicant will advance racial equity 
and address barriers to opportunity. The applicant should describe any 
transportation plans or policies related to equity and barriers to 
opportunity they are implementing or have implemented in relation to 
the proposed project, along with the specific project investment 
details necessary for FTA to evaluate if the investments are being made 
either proactively to advance racial equity and address barriers to 
opportunity or redress prior inequities and barriers to opportunity. 
All project investment costs for the project that are related to racial 
equity and barriers to opportunity should be summarized.
    Applicants for facility projects should also describe whether and 
how project delivery and implementation create good-paying jobs with 
the free and fair choice to join a union to the greatest extent 
possible, the use of demonstrated strong labor standards, practices and 
policies (including for direct employees, contractors, and sub-
contractors); distribution of workplace rights notices; the use of 
local and economic hiring provisions; registered apprenticeships; or 
other similar standards or practices; or, for facility projects over 
$35 million, the use of Project Labor Agreements. Applicants should 
describe how planned methods of project delivery and implementation 
(for example, use of Project Labor Agreements or local and economic 
hiring provisions, and training and placement programs for 
underrepresented workers) provides opportunities for all workers, 
including workers underrepresented in construction jobs to be trained 
and placed in good-paying jobs directly related to the project. FTA 
will give priority consideration to projects that create good paying 
jobs with the free and fair choice to join a union and these strong 
labor protections.
    In support of Executive Order 14008, DOT has been developing a 
geographic definition of Historically Disadvantaged Communities as part 
of its implementation of the Justice40 Initiative. Consistent with 
OMB's Interim Guidance for the Justice40 Initiative, Historically 
Disadvantaged Communities include (a) certain

[[Page 41176]]

qualifying census tracts, (b) any Tribal land, or (c) any territory or 
possession of the United States. DOT is providing a mapping tool to 
assist applicants in identifying whether a project is located in a 
Historically Disadvantaged Community Transportation Disadvantaged 
Census Tracts (arcgis.com). Use of this map tool is optional; 
applicants may provide an image of the map tool outputs, or 
alternatively, consistent with OMB's Interim Guidance, applicants can 
supply quantitative, demographic data of their ridership demonstrating 
the percentage of their ridership that meets the criteria for 
disadvantage described in Executive Order 14008. Examples of 
Historically Disadvantaged Communities that an applicant could address 
using geographic or demographic information include low income, high or 
persistent poverty, high unemployment and underemployment, racial and 
ethnic residential segregation, linguistic isolation, or high housing 
cost burden and substandard housing. Additionally, in support of the 
Justice40 Initiative, the applicant also should provide evidence of 
strategies that the applicant has used in the planning process to seek 
out and consider the needs of those historically disadvantaged and 
underserved by existing transportation systems. For technical 
assistance using the mapping tool, please contact <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#7b3c36343b1f140f551c140d"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="084f4547486c677c266f677e">[email protected]</span></a>.
    Due to funding limitations, projects that are selected for funding 
may receive less than the amount originally requested, even if an 
application did not present a scaled project option. In those cases, 
applicants must be able to demonstrate that the proposed projects are 
still viable and can be completed with the amount awarded.

3. Integrity and Performance Review

    Prior to making an award with a total amount of Federal share 
greater than the simplified acquisition threshold (currently $250,000), 
FTA is required to review and consider any information about the 
applicant that is in the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity 
Information Systems (FAPIIS) accessible through SAM. An applicant may 
review and comment on information about itself that a Federal awarding 
agency previously entered. FTA will consider any comments by the 
applicant, in addition to the other information in FAPIIS, in making a 
judgment about the applicant's integrity, business ethics, and record 
of performance under Federal awards when completing the review of risk 
posed by applicants as described in 2 CFR 200.206.

F. Federal Award Administration Information

1. Federal Award Notices

    Final project selections will be posted on the FTA website. Only 
proposals from eligible recipients for eligible activities will be 
considered for funding. There is no minimum or maximum grant award 
amount; however, FTA intends to fund as many meritorious projects as 
possible. Due to funding limitations, projects that are selected for 
funding may receive less than the amount originally requested. In those 
cases, applicants must be able to demonstrate that the proposed 
projects are still viable and can be completed with the amount awarded.
    Recipients should contact their FTA Regional Offices for additional 
information regarding allocations for projects under the Ferry Program.

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

i. Pre-Award Authority
    At the time the project selections are announced, FTA will extend 
pre-award authority for the selected projects. There is no blanket pre-
award authority for these projects before announcement, and pre-award 
authority cannot be used prior to FTA issuance of pre-award authority. 
FTA does not provide pre-award authority for competitive funds until 
projects are selected and even then, there are Federal requirements 
that must be met before costs are incurred. For more information about 
FTA's policy on pre-award authority, please see FTA's 2022 
Apportionment Notice (87 FR 25362).
ii. Grant Requirements
    If selected, awardees will apply for a grant through FTA's Transit 
Award Management System (TrAMS). All Passenger Ferry Program and 
urbanized area Low-No Ferry Program recipients are subject to the grant 
requirements of the Urbanized Area Formula Grant program (49 U.S.C. 
5307). All rural area Low-No Ferry Program and Rural Ferry Program 
Recipients are subject to the grant requirements of the Rural Area 
Formula Grant Program (49 U.S.C. 5311) as applicable, FTA's Master 
Agreement for financial assistance awards, the annual Certifications 
and Assurances required of applicants, FTA Circular ``Urbanized Area 
Formula Program: Program Guidance and Application Instructions'' 
(FTA.C.9030.1E) or FTA Circular ``Formula Grants for Rural Areas'' 
(FTA.C.9040.1G). All recipients must also follow the Award Management 
Requirements (FTA.C.5010.1) and the labor protections required by 
Federal public transportation law (49 U.S.C. 5333(b)). All these 
documents are available on FTA's website. Technical assistance 
regarding these requirements is available from each FTA regional 
office.
iii. Made in America
    FTA requires that all capital procurements meet FTA's Buy America 
requirements (49 U.S.C. 5323(j)), which require all iron, steel, or 
manufactured products be produced in the United States. Awards made on 
or after May 14, 2022, also are subject to the requirements of the 
Build America, Buy America Act (BABA) (Sec. Sec.  70901-70927 of the 
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Pub. L. 117-58), which require 
all iron, steel, manufactured products, and construction materials to 
be produced in the United States. FTA's Buy America requirements for 
iron, steel, and manufactured products--including rolling stock--meet 
or exceed BABA's requirements, and therefore, are not affected by BABA. 
The United States Department of Transportation issued a 180-day waiver 
of the BABA requirement relating to construction materials on May 19, 
2022: https://www.transportation.gov/regulations/temporary-waiver-buy-america-requirements-construction-materials. Any proposal that will 
require a waiver must identify the items for which a waiver will be 
sought in the application. Applicants should not proceed with the 
expectation that waivers will be granted.
iv. Civil Rights and Title VI
    Recipients of Federal transportation funding will be required to 
comply fully with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and 
implementing regulations, the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 
504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and all other civil rights 
requirements. The Department's and the applicable Operating 
Administration's Office of Civil Rights will be providing resources and 
technical assistance to ensure full and sustainable compliance with 
Federal civil rights requirements.
v. Disadvantaged Business Enterprise
    Projects that include ferry acquisitions are subject to the transit 
vehicle manufacturer (TVM) rule of the Disadvantaged Business 
Enterprise (DBE) program regulations (49 CFR 26.49). The TVM rule 
requires recipients procuring transit vehicles, including ferries, to 
limit eligible bidders to certified TVMs. To become a certified TVM, a 
manufacturer of transit vehicles must submit a DBE program plan and 
annual goal to FTA for

[[Page 41177]]

approval. A list of certified TVMs is posted on FTA's web page at 
www.transit.dot.gov/TVM. Recipients should contact FTA before accepting 
bids from entities not listed on this web-posting.
    In lieu of restricting eligibility to certified TVMs, a recipient 
may, with FTA's approval, establish project-specific goals for DBE 
participation in the procurement of transit vehicles.
    For more information on DBE requirements, please contact Monica 
McCallum, FTA Office of Civil Rights, 206-220-7519, 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#94d9fbfafdf7f5bad9f7d7f5f8f8e1f9d4f0fbe0baf3fbe2"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c885a7a6a1aba9e685ab8ba9a4a4bda588aca7bce6afa7be">[email protected]</span></a>.
vi. Planning
    FTA encourages applicants to notify the appropriate State 
Departments of Transportation and MPOs in areas likely to be served by 
the project funds made available under these initiatives and programs. 
Selected projects must be incorporated into the long-range plans and 
transportation improvement programs of States and metropolitan areas 
before they are eligible for FTA funding. As described under the 
evaluation criteria, FTA may consider whether a project is consistent 
with or already included in these plans when evaluating a project.
vii. Standard Assurances
    The applicant assures that it will comply with all applicable 
Federal statutes, regulations, executive orders, directives, FTA 
circulars, and other Federal administrative requirements in carrying 
out any project supported by the FTA grant. The applicant acknowledges 
that it is under a continuing obligation to comply with the terms and 
conditions of the grant agreement issued for its project with FTA. The 
applicant understands that Federal laws, regulations, policies, and 
administrative practices might be modified from time to time and may 
affect the implementation of the project. The applicant agrees that the 
most recent Federal requirements will apply to the project, unless FTA 
issues a written determination otherwise. The applicant must submit the 
Certifications and Assurances before receiving a grant if it does not 
have current certifications on file.
vii. Reporting
    Post-award reporting requirements include the electronic submission 
of Federal Financial Reports and Milestone Progress Reports. Applicant 
should include goals, targets, and indicators referenced in their 
application to the project in the Executive Summary of the TrAMS 
application. Recipients or beneficiaries of funds made available 
through this NOFO are also required to regularly submit data to the 
National Transit Database. National Transit Database reports include 
total sources of revenue and complete expenditure reports for all 
public transportation operations, not just those funded by this 
project. Applicants partnering with a private operator should ensure 
that the private operator will meet all of the comprehensive reporting 
requirements of the National Transit Database.
    FTA is committed to making evidence-based decisions guided by the 
best available science and data. In accordance with the Foundations for 
Evidence-based Policymaking Act of 2018 (Evidence Act), FTA may use 
information submitted in discretionary funding applications; 
information in FTA's Transit Award Management System (TrAMS), including 
grant applications, Milestone Progress Reports (MPRs), Federal 
Financial Reports (FFRs); transit service, ridership and operational 
data submitted in FTA's National Transit Database; documentation and 
results of FTA oversight reviews, including triennial and state 
management reviews; and other publicly available sources of data to 
build evidence to support policy, budget, operational, regulatory, and 
management processes and decisions affecting FTA's grant programs.
    As part of completing the annual certifications and assurances 
required of FTA grant recipients, a successful applicant must report on 
the suspension or debarment status of itself and its principals. If the 
award recipient's active grants, cooperative agreements, and 
procurement contracts from all Federal awarding agencies exceeds 
$10,000,000 for any period of time during the period of performance of 
an award made pursuant to this Notice, the recipient must comply with 
the Recipient Integrity and Performance Matters reporting requirements 
described in Appendix XII to 2 CFR part 200.

G. Federal Awarding Agency Contacts

    For further information concerning this notice, please contact the 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#44021005022136363d14362b233625293704202b306a232b32"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="cb8d9f8a8daeb9b9b29bb9a4acb9aaa6b88bafa4bfe5aca4bd">[email protected]</span></a>, or Vanessa Williams, by phone at (202) 366-
4818 or Sarah Clements at (202) 366-3062. A TDD is available for 
individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing at 800-877-8339. In 
addition, FTA will post answers to questions and requests for 
clarifications on FTA's website at https://www.transit.dot.gov/grants/fta-ferry-programs. To ensure receipt of accurate information about 
eligibility or the program, the applicant is encouraged to contact FTA 
directly, rather than through intermediaries or third parties. For 
issues with GRANTS.GOV, please contact GRANTS.GOV by phone at 1-800-
518-4726 or by email at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#483b3d3838273a3c082f3a29263c3b662f273e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="5b282e2b2b34292f1b3c293a352f28753c342d">[email protected]</span></a>. Contact information for 
FTA's regional offices can be found on FTA's website at http://www.transit.dot.gov/.

H. Other Information

    This program is not subject to Executive Order 12372, 
``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.'' FTA will consider 
applications for funding only from eligible recipients for eligible 
projects listed in Section C.

Nuria I. Fernandez,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2022-14692 Filed 7-8-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-57-P


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