Document ID: FRA-2009-0031-0019
Agency: fra
Document Type: Rule
Title: Solicitations of Applications and Funding Availabilities: FRA Railroad System Issues Research and Development Program
Posted Date: 2010-05-13T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 92 (Thursday, May 13, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27112-27114]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-11510]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

Solicitation of Applications and Notice of Funding Availability 
for the FRA Railroad System Issues Research and Development Program

AGENCY: Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of funding availability; solicitation for applications.

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SUMMARY: Under this Notice, the FRA is soliciting applications from 
interested and responsible parties for two grants: (1) To conduct a 
Locomotive Biofuel Study, and (2) to conduct a Study of the Use of Bio-
based Technologies (Lubricants) that can be used in locomotives, 
rolling stock and other rail equipment.

DATES: FRA will accept applications for these grant opportunities until 
June 7, 2010.

ADDRESSES: Applications must be submitted electronically to http://www.grants.gov (``Grants.gov''). Grants.gov allows organizations 
electronically to find and apply for competitive grant opportunities 
from all Federal grant-making agencies. Any entity wishing to submit an 
application pursuant to this notice should immediately initiate the 
process of registering with Grants.gov at http://www.grants.gov. For 
application materials that an applicant is unable to submit via 
Grants.gov, applicants may submit an original and two (2) copies to the 
Federal Railroad Administration at the following address: Federal 
Railroad Administration, Attention: Melissa Shurland, Office of 
Research and Development, Mail Stop 20, Room W36-429, 1200 New Jersey 
Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590. Due to delays caused by enhanced 
screening of mail delivered via the U.S. Postal Service, applicants are 
encouraged to use other means to assure timely receipt of materials.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Melissa Shurland, Office of Research 
and Development, Federal Railroad Administration, 1200 New Jersey 
Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590; Phone: (202) 493-1316 or Jennifer 
Capps, Grants Officer, Office of Acquisition and Grants Services (RAD-
50), Federal Railroad Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., 
Washington, DC 20590; Phone: (202) 493-0112.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title IV, Section 404 of the Passenger Rail 
Investment and Improvement Act, 2008 (Division B of Pub. L. 110-432) 
authorized the FRA, in consultation with the Secretary of Energy and 
Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, to conduct a 
``Locomotive Biofuel Study.'' This study will focus on determining the 
extent to which freight railroads, Amtrak, and other passenger rail 
operators could use biofuel blends to power locomotives and other 
vehicles that can operate on diesel fuel, as appropriate. Additionally, 
Section 405 of the Passenger Rail

[[Page 27113]]

Investment and Improvement Act, 2008 (Division B of Pub. L.110-432) 
authorized the FRA to conduct a ``Study of the Use of Bio-based 
Technologies.'' The study will focus on the feasibility of using 
readily biodegradable lubricants for freight and passenger railroad 
locomotives, rolling stock, or other equipment. The two grants, 
``Locomotive Biofuel Study'' and the ``Study of the Use of Bio-based 
Technologies,'' together, will be supported with a total of up to 
$700,000 of Federal funds provided to FRA as part of the 
Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies 
Appropriations Act, 2010 (Division A of Pub. L. 111-117 (December 16, 
2009)). Eligible projects will include dynamic testing of locomotives, 
rolling stock and other rail equipment, with various biofuel blends as 
fuel; or bio-based lubricants being utilized in the appropriate 
equipment components to verify the effectiveness of the fuel or 
lubricant, in comparison to their equivalent petroleum-based products. 
FRA anticipates that no further public notice will be made with respect 
to selecting grantees under this program.
    Purpose: The volatility of the price of petroleum-based products in 
recent years and the negative impact of their use on the environment 
has caused end-users to consider alternatives to these products. 
Currently in the railroad industry petroleum-based fuel and lubricants 
are used in various components of rail equipment and rolling stock, 
such as locomotive engines, equipment gear cases and housings. Fuel and 
lubricants that are bio-based come from a renewable source, may be 
environmentally benign, and can help reduce the railroad industry's 
dependence on imported oil. The FRA wishes to conduct the two studies 
on the feasibility of using various biofuel blends and bio-based 
lubricants in railroad equipment.
    One study will test the feasibility of using biofuel blends as 
locomotive engine fuel. For the biofuel study, FRA wishes to consider 
(1) the energy intensity of various biofuel blends compared to diesel 
fuel; (2) environmental and energy effects of using various biofuel 
blends compared to diesel fuel, including emission effects; (3) the 
cost of purchasing biofuel blends; (4) whether sufficient biofuel is 
readily available; (5) any public benefits derived from the use of such 
fuels; and (6) the effect of biofuel use on locomotive and other 
vehicle performance and warranty specifications. Locomotive engine 
performance and emissions shall be determined through locomotive 
testing, using various biofuel blends and diesel fuel. This research 
shall be done so that recommendations can be made for premium 
locomotive biofuel blends.
    The second study will focus on testing the feasibility of using 
bio-based lubricants in locomotive, rolling stock and other equipment. 
This study shall consist of the following: (1) An analysis of the 
potential use of soy-based grease and soy-based hydraulic fluids to 
perform according to railroad industry standards; (2) an analysis of 
the potential use of other readily biodegradable lubricants to perform 
according to railroad industry standards; (3) a comparison of the 
health and safety of petroleum-based lubricants with bio-based 
lubricants, which shall include an analysis of fire safety; (4) a 
comparison of the environmental impact of petroleum-based lubricants 
with bio-based lubricants, which shall include the rate and effects of 
biodegradability; (5) a comparison of the performance of the bio-based 
lubricant in comparison to petroleum-based lubricants; and (6) a study 
of the effects of the bio-based lubricants on railroad equipment 
components in comparison to petroleum-based lubricants.
    Authority: The authority for the research can be found in the 
Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act, 2008, (Division B of 
Pub. L. 110-432, (October 16, 2008)).
    Funding: Pursuant to the Transportation, Housing and Urban 
Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010, (Division A 
of Pub. L. 111-117 (December 16, 2009)) $3,000,000 is available for the 
railroad system issues research and development program, and the Act 
authorizes FRA to engage in research, development and demonstration 
activities relating to railroad system safety, performance-based 
regulations, railroad systems and infrastructure security, railroad 
environmental issues, and locomotive research and development. Up to 
$700,000 of the railroad system issues research and development program 
funds will be used to support the studies of the feasibility of using 
biofuel blends and bio-based lubricants in locomotives, rolling stock 
or other equipment. The funding provided under this grant will be made 
available to grantees on a reimbursement basis. It is anticipated that 
the available funding could support the projects proposed by multiple 
applicants. FRA may choose to award a grant or grants within the 
available funds in any amount. Funding made available through a grant 
provided under this program, together with funding from other sources 
that is committed by a grantee as part of a grant agreement, must be 
sufficient to complete the funded project.
    Schedule for Locomotive Biofuel Study and the Study of the Use of 
Bio-based Technologies: FRA will begin accepting grant applications 
immediately. Applicants must specify the specific grant for which they 
are applying, i.e. ``Locomotive Biofuel Study,'' or the ``Study of the 
Use of Bio-based Technologies.'' Applications must be submitted by 
Monday, June 7, 2010. Due to the limited funding available under this 
program: (1) Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications at 
the earliest date practicable in order to maximize the consideration of 
their application in the competition; and (2) FRA may request that an 
applicant submit a revised application reflecting a refined scope of 
work and budget. FRA anticipates making the first award(s) pursuant to 
this notice during FY 2010.
    Eligible Participants: For the locomotive biofuel study, any 
responsible entity with knowledge of biofuel blends and their 
applicable use as fuel for locomotives, and the ability to determine 
and/or analyze the energy content, specification and chemical 
properties of biofuel, is eligible to apply. Eligible participants must 
show their ability to conduct dynamic tests of locomotive to acquire 
fuel consumption, engine wear, and emissions, of various biofuel 
blends.
    Section 405 provides that FRA work with an agricultural-based 
lubricant testing facility or facilities to complete the study of the 
use of bio-based lubricants. Eligible participants for the bio-based 
lubricant study must be knowledgeable and experienced in research, 
development and testing of bio-based lubricants, knowledge of 
petroleum-based lubricant use in railroad, and the ability to conduct 
accurate analyses of biodegradability, and the health and safety 
impact, including fire safety of lubricants. Additionally, the 
applicant must show ability to a conduct dynamic test of the bio-based 
lubricants in railroad equipment.
    Dynamic testing of the biofuel blends and bio-based lubricants can 
be accomplished in collaboration with a third party, but any such third 
party must be identified in the grant application proposed statement of 
work.
    Eligible Projects: Eligible projects must be for the primary 
benefit of determining the feasibility of utilizing biofuel blends or 
bio-based lubricants in locomotive, rolling stock and other rail 
equipment. Only new projects will be eligible; projects that have 
either

[[Page 27114]]

commenced before the time of award or have been completed will not be 
considered. Matching funding must be in the form of new financial 
commitments toward the proposed project by the applicant and/or its 
partners.
    Selection Criteria: The following will be considered to be positive 
selection factors in evaluating applications for grants under this 
program: (1) The ability of the proposed project to result directly in 
evaluating the effectiveness of biofuel blends and bio-based lubricant 
as an alternative to petroleum-based fuels and lubricants, including, 
but not limited to, testing and analyses of the biofuel blends or bio-
based lubricants to perform in accordance with railroad industry 
standards; (2) comparison of biofuel blends or bio-based lubricant with 
petroleum-based lubricants in relation to their environmental, health 
and safety impact, and the effects of the biofuel blends or bio-based 
lubricants on the equipment parts and components; (3) the ability to 
conduct dynamic testing of the biofuel blends or bio-based lubricant in 
railroad equipment in controlled environment and/or revenue service 
conditions; and (4) the ability to provide matching funds or in-kind 
contributions, which can be provided by a third party; however, the 
grantee is responsible for ensuring their availability.
    Requirements for Grant Applications: The following points describe 
the minimum content which will be required in grant applications. These 
requirements may be satisfied through a narrative statement submitted 
by the applicant, supported by spreadsheet documents, tables, drawings, 
and other materials, as appropriate. Each grant application will: (1) 
Designate a point of contact for the applicant, including phone number, 
mailing address and e-mail address. (2) Include a complete Standard 
Form 424, ``Application for Federal Assistance,'' and, as applicable, 
Standard Form 424B, ``Assurances--Non-Construction Programs.'' Also 
include signed copies of FRA's Additional Assurances and 
Certifications, available at http://www.fra.dot.gov/downloads/admin/assurancesandcertifications.pdf. (3) Identify and provide background 
information on the bio-based lubricant technology, its application(s), 
and benefits. (4) Define the scope of work for the proposed project and 
the anticipated project schedule. Describe the proposed project's 
physical location (as applicable). (5) Present a detailed budget for 
the proposed project. At a minimum, the budget should separate total 
cost of the project into the following categories: (a) Direct Costs 
(such as labor, materials, equipment and/or procurement fees, 
engineering fees, testing facilities fees, actual testing fees, and 
inspection fees); (b) Other Direct Costs (such as travel); and (c) 
General and Administrative Costs.
    Format: Excluding spreadsheets, drawings, and tables, the narrative 
statement for grant applications may not exceed fifty pages. All 
application materials should be submitted as attachments through 
Grants.Gov. Spreadsheets consisting of budget or financial information 
should be submitted via Grants.Gov as Microsoft Excel (or compatible) 
documents.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on May 7, 2010.
Paul Nissenbaum,
Acting Associate Administrator, Railroad Policy and Development, 
Federal Railroad Administration.
[FR Doc. 2010-11510 Filed 5-12-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P