Document ID: FMCSA-2008-0323-0001
Agency: fmcsa
Document Type: Rule
Title: Notice of Fiscal Year 2009 Safety Grants and Solicitation for Applications
Posted Date: 2008-10-17T04:00Z

[Federal Register: October 17, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 202)]
[Notices]               
[Page 61919-61922]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr17oc08-153]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

 
Notice of Fiscal Year 2009 Safety Grants and Solicitation for 
Applications

AGENCY: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice is intended to announce the Fiscal Year (FY) 2009 
FMCSA safety grant opportunities and to provide schedules and 
directions for those grant programs posted on grants.gov (http://
www.grants.gov). FMCSA disseminates funds and oversees grants awarded 
in support of 11 safety programs. These programs

[[Page 61920]]

consist of the Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program (MCSAP) Basic 
and Incentive grants, MCSAP New Entrant Safety Audit grants, MCSAP High 
Priority grants, Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) Operator Safety 
Training grants, Border Enforcement grants (BEG), Commercial Driver's 
License Program Improvement (CDLPI) grants, Commercial Driver's License 
Information System (CDLIS) Modernization grants, Performance and 
Registration Information Systems Management (PRISM) grants, Safety Data 
Improvement Program grants (SaDIP), and Commercial Vehicle Information 
Systems and Networks (CVISN) grants. Each of these grant programs was 
provided for in the Agency's most recent authorization, the Safe, 
Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy 
for Users (SAFETEA-LU). The purpose of this Notice is to provide a 
comprehensive source of information regarding the opportunities for 
funding under the FMCSA's grant programs.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Additional information is provided below for 
each individual grant program.

MCSAP Basic and Incentive Grants

    Sections 4101 and 4107 of SAFETEA-LU authorize the Motor Carrier 
Safety Grants funding for FY 2006 through FY 2009. MCSAP Basic and 
Incentive grants are governed by 49 U.S.C. 31102-31104 and 49 CFR Part 
350. Under the Basic and Incentive grant programs, a State lead MCSAP 
agency, as designated by its Governor, is eligible to apply for Basic 
and Incentive grant funding by submitting a commercial vehicle safety 
plan (CVSP). See 49 CFR 350.201 and 205. Pursuant to 49 CFR 350.303, 
FMCSA will reimburse each lead State MCSAP agency 80 percent of 
eligible costs incurred in a fiscal year. Each lead agency will provide 
a 20 percent match to qualify for the program. In accordance with 49 
CFR 350.323, the Basic grant funds will be distributed proportionally 
to each State's lead MCSAP agency using the following four equally 
weighted (25 percent) factors:
    (1) 1997 road miles (all highways) as defined by the FMCSA;
    (2) All vehicle miles traveled (VMT) as defined by the FMCSA;
    (3) Population--annual census estimates as issued by the U.S. 
Census Bureau; and
    (4) Special fuel consumption (net after reciprocity adjustment) as 
defined by the FMCSA.

A State lead MCSAP agency may qualify for Incentive Funds if it can 
demonstrate that its CMV safety program has shown improvement in any or 
all of the following five categories:
    (1) Reduction in the number of large truck-involved fatal 
accidents;
    (2) Reduction in the rate of large-truck-involved fatal accidents 
or maintenance of a large-truck-involved fatal accident rate that is 
among the lowest 10 percent of such rates for MCSAP recipients and is 
not higher than the rate most recently achieved;
    (3) Upload of CMV accident reports in accordance with current FMCSA 
policy guidelines;
    (4) Verification of Commercial Driver's Licenses during all 
roadside inspections; and
    (5) Upload of CMV inspection data in accordance with current FMCSA 
policy guidelines. Incentive funds will be distributed in accordance 
with 49 CFR 350.327(b).
    Prior to the start of each fiscal year, FMCSA calculates the amount 
of Basic and Incentive Funding each State is expected to receive. This 
information is provided to the States and is made available on the 
Agency's Web site at www.fmcsa.dot.gov/documents/safety-security/
ATTCHMNT3-Est-09-Funding-Planning-Dist.pdf.
    For FY 2009, $152,387,000 for Basic grant funding and $10,000,000 
for Incentive grant funding is expected to be available. It should be 
noted that Basic and Incentive grants are awarded based on the State's 
submission of the CVSP. The evaluation factors described in the section 
below titled ``Application Information for FY 2009 Grants'' will not be 
considered and submission of applications to grants.gov is not 
necessary.

New Entrant Safety Audit Grants

    Sections 4101 and 4107 of SAFETEA-LU also authorize the Motor 
Carrier Safety Grants funding for FY 2006 through FY 2009 to enable 
grant recipients to conduct interstate New Entrant safety audits 
consistent with 49 CFR Parts 350.321 and 385.301. State and local 
governments are eligible to apply. The FMCSA's share of these grant 
funds will be 100 percent for State agencies. New Entrant grant 
applications must be submitted electronically through grants.gov.
    For FY 2009, the level of funding is expected to be up to 
$29,000,000 for New Entrant Safety Audits.

MCSAP High Priority Grants

    Section 4101 of SAFETEA-LU also authorizes the Motor Carrier Safety 
Grants funding for FY 2006 through FY 2009 to enable recipients to 
carry out activities and projects that improve CMV safety and 
compliance with CMV regulations. Funding is available for projects that 
are national in scope, increase public awareness and education, 
demonstrate new technologies and reduce the number and rate of CMV 
accidents. Eligible recipients are State agencies, local governments, 
and organizations representing government agencies that use and train 
qualified officers and employees in coordination with State motor 
vehicle safety agencies.
    For grants awarded for public education activities, the Federal 
share will be 100 percent. For all High Priority grants other than 
those awarded in support of public education activities, the FMCSA will 
provide reimbursements for no more than 80 percent of all eligible 
costs, and recipients will be required to provide a 20 percent match. 
FMCSA may reserve up to $5 million in FY 2009 High Priority funding 
exclusively for innovative traffic enforcement projects, with 
particular emphasis on work zone enforcement and rural road safety. 
Also, FMCSA may reserve up to $10 million for an innovative traffic 
enforcement initiative known as ``Ticketing Aggressive Cars and 
Trucks'' or TACT. TACT provides a research-based safety model that can 
be replicated by States when conducting a high-visibility traffic 
enforcement program to promote safe driving behaviors among car and 
truck drivers. The objective of this program is to reduce the number of 
commercial truck and bus related crashes, fatalities and injuries 
resulting from improper operation of motor vehicles and aggressive 
driving behavior. More information regarding TACT can be found at 
http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/safety-security/tact/abouttact.htm.
    Consistent with Section 4107 of SAFETEA-LU, for FY 2009, up to 
$15,000,000 of High Priority grant funds are expected to be available. 
High Priority grant applications must be submitted electronically 
through grants.gov.

CMV Operator Safety Training Grants

    Section 4134 of SAFETEA-LU establishes a grant program which 
enables recipients to train current and future drivers in the safe 
operation of CMVs, as defined in 49 U.S.C. 31301(4). Eligible awardees 
include State governments, local governments, and accredited post-
secondary educational institutions (public or private) such as 
colleges, universities, vocational-technical schools and truck driver 
training schools. Funding priority for this discretionary grant funding 
will be given to regional or multi-state

[[Page 61921]]

educational or nonprofit associations serving economically distressed 
regions of the United States. The Federal share of these funds will be 
80 percent, and the recipients will be required to provide a 20 percent 
match. CMV Operatory Safety Training grant applications must be 
submitted electronically through grants.gov.
    For FY 2009, $1,000,000 of CMV Operator Safety Training grant funds 
are expected to be available.

Border Enforcement Grants (BEG)

    Section 4110 of SAFETEA-LU established the BEG program. The purpose 
of this discretionary program is to provide funding for border CMV 
safety programs and related enforcement activities and projects. An 
entity or a State that shares a land border with another country is 
eligible to receive this grant funding. Eligible awardees include State 
governments, local governments, and entities (i.e. accredited post-
secondary educational institutions (public or private) such as 
universities). Requests from entities must be coordinated with the 
State lead CMV inspection agency. Applications must include a Border 
Enforcement Plan and meet the required maintenance of expenditure 
requirement. BEG awards will take into consideration the State or 
entity's performance on previous BEG awards; its ability to expend the 
awarded funds with the BEG performance year; and activities meeting the 
BEG national criteria established by the FMCSA. As established by 
SAFETEA-LU, the Federal share of these funds will be 100 percent, and 
there is no matching requirement. BEG grant applications must be 
submitted electronically through grants.gov.
    For FY 2009, $32,000,000 of BEG grant funds are expected to be 
available.

CDLPI Grant

    Section 4124 of SAFETEA-LU includes a discretionary grant program 
that provides funding for improving States' implementation of the 
Commercial Driver's License (CDL) program, including expenses for 
computer hardware and software, publications, testing, personnel, 
training Funds may not be used to rent, lease, or buy land or 
buildings. The agency designated by each State as the primary driver 
licensing agency responsible for the development, implementation, and 
maintenance of the CDL program is eligible to apply for grant funding. 
State grant proposals must include the State's assessment of its CDL 
and a detailed budget explaining how the funds will be used. The 
Federal share of funds for projects awarded under this grant is 
established by SAFETEA-LU as 100 percent. Therefore, there is no State 
matching requirement. The funding opportunity announcement on 
grants.gov will provide more detailed information on the application 
process; national funding priorities for FY 2009; evaluation criteria; 
required documents and certifications; State maintenance of expenditure 
requirements; and additional information related to the availability of 
funds. Additional information is listed later in this document. CLDPI 
grant applications must be submitted electronically through grants.gov.
    For FY 2009, $25,000,000 of grant funds are expected to be 
available.

CDLIS Modernization Grants

    Section 4123 of SAFETEA-LU includes a discretionary grant program 
that provides funding for modernization of CDLIS. This section includes 
funds for States to upgrade their driver licensing information systems 
for the specific purpose of making them compatible with the new 
modernized CDLIS specifications. The agency in each State designated as 
the primary driver licensing agency responsible for the development, 
implementation, and maintenance of the CDL program is eligible to apply 
for grant funding. The Federal share of the funds for projects awarded 
under this grant is established by SAFETEA-LU as 80 percent; there is a 
20 percent matching requirement. States may use in-kind contributions 
to meet this matching requirement (including annual CDLIS pointer 
fees). Funds are available to any State that is in substantial 
compliance with the requirements of 49 U.S.C. 31311 and submits a grant 
proposal that qualifies under the conditions in this notice, including 
assuming the responsibility of incorporating the new CDLIS 
specifications and improving its commercial driver licensing system. 
State grant proposals must include a detailed budget explaining how the 
funds will be used and how the State will meet the matching 
requirements. The funding opportunity announcement on grants.gov will 
provide more detailed information on the application process; eligible 
projects under the CDLIS Modernization plan; evaluation criteria; 
required documents and certifications; and additional information 
related to the availability of funds. Additional information is listed 
later in this document. CDLIS Modernization grant applications must be 
submitted electronically through grants.gov.
    For FY 2009, $8,000,000 of grant funds are expected to be 
available.

SaDIP Grants

    Section 4128 of SAFETEA-LU establishes the Safety Data Improvement 
Program (SaDIP). The legislation supports a discretionary grant program 
that provides funding for States to improve the quality of large truck 
and bus crash and inspection data reported by the States to FMCSA. 
Eligible awardees include a State agency located in one of the fifty 
States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Northern Mariana 
Islands, American Samoa, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. SaDIP grant 
applications must be submitted electronically through grants.gov.
    For FY 2009, $3,000,000 of grant funds are expected to be 
available.

PRISM Grants

    Section 4109 of SAFETEA-LU provides funding for States to implement 
the Performance and Registration Information Systems Management (PRISM) 
requirements that link Federal motor carrier safety information systems 
with State CMV registration and licensing systems to enable a State to 
determine the safety fitness of a motor carrier or registrant when 
licensing or registering or while the license or registration is in 
effect. PRISM grant applications must be submitted electronically 
through grants.gov.
    In FY 2009, $5,000,000 of grant funds are expected to be available.

CVISN Grants

    Section 4126 of SAFETEA-LU provides funding for States to deploy, 
operate, and maintain elements of their Commercial Vehicle Information 
Systems and Networks (CVISN) Program, including commercial vehicle, 
commercial driver, and carrier-specific information systems and 
networks. The agency in each State designated as the primary agency 
responsible for the development, implementation, and maintenance of a 
CVISN-related system is eligible to apply for grant funding.
    Section 4126 of SAFETEA-LU distinguishes between two types of CVISN 
projects: Core and Expanded. To be eligible for funding of Core CVISN 
deployment project(s), a State must have its most current Core CVISN 
Program Plan and Top-Level Design approved by FMCSA and the proposed 
project(s) should be consistent with its approved Core CVISN Program 
Plan and Top-Level Design. If a State does not have a Core CVISN 
Program Plan and Top-Level Design, it may apply for up to $100,000 in 
funds to either compile or update a Core CVISN Program Plan and Top-
Level Design.

[[Page 61922]]

    A State may also apply for funds to prepare an Expanded CVISN 
Program Plan and Top-Level Design if FMCSA acknowledged the State as 
having completed Core CVISN deployment. In order to be eligible for 
funding of any Expanded CVISN deployment project(s), a State must have 
its most current Expanded CVISN Program Plan and Top-Level Design 
approved by FMCSA and any proposed Expanded CVISN project(s) should be 
consistent with its Expanded CVISN Program Plan and Top-Level Design. 
If a State does not have an Expanded CVISN Program Plan and Top-Level 
Design, it may apply for up to $100,000 in funds to either compile or 
update an Expanded CVISN Program Plan and Top-Level Design.
    In FY 2009, $25,000,000 of CVISN grant funds are expected to be 
available. CVISN grant applications must be submitted electronically 
through grants.gov. Awards for approved CVISN grant applications are 
made on a first-come, first-served basis.
    Application Information for FY 2009 Grants: (Note: This section is 
not applicable to MCSAP Basic and Incentive grant application 
processes.) Visit www.grants.gov. Information on the grant, application 
process, and additional contact information is available at that Web 
site. General information about the FMCSA grant programs is available 
in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) which can be found 
on the Internet at http://www.cfda.gov. To apply for funding, 
applicants must register with grants.gov at http://www.grants.gov/
applicants/get-registered.jsp and submit an application in accordance 
with instructions provided.
    Evaluation Factors: The following evaluation factors will be used 
in reviewing the applications for all FMCSA discretionary grants.
    (1) Prior performance--Completion of identified programs and goals 
per the project plan.
    (2) Effective Use of Prior Grants--Demonstrated timely use of 
available funds.
    (3) Cost Effectiveness--Applications will be evaluated and 
prioritized on the expected impact on safety relative to the investment 
of grant funds. Where appropriate, costs per unit will be calculated 
and compared with national averages to determine effectiveness. In 
other areas, proposed costs will be compared with historical 
information to confirm reasonableness.
    (4) Applicability to announced priorities--If national priorities 
are included in the grants.gov notice, those grants that specifically 
address these issues will be given priority consideration.
    (5) Ability of the applicant to support the strategies and 
activities in the proposal for the entire project period of 
performance.
    (6) Use of innovative approaches in executing a project plan to 
address identified safety issues.
    (7) Feasibility of overall program coordination and implementation 
based upon the project plan.
    (8) Grant specific evaluation factors as described in the 
grants.gov application information. The FMCSA provides information on 
its Web site outlining past fiscal year (FY) MCSAP Basic, Incentive, 
and discretionary grants funding by State (http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/
safety-security/safety-initiatives/mcsap/funding.htm).

DATES: For the following discretionary grant programs, FMCSA will 
consider funding completed applications between the following dates:

New Entrant Safety Audits Grants--October 1, 2008-December 1, 2008
Border Enforcement Grants--October 1, 2008-November 15, 2008
MCSAP High Priority Grants--October 1, 2008
CMV Operator Safety Training Grants--October 1, 2008-December 1, 2008
CDLPI Grants--November 1, 2008-January 30, 2009
CDLIS Modernization Grants--November 15, 2008-February 15, 2009
SaDIP Grants--November 1, 2008-February 1, 2009
PRISM Grants--January 1, 2009-March 1, 2009
CVISN Grants--January 1, 2009-July 15, 2009

    When each of those applications has been reviewed, and funding has 
been awarded as appropriate, applications submitted after these due 
dates may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Please contact the following FMCSA 
staff with questions or needed information on the Agency's grant 
programs:

New Entrant Safety Audits Grants--Arthur Williams, 
arthur.williams@dot.gov, 202-366-3695
Border Enforcement Grants--Carla Vagnini, carla.vagnini@dot.gov, 202-
366-3771
MCSAP High Priority Grants--Cim Weiss, cim.weiss@dot.gov, 202-366-0275
CMV Operator Safety Training Grants--Julie Otto, julie.otto@dot.gov, 
202-366-0710
CDLPI Grants--Brandon Poarch, brandon.poarch@dot.gov, 202-366-3030
CDLIS Modernization Grants--Brandon Poarch, brandon.poarch@dot.gov, 
202-366-3030
SaDIP Grants--Suzanne Cotty, suzanne.cotty@dot.gov, 202-493-0304
PRISM Grants--Tom Lawler, tom.lawler@dot.gov, 202-366-3866
CVISN Grants--Jeff Secrist, jeff.secrist@dot.gov, 202-385-2367

    All staff may be reached at FMCSA, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., 
Washington, DC 20590. Office hours are from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., EST, 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

    Issued on: October 7, 2008.
William A. Quade,
Associate Administrator for Enforcement and Program Delivery.
Terry Shelton,
Associate Administrator for Research and Information Technology.
 [FR Doc. E8-24697 Filed 10-16-08; 8:45 am]

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