Railroad Safety Technology Grants
Program Funding
Annual program obligations reported to SAM.gov.
Funded Projects
Examples of what this program has supported.
Program Objective
To facilitate the deployment of train control technologies, train control component technologies, processor-based technologies, electronically controlled pneumatic brakes, rail integrity inspection systems, rail integrity warning systems, switch position indicators and monitors, remote control power switch technologies, track integrity circuit technologies, and other new or novel railroad safety technology.
Eligibility
Eligible Applicants
- Interstate Organization
- For-Profit Organization
- State
- Local Government Consortium
Profit organization, Interstate, Intrastate, State, Local
How to Apply
Award Procedure
2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program.
Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFO) for this listing will be posted on Grants.gov (opens in new window) (opens in new window).
Required documents for an application package are: Project Narrative, Statement of Work, Benefit-Cost Analysis, Environmental Compliance Documentation, SF424 – Application for Federal Assistance, SF 424C – Budget Information for Construction, or, for an equipment procurement project without any construction costs, or SF 424A – Budget Information for Non-Construction, SF 424D – Assurances for Construction, or, for an equipment procurement project without any construction costs, or SF 424B – Assurances for Non-Construction, FRA’s Additional Assurances and Certifications, SF LLL – Disclosure of Lobbying Activities.
Not Applicable. FRA is committed to responding to applicants in a reasonable and timely manner. Response times will vary based on size, scope, complexity and volume of applications.
Program details & compliance
Description
The Railroad Safety Technology Grants Program funds projects that enhance railroad safety by implementing a Positive Train Control (PTC) system or benefiting overall PTC implementation on freight, intercity passenger, and commuter railroads.
Mission Categories
Primary: Rail Transportation
Use of Funds
Allowed Uses
The Railroad Safety Technology Grants Program funds projects that enhance railroad safety by implementing a Positive Train Control (PTC) system or benefiting overall PTC implementation on freight, intercity passenger, and commuter railroads. These projects focus on development and deployment of technologies that will lower the costs, speed implementation, increase interoperability, and improve the reliability of PTC systems. The FRA is particularly interested in development and deployment on the following topics related to PTC: elimination of PTC communications interference; configuration management of multi-railroad PTC software and firmware deployments; and host-tenant railroad PTC interoperability/system certification. In addition, the establishment and management of collaborative interoperability coordination groups, that may be used to resolve industry-wide PTC technical and management issues, were eligible for funding. Examples of eligible projects include the following: • Costs for implementation, installation, and testing of PTC systems; • Costs for shared PTC infrastructure (e.g., back office systems, CAD systems); and • Costs to advance PTC interoperability, such as pilot programs, standardization committees, development of standard processes, and spectrum acquisition, sharing, and desensitization.
Restrictions
The Railroad Safety Technology Grants Program funds projects that enhance railroad safety by implementing a Positive Train Control (PTC) system or benefiting overall PTC implementation on freight, intercity passenger, and commuter railroads. These projects focus on development and deployment of technologies that will lower the costs, speed implementation, increase interoperability, and improve the reliability of PTC systems. The FRA is particularly interested in development and deployment on the following topics related to PTC: elimination of PTC communications interference; configuration management of multi-railroad PTC software and firmware deployments; and host-tenant railroad PTC interoperability/system certification. In addition, the establishment and management of collaborative interoperability coordination groups, that may be used to resolve industry-wide PTC technical and management issues, were eligible for funding. Examples of eligible projects include the following: • Costs for implementation, installation, and testing of PTC systems; • Costs for shared PTC infrastructure (e.g., back office systems, CAD systems); and • Costs to advance PTC interoperability, such as pilot programs, standardization committees, development of standard processes, and spectrum acquisition, sharing, and desensitization. Grant funds may not be used for lobbying or in direct support of litigation. 100 percent of the funds are discretionary grants.
Required Documentation
U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Railroad Administration Assurances and Certification forms https://www.fra.dot.gov/eLib/Details/L05284 Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, and Other Responsibility Matters-Primary Covered Transactions, , Certification Regarding Drug-Free Workplace Requirements, Certification Regarding Lobbying, Assurances-Non-Construction Programs, SF 424E, Certificate of Indirect Costs, Assurances - Construction Programs SF-424D 2 CFR 200, Subpart E - Cost Principles applies to this program.
Matching Requirements
Statutory formula is not applicable to this assistance listing.
Matching Requirements: Percent: Other Federal funds for any eligible project shall not exceed 80 percent of the total cost of such project. FRA cannot consider any other Federal funds, nor any non-Federal funds already expended (or otherwise encumbered), towards the matching requirement. Additionally, FRA is limiting the method for calculating the non-Federal match to cash contributions only, ‘‘in-kind’’ contributions will not be accepted. Matching funds provided in excess of the minimum requirement will be considered in evaluating the merit of an application.
Reporting & Compliance
Applicable 2 CFR 200 Subparts
- Subpart B — General Provisions
- Subpart C — Pre-Federal Award Requirements
- Subpart D — Post-Federal Award Requirements
- Subpart E — Cost Principles
- Subpart F — Audit Requirements