United States Marine Highway Grants

The assistance will be used to expand the use of water transportation along designated Marine Highway Routes. Grant funds are typically used to procure cargo/material handling equipment; to build or modify barges or vessels; or for planning efforts related to increasing freight on Marine Highway Routes.

The following documentation is required: 1. First page of application: A. Marine Highway Project name (as stated in the Department’s Letter of Designation) B. Primary point of contact for applicant C. Amount of dollars of Grant Funds the applicant is seeking, sources and share of other matching funds. D. Summary of what the grant funding will be used for E. Project parties F. Recipients of Marine Highway grants and their first-tier sub-awardees will be required to have a UEI number (https://sam.gov/content/duns-uei) and a current registration in the Central Contractor Registration (http://www.ccr.gov). While these items do not need to be provided as part of the application, a Marine Highway Grant will not be awarded if a recipient or first-tier sub-awardee does not have these items. 2. Contact Information: An application should include the name, phone number, e-mail address and organization address of the primary point of contact for the applicant. The Department will use this information to inform parties of the Department’s decision regarding selection of grantees, as well as to contact parties if the Department needs additional information about the application. 3. Grant Funds and Sources and Uses of Project Funds: An application should include information about the amount of grant funding requested, sources and uses of all project funds, total project costs, percentage of project costs that would pay for with Marine Highway Grant funds and the identity and percentage shares of all parties providing funds for the project (including Federal funds provided under other programs). 4. Selection Criteria: In general, applications will be evaluated based on the information provided in the grant application as set forth in the Notice of Funding Opportunity. This information should be provided in the order it was solicited in the Notice of Funding Opportunity. 5. National Environmental Policy Act Requirement: An application must detail whether the project will significantly impact the natural, social and/or economic environment. If the NEPA process is completed, an applicant must indicate the date of, and provide a Web site link or other reference to, the final Categorical Exclusion, Finding of No Significant Impact or Record of Decision. If the NEPA process is underway but not complete, the application must detail where the project is in the process, indicate the anticipated date of completion and provide a website link or other reference to copies of any NEPA documents prepared. 6. Environmentally Related Federal, State and Local Actions: An application must indicate whether the proposed project is likely to require actions by other agencies (e.g., permits), indicate the status of such actions and provide a website link or other reference to materials submitted to the other agencies, and/or demonstrate compliance with other Federal, State and local regulations as applicable. 7. Certification Requirements: In order for an application to be considered for a grant award, the Chief Executive Officer of the applicant is required to certify, in writing, to the following: A. That, except as noted in this grant application, nothing has changed from the original application for formal designation as a Marine Highway Project. B. The project sponsor will administer the project and any funds received will be spent efficiently and effectively. C. Applicants will provide information, data and reports as required by the grantor.
2 CFR 200, Subpart E - Cost Principles applies to this program.

Statutory Formula: Title Chapter Part Subpart Public Law 114-113
Matching Requirements: 20% The Secretary may increase the Federal share of costs above 80 percent for a grant to a Tribal government for a Project that is located in a rural area. Additionally, for grants to American Samoa, Guam, the Virgin Islands, or the Northern Mariana Islands, MARAD will waive any cost share requirement for local matching funds under $200,000 (including in-kind contributions).
Matching requirements are voluntary.

Statutory Formula: Title Chapter Part Subpart Public Law 114-113