Notice of Fiscal Year 2012 Safety Grants and Solicitation for Applications |
|---|
Topics: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
|
Anna J. Amos
Federal Register
August 12, 2011
[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 156 (Friday, August 12, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50315-50318]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-20557]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
Notice of Fiscal Year 2012 Safety Grants and Solicitation for
Applications
AGENCY: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice; change in application due dates.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This notice informs the public of FMCSA's Fiscal Year (FY)
2012 safety grant opportunities and FMCSA's projected application due
dates. FMCSA announces these grant opportunities based on authorities
provided for in the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient
Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy of Users. The Agency will inform
applicants if new authorizing legislation changes its grant programs
for FY 2012 through a Federal Register notice. The 10 safety grant
programs include the Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program (MCSAP)
Basic grants; MCSAP Incentive grants; 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; Performance and
Registration Information Systems Management (PRISM) grants; Safety Data
Improvement Program (SaDIP) grants; and the Commercial Vehicle
Information Systems and Networks (CVISN) grants. It should be noted
that FMCSA does not expect the Commercial Driver's License Information
System (CDLIS) Modernization grants to be continued in reauthorization,
and, therefore, FMCSA will not be soliciting applications for this
grant program in FY 2012.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Please contact the following FMCSA
staff with questions or needed information on the Agency's grant
programs:
MCSAP Basic/Incentive Grants--Suzanne Poole, suzanne.poole@dot.gov,
202-493-0804.
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.
High Priority Grants--Cim Weiss, cim.weiss@dot.gov, 202-366-0275.
CMV Operator Safety Training Grants--Arthur Williams,
arthur.williams@dot.gov, 202-366-0710.
CDLPI Grants--James Ross, james.ross@dot.gov, 202-366-0133.
SaDIP Grants--Cim Weiss, cim.weiss@dot.gov, 202-366-0275.
PRISM Grants--Julie Otto, julie.otto@dot.gov, 202-366-0710.
CVISN Grants--Julie Otto, julie.otto@dot.gov, 202-366-0710.
All staff may be reached at FMCSA, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE.,
Washington, DC 20590. Office hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., E.S.T.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background and Purpose
FMCSA recognizes that State and local governments and other
grantees are dependent on the Agency's safety grants to develop and
maintain important CMV safety programs. FMCSA further acknowledges that
delays in awarding grant funds may have an adverse impact on these
important safety programs. As a result, FMCSA completed a grants
process review to identify ways to streamline the application, award,
and grants management processes, and to award grant funds earlier each
fiscal year. In addition, FMCSA made changes in the grants application,
award and oversight processes to standardize application forms,
increase the use of electronic documents, standardize quarterly
reports, and reduce the number of needed grant amendments.
FMCSA continues to enter into grant agreements beginning October 1
or as soon thereafter as administratively practicable. FMCSA intends to
begin awarding grants no later than 90 days from the date the
application is due.
FMCSA uses the standard grant application form and quarterly
reporting process. FMCSA requires the Standard Form 424 (Application
for Federal Assistance) and its attachments for all grant program
applications. While each grant program may request different data in
some of the data fields on the form, the use of the Standard Form 424
is mandatory. FMCSA uses the Standard Form-Project Progress Report (SF-
PPR) as its required form for quarterly reporting. While each grant
program may request that different data be submitted in some fields or
boxes on the
[[Page 50316]]
form, the use of the SF-PPR is mandatory.
FMCSA uses the Standard Form-425 Federal Financial Report as its
required form for quarterly financial reporting; use of this form is
mandatory. Because FMCSA has implemented a new grants management
information technology system, GrantSolutions, the Agency will provide
all grant agreement documents electronically to its financial
processing office. GrantSolutions is a comprehensive grants management
system provided by the Grants Center of Excellence (COE). The Grants
COE serves as one of three consortia leads under the Grants Management
Line of Business E-Gov initiative offering government-wide grants
management system support services. GrantSolutions provides
standardized grant application, award, and management and oversight
throughout the Agency's grant programs. Electronic signature of grant
documents in GrantSolutions is the Agency's preferred method for
executing grant agreements. FMCSA will provide more information on how
to electronically sign documents to grantees after award decisions have
been made. Grantees will, however, be required to submit the completed
Automated Clearing House (ACH) Vendor Payment Form (SF-3881) directly
to FMCSA's financial processing office by U.S. Postal Service, courier
service, or secure fax. Additional information is provided below for
each individual grant program.
MCSAP Basic and Incentive Grants
Sections 4101 and 4106 of SAFETEA-LU authorize FMCSA's Motor
Carrier Safety Grants. MCSAP Basic and Incentive formula grants are
governed by 49 U.S.C. 31102-31104 and 49 CFR part 350. Under the Basic
and Incentive grants 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 350.205. Pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 31103 and 49 CFR
350.303, FMCSA will reimburse each lead State MCSAP agency 80 percent
of eligible costs incurred in a fiscal year. Each State will provide a
20 percent match to qualify for the program. The FMCSA Administrator
waives the requirement for matching funds for the Virgin Islands,
American Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana
Islands. See 49 CFR 350.305. 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's lead MCSAP agency may qualify for Incentive funds
pursuant to 49 CFR 350.207(a) if it can demonstrate that the State's
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 crashes;
(2) Reduction in the rate of large-truck-involved fatal crashes or
maintenance of a large-truck-involved fatal crash 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 crash 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. The projected FY 2012 distribution
is available at http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/safety-security/safety-initiatives/mcsap/mcsapforms.htm. It should be noted that MCSAP Basic
and Incentive formula 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 2012 Grants'' will not be
considered. MCSAP Basic and Incentive grant applications must be
submitted electronically through grants.gov (http://www.grants.gov).
New Entrant Safety Audit Grants
Sections 4101 and 4107 of SAFETEA-LU also authorize the Motor
Carrier Safety Grants to enable grant recipients to conduct interstate
New Entrant safety audits consistent with 49 CFR parts 350.321 and
385.301. 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. The goal of the New Entrant Safety Assurance
Program is to reduce CMV involved crashes, fatalities, and injuries
through consistent, uniform, and effective safety programs. New Entrant
grant funds will be awarded, at the discretion of the FMCSA to States
to conduct safety audits on new interstate motor carriers. States may
use these funds for salaries and related expenses of New Entrant
auditors, including training and equipment, and to perform other
eligible activities that are directly related to conducting safety
audits. The FMCSA's share of these grant funds will be 100 percent
pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 31144. New Entrant grant applications must be
submitted electronically through grants.gov.
MCSAP High Priority Grants
Section 4107 of SAFETEA-LU also authorizes the Motor Carrier Safety
Grants 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 crashes. 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
other High Priority grants, 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. Examples of High Priority
activities include innovative traffic enforcement projects, with
particular emphasis on work zone enforcement, rural road safety, and
innovative traffic enforcement initiatives such as Ticketing Aggressive
Cars and Trucks (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/
[[Page 50317]]
safety-security/tact/abouttact.htm. High Priority grant applications
must be submitted through grants.gov.
CMV Operator Safety Training Grants
Section 4134 of SAFETEA-LU established 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 program
will be given to regional or multi-state educational or nonprofit
associations serving economically distressed regions of the United
States. The Federal share of these funds will be 80 percent, and
recipients will be required to provide a 20 percent match. CMV Operator
Safety Training grant applications must be submitted electronically
through grants.gov.
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.
Pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 31107, eligible awardees include State
governments that share a land border with Canada or Mexico, and any
local government, or entities (i.e., accredited post-secondary public
or private educational institutions such as universities) in that
State. FMCSA encourages local agencies to coordinate their application
with the State lead CMV inspection agency. Applications must include a
Border Enforcement Plan and meet the required maintenance of
expenditure requirement. BEG funding decisions take into consideration
the State or entity's performance on previous BEG awards; the
applicant's ability to expend the awarded funds with the BEG
performance year; and activities meeting the BEG national criteria
established by FMCSA. As established by SAFETEA-LU, the Federal share
of these funds will be 100 percent. BEG grant applications must be
submitted electronically through grants.gov.
CDLPI Grants
Section 4124 of SAFETEA-LU established 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, and
training. Pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 31313, funds may not be used to rent,
lease, or buy land or buildings. The agency designated by each State as
having the primary driver licensing responsibility, including
development, implementation, and maintenance of the CDL program, is
eligible to apply for basic grant funding. State agencies, local
governments, and other entities that can support a State's effort to
improve its CDL program or conduct projects on a national scale to
improve the national CDL program may also apply for projects under the
High Priority and Emerging Issues components. Grant proposals must
include 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. The funding opportunity
announcement on grants.gov will provide more detailed information on
the application process; national funding priorities for FY 2012;
evaluation criteria; required documents and certifications; State
maintenance of expenditure requirements; and additional information
related to the availability of funds. CLDPI grant applications must be
submitted electronically through grants.gov.
SaDIP Grants
Section 4128 of SAFETEA-LU established the Safety Data Improvement
Program grant opportunity to support State programs by improving the
overall quality of CMV data and specifically to improve the timeliness,
efficiency, accuracy and completeness of State processes and systems
used to collect, analyze and report large truck and bus crash and
inspection data, as described 49 U.S.C. 31102. Eligible recipients are
State agencies, including the Territories of Puerto Rico, Guam,
American Samoa, the Northern Marianas, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and
the District of Columbia. SaDIP applications must address the FMCSA
State Safety Data Quality (SSDQ) map, which provides a color-coded,
pictorial representation of the State's overall performance against the
SSDQ methodology. This methodology was developed by FMCSA to evaluate
the completeness, timeliness, accuracy, and consistency of the State-
reported CMV crash and inspection records in the Motor Carrier
Management Information System (MCMIS). The SSDQ methodology is
comprised of nine measures and one Overriding Indicator. Ratings are
updated quarterly, and individual State performance is portrayed
through the color-coded rating system: Green (good performance), Yellow
(fair performance), and Red (poor performance). The color-coded rating
system depicts each State's Overall Rating which considers all nine
SSDQ measures, except those measures with a rating of ``Insufficient
Data,'' plus the Overriding Indicator. Priority will be given to
proposals received from States rated Yellow and Red on the SSDQ Map.
The FMCSA will provide reimbursements for no more than 80 percent of
all eligible costs; recipients are required to provide a 20 percent
match. SaDIP grant applications must be submitted electronically
through grants.gov.
PRISM Grants
Section 4109 of SAFETEA-LU authorizes FMCSA to award financial
assistance funds to States to implement the PRISM requirements that
link Federal motor carrier safety information systems with State CMV
registration and licensing systems. This program enables a State to
determine the safety fitness of a motor carrier, a registrant, or both
when licensing or registering and while the license or registration is
in effect. No matching funds are required. PRISM grant applications
must be submitted electronically through grants.gov.
CVISN Grants
Section 4126 of SAFETEA-LU authorizes FMCSA to award financial
assistance to States to deploy, operate, and maintain elements of their
CVISN Program, including commercial vehicle, commercial driver, and
carrier-specific information systems and networks. The agency in each
State designated as 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. 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
[[Page 50318]]
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 existing or up-
to-date 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. CVISN grant applications must
be submitted electronically through grants.gov. Awards for approved
CVISN grant applications are made to all Core CVISN applicants first
and then to Expanded CVISN applicants. States must provide a match of
50 percent.
Application Information for FY 2012 Grants
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 and
expensing of available funds.
(3) Cost Effectiveness--Applications will be evaluated and
prioritized on the basis of 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) Any grant-specific evaluation factors, such as program balance
or geographic diversity, will be included in the grants.gov application
information.
Estimated Application Due Dates: For the following grant programs,
FMCSA will consider funding complete applications or plans submitted by
the following anticipated dates (final due dates will be indicated in
the grants.gov funding opportunity notice):
MCSAP Basic and Incentive Grants--August 1, 2011.
Border Enforcement Grants--September 12, 2011.
MCSAP High Priority Grants--October 17, 2011.
New Entrant Safety Audit Grants--October 17, 2011.
SaDIP Grants--October 31, 2011.
CDLPI Grants--November 14, 2011.
CMV Operator Safety Training Grants--December 5, 2011.
CVISN Grants--December 5, 2011.
PRISM Grants--December 12, 2012.
Applications submitted after due dates may be considered on a case-by-
case basis and are subject to availability of funds.
Issued on: August 8, 2011.
Anna J. Amos,
Director, Office of Safety Programs.
[FR Doc. 2011-20557 Filed 8-11-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-EX-P