[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 105 (Tuesday, June 1, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 30987]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-12330]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration


Notice of Funds Availability and Request for Comment To Assist in 
the Development and Implementation of a Procedure for Fair Competitive 
Bidding by Amtrak and Non-Amtrak Operators of State-Supported Intercity 
Passenger Rail Routes

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

ACTION: Notice; extension of comment period and due date for Statements 
of Interest.

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SUMMARY: On April 13, 2004, FRA published a Notice of Funds 
Availability and Request for Comment in the Federal Register (69 FR 
19612) soliciting comments from interested parties on how the Secretary 
of Transportation, working with affected States, could develop and 
implement a procedure for fair competitive bidding by Amtrak and non-
Amtrak operators for State-supported intercity passenger rail routes. 
FRA also encouraged interested States to submit a Statement of Interest 
in receiving a grant to support an initiative leading to a fair and 
open competitive selection of an operator to provide passenger rail 
service over a specific intercity route that receives or will receive 
State financial support. Responses to the notice were due on or before 
May 28, 2004. In order to provide interested applicants with additional 
time to submit Statements of Interest or comments, FRA has decided to 
extend the due date for these submissions until June 28, 2004. All of 
the other requirements included in the original Notice of Funds 
Availability and Request for Comment remain unchanged.

DATES: All submissions of Statements of Interest and comments must be 
received in FRA's offices by close of business Monday, June 28, 2004. 
As described in the original notice, the deadline for the submission of 
applications will be noted in the solicitation from FRA to prospective 
grantees as a result of the evaluation of the Statements of Interest.

ADDRESSES: Applicants and/or commenters must submit an original and six 
(6) copies to the FRA at one of the following addresses:

    Postal address (note correct zip code): Federal Railroad 
Administration, Attention: Alex Chavrid, Chief, Passenger Programs 
Division (RDV-11), Mail Stop 20, 1120 Vermont Ave., NW., 
Washington, DC 20590.
    FedEx/courier address (note correct zip code): Federal Railroad 
Administration, Attention: Alex Chavrid, Chief, Passenger Programs 
Division, (RDV-11), Room 773, 1120 Vermont Ave., NW., 
Washington, DC 20005.

    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: Mark Yachmetz, Associate Administrator 
for Railroad Development (RDV-1), FRA, 1120 Vermont Avenue NW., 
Washington, DC 20590. Phone: (202) 493-6381; Fax: (202) 493-6330.

    Issued in Washington, DC on May 25, 2004.
Mark E. Yachmetz,
Associate Administrator for Railroad Development.
[FR Doc. 04-12330 Filed 5-28-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P