[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 169 (Wednesday, September 2, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45510-45515]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-21173]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Transit Administration

[Docket Number: FTA-2009-0036]


Additional Final Guidance on New Starts/Small Starts Policies and 
Procedures

AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration (FTA), DOT.

ACTION: Response to comments; final guidance.

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SUMMARY: The purpose of this notice is to convey additional 2009 final 
guidance on New Starts/Small Starts policies and procedures. On July 
29, 2009, FTA announced in the Federal Register the availability of 
proposed guidance and requested public comment. FTA received a total of 
15 comments from transit agencies, metropolitan planning organizations, 
labor unions, advocacy groups, and other interested parties. After 
reviewing the public comments, FTA is issuing final guidance, which is 
included at the end of this notice.

DATES: Unless otherwise stated in this notice, this final guidance is 
effective September 2, 2009.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elizabeth Day, Office of Planning and 
Environment, telephone (202) 366-5159 and Christopher Van Wyk, Office 
of Chief Counsel, telephone (202) 366-1733. FTA is located at 1200 New 
Jersey Ave., SE., East Building, Washington, DC 20590. Office hours are 
from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., EST, Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays.

Organization

    The proposed guidance issued on July 29, 2009 covered the following 
three topic areas: (a) Proposed policy changes; (b) clarification to 
existing policies and procedures; and (c) potential changes to FTA 
internal practices for managing the New Starts and Small Starts 
program.
    This guidance first presents and responds to comments for area (a), 
proposed policy changes, for which the following three proposed policy 
changes are presented: (1) Local financial commitment rating; (2) New 
Starts and Small Starts ``other'' factors criteria; and (3) New Starts 
project planning horizon year. The second section of the guidance 
presents and responds to comments regarding area (b), clarification to 
existing policies and procedures, and addresses: (1) Documentation of 
uncertainties; and (2) alternate ridership and transportation user 
benefits estimation methods. These responses to comments are provided 
to further clarify existing policy. The third section of the guidance 
presents and responds to comments regarding area (c), potential changes 
to FTA internal practices for managing the New Starts and Small Starts 
program, specifically, expanded use of pre-award authority and letters 
of no prejudice (LONPs). The fourth section presents and responds to 
submitted comments not directly related to any of the three areas 
covered in the proposed guidance. Following the responses to comments 
for each of these areas, the final guidance and a description of 
changes to FTA internal practices are articulated in full.

Proposed Policy Changes--Response to Comments

1. Local Financial Commitment Rating

    In the proposed guidance, FTA suggested eliminating the policy of 
considering the degree to which a project employs innovative 
contractual agreements in the evaluation and rating of the operating 
financial plan under the local financial commitment criterion. 
Specifically, FTA proposed eliminating the policy of increasing the 
operating financial plan rating when project sponsors provide evidence 
that the operations and maintenance for the proposed project will be 
contracted out or when there is evidence that an opportunity had been 
given for contracting out but the project sponsor had substantive 
reasons for not doing so.
    Of the 15 comments received, 12 expressed general support for the 
proposal. Of the remaining respondents, two did not directly address 
the proposal and one expressed concern with the proposal. The latter 
comment is addressed below.
    Comment: One respondent noted that public investments in 
transportation, including New Starts and Small Starts projects, might 
trigger reimbursement clauses in the public/private contracts of 
competing infrastructure. For example, a new light rail line may cause 
automobile commuters to shift from a privately operated toll road to 
public transit. Depending on the terms of the toll road public/private 
partnership contract, such a shift could trigger a reimbursement 
clause. The commenter suggested that the cost of the example light rail 
line should, therefore, include the cost of reimbursing the private 
entity operating the example toll road. The respondent encouraged FTA 
to rethink this proposal to the extent that it would exclude 
information on the existence of infrastructure privatization terms that 
would increase the costs of new or improved public transit projects.

[[Page 45511]]

    Response: FTA's proposal would eliminate the policy of increasing 
the operating financial plan rating when a project sponsor provides 
evidence that the operations and maintenance of the proposed project 
will be contracted out or when there is evidence that an opportunity 
had been given for contracting out. The commenter's concern and 
recommendation deals with a different issue, that is, reimbursement 
clauses in the public/private partnership contracts of transportation 
infrastructure and inclusion of such reimbursement costs in the budget 
of the proposed project that would impact the public/private 
infrastructure project. The proposal changes how FTA rates a proposed 
project; it does not address the terms in existing contracts for 
public/private partnerships for other transportation infrastructure 
projects.

2. New Starts and Small Starts Other Factors Criterion

    In the proposed guidance, FTA suggested being less prescriptive on 
the items considered under the ``other'' factors criterion to better 
accommodate all of the unique project characteristics or circumstances 
that may justify special treatment in the evaluation of a project. 
Examples of other factors previously highlighted by FTA in earlier 
guidance included whether the project was a principal element of a 
congestion management strategy/auto pricing strategy, ``make-the-case'' 
documents, and the reliability of cost estimates and ridership 
forecasts.
    Of the 15 comments received, six expressed general support for the 
proposal. Of the remaining respondents, six did not directly address 
the proposal, and three expressed concerns with specific aspects of the 
proposal. The concerns of the three respondents are addressed below.
    Comments: One respondent suggested that not formally evaluating and 
rating the reliability of information (as was previously scheduled to 
begin in August 2009) goes against President Obama's transparency 
goals. The respondent suggested that FTA's assessment of reliability 
should be communicated in an open and clear manner, which is best 
accomplished by assigning an explicit rating to the reliability of 
information as opposed to FTA's proposal of considering, but not 
explicitly rating, reliability. The respondent also noted that FTA 
calling out any ``other'' factors does not prevent FTA from also 
considering the unique characteristics or circumstances that may 
justify special treatment.
    One other respondent inquired as to the rationale for not formally 
and explicitly rating the reliability of information provided on costs 
and travel forecasts. The respondent argued that it is fundamental to 
the public good that FTA provide independent oversight, including 
assessing the reliability of cost estimates and travel forecasts.
    One other respondent stated that measuring the reliability of 
project costs and ridership has merit and the rating procedures should 
be implemented through notice and comment rule making.
    Response: If FTA were to formally evaluate and rate each of the 
project justification ``considerations'' listed in the Safe, 
Accountable, Efficient Transportation Equity Act--A Legacy for Users 
(SAFETEA-LU), which can vary significantly among proposed projects, the 
submittal of information would be cumbersome to project sponsors and 
increase FTA review time. FTA recognizes that the project justification 
criteria that FTA does explicitly rate, while broad, cannot always 
capture the project characteristics or circumstances that may justify 
special treatment. In some cases, confidence in or concerns with the 
reliability of cost and ridership/user benefit estimates may motivate 
FTA to adjust a project's justification rating. In other cases, the 
positive impacts of the project, for example, the consequences of 
project-related compact land use development on the capacity, 
utilization, or longevity of other surface transportation assets--a 
project consideration listed in 49 U.S.C. 5309(d)(3)(E)--may motivate 
FTA to adjust a project's justification rating. The proposed guidance 
suggests not dictating which of these considerations may be more or 
less important to all projects. Rather, FTA encourages project sponsors 
to submit information germane to their proposed project, whether that 
information relates to considerations specifically listed in SAFETEA-LU 
or other considerations/factors, for FTA to consider in determining a 
project justification rating.
    FTA will continue to perform thorough examinations of the cost and 
ridership/user benefit estimates submitted in support of New Starts and 
Small Starts projects to ensure the estimates are plausible and that 
the methods used generally follow accepted practice. Further, FTA will 
continue to consider the reliability of cost and ridership/user benefit 
estimates using factors described in the August 2008 policy guidance, 
including the track record of the project sponsor in implementing 
similar projects within budget, and the track record of the project 
sponsor in achieving projected ridership after implementing similar 
projects.
    Comment: One respondent suggested that the ``make-the-case'' 
document requires very little effort to produce provided the project 
sponsor understands the justification for the proposed project. 
Further, the respondent noted that the document helps many project 
sponsors and the public understand the project's benefits. The 
respondent argued that the document should be required.
    Response: FTA agrees that the ``make-the-case'' document is 
valuable and FTA encourages project sponsors to voluntarily prepare and 
submit the document to FTA for the reasons stated by the respondent. 
The document can help FTA and the public understand a project's 
benefits. However, the ``make-the-case'' documents submitted to FTA 
over the past two years were not sufficiently consistent to allow FTA 
to assign ratings; the content and presentation varied widely. In an 
effort to streamline and simplify the New Starts and Small Starts 
program, FTA does not want to continue to require documents that are 
useful on an individual basis, but have not proven effective in 
meaningfully distinguishing between competing projects.

3. New Starts Project Planning Horizon Year

    In the proposed guidance, FTA suggested, effective March 2010, 
allowing New Starts project sponsors to use the adopted planning 
horizon forecast year--provided the year is either 2030 or 2035--of the 
metropolitan planning organization (MPO) to estimate project ridership, 
transportation system user benefits, and operations and maintenance 
costs.
    Of the 15 comments received, six expressed general support for the 
proposal. Of the remaining respondents, six did not directly address 
the proposal and three either suggested changes or requested 
clarification of the policy moving forward. Comments from the latter 
three respondents are addressed below.
    Comments: Two respondents suggested allowing the use of adopted 
planning horizons more than 25 years into the future to allow for 
additional flexibility to those regions which have already adopted 
plans with longer planning horizons. Another respondent asked if this 
proposal is intended as a short- or long-term practice.
    Response: In acknowledgement of the long-term nature of major 
capital transit

[[Page 45512]]

investments, FTA asks New Starts project sponsors to estimate project 
ridership, user benefits, and operations and maintenance costs for some 
future, horizon year--20 years ``out'' is the adopted standard. By 
using a standard forecast year, FTA can compare projects fairly: the 
benefits provided by Project A in 20 years can be compared to the 
benefits provided by Project B in 20 years. For the next few years, a 
20-year horizon could reasonably be represented by either a 2030 or 
2035 forecast. In an effort to streamline and simplify the New Starts 
process, FTA proposed allowing project sponsors to use the same horizon 
year as the regional metropolitan planning organization, provided that 
horizon year is either 2030 or 2035. This proposal strikes a compromise 
between two agency/program goals: maintaining a level playing field 
nationally and simplifying the New Starts process. Allowing project 
sponsors to use horizon years beyond 2035, as suggested by the 
respondents, would compromise FTA's ability to evaluate projects 
fairly. In the next few years, FTA expects most metropolitan planning 
organizations will adopt a 2035 or later horizon year. At a point five 
years or so in the future, FTA may again allow project sponsors the 
option of adopting one of two horizon years.
    Comment: One respondent suggested this proposal be implemented 
immediately, as it allows more flexibility for metropolitan planning 
organizations, rather than implementing the proposal in March 2010 as 
proposed by FTA.
    Response: Implementing this proposal immediately would motivate 
numerous project sponsors who have already generated 2030 forecasts 
required in support of information submitted for FTA's fiscal year 2011 
Annual Report on Funding Recommendations to hastily prepare a new set 
of 2035 forecasts. By allowing a delayed implementation, FTA is 
providing sponsors and metropolitan planning organizations the 
opportunity to use 2035 forecasts or continue to use 2030 forecasts 
next year.

Clarification to Existing Policies--Response to Comments

    The proposals presented in this section are intended to further 
clarify existing policy rather than introduce or change policy.

1. New Starts and Small Starts Documentation of Uncertainties

    In the proposed guidance, FTA reminded project sponsors that the 
policy adopted in the August 2008 guidance requiring that predictions 
of capital costs and project ridership for the locally preferred 
alternative be expressed as ranges, with accompanying explanations of 
the contributing sources of uncertainty, will not be implemented until 
six months after FTA issues separate guidance concerning this 
provision. Separate guidance has not been published.
    Comments: Three respondents expressed concern that, when put into 
place, the documentation of uncertainties will increase the reporting 
burden of the project sponsor. These respondents note that significant 
oversight tools are currently in place and that FTA should give these 
tools time to work before implementing new ones. Another respondent 
suggested that expressing cost and ridership projections as ranges 
could be costly and time consuming and is unlikely to improve the 
reliability of forecasts. This respondent suggested the factors 
contributing to uncertainty be discussed in text.
    One other respondent noted the difficulty in large, multi-
jurisdictional metropolitan planning organizations of reaching 
consensus on a single land use forecast and suggested it would be very 
difficult to come to consensus on alternative high and low land use 
forecasts.
    Two respondents suggested that FTA rescind the policy.
    Response: The point of clarification that FTA wishes to convey is 
that FTA has not issued guidance requiring that predictions of capital 
costs and project ridership be expressed as ranges, therefore it is not 
currently in effect. FTA will take into consideration the above 
comments in any future action developing guidance on this subject.

2. Alternate Ridership and Transportation System User Benefits 
Estimation Methods for New Starts and Small Starts

    In the proposed guidance, FTA reminded project sponsors that 
regional travel forecasting models are not always required for New 
Starts or Small Starts predictions of ridership and transportation 
system user benefit estimates. Under the right circumstances, quality 
data paired with straightforward analysis can provide a more direct 
representation of travel than a regional model.
    Comment: Two respondents suggested FTA compile and share alternate 
ridership and user benefits estimation methods best practices. Two 
other respondents suggested FTA provide additional information on what 
constitutes adequate data collection approaches.
    One other respondent suggested FTA be clear about expectations as a 
failure to do so could result in a long and confusing cycle of attempts 
and adjustments with no clear endpoint.
    Response: FTA encourages project sponsors to discuss potential 
modeling approaches and the data collection efforts intended to support 
those modeling approaches early in the alternatives analysis process. 
FTA's Office of Planning and Environment is available to discuss the 
methods used by other project sponsors as well as provide guidance on 
data collection efforts.
    Comment: One respondent asked FTA not to make alternate estimation 
methods mandatory.
    Response: The point of clarification that FTA wishes to convey is 
its willingness to work with project sponsors on alternate approaches 
to using regional transportation models in the appropriate 
circumstances. The clarification to existing policy included in the 
proposed guidance does not make alternate estimation methods mandatory.

Changes to Internal FTA Practices--Response to Comments

    The changes to internal FTA practices described below are not 
subject to public notice-and-comment per 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(A). However, 
FTA here presents and responds to comments to clarify the intent of the 
changes to internal FTA practices. These changes are further discussed 
below in the section labeled ``Revised Practices for Pre-award 
Authority and Letters of No Prejudice.''

Expanded Pre-Award Authority and/or Expanded Use of Letters of No 
Prejudice

    The proposed guidance noted that FTA was considering expanding the 
activities covered by ``automatic'' pre-award authority upon completion 
of the requirements under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) 
and/or expanding the circumstances under which FTA will issue letters 
of no prejudice (LONPs).
    Of the 15 comments received, seven expressed general support for 
the proposal and eight did not directly address the proposal. The 
comments below either elaborate on the general support or provide 
specific ideas for expanding the use of pre-award authority and LONPs.
    Comments: Two respondents suggest that the expanded use of pre-
award authority and LONPs will help mitigate the cost and schedule 
impacts of delays that can be caused by FTA reviews and approvals. 
Another suggests that the need to expedite projects far outweighs

[[Page 45513]]

any feared consequences of an individual sponsor claiming they thought 
they had a guarantee.
    Response: FTA concurs that expanding pre-award authority should 
help expedite project delivery.
    Comments: One respondent suggested giving pre-award authority for 
utility work and for project management costs associated with work 
conducted under pre-award authority. Another respondent suggested 
granting pre-award authority to all project activities as long as they 
are covered under a completed NEPA process, including but not limited 
to the following time-sensitive activities: Land acquisition; vehicle 
procurement; procurement of design build and construction management/
general contractor contracts; demolition; rail and ties or other 
special equipment; and, critical path construction activities.
    Response: As described in the ``Revised Practices for Pre-Award 
Authority and Letters of No Prejudice'' section below, FTA agrees that 
pre-award authority for utility relocation and vehicle procurement 
should be granted following the completion of the NEPA process. FTA 
already gives pre-award authority for land acquisition following the 
completion of NEPA. FTA already gives pre-award authority for the 
management tasks necessary to carry out activities covered by pre-award 
authority.
    FTA believes that pre-award authority for demolition and rails, 
ties or other special equipment should be granted at entry into final 
design rather then after the completion of NEPA. Frequently, 
engineering that has been completed post-NEPA, but before final design, 
has affected project plans. Furthermore, the costs of rails, ties and/
or other special equipment may be difficult to recover if the project 
were not constructed. Consequently, FTA considers it prudent to grant 
pre-award authority for demolition and the procurement of rails, ties 
and/or other special equipment following entry into final design, when 
more information about the project is available and confidence in the 
project's implementation is higher.
    FTA does not believe that allowing pre-award authority for the 
procurement of design-build and construction management/general 
contractor contracts prior to final design will expedite project 
delivery. These activities are not generally considered to have ``long 
lead times.''
    FTA does not consider it prudent to grant pre-award authority for 
``critical path construction'' activities. This term could assume a 
host of meanings. FTA will consider LONPs for ``critical path 
construction'' activities by a case-by-case analysis of the specific 
requests.
    Comments: Two respondents suggest allowing a project sponsor to use 
an LONP where an entire project has been cleared under NEPA and a 
Record of Decision (ROD) or Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) 
has been published and the project sponsor seeks to construct an 
initial segment of the project utilizing non-section 5309 funds. The 
respondents note that the entire project would have to be evaluated, 
rated, and approved for funding by FTA under the New Starts or Small 
Starts program, but that this approach would enable local funds to be 
considered ``local match'' for the segment advanced under the New 
Starts or Small Starts program.
    Response: Under the proposed guidance, FTA sought ways to expedite 
the delivery of New Starts projects, but did not intend to suggest 
using LONPs to expedite the delivery of a program of projects.
    Comment: One respondent suggested that activities not covered by 
automatic pre-award authority should be given an LONP upon request with 
minimal review consisting of determining whether or not the activity is 
covered under a completed NEPA process and whether the activity would 
eventually be eligible for 5309 New Starts funds.
    Response: FTA generally agrees with this comment, with some 
reservations. Please see the ``Revised Practices for Pre-Award 
Authority and Letters of No Prejudice'' section below for a full 
description of FTA's position on review of requests for LONPs.
    Comments: One respondent suggested granting LONPs for some final 
design activities during the portion of preliminary engineering that 
occurs prior to the completion of NEPA. Another respondent suggested 
granting pre-award authority for engineering at any level needed to 
improve cost estimates or reduce risks to project implementation.
    Response: FTA requires project sponsors to ``lock in'' the amount 
of New Starts funds requested by the project at the end of New Starts 
preliminary engineering/entry into final design. Consequently, FTA 
allows project sponsors, during New Starts preliminary engineering, to 
do the engineering work necessary for the sponsor to arrive at a 
project scope, schedule and cost estimate sufficiently defined to seek 
entry into final design.
    Comment: One respondent suggested establishing a clock for review 
of LONP requests, which should improve the predictability of the 
process, thus improving schedule adherence and expediting project 
delivery.
    Response: Under the procedures discussed in the ``Revised Practices 
for Pre-Award Authority and Letters of No Prejudice'' section below, 
pre-award authority will be expanded and, consequently, the need for 
LONPs will be reduced. In this framework, establishing a clock for all 
LONPs is difficult. FTA intends to perform limited review of LONP 
requests of a routine nature, especially of those from experienced 
project sponsors.

Broader Comments on New Starts and Small Starts Program--Response to 
Comments

    FTA received several comments regarding aspects of the New Starts 
and Small Starts program not explicitly discussed in the proposed 
guidance.
    Comments: One respondent asked FTA to consider rescinding and 
another asked FTA to rescind the funding recommendation practice 
generally requiring a ``medium'' cost-effectiveness rating announced in 
the 2005 ``Dear Colleague'' letter.
    Response: The Administration is continuing to review the 
appropriateness, efficacy, and impact of the ``Dear Colleague'' letter 
practice.
    Comments: One respondent asked FTA to consider, as a new project 
justification factor, transit trip time as compared to driving time. 
This respondent also suggested including network connectivity--the 
degree to which a project increases connections among regional 
employment centers--as a new project justification factor.
    Response: FTA's user benefits measure implicitly compares transit 
travel time to driving time and reflects the connectivity of regional 
employment centers.
    Comment: One respondent expressed support for a legislative change 
which would expand the use of early systems work agreements to 
guarantee Federal match for clearly defined and necessary early work to 
allow the most efficient and expedited implementation of a New Starts 
project.
    Response: As indicated by the commenter, expanded use of early 
systems work agreements would require legislative change, which is 
beyond the scope of FTA's proposed changes in policy guidance.
    Comment: One respondent suggested FTA adjust the cost effectiveness 
index upward by considering the value of Federal investment in the 
project, or the Federal investment in a program of related projects, 
particularly for phases of the same project.

[[Page 45514]]

    Response: FTA will consider this comment, as well as all other 
comments received, as the agency seeks to further streamline and 
simplify the New Starts and Small Starts program.

Final Guidance

1. Local Financial Commitment Rating

    In 2007, FTA implemented a policy of considering the degree to 
which a project employs innovative contractual agreements when 
evaluating local financial commitment. Specifically, FTA increased the 
operating financial plan rating (from ``medium'' to ``medium-high'' or 
from ``medium-high'' to ``high'') when project sponsors provided 
evidence that the operations and maintenance of the project will be 
contracted out or when there is evidence that an opportunity had been 
given for contracting out but the project sponsor had substantive 
reasons for not doing so. FTA has determined that the type of 
contracting arrangement used or considered by a project sponsor is not 
useful or appropriate in determining the strength of the overall 
project. Thus, FTA eliminates a project sponsor's use or consideration 
of contracting out operations and maintenance when evaluating and 
rating the operating financial plan.
    This change applies to New Starts projects, as well as to any Small 
Starts or Very Small Starts projects that do not qualify for the 
streamlined local financial commitment evaluation described in FTA's 
Interim Guidance on Small Starts and Very Small Starts.

2. New Starts and Small Starts Other Factors Criterion

    FTA will no longer emphasize specific items that it will consider 
when determining whether to modify a project's rating based on 
``other'' factors pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 5309(d)(3)(K) and 49 U.S.C. 
5309(e)(4)(E). Rather, FTA will consider any factors related to the 
project that it deems appropriate under the discretion granted to it in 
statute. FTA will consider these ``other'' factors on a project-by-
project basis.
    Thus, FTA will no longer call out congestion management strategies, 
with automobile pricing strategies in particular, or the contents of a 
``make-the-case'' document as items it will specifically consider or 
formally rate as ``other'' factors. Under this proposal, project 
sponsors would be free to submit information on these items voluntarily 
to assist FTA in its overall evaluation and rating of the project, but 
would not be required to submit such information. In addition, FTA will 
not formally and explicitly rate the reliability of information 
provided on costs and travel forecasts, but will still consider 
reliability of the information when determining whether the project 
justification rating should be changed.

3. New Starts Project Planning Horizon Year

    Since 2005, FTA has required project sponsors to submit information 
on ridership, transportation system user benefits, and operations and 
maintenance costs based on forecasts representing conditions in 2030. 
Because many metropolitan planning organizations (MPO) have now moved 
to a horizon year of 2035, FTA will allow project sponsors to submit 
information consistent with the MPO's adopted planning horizon year, 
whether it is 2030 or 2035. Project sponsors may use a 2035 planning 
horizon year only if it has been officially adopted by the MPO.
    Because of the timing of this guidance relative to the annual 
review of projects conducted in support of FTA's Annual Report on 
Funding Recommendations, this policy does not go into effect until 
March 2010.
    This proposed change does not affect potential Small Starts or Very 
Small Starts projects, as they submit information based on the opening 
year of the project rather than a forecast year.

Revised Practices for Pre-Award Authority and Letters of No Prejudice

    FTA reminds project sponsors and the public that neither pre-award 
authority nor an LONP has ever been a guarantee of future Federal 
funding. Moreover, FTA here highlights that contrary to past practice, 
an LONP no longer serves as an indicator of a project being a promising 
candidate for a Full Funding Grant Agreement (FFGA) or Project 
Construction Grant Agreement (PCGA). The following discussion presents 
a summary of existing and revised practices for pre-award authority and 
LONPs.
    Under existing practice, upon FTA approval to enter preliminary 
engineering, FTA extends pre-award authority to incur costs for 
preliminary engineering. Upon FTA approval to enter final design, FTA 
extends pre-award authority to incur costs for final design. Pre-award 
authority for each phase is automatic upon FTA's signing of a letter to 
the project sponsor approving entry into that phase.
    Also under existing practice, FTA extends automatic pre-award 
authority for the acquisition of real property and real property rights 
for a New Starts or Small Starts project upon completion of the 
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process for that project. The 
NEPA process is complete when FTA signs an environmental Record of 
Decision (ROD) or Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI), or makes a 
Categorical Exclusion (CE) determination.
    Previously, FTA granted pre-award authority for utility relocation 
upon entry into final design. FTA hereby changes its existing practice 
by extending pre-award authority for utility relocation upon completion 
of the NEPA process for New Starts and Small Starts projects.
    Previously, an LONP was required for grantees to purchase vehicles. 
FTA hereby changes existing practice by extending pre-award authority 
for the procurement of vehicles upon completion of the NEPA process for 
New Starts and Small Starts projects. FTA cautions grantees that do not 
currently operate the type of vehicle proposed in the New Starts or 
Small Starts project about exercising this pre-award authority and 
encourages these sponsors to wait until later in the project 
development process when project plans are more fully developed and 
Federal support for the project is more certain. FTA reminds project 
sponsors that the procurement of vehicles must comply with all Federal 
requirements including, but not limited to, competitive procurement 
practices, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and Buy America. FTA 
encourages project sponsors to discuss the procurement of vehicles with 
FTA in regards to Federal requirements prior to exercising pre-award 
authority.
    FTA hereby changes existing practice by extending pre-award 
authority for non-construction activities upon entry into final design 
for New Starts projects. The intent is to allow for the procurement of 
long-lead time items or items for which market conditions play a 
significant role in the acquisition price. Previously, an LONP was 
required for these activities. The following list of non-construction 
activities is illustrative rather than exhaustive. Please contact your 
FTA Regional Office for a determination of activities not listed here, 
but which meet the intent described above.
    FTA grants pre-award authority upon entry into final design for the 
following activities: Procurement of rails, ties, and other specialized 
equipment; the procurement of commodities; and demolition.
    Because Small Starts projects are not subject to approval into a 
final design phase, they must obtain an LONP for the following 
activities to remain eligible for reimbursement or as credit toward

[[Page 45515]]

local match: Procurement of rails, ties, and other specialized 
equipment; the procurement of commodities; and demolition.
    FTA reminds project sponsors and the public that local funds 
expended by the project sponsor pursuant to and after the date of the 
pre-award authority are eligible for reimbursement or as credit toward 
local match only if FTA later makes a grant or grant amendment for the 
project. Local funds expended by the project sponsor prior to the date 
of the pre-award authority are not eligible for credit toward local 
match or reimbursement.
    The above changes to automatic pre-award authority are expected to 
reduce the need for LONPs. FTA will still consider LONPs for activities 
not covered by automatic pre-award authority. As a change in 
administrative practice, FTA will, following the completion of the 
requirements under NEPA, expedite the issuance of LONPs, when 
appropriate, by no longer performing a detailed review of the cost and 
scope of the request in every instance. Rather, a limited review will 
be performed in those cases that are of a more routine nature, 
especially those involving an experienced sponsor.
    This change has the following ramifications. First, an LONP is no 
longer an indication by FTA that the project is a promising candidate 
for either an FFGA or PCGA. Second, FTA is transferring more risk to 
the project sponsor. LONPs allow a project sponsor to incur costs using 
non-Federal resources, with the understanding that the costs incurred 
subsequent to the issuance of the LONP may be reimbursable as eligible 
expenses or eligible as credit toward the local match only if FTA 
approves the project for funding at a later date. Federal funding is 
not implied or guaranteed by an LONP. The reduced level of FTA 
oversight should expedite the delivery of New Starts and Small Starts 
projects, but will also require increased diligence on the part of 
project sponsors to ensure that public funds are expended wisely.

Peter M. Rogoff,
Administrator, Federal Transit Administration.
[FR Doc. E9-21173 Filed 9-1-09; 8:45 am]
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