[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 85 (Tuesday, May 4, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23841-23843]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-10320]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Commercial Space Transportation Grant Program

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of request for grant proposals for the Commercial Space 
Transportation Grant Program.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA's Office of Commercial Space Transportation (AST) 
requests grant proposals pursuant to its newly funded Commercial Space 
Transportation Grant Program. This program has an initial appropriation 
of $500,000 to be used for space transportation infrastructure 
projects. The FAA desires to award the appropriated funds before the 
end of fiscal year 2010. The FAA will review and evaluate all 
applications for a grant under 49 U.S.C. chapter 703 (Chapter 703). The 
FAA may make one or more grant awards based upon its evaluations of the 
grant proposals. All grants awarded under this program are 
discretionary awards.

DATES: Commercial Space Transportation Grant applications are due on or 
before July 6, 2010.

ADDRESSES: You can get more information about the Commercial Space 
Transportation Grant Program by:
    1. Accessing the Office of Commercial Space Transportation Web site 
at http://www.faa.gov/go/ast; and
    2. Contacting Glenn Rizner or Michael McElligott, AST-100, or, for 
legal questions, Laura Montgomery, AGC-200, 800 Independence Avenue, 
SW., Washington, DC 20591;

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                Phone                     Email                       FAX
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Glenn Rizner...........................        202-267-3194  [email protected].........        202-267-5463
Michael McElligott.....................        202-267-7859  [email protected].....        202-267-5463
Laura Montgomery.......................        202-267-3150  [email protected].......        202-267-7971
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    One of the main purposes of the Commercial Space Transportation 
Grant Program is to ensure the resiliency of the space transportation 
infrastructure in the United States. To help further the United States' 
goals, Congress established a Space Transportation Infrastructure Grant 
program under 49 U.S.C. Subtitle IX--Commercial Space Transportation--
Chapter 703--Space Transportation Infrastructure Matching Grants, 
Section 70305, Authorization of appropriations. Public Law (Pub. L.) 
103-272, Sec. 1(e), 108 Stat. 1345 (July 5, 1994). This legislation 
authorizes the use of Federal monies in conjunction with matching 
state, local government, and private funds.
    Although the Congressional authorization has been in effect for 
some

[[Page 23842]]

time, FY 2010 is the first year Federal funds have been appropriated. 
The Consolidated Appropriations Act for 2010 (Pub. L. 111-117) 
appropriated $500,000.00 for the FAA's Commercial Space Transportation 
Grant program. The FAA's Office of Commercial Space Transportation is 
responsible for overseeing the program. Although the FAA will be 
developing more detailed guidance to administer this program, the FAA 
intends to disburse these funds on or before August 31, 2010. 
Accordingly, applicants must submit their grant proposals by July 6, 
2010, which will fall before more detailed guidance becomes available.

The Commercial Space Transportation Grant Program

    The Commercial Space Transportation Grant Program is intended to 
``ensure the resiliency of the space transportation infrastructure of 
the United States * * * '' 49 U.S.C. 70302. Development projects 
eligible for funding include technical and environmental studies; 
construction, improvement, and design and engineering of space 
transportation infrastructure, including facilities and associated 
equipment; and real property to meet the needs of the United States 
commercial space transportation industry.

Who May Apply for a Commercial Space Transportation Grant

    The FAA may make project grants to sponsors. 49 U.S.C. 70303(a). 
Chapter 703 defines a sponsor as a public agency that submits an 
application for a project grant. 49 U.S.C. 70301(6). A public agency is 
a State or an agency of a State, a political subdivision of a State, or 
a tax-supported organization. 49 U.S.C. 70301(5).

How To Apply for a Commercial Space Transportation Grant

    Applicants for grants under the Commercial Space Transportation 
Grant Program must submit grant proposals to the FAA AST. A complete 
SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance (OMB Number 4040-0004) is a 
component of all grant proposals. SF-424 forms are available on the 
Grants.gov Web site: http://www.grants.gov/agencies/aforms_repository_ information.jsp. In addition, a grant applicant should use 
SF-424A for non-construction proposals or SF-424C for construction 
proposals. These forms request specific applicant information, proposed 
project information, and an estimate of project funding and duration. 
The grant proposal should detail how the proposed project meets the 
requirements of Chapter 703. In addition, the forms request detailed 
and thorough project budget information. The Commercial Space 
Transportation Grant Program will not fund more than 50% of the total 
project cost, and project financing must include a private component of 
at least 10% of the total project cost. 49 U.S.C. 70302.
    Given that the FAA may award multiple grants, the grant proposals 
may include multiple or alternative funding proposals for financing the 
proposed project. Applicants may submit multiple grant proposals.
    The grant proposal should also indicate how applicable 
environmental requirements were or will be satisfied. See Guidelines 
for Compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act and Related 
Environmental Review Statutes for the Licensing of Commercial Launches 
and Launch Sites; http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ast/environmental/review.
    Applicants must submit an original plus three copies of the 
completed grant proposal to: Federal Aviation Administration, Office of 
Commercial Space Transportation, Space Systems Development Division 
(AST-100), 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Suite 331, Washington, DC 
20591.
    Grant proposals are due on or before July 6, 2010. Given the time 
constraints on the FAA to award its grants, there will be no allowance 
for extensions of time.

Grant Application Review

    The FAA will review grant proposals using the criteria of Chapter 
703 and will consider the following factors in its evaluation:
    1. The contribution of the project to industry capabilities that 
serve the United States Government's space transportation needs;
    2. The extent of industry's financial contribution to the project;
    3. The extent of industry's participation in the project;
    4. The positive impact of the project on the international 
competitiveness of the United States space transportation industry;
    5. The extent of State contributions to the project; and
    6. The impact of the project on launch operations and other 
activities at Government launch ranges.

49 U.S.C. 70303(b). All grant awards made under this program are 
discretionary. The FAA may approve an application only if satisfied 
that--

    1. The project will contribute to ensuring the resiliency of the 
space transportation infrastructure of the United States;
    2. The project is reasonably consistent with plans of public 
agencies that are authorized by the State in which the project is 
located and responsible for development of the surrounding area;
    3. The consent of the head of the appropriate agency for the use of 
any government property has been obtained;
    4. The project will be completed without unreasonable delay;
    5. The sponsor has the legal authority to engage in the project.

49 U.S.C. 70303(c). Additionally, the FAA may make a project grant only 
if at least 10 percent of the total cost of the project will be paid by 
the private sector and the grant will not be for more than 50 percent 
of the total cost of the project. 49 U.S.C. 70302(b). Applicants should 
submit the information necessary for the FAA to make these 
determinations as part of their applications.

Environmental Requirements

    Approval of grant funding is a federal action subject to review 
under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 42 U.S.C. 4321 et 
seq., as implemented by the regulations of the Council on Environmental 
Quality at 40 CFR part 1500 and FAA Order 1050.1E, and other Federal 
environmental laws. Because of this, the FAA anticipates that it may be 
most cost-effective for applicants who have already undergone a NEPA 
review to apply for a grant this fiscal year. For example, a launch 
site that has already received a license to operate will have conducted 
a NEPA review. The launch site operator could seek a grant for projects 
that the FAA approved as part of that license.
    Under 49 U.S.C. 70304, infrastructure development projects selected 
for a Commercial Space Transportation Grant must meet three additional 
environmental requirements. First, such projects must provide for the 
protection and enhancement of the natural resources and the quality of 
the environment of the United States. Specifically, if a project will 
have a significant adverse environmental impact, the FAA shall approve 
the grant application only after finding that no feasible and prudent 
alternative to the project exists and that all reasonable steps have 
been taken to minimize the adverse effect. Second, the project sponsor 
must certify that an opportunity for a public hearing has been provided 
to consider potential environmental impacts of the project and its 
consistency with the goals of any planning carried out by the 
community. Third, the Governor of the State in

[[Page 23843]]

which the project is located, or his or her designee, must certify that 
there is reasonable assurance the project will be located, designed, 
constructed, and operated to comply with applicable air and water 
quality standards.
    Planning projects such as technical and environmental studies 
normally qualify for categorical exclusion under NEPA and would not 
trigger the requirements under 49 U.S.C. 70304 and as set forth above. 
If, absent consideration of section 70304, the project normally 
qualifies for a categorical exclusion from environmental review, the 
grant proposal should reference the relevant paragraph in FAA Order 
1050.1E, Policies and Procedures for Considering Environmental Impacts, 
and address whether extraordinary circumstances exist that warrant 
preparation of an environmental assessment.
    For more details about the environmental review for commercial 
space transportation activities see Guidelines for Compliance with the 
National Environmental Policy Act and Related Environmental Review 
Statutes for the Licensing of Commercial Launches and Launch Sites. 
http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ast/environmental/review.

Grant Award

    The FAA Office of Commercial Space Transportation intends to award 
Commercial Space Transportation Grants on or before August 31, 2010. An 
FAA grant offer letter may contain requirements for assurances to 
ensure the grants are consistent with Chapter 703. These grant 
assurances are currently in development and not finalized at the date 
of this publication. The FAA anticipates that the Commercial Space 
Transportation Grant Assurances will be similar in nature and purpose 
to those required under the Airport Improvement Program.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on April 28, 2010.
George C. Nield,
Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation.
[FR Doc. 2010-10320 Filed 5-3-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P