[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 187 (Tuesday, September 28, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59784-59787]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-24044]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

[FMCSA Docket No. FMCSA-2010-0212]


Notice of Fiscal Year 2011 Safety Grants and Solicitation for 
Applications

AGENCY: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice; change in application due dates.

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SUMMARY: This notice is to inform the public of FMCSA's Fiscal Year 
(FY) 2011 safety grant opportunities and FMCSA's changes to its 
application dates. At present, FMCSA is operating under an extension of 
the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A 
Legacy of Users (Pub. L. 109-59) which will expire December 31, 2010, 
unless extended by Congress. While the Agency expects new authorizing 
legislation to make changes to its grant programs, the Agency is 
preparing for FY 2011 assuming that the following grant programs will 
continue for part or all of the upcoming fiscal year. The 10 safety 
grant programs include the Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program 
(MCSAP) Basic grants; MCSAP Incentive grants; MCSAP 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 grants (SaDIP); 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 2011.
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Please contact the following FMCSA staff 
with questions or needed information on the Agency's grant programs:
MCSAP Basic/Incentive Grants--Jack Kostelnik, [email protected], 
202-366-5721.
New Entrant Safety Audits Grants--Arthur Williams, 
[email protected], 202-366-3695.
Border Enforcement Grants--Carla Vagnini, [email protected], 202-
366-3771.
MCSAP High Priority Grants--Cim Weiss, [email protected], 202-366-0275.
CMV Operator Safety Training Grants--Julie Otto, [email protected], 
202-366-0710.
CDLPI Grants--Brandon Poarch, [email protected], 202-366-3030.
SaDIP Grants--Cim Weiss, [email protected], 202-366-0275.
PRISM Grants--Tom Lawler, [email protected], 202-366-3866.
CVISN Grants--Julie Otto, [email protected], 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., EST, 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background and Purpose

    The FMCSA recognizes that State and local governments and other 
grantees are dependent on its safety grants to develop and maintain 
important CMV safety programs. The 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

[[Page 59785]]

application forms, increase the use of electronic documents, 
standardize quarterly reports and reduce the number of needed grant 
amendments.
    The FMCSA continues to enter into grant agreements beginning 
October 1 or as soon thereafter as administratively practicable. FMCSA 
intends to enter into grant agreements no later than 90 days from the 
date the application is due.
    The FMCSA is using a standard grant application form and a new 
quarterly reporting process. The 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 adopted the Standard Form--
Project Progress Report (SF-PPR) as its required form for quarterly 
reporting. Again, each grant program may, in certain instances, request 
that different data be submitted in some of the fields or boxes on the 
form but SF-PRR is mandatory for quarterly reporting.
    The number of original copies of grant agreements required to be 
submitted to FMCSA was reduced from three copies to two. In addition, 
FMCSA will provide most grant agreement documents electronically to its 
financial processing office. 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. Changes were 
necessitated by the Agency's implementation of a new grants management 
information technology system--GrantSolutions. 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. It is 
expected that after full implementation, the GrantSolutions system will 
allow FMCSA to more quickly award grant funds, and will provide 
standardized grant application, award, and management and oversight 
throughout the Agency's grant programs. It should be noted that in FY 
2011, FMCSA will be implementing the electronic signatures 
functionality of the GrantSolutions system. As a result, this will be 
the Agency's preferred method for securing grant agreement signatures. 
If electronic signature is used, two copies of the grant agreement do 
not have to be signed. Additional information will be provided to 
grantees during the grant award process.

Discussion of Comments

    On July 13, 2010, FMCSA published a notice and request for comments 
regarding FMCSA's anticipated Fiscal Year (FY) 2011 safety grant 
opportunities (75 FR 40023). This notice requested comments on the 
originally proposed dates. Only one comment was submitted to the 
docket. It did not directly discuss the grant programs or the proposed 
dates. Rather, the anonymous commenter provided an opinion about 
SAFETEA-LU.
    Additional information is provided below for each individual grant 
program.
    MCSAP Basic and Incentive Grants:
    Sections 4101 and 4107 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. The following jurisdictions are not eligible 
for Incentive funds: The Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto 
Rico, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. 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 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 
accidents;
    (2) Reduction in the rate of large-truck-involved fatal accidents 
or maintenance of a large- truck-involved fatal accident 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 accident 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 FY 2011 information is available at http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov.
    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 2011 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 FMCSA's share of these grant funds will be 
100 percent. New Entrant grant applications must be submitted 
electronically through grants.gov (http://www.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 accidents. Eligible

[[Page 59786]]

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 High Priority grants other than 
those awarded in support of public education activities, 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. 
FMCSA may reserve High Priority funding exclusively for innovative 
traffic enforcement projects, with particular emphasis on work zone 
enforcement and rural road safety. Also, FMCSA may reserve funding for 
an innovative traffic enforcement initiative known as ``Ticketing 
Aggressive Cars and Trucks'' or 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/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. An 
entity or a State that shares a land border with another country is 
eligible to receive this grant funding. Eligible awardees include State 
governments, local governments, and entities (i.e., accredited post-
secondary public or private educational institutions such as 
universities). Requests from entities must be coordinated 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; its 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. As a result, 
there is no matching requirement. 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. Funds may not be used to rent, lease, or buy land or 
buildings. The agency designated by each State as the primary driver 
licensing agency responsible for the 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; therefore, 
there is no grantee matching requirement. The funding opportunity 
announcement on grants.gov will provide more detailed information on 
the application process; national funding priorities for FY 2011; 
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 a SaDIP grant program to 
improve the quality of crash and inspection truck and bus data reported 
by the States to FMCSA, as described 49 USC 31102. Eligible recipients 
are State agencies, local governments, and organizations representing 
government agencies that are involved with highway traffic safety 
activities and must demonstrate a capacity to work with highway traffic 
safety stakeholders. The State's SaDIP proposal must focus on a project 
that enhances the accuracy, timeliness, and completeness of the 
collection and reporting of Commercial Motor Vehicle crash information 
in all components of the State's record system. An applicant's proposed 
SaDIP project must address the seven (7) application requirements plus 
the overriding indicator established for the State Safety Data Quality 
(SSDQ) program. The FMCSA will provide reimbursements for no more that 
80 percent of all eligible costs and recipients are required to provide 
a 20 percent match.
    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 or registrant when 
licensing or registering or while the license or registration is in 
effect. PRISM grant applications must be submitted electronically 
through grants.gov. No matching funds are required.
    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 the primary agency 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

[[Page 59787]]

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 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 on a 
first-come, first-served basis. States must provide a match of 50 
percent.
    Application Information For FY 2011 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.
    Revised Application Due Dates: For the following grant programs, 
FMCSA will consider funding complete applications or plans submitted by 
the following dates:
MCSAP Basic and Incentive Grants--August 1, 2010.
Border Enforcement Grants--September 15, 2010.
MCSAP High Priority Grants--October 15, 2010.
CMV Operator Safety Training Grants--December 15, 2010.
New Entrant Safety Audit Grants--October 15, 2010.
CVISN Grants--February 1, 2011.
CDLPI Grants--November 15, 2010.
PRISM Grants--February 1, 2011.
SaDIP Grants--February 15, 2011.
    Applications submitted after due dates may be considered on a case-
by-case basis and are subject to availability of funds.

    Issued on: September 20, 2010.
William A. Quade,
Associate Administrator for Enforcement and Program Delivery.
[FR Doc. 2010-24044 Filed 9-27-10; 8:45 am]
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