[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 204 (Friday, October 21, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65561-65562]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-27249]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Multistate Corridor Operations and Management Program

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice; Request for applications.

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SUMMARY: This notice invites existing and potential multistate 
organizations, coalitions, or other arrangements or entities engaged in 
corridor transportation activities and research to apply for 
participation in the Multistate Corridor Operations and Management 
(MCOM) Program authorized by the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient 
Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) Intelligent 
Transportation Systems (ITS) Research program. The purpose of the MCOM 
program is to promote regional cooperation, planning, and shared 
project implementation for research programs and projects to improve 
multimodal transportation system management and operations. This notice 
seeks applications for available fiscal year (FY) 2011 funding ($7 
million), which will be provided to cover a maximum of 80 percent of 
proposed program/project costs. Multiple awards are possible, but not 
guaranteed.

DATES: Formal applications must be submitted no later than December 20, 
2011 to be assured consideration. Applications should be submitted 
through http://www.grants.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For questions about the program 
discussed herein, contact Mr. Robert Arnold, Director, FHWA Office of 
Transportation Management, (202) 366-1285, or via e-mail at 
[email protected], or Ms. Kate Hartman, Program Manager, RITA Truck 
and Program Assessment, (202) 366-2742, or via e-mail at 
[email protected]. For legal questions, please contact Mr. Adam 
Sleeter, Attorney Advisor, FHWA Office of the Chief Counsel, (202) 366-
8839, or via e-mail at [email protected]. Business hours for the 
FHWA are from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., e.t., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Electronic Access

    An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded from the 
Federal Register's home page at: http://www.archives.gov and the 
Government Printing Office's database at http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara.

Background

    Section 5211 of SAFETEA-LU (Pub. L. 109-59; 119 Stat. 1144) created 
Section 511 of title 23, United States Code (23 U.S.C. 511) that 
authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to encourage MCOM programs 
and projects. The purpose of investments in MCOM research programs and 
projects is to promote regional cooperation, planning, and shared 
project implementation for programs and projects to improve multimodal 
transportation system management and operations.
    Since the MCOM program is funded by the DOT Intelligent 
Transportation Systems (ITS) Research program (Title V, Subtitle C of 
SAFETEA-LU), eligible activities include research, operational testing, 
evaluation, technology transfer, and limited pre-deployment support for 
innovative strategies and technologies intended to improve corridor 
safety and operational performance, enhance economic competitiveness, 
improve sustainability by reducing energy use and harmful greenhouse 
gas emissions, and enhance livability. Examples of the types of 
multimodal activities that could be supported through the MCOM program 
include improvements in corridor planning and analysis, performance 
monitoring and management, low emission zones, eco-lanes for 
alternative fuel vehicles, efficient and safe movement of freight, data 
sharing, traveler information, response to major traffic incidents/
adverse weather/emergencies, and electronic fee and fare payments. The 
Department is also particularly interested in programs and projects 
that support, extend, or complement ongoing ITS program initiatives. 
More information about the ITS program is available at http://www.its.dot.gov.

How To Apply

    Formal proposals should include the following:
    1. Description of the corridor--geography, States involved,

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metropolitan areas encompassed, and other relevant information which 
the proposer deems important.
    2. Transportation assets--describe the transportation assets, 
modes, and facilities within the corridor that the proposal will 
impact, including major highways (including truck routes), dedicated 
truck roadways, international border crossings (if applicable), rail 
lines, transit facilities, freight intermodal/transfer facilities, 
freight and passenger maritime facilities, waterways, airports, and 
existing ITS infrastructure.
    3. Performance issues facing the corridor--types of transportation 
challenges facing the efficient and effective operation and management 
of transportation facilities and services in the corridor.
    4. Membership of the existing or proposed organization, coalition, 
or other entity--current or proposed list of States and metropolitan 
areas to be involved including specific organizations such as 
transportation agencies, State safety enforcement agencies, 
metropolitan planning organizations, toll authorities, transit 
operators, port authorities, waterway and port operators, etc., and 
existing or proposed charter, governance, and/or procedural 
documentation. Proposers do not necessarily have to be an existing 
organization or coalition but should show evidence that a cooperative 
agreement, memorandum of understanding, or other organizational 
mechanism can be executed in a reasonable timeframe after selection.
    5. Vision, goals, and objectives of the applicant for the 
corridor--The vision of the organization and goals, objectives, and 
research activities to be pursued in addressing the identified issues 
and challenges facing the corridor.
    6. Support for ITS program initiatives--ability to support or 
leverage ongoing DOT ITS initiatives. The DOT ITS initiatives are 
described on-line at http://www.its.dot.gov.
    7. Funding request and breakdown--A complete list of activities to 
be funded by the request, including organizations and key staff 
involved, estimated costs, an identification of all funding sources 
that will supplement the requested funds and will be necessary to fully 
fund the request, and a timeline for completion of the activities to be 
supported. The maximum amount of funding requested from the MCOM 
program should not exceed $7 million nor should it exceed 80 percent of 
the total cost of the activities proposed to be funded by the MCOM 
program.
    8. Party or parties to the contract--A description of the entity 
that will be entering into the agreement or contract with FHWA, and a 
description of how that entity will process or manage the program 
funds.
    9. Proposals should not exceed 25 pages in length. Additional 
information supporting the application, such as maps, technical 
information, and letters of endorsement may be submitted as addenda to 
the application and will not count against the application page limit.
    To ensure that all proposals receive fair and equal consideration 
for the limited available funds, the Department requires formal grant 
applications to be submitted to http://www.grants.gov by close of 
business December 20, 2011.

Evaluation Criteria

    All proposals will be evaluated based on:
    1. Overall effectiveness--how well the vision of the organization 
and the activities proposed address the transportation issues and 
challenges in the corridor, provide a multistate perspective, and align 
with DOT Goals.
    2. Multimodal focus--inclusion of various transportation modes in 
providing solutions to the corridor's performance issues.
    3. Transferability--applicability of proposed research, practices, 
procedures, and use of technology to other transportation corridors.
    4. Cost effectiveness--benefits to be derived from activities 
proposed relative to estimated project costs; and ability and 
commitment to evaluate the effectiveness of activities proposed.
    5. Organizational structure and commitments--depth, clarity, and 
potential effectiveness of the organization's structure; evidence of 
commitments by key partners to participate.
    6. Support for ITS program initiatives--ability to support or 
leverage ongoing DOT ITS initiatives.
    7. Funding leverage--beyond the required matching funds, the 
commitment and/or ability to use other funding sources to meet the 
challenges of the corridor.
    8. Past Performance Related to ITS deployment--relevant examples of 
how the States potentially involved have deployed, operated, and 
maintained ITS solutions that continue to provide safety, efficiency, 
mobility, and other benefits to corridor stakeholders and the general 
public.

Post-Submission Process

    Applicants may be contacted for additional information or 
clarification. The application should include a primary point of 
contact and provide complete contact information for this individual.
    The Department may pursue partial funding of applications.
    If selected for funding, a formal agreement will be prepared 
between the Department and the membership of the multistate 
organization. The agreement will include a refined and more detailed 
scope of work.

    Issued on: October 12, 2011.
Victor M. Mendez,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2011-27249 Filed 10-20-11; 8:45 am]
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