[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 47 (Friday, March 9, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14462-14464]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-5706]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Space Transportation Infrastructure Matching Grants Program

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of request for grant proposals for the Space 
Transportation Infrastructure Matching Grants Program.

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SUMMARY: This notice solicits Fiscal Year (FY) 2012 grant proposals to 
continue the development of a Commercial Space Transportation 
infrastructure system that supports the National Space Policy and 
Congressional intent. Begun in 2010, the program supports the 
Commercial Space Transportation industry by identification, 
prioritization, and funding for Commercial Space Transportation 
infrastructure projects. This program has been previously referred to 
as the Commercial Space Transportation Grants Program.
    The FAA/AST intends to continue funding the Space Transportation 
Infrastructure Matching Grants Program for FY 2012. However, funding 
has not been determined at this time. In order for the FAA/AST to 
swiftly execute grant awards within FY 2012, should funding be 
available, the FAA/AST is requesting grant applications at this time. 
The FAA/AST intends to receive, process, and evaluate the applications 
in a timely manner, and in accordance with the notional schedule listed 
below, so should there be available funding, the recipients will 
already be selected and the awards can be made within FY 2012. There 
remains the possibility that no funds will be available in FY 2012 for 
the Space Transportation Infrastructure Matching Grants Program. If no 
funds are available, no grant applications submitted in response to 
this Notice will be approved and funded.
    This Notice will be the only solicitation made for FY 2012 projects 
and proposals. The FAA/AST will review and evaluate all applications 
for a grant received by the deadline, pursuant to 51 U.S.C. Chapter 
511. The FAA/AST may make one or more grant awards based upon its 
evaluations of the submissions. All grants awarded under the Space 
Transportation Infrastructure Matching Grants Program are discretionary 
awards. Projects to be funded under the Space Transportation 
Infrastructure Matching Grants Program must carry out commercial space 
transportation infrastructure development, as defined in 51 U.S.C. 
51101.

DATES: In order for the FAA/AST to award funds (if appropriated) before 
the end of FY 2012, the following notional schedule is provided.
    Submission Open Period Opens: March 8, 2012.
    Submission Open Period Closes: May 11, 2012.
    Review, Selection, and Approval Period: May 14, 2012 to June 1, 
2012.
    Announcement: July 17, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Applicants can get more information about the Space 
Transportation Infrastructure Matching Grants Program, to include a 
checklist for the submission package, by:
    1. Accessing the Office of Commercial Space Transportation Web site 
at: http://www.faa.gov/go/ast; or
    2. Contacting Julie Price or Glenn Rizner, AST-100, for program 
questions; or
    3. Contacting Greg Carter, AGC-510, for legal questions.

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                                           Office            Fax                         Email
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Julie Price..........................    202-493-5486    202-267-5463  [email protected].
Glenn Rizner.........................    202-267-3194    202-267-5463  [email protected].
Greg Carter..........................    202-267-3186    202-267-5261  [email protected].
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SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The Space Transportation Infrastructure Matching Grants Program is 
intended to ``ensure the resiliency of the space transportation 
infrastructure in the United States.'' To help further establish United 
States' Commercial Space Transportation-related goals, Congress 
established the Space Transportation Infrastructure Matching Grants 
Program, now found in 51 U.S.C. Chapter 511--Space Transportation 
Infrastructure Matching Grants. Congressional authorization was 
established FY 1994 for the use of Federal monies to fund up to fifty

[[Page 14463]]

percent (50%) of total project cost in conjunction with state and local 
government funding. The legislation also requires a minimum of ten 
percent (10%) of the total project cost come from private funding. The 
first Congressional appropriation for the Space Transportation 
Infrastructure Matching Grants Program came in FY 2010. Should Space 
Transportation Infrastructure Matching Grants be awarded in FY 2012, 
this will be the third year of the program.
    The FAA/AST reviews, evaluates, and oversees the Space 
Transportation Infrastructure Matching Grants Program. Notionally, the 
award of the grant monies will be on or about July 17, 2012. To meet 
this award date, applicants must submit their grant proposals on or 
before May 11, 2012. Additional information related to the Space 
Transportation Infrastructure Matching Grants Program can be found at 
the Office of Commercial Space Transportation Web site or by contacting 
one of the Points of Contacts; this information is listed above.

The Space Transportation Infrastructure Matching Grants Program

    To meet the intent of the program, development projects eligible 
for funding include:
    1. Technical and environmental studies; or
    2. Construction, improvement, design, and engineering of space 
transportation infrastructure (including facilities and associated 
equipment).
    The Space Transportation Infrastructure Matching Grants 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.
    Given that the FAA/AST may award multiple grants, applicants may 
submit multiple grant proposals, provided they are for separate 
projects and meet the matching requirements independently.

Environmental Requirements

    Approval of grant funding is a major federal action subject to 
review under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) 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, 
Change 1, and other Federal environmental laws. Because of this, the 
FAA anticipates that it may be most cost-effective for applicants who 
have already undergone NEPA review to apply for a grant this fiscal 
year.
    In order for a launch site to receive a license to operate, a NEPA 
review will already have been conducted. The launch site operator could 
seek a grant for projects that the FAA considered as part of that 
license. Although having a license is not a requirement for a grant 
award, the environmental requirements may already be met for launch 
sites with a license.
    Under 51 U.S.C. 51104, infrastructure development projects selected 
for a Space Transportation Infrastructure Matching Grant must meet 
three additional environmental requirements:
    1. The project 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/AST 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.
    2. The sponsor must certify that an opportunity for a public 
hearing has been provided to consider the economic, social, and 
environmental impacts of the project and its consistency with the goals 
of any planning carried out by the community.
    3. The Governor of the State in which the project is located, or 
his/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 (CATEX) under NEPA and would 
not trigger the requirements listed above. If the project normally 
qualifies for a CATEX from environmental review, the grant proposal 
should reference the relevant paragraph in FAA Order 1050.1E, Polices 
and Procedures from Considering Environmental Impacts, and address 
whether extraordinary circumstances exist that warrant preparation of 
an environmental assessment (EA) or environmental impact statement 
(EIS).
    For more details about the environmental review for commercial 
space transportation activities, please see Guidelines for Compliance 
with the National Environmental Policy Act and Related Environmental 
Review Statutes for the Licensing of Commercial Launches and Launch 
Sites at http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ast/environmental/review.

Who May Apply for a Space Transportation Infrastructure Matching Grant

    The FAA/AST may make project grant awards to ``sponsors,'' per 51 
U.S.C 51102. Per 51 U.S.C. 51101(6), a ``sponsor'' is a public agency 
that submits an application for a project grant. Per 51 U.S.C 51101(5), 
a ``public agency'' is a State or agency of a State, a political 
subdivision of a State, or a tax-supported organization.

Grant Award

    The FAA/AST intends to award Space Transportation Infrastructure 
Matching Grants on or about July 17, 2012. An FAA/AST grant offer 
letter may contain requirements for assurances to ensure the grants are 
consistent with 51 U.S.C Chapter 511.

How To Apply for a Space Transportation Infrastructure Matching Grant

    The application submission must include the following:
    1. Cover letter, signed by public agency senior official, 
demonstrating the legal authority to engage in the project,
    2. Detail as to how the proposed grant project meets the 
requirements of Chapter 703:
    a. Documentation demonstrating authority as a public agency,
    b. Demonstration that the grant will not be for more than 50% of 
the total cost of the project,
    c. Letter(s) of Commitment from the private sector for at least 10% 
of the total cost of the project,
    d. Detailed description of the project,
    e. Contributions to capabilities that serve the United States' 
space transportation needs,
    f. Impacts on the competitiveness of the United States space 
transportation industry, and
    g. Discussion of environmental considerations, if applicable,
    3. Consent from the head of the appropriate agency, should the 
project use Government property (land, equipment, etc.),
    4. SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance (OMB Number 4040-
0004),
    5. One of the following:
    a. SF-424A for non-construction proposals, or
    b. SF-424C for construction proposals.
    The forms request specific applicant information, project 
information, and an estimate of the funding and duration of the 
project. They are available at http://www.grants.gov.
    Applicants for the Space Transportation Infrastructure Matching

[[Page 14464]]

Grants Program must submit grant applications to the FAA/AST. 
Applicants must submit an original copy of the completed grant 
proposal, plus four additional copies. One copy (not the original) may 
be submitted electronically to Ms. Julie Price at [email protected], 
however the original and additional copies must be submitted to: 
Federal Aviation Administration, Office of Commercial Space 
Transportation, AST-100, c/o Ms. Julie Price, 800 Independence Avenue 
SW., Suite 325, Washington, DC 20591.
    Should one copy be submitted electronically, a time stamp will be 
recorded for the submission. The original and all other copies must 
reach the office on or before 12 p.m. (noon), Eastern Time, Friday, May 
11, 2012. If no copy is submitted electronically, the original and 
additional copies still must reach the office on or before 12 p.m. 
(noon), Eastern Time, Friday, May 11, 2012. There will be no allowance 
for extensions of time.
    Previously submitted grant applications do not carry over and will 
not be considered. Applicants must resubmit past projects for 
consideration in the new fiscal year.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on March 1, 2012.
George C. Nield,
Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation.
[FR Doc. 2012-5706 Filed 3-8-12; 8:45 am]
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