[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 48 (Monday, March 12, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14583-14584]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-5806]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Notice to Manufacturers of Alternative Fuel Vans

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), U.S. DOT.

ACTION: Notice to Manufacturers of Alternative Fuel Vans.

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SUMMARY: Projects funded under the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) 
must meet the requirements of 49 U.S.C. 50101, Buy American 
Preferences. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is considering 
issuing waivers to foreign manufacturers of alternative fuel vans. This 
notice requests information from manufacturers of alternative fuel vans 
meeting Vehicle 1 Category requirements established in the Voluntary 
Airport Low Emission Program (VALE) to determine whether a waiver to 
the Buy American Preferences should be issued.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Daniel Favarulo, Airports 
Financial Assistance, APP 520, Room 619, FAA, 800 Independence Avenue 
SW., Washington, DC 20591, Telephone (202) 267-8826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) 
manages a federal grant program for airports called the Airport 
Improvement Program (AIP). AIP grant recipients must follow 49 U.S.C. 
50101, Buy American Preferences. Under 49 U.S.C. 50101(b)(3), the 
Secretary of Transportation may waive the Buy American Preference 
requirement if the goods are not produced in a sufficient and 
reasonably available amount or are not of a satisfactory quality.
    The purpose of this notice is to request foreign as well as 
domestic manufacturers of alternative fuel vans to advise the FAA if 
they manufacture vans meeting Vehicle Category 1 requirements under the 
FAA's Voluntary Airport Low Emission Program (VALE). The detailed 
instructions for submitting the qualifications statement, including 
forms, may be found on the FAA Web site at: http://www.faa.gov/airports/aip/procurement/ at the Buy American Requirements Web page. 
The FAA wants to determine if there is sufficient quantity of domestic 
alternative fuel van manufacturers capable of meeting the requirements 
under Vehicle Category 1 of the FAA's Voluntary Airport Low Emission 
Program (VALE). If the FAA cannot find that there is sufficient 
quantity of domestic manufacturers, it will issue a nationwide waiver 
to the foreign manufacturers identified as being capable of meeting the 
Vehicle Category 1 requirements.
    Technical Requirements: The FAA's Voluntary Airport Low Emission 
Program (VALE) Technical Report Version 7.0 Section 3.1.1, AIP Eligible 
Fuels, defines the eligible alternative fuels. In addition, the FAA's 
Voluntary Airport Low Emission Program (VALE) Technical Report Version 
7.0, Section 5.2, defines the requirements for Vehicle Category 1.
    After review, the FAA may issue a nationwide waiver to Buy American 
Preferences for foreign manufacturers or United States manufacturers 
that do not meet the Buy American Preference requirements. Waivers will 
not be issued for manufacturers that do not fully meet the technical 
requirements. This ``nationwide waiver'' allows equipment to be used on 
airport projects without having to receive separate project waivers. 
Having a nationwide waiver allows projects to start quickly

[[Page 14584]]

without have to wait for the Buy American analysis to be completed for 
every project, while still assuring the funds used for airport projects 
meet the requirements of the Act. Items that have been granted a 
``nationwide waiver'' can be found on the FAA Web site at: http://www.faa.gov/airports/aip/procurement/federal_contract_provisions/ at 
the tab entitled, Equipment Meeting Buy American Requirements.

    Issued in Washington, DC on March 5, 2012.
Frank J. San Martin,
Manager, Airports Financial Assistance Division.
[FR Doc. 2012-5806 Filed 3-9-12; 8:45 am]
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