[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 167 (Tuesday, August 28, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52131-52134]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-21220]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Transit Administration


FY 2012 Discretionary Funding Opportunity: Paul S. Sarbanes 
Transit in Parks Program

AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration (FTA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of Availability: Solicitation of Project Proposals

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SUMMARY: The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announces the 
availability of approximately $12 million in Paul S. Sarbanes Transit 
in Parks Program (Transit in Parks Program) discretionary funds in 
Fiscal Year (FY) 2012. FTA announced the allocation of $13.5 million in 
FY 2012 Transit in Parks Program funds in the Federal Register on 
February 3, 2012. This notice solicits proposals to compete for program 
funds that have been appropriated since that date and may include 
additional funds made available after this notice is published.
    The Transit in Parks Program was established by Section 3021 of 
SAFETEA-LU, as amended (49 U.S.C. 5320), and was repealed, effective 
October 1, 2012, by the most recent transportation authorization, 
Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21). This 
announcement solicits proposals for the final allocation of program 
funding, as defined above. The program is administered by FTA in 
partnership with the Department of the Interior and the U.S. Department 
of Agriculture's Forest Service.
    The Transit in Parks Program funds capital and planning expenses 
for alternative transportation systems such as buses, trams and non-
motorized trails in federally managed parks and public lands. Federal 
land management agencies, as well as State, tribal and local 
governments, acting with the consent of a Federal land management 
agency, are eligible to apply. DOI, after consultation with and in 
cooperation with FTA, will determine the final selection and funding of 
projects. Geographic diversity will be considered when allocating 
funds.
    This announcement is available on the FTA Web site at: http://www.fta.dot.gov. FTA will announce final selections on the Web site and 
in the Federal Register. A synopsis of this funding opportunity will be 
posted in the FIND module of the government-wide electronic grants Web 
site at http://www.grants.gov.

DATES: Complete proposals must be received by 11:59 p.m. EDT on Friday, 
September 28, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Project proposals originating from State, Tribal or local 
government entities must be submitted electronically through the 
GRANTS.GOV Web site. Project proposals originating from units of 
Federal land management agencies must be submitted directly to their 
agency points of contact, as listed at the end of this notice, or to 
specific regional agency coordinators as directed by each agency. 
Federal land management agency units may propose projects in 
cooperation with other eligible funding recipients, including projects 
where an eligible partner is the intended funding recipient.
    Applicants required to use GRANTS.GOV must be properly registered 
prior to submitting an application, and should initiate the process of 
registering on the GRANTS.GOV site immediately to ensure completion of 
registration before the deadline for submission. GRANTS.GOV applicants 
should receive two confirmation emails. The first will confirm that the 
application was received and a subsequent email will be sent within 24-
48 hours indicating whether the application was validated or rejected 
by the system. If interested parties experience difficulties at any 
point during the registration or application process, please call the 
GRANTS.GOV Customer Support Hotline at 1-800-518-4726, Monday-Friday 
from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. EST. The required electronic project proposal 
template as well as guidance on completing a proposal can be found on 
GRANTS.GOV or on the program Web site at http://www.fta.dot.gov/transitinparks.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The appropriate FTA Regional Office 
(http://fta.dot.gov/12317_1119.html) or the appropriate land 
management agency (Appendix A) for proposal-specific information. For 
general program information, contact Adam Schildge, Paul S. Sarbanes 
Transit in Parks Program, at (202) 366-0778, [email protected]. A 
TDD is available at 1-800-877-8339 (TDD/FIRS). For technical assistance 
or general inquiries regarding alternative transportation in federal 
lands, contact the Transit in Parks Technical Assistance Center at 
http://www.triptac.org, (877) 704-5292, or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

Table of Contents

I. Overview
II. Program Purpose
III. Program Information
    A. Eligible Applicants
    B. Eligible Projects
    C. Financial Limitations and Cost Sharing
    D. Application Content
    E. Evaluation Criteria
IV. Technical Assistance and Other Program Information
Appendix A Land Management Agency Contacts

I. Overview

    Section 3021 of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient 
Transportation Equity Act--A Legacy for Users of 2005 (SAFETEA-LU), as 
amended, established the Paul S. Sarbanes Transit in Parks Program 
(Transit in Parks Program) (49 U.S.C. 5320). On July 7, 2012, Moving 
Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21) was enacted, repealing 
the Transit in Parks Program effective on October 1, 2012. This notice 
solicits project proposals for the allocation of approximately $12 
million in remaining program funding. The program is administered by 
the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) in partnership with the 
Department of the Interior (DOI) and the U.S. Department of 
Agriculture's Forest Service.
    Congestion in and around our national parks and public lands causes 
traffic delays, creates pollution, and can detract from the visitor 
experience and the protection of sensitive natural and cultural 
resources. Since 2006, the Transit in Parks Program has allocated 
approximately $160 million to competitively selected alternative 
transportation projects that provide improved mobility and 
accessibility within our public lands, reduce the environmental impacts 
of automobile traffic congestion, improve the safety and recreational 
experience of visitors, and provide sustainable and cost-efficient 
solutions for transportation challenges on our nation's parks, refuges, 
forests and other public lands. As with other types of transportation 
infrastructure, alternative transportation systems on public lands 
require continued capital investment. In addition, planning studies 
funded

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through this program have identified new opportunities for alternative 
transportation projects to provide an effective response to these 
challenges.

II. Program Purpose

    The purpose of the program is to provide for the capital and 
planning costs of alternative transportation systems that will enhance 
the protection of national parks and Federal lands; increase the 
enjoyment of visitors' experience by conserving natural, historical, 
and cultural resources; reduce congestion and pollution; improve 
visitor mobility and accessibility; enhance visitor experience; and 
ensure access to all, including persons with disabilities.
    Since this is the final competition for funding under this program, 
FTA anticipates prioritizing projects that will be of independent 
utility and will not require future sources of funding to complete. 
Additionally, FTA anticipates prioritizing projects that are ready to 
begin implementation and can be completed within a reasonable 
timeframe.

III. Program Information

A. Eligible Applicants

    Eligible applicants are (1) Federal land management agencies that 
own or manage a park, refuge or recreational area that is open to the 
public, including but not limited to units of the National Park 
Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Bureau of Land 
Management, the U.S. Forest Service, and the Bureau of Reclamation; and 
(2) State, tribal and local governments with jurisdiction over land in 
the vicinity of an eligible area, as defined above, acting with the 
consent of a Federal land management agency, alone or in partnership 
with a Federal land management agency or other governmental or non-
governmental participant. Note: If the applicant is a State, tribal, or 
local government, a letter from the affected unit(s) of the Federal 
land management agency or agencies expressing support for the project 
must be submitted with the project proposal in order to indicate 
consent. Applications without support letters from the relevant Federal 
land management agency or agencies unit(s) will be deemed ineligible. 
Non-profit organizations are not eligible recipients of funding under 
this program, but may partner with an eligible applicant as defined 
above.

B. Eligible Projects

    SAFETEA-LU defines alternative transportation as ``transportation 
by bus, rail, or any other publicly or privately owned conveyance that 
provides to the public general or special service on a regular basis, 
including sightseeing service. Such term also includes a non-motorized 
transportation system (including the provision of facilities for 
pedestrians, bicycles, and non-motorized watercraft).''
    The program funds capital and planning expenses for alternative 
transportation systems in, and in the vicinity of, federally owned or 
managed parks and public lands. A qualified planning or capital project 
must be within the vicinity of a federally owned or managed park, 
refuge, or recreational area open to the general public and must meet 
the goals of the program. The costs of operating and maintaining an 
alternative transportation system are not eligible under the program. A 
project proposal may include in its budget up to 15 percent for project 
administration, contingency, and oversight. As specified in 49 U.S.C. 
5320(b)(5), the following types of projects are eligible:
1. Planning
    Activities to comply with metropolitan and statewide planning 
provisions (49 U.S.C. 5320(b)(5)(A) referencing 49 U.S.C. 5303, 5304, 
5305). Activities include planning studies for an alternative 
transportation system including evaluation of no-build and all other 
reasonable alternatives, traffic studies, visitor utilization studies, 
transportation analysis, feasibility studies, and environmental 
studies. Because this is the final allocation of funding under this 
program, planning proposals must demonstrate independent utility, and 
projected benefits should not be dependent upon the availability of 
future funding.
2. Capital
    Eligible capital projects include all aspects of ``acquiring, 
constructing, supervising, or inspecting equipment or a facility for 
use in public transportation, expenses incidental to the acquisition or 
construction (including designing, engineering, location surveying, 
mapping, and acquiring rights-of-way), payments for the capital 
portions of rail trackage rights agreements, transit-related 
intelligent transportation systems, relocation assistance, acquiring 
replacement housing sites, and acquiring, constructing, relocating, and 
rehabilitating replacement housing.''
    Capital projects may include projects operated by an outside 
entity, such as a public transportation agency, state or local 
government, private company engaged in public transportation, or 
private non-profit organization; and, projects may also include the 
deployment/commercialization of alternative transportation vehicles 
that introduce innovative technologies or methods.
    The capital cost of leasing vehicles is an eligible expense under 
the program. For vehicle acquisition projects, sponsors should compare 
the cost-effectiveness of leasing versus purchasing vehicles. Leasing 
may be particularly cost-effective in circumstances in which transit 
service is only needed during a peak visitation period that lasts only 
a few months. In these cases, leasing a vehicle for a few months during 
the year may be less expensive than purchasing a vehicle only used for 
a few months during the year. An award can cover the capital cost of 
leasing vehicles but may not cover the cost of operations, such as fuel 
or operator salaries.
    Project sponsors should also compare the cost effectiveness of 
providing service versus contracting for service. The capital portion 
of contracted service is an eligible capital expense under the program. 
For example, if a public land agency contracts with a private bus 
company to provide shuttle service with privately owned buses, the 
portion of the contract that covers the capital expense of the buses is 
an eligible expense under the Transit in Parks Program. Operating 
expenses are not eligible under the program. Project sponsors should 
compare the cost-effectiveness of their preferred option to other 
alternatives in the financial sustainability portion of the proposal.
3. ``Fixed Guideway'' and Bus Projects
    Fixed guideway projects are eligible for funding through this 
program. They are defined as transportation projects that run on a 
dedicated right-of-way, such as a light rail, trolley, bus rapid 
transit, or any type of ferry system. Eligible projects can include the 
development of a new fixed guideway project; rehabilitation or 
modernization of existing fixed guideway systems; and expansion of 
existing systems. For bus or shuttle projects, eligible projects can 
include purchase of buses and related equipment; replacement of buses 
and related equipment; rehabilitation of buses and related equipment; 
construction of bus-related facilities such as bus shelters; and 
purchase of rolling stock that incorporates clean fuel technology or 
the replacement of buses of a type in use on August 10, 2005, with 
clean fuel vehicles.

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4. Other Eligible Projects
    The Transit in Parks Program specifically includes these other 
eligible capital projects:
    i. The capital costs of coordinating Federal land management agency 
public transportation systems with other public transportation systems.
    ii. Non-motorized transportation systems (including the provision 
of facilities for pedestrians, bicycles and non-motorized watercraft).
    iii. Water-borne access systems within or in the vicinity of an 
eligible area as appropriate and consistent with 49 U.S.C. 5320.
    iv. Any other alternative transportation project that enhances the 
environment; prevents or mitigates an adverse impact on a natural 
resource; improves Federal land management agency resource management; 
improves visitor mobility and accessibility and the visitor experience; 
reduces congestion and pollution (including noise pollution and visual 
pollution); or conserves a natural, historical, or cultural resource 
(excluding rehabilitation or restoration of a non-transportation 
facility). This includes the enhancement or extension of qualifying 
alternative transportation systems, including the development of 
related intelligent transportation systems (ITS).
    In order to be considered for funding a project must consist of one 
or more of the eligible activities listed above, meet the definition of 
alternative transportation, and contribute to the goals of the program. 
Technical assistance relating to planning and implementing eligible 
alternative transportation systems is available from the Paul S. 
Sarbanes Transit in Parks Technical Assistance Center (http://www.triptac.org).

C. Financial Limitations and Cost Sharing

    No one project may receive more than 25 percent of the available 
funds. Based on the combined availability of $26.9 million in Transit 
in Parks funds for FY 2012, the statutory maximum is $6.7 million. 
Based on the limited amount of funding available under this notice, FTA 
may apply a maximum award ceiling of $2 million. Projects selected for 
funding may receive up to a 100 percent Federal share.

D. Application Content

    The required electronic project proposal template can be found on 
GRANTS.GOV and on the program Web site at http://www.fta.dot.gov/transitinparks. Applications must follow the guidelines posted in the 
proposal template instructions. Narrative responses may not exceed the 
word limits noted in the application instructions. Applications that 
exceed these limits may not be reviewed.
    In addition to the proposal template, applicants should submit an 
engineering cost estimate, or an otherwise detailed budget, and a 
project timeline that indicates projected start and completion dates. 
These documents may be submitted as separate attachments. Letters of 
support, photos, graphics and other non-narrative materials may also be 
submitted.

E. Evaluation Criteria

    Proposed capital projects will be evaluated based on the following 
criteria:

1. Demonstration of Need, including:
    i. Visitor mobility and experience (current or anticipated 
problem); and
    ii. Environmental (current or anticipated problem).
2. Visitor Mobility and Experience Benefits of Project, including:
    i. Reduced traffic congestion;
    ii. Enhanced visitor mobility, accessibility, and safety; and
    iii. Improved visitor education, recreation, and health benefits.
3. Environmental Benefits of Project, including:
    i. Protection of sensitive natural, cultural, and historic 
resources; and
    ii. Reduced pollution (air, noise, visual).
4. Financial Sustainability and Operational Efficiency, including:
    i. Effectiveness in improving transportation system operations and 
efficiency;
    ii. Realistic and financially-sustainable financial plan;
    iii. Cost effectiveness; and
    iv. Partnering, funding from other sources, innovative financing.

    Proposed planning projects will be evaluated based on the following 
criteria:

1. Demonstration of Need, including:
    i. Visitor mobility and experience (current or anticipated 
problem); and
    ii. Environmental (current or anticipated problem).
2. Proposed Planning Methodology Relating to Visitor Mobility and 
Experience, including:
    i. Reduced traffic congestion;
    ii. Enhanced visitor mobility, accessibility, and safety; and
    iii. Improved visitor education, recreation, and health benefits.
3. Proposed Planning Methodology Relating to Environmental Protection, 
including:
    i. Protection of sensitive natural, cultural, and historical 
Resources; and
    ii. Reduced pollution (air, noise, visual).
4. Proposed Planning Methodology Relating to Operational Efficiency and 
Financial Sustainability, including:
    i. Effectiveness in improving transportation system operations and 
efficiency;
    ii. Realistic and financially-sustainable financial plan;
    iii. Cost effectiveness; and
    iv. Partnering, funding from other sources.

    Applicants that have previously received funding through this 
program must be current in submitting their quarterly and annual 
reports to FTA to be considered for funding under this program.
    A special note on non-motorized transportation systems: While non-
motorized systems, such as trails, are eligible under the program, not 
all non-motorized systems will meet the goals of the program needed to 
be considered for funding. Like motorized systems, in order to be 
considered for funding, non-motorized systems must reduce or mitigate 
the number of auto trips by providing an alternative to travel by 
private auto. In addition, non-motorized systems must provide a high 
degree of connectivity within a transportation system. Finally, they 
should improve safety for motorized and non-motorized transportation 
system users.

IV. Technical Assistance and Other Program Information

    Complete applications must be submitted via GRANTS.GOV by September 
28, 2012. Additional program information is available at http://www.fta.dot.gov/transitinparks. Projects selected for funding will be 
required to report quarterly and submit performance data to FTA through 
the appropriate agency. Detailed information on reporting will be 
included in the Federal Register notice announcing projects selected 
for funding. Technical assistance regarding the program is available by 
contacting Adam Schildge, Federal Transit Administration, (202)366-
0778, [email protected] or the appropriate Federal Land Management 
Agency contact (see Appendix C). For technical assistance or general 
inquiries regarding alternative transportation in federal lands, please 
contact the Transit in Parks Technical Assistance Center at 
www.triptac.org, (877) 704-5292, or [email protected].


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    Issued in Washington, DC, this 23rd day of August, 2012.
Peter Rogoff,
Administrator.

Appendix A--Federal Land Management Agencies

Transit in Parks Program Contacts

     National Park Service: Jim Evans, [email protected]; 
telephone: 202-513-7021, fax: 202-371-6675, mail: 1201 Eye Street 
NW. 10th Floor; Washington, DC 20005.
     Fish and Wildlife Service: Nathan Caldwell, [email protected], telephone: 703-358-2205, fax: 703-358-2517, mail: 
4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Room 634; Arlington, VA 22203.
     Forest Service: Rosana Barkawi, 
[email protected], telephone: (703) 605-4509, mail: 1621 N 
Kent Street, Room 900, Arlington, VA 22209.
     Bureau of Land Management: Victor F. Montoya, [email protected], telephone: 202-912-7041, mail: 1620 L Street, WO-
854, Washington, DC 20036.

[FR Doc. 2012-21220 Filed 8-27-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P