[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 222 (Monday, November 18, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69173-69175]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-27421]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Research and Innovative Technology Administration


University Transportation Centers Program

AGENCY: Research and Innovative Technology Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of Funding Availability.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The United States Department of Transportation is publishing 
this notice to give eligible nonprofit institutions of higher education 
located in Federal Regions 3 and 10 advance notice that they will have 
an opportunity to submit applications for a grant as a Regional Center 
in the University Transportation Centers (UTCs) program. Funds for this 
grant program are authorized beginning on October 1, 2012. In the near 
future, the Department, via the Research and Innovative Technology 
Administration (RITA), will release a grant solicitation through 
Grants.gov and on the UTC Program's Web site, http://utc.dot.gov,

[[Page 69174]]

describing the competition and deadlines for applications. Proposals 
will be evaluated through a competitive process on the basis of 
demonstrated ability, research, technology and education resources, 
leadership, multi-modal research capability, and commitment to 
transportation workforce development programs, technology transfer 
capability, the use of peer review, and effective partnerships to 
advance diversity.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Kevin Womack, Associate 
Administrator for Research, Development and Technology, mail code RDT-
10, Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA), 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590-0001. Telephone Number (202) 
366-5306 or Email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Table of Contents

I. Background
II. Eligibility
III. Qualification Requirements
IV. Application Process
V. Program Funding and Award
VI. Use of Grant Funds

I. Background

    The Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21, Pub. 
L. 112-141, Sec. 51001(a)(5)) authorizes $72.5 million for each of the 
fiscal years 2013 (FY 2013) and 2014 (FY 2014) for up to 35 competitive 
grants for UTCs. The FY 2013 and FY 2014 funds are subject to an annual 
obligation limitation. The amount of budget authority available in a 
given year may be less than the amount authorized for that fiscal year.
    MAP-21 authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to make grants to 
eligible nonprofit institutions of higher education to establish and 
operate UTCs. RITA will administer the program (49 CFR 1.99(e)). The 
Department will solicit competitive grant applications for two regional 
university transportation centers, one each in Federal Regions 3 and 
10. Previously, the Department solicited grant applications for these 
two regions (see 77 FR 60012); however, the Department did not select 
any of the submitted applications. UTCs will be selected by the 
Secretary, in consultation as appropriate with the Administrators of 
the Federal Highway Administration, and the Federal Transit 
Administration. (49 U.S.C. 5505(b)(4)(B) as amended by Pub. L. 112-141, 
Sec. 52009 (effective Oct. 1, 2012)).
    The Department plans to competitively select two regional UTCs, one 
each in Federal Regions 3 and 10, with an award of $2,592,500 each.
    The role of each university transportation center is to advance 
transportation expertise and technology in the varied disciplines that 
comprise the field of transportation through education, research, and 
technology transfer activities; to provide for a critical 
transportation knowledge base outside of the Department of 
Transportation; and to address critical workforce needs and educate the 
next generation of transportation leaders.

II. Eligibility

    A UTC must be located in the United States or its territories. A 
UTC may be a single nonprofit institution of higher education, or a 
consortium of two or more nonprofit institutions of higher education. A 
regional UTC must be located in the region for which the grant is 
sought. (49 U.S.C. 5505(c)(3)(A) as amended by Pub. L. 112-141, Sec. 
52009 (effective Oct. 1, 2012)). If a regional UTC is a consortium of 
two or more nonprofit institutions of higher education, then each 
institution in the consortium must be located in the region for which 
the grant is sought.
    For Region 3, the eligible states are: Delaware, District of 
Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. For 
Region 10, the eligible states are: Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and 
Washington.
    Institutions may collaborate with state DOTs, the private sector, 
and community, junior, or technical colleges; however, these 
organizations or others that are not U.S. nonprofit institutions of 
higher education may not be considered members of a consortium. The 
grantee institution (lead institution in the case of a consortium of 
institutions) will be the direct and primary recipient of UTC program 
funds, and must perform a substantive role in carrying out UTC 
activities, and not serve merely as a conduit for awards to other 
parties.
    MAP-21 limits the circumstances in which an institution may receive 
more than one grant. (49 U.S.C. 5505(b)(2) as amended by Pub. L. 112-
141, Sec. 52009 (effective Oct. 1, 2012)). These restrictions include:

    A lead institution of a consortium that receives a grant for a 
National Center is not eligible to receive an additional grant as a 
lead institution or a member of a consortium for a Regional Center.
    A member of a consortium that receives a grant for a National 
Center is not eligible to receive a grant as a sole institution for 
a Regional Center or as a lead institution for a Regional Center.

III. Matching Requirements

    Each UTC is required to obtain matching funds from non-federal 
sources. The amount of matching funds required for a regional UTC is 
100%. The matching amounts may include the amounts made available to a 
grant recipient under 23 U.S.C. 504(b) or 505. (49 U.S.C. 
5505(c)(3)(D)(ii) as amended by Pub. L. 112-141, Sec. 52009 (effective 
Oct. 1, 2012)).

IV. Application Process

    Full and open competition. US DOT will conduct the UTC program 
selection based on principles of full and open competition. Two 
regional centers, one each in Federal Regions 3 and 10, will be 
selected from the pool of applicants.
    Subject Matter Focus. The two Regional UTCs (one each in Federal 
Regions 3 and 10 receiving $2,592,500/year each) are required to focus 
on highway and/or public transportation research and education (49 
U.S.C. 5505(c)(3)(B)(iii) as amended by Pub. L. 112-141, Sec. 52009 
(effective Oct. 1, 2012)). Regional UTCs must be able to conduct 
research in an area of focus from among ``nonexclusive candidate topic 
areas established by the Secretary that address the research priorities 
identified in section 503 of title 23'' (49 U.S.C. 5505(b)(4)(A) as 
amended by Pub. L. 112-141, Sec. 52009 (effective Oct. 1, 2012)). An 
applicant for a regional UTC must designate the region in which it is 
applying.
    The Department seeks a balanced portfolio of UTCs that supports the 
Secretary of Transportation's Strategic Goals, contains different types 
and/or sizes of universities, and focuses on improving overall system 
performance using multiple transportation resources.
    Selection criteria. The Department will evaluate and select UTC 
applicants based on the nine MAP-21 selection criteria:

    ``(i) the demonstrated ability of the recipient to address each 
specific topic area described in the research and strategic plans of 
the recipient;
    ``(ii) the demonstrated research, technology transfer, and 
education resources available to the recipient to carry out this 
section;
    ``(iii) the ability of the recipient to provide leadership in 
solving immediate and long-range national and regional 
transportation problems;
    ``(iv) the ability of the recipient to carry out research, 
Education, and technology transfer activities that are multimodal 
and multidisciplinary in scope;
    ``(v) the demonstrated commitment of the recipient to carry out 
transportation workforce development programs through--
    ``(I) degree-granting programs; and
    ``(II) outreach activities to attract new entrants into the 
transportation field;

[[Page 69175]]

    ``(vi) the demonstrated ability of the recipient to disseminate 
results and spur the implementation of transportation research and 
education programs through national or statewide continuing 
education programs;
    ``(vii) the demonstrated commitment of the recipient to the use 
of peer review principles and other research best practices in the 
selection, management, and dissemination of research projects;
    ``(viii) the strategic plan submitted by the recipient 
describing the proposed research to be carried out by the recipient 
and the performance metrics to be used in assessing the performance 
of the recipient in meeting the stated research, technology 
transfer, education, and outreach goals; and
    ``(ix) the ability of the recipient to implement the proposed 
program in a cost-efficient manner, such as through cost sharing and 
overall reduced overhead, facilities, and administrative costs.''

(49 U.S.C. 5505(b)(4)(B) as amended by Pub. L. 112-141 Sec. 52009 
(effective Oct. 1, 2012)).

    Additional selection criteria applying to regional UTCs are:
    The institution (or lead institution in the case of a consortium) 
must have a well-established, nationally recognized program in research 
and education, as shown by:
    (i) recent expenditures by the institution in highway or public 
transportation research;
    (ii) a historical track record of awarding graduate degrees in 
professional fields closely related to highways and public 
transportation; and
    (iii) an experienced faculty who specialize in professional fields 
closely related to highways and public transportation (49 U.S.C. 
5505(c)(3)(B) as amended by Pub. L. 112-141 Sec. 52009 (effective Oct. 
1, 2012)).
    External Stakeholders. The Department will consult with external 
stakeholders (including the Transportation Research Board of the 
National Academy of Sciences, among others), to the maximum extent 
practicable, to evaluate and competitively review all proposals (49 
U.S.C. 5505(b)(6) as amended by Pub. L. 112-141, Sec. 52009 (effective 
Oct. 1, 2012)).

V. Program Funding and Award

    UTCs will be selected by the Secretary, in consultation as 
appropriate with the Administrators of the Federal Highway 
Administration and the Federal Transit Administration.

VI. Use of Grant Funds

    According to the terms of the grant agreement, grantees will have 
until September 30, 2017 to expend FY 2013 funds and, assuming 
availability, FY 2014 funds.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on November 12, 2013.
Gregory D. Winfree,
Administrator, Research and Innovative Technology Administration.
[FR Doc. 2013-27421 Filed 11-15-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-HY-P