[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 241 (Monday, December 17, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Page 64632]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-27252]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Notice to Manufacturers of Lithium-ion Secondary Cell Battery 
Packs or Comparable Secondary Cell Battery Packs

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

ACTION: Notice; Request for Information.

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SUMMARY: Projects funded under the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) 
must meet the requirements of Title 49 Buy American Preferences. The 
FAA is considering issuing waivers to foreign manufacturers of Lithium-
ion Secondary Cell Battery Packs, or any comparable secondary cell 
battery packs, that meet the requirements of eligible airport-dedicated 
vehicles identified in Title 49 Zero-Emission Airport Vehicles and 
Infrastructure Program. This section allows the FAA to award Airport 
Improvement Program (AIP) grant funds for the acquisition and operation 
of zero-emissions vehicles (ZEVs) at an airport, including the 
construction or modification of infrastructure to facilitate the 
delivery of fuel and services necessary for the use of such vehicles. 
The FAA is requesting any information from battery makers on the 
availability of lithium-ion secondary cell battery packs or comparable 
products manufactured in the U.S. and capable of meeting heavy-duty 
transit applications of the ZEV and ``FAA Buy American'' requirements 
of the AIP.

DATES: Information requested must be received by January 16, 2019.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carlos N. Fields, Airport Planning and 
Programming, APP 520, Room 619, FAA, 800 Independence Avenue SW, 
Washington, DC 20591; telephone (202) 267-8826; email 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA manages a Federal grant program for 
the planning and development of public-use airports called the Airport 
Improvement Program (AIP). AIP grant funds support awards made to 
eligible projects under the Airport Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) and 
Infrastructure Pilot Program. All AIP grant recipients, regardless of 
program affiliation, must follow Title 49, U.S.C. 50101, Buy American 
Preferences.
    Under Title 49, U.S.C. 50101(b)(2), 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 manufacturers of small-
form-factor secondary cells meeting the needs of particular airport 
applications, including heavy-duty transit equipment under the ZEV 
program, to submit a statement of interest and product description, a 
completed FAA Product Content Percentage Worksheet, and Product Final 
Assembly Questionnaire. Both forms are located on the FAA website: 
https://www.faa.gov/airports/aip/buy_american/. The submission must be 
sent via email and on company letterhead.
    The FAA needs to determine if there is a sufficient quantity of 
lithium (or comparable) secondary cells produced in the United States 
capable of meeting the requirements to equip eligible airport-dedicated 
vehicles identified in Title 49, U.S.C. 47136a, Zero-Emission Airport 
Vehicles and Infrastructure.
    If the FAA finds that lithium or comparable cells produced in the 
United States are not sufficiently available in both quantity and 
quality, then it may recommend to the Secretary of Transportation to 
issue a nationwide waiver to the foreign manufacturer(s) identified as 
being capable of meeting the technical requirements of eligible 
airport-dedicated vehicles identified in Title 49, U.S.C. 47136a, Zero-
Emission Airport Vehicles and Infrastructure.
    The FAA may recommend final approval of the waiver to the Secretary 
of Transportation, who has final decision authority.
    Waivers will not be issued for manufacturers that do not fully meet 
the technical requirements. This ``nationwide waiver'' would signify 
the eligibility of equipment to be used on airport projects without 
having to receive separate project specific waivers. Having a 
nationwide waiver allows projects to start quickly without have to wait 
for the Buy American analysis to be completed for every project.

    Issued in Washington, DC on December 11, 2018.
Michael S. Hines,
Acting Manager, Airports Financial Assistance Division.
[FR Doc. 2018-27252 Filed 12-14-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P