[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