[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 40 (Friday, February 28, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12062-12063]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-04099]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Office of the Secretary

[Docket No. DOT-OST-2020-0023]


Regional Infrastructure Accelerator Program

AGENCY: Build America Bureau, U.S. Department of Transportation.

ACTION: Request for Information (RFI).

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SUMMARY: The Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act (FAST),\1\ 
enacted in December 2015, authorized the establishment of a Regional 
Infrastructure Accelerator Demonstration Program (the Program) to 
assist entities in developing improved infrastructure priorities and 
financing strategies for the accelerated development of a project that 
is eligible for funding under the Transportation Infrastructure Finance 
and Innovation Act (TIFIA) Program under Chapter 6 of Title 23, United 
States Code. The Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020 enacted 
on December 20, 2019 appropriated $5 million for this Program.\2\
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    \1\ Public Law 114-94, 129 Stat. 1312, 1435.
    \2\ Public Law 116-94, div. H, tit. I, H.R. 1865 at 413 (as 
enrolled December 20, 2019).
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    The Build America Bureau (the Bureau) of the U.S. Department of 
Transportation (Department or DOT) is seeking input from interested 
parties with the intent to gather as much information as possible 
before implementing the Program.
    The Bureau is issuing this RFI on the most effective, transparent 
and expedient way to implement the Program. Information gleaned from 
this effort will help inform the development of the Program and 
approach to designating and funding Regional Infrastructure 
Accelerators that will: (1) Serve a defined geographic area; and (2) 
act as a resource to qualified entities in the geographic area in 
accordance with Section 1441 of the FAST Act.

DATES: Responses to this RFI are due no later than 11:59 p.m. 30 days 
after publication of this notice. The Bureau may hold an RFI 
information session(s) before the due date.

ADDRESSES: All responses MUST be submitted electronically via email to 
the Bureau at [email protected]. Questions regarding the RFI may be submitted 
to the Bureau at [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information regarding this 
RFI please contact Sam Beydoun via email at [email protected] or via 
telephone at 202-366-2300. A TDD is available at 202-366-3993.

Background

    The Bureau is responsible for driving transportation infrastructure 
development projects in the United States through innovative financing 
programs. Its mission is to provide access to the Bureau's credit 
programs in a streamlined, expedient and transparent manner. In 
accomplishing its mission, the Bureau also provides technical 
assistance and encourages innovative best practices in project 
planning, financing, delivery, and monitoring. The Bureau draws upon 
the full resources of the Department of Transportation to best utilize 
the expertise of the Department's Operating Administrations while 
promoting a culture of innovation and customer service.
    The Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 
1998 \3\ established a Federal credit program (TIFIA Program) for 
eligible transportation projects under which the Department may provide 
three forms of credit assistance--secured (direct) loans, loan 
guarantees, and standby lines of credit. The TIFIA Program's 
fundamental goal is to leverage federal funds by attracting substantial 
private and other non-Federal co-investment to support critical 
improvements to the Nation's surface transportation system. Eligible 
recipients of TIFIA credit assistance include State departments of 
transportation, transit operators, special authorities, local 
governments and private entities.
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    \3\ Codified as 23 U.S.C. 601-609.
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Demonstration Program

    Section 1441 of the FAST Act (https://www.transportation.gov/buildamerica/programs-and-services/regional-infrastructure-accelerators) authorizes the Program to assist in developing improved 
infrastructure priorities and financing strategies for the accelerated 
development of eligible projects. It is envisioned that Regional 
Infrastructure

[[Page 12063]]

Accelerator(s) will act as a resource and help facilitate delivery of 
projects within a designated geographic region while promoting 
investment in covered infrastructure projects. The Further Consolidated 
Appropriations Act, 2020 appropriated $5 million to carry out the 
Program.
    The goal of this RFI is to engage interested parties to obtain 
input into the most effective, transparent and expedient ways to 
structure and deliver the Program. Respondents to this RFI are 
encouraged to provide related information and answers to one or more of 
the following:

Structure

    (1) What would be an effective form of the accelerator that could 
influence the development of infrastructure projects, and what type of 
structure and authority would be required for the establishment of a 
regional accelerator? Are there examples of such entities from around 
the country and abroad, or in other sectors that could be used as a 
model for the Program?
    (2) What barriers such as regulatory, technical and institutional 
(public or private) would hinder implementation? What authority should 
the accelerator(s) have to effectively carry out its mission?

Geographic Diversity

    (1) What is the most effective regional approach in achieving 
geographic diversity?
    (2) What consideration should be given to urban versus rural areas, 
regional verses statewide or multi-State accelerators?
    (3) Given the appropriated amount ($5 million), what would be the 
optimum range and most effective number of awards for regional 
accelerators? What would be an appropriate size program to consider in 
addressing the needs of priority infrastructure projects in rural 
areas?

Qualifications

    (1) What resources, competencies and experience would be required 
from and within an accelerator? The approach should consider the 
resources required in accelerating the development of smaller rural 
projects and assisting inexperienced or under-resourced regions.
    (2) If external resources and expertise would be contemplated, what 
would be the acquisition strategy while ensuring transparency and 
accountability?
    (3) What is the best way to conduct an effective and transparent 
selection process? What evaluation criteria should the Bureau consider?

Approach

    (1) What is the most effective approach to achieve the goals of the 
Program through an accelerator? In responding, please address 
considerations for the creation, selection and designation of regional 
accelerator(s).
    (2) What actions are required to plan, implement and assess 
effectiveness of regional accelerators? If your response considers a 
phased approach, what would be the activities, resources and timelines 
for each phase? If new entities are considered, how much time would be 
needed to stand up a regional accelerator and what would be the major 
challenges?
    (3) How could an accelerator leverage the Federal funding beyond 
the initial Federal support? If feasible, could a standalone, self-
funded and sustainable model continue to deliver the intended benefits 
under the Program?
    (4) Rural transportation infrastructure is of critical interest to 
the Department. How could Regional Infrastructure Accelerators assist 
in supporting priority programs in the region such as Rural 
Opportunities to Use Transportation for Economic Success (ROUTES) and 
the Bureau's Railroad Rehabilitation & Improvement Financing (RRIF) 
credit program that further accelerate projects?

Measures of Success

    (1) How would Bureau assess and monitor the success of the program 
in accomplishing the goals and objectives?
    (2) What would be appropriate key performance indicators that help 
measure the effectiveness of this demonstration program? Please 
consider the planned activities under the Program as indicated in 
Section 1441 of the FAST Act.

Other Considerations

    (1) What else should the Bureau consider (in addition to the 
statutory criteria in Section 1441 of the FAST Act) and/or do to ensure 
an effective and successful regional accelerator program?

RFI Review

    Individuals or entities wishing to respond to the RFI should state 
their role as well as knowledge and experience in developing or 
delivering such programs. The Bureau may request additional clarifying 
information from any or all respondents. Responses shall not exceed 10 
pages and have no smaller than 12-point font with 1-inch margin all 
around. Any additional documents (e.g. white papers, brochure 
materials) would be considered. However, only the first 10 pages will 
be reviewed. The Bureau is not seeking and will not accept any 
unsolicited proposals through this RFI.
    This RFI does NOT constitute a Request for Proposal and is not to 
be construed as a commitment, implied or otherwise, by the Bureau or 
the Department that a procurement action will be issued. Any response 
related to this RFI is not a request to be added to a bidders list or 
to receive a copy of a solicitation. There is no entitlement to payment 
for direct or indirect costs or charges arising as a result of any 
potential inquiries regarding this solicitation. The Bureau may not 
respond to any specific questions or comments submitted in response to 
this notice or information provided as a result of this notification. 
This RFI is solely for information and planning purposes and should not 
be construed as a commitment by Bureau or Department for any other 
purpose.
    All interested parties are encouraged to respond fully to this RFI. 
The Bureau is in no way obligated by the information received and 
submission by respondents to the RFI is strictly voluntary. Not 
responding to the RFI does not preclude participation in any future 
procurement or grant program, if any is issued. However, the Bureau 
places tremendous value on information received and may utilize it to 
implement and finalize its Program development strategy.
    ALL INFORMATION SUBMITTED SHALL BE UNCLASSIFIED. DO NOT SUBMIT ANY 
PROPRIATARY OR PRICING INFORMATION.

    Issued in Washington, DC on February 24, 2020.
Morteza Farajian,
Executive Director.
[FR Doc. 2020-04099 Filed 2-27-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-9X-P