[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 175 (Wednesday, September 9, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55736-55738]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-19813]



[[Page 55736]]

=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

[Docket No. FAA-2019-0847]


Aircraft Pilots Workforce Development Grant Program AGENCY: 
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: The FAA announces a Period of Public Comment for Aircraft 
Pilots Workforce Development Grant Program and previews a forthcoming 
notice of funding opportunity.

DATES: Period of Public Comment for the FAA Aircraft Pilots Workforce 
Development Grant Program is open for 15 Days.
    Period of Public Comment: Written comments should be submitted by 
September 24, 2020.

ADDRESSES: Please send written comments: By Electronic Docket: 
www.regulations.gov (Enter docket number into search field). Assistance 
Listing Number: 20.111, www.beta.sam.gov.

    Note:  This is not a request for proposals or offers.


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Patricia Watts, 609-485-5043 (office), 
or 609-793-3063 (cell). Please visit our website at: www.faa.gov/go/awd 
or https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ang/grants/awd/.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On October 5, 2018, the President signed the FAA Reauthorization 
Act of 2018 (the Act) (Pub. L. 115-254). Section 625 of the Act 
addresses the projected shortages of aircraft pilots in the aviation 
industry by directing the establishment of an Aviation Workforce 
Development Grant Program to expand the aircraft pilot workforce and 
provide meaningful aviation education designed to prepare students to 
become aircraft pilots, aerospace engineers, or unmanned aircraft 
systems operators, and support the related professional development of 
teachers. Congress authorized the program through the end of Fiscal 
Year 2023.

Authorizing Legislation

FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (Pub. L. 115-254, Section 625)
National Defense Authorization Act of 2020 (Pub. L. 116-92, Section 
1743)

Funding

    Congress appropriated $5,000,000 of funding for the program in 
Fiscal Year 2020 budget and capped each approved project to be not more 
than $500,000 for any one grant in any one fiscal year.

Types of Projects

    The types of projects supported under the new Aircraft Pilots 
Workforce Development Grant Program are those that:
    (a) Create and deliver curriculum designed to provide high school 
students with meaningful aviation education that is designed to prepare 
the students to become aircraft pilots, aerospace engineers, or 
unmanned aircraft systems operators. This grant project eligibility 
includes delivery of existing training curriculum.
    (b) Support the professional development of teachers using the 
above curriculum.
    Section 625 also directed the FAA to ensure that the applications 
selected for projects established under this program allow for 
participation from a diverse collection of public and private schools 
in rural, suburban, and urban areas.

Eligible Applicants

    Section 625 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 and Section 1743 
of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2020 identify the 
following types of entities as eligible to apply for the Aircraft 
Pilots Workforce Development Grants:
    (a) Air carriers (as defined in 49 U.S.C. 40102) or labor 
rganizations representing aircraft pilots;
    (b) flight schools that provide flight training (as defined in 14 
CFR part 61) or hold a pilot school certificate (as defined in 14 CFR 
part 141);
    (c) accredited institutions of higher education (as defined in 20 
U.S.C. 1001), or secondary schools or high schools (as defined in 20 
U.S.C. 7801);
    (d) state or local government entities; or
    (e) an organization representing aircraft users, aircraft owners, 
or aircraft pilots.

Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) Information

Targeted Release Date

    The FAA anticipates releasing an initial Notice of Funding 
Opportunity (NOFO) on www.grants.gov on or about November 13, 2020. The 
FAA envisions thereafter releasing NOFOs each year for which funding 
has been appropriated. The FAA anticipates all NOFOs will remain open 
for 60 days.

Notice of Intent To Apply

    NOFOs may ask for applicants to email the FAA with their Intent to 
Apply for a grant within ten days of NOFO release. Submission of Intent 
to Apply will not be mandatory.

Unexpended Funds

    If all funds are not expended in an award cycle for each fiscal 
year, the FAA may make additional awards from a previous pool of 
applications.

Grants.Gov

    The FAA will release NOFOs on www.grants.gov and intends to accept 
only electronic applications. Potential applicants are encouraged to 
create accounts on www.grants.gov and can review samples of forms by 
following this link: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html

Application Package

    Application packages will be accepted electronically on 
www.grants.gov up to 11:59 p.m. prevailing Eastern Time of the closing 
date. Late submissions will not be accepted or reviewed. The 
application package may consist of completing standard government 
Financial Assistance Application forms such as those listed below:
 Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424)
 Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs (SF-424A)
 Assurances for Non-Construction Programs (SF-424B--Mandatory)
 SF-425 Federal Financial Report 4040-0014 and SF-425A Federal 
Financial Report Attachment
 Disclosure of Lobbying Activities and Certification (SF-LLL)
 Project/Performance Site Location(s), Key Contacts, and 
Project Abstract
 Project Abstract Summary
 ACH Vendor Payment Enrollment (SF-3881)

Proof of Eligibility

    Applicants will be required to upload proof of eligibility to apply 
for the grants such as copies of accreditations and certifications. The 
FAA reserves the right to validate proof of eligibility.

Award Floor and Ceiling

    The FAA may issue awards of between $25,000 and not more than 
$500,000 (the ceiling established in the Act) for any one grant in any 
one fiscal year.

Number of Awards

    This grant program is competitive. The FAA reserves the right to 
make grant awards depending on the quantity and quality of proposals 
received in response to the NOFO. The expectation is to fund a minimum 
of 10 proposals.

[[Page 55737]]

Period of Performance

    The FAA anticipates that the period of performance of each grant 
will be 12 to 18 months from the effective date of the grant award.

Funding Restrictions

     The FAA will not reimburse any pre-award costs or 
application preparation costs under the proposed award.
     The FAA will not reimburse for facility construction or 
research activities.
     The FAA may cap the use of the grant funds for Indirect 
and Administrative Costs to 5% of the total award.

Matching Requirements

    The FAA Aviation Workforce Development Grant Programs enabling 
legislation does not require matching contributions in this program.

Partnerships

    Individual entities, teams, and new providers are eligible to apply 
for a grant. The FAA encourages applicants to partner with others as 
appropriate to: Satisfy Congressional intent and meet the requirements 
of this selection criteria; reach and include students and educators in 
various geographic and economic areas; and to help the applicant 
provide additional opportunities, assistance, and resources to ensure 
success and sustainability.

Application Review Information

    FAA Subject Matter Experts will serve on teams to provide a 
Technical, and a Management and Fiscal Evaluation. The Technical 
Evaluation Team review applications and rank proposals based upon Merit 
Criteria similar to the examples below. The Management and Fiscal 
Reviewers will review financial aspects of the proposal including the 
budget and supporting narrative, plans to administer and oversee 
activities, assessment processes and tools. Incorrect, missing 
documents/items, or incomplete applications will be grounds for 
rejecting the application. Applications should address each criterion. 
Late submissions will not be considered.

Examples of Potential Merit Criteria

Criterion 1

    The extent to which the applicant can encourage, recruit and/or 
deliver pilot education and aviation training to a diverse high school 
population in public and private schools in rural, suburban, and urban 
areas. The applicant should demonstrate the following:
     Outreach and recruitment efforts to encourage careers in 
the aircraft pilot industry and a plan to target a diverse community of 
high school students.
     Plans to use a proposed curriculum and activities to 
support the professional development of teachers.
     Plans to provide related activities using multiple methods 
which may include virtual learning, in-class room, home schooling, etc.
     The role of individuals, entities or organizations 
participating in the proposed activities; provide letters of commitment 
by each participant.
     The extent to which the applicant is prepared to create, 
adapt or improve and deliver curriculum designed to generate and 
increase interest in aviation careers and provide students with 
meaningful educational experiences. Provide sample curriculum designs 
and activities students will undertake to gain a better understanding 
of and prepare to pursue careers as aircraft pilots, aerospace 
engineers, and/unmanned aircraft systems operators.
     Ability to provide education and training in Science, 
Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields and activities 
related to aircraft pilots, aerospace engineers, and unmanned aircraft 
systems operators.

Criterion 2

    Resources available to carry out this project for high school 
students. The applicant should demonstrate the following:
     Access to instructors in areas related to STEM, familiar 
with aircraft pilot training requirements.
     Ability to recruit educators and provide the professional 
development to those teaching the curriculum and conducting related 
activities.
     Plans to provide career preparation and related activities 
using multiple methods.
     Other resources.

Criterion 3

    Ability to design and disseminate program information pertinent to 
aviation workforce development that encourages participation from a 
diverse population of students from public and private high schools in 
rural, suburban, and urban areas and has a continuing education 
component for students and educators to ensure sustainability. The 
applicant should demonstrate the following:
     Continuing education and distance learning opportunities 
with a focus on pilot and aviation workforce development needs.
     Ability to conduct courses, seminars, workshops and other 
activities.
     Ability to disseminate information and educational 
materials. Provide examples of past results from such activities and 
programs.
     Facilities, equipment, and resources available to provide 
for program delivery, student and teacher recruitment, academic and 
career counseling, and information dissemination activities.

Criterion 4

    Ability to effectively administer the proposed activities. The FAA 
is interested in a disciplined administrative and strategic project 
plan. Include an approach to efficiently control administrative 
expenses while effectively allocating resources between projects 
designed to optimize aviation and STEM career awareness, prepare 
students to enter related fields, and deliver curriculum. The applicant 
should demonstrate the following:
     Provide a plan describing how the applicant will organize 
and manage the various tasks.
     Describe how the applicant will meet performance goals: 
Develop, adapt, or expand and conduct, evaluate, and manage the 
initiatives within the task(s).
     Indicate the entity prepared to serve as the lead for 
administrative purposes and describe the responsibilities to be 
undertaken, should a team propose.
     Provide a proposed budget to achieve program goals with a 
supporting narrative.
     Describe how the recipient plans to ensure that projects 
established under this program encourage participation from a diverse 
population of students from public and private high schools in rural, 
suburban, and urban areas.

Industry Consultation

    Prior to selecting among competing applications, the Secretary 
shall consult with representatives from aircraft repair stations, 
design and production approval holders, air carriers, labor 
organizations, business aviation, general aviation, educational 
institutions, and other relevant aviation sectors. Therefore, the FAA 
is assuming this responsibility by providing stakeholders and the 
public an opportunity to review this preliminary plan to establish the 
Aviation Workforce Development Grant Programs.

Financial Review

    The FAA will perform an assessment of risk posed by the applicant 
prior to issuing awards. The assessment includes evaluating previous 
Federal grant experiences, financial stability, and potential for 
conflicts of interest. The applicant will be asked to submit a

[[Page 55738]]

copy of its most recent Cognizant Auditing Agency Report and remedies 
to all findings. Any potential applicants with previous disbarments or 
suspensions will be disqualified.

Unique Identifier or System of Award

    The applicant is required to: (i) Be registered in www.SAM.Gov 
before submitting its application; (ii) provide a valid unique entity 
identifier in its application; and (iii) continue to maintain an active 
SAM registration with current information at all times during which it 
has an active Federal award or an application or plan under 
consideration by a Federal awarding agency.
    The Federal awarding agency may not make a Federal award to an 
applicant until the applicant has complied with all applicable unique 
identifier and SAM requirements. If an applicant has not fully complied 
with the requirements by the time of the Federal awarding agency is 
ready to make a Federal award, the Federal awarding agency may 
determine that the applicant is not sufficiently prepared or is not 
qualified to receive a Federal award.

Degree of Federal Involvement

    The FAA may conduct site visits of applicant institutions and 
facilities to observe curriculum delivery, and review relevant 
materials including books, records, activity plans, relevant documents, 
accounting procedures, processes, and related activities and resources. 
The FAA will require semi-annual progress reports and final reports.

Federal Assistance Program Law

    The FAA will adhere to all Guidelines for Federal Assistance 
Programs outlined in the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost 
Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards. To review the 2 
CFR 200, please visit: https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title02/2cfr200_main_02.tpl.

    Note:  This is not a request for proposals or offers.


    Issued in Washington, D.C., on September 2, 2020.
Patricia A. Watts,
Grants Officer, Aviation Workforce Development Grant Programs, NextGen 
Grants Management Branch (ANG-A19).
[FR Doc. 2020-19813 Filed 9-8-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P