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| 20.313 RAILROAD RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT |
| FEDERAL AGENCY |
| FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION |
| AUTHORIZATION |
| Public Law 103-44, Section 216. |
| OBJECTIVES |
| To foster long-range enhancement of the Federal Railroad Administration's program of research in support of rail safety by developing cooperative research relationships between the Administration and university organizations. |
| TYPES OF ASSISTANCE |
| Project Grants (Cooperative Agreements). |
| USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS |
| Projects must show a relationship towards advancing railroad safety. Applicants must demonstrate 5 years of railroad research activity. |
| Applicant Eligibility |
| Applicants must be major academic research institutions with backgrounds in the rail transportation arena. A minimum of 5 years of railroad or railroad related research experience is required. |
| Beneficiary Eligibility |
| No restrictions. |
| Credentials/Documentation |
| As specified in program solicitations and Federal Register Notices. |
| Preapplication Coordination |
| The FRA will announce specific pre- application coordination activities for each project area in the Federal Register. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372. |
| Application Procedure |
| As specified periodically in the Federal Register, eligible applicants must submit a Program Application that consists of a University Profile and Proposed Research Projects. The applications are subject to the requirements of OMB Circular A-110. Applications may be obtained from the Office of Research and Development, Mail Stop 20, 1120 Vermont Avenue N.W., Washington, DC 20590. Telephone: (202) 493-6384. Fax: 202-493-1313. Email: Judy.Pharris@FRA.DOT.gov. |
| Award Procedure |
| As specified in Federal Register notices, applicants must first demonstrate satisfactory background and experience to the Office of Research and Development, Federal Railroad Administration. Second, proposed research projects are reviewed to determine those which most closely match the Administration's research objectives. Those applicants with one or more projects satisfying the second step criteria will be rank ordered based on qualifications and probability of success. From this rank ordering, the Administration established a group of selected universities as pre-qualified to perform solicited or approved research projects. Applicants within this group will be invited to enter into cooperative agreements. |
| Deadlines |
| As specified in Federal Register notices. |
| Range of Approval/Disapproval Time |
| Four to 16 weeks after application. |
| Appeals |
| To Administrator, Federal Railroad Administration. |
| Renewals |
| Grants contemplated in this program are predominantly project-oriented rather than on-going efforts and are therefore non-renewable. |
| Formula and Matching Requirements |
| There are no formula or matching requirements. |
| Length and Time Phasing of Assistance |
| Not applicable. |
| Reports |
| A final report detailing the work conducted and the progress accomplished will be required. Presentations at an annual workshop are expected. |
| Audits |
| In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations, nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in OMB Circular No. A-133. |
| Records |
| In accordance with requirements of the specific project agreement. |
| Account Identification |
| 69-0745-0-1-401. |
| Obligations |
| (Grants) FY 07 $1,097,262; FY 08 est $1,000,000; and FY 09 est. not available. |
| Range and Average of Financial Assistance |
| $50,000 to $250,000. Average: $100,000. |
| PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS |
| New program, not applicable. |
| REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE |
| Not applicable. |
| Regional or Local Office |
| Not applicable. |
| Headquarters Office |
| Dr. Magdy El-Sibaie, Office of Research and Development, Federal Railroad Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E., Washington DC 20590. |
| Web Site Address |
| http://www.fra.dot.gov |
| RELATED PROGRAMS |
| None. |
| EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS |
| New program, not applicable. |
| CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS |
| In descending order of relative importance: (1) Overall scientific and/technical merit; (2) Degree to which it may improve upon or advance railroad safety; (3) Likelihood for its near term adoption and implementation of possible recommendations; (4) Degree to which the proposed project fits into the Administration's overall research objectives: (5) Reasonableness and realism of the proposed cost, and the availability of funds (to include due consideration for proposed cost-sharing by the applicant). |
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General Services Administration Office of Chief Acquisition Officer Regulatory and Federal Assistance Division (VIR) |
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