[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 215 (Wednesday, November 5, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Page 65870]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-26406]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Transportation Security Administration


Notice of Availability of Surface Transportation Grant Programs

AGENCY: Transportation Security Administration, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: DHS is announcing that on or about November 5, it will issue 
guidance and accept applications for surface transportation security 
improvement grants for fiscal year (FY) 2009. Eligibility for the FY 
2009 grants, as provided in the new guidance, may have changed from 
previous years. Applications for these grants must be submitted 
pursuant to the procedures outlined in the guidance to be made 
available on or about November 5, 2008.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 
e-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Extended Programs

    On or about November 5, 2008, DHS will announce extensions of, and 
possible changes to, four existing surface transportation grant 
programs that are cooperatively managed by the Transportation Security 
Administration and the Federal Emergency Management Agency: Transit 
(Transit Security Grant Program or TSGP), Freight Rail (Freight Rail 
Security Grant Program or FRSGP), Intercity Bus (Intercity Bus Security 
Grant Program, or IBSGP) and Trucking (Trucking Security Program or 
TSP). By this notice, DHS is encouraging appropriate entities in these 
transportation sectors to review the forthcoming guidance and, as 
appropriate, apply for grants under the programs if they are eligible 
applicants under the requirements outlined in the forthcoming guidance. 
At the same time that DHS announces grant guidance, DHS will announce 
extensions of the existing TSGP, FRSGP, and TSP. The Transit Security 
Grant Program (TSGP) funds are currently directed to high-risk transit 
systems for planning, training, public awareness, operational 
activities, protection for multi-user and single-user high-density 
stations, and other hardening activities or systems.
    The Freight Rail Security Grant Program (FRSGP) is a component of 
the TSGP. The FRSGP was created by the ``Implementing Recommendations 
of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007'' (9/11 Commission Act).\1\ Section 
1513 of the 9/11 Commission Act directs DHS to make funds for security 
improvement grants available to certain entities involved in or with 
the freight railroad industry and specifies the uses to which the funds 
may be applied. Currently, FRSGP funds are used for security plans, 
vulnerability assessments, and training for Class I, II, and III 
railroads.
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    \1\ Public Law 110-53; 121 Stat. 266; August 3, 2007.
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    Currently, Trucking Security Program (TSP) funds are used to 
service an anti-terrorism and security awareness program for 
professionals and operating entities within the highway sector to 
include: (1) Participant identification and recruitment; (2) training; 
(3) communications; (4) information analysis and distribution; and (5) 
planning.

General Information

    In grant guidance to be released on or about November 5, 2008, DHS 
will identify the categories of transit, freight rail, trucking, and 
intercity bus entities that are eligible for funding under the programs 
and the uses to which funding may be applied. With respect to the TSGP, 
FRSGP and TSP, eligibility will not necessarily be limited to entities 
that have been eligible for funding under previous DHS grant programs. 
To apply for grant funding under any of these grant programs, each 
eligible applicant must first register as a grant applicant with the 
Federal government at http://www.grants.gov. Several additional steps 
are required to complete this registration, including registering with 
the Central Contractor Registration (http://www.ccr.gov) and obtaining 
a Dun & Bradstreet (DUNS) number. Please visit http://www.grants.gov 
for more detailed information about this registration process. Please 
be advised that the entire process can take several weeks. DHS will 
post additional information about registration when we issue the grant 
guidance on or about November 5, 2008. After that date, you may obtain 
an electronic copy of the grant guidance at http://www.tsa.gov/grants.

    Issued in Arlington, Virginia, on October 31, 2008.
John Sammon,
Assistant Administrator, Transportation Sector Network Management.
[FR Doc. E8-26406 Filed 11-4-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-05-P