[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 85 (Tuesday, May 4, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23841-23843]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-10320]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
Commercial Space Transportation Grant Program
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of request for grant proposals for the Commercial Space
Transportation Grant Program.
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SUMMARY: The FAA's Office of Commercial Space Transportation (AST)
requests grant proposals pursuant to its newly funded Commercial Space
Transportation Grant Program. This program has an initial appropriation
of $500,000 to be used for space transportation infrastructure
projects. The FAA desires to award the appropriated funds before the
end of fiscal year 2010. The FAA will review and evaluate all
applications for a grant under 49 U.S.C. chapter 703 (Chapter 703). The
FAA may make one or more grant awards based upon its evaluations of the
grant proposals. All grants awarded under this program are
discretionary awards.
DATES: Commercial Space Transportation Grant applications are due on or
before July 6, 2010.
ADDRESSES: You can get more information about the Commercial Space
Transportation Grant Program by:
1. Accessing the Office of Commercial Space Transportation Web site
at http://www.faa.gov/go/ast; and
2. Contacting Glenn Rizner or Michael McElligott, AST-100, or, for
legal questions, Laura Montgomery, AGC-200, 800 Independence Avenue,
SW., Washington, DC 20591;
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Phone Email FAX
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Glenn Rizner........................... 202-267-3194 [email protected]......... 202-267-5463
Michael McElligott..................... 202-267-7859 [email protected]..... 202-267-5463
Laura Montgomery....................... 202-267-3150 [email protected]....... 202-267-7971
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SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
One of the main purposes of the Commercial Space Transportation
Grant Program is to ensure the resiliency of the space transportation
infrastructure in the United States. To help further the United States'
goals, Congress established a Space Transportation Infrastructure Grant
program under 49 U.S.C. Subtitle IX--Commercial Space Transportation--
Chapter 703--Space Transportation Infrastructure Matching Grants,
Section 70305, Authorization of appropriations. Public Law (Pub. L.)
103-272, Sec. 1(e), 108 Stat. 1345 (July 5, 1994). This legislation
authorizes the use of Federal monies in conjunction with matching
state, local government, and private funds.
Although the Congressional authorization has been in effect for
some
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time, FY 2010 is the first year Federal funds have been appropriated.
The Consolidated Appropriations Act for 2010 (Pub. L. 111-117)
appropriated $500,000.00 for the FAA's Commercial Space Transportation
Grant program. The FAA's Office of Commercial Space Transportation is
responsible for overseeing the program. Although the FAA will be
developing more detailed guidance to administer this program, the FAA
intends to disburse these funds on or before August 31, 2010.
Accordingly, applicants must submit their grant proposals by July 6,
2010, which will fall before more detailed guidance becomes available.
The Commercial Space Transportation Grant Program
The Commercial Space Transportation Grant Program is intended to
``ensure the resiliency of the space transportation infrastructure of
the United States * * * '' 49 U.S.C. 70302. Development projects
eligible for funding include technical and environmental studies;
construction, improvement, and design and engineering of space
transportation infrastructure, including facilities and associated
equipment; and real property to meet the needs of the United States
commercial space transportation industry.
Who May Apply for a Commercial Space Transportation Grant
The FAA may make project grants to sponsors. 49 U.S.C. 70303(a).
Chapter 703 defines a sponsor as a public agency that submits an
application for a project grant. 49 U.S.C. 70301(6). A public agency is
a State or an agency of a State, a political subdivision of a State, or
a tax-supported organization. 49 U.S.C. 70301(5).
How To Apply for a Commercial Space Transportation Grant
Applicants for grants under the Commercial Space Transportation
Grant Program must submit grant proposals to the FAA AST. A complete
SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance (OMB Number 4040-0004) is a
component of all grant proposals. SF-424 forms are available on the
Grants.gov Web site: http://www.grants.gov/agencies/aforms_repository_ information.jsp. In addition, a grant applicant should use
SF-424A for non-construction proposals or SF-424C for construction
proposals. These forms request specific applicant information, proposed
project information, and an estimate of project funding and duration.
The grant proposal should detail how the proposed project meets the
requirements of Chapter 703. In addition, the forms request detailed
and thorough project budget information. The Commercial Space
Transportation Grant Program will not fund more than 50% of the total
project cost, and project financing must include a private component of
at least 10% of the total project cost. 49 U.S.C. 70302.
Given that the FAA may award multiple grants, the grant proposals
may include multiple or alternative funding proposals for financing the
proposed project. Applicants may submit multiple grant proposals.
The grant proposal should also indicate how applicable
environmental requirements were or will be satisfied. See Guidelines
for Compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act and Related
Environmental Review Statutes for the Licensing of Commercial Launches
and Launch Sites; http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ast/environmental/review.
Applicants must submit an original plus three copies of the
completed grant proposal to: Federal Aviation Administration, Office of
Commercial Space Transportation, Space Systems Development Division
(AST-100), 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Suite 331, Washington, DC
20591.
Grant proposals are due on or before July 6, 2010. Given the time
constraints on the FAA to award its grants, there will be no allowance
for extensions of time.
Grant Application Review
The FAA will review grant proposals using the criteria of Chapter
703 and will consider the following factors in its evaluation:
1. The contribution of the project to industry capabilities that
serve the United States Government's space transportation needs;
2. The extent of industry's financial contribution to the project;
3. The extent of industry's participation in the project;
4. The positive impact of the project on the international
competitiveness of the United States space transportation industry;
5. The extent of State contributions to the project; and
6. The impact of the project on launch operations and other
activities at Government launch ranges.
49 U.S.C. 70303(b). All grant awards made under this program are
discretionary. The FAA may approve an application only if satisfied
that--
1. The project will contribute to ensuring the resiliency of the
space transportation infrastructure of the United States;
2. The project is reasonably consistent with plans of public
agencies that are authorized by the State in which the project is
located and responsible for development of the surrounding area;
3. The consent of the head of the appropriate agency for the use of
any government property has been obtained;
4. The project will be completed without unreasonable delay;
5. The sponsor has the legal authority to engage in the project.
49 U.S.C. 70303(c). Additionally, the FAA may make a project grant only
if at least 10 percent of the total cost of the project will be paid by
the private sector and the grant will not be for more than 50 percent
of the total cost of the project. 49 U.S.C. 70302(b). Applicants should
submit the information necessary for the FAA to make these
determinations as part of their applications.
Environmental Requirements
Approval of grant funding is a federal action subject to review
under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 42 U.S.C. 4321 et
seq., as implemented by the regulations of the Council on Environmental
Quality at 40 CFR part 1500 and FAA Order 1050.1E, and other Federal
environmental laws. Because of this, the FAA anticipates that it may be
most cost-effective for applicants who have already undergone a NEPA
review to apply for a grant this fiscal year. For example, a launch
site that has already received a license to operate will have conducted
a NEPA review. The launch site operator could seek a grant for projects
that the FAA approved as part of that license.
Under 49 U.S.C. 70304, infrastructure development projects selected
for a Commercial Space Transportation Grant must meet three additional
environmental requirements. First, such projects must provide for the
protection and enhancement of the natural resources and the quality of
the environment of the United States. Specifically, if a project will
have a significant adverse environmental impact, the FAA shall approve
the grant application only after finding that no feasible and prudent
alternative to the project exists and that all reasonable steps have
been taken to minimize the adverse effect. Second, the project sponsor
must certify that an opportunity for a public hearing has been provided
to consider potential environmental impacts of the project and its
consistency with the goals of any planning carried out by the
community. Third, the Governor of the State in
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which the project is located, or his or her designee, must certify that
there is reasonable assurance the project will be located, designed,
constructed, and operated to comply with applicable air and water
quality standards.
Planning projects such as technical and environmental studies
normally qualify for categorical exclusion under NEPA and would not
trigger the requirements under 49 U.S.C. 70304 and as set forth above.
If, absent consideration of section 70304, the project normally
qualifies for a categorical exclusion from environmental review, the
grant proposal should reference the relevant paragraph in FAA Order
1050.1E, Policies and Procedures for Considering Environmental Impacts,
and address whether extraordinary circumstances exist that warrant
preparation of an environmental assessment.
For more details about the environmental review for commercial
space transportation activities see Guidelines for Compliance with the
National Environmental Policy Act and Related Environmental Review
Statutes for the Licensing of Commercial Launches and Launch Sites.
http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ast/environmental/review.
Grant Award
The FAA Office of Commercial Space Transportation intends to award
Commercial Space Transportation Grants on or before August 31, 2010. An
FAA grant offer letter may contain requirements for assurances to
ensure the grants are consistent with Chapter 703. These grant
assurances are currently in development and not finalized at the date
of this publication. The FAA anticipates that the Commercial Space
Transportation Grant Assurances will be similar in nature and purpose
to those required under the Airport Improvement Program.
Issued in Washington, DC, on April 28, 2010.
George C. Nield,
Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation.
[FR Doc. 2010-10320 Filed 5-3-10; 8:45 am]
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