[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 92 (Thursday, May 13, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27112-27114]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-11510]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration
Solicitation of Applications and Notice of Funding Availability
for the FRA Railroad System Issues Research and Development Program
AGENCY: Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of funding availability; solicitation for applications.
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SUMMARY: Under this Notice, the FRA is soliciting applications from
interested and responsible parties for two grants: (1) To conduct a
Locomotive Biofuel Study, and (2) to conduct a Study of the Use of Bio-
based Technologies (Lubricants) that can be used in locomotives,
rolling stock and other rail equipment.
DATES: FRA will accept applications for these grant opportunities until
June 7, 2010.
ADDRESSES: Applications must be submitted electronically to http://www.grants.gov (``Grants.gov''). Grants.gov allows organizations
electronically to find and apply for competitive grant opportunities
from all Federal grant-making agencies. Any entity wishing to submit an
application pursuant to this notice should immediately initiate the
process of registering with Grants.gov at http://www.grants.gov. For
application materials that an applicant is unable to submit via
Grants.gov, applicants may submit an original and two (2) copies to the
Federal Railroad Administration at the following address: Federal
Railroad Administration, Attention: Melissa Shurland, Office of
Research and Development, Mail Stop 20, Room W36-429, 1200 New Jersey
Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590. Due to delays caused by enhanced
screening of mail delivered via the U.S. Postal Service, applicants are
encouraged to use other means to assure timely receipt of materials.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Melissa Shurland, Office of Research
and Development, Federal Railroad Administration, 1200 New Jersey
Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590; Phone: (202) 493-1316 or Jennifer
Capps, Grants Officer, Office of Acquisition and Grants Services (RAD-
50), Federal Railroad Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE.,
Washington, DC 20590; Phone: (202) 493-0112.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title IV, Section 404 of the Passenger Rail
Investment and Improvement Act, 2008 (Division B of Pub. L. 110-432)
authorized the FRA, in consultation with the Secretary of Energy and
Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, to conduct a
``Locomotive Biofuel Study.'' This study will focus on determining the
extent to which freight railroads, Amtrak, and other passenger rail
operators could use biofuel blends to power locomotives and other
vehicles that can operate on diesel fuel, as appropriate. Additionally,
Section 405 of the Passenger Rail
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Investment and Improvement Act, 2008 (Division B of Pub. L.110-432)
authorized the FRA to conduct a ``Study of the Use of Bio-based
Technologies.'' The study will focus on the feasibility of using
readily biodegradable lubricants for freight and passenger railroad
locomotives, rolling stock, or other equipment. The two grants,
``Locomotive Biofuel Study'' and the ``Study of the Use of Bio-based
Technologies,'' together, will be supported with a total of up to
$700,000 of Federal funds provided to FRA as part of the
Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies
Appropriations Act, 2010 (Division A of Pub. L. 111-117 (December 16,
2009)). Eligible projects will include dynamic testing of locomotives,
rolling stock and other rail equipment, with various biofuel blends as
fuel; or bio-based lubricants being utilized in the appropriate
equipment components to verify the effectiveness of the fuel or
lubricant, in comparison to their equivalent petroleum-based products.
FRA anticipates that no further public notice will be made with respect
to selecting grantees under this program.
Purpose: The volatility of the price of petroleum-based products in
recent years and the negative impact of their use on the environment
has caused end-users to consider alternatives to these products.
Currently in the railroad industry petroleum-based fuel and lubricants
are used in various components of rail equipment and rolling stock,
such as locomotive engines, equipment gear cases and housings. Fuel and
lubricants that are bio-based come from a renewable source, may be
environmentally benign, and can help reduce the railroad industry's
dependence on imported oil. The FRA wishes to conduct the two studies
on the feasibility of using various biofuel blends and bio-based
lubricants in railroad equipment.
One study will test the feasibility of using biofuel blends as
locomotive engine fuel. For the biofuel study, FRA wishes to consider
(1) the energy intensity of various biofuel blends compared to diesel
fuel; (2) environmental and energy effects of using various biofuel
blends compared to diesel fuel, including emission effects; (3) the
cost of purchasing biofuel blends; (4) whether sufficient biofuel is
readily available; (5) any public benefits derived from the use of such
fuels; and (6) the effect of biofuel use on locomotive and other
vehicle performance and warranty specifications. Locomotive engine
performance and emissions shall be determined through locomotive
testing, using various biofuel blends and diesel fuel. This research
shall be done so that recommendations can be made for premium
locomotive biofuel blends.
The second study will focus on testing the feasibility of using
bio-based lubricants in locomotive, rolling stock and other equipment.
This study shall consist of the following: (1) An analysis of the
potential use of soy-based grease and soy-based hydraulic fluids to
perform according to railroad industry standards; (2) an analysis of
the potential use of other readily biodegradable lubricants to perform
according to railroad industry standards; (3) a comparison of the
health and safety of petroleum-based lubricants with bio-based
lubricants, which shall include an analysis of fire safety; (4) a
comparison of the environmental impact of petroleum-based lubricants
with bio-based lubricants, which shall include the rate and effects of
biodegradability; (5) a comparison of the performance of the bio-based
lubricant in comparison to petroleum-based lubricants; and (6) a study
of the effects of the bio-based lubricants on railroad equipment
components in comparison to petroleum-based lubricants.
Authority: The authority for the research can be found in the
Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act, 2008, (Division B of
Pub. L. 110-432, (October 16, 2008)).
Funding: Pursuant to the Transportation, Housing and Urban
Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010, (Division A
of Pub. L. 111-117 (December 16, 2009)) $3,000,000 is available for the
railroad system issues research and development program, and the Act
authorizes FRA to engage in research, development and demonstration
activities relating to railroad system safety, performance-based
regulations, railroad systems and infrastructure security, railroad
environmental issues, and locomotive research and development. Up to
$700,000 of the railroad system issues research and development program
funds will be used to support the studies of the feasibility of using
biofuel blends and bio-based lubricants in locomotives, rolling stock
or other equipment. The funding provided under this grant will be made
available to grantees on a reimbursement basis. It is anticipated that
the available funding could support the projects proposed by multiple
applicants. FRA may choose to award a grant or grants within the
available funds in any amount. Funding made available through a grant
provided under this program, together with funding from other sources
that is committed by a grantee as part of a grant agreement, must be
sufficient to complete the funded project.
Schedule for Locomotive Biofuel Study and the Study of the Use of
Bio-based Technologies: FRA will begin accepting grant applications
immediately. Applicants must specify the specific grant for which they
are applying, i.e. ``Locomotive Biofuel Study,'' or the ``Study of the
Use of Bio-based Technologies.'' Applications must be submitted by
Monday, June 7, 2010. Due to the limited funding available under this
program: (1) Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications at
the earliest date practicable in order to maximize the consideration of
their application in the competition; and (2) FRA may request that an
applicant submit a revised application reflecting a refined scope of
work and budget. FRA anticipates making the first award(s) pursuant to
this notice during FY 2010.
Eligible Participants: For the locomotive biofuel study, any
responsible entity with knowledge of biofuel blends and their
applicable use as fuel for locomotives, and the ability to determine
and/or analyze the energy content, specification and chemical
properties of biofuel, is eligible to apply. Eligible participants must
show their ability to conduct dynamic tests of locomotive to acquire
fuel consumption, engine wear, and emissions, of various biofuel
blends.
Section 405 provides that FRA work with an agricultural-based
lubricant testing facility or facilities to complete the study of the
use of bio-based lubricants. Eligible participants for the bio-based
lubricant study must be knowledgeable and experienced in research,
development and testing of bio-based lubricants, knowledge of
petroleum-based lubricant use in railroad, and the ability to conduct
accurate analyses of biodegradability, and the health and safety
impact, including fire safety of lubricants. Additionally, the
applicant must show ability to a conduct dynamic test of the bio-based
lubricants in railroad equipment.
Dynamic testing of the biofuel blends and bio-based lubricants can
be accomplished in collaboration with a third party, but any such third
party must be identified in the grant application proposed statement of
work.
Eligible Projects: Eligible projects must be for the primary
benefit of determining the feasibility of utilizing biofuel blends or
bio-based lubricants in locomotive, rolling stock and other rail
equipment. Only new projects will be eligible; projects that have
either
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commenced before the time of award or have been completed will not be
considered. Matching funding must be in the form of new financial
commitments toward the proposed project by the applicant and/or its
partners.
Selection Criteria: The following will be considered to be positive
selection factors in evaluating applications for grants under this
program: (1) The ability of the proposed project to result directly in
evaluating the effectiveness of biofuel blends and bio-based lubricant
as an alternative to petroleum-based fuels and lubricants, including,
but not limited to, testing and analyses of the biofuel blends or bio-
based lubricants to perform in accordance with railroad industry
standards; (2) comparison of biofuel blends or bio-based lubricant with
petroleum-based lubricants in relation to their environmental, health
and safety impact, and the effects of the biofuel blends or bio-based
lubricants on the equipment parts and components; (3) the ability to
conduct dynamic testing of the biofuel blends or bio-based lubricant in
railroad equipment in controlled environment and/or revenue service
conditions; and (4) the ability to provide matching funds or in-kind
contributions, which can be provided by a third party; however, the
grantee is responsible for ensuring their availability.
Requirements for Grant Applications: The following points describe
the minimum content which will be required in grant applications. These
requirements may be satisfied through a narrative statement submitted
by the applicant, supported by spreadsheet documents, tables, drawings,
and other materials, as appropriate. Each grant application will: (1)
Designate a point of contact for the applicant, including phone number,
mailing address and e-mail address. (2) Include a complete Standard
Form 424, ``Application for Federal Assistance,'' and, as applicable,
Standard Form 424B, ``Assurances--Non-Construction Programs.'' Also
include signed copies of FRA's Additional Assurances and
Certifications, available at http://www.fra.dot.gov/downloads/admin/assurancesandcertifications.pdf. (3) Identify and provide background
information on the bio-based lubricant technology, its application(s),
and benefits. (4) Define the scope of work for the proposed project and
the anticipated project schedule. Describe the proposed project's
physical location (as applicable). (5) Present a detailed budget for
the proposed project. At a minimum, the budget should separate total
cost of the project into the following categories: (a) Direct Costs
(such as labor, materials, equipment and/or procurement fees,
engineering fees, testing facilities fees, actual testing fees, and
inspection fees); (b) Other Direct Costs (such as travel); and (c)
General and Administrative Costs.
Format: Excluding spreadsheets, drawings, and tables, the narrative
statement for grant applications may not exceed fifty pages. All
application materials should be submitted as attachments through
Grants.Gov. Spreadsheets consisting of budget or financial information
should be submitted via Grants.Gov as Microsoft Excel (or compatible)
documents.
Issued in Washington, DC, on May 7, 2010.
Paul Nissenbaum,
Acting Associate Administrator, Railroad Policy and Development,
Federal Railroad Administration.
[FR Doc. 2010-11510 Filed 5-12-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P