Opportunity Information: Apply for FR TEC 16 002
The FY 2017 Positive Train Control Grant Funds opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number FR-TEC-16-002) is a discretionary grant program run by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). It was created on July 29, 2016, and applications were due by September 27, 2016. The central aim of the solicitation is to provide financial support for projects that advance the installation and implementation of Positive Train Control (PTC), the federally mandated safety technology intended to prevent certain types of train accidents by automatically controlling train movements under specific conditions.
Funding for this round totals $197.01 million, with an award ceiling equal to $197,010,000 as listed in the source data. The money is authorized by Section 3028 of the Fixing Americas Surface Transportation (FAST) Act (Public Law 114-94) and is explicitly described as being subject to the availability of appropriated funds, meaning awards depend on the federal budgeting and appropriation process. The program is associated with CFDA number 20.321 and falls under the Transportation funding activity category.
To be eligible under the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), proposed projects must support installation of PTC systems required by federal law under 49 U.S.C. 20157. In practical terms, this means the grants are meant for real, compliance-driven PTC work rather than unrelated rail improvements. While the short description does not list specific project components, the emphasis on helping install required PTC systems generally points to work such as onboard equipment, wayside and signal system integration, communications infrastructure, back-office systems, interoperability activities between railroads, testing, and commissioning steps that move a corridor toward a functioning, compliant PTC deployment.
Eligible applicants include state governments, county governments, city or township governments, and other entities. The description also highlights that entities receiving funds under 49 U.S.C. Chapter 53 are included, which typically refers to Federal Transit Administration public transportation funding recipients. This explicitly encompasses public transit agencies that operate commuter railroads, reflecting the fact that PTC requirements apply not only to freight railroads but also to many passenger and commuter rail operations. The opportunity is structured as a grant (Funding Instrument Type: Grant) and is discretionary, meaning funding decisions are competitive and based on the program rules and application evaluation rather than being guaranteed by formula.
Overall, this grant opportunity is best understood as a targeted federal investment to help rail and transit operators meet statutory PTC mandates. It channels FAST Act-authorized funds through the FRA to accelerate or complete PTC implementation on required lines, with eligibility focused on government entities and related organizations, including commuter rail transit agencies that fall under the Chapter 53 public transportation funding umbrella.Apply for FR TEC 16 002
- The DOT - Federal Railroad Administration in the transportation sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY 2017 Positive Train Control Grant Funds" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 20.321.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2016-07-29.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2016-09-27. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $197,010,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Others.
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FY 2017 Positive Train Control (PTC) Grant Funds (FR-TEC-16-002) - FAQs
What is the FY 2017 Positive Train Control Grant Funds opportunity?
The FY 2017 Positive Train Control (PTC) Grant Funds opportunity is a discretionary federal grant program administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). The Funding Opportunity Number is FR-TEC-16-002.
What is the main purpose of this grant program?
The central purpose is to provide financial support for projects that advance the installation and implementation of Positive Train Control (PTC), the federally mandated safety technology designed to prevent certain types of train accidents by automatically controlling train movements under specific conditions.
What is Positive Train Control (PTC) in the context of this grant?
In this solicitation, PTC refers to a federally mandated rail safety technology intended to help prevent certain types of train accidents through automatic control of train movements in specific situations. The grant is aimed at helping move required PTC deployments toward full, compliant operation.
Which federal agency runs this funding opportunity?
The program is run by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), Federal Railroad Administration (FRA).
Is this a competitive grant or a formula allocation?
This is a discretionary grant program. Discretionary means awards are competitive and based on the program rules and application evaluation, rather than being guaranteed by a formula.
What is the total funding amount available for this round?
The total funding for this round is $197.01 million.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling) listed for this opportunity?
The award ceiling listed in the source data is $197,010,000.
What authorizing law supports these grant funds?
The funding is authorized by Section 3028 of the Fixing Americas Surface Transportation (FAST) Act (Public Law 114-94).
Are these grant awards guaranteed once an application is submitted?
No. The funding is described as being subject to the availability of appropriated funds. That means awards depend on the federal budgeting and appropriation process, and funding decisions are not guaranteed.
What is the CFDA number associated with this program?
The program is associated with CFDA number 20.321.
What funding activity category does this opportunity fall under?
The funding activity category is Transportation.
When was this funding opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on July 29, 2016.
When were applications due?
Applications were due by September 27, 2016.
What types of projects are eligible under the NOFO?
Proposed projects must support the installation of PTC systems required by federal law under 49 U.S.C. 20157. The intent is to fund compliance-driven PTC work rather than unrelated rail improvements.
Does the program restrict funding to PTC-related work only?
Yes. Based on the stated eligibility requirement, projects must support installation of federally required PTC systems under 49 U.S.C. 20157, indicating the funds are meant for PTC implementation activities tied to compliance.
What kinds of PTC implementation activities does the opportunity generally support?
While the short description does not provide a definitive list of components, the focus on installation and implementation of required PTC systems generally points to work such as onboard equipment, wayside and signal system integration, communications infrastructure, back-office systems, interoperability activities between railroads, testing, and commissioning steps that move a corridor toward a functioning, compliant PTC deployment.
Who can apply for this grant?
Eligible applicants include state governments, county governments, city or township governments, and other entities. The description also highlights that entities receiving funds under 49 U.S.C. Chapter 53 are included.
What does it mean that entities receiving funds under 49 U.S.C. Chapter 53 are included?
The description notes that entities receiving funds under 49 U.S.C. Chapter 53 are included, which typically refers to Federal Transit Administration public transportation funding recipients. This explicitly encompasses public transit agencies that operate commuter railroads.
Does this opportunity apply only to freight railroads?
No. The description emphasizes that the eligible pool includes commuter rail transit agencies (through the Chapter 53 reference), reflecting that PTC requirements apply not only to freight railroads but also to many passenger and commuter rail operations.
What is the funding instrument type for this opportunity?
The funding instrument type is Grant.
What is the overall goal of the federal investment described in this opportunity?
The opportunity is described as a targeted federal investment to help rail and transit operators meet statutory PTC mandates by channeling FAST Act-authorized funds through the FRA to accelerate or complete PTC implementation on required lines.
Which statutory requirement governs the PTC systems referenced in the eligibility criteria?
The eligibility language references PTC systems required by federal law under 49 U.S.C. 20157.
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