Opportunity Information: Apply for 6048
Apply for 6048
- The DOT/Federal Railroad Administration in the transportation sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Capital Assistance to States Intercity Passenger Rail Service" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 20.317 Capital Assistance to States Intercity Passenger Rail Service.
- This funding opportunity was created on Oct 20, 2008 and posted on Feb 19, 2008.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 30, 2008. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $30,000,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $30,000,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: State governments.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Capital Assistance to States - Intercity Passenger Rail Service grant (Funding Opportunity Number 6048, CFDA 20.317) is a discretionary federal grant program run by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to help states advance improved or new intercity passenger rail service. The program is aimed specifically at State departments of transportation that are ready to move projects forward and need federal participation to cover a share of the costs tied to rail corridor development, service expansion, or service improvement.
Funding for this opportunity totals $30,000,000 in federal dollars, made available to the FRA through the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008 (Division K of Public Law 110-161, enacted December 26, 2007). FRA indicated it expected to make awards to multiple eligible applicants rather than selecting only a single project. While the award ceiling is listed as $30,000,000, the agency's expectation of multiple awards suggests funds would likely be distributed across several state-led efforts depending on application quality, readiness, and alignment with program goals.
A key requirement is cost sharing: federal funds awarded under this program may cover no more than 50 percent of the total project cost. That means applicants must provide the remaining share from non-federal sources or other eligible funding sources, effectively requiring states to demonstrate both financial commitment and a realistic funding plan to complete the full scope of work. This match requirement applies to projects selected for funding and is central to how FRA intended to leverage limited federal dollars into larger overall investments.
Eligible work falls into two broad categories. First, the program supports capital improvements needed for intercity passenger rail service, including fixed facilities and rolling stock. In practical terms, fixed facilities can include items like track-related improvements, stations, signals, maintenance facilities, or other infrastructure elements that directly enable passenger service to operate more reliably, safely, or frequently. Rolling stock refers to rail vehicles and related equipment used in service, which can be essential when a corridor is adding service or replacing outdated equipment. Second, the program supports planning activities, but with a clear limitation: planning must lead directly to the development of a passenger rail corridor investment plan. This framing emphasizes plans that are implementation-oriented and tied to a defined corridor strategy, rather than open-ended studies.
The application timeline described in the notice reflects a defined intake period with the possibility of closing early if funds were fully committed. FRA planned to begin accepting applications on March 18, 2008. Applications could be submitted until the earlier of September 30, 2009, or the date when all available funding had been committed, with that earlier cutoff to be announced in the Federal Register if it occurred. The opportunity record also lists a "current closing date" of June 30, 2008, which suggests an updated deadline in the posting history, but the governing concept remains that awards could stop once the $30,000,000 was fully obligated.
Only state governments are listed as eligible applicants, and the program narrative specifically encourages interested State departments of transportation to apply. The activity category is transportation, and the funding instrument is a grant. FRA also noted that it did not anticipate issuing further public notice about selecting grantees under this program, implying that applicants needed to rely on the published announcement and submission instructions rather than expecting additional rounds of guidance or a later competitive update.
For applicants needing help accessing the full announcement or clarifying submission issues, the listed point of contact is Peter Schwartz in the FRA Office of Railroad Development (RDV-11), reachable by phone at (202) 493-6360.
Capital Assistance to States - Intercity Passenger Rail Service (FRA) FAQs
What is the Capital Assistance to States - Intercity Passenger Rail Service grant?
It is a discretionary federal grant program administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to help states advance improved or new intercity passenger rail service. It is intended to support projects that are ready to move forward and need federal participation to cover part of the costs for corridor development, service expansion, or service improvement.
What are the program identifiers (Funding Opportunity Number and CFDA)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is 6048, and the CFDA number is 20.317.
Which federal agency runs this program?
The program is run by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Railroad Administration (FRA).
Who is eligible to apply?
Only state governments are listed as eligible applicants. The program narrative specifically encourages State departments of transportation to apply.
Is this a formula program or a discretionary grant?
This is a discretionary federal grant program.
What is the funding instrument?
The funding instrument is a grant.
What is the activity category for this opportunity?
The activity category is transportation.
How much total federal funding is available under this opportunity?
Total funding for this opportunity is $30,000,000 in federal dollars made available to FRA through the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008 (Division K of Public Law 110-161, enacted December 26, 2007).
Will FRA make one award or multiple awards?
FRA indicated it expected to make awards to multiple eligible applicants rather than selecting only a single project. The listed award ceiling is $30,000,000, but FRA's expectation of multiple awards suggests funding would likely be distributed across several state-led efforts depending on application quality, readiness, and alignment with program goals.
What is the maximum federal share (cost share requirement)?
Federal funds awarded under this program may cover no more than 50 percent of the total project cost.
Does the program require a match, and where must the match come from?
Yes. Because the federal share may not exceed 50 percent of the total project cost, applicants must provide the remaining share from non-federal sources or other eligible funding sources. This requirement is central to how FRA intended to leverage limited federal dollars into larger overall investments.
What types of projects or activities are eligible?
Eligible work falls into two broad categories: (1) capital improvements needed for intercity passenger rail service, including fixed facilities and rolling stock; and (2) planning activities, with the limitation that planning must lead directly to the development of a passenger rail corridor investment plan.
What are "fixed facilities" in the context of eligible capital improvements?
Fixed facilities can include track-related improvements, stations, signals, maintenance facilities, or other infrastructure elements that directly enable passenger service to operate more reliably, safely, or frequently.
Is rolling stock eligible for funding?
Yes. The program supports capital improvements including rolling stock, which refers to rail vehicles and related equipment used in service. Rolling stock can be important for corridors that are adding service or replacing outdated equipment.
Are planning studies eligible, or is the program only for construction and equipment?
Planning activities are eligible, but only if the planning leads directly to the development of a passenger rail corridor investment plan. The program framing emphasizes implementation-oriented planning tied to a defined corridor strategy rather than open-ended studies.
When did FRA plan to begin accepting applications?
FRA planned to begin accepting applications on March 18, 2008.
What was the application deadline?
Applications could be submitted until the earlier of September 30, 2009, or the date when all available funding had been committed. The notice indicates that if funds were fully committed before September 30, 2009, the earlier cutoff would be announced in the Federal Register. The opportunity record also lists a "current closing date" of June 30, 2008, suggesting an updated deadline in the posting history.
Could the opportunity close before the published end date?
Yes. The intake period could close early if all available funding was committed. If that occurred, FRA would announce the earlier cutoff in the Federal Register.
What does the $30,000,000 award ceiling mean if multiple awards are expected?
The award ceiling is listed as $30,000,000, but FRA stated it expected multiple awards. This suggests that, in practice, the total available funding would likely be divided among several state-led projects, with award amounts depending on application quality, readiness, and alignment with program goals.
Does FRA plan to issue additional public notice about selecting grantees?
FRA noted that it did not anticipate issuing further public notice about selecting grantees under this program. Applicants were expected to rely on the published announcement and submission instructions rather than expecting additional rounds of guidance or later competitive updates.
Who can applicants contact with questions about the full announcement or submission issues?
The listed point of contact is Peter Schwartz in the FRA Office of Railroad Development (RDV-11). He can be reached by phone at (202) 493-6360.
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