Opportunity Information: Apply for DTFRDV 09 H 00003
Apply for DTFRDV 09 H 00003
- The DOT/Federal Railroad Administration in the transportation sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Capital Grants to the National Railroad Passenger Corporation" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 20.315 National Railroad Passenger Corporation Grants.
- This funding opportunity was created on Mar 11, 2009 and posted on Mar 11, 2009.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Mar 19, 2009. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $1,300,000,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,300,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
- Only the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) may apply for this grant.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Opportunity Summary:
The grant opportunity called "Capital Grants to the National Railroad Passenger Corporation" (Funding Opportunity Number DTFRDV 09 H 00003) is an earmarked, one-recipient federal grant administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). It was created under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (the Recovery Act), which was designed to respond to the recession by preserving and creating jobs, accelerating economic recovery, helping people and communities hit hardest by economic downturns, and making targeted investments that would improve long-term efficiency and public infrastructure. Transportation investment is a core part of that strategy, and this opportunity specifically channels a major infusion of capital into the national passenger rail system through Amtrak.
The total amount made available under this announcement is exactly $1.3 billion, and the structure of that funding is spelled out in the notice. Of the $1.3 billion, $450 million is reserved for capital security grants, including life-safety improvements, reflecting a focus on protecting passengers, workers, and critical rail assets. Another $5 million is set aside for the Amtrak Office of Inspector General, supporting oversight and accountability for how these Recovery Act funds are spent. The remaining $850 million is categorized as non-security capital funding and is intended for core infrastructure and equipment needs that can be executed quickly and that yield tangible improvements to the rail system.
For the $850 million in non-security funding, the announcement sets clear priorities. First priority goes to projects that repair, rehabilitate, or upgrade railroad assets and infrastructure. This includes the kinds of state-of-good-repair work that can reduce failures, improve reliability, and address backlogs in maintenance and renewal. The funding can also support capital projects that expand passenger rail capacity, which can mean improvements that allow more trains to operate, reduce bottlenecks, or increase throughput at key points in the network. The notice specifically mentions the rehabilitation of rolling stock, signaling that overhauls and upgrades to locomotives and railcars are eligible and encouraged where they contribute to service capacity, reliability, and overall system performance.
The opportunity also includes geographic and policy constraints aimed at ensuring broader national benefit. A key limitation is that no more than 60 percent of the non-security portion (the $850 million) may be spent on projects along the Northeast Corridor. Since the Northeast Corridor is one of Amtrak's most heavily used and asset-intensive regions, this cap is meant to prevent the bulk of the stimulus funding from concentrating there and to encourage investment across the wider national network. In addition, projects funded through this grant must be completed within two years of the Recovery Act's enactment, emphasizing quick deployment and near-term economic impact. The funds are also required to supplement, not supplant, planned expenditures from other federal, state, local, or corporate sources. In practice, that means Amtrak cannot simply replace previously planned funding with these stimulus dollars; instead, the Recovery Act money should add to planned capital programs or accelerate work that otherwise would not happen as quickly.
Administratively, this is a grant (not a cooperative agreement or contract), and it does not require cost sharing or a matching contribution. The award parameters match the earmark nature of the opportunity: the estimated total funding is $1.3 billion, and both the award floor and ceiling are listed as $1.3 billion, indicating a single award for the full amount. The eligibility rules are equally direct: only the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) may apply. The opportunity was posted on March 11, 2009, with an original and current closing date of March 19, 2009, and it was later archived on April 18, 2009. The program is associated with CFDA number 20.315, "National Railroad Passenger Corporation Grants."
The legal authority and context are also explicitly tied to earlier rail legislation. While the funds are made available through the Recovery Act, the notice states that they were authorized by Congress in the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008 (PRIIA). This pairing reflects how the federal government used the Recovery Act to rapidly capitalize rail investment priorities that had already been defined in law, while adding the stimulus-specific requirements around timing, job creation, and non-supplanting.
For applicants and stakeholders seeking operational details at the time, the FRA provided a direct point of contact: Dharm Guruswamy, Program Manager at the Federal Railroad Administration, reachable by phone at (202) 493-6378 or email at Dharm.Guruswamy@dot.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the "Capital Grants to the National Railroad Passenger Corporation" opportunity?
It is a federal grant opportunity titled "Capital Grants to the National Railroad Passenger Corporation" with Funding Opportunity Number DTFRDV 09 H 00003. The grant is administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and is designed to provide a major infusion of capital into the national passenger rail system through Amtrak.
Is this opportunity competitive or earmarked?
This is an earmarked, one-recipient federal grant. The funding parameters (award floor and ceiling both listed as $1.3 billion) indicate a single award for the full amount.
Who is eligible to apply?
Only the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) is eligible to apply.
What federal agency administers the grant?
The grant is administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), Federal Railroad Administration (FRA).
What is the total funding amount available under this announcement?
The total amount available is exactly $1.3 billion.
How is the $1.3 billion funding divided?
The notice describes three components:
- $450 million reserved for capital security grants, including life-safety improvements
- $5 million set aside for the Amtrak Office of Inspector General
- $850 million designated as non-security capital funding
What is the purpose of the $450 million security portion?
The $450 million portion is reserved for capital security grants, including life-safety improvements, with an emphasis on protecting passengers, workers, and critical rail assets.
Why is $5 million set aside for the Amtrak Office of Inspector General?
The $5 million set-aside supports oversight and accountability for how Recovery Act funds are spent.
What is the $850 million non-security capital funding intended to support?
The $850 million non-security portion is intended for core infrastructure and equipment needs that can be executed quickly and that yield tangible improvements to the rail system.
What are the first priorities for projects under the non-security portion?
First priority goes to projects that repair, rehabilitate, or upgrade railroad assets and infrastructure. This includes state-of-good-repair work aimed at reducing failures, improving reliability, and addressing maintenance and renewal backlogs.
Can the grant support projects that expand passenger rail capacity?
Yes. The non-security funding can support capital projects that expand passenger rail capacity, including improvements that allow more trains to operate, reduce bottlenecks, or increase throughput at key points in the network.
Is rolling stock rehabilitation eligible?
Yes. The notice specifically mentions the rehabilitation of rolling stock, indicating that overhauls and upgrades to locomotives and railcars are eligible where they contribute to service capacity, reliability, and overall system performance.
Is there a limit on how much of the non-security funding can be spent on the Northeast Corridor?
Yes. No more than 60 percent of the non-security portion (the $850 million) may be spent on projects along the Northeast Corridor.
What is the stated reason for the Northeast Corridor spending cap?
The cap is intended to prevent the bulk of the stimulus funding from concentrating in the Northeast Corridor and to encourage investment across the broader national network.
How quickly must funded projects be completed?
Projects funded through this grant must be completed within two years of the Recovery Act's enactment.
Does this grant require cost sharing or matching funds?
No. The opportunity does not require cost sharing or a matching contribution.
Are the funds allowed to replace already planned funding from other sources?
No. The funds are required to supplement, not supplant, planned expenditures from other federal, state, local, or corporate sources. In other words, the Recovery Act dollars should add to planned capital programs or accelerate work, rather than replacing previously planned funding.
What type of federal assistance instrument is this?
This opportunity is a grant (not a cooperative agreement or a contract).
What is the CFDA number for this program?
The program is associated with CFDA number 20.315, "National Railroad Passenger Corporation Grants."
When was this opportunity posted and when did it close?
The opportunity was posted on March 11, 2009. The original and current closing date is March 19, 2009.
Has the opportunity been archived?
Yes. The opportunity was archived on April 18, 2009.
What law created the Recovery Act funding context for this grant?
The grant was created under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (the Recovery Act), which was designed to respond to the recession by preserving and creating jobs, accelerating economic recovery, helping communities hit hardest by economic downturns, and making targeted investments to improve long-term efficiency and public infrastructure.
What is the relationship between the Recovery Act and PRIIA for this opportunity?
While the funds are made available through the Recovery Act, the notice states they were authorized by Congress in the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008 (PRIIA). This reflects that Recovery Act funding was used to rapidly capitalize rail investment priorities already defined in law, while adding stimulus-related requirements such as timing and non-supplanting.
Who can be contacted for operational details about the opportunity?
The FRA point of contact listed is Dharm Guruswamy, Program Manager at the Federal Railroad Administration. Phone: (202) 493-6378. Email: Dharm.Guruswamy@dot.gov.
Browse more opportunities from the same agency: DOT/Federal Railroad Administration
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Transportation
Next opportunity: Jail Information System Document
Previous opportunity: Region 7 Wetland Program Development Grants
USGrants.org Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for DTFRDV 09 H 00003
[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (DTFRDV 09 H 00003) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Broad Agency Announcement for Innovative Small Research Projects to Advance Public Participation Related to Public Transportation Planning Apply for FTA 09006 PTPP TPE Funding Number: FTA 09006 PTPP TPE Agency: DOT/Federal Transit Administration Category: Transportation Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Broad Agency Announcement for a cooperative agreement to evaluate and compare Federal formula grant programs. Apply for FTA 09007 TPM Funding Number: FTA 09007 TPM Agency: DOT/Federal Transit Administration Category: Transportation Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Central African Republic (CAR) Rural Roads Rehabilitation and Maintenance Program Apply for 623 EA 09 020 Funding Number: 623 EA 09 020 Agency: Kenya USAID Nairobi Category: Transportation Funding Amount: $2,475,000 |
| PHMSA HMEP States Territories Apply for DOT PH HMEP 09 001 Funding Number: DOT PH HMEP 09 001 Agency: Pipeline Hazardous Material Safety Administration Category: Transportation Funding Amount: $1,050,000 |
| PHMSA HMEP Native American Tribes Apply for DOT PH HMEP 09 002 Funding Number: DOT PH HMEP 09 002 Agency: Pipeline Hazardous Material Safety Administration Category: Transportation Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| PHMSA HMEP SPSTG Apply for DOT PH HMEP 09 003 Funding Number: DOT PH HMEP 09 003 Agency: Pipeline Hazardous Material Safety Administration Category: Transportation Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| PHMSA HMIT Apply for DOT PH HMIT 09 004 Funding Number: DOT PH HMIT 09 004 Agency: Pipeline Hazardous Material Safety Administration Category: Transportation Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Fuel Tax Evasion Intergovernmental Enforcement Efforts Apply for FHWA FTE 2009 01 Funding Number: FHWA FTE 2009 01 Agency: DOT Federal Highway Administration Category: Transportation Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| PHMSA 2010 Hazardous Liquid Base Grant Apply for DOT PH PHP 10 HL Funding Number: DOT PH PHP 10 HL Agency: Pipeline Hazardous Material Safety Administration Category: Transportation Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| PHMSA 2010 Natural Gas Base Grant Apply for DOT PH PHP 10 NG Funding Number: DOT PH PHP 10 NG Agency: Pipeline Hazardous Material Safety Administration Category: Transportation Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| FMCSA SaDIP 2010 01 Apply for FMCSA SADIP 2010 01 Funding Number: FMCSA SADIP 2010 01 Agency: DOT/Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Category: Transportation Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| High Speed Intercity Passenger Rail (HSIPR) Program Track 3 Planning Apply for FR IPR 09 001 Funding Number: FR IPR 09 001 Agency: DOT/Federal Railroad Administration Category: Transportation Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| High Speed Intercity Passenger Rail (HSIPR) Program Track 1 Projects (Final Design/Construction) Apply for FR HSR 09 002 Funding Number: FR HSR 09 002 Agency: DOT/Federal Railroad Administration Category: Transportation Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| High Speed Intercity Passenger Rail (HSIPR) Program Track 1 Projects (Preliminary Engineering/National Environmental Policy Act) Apply for FR HSR 09 001 Funding Number: FR HSR 09 001 Agency: DOT/Federal Railroad Administration Category: Transportation Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| High Speed Intercity Passenger Rail (HSIPR) Program Track 2 Service Development Programs Apply for FR HSR 09 003 Funding Number: FR HSR 09 003 Agency: DOT/Federal Railroad Administration Category: Transportation Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| High Speed Intercity Passenger Rail (HSIPR) Program Track 4 FY 2009 Appropriations Projects Apply for FR IPR 09 002 Funding Number: FR IPR 09 002 Agency: DOT/Federal Railroad Administration Category: Transportation Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Performance of Taconite Aggregates in Thin Lift HMA Apply for DTFH61 09 RA 00005 Funding Number: DTFH61 09 RA 00005 Agency: DOT Federal Highway Administration Category: Transportation Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Small Community Air Service Development Program Apply for DOT OST 2009 0149 Funding Number: DOT OST 2009 0149 Agency: DOT Office of Aviation Analysis Category: Transportation Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Air Quality Health Effects and Highway Proximity Apply for DTFH61 09 RA 00004 Funding Number: DTFH61 09 RA 00004 Agency: DOT Federal Highway Administration Category: Transportation Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| New England Transportation Consortium Research Study 06 1 New England Verification of NCHRP 1 37A Mechanistic Empirical Pavement Design Apply for DTFH61 09 RA 00007 Funding Number: DTFH61 09 RA 00007 Agency: DOT Federal Highway Administration Category: Transportation Funding Amount: $68,085 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Subscribe to Leads
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "DTFRDV 09 H 00003", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.