Opportunity Information: Apply for FR TEC 10 003
Apply for FR TEC 10 003
- The DOT/Federal Railroad Administration in the transportation sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY10 Railraod Safety Technology Grants (Second Round)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 20.321 Railroad Safety Technology Grants.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jan 8, 2014 and posted on Nov 7, 2013.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Feb 5, 2014 No Explanation. (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 $550,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
- Local (includes State designated Indian Tribes and State governments), passenger and freight railroad carriers, railroad suppliers, institutions of higher education excluding hospitals. Applicants need not have developed plans required under subsection 20156(e)(2) of title 49, United States Code section 20157 of however priority will be given to applicants who have completed the plans required under subsection 20156(e)(2) of title 49, United States Code section 20157. Individuals are not eligible for these awards.
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Opportunity Summary:
The FY10 Railroad Safety Technology Grants (Second Round) program, offered by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), is a discretionary grant opportunity aimed at speeding up the real-world deployment of proven or well-tested railroad safety technologies. The central goal is to reduce risk and help railroads complete core Positive Train Control (PTC) network deployment by the statutory deadline of December 31, 2015. Rather than funding early-stage concepts, the program is designed for practical projects that are ready to be implemented, demonstrated, or scaled based on credible prior proof, testing, or evidence that the technology works.
The grant focuses on technologies that improve train control and overall railroad system safety, including interoperable train control systems and components, processor-based safety technologies, electronically controlled pneumatic (ECP) brakes, rail integrity inspection and warning systems, switch position indicators and monitoring equipment, remote control power switch technologies, track integrity circuit technologies, and other new or novel safety technologies with clear operational value. A major emphasis is interoperability, meaning proposed work should help multiple railroads operate PTC and related systems across shared corridors or interfaces without compatibility gaps. FRA also places weight on projects that include active participation from railroad carriers, reflecting a preference for proposals that are closely tied to real operating environments and adoption pathways.
Competitive proposals are expected to do more than advance technology in the abstract. Projects should either improve interoperability between railroad systems, accelerate deployment on high-risk corridors (for example, routes with significant hazardous materials traffic or corridors used by commuter and passenger rail), or deliver meaningful safety and efficiency benefits for both passenger and freight operations. FRA makes clear that projects that are only ideas or conceptual approaches without prior proofs or tests demonstrating technical and scientific soundness will not be considered. Applicants are encouraged to communicate with FRA in advance to confirm that the proposed topic aligns with the agency's interests and stands a realistic chance of being competitive, and the notice indicates that more detailed focus areas are laid out in the full agency announcement.
Funding is awarded on a project-by-project basis and is not structured as a block grant. Awards are merit-based and will be made to the highest-ranked proposals until available funds are exhausted. The federal share is capped at 80 percent of total project cost, so recipients must provide at least a 20 percent non-federal match. The award ceiling is $550,000, with no stated award floor. Funds are available until expended, and recipients are paid on a reimbursable basis, meaning project costs are incurred first and then reimbursed according to grant terms.
Eligibility is broad within the rail safety ecosystem and includes state and local governments (including state-designated Indian Tribes), passenger and freight railroad carriers, railroad suppliers, and institutions of higher education (excluding hospitals). Individuals are not eligible. While applicants do not have to have completed certain PTC-related planning requirements referenced in federal statute, the FRA indicates that priority will be given to applicants who have completed those plans. The program is authorized under Section 105 of the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-432), codified at 49 U.S.C. 20158.
Key administrative details from the posting include the Funding Opportunity Number FR-TEC-10-003 under CFDA 20.321 (Railroad Safety Technology Grants). The opportunity was posted November 7, 2013, with an application closing date of February 5, 2014, and an archive date of March 7, 2014. The period of performance for any award depends on project complexity, but no project can extend beyond December 31, 2015; applicants must propose and justify the time needed to complete the work. Finally, grant funds cannot be used for lobbying or in direct support of litigation, reinforcing that the money must go toward tangible technical work and deployment activities rather than advocacy or legal efforts.
FY10 Railroad Safety Technology Grants (Second Round) - FAQs
What is the FY10 Railroad Safety Technology Grants (Second Round) program?
It is a discretionary grant program from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) intended to speed up real-world deployment of proven or well-tested railroad safety technologies. It is focused on practical projects that are ready to be implemented, demonstrated, or scaled based on credible prior proof, testing, or evidence that the technology works.
What is the main goal of this grant opportunity?
The central goal is to reduce risk and help railroads complete core Positive Train Control (PTC) network deployment by the statutory deadline of December 31, 2015.
Is this funding meant for early-stage research or concept development?
No. FRA states that projects that are only ideas or conceptual approaches, without prior proofs or tests demonstrating technical and scientific soundness, will not be considered. The program is aimed at deployment-ready, proven, or well-tested technologies.
What types of technologies are eligible or emphasized?
The grant focuses on technologies that improve train control and overall railroad system safety, including:
- Interoperable train control systems and components
- Processor-based safety technologies
- Electronically controlled pneumatic (ECP) brakes
- Rail integrity inspection and warning systems
- Switch position indicators and monitoring equipment
- Remote control power switch technologies
- Track integrity circuit technologies
- Other new or novel safety technologies with clear operational value
What does FRA mean by "interoperability," and why is it important?
Interoperability is a major emphasis and generally means proposed work should help multiple railroads operate PTC and related systems across shared corridors or interfaces without compatibility gaps. Projects that improve interoperability between railroad systems are expected to be more competitive.
What kinds of project outcomes are considered competitive?
Competitive proposals are expected to do more than advance technology in the abstract. Projects are expected to either:
- Improve interoperability between railroad systems
- Accelerate deployment on high-risk corridors (such as routes with significant hazardous materials traffic, or corridors used by commuter and passenger rail)
- Deliver meaningful safety and efficiency benefits for both passenger and freight operations
Does FRA prefer proposals that include railroad carriers?
Yes. FRA places weight on projects that include active participation from railroad carriers, indicating a preference for proposals closely tied to real operating environments and clear adoption pathways.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility includes the following types of applicants within the rail safety ecosystem:
- State and local governments (including state-designated Indian Tribes)
- Passenger and freight railroad carriers
- Railroad suppliers
- Institutions of higher education (excluding hospitals)
Are individuals eligible to apply?
No. Individuals are not eligible for this opportunity.
Is this a block grant or awarded differently?
It is not a block grant. Funding is awarded on a project-by-project basis.
How are awards selected?
Awards are merit-based and will be made to the highest-ranked proposals until available funds are exhausted.
What is the maximum award amount?
The award ceiling is $550,000.
Is there a minimum award amount (award floor)?
No minimum award amount is stated in the posting.
What is the federal cost share, and is matching required?
The federal share is capped at 80 percent of total project cost. Recipients must provide at least a 20 percent non-federal match.
How and when are grant funds paid out?
Recipients are paid on a reimbursable basis, meaning project costs are incurred first and then reimbursed according to the grant terms.
How long are funds available?
Funds are available until expended.
What is the period of performance, and what is the latest a project can run?
The period of performance depends on project complexity, but no project can extend beyond December 31, 2015. Applicants must propose and justify the time needed to complete the work.
What are the key dates for this opportunity?
The opportunity was posted on November 7, 2013. The application closing date was February 5, 2014. The archive date was March 7, 2014.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number and CFDA number?
The Funding Opportunity Number is FR-TEC-10-003. The CFDA number is 20.321 (Railroad Safety Technology Grants).
Does FRA encourage applicants to contact the agency before applying?
Yes. Applicants are encouraged to communicate with FRA in advance to confirm the proposed topic aligns with the agency's interests and has a realistic chance of being competitive.
Are there any PTC-related planning requirements to be eligible?
Applicants do not have to have completed certain PTC-related planning requirements referenced in federal statute. However, FRA indicates that priority will be given to applicants who have completed those plans.
What law authorizes this grant program?
The program is authorized under Section 105 of the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-432), codified at 49 U.S.C. 20158.
Are there restrictions on how the funds can be used?
Yes. Grant funds cannot be used for lobbying or in direct support of litigation. The funds must go toward tangible technical work and deployment activities rather than advocacy or legal efforts.
Does the program focus specifically on PTC?
PTC deployment is a central driver of the program, particularly work that helps railroads complete core PTC network deployment by December 31, 2015. The program also supports related railroad safety technologies that improve train control and broader system safety, especially where interoperability and operational deployment are emphasized.
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