Opportunity Information: Apply for FR HSR 09 001
Apply for FR HSR 09 001
- The DOT/Federal Railroad Administration in the transportation sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "High Speed Intercity Passenger Rail (HSIPR) Program Track 1 Projects (Preliminary Engineering/National Environmental Policy Act)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 20.319 High Speed Rail Corridors and Intercity Passenger Rail Service Capital Assistance Grants.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jul 2, 2009 and posted on Jun 25, 2009.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 25, 2009 No Explanation. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
- States and Amtrak.
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Opportunity Summary:
The High Speed Intercity Passenger Rail (HSIPR) Program Track 1 opportunity (Preliminary Engineering/National Environmental Policy Act) was a discretionary Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) funding notice under the U.S. Department of Transportation designed to advance high speed and intercity passenger rail projects that were moving into preliminary engineering and/or environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The notice was framed as part of the Obama Administration's 2009 push to build a national network of high speed rail corridors through a coordinated partnership among the federal government, states, Amtrak, railroads, and other stakeholders. In practical terms, Track 1 focused on helping projects mature from concepts and early planning into more implementation-ready investments by paying for the engineering and environmental work needed to support later construction and capital decisions.
Funding was tied to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) along with the FY 2008 and FY 2009 DOT Appropriations Acts, and the notice also positioned itself as the groundwork for a longer-term national passenger rail development program. While the public grant listing shows $0 for estimated total funding and $0 for award floor/ceiling and even lists expected awards as 0, that reflects how the opportunity was recorded in the summary data rather than the policy intent described in the announcement, which was to competitively select projects that could deliver substantial public value and be credibly executed. Awards were to be made through cooperative agreements, meaning the FRA anticipated an active federal role in oversight, coordination, and project development rather than a hands-off pass-through grant.
The selection approach emphasized outcomes and readiness. Projects were expected to demonstrate clear transportation benefits, contribute to economic recovery goals, and generate broader public benefits such as improved energy independence, better environmental quality, and support for "livable communities." The notice also highlighted that FRA would look closely at the fundamentals of delivering the work, including project management capability, financial planning, and the strength of commitments from key stakeholders. Another explicit theme was balance: the program sought a portfolio that was not concentrated in only one type of project or one region, and it encouraged a mix across locations, innovation, and schedules so that near-term progress and longer-term corridor development could be pursued at the same time. The announcement described multiple "funding paths" to accommodate projects at different stages of development and to reconcile the different statutory and administrative requirements that applied under ARRA and the DOT appropriations authorities.
Eligibility for this Track 1 notice was limited primarily to States and Amtrak, with the listing indicating that additional eligibility details were provided in the full text. The associated CFDA number was 20.319 (High Speed Rail Corridors and Intercity Passenger Rail Service - Capital Assistance Grants). The listing states there was no cost sharing or matching requirement for this opportunity, which aligns with the ARRA-era objective of accelerating project development and job creation by reducing barriers to getting work underway.
Applications were not accepted through Grants.gov. Instead, submissions had to be made through GrantSolutions (grantsolutions.gov), reflecting the administrative platform the program used at the time. The opportunity was posted June 25, 2009, with an original and current closing date of August 25, 2009, and an archive date of September 24, 2009. For applicants needing access support, the notice pointed to the GrantSolutions Help Desk (1-800-618-0223, help@grantsolutions.gov) with weekday operating hours.
FAQs: High Speed Intercity Passenger Rail (HSIPR) Program Track 1 (Preliminary Engineering / NEPA)
What was the HSIPR Program Track 1 opportunity?
HSIPR Program Track 1 was a discretionary Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) funding notice under the U.S. Department of Transportation. It was designed to help advance high speed and intercity passenger rail projects that were entering preliminary engineering and/or environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
What kinds of activities did Track 1 fund?
Track 1 focused on project development work needed to move a rail project from concept or early planning toward being ready for later construction and capital investment decisions. Specifically, it supported preliminary engineering and NEPA environmental review activities.
What was the main purpose of funding preliminary engineering and NEPA work?
The purpose was to mature projects into more implementation-ready investments by paying for the engineering and environmental work that helps support future construction decisions and other capital actions.
Which federal agency administered this opportunity?
The opportunity was administered by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) within the U.S. Department of Transportation.
How did this opportunity relate to the 2009 national high speed rail initiative?
The notice was framed as part of the Obama Administration's 2009 push to build a national network of high speed rail corridors through a coordinated partnership among the federal government, states, Amtrak, railroads, and other stakeholders.
What funding sources were connected to this notice?
Funding was tied to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), along with the FY 2008 and FY 2009 DOT Appropriations Acts. The notice also positioned itself as groundwork for a longer-term national passenger rail development program.
Why did the public grant listing show $0 for total funding and awards?
The public summary data showed $0 for estimated total funding, award floor/ceiling, and expected awards as 0. Based on the description in the announcement, this reflected how the opportunity was recorded in the summary listing rather than the policy intent, which was to competitively select projects with substantial public value and credible execution plans.
What type of award instrument was expected?
Awards were to be made through cooperative agreements. This meant FRA anticipated an active federal role in oversight, coordination, and project development rather than a hands-off pass-through grant.
What outcomes or benefits were emphasized in the selection approach?
The selection approach emphasized outcomes and readiness. Projects were expected to demonstrate clear transportation benefits, contribute to economic recovery goals, and generate broader public benefits, including improved energy independence, better environmental quality, and support for "livable communities."
What project readiness factors did FRA plan to evaluate?
The notice indicated that FRA would look closely at the fundamentals of delivering the work, including project management capability, financial planning, and the strength of commitments from key stakeholders.
Did the program aim to fund a variety of projects and locations?
Yes. A stated theme was balance. The program sought a portfolio that was not concentrated in only one type of project or one region, and it encouraged a mix across locations, innovation, and schedules so that near-term progress and longer-term corridor development could move forward at the same time.
What were the "funding paths" mentioned in the announcement?
The announcement described multiple "funding paths" intended to accommodate projects at different stages of development and to reconcile the different statutory and administrative requirements under ARRA and DOT appropriations authorities.
Who was eligible to apply for Track 1?
Eligibility for this Track 1 notice was limited primarily to States and Amtrak, with the listing indicating that additional eligibility details were provided in the full text of the notice.
What CFDA number was associated with this opportunity?
The associated CFDA number was 20.319 (High Speed Rail Corridors and Intercity Passenger Rail Service - Capital Assistance Grants).
Was cost sharing or matching required?
No. The listing stated there was no cost sharing or matching requirement for this opportunity, aligning with ARRA-era goals of accelerating project development and job creation by reducing barriers to getting work underway.
Were applications submitted through Grants.gov?
No. Applications were not accepted through Grants.gov. Submissions had to be made through GrantSolutions (grantsolutions.gov).
When was the opportunity posted, and what were the key dates?
The opportunity was posted on June 25, 2009. The original and current closing date was August 25, 2009. The archive date was September 24, 2009.
Where could applicants get help accessing the submission system?
The notice directed applicants needing access support to the GrantSolutions Help Desk at 1-800-618-0223 or help@grantsolutions.gov. The help desk operated on weekdays during the hours listed in the notice.
What does it mean that this was a "discretionary" funding notice?
It was described as a discretionary FRA funding notice, meaning projects were intended to be selected competitively based on the program's selection approach and priorities rather than being allocated by formula.
Browse more opportunities from the same agency: DOT/Federal Railroad Administration
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Next opportunity: High Speed Intercity Passenger Rail (HSIPR) Program Track 2 Service Development Programs
Previous opportunity: High Speed Intercity Passenger Rail (HSIPR) Program Track 1 Projects (Final Design/Construction)
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