Opportunity Information: Apply for FR MPS 08 001
Apply for FR MPS 08 001
- The DOT/Federal Railroad Administration in the transportation sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Maglev Project Selection Program SAFETEA LU" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 20.318 Maglev Project Selection Program SAFETEA LU.
- This funding opportunity was created on Mar 20, 2015 and posted on Mar 20, 2015.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 20, 2015 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 $27,800,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: State governments.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Maglev Project Selection Program under SAFETEA-LU is a discretionary funding opportunity run by the U.S. Department of Transportation through the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). It was designed to help state governments move forward with viable magnetic levitation (maglev) transportation projects by providing federal financial support for both early-stage development work and certain construction-related investments. In practical terms, the program focuses on helping applicants take a maglev concept that is credible and technically feasible and advance it through the key steps needed to position the project for implementation.
Funding awarded under this notice may be used for preconstruction planning activities as well as capital costs tied to a viable maglev project. Preconstruction planning generally means the work that must happen before major construction can begin, such as refining project scope, completing required planning and coordination tasks, developing technical and engineering documentation, and other preparatory activities that reduce uncertainty and make the project ready for later phases. The notice also allows support for capital costs, which typically refers to costs associated with acquiring or building long-lived infrastructure and systems needed to deliver the maglev service, as long as the overall project is judged to be viable under the program’s requirements.
This opportunity was issued as Funding Opportunity Number FR-MPS-08-001 and offered funding through a cooperative agreement, meaning the federal agency would typically expect to have substantial involvement in the funded work rather than functioning purely as a pass-through funder. The funding activity category is transportation, and the associated CFDA listing is 20.318 (Maglev Project Selection Program - SAFETEA-LU). The program included a cost-sharing or matching requirement, so applicants were expected to provide non-federal funds or other eligible match contributions alongside the federal award.
Only state governments were listed as eligible applicants for this particular competition. The award ceiling was $27,800,000, with no specified award floor (shown as $0), indicating that awards could vary widely depending on project scope, readiness, and available funds, up to the maximum stated amount.
In terms of timing, the opportunity was posted and created on March 20, 2015, with an original and current closing date of April 20, 2015, and it was archived on May 20, 2015. For applicants who had trouble accessing the full announcement through Grants.gov, the notice directed them to contact the Grants.gov Contact Center at 1-800-518-4726 (available 24/7 except federal holidays) or email support@grants.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Maglev Project Selection Program (SAFETEA-LU)
What is the Maglev Project Selection Program under SAFETEA-LU?
It is a discretionary federal funding opportunity administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation through the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). The program was intended to help state governments advance viable magnetic levitation (maglev) transportation projects by providing federal financial support for early-stage development activities and certain construction-related investments.
What is the main purpose of this funding opportunity?
The program focuses on helping applicants take a credible and technically feasible maglev concept and move it through key steps that position the project for implementation. In other words, it supports work that advances a viable project toward readiness for later phases, including implementation.
Who administers this grant?
The opportunity is run by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) through the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA).
Is this a competitive or formula funding program?
This was described as a discretionary funding opportunity, which generally means funding decisions are made through a competitive selection process rather than by formula allocation.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this notice?
The Funding Opportunity Number is FR-MPS-08-001.
What CFDA number is associated with this program?
The CFDA listing is 20.318, titled "Maglev Project Selection Program - SAFETEA-LU."
What type of award instrument was used?
Funding was offered through a cooperative agreement. This means the federal agency would typically expect to have substantial involvement in the funded work, rather than acting only as a pass-through funder.
What kinds of activities can the funding be used for?
Funding may be used for (1) preconstruction planning activities and (2) capital costs tied to a viable maglev project, as allowed under the program requirements.
What counts as "preconstruction planning" under this notice?
Preconstruction planning generally refers to the work that needs to happen before major construction can begin. Based on the notice description, this can include refining project scope, completing required planning and coordination tasks, developing technical and engineering documentation, and other preparatory activities that reduce uncertainty and help make the project ready for later phases.
What are "capital costs" in the context of this opportunity?
Capital costs typically refer to costs associated with acquiring or building long-lived infrastructure and systems needed to deliver the maglev service. The notice indicates these costs are eligible as long as the overall project is judged to be viable under the program's requirements.
Does the program require the project to be "viable"?
Yes. The opportunity description emphasizes that funds are intended to support a viable maglev project, and that the concept should be credible and technically feasible, with eligibility for capital support tied to the project's viability under program requirements.
Who is eligible to apply?
Only state governments were listed as eligible applicants for this particular competition.
Are local governments, transit agencies, universities, or private companies eligible to apply directly?
The eligibility section provided states that only state governments were eligible applicants for this competition. No other applicant types are listed as eligible in the information provided.
Is there a cost-sharing or matching requirement?
Yes. The program included a cost-sharing or matching requirement, meaning applicants were expected to provide non-federal funds or other eligible match contributions alongside the federal award.
What is the maximum award amount?
The award ceiling was $27,800,000.
Is there a minimum award amount?
No minimum award floor was specified; it was shown as $0. This indicates awards could vary based on project scope, readiness, and available funds, up to the stated maximum.
What is the funding activity category?
The funding activity category is transportation.
When was the opportunity posted?
The opportunity was posted and created on March 20, 2015.
What was the application deadline?
The original and current closing date was April 20, 2015.
Is this opportunity still open?
No. The opportunity was archived on May 20, 2015, and the closing date listed is April 20, 2015.
What should an applicant do if they cannot access the full announcement on Grants.gov?
The notice directs applicants to contact the Grants.gov Contact Center at 1-800-518-4726 (available 24/7 except federal holidays) or email support@grants.gov for assistance.
What level of federal involvement should recipients expect under a cooperative agreement?
The notice indicates that, because this opportunity used a cooperative agreement, the federal agency would typically expect to have substantial involvement in the funded work rather than functioning purely as a pass-through funder.
Does the notice specify how award amounts will be determined?
While the notice does not provide a detailed selection formula in the information provided, it indicates awards could vary widely depending on project scope, readiness, and available funds, up to the $27,800,000 ceiling.
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