Opportunity Information: Apply for FTA 2011 006 TRI
Apply for FTA 2011 006 TRI
- The DOT/Federal Transit Administration in the science and technology and other research and development transportation sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Rail Transit Signal and Control Systems (RTSCS) Research Communication Based Train Control (CBTC) for a Heavy and Light Rail Transit System" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 20.514 Public Transportation Research.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jan 18, 2011 and posted on Dec 2, 2010.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jan 25, 2011 Closing Date extended until Jan 25, 2011.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $450,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $450,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.
- Any responsible source, including, but limited to, public transit agencies, organizations of state and local governments, universities or institutions of higher education, non profit organizations, private individuals, corporations, and business or commercial organizations, except that any business owned in whole or in part by the Federal Government is not eligible.
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Opportunity Summary:
This funding opportunity is a Federal Transit Administration (FTA) research solicitation focused on Communication Based Train Control (CBTC) as part of the broader Rail Transit Signal and Control Systems (RTSCS) research program. The central aim is to fund work that documents and evaluates how CBTC is being implemented in the United States across both heavy rail and light rail transit environments. The intent is practical and applied: to capture what is working, what is difficult, and what gaps remain, so that future CBTC deployments can be safer, more reliable, and more efficient. The FTA cites its authority under 49 USC 5312, which covers research, development, demonstration, and deployment projects meant to advance public transportation technology.
The proposed research is expected to do three main things. First, it should evaluate current CBTC technologies in use or being deployed, which can include how different systems perform, what capabilities they provide, and how they support operations in different rail contexts. Second, it should document implementation issues, meaning the real-world challenges agencies and contractors face when moving from legacy signal systems to CBTC or when integrating CBTC into existing infrastructure, fleets, and operating practices. Third, it should identify needs for further research in RTSCS for both heavy and light rail operations, effectively producing a roadmap of unresolved technical, operational, safety, or integration questions that merit additional study or future pilot efforts.
From an administrative standpoint, this was a discretionary grant opportunity offered through a cooperative agreement, indicating that FTA anticipated being actively involved during the project rather than simply issuing a grant and stepping back. The funding activity category is listed under science and technology and other research and development, as well as transportation, and it is tied to CFDA number 20.514 (Public Transportation Research). The estimated total funding available is $450,000, with an award ceiling of $450,000 and an award floor of $0, meaning proposals could theoretically request up to the full amount and smaller awards were also possible. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement stated for applicants.
Eligibility is broadly open. The notice states that any responsible source may apply, including public transit agencies, state and local government organizations, universities and other institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, private individuals, and private sector companies or commercial organizations. The main explicit restriction is that businesses owned in whole or in part by the Federal Government are not eligible. This open eligibility structure suggests FTA was interested in attracting proposals from a wide range of organizations with CBTC and rail signaling expertise, including academic researchers, consultants, technology vendors, and transit agencies that can provide operational insight and access to deployment experiences.
Regarding timing and submission, proposals were required to be submitted electronically through Grants.gov. The original closing date was January 19, 2011, and the closing date was later extended to January 25, 2011. The posting date listed is December 2, 2010, with an archive date of February 24, 2011. FTA also emphasized that applicants should start the Grants.gov registration process early if they had not used the system before, since registration can take time and missing the deadline would prevent consideration. FTA anticipated awarding funds to successful contractor(s) by cooperative agreement around February 19, 2011.
For applicants needing additional details or having trouble accessing the full announcement, the listed point of contact is Patrick Centolanzi, Program Manager at the Federal Transit Administration, Office of Technology (TRI-20), located at 1200 New Jersey Ave SE in Washington, DC. The opportunity is identified by Funding Opportunity Number FTA 2011 006 TRI, and the full title is "Rail Transit Signal and Control Systems (RTSCS) Research - Communication Based Train Control (CBTC) for a Heavy and Light Rail Transit System."
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is this funding opportunity about?
This is a Federal Transit Administration (FTA) research solicitation focused on Communication Based Train Control (CBTC) under the broader Rail Transit Signal and Control Systems (RTSCS) research program. The purpose is to document and evaluate how CBTC is being implemented in the United States and to capture lessons learned that can improve future deployments.
2. What is the main goal of the proposed research?
The central goal is practical and applied: to identify what is working well, what is difficult, and what gaps remain in CBTC implementation so future CBTC deployments can be safer, more reliable, and more efficient.
3. What are the three main expected research tasks or outcomes?
The proposed work is expected to do three main things: (1) evaluate current CBTC technologies in use or being deployed, (2) document real-world implementation issues when transitioning from legacy signal systems or integrating with existing infrastructure and operations, and (3) identify needs for further RTSCS research for both heavy and light rail, effectively outlining unresolved questions and future research directions.
4. Does this opportunity cover both heavy rail and light rail?
Yes. The solicitation explicitly targets CBTC in both heavy rail and light rail transit system environments in the United States.
5. What kinds of CBTC topics may be evaluated under this research?
Based on the announcement description, evaluation may include how different CBTC systems perform, what capabilities they provide, and how they support operations in different rail contexts, along with how they integrate with existing infrastructure, fleets, and operating practices.
6. What types of implementation issues is FTA looking to document?
The focus is on real-world challenges faced by agencies and contractors, such as moving from legacy signal systems to CBTC and integrating CBTC into existing infrastructure, rolling stock fleets, and operating practices.
7. What is RTSCS in this context?
RTSCS refers to Rail Transit Signal and Control Systems, the broader FTA research program under which this CBTC-focused solicitation was issued.
8. What legal authority does FTA cite for this solicitation?
FTA cites authority under 49 USC 5312, which covers research, development, demonstration, and deployment projects intended to advance public transportation technology.
9. What type of award is being offered?
This was a discretionary grant opportunity offered through a cooperative agreement, meaning FTA anticipated being actively involved during the project rather than only providing funds and stepping back.
10. What is the funding activity category for this opportunity?
The funding activity category is listed under science and technology and other research and development, as well as transportation.
11. What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The CFDA number is 20.514, titled Public Transportation Research.
12. How much funding is available?
The estimated total funding available is $450,000.
13. What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is $450,000.
14. What is the minimum award amount (award floor)?
The award floor is listed as $0, indicating smaller award amounts were possible.
15. Is cost sharing or matching required?
No cost sharing or matching requirement is stated for applicants in the provided information.
16. Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broadly open to any responsible source, including public transit agencies, state and local government organizations, universities and other institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, private individuals, and private sector companies or commercial organizations.
17. Are any applicants explicitly ineligible?
Yes. Businesses owned in whole or in part by the Federal Government are not eligible.
18. How were proposals required to be submitted?
Proposals were required to be submitted electronically through Grants.gov.
19. What were the key dates for this opportunity?
The posting date was December 2, 2010. The original closing date was January 19, 2011, and it was extended to January 25, 2011. The archive date is February 24, 2011.
20. Was the deadline extended?
Yes. The closing date was extended from January 19, 2011 to January 25, 2011.
21. When did FTA anticipate making awards?
FTA anticipated awarding funds to successful contractor(s) by cooperative agreement around February 19, 2011.
22. Why did FTA recommend starting Grants.gov registration early?
FTA emphasized starting the Grants.gov registration process early for first-time users because registration can take time, and missing the deadline would prevent consideration.
23. What is the Funding Opportunity Number?
The Funding Opportunity Number is FTA 2011 006 TRI.
24. What is the full title of the opportunity?
The full title is "Rail Transit Signal and Control Systems (RTSCS) Research - Communication Based Train Control (CBTC) for a Heavy and Light Rail Transit System."
25. Who is the point of contact for questions or for accessing the full announcement?
The listed point of contact is Patrick Centolanzi, Program Manager, Federal Transit Administration, Office of Technology (TRI-20), 1200 New Jersey Ave SE, Washington, DC.
26. What types of organizations did FTA seem interested in attracting?
Based on the open eligibility described, FTA appeared interested in proposals from a wide range of organizations with CBTC and rail signaling expertise, including academic researchers, consultants, technology vendors, and transit agencies able to provide operational insight and access to deployment experiences.
27. Is this opportunity focused on U.S. deployments?
Yes. The solicitation aims to document and evaluate how CBTC is being implemented in the United States.
28. What does it mean that this was a cooperative agreement rather than a standard grant?
In this opportunity, a cooperative agreement indicates FTA expected to be actively involved in the project during performance, rather than only providing funding with minimal involvement.
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