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Technical Assistance Grants
The Department of Transportation's mission is to ensure fast, safe, efficient, accessible and convenient transportation that meets vital national interests and enhances the quality of life of the American people, today and into the future.
Program Accomplishments
Not Applicable.
Uses and Use Restrictions
The grant program is intended to allow communities and groups of individuals (not including for-profit entities) to obtain funding for technical assistance in the form of engineering or other scientific analysis of pipeline safety issues and help promote public participation in official proceedings.
Grant funds may not be used for lobbying or in direct support of litigation.
Grant funds may not be used for lobbying or in direct support of litigation.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Non-Government - General: Transportation
Beneficiary Eligibility
Local; Public nonprofit institution/organization
Credentials/Documentation
A written application addressing the evaluation criteria. OMB Circular No. A-87 applies to this program.
Aplication and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.
12372.
Environmental impact information is not required for this program.
This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.
12372.
Application Procedures
OMB Circular No. A-102 applies to this program. OMB Circular No. A-110 applies to this program. Through the website at www.Grants.gov.
Award Procedures
A committee of stakeholders will review applications. Grants will be awarded to applicants with the highest merit until the available funds are exhausted.
Deadlines
Contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate, for application deadlines.
Authorization
Section 5 of the Pipeline Inspection, Protection, Enforcement, and Safety Act of 2006, 49 U.S.C 60130.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
From 60 to 90 days. Applications due 60 to 90 days after opportunity is posted to www.Grants.gov.
Appeals
Not Applicable.
Renewals
Not Applicable.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
This program has no statutory formula.
This program has no matching requirements.
This program does not have MOE requirements.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
One year from date of award. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: by letter of credit.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Program reports are not applicable.
SF-272.
Each grant recipient will be required to provide a report to PHMSA demonstrating completion of the work as outlined in the grant agreement.
Further, each recipient of a grant must ensure that: (1) The technical findings made possible by the grants are made available to the relevant operators; and
(2) Open communication is maintained between the grant recipients, local operators, local communities and other interested parties.
SF-269.
No performance monitoring is required.
Audits
In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133. In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 24, 1997), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations, nonfederal entities that receive financial assistance of $500,000 or more a year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.
Records
Grant recipient must maintain: (a) documentation supporting the cost incurred under the grant, (b) information regarding any sub-awards made using grant funds.
Financial Information
Account Identification
69-5172-0-2-407.
Obigations
(Project Grants) FY 08 $0; FY 09 est $1,000,000; FY 10 est not reported.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
The range is $0 - $50,000.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
Pipeline Safety Regulations, 49 CFR 192.614, 49 CFR 192.616, 49 CFR 195.440, 49 CFR 195.442, 49 CFR 198.37, and 49 CFR 198.39 Individual copies of regulations may be requested from: Office of Pipeline Safety, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE, East Building, 2nd Floor, Washington, DC 20590, Telephone: (202) 366-4595, Fax: (202) 366-4566.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
None.
Headquarters Office
Steve Fischer, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E, Washington, District of Columbia 20590 Email: steve.fischer@dot.gov Phone: (202) 366-6855
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
In keeping with Congressional intent, PHMSA has developed proposal evaluation criteria to be used to rate and select competing proposals. Together, these criteria are intended to identify projects that target high-risk areas; offer well-defined plans; foster open communication with a local community and/or affected pipeline operators; and produce results that are measurable and transferable to other communities and/or technology development.
The evaluation criteria are as follows:
1. The extent to which the Applicant s project scope is focused on areas where a pipeline failure could pose a significant risk to people or to unusually sensitive environmental areas;
2. The extent to which the proposed project scope demonstrates an understanding of the specific concern the Applicant wishes to address, as well as the range of risks affected pipelines pose to the affected geographic area and the risks the community poses to the pipelines;
3. The extent to which the proposal demonstrates the Applicant s experience with and commitment to open communication with affected operators and to partnerships with other key members of the community;
4. The extent to which the Applicant s project is designed to improve performance and safety over time in areas such as engineering, damage prevention, land use, public education, emergency response, and community awareness;
5. The extent to which the Applicant s project plan establishes clear goals, objectives, milestones, and estimates of project costs;
6. The extent to which the Applicant has a plan for evaluating and disseminating results; and
7. The extent to which the Applicant s project scope provides the potential for learning or technology transfer to other groups and communities.
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