FY21 Supplemental for the National Network Cooperative Agreement to the National Railroad Passenger Corporation | FR AMT 21 004

Opportunity Information: Apply for FR AMT 21 004

This opportunity is a Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) discretionary cooperative agreement that provides a total of $1,380,241,050 in FY21 funding to the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) for its National Network. It is issued under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (Public Law 116-260) and is structured as a single expected award, reflecting that the intended recipient is Amtrak rather than a broad competitive applicant pool. The listing is under CFDA 20.315 (rail transportation-related assistance), and it was created on February 10, 2021, with an original closing date of February 22, 2021.

The largest portion of the funding, $1,036,687,050, is directed to core National Network needs that include operating expenses, capital expenses, debt service, and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Within that amount, $67,500,000 is specifically set aside for ADA-related expenses, supporting accessibility improvements that help bring stations, equipment, and passenger-facing infrastructure into compliance. The opportunity also highlights targeted capital priorities inside the broader allocation, including approximately $42,400,000 to support costs tied to acquiring replacement equipment for the Amfleet fleet used in National Network services, reflecting ongoing efforts to modernize aging passenger railcars. In addition, at least $50,000,000 must be used for railroad safety technology, including development, installation, and operation activities, with explicit reference to implementing Positive Train Control (PTC) on state-supported routes (as defined in 49 U.S.C. 24102(13)) where PTC is not otherwise required by federal law or regulation. That requirement signals an emphasis on risk reduction and safety upgrades even on corridors not mandated to install PTC.

A separate tranche of $343,554,000 is provided as Supplemental Emergency Relief funding (from Division M of the same appropriations act) for National Network activities specifically tied to preventing, preparing for, and responding to coronavirus. This portion is meant to stabilize and sustain intercity passenger rail service under pandemic conditions, which can include added public health and operational measures as well as revenue and service disruptions associated with COVID-19 impacts.

Within the emergency relief funding, the notice further identifies two state and commuter rail cost-sharing components tied to the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act (PRIIA). First, $174,850,000 is apportioned toward state payments required under the cost methodology policy adopted pursuant to PRIIA Section 209, which governs how states share costs for state-supported intercity routes. Second, approximately $21,961,000 is provided for use in lieu of capital payments from state and commuter rail passenger transportation providers that are subject to the cost allocation policy developed under PRIIA Section 212. Together, these provisions function as financial backstops that help states and commuter partners meet their cost obligations (or substitute for them) during the pandemic period, thereby supporting continuity of service and the shared-cost framework that underpins much of the national passenger rail system.

Finally, the funding is described as available until fully expended, meaning it is not constrained by a single-year obligation window in the way some annual appropriations can be. Overall, the opportunity combines baseline operating and capital support for Amtrak's National Network with dedicated set-asides for accessibility (ADA), fleet replacement planning/procurement costs (Amfleet replacement), expanded safety technology and PTC deployment on certain state-supported routes, and substantial COVID-19 emergency relief that also offsets specific PRIIA-related state and partner payment requirements.

• The Department of Transportation, DOT - Federal Railroad Administration in the transportation sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY21 Supplemental for the National Network Cooperative Agreement to the National Railroad Passenger Corporation" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 20.315.
• This funding opportunity was created on Feb 10, 2021.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Feb 22, 2021 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 $1,380,241,050.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for FR AMT 21 004

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