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.Apply for FR AMT 21 004
- 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).
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What agency is offering this grant opportunity?
This opportunity is offered by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) as a discretionary cooperative agreement.
What type of award is this?
It is a discretionary cooperative agreement, structured as a single expected award.
Who is the intended recipient of the award?
The intended recipient is the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak), specifically for its National Network.
Is this a competitive funding opportunity open to multiple applicants?
No. The listing is structured around a single expected award because the intended recipient is Amtrak rather than a broad competitive applicant pool.
How much total funding is provided under this opportunity?
The opportunity provides a total of $1,380,241,050 in FY21 funding for Amtrak's National Network.
What law provides the authority for this funding?
The funding is issued under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (Public Law 116-260).
What is the CFDA listing for this opportunity?
The listing is under CFDA 20.315, which covers rail transportation-related assistance.
When was this listing created and what was the original closing date?
The listing was created on February 10, 2021, and had an original closing date of February 22, 2021.
How is the total funding divided between core National Network needs and emergency relief?
The opportunity includes $1,036,687,050 directed to core National Network needs and a separate $343,554,000 provided as Supplemental Emergency Relief for coronavirus-related purposes.
What kinds of costs are included under the core National Network funding?
The core National Network allocation supports operating expenses, capital expenses, debt service, and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
How much funding is specifically set aside for ADA-related expenses?
$67,500,000 is specifically set aside for ADA-related expenses.
What is the purpose of the ADA set-aside?
The ADA set-aside supports accessibility improvements intended to help bring stations, equipment, and other passenger-facing infrastructure into compliance.
Does the opportunity identify any fleet replacement priorities?
Yes. It highlights approximately $42,400,000 to support costs tied to acquiring replacement equipment for the Amfleet fleet used in National Network services.
Is there a minimum amount that must be used for railroad safety technology?
Yes. At least $50,000,000 must be used for railroad safety technology, including development, installation, and operation.
Does the safety technology requirement specifically mention Positive Train Control (PTC)?
Yes. The notice explicitly references implementing Positive Train Control (PTC) on state-supported routes where PTC is not otherwise required by federal law or regulation.
Which routes are referenced in connection with PTC implementation?
The opportunity references state-supported routes as defined in 49 U.S.C. 24102(13), in the context of PTC implementation where it is not otherwise federally required.
What is the purpose of the Supplemental Emergency Relief funding?
The $343,554,000 Supplemental Emergency Relief tranche is for National Network activities tied to preventing, preparing for, and responding to coronavirus.
How does the emergency relief funding support service continuity during the pandemic?
The emergency relief funding is described as helping stabilize and sustain intercity passenger rail service under pandemic conditions, which can include public health and operational measures as well as addressing revenue and service disruptions associated with COVID-19 impacts.
Are there PRIIA-related cost-sharing components within the emergency relief funding?
Yes. The notice identifies two state and commuter rail cost-sharing components tied to the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act (PRIIA).
How much is apportioned for PRIIA Section 209 state payments?
$174,850,000 is apportioned toward state payments required under the cost methodology policy adopted pursuant to PRIIA Section 209.
What does PRIIA Section 209 relate to in this notice?
In this notice, PRIIA Section 209 is described as governing how states share costs for state-supported intercity routes, and the funding supports state payments required under that cost methodology policy.
How much is provided in lieu of certain capital payments under PRIIA Section 212?
Approximately $21,961,000 is provided for use in lieu of capital payments from state and commuter rail passenger transportation providers subject to the cost allocation policy developed under PRIIA Section 212.
What is the purpose of the PRIIA Section 212 in-lieu funding?
It functions as a substitute for certain capital payments from state and commuter rail partners during the pandemic period, helping support continuity of service and the shared-cost framework described in the notice.
Is the funding time-limited to a single fiscal year for expenditure?
No. The funding is described as available until fully expended.
What does "available until fully expended" mean in this context?
Based on the notice, it means the funds are not constrained by a single-year obligation window and remain available for use until they are fully spent.
What are the main themes or priorities emphasized by this opportunity?
The opportunity combines baseline operating and capital support for Amtrak's National Network with specific set-asides for ADA accessibility improvements, Amfleet replacement-related costs, railroad safety technology (including PTC on certain state-supported routes), and COVID-19 emergency relief that also offsets specific PRIIA-related state and partner payment requirements.
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