[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 77 (Friday, April 23, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21794-21808]
[FR Doc No: 2021-08517]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Office of the Secretary

Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Department of
Transportation's National Infrastructure Investments (i.e., the
Rebuilding American Infrastructure With Sustainability and Equity
(RAISE) Grant Program) Under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary of Transportation, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of funding opportunity.

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SUMMARY: The purpose of this notice is to solicit applications for
Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity
(RAISE) grants. Funds for the FY 2021 RAISE grant program are to be
awarded on a competitive basis for surface transportation
infrastructure projects that will have a significant local or regional
impact. This program was formerly known as BUILD Transportation Grants

DATES: Applications must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. Eastern on July 12,
2021.

ADDRESSES: Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information concerning
this notice, please contact the RAISE grant program staff via email at
<EMAIL_ADDRESS>or call Howard Hill at<PHONE_NUMBER>. A TDD is
available for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing at 202-366-
3993. In addition, DOT will

regularly post answers to questions and requests for clarifications as
well as information about webinars for further guidance on DOT's
website at www.transportation.gov/RAISEgrants.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Each section of this notice contains
information and instructions relevant to the application process for
these RAISE grants, and all applicants should read this notice in its
entirety so that they have the information they need to submit eligible
and competitive applications.

Table of Contents

A. Program Description
B. Federal Award Information
C. Eligibility Information
D. Application and Submission Information
E. Application Review Information
F. Federal Award Administration Information
G. Federal Awarding Agency Contacts
H. Other Information

A. Program Description

1. Overview

    The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (Pub. L. 116-260,
December 27, 2020) (``FY 2021 Appropriations Act'') appropriated $1
billion to be awarded by the Department of Transportation (``DOT'') for
National Infrastructure Investments (now known as Rebuilding American
Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) Grants.) RAISE
Grants are for capital investments in surface transportation that will
have a significant local or regional impact. In addition to capital
awards, DOT will award no more than $30 million for eligible planning,
preparation or design of projects eligible for RAISE Grants that do not
result in construction with FY2021 RAISE funding, of which at least $10
million will be awarded to projects located in or to directly benefit
areas of persistent poverty.
    Since this program was created, $8.9 billion has been awarded for
capital investments in surface transportation infrastructure over 12
rounds of competitive grants. Throughout the program, these
discretionary grant awards have supported projects that have a
significant local or regional impact consistent with DOT's strategic
infrastructure goal.\1\ FY 2021 RAISE grants continue to align with
DOT's infrastructure goal by guiding strategic investments that enable
more efficient movement of people and goods. The FY 2021 RAISE round
also highlights this Administration's priorities to invest in national
infrastructure projects that result in good-paying jobs, improve
safety, apply transformative technology, and explicitly address climate
change and racial equity.
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    \1\ See U.S. Department of Transportation Strategic Plan for FY
2018-2022 (Feb. 2018) at https://www.transportation.gov/dot-strategic-plan.
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    Section E of this NOFO, which outlines FY 2021 RAISE Grant
selection criteria, describes the process for selecting projects that
further these goals. Section F.3 describes progress and performance
reporting requirements for selected projects, including the
relationship between that reporting and the program's selection
criteria.
    Consistent with DOT's R.O.U.T.E.S. initiative, DOT seeks rural
projects that address deteriorating conditions and disproportionately
high fatality rates on rural transportation infrastructure. Please
visit https://www.transportation.gov/rural to learn more about DOT's
efforts to address disparities in rural infrastructure.

2. Additional Information

    The RAISE grant program is described in the Federal Assistance
Listings under the assistance listing program title ``National
Infrastructure Investments'' and assistance listing number 20.933.

3. Changes From the FY 2020 NOFO

    National Infrastructure Investments are now known as Rebuilding
American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grants,
formerly TIGER and BUILD Transportation Grants. This FY 2021 RAISE
Notice updates the FY 2020 RAISE NOFO to reflect this Administration's
priorities for creating good-paying jobs, improving safety, applying
transformative technology, and explicitly addressing climate change and
advancing racial equity. Consistent with the FY 2021 Appropriations Act
requirement that the Secretary shall consider and award projects based
solely on the selection criteria from the FY 2017 Notice of Funding
Opportunity, the seven selection criteria remain the same as FY 2017.
The primary selection criteria are safety, environmental
sustainability, quality of life, economic competitiveness, and state of
good repair. The secondary selection criteria are partnership and
innovation. The Department revised the descriptions of the criteria to
clarify how they align with long-term project outcomes. A summary of
these changes is provided below, but applicants should refer to Section
E for descriptions of the selection criteria.
    Consistent with the environmental sustainability merit criterion,
the Department seeks to fund projects under the RAISE Program that
considered climate change and environmental justice in the planning
stage and were designed with specific elements to address climate
change impacts. Projects that incorporate such planning considerations
are expected to better address climate change and advance long-term
environmental sustainability. Projects should directly support Climate
Action Plans or apply environmental justice screening tools in the
planning stage. Projects should include components that reduce
emissions, promote energy efficiency, increase resiliency, and recycle
or redevelop existing infrastructure. This objective is consistent with
Executive Order 14008, Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad
(86 FR 7619). As part of the Department's implementation of that
Executive Order, the Department seeks to fund projects that, to the
extent possible, target at least 40% of resources and benefits towards
low-income communities, disadvantaged communities, communities
underserved by affordable transportation, or overburdened \2\
communities. Section E describes climate change and environmental
justice considerations an applicant can undertake. Projects that have
not sufficiently considered climate change and environmental justice in
their planning, as determined by the Department, will be required to
before receiving funds for construction. See Section F.2 of this NOFO
for program requirements.
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    \2\ Overburdened Community: Minority, low-income, tribal, or
indigenous populations or geographic locations in the United States
that potentially experience disproportionate environmental harms and
risks. This disproportionality can be as a result of greater
vulnerability to environmental hazards, lack of opportunity for
public participation, or other factors. Increased vulnerability may
be attributable to an accumulation of negative or lack of positive
environmental, health, economic, or social conditions within these
populations or places. The term describes situations where multiple
factors, including both environmental and socio-economic stressors,
may act cumulatively to affect health and the environment and
contribute to persistent environmental health disparities.
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    Consistent with the quality of life and partnership merit criteria,
the Department seeks to use the RAISE program to encourage racial
equity in two areas: (1) Incorporating planning and adopting policies
related to racial equity and reducing barriers to opportunity; and (2)
investing in projects that either proactively address racial equity and
barriers to opportunity, including automobile dependence as a form of
barrier, or redress prior inequities and barriers to opportunity. This
objective supports the Department's strategic goal related to
infrastructure, with the potential for significantly enhancing
environmental

stewardship and community partnerships, and reflects Executive Order
13985, Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities
Through the Federal Government (86 FR 7009). Section E describes racial
equity considerations that an applicant can undertake to address these
criteria. Projects that have not sufficiently considered racial equity
in their planning, as determined by the Department, will be required to
before receiving funds for construction. See Section F.4 of this NOFO
for program requirements.
    The FY 2021 Appropriations Act allows for up to $30 million to be
awarded for the planning, preparation or design of projects eligible
for RAISE Grants, of which at least $10 million will be awarded to
projects located in or to directly benefit areas of persistent poverty
planning projects. Areas of persistent poverty are defined in Section
C.3.iii.
    The Department published a FY 2021 RAISE NOFO on January 19, 2021
and withdrew that NOFO on January 22, 2021. This notice supersedes the
withdrawn NOFO. Unless repeated here, the content of the withdrawn NOFO
is ineffective.
    Applicants who are planning to re-apply using materials prepared
for prior competitions should ensure that their FY 2021 application
fully addresses the criteria and considerations described in this
Notice and that all relevant information is up to date.

B. Federal Award Information

1. Amount Available

    The FY 2021 Appropriations Act appropriated $1 billion to be
awarded by DOT for the RAISE grant program. FY 2021 RAISE grants are
for capital investments in surface transportation infrastructure and
are to be awarded on a competitive basis for projects that will have a
significant local or regional impact. DOT will award no more than $30
million (of the $1 billion) for the planning, preparation or design of
eligible projects, of which at least $10 million will be awarded to
projects located in or to directly benefit areas of persistent poverty
(as defined in Section C.3.iii.). DOT refers to awards for the
planning, preparation or design of eligible projects as RAISE planning
grants. The FY 2021 Appropriations Act also allows DOT to retain up to
$20 million of the $1 billion for award, oversight and administration
of grants and credit assistance made under the program. In addition to
the FY 2021 RAISE funds, unobligated program funds may be made
available from prior rounds and awarded under this solicitation to
projects that can be obligated before the obligation deadline
associated with the respective prior year funds. The Department expects
not more than $30 million of prior year funds may be awarded. If this
solicitation does not result in the award and obligation of all
available funds, DOT may publish additional solicitations.
    The FY 2021 Appropriations Act allows up to 20 percent of available
funds (or $200 million) to be used by DOT to pay the subsidy and
administrative costs of a project receiving credit assistance under the
Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 1998
(TIFIA) or Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing (RRIF)
programs, if that use of the FY 2021 RAISE funds would further the
purposes of the RAISE grant program.

2. Award Size

    The FY 2021 Appropriations Act specifies that RAISE grants may not
be less than $5 million, except that for projects located in rural
areas (as defined in Section C.3.ii) the minimum award size is $1
million. Grants may not be greater than $25 million. There is no
minimum award size for RAISE planning grants, regardless of location.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit applications only for
eligible award amounts.

3. Restrictions on Funding

    Pursuant to the FY 2021 Appropriations Act, no more than 10 percent
of the funds made available for RAISE grants (or $100 million) may be
awarded to projects in a single State. The Act also directs that not
more than 50 percent of the funds provided for RAISE grants (or $500
million) shall be awarded to rural projects (as defined in section
C.3.ii) and directs that not more than 50 percent of the funds provided
for RAISE grants (or $500 million) shall be awarded to urban projects
(as defined in section C.3.ii). Further, DOT must take measures to
ensure an equitable geographic distribution of grant funds, an
appropriate balance in addressing the needs of urban and rural areas
including in tribal areas, and investment in a variety of
transportation modes.

4. Availability of Funds

    The FY 2021 Appropriations Act requires that FY 2021 RAISE grants
funds are available for obligation only through September 30, 2024.
Obligation occurs when a selected applicant and DOT enter into a
written grant agreement after the applicant has satisfied applicable
administrative requirements, including transportation planning and
environmental review requirements. Unless authorized by DOT in writing
after DOT's announcement of FY 2021 RAISE awards, any costs incurred
prior to DOT's obligation of funds for a project (``pre-award costs'')
are ineligible for reimbursement.\3\ All FY 2021 RAISE funds must be
expended (the grant obligation must be liquidated or actually paid out
to the grant recipient) by September 30, 2029. After this date,
unliquidated funds are no longer available to the project. As part of
the review and selection process described in Section E.2., DOT will
consider a project's likelihood of being ready to proceed with an
obligation of RAISE grant funds within the statutory timeline. No
waiver is possible for these deadlines.
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    \3\ Pre-award costs are only costs incurred directly pursuant to
the negotiation and anticipation of the RAISE award where such costs
are necessary for efficient and timely performance of the scope of
work, as determined by DOT. Costs incurred under an advance
construction (23 U.S.C. 115) authorization before the DOT announces
that a project is selected for a FY 2021 RAISE award cannot be
charged to FY 2021 RAISE funds. Likewise, costs incurred under an
FTA Letter of No Prejudice under Chapter 53 of title 49 U.S.C.
before the DOT announces that a project is selected for a FY 2021
RAISE award cannot be charged to FY 2021 RAISE funds.
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5. Previous BUILD/TIGER Awards

    Recipients of BUILD/TIGER grants may apply for funding to support
additional phases of a project previously awarded funds in the BUILD/
TIGER program. However, to be competitive, the applicant should
demonstrate the extent to which the previously funded project phase has
met estimated project schedules and budget, as well as the ability to
realize the benefits expected for the project. A previous BUILD/TIGER
award, or application, does not affect competitiveness under the FY
2021 RAISE competition.

C. Eligibility Information

    To be selected for a RAISE grant, an applicant must be an Eligible
Applicant and the project must be an Eligible Project.

1. Eligible Applicants

    Eligible Applicants for RAISE grants are State, local, Tribal, and
U.S. territories' governments, including transit agencies, port
authorities, metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs), and other
political subdivisions of State or local governments.
    Multiple States or jurisdictions may submit a joint application and
should identify a lead applicant as the primary

point of contact and also identify the primary recipient of the award.
Joint applications should include a description of the roles and
responsibilities of each applicant.
    DOT expects that the eligible applicant that submits the
application will administer and deliver the project. If the applicant
seeks a transfer of the award to another agency, a letter of support
from the designated entity must be included in the application.

2. Cost Sharing or Matching

    Per the FY 2021 Appropriations Act, the Federal share of project
costs for which an expenditure is made under the RAISE grant program
may not exceed 80 percent for a project located in an urban area.\4\
The Secretary may increase the Federal share of costs above 80 percent
for projects located in rural areas and for planning projects located
in areas of persistent poverty. Urban area and rural area are defined
in Section C.3.ii of this notice. Areas of persistent poverty are
defined in Section C.3.iii. DOT shall give priority to projects that
require a contribution of Federal funds to complete an overall
financing package.
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    \4\ To meet match requirements, the minimum total project cost
for a project located in an urban area must be $6.25 million.
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    Non-Federal sources include State funds originating from programs
funded by State revenue, local funds originating from State or local
revenue-funded programs, or private funds. Toll credits under 23 U.S.C.
120(i) are considered a Federal source under the RAISE program and,
therefore, cannot be used to satisfy the statutory cost sharing
requirement of a RAISE award. Unless otherwise authorized by statute,
non-Federal cost-share may not be counted as the non-Federal share for
both the RAISE grant and another Federal grant program. DOT will not
consider previously incurred costs or previously expended or encumbered
funds towards the matching requirement for any project. Matching funds
are subject to the same Federal requirements described in Section F.2.
as awarded funds. If repaid from non-Federal sources, Federal credit
assistance is considered non-Federal share.
    See Section D.2.iii for information about documenting cost sharing
in the application.
    For each project that receives a RAISE grant award, the terms of
the award will require the recipient to complete the project using at
least the level of non-Federal funding that was specified in the
application. If the actual costs of the project are greater than the
costs estimated in the application, the recipient will be responsible
for increasing the non-Federal contribution. If the actual costs of the
project are less than the costs estimated in the application, DOT will
generally reduce the Federal contribution.

3. Other

i. Eligible Projects
(a) Capital Projects
    Eligible projects for RAISE grants are surface transportation
capital projects within the United States or any territory or
possession of the United States that include, but are not limited to:
(1) Highway, bridge, or other road projects eligible under title 23,
United States Code; (2) public transportation projects eligible under
chapter 53 of title 49, United States Code; (3) passenger and freight
rail transportation projects; (4) port infrastructure investments
(including inland port infrastructure and land ports of entry); (5)
intermodal projects; and (6) projects investing in surface
transportation facilities that are located on Tribal land and for which
title or maintenance responsibility is vested in the Federal
Government.\5\
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    \5\ Please note that DOT may award a RAISE grant to pay for the
surface transportation components of a broader project that has non-
surface transportation components, and applicants are encouraged to
apply for RAISE grants to pay for the surface transportation
components of these projects.
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    Other than projects described in this section, improvements to
Federally owned facilities are ineligible under the FY 2021 RAISE
program. Research, demonstration, or pilot projects are eligible only
if they will result in long-term, permanent surface transportation
infrastructure that has independent utility as defined in Section
C.3.iv.
(b) Planning Projects
    Activities eligible for funding under RAISE planning grants are
related to the planning, preparation, or design--for example
environmental analysis, feasibility studies, and other pre-construction
activities--of eligible surface transportation capital projects
described in Section C.3.i.(a).
    In addition, eligible activities related to multidisciplinary
projects or regional planning may include: (1) Development of master
plans, comprehensive plans, or corridor plans; (2) Planning activities
related to the development of a multimodal freight corridor, including
those that seek to reduce conflicts with residential areas and with
passenger and non-motorized traffic; (3) Development of port and
regional port planning grants, including State-wide or multi-port
planning within a single jurisdiction or region; (4) Risk assessments
and planning to identify vulnerabilities and address the transportation
system's ability to withstand probable occurrence or recurrence of an
emergency or major disaster.
ii. Rural/Urban Definition
    For purposes of this notice, a project is designated as urban if it
is located within (or on the boundary of) a Census-designated urbanized
area \6\ that had a population greater than 200,000 in the 2010
Census.\7\ If a project is located outside a Census-designated
urbanized area with a population greater than 200,000, it is designated
as a rural project. Rural and urban definitions differ in some other
DOT programs, including TIFIA.
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    \6\ Lists of UAs as defined by the Census Bureau are available
on the Census Bureau website at https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-maps/2010/geo/2010-census-urban-areas.html.
    \7\ See www.transportation.gov/RAISEBUILDgrants for a list of
UAs.
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    A project located in both an urban and a rural area will be
designated as urban if the majority of the project's costs will be
spent in urban areas. Conversely, a project located in both an urban
area and a rural area will be designated as rural if the majority of
the project's costs will be spent in rural areas. For RAISE planning
grants, the location of the project being planned, prepared, or
designed will be used for the urban or rural designation.
    This definition affects four aspects of the program: (1) Not more
than $500 million of the funds provided for RAISE grants are to be used
for projects in rural areas; (2) not more than $500 million of the
funds provided for RAISE grants are to be used for projects in urban
areas; (3) for a project in a rural area the minimum award is $1
million; and (4) the Secretary may increase the Federal share above 80
percent to pay for the costs of a project in a rural area.
iii. Areas of Persistent Poverty
    Areas of Persistent Poverty means: (1) Any county that has
consistently had greater than or equal to 20 percent of the population
living in poverty during the 30-year period preceding December 27,
2020, as measured by the 1990 and 2000 \8\ decennial census and the
most recent annual Small Area Income Poverty Estimates as estimated by
the Bureau of the census; \9\ (2) any census tract with a poverty rate
of at least 20 percent as measured by the 2014-2018 5-year data series
available from the

American Community Survey of the Bureau of the Census; \10\ or (3) any
territory or possession of the United States. A county satisfies this
definition only if 20 percent of its population was living in poverty
in all three of the listed datasets: (a) The 1990 decennial census; (b)
the 2000 decennial census; and (c) the 2019 Small Area Income Poverty
Estimates. DOT will list all counties and census tracts that meet this
definition for Areas of Persistent Poverty on the RAISE website at
https://www.transportation.gov/RAISEgrants.
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    \8\ See https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/dec/census-poverty.html for county dataset.
    \9\ See https://www.census.gov/data/datasets/2019/demo/saipe/2019-state-and-county.html for December 2019 Small Area Income
Poverty Dataset.
    \10\ See https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=ACSST1Y2018.S1701&tid=ACSST5Y2018.S1701&hidePreview=false
for 2014-2018 five year data series from the American Community
Survey.
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    The FY 2021 definition for Area of Persistent Poverty may differ
from other DOT programs, including the FY 2020 FTA Hope Discretionary
Grant program.
    This definition for Areas of Persistent Poverty affects two aspects
of the program: (1) There is no minimum grant size for a planning
projects that are located in or are to directly benefit an area of
persistent poverty, and (2) the Secretary may increase the Federal
share above 80 percent to pay for the costs of a planning project that
is located in or is to directly benefit an area of persistent poverty.
    The Department will only consider direct benefits to Areas of
Persistent Poverty that are clearly and explicitly described in the
application narrative. Unless the application addresses the direct
benefits to an Areas of Persistent Poverty consistent with the
definition in this section, the Department will not assume the project
benefits an Area of Persistent Poverty.
iv. Project Components
    An application may describe a project that contains more than one
component, and may describe components that may be carried out by
parties other than the applicant. DOT expects, and will impose
requirements on fund recipients to ensure, that all components included
in an application will be delivered as part of the RAISE project,
regardless of whether a component includes Federal funding. The status
of each component should be clearly described (for example, in the
project schedule). DOT may award funds for a component, instead of the
larger project, if that component (1) independently meets minimum award
amounts described in Section B and all eligibility requirements
described in Section C; (2) independently aligns well with the
selection criteria specified in Section E.1; and (3) meets National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements with respect to
independent utility. Independent utility means that the component will
represent a transportation improvement that is usable and represents a
reasonable expenditure of DOT funds even if no other improvements are
made in the area, and will be ready for intended use upon completion of
that component's construction. All project components that are
presented together in a single application must demonstrate a
relationship or connection between them. (See Section D.2. for Required
Approvals).
    Applicants should be aware that, depending upon the relationship
between project components and applicable Federal law, DOT funding of
only some project components may make other project components subject
to Federal requirements as described in Section F.2.
    DOT strongly encourages applicants to identify in their
applications the project components that have independent utility and
separately detail costs and requested RAISE grant funding for those
components. If the application identifies one or more independent
project components, the application should clearly identify how each
independent component addresses selection criteria and produces
benefits on its own, in addition to describing how the full proposal of
which the independent component is a part addresses selection criteria.
v. Application Limit
    Each lead applicant may submit no more than three applications.
Unrelated project components should not be bundled in a single
application for the purpose of adhering to the limit. If a lead
applicant submits more than three applications as the lead applicant,
only the first three received will be considered.

D. Application and Submission Information

    1. Address To Request Application Package
    Instructions for submitting applications can be found at
www.transportation.gov/RAISEgrants along with specific instructions for
the forms and attachments required for submission.
    2. Content and Form of Application Submission
    The application must include the Standard Form 424 (Application for
Federal Assistance), cover page, and the Project Narrative. Applicants
are encouraged to also complete SF-424C and attach to their application
the ``RAISE 2021 Project Information'' form available at
www.transportation.gov/RAISEgrants.
    DOT recommends that the project narrative follow the basic outline
below to address the program requirements and assist evaluators in
locating relevant information.

I. Project Description.....................  See D.2.i.
II. Project Location.......................  See D.2.ii.
III. Grant Funds, Sources and Uses of all    See D.2.iii.
 Project Funding.
IV. Selection Criteria.....................  See D.2. iv. and E.1.
V. Environmental Risk Review...............  See D.2. v. and E.1.ii.
VI. Benefit Cost Analysis..................  See D.2.vi. and E.1. iii..

    The project narrative should include the information necessary for
DOT to determine that the project satisfies project requirements
described in Sections B and C and to assess the selection criteria
specified in Section E.1. To the extent practicable, applicants should
provide supporting data and documentation in a form that is directly
verifiable by DOT. DOT expects applications to be complete upon
submission. DOT may ask any applicant to supplement data in its
application but is not required to do so. Lack of supporting
information provided with the application negatively affects
competitiveness of the application, as described in Section E.2.
    In addition to a detailed statement of work, detailed project
schedule, and detailed project budget, the project narrative should
include a table of contents, maps and graphics, as appropriate, to make
the information easier to review. DOT recommends that the project
narrative be prepared with standard formatting preferences (a single-
spaced document, using a standard 12-point font such as Times New
Roman, with 1-inch margins). The

project narrative may not exceed 30 pages in length, excluding cover
pages and table of contents. The only substantive portions that may
exceed the 30-page limit are documents supporting assertions or
conclusions made in the 30-page project narrative, but evaluators are
not required to review supporting documents as part of the merit review
described in Section E. If possible, website links to supporting
documentation should be provided rather than copies of these supporting
materials. If supporting documents are submitted, applicants should
clearly reference these in the respective section of the project
narrative. DOT recommends using appropriately descriptive file names
(e.g., ``Project Narrative,'' ``Maps,'' ``Memoranda of Understanding
and Letters of Support,'') for all attachments. DOT recommends
applications include the following sections:
i. Project Description
    The first section of the application should provide a description
of the project, the transportation challenges that it is intended to
address, and how it will address those challenges. This section should
discuss the project's history, including a description of any
previously completed components. The applicant may use this section to
place the project into a broader context of other transportation
infrastructure investments being pursued by the project sponsor.
Applicants may also include a detailed statement of work that focuses
on the technical and engineering aspects of the project and describes
in detail the project to be constructed.
ii. Project Location
    This section of the application should describe the project
location, including a detailed geographical description of the proposed
project, a map of the project's location, and description of
connections to existing transportation infrastructure. The application
should also identify:
    (a) Whether the project is located in an Area of Persistent Poverty
including the relevant County and/or census tract; and
    (b) the Census-designated urbanized area in which the project is
located, if relevant.
    If the project is not located in an Area of Persistent Poverty but
is a project to directly benefit such an area, the application should
clearly and explicitly describe those benefits and the affected county
or census tract(s). For a project to directly benefit an Area of
Persistent Poverty, measurable and non-trivial outcomes, consistent
with the selection criteria describe in Section E of this NOFO, must be
located in that Area of Persistent Poverty.
iii. Grant Funds, Sources and Uses of Project Funds
    This section of the application should describe the budget for the
RAISE project (i.e. the project scope that includes RAISE funding).
This budget should not include any previously incurred expenses. The
budget should show how each source of funds will be spent. The budget
should also show how each funding source will share in each major
construction activity, and present that data in dollars and
percentages. If applicable, the budget should identify Federal funds
that have been previously authorized by a Federal agency. Funding
sources should be grouped into three categories: non-Federal, RAISE,
and other Federal. If the project contains individual components, the
budget should separate the costs of each project component. If the
project will be completed in phases, the budget should separate the
costs of each phase. The budget should clearly identify any expenses
expected to be incurred between time of award and obligation because
these expenses are not eligible for reimbursement, as described in
Section B.4, or for cost sharing, as described in Section C.2. The
budget details should sufficiently demonstrate that the project
satisfies the statutory cost-sharing requirements described in Section
C.2. At a minimum, it should include:
    (a) Costs for the FY2021 RAISE project;
    (b) For all funds to be used for eligible project costs, the source
and amount of those funds;
    (c) For non-Federal funds to be used for eligible project costs,
documentation of funding commitments. Documentation should also be
included as an appendix to the application. If the applicant is not a
State DOT and matching contributions from a State DOT are included as
non-Federal match, a supporting letter from the State indicating the
source of the funds; and
    (d) For Federal funds to be used for eligible project costs, the
amount, nature, and source of any required non-Federal match for those
funds.
    In addition to the information enumerated above, this section
should provide complete information on how all project funds may be
used. For example, if a particular source of funds is available only
after a condition is satisfied, the application should identify that
condition and describe the applicant's control over whether it is
satisfied. Similarly, if a particular source of funds is available for
expenditure only during a fixed time period, the application should
describe that restriction. Complete information about project funds
will ensure that DOT's expectations for award execution align with any
funding restrictions unrelated to DOT, even if an award differs from
the applicant's request.
iv. Selection Criteria
    This section of the application should demonstrate how the project
aligns with the criteria described in Section E.1 of this notice. DOT
encourages applicants to either address each criterion or expressly
state that the project does not address the criterion. Applicants are
not required to follow a specific format, but the outline suggested
addresses each criterion separately and promotes a clear discussion
that assists project evaluators. To minimize redundant information in
the application, DOT encourages applicants to cross-reference from this
section of their application to relevant substantive information in
other sections of the application. The guidance in this section is
about how the applicant should organize their application. Guidance
describing how DOT will evaluate projects against the Selection
Criteria is in Section E.1 of this notice. Applicants also should
review that section before considering how to organize their
application.
(1) Primary Selection Criteria
(a) Safety
    This section of the application should describe the anticipated
outcomes of the project that support the Safety criterion (described in
Section E.1.i.(a) of this notice). The applicant should include
information on, and to the extent possible, quantify, how the project
would improve safety outcomes within the project area or wider
transportation network, to include how the project will reduce the
number, rate, and consequences of transportation-related accidents,
serious injuries, and fatalities. The application should provide
evidence to support the claimed level of effectiveness of the project
in reducing accidents, serious injuries, and/or fatalities. If
applicable, the applicant should also include information on how the
project will improve safety at highway-rail grade crossings and/or
contribute to preventing unintended releases of hazardous materials.
(b) Environmental Sustainability
    This section of the application should describe how the project
addresses the environmental sustainability criterion

(described in Section E.1.i.(b) of this notice). Applicants are
encouraged to provide information demonstrating that they have
considered climate change and environmental justice in the planning
stage, in addition to a description of specific project elements that
address climate change impacts. Applicants are encouraged to include
information demonstrating how the project will reduce emissions,
promote energy efficiency, incorporate electrification or zero emission
vehicle infrastructure, increase resiliency, improve stormwater
management, and recycle or redevelop existing infrastructure.
Additional information for how this criterion will be evaluated is in
Section E.1.i. of this notice.
(c) Quality of Life
    This section should describe how the project increases or improves
transportation choices for individuals, expands access to essential
services, improves connectivity for citizens to jobs, health care, and
other critical destinations; proactively addresses racial equity and
barriers to opportunity; or otherwise addresses the quality of life
criterion (described in Section E.1.i.(c) of this notice).
(d) Economic Competitiveness
    This section of the application should describe how the project
will support the Economic Competitiveness criterion (described in
Section E.1.i.(d) of this notice). The applicant should include
information about expected impacts of the project on the movement of
goods and people, including how the project increases the efficiency of
movement and thereby reduces costs of doing business, improves local
and regional freight connectivity to the national and global economy,
reduces burdens of commuting, and improves overall well-being.
Applicants could also describe whether project delivery and
implementation provides opportunities for workers to find good-paying
jobs directly related to the project, including opportunities through
unions, project labor agreements,\11\, local hiring provisions, or
other targeted preferential hiring provisions.\12\ The applicant should
describe the extent to which the project contributes to the functioning
and growth of the economy, including the extent to which the project
addresses congestion or freight connectivity, bridges service gaps in
rural areas, or promotes the expansion of private economic development.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \11\ Project labor agreement must be consistent with Executive
Order 13502.
    \12\ Preferential hiring provisions must be authorized and
comply with Sec. 199B of the FY2021 Appropriations Act.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

(e) State of Good Repair
    This section of the application should describe how the project
will contribute to a state of good repair by improving the condition or
resilience of existing transportation facilities and systems (described
in Section E.1.i.(e) of this notice), including the project's current
condition, how the proposed project will improve it, and any estimates
of impacts on long-term cost structures or overall life-cycle costs.
(2) Secondary Selection Criteria
(a) Partnership
    This section of the application should include information to
assess the partnership criterion (described in Section E.1.ii.(a) of
this notice) including a list of all project parties and details about
the proposed grant recipient and other public and private parties who
are involved in delivering the project. This section should also
describe efforts to collaborate among stakeholders, including with the
private sector.
    Applications for projects involving other Federal agencies, or
requiring action from other Federal agencies, should demonstrate
commitment and involvement of those agencies. For example, relevant
port projects should demonstrate alignment with U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers investment strategies.
(b) Innovation
    This section of the application should describe innovative
strategies used and the anticipated benefits of using those strategies,
including those corresponding to three categories (described in Section
E.1.ii.(b) of this notice): (i) Innovative Technologies, (ii)
Innovative Project Delivery, or (iii) Innovative Financing.
(i) Innovative Technologies
    If an applicant is proposing to adopt innovative technology, the
application should demonstrate the applicant's capacity to implement
those innovations, the applicant's understanding of applicable Federal
requirements and whether the innovations may require extraordinary
permitting, approvals, exemptions, waivers, or other procedural
actions, and the effects of those innovations on the project delivery
timeline.
    If an applicant is proposing to deploy autonomous vehicles or other
innovative motor vehicle technology, the application should demonstrate
that all vehicles will comply with applicable safety requirements,
including those administered by the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA) and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
(FMCSA). Specifically, the application should show that vehicles
acquired for the proposed project will comply with applicable Federal
Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) and Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Regulations (FMCSR). If the vehicles may not comply, the application
should either (1) show that the vehicles and their proposed operations
are within the scope of an exemption or waiver that has already been
granted by NHTSA, FMCSA, or both agencies or (2) directly address
whether the project will require exemptions or waivers from the FMVSS,
FMCSR, or any other regulation and, if the project will require
exemptions or waivers, present a plan for obtaining them.
(ii) Innovative Project Delivery
    If an applicant plans to use innovative approaches to project
delivery or is located in a State with NEPA delegation authority,
applicants should describe those project delivery methods and how they
are expected to improve the efficiency of the project development or
expedite project delivery.
(iii) Innovative Financing
    If an applicant plans to incorporate innovative funding or
financing, the applicant should describe the funding or financing
approach, including a description of all activities undertaken to
pursue private funding or financing for the project and the outcomes of
those activities.
v. Environmental Risk
    This section of the application should include sufficient
information for DOT to evaluate whether the project is reasonably
expected to begin construction in a timely manner. To assist DOT's
project environmental risk review, the applicant should provide the
information requested on project schedule, required approvals and
permits, NEPA, risk and mitigation strategies, each of which is
described in greater detail in the following sections. Applicants are
not required to follow the specific format described here, but this
organization, which addresses each relevant aspect of environmental
risk, promotes a clear discussion that assists project evaluators. To
minimize redundant information in the application, DOT encourages
applicants to cross-reference from this section of their application to
relevant substantive

information in other sections of the application.
    The guidance here is about what information applicants should
provide and how the applicant should organize their application.
Guidance describing how DOT will evaluate environmental risk is
described in Section E.1.ii of this notice. Applicants should review
that section when considering how to organize their application.
(a) Project Schedule
    The applicant should include a detailed project schedule that
identifies all major project milestones. Examples of such milestones
include State and local planning approvals (e.g., programming on the
Statewide Transportation Improvement Program); start and completion of
NEPA and other Federal environmental reviews and approvals including
permitting; design completion; right of way acquisition; approval of
plans, specifications and estimates; procurement; State and local
approvals; project partnership and implementation agreements, including
agreements with railroads; and construction. The project schedule
should be sufficiently detailed to demonstrate that:
    (1.) All necessary activities will be complete to allow RAISE grant
funds to be obligated sufficiently in advance of the statutory deadline
(June 30, 2024 \13\), and that any unexpected delays will not put the
funds at risk of expiring before they are obligated;
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \13\ The statutory obligation deadline is September 30, 2024.
The Department assesses risk against an earlier deadline of June 30,
2024 to allow time to complete administrative processing and address
challenges before the statutory deadline.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (2.) the project can begin construction upon obligation of grant
funds and that those funds will be spent expeditiously once
construction starts, with all funds expended by September 30, 2029; and
    (3.) all real property and right-of-way acquisition will be
completed in a timely manner in accordance with 49 CFR part 24, 23 CFR
part 710, and other applicable legal requirements or a statement that
no right-of-way acquisition is necessary.
(b) Required Approvals
    1. Environmental Permits and Reviews. The application should
demonstrate receipt (or reasonably anticipated receipt) of all
environmental approvals and permits necessary for the project to
proceed to construction on the timeline specified in the project
schedule and necessary to meet the statutory obligation deadline,
including satisfaction of all Federal, State and local requirements and
completion of the NEPA process. Specifically, the application should
include:
    i. Information about the NEPA status of the project. If the NEPA
process is complete, an applicant should indicate the date of
completion, and provide a website link or other reference to the final
Categorical Exclusion, Finding of No Significant Impact, Record of
Decision, and any other NEPA documents prepared. If the NEPA process is
underway, but not complete, the application should detail the type of
NEPA review underway, where the project is in the process, and indicate
the anticipated date of completion of all milestones and of the final
NEPA determination. If the last agency action with respect to NEPA
documents occurred more than three years before the application date,
the applicant should describe why the project has been delayed and
include a proposed approach for verifying and, if necessary, updating
this material in accordance with applicable NEPA requirements.
    ii. Information on reviews, approvals, and permits by other
agencies. An application should indicate whether the proposed project
requires reviews or approval actions by other agencies,\14\ indicate
the status of such actions, and provide detailed information about the
status of those reviews or approvals and should demonstrate compliance
with any other applicable Federal, State or local requirements, and
when such approvals are expected. Applicants should provide a website
link or other reference to copies of any reviews, approvals, and
permits prepared.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \14\ Projects that may impact protected resources such as
wetlands, species habitat, cultural or historic resources require
review and approval by Federal and State agencies with jurisdiction
over those resources.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    iii. Environmental studies or other documents, preferably through a
website link, that describe in detail known project impacts, and
possible mitigation for those impacts.
    iv. A description of discussions with the appropriate DOT operating
administration field or headquarters office regarding the project's
compliance with NEPA and other applicable Federal environmental reviews
and approvals.
    v. A description of public engagement about the project that has
occurred, including details on the degree to which public comments and
commitments have been integrated into project development and design.
    2. State and Local Approvals. The applicant should demonstrate
receipt of State and local approvals on which the project depends, such
as State and local environmental and planning approvals and Statewide
Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) or (Transportation
Improvement Program) TIP funding. For projects acquiring State DOT-
owned right of way, applicants should demonstrate they have coordinated
the project with the State DOT or transportation facility owner.
Additional support from relevant State and local officials is not
required; however, an applicant should demonstrate that the project has
broad public support.
    3. Federal Transportation Requirements Affecting State and Local
Planning. The planning requirements applicable to the relevant
operating administration apply to all RAISE grant projects,\15\
including intermodal projects located at airport facilities.\16\
Applicants should demonstrate that a project that is required to be
included in the relevant State, metropolitan, and local planning
documents has been or will be included in such documents. If the
project is not included in a relevant planning document at the time the
application is submitted, the applicant

should submit a statement from the appropriate planning agency that
actions are underway to include the project in the relevant planning
document. To the extent possible, freight projects should be included
in a State Freight Plan and supported by a State Freight Advisory
Committee (49 U.S.C. 70201, 70202), if these exist. Applicants should
provide links or other documentation supporting this consideration.
Because projects have different schedules, the construction start date
for each RAISE grant must be specified in the project-specific
agreements signed by relevant operating administration and the grant
recipients, based on critical path items that applicants identify in
the application and will be consistent with relevant State and local
plans.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \15\ Under 23 U.S.C. 134 and 135, all projects requiring an
action by FHWA must be in the applicable plan and programming
documents (e.g., metropolitan transportation plan, transportation
improvement program (TIP) and statewide transportation improvement
program (STIP)). Further, in air quality non-attainment and
maintenance areas, all regionally significant projects, regardless
of the funding source, must be included in the conforming
metropolitan transportation plan and TIP. Inclusion in the STIP is
required under certain circumstances. To the extent a project is
required to be on a metropolitan transportation plan, TIP, and/or
STIP, it will not receive a RAISE grant until it is included in such
plans. Plans that do not currently include the awarded RAISE project
can be amended by the State and MPO. Projects that are not required
to be in long range transportation plans, STIPs, and TIPs will not
need to be included in such plans to receive a RAISE grant. Port,
freight rail, and intermodal projects are not required to be on the
State Rail Plans called for in the Passenger Rail Investment and
Improvement Act of 2008, or in a State Freight Plan as described in
the FAST Act. However, applicants seeking funding for freight
projects are encouraged to demonstrate that they have done
sufficient planning to ensure that projects fit into a prioritized
list of capital needs and are consistent with long-range goals.
Means of demonstrating this consistency would include whether the
project is in a TIP or a State Freight Plan that conforms to the
requirements 49 U.S.C. 70202 prior to the start of construction.
Port planning guidelines are available at StrongPorts.gov.
    \16\ Projects at grant obligated airports must be compatible
with the FAA-approved Airport Layout Plan, as well as aeronautical
surfaces associated with the landing and takeoff of aircraft at the
airport. Additionally, projects at an airport: Must comply with
established Sponsor Grant Assurances, including (but not limited to)
requirements for non-exclusive use facilities, consultation with
users, consistency with local plans including development of the
area surrounding the airport, and consideration of the interest of
nearby communities, among others; and must not adversely affect the
continued and unhindered access of passengers to the terminal.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

(c) Assessment of Project Risks and Mitigation Strategies
    Project risks, such as procurement delays, environmental
uncertainties, increases in real estate acquisition costs, uncommitted
local match, unavailability of vehicles that either comply with Federal
Motor Vehicle Safety Standards or are exempt from Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standards in a manner that allows for their legal acquisition
and deployment, unavailability of domestically manufactured equipment,
or lack of legislative approval, affect the likelihood of successful
project start and completion. The applicant should identify all
material risks to the project and the strategies that the lead
applicant and any project partners have undertaken or will undertake to
mitigate those risks. The applicant should assess the greatest risks to
the project and identify how the project parties will mitigate those
risks.
    If an applicant anticipates pursuing a waiver for relevant domestic
preference laws, the applicant should describe steps that have been or
will be taken to maximize the use of domestic goods, products, and
materials in constructing its project.
    To the extent the applicant is unfamiliar with the Federal program,
the applicant should contact the appropriate DOT operating
administration field or headquarters offices, as found in contact
information at www.transportation.gov/RAISEgrants, for information on
the pre-requisite steps to obligate Federal funds in order to ensure
that their project schedule is reasonable and that there are no risks
of delays in satisfying Federal requirements.
    RAISE planning grant applicants should describe their capacity to
successfully implement the proposed activities in a timely manner.
vi. Benefit Cost Analysis
    This section describes the recommended approach for the completion
and submission of a benefit-cost analysis (BCA) as an appendix to the
Project Narrative. The results of the analysis should be summarized in
the Project Narrative directly, as described in Section D.2.
    The appendix should provide present value estimates of a project's
benefits and costs relative to a no-build baseline. To calculate
present values, applicants should apply a real discount rate (i.e., the
discount rate net of the inflation rate) of 7 percent per year to the
project's streams of benefits and costs. The purpose of the BCA is to
enable DOT to evaluate the project's cost-effectiveness by estimating a
benefit-cost ratio for the project.
    The primary economic benefits from projects eligible for RAISE
grants are likely to include savings in travel time costs, vehicle or
terminal operating costs, and safety costs for both existing users of
the improved facility and new users who may be attracted to it as a
result of the project. Reduced damages from vehicle emissions and
savings in maintenance costs to public agencies may also be quantified.
Applicants may describe other categories of benefits in the BCA that
are more difficult to quantify and value in economic terms, such as
improving the reliability of travel times or improvements to the
existing human and natural environments (such as increased
connectivity, improved public health, storm water runoff mitigation,
and noise reduction), while also providing numerical estimates of the
magnitude and timing of each of these additional impacts wherever
possible. Any benefits claimed for the project, both quantified and
unquantified, should be clearly tied to the expected outcomes of the
project.
    The BCA should include the full costs of developing, constructing,
operating, and maintaining the proposed project, as well as the
expected timing or schedule for costs in each of these categories. The
BCA may also consider the present discounted value of any remaining
service life of the asset at the end of the analysis period. The costs
and benefits that are compared in the BCA should also cover the same
project scope.
    The BCA should carefully document the assumptions and methodology
used to produce the analysis, including a description of the baseline,
the sources of data used to project the outcomes of the project, and
the values of key input parameters. Applicants should provide all
relevant files used for their BCA, including any spreadsheet files and
technical memos describing the analysis (whether created in-house or by
a contractor). The spreadsheets and technical memos should present the
calculations in sufficient detail and transparency to allow the
analysis to be reproduced by DOT evaluators. Detailed guidance for
estimating some types of quantitative benefits and costs, together with
recommended economic values for converting them to dollar terms and
discounting to their present values, are available in DOT's guidance
for conducting BCAs for projects seeking funding under the RAISE grant
program (see www.transportation.gov/RAISEgrants/additional-guidance).

3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM)

    Each applicant must: (1) Be registered in SAM before submitting its
application; (2) provide a valid unique entity identifier in its
application; and (3) continue to maintain an active SAM registration
with current information at all times during which it has an active
Federal award or an application or plan under consideration by a
Federal awarding agency. DOT may not make a RAISE grant to an applicant
until the applicant has complied with all applicable unique entity
identifier and SAM requirements and, if an applicant has not fully
complied with the requirements by the time DOT is ready to make a RAISE
grant, DOT may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive
a RAISE grant and use that determination as a basis for making a RAISE
grant to another applicant.

4. Submission Dates and Times

    Applications must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. Eastern on July 12,
2021. To submit an application through Grants.gov, applicants must:
    (1) Obtain a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number;
    (2) Register with the System for Award Management (SAM) at
www.SAM.gov;
    (3) Create a Grants.gov username and password; and
    (4) The E-Business Point of Contact (POC) at the applicant's
organization must respond to the registration email from Grants.gov and
login at Grants.gov to authorize the applicant as the Authorized
Organization Representative (AOR). Please note that there can be more
than one AOR for an organization.
    Please note that the Grants.gov registration process usually takes
2-4 weeks to complete and that DOT will

not consider late applications that are the result of failure to
register or comply with Grants.gov applicant requirements in a timely
manner. For information and instruction on each of these processes,
please see instructions at http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/applicant-faqs.html. If applicants experience difficulties at any point
during the registration or application process, please call the
Grants.gov Customer Service Support Hotline at 1(800) 518-4726, Monday-
Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. EST.

5. Other Submission Requirements

(a) Submission Location
    Applications must be submitted to Grants.gov.
(b) Consideration of Applications
    Only applicants who comply with all submission deadlines described
in this notice and electronically submit valid applications through
Grants.gov will be eligible for award. Applicants are strongly
encouraged to make submissions in advance of the deadline.
(c) Late Applications
    Applicants experiencing technical issues with Grants.gov that are
beyond the applicant's control must contact<EMAIL_ADDRESS>prior
to the application deadline with the user name of the registrant and
details of the technical issue experienced. The applicant must provide:
    (1) Details of the technical issue experienced;
    (2) Screen capture(s) of the technical issues experienced along
with corresponding Grants.gov ``Grant tracking number;''
    (3) The ``Legal Business Name'' for the applicant that was provided
in the SF-424;
    (4) The AOR name submitted in the SF-424;
    (5) The DUNS number associated with the application; and
    (6) The Grants.gov Help Desk Tracking Number.
    To ensure a fair competition of limited discretionary funds, the
following conditions are not valid reasons to permit late submissions:
(1) Failure to complete the registration process before the deadline;
(2) failure to follow Grants.gov instructions on how to register and
apply as posted on its website; (3) failure to follow all instructions
in this notice of funding opportunity; and (4) technical issues
experienced with the applicant's computer or information technology
environment. After DOT reviews all information submitted and contact
the Grants.gov Help Desk to validate reported technical issues, DOT
staff will contact late applicants to approve or deny a request to
submit a late application through Grants.gov. If the reported technical
issues cannot be validated, late applications will be rejected as
untimely.
(d) Compliance with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
    The Department encourages applicants to submit documents that are
compliant with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Section
508 guidelines are available at https://www.access-board.gov/ict/.

E. Application Review Information

1. Criteria

(a) Capital Projects
    This section specifies the criteria that DOT will use to evaluate
and award applications for RAISE grants. The criteria incorporate the
statutory eligibility requirements for this program, which are
specified in this notice as relevant. For each proposed project, DOT
will review the potential long-term benefits for the primary and
secondary merit criteria described in this section. DOT does not
consider any primary merit criterion more important than the others.
Applications that do not demonstrate the project will, more likely than
not generate benefits in one or more merit criteria for at least the
useful life of the project; demonstrate moderate local or regional
impact; and contain sufficient information to assess the projects
benefits will not proceed in the evaluation process. In evaluating the
primary and secondary merit criteria, DOT will review the project's
local or regional impact as well as the content and credibility of
information used to explain project benefits. As described in section
E.2, projects that address primary merit criteria will be more
competitive than projects that only address secondary merit criteria.
i. Primary Merit Criteria
(a) Safety
    DOT will assess the project's ability to foster a safe
transportation system for the movement of goods and people, consistent
with the Department's strategic goal to reduce transportation-related
fatalities and serious injuries across the transportation system. DOT
will consider the project's estimated impacts on the number, rate, and
consequences of crashes, fatalities and injuries among transportation
users; the degree to which the project addresses vulnerable roadway
users, the degree to which the project addresses inequities in crash
victims, the extent to which the project improves safety at highway/
rail grade crossings; the project's incorporation of roadway design and
technology that is proven to improve safety; or the project's
contribution to preventing unintended releases of hazardous materials.
(b) Environmental Sustainability
    DOT will consider the extent to which the project incorporates
considerations of climate change and environmental justice in the
planning stage and in project delivery, such as through incorporation
of specific design elements that address climate change impacts. DOT
will evaluate the degree to which the project is expected to reduce
emissions, promote energy efficiency, support fiscally responsible land
use and transportation efficient design, incorporates electrification
or zero emission vehicle infrastructure, increases resiliency, reduces
pollution, and recycles or redevelops brownfield sites, particularly
communities that disproportionally experience climate-change-related
consequences. DOT will assess whether the project has addressed
environmental sustainability, including but not limited to the
following examples:
    (1) A Local/Regional/State Climate Action Plan which results in
lower greenhouse gas emissions has been prepared and the project
directly supports that Climate Action Plan;
    (2) A Local/Regional/State Equitable Development Plan has been
prepared and the project directly supports that Equitable Development
Plan;
    (3) The project sponsor has used environmental justice tools such
as the EJSCREEN to minimize adverse impacts to environmental justice
communities (https://ejscreen.epa.gov/mapper/); or
    (4) A Local/Regional/State Energy Baseline Study has been prepared
and the project directly supports that study;

    (5) The project supports a modal shift in freight or passenger
movement to reduce emissions, or reduce induced travel demand. The
project utilizes demand management strategies to reduce congestion,
induced travel demand, and greenhouse gas emissions;
    (6) The project incorporates electrification infrastructure, zero-
emission vehicle infrastructure, or both;
    (7) The project supports the installation of electric vehicle
charging stations;
    (8) The project promotes energy efficiency;
    (9) The project serves the renewable energy supply chain;
    (10) The project improves disaster preparedness and resiliency;
    (11) The project avoids adverse environmental impacts to air or
water quality, wetlands, and endangered species, such as through
reduction in Clean Air Act criteria pollutants and greenhouse gases,
improved stormwater management, or improved habitat connectivity;
    (12) The project repairs existing dilapidated or idle
infrastructure that is currently causing environmental harm (e.g.
brownfield redevelopment);
    (13) The project supports or incorporates the construction of
energy- and location-efficient buildings;
    (14) The project proposes recycling of materials, use of materials
known to reduce or reverse carbon emissions, or both.
(c) Quality of Life
    DOT will consider the extent to which the project: (i) Increases
transportation choices and equity for individuals; (ii) expands access
to essential services for communities across the United States,
particularly for underserved or disadvantaged communities; (iii)
improves connectivity for citizens to jobs, health care, and other
critical destinations, or (iv) proactively addresses racial equity \17\
and barriers to opportunity, through the planning process or through
incorporation of design elements. DOT will assess whether the project
addresses quality of life, including but not limited to the following
examples:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \17\ Definitions for ``racial equity'' and ``underserved
communities'' are found in Executive Order 13985, Advancing Racial
Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal
Government, Sections 2 (a) and (b).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (1) A racial equity impact analysis has been completed for the
project;
    (2) The project sponsor has adopted an equity and inclusion
program/plan or has otherwise instituted equity-focused policies
related to project procurement, material sourcing, construction,
inspection, hiring, or other activities designed to ensure racial
equity in the overall project delivery and implementation.
    (3) The project includes physical-barrier-mitigating land bridges,
caps, lids, linear parks, and multimodal mobility investments that
either redress past barriers to opportunity or that proactively create
new connections and opportunities for underserved communities that are
underserved by transportation;
    (4) The project includes new or improved walking, biking, and
rolling access for the disabled, especially access that reverses the
disproportional impacts of crashes on people of color, and mitigate
neighborhood bifurcation; or
    (5) The project includes new or improved freight access to
underserved communities to increase access to goods and job
opportunities for those underserved communities.
(d) Economic Competitiveness
    DOT will assess the degree to which the project will (1) decrease
transportation costs and improve access, through reliable and timely
access, to employment centers and job opportunities; (2) improve long-
term efficiency or reliability, or reduce costs in the movement of
workers or goods; (3) offer significant regional and national
improvements in economic strength by increasing the economic
productivity of land, capital, or labor, and improving the economic
strength of regions and cities; (4) result in long-term job creation by
supporting good-paying jobs directly related to the project with the
choice of a union, and supporting American industry through compliance
with domestic preference laws, the use of project labor agreements,
local hiring provisions, or other targeted preferential hiring
requirements; or (5) help the United States compete in a global economy
by encouraging the location of important industries and future
innovations and technology in the U.S., and facilitating efficient and
reliable freight movement. This criterion is consistent with DOT's
strategic objective to promote investments that bring lasting economic
benefit to the Nation.
    Projects that bridge gaps in service in rural areas and projects
that attract private economic development both support local or
regional economic competitiveness.
(e) State of Good Repair
ii. Consistent with the Department's strategic objective to maintain
and upgrade existing transportation systems, DOT will assess whether
and to what extent: (1) The project is consistent with relevant plans
to maintaintransportation facilities or systems in a state of good
repair and address current and projected vulnerabilities; (2) if left
unimproved, the poor condition of the asset will threaten future
transportation network efficiency, mobility of goods or accessibility
and mobility of people, or economic growth; (3) the project is
appropriately capitalized, including whether project sponsor has
conducted scenario planning and/or fiscal impact analysis to understand
the future impact on public finances; (4) a sustainable source of
revenue is available for operations and maintenance of the project and
the project will reduce overall life-cycle costs; (5) the project will
maintain or improve transportation infrastructure that supports border
security functions; and (6) the project includes a plan to maintain the
transportation infrastructure in a state of good repair. DOT will
prioritize projects that ensure the good condition of transportation
infrastructure, including rural transportation infrastructure, that
support commerce and economic growth. Secondary Merit Criteria
(a) Partnership
    DOT will consider the extent to which projects demonstrate strong
collaboration among a broad range of stakeholders. Projects with strong
partnership typically involve multiple partners in project development
and funding, such as State and local governments, other public
entities, and private or nonprofit entities, particularly minority
business enterprises. DOT will consider applicants that partner with
State, local, or private entities for the completion and operation of
transportation infrastructure to have strong partnership. DOT will also
assess the extent to which the project application demonstrates
collaboration among neighboring or regional jurisdictions to achieve
local or regional benefits, especially equity-focused community
outreach and public engagement in the project's planning in underserved
communities. In the context of public-private partnerships, DOT will
assess the extent to which partners are encouraged to ensure long-term
asset performance, such as through pay-for-success approaches.
    DOT will also consider the extent to which projects include
partnerships that bring together diverse transportation

agencies or are supported, financially or otherwise, by other
stakeholders that are pursuing similar objectives. For example, DOT
will consider the extent to which transportation projects are
coordinated with economic development, affordable housing projects,
water and waste infrastructure, power and electric infrastructure,
broadband and land use plans and policies or other public service
efforts.
(b) Innovation
    Consistent with DOT's objectives to encourage transformative
projects that take the lead in deploying innovative technologies and
practices that drive outcomes in terms of safety, equity, climate and
resilience, and economic strength, DOT will assess the extent to which
the applicant uses innovative strategies, including: (1) Innovative
technologies, (2) innovative project delivery, or (3) innovative
financing.
1. Innovative Technologies
    Consistent with overarching goals to support good-paying jobs with
the choice of a union, DOT will assess innovative technological
approaches to transportation, particularly in relation to automated,
connected, and electric vehicles and the detection, mitigation, and
documentation of safety risks. When making RAISE grant award decisions,
DOT will consider any innovative technological approaches proposed by
the applicant, particularly projects which incorporate innovative
technological design solutions, enhance the environment for connected,
electric, and automated vehicles, or use technology to improve the
detection, mitigation, and documentation of safety risks. Innovative
technological approaches may include, but are not limited to:
     Conflict detection and mitigation technologies (e.g.,
intersection alerts and signal prioritization);
     Dynamic signaling, smart traffic signals, or pricing
systems to reduce congestion;
     Traveler information systems, to include work zone data
exchanges;
     Signage and design features that facilitate autonomous or
semi-autonomous vehicle technologies;
     Applications to automatically capture and report safety-
related issues (e.g., identifying and documenting near-miss incidents);
     Vehicle-to-Everything V2X Technologies (e.g. technology
that facilitates passing of information between a vehicle and any
entity that may affect the vehicle);
     Vehicle-to-Infrastructure (V2I) Technologies (e.g.,
digital, physical, coordination, and other infrastructure technologies
and systems that allow vehicles to interact with transportation
infrastructure in ways that improve their mutual performance);
     Vehicle-to-Grid Technologies (e.g., technologies and
infrastructure that encourage electric vehicle charging, and broader
sustainability of the power grid);
     Cybersecurity elements to protect safety-critical systems;
     Broadband deployment and the installation of high-speed
networks concurrent with the transportation project construction;
     Technology at land and sea ports of entry that reduces
congestion, wait times, and delays, while maintaining or enhancing the
integrity of our border;
     Work Zone data exchanges or related data exchanges; or
     Other Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) that
directly benefit the project's users.
    For innovative safety proposals, DOT will evaluate safety benefits
that those approaches could produce and the broader applicability of
the potential results. DOT will also assess the extent to which the
project uses innovative technology that supports surface transportation
to significantly enhance the operational performance of the
transportation system. Please note that all innovative technology must
be in compliance with 2 CFR 200.216.\18\
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2. Innovative Project Delivery
    DOT will consider the extent to which the project utilizes
innovative practices in contracting (such as public-private
partnerships), congestion management, asset management, or long-term
operations and maintenance.
    DOT also seeks projects that employ innovative approaches to
improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the environmental
permitting and review to accelerate project delivery and achieve
improved outcomes for communities and the environment. DOT's objective
is to achieve timely and consistent environmental review and permit
decisions. Accordingly, projects from States with NEPA assignment
authority under 23 U.S.C. 327 are considered to use an innovative
approach to project delivery. Participation in innovative project
delivery approaches will not remove any statutory requirements
affecting project delivery.
    Infrastructure investment also provides opportunities for workers
to find good-paying jobs with the choice to join a union, and supports
American industry through the application of domestic preference
requirements. Projects that use project labor agreements and deploy
local hiring provisions or targeted preferential hiring provisions also
contribute to innovative project delivery.
    While RAISE grant award recipients are not required to employ
innovative approaches, DOT encourages RAISE grant applicants to
describe innovative project delivery methods for proposed projects.
3. Innovative Financing
    DOT will assess the extent to which the project incorporates
innovations in transportation funding and finance through both
traditional and innovative means, including by using private sector
funding or financing or using congestion pricing or other demand
management strategies to address congestion in major urban areas.
iii. Demonstrated Project Readiness
    During application evaluation, DOT may consider project readiness
to assess the likelihood of a successful project. In that analysis, DOT
will consider three evaluation ratings: Environmental Risk, Technical
Capacity, and Financial Capacity. Environmental Risk assessment
analyzes the project's environmental approvals and likelihood of the
necessary approval affecting project obligation. The Technical Capacity
will be reviewed for all eligible applications and will assess the
applicant's capacity to successfully deliver the project in compliance
with applicable Federal requirements based on factors including the
recipient's experience working with Federal agencies, previous
experience with BUILD or INFRA awards, and the technical experience and
resources dedicated to the project. The Financial Capacity assessment
reviews the availability of matching funds and whether the applicant
presented a complete funding package. Risks do not disqualify projects
from award, but competitive applications clearly and directly describe
achievable risk mitigation strategies. A project with mitigated risks
or with a risk mitigation plan is more competitive than a comparable
project with unaddressed risks.
iv. Project Costs and Benefits
    DOT may consider the costs and benefits of projects seeking RAISE
grant funding. To the extent possible, DOT will rely on quantitative,
evidenced-based and data-supported analysis to assess how well a
project addresses this

criterion, including an assessment of the project's estimated benefit-
cost ratio (BCR) based on the applicant-supplied BCA described in
Section D.2.vi.
    To evaluate the costs and benefits of a proposed project, DOT will
assign the project into ranges based on its estimated BCR, and DOT will
assign a level of confidence associated with the estimated BCR range.
DOT will use these ranges for BCR: Less than 1; 1-1.5; 1.5-3; and
greater than 3. The confidence levels are high, medium, and low.
Projects for which the BCR is less than 1 will not advance to the
Secretary as Highly Rated and will not be selected for an award, unless
the project demonstrates clear, unquantified outcomes, as identified by
the SRT, consistent with the environmental sustainability and quality
of life criteria.
(b) Planning Grants
    Planning grant applications will be evaluated against the same
criteria as capital grants. The Department will consider how the plan,
once implemented, will ultimately further the merit criteria. DOT will
not evaluate the benefits and costs (as expressed in a benefit-cost
analysis) or environmental risks of projects that do not include
construction.
(c) Additional Considerations
    The FY 2021 Appropriations Act requires DOT to consider
contributions to geographic diversity among recipients, including the
need for a balance between the needs of urban and rural areas,
including Tribal areas, and investment in a variety of transportation
modes when selecting RAISE grant awards.

2. Review and Selection Process

    DOT reviews all eligible applications received by the deadline. The
RAISE grants review and selection process consists of at least a
Technical Review and a Senior Review. In the Merit Review, teams
comprising staff from the Office of the Secretary (OST) and operating
administrations review all eligible applications and rate projects as
Highly Recommended, Recommended, Acceptable, or Unacceptable. For a
capital project to receive a Highly Recommended rating, (1) the project
must demonstrate that, more likely than not, it will generate long-term
benefits in one or more primary merit criteria and does not appear to
negatively affect any of the other merit criteria; (2) the project must
have a clear, direct, significant, and positive local or regional
impact (i.e. the project will, more likely than not, reduce the problem
or use the opportunity that project proposes to address); and (3) the
application contains sufficient information to assess project benefits
and the benefits claimed by the applicant appear reasonable and
justifiable. Planning projects will receive the same merit review and
rating as capital projects, except that for planning projects the
review does not include an assessment of whether the application
contains sufficient information to assess project benefits and whether
those benefits appear reasonable and justifiable. If the project has
not substantively changed from prior submissions to BUILD or other
Department programs, staff may rely on previous analysis. The Senior
Review Team, which includes senior leadership from OST and the
operating administrations, determines which projects to advance to the
Secretary as Highly Rated. The FY 2021 Appropriations Act mandated
RAISE grant awards by November 22, 2021. The Secretary selects from the
Highly Rated projects for final awards. Consistent with past practice,
the Department offers debriefs to applicants not selected for award to
receive information about the RAISE project's evaluation.

3. Additional Information

    Prior to award, each selected applicant will be subject to a risk
assessment as required by 2 CFR 200.206. DOT must review and consider
any information about the applicant that is in the designated integrity
and performance system accessible through SAM (currently the Federal
Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System (FAPIIS). An
applicant may review information in FAPIIS and comment on any
information about itself that a Federal awarding agency previously
entered. DOT will consider comments by the applicant, in addition to
the other information in FAPIIS, in making a judgment about the
applicant's integrity, business ethics, and record of performance under
Federal awards when completing the review of risk posed by applicants.

F. Federal Award Administration Information

1. Federal Award Notice

    Following the evaluation outlined in Section E, the Secretary will
announce awarded projects by posting a list of selected projects at
www.transportation.gov/RAISEgrants. Notice of selection is not
authorization to begin performance or to incur costs for the proposed
project. Following that announcement, the relevant operating
administration will contact the point of contact listed in the SF 424
to initiate negotiation of the grant agreement for authorization.
    Recipients of RAISE Grant awards will not receive lump-sum cash
disbursements at the time of award announcement or obligation of funds.
Instead, RAISE funds will reimburse recipients only after a grant
agreement has been executed, allowable expenses are incurred, and valid
requests for reimbursement are submitted.
    Unless authorized by DOT in writing after DOT's announcement of FY
2021 RAISE awards, any costs that a recipient incurs before DOT
executes a grant agreement for that recipient's project are ineligible
for reimbursement, and are ineligible match for cost share
requirements.

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

(a) Administrative Requirements
    Please visit https://www.transportation.gov/policy-initiatives/build/grant-agreements for the General Terms and Conditions for BUILD
2020 awards. The RAISE 2021 Terms and Conditions will be similar to the
BUILD 2020 Terms and Conditions, but may include relevant updates.
    All awards will be administered pursuant to the Uniform
Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles and Audit Requirements for
Federal Awards found in 2 C.F.R part 200, as adopted by DOT at 2 C.F.R
part 1201. Federal wage rate requirements included in subchapter IV of
chapter 31 of title 40, U.S.C., apply to all projects receiving funds
under this program, and apply to all parts of the project, whether
funded with RAISE Grant funds, other Federal funds, or non-Federal
funds.
    In connection with any program or activity conducted with or
benefiting from funds awarded under this notice, recipients of funds
must comply with all applicable requirements of Federal law, including,
without limitation, the Constitution of the United States; the
conditions of performance, non-discrimination requirements, and other
assurances made applicable to the award of funds in accordance with
regulations of the Department of Transportation; and applicable Federal
financial assistance and contracting principles promulgated by the
Office of Management and Budget. In complying with these requirements,
recipients, in particular, must ensure that no concession agreements
are denied or other contracting decisions made on the basis of speech
or other activities protected by the First Amendment. If

DOT determines that a recipient has failed to comply with applicable
Federal requirements, DOT may terminate the award of funds and disallow
previously incurred costs, requiring the recipient to reimburse any
expended award funds.
    Additionally, applicable Federal laws, rules and regulations of the
relevant operating administration administering the project will apply
to the projects that receive RAISE grant awards, including planning
requirements, Service Outcome Agreements, Stakeholder Agreements, Buy
America compliance, and other requirements under DOT's other highway,
transit, rail, and port grant programs. For projects that are eligible
under RAISE but are not eligible under DOT's other programs or projects
that are eligible under multiple DOT programs, the RAISE program will
determine the appropriate requirements to ensure the project is
delivered consistent with program and Department goals. In particular,
Executive Order 14005 directs the Executive Branch Departments and
agencies to maximize the use of goods, products, and materials produced
in, and services offered in, the United States through the terms and
conditions of Federal financial assistance awards. If selected for an
award, grant recipients must be prepared to demonstrate how they will
maximize the use of domestic goods, products, and materials in
constructing their project. RAISE grant projects involving vehicle
acquisition must involve only vehicles that comply with applicable
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and Federal Motor Carriers
Safety Regulations, or vehicles that are exempt from Federal Motor
Vehicle Safety Standards or Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations in
a manner that allows for the legal acquisition and deployment of the
vehicle or vehicles.
    For projects administered by FHWA, applicable Federal laws, rules,
and regulations set forth in Title 23 U.S.C. and Title 23 CFR apply,
including the 23 U.S.C. 129 restrictions on the use of toll revenues,
and Section 4(f) preservation of parklands and historic properties
requirements under 23 U.S.C. 138. For an illustrative list of the other
applicable laws, rules, regulations, executive orders, polices,
guidelines, and requirements as they relate to a RAISE grant project
administered by the FHWA, please see https://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/Freight/infrastructure/tiger/#build18.
    For RAISE projects administered by the Federal Transit
Administration and partially funded with Federal transit assistance,
all relevant requirements under chapter 53 of title 49 U.S.C. apply.
For transit projects funded exclusively with RAISE grant funds, some
requirements of chapter 53 of title 49 U.S.C. and chapter VI of title
49 CFR apply.
    For projects administered by the Federal Railroad Administration,
FRA requirements described in 49 U.S.C. Subtitle V, Part C apply.
(b) Program Requirements
i. Climate Change and Environmental Justice Impact Consideration
    Each applicant selected for RAISE grant funding must demonstrate
effort to consider climate change and environmental justice impacts as
described in Section A. Projects that have not sufficiently considered
climate change and environmental justice in their planning, as
determined by the Department, will be required to do so before
receiving funds for construction, consistent with Executive Order
14008, Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad (86 FR 7619).
a. Racial Equity and Barriers to Opportunity
    Each applicant selected for RAISE grant funding must demonstrate
effort to improve racial equity and reduce barriers to opportunity as
described in Section A. Projects that have not sufficiently considered
climate change and environmental justice in their planning, as
determined by the Department, will be required to do before receiving
funds for construction, consistent with Executive Order 13985,
Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through
the Federal Government (86 FR 7009).

3. Reporting

(a) Progress Reporting on Grant Activities
    Each applicant selected for RAISE grant funding must submit
quarterly progress reports and Federal Financial Reports (SF-425) to
monitor project progress and ensure accountability and financial
transparency in the RAISE grant program.
(b) System Performance Reporting
    Each applicant selected for RAISE grant funding must collect and
report to the DOT information on the project's performance based on
performance indicators DOT identifies related to program goals (e.g
travel time savings, greenhouse gas emissions, passenger counts, level
of service, etc). Performance indicators should include measurable
goals or targets that DOT will use internally to determine whether the
project meets program goals, and grant funds achieve the intended long-
term outcomes of the RAISE Grant Program. To the extent possible,
performance indicators used in the reporting should align with the
measures included in the application and should relate to at least one
of the selection criteria defined in Section E.1. Performance reporting
continues for several years after project construction is completed,
and DOT does not provide RAISE grant funding specifically for
performance reporting.
(c) Reporting of Matters Related to Recipient Integrity and Performance
    If the total value of a selected applicant's currently active
grants, cooperative agreements, and procurement contracts from all
Federal awarding agencies exceeds $10,000,000 for any period of time
during the period of performance of this Federal award, then the
applicant during that period of time must maintain the currency of
information reported to the SAM that is made available in the
designated integrity and performance system (currently FAPIIS) about
civil, criminal, or administrative proceedings described in paragraph 2
of this award term and condition. This is a statutory requirement under
section 872 of Public Law 110-417, as amended (41 U.S.C. 2313). As
required by section 3010 of Public Law 111-212, all information posted
in the designated integrity and performance system on or after April
15, 2011, except past performance reviews required for Federal
procurement contracts, will be publicly available.

G. Federal Awarding Agency Contacts

    For further information concerning this notice please contact the
RAISE grant program staff via email at<EMAIL_ADDRESS>or call
Howard Hill at<PHONE_NUMBER>. A TDD is available for individuals who are
deaf or hard of hearing at<PHONE_NUMBER>. In addition, DOT will post
answers to questions and requests for clarifications on DOT's website
at www.transportation.gov/RAISEgrants. To ensure applicants receive
accurate information about eligibility or the program, the applicant is
encouraged to contact DOT directly, rather than through intermediaries
or third parties, with questions. DOT staff may also conduct briefings
on the RAISE grant selection and award process upon request.

H. Other Information

1. Protection of Confidential Business Information

    All information submitted as part of or in support of any
application shall use publicly available data or data that can be made
public and methodologies that are accepted by industry practice and
standards, to the extent possible. If the applicant submits information
that the applicant considers to be a trade secret or confidential
commercial or financial information, the applicant must provide that
information in a separate document, which the applicant may cross-
reference from the application narrative or other portions of the
application. For the separate document containing confidential
information, the applicant must do the following: (1) State on the
cover of that document that it ``Contains Confidential Business
Information (CBI)''; (2) mark each page that contains confidential
information with ``CBI''; (3) highlight or otherwise denote the
confidential content on each page; and (4) at the end of the document,
explain how disclosure of the confidential information would cause
substantial competitive harm. DOT will protect confidential information
complying with these requirements to the extent required under
applicable law. If DOT receives a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
request for the information that the applicant has marked in accordance
with this section, DOT will follow the procedures described in its FOIA
regulations at 49 CFR 7.29. Only information that is in the separate
document, marked in accordance with this section, and ultimately
determined to be confidential under Sec.  7.29 will be exempt from
disclosure under FOIA.

2. Publication/Sharing of Application Information

    Following the completion of the selection process and announcement
of awards, DOT intends to publish a list of all applications received
along with the names of the applicant organizations and funding amounts
requested. Except for the information properly marked as described in
Section H.1., DOT may make application narratives publicly available or
share application information within DOT or with other Federal agencies
if DOT determines that sharing is relevant to the respective program's
objectives.

3. Department Feedback on Previous Applications

    DOT strives to provide as much information as possible to assist
applicants with the application process. DOT will not review
applications in advance, but DOT staff are available for technical
questions and assistance. To efficiently use Department resources, DOT
will prioritize interactions with applicants who have not already
received a debrief on their FY 2020 RAISE grant application. Program
staff will address questions received at<EMAIL_ADDRESS>throughout
the application period. DOT staff will make reasonable efforts to
schedule meetings on projects through May 15, 2021. After that date,
DOT staff will schedule meetings only to the extent possible and
consistent with timely completion of other activities.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on April 16, 2021.
Peter Paul Montgomery Buttigieg,
Secretary of Transportation.
[FR Doc. 2021-08517 Filed 4-22-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-9X-P