[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 222 (Monday, November 18, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69173-69175]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-27421]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Research and Innovative Technology Administration
University Transportation Centers Program
AGENCY: Research and Innovative Technology Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of Funding Availability.
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SUMMARY: The United States Department of Transportation is publishing
this notice to give eligible nonprofit institutions of higher education
located in Federal Regions 3 and 10 advance notice that they will have
an opportunity to submit applications for a grant as a Regional Center
in the University Transportation Centers (UTCs) program. Funds for this
grant program are authorized beginning on October 1, 2012. In the near
future, the Department, via the Research and Innovative Technology
Administration (RITA), will release a grant solicitation through
Grants.gov and on the UTC Program's Web site, http://utc.dot.gov,
[[Page 69174]]
describing the competition and deadlines for applications. Proposals
will be evaluated through a competitive process on the basis of
demonstrated ability, research, technology and education resources,
leadership, multi-modal research capability, and commitment to
transportation workforce development programs, technology transfer
capability, the use of peer review, and effective partnerships to
advance diversity.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Kevin Womack, Associate
Administrator for Research, Development and Technology, mail code RDT-
10, Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA), 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590-0001. Telephone Number (202)
366-5306 or Email [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Table of Contents
I. Background
II. Eligibility
III. Qualification Requirements
IV. Application Process
V. Program Funding and Award
VI. Use of Grant Funds
I. Background
The Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21, Pub.
L. 112-141, Sec. 51001(a)(5)) authorizes $72.5 million for each of the
fiscal years 2013 (FY 2013) and 2014 (FY 2014) for up to 35 competitive
grants for UTCs. The FY 2013 and FY 2014 funds are subject to an annual
obligation limitation. The amount of budget authority available in a
given year may be less than the amount authorized for that fiscal year.
MAP-21 authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to make grants to
eligible nonprofit institutions of higher education to establish and
operate UTCs. RITA will administer the program (49 CFR 1.99(e)). The
Department will solicit competitive grant applications for two regional
university transportation centers, one each in Federal Regions 3 and
10. Previously, the Department solicited grant applications for these
two regions (see 77 FR 60012); however, the Department did not select
any of the submitted applications. UTCs will be selected by the
Secretary, in consultation as appropriate with the Administrators of
the Federal Highway Administration, and the Federal Transit
Administration. (49 U.S.C. 5505(b)(4)(B) as amended by Pub. L. 112-141,
Sec. 52009 (effective Oct. 1, 2012)).
The Department plans to competitively select two regional UTCs, one
each in Federal Regions 3 and 10, with an award of $2,592,500 each.
The role of each university transportation center is to advance
transportation expertise and technology in the varied disciplines that
comprise the field of transportation through education, research, and
technology transfer activities; to provide for a critical
transportation knowledge base outside of the Department of
Transportation; and to address critical workforce needs and educate the
next generation of transportation leaders.
II. Eligibility
A UTC must be located in the United States or its territories. A
UTC may be a single nonprofit institution of higher education, or a
consortium of two or more nonprofit institutions of higher education. A
regional UTC must be located in the region for which the grant is
sought. (49 U.S.C. 5505(c)(3)(A) as amended by Pub. L. 112-141, Sec.
52009 (effective Oct. 1, 2012)). If a regional UTC is a consortium of
two or more nonprofit institutions of higher education, then each
institution in the consortium must be located in the region for which
the grant is sought.
For Region 3, the eligible states are: Delaware, District of
Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. For
Region 10, the eligible states are: Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and
Washington.
Institutions may collaborate with state DOTs, the private sector,
and community, junior, or technical colleges; however, these
organizations or others that are not U.S. nonprofit institutions of
higher education may not be considered members of a consortium. The
grantee institution (lead institution in the case of a consortium of
institutions) will be the direct and primary recipient of UTC program
funds, and must perform a substantive role in carrying out UTC
activities, and not serve merely as a conduit for awards to other
parties.
MAP-21 limits the circumstances in which an institution may receive
more than one grant. (49 U.S.C. 5505(b)(2) as amended by Pub. L. 112-
141, Sec. 52009 (effective Oct. 1, 2012)). These restrictions include:
A lead institution of a consortium that receives a grant for a
National Center is not eligible to receive an additional grant as a
lead institution or a member of a consortium for a Regional Center.
A member of a consortium that receives a grant for a National
Center is not eligible to receive a grant as a sole institution for
a Regional Center or as a lead institution for a Regional Center.
III. Matching Requirements
Each UTC is required to obtain matching funds from non-federal
sources. The amount of matching funds required for a regional UTC is
100%. The matching amounts may include the amounts made available to a
grant recipient under 23 U.S.C. 504(b) or 505. (49 U.S.C.
5505(c)(3)(D)(ii) as amended by Pub. L. 112-141, Sec. 52009 (effective
Oct. 1, 2012)).
IV. Application Process
Full and open competition. US DOT will conduct the UTC program
selection based on principles of full and open competition. Two
regional centers, one each in Federal Regions 3 and 10, will be
selected from the pool of applicants.
Subject Matter Focus. The two Regional UTCs (one each in Federal
Regions 3 and 10 receiving $2,592,500/year each) are required to focus
on highway and/or public transportation research and education (49
U.S.C. 5505(c)(3)(B)(iii) as amended by Pub. L. 112-141, Sec. 52009
(effective Oct. 1, 2012)). Regional UTCs must be able to conduct
research in an area of focus from among ``nonexclusive candidate topic
areas established by the Secretary that address the research priorities
identified in section 503 of title 23'' (49 U.S.C. 5505(b)(4)(A) as
amended by Pub. L. 112-141, Sec. 52009 (effective Oct. 1, 2012)). An
applicant for a regional UTC must designate the region in which it is
applying.
The Department seeks a balanced portfolio of UTCs that supports the
Secretary of Transportation's Strategic Goals, contains different types
and/or sizes of universities, and focuses on improving overall system
performance using multiple transportation resources.
Selection criteria. The Department will evaluate and select UTC
applicants based on the nine MAP-21 selection criteria:
``(i) the demonstrated ability of the recipient to address each
specific topic area described in the research and strategic plans of
the recipient;
``(ii) the demonstrated research, technology transfer, and
education resources available to the recipient to carry out this
section;
``(iii) the ability of the recipient to provide leadership in
solving immediate and long-range national and regional
transportation problems;
``(iv) the ability of the recipient to carry out research,
Education, and technology transfer activities that are multimodal
and multidisciplinary in scope;
``(v) the demonstrated commitment of the recipient to carry out
transportation workforce development programs through--
``(I) degree-granting programs; and
``(II) outreach activities to attract new entrants into the
transportation field;
[[Page 69175]]
``(vi) the demonstrated ability of the recipient to disseminate
results and spur the implementation of transportation research and
education programs through national or statewide continuing
education programs;
``(vii) the demonstrated commitment of the recipient to the use
of peer review principles and other research best practices in the
selection, management, and dissemination of research projects;
``(viii) the strategic plan submitted by the recipient
describing the proposed research to be carried out by the recipient
and the performance metrics to be used in assessing the performance
of the recipient in meeting the stated research, technology
transfer, education, and outreach goals; and
``(ix) the ability of the recipient to implement the proposed
program in a cost-efficient manner, such as through cost sharing and
overall reduced overhead, facilities, and administrative costs.''
(49 U.S.C. 5505(b)(4)(B) as amended by Pub. L. 112-141 Sec. 52009
(effective Oct. 1, 2012)).
Additional selection criteria applying to regional UTCs are:
The institution (or lead institution in the case of a consortium)
must have a well-established, nationally recognized program in research
and education, as shown by:
(i) recent expenditures by the institution in highway or public
transportation research;
(ii) a historical track record of awarding graduate degrees in
professional fields closely related to highways and public
transportation; and
(iii) an experienced faculty who specialize in professional fields
closely related to highways and public transportation (49 U.S.C.
5505(c)(3)(B) as amended by Pub. L. 112-141 Sec. 52009 (effective Oct.
1, 2012)).
External Stakeholders. The Department will consult with external
stakeholders (including the Transportation Research Board of the
National Academy of Sciences, among others), to the maximum extent
practicable, to evaluate and competitively review all proposals (49
U.S.C. 5505(b)(6) as amended by Pub. L. 112-141, Sec. 52009 (effective
Oct. 1, 2012)).
V. Program Funding and Award
UTCs will be selected by the Secretary, in consultation as
appropriate with the Administrators of the Federal Highway
Administration and the Federal Transit Administration.
VI. Use of Grant Funds
According to the terms of the grant agreement, grantees will have
until September 30, 2017 to expend FY 2013 funds and, assuming
availability, FY 2014 funds.
Issued in Washington, DC, on November 12, 2013.
Gregory D. Winfree,
Administrator, Research and Innovative Technology Administration.
[FR Doc. 2013-27421 Filed 11-15-13; 8:45 am]
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