The Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Program (FSP Program) provides funding opportunities to improve American passenger rail infrastructure, focusing on reducing the State of Good Repair backlog, improving performance, and expanding or establishing new intercity passenger rail services. Specifically, this notice is for projects located off the Northeast Corridor (NEC) and is available for fiscal year 2024. The total funding available is up to $1,057,596,637, sourced from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2024. Applications must be submitted via Grants.gov no later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on December 16, 2024. Only complete applications submitted by the deadline will be considered.

Eligible applicants include states, groups of states, interstate compacts, public agencies or authorities, Amtrak (on its own or with states), federally recognized tribes, and combinations of these entities. The program will fund various project types, including replacing, rehabilitating, or repairing infrastructure to bring it into a State of Good Repair, improving performance (such as increasing operating speeds, reliability, or capacity), expanding or establishing new intercity passenger rail service, and conducting planning or environmental studies. Projects involving shared corridors with commuter or freight services must demonstrate benefits to intercity passenger rail transportation specifically.

There are no predetermined minimum or maximum funding amounts for individual projects, and FRA anticipates making multiple awards with the available funding. The maximum federal share of project costs is 80%, meaning applicants must provide at least 20% in matching funds from non-federal sources. The program allows for in-kind contributions and private funding as part of the non-federal share. FRA may provide funding through grants or cooperative agreements, depending on the level of federal involvement needed, and may also use phased funding agreements for major capital projects exceeding $500 million.

Applications must include a detailed project narrative of no more than 25 pages, along with supporting documents like a benefit-cost analysis, project management plan, and environmental compliance documentation. The project narrative should cover topics such as the scope of work, expected project outcomes, detailed project description, schedule, and budget. Projects must demonstrate readiness, including evidence of completed planning stages, secured agreements with stakeholders, and a committed non-federal funding match.

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) will evaluate projects based on criteria like project readiness, technical merit, and expected project benefits, including safety, reliability, economic impact, and alignment with federal priorities such as climate change resilience and equity. The FRA also prefers projects that improve Amtrak services, involve multiple applicants, or are part of the Corridor Identification and Development Program. FRA may consider geographic diversity and project size in the selection process, and aims to fund projects that support administration priorities such as equity, sustainability, workforce development, and wealth creation.

All awarded projects must comply with various federal regulations, including the Buy America requirements, civil rights laws, and specific administrative policies. Reporting requirements include quarterly progress reports, financial reports, and performance measurement data. Selected recipients must also work with the FRA to implement project evaluations, including data collection and analysis, to ensure the funded projects meet program objectives and benefit the public effectively.

For more information or assistance with the application process, applicants may contact FRA program staff via email or phone. The full notice provides extensive details on eligibility, submission requirements, and federal compliance obligations, emphasizing the importance of careful adherence to all application guidelines to ensure eligibility for funding consideration.