FY20 National Network Grant to the National Railroad Passenger Corporation | FR AMT 20 002

Opportunity Information: Apply for FR AMT 20 002

The FY20 National Network Grant to the National Railroad Passenger Corporation is a Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) funding opportunity created under the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020 (Public Law 116-94). It sets aside a total of $1,291,500,000 for Amtrak to support a broad mix of needs tied to running and maintaining the national passenger rail system. The funds are intended to cover four major categories of expenses: operating costs, capital costs, debt service, and expenses related to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Within the total amount, $42,000,000 is specifically reserved for ADA-related expenses and is available until December 31, 2020 or until the funds are fully spent, whichever occurs first.

This opportunity is listed as discretionary funding and would be awarded through a cooperative agreement, meaning the FRA is expected to have an active role in overseeing or coordinating aspects of how the grant is carried out rather than simply issuing a check with minimal follow-up. The program sits within the transportation funding category and is associated with CFDA number 20.315. Although the eligibility field is labeled broadly, the text of the opportunity makes it clear the intended recipient is Amtrak (the National Railroad Passenger Corporation). The opportunity anticipates a single award, with the award ceiling matching the full $1,291,500,000 amount, reinforcing that this is essentially an appropriated allocation that requires formal grant processing rather than a competitive, multi-recipient grant cycle.

To receive the funds, Amtrak must submit a complete electronic grant application package that documents what the money will be used for and provides standard federal assurances. Required components include the SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance) and a Statement of Work that lays out the planned activities under the grant. Amtrak also must provide a detailed description of projected operating and capital costs for the upcoming fiscal year, breaking those projections into two major areas: Northeast Corridor activities (including train services and supporting infrastructure) and National Network activities (including state-supported routes and long-distance routes). Importantly, these projections must be presented in comparison to the prior fiscal year actual financial performance, which gives the FRA a baseline to evaluate changes in costs, service levels, and resource needs.

The application must further include a description of the capital projects to be funded, with cost estimates and an estimated timetable for completion. This is meant to clarify exactly what infrastructure or asset investments will be made, what they are expected to cost, and when they are expected to be finished, which supports oversight and accountability for capital spending. Alongside these project details, Amtrak is required to submit an assessment of its financial condition, giving the FRA context on the organization’s overall fiscal health while it receives operating, capital, and debt service support through federal funding.

Finally, the package must include standard federal compliance documents: SF-424B (Assurances for Non-Construction Programs) and SF-424D (Assurances for Construction Programs), reflecting that the grant can cover both non-construction activities (like operating support) and construction-related work (like infrastructure or facility projects). Amtrak also must provide signed copies of the U.S. Department of Transportation/FRA assurances and certification forms referenced in the opportunity posting. Administratively, the opportunity was posted with a creation date of February 10, 2020 and an original closing date of February 20, 2020, indicating a short submission window consistent with a directed award where the main purpose is to process appropriated funds through the required federal grant documentation process.

• The Department of Transportation, DOT/Federal Railroad Administration in the transportation sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY20 National Network Grant to the National Railroad Passenger Corporation" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 20.315.
• This funding opportunity was created on Feb 10, 2020.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Feb 20, 2020 No Explanation. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,291,500,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for FR AMT 20 002

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