FY24 United States Marine Highways Notice of Funding Opportunity.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Maritime Administration

Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Maritime Administration’s United States Marine

Highway Program (USMHP) under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024

AGENCY: Maritime Administration, DOT

ACTION: Notice of Funding Opportunity

SUMMARY OVERVIEW OF KEY INFORMATION: USMHP Discretionary Grant Opportunity Issuing Agency Maritime Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation Program Overview This Notice of Funding Opportunity solicits applications for the Fiscal

Year (FY) 2024 USMHP. Grants will be awarded on a competitive basis.

Objective Through the development and promotion of Marine Highway

Transportation, the USMHP assists in funding eligible Projects to relieve landside congestion, reduce air emissions, and generate other public benefits by increasing the efficiency of the surface transportation system.

Eligible Applicants • State

• Political subdivision of a State or a local government

• United States metropolitan planning organization

• United States port authority

• Tribal government (as defined in Section A.3. of this notice)

• United States private sector operator of Marine Highway Projects or private sector owners of facilities, including an Alaska Native Corporation, with an endorsement letter from the current Marine Highway Route Sponsor.

(NOTE: Section C.1 provides additional information) Eligible Project Types Marine Highway Transportation Projects or components of Projects that: 1) provide a coordinated and capable alternative to landside transportation;

mitigate or relieve landside congestion; promote Marine Highway Transportation; or use vessels documented under Chapter 121; and 2) develop, expand, or promote Marine Highway Transportation or shipper use of Marine Highway Transportation.

(NOTE: Section C.3.a provides additional information)

Funding Up to $4,850,000 will be available for FY 2024 funding.

Deadline Applications Due: July 12, 2024

ADDRESSES: Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information concerning this notice, please contact the USMHP staff via email at mh@dot.gov, or call Fred Jones at 202–366–

1123. In addition, the Maritime Administration (“MARAD”) may post answers to questions and mailto:mh@dot.gov requests for clarifications as well as information about webinars for further information at https://www.maritime.dot.gov/grants-finances/marine-highways/frequently-asked-questions-us-marine-highway-program-usmhp and https://www.maritime.dot.gov/grants-finances/2023-us-marine-highway-program-grant-program-webinars.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Each section of this notice contains information and instructions relevant to the application process for the FY 2024 USMHP grants, and all applicants should read this notice in its entirety to ensure 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. Program Overview

The USMHP, codified at 46 U.S.C. 55601, was originally established by Section 1121 of the

Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to reduce landside congestion through the designation of Marine Highway Routes. The USMHP statute authorizes the U.S. Department of

Transportation (“Department” or “DOT”) to make grants to implement Projects or components of

Projects that 1) provide a coordinated and capable alternative to landside transportation; mitigate or relieve landside congestion; promote Marine Highway Transportation; or use vessels https://www.maritime.dot.gov/grants-finances/marine-highways/frequently-asked-questions-us-marine-highway-program-usmhp https://www.maritime.dot.gov/grants-finances/marine-highways/frequently-asked-questions-us-marine-highway-program-usmhp https://www.maritime.dot.gov/grants-finances/2023-us-marine-highway-program-grant-program-webinars https://www.maritime.dot.gov/grants-finances/2023-us-marine-highway-program-grant-program-webinars documented under 46 U.S.C. chapter 121; and 2) develop, expand, or promote Marine Highway

Transportation or shipper use of Marine Highway Transportation.

Since this program was established, the Department has awarded more than $103 million through competitive grants to eligible entities for Marine Highway Projects that have supported the development and expansion of documented vessels and port and landside infrastructure. The

Department seeks to fund Projects that advance the Departmental priorities of safety, equity, climate and sustainability, and workforce development, job quality and wealth creation as described in the DOT Strategic Plan,1 Research, Development, and Technology Strategic Plan2 and in executive orders.3 FY 2024 USMHP grants will continue to align with these strategic priorities.

The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 (Pub. L. 118-42, March 9, 2024) (“FY 2024

Appropriations Act”) appropriated $5,000,000 for the FY 2024 USMHP. A total of up $4,850,000 is available in funding for the FY 2024 USMHP after MARAD retains $150,000 of the funding for grant administration and oversight.

This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) solicits applications for Projects to be funded under the FY 2024 USMHP. Section E of this notice, which outlines the USMHP selection criteria, describes the process for selecting Projects that further the program’s goal. Section F.3.

describes progress and performance reporting requirements for selected Projects, including the relationship between that reporting and the program's selection criteria.

1 https://www.transportation.gov/dot-strategic-plan 2 https://www.transportation.gov/sites/dot.gov/files/2023-01/USDOT%20RDT%20Strategic%20Plan%20FY22- 26_010523_508.pdf 3 Executive Order 14008, Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad (86 FR 7619).

Executive Order 13985, Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government (86 FR 7009). Executive Order 14025, Worker Organizing and Empowerment (86 FR 22829), and Executive Order 14052, Implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (86 FR 64335).

https://www.transportation.gov/dot-strategic-plan

2. Changes from the FY 2023 NOFO

The FY 2024 NOFO incorporates the following changes from the FY 2023 NOFO:

• Amends the definitions of Environmental Justice, Historically Disadvantaged

Communities, and Marine Highway Transportation Service.

• Adds new definitions for Letter of Financial Commitment and Performance Measures; and deletes the definitions for Overburdened Communities and Underserved Communities.

• Under C.1., Eligible Applicants, clarifies what applicants must provide to demonstrate their authority to plan, carry out, own, operate, or maintain the Project.

• Clarifies that applicants must round budgets up or down to the nearest dollar.

• Clarifies a lead recipient’s responsibilities associated with the award and any subawards.

• Adds that, for equipment purchases, applicants provide a description about how the equipment would be used.

• Relocates selected information from Section D, Application Submission Information, to

Section E, Application Review Information, to consolidate application requirements and review criteria into the same section.

• Updates guidance related to Merit Criteria to improve the application review process and alignment with USMHP statute (Demonstrating the Need to Develop, Expand, or Promote

Marine Highway Transportation or Shipper Use of Marine Highway Transportation, Expanding the Benefits of Marine Highway Transportation, Measuring Project Support, and Leveraging Federal Funding and Financial Viability).

• Updates guidance related to Selection Considerations based on Departmental priorities

(Climate Change and Sustainability, Equity and the Justice40 Initiative, and Workforce

Development, Job Quality, and Wealth Creation).

• Updates guidance related to the factors that reviewers will consider in Project Readiness evaluations.

• Expands on the need to address compliance with domestic preference requirements as part of the Project Readiness evaluation and removes domestic preference as a standalone evaluation factor.

• Incorporates new LOGINK (or similar platform) funding restrictions.

• Clarifies that MARAD will waive any cost share requirement for local matching funds under $200,000 for grants to American Samoa, Guam, the Virgin Islands, or the Northern

Mariana Islands.

Other changes have been made throughout this notice to better illustrate application requirements. Applicants who are planning to re-apply using materials prepared for prior competitions should ensure that their FY 2024 USMHP application fully addresses the selection criteria described in this notice and that all relevant information is updated and submitted in the proper format outlined in Sections D and E.

3. Definitions

Alaska Native Corporation: Any Regional Corporation, any Village Corporation, any Urban

Corporation, and any Group Corporation, as those terms are defined under Section 3 of the Alaska

Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1602).

Climate Change: Changes in average weather conditions that persist over multiple decades or longer due to natural or anthropogenic activities, especially from greenhouse gas emissions.

Climate change encompasses both increases and decreases in temperature, as well as shifts in precipitation, changing risk of certain types of severe weather events, and changes to other features of the climate system.

Construction activities: Includes construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, or acquisition of property (including land related to the Project and improvements to the land) and right of ways, environmental mitigation, construction contingencies, equipment acquisition, vessel acquisition, modification, or rehabilitation, and operational improvements.

Development phase activities: Includes planning, feasibility analysis, revenue forecasting, environmental review, permitting, preliminary engineering and design work, and other preconstruction activities.

Documented vessel: A vessel documented under 46 U.S.C. chapter 121.

Environmental Justice: The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income, with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.

Equity: The consistent and systematic fair, just, and impartial treatment of all individuals, including individuals who belong to underserved communities that have been denied such treatment. More information can be found in Executive Order 13985, Advancing Racial Equity and

Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government (86 FR 7009).4

Facility: A specific location in a port where passengers or commodities are transferred between land and water carriers or between two water carriers, specifically including: wharves, piers, sheds, warehouses, yards, and docks.

Historically Disadvantaged Communities: Historically Disadvantaged Communities (HDC) are (a) certain qualifying census tracts identified as disadvantaged by the Climate and Economic Justice

Screening Tool (CEJST)5 due to categories of environmental, climate, and socioeconomic burdens, and (b) any Federally Recognized Tribe6 or Tribal entities, whether or not they have land.

Letter of Financial Commitment: A letter that demonstrates the funding source(s) for the non-

Federal funds are stable, dependable, and dedicated to the Project and that is signed and certified by an authorized representative of the organization(s) providing the non-Federal funds. The letter

4 https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/01/25/2021-01753/advancing-racial-equity-and-support-for-underserved-communities-through-the-federal-government 5 https://screeningtool.geoplatform.gov/en/#3/33.47/-97.5 6 A list of Federally Recognized Tribes or Tribal entities can be found here:

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/01/08/2024-00109/indian-entities-recognized-by-and-eligible-to-receive-services-from-the-united-states-bureau-of https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/01/25/2021-01753/advancing-racial-equity-and-support-for-underserved-communities-through-the-federal-government https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/01/25/2021-01753/advancing-racial-equity-and-support-for-underserved-communities-through-the-federal-government https://screeningtool.geoplatform.gov/en/#3/33.47/-97.5 https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/01/08/2024-00109/indian-entities-recognized-by-and-eligible-to-receive-services-from-the-united-states-bureau-of https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/01/08/2024-00109/indian-entities-recognized-by-and-eligible-to-receive-services-from-the-united-states-bureau-of must be submitted on the organization(s) letterhead, specify the exact dollar amount committed to the Project, and include proof that the matching funds (i.e., exact dollar amount specified in the letter) will be available and/or committed prior to obligation of funds, regardless of the source of funding.

Marine Highway Transportation: The carriage by a documented vessel of cargo (including such carriage of cargo and passengers), if such cargo is: 1) contained in intermodal cargo containers and loaded by crane on the vessel; loaded on the vessel by means of wheeled technology, including roll-on roll off cargo; shipped in discrete units or packages that are handled individually, palletized, or unitized for purposes of transportation; bulk, liquid, or loose cargo loaded in tanks, holds, hoppers, or on deck; or freight vehicles carried aboard commuter ferry boats; and 2) is loaded at a port in the United States and unloaded either at another port in the United States or at a port in Canada or Mexico; or loaded at a port in Canada or Mexico and unloaded at a port in the

United States.

Marine Highway Transportation Route: A Marine Highway Transportation Route previously designated by the Secretary.7

Marine Highway Transportation Route Sponsor: The requester of a Marine Highway

Transportation Route designation or modification of a designated route approved by the Secretary.

See Appendix A: U.S. Marine Highway Program Routes and Route Sponsors.

Marine Highway Transportation Project: The proposed Project for which the applicant is seeking

FY 2024 USMHP funding. The Project must be part of an existing or proposed Marine Highway

Transportation Service and must serve a designated Marine Highway Transportation Route.

Marine Highway Transportation Service: The overall Marine Highway Transportation Service and operation that is proposed, expanded, or promoted by the Marine Highway Transportation Project.

7 https://www.maritime.dot.gov/grants-finances/us-marine-highway-route-designation-process https://www.maritime.dot.gov/grants-finances/us-marine-highway-route-designation-process

The service must have a point of origin or destination on a designated Marine Highway

Transportation Route.

Performance Measures: Verifiable information to measure the benefits of the Project, such as volumes of cargo (e.g., TEUs, tons, cubic meters, etc.) moved, and contribution to environmental mitigation, safety, reduced vehicle miles traveled, or reduced road maintenance and repair costs.

Rural area: An area located outside a 2020 Census-designated urban area.8, 9

Shipper: The Beneficial Cargo Owner (BCO), i.e., the party that ultimately owns the product or cargo being shipped.

Tribal government: The recognized governing body of any Indian or Alaska Native Tribe, band, nation, pueblo, village, community, component band, or component reservation, individually identified (including parenthetically) in the list published most recently, as of the date of enactment of the FY 2023 NDAA, pursuant to Section 104 of the Federally Recognized Indian

Tribe List Act of 1994 (25 U.S.C. 5131).

Urban area: An area located within (or on the boundary of) a 2020 Census-designated urban area.10

4. Additional Information

The USMHP is described in the Federal Assistance Listings under the assistance listing program title “United States Marine Highway Grants” and assistance listing number 20.816.

8 For the purpose of this NOFO, the definition of urban and rural is based on the 2020 Census-designated urban and rural areas. 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 planning Projects, the location of the Project being planned, prepared, or designed will be used for the urban or rural designation.

9 This website will be used to determine whether a Project is in an urban or rural area:

https://tigerweb.geo.census.gov/tigerweb2020/.

10 Lists of 2020 urban areas as defined by the Census Bureau are available on the Census Bureau website at https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/geography/guidance/geo-areas/urban-rural.html. This website will be used to determine whether a Project is in an urban or rural area: https://tigerweb.geo.census.gov/tigerweb2020/.

https://tigerweb.geo.census.gov/tigerweb2020/ https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/geography/guidance/geo-areas/urban-rural.html https://tigerweb.geo.census.gov/tigerweb2020/

B. Federal Award Information

1. Amount Available

The total funding available for awards under this NOFO is $4,850,000. This amount represents

$5,000,000 in appropriated funding under the FY 2024 Appropriations Act, less $150,000 for grant administration and oversight as permitted under 49 U.S.C. 109(i). If MARAD does not receive sufficient qualified applications, it will award less than the amount available.

If this solicitation does not result in the award and obligation of all available funds, MARAD may publish additional solicitations.

2. Award Size

For funding awarded under the USMHP, there is no maximum or minimum award size.

3. Availability of Funds

MARAD seeks to obligate FY 2024 USMHP funds by September 30, 2027. Obligation occurs when a selected applicant and MARAD enter into a written grant agreement after the applicant has satisfied applicable administrative requirements, including transportation planning and environmental review requirements, such as those under the National Environmental Policy Act

(NEPA). Unless “pre-award costs” are authorized by MARAD in writing after MARAD’s announcement of FY 2024 USMHP award selections pursuant to 2 CFR 200.458, any costs incurred prior to MARAD’s obligation of funds for a Project are ineligible for reimbursement and are ineligible to count as match for cost share requirements.11 Per 46 U.S.C. 55601(d)(6), MARAD also expects grant recipients to expend funds within five years after obligation. As part of the review and selection process described in Section E.2., MARAD will consider a Project’s

11 Pre-award costs are only costs incurred directly pursuant to the negotiation and anticipation of the USMHP award where such costs are necessary for efficient and timely performance of the scope of work, as determined and pre-approved in writing by MARAD.

likelihood to be ready for obligation of funds by September 30, 2027, and liquidation of these obligations within five years after the date of obligation.

4. Previous USMHP Awards

Recipients of prior USMHP grants (including grants formerly referred to as America’s Marine

Highway or AMH grants) may apply for funding to support additional phases or components of a

Project previously awarded funds under 46 U.S.C. 55601. However, to be competitive, the applicant should demonstrate the extent to which the previously funded Project phase or component has met estimated Project scope, schedule, and budget milestones, as well as how the new phase or component will enhance the ability to achieve the benefits expected for all phases of the Project.

C. Eligibility Information

To be selected for a FY 2024 USMHP discretionary grant, an applicant must be an eligible applicant and the Project must be an eligible Project.

1. Eligible Applicants

An eligible applicant for a FY 2024 USMHP grant is: a State,12 a political subdivision of a

State or a local government; a United States metropolitan planning organization; a United States port authority; a Tribal government (as defined in Section A.3. of this notice); or a United States private sector operator of marine highway Projects or private sector owners of facilities, including an Alaska Native Corporation, with an endorsement letter from the current Marine Highway Route

Sponsor (if there are multiple route sponsors, the private sector applicant is only required to submit an endorsement letter from one of the route sponsors). Private sector applicants, including

Alaska Native Corporations, should refer to Section D.2.b. for more information on documenting

12 State means any state of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the U.S.

Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and any other territory or possession of the United States.

the required route sponsor endorsement and Section D.2.e. on additional application information necessary when submitting an application under this notice. Federal agencies are not eligible applicants for the FY 2024 USMHP.

Eligible applicants are encouraged to develop coalitions, which might include vessel owners and operators; third-party logistics providers; trucking companies; shippers; railroads; port authorities; state, regional, and local transportation planners; environmental organizations;

impacted communities; or any combination of entities supporting the Project.

If submitting a joint application, applicants must identify in the application the eligible lead applicant as the primary point of contact, who will also be responsible for financial administration of the Project and ensuring that all funds are expended in accordance with Federal requirements.

Joint applications should include a letter of support signed by each applicant as an attachment and include a description of the roles and responsibilities of each entity. If a joint applicant is providing some or all of the required non-Federal matching funds, a Letter of Financial

Commitment from that joint applicant must be provided as an attachment to the application. See

Section D.2.d. for more information.

To be eligible for award, eligible applicants must provide a brief statement describing their authority to plan, carry out, own, operate, or maintain the grant-funded Project. In the case of joint applications, at least one of the eligible applicants must demonstrate this authority. See Section

D.2.b. for more information. Please note that any joint applicants, whether they are public or private entities, must comply with all applicable Federal requirements.

2. Cost Sharing or Matching

The Federal share of the total costs of an eligible USMHP Project may not exceed 80 percent;

however, per 46 U.S.C. 55601(d)(4)(B), the Secretary may increase the Federal share of costs above 80 percent for: (1) a grant to an eligible entity that is a Tribal government; or (2) a grant for a Project that is located in a rural area. “Rural area” and “Tribal government” are defined in

Section A.3. of this notice. If an applicant requests a Federal share of costs above 80 percent, it must include a brief explanation as to why the increased Federal share is requested. Additionally, consistent with 48 U.S.C.A. 1469a(d), for grants to American Samoa, Guam, the Virgin Islands, or the Northern Mariana Islands (collectively, the “Insular Areas”), MARAD will waive any cost share requirement for local matching funds under $200,000 (including in-kind contributions) that otherwise would have applied to a grant under the USMHP.

Applicants should use the following equation when determining the cost share for their

Project:

(𝑈𝑈𝑈𝑈𝑈𝑈𝑈𝑈𝑈𝑈 𝐺𝐺𝐺𝐺𝐺𝐺𝐺𝐺𝐺𝐺 𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝐺𝐺 + 𝑂𝑂𝐺𝐺ℎ𝑅𝑅𝐺𝐺 𝐹𝐹𝑅𝑅𝐹𝐹𝑅𝑅𝐺𝐺𝐺𝐺𝐹𝐹 𝐹𝐹𝑅𝑅𝐺𝐺𝐹𝐹𝑅𝑅)

𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝐺𝐺𝐺𝐺𝐹𝐹 𝑈𝑈𝐺𝐺𝑇𝑇𝑃𝑃𝑅𝑅𝑃𝑃𝐺𝐺 𝐶𝐶𝑇𝑇𝑅𝑅𝐺𝐺

= 𝐹𝐹𝑅𝑅𝐹𝐹𝑅𝑅𝐺𝐺𝐺𝐺𝐹𝐹 𝐶𝐶𝑇𝑇𝑅𝑅𝐺𝐺 𝑈𝑈ℎ𝐺𝐺𝐺𝐺𝑅𝑅

For the USMHP, Total Project Cost means the sum of future eligible Federal and non-Federal costs that have not yet been incurred. MARAD will not consider previously incurred costs or previously expended or encumbered funds towards the non-Federal cost-share requirement.

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. The application must demonstrate in its Letter(s) of Financial Commitment, the sources of the non-

Federal funds. Unless otherwise authorized by statute, funds used to satisfy the non-Federal cost-share requirements of a different Federal program may not be counted as the non-Federal cost share for both the FY 2024 USMHP grant award and another Federal grant program. All non-

Federal cost-share funds are subject to the same Federal requirements described in Section F.2. as awarded funds.

For the purpose of eligibility, the proceeds of Federal assistance under chapter 6 of Title 23, United States Code (“TIFIA”) or Sections 501 through 504 of the Railroad Revitalization and

Regulatory Reform Act of 1976 (Public Law 94-210) (“RRIF”), as amended, shall be considered to be part of the non-Federal share of Project costs if the loan is repayable from non-Federal funds, unless otherwise requested by the Project sponsor. See Section C.2 for information about documenting cost sharing in the application.

In addition to these cost-share requirements, cost share will be evaluated according to the

“Leveraging Federal Funding and Financial Viability” criterion described in Section E.1.a.(4).

For each Project that receives a USMHP 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, MARAD will generally reduce the Federal contribution.

3. Other

a. Eligible Projects

Eligible projects for FY 2024 USMHP grants are Marine Highway Transportation Projects or components of Projects that 1) provide a coordinated and capable alternative to landside transportation; mitigate or relieve landside congestion; promote marine highway transportation; or use vessels documented under Chapter 121; and 2) develop, expand, or promote Marine Highway

Transportation or shipper use of Marine Highway Transportation.

This program will not provide funding to improvements to port or land-based infrastructure, including equipment, outside the United States. In addition, this program will not provide funding to raise sunken vessels, construct buildings or other physical facilities, or acquire land, unless the

Secretary determines that such activities are necessary to carry out the Marine Highway

Transportation Project for which such assistance is provided. If an applicant requests funding to raise sunken vessels, construct buildings or other physical facilities (as “facility” is defined in

Section A.3.), or acquire land, it must explain why the activities are necessary to carry out the

Marine Highway Transportation Project. Refer to Section D.2.b. of this notice for further information on documentation needed to justify these activities. Improvements to Federally owned facilities are ineligible under the FY 2024 USMHP.

This program will not fund the purchase or installation of fully automated cargo handling equipment, or the installation of terminal infrastructure that is designed for fully automated cargo handling equipment, if the Secretary determines that such equipment would result in a net loss of good jobs or reduction in the quality of jobs within the port or port terminal. In general, fully automated cargo handling systems transfer materials without the need, or with a significantly reduced need, for human assistance. Such systems may be remotely operated or monitored, with or without the exercise of human intervention or control. Applicants that propose Projects that include the acquisition of eligible cargo handling equipment or terminal infrastructure for cargo handling equipment must indicate in their application whether the equipment is fully automated

(or whether the terminal infrastructure is designed for fully automated equipment). If fully automated equipment is proposed to be acquired or terminal infrastructure for such equipment is proposed to be created, the applicant must provide information describing the job changes that will result from the Project, including supporting evidence demonstrating that the Project will not directly result in a net loss of good jobs or degradation of job quality.

Development phase activities—such as planning, feasibility analysis, revenue forecasting environmental review, permitting, preliminary engineering and design work, development of master plans, and other preconstruction work—of eligible USMHP Projects described above in this Section C.3.a. may be eligible Projects if they satisfy all other eligibility requirements and merit criteria described in this notice. However, Projects for development phase activities that do not include any construction activities as defined in Section A.3. will be less competitive than those Projects that will result in construction with FY 2024 USMHP funding.

b. 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. MARAD expects, and will impose requirements on fund recipients to ensure, that all components included in an application will be delivered as part of the USMHP Project, regardless of whether a component includes Federal funding. The status of each component should be clearly described (for example, in the Project schedule and budget). MARAD may award funds for a component, instead of the larger Project, if that component: (1) independently meets all eligibility requirements described in

Section C; (2) independently aligns well with the selection criteria identified in this NOFO; and

(3) meets NEPA requirements with respect to independent utility. Independent utility means that the component will represent a transportation improvement that is usable even if no other improvement is 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 among them.

MARAD strongly encourages applicants to identify in their applications the Project components that have independent utility and separately detail costs and requested USMHP funding for those components. If the application identifies one or more independent Project components, the application should clearly identify the applicant’s priority for funding among the components, how each independent component addresses the selection criteria and produces benefits on its own, and describe how the full proposal of which the independent component is a part addresses the selection criteria described in Section E.

Applicants should be aware that, depending upon the relationship between Project components and applicable Federal law, DOT funding of some Project components may make other Project components subject to Federal requirements as described in Section F.2.

c. Application Limit

Each eligible applicant may submit no more than one application. If an applicant submits multiple applications, only the last one received by MARAD will be considered.

D. Application and Submission Information

1. Address to Request Application Package

Application materials may be accessed on Grants.gov. Applications must also be submitted to

Grants.gov. Instructions for submitting applications can be found at:

https://www.maritime.dot.gov/grants-finances/how-apply-us-marine-highway-program-grants.

2. Content and Format of Application Submission

The application must include the Standard Form (SF) 424 (Application for Federal Assistance) and the Project Narrative. Applicants are encouraged to also complete the SF-424C (Budget

Information – Construction Programs) if applicable. The SF-424 and SF-424C may be found at

Grants.gov.

MARAD expects the Project Narrative to 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, and the narrative text in one column only). Documents should be submitted in PDF format, unless otherwise specified. The Project Narrative may not exceed 20 pages in length, excluding cover pages and table of contents. The only substantive portions that may exceed the

20-page limit are supporting documents that further substantiate assertions or conclusions made in the 20-page Project Narrative and documentation related to the required determinations. If possible, website links to supporting documents should be provided rather than copies of these supporting materials. It is important to ensure that the website links are currently active and working.

Evaluators are not required to review supporting documents as part of the selection criteria review described in Section E. All supporting documents should be dated and attached to the https://www.maritime.dot.gov/grants-finances/how-apply-us-marine-highway-program-grants application or referenced via website link. MARAD expects appropriately descriptive file names for all attachments and/or links (e.g., “Project Narrative,” “Letters of Support” etc.) using a file naming format of “[Applicant Name_2024USMHP_Descriptive File Name]” where “Applicant

Name reflects the applicant’s legal name, abbreviated as appropriate. If supporting documents are submitted, applicants should clearly identify within the Project Narrative the relevant portion of the Project Narrative that each supporting document supports.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to include a list of any supporting documents provided on the last page of their Project Narrative and to attach, as applicable, the supporting documents to their application package in the following order: Project Narrative; Attachments Form; Project cost; documentation of funding commitments for non-Federal funds; Project schedule; SF-424C form if applicable; letters of support; other documentation.

MARAD recommends that the Project Narrative follow the basic outline below to ensure applications address all applicable requirements and assist evaluators in locating relevant information.

Project Narrative Outline Section Introductory Information See D.2.a Narrative Section I: Project Description See D.2.b Narrative Section II: Project Location See D.2.c Narrative Section III: Grant Funds, Sources, and Uses of Project Funds See D.2.d Narrative Section IV: Additional Application Information Needed from All

Private Sector Applicants See D.2.e

Narrative Section V: Merit Criteria See D.2.f Narrative Section VI: Selection Considerations See D.2.g Narrative Section VII: Project Readiness See D.2.h

The Project Narrative should include the information necessary for MARAD to determine that the Project satisfies requirements described in Sections B and C and to assess the selection criteria specified in Section E. In addition to a detailed statement of work, detailed Project schedule, detailed Project budget, and identification of the Marine Highway Transportation Route(s) served, the Project Narrative should include a table of contents, maps, photographs, and graphics, as appropriate, to make the information easier to review and the Project location and scope easier to understand. Applicants should provide data and documentation in a form that is verifiable by

MARAD. MARAD will evaluate the application based upon the information submitted. MARAD may ask any applicant to supplement data in its application but is not required to do so. Lack of supporting information that substantiates assertions or conclusions made in the Project Narrative negatively affects competitiveness of the application, as described in Section E.

MARAD expects applications that include the following content:

a. Introductory Information

Each application should include a cover page with information about the Project as presented below:

Field Name Guidance Name of lead applicant Is the applicant applying as a lead applicant with any joint applicants?

If yes, identify by name each of the joint applicants.

Project name Provide a concise (five- to seven-word) name of the Project.

Project description Provide a brief (no more than 100 words) description of the Project that focuses on what the Project consists of.

Is the applicant a United States private sector operator of marine highway Projects or private sector owners of facilities, including an Alaska Native Corporation?

If yes, identify the U.S. Marine Highway Transportation Route Sponsor endorsing the application (this should be one of the sponsors as indicated below in “Marine Highway Route served”).

U.S. Marine Highway Route served Specify the designated U.S. Marine Highway Transportation Route the Project serves and the U.S. Marine Highway Transportation Route Sponsor(s).

Project location address Specific location of the Project, located on a specific street, in a specific town or city, inside of a specific county, etc. This is not the headquarters, corporate office, or other main office of the applicant. If assistance for Projects in multiple sites is requested, list the address for each site.

Geographic coordinates (in latitude and longitude format)

Provide the coordinates of the approximate geographic center of the Project. The latitude and longitude of the Project are to be reported as decimal degrees with a minimum of 5 decimal places. Coordinates are the location of

Field Name Guidance the Project, not the headquarters, corporate office, or other applicant office. If assistance for Projects in multiple sites is requested, list the coordinates for each site.

Is this Project in an urban or rural area? Refer to definitions of “urban area” and “rural area” in Section A.3. This designation is the specific location(s) of the Project, not the headquarters, corporate office, or other applicant office. If the assistance for Projects in multiple sites is requested, the designation should be based on whether the majority of funds are being spent in “urban areas” or “rural areas” as defined in Section A.3.

Is the applicant a Tribal government? Refer to definition of “Tribal government” in Section A.3. of this notice.

Project Zip Code Identify the zip code that corresponds to the geographic coordinates identified above. If the application is requesting assistance for Projects in multiple sites, list the Zip Code for each site.

Is the Project located in an HDC (as defined in Section A.3 of this notice)?

Answer yes only if the Project is wholly or partially in an HDC. Provide information in support of the claim. For example, census tract number and description. If the application is requesting assistance for Projects in multiple sites, the Project will be designated as an HDC if the majority of the Project’s costs will be spent in the area(s) that qualifies as an HDC.

Has the same Project been previously submitted for AMHP/USMHP funding?

Identify the program and year of the prior submission (such as “AMHP FY 2022”, “USMHP FY 2023”).

Is the applicant applying for other discretionary grant programs in 2024 for the same work or related scope of work?

If so, identify the program, amount of funding requested and scope (such as “PIDP FY 2024, $25 million, components 1 and 2 of this USMHP Project”).

Has the applicant previously received DOT funding for the same work or related scope of work?

If so, identify the program, amount of funding received and scope (such as Port Infrastructure Development Program FY 2022, $2 million, phase 1 of this USMHP Project), and status of the NEPA review for the previously funded project.

Has the applicant previously received PIDP, TIGER, BUILD, RAISE, FASTLANE, INFRA or AMHP/USMHP funding?

Identify the program, amount of funding received, and year of the prior award (such as

“INFRA FY 2022”).

USMHP FY 2024 Grant Amount Requested Enter the total amount of USMHP FY 2024 grant funds requested.

Total Project Cost Total Project Cost will be equal to the Total Future Eligible Project Cost, including the USMHP grant amount requested.

Total Federal Funding Enter the amount of Federal funding from ALL sources that will be used for this Project

Field Name Guidance (include the amount of USMHP grant funding requested).

Total Non-Federal Funding Enter the amount of funds committed to the Project from non-Federal sources.

Will RRIF or TIFIA funds be used as part of the Project financing?

Indicate whether RRIF or TIFIA funding will be used for the Project. If so, indicate the amount of funds that will be used.

Does the applicant use LOGINK or a similar logistics platform provided or sponsored by the People’s Republic of China or Chinese state-affiliated entities?

Yes or No. See Section D.5. of this notice.

b. Narrative Section I: Project Description

This section of the Project Narrative should include a detailed statement of work and describe the proposed USMHP Project, focusing on the technical and engineering aspects of the Project as well as the current status of the Project. This section should discuss the Project’s history, including a description of any previously completed components, and be used to place the Project into a broader context of other transportation investments being pursued by the Project sponsor;

however, the applicant should make clear which investments are outside the scope of the Project.

If the Project includes the purchase of equipment, the application should provide a description as to how each piece of equipment is intended to be used for the Project and any specific features that the equipment must have to satisfy that intended use (e.g., minimum lifting capacity).

This section should also discuss how the Project promotes, expands, or develops a Marine

Highway Transportation Service as defined in Section A.3. This includes a description of the type of cargo moved by the Project or Marine Highway Transportation Service supported by the

Project and ports served by the Marine Highway Transportation Service.

If submitting a joint application, applicants should also identify in this section the lead recipient of the award, who will also be responsible for financial administration of the Project and ensuring Project compliance with all Federal requirements, and a description of the roles and responsibilities of each applicant. Applications should include a signed letter of support from all eligible non-lead joint applicants as an attachment. If the lead recipient determines that a joint applicant is classified as a “subrecipient” as that term is defined at 2 CFR 200.1, the lead recipient must ensure that it complies with the requirements applicable to pass-through entities at 2 CFR

200.331-333.

Applicants should also include in this section citations of authority or other supporting documentation necessary to establish an applicant’s authority13 to carry out the Project, so that

MARAD can make the statutory determination necessary for award at 46 U.S.C. 55601(d)(7)(C) and discussed further in Section E.1.e. The citations should be of sufficient detail to demonstrate that the applicant is an eligible applicant and to show how the applicant is related to the work on the property where the grant funds will be spent. Examples of information that could assist with making this determination include: the citation of specific sections or chapters of state or local statutory language that demonstrate relevant authority; the inclusion of a narrative outlining the authority of the eligible entity applying for grant funding; or a description of the relationship between the applicant and the owner of the property that links the Project to the authority to carry out the Project (e.g., through a lease agreement).

If an applicant requests funding to raise sunken vessels, construct buildings or other physical facilities (as defined in Section A.3.), or acquire land, it must explain in the application why the activities are necessary to carry out the Project. Funding cannot be awarded for one of these uses unless the Secretary determines that such activities are necessary to carry out the Project.

c. Narrative Section II: Project Location

This section of the application should describe the Project’s location and, if available, include photographs. This section should also describe the Marine Highway Transportation Route served by the Project.

13 In the case of a joint application, only one of the joint applicants need demonstrate that they have authority to carry out the Project.

Applicants should submit a Project map with their application that clearly indicates the

Project’s location in the local area and the State or territory, and its connections to existing transportation infrastructure. The map is needed to verify urban/rural and HDC designations. The location of the Project should only include the direct physical location of the Project. It should not include a broad service area or area of Project impact. The location of the Project is where the requested grant funds will be used, not the headquarters, corporate office, or other office of the applicant. If the Project includes multiple sites, include Project location information for all sites.

This section should clearly identify whether the Project is: located in a rural or urban area (as defined in Section A.3.), and/or located in a HDC (as defined in Section A.3.), including the relevant census tract(s).14,15 The description should also include demographic information describing any minority, low income, or limited English proficient communities in the vicinity of, and potentially impacted by, the Project.16 Applicants must ensure that the location and address of the Project is correctly identified in the application.

d. Narrative Section III: Grant Funds, Sources, and Uses of Project Funds

This section should present the budget for the USMHP Project (i.e., the Project scope that includes USMHP funding and matching funding). The budget should not include any previously incurred expenses that are incurred prior to MARAD’s announcement of Project selection. Project budgets should show how different funding sources will share in each activity and present those

14 This website will be used to determine whether a Project is in an urban or rural area:

https://tigerweb.geo.census.gov/tigerweb2020/. Applicants should use the USDOT Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool (CEJST) as the primary tool to identify HDCs: https://screeningtool.geoplatform.gov/en/#3/33.47/- 97.5.

15 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 planning Projects, the location of the Project being planned, prepared, or designed will be used for the urban or rural designation. Similarly, a Project located in both HDC areas and areas that are not HDC areas will be designated as HDC if the majority of the Project’s costs will be spent in the area that qualifies as HDC and, for planning Projects, the location of the Project being planned, prepared, or designed will be used for the HDC designations.

16 Applicants are encouraged to utilize EPA’s EJScreen tool to identify Project demographics:

https://ejscreen.epa.gov/mapper/.

https://tigerweb.geo.census.gov/tigerweb2020/ https://screeningtool.geoplatform.gov/en/#3/33.47/-97.5 https://screeningtool.geoplatform.gov/en/#3/33.47/-97.5 https://ejscreen.epa.gov/mapper/ https://ejscreen.epa.gov/mapper/ data in dollars, rounded up or down to the nearest dollar, and percentages. The budget should identify other Federal funds the applicant is applying for, has been awarded, or intends to use.

Funding sources should be grouped into three categories: non-Federal, USMHP, and other

Federal, with specific amounts from each funding source. The Project budget should include total

Project Costs for the FY 2024 USMHP Project (see Section C.2. for definition of Total Project

Cost); FY 2024 USMHP grant funding request; specific source, amount, type (grant, loan, etc.), and match requirements of any other Federal funds to be used for eligible Project costs; and specific sources and amounts of non-Federal funds, if included, to be used for eligible Project costs.

In order for MARAD to make the determination required by 46 U.S.C. 55601(d)(7)(A) that sufficient funding is available to meet the non-Federal share requirement described in Section C.2, the applicant must demonstrate that the funding source(s) for the non-Federal funds are stable, dependable, and dedicated to this specific Project by attaching or linking to the Letter(s) of

Financial Commitment (as defined in Section A.3). This section should reference and summarize the provided Letter(s) of Financial Commitment. That documentation and information will be evaluated as described in Section E.1.a.

If a Project is in two or more census tracts or is located only partially within an urban or rural area, the budget needs to separate the costs between the various census tracts or areas designated as urban and rural.

If an applicant is a Tribal government or has a proposed Project in a rural area, it may request a

USMHP Federal share of costs…