Opportunity Information: Apply for FR SPP 19 001
The FY19 Railroad Safety State Participation Grant Program (Funding Opportunity Number FR SPP 19 001) is a discretionary grant offered by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) under CFDA 20.301. Its purpose is to strengthen state-level railroad safety oversight by helping states that already have Federal Railroad Safety Program State Participation Agreements pay for practical, program-support needs that directly enable inspections and safety enforcement work. In plain terms, the FRA is using this program to help states keep their railroad safety inspection programs properly trained, equipped, and administratively supported.
Funding is limited to eligible state partners that participate in FRA's State Participation Program, meaning the applicants are not the general public, local governments, universities, or private organizations. The opportunity is specifically aimed at states (and the District of Columbia) that have established railroad safety participation programs and are responsible for regulating and overseeing safety practices related to railroad equipment, facilities, rolling stock, and operations within their jurisdictions. The listed eligible state authorities include: Alabama Public Service Commission; Arizona Corporation Commission; California Public Utilities Commission; District of Columbia Department of Transportation; Florida Department of Transportation; Idaho Public Utilities Commission; Illinois Commerce Commission; Iowa Department of Transportation; Maine Department of Transportation; Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation; Minnesota Department of Transportation; Mississippi Department of Transportation; Missouri Department of Transportation; Montana Public Service Commission; Nebraska Public Service Commission; Nevada Public Utilities Commission; New Hampshire Department of Transportation; New Jersey Department of Transportation; New Mexico Public Regulation Commission; New York Department of Transportation; North Carolina Department of Transportation; North Dakota Public Service Commission; Ohio Public Utilities Commission; Oregon Department of Transportation; Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission; South Carolina Office of Regulatory Staff; Tennessee Department of Transportation; Texas Department of Transportation; Utah Department of Transportation; Virginia Corporation Commission; Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission; and West Virginia Public Service Commission.
The grant funds are intended for a targeted set of eligible costs that support day-to-day inspection and program delivery. FRA indicates funding can be used for training (to ensure inspectors and related personnel maintain the specialized knowledge needed for railroad safety compliance), travel (so inspectors can reach rail facilities, conduct inspections, and participate in required or beneficial training), laptop computers (to support field inspection work, reporting, and data entry consistent with modern compliance workflows), and grant management administration (covering the administrative effort needed to properly manage the federal award, meet reporting requirements, and remain compliant with grant rules). The emphasis is on enabling state partners to carry out or enhance their existing safety oversight roles rather than launching unrelated rail initiatives.
Key administrative details in the source information show the opportunity was created on 2019-04-11 and had an original closing date of 2019-05-20, indicating a relatively short application window typical of many annual or periodic federal support programs. The award ceiling is listed as $485,000, establishing the maximum expected size of an individual award under this posting. The listing identifies the funding instrument type as a grant and the activity category as transportation, aligning with FRA's broader mission to promote safe rail operations nationwide by combining federal oversight with qualified state participation.
Overall, the FY19 Railroad Safety State Participation Grant Program is best understood as capacity-building support for established state rail safety inspection programs. It helps cover the practical costs that keep inspectors trained, mobile, properly equipped with basic technology, and supported by compliant grant administration, thereby improving the consistency and reach of railroad safety regulation at the state level in coordination with federal standards.Apply for FR SPP 19 001
- The DOT - Federal Railroad Administration in the transportation sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY19 Railroad Safety State Participation Grant Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 20.301.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2019-04-11.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2019-05-20. (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 $485,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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FY19 Railroad Safety State Participation Grant Program (FR SPP 19 001) - FAQs
What is the FY19 Railroad Safety State Participation Grant Program?
The FY19 Railroad Safety State Participation Grant Program is a discretionary grant opportunity offered by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). It is listed under CFDA 20.301 and is designed to strengthen state-level railroad safety oversight by supporting practical needs that directly enable inspections and safety enforcement work.
What is the purpose of this grant?
The purpose is to help states that already participate in FRA's Federal Railroad Safety Program State Participation Agreements maintain and support their inspection and safety enforcement capacity. In practical terms, the grant helps state railroad safety inspection programs stay trained, equipped, and administratively supported so they can carry out consistent oversight in coordination with federal standards.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited to state partners that participate in FRA's State Participation Program. The applicants are not the general public, local governments, universities, or private organizations. The opportunity is specifically aimed at states (and the District of Columbia) that have established railroad safety participation programs and already have State Participation Agreements with FRA.
Are local governments, universities, nonprofits, or private companies eligible?
No. Based on the information provided, the funding is limited to eligible state partners in FRA's State Participation Program and is not open to local governments, universities, private organizations, or the general public.
Which state agencies are listed as eligible state authorities?
The opportunity lists the following eligible state authorities:
- Alabama Public Service Commission
- Arizona Corporation Commission
- California Public Utilities Commission
- District of Columbia Department of Transportation
- Florida Department of Transportation
- Idaho Public Utilities Commission
- Illinois Commerce Commission
- Iowa Department of Transportation
- Maine Department of Transportation
- Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation
- Minnesota Department of Transportation
- Mississippi Department of Transportation
- Missouri Department of Transportation
- Montana Public Service Commission
- Nebraska Public Service Commission
- Nevada Public Utilities Commission
- New Hampshire Department of Transportation
- New Jersey Department of Transportation
- New Mexico Public Regulation Commission
- New York Department of Transportation
- North Carolina Department of Transportation
- North Dakota Public Service Commission
- Ohio Public Utilities Commission
- Oregon Department of Transportation
- Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission
- South Carolina Office of Regulatory Staff
- Tennessee Department of Transportation
- Texas Department of Transportation
- Utah Department of Transportation
- Virginia Corporation Commission
- Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission
- West Virginia Public Service Commission
What types of activities or needs does the grant support?
The grant is intended to pay for practical, program-support needs that directly enable inspections and railroad safety enforcement work. The emphasis is on supporting and enhancing existing state safety oversight roles rather than starting unrelated rail initiatives.
What are the eligible cost categories mentioned for this grant?
Based on the information provided, FRA indicates funding can be used for:
- Training (to ensure inspectors and related personnel maintain specialized railroad safety compliance knowledge)
- Travel (to reach rail facilities, conduct inspections, and attend required or beneficial training)
- Laptop computers (to support field inspection work, reporting, and data entry)
- Grant management administration (administrative effort to manage the award, meet reporting requirements, and comply with grant rules)
Can the funding be used to start new rail programs or unrelated rail initiatives?
The stated emphasis is on enabling state partners to carry out or enhance their existing safety oversight roles. The information provided describes the funding as targeted support for day-to-day inspection and program delivery needs, rather than launching unrelated rail initiatives.
What kind of technology purchases are specifically mentioned as eligible?
Laptop computers are specifically mentioned as an eligible cost to support field inspection work, reporting, and data entry aligned with modern compliance workflows.
Why does the program include travel as an eligible expense?
Travel is included so inspectors can reach rail facilities to conduct inspections and can also participate in required or beneficial training that supports railroad safety compliance work.
What does "grant management administration" mean in this context?
In the context provided, grant management administration refers to the administrative work needed to properly manage the federal award, meet reporting requirements, and remain compliant with federal grant rules.
Which federal agency administers this opportunity?
The opportunity is offered by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Railroad Administration (FRA).
What is the funding opportunity number for this grant?
The Funding Opportunity Number is FR SPP 19 001.
What is the assistance listing or CFDA number?
The program is identified under CFDA 20.301.
What type of funding instrument is this?
The funding instrument type is a grant.
What is the activity category for this opportunity?
The activity category is transportation.
When was this opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on 2019-04-11.
What was the original closing date?
The original closing date was 2019-05-20.
How long was the application window based on the dates provided?
Based on the provided dates (created 2019-04-11 and closing 2019-05-20), the original application window was a little over five weeks, which is described as a relatively short window typical of many annual or periodic federal support programs.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is listed as $485,000, which establishes the maximum expected size of an individual award under this posting.
Is this a competitive or formula grant?
The opportunity is described as a discretionary grant, which indicates it is awarded at the agency's discretion rather than as a formula allocation.
Who is this program meant to help, in plain terms?
In plain terms, this program helps participating states keep their railroad safety inspection programs properly trained, equipped, and supported with the administrative capacity needed to comply with federal grant requirements, so inspectors can do their jobs effectively.
What areas of railroad safety oversight are states responsible for under this program description?
The eligible state partners are described as responsible for regulating and overseeing safety practices related to railroad equipment, facilities, rolling stock, and operations within their jurisdictions.
How does this program fit into FRA's broader safety mission?
The program aligns with FRA's mission to promote safe rail operations nationwide by combining federal oversight with qualified state participation, helping states maintain the capacity to perform inspections and safety enforcement consistent with federal standards.
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