On December 16, 2009, the President of the United States signed the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for 2010 (Div. A of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2010 (Pub. L. 111-117, December 16, 2009)) (ÂFY 2010 Appropriations ActÂ), which appropriated $600 million to be awarded for National Infrastructure Investments or ÂTIGER II Discretionary Grants." Funds for the TIGER II Discretionary Grant Program are to be awarded on a competitive basis for projects that will have a significant impact on the Nation, Metropolitan area or a region.
OST is requesting emergency approval of this proposed information collection since the Department can not reasonably comply with the normal OMB PRA Clearance procedures because of the time needed by OST to review grant applications, select projects and award funding in accordance with the FY 2010 Appropriations Act, which requires a competitive process. Any delay in collecting the information and awarding grants will make it less likely that the Department will be able to meet the statutory deadline for obligating funds.
This is a new program authorized under the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2010, Title I - Department of Transportation, Office of the Secretary, National Infrastructure Investments (P.L. 111-117, 123 Stat. 3034).
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.