This is a voluntary reporting collection open to all Railroads and local and state governments, and is used for administering the FRA Grants Management Program. Frequency of reporting varies depending upon the stage of the grant process (award, maintenance or close out). All reporting is directed to FRA when submitted. This is a revision to a currently approved collection.
The purpose of the program: FRA solicits grant applications for viable projects including, but not limited to, preconstruction planning activities, safety improvements, congestion relief, improvement of grade crossings, rail line relocation, as well as projects that encourage development, expansion, and upgrades to passenger and freight rail infrastructure and services. Funded projects are those that meet FRA and government wide evaluation standards and align with the Presidentâs key strategic transportation goals to create safe and efficient transportation choices, build a foundation for economic competitiveness, promote energy efficiency and environmental quality, and support interconnected livable communities. FRA administers award agreements for both construction and non-construction projects that will result in service benefits or other tangible improvements in rail corridors. These projects include completion of preliminary engineering, environmental research and development, final design, and construction.
FRA is revising FRA Form 217, Categorical Exclusion Worksheet with this submission. The total number of burden hours requested for the submission of Form 217 is 75 burden hours. This represents a decrease of 7,725 burden hours due to the adjusted number of expected responses to form FRA F 217, as well as the removal of the time of analysis for the form, as explained in detail below.
FRA removed the Environmental Impact Statement and Environmental Assessment requirements as part of this collection, as explained in detail w/in the Supporting Statement.
FRA also separated burden hours from Form FRA F 229 and the Buy America Component so that the form is stand alone. While this did not change the burden hours in total, it did more accurately separate the hours from the form and the Buy America non-form components.
FRA reviewed and corrected the total hours to complete the Waiver Request Narrative.
The total cost to the Federal Government increased due to revised OPM salary adjustments which were effective January 2021, as explained in Question #14 of the Supporting Statement..
Assurances for Non-Construction Programs , Certifications Regarding Debarment, Suspension and Other Responsibility Matters, Drug-Free Workplace Requirements and Lobbying
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.
Payment Summary Spreadsheet