Opportunity Information: Apply for FR FSP 19 001
The FY17 and FY18 Federal-State Partnership for State of Good Repair Program is a discretionary federal grant opportunity run by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). It is designed to fund capital improvements to passenger rail infrastructure in the United States, specifically focusing on fixing, replacing, or rehabilitating railroad assets that have fallen behind in maintenance or renewal. The core goal is to reduce the "state of good repair" backlog, meaning the accumulation of outdated, deteriorated, or failure-prone infrastructure that can drag down reliability and performance. By targeting those needs, the program also aims to improve the day-to-day performance of intercity passenger rail, which generally includes better on-time performance, fewer service disruptions, and more consistent operations.
The program supports a range of eligible capital project types as long as they are tied to bringing qualified railroad assets into a better condition. Projects can include straightforward in-kind replacements, where an existing asset is replaced with something comparable, as well as replacements that go further by increasing capacity or delivering a higher level of service. It also covers work intended to keep service operating while repairs or rehabilitation are underway, which is important for corridors where shutting down rail service is not practical. In addition, the program funds rehabilitation and repair efforts that bring existing assets up to an acceptable condition rather than fully replacing them. In practice, this can involve major track, bridge, tunnel, signal, power, station, or other rail system component work, as long as it fits the program's state-of-good-repair and performance improvement purpose.
Eligible applicants are primarily public-sector and passenger rail entities. The notice lists the following as eligible for all project types: any State (including the District of Columbia), a group of States, an Interstate Compact, a public agency or publicly chartered authority created by one or more States, a political subdivision of a State, Amtrak (either applying on its own or through a cooperative agreement with one or more States), or any combination of those entities. This structure is meant to support projects that often cross jurisdictional lines or require joint sponsorship, which is common in intercity rail where infrastructure ownership, service operations, and funding responsibilities can be split among multiple parties.
Administratively, this opportunity is offered as a cooperative agreement, meaning the FRA expects to have substantial involvement in the funded work compared with a standard grant. The funding activity category is transportation, and the relevant CFDA number is 20.326. The opportunity number is FR FSP 19 001, it was created on 2018-11-16, and the original application closing date was 2019-03-18. The maximum award amount listed (award ceiling) is $272,250,000, signaling that the program is oriented toward large, capital-intensive rail projects rather than small planning studies or minor improvements.Apply for FR FSP 19 001
- The DOT - Federal Railroad Administration in the transportation sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY17&18 Federal-State Partnership for State of Good Repair Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 20.326.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2018-11-16.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2019-03-18. (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 $272,250,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, Others.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): FY17 and FY18 Federal-State Partnership for State of Good Repair Program
What is the FY17 and FY18 Federal-State Partnership for State of Good Repair Program?
It is a discretionary federal grant opportunity administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). The program funds capital improvements to passenger rail infrastructure in the United States, with an emphasis on fixing, replacing, or rehabilitating railroad assets that are behind on maintenance or renewal.
What is the main purpose of this program?
The core purpose is to reduce the passenger rail "state of good repair" backlog. This backlog refers to outdated, deteriorated, or failure-prone infrastructure that can reduce reliability and overall performance. By addressing these needs, the program also aims to improve day-to-day performance of intercity passenger rail, such as better on-time performance, fewer service disruptions, and more consistent operations.
What does "state of good repair backlog" mean in this context?
It means the accumulation of railroad infrastructure and assets that have fallen behind in maintenance, renewal, or replacement. These assets may be deteriorated, outdated, or more likely to fail, which can negatively affect reliability and performance.
What types of projects can be funded?
The program supports capital projects tied to bringing qualified railroad assets into better condition. Eligible project types include:
- In-kind replacement of existing assets with comparable assets
- Replacement projects that also increase capacity or provide a higher level of service
- Rehabilitation and repair work that restores assets to an acceptable condition (without full replacement)
- Work intended to keep rail service operating while repairs or rehabilitation are underway
Does the program only fund like-for-like replacements?
No. It can fund in-kind replacements, but it also supports replacements that go beyond like-for-like by increasing capacity or delivering a higher level of service, as long as the work aligns with the program's state-of-good-repair and performance improvement goals.
Does the program fund projects that help maintain service during construction?
Yes. The program can fund work intended to keep service operating while repairs or rehabilitation are underway, which is particularly relevant in corridors where shutting down service is not practical.
What kinds of rail assets or components might be included in eligible work?
The notice describes major infrastructure and system components such as track, bridges, tunnels, signals, power systems, stations, or other rail system components, as long as the work fits the program's state-of-good-repair and performance improvement purpose.
Is the program focused on passenger rail only?
Yes. The program is designed to fund capital improvements to passenger rail infrastructure in the United States, and it emphasizes improving the performance of intercity passenger rail operations.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants (for all project types) include:
- Any State (including the District of Columbia)
- A group of States
- An Interstate Compact
- A public agency or publicly chartered authority created by one or more States
- A political subdivision of a State
- Amtrak (applying on its own or through a cooperative agreement with one or more States)
- Any combination of the eligible entities listed above
Can multiple eligible entities apply together?
Yes. The opportunity allows "any combination" of the listed eligible entities to apply, reflecting the reality that intercity passenger rail projects often cross jurisdictions or require joint sponsorship.
Can Amtrak apply?
Yes. Amtrak is listed as an eligible applicant, either applying on its own or through a cooperative agreement with one or more States.
What type of federal funding instrument is used?
Awards are made as a cooperative agreement. This means the FRA expects to have substantial involvement in the funded work compared with a standard grant.
What is the funding activity category?
The funding activity category is transportation.
What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?
The CFDA number listed is 20.326.
What is the opportunity number?
The opportunity number is FR FSP 19 001.
When was the opportunity created?
It was created on 2018-11-16.
What was the original application closing date?
The original application closing date was 2019-03-18.
What is the maximum award amount?
The listed award ceiling is $272,250,000, indicating the program is oriented toward large, capital-intensive rail projects.
Is this grant aimed at small projects or large projects?
Based on the award ceiling of $272,250,000 and the focus on major capital improvements, the program is positioned for large, capital-intensive passenger rail infrastructure projects rather than minor improvements or small planning efforts.
How does the program relate to intercity passenger rail performance?
By reducing the state-of-good-repair backlog and addressing failure-prone or deteriorated assets, the program aims to improve day-to-day intercity passenger rail performance. This can translate into better on-time performance, fewer service disruptions, and more consistent operations.
Which federal agency runs this program?
The program is run by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Railroad Administration (FRA).
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Previous opportunity: FY2018 Supplemental Northeast Corridor Grant to the National Railroad Passenger Corporation
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