Dear CAGTC Members,
Following on yesterday’s email sharing the federal preview of the FY17 TIGER Notice of Funding Opportunity, I am following with the published notice that ran in today’s Federal Register (attached; and linked here: https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2017-09-07/pdf/2017-19009.pdf). As mentioned in my email yesterday, this round has a quick turnaround – applications are due October 16, 2017. Below please find information on upcoming TIGER webinars and a brief CAGTC-prepared summary and analysis of this NOFO.
TIGER Webinars
USDOT will host three webinars on the TIGER Program:
How to Compete for TIGER Grants – All Applicants
Sept. 13 from 2-4 pm Eastern (Register here: https://connectdot.connectsolutions.com/e3ixwl3468m/event/event_info.html[external link])
Sept. 19 from 2-4 pm Eastern (Register here: https://connectdot.connectsolutions.com/e4v5e5qkn03/event/event_info.html[external link])
Preparing a Benefit Cost Analysis (BCA) for a TIGER Application
Sept. 18 from 2-4 pm Eastern (Register here: https://connectdot.connectsolutions.com/e6mlln4w3vn/event/event_info.html[external link])
Significant Changes
Similar to changes we saw under the INFRA grant solicitation (previously FASTLANE), the Trump Administration’s first TIGER solicitation has an emphasis on projects located in rural areas, stating: “The FY 2017 TIGER program will give special consideration to projects which emphasize improved access to reliable, safe, and affordable transportation for communities in rural areas, such as projects that improve infrastructure condition, address public health and safety, promote regional connectivity, or facilitate economic growth or competitiveness.” The solicitation defines a “rural area” as an area outside an Urbanized Area as designated by the U.S. Census Bureau (the solicitation provides this link as a listing of Urbanized Areas: https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/dc10map/UAUC_RefMap/ua/).
Funding
- Per the FY2017 appropriations law, $500 million is available to be awarded for capital investments in surface transportation infrastructure.
- At least 20% of this funding must be used in rural areas.
- No more than 10% of funding may be awarded for projects in a single state (In previous years, up to 20% of funding could be awarded to projects in any single state)
- The maximum grant size is $25 million. For a project in a rural area, the minimum grant award is $1 million; in non-rural areas the minimum grant award is $5 million. (In FY15 TIGER, the maximum grant award was $200 million and it was reduced to $100 in FY16. Capital project awards throughout past TIGER rounds have ranged from $1 million to $105 million, with the average award size of $14.5 million)
- For a project located in a rural area, the Federal share may be increased above 80%. (Past TIGER rounds made this same allowance)
- While FY16 TIGER did not consider Toll Credits a local match, the FY 17 solicitation states that Toll Credits will be considered a non-federal source of funding.
Applicants
- As in past rounds, eligible applicants include State, local, and tribal governments, including U.S. territories, transit agencies, port authorities, metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs), and other political subdivisions of State or local governments.
- Lead applicants may submit up to three applications; unrelated projects cannot be bundled into a single application. This limit only applies in the instance of an applicant being a lead applicant – there is no limit on the number of applications as a partnering agency.
- Applicants can apply for funding for the same project under both the INFRA and TIGER program, but the applicant must submit separate applications and explain how the project meets the different program criteria. TIGER applicants that include INFRA funding as part of a proposed financing package will be less competitive.
Criteria
While selection criteria for awards remains the same as the FY16 NOFO, the description of each criterion has been updated – in some cases, the changes are minor and in others, the changes are substantial. What you will find is criteria very focused on project outcomes, and quantifying those outcomes to the extent possible. This solicitation expresses an interest in the deployment of advanced technologies and innovative design solutions.
In previous rounds, TIGER had an emphasis on the Obama Administration’s priorities, such as “Livability Principles” and “Ladders of Opportunity.” This NOFO has a significantly decreased emphasis on these types priorities, although the selection criteria does retain a handful of similar principles, particularly as they apply to rural communities. The FY17 NOFO has an increased emphasis on the consideration and reduction of life-cycle costs and measurable project outcomes. Unlike past TIGER solicitations, there are no considerations for the transportation infrastructure’s ability to withstand climate change, emergency or major disasters, although the “Environmental Sustainability” criterion does retain much of the language from past TIGER solicitations.
Review and Selection Process
The award selection process is detailed at length in the solicitation. The process is broken into three steps: Technical Review, Tier Two Analysis, and Senior Review. The Technical Review team will rate submissions based on how they align with criteria, and will assign “Highly Recommend,” “Recommended,” “Acceptable,” and “Not Recommended.” Tier 2 Analysis consists of an economic analysis, and a project readiness analysis. The Senior Review Team considers the “Highly Recommend,” “Recommended,” and “Acceptable,” and then makes a determination on which will be “Highly Recommended” after their evaluation; only those receiving a “Highly Recommended” designation will advance to the Secretary for her review and final selection.
As always, we are available to answer any questions you may have – please call or write any time. CAGTC staff will cover the TIGER webinars and send summaries to our members.
Thank you,
Elaine
Elaine Nessle
Executive Director
Coalition for America's Gateways & Trade Corridors
1444 Eye Street NW
Suite 1100
Washington, DC 20005
Phone: (202) 828-9100
Mobile: (607) 368-5028
www.tradecorridors.org