Subject: ACTION: Announcement of FY 2010 Solicitation for National Scenic Byways Grant Applications (Reply Due: May 14, 2010)
From: Gloria M. Shepherd, Associate Administrator for Planning, Environment, and Realty
To: Division Administrators, Director of Technical Services, Federal Lands Highway Division Engineers
Date: February 3, 2010
In Reply Refer To: HEP-2
The purpose of this memorandum is to announce the solicitation of grant applications for FY 2010 funding under the National Scenic Byways Program (NSBP). Applications are due from the State departments of transportation (State DOTs) and Indian Tribes to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) division offices by April 16, 2010. The division offices should forward all applications to Headquarters by May 14, 2010 to the address below:
Ms. Cindi Ptak, (HEP-2)The Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users; P.L. 109-59 as extended to February 28, 2010 authorizes 5 months of funding for FY 2010 at the FY 2009 level for the NSBP, subject to the obligation limitation. Additional funding may be made available pending further extensions or reauthorization.
In selecting projects, the FHWA will consider projects that can demonstrate a value-added livability component. In recognition that livable communities are affected at the projects level, we invite projects that integrate corridor management planning with larger transportation and community planning efforts that will improve mobility within and among byway communities; increase access to jobs, health and social services, tourism and educational opportunities; and projects that improve mobility by providing alternatives to vehicular travel along byways that enhance the visitor experience.
We will continue to be open to more strategic investments in our FY 2010 NSBP grant awards process by further targeting our resources toward projects that provide the greatest benefits. We are particularly focusing on projects with substantial benefits and invite applications of large- scale high-cost projects that provide strategic benefits within the NSBP.
This solicitation memorandum, FY 2010 Grant Information, the online application, and other important materials are available at http://www.bywaysonline.org/grants/. All applications must be completed online and submitted both electronically and in hard copy. Indian Tribes may submit applications through the State DOTs or directly to the FHWA division offices. All other applications must be submitted to the State DOTs for review and possible submission to the FHWA division offices. Applicants must have a Data Universal Numbering System number and an active Central Contractor Registration that can be verified by the State coordinator or FHWA division offices in addition to submitting their application on www.bywaysonline.org.
If you have questions about the FY 2010 solicitation, please contact Cindi Ptak at 202-366-1586 or cindi.ptak@dot.gov or Gary Jensen at 202-366-2048 or gary.jensen@dot.gov.