FAA Contract Tower Competitive Grant Program; Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Funding Opportunity

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of Transportation (DOT).

ACTION:

Notice of funding opportunity.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Transportation (DOT), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), announces the opportunity to apply for $20 million in FY 2024 Airport Infrastructure Grant funds for the FAA Contract Tower (FCT) Competitive Grant Program, made available under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 (IIJA), herein referred to as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). The purpose of the FCT Competitive Grant Program is to make annual grants available to eligible airports for airport-owned airport traffic control tower (ATCT) projects that address the aging infrastructure of the nation's airports.

DATES:

Airport sponsors that wish to be considered for FY 2024 FCT Competitive Grant Program funding should submit an application that meets the requirements of this NOFO as soon as possible, but no later than 5:00 p.m. Eastern time, December 1, 2023.

ADDRESSES:

Submit applications electronically at https://www.faa.gov/bil/airport-infrastructure/fct per instructions in this NOFO.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Robin K. Hunt, Manager, BIL Branch APP–540, FAA Office of Airports, at (202)267–3263 or our FAA BIL email address: 9-ARP-BILAirports@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The FCT Competitive Grant Program will align with DOT's Strategic Framework FY 2022–2026 at www.transportation.gov/administrations/office-policy/fy20222026-strategic-framework. The FY 2024 FCT Competitive Grant Program will be implemented consistent with law and in alignment with the priorities in Executive Order 14052, Implementation of the Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act (86 FR 64355), which are to invest efficiently and equitably, promote the competitiveness of the U.S. economy, improve job opportunities by focusing on high labor standards, strengthen infrastructure resilience to all hazards, including climate change, and to effectively coordinate with State, local, Tribal, and Territorial government partners.

Airports that submitted projects under the FY 2024 Airport Terminal Program NOFO (88 FR 63189), that meet the eligibility requirements outlined in C.1., do not need to resubmit under this NOFO.

A. Program Description

BIL established the FCT Competitive Grant Program, a competitive discretionary grant program, which provides $20 million in grant funding annually for five years (Fiscal Years 2022–2026) to sustain, construct, repair, improve, rehabilitate, modernize, replace, or relocate nonapproach control towers; acquire and install air traffic control, communications, and related equipment to be used in those towers; and construct a remote tower certified by the FAA including acquisition and installation of air traffic control, communications, or related equipment. The FAA is committed to advancing safe, efficient transportation, including projects funder under the FCT program. This Program also supports the President's goals to mobilize American ingenuity to build modern infrastructure and an equitable, clean energy future. In support of Executive Order 13985, Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government (86 FR 7009), the FAA encourages applicants to consider how the project will address the challenges faced by individuals in underserved communities and rural areas, as well as accessibility for persons with disabilities.

The FCT Competitive Grant Program falls under the project grant authority for the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) in 49 United States Code (U.S.C.) 47104. Per 2 Code of Federal Regulation (CFR) part 200— Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, the AIP Federal Assistance Listings Number is 20.106, with the objective to assist eligible airports in the development and improvement of a nationwide system that adequately meets the needs of civil aeronautics. The FY 2024 FCT Competitive Grant Program will be implemented consistent with the BIL and in alignment with the priorities in Executive Order 14052, Implementation of the Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act (86 FR 64355), which are to invest efficiently and equitably, promote the competitiveness of the U.S. economy, improve opportunities for good-paying jobs with the free and fair choice to join a union by focusing on high labor standards, strengthen infrastructure resilience to all hazards, including climate change, and to effectively coordinate with State, local, Tribal, and Territorial government partners.

Consistent with statutory criteria and Executive Order 14008, Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad (86 FR 7619), the FAA also seeks to fund projects under the FCT Competitive Grant Program that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and are designed with specific elements to address climate change impacts. Specifically, the FAA is looking to award projects that align with the President's greenhouse gas reduction goals, promote energy efficiency, support fiscally responsible land use and transportation efficient design, support development compatible with the use of sustainable aviation fuels and technologies, increase climate resilience, incorporate sustainable and less emissions-intensive pavement and construction materials as allowable, and reduce pollution.

The FAA will also consider projects that advance the goals of the Executive Orders listed under section E.2.

B. Federal Award Information

This NOFO announces up to $20,000,000, subject to availability of funds, for the Fiscal Year 2024 FCT Competitive Grant Program. The FCT Competitive Grant Program is a $100 million grant program, distributed as $20 million annually for five years (Fiscal Years 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026).

The FAA will consider projects at an airport-owned Airport Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) that sustain, construct, repair, improve, rehabilitate, modernize, replace, or relocate nonapproach control towers; acquire and install air traffic control, communications, and related equipment to be used in those towers; or construct a remote tower certified by the FAA including acquisition and installation of air traffic control, communications, or related equipment. To date, there are no certified remote tower systems. The FAA is currently evaluating this technology to assess its suitability for use in the National Airspace System. In addition, these projects will also be evaluated based on overall impact on the National Airspace System, including age of facility, operational constraints, nonstandard facilities, or new FCT entrant requirements. This also includes applicable Executive Orders as listed in section E.2.

The FAA intends to publish a NOFO annually to announce additional funding made available, expected to be $20 million per year, for Fiscal Years 2025–2026.

C. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants are those airport sponsors approved in the FAA's Contract Tower Program or Contract Tower Cost Share Program as defined in 49 U.S.C. 47124, and normally eligible for Airport Improvement Program (AIP) discretionary grants as defined in 49 U.S.C. 47115. The eligible applicants include a public agency, private entity, state agency, Indian Tribe, or Pueblo owning a public-use National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS) airport, the Secretary of the Interior for Midway Island airport, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau.

2. Cost Sharing or Matching

No cost sharing or matching is required. The Federal cost share of the FCT Competitive Grant Program is 100 percent for all airports eligible to receive grants.

3. Project Eligibility

All projects funded from the FCT Competitive Grant Program must be airport-owned ATCT projects that:

i. Sustain, construct, repair, improve, rehabilitate, modernize, replace, or relocate nonapproach control towers;

ii. Acquire and install air traffic control, communications, and related equipment to be used in those towers; or

iii. Construct a remote tower certified by the FAA, including acquisition and installation of air traffic control, communications, or related equipment.

D. Application and Submission Information

1. Address To Request Application Package

An application for FCT Competitive Grant Program projects, FAA Form 5100–144, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Airport Terminal and Tower Project Information, can be found at: https://www.faa.gov/bil/airport-infrastructure/fct.

Direct all inquiries regarding applications to the appropriate Regional Office (RO) or Airports District Office (ADO), at https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/arp/offices/regional_offices or to the BIL Team at 9-ARP-BILAirports@faa.gov.

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

Applicants are required to submit FAA Form 5100–144, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Airport Terminal and Tower Project Information. The applicant should submit Form 5100–144 as a fillable digitally signed PDF document via email. If the applicant cannot provide a digital signature, the application may be submitted as two documents: (1) the completed fillable PDF without a signature and (2) a scanned version of the completed application with a written signature. Applicants should follow the instructions and provide a response to applicable items on the Form.

The “Submit by Email” button at the bottom of the Form will generate an email for the applicant to send to the FAA BIL Team at: 9-ARP-BILAirports@faa.gov. If the “Submit by Email” button does not generate an email the applicant can save the fillable PDF by selecting “FileSave As” to save as a fillable PDF. Once saved, the applicant can email the application to the FAA BIL Team at 9-ARP-BILAirports@faa.gov. The fillable PDF application must contain either a digital signature or the applicant's written signature.

Applicants selected to receive an FCT Competitive Grant Program grant will then be required to follow AIP grant application procedures prior to award, which include meeting all prerequisites for funding, and submission of Standard Form SF–424, Application for Federal Assistance, and FAA Form 5100–100, Application for Development Projects.

Airports covered under the FAA's State Block Grant Program or airports in a channeling act state should coordinate with their associated state agency on the process for deciding who should submit an application using the procedures listed above.

Applicants must address Administration and Departmental priorities in safety, climate change and sustainability, equity and workforce development which are further defined in section E.

Grant Funds, Sources and Uses of Project Funds: The FAA requests that each project application have a financial plan (or project budget) available for review upon request. Project budgets should show how different funding sources will share in each activity and present those data in dollars and percentages. The budget should identify other Federal funds the applicant is applying for or has been awarded, if any, that the applicant intends to use. Funding sources should be grouped into three categories: non-Federal, FCT, and other Federal with specific amounts from each funding source.

Sharing of Application Information: The FAA may share application information within the Department or with other Federal agencies if the FAA determines that sharing is relevant to the respective program's objectives.

All applicants, including those requesting full federal share of eligible project costs, should have a plan to address potential cost overruns as part of an overall funding plan.

3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM)

Applicants must comply with 2 CFR part 25— Universal Identifier and System for Award Management. All applicants must have a unique entity identifier provided by SAM. Additional information about obtaining a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and registration procedures may be found at http://www.sam.gov. Each applicant is required to: (1) be registered in SAM; (2) provide a valid UEI prior to grant award; and (3) continue to maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which the applicant has an active Federal award or an application or plan under consideration by the FAA. Under the FCT Competitive Grant Program, the UEI and SAM account must belong to the entity that has the legal authority to apply for, receive, and execute FCT Competitive Grant Program grants.

Once awarded, the FAA grant recipient must maintain the currency of its information in SAM until the grantee submits the final financial report required under the grant or receives the final payment, whichever is later. A grant recipient must review and update the information at least annually after the initial registration and more frequently if required by changes in information or another award term.

The FAA may not make an award until the applicant has complied with all applicable UEI and SAM requirements. If an applicant has not fully complied with the requirements by the time the FAA is ready to make an award, the FAA may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive an award and use that determination as a basis for giving a Federal award to another applicant.

Non-Federal entities that have received a Federal award are required to report certain civil, criminal, or administrative proceedings to SAM to ensure registration information is current and complies with federal requirements. Applicants should refer to 2 CFR 200.113 for more information about this requirement.

4. Submission Dates and Times

Airports that wish to be considered for FY 2024 FCT Competitive Grant Program funding should submit an application that meets the requirements of this NOFO as soon as possible, but no later than 5 p.m. eastern time on December 1, 2023. Submit applications electronically to 9-ARP-BILAirports@faa.gov per instructions in this NOFO. Airports that submitted projects under the FY 2024 Airport Terminal Program NOFO (88 FR 63189), that meet the eligibility requirements outlined in C.1., do not need to resubmit under this NOFO.

5. Funding Restrictions

All projects funded from the FCT Competitive Grant Program must be at airports approved in the FAA's Contract Tower Program or Contract Tower Cost Share Program defined in 49 U.S.C. 47124.

FCT Competitive Grant Program funds may not be used to support or oppose union organizing.

Pre-Award Authority: All project costs must be incurred after the grant execution date unless specifically permitted under 49 U.S.C. 47110(c). Certain airport development costs incurred before execution of the grant agreement, but after November 15, 2021, are allowable, only if certain conditions under 49 U.S.C. 47110(c)are met [see Table 3–60 of the AIP Handbook, FAA Order 5100.38 D Change 1, for specific guidance regarding when project costs can be incurred in relation to section 47110(c)].

6. Other Submission Requirements

Applications will only be accepted on FAA Form 5100–144 fillable PDF via email and must be received on or before December 1, 2023, 5:00 p.m. Eastern time. No other Forms of applications will be accepted.

E. Application Review Information

1. Criteria

Applications for FY 2024 FCT Competitive Grant Program will be rated using the following criteria:

i. Projects must meet eligibility requirements under the FCT Competitive Grant Program outlined under sections C.1 and C.3 above.

ii. The FAA will consider timeliness of implementation, with priority given to those projects, including “design only” projects, that can satisfy all statutory and administrative requirements for grant award by October 2024.

iii. ATCT projects will be evaluated based on the overall impact on the National Airspace System, including age of facility, operational constraints, nonstandard facility conditions, or new FCT entrant requirements.

iv. Priority will be given to projects that advance aviation safety or enhance air traffic efficiency.

v. The applicant should describe whether and how project delivery and implementation creates good-paying jobs with the free and fair choice to join a union to the greatest extent possible; the use of demonstrated strong labor standards, practices and policies (including for direct employees, contractors, and sub-contractors, and service workers on airport property); use of project labor agreements; distribution of workplace rights notices; union neutrality agreements; wage and/or benefit standards; safety and health standards; the use of Local Hire Provisions; registered apprenticeships; joint-labor management partnerships; or other similar standards or practices. The applicant should describe how planned methods of project delivery and implementation (for example, use of Project Labor Agreements and/or Local Hire Provisions, training, placement and the provision of supportive services for underrepresented workers) provide opportunities for all workers, including workers underrepresented in construction jobs, to be trained and placed in good-paying jobs directly related to the project. The FAA will consider this information in evaluating the application.

2. Review and Selection Process

Federal awarding agency personnel will evaluate applications based on how well the projects meet the criteria in E.1, including project eligibility, justification, readiness, and impact on the National Airspace System. The FAA will also consider how well projects advance the goals of the following Executive Orders: the President's January 20, 2021, Executive Order 13990, “Protecting Public Health and the Environment and Restoring Science to Tackle the Climate Crisis”; the President's January 20, 2021, Executive Order 13985, “Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government”; the President's January 27, 2021, Executive Order 14008, “Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad”; the President's May 20, 2021, Executive Order 14030, “ Climate Related Financial Risk”; and the President's July 9, 2021, Executive Order 14036, “Promoting Competition in the American Economy.”

Applications are first reviewed for eligibility, justification, and timeliness of implementation consistent with the requirements of this NOFO and the intent of the FCT. Applications are then reviewed for how well the proposed project(s) meets the criteria in E.1. and ranked by field and Regional office staff. The top projects (as outlined in BIL) are then evaluated by a National Control Board (NCB). The NCB has representatives from each Region and Headquarters management. The NCB recommends project and funding levels to senior leadership.

3. Integrity and Performance Check

Prior to making a Federal award with a total amount of Federal share greater than the simplified acquisition threshold, the FAA is required to review and consider any information about the applicant that is in the designated integrity and performance system accessible through SAM (currently FAPIIS) (see 41 U.S.C. 2313). An applicant, at its option, may review information in the designated integrity and performance systems accessible through SAM and comment on any information about itself that a Federal awarding agency previously entered. The FAA will consider any comments by the applicant, in addition to the other information in the designated integrity and performance system, in making a judgment about the applicant's integrity, business ethics, and record of performance under Federal awards when completing the review of risk posed by applicants as described in 2 CFR 200.206.

F. Federal Award Administration Information

1. Federal Award Notices

BIL awards are announced through a Congressional notification process and a DOT Secretary's Notice of Intent to Fund. The FAA Regional Office (RO) or Airports District Office (ADO) (RO/ADO) representative will contact the airport with further information and instructions. Once all pre-grant actions are complete, the FAA RO/ADO will offer the airport sponsor a grant for the announced project. This offer may be provided through postal mail or by electronic means. Once this offer is signed by the airport sponsor, it becomes a grant agreement. Awards made under this program are subject to conditions and assurances in the grant agreement.

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

i. Grant Requirements

All grant recipients are subject to the grant requirements of the AIP, found in 49 U.S.C. chapter 471. Grant recipients are subject to requirements in the FAA's AIP Grant Agreement for financial assistance awards; the annual certifications and assurances required of applicants; and any additional applicable statutory or regulatory requirements, including nondiscrimination requirements and 2 CFR part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards. Grant requirements include, but are not limited to, approved projects on an airport layout plan; compliance with Federal civil rights laws; Buy American requirements under 49 U.S.C. 50101; Build America, Buy America requirements in sections 70912(6) and 70914 in Public Law 117–58; the Department of Transportation's Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program regulations for airports (49 CFR part 23 and 49 CFR part 26); the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act; and prevailing wage rate requirements under the Davis-Bacon Act, as amended (40 U.S.C. 276a–276a–5, and reenacted at 40 U.S.C. 3141–3144, 3146, and 3147).

Domestic Preference Requirements: As expressed in Executive Order 14005, Ensuring the Future Is Made in All of America by All of America's Workers (86 FR 7475), executive branch should maximize, consistent with law, the use of goods, products, and materials produced in, and services offered in, the United States. Funds made available under this notice are subject to the domestic preference requirements in the Buy American requirements under 49 U.S.C. 50101. The FAA expects all applicants to comply with that requirement without needing a waiver. However, to obtain a waiver, a recipient must be prepared to demonstrate how they will maximize the use of domestic goods, products, and materials in constructing their project.

Civil Rights and Title VI: As a condition of a grant award, grant recipients should demonstrate that the recipient has a plan for compliance with civil rights obligations and nondiscrimination laws, including Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and implementing regulations (49 CFR 21), the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), and section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, all other civil rights requirements, and accompanying regulations. This should include a current Title VI plan, completed Community Participation Plan, and a plan to address any legacy infrastructure or facilities that are not compliant with ADA standards. DOT's and the applicable Operating Administrations' Office of Civil Rights may work with awarded grant recipients to ensure full compliance with Federal civil rights requirements.

Critical Infrastructure Security, Cyber Security and Resilience: It is the policy of the United States to strengthen the security and resilience of its critical infrastructure against both physical and cyber threats, consistent with Presidential Policy Directive 21—Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience and the National Security Presidential Memorandum on Improving Cybersecurity for Critical Infrastructure Control Systems. Each applicant selected for Federal funding under this notice must demonstrate, prior to the signing of the grant agreement, effort to consider and address physical and cyber security risks relevant to the transportation mode and type and scale of the project. Projects that have not appropriately considered and addressed physical and cyber security and resilience in their planning, design, and project oversight, as determined by the Department and the Department of Homeland Security, will be required to do so before receiving funds for construction.

Federal Contract Compliance: As a condition of grant award and consistent with E.O. 11246, Equal Employment Opportunity (30 FR 12319, and as amended), all Federally assisted contractors are required to make good faith efforts to meet the goals of 6.9 percent of construction project hours being performed by women, in addition to goals that vary based on geography for construction work hours and for work being performed by people of color.

The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) is charged with enforcing Executive Order 11246, section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974. OFCCP has a Mega Construction Project Program through which it engages with project sponsors as early as the design phase to help promote compliance with non-discrimination and affirmative action obligations. OFCCP will identify projects that receive an award under this notice and are required to participate in OFCCP's Mega Construction Project Program from a wide range of Federally-assisted projects over which OFCCP has jurisdiction and that have a project cost above $35 million. DOT will require project sponsors with costs above $35 million that receive awards under this funding opportunity to partner with OFCCP, if selected by OFCCP, as a condition of their DOT award.

Performance and Program Evaluation: As a condition of grant award, grant recipients may be required to participate in an evaluation undertaken by DOT, the FAA, or another agency or partner. The evaluation may take different forms, such as an implementation assessment across grant recipients, an impact and/or outcomes analysis of all or selected sites within or across grant recipients, or a benefit/cost analysis or assessment of return on investment. DOT may require applicants to collect data elements to aid the evaluation. As a part of the evaluation, as a condition of award, grant recipients must agree to: (1) make records available to the evaluation contractor or DOT staff; (2) provide access to program records and any other relevant documents to calculate costs and benefits; (3) in the case of an impact analysis, facilitate the access to relevant information as requested; and (4) follow evaluation procedures as specified by the evaluation contractor or DOT staff. Requested program records or information will be consistent with record requirements outlined in 2 CFR 200.334–338 and the grant agreement.

ii. Standard Assurances

Each grant recipient must assure that it will comply with all applicable Federal statutes, regulations, executive orders, directives, FAA circulars, and other federal administrative requirements in carrying out any project supported by the FCT Competitive Grant Program grant. The grant recipient must acknowledge that it is under a continuing obligation to comply with the terms and conditions of the grant agreement issued for its project with the FAA. The grant recipient understands that federal laws, regulations, policies, and administrative practices might be modified from time to time and may affect the implementation of the project. The grant recipient must agree that the most recent Federal requirements will apply to the project unless the FAA issues a written determination otherwise.

The grant recipient must submit the Certifications at the time of grant application and Assurances must be accepted as part of the grant agreement at the time of accepting a grant offer. Grant recipients must also comply with 2 CFR part 200, which “are applicable to all costs related to Federal awards,” and which is cited in the grant assurances of the grant agreements. The Airport Sponsor Assurances are available on the FAA website at: https://www.faa.gov/airports/aip/grant_assurances.

3. Reporting

Grant recipients are subject to financial reporting per 2 CFR 200.328 and performance reporting per 2 CFR 200.329. Under the FCT Competitive Grant Program, the grant recipient is required to comply with all Federal financial reporting requirements and payment requirements, including the submittal of timely and accurate reports. Financial and performance reporting requirements are available in the FAA October 2020 Financial Reporting Policy, which is available at: https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/airports/aip/grant_payments/aip-grant-payment-policy.pdf.

The grant recipient must comply with annual audit reporting requirements. The grant recipient and sub-recipients, if applicable, must comply with 2 CFR part 200 subpart F Audit Reporting Requirements. The grant recipient must comply with any requirements outlined in 2 CFR part 180, Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Guidelines to Agencies on Government wide Debarment and Suspension.

G. Federal Awarding Agency Contact(s)

For further information concerning this notice, please contact the FAA BIL Branch via email at: 9-ARP-BILAirports@faa.gov. In addition, the FAA will post answers to frequently asked questions and requests for clarifications on FAA's website at https://www.faa.gov/general/bipartisan-infrastructure-law-faqs. To ensure applicants receive accurate information about eligibility of the program, the applicant is encouraged to contact the FAA directly, rather than through intermediaries or third parties, with questions.