FY22 Northeast Corridor Cooperative Agreement to the National Railroad Passenger Corporation | FR AMT 22 002

Opportunity Information: Apply for FR AMT 22 002

The FY22 Northeast Corridor Cooperative Agreement to the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) is a Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) funding opportunity under the U.S. Department of Transportation that provides up to $267,126,450 to support Amtrak activities tied to both the Northeast Corridor (NEC) and Amtrak's broader National Network. It is issued as a discretionary cooperative agreement (Funding Opportunity Number FR AMT 22 002; CFDA 20.315), and it is structured for a single expected award, reflecting that the intended recipient is Amtrak. The opportunity was created on February 17, 2022, with an original closing date of March 7, 2022.

The money is authorized through two continuing resolution laws, the Extending Government Funding and Delivering Emergency Assistance Act (Public Law 117-43) and the Further Extending Government Funding Act (Public Law 117-70). The award is designed to cover a mix of core needs: operating expenses, capital expenses, and debt service, along with targeted Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) costs. Out of the total funding amount, $1,738,350 is specifically set aside for ADA-related expenses, and that ADA portion remains available through December 31, 2024, or until it is fully spent, whichever comes first. In practice, this means the award is not limited to day-to-day train operations; it also supports asset condition, system improvement, and required accessibility work, and it can help stabilize financing obligations through debt service support.

To receive the funds, Amtrak must submit a complete electronic grant application package to FRA. The required materials include the standard federal cover form SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance) and a Statement of Work that explains what Amtrak will do with the funding. FRA also requires a detailed narrative and financial explanation of projected operating and capital costs for the upcoming fiscal year. This cost description must cover NEC activities (both train service and infrastructure) and National Network activities, including state-supported routes and long-distance routes, and it must compare those projections to the prior fiscal year's actual financial performance. That comparison requirement signals that FRA is looking for continuity and accountability: how planned spending relates to prior results, and why costs may be changing.

On the capital side, Amtrak must provide a description of the specific capital projects that will be funded, including cost estimates and an estimated timetable for completion. This is essentially the project list and delivery plan, showing what infrastructure or equipment investments will be made, what they are expected to cost, and when they are expected to be finished. FRA also asks for an assessment of Amtrak's financial condition, indicating that the agency wants an overall picture of Amtrak's fiscal health and capacity to manage and execute the award responsibly, especially given that the grant covers operating support and debt service in addition to capital work.

The application must also address safety and security on the NEC mainline. Specifically, Amtrak must describe the status of ongoing efforts to improve safety and security and explain any steps taken to implement recommendations from relevant railroad safety advisory committees. This requirement makes safety governance part of the funding conversation, tying federal support to documented progress on safety and security initiatives, and ensuring that advisory recommendations are tracked and acted on where appropriate.

Finally, the opportunity requires the standard federal assurance documents that govern compliance obligations. These include SF-424B (Assurances for Non-Construction Programs), SF-424D (Assurances for Construction Programs), and signed copies of FRA's DOT assurances and certification forms (referenced via the FRA link provided in the notice). Collectively, these forms cover the legal and administrative commitments that come with federal financial assistance, including compliance with applicable federal requirements for both construction and non-construction activities.

In short, this cooperative agreement is a targeted, single-recipient federal award intended to keep Amtrak's NEC and National Network operations and infrastructure supported during FY22, while also funding capital needs, meeting ADA obligations (with a defined ADA set-aside available through the end of 2024), supporting debt service, and reinforcing oversight through detailed cost reporting, capital project planning, financial condition disclosure, and safety and security status reporting.

• The Department of Transportation, DOT - Federal Railroad Administration in the transportation sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY22 Northeast Corridor Cooperative Agreement to the National Railroad Passenger Corporation" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 20.315.
• This funding opportunity was created on Feb 17, 2022.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Mar 07, 2022 No Explanation. (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 $267,126,450.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for FR AMT 22 002

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