Office of the Secretary, Department of Transportation.
Notice of order soliciting community proposals (Order 2015–6–18).
The Department of Transportation is soliciting proposals from communities or consortia of communities interested in receiving grants under the Small Community Air Service Development Program. The full text of the Department's order, including Appendices, is included in this Notice. As noted in the order, an application for a grant under this program must include a Grant Proposal of no more than 20 pages (one-sided only), a completed Application for Federal Domestic Assistance (SF424), a Summary Information Schedule, and any letters from the applicant community showing support.
Applications must be submitted no later than July 22, 2015.
Communities must submit applications electronically through
Brooke Chapman, Associate Director, Small Community Air Service Development Program, Office of Aviation Analysis, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., W86–307, Washington, DC 20590, (202) 366 0577.
By this order, the Department of Transportation (the Department or DOT) invites proposals from communities and/or consortia of communities interested in obtaining a federal grant under the Small Community Air Service Development Program (“Small Community Program” or “SCASDP”) to address air service and airfare issues in their communities.
The Small Community Program was established by the Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century (Pub. L. 106–181) and reauthorized by the Vision 100-Century of Aviation Reauthorization Act (Pub. L. 108–176) and subsequently the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (Pub. L. 112–95) (FAA 2012). The program is designed to provide financial assistance to small communities in order to help them enhance their air service. The Department provides this assistance in the form of monetary grants that are disbursed on a reimbursable basis. Authorization for this program is codified at 49 U.S.C. 41743.
The Small Community Program is authorized to receive appropriations under 49 U.S.C. 41743(e)(2), as amended. Appropriations are provided for this program for award selection in FY 2015 pursuant to FAA 2012 and the FY 2015 Appropriations Act (Pub. L. 113–235). The Department has up to $5.5 million available for FY 2015 grant awards to carry out this program. There is no limit on the amount of individual awards, and the amounts awarded will
Eligible applicants are small communities that meet the following statutory criteria under 49 U.S.C. 41743:
1. As of calendar year 1997, the airport serving the community was not larger than a small hub airport,
2. The airport serving the community presents characteristics, such as geographic diversity or unique circumstances that demonstrate the need for, and feasibility of, grant assistance from the Small Community Program.
No more than four communities or consortia of communities, or a combination thereof, from the same state may be selected to participate in the program in any fiscal year. No more than 40 communities or consortia of communities, or a combination thereof, may be selected to participate in the program in each year for which the funds are appropriated.
Consortium applications: Both individual communities and consortia of communities are eligible for SCASDP funds. An application from a consortium of communities must be one that seeks to facilitate the efforts of the communities working together toward one joint grant project, with one joint objective, including the establishment of one entity to ensure that the joint objective is accomplished.
Multiple Applications: A community may file only one application for a grant, either individually or as part of a consortium.
Communities without existing air service: Communities that do not currently have commercial air service are eligible for SCASDP funds.
Essential Air Service communities: Small communities that meet the basic SCASDP criteria and currently receive subsidized air service under the Essential Air Service (“EAS”) program are eligible to apply for SCASDP funds. However,
The Department is authorized to award grants under 49 U.S.C. 41743 to communities that seek to provide assistance to:
• A U.S. air carrier
• an underserved airport to obtain service to and from the underserved airport; and/or
• an underserved airport to implement such other measures as the Secretary, in consultation with such airport, considers appropriate to improve air service both in terms of the cost of such service to consumers and the availability of such service, including improving air service through marketing and promotion of air service and enhanced utilization of airport facilities.
Applicants should also keep in mind the following statutory restrictions on eligible projects:
• An applicant may not receive an additional grant to support the same project from a previous grant (
• An applicant may not receive an additional grant, prior to the completion of its previous grant (
Same Project Limitation: Under 49 U.S.C. 41743(c), a community may not receive an additional grant to support the same project for which it received a previous grant (Same Project Limitation).
Concurrent Grant Limitation: A community or consortium may have only one SCASDP grant at any time. If a community or consortium applies for a subsequent SCASDP grant when its current grant has not yet expired, that community/consortium must notify the Department of its intent to terminate the current SCASDP grant, and, if the community/consortium is selected for a new grant, such termination must take place prior to entering into the new grant. In addition, for consortium member applicants, permission must be granted from both the grant sponsor and the Department to withdraw from the current SCASDP grant before that consortium member will be deemed eligible to receive a subsequent SCASDP grant.
Airport Capital Improvements Ineligible: Airport capital improvement projects, including, but not limited to, runway expansions and enhancements, the construction of additional aircraft gates, and other airport terminal expansions and reconfigurations are ineligible for funding under the Small Community Program. Airports seeking funding for airport capital improvement projects may want to consult with their local FAA Regional Office to discuss potential eligibility for grants under the Airport Improvement Program.
SCASDP grants will be awarded based on the selection criteria as outlined below. There are two categories of selection criteria: Priority Selection Criteria and Secondary Selection Criteria. Applications that meet one or more of the Priority Selection Criteria will be viewed more favorably than those that do not meet any Priority Selection Criteria.
The statute directs the Department to give priority consideration to those communities or consortia where the following criteria are met:
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1.
• The extent to which the applicant's proposed solution(s) to solving the problem(s) is new or innovative, including whether the proposed project utilizes or encourages intermodal or regional solutions to connect passengers to the community's air service (or, if the community cannot implement or sustain its own air services, to connect to a neighboring community's air service (
• whether the proposed project, if successfully implemented, could serve as a working model for other communities.
2.
• Whether the proposed project has broad community support; and
• the community's demonstrated commitment to and participation in the proposed project.
3.
• The geographic location of each applicant, including the community's proximity to larger centers of air service and low-fare service alternatives;
• the population and business activity, as well as the relative size of each community; and
• whether the community's proximity to an existing or prior grant recipient could adversely affect either its proposal or the project undertaken by the other recipient.
4.
• Whether the proposed project clearly addresses the applicant's stated problems;
• the community's existing level of air service and whether that service has been increasing or decreasing;
• whether the applicant has a plan to provide any necessary continued financial support for the proposed project after the requested grant award expires;
• the grant amount requested compared with total funds available for all communities;
• the proposed federal grant amount requested compared with the local share offered;
• any letters of intent from airline planning departments or intermodal surface transportation providers on behalf of applications that are specifically intended to enlist new or
• whether the applicant has plans to continue with the proposed project if it is not self-sustaining after the grant award expires; and
• equitable and geographic distribution of available funds.
Market Analysis: Applicants requesting funds for a revenue guarantee/subsidy/financial incentive are encouraged to conduct and reference in their applications an in-depth analysis of their target markets. Target markets can be destination specific (
Complementary Marketing Commitment: Applicants requesting funds for a revenue guarantee/subsidy/financial incentive are encouraged to designate in their applications a portion of the project funds (federal, local or in-kind) for the development and implementation of a marketing plan in support of the service sought.
Subsidies for a carrier to compete against an incumbent: The Department is reluctant to subsidize one carrier but not others in a competitive market. For this reason, a community that proposes to use the grant funds for service in a city-pair market that is already served by another air carrier must explain in detail why the existing service is insufficient or unsatisfactory, or provide other compelling information to support such a proposal.
Cost Sharing and Local Contributions: Applications must clearly identify the level of federal funding sought for the proposed project. Applications must also identify the community's cash contributions to the proposed project, in-kind contributions from the airport, and in-kind contributions from the community. Non-federal funds will be applied proportionately to the entire scope of the project. Communities cannot use non-federal funds selectively to fund certain components of a project (see Section VI—Grant Administration-Payments for more information). Cash contributions from airport revenues must be identified separately from cash contributions from other community sources, and cash contributions from the state and/or local government should be separately identified and described.
The Department will first review each application to determine whether it has satisfied the following eligibility requirements:
1. The applicant is an eligible applicant;
2. The application is for an eligible project (including compliance with the Same Project Limitation); and
3. The application is complete (including submission of a completed SF424 and all of the information listed in Contents of Application, in Section IV below).
To the extent that the Department determines that an application does not satisfy these eligibility requirements, the Department will deem that application ineligible and not consider it further. The Department will then review all eligible applications based on the selection criteria outlined above in Section II. The Department will not assign specific numerical scores to projects based on the selection criteria. Rather, ratings of “highly recommended,” “recommended,” “acceptable,” or “not recommended” will be assigned to applications. Applications that align well with one or more of the Priority Selection Criteria will be viewed more favorably than those that do not align with any Priority Selection Criteria. The Department will consider the Secondary Selection Criteria when comparing and selecting among similarly-rated projects.
The Department reserves the right to award funds for a part of the project included in an application, if a part of the project is eligible and aligns well with the selection criteria specified in this Order. In addition, as part of its review of the Secondary Selection Criterion “Other Factors,” the Department will consider the geographical distribution of the applications to ensure consistency with the statutory requirement limiting awards to no more than four communities or consortia of communities, or a combination thereof, from the same state. The final selections will be limited to no more than 40 communities or consortia of communities, or a combination thereof.
Grant awards will be made as promptly as possible so that selected communities can complete the grant agreement process and implement their plans. Given the competitive nature of the grant process, the Department will not meet with applicants regarding their applications. All non-confidential portions of each application, all correspondence and ex-parte communications, and all orders will be posted in the above-captioned docket on
Required Steps:
• Determine eligibility;
• Register with
• Submit an Application for Federal Domestic Assistance (SF424);
• Submit a completed “Summary Information” schedule. This is your application cover sheet (
• Submit a detailed application of
• Attach any letters from the community or an air carrier showing support for the application to the proposal, which should be addressed to Brooke Chapman, Associate Director, Small Community Air Service Development Program; and
• Provide separate submission of confidential material, if requested. (
Late Application Notice: Applicants who are unable to successfully submit their application package through grants.gov prior to the Application Deadline due to technical difficulties outside their control must submit an email to
Registration with
Contents of Application: There is no set format that must be used for applications. Each application should, to the maximum extent possible, address the selection criteria set forth in Section II, above, including a clear description of the air service needs/deficiencies and present plans/strategies that directly address those needs/deficiencies. At a minimum, however, each application must include the following information:
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○ For applications involving new or improved service, explain how the service will become self-sufficient;
○ fully and clearly outline the goals and objectives of the project; and
○ fully and clearly summarize the actual, specific steps (in bullet form, with a proposed timeline) that the community intends to take to bring about these goals and objectives.
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As part of the Small Community Program, the Department may also designate one grant recipient as an “Air Service Development Zone” (ASDZ).
Only one SCASDP grant recipient may hold an ASDZ designation at any one time. At present, an existing SCASDP grant recipient, Casper, WY, is active as ASDZ designee, with a grant award set to expire on September 30, 2015. Upon expiration of this community's grant award, the ASDZ designation will become available for a new grant recipient, and the Department is therefore soliciting a new ASDZ designee in this proceeding.
Grant applicants interested in selection for the Air Service Development Zone designation must include in their applications a separate section, titled,
Grant Agreements: Communities awarded grants are required to execute a grant agreement with the Department
For further information concerning the technical requirements set out in this Order, please contact Brooke Chapman at
This Order is issued under authority delegated in 49 CFR 1.25a(b).
Applications must be submitted electronically through
Registering with
In order to apply for SCASDP funding through
1. DUNS Requirement. The Office of Management and Budget requires that all businesses and nonprofit applicants for federal funds include a Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number in their applications for a new award or renewal of an existing award. A DUNS number is a unique nine-digit sequence recognized as the universal standard for identifying and keeping track of entities receiving federal funds. The identifier is used for tracking purposes and to validate address and point of contact information for federal assistance applicants, recipients, and sub-recipients. The DUNS number will be used throughout the grant life cycle. The DUNS number must be included in the data entry field labeled “Organizational DUNS” on the SF–424 form. Instructions for obtaining DUNS number can be found at the following Web site:
2. System for Award Management. In addition to having a DUNS number, applicants applying electronically through
3. Username and Password. Acquire an Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) and a
4. After creating a profile on Grants.gov, the E-Biz Point of Contact (E-Biz POC)—a representative from your organization who is the contact listed for SAM—will receive an email to grant the AOR permission to submit applications on behalf of their organization. The E-Biz POC will then log in to Grants.gov and approve an applicant as the AOR, thereby giving him or her permission to submit applications. To learn more about AOR Authorization visit:
Applicants are, therefore, encouraged to register early. The registration process can take up to four weeks to be completed. Thus, registration should be done in sufficient time to ensure it does not impact your ability to meet required submission deadlines. You will be able to submit your application online any time after you have approved as an AOR.
5. Electronic Signature. Applications submitted through Grants.gov constitute a submission as electronically signed applications. The registration and account creation with Grants.gov with E-Biz POC approval establishes an Authorized Organization Representative (AOR). When you submit the application through Grants.gov, the name of your AOR on file will be inserted into the signature line of the application. Applicants must register the individual who is able to make legally binding commitments for the applicant organization as the Authorized Organization Representative (AOR);
6. Search for the Funding Opportunity on
7. Submit an application addressing all of the requirements outlined in this funding availability announcement. Within 24–48 hours after submitting your electronic application, you should receive an email validation message from
8. Timely Receipt Requirements and Proof of Timely Submission. Proof of timely submission is automatically recorded by Grants.gov. An electronic timestamp is generated within the system when the application is successfully received by Grants.gov. The applicant will receive an acknowledgement of receipt and a tracking number from Grants.gov with successful transmission of the application. Applicants should print this receipt and save it, as a proof of timely submission.
9. Grants.gov allows applicants to download the application package, instructions and forms that are incorporated in the instructions, and work offline. In addition to forms that are part of the application instructions, there will be a series of electronic forms that are provided utilizing Adobe Reader.
a. Adobe Reader. Adobe Reader is available for free to download from on the Download Software page:
b. NOTE: For the Adobe Reader, Grants.gov is compatible with versions 9.0.0 and later versions. Always refer to the Download Software page for compatible versions for the operating system you are using. Please do not use lower versions of the Adobe Reader.
c. Mandatory Fields in Adobe Forms. In the Adobe Reader forms, you will note fields that will appear with a background color on the data fields to be completed. These fields are mandatory fields and they must be completed to successfully submit your application.
Late Application Notice: Applicants who are unable to successfully submit their application package through grants.gov prior to the Application Deadline due to technical difficulties outside their control must submit an email to
• The nature of the technical difficulties experienced in attempting to submit an application;
• A screenshot of the error;
• The Legal Sponsor's name; and
• The Grants.Gov tracking number (
DOT will consider late applications on a case-by-case basis and reserves the right to reject late applications that do not meet the conditions outlined in the Order Soliciting Small Community Grant Proposals. Late applications from applicants that do not provide DOT an email with the items specified above will not be considered.
If you experience unforeseen
To ensure a fair competition for limited discretionary funds, the following conditions are not valid reasons to permit late submissions: (1) Failure to complete the registration process before the deadline date; (2) failure to follow
Applicants will be able to provide certain confidential business information relevant to their proposals on a confidential basis. Under the Department's Freedom of Information Act regulations (49 CFR 7.17), such information is limited to commercial or financial information that, if disclosed, would either likely cause substantial harm to the competitive position of a business or enterprise or make it more difficult for the Federal Government to obtain similar information in the future.
Applicants seeking confidential treatment of a portion of their applications must segregate the confidential material in a sealed envelope marked “Confidential Submission of X (the applicant) in Docket DOT–OST–2015–0126” and include with that material a request in the form of a motion seeking confidential treatment of the material under 14 CFR 302.12 (“Rule 12”) of the Department's regulations. The applicant should submit an original and two copies of its motion and an original and two copies of the confidential material in the sealed envelope.
The confidential material should
1. Applications for funding under the Small Community Air Service Development Program should be submitted via
2. This Order will be published in the