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In Fiscal Year (FY) 2023, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is providing $10 million to Amtrak to promote sustainable, risk-based efforts to protect critical transportation infrastructure and the traveling public from acts of terrorism.
Overview
The FY 2023 Intercity Passenger Rail (IPR) Program is one of four grant programs that constitute the DHS/Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) focus on transportation infrastructure security activities. These grant programs are part of a comprehensive set of measures authorized by Congress and implemented by DHS to help strengthen the nation’s critical infrastructure against potential terrorist attacks. IPR provides funds to Amtrak to protect critical surface transportation infrastructure and the traveling public from acts of terrorism. Program funds will be awarded to support the creation of sustainable, risk-based efforts to protect critical surface transportation infrastructure and the traveling public from acts of terrorism, major disasters, and other emergencies.
Funding
In FY 2023, the total amount of funds to be distributed under this grant program is $10 million.
Eligibility
The National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) is the only entity eligible to apply for funding under the IPR Program.
Funding Guidelines
Consistent with the other non-competitive preparedness grant programs, additional spending requirements are imposed in FY 2023. The National Priority Areas and associated minimum spend requirements for Amtrak are:
- Enhancing Cybersecurity: No minimum spend requirement; and
- Enhancing the Protection of Soft Targets/Crowded Places: 5% minimum spend.
Application Process
Applying under the IPR Program is a multi-step process; the registration process can take four weeks or more to complete. Therefore, Amtrak is encouraged to register in sufficient time to not hinder its ability to meet required submission deadlines. Please refer to Section D in the FY 2023 IPR Program Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for detailed information and instructions.
Amtrak should submit its initial application at least three days prior to the May 18, 2023 application deadline through the Grants.gov portal at www.grants.gov. For Grants.gov support, Amtrak should contact the Grants.gov customer support hotline at (800) 518-4726 or support@grants.gov, 24 hours a day, seven days a week except federal holidays.
After the initial application is submitted in Grants.gov, Amtrak will be notified by FEMA to proceed with submitting its complete application package in the Non-Disaster (ND) Grants System by the application deadline. If Amtrak needs technical support with the ND Grants System, it should contact ndgrants@fema.dhs.gov or (800) 865-4076, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Eastern Time (ET).
Amtrak’s completed application must be submitted no later than 5 p.m. ET on May 18, 2023.
IPR Resources
A variety of resources are available to address programmatic, technical, and financial questions, which can assist with the IPR Program, including:
- The FY 2023 IPR Program NOFO is located online at www.fema.gov/grants.
- The FY 2023 Preparedness Grants Manual is located online at www.fema.gov/grants.
- For additional program-specific information, please contact the FEMA Grants Information Desk at fema-grants-news@fema.dhs.gov OR at (800) 368-6498. Hours of operation are from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday.
- For support regarding financial grants management and budgetary technical assistance, Amtrak may contact the FEMA Award Administration Help Desk via e-mail to ASK-GMD@fema.dhs.gov.