FY24 National Network Cooperative Agreement to the National Railroad Passenger Corporation | FR AMT 24 002

Opportunity Information: Apply for FR AMT 24 002

The FY24 National Network Cooperative Agreement to the National Railroad Passenger Corporation is a Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) funding opportunity that provides $155,620,288 to Amtrak to support passenger rail operations and related costs. The money is authorized under the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2024 and Other Extension Act (Public Law 118-15) and 49 U.S.C. 24319(e)(2). The funding is intended to cover three broad categories of needs: operating expenses, capital expenses, and debt service. The funds remain available for use through December 31, 2025, or until they are fully spent, whichever comes first.

This opportunity is structured as a cooperative agreement, meaning the FRA is not just issuing a payment but is expected to have an ongoing role in oversight and coordination as Amtrak carries out the funded activities. It is listed as a discretionary opportunity under the transportation funding activity category, with CFDA number 20.315. Only one award is expected, and Amtrak is explicitly the only eligible applicant, so this is not a competitive grant open to states, local governments, or other rail entities.

To receive the funding, Amtrak must submit a grant application package electronically by the listed closing date of November 16, 2023. The required submission includes standard federal forms as well as program-specific financial and project information. The core application form is the SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance), which establishes the basic request and applicant information. Amtrak must also provide a Statement of Work describing what will be done with the funds, along with detailed narrative and financial documentation that ties requested dollars to planned activities and outcomes.

A key requirement is a description of projected operating and capital costs for the upcoming fiscal year, broken out between two major areas of Amtrak activity: the Northeast Corridor (including both train services and infrastructure) and the broader National Network (including state-supported routes and long-distance routes). The opportunity specifically asks that these projections be presented in comparison to the prior fiscal year actual financial performance. In practical terms, FRA is looking for a clear year-over-year explanation of what Amtrak expects to spend, where costs are changing, and how those planned costs relate to recent real-world results.

Amtrak must also describe the capital projects to be funded, including cost estimates and an estimated timetable for completion. This requirement is meant to show not only what assets or infrastructure improvements will be pursued, but also that the projects have credible budgets and schedules. Alongside the operational and project descriptions, Amtrak must submit an assessment of its financial condition, which helps FRA understand Amtrak's overall fiscal health and context for the operating, capital, and debt service support being requested.

In addition to the program narratives and cost information, the application requires federal assurances and certifications. These include SF-424B (Assurances for Non-Construction Programs) and SF-424D (Assurances for Construction Programs), reflecting that the funding can cover both non-construction activities (such as operating support) and construction-related capital work. Amtrak must also provide signed U.S. Department of Transportation FRA Assurances and Certification forms, using the FRA-provided documents referenced in the announcement.

Overall, this grant opportunity functions as a dedicated FY24 funding channel for Amtrak to sustain and improve national passenger rail service, with explicit coverage for day-to-day operations, investment in capital projects, and debt service needs. The application requirements emphasize transparency and accountability by requiring Amtrak to link funding requests to projected costs, compare projections to prior actual performance, and provide concrete descriptions, budgets, and timelines for capital work, all under FRA oversight through a cooperative agreement framework.

• The DOT - Federal Railroad Administration in the transportation sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY24 National Network 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 2023-11-08.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2023-11-16. (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 $155,620,288.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for FR AMT 24 002

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