Opportunity Information: Apply for FR RRD 24 003
The FY24 Short Line Safety Institute - Safety Train Systems grant (Funding Opportunity Number FR RRD 24 003) is a discretionary Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) grant under the U.S. Department of Transportation (CFDA 20.313) focused on improving rail-related hazardous materials preparedness and response through advanced, realistic training infrastructure. The project centers on the Short Line Safety Institute (SLSI) building out the Safety Train Systems (STS), which involves acquiring rail cars and related equipment, then modifying and renovating them into functional training assets. The end goal is to create hands-on, scenario-based learning environments that feel real to trainees without involving any actual hazardous materials.
A key feature of the STS concept is that training will use real, working props and systems, including materials like water and compressed air, to mimic the dynamics of hazardous materials incidents. Trainees can practice responding to simulated release scenarios in a controlled setting where no hazmat is used or released, reducing risk while still delivering practical experience that classroom-only instruction cannot provide. This approach is intended to strengthen emergency response capability by letting participants rehearse procedures, decision-making, communications, and coordination under conditions that resemble real-world rail incidents.
The opportunity is framed around addressing human-factor incidents and strengthening readiness among two primary audiences: (1) employees of short line and regional railroads who handle and transport hazardous materials by rail, and (2) first responders and emergency personnel who may be called to incidents on or near railroad property. The grant description emphasizes that better training for railroad personnel can reduce mistakes and prevent incidents, while better training for emergency responders improves safety outcomes for responders and the surrounding community if an incident occurs.
Funding is structured as a single award with an expected award count of 1 and an award ceiling of $25,000,000. The original application closing date was September 19, 2024, and the opportunity was created on September 17, 2024. The eligible applicant pool is restricted: only the Short Line Safety Institute is eligible to apply, meaning this is effectively a targeted, sole-eligible recipient grant intended to support SLSI in delivering a national or multi-regional training capability through the Safety Train Systems buildout.Apply for FR RRD 24 003
- The DOT - Federal Railroad Administration in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY24 Short Line Safety Institute - Safety Train Systems" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 20.313.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2024-09-17.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-09-19. (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 $25,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the name of this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is the FY24 Short Line Safety Institute - Safety Train Systems grant.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is FR RRD 24 003.
Which federal agency is offering this grant?
This is a discretionary grant from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) under the U.S. Department of Transportation.
What CFDA number is associated with this program?
The opportunity is associated with CFDA 20.313.
What is the main purpose of the grant?
The grant focuses on improving rail-related hazardous materials preparedness and response by developing advanced, realistic training infrastructure through the Short Line Safety Institute (SLSI) Safety Train Systems (STS) concept.
What project is being funded under this opportunity?
The project centers on the Short Line Safety Institute building out the Safety Train Systems (STS). This includes acquiring rail cars and related equipment, then modifying and renovating them into functional training assets for hands-on, scenario-based learning.
What are the Safety Train Systems (STS)?
Safety Train Systems (STS) refers to a training approach and set of physical training assets built from rail cars and related equipment that have been modified and renovated to support realistic, hands-on training scenarios.
What kind of training environment will STS create?
STS is intended to create hands-on, scenario-based learning environments that feel realistic to trainees while remaining controlled and safe because no actual hazardous materials are involved.
Will trainees use real hazardous materials during training?
No. The end goal is to provide realistic training without involving or releasing any actual hazardous materials.
If no hazardous materials are used, how does the training simulate incidents?
The STS concept uses real, working props and systems and can use materials such as water and compressed air to mimic the dynamics of hazardous materials incidents, allowing trainees to practice responses to simulated release scenarios without real hazmat.
Why is scenario-based, hands-on training emphasized?
The grant description highlights that hands-on training enables participants to rehearse procedures, decision-making, communications, and coordination under conditions resembling real-world rail incidents, providing practical experience that classroom-only instruction cannot replicate.
Who are the primary audiences for the training supported by this grant?
The opportunity emphasizes two main audiences: (1) employees of short line and regional railroads who handle and transport hazardous materials by rail, and (2) first responders and emergency personnel who may be called to incidents on or near railroad property.
How does the opportunity connect to preventing incidents?
The description emphasizes that better training for railroad personnel can reduce mistakes and help prevent incidents, including those related to human-factor issues.
How does the opportunity aim to improve outcomes if an incident occurs?
It emphasizes that better training for emergency responders can improve safety outcomes for responders and the surrounding community during rail-related incidents.
Is this a competitive grant with multiple possible awardees?
No. Funding is structured as a single award with an expected award count of 1.
What is the maximum funding amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is $25,000,000.
Who is eligible to apply for this grant?
Only the Short Line Safety Institute (SLSI) is eligible to apply. The eligible applicant pool is restricted to SLSI.
Does this mean other organizations cannot apply?
Yes. Based on the eligibility restriction described, this is effectively a targeted opportunity where only SLSI may apply.
What is the application closing date listed for this opportunity?
The original application closing date was September 19, 2024.
When was this opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on September 17, 2024.
What is the broader goal of funding STS through SLSI?
The grant is intended to support SLSI in delivering a national or multi-regional training capability through the Safety Train Systems buildout.
What types of equipment changes are described as part of the STS buildout?
The description specifically mentions acquiring rail cars and related equipment, then modifying and renovating them into functional training assets.
What kinds of skills can trainees practice in the STS setting?
According to the description, trainees can practice procedures, decision-making, communications, and coordination within simulated release scenarios in a controlled environment.
How does the training approach reduce risk while still being realistic?
It reduces risk by avoiding any use or release of real hazardous materials while still using realistic props and systems (including water and compressed air) to simulate incident dynamics.
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