Opportunity Information: Apply for FR AMT 25 005

The FY25 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. It is listed as a discretionary cooperative agreement (Funding Opportunity Number FR AMT 25 005; CFDA 20.315; Transportation) and is structured to provide a single award to a single eligible applicant: Amtrak. No other entities are eligible to apply, which reflects that this funding is effectively a directed federal assistance action tied to Amtrak's statutory role and federal appropriations.

The opportunity makes up to $261,332,575 available to Amtrak under the Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2025 (Pub. L. 118-158). The stated purpose of the funds is to cover Capital and Debt Service needs. In practical terms, that means the money is intended to support major investments and financial obligations rather than routine day-to-day operating expenses alone, with a focus on sustaining and improving rail assets and meeting debt-related commitments associated with those assets. The funding is available for use through January 31, 2028, or until the funds are fully spent, whichever comes first, giving Amtrak a multi-year window to execute and complete eligible capital work and manage covered debt service costs.

To access the funding, Amtrak must complete a grant application package and submit specific required documents electronically. The required items include the standard Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424) and a Statement of Work describing what Amtrak will do with the funds. Amtrak must also provide a detailed description of projected operating and capital costs for the upcoming fiscal year. That cost narrative must cover both Northeast Corridor (NEC) activities (including train services and infrastructure) and National Network activities (including state-supported routes and long-distance routes), and it must compare those projections to actual financial performance from the prior fiscal year. This requirement is designed to show how planned spending aligns with recent real-world results, and it gives FRA visibility into trends, assumptions, and changes in performance across Amtrak's different service lines.

In addition, Amtrak must submit a description of the specific capital projects that will be funded, including cost estimates and an estimated timetable for completing the work covered by the request. This part of the application is essentially the project list and delivery plan: what will be built or rehabilitated, how much each element is expected to cost, and when Amtrak expects each project to reach completion. Beyond financial and project information, the application must also include a description of the status of Amtrak's efforts to improve its safety culture, signaling that FRA is expecting updates on organizational safety initiatives and the broader management approach to risk, compliance, and continuous improvement.

The package also requires federal assurances and certifications typically associated with grantmaking. Specifically, Amtrak must include SF-424B (Assurances for Non-Construction Programs) and SF-424D (Assurances for Construction Programs), reflecting that the requested activities may include both construction-related and non-construction elements. Finally, Amtrak must submit signed copies of FRA/Department of Transportation assurances and certification forms (referenced via the FRA link provided in the notice). These documents collectively establish the legal and administrative commitments that come with accepting federal funds, including compliance with applicable federal requirements.

Key administrative details include an original closing date of January 24, 2025, an award ceiling equal to the full $261,332,575, and an expectation of one award. The notice was created on January 21, 2025. Overall, this opportunity is a targeted cooperative agreement mechanism for FRA to provide appropriated funding to Amtrak for NEC-related and broader network-aligned capital and debt service needs, conditioned on submission of a complete application that lays out costs, projects, schedules, and safety culture progress alongside the required federal forms and assurances.

  • The DOT - Federal Railroad Administration in the transportation sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY25 Northeast Corridor Cooperative Agreement to the National Railroad Passenger Corp" 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 2025-01-21.
  • Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-01-24. (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 $261,332,575.00 in funding.
  • The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
  • Eligible applicants include: Others.
Apply for FR AMT 25 005

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FY25 Northeast Corridor Cooperative Agreement to Amtrak (FRA) - FAQs

1) What is this funding opportunity?

This is the FY25 Northeast Corridor Cooperative Agreement to the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak), offered by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) under the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). It is a discretionary cooperative agreement identified as Funding Opportunity Number FR AMT 25 005 (CFDA 20.315, Transportation).

2) Who is the funding agency?

The funding agency is the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), within the U.S. Department of Transportation.

3) Who is eligible to apply?

Only Amtrak is eligible to apply. The opportunity is structured as a single award to a single eligible applicant: the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak). No other entities are eligible.

4) Can states, local governments, transit agencies, railroads, universities, nonprofits, or private companies apply?

No. The notice states that no other entities are eligible to apply beyond Amtrak.

5) Is this a competitive grant?

It is listed as a discretionary cooperative agreement, but it is effectively directed federal assistance because eligibility is limited to Amtrak and the opportunity anticipates a single award.

6) What is the total funding amount available?

Up to $261,332,575 is available under this opportunity.

7) What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?

The award ceiling is equal to the full amount available: $261,332,575.

8) How many awards does FRA expect to make?

FRA expects one award.

9) What law provides the funding for this opportunity?

The funds are made available under the Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2025 (Pub. L. 118-158).

10) What can the funds be used for?

The stated purpose is to cover Capital and Debt Service needs. This means the funds are intended to support major investments and financial obligations, including debt-related commitments associated with rail assets, rather than routine day-to-day operating expenses alone.

11) Is the funding limited to the Northeast Corridor (NEC) only?

The opportunity is framed as a Northeast Corridor cooperative agreement and is described as NEC-related, but the required application materials include projected operating and capital costs that cover both NEC activities and National Network activities (including state-supported routes and long-distance routes). The notice emphasizes reporting across both areas as part of the submission requirements.

12) How long is the period of availability for using the funds?

The funding is available for use through January 31, 2028, or until the funds are fully spent, whichever comes first.

13) What are the key application submission requirements?

Amtrak must complete a grant application package and submit required documents electronically. The notice specifies the following items as required:

  • SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
  • A Statement of Work describing what Amtrak will do with the funds
  • A detailed description of projected operating and capital costs for the upcoming fiscal year
  • A description of the specific capital projects to be funded, including cost estimates and an estimated timetable for completion
  • A description of the status of Amtrak's efforts to improve its safety culture
  • SF-424B (Assurances for Non-Construction Programs)
  • SF-424D (Assurances for Construction Programs)
  • Signed copies of FRA/DOT assurances and certification forms (as referenced via the FRA link in the notice)

14) What is SF-424 and why is it required?

SF-424 is the standard Application for Federal Assistance. The notice identifies it as a required part of the application package for accessing the funds.

15) What should be included in the Statement of Work?

The Statement of Work must describe what Amtrak will do with the funds. The notice presents it as a core narrative document explaining the planned activities supported by the cooperative agreement.

16) What cost information must Amtrak provide?

Amtrak must provide a detailed description of projected operating and capital costs for the upcoming fiscal year. The cost narrative must:

  • Cover NEC activities (including train services and infrastructure)
  • Cover National Network activities (including state-supported routes and long-distance routes)
  • Compare projections to actual financial performance from the prior fiscal year

17) Why does the application require a comparison to the prior fiscal year?

The notice describes this comparison as a way for FRA to see how planned spending aligns with recent real-world results and to provide visibility into trends, assumptions, and changes in performance across Amtrak's service lines.

18) What project information must Amtrak submit for capital work?

The application must include a description of the specific capital projects to be funded, along with cost estimates and an estimated timetable for completing the work covered by the request. This functions as a project list and delivery plan: what will be built or rehabilitated, how much it is expected to cost, and when completion is expected.

19) Are safety-related updates required as part of the application?

Yes. The notice requires a description of the status of Amtrak's efforts to improve its safety culture, indicating FRA expects updates on organizational safety initiatives and Amtrak's broader approach to risk, compliance, and continuous improvement.

20) What assurances and certifications are required?

The notice requires federal assurances and certifications typically associated with grantmaking, including:

  • SF-424B (Assurances for Non-Construction Programs)
  • SF-424D (Assurances for Construction Programs)
  • Signed copies of FRA/DOT assurances and certification forms referenced via the FRA link in the notice

21) Why are both SF-424B and SF-424D required?

The notice indicates the requested activities may include both construction-related and non-construction elements, so both the non-construction and construction assurance forms are required.

22) How must the application be submitted?

The required documents must be submitted electronically, as stated in the notice.

23) What is the application deadline?

The original closing date listed for the opportunity is January 24, 2025.

24) When was the notice created?

The notice was created on January 21, 2025.

25) What is the main goal of the cooperative agreement, based on the notice?

Based on the notice, the cooperative agreement is a targeted mechanism for FRA to provide appropriated funding to Amtrak for capital and debt service needs, conditioned on submission of a complete application package that details costs, capital projects, schedules, safety culture progress, and required federal forms and assurances.

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