DRAFT Process for Selecting the Priority Passenger Ferry Transportation Projects
in Massachusetts for Submission to the FTA Passenger Ferry Grant Program
The federal MAP-21 transportation funding legislation included a $30 million yearly Passenger Ferry
Grant program for FY2013 and FY2014. The Massachusetts Ferry Compact has identified this federal
grant program as resource to support its principal mission of providing for the transportation of people,
goods, and vehicles by water in the Commonwealth. The Compact will work with its members to
identify the top priority projects for water transportation in the Commonwealth through a competitive
evaluation process. Projects selected by the Compact will be recommended to receive support from the
Massachusetts Department of Transportation through the provision of state matching funds and a letter
of support from the Secretary of Transportation. This document outlines the procedure that will be
followed to evaluate and select the priority ferry transportation projects in the Commonwealth for
recommendation to MassDOT.
Notification & Distribution of Information (Weeks 1 & 2)
1.1 Notification of Funding Availability (NOFA) Issued in the Federal Register
As the first step in the grant process, the Federal Transit Administration will issue a notification of
funding availability (NOFA) in the Federal Register. This NOFA will include information on the grant
and the application process that they will follow. Information in the NOFA will likely include:
 Background information on the grant program including the legislative authority and the
overall funding amounts available,
 The purpose of the grant program,
 Criteria for determining applicant eligibility,
 Criteria for determining project eligibility.
 Information on methods for cost sharing or matching the grant program funds,
 The application formatting and content requirements,
 The evaluation criteria that will be used by FTA in selecting projects,
 Award administration and information, and
 The deadline for applications and procedure for submittal.
1.2 Information on the NOFA Distributed to Ferry Compact Members
MassDOT will distribute the NOFA information to all members of the Ferry Compact along with a
summary of the grant program requirements.
1.3 Preliminary Project Evaluation Criteria Released to Ferry Compact Members
MassDOT will develop a set of preliminary project evaluation criteria based on the requirements of
the NOFA and the additional topics of interest to the Ferry Compact. Based on past discussions of
the Compact, these additional criteria will include:

Financial Sustainability,
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
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Environmental Sustainability,
Project Readiness,
Level of Local Financial Contribution, and
Diversity of Ridership (commuter, tourism, etc.)
The project evaluation criteria materials will include examples of attributes for each criterion that
will be deemed desirable or undesirable. The materials will also include a deadline for submission of
draft applications to MassDOT.
Development of Draft Applications for Submission to the Ferry Compact (Weeks 1 through 4)
Proponents will be responsible for preparing draft applications for their projects. Proponents should
follow the format guidelines from the NOFA and be sure to clearly communicate how the projects meet
the NOFA and Ferry Compact evaluation criteria. MassDOT staff will be available to respond to
questions, but proponents will be responsible for the full preparation of the draft project applications.
2.1 Draft Applications Due to MassDOT
Draft applications for review by the Ferry Compact must be submitted to MassDOT at the deadline
for submission communicated as part of Section 1.3.
Project Review & Selection (Weeks 5 & 6)
3.1 Draft Applications Distributed to Ferry Compact Members for Review
MassDOT will screen all submitted draft applications to ensure that both the applicant and project
meet the eligibility criteria established in the NOFA. Draft applications that pass this screening will
be distributed to the Ferry Compact members for their review.
3.2 Ferry Compact Meeting to Select Proposals for Submission
After sufficient time to review the draft applications, the full Ferry Compact will meet to discuss
their evaluation of the projects. The Ferry Compact will vote to recommend the projects that best
meet the NOFA and Ferry Compact evaluation criteria.
Preparation of Final Applications & Submission (Weeks 7 & 8)
MassDOT will then assist the proponents of the projects endorsed by the Ferry Compact with the final
preparation of their applications to FTA. MassDOT will identify the funding necessary to support the
project and prepare letters of support from the Secretary of Transportation.
4.1 Applications Due to the Federal Transit Administration
Final project applications will be submitted to FTA at the deadline specified in the NOFA,
accompanied by letters of support from the Secretary of Transportation.
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Timeline for Project Selection and Submission
Week
1
Week
2
Week
3
Week
4
Week
5
Week
6
Week
7
Week
8
1. Notification & Distribution of Information
X
1.1 Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) Issued in the Federal Register
X
1.2 Information on the NOFA Distributed to Ferry Compact Members
1.3 Preliminary Project Evaluation Criteria Released to Ferry Compact Members
X
2. Development of Draft Applications for Submission to the Ferry Compact
X
2.1 Draft Applications Due to MassDOT
3.0 Project Review & Selection
3.1 Draft Applications Distributed to Ferry Compact Members for Review
X
X
3.2 Ferry Compact Meeting to Select Proposals for Submission
4.0 Preparation of Final Applications & Submission
X
4.1 Applications Due to the Federal Transit Administration
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