future bundling request
(1) Future bundling.— (A) Definition .— In this paragraph, the term “future bundling request” means a letter described in subparagraph (B) that requests future funding for additional projects. (B) Request .— When an applicant submits a letter to the Secretary requesting entry of a project into the project development phase under subsection (d)(1)(A)(i)(I), (e)(1)(A)(i)(I), or (h)(2)(A)(i)(I), the applicant may include a description of other projects for consideration for future funding under this section. An applicant shall include in the request the amount of funding requested under this section for each additional project and the estimated capital cost of each project. (C) Readiness .— Other projects included in the request shall be ready to enter the project development phase under subsection (d)(1)(A), (e)(1)(A), or (h)(2)(A), within 5 years of the initial project submitted as part of the request. (D) Planning .— Projects in the future bundling request shall be included in the metropolitan transportation plan in accordance with section 5303(i). (E) Project sponsor .— The applicant that submits a future bundling request shall be the project sponsor for each project included in the request. (F) Program and project share .— A future bundling request submitted under this paragraph shall include a proposed share of each of the request’s projects that is consistent with the requirements of subsections (k)(2)(C)(ii) or (h)(7), as applicable. (G) Benefits .— The bundling of projects under this subsection— (i) shall enhance, or increase the capacity of— (I) the total transportation system of the applicant; or (II) the transportation system of the region the applicant serves (which, in the case of a State whose request addresses a single region, means that region); and (ii) shall— (I) streamline procurements for the applicant; or (II) enable time or cost savings for the projects. (H) Evaluation .— Each project submitted for consideration for funding in a future bundling request shall be subject to the applicable evaluation criteria under this section for the project type, including demonstrating the availability of local resources to recapitalize, maintain, and operate the overall existing and proposed public transportation system pursuant to subsection (f)(1)(C). (I) Letter of intent.— (i) In general .— Upon entering into a grant agreement for the initial project for which an applicant submits a future bundling request, the Secretary may issue a letter of intent to the applicant that announces an intention to obligate, for 1 or more additional projects included in the request, an amount from future available budget authority specified in law that is not more than the amount stipulated as the financial participation of the Secretary in the additional project or projects in the future bundling. Such letter may include a condition that the project or projects must meet the evaluation criteria in this subsection before a grant agreement can be executed. (ii) Amount .— The amount that the Secretary announces an intention to obligate for an additional project in the future bundling request through a letter of intent issued under clause (i) shall be sufficient to complete at least an operable segment of the project. (iii) Treatment .— The issuance of a letter of intent under clause (i) shall not be deemed to be an obligation under sections 1108(c), 1501, and 1502(a) of title 31 or an administrative commitment.