[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 220 (Wednesday, November 16, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-28281]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: November 16, 1994]


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Part VI





Department of Labor





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Employment and Training Administration



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Job Training Partnership Act: Job Corps Program; Selection of Sites for 
Centers; Notice
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

 
Job Training Partnership Act: Job Corps Program; Selection of 
Sites for Centers

AGENCY: Employment and Training Administration, Labor.

ACTION: Notice; selection of center sites.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Department of Labor requests assistance in identifying 
sites for locating four new Job Corps centers. This notice specifies 
the requirements and criteria for selection.

DATES: Proposals are requested by March 13, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Proposals shall be addressed to the Assistant Secretary for 
Employment and Training, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution 
Avenue NW., room N4508, Washington, DC 20210. Attention: Peter E. Rell, 
Director, Office of Job Corps.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Peter E. Rell, Director, Office of Job Corps. Telephone: (202) 219-8550 
(this is not a toll-free number).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Department of Labor (Department) is 
soliciting proposals for sites to establish four new Job Corps centers. 
The Job Corps program is designed to serve disadvantaged young women 
and men, 16 through 24, who are in need of additional educational, 
vocational and social skills training, and other support services in 
order to gain meaningful employment, return to school or enter the 
Armed Forces. The program is primarily a residential program operating 
24 hours per day, 7 days per week with non-resident enrollees limited 
by legislation to 20 percent of national enrollment. However, while the 
20-percent level should be used as a guideline, the percentage of non-
residents can vary from center to center, depending upon local needs.
    To assist potential applicants, the Department of Labor will 
conduct an orientation session from 9 a.m. to 12 noon on December 14, 
1994 in the Bureau of Labor Statistics Training Center, room G440, 
Postal Square Building at 2nd and Massachusetts Avenue, Washington, DC 
(photo I.D. required for entrance). The orientation will enable 
prospective proposers to obtain clarification of the information 
provided in this Notice. If you plan to attend, please notify Mr. Peter 
E. Rell at the phone number listed above by December 9, 1994.
    From this solicitation, the Department intends to select four 
localities for locating new centers. One of the four localities is 
intended to be a replacement site for the Chesapeake Job Corps Center, 
which was located in Maryland and was closed in 1989 for reasons 
unrelated to performance.
    This solicitation is for site selection only and not for the 
operation of these Job Corps centers. A competitive contract 
procurement for selection of a center operator at each site will be 
initiated and completed well after the site selection process has been 
completed.
    Congress continued the Job Corps expansion authorized in previous 
years by appropriating $10 million in the Fiscal Year 1995 Department 
of Labor Appropriations Act to initiate four additional new Job Corps 
centers. The accompanying congressional report language described the 
use of a competitive process in selecting these sites and said that the 
Department should give priority to those localities having a high level 
of organized community support for a center and which are:
     In States with less than 2 percent of eligible youth 
currently served by the Job Corps program;
     In States which can demonstrate a high incidence of 
minority or other youth unemployment;
     In States that currently have two or fewer Job Corps 
centers and have not recently been selected for a new center in the 
Department's selection process; and
     In States with high percentages of non-urban youth.

Also, the report language instructed the Department to give 
consideration to proposed sites that will serve individuals with 
limited English proficiency.
    The determination of need will be made by analyzing State-level 
rural poverty and overall poverty rates for youth, ages 16 through 24, 
youth unemployment, and limited English proficiency levels, using 
standardized uniform data available through federal agencies, such as 
1990 census data, Bureau of Labor Statistics publications, and existing 
Job Corps centers, slots and locations.
    In addition to the requirements in the appropriations language, the 
Department will assess the facilities at proposed sites. The assessment 
will be in terms of property acquisition costs, the cost and 
suitability of existing structures and the need for, and cost of, new 
construction and renovation.
    Further, the Department will assess each jurisdiction's plan to use 
State and local resources, both public and private, through 
contributions/linkages that will reduce the Federal cost of operating a 
Job Corps center. Such contributions/linkages may include, but are not 
limited to, the provision of child care services by local 
jurisdictions, provision of health services, alcohol and drug 
counseling, referral of eligible youth to Job Corps, and job placement 
assistance after leaving Job Corps, as well as arrangements with public 
school systems, community college networks, social service agencies, 
business and industry, and other training programs to provide such 
services as classroom training, vocational training, advanced learning 
opportunities, and co-enrollment arrangements with appropriate JTPA 
programs. Contributions of this nature will make maximum use of 
available statewide and community resources in meeting the needs of 
these youth.
    Finally, additional points will be awarded for proposed sites 
located in empowerment zones and enterprise communities in accordance 
with guidelines in ``Building Communities: Together,'' published by the 
U.S. Departments of Housing and Urban Development and Agriculture in 
the spring of 1994. Under this program, the Federal Government will 
designate up to 104 areas that meet certain poverty and distress 
criteria and prepare creative strategic plans for revitalization. The 
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development will designate up to six 
urban Empowerment Zones and 65 Enterprise Communities and the Secretary 
of Agriculture will designate up to three rural Empowerment Zones and 
30 Enterprise Communities. Announcement of these is expected to be made 
in December 1994.
    Eligible applicants for proposing sites are units of State and/or 
local governments. A Federal agency also may propose sites to the 
extent that such sites are located on public land which is under the 
jurisdiction of the agency. In addition, proposals submitted by Federal 
agencies must have the support of appropriate State and local 
governments.
    Since Job Corps is primarily a residential program and provides 
academic education, vocational training, and extensive support 
services, space and facilities suitable for the following types of 
utilization are required for a Job Corps center.
     Residential--Adequate housing, including bath and lounge 
facilities, as well as appropriate administrative space.
     Academic Education--Space for classrooms, computer labs, 
and library resources.
     Vocational Training--Classroom and shop space to satisfy 
the needs of specific vocational training areas (e.g., carpentry, 
clerical, painting, culinary arts, health education). The configuration 
of the vocational area, with regard to classroom and shop areas, is 
determined by the ultimate vocational mix offered at the center. In 
this regard, heavy trades, such as construction and automotive, require 
shop areas, while lighter trades, such as clerical and retail sales, 
require only classroom space.
     Food Services--Cafeteria, including food preparation and 
food storage areas.
     Medical/Dental--Medical examining rooms, nurses' station, 
infirmary space for male and female students, and dental facilities.
     Recreation--Gymnasium/multi-purpose recreational facility 
and large, level outdoor area.
     Administration--General office and conference space.
     Storage/Support--Warehousing and related storage including 
operations and maintenance support.
     Parking--Sufficient for a minimum of 70 vehicles. Other 
factors that influence the suitability and cost of facilities necessary 
to operate a Job Corps center include the following:

Configuration of Facility

    The preferred configuration of a facility is a campus-type 
environment permitting a self-contained center with all space 
requirements located on-site. Low-rise buildings such as those commonly 
found in public school and college settings are preferred.
    The Office of Job Corps has developed prototype designs for 
selected facilities where new construction is necessary. Parties 
interested in obtaining copies of these designs may do so by contacting 
the Office of Job Corps at the address shown above.

Location of Facilities

    Facilities should be located in areas where neighbors are 
supportive and no major pervasive community opposition exists. Past 
experience indicates that commercial, light industrial, and rural 
locations are most desirable in this regard, while high-value 
residential locations are the least conducive to community acceptance. 
In addition, access to emergency medical services and fire and law 
enforcement assistance should be within reasonable distances. If non-
residential enrollment is planned, direct and easy access to the center 
by public transportation is an important consideration. Moreover, 
proposed sites should be within reasonable commuting distance of 
planned linkages with other programs and services and easy access to 
transportation to these linkages should be available. Locations with 
major environmental issues, zoning restrictions, flood plain and storm 
drainage requirements, or uncertainty regarding utility connections 
that cannot be resolved efficiently and in a timely manner are less 
than desirable. Likewise, a facility with buildings which are eligible 
under the National Historical Preservation Act may receive less than 
favorable consideration, due to restrictions on and costs for 
renovation. Communities are encouraged to hold public hearings in close 
proximity to the facilities being proposed to ascertain the level of 
community support for a Job Corps center. The Office of Job Corps has 
developed a 12-minute video (available in English and Spanish) which 
provides an overview of the Job Corps program and can be useful in 
informing the local community about Job Corps. Any proposer interested 
in obtaining a copy of either version of this video may contact the 
Office of Job Corps at the address shown above.

Own/Lease

    Ownership is preferred over leased facilities, since most 
facilities will require a substantial investment of construction funds 
to make the site suitable for Job Corps utilization. Exceptions are 
long-term leases (e.g., 25 years or longer) at a nominal cost (e.g., 
$1/year).

Size

    The size (capacity) of Job Corps centers can vary substantially. 
However, centers with a capacity of less than approximately 275 
students are relatively cost-inefficient in terms of operating cost. 
Centers above approximately 500 students are less desirable from a 
programmatic and management standpoint.
    The following table shows the approximate gross square feet (GSF) 
required for the various types of buildings. The examples shown are for 
centers with 100-percent residential capacity of 275 and 500 students, 
respectively. The substitution of non-resident for resident students 
will decrease the dormitory space requirements, but will not affect 
other buildings.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       GSF per   GSF per
               Building type                 GSF per     275       500  
                                             student  students  students
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Housing...................................       175    48,125    87,500
Education/Vocation........................        85    23,375    42,500
Food Services.............................        44    12,100    22,000
Recreation................................        82    22,550    41,000
Medical/Dental............................        12     3,300     6,000
Administration............................        26     7,150    13,000
Storage/Support...........................        57    15,675    28,500
                                                     -------------------
    Subtotal..............................  ........   132,275   240,500
                                                     ===================
Child Care Center (40 children)...........  ........     5,760     5,760
                                                     -------------------
    Subtotal..............................  ........   138,035   246,260
                                                     ===================
Single Parent Dorm (minimum 28)...........  ........     9,894     9,894
                                                     -------------------
    Total.................................  ........   147,929   256,154
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Note: Space requirements for child care and single parent 
dormitories are included in the event these activities are proposed.

Land Requirements

    Listed below is the acreage needed for centers with 275 and 500 
students, respectively.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           GSF per 275 students    GSF per 500 students 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acreage................  15-19 acres............  23-27 acres.          
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Availability of Utilities

    Since the majority of students are residential, it is critical that 
all basic utilities (i.e., sewer, water, electric and gas) are 
available and in proximity to the site and in accordance with EPA 
standards.

Safety, Health and Accessibility

    Job Corps is required to comply with the requirements of the 
Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA), the Environmental Protection 
Act (EPA), and the Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards (UFAS). The 
cost involved in complying with these requirements is an important 
factor in determining the economic feasibility of utilizing a site. For 
example, a site which contains an excessive amount of asbestos probably 
would not be cost-effective due to associated removal costs. Further, 
sites with any environmental hazard that cannot be corrected 
economically will be at a disadvantage.

Cost

    The availability of low-cost facilities is a major consideration in 
light of resource limitations. In evaluating facility costs, the major 
items that must be considered are:
     Site acquisition or lease costs,
     Site/utility work,
     Architectural and engineering services,
     New construction requirements,
     Rehabilitation and modifications of existing buildings, 
and
     Equipment requirements.
    An assessment of these initial capital costs as well as 
consideration of future repair, maintenance and replacement costs will 
be used in evaluating the economic feasibility of a particular 
facility. Consideration will be given to the use of raw land which is 
suitable for a Job Corps center and on which facilities can be 
constructed economically.

Proposal Submission

    In preparing proposals, eligible applicants should identify sites 
which meet the evaluation criteria and guidelines specified above. 
Proposals should address each area with as much detail as practicable 
to enable the Department to determine the suitability of locating a Job 
Corps center at the proposed site. In this regard, proposals must 
contain, at a minimum, the specific information and supporting 
documentation as described below

Facilities

    Submissions must provide a full description of existing buildings, 
including a building site layout, square footage, age, and general 
condition of each structure. Included in the description must be a 
discussion of its current or previous use; the number of years 
unoccupied, if appropriate; and the condition of sub-systems such as 
heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, plumbing, and 
electrical. Any building documents, such as blueprints, should be 
available for review when a site inspection is conducted by the 
Department. Documentation in the nature of photographs of the property 
and/or facilities must be submitted as well. In addition, a videotaped 
presentation of the site may be provided. The proposal must identify 
the extent to which hazardous materials such as asbestos, PCB, and 
underground storage tanks are present at the site or, if appropriate, 
confirm that contaminants do not exist. The results of any 
environmental assessment for the proposed site, if one has been done, 
must be provided. The proposal must address the availability and 
proximity of utilities to the proposed site, including electrical, 
water, gas, and sanitary sewer and runoff connections. It must also 
describe whether the water and sewer utilities for existing buildings 
are connected to the municipal system or operated separately. A 
statement on current zoning classification and any zoning restrictions 
for the proposed site must also be included. Use of the site as a Job 
Corps center should be compatible with surrounding local land use and 
also with local zoning ordinances. Confirmation must be provided as to 
whether or not any buildings at the site are on a Federal or State 
Historical Preservation Register. The proposal must also describe the 
available acreage at the site, and the nature of the surrounding 
environment including whether it is commercial, industrial, light 
industrial, rural, or residential. In some instances, proposed sites 
may be part of a substantially larger acreage which has or contemplates 
having other uses. This type of joint-use situation may or may not be 
compatible with providing a quality training environment for young 
women and men. Finally , the proposal must address the cost of 
acquiring the site, which may involve transferring the site to the 
government at no cost, entering into a low-cost long-term lease 
agreement or arranging for a negotiated purchase price based on a fair 
market appraisal. Estimated acquisition costs along with the basis for 
the estimate must be included in the proposal.

Contributions/Linkages

    An important aspect of any proposal will be its description of how 
State and local resources will be used to reduce Federal operating 
costs. It is, therefore, essential that precise and comprehensive 
information about the linkages be available to ensure that the proposed 
site receives every opportunity for an equitable evaluation. The 
proposal should contain for each linkage the following information:
     A comprehensive description of the service to be provided, 
including projected listing of resources that will be involved such as 
number of instructors/staff, types of equipment and materials.
     Whether it will be provided at no cost to Job Corps or 
will be available on a contractual (paid) basis to Job Corps.
     Whether the linkage will be provided on-site or off-site.
     The number of students to be served and over what period 
of time, as well as the specific benefits to Job Corps students while 
in Job Corps and/or after leaving the program.
     Distance to linkage, if off-site, and any arrangements for 
transportation to off-site services, including any cost to Job Corps.
     The estimated annual value of the contribution and the 
basis on which the estimate was determined (e.g., two full-time staff 
devoted to Job Corps at an annual salary of $30,000 each for a total 
annual value of $60,000, or one hour of a professional staff-person's 
time per week for 52 weeks at an hourly rate of $15.00 for an annual 
value of $780, or 15 computers at a cost of $1,800 each for an annual 
value of $27,000).
     Any limitations associated with the linkage, such as 
eligibility restrictions (e.g., in-state versus out-of-state 
residents), limited hours of service, and availability over time (e.g., 
all-year versus selected months).
     Long-term prospects for continuation of the commitment 
(e.g., one time only, 1 year, on-going, dependent on outside funding 
sources). If dependent on outside funding levels, which may vary 
significantly, what is the likelihood that the linkage will not be 
funded?
     Documentation that addresses timeframes and steps involved 
in firming up the linkage, if appropriate, including obtaining State or 
local legislation, fitting into other planning cycles, or securing 
other agreements or arrangements which may be necessary to assure 
provision of the service.
     A letter of commitment confirming each aspect of the 
linkage, including the level of resources and annual value of these 
resources, from the head of the agency responsible for delivering the 
contribution.
     Name of the agency/organization(s), address, telephone 
number and contact person.
    In providing information on linkages, proposers should keep in mind 
that Job Corps is an open-entry, open-exit, individualized, self-paced 
instructional program that operates on a year-round basis. This type of 
learning environment may have implications for the types of linkages 
being offered.
    In preparing the linkage/contribution part of their proposals, 
eligible applicants should provide full information on each proposed 
linkage/contribution. Each item listed above should be addressed for 
each linkage/contribution, providing as much information as is needed 
to ensure that each proposed linkage receives a fair assessment.

Other Information

    Proposals should include any other information the applicant 
believes pertinent to the proposed site for consideration by the 
Department. This information may include: letters of community support 
from elected officials, government agencies, community leaders and 
neighborhood associations; access to cultural/recreation activities in 
the community; and unique features in the surrounding area which would 
enhance the location of a Job Corps center at that site.
    Also, proposals should indicate whether or not the proposed site is 
located in either a designated Empowerment Zone or Enterprise 
Community. The Department will verify any designation referenced in the 
proposal.
    The Job Corps legislation provides the Governor with the 
opportunity to veto the establishment of a center within a State. It is 
important that, before proposing the use of any particular location, 
appropriate clearances are obtained from local and State political 
leadership.
    With regard to timeframes for choosing sites for the establishment 
of Job Corps centers, the site selection process normally take 8 months 
to complete. This allows sufficient time for eligible applicants to 
prepare and submit proposals and for the Department to conduct a 
preliminary site assessment of all proposed facilities, as well as a 
comprehensive site utilization study for those sites having high 
potential for the establishment of a Job Corps center, based on the 
preliminary assessment results. Governors of States in which high-
potential sites are identified will be provided written notification by 
the Department, in accordance with section 435(c) of the Job Training 
Partnership Act, that these sites are in a final phase of 
consideration. Each Governor will be provided a 30-day time period to 
approve or reject further consideration of establishment of a Job Corps 
center at the identified site(s).
    The Department hereby requests eligible proposers to submit 
proposals to be received no later than March 13, 1995, using the 
guidance provided above.

    Signed in Washington, DC, this 9th day of November, 1994.
Doug Ross,
Assistant Secretary of Labor.
[FR Doc. 94-28281 Filed 11-15-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-30-M