[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.
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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
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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.
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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