[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 95 (Wednesday, May 15, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 24479]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-12136]



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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Food Safety and Inspection Service
[Docket No. 96-019N]


Location of Proposed Technical Service Center; Opportunity To 
Present Alternative Sites for Consideration

AGENCY: Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is considering 
creating a Technical Service Center to provide technical assistance, 
advice, and guidance for FSIS Field Operations personnel and the 
regulated meat, poultry, and egg products industries. FSIS is providing 
interested parties the opportunity to present recommended sites for its 
proposed Technical Service Center.

DATES: Requests to make a presentation to the Agency must be received 
by June 14, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Mr. O.V. Cummings, Director, Administrative Services 
Division, Food Safety and Inspection Service, 14th and Independence 
Ave., SW, Washington, D.C. 20250.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. O.V. Cummings or Mr. Glen Durst at 
the above address or at (202) 720-3551, Fax (202) 205-7392.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: FSIS has submitted a proposed reorganization 
plan to the Secretary of Agriculture for approval. The plan establishes 
a Technical Service Center to provide technical assistance, advice, and 
guidance for FSIS Field Operations personnel and the regulated meat, 
poultry, and egg products industries. The Center would house 
approximately 100 FSIS employees to provide guidance on the enforcement 
and application of FSIS domestic and import regulations, policies, and 
systems.
    Approximately half of the employees that would be assigned to the 
Center are currently located in the Washington, D.C. area, with the 
remainder of the employees in the five Regional Offices or other 
locations. Locating the Center in the Washington D.C. area would result 
in the lowest initial cost to the Agency because there would be no 
relocation costs for employees already assigned to the Washington D.C. 
area. In addition, locating the Center in the Washington, D.C. 
metropolitan area would enhance FSIS's ability to coordinate Agency 
functions with the Center.
    However, locating the Center in a rural area could serve the Agency 
well in the long term. Experience shows that it is easier to recruit 
employees in areas where the cost of living is relatively low. In 
addition, locating the Center in the middle of the country would make 
it easier to serve field personnel and industry because the time 
difference between the Center and offices located on the east and west 
coast would not be so great.
    FSIS invites recommendations regarding the location of the 
Technical Service Center. Persons interested in proposing sites for the 
Center should address issues of initial costs, other costs, and 
benefits associated with a particular, recommended location. The 
proposed locations should, at a minimum, meet the following criteria:
     Offer an adequate selection of moderate to middle income 
housing.
     Be within reasonable driving distance to a major airport 
because there will be occasional travel to and from the 18 proposed 
district offices and Washington, D.C.
     Have nearby hotel/motel accommodations.
     Have available office space to support the Center staff 
(approximately 20,000 square feet).
    The presentations may be given in person, on videotape, or by 
conference call. Written recommendations should be sent to Mr. O.V. 
Cummings (See ADDRESSES).
    The Agency will contact respondents to schedule the presentations 
to be given at FSIS headquarters. Presenters from outside the 
Washington D.C. area who wish to make presentations at FSIS 
headquarters must make their own travel arrangements and pay their own 
travel expenses.

    Done at Washington, DC, on May 9, 1996.
Michael R. Taylor,
Acting Under Secretary for Food Safety.
[FR Doc. 96-12136 Filed 5-14-96; 8:45 am]
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