[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 46 (Tuesday, March 10, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11812-11815]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-6117]
[[Page 11811]]
_______________________________________________________________________
Part VI
Department of Labor
_______________________________________________________________________
Employment and Training Administration
_______________________________________________________________________
Job Training Partnership Act: Job Corps Program, Selection of Sites for
Centers; Notice
Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 46 / Tuesday, March 10, 1998 /
Notices
[[Page 11812]]
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 and facilities for locating five new Job Corps Centers. This
notice specifies the requirements and criteria for selection.
DATES: Proposals are requested by June 8, 1998.
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: Mary H.
Silva, National Director, Job Corps.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary H. Silva, National Director, 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 five new Job Corps centers.
Proposers may submit separate applications to establish a residential
center, a satellite non-residential center, or both. 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.
From this solicitation, the Department intends to select five
localities for locating new centers. Three of the five centers will be
stand-alone facilities of sufficient size to serve about 300 students
each, and encompass both residential and non-residential components.
The remaining two facilities will be satellite centers limited to
approximately 150 non-residential students each.
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 has authorized this expansion effort by appropriating $4
million in the Fiscal Year 1998 budget for Job Corps to initiate five
new Job Corps centers. Additional funds in the amount of $33 million
are being requested for appropriation in Fiscal Year 1999 to complete
the necessary design and construction work to establish centers on the
sites eventually selected. The Department of Labor is initiating a
competitive process for selecting these sites. Official Congressional
guidance that came with the 1998 appropriation said that the Department
should give priority to:
States without a Job Corps campus, and
Suitable facilities that can be provided to Job Corps at
little or no cost, including facilities that can be made available
through military base closings.
The Department also requires that a military base contained in any
site proposal be available for Job Corps use on a timely basis.
The Congress further directed the Department to give consideration
to the establishment of new Job Corps centers, and the construction of
satellite centers in proximity to existing high-performing centers.
The Department has also decided to limit site selection to no more
than one site in any state.
The determination of a locality's need for a Job Corps center will
be made by analyzing State-level poverty rates for youth and youth
unemployment using standardized uniform data available through federal
agencies, such as 1990 census data, Bureau of Labor Statistics
publications, and information on existing Job Corps centers, slots and
locations.
In addition to the requirements in the appropriations language, the
Department will also 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. As indicated previously, priority will be
given to proposed sites that offer no-cost or low-cost turnkey
facilities (those in move-in condition requiring little or no
construction rehabilitation work) which can quickly be made ready for
use by Job Corps.
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 following: the provision of work-based learning sites
and donations of training equipment by the local employer community;
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 students leave
Job Corps. Other linkages may include arrangements with public school
systems, community college networks, social service agencies, business
and industry, and other training programs to provide services such as
classroom training, curriculum advice, 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 Job
Corps-eligible youth.
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 that 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 dormitory living space, including
bath and lounge facilities, as well as appropriate administrative
space.
Academic Education--Space for classrooms, computer labs,
libraries and other learning resource areas.
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.
[[Page 11813]]
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 recreational area suitable for softball,
soccer, etc.
Administration--General office and conference space.
Storage/Support--Warehousing and related storage including
operations and maintenance support.
Parking--Sufficient for a minimum of 100 vehicles.
For the two satellite centers, in addition to being located in
close proximity to an existing high-performing center, space and
facilities are the same as for residential centers, except for the
following:
Residential--Not required.
Food Service--Requires a reduced food service area.
Recreation--Requires a student lounge/recreational
space for students to gather before the training day begins, between
classes, and at the end of the day. No outdoor area is required, since
students return to their residences at the completion of each training
day.
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 and light industrial locations are
most desirable for locating either a residential or satellite center,
while high-value residential areas are the least conducive to community
acceptance. Further, rural locations are not appropriate for the
establishment of satellite centers because, due to the absence of
reliable public transportation, there are not sufficient numbers of the
target population to keep such centers full on a continual basis.
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 and is essential
for the operation of a satellite center. Proposed sites should also be
within reasonable commuting distance of planned linkages with other
programs and services and transportation to these linkages should be
easily 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
eligible for protection under the National Historical Preservation Act
may receive less than favorable consideration, due to restrictions on,
and costs for, renovation. Proposed facilities should also be in full
compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act Guidelines of 1990
(28 CFR part 36, revised July 1, 1994), or require minimal renovation
to ensure full access by persons with disabilities.
In addition, for satellite centers, such proposed sites should be
located in an area with a relatively high population density and within
a 50-mile radius of an existing high-performing Job Corps center.
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 which 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, particularly if a
substantial investment of construction funds is needed 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 following table shows the approximate gross square feet (GSF)
required for the various types of buildings needed to operate a Job
Corps residential center with 300 students, and a satellite center with
150 students. The examples shown are for centers with 100-percent
residential capacity of 300 and non-residential capacity of 150,
respectively. The substitution of non-resident for resident students
will decrease the dormitory space requirements for a residential center
but will not affect other buildings.
Gross Square Feet (GSF) Requirements By Type Of Building For Residential and Satellite Job Corps Centers
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Residential center Satellite center
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Building type GSF per GSF per 300 GSF per GSF per 150
student students student students
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Housing..................................................... 175 52,500 ........... ...........
Education/Vocation.......................................... 85 25,500 85 12,750
Food Services............................................... 44 13,200 40 6,000
Recreation.................................................. 82 24,600 60 9,000
Medical/Dental.............................................. 12 3,600 12 1,800
Administration.............................................. 26 7,800 26 3,900
Storage/Support............................................. 57 17,100 50 7,500
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Sub-Total............................................... ........... 144,300 ........... 40,950
===================================================
Child Care Center (40 children)............................. ........... 5,760 ........... 5,760
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[[Page 11814]]
Total............................................... ........... 150,060 ........... 46,710
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Note: Space requirements for child care programs are included in
the event these activities are proposed.
Land Requirements
Between 15 and 19 acres of land are needed for a residential center
of 300 students. There are no acreage requirements for a satellite
center.
Availability of Utilities
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), the Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards (UFAS), and the
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. 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 hazards that cannot be corrected economically will be at
a disadvantage, as will sites requiring substantial rehabilitation to
comply with accessibility requirements for persons with disabilities.
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,
Rehabilitation and modifications of existing buildings,
New construction requirements, if any, 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. Preference will be given to existing turnkey facilities that
meet Job Corps' standards for a training facility. While not
preferable, limited consideration will be given to the use of raw land
which is suitable for a Job Corps residential center 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 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 or otherwise benefit the program. It is, therefore, essential
that precise and comprehensive information about the linkages be
provided to ensure that the proposed site receives every opportunity
for a thorough and 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.
[[Page 11815]]
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 $780.00, 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. All items 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.
Community Support
This information should include: letters of community support from
elected officials, government agencies, community and business 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.
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 and, where possible, a letter from the Governor supporting
the proposed site be contained in the application. Proposals should
also include any other information the applicant believes pertinent to
the proposed site for consideration by the Department.
With regard to timeframes for choosing sites for the establishment
of Job Corps centers, the site selection process normally takes 9
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 determined to have
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 notified in writing 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 an
original and three copies of their proposal to be received no later
than June 8, 1998 using the guidance provided above.
Signed in Washington, DC, this 25th day of February, 1998.
Raymond J. Uhalde,
Acting Assistant Secretary of Labor.
[FR Doc. 98-6117 Filed 3-9-98; 8:45 am]
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