[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 112 (Tuesday, June 11, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 40122-40125]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-14549]



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Part V





Department of Labor





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Employment and Training Administration



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Workforce Investment Act: Job Corps Program; Selection of Sites for 
Centers; Notice

  Federal Register / Vol. 67, No. 112 / Tuesday, June 11, 2002 / 
Notices  

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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration


Workforce Investment Act: Job Corps Program; Selection of Sites 
for Centers

AGENCY: Employment and Training Administration, Labor.

ACTION: Notice.

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

DATES: Proposals are requested by September 16, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Proposals shall be addressed to the Assistant Secretary for 
Employment and Training, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution 
Avenue, NW, Room N4463, Washington, DC 20210. Attention: Richard C. 
Trigg, National Director, Office of Job Corps. As a result of the 
current mail situation in Washington, DC, mail to government offices is 
delayed. Therefore, we strongly suggest that you FedEx or deliver your 
proposal by some other overnight service. It must arrive to the Office 
of Job Corps by 5 p.m. on September 16, 2002.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Richard C. Trigg, National Director, 
Office of Job Corps. Telephone: (202) 693-3000 (this is not a toll-free 
number).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Department of Labor (Department) is 
soliciting proposals for sites to establish two 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, social skills and career development 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.
    Job Corps offers a comprehensive, integrated Career Development 
Services System which provides services for students from the time they 
apply through enrollment, career preparation and career development 
activities, and post-center career transition services. Career 
preparation and career development activities occur primarily on-center 
and include academic, vocational, information technology and social 
skills training; personal and career counseling; medical care; meals 
and housing; and related support services. Career transition services 
begin towards the end of the training period and continue for up to 24 
months after a student leaves the center and returns home. These 
services include job placement and transitional support to meet 
individual students' needs, such as housing, transportation and child 
care after they leave the Job Corps center.
    For this solicitation, the Department intends to select two 
localities for locating new centers. The centers will be stand-alone 
facilities of sufficient size to serve about 300 students each. These 
centers will be primarily residential, and may encompass a small 
nonresidential component.
    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 $10 
million in the Fiscal Year 2002 budget for Job Corps to initiate two 
new centers. Additional funds in the amount of $25 million are being 
requested for appropriation in Fiscal Year 2003 to proceed with 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.
    The Workforce Investment Act provides authorization for the 
establishment of Job Corps centers and requires that students be 
assigned to Job Corps centers closest to their homes. The determination 
of a locality's need for a Job Corps center will be made by analyzing 
State-level poverty and unemployment rates for youth using standardized 
uniform data available from federal agencies, such as 2000 census data, 
Bureau of Labor Statistics publications, and information on existing 
Job Corps centers, slots, enrollment levels, and locations.
    In addition to this analysis, the Department will also assess the 
facilities at proposed sites. The assessment will focus on property 
acquisition costs, the cost and suitability of existing structures and 
the need for, and cost of, new construction and renovation. 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 reduce the Federal cost of operating a Job 
Corps center. Such contributions/linkages may include, but not be 
limited to, the following: The provision of work-based learning sites 
and donations of training equipment or curriculum by the local employer 
community; provision of child care services by local jurisdictions, 
including programs such as Head Start; provision of health services; 
alcohol and drug counseling; referral of eligible youth to Job Corps, 
and job placement and other career transition services after students 
leave Job Corps. Other linkages may include arrangements with public 
school systems for high school diploma programs; linkages with one-
stops and other local workforce development programs and services; 
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, mentoring, and alcohol and drug counseling. 
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. 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, career development 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, 
video-conferencing 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, information technology,

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manufacturing, health education). The configuration of the vocational 
area is determined by the ultimate vocational mix offered at the 
center. 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 schools 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, while high-value residential locations 
are the least conducive to community acceptance. In addition, access to 
emergency medical services, 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. Proposed sites should be within 
reasonable commuting distance of planned linkages with other programs 
and services, and transportation to these linkages should be easily 
available. Proposed sites 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.
    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.
    Communities are encouraged to hold public hearings in close 
proximity to the facilities being proposed to assess the level of 
community support for a Job Corps center. The Office of Job Corps has 
brochures and other descriptive information about the program. Copies 
may be obtained at the address noted above.

Own/Lease

    The Department prefers ownership 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 (e.g., 25 years or longer) leases at a nominal cost 
(e.g., $1/year).

Size

    The following table shows the approximate gross square footage 
(GSF) required for the various types of buildings needed to operate a 
residential Job Corps center with 300 students. The substitution of 
non-resident for resident students will decrease the dormitory space 
required for a residential center but will not affect other buildings.

Gross Square Feet (GSF) Requirements by Type of Building

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                GSF per
                   Building type                     GSF per      300
                                                     student    students
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Housing...........................................        175     52,500
Education/Vocation................................         85     25,500
Food Services.....................................         44     13,200
Recreation........................................         82     24,600
Medical/Dental....................................         12      3,600
Administration....................................         26      7,800
Storage/Support...................................         57     17,100
                                                   ---------------------
    Sub-Total.....................................  .........    144,300
Child Development Center..........................     \1\ 40  \2\ 5,760
                                                   =====================
    Total.........................................  .........   150,060
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Space requirements for child development centers are included in the
  event on-site child care is proposed.
\2\ Children.

Land Requirements

    Between 15 and 19 acres of land are needed for a residential center 
of 300 students.

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), and 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 hazard 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;
     New construction requirements;
     Rehabilitation and modifications of existing buildings, 
and
     Equipment requirements.
    An assessment of these initial capital costs and 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, 
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

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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 the facility's current or previous use, the number of 
years unoccupied, if applicable, and the condition of sub-systems such 
as heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, plumbing, and 
electrical. 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 also address the availability and proximity of 
utilities to the proposed site, including electrical, water, gas, and 
sanitary sewer and runoff connections. It must 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 
usage 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. Any building documents, such as blueprints, 
should be available for review when a site inspection is conducted by 
the Department.

Contributions/Linkages

    An important aspect of any proposal will be its description of how 
State and local resources will be used to contribute to enhanced 
services to Job Corps youth and/or 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 
fair evaluation. The proposal should contain the following information 
for each linkage:
     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, or other 
specific service.
     The number of students to be served and over what period 
of time, as well as the specific benefit to Job Corps students while in 
Job Corps and/or after leaving the program.
     Whether the service will be provided at no cost to Job 
Corps or will be available on a shared cost basis with Job Corps.
     Whether the linkage will be provided on-site or off-site.
     Distance to linkage/service, 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 $35,000 each for a total 
annual value of $70,000; one hour or a professional's time per week for 
52 weeks at an hourly rate of $20.00 for an annual value of $1,040; 15 
computers at a cost of $1,500 each for an annual value of $22,500).
     Any limitations associated with the linkage, such as 
eligibility restrictions (e.g., age, in-state versus out of state 
residents, etc.), limited hours of service, and availability over time 
(e.g., year round versus selected months).
     Long-term prospects for continuation of the commitment 
(e.g., one time only, one year, ongoing). If dependent on outside 
funding sources or levels which vary significantly, what is the 
likelihood that the linkage will be funded?
     Documentation that addresses timeframes and steps involved 
in firming up the linkage, if appropriate, including obtaining State or 
local legislation, State or local workforce investment board approval, 
fitting into other planning cycles, or securing other agreements or 
arrangements which may be necessary to ensure 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 or other entity responsible for 
delivering the contribution.
     Name of the agency/organizations(s), address, telephone 
number and contact person.
    In providing information on linkages, applicants should keep in 
mind that Job Corps is an open-entry, open-exit, individualized, self-
paced career development services system 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 
linkage/contribution. All items listed above should be addressed for 
each linkage/contribution, providing as much information as 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, local workforce investment 
boards, community and business leaders and neighborhood associations; 
availability of and 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. Proposals 
should also include any other information the applicant believes 
pertinent to the proposed site for consideration by the Department. It 
is important that, before proposing the use of any particular location, 
appropriate clearances are obtained from local and State political 
leadership.

Other Information

    The site selection process for new sites for Job Corps centers 
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

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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.
    The Department hereby requests eligible proposers to submit an 
original and two copies of their proposals to be received no later than 
September 16, 2002, using the guidance provided above.

    Signed in Washington, DC, the 4th day of June 2002.
Emily Stover DeRocco,
Assistant Secretary of Labor.
[FR Doc. 02-14549 Filed 6-10-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-30-P