Workforce Investment Act: Job Corps Program; Selection of Sites for Centers, 38667-38670 [E6-10630]
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Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 130 / Friday, July 7, 2006 / Notices
The proposed project will not have
any significant adverse impact on any
natural systems or resources. No state or
Federal threatened or endangered
species (proposed or listed) have been
identified on the subject property.
The Job Corps Center construction
will not affect any existing historic
structures, as there are no historic or
archeologically sensitive areas on the
proposed property parcel.
Air quality and noise levels should
not be affected by the proposed
development project. Due to the nature
of the proposed project, it would not be
a significant source of air pollutants or
additional noise, except possibly during
construction of the facility. All
construction activities will be
conducted in accordance with
applicable noise and air pollution
regulations, and all pollution sources
will be permitted in accordance with
applicable pollution control regulations.
The proposed Job Corps Center is not
expected to significantly increase the
vehicle traffic in the vicinity.
The proposed project will not have
any significant adverse impact on the
surrounding water, sewer, and storm
water management infrastructure. The
new buildings to be constructed for the
proposed Job Corps Center will be tied
in to the existing City of Milwaukee
Water Works system. The new buildings
to be constructed for the proposed Job
Corps Center will also be tied in to the
existing Milwaukee Metropolitan
Sewerage District wastewater treatment
system.
We Energies will provide the
electricity for the site. This is not
expected to create any significant
impact to the regional utility
infrastructure.
The Job Corps Center is not expected
to result in a significant increase in
vehicular traffic, since many of the Job
Corps Center residents will either live at
the Job Corps Center or use public
transportation. While some Job Corps
Center students and staff may use
personal vehicles, their number would
not result in a significant increase in
vehicular traffic in the area. However,
the proposed Job Corps Center entrance
would be from North 60th Street. North
60th Street is a well-used, two-lane
thoroughfare. Milwaukee County
Transit System will provide public
transportation. Bus Route 76 travels
along North 60th Street past the location
of the proposed Job Corp Center. There
are a number of connecting bus routes
within walking distance of the site.
No significant adverse affects to local
medical, emergency, fire and police
services are anticipated. The primary
medical provider located closest to the
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proposed Job Corps parcel is the
Northwest General Hospital,
approximately 3.5 miles from the
proposed Job Corps Center. Security
services at the Job Corps will be
provided by the center’s security staff.
Law enforcement services are provided
by the City of Milwaukee Police
Department—District 4, located
approximately 1.6 miles from the
proposed project site. The City of
Milwaukee Fire Department will
provide fire protection. Milwaukee Fire
Department #9 which operates 24 hours
a day is located approximately 1.2 miles
from the site.
The proposed project will not have a
significant adverse sociological effect on
the surrounding community. Similarly,
the proposed project will not have a
significant adverse effect on
demographic and socioeconomic
characteristics of the area.
The alternatives considered in the
preparation of this FONSI were as
follows: (1) No Action; and (2) Continue
Project as Proposed. The No Action
alternative was not selected. The U.S.
Department of Labor’s goal of improving
the Job Corps Program by improving the
learning environment at Job Corps
Centers would not be met under this
alternative. Due to the suitability of the
proposed site for establishment of a new
Job Corps Center, and the absence of any
identified significant adverse
environmental impacts from locating a
Job Corps Center on the subject
property, the ‘‘Continue Project as
Proposed’’ alternative was selected.
Based on the information gathered
during the preparation of the EA, no
environmental liabilities, current or
historical, were found to exist on the
proposed Job Corps Center site. The
construction of the Job Corps Center at
6767 North 60th Street, Milwaukee,
Wisconsin will not create any
significant adverse impacts on the
environment.
Dated: June 28, 2006.
Esther R. Johnson,
National Director of Job Corps.
[FR Doc. E6–10631 Filed 7–6–06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510–23–P
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Workforce Investment Act: Job Corps
Program; Selection of Sites for Centers
Office of Job Corps, Office of
the Secretary, Labor.
SUMMARY: The Department of Labor
requests assistance in identifying sites
for locating new Job Corps Centers. This
notice specifies the requirements and
criteria for selection.
AGENCY:
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38667
Proposals are requested by
September 30, 2006.
ADDRESSES: Proposals shall be
addressed to the National Director,
Office of Job Corps, U.S. Department of
Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW.,
Room N4463, Washington, DC 20210.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Esther R. Johnson, National Director,
Office of Job Corps. Telephone: (202)
693–3000 (this is not a toll-free
number).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
Department of Labor (DOL) is soliciting
proposals for sites to establish 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,
career technical (vocational), and other
support services in order to acquire the
skills to begin a career, 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. While the 20
percent level should be used as a
guideline, the percentage of nonresidents can vary from center to center,
depending upon local needs.
Job Corps currently 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, career technical
(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 two years after
a student leaves the center and returns
home. These services include career
search, job placement and transitional
support to meet individual students’
needs, such as housing, transportation
and child care after they leave the Job
Corps center.
Job Corps will be implementing a new
framework for building a 21st century
system of excellence. The components
envisioned for a new program delivery
model include high-growth, highdemand industry/occupational clusters;
aligning program content with 21st
century workplace requirements, and
involving industry, education and
workforce partners as an integral part of
the Job Corps system. Training for each
DATES:
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38668
Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 130 / Friday, July 7, 2006 / Notices
industry cluster will involve
approximately 150–200 students.
For this solicitation, the Department
intends to select localities for new Job
Corps centers from the proposals
submitted in response to this
solicitation. The centers will be standalone facilities of sufficient size to serve
about 300 students each. These centers
will be primarily residential, but may
encompass a small nonresidential
component. Selection of the sites will be
made based on those which best meet
the needs of the Job Corps Program.
Development of the sites selected is
contingent upon additional funding by
Congress.
Congress authorized this expansion
and appropriated funding to begin the
expansion process in the FY 2005 and
FY 2006 Department of Labor
Appropriations. The accompanying
Congressional Report language
indicated that the Department should
give priority in site selection to the
states which do not currently have a Job
Corps center, and to sites which can be
started as a satellite (residential or nonresidential) in conjunction with an
existing Job Corps Center that is serving
an entire State or region and which can
later be converted to a stand-alone
facility. This solicitation is for site
selection only and not for the operation
of these Job Corps centers. A
competitive procurement for selection
of a center operator at each site will be
initiated and completed well after the
site selection process has been
completed.
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, environmental conditions at
the site, suitability of surroundings for
a facility of this type, zoning issues, 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
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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 workbased learning sites and donations of
training equipment or curriculum by the
local employer community and local
industry; provision of academic tutors
and youth mentors; 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; resources/linkages for
credentialing of Job Corps instructors;
linkages with one-stops and other local
workforce development programs and
services; community college networks;
social service agencies; business and
industry; computer-based education;
and other training programs to provide
such services as classroom training,
high-growth career technical training,
and advanced learning opportunities.
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 submitting
proposals are units of State and/or local
governments.
Since Job Corps is primarily a
residential program and provides
academic education, career technical
(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,
internet access, as well as appropriate
administrative space.
• Academic Education—Space for
classrooms, computer labs, videoconferencing and library resources.
• Career Technical (Vocational)
Training—Classroom and shop space to
satisfy the needs of specific career
technical training (career technical
(vocational)) clusters (e.g., construction,
information technology, and
healthcare). The configuration of career
technical areas is determined by the
ultimate occupational mix offered at the
center. Industry clusters such as
information technology and finance and
business will require classroom space
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and possibly lab space. Some trades,
such as construction and automotive
may require shop areas in addition to
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/multipurpose 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
provided.
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
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.
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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
provided.
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 nonresident 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
student
GSF per
300
students
Housing .....................
Education/Vocation ...
Food Services ...........
Recreation ................
Medical/Dental ..........
Administration ...........
Storage/Support ........
175
85
44
82
12
26
57
52,500
25,500
13,200
24,600
3,600
7,800
17,100
Total ...................
................
*144,300
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Building type
*Note: The GSF space requirements for the
individual functions are only approximate but
in general, the GSF needed for a new center
that accommodates a 300 person population
ranges between 145,000 GSF to 150,000
GSF.
Land Requirements
Between 20 and 30 acres of land are
needed for a residential center of 300
students.
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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 costeffective 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
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
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38669
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 subsystems 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
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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 or
contribution.
• The projected 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 offsite, 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 fulltime staff devoted to Job Corps at an
annual salary of $35,000 each for a total
annual value of $70,000; one hour of 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 $1,000 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
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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
Information should include letters of
community support from elected
officials, government agencies, local
workforce investment boards,
community and business leaders and
neighborhood associations; and local
academic and training providers. The
letter should also describe the
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
preliminary site assessment of all
proposed facilities, as well as a
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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 three copies of their proposals to be
received no later than September 30,
2006 using the guidance provided
above.
Signed in Washington, DC, the 28th day of
June 2006.
Esther R. Johnson,
National Director.
FR Doc. E6–10630 Filed 7–6–06; 8:45 am]
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[Notice: (06–044)]
Notice of Information Collection
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ACTION: Notice of information collection.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The National Aeronautics and
Space Administration, as part of its
continuing effort to reduce paperwork
and respondent burden, invites the
general public and other Federal
agencies to take this opportunity to
comment on proposed and/or
continuing information collections, as
required by the Paperwork Reduction
Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104–13, 44 U.S.C.
3506(c)(2)(A)).
DATES: All comments should be
submitted within 30 calendar days from
the date of this publication.
ADDRESSES: All comments should be
addressed to the Desk Officer for NASA,
Office of Information and Regulatory
Affairs, Room 10236, New Executive
Office Building, Washington, DC 20503.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Requests for additional information or
copies of the information collection
instrument(s) and instructions should
be directed to Mr. Walter Kit, PRA
Officer, Office of the Chief Information
Officer, NASA Headquarters, 300 E
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[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 130 (Friday, July 7, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38667-38670]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-10630]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Workforce Investment Act: Job Corps Program; Selection of Sites
for Centers
AGENCY: Office of Job Corps, Office of the Secretary, Labor.
SUMMARY: The Department of Labor requests assistance in identifying
sites for locating new Job Corps Centers. This notice specifies the
requirements and criteria for selection.
DATES: Proposals are requested by September 30, 2006.
ADDRESSES: Proposals shall be addressed to the National Director,
Office of Job Corps, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue,
NW., Room N4463, Washington, DC 20210.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Esther R. Johnson, National Director,
Office of Job Corps. Telephone: (202) 693-3000 (this is not a toll-free
number).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Department of Labor (DOL) is soliciting
proposals for sites to establish 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, career technical
(vocational), and other support services in order to acquire the skills
to begin a career, 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. 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 currently 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, career technical (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 two years after a student leaves
the center and returns home. These services include career search, job
placement and transitional support to meet individual students' needs,
such as housing, transportation and child care after they leave the Job
Corps center.
Job Corps will be implementing a new framework for building a 21st
century system of excellence. The components envisioned for a new
program delivery model include high-growth, high-demand industry/
occupational clusters; aligning program content with 21st century
workplace requirements, and involving industry, education and workforce
partners as an integral part of the Job Corps system. Training for each
[[Page 38668]]
industry cluster will involve approximately 150-200 students.
For this solicitation, the Department intends to select localities
for new Job Corps centers from the proposals submitted in response to
this solicitation. The centers will be stand-alone facilities of
sufficient size to serve about 300 students each. These centers will be
primarily residential, but may encompass a small nonresidential
component. Selection of the sites will be made based on those which
best meet the needs of the Job Corps Program. Development of the sites
selected is contingent upon additional funding by Congress.
Congress authorized this expansion and appropriated funding to
begin the expansion process in the FY 2005 and FY 2006 Department of
Labor Appropriations. The accompanying Congressional Report language
indicated that the Department should give priority in site selection to
the states which do not currently have a Job Corps center, and to sites
which can be started as a satellite (residential or non-residential) in
conjunction with an existing Job Corps Center that is serving an entire
State or region and which can later be converted to a stand-alone
facility. This solicitation is for site selection only and not for the
operation of these Job Corps centers. A competitive procurement for
selection of a center operator at each site will be initiated and
completed well after the site selection process has been completed.
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,
environmental conditions at the site, suitability of surroundings for a
facility of this type, zoning issues, 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 and local industry; provision of academic tutors and youth
mentors; 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; resources/linkages for
credentialing of Job Corps instructors; linkages with one-stops and
other local workforce development programs and services; community
college networks; social service agencies; business and industry;
computer-based education; and other training programs to provide such
services as classroom training, high-growth career technical training,
and advanced learning opportunities. 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 submitting proposals are units of State
and/or local governments.
Since Job Corps is primarily a residential program and provides
academic education, career technical (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, internet access, as well as appropriate administrative
space.
Academic Education--Space for classrooms, computer labs,
video-conferencing and library resources.
Career Technical (Vocational) Training--Classroom and shop
space to satisfy the needs of specific career technical training
(career technical (vocational)) clusters (e.g., construction,
information technology, and healthcare). The configuration of career
technical areas is determined by the ultimate occupational mix offered
at the center. Industry clusters such as information technology and
finance and business will require classroom space and possibly lab
space. Some trades, such as construction and automotive may require
shop areas in addition to 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 provided.
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 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.
[[Page 38669]]
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 provided.
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
---------------------
Total......................................... ......... \*\144,30
0
------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Note: The GSF space requirements for the individual functions are only
approximate but in general, the GSF needed for a new center that
accommodates a 300 person population ranges between 145,000 GSF to
150,000 GSF.
Land Requirements
Between 20 and 30 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 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
[[Page 38670]]
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 or contribution.
The projected 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 of 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 $1,000 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
Information should include letters of community support from
elected officials, government agencies, local workforce investment
boards, community and business leaders and neighborhood associations;
and local academic and training providers. The letter should also
describe the 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 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 three copies of their proposals to be received no later
than September 30, 2006 using the guidance provided above.
Signed in Washington, DC, the 28th day of June 2006.
Esther R. Johnson,
National Director.
FR Doc. E6-10630 Filed 7-6-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-23-P