Centers of Excellence for Domestic Maritime Workforce Training and Education Designation Program Guidance: Proposed New Policy and Information Collection Request, 34994-34999 [2019-15406]

Agencies

• Maritime Administration
• DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 139 (Friday, July 19, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34994-34999]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-15406]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Maritime Administration

[Docket Number MARAD-2018-0088]
RIN 2133-ZA03


Centers of Excellence for Domestic Maritime Workforce Training 
and Education Designation Program Guidance: Proposed New Policy and 
Information Collection Request

AGENCY: Maritime Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This notice provides interested parties with the opportunity 
to comment on the Maritime Administration's (MARAD) new program 
designating eligible and qualified training entities as Centers of 
Excellence for Domestic Maritime Workforce Training and Education 
(CoE). The National Defense Authorization Act of 2018 (the Act), 
provided the Secretary of Transportation with the discretionary 
authority to designate eligible and qualified entities as CoEs. CoE 
designations will serve to assist the maritime industry in obtaining 
and maintaining the highest quality workforce. On May 31, 2018, MARAD 
published a notice in the Federal Register seeking public comment 
regarding the development of a guide for applicants seeking CoE 
designation. MARAD received a total of eighteen comments which have 
been considered and are examined in the Supplementary Information 
section below. Now, MARAD is proposing to implement a voluntary program 
to identify and recommend qualified training providers for CoE 
designation. MARAD invites public comment on this new program and its 
application guidance.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before September 17, 2019. MARAD 
will consider comments filed after this date to the extent practicable.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by DOT Docket Number 
MARAD-2018-0088 by any of the following methods:
     Website/Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Search ``MARAD-2018-0088'' and follow the 
instructions for submitting comments on the electronic docket site.
     Mail or Hand Delivery: Docket Management Facility, U.S. 
Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, West Building, 
Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, except on Federal holidays.
    Instructions: All submissions must include the agency name and 
docket number for this rulemaking.

    Note:  All comments received will be posted without change to 
https://www.regulations.gov including any personal information 
provided.

    Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or 
comments received, go to https://www.regulations.gov and search using 
``MARAD-2018-0088'' or go to Room W12-401 of the Department of 
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC, between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal Holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: You may contact Nuns Jain, Maritime 
Administration, at 757-322-5801 or by electronic mail at 
[email protected]. You may send mail to Nuns Jain at Maritime 
Administration, Building 19, Suite 300, 7737 Hampton Boulevard, 
Norfolk, VA 23505. If you have questions on viewing the Docket, call 
Docket Operations, telephone: 202-366-9317 or 202-366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Following the enactment of the National 
Defense Authorization Act of 2018, Public Law 115-91 (the ``Act''), 
codified at 46 U.S.C. 54102, MARAD developed a procedure to recommend 
to the Secretary the designation of eligible institutions as Centers of 
Excellence for Domestic Maritime Workforce Training and Education 
(CoE). Pursuant to the Act, the Secretary of Transportation may 
designate certain eligible and qualified training entities as CoEs and 
may subsequently execute Cooperative Agreements with CoE designees. 
Authority to administer the CoE program is delegated to MARAD in 49 CFR 
1.93(a).
    Qualified training entities seeking to be designated as a CoE need 
to apply to MARAD. MARAD has developed this notice to provide 
interested parties with comprehensive agency guidance on how to apply 
for CoE designation and how the CoE program will be administered. 
Applications should include information to demonstrate that the 
applicant institution meets certain eligibility requirements, selection

[[Page 34995]]

criteria, and qualitative attributes consistent with Section 3507 of 
the Act.
    Accordingly, MARAD is now proposing to implement a voluntary CoE 
designation program to assist the maritime industry in obtaining and 
maintaining the highest quality workforce consistent with the criteria 
set forth in the Act. Once all comments are considered, MARAD will 
publish the final CoE Program Policy in the Federal Register and on its 
website-www.marad.dot.gov/CoE.

Prior Federal Action

    As the first step in developing a CoE policy, MARAD issued a notice 
requesting comments on its proposed application process entitled 
Centers of Excellence for Domestic Maritime Workforce Training and 
Education, 83 FR 25109 (May 31, 2018). In response to the notice, we 
received 18 written comments summarized immediately below. The 
unabridged comments are available for review electronically at 
www.regulations.gov by searching DOT Docket Id ``MARAD-2018-0088'' or 
by visiting the DOT Docket, Room PL-401, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, 
Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except for Federal Holidays.

Comments on the Notice

    MARAD received comments from 13 different commenters proposing a 
total of 29 suggested changes and/or clarifications to our definitions 
section. Where not in conflict with the explicit language of the 
statute, we have made those recommended changes to our definitions.
    MARAD received comments from 10 different commenters proposing a 
total of 19 suggested changes and/or clarifications to the eligibility 
criteria, designation criteria and designation attributes. We have made 
those recommended changes which were not in conflict with the explicit 
language of the statute.
    MARAD received one comment recommending that the MARAD approval 
process for temporary use of training ships, as a form of specific 
federal assistance to designated CoEs under a Cooperative Agreement, 
include consultation with the relevant State Maritime Academy. Our 
approval process for third -party requests for use of training ships 
already includes this consultation with the relevant State Maritime 
Academy.
    MARAD received one comment requesting clarifications regarding the 
timeline for the CoE application process and the application 
preparation time which would be provided to interested applicant 
training institutions. We have incorporated these clarifications.
    MARAD received one comment recommending that a formal bonding of 
the competencies trained in industry and military is necessary to 
better crosswalk the skills of the workforce and serve the transition 
from military to mariner. We agree. The draft guide included a 
provision encouraging CoEs to award students credit for prior 
experience, including military service.
    MARAD received one comment recommending the CoE designation renewal 
process like that of the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC). 
This revised policy provides for annual CoE designations and does not 
include a renewal process.
    MARAD received one comment inquiring if grant writers will be 
needed to prepare CoE applications. We do not expect that training 
institutions will need grant writers to prepare their CoE designation 
applications.
    MARAD received one comment suggesting that electronic filing of 
applications using an enterable forms database will be the least 
burdensome method to evidence application qualification. We partially 
agree and have included provisions to encourage electronic submission 
of applications. However, we do not have the resources at this time to 
create an online CoE application form and online database.
    MARAD received one comment recommending that institutional 
administration of the career programs offered should be simplified with 
standard format data entry facilitated by web-based and smart-phone 
technology to reduce administrative burden. We do not have the 
resources at this time to develop and implement such applications.
    MARAD received one comment recommending that a MARAD website should 
be established to share CoE information, references, case studies and 
lessons learned. We agree and will establish a CoE section on the MARAD 
website.
    MARAD received one comment recommending that MARAD compile and 
provide a particular set of labor data that specifically outlines the 
needs of the United States Maritime Industry. We do not have the 
resources at this time to implement this recommendation.
    MARAD received one comment recommending that the CoE program be 
expanded, beyond the items specifically authorized by the statute, to 
include:
    a. Development of maritime industry cluster maps to include central 
organizations such as shipyards, ports and harbors along with support 
businesses.
    b. Development of expectations and incentives for public-private 
partnerships between state, maritime community, maritime industry, 
trade associations and foundations.
    c. Provisions to include foreign investment.
    We have noted the recommendations but do not have the resources at 
this time to implement them.
    MARAD received and has noted two comments supporting other 
comments.
    MARAD received one comment endorsing a particular training 
institution and nine comments providing background information about 
the commenters and/or their organizations. We have noted these 
comments. However, the government's designation decision will be based 
upon our evaluation of the information submitted in each application to 
demonstrate compliance with the designation criteria.
    MARAD received one comment stating that the CoE program for afloat 
and ashore careers can help provide pathways and career technical 
education that sustains and improves the US maritime industries and 
economy. We agree.
    MARAD received one comment from the Offshore Marine Service 
Association strongly supporting the CoE program as improving the 
competency of the maritime industry, providing better pathways to good-
paying U.S. jobs and recognizing the important roles that Community 
Colleges and Technical Colleges play in this process. We agree.
    MARAD received one comment which did not pertain to the CoE Federal 
Register Notice and requires no action on our part.

Proposed Policy

    The agency is requesting public comment on the following proposed 
policy which describes the process through which MARAD proposes to 
exercise its discretionary authority to designate qualified applicants:

How To Be Designated a Center of Excellence for Domestic Maritime 
Workforce Training and Education

Introduction
    The Secretary of Transportation, acting through the Maritime 
Administrator, may designate certain eligible and qualified training 
entities as Centers of Excellence for Domestic Maritime Workforce 
Training and Education (CoE) and may subsequently execute Cooperative 
Agreements with CoE designees. The Maritime

[[Page 34996]]

Administration (MARAD) has developed the CoE Program to provide 
interested parties with comprehensive agency guidance on how best to 
apply for CoE designation. However, conformity with this CoE applicant 
guidance, except where explicit in the statute, is voluntary only. 
MARAD will review and consider all applications it receives and may 
contact applicants with questions to assist in reviewing their 
applications.
    Eligible training entities seeking to be designated as a CoE are 
welcome to apply with MARAD. The application should include information 
to demonstrate that the applicant institution meets certain eligibility 
criteria, designation requirements, and attributes consistent with 46 
U.S.C. 54102.

Key Terms

    The following list of key terms are either directly taken from the 
statute or have been developed by MARAD and/or from comments received 
from the public during our earlier notice and comment period. The list 
is intended to assist applicants by providing context and insight into 
the approval process. If you believe that your institution qualifies 
for CoE designee status under an alternate interpretation or by 
qualifications not otherwise clearly articulated in the statute, please 
provide a cogent justification for any such alternative and it will be 
given due consideration during our review.
    a. ``Afloat Career'' is a term developed by MARAD to mean a career 
as a merchant mariner compensated for service aboard a vessel in the 
U.S. Maritime Industry.
    b. ``Arctic'' as explicitly stated in the statute means all United 
States and foreign territory north of the Arctic Circle and all United 
States territory north and west of the boundary formed by the 
Porcupine, Yukon, and Kuskokwim Rivers; all contiguous seas, including 
the Arctic Ocean and the Beaufort, Bering, and Chukchi Seas; and the 
Aleutian chain. [Section 112 of the Arctic Research and Policy Act of 
1984, codified at 15 U.S.C. 4111];
    c. ``Ashore Career'' is a term developed by MARAD to mean a shore-
based compensated occupation in the United States Maritime Industry.
    d. ``Community or Technical College'' is interpreted by MARAD to 
mean an institution of higher education that--
    1. admits as regular students, persons who are beyond the age of 
compulsory school attendance, or are enrolled in a high school and 
concurrently are participating in a dual credit or similar program, in 
the State in which the institution is located or in an adjoining State 
or region; and
    2. has primary focus on awarding Associate (or equivalent) degrees; 
and
    3. provides an educational program that is acceptable for full 
credit toward a bachelor's or equivalent degree or that may culminate 
in a professional or technical certificate or credential, stackable 
certificates and credentials, and/or two- year degree;
    e. ``Maritime Training Center'' is interpreted by MARAD to mean a 
training institution that
    1. does not grant baccalaureate or higher levels of academic 
degree; and
    2. is not a ``Community or Technical College''; and
    3. provides a structured program of training courses to prepare 
students and/or enhance their skills for Afloat Careers and/or Ashore 
Careers in the United States Maritime Industry.
    f. ``Mississippi River System'' is interpreted by MARAD to mean the 
mostly riverine network of the United States which includes the 
Mississippi River, and all connecting waterways, natural tributaries 
and distributaries. The system includes the Arkansas, Illinois, 
Missouri, Ohio, Red, Allegheny, Tennessee, Wabash and Atchafalaya 
rivers. Important connecting waterways include the Illinois Waterway, 
the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway, and the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway;
    g. ``Operated by, or under the supervision of a State'' is 
interpreted by MARAD to mean operated by or under the supervision of a 
public entity of a State government or one of its subdivisions, as well 
as, county governments, and city or local governments;
    1. ``operated by'' a State is interpreted by MARAD to mean that the 
State controls or provides direct oversight to the Maritime Training 
Center through:
    i. A State charter process, or other equivalent documents and 
system; and
    ii. a State oversight body.
    2. ``under the supervision of a State'' is interpreted by MARAD to 
mean that the State oversees in some manner the Maritime Training 
Center through:
    i. Accreditation or similar review, validation, and approval by a 
public entity of the State government or one of its subdivisions as 
well as, county governments, and city or local governments; or
    ii. Registration approval by a State Apprenticeship Agency (SAA), 
in accordance with 29 CFR part 29, of an apprenticeship program offered 
by the Maritime Training Center to qualified students from the public; 
or
    iii. Other means which demonstrate to MARAD that the State is 
supervising the educational process for which a CoE designation is 
sought.
    h. ``State'' is interpreted by MARAD to mean a State of the United 
States, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, the Virgin 
Islands, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, and any other 
territory or possession of the United States.
    i. ``United States Maritime Industry'' is a term developed by MARAD 
that includes all segments of the maritime-related transportation 
system of the United States, both in domestic and foreign trade, 
coastal and inland waters, as well as non-commercial maritime 
activities, such as pleasure boating, marine sciences (including all 
scientific research vessels) and all of the industries that support 
such uses, including, but not limited to vessel construction and 
repair, vessel operations, ship logistics supply, berthing, port 
operations, port intermodal operations, marine terminal operations, 
vessel design, marine brokerage, marine insurance, marine financing, 
chartering, maritime-oriented supply chain operations, offshore 
industry and maritime-oriented research and development.

Applicant Information

1. Who is eligible to apply for designation as a Center of Excellence 
for Domestic Maritime Workforce Training and Education (CoE)?

    Participation is entirely voluntary. Under the statute, an 
educational institution that provides training and education for the 
domestic maritime workforce is eligible to apply so long as it meets 
the following criteria:
    a. An institution located in a State that borders on at least one 
of the following bodies of water:
    1. Gulf of Mexico;
    2. Atlantic Ocean;
    3. Long Island Sound;
    4. Pacific Ocean;
    5. Great Lakes;
    6. Mississippi River System;
    7. Arctic; or
    8. Gulf of Alaska.
    b. The institution is either:
    1. A Community or Technical College; or
    2. A Maritime Training Center--
    i. Operated by, or under the supervision of a State; and
    ii. With a maritime training program in operation in its curriculum 
on 12/12/2017.

2. How does MARAD interpret the selection criteria for CoE designation?

    I. Assuming no alternative qualifications are provided, MARAD

[[Page 34997]]

will consider applicants eligible for designation if they can 
demonstrate compliance with all of the following criteria:
    a. The academic programs offered by the institution include:
    1. One or more Afloat Career preparation tracks in the United 
States Maritime Industry, and/or
    2. One or more Ashore Career preparation tracks in the United 
States Maritime Industry.
    b. Applicant institutions offering Afloat Career and/or Ashore 
Career tracks have been accredited as follows:
    1. ``Community or Technical Colleges'' hold current accreditation 
of the institution from a Regional Accreditation Agency or a Nationally 
Recognized Agency on the list of Accrediting Agencies approved by the 
U.S. Department of Education.
    2. ``Maritime Training Centers'' hold current accreditation--
    i. either of the institution, from a Regional Accreditation Agency 
or a Nationally Recognized Agency on the list of Accrediting Agencies 
approved by the U.S. Department of Education; or
    ii. of the maritime training program offered by the institution 
from:
    A. the State Apprenticeship Agency (SAA) in accordance with 29 CFR 
part 29, or
    B. the State's Department of Education or equivalent State agency, 
or
    C. the United States Coast Guard (USCG), or
    D. other appropriate external review body which is specifically 
authorized to review and validate post-secondary education programs and 
is acceptable to MARAD.
    c. As applicable, maintain USCG approval for the merchant mariner 
training program and/or merchant mariner training course(s) offered by 
the institution.
    d. Provide data and statistics to demonstrate institutional and/or 
program effectiveness. This should include, but is not limited to, 
recruitment data, past/current enrollment (trends), attrition rates, 
student program completion data, post-program job and placement 
statistics (to the extent available to the institution), and program 
effectiveness feedback from students, faculty, alumni, and other 
stakeholders.
    e. As applicable, maintain authorization and/or endorsement of the 
program and/or course(s) by an applicable professional society or 
industry body (including, but not limited to Welding, Electrician, 
Electronics, Maritime Construction, Maritime Logistics, Maritime 
Systems, etc.) to issue industry accepted certifications that reflect 
professional recognition of the level of educational or technical skill 
achievement.
    II. Additional factors to be considered may include the following 
qualitative attributes fostered by the institution:
    a. Supporting workforce needs of the local, state, or regional 
economy;
    b. Building Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) 
competencies of local/future workforce through maritime programs to 
meet emerging local, regional, and national economic interests;
    c. Promoting diversity and inclusion among the student body;
    d. Offering a broad-based curriculum and stackable credentials 
where applicable;
    e. Engaging and/or collaborating with the maritime industry 
including, but not limited to employers, associations, and other 
industry organizations or partners;
    f. Engaging and/or collaborating with employer-led maritime 
training practices and programs through Sector Partnerships as 
authorized in the 2014 Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Section 
3(26).
    g. Engaging and/or collaborating with local and regional maritime 
high schools with maritime, maritime related, Career Technical 
Education (CTE) or STEM programs;
    h. Engaging and/or collaborating with maritime academies and other 
institutions or organizations for advanced proficiency and higher 
education;
    i. Conducting other significant domestic maritime workforce 
development related activities.

3. What agreement may MARAD execute with a designated CoE?

    The Maritime Administrator, or designee, may enter into a 
cooperative agreement with a CoE to support maritime workforce training 
and education, including but not limited to efforts of the CoE to:
    1. Recruit, admit and train students;
    2. Recruit and train faculty;
    3. Expand or enhance facilities;
    4. Create new maritime career pathways;
    5. Award students credit for prior experience, including military 
service;
    6. Expand and improve employer-led maritime training practices and 
programs through the establishment of Sector Partnerships as authorized 
in the 2014 Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Section 3(26);
    7. Conduct such other CoE activities that are determined by MARAD 
to further maritime workforce training and education.

4. What specific assistance may MARAD offer to a designated CoE under a 
Cooperative Agreement?

    By entering into a cooperative agreement, MARAD may be able to 
offer the following types of assistance:
    1. Donation of surplus equipment to CoEs that also meet the 
requirements of 46 U.S.C. 51103(b)(2)(C);
    2. Temporary use of MARAD vessels and assets for indoctrination, 
training, and assistance, subject to availability and approval by MARAD 
and the Department of Defense when applicable. For any CoE requests 
relating to temporary use of a MARAD Training Ship operated by a State 
Maritime Academy, the MARAD approval process will include consultation 
with that Academy;
    3. Availability of MARAD subject matter experts to address students 
when feasible; and
    4. Funding, to the extent such funds are properly appropriated and 
made available for this purpose.

Implementation and Administration

    MARAD will evaluate the applicant's supporting documentation and 
either approve or disapprove the request for designation. During the 
evaluation of the application and the supporting documentation. MARAD 
may request clarifications or additional information from the 
applicant. Upon approval, the Maritime Administrator or his/her 
designee will make a designation. MARAD will thereafter publish the 
CoE's name and contact information on its website. After issuance of 
the designation, MARAD may enter into a cooperative agreement with the 
CoE.

5. When and where should I submit my application for designation?

    a. MARAD will publish notifications in the Federal Register and on 
our website at the beginning of March each year seeking applications on 
or before June 1. This should provide applicants a minimum of 60 days 
to prepare and submit their applications.

    Note: The first CoE application period is anticipated to occur 
sometime soon after the agency receives the required Office of 
Management and Budget information collection number. Accordingly, 
the first CoE application period to be noticed may occur outside the 
proposed March-June time frame.

    b. An eligible training entity seeking designation as a CoE may 
submit applications, including all supporting information and 
documents, by email to [email protected] or by mail addressed as 
follows: Department of Transportation, Maritime Administration, Deputy 
Associate

[[Page 34998]]

Administrator for Maritime Education and Training, Attention: CoE 
Designation Program, 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE, Washington, DC 20590.

6. How will I know the outcome of my designation request application?

    MARAD will notify each applicant of the status of their designation 
request. During the evaluation period, MARAD may request clarification 
or additional information from the applicant.

7. Does my CoE designation expire?

    CoE designations are identified by year (e.g., X has been 
designated a Center of Excellence for Domestic Maritime Workforce 
Training and Education for 2020). Successful applicants can apply each 
year for designation.

How To Apply for a CoE Designation

8. What should be included in my CoE Designation Application?

    Special Instructions: To assist MARAD in its review of your 
application and to ensure that your application is identified as 
complete, your institution should provide only concise and relevant 
information and supporting documentation to adequately demonstrate your 
eligibility and compliance with the statutory designation criteria. To 
that end, MARAD encourages your institution to ensure that each 
responsive section and each page of any document or enclosure in your 
application clearly references the question number(s) and section(s) 
listed in this guidance and or the statute. See the below examples:
    Example 1. ``Mar Ex'' is eligible for the CoE program as a 
community college. (Q10, Section I(c)). Please find enclosed our 
Articles of Incorporation, Certificate of Status, State supervision and 
validation document. (Q10, Section I(c)(1-3).
    Example 2. ``Mar Ex'' is enclosing the following supporting 
documents to demonstrate that our Maritime Training Center offers 
Afloat Track programs and that we are State accredited. (Q10, Section 
I(e)(2)): U.S. Department of Education Accrediting Agency XYZ 
accreditation (Q10, Section I(e)(2)(i)).

Information To Include in Your Application

    Including the following information will greatly assist our review 
process:
    a. Letter applying for CoE designation from the Chief Executive of 
the applicant institution.
    b. Applicant contact information
    1. Legal name of applicant institution and address.
    2. Chief executive's name, position title, address, phone number(s) 
and email.
    3. Points of contact (POC) name(s), position titles, phone 
number(s), emails.
    c. Indicate if the applicant institution is claiming eligibility 
for the CoE program as a ``Community or Technical College'' or 
``Maritime Training Center'', and submit the following supporting 
information and documents:
    1. Charter, Articles of Incorporation, Certificate of 
Incorporation, or equivalent, if applicable.
    2. Certificate of Status (also known as Certificate of Existence or 
Certificate of Good Standing), a document issued by a state official 
(usually the Secretary of State), if applicable.
    3. State operation or State supervision validation documents, if 
applicable.
    4. Non-Profit certification, if applicable.
    5. Accreditation approval letter(s) from an accrediting 
agency(ies).
    6. Approval letter from a State Apprenticeship Agency (SAA) in 
accordance with 29 CFR part 29, if applicable.
    7. Approval letter from the State's Department of Education or 
equivalent State agency, if applicable.
    8. Approval letter from the United States Coast Guard (USCG), if 
applicable.
    9. ISO 9001 or other quality management certification (Maritime 
Training Centers only), if applicable.
    10. Data and statistics to demonstrate institutional effectiveness. 
This should include, but not be limited to, recruitment data, past/
current enrollment (trends), attrition rates, student program 
completion data, and post-program job and placement statistics (to the 
extent available to the institution), and program effectiveness 
feedback from students, faculty, alumni, and other stakeholders.
    d. Indicate that the applicant offers one or more Afloat Career 
preparation tracks and/or one or more Ashore Career preparation tracks 
in the United States Maritime Industry and submit the following 
supporting information:
    1. Program summary;
    2. A description of applicable courses offered (only relevant 
maritime related program-specific pages from the catalogue);
    3. If applicable, letters of authorization and/or endorsement of 
the course/program and/or course(s) by an applicable professional 
society or industry body (including, but not limited to Welding, 
Electrician, Electronics, Maritime Construction, Maritime Logistics, 
Maritime Systems, etc.) to issue industry accepted certifications that 
reflect a professionally recognized level of educational or technical 
skill achievement; and
    4. Any other relevant supporting documentation.

    Note: Applicant institutions offering both Ashore and Afloat 
Career tracks are encouraged to submit supporting information for 
both tracks.

    e. Applicant institutions offering Afloat Career and/or Ashore 
Career tracks should indicate that they have satisfied accreditation 
requirements, as set forth below:
    1. ``Community and Technical Colleges'' hold current accreditation 
of the institution from a Regional Accreditation Agency or a Nationally 
Recognized Agency on the list of Accrediting Agencies approved by the 
U.S. Department of Education.
    2. ``Maritime Training Centers'' hold current accreditation--
    i. either of the institution from a Regional Accreditation Agency 
or a Nationally Recognized; Agency on the list of Accrediting Agencies 
approved by the U.S. Department of Education; or
    ii. of the maritime training program offered by the institution 
from one or more of the following:
    A. A State Apprenticeship Agency (SAA) in accordance with 29 CFR 
part 29, or
    B. the State's Department of Education or equivalent State agency, 
or
    C. the United States Coast Guard (USCG), if applicable; or
    D. other appropriate external review body which is specifically 
authorized to review and validate post-secondary education programs and 
is acceptable to MARAD.
    f. All applicant institutions may submit a brief narrative 
statement for one or more qualitative attributes fostered by the 
institution to accomplish the following:
    1. Support the workforce needs of the local, state, or regional 
economy;
    2. Build the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) 
competencies of local/future workforce to meet emerging local, 
regional, and national economic interests;
    3. Promote diversity and inclusion among the student body;
    4. Offer a broad-based curriculum and stackable credentials, where 
applicable;
    5. Engage and/or collaborate with the maritime industry, including, 
but not limited to employers, associations, and other industry 
organizations or partners;
    6. Engage and/or collaborate with employer-led maritime training 
practices and programs through Sector Partnerships as authorized in the 
2014

[[Page 34999]]

Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Section 3(26);
    7. Engage and/or collaborate with local and regional maritime high 
schools with maritime, maritime related, Career Technical Education 
(CTE) or STEM programs;
    8. Engage and/or collaborate with maritime academies and other 
institutions or organizations for advanced proficiency and higher 
education;
    9. Conduct other significant domestic maritime workforce 
development related activities.
    g. All applicant institutions may provide any relevant 
endorsements, awards, recognition and significant accomplishments in 
support of their application.

Specific Issues for Comment

    In addition to seeking general comments on the above proposed new 
policy, the agency is requesting public comment on the following 
issues:
    1. Whether the proposed policy is clear, appropriate and adequate?
    2. Whether CoE designation will enhance the maritime industry's 
ability to identify workforce resource opportunities;
    3. Whether and to what extent the proposed application process is 
overly burdensome and how it may be simplified; and
    4. Whether the proposed process raises specific legal or practical 
issues for the program participant or the maritime industry, the 
specific nature of those issues, and how such issues might be addressed 
by MARAD.

Policy Analysis and Notices

    Consistent with the Administrative Procedures Act and Department of 
Transportation rulemaking policy, MARAD is publishing this guidance as 
a proposed policy in the Federal Register to indicate how it plans to 
exercise the discretionary authority provided by Section 3507 of the 
National Defense Authorization Act of 2018, Public Law 115-91 (December 
12, 2017). Nothing in this notice or in the proposed policy itself 
requires MARAD to exercise its discretionary authority under 46 U.S.C. 
54102. This proposed policy would establish a voluntary program in 
which successful applicants may be designated as a Center of Excellence 
for Domestic Maritime Workforce Training and Education (CoE).

Paperwork Reduction Act

    This proposed policy would establish a new requirement for the 
collection of information for all program participants. The Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) will be requested to review the information 
collection requirements under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 
U.S.C. Section 3501, et seq.).
    In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act, this document 
announces MARAD's intentions to request public comments regarding the 
collection of information arising under this proposed policy.
    Copies of this notice and information collection request may be 
obtained from the Office of Security, MAR-420, Suite W25-308, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
    Title of Information Collection: Centers of Excellence for Domestic 
Maritime Workforce Training and Education Program.
    OMB Control Number: Pending.
    Form Number: None.
    Expiration Date of Approval: Three years following approval by the 
Office of Management and Budget.
    Summary of Collection of Information: Entities seeking to obtain 
designation as a Center of Excellence for Domestic Maritime Workforce 
Training and Education (CoE). Entities seeking CoE designation must 
submit certain information described in the proposed policy and 
application procedures. No form is required to make a submission. 
However, all information described in the application procedures will 
be required to be submitted as described therein and is necessary for 
the proper review of the applicant's qualifications.
    Need for and Use of the Information: The information collected will 
be used to analyze whether applicants have the qualifications to meet 
the programmatic requirements of Section 3507 of the National Defense 
Authorization Act, 2018. This policy is necessary to establish an 
understanding between MARAD and the applicant/training entity that 
certain terms must be met to hold a CoE designation. Without this 
information, MARAD would not be able to offer the benefit of its CoE 
designation program to applicants. In addition, CoE designation will 
facilitate the training and education of a domestic maritime workforce 
essential to meeting the nation's current and projected economic and 
national security needs.
    Description of Respondents: As defined by statute, Community 
Colleges, Technical Colleges and certain Maritime Training Centers with 
a maritime training program in operation on December 12, 2017.
    Annual Responses: Once the Program is implemented, the agency 
anticipates between 75-100 submissions each year. Designation is a one-
time event identified by year. However, the agency does anticipate the 
collection of information annually from the same estimated number of 
training entities seeking annual designation.
    Annual Burden: 24 hours per program participant.

(Authority: The National Defense Authorization Act of 2018, Pub. L. 
115-91 (December 12, 2017), 46 U.S.C. 54102)
    * * *

    Dated: July 16, 2019.

    By Order of the Maritime Administrator.
T. Mitchell Hudson, Jr.,
Secretary, Maritime Administration.
[FR Doc. 2019-15406 Filed 7-18-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-81-P