Job Training Partnership Act: Job Corps Program; Selection of Sites for Centers

SUMMARY: The Department of Labor requests assistance in identifying

sites and facilities for locating five new Job Corps Centers. This

notice specifies the requirements and criteria for selection.

DATES: Proposals are requested by June 8, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Proposals shall be addressed to the Assistant Secretary for

Employment and Training, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution

Avenue, NW., room N4508, Washington, DC 20210. Attention: Mary H.

Silva, National Director, Job Corps.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary H. Silva, National Director, Job

Corps. Telephone: (202) 219-8550 (this is not a toll-free number).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Department of Labor (Department) is

soliciting proposals for sites to establish five new Job Corps centers.

Proposers may submit separate applications to establish a residential

center, a satellite non-residential center, or both. The Job Corps

program is designed to serve disadvantaged young women and men, 16

through 24, who are in need of additional educational, vocational and

social skills training, and other support services in order to gain

meaningful employment, return to school or enter the Armed Forces. The

program is primarily a residential program operating 24 hours per day,

7 days per week, with non-resident enrollees limited by legislation to

20 percent of national enrollment. However, while the 20 percent level

should be used as a guideline, the percentage of non-residents can vary

from center to center, depending upon local needs.

From this solicitation, the Department intends to select five

localities for locating new centers. Three of the five centers will be

stand-alone facilities of sufficient size to serve about 300 students

each, and encompass both residential and non-residential components.

The remaining two facilities will be satellite centers limited to

approximately 150 non-residential students each.

This solicitation is for site selection only and not for the

operation of these Job Corps centers. A competitive contract

procurement for selection of a center operator at each site will be

initiated and completed well after the site selection process has been

completed.

Congress has authorized this expansion effort by appropriating $4

million in the Fiscal Year 1998 budget for Job Corps to initiate five

new Job Corps centers. Additional funds in the amount of $33 million

are being requested for appropriation in Fiscal Year 1999 to complete

the necessary design and construction work to establish centers on the

sites eventually selected. The Department of Labor is initiating a

competitive process for selecting these sites. Official Congressional

guidance that came with the 1998 appropriation said that the Department

should give priority to:

States without a Job Corps campus, and

Suitable facilities that can be provided to Job Corps at

little or no cost, including facilities that can be made available

through military base closings.

The Department also requires that a military base contained in any

site proposal be available for Job Corps use on a timely basis.

The Congress further directed the Department to give consideration

to the establishment of new Job Corps centers, and the construction of

satellite centers in proximity to existing high-performing centers.

The Department has also decided to limit site selection to no more

than one site in any state.

The determination of a locality's need for a Job Corps center will

be made by analyzing State-level poverty rates for youth and youth

unemployment using standardized uniform data available through federal

agencies, such as 1990 census data, Bureau of Labor Statistics

publications, and information on existing Job Corps centers, slots and

locations.

In addition to the requirements in the appropriations language, the

Department will also assess the facilities at proposed sites. The

assessment will be in terms of property acquisition costs, the cost and

suitability of existing structures and the need for, and cost of, new

construction and renovation. As indicated previously, priority will be

given to proposed sites that offer no-cost or low-cost turnkey

facilities (those in move-in condition requiring little or no

construction rehabilitation work) which can quickly be made ready for

use by Job Corps.

Further, the Department will assess each jurisdiction's plan to use

State and local resources, both public and private, through

contributions/linkages that will reduce the Federal cost of operating a

Job Corps center. Such contributions/linkages may include, but are not

limited to the following: the provision of work-based learning sites

and donations of training equipment by the local employer community;

provision of child care services by local jurisdictions; provision of

health services; alcohol and drug counseling; referral of eligible

youth to Job Corps; and job placement assistance after students leave

Job Corps. Other linkages may include arrangements with public school

systems, community college networks, social service agencies, business

and industry, and other training programs to provide services such as

classroom training, curriculum advice, vocational training, advanced

learning opportunities, and co-enrollment arrangements with appropriate

JTPA programs. Contributions of this nature will make maximum use of

available statewide and community resources in meeting the needs of Job

Corps-eligible youth.

Eligible applicants for proposing sites are units of State and/or

local governments. A Federal agency also may propose sites to the

extent that such sites are located on public land which is under the

jurisdiction of the agency. In addition, proposals submitted by Federal

agencies must have the support of appropriate State and local

governments.

Since Job Corps is primarily a residential program that provides

academic education, vocational training, and extensive support

services, space and facilities suitable for the following types of

utilization are required for a Job Corps center.

Residential--Adequate dormitory living space, including

bath and lounge facilities, as well as appropriate administrative

space.

Academic Education--Space for classrooms, computer labs,

libraries and other learning resource areas.

Vocational Training--Classroom and shop space to satisfy

the needs of specific vocational training areas (e.g., carpentry,

clerical, painting, culinary arts, health education). The configuration

of the vocational area, with regard to classroom and shop areas, is

determined by the ultimate vocational mix offered at the center. In

this regard, heavy trades, such as construction and automotive, require

shop areas, while lighter trades, such as clerical and retail sales,

require only classroom space.

Food Services--Cafeteria, including food preparation and

food storage areas.

[[Page 11813]]

Medical/Dental--Medical examining rooms, nurses' station,

infirmary space for male and female students, and dental facilities.

Recreation--Gymnasium/multi-purpose recreational facility

and large, level outdoor recreational area suitable for softball,

soccer, etc.

Administration--General office and conference space.

Storage/Support--Warehousing and related storage including

operations and maintenance support.

Parking--Sufficient for a minimum of 100 vehicles.

For the two satellite centers, in addition to being located in

close proximity to an existing high-performing center, space and

facilities are the same as for residential centers, except for the

following:

Residential--Not required.

Food Service--Requires a reduced food service area.

Recreation--Requires a student lounge/recreational

space for students to gather before the training day begins, between

classes, and at the end of the day. No outdoor area is required, since

students return to their residences at the completion of each training

day.

Other factors that influence the suitability and cost of facilities

necessary to operate a Job Corps center include the following:

Configuration of Facility

The preferred configuration of a facility is a campus-type

environment permitting a self-contained center with all space

requirements located on-site. Low-rise buildings such as those commonly

found in public school and college settings are preferred.

The Office of Job Corps has developed prototype designs for

selected facilities where new construction is necessary. Parties

interested in obtaining copies of these designs may do so by contacting

the Office of Job Corps at the address shown above.

Location of Facilities

Facilities should be located in areas where neighbors are

supportive and no major pervasive community opposition exists. Past

experience indicates that commercial and light industrial locations are

most desirable for locating either a residential or satellite center,

while high-value residential areas are the least conducive to community

acceptance. Further, rural locations are not appropriate for the

establishment of satellite centers because, due to the absence of

reliable public transportation, there are not sufficient numbers of the

target population to keep such centers full on a continual basis.

In addition, access to emergency medical services and fire and law

enforcement assistance should be within reasonable distances. If non-

residential enrollment is planned, direct and easy access to the center

by public transportation is an important consideration and is essential

for the operation of a satellite center. Proposed sites should also be

within reasonable commuting distance of planned linkages with other

programs and services and transportation to these linkages should be

easily available.

Locations with major environmental issues, zoning restrictions,

flood plain and storm drainage requirements, or uncertainty regarding

utility connections that cannot be resolved efficiently and in a timely

manner are less than desirable. Likewise, a facility with buildings

eligible for protection under the National Historical Preservation Act

may receive less than favorable consideration, due to restrictions on,

and costs for, renovation. Proposed facilities should also be in full

compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act Guidelines of 1990

(28 CFR part 36, revised July 1, 1994), or require minimal renovation

to ensure full access by persons with disabilities.

In addition, for satellite centers, such proposed sites should be

located in an area with a relatively high population density and within

a 50-mile radius of an existing high-performing Job Corps center.

Communities are encouraged to hold public hearings in close

proximity to the facilities being proposed to ascertain the level of

community support for a Job Corps center. The Office of Job Corps has

developed a 12-minute video (available in English and Spanish) which

provides an overview of the Job Corps program and which can be useful

in informing the local community about Job Corps. Any proposer

interested in obtaining a copy of either version of this video may

contact the Office of Job Corps at the address shown above.

Own/Lease

Ownership is preferred over leased facilities, particularly if a

substantial investment of construction funds is needed to make the site

suitable for Job Corps utilization. Exceptions are long-term leases

(e.g., 25 years or longer) at a nominal cost (e.g., $1/year).

Size

The following table shows the approximate gross square feet (GSF)

required for the various types of buildings needed to operate a Job

Corps residential center with 300 students, and a satellite center with

150 students. The examples shown are for centers with 100-percent

residential capacity of 300 and non-residential capacity of 150,

respectively. The substitution of non-resident for resident students

will decrease the dormitory space requirements for a residential center

but will not affect other buildings.

Gross Square Feet (GSF) Requirements By Type Of Building For Residential and Satellite Job Corps Centers

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Residential center Satellite center

---------------------------------------------------

Building type GSF per GSF per 300 GSF per GSF per 150

student students student students

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Housing..................................................... 175 52,500 ........... ...........

Education/Vocation.......................................... 85 25,500 85 12,750

Food Services............................................... 44 13,200 40 6,000

Recreation.................................................. 82 24,600 60 9,000

Medical/Dental.............................................. 12 3,600 12 1,800

Administration.............................................. 26 7,800 26 3,900

Storage/Support............................................. 57 17,100 50 7,500

---------------------------------------------------

Sub-Total............................................... ........... 144,300 ........... 40,950

===================================================

Child Care Center (40 children)............................. ........... 5,760 ........... 5,760

---------------------------------------------------

[[Page 11814]]

Total............................................... ........... 150,060 ........... 46,710

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Note: Space requirements for child care programs are included in

the event these activities are proposed.

Land Requirements

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

of 300 students. There are no acreage requirements for a satellite

center.

Availability of Utilities

It is critical that all basic utilities (i.e., sewer, water,

electric and gas) are available and in proximity to the site and in

accordance with EPA standards.

Safety, Health and Accessibility

Job Corps is required to comply with the requirements of the

Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA), the Environmental Protection

Act (EPA), the Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards (UFAS), and the

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. The cost involved in

complying with these requirements is an important factor in determining

the economic feasibility of utilizing a site. For example, a site which

contains an excessive amount of asbestos probably would not be cost-

effective due to associated removal costs. Further, sites with any

environmental hazards that cannot be corrected economically will be at

a disadvantage, as will sites requiring substantial rehabilitation to

comply with accessibility requirements for persons with disabilities.

Cost

The availability of low-cost facilities is a major consideration in

light of resource limitations. In evaluating facility costs, the major

items that must be considered are:

Site acquisition or lease costs,

Site/utility work,

Architectural and engineering services,

Rehabilitation and modifications of existing buildings,

New construction requirements, if any, and

Equipment requirements.

An assessment of these initial capital costs as well as

consideration of future repair, maintenance and replacement costs will

be used in evaluating the economic feasibility of a particular

facility. Preference will be given to existing turnkey facilities that

meet Job Corps' standards for a training facility. While not

preferable, limited consideration will be given to the use of raw land

which is suitable for a Job Corps residential center on which

facilities can be constructed economically.

Proposal Submission

In preparing proposals, eligible applicants should identify sites

which meet the evaluation criteria and guidelines specified above.

Proposals should address each area with as much detail as practicable

to enable the Department to determine the suitability of locating a Job

Corps center at the proposed site. In this regard, proposals must

contain, at a minimum, the specific information and supporting

documentation as described below.

Facilities

Submissions must provide a full description of existing buildings,

including a building site layout, square footage, age, and general

condition of each structure. Included in the description must be a

discussion of its current or previous use; the number of years

unoccupied, if appropriate; and the condition of sub-systems such as

heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, plumbing, and

electrical. Any building documents, such as blueprints, should be

available for review when a site inspection is conducted by the

Department. Documentation in the nature of photographs of the property

and/or facilities must be submitted as well. In addition, a videotaped

presentation of the site may be provided. The proposal must identify

the extent to which hazardous materials such as asbestos, PCB, and

underground storage tanks are present at the site or, if appropriate,

confirm that contaminants do not exist. The results of any

environmental assessment for the proposed site, if one has been done,

must be provided. The proposal must address the availability and

proximity of utilities to the proposed site, including electrical,

water, gas, and sanitary sewer and runoff connections. It must also

describe whether the water and sewer utilities for existing buildings

are connected to the municipal system or operated separately. A

statement on current zoning classification and any zoning restrictions

for the proposed site must also be included. Use of the site as a Job

Corps center should be compatible with surrounding local land use and

also with local zoning ordinances. Confirmation must be provided as to

whether or not any buildings at the site are on a Federal Register. The

proposal must also describe the available acreage at the site, and the

nature of the surrounding environment including whether it is

commercial, industrial, light industrial, rural, or residential. In

some instances, proposed sites may be part of a substantially larger

acreage which has or contemplates having other uses. This type of

joint-use situation may or may not be compatible with providing a

quality training environment for young women and men. Finally, the

proposal must address the cost of acquiring the site, which may involve

transferring the site to the government at no cost, entering into a

low-cost long-term lease agreement or arranging for a negotiated

purchase price based on a fair market appraisal. Estimated acquisition

costs along with the basis for the estimate must be included in the

proposal.

Contributions/Linkages

An important aspect of any proposal will be its description of how

State and local resources will be used to reduce Federal operating

costs or otherwise benefit the program. It is, therefore, essential

that precise and comprehensive information about the linkages be

provided to ensure that the proposed site receives every opportunity

for a thorough and equitable evaluation. The proposal should contain

for each linkage the following information:

A comprehensive description of the service to be provided,

including projected listing of resources that will be involved such as

number of instructors/staff, types of equipment and materials.

[[Page 11815]]

Whether it will be provided at no cost to Job Corps or

will be available on a contractual (paid) basis to Job Corps.

Whether the linkage will be provided on-site or off-site.

The number of students to be served and over what period

of time, as well as the specific benefits to Job Corps students while

in Job Corps and/or after leaving the program.

Distance to linkage, if off-site, and any arrangements for

transportation to off-site services, including any cost to Job Corps.

The estimated annual value of the contribution and the

basis on which the estimate was determined (e.g., two full-time staff

devoted to Job Corps at an annual salary of $30,000 each for a total

annual value of $60,000, or one hour of a professional staff-person's

time per week for 52 weeks at an hourly rate of $15.00 for an annual

value of $780.00, or 15 computers at a cost of $1,800 each for an

annual value of $27,000).

Any limitations associated with the linkage, such as

eligibility restrictions (e.g., in-state versus out-of-state

residents), limited hours of service, and availability over time (e.g.,

all-year versus selected months).

Long-term prospects for continuation of the commitment

(e.g., one time only, 1 year, on-going, dependent on outside funding

sources). If dependent on outside funding levels, which may vary

significantly, what is the likelihood that the linkage will not be

funded?

Documentation that addresses timeframes and steps involved

in firming up the linkage, if appropriate, including obtaining State or

local legislation, fitting into other planning cycles, or securing

other agreements or arrangements which may be necessary to assure

provision of the service.

A letter of commitment confirming each aspect of the

linkage, including the level of resources and annual value of these

resources, from the head of the agency responsible for delivering the

contribution.

Name of the agency/organization(s), address, telephone

number and contact person.

In providing information on linkages, proposers should keep in mind

that Job Corps is an open-entry, open-exit, individualized, self-paced

instructional program that operates on a year-round basis. This type of

learning environment may have implications for the types of linkages

being offered.

In preparing the linkage/contribution part of their proposals,

eligible applicants should provide full information on each proposed

linkage/contribution. All items listed above should be addressed for

each linkage/contribution, providing as much information as is needed

to ensure that each proposed linkage receives a fair assessment.

Community Support

This information should include: letters of community support from

elected officials, government agencies, community and business leaders

and neighborhood associations; access to cultural/ recreation

activities in the community; and unique features in the surrounding

area which would enhance the location of a Job Corps center at that

site.

The Job Corps legislation provides the Governor with the

opportunity to veto the establishment of a center within a State. It is

important that, before proposing the use of any particular location,

appropriate clearances are obtained from local and State political

leadership and, where possible, a letter from the Governor supporting

the proposed site be contained in the application. Proposals should

also include any other information the applicant believes pertinent to

the proposed site for consideration by the Department.

With regard to timeframes for choosing sites for the establishment

of Job Corps centers, the site selection process normally takes 9

months to complete. This allows sufficient time for eligible applicants

to prepare and submit proposals and for the Department to conduct a

preliminary site assessment of all proposed facilities, as well as a

comprehensive site utilization study for those sites determined to have

high potential for the establishment of a Job Corps center, based on

the preliminary assessment results. Governors of States in which high-

potential sites are identified will be notified in writing by the

Department, in accordance with section 435(c) of the Job Training

Partnership Act, that these sites are in a final phase of

consideration. Each Governor will be provided a 30-day time period to

approve or reject further consideration of establishment of a Job Corps

center at the identified site(s).

The Department hereby requests eligible proposers to submit an

original and three copies of their proposal to be received no later

than June 8, 1998 using the guidance provided above.

Signed in Washington, DC, this 25th day of February, 1998.

Raymond J. Uhalde,

Acting Assistant Secretary of Labor.

[FR Doc. 98-6117 Filed 3-9-98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4510-30-P