Center of Excellence for Domestic Maritime Workforce; Notice of Opportunity To Apply for Training and Education Designation
| Published date | 23 October 2020 |
| Citation | 85 FR 67599 |
| Record Number | 2020-23490 |
| Section | Notices |
| Court | Maritime Administration,Transportation Department |
Federal Register, Volume 85 Issue 206 (Friday, October 23, 2020)
[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 206 (Friday, October 23, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67599-67603]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-23490]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Maritime Administration
[Docket Number MARAD-2018-0088]
Center of Excellence for Domestic Maritime Workforce; Notice of
Opportunity To Apply for Training and Education Designation
AGENCY: Maritime Administration, Department of Transportation.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This notice invites eligible and qualified training entities
to apply to the Maritime Administration (MARAD) for designation as a
Center 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 March 6, 2020, the
agency published a final notice in the Federal Register announcing its
voluntary program to identify and recommend qualified training
providers for CoE designation and the agency intent to obtain a current
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number for the
information collection requirements resulting from this action. OMB has
since approved an information collection control number for collecting
CoE applications. The purpose of this notice is to solicit applications
from eligible and qualified training entities for CoE designation.
DATES: Applications, including all supporting information and
documents, must be submitted by 8:00 p.m. E.D.T. on December 22, 2020.
ADDRESSES: Applications, including all supporting information and
documents, must be submitted via electronic mail to [email protected].
The original application letter, including one copy of all supporting
information and documents, may also be submitted by mail addressed to
U.S. Department of Transportation, Maritime Administration, Deputy
Associate Administrator for Maritime Education and Training, Attention:
CoE Designation Program,1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC
20590.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nuns Jain, Maritime Administration, at
[email protected] or at 757-322-5801. You may send mail to Nuns Jain at
Maritime Administration, Building 19,
[[Page 67600]]
Suite 300, 7737 Hampton Boulevard, Norfolk, VA 23505.
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 policy 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
criteria, and qualitative attributes consistent with Section 3507 of
the Act.
The MARAD application procedure and program details are listed
below and are also available to the public on its website at https://www.maritime.dot.gov/education/maritime-centers-excellence.
Prior Federal Action
As the first step in developing a CoE policy, MARAD issued a
Federal Register 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. On July 19, 2019, MARAD
published another notice (84 FR 34994) in which MARAD responded to
comments received and sought comments on the proposed policy to which
five comments were received. On March 6, 2020, MARAD published its
final CoE designation policy in the Federal Register (85 FR 13231) in
which MARAD responded to comments received and sought new comments to
the Office of Management and Budget on the information collection
requirements in the CoE designation policy to which no comments were
received. All 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.
Applicant Assistance
To assist applicants to be designated as a Center of Excellence for
Domestic Maritime Workforce Training and Education, please find below
MARAD's policy to include recommendations on how best to apply.
MARAD Center of Excellence for Domestic Maritime Workforce Training and
Education Designation Policy
This policy describes the process through which MARAD will exercise
its discretionary authority to designate Centers of Excellence for
Domestic Maritime Workforce Training and Education.
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. 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 to the extent that it references statutory
requirements, is voluntary only. MARAD will review and consider all
applications it receives and may contact applicants with questions to
assist in reviewing their applications. The CoE Program is a voluntary
program. Each eligible and qualified training entity is free to decide
whether it wishes to participate in the program and apply for a CoE
designation.
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 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.
1. ``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.
2. ``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];
3. ``Ashore Career'' is a term developed by MARAD to mean a shore-
based compensated occupation in the United States Maritime Industry.
4. ``Community or Technical College'' is interpreted by MARAD to
mean an institution of higher education that--
a. 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
b. has primary focus on awarding Associate (or equivalent) degrees;
and
c. 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;
5. ``Maritime Training Center'' is interpreted by MARAD to mean a
training institution that:
a. Does not grant baccalaureate or higher levels of academic
degree;
b. is not a ``Community or Technical College''; and
c. 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.
6. ``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,
[[Page 67601]]
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.
7. ``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;
a. ``operated by'' a State is interpreted by MARAD to mean that the
State controls or provides direct oversight to the Maritime Training
Center or the Community or Technical College through:
i. a State charter process, or other equivalent documents and
system; and
ii. a State oversight body.
b. ``under the supervision of a State'' is interpreted by MARAD to
mean that the State oversees in some manner the Maritime Training
Center or the Community or Technical College through at least one of
the following means:
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;
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.
c. ``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.
d. ``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 in the CoE program is entirely voluntary for an
eligible educational institution. An eligible educational institution
is not required to seek a CoE designation. 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:
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; or
3. A group of Community or Technical Colleges and/or Maritime
Training Centers that:
i. Consists only of members that meet the eligibility criteria at
(1)(a) and either (1)(b)(1) or (1)(b)(2), and the selection criteria
under (2);
ii. Names a member of such group as a lead entity. The lead entity
will serve as the primary point of contact with MARAD and will be
responsible for all duties, including administrative, legal and
financial, as related to the CoE designation. For example, the lead
entity is responsible for submitting the CoE application, responding to
any inquiries from MARAD, and coordinating and executing any
cooperative agreements with MARAD; and
iii. Has a legally binding agreement signed by all members. That
agreement must include the name of the group, which will receive the
CoE designation if one is granted, and list the lead entity and its
responsibilities consistent with (ii) of this section.
2. How does MARAD interpret the selection criteria for CoE designation?
I. Assuming no alternative qualifications are provided, MARAD will
consider applicants eligible for designation if they can demonstrate
compliance with all 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 either:
A. The State Apprenticeship Agency (SAA) in accordance with 29 CFR
part 29,
B. the State's Department of Education or equivalent State agency,
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
[[Page 67602]]
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 or other high schools with maritime, maritime related,
Career Technical Education (CTE) or STEM programs;
h. Engaging and/or collaborating with maritime academies as
appropriate and other applicable institutions or organizations for
advanced proficiency and higher education; and
i. Conducting other significant domestic maritime workforce
development related activities.
3. What agreement may MARAD execute with a designated CoE?
Designation as a COE does not entitle any entity to any federal
funding and does not necessarily lead to a cooperative agreement with
MARAD. 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:
a. Recruit, admit, and train students;
b. Recruit and train faculty;
c. Expand or enhance facilities;
d. Create new maritime career pathways;
e. Award students credit for prior experience, including military
service;
f. 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); and
g. 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:
a. Donation of surplus equipment to CoEs that also meet the
requirements of 46 U.S.C. 51103(b)(2)(C);
b. 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;
c. Availability of MARAD subject matter experts to address students
when feasible; and
d. 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
its 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.
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 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 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:
1. Letter applying for CoE designation from the Chief Executive of
the applicant institution.
2. Applicant contact information:
[[Page 67603]]
a. Legal name of applicant institution and address.
b. Chief executive's name, position title, address, phone number(s)
and email.
c. Points of contact (POC) name(s), position titles, phone
number(s), emails.
3. 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:
a. Charter, Articles of Incorporation, Certificate of
Incorporation, or equivalent, if applicable.
b. 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.
c. State operation or State supervision validation documents, if
applicable.
d. Non-Profit certification, if applicable.
e. Accreditation approval letter(s) from an accrediting
agency(ies).
f. Approval letter from a State Apprenticeship Agency (SAA) in
accordance with 29 CFR part 29, if applicable.
g. Approval letter from the State's Department of Education or
equivalent State agency, if applicable.
h. Approval letter from the United States Coast Guard (USCG), if
applicable.
i. ISO 9001 or other quality management certification (Maritime
Training Centers only), if applicable.
j. 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, post-program job and placement statistics (to the
extent available to the institution), and program effectiveness
feedback from students, faculty, alumni, and other stakeholders.
4. 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:
a. Program summary;
b. A description of applicable courses offered (only relevant
maritime related program-specific pages from the catalogue);
c. 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
d. Any other relevant supporting documentation.
Note: Applicant institutions offering both Ashore and Afloat Career
tracks are encouraged to submit supporting information for both tracks.
5. Applicant institutions offering Afloat Career and/or Ashore
Career tracks should indicate that they have satisfied accreditation
requirements, as set forth below:
a. ``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.
b. ``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,
B. the State's Department of Education or equivalent State agency,
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.
6. All applicant institutions may submit a brief narrative
statement for one or more qualitative attributes fostered by the
institution to accomplish the following:
a. Support the workforce needs of the local, state, or regional
economy;
b. Build the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math)
competencies of local/future workforce to meet emerging local,
regional, and national economic interests;
c. Promote diversity and inclusion among the student body;
d. Offer a broad-based curriculum and stackable credentials, where
applicable;
e. Engage and/or collaborate with the maritime industry, including,
but not limited to employers, associations, and other industry
organizations or partners;
f. Engage and/or collaborate 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. Engage and/or collaborate with local and regional maritime high
schools with maritime, maritime related, Career Technical Education
(CTE) or STEM programs;
h. Engage and/or collaborate with maritime academies and other
institutions or organizations for advanced proficiency and higher
education; and
i. Conduct other significant domestic maritime workforce
development related activities.
7. All applicant institutions may provide any relevant
endorsements, awards, recognition and significant accomplishments in
support of their application.
Nothing in this policy requires MARAD to exercise its discretionary
authority under 46 U.S.C. 54102. This policy establishes 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
The information collection requirements in the final CoE
designation policy have been approved under information collection
number 2133-0549 by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq. In accordance
with 5 CFR 1320.5(b)(2)(i), persons are not required to provide
information to the Government unless the information collection
displays a current and valid OMB control number. This application
process is operating under the following current and valid OMB control
number: 2133-0549.
(Authority: The National Defense Authorization Act of 2018, Pub. L.
115-91 (December 12, 2017), 46 U.S.C. 54102, The Paperwork Reduction
Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35, as amended, 49 CFR 1.49)
Dated: October 20, 2020.
By Order of the Maritime Administrator.
T. Mitchell Hudson, Jr.,
Secretary, Maritime Administration.
[FR Doc. 2020-23490 Filed 10-22-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-81-P
