83_FR_25214 83 FR 25109 - Centers of Excellence for Domestic Maritime Workforce Training and Education

83 FR 25109 - Centers of Excellence for Domestic Maritime Workforce Training and Education

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Maritime Administration

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 105 (May 31, 2018)

Page Range25109-25111
FR Document2018-11682

This notice provides interested parties with the opportunity to comment on the Maritime Administration's (MARAD) application process to designate training entities as Centers of Excellence for Domestic Maritime Workforce Training and Education (CoE). The Secretary of Transportation, acting through the Maritime Administrator, may make CoE designations and enter Cooperative Agreements with CoE designees. MARAD is developing the below Proposed Applicant Guide and invites public comment to ensure that the designation procedure and guidance is simple, clear, and comprehensive.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 105 (Thursday, May 31, 2018)
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 105 (Thursday, May 31, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25109-25111]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-11682]



[[Page 25109]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Maritime Administration

[Docket No. MARAD-2018-0088]


Centers of Excellence for Domestic Maritime Workforce Training 
and Education

AGENCY: Maritime Administration, Department of Transportation.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: This notice provides interested parties with the opportunity 
to comment on the Maritime Administration's (MARAD) application process 
to designate training entities as Centers of Excellence for Domestic 
Maritime Workforce Training and Education (CoE). The Secretary of 
Transportation, acting through the Maritime Administrator, may make CoE 
designations and enter Cooperative Agreements with CoE designees. MARAD 
is developing the below Proposed Applicant Guide and invites public 
comment to ensure that the designation procedure and guidance is 
simple, clear, and comprehensive.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before July 2, 2018. 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 http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments on 
the electronic docket site.
     Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Room PL-401, Washington, DC 
20590-0001.
     Hand Delivery: Room PL-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.
    Instructions: All submissions must include the agency name and 
docket number for this notice.

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

    Docket: For access to the docket to read the Applicant Guide or 
comments received, go to http://www.regulations.gov at any time or to 
Room PL-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.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Following the enactment of the National 
Defense Authorization Act of 2018, Public Law 115-91 (the ``NDAA''), 
MARAD is developing a procedure to designate eligible institutions as 
Centers of Excellence for Domestic Maritime Workforce Training and 
Education (CoE). Qualified training entities seeking to be designated 
as a CoE will be required to apply with MARAD. The application will 
include information to demonstrate that the applicant institution meets 
certain eligibility criteria, designation requirements, and attributes 
consistent with Section 3507 of the NDAA, codified at 46 U.S.C. 54102. 
The final MARAD application process and procedure will be made 
available to the public on its website www.MARAD.dot.gov. MARAD invites 
your comment on the below Proposed Applicant Guide and the issues 
specified under the Scope of Comments section.

Scope of Comments

    In addition to seeking general comments on the proposed applicant 
guide, the agency is interested in learning 1. Whether the proposed 
definitions of ``Community or Technical College'', ``Maritime Training 
Center'' and ``Operated by, or under the supervision of a State'' are 
clear, appropriate and adequate to cover all institutions who may be 
eligible to apply for designation under the statute; 2. Whether the 
proposed Designation Requirements and Designation Attributes are clear, 
appropriate, and adequate; and 3. Whether there are less burdensome 
methods to evidence applicant qualifications.

Proposed Applicant Guide

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

1. Important Definitions
    a. ``Afloat Career'' means a career as a merchant mariner 
compensated for service aboard a vessel in the U.S. merchant marine. 
This includes vessels of all types covering all U.S. Merchant Marine 
segments, whether or not documented, including, but not limited to--
oceangoing, coastwise, Great Lakes, inland, harbor, towing, offshore 
industry, cruise, pleasure boats, tourist boats, ferries, dredging, 
research vessels, government-owned, etc.;
    b. ``Arctic''--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'' means a career in in the shore based maritime 
industry. Ashore based maritime industry includes, but is not limited 
to vessel operations, ship management, ship building and ship repair, 
port operations and management, marine terminal operations and 
management, vessel design, ship brokerage, marine insurance, pilotage, 
towing industry, offshore industry, dredging and maritime-oriented 
supply chain operations;
    d. ``Community or Technical College'' means an institution of 
higher education that
    (A) admits as regular students, persons who are beyond the age of 
compulsory school attendance in the State in which the institution is 
located; and
    (B) does not provide an educational program for which the 
institution awards a bachelor's degree (or an equivalent degree); and
    (C) (i) provides an educational program of not less than 2 years in 
duration that is acceptable for full credit toward a bachelor's or 
equivalent degree; or
    (ii) offers at least a 2-year program in engineering, mathematics, 
or the physical or biological sciences, designed to prepare a student 
to work as a technician or at the semiprofessional level in an industry 
field that involves engineering, scientific, or other technological 
fields requiring the understanding and application of basic 
engineering, scientific, or mathematical principles of knowledge; and
    (D) that is partially supported by public funds from the state or 
its political subdivisions.
    e. ``Maritime Training Center'' means a training institution--
    (A) that provides a structured program of training courses to 
prepare students and/or enhance their skills for Afloat Careers and/or 
Ashore Careers in the maritime industry; and
    (B) that is not a ``Community or Technical College''

[[Page 25110]]

    f. ``Mississippi River System'' means 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'' means 
operated by or under the supervision or control of a public entity of a 
State government or one of its subdivisions, including, but not limited 
to, county governments, city or local governments, and public-school 
systems;
    h. United States Maritime Industry includes all segments of the 
working community involving the maritime related transportation 
activities involving the transportation system of the United States, 
both in domestic and foreign trade, blue water and brown water, coastal 
and inland waters, as well as non-commercial maritime activities, such 
as pleasure boating, 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.
2. What is the Center of Excellence for Domestic Maritime Workforce 
Training and Education (CoE) Program?
    Pursuant to Section 3507 of the National Defense Authorization Act, 
2018, Public Law 115-91 (December 12, 2017), codified at 46 U.S.C. 
54102, the Secretary of Transportation may:
    a. Designate a covered training entity as a Center of Excellence 
for Domestic Maritime Workforce Training and Education (CoE).
    b. Enter into a cooperative agreement with a designated CoE.
3. Who is eligible to apply for designation as a CoE?
    An educational institution that provides training and education for 
the domestic maritime workforce is eligible to apply to MARAD for 
designation as a CoE if it can demonstrate satisfactory compliance with 
the following Eligibility Criteria for a covered training entity under 
the statute:
    I. The institution is in a State that borders on the:
    a. Gulf of Mexico;
    b. Atlantic Ocean;
    c. Long Island Sound;
    d. Pacific Ocean;
    e. Great Lakes;
    f. Mississippi River System;
    g. Arctic; or
    h. Gulf of Alaska.
    II. The institution is either:
    a. A Community or Technical College; or
    b. 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.
4. What are the selection criteria for designation as a CoE?
    An eligible training institution applicant must demonstrate 
satisfactory compliance with the Designation Requirements listed under 
III through V and the qualitative Designation Attributes listed under 
VI below.
    III. The academic programs offered by the institution will include:
    a. One or more Afloat Career preparation tracks in the United 
States Maritime Industry, and/or
    b. One or more Ashore Career preparation tracks in the United 
States Maritime Industry.
    IV. Institutions offering Afloat Career tracks will:
    a. Meet Regional and/or state accreditation, as applicable; and
    b. Maintain United States Coast Guard (USCG) approval for the 
merchant mariner training program and/or merchant mariner training 
course(s) offered by the institution, as applicable; and
    c. Provide recruitment and placement statistics that clearly 
document institutional effectiveness.
    V. Institutions offering Ashore Career tracks will:
    a. Meet Regional and/or state accreditation, as applicable; and
    b. Maintain authorization and/or endorsement of the program and/or 
course(s) by an applicable professional society or industry body 
(Welding, Electrician, Electronics etc.) to issue industry accepted 
Certifications that reflect a professionally recognized level of 
educational or technical skill achievement; and
    c. Provide recruitment and placement statistics that clearly 
document institutional effectiveness.
    VI. In addition to meeting the requirements listed above, the CoE 
is expected to foster the following desirable attributes:
    a. Support the workforce needs of the local, state, or regional 
economy; and
    b. Build the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) 
competencies of local/future workforce to meet emerging local, 
regional, and national economic interests; and
    c. Promote diversity and inclusion among the student body; and
    d. Offer a broad-based curriculum and stackable credentials where 
applicable; and
    e. Engage and/or collaborate with the maritime industry; and
    f. Engage and/or collaborate with maritime high schools; and
    g. Engage and/or collaborate with maritime academies and other 
institutions for advanced proficiency and higher education.
5. What agreement may MARAD execute with a designated CoE?
    The Maritime Administrator, or designee, may enter into a 
cooperative agreement with a covered training entity that has been 
designated 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 and enhance facilities;
    d. Create new maritime career pathways;
    e. Award students credit for prior experience, including military 
service;
    f. Provide funding to the CoE by grants or otherwise where such 
funding is appropriated for such purposes; or
    g. Such other activities that are determined by the Maritime 
Administration and the CoE that would further maritime workforce 
training and education.
6. What specific assistance may MARAD offer to a designated CoE under a 
Cooperative Agreement?
    The specific assistance that the Maritime Administration may offer 
under the cooperative agreement includes, but is not limited to:
    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 where applicable, the Department of Defense;
    c. Availability of MARAD subject matter experts to address students 
when feasible; and
    d. The provision of funding, to the extent such funds are 
appropriated, available for CoEs under appropriations law, and 
notification to CoEs.

[[Page 25111]]

7. Where do I send my application?
    All applications for CoE designation or renewals should be 
submitted to: Deputy Associate Administrator for Maritime Education and 
Training, Maritime Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation, 
1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
8. When should I submit my application for CoE designation?
    MARAD will publish a Federal Register Notice requesting 
applications for designation as a Center of Excellence. That notice 
will provide you with information on timing and what you can expect.
9. What information should be included in an application for CoE 
designation?
    The application should include sufficient information to 
demonstrate that the applicant institution meets the Eligibility 
Criteria, Designation Requirements and Designation Attributes listed 
above.
10. How will I know whether I was approved for designation?
    During the evaluation of the application and the supporting 
documentation. MARAD may request clarifications or additional 
information from the applicant. MARAD will notify the applicant of the 
decision regarding approval or disapproval for designation within 120 
days after receipt of the application. In the case of approval, MARAD 
will thereafter publish the designated CoE's name and contact 
information on its website.
    Upon designation, MARAD may enter into a cooperative agreement with 
the designated institution in accordance with Sections 5 and 6 of this 
applicant guide. MARAD will develop and forward an agreement draft for 
the designated institution's review before the agreement is executed.
11. After my institution is approved and designated, are there any on-
going responsibilities necessary to maintaining my designation?
    The designated institution shall submit an annual statement of 
continued compliance with the designation criteria listed under 
Questions 3 and 4 and an annual update to the recruitment and placement 
statistics proffered in their application. At any time, MARAD may 
request a designated institution to provide updated information to 
support its continued status as a CoE.
12. Does my designation expire?
    The duration of a CoE designation shall be for a period of five 
years from the date of designation.
13. How can I renew my organization's designation?
    A designated training institution may apply for renewal of its CoE 
designation six months prior to its expiration. MARAD may renew the CoE 
designation and the Cooperative Agreement if the designated institution 
successfully demonstrates sustained excellence at a level which 
initially earned the institution the CoE designation. The institution 
must also demonstrate excellence in accordance with the applicable 
Designation Requirements and Attributes in place at the time of such 
renewals. There is no limit on the number of times MARAD may renew the 
CoE designation of a particular training institution.
14. Can a CoE designation be revoked?
    DOT/MARAD may, after notice and an opportunity to respond, suspend 
or revoke the CoE designation of a training institution, if there is 
evidence of the designated institution's non-compliance with the 
designation criteria or the terms of the cooperative agreement. A CoE 
designation shall be subject to removal if it ceases to meet either the 
CoE requirements and attributes identified in this applicant guide, 
loses its approvals to teach accredited courses, or for good cause 
shown as determined by the Maritime Administration. Designated 
institutions can appeal revocation of the designation by appealing to 
the Maritime Administrator or his designated representative. The appeal 
must be in writing and address the specific reasons why you believe 
your designation should be reinstated by MARAD.

Public Participation

How do I submit comments?

    Please submit your comments, including any attachments, following 
the instructions provided under the above heading entitled ADDRESSES. 
Be advised that it may take a few hours or even days for your comment 
to be reflected on the docket. In addition, your comments must be 
written in English. We encourage you to provide concise comments. You 
may attach additional documents as necessary. There is no limit on the 
length of the attachments.
    Please note that even after the comment period has closed, MARAD 
will continue to file relevant information in the Docket as it becomes 
available.

Where do I go to read public comments, and find supporting information?

    Go to the docket online at http://www.regulations.gov, keyword 
search MARAD-2018-0088 or visit us in person at the Docket Management 
Facility (see ADDRESSES for hours of operation). We recommend that you 
periodically check the Docket for new submissions and supporting 
material.

Will my comments be made available to the public?

    Yes. Be aware that your entire comment, including your personal 
identifying information, will be made publicly available.

May I submit comments confidentially?

    If you wish to submit comments under a claim of confidentiality, 
you should submit three copies of your complete submission, including 
the information you claim to be confidential business information, to 
the Department of Transportation, Maritime Administration, Office of 
Legislation and Regulations, MAR-225, W24-220, 1200 New Jersey Avenue 
SE, Washington, DC 20590. Include a cover letter setting forth with 
specificity the basis for any such claim and, if possible, a summary of 
your submission that can be made available to the public.

Privacy Act

    In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT/MARAD solicits comments 
from the public to better inform its rulemaking process. DOT/MARAD 
posts these comments, without edit, to www.regulations.gov, as 
described in the system of records notice, DOT/ALL-14 FDMS, accessible 
through www.dot.gov/privacy. To facilitate comment tracking and 
response, we encourage commenters to provide their name, or the name of 
their organization; however, submission of names is completely 
optional. Whether or not commenters identify themselves, all timely 
comments will be fully considered. If you wish to provide comments 
containing proprietary or confidential information, please contact the 
agency for alternate submission instructions.

    Authority: 49 CFR Sections 1.92 and 1.93.
    * * *

    Dated: May 25, 2018.

    By Order of the Maritime Administrator.
T. Mitchell Hudson, Jr.,
Secretary, Maritime Administration.
[FR Doc. 2018-11682 Filed 5-30-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-81-P



                                                                            Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 105 / Thursday, May 31, 2018 / Notices                                             25109

                                              DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION                            a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through                       to—oceangoing, coastwise, Great Lakes,
                                                                                                      Friday, except Federal Holidays.                      inland, harbor, towing, offshore
                                              Maritime Administration                                 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:      You             industry, cruise, pleasure boats, tourist
                                              [Docket No. MARAD–2018–0088]                            may contact Nuns Jain, Maritime                       boats, ferries, dredging, research vessels,
                                                                                                      Administration, at 757–322–5801 or by                 government-owned, etc.;
                                              Centers of Excellence for Domestic                      electronic mail at Nuns.Jain@dot.gov.                    b. ‘‘Arctic’’—means all United States
                                              Maritime Workforce Training and                         You may send mail to Nuns Jain at                     and foreign territory north of the Arctic
                                              Education                                               Maritime Administration, Building 19,                 Circle and all United States territory
                                                                                                      Suite 300, 7737 Hampton Boulevard,                    north and west of the boundary formed
                                              AGENCY: Maritime Administration,                                                                              by the Porcupine, Yukon, and
                                                                                                      Norfolk, VA 23505.
                                              Department of Transportation.                                                                                 Kuskokwim Rivers; all contiguous seas,
                                                                                                      SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Following
                                              ACTION: Notice and request for                                                                                including the Arctic Ocean and the
                                                                                                      the enactment of the National Defense
                                              comments.                                                                                                     Beaufort, Bering, and Chukchi Seas; and
                                                                                                      Authorization Act of 2018, Public Law
                                                                                                                                                            the Aleutian chain. [Section 112 of the
                                              SUMMARY:   This notice provides                         115–91 (the ‘‘NDAA’’), MARAD is
                                                                                                                                                            Arctic Research and Policy Act of 1984,
                                              interested parties with the opportunity                 developing a procedure to designate
                                                                                                                                                            codified at 15 U.S.C. 4111];
                                              to comment on the Maritime                              eligible institutions as Centers of                      c. ‘‘Ashore Career’’ means a career in
                                              Administration’s (MARAD) application                    Excellence for Domestic Maritime                      in the shore based maritime industry.
                                              process to designate training entities as               Workforce Training and Education                      Ashore based maritime industry
                                              Centers of Excellence for Domestic                      (CoE). Qualified training entities seeking            includes, but is not limited to vessel
                                              Maritime Workforce Training and                         to be designated as a CoE will be                     operations, ship management, ship
                                              Education (CoE). The Secretary of                       required to apply with MARAD. The                     building and ship repair, port
                                              Transportation, acting through the                      application will include information to               operations and management, marine
                                              Maritime Administrator, may make CoE                    demonstrate that the applicant                        terminal operations and management,
                                              designations and enter Cooperative                      institution meets certain eligibility                 vessel design, ship brokerage, marine
                                              Agreements with CoE designees.                          criteria, designation requirements, and               insurance, pilotage, towing industry,
                                              MARAD is developing the below                           attributes consistent with Section 3507               offshore industry, dredging and
                                              Proposed Applicant Guide and invites                    of the NDAA, codified at 46 U.S.C.                    maritime-oriented supply chain
                                              public comment to ensure that the                       54102. The final MARAD application                    operations;
                                              designation procedure and guidance is                   process and procedure will be made                       d. ‘‘Community or Technical College’’
                                              simple, clear, and comprehensive.                       available to the public on its website                means an institution of higher education
                                              DATES: Comments must be received on                     www.MARAD.dot.gov. MARAD invites                      that
                                              or before July 2, 2018. MARAD will                      your comment on the below Proposed                       (A) admits as regular students,
                                              consider comments filed after this date                 Applicant Guide and the issues                        persons who are beyond the age of
                                              to the extent practicable.                              specified under the Scope of Comments                 compulsory school attendance in the
                                                                                                      section.                                              State in which the institution is located;
                                              ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
                                              identified by DOT Docket Number                         Scope of Comments                                     and
                                              MARAD–2018–0088 by any of the                                                                                    (B) does not provide an educational
                                                                                                         In addition to seeking general                     program for which the institution
                                              following methods:                                      comments on the proposed applicant
                                                • Website/Federal eRulemaking                                                                               awards a bachelor’s degree (or an
                                                                                                      guide, the agency is interested in                    equivalent degree); and
                                              Portal: Go to http://                                   learning 1. Whether the proposed
                                              www.regulations.gov. Follow the                                                                                  (C) (i) provides an educational
                                                                                                      definitions of ‘‘Community or Technical               program of not less than 2 years in
                                              instructions for submitting comments                    College’’, ‘‘Maritime Training Center’’
                                              on the electronic docket site.                                                                                duration that is acceptable for full credit
                                                                                                      and ‘‘Operated by, or under the                       toward a bachelor’s or equivalent
                                                • Mail: Docket Management Facility;                   supervision of a State’’ are clear,
                                              U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200                                                                       degree; or
                                                                                                      appropriate and adequate to cover all                    (ii) offers at least a 2-year program in
                                              New Jersey Avenue SE, Room PL–401,                      institutions who may be eligible to
                                              Washington, DC 20590–0001.                                                                                    engineering, mathematics, or the
                                                                                                      apply for designation under the statute;              physical or biological sciences, designed
                                                • Hand Delivery: Room PL–401 of the
                                                                                                      2. Whether the proposed Designation                   to prepare a student to work as a
                                              Department of Transportation, 1200
                                                                                                      Requirements and Designation                          technician or at the semiprofessional
                                              New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington,
                                                                                                      Attributes are clear, appropriate, and                level in an industry field that involves
                                              DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday
                                                                                                      adequate; and 3. Whether there are less               engineering, scientific, or other
                                              through Friday, except Federal
                                                                                                      burdensome methods to evidence                        technological fields requiring the
                                              Holidays.
                                                                                                      applicant qualifications.                             understanding and application of basic
                                                Instructions: All submissions must
                                              include the agency name and docket                      Proposed Applicant Guide                              engineering, scientific, or mathematical
                                              number for this notice.                                                                                       principles of knowledge; and
                                                                                                      How To Be Designated as a Center of                      (D) that is partially supported by
                                                Note: All comments received will be                   Excellence for Domestic Maritime                      public funds from the state or its
                                              posted without change to http://                        Workforce Training and Education                      political subdivisions.
                                              www.regulations.gov including any personal
                                                                                                                                                               e. ‘‘Maritime Training Center’’ means
                                              information provided.                                   1. Important Definitions
                                                                                                                                                            a training institution—
amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES1




                                                Docket: For access to the docket to                     a. ‘‘Afloat Career’’ means a career as                 (A) that provides a structured program
                                              read the Applicant Guide or comments                    a merchant mariner compensated for                    of training courses to prepare students
                                              received, go to http://                                 service aboard a vessel in the U.S.                   and/or enhance their skills for Afloat
                                              www.regulations.gov at any time or to                   merchant marine. This includes vessels                Careers and/or Ashore Careers in the
                                              Room PL–401 of the Department of                        of all types covering all U.S. Merchant               maritime industry; and
                                              Transportation, 1200 New Jersey                         Marine segments, whether or not                          (B) that is not a ‘‘Community or
                                              Avenue SE, Washington, DC, between 9                    documented, including, but not limited                Technical College’’


                                         VerDate Sep<11>2014   17:46 May 30, 2018   Jkt 241001   PO 00000   Frm 00144   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\31MYN1.SGM   31MYN1


                                              25110                         Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 105 / Thursday, May 31, 2018 / Notices

                                                 f. ‘‘Mississippi River System’’ means                   I. The institution is in a State that                a. Support the workforce needs of the
                                              the mostly riverine network of the                      borders on the:                                       local, state, or regional economy; and
                                              United States which includes the                           a. Gulf of Mexico;                                   b. Build the STEM (Science,
                                              Mississippi River, and all connecting                      b. Atlantic Ocean;                                 Technology, Engineering, and Math)
                                              waterways, natural tributaries and                         c. Long Island Sound;                              competencies of local/future workforce
                                              distributaries. The system includes the                    d. Pacific Ocean;                                  to meet emerging local, regional, and
                                              Arkansas, Illinois, Missouri, Ohio, Red,                   e. Great Lakes;                                    national economic interests; and
                                              Allegheny, Tennessee, Wabash and                           f. Mississippi River System;                         c. Promote diversity and inclusion
                                              Atchafalaya rivers. Important                              g. Arctic; or                                      among the student body; and
                                              connecting waterways include the                           h. Gulf of Alaska.                                   d. Offer a broad-based curriculum and
                                              Illinois Waterway, the Tennessee-                          II. The institution is either:                     stackable credentials where applicable;
                                              Tombigbee Waterway, and the Gulf                           a. A Community or Technical College;               and
                                              Intracoastal Waterway;                                  or                                                      e. Engage and/or collaborate with the
                                                 g. ‘‘Operated by, or under the                          b. A Maritime Training Center.                     maritime industry; and
                                              supervision of a State’’ means operated                    i. Operated by, or under the
                                                                                                                                                              f. Engage and/or collaborate with
                                              by or under the supervision or control                  supervision of a State; and
                                                                                                                                                            maritime high schools; and
                                                                                                         ii. With a maritime training program
                                              of a public entity of a State government                                                                        g. Engage and/or collaborate with
                                                                                                      in operation in its curriculum on
                                              or one of its subdivisions, including, but                                                                    maritime academies and other
                                                                                                      12/12/2017.
                                              not limited to, county governments, city                                                                      institutions for advanced proficiency
                                              or local governments, and public-school                 4. What are the selection criteria for                and higher education.
                                              systems;                                                designation as a CoE?
                                                                                                                                                            5. What agreement may MARAD
                                                 h. United States Maritime Industry                      An eligible training institution                   execute with a designated CoE?
                                              includes all segments of the working                    applicant must demonstrate satisfactory
                                              community involving the maritime                        compliance with the Designation                          The Maritime Administrator, or
                                              related transportation activities                       Requirements listed under III through V               designee, may enter into a cooperative
                                              involving the transportation system of                  and the qualitative Designation                       agreement with a covered training entity
                                              the United States, both in domestic and                 Attributes listed under VI below.                     that has been designated a CoE to
                                              foreign trade, blue water and brown                        III. The academic programs offered by              support maritime workforce training
                                              water, coastal and inland waters, as well               the institution will include:                         and education, including but not
                                              as non-commercial maritime activities,                     a. One or more Afloat Career                       limited to efforts of the CoE to:
                                              such as pleasure boating, and all of the                preparation tracks in the United States                  a. Recruit, admit and train students;
                                              industries that support such uses,                      Maritime Industry, and/or                                b. Recruit and train faculty;
                                              including, but not limited to vessel                       b. One or more Ashore Career                          c. Expand and enhance facilities;
                                              construction and repair, vessel                         preparation tracks in the United States                  d. Create new maritime career
                                              operations, ship logistics supply,                      Maritime Industry.                                    pathways;
                                              berthing, port operations, port                            IV. Institutions offering Afloat Career               e. Award students credit for prior
                                              intermodal operations, marine terminal                  tracks will:                                          experience, including military service;
                                              operations, vessel design, marine                          a. Meet Regional and/or state                         f. Provide funding to the CoE by
                                              brokerage, marine insurance, marine                     accreditation, as applicable; and                     grants or otherwise where such funding
                                              financing, chartering, maritime-oriented                   b. Maintain United States Coast Guard              is appropriated for such purposes; or
                                              supply chain operations, offshore                       (USCG) approval for the merchant                         g. Such other activities that are
                                              industry.                                               mariner training program and/or                       determined by the Maritime
                                              2. What is the Center of Excellence for                 merchant mariner training course(s)                   Administration and the CoE that would
                                              Domestic Maritime Workforce Training                    offered by the institution, as applicable;            further maritime workforce training and
                                              and Education (CoE) Program?                            and                                                   education.
                                                                                                         c. Provide recruitment and placement               6. What specific assistance may MARAD
                                                Pursuant to Section 3507 of the                       statistics that clearly document
                                              National Defense Authorization Act,                                                                           offer to a designated CoE under a
                                                                                                      institutional effectiveness.                          Cooperative Agreement?
                                              2018, Public Law 115–91 (December 12,                      V. Institutions offering Ashore Career
                                              2017), codified at 46 U.S.C. 54102, the                 tracks will:                                            The specific assistance that the
                                              Secretary of Transportation may:                           a. Meet Regional and/or state                      Maritime Administration may offer
                                                a. Designate a covered training entity                accreditation, as applicable; and                     under the cooperative agreement
                                              as a Center of Excellence for Domestic                     b. Maintain authorization and/or                   includes, but is not limited to:
                                              Maritime Workforce Training and                         endorsement of the program and/or                       a. Donation of surplus equipment to
                                              Education (CoE).                                        course(s) by an applicable professional               CoEs that also meet the requirements of
                                                b. Enter into a cooperative agreement                 society or industry body (Welding,                    46 U.S.C. 51103(b)(2)(C);
                                              with a designated CoE.                                  Electrician, Electronics etc.) to issue                 b. Temporary use of MARAD vessels
                                                                                                      industry accepted Certifications that                 and assets for indoctrination, training,
                                              3. Who is eligible to apply for                                                                               and assistance, subject to availability
                                                                                                      reflect a professionally recognized level
                                              designation as a CoE?                                                                                         and approval by MARAD, and where
                                                                                                      of educational or technical skill
                                                An educational institution that                       achievement; and                                      applicable, the Department of Defense;
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                                              provides training and education for the                    c. Provide recruitment and placement                 c. Availability of MARAD subject
                                              domestic maritime workforce is eligible                 statistics that clearly document                      matter experts to address students when
                                              to apply to MARAD for designation as                    institutional effectiveness.                          feasible; and
                                              a CoE if it can demonstrate satisfactory                   VI. In addition to meeting the                       d. The provision of funding, to the
                                              compliance with the following                           requirements listed above, the CoE is                 extent such funds are appropriated,
                                              Eligibility Criteria for a covered training             expected to foster the following                      available for CoEs under appropriations
                                              entity under the statute:                               desirable attributes:                                 law, and notification to CoEs.


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                                                                            Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 105 / Thursday, May 31, 2018 / Notices                                                  25111

                                              7. Where do I send my application?                      12. Does my designation expire?                       information in the Docket as it becomes
                                                                                                                                                            available.
                                                All applications for CoE designation                    The duration of a CoE designation
                                              or renewals should be submitted to:                     shall be for a period of five years from              Where do I go to read public comments,
                                              Deputy Associate Administrator for                      the date of designation.                              and find supporting information?
                                              Maritime Education and Training,                        13. How can I renew my organization’s                   Go to the docket online at http://
                                              Maritime Administration, U.S.                           designation?                                          www.regulations.gov, keyword search
                                              Department of Transportation, 1200                                                                            MARAD–2018–0088 or visit us in
                                              New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC                       A designated training institution may              person at the Docket Management
                                              20590.                                                  apply for renewal of its CoE designation              Facility (see ADDRESSES for hours of
                                                                                                      six months prior to its expiration.                   operation). We recommend that you
                                              8. When should I submit my application                  MARAD may renew the CoE designation                   periodically check the Docket for new
                                              for CoE designation?                                    and the Cooperative Agreement if the                  submissions and supporting material.
                                                                                                      designated institution successfully
                                                MARAD will publish a Federal                                                                                Will my comments be made available to
                                                                                                      demonstrates sustained excellence at a
                                              Register Notice requesting applications                                                                       the public?
                                                                                                      level which initially earned the
                                              for designation as a Center of
                                                                                                      institution the CoE designation. The                    Yes. Be aware that your entire
                                              Excellence. That notice will provide you
                                                                                                      institution must also demonstrate                     comment, including your personal
                                              with information on timing and what
                                                                                                      excellence in accordance with the                     identifying information, will be made
                                              you can expect.
                                                                                                      applicable Designation Requirements                   publicly available.
                                              9. What information should be included                  and Attributes in place at the time of
                                                                                                      such renewals. There is no limit on the               May I submit comments confidentially?
                                              in an application for CoE designation?
                                                                                                      number of times MARAD may renew                          If you wish to submit comments
                                                The application should include                        the CoE designation of a particular                   under a claim of confidentiality, you
                                              sufficient information to demonstrate                   training institution.                                 should submit three copies of your
                                              that the applicant institution meets the                                                                      complete submission, including the
                                              Eligibility Criteria, Designation                       14. Can a CoE designation be revoked?                 information you claim to be confidential
                                              Requirements and Designation                               DOT/MARAD may, after notice and                    business information, to the Department
                                              Attributes listed above.                                an opportunity to respond, suspend or                 of Transportation, Maritime
                                              10. How will I know whether I was                       revoke the CoE designation of a training              Administration, Office of Legislation
                                              approved for designation?                               institution, if there is evidence of the              and Regulations, MAR–225, W24–220,
                                                                                                      designated institution’s non-compliance               1200 New Jersey Avenue SE,
                                                 During the evaluation of the                         with the designation criteria or the                  Washington, DC 20590. Include a cover
                                              application and the supporting                          terms of the cooperative agreement. A                 letter setting forth with specificity the
                                              documentation. MARAD may request                        CoE designation shall be subject to                   basis for any such claim and, if possible,
                                              clarifications or additional information                removal if it ceases to meet either the               a summary of your submission that can
                                              from the applicant. MARAD will notify                   CoE requirements and attributes                       be made available to the public.
                                              the applicant of the decision regarding                 identified in this applicant guide, loses             Privacy Act
                                              approval or disapproval for designation                 its approvals to teach accredited
                                              within 120 days after receipt of the                    courses, or for good cause shown as                     In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(c),
                                              application. In the case of approval,                   determined by the Maritime                            DOT/MARAD solicits comments from
                                              MARAD will thereafter publish the                       Administration. Designated institutions               the public to better inform its
                                              designated CoE’s name and contact                       can appeal revocation of the designation              rulemaking process. DOT/MARAD posts
                                              information on its website.                             by appealing to the Maritime                          these comments, without edit, to
                                                                                                      Administrator or his designated                       www.regulations.gov, as described in
                                                 Upon designation, MARAD may enter                                                                          the system of records notice, DOT/ALL–
                                              into a cooperative agreement with the                   representative. The appeal must be in
                                                                                                      writing and address the specific reasons              14 FDMS, accessible through
                                              designated institution in accordance                                                                          www.dot.gov/privacy. To facilitate
                                              with Sections 5 and 6 of this applicant                 why you believe your designation
                                                                                                      should be reinstated by MARAD.                        comment tracking and response, we
                                              guide. MARAD will develop and                                                                                 encourage commenters to provide their
                                              forward an agreement draft for the                      Public Participation                                  name, or the name of their organization;
                                              designated institution’s review before                                                                        however, submission of names is
                                              the agreement is executed.                              How do I submit comments?
                                                                                                                                                            completely optional. Whether or not
                                              11. After my institution is approved and                   Please submit your comments,                       commenters identify themselves, all
                                              designated, are there any on-going                      including any attachments, following                  timely comments will be fully
                                              responsibilities necessary to                           the instructions provided under the                   considered. If you wish to provide
                                              maintaining my designation?                             above heading entitled ADDRESSES. Be                  comments containing proprietary or
                                                                                                      advised that it may take a few hours or               confidential information, please contact
                                                The designated institution shall                      even days for your comment to be                      the agency for alternate submission
                                              submit an annual statement of                           reflected on the docket. In addition,                 instructions.
                                              continued compliance with the                           your comments must be written in
                                                                                                                                                              Authority: 49 CFR Sections 1.92 and 1.93.
                                              designation criteria listed under                       English. We encourage you to provide                    * * *
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                                              Questions 3 and 4 and an annual update                  concise comments. You may attach
                                                                                                      additional documents as necessary.                      Dated: May 25, 2018.
                                              to the recruitment and placement
                                              statistics proffered in their application.              There is no limit on the length of the                  By Order of the Maritime Administrator.
                                              At any time, MARAD may request a                        attachments.                                          T. Mitchell Hudson, Jr.,
                                              designated institution to provide                          Please note that even after the                    Secretary, Maritime Administration.
                                              updated information to support its                      comment period has closed, MARAD                      [FR Doc. 2018–11682 Filed 5–30–18; 8:45 am]
                                              continued status as a CoE.                              will continue to file relevant                        BILLING CODE 4910–81–P




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Document Created: 2018-05-31 00:48:39
Document Modified: 2018-05-31 00:48:39
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionNotice and request for comments.
DatesComments must be received on or before July 2, 2018. MARAD will consider comments filed after this date to the extent practicable.
ContactYou 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.
FR Citation83 FR 25109 

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