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Maritime Administration, Department of Transportation.
Notice of Application Opportunity.
This notice invites eligible and qualified training entities to apply to the Maritime Administration (MARAD) for designation as a Center of Excellence for National Maritime Workforce (CoE) Training and Education. The National Defense Authorization Act of 2018 (the Act) gave the Secretary of Transportation discretionary authority to designate eligible and qualified entities as CoEs. CoE designations serve to help the maritime industry obtain and retain the highest quality workforce. MARAD issued a notice on theFederal registrationon October 23, 2020, titled Center of Excellence for the National Marine Workforce: Notice of Opportunity to Apply for a Training and Education Designation, and on the MARAD website atwww.MARAD.dot.gov,solicit applications from qualified training providers who wish to be designated as CoE. The application period ended on December 22, 2020. Thirty nomination applications were received. With the Secretary's approval, twenty-seven institutions were designated as of May 19, 2021 as CoEs for the 2021 program year. The purpose of this notice is to solicit applications from qualified and eligible training entities for the next round of CoE designations. for the 2022 Program Year.
Applications, including all supporting information and documents, must be submitted by 20:00. EDT. on September 19, 2022.
Applications, including all supporting information and documents, must be submitted via email toCoEDMWTE@dot.gov.The original application letter, including a copy of all supporting information and documents, may also be mailed to the US Department of Transportation, Maritime Administration, Deputy Associate Administrator for Maritime Education and Training, Attn: Program CoE Designation Office, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
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Gerard Wall, Training and Education (CoE) Program Manager, Centers of Excellence for the National Maritime Workforce, via email atgerard.wall@dot.govor call 202-366-7273.
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Following the enactment of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2018,Public Law 115-91(the “Law”), codified in46 USC 51706, MARAD has developed a procedure to recommend to the Secretary the designation of eligible institutions as Centers of Excellence for National Maritime Workforce (CoE) Training and Education. Pursuant to the Act, the Secretary of Transportation may designate certain qualified and qualified training entities as CoEs and may subsequently enter into Cooperative Agreements with the CoE designees. The authority to administer the CoE program is delegated to MARAD on49 CFR 1.93(a).
Qualified training entities wishing to be designated as CoE must submit an application 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 must include information showing that theHome Printed page 43104The applicant institution meets certain eligibility requirements, selection criteria, and qualitative attributes consistent with Section 3507 of the Act.
MARAD's application procedure and program details are listed below and are also publicly available on its website athttps://www.maritime.dot.gov/education/maritime-centers-excellence.
Prior Federal Action
As the first step in developing a CoE policy, MARAD issued aFederal registrationnotice requesting comments on its proposed application process titled Centers of Excellence for National 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 posted another notice (84 FR 34994) in which MARAD responded to comments received and requested feedback on the proposed policy for which five comments were received. On March 6, 2020, MARAD published its final CoE designation policy in theFederal registration(85 FR 13231) in which MARAD responded to comments received and requested further comments from the Office of Management and Budget on the information collection requirements in the CoE designation policy. No comments received.
Upon receiving a one-year approval from the OMB Information Collection Review (ICR), MARAD issued a notice in theFederal registration(85 FR 67599) on October 23, 2020, titled Center of Excellence for the Domestic Marine Workforce: Notice of Opportunity to Apply for a Training and Education Designation, and on the MARAD website atwww.MARAD.dot.gov,solicit applications from qualified training providers who wish to be designated as CoE. The application period ended on December 22, 2020. Thirty nomination applications were received. Upon approval by the Secretary, twenty-seven institutions were designated on May 19, 2021 as CoEs for the 2021 program year.
On April 27, 2021, MARAD posted a notice on theFederal registration(86 FR 18115) requesting comments on their intention to require approval, for three years, of the collection of information relating to the previously approved CoE designation. No comments received. On July 6, 2021, it was published onFederal registration(86 FR 35561🇧🇷 A public comment was received. After careful review of the comment by MARAD's Office of Maritime Labor and Training, it was determined that it was not related to the notice and/or the charge. In December 2021, the OMB approved the three-year ICR application.
The full comments are available for review electronically atwww.regulaciones.govby searching for the DOT Docket Id “MARAD-2018-0088” or by visiting the DOT Docket, Room PL-401, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC, between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. m. and 5:00 p.m. m., Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays.
How to be designated a center of excellence for the training and education of the national maritime workforce
Introduction
The Secretary of Transportation, acting through the Maritime Administrator, may designate certain eligible and qualified training entities as Centers of Excellence for National Maritime Workforce (CoE) Training and Education and may subsequently enter into Cooperative Agreements with the persons appointed by the CoE. MARAD developed the CoE Program to provide interested parties with comprehensive agency guidance on how best to apply for CoE designation. However, compliance with this CoE Candidate Guide, except as it pertains to legal requirements, is voluntary. MARAD will review and consider all applications it receives and may contact applicants with questions to assist them in reviewing their applications. The CoE Program is a voluntary program. Each eligible and qualified training entity is free to decide whether to participate in the program and apply for a CoE designation. Applications must include information to demonstrate that the applicant institution meets certain eligibility criteria, designation requirements, and attributes consistent with46 USC 51706.
key terms
The following list of key terms is (1) taken directly from the bylaws or (2) developed by MARAD or from comments received from the public during our prior notice and comment periods. The list is intended to assist applicants by providing context and information about the approval process. If you believe your institution qualifies for CoE-designated status under an alternative interpretation or for qualifications that are not clearly articulated in the statutes, your application must include a compelling rationale for such an alternative and will receive due consideration during our review.
1. “Career afloat” is a term developed by MARAD to refer to a career as a paid merchant marine for service aboard a ship in the US maritime industry.
2. “Arctic,” as explicitly stated in the statute, means all of the United States and foreign territory north of the Arctic Circle and all of the United States 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 1984, codified at15 USC 4111];
3. “Career on land” is a term developed by MARAD to refer to a paid occupation on land in the US marine industry.
4. "Community or Technical College" is interpreted by MARAD as a higher education institution that -
a. admits as regular students persons of compulsory school attendance age, or who are enrolled in a secondary school and are simultaneously participating in a dual credit or similar program, in the State in which the institution is located or in a bordering State or region; Y
B. is primarily focused on awarding associate (or equivalent) degrees; Y
C. provides an educational program that is acceptable for full credit toward a bachelor's degree or equivalent or that may culminate in a professional or technical certificate or credential, cumulative certificates and credentials, and/or two-year diploma;
5. "Maritime Training Center" is interpreted by MARAD as a training institution that:
a. does not grant baccalaureate or higher degrees of academic degree;
B. is not a “Community or Technical College”; Y
C. provides a structured program of training courses to prepare students and/or enhance their skills for careers afloat and/or careers on land in the US marine industry.
6. MARAD interprets the “Mississippi River System” as the predominantly river network of the United States, including the Mississippi River and all waterways, natural tributaries, and connected tributaries. 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.Home Printed page 43105
7. “Operated by, or under the supervision of a State” is interpreted by MARAD in the sense of operated by or under the supervision of a public entity of a state government or one of its subdivisions, as well as district and municipal governments or governments . locations;
a. “operated by” a State is interpreted by MARAD to mean that the State controls or provides direct supervision to the Maritime Training Center or Community or Technical College through:
ME. a state charter process or other equivalent documents and systems; Y
ii. a state control body.
B. “under the supervision of a State” is interpreted by MARAD to mean that the State somehow supervises the Maritime Training Center or the Community or Technical College through at least one of the following means:
ME. Accreditation or similar review, validation and approval by a public entity of the state government or one of its subdivisions, as well as municipal and municipal or local governments;
ii. Approval of registration by the State Learning Agency (SAA), in accordance with29 CFR part 29, an apprenticeship program offered by the Maritime Training Center to qualified students from the public; either
iii. Other means that demonstrate to MARAD that the State is overseeing the educational process for which the CoE designation is sought.
C. MARAD interprets “State” 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 United States shipping system, both in domestic and foreign commerce, in coastal and inland waters, as well as maritime activities non-commercial, such as ships, marine science (including all scientific research vessels), and all industries that support such uses, including, but not limited to, ship building and repair, ship operations, ship logistics supply, docking, port operations, vessel operations port intermodal operations, marine terminal operations, vessel design, marine brokerage, marine insurance, marine financing, chartering, marine supply chain operations, offshore industry, including offshore wind power and marine research and development.
candidate information
1. Who is eligible to apply for the National Maritime Workforce (CoE) Training and Education Center of Excellence designation?
Participation in the CoE program is completely voluntary for an eligible educational institution. An eligible educational institution is not required to seek a CoE designation. According to the statute, an educational institution that provides training and education for the national maritime workforce is eligible to apply, provided it meets the following criteria:
a. An institution located in a State that borders 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; O
8. Gulf of Alaska.
B. The institution is:
1. Colegio Comunitario or Técnico; O
2. A Maritime Training Center—
ME. Operated by, or under the supervision of, a State; Y
ii. With a marine training program running under his belt as of 12/12/2017; either
3. A set of Community or Technical Colleges and/or Maritime Training Centers that:
ME. consists only of members who meet the eligibility criteria in (1)(a) and (1)(b)(1) or (1)(b)(2) and the selection criteria in (2);
ii. Designates a member of that group as the primary entity. The lead entity will serve as the main point of contact with MARAD and will be responsible for all functions, including administrative, legal, and financial, related to the appointment of the CoE. For example, the lead entity is responsible for submitting the CoE request, responding to any inquiries from MARAD, and coordinating and executing any cooperative agreement with MARAD; Y
iii. It has a legally binding agreement signed by all members. This agreement will include the name of the group, which will receive the CoE designation if granted, and will list the lead entity and its responsibilities under (ii) of this section.
2. How does MARAD interpret the selection criteria for the designation of the CoE?
I. Assuming no alternate qualifications are provided, MARAD will consider applicants eligible for designation if they can demonstrate compliance with all of the following criteria:
a. The academic programs offered by the institution include:
1. One or more afloat career preparation pathways in the US marine industry and/or
2. One or more land-based career preparation tracks in the US maritime industry.
B. Candidate institutions offering Afloat Careers and/or Ashore Careers have been accredited as follows:
1. “Community or technical colleges” have the institution's current accreditation from a regional accrediting agency or from a nationally recognized agency on the US Department of Education's list of approved accrediting agencies.
2. The "Maritime Training Centers" have current accreditation—
UE.nothe institution, a regional accrediting agency, or a nationally recognized agency on the US Department of Education's list of accrediting agencies;o
ii. of the maritime training program offered by the institution of:
A. the State Apprenticeship Agency (SAA) in accordance with29 CFR part 29,
B. the State Department of Education or equivalent state agency,
C. the United States Coast Guard (USCG), or
D. another appropriate external review body that 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 courses offered by the institution.
d. Provide data and statistics to demonstrate institutional and/or program effectiveness. This will include, but is not limited to, recruitment data, past/current enrollments (trends), dropout rates, student program completion data, post-program employment and placement statistics (to the extent available to the institution). and comments about the program. effectiveness of students, faculty, alumni, and other stakeholders.
Y. As applicable, maintain authorization and/or endorsement of the program and/or course(s) by an appropriate professional society or industry body (including, but not limited to, welder, electrician, electronics, marine construction, marine logistics, marine systems , etc.) to issue accepted industryHome Printed page 43106certifications that reflect professional recognition of the level of achievement of educational or technical skills.
II. Additional factors to consider include the following qualitative attributes promoted by the institution:
a. Support the labor needs of the local, state, or regional economy;
B. Promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility within the institution, including among students, faculty, and staff;
C. Develop science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) skills of the local/future workforce through maritime programs to address emerging local, regional and national economic interests;
d. Offering a broad curriculum and cumulative credentials where applicable;
Y. Engaging and/or collaborating 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 industry associations as authorized in the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014, Section 3(26);
gram. Become involved and/or collaborate with local and regional maritime high schools or other high schools with maritime, marine, career technical education (CTE), or STEM programs;
h Engage and/or collaborate with maritime academies as appropriate and other applicable institutions or organizations for advanced competency and higher education; Y
ME. Carrying out other activities related to the significant development of the national maritime workforce.
3. What contract can MARAD sign 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 his designee, may enter into a cooperative agreement with a CoE to support the training and education of the maritime workforce, including, but not limited to, the CoE's efforts to:
a. Recruit, admit and train students;
B. Recruit and train teachers;
C. Expand or improve facilities;
d. Create new maritime careers;
Y. Give students credit for previous experience, including military service;
F. Expand and enhance employer-led maritime training programs and practices through the establishment of industry associations as authorized in the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014, Section 3(26); Y
gram. Carry out other CoE activities determined by MARAD to promote the training and education of the maritime workforce.
4. What specific assistance can MARAD provide to a designated CoE under a Cooperative Agreement?
By entering into a cooperation agreement, MARAD can offer the following types of assistance:
a. Donation of surplus equipment to CoE that also meets compliance requirements46 USC 51103(b)(2)(C);
B. Temporary use of MARAD vessels and assets for indoctrination, training, and assistance, subject to availability and approval of MARAD and the Department of Defense, where appropriate. For any CoE request related to the temporary use of a MARAD training vessel operated by a State Maritime Academy, the MARAD approval process will include consultation with that Academy;
C. Availability of MARAD subject matter experts to approach students when possible; Y
d. Financing, to the extent that said resources are duly appropriated and made available for this purpose.
Implementation and Administration
MARAD will review the applicant's supporting documentation and approve or disapprove the designation request. During the evaluation of the application and documentation, MARAD may request clarifications or additional information from the applicant. Upon approval, the Marine Administrator or designee will make an assignment. MARAD will subsequently publish the name and contact information of the CoE on its website. Upon 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 notices inFederal registrationand on its website indicating the application period for the next designation cycle. The anticipated deadline for announcing the application invitation is in early summer, with application submission expected within 60 days of the announcement. Applicants will have 60 days to prepare and submit their applications.
B. An eligible training organization seeking CoE designation may submit applications, including all supporting information and documents, by email toCoEDMWTE@dot.govor, by mail addressed to the following address: Department of Transportation, Maritime Administration, Associate Assistant Administrator for Maritime Education and Training, Attn: CoE Designation Program, 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE, Washington, DC 20590.
6. How will I know the result of my designation request?
MARAD will notify each candidate of the status of their application for appointment. During the evaluation period, MARAD may request clarifications or additional information from the applicant.
7. Does my CoE designation expire?
Yes. The CoE designation is valid only for the duration of the program year and until the next round of nominees is nominated. CoE designations are identified by year (for instance.,X was designated a Center of Excellence for National Maritime Workforce Training and Education for 2021). Applicants who are successful in one designation cycle are encouraged to reapply during any subsequent designation cycle.
How to Apply for a CoE Designation
8. What should be included in my CoE designation application?
Special instructions:To help MARAD review your application and ensure that your application is identified as complete, your institution must provide only concise and relevant information and supporting documentation to demonstrate your eligibility and compliance with the designation criteria established by law. To this end, MARAD encourages your institution to ensure that each responsive section and each page of any document or attachment in your application clearly references the number of questions and sections listed in this guide and/or in the statute. Look at the examples to be continued:
Example 1.“Mar Ex” is eligible for the CoE program as a community college. (Q3). Please find attached our Articles of Incorporation, State Certificate, State Supervision and Validation Document. (Q3, a, b, c).
Example 2.“Mar Ex” has attached the following supporting documents to demonstrate that our Marine Training Center offers Afloat Runway programs and that we are state accredited. (P5, Section b): XYZ Accreditation from the US Department of Education Accrediting Agency (P5, Section b,ii,B).
MARAD will host two (2) "Applications Center of Excellence" sessions to provide guidance to prospective applicants on the content of thisFederal registrationnotice. The dates and times of these sessions will be announced on the MARAD CoE home page.Home Printed page 43107within 48 (forty-eight) hours following the publication of this Notice of Candidacy Opportunity. Participation in any of these information sessions is completely voluntary and is not a requirement of the application process.
Information to include in your application
All documents submitted must clearly reference the issue numbers and sections listed in this guide and/or bylaw.
1. Letter of request for CoE designation from the Executive Director of the requesting institution.
2. Candidate contact information:
a. Company name of the requesting institution and address.
B. Name, title, address, telephone number(s) and email address of the chief executive officer.
C. Points of Contact (POC) name(s), titles, phone numbers, emails.
3. Indicate whether the applicant institution claims eligibility for the CoE program as a "Community or Technical College" or "Maritime Training Center", and submit the following information and supporting documents:
a. Articles of Incorporation, 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 validation documents or state supervision, if applicable.
d. Non-profit certification, if applicable.
Y. Accreditation approval letter(s) from an accreditation agency(ies).
F. Letter of approval from a State Learning Agency (SAA) in accordance with29 CFR part 29, if it is applicable.
gram. Letter of approval from the State Department of Education or equivalent state agency, if applicable.
h Letter of approval from the United States Coast Guard (USCG), if applicable.
ME. ISO 9001 or other quality management certification (Maritime Training Centers only), if applicable.
j. Data and statistics to demonstrate institutional effectiveness. This will include, but is not limited to, recruitment data, past/current enrollment (trends), dropout rates, student program completion data, post-program employment and placement statistics (to the extent available to the institution), and feedback on the effectiveness of the program. of students, faculty, alumni, and other interested parties.
This information corresponds to the types of data commonly collected annually as part of a higher education institution's Performance Accountability Report (PAR).
4. Please indicate the total number of career preparation courses afloat and/or the total number of career preparation courses ashore that your institution offers in the US maritime industry and submit the following supporting information:
a. Program summary;
B. A description of the applicable courses offered (only the catalog pages specific to the relevant marine program);
C. If applicable, letters of authorization and/or endorsement of the course/program and/or course(s) from an appropriate professional society or industry body (including, but not limited to, welder, electrician, electronics, marine construction, marine logistics , etc.) .) issue industry-accepted certifications that reflect a professionally recognized level of achievement of technical or educational skills; Y
d. Any other relevant supporting documentation.
Applicant institutions offering the Ashore and Afloat Careers must submit supporting information for both pathways.
5. Applicant institutions offering Afloat Career and/or Ashore Career programs must indicate that they have met the accreditation requirements set forth below:
a. “Community and technical colleges” have the institution's current accreditation from a regional accrediting agency or a nationally recognized agency on the US Department of Education's list of accrediting agencies.
B. The "Maritime Training Centers" have current accreditation—
ME. or the institution of a Regionally or Nationally Recognized Accreditation Agency; Agency on the US Department of Education's list of approved accrediting agencies; either
ii. of the marine training program offered by the institution of one or more of the following:
A. a State Apprenticeship Agency (SAA) pursuant to29 CFR part 29,
B. the State Department of Education or equivalent state agency,
C. the United States Coast Guard (USCG), if applicable; either
D. another appropriate external review body that is specifically authorized to review and validate post-secondary education programs and is acceptable to MARAD.
6. All applicant institutions must submit a short narrative statement * for one or more qualitative attributes promoted by the institution to achieve the following:
a. Support the labor needs of the local, state, or regional economy;
B. Develop the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) competencies of the local/future workforce to meet emerging local, regional, and national economic interests;
C. Promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility within the institution, including among students, faculty, and staff;
d. Offer a broad curriculum and cumulative credentials where applicable;
Y. Engaging and/or collaborating 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 industry associations as authorized in the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014, Section 3(26);
gram. Become involved and/or collaborate with local and regional maritime high schools with maritime, marine, career technical education (CTE) or STEM programs;
h Engaging and/or collaborating with maritime academies and other institutions or organizations for advanced competition and higher education; Y
ME. Carry out other activities related to the significant development of the national maritime workforce.
j. All applicant institutions can provide relevant endorsements, awards, recognitions, and significant achievements to support your application.
As part of the designation, the CoE-designated institutions are geolocated on the MARAD CoE interactive map located on the MARAD website. In addition to identifying geographic location, this map also provides a link to a home page for each institution and a brief narrative statement, an institution overview, about each institution's maritime program. Applicants are encouraged to consider that the information they submit to 6a-6j may serve a dual purpose: application support and content for a one-page institutional overview highlighting their institution's achievements and aspirations.
Paperwork Reduction Law
The information collection requirements in the final CoE designation policy were approved under information collection number 2133-0549 by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995,44 USC 3501,y ss.In accordance with 5 CFRHome Printed page 431081320.5(b)(2)(i), individuals are not required to provide information to the government unless the information collection shows a valid and current OMB tracking number. This application process is operating under the following current and valid OMB control number: 2133-0549.
(Authority: National Defense Authorization Act of 2018,Bar. L.115-91(December 12, 2017),46 USC 51706, Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. chapter 35, as amended,49 CFR 1.49)
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By Order of the Maritime Administrator.
T. Mitchell Hudson, Jr.,
Secretary, Maritime Administration.
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[FR doc. 2022-15389Submitted 7/18/22; 8:45]
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