30-day FRN

Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 45 / Friday, March 6, 2020 / Notices
ensure standards sufficient to assure
safety.
John Karl Alexy,
Associate Administrator for Railroad Safety,
Chief Safety Officer.
[FR Doc. 2020–04655 Filed 3–5–20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–06–P

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Maritime Administration
[Docket Number MARAD–2018–0088]

Final Policy: Centers of Excellence for
Domestic Maritime Workforce Training
and Education Designation Program
Guidance; Information Collection
Request for Comments
Maritime Administration,
Department of Transportation.
ACTION: Final policy and information
collection request for comments.
AGENCY:

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You
may contact Nuns Jain, Maritime
Administration, at 757–322–5801 or by
electronic mail at Nuns.Jain@dot.gov.
You may send mail to Nuns Jain at
Maritime Administration, Building 19,
Suite 300, 7737 Hampton Boulevard,
Norfolk, VA 23505. If you have
questions on viewing the Docket, call
Docket Operations, telephone: 202–366–
9317 or 202–366–9826.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Following
the enactment of the National Defense
Authorization Act of 2018, Public Law
115–91 (the ‘‘Act’’), codified at 46
U.S.C. 54102, MARAD developed a
procedure to recommend to the
Secretary the designation of eligible
institutions as Centers of Excellence for
Domestic Maritime Workforce Training
and Education (CoE). Pursuant to the
Act, the Secretary of Transportation may
designate certain eligible and qualified
training entities as CoEs and may
subsequently execute Cooperative
Agreements with CoE designees.
Authority to administer the CoE
program is delegated to MARAD in 49
CFR 1.93(a).
Qualified training entities seeking to
be designated as a CoE need to apply to
MARAD. MARAD has developed this
policy to provide interested parties with
comprehensive agency guidance on how
to apply for CoE designation and how
the CoE program will be administered.
Applications should include
information to demonstrate that the
applicant institution meets certain
eligibility requirements, selection
criteria, and qualitative attributes
consistent with Section 3507 of the Act.
The MARAD application procedure
and program details will be available to
the public on its website https://
www.maritime.dot.gov/education/
maritime-centers-excellence.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

This notice serves to inform
interested parties and the public of the
Maritime Administration’s (MARAD)
new program designating eligible and
qualified training entities as Centers of
Excellence for Domestic Maritime
Workforce Training and Education
(CoE). The National Defense
Authorization Act of 2018 (the Act),
provided the Secretary of
Transportation with the discretionary
authority to designate eligible and
qualified entities as CoEs. CoE
designations will serve to assist the
maritime industry in obtaining and
maintaining the highest quality
workforce. On July 19, 2019, the agency
published a notice in the Federal
Register seeking public comments on a
draft policy under which designations
would be carried out. Below, MARAD
provides its responses to all comments
received. The agency is now
announcing its voluntary program to
identify and recommend qualified
training providers for CoE designation.
DATES: This policy will become effective
once the Office of Management and
Budget (OMB) approves a current
information collection control number.
Comments regarding the information
collection should be submitted
following guidance in the ADDRESSES
section immediately below on or before
April 6, 2020. (See also Paperwork
Reduction Act section.)
ADDRESSES: The complete file for this
policy is available for inspection with
the Docket Clerk, Docket Management
Facility, U.S. Department of
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey
Avenue SE, West Building, Room W12–
140, Washington, DC 20590, between 9
SUMMARY:

a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through
Friday, except on Federal holidays. You
may also view the comments submitted
to the docket via the Federal
eRulemaking Portal at http://
www.regulations.gov by following
search instructions using DOT Docket
Number MARAD–2018–0088.
Organizations and individuals
desiring to submit comments on the
collection of information requirements
should direct them to the Office of
Management and Budget, Office of
Information and Regulatory Affairs,
Washington DC 20503, Attention:
MARAD Desk Officer. Comments may
also be sent via email to the Office of
Management and Budget at the
following address: oira_submissions@
omb.eop.gov.

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Prior Federal Action
As the first step in developing a CoE
policy, MARAD issued a notice
requesting comments on its proposed
application process entitled Centers of
Excellence for Domestic Maritime
Workforce Training and Education, 83
FR 25109 (May 31, 2018). In response to
the notice, we received 18 written
comments. Then on July 19, 2019,
MARAD published another notice in the
Federal Register (84 FR 34994) in which
we responded to comments received
and sought new comments on the
proposed policy to which five more
comments were received. Responses to
the five comments received from the
July notice are summarized immediately
below. All the unabridged comments are
available for review electronically at
www.regulations.gov by searching DOT
Docket Id ‘‘MARAD–2018–0088’’ or by
visiting the DOT Docket, Room PL–401,
1200 New Jersey Avenue SE,
Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5
p.m., Monday through Friday, except for
Federal Holidays.
Response to Comments on the July 19,
2019 Notice
MARAD received comments from five
different commenters.
The North Carolina Ferry Division
recommended that MARAD include
provisions to ensure geographic
diversity, with a special focus on rural
areas. We agree that geographical
diversity including rural representation
would be beneficial. However, this is
dependent upon the receipt of
acceptable applications from qualified
entities in geographically diverse and
rural areas. The statute does not
establish any quotas and we intend to
designate all qualified entities. The
government’s designation decision will
be based upon our evaluation of the
information submitted in each
application to demonstrate compliance
with the designation criteria.
The North Carolina Ferry Division
suggested that another possible benefit
for these CoE facilities could be support
with curriculum development and
growth. Certainly, knowledge sharing on
industry trends, job needs, and career
progression would benefit these centers.
We agree.
The Community and Technical
College Maritime Workforce Consortium
(CTCMWC), submitted the following 12
comments on behalf of 18 community
and technical colleges located in coastal
areas, the Great Lakes, and inland
waterways:
1. CTCMWC requested clarification of
‘voluntary’ as used in this document.
The draft Policy stated that participation

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Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 45 / Friday, March 6, 2020 / Notices

is entirely voluntary. We have further
clarified the Policy.
2. CTCMWC suggested that it is
important to define ‘institution’ and
submitted a proposed definition. We do
not agree because ‘‘institution’’ is a
commonly used word with a commonly
accepted meaning and the proposed
definition would result in a set of
circular definitions.
3. CTCMWC recommended adding
the term ‘‘public’’ and language to
reflect State operation or supervision to
the definition of a community or
technical college. We disagree because
not all technical colleges are necessarily
State institutions.
4. CTCMWC recommended adding
the term ‘‘public’’ to the definition of a
Maritime Training Center. We disagree
because under the statute, Maritime
Training Centers can be privately owned
and operated. Including the word
‘‘public’’ would narrow the scope of the
statute. Such narrowing would restrict
Maritime Training Centers that
otherwise would be eligible under the
statute.
5. CTCMWC suggested that to be
considered for designation, a program
should demonstrate a period of
sustained program performance, student
retention, data generation, and rigor and
relevance in meeting industry workforce
needs. CTCMWC recommended that
both community and technical colleges
and maritime training centers be
required to have a maritime or
maritime-related program in place for a
period of five years prior to applying for
CoE designation. We disagree because
including such requirement for a
maritime or maritime-related program to
be in place for a period of five years
prior to applying for a CoE designation
would narrow the scope of the statute.
Such narrowing would restrict groups
that otherwise would be eligible under
the statute.
6. CTCMWC stated that a number of
programs serve multiple industries (e.g.,
welding, HVAC, diesel, transportation
and logistics, advanced manufacturing,
and cyber security). Therefore,
CTCMWC suggested that expanding the
scope of the eligibility language to
include maritime-related programming
would be inclusive and appropriate to
best serve the needs of the maritime
workforce. CTCMWC proposed
including ‘‘maritime-related industry
training program in its curriculum’’
within the eligibility criteria at 1.b.1 for
community and technical colleges. We
disagree because programs that serve
multiple industries are not prohibited
under the eligibility criteria for a
community or technical college at 1.b.1,
if at least some of the training is for the

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domestic maritime workforce. We note,
however, that the selection criteria at
2.I.a.2 includes programs offering
Ashore Career preparation tracks in the
United States Maritime Industry which
has been defined quite broadly. Each
institution’s application may explain
how their maritime related programs
provide Ashore Career preparation
tracks in the United States Maritime
Industry.
7. CTCMWC suggested that MARAD
recognize the alignment of some
community and technical colleges and
maritime centers structuring as
consortia or alliances that will apply for
designation in this form, with one entity
within that consortium or alliance
operating as the lead. CTCMWC
recommended that the eligibility criteria
be modified to include a consortium or
alliance of public Community or
Technical Colleges and/or Maritime
Training Center(s). We agree and have
clarified our policy regarding
applications by a group of otherwise
qualified entities and the expectations
we have for such filings.
8. CTCMWC suggested expanding the
scope of the language with regard to
high school engagement to include high
schools with maritime-related
programming. According to this
commenter, the expansion will support:
Broader outreach, outreach to
underserved and underrepresented
communities, and support greater
awareness of career pathways,
educational and apprenticeship
opportunities in the industry. CTCMWC
recommended corresponding changes to
the text at II.g. to reflect broader scope
regarding high school engagement. We
agree and have incorporated appropriate
changes in the Policy.
9. CTCMWC suggested that Maritime
academy engagement may not be a
viable strategy for all Domestic Maritime
Centers of Excellence. This may be due
to geographic, industry, program and
other factors. According to this
commenter, changing the language to be
more expansive, would be appropriate,
and provide a more dynamic and
flexible platform from which the
designated Domestic Maritime Centers
of Excellence can operate. CTCMWC
recommended corresponding changes to
the text at II.h. to reflect flexible
engagement with maritime academies
and broader engagement with applicable
institutions for advanced proficiency
and higher education. We agree and
have incorporated appropriate changes
in the Policy.
10. CTCMWC suggested that the
policy require a mandatory written
agreement between MARAD and all
designated Domestic Maritime Centers

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of Excellence to address intent, scope of
work, performance, compliance,
fiduciary guidelines, if applicable, etc.
CTCMWC recommended that ‘‘may’’ be
replaced by ‘‘shall’’ in ‘‘After issuance
of the designation, MARAD may enter
into a cooperative agreement with the
CoE.’’ We disagree because imposing
mandatory requirements in this
guidance document would be
inconsistent with the Administrative
Procedure Act and DOT processes. See
49 CFR 5.29(e).
11. CTCMWC submitted their
consensus position that a one-year
designation period is not feasible, and
places an onerous burden not only on
an institution, but MARAD as well.
CTCMWC recommended that successful
applicants receive a five-year
designation and may reapply for
designation at the end of the five-year
period. We understand the concerns
identified by CTCMWC and previously
weighed the potential of a five-year
designation period. However, we
believe that the one-year period is
workable and protects the accuracy and
value of our designations. A five-year
period would necessitate the
development of a regulation and impose
additional administrative burdens, i.e.
oversight mechanisms, not necessary
with a one-year CoE designation. In
addition, we believe that this policy
based program is the most responsive
means to exercise our discretionary
authority. Consistent with other
MARAD programs, this new policy will
allow experience to dictate whether and
how a regulation may be developed to
best administer the program in the
future. For now, we believe this new
policy, overall, is in the best interest of
potential CoE designees.
12. CTCMWC proposed that item #
3.d, addressing non-profit certification,
under ‘Information to include in your
application’ be deleted, as eligible
applicants are from public community
and technical colleges and maritime
training centers operated under the
supervision of a state. We do not agree
because non-profit certification is
required to be submitted only if
applicable and a maritime training
center could be a non-public entity.
The American Waterways Operators
expressed support for the CoE program
and encouraged MARAD to ensure that
those community and technical colleges
that receive the CoE designation are
ready to assist the maritime industry in
obtaining and maintaining the highest
quality workforce. The CoE designation
will provide further opportunities and
avenues for these institutions to expand
their reach, thus benefitting the entire
maritime industry. We agree.

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Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 45 / Friday, March 6, 2020 / Notices
The University of Alaska (UA)
supported the CTCMWC comments. In
addition, UA noted that it has expanded
its efforts to partner with the State of
Alaska Department of Labor and
Workforce Development Alaska
Vocational Technical Center (AVTEC) to
develop the Alaska Maritime Education
Consortium (AMEC). Partnering as a
single consortium will strengthen their
abilities to meet the maritime workforce
needs in Alaska. UA strongly
recommended that MARAD allow a
consortium of otherwise eligible
community and technical colleges and
maritime training centers, to be eligible
to apply for the CoE designation within
a State. Alaska’s nearly 34,000 miles of
coastline borders the Beaufort and
Chukchi Seas to the North (both of
which merge into the Arctic Ocean), the
Bering Sea to the west, and the Gulf of
Alaska and Pacific Ocean to the south.
UA has coastal campuses in Ketchikan,
Sitka, Juneau, Valdez, Homer, Kodiak,
Soldotna, Dillingham, Bethel, Nome,
and Kotzebue. AVTEC is located on the
coast in Seward. It is neither practical
nor prudent in a State like Alaska, to
designate a single geographical location
as a CoE. UA hopes to apply for the CoE
designation as a single, integrated
statewide consortium to leverage the
location, programs, and expertise of UA
and AVTEC, into one, robust,
networked, center of excellence model.
We agree and have clarified our policy
regarding applications by a group of
otherwise qualified entities and the
expectations we have for such filings.
The Pacific Maritime Industries
Education Alliance submitted
comments which were identical to the
comments submitted by CTCMWC.
MARAD Center of Excellence for
Domestic Maritime Workforce Training
and Education Designation Policy
This policy describes the process
through which MARAD will exercise its
discretionary authority to designate
Centers of Excellence for Domestic
Maritime Workforce Training and
Education.
How To Be Designated a Center of
Excellence for Domestic Maritime
Workforce Training and Education

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

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Administration (MARAD) has
developed the CoE Program to provide
interested parties with comprehensive
agency guidance on how best to apply
for CoE designation. However,
conformity with this CoE applicant
guidance, except where explicit in the
statute, is voluntary only. MARAD will
review and consider all applications it
receives and may contact applicants
with questions to assist in reviewing
their applications. The CoE Program is
a voluntary program. Each eligible and
qualified training entity is free to decide
whether it wishes to participate in the
program and apply for a CoE
designation.
Eligible training entities seeking to be
designated as a CoE are welcome to
apply with MARAD. The application
should include information to
demonstrate that the applicant
institution meets certain eligibility
criteria, designation requirements, and
attributes consistent with 46 U.S.C.
54102.
Key Terms
The following list of key terms are
either directly taken from the statute or
have been developed by MARAD or
from comments received from the
public during our earlier notice and
comment period. The list is intended to
assist applicants by providing context
and insight into the approval process. If
you believe that your institution
qualifies for CoE designee status under
an alternate interpretation or by
qualifications not otherwise clearly
articulated in the statute, please provide
a cogent justification for any such
alternative and it will be given due
consideration during our review.
1. ‘‘Afloat Career’’ is a term developed
by MARAD to mean a career as a
merchant mariner compensated for
service aboard a vessel in the U.S.
Maritime Industry.
2. ‘‘Arctic’’ as explicitly stated in the
statute means all United States and
foreign territory north of the Arctic
Circle and all United States territory
north and west of the boundary formed
by the Porcupine, Yukon, and
Kuskokwim Rivers; all contiguous seas,
including the Arctic Ocean and the
Beaufort, Bering, and Chukchi Seas; and
the Aleutian chain. [Section 112 of the
Arctic Research and Policy Act of 1984,
codified at 15 U.S.C. 4111];
3. ‘‘Ashore Career’’ is a term
developed by MARAD to mean a shorebased compensated occupation in the
United States Maritime Industry.
4. ‘‘Community or Technical College’’
is interpreted by MARAD to mean an
institution of higher education that—

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a. admits as regular students, persons
who are beyond the age of compulsory
school attendance, or are enrolled in a
high school and concurrently are
participating in a dual credit or similar
program, in the State in which the
institution is located or in an adjoining
State or region; and
b. has primary focus on awarding
Associate (or equivalent) degrees; and
5. provides an educational program
that is acceptable for full credit toward
a bachelor’s or equivalent degree or that
may culminate in a professional or
technical certificate or credential,
stackable certificates and credentials,
and/or two-year degree; ‘‘Maritime
Training Center’’ is interpreted by
MARAD to mean a training institution
that:
a. Does not grant baccalaureate or
higher levels of academic degree;
b. is not a ‘‘Community or Technical
College’’; and
c. provides a structured program of
training courses to prepare students
and/or enhance their skills for Afloat
Careers and/or Ashore Careers in the
United States Maritime Industry.
6. ‘‘Mississippi River System’’ is
interpreted by MARAD to mean the
mostly riverine network of the United
States which includes the Mississippi
River, and all connecting waterways,
natural tributaries and distributaries.
The system includes the Arkansas,
Illinois, Missouri, Ohio, Red, Allegheny,
Tennessee, Wabash and Atchafalaya
rivers. Important connecting waterways
include the Illinois Waterway, the
Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway, and
the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway.
7. ‘‘Operated by, or under the
supervision of, a State’’ is interpreted by
MARAD to mean operated by or under
the supervision of a public entity of a
State government or one of its
subdivisions, as well as, county
governments, and city or local
governments;
a. ‘‘operated by’’ a State is interpreted
by MARAD to mean that the State
controls or provides direct oversight to
the Maritime Training Center or the
Community or Technical College
through:
i. A State charter process, or other
equivalent documents and system; and
ii. a State oversight body.
b. ‘‘under the supervision of a State’’
is interpreted by MARAD to mean that
the State oversees in some manner the
Maritime Training Center or the
Community or Technical College
through at least one of the following
means:
i. Accreditation or similar review,
validation, and approval by a public
entity of the State government or one of

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its subdivisions as well as, county
governments, and city or local
governments;
ii. Registration approval by a State
Apprenticeship Agency (SAA), in
accordance with 29 CFR part 29, of an
apprenticeship program offered by the
Maritime Training Center to qualified
students from the public; or
iii. Other means which demonstrate to
MARAD that the State is supervising the
educational process for which a CoE
designation is sought.
c. ‘‘State’’ is interpreted by MARAD to
mean a State of the United States, the
District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto
Rico, the Virgin Islands, American
Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands,
and any other territory or possession of
the United States.
d. ‘‘United States Maritime Industry’’
is a term developed by MARAD that
includes all segments of the maritimerelated transportation system of the
United States, both in domestic and
foreign trade, coastal and inland waters,
as well as non-commercial maritime
activities, such as pleasure boating,
marine sciences (including all scientific
research vessels) and all of the
industries that support such uses,
including, but not limited to vessel
construction and repair, vessel
operations, ship logistics supply,
berthing, port operations, port
intermodal operations, marine terminal
operations, vessel design, marine
brokerage, marine insurance, marine
financing, chartering, maritime-oriented
supply chain operations, offshore
industry and maritime-oriented research
and development.
Applicant Information

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1. Who is eligible to apply for
designation as a Center of Excellence for
Domestic Maritime Workforce Training
and Education (CoE)?
Participation in the CoE program is
entirely voluntary for an eligible
educational institution. An eligible
educational institution is not required to
seek a CoE designation. Under the
statute, an educational institution that
provides training and education for the
domestic maritime workforce is eligible
to apply so long as it meets the
following criteria:
a. An institution located in a State
that borders on at least one of the
following bodies of water:
1. Gulf of Mexico;
2. Atlantic Ocean;
3. Long Island Sound;
4. Pacific Ocean;
5. Great Lakes;
6. Mississippi River System;
7. Arctic; or

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8. Gulf of Alaska.
b. The institution is:
1. A Community or Technical College;
or
2. A Maritime Training Center—
i. Operated by, or under the
supervision of a State; and
ii. With a maritime training program
in operation in its curriculum on 12/12/
2017; or
3. A group of Community or
Technical Colleges and/or Maritime
Training Centers that:
i. Consists only of members that meet
the eligibility criteria at (1)(a) and either
(1)(b)(1) or (1)(b)(2), and the selection
criteria under (2);
ii. Names a member of such group as
a lead entity. The lead entity will serve
as the primary point of contact with
MARAD and will be responsible for all
duties, including administrative, legal
and financial, as related to the CoE
designation. For example, the lead
entity is responsible for submitting the
CoE application, responding to any
inquiries from MARAD, and
coordinating and executing any
cooperative agreements with MARAD;
and
iii. Has a legally binding agreement
signed by all members. That agreement
must include the name of the group,
which will receive the CoE designation
if one is granted, and list the lead entity
and its responsibilities consistent with
(ii) of this section.
2. How does MARAD interpret the
selection criteria for CoE designation?
I. Assuming no alternative
qualifications are provided, MARAD
will consider applicants eligible for
designation if they can demonstrate
compliance with all the following
criteria:
a. The academic programs offered by
the institution include:
1. One or more Afloat Career
preparation tracks in the United States
Maritime Industry, and/or
2. One or more Ashore Career
preparation tracks in the United States
Maritime Industry.
b. Applicant institutions offering
Afloat Career and/or Ashore Career
tracks have been accredited as follows:
1. ‘‘Community or Technical
Colleges’’ hold current accreditation of
the institution from a Regional
Accreditation Agency or a Nationally
Recognized Agency on the list of
Accrediting Agencies approved by the
U.S. Department of Education.
2. ‘‘Maritime Training Centers’’ hold
current accreditation either—
i. of the institution, from a Regional
Accreditation Agency or a Nationally
Recognized Agency on the list of

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Accrediting Agencies approved by the
U.S. Department of Education; or
ii. of the maritime training program
offered by the institution from either:
A. The State Apprenticeship Agency
(SAA) in accordance with 29 CFR part
29,
B. the State’s Department of
Education or equivalent State agency,
C. the United States Coast Guard
(USCG), or
D. other appropriate external review
body which is specifically authorized to
review and validate post-secondary
education programs and is acceptable to
MARAD.
c. As applicable, maintain USCG
approval for the merchant mariner
training program and/or merchant
mariner training course(s) offered by the
institution.
d. Provide data and statistics to
demonstrate institutional and/or
program effectiveness. This should
include, but is not limited to,
recruitment data, past/current
enrollment (trends), attrition rates,
student program completion data, postprogram job and placement statistics (to
the extent available to the institution),
and program effectiveness feedback
from students, faculty, alumni, and
other stakeholders.
e. As applicable, maintain
authorization and/or endorsement of the
program and/or course(s) by an
applicable professional society or
industry body (including, but not
limited to Welding, Electrician,
Electronics, Maritime Construction,
Maritime Logistics, Maritime Systems,
etc.) to issue industry accepted
certifications that reflect professional
recognition of the level of educational or
technical skill achievement.
II. Additional factors to be considered
may include the following qualitative
attributes fostered by the institution:
a. Supporting workforce needs of the
local, state, or regional economy;
b. Building Science, Technology,
Engineering, and Math (STEM)
competencies of local/future workforce
through maritime programs to meet
emerging local, regional, and national
economic interests;
c. Promoting diversity and inclusion
among the student body;
d. Offering a broad-based curriculum
and stackable credentials where
applicable;
e. Engaging and/or collaborating with
the maritime industry including, but not
limited to employers, associations, and
other industry organizations or partners;
f. Engaging and/or collaborating with
employer-led maritime training
practices and programs through Sector
Partnerships as authorized in the 2014

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Workforce Innovation and Opportunity
Act Section 3(26);
g. Engaging and/or collaborating with
local and regional maritime high
schools or other high schools with
maritime, maritime related, Career
Technical Education (CTE) or STEM
programs;
h. Engaging and/or collaborating with
maritime academies as appropriate and
other applicable institutions or
organizations for advanced proficiency
and higher education; and
i. Conducting other significant
domestic maritime workforce
development related activities.
3. What agreement may MARAD
execute with a designated CoE?
The Maritime Administrator, or
designee, may enter into a cooperative
agreement with a CoE to support
maritime workforce training and
education, including but not limited to,
efforts of the CoE to:
a. Recruit, admit, and train students;
b. Recruit and train faculty;
c. Expand or enhance facilities;
d. Create new maritime career
pathways;
e. Award students credit for prior
experience, including military service;
f. Expand and improve employer-led
maritime training practices and
programs through the establishment of
Sector Partnerships as authorized in the
2014 Workforce Innovation and
Opportunity Act Section 3(26); and
g. Conduct such other CoE activities
that are determined by MARAD to
further maritime workforce training and
education.

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

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Implementation and Administration

How To Apply for a CoE Designation

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

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

5. When and where should I submit my
application for designation?
a. MARAD will publish notifications
in the Federal Register and on its
website at the beginning of March each
year seeking applications on or before
June 1. This should provide applicants
a minimum of 60 days to prepare and
submit their applications.
Note: The first CoE application period
is anticipated to occur sometime soon
after the agency receives the required
Office of Management and Budget
information collection number.
Accordingly, the first CoE application
period to be noticed may occur outside
the proposed March–June time frame.
b. An eligible training entity seeking
designation as a CoE may submit
applications, including all supporting
information and documents, by email to
CoEDMWTE@dot.gov.
Or by mail addressed as follows:
Department of Transportation, Maritime
Administration, Deputy Associate
Administrator for Maritime Education
and Training, Attention: CoE
Designation Program, 1200 New Jersey
Ave. SE, Washington, DC 20590.
6. How will I know the outcome of my
designation request application?
MARAD will notify each applicant of
the status of their designation request.
During the evaluation period, MARAD
may request clarification or additional
information from the applicant.
7. Does my CoE designation expire?
CoE designations are identified by
year (e.g., X has been designated a
Center of Excellence for Domestic
Maritime Workforce Training and
Education for 2020). Successful
applicants can apply each year for
designation.

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Information To Include in Your
Application
Including the following information
will greatly assist our review process:
1. Letter applying for CoE designation
from the Chief Executive of the
applicant institution.
2. Applicant contact information:
a. Legal name of applicant institution
and address.
b. Chief executive’s name, position
title, address, phone number(s) and
email.
c. Points of contact (POC) name(s),
position titles, phone number(s), emails.
3. Indicate if the applicant institution
is claiming eligibility for the CoE
program as a ‘‘Community or Technical
College’’ or ‘‘Maritime Training Center’’,
and submit the following supporting
information and documents:
a. Charter, Articles of Incorporation,
Certificate of Incorporation, or
equivalent, if applicable.
b. Certificate of Status (also known as
Certificate of Existence or Certificate of
Good Standing), a document issued by
a State official (usually the Secretary of
State), if applicable.
c. State operation or State supervision
validation documents, if applicable.
d. Non-Profit certification, if
applicable.

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Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 45 / Friday, March 6, 2020 / Notices

e. Accreditation approval letter(s)
from an accrediting agency(ies).
f. Approval letter from a State
Apprenticeship Agency (SAA) in
accordance with 29 CFR part 29, if
applicable.
g. Approval letter from the State’s
Department of Education or equivalent
State agency, if applicable.
h. Approval letter from the United
States Coast Guard (USCG), if
applicable.
i. ISO 9001 or other quality
management certification (Maritime
Training Centers only), if applicable.
j. Data and statistics to demonstrate
institutional effectiveness. This should
include, but not be limited to,
recruitment data, past/current
enrollment (trends), attrition rates,
student program completion data, postprogram job and placement statistics (to
the extent available to the institution),
and program effectiveness feedback
from students, faculty, alumni, and
other stakeholders.
4. Indicate that the applicant offers
one or more Afloat Career preparation
tracks and/or one or more Ashore Career
preparation tracks in the United States
Maritime Industry and submit the
following supporting information:
a. Program summary;
b. A description of applicable courses
offered (only relevant maritime related
program-specific pages from the
catalogue);
c. If applicable, letters of
authorization and/or endorsement of the
course/program and/or course(s) by an
applicable professional society or
industry body (including, but not
limited to Welding, Electrician,
Electronics, Maritime Construction,
Maritime Logistics, Maritime Systems,
etc.) to issue industry accepted
certifications that reflect a
professionally recognized level of
educational or technical skill
achievement; and
d. Any other relevant supporting
documentation.
Note: Applicant institutions offering
both Ashore and Afloat Career tracks are
encouraged to submit supporting
information for both tracks.
5. Applicant institutions offering
Afloat Career and/or Ashore Career
tracks should indicate that they have
satisfied accreditation requirements, as
set forth below:
a. ‘‘Community and Technical
Colleges’’ hold current accreditation of
the institution from a Regional
Accreditation Agency or a Nationally
Recognized Agency on the list of
Accrediting Agencies approved by the
U.S. Department of Education.

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b. ‘‘Maritime Training Centers’’ hold
current accreditation—
i. either of the institution from a
Regional Accreditation Agency or a
Nationally Recognized; Agency on the
list of Accrediting Agencies approved
by the U.S. Department of Education; or
ii. of the maritime training program
offered by the institution from one or
more of the following:
A. A State Apprenticeship Agency
(SAA) in accordance with 29 CFR part
29,
B. the State’s Department of
Education or equivalent State agency,
C. the United States Coast Guard
(USCG), if applicable; or
D. other appropriate external review
body which is specifically authorized to
review and validate post-secondary
education programs and is acceptable to
MARAD.
6. All applicant institutions may
submit a brief narrative statement for
one or more qualitative attributes
fostered by the institution to accomplish
the following:
a. Support the workforce needs of the
local, state, or regional economy;
b. Build the STEM (Science,
Technology, Engineering, and Math)
competencies of local/future workforce
to meet emerging local, regional, and
national economic interests;
c. Promote diversity and inclusion
among the student body;
d. Offer a broad-based curriculum and
stackable credentials, where applicable;
e. Engage and/or collaborate with the
maritime industry, including, but not
limited to employers, associations, and
other industry organizations or partners;
f. Engage and/or collaborate with
employer-led maritime training
practices and programs through Sector
Partnerships as authorized in the 2014
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity
Act Section 3(26);
g. Engage and/or collaborate with
local and regional maritime high
schools with maritime, maritime
related, Career Technical Education
(CTE) or STEM programs;
h. Engage and/or collaborate with
maritime academies and other
institutions or organizations for
advanced proficiency and higher
education; and
i. Conduct other significant domestic
maritime workforce development
related activities.
7. All applicant institutions may
provide any relevant endorsements,
awards, recognition and significant
accomplishments in support of their
application.
Policy Analysis and Notices
Consistent with the Administrative
Procedures Act and Department of

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Transportation rulemaking policy,
MARAD is publishing this policy in the
Federal Register to indicate how it
plans to exercise the discretionary
authority provided by Section 3507 of
the National Defense Authorization Act
of 2018, Public Law 115–91 (December
12, 2017). Nothing in this notice or in
the policy itself requires MARAD to
exercise its discretionary authority
under 46 U.S.C. 54102. This policy
establishes a voluntary program in
which successful applicants may be
designated as a Center of Excellence for
Domestic Maritime Workforce Training
and Education (CoE).
Paperwork Reduction Act
The information collection
requirements in this final policy are
being submitted for approval to the
Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) under the Paperwork Reduction
Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq. The
sections that contain the information
collection requirements are detailed in
the above section entitled ‘‘How to be
Designated a Center of Excellence for
Domestic Maritime Workforce Training
and Education’’ and the estimated time
to fulfill each requirement and to
prepare a complete application are
estimated in the section entitled
‘‘Collection Summary’’ below.
The OMB is required to make a
decision concerning the collection of
information requirements contained in
this final policy within 60 days after
publication of this document in the
Federal Register. Therefore, a comment
to OMB is best assured of having its full
effect if OMB receives it within 30 days
of this publication. [To direct your
comments, see section entitled
ADDRESSES]
MARAD intends to obtain a current
OMB control number for the
information collection requirements
resulting from this rulemaking action
prior to the effective date of this final
policy. The OMB control number, when
assigned, will be announced by separate
notice in the Federal Register. Copies of
this notice and information collection
request may be obtained from the Office
of Maritime Labor and Training MAR–
650, Room W23–314, 1200 New Jersey
Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
—Title of Information Collection:
Centers of Excellence for Domestic
Maritime Workforce Training and
Education Program.
—OMB Control Number: Pending.
—Form Number: None.
—Expiration Date of Approval: Three
years following approval by the Office
of Management and Budget.
—Summary of Collection of
Information: Entities seeking to obtain

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Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 45 / Friday, March 6, 2020 / Notices
designation as a Center of Excellence for
Domestic Maritime Workforce Training
and Education (CoE). Entities seeking
CoE designation must submit certain
information described in the proposed
policy and application procedures. No
form is required to make a submission.
However, all information described in
the application procedures will be
required to be submitted as described
therein and is necessary for the proper
review of the applicant’s qualifications.
—Need for and Use of the
Information: The information collected
will be used to analyze whether
applicants have the qualifications to
meet the programmatic requirements of
Section 3507 of the National Defense
Authorization Act, 2018. This policy is
necessary to establish an understanding
between MARAD and the applicant/
training entity that certain terms must
be met to hold a CoE designation.
Without this information, MARAD
would not be able to offer the benefit of
its CoE designation program to
applicants. In addition, CoE designation
will facilitate the training and education
of a domestic maritime workforce
essential to meeting the nation’s current
and projected economic and national
security needs.
—Description of Respondents: As
defined by statute, Community Colleges,
Technical Colleges and certain Maritime
Training Centers with a maritime
training program in operation on
December 12, 2017.
—Annual Responses: Once the
Program is implemented, the agency
anticipates between 75–100 submissions
each year. Designation is a one-time
event identified by year. However, the
agency does anticipate the collection of
information annually from the same
estimated number of training entities
seeking annual designation.
—Annual Burden: 24 hours per
program participant.

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(Authority: The National Defense
Authorization Act of 2018, P.L. 115–91
(December 12, 2017), 46 U.S.C. 54102, The
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C.
Chapter 35, as amended, 49 CFR 1.49)
Dated: March 2, 2020.
By Order of the Maritime Administrator.
T. Mitchell Hudson, Jr.,
Secretary, Maritime Administration.
[FR Doc. 2020–04570 Filed 3–5–20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–81–P

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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Office of Foreign Assets Control
Notice of OFAC Sanctions Actions
Office of Foreign Assets
Control, Department of the Treasury.

AGENCY:
ACTION:

Notice.

The U.S. Department of the
Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets
Control (OFAC) is publishing the names
of persons who have been removed from
the list of Specially Designated
Nationals and Blocked Persons (SDN
List). Their property and interests in
property are no longer blocked, and U.S.
persons are no longer generally
prohibited from engaging in transactions
with them.

SUMMARY:

See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
section.

DATES:

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

OFAC: Associate Director for Global
Targeting, tel.: 202–622–2420; Assistant
Director for Sanctions Compliance &
Evaluation, tel.: 202–622–2490;
Assistant Director for Licensing, tel.:
202–622–2480; or Assistant Director for
Regulatory Affairs, tel.: 202–622–4855.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Specially Designated Nationals
and Blocked Persons List (SDN List) and
additional information concerning
OFAC sanctions programs are available
on OFAC’s website (https://
www.treasury.gov/ofac).
Notice of OFAC Actions
OFAC previously determined on
December 14, 2018 that the individual
and entities listed below met one or
more of the criteria under Executive
Order 13664 of April 3, 2014, ‘‘Blocking
Property of Certain Persons with
Respect to South Sudan,’’ 79 FR 19283,
3 CFR, 2014 Comp., p. 238 (E.O. 13664).
On February 26, 2020, the Director of
OFAC determined that circumstances
no longer warrant the inclusion of the
following individual and entities on the
SDN List under this authority. This
entity is no longer subject to the
blocking provisions of Section 1(a) of
E.O. 13664.
Individual
1. ZIV, Israel (a.k.a. ZILBERSTEIN, Israel
Baruch; a.k.a. ZIV, Israel Baruch; a.k.a. ZIV,
Yisrael), Haela 16, Har Hadar, Israel; Haela
40, Har Adar, Israel; DOB 06 Jul 1957;
nationality Israel; Gender Male; Passport
29037166 (Israel); National ID No. 5490537
(individual) [SOUTH SUDAN].

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Entities
1. GLOBAL IZ GROUP LTD (a.k.a. ZIV HG
LTD), 7 Metzada, Bnei Brak 5126112, Israel;
Business Registration Number 514033703
(Israel) [SOUTH SUDAN] (Linked To: ZIV,
Israel).
2. GLOBAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AND
SECURITY LTD (a.k.a. ‘‘GLS’’), 2 Granit,
Petah Tikva 4951446, Israel; Business
Registration Number 514151331 (Israel)
[SOUTH SUDAN] (Linked To: GLOBAL
N.T.M LTD).
3. GLOBAL N.T.M LTD (a.k.a. CST
GLOBAL; a.k.a. GLOBAL CST; a.k.a.
‘‘GLOBAL GROUP’’; a.k.a. ‘‘GREEN
HORIZON’’), 11 Granit Street, P.O. Box 3111,
Petach-Tikva 49514, Israel; 2 Granit, Petah
Tikva 4951446, Israel; Business Registration
Number 513884569 (Israel) [SOUTH SUDAN]
(Linked To: ZIV, Israel).
Dated: February 26, 2020.
Andrea M. Gacki,
Director, Office of Foreign Assets Control.
[FR Doc. 2020–04402 Filed 3–5–20; 8:45 am]
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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS
AFFAIRS
[OMB Control No. 2900–0041]

Agency Information Collection
Activity: Compliance Inspection Report
Veterans Benefits
Administration, Department of Veterans
Affairs.
ACTION: 60-Day notice.
AGENCY:

Electronic Availability

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The Veterans Benefits
Administration (VBA), Department of
Veterans Affairs (VA), is announcing an
opportunity for public comment on the
proposed collection of certain
information by the agency. Under the
Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) or
1995, Federal agencies are required to
publish notice in the Federal Register
concerning each proposed collection of
information, including each proposed
extension, of a previously approved
collection for which approval has
expired, and allow 60 days for public
comment in response to the notice.
DATES: Written comments and
recommendations on the proposed
collection of information should be
received on or before May 5, 2020.
ADDRESSES: Submit written comments
on the collection of information through
Federal Docket Management System
(FDMS) at www.Regulations.gov or to
Nancy J. Kessinger, Veterans Benefits
Administration (20M33), Department of
Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue
NW, Washington, DC 20420 or email to
nancy.kessinger@va.gov. Please refer to
‘‘OMB Control No. 2900–0041’’ in any
correspondence. During the comment
SUMMARY:

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