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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 177 (Thursday, September 12, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 74366-74371]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-20677]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Maritime Administration

[Docket Number MARAD-2018-0088]

Centers of Excellence for Domestic Maritime Workforce Training 
and Education; Notice of Opportunity To Apply for Designation

AGENCY: Maritime Administration, Department of Transportation.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY:  The National Defense Authorization Act of 2018 (the Act) 
provided the Secretary of Transportation with the discretionary 
authority to designate qualified entities as Centers of Excellence 
(CoEs). CoE designations serve to assist the maritime industry in 
obtaining and maintaining the highest quality workforce. Upon the 
Secretary's approval, twenty-seven institutions were designated on May 
19, 2021; thirty-two applicants were designated on February 22, 2024. 
The purpose of this notice is to solicit applications from qualified 
training entities for the next round of CoE designations. A Center of 
Excellence designation is valid for five years.

DATES: Applications, including all supporting information and 
documents, must be submitted by 8:00 p.m. E.T. on November 12, 2024.

ADDRESSES: A training entity seeking designation as a CoE may submit 
applications, including all supporting information and documents, by 
email to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gerard Wall, Centers of Excellence for 
Domestic Maritime Workforce Training and Education (CoE) Program 
Manager, via electronic mail at [email protected] or call 202-366-
7273.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 3507 of the FY 2018 NDAA provided 
authority to the Secretary to designate qualified entities as CoEs. 
This authority is codified at 46 U.S.C. 51706. Following the enactment 
of the FY 2018 NDAA, MARAD developed a procedure to recommend to the 
Secretary the designation of eligible institutions as CoEs. Section 
3532 of the FY 2023 NDAA, enacted on December 23, 2022, revised the 
criteria for CoE designations by amending the definition of ``covered 
training entity.'' MARAD revised its CoE designation procedure to 
conform to the amended CoE criteria in the FY 2023 NDAA.
    46 U.S.C. 51706(c)(1)(B), provides that a ``covered training 
entity'' includes (i) a postsecondary educational institution; (ii) a 
postsecondary vocational institution; (iii) a public or private 
nonprofit entity that offers one or more other structured experiential 
learning training programs for United States maritime industry, 
including a program that is offered by a labor organization or 
conducted in partnership with a nonprofit organization or one or more 
employers in the United States maritime industry; (iv) an entity 
sponsoring a registered apprenticeship program; or (v) a maritime 
training center designated prior to the date of enactment of the FY 
2023 NDAA. As reflected in the definition of ``covered training 
entity'' in the Key Terms section of this notice, to be eligible for 
CoE designation, an entity must meet one of the criteria under clauses 
(i) through (v) of 46 U.S.C.51706(C)(1)(B).
    Qualified training entities seeking to be designated as CoEs should 
apply to MARAD. MARAD developed 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 requirements, selection criteria, and qualitative attributes 
consistent with section 3532 of the FY 2023 NDAA.
    The MARAD application procedure and program details are listed 
below and are also available to the public on its website at https://www.maritime.dot.gov/education/maritime-centers-excellence.

Prior Federal Action

    Multiple Federal Register Notices were published between May 2018 
and March 2020 seeking and responding to public comment on the proposed 
CoE designation policy. All unabridged comments are available for 
review electronically at www.regulations.gov by searching DOT Docket 
``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.
    On March 06, 2020, MARAD published its final CoE designation policy 
in the Federal Register (85 FR 13231). Subsequently, MARAD issued a 
notice in the Federal Register (85 FR 67599) on October 23, 2020, 
entitled Center of Excellence for Domestic Maritime Workforce: Notice 
of Opportunity to Apply for Training and Education Designation, and on 
the MARAD website at www.MARAD.dot.gov, requesting applications from 
qualified training entities seeking to be designated as a CoE. The 
application period closed on December 22, 2020. Thirty applications for 
designation were received. Upon the Secretary's approval, twenty-seven 
institutions were designated on May 19, 2021, as 2021 CoEs.
    On July 19, 2022, MARAD issued a notice in the Federal Register (87 
FR 43103), entitled Center of Excellence for Domestic Maritime 
Workforce: Notice of Opportunity to Apply for Training and Education 
Designation, and on the MARAD website at www.MARAD.dot.gov, to solicit 
applications from qualified training entities for CoE designation. The 
application period closed on September 19, 2022. Thirty-six 
applications for designation were received. However, before MARAD could 
complete final agency action on these applications, Congress enacted 
the FY 2023 NDAA, which amended the CoE designation criteria and 
required MARAD to terminate action on the 2022 applications.
    On July 20, 2023, MARAD issued a notice in the Federal Register (88 
FR 46829), entitled Center of Excellence for Domestic Maritime 
Workforce: Designation Policy Update and Notice of Opportunity to Apply 
for Designation for 2023, and on the MARAD website at 
www.MARAD.dot.gov, to announce termination of agency action on the 2022 
applications, issue an updated CoE designation policy conforming to the 
FY 2023 NDAA, and to solicit applications from qualified training 
entities for the next round of CoE designations. The application period 
closed on September 18, 2023. Thirty-two of the thirty-four entities 
that submitted applications were designated as CoEs on February 22, 
2024.
    The purpose of this notice is to solicit applications from 
qualified training entities under the FY 2023 NDAA for the next round 
of CoE designation. A Center of Excellence designation is valid for 
five years.

Applicant Assistance

    To assist applicants to be designated as a CoE please find below 
MARAD's policy to include recommendations on how best to apply.

[[Page 74367]]

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 CoEs in accordance with the FY 
2023 NDAA.

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

Introduction

    The Secretary of Transportation, acting through the Maritime 
Administrator, may designate certain eligible and qualified training 
entities as CoEs. 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 training 
entity is free to decide whether it wishes to participate in the 
program and apply for a CoE designation. Applications should include 
information to demonstrate that the applicant institution meets certain 
criteria, designation requirements, and attributes consistent with 46 
U.S.C. 51706.

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, your 
application should include 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. ``Ashore career'' is a term developed by MARAD to mean a shore-
based compensated occupation in the United States Maritime Industry.
    3. ``Covered training entity'' means an entity that--
    (A) is located in a State that borders on the--
    (i) Gulf of Mexico,
    (ii) Atlantic Ocean,
    (iii) Long Island Sound,
    (iv) Pacific Ocean,
    (v) Great Lakes, or
    (vi) Mississippi River System.
    (B) is--
    i. a postsecondary educational institution (as such term is defined 
in section 3(39) of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education 
Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2302) with an established maritime training 
program as part of its curriculum.
    ii. a postsecondary vocational institution (as such term is defined 
in section 102(c) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
1002(c) with an established maritime training program as part of its 
curriculum.
    iii. a public or private nonprofit entity that offers one or more 
other structured experiential learning training programs for United 
States workers in the United States maritime industry, including a 
program that is offered by a labor organization or conducted in 
partnership with a nonprofit organization or one or more employers in 
the United States maritime industry.
    iv. an entity sponsoring an apprenticeship program registered with 
the Office of Apprenticeship of the Employment and Training 
Administration of the Department of Labor or a State apprenticeship 
agency recognized by the Office of Apprenticeship pursuant to the Act 
of August 16, 1937 (commonly known as the `National Apprenticeship 
Act'; 50 Stat. 664, chapter 663; 29 U.S.C. 50; or
    v. A maritime training center designated prior to the date of 
enactment of the FY 2023 NDAA.
    (C) has a demonstrated record of success in maritime workforce 
training and education and
    (D) has--
    (i) not been subject to a disciplinary or adverse administrative 
action by Federal, State, or other regulatory bodies;
    (ii) no unresolved nonconformities from administrative audits by 
regulatory bodies; and
    (iii) not been subject to any adverse criminal action by a Federal, 
State, or local law enforcement authority.
    4. ``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.
    5. ``Postsecondary educational institution'' means--
    (A) an institution of higher education, as defined in 20 U.S.C. 
1001, that provides not less than a 2-year program of instruction that 
is acceptable for credit toward a bachelor's degree.
    (B) a tribally controlled college or university; or
    (C) a nonprofit educational institution offering certificate or 
other skilled training programs at the postsecondary level.
    6. ``Postsecondary vocational institution'' means a postsecondary 
vocational institution as defined in 20 U.S.C. 1002(c).
    7. ``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.
    8. ``Training program means a program that provides training 
services, as described in section 134(c)(3)(D) of the Workforce 
Innovation and Opportunity Act (Pub. L. 113-128; 29 U.S.C. 3174).
    9. ``United States maritime industry'' (as such term is defined in 
46 U.S.C 51706(c)(6) means the design, construction, repair, operation, 
manning, and supply of vessels in all segments of the maritime 
transportation system of the United States, including:
    (A) the domestic and foreign trade;
    (B) the coastal, offshore, and inland trade;
    (C) non-commercial maritime activities, including--
    (i) recreational boating; and
    (ii) oceanographic and limnological research as described in 46 
U.S.C 2101(24).

Applicant Information

1. Who is eligible to apply for designation as a center of excellence 
for domestic maritime workforce training and education (CoE)?

    Participation in the CoE program is entirely voluntary for a 
covered training entity. A covered training entity is not required to 
seek a CoE designation. Under the statute, a covered training entity 
that provides training and education for the domestic maritime 
workforce may apply so long as it meets the following criteria:
    a. The entity is located in a State that borders on at least one of 
the following bodies of water:

[[Page 74368]]

    1. Gulf of Mexico,
    2. Atlantic Ocean,
    3. Long Island Sound,
    4. Pacific Ocean,
    5. Great Lakes, or
    6. Mississippi River System.
    b. The entity has a demonstrated record of success in maritime 
workforce training and education; and
    c. The entity is:
    1. A postsecondary educational institution; or
    2. A postsecondary vocational institution; or
    3. A public or private nonprofit entity that offers one or more 
other structured experiential learning training programs for United 
States workers in the United States maritime industry, including a 
program that is offered by a labor organization or conducted in 
partnership with a nonprofit organization or one or more employers in 
the United States maritime industry; or
    4. An entity sponsoring an apprenticeship program registered with 
the Office of Apprenticeship of the Employment and Training 
Administration of the Department of Labor or a State apprenticeship 
agency recognized by the Office of Apprenticeship pursuant to the Act 
of August 16, 1937 (commonly known as the `National Apprenticeship 
Act'; 50 Stat. 664, chapter 663; 29 U.S.C. 50); or
    5. A maritime training center designated prior to the date of 
enactment of the FY 2023 NDAA; or
    6. A group of covered training entities that:
    i. Consists only of members that meet the eligibility criteria at 
(1)(a), 1(b) and one of the eligibility criteria listed at(1)(c)(1) 
through (1)(c)(4), 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 entity 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. A postsecondary educational institution must 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. A postsecondary vocational institution must 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.
    3. A public or private non-profit entity that offers one or more 
other structured experiential learning training programs for United 
States workers in the United States maritime industry, including a 
program that is offered by a labor organization or conducted in 
partnership with a nonprofit organization or one or more employers in 
the United States maritime industry--
    ii. must have United States Coast Guard (USCG) approval of the 
mariner training program and mariner training courses offered by the 
institution, if applicable; or
    iii. must hold current accreditation of the maritime training 
program offered by the institution from one or more of the following:
    A. the State's Department of Education or equivalent State agency; 
or
    B. employers in the United States maritime industry; or
    C. other appropriate external review body which is specifically 
authorized to review and validate post-secondary education programs and 
is acceptable to MARAD.
    4. An entity sponsoring a registered apprenticeship program must 
hold current accreditation from a State Apprenticeship Agency (SAA) in 
accordance with 29 CFR part 29.
    5. A maritime training center designated prior to the date of 
enactment of the FY 2023 NDAA must hold current accreditation--
    i. either of the institution, from a Regional Accreditation Agency 
or a Nationally Recognized Agency on the list of Accrediting Agencies 
approved by the U.S. Department of Education; or
    ii. of the maritime training program offered by the institution 
from either:
    A. the State Apprenticeship Agency (SAA) in accordance with 29 CFR 
part 29,
    B. the State's Department of Education or equivalent State agency,
    C. the United States Coast Guard (USCG), or
    D. other appropriate external review body which is specifically 
authorized to review and validate post-secondary education programs and 
is acceptable to MARAD.
    6. Each member of a Group must hold current accreditation according 
to each member's corresponding eligibility category and the 
accreditation requirements outlined above in (I)(b)(1-5).
    c. As applicable, the applicant maintains USCG approval for the 
merchant mariner training program and/or merchant mariner training 
course(s) offered by the institution.
    d. The applicant provides data and statistics to demonstrate record 
of success in maritime workforce training and education and 
institutional and/or program effectiveness. This should include, but is 
not limited to, recruitment data, past/current enrollment (trends), 
attrition rates, student program completion data, post-program job and 
placement statistics (to the extent available to the institution), and 
program effectiveness feedback from students, faculty, alumni, and 
other stakeholders.
    e. As applicable, the applicant maintains 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 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.

[[Page 74369]]

    c. Promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility within 
the institution, including among the student body, faculty, and staff.
    d. Offering a broad-based curriculum and stackable credentials 
where applicable.
    e. Engaging and/or collaborating with the maritime industry 
including, but not limited to employers, associations, and other 
industry organizations or partners.
    f. Engaging and/or collaborating with employer-led maritime 
training practices and programs through Sector Partnerships as 
authorized in the 2014 Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Section 
3 (26).
    g. Engaging and/or collaborating with local and regional maritime 
high schools or other high schools with maritime, maritime related, 
Career Technical Education (CTE) or STEM programs.
    h. Engaging and/or collaborating with maritime academies as 
appropriate and other applicable institutions or organizations for 
advanced proficiency and higher education; and
    i. Conducting other significant domestic maritime workforce 
development related activities.

Implementation and Administration

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

3. When and where should I submit my application for designation?

    a. MARAD will publish notifications in the Federal Register and on 
its website indicating the application period for the next designation 
cycle. Applicants will be provided 60 days to prepare and submit their 
applications.
    b. A qualified training entity seeking designation as a CoE may 
submit applications, including all supporting information and 
documents, by email to [email protected].

4. 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.

5. Does my CoE designation expire?

    Yes. CoE designation is valid for five years from the year in which 
the designation is made and is identified by designation year (e.g., X 
has been designated a Center of Excellence for Domestic Maritime 
Workforce Training and Education for 2024). Successful applicants from 
one designation cycle are encouraged-to reapply during the designation 
cycle corresponding with the expiration of their current five-year 
designation.

How To Apply for a CoE Designation

    6. 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 
qualifications and compliance with the statutory designation criteria. 
To that end, MARAD encourages applicants to ensure that each responsive 
section and each page of any document or enclosure in their 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 
Postsecondary Educational Institution. (Q3i). Please find enclosed our 
Articles of Incorporation, Certificate of Status, and State 
authorization validation document. (Q3, a, b, c)
    Example 2. ``Mar Ex'' is enclosing the following supporting 
documents to demonstrate that our entity is accredited: U.S. Department 
of Education Accrediting Agency XYZ accreditation (Q5, Section a,i); 
and our Afloat Track program and courses are approved by the USCG (Q5, 
Section a,ii).

    Note:  MARAD will host two (2) ``Center of Excellence 
Application'' sessions to provide guidance to prospective applicants 
on the content of this Federal Register notice. The dates, times, 
and locations of those sessions will be announced on the MARAD CoE 
homepage within forty-eight hours of the publication of the Notice 
of Opportunity to Apply. Attendance at either of those information 
sessions is entirely voluntary and not a requirement of the 
application process.

Information To Include in Your Application

    All submitted documents should clearly reference the question 
number(s) and section(s) listed in this guidance and/or the statute.
    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 the category under which the applicant entity is 
claiming qualified for the CoE program:
    i. 1(c)(1) Postsecondary Educational Institution; or
    ii. 1(c)(2) Postsecondary Vocational Institution; or
    iii. 1(c)(3) Public or private nonprofit entity that offers one or 
more other structured experiential learning training programs for 
United States workers in the United States maritime industry, including 
a program that is offered by a labor organization or conducted in 
partnership with a nonprofit organization or one or more employers in 
the United States maritime industry; or
    iv. 1(c)(4) Entity sponsoring a registered apprenticeship program;
    v. 1(c)(5) A maritime training center designated prior to the date 
of enactment of the FY 2023 NDAA; or
    vi. 1(c)(6) A Group of covered training entities.
    4. Submit the following supporting information and documents:
    a. Charter, Articles of Incorporation, Certificate of 
Incorporation, or equivalent.
    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 authorization validation documents, if applicable.
    d. Public or Non-Profit status certification.
    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, if 
applicable.
    j. Data and statistics to demonstrate record of success in maritime 
workforce training and education and institutional effectiveness. This 
should include, but not be limited to, recruitment data, past/

[[Page 74370]]

current enrollment (trends), attrition rates, student program 
completion data, post-program job and placement statistics (to the 
extent available to the institution), and program effectiveness 
feedback from students, faculty, alumni, and other stakeholders.
    Note: This information corresponds to the types of data commonly 
collected annually as part of a higher education institution's 
Performance Accountability Report (PAR).
    5. Indicate the total number of afloat career preparation tracks 
and/or the total number of ashore career preparation tracks your 
institution offers 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 should submit supporting information for both tracks.
    6. Applicant institutions offering afloat career and/or ashore 
career tracks should demonstrate that they have satisfied accreditation 
requirements, as set forth below:
    a. Postsecondary educational institutions and postsecondary 
vocational institutions--
    i. are accredited by a Regional Accreditation Agency or a 
Nationally Recognized Agency on the list of Accrediting Agencies 
approved by the U.S. Department of Education; and
    ii. if applicable, the mariner training program and mariner 
training courses offered by the institution have USCG approval.
    b. A public or private nonprofit entity that offers one or more 
other structured experiential learning training programs for United 
States workers in the United States maritime industry, including a 
program that is offered by a labor organization or conducted in 
partnership with a nonprofit organization or one or more employers in 
the United States maritime industry--
    i. has United States Coast Guard (USCG) approval of the mariner 
training program and mariner training courses offered by the 
institution, if applicable; or
    ii. hold current accreditation of the maritime training program 
offered by the institution from one or more of the following:
    A. the State's Department of Education or equivalent State agency; 
or
    B. employers in the United States maritime industry; or
    C. other appropriate external review body which is specifically 
authorized to review and validate post-secondary education programs and 
is acceptable to MARAD.
    c. An entity sponsoring a registered apprenticeship program holds 
current accreditation from a State Apprenticeship Agency (SAA) in 
accordance with 29 CFR part 29.
    d. A maritime training center designated prior to the date of 
enactment of the FY 2023 NDAA must hold current accreditation--
    i. either of the institution, from a Regional Accreditation Agency 
or a Nationally Recognized Agency on the list of Accrediting Agencies 
approved by the U.S. Department of Education; or
    ii. of the maritime training program offered by the institution 
from either:
    A. the State Apprenticeship Agency (SAA) in accordance with 29 CFR 
part 29,
    B. the State's Department of Education or equivalent State agency,
    C. the United States Coast Guard (USCG), or
    D. other appropriate external review body which is specifically 
authorized to review and validate post-secondary education programs and 
is acceptable to MARAD.
    e. Each member of a Group must hold current accreditation according 
to each member's corresponding eligibility category and the 
accreditation requirements outlined above in (6)(a-d).
    7. All applicant institutions should 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, equity, inclusion, and accessibility within 
the institution, including among the student body, faculty, and staff;
    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.
    8. All applicant institutions may provide any relevant 
endorsements, awards, recognition, and significant accomplishments in 
support of their application.
    Note: As part of designation, CoE designee institutions are 
geolocated on MARAD's CoE Interactive Map located on the MARAD website. 
In addition to identifying geographic location, this map also provides 
a link to a landing page for each institution and a brief narrative 
statement, an Institution Overview, about each institution's maritime 
program. Applicants are encouraged to take into consideration that the 
information they submit for 6a-6i may serve dual purpose: application 
support and content for a one-page institutional overview that 
highlights your institution's achievements and aspirations.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    The information collection requirements in the final CoE 
designation policy have been approved under information collection 
number 2133-0549 by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq. In accordance 
with 5 CFR 1320.5(b)(2)(i), persons are not required to provide 
information to the Government unless the information collection 
displays a current and valid OMB control number. This application 
process is operating under the following current and valid OMB control 
number: 2133-0549.

(Authority: The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 
2023, Pub. L. 117-263 (December 23, 2022), 46 U.S.C. 51706. The 
Paperwork Reduction Act of

[[Page 74371]]

1995, 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35, as amended, 49 CFR 1.49).

    By Order of the Maritime Administrator.
T. Mitchell Hudson, Jr.
Secretary, Maritime Administration.
[FR Doc. 2024-20677 Filed 9-11-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-81-P
```