[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 95 (Wednesday, May 15, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 24479]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-12136]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Food Safety and Inspection Service
[Docket No. 96-019N]
Location of Proposed Technical Service Center; Opportunity To
Present Alternative Sites for Consideration
AGENCY: Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is considering
creating a Technical Service Center to provide technical assistance,
advice, and guidance for FSIS Field Operations personnel and the
regulated meat, poultry, and egg products industries. FSIS is providing
interested parties the opportunity to present recommended sites for its
proposed Technical Service Center.
DATES: Requests to make a presentation to the Agency must be received
by June 14, 1996.
ADDRESSES: Mr. O.V. Cummings, Director, Administrative Services
Division, Food Safety and Inspection Service, 14th and Independence
Ave., SW, Washington, D.C. 20250.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. O.V. Cummings or Mr. Glen Durst at
the above address or at (202) 720-3551, Fax (202) 205-7392.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: FSIS has submitted a proposed reorganization
plan to the Secretary of Agriculture for approval. The plan establishes
a Technical Service Center to provide technical assistance, advice, and
guidance for FSIS Field Operations personnel and the regulated meat,
poultry, and egg products industries. The Center would house
approximately 100 FSIS employees to provide guidance on the enforcement
and application of FSIS domestic and import regulations, policies, and
systems.
Approximately half of the employees that would be assigned to the
Center are currently located in the Washington, D.C. area, with the
remainder of the employees in the five Regional Offices or other
locations. Locating the Center in the Washington D.C. area would result
in the lowest initial cost to the Agency because there would be no
relocation costs for employees already assigned to the Washington D.C.
area. In addition, locating the Center in the Washington, D.C.
metropolitan area would enhance FSIS's ability to coordinate Agency
functions with the Center.
However, locating the Center in a rural area could serve the Agency
well in the long term. Experience shows that it is easier to recruit
employees in areas where the cost of living is relatively low. In
addition, locating the Center in the middle of the country would make
it easier to serve field personnel and industry because the time
difference between the Center and offices located on the east and west
coast would not be so great.
FSIS invites recommendations regarding the location of the
Technical Service Center. Persons interested in proposing sites for the
Center should address issues of initial costs, other costs, and
benefits associated with a particular, recommended location. The
proposed locations should, at a minimum, meet the following criteria:
Offer an adequate selection of moderate to middle income
housing.
Be within reasonable driving distance to a major airport
because there will be occasional travel to and from the 18 proposed
district offices and Washington, D.C.
Have nearby hotel/motel accommodations.
Have available office space to support the Center staff
(approximately 20,000 square feet).
The presentations may be given in person, on videotape, or by
conference call. Written recommendations should be sent to Mr. O.V.
Cummings (See ADDRESSES).
The Agency will contact respondents to schedule the presentations
to be given at FSIS headquarters. Presenters from outside the
Washington D.C. area who wish to make presentations at FSIS
headquarters must make their own travel arrangements and pay their own
travel expenses.
Done at Washington, DC, on May 9, 1996.
Michael R. Taylor,
Acting Under Secretary for Food Safety.
[FR Doc. 96-12136 Filed 5-14-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-DM-P
