TITLE in-addition

Notice of Request for Proposals: Pursuant to Chapter 2254, Subchapter B, Texas Government Code, the Comptroller of Public Accounts (Comptroller) announces the issuance of a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the purpose of hiring a consultant to assist in conducting a management and performance review of the Spring Independent School District (ISD). From this review, findings and recommendations will be developed for containing costs, improving management strategies, and ultimately promoting better education for Texas children through school district management efficiency. The successful proposer will be expected to begin performance of the contract on or about March 17, 1997.

Contact: Parties interested in submitting a proposal for the RFP relating to a review of the Spring ISD should contact the Comptroller of Public Accounts, Legal Counsel's Office, 111 East 17th St., Room G-24, Austin, Texas 78774, (512) 475-0866, to obtain a complete copy of the RFP. The RFP will be available for pick-up at the above referenced address on Tuesday, January 21, 1997, between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. Central Zone Time (CZT), and during normal business hours thereafter. All written inquiries and mandatory letters of intent to propose must be received at the above-referenced address prior to 4 p.m. (CZT) on Tuesday, February 4, 1997.

Closing Date: Proposals for the RFP relating to a review of the Spring ISD must be received in Legal Counsel's Office no later than 4 p.m. (CZT), on Friday, February 21, 1997. Proposals for the RFP that are received after this time and date will not be considered.

Award Procedure: Proposals for the RFP relating to a review of the Spring ISD will be subject to evaluation by a committee based on the evaluation criteria set forth in the RFP. The committee will determine which proposal best meets these criteria and will make a recommendation to the Deputy Comptroller, who will then make a recommendation to the Comptroller. The Comptroller will make the final decision. A proposer may be asked to clarify its proposal, which may include an oral presentation prior to final selection.

The Comptroller reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals submitted. The Comptroller is under no legal or other obligation to execute a contract on the basis of this notice or the distribution of any RFP. Neither this notice nor the RFP commits the Comptroller to pay for any costs incurred prior to the execution of a contract.

The anticipated schedule of events for this procurement is as follows: Issuance of RFP - January 21, 1997, 4 p.m. (CZT); Mandatory Letter of Intent and Questions Due - February 4, 1997, 4 p.m. (CZT); Proposals Due - February 21, 1997, 4 p.m. (CZT); and Contract Execution - March 7, 1997, or as soon thereafter as possible.

Issued in Austin, Texas, on January 15,1997.

TRD-9700576

Arthur F. Lorton

Senior, Legal Counsel

Comptroller of Public Accounts

Filed: January 15, 1997

Notice of Request for Proposals: Pursuant to Chapter 2254, Subchapter B, Texas Government Code, the Comptroller of Public Accounts (Comptroller) announces the issuance of a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the purpose of hiring a consultant to assist in conducting a management and performance review of the Corpus Christi Independent School District (ISD). From this review, findings and recommendations will be developed for containing costs, improving management strategies, and ultimately promoting better education for Texas children through school district management efficiency. The successful proposer will be expected to begin performance of the contract on or about March 17, 1997.

Contact: Parties interested in submitting a proposal for the RFP relating to a review of the Corpus Christi ISD should contact the Comptroller of Public Accounts, Legal Counsel's Office, 111 East 17th St., Room G-24, Austin, Texas 78774, (512) 475-0866, to obtain a complete copy of the RFP. The RFP will be available for pick-up at the above referenced address on Tuesday, January 21, 1997, between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. Central Zone Time (CZT), and during normal business hours thereafter. All written inquiries and mandatory letters of intent to propose must be received at the above-referenced address prior to 4 p.m. (CZT) on Tuesday, February 4, 1997.

Closing Date: Proposals for the RFP relating to a review of the Corpus Christi ISD must be received in Legal Counsel's Office no later than 4 p.m. (CZT), on Friday, February 21, 1997. Proposals for the RFP that are received after this time and date will not be considered.

Award Procedure: Proposals for the RFP relating to a review of the Corpus Christi ISD will be subject to evaluation by a committee based on the evaluation criteria set forth in the RFP. The committee will determine which proposal best meets these criteria and will make a recommendation to the Deputy Comptroller, who will then make a recommendation to the Comptroller. The Comptroller will make the final decision. A proposer may be asked to clarify its proposal, which may include an oral presentation prior to final selection.

Issued in Austin, Texas, on January 15,1997.

TRD-9700575

Arthur F. Lorton

Senior, Legal Counsel

Comptroller of Public Accounts

Filed: January 15, 1997

Texas Education Agency

Request for Application Concerning the Christa McAuliffe Fellowship Program, 1997–1998

Eligible Applicants. The Texas Education Agency (TEA) is requesting applications from qualified teachers for the Christa McAuliffe Fellowship Program. This program honors the memory of the late Christa McAuliffe, the New Hampshire teacher who served as an astronaut on the space shuttle Challenger in January 1986. All applicants must have at least eight years of teaching experience in elementary or secondary public or private schools.

Description. Each Christa McAuliffe fellowship must be focused on one of the following priority areas of the state's systemic education improvement plan.

1. Reading. Each Texas student should by the third grade be able to read at grade level.

2. Narrowing the Achievement Gap. The level of performance among student groups should continue to be closed.

3. Implementation of Educational Reform. Educators and policy makers must continue to focus on making improvements in educator preparation, educational research and using technology to enhance classroom instruction.

4. Increasing Flexibility with Accountability. Texas's designation as an Ed-Flex state allows for innovation through the use of waivers of federal law regarding many educational programs. Ed-Flex waivers should be used to enhance innovation in educational programs.

The fellowships may be used for: (1) sabbaticals for study, research, or academic improvement; (2) consultation with or assistance to other school districts or private school systems; (3) development of special innovative programs; (4) projects or partnerships that involve the business community and the schools; (5) programs that incorporate the use and sharing of technologies to help students learn; or (6) expanding or replicating model programs of staff development.

Dates of Project. The Christa McAuliffe Fellowship Program will be implemented during the 1997-1998 school year. Applicants should plan for a starting date of Monday, September 1, 1997, and an ending date of Monday, August 31, 1998.

Project Amount. Funds will be available to full-time teachers currently teaching in elementary or secondary public or private schools. Depending on the type of fellowship sought, project amounts will be awarded to recipients in amounts not to exceed the annual salaries the individuals would receive in their current places of employment for the award period. Applications for the Christa McAuliffe Fellowship Program are competitive and will be funded until grant funds are depleted.

Selection Criteria. Distribution of the awards will be based on the applications prepared by the teachers and reviewed by a statewide panel composed of teachers, parents, school administrators, representatives of higher education and members of professional education organizations. Each application will be judged on: (1) the applicant's proposal abstract and project description; (2) research, evaluation, dissemination and educational benefits of the proposal; (3) professional education, experience in education and professional activities; and (4) the proposal budget. The statewide panel makes the final selection of recipients for the fellowship awards and presents the names to the commissioner who in turn presents them to the Council of Chief State School Officers.

The TEA is not obligated to execute a resulting contract, provide funds, or endorse any application that is submitted in response to this RFA. This RFA does not commit TEA to pay any costs incurred before a contract is executed. The issuance of this RFA does not obligate TEA to award a contract or pay any costs incurred in the preparation of a response.

Requesting the Application. A complete copy of RFA #701-97-005 may be obtained by writing the: Document Control Center, Room 6-108, Texas Education Agency, William B. Travis Building, 1701 North Congress Avenue, Austin, Texas 78701, or by calling (512) 463-9304. Please refer to the RFA number in your request.

Further Information. For clarifying information about this request, contact Olga Garza, Texas Education Agency, (512) 463-6448. This information is also available on the Texas Education Network (TENET).

Deadline for Receipt of Applications. Applications must be received in the Document Control Center of the Texas Education Agency by 5:00 p.m., Friday, February 28, 1997.

Issued in Austin, Texas, on January 15, 1997.

TRD-9700563

Criss Cloudt

Associate Commissioner for Policy Planning and Research

Texas Education Agency

Filed: January 15, 1997

Texas Department of Health

Licensing Action for Radioactive Materials

The Texas Department of Health has taken actions regarding licenses for the possession and use of radioactive materials as listed in the table below. The subheading labeled “Location” indicates the city in which the radioactive material may be possessed and/or used. The location listing “Throughout Texas” indicates that the radioactive material may be used on a temporary basis at job sites throughout the state.

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In issueing new licenses and amending and renewing existing licenses, the Texas Department of Health, Bureau of Radiation Control, has determined that the applicants are qualified by reason of training and experience to use the material in question for the purposes requested in accordance with Texas Regulations for Control of Radiation in such a manner as to minimize danger to public health and safety or property and the environment; the applicants' proposed equipment, facilities, and procedures are adequate to minimize danger to public health and safety or property and the environment; the issuance of the license(s) will not be inimical to the health and safety of the public or the environment; and the applicants satisfy any applicable special requirements in the Texas Regulations for Control of Radiation.

This notice affords the opportunity for a hearing on written request of a licensee, applicant, or “person affected” within 30 days of the date of publication of this notice. A “person affected” is defined as a person who is resident of a county, or a county adjacent to the county, in which the radioactive materials are or will be located, including any person who is doing business or who has a legal interest in land in the county or adjacent county, and any local government in the county; and who can demonstrate that he has suffered or will suffer actual injury or economic damage due to emissions of radiation. A licensee, applicant, or “person affected” may request a hearing by writing Richard A. Ratliff, P.E., Chief, Bureau of Radiation Control (Director, Radiation Control Program), 1100 West 49th Street, Austin, Texas 78756-3189.

Any request for a hearing must contain the name and address of the person who considers himself affected by Agency action, identify the subject license, specify the reasons why the person considers himself affected, and state the relief sought. If the person is represented by an agent, the name and address of the agent must be stated.

Copies of these documents and supporting materials are available for inspection and copying at the office of the Bureau of Radiation Control, Texas Department of Health, Exchange Building, 8407 Wall Street, Austin, Texas, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday-Friday (except holidays).

Issued in Austin, Texas, on January 7, 1997.

TRD-9700215

Susan K. Steeg

General Counsel

Texas Department of Health

Filed: January 7, 1997

Texas Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Authority

This request for consulting services is filed under the provisions of Texas Civil Statutes, Government Code, Chapter 2254.

The Texas Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Authority is charged with siting and operating a low-level radioactive waste disposal facility for the disposal of low-level radioactive waste. The Authority is required to evaluate socioeconomic pacts on the host county and surrounding communities. This evaluation has shown that the need for adequate health care is an important element in the socioeconomic fabric of Sierra Blanca, the nearest community, and throughout Hudspeth County, the host county for the site. Recent attempts to establish health care facilities in the county have not been successful.

Because sustainable health care is important to the local community and is also important to the operations of the low-level radioactive waste disposal facility, the Authority has retained Shoal Creek Associates of Austin, Texas, a health care planning consultant, to collect and analyze data related to health care alternatives in Hudspeth County.

This request is for proposals to commence the phase II analyses in furtherance of the phase I work conducted by Shoal Creek Associates. In phase II of this study, the consultant will be required to:

investigate the viability of the alternatives identified in phase I;

identify sources of possible health care affiliation;

identify sources of for-profit, non-profit and governmental funding;

identify infrastructure and staffing requirement;

identify demographic and geographic limitations;

discuss regulatory and legal issues;

discuss recruitment issues for health care professionals; and

provide pro forma cost analysis for each alternative.

Phase I services have previously been provided by Shoal Creek Associates of Austin, Texas. The Authority intends to continue with and to award this phase II contract for consulting services to Shoal Creek Associates unless a better proposal is submitted in response to this request.

Proposals will be evaluated according to the following criteria: prior experience of the firm working in the area of health care planning with special emphasis on rural and border health care issues; demonstrated competence and qualifications of the staff; organization, size and structure of the firm; the firm's understanding of the work to be performed; and the reasonableness of the fee for services.

The Authority reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals submitted. The Authority is under no legal requirement to execute a contract on the basis of this notice. The Authority intends the material herein only as a general description of the work to be performed. The proposal should be for a period ending August 31, 1997, although the Authority reserves the right to extend the contract for up to one additional year.

Three copies of the proposal are requested. They must be sent by mail, delivered in person, or submitted by facsimile to Lawrence R. Jacobi, Jr., P.E., at 7701 North Lamar, Suite 300, Austin, Texas 78752, fax number 512/451-5296. Proposals must be received at this address or facsimile number not later than 5:00 p.m., February 10, 1997. The proposal should be typed, double spaced and completed on 8 1/2 by 11 inch paper with all pages sequentially numbered.

Issued in Austin, Texas, on January 14, 1997.

TRD-9700543

Lee H. Mathews

Deputy General Manager and General Counsel

Texas Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Authority

Filed: January 14, 1997

Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission

Revised Notice of Public Hearing (Standard Exemption List)

The public hearing scheduled for January 13, 1997, at 2:00 p.m., concerning revisions to Chapters 116 and 106 and the State Implementation Plan, has been continued to January 15, 1997. The public hearing will be held at 2:00 p.m. in Room 2210 of TNRCC Building F, located at 12100 Park 35 Circle, Austin. Comments must be received by 5:00 p.m., January 16, 1997, as stated in the proposed rules. The proposal was published in the December 17, 1996, issue of the Texas Register (21 TexReg 12055).

Issued in Austin, Texas, on January 15, 1997.

TRD-9700565

Kevin McCalla