IN ADDITION The Texas Register is required by statute to publish certain documents, including applications to purchase control of state banks, notices of rate ceilings, changes in interest rate and applications to install remote service units, and consultant proposal requests and awards. To aid agencies in communicating information quickly and effectively, other information of general interest to the public is published as space allows. State Aircraft Pooling Board Notification of Rates for Aircraft Use The following rates, indicated in bold type, are now in effect for the various types of aircraft operated by the State Aircraft Pooling Board. These rates have been established in accordance with procedures developed by the Legislative Budget Board. Also listed are approximate charges for a round trip flight to various cities in Texas. The charges have been calculated based on estimated flying times, and may differ from actual flight times due to weather conditions or alternate routing by traffic controllers. Please call Lisa Morgan, Scheduler, at (512) 477-8900 with any questions, any need to schedule a flight, or any need for estimated charges for other locations. [graphic] Issued in Austin, Texas on January 4, 1994. TRD-9434175 Bob DuLaney Executive Director State Aircraft Pooling Board Filed: January 4, 1994 Comptroller of Public Accounts Notices of Consultant Contract Award In accordance with the provisions of the Texas Government Code, Chapter 2254, Subchapter B, the Comptroller of Public Accounts announces this notice of consultant contract award. The consultant proposal request was published in the November 9, 1993, issue of the Texas Register (18 TexReg 8259). The consultant will perform a management and performance review of the Paris Independent School District, and will produce periodic progress reports and a final report containing the consultant's conclusions and recommendations. These reports shall include analyses and recommendations to contain costs, improve management strategies, and to promote better education through school administration efficiency. The contract is awarded to Neal and Associates, 4702 Fieldstone Drive, Austin, Texas 78735. The total dollar value of the contract is not to exceed $59,230. The contract was executed January 3, 1994, and extends through August 31, 1995. Neal and Associates is to present a final report on or about June 3, 1994, on conclusions reached from the services performed under said contract. Issued in Austin, Texas, on January 4, 1994. TRD-9434207 Arthur F. Lorton Senior Legal Counsel, General Law Section Comptroller of Public Accounts Filed: January 5, 1994 In accordance with the provisions of the Texas Government Code, Chapter 2254, Subchapter B, the Comptroller of Public Accounts announces this notice of consultant contract award. The consultant proposal request was published in the November 9, 1993, issue of the Texas Register (18 TexReg 8259). The consultant will perform a management and performance review of the Longview Independent School District, and will produce periodic progress reports and a final report containing the consultant's conclusions and recommendations. These reports shall include analyses and recommendations to contain costs, improve management strategies, and to promote better education through school administration efficiency. The contract is awarded to Mir-Fox and Rodriguez, P.C., 1300 One Riverway, Houston, Texas 77056. The total dollar value of the contract is not to exceed $89,450. The contract was executed January 3, 1994, and extends through August 31, 1995. Mir-Fox and Rodriguez, P.C. is to present a final report on or about June 3, 1994, on conclusions reached from the services performed under said contract. Issued in Austin, Texas, on January 4, 1994. TRD-9434206 Arthur F. Lorton Senior Legal Counsel, General Law Section Comptroller of Public Accounts Filed: January 5, 1994 Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner Notice of Rate Ceilings The Consumer Credit Commissioner of Texas has ascertained the following rate ceilings by use of the formulas and methods described in Texas Civil Statutes, Title 79, Article 1.04, as amended (Texas Civil Statutes, Article 5069-1.04). [graphic] Issued in Austin, Texas, on January 3, 1994. TRD-9434176 Al Endsley Consumer Credit Commissioner Filed: January 4, 1994 Texas Education Agency Request For Application Request For Application (RFA) Number 701-94-007. This request for applications is filed under Senate Bill 5, Article III, Rider 45, of the 73rd Legislature. Eligible Applicants : The Texas Education Agency is requesting applications (RFA Number 701-94-007) from school districts and cooperatives of school districts to develop pilot programs to include students with disabilities who are eligible for special education services in inclusive, supportive educational programs. Description: The objectives of the pilot program are to improve the achievement of students with disabilities who are eligible for special education, increase school district personnel knowledge of effective inclusive educational methods and techniques, increase the participation of eligible students in inclusive and supportive educational programs, encourage school districts to develop and implement activities for the inclusion of students with disabilities in general education, and conduct a cost analysis and program evaluation of programs that serve students with disabilities in general education that examine the outcomes of all personnel involved in inclusive programs and the cost to special education and general education. The application must contain a description of the program which supports the request for funds and must include the following: a statement of need and the proposed outcomes; activities proposed to address the needs and achieve the outcomes; any other resources supporting the program; the amount of funds needed and how funds are to be budgeted; how the school district plans to continue the program in future years; a local plan to evaluate program effectiveness, including, but not limited to, evaluation methodology for all program action steps or components, an evaluation summary of the total program including satisfaction surveys, and a local plan for evaluating the program's impact on the achievement of all students; and evidence that the proposal fits into the overall campus/district improvement plan and has administrative support. Dates of Project: Pilot programs for the inclusion of students with disabilities in general education (RFA Number 701-94-007) will be implemented during the 1993-1994 and 1994-1995 school years. Applicants should plan for a starting date of no earlier than April 1, 1994, and an ending date of no later than September 30, 1995. Project Amount: Funds will be provided for applications that best address the objectives of the request for application as outlined in the "project funding" and "selection criteria" sections of the RFA. Approximately $12 million of Individuals with Disabilities Education Act-Part B funds is available for the pilot programs. Selection Criteria: School districts that received IDEA-B funding through RFA Number 701-93-019 (concerning pilot programs for inclusion of students with disabilities in regular education) offered by the agency in July 1993 will not be eligible for funding through this RFA. Each school district has been assigned to one of eight categories based on student enrollment and wealth. Applications will be reviewed, rated, and approved in each category according to criteria established in the RFA. Requesting the Application : A copy of the complete request for application (RFA Number 701-94-007) may be obtained by writing the Document Control Center, Texas Education Agency, 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 application, contact the Division of Special Education, Texas Education Agency, at (512) 463-9414. Deadline for Receipt of Applications: Applications must be received in the Document Control Center of the Texas Education Agency no later than 5:00 p.m., Friday, February 18, 1994. Issued in Austin, Texas on January 4, 1994. TRD-9434214 Lionel Meno Commissioner of Education Texas Education Agency Filed: January 5, 1994 Texas Department of Human Services Notice of Public Hearing The Texas Department of Human Services (TDHS) will conduct a public hearing to receive comments on streamlining institutional policy and procedures for its Long-Term Nursing Facilities. The public hearing will be held on January 25, 1994, at 1:00 p.m. in the Public Hearing Room of the John H. Winters Center (701 West 51st Street, Austin, First Floor, East Tower). For further information, please contact Marion Tanner, (512) 450-3529. Issued in Austin, Texas, on January 5, 1994. TRD-9434209 Nancy Murphy Section Manager, Policy and Document Support Texas Department of Human Services Filed: January 5, 1994 Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Announcement of Decision to Renew Cooperative Facility Management Contract Between Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and Texas Rural Communities, Inc., and Request for Public Comment The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is proposing the renewal of its Cooperative Facility Management Contract with Texas Rural Communities, Inc. for the continued development and implementation of regional marketing plans in three areas of Texas: The Western Edwards Plateau, the Red River Region and Middle East Texas; and for the continued operation of Eisenhower Birthplace, Fort McKavett, Fort Lancaster, Starr Family Mansion and Caddoan Mounds as State Historical Parks. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department invites public comment on the renewal of the Cooperative Facility Management Contract. A copy of the proposed contract will be available for inspection during regular office hours at the following places: Offices of Texas Rural Communities, Inc., 1016 La Posada, Suite 200, Austin, Texas 78752, (512) 458-1016; Eisenhower Birthplace State Historical Park, 208 East Day, Denison, Texas 75020, (903) 465-8908; Fort McKavett State Historical Park, P.O. Box 867, Fort McKavett, Texas 76841, (915) 396-2358; Fort Lancaster State Historical Park, P.O. Box 306, Sheffield, Texas 79781, (915) 836-4391; Starr Family Mansion State Historical Park, 407 West Travis, Marshall, Texas 75670, (903) 935-3044; Caddoan Mounds State Historical Park, Route 2 Box 85C, Alto, Texas 75925, (409) 858-3218. Comments on the proposed renewal contract may be submitted before February 2, 1994, by mailing them to Luke Thompson, 4200 Smith School Road, Austin, Texas 78744, or depositing them in a designated drop box at each of the above-listed parks. Issued in Austin, Texas on January 4, 1994. TRD-9434217 Paul M. Shinkawa Director, Legal Services Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Filed: January 5, 1994 Public Utility Commission of Texas Notices of Intent to File Pursuant to Public Utility Commission Substantive Rule 23.27 Notice is given to the public of the intent to file with the Public Utility Commission of Texas an application pursuant to Public Utility Commission Substantive Rule 23.27 for approval of customer-specific PLEXAR-Custom Service for Fort Worth, ISD, Fort Worth, Texas. Docket Title and Number. Application of Southwestern Bell Telephone Company for Approval of Plexar-Custom Service for Fort Worth ISD pursuant to Public Utility Commission Substantive Rule 23.27(k). Docket Number 12666. The Application. Southwestern Bell Telephone Company is requesting approval of Plexar-Custom Service Fort Worth ISD. The geographic service market for this specific service is the Fort Worth, Texas area. Persons who wish to comment upon the action sought should contact the Public Utility Commission of Texas at 7800 Shoal Creek Boulevard, Austin, Texas 78757, or call the Public Utility Commission Public Information Section at (512) 458- 0256, or (512) 458-0221 for teletypewriter for the deaf. Issued in Austin, Texas, on December 31, 1993. TRD-9434154 John M. Renfrow Secretary of the Commission Public Utility Commission of Texas Filed: January 3, 1994 Notice is given to the public of the intent to file with the Public Utility Commission of Texas an application pursuant to Public Utility Commission Substantive Rule 23.27 for approval of customer-specific contract for customized services for GTECH Corporation and the State of Texas Lottery Network. Tariff Title and Number. Application of Southwestern Bell Telephone Company for Approval of Customized Services for GTECH Corporation and the State of Texas Lottery Network pursuant to Public Utility Commission Substantive Rule 23.27. Tariff Control Number 12619. The Application. Southwestern Bell Telephone Company is requesting approval of Customized Services for GTECH Corporation and the State of Texas Lottery Network. The geographic service market for this specific service is anywhere within the State of Texas where Southwestern Bell Telephone Company is certificated to serve. Persons who wish to comment upon the action sought should contact the Public Utility Commission of Texas at 7800 Shoal Creek Boulevard, Austin, Texas 78757, or call the Public Utility Commission Public Information Section at (512) 458- 0256, or (512) 458-0221 for teletypewriter for the deaf. Issued in Austin, Texas, on January 3, 1994. TRD-9434192 John M. Renfrow Secretary of the Commission Public Utility Commission of Texas Filed: January 4, 1994 University of Houston System Request for Proposal for Bond Counsel The University of Houston System (the System) is seeking to employ Bond Counsel and Co-Bond Counsel for the issuance of General Tuition Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series 1994; Consolidated Revenue Bonds, Series 1994; as well as other bond issues as required during the term of the contract. The System has retained Vinson and Elkins for issuance of Consolidated Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series 1990A and 1990B; Consolidated Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series 1993; Consolidated Revenue Bonds, Series 1993A, and approximately 12 other bond issues during the decades of the 1960's and 1970's. Upon approval of the Attorney General of Texas, the System will execute an agreement with bond counsel for a one-year term with optional extensions as required and as approved by the Attorney General. The System will retain the right to terminate the contract for any reason and at any time upon payment of fees and expenses then earned. Issuance of Request for Proposal: January 11, 1994. Final Response Date: January 25, 1994, 1:00 p.m. Selection of Bond Counsel: February 16, 1994. First Working Group Meeting: February 23, 1994. PROPOSAL SUBMISSION. All proposals must be received no later than 1:00 p.m. on January 25, 1994. Proposal responses, modifications or addenda to an original response received by the System after that specified time and date for responses will not be considered. Each proposer is responsible for ensuring that the response reaches the System before the proposed due date and time. The submitted proposal must be executed by a duly authorized representative of the proposer. An unsigned proposal will be rejected. Proposers should submit one original and two copies of their proposal to: Paula A. Kelleher, Treasurer, University of Houston System, 1600 Smith, Suite 3400, Houston, Texas 77002. Please mark the envelopes containing proposals with the following note in the lower left-hand corner: "IN RESPONSE TO PROPOSAL REQUEST: BOND COUNSEL SERVICES." All proposals become the property of the System. Proposals must set forth accurate and complete information as required by this request. Oral proposals will not be considered. Any proposal may be modified or withdrawn at any time prior to the proposal due date. No material changes will be allowed after the expiration of the proposal due date; however, non-substantive corrections or deletions may be made with the approval of the System. The System reserves the right to make amendments to the proposal request and to extend the response filing time or date, by giving written notice in the Texas Register. The System has the sole discretion, and reserves the right, to reject any and all proposals received in response to this request and to cancel the request if it is deemed in the best interests of the System to do so. Issuance of the proposal request in no way constitutes a commitment by the System to award a contract, nor to pay any legal services incurred either in the preparation of a response to this proposal request or for the production of any contract for legal services. All fees and expenses, if any, for legal services shall be paid only out of the costs of issuance, and are therefore contingent upon issuance. SERVICES REQUIRED OF BOND COUNSEL. The System is seeking Bond Counsel to provide usual and necessary legal services in connection with the issuance, sale, and delivery of certain tax- exempt bonds and/or notes. The System also intends to select Co-Bond Counsel to assist in the document preparation. Co-Bond Counsel will perform limited services, for a fee based on hourly charges not to exceed 20% of total cost of legal services. The successful proposer will enter into an agreement to perform the following services, as requested: 1. Review and preparation of the Bond Resolution. 2. Assistance in the preparation of specified sections of the Preliminary Official Statement and the Official Statement, with the understanding that Bond Counsel will not be expected to independently verify other data contained in the Official Statement, and that the Official Statement may so state. 3. Assistance to the System in presentations to major rating agencies in order to obtain ratings. 4. Preparation of a No Arbitrage Certificate. 5. Review of such other documents or preparation of such certificates as are customary and necessary. 6. Assistance to the System in obtaining Attorney General approval of bonds. 7. Assistance to the System in obtaining Bond Review Board approval of bonds. 8. Rendering a legal opinion that: i. When issued, the bonds will be binding obligations of the State and validly issued under Texas law; ii. Interest on the bonds is excludable from gross income under existing federal tax law. 9. Rendering such other written opinions of Bond Counsel pertaining to investment earnings and any amounts required to be rebated to the United States Government as excess arbitrage earnings, if any, and any other written opinions of Bond Counsel which may be required under the terms of the Bond Resolution or under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. 10. Provision of similar services as requested. PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS. Law firms responding to this proposal must have an office in Texas. The firm should have a place of business in Houston, Texas, or be willing to either waive, or specifically limit, the expenses attributable to travel. All travel expenses are to be borne by the law firm unless specifically indicated in the expenses submitted. The following is a list of the information to be provided by each proposer. Failure to include all the information listed as follows may result in disqualification of a proposal. 1. A complete description of your firm's ability to represent the System as Bond Counsel which should include, but is not limited to, the following: a. A description of your firm's past experience as Bond Counsel for other state agencies and for tax-exempt bonds or notes issued by other institutions of higher education. Please include the identity of the Issuer, the amount and type of bonds or notes, and the purpose for the issuance in your description. b. The identity of each of the attorneys who would be directly assigned to work with the System; a description of his/her specific function; and a description of his/her qualifying experience and legal background in public finance with emphasis on legal experience, if any, in the issuance of tax-exempt bonds and notes. List the name of the attorney(s) responsible for providing tax opinions and interpretations of the tax law. c. The availability of the lead partner and tax attorneys for consultation and working group sessions. 2. Completion of the form entitled "Minority Representation." Other information addressing efforts made by your firm to encourage and develop the participation of women and minorities in the provision of legal services in financing of bonds for issuers may also be included, but is not required. [graphic] 3. A statement of the number of University of Houston Law Center graduates employed by your firm. 4. Fee Schedules: Provide an itemization of all costs and charges for performing the legal services described in Services Required of Bond Counsel, in the form of a comparison schedule computed as: a. a per hour rate charge which will also include the specific hourly rate for each lawyer assigned to perform services on behalf of the System, and the estimated amount of time for completion of each task; and b. a flat fee computed to include all fees, charges and expenses. This fee amount shall include an express statement in the proposal response that the flat fee shall in no event exceed the quoted amount, and shall include a cap on all expenses for travel or other costs. PROPOSAL EVALUATION. 1. The criteria for selection shall be based on the responses to the Proposal Requirements in the section entitled Proposal Requirements. The System intends to select the proposal that demonstrates the highest degree of competency and the necessary qualifications and experience in providing the requested legal services at fair and reasonable prices. 2. The acceptance of a proposal will not be made solely on the basis of lowest cost, although cost will weigh heavily in the evaluation process. 3. The System reserves the right to negotiate the proposal that, in its discretion, best meets the System's needs. 4. Acceptance of a proposal will be contingent upon approval of the System Board of Regents and Attorney General. 5. If one of the submitted proposals is accepted, remaining law firms will be notified of the decision in a timely manner. Issued in Austin, Texas, on January 5, 1994. TRD-9434222 Paula A. Kelleher Treasurer University of Houston System Filed: January 5, 1994