[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 14 (Friday, January 23, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4233-4236]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-1283]
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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
National Institute of Corrections
Solicitation for a Cooperative Agreement--Transition From Prison
to Community (TPC)
AGENCY: National Institute of Corrections, Department of Justice.
ACTION: Solicitation for a Cooperative Agreement.
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SUMMARY: Helping offenders make a successful transition from prison
back into the community has been the focus of much interest in recent
years. In 2001, the National Institute of Corrections (NIC) launched
its Transition From Prison to the Community (TPC) initiative to bring
the best of practical thinking and research knowledge to this issue.
The goal was to articulate a comprehensive and strategic approach to
transition that incorporates the lessons of evidence-based practice,
emphasizes the importance of collaboration, and provides a practical
tool for use by corrections agencies and their governmental and
community partners. The TPC model was developed and NIC is now bringing
to conclusion extensive implementation assistance to a first set of
eight states. The TPC Reentry Handbook (see ``Background'') provides a
thorough record of that initiative and what has been learned so far.
Building specifically on NIC's efforts to date, this cooperative
agreement award will deliver TPC technical assistance to a new set of
approximately six states and the provider, in conjunction with NIC, and
will continue to advance the model and develop products that can assist
non-participating jurisdictions who have an interest in TPC
implementation.
Since a system change initiative of this scale and scope is complex
and time consuming it is expected that new states will require TPC
assistance for three years. This initial 12-month phase is expected to
be followed by 12 month funding from each of the next two fiscal years
for a full 36-month project duration. However, year's two and three
funding is subject to satisfactory performance by the provider and
availability of funds for NIC to make subsequent TPC continuation
awards. Therefore, applications will be reviewed specifically for the
``Year One'' proposal and work plan, as well as vision and demonstrated
competence to complete necessary subsequent year tasks like document
development and electronic dissemination of information to non-
participating jurisdictions.
DATES: Applications must be received by 4 p.m. EDT on Monday, March 9,
2009.
ADDRESSES: Mailed applications must be sent to: Director, National
Institute of Corrections, 320 First Street, NW., Room 5007, Washington,
DC 20534. Applicants are encouraged to use Federal Express, UPS, or
similar service to ensure delivery by the due date.
Hand delivered applications should be brought to 500 First Street,
NW., Washington, DC 20534. At the front desk, dial 7-3106, extension 0
for pickup.
Faxed applications will not be accepted. Electronic applications
can be submitted via http://www.grants.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To ensure that all potential
applicants have access to the same information, all questions
concerning the background
[[Page 4234]]
and expectations of work to be performed will be addressed only at the
WebEx conference and Web page posting as explained in the following
paragraph. Other questions concerning this announcement should be
directed to Kermit Humphries, Correctional Program Specialist, National
Institute of Corrections. He can be reached by calling 202-514-0118, or
by e-mail at [email protected].
A WebEx conference will be conducted on February 12, 2009 at 2 p.m.
EDT, for persons having a serious intent to respond to this
solicitation. In this conference, NIC project managers will respond to
questions regarding the solicitation and expectation of work to be
performed. Please notify Kermit Humphries electronically
([email protected]) by 12 noon EDT on February 9, 2009, if you wish to
participate in the conference. By return e-mail you will be provided
with a Web address and access code, and when logging into the session
you will also receive a toll free telephone number to call. (WebEx
conferences require simultaneous computer and telephone access, and
essentially function as a conference call where everyone can view
documents and text at the same time.) In addition, NIC project managers
will post answers on its Web site to questions received from potential
applicants during the WebEx conference, as well as any questions that
are e-mailed between the time of the WebEx conference and the
application due date.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Overview: Nearly 700,000 prisoners are released from state or
federal prisons each year, at least 95% of all inmates confined today
will some day be released. State prisoners are expected to serve on
average about 2.5 years. Almost 80% of persons released from prison
will have some parole supervision in the community. Many will be re-
arrested within a short time after their release and about two-thirds
can be expected to return to prison within three years for committing
either technical violations of their release or a new crime. At a time
when prisons are full and budgets are in crisis, states and communities
are looking for more effective and efficient ways to manage the
offender population as they transition through the prison system and
back into local communities.
Some states have demonstrated encouraging progress in changing
their systems to promote offender success following release. Their
success is attributed to policy direction from the highest levels of
government, collaboration within government and with community based
organizations, use of effective assessment tools, and programming that
is based on research and ``risk reduction'' evidence based practices.
More is being learned each day about how states can more effectively
manage the return of offenders to the community through a shared
ownership of the problem and solutions involving numerous agencies and
organizations. The best answers are found when there is a strategic
system change initiative involving true collaboration between
corrections, health and human services, employment services, and other
agencies of government, community and faith based organizations. This
appears to be a highly complex endeavor, but in reality its component
parts are commonly known and achievable. The TPC model is designed to
assist jurisdictions address necessary elements in a way that responds
to their particular needs and interests.
Background: NIC has been funding a Transition from Prison to the
Community (TPC) initiative since FY 2000. Recognizing that most persons
in custody will be released in a relatively brief time, and most are
``clients'' of both corrections AND other publicly funded agencies/
providers, corrections and human service functions are working jointly
to better prepare offenders and communities for the inevitable release
from confinement. ``Reentry'' and ``transition'' are the two terms
commonly used to describe the numerous activities and programs.
Successful reentry is paramount to improving the safety of our
communities and breaking the cycle of recidivism. Crucial to achieving
system changes at both state and community levels is policy directed
collaboration between prisons, the paroling authority, the post-release
supervision agency and the myriad of other government and community-
based organizations providing health, transportation, housing, and
employment.
The NIC Web site includes extensive NIC transition information and
contains critical background material for potential applicants. Those
requiring hard copies of the documents may contact the NIC Information
Center at 1-800-877-1461 and request that copies be mailed.
The Web address for TPC material is http://nicic.gov/TPCModel. Of
greatest importance, at http://nicic.gov/Library/022669 is a PDF of the
TPC Reentry Handbook: Implementing the NIC Transition from Prison to
the Community Model. This document not only fully explains the TPC
model and process, but it is essential for applicants to understand
that this document has been specifically designed to serve as a primary
technical assistance tool for assistance to states to be served by this
award.
Purpose: Public safety through reduced crimes committed following
release from Prison is the primary value that drives this work. This
initiative is to establish through system level policies and procedures
a model approach for transitioning individuals from prison back into
their communities. The model brings together a state's top prison
leadership, paroling authority, supervision agency, employment
services, public and private human service providers, faith based
programs, elected officials and other interested parties for joint
development of policies and procedures affecting the custody, release,
and supervision of individuals targeted for this transition initiative.
NIC has worked extensively in the area of Offender Risk Reduction and
those initiatives are clearly related to the TPC Purpose. Applicants
should be conversant with the Reducing Offender Risk material located
on the NIC Web page at http://nicic.gov/ReducingOffenderRisk.
Scope of Work and Specific Requirements: Goals of the TPC include
improved public safety by reducing the threat of harm to persons and
property by released offenders in communities to which they return, and
increased success rates of offenders who transition from prisons into
the community by fostering effective treatment programming that reduces
offender's risk of violating laws upon release, accountability for both
offender and system officials, and community and victim involvement.
Appropriate use of dynamic assessment of risk and needs is a critical
component of the model, as well as a commitment to ongoing use of
evidence-based principles for behavior change.
It is expected that the Transition from Prison to the Community
(TPC) award components will include:
In conjunction with NIC, announce the opportunity and select
approximately six state jurisdictions that are ready to make effective
use of TPC assistance;
Deliver technical assistance to participating jurisdictions on-
site, supplemented by use of distance technologies when feasible and/or
cost effectiveness;
The application must carefully describe the types and frequency of
technical assistance activities proposed;
[[Page 4235]]
Enhance the TPC Model: The cooperative agreement provider will
offer expertise, facilitation, documentation and staff/consultant
support activities to improve and enhance the TPC model and methods for
effective implementation;
Evaluation and use of data: This is primarily a technical
assistance award, but data collection, use of performance measures, and
evaluation must be a key component of the work plan. Time and resources
will not allow a full outcome evaluation, but the application must
include a detailed research design for gathering performance and
intermediate outcome data, conducting process evaluations, making
regular reports, and providing technical assistance to the sites so
that they develop the capacity to collect and use information over
time. A key component will be an evaluation to determine the impact of
TPC activities on Prisons/communities in terms of performance measures
and intermediate outcomes, and;
Develop products to share learning: Recognizing that NIC can only
provide direct assistance to a very small portion of all the states,
prisons and communities, the applicant must identify needs and develop
outreach tools similar to the TPC Reentry Handbook, on-line training
modules, publishable monographs and written or electronic articles.
Depending on proposed work plans, it is likely that at least part
of the above items will be products of future awards, funding
permitted. However, the application should discuss a general strategy
for addressing all components and propose a specific work plan for this
initial 12-month award.
No jurisdictions have yet been identified as participants. The
applicants' work plan should propose how competitive selections will be
solicited, and participant selections will be made in conjunction with
NIC. While TPC is generally discussed as a ``state prison to community
initiative'', the principles may apply to federal, territorial or
Indian nation systems as well. Such systems may be considered for
participation.
Significant TPC challenges and issues for this initiative include
the following items: Assessment tools; Evidence based practices;
Individualized case management planning; Prison based programs and
strategies; Community based programs and strategies; Coordination and
cooperation between prisons and public/private human services agencies/
groups; TPC challenges from the state corrections Director/commissioner
perspective, the prison administrator perspective, and from
perspectives of other governmental human services agencies; from not
for profit, NGO's and other community agency perspectives; Local/state
implications for TPC, including the TPC role and involvement of local
criminal justice decision makers and TPC opportunities and consequences
related to local probation violation practices; Distances between the
prisons and communities where offenders will be released; and ``Hard
and soft'' information system processes and needs. Additional prison/
community transition issues may be identified by the applicant.
The applicant must prioritize and address at minimum five
challenges/issues from the above paragraph. Explain the criteria used
for prioritizing your challenges/issues. Also, the applicant must
explain why each challenge/issue described is important, propose
strategies for successfully addressing each challenge/issues and
propose how the impact of each challenge/issue could be measured.
Specific Requirements:
Document Preparation--For all awards in which a document will be a
deliverable, the awardee must follow the Guidelines for Preparing and
Submitting Manuscripts for Publication as found in the ``General
Guidelines for Cooperative Agreements'' which will be included in the
award package.
Distance Technology--NIC is committed to supplementing on-site
technical assistance by using distance technology when it can be used
effectively and efficiently for meetings, training or technical
assistance. It is expected that shortly after award, the recipient will
be/become proficient in the use of NIC's application sharing and
conferencing service (WebEx) that may be used for such things as
presentations, demonstrations, training, and support services to TPC
participant sites. Examples where it might be used effectively by TPC
include project team meetings when staff are not co-located,
preparation for or follow-up to in-person site visits, or providing
PowerPoint training on an aspect of TPC to multiple project sites with
similar needs. Through an existing contract, NIC will make Web-Ex
resources and support available at no cost to the TPC provider.
Applicants must discuss how they propose to use distance meeting and
training strategies within the scope of the RFP. General information
about the platform used by NIC (WebEx) can be found by going to http://webex.com/. Applicants may also review the NIC site at https://nic.webex.com/mw0305l/mywebex/default.do?siteurl=nic.
Application Requirements: Applications should be concisely written,
typed double-spaced and reference the project by the ``NIC Application
Number'' 09K112, and Title: ``Transition From Prison to Community
(TPC).'' The package must include: A cover letter that identifies the
audit agency responsible for the applicant's financial accounts as well
as the audit period or fiscal year that the applicant operates under
(e.g., July 1 through June 30); a budget narrative explaining projected
costs; and a program narrative in response to the statement of work.
The program narrative must be fewer than 15 pages in length, but there
is no limit placed on the length of proposed staff
r[eacute]sum[eacute]s, or listings of organizational experience. The
following forms must also be included: OMB Standard Form 424,
Application for Federal Assistance; OMB Standard Form 424A, Budget
information--Non-Construction Programs; OMB Standard Form 424B,
Assurances--Non-Construction Programs (these forms are available at
http://www.grants.gov) and DOJ/NIC Certification Regarding Lobbying;
Debarment, Suspension and Other Responsibility Matters; and the Drug-
Free Workplace Requirements (available at http://www.nicic.gov/Downloads/PDF/certif-frm.pdf.)
Applications may be submitted in hard copy, or electronically via
http://www.grants.gov. If submitted in hard copy, there needs to be an
original and six copies of the full proposal (program and budget
narratives, application forms and assurances). The original should have
the applicant's signature in blue ink. All potential applicants are
reminded that the only opportunity to receive clarifying information
about this solicitation is described earlier under the heading FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
Authority: Public Law 93-415.
Funds Available: NIC is seeking the applicant's best ideas
regarding accomplishment of the scope of work and the related costs for
achieving the goals of this solicitation. The final budget and award
amount will be negotiated between NIC and the successful applicant.
Applications will be accepted for the 12-month award for amounts up to
$400,000 (direct and indirect costs). Funds may only be used for the
activities that are linked to the desired outcome of the project. No
funds are transferred to state or local governments. Supplemental
awards for up to two additional years (a TPC project duration not to
exceed three fiscal years) are possible based upon satisfactory
performance of the awardee
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and upon the availability of funding in future years.
This project will be a collaborative venture with the NIC
Transition/Offender Workforce Development Division.
Eligibility of Applicants: An eligible applicant is any public or
private agency, educational institution, organization, individual or
team with expertise in the described areas.
Review Considerations: Applications received under this
announcement will be subjected to a 3 to 5 person NIC Peer Review
Process.
Note: NIC will NOT award a cooperative agreement to an applicant
who does not have a Dun and Bradstreet Database Universal Number
(DUNS) and is not registered in the Central Contractor Registry
(CCR).
A DUNS number can be received at no cost by calling the dedicated
toll-free DUNS number request line at 1-800-333-0505 (if you are a sole
proprietor, you would dial 1-866-705-5711 and select option 1).
Registration in the CCR can be done online at the CCR Web site:
http://www.ccr.gov. A CCR Handbook and worksheet can also be reviewed
at the Web site.
Number of Awards: One.
NIC Application Number: 09K112. This number should appear as a
reference line in the cover letter, in box 4a of Standard Form 424, and
outside of the envelope in which the application is sent.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number 16.603 (Technical
Assistance/Clearinghouse).
Executive Order 12372: This program is subject to the provisions of
Executive Order 12372. E.O. 12372 allows states the option of setting
up a system for reviewing applications from within their states for
assistance under certain Federal programs. Applicants (other than
Federally recognized Indian tribal governments) should contact their
State Single Point of Contact (SPOC), a list of which can be found at
http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html.
Morris Thigpen,
Director, National Institute of Corrections.
[FR Doc. E9-1283 Filed 1-22-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4410-36-P