[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 117 (Friday, June 18, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32893-32894]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-15511]



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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

National Institute of Corrections


Solicitation for a Cooperative Agreement

SUMMARY: The Department of Justice (DOJ), National Institute of 
Corrections (NIC), announces the availability of funds in FY 1999 for a 
cooperative agreement to fund the ``Development of Management 
Information Systems to Support Prison Classification'' project.
    A cooperative agreement is a form of assistance relationship where 
the National Institute of Corrections is substantially involved during 
the performance of the award. An award is made to an organization that 
will, in concert with the Institute, provide assistance to correctional 
agencies making enhancements in their management information systems to 
provide data for analysis and improve the operation of the 
classification systems. No funds are transferred to state or local 
governments.
    The Institute's Prisons Division will provide financial assistance 
in the form of a cooperative agreement to facilitate the development of 
a resource manual that will provide information for state correctional 
agencies to use in assessing their management information systems 
related to the essential and desirable elements that will enhance the 
analysis and operation of the classification system; provide 
descriptive information on MIS systems in 8 to 12 states that have 
developed leading classification and MIS systems, including 
advancements toward integrated justice information systems; tools, such 
as checklists, for agencies to use in conducting self-assessments; and 
resources that are available for funding produced in compliance with 
publication guidelines included in the application packet.
    Assistance will be provided under this cooperative agreement to 6 
to 8 agencies requesting technical assistance in assessing their 
management information systems pertaining to classification decision-
making and in the operation of their classification systems. The 
recipient of the cooperative agreement will conduct onsite assessments 
of the information management and classification systems at 
participating agencies; provide assistance and oversight in revising 
the management information system and, as necessary, the classification 
instruments and operations; and provide technical assistance and 
training during implementation. Prison systems selected for 
participation will have the resources necessary to make management 
information system enhancements to provide data for classification 
system analysis and ensure the capacity to measure outcomes and impacts 
of the classifications systems implemented. A steering committee will 
be appointed by each agency to coordinate activities related to the 
project.

Background

    Most state corrections systems use objective classification to 
assign inmates to appropriate prisons, and some have internal 
classification systems to guide housing, work, and program assignments. 
However, many systems lack the reliable data needed to fully assess and 
redesign their classification systems to adapt to increased demands and 
a changing environment. Management of offender data is a critical issue 
for every correctional agency's overall operations. With advances in 
the use of automated computer systems to manage data, management 
information system (MIS systems) have become a necessary component for 
prison management.
    Classification systems need to become an integral part of the 
department's MIS system and the hub for the information system design. 
Data generated through the automated classification system can provide 
correctional managers with accurate, timely, and relevant information 
to plan and manage the offender population; better utilize resources; 
and assess risks and needs. Automation will reduce errors in scoring 
offenders for custody or security level and improve the system's 
ability to monitor the housing of offenders according to the 
classification system. It will also allow evaluations to be conducted 
on a regular basis to increase the system's performance.
    Classification systems should to be monitored and periodically 
evaluated. This is done to ensure the system is working as designated. 
Classification systems should also be validated to determine what 
impact the system has had on inmate operations and overall performance. 
Automation of the classification system is required to conduct 
evaluations efficiently. Furthermore, there are operational issues in 
the daily management of offenders and the classification process that 
also depend on automation of classification data. These issues include: 
transfers and bed space management, housing decisions within 
facilities, disciplinary actions, scheduling and documenting 
classification reviews, calculating release and eligibility dates, and 
much more.
    Planning for automation is an on-going process that should 
incorporate incremental improvements to increase the system's utility 
through innovative technological changes. These improvements should 
include integration of information within the agency to operate more 
effectively and eliminate redundancy. Improvements must also anticipate 
the need to plan for the automation to involve the integration of 
criminal justice information with other agencies.
    Currently, the NIC Prisons Division through the NIC Information 
Center is conducting a survey of prison MIS systems to assess the MIS 
capabilities in correctional agencies. Survey questions are directed to 
issues that relate to prison classification systems. The results of the 
survey will be published later this year. This survey will provide 
information to guide the work under this project by identifying 
correctional agencies that have developed MIS systems that enhance the 
classification process, as well as correctional agencies that have the 
potential to benefit from technical assistance and/or resource material 
developed through this funding.
    NIC has announced the availability of technical assistance through 
the annual Program Plan and will send letters to agency directors 
advising them that their agencies can apply for assistance through this 
project. A selection of states will be made by MIC and the cooperative 
agreement awardee. The selections will be based on criteria that will 
be established to find correctional agencies with the interest, need 
and resources for this type of assistance.

Purpose

    The National Institute of Corrections is seeking applications for a 
cooperative agreement to do the project management to assist 
correctional agencies making enhancements in their management 
information systems to provide data for analysis of classification 
systems and improving the operation of the classification system; 
develop a resource manual that will guide agencies through planning and 
assessment of their MIS systems; and produce advancements in the 
development of comprehensive classification systems.

    Authority: Public Law 93-415.

Funds Available

    The award will be limited to a maximum total of $75,000 (direct and 
indirect costs) and project activity must be completed within 12 months 
of the date of the award. Funds may only be used for the activities 
that are linked to the desired outcomes of the project.

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This project will be a collaborative venture with the NIC Prisons 
Division.
    All products from this funding effort will be in public domain and 
available to interested agencies through the National Institute of 
Corrections.

Deadline for Receipt of Applications

    Applications must be postmarked by Friday July 30, 1999. They 
should be addressed to: National Institute of Corrections, 320 First 
Street, N.W., Room 5007, Washington, D.C. 20534, Attention: 
Administrative Officer. Hand delivered applications can be brought to 
500 First Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20534. The front desk will 
call Bobbi Tinsley at (202) 307-3106, extension 0 for pickup.

ADDRESSES AND FURTHER INFORMATION: Requests for the application kit, 
which will include the survey form, should be directed to Judy Evens, 
Cooperative Agreement Control Office, National Institute of 
Corrections, 320 First Street, N.W., Room 5007, Washington, D.C. 20534 
or by calling (800) 995-6423, extension 159 or (202) 307-3106, 
extension 159. She can also be contacted by E-mail via [email protected]. 
All technical and/or programmatic questions concerning this 
announcement should be directed to Sammie D. Brown at the above address 
or by calling (800) 995-6423, or (202) 307-3106, extension 126, or by 
E-mail via [email protected]. Information may also be obtained through the 
NIC website: http://www.nicic.org.
    Eligible Applicants: An eligible applicant is any private or non-
profit organization, institution, or individual.
    Review Considerations: Applications received under this 
announcement will be subjected to an NIC three to five member Peer 
Review Process.
    Number of Awards: One (1).
    NIC Applications Number: 99P10. This number should appear as a 
reference line in the cover letter and also in box 11 of Standard Form 
424.

Executive Order 12372

    This program is subject to the provisions of Executive Order 12372. 
Executive Order 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 is included in the application 
kit, along with further instructions on proposed projects serving more 
than one State.

    The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number is: 16.603.
Morris L. Thigpen,
Director, National Institute of Corrections.
[FR Doc. 99-15511 Filed 6-17-99; 8:45 am]
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