[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 81 (Wednesday, April 26, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24507-24509]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-10327]


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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

National Institute of Corrections


Solicitation for a Cooperative Agreement--Technical Assistance in 
Institution Mission Change

AGENCY: National Institute of Corrections, U.S. Department of Justice.

ACTION: Solicitation for a Cooperative Agreement.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Justice (DOJ), National Institute of 
Corrections (NIC) announces the availability of funds in FY 2000 for a 
cooperative agreement to provide Technical Assistance to state 
correctional agencies in addressing the change of mission in a state 
prison(s).

Background

    With the unprecedented growth of offender populations, the changing 
profile of the offenders (increasing numbers of aging, violent 
juveniles sentenced as adults, women, mentally ill, etc.), and the 
inability of many jurisdictions to keep pace with construction of 
appropriate facilities, many correctional systems have been required to 
change all or a portion of the original mission of existing 
institutions. This has often resulted in substantial changes in levels 
of staffing, shifting roles and responsibilities, facility renovation 
that has changed the nature of staff/inmate contact and delivery of 
service, reassignment of staff, and increased training needs. In some 
instances, dramatic mission change has occurred as, for example, 
prisons for men have become women's prisons, juvenile facilities have 
become adult, or mental health facilities have become standard prisons. 
In other instances, with the movement of lower custody inmates to other 
states or to private contract facilities, the percentage of violent or 
difficult inmates has increased and impacted the mission of the 
facility. In addition, as prison systems have expanded and some 
institutions have become more crowded without corresponding increases 
in funding and, in many instances, reduction of resources, a former 
mission has become obsolete without a planned or intentional change of 
mission.
    In FY99 the National Institute of Corrections (NIC) sponsored a 
cooperative agreement for the study of institution mission change. The 
experience of eleven (11) institutions whose core mission had been 
changed was examined. Through observation, interviews, and other 
strategies designed to gain understanding of the change process, the 
central elements of successful organizational change in the 
institutional context were identified. The methodology, processes, and 
strategies for successful management of mission change were studied and 
the lessons learned, both positive and negative, were documented. The 
impact of organizational change on correctional staff, the resulting 
role confusion or disparity, and strategies for minimizing negative 
staff effects were specifically examined.
    A report documenting the relevant data and findings was prepared 
and materials were developed that will assist in planning and 
implementing mission change. These materials include facilitation 
guides to assist administrators in establishment of executive 
parameters governing decision-making, strategic planning guides related 
to mission change, project management software, and materials to assist 
in presenting supervisor and staff workshops to enhance understanding 
of change, the change process, and the agency/institution plan.
    In a collaborative venture with the NIC Prisons Division, the 
recipient of the FY2000 Cooperative Agreement will provide Technical 
Assistance to a minimum of 5 state correctional agencies/institutions 
in addressing mission change. This may include agencies/institutions 
who are experiencing difficulties because of mission change that 
occurred in the recent past, those who are planning or preparing to 
implement mission change, or other change scenarios that are consistent 
with the objectives of this project. The agencies receiving assistance 
may include those who participated in the FT1999 project or others 
expressing a need and interest.
    The project awardee and NIC will develop an announcement of the 
award in which requests for assistance are solicited. A questionnaire 
will be included with the announcement that will gather basic 
information concerning the nature of the need in the agencies/
institutions applying for the assistance. The awardee and NIC will 
jointly select participant agencies based on factors including, but not 
limited to, the nature of the need identified, representation of types 
of mission change, region of the country, size of the jurisdiction/
institution, and other factors identified by applicants for this 
cooperative agreement. The Technical Assistance will be fully 
documented including, at minimum, a description of the problem or need, 
documentation of the awardee's on-site assessment, strategies employed 
in providing assistance, and an outcome evaluation and narrative.
    A total of $152,000 is reserved for this project which will support 
one cooperative agreement for a 12 month period. The recipient of the 
award will be selected through a competitive solicitation process. Dick 
Franklin is the designated NIC project manager.

Project Scope

    The goals of this cooperative agreement include the following:
     In selecting participant agencies/institutions, explore 
the background of the request for Technical Assistance to determine, at 
minimum, the nature of the issue/problem to be addressed, feasibility 
of Technical Assistance as a vehicle to address the issue/problem, 
probable strategies and resources required for successful intervention, 
and the level of impact successful intervention will have in the 
agency/institution.
     Determine the level of commitment of the staff who are 
essential to successful intervention and their ability

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and willingness to be full partners in the effort to provide 
assistance.
     Upon selection of an agency/institution for participation, 
in-depth assessment of the environment and operation to achieve 
understanding of the issue/problem, whether the desired change is a 
reasonable objective, and other issues critical in assessment of the 
feasibility of intervention.
     Identify forces and stakeholders, including community and 
other external influences, that impact upon the acceptance and 
adjustment to change by the organization, institutional operations and 
programs, and staff.
     Identify probable strategies of interface and develop 
strategies for intervention that has the acceptance and full support of 
the agency and institution leadership and shows promise of successful 
assistance/intervention.
     Develop a summary report of the assistance provided that 
will provide correctional administrators with insights in addressing 
issues/problems of change or in planning and implementing mission 
change. The summary report will consist of an expanded case study of 
each of the participating sites.
     Develop a summary of the project consisting of lessons 
learned and guidelines for the management of mission change.
     Assess outcomes and the impact of the project relative to 
its stated intent and the needs of the field.

Specific Requirements

    The successful applicant will propose a project approach that will 
ensure accomplishment of each of the stated goals of this project. At 
minimum, the following requirements will be met in pursuit of the 
stated goals:
     Review of the FY 1999 Management of Institution Mission 
Change project deliverables.
     Identification of relevant literature and other 
information that will illuminate the subject area and contribute to 
understanding of the key issues of promising approaches to change in 
the institution environment.
     Formation of a conceptual framework reflecting awareness 
of the issues in change in an institution environment and project staff 
possessing the requisite skills and knowledge essential to the success 
of the project.
     Coordination with the NIC project director at critical 
points in project development and as necessary to ensure clarity and 
accomplishment of goals and a satisfactory outcome.
    Additional, specific requirements related to the training package 
are as follows:
    Following review in draft form by the project coordinator, the 
summary report must be professionally edited and submitted in camera-
ready hard copy and 3.5" computer disk or zip drive disk using 
WordPerfect 7.0 or higher software for use with IBM compatible 
computers with Windows operating systems.
    It will be the responsibility of the award recipient to secure 
written approval to use any copyrighted materials or photographs and to 
provide the original approval with the documents.

    Authority: Public Law 93-415.

Funds Available

    The award will be limited to a maximum of $152,000 (direct and 
indirect costs) and project activity must be completed within 12 months 
of the date of award. Funds may not be used for construction, or to 
acquire or build real property. This project will be a collaborative 
venture with the NIC Prisons Division.

Application Requirements

    Applicants must prepare a proposal that defines their plan for 
meeting the goals and requirements of this project. They are expected 
to define the conceptual framework most appropriate and relevant and 
the methodology to used in pursuing the project goals. In addition, 
they will identify a project staff in which all of the requisite skills 
are represented and who have made a commitment of time to the project. 
The conceptual framework of the proposal will demonstrate the 
applicants understanding of the management of change in the institution 
context and, though subject to further definition based on the nature 
of the requests for assistance, will demonstrate the applicants vision 
of the completed project.
    Funding for this project has been established at $152,000. The 
applicant must provide a budget and budget narrative that clearly 
identifies the allocation of funds for achievement of the goals of the 
cooperative agreement. The rationale for the expenditures must be 
provided in the budget narrative unless patently obvious in the 
proposal.

Deadline for Receipt of Applications

    Applications must be received by 4:00 p.m., EDT, on Friday, May 26, 
2000. They should be addressed to: Director, National Institute of 
Corrections, 320 First Street, NW, Room 5007, Washington, DC 20534. 
Hand delivered applications should be brought to 500 First Street, NW, 
Washington, DC 20534. The front desk will call Bobbi Tinsley at (202) 
307-3106, extension 0 for pickup.

ADDRESSES AND FURTHER INFORMATION: Request for the applicant kit, 
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, ext. 159, 202-307-
3106, ext. 159, or email: [email protected]. A copy of this announcement 
and application forms may also be obtained through the NIC web site: 
http//www.nic.org (click on ``What's New'' and ``Cooperative 
Agreements''). All technical and/or programmatic questions concerning 
this announcement should be directed to Dick Franklin at the above 
address or by calling 800-995-6423 or 202-307-1300, ext. 145, or by E-
mail via [email protected].

Project Completion

    The award recipient will be responsible to submit all required 
reports and corrections or revisions of materials in a timely manner. 
The project period is 12 months from the date of the award and the 
project will not be deemed to have been completed until a final draft 
is accepted by the project coordinator.

Eligible Applicants

    An eligible applicant is any state or general unit of local 
government, public or private, educational institutional, organization, 
team, or individual with the requisite skills to successfully meet the 
outcome objectives of the project.

Review Considerations

    Applications received under this announcement will be subjected to 
an NIC 3 to 5 member Peer Review Process. It is anticipated that the 
award will be made within 60-90 days following the application due 
date.
    Number of Awards: One (1).
    NIC Application Number: 00P05 This number should appear as a 
reference line in your cover letter and also in box 11 of Standard Form 
424.

Executive Order 12372

    This program is subject to the provision 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

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which is included in the application kit, along with further 
instructions on proposed projects serving more than one State.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 16.603

    Dated: April 20, 2000.
Morris L. Thigpen,
Director, National Institute of Corrections.
[FR Doc. 00-10327 Filed 4-25-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4410-36-M