[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 93 (Friday, May 12, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30619-30621]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-11897]


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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

National Institute of Corrections


Solicitation for a Cooperative Agreement--Assessment of 
Institutional Culture

AGENCY: National Institute of Corrections, 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 develop and document a methodology and process 
to assess institutional culture within prison settings.

Background

    Beginning in 1996 the Prisons Division initiated a special emphasis 
on addressing staff sexual misconduct. NIC's approach to assisting 
agencies has included on-site technical assistance, training programs 
and dissemination of information. Throughout the extensive work with 
institutions in addressing staff sexual misconduct, consistent themes 
from correctional staff and the offender population underscore the 
importance of the institutional environment. Additional work at NIC in 
the area of mission change of institutions and the identification of 
the challenges of keeping an effective workforce also provide 
background for NIC's interest in institutional culture. Staff and 
inmate relations, consistent and fair supervisors, well trained staff, 
and strong institutional and agency

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leadership teams are some of the components critical to a healthy 
environment highlighted by these projects. NIC's expanded interest in 
assessing institutional culture will be enhanced by this project's 
development of practical and data based assessment tools. The tools 
developed in this project to effectively assess an institution's 
culture will contribute to the next phase of NIC's strategic plan on 
Institutional Culture. These assessment tools will be used to develop 
strategic management plans for institutions that might include use of 
change agents, training and intensive assistance to influence or change 
an organization's culture.

Project Scope

    The project on ``Assessment of Institutional Culture'' will provide 
for the development of methodology and a refinement of assessment tools 
for continuing NIC's ability to respond to correctional agencies in the 
critical area of institutional culture. The outcome of an institution 
specific cultural assessment process will provide critical information 
to correctional decision makers on managing complex dynamics within a 
prison environment.
    The project objectives of this cooperative agreement are as 
follows:
     Conduct a review of work currently being managed within 
the NIC Prisons Division on staff sexual misconduct, mission change and 
prison workforce to more fully understand the assessment activities 
currently being used to assist agencies.
     Prepare a summary review of approaches being used by NIC, 
as well as other government and private organizations to assess 
cultural components or ``drivers'' of organizational or institutional 
culture. The review should include case examples with potential 
application to prison culture. Assessment components may include 
instrumentation, focus groups, on-site assessments and other cultural 
assessment tools. The review should include current thinking in the 
understanding of organizational culture and should recognize the 
complexity of collecting information in a custodial environment.
     Design a range of assessment tools/activities with 
suggested criteria for determining selection of these assessment 
activities based on possible presenting problems (e.g. increased 
institutional violence, high turnover, staff sexual misconduct) that 
are effective on an institutional level.
     Conduct on-site work at two facilities using recommended 
assessment tools. Facilities will be selected in consultation with NIC 
program manager.
     Develop a final report that documents the range of 
assessment tools or approaches with selection criteria or guidance for 
their use, documentation of the on-site work, and recommendations to 
NIC for further development of work in the area of institutional 
culture.

Specific Requirements

    The successful applicant will propose a project approach that will 
ensure accomplishment of each of the stated objectives of this project. 
The applicant will assure that the project team offers technical 
expertise in the area of organizational or cultural assessment. The 
project design will reflect a prison based approach in understanding 
the application of current thinking in cultural assessment. Additional 
requirements include the following:
    1. The selected applicant will be required to attend a preliminary 
meeting for the purposes of: an overview of current NIC work in the 
area of institutional culture; an overview of critical issues 
identified by practitioners; and a refinement of the project work plan.
    2. Coordinate with NIC project director at critical points in the 
project.

    Authority: Public Law 93-415

Funds Available

    The award will be limited to $75,000 (direct and indirect costs) 
and project activity must be completed within 9 months of the date of 
award. The use of these funds does include the on-site work at two 
institutions and travel and per diem should be considered to accomplish 
these aspects of the project. 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

    Applications 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 be 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 proposal will demonstrate a practical and data based approach to 
effective assessment of institutional culture in prison settings.

Deadline for Receipt of Applications

    Applications must be received by 4 pm on Wednesday, 6/28/00. 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: Requests for the application kit, 
should be directed to Judy Evens, Cooperative Agreement Control Office, 
National Institute of Corrections, 320 First Street, NW, Room 5007, 
Washington, DC 20534 or by calling 800-995-6423, ext. 159, 202-307-
3106, ext. 159, or e-mail: [email protected]. A copy of this announcement, 
application and forms may also be obtained through the NIC web site: 
http://www.nicic.org (click on ``What's New'' and ``Cooperative 
Agreements''). All technical and/or programmatic questions concerning 
this announcement should be directed to Andie Moss, Project Manager, at 
320 First Street, NW, Room 5007, Washington, DC 20534 or by calling 
800-995-6423, ext. 140, 202-307-3106, ext. 140, or e-mail: 
[email protected].
    Eligibility Applicants: An eligible applicant is any state or 
general unit of local government, public or private agency, educational 
institution, 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.
    Number of Awards: One (1).
    NIC Application Number: 00P07. 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 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.

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 16.603)

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    Dated: May 8, 2000.
Morris L. Thigpen,
Director, National Institute of Corrections.
[FR Doc. 00-11897 Filed 5-11-00; 8:45 am]
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