[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 106 (Thursday, June 1, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 35123-35125]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-13665]


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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

National Institute of Corrections


Solicitation for a Cooperative Agreement--Videotape: Community 
Education on Jails

AGENCY: National Institute of Corrections, Department of Justice.

ACTION: Solicitation for a cooperative agreement.

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SUMMARY: The National Institute of Corrections, Jail Division, is 
seeking applications for the development of a broadcast quality 
videotape on the basic issues, functions, and roles common to local 
jails.

Background

    Historically, jails have functioned in relative obscurity within 
their own communities. Although the community may generally acknowledge 
the need for a jail, the jail itself is ignored; kept out of sight and 
out of mind. The community wants only to know that dangerous criminals 
are removed from the streets and locked away. And, although jail 
practitioners decry the community's lack of knowledge, they have done 
little to remedy this. Traditionally, jail administrators have focused 
to intently on their internal role in the jail that they have neglected 
their role external to the jail--fostering public understanding of and 
involvement with jail issues and operations. As a result, jails, which 
should be viewed as a community service, are, in fact, isolated from 
their communities.
    As a result of this isolation, the public shapes its perceptions of 
the jail, staff, and inmates from negative images presented in film and 
television drama. Jails are portrayed as dirty and dangerous, and jail 
staff as lazy, incompetent, and meanspirited. Inmates are portrayed as 
either dangerous and inhuman or valiant warriors against the system. 
This unflattering perception is then compounded if negative events 
force the jail to the forefront of the news.
    The jail's isolation does a disservice to the community and to the 
jail itself. The jail belongs to the community and should reflect the 
community's values, both in its role in the criminal justice system and 
in its internal operations. This, however, is not possible if the 
community has no understanding of the jail, and no inclination to 
learn, given the negative image it has. When local government officials 
do not understand the role of the jail and the complexity of its 
operations, they are likely to underfund even basic functions, often 
creating dangerous and unhealthy conditions in the facility and putting 
the community at risk. This, then, leads to a high degree of liability, 
and the local government may find itself the target of a costly 
lawsuit. Jails struggle to find and retain qualified staff, but 
recruiting quality staff is close to impossible when the jail is viewed 
as a most undesirable work environment. The inadequate staffing levels 
and the poorly qualified staff in many jails only compound liability 
issues.

Project Objectives

    A primary remedy for the problems faced by jails is public 
education. This videotape will be a highly effective tool for jail 
administrators and sheriffs embarking on an education program for the 
community. The video format will be a visual counterpoint to existing 
public perceptions, providing specific information about the role and 
operation of the jail, the work and commitment of the staff, and the 
identity and needs of the inmates. The video format will also allow the 
message to be portrayed easily to various community members, including 
business people, educators, local officials, and general community 
groups. The videotape will provide the foundation for the efforts of 
sheriffs and jail administrators to inform the public about jails 
generally, their jail specifically, and the need for community 
involvement in the jail.

Scope of Work

    Videotape Length: About 30 minutes.
    Videotape Audience: Local community members and local officials.
    Use of Videotape: The videotape will be used as a tool to educate 
its audience about local jails. It will be shown to local community 
members and local officials. Sheriffs and jail administrators will use 
the videotape as a foundation to inform the audience about jails 
generally, their jails specifically, and the need for community 
involvement in the jail.
    Videotape Distribution: NIC expects to widely distribute the 
videotape. It will be made available, upon request and free of charge, 
through the NIC Information Center. Local officials, detention 
practitioners, professional corrections organizations, private 
corrections consultants, and professionals in related fields will be 
able to request the use of this videotape.
    Videotape Content: The videotape will provide specific information 
about the role and operations of jails, introducing some differences 
among jails in the United States and highlighting the things that all 
jails have in common. These commonalities include basic functions, 
complexity of operations, and chronic needs and problems. The videotape 
will also provide information about the work of jail staff and the 
characteristics of inmates. It will illustrate information through 
professional narration, interviews, graphics, animation, scenes from 
jails, and/or other strategies

[[Page 35124]]

designed to most effectively demonstrate concepts.
    Project Description: The production company will see the videotape 
production through from beginning to end. The company is expected to 
provide the staff, equipment, and other resources necessary to script-
writing, directing, producing, filming, off-line editing, on-line 
editing, and all other activities necessary to videotape production.
    The production company is asked to assign one staff to oversee the 
project and work closely with NIC staff on all phases of videotape 
production. NIC staff must review and approve the treatment, scripting, 
creative ideas, filming sites, shooting days, persons interviewed, 
music, graphics, animation, editing, and screening dates. NIC staff 
will have all editing rights and final approval of rough drafts. NIC 
staff will accompany the film crew to at least two of the filming 
sites.
    In general, NIC staff will work closely with the production company 
throughout the project to make sure personnel understand the role of 
the local jail and that information is portrayed accurately in every 
detail of the videotape. NIC staff will be available to the production 
company to assist with questions or problems that arise. It is 
important, therefore, that the production company staff are readily 
available for in-person meetings with NIC staff, some at short notice.
    This project will require research to locate historic photographs 
and footage to illustrate changes in conditions and requirements for 
local jails. This project will also require travel to film at up to 
five jail sites. These sites will be determined by NIC staff, and will 
be located throughout the United States, including the Northeast, 
Southeast, Midwest, Southwest, and West. At each site, filming will 
include exterior views of the jail, various interior views of the jail, 
and interviews with up to eight individuals, including county 
commissioners, judges, sheriffs, jail administrators, jail staff, and 
community members. NIC staff will coordinate the filming with each jail 
site. Filming at each site may require 2-3 days, not including travel 
time. In addition, this project will require filming of up to four 
interviews in Longmont, Colorado.
    The production company will videotape in betacam or digital format. 
Once the videotape is completed, the production company will provide 
NIC one broadcast quality (betacam or digital) master, 100 copies of 
the tape in VHS format, with sleeves and coded with the Department of 
Justice seal, and one digitized videotape for broadcast, on CD ROM, to 
be placed on the NIC web page. All videotape used in this production is 
the property of the U.S. Government and is to be delivered to NIC upon 
completion of this project.
    Production Schedule: The list below shows the major activities 
required to complete the project. Videotape production will begin upon 
award of this agreement and must be completed ten months after the 
award date. The schedule for completion of activities should include 
the following, at a minimum.
     Production company's kickoff meeting with NIC staff for a 
project overview;
     Production company's review of materials provided by NIC;
     Production company's research of roles and functions of 
jails;
     Production company's tour of a jail (arranged through NIC 
staff);
     NIC project staff develops an outline of key concepts to 
be included in videotape with suggestions for illustrating;
     Scripted treatment;
     Script written and presented to NIC for approval;
     Script revisions and NIC staff's final approval;
     Filming and interviews scheduled and coordinated with 
sites and NIC staff;
     Story board developed and presented to NIC staff for 
review;
     Story board revisions and NIC staff's final approval;
     Filming;
     Off-line editing;
     Screening of off-line edit by production company and NIC 
staff;
     On-line graphics/animation planned, then presented to and 
approved by NIC staff;
     On-line graphics/animation created;
     On-line narration reordered;
     On-line edit;
     On-line screening by production company and NIC staff;
     Review and approval of final edit by NIC staff;
     Final products delivered.

    Authority: Public Law 93-415.

Funds Available

    The award will be limited to $125,000 (direct and indirect costs) 
and project activity must be completed within ten 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 Jails Division.

Application Procedures

    Applications must be submitted in six copies to the Director, 
National Institute of Corrections, 320 First Street, NW, Room 5007, 
Washington, DC 20534. At least one copy of the application must have 
the applicant's original signature in blue ink. A cover letter must 
identify the responsible audit agency for the applicant's financial 
accounts.
    Applications must be prepared according to the procedures given in 
the NIC Guideline Manual: Instructions for Applying for Federal 
Assistance and must be submitted on OMB Standard Form 424, Federal 
Assistance. The applications should be concisely written, typed double-
spaced, and referenced to the project by the number and title given in 
this cooperative agreement announcement.
    The narrative portion of this grant application should include, at 
a minimum:
     A brief paragraph that indicates the applicant's 
understanding of the purpose of the videotape and the issues to be 
addressed;
     A brief paragraph that summarizes the project goals and 
objectives;
     A clear description of the methodology that will be used 
to complete the project and achieve its goals;
     A statement or chart of measurable project milestones and 
time lines for the completion of each;
     A description of the staffing plan for the project, 
including the role of each project staff, the time commitment for each, 
the relationship among the staff (who reports to whom), and an 
indication that all required staff will be available;
     A description of the qualifications of the applicant 
organization and each project staff;
     A budget that details all costs for the project, shows 
consideration for all contingencies for this project, and notes a 
commitment to work within the budget proposed (budget should be divided 
into object class categories as shown on application Standard Form 
424A).
    Documentation of the principal's and associate's relevant 
knowledge, skills, and abilities to carry out the described tasks must 
be included in the application. The application must be accompanied by 
a resume of the applicant's work and a brief sample(s) of completed 
video productions. The applicant organization must specify its roles in 
the production of the sample videos.
    Deadline for Receipt of Applications: Applications must be received 
by 4:00 p.m. on Monday, July 17, 2000. They should be addressed to 
Director, National Institute of Corrections, 320 First Street, NW, Room 
5007,

[[Page 35125]]

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 email: [email protected]. A copy of this announcement, 
application forms, and additional information 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 Kris 
Keller at 1960 Industrial Circle, Longmont, CO 80501, or by calling 
800-995-6429, ext. 119 or 303-682-0382, ext. 119, or by email: 
[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 requisite skills to 
successfully meet the outcome objectives of the project.
    Review Considerations: Applications received under this 
announcement will be subjected to a NIC three to five member Peer 
Review Process. Among the criteria used to evaluate the applications 
are:
     Indication of a clear understanding of the project 
requirements;
     Background, experience, and expertise of the proposed 
project staff, including any subcontractors;
     Previous video production experience with local jails;
     Effectiveness of the creative approach to the project;
     Clear, concise description of all elements and tasks of 
the project, with sufficient and realistic time frames necessary to 
complete the tasks;
     Technical soundness of project design and methodology;
     Financial and administrative integrity of the proposal, 
including adherence to federal financial guidelines and processes;
     Sufficiently detailed budget that shows consideration of 
all contingencies for this project and commitment to work within the 
budget proposed;
     Indication of availability to meet with NIC staff, 
possibly at short notice, at key points in videotape production (at a 
minimum, those listed under ``Project Description'').
    Number of Awards: One (1).
    NIC Application Number: 00J01 Videotape Community Education on 
Jails. This number should appear as a reference line in your cover 
letter and also in box 11 of Standard Form 424.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 16.601

    Dated: May 26, 2000.
Morris L. Thigpen,
Director, National Institute of Corrections.
[FR Doc. 00-13665 Filed 5-31-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4410-36-M