[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 106 (Thursday, June 1, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 35125-35126]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-13666]


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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

National Institute of Corrections


Solicitation for a cooperative agreement--Regional Meetings on 
Prison Workforce Issues

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 funding for conducting four regional 
one and a half (1\1/2\) day meetings to identify critical issues that 
impact the effectiveness of the prison workforce as well as innovative 
strategies to assist correctional departments in meeting their human 
resource needs.

Background

    Baby Boomers, Generation X, and Gray Panthers are a few of the 
identified groups changing the profile of the workplace. With 
unprecedented growth in technology and high competition for workers, 
many correctional agencies are finding it increasingly difficult to 
recruit and retain staff. Even when staff are hired, there are a 
variety of differences in the work ethic of these workers. A number of 
systems have even been faced with building institutions and then having 
them sit idle because of lack of staff. In other instances, systems 
have expanded so rapidly that staff with minimal or limited experience 
are being ``prematurely promoted'' to manage this eclectic workforce. 
With these varying dilemmas impacting the prison workforce, it is 
imperative that agencies find out what is working and what is not 
regarding the human resource aspect of managing prison systems.
    Private industry and other government entities are likewise facing 
challenges in a variety of workforce areas. Some have implemented 
innovative approaches (such as training contracts, paid educational 
advancement, etc.) that are providing at least somewhat successful. 
Learning how to identify and implement innovative strategies for 
today's workforce, and especially recommendations for 24-hour 
operations located in rural settings, is the goal of these discussion 
or ``focus'' groups.
    A total of $79,600 is reserved for this project which will support 
one cooperative agreement for a 9 month period. The recipient of the 
award will be selected through a competitive solicitation process. 
BeLinda Watson Barney is the designated NIC project manager.
    Project Scope: The goals of this cooperative agreement include the 
following:
     Identification and selection of sites for the four (4) 
regional meetings.
     Manage all logistical planning for the four (4) regional 
meetings and manage on-site logistics.
     Identify a format, discussion points and facilitators for 
the discussion groups.
     Identify potential participants for the discussion groups.
     Develop a summary report of the findings from the regional 
meetings.
    All work on this project will be done in collaboration with NIC who 
will retain final approval on all aspects of these meetings. All travel 
for meetings will be funded, arranged and managed by the recipient of 
this award.
    Specific Requirements: The successful applicant will propose a 
project approach that will ensure accomplishment of each of the stated 
goals of this project. At a minimum, the following requirements will be 
met in pursuit of the stated goals:
     Selection of participants that include corrections, other 
government and private sector representatives who can contribute to a 
discussion of how to address workforce issues in corrections or who can 
provide examples of innovative strategies used in their own sector.
     Focus of the discussion should be in identifying solutions 
(as opposed to listing problems).
     Compilation of findings and summary of issues raised at 
the regional meetings, including recommendations for further work/
assistance by NIC.
     Coordination with the NIC project director at critical 
points in project development and as necessary to ensure clarity and 
accomplishments of goals and a satisfactory outcome.
    Additional, specific requirements related to the training package 
are as follows:

[[Page 35126]]

    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 $79,600 
(direct and indirect costs) and project activity must be completed 
within 9 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 are required to submit a 
proposal that specifically defines their plan for meeting the goals and 
objectives of this project. The proposal must: provide a detailed plan 
that describes the methodology to be used in pursuing the project 
goals, including a timetable for accomplishment of objectives and 
criteria for selection of work group participants; demonstrate a 
knowledge of current workforce issues in the public and private 
sectors, including an awareness of agencies or organizations that have 
implemented innovative workforce strategies; and identify project staff 
who have made a commitment of time to this project and the specific 
skills they possess that will support the endeavors of the project. The 
conceptual framework of the proposal must demonstrate the applicants 
understanding of the nature of government employment practices and 
specifically, those that pertain to the correctional workforce.
    Funding for this project has been established at $79,600. 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, June 30, 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: Requests for the application 
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.nicic.org (click on ``What's New'' and 
``Cooperative Agreements''). All technical and/or programmatic 
questions concerning this announcement should be directed to BeLinda 
Watson Barney at the above address or by calling 800-995-6423 or 202-
307-1300, ext. 152, 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 9 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 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. 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: 00P06 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.
    Dated: May 25, 2000.
Morris L. Thigpen,
Director, National Institute of Corrections.
[FR Doc. 00-13666 Filed 5-31-00; 8:45 am]
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