[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 81 (Friday, April 26, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20829-20831]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-10256]



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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

National Institutes 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 2002 for a 
cooperative agreement to fund the project ``Effectively Managing a 
Multi-Generational Workforce.'' NIC will award one cooperative 
agreement to: develop a training curriculum for correctional 
supervisors on how to manage a multi-generational workforce; develop a 
Training-for-Trainers component on how to teach that curriculum and 
develop a two-hour portable training module on effectively managing a 
multi-generational workforce.
    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 will be made to an organization 
that will, in concert with the Institute, develop a curriculum and 
training materials for effectively managing a multi-generational 
workforce which may be utilized by operational and training personnel 
within a correctional agency.

Background

    The National Institute of Corrections, Prisons Division, sponsored 
a series of meetings during FY 2001 to discuss issues and problems 
regarding the correctional workforce. One of the topics which emerged 
in every meeting was how difficult it was for Correctional Supervisors 
to manage and motivate the new workers coming into correctional 
agencies. Likewise, in a variety of NIC training programs over the past 
few years, workforce issues--especially those involving the newer 
groups of workers entering the workforce--have predominated in many 
training programs regardless of the topic.
    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, within the next decade 
33% of the workforce will be older than 55 years of age. In the 
corrections workplace, the predominance of hazardous duty retirement 
benefit and other public sector retirement systems will mean that many 
of this country's correctional workers will be drawn from the 
Generation X (typically considered as those born between 1965 and 1976) 
and Generation Y (generally those born in or after 1977) demographic 
groups. Many supervisors, managers and administrators will still be 
from the large Baby Boomer generations (born between 1946-1964).
    Although many ``Baby Boomers'' supervisors lament the poor work 
attitudes of the ``new'' workforce, those newer workers are equally 
unsatisfied with their supervisors being ``stuck in the past'' and 
unwilling to look at alternatives ways of doing things. With projected 
shortages of staff in all business sectors, not just corrections, there 
could be other interesting ``generational differences'' emerging in the 
workplace--for instance, retirees returning to the workforce.
    These, and many other generational differences, become quite 
prominent and critical in the correctional workplace. Yet providing 
information and understanding of the generational characteristics of 
various workforce groups can assist in assuring that workplace 
practices are most effective. Supervisors can be trained on effective 
supervisory practices--whether with a younger workforce or any other 
group of employees. Workplace attitudes, policies and procedures can be 
re-evaluated to assure that they are effective for the current 
workforce recognizing that over time there will be changing trends 
among those who comprise the workforce.

Purpose

    To develop training materials for supervisory and management staff 
in the correctional workplace to assist them in effectively managing a 
multi-generational workforce.

Scope of Work

    The awardee will research the existing training materials and 
management literature in all areas relating to a multi-generational 
workforce (including Generation X, Generation Y, Baby Boomers, retirees 
and any other relevant workforce groupings or designations) as well as 
from training and management resources in the field of corrections, and 
will complete the following tasks:
    1. To develop a 16-hour training program/curriculum targeted to 
correctional supervisors and managers on how to most effectively work 
with and supervise a multi-generational workforce. The awardee will 
have base the development of all training materials on research which 
has been done on the trends and characteristics of the various 
demographic workgroups. The training program should include: 
instructors guide with all lesson plans, handouts, power point 
presentations, classroom exercises, relevant audio-visual videotapes 
and any other relevant information; and a participant handbook with all 
relevant reading materials, classroom exercises and other materials 
identified by the awardee as helpful in the training process. 
Copyrighted materials should have written permission for use or other 
materials need to be identified.
    2. To develop an 8 hour Training-for-Trainers (T-for-T) program to 
prepare correctional trainers to deliver the curriculum developed for 
``Effectively Managing a Multi-generational Workforce.'' The T-for-T 
Program should include lesson plans and all relevant materials.
    3. To develop a 2-hour training module which is portable and can 
``stand alone'' to be used in various NIC training programs on the 
characteristics of the workforce from different generations and what 
correctional managers need to know to work effectively with the 
different generations. Relevant readings, lesson plans, tapes and other 
help materials should be included.
    4. Materials should be prepared in consultation with NIC and an 
edited, final, camera-ready copy of all materials presented to NIC for 
publication in accordance with the NIC Preparation of Printed Materials 
for Publication. All products from this funding effort will be in the 
public domain and available to interested parties through the National 
Institute of Corrections. Any copyrighted material must have written 
permission that it can be used as part of this training program.

Specific Requirements

    1. ``Multi-generational workforce'' will include those persons in 
the correctional workforce who are frequently referred to in the human 
resource and management literature as Generation X workers, Generation 
Y workers, the next generation or the new, younger workforce who bring 
different values to the work setting. It will also include workers who 
have retired and are returning to the workforce. Although the 
demographics suggest that most correctional managers are from the 
``Baby Boomer'' generation, the awardee will address various ``multi-
generational'' management and supervisory issues.
    2. Correctional workplace or correctional workers will refer to 
settings/employees in prisons, jails, halfway houses, parole and 
probation agencies, etc. The correctional workplace will be defined in 
broad terms and all references in the training materials should be 
equally applicable to prisons, jails, and community corrections 
settings.

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    3. The developed materials should be equally relevant to all 
correctional workers whether they are correctional captains, nursing 
supervisors or chief parole agents among others. All training materials 
should be generic and human resource focused for the correctional 
profession.
    4. There are many current resources, such as publications, 
videotapes, and training materials which have been developed in areas 
relating to the multi-generational workforce or specific generational 
groups such as Generation X and Baby Boomers. The award recipient will 
be expected to have knowledge of an fully utilize these resources.
    5. The award recipient should identify appropriate training 
videotapes that can be included in training packages and obtain any 
necessary releases for use of those tapes. It is not expected that the 
awardee would develop their own audiovisual materials, however no 
application is prohibited from doing that within the cost allowance of 
this award.
    6. The applicant must propose a project team which is comprised of 
human resource/training expertise, at least some of whom have a 
knowledge of generational differences, as well as correctional 
operations and training expertise.
    7. Individual examples/illustrations can be used--but care should 
be given to assuring that various disciplines in the correctional 
environment as well as the various components of the corrections 
systems are included.
    8. The person designated as project director needs to be the person 
who will manage the project on a day-to-day basis and who has full 
decision--making authority to work with the NIC project manager. This 
person must have enough time dedicated to the project to assure they 
are available to direct the day-to-day activities of the project and to 
be available for collaboration with the NIC project manager.
    9. Applicants should identify in the proposal specific strategies 
for assuring a collaborative effort between their project team and NIC.

Application Requirements

    Applications must be submitted using OMB Standard Form 424, Federal 
Assistance, and attachments. The applications should be concisely 
written, typed doubled-spaced, and referenced to the project by the 
number and title given in the this cooperative agreement announcement.
    The narrative portion of this cooperative agreement application 
should include, at a minimum:
    1. A brief paragraph that indicates the applicant's understanding 
of the purpose of the three (3) training programs/modules;
    2. One or more paragraphs to detail the applicants understanding of 
the workforce characteristics of the primary generational groups;
    3. A brief paragraph that summarizes the project goals and 
objectives;
    4. A clear description of the methodology that will be used to 
complete the project and achieve its goals;
    5. A clearly developed and detailed Project Plan which demonstrates 
how the various goals and objectives of the project will be achieved 
through its various activities so as to produce the required results;
    6. A chart of measurable project milestones and time lines for the 
completion of each;
    7. A description of the qualifications of the applicant 
organization and the relevant knowledge, skills and abilities of all 
project staff;
    8. 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 a statement 
from individual staff that they will be available to work on this 
project;
    9. 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). A budget narrative must be included which explains how all cost 
were determined.
    The project must be completed within one year of its award date.

    Authority: Public Law 93-415.

    Funds Available: The award will be limited to a maximum of $100,000 
(direct and indirect costs). Funds may only be used for the activities 
that are linked to the desired outcome of the project. No funds are 
transferred to state or local governments. This project will be a 
collaborative venture with the NIC Prisons 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.
    Deadline for Receipt of Applications: Applications must be received 
by 4:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on Wednesday, June 5, 2002. They 
should be addressed to Director, National Institute of Corrections, 320 
First Street, NW., Room 5007, Washington, DC 20534. The NIC application 
number should be written on the outside of the mail or courier 
envelope. Applicants are encouraged to use Federal Express, UPS, or 
similar service to ensure delivery by due date as the mail at the 
National Institute of Corrections is still being delayed due to 
decontamination procedures implemented after recent events. 
Applications mailed or express delivery should be sent to: National 
Institute of Corrections, 320 First Street, NW., Room 5007, Washington, 
DC 20534, Attn: Director. Hand delivered applications can be brought to 
500 First Street, NW., Washington, DC 20534. The security officer will 
call our front desk at (202) 307-3106 to come to the security desk for 
pickup. Faxed or e-mailed applications will not be accepted.
    Addresses and Further Information: A copy of this announcement and 
applications forms may be obtained through the NIC Web site: http.//
www.nicic.org (click on ``Cooperative Agreements''). Requests for a 
hard copy of the applications, forms, and announcement 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, extension 44222 or (202) 307-
3106, extension 44222. She can also be contacted by e-mail via 
[email protected].
    All technical and or programmatic questions concerning this 
announcement should be directed to BeLinda P. Watson at the above 
address or by calling (800) 995-6423, extension 30483 or (202) 353-
0483, or by e-mail via [email protected].
    Eligibility Applicants: An eligible applicant is any state or 
general unit of local government, private agency, educational 
institution, organization, individuals or team with expertise in the 
requested areas.
    Review Considerations: Applications received under this 
announcement will be subjected to a 3 to 5 person NIC Peer Review 
Process.
    Number of Awards: One (1).
    NIC Application Number: 02P06. This number should appear as a 
reference line in the cover letter and also in box 11 of Standard Form 
424 and outside of the envelope in which the application is sent.

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Executive Order 12372

    This program is not subject to the provisions of Executive Order 
12372.

    The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number is: 16.61.

    Dated: April 18, 2002.
Morris L. Thigpen,
Director, National Institute of Corrections.
[FR Doc. 02-10256 Filed 4-25-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4410-36-M