[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 88 (Tuesday, May 7, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30725-30727]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-11286]


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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

National Institute of Corrections


Solicitation for a Cooperative Agreement--Training Program 
Revision: National Sheriffs' Institute

AGENCY: National Institute of Corrections, Department of Justice

ACTION: Solicitation for a Cooperative Agreement

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SUMMARY: The National Institute of Corrections (NIC), Jails Division, 
is seeking applications for the analysis for the current National 
Sheriffs' Institute, a leadership training program for first term 
sheriffs, and development of a new course curriculum.
    Background: The National Sheriffs' Institute (NSI) was created in 
the early 1970s in response to a needs assessment conducted by the 
National Sheriffs' Association (NSA) that identified critical areas 
affecting the success of a sheriff's term of office. The NSA, with Law 
Enforcement Assistance Administration (LEAA) funds, supported the 
development of the core curriculum by the School of Public 
Administration, University of Southern California. From 1973-1981, the 
program was conducted with LEAA funds. From 1982-1991, when federal 
funds were not available to the NSI, sheriffs were required to attend 
at their own expense. In 1993, NIC joined with NSA to sponsor the 
program. It is now held twice a year at NIC's training center in 
Longmont, Colorado.
    The program has undergone a variety of revisions since its 
inception. Over the years, it has evolved to focus on leadership, 
specifically as it applies to the Office of the Sheriff. It is now the 
only national leadership development program designed specifically for 
sheriffs. NIC views this program as critical for first-term sheriffs, 
since many sheriffs come to office with a law enforcement background, 
some management skills, and certain technical knowledge, but often have 
little or no preparation for their assumption of a leadership position.
    The applicant should be aware that not only is this course specific 
to the leadership roles of sheriffs, but also that about 90% of 
sheriffs are from smaller, rural jurisdictions, which typically have 
severely limited resources and minimal staff. This will need to be 
considered during course development.
    It has been several years since the NSI has been closely examined 
in its totality. Various refinements have been made, but in a rather 
piecemeal fashion. The entire program now needs a rigorous examination 
to ensure that (1) there is a consistent focus on leadership, (2) the 
concepts taught are current and applicable to roles and 
responsibilities of sheriffs, (3) all modules clearly contribute to 
achieving the goals of the course, (4) instructional strategies reflect 
adult learning theory and accommodate various learning styles, (5) the 
instructional design is learner centered, and (6) program participants 
are required to apply leadership concepts to their roles and activities 
as sheriffs. The analysis will be the basis for the development of a 
new curriculum. The current course is based on the sheriff's leadership 
role in five areas: (1) The political arena, (2) the criminal justice 
system, (3) the community, (4) his/her organization and staff, and (5) 
the technical arena. The course is two weeks long. The first week 
includes the following topics:
     The Sheriff in the American Justice System
     Decision Making
     Leadership Styles
     Language of Leadership
     Value-Centered Leadership
     Developing a Good Place to Work
     Building the Executive Team
     Exterior Forces Affecting the Office of the Sheriff
     Strategic Planning and Change
    The second week covers a variety of subjects, such as power and 
influence, managing diversity, the politics of budgeting, media 
relations, legal issues, the principles of community policing, and 
public issues confronting the sheriff.
    It is important to acknowledge that the NSI has an extensive 
history and tradition that provide the foundation for the course. 
However, in the development of a revised course curriculum, the 
applicant is not bound by the specific content, delivery strategies, or 
length of the current program. (Note, however, that the program may not 
exceed two weeks). NIC seeks applicants who are able to take into 
account the history and tradition of the NSI, but who also are able to 
bring a fresh perspective to the course.

[[Page 30726]]

    Project Objectives: NIC wishes to analyze the current NSI in terms 
of the currency and relevance of content and the effectiveness of 
instructional strategies. Based on that analysis, NIC wishes to develop 
a revised course curriculum.

Scope of Work

Project description

    The awardee will analyze the current NSI program and, based on that 
analysis, produce a complete, professionally-produced curriculum, with, 
at a minimum--
     a narrative overview of the program, describing the 
program's goals, characteristics of the target audience, the overall 
course framework, the rationale for the curriculum design, and an 
explanation of how the individual modules reinforce leadership concepts 
and relate to each other
     lesson plans for each module that detail content and 
provide for delivery strategies that require training participants to 
apply concepts to their roles and responsibilities as sheriffs
     instructional aids, such as handouts, computer-generated 
presentations, and other visual aids (visual aid must meet NIC's 
requirements for readability in a classroom setting)
     instructor's guide
     suggested readings for participants
     participant workbook that serves as a note-taking guide 
and provides all materials related to participant activities
     participant evaluations, including an end-of-program 
evaluation and a longer-term evaluation to determine if participants 
implement what they learn and the resulting benefits, if any
    The applicant will be required to have all materials professionally 
edited for grammar, mechanics, spelling, and clarity. These materials 
will be delivered to NIC in one hard copy and on CD in Microsoft Word 
and PowerPoint format.

Project Schedule

    The list below shows the major activities required to complete the 
project. Activities will begin upon award of this agreement and must be 
completed twenty-four months after the award date. The schedule for 
completion of activities should include the following, at a minimum.
     Meet with NIC staff for project overview and planning
     Review NSI materials provided by NIC
     Collect information on the leadership roles of the sheriff 
and related training needs, through literature research, interviews 
with sheriffs, attendance at an NSA conference, or other means
     Attend an NSI course in full and assess content, delivery 
strategies, and length
     Submit to NIC a written report that analyzes the current 
NSI in terms of, at a minimum, its adequacy in meeting the training 
needs of sheriffs regarding leadership, the currency and relevance of 
concepts taught, effectiveness of training delivery strategies, and 
quality and usefulness of program materials
     Meet with NIC staff regarding the written analysis
     Draft a proposed curriculum design, with the rationale for 
the design and an overview of content and delivery strategies
     Submit the proposed design to NIC for review
     Revise the proposed design based on comments from NIC
     Based on the agreed-upon design, draft program materials 
and submit to them to NIC as they are completed
     Revise draft materials based on NIC's comments
     Pilot the draft curriculum. This will be done during a 
scheduled NSI in Longmont (see dates below). If the applicant 
organization will instruct portions of the program, its fees and 
expenses must be charged to the cooperative agreement. NIC will choose 
and fund all other instructors, but the applicant is welcome to suggest 
potential instructors. Provision must be made to ensure instructors 
have program materials at least six weeks before the program so they 
can become familiar with them and ask any necessary clarification.
     Monitor the pilot program, in conjunction with NIC staff, 
for needed revision
     Revise program based on pilot
     Develop and submit final products, in hard copy (one) and 
on CD in Microsoft Word and PowerPoint format.
    The awardee should make provision for two-three meetings with NIC 
staff--to be held in Longmont, Colorado--in addition to those listed 
above.
    The National Sheriffs' Institute is conducted twice each federal 
fiscal year. One program remains in FY02, and that will be held on 
September 22-October 2, 2002. In FY03, the program will be held on 
April 27-May 9, 2003 and again on September 21 to October 3, 2003. In 
FY04, the program will be held in April and September, but the dates 
have yet to be set. Applicants for this cooperative agreement should 
develop their project schedules with these dates in mind.
    Authority: Public Law 93-413.
    Funds Available: The award will be limited to $145,000 (direct and 
indirect costs) and project activity must be completed within twenty-
four 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 submitted using OMB Standard Form 424, Federal 
Assistance and attachments. 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 document 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 principals' and associates' relevant 
knowledge, skills, and abilities to carry out the described tasks must 
be included in the application. The application must also include a 
sample curriculum (includes all materials for the curriculum) developed 
by the applicant organization or by the curriculum-development 
specialist with whom the applicant

[[Page 30727]]

intends to subcontract. The curriculum must be for a course that is at 
least three-days long.
    Deadline for Receipt of Applications: Applications must be received 
by 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 24, 2002. They should be addressed to 
Director, National Institute of Corrections, 320 First Street, NW, Room 
5006, Washington, DC 20534. Applicants are encouraged to use Federal 
Express, UPS, or similar service to ensure delivery by the due date as 
mail at the National Institute of Corrections is still being delayed 
due to recent events. Hand delivered applications should be brought to 
500 First Street, NW, Washington, DC 20534. The front desk will call 
(202) 307-3106, extension 0 for pickup.

ADDRESSES AND FURTHER INFORMATION: A copy of this announcement and the 
application forms may be obtained through the NIC web site: http.//
www.nicic.org. (click on cooperative agreements). Requests for a hard 
copy of this announcement and the application forms 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. 44222, 202-307-3106, ext. 44222, or 
email: [email protected]. All technical and/or programmatic questions 
concerning this announcement should be directed to Ginny Hutchinson or 
Jim Barbee at 1960 Industrial Circle, Longmont, CO 80501, or by calling 
800-995-6429, ext. 140 (G. Hutchinson) or ext. 138 (J. Barbee) or by 
email: [email protected] or [email protected].
    Eligible 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 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;
     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 at key 
points in document development.
     Quality of sample curriculum.
    Preference will be given to applicants or applicant teams that can 
clearly demonstrate expertise in executive leadership development, have 
experience in working with sheriffs and knowledge about the 
responsibilities and challenges of the Office of Sheriff, and have 
expertise and experience in professional curriculum development.
    Number of Awards: One (1).
    NIC Application Number: 02J20. This number should appear as a 
reference line in your cover letter, in box 11 of Standard Form 424, 
and on the outside of the envelope in which the application is sent.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 16.601.
    Dated: May 2, 2002.
Morris L. Thigpen,
Director, National Institute of Corrections.
[FR Doc. 02-11286 Filed 5-6-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4410-36-M