[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 136 (Tuesday, July 16, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46692-46694]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-17832]


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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

National Institute of Corrections


Solicitation for a Cooperative Agreement-Production of Seven 
Satellite/Internet Video Programs

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 2003 for a 
cooperative agreement to fund the production of seven Satellite/
Internet video programs. Four of the proposed programs are separate, 
individual, nationwide satellite/Internet teleconferences (three hours 
each). The other three are distance learning courses delivered via a 
satellite/Internet. One of the three distance learning programs are 
site coordinator/facilitator training sessions (Training for Trainers). 
A site coordinator precursor module will contain eight hours of 
satellite/internet training split over two days. The remaining two are 
content-driven training programs which will consist of 32 hours of 
training. We will have 16 hours of live-broadcast satellite/Internet 
training over four days, (four hours each day). The other 16 hours of 
off-air activities will be directed by our trained site coordinators. 
There will be a total of 52 hours of broadcast time FY 03.

DATES: Applications must be received by 4 p.m. on Thursday, August 15, 
2002.

ADDRESSES: Applications should be addressed to: Director, National 
Institute of Corrections, 320 First Street, NW., Room 5007, Washington, 
DC 20534. Applicants are encouraged to use Federal Express, UPS, or 
similar service ot insure delivery by the due date as mail at NIC is 
still being delayed due to recent changes in mail handling procedures. 
Hand delivered applications can be brought to 500 First Street, NW., 
Washington, DC 20534. The security desk will call Fran Leonard at (202) 
307-3106, and 0 for pickup. Faxed or emailed applications will not be 
accepted.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: A copy of this announcement and the 
required application forms can be downloaded from the NIC web page at 
www.nicic.org (Click on ``cooperative agreements.'') Hard copies of the 
announcement can be obtained by calling Judy Evens at 1-800-995-6423 
x44222 or email at [email protected]. Any specific questions regarding the

[[Page 46693]]

application process should be directed to Ms. Evens.
    All technical and/or programmatic questions concerning this 
announcement should be directed to Ed Wolahan, Corrections Program 
Specialist, at 1960 Industrial Circle, Longmont, Colorado 80501, or by 
calling 800-995-6429 ext 131, or by email:[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Distance learning is defined as a training/education process 
transpiring between trainers/teachers at one location and participants/
students at other locations via technology. NIC is using the satellite 
broadcasting and the Internet to economically reach more correctional 
staff in federal, state and local agencies. Another strong benefit of 
satellite delivery is its ability to broadcast programs conducted by 
experts in the correctional field. The entire audience can be reached 
at the same time with exactly the same information. Everyone will be 
reading from the same page. In addition, NIC is creating training 
programs from its edited 32 hour programs that will be disseminated 
through its Information Center.

Purpose

    The purposes of funding this initiative are:
    (1) Produce four-three-hour satellite/Internet videoconferences, 
disseminating current information to the criminal justice community;
    (2) Produce one eight-hour training sessions for site coordinators/
facilitators. This is designed to train the facilitators from each 
registered site concerning the outcomes expected and in the knowledge 
and skills to facilitate the off-air activities;
    (3) Produce two 16-hour sessions of distance learning training that 
responds directly to the needs identified by practitioners working in 
the criminal justice arena. The satellite training will be delivered 
four hours each day, Monday through Thursday.

Scope of Work

    To address the scope of work for this project, the following will 
be needed:
    1. Producer Consultation and Creative Services: The producer will: 
(a) Consult and collaborate on program design, program coordination, 
design of field segments and content development with NIC's Distance 
Learning Manager; (b) work with each individual consultant and develop 
their modules for delivery using the distance learning format and/or 
the teleconference format; (c) help develop scripts, graphic design, 
production elements and rehearsal for each module of the site 
coordinators' training and the distance learning training; (d) use 
their expertise in designing creative ways to deliver satellite 
teleconferencing. The producer will also be responsible for attending 
planning meetings and assisting in the video- taping of testimonials at 
conferences.
    2. Pre-Production: Video: The producer will supervise the 
production of vignettes to be used in each of the three-hour 
videoconferences, as well as the distance learning training. NIC 
presenters (content experts) will draft outlines of the scripts for 
each vignette. From the outlines, scripts will be developed by the 
producer (script writing expert) and approved by NIC's Distance 
Learning Manager. Professional actors will play the parts designated by 
the script. Story boards for each production will be written by NIC's 
Distance Learning Manager.
    Producer will supervise camera and audio crews to capture 
testimonials from leaders in the correctional field at designated 
correctional conferences. The producers will coordinate all planning of 
the production and post production for each of the seven 
teleconferences Video Production: Video production for each 
teleconference will consist of video taping content related events in 
the field, editing existing video and video taping experts for 
testimonial presentations. It will also include voice over, audio and 
music for each video, if necessary. Blank tapes and narration for field 
shooting will be purchased for each site. The format for all field 
shooting will be either Beta Cam, DV Pro Digital and/or Mini DVD.
    Post Production (Studio): Innovated and thought provoking opening 
sequences will be produced for each teleconference. In addition 
graphics will be utilized to enhance the learning in each module. The 
producer will coordinate art direction, lighting, and set design and 
furniture for all teleconference segments. (Set design should change 
periodically throughout the award period). The producer will organize 
and supervise the complete production crew for rehearsal and production 
days. (See schedules below).
    3. Production: The production group will set up and maintain studio 
lighting, adjust audio, and have a complete production crew for the 
following days and hours. A production crew will include Director, 
Audio Operator, Video Operator, Character Generator Operator, Floor 
Director, Camera Operators (3 to 4), Teleprompter Operator, On Line 
Internet Coordinator, Make-Up Artist (production time only), and 
Interactive Assistance Personal (fax, email, and telephone.)

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                                                                  Hours
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    1. Offender Job Retention for Correctional Professionals 32 Hour
                  Distance Learning--October 7-11, 2002
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Rehearsal--October 6, 2002.....................................        8
Production On-Air, & Rehearsal--October 7, 2002................        9
Production On-Air, & Rehearsal--October 8, 2002................        9
Production On-Air, & Rehearsal--October 9, 2002................        9
Production On-Air, & Rehearsal--October 10, 2002...............        5
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      2. Transition From Prison to the Community--February 19, 2003
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Rehearsal--February 18, 2003...................................        8
Production On-Air, February 19, 2003...........................        4
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  3. Site Coordinators/Facilitators Training for Youthful Offenders in
 Adult Corrections: A Systemic Approach Using Effective Interventions--
                            May 14 & 15, 2003
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Rehearsal--May 13, 2003........................................        8
Production On-Air--Rehearsal May 14, 2003......................        9
Production On-Air--May 15, 2003................................        5
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   4. The Criminal Justice Response to Children of Prisoners and Their
                        Caretakers--June 18, 2003
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Rehearsal--June 17, 2003 7.....................................        8
Production On-Air, June 18, 2003...............................        4
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                  5. Institution Culture--July 16, 2003
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Rehearsal--July 15, 2003.......................................        8
Production On Air, July 16, 2003...............................        4
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  6. Developing an Effective New Employee FTO Program--August 20, 2003
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Rehearsal--August 19, 2003.....................................        8
Production On-Air, August 20, 2003.............................        4
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  7. Youthful Offender in Adult Corrections: A Systemic Approach Using
  Effective Interventions--32 Hour Distance Learning--September 15-19,
                                  2003
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Rehearsal--September 14, 2003..................................        8
Production On-Air & Rehearsal--September 15, 2003..............        9
Production On-Air & Rehearsal--September 16, 2003..............        9
Production On-Air & Rehearsal--September 17, 2003..............        9
Production On-Air, September 18, 2003..........................        5
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[[Page 46694]]

    4. Transmission:
    A. Purchase satellite uplink time that will include the footprints 
of Alaska, Hawaii, Virgin Islands, and the Continental United States;
    B. Acquire downlink transponder time for KU-Band and C-Band
    C. Purchase Internet streaming of 200 simultaneous feeds for each 
program.
5. Equipment: Applicants must have a minimum of the following equipment 
and qualified personnel.
    A. Broadcast Studio of approximately 2,000 square feet, with an 
area for a studio audience of between 15 and 20 people.
    B. Four-Digital Studio Cameras (One of which could be an overhead 
camera with robotic control)
    C. Chroma Key--At least one wall with chroma key capability along 
with the digital ultimate keying system
    D. A tape operation facility providing playback/record in various 
formats, including DV, Betacam, Betacam SP, SVHS, VHS, U-Matic 3/4 & 
SP.
    E. A/B roll linear and digital nonlinear editing
    F. Three-dimensional animation with computer graphics.
    G. Internet streaming capacity for several hundred simultaneous 
downloads in both G2 Real Player and Microsoft Media Player
    H. Ability to archive three to four videoconferences from FY02 and 
all seven of FY03
    I. Computer Teleprompter for at least two studio cameras
    J. Satellite Uplink and Transponder--KU-Band and C-Band/or Digital 
with KU-Band to cover the footprints of Alaska, Hawaii, Virgin Islands, 
and the Continental United States
    K. Portable Field Equipment--Digital Video Cameras with recording 
decks, portable lighting kits, microphones (hand held and lapel), field 
monitors, audio mixers, and camera tripods.
    6. Personnel:
    A. Producer/Director.
    B. Script Writer.
    C. Set Designer.
    D. Lighting Designer.
    E. Audio Operator.
    F. Graphics Operator.
    G. Graphics Artist.
    H. Floor Manager.
    I. Studio Cameras Operators (3 to 4).
    J. Tape Operator.
    K. Location Camera Operator.
    L. Teleprompter Operator.
    M. Clerical/Administrative Support.
    N. Makeup Artist.

Application Requirements

    Applicants must submit an original (signed in blue ink) and five 
copies of their application and the required forms (see below.) 
Applicants must prepare a proposal that describes their plan to address 
the requirements to produce seven live Internet/Satellite 
teleconferences. The plan must include a list of all required 
equipment, identify their key operational staff and the relevant 
expertise of each, and address the manner in which they would perform 
all tasks in collaboration with NIC's Distance Learning Supervisor. 
Please note that the Standard Form 424, Application for Federal 
Assistance, submitted with the proposal must contain the cover sheet, 
budget, budget narrative, assurances, certifications, and management 
plan. All required forms and instructions for their completion may be 
downloaded from the NIC website: http://www.nicic.org.

    Authority: Public Law 93-415

Amount of Award

    This is a cooperative agreement. A cooperative agreement is a form 
of assistance relationship through which the National Institute of 
Corrections is involved during the performance of the award. This award 
is made to an organization who has the capability to produce live 
satellite/Internet teleconferences. This initiative emphasizes 
television quality production that meets or exceeds major network 
quality. The award will be limited to $300,000 for both direct and 
indirect costs related to this project. Funds may not be used to 
purchase equipment, construction, or to acquire or build real property. 
This project will be a collaborative venture with the NIC Academy.
    All products from this funding will be in the public domain and 
available to interested agencies through the National institute of 
Corrections.
    Availability of Funds: Funds are not presently available for this 
cooperative agreement. The Government's obligation under this 
cooperative agreement is contingent upon the availability of 
appropriated funds from which payment for cooperative agreement 
purposes can be made. No legal liability on the part of the government 
for any payment may arise until funds are made available for this 
cooperative agreement and until the awardee receives notice of such 
availability, to be confirmed in writing. Nothing contained herein 
shall be construed to obligate the parties to any expenditure or 
obligation of funds in excess or in advance of appropriation in 
accordance with the Antideficiency Act, 31 U.S.C. 1341.
    Award Period: This award period is from October 1, 2002 to 
September 30, 2003.
    Eligibility of 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 objectives of the project.
    Review Considerations: Applications received under this 
announcement will be subjected to an NIC 3 to 5 member review panel.
    Number of Awards: One (1).
    Executive Order 12372: This program is not subject to the 
provisions of Executive Order 12372.
    NIC Application Number: 03A13: 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 package sent to NIC.


(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 16.601: Corrections-
-Staff Training and Development)

    Dated: July 10, 2002.
Morris Thigpen,
Director, National Institute of Corrections.
[FR Doc. 02-17832 Filed 7-15-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4410-36-M