[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 161 (Wednesday, August 20, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50190-50193]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-21255]


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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

National Institute of Corrections


Solicitations for a Cooperative Agreement: Production of Eight 
Satellite/Internet Broadcasts

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 2004 for a 
cooperative agreement to fund the production of eight satellite/
Internet broadcasts. Four of the proposed programs are nationwide 
satellite/Internet broadcasts. Four of the proposed programs are 
nationwide satellite/Internet broadcasts (three hours each). The other 
four are satellite/Internet Training Programs: two of the four are site 
coordinator/facilitator training (Training for Trainers) sessions. The 
site coordinator precursor modules will contain eight

[[Page 50191]]

hours of satellite/Internet training split over two days. The remaining 
two training programs are content-driven programs, one 24 hours in 
length and the other 32 hours in length. For the 24-hour program, there 
will be 12 hours of live-broadcast satellite/Internet training over 
three days (supplemented by 12 hours of off-air activities directed by 
previously trained site coordinators). For the 32-hour program, there 
will be 16 hours of live-broadcast satellite/Internet training over 
four days (supplemented by 16 hours of off-air activities directed by 
previously trained site coordinators). There will be a total of 56 
hours of broadcast time in FY 2004.

DATES: Applications must be received by 4 p.m. on Tuesday, September 
30, 2003. They 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 to insure delivery by the due date. Hand delivered applications 
can be brought to 500 First Street, NW., Room 5007, Washington, DC 
20534. The security desk will call (202) 307-3106, and 0 for pickup. 
Faxed or e-mailed 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 ``partnering with NIC'' and then ``cooperative 
agreement.'') Hard copies of the announcement can be obtained by 
calling Rita Rippetoe at 1-800-995-6423, ext. 44222, or by e-mail at 
[email protected]. Any specific questions regarding the application 
process should be directed to Ms. Rippetoe.
    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 e-mail at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Satellite/Internet Broadcasting is defined as training/education 
process transpiring between trainers/teachers at one location and 
participants/students at other locations via technology. NIC is using 
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, thus reaching the 
entire audience at the same time with exactly the same information. In 
addition, NIC is creating training programs from its edited 24- and 32-
hour satellite/Internet training programs for dissemination through the 
NIC Information Center.

Purpose

    The purpose for funding this initiative is to:
    (1) Produce four three-hour satellite/Internet broadcasts, 
disseminating current information to the criminal justice community;
    (2) Product two eight-hour training sessions for site coordinators/
facilitators. These sessions will train facilitators from each 
registered site concerning the outcomes expected and the knowledge and 
skills needed to facilitate the broadcast and off-air activities for 
the two training programs described in paragraph (3) below;
    (3) Produce two satellite/Internet training programs (one 16 hours 
in length and one 12 hours in length) that respond directly to the 
needs identified by practitioners working in criminal justice. The 16-
hour satellite/Internet training will be delivered four hours each day 
from Monday through Thursday and the 12-hour training will be delivered 
for four hours each day from Tuesday 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 with NIC's Distance Learning Manager on 
program design, program coordination, design of field segments and 
content development; (b) work with each consultant/trainer to develop 
their modules for delivery using the satellite/Internet format and/or 
the teleconference format; (c) help develop scripts, graphic design, 
production elements and rehearsals for each module of the site 
coordinators' training and the satellite/Internet training programs; 
and (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 of testimonials 
at conferences.
    2. Pre-Productive Video: The producer will supervise the production 
of vignettes to be used in each of the three-hour satellite/Internet 
broadcast, as well as the 12- and 16-hour satelletie/Internet training 
programs. 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.
    The producer will supervise camera and audio crews to capture 
testimonials from leaders in the correctional field at designated 
correctional conferences. The producer will coordinate all planning of 
the production and post-production for each of the eight satellite/
Internet broadcasts.
    Video Production: Video production for each teleconference will 
consist of videotaping content-related events in the field, editing 
existing video, and videotaping experts for testinomal 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): Innovative 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 on rehearsal and production 
days, per the schedules below.
    3. Production: The production group will set up and maintain studio 
lighting, adjust audio, and have a complete production crew for the 
days and hours set forth below. A production crew shall include the 
following: Director, Audio Operator, Video Operator, Character 
Generator Operator, Floor Director, Four (4) Camera Operators, 
Teleprompter Operator, On-Line Internet Coordinator, Make-Up Artist 
(production time only), and Interactive Assistance Personnel (fax, e-
mail, and telephone).
(1) Site Coordinators' Training for Foundation Skills for Trainers (8 
Hours)
Production Dates: December 10-11, 2003
    Rehearsal: December 9, 2003--8 hours
    Production On-Air and Rehearsal: December 10, 2003--9 hours
    Production On-Air: December 11, 2003--5 hours

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(2) Implementing Effective Correctional Management of Offenders in the 
Community (3 Hours)
Program Date: February 25, 2004
    Rehearsal: February 24, 2004--8 hours
    Production On-Air February 25, 2004--5 hours
(3) Foundation Skills for Trainers (16 Hours of Satellite/Internet 
Broadcast)
Program Dates: March 22-25, 2004
    Rehearsal: March 21, 2004--8 hours
    Production On-Air and Rehearsal: March 22, 2004--9 hours
    Production On-Air and Rehearsal: March 23, 2004--9 hours
    Production On-Air and Rehearsal: March 24, 2004--9 hours
    Production On-Air: March 25, 2004--5 hours
(4) Thinking for a Change (3 Hours)
Program Date: April 28, 2004
    Rehearsal: April 27, 2004--8 hours
    Production On-Air: April 28, 2004--5 hours
(5) Site Coordinators' Training for Agency FTO/OJT Program Development 
(8 Hours)
Program Dates: May 19-20, 2004
    Rehearsal: May 18, 2004--8 hours
    Production On-Air and Rehearsal: May 19, 2004--9 hours
    Production On-Air: May 20, 2004--5 hours
(6) Staff Wellness (3 Hours)
Program Date: June 16, 2004
    Rehearsal: June 15, 2004--8 hours
    Production On-Air: June 16, 2004--5 hours
(7) Agency FTO/OJT Program Development (12 Hours of Satellite/Internet 
Broadcast)
Program Dates: August 17 to 19, 2004
    Rehearsal: August 16, 2004--8 hours
    Production On-Air & Rehearsal: August 17, 2004--9 hours
    Production On-Air & Rehearsal: August 18, 2004--9 hours
    Production On-Air: August 19, 2004--5 hours
(8) Classification of High-Risk Offenders (3 Hours)
Program Date: September 15, 2004
    Rehearsal: September 14, 2004--8 hours
    Production On-Air: September 15, 2004--5 hours

    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; and
    c. Purchase Internet streaming of 200 simultaneous feeds for each 
program.
    5. Equipment: Applicants must have a minimum of the following 
equipment:
    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 may 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 satellite/Internet broadcasts 
from FY 2003 and all eight broadcasts from FY 2004;
    i. Computer Teleprompter for at least two studio cameras;
    j. Satellite Uplink and Transponder: KU-Band and C-Band/or Digital 
with C-Band to cover the footprints of Alaska, Hawaii, Virgin Islands, 
and the Continental United States; and
    k. Portable Field Equipment: Digital Video Cameras with recording 
decks, portable lighting kits, microphones (both hand-held and lapel), 
field monitors, audio mixers, and camera tripods.
    6. Personnel: Applicants must have a minimum of the following 
qualified 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 Camera Operators (4)
    j. Tape Operator
    k. Location Camera Operator
    l. Teleprompter Operator
    m. Clerical/Administrative Support
    n. Makeup Artist
    Application Requirement: Applicants must submit an original (signed 
in blue ink) and five copies of their application and the required 
forms (see below). Applicant must prepare a proposal that describes 
their plan to address the requirements to produce eight live satellite/
Internet broadcasts. 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 Manager. 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, for construction, or to acquire or build real 
property. This project will be a collaborative venture with the NIC 
Academy Division.
    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 Antideficiency Act, 31 U.S.C. 1341.
    Award Period: This award period is from December 1, 2003 to 
November 30, 2004.
    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 objectives of the project.

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    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: 04A21. This number should appear as a 
reference line in your cover letter and also 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: August 13, 2003.
Larry B. Solomon,
Deputy Director, National Institute of Corrections.
[FR Doc. 03-21255 Filed 8-19-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4410-36-M