[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 150 (Monday, August 4, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45246-45248]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-17725]



[[Page 45246]]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

National Institute of Corrections


Solicitation for A Cooperative Agreement: Continuation of 
Evidence Based Implementation in Maricopa County, AZ, and Orange 
County, CA

AGENCY: National Institute of Corrections, Department of Justice.

ACTION: Solicitation for a cooperative agreement.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Through this twelve month cooperative agreement NIC will build 
on work started in 2002 to implement systemwide evidence based policy 
and practices (EBP). This award will complete work already started in 
Maricopa County, Arizona, and Orange County, California, to enable them 
to sustain their rates of ongoing progress in terms of measured 
recidivism outcomes and other productivity indicators through time. 
Measured progress must be made in all organizational and system 
alignment areas indicated in the strategic plans already developed by 
both sites.

DATES: All applications are due by 4 p.m. EDT on August 21, 2008.

ADDRESSES: Mailed applications must be sent to: Director, National 
Institute of Corrections, 320 First St., NW., Room 5007, Washington, DC 
20534. Applicants are encouraged to use Federal Express, UPS, or 
similar service to ensure delivery by the due date.
    Hand delivered applications should be brought to 500 First Street, 
NW., Washington, DC 20534. At the front desk, call 202-307-3106, 
extension 0, for pickup.
    Faxed applications will not be accepted. Only e-mailed applications 
which are submitted via www.grants.gov will be accepted.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: A copy of this announcement and the required 
application forms can be downloaded from the NIC Web site at 
www.nicic.gov. Hard copies of the announcement can be obtained by 
calling Pam Davison at 1-800-995-6423, extension 30484, or at e-mail 
[email protected].
    All technical or programmatic questions concerning this 
announcement should be directed to Dot Faust at [email protected] or to 
George Keiser at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Background: Since 2002, the National Institute of Corrections has 
been involved in systemwide implementation of evidence based policy and 
practices. Through NIC's work with the Cooperative Agreement Awardee 
Community Resources for Justice, Inc. and a National Steering 
Committee, a package of evidence based policy implementation tools and 
white papers have been established (see NIC's Web site: www.nicic.gov.) 
The state-level learning sites of Maine and Illinois have provided 
direct implementation experience for developing processes, evaluation 
measures, and advocacy positions to firmly establish evidence based 
policy and practice as the preferred business practice for reaching 
risk and recidivism reduction goals in those two states. NIC's formal 
technical assistance role with the pilot sites of Maine and Illinois 
ended in 2007, although stakeholders in both states continue to provide 
coaching for other sites and to collect data and analyze outcome 
measures that inform decision making as the efforts move forward.
    The existing implementation initiative expanded to two metropolitan 
county sites in 2007, taking with it lessons learned and the 
implementation tools developed during the Maine/Illinois phase. The two 
urban sites identified in 2007 (Maricopa County, Arizona, and Orange 
County, California) were deliberately chosen because of their potential 
to take already established evidence based policy and practice (EBP) to 
higher, more advanced levels, and to provide experience implementing 
evidence based change in large, complex county governments. During most 
of 2007 and 2008, the Project Team has met with a variety of system 
stakeholders in these sites to analyze gaps in EBP implementation, 
develop strategic plans that address these gaps and move the systems 
forward, and to establish both feedback loops and evaluation plans to 
guide these two large urban jurisdictions toward an advanced stage of 
EBP implementation.
    Due to agency policy, NIC obligates itself to complete this final 
twelve-month phase of existing work. In no way does this reflect any 
dissatisfaction on the part of NIC or the two implementation sites with 
the current assistance provider. The current provider is not barred 
from this competition.
    Purpose: The purpose of this final twelve-month period of the 
Maricopa and Orange County Initiatives is to achieve an advanced level 
of EBP implementation in both sites that will enable them to sustain 
their rates of ongoing progress in terms of measured recidivism 
outcomes and other productivity indicators through time. Measured 
progress must be made in all organizational and system alignment areas 
indicated in the strategic plans already developed by both sites.
    Specific Requirements: The proposal should include a description of 
the project objectives, methodologies and management plan for achieving 
the completion of the results as indicated in the following information 
within the 12-month time period. This description should explain and 
accompany a Work Plan for the 12-month period, beginning September 2, 
2008 through September 1, 2009. The Work Plan should be attached to a 
GANTT chart, separated by TA site (i.e., one for Orange County; and one 
for Maricopa County.) Project tasks should be mapped on the GANTT Chart 
in 3-month, or quarterly, pieces of work. At a minimum, the Work Plan 
should note relevant objectives, tasks, responsible persons, benchmark 
dates and measures of completion. A budget narrative that is consistent 
with the program description and Work Plan must also be included.
    Strategy And Process Benchmarks: It is intended that the following 
process benchmarks (or objectives) be reached or refined in Maricopa 
and Orange Counties during the next 12-month time period, facilitated 
and documented by the awardee of this solicitation. For each benchmark, 
the applicant should describe the outcomes, process measures or 
products that demonstrate that the objectives have arrived at the 
achievement stages or at the process development levels described for 
each jurisdiction. These indicators need to be consistent with the 
Strategic Plans previously developed (available at: http://www.ocgov.com/probation/library/OCWorkplan071608.pdf and http://www.superiorcourt.maricopa.gov/AdultProbation/docs/EBPplan.pdf.)
    By September of 2009, the following benchmarks need to have been 
addressed or need to be included in ongoing improvement strategies as 
described:

Maricopa County

    Organizational Climate: Results of assessment or reassessment will 
have been analyzed and reviewed. Organizational interventions will have 
been developed, delivered and measured as needed.
    First-line Supervisors: Management reports will have been developed 
on the quality assurance (QA) measures, and will be reviewed and used 
by the executive team. Performance appraisal processes will reflect 
these changes.
    Performance Appraisal: Core competencies will be included in the 
appraisal process, and will have been aligned with the Maricopa County 
strategic plan and results oriented budget process.
    Hiring and Promoting: Job descriptions and interview processes

[[Page 45247]]

will have been revised. Succession planning strategies will be under 
measurement and review.
    Communication: A Communication Plan will have been developed, and 
will be on track with the original objectives and time line.
    Quality Implementation: The QA Plan will be on track with time 
lines, and the QA Team will have developed objectives and productivity 
measures. The QA Team will have been trained in risk assessment and 
case management fidelity.
    Training: A full curriculum for skill training and quality 
assurance will have been developed and will be in the process of being 
administered, including training-for-trainers and specialized material 
for mid-managers.
    Graduated Responses: Guidelines will have been developed and pilot 
testing will have started.
    Stakeholder Involvement: An outreach plan will have been developed 
and community engagement will be in the process of being implemented. 
Treatment providers will have been included in this plan. Training and 
assessment will be part of the outreach plan, both for stakeholders and 
for department executive staff.
    Technology: As needed, adjustments will have been made to 
accommodate the needs for management reports, QA measurement, accurate 
risk assessment and case management.

Orange County

    Assessments: Both organizational and case level assessment tools 
will be in the process of being administered or re-administered, and 
measurements will be ongoing to gauge fidelity and effectiveness.
    Training: Assessed training needs will have been reflected in new 
training curriculums at all staff levels. Competencies and skills will 
be under continual measurement.
    Staff Performance: Competency models will have been developed and 
will be under a monitoring process for coaching and feedback. The new 
models will reflect emphasis on staff engagement and EBP-focused 
competencies.
    Client Satisfaction and officer/offender relationships will have 
been defined and measured.
    Case Planning: Policies and processes for adult and juvenile case 
planning will have been unified for purposes of consistency and data 
sharing when feasible. Progress will have been made on the development 
of enhanced data collection to include community resources.
    Data: New data elements as required to measure evidence based 
practices will have been incorporated into the data base for 
measurement and review.
    Stakeholders: Communication strategies will have been developed for 
the identified key stakeholders. Both education and monitoring will 
have been put into process. The target stakeholders will include 
internal staff and private treatment providers. Both informational 
reporting and goal setting will be part of routine practice.
    Program Evaluation: Program evaluations will be conducted on 
evidence based programs, using validated program evaluation instruments 
and processes.
    Organizational Change Capacity: Leadership development initiatives 
and transition strategies will be established to strengthen the 
capacity for sustained and continued incorporation of evidence based 
principles and capacity of current and future department leaders.

Evaluation and Research (both Maricopa and Orange Counties)

    Officer Level: Complete data collection and analysis will have 
begun on site. Separate analyses will be in the process of being 
completed for line staff, using evidence based competencies and skills.
    Supervisor and Leadership Level: Data collection and analysis on 
the 360 assessments, team assessments and other management level 
assessments administered in the first year of implementation will have 
been completed. Ongoing reassessments and strategy adjustments will be 
part of the implementation plan.
    Quality Assurance: Complete QA plans will have been implemented in 
both pilot sites. At a minimum, measurements will be related to 
caseload management, risk assessment, treatment quality and recidivism 
reduction objectives as identified.
    Offenders: Research will have begun on offender surveys and core 
competency relationships to outcome (see Offender/Officer 
Relationship.)
    Intermediate and Final Outcome Measures: At a minimum, data related 
to identified intermediate outcome measures will be routinely 
collected, analyzed and used in decision making. Data related to both 
intermediate and final recidivism reduction measures will be part of 
management reporting.
    Offender/Officer Relationship: Preliminary data related to the 
relationship between officer behavior and attitudes and offender 
performance will have been collected and analyzed.
    Organizational Level: Organizational assessments administered 
during the first year of the implementation initiative will be under a 
process of continual review as needed to address identified growth 
areas and progressive improvements in policy and practice.
    Application Requirements: The application package must include: OMB 
Standard Form 424, Application for Federal Assistance; cover letter 
that identifies the audit agency responsible for the applicant's 
financial accounts as well as the audit period or fiscal year that the 
applicant operates under (e.g., July 2 through June 30); an outline of 
projected costs; and the following forms: OMB Standard Form 424A, 
Budget Information--Non Construction Programs; and OMB Standard Form 
424B, Assurances--Non Construction Programs; (These forms are available 
on www.grants.gov.) Other forms: You will also need to attach the 
completed DOJ/NIC Certification Regarding Lobbying; Debarment, 
Suspension and Other Responsibility Matters; and the Drug-Free 
Workplace Requirements (available at http://www.nicic.org/Downloads/PDF/certif-frm.pdf.)
    It is requested that the program narrative text be limited to no 
more that 10 double spaced pages, excluding statements of 
organizational or individual capacity and summaries of the experiences 
and capabilities of key project staff and/or the individual applicant. 
Please submit summaries of experience and expertise and not full 
curricula vitae. Also note in your application any technical skills, 
experience or credentials that make you or your organization distinctly 
qualified to deliver the specified products.
    Telephone Conference: A telephone conference will be conducted on 
August 8, 2008, at 1 pm EDT for persons receiving this solicitation and 
having a serious intent to respond. In this conference, NIC project 
managers will respond to questions regarding the solicitation and 
expectations of work to be performed. Please notify Dot Faust 
electronically ([email protected]) by 12 pm EDT on August 6, 2008, 
regarding your interest in participating in the telephone conference. 
You will be provided with a call-in number and instructions. In 
addition, NIC project managers will post answers to questions received 
from potential applicants on its Web site for the remaining week in 
which the solicitation is open to public interest.

    Authority: Public law 93-415.

    Funds Available: NIC is seeking the applicants' best ideas 
regarding accomplishment of the scope of work

[[Page 45248]]

and the related costs for achieving the goals of this solicitation. The 
final budget and award amount will be negotiated between NIC and the 
successful applicant. Funds may only be used for the activities that 
are linked to the desired outcome of the project.
    Eligibility of Applicants: An eligible applicant is any public or 
private agency, educational institution, organization, individual or 
team with the expertise and experience in described areas.
    Review Considerations: Applications received under this 
announcement will be subject to a 3 to 5 person NIC Peer Review 
Process.
    Number of Awards: One.
    NIC Application Number: 08C80. This number should appear as a 
reference line in the cover letter, in box 4a of Standard Form 424, and 
outside of the envelope in which the application is sent.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 16.603.
    Executive Order 12372: This program is subject to the provisions of 
Executive Order 12372. E.O. 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 can be found at 
http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html.

Thomas J. Beauclair,
Deputy Director, National Institute of Corrections.
[FR Doc. E8-17725 Filed 8-1-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4410-36-P