[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 114 (Tuesday, June 16, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28549-28551]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-14050]


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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

National Institute of Corrections


Solicitation for a Cooperative Agreement--Large Jail 
Administration: Training Curriculum Development

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 development of curricula on the 
administration of large jails (jails with 1,000 or more beds). The 
project will be for an eighteen-month period and will be carried out in 
conjunction with the NIC Jails Division. The awardee will work closely 
with NIC staff on all aspects of the project. To be considered, 
applicants must demonstrate, at a minimum, (1) in-depth knowledge of 
the purpose, functions, and operational complexities of local jails, 
(2) expertise on the key elements in jail administration (see 
``Supplementary Information''), (3) expertise on the implications of 
jail size for implementing these elements, (4) experience in developing 
curriculum, based on adult learning principles, and (5) extensive 
experience in working with local jails on issues related to 
administration and operations.

DATES: Applications must be received by 4 p.m. (EDT) on July 6, 2009.

ADDRESSES: Mailed applications must be sent 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 ensure delivery by the due date as mail at NIC is 
sometimes delayed due to security screening.
    Applicants who wish to hand-deliver their applications should bring 
them to

[[Page 28550]]

500 First Street, NW., Washington, DC 20534, and dial 202-307-3106, 
ext. 0, at the front desk for pickup.
    Faxed or e-mailed applications will not be accepted; however, 
electronic applications can be submitted via http://www.grants.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: A copy of this announcement and the 
required application forms can be downloaded from the NIC Web page at 
http://www.nicic.gov/cooperativeagreements.
    Questions about this project and the application procedures should 
be directed to Mike Jackson, Correctional Program Specialist, National 
Institute of Corrections. Questions must be e-mailed to Mr. Jackson at 
[email protected]. Mr. Jackson will respond by e-mail to the 
individual. Also, all questions and responses will be posted on NIC's 
Web site at http://www.nicic.gov for public review. (The names of those 
submitting the questions will not be posted). The Web site will be 
updated daily and postings will remain on the website until the closing 
date of this cooperative agreement solicitation.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Background: The NIC Jails Division has identified the following key 
elements in the administration of all jails, regardless of size: (1) 
Use of jail standards in jail management, (2) risk management; (3) 
policy and procedure development and implementation; (4) analysis of 
staffing levels required to carry out operations; (5) workforce 
management, including recruiting, hiring, retaining, training, and 
supervising staff; (6) development and implementation of strategies to 
manage inmate behavior; (7) budget management, and (8) operational 
assessment.
    NIC recognizes that, although these elements are common to the 
administration of all jails, the administrator's role in implementing 
them is directly affected by the size of the jail. Therefore, the NIC 
Jails Division currently offers the ``Administering the Small Jail'' 
and ``Jail Administration'' (for medium-sized jails) training programs. 
The NIC Jails Division now intends to develop a training program for 
large jail administrators on these elements.

Scope of Work

    The cooperative agreement awardee will draft a curriculum on the 
key elements of jail administration for large jail administrators; 
pilot the curriculum; and revise the curriculum based on an assessment 
of the pilot. The final curriculum will include: Program description 
(overview); detailed narrative lesson plans; presentation slides for 
each lesson plan; and a participant manual that follows the lesson 
plans. The curriculum will be designed according to the Instructional 
Theory Into Practice model for adult learners. Lesson plans will be in 
a format that NIC provides.
    The schedule of activities for this project should include, at a 
minimum, the following.

Meetings

    The cooperative agreement awardee will attend an initial meeting 
with the NIC project manager for a project overview and preliminary 
planning. This will take place shortly after the cooperative agreement 
is awarded.
    The awardee will also meet up to two times with NIC staff and up to 
five administrators of large jails. The purpose of these meetings is to 
clearly identify the role of the large jail administrator in 
implementing the key elements of jail administration. Note that the 
jail administrators will be selected by NIC, but all costs associated 
with their meeting attendance will be paid by the awardee.
    The awardee will meet up to three times with NIC staff during the 
development of the draft curriculum. One meeting will be devoted to 
drafting a framework for the curriculum, including module topics, 
performance objectives, estimated timeframes, sequencing, and potential 
instructional strategies. The other meetings will focus on lesson plan 
development, review, and revision and other project issues, as they 
arise. These meetings will last up to three days each.
    The awardee will meet up to two times with NIC staff during the 
refinement of the draft curriculum into a final product. These meetings 
will focus on curriculum revisions and other project issues, as they 
arise.

Development of Draft Curriculum

    The cooperative agreement awardee will draft the full curriculum, 
in consultation with NIC staff. Once the curriculum is drafted, the 
awardee will send it to NIC staff and selected large jail 
administrators for review.
    The jail administrators will be chosen by NIC, but the awardee will 
reimburse them for time and expenses related to the review. The draft 
curriculum must be submitted sufficiently in advance of the pilot to 
ensure there is time to make any required changes.

Curriculum Pilot

    The draft curriculum will be piloted to determine needed 
refinements. Although the length of the program will be determined by 
the content, the awardee should project that the program will last up 
to six full days.
    The awardee, in conjunction with NIC, will identify up to four 
trainers for the program. The awardee will contract with and pay all 
costs associated with the trainers, including travel, lodging, meals, 
fees, and miscellaneous expenses. NIC will secure training space at its 
academy in Aurora, Colorado, select program participants; notify 
participants of selection and program details, supply training 
equipment and materials, and provide for participant lodging, meals, 
and transportation.
    NIC staff will attend the entire program, and the awardee will work 
closely with NIC staff during program delivery. At the end of each 
program day, the awardee will meet with NIC staff to review the modules 
delivered.

Curriculum Revision and Final Product

    Based on the pilot and discussions with NIC staff, the awardee will 
revise the curriculum, and submit the revised curriculum to NIC staff 
for final review. The awardee will also make any remaining changes, and 
submit the completed curriculum to NIC in hard copy (1) and on disk in 
Word format.
    Application Requirements: An application package must include OMB 
Standard Form 425, Application for Federal Assistance; a cover letter 
that identifies the audit agency responsible for the applicant's 
financial accounts as well as the audit period or fiscal year under 
which the applicant operates (e.g., July 1 through June 30); and an 
outline of projected costs with the budget and strategy narratives 
described in this announcement. The following additional forms must 
also be included: OMB Standard Form 424A, Budget Information--Non-
Construction Programs; OMB Standard Form 424B, Assurances--Non-
Construction Programs (both available at http://www.grants.gov); DOJ/
FBOP/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.)
    Applications should be concisely written, typed double spaced, and 
reference the NIC opportunity number and title referenced in this 
announcement. Submissions that are hand delivered or sent via Fed-Ex, 
please include an original and three copies of the full proposal 
(program and budget narrative, application forms, assurances and other 
descriptions). The original should have the applicant's

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signature in blue ink. Electronic submissions will be accepted only via 
http://www.grants.gov.
    The narrative portion of the application should include, at a 
minimum: a brief paragraph indicating the applicant's understanding of 
the project's purpose; 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 timelines for the completion 
of each milestone; a description of the qualifications of the applicant 
organization and a resume for the principle and each staff member 
assigned to the project (including instructors) that documents relevant 
knowledge, skills, and abilities to carry out the project; and a budget 
that details all costs for the project, shows consideration for all 
contingencies for the project, and notes a commitment to work within 
the proposed budget.
    The narrative portion of the application should not exceed ten 
double-spaced typewritten pages, excluding attachments related to the 
credentials and relevant experience of staff.
    In addition to the narrative and attachments, the applicant must 
submit one full sample curricula developed by the primary curriculum 
developers named in the application. The sample curriculum must include 
lesson plans, presentation slides, and a participant manual.
    Authority: Public Law 93-415
    Funds Available: NIC is seeking the applicant's best ideas 
regarding accomplishment of the scope of work and the related costs for 
achieving the goals of this solicitation. Funds may be used only for 
the activities that are linked to the desired outcome of the project.
    Eligibility of Applicants: An eligible applicant is any state or 
general unit of local government, private agency, educational 
institution, organization, individual, or team with expertise in the 
described areas. Applicants must have demonstrated ability to implement 
a project of this size and scope.
    Review Considerations: Applications will be subject to the NIC 
Review Process. The criteria for the evaluation of each application 
will be as follows:
Project Design and Management--30 points
    Is there a clear understanding of the purpose of the project and 
the nature and scope of project activities? Does the applicant give a 
clear and complete description of all work to be performed for this 
project? Does the applicant clearly describe a work plan, including 
objectives, tasks, and milestones necessary to project completion? Are 
the objectives, tasks, and milestones realistic and will they achieve 
the project as described in NIC's solicitation for this cooperative 
agreement? Are the roles and the time required of project staff clearly 
defined? Is the applicant willing to meet with NIC staff, at a minimum, 
as specified in the solicitation for this cooperative agreement?
Applicant Organization & Project Staff Background--50 points
    Is there a description of the background and expertise of all 
project personnel as they relate to this project? Is the applicant 
capable of managing this project? Does the applicant have an 
established reputation or skill that makes the applicant particularly 
well qualified for the project? Do primary project personnel, 
individually or collectively, have in-depth knowledge of the purpose, 
functions, and operational complexities of local jails? Do the primary 
project personnel, individually or collectively, have expertise on the 
key elements in jail administration? Do the primary project personnel, 
individually or collectively, have expertise on the implications of 
jail size for implementing these elements? Do the primary project 
personnel, individually or collectively, have experience in developing 
curriculum based on the Instructional Theory Into Practice model? Do 
primary project personnel, individually or collectively, have extensive 
experience in working with local jails on issues related to 
administration and operations? Does the staffing plan propose 
sufficient and realistic time commitments from key personnel? Are there 
written commitments from proposed staff that they will be available to 
work on the project as described in the application?
Budget--20 points
    Does the application provide adequate cost detail to support the 
proposed budget? Are potential budget contingencies included? Does the 
application include a chart that aligns the budget with project 
activities along a timeline with, at a minimum, quarterly benchmarks? 
In terms of program value, is the estimated cost reasonable in relation 
to work performed and project products?
Sample Curricula--35 points
    Does the sample curriculum include all components specified in the 
RFP (lesson plans, presentation slides, and participant manual)? Are 
the lesson plans designed according to the Instructional Theory Into 
Practice model? Does each lesson plan have performance objectives that 
describe what the participants will accomplish during the module? Are 
the lesson plans detailed, clear, and well written (spelling, grammar, 
punctuation)? Is the participant manual clear, and does it follow the 
lesson plans? Do the presentation slides effectively illustrate 
information in the lesson plans? Do the presentation slides have a 
professional appearance and can they be easily read from a distance 
(30-40 feet)?

    Note: NIC will NOT award a cooperative agreement to an applicant 
who does not have a Dun and Bradstreet Database Universal Number 
(DUNS) and is not registered in the Central Contractor Registry 
(CCR).

    Applicants can obtain a DUNS number at no cost by calling the 
dedicated toll-free DUNS number request line at 800-333-0505. 
Applicants who are sole proprietors should dial 866-705-5711 and select 
option 1.
    Applicants may register in the CCR online at the CCR Web site at 
http://www.ccr.gov. Applicants can also review a CCR handbook and 
worksheet at this Web site.
    Number of Awards: One.
    NIC Opportunity Number: 09J71. This number should appear as a 
reference line in the cover letter, where the opportunity number is 
requested on Standard Form 424, and on the outside of the envelope in 
which the application is sent.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 16.601; Executive 
Order 12372: This project is not subject to the provisions of the 
executive order.

Morris L. Thigpen,
Director, National Institute of Corrections.
[FR Doc. E9-14050 Filed 6-15-09; 8:45 am]
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