[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 125 (Wednesday, July 1, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31467-31469]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-15548]


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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

National Institute of Corrections


Solicitation for a Cooperative Agreement--Direct Supervision: 
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 two training program 
curricula: one that focuses on the role of the housing-unit officer and 
shift supervisor in a direct supervision jail and another that focuses 
on the role of the administrator in a direct supervision jail. The 
project will be for an eighteen-month period, and will be carried out 
in conjunction with the NIC Jails Division. NIC Jails Division staff 
will direct the project and will participate in curriculum design, 
lesson plan development, and the creation of training-related 
materials.

DATES: Applications must be received by 4 p.m. (EDT) on Friday, July 
24, 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 a 
similar service to ensure delivery by the due date.
    Applicants who wish to hand-deliver their applications should bring 
them to 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: A copy of this announcement can be downloaded 
from the NIC Web page at http://www.nicic.gov/cooperativeagreements.
    All technical or programmatic questions concerning this 
announcement should be directed to Robbye Braxton-Mintz, Correctional 
Program Specialist, National Institute of Corrections. Ms. Braxton-
Mintz can reached by calling 1-800-995-6423 ext. 4-4562 or by e-mail at 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Background: Direct supervision jails combine a physical plant 
design, interior fixtures and furnishings, and an inmate management 
philosophy to significantly reduce the problems commonly associated 
with jails, such as violence, vandalism, inmate rule violations, and 
unsanitary conditions. Direct supervision is based on eight principles: 
(1) Effective control, (2) effective supervision, (3) competent staff, 
(4) safety of staff and inmates, (5) manageable and cost-effective 
operations, (6) effective communication, (7) classification and 
orientation, and (8) justice and fairness.
    Although all staff in a direct supervision jail must understand the 
principles and their operational implications, there are three staff 
positions that are key in the implementation of direct supervision: the 
jail administrator, the shift supervisors, and the housing-unit staff. 
With the development of these two curricula, NIC will be able to offer 
training programs that will better prepare staff in each of these 
positions to carry out their duties in support of direct supervision.
    The two curricula are: ``The Role of the Housing Officer and 
Supervisor in a Direct Supervision Jail'' and ``The Role of the 
Administrator in a Direct Supervision Jail--Commitment, Leadership, and 
Support.''
    ``The Role of the Housing Officer and Supervisor in a Direct 
Supervision Jail'' curriculum will focus on the role of the housing-
unit officer and the shift supervisor in a direct supervision jail. It 
will be based on the NIC program titled ``How to Run a Direct 
Supervision Housing Unit: Training for Trainers.'' This program is 
currently designed to familiarize staff trainers in jails with ``How to 
Run a Direct Supervision Housing Unit,'' and prepare them to conduct 
this program for staff in their own jail.
    Under this cooperative agreement project, the ``How to Run a Direct 
Supervision Housing Unit'', curriculum will be updated. Participants 
will be teams of two trainers and two shift supervisors from each 
participating jail. This program will consist of two phases. At the 
completion of the first phase, the trainers and shift supervisors will 
split up and receive additional instruction. For the trainers, the 
instruction will focus on how to conduct this training program for 
staff in their own jail. For the supervisors, the instruction will 
focus on their role in supporting the officer in effective housing-unit 
management. There should be the opportunity for participant teams to 
develop an action plan to conduct ``How to Run a Direct Supervision 
Housing Unit'' for their housing-unit staff.
    ``The Role of the Administrator in a Direct Supervision Jail--
Commitment, Leadership, and Support'' will be a new curriculum focusing 
on the role of the administrator in a direct supervision jail. It will 
include, at a minimum, a discussion of the direct supervision 
principles; the jail administrator's leadership role related 
specifically to direct supervision; recruiting, hiring, promoting, and 
training staff in support of direct supervision; common challenges in 
implementing and sustaining direct supervision operations; decision 
making within the context of direct supervision; and assessing 
operations and operational outcomes within the framework of direct 
supervision. Only administrators will be participants in this program.
    Objectives: Two training curricula are to be developed. The first 
will focus on the role of the housing-unit officer and the shift 
supervisor in implementing and supporting direct supervision. The 
second will focus on the role of the jail administrator in providing 
leadership and support for direct supervision.
    Use of Curricula: NIC will use these curricula as the basis for its 
training programs on the role of the housing unit officer, shift 
supervisor, and administrator in a direct supervision jail.
    The curricula will become the sole property of NIC, and will not be 
published for general distribution; however, curricula materials will 
be made available to training participants.
    Scope of Work: The work will involve the production of two complete 
curricula, each of which will include: program description (overview); 
detailed narrative lesson plans; presentation slides for each lesson 
plan, and; participant manual that follows the lesson plans.

[[Page 31468]]

    The curricula will be designed for adult learners and will take 
into account the need to accommodate a variety of learning styles. 
Lesson plans will be in a format provided by NIC.
    The schedule for the development of both curricula will include, at 
a minimum, the following activities: meet with NIC project manager for 
project overview and initial planning; review materials provided by 
NIC; meet with NIC staff to draft a framework for each curriculum, 
including content topics, sequencing, and time frames; meet with NIC 
staff to outline content for each module and assign writers (including 
one NIC staff); write lesson plans; exchange lessons plans among the 
writers for review; revise lesson plans; send lesson plans to advisory 
committee for review and comment (committee is composed of five members 
identified by NIC and paid by the awardee); meet with NIC staff to 
review comments and agree on revisions; revise lesson plans; develop 
participant manual, presentation slides, and program overview; submit 
final draft of all materials to NIC for review; revise as directed by 
NIC; and submit final curricula in camera-ready hard copy and on disk 
in Word format.
    ``The Role of the Housing Officer and Supervisor in a Direct 
Supervision Jail'' is to be developed first. Because of the length and 
complexity of this curricula, lesson plans should be grouped into 
thirds for development. Also, this curriculum is to be piloted in the 
Washington, DC area. To conduct the pilot, the awardee will hire four 
instructors for this nine-day program and pay for their fees, travel, 
lodging, meals, and any other related expenses. NIC will secure 
training space and equipment, select participants, and pay for all 
costs related to participant materials and participant travel, lodging, 
and meals, where necessary. The pilot will be conducted after all 
lesson plans, presentation slides, and the participant manual are 
drafted.
    ``The Role of the Administrator in a Direct Supervision Jail--
Commitment, Leadership, and Support'' is to be developed second and 
will be informed, at least in part, by the first curriculum. This 
curriculum will not be piloted under this cooperative agreement.
    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 that the 
applicant operates under (e.g., July 1 through June 30); and an outline 
of projected costs. 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 
(all OMB Standard Forms are 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 provided in this 
announcement.
    For applications that are hand delivered or submitted via Fed-Ex, 
please include an original and three copies of the full proposal 
(program and budget narrative, application forms, assurances, and 
sample curriculum.) (Note that sample curriculum may be submitted in 
hard copy or on disk in Word or WordPerfect format.) The original 
package should have the applicant's signature in blue ink. Electronic 
submissions will only be accepted 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; brief paragraph that summarizes the project 
goals and objectives; clear description of the methodology that will be 
used to complete the project and achieve its goals; statement or chart 
of measurable project milestones and time lines for the completion of 
each milestone; description of the qualifications of the applicant 
organization and a resume for the principle and each staff member 
assigned to the project that documents relevant knowledge, skills and 
ability to carry out the project; and 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 proposed budget.
    In addition, a curriculum developed by the applicant or primary 
project-team members must be included as a part of the application 
package. This curriculum must include lesson plans, presentation 
slides, and a participant manual. There must also be a description of 
the role of the applicant or project-team member in the development of 
this sample curriculum. The curriculum submitted DOES NOT have to be 
related to direct supervision.


    Authority: Public Law 93-415.

    Funds Available: NIC is seeking applicants' best ideas regarding 
accomplishments of the scope of work and the related costs for 
achieving the goals of this solicitation. 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 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 evaluated by a three to 
five member review panel. The criteria for the evaluation of each 
application will be as follows:

Programmatic--16%

    Is there a clear understanding of the purpose of the project and 
scope of project activities? Does the applicant define all work and 
related resources required? Is there a clear understanding of the 
unique operational elements of a direct supervision training? Is there 
a clear understanding of the different roles of the administrator, 
supervisor and line staff in a direct supervision jail? Is there an 
innovative aspect to the applicant's approach or design that merits 
special consideration?

Organization--20%

    Is there a description of the background and expertise of all 
project personnel as they relate to this project? Do key project team 
members (individually or collectively) have experience with and 
expertise in jails generally and direct supervision jails specifically; 
have experience in designing, managing, facilitation or delivering 
training on direct supervision; have the skill, ability and expertise 
to fulfill the intent and purpose of their identified roles? Including 
any sub-awardee relationship proposed is the organization capable of 
developing, managing and controlling this type of project? Does the 
staffing plan propose sufficient and realistic time commitment from key 
personnel?

Project Management--18%

    Does the applicant provide a clear, complete and precise 
description of the design and methodology for the proposed project? 
Does the applicant include measurable goals and specific quantifiable 
objectives? Does the application identify reasonable tasks and 
milestones in order to achieve goals and objectives? Does the applicant 
describe realistic and reasonable time frames to accomplish all project 
activities?

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Budget--7%

    Does the applicant provide adequate project cost detail/narrative 
to support the proposed budget? Is the estimated cost reasonable in 
relation to the anticipated results?

Curricula Review--39%

    Has the applicant provided a sample of their curriculum including 
lesson plans, participant manuals or presentation slides? Is the 
curriculum design based on Instructional Theory Into Practice model? Do 
lesson plans include measurable performance objectives and are they 
well written (spelling, grammar)? Is the participant manual clear and 
does it follow the lesson plans? Do the presentation slides illustrate 
information from the lesson plans and do they have eye appeal?

    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 receive a DUNS number at no cost by calling the 
dedicated toll-free DUNS number request line at 1-800-333-0505 (if 
you are a sole proprietor, dial 1-866-705-5711 and select option 1).
    Applicants may register in the CCR online at the CCR Web site: 
http://www.ccr.gov. A CCR handbook and worksheet can also be 
reviewed at the Web site.

    Number of Awards: One.
    NIC Opportunity Number: 09J72. This number should appear as a 
reference line in the cover letter, where the opportunity number is 
requested on the Standard Form 424, and outside of the envelope in 
which the application is sent.
    Questions and Answers: Any questions not addressed through this 
announcement can be submitted in writing to Robbye Braxton-Mintz via e-
mail ([email protected]). Only questions received by 4 p.m. (EDT) 
on Wednesday, July 15, 2009 will be answered. Answers will be posted on 
NIC's Web site by 4 p.m. (EDT) on Friday, July 17, 2009.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 16.601.
    Executive Order 12372: This project is not subject to the provision 
of Executive Order 12372.

Morris L. Thigpen,
Director, National Institute of Corrections.
[FR Doc. E9-15548 Filed 6-30-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4410-36-P