[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 78 (Friday, April 23, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21349-21351]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-9448]


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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

National Institute of Corrections


Solicitation for a Cooperative Agreement--Evaluation of Technical 
Assistance for Evidence-Based Decisionmaking in Local Criminal Justice 
Systems

AGENCY: National Institute of Corrections, U.S. Department of Justice.

ACTION: Solicitation for a Cooperative Agreement.

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SUMMARY: The National Institute of Corrections (NIC) is soliciting 
proposals to enter into a cooperative agreement for a 20-month project 
to begin in June 2010. Work under this cooperative agreement will 
involve documenting the technical assistance (TA) provided to up to six 
sites selected as grantees under Phase II of the Evidence-Based 
Decisionmaking in Local Criminal Justice Systems project. The purpose 
of the evaluation is to assess the quality of the services provided to 
the sites and to document the degree to which the technical assistance 
services affected the sites' preparation to implement the Evidence-
Based Decisionmaking Framework (the Framework).

DATES: Applications must be received by 4 p.m. EDT on Friday, May 21, 
2010.

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.
    Hand delivered applications should be brought to 500 First Street, 
NW., Washington, DC 20534. At the front desk, dial 7-3106, extension 0 
for pickup.
    Faxed applications will not be accepted. Electronic applications 
(preferred) can be submitted only via http://www.grants.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: A copy of this announcement and links 
to the required application forms can be downloaded from the NIC Web 
site at http://www.nicic.gov. All programmatic questions concerning 
this announcement should be directed to Lori Eville, Correctional 
Program Specialist, National Institute of Corrections. She can be 
reached at 1-800-995-6423, extension 62848 or by e-mail at 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background: In June 2008, the National 
Institute of Corrections awarded the Center for Effective Public 
Policy, in partnership with the Pretrial Justice Institute, the Justice 
Management Institute, and The Carey Group, a cooperative agreement to 
address evidence-Based decisionmaking in local criminal justice 
systems. The goal of the initiative is to build a systemwide framework 
that will result in more collaborative, evidence-based decisionmaking 
in local criminal justice systems. The initiative is grounded in the 
accumulated knowledge of two decades of research on the factors that 
contribute to criminal re-offending and the processes and methods the 
justice system can employ to interrupt the cycle of re-offense. The 
effort seeks to equip criminal justice policymakers in local 
communities with the information, processes, and tools that will result 
in a measurable reduction of pretrial misconduct and postconviction re-
offending.
    The principle product of the initial 18-month phase of the 
initiative is A Framework for Evidence-Based Decisionmaking in Local 
Criminal Justice Systems (the Framework), which is designed to advance 
constructive change in local level criminal justice decisionmaking. The 
Framework describes key criminal justice decisions, evidence-based 
knowledge about effective justice practices, and practical local level 
strategies for applying risk and harm reduction principles and 
techniques. A copy of the Evidence-Based Decisionmaking Framework 
document can be downloaded online at http://www.cepp.com/ebdm.
    A key component of the Framework is the Evidence-Based 
Decisionmaking Logic Model, which represents the theory underlying the 
Framework. The logic model addresses the implementation of the 
Framework at the ``system'' level of the criminal justice system. It is 
built upon the four principles underlying the Framework and outlines 
the logical flow of both the processes and activities involved in its 
implementation. The logic model also demonstrates the expected harm 
reduction impacts that will result from these processes and activities. 
The logic model is located on page 31 of the Framework document.

[[Page 21350]]

    Scope of Work: NIC will work with a technical assistance provider 
under Phase II of the project, under a separate cooperative agreement. 
The technical assistance is intended to lead to the following outcomes: 
(1) The establishment of collaborative partnerships among local 
criminal justice stakeholders, (2) The development of a shared 
philosophy and vision for the local criminal justice system, (3) The 
capacity to collect and analyze data, including the quality of the 
data, to support the implementation of the Framework and to support 
ongoing analysis of the effectiveness of current and future policies, 
practices, and services designed to achieve specific risk and harm 
reduction outcomes, (4) Change in knowledge, skills, and abilities 
regarding research-based risk reduction strategies, and (5) The 
development of jurisdiction-specific tools to assist in the 
implementation of evidence-based decisionmaking at the system, agency, 
and case levels.
    NIC anticipates that these outcomes will be further articulated 
during Phase II as each site adapts the logic model to meet their 
specific needs, but the goals listed above should guide applicants in 
addressing how they will perform the project's five tasks.
    Project Goals and Tasks: The goal of this cooperative agreement is 
to assess the quality of services provided to the sites selected as 
grantees under Phase II of the Evidence-Based Decisionmaking in Local 
Criminal Justice Systems project. The assistance provided to these 
sites is expected to increase their capacity for implementing the 
Framework. The project should include an examination of how the 
assistance provided affected implementation readiness at the system and 
agency level. The recipient of the award under this cooperative 
agreement will undertake the following tasks: Develop and submit a 
final evaluation plan that describes the evaluation methodology, 
qualitative and quantitative data to be collected, data collection 
tools, and the analysis plan; Develop data collection instruments to 
include site visit protocols, structured or semi-structured interview 
guides, and data reporting forms to measure the following: Types and 
amount of training, coaching, and technical assistance requested and 
received; Number of persons trained; Nature of coaching of key leaders 
and local project managers; Satisfaction with the quality of the 
assistance received (did the technical assistance anticipate needs of 
the system and agencies?); Changes in knowledge, skills and abilities 
regarding research-based risk reduction strategies; Actions taken as a 
result of the training and technical assistance which may include the 
establishment of collaborative partnerships, development of a shared 
philosophy and vision for the local criminal justice system, changes in 
data collection and reporting, and the development of tools to assist 
in the implementation of evidence-based decisionmaking; Changes and 
outcomes observed as a result of the training and technical assistance; 
Collect data from the sites through a minimum of one site visit to each 
site; Attend a project kickoff meeting with the sites and the TA 
provider, and conduct periodic meetings with the TA provider; Prepare 
and submit a final evaluation report to NIC that provides the results 
of the analysis and includes detailed descriptions of the assistance 
and training received by the sites, the dosage of the assistance in 
terms of frequency and duration, and the degree to which the assistance 
leads to the intended outcomes.
    Required Expertise: Successful applicants will be able to 
demonstrate that they have the organizational capacity to carry out the 
tasks of the project, including experience conducting qualitative and 
quantitative program and technical assistance evaluation, extensive 
experience in correctional and criminal justice policy and practice, 
and a strong background in criminal justice system-wide change 
initiatives. Preference will be given to applicants with experience 
evaluating initiatives that focus on system-wide change and with 
experience in the implementation of evidence-based practices in the 
criminal justice system.
    Application Requirements: Applications should be concisely written, 
typed double spaced and reference the ``NIC Opportunity Number'' and 
Title provided in this announcement. Please limit the program narrative 
text to 20 double spaced, numbered pages. Resumes, summaries of 
experience, or attachments will not be included in the 20-page limit. 
The package must include 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); a program narrative in response to the 
statement of work; a budget narrative explaining projected costs; and a 
description of the qualifications of the applicant. The following forms 
must also be included: OMB Standard Form 424, Application for Federal 
Assistance; OMB Standard Form 424A, Budget Information--Non 
Construction Programs; OMB Standard Form 424B, Assurances--Non 
Construction Programs (these forms are available at http://www.grants.gov) and DOJ/NIC Certification Regarding Lobbying; 
Debarment, Suspension, and Other Responsibility Matters; and Drug-Free 
Workplace Requirements (available at http://www.nicic.org/Downloads/PDF/cerif-frm.pdf).

    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. 
Budgets will be evaluated against the value of the products and 
services proposed in the application.
    This project will be a collaborative venture with the NIC Community 
Corrections Division.
    Eligibility of Applicants: An eligible applicant is any public or 
private agency, educational institution, organization, individual, or 
team with expertise in the described areas.
    Review Considerations: Applications received under this 
announcement will be subject to the NIC Review Process. The criteria 
for evaluation of each application will be as follows:

Program Narrative (50%)

    Are all of the tasks adequately discussed and is there a clear 
statement of how each of the tasks will be accomplished, including the 
staffing, resources, and strategies to be employed? Are there any 
innovative approaches, techniques, or design aspects proposed that will 
enhance the project? Is the methodology proposed rigorous with an 
appropriate analysis plan?

Organizational Capabilities (25%)

    Do the skills, knowledge, and expertise of the applicant(s) and the 
proposed project staff demonstrate a high level of competency to carry 
out the tasks? Does the applicant have the necessary experience and 
organizational capacity to carry out the goals of the project?

Program Management/Administration (25%)

    Does the applicant identify reasonable objectives, milestones, and 
measures to track progress? If consultants and/or partnerships are 
proposed, is there a reasonable justification for their inclusion in 
the project and a clear structure to ensure effective coordination? Is 
the proposed budget realistic, does it provide sufficient cost

[[Page 21351]]

detail/narrative, and does it represent good value relative to the 
anticipated results?

    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).

    A DUNS number can be received at no cost by calling the dedicated 
toll-free DUNS number request line at 1-800-333-0505 (if you are a sole 
proprietor, you would dial 1-866-705-5711 and select option 1).
    Registration in the CCR can be done 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: 10C84. This number should appear as a 
reference line in the cover letter, where indicated on Standard Form 
424, and outside of the envelope in which the application is sent.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 16.602.
    Executive Order 12372: This program is not subject to the 
provisions of Executive Order 12372.

Morris L. Thigpen,
Director, National Institute of Corrections.
[FR Doc. 2010-9448 Filed 4-22-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4410-36-P