[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 148 (Tuesday, August 3, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45667-45670]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-18962]


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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

National Institute Of Corrections


Solicitation for a Cooperative Agreement: Strategies for Women 
Executives in Corrections

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 from organizations, groups, or individuals to enter into an 
18-month cooperative agreement to update its 36-hour Executive 
Leadership for Women in Corrections program, newly titled Strategic 
Development of the Executive Woman. The award recipient will update the 
current training and ensure it supports the learning process, 
leadership styles, and required competencies for executive women in 
corrections. The award includes responsibility for the updated 
Instructional Theory into Practice (ITIP) formatted curriculum, the 
contracting and training of NIC-approved faculty, and the 
administration of participant expenses, including the dispersal of 
program acceptance letters, coordination of registration, lodging, 
meals, and transportation. The recipient will also be responsible for 
conducting, in collaboration with the NIC Research and Evaluation 
Division, an evaluation of the initial program delivery using the NIC 
training evaluation protocol. This should represent a minimal cost to 
the award recipient. The project will also address strategies for 
additional learning and networking upon training completion. The 
training is anticipated to begin no later than August 2011.
    The pilot will be held at the National Center for Educational 
Development in Norman, OK. This has proven to be a favorable site in 
the past and represents the accommodations and amenities expected for 
future programming.

DATES: Applications must be received by 2 p.m. EDT on Friday, August 
20, 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 
can be submitted only via http://www.grants.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: A copy of this announcement can be 
downloaded from the NIC web page at http://www.nicic.gov.
    All technical or programmatic questions concerning this 
announcement should be directed to Evelyn Bush, Correctional Program 
Specialist, National Institute of Corrections. She can be reached at 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Overview: NIC's Executive Leadership for Women in Corrections 
program

[[Page 45668]]

provides executive women leaders with critical competencies, self-
awareness, and the confidence necessary to seek higher levels in an 
organization and perform their leadership responsibilities effectively. 
The program addresses three main objectives: Correctional leadership, 
barriers and promotional strategies, and career and life planning. 
Three assessment instruments (LSI, MBTI, and Change Style Indicator) 
with individual feedback, classroom presentations, and tabletop and 
outdoor activities center around the core set of developmental 
competencies. The developmental competencies were based on a gap 
analysis comparing the boss/peer/subordinate scores on each competency 
of the LEADERSHIP 360, a set of eight leadership abilities commonly 
found among most outstanding leaders. These scores were compared 
against the midrange point of a future leadership competency set. The 
result of this analysis provided the basis for three major 
competencies--strategy, communication, and consent--which are to be 
incorporated into NIC's new ``Strategies for Women Executives in 
Corrections.''
    Additionally, over the last five years, NIC's Executive Leadership 
for Women in Corrections program has kept current with recent trends 
such as those that appear in the multigenerational workforce and that 
are noted in the NIC Correctional Competencies publication.
    Background: The National Institute of Corrections Prisons Division 
offered the first Executive Training for Women program in 1994. The 
program was designed to address both the personal and professional 
aspects of women's correctional leadership in a nontraditional 
profession. Through a two-part series, NIC has sought to close the gap 
for women executives in their knowledge, recognition of their value to 
the organization, and self and observer perception.
    Although the past three decades have witnessed a tremendous 
increase in the number of women working in corrections, increasing 
numbers of women in the workforce have not been matched by 
corresponding advancement in executive and senior level leadership 
positions. Women are underrepresented in senior level (CEO) leadership 
positions across all professions, but they are significantly 
underrepresented in the corrections field. To further complicate the 
issue, studies have found that few women have had the same quantity and 
quality of leadership development opportunities and experiences as men, 
thus thwarting their ability to compete adequately for higher level 
positions.
    By 2012, women will comprise 47.5% of the workforce. With the 
anticipated rise of women in the ranks of senior level positions, NIC 
continues to build upon the success of its programming for a women's-
only environment, where gender barriers are eliminated and acceleration 
of learning is possible.
    The occurrence of strategic partnerships within and between 
organizations is on the rise. In a time of a changing workforce, 
security issues, technology advances and new government regulations, it 
is imperative that organizations and individuals learn to adapt. 
Getting individuals to do things differently is the measure of success 
or failure. Approaching leadership strategically is a learned skill. 
Forward-looking organizations proactively seek ways to advance the 
leadership capacities of the women they promote, or intend to promote, 
to senior and executive administration.
    Target Audience: Women who are senior, upper-level correctional 
managers serving in jails, prisons, and community corrections, 
functioning administratively at the level of warden or superintendent 
and above, and who wish to enter the ranks of chief executives of state 
departments of corrections.
    Intended Program Results: This program will assist women leaders in 
understanding their value to, and involvement with, moving themselves 
and an organization forward. It is an acknowledgement for their way of 
learning and thinking, without judgment. It is to provide the tools 
necessary to become more self aware, more strategic in assessing and 
isolating critical problems, more mission driven, politically savvy, 
and adept at teaming with others for success. The program also takes 
into account the best learning environment, the best setting for the 
greatest outcome, and a way to close the gap for women executives in 
their knowledge, self-awareness, and observer's perception of their 
value to an organization.
    Learning Outcomes: It is intended that leaders will: Acknowledge 
the need for, and rely upon, the support system of other professionals 
who can offer feedback and advice; develop appreciation for teams, 
teamwork and the application of strategic teaming; extend their 
abilities to evaluate themselves and address their needs for developing 
mastery of the skills required in executive leadership; and grow in 
their understanding of self.
    Products and Deliverables: A training curriculum designed with ITIP 
model instruction, which will contain an instructor/facilitator's guide 
with associated tools, materials, and resources with a final, agreed 
upon curriculum delivered to NIC no later than December 31, 2011; a 
participant resource guide to be used in conjunction with all training 
activities; instructional aides and materials, including presentation 
slide shows, CDs, charts, handouts, case studies, assessments, etc. to 
support instruction and facilitation; and training delivery and 
facilitation of a 36-hour classroom training for 20 participants with 
blended learning tools.
    Training Program Description: The training program will be 
announced on NIC's website with its list of other training courses. A 
description follows but may be downloaded online at http://nicic.gov/Library/023761.
    Scope of Project: The recipient of this cooperative agreement award 
must, at a minimum, do the following within the scope of this project: 
(1) In collaboration with the NIC Research and Evaluation Division, 
conduct a survey to query senior executives regarding critical 
leadership competencies or sets that organizations should be 
developing, (2) In collaboration with the NIC Research and evaluation 
Division, conduct a survey to capture barriers that women and 
minorities face when seeking promotion to senior executive positions in 
corrections, and (3) Use the NIC publication ``Correctional Leadership 
Competencies for the 21st Century'' as a resource to build upon.
    The narrative portion of the cooperative agreement application 
should include, at a minimum, (1) a clear description of women's 
learning orientations and the methodology that will be used to take 
these into consideration as part of the newly revised curriculum, (2) a 
brief summary that indicates the applicant's understanding of the 
purpose of this cooperative agreement, (3) two to three paragraphs that 
detail the applicant's understanding of the need for this program, (4) 
a brief paragraph that summarizes the project goals and objectives, (5) 
a clear description of the methodology that will be used to complete 
the project and achieve its goals, (6) a clearly developed work plan 
with measurable project milestones and timelines for the completion of 
each milestone, (7) a description of the qualifications of the 
applicant and each project staff, (8) a description of the staffing 
plan, including the role and time commitment for each project staff 
member and a statement from individual staff that he/she will be 
available to work on this project, and (9) a budget that details all 
costs for the project, shows consideration for all

[[Page 45669]]

contingencies, and notes a commitment to work within the proposed 
budget. The application must also include a budget narrative that 
explains how all costs were determined.
    Specific Requirements: The applicant will provide an example of 
several topics/modules that may be considered and their accompanying 
learning activity. The applicant must also demonstrate a recent working 
knowledge of leadership development programming specific to women. 
Experienced correctional professional(s) are expected to be on the 
project team. These person(s) can be project staff or consultants. The 
correctional experience cited as qualifications must be at the level of 
warden or above. Continuous consultation with the NIC Correctional 
Program Specialist (CPS) on both proposed curriculum content and 
training program strategies is necessary. The CPS will have final 
approval of both. The selected applicant will conduct a face-to-face 
training/planning meeting with the CPS and NIC-selected and approved 
trainers and/or faculty to deliver the program at least 60 days before 
the program start date and provide a climate of inclusion and support 
in which women can concentrate on the learning process. The awardee 
will be responsible for the preparation of all program training 
materials, negotiation, timely completion of faculty contracts, and 
coordination of all program site logistics. Participant/faculty 
lodging, meals, travel, and administration of the associated logistics 
are to be funded within this agreement, based on the complete meal 
package. Knowledge and previous use of level one and two evaluation 
methods is necessary. The use of blended learning tools, such as a live 
Web-based training environment or supplemental online information 
transfer, is expected.
    Curriculum Specifications: The curriculum must be designed and 
developed, adhering to the following standards and specifications: (1) 
The curriculum and training design must be consistent with, and embrace 
the Instructional Theory into Practice (ITIP) model. A reference to 
this model can be found at http://nicic.gov/Library/010714;
    (2) Written products are developed to support the training;
    (3) The curriculum facilitation guide is written using a standard 
curriculum document format to include, at a minimum, module/sections 
and titles, performance objectives/expectations, a learning activities 
guide, practice/application activities, evaluation method and resources 
needed to conduct training activities; (4) Cited references support 
curriculum content and concepts; (5) Copyright permissions are secured 
for the use of copyright protected publications and materials with a 
minimum usage of three years; (6) All documents must be delivered 
electronically in both MS Word 2003 or higher and hard copy; (7) NIC 
will have final approval of the format, design, and organization of the 
curriculum documents.
    Required Expertise: The successful applicant and/or project staff 
will possess knowledge, skills, and experience in the following areas: 
Program design, strategic processes, correctional organizational 
culture team dynamics, and change management. Demonstrated knowledge 
and experience with the dynamics affecting women in corrections is 
necessary. The applicant will provide an example of recent involvement 
in leadership development programming specific to women and possess 
knowledge and experience in curriculum development based on adult 
learning theory and the Instructional Theory into Practice (ITIP) 
format. Knowledge and expertise in a variety of instructional delivery 
strategies should utilize, but are not limited to, instructor led e-
learning, including asynchronous computer/Web-based instructor led, 
synchronous Web-based, and social learning networks, etc. Skill in 
designing training curriculum linked to training objectives, knowledge 
of available training evaluation methods, and effective written and 
oral communication skills are necessary.
    Review Considerations: Applications received under this 
announcement will be subject to the NIC Review Process. The criteria 
for the evaluation of each application will be as follows,

Programmatic (40%)

    Are all the tasks adequately discussed? 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?

Organizational (30%)

    Do the skills, knowledge, and expertise of the organization and the 
proposed project staff demonstrate a high level of competency to carry 
out the tasks? Does the applicant organization have the necessary 
experience and organizational capacity to carry out all five goals of 
the project? Are the proposed project management and staffing plans 
realistic and sufficient to complete the project within the time frame?

Project Management/Administration (20%)

    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 insure effective coordination?
    Fiscal (10%)
    Is the proposed budget realistic, provide sufficient cost detail/
narrative, and represent good value relative to the anticipated 
results?
    Application Requirements: Applications should be concisely written, 
typed double spaced and reference the ``NIC Funding Opportunity 
Number'' and Title provided in this announcement. The application 
package must include: OMB Standard Form 424, 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), an outline of projected costs, and the following forms: OMB 
Standard Form 424A, Budget Information--Non Construction Programs, OMB 
Standard Form 424B, Assurances--Non Construction Programs (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.gov/Downloads/PDF/certif-frm.pdf.)
    Applications may be submitted in hard copy, or electronically via 
http://www.grants.gov. If submitted in hard copy, there needs to be an 
original and three copies of the full proposal (program and budget 
narratives, application forms and assurances). The original should have 
the applicant's signature in blue ink. The program narrative text must 
be limited to 15 double-spaced pages, exclusive of resumes and 
summaries of experience. Please do not submit full curriculum vitae.
    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 (up to $100,000) may be 
used only for the activities that are linked to the desired outcome of 
the project.
    This project will be a collaborative venture with the NIC Prisons 
Division.

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    Eligibility of Applicants: An eligible applicant is any private 
agency, educational institution, organization, individual or team with 
expertise in the areas described.
    Review Considerations: Applications received under this 
announcement will be subjected to a 3- to 5-person NIC Peer Review 
Process.


    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.


    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).
    Number of Awards: One.
    NIC Funding Opportunity Number: 10P12. 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: 16.601.
    Executive Order 12372: This project is not subject to the 
provisions of Executive Order 12372.

Morris L. Thigpen,
Director, National Institute of Corrections.
[FR Doc. 2010-18962 Filed 8-2-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4410-36-P