[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 153 (Tuesday, August 10, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48365-48366]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-19641]


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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

National Institute of Corrections


Solicitation for a Cooperative Agreement--NIC Cost Containment 
Online Resource Center Project

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

ACTION: Solicitation for cooperative agreement.

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SUMMARY: The National Institute of Corrections (NIC) is soliciting 
proposals from organizations, groups, or individuals to enter into a 
cooperative agreement for an 18-month project period. The goal of this 
agreement is the development of a cost containment online resource 
center. The NIC Cost Containment Online Resource Center (CCORC) will be 
housed on the NIC Web site and contain materials to assist corrections 
practitioners with developing and implementing systems-level cost 
containment strategies. The CCORC will serve as a forum for information 
exchange and a repository for current, practical evidence-based 
information about cost containment. The project's four tasks are to (1) 
compile a guide providing a detailed review of existing evidence-based 
models, including their strengths, weaknesses, and applicability to 
correctional agencies, for managing cost containment interventions at 
the systems level; (2) gather supplemental materials designed to 
provide concrete and practical strategies for planning, implementing, 
and sustaining cost containment interventions (The intent is to combine 
packaged materials with ``off-the-shelf'' modules that agencies can use 
to develop workable solutions.); (3) work with the NIC Information 
Center's Contracting Officer's Technical Representative(COTR), NIC's 
intermediary with the Information Center, to develop the online site; 
and (4) coordinate two meetings of a review panel to advise the project 
early in the development of its products and near the end to evaluate 
their utility for the corrections field. All expenses for these 
meetings will be provided out of the funding awarded under this 
agreement. The two meetings are expected to last one and a half days 
for up to 10 participants. With the assistance of the recipient, NIC 
will identify the participants for each meeting. The recipient of this 
award will assist NIC in locating an appropriate venue and coordinating 
local arrangements at the site, including meeting rooms and food and 
beverage services. The recipient will also assist participants in 
arranging

[[Page 48366]]

travel and lodging and in reimbursing costs in conformity with Federal 
guidelines.
    With input from NIC, the recipient will prepare each meeting 
agenda, participant lists, white papers, handouts, and supplementary 
materials; duplicate them in sufficient quantities; and deliver them to 
the venue. With input from NIC, the recipient will also supply or 
arrange for a facilitator and a note taker for each meeting to be paid 
out of the funding awarded under this agreement.

DATES: Applications must be received by 4 p.m. EDT on Monday, August 
30, 2010. Selection of the successful applicant and notification of 
review results to all applicants will be sent by October 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, call (202) 307-3106, 
extension 0 for pickup. Faxed applications will not be accepted. The 
only electronic applications (preferred) that will be accepted can be 
submitted via www.grants.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: A copy of this announcement can be downloaded 
from the NIC Web site at www.nicic.gov.
    All technical or programmatic questions concerning this 
announcement should be directed to Dee Halley, Correctional Program 
Specialist, Research and Evaluation Division, National Institute of 
Corrections. She can be reached by calling 1-800-995-6423 extension 4-
0374 or by e-mail at [email protected].
    Required Expertise: Applicant organizations and project teams 
should be able to demonstrate the capacity to accomplish all four 
project tasks and have experience with and/or an understanding of 
correctional operations, assessing cost benefits and effectiveness, and 
budget planning, development, and management.
    Application Requirements: The application should be concisely 
written, typed double-spaced and reference the NIC Opportunity Number 
and Title provided in this announcement. The program narrative text is 
to be limited to 25 double-spaced pages, exclusive of resumes and 
summaries of experience (do not submit full curriculum vitae). In 
addition to the program narrative, 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 www.grants.gov); DOJ/FBOP/NIC 
Certification Regarding Lobbying, Debarment, Suspension and Other 
Responsibility Matters; and the Drug-Free Workplace Requirements 
(available at www.nicic.org/Downloads/PDF/certif-frm.pdf.)

    Authority:  Public Law 93-415.

    Funds Available and Budget Considerations: Up to $150,000 is 
available for this project, but preference will be given to applicants 
who provide the most efficient solutions in accomplishing the scope of 
work. Determination will be made based on best value to the Government, 
not necessarily the lowest bid. Funds may be used only for the 
activities that are directly related to the project. This project will 
be a collaborative venture with the NIC Research and Evaluation 
Division.
    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 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 of the four project tasks adequately discussed and support 
the overall goal? Is there a clear description of how each project task 
will be accomplished, including sub-tasks; the strategies to be 
employed; required staffing; responsible parties, and other required 
resources? Are there any unique or exceptional approaches, techniques, 
or design aspects proposed that will enhance the project?

Organizational (35%)

    Does the proposed project staff possess the skills, knowledge, and 
expertise necessary to complete the four project tasks, meeting all of 
the criteria listed in the solicitation? Does the applicant agency, 
institution, organization, individual or team have the organizational 
capacity to complete the project tasks? Are the proposed project 
management and staffing plans realistic and sufficient to complete the 
project within the 18-month timeframe?

Project 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 and 
supervision? Is the proposed budget realistic, provide sufficient cost 
detail/narrative, and 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: 10PEI40. 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. 2010-19641 Filed 8-9-10; 8:45 am]
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