[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 165 (Thursday, August 26, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52552-52554]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-21221]


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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

National Institute of Corrections


Solicitation for a Cooperative Agreement--Curriculum Development: 
Implementing and Sustaining an Evidence-Based Risk Reduction Approach 
for First- and Mid-Level Supervisors in Corrections Settings

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 seeking 
applications for the development of a competency-based, blended 
modality training curriculum that will provide corrections supervisors 
and managers with the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to model, 
coach, implement, and oversee an evidence-based risk reduction approach 
in correctional settings.

DATES: Applications must be received by 12 noon EDT on Friday, 
September 3, 2010.

ADDRESSES: Mailed applications must be sent to: Director, National 
Institute of Corrections, 320 First Street, NW., Room 5002, 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 only be submitted via http://www.grants.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: All technical or programmatic 
questions concerning this announcement should be directed to Michael 
Guevara, Correctional Program Specialist, National Institute of 
Corrections. He can be reached by calling 303-365-4415, or by e-mail at 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Overview: NIC is seeking assistance to develop a blended learning 
curriculum for implementing and sustaining an evidence-based risk 
reduction approach for first- and mid-level supervisors in any and all 
correctional settings. The curriculum must adhere to NIC's 
Instructional Theory into Practice (ITIP) model, which applicants can 
find on NIC's Web site via the following link: http://www.nicic.gov/pubs/1992/010714.pdf. The curriculum must be based on applicable 
literature and products published by NIC over the last several years, 
as well as current research and practice in the field of corrections, 
adult learning, and instructional strategies. The curriculum will use a 
blended learning format and include a distance learning component. It 
may make use solely of a distance learning approach. The curriculum 
will be piloted and implemented in a future funding cycle.
    Background: For years, NIC has been committed to promoting risk 
reduction through the use of evidence-based policies and practices. 
Most of the work NIC has completed in this area has taken the form of 
technical assistance, direct work with agencies, and the publication of 
papers and manuals on related topics. To date, much of the focus of 
NIC's work in evidence-based practices has been in the area of 
community corrections. NIC would like to expand on this work by making 
it applicable and accessible to all corrections disciplines by 
developing a curriculum for first- and mid-level

[[Page 52553]]

managers, regardless of the corrections setting in which they work.
    Purpose: To create a blended learning curriculum for implementing 
and sustaining an evidence-based risk reduction approach for first- and 
mid-level supervisors in corrections settings.
    Scope of Work: At the end of this cooperative agreement, a 
curriculum should be developed using NIC's Instructional Theory into 
Practice (ITIP) model. The curriculum should include a facilitator's 
manual, participant's manual, action learning plan, and all relevant 
supplemental material (such as PowerPoint slides, visual &/or audio 
aids, handouts, exercises, etc.). The use of blended learning tools 
such as a live web-based training environment (e.g., WebEx), DVDs, 
satellite/Internet broadcasts, e-learning, or supplemental online 
training courses is mandatory. During the implementation phase, NIC may 
participate directly in the production of some or all of these 
products. Clear learning objectives should be contained in each lesson, 
and delivery modality should be based on how to most efficiently and 
effectively achieve these objectives. A pre- and post-test, as well as 
quizzes and action learning plans shall be developed as necessary. 
Consideration should be given to preparing participants through advance 
work, such as reading assignments or taking an online course through 
NIC's Learning Center. An evaluation, to be distributed at the 
conclusion of the training, will be developed. This evaluation must 
examine the content, processes, and delivery of the program; the 
evaluation should be designed to help revise and improve the training 
and curriculum.
    Specific Requirements: The curriculum is intended to be part of a 
comprehensive strategy for implementing evidence-based risk reduction 
approaches in any corrections agency. First- and mid-level managers 
must model, coach, implement, and oversee these approaches and require 
specific knowledge, skills, and attitudes to do so. As an integral part 
of their jobs, and as part of a solid evidence-based model, supervisors 
must possess effective communication skills and the ability to enhance 
internal motivation. They must also be able to coach their staff in 
those same skills. Therefore, interpersonal communication skills and a 
technology such as motivational interviewing should be included in the 
curriculum, within the context of an overall approach to becoming an 
evidence-based organization. The curriculum will be based on products 
and documents developed by the National Institute of Corrections over 
the past several years, as well as other work from the private or 
public sector that can inform the development of an effective learning 
experience for students. Since this curriculum is about evidence-based 
approaches, both the content and learning design of the curriculum 
itself should have firm foundations in research. Please reference 
specific sources that will be used in the development of the 
curriculum. This blended learning curriculum will be in whole or in 
part a distance learning curriculum. Although there is no guarantee 
that the awardee/writer of this curriculum will participate in the 
implementation phase, ideas for how to maximize NIC resources during 
pilot and implementation should be included as part of the curriculum's 
instructional strategies. An example of a blended learning approach 
designed by the person or agency submitting the application should be 
included.
    Document Requirements: Publications produced under this award must 
follow the ``Guidelines for Preparing and Submitting Manuscripts for 
Publication'' as found in the General Guidelines for Cooperative 
Agreements which will be included in the award package. All final 
publications submitted for posting on the NIC Web site must meet the 
federal government's requirement for accessibility (508 PDF or HTML 
file). All documents developed under this cooperative agreement must be 
submitted in draft form to NIC for review before the final products are 
delivered.
    Application Requirements: Applications should be concisely written, 
typed double-spaced and reference the project by the ``NIC Opportunity 
Number'' and Title in this announcement. 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 (ten pages 
maximum for the program narrative), and a budget narrative explaining 
projected costs. 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 
the 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.

    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. Up to $88,000.00 may be 
available for the development of this curriculum. The final budget and 
award amount will be negotiated between NIC and the successful 
applicant. Funds may be used only for the activities linked to the 
desired outcome of the project.
    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 subjected to a 3- to 5-person NIC Peer Review 
Process. The criteria for the evaluation of each application will be as 
follows:
    Programmatic (45%): Is there demonstrated knowledge of curriculum 
development? Is a specific model of curriculum development (e.g., ITIP) 
proposed? Is there demonstrated knowledge of training for first- and 
mid-level supervisor positions? Is there demonstrated knowledge of 
evidence-based practices? Is there demonstrated knowledge of how 
training in evidence-based practices fits into an overall strategy of 
organizational development? Is there demonstrated knowledge of the role 
of first- and mid-level supervisors in the process of organizational 
change? Is there demonstrated knowledge of techniques and/or 
interventions that successfully address acquisition and retention of 
new knowledge, skills and abilities? Does the proposal include blended 
and distance learning approaches? Are project goals/tasks adequately 
discussed? 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

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capacity to carry out all goals of the project? 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 detail/narrative, and does it represent good 
value relative to the anticipated results?
    Project Management/Administration (25%): Does the applicant 
identify reasonable objectives, milestones, and measures to track 
progress? Is there a clear statement of how project goals will be 
accomplished, to include: Major tasks that will lead to achieving the 
goals, the strategies to be employed, required staffing and other 
required resources? Are the proposed project management and staffing 
plans clear, realistic, and sufficient to complete the project?

    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 CRR 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: 10A64. This number should appear as a 
reference line in the cover letter, in box 4a of 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. 2010-21221 Filed 8-25-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4410-36-P