[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 98 (Friday, May 20, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29268-29271]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-12455]
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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
National Institute of Corrections
Solicitation for a Cooperative Agreement--New Jail Planning
Initiative: Review and Revision
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) Jails Division is
seeking applications for the revision of its services related to new
jail planning. The project will be for an 18-month period and will be
carried out in conjunction with the NIC Jails Division. The awardee
will work closely with NIC staff on all aspects of the project. To be
considered, applicants must demonstrate, at a minimum: (1) In-depth
knowledge of the purpose, functions, and operational complexities of
local jails, (2) extensive experience in the roles of architect and
planner in the new-jail planning process, as taught by NIC (see
Supplementary Information), and (3) expertise and experience in
developing curricula based on adult learning principles, specifically
the Instructional Theory Into Practice (ITIP) model.
DATES: Applications must be received by 4 p.m. (EDT) on Friday, June
10, 2011.
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 as mail at NIC is
sometimes delayed due to security screening.
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; however,
electronic applications can be submitted 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/cooperativeagreements.
Questions about this project and the application procedures should
be directed to Mike Jackson, Correctional Program Specialist, National
Institute of Corrections. Questions must be sent via e-mail to Mr.
Jackson at [email protected]. Mr. Jackson will respond via e-mail to
the individual. Also, all questions and responses will be posted on
NIC's Web site at http://www.nicic.gov for public review. (The names of
those submitting the questions will not be posted).The Web site will be
updated regularly and postings will remain on the Web site until the
closing date of this cooperative agreement solicitation.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background: The NIC Jails Division offers technical assistance,
training, and information on new jail planning to local jurisdictions
nationwide. These services cover the full range of activities related
to new jail planning, from exploration of the need for a new jail to
the decision to build through design, construction, and occupation of
the new facility.
Based on a recent review of these services, NIC intends to revise
its training and technical assistance to ensure it most effectively
meets the needs of local jurisdictions considering building a new jail.
NIC's training and technical assistance on new jail planning
currently includes:
Jail and Justice System Assessment--This is a 3-day onsite
technical assistance event for individual jurisdictions that are
considering renovating an existing jail or constructing a new one
because their jail is crowded or in poor condition. Assessment
activities include a review of the current jail and interviews with
local criminal justice system officials on policies and practices that
affect the jail population. This assistance results in recommendations
for local officials about possible improvements they can make to the
existing jail, construction of jail beds, and ways in which criminal
justice system practices might be modified to alleviate jail crowding.
Planning of New Institutions--This 4-day training program conducted
at NIC's training center in Colorado is for jurisdictions that have
made the commitment to build a new jail or renovate an old one. It
focuses on the critical elements of planning a new facility, including
collecting and using data, pre-architectural programming, site
evaluation, project management, and determining staffing needs. The
program stresses the importance of in-depth planning before starting
facility design and the need for the owners and operators of the new
jail to maintain control of the planning process.
Managing Jail Design and Construction--This 4-day training program
conducted at NIC's training center in Colorado is for jurisdictions
that are ready to begin designing a new jail. It targets three-person
jurisdictional teams whose members have key decision-making roles in
the project. These teams may include the sheriff, the jail
administrator, the project manager, transition team leader, or other
assigned staff member. The program introduces participants to project
management and clarifies the roles and responsibilities of those who
develop, design, and construct new facilities. Through a variety of
exercises, the program guides participants in understanding how the
nuances of jail operations must be translated into design.
Jurisdictional teams learn how to read and interpret facility planning
documents, manage changes during construction, and develop a design and
construction plan that meets their needs.
How to Open a New Institution--This training program is delivered
onsite for individual jurisdictions that are within 12-18 months of
opening a new jail. It is designed for the transition team--those staff
charged with planning the details of the day-to-day operations of the
new facility and the transition into that facility. Training is
provided on the function of the jail's mission statement; development
of operational scenarios, policies, procedures, and post orders; move
logistics; staff training issues; budgeting for transition; and
development of an action plan for transition.
The cooperative agreement awardee will complete revisions to all
four of these services, ensuring that information about new jail
planning is consistent
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both with the NIC model and across all four services.
Scope of Work
Revisions to the Jail and Justice System Assessment
Currently, NIC service providers collect a variety of information
about the local jurisdiction's criminal justice system by gathering
data, reviewing the jail, and interviewing key criminal justice system
officials. In the revised Jail and Justice System Assessment, NIC
service providers will no longer collect data or interview criminal
justice officials about system practices. Instead, the service
providers will help local officials understand the importance of making
a well-informed decision regarding the need for a new jail; the role
information plays in decision-making; the need to explore local
criminal justice system policies and practices, and how they affect the
average daily population and length of stay; and non-jail options for
arrestees and offenders.
Service providers will also give an overview of the new jail
planning process, stressing the importance of planning and the need for
the jail's owners and operators to direct the planning process. In
addition, they will review the jail, but only briefly and only as it
relates to (1) the condition of the physical plant, (2) major
operational challenges posed by the physical plant, and (3) crowding.
The revised Jail and Justice System Assessment will be a 2-day
technical assistance event conducted onsite in the requesting
jurisdiction.
To accomplish these revisions, the awardee will identify pre-
service information that the jurisdiction must supply to NIC; develop a
form that the jurisdiction will use to record the requested
information; identify the elements of the jail review; develop a guide
and checklist for the jail review; develop a presentation guide, with
presentation slides and participant handouts, on how to determine the
need for a new jail, non-jail options, and the new jail planning
process; conduct and assess one pilot of the revised Jail and Justice
System Assessment; revise the Jail and Justice System Assessment and
related materials as indicated by the assessment of the pilot.
NIC Review: All draft materials must be sent to NIC for review and
approval before they are piloted and again before they are submitted as
a final product.
NIC Reviews: The awardee will deliver the pre-service information
form, the jail review guide and checklist, the presentation guide, and
related materials in hard copy (1) and on disk. The awardee must also
ensure that all products meet NIC's standards for accessibility and
Section 508 compliance.
Revisions to the Planning of New Institutions Training Program
Much of the basic content in this program will not be changed.
However, some information will be added and this is likely to result in
some new modules. NIC will add information on ``green'' facilities and
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification;
keeping up the new jail planning momentum in the face of political and
personnel changes; planning to ensure the jail has resources to support
intended operations over the long term; and the importance of the
transition process and the role of the transition team.
Although most of the program's content remains relevant, the
program must be reviewed in its entirety to ensure effective
sequencing, timing, and consistency of information among modules. Also,
all lesson plans and other curriculum components must be redesigned to
conform to the Instructional Theory into Practice model of training for
adult learners. This will require significant revision. All lesson
plans, all sections of the participant manual, and all presentation
slides must be consistent in format, voice, and level of detail. All
materials must have a professional appearance in accordance with the
style and design direction provided by NIC.
The project director and the curriculum specialist must attend the
current PONI program scheduled for August 22-25, 2011 in Aurora,
Colorado to gain insight into the program. Revisions to this program
should be ready to pilot during the first year of the cooperative
agreement. Both the project director and the curriculum specialist must
attend this program. The awardee will then refine the program and
related materials based on the assessment of the pilot.
NIC Reviews: All draft materials must be sent to NIC for review and
approval before they are piloted and again before they are submitted as
a final product.
Final Product: The final curriculum will includea program
description (overview); detailed narrative lesson plans; presentation
slides for each lesson plan; a participant manual that follows the
lesson plans; and other training materials as identified through this
project. The curriculum will be designed according to the Instructional
Theory Into Practice model for adult learners. Lesson plans will be in
a format that NIC provides. The awardee will deliver all materials in
hard copy (1) and on a disk. The awardee must also ensure that all
products meet NIC's standards for accessibility and Section 508
compliance. Revisions to the Managing Jail Design and Construction
training program:
This program will be redesigned for onsite delivery to individual
local jurisdictions. The redesigned program will be up to 3 days long
and will not include the 1-day jail tour that is part of the current
program.
Most of the content will remain the same, however, the training
materials will need to be revised to reflect a single-jurisdiction
audience. Also, the revised program must be reviewed in its entirety to
ensure effective sequencing, timing, and consistency of information
among modules. All lesson plans and other curriculum components must be
redesigned to conform to the Instructional Theory into Practice model
of training for adult learners. This will require significant revision.
All lesson plans, all sections of the participant manual, and all
presentation slides must be consistent in format, level of detail, and
voice. All materials must have a professional appearance in accordance
with the style and design direction provided by NIC.
NIC Reviews: All draft materials must be sent to NIC for review and
approval before they are piloted and again before they are submitted as
a final product.
Final Product: The final curriculum will include a program
description (overview); detailed narrative lesson plans; presentation
slides for each lesson plan; and a participant manual that follows the
lesson plans. The curriculum will be designed according to the
Instructional Theory Into Practice model for adult learners. Lesson
plans will be in a format that NIC provides. The awardee will deliver
all materials in hard copy (1) and on a disk. The awardee must also
ensure that all products meet NIC's standards for accessibility and
Section 508 compliance. Revisions to the How to Open a New Institution
training program:
This program will not be revised; however, the awardee will develop
one brief lesson plan and related training materials for one module on
reading and interpreting construction documents.
Meetings
The cooperative agreement awardee, with subject matter experts and
the curriculum specialist, will attend an initial meeting with the NIC
staff for a project overview and preliminary planning. This will take
place shortly
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after the cooperative agreement is awarded and will be held in
Washington, DC. The meeting will last up to two full days.
The awardee, with subject matter experts and the curriculum
specialist, should also plan to meet with NIC staff at least two more
times during the course of the project. These meetings will last up to
2 days and may focus on project development and updates. Only one of
these meetings will be held in Washington, DC.
The awardee, with subject matter experts, should plan to meet via
WebEx several times at key points during the project for updates and
project development activities. NIC will host these meetings, which
will last up to two hours. The meeting itself will be at NIC's expense,
but fees for project staff who attend the meeting will be charged to
the 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 under
which the applicant operates (e.g., July 1 through June 30); and an
outline of projected costs with the budget and strategy narratives
described in this announcement. 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 (both 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 referenced in this
announcement. If you are hand delivering or submitting via Fed-Ex,
please include an original and three copies of your full proposal
(program and budget narrative, application forms, assurances and other
descriptions). The original should have the applicant's signature in
blue ink. Electronic submissions will be accepted only 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; a brief paragraph that summarizes the project
goals and objectives; a clear description of the methodology that will
be used to complete the project and achieve its goals; a statement or
chart of measurable project milestones and timelines for the completion
of each milestone; a description of the qualifications of the applicant
organization; a resume for the principle and each staff member assigned
to the project (including instructors) that documents relevant
knowledge, skills, and abilities to carry out the project; and a budget
that details all costs for the project, shows consideration for all
contingencies for the project, and notes a commitment to work within
the proposed budget.
The narrative portion of the application should not exceed ten
double-spaced typewritten pages, excluding attachments related to the
credentials and relevant experience of staff.
In addition to the narrative and attachments, the applicant must
submit two full sample curricula developed by the primary curriculum
developer named in the application. For each sample curriculum, the
applicant must submit lesson plans, presentation slides, and a
participant manual.
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.
The funding amount should not exceed $300,000.
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 subject to the NIC
Review Process. The criteria for the evaluation of each application
will be as follows:
Project Design and Management--30 Points
Is there a clear understanding of the purpose of the project and
the nature and scope of project activities? Does the applicant give a
clear and complete description of all work to be performed for this
project? Does the applicant clearly describe a work plan, including
objectives, tasks, and milestones necessary to project completion? Are
the objectives, tasks, and milestones realistic and will they achieve
the project as described in NIC's solicitation for this cooperative
agreement? Are the roles and the time required of project staff clearly
defined? Is the applicant willing to meet with NIC staff, at a minimum,
as specified in the solicitation for this cooperative agreement?
Applicant Organization & Project Staff Background--50 Points
Is there a description of the background and expertise of all
project personnel as they relate to this project? Is the applicant
capable of managing this project? Does the applicant have an
established reputation or skill that makes the applicant particularly
well qualified for the project? Do primary project personnel,
individually or collectively, have in-depth knowledge of the purpose,
functions, and operational complexities of local jails? Do the primary
project personnel, individually or collectively, have expertise on the
key elements in jail administration? Do the primary project personnel,
individually or collectively, have expertise and experience specified
in the SUMMARY section of this Request for Proposal? Does the staffing
plan propose sufficient and realistic time commitments from key
personnel? Are there written commitments from proposed staff that they
will be available to work on the project as described in the
application?
Budget--20 Points
Does the application provide adequate cost detail to support the
proposed budget? Are potential budget contingencies included? Does the
application include a chart that aligns the budget with project
activities along a timeline with, at a minimum, quarterly benchmarks?
In terms of program value, is the estimated cost reasonable in relation
to work performed and project products?
Sample Curricula--70 Points (35 Points per Curriculum)
Does the sample curriculum include all components specified in the
RFP (lesson plans, presentation slides, and participant manual)? Are
the lesson plans designed according to the Instructional Theory Into
Practice model? Does each lesson plan have performance objectives that
describe what the participants will accomplish during the module? Are
the lesson plans detailed, clear, and well written (spelling, grammar,
punctuation)? Is the participant manual clear, and does it follow the
lesson plans? Do the presentation slides effectively illustrate
information in the lesson plans? Do the presentation slides have a
professional
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appearance, and can they be easily read from a distance of 30-40 feet?
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 obtain a DUNS number at no cost by calling the
dedicated toll-free DUNS number request line at 800-333-0505.
Applicants who are sole proprietors should dial 866-705-5711 and
select option 1.
Applicants may register in the CCR online at the CCR Web site at
http://www.ccr.gov. Applicants can also review a CCR handbook and
worksheet at this Web site.
Number of Awards: One
NIC Opportunity Number: 11JA03. This number should appear as a
reference line in the cover letter, where the opportunity number is
requested on Standard Form 424, and on the 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 the executive order.
Morris L. Thigpen,
Director, National Institute of Corrections.
[FR Doc. 2011-12455 Filed 5-19-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4410-36-P