[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