[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 142 (Monday, July 25, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44369-44372]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-18614]



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 DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE



National Institute of Corrections




Solicitation for a Cooperative Agreement--Training and Related 

Assistance for Indian Country Jails



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 provision of training and related 

assistance for Indian Country jails, including those operated by tribes 

and by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). The project will be for a 

three-year 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, the applicant team collectively must have, at a 

minimum, (1) In-depth knowledge of the purpose, functions, and 

operational complexities of jails, (2) experience in working with 

Indian Country jails, (3) in-depth knowledge of the key elements of 

jail administration, as taught in NIC's Jail Administration training 

program, (4) expertise and experience with jail standards and 

inspections, (5) expertise and experience in conducting jail staffing 

analyses, and (6) experience in conducting training programs based on 

adult learning principles, specifically the Instructional Theory Into 

Practice (ITIP) model. The applicant team must include a curriculum 

specialist with expertise and experience in ITIP. The curriculum 

specialist will have a significant role in developing, reviewing, and 

revising the curriculum for the Jail Administration training program, 

as specified under ``Scope of Work.''



DATES: Applications must be received by 4 p.m. (EDT) on Friday, August 

12, 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. Electronic 

applications can be submitted only 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 Ginny Hutchinson, Jails Division Chief, National 

Institute of Corrections. Questions must be sent via e-mail to Ms. 

Hutchinson at [email protected]. Ms. Hutchinson 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 to jails nationwide, including Indian Country 

jails. NIC now wishes to target training and related services to Indian 

Country needs on jail administration, staffing analysis, and



[[Page 44370]]



jail standards and inspection (specifically, peer review).

    Services related to staffing analysis and jail administration will 

be based on NIC's existing materials, with adjustments made to 

accommodate any unique circumstances in Indian Country jails. The 

following reference materials are posted with this announcement on 

NIC's Web site: The Staffing Analysis Workbook for Jails, 2nd edition 

and the lesson plans and participant manual for the Jail Administration 

training program.



Scope of Work



Service 1: Jail Administration Training Program



    Initial Review and Revision: The awardee will review and become 

familiar with the current curriculum. The awardee will discuss any 

questions with NIC staff.

    The project director and curriculum specialist will meet with NIC 

staff, BIA staff, and up to 3 Indian Country jail administrators for up 

to 2 days in Washington, DC. The jail administrators will be identified 

jointly by NIC and BIA. NIC will pay the jail administrators' travel, 

lodging, and meal expenses. The BIA will pay travel, lodging, and meal 

expenses for its staff. The awardee will pay travel, lodging, and meal 

expenses for the project director and curriculum specialist.

    Meeting participants will review the existing curriculum and 

identify content that does not apply to Indian Country jails and 

content that can be revised to be made applicable. NIC does not intend 

to develop a new program, nor does it intend to greatly change the 

basic program, which, based on past experience, is mostly relevant to 

Indian Country. However, NIC does expect that some revision will be 

necessary.

    The awardee will revise the curriculum based on the results of the 

meeting, ensuring that all lesson plans conform to the ITIP model. The 

awardee will also develop an end-of-program participant evaluation, and 

will submit the revised curriculum and the evaluation to NIC for review 

and approval before conducting the program.

    Initial Program Delivery: The awardee will conduct the revised Jail 

Administration training program, and the project director and 

curriculum specialist will attend. During the initial program, the 

project director and curriculum specialist will assess the program for 

any further revision needed.

    The program will be up to 5 days long and will be conducted in a 

location central to most Indian Country jails, with a major airport 

nearby (no more than a 60-minute shuttle ride from the training site). 

There will be 3 trainers for the program. In the response to this 

solicitation, the applicant must identify a group of trainers who have 

given written assurance of their availability to teach, along with 

their qualifications. NIC does not require that the same 3 trainers 

conduct all programs.

    There will be up to 30 participants in the program, including up to 

4 persons identified by BIA as future trainers for the program. NIC 

will work with BIA to solicit applications and select participants. 

Participants will apply for the program through NIC.

    The awardee will secure and pay for lodging and meals for the 

participants. Participants should be housed in single rooms. Meals will 

include dinner on the day of arrival and three meals for each of 5 full 

training days. NIC will pay for the participants' airfare or their 

mileage, if they choose to drive their personal vehicles.

    The awardee will also secure and pay for training space (main room 

plus up to 3 breakout rooms); training equipment and supplies (such as 

equipment needed for slide presentations, chart pads and stands, chart 

markers, pens and paper for participants, masking tape, and other 

miscellaneous items); and refreshments (coffee, tea, juice, and soda). 

The main training room must easily accommodate 30 participant seats 

arranged in clusters of 6 around circular or rectangular tables, with a 

chart pad and stand at each table. Each table should provide sufficient 

space for the participants' manuals and other materials, with ample 

space to write. The main training room must also accommodate a large 

rectangular table for the trainers and space for the training 

equipment. Finally, it should be arranged so that trainers can easily 

move among the participant tables.

    The awardee will hire and pay fees and expenses for 3 trainers, the 

project director, and the curriculum specialist, all of whom will stay 

for the entire program. If qualified, the project director may be 

included as one of the 3 trainers.

    The awardee will print the participant manuals, instructor manuals, 

evaluation forms, and all other materials for the program, and assume 

the cost of printing. Additional Revision: Based on the assessment of 

the first program, the awardee will further revise the training program 

to ensure its applicability to Indian Country jails and conformity to 

the ITIP model. All draft revisions must be sent to NIC for review and 

approval before the second program is conducted.

    Additional Program Delivery: The awardee will conduct the Jail 

Administration training program 3 more times during the course of the 

cooperative agreement. See ``Initial Program Delivery'' for the 

awardee's responsibilities. Note that the curriculum specialist is not 

required to attend all three of these programs. The applicant should, 

however, plan for the curriculum specialist to attend at least one of 

the programs in case there is need for his/her expertise.

    Final Materials: The awardee will deliver a full curriculum, 

including a 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 ITIP model for adult learners. Lesson plans will be in 

a format that NIC provides. Materials must be proofread and edited for 

grammar, spelling, punctuation, formatting, and clarity. The awardee 

will deliver all materials in hard copy (2) and on a disk (2). The 

awardee must ensure that all products meet NIC's standards for 

accessibility and Section 508 compliance.

    BIA Trainer Development: NIC intends to share the completed 

curriculum with BIA for its use in training jail administrators. As 

noted above, the BIA will identify potential trainers who will attend 

the programs conducted under this cooperative agreement. The first time 

these potential trainers attend, they will observe the program. The 

second time, the awardee will give them limited responsibility, such as 

facilitating small groups. The third and fourth times, the awardee will 

give them training assignments so they are better prepared to instruct 

on their own. Even though they will gradually assume some training 

responsibilities, they are considered participants in each of the 4 

programs for funding purposes.

    Attendance at a BIA-Conducted Program: The awardee will send two 

members of the cooperative agreement's training team to the first Jail 

Administration program conducted by BIA. This program will most likely 

be held at the Indian Police Academy in Artesia, New Mexico. The 

awardee will pay fees and expenses for these trainers. Their role will 

be to provide assistance and feedback as needed to the BIA trainers.



Service 2: Staffing Analysis



    Workshop: The awardee will conduct one workshop on staffing 

analysis for up to 12 BIA staff. This will be based on



[[Page 44371]]



NIC's ``Staffing Analysis Workbook for Jails, 2nd edition,'' and will 

last up to 3 days. The workshop will include staffing analysis for 

operating jails and for jails in various stages of planning. The 

workshop will focus not only on the staffing analysis process, but also 

on effectively presenting the results to the funding authority.

    The purpose of this workshop is to develop a cadre of BIA staff who 

can conduct staffing analyses for jails and prepare staffing reports 

and justifications. These BIA staff could also help jail staff conduct 

their own staffing analyses.

    The awardee will confer with NIC and BIA staff on workshop 

development, either in person or through conference calls or online 

meetings. The awardee will then develop the lesson plans, presentation 

slides, and participant materials, and send these materials to NIC for 

review and approval before conducting the workshop.

    After the workshop, the awardee will submit final copies of all 

materials, with a participant list, to NIC. These materials will be 

submitted on a disk.

    The awardee will pay fees and expenses for 2 trainers. These 

trainers will be identified jointly by NIC and the awardee after the 

cooperative agreement is awarded. The awardee will print all workshop 

materials and assume the cost for printing. BIA will supply the 

necessary room and equipment for the workshop, and assume costs related 

to the participants' travel, lodging, and meals.

    Additional Assistance: Once the workshop is completed, the awardee 

will send one trainer to accompany BIA staff in conducting a staffing 

analysis for up to 3 jails or new-jail planning projects identified by 

the BIA. The trainer will provide guidance and support as needed to the 

BIA staff, but will not conduct the staffing analysis or write the 

report. The awardee will pay fees and expenses for the trainer assigned 

to each staffing analysis. The BIA will cover expenses for its staff.



Service 3: Jail Standards and Inspection (Peer Review)



    Based on standards it has adopted, BIA has a formal inspection 

process, but it also wishes to develop a peer review process. The 

awardee will work with BIA and NIC staff to develop a peer review 

protocol, with related forms and other materials.

    The awardee will then develop and conduct one workshop on the peer 

review process, and submit all workshop materials to NIC for review and 

approval before the program is conducted.

    After the workshop, the awardee will submit final copies of all 

materials, with a participant list, to NIC. These materials will be 

submitted on a disk.

    The workshop will last up to 5 days and will be conducted by 2 to 3 

trainers. These trainers will be identified jointly by NIC and the 

awardee after the cooperative agreement is awarded. BIA will identify 

up to 15 participants for this program.

    The workshop will combine classroom sessions with practical 

exercises inside an Indian Country jail. BIA and NIC will identify a 

jail willing to allow participants to practice conducting a review.

    The classroom sessions will be held in a suitable room inside the 

jail or, if no room is available, at a site within short driving 

distance to the jail. The awardee should not assume a room will be 

available in the jail and should plan to pay for a room at a hotel for 

the workshop, in addition to related equipment and supplies.

    The awardee will pay all fees and expenses for the trainers. The 

awardee will also print all workshop materials and assume the cost.

    The awardee will secure a hotel for the participants' lodging and 

will arrange for meals to be provided by the hotel, including dinner on 

the day of arrival and 3 meals for each full training day. The awardee 

will assume the cost of the participants' lodging and meals at this 

site. Participants should be lodged in single rooms.

    NIC will pay for participants' travel. BIA will arrange for 

transportation between the hotel and the jail, if needed.



Project Kick-Off Meeting



    The project director will attend an initial meeting in Washington, 

DC with NIC staff for a project overview and preliminary planning. The 

meeting will last up to two days. The awardee will pay the project 

director's fees and expenses for this meeting.



Project Timelines



    The applicant must plan project activities based on several 

considerations. First, the staffing analysis workshop should be 

conducted during the first year of the cooperative agreement period. 

Second, the awardee will assist BIA staff in conducting three staffing 

analysis projects within 3 months or less after the workshop. Third, 

the Jail Administration training program should be conducted once 

during the first year, twice during the second year, and once during 

the third year. Fourth, BIA will conduct Jail Administration during the 

third year, with assistance from the awardee. Fifth, work on the peer 

review process for standards compliance should begin before the end of 

the first year of the cooperative agreement. Finally, project timelines 

must include provision for submission of materials to NIC for review 

and approval, as specified in this solicitation.

    Application Requirements: An 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 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



[[Page 44372]]



the project, and notes a commitment to work within the proposed budget.

    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 $500,000.

    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: 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 and Project Staff Background: 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 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: 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: Do the sample curricula include all components 

specified in the RFP (lesson plans, presentation slides, and 

participant manual)? Are the lesson plans designed according to the 

ITIP 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 appearance, and can they be easily read from a distance of 

30 to 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 called 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: 11JA06. 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.



Thomas J. Beauclair,

Deputy Director, National Institute of Corrections.

[FR Doc. 2011-18614 Filed 7-22-11; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4410-36-P