[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 18 (Friday, January 27, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4363-4365]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-1720]


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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

National Institute of Corrections


Solicitation for a Cooperative Agreement--Curriculum Development: 
Thinking for a Change 3.1: Training for Facilitators

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) Academy Division 
is seeking applications for the development of a competency-based, 
blended modality training curriculum that will provide corrections 
professionals with the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to 
facilitate offender groups using the Thinking for a Change (T4C) 3.1 
curriculum.

DATES: Applications must be received by 4 p.m. on Friday, February 10, 
2012.

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

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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 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) 338-6617, or by email 
at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Overview: NIC is looking to develop a 
blended curriculum that follows NIC's Instructional Theory into 
Practice (ITIP) model and is based on the Thinking for a Change 3.1 
curriculum as well as an earlier version of the Training for 
Facilitators curriculum. The curriculum will use blended learning 
formats, including distance learning. After an initial pilot of the 
curriculum, it should be evaluated and edited, followed by a second 
pilot and final product delivery. This project should be completed by 
September 30, 2012.
    Background: Thinking for a Change is an evidence-based cognitive 
behavioral program proven to reduce recidivism risk in offenders. It 
has undergone a number of minor edits since its first publication in 
1998, but recently it has undergone a significant revision, resulting 
in version 3.1. With the significant changes to T4C in version 3.1, the 
initial Training for Facilitators curriculum has become virtually 
obsolete. In addition to not matching T4C 3.1, the old Training for 
Facilitators consists of a strictly face-to-face delivery method. A 
more relevant and more modern curriculum is necessary.
    Purpose: To create and pilot a complete training curriculum for T4C 
3.1 Training for Facilitators.
    Scope of Work: At the end of this cooperative agreement, a 
curriculum will be developed using the Instructional Theory into 
Practice (ITIP) model. The curriculum will include a facilitator's 
manual and all relevant supplemental material (such as presentation 
slides, visual and/or audio aids, handouts, and exercises). The use of 
blended learning tools such as a live Web-based training environment or 
supplemental online training courses is required. Clear learning 
objectives must be contained in each lesson, and delivery modality 
should be based on how to most efficiently and effectively achieve 
these objectives.
    The curriculum will be piloted and changes incorporated as 
necessary. An additional pilot should then take place followed by the 
delivery of a final product. The ultimate outcome objective of the 
curriculum must be skill-based, involving preparing staff to 
effectively deliver T4C 3.1 to offender groups. Tests for knowledge/
skill acquisition should be incorporated into each component of the 
program. Consideration should be given to requiring participants to 
complete some work, such as reading assignments or online courses 
through NIC's Learning Center, in advance of classroom instruction. 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 with the 
purpose of helping to revise and improve the training and curriculum.
    Specific Requirements: The Training for Facilitators curriculum 
will be based on the recently revised T4C 3.1 curriculum and may 
incorporate elements from an earlier version of the Training for 
Facilitators curriculum. The curriculum must follow the ITIP model.
    Among other factors, the cooperative agreement will be awarded 
while taking into consideration a proposal that demonstrates a person 
or team with knowledge, experience, and expertise in the following: 
Curriculum design and development; the ITIP model; distance learning 
development; blended learning curricula design and delivery; general 
training for trainers and/or training for facilitators; cognitive 
behavioral interventions and theories; the cognitive self-change model; 
social skills training; problem solving training; Thinking for a Change 
(original version); Thinking for a Change, version 3.1; Thinking for a 
Change Training for Facilitators (earlier version); project management; 
and product delivery on time and within budget.
    Document Preparation: For all awards in which a document will be a 
deliverable, the awardee must follow the Guidelines for Preparing and 
Submitting Manuscripts for Publication as found in the ``General 
Guidelines for Cooperative Agreements,'' which can be found on our Web 
site at www.nicic.gov/cooperativeagreements.
    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 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://nicic.gov/Downloads/General/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:  Pub. L. 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.
    The final products should include a complete curriculum (with all 
supplemental materials) and the delivery of two pilot trainings. Funds 
may only be used for the activities that are linked to the desired 
outcome of the project.
    The NIC Academy Division is interested in collaborating with the 
awardee throughout the development of the curriculum, and specifically 
for the creation of an e-learning component.
    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 following considerations will be taken into account for 
reviewing applications:

Programmatic (50%)

    Is there demonstrated knowledge of curriculum design and 
development? Is a specific model of curriculum development (e.g., ITIP) 
proposed? Is there demonstrated knowledge of adult learning theory? Is 
there demonstrated

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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? Is there a clear statement of 
how project goals will be accomplished, including major tasks that will 
lead to achieving the goal, the strategies to be employed, required 
staffing, and other required resources? Are there any innovative 
approaches, techniques, or design aspects proposed that will enhance 
the project? Is there demonstrated knowledge of cognitive behavioral 
theory and interventions? Are there demonstrated knowledge, skills, and 
experience with delivering training?

Organizational (20%)

    Do the skills, knowledge, and expertise of the organization and the 
proposed project staff demonstrate a high level of competency to 
fulfill the tasks? Does the applicant/organization have the necessary 
experience and organizational capacity to meet all goals of the 
project? Are the proposed project management and staffing plans 
realistic and sufficient to complete the project within the specified 
time frame?

Project Management/Administration (20%)

    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? Is 
the proposed budget realistic, does it provide sufficient cost detail/
narrative, and does it represent good value relative to the anticipated 
results?

Financial/Administrative (10%)

    Is there adequate cost narrative to support the proposed budget? 
Does the cost seem reasonable? Does the proposal seem to provide good 
value?

    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 Application Number: 12AC12. 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: 16.601.
    Executive Order 12372: This project is not subject to the 
provisions of Executive Order 12372.

Harry Fenstermaker,
CFO, National Institute of Corrections.
[FR Doc. 2012-1720 Filed 1-26-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4410-36-P