[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 129 (Thursday, July 5, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39741-39743]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-16334]


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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

National Institute of Corrections


Solicitation for a Cooperative Agreement--Curricula Review and 
Revision: NIC Trainer Development Series

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 soliciting proposals from organizations, groups, or individuals to 
enter into a cooperative agreement for the review, revision, and/or 
development of competency-based, blended modality training curricula 
with the aim of providing corrections agencies and professionals with 
the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to train and develop their 
staff.

DATES: Application must be received by 4 p.m. (EDT) on Friday, July 20, 
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 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. Mr. Guevara can be reached by calling 800-995-6429, ext. 
6617, or by email at [email protected]. In addition to the direct reply, 
all questions and responses will be posted on NIC's Web site at 
www.nicic.gov for public review (the names of those submitting 
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. Only questions received by 12 p.m. 
(EDT) on July 13, 2012 will be posted on the NIC Web site.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Overview: NIC is revitalizing its trainer development series with 
the goal of helping corrections agencies and trainers improve staff 
training and development. NIC is interested in updating some of its 
curricula, including ``Training Design and Development,'' ``Foundation 
Skills for Trainers,'' ``Building Agency Success: Developing an 
Effective FTO/OJT Training Program,'' and ``Training for Training 
Directors.'' NIC is also interested in the development of a model 
Training for Trainers template that could be applied broadly, enabling 
agencies to train trainers in existing curricula.
    All curricula will follow the Instructional Theory into Practice 
(ITIP) model and will incorporate blended learning strategies. A copy 
of the ``ITIP Toolkit,'' which may be useful in helping awardees 
develop acceptable curricula, is available on the NIC Web site at 
http://nicic.gov/Library/024773. An essential component of this project 
will be the incorporation of current research on adult learning and 
performance. The use of multiple delivery technologies is required.
    Background: NIC has prioritized capacity building in corrections 
agencies for decades. While NIC frequently relied on traditional 
classroom-based training in the past, the emergence of new technologies 
and the

[[Page 39742]]

ever-growing body of research on adult learning and performance has 
caused NIC's approach to shift to blended delivery. Blended learning 
environments can increase the efficiency of professional development, 
and research supports that these methods are equally as effective as 
more traditional deliveries.
    Three important factors have caused NIC to reexamine its trainer 
development series. The first factor is the effect of ongoing budget 
constraints on agencies and departments throughout the country. Staff 
development divisions have been hit particularly hard by budget cuts, 
and administrators are faced with the difficult task of finding 
personnel qualified to train their staff. Second, a wide variety of 
technologies have emerged in the last decade (and new ones debut at an 
astounding rate) that can enhance learning experiences and make 
training both more effective and more efficient. Third, research on 
adult learning and performance continues to grow, mandating that lesson 
plans be examined to ensure that the instructional design itself (as 
well as the subject matter) is evidence-based.
    Purpose: To comparatively review current resources, analyze gaps, 
and, based on that analysis, revise or create a new NIC learning and 
performance series of curricula.
    Scope of Work: By the end of this cooperative agreement, the 
awardee will complete four interrelated tasks: (1) Conduct an 
exhaustive review of available resources related to learning and 
performance. This review should include resources external to NIC as 
well as those generated by NIC. (2) Conduct a gap analysis and make 
recommendations on how to revise existing curricula or create new 
curricula to meet the learning and performance needs of the corrections 
field. While recommendations for other curricula revisions will be 
considered, NIC is particularly interested in the revitalization of the 
following: ``Training Design and Development'' (http://nicic.gov/Library/019271); ``Foundation Skills for Trainers'' (http://nicic.gov/Library/019541); ``Building Agency Success: Developing an Effective 
FTO/OJT Training Program'' (http://nicic.gov/Library/019856); and 
``Training for Training Directors'' (http://nicic.gov/Library/022679). 
(3) Upon completion of the resource review and analysis, and after 
consultation with the NIC project manager, the awardee will revise or 
develop the agreed-upon curricula. The four curricula mentioned in the 
previous paragraph will be revised as part of this cooperative 
agreement. The resource review and gap analysis will inform how they 
will be revised and how the awardee will best incorporate blended 
learning strategies. All new or revised curricula will be developed 
following the Instructional Theory into Practice (ITIP) model. Each 
curriculum will include facilitator manuals, participant materials, and 
all relevant supplemental material such as presentation slides, visual 
and/or audio aids, videos, virtual instructor-led training lesson 
plans, handouts, and exercises. 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. (4) 
Finally, the awardee will develop a model Training for Trainers 
template that can be applied broadly and enable agencies to train 
trainers in existing curricula.
    Specific Requirements: The incorporation of blended learning 
strategies is mandatory. An example of a blended curriculum may 
include: (A) Taking one or more asynchronous e-courses on such topics 
as the fundamentals of training (e.g., ``Instructional Theory into 
Practice (ITIP): No Fail Lesson Plan Construction,'' or ``How to 
Develop Effective Performance Objectives,'' both available through 
NIC's Learn Center: http://nic.learn.com/); (B) One or more virtual 
instructor-led trainings on, for example, distance learning or the 
effective use of social media in a learning environment. This medium is 
also ideal for orientation, expectations, and other basics; (C) Reading 
assignments on current research; (D) Discussion forums, blogs, and/or 
social media threads to create a community of practice; (E) Classroom-
based training for modeling and guided practice of interpersonal 
skills; (F) Independent practice at home agencies; and (G) Follow-up 
VILTs focusing on implementation and action planning.
    Among other factors, the cooperative agreement will be awarded with 
consideration for a proposal that demonstrates an organization, group, 
or individual with knowledge, experience, and expertise in the 
following: Curriculum design and development; Adult learning theory; 
Current research in the areas of learning and performance; Applying the 
ITIP (or comparable) model; Designing and delivering effective blended 
learning curricula; Training for trainers design and delivery; Managing 
projects and delivering products on time and within budget.
    Requirement for Example of Blended Curriculum Work: All applicants 
must supply one example of a blended curriculum designed, developed, 
and delivered by the applicant. If different team members have 
experience with different aspects of design and delivery, elements of 
each from separate curricula are acceptable.
    Document Requirements: Documents or other media produced under this 
award must follow these guidelines: Prior to the preparation of the 
final draft of any document or other media, the awardee must consult 
with NIC's writer/editor concerning the acceptable formats for 
manuscript submissions and the technical specifications for electronic 
media. The awardee must follow the guidelines listed herein, as well as 
follow (1) the Guidelines for Preparing and Submitting Manuscripts for 
Publication as found in the ``General Guidelines for Cooperative 
Agreements,'' which can be found on the NIC Web site at www.nicic.gov/cooperativeagreements and (2) NIC recommendations for producing media 
using plain language, which can be found at www.nicic.gov/plainlanguage.
    All final documents and other media submitted under this project 
may be posted on the NIC Web site and must meet the federal 
government's requirement for accessibility (e.g., 508 PDFs or HTML 
files). The awardee must provide descriptive text interpreting all 
graphics, photos, graphs, and/or multimedia that will be included with 
or distributed alongside the materials and must provide transcripts for 
all applicable audio/visual works.
    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

[[Page 39743]]

at http://www.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: 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. Funding is set at $100,000. 
Funds may be used only for the activities that are 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 the NIC review process. The criteria 
for the evaluation of each application will be as follows:

Programmatic (50%)

    Is there demonstrated knowledge of adult learning theory? Is there 
a demonstrated knowledge of the ITIP model of curriculum development? 
Does the applicant demonstrate knowledge, skill, and experience in 
designing and developing curricula? Does the applicant demonstrate 
knowledge, skill, and experience in designing and developing training 
for trainers? Is there demonstrated knowledge of how to effectively use 
blended learning techniques? Does the proposal clearly lay out a plan 
for incorporating blended learning strategies? Are there any innovative 
approaches, techniques, or design aspects proposed that will enhance 
the project?

Organizational (20%)

    Do the skills, knowledge, and expertise of the organization and the 
proposed project staff demonstrate a high level of competency to 
complete 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 (15%)

    Does the applicant identify specific and reasonable objectives, 
milestones, and measures to track progress? Are major tasks and 
strategies that will be used to achieve objectives and milestones 
clearly identified? Is a clear and reasonable structure for the 
allocation of all personnel, consultants, and resources laid out?

Financial/Administrative (15%)

    Is there adequate cost narrative to support the proposed budget? 
Does the budget seem realistic, and does the cost seem reasonable? Does 
the proposal seem to provide good value relative to the anticipated 
results?

    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, dial 1-866-705-5711 and select option 1).
    Registration in the CCR 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: 12AC15. 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.

Morris L. Thigpen,
Director, National Institute of Corrections.
[FR Doc. 2012-16334 Filed 7-3-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4410-36-P