[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 165 (Thursday, August 26, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52552-52554]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-21221]
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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
National Institute of Corrections
Solicitation for a Cooperative Agreement--Curriculum Development:
Implementing and Sustaining an Evidence-Based Risk Reduction Approach
for First- and Mid-Level Supervisors in Corrections Settings
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) is seeking
applications for the development of a competency-based, blended
modality training curriculum that will provide corrections supervisors
and managers with the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to model,
coach, implement, and oversee an evidence-based risk reduction approach
in correctional settings.
DATES: Applications must be received by 12 noon EDT on Friday,
September 3, 2010.
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 only 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 303-365-4415, or by e-mail at
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Overview: NIC is seeking assistance to develop a blended learning
curriculum for implementing and sustaining an evidence-based risk
reduction approach for first- and mid-level supervisors in any and all
correctional settings. The curriculum must adhere to NIC's
Instructional Theory into Practice (ITIP) model, which applicants can
find on NIC's Web site via the following link: http://www.nicic.gov/pubs/1992/010714.pdf. The curriculum must be based on applicable
literature and products published by NIC over the last several years,
as well as current research and practice in the field of corrections,
adult learning, and instructional strategies. The curriculum will use a
blended learning format and include a distance learning component. It
may make use solely of a distance learning approach. The curriculum
will be piloted and implemented in a future funding cycle.
Background: For years, NIC has been committed to promoting risk
reduction through the use of evidence-based policies and practices.
Most of the work NIC has completed in this area has taken the form of
technical assistance, direct work with agencies, and the publication of
papers and manuals on related topics. To date, much of the focus of
NIC's work in evidence-based practices has been in the area of
community corrections. NIC would like to expand on this work by making
it applicable and accessible to all corrections disciplines by
developing a curriculum for first- and mid-level
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managers, regardless of the corrections setting in which they work.
Purpose: To create a blended learning curriculum for implementing
and sustaining an evidence-based risk reduction approach for first- and
mid-level supervisors in corrections settings.
Scope of Work: At the end of this cooperative agreement, a
curriculum should be developed using NIC's Instructional Theory into
Practice (ITIP) model. The curriculum should include a facilitator's
manual, participant's manual, action learning plan, and all relevant
supplemental material (such as PowerPoint slides, visual &/or audio
aids, handouts, exercises, etc.). The use of blended learning tools
such as a live web-based training environment (e.g., WebEx), DVDs,
satellite/Internet broadcasts, e-learning, or supplemental online
training courses is mandatory. During the implementation phase, NIC may
participate directly in the production of some or all of these
products. Clear learning objectives should be contained in each lesson,
and delivery modality should be based on how to most efficiently and
effectively achieve these objectives. A pre- and post-test, as well as
quizzes and action learning plans shall be developed as necessary.
Consideration should be given to preparing participants through advance
work, such as reading assignments or taking an online course through
NIC's Learning Center. 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 to help revise and improve the training
and curriculum.
Specific Requirements: The curriculum is intended to be part of a
comprehensive strategy for implementing evidence-based risk reduction
approaches in any corrections agency. First- and mid-level managers
must model, coach, implement, and oversee these approaches and require
specific knowledge, skills, and attitudes to do so. As an integral part
of their jobs, and as part of a solid evidence-based model, supervisors
must possess effective communication skills and the ability to enhance
internal motivation. They must also be able to coach their staff in
those same skills. Therefore, interpersonal communication skills and a
technology such as motivational interviewing should be included in the
curriculum, within the context of an overall approach to becoming an
evidence-based organization. The curriculum will be based on products
and documents developed by the National Institute of Corrections over
the past several years, as well as other work from the private or
public sector that can inform the development of an effective learning
experience for students. Since this curriculum is about evidence-based
approaches, both the content and learning design of the curriculum
itself should have firm foundations in research. Please reference
specific sources that will be used in the development of the
curriculum. This blended learning curriculum will be in whole or in
part a distance learning curriculum. Although there is no guarantee
that the awardee/writer of this curriculum will participate in the
implementation phase, ideas for how to maximize NIC resources during
pilot and implementation should be included as part of the curriculum's
instructional strategies. An example of a blended learning approach
designed by the person or agency submitting the application should be
included.
Document Requirements: Publications produced under this award must
follow the ``Guidelines for Preparing and Submitting Manuscripts for
Publication'' as found in the General Guidelines for Cooperative
Agreements which will be included in the award package. All final
publications submitted for posting on the NIC Web site must meet the
federal government's requirement for accessibility (508 PDF or HTML
file). All documents developed under this cooperative agreement must be
submitted in draft form to NIC for review before the final products are
delivered.
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 (ten pages
maximum for the program narrative), 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://www.nicic.gov/Downloads/PDF/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. Up to $88,000.00 may be
available for the development of this curriculum. The final budget and
award amount will be negotiated between NIC and the successful
applicant. Funds may be used only for the activities 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 a 3- to 5-person NIC Peer Review
Process. The criteria for the evaluation of each application will be as
follows:
Programmatic (45%): Is there demonstrated knowledge of curriculum
development? Is a specific model of curriculum development (e.g., ITIP)
proposed? Is there demonstrated knowledge of training for first- and
mid-level supervisor positions? Is there demonstrated knowledge of
evidence-based practices? Is there demonstrated knowledge of how
training in evidence-based practices fits into an overall strategy of
organizational development? Is there demonstrated knowledge of the role
of first- and mid-level supervisors in the process of organizational
change? Is there demonstrated 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? Are there any innovative approaches, techniques, or design
aspects proposed that will enhance the project?
Organizational (30%): Do the skills, knowledge, and expertise of
the organization and the proposed project staff demonstrate a high
level of competency to carry out the tasks? Does the applicant/
organization have the necessary experience and organizational
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capacity to carry out all goals of the project? 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?
Project Management/Administration (25%): Does the applicant
identify reasonable objectives, milestones, and measures to track
progress? Is there a clear statement of how project goals will be
accomplished, to include: Major tasks that will lead to achieving the
goals, the strategies to be employed, required staffing and other
required resources? Are the proposed project management and staffing
plans clear, realistic, and sufficient to complete the project?
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 Opportunity Number: 10A64. This number should appear as a
reference line in the cover letter, in box 4a of 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. 2010-21221 Filed 8-25-10; 8:45 am]
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