[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 78 (Friday, April 23, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21349-21351]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-9448]
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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
National Institute of Corrections
Solicitation for a Cooperative Agreement--Evaluation of Technical
Assistance for Evidence-Based Decisionmaking in Local Criminal Justice
Systems
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 soliciting
proposals to enter into a cooperative agreement for a 20-month project
to begin in June 2010. Work under this cooperative agreement will
involve documenting the technical assistance (TA) provided to up to six
sites selected as grantees under Phase II of the Evidence-Based
Decisionmaking in Local Criminal Justice Systems project. The purpose
of the evaluation is to assess the quality of the services provided to
the sites and to document the degree to which the technical assistance
services affected the sites' preparation to implement the Evidence-
Based Decisionmaking Framework (the Framework).
DATES: Applications must be received by 4 p.m. EDT on Friday, May 21,
2010.
ADDRESSES: Mailed applications must be sent to Director, National
Institute of Corrections, 320 First Street, NW., Room 5007, 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
(preferred) 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. All programmatic questions concerning
this announcement should be directed to Lori Eville, Correctional
Program Specialist, National Institute of Corrections. She can be
reached at 1-800-995-6423, extension 62848 or by e-mail at
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background: In June 2008, the National
Institute of Corrections awarded the Center for Effective Public
Policy, in partnership with the Pretrial Justice Institute, the Justice
Management Institute, and The Carey Group, a cooperative agreement to
address evidence-Based decisionmaking in local criminal justice
systems. The goal of the initiative is to build a systemwide framework
that will result in more collaborative, evidence-based decisionmaking
in local criminal justice systems. The initiative is grounded in the
accumulated knowledge of two decades of research on the factors that
contribute to criminal re-offending and the processes and methods the
justice system can employ to interrupt the cycle of re-offense. The
effort seeks to equip criminal justice policymakers in local
communities with the information, processes, and tools that will result
in a measurable reduction of pretrial misconduct and postconviction re-
offending.
The principle product of the initial 18-month phase of the
initiative is A Framework for Evidence-Based Decisionmaking in Local
Criminal Justice Systems (the Framework), which is designed to advance
constructive change in local level criminal justice decisionmaking. The
Framework describes key criminal justice decisions, evidence-based
knowledge about effective justice practices, and practical local level
strategies for applying risk and harm reduction principles and
techniques. A copy of the Evidence-Based Decisionmaking Framework
document can be downloaded online at http://www.cepp.com/ebdm.
A key component of the Framework is the Evidence-Based
Decisionmaking Logic Model, which represents the theory underlying the
Framework. The logic model addresses the implementation of the
Framework at the ``system'' level of the criminal justice system. It is
built upon the four principles underlying the Framework and outlines
the logical flow of both the processes and activities involved in its
implementation. The logic model also demonstrates the expected harm
reduction impacts that will result from these processes and activities.
The logic model is located on page 31 of the Framework document.
[[Page 21350]]
Scope of Work: NIC will work with a technical assistance provider
under Phase II of the project, under a separate cooperative agreement.
The technical assistance is intended to lead to the following outcomes:
(1) The establishment of collaborative partnerships among local
criminal justice stakeholders, (2) The development of a shared
philosophy and vision for the local criminal justice system, (3) The
capacity to collect and analyze data, including the quality of the
data, to support the implementation of the Framework and to support
ongoing analysis of the effectiveness of current and future policies,
practices, and services designed to achieve specific risk and harm
reduction outcomes, (4) Change in knowledge, skills, and abilities
regarding research-based risk reduction strategies, and (5) The
development of jurisdiction-specific tools to assist in the
implementation of evidence-based decisionmaking at the system, agency,
and case levels.
NIC anticipates that these outcomes will be further articulated
during Phase II as each site adapts the logic model to meet their
specific needs, but the goals listed above should guide applicants in
addressing how they will perform the project's five tasks.
Project Goals and Tasks: The goal of this cooperative agreement is
to assess the quality of services provided to the sites selected as
grantees under Phase II of the Evidence-Based Decisionmaking in Local
Criminal Justice Systems project. The assistance provided to these
sites is expected to increase their capacity for implementing the
Framework. The project should include an examination of how the
assistance provided affected implementation readiness at the system and
agency level. The recipient of the award under this cooperative
agreement will undertake the following tasks: Develop and submit a
final evaluation plan that describes the evaluation methodology,
qualitative and quantitative data to be collected, data collection
tools, and the analysis plan; Develop data collection instruments to
include site visit protocols, structured or semi-structured interview
guides, and data reporting forms to measure the following: Types and
amount of training, coaching, and technical assistance requested and
received; Number of persons trained; Nature of coaching of key leaders
and local project managers; Satisfaction with the quality of the
assistance received (did the technical assistance anticipate needs of
the system and agencies?); Changes in knowledge, skills and abilities
regarding research-based risk reduction strategies; Actions taken as a
result of the training and technical assistance which may include the
establishment of collaborative partnerships, development of a shared
philosophy and vision for the local criminal justice system, changes in
data collection and reporting, and the development of tools to assist
in the implementation of evidence-based decisionmaking; Changes and
outcomes observed as a result of the training and technical assistance;
Collect data from the sites through a minimum of one site visit to each
site; Attend a project kickoff meeting with the sites and the TA
provider, and conduct periodic meetings with the TA provider; Prepare
and submit a final evaluation report to NIC that provides the results
of the analysis and includes detailed descriptions of the assistance
and training received by the sites, the dosage of the assistance in
terms of frequency and duration, and the degree to which the assistance
leads to the intended outcomes.
Required Expertise: Successful applicants will be able to
demonstrate that they have the organizational capacity to carry out the
tasks of the project, including experience conducting qualitative and
quantitative program and technical assistance evaluation, extensive
experience in correctional and criminal justice policy and practice,
and a strong background in criminal justice system-wide change
initiatives. Preference will be given to applicants with experience
evaluating initiatives that focus on system-wide change and with
experience in the implementation of evidence-based practices in the
criminal justice system.
Application Requirements: Applications should be concisely written,
typed double spaced and reference the ``NIC Opportunity Number'' and
Title provided in this announcement. Please limit the program narrative
text to 20 double spaced, numbered pages. Resumes, summaries of
experience, or attachments will not be included in the 20-page limit.
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; a budget narrative explaining projected costs; and a
description of the qualifications of the applicant. 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 Drug-Free
Workplace Requirements (available at http://www.nicic.org/Downloads/PDF/cerif-frm.pdf).
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.
Budgets will be evaluated against the value of the products and
services proposed in the application.
This project will be a collaborative venture with the NIC Community
Corrections Division.
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 subject to the NIC Review Process. The criteria
for evaluation of each application will be as follows:
Program Narrative (50%)
Are all of the tasks adequately discussed and is there a clear
statement of how each of the tasks will be accomplished, including the
staffing, resources, and strategies to be employed? Are there any
innovative approaches, techniques, or design aspects proposed that will
enhance the project? Is the methodology proposed rigorous with an
appropriate analysis plan?
Organizational Capabilities (25%)
Do the skills, knowledge, and expertise of the applicant(s) and the
proposed project staff demonstrate a high level of competency to carry
out the tasks? Does the applicant have the necessary experience and
organizational capacity to carry out the goals of the project?
Program Management/Administration (25%)
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
[[Page 21351]]
detail/narrative, and does it represent 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, you would 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: 10C84. 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: 16.602.
Executive Order 12372: This program is not subject to the
provisions of Executive Order 12372.
Morris L. Thigpen,
Director, National Institute of Corrections.
[FR Doc. 2010-9448 Filed 4-22-10; 8:45 am]
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