Solicitation for a Cooperative Agreement: Strategic Essentials for the Advancement of Women Executives in Corrections, 78047-78049 [2011-32121]

Agencies

• Department of Justice
• National Institute of Corrections

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 241 (Thursday, December 15, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 78047-78049]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-32121]


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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

National Institute of Corrections


Solicitation for a Cooperative Agreement: Strategic Essentials 
for the Advancement of Women Executives in Corrections

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 from organizations, groups, or individuals to enter into an 
18-month cooperative agreement to provide for the revision of Strategic 
Development of the Executive Woman, and to plan and deliver the program 
in 2012. NIC continues to build upon the success of its women's-only 
programming, where gender barriers are eliminated and acceleration of 
learning is possible. The award recipient will become familiar with the 
work currently being done at NIC that provides for an understanding of 
the history and future development goals for this series.
    The award includes responsibility for the updated Instructional 
Theory into Practice (ITIP) formatted curriculum, and in collaboration 
with the NIC Research and Information Services Division, an evaluation 
of the initial program delivery using the NIC training evaluation 
protocol. This should represent a minimal cost to the award recipient. 
The project will also address strategies for additional learning and 
networking upon training completion.

DATES: Applications must be received by 2 p.m. EDT on Thursday, 
February 15, 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 73106, extension 0 
for pickup.
    Faxed applications will NOT be accepted. Electronic applications 
can be submitted only via www.grants.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: A copy of this announcement can be 
downloaded from the NIC Web page at www.nicic.gov.
    All technical or programmatic questions concerning this 
announcement should be directed to Evelyn Bush, Correctional Program 
Specialist, National Institute of Corrections. She can be reached at 
e1bush@bop.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Curriculum Design: The curriculum design for Executive Leadership 
for Women was based on research done with corrections practitioners and 
women in senior positions in

[[Page 78048]]

correctional leadership. Several assessments were administered to these 
groups, and the findings formed the development of a set of 10 
competencies essential to future leadership effectiveness in 
corrections. From these, a Correctional Leadership Competency Model was 
designed.
    Over the last five years, NIC's Executive Leadership for Women in 
Corrections program has adapted to be current with recent trends such 
as those noted in the NIC Correctional Competencies publication.
    Background: The National Institute of Corrections, Prisons 
Division, offered its first executive leadership training for women in 
1994. The program was designed to address both the personal and 
professional aspects of women's leadership in a nontraditional 
profession such as corrections. Through a two-part series, NIC helped 
close the gap for women executives in their knowledge, their 
recognition of their value to the organization, and their self and 
observer perception.
    Although the past three decades have witnessed a tremendous 
increase in the number of women working in corrections, the increasing 
numbers of women in the workforce have not been matched by 
corresponding advancement in executive and senior-level leadership 
positions. Women are underrepresented in senior and executive (CEO) 
leadership positions across all professions, but they are significantly 
underrepresented in the corrections field.
    By 2012, women will comprise 47.5% of the workforce. With the 
anticipated rise of women in the ranks of senior-level positions, 
forward-looking organizations proactively seek ways to advance the 
leadership capacities of the women they promote, or intend to promote, 
to senior and executive administration.
    Target Audience: Women who are senior- and upper-level correctional 
staff, serving in jails, prisons, and community corrections comprise 
the target audience for this program. They must be functioning at a 
senior or executive level.
    Curriculum Revision: Revision of the curriculum will include review 
of the current Strategic Development of Executive Women training 
program and development of learning materials. Any approach to revising 
the curriculum must include the following:
    Enhancements of the Existing Model: The revision should include a 
review and update of the current program/curriculum based on updated 
research on women's leadership, the NIC Senior-Level Leadership 
Competency, and recommendations gathered during the course of this 
cooperative agreement.
    Introduction of a New Model: The revision should include a review 
and update of the current program/curriculum using a competency-based 
leadership education model that can be modified to be corrections-
specific to women in senior management. It must also account for 
recommendations gathered during the course of this cooperative 
agreement.
    Products and Deliverables: Expected deliverables from this award 
include a training curriculum designed using the ITIP model of 
instruction, which will contain an instructor/facilitator's guide with 
associated tools, materials, and resources with a final, agreed upon 
curriculum delivered to NIC no later than June 1, 2012; a participant 
resource guide to be used in conjunction with the training; 
instructional aides, including presentation slide shows, CDs, charts, 
handouts, case studies, assessments, and experiential activities, etc. 
to support instruction and learning; and delivery and facilitation of a 
32-hour classroom training for 20 participants with blended learning 
tools.
    Training Program Description: The training program will be 
announced on NIC's Web site with its list of other training courses.
    Program Delivery: Delivery of the initial training program in 2012 
is part of this agreement. To ensure adequate development time, the 
applicant should expect to deliver the training between July 1 and 
September 1, 2012, on dates agreeable to NIC. The delivery includes 
preparation of program materials, setting the agenda for and hosting a 
faculty planning meeting, the contracting and training of NIC-approved 
faculty, and the administration of onsite logistics. Participant travel 
is managed and funded separately by NIC. Participant lodging and meals 
are funded within this agreement based on government per diem.
    Scope of Project: The recipient of this cooperative agreement award 
must, at a minimum, do the following within the scope of this project: 
In collaboration with the NIC, conduct a survey regarding critical 
leadership competencies or sets that organizations should be developing 
and conduct a survey to capture barriers that women and minorities face 
when seeking promotion to senior executive positions in corrections.
    The narrative portion of the cooperative agreement application 
should include, at a minimum (1) A clear description of women's 
learning orientations and the methodology that will be used to take 
these into consideration as part of the curriculum; (2) a brief summary 
that indicates the applicant's understanding of the purpose and need of 
this cooperative agreement; (3) a brief paragraph that summarizes the 
project goals and objectives; (4) a clear description of the 
methodology that will be used to complete the project and achieve its 
goals; (5) a clearly developed work plan with measurable project 
milestones and timelines for the completion of each milestone; (6) a 
description of the qualifications of the applicant and each project 
staff. Experienced correctional professional(s) are expected to be on 
the project team. These person(s) can be project staff or consultants. 
The correctional experience cited as qualifications must be at the 
senior or executive level or above; (7) a description of the staffing 
plan, including the role and time commitment for each project staff 
member and an applicant certification that identified staff have been 
contacted and that they will be available to work on this project; and 
(8) a budget that details all costs for the project, shows 
consideration for all contingencies, and notes a commitment to work 
within the proposed budget. The application must also include a budget 
narrative that explains how all costs were determined.
    Specific Requirements: The applicant will provide an example of 
several topics/modules that may be considered and their accompanying 
learning activity. Continuous consultation with the NIC Correctional 
Program Specialist (CPS) on both proposed curriculum content and 
training program strategies is necessary. The CPS will have final 
approval of both. The selected applicant will conduct a face-to-face 
training/planning meeting with the CPS and NIC-selected and approved 
trainers and/or faculty to deliver the program at least 60 days before 
the program start date. The awardee will be responsible for the 
preparation of all program training materials, negotiation, timely 
completion of faculty contracts, and coordination of all program site 
logistics. Participant/faculty lodging, meals, and administration of 
the associated logistics are to be funded within this agreement. 
Faculty travel must also be funded within this agreement. Knowledge and 
previous use of level-one and level-two evaluation methods is 
necessary. The use of blended learning tools, such as a live Web-based 
training environment or supplemental online information transfer, is 
expected.
    Site Selection: The training site must be a mutually agreed upon 
site and fall

[[Page 78049]]

within budgetary constraints. It should acknowledge the necessity of an 
evidence-based learning environment.
    Curriculum Specifications: The curriculum must be designed and 
developed while adhering to the following standards and specifications: 
The curriculum and training design must be consistent with and embrace 
the Instructional Theory into Practice (ITIP) model. A reference to 
this model can be found at https://nicic.gov/Library/010714. Written 
products are developed to support the training. The curriculum 
facilitation guide is written using a standard curriculum document 
format, which should include, at a minimum, modules/sections and 
titles, performance objectives/expectations, a learning activities 
guide, practice/application activities, evaluation methods, and 
resources needed to conduct training activities. Cited references 
should support the curriculum content and concepts. Copyright 
permissions should be secured for the use of copyright protected 
publications and materials with a minimum usage of three years. All 
documents must be delivered electronically in both MS Word 2003 or 
higher and hard copy; NIC will have final approval of the format, 
design, and organization of the curriculum documents.
    Required Expertise: The successful applicant and/or project staff 
will possess knowledge, skills, and experience in the following areas: 
Program design, strategic processes, correctional organizational 
culture, team dynamics, and change management. Demonstrated knowledge 
and experience with the dynamics affecting women in corrections is 
necessary. The applicant will provide an example of recent involvement 
in leadership development programming specific to women and possess 
knowledge and experience in curriculum development based on adult 
learning theory and the Instructional Theory into Practice (ITIP) 
format. Knowledge and expertise in a variety of instructional delivery 
strategies should utilize, but are not limited to, 360 assessment 
certification, asynchronous computer/Web-based instructor led, 
synchronous Web-based, and social learning networks, etc. Skill in 
designing training curriculum linked to training objectives, knowledge 
of available training evaluation methods, and effective written and 
oral communication skills are necessary.
    Review Considerations: Applications received under this 
announcement will be subject to the NIC Review Process. The criteria 
for the evaluation of each application will be as follows:

Programmatic (40%)

    Are all the tasks adequately discussed? Is there a clear 
understanding of the problem to be addressed? Are the staffing, 
resources, and strategies to be employed sound and reasonable? Does the 
applicant have a track record for this work? Are there any innovative 
approaches, techniques, or design aspects proposed that will enhance 
the project? Are adequate examples supplied? Are there examples 
provided?

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 in women's leadership development? Are the proposed project 
management and staffing plans realistic?

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 
sufficient background work done to support the approach?

Fiscal (10%)

    Is the proposed budget realistic? Does it provide sufficient cost 
detail/narrative and represent good value relative to the anticipated 
results?
    Application Requirements: Applications should be concisely written, 
typed double spaced and reference the ``NIC Funding Opportunity 
Number'' and Title provided in this announcement. The 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 that the applicant operates under (e.g., July 1 through 
June 30), an outline of projected costs, and the following forms: OMB 
Standard Form 424A, Budget Information--Non Construction Programs, OMB 
Standard Form 424B, Assurances--Non Construction Programs (available at 
www.grants.gov), and DOJ/NIC Certification Regarding Lobbying; 
Debarment, Suspension and Other Responsibility Matters; and Drug-Free 
Workplace Requirements (available at https://nicic.gov/Downloads/General/certif-frm.pdf
    Applications may be submitted in hard copy, or electronically via 
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. The program narrative text must 
be limited to 15 double-spaced pages, exclusive of resumes and 
summaries of experience. Please do not submit full curriculum vitae.

    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 (up to $100,000) may be 
awarded and used only for the activities that are linked to the desired 
goals and outcome of the project.
    This project will be a collaborative venture with the NIC Prisons 
Division.
    Eligibility of Applicants: An eligible applicant is any private 
agency, educational institution, organization, individual or team with 
expertise in the areas described. Review Considerations: Applications 
received under this announcement will be subjected to a 3- to 5-person 
NIC Peer Review Process.

    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.

    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: 
https://www.ccr.gov. A CCR handbook and worksheet can also be reviewed 
at the Web site.
    Number of Awards: One.
    NIC Funding Opportunity Number: 12PR02. 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.

Thomas J. Beauclair,
Deputy Director, National Institute of Corrections.
[FR Doc. 2011-32121 Filed 12-14-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4410-36-P