Updated: August 12, 2011: Added Questions & Answers

The National Institute of Corrections (NIC) Jails Division is seeking applications for the provision of training and related assistance for Indian Country jails, including those operated by tribes and by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). The project will be for a three-year period and will be carried out in conjunction with the NIC Jails Division. The awardee will work closely with NIC staff on all aspects of the project.

To be considered, applicants must demonstrate at a minimum:

1. in-depth knowledge of the purpose, functions, and operational complexities of jails
2. experience in working with Indian Country jails
3. in-depth knowledge of the key elements of jail administration, as taught in NIC’s Jail Administration training program
4. expertise and experience with jail standards and inspections
5. expertise and experience in conducting jail staffing analyses
6. experience in conducting training programs based on adult learning principles, specifically the Instructional Theory Into Practice (ITIP) model

The applicant team must include a curriculum specialist with expertise and experience in ITIP. The curriculum specialist will have a significant role in developing, reviewing, and revising the curriculum for the Jail Administration training program, as specified under “Scope of Work.”

DEADLINE: Applications must be received by 4:00 p.m. EDT, Friday, August 12, 2011.

Download the Full Solicitation

Learn more about NIC’s Cooperative Agreements

Additional documents: 

Staffing Analysis Workbook for Jails, 2nd Edition
Jail Administration Instructor Manual
Jail Administration Participant Manual

UPDATE: August 12th, 2011 – Questions & Answers

Question 1: Can you please confirm this is a 3year project with a TOTAL budget of 500K.
OR is it 500K per year x 3 years?

Answer: The budget is $500,000 total for all three years. It is not $500,000 per year.

UPDATE August 9th, 2011 - Questions & Answers

Following are the answers to questions received on August 4, 2011 in response to the above solicitation.

Question 1: What forms exactly do we need to submit for the budget? The 424A and B seem to be post award budget information, unless I am looking at the wrong ones? Please advise? What format do you need the budget in – narrative only, or with a spread sheet as well? (424A, Budget Information – Non-Construction Programs; OMB Standard Form 424B)

     Get these (listed below) from grants.gov along with the 424 filing? Or upload and include in packet?

• Assurances – Non-Construction Programs (both available at www.grants.gov); P/NIC

• Certification Regarding Lobbying, Debarment, Suspension and Other Responsibility Matters; and the Drug-Free Workplace Requirements (available at www.nicic.org/Downloads/general/certif-frm.pdf.)

Answer: As stated under the "Application Requirements" section of the solicitation, the award package must include the standard form 424A (detailing the budget categories and forecasted cash needs for the project) and a narrative justifying the costs. The forms found on Grants.gov are the correct forms. You are not required to attach an additional spreadsheet, unless you wish to for clarity.

      Your application package must also include SF424B (assurances) and the Certifications Regarding Lobbying, etc. form.

If you are submitting electronically, you can upload all these forms and submit them as electronic attachments. If you are submitting a hard copy application, then all forms need to be attached to the hard copy.

UPDATE July 28, 2011 - Questions & Answers

Following are the answers to questions received on July 28, 2011 in response to the above solicitation.

Question 1: Is this grant a cooperative agreement with the tribe to have training on the reservation to other tribes as well?

Answer: There are three types of training that will be conducted under the cooperative agreement.  First, the awardee will conduct NIC's program on key elements in jail administration.  The awardee will adjust the program as needed to reflect unique circumstances in Indian Country jails and will conduct the program 4 times.  The solicitation specifies that the program will be conducted in a location central to Indian Country jails, with a major airport nearby.  Top administrators of Indian Country jails nationwide will be invited to attend.

Second, the cooperative agreement awardee will develop a workshop on how to conduct a staffing analysis for jails.  The awardee will conduct this workshop once for a small group of BIA detention specialists, so they can help the jails conduct staffing analyses.  The awardee will conduct the workshop once at a site chosen by the BIA.

Finally, the cooperative agreement awardee will develop a workshop for a group of BIA staff and Indian Country jail administrators on how to conduct a peer review of standards-compliance levels in Indian Country jails.  The awardee will conduct this workshop once, and participants will be chosen by the BIA.  This training will be held at or near an Indian Country jail willing to allow the trainees to conduct a peer review of the jail.

We are seeking applicants who have, at a minimum, 1) in-depth knowledge of the purpose, functions, and operational complexities of local jails, 2) experience in working with Indian Country jails, 3) in-depth knowledge of the key elements of jail administration, as taught in NIC's Jail Administration training program, 4) expertise in and experience with jail standards and inspection, 5) expertise in and experience with conducting jail staffing analysis, and 6) experience in conducting training programs based on adult learning principles, specifically the Instructional Theory Into Practice Model (ITIP).  The applicant team must include a curriculum specialist with expertise in and experience with ITIP.