Updated 2/8, 2/2: Questions and Answers appended

The National Institute of Corrections (NIC) Academy Division is seeking applications for the development of a competency-based, blended modality training curriculum that will provide corrections professionals with the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to facilitate offender groups using the Thinking for a Change(T4C) 3.1 curriculum.

Scope of Work: At the end of this cooperative agreement, a curriculum will be developed using the Instructional Theory into Practice (ITIP) model. The curriculum will include a facilitator’s manual and all relevant supplemental material (such as presentation slides, visual and/or audio aids, handouts, and exercises). The use of blended learning tools such as a live Web-based training environment or supplemental online training courses is required. 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.

The curriculum will be piloted and changes incorporated as necessary. An additional pilot should then take place followed by the delivery of a final product. The ultimate outcome objective of the curriculum must be skill-based, involving preparing staff to effectively deliver T4C 3.1 to offender groups. Tests for knowledge/skill acquisition should be incorporated into each component of the program. Consideration should be given to requiring participants to complete some work, such as reading assignments or online courses through NIC’s Learning Center, in advance of classroom instruction. 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 with the purpose of helping to revise and improve the training and curriculum.

DEADLINE: Applications must be received by 4:00 p.m. EDT, Friday, February 10, 2012.

• Download the Full Solicitation

• Learn more about NIC’s Cooperative Agreements

Questions and Answers:

1.  Question:  Has a competency model been developed, or is that part of this contract?

•   Answer: We do not have an existing competency model. A competency model would be a positive component of a proposal but is not required.

2.     Question: Are the timelines negotiable?

        ·         Answer:  The RFP specifies that the project should be done by September 2012, but specific goals and markers within that timeframe should be outlined in your proposal.

3.     Question: What level of WBT development is desired (levels 1-4)?

         ·         Answer: We did not specify this in the RFP. A proposed level development would be a positive component of a proposal, but it is not required.

4.     Question: Is the training to be integrated with an existing LMS?

         ·         Answer: Yes, it will be integrated with NIC’s Learning Center.

5.     Question: Is there an existing learning portal where the training will be hosted?

          ·         Answer: Yes, the existing portal is the NIC Learning Center.

6.     Question: Who will host and maintain the e-learning modules?

          ·         Answer: NIC has the capability to do this. We hope to be collaborative in the design and development of this piece of the curriculum.

7.     Question: The funding amount was not mentioned, but it would be helpful in determining the level of WBT we can develop.

          ·         Answer:  We are looking for the most creative proposals with a reasonable budget. Your proposal should include a suggested funding amount. Also, know that NIC would help develop the e-learning component, so that would defray direct costs to you. Regarding synchronous online learning, we can support that if you can develop it.

8.     Question: Would you clarify the cooperative relationship for this procurement? What is the agency's role and what kind of support will they provide?

           ·         Answer: The level of collaboration with the awardee is negotiable and dependent on the scope of work as outline in the proposal.

9.     Question: Is it to redo the lesson plans or is it to redo the lesson plans and also to formalize the advanced practicum?  Seems like the scope of work is significantly different between the two. Or is it something between the two?

           ·         Answer: This cooperative agreement is to update/rewrite the Training for Facilitators curriculum, incorporating version 3.1 and converting the training to a blended delivery format. We want to get away from 4 days of face-to-face time.
As for the Advanced Practicum (we're going to change the name to Training for Trainers), that will be the phase after this one, but it is not part of this cooperative agreement.

10.  Question: My Director is interested in applying for the NIC Cooperative Agreement - Curriculum Development: Thinking for a Change 3.1: Training for Facilitators, but we notice there is no funding amount mentioned.  Can you provide a ballpark figure that might be entertained?

             ·         Answer: We are looking for the most creative proposals with a reasonable budget. Your proposal should include a suggested funding amount for the scope of work proposed.

11.  Question: Ability to get an extension for submitting a proposal?

             ·         Answer: No, extensions are not allowed for this cooperative agreement opportunity.

12.  Question:  In regards to the facilitation training for the above opportunity. Is it your understanding that there will be 1 session (approx 25 modules) for up to 25 people (which you have identified) during (approximately - TBD) a 5 day period?

             ·         Answer:  NIC is requesting a blended delivery, so a training of a single session would not be appropriate. You will also find that the T4C curriculum has just 3 basic components that need to be taught, so you will not necessarily have to teach all 25 lessons to the group.

             ·         Follow up question: When you say blended delivery, are you meaning classroom/Web
instruction with an instructor and e-learning modules?

             ·         Answer: We are looking to limit the amount of face-to-face time by introducing distance learning techniques, such as Web-based learning or e-courses. Face-to-face delivery should be reserved for skill-building and practice, and the delivery modality should be based upon learning objectives.

13.  Question:  I was also wondering how payment will be disbursed for travel, accommodations, per diem, training days, e-learning (analysis, design, develop[ment], implementation and evaluation) and Web collaboration.

              ·         Answer: Payment on our cooperative agreements is generally disbursed quarterly, with the awardee submitting a quarterly report and request for remuneration.

14.  Question: Where will the train-the-trainer sessions be located?

              ·         Answer: NIC recommends that the face-to-face portion be held at its facility in Aurora, CO.

15.  Question: When will the train-the-trainer sessions take place?

               ·         Answer: This is for the awardee to propose.

16.  Question: Are we able to get copies of the following courses (to include all related documents) so that we can make a fair assessment of the time and kind of work involved? Thinking for a Change (original version); Thinking for a Change, version 3.1;
Thinking for a Change Training for Facilitators (earlier version) the recently revised T4C 3.1 Thinking for a Change Training

               ·         Answer: Here is the link to T4C 3.1: http://nicic.gov/Library/025057
You may request the other documents through our Information Center at http://info.nicic.gov/Customer/Ask.aspx#

17.  Question: What is the timeline for the creation, development and delivery of this project?

               ·         Answer: All materials are due to NIC by September 30, 2012.

18.  Question: When do you foresee the starting date for the contractor?

               ·         Answer: It is hoped that the contract starting date will be on or before March 1, 2012.

19.  Question:  How much live Web-based training environment or supplemental online training courses is required? Please be as specific as possible.

               ·         Answer:  The cooperative agreement awardee may offer suggested training locations, platforms, and session numbers in the final proposal. NIC would like to maximize distance learning wherever the learning objectives can be achieved through this means.

20.  Question:  [Are] the train-the-trainer sessions to be delivered at multiple locations? If so how much travel [do] you foresee for the contractor?

                ·         Answer: The awardee proposal should address expected locations and travel requirements for sessions and meetings related to the RFP. However, NIC does recommend as little travel as possible to keep costs down.

21. Question: Who is responsible for signing off on the storyboard?

                ·         Answer: NIC Correctional Program Specialist Michael Guevara will be the project monitor for this cooperative agreement and will sign off on the storyboard.

22. Question: Target audience: Who will be using this information or instruction?

                ·         Answer: Current and future trainers of T4C facilitators will be the users of this training.

23. Question: Access: Does the intended audience have network access, players for the media we want to use, and time to use the materials?

                ·         Answer: Access may vary. However, the curriculum should be designed to meet learning objectives regardless of the technology used.

24. Question: Needed outcomes: What results do you want to obtain? What should learners be able to do?

                ·         Answer: After completing the curriculum, participants should immediately be able to deliver T4C 3.1 effectively.

25. Question: Content availability: Can you show me the content that is available? I'm talking audio & video clips.

                ·         Answer: Here is the link to T4C 3.1: http://nicic.gov/Library/025057  You may request the other documents through our Information Center at http://info.nicic.gov/Customer/Ask.aspx

26. Question: Deadlines: I know that you want this deployed by September, but how much wiggle room do we have?

                ·         Answer: September is the deadline for completion of this project.  It is expected that all work be completed according to the requested timeline.  Only applicants who are well qualified and who have the capacity to complete the terms of the solicitation as outlined are asked to apply.

27. Question: Resources: What people/skills/tools/do you have committed to get this accomplished?  I'm talking one point of contact, decision makers, SMEs.

                ·         Answer: NIC Correctional Program Specialist Michael Guevara will be the project manager for this cooperative agreement.  He will act as a consulting subject matter expert, but the awardee may need to enlist the help of his/her own subject matter experts to meet the full requirements of the solicitation.  NIC is willing to develop an e-learning component of the curriculum in collaboration with the awardee.