Updated SOW GRE Spiritual Guide Muslim.pdf

LIFE CONNECTIONS -ISLAMIC SPIRITUAL

GUIDE STATEMENT OF WORK

Background

In September 2000, the Executive Staff of the Federal Bureau of Prisons approved a multi-faith, Residential Life Connections Pre-release Program. This is a voluntary program located in five institutions in various regions of the country. The program is available to men and women inmates.

The program provides inmates with intensive opportunities for spiritual growth and deepening their religious roots by sharing common space and programs for the purpose of personal transformation and reducing recidivism. Inmates will participate in religion specific and inter- faith program components designed to bring restoration with God, family, community, and self. The program's design will increase religious tolerance and respect among inmates of various faiths; will connect each inmate with a spiritual mentor;

and will link participants with a faith community at their release destination to enhance community reintegration. Another component of the program will initiate specific Victim Impact programs to assist inmates in claiming responsibility for their actions and making amends with victims, family, and community.

The program will enlist partnerships with individuals and organizations in its efforts to lower recidivism and facilitate spiritual growth and personal change. Volunteers, contractors, mentors, sponsoring religious congregations and organizations are all essential partners in the program.

The goal of the Bureau of Prisons Residential Life Connections Pre-release Program is to provide inmates living in a shared living space with intensive opportunities for holistic life restoration for the purpose of reducing recidivism and enhancing prison management.

Subject

Acquisition of an Islamic Spiritual Guide who will provide religious instruction and leadership for Islamic inmates participating in the Bureau of Prisons Residential Life Connections Program at the Federal Correctional Institution, Greenville located in Greenville, Illinois.

The Government intends to make a single award of a firm-fixed price contract. The proposed contract resulting from this solicitation is for a base year, and includes the possibility of four

(4) unilaterally exercised option years, for a possible five (5) year contract. The Government is not obligated to exercise any of the option years. The base year period of performance will be from October 1, 2023 through September 30, 2024.

The service to be provided under the contract shall be accomplished at:

FCI Greenville (Medium) 100 U.S. HWY 40 & 4th Street P.O. Box 4000 Greenville, IL 62246

Schedule

A session is defined as one hour. The contractor will normally provide six sessions per day up to 30 sessions each week of religious instruction and counseling in conjunction with the core curriculum topics of the Residential Life Connections Program. Work hours will normally be between the hours of 8:00 AM- 3:00 PM Monday thru Friday excluding Federal Holidays. The schedule may include evening hours based on program needs. The breakdown of hours will be determined locally and mutually agreed upon between the parties.

Due to the nature of the correctional setting, delays in performance of work may be experienced. Such delays may include but are not limited to inclement weather, electrical or mechanical problems, or other security matters. When contract employees report to the institution but are unable to perform services due to such delays, the contractor will be paid for one session.

Normally, any remaining sessions for that day will be suspended and the contractor will be free to leave and the contractor will not be paid for the remaining unperformed sessions.

However, if the institution requests that the contractor remain at the institution for eventual performance, the contractor shall be paid for such sessions. In the event of any absence, the contractor may make up his/her time so long as it does not exceed 30 hours in any given week. If the contractor fails to provide coverage, the Government may seek contractual remedy.

Education and Experience

The individual/organization providing Imam Services under contract award must possess an ordination certificate or like document showing they are a recognized clergy or spiritual leader in good standing with their faith community.

The contractor must have a minimum of three years of documented, continuous full-time experience as a minister with their faith community.

The contractor must possess at a minimum a Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent from an accredited college or university, with a major in religious studies, religious education, or a related curriculum. A degree in Islamic studies is preferred.

The contractor must specifically identify the individual that will be performing these services under any subsequent contract award. The contractor must provide proof that their candidate meets all qualifications. The candidate’s name and qualifications must be submitted at the time the quote is submitted. Contractors must submit with their quote a resume, photocopies of documents evidencing education and training.

Quoters must specifically identify the individual that will be performing these services under any subsequent contract award. The quoter must provide proof that their candidate meets all qualifications. The candidate's name and qualifications must be submitted at the time the quote is submitted. All Contractors must submit a resume with their quote and copies of documents evidencing education and training.

Quoters responding to this solicitation must complete and submit with their quote the attached form, "Credentials of Religious Services Contractor." Quoters should submit two personal references and one letter of endorsement from their local bop38579 Cross-Out religious organization. After review of these documents by Bureau of Prisons staff, vendors may be requested to submit additional documents for review or be interviewed by Bureau of Prisons staff.

Quoters failing to submit any of the required documents or participate in an interview (when required) will be removed from further consideration for award. Quoters providing unfavorable responses to the Credentials Form, or in the interview, may be ineligible for award.

Supplies and Equipment

All supplies that the contractor may need will be provided by the Federal Correctional Institution, Greenville. These supplies will normally include any materials needed to perform the services covered under this contract.

Description of Duties

Instruct inmates in the on-site Life Connections Program (LCP). Classes will consist of religious based instruction on the following broad topics: how to live with integrity, how to grow spiritually, how to be a spiritual leader, and any other subjects mutually agreed upon by the contractor and the COTR. The instructor will be responsible for the administration and grading of exams. The instructor will also be responsible to encourage the inmate’s participation in all aspects of the LCP, i.e. journaling, discussion/ accountability groups, service projects and victim impact discussion. The overall result of the instruction should be a reduction in recidivism and disciplinary problems.

Instruction will be provided according to the custom of the Islamic faith and tradition. The contract Imam will lead prayers and will counsel from the Islamic theological perspective.

General topics which should provide a religious basis for instruction of Life Connections Program life skills training for Islamic Contractors include:

• Islam and Muslims

• Qu’ranic Teachings

• Middle Path

• Allah/Tawhid

• Muslims: Commitments, Responsibilities, Qualities

• Morality and Justice

• Five Pillars of Islam

• Mohammad and the Sunna: Example of the Prophet

• Jihad: Its true meaning and purpose

• Observances for the Month of Ramadan

• The Feasts

• Sin, Repentance, Forgiveness

• Good Deeds

• This Life and the Hereafter

• Companionship/Family

• Modesty

• Equality of Women

• Creation

• Humility and Pride bop38579 Cross-Out

• Sincerity

• Prayer and Ritual

• Dawa

• Wudu

• Study of Arabic

Method of Instruction

Selected contractor will provide religious instruction based on their own expertise as it relates to the core curriculum materials. The contractor will work closely with the Chaplain Program Manager and other program staff to assist in the development of the program and to gauge the progress of individual participants. Consultations will be held with Life Connections Chaplain Program Manager as needed. Although the instruction will follow the tenants of Orthodox Islam, the contractor may work with participants who follow other interpretations of Islam.

Management

The contractor will be monitored by the Life Connections Chaplain Program Manager. The contractor shall attend all training required by the Bureau of Prisons for contract workers. The contractor will not be permitted to attend institution meetings, staff recalls, or government training sessions for institution staff on contract time or as a consideration of the contract.

The contractor may attend team meetings, departmental meetings, or other meetings relating to the involvement of the services to be provided by terms of the contract. Some meetings will be required and accomplished on contract time.

The contractor will provide a monthly billing statement to the contract monitor that accurately reflects the days of each visit, the number of hours or sessions of each visit, the general content of the sessions, and the total dollar amount due for that month’s services.

Provision of services will require frequent and unsupervised contact with inmates. The contract employee shall not be responsible for the management of any inmates, other than to ensure inmates involved within the contract's scope of work abide by all rules to ensure their safety and well-being. The contractor may, at any time, be removed from the institution at the discretion of the CEO. The contractor is to constantly be aware of security and maintain a professional relationship with inmates at all times. Any violation of the institution rules and regulations are to be brought immediately to the attention of any Government employee employed at the institution. The contractor will be required to provide documentation to the COR, or designee, of any infractions of institutional rules and regulations by inmates for proper action.

Institution Security

The contractor/contract employees shall agree to all regulations prescribed by the institution for the safety, custody, and conduct of inmates. The contractor shall attend the Institution Familiarization Orientation program prior to assuming institution involvement.

Reimbursement to the contractor for the time spent in the institution orientation or other specific security related training will be at the contract rate, prorated hourly. The contract employee will be required to sign in and out of the institution for accountability purposes. A badge will be issued and worn at all times for proper identification.

The Human Resources Department will establish a security file that will commence at the beginning of the contract and remain for the duration of the contract.

The following information will be maintained in this file:

a) National Crime Information Center Check (NCIC)

b) DOJ-99- Name Check

c) FD-258 – Fingerprint Check

d) OPM-329 A – Authority for Release of Information

e) Urinalysis

These requirements are in accordance with BOP P.S. 3000.2.

Non-Personal Services/Common Law Employee Information

The service is a contractual arrangement and not a personnel appointment. Payment is based on the provision of an end product or the accomplishment of a specific result. The service does not constitute an employer/employee relationship. The contractor will not be subject to Government supervision, except for security related matters. However, contractor performance shall be monitored.

If the resulting contract is made to an individual(s), the provision of these services has been determined to meet certain criteria for creating common law employee relationship.

Therefore, the BOP is responsible for the payment of FICA taxes (7.65%) and the withholding of the individual's taxes. These responsibilities apply only when award of this solicitation is made to an individual. It does not apply to companies or individuals who are incorporated. For evaluation purposes, an additional 7.65% will be added to the price submitted by individuals who are not incorporated.