Cultural Competence SOW final.pdf

Version 1, 3/15/2021

FEDERAL BUREAU OF PRISONS (BOP) STATEMENT OF WORK

PSYCHOLOGY SERVICES BRANCH (PSB) CULTURAL COMPETENCE INITIATIVE

1.0 GENERAL

1.1 BACKGROUND

Within the context of the First Step Act, the Bureau is charged with implementing a criminogenic risk-needs assessment system and ensuring the delivery of evidence-based treatment programs that address mental health/substance use problems and reduce recidivism.

Culturally-responsive assessments and treatments delivered by competent mental health professionals are critical and necessary components of valid evidence-based practices in the field of psychology.

Within the context of mental health treatment, cultural competence is defined as “asset of skills or processes that enable mental health professionals to provide services that are culturally appropriate for the diverse populations that they serve” (Bhui et al., 2007).

Culturally competent psychological treatment programs and assessment methods demonstrate empathy and understanding of cultural differences in treatment design, implementation, and evaluation. Culturally competent treatment is characterized by:

staff knowledge of or sensitivity to the first language of clients, staff understanding of the cultural nuances of the client population, staff backgrounds similar to those of the client population, treatment methods that reflect the culture-specific values and treatment needs of clients, and inclusion of the client population in program policy-making and decision-making.

In 2017, the American Psychological Association (APA) published updated clinical practice guidelines to provide a framework for the development, delivery, and supervision of culturally competent psychological services (APA, 2017). Among other principles, these guidelines emphasize:

the importance of staff’s awareness of their own cultural identities and how this may influence clinical work;

recognizing the role of the social and physical environment on the lives of clients and supervisees;

and the need to recognize and address institutional barriers and related disparities in certain systems, including the criminal justice system.

Psychology Services Departments actively support the Bureau’s mission by providing a broad range of mental health care and reentry programming that is consistent with the highest professional standards and best practices in the field of correctional psychology. To further support this work, the Bureau seeks to establish a framework to help clinicians and administrators integrate cultural factors into the evaluation and treatment of inmates with behavioral health problems.

1.2 SCOPE OF WORK

The scope of work for this contract addresses three organizational levels: individual clinical staff, clinical treatment programs, and administrative components.

Individual Clinical Staff: Comprehensive Training and Professional Development

The Contractor shall design and deliver a comprehensive program of targeted, experiential clinical training for Psychology Services staff at all levels of professional practice (e.g., clinical supervisors, doctoral-level psychologists, treatment specialists), using a mix of live face-to-face training and virtual training platforms. The Contractor shall provide necessary materials and resources (e.g., handouts). Professional development workshops and training for staff shall be offered based on identified needs of current leadership and staff. Services shall be customized to provide specific strategies and skills to address identified areas of growth and shall be informed by best practices and guided instructional techniques. Experiential learning shall be used to facilitate transformational outcomes. Primary trainers shall include subject matter experts in the area of culturally responsive psychological treatment.

Clinical Treatment Programs: Cultural Audit The Contractor shall conduct an assessment of existing manualized treatment protocols, standard forms used by Psychology Services, and redacted clinical documentation provided by the Psychology Services Branch. Analysis shall include an examination of cultural characteristics, including (but not limited to) assumptions, norms, values, and evaluation practices. The Contractor shall provide general and program-specific recommendations to enhance treatment effectiveness, improve clinical documentation, and inform protocol revisions and updates.

Administrative Components: Strategic Planning The strategic planning process provides an opportunity to evaluate the Bureau’s model of psychological service delivery from a perspective of cultural competence. This analysis informs decisions about priorities, goals, and objectives; guides action planning;

and establishes benchmarks to evaluate progress. The Contractor shall provide a comprehensive report of findings and recommended strategic planning priorities informed by the following:

1. a review of relevant policies and guidance documents provided by the Psychology

Service Branch,

2. findings and recommendations included in the cultural audit,

3. cultural surveys of staff,

4. key informant interviews, including Bureau of Prisons leaders and employees who have the authority to determine policies and practices related to mental health programs and care,

5. targeted focus groups that include mental health clinicians at all levels (e.g., doctoral-level psychologists, intern trainees, treatment specialists, social workers),

6. feedback from inmates about their experiences of psychological and drug treatment services offered.

2.0 SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS/TASKS

2.1 TASK ONE: STAFF TRAINING

The Contractor shall develop a comprehensive training program and related materials and resources for current and future training of Psychology Services staff on culturally competent practice. Training program materials include:

Outlines of training goals, objectives, and skills

Instructional guides/lesson plans for delivery of training materials

Resources materials (e.g., videos, worksheets, etc.) for each training module

The comprehensive training program shall address the following topics:

Cultural Humility

Examining Implicit/Unconscious Biases

Understanding Positionality and Privilege

Multicultural Considerations in Correctional Environments

Addressing Cultural Therapeutic Ruptures

Supervision and Management of Culturally Competent Practice

Supervision of Culturally Diverse Staff

Race-related Stress

Mental Health and Substance Use Treatment for Lesbians, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning (LGBTQ) Populations

Multicultural Considerations in Small Process Groups

Experiencing Racial Trauma as a Mental Health Care Professional Other topics shall be approved by the Bureau.

The Contractor shall provide a maximum of 350 hours of training during the contract period.

The Contractor shall travel to conduct live, face-to-face training with staff no more than twelve times during the contract period. Face-to-face training events may include one-, two-, or three-day workshops, with at least two trainers. The remainder of the training shall be conducted using standard virtual platforms broadly accessible to Bureau staff (e.g., WebEx, Zoom).

Training expenses (including travel costs) shall be included in the fixed fee for the task.

Primary trainers shall include subject matter experts with extensive experience in helping mental health professionals develop skills in the area of culturally responsive clinical practice.

Requirement: 350 training hours (175 hours delivered in the base year, 175 hours delivered in Option Year One)

2.2 TASK TWO: CULTURAL AUDIT REPORT

The Contractor shall conduct a thorough assessment of existing manualized treatment protocols (four residential treatment programs, eight non-residential treatment/psychoeducational programs), standard forms used by Psychology Services, and redacted clinical documentation provided by the Psychology Services Branch. Analysis shall include an examination of cultural characteristics, including (but not limited to) assumptions, norms, and values inherent in assessment and treatment practices. The Contractor shall provide a comprehensive detailed report that includes the following components:

1) executive summary;

2) a description of assessment and data collection procedures;

3) a description of qualitative analyses performed;

4) a review of findings, including the extent to which clinical practices

a) endorse a collaborative approach to interviews, assessment, and treatment planning,

b) are designed to purposefully obtain and integrate culturally relevant information and themes,

c) incorporate culturally appropriate screening and assessment tools,

d) integrate culturally responsive considerations into treatment;

5) recommendations to maximize delivery of existing treatment protocols within a framework of cultural competence;

6) recommendations for revision to treatment protocols/manuals as is practicable.

Requirement: one comprehensive cultural audit report, due in Option Year One

2.3 TASK THREE: STRATEGIC PLAN

The strategic planning process provides an opportunity to evaluate the Bureau’s model of psychological service delivery from a perspective of cultural competence. This analysis informs decisions about priorities, goals, and objectives; guides action planning; and establishes benchmarks to evaluate progress. The Contractor shall provide a comprehensive, individualized report of findings and recommended strategic planning priorities informed by information gathered from multiple sources. The report shall include the following components:

1) executive summary;

2) a description of procedures used to gather information, including questionnaires and interview forms;

3) identified strengths in the Bureau’s psychological service delivery model from a perspective of cultural competence;

4) identified gaps/areas in need of continued development;

5) recommendations for creating an action plan to support culturally responsive program delivery, staff development, policies and procedures, and administrative practices;

6) recommended benchmarks to evaluate progress;

7) a sustainability plan identifying strategies to support achievement of long-term program goals.

Requirement: one comprehensive strategic plan, due in Option Year One

3.0 CONTRACTOR PERSONNEL

3.1 QUALIFIED PERSONNEL

The Contractor shall provide qualified personnel to perform all requirements specified in this

SOW. The contractor must specifically identify the individual(s) that will be performing these services under any subsequent contract award. The contractor must provide proof that their candidate(s) meet all qualifications. The candidate(s)'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, training, and experience. The contractor shall possess the necessary skills, abilities, and credentials to identify the cultural training needs of

BOP staff, train BOP psychologists and treatment specialists, develop culturally relevant assessment tools, and make recommendations regarding the cultural appropriateness of BOP treatment protocols. Professional staff shall only perform those duties for which their position, certification and degree dictates.

The contractor must demonstrate experience, knowledge and familiarity with the following: cultural diversity, psychological interventions in correctional settings, training clinical staff in the delivery of culturally competent psychological services.

The contractor will be training psychologists in clinical competencies and is required to have a doctorate in clinical or counseling psychology.

The contractor must have experience in assessing the needs of specific groups of staff and developing curricula to meet their needs.

The contractor must have and demonstrate experience and knowledge in the needs of culturally diverse offenders as well as the delivery of cognitive behavioral therapy methods to offenders.

The contractor shall provide key personnel to be approved by the Bureau to meet SOW requirements.

The contractor will identify the key personnel (i.e., primary trainer, primary researcher) by name, position, and responsibility.

The contractor will staff all key personnel positions throughout the performance of the contract.

The contractor will notify the Bureau in writing if any key personnel vacate a position permanently and indicate when an equivalent replacement will be made. The replacement staff must be equivalent in credentials and experience. The notification to the BOP will occur within three calendar days of the vacancy.

3.2 CONTINUITY OF SUPPORT

The Contractor shall ensure that the contractually required level of support for this requirement is maintained at all times. The Contractor shall ensure that the Contractor or key personnel are present for trainings. The Contractor shall also ensure that the Contractor or key personnel are available to address Bureau questions or concerns with regard to performance of the contract. If for any reason the Contractor or key personnel are unavailable due to vacation, leave, appointments, etc., the Contractor shall provide e-mail notification to the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) prior to the absence.

4.0 OTHER APPLICABLE CONDITIONS

4.1 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The period of performance for this contract is a one-year base period with one one-year option period as follows:

Base Period Sept 1, 2021 through August 31, 2022 Option Period One Sept 1, 2022 through August 31, 2023

4.2 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

The primary place of performance will be the Contractor’s facilities with twelve visits to the Federal Bureau of Prisons’ training sites.

4.3 POST AWARD CONFERENCE

The Contractor shall attend a virtual Post Award Conference with the Contracting Officer and the COR no later than 20 business days after the date of award. The purpose of the Post Award Conference, which will be chaired by the Contracting Officer, is to discuss technical and contracting objectives of this contract and review the Contractor's draft project plan. The Post Award Conference will be via teleconference.

4.5 PROGRESS REPORTS

The Contractor shall provide a quarterly (i.e., every three months from the date of contract award) progress report to the Contracting Officer and COR via electronic mail. This report shall include a summary of all Contractor work performed, including all deliverables invoiced, an assessment of technical progress, and any Contractor concerns or recommendations for the previous reporting period.

4.5 PROGRESS MEETINGS

The Project Manager shall be available to meet with the COR upon request to present deliverables, discuss progress, exchange information and resolve emergent technical problems and issues. These meetings shall take place via teleconference.

5.0 GOVERNMENT TERMS & DEFINITIONS

COR Contracting Officer’s Representative BOP Bureau of Prisons

6.0 GOVERNMENT FURNISHED RESOURCES

The Government will provide the workspace and equipment necessary to perform the face-to-face in-person training portion of Contractor services required in this contract, unless specifically stated otherwise in this work statement. Training materials (e.g., handouts) will provided by the Contractor.

7.0 CONTRACTOR FURNISHED PROPERTY

The Contractor shall furnish all facilities, materials, equipment and services necessary to fulfill the requirements of this contract, except for the Government Furnished Resources specified in SOW 2.0 and SOW 6.0.

8.0 GOVERNMENT ACCEPTANCE PERIOD

The COR will review deliverables prior to acceptance and provide the contractor with an e-mail that provides documented reasons for non-acceptance. If the deliverable is acceptable, the COR will send an e-mail to the Contractor notifying it that the deliverable has been accepted.

8.1 The COR will have the right to reject or require correction of any deficiencies found in the deliverables that are contrary to the information contained in the Contractor’s accepted proposal. In the event of a rejected deliverable, the Contractor will be notified in writing by the COR of the specific reasons for rejection. The Contractor may have an opportunity to correct the rejected deliverable and return it per delivery instructions.

8.2 The COR will have 20 business days to review deliverables and make comments. The Contractor shall have 20 business days to make corrections and redeliver.

8.3 All other review times and schedules for deliverables shall be agreed upon by the parties based on the final approved Project Plan. The Contractor shall be responsible for timely delivery to Government personnel in the agreed upon review chain, at each stage of the review.

The Contractor shall work with personnel reviewing the deliverables to assure that the established schedule is maintained.

9.0 DELIVERABLES

The Contractor shall consider items in BOLD as having mandatory due dates. Items in italics are deliverables or events that must be reviewed and/or approved by the COR prior to proceeding to next deliverable or event in this SOW.

ITEM

SOW

REFERENCE

DELIVERABLE / EVENT DUE BY

DISTRIBUTION

1 4.3 Post Award Conference

N/A

2 4.4 Draft Contractor Project Plan

COR,

Contracting Officer

3 4.4 Final Contractor Project Plan

COR,

Officer

4 4.9 Progress Reports 10 business days following the end of the preceding quarter

COR,

Officer

10.0 EVALUATION CRITERIA

The offeror’s proposal must clearly demonstrate, at the time of submission, unless otherwise stated, the capability to meet the Decisional Rule criteria. Proposals shall be rated go or no-go based on the Decisional Rule criteria. Proposals shall clearly demonstrate the capability to meet all of the following Decisional Rule criteria:

10.1 The offeror clearly demonstrates the ability to provide effective didactic interactive training events.

10.1.1 The offeror must submit a lesson plan for a four-hour minimum training event on some aspect of culturally responsive behavioral health treatment.

10.1.2 The offeror must submit documentation demonstrating delivery of at least six training events on some aspect of cultural competence, including contact information for the organization or individual who can verify service delivery,

10.2 The offeror clearly demonstrates the ability to conduct a cultural audit of behavioral health practices and produce a thorough and comprehensive report including standard elements (i.e., executive summary, methods of data collection, analyses performed, recommendations).

10.2.1 The offeror must submit a sample cultural audit.

10.2.2 The offeror must submit at least one reference who can verify the offeror completed a cultural audit and associated report.

10.3 The offeror clearly demonstrates the ability to create a strategic plan conduct a cultural audit of behavioral health practices and produce an individualized, thorough, and comprehensive report.

10.3.1 The offeror must submit a sample strategic plan.

10.3.2 The offeror must submit at least one reference who can verify the offeror completed a strategic plan.

10.4 The offeror holds a doctorate in clinical or counseling psychology.

10.4.1 The offeror must submit a college and postgraduate transcripts showing all degrees awarded or state license to practice psychology.

10.5 The offeror clearly demonstrates the ability to organize a comprehensive, clinically-based cultural competence project inclusive of staff training and analysis of current operations.

10.5.1 The offeror will submit a draft project plan including proposed training topics and project benchmarks.

11.0 CONTRACTING AND ADMINISTRATIVE AUTHORITY

11.1 The Contracting Officer (CO) is the only person authorized to approve changes or modify any of the requirements under the contract, and notwithstanding any provision contained elsewhere in this contract, the said authority remains solely with the Contracting Officer. In the event the Contractor affects any such change at the direction of any person other than the Contracting Officer, the change will be considered to have been made without authority and no adjustments will be made in the contract price, delivery schedule, terms or conditions to cover any increase in costs incurred as a result.

11.2 The contractor shall submit requests for modifications to this contract to the Contracting Officer, with a copy of the request to the COR. Any Government requested additions or changes to the contract will be issued by the Contracting Officer to the contractor.

11.3 Contractual problems, of any nature, that may arise during the performance of this contract must be handled in conformance with specific public laws and regulations (e.g., Federal Acquisition Regulation). Only the Contracting Officer is authorized to resolve such problems.

Requests for information on matters related to this contract, such as explanations of terms and conditions or contractual interpretations, shall be submitted to the Contracting Officer.

11.4 The Contracting Officer will appoint a COR for this contract. The COR is responsible for monitoring contractor performance in accordance with the terms and conditions of the BPA and providing direction to the contractor which clarifies the effort, fills in details or otherwise serves to accomplish the contractual scope of work, and evaluates contractor performance.

The COR does not have the authority to alter the contractor's obligations under the contract, direct changes that fall within the Changes Clause, and/or modify any of the expressed terms, conditions, specifications, or costs of this agreement. If as a result of technical discussions it is desirable to alter/change the contractual obligations or requirements, the Contracting Officer shall issue such changes in writing under signature.

12.0 CONTRACTOR AND KEY PERSONNEL SECURITY REQUIREMENTS

13.0 CONFIDENTIALITY AND NON-DISCLOSURE

13.1 Contractor access to unclassified, but Security Sensitive Information may be required under this SOW. Contractor and key personnel shall safeguard sensitive information against unauthorized disclosure or dissemination in accordance with the Privacy Act, OMB M06-16 (PII) and other pertinent laws and regulations governing the confidentiality of privileged information and Safeguarding Sensitive But Unclassified (SBU) (For Official Use Only) Information.

13.2 The contractor will destroy all non-public information and documents, including, but not limited to, clinical documentation, when practicable or, at the latest, project completion. The contractor is prohibited from permanently storing, replicating, forwarding, selling, or sharing any Bureau of Prisons record(s) with any individual or entity without prior consultation and written authorization from the Bureau.

13.3 The contractor shall agree: the deliverable and associated working papers and other material which have been generated by the contractor in the performance of this contract are the property of the U.S. Government.

13.4 The Contracting Officer shall be the sole authorized official to release verbally, or in writing, any date, the deliverable, or any other written or printed materials pertaining to this project. The contractor shall release no information. Any request for information relating to this contract presented to the contractor must be submitted to the Contracting Officer for response.

14.0 CONTRACTOR AND KEY PERSONNEL CONDUCT

14.1 Visiting Contractors and key personnel shall comply with all Government escort rules and requirements. All Contractors and key personnel shall identify themselves as Contractors when their status is not readily apparent and display all identification and visitor badges in plain view above the waist at all times.

14.2 All Contractors and key personnel shall identify themselves as Contractors when their status is not readily apparent (in meetings, when answering Government telephones, in e-mail messages, etc.).

14.3 The Contractor and key personnel shall comply with all applicable Government regulations, policies and procedures (e.g., fire, safety, sanitation, environmental protection, security, “off limits” areas, etc.) when visiting or working at Government facilities. The Contractor shall ensure key personnel present a professional appearance at all times and that their conduct shall not reflect discredit on the United States or the Department of Justice. The Contractor shall ensure key personnel understand and abide by Department of Justice established rules, regulations and policies concerning safety and security.