SOW_BRAVE CORRECTED VERSION.pdf

Version 3, 5-12-2021

Psychology Services Branch BRAVE Program Research Project

Statement of Work

1.0 GENERAL

1.1 BACKGROUND

The mission of the Federal Bureau of Prisons (Bureau) is to protect society by confining offenders in the controlled environments of prisons and community-based facilities that are safe, humane, cost-efficient, and appropriately secure, and that provide work and other self-improvement opportunities to assist offenders in becoming law-abiding citizens. The Bureau has 122 prisons of various security levels, offering programming in many different areas including drug treatment, trauma services, and evidence-based programming, such as the Bureau Rehabilitation and Values Enhancement (BRAVE) Program.

Section 3631 of title 18 of the First Step Act of 2018 (2018) directs “ongoing research and data analysis” be conducted on:

“(A) evidence-based recidivism reduction programs relating to the use of prisoner risk and needs assessment tools;

“(B) the most effective and efficient uses of such programs;

“(C) which evidence-based recidivism reduction programs are the most effective at reducing recidivism, and the type, amount, and intensity of programming that most effectively reduces the risk of recidivism.”

The BRAVE Program is designed to facilitate favorable institutional adjustment among young, first-time Federal offenders serving lengthy sentences. The BRAVE Program is a six-month residential cognitive-behavioral program created to help inmates adjust to prison successfully. It is currently located at two Bureau facilities: Federal Correctional Institution (FCI), Beckley, West Virginia; and FCI Victorville, California. To qualify for the program, inmates must be 32 years of age or younger, have a sentence of at least 60 months, and be a first-time Bureau commitment.

The purpose of the current project is to conduct research exploring the effectiveness of the BRAVE Program on prison adjustment and inmate behavior.

1.2 SCOPE

The Reentry Services Division (RSD), Psychology Services Branch (PSB), requires the services of a Contractor with a doctoral-level education and a demonstrated body of research related to prison research. The Contractor must possess expertise in the field of prison programming and must have experience in conducting studies on program evaluation. Variables of interest in include symptom reduction, institutional adjustment of participants, and misconduct/criminal recidivism. The Contractor shall propose the research design, obtain approval from the Bureau’s Institutional Review Board (IRB), collect data, conduct analyses, and report findings and recommendations.

1.3 OBJECTIVE

The goals of this research are to (a) maintain compliance with the First Step Act of 2018 by conducting efficacy research on the Bureau’s programs, (b) determine the effectiveness of the Bureau’s BRAVE program on outcomes of adjustment and behavior, and (c) inform future program updates/revisions.

1.4 APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS

1.4.1 Compliance Documents

• Program Statement 1070.07, Research

(https://www.bop.gov/resources/research_and_reports.jsp)

• Department of Justice Regulations for Protecting Human Subjects (28 CFR 46)

(https://www.bop.gov/resources/pdfs/ore28cfr46.pdf)

Written reports shall be written using guidelines outlined in the style guide published by the American Psychological Association:

American Psychological Association. (2020). Publication manual of the American

Psychological Association (7th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.

1.4.2 Reference Documents

The following documents may be helpful to the Contractor in performing the work described in this document:

• Program Statement 5310.17, Psychology Services Manual (August 25, 2016)

• Program Statement 5310.16, Treatment and Care of Inmates with Mental Illness

(May 1, 2014)

• Program Statement 5330.11, CN-1, Psychology Treatment Programs (May 26, 2016)

These documents may be accessed via the Bureua’s public website:

https://www.bop.gov/PublicInfo/execute/policysearch?todo=query&series=5000

2.0 SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS/TASKS

2.1 TASK ONE. Empirical Research Process: The BRAVE Program

2.1.1 The Contractor shall submit a detailed proposed research design to PSB that will determine the efficacy of the BRAVE Program conducted by Psychology Services in Bureau facilities. While the Contractor is permitted flexibility in determining appropriate outcome variables with which to measure efficacy, the Contractor should consider pre-post questionnaires and pre-post indicators of disciplinary behavior (e.g., misconduct incident reports). Given the length of the contract, it is expected that while an initial study may use existing data, a longitudinal study will be considered as a follow up study.

2.1.2 The creation of the PSB-approved research design included in writing, in Bureau-required format consistent with the Bureau Program Statement of Research, and submitted to the Bureau’s IRB for review. Prior to Bureau IRB submission, PSB must approve the research https://www.bop.gov/resources/research_and_reports.jsp https://www.bop.gov/PublicInfo/execute/policysearch?todo=query&series=5000 design including the variables used to measure efficacy (e.g., disciplinary infractions;

experiences indicative of adjustment, such as participation in Education, other programming options, and acquisition of a job).

2.1.3 Modifications, as needed, to the IRB proposal, submitted in writing, in Bureau-required format consistent with the Bureau Program Statement of Research, to the IRB for review.

2.1.4 Data collection as per the selected research design which may entail, but is not limited to, any of the following activities:

• Observation of BRAVE programming at one of two facilities where the program is located;

• Obtaining data from BRAVE staff. For example, any pre-group and post-group measure data or to relay any concerns related to fidelity of the program at the specific facility;

• Obtaining pre-existing data from the Bureau’s Office of Research and Evaluation and RSD (to be de-identified in any dataset removed from Bureau premises). Data such as these may include disciplinary infraction information, security level, or other information which might aid in the research process and contribute to descriptive statistics and findings.

2.1.5 Data analysis consistent with the proposed research design and consistent with the proposed data analytic procedures outlined in the approved IRB proposal. Completed analysis may be examined by ORE for review. The ORE may submit to the PSB any recommended modifications or additional analyses. Concurrence by PSB will result in submission of these recommendations to the Contractor who will need to consider any changes, if practicable.

2.1.6 Written presentation of findings and results submitted to PSB with specific sections consistent with industry standards and standards of scholarly writing (American Psychological Association, 2020). The report shall include the following components:

• Title page

• Abstract

• Introduction

• Methods

• Results

• Discussion

• References

2.1.7 In-person presentation of findings and results to PSB at the Central Office in Washington, D.C. within 30 days of written report completion.

2.1.8 With IRB prior approval, preparation of manuscript(s) in collaboration with PSB staff for submission for publication in peer-reviewed journals and/or correctional magazines.

2.1.9 Written information for non-scholarly audiences, including stakeholders, that demonstrate the research findings and draw on the Contractor’s experience with and knowledge of the field.

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 develop research methodology specific to cognitive behavioral intervention programs in correctional environments. Professional staff shall only perform those duties for which their position, certification and degree dictates.

• The contractor must have achieved education at the doctoral level (e.g., PhD, PsyD).

• The contractor must demonstrate experience, knowledge and familiarity with the following: program evaluation, cognitive behavioral therapy, the Risk-Need-Responsivity model, behavioral change programs, and correctional systems. This must have been gained on the national level.

• The contractor must have experience conducting research on psychological topics as shown by a body of published work in peer-reviewed journals.

• The contractor must have experience in the provision of presentations on psychology-related topics.

• The contractor must have experience with data analysis and advanced statistics.

• The contractor must have experience working collaboratively with other professionals in the field as evidenced by joint grants, joint research, and/or joint presentations.

• The contractor must demonstrate experience publishing articles in professional, peer-reviewed journals that describe the results of program evaluations including programs involving justice-involved individuals.

• The contractor must have some knowledge and experience working with correctional systems.

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 all contract support personnel are present for all hours of the workday. If for any reason the Contractor staffing levels are not maintained due to vacation, leave, appointments, etc., and replacement personnel will not be provided, the Contractor shall provide e-mail notification to the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) prior to employee absence. Otherwise, the Contractor shall provide a fully qualified replacement.

3.3 KEY PERSONNEL

The contractor shall hire key personnel to be approved by the Bureau to meet SOW requirements. The contractor will identify the key personnel by name, position, and responsibility. The contractor will staff all key personnel positions throughout the performance of the contract. Before replacing any individual designated as Key by the Government, the Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer no less than 15 business days in advance, submit written justification for replacement, and provide the name and qualifications of any proposed substitute(s). All proposed substitutes shall possess qualifications equal to or superior to those of the Key person being replaced, unless otherwise approved by the Contracting Officer. The Contractor shall not replace Key Contractor personnel without approval from the Contracting Officer. The following Contractor personnel are designated as Key for this requirement:

• Project Manager Note: The Government may designate additional Contractor personnel as Key at the time of award.

3.4 PROJECT MANAGER

The Contractor shall act as or provide a Project Manager who shall be responsible for all Contractor work performed under this SOW. The Project Manager shall be a single point of contact for the Contracting Officer and the COR. It is anticipated that the Project Manager, if not the Contractor, shall be one of the senior level employees provided by the Contractor for this work effort. The name of the Project Manager, and the name(s) of any alternate(s) who shall act for the Contractor in the absence of the Project Manager, shall be provided to the Government as part of the Contractor's proposal. The Project Manager is further designated as Key by the Government. During any absence of the Project Manager, only one alternate shall have full authority to act for the Contractor on all matters relating to work performed under this contract. The Project Manager and all designated alternates shall be able to read, write, speak and understand English. Additionally, the Contractor shall not replace the Project Manager without prior approval from the Contracting Officer.

3.4.1 The Project Manager shall be available to the COR via telephone between the hours of 10:00 am and 3:00 pm EST, Monday through Friday, and shall respond to a request for discussion or resolution of technical problems within 48 hours of notification.

3.5 EMPLOYEE IDENTIFICATION

3.5.1 Visiting Contractors shall comply with all Government escort rules and requirements. All Contractors 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.

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

3.6 EMPLOYEE CONDUCT

The Contractor and Contractor employees 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 Contractor employees 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 Project Manager shall ensure Contractor employees understand and abide by Department of Justice established rules, regulations and policies concerning safety and security.

3.7 REMOVING EMPLOYEES FOR MISCONDUCT OR SECURITY REASONS

The Government may, at its sole discretion (in coordination with the Contracting Officer where practical), direct the Contractor to remove any Contractor employee from Bureau facilities for misconduct or security reasons. Removal does not relieve the Contractor of the responsibility to continue providing the services required under the contract. The Contracting Officer will provide the Contractor with a written explanation to support any request to remove an employee.

4.0 OTHER APPLICABLE CONDITIONS

4.1 SECURITY

Contractor access to unclassified, but Security Sensitive Information may be required under this SOW. Contractor employees shall safeguard this information against unauthorized disclosure or dissemination.

4.2 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

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

Base Period September 1, 2021 to August 31, 2022 Option Period One September 1, 2022 to August 31, 2023 Option Period Two September 1, 2023 to August 31, 2024 Option Period Three September 1, 2024 to August 31, 2025 Option Period Four September 1, 2025 to August 31, 2026

4.3 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

The primary place of performance will be the Contractor’s facilities. At the Contractor’s request, contracting employees may visit a site relevant to the research being conducted (i.e., to observe BRAVE programming). The location of the visit will be determined based on geographic proximity to the Contractor’s location, availability of a BRAVE program, and the ability of the facility to accommodate an observer. While visits are non-mandatory, Contractors will be encouraged to observe one of two BRAVE programs.

4.4 POST AWARD CONFERENCE

The Contractor shall virtually attend a 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 held via teleconference.

4.5 PROJECT PLAN

The Contractor shall provide a draft Project Plan at the Post Award Conference for Government review and comment. The Contractor shall provide a final Project Plan to the COR not later than 40 business days after the Post Award Conference.

4.6 PROGRESS REPORTS

The Project Manager shall provide a quarterly progress report to the Contracting Officer and the 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 relevant to the reporting period.

4.7 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.

4.8 GENERAL REPORT REQUIREMENTS

The Contractor shall provide all written reports in electronic format with read/write capability using applications that are compatible with Bureau workstations (i.e., Microsoft Office Applications).

4.9 PROTECTION OF INFORMATION

Contractor employees 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.

5.0 GOVERNMENT TERMS & DEFINITIONS

5.1 COR – Contracting Officer’s Representative

5.2 PSB − Psychology Services Branch

5.3 RSD − Reentry Services Division

5.4 BRAVE – Bureau Rehabilitation and Values Enhancement

5.5 FCI – Federal Correctional Institution

5.6 ORE – Office of Research and Evaluation

6.0 GOVERNMENT FURNISHED RESOURCES

The Government will not furnish facilities, property, equipment, supplies, or services to the Contractor in support of this contract. The Government will provide the following information, data and documents to the Contractor for work required under this contract:

• Treatment protocols

• Treatment records of program participants, including attendance, diagnostic, and progress information

• Demographic data (e.g., age, race, ethnicity, security level, etc.) as required by approved research design

• Institution adjustment data (e.g., incident reports of misconduct, work assignments, programming records, etc.)

• Pre- and post-assessment data, as required by approved research desi

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.

The Contractor must have access to the appropriate statistical software package (e.g., SPSS, SAS). The Contractor must have access to any personal (non-Bureau) electronic resources for preparing and writing any component related to the research process (e.g., computer, printer, scanner). Any needs associated with either statistical software or electronic resources will be included in the fixed fee for the task.

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 40 business days to review deliverables and make comments. The Contractor shall have 40 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

ITEM SOW

REFERENCE DELIVERABLE / EVENT DUE BY

DISTRIBUTION

1 4.4 Post Award Conference 20 business days after contract award

N/A

2 2.1.1, 4.5 Draft Contractor Project Plan

40 business days after the Post Award Conference

COR,

Contracting Officer

3 2.1.2 IRB Proposal 60 business days after the Post Award Conference

COR

4 4.6 Progress Reviews Quarterly

COR,

Contracting Officer

5 2.1.6 Written Presentation of Findings

30 days after completion of each study

ITEM SOW

REFERENCE DELIVERABLE / EVENT DUE BY

DISTRIBUTION

6 2.1.7 In-Person Presentation of Findings

30 days after completion of the final written presentation of findings

COR

7 2.1.9

Written Information for Non-Scholarly Audiences After All Studies are Completed

30 days after completion of all studies

References

First Step Act of 2018, Pub. L. No. 115-391, 18 U.S.C. § 3631, 132 Stat. 5194 (2018).

https://uscode.house.gov/statutes/pl/115/391.pdf