25AC04 - Cognitive Behavioral NOFO FINAL.pdf

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National Institute of Corrections (NIC) Course Design Audit Checklist – FY2024

Course Level Audit Points

Audit Point YES NO N/A Auditor Notes There is a course overview.

The course overview contains the course background.

The course overview contains the course purpose.

The course overview describes the learning environments in which the course will be delivered.

The course overview lists the learning methods used in the course i.e. independent learning, experiential learning, coaching

The course overview describes the course structure i.e. there is a course outline that includes modules and lessons.

The course overview describes the course target audience.

The course overview lists any criteria and/or qualifications necessary for course participants.

The course overview identifies the recommended number of participants.

The course overview addresses course pre-requisites.

The course overview contains course objectives.

The course objectives contain condition, action, and criteria.

The course objectives are at least at the application level of Bloom’s Taxonomy.

The objective action verbs are appropriate to the domain of learning.

The objective criteria facilitate measurement and evaluation.

The course overview lists the total course length and the length of each course component.

The course overview lists the necessary resources and materials to deliver the course successfully.

The course overview lists criteria and/or necessary qualifications for the course facilitator.

The course overview lists the instructional methods and strategies that will be used to meet the course and performance objectives i.e. practice, role play, lecture.

The course overview contains an evaluation plan and/or assessment strategy for meeting course objectives.

The course evaluation plan and/or assessment strategy includes specific information regarding Level 1 (Reaction) Evaluation.

specific information regarding Level 2 (Learning) Evaluation.

specific information regarding Level 3 (Transfer) Evaluation.

specific information regarding Level 4 (Impact) Evaluation.

The course overview contains development, review, and revision information i.e. dates, titles, and signatures

The course overview contains a glossary of terms related to the course.

The course overview contains a reference and/or resource listing.

The course overview contains information related to copyright issues i.e. graphics and content

The course content appears logically sequenced.

All course materials are 508 compliant.

Module Level Audit Points

There is a module overview.

All modules materials are 508 compliant.

The module overview describes the module structure i.e. there is a module outline.

The module overview contains module objectives.

The module objectives contain condition, action, and criteria.

The module objectives are at least at the application level of Bloom’s taxonomy.

The module objectives clearly support course objectives.

The module overview lists the total module length and the length of each lesson in the module.

The module overview lists the necessary resources and materials to deliver the module successfully.

The module overview lists the instructional methods and strategies that will be used to meet the module and performance objectives i.e. practice, role play, lecture.

The module overview contains a references and/or resources section.

Lesson Level Audit Points

There is a facilitator guide for the lesson.

All lesson materials are 508 compliant.

The facilitator guide contains a lesson overview.

The lesson overview identifies the lesson as a component of a module and/or course.

The lesson overview describes the lesson structure i.e. is there a lesson outline.

The lesson overview identifies the target audience.

The lesson overview identifies the recommended number of participants.

The lesson overview lists information regarding pre-requisites.

The lesson overview lists the necessary resources and materials to facilitate the session.

The lesson overview describes the ideal room configuration for the session.

The recommended room set up is congruent with the activities in the lesson.

The lesson overview lists the total lesson delivery time.

The lesson overview lists all references and/or resources used.

The lesson overview contains performance objectives.

The performance objectives clearly support the module and/or course objectives.

The performance objectives contain condition, action, and criteria.

The performance objectives are at least at the application level of Bloom’s Taxonomy.

The lesson overview lists the instructional methods and strategies that will be used to meet the performance objectives i.e. practice, role play, lecture.

The lesson overview lists the evaluation methods that will be used to evaluate performance objectives i.e. quizzes, checks for understanding, demonstration, tests

Master copies of any evaluation forms to be used during delivery are included in the facilitator guide.

Evaluation measures are both formative (knowledge checks) and summative (tests, demonstrations).

There is congruence between the evaluation measures and the performance objectives.

The facilitator guide contains scripts and or instructions for each learning component in the lesson.

The instructional content begins with an anticipatory set.

The anticipatory set previews the lesson content and establishes learner readiness for instructional input.

The anticipatory set links old/existing information to the new information to be presented.

The anticipatory set establishes the learning expectations for the lesson including the performance objectives.

The lesson uses at least three different instructional methods to deliver content.

Instructional methods are appropriately matched to performance objectives.

Lecture(s) during the lesson is limited in duration to no more than 20 minutes at a time.

There is practice incorporated for new knowledge or skill introduced in the lesson.

There is feedback incorporated for each practice session.

The amount of time allowed for the lesson is adequate to cover the content including all activities, practice, and feedback

The content transitions smoothly from one topic to the next.

The content clearly and adequately covers all performance objectives.

The instructional content ends with a summary that reinforces learning points.

Each component of the lesson has identified timeframes.

There is an opportunity for participants to provide feedback to the facilitator regarding learning content.

The facilitator guide correctly references supplemental materials such as the participant guide, handouts and presentation graphics.

There is a participant guide.

The participant guide clearly states purpose and effective use to the learner.

All materials in the participant guide are copyright compliant.

The participant guide offers the learner space to incorporate their own notes.

The learning materials in the participant guide supplement the learning content from the lesson or directly reinforce it.

Participant guide content flows in the same sequence as lesson content.

Graphics in the participant guide are clearly labeled.

Graphics are close to the text they illustrate.

Graphics in the participant guide match graphics in the presentation visuals and other learning materials such as posters.

Text in the participant guide is chunked, labeled, and sequenced.

There are handouts.

Handouts are copyright compliant.

Handouts directly support the learning content and/or activities.

Handouts clearly list the topic and purpose.

Handouts clearly state whether they need to be returned or are for participants to keep.

Text on handouts is chunked, labeled, and sequenced.

Handouts have space for participants to add their own notes if applicable.

Graphics on handouts are labeled.

Graphics are close to the text they illustrate.

A master copy of the handout is included in the facilitator guide.

There are presentation visuals i.e. PowerPoint, Prezi, or posters.

All graphics are copyright compliant.

Graphics directly support learning content.

“Decorative” graphics such as logos are limited to the opening slide of a slide show.

Graphics are labeled.

Text narration of graphics is limited, Labels for graphics are close to the relevant part of the graphic.

Text on slides is limited.

Text on slides is chunked and sequenced.

Complexity of the graphic is congruent to the learning level of participants i.e. novice v. experienced learners.

Transitions and other presentation software functions are basic and limited.

25AC04

The National Institute of Corrections (NIC) is seeking applications for funding under the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 for Facilitation Skills for Cognitive Behavioral Programs in Corrections. This program builds the capacity and sustainability of federal, state, local, and tribal correctional agencies in developing and establishing effective cognitive behavioral rehabilitation interventions and strategies for people under correctional control.

NIC FY 2025 Facilitation Skills for Cognitive Behavioral Programs in Corrections

Applicants to NIC for awards with expected issuance dates on or after October 1, 2024, should be aware of revisions to the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (2 CFR Part 200) effective from that date. All NIC awards issued on or after October 1, 2024, will be subject to the revised regulations. You may incorporate these changes into your applications now.

Significant changes to 2 CFR Part 200 that may be most relevant for NIC’s applicants and recipients include:

an increase in the de minimis indirect cost rate from 10% to 15% of Modified Total Direct Costs (2 CFR § 200.414 [f]), an increase in the threshold for determining equipment from a per unit cost of $5,000 to $10,000 (2 CFR § 200.313), an increase in the upper limit for computers as supplies from $5,000 to $10,000, an increase in the threshold for reporting unused supplies from an aggregate value of greater than $5,000 to $10,000 (2 CFR § 200.314), an increase in the threshold for excluding subaward costs from the modified total direct cost base from $25,000 to $50,000.

a requirement that recipients verify that subrecipients are not suspended, debarred, or otherwise excluded from receiving Federal funds (2 CFR § 200.332), and an increase in the Single Audit Threshold from $750,000 to $1 million (2 CFR § 200.501).

Recipients of NIC awards issued prior to October 1, 2024, will not be subject to the new regulations, although supplements to these awards will.

NIC encourages applicants and recipients to read OMB’s final rule, now entitled OMB Guidance for Federal Financial Assistance, at: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/04/22/2024- 07496/guidance-for-federal-financial-assistance .

Eligibility

NIC invites applications from nonprofit organizations (including faith-based, community, and tribal organizations), for-profit organizations (including tribal for-profit organizations), and institutions of https://nicic.gov/ https://nicic.gov/ higher education (including tribal institutions of higher education). Recipients, including for-profit organizations, must agree to waive any profit or fee for services. Foreign governments, international organizations, and non-governmental international organizations/institutions are not eligible to apply.

Proof of 501(c) (3) status as determined by the Internal Revenue Service or an authorizing tribal resolution is required.

NIC welcomes applications that involve two or more entities; however, one eligible entity must be the applicant and the others must be proposed as subrecipients. The applicant must be the entity with primary responsibility for administering the funding and managing the entire program. Only one (1) application will be accepted from a submitting organization.

NIC may elect to make awards for applications submitted under this solicitation in future fiscal years, dependent on the merit of the applications and on the availability of appropriations.

For additional eligibility information, see Section C. Eligibility Information.

Deadline

Applicants must register with Grants.gov prior to submitting an application. NIC encourages applicants to register several weeks before the application submission deadline. In addition, NIC urges applicants to submit applications 72 hours prior to the application due date. All applications are due to be submitted and in receipt of a successful validation message in Grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. eastern time on October 15, 2024.

Late applications are neither reviewed nor considered.

For additional information, see How To Apply in Section D Application and Submission Information.

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html

Contact Information

For programmatic questions concerning this solicitation contact Archie Weatherspoon IV National Program Advisor, National Institute of Corrections at aweatherspoon@bop.gov. Responses to programmatic questions will be posted on NIC’s website for public review. The website will be updated regularly and postings will remain on the website until the closing date of this solicitation.

For technical assistance with submitting an application, contact the Grants.gov Customer Support Hotline at 800-518-4726, or via e-mail to support@grants.gov. Hotline hours of operation are 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, except federal holidays.

Applicants who experience unforeseen Grants.gov technical issues beyond their control that prevent them from submitting their application by the deadline must e-mail the NIC at BOP-NIC/General@bop.gov within 24 hours after the application deadline and request approval to submit their application. Additional information on reporting technical issues is found under “Experiencing Unforeseen Grants.gov Technical Issues” in the How To Apply section.

Grants.gov number assigned to this announcement: 25AC04 Release date: August 16, 2024 mailto:aweatherspoon@bop.gov mailto:support@grants.gov mailto:BOP-NIC/General@bop.gov mailto:BOP-NIC/General@bop.gov

Contents NIC FY 2025 Facilitation Skills for Cognitive Behavioral Programs in Corrections

Eligibility

Deadline

Contact Information

NIC FY 2025 Facilitation Skills for Cognitive Behavioral Programs in Corrections

(Assistance Listing Number (CFDA) # 16.601)

A. Program Description

Overview

Program-Specific Information

Goals

Objectives

Deliverables

Applications must include in Program Narrative and Budget Narrative the incorporation of products delivered meet Plain Language and 508 Standards

Cooperative Agreements require significant staff involvement excluding the basic monitoring of the project, progress, deliverables and reports

B. Federal Award Information

Financial Management and System of Internal Controls

Budget Information

C. Eligibility Information

D. Application and Submission Information

What an Application Should Include Statement of the problem

Project Design and Implementation

Logic Model

Timeline or Milestone Chart

Capabilities and Competencies, Résumés of All Key Personnel

Letters of Support/Memoranda of Understanding

Budget Detail Worksheet and Budget Narrative

Budget and Budget Justification

How to Apply

All applicants are required to complete the following steps:

Acquire and maintain registration with the System for Award Management (SAM)

Acquire an Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) and a Grants.gov username and password

How to Submit an Application to the National Institute of Corrections via Grants.gov Grants.gov applicants can apply online using Workspace

Applicant Support

Timely Receipt Requirements and Proof of Timely Submission

Duplicate applications

Experiencing Unforeseen Grants.gov Technical Issues

E. Application Review Information Selection Criteria

Programmatic Review (40)

Organizational Review (35)

Management/Administrative Review (25)

Review Process

F. Federal Award Administration Information Federal Award Notices

Administrative, National Policy, and Other Legal Requirements

Plain Language

Section 508 Accessibility

Paperwork Reduction Act

G. Federal Awarding Agency Contact(s)

H. Other Information Provide Feedback to NIC

NIC FY 2025 Facilitation Skills for Cognitive Behavioral Programs in Corrections

(Assistance Listing Number (CFDA) 16.601)

A. Program Description

Overview The National Institute of Corrections (NIC) is the only federal agency with a legislative mandate (Public Law 93-415) to provide specialized services to corrections from a national perspective. NIC provides direct service as the primary means of carrying out its mission and responds directly to needs identified by practitioners working in state and local adult corrections, the Federal Bureau of Prisons, the Department of Justice, other federal agencies, and the United States Congress. NIC is considered by many in the field of corrections as a center of learning, leadership, and innovation that shapes and advances effective correctional practice and public policy.

As part of NIC’s cognitive behavioral therapy initiative, Thinking for a Change (T4C) was developed. T4C is an integrated cognitive behavioral change program that incorporates research from cognitive restructuring theory, social skills development, and the learning and use of problem-solving skills for behavioral change and recidivism reduction. Since the late 1990s, NIC has provided the T4C curriculum, T4C facilitator training, and T4C training for trainers to corrections professionals in prisons, jails, detention centers, community corrections, probation, and parole settings in tribal, federal, state, and local corrections agencies.

NIC has trained more than 10,000 professionals as T4C group facilitators and more than five hundred professionals as trainers who can train additional staff to facilitate the program with justice-involved individuals.

NIC is aware of other cognitive behavioral intervention (CBI) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) programs that are being successfully implemented in corrections settings. They use some of the same or similar concepts and philosophies as programs like T4C. Adherence to the program, the curriculum, and fidelity to how they were written and designed are essential to the success of these programs and the success of the program participants working towards risk reduction, pro-social behavioral change, and recidivism reduction. While not mountainous, research is accumulating that shows how risk reduction might be accomplished through the relationships and guidance of effective facilitators who manage CBI/CBT programs in group settings.

As a result, NIC is seeking to develop a new Facilitation Skills for Cognitive Behavioral Programs in Corrections Blended Learning (hybrid) course and Training for Trainers Virtual Instructor-Led Training (VILT) curriculum. The course and curriculum will be an all-encompassing training curriculum package for the field of corrections to train experienced, newly trained, and yet-to-become trained CBI/CBT group facilitators. This curriculum is not a revision but instead inspired by NIC’s Facilitation Skills for Offender Groups: Training Curriculum Package (see this link: https://nicic.gov/resources/nic-library/all-library-items/facilitation-skills-offender-groups-training-curriculum ). The new Facilitation Skills curricula packages will be audited with NIC’s Course Design Audit Checklist which is attached to this solicitation as an appendix.

NIC is seeking a team of instructional design practitioners to partner with the NIC Academy Division’s team of national programs specialists in the re-envisioning of a framework for Facilitation Skills for Offender Groups to create a new a blended learning (hybrid) delivery and design a train-the-trainer (VILT) framework.

Applicant team members must demonstrate grounding in current cognitive-behavioral, group facilitation, and learning and performance research, theories, and practices for both in-person and virtual learning design for adult learners. At a minimum, all members of the team must have demonstrated experience in developing and designing curriculum materials using the Instructional Theory Into Practice (ITIP) format, designing and developing blended and face-to-face training experiences (using virtual instructor-led platforms such as WebEx), and piloting drafted curriculum materials and activities.

Statutory Authority: Public Law 93-415

Program-Specific Information Perhaps no other intervention has attracted more attention across the criminal justice system than cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). First widely used in the latter half of the 20th century, as large numbers of people with mental illness were deinstitutionalized and treated in community settings, CBT has since found its way into nearly every aspect of the justice system, often supplementing, or displacing other programs and interventions. CBT assumes that most people can become conscious of their own thoughts and behaviors and then make positive changes to them. A person's thoughts are often the result of experience, and behavior is often influenced and prompted by these thoughts. In addition, thoughts may sometimes become distorted and fail to reflect reality accurately. Practitioners today use CBT to reduce recidivism among adults and juveniles, help victims deal with the aftermath of crimes, and address substance abuse, depression, violence, and other problematic behavior. CBT programs help individuals in corrections improve their social skills, means-ends problem solving, critical reasoning, moral reasoning, cognitive style, self-control, impulse management, and self-efficacy. Effective facilitators are crucial to assisting to make these improvements and reductions. The ideal skills for group facilitators include empathy, knowledge of facilitation/teaching techniques, understanding group processes and interpersonal interactions, the ability to control a group of justice-involved adults and at-risk youth, and the ability to challenge individuals through non-coercive means. Almost without exception, studies of cognitive behavioral programs point to proper training as a key factor in achieving desired program outcomes. Training is the starting point for successful facilitators.

Goals The goals of this project are to:

(1) Develop a Facilitation Skills for Cognitive Behavioral Programs in Corrections Blended Learning

(hybrid) course to train successful and effective group facilitators in corrections using a research-based learning design framework. The course will improve the effectiveness of facilitator learning delivery as well as to create consistency in the layout and design of course materials.

(2) Develop a Facilitation Skills for Cognitive Behavioral Programs in Corrections Training for Trainers virtual instructor-led training (VILT) curriculum for competent staff, facilitators, and trainers to deliver the Facilitation Skills for Cognitive Behavioral Programs in Corrections Blended Learning (hybrid) course to corrections professionals in their agency.

(3) Deliver a pilot of the Facilitation Skills for Cognitive Behavioral Programs in Corrections Blended Learning (hybrid) course to a governmental corrections agency.

Objectives

The objective of this cooperative agreement is to build corrections agency capacity in effective delivery of CBI/CBT and other correctional programming. Facilitators will be aided through the comprehensive planning, preparation, collaborative management, and development of a training curriculum package that https://nicic.gov/resources/nic-library/all-library-items/itip-toolkit-guide-working-curriculum-developers will consist of blended learning (hybrid) for Facilitation Skills in Cognitive Behavioral Programs in Corrections and a VILT curriculum for the Facilitation Skills in Cognitive Behavioral Program in Corrections Training for Trainers (T4T).

A proposal responsive to this solicitation should, at a minimum identify a plan to address the scope and timeframe of the project; determine the methodology and resources necessary to deliver the work products;

and identify a team with demonstrated subject matter expertise and experience in designing and developing ILT and VILT curricula and instructional materials for adult learners.

The qualified applicant team will be able to:

Participate in a kickoff project team meeting using NIC’s virtual instructor-led platform and clarify the deliverables, work products, and time frames for this project.

Consult with the NIC program manager to gain understanding of the history, purpose, and objectives of the Facilitation Skills in Cognitive Behavioral Programs in Corrections course and formulate recommendations for the design, format, and layout of instructional materials for the course and the T4T.

Submit draft course materials to the NIC program manager for review and approval.

Facilitate a pilot to evaluate the effectiveness of the training curriculum based on the Instructional Theory Into Practice (ITIP) model.

Complete any additional edits and/or revisions to draft materials as necessary and submit the final draft of materials for the course and the T4T.

Deliverables The successful applicant must complete the following deliverables during the project period. The program narrative should reflect how the applicant will accomplish these activities.

1. Participate in a scheduled virtual kickoff planning meeting with the NIC project manager and other designated staff to clarify project goals, objectives, and deliverables, including discussion of a timeline of activities and role clarification within 30 days of the award.

2. Design Audits -- Complete Course Design Audit Checklist with auditor notes for the courses.

3. Course Development

a. Develop plans that identify work to be completed in the design, format, and layout for the Facilitation Skills for Cognitive Behavioral Programs in Corrections Blended Learning (hybrid) course.

b. Develop plans that identify work to be completed in the design, format, and layout for the Facilitation Skills for Cognitive Behavioral Programs in Corrections (VILT) T4T curriculum.

c. Provide a first draft of course materials for the Facilitation Skills for Cognitive Behavioral Programs in Corrections Blended Learning (hybrid) course that includes the following materials:

i. Course overview

ii. Course evaluation plan

iii. Module overview(s) (if modules are a component of the course)

iv. Lesson plan(s), including all presentation visuals (PPT slides), participant learning materials/guide, and facilitator guide

v. Recommended trainer preparation strategies, any needed credentialing, and/or certifications, e.g., certified virtual facilitation mastery.

d. Provide a first draft of course materials for the Facilitation Skills for Cognitive Behavioral Programs in Corrections (VILT) T4T course that includes the following materials:

i. Course overview

ii. Course evaluation plan

v. Recommended trainer preparation strategies, any needed credentialing, and/or certifications, e.g., certified virtual facilitation mastery.

4. Pilot Delivery of Facilitation Skills for Cognitive Behavioral Programs in Corrections Blended

Learning (Hybrid) Course

a. Identify and select a governmental corrections agency.

b. Schedule training times, dates, and a location.

c. Oversee and manage the selection of pilot training participants and the selection of T4T participants (with all final selections subject to approval by the NIC program manager).

d. Deliver the Facilitation Skills for Cognitive Behavioral Programs in Corrections Blended Learning (hybrid) course.

5. Final Drafts

a. Complete any additional edits and/or revisions to draft materials as necessary from results of the pilot and submit final draft course materials package for the Facilitation Skills for Cognitive Behavioral Programs in Corrections Blended Learning (hybrid) course that includes the following materials:

v. Recommended trainer qualifications and certifications

b. Complete any additional edits and/or revisions to draft materials as necessary from results of the pilot and submit final draft course materials package for the Facilitation Skills for Cognitive Behavioral Programs in Corrections (VILT) T4T that includes the following materials:

v. Recommended trainer qualifications and certifications

6. Project Narrative

a. Provide a comprehensive project summary report that includes a narrative description of the project, including background, purpose, objectives, results, and sample delivery agenda for both the Facilitation Skills for Cognitive Behavioral Programs in Corrections Blended Learning (Hybrid) course and the Train the Trainer (VILT) course.

Award Conditions. The successful applicant will:

1. Provide documentation and a proposed project team with the capacity to manage multiple overlapping projects and deliverables within a one-year period

2. Propose project team members with:

a. A minimum of 5 years of documented instructional/curriculum design expertise and experience developing and designing curriculum materials using the Instructional Theory Into Practice (ITIP) format (see https://nicic.gov/itip-toolkit-guide-working-curriculum-developers).

b. A minimum of 5 years of experience designing and developing blended and face-to-face training experiences (using virtual instructor-led platforms such as WebEx) and curriculum materials, including “handoff level” curriculum package materials, which include a facilitator guide, participant guide, handouts, slide shows, posters, and other training materials.

c. A minimum of 5 years of documented experience in producing Section 508-compliant training materials (see https://www.section508.gov/).

d. A minimum of 5 years of documented desktop publishing experience.

e. Subject matter experts (SMEs) for facilitation of correctional treatment programs and/or CBI/CBT programming, with a minimum of 2 years of co-facilitating CBI/CBT programs, is knowledgeable of the effective facilitation skills and various CBI/CBT content, assessments and activities, to review drafted curriculum components for content, activity and curriculum fidelity as required, including filling in “gaps” that may result from curriculum research and/or experience and documentation efforts/activities. The NIC Project Manager will approve final SME(s) for this specialized task after award if needed.

3. Demonstrate the capacity and ability to assess and evaluate training program processes, content, delivery strategies, and materials both virtual and in-person.

4. Highlight the applicant’s ability to write a report that details recommendations for revisions and edits in training program content, delivery strategies, materials.

5. Show the applicant’s ability to draft curriculum packages for two NIC training programs using NIC-provided templates.

Applications must include in Program Narrative and Budget Narrative the incorporation of products delivered meet Plain Language and 508 Standards.

NIC Staff Responsibilities Cooperative Agreements require significant staff involvement excluding the basic monitoring of the project, progress, deliverables and reports.

NIC Staff involvement will include:

• Serving as a Subject Matter Expert for curriculum development and ongoing review of revisions at all phases of the project;

• Serving as Project Manager for all phases of the project, including approvals in advance of all plans, designs, formats and materials development;

• Approval of all revision ideas, recommendations, and development plans during each phase of the project;

• Approval of subject matter experts beyond the awardee proposed project team to carry out project work;

• Co-author of curriculum packages in the role of SMEs in addition to awardee project team;

• Approval of benchmark project dates, graphics ideas, video clips, etc. in advance; and

• Working collaboratively with awardee project team on each phase of project from kick-off to completion.

In addition to the strategy and content of the program design, the successful applicant must complete the deliverables specified in the statement of work and program description during the project period. The program narrative should reflect how the applicant will accomplish these activities.

Before approving a deliverable, NIC reserves the right to test the deliverable against the applicant’s Section 508 claims. If NIC determines that the applicant’s claims were false and at higher level of conformance than what was actually received, NIC may, at its option, reject the deliverable and require the applicant to remediate the deliverable to align with the applicant’s stated Section 508 conformance claims before its approval.

Additionally, before approving a deliverable, NIC reserves the right to review the applicant’s deliverables for conformance to federal plain writing guidelines and NIC Guidelines for Preparing and Submitting Manuscripts for Publication. If NIC determines that the applicant’s deliverables do not meet all applicable guidelines, NIC may, at its option, reject the deliverable and require the applicant to remediate the deliverable align with those guidelines.

Evidence-Based Programs or Practices.

NIC strongly emphasizes the use of data and evidence in policy making and program development.

• improving the quantity and quality of evidence NIC generates;

• integrating evidence into program, practice, and policy decisions within NIC and the field; and

• improving the translation of evidence into practice.

NIC considers programs and practices to be evidence-based when their effectiveness has been demonstrated by causal evidence, generally obtained through one or more outcome evaluations. Causal evidence documents a relationship between an activity or intervention (including technology) and its intended outcome, including measuring the direction and size of a change, and the extent to which a change may be attributed to the activity or intervention. Causal evidence depends on the use of scientific methods to rule out, to the extent possible, alternative explanations for the documented change. The strength of causal evidence, based on the factors described above, will influence the degree to which NIC considers a program or practice to be evidence-based.

Accessibility Requirements Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, as amended by the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (P.L. 105-

220) requires that when federal agencies develop, buy, maintain, or use information and communication technology (ICT), it shall be accessible to people with disabilities. Federal employees and members of the public who have disabilities must have access to and use of information and data comparable to employees and members of the public without disabilities.

Deliverables submitted as part of this project must conform to the Revised Section 508 Standards (see 36 C.F.R. § 1194.1 & Apps. A, C & D), which are available online at https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CFR-2017-title36-vol3/xml/CFR-2017-title36-vol3-part1194.xml.

All functional performance criteria apply when the requirements outlined Chapters 4–6 of the Revised 508 Standards either (1) do not address one or more functions of ICT or (2) provide lower accessibility and https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CFR-2017-title36-vol3/xml/CFR-2017-title36-vol3-part1194.xml usability for people with disabilities than would be provided by using alternative design or technology. All Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) Level A and AA success criteria and 502 Interoperability with Assistive Technology and 503 Application of the Revised 508 Standards apply. All requirements for hardware features, components, and support services and documentation also apply. See https://www.section508.gov/

Plain Language Requirements The Plain Writing Act of 2010 requires federal agencies to use plain writing in documents that are necessary for obtaining government funding, providing information about federal government benefits or services, or explaining to the public how to comply with a requirement that the federal government administers or enforces. The Act also requires agencies to use plain writing in every paper or electronic letter, publication, form, notice, or instruction. Its purpose is to improve the effectiveness and accountability of federal agencies. See http://www.nicic.gov/plainlanguage and https://plainlanguage.gov/law/

Deliverables submitted as part of this project must adhere to the federal plain writing guidelines, which are available at https://www.plainlanguage.gov/guidelines/, and the NIC Guidelines for Preparing and Submitting Manuscripts for Publication, which is available at https://www.nicic.gov/plainlanguage.

Additional resources NIC training and technical assistance awardee standards. NIC has developed the TA Handbook] to promote among providers the consistency and quality of NIC-sponsored training and technical assistance and to advance common expectations of performance excellence. The standards present minimum expectations that providers must meet for effective practice in the planning, coordination, delivery, and evaluation of training.

B. Federal Award Information

NIC expects to make one award for as much as $250,000.00 for a 12-month project period, beginning on December 2, 2024. Requests for amounts more than a total of $250,000.00, including direct and indirect costs will not be considered.

Type of award. NIC expects to make an award from this solicitation in the form of a cooperative agreement which is a particular type of grant used when NIC expects to have ongoing substantial involvement in award activities. Substantial involvement includes direct oversight and involvement with the grantee organization in implementation of the grant but does not involve day-to-day project management, additional information on the substantial involvement can be found in Section A. See Administrative, National Policy, and Other Legal Requirements, under Section F. Federal Award Administration, for details regarding the federal involvement anticipated under an award from this solicitation.

All awards are subject to the availability of appropriated funds and to any modifications or additional requirements that may be imposed by law.

If the awardee demonstrates significant progress toward implementing project activities and achieving project goals, NIC may, in certain cases, provide supplemental non-competitive funding for FY 2026 and FY 2027 to the awardee. With the supplemental funding, the project period can be extended up to two additional 12-month increments for an overall project period of 36 months. Important considerations in decisions regarding supplemental funding include, among other factors, the availability of funding, https://www.section508.gov/ http://www.nicic.gov/plainlanguage https://plainlanguage.gov/law/ https://www.plainlanguage.gov/guidelines/ https://www.nicic.gov/plainlanguage https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-A/subject-group-ECFR2a6a0087862fd2c/section-200.1 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-A/subject-group-ECFR2a6a0087862fd2c/section-200.1 strategic priorities, assessment of the quality of the management of the award (for example, timeliness and quality of progress reports), and assessment of the progress of the work funded under the Award.

Performance measures capture outcomes of cooperative agreement activities, demonstrating if programs accomplish goals and objectives. Performance measures. NIC requires all applicants to submit quarterly progress reports demonstrating progress towards completion of the work proposed under this solicitation. The performance measures for this solicitation outlined on the following page:

Objective Performance Measure(s)

Description Data Grantee Provides

Conduct a virtual kick-off meeting with the NIC program manager

Meeting with program manager

Meet with the program manager to outline roles and responsibilities.

Meeting minutes

Conduct a comprehensive audit of the instructional materials.

Complete audit checklist.

Course materials for courses will be compared to a list of research-based standards and practices for adult learning design in order to determine whether course design falls in line with research-based practices in instructional design for adult learners.

Complete audit checklist with comprehensive and detailed auditor notes.

Develop a plan for the design/development of the Facilitation Skills for Cognitive Behavioral Programs in Corrections Blended Learning

Design plans submitted

The Facilitation Skills for Cognitive Behavioral Programs in Corrections needs a Blended Learning (hybrid) curriculum to be built/designed to be able to train facilitators trainers virtually and in person.

One design/development plan

Develop a plan for the design/development the Facilitation Skills for Cognitive Behavioral Programs in Corrections (VILT) T4T curriculum.

Design plans

The Facilitation Skills for Cognitive Behavioral Programs in Corrections needs a Virtual T4T built/designed to be able to train trainers virtually.

One design/development plan.

Submit draft course materials to the Academy team leader for review and approval.

Draft course material package

All work from the design plans for the Facilitation Skills for Cognitive Behavioral Programs in Corrections Blended Learning (hybrid) course will be completed and materials will be submitted for approval.

Draft course material package that includes the overview, course evaluation plan, module overview if applicable, and lesson plans that include all presentation visuals, participant learning materials/guide, and a facilitator guide.

Submit the final draft materials for the courses.

Final draft course material package

Complete any additional edits and/or revisions to the draft materials, as necessary.

Final draft course material package includes the overview, course evaluation plan, module overview if applicable, and lesson plans that include all presentation visuals, participant learning materials/guide, and a facilitator guide.

Pilot the Facilitation Skills for Cognitive Behavioral Programs in Corrections Blended Learning

Pilot curriculum Facilitate a pilot to evaluate the effectiveness of the training curriculum.

Facilitation of a pilot.

Delivery of Project Narrative

The final review and evaluation reports are due to NIC when the final draft curriculum package is submitted to NIC.

This is to allow for NIC’s simultaneous review of the curriculum package and the review/evaluation reports.

Describe the project, including background, purpose, objectives, results, and sample delivery agenda for both the hybrid course and the Train-the-Trainer VILT.

Awardee tracks documentation and new development of curriculum pieces as they are finalized in a summary report

Financial Management and System of Internal Controls

Award recipients and subrecipients (including recipients or subrecipients that are pass-through entities) must, as described in Part 200 Uniform Requirements as sent out as set out at 2 C.F.R. 200.303:

Establish and maintain effective internal control over the federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the nonfederal entity is managing the federal award in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in “Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government” issued by the Comptroller General of the United States and the “Internal Control Integrated Framework”, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).

Comply with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal awards.

Evaluate and monitor the nonfederal entity's compliance with statute, regulations, and the terms and conditions of federal awards.

Take prompt action when instances of noncompliance are identified, including noncompliance identified in audit findings.

Take reasonable measures to safeguard protected personally identifiable information and other information the federal awarding agency or pass-through entity designates as sensitive or the nonfederal entity considers sensitive consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding privacy and obligations of confidentiality.

Budget Information

Funding Restrictions Foreign Travel is not allowed unless prior written approval is received from Awarding Agency (NIC).

Equipment purchases are not allowed. Construction is not an allowable activity.

Incentives or Stipends Unless specifically listed in Section A, NIC will not fund incentives or Stipends.

Pre-Agreement Cost Approvals NIC does not typically approve pre-agreement costs; an applicant must request and obtain the prior written approval of NIC for all such costs. If approved, pre-agreement costs could be paid from grant funds consistent with a grantee’s approved budget, and under applicable cost standards. However, all such costs prior to award and prior to approval of the costs are incurred at the sole risk of an applicant.

Generally, no applicant should incur project costs before submitting an application requesting federal funding for those costs. Should there be extenuating circumstances that appear to be appropriate for NIC’s consideration as pre-agreement costs, the applicant should contact the point of contact listed on the title page of this announcement for details on the requirements for submitting a written request for approval.

Limitation on use of award funds for employee compensation; waiver With respect to any award of more than $250,000 made under this solicitation, recipients may not use federal funds to pay total cash compensation (salary plus cash bonuses) to any employee of the award recipient at a rate that exceeds 110 percent of the maximum annual salary payable to a member of the Federal Government’s Senior Executive Service (SES) at an agency with a Certified SES Performance

Appraisal System for that year. The 2024 salary table for SES employees is available at the Office of Personnel Management website. Note: A recipient may compensate an employee at a greater rate, provided the amount in excess of this compensation limitation is paid with non-federal funds. (Any such additional compensation will not be considered matching funds where match requirements apply.)

C. Eligibility Information

NIC invites applications from nonprofit organizations (including faith-based, community, and tribal organizations), for-profit organizations (including tribal for-profit organizations), and institutions of higher education (including tribal institutions of higher education). Recipients, including for-profit organizations, must agree to waive any profit or fee for services. Foreign governments, international organizations, and non-governmental international organizations/institutions are not eligible to apply.

Proof of 501(c) (3) status as determined by the Internal Revenue Service or an authorizing tribal resolution is required.

NIC welcomes applications that involve two or more entities; however, one eligible entity must be the applicant and the others must be proposed as subrecipients. The applicant must be the entity with primary responsibility for administering the funding and managing the entire program. Only one (1) application will be accepted from a submitting organization.

NIC may elect to make awards for applications submitted under this solicitation in future fiscal years, dependent on the merit of the applications and on the availability of appropriations.

Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement This solicitation does not require cost sharing or match. However, if a successful application proposes a voluntary cost share or match amount, and NIC approves the budget, the total cost share or match amount shall be incorporated into the approved budget, and becomes mandatory and subject to audit. Cost sharing or match will not be used as a factor during the merit review of applications.

Limit on Number of Application Submissions If an applicant submits multiple versions of the same application, NIC will review only the most recent system-validated version submitted. For more information on system-validated versions, see How To Apply.

D. Application and Submission Information

What an Application Should Include

Applicants should anticipate that if they fail to submit an application that contains all of the specified elements, it may negatively affect the review of their application; and, should a decision be made to make an award, it may result in the inclusion of special conditions that preclude the recipient from accessing or using award funds pending satisfaction of the conditions. See attached checklist.

Moreover, applicants should anticipate that applications that are determined to be nonresponsive to the scope of the solicitation, do not request funding within the funding limit, or that do not include the application elements that NIC has designated to be critical, will neither proceed to peer review nor receive https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/2023/executive-senior-level further consideration. Under this solicitation, NIC has designated the following application elements as critical: Project Abstract, Program Narrative, Accessibility Conformance Report, Budget Detail Worksheet, Budget Narrative, Logic Model, Timeline or Milestone Chart and résumés of all key personnel.

Applicants should review the “Note on File Names and File Types” under How To Apply to be sure that they submit their applications in the permitted formats.

NIC strongly recommends that applicants use appropriately descriptive file names (e.g., “Accessibility Conformance Report”, “Program Narrative,” “Budget Detail Worksheet and Budget Narrative,” “Timelines,” “Memoranda of Understanding,” “Résumés”) for all attachments. Also, NIC recommends that applicants include résumés in a single file.

Information to Complete the Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424) The SF-424 is a required standard form used as a cover sheet for submission of pre- applications, applications, and related information.