Attachment II SOW Criminal Thinking.pdf

Version 2, 3-16-2023

Psychology Services Branch Criminal Thinking 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 other evidence-based psychology groups such as Criminal Thinking.

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.”

Currently, the Bureau includes Criminal Thinking among its evidence-based treatment groups, which is available at all institutions. Criminal Thinking is a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) protocol that is used primarily for group treatment but which may also be used for individual treatment, in some cases. This protocol typically follows initial participation in Criminal Thinking and expands on the concepts of CBT, including the use of Rational Self-Analysis (RSA). The group reviews criminal thinking errors and educates on the influence of thoughts and feelings on behavior. This resource is consistent with the cognitive skills modules utilized in other Bureau programs, such as its Drug Abuse Programs, the Challenge Program, the Sex Offender Treatment Program, and the BRAVE Program.

The program is typically completed in 10 sessions at Minimum and Low security institutions and in 20 sessions at Medium and High security institutions.

The group was designed for use by independent practitioners (psychologists) or mid-level clinical practitioners (treatment specialists or psychology interns) under the supervision of a psychologist.

The purpose of the current project is to conduct research exploring the effectiveness of the Criminal Thinking group on misconduct reduction, mental health crisis reduction, recidivism reduction, and symptom reduction.

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 cognitive behavioral treatment. The Contractor must possess expertise in the field of cognitive behavioral psychology programming and must have experience in conducting studies on program evaluation. Variables of interest include symptom reduction, mental health crisis reduction, and misconduct/criminal recidivism reduction. The Contractor shall propose the research design, obtain approval from 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 Criminal group on outcomes of symptom measures, mental health crises, misconduct, and recidivism, and (c) inform future curriculum revisions and updates.

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:

o Program Statement 5310.17, Psychology Services Manual (August 25, 2016) o Program Statement 5310.16, Treatment and Care of Inmates with Mental Illness (May 1, 2014)

These documents may be accessed via the Bureau’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: Criminal Thinking Group

The Contractor will develop a comprehensive empirical research process that will include:

2.1.1 A detailed proposed research design, submitted to PSB, that will determine the efficacy of the Criminal Thinking groups 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 must include the variables of recidivism, misconduct, and mental health crisis contacts. Given the length of the contract (see Section 4.2), it is mandatory that two studies will be completed: first, a retrospective study based on available data; second, https://www.bop.gov/resources/research_and_reports.jsp https://www.bop.gov/PublicInfo/execute/policysearch?todo=query&series=5000 a follow up prospective study that will include outcome measures of recidivism, misconduct, and mental health crisis contacts, but which will also include symptom and mental health measures that the Contractor will recommend for implementation and for evaluation. BOP has discretion to reject recommendations in favor of other measures.

2.1.2 The creation of the PSB-approved research proposal 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 design including the variables used to measure efficacy.

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 Criminal Thinking groups run at select facilities;

• Obtaining data from Bureau psychologists facilitating the Criminal Thinking groups.

• 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. Completed analysis will be examined by the Bureau’s Office of Research and Evaluation (ORE). 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. A data analytic plan must be approved by PSB and ORE prior to IRB proposal submission and must be clearly described in the IRB proposal.

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

• Title page

• Abstract

• Introduction

• Methods

• Results

• Discussion

• References

The Contractor must complete the written report for the retrospective study within 30 days of the study’s completion. The Contractor must also complete the written report for the prospective study within 30 days of the study’s completion.

2.1.7 An in-person presentation of findings and results of BOTH studies to RSD will be at the Central Office in Washington, D.C. within 30 days of completion of the prospective study written report.

2.1.8 With agency 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 and/or report, at BOP discretion, 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. These 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 conducting research in the area of cognitive behavioral treatment with accompanying peer-reviewed publications.

• 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 with and cleaning large datasets.

• The Contractor must have experience with and be adept with analytic procedures to work with data with multiple confounding variables.

• The Contractor must have experience with and be adept with offering solutions for programmatic research that involves a subject pool with multiple program participation and/or completion experiences.

• 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). The Contractor shall submit resumes for any proposed substitutions. All proposed substitutes shall possess qualifications equal or superior to those of the Key person being replaced. No diversion or substitution shall be made by the Contractor without the written approval of the COR. The COR shall be responsible for ensuring all appropriate security clearance procedures are followed.

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.

The Bureau reserves the right to reject any applicant put forth by the Contractor for this project.

The Contractor shall submit written resumes and references for all proposed staff/ employees assigned to work on this project with the Contractor’s proposal.

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 52.204-9 Personal Identity Verification of Contractor Personnel (Sept 2007) The Contractor shall comply with agency personal identity verification procedures identified in the contract that implement Homeland Security Presidential Directive-12 (HSPD-12), Office of Management and Budget (OMB) guidance M-05-24, and Federal Information Processing Standards Publication (FIPS PUB) Number 201.

Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) was issued to implement the policy of the United States to enhance security, increase Government efficiency, reduce identity fraud, and protect personal privacy by establishing a mandatory, Government-wide standard for secure and reliable forms of identification issued by the Federal Government to its employees and Contractors (including Contractor employees). Under this directive, the heads of executive departments and agencies are required to implement programs to ensure that identification issued by their departments and agencies to Federal employees and Contractors meets the Standard. This policy can be found at the following website:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/08/20040827-8.html

3.5.2 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.

3.5.3 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 CLEARANCE

This contract has been classified at the Public Trust Level. Contractor personnel shall have their security clearances granted through the Department of Defense (DOD) Defense Security Service (DSS). Only U.S. citizens, by birth or naturalized, shall be permitted to perform services under this contract. Bureau staff shall conduct record checks to supplement and update the DoD/DSS background investigation for all Contractor personnel. The Security Background Investigation Section (SBIS) shall conduct a suitability review of all Contractor personnel. A final suitability determination shall come from SBIS on Contractors requiring access to Bureau facilities, systems, or BOP Sensitive/National Security Information. No later than five business days after contract award, the Contractor shall initiate the background investigation process for their personnel selected to work on the contract. Before submission of personnel security packages, the Contractor shall pre-screen proposed personnel to the maximum practical extent possible to determine the applicants’ ability to meet the Bureau’s agency specific qualifications and standards. All personnel security packages shall be reviewed for compliance with Bureau policies prior to submission to the Bureau

NOTE: The Bureau may permit other Government security clearances to be substituted for the above background investigations, if determined by the Bureau to be equal, current, and provided the Contractor submits adequate documentation to support the Bureau’s determination.

It is the responsibility of the Contractor, the respective Contracting Officer Representative (COR), and/or COR alternate designee to ensure that all necessary forms and information is completed and submitted in a timely manner. Contractor security clearances, including the submission of security clearance forms, etc., shall be coordinated with the COR prior to contract employee engagement at the Bureau’s Central Office.

The Bureau’s security requirements include, but are not necessarily limited to the following:

a. National Crime Information Center (NCIC),

b. National Agency Check with Inquiries (NACI),

c. Law Enforcement Agency Checks,

d. National Law Enforcement Telecommunications (NLETS) Checks,

e. Credit Check,

f. Fingerprint Check (FD-258),

g. Completed OF-306, Declaration of Federal Employment and Appropriate Resume and Optional Application,

h. Completed Contractor Pre-employment Form,

i. Release of Information,

j. Urinalysis,

k. Employment Vouchering over the past five years

NOTE: If it is determined that a urinalysis test is required, it shall be administered at the closest Bureau site. If a test is positive for drug usage, the assigned individual(s) shall be excluded from performance of work for this requirement, and subject to the same security requirements, the Contractor shall provide acceptable replacement staff.

Access to any IT sensitive information shall be based on the completion of successful background investigations and security clearances, to include the receipt of a National Agency Check with Inquiries (NACI) case number. The Contractor shall not begin any performance on this contract until authorized by the Contracting Officer and/or COR. Once the appropriate security and clearances have been completed, the Personnel Security Officer shall notify the COR and respective Contracting Officer in writing. At this time, the Contracting Officer shall issue a Notice to Proceed and the Contractor and subcontractor personnel shall have the authority to commence contract performance.

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 August 1, 2023 to July 31, 2024 Option Period One August 1, 2024 to July 31, 2025 Option Period Two August 1, 2025 to July 31, 2026

Option Period Three August 1, 2026 to July 31, 2027 Option Period Four August 1, 2027 to July 31, 2028

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 see a Criminal Thinking group being conducted). The location of the visit will be determined based on geographic proximity to the Contractor’s location, availability of a Criminal Thinking group, and the ability of the facility to accommodate an observer. While visits are non-mandatory, Contractors will be encouraged to observe one or two Criminal Thinking groups in a facility.

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.

The Contractor shall employ effective safeguards and security controls to ensure that information associated with the work shall be protected from loss, damage, computer viruses or other destructive incidents. The safeguards employed shall ensure that materials and services shall be secured in a manner that prevents tampering, sabotage, or other means of deliberate alteration. This provision applies to all Bureau information resources while under the control of the Contractor.

The Contractor shall participate in information security awareness training (provided by the Federal Bureau of Prisons) if access is needed for information on or displayed by the Bureau’s Secure BOPnet network or any other Bureau related Personally Identifying Information (PII) and such participation shall be documented by the Bureau. Failure to participate may result in exclusion from work on this contract and require the Contractor to provide suitable replacements.

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 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 and relevant policies,

• Treatment records of program participants, including but not limited to 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 available.

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

DATE

N/A

2 2.1.1, 4.5 Draft Contractor Project Plan

40 business days after the Post Award Conference

DATE

COR,

Contracting Officer

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

COR

4 4.6 Progress Reviews Quarterly

COR,

Contracting Officer

ITEM SOW

REFERENCE DELIVERABLE / EVENT DUE BY

DISTRIBUTION

5 2.1.6 Written Presentation of Findings for Each Study Completed

30 days after completion of each study

COR

6 2.1.7 In-Person Presentation of Findings After All Studies are Completed

30 days after completion of the final written presentation of findings

COR

7 2.1.9

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

30 days after completion of all studies

COR

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