Statement_of_Work_revised.docx

Statement of Work

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

The program provides inmates with intensive opportunities for spiritual growth and deepening their religious roots by sharing common space and programs for the purpose of personal transformation and reducing recidivism. Inmates will participate in religion specific and inter-faith program components designed to bring restoration with God, family, community, and self. The program's design will increase religious tolerance and respect among inmates of various faiths; will connect each inmate with a spiritual mentor; and will link participants with a faith community at their release destination in order to enhance community reintegration. Another component of the program will initiate specific Victim Impact programs to assist inmates in claiming responsibility for their actions and making amends with victims, family, and community.

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

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

Subject Acquisition of a Life Connections Program (LCP) Transition Coordinator who instruct inmates in the on-site LCP. Specifically, they will work closely with the Program Chaplain in the development of transitional programs for inmates participating in the LCP during their reentry preparation using Spiritual Formation as a foundation. The Transition Coordinator will be responsible for the following tasks: develop a reentry handbook to assist participants in developing an individualized plan; assist with job search preparation (including career track inventories, resume preparation and managing a mock job fair); managing the community service components of LCP and affirming Spiritual approaches to respond to the challenges participants will face during reentry. The program is a multi-faith residential reentry program, so the Contractor will work with participants from a broad variety of faith communities. The overall result of the instruction should be a reduction in recidivism and disciplinary problems. In addition, the Contractor will serve as an after-care coach to follow up with the graduates of LCP at the Federal Correctional Complex (FCC) in Petersburg, Virginia.

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

FCC Petersburg (Low) 1060 River Road Hopewell, VA 23860

Schedule A session is defined as one hour. The contractor will normally provide six sessions per day up to 30 sessions each week of services. Work hours will normally be between the hours of 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM Monday thru Friday excluding Federal Holidays. The schedule may include evening hours based on program needs. The breakdown of hours will be determined locally.

Due to the nature of the correctional setting, delays in performance of work may be experienced. Such delays may include but are not limited to inclement weather, electrical or mechanical problems, or other security matters. When contract employees report to the institution but are unable to perform services due to such delays, the contractor will be paid for one session. Normally, any remaining sessions for that day will be suspended and the contractor will be free to leave and the contractor will not be paid for the remaining unperformed sessions. However, if the institution requests that the contractor remain at the institution for eventual performance, the contractor shall be paid for such sessions. In the event of any absence, the contractor may make up his/her time if approved by the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR). If the contractor fails to provide coverage, the Government may seek contractual remedy.

Education and Experience The selected contractor must possess an ordination certificate or like document showing they are a clergy person in good standing with a recognized faith community. The contractor must have a minimum of three years of documented experience as a clergy person within their faith community. The contractor should possess at least a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a degree in education or religious studies, though a Master of Divinity, its equivalent or a Doctorate is most preferred. The contractor shall have at least three years documented experience teaching spiritual topics in a faith-based reentry program in a correctional setting with students of diverse religious traditions.

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

Quoters responding to this solicitation must complete and submit with their quote the attached form, “Credentials of Religious Services Contractor.” Quoters should submit two personal references and one letter of endorsement from their local religious organization. After review of these documents by Bureau of Prisons staff, vendors may be requested to submit additional documents for review. Vendors failing to submit any of the required documents will be removed from further consideration for award.

Supplies and Equipment All supplies that the contractor may need will be provided by the FCC Petersburg. These supplies will normally include any materials needed to perform the services covered under this contract.

Description of Duties The contractor will provide religious instruction based on their own expertise as it relates to the coordination of Transition Issues components of LCP. The contractor will work closely with the Chaplain Program Manager and other program staff to assist in the development of the program and to gauge the progress of individual participants. Consultations will be held with Life Connections Chaplain Program Manager as needed. The instruction will be based on the pro-social content of various religious groups. Lesson plans will be submitted in advance. Instruction will be more of a workshop format than lectures, using activities that will engage participants in their own development and preparation. The Contractor may work with participants who follow faiths, such as but not limited to, Buddhism, Hinduism, Wicca, Unitarian, Jehovah’s Witness, Rastafarian, Asatru as well as those with no specific faith affiliation.

The contractor will be monitored by the LCP Program Manager and COR. The contractor shall attend all training required by the Bureau of Prisons for contract workers. The contractor will be required to attend one planning meeting each year related to the development of the program. The contractor shall attend team meetings, departmental meetings, or other meetings relating to the involvement of the services to be provided by terms of the contract. Reimbursement for the time spent in the meeting will be prorated at the contract rate.

The contractor will not be permitted to attend institution meetings, staff recalls, or government training sessions for institution staff on contract time or as a consideration of the contract.

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

General Topics To assist offenders in the development of a gracious, spiritual mindset and provide them tools to prepare for transition from incarceration to freedom, the Transitional Coordinator will accomplish the following objectives:

· Emphasize the importance of developing & maintaining relationships as they return back to society.

· Guide them to deepen their faith, utilizing the spiritual practices of their tradition as a foundation.

· Encourage spiritual transformation as the starting point for wellness and successful reentry.

· Provide tools to help them respond constructively to their fears which activate anger trigger points.

· Help them manage their emotions and sharpen their growth in maturity upon returning to society.

· Implement a spiritual formation curriculum for participants to support a sustainable emotional health and physical wellness.

· In place of self-reliance, nurture a concern for others and the community. Deepen understanding of the importance of social values, integrity and the practical application of responsibility and accountability through Community Service.

· Increase job seeking and employment skills.

· To minister, teach and share faith with diverse traditions.

· Evaluate participants’ performance based upon how well they receive information and application.

· Measure lesson plans’ effectiveness using a statistical model based upon participants’ evaluations.

· Develop inventories that take participant’s aptitude, interests & experience with specific suggestions for career directions.

· Coordinate the resources of: job search Kiosk; inventories; instruction in how to write cover letters and resumes; and participation in a mock job fair to give participants the best chance of securing employment.

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

Institution Security The contractor/contract employees shall agree to all regulations prescribed by the institution for the safety, custody, and conduct of inmates. The contractor shall attend the Institution Familiarization Orientation program prior to assuming institution involvement. Reimbursement to the contractor for the time spent in the institution orientation or other specific security related training will be at the contract rate, prorated hourly. The contract employee will be required to sign in and out of the institution for accountability purposes. A badge will be issued and worn at all times for proper identification.