Hydroponics Gardening Program

The Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) is an agency of the Department of Justice (DOJ).  It consists of 122 institutions throughout the United States, including Hawaii and Puerto Rico, 6 regional offices, a Central Office (headquarters), 2 staff training centers, and 26 Residential Reentry Management offices (previously known as community corrections offices).

The BOP is responsible for the custody and care of over 150,000 Federal offenders. Approximately 81 percent of these individuals are confined in BOP-operated facilities, while the balance is confined in secure privately managed or community-based facilities and local jails.  A significantly large portion of these offenders will inevitably release back into society.   

The agency is committed to providing resources to establish a supportive environment promoting the successful reintegration of incarcerated individuals into the community after completing their sentences.   

The First Step Act (FSA) of 2018 provides for the development and implementation of evidence-based recidivism reduction programs (EBRRs) and productive activities (PAs), to address individualized needs identified through the FSA Needs Assessment. By tailoring programming to specifically address incarcerated individuals' areas of need, they are better prepared for the return to the community.

The BOP desires a comprehensive hydroponics program designed to address identified needs from the FSA Needs Assessment to include Anger/Hostility; Antisocial Peers; Recreation/Leisure/Fitness; and Work. Additionally, the intent of the Hydroponics program is to reduce levels of stress, anxiety and depression while improving an individual’s mood. 

The BOP encourages individuals to make use of leisure time programs and activities which assist them in managing their physical, social, and emotional health and well-being, and can be tools to further support successful transition into society after incarceration.  Incarcerated individuals are encouraged to adopt and incorporate healthy daily lifestyle traits. Individuals with a Recreation/Leisure/Fitness need are recommended to participate in health and wellness education programs to enhance reentry opportunities.   

The BOP intends to make a single award to an entity that will be responsible for providing a complete hydroponics program which can be replicated and potentially utilized in all BOP facilities.

The vendor will provide the Hydroponics program, equipment, installation and staff training at institutions housing females and institutions managing specialized populations such as Reintegration Units and Life Skills Laboratories.  At the end of the contract, the BOP will review the Hydroponics program, to determine the feasibility of implementation at additional facilities.  

The vendor will provide detailed curricula and facilitators guide for the hydroponics program, framework, and equipment necessary for the program, and staff training for implementation of the hydroponics program.  Additionally, the vendor will provide the BOP the platform to administer certification testing to participants so they may obtain industry certifications for a functional hydroponic gardening program.  

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation prepared in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 12.60, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This notice constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. The solicitation is being issued as Request for Proposal (RFP) 15BNAS23Q00000072. The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2023-02. The North American Industry Classification System Code (NAICS) is 111419 which has a size standard of $4.5 million.

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