Inactive Total Small Business Set-Aside (FAR 19.5)

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,... 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. The BOP is responsible for the custody and care of approximately 151,000 adult Federal offenders. Approximately 81 percent of these inmates are confined in BOP-operated facilities, while the balance is confined in secure privately managed or community-based facilities and local jails. All BOP institutions offer literacy classes, English-as-a-Second-Language, adult continuing education, career technical education, library services, and recreation/leisure-time activities (such as structured an unstructured fitness, games, music, and hobby craft) and programs. The programming, training, and education inmates receive is a major part of the reentry process, and the BOP faces a need for new adjustments stemming from legislation such as the First Step Act (FSA), which requires additional programming at institutions. The FSA introduces changes to prepare inmates for reentry and reduce the overall federal prison population. The ability of the BOP to achieve its mission is predicated upon a workforce that is resilient, robust, and prepared to successfully operate in a correctional environment. Currently, High School Equivalency (HSE) and ESL classes are taught by BOP staff in two different positions: Education Specialist and Teacher. The Office of Personnel Management's requirements for the Teacher position include possession of any state teaching license or other requirements that would generally lead to the issuance of an initial teaching license in any state. Teachers typically provide instruction to adult inmates in all HSE content areas (Mathematics, Reasoning through the Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies) regardless of subject area or developmental level of initial licensure. The Bureau intends to make an award for educational consultancy services. The contractor will provide written guidance and recommendations regarding the creation of a teacher recertification model that will facilitate the licensure/certification process for BOP teachers. Such recommendations will include identifying needs (staff, resources, training, funding estimates) and designing a program that will meet the array of needs within the BOP teaching pool.