Critical Incident Response and Assistance | 24JD10

Opportunity Information: Apply for 24JD10

The National Institute of Corrections (NIC) is offering a cooperative agreement called Critical Incident Response and Assistance (Funding Opportunity Number 24JD10) to support rapid, practical help to correctional agencies dealing with urgent, high-risk events. The opportunity is framed in the context of NIC's history and mission as it nears its 50th anniversary, tracing its origins back to national scrutiny of corrections following the 1971 Attica prison riot and the subsequent National Conference on Corrections convened by the U.S. Attorney General. Out of those recommendations, Congress created NIC in 1974 to strengthen federal, state, tribal, and local corrections through training, technical assistance, information resources, and other forms of support. A core part of that mission, emphasized in this announcement, is NIC's long-standing role in quickly responding when agencies experience crises that endanger the life, health, or safety of staff, incarcerated people, clients, visitors, or the public.

This grant focuses on the reality that today's correctional systems are under pressure from multiple, overlapping challenges that can increase the likelihood of serious incidents. The notice points to issues such as staffing shortages, limited funding, leadership and supervision gaps, aging facility design and maintenance problems, weak or outdated policies and procedures, mental health needs, substance use and withdrawal concerns, homelessness and reentry pressures, healthcare demands, use-of-force complications, and contraband. These stressors can contribute to critical incidents like escapes, assaults, deaths, and other threats to public safety. NIC is seeking a partner that can help deliver a rapid and effective response when a correctional agency requests assistance in the wake of these kinds of events, reinforcing NIC's ability to act quickly and credibly during emergencies and high-stakes situations.

The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement, meaning NIC expects to have substantial involvement in the project rather than simply issuing funds with minimal federal engagement. The total award ceiling is $1,000,000, and NIC expects to make one award. The opportunity is listed under CFDA (now Assistance Listing) 16.603, with the agency identified as the National Institute of Corrections. The closing date in the source information is March 20, 2024, and the posting was created December 22, 2023.

Eligibility is relatively broad but specific. 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 colleges and universities). However, any recipient, including a for-profit entity, must agree to waive any profit or fee for services, which is an important condition for applicants that typically operate on a fee-for-service model. Foreign governments, international organizations, and non-governmental international organizations or institutions are explicitly ineligible. Nonprofits must provide proof of 501(c)(3) status from the IRS, and tribal applicants can use an authorizing tribal resolution as documentation.

The notice also allows collaborative applications involving two or more entities, but it requires a clear lead applicant. One eligible organization must serve as the primary applicant and take full responsibility for administering the funds and managing the entire program, while any partners should be included as subrecipients. Finally, NIC will accept only one application per submitting organization, so entities that are considering multiple concepts have to consolidate their approach into a single submission.

• The National Institute of Corrections in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Critical Incident Response and Assistance" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 16.603.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2023-12-22.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-03-20. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,000,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for 24JD10

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