Career/Work Readiness Certificate Program

Attachment II Contract Number: TBD U.S. Department of Justice Statement of Work for Career/Work Readiness Certificate Program (CWRCP) Federal Bureau of Prisons January 15, 2025 -- 1 of 14 -- Statement of Work for Career/Work Readiness Certificate Program (CWRCP) BACKGROUND AND SCOPE The Federal Bureau of Prisons (FBOP) is an agency of the Department of Justice (DOJ). It consists of 127 identified sites throughout the United States, including Hawaii and Puerto Rico; 6 regional offices, Central Office (headquarters), 2 staff training centers, and 22 Residential Reentry Management offices (previously known as community corrections offices). The BOP is responsible for the custody and care of over 155,000 adults in custody (AIC’s). A significantly large portion of these individuals will inevitably release back into society. The agency is committed to providing resources to establish a supportive environment promoting their successful reintegration into the community after completing their sentences. The mission of the Bureau Education Branch is to provide mandatory literacy programs, as required by Federal law and rules language, which meet the needs and interests of the AIC’s, provide options for the positive use of their time while incarcerated, and enhance successful reintegration into the community. The Bureau also facilitates post-secondary education, vocational training, and various programs to address needs related to substance abuse, deficits in education, employment and more, that contribute to criminal behavior thereby ensuring their successful transition to the community. In 2016, the U.S. Sentencing Commission found that only 34% of the individuals released from the Bureau of Prisons in 2005 were rearrested or had their supervision revoked over a three- year period. This figure reflected a 16% decline over the past couple of decades and was half the rate of many large state Departments of Corrections as reported by the Bureau of Justice Statistics. The FBOP is committed to enhancing public safety by reducing recidivism through educational programs. On a typical day, approximately 36% of the AIC’s are participating in one or more educational programs. Programs serve an important role in enhancing the AIC’s potential for success after their release to the community. The FBOP also recognizes that a High School Equivalency (HSE) credential alone may not be enough to secure employer confidence in basic work skills for those reentering society after incarceration. The ability to obtain sustainable wages is a major factor in combating the recidivism rates for formerly incarcerated individuals. It is increasingly more evident, especially as the number of states implementing workforce readiness education into secondary and post- secondary education continue to increase. Basic skills will not be enough to keep pace with the -- 2 of 14 -- Statement of Work for Career/Work Readiness Certificate Program (CWRCP) current and projected workforce needs, thus requiring an alignment with higher standards and high-quality assessments of workplace skills to ensure employer confidence. PURPOSE The FBOP intends to make a single award to an entity that will be responsible for providing an evidence-based Career/Work Readiness Certificate Program (CWRCP) to the FBOP. The certificate program must include a curriculum designed for adult learners to identify and develop key competencies and abilities for entry into the workforce and provide a portable credential certifying those skills at the appropriate levels. Delivery of services and test administration must be classroom and paper based. The contract will be paper-based testing (PBT) and classroom related services for the performance period specified. The vendor must clearly demonstrate evidence-based jobs skills and their alignment with employer needs. The product shall be aligned with the College and Career Readiness Standards supported by the United States Department of Education (DOE). This product shall also support the performance and accountability requirements of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). Upon completing the CWRCP curriculum, students shall be able to demonstrate fundamental to advanced level employability skills, and ultimately be prepared to take and pass a multi-level skills assessment culminating in a portable employer recognized certificate. The curriculum must have measurable work objectives and goals, as well as clear criteria, which establishes minimum expectations for program completion and assessment of student progress. The product must also successfully provide a comprehensive student progress and skills analysis report. Keeping in mind that this product will service various levels of adult learning skills, the product should support the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) approach. The product must be available in both English and Spanish. Additionally, the vendor must provide printed textbooks, workbooks, test materials, teacher resources and guides, and printable curriculum. The vendor shall also provide institutional training for instructional staff on the correct service delivery and administration of the product. All materials must provide adaptations for individuals with learning disabilities. The product may need to be streamlined for facilitation in a correctional environment. The following BOP Program Statements, which are available electronically at http://www.bop.gov/, are applicable to this contract. 1. Program Statement 5300.21 – Education, Training, and Leisure Time Program Standards. 2. Program Statement 5310.15 – Minimum Standards for Administration, Interpretation, and Use of Education Tests -- 3 of 14 -- Statement of Work for Career/Work Readiness Certificate Program (CWRCP) References The vendor shall provide a list of correctional agencies utilizing this program and report the number of certificates and level certifications awarded. Content – Curriculum and Assessments ● The curr…