Administrative Office of the US Courts, OFSAS-CD, Ste. G-400, Washington, DC 20544

R -- COMPREHENSIVE STRATEGIC ASSESSMENT OF THE FEDERAL PROBATION AND PRETRIAL SERVICES SYSTEM SOL USCS 99-5093 DUE 040199 POC Linda Round, 202-502-1330 The Administrative Office of the United States Courts (AOUSC) is seeking sources who can conduct a comprehensive strategic assessment of the federal probation and pretrial services system. The system performs pretrial services and pre-sentence investigations, prepares pretrial and pre-sentence reports for the federal courts, and supervises upwards of 100,000 defendants and convicted offenders each year. It has more than 7,000 employees who provide these services through probation and pretrial services offices in 93 of the system's 94 district courts across the country. The system has accommodated many changes over the last decade including new statutory responsibilities; decentralization of budget, procurement and personnel functions; office automation; emerging supervision technologies; and rising caseloads comprised of more labor intensive cases. The purpose of the study is to identify and address strategic issues that will prepare the system to carry out its mission in the years to come amidst growing size and complexity, and changing needs and technologies. The focus is on improving the quality of services to meet the basic goals and objectives of federal probation and pretrial services. Work requirements for the assessment will include: Review of underlying laws, regulations, policies, and program guidance for the investigation, report writing, and supervision functions in both the pretrial services and post-conviction contexts; review of recent and ongoing surveys, program reviews, reports, and work measurement studies; documentation of lines of authority and communication within and across the system and with other key organizations; analysis of trends in budget, spending and staffing patterns, including changes in budget and staffing formulation and execution practices; analysis of trends in the size and composition of the investigative and supervision workloads and in patterns of violations; research into comparative state, local, and international policies, practices, and cost; interviews with representative staff and key stakeholders; facilitation of numerous focus groups that will, in combination, include representation from all districts and key stakeholders to generate ideas, discuss benefits and costs from various perspectives; assessment of strengths and weaknesses of proposed approaches; and development of recommendations. Sources must have expertise in community corrections program assessment, structural analysis of government organizations, trend analysis, focus group facilitation, strategic planning, and comparative cost and quality analysis; and demonstrate experience in conducting a study of similar size, scope, and complexity. Parties who can satisfy the above stated requirements and who would be interested in bidding on such a comprehensive strategic assessment under a labor- hour pricing structure should submit a Letter of Interest containing a summary of relevant experience; and the name, address, and telephone number of a contact person. Submissions should be forwarded within 14 days of publication of this announcement to the attention of Ms. Linda Round, Administrative Office of the United States Courts, One Columbus Circle, NE, suite G-400, Washington, DC 20544. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining the method of procurement which would be most advantageous for the Government. Posted 03/18/99 (W-SN310229). (0077)

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