Spiritual Guide In Human Values And Responsibility

The successful candidate for this position will be a 1099 contractor with Music Ministry International and be responsible for the following:

Life Connections Program-Values and Responsibility Spiritual Guide

Subject

The Federal Bureau of Prisons, Field Acquisition Office in Grand Prairie, Texas intends to make a single award of an indefinite delivery/requirements type contract with firm fixed pricing for the provision of a general/interfaith or Values and Responsibility Spiritual Guide services at the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) located in Milan, Michigan. The Spiritual Guide will be an integral part of FCI Milan’s Life Connections Program (LCP) and will provide inmates with guidance to successfully complete the program with reasonable and equitable opportunities to pursue religious beliefs and practices. General information about FCI Milan can be found at www.bop.gov.

Place of Performance

The service to be provided under the contract shall be accomplished at:

Federal Correctional Institution-Milan

4004 East Arkona Rd.

Milan, Michigan 48160

Schedule

Services will normally be provided Monday through Thursday 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM, excluding Federal holidays. The contractor will normally provide twenty-four (24) sessions each week of services. A session is defined as one hour. The schedule may include occasional evening hours based on program needs. A mutually agreed upon schedule will be developed by the LCP Chaplain after contract award.

Due to the nature of the correctional setting, delays in performance of work may be experienced. Such delays may include but are not limited to inclement weather, electrical or mechanical problems, or other security matters. When contract employees report to the institution but are unable to perform services due to such delays, the contractor will be paid for one session. Normally, any remaining sessions for that day will be suspended and the contractor will be free to leave and the contractor will not be paid for the remaining unperformed sessions. However, if the institution requests that the contractor remain at the institution for eventual performance, the contractor shall be paid for such sessions. In the event of any absence, the contractor may make up his/her time if approved by the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR). If the contractor fails to provide coverage, the Government may seek contractual remedy. In the event of an emergency, such as a National Pandemic, the contractor may be authorized to perform work from home if approved by the COR.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

The contractor must possess a Master’s Degree or be enrolled in a program offering a Master’s Degree from an accredited college or university in one of the following fields of study: Divinity, Education, Psychology, Sociology, Social Work, or other similarly related field.

Spiritual guides responding to this solicitation shall complete and submit with their quote the attached form, “Credentials of Religious Services Contractor.”

Spiritual guides shall submit one letter of endorsement from their local religious organization, which shows that they are a member in good standing.

Spiritual guides shall submit two letters of personal reference.

Spiritual guides must specifically identify the individual that will be performing these services under any subsequent contract award. The guide must provide proof that their candidate meets all qualifications. The candidate’s name and qualifications must be submitted at the time the quote is submitted. All spiritual guides must submit with their quote a resume as well as photocopies of documents evidencing education, training, experience, and credentials.

After review of these documents by Bureau of Prisons staff, vendors may be requested to submit additional documents for review.

Vendors failing to submit any of the required documents will be removed from further consideration for award.

Supplies and Equipment

All supplies that the contractor may need to perform services under this contract will be provided by FCI Milan.

Description of Duties

The Values and Responsibility Spiritual Guide shall be responsible for providing instruction and leadership for inmates from a variety of faith traditions as well as those with no faith tradition who are active participants in the Residential Faith-Based Pre-release Program. The contractor shall lead daily classes based upon the core LCP curriculum topics including spirituality, religious tolerance, managing emotions, managing conflict, family connections, how to live with integrity, leadership, and any other subject mutually agreed upon by the contractor and the COR. The Instructor will also be responsible to encourage the inmate’s participation in all aspects of the LCP, i.e. journaling, discussion, community service projects, and victim impact discussion. The overall result of the instruction should be a reduction in recidivism and disciplinary programs.

These programs provide inmates with intensive opportunities for spiritual growth and deepening their religious roots by sharing common space and programs for the purpose of personal transformation and reducing recidivism. Inmates will participate in religion specific and inter-faith program components designed to bring restoration with God, family, community, and self. The program’s design will increase religious tolerance and respect among inmates of various faiths; will connect each inmate with a spiritual mentor; and will link participants with a faith community at their release destination in order to enhance community reintegration. Another component of the program will initiate specific victim impact programs to assist inmates in claiming responsibility for their actions and making amends with victims, family, and community.

The program will enlist partnerships with individuals and organizations in its efforts to lower recidivism and facilitate spiritual growth and personal change. Volunteers, contractors, mentors, sponsoring religious congregations and organizations are all essential partners in the program.

The goal of the Residential Faith-based Pre-release Program is to provide inmates living in a shared living space with intensive opportunities for holistic life restoration for the purpose of reducing recidivism and enhancing prison management.

The contractor will be monitored by Life Connections Chaplain. The contractor shall attend all training required by the BOP for contract workers, and shall be reimbursed for required training at the contract session rate. The contractor will not be permitted to attend institution meetings, staff recalls, or government training sessions for Institution staff on contract time or as a consideration of the contract.

The contractor may attend team meetings, departmental meetings, or other meetings relating to the involvement of the services to be provided by terms of the contract. Some meetings will be required and accomplished on contract time.

The contractor will be required to follow any and all applicable guidelines for the services to be provided. He/she will also maintain accountability of all Government furnished materials, supplies, and equipment. The contractor will sign the provided log or sign-in sheet as documentation for sessions worked and for security purposes.

Method of Instruction

The contractor will provide religious instruction based on their own expertise as it relates to the core curriculum materials. The contractor will work closely with the Chaplain, and other program staff to assist in the development of the program and to gauge the progress of individual participants. The contractor will analyze the effectiveness of each class taught in the LCP and suggest workable methods of improving them.

Inmate Management

Provision of services will require frequent and unsupervised contact with inmates. The contract employee shall not be responsible for the management of any inmates, other than to ensure inmates involved within the contract’s scope of work abide by all rules to ensure their safety and well-being. The contractor may, at any time, be removed from the institution at the discretion of the Warden.

The contractor is to constantly be aware of security and maintain a professional relationship with inmates at all times. Any violation of the institution rules and regulations are to be brought immediately to the attention of any Government employee employed at the institution. The contractor will be required to provide documentation to the COR, or designee, of any infractions of institutional rules and regulations by inmates for proper action.

Institution Security

The contractor/contract employees shall agree to all regulations prescribed by the institution for the safety, custody, and conduct of inmates. The contractor shall attend the Institution Familiarization Orientation program prior to assuming institution involvement.

Reimbursement to the contractor for the time spent in the institution orientation or other specific security related training will be at the contract rate, prorated hourly. The contract employee will be required to sign in and out of the institution for accountability purposes. A badge will be issued and worn at all times for proper identification. The contractor may, at any time, be removed from the institution at the discretion of the CEO.

Attire

The contractor performing these services shall wear professional clothing in accordance with the dress policy of the institution.

Interested Candidates are requested to forward their resume together with three references from individuals who can attest to the candidate’s good work and steadiness. Candidates who do not possess the specific attributes/qualifications in "Minimum Education and Experience Requirements" above need not apply. This is a part-time position with compensation based on budget and the successful candidate’s experience and qualifications.

Apply directly at: https://music-ministry.jobsoid.com (scroll down to “Federal Correctional Institution, Milan, Michigan”). Your application must include three (3) references including one priest or pastor who can attest to your abilities as they relate to this job posting. References must include: name, title, organization, relationship to you, email address (necessary field) and phone number. Depending on security software, candidates are requested to monitor spam folders for further application communications from MMI.