Evaluation_Services_of_Reentry_Programs_for_Individuals_in_the_Pierce_County_Jail.pdf

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

2026-RFP-164

EVALUATION SERVICES OF REENTRY PROGRAMS FOR

INDIVIDUALS IN THE PIERCE COUNTY JAIL

Pierce County

1501 Market St, Suite 420

Tacoma, WA 98402

RELEASE DATE: July 24, 2026

DEADLINE FOR QUESTIONS: July 31, 2026

RESPONSE DEADLINE: August 7, 2026, 1:00 pm

RESPONSES MUST BE SUBMITTED ELECTRONICALLY TO:

Request For Proposal #2026-RFP-164 Title: Evaluation Services of Reentry Programs for Individuals in the Pierce County Jail https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/piercecountywa https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/%7bproject.government.code%7d

Pierce County

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

Evaluation Services of Reentry Programs for Individuals in the Pierce

County Jail

1. Introduction

2. Procurement Information

3. Minimum Requirements

4. Scope of Work

5. Submittal Information

6. Vendor Questionnaire

7. Evaluation Process

8. Evaluation Criteria

9. RFP General Terms & Conditions

Attachments:

A - Sample_Service_Agreement

1. Introduction

1.1. Summary

Pierce County is seeking to acquire the services of a consultant to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the reentry programs serving individuals transitioning from incarceration in the Pierce County Jail.

The Consultant will assess both County-provided and community-based services that support individuals transitioning from the County jail to help guide future efforts and investments aimed at improving housing stability, behavioral health outcomes, and workforce participation.

1.2. Background

In Resolution No. 2023-83, Pierce County Council authorized the implementation of the Pierce County

District Court Community Transition Services Pilot Program, which currently operates under the name

Pathways to Progress and is funded by a $500,000.00 appropriation in the 2026-2027 biennial budget. In

Ordinance No. 02026-501, $900,000.00 was appropriated from the new Justice and Unified Safety Tax

Fund for the reentry programs of individuals transitioning from the Pierce County jail. Reentry services in Pierce County are provided by several community-based organizations funded by a variety of sources.

Through Ordinance No. O2025-568s2, the Council directed the Performance Audit Committee to include a comprehensive performance review of reentry programs serving individuals transitioning from incarceration in the Pierce County Jail to the community in its 2026 Workplan.

1.3. Contact Information

Lauren Dase

Procurement and Contract Specialist 2

1501 Market Street

Suite 420

Tacoma, WA 98402

Email: lauren.dase@piercecountywa.gov

Phone: (253) 798-7501

Department:

Procurement and Contract Services

Department Head:

Bert Kalalau

County Purchasing Agent

1.4. Timeline

Release Project Date July 24, 2026

Question Submission Deadline July 31, 2026, 4:00pm mailto:lauren.dase@piercecountywa.gov tel:(253)798-7501

Proposal Submission Deadline August 7, 2026, 1:00pm

2. Procurement Information

2.1. PROCUREMENT DOCUMENTS & RFP'S HOLDER LIST

BIDDERS WHO REGISTER AND DOWNLOAD BID DOCUMENTS will be automatically added to the

FOLLOWERS list in the County's eProcurement Portal. Notifications for bid updates, addenda, and other bid information will be sent to all bidders who register on the Pierce County eProcurement Portal.

2.2. PROCUREMENT QUESTIONS

All questions must be submitted within the County's eProcurement Portal, under the Questions and

Answers Section no later than 4:00 pm on Friday, July 31, 2026. Bidders must be registered in the eProcurement Portal software to submit questions, receive addenda, notifications, and ultimately submit a proposal.

Proposals must be received by the Procurement & Contract Services and the Finance Department before

1:00 pm on Friday, August 7, 2026. The proposer is responsible for submitting the proposal before the deadline. The County shall not be responsible for late submittals.

2.3. EXPECTED TERM OF RESULTING AGREEMENT

The initial contract period is anticipated to be for 12 months . The County has the option of renewing for an additional one year after the initial contract is executed. The actual schedule will be negotiated with the selected firm based on consultant and agency staff availability and the finalized scope of work.

Value of Resulting Contract: 75,000.00

The County intends to award one contract for the services described in this RFP.

https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/piercecountywa

3. Minimum Requirements

3.1. Minimum Requirements

• Registered to do business in Washington State as evidenced by an active Unique Business

Identifier (UBI) number.

• Has a valid federal tax identification number.

4. Scope of Work

4.1. Project Scope

This study will review the history of reentry programs in Pierce County, evaluating effectiveness and outcomes including recidivism, housing stability, and employment. Programs and services will be assessed for cost efficiency, alignment with evidence-based practices, and opportunities to strengthen coordination among justice, housing, behavioral health, and workforce systems. Input from those with lived experience in the reentry system will be systematically gathered and incorporated into the report findings. The study will include:

• System-wide mapping of the current reentry process;

• Analysis of the utilization of county and community-based programs and services, including where possible demographic disaggregation and trends in the population over time

• Identification of gaps in support and systemic barriers to access for both individuals and service providers, which may limit utilization, including where possible any demographic trends in populations affected by those gaps and barriers;

• Review of state and local evaluations of reentry programs in comparable jurisdictions, including studies conducted by the Washington State Institute or Public Policy, to identify best practices and performance benchmarks that can inform local improvements;

• An overview of challenges to successful community reintegration;

• A set of actionable recommendations for county consideration and investment to reduce gaps and barriers, improve equitable outcomes, and streamline future system review.

The review, findings, and recommendations shall be submitted to the Council's Performance Audit

Committee in stages, with the first phase including review of utilized programming, system mapping, gap analysis, and an evaluation plan with defined methodology and outcome measures to be executed in the second phase, no later than October 15, 2026.

4.2. Deliverables

Deliverables for Phase 1 will include the following:

• Review of county and community-based program and service utilization

• System-wide mapping of the current re-entry process

• Analysis of gaps and barriers to both individuals and service providers

• Evaluation plan and methodology for the current system

5. Submittal Information

2026-RFP-164, Evaluation Services of Reentry Programs for Individuals in the Pierce County Jail

5.1. Submittal Requirements

Each Request for Proposal is required to be submitted as outlined in this section. Please include a cover and/or first page, containing the name of the project Evaluation of Reentry Programs Service Individuals in the Pierce County Jail, name of the respondent, contact information, and submittal date. In addition, provide an opening letter indicating the Consultant's interest in this project, and briefly describe what makes the Consultant a suitable candidate to be selected for research consultant services. A table of contents should be next. Please provide the following information in the sequence and format prescribed below. Supplemental materials providing additional information may be attached, but the information requested below is to be provided in this format.

Consultant Information

• Consultant legal name (include and identify entity name change and dba), local address and billing address if different, email address, and phone number

• Primary Individual to contact o Provide the name, phone, and email for:

• Number of years the firm has been in business

Qualifications & Experience

• An organizational chart that explains team member responsibilities.

• The name and resume of each individual who would be assigned to this project and each individual assigned to backup each primary person in his/her absence, together with similar information for each individual to be provided under any subcontract.

o Briefly describe the rationale for the key team members for this project, and what qualities and attributes they possess that will ensure the success of this project.

• Previous county project(s) experience (if applicable); any applicable project experience.

• References listing client contracts of similar services.

Approach to Work

• Describe the Consultant's ability to meet the requirements and provide the requested services listed in this RFP:

o Clearly describe the approaches and methods that will be used to accomplish the necessary services.

o Include a summary of innovative ideas and suggestions for implementing or enhancing the scope of services.

• Additional services or procedures of benefit to the County (if applicable)

Pricing

• Complete pricing for all services in the proposal.

Additional Information

• A statement outlining any proposal exceptions to the County’s requirements or requested clarifications to the requirements. (if applicable)

• The caption, case number, Court, Counsel, and general summary of any litigation pending, or judgment rendered within the past three (3) years involving the proposer. (if applicable)

Only electronic submittal via the County's eProcurement Portal shall be accepted. No hard copies, emails, or fax submittals are acceptable.

Acknowledgement (via the County's eProcurement Portal) of each addendum issued. (if applicable)

6. Vendor Questionnaire

1. Proposer Confirmation* As an authorized representative of the proposer, having carefully examined the Request for Proposals, propose to furnish services in accordance therewith as set forth in the attached proposal.

I further agree that this proposal will remain in effect for not less than sixty (60) calendar days from the date that proposals are due, and that this proposal may not be withdrawn or modified during that time.

I hereby certify that this proposal is genuine and not a sham or collusive proposal, or made in the interests or on behalf of any person not therein named; and I have not directly or indirectly induced or solicited any Contractor or supplier on the above work to put in a sham proposal or any person or corporation to refrain from submitting a proposal; and that I have not in any manner sought by collusion to secure to myself an advantage over any other contractor(s) or person(s).

In order to induce the County to consider this proposal, the proposer irrevocably waives any existing rights which it may have, by contract or otherwise, to require another person or corporation to refrain from submitting a proposal to or performing work or providing supplies to Pierce County, and proposer further promises that it will not in the future directly or indirectly induce or solicit any person or corporation to refrain from submitting a bid or proposal to or from performing work or providing supplies to Pierce County.

☐ Please confirm

*Response required

2. Please Confirm * By submitting a proposal, proposer agrees that all documents, reports, proposals, submittals, working papers, or other materials prepared by the Contractor pursuant to this proposal shall become the sole and exclusive property of the County, and the public domain, and not property of the Contractor. The

Contractor shall not copyright, or cause to be copyrighted, any portion of said items submitted to the

County because of this solicitation.

☐ Please confirm

*Response required

3. Supplemental Attachment Confirmation* I confirm I have reviewed the content of the following attachment included under this RFP; Sample

Agreement and acknowledge I understand and agree to these requirements should my organization receive a contract as a result of this proposal.

☐ Please confirm

4. Organization Business IDs* Please provide the Federal Tax Number (EIN), Washington State Unified Business Identification (UBI) and the *Unique Entity Identifier (UEI).

*An 'active' UEI number and cage code are required when the funding is federal and creates a subrecipient relationship between the contractor and the County.

*Response required

5. Ownership Type* Must choose at least two (2) answers.

Select all that apply

☐ For Profit

☐ Non Profit

☐ Sole Proprietorship

☐ Corporation/LLC/Partnership

☐ City/County/State

*Response required

6. Proposal * Upload Proposal

7. Evaluation Process

7.1. Evaluation & Award Process

An evaluation team will review the bidding documents and evaluate all responses received based upon the criteria listed herein. The County may request clarifications or additional information, if needed. The proposer determined to be most qualified through the initial evaluation phase may be interviewed and the final determination will also consider reference checks and interviews.

The County intends to select the Contractor most qualified for this pursuit/solicitation and begin the negotiation and award process based on the requirements of this solicitation.

Selected Proposer(s) will be invited to enter into contract negotiations with the County. Should the

County and the selected proposer not reach a mutual agreement, the County will terminate negotiations and move to the next ranked contractor and proceed with negotiations. A Proposer’s inability to agree to the terms of the County’s standard contract may be a basis for the County to terminate negotiations and begin negotiating with one or more other Contractors.

The County reserves the right to accept or reject any or all submitted bids, to waive as informalities any irregularities, and to contract as the best interest of the County may require. The County may reject bids that are non-responsive or that are submitted by non-responsible contractors.

8. Evaluation Criteria

No. Evaluation Criteria Scoring Method Weight (Points)

1. Consultant Information

Consultant Information is provided in accordance with the submittal requirements.

Points Based 5 (5% of Total)

2. Qualifications and Experience

Qualifications and experience are provided in accordance with the submittal requirements.

Points Based 35 (35% of Total)

3. Approach to Work

Approach to work is provided in accordance with the submittal requirements.

Points Based 20 (20% of Total)

4. Pricing

Pricing is provided in accordance with the submittal requirements.

Points Based 30 (30% of Total)

5. Accuracy and Completeness of the Proposal

Proposals will be evaluated on the following criteria:

• The proposal has been formatted in accordance with the submittal requirements.

• Spelling and grammatical accuracy.

• Coherent and logical flow of written responses

Points Based 10 (10% of Total)

9. RFP General Terms & Conditions

Reserved Rights and Procedures:

1. Pierce County expressly reserves the following rights:

a. To waive any and/or all irregularities in the proposals submitted.

b. To reject any or all proposals or portions thereof.

c. To base awards with due regard to quality of services, experience, compliance with specifications, and other such factors as may be necessary in the circumstances.

d. To make the award to any vendor or combination of vendors whose proposal(s), in the opinion of the County, is in the best interest of the County.

2. Pierce County cannot accept late proposals.

3. Reimbursement: Pierce County will not reimburse proposers for any costs involved in the preparation and submission of responses to this RFP or in the preparation for and attendance at subsequent interviews.

4. Cooperative Purchasing

The Washington State Interlocal Cooperation Act, Ch. 39.34 RCW, authorizes public agencies to cooperatively purchase goods and services if all parties agree. By responding to this RFP, Consultants agree that other public agencies may purchase goods and services under this solicitation or contract at their own cost and without Pierce County incurring any financial or legal liability for such purchases.

Pierce County agrees to allow other public agencies to purchase goods and services under this solicitation or contract, provided that Pierce County is not held financially or legally liable for purchases and that any public agency purchasing under such solicitation or contract file a copy of this invitation and such contract in accordance with RCW 39.34.040.

5. Public Records and Proprietary Material

Proposers should be aware that any records they submit to the County or that are used by the County even if the proposers possess the records may be public records under the Washington Public Records

Act (RCW 42.56). The County must promptly disclose public records upon request unless a statute exempts them from disclosure. Proposers should also be aware that if even a portion of a record is exempt from disclosure, generally, the rest of the record must be disclosed. Exemptions are narrow and specific.

Proposers should clearly mark any record they believe is exempt from disclosure.

6. Title VI Compliance

Pierce County, in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 78 Stat. 252, 42 U.S.C. 2000d to

2000d-4 and Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, Department of Transportation, subtitle A, Office of the Secretary, Part 21, nondiscrimination in federally assisted programs of the Department of

Transportation issued pursuant to such Act, hereby notifies all bidders that it will affirmatively ensure that in any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, disadvantaged business enterprises as defined at 49 CFR Part 26 will be afforded full opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, or national origin in consideration for an award.