JJS Trades RFP Q and A 26.pdf

JJS Trades Opportunity # 21260714131255

FY27 Request for Proposal Questions and Answers

August 4, 2026

Question 1. For the Certified Exercise and Conditioning trade, please identify the industry-recognized certification or certifications and accrediting bodies DHS will accept.

Answer 1. The RFP does not identify a specific exercise/conditioning certification or accrediting body that

DHS/JJS will accept. It requires the contractor provide an industry- recognized certification, prepare participants for certifications as strength, and conditioning specialists, and provide documentation of the applicable certification standards and accrediting body. Applicants should possess a nationally, or industry recognized credential.

Question 2. Many nationally recognized personal training and strength and conditioning credentials require candidates to be at least 18 years old, possess a high-school diploma or GED, hold CPR/AED certification, or possess a bachelor’s degree. How should vendors meet the certification requirement for participants who do not satisfy those eligibility prerequisites? Will DHS accept an accredited preparatory certificate, stackable credential, or provider-issued certificate of completion?

Answer 2. Our population ages range from 12 to 20 years of age which means some but not all our residents will meet the eligibility requirements. The RFP does not specify alternative certification pathway for participants who cannot satisfy the eligibility requirements of a nationally recognized certification.

Applicants should provide a clear distinction between a preparatory/stackable credential and the final industry- recognized certification and purpose pathway that allows youth to progress toward a recognized credential despite age or other eligibility restrictions.

Question 3. What is the anticipated participant age range, educational status, number of participants, cohort size, instructional schedule, required training hours, and average length of stay at the facility?

Answer 3. The anticipated age range for residents will range from 12 to 20 years of age. Their educational status may vary but the cohorts are the determined by their housing unit which is compiled based on age and aggression. The maximum number of participants will be no more than 12. All programs will be on a weekly schedule of two hours per day two days per week. The average length of stay is approximately

60.7 days.

Question 4. For the eSports and Web Design trade, must one vendor deliver both competitive eSports training and web design, or may an applicant propose a web-design-focused pathway with eSports delivered by a subcontractor?

Answer 4. Yes, the applicant may propose a web design program with eSports delivered by a qualified subcontractor. The applicant remains responsible for meeting all applicable program requirements.

Question 5. What is the anticipated age range, educational level, and average length of stay of participants?

Answer 5. The anticipated age range for residents will range from 12 to 20 years of age. Their educational status may vary but the cohorts are the determined by their housing unit which is compiled based on age and aggression. The maximum number of participants will be no more than 12. All programs will be on a weekly schedule of two hours per day two days per week. The average length of stay is approximately

60.7 days.

Question 6. How many participants does JJS expect the contractor to serve during the one-year contract?

Answer 6. During a contract year JJS expects the contractor to server roughly 8 cohorts per year. The cohorts will be 6 to 8 weeks. Cohorts are comprised a of specified housing unit. Units house no more than 12 residents at one time which works out to approximately 96 residents in a year.

Question 7. What is the preferred cohort size, number of cohorts, session frequency, and total instructional hours?

Answer 7. The preferred cohort size will be no more than 12 residents. Instructional hours will be 4 hours per week, usually two days, two hours per day.

Question 8. What level of post-release job placement services is expected of the contractor?

Answer 8. The contractor is expected to provide meaningful post-release career and employment support.

▪ Connect participants with job placement opportunities.

▪ Coordinate with community organizations and employers.

▪ Document barriers affecting participants success after discharge.

Question 9. How should contractors address participants who are released or transferred before completing the training program?

Answer 9. The RFP requires tracking participants entry, and exit, attendance, training hours, completions, and employments outcomes. Contractors should therefore maintain records of the participants progress though the date of release of transfer and document the reason for non-completion when applicable.

Question 10. Is there an expected program duration or minimum instructional hour requirement, or may applicants propose the curriculum length and schedule that best achieves the desired outcomes?

Answer 10. The preferred cohort size will be no more than 12 residents. Instructional hours will be 4 hours per week, usually two days, two hours per day.

Question 11. What is the anticipated instructional schedule?

a. How many hours per week will vendors have access to participants?

b. What days and times are generally available for instruction?

c. Are there any scheduling constraints due to facility operations?

Answer 11. What is the anticipated instructional schedule? Twice a Week

a. How many hours per week will vendors have access to participants? 4 hours

b. What days and times are generally available for instruction? Monday – Friday 4PM – 7PM or

Saturday – Sunday hours are flexible.

c. Are there any scheduling constraints due to facility operations? Yes, no programming during school hours and visits.

Question 12. What technology resources are available within the detention facility?

a. Is reliable Wi-Fi available?

b. Will computers be provided by the facility, or is the contractor expected to provide them?

c. Are there any internet or website access restrictions that would impact web design instruction?

d. Will participants have access to computers and the internet outside of scheduled class time to complete assignments, build their portfolios, or practice their web design skills?

Answer 12. When speaking on technology resources we do have Wi-fi available, but sometimes the applicant will need a hotspot. Also, we do have access to Smartboards as a learning, and teaching resource.

Computers can be provided, but it would need authorization from the SDP for usage, and to provide IT blocks so residents cannot access outside media networks. It is preferred if applicant provide computers without internet.

Question 13. Will the program's allotted time be Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.?

Answer 13. All programs are after school hours. School hours are 8:00am to 4:00pm. Programming starts after 4:00pm until 7:00pm Monday thru Friday, and weekend hours are more flexible because there is no school on weekends.

Question 14. During the delivery of this program will the youth also have other obligations on their schedule.

Answer 14. If residents are scheduled for programming, they are scheduled for that allocated time slot which help keep everyone on a schedule, and in communication. There are times where security and control come in the picture where we have things such as lockdowns, fire drills, or just any daily operations that might be a challenge. Applicant should anticipate different facility operation that might effect programming.

Question 15. How are the youth divided among the 3 topics: Entrepreneurship, Certified Exercise and

Esports/Web design? How many youth will be in each program (number of youth)?

Answer 15. These are three separate programs. There would be their different units doing the three different programs. There should be no more than 12 residents in any one program at one time unless the applicant is working with two separate units at the same time on different days.

Question 16. Is the expectation for these topics to run concurrently or consecutive?

Answer 16. Concurrently.