RFP JUV-27-CB-05-004 Responses to Questions.pdf

This document contains responses to bidder questions for RFP JUV-27-CB-05-004, issued by the State of Iowa Judicial Branch's Juvenile Court Services, regarding community-based case management services for the Early Services Program (ESP). The RFP seeks one or more vendors to provide case management, wraparound services, trauma and mental health screenings, school collaboration, family engagement activities, and restorative justice programming for youth ages 12 and under referred for delinquent acts across seven counties: Dallas, Guthrie, Jasper, Madison, Marion, Polk, and Warren. Letters of intent and written questions were due by May 1, 2026, with complete technical and cost proposals due by May 29, 2026 at 12:00 P.M. central time. The Iowa Judicial Branch anticipates issuing a Notice of Intent to Award by June 15, 2026, with contract execution scheduled for July 1, 2026. The initial contract term runs for one year from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027, with the option to renew for up to five additional one-year terms at the agency's discretion.

Key clarifications from the Q&A include confirmation that the $300,000 annual budget cap represents the total anticipated amount available for all vendors combined, and that all proposals must address services across all seven counties rather than limited geographic areas. The ESP program will serve only informally involved youth, excluding those formally involved in Juvenile Court Services. Victim offender meetings must be conducted by independent, outside mediators rather than contractor staff. Juvenile Court Services will assign two staff members as points of contact for program coordination across counties. Referral data indicates declining numbers of youth ages 12 and under being referred across most counties, with referrals ranging from zero to 32 annually by county.