Transition & Re-Entry RFP Solicitation_2026.pdf

Competitive Solicitation RFP # 26-DCYF-OJJ-102 Page 1 of 30

COMPETITIVE SOLICITATION

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

RFP NO. 26-DCYF-OJJ-102

Project Title: Transition & Re-Entry Services using the Healing to Hope (H2H) Credible Messengers Mentoring Model

Estimated Contract Performance Period: *October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027.

Amendments extending the period of performance, if any, shall be at the sole discretion of Department of Children, Youth & Families (DCYF).

Response Due Date: All responses must be received in their entirety by 5:00 PM

Pacific Time on July 28, 2026, as set forth in Section C.1 of this Solicitation Document unless an Amendment is issued modifying the Solicitation Schedule.

Submit Response To: Responses must be submitted to:

Jenny Young, Solicitation Coordinator Email: Jenny.Young@dcyf.wa.gov

Solicitation and Amendments Will Be Posted on WEBS: WEBS Website: https://fortress.wa.gov/ga/webs/

Applicable WEBS Commodity Codes: 952-43 Family & Social Services 952-95 Youth Care Services

Additional Resource: Washington APEX Accelerator (formerly Washington

PTAC) website: www.washingtonapex.org

* Contract start date is subject to change https://fortress.wa.gov/ga/webs/ http://www.washingtonapex.org/

Competitive Solicitation RFP # 26-DCYF-OJJ-102 Page 2 of 30

TABLE OF CONTENTS

A. OVERVIEW, BIDDER QUALIFICATIONS, AND CONTRACT TERM

1. PURPOSE AND BACKGROUND

2. OBJECTIVE AND SCOPE

3. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

4. PERIOD OF CONTRACT PERFORMANCE

5. FUNDING

6. AUXILIARY AIDS AND SERVICES FOR AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA)

B. DEFINITIONS

C. EXPLANATION OF SOLICITATION PROCESS

1. SOLICITATION SCHEDULE

2. SOLICITATION COORDINATOR

3. POSTING OF SOLICITATION DOCUMENTS

4. AMENDMENT, CANCELLATION AND REISSUANCE OF SOLICITATION

5. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

6. COMPLAINTS

7. SMALL AND DIVERSE BUSINESSES

8. PROCUREMENT PRIORITIES AND PREFERENCES

9. COST TO PREPARE RESPONSE

10. JOINT PROPOSALS

11. WITHDRAWAL OF RESPONSES

13. WAGE VIOLATIONS

14. PAY EQUALITY

15. WORKER’S RIGHTS

16. NONDISCRIMINATION

17. MOST FAVORABLE TERMS

18. ANNOUNCEMENT OF SUCCESSFUL BIDDER(S)

19. ETHICS, POLICIES AND LAW

D. PROPOSAL CONTENT, FORMAT AND SUBMISSION

1. ATTACHMENT B - CERTIFICATIONS AND ASSURANCES (REQUIRED/PASS-FAIL)

2. ATTACHMENT C - BIDDER RESPONSE FORMS (REQUIRED/PORTIONS SCORED)

3. KEY PERSONNEL

4. LETTERS OF SUPPORT (REQUIRED) ...................................................................... ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED.

5. TRAINING CERTIFICATION

6 PRE-BID CONFERENCE

7. PROPRIETARY INFORMATION/PUBLIC DISCLOSURE

8. SUBMISSION OF RESPONSES

9. ACCEPTABLE ELECTRONIC FORMATS FOR SUBMISSION OF RESPONSES

E. EVALUATION OF PROPOSALS

1. BID RESPONSIVENESS; ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW

2. ERRORS IN BIDDER RESPONSE

3. EVALUATION CRITERIA AND SCORING OF RESPONSES

B. SCORING METHOD FOR MANAGEMENT/QUALIFICATIONS EXPERIENCE

4. WRITTEN EVALUATION PROCEDURE

5. SELECTION OF APPARENT SUCCESSFUL BIDDER

F. DEBRIEFING AND PROTEST PROCEDURE

1. DEBRIEFING CONFERENCES

2. PROTEST PROCEDURE

G. CONTRACTING PROCEDURES

Competitive Solicitation RFP # 26-DCYF-OJJ-102 Page 3 of 30

1. CONTRACT EXECUTION

2. BIDDER ISSUES, CONCERNS, EXCEPTIONS OR OBJECTIONS

3. INSURANCE

4. NON-ENDORSEMENT

5. BACKGROUND CHECKS

6. ELECTRONIC PAYMENT

Competitive Solicitation RFP # 26-DCYF-OJJ-102 Page 4 of 30

A. OVERVIEW, BIDDER QUALIFICATIONS, AND CONTRACT TERM

1. Purpose and Background

This Competitive Solicitation is issued to assist the Washington State Department of Children, Youth & Families (DCYF) in seeking a qualified Contractor to provide Transition and Re-Entry Services using the Healing to Hope (H2H) Credible Messengers Mentoring Model to youth leaving Juvenile Rehabilitation facilities. This priority area was identified by the Washington State Partnership Council on Juvenile Justice as a top priority in their 2021-2023 Three-Year Plan.

Currently there is a need in Eastern Washington for additional transition and re-entry service providers using H2H for supportive re-entry. This solicitation seeks to award a contract to the most qualified bidder located East of the Cascades providing Transition and Re-Entry Services to youth and young adults returning to the community from Juvenile Rehabilitation.

NOTE: For the purposes of this solicitation, “youth and young adults” means any individual who was placed in the care and custody of Juvenile Rehabilitation either through Juvenile Court or Adult Court.

DCYF, in accordance with Washington law, encourages small and diverse businesses to compete for and participate in DCYF procurements as contractors and as subcontractors to awarded Bidders. See, e.g., RCW 39.19 (OMWBE certified businesses); RCW 43.60A.200 (DVA certified veteran-owned businesses); and RCW 39.26.005 (Washington Small Businesses).

2. Objective and Scope

The objective for this funding is to increase the number of youth and young adults returning to the community from Juvenile Rehabilitation who are able to access Transition and Re-entry Services using H2H model and thereby reduce recidivism and increase successful re-integration into the community.

Successful applicants will demonstrate their ability to provide Transition and Re-Entry Services using the Healing to Hope Credible Messenger Model (H2H) East of the Cascades and primarily in one or more of the following geographic areas: Yakima, Spokane, Benton and/or Franklin Counties. Non-profit organizations and LLCs are invited to apply. Local and State Government Agencies are not eligible for this funding.

Organizations able to demonstrate strong, recent collaboration within these communities as trusted leaders and service providers is essential as families in these communities will be key partners in supporting the return of their young people from Juvenile Rehabilitation facilities.

https://northwestcrediblemessenger.org/activism-and-education/nwcm-h2h-credible-messenger-training/ https://northwestcrediblemessenger.org/activism-and-education/nwcm-h2h-credible-messenger-training/ https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=39.19 https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=43.60A.200 https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=43.60A.200 https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=39.26.005

Competitive Solicitation RFP # 26-DCYF-OJJ-102 Page 5 of 30

3. Minimum Qualifications

All Bidders must meet the following minimum qualifications:

Bidders submitting a proposal must complete and submit Bidder Response forms C.1 and C.2 for evaluation purposes. Bidder must respond to each requirement as noted in the instructions below.

• Mandatory Pass/Fail (M): Minimum requirement; Bidder that does not meet this requirement will not be considered any further.

• Mandatory Scored (MS): Critical requirement; Bidders will score based on the degree to which Bidder's response meets the requirements.

• Desirable Scored (DS): Desirable requirement; evaluators will score based on the degree to which Bidder's response meets the requirement.

a. Mandatory Pass/Fail (M): Bidders failing to demonstrate in their Bids that they meet these minimum qualifications will be considered non-responsive and will therefore be disqualified from further consideration.

(1) Must be licensed to do business in the State of Washington or provide a commitment that it will become licenses in Washington within thirty (30) days of being selected as the Apparent Successful Bidder (ASB).

(2) Must have a Unique Entity (UEI) number or provide a commitment that it will acquire a UEI number within thirty (30) days of being selected as the Apparent Successful Bidder (ASB).

• Information on how to obtain a UEI number can be found at the following location: https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration

(3) Bidder must certify that they have not been debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment, declared ineligible, or voluntarily excluded from participation in transactions by any federal department or agency. Bidders failing to demonstrate in their Bids that they meet these minimum qualifications will be considered non-responsive and will therefore be disqualified from further consideration.

(4) Bidder must fully complete the Budget Outline and Narrative included in Bidder Response Form, C-2. All sections of the Budget Outline to include Proposal Funding Request, In-kind or Other Sources, and Total Project Cost must be provided or the bidder will be considered non-responsive and will therefore be disqualified from further consideration.

(5) Bidder must submit a minimum of three (3) Letters of Support along with their application. Please see section D.4 on page 21 of this solicitation document for additional details.

b. Mandatory Scored (MS):

https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsam.gov%2Fcontent%2Fentity-registration&data=05%7C02%7Ckarena.mcgovern%40dcyf.wa.gov%7Cc4c0394e851040ffec1708dc00156ba3%7C11d0e217264e400a8ba057dcc127d72d%7C0%7C0%7C638385339536404371%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=ppRN%2BtIJTsscXG2aIXX5vfE9ua8UM3nSdTymsNFJmkY%3D&reserved=0

Competitive Solicitation RFP # 26-DCYF-OJJ-102 Page 6 of 30

(1) Must demonstrate an understanding of the juvenile justice system in Washington State to include the risk and needs of youth sentenced to Juvenile Rehabilitation and the challenges and barriers they face upon returning to the community after completing their sentence.

(2) If the organization does not currently have people with lived experience on staff, the organization must provide a commitment to hire staff with lived experience for the purpose of providing Transition and Re-Entry Services using the Healing to Hope (H2H) Credible Messengers Mentoring Model.

(3) If not yet trained in H2H, the organization must provide a commitment to begin training, provided by Northwest Credible Messengers, within 90 days of Contract Execution if selected as the ASB.

c. Desirable Scored (DS):

(1) Current and established staff with personal experience in the juvenile and/or adult justice systems, bringing lived experience to their work with youth and young adults.

(2) Demonstrated experience in providing Transition and Re-Entry Services using the Credible Messenger framework.

(3) Completed Healing to Hope Credible Messengers Mentoring Model Certification from Northwest Credible Messengers.

4. Period of Contract Performance

a. DCYF intends to award one (1) Transition & Re-Entry Services Contract to provide the services described above to a program serving youth East of the Cascades.

b. The initial term of the Transition & Re-Entry Services Contract will be for (12) months commencing upon the start date October 1, 2026, or execution date, whichever is later. The term of the Contract may be extended by Amendment up to two (2) times for up to one (1) year per Amendment and will not exceed the date of September 30, 2029.

c. Additional services that are appropriate to the scope of this RFP, as determined by DCYF, may be added to the resulting Contract by a written Amendment mutually agreed to and executed by both parties.

5. Funding

a. DCYF initial total amount for the Transition & Re-Entry Services Contract shall not exceed $170,000. Bids more than $170,000 will be rejected as non-responsive and will not be evaluated. In the event additional funding becomes available, Contract awarded may be renegotiated to provide for additional related services.

Competitive Solicitation RFP # 26-DCYF-OJJ-102 Page 7 of 30

b. Any Contract awarded because of this Solicitation is contingent upon the availability of funding.

c. In the contract proposed because of this RFP, it is DCYF’s intent to use the following funding sources:

100% of the total costs of the program will be financed through the Federal Title II Block Grant awarded to Washington State from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.

6. Auxiliary Aids and Services for American with Disabilities Act (ADA)

DCYF will provide access to this Solicitation Document to individuals with disabilities.

Please contact the Solicitation Coordinator to request auxiliary aids and services.

If an individual believes that the Department has discriminated based on a disability, please contact the DCYF Solicitation Coordinator.

Competitive Solicitation RFP # 26-DCYF-OJJ-102 Page 8 of 30

B. DEFINITIONS

Additional definitions for Contract-specific terms are found in the Sample Contract set forth as Attachment A to this Solicitation and shall apply to those terms as they are used in this Solicitation. The following terms have the meanings set forth below:

1. DCYF – The Washington State Department of Children, Youth & Families.

2. WA-PCJJ – The Washington State Partnership Council on Juvenile Justice.

3. JR – Juvenile Rehabilitation.

4. NWCM – Northwest Credible Messenger.

5. H2H – Healing to Hope Credible Messengers Mentoring Model.

6. Amendment – A unilateral change to the Solicitation that is issued by DCYF at its sole discretion and posted on WEBS.

5. Apparent Successful Bidder or ASB – The Bidder selected as the entity to perform the anticipated services, subject to completion of Contract negotiations and execution of a written Contract.

6. Authorized Representative – An individual designated by the Bidder to act on its behalf who has the authority to legally bind the Bidder concerning the terms and conditions set forth in this Solicitation and related documents.

7. Bid - An offer, proposal or quote for goods or services and all related materials prepared and submitted by a Bidder in response to this Solicitation. The terms Bid, quotation, response, and proposal are all intended to mean the same thing.

8. Bidder– An individual or entity who submits a Bid, quotation, or proposal in response to a Solicitation issued for such goods or services by DCYF per RCW 39.26.010(3).

9. Complaint – Is a process that may be followed by a Bidder prior to the deadline for Bid submission to alert DCYF of certain types of asserted deficiencies in the Solicitation per

RCW 39.26.170.

10. Complex Contract - Written agreements between two or more parties that are legally binding with the added complexity of competing priorities such as financial targets, support capabilities, and delivery schedules.

11. Contract – A written agreement entered between an Apparent Successful Bidder and DCYF as a result of this Solicitation.

12. Contractor – An individual or entity whose Bid has been accepted by the DCYF and is awarded a fully executed, written Contract.

Competitive Solicitation RFP # 26-DCYF-OJJ-102 Page 9 of 30

13. Coordinator or Solicitation Coordinator – An individual or designee who is employed by DCYF within the DCYF Contracts Unit Office and who is responsible for conducting this Solicitation.

14. Debriefing – a short meeting an Unsuccessful Bidder may request with the Solicitation Coordinator following the announcement of the ASB for the purpose of receiving information regarding the review and evaluation of that Bidder’s Response.

15. Evaluator – Is a person designated by DCYF to evaluate proposals received in response to a Competitive Solicitation Document.

16. Non-Responsive Bidder - A Bidder who has submitted a bid, which does not conform to all requirements of the solicitation documents.

17. Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises (OMWBE) Certified Business – Means business or the status of a business that has been examined by the Washington State Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises (OMWBE) and deemed to be a Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), a Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE), a Minority Women’s Business Enterprise (MWBE), a Combination Business Enterprise (CBE), or a Socially and Economically Disadvantage Business Enterprise (SEDBE) per chapter 39.19 RCW.

OMWBE Certification. The Bidder must have provided certification documentation to the OMWBE and be certified by OMWBE and listed as such on OMWBE’s website (OMWBE’s Directory of Certified Businesses).

18. Protest – A process that may be followed by a Bidder after the announcement of the ASB to alert DCYF to certain types of alleged errors in the evaluation of the Solicitation.

19. RCW – The Revised Code of Washington. All references to RCW chapters or sections shall include any successor, amended, or replacement statute.

20. RFP – The Request for Proposals set forth in this Solicitation document.

21. Services – Are labor, work, analysis, or similar activities provided by a Contractor to accomplish a specific Statement of Work per RCW 39.26.010 (21).

22. Solicitation or Competitive Solicitation – A formal process providing and equal and open opportunity for Bidders culminating in a selection based upon predetermined criteria. A Competitive Solicitation requests the submission of Bids, quotations, or proposals for the consideration of DCYF in contracting to meet its needs. This RFP is a Solicitation.

23. Solicitation Document – Is a document that outlines the requirements and process for submitting a proposal or bid to acquire services or goods that DCYF desires and is released to prospective Bidders or other interested persons. Competitive Solicitation documents include Request for Proposal (RFP’s), Request for Qualifications and Quotation (RFQQs), Request for Qualifications (RFQs), Request of Quotation(s) (RFQs), and Request for Applications (RFAs).

https://omwbe.wa.gov/directory-certified-businesses

Competitive Solicitation RFP # 26-DCYF-OJJ-102 Page 10 of 30

24. Statement of Work – The detailed description services to be performed by the Contractor and set forth in the Contract.

25. Subcontractor – An individual or other entity contracted by Bidder to perform part of the services or to provide goods under the Contract resulting from this Solicitation.

Subcontractors, if allowed, are subject to the advance approval of DCYF.

26. Unsuccessful Bidder (USB) - A supplier of goods or services that submits a quotation or request for proposal but is not selected once the evaluation decision has been made.

27. Veteran-Owned Business – means businesses certified by the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) as a Certified Veteran-Owned Business. See RCW 43.60A.010(7) & RCW 43.60A.190. Such firms must meet three requirements:

a. 51% Ownership. The firm must be at least fifty-one percent (51%) owned and controlled by:

(1) A veteran as defined as every person who at the time he or she seeks certification has received a discharge with an honorable characterization or received a discharge for medical reasons with an honorable record, where applicable, and who has served in at least one of the capacities listed in RCW 41.04.007;

(2) A person who is in receipt of disability compensation or pension from the department of veterans’ affairs; or

(3) An active or reserve member in any branch of the armed forces of the United States, including the national guard, coast guard, and armed forces reserves.

b. Washington Incorporation/Location. The firm must be either an entity that is incorporated in the State of Washington as a Washington domestic corporation or, if not incorporated, an entity whose principal place of business is located within the State of Washington.

DVA Certification. The firm must have provided certification documentation to the DVA and be certified by DVA and listed as such on DVA’s website (WDVA – Veteran-Owned Businesses).

28. Washington APEX Accelerator - formerly Washington Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) – Works to give businesses the opportunity to thrive in the government-contracting marketplace. Their website can be found at www.washingtonapex.org

29. Washington Electronic Business Solution or WEBS – Washington’s Electronic Business Solution, the Bidder notification system found at https://fortress.wa.gov/ga/webs/ and maintained by the Washington State Department of Enterprise Services.

http://www.washingtonapex.org/

Competitive Solicitation RFP # 26-DCYF-OJJ-102 Page 11 of 30

30. Washington Small Business - An in-state business, including a sole proprietorship, corporation, partnership, or other legal entity, that: (a) certifies, under penalty of perjury, that it is owned and operated independently from all other businesses and has either: (i) fifty (50) or fewer employees; or (ii) a gross revenue of less than seven (7) million dollars annually as reported on its federal income tax return or its return filed with the Department of Revenue over the previous three (3) consecutive years.

Small Business Self-Certification. The Bidder must provide a signed Attachment B.1 Small Business Self-Certification as part of their proposal.

Competitive Solicitation RFP # 26-DCYF-OJJ-102 Page 12 of 30

C. EXPLANATION OF SOLICITATION PROCESS

1. Solicitation Schedule

The Solicitation Schedule set forth below outlines the tentative schedule for important events relating to this Solicitation. Except as modified in an Amendment issued by the Solicitation Coordinator, the dates and times listed through the date of response submission are mandatory deadlines. The remaining dates are estimates and may change without the posting of an Amendment. It is the Bidder’s sole responsibility to periodically check WEBS at https://fortress.wa.gov/ga/webs/ for RFP amendments.

Failure to meet the response deadline will result in Bidder disqualification.

Action Date

DCYF Posts Competitive Solicitation to WEBS May 1, 2026 Pre-Bid Conference from 12 to 1 PM Pacific Time via Microsoft Teams

May 12, 2026

Bidder may submit written questions until 5 PM Pacific Time.

May 12, 2026

DCYF will post responses to written questions as an Amendment to the Solicitation posted to WEBS

May 15, 2026

Bidders may submit written Complaints by 2 PM Pacific Time

July 21, 2026

DCYF issues any additional Amendment(s) to RFP (if applicable)

July 28, 2026

Bidder must submit Response by 5:00 p.m.

Pacific Time

July 28, 2026

Evaluation of written Responses Completed August 28, 2026 Announce Apparent Successful Bidder and notify Unsuccessful Bidders

August 31, 2026

Unsuccessful Bidders may request a Debriefing conference

Within 3 business days of ASB announcement

Holds Debriefing conferences, if requested Within 3 days of bidder’s request

Bidder Protests Must be requested within 5 business days of their debriefing conference.

Negotiate Contract

September 25, 2026

Estimated Contract start date (DCYF will postpone signing a Contract with the ASB until all Protests have been resolved.)

October 1, 2026, or upon Contract Execution

2. Solicitation Coordinator

a. The Solicitation Coordinator is the sole point of contact for DCYF for this

Solicitation. All communications concerning this Solicitation must be emailed to the Solicitation Coordinator listed on the cover page and below this subsection of this Solicitation Document.

Competitive Solicitation RFP # 26-DCYF-OJJ-102 Page 13 of 30

Jenny Young, Solicitation Coordinator Email: jenny.young@dcyf.wa.gov

b. DCYF considers all oral communications unofficial and non-binding. Bidders are to rely only on written statements issued by the Solicitation Coordinator.

c. Any communications directed to parties other than the Solicitation Coordinator may result in disqualification of the Bidder.

3. Posting of Solicitation Documents

a. DCYF shall post this Solicitation, and all Amendments and announcements relating to this Solicitation, on WEBS. WEBS can be accessed at https://fortress.wa.gov/ga/webs/.

b. All Bidders must register as a vendor on WEBS, using an appropriate commodities code listed on the front page of this Solicitation, and must download this Solicitation from WEBS. This should be done as soon as possible for the Bidder to receive notifications automatically generated on WEBS, but no later than the date set forth on Section C.1., Solicitation Schedule for Announcement of the Apparent Successful Bidder(s).

4. Amendment, Cancellation and Reissuance of Solicitation

a. DCYF may amend or cancel or reissue this Solicitation at any time, in whole or in part, prior to execution of a Contract.

b. DCYF may reject all Bids and cancel or rebid this Solicitation. In the event it becomes necessary to revise any part of this Solicitation, Amendment(s) shall be posted on WEBS.

c. In the event of a conflict between Amendments or between an Amendment and this Solicitation Document, the document issued latest shall control.

d. For this purpose, the published questions and answers from the pre-bid conference and any other pertinent information shall be provided as an Amendment to the RFP.

5. Questions and Answers

a. Bidders may send written questions concerning this Solicitation to the Solicitation

Coordinator by the date and time set forth on the Solicitation Schedule in Section C.1. for submission of Questions. Questions should be sent via email and should include the number and title of this Solicitation in the subject line.

b. DCYF will document all questions received in writing by posting an Amendment to the Solicitation on WEBS. Only Bidders who have properly registered and downloaded the original Solicitation directly via the WEBS system at mailto:jenny.young@dcyf.wa.gov

Competitive Solicitation RFP # 26-DCYF-OJJ-102 Page 14 of 30 https://fortress.wa.gov/ga/webs/ will receive notification of Amendments and other correspondence pertaining to this Solicitation.

6. Complaints

a. DCYF provides prospective Bidders a period of time to voice Complaints about this Solicitation in order to promote a transparent, fair, and competitive process.

Prospective Bidders must provide the Solicitation Coordinator the Complaint in written form no later than five (5) business days prior to when the Bids are due. The Complaint must clearly articulate the basis for the Complaint and should include a proposed remedy. Complaint topics are inclusive of:

(1) Unnecessarily restricts competition;

(2) Contains an unfair or flawed evaluation/scoring process; or

(3) Inadequate or insufficient requirements so a response is difficult to prepare.

b. Complaints raised in communication with the Solicitation Coordinator will be documented and responded to in written form. A copy of the Complaint and response will be posted on WEBS. The DCYF decision regarding a Complaint is final and no further administrative appeal is available. The Complaint may not be raised again during the Protest period.

7. Small and Diverse Businesses

DCYF in accordance with Washington law, encourages small and diverse businesses to compete for and participate in state procurements as contractors and as subcontractors to awarded bidders. See, e.g., RCW 39.19 (OMWBE certified businesses); RCW 43.60A.200 (WDVA certified veteran-owned businesses); and RCW 39.26.005 (Washington small businesses). In support of the state’s economic goals and to support a diverse supplier pool.

a. Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises (OMWBE) Participation

Bidders may contact the Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises (OMWBE) at http://omwbe.wa.gov/ to obtain information on certified firms for potential subcontracting arrangements or for information on how to become certified.

Nothing in this section is intended to prevent or discourage participation from non- MWBE businesses.

b. Washington State Small Business Participation

In accordance with the legislative findings and policies set forth in Chapter 39.26 RCW, the State of Washington encourages participation in all of its Contracts by Bidders defined as a Small Business. Participation may be either on a direct basis in response to this Solicitation or on a Subcontractor basis.

http://omwbe.wa.gov/

Competitive Solicitation RFP # 26-DCYF-OJJ-102 Page 15 of 30

Bidder is a Washington Small Business as defined in RCW 39.26.010. To qualify as a Washington Small Business, Bidder must meet both of the following requirements:

Location. Bidder’s principal office/place of business must be located in and identified as being in the State of Washington. A principal office or principal place of business is a firm’s headquarters where business decisions are made and the location for the firm’s books and records as well as the firm’s senior management personnel.

Size. Bidder must be owned and operated independently from all other businesses and have either: (a) fifty (50) or fewer employees; or (b) gross revenue of less than seven million dollars ($7,000,000) annually as reported on Bidder’s federal income tax return or its return filed with the Washington State Department of Revenue over the previous three consecutive years.

c. Certified Veteran-Owned Business Participation

In accordance with the legislative findings and policies set forth in Chapter 43.60A.200 RCW, the State of Washington encourages participation in all of its Contracts by firms certified by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA).

Bidder is a Certified Veteran-Owned Business under RCW 43.60A.190. To qualify as a Certified Veteran-Owned Business, Bidder must meet four (4) requirements:

51% Ownership. Bidder must be at least fifty-one percent (51%) owned and controlled by:

A veteran as defined as every person who at the time he or she seeks certification has received a discharge with an honorable characterization or received a discharge for medical reasons with an honorable record, where applicable, and who has served in at least one of the capacities listed in RCW 41.04.007;

A person who is in receipt of disability compensation or pension from the Department of Veterans Affairs; or

An active or reserve member in any branch of the armed forces of the United States, including the national guard, coast guard, and armed forces reserves.

Bidder must have provided certification documentation to the Washington Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) and be certified by WDVA and listed as such on WDVA’s website (WDVA – Veteran-Owned Businesses).

8. Procurement Priorities and Preferences.

DCYF will apply the following Priorities and Preferences, as set forth in this RFP.

a. Evaluation for Executive Order 18-03 (Contractors without Mandatory Individual Arbitration for Employees)

Competitive Solicitation RFP # 26-DCYF-OJJ-102 Page 16 of 30

Pursuant to RCW 39.26.160(3) (best value criteria) and consistent with Executive Order 18-03 – Supporting Workers’ Rights to Effectively Address Workplace Violations (dated June 12, 2018), DCYF will evaluate bids for best value and provide a bid preference in the amount of Five percent (5%) to any bidder who certifies, pursuant to the certification attached as Attachment B – Bidder Certification and Assurances, that their firm does NOT require its employees, as a condition of employment, to sign or agree to mandatory individual arbitration clauses or class or collective action waiver.

9. Cost to Prepare Response

DCYF will not be liable for any costs incurred by the Bidder in preparing of a Bid submitted in response to this Solicitation, conducting a site assessment and/or presentation, any other activities related to responding to this Solicitation, and/or submitting a response to this Solicitation.

10. Joint Proposals

If Bidders submit a joint response with one or more other persons or entities, these persons or entities must designate a prime Bidder. The prime Bidder will be DCYF sole point of contact through the Solicitation process. If selected as the ASB, the prime Bidder shall sign the Contract and any Amendments and will be liable and responsible to DCYF for all performance under the Contract.

11. Withdrawal of Responses

After a response has been submitted, Bidders may withdraw their response at any time up to the response due date and time as specified in Section C.1, Solicitation Schedule.

A written request to withdraw the response, signed by an Authorized Representative of the Bidder, must be submitted to the Solicitation Coordinator. After withdrawing a response, the Bidder may submit another response at any time up to the response submission date and time.

12. Wage Theft Prevention

Bidder certifies that Bidder has not, within the three (3) year period immediately preceding the date of release of this Competitive Solicitation, been determined by a final and binding citation and notice of assessment issued by the State of Washington Department of Labor and Industries or through a civil judgment to have willfully violated state minimum wage laws (RCW 49.38.082; Chapters 49.46 RCW, 49.48 RCW, or 49.52 RCW). Bidder attests under penalty of perjury that the foregoing statement is true and correct. Bidder must submit Attachment B, attached hereto and incorporated herein as though set forth in full.

13. Wage Violations

Contractor represents and warrants that, during the term of this Contract and the three

(3) year period immediately preceding the effective date of this Contract, it is not

Competitive Solicitation RFP # 26-DCYF-OJJ-102 Page 17 of 30 determined, by a final and binding citation and notice of assessment issued by the Washington Department of Labor and Industries or through a civil judgment entered by a court of limited or general jurisdiction, to be in willful violation of any provision of Washington State wage laws set forth in RCW Chapters 49.46, 49.48, or 49.52. For purposes of this Section 13 and pursuant to RCW 49.48.082 as now or hereafter amended, “willful” shall mean a knowing and intentional action that is neither accidental nor the result of a bona fide dispute, as evaluated under the standards applicable to wage payment violations under RCW 49.52.050(2).

14. Pay Equality

Contractor represents and warrants that, as required by Washington State law (Laws of 2019, Chap. 415, §225(4)(f)), during the term of this Contract the Contractor agrees to equality among its workers by ensuring similarly employed individuals are compensated as equals.

a. For purposes of this Section 14, employees are similarly employed if the individuals work for the same employer, the performance of the job requires comparable skill, effort, and responsibility, and the jobs are performed under similar working conditions. Job titles alone are not determinative of whether employees are similarly employed.

b. For purposes of this Section 14, the Contractor may allow differentials in compensation for its workers based in good faith on any of the following: a seniority system; a merit system; a system that measures earnings by quantity or quality of production; a bona fide job-related factor or factors; or a bona fide regional difference in compensation levels.

(1) A bona fide job-related factor or factors may include, but not be limited to, education, training, or experience, that is: consistent with business necessity; not based on or derived from a gender-based differential; and accounts for the entire differential.

(2) A bona fide regional difference in compensation level must be consistent with business necessity; not based on or derived from a gender-based differential;

and account for the entire differential.

15. Worker’s Rights

Pursuant to the Washington State Governor’s Executive Order 18-03 (dated June 12, 2018), DCYF is seeking to contract with qualified entities and business owners who certify that their employees are not, as a condition of employment, subject to mandatory individual arbitration clauses and class or collective action waivers.

16. Nondiscrimination

a. Nondiscrimination Requirement. During the term of this Contract, Contractor, including any subcontractor, shall not discriminate on the bases enumerated at

Competitive Solicitation RFP # 26-DCYF-OJJ-102 Page 18 of 30

RCW 49.60.530(3). In addition, Contractor, including any subcontractor, shall give written notice of this nondiscrimination requirement to any labor organizations with which Contractor, or subcontractor, has a collective bargaining or other agreement.

b. Obligation to Cooperate. Contractor, including any subcontractor, shall cooperate and comply with any Washington State agency investigation regarding any allegation that Contractor, including any subcontractor, has engaged in discrimination prohibited by this Contract pursuant to RCW 49.60.530(3).

c. Default. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, DCYF may suspend Contractor, including any subcontractor, upon notice of a failure to participate and cooperate with any state agency investigation into alleged discrimination prohibited by this Contract, pursuant to RCW 49.60.530(3). Any such suspension will remain in place until DCYF receives notification that Contractor, including any subcontractor, is cooperating with the investigating state agency. In the event Contractor, or subcontractor, is determined to have engaged in discrimination identified at RCW 49.60.530(3), DCYF may terminate this Contract in whole or in part, and Contractor, subcontractor, or both, may be referred for debarment as provided in RCW 39.26.200. Contractor or subcontractor may be given a reasonable time in which to cure this noncompliance, including implementing conditions consistent with any court-ordered injunctive relief or settlement agreement.

d. Remedies for Breach. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, in the event of Contract termination or suspension for engaging in discrimination, Contractor, subcontractor, or both, shall be liable for contract damages as authorized by law including, but not limited to, any cost difference between the original contract and the replacement or cover contract and all administrative costs directly related to the replacement contract, which damages are distinct from any penalties imposed under Chapter 49.60, RCW. DCYF shall have the right to deduct from any monies due to Contractor or subcontractor, or that thereafter become due, an amount for damages Contractor or subcontractor will owe DCYF for default under this provision.

17. Most Favorable Terms

DCYF reserves the right to make an award without further discussion of the Bid submitted. Therefore, the Bid should be submitted initially on the most favorable terms which the Bidder can propose. DCYF does reserve the right to contact a Bidder for clarification of its Bid.

The Bidder should be prepared to accept this RFP for incorporation into a Contract resulting from this RFP. Contract negotiations may incorporate some or all of the Bidder’s Bid. It is understood that the Bid will become a part of the official Solicitation file on this matter without obligation to DCYF.

18. Announcement of Successful Bidder(s)

DCYF shall announce the ASB(s) via WEBS on the date indicated in Section C.1., Solicitation Schedule. All announcements of ASB(s) are subject to the negotiation of a Contract satisfactory to DCYF.

Competitive Solicitation RFP # 26-DCYF-OJJ-102 Page 19 of 30

19. Ethics, Policies and Law

This Solicitation, the evaluation of responses, and any resulting Contract will be made in conformance with applicable Washington State laws and policies.

Specific restrictions apply to contracting with current or former state employees pursuant to RCW 42.52. Bidders should familiarize themselves with the requirements prior to submitting a Response. Bidders must include information regarding any current or former state employees who are employed by, or subcontracted with Bidder in Attachment C-1, Administrative Requirements Response.

Competitive Solicitation RFP # 26-DCYF-OJJ-102 Page 20 of 30

D. PROPOSAL CONTENT, FORMAT AND SUBMISSION

Bidders shall submit their responses utilizing the forms set forth in Attachments B, C-1, and C-2 to this Competitive Solicitation. Each attachment represents a separate section of the response. Failure to complete and submit all Required attachments, and to sign them, if applicable, may result in Bidder disqualification. Responses should be neatly typed in 12-point font, using proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation, and should be submitted in the following order with each section of the response clearly labeled.

1. Attachment B - Certifications and Assurances (Required/Pass-Fail)

All Bidders must submit a completed and signed Certifications and Assurances in the form and with the minimum contents set forth on Attachment B, which must include all the required acknowledgments and information. The Certifications and Assurances must be signed by an individual authorized to bind the Bidder contractually.

2. Attachment C - Bidder Response Forms (Required/Portions Scored)

Using Attachment C-1 and C-2, Bidders must provide answers to the questions set forth on the Bidder Response Forms to demonstrate satisfaction of administrative requirements and, as applicable to this Solicitation, their qualifications, approach, and proposed pricing to provide the services as outlined in this Solicitation, including the sample Contract set forth on Attachment A.

Attachment C-1, Administrative Requirements Response (Required/Pass-Fail)

Attachment C-2 Bidder Response Form (Required/Scored)

The Bidder Response Form is posted separately from this Solicitation Document in Microsoft Word format. Except for limits that are noted on the Bidder Response Form, Bidders may utilize as much space as is reasonably required to respond to each question, provided all questions are repeated and remain numbered and ordered as set forth in Attachment C-2. Bidders should not submit product brochures, white papers, and customer testimonials, cut sheets, or other pre-prepared materials in response to any of the questions.

Use of Attachment C-2 assures that Bidders respond to specific questions in space immediately below those questions and helps to avoid confusion among Evaluators about the question that is being responded to. The number of points allocated to each answer is indicated next to the question. Failure to use the form set forth on Attachment C-2, and failure to respond to all questions and/or failure to submit any documents requested in the Bidder Response Forms may result in Bidder’s disqualification.

Bidders must submit complete, well-organized explanatory answers that address all of the specific questions asked in the Bidder Response Form. Bidders should not assume that Evaluators will be familiar with their businesses before conducting the evaluation.

Competitive Solicitation RFP # 26-DCYF-OJJ-102 Page 21 of 30

If Bidder is awarded a Contract, DCYF may require the Bidder Response Form C-2 to be incorporated, in whole, into the Contract by reference.

Bidders must complete the budget template included with the Bidder Response Form, C-2, in order for the response to be considered complete. If the Budget Table and/or the Budget Narrative are not completed, the bidder will be considered non-responsive and will therefore be disqualified from further consideration.

3. Key Personnel

Bidder shall identify the key personnel it shall utilize in performing this Contract, and their experience and qualifications, as part of its proposal. If awarded a Contract, Bidder shall not make changes to such key personnel during the term of the Contract except as requested or approved by DCYF.

4. Letters of Support (Pass/Fail)

Bidders must submit at least three (3) Letters of Support which demonstrate their ability to provide services as described in this Solicitation. Please include the following Letters of Support as attachments to your application response:

1) A Letter of Support from Northwest Credible Messenger (NWCM) confirming your certification in the Healing to Hope Credible Messengers Mentoring Model (H2H) or confirming their acceptance of your application to be trained in the model. Please contact Jason Clark at j.clark@northwestcrediblemessenger.org regarding the training and the required Letter of Support. Please note that NWCM is not required to provide a Letter of Support to requesting organizations and may go through their own vetting process to determine if a Letter of Support will be provided.

Additionally, as the training is not free, the cost of the H2H training for your organization may be included in your proposed budget outline.

2) A Letter of Support from Juvenile Rehabilitation is recommended as JR will be the referral source for this contract. Please contact Eric Nicholson at eric.nicholson@dcyf.wa.gov and Ted Ryle at ted.ryle@dcyf.wa.gov to begin the process of requesting and obtaining a Letter of Support affirming JR’s willingness to refer to your organization for Transition & Re-Entry Services. Please note that JR is not required to provide a Letter of Support to requesting organizations and may go through their own vetting process to determine if a Letter of Support will be provided.

3) A Letter of Support from a local community-based organization that your organization has worked with either currently or in the past that can attest to your organization’s standing in the community and experience in providing re-entry and transition services to youth and young adults.

The Bidder must grant permission to DCYF to contact the references and others who may have pertinent information.

mailto:j.clark@northwestcrediblemessenger.org mailto:eric.nicholson@dcyf.wa.gov mailto:ted.ryle@dcyf.wa.gov

Competitive Solicitation RFP # 26-DCYF-OJJ-102 Page 22 of 30

5. Training Certification

Preferred qualifications include staff who have been trained in the Healing to Hope (H2H) Credible Messengers Mentoring Model by Northwest Credible Messenger. If bidder does not currently possess this certification, the ASB must agree to complete the training within 90 days of contract execution.

6. Pre-bid Conference

A virtual pre-bid conference is scheduled to be held on May 12, 2026, at 12:00 p.m., Pacific Daylight Time, Washington. Bidder should participate; however, participation is not mandatory.

Microsoft Teams link:

https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/25573367854272?p=ztTjH9PZALC0pb73Ki

Meeting ID: 255 733 678 542 72

Passcode: wb9sz6Z8

DCYF will be bound only to DCYF’S written answers to questions. Questions arising at the pre-bid conference or in subsequent communication with the Solicitation Coordinator will be documented and answered in written form. A copy of the questions and answers will be posted in WEBS.

7. Proprietary Information/Public Disclosure

Materials submitted in response to this Solicitation shall be deemed public records as defined by RCW 42.56. All responses and accompanying documentation shall become the property of DCYF upon receipt and will not be returned.

The Bidder’s response must include, on Attachment C-1, a statement identifying the pages of its response, if any, which contain information the Bidder considers proprietary. Each page claimed to be proprietary must be clearly marked by stating the word “Proprietary” printed on the lower right-hand corner of the page. Bidders must be reasonable in designating information as proprietary or confidential. Bidders may not mark their entire Response proprietary. Doing so will not be honored and will disqualify your Response from further consideration.

If DCYF receives a request to view or copy a Bidder’s response, DCYF will respond according to applicable law and DCYF’s policy governing public disclosure. DCYF will not disclose any information marked “Proprietary” in a response without giving the Bidder ten (10) calendar days’ notice to seek relief in superior court per RCW

42.56.540. Bid submissions and Bid evaluations are exempt from disclosure until DCYF announces the ASB.

a. DCYF will consider a Bidder’s request for exemption from disclosure; however, DCYF will decide predicated upon Chapter 42.17 RCW and Chapter 136-06 of the https://northwestcrediblemessenger.org/ https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/25573367854272?p=ztTjH9PZALC0pb73Ki

Competitive Solicitation RFP # 26-DCYF-OJJ-102 Page 23 of 30

Washington Administrative Code. Marking the entire Bid exempt from disclosure will not be honored. The Bidder must be reasonable in designating information as confidential. If any information is marked as proprietary in the Bid, such information will not be made available until the affected proposer has been given an opportunity to seek a court injunction against the requested disclosure.

b. Bidders may not include any DCYF client information in their responses. Doing so will result in disqualification of the Response from further consideration. If you wish to include examples of any forms or processes, use a blank form or ensure that all client information is completely redacted.

c. A charge may be made for copying and shipping, as outlined in RCW 42.17.300.

No fee shall be charged for inspection of Contract files, but twenty-four (24) hours’ notice to the Solicitation Coordinator is required. All requests for information should be directed to the DCYF Public Records Office at https://www.dcyf.wa.gov/public-records.

8. Submission of Responses

Bid responses must be stored in an acceptable electronic format as set forth in Section 9, below. Bid responses must be emailed directly to the Solicitation Coordinator at the email address provided on the cover sheet of this Solicitation. Bid responses must be received by the Solicitation Coordinator in their entirety on or before the due date and time set forth in Section C.1., Solicitation Schedule, unless a posted Amendment to this Competitive Solicitation changes this due date and time. Bidder’s completed version of each of the Attachments B, C1 and C2 to this Solicitation shall be included as a separate attachment to the Bidder’s email(s).

Bidders assume all risks for the timely submission of the response. Bidders are responsible for allowing sufficient time to ensure timely electronic receipt of their response by DCYF. DCYF does not assume responsibility for problems with the Bidder’s email or network. However, if DCYF email is not working properly, appropriate allowances will be made.

DCYF will not accept late responses. Late responses will be automatically disqualified from further consideration, unless the DCYF’S e-mail is found to be at fault. DCYF will disqualify any response and withdraw it from consideration if it is received after the response submission due date and time. All Bids and any accompanying documentation become the property of the DCYF and will not be returned.

9. Acceptable Electronic Formats for Submission of Responses

Attachment B, Certifications & Assurances Form, must be submitted in a Portable Document Format (Adobe Acrobat PDF) and Attachments C-1 and C-2, Bidder Response Forms, should be submitted in Microsoft Word or a Portable Document Format (Adobe Acrobat…