Credible Messengers Transition & Re-Entry Services

The Washington State Department of Children, Youth & Families (DCYF) is soliciting proposals through a competitive Request for Proposals (RFP #26-DCYF-OJJ-102) to identify a qualified contractor to provide Transition and Re-Entry Services to youth and young adults exiting Juvenile Rehabilitation facilities using the Healing to Hope (H2H) Credible Messengers Mentoring Model. The primary objectives are to reduce recidivism and increase successful community reintegration for individuals previously placed in JR care through either Juvenile or Adult Court, with service delivery focused on the region East of the Cascades, preferably serving Yakima, Spokane, Benton, and/or Franklin Counties. Key deliverables include comprehensive transitional services leveraging individuals with lived experience in the justice system as mentors and support providers. Required qualifications include three letters of support (from Northwest Credible Messengers, Juvenile Rehabilitation, and a community-based organization), demonstrated understanding of the juvenile justice system, and commitment to hire or retain staff with lived experience in the justice system; bidders not yet H2H-certified must commit to training within 90 days of contract execution. The evaluation criteria encompass compliance with stated requirements, program quality, organizational capacity, and cost-effectiveness. Critical dates include a virtual pre-bid conference on May 12, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. Pacific Time, with written questions due by 5:00 p.m. the same day; proposals are due by 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time on July 28, 2026, submitted electronically to Jenny Young (Jenny.Young@dcyf.wa.gov); the Apparent Successful Bidder will be announced August 31, 2026, with an estimated contract start date of October 1, 2026.

Only non-profit organizations and limited liability companies (LLCs) located East of the Cascades are eligible to respond; Local and State Government Agencies are explicitly ineligible. Bidders must meet mandatory pass/fail requirements including Washington business licensure, a Unique Entity (UEI) number, debarment certification, and completion of budget documentation. DCYF will apply a 5% preference to bidders certifying compliance with Executive Order 18-03 regarding worker rights and the absence of mandatory arbitration clauses or class action waivers. No incumbent vendors or current contractors are identified in this solicitation. Bidders must complete and submit Attachments B (Certifications and Assurances), C-1 (Administrative Requirements), and C-2 (Bidder Response Form with budget outline and narrative) in Microsoft Word or PDF format, with individual file sizes not exceeding 30MB. The total contract value shall not exceed $170,000, with bids exceeding this amount rejected as non-responsive and funding contingent upon availability through Federal Title II Block Grant funds awarded to Washington State from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. The initial contract term runs twelve months (October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027), with potential amendments extending the period up to two additional one-year terms, not to exceed September 30, 2029.