JJS: Transportation Statewide

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is procuring a statewide Juvenile Justice Transportation Services contract through Request for Proposal (RFP) No. 25-3105. The primary objective is to secure a contractor capable of providing safe transportation for juvenile justice youth to and from secure facilities, with a focus on professional, specialized transportation management. The contract requires transporters to be trained in de-escalation techniques, capable of managing youth with potential behavioral challenges, and able to handle clients with electronic monitoring devices. The RFP employs a comprehensive evaluation process with 125 total possible points across five categories: Bidder Experience and Past Performance (10 points), Education, Credentials & Qualifications (20 points), Staffing, Training, Agency Organization & Location (35 points), Program Implementation (35 points), and Vendor Question Worksheet (25 points). Only proposals scoring 100 points or more will be considered for award. The solicitation was issued on September 26, 2025, with a proposal deadline of October 23, 2025, and a pre-proposal meeting scheduled for October 2, 2025, via Microsoft Teams. The initial contract term is from January 1, 2026, to September 30, 2028, with potential renewal options for up to two additional one-year periods.

While no specific set-aside designations or restrictions on organizational types were explicitly mentioned in the documents, the contract will serve an estimated 202 youth in the first year and 270 youth in subsequent years. The contract features a unit-based pricing structure, with one unit defined as one hour of transportation time and a two-hour minimum for trips under two hours. The total maximum award is $495,000, with annual amounts increasing from $125,000 in the first year to $185,000 in years two and three. Contractors will be reimbursed at the state-approved premium rate or their usual employee reimbursement rate, whichever is less, and can propose an hourly rate for transportation services with additional reimbursement for actual transportation costs such as mileage and meals. Mileage will be calculated from the contractor's home or business location to youth pick-up and drop-off sites, and meal reimbursement is available for transportation assignments lasting four or more consecutive hours. Transporters must complete Regional Detention Support Services (RDSS) training bi-annually and be prepared to document and communicate any incidents or special circumstances during youth transportation.