Restorative Justice Program

The State of Montana, specifically the Office of the Court Administrator and the 11th Judicial District Youth Court, has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) numbered JUD-RFP-2018-0006N for a Restorative Justice Program in Flathead County. The procurement seeks a contractor to work with youth through juvenile probation, schools, and social services staff, targeting youth at various involvement levels including prevention, diversion, and those under informal or formal supervision. Potential contractors must demonstrate extensive qualifications, including at least three references from state governments or universities, documentation of past similar projects, and comprehensive resumes of key personnel. The RFP allows referrals from state agencies, law enforcement, and school resource officers as an alternative to citing youth for delinquent offenses or addressing behavioral and attendance issues. The solicitation was open from April 23, 2018, to May 22, 2018, with Nicole Orta (+1 406-444-7210, NiOrta@mt.gov) serving as the primary contact. Deliverables include program referrals, individualized accountability options, and workshops, with pricing to be determined on the provided cost sheet. Bidders must also acknowledge an Equal Pay for Women attachment and provide detailed information about their organizational structure and service capabilities.

The RFP does not explicitly specify set-aside designations or specific restrictions on respondent types, though it implies a preference for organizations with proven experience in youth justice and restorative programming. No incumbent vendors are mentioned in the available documentation, and there are no details about existing technological infrastructure requiring integration. While a specific award value is not disclosed, the procurement suggests a comprehensive service contract focused on youth intervention and rehabilitation in Flathead County. The evaluation will likely emphasize the bidder's demonstrated experience, personnel qualifications, proposed methodology, and ability to effectively implement restorative justice principles with youth populations. Potential contractors should be prepared to showcase their expertise in developing alternative approaches to traditional juvenile justice interventions, with a focus on accountability, rehabilitation, and community engagement.