Restorative Justice Program

The Colorado Department of Corrections is requesting proposals for a Restorative Justice Program to deliver comprehensive online curriculum and in-person instruction across four correctional facilities in Canon City and Pueblo, Colorado, with proposals due September 3, 2026 (extended from the original August 28 deadline) and public proposal opening on September 4. Written inquiries close August 13, 2026 at 2:00 PM Mountain Time. No incumbent is identified, and eligibility is open to any organization capable of providing the outlined services.

The scope encompasses developing and delivering restorative justice curriculum tailored to the correctional environment, serving approximately 240 participants over five months with ten inmates per monthly session at La Vista, Fremont, Skyline, and Four-Mile Correctional Centers. Deliverables include online courses through Prison Programs Google Classroom, student manuals with assessments and completion certificates, virtual training for CDOC staff and inmate peer educators, telephone support to two designated staff members, and monthly completion reports. The offeror must provide all class materials, employment costs including workers' compensation, commercial general liability insurance ($1,000,000 per occurrence minimum), and vehicle insurance. Personnel must be direct employees under exclusive offeror control with prior written CDOC approval for any personnel changes.

All contractor personnel must pass enhanced criminal background investigations, drug testing, sign consent-to-search forms within 30 days of award, and complete mandatory PREA compliance training, HIPAA Business Associate requirements, and 32-hour Use of Force and Defensive Tactics certification within one year. The contract carries fixed-price pricing with an initial term through June 30, 2027, renewable for up to four additional one-year periods not to exceed five years total, contingent on fund availability.

Evaluation criteria include demonstrated qualifications and experience with restorative justice programs in correctional settings; transparent pricing with material-cost specificity and program scalability; vendor capability to provide case studies and work with peer educators; and data-reporting ability including pre- and post-survey results with participant confidentiality maintained. Proposals must include completed Exhibits A through G, resumes not exceeding four pages using the provided template, and three client references from work performed within the last three years. Contract execution is estimated for November 1, 2026, with notice of intent to award estimated September 16.