Project Information

Bid Title

Amendment 2 to?RFP JUV-27-CM-07-004 Credible Messengers

Issuing Agency

Iowa Judicial Branch

Location

Iowa

Published Date

May 28, 2026

Closing Date

Jun 15, 2026

Government Level

State & Local

Status

Closed

Original Source

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Bid Documents

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Project Description

Amendment 2 to RFP JUV-27-CM-07-004 . Posted 5/28/26.

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Iowa Judicial Branch

1111 East Court Avenue | Des Moines, IA 50319

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

Administrative Information:

RFP COVER SHEET

Title of RFP:

Agency:

Credible Messengers

Iowa Judicial Branch (IJB or Agency)

RFP Number:

JUV-27-CM-07-004

AMD 2

Number of years of the 1 year

initial terms of the

Contract:

Number of possible

annual renewals:

5 additional 1-year

terms exercisable

by the IJB in its sole

discretion

Anticipated Initial

Contract Term Beginning:

July 1, 2026

Issuing Officer:

Connie Murphy

(563)343-5553

connie.murphy@iowacourts.gov

Ending: June 30, 2027

PROCUREMENT TIMETABLE—Event or Action:

Agency Posts Notice of RFP on TSB website

Date/Time(Central time):

5/6/26

Agency Issues RFP

5/8/26

Letters of Intent to Bid

5/19/26

3:00 PM

RFP written questions, requests for clarification, and suggested changes from

Respondents due:

The IJB’s written response to RFP questions, requests for clarifications and

suggested changes due: (will be available on bidding website)

Proposals Due Date:

Proposals Due Time:

Anticipated Date to issue Notice of Intent to Award:

5/19/26

3:00 PM

5/26/26

5/29/26

6/15/26

3:00 PM

6/16/26

Anticipated Date to execute Contract:

7/1/26

RFP# JUV-27-CM-07-004

AMD 2

Relevant Websites:

Web-address:

Internet website where Addenda to https://www.iowacourts.gov/for-the-public/rfp/

this RFP will be posted:

https://bidopportunities.iowa.gov/

Internet website where General

Terms for Juvenile Court Services

(JCS) Services Contracts are located:

https://www.iowacourts.gov/static/media/cms/General_Terms_fo

r_JCS_Services_Cont_1257FB3D72AAA.pdf

Electronic Copies of Proposals Required to be Submitted to Issuing Officer.

Firm Proposal Terms

120 Days

Per Section 3.2.11, of the RFP the minimum Number of Days following the

deadline for submitting proposals that the Respondent guarantees all proposal

terms, including price, will remain firm:

Iowa Judicial Branch

JCS Update 3/30/26

Page 2 of 46

1 INTRODUCTION

RFP# JUV-27-CM-07-004

AMD 2

1.1 PURPOSE

The purpose of this Request for Proposals (RFP) is to solicit proposals from Responsible Respondents to

provide the goods and/or services identified on the RFP cover sheet and further described in Section 4 of

this RFP to the IJB, as identified on the RFP cover sheet. The IJB intends to award a Contract(s) beginning

and ending on the dates listed on the RFP cover sheet, and the IJB, in its sole discretion, may extend the

Contract(s) for up to the number of annual extensions identified on the RFP cover sheet.

1.2 DEFINITIONS

For the purposes of this RFP and the resulting Contract, the following terms are defined.

“Agency” means the agency identified on the RFP cover sheet that is issuing the RFP.

“Bid Proposal” or “Proposal” means Respondent’s proposal submitted in response to the RFP.

“Contract” means the Contract(s) entered into with Respondent(s) as described in section 6.

“Contractor” means the awarded business/person to provide the contractual services agreed upon.

“General Terms” and “General Terms and Conditions” shall mean the General Terms for Juvenile Court

Services service contracts as linked on the RFP cover page.

“IJB” shall mean the Iowa Judicial Branch.

“Invoice” means a Contractor’s claim for payment. At the IJB’s discretion, claims must be submitted on

an original invoice from the Contractor and on a claim form accepted by the IJB, such as a General

Accounting Expenditure (GAX) form.

“Juvenile Court Officer” or “JCO” means a person appointed as a juvenile court officer under section

602.7202 of the Iowa Code and also includes a chief juvenile court officer appointed under section

602.1217 of the Iowa Code.

“Juvenile Court Services” or “JCS”, for the purposes of this RFP, means a unit of the Iowa Judicial Branch

in which juveniles adjudicated by the Iowa Juvenile Court as delinquent and youth at risk of entering the

court system receive services as directed by the Chief Juvenile Court Officer or designee.

“Respondent” means the company, organization or other business entity submitting a proposal in

response to this RFP.

“Responsible Respondent” means a Respondent that has the capability, as determined in the sole

discretion of the IJB, in all material respects to perform the scope of work and specifications of the

Contract. In determining whether a Respondent is a Responsible Respondent, the IJB may consider various

factors including, but not limited to, the Respondent’s competence and qualifications to provide the goods

or services requested, the Respondent’s integrity and reliability, the past performance of the Respondent

and the best interest of the IJB and the State.

Iowa Judicial Branch

JCS Update 3/30/26

Page 3 of 46

RFP# JUV-27-CM-07-004

AMD 2

“Responsive Proposal” means a Proposal that complies, in the sole discretion of the IJB, with the material

provisions of this RFP.

“RFP” means this Request for Proposals and any attachments, exhibits, schedules or addenda hereto.

“State” means the State of Iowa, the IJB, and all state agencies, boards, and commissions, and any political

subdivisions making purchases from the Contract as permitted by this RFP.

“Vendor” means anyone who provides goods or services to another entity.

1.2.1 Additional Definitions specific to this RFP:

“Academy for Transformational Change” or “ATC” means a specialized training organization focused on

reducing violence, incarceration, and Recidivism by empowering human services professionals,

community leaders, and Credible Messengers.

“Adverse Childhood Experiences” or “ACEs” refers to stressful or traumatic events that children face

before reaching 18. These events include various forms of abuse (physical, emotional, sexual), neglect

(emotional, physical), and household challenges such as witnessing domestic violence, living with

individuals with substance use disorders, having an incarcerated relative, or experiencing family

separation. Studies have shown that individuals with a high number of ACEs are at an increased risk for

negative outcomes in adulthood, including chronic diseases, mental illness, substance misuse, and

reduced life potential.

“Authorization of Release of Information” means a form used for the purpose of authorizing the

release of confidential information, signed and dated by the person(s) empowered to release the

information.

“Case Plan” means a written document, developed with input from the child, custodians/guardians, and

Juvenile Court Services that identifies the youth’s criminogenic needs and risk factors and includes a

plan for how to address, lower and ultimately resolve the risk areas.

“Chief Juvenile Court Officer” (CJCO) means the person responsible for overseeing Juvenile Court

Services’ operations to promote safe and positive outcomes for at-risk youth, victims, and communities.

The CJCO acts as a community leader, collaborating with support agencies, law enforcement, and

institutions to implement effective youth initiatives, rehabilitative programs, and coordinated

responses. This CJCO enforces research-based best practices and ensure compliance with applicable

rules and directives. This CJCO administers efficient budgets, contracts, funding, and grant

management.

“Contract Administrator” (CA) means the person responsible for administering and tracking the JCS

district allocation, drafting and overseeing district service contracts for JCS, and overseeing assigned

statewide contracts. This person prepares, negotiates, reviews, oversees, and administers contracts

including both formal and informal procurement processes as well as contract terms to ensure contracts

conform to legal requirements and meet objectives.

“Credible Messengers” or “Mentors” are neighborhood leaders, experienced youth advocates and

individuals with relevant life experiences who coach guide, mentor, and advocate for youth and families

in both group and one on one settings.

Iowa Judicial Branch

JCS Update 3/30/26

Page 4 of 46

RFP# JUV-27-CM-07-004

AMD 2

“Goal Achievement Plan” means a plan for attaining a particular goal, often called a tactic or action

plan, involving defining a specific, measurable, and time-bound objective (SMART) and breaking it into

small, actionable steps.

“JCS Supervisor” means the responsible person providing oversight to Juvenile Court Officers.

“Lived Experience” means direct, firsthand knowledge, understanding, and personal insights gained

through experience rather than through academic study or secondhand information.

“Motivational Interviewing” (MI) means a collaborative, goal-oriented style of communication with

particular attention to the language of change. MI is designed to strengthen personal motivation for and

commitment to a specific goal by eliciting and exploring the person’s own reasons for change within an

atmosphere of acceptance and compassion.” (Miller & Rollnick, 2013)

“Prosocial Activities” means structured, positive, and developmentally appropriate experiences that

help youth build the skills, relationships, and habits necessary to succeed in school, work, and

community life. For youth who are justice‑involved these activities are intentionally designed to

strengthen social‑emotional skills such as self‑regulation, communication, conflict resolution, and

empathy; increase connection to positive peers and adults; promote law‑abiding behavior and reduce

opportunities for delinquency; build confidence, purpose, and belonging; reinforce healthy

decision‑making and goal‑directed behavior.

“Recidivism” means any misdemeanor or felony level offense referred to the juvenile justice system, the

adult corrections system, or both, within a twelve (12) month period after date of discharge from

service.

“Restorative Justice Practices” means a collaborative process for repairing the harm caused by

delinquent offenses rather than determining guilt and imposing punishments.

“Restorative Justice Circle-Practice” means structured, voluntary, and dialog-driven processes used to

address harm, resolve conflict, or build community by bringing together those affected.

“Social Capital” means the value derived from positive social networks that acts as a resource built on

relationships, mutual care, and reciprocity, fostering cooperation for shared benefits like jobs, support,

or community improvements.

“Transformative Mentoring” means the core component of the Credible Messengers initiative and

centers on pairing youth with Credible Messenger-Mentors, whose shared Lived Experiences uniquely

position them to build authentic, trusting relationships with system involved youth. These Mentors

provide structured group and individualized one on one sessions designed to promote personal growth,

accountability, and sustained engagement with youth. In partnership with Juvenile Court Officers (JCOs),

Credible Messengers also help reinforce youth’s goals, and ensure that mentoring supports are aligned

with each youth’s Case Plan and developmental needs.

“Trauma-Informed” or “Trauma-Informed Care” means the incorporation of an understanding of

trauma and traumatic experiences and the effect they can have on children in foster care into the care

and services provided to a child. These experiences may include, but are not limited to, betrayal of a

trusted person or institution and a loss of safety; experiences of violence; physical, sexual, and

institutional abuse, neglect, intergenerational trauma, and disasters that induce powerlessness, fear,

Iowa Judicial Branch

JCS Update 3/30/26

Page 5 of 46

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