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
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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
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This page summarizes the opportunity, including an overview and a preview of the attached documents.