Cognitive Behavioral Programming for Sentenced Felony Offenders - Trauma Focused CBT for Adult Males and Females

PURCHASING DIVISION
Joni Laming, Manager
(616) 632-7720
purchasing@kentcountymi.gov
SOLICITATION
Solicitation Type Request for Proposal (RFP)
Solicitation Number 6553
Description Cognitive Behavioral Programming for Sentenced Felony
Offenders - Trauma Focused CBT for Adult Males and Females
Date of Issuance 6/1/2026
Inquiries Deadline Date & Time (local) 6/16/2026, 2 PM
Due Date & Time (local) 6/22/2026, 2 PM
Pre-Submission Conference Yes: Non-Mandatory Teleconference (attendance
recommended & pre-registration required)
Conference Date & Time (local) 6/12/2026 11:00 AM
Buyer Name Pitchellis
INTRODUCTION
The Kent County Purchasing Division is soliciting proposals on behalf of the Kent County Office of
Community Corrections (KCOCC) from qualified vendors to provide a variety of cognitive behavioral
programming for sentenced felony offenders or individuals with delayed or deferred felony dispositions.
The selected vendor(s) shall utilize a structured, evidence-based or evidence-informed cognitive
behavioral therapy (CBT) curriculum designed for justice-involved adults.
Proposals are requested for three separate programs:
1. Cognitive Behavioral Program for Justice-Involved Adults. This program is projected to serve 275
participants in FY27.
2. Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Program for Males. This program is projected to serve 40
participants in FY27.
3. Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Program for Females. This program is projected to serve
65 participants in FY27.
Kent County will evaluate responsive submissions for both all-inclusive project cost and by individual
program. Kent County reserves the right to award to multiple Respondents, one Respondent for the
entire project, or reject any or all submissions. Kent County, in its sole discretion, reserves the right to
weigh any and all factors in the decision and award to the Respondent(s) deemed most advantageous to
Kent County.
Generally, cognitive programming goals include reducing criminogenic thinking, improving emotional
regulation and coping skills, increasing participant accountability, and supporting successful community
supervision outcomes. Trauma focused program goals should also include increasing participant insight
into trauma-related behavioral patterns.
Page 1 of 7

Cognitive behavioral programming is a long-standing component of KCOCC's menu of Community
Corrections funded services available to probationers. However, this solicitation will expand to include
trauma-focused programming to men, for the first time. Historical COMPAS assessment data indicates
that Criminal Thinking is among the highest identified needs within the sentenced felony population in
Kent County. Trauma-informed services in Kent County remain a significant need.
Community Corrections grant funding, which is governed by PA511 (1988), has historically remained
stable; however, annual award amounts may fluctuate. The FY27 grant application was submitted on
June 1, 2026. Final grant award determinations are typically issued in August or September of each year
and may be subject to mid-year adjustments, including increases or decreases, based on a variety of
factors. The successful vendor will work collaboratively with the Community Corrections team to
monitor available funding and ensure the effective delivery of services to eligible offenders participating
in this grant-funded program.
SCOPE
The successful vendor(s) shall provide an evidence-based or evidence-informed CBT program that meets
the requirements established by the Michigan Office of Community Corrections.
1. Curriculum
Vendors shall provide a description of the proposed curriculum, including the following:
a. Curriculum name and version
b. Facilitator training requirements
c. Recommended dosage and length of program
d. Strategies to accommodate literacy limitations, cognitive barriers, or other responsivity needs
e. Description of any gender-responsive or relational approaches incorporated into the
curriculum model, when relevant.
Vendors shall indicate whether the curriculum is nationally recognized, listed on evidence-based
registries, or utilized within correctional or community supervision settings.
2. Target Population and Referral Criteria
a. Target Population
The target population includes sentenced felony offenders and individuals with delayed or deferred
felony dispositions who score in the probable or highly probable range on at least one COMPAS
Criminogenic Needs Scale, excluding the vocational/educational and residential instability domains, and
for the trauma focused programs, individuals who present with trauma-related risk factors.
Trauma-related risk factors may include documented trauma history, behavioral indicators consistent
with trauma exposure, self-reported trauma experiences, prior victimization, emotional dysregulation,
or screening results indicating trauma-related needs.
Felony probation violators are also eligible for referral to this program regardless of COMPAS scores.
b. Referral Process
Vendors shall describe the anticipated referral and intake process. Referrals will be made by Kent
County Circuit Court Probation Agents directly to the program provider.
Page 2 of 7

Both the probation agent and the program provider are responsible for ensuring that only eligible
offenders are enrolled in the program. Services provided to ineligible participants will not be
reimbursed.
c. Waitlist Procedures
Vendors shall describe waitlist procedures and strategies for managing referrals if program demand
exceeds projected enrollment capacity.
3. Grant Approved Services and Required Activities
Vendors shall describe how the agency will provide each required service and activity listed below.
a. Services
i. For trauma focused programs ONLY, vendors may utilize a screening tool to assess
trauma level and/or treatment needs. Vendors shall include copies of all proposed
screening tools.
ii. Administration of validated pre- and post-testing measures. Vendors shall include
copies of all proposed assessment tools.
iii. Description of how the curriculum accommodates open-enrollment group
participation while maintaining curriculum integrity and participant engagement.
iv. Description of delivery format for group programming (i.e.in-person and/or virtual
group services).
1) The Cognitive Behavioral Program for Justice Involved Adults must be offered in
BOTH in person and virtual formats to meet the needs of participants.
2) The Trauma Focused Programs may be delivered in person and/or virtually.
Virtual services must be delivered through a secure and confidential platform
appropriate for behavioral health service delivery.
v. Availability of daytime and/or evening groups preferred. Vendors offering both
daytime and evening groups are preferred.
vi. Procedures for addressing participant disengagement, unsuccessful discharge,
behavioral concerns, and communication with supervising probation agents regarding
attendance and participation issues.
b. Required Activities
i. Group facilitation
ii. Group check-in
iii. Assignment of homework
iv. Review of homework
v. Reporting group attendance
4. Outputs and Key Performance Measures
All program providers shall submit data supporting program activities and key performance measures.
Required data shall include:
a. Number of groups conducted
b. Number of progress reports submitted to supervising probation agents
c. Number of terminations, categorized by successful or unsuccessful completion
d. Number of groups attended per participant
e. Average length of time to complete the program
Page 3 of 7

f. Required Key Performance Measure: Percentage of participants demonstrating improvement
between pre- and post-test results among those who successfully complete the program
Vendors may also describe any additional internal performance measures or outcome indicators that
will be tracked by the agency. While qualitative measures are not required by the Michigan Office of
Community Corrections, the Kent County Community Corrections Advisory Board is interested in any
available qualitative data to support program outcomes.
5. Fee Structure
Vendors shall describe the agency's proposed fee structure for screening (trauma-focused programs,
only) and group facilitation services. Fee structures may include per-person or per-group rates.
Groups must maintain a minimum of three participants to remain eligible for reimbursement.
Vendors shall identify the maximum recommended group size necessary to maintain effective service
delivery and program fidelity.
6. Required Documentation (If Selected as the Vendor)
Monthly invoices and supporting documentation shall be submitted no later than the fifth (5th) business
day of the following month. Invoice templates are provided by KCOCC to ensure required reporting
documentation is included.
In addition to monthly invoices, vendors shall submit:
a. Monthly group attendance records
b. Enrollment form for each newly enrolled participant
c. Termination form for each discharged participant
Enrollment and Termination form templates are provided by KCOCC.
Vendors will be required to monitor Key Performance Measure(s) and report them quarterly on forms
provided by KCOCC.
All OCC funded programs are subject to annual file review. Vendors are required to maintain their own
participant files (electronic or paper) and submit them to KCOCC staff upon request. Information must
include, but is not limited to:
a. Referral form(s)
b. COMPAS
c. Basic Information Report (BIR)
d. Enrollment form
e. Termination form
f. Progress Reports
g. Attendance Sheets
h. Communication with MDOC probation agent
i. Discharge summary
j. Validated Pre and Post test
Page 4 of 7

7. Vendor Qualifications
Vendors shall demonstrate the qualifications and experience necessary to provide cognitive behavioral
programming to justice-involved populations. Dimensions, if furnished, are for general reference only
and should be verified by Respondent.
Kent County will award and contract for the goods and services in this Solicitation in an efficient and
timely manner. In no event will notification of award be more than 45 days from the date of submission.
The Kent County Standard Submission Terms posted on the Bid Opportunities page of the Kent County
Purchasing Division website are incorporated by reference and shall be deemed to have the same force
and effect as if fully set forth herein.
INQUIRIES
Any and all communication regarding this Solicitation shall be on the Kent County Purchasing Division
Inquiry Blog via the Bid Opportunities page or during pre-proposal meetings. Kent County reserves the
right to determine the response format or not respond, at its sole discretion.
PRE-SUBMISSION TELECONFERENCE
A pre-submission conference is scheduled for this Solicitation. Conference registration is located
here . Registration closes 12 hour before the conference scheduled date and time. Attendee
should join the conference a minimum of 5 minutes before the conference is scheduled to
commence. Late attendees may not be admitted.
The conference provides attendees equal opportunity to seek clarifications regarding this
Solicitation. Failure to attend the pre-submission conference may result in rejection of non-
attendee inquiries. Each Respondent will be given the opportunity to ask questions and is
responsible for taking meeting notes. One person from the Respondent should be designated to
ask questions when prompted by the meeting host for teleconference meetings. All additional
attendees should remain muted. Attendees must fully review all Solicitation documents and
correspondence prior to the conference. Attendee shall be an employee or authorized reseller of
the Respondent with requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities to participate.
Attendee assumes all risks, costs, and expenses, including technological difficulties, associated
with meeting attendance. Attendee may not screenshot or record any part of the meeting including
the audio. An attendee requiring special services is asked to provide requirements to the Kent
County Purchasing Division at least 48 hours in advance to allow for accommodations.
REFERENCES
Provide 3 references of current/past customers who can verify the quality of products and/or services of
similar size and scope your company provides. References may not include any current/past Kent
County employees.
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL SUBMISSION
Complete submissions must be received in the Kent County Purchasing Division on or before the due
date/time specified by the designated clock (local time). Late, faxed, or emailed submissions will NOT
be considered.
Page 5 of 7

Submissions may be submitted electronically on the Bid Opportunities page of the Kent County
Purchasing Division's website. Respondent must include a complete proposal as 1 non-password
protected PDF document.
The time required to upload a submission may vary. Respondent assumes all risks associated with
electronic submission, including technological difficulties, and deems the County and its service provider
harmless and without fault. Successful electronic submissions are confirmed via Respondent's email.
Respondent shall view the link in the confirmation email to determine accuracy prior to due date/time.
Submissions must be in the format outlined below:
Executive Summary - One (1) page maximum
Summarize the Respondent's strong points and how experience, particularly with similar
responsibilities, will benefit the stakeholders.
Business Organization - One (1) page maximum
State the full names, addresses, phone numbers, emails, and websites of any parties and their
prospective roles.
Recommendation - Ten (10) pages maximum
Provide a recommendation focusing on the technical specification. Emphasize clarity and detail.
Sales and Marketing material will not be used to determine the award. Provide detailed ability to
scale services based on program demand and available funding.
Timeline & Expectations - Two (2) pages maximum
Provide a timeline to implement the recommendation efficiently and effectively with emphasis on
key deliverables and milestones. Disclose necessary County resources, staffing and/or other
requirements to implement each phase of the recommendation.
Pricing Methodology - Two (2) pages maximum
Provide a detailed pricing methodology for an all-inclusive, implemented recommendation including
payment terms, unit costs, billable costs, and all other expenses.
Project Staffing - One (1) page maximum plus resumes
Provide a chart with the staff committed to the recommendation. Show lines of authority and
provide a brief role description with responsibilities as they relate to the recommendation. Include
only relevant resumes, licenses, certifications, training, and experience providing behavioral
health, trauma-informed, cognitive behavioral, and/or criminal justice services.
References - One (1) page maximum
Provide 3 most recent relevant references, preferably for projects of similar scope and complexity.
Include the organization, contact person, current telephone number, email address, description, and
dates of service and total cost. Do not include any current/past Kent County employees as a
reference.
Contract - Unlimited
Provide any contract and/or applicable agreements Kent County may be asked to sign. Kent County
reserves the right to present its own contract.
Page 6 of 7

Page number maximums are strongly recommended but not compulsorily disqualifying. Kent County is
not liable for costs incurred prior to award. A submission constitutes an irrevocable offer for a period of
45 days from the due date/time. In the event the notification of award is not made within 45 days from
the due date/time, the Respondent may withdraw or provide a written extension of their submission.
Submissions may only be withdrawn by written request if the request is received before the due
date/time. Withdrawals after opening shall be subject to Kent County Fiscal Policy - Centralized
Purchasing 5(i)(2).
NO BID
Please provide feedback if you are electing not to participate in this Solicitation.
Page 7 of 7