Credible Messengers

Request for Proposal

RFP Cover Sheet

Administrative Information:

Title of RFP:	Credible Messengers	RFP Number:	JUV-27-CM-07-004
Agency:	Iowa Judicial Branch (IJB or Agency)
Number of years of the initial terms of the Contract:	1 year	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	Ending:	June 30, 2027
Issuing Officer: Connie Murphy (563)343-5553 connie.murphy@iowacourts.gov
PROCUREMENT TIMETABLE—Event or Action:	Date/Time(Central time):
Agency Posts Notice of RFP on TSB website	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:	5/19/26 3:00 PM
The IJB’s written response to RFP questions, requests for clarifications and suggested changes due: (will be available on bidding website)	5/26/26
Proposals Due Date: Proposals Due Time:	6/15/26 3:00 PM
Anticipated Date to issue Notice of Intent to Award:	6/16/26
Anticipated Date to execute Contract:	7/1/26

Relevant Websites:	Web-address:
Internet website where Addenda to this RFP will be posted:	https://www.iowacourts.gov/for-the-public/rfp/ 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_for_JCS_Services_Cont_1257FB3D72AAA.pdf
Electronic Copies of Proposals Required to be Submitted to Issuing Officer.
Firm Proposal Terms 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:	120 Days

1 Introduction

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.

“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.

“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, recurrent hopelessness, and a constant state of alert. Trauma-Informed is an approach to help engage people with histories of trauma that recognizes the presence of trauma symptoms and acknowledges the role that trauma has played in their lives.

1.3 Overview of the RFP Process

The RFP process is for the IJB’s benefit and is intended to provide the IJB with competitive information to assist in the selection process. It is not intended to be comprehensive. Each Respondent is responsible for determining all factors necessary for submission of a comprehensive Proposal.

Respondent should review Attachment 3, Form 22 Request for Confidentiality, for more information if its Proposal contains confidential information. Any Proposal marked “Confidential” or “Proprietary” on every page may be disqualified.

Respondents will be required to submit their Proposals electronically via email to the Issuing Officer.

1.4 Background Information

Early intervention and follow-up programs/graduated sanctions services are services to be provided to children adjudicated delinquent and children who have been referred to Juvenile Court Services for a delinquency violation or who have exhibited behaviors that put them at risk of a juvenile delinquency referral. The services are directed to enhance personal adjustment to help the children transition into productive adulthood and to prevent or reduce delinquent acts, out-of-home placement, and recidivism.

Juvenile Court Services within the Seventh Judicial District (JCS D7) seeks proposals from qualified Respondents to deliver Credible Messenger Transformative Mentoring for youth involved with JCS D7, within Scott County within the State of Iowa. JCS D7 seeks proposals that integrate authentic engagement, peer support networks and mentor well-being into service design and delivery to strengthen public safety, youth belonging, and long-term community outcomes. Respondents will provide delivery and ongoing management of the Credible Messenger program within Scott County.

Scott County implemented Credible Messenger services beginning in April 2025 for JCS-involved youth with delinquent acts involving guns, expanding in December 2025 to include youth returning from placement, youth with high-risk gang/group affiliation and high-risk youth with delinquent acts involving selling drugs. JCS D7 seeks proposals for Respondents to employee and maintain Credible Messengers and deliver Transformative Mentoring with fidelity to the ATC model.

Youth participation with the Credible Messengers program is expected to last 6-12 months in duration, with rolling admissions and flexibility based on age, goals, progress and outcomes. Community-based mentoring is preferred and facility-based mentoring may begin for youth in out-of-home placement to support their reentry planning.

1.5 Program Approach and Values

The Credible Messenger initiative implements Restorative Justice Practices that enable youth to learn important skills in conflict resolution that empower them to be leaders in their communities. These skills include self-reflection, being respectful of others, and reducing future conflict. Restorative Justice Practices assist youth in building empathy and understanding how harm affects themselves and others. The Credible Messenger model utilizes trained Mentors with Lived Experience in the justice system to build trust and guide youth toward positive outcomes. The program emphasizes relationship-building, Restorative Justice, and community engagement, aligning with Trauma-Informed and culturally responsive practices ensuring all communications made in preparation for, and during the program are kept confidential as required by law.

Goals and objectives for the Credible Messenger initiative include:

1. Connect youth to services, supports, and resources that help them reach their goals and developmental milestones;

2. Engage youth in positive, developmentally appropriate, and structured activities to enhance public safety; and

3. Invest directly in local organizations and businesses with the goal of maximizing the Social Capital of youth by building connections and community supports to help to strengthen the youth’s long term economic and social-emotional stability.

Transformative Mentoring is primarily a group-based process that brings together JCS youth and adult Mentors in a community setting, using a standard curriculum through which Mentors guide youth through the transformation of thoughts, attitudes, and behaviors while ensuring all communications made in preparation for, and during the program are kept confidential as required by law.

Transformative Mentoring is designed with the assumption that participant attendance will likely be irregular at first, and that some participants may continue to display negative attitudes and behaviors during the initial phases of engagement. There should be no expulsion or rejection of participants who engage in negative behavior. Instead a Restorative Justice approach that balances community accountability and support should be employed to continually engage young people who are struggling to adhere to expectations established through justice system-involvement. Recognizing that sustained engagement takes time, JCS will not penalize providers for youth whose attendance is irregular. However, it is expected that providers collaborate with JCS to regularly participate in outreach and re-engage participants with attendance lapses.

Examples of group and one-on-one interactions are as follows:

Mentoring Groups:

• Weekly curriculum grounded in the evidence-based principles of Motivational Interviewing, the stages of change, and cognitive-behavioral approaches provided by a mentor.

• Restorative Justice Principles Circle-Practice to build a safe space for youth engagement.

One-on-one Mentoring:

• Weekly check ins to monitor youth progress in accessing both formal and informal supports and services.

• Assisting youth with enrollment/attendance and advocacy for school and other programs and services.

• On call availability for support, crisis response, advice and guidance.

All Credible Messengers shall be trained to deliver Transformative Mentoring programming prior to delivery of the service.

2 Administrative Information

2.1 Issuing Officer

The Issuing Officer identified in the RFP cover sheet is the sole point of contact regarding the RFP from the date of issuance until a Notice of Intent to Award the Contract is issued.

2.2 Restriction on Communication

From the issue date of this RFP until a Notice of Intent to Award the Contract is issued, Respondents may contact only the Issuing Officer. The Issuing Officer will respond only to written questions regarding the procurement process. Questions related to the interpretation of this RFP must be submitted as provided in Section 2. Oral questions related to the interpretation of this RFP will not be accepted. Respondents may be disqualified if they contact any State employee other than the Issuing Officer about the RFP except that Respondents may contact the State Targeted Small Business Office on issues related to the preference for Targeted Small Businesses.

2.3 Downloading the RFP from the Internet

The RFP document and any addenda to the RFP will be posted at https://www. iowacourts.gov/for-the-public/rfp/ , https://bidopportunities.iowa.gov/ .

The Respondent is advised to check the website periodically for Addenda to this RFP, particularly if the Respondent downloaded the RFP from the Internet as the Respondent may not automatically receive addenda. It is the Respondent's sole responsibility to check daily for addenda to posted documents.

2.4 Procurement Timetable

The dates provided in the procurement timetable on the RFP cover sheet are provided for informational and planning purposes. The IJB reserves the right to change the dates. If the IJB changes any of the deadlines for Respondent submissions, the IJB will issue an addendum to the RFP.

2.5 Questions, Requests for Clarification, and Suggested Changes

Respondents are invited to submit written questions and requests for clarifications regarding the RFP. The questions or requests for clarifications must be in writing and received by the Issuing Officer before the date and time listed on the RFP cover sheet. Oral questions will not be permitted. If the questions or requests for clarifications pertain to a specific section of the RFP, Respondent shall reference the page and section number(s). The IJB will post written responses to questions, requests for clarifications, or suggestions received from Respondents on or before the date listed on the RFP cover sheet to the website(s) referenced on the RFP cover sheet. The IJB’s written responses will become an addendum to the RFP.

The IJB assumes no responsibility for oral representations made by its officers or employees unless such representations are confirmed in writing and incorporated into the RFP through an addendum.

2.6 Amendment to the RFP

The IJB reserves the right to amend the RFP at any time using an addendum. The Respondent shall acknowledge receipt of all addenda in its Proposal. If the IJB issues an addendum after the due date for receipt of Proposals, the IJB may, in its sole discretion, allow Respondents to amend their Proposals in response to the addendum.

2.7 Amendment and Withdrawal of Proposal

The Respondent may amend or withdraw and resubmit its Proposal at any time before the Proposals are due. The amendment must be in writing. Electronic mail is acceptable. Respondents must notify the Issuing Officer in writing prior to the due date for Proposals if they wish to completely withdraw their Proposals. Electronic mail is acceptable for notice of withdrawal.

2.8 Submission of Proposals

Each Respondent is responsible for submitting its Proposal at the Issuing Officer’s email address identified on the RFP cover sheet before the “Proposals Due” date and time listed on the RFP cover sheet, unless such date and time is extended by the IJB, at its sole discretion, through the issuance of an addendum to this RFP. This is a mandatory requirement and will not be waived by the Agency. Any Proposal received after this deadline will be rejected and the IJB will notify the Respondent. It is the Respondent’s responsibility to ensure that the Proposal is received by the Issuing Officer prior to the deadline. Late proposals, regardless of cause, will not be opened or considered for evaluation, and will be disqualified from further consideration. It is the Respondent’s sole responsibility to ensure delivery at the stated location and time.

Respondents must furnish all information necessary to enable the IJB to evaluate the Proposal. Oral information provided by the Respondent shall not be considered part of the Respondent's Proposal unless it is reduced to writing.

2.9 Proposal Opening

The IJB will open Proposals after the deadline for submission of Proposals has passed. The Proposals will remain confidential until the Evaluation Committee has reviewed all of the Proposals submitted in response to this RFP and the IJB has issued a Notice of Intent to Award a Contract. See Iowa Code Section 72.3. However, the names of Respondents who submitted timely Proposals will be publicly available after the Proposal opening. The announcement of Respondents who timely submitted Proposals does not mean that an individual Proposal has been deemed technically compliant or accepted for evaluation.

2.10 Costs of Preparing the Proposal

The costs of preparation and delivery of the Proposal are solely the responsibility of the Respondent.

2.11 No Commitment to Contract

The IJB reserves the right to reject any or all Proposals received in response to this RFP at any time prior to the execution of the Contract. Issuance of this RFP in no way constitutes a commitment by the IJB to award a Contract.

2.12 Rejection of Proposals

The IJB may reject outright and not evaluate a Proposal for reasons including without limitation:

A. The Respondent fails to email the cost proposal in a separate attachment.

B. The Respondent acknowledges that a mandatory specification of the RFP cannot be met.

C. The Respondent's Proposal changes a material specification of the RFP or the Proposal is not compliant with the mandatory specifications of the RFP.

D. The Respondent’s Proposal limits the rights of the IJB.

E. The Respondent fails to include information necessary to substantiate that it will be able to meet a specification of the RFP as provided in Section 3 of this RFP.

F. The Respondent fails to timely respond to the IJB's request for information, documents, or references.

G. The Respondent fails to include Proposal Security, if required.

H. The Respondent fails to include any signature, certification, authorization, stipulation, disclosure or guarantee as provided in Section 3 of this RFP.

I. The Respondent presents the information requested by this RFP in a format inconsistent with the instructions of the RFP or otherwise fails to comply with the specifications of this RFP.

J. The Respondent initiates unauthorized contact regarding the RFP with state employees.

K. The Respondent provides misleading or inaccurate responses.

L. The Respondent’s Proposal is materially unbalanced.

M. There is insufficient evidence (including evidence submitted by the Respondent and evidence obtained by the IJB from other sources) to satisfy the IJB that the Respondent is a Responsive Respondent.

N. The Respondent alters the language in Attachment 1: Certification Letter or Attachment 2: Authorization to Release Information letter.

2.13 Nonmaterial Variances

The IJB reserves the right to waive or permit cure of nonmaterial variances in the Proposal if, in the judgment of the IJB, it is in the State’s best interest to do so. Nonmaterial variances include but are not limited to: minor failures to comply that do not affect overall responsiveness, that are merely a matter of form or format, that do not change the relative standing or otherwise prejudice other Respondents, that do not change the meaning or scope of the RFP, or that do not reflect a material change in the specifications of the RFP. In the event the IJB waives or permits cure of nonmaterial variances, such waiver or cure will not modify the RFP specifications or excuse the Respondent from full compliance with RFP specifications or other Contract specifications if the Respondent is awarded the Contract. The determination of materiality is in the sole discretion of the IJB.

2.14 Reference Checks

The IJB reserves the right to contact any reference to assist in the evaluation of the Proposal, to verify information contained in the Proposal and to discuss the Respondent’s qualifications and the qualifications of any subcontractor identified in the Proposal.

2.15 Information from Other Sources

The IJB reserves the right to obtain and consider information from other sources concerning a Respondent, such as the Respondent’s capability and performance under other Contracts, the qualifications of any subcontractor identified in the Proposal, the Respondent’s financial stability, past or pending litigation, and other publicly available information.

2.16 Verification of Proposal Contents

The content of a Proposal submitted by a Respondent is subject to verification. If the IJB determines in its sole discretion that the content is in any way misleading or inaccurate, the IJB may reject the Proposal.

2.17 Proposal Clarification Process

The IJB reserves the right to contact a Respondent after the submission of Proposals for the purpose of clarifying a Proposal. This contact may include written questions, interviews, site visits, a review of past performance if the Respondent has provided goods and/or services to the State or any other political subdivision wherever located, or requests for corrective pages in the Respondent’s Proposal. The IJB will not consider information received from or through Respondent if the information materially alters the content of the Proposal or the type of goods and/or services the Respondent is offering to the IJB. An individual authorized to legally bind the Respondent shall sign responses to any request for clarification. Responses shall be submitted to the IJB within the time specified in the IJB's request. Failure to comply with requests for additional information may result in rejection of the Proposal.

2.18 Disposition of Proposals

All Proposals become the property of the State and shall not be returned to the Respondent. Once the IJB issues a Notice of Intent to Award the Contract, the contents of all Proposals will be in the public domain and be available for inspection by interested parties, except for information for which Respondent properly requests confidential treatment or according to exceptions provided in Iowa Code Chapter 22 or other applicable law.

2.19 Public Records and Requests for Confidential Treatment

The IJB’s release of public records is governed by Iowa Code chapter 22. Respondents are encouraged to familiarize themselves with Chapter 22 before submitting a Proposal. The IJB will produce public records upon request as required to comply with Chapter 22 and will treat all information submitted by a Respondent as non-confidential records unless Respondent requests specific parts of the Proposal be treated as confidential at the time of the submission as set forth herein AND the information is confidential under Iowa or other applicable law.

2.19.1 Form 22 Request for Confidentiality

Form 22 must be completed and included with respondent’s proposal. Completion and submittal of form 22 is required whether the proposal does or does not contain information for which confidential treatment will be requested. Failure to submit a completed form 22 will result in the proposal being considered non-responsive and not evaluated.

2.19.2 Confidential Treatment Is Not Requested

A Respondent not requesting confidential treatment of information contained in its Proposal shall complete Section I of Form 22 and submit Form 22 with the Proposal.

2.19.3 Confidential Treatment of Information is Requested

A Respondent requesting confidential treatment of specific information shall perform all the following:

O. Complete Section II of Form 22,

P. Include the word "CONFIDENTIAL" in file name of its Proposal containing confidential information,

Q. Mark each page upon which the Respondent believes confidential information appears and clearly identify each item for which confidential treatment is requested; marking a page in the page margin is not sufficient identification, and

R. Submit a “Public Copy” from which the confidential information has been excised.

Form 22 will not be considered fully complete unless, for each confidentiality request, the Respondent:

S. Enumerates the specific grounds in Iowa Code chapter 22 or other applicable law that supports treatment of the material as confidential,

T. Justifies why the material should be maintained in confidence,

U. Explains why disclosure of the material would not be in the best interest of the public, and

V. Sets forth the name, address, telephone, and email for the person authorized by Respondent to respond to inquiries by the IJB concerning the confidential status of such material.

The confidential material in the Public Copy must be excised in such a way as to allow the public to determine the general nature of the material removed and to retain as much of the Proposal as possible.

Failure to request information be treated as confidential as specified herein shall relieve the IJB and State personnel from any responsibility for maintaining the information in confidence. Respondents may not request confidential treatment with respect to pricing information and transmittal letters. A Respondent’s request for confidentiality that does not comply with this section or a Respondent’s request for confidentiality on information or material that cannot be held in confidence as set forth herein are grounds for rejecting Respondent’s Proposal as non-responsive. Requests to maintain an entire Proposal as confidential will be rejected as non-responsive.

If the IJB receives a request for information that Respondent has marked as confidential and if a judicial or administrative proceeding is initiated to compel the release of such material, Respondent shall, at its sole expense, appear in such action and defend its request for confidentiality. If Respondent fails to do so, the IJB may release the information or material with or without providing advance notice to Respondent and with or without affording Respondent the opportunity to obtain an order restraining its release from a court possessing competent jurisdiction. Additionally, if Respondent fails to comply with the request process set forth herein, if Respondent’s request for confidentiality is unreasonable, or if Respondent rescinds its request for confidential treatment, the IJB may release such information or material with or without providing advance notice to Respondent and with or without affording Respondent the opportunity to obtain an order restraining its release from a court possessing competent jurisdiction.

2.20 Copyright Permission

By submitting a Proposal, the Respondent agrees that the IJB may distribute the Proposal for purposes of facilitating the evaluation of the Proposal or to respond to requests for public records. By submitting a Proposal, the Respondent consents to such distribution and warrants that such distribution will not violate the rights of any third party. The IJB shall have the right to use ideas or adaptations of ideas that are presented in Proposals.

2.21 Release of Claims

By submitting a Proposal, the Respondent agrees that: (a) the IJB and the State shall not be liable to any extent for any information, facts or data (or the completeness or accuracy thereof) provided in the RFP or for any information, facts or data that may be omitted from the RFP, regardless of whether such inaccurate, incomplete or omitted information or data would be considered material or relevant to a Respondent for purposes of making an informed decision to either submitting a proposal or entering into a Contract if awarded to a successful Respondent; and (b) it will not bring any claim or cause of action against the IJB or the State based on any misunderstanding concerning the information provided in the RFP or concerning the IJB's or the State’s failure, negligent or otherwise, to provide the Respondent with complete, pertinent, or accurate information in this RFP or for any failure to provide information that any Respondent might consider relevant for purposes of making a decision to submit a proposal or to enter into any Contract resulting from this RFP.

2.22 Evaluation of Proposals Submitted

The submission of a Proposal shall be deemed a representation and warranty by the Respondent that it:

W. is a sophisticated party possessing sufficient knowledge and expertise concerning the subject matter of this RFP;

X. is able to fully and independently evaluate the advisability of submitting a proposal and in assuming and performing all duties, liabilities, and obligations described in or contemplated by this RFP;

Y. has conducted its own independent gathering, review, and investigation of all information, facts, and data necessary for purposes of making an informed decision whether to submit a proposal and to assume and perform all duties, liabilities, and obligations described herein, without relying on any specific facts, information or representations of any kind made or provided by or on behalf of the IJB, including any information presented in this RFP; and

Z. has investigated all aspects of the RFP, and it is aware of the applicable facts of the RFP process and its procedures and requirements, and it has read and understands the RFP.

No request for modification of the provisions of the Proposal shall be considered after its submission on the grounds the Respondent was not fully informed as to any fact or condition. Statistical information that may be contained in the RFP or any addendum is for informational purposes only. The IJB disclaims any responsibility for any information or facts that may subsequently be determined to be incomplete or inaccurate. The IJB does not represent or warrant the accuracy or completeness of any such information, and the IJB shall not be liable for any errors or omissions, or the results of errors or omissions, which may be discovered, at any time, to exist in RFP, including any appendices, attachments or amendments thereto.

Proposals that are timely submitted and are not rejected will be reviewed in accordance with Section 5 of the RFP. The IJB will not necessarily award a Contract resulting from this RFP to the Respondent offering the lowest cost. Instead, the IJB will award the Contract(s) to the Responsible Respondent(s) whose Responsive Proposal the IJB believes will provide the best value to the IJB and the State.

2.23 Award Notice and Acceptance Period

Notice of Intent to Award the Contract(s) will be sent to all Respondents submitting a timely Proposal and may be posted at the website shown on the RFP cover sheet. Negotiation and execution of the Contract(s) shall be completed no later than thirty (30) days from the date of the Notice of Intent to Award or such other time as designated by or acceptable to the IJB. If the successful Respondent fails to negotiate and deliver an executed Contract by that date, the IJB, in its sole discretion, may cancel the award and award the Contract to the remaining Respondent the IJB believes will provide the best value to the State.

2.24 No Contract Rights until Execution

No Respondent shall acquire any legal or equitable rights regarding the Contract unless and until the Contract has been fully executed by the successful Respondent and the IJB.

2.25 Choice of Law and Forum

This RFP and the Contract shall be governed by the laws of the State of Iowa. Changes in applicable laws and rules may affect the award process or the Contract. Respondents are responsible for ascertaining pertinent legal requirements and restrictions. Any and all litigation or actions commenced by any party in connection with this RFP or any contract shall only be brought in the appropriate Iowa forum.

2.26 Restrictions on Gifts and Activities

Iowa Code Chapter 68B restricts gifts which may be given or received by State employees and requires certain individuals to disclose information concerning their activities with State government. Respondents are responsible for determining the applicability of this Chapter 68B to their activities and to comply with its requirements. In addition, pursuant to Iowa Code section 722.1, it is a felony offense to bribe or attempt to bribe a public official.

2.27 No Minimum Guaranteed

The IJB does not guarantee any minimum level of purchases under the Contract.

2.28 Appeals

If appealed, the state court administrator shall consider the evaluation committee’s recommendation when making the final decision, but the state court administrator is not bound by the recommendation. The state court administrator may either accept or reject the recommended Respondent, or accept the Proposal of another Respondent, or elect not to select any Respondent. Appeals of the Notice of Intent to Award need to be received in the office of the state court administrator within 5 calendar days following the posting of the Notice of Intent to Award a contract.

3 Form And Content Of Proposals

3.1 Instructions

These instructions prescribe the format and content of the Proposal. They are designed to facilitate a uniform review process. Failure to adhere to the Proposal format may result in the rejection of the Proposal.

3.1.1 Specifications

The Proposal shall be submitted as an electronic file, in either Microsoft Word, or text searchable PDF format. The Proposal shall be divided into two separate electronic files: (1) the Technical Proposal and (2) the Cost Proposal. The Technical Proposal and the Cost Proposal shall be labeled in the file name as such and submitted as separate files.

All cost information MUST be contained ONLY in the Cost Proposal and NOT included in the Technical Proposal.

The electronic submissions should be sent to the email address below:

Connie Murphy, Issuing Officer

Issuing Officer Email Address: connie.murphy@iowacourts.gov

In addition to submitting separate files for the Technical Proposal, as well as the Cost Proposal, the following information should also be included within the text of the email:

RFP Number: JUV-27-CM-07-004

RFP Title: Credible Messengers

The IJB shall not be responsible for misdirected emails or premature opening of Proposals if a Proposal is not properly labeled.

3.1.2 Confidential Information

If the Respondent designates any information in its Proposal as confidential pursuant to Section 2, the Respondent must also submit one (1) electronic copy of the Proposal from which confidential information has been excised as provided in Section 2 and which file is labeled “Public Copy”.

3.1.3 Promotional or Display Materials

Proposals shall not contain promotional or display materials.

3.1.4 Attachments

Attachments shall be referenced in the Proposal.

3.1.5 If a Respondent Proposes Multiple Solutions

If a Respondent proposes more than one solution to the RFP specifications, each shall be labeled and submitted separately and each will be evaluated separately.

3.2 Technical Proposal

The following documents and responses are required and shall be included in the Technical Proposal in the order given below:

3.2.1 Transmittal Letter

An individual authorized to legally bind the Respondent shall sign the transmittal letter. The letter shall include the Respondent’s mailing address, email address, fax number, and telephone number. Any request for confidential treatment of information shall be included in the transmittal letter in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.

3.2.2 Table of Contents

The Respondent shall include a table of contents of its Proposal and submit with its Proposal.

3.2.3 Executive Summary

The Respondent shall prepare an executive summary and overview of the goods and/or services it is offering, including all of the following information:

AA. Statements that demonstrate that the Respondent has read, understands and agrees with the terms and conditions of the RFP including the Contract provisions in Section 6.

BB. An overview of the Respondent’s plans for complying with the specifications of this RFP.

CC. Any other summary information the Respondent deems to be pertinent.

DD. Mandatory Specifications and Scored Technical Specifications

Respondent shall answer whether it will comply with each specification in Section 4 of the RFP. Where the context requires more than a yes or no answer or the specific specification so indicates, Respondent shall explain how it will comply with the specification. Merely repeating the Section 4 specifications may be considered non-responsive and result in the rejection of the Proposal. Proposals must identify any deviations from the specifications of the RFP or specifications the Respondent cannot satisfy. If the Respondent deviates from or cannot satisfy the specifications of this section, the IJB may reject the Proposal.

3.2.4 Vendor Background Information

Respondent shall provide the following general background information:

EE. Name, address, telephone number, fax number and email address of the Respondent including all d/b/a’s or assumed names or other operating names of the Respondent and any local addresses and phone numbers.

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