Evidence-Based Programming

12-18-25 RFP
STATE OF TENNESSEE
DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
FOR
EVIDENCE-BASED PROGRAMMING
RFP # 32901-31468 Version 2
RFP CONTENTS
SECTIONS:
1. INTRODUCTION
2. RFP SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
3. RESPONSE REQUIREMENTS
4. GENERAL CONTRACTING INFORMATION & REQUIREMENTS
5. EVALUATION & CONTRACT AWARD
ATTACHMENTS:
6.1. Response Statement of Certifications & Assurances
6.2. Technical Response & Evaluation Guide
6.3. Cost Proposal & Scoring Guide
6.4. Reference Questionnaire
6.5. Score Summary Matrix
6.6. Programming Workload Data
6.7. Pro Forma Contract
6.7.1 Tennessee Department of Correction Policies

12-18-25 RFP
6.7.2 Attendance Roster
6.7.3. District Programming Office Availability & Addresses
6.7.4. Liquidated Damages

12-18-25 RFP
1. INTRODUCTION
The State of Tennessee, Department of Correction, hereinafter referred to as "the State," issues this
Request for Proposals (RFP) to define minimum contract requirements; solicit responses; detail response
requirements; and outline the State's process for evaluating responses and selecting a contractor to
provide the needed goods or services.
Through this RFP, the State seeks to procure necessary goods or services at the most favorable,
competitive prices and to give ALL qualified respondents an opportunity to do business with the state as
contractors, subcontractors or suppliers.
1.1. Statement of Procurement Purpose
Through this procurement, the Tennessee Department of Correction(TDOC) is seeking proposals for the delivery
of Evidence-Based Programming (EBP) for individuals designed to address criminal thinking, decision-making,
and behavior patterns that contribute to reoffending. TDOC intends to implement (EBP) for individuals through
both traditional in-person classroom facilitation and technology-based virtual classroom solutions in Community
Supervision (CS) f ield offices, as well as in-person classroom facilitation within Day Reporting Centers (DRCs).
Qualified contractors are invited to submit proposals for delivering the mandated EBP curriculum outlined in this
contract. TDOC is committed to reducing recidivism and promoting rehabilitation through the implementation of
EBP programming. TDOC CS is seeking proposals from qualified contractors to deliver programming aligned with
the agency's strategy, including evidence-based, cognitive-behavioral interventions designed to support lasting
behavior change among individuals on probation and parole. Propos ed programs should demonstrate the
capacity to address criminogenic needs, promote pro-social decision-making, and reinforce skill development
consistent with the principles of effective correctional practice. Contractors are encouraged to outline how thei r
curricula and delivery methods will integrate with TDOC's broader supervision and rehabilitation goals. TDOC is
also seeking delivery of EBP for individuals on parole or probation and those receiving treatment services within
the DRCs. This procurement is designed to provide individuals under supervision with access to structured
rehabilitative programming to address any identified criminogenic needs.
1.1.2 The maximum liability for the State's current contract is $4,275,104.64, which began on October 1, 2025,
and will extend to September 30, 2026.
1.2. Scope of Service, Contract Period, & Required Terms and Conditions
The RFP Attachment 6.7 Pro Forma Contract details the State's requirements:
Scope of Services and Deliverables (Section A);
Contract Period (Section B);
Payment Terms (Section C);
Standard Terms and Conditions (Section D); and,
Special Terms and Conditions (Section E).
The pro forma contract substantially represents the contract document that the successful Respondent
must sign.
1.3. Nondiscrimination
No person shall be excluded from participation in, be denied benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to
discrimination in the performance of a Contract pursuant to this RFP or in the employment practices of the
Contractor on the grounds of handicap or disability, age, race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin,
or any other classification protected by federal, Tennessee state constitutional, or statutory law. The
Contractor pursuant to this RFP shall, upon request, show proof of such nondiscrimination and shall post
in conspicuous places, available to all employees and applicants, notices of nondiscrimination.
1.4. RFP Communications
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12-18-25 RFP
1.4.1. The State has assigned the following RFP identification number that must be referenced in all
communications regarding this RFP:
RFP # 32901-31468
1.4.2. Unauthorized contact about this RFP with employees or officials of the State of Tennessee
except as detailed below may result in disqualification from consideration under this
procurement process.
1.4.2.1. Prospective Respondents must direct communications concerning this RFP to the
following person designated as the Solicitation Coordinator:
ERIK D. BUSBY
SOURCING ACCOUNT SPECIALIST
CENTRAL PROCUREMENT OFFICE
TENNESSEE TOWER, 3RD FLOOR
312 ROSA L. PARKS AVE
NASHVILLE, TN 37243
PHONE:615-253-8900
ERIK.BUSBY@TN.GOV
1.4.2.2. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Prospective Respondents may alternatively contact:
the following individual designated by the State to coordinate compliance with the
nondiscrimination requirements of the State of Tennessee, Title VI of the Civil Rights
Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and associated federal
regulations:
JENNIFER L. BRENNER
GENERAL COUNSEL
TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION
RACHEL JACKSON BUILDING, 6TH FLOOR
320 6TH AVENUE NORTH
NASHVILLE, TN 37243
PHONE: 615-741-9584
JEN.BRENNER@TN.GOV
1.4.3. Only the State's official, written responses and communications with Respondents are binding
with regard to this RFP. Oral communications between a State official and one or more
Respondents are unofficial and non-binding.
1.4.4. Potential Respondents must ensure that the State receives all written questions and comments,
including questions and requests for clarif ication, no later than the Written Questions &
Comments Deadline detailed in the RFP Section 2, Schedule of Events .
1.4.5. Respondents must assume the risk of the method of dispatching any communication or response
to the State. The State assumes no responsibility for delays or delivery failures resulting from the
Respondent's method of dispatch. Actual or digital "postmark ing" of a communication or
response to the State by a specified deadline is not a substitute for the State's actual receipt of a
communication or response. It is encouraged for Respondents to submit bids digitally.
1.4.6. The State will convey all official responses and communications related to this RFP to the
prospective Respondents from whom the State has received a Notice of Intent to Respond (refer
to RFP Section 1.8).
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1.4.7. The State reserves the right to determine, at its sole discretion, the method of conveying official,
written responses and communications related to this RFP. Such written communications may
be transmitted by mail, hand-delivery, facsimile, electronic mail, Internet posting, or any other
means deemed reasonable by the State. For internet posting, please refer to the following
website: http s://www.tn.g o v/g eneralservices/p ro curement/central -p ro curement-o f f ice--cp o -
/sup p lier-inf o rmatio n/req uest-f o r-p ro p o sals--rf p --o p p o rtunities1.html.
1.4.8. The State reserves the right to determine, at its sole discretion, the appropriateness and
adequacy of responses to written comments, questions, and requests related to this RFP. The
State's official, written responses will constitute an amendment of this RFP.
1.4.9. Any data or factual information provided by the State (in this RFP, an RFP amendment or any
other communication relating to this RFP) is for informational purposes only. The State will make
reasonable efforts to ensure the accuracy of such data or information, however it is the
Respondent's obligation to independently verify any data or information provided by the State.
The State expressly disclaims the accuracy or adequacy of any information or data that it
provides to prospective Respondents.
1.5. Assistance to Respondents With a Handicap or Disability
Prospective Respondents with a handicap or disability may receive accommodation relating to the
communication of this RFP and participating in the RFP process. Prospective Respondents may contact
the Solicitation Coordinator to request such reasonable accommodation no later than the Disability
Accommodation Request Deadline detailed in the RFP Section 2, Schedule of Events.
1.6. Respondent Required Review & Waiver of Objections
1.6.1. Each prospective Respondent must carefully review this RFP, including but not limited to,
attachments, the RFP Attachment 6.7, Pro Forma Contract, and any amendments, for questions,
comments, defects, objections, or any other matter requiring clarification or correction (collectively
called "questions and comments").
1.6.2. Any prospective Respondent having questions and comments concerning this RFP must provide
them in writing to the State no later than the Written Questions & Comments Deadline detailed in
the RFP Section 2, Schedule of Events.
1.6.3. Protests based on any objection to the RFP shall be considered waived and invalid if the
objection has not been brought to the attention of the State, in writing, by the Written Questions &
Comments Deadline.
1.7. Pre-Response Conference
A Pre-response Conference will be held at the time and date detailed in the RFP Section 2, Schedule of
Events. Pre-response Conference attendance is not mandatory, and prospective Respondents may be
limited to a maximum number of attendees depending upon overall attendance and space limitations.
The conference will be held at:
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12-18-25 RFP
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The purpose of the conference is to discuss the RFP scope of goods or services. The State will entertain
questions, however prospective Respondents must understand that the State's oral response to any
question at the Pre-response Conference shall be unofficial and non-binding. Prospective Respondents
must submit all questions, comments, or other concerns regarding the RFP in writing prior to the Written
Questions & Comments Deadline date detailed in the RFP Section 2, Schedule of Events. The State will
send the official response to these questions and comments to prospective Respondents from whom the
State has received a Notice of Intent to respond as indicated in RFP Section 1.8 and on the date detailed
in the RFP Section 2, Schedule of Events.
1.8. Notice of Intent to Respond
Before the Notice of Intent to Respond Deadline detailed in the RFP Section 2, Schedule of Events,
prospective Respondents should submit to the Solicitation Coordinator a Notice of Intent to Respond (in
the form of a simple e-mail or other written communication). Such notice should include the following
information:
the business or individual's name (as appropriate);
a contact person's name and title; and
the contact person's mailing address, telephone number, facsimile number, and e-mail address.
A Notice of Intent to Respond creates no obligation and is not a prerequisite for submitting a
response, however, it is necessary to ensure receipt of any RFP amendments or other notices and
communications relating to this RFP.
1.9. Response Deadline
A Respondent must ensure that the State receives a response no later than the Response Deadline time
and date detailed in the RFP Section 2, Schedule of Events. The State will not accept late responses,
and a Respondent's failure to submit a response before the deadline will result in disqualification of the
response. It is the responsibility of the Respondent to ascertain any additional security requirements with
respect to packaging and delivery to the State of Tennessee. Respo ndents should be mindful of any
potential delays due to security screening procedures, weather, or other filing delays whether foreseeable
or unforeseeable.
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12-18-25 RFP
2. RFP SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
2.1. The following RFP Schedule of Events represents the State's best estimate for this RFP.
EVENT TIME DATE
(central time zone)
1. RFP Issued March 30, 2026
2. Disability Accommodation Request Deadline 2:00 p.m. April 6, 2026
3. Pre-response Conference 2:00 p.m. April 7, 2026
4. Notice of Intent to Respond Deadline 2:00 p.m. April 8, 2026
5. Written "Questions & Comments" Deadline 2:00 p.m. April 15, 2026
6. State Response to Written "Questions &
April 29, 2026
Comments"
7. Response Deadline 2:00 p.m. May 13, 2026
8. State Completion of Technical Response
May 20, 2026
Evaluations
9. State Opening & Scoring of Cost Proposals 2:00 p.m. May 21, 2026
10. State Notice of Intent to Award Released and
2:00 p.m. May 22, 2026
RFP Files Opened for Public Inspection
11. End of Protest Period May 26, 2026
12. State sends contract to Contractor for signature June 2, 2026
13. Contractor Signature Deadline 2:00 p.m. June 16, 2026
2.2. The State reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to adjust the RFP Schedule of Events as it
deems necessary. Any adjustment of the Schedule of Events shall constitute an RFP amendment, and
the State will communicate such to prospective Respondents from whom the State has received a Notice
of Intent to Respond (refer to section 1.8).
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12-18-25 RFP
3. RESPONSE REQUIREMENTS
3.1. Response Form
A response to this RFP must consist of two parts, a Technical Response and a Cost Proposal.
3.1.1 Technical Response. RFP Attachment 6.2., Technical Response & Evaluation Guide
provides the specific requirements for submitting a response. This guide includes mandatory
requirement items, general qualifications and experience items, and technical qualifications,
experience, and approach items all of which must be addressed with a written response and,
in some instances, additional documentation.
NOTICE: A technical response must not include any pricing or cost information.
If any pricing or cost information amounts of any type (even pricing relating to
other projects) is included in any part of the technical response, the state may
deem the response to be non-responsive and reject it.
3.1.1.1. A Respondent should duplicate and use the RFP Attachment 6.2., Technical Response
& Evaluation Guide to organize, reference, and draft the Technical Response by
duplicating the attachment, adding appropriate page numbers as required, and
using the guide as a table of contents covering the Technical Response.
3.1.1.2. A response should be economically prepared, with emphasis on completeness
and clarity. A response, as well as any reference material presented, must be
written in English and must be written on standard 8 12" x 11" pages (although
oversize exhibits are permissible) and use a 12 point font for text. All response
pages must be numbered.
3.1.1.3. All information and documentation included in a Technical Response should
correspond to or address a specific requirement detailed in the RFP Attachment
6.2., Technical Response & Evaluation Guide. All information must be incorporated
into a response to a specific requirement and clearly referenced. Any
information not meeting these criteria will be deemed extraneous and will not
contribute to evaluations.
3.1.1.4. When responding to sections of the RFP related to the delivery of EBP classes, the
response should be organized into two (2) clearly labeled parts: one (1) outlining
the proposed delivery of EBP services within the Community Supervision Office,
and one (1) outlining the proposed delivery of EBP services at the Day Reporting
Centers.
3.1.1.5. The State may determine a response to be non-responsive and reject
it if:
a. the Respondent fails to organize and properly reference the Technical Response
as required by this RFP and the RFP Attachment 6.2., Technical Response &
Evaluation Guide; or
b. the Technical Response document does not appropriately respond to, address,
or meet all of the requirements and response items detailed in the RFP
Attachment 6.2., Technical Response & Evaluation Guide.
3.1.2 Cost Proposal. A Cost Proposal must be recorded on an exact duplicate of the RFP
Attachment 6.3., Cost Proposal & Scoring Guide.
NOTICE: If a Respondent fails to submit a cost proposal exactly as required, the
State may deem the response to be non-responsive and reject it.
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12-18-25 RFP
3.1.2.1. A Respondent must o nly record the proposed cost exactly as required by the RFP
Attachment 6.3., Cost Proposal & Scoring Guide and must NOT reco rd any other
rates, amo unts, o r inf o rmatio n.
3.1.2.2. The proposed cost shall incorporate ALL costs for services under the contract for the
total contract period, including any renewals or extensions.
3.1.2.3. A Respondent must sign and date the Cost Proposal.
3.1.2.4. A Respondent must submit the Cost Proposal to the State in a sealed package
separate f rom the Technical Response (as detailed in RFP Sections 3.2.3., et seq.).
3.2. Response Delivery
3.2.1 A Respondent must ensure that both the original Technical Response and Cost Proposal
documents meet all form and content requirements, including all required signatures, as detailed
within this RFP, as may be amended.
3.2.2 A Respondent must submit original Technical Response and Cost Proposal documents and
copies as specified below.
3.2.2.1. One (1) original Technical Response paper document labeled:
"RFP # 32901-31468 TECHNICAL RESPONSE ORIGINAL"
and f ive (5) digital copies of the Technical Response each in the form of one (1) digital
document in "PDF" format properly recorded on its own otherwise blank USB f lash
drive labeled:
"RFP # 32901-31468 TECHNICAL RESPONSE COPY"
The digital copies should not include copies of sealed customer references, however
any other discrepancy between the paper Technical Response document and any
digital copies may result in the State rejecting the proposal as non-responsive.
3.2.2.2. One (1) original Cost Proposal paper document labeled:
"RFP # 32901-31468 COST PROPOSAL ORIGINAL"
and one (1) copy in the form of a digital document in "PDF/XLS" format properly
recorded on sep arate, blank USB f lash drive labeled:
"RFP # 32901-31468 COST PROPOSAL COPY"
In the event of a discrepancy between the original Cost Proposal document and the
digital copy, the original, signed document will take precedence.
3.2.3 A Respondent must separate, seal, package, and label the documents and copies for delivery as
follows:
3.2.3.1. The Technical Response original document and digital copies must be placed in a
sealed package that is clearly labeled:
"DO NOT OPEN... RFP # 32901-31468 TECHNICAL RESPONSE FROM
[RESPONDENT LEGAL ENTITY NAME]"
3.2.3.2. The Cost Proposal original document and digital copy must be placed in a sep arate,
sealed package that is clearly labeled:
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12-18-25 RFP
"DO NOT OPEN... RFP # 32901-31468 COST PROPOSAL FROM [RESPONDENT
LEGAL ENTITY NAME]"
3.2.3.3. The separately, sealed Technical Response and Cost Proposal components may be
enclosed in a larger package for mailing or delivery, provided that the outermost
package is clearly labeled:
"RFP # 32901-31468 SEALED TECHNICAL RESPONSE & SEALED COST
PROPOSAL FROM [RESPONDENT LEGAL ENTITY NAME]"
3.2.4 A Respondent must ensure that the State receives a response no later than the
Response Deadline time and date detailed in the RFP Section 2, Schedule of Events at
the following address:
ERIK D. BUSBY
SOURCING ACCOUNT SPECIALIST
CENTRAL PROCUREMENT OFFICE
TENNESSEE TOWER, 3RD FLOOR
312 ROSA L. PARKS AVE
NASHVILLE, TN 37243
PHONE:615-253-8900
ERIK.BUSBY@TN.GOV
3.3. Response & Respondent Prohibitions
3.3.1 A response must not include alternate contract terms and conditions. If a response contains such
terms and conditions, the State, at its sole discretion, may determine the response to be a non-
responsive counteroffer and reject it.
3.3.2 A response must not restrict the rights of the State or otherwise qualify either the offer to deliver
goods or provide services as required by this RFP or the Cost Proposal. If a response restricts
the rights of the State or otherwise qualifies either the offer to deliver goods or provide services
as required by this RFP or the Cost Proposal, the State, at its sole discretion, may determine the
response to be a non-responsive counteroffer and reject it.
3.3.3 A response must not propose alternative goods or services (i.e., offer services different f rom
those requested and required by this RFP) unless expressly requested in this RFP. The State
may consider a response of alternative goods or services to be non-responsive and reject it.
3.3.4 A Cost Proposal must be prepared and arrived at independently and must no t involve any
collusion between Respondents. The State will reject any Cost Proposal that involves collusion,
consultation, communication, or agreement between Respondents. Regardless of the time of
detection, the State will consider any such actions to be grounds for response rejection or
contract termination.
3.3.5 A Respondent must not provide, for consideration in this RFP process or subsequent contract
negotiations, any information that the Respondent knew or should have known was materially
incorrect. If the State determines that a Respondent has provided such incorrect information, the
State will deem the Response non-responsive and reject it.
3.3.6 A Respondent must not submit more than one Technical Response and one Cost Proposal in
response to this RFP, except as expressly requested by the State in this RFP. If a Respondent
submits more than one Technical Response or more than one Cost Proposal, the State will deem
all of the responses non-responsive and reject them.
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