RFI Treatment for Girls in DJJ Custody

Introduction:

The Alaska Division of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) is seeking letters of interest from qualified, experienced vendors with demonstrated expertise in gender-responsive practices and juvenile justice systems who are able to conduct a comprehensive assessment and provide recommendations for improving services for young women in custody.

The goal is to evaluate current conditions across DJJ girls’ facilities and develop an evidence-informed roadmap for aligning treatment policy, practice, environment, and programming with the needs of young women and staff.

Background Information:

Alaska DJJ has observed increasing behavioral challenges among young women in custody, often linked to unmet developmental and trauma-related needs. Research shows that gender-responsive environments and practices reduce these challenges.   DJJ is undertaking multiple initiates to support girls, including a grant program for agencies in Anchorage and Mat-Su to provide sufficient diversion programming for girls who are at the entry and detention state of the juvenile justice system in Alaska.   The impetus for this Request for Information is that DJJ is also seeking to improve its treatment delivery to girls already in custody, including how it prepares them for reentry post-treatment.

Scope of Work:

• Review existing DJJ curricula to identify strengths, gaps, and misalignments to best practices in gender-responsive treatment
• Conduct gender-responsive assessments of juvenile justice facilities in Anchorage and Juneau
• Conduct interviews and listening sessions with staff and youth
• Provide recommendations to align curriculum with best practices.
• Provide prioritized recommendations and pathways to implementation
• Offer options for staff training and curriculum integration
• Provide prioritized recommendations and pathways to implementation
• Provide comprehensive written report of findings and recommendations

This approach emphasizes sustainability, fiscal responsibility, and feasibility across Alaska’s unique geographic and operational realities.

Response Information:

Interested parties must submit a written response by Friday, February 13, at 2pm AKST to fcs.fms.vendor.response@alaska.gov

The written response should be in pdf format and include:

• Company name and contact information
• Resumes of key personnel including education and experience with gender-responsive juvenile justice work
• Summary of the firm’s experience over-all including list of juvenile justice facilities it has worked with and dates of service to them.

Procurement Officer contact information:

Any questions concerning this RFI must be directed to the Procurement Specialist  listed below writing via email fcs.procurement@alaska.gov Attention: Patricia Lattime

Notice to Vendors:

Notice: This Request for Information does not constitute a formal solicitation. The purpose of the RFI is to determine if there are qualified offerors out there who would be interested in bidding on these services. The State will use this information to potentially develop a future solicitation. The State of Alaska is not responsible for any costs associated with the preparation of responses. The issuance of the Request for Information does not obligate the state to purchase any goods or services, extend any rights to prospective vendors nor guarantee that the State of Alaska will proceed with a formal solicitation

Pursuant to Administrative Order 352 , (a) any person or business determined to support or participate in a boycott of the State of Israel will be disqualified from any procurement related to this Request for Information; and (b) the support of or participation in a boycott of the State of Israel by a person or business contracting with the State of Alaska under AS 36.30 constitutes grounds for termination of the contract.

Administrative Order 352 does not apply to a contract if the person or business has fewer than 10 employees; or the amount to be paid under the contract, excluding renewals and options available under the contract, is less than $100,000.