Online Diversion Programming

Iowa Judicial Branch
1111 East Court Avenue | Des Moines, IA 50319
R P
EQUEST FOR ROPOSAL
RFP COVER SHEET
Administrative Information:
Title of RFP: Online Diversion Programming RFP Number: JUV-27-OD-08-003
Agency: Iowa Judicial Branch (IJB or Agency)
Number of years of the 1 year Number of possible annual 5 additional 1-
initial terms of the renewals: year terms
Contract: exercisable by the
IJB in its sole
discretion
Anticipated Initial
June 30, 2027
July 1, 2026 Ending:
Contract Term Beginning:
Anticipated Maximum Annual Contract Budget: $15,000
Issuing Officer:
Mindy Johnson
(712) 328-5623
mindy.johnson@iowacourts.gov
227 South 6th Street
Council Bluffs, IA 51501
Date/Time(Central time):
PROCUREMENT TIMETABLE-Event or Action:
Agency Posts Notice of RFP on TSB website March 31, 2026
Agency Issues RFP April 2, 2026
Letters of Intent to Bid Due Date: April 13, 2026
RFP written questions, requests for clarification, and suggested changes from Date: April 13, 2026
Respondents due: Time: 3:00 p.m.
The IJB's written response to RFP questions, requests for clarifications and Date: April 20, 2026
suggested changes due: (will be available on bidding website)
Proposals Due Date: Date: May 22, 2026
Proposals Due Time: Time: 3:00 p.m.
Anticipated Date to issue Notice of Intent to Award: Date: June 15, 2026

JUV-27-OD-08-003
Anticipated Date to execute Contract:
Date: July 1, 2026
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
https://www.iowacourts.gov/static/media/cms/General_Terms_fo
Terms for Juvenile Court Services
r_JCS_Services_Cont_1257FB3D72AAA.pdf
(JCS) Services Contracts are located:
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:
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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.
"Contract Administrator" (CA) means the person responsible for administering and tracking
district allocation, drafting and overseeing district service contracts for JCS District 7, 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.
"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.
"Evidence Based" means practices, programs and policies grounded in the best available research
and data, that have been scientifically tested and shown to be effective through rigorous evaluation.
"JCS D8" or "Eighth Judicial District" means a geographical area in Iowa that includes Appanoose,
Davis, Des Moines, Jefferson, Henry, Keokuk, Lee (North & South), Louisa, Mahaska, Monroe,
Poweshiek, Van Buren, Wapello, and Washington counties.
"JCS Supervisor" means the responsible person providing oversight to Juvenile Court Officers
"Referring Juvenile Court Officer" or "Referring JCO" means the person who manages and
determines the appropriate course of action for a juvenile's case.
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.
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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 to 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.
The Iowa Judicial Branch is requesting Proposals for the purpose of providing asynchronous online
diversion educational courses for delinquent and at-risk juveniles in all fourteen (14) counties included
within the Eighth Judicial District of Juvenile Court Services (JCS D8). JCS D8 seeks to select one or more
vendors capable of delivering evidence-based, accessible, and effective online courses that address
behavioral concerns, prevent reoffending, and reduce formal involvement with the juvenile justice
system. JCS D8 includes the counties of Appanoose, Davis, Des Moines, Jefferson, Henry, Keokuk, Lee
(North & South) Louisa, Mahaska, Monroe, Poweshiek, Van Buren, Wapello, and Washington.
Diversion programs are a critical component of juvenile justice reform, offering alternatives to formal
court involvement for youth exhibiting early signs of behavioral issues. Online education platforms have
demonstrated success in engaging youth and promoting behavioral change through interactive and
personalized learning experiences.
JCS D8 seeks course offerings to address topics including:
1. Theft or Shoplifting Prevention
2. Anger Management
3. Healthy Decision Making
4. Alcohol Abuse Prevention
5. Marijuana Abuse Prevention
6. Combined Alcohol and Marijuana Abuse Prevention
7. Conflict Resolution
8. Emotional Regulation, including appropriate self-expression and respect for authority figures
9. Driving Under the Influence Prevention Awareness
10. The Respondent may propose additional course topics that support the goal of reducing
juvenile recidivism. These optional topics should be evidence-based, developmentally
appropriate for youth ages 12-18 and aligned with the overall purpose of promoting positive
behavior change and preventing further system involvement.
The Respondent(s) must offer administrative tools for monitoring course completion progress and provide
completion data reporting to JCS D8. Additionally, the Respondent(s) must issue completion certificates
to juveniles that successfully complete each assigned course along with notification of completion to the
Referring JCO and JCS Supervisor.
JCS D8 has previously offered online diversion services to juveniles since July 2015 through other
funding sources. During FY2025, 192 youths were served with a 79% completion rate.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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:
A. Complete Section II of Form 22,
B. Include the word "CONFIDENTIAL" in file name of its Proposal containing confidential
information,
C. 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
D. 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:
A. Enumerates the specific grounds in Iowa Code chapter 22 or other applicable law that
supports treatment of the material as confidential,
B. Justifies why the material should be maintained in confidence,
C. Explains why disclosure of the material would not be in the best interest of the public, and
D. 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.
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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:
A. is a sophisticated party possessing sufficient knowledge and expertise concerning the
subject matter of this RFP;
B. 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;
C. 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
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