Each Request for Proposal is required to be submitted as outlined in this section. Please include a cover and/or first page, containing the name of the project Evaluation of Reentry Programs Service Individuals in the Pierce County Jail, name of the respondent, contact information, and submittal date. In addition, provide an opening letter indicating the Consultant's interest in this project, and briefly describe what makes the Consultant a suitable candidate to be selected for research consultant services. A table of contents should be next. Please provide the following information in the sequence and format prescribed below. Supplemental materials providing additional information may be attached, but the information requested below is to be provided in this format.Consultant InformationConsultant legal name (include and identify entity name change and dba), local address and billing address if different, email address, and phone numberPrimary Individual to contact Provide the name, phone, and email for:Number of years the firm has been in business Qualifications & ExperienceAn organizational chart that explains team member responsibilities.The name and resume of each individual who would be assigned to this project and each individual assigned to backup each primary person in his/her absence, together with similar information for each individual to be provided under any subcontract.Briefly describe the rationale for the key team members for this project, and what qualities and attributes they possess that will ensure the success of this project.Previous county project(s) experience (if applicable); any applicable project experience.References listing client contracts of similar services.Approach to Work Describe the Consultant's ability to meet the requirements and provide the requested services listed in this RFP: Clearly describe the approaches and methods that will be used to accomplish the necessary services. Include a summary of innovative ideas and suggestions for implementing or enhancing the scope of services.Additional services or procedures of benefit to the County (if applicable)PricingComplete pricing for all services in the proposal.Additional InformationA statement outlining any proposal exceptions to the County’s requirements or requested clarifications to the requirements. (if applicable)The caption, case number, Court, Counsel, and general summary of any litigation pending, or judgment rendered within the past three (3) years involving the proposer. (if applicable) Only electronic submittal via the County's eProcurement Portal shall be accepted. No hard copies, emails, or fax submittals are acceptable.Acknowledgement (via the County's eProcurement Portal) of each addendum issued. (if applicable)

1. Without limitation as otherwise set forth in this Agreement, Subrecipient shall comply with all relevant Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Listing Requirements, as amended and supplemented. Specifically, but not by way of limitation, CFDA 21.027 has the following policy requirements:1.1. 31 CFR Part 35, as amended by the Interim final rule published May 17, 2021, at 26786 FR Vol. 86, No. 93; or otherwise subsequently amended by Final Rule.1.2. 2 CFR Part 200, including Subparts B through F1.2.1. Additional Information: The following 2 CFR Policy requirements also apply to this assistance listing: 2 CFR Part 25, Universal Identifier and System for Award Management; 2 CFR Part 170, Reporting Subaward and Executive Compensation Information; and 2 CFR Part 180, OMB Guidelines to Agencies on Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension (Non-procurement). The following 2 CFR Policy requirements are excluded from coverage under this assistance listing: For 2 CFR Part 200, Subpart C, the following provisions do not apply to the SLFRF program: 2 CFR § 200.204 (Notices of Funding Opportunities); 2 CFR § 200.205 (Federal awarding agency review of merit of proposal); 2 CFR § 200.210 (Pre-award costs); and 2 CFR § 200.213 (Reporting a determination that a non-Federal entity is not qualified for a Federal award). For 2 CFR Part 200, Subpart D, the following provisions do not apply to the SLFRF program: 2 CFR § 200.308 (revision of budget or program plan); 2 CFR § 200.309 (modifications to period of performance); CFR § 200.305 (b)(8) and (9) (Federal Payment).2. Without limitation as otherwise set forth in this Agreement, Subrecipient shall ensure that any procurement involving funds authorized by this Agreement complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations, including but not limited to, 2 CFR 200.318 through 200.327, as well as Appendix II to 2 CFR Part 200 (entitled “Agreement Provisions for Non-Federal Entity Contracts Under Federal Awards”).

Reserved Rights and Procedures:1. Pierce County expressly reserves the following rights:a. To waive any and/or all irregularities in the proposals submitted.b. To reject any or all proposals or portions thereof.c. To base awards with due regard to quality of services, experience, compliance with specifications, and other such factors as may be necessary in the circumstances.d. To make the award to any vendor or combination of vendors whose proposal(s), in the opinion of the County, is in the best interest of the County.2. Pierce County cannot accept late proposals.3. Reimbursement: Pierce County will not reimburse proposers for any costs involved in the preparation and submission of responses to this RFP or in the preparation for and attendance at subsequent interviews.4. Cooperative PurchasingThe Washington State Interlocal Cooperation Act, Ch. 39.34 RCW, authorizes public agencies to cooperatively purchase goods and services if all parties agree. By responding to this RFP, Consultants agree that other public agencies may purchase goods and services under this solicitation or contract at their own cost and without Pierce County incurring any financial or legal liability for such purchases. Pierce County agrees to allow other public agencies to purchase goods and services under this solicitation or contract, provided that Pierce County is not held financially or legally liable for purchases and that any public agency purchasing under such solicitation or contract file a copy of this invitation and such contract in accordance with RCW 39.34.040.5. Public Records and Proprietary MaterialProposers should be aware that any records they submit to the County or that are used by the County even if the proposers possess the records may be public records under the Washington Public Records Act (RCW 42.56). The County must promptly disclose public records upon request unless a statute exempts them from disclosure. Proposers should also be aware that if even a portion of a record is exempt from disclosure, generally, the rest of the record must be disclosed. Exemptions are narrow and specific.Proposers should clearly mark any record they believe is exempt from disclosure.6. Title VI CompliancePierce County, in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 78 Stat. 252, 42 U.S.C. 2000d to 2000d-4 and Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, Department of Transportation, subtitle A, Office of the Secretary, Part 21, nondiscrimination in federally assisted programs of the Department of Transportation issued pursuant to such Act, hereby notifies all bidders that it will affirmatively ensure that in any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, disadvantaged business enterprises as defined at 49 CFR Part 26 will be afforded full opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, or national origin in consideration for an award.

Registered to do business in Washington State as evidenced by an active Unique Business Identifier (UBI) number.Has a valid federal tax identification number.

BIDDERS WHO REGISTER AND DOWNLOAD BID DOCUMENTS will be automatically added to the FOLLOWERS list in the County's eProcurement Portal. Notifications for bid updates, addenda, and other bid information will be sent to all bidders who register on the Pierce County eProcurement Portal.

An evaluation team will review the bidding documents and evaluate all responses received based upon the criteria listed herein. The County may request clarifications or additional information, if needed. The proposer determined to be most qualified through the initial evaluation phase may be interviewed and the final determination will also consider reference checks and interviews.The County intends to select the Contractor most qualified for this pursuit/solicitation and begin the negotiation and award process based on the requirements of this solicitation.Selected Proposer(s) will be invited to enter into contract negotiations with the County. Should the County and the selected proposer not reach a mutual agreement, the County will terminate negotiations and move to the next ranked contractor and proceed with negotiations. A Proposer’s inability to agree to the terms of the County’s standard contract may be a basis for the County to terminate negotiations and begin negotiating with one or more other Contractors.The County reserves the right to accept or reject any or all submitted bids, to waive as informalities any irregularities, and to contract as the best interest of the County may require. The County may reject bids that are non-responsive or that are submitted by non-responsible contractors.

This study will review the history of reentry programs in Pierce County, evaluating effectiveness and outcomes including recidivism, housing stability, and employment. Programs and services will be assessed for cost efficiency, alignment with evidence-based practices, and opportunities to strengthen coordination among justice, housing, behavioral health, and workforce systems. Input from those with lived experience in the reentry system will be systematically gathered and incorporated into the report findings. The study will include:System-wide mapping of the current reentry process;Analysis of the utilization of county and community-based programs and services, including where possible demographic disaggregation and trends in the population over timeIdentification of gaps in support and systemic barriers to access for both individuals and service providers, which may limit utilization, including where possible any demographic trends in populations affected by those gaps and barriers;Review of state and local evaluations of reentry programs in comparable jurisdictions, including studies conducted by the Washington State Institute or Public Policy, to identify best practices and performance benchmarks that can inform local improvements;An overview of challenges to successful community reintegration;A set of actionable recommendations for county consideration and investment to reduce gaps and barriers, improve equitable outcomes, and streamline future system review.The review, findings, and recommendations shall be submitted to the Council's Performance Audit Committee in stages, with the first phase including review of utilized programming, system mapping, gap analysis, and an evaluation plan with defined methodology and outcome measures to be executed in the second phase, no later than October 15, 2026.

All questions must be submitted within the County's eProcurement Portal, under the Questions and Answers Section no later than 4:00 pm on Friday, July 31, 2026. Bidders must be registered in the eProcurement Portal software to submit questions, receive addenda, notifications, and ultimately submit a proposal.Proposals must be received by the Procurement & Contract Services and the Finance Department before 1:00 pm on Friday, August 7, 2026. The proposer is responsible for submitting the proposal before the deadline. The County shall not be responsible for late submittals.

Deliverables for Phase 1 will include the following:Review of county and community-based program and service utilizationSystem-wide mapping of the current re-entry processAnalysis of gaps and barriers to both individuals and service providersEvaluation plan and methodology for the current system

The initial contract period is anticipated to be for 12 months . The County has the option of renewing for an additional one year after the initial contract is executed. The actual schedule will be negotiated with the selected firm based on consultant and agency staff availability and the finalized scope of work.Value of Resulting Contract: 75,000.00The County intends to award one contract for the services described in this RFP.