Request for Information (RFI) and Public Input Forums
Rehabilitative Programs for Inmates and Parolees
RFI Number C12.046
INTRODUCTION
This is a Request for Information (RFI) only and does not constitute a commitment, implied or otherwise, that the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) will take procurement action in this matter. Further, neither CDCR nor the State of California will be responsible for any cost incurred by respondents in furnishing information (including travel costs associated with the public input forums listed).
Although all comments received will be carefully reviewed and may be considered for inclusion in possible later action, CDCR makes no commitment to include any particular recommendations. Respondents will not be notified of the results of this process.
This RFI is not considered a solicitation. If a solicitation is released at a later date, it will be the responsibility of potential bidders to monitor the Department of General Services (DGS) e-procurement website for any solicitations. https://www.bidsync.com/DPX//ca/cdgs
CDCR will not publicly disclose proprietary information obtained as a result of this RFI. Any information that a respondent considers proprietary must be marked as confidential. To the full extent that it is protected by law and regulations, information identified by a respondent as proprietary or confidential will be kept confidential.
Organizations responding to this RFI must be properly licensed to operate within the State of California and have the capacity to provide rehabilitative programming to inmates or parolees. The organizations include, but are not limited to; state and county agencies, public and private entities, Small Business Enterprises (SBE), Disabled Veteran Business Enterprises (DVBE), community- or faith-based organizations and non-profit organizations.
BACKGROUND
In response to the Supreme Court's order to reduce overcrowding and facility compliance, CDCR created a blueprint that not only addresses these issues but will be the catalyst for change towards correctional excellence. In The Future of California Corrections: A Blueprint to Save Billions of Dollars, End Federal Court Oversight, and Improve the Prison System, April 2012, CDCR discusses how a reduction in inmate population will support one of the Department's primary goals; to improve rehabilitative programming for inmates and parolees, thereby increasing public safety and reducing recidivism. The following excerpt taken from the blueprint expounds CDCR's objective:
The Department will establish reentry hubs at certain prisons to concentrateprogram resources and better prepare inmates as they get closer to being released.It will also designate enhanced programming yards, which will incentivize positivebehavior. For parolees, the Department will build a continuum of community-based programs to serve, within their first year of release, approximately 70 percent of parolees who need substance-abuse treatment, employment services, or education. http://www.cdcr.ca.gov/2012plan/docs/plan/complete.pdf
CDCR recognizes that state and county agencies, public and private entities, community and faith-based organizations and groups, non-profit organizations, and local businesses and groups have a vested interest in the rehabilitative programming offered to inmates and parolees under the Department's supervision. In addition, CDCR acknowledges that local communities will play a vital role in providing continuity of care for inmates and parolees, working to ensure their successful reintegration back into society. Therefore, these stakeholders are encouraged to provide responses.
SCOPE
The focus of the RFI is to gather market research for CDCR to facilitate the development of strategies to improve rehabilitative programming for inmates and parolees. The programming needs to be examined include, but are not limited to the following;
- substance abuse treatment
- family reunification
- career technical training
- workforce development
- job placement
- transitional housing opportunities
- life skills training
- literacy programs
- linkages to community resources
- advocacy and mentorship
RFI QUESTIONS
Respondents are asked to address any or all of the following questions via this RFI process:
1. How can CDCR improve rehabilitative programs for prison inmates? Respondents should consider any or all of the following areas as they pertain to CDCR programming;
a. Curricula and Program Content
b. Participant Placement Criteria
c. Participant Referral Processes
d. Assessment Tools
e. Case Management
f. Treatment Dosage
g. Duration
h. Setting and Location
i. Modality
j. Data Collection
k. Outcomes
2. How can CDCR improve rehabilitative programs for parolees in the community? Respondents should consider any or all of the following areas as they pertain to CDCR programming;
a. Curricula and Program Content
b. Participant Placement Criteria
c. Participant Referral Processes
d. Assessment Tools
e. Case Management
f. Treatment Dosage
g. Duration
h. Setting and Location
i. Modality
j. Data Collection
k. Outcomes
3. If you have previously declined to bid on CDCR substance abuse contracts, what were the reasons? (Note: Please specify whether it was an in-prison contract or community-based contract.)
How to Respond to the RFI Questions
Interested parties can respond to the three (3) questions listed above in either or both of the following ways:
A. Participation at a public input forum (see below)
B. Submission of written response to RFI via email (see below)
A. Public Input Forums
CDCR will host two (2) public input forums wherein interested parties can present their responses to the questions listed above to CDCR representatives in person. One forum will take place in southern California and one in northern California on the following dates:
CDCR PUBLIC FORUM #1 - SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Thursday, July 19, 2012 Junipero Building
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Auditorium
Registration at 8:30 a.m. 320 West 4th Street
Los Angeles, CA
CDCR PUBLIC FORUM 32 - NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
Tuesday, July 24, 2012 Elihu M. Harris State Building
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Auditorium
Registration at 8:30 a.m. 1515 Clay Street
Oakland, CA
Each forum is intended to attract a target audience comprised of substance abuse treatment providers, academic and career technical education resource organizations and employment services organizations. These entities include, but are not limited to; county agencies, public and private entities, Small Business Enterprises (SBE), Disabled Veteran Business Enterprises (DVBE), faith-based and non-profit organizations.
The forums are intended to provide an opportunity for interested parties to deliver input on how CDCR can improve rehabilitative programs to inmates and parolees. Participants should come to the forums prepared to address one or all of the three (3) questions listed above. The time allotted per participant will be determined based on the number of participants that check in that day, however, plan to deliver your proposal within a 10-minute maximum timeframe.
Participants planning to attend the forum are requested to respond in writing to Jennifer Parra at jennifer.parra@cdcr.ca.gov at least three (3) working days prior to the event to secure a time slot to present. Preregistered respondents will be given the opportunity to present first. All other participants will be afforded the opportunity to present on a first-come, first-served basis, time permitting. On the day of the forum, speakers will be asked to fill out a card with the name of the person presenting and the organization they represent. To be able to accommodate all participants, CDCR asks that each participating organization designate one person to speak on behalf of the organization.
B. Submission of Written Response to RFI
Entities that are unable to attend either public forum or that would prefer to submit comments outside of a public forum, may still contribute input to CDCR by submitting written responses to the three questions listed above.
Respondents shall include the following information with their responses;
· Business name
· Primary contact name and title
· Email address or mailing address
· Office phone
· Cell phone
How to Submit Responses and Submission Deadline
Responses to this RFI must be submitted no later than 3:00 p.m. on
July 27, 2012. RFI submissions will be accepted as email attachments only. All responses must be sent to Jennifer Parra at jennifer.parra@cdcr.ca.gov. Please insert "RFI Response" in the subject line. An email confirmation receipt from CDCR will not be sent to respondents to this RFI.
Point of Contact for Inquiries and Submissions
Inquiries regarding this proposal may be directed to Jennifer Parra at jennifer.parra@cdcr.ca.gov Inquiries will be accepted until 3:00 p.m. on July 27, 2012.
