OCA-DPCS-018 Nassau County Problem Solving Court Evaluation Services

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The mission of the New York State Unified Court System (UCS) is to deliver equal justice under the law and to achieve the just, fair and timely resolution of all matters that come before our courts. In the service of our mission, the UCS is committed to operating with integrity and transparency, and to ensuring that all who enter or serve in our courts are treated with respect, dignity, and professionalism. We affirm our responsibility to promote a court system free from any and all forms of bias and discrimination and to promote a judiciary and workforce that reflect the rich diversity of New York State. More information about the UCS is available at https://www.nycourts.gov.

The UCS Office of Court Administration’s (OCA) Division of Professional and Court Services (DPCS) is soliciting proposals via this RFP for the purpose of providing evaluation services to the Nassau County Problem Solving Court.

UCS operates problem-solving courts, among them drug courts, which help judges and court staff respond to the needs of litigants and the community. Problem-solving courts look to the underlying issues that bring people into the court system, employ innovative approaches to address those issues, and seek to simplify the court process for litigants. A drug court involves an intervention by the court in cooperation with a team of specialists in social services, treatment, and criminal justice professionals in the local community. In return for a promise of a reduced sentence, appropriate non-violent addicted offenders are given the option of entering voluntarily into court-supervised treatment. The rules and conditions of participation are clearly stated in a contract entered into by the defendant, the defense attorney, the district attorney, and the court.

PROJECT INFORMATION

UCS is the recipient of a grant (the “Grant Award”) awarded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) to provide evaluation services for the Nassau County Problem Solving Court, Nassau County, New York (the “Project”). Pursuant to the terms of the Grant Award, $200,000 is the maximum available funding for Project Services (as set forth in Article V below) performed during October 14, 2024 – September 29, 2029, provided, however, that such period may be extended upon mutual agreement of Grantor and UCS (the “Project Term”). UCS reserves the right to request a no-cost extension of the Project Term from the Grantor.

UCS anticipates that the selected applicant will be designated a “contractor” rather than a “subrecipient” for purposes of federal requirements of the Grant Award.

AWARD

UCS intends to award one contract for a term commencing on or about October 14, 2024, and terminating on or about September 29, 2029 (“Contract Term”).

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Contract Term of any contract resulting from this RFP may extend to a term not to exceed five (5) years in total, which contract shall terminate upon the earlier of: (i) five (5) years from the contract commencement date; or (ii) the complete expenditure of funding available for Project Services, whichever is earlier, unless otherwise terminated pursuant to the terms of said contract. Awarded contractor shall be contractually obligated to provide the Project Services for the Project Term, as it may be amended or extended. UCS and awarded contractor shall communicate regularly concerning the remaining amount of grant funds and the approximate timing of complete expenditure.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Proposals will be considered only from applicants who meet the following minimum qualifications:

 - Individuals or organizations with at least three (3) years of experience performing services relevant to those described herein.

PROJECT SERVICES

UCS seeks proposals describing how the applicant will provide the services listed below (“Project Services”). The selected applicant shall be required to:

1. Design a process and outcome evaluation plan in collaboration with the NCPSC;

2. Develop evaluation instruments to ensure collection of all data required to monitor grant-related goals and objectives;

3. Review current databases to ensure all necessary quantitative and qualitative data is collected;

4. Assist the NCPSC in collecting and compiling data for continuous quality assurance improvement for the participant intake process, integration of substance use disorder counseling, service delivery, program completion rates, and effectiveness in reducing recidivism;

5. Ensure all necessary quantitative and qualitative data are collected for quarterly and annual evaluation reports and as required by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) for periodic reporting pursuant to the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA).

6. Assist the NCPSC on an ongoing basis to track participants to ensure GPRA court-client outcome data is being collected at the appropriate points in time as required by SAMHSA.

7. Prepare quarterly and annual evaluation reports that include analyses of outcome and process findings and provide such reports to the project’s workgroup.

8. Complete monthly, quarterly, bi-annual and/or annual reports as required to SAMHSA.

9. Provide feedback to the NCPSC on an ongoing basis to promote continuous quality improvement and make recommendations for data-informed policy changes; and

10. Produce a final program evaluation report.

RFP Issue Date September 9, 2024

Deadline to Submit Written Questions September 23, 2024 at 2:00 PM EST

Deadline to Submit Proposal October 7, 2024 at  2:00 PM EST

Estimate Contract Start Date October 14, 2024

The UCS looks forward to your response.