Request for Proposals for Professional Services Lower Sioux Indian Community
Lower Sioux, Saint Paul, MN, United States
The Lower Sioux Indian Community in the State of Minnesota (“Community”) is seeking a qualified external evaluator (individual or firm) to lead the design and implementation of a culturally responsive and community-informed evaluation for its federally funded Tribal Court Improvement Project (TCIP). The project seeks to strengthen the Tribal Court’s handling of child welfare cases and improve collaboration with Lower Sioux Human Services Department through assessment, analysis, and long-term system improvements. We seek a qualified evaluator to assess current operations, identify areas for improvement, and draft a comprehensive report detailing findings, recommendations, and actionable strategies to enhance the efficiency, fairness, and cultural responsiveness of the Tribal Court’s child welfare proceedings.
The evaluation process will be conducted over a total of 350 hours. 250 hours for the evaluator to conduct a comprehensive assessment of Lower Sioux Tribal Court’s child welfare proceedings. 100 hours for the evaluation and drafting results.
Scope of Work
The selected evaluator will:
Co-Design and Facilitate a Comprehensive Court Assessment
Collaborate with the Project Director and both multidisciplinary teams to identify and prioritize tribal needs related to child welfare proceedings.
Lead the development of culturally responsive assessment questions, informed by JCAMP domains and community feedback.
Facilitate and/or support stakeholder meetings with Project Director
Assess court orders, case plans, and workflow processes.
Observe live or recorded hearings.
Lead Data Collection and Analysis
Lead all data collection activities in collaboration with the project director and stakeholder teams.
Implement mixed-method approaches including document review, surveys, interviews, focus groups, talking circles, court observations, and case file reviews.
Courtroom observations, including qualitative notes on engagement and procedural fairness.
Review court case files and other relevant records.
Leverage tribal leadership support to boost community participation.
Generate and Present Findings
Analyze data and provide preliminary findings to the Project Director and stakeholder team.
Prepare a final evaluation report that includes:
Assessment methodology
Contextual tribal factors
Key findings
Strengths and areas for improvement
Actionable recommendations
Deliver findings in accessible formats tailored to Tribal Council, court personnel, and community members.
Data Governance and Sovereignty
The evaluator must comply with all Tribal laws and protocols related to data ownership, access, and governance. This includes:
Signing a
Data Use Agreement (DUA)
prior to any data collection.
Protecting personally identifiable information (PII) and sensitive data through encryption and password secure storage.
Ensuring all findings and reports are approved by the Tribal Court prior to external dissemination.
No waiver of sovereign immunity.
Qualifications
Demonstrated experience in evaluating tribal, child welfare, or court systems.
Familiarity with culturally appropriate, Indigenous-led evaluation methods.
Strong facilitation and communication skills, especially in diverse, interdisciplinary settings.
Proven capacity to manage large-scale evaluations using both qualitative and quantitative methods.
Understanding of tribal sovereignty, data privacy, and respectful engagement practices.
Experience with evaluations of federally funded programs, especially those supported by DOJ, HHS, BIA, or ACYF.
Familiarity with JCAMP (Judicial, Court, and Attorney Measures of Performance) or similar frameworks.
Demonstrated ability to work with Tribal communities and/or Tribal courts.
Ability to synthesize complex data into clear, actionable insights.
Attributes including flexibility, responsiveness, collaboration, cultural humility, and hands‑on engagement.
Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., evaluation, social work, public health, law, or criminal justice).
Proposal Requirements
Applicants should submit the following:
Cover Letter:
Describe interest in the project, relevant experience, and alignment with project goals.
Resume:
Highlight education, experience, and relevant evaluation work.
Proposal Narrative:
Clearly explain the evaluation and assessment process the firm/individual will use to ensure the project is within budget and that the Community will be receiving the best value within the budgeted amount.
Proposed methodology, timeline, and team structure.
Strategies for data collection, analysis, and tool development.
Plan for protecting sensitive data and PII, consistent with applicable privacy and confidentiality requirements.
Statement on culturally responsive methods and Tribal data sovereignty.
Budget proposal with a lump sum fixed fee for the project, including breakdown of fees and all anticipated costs, including staff time, travel, indirect fees, materials, and any other expenses assigned to tasks during the course of the project. Include an hourly fee schedule for the firm/individual and any subcontractors. Any exceptions or additional costs must be clearly noted and justified. Also include acknowledgement that the firm/individual can effectively complete this project within the timeframe and budget indicated.
Work Samples:
Include at least one example of work relevant to Tribal child welfare, Tribal courts, or judicial evaluations.
References:
Provide at least two references familiar with your work.
Selection Process
Proposals should be submitted via email to dylan.jubera@lowersioux.com. Top candidates may be invited for interviews as part of the selection process. Final selection will be based on the following weighted criteria:
Evaluation Criteria – Points Relevant
Experience and qualifications – 225
Strength and feasibility of proposed methodology – 25
Cultural competence and understanding of Tribal justice systems – 20
Cost-effectiveness and budget clarity – 15
Work samples and references – 15
Total Possible Points – 100
Award of the contract resulting from this RFP will be based upon the most responsive and responsible submission with the offer that is most advantageous to the Community in terms of cost and other factors.
Federal and Tribal Compliance
The resulting Contract will include all provisions under applicable Federal funding requirements and the Tribe’s Procurement Policy. The selected Consultant will be responsible for compliance with all applicable Federal contract provisions set forth in 2 C.F.R. Part 200, Appendix II and applicable Community law. These provisions will be incorporated into and made part of the Contract, as well as any agreements between the Consultant and its subcontractors or consultants.
Non-Commitment of the Community
This Request for Proposal does not commit the Community to award a contract, to pay any costs incurred in the preparation of the proposal to this request, or to procure or contract for services of supplies. The Community reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals received as a result of this request, to negotiate with any qualified firm or individual, or to modify or cancel in part or its entirety the Request for Proposals if it is in the best interest of the Community to do so.
Native Preference
Proposals will be accepted from Indian as well as non-Indian-owned firms / individuals or organizations. The Community provides preference to all qualified Indians and Indian owned enterprises or organizations in accordance with applicable law.
Contact Information
For questions or additional information, please contact:
Dylan Jubera
Planning and Grants Department
The Lower Sioux Indian Community
39527 Reservation Hwy. 1
Morton, MN 56270
Office: 507-697-8611
Cell: 612-704-6206
Email: dylan.jubera@lowersioux-nsn.gov
#J-18808-Ljbffr
The evaluation process will be conducted over a total of 350 hours. 250 hours for the evaluator to conduct a comprehensive assessment of Lower Sioux Tribal Court’s child welfare proceedings. 100 hours for the evaluation and drafting results.
Scope of Work
The selected evaluator will:
Co-Design and Facilitate a Comprehensive Court Assessment
Collaborate with the Project Director and both multidisciplinary teams to identify and prioritize tribal needs related to child welfare proceedings.
Lead the development of culturally responsive assessment questions, informed by JCAMP domains and community feedback.
Facilitate and/or support stakeholder meetings with Project Director
Assess court orders, case plans, and workflow processes.
Observe live or recorded hearings.
Lead Data Collection and Analysis
Lead all data collection activities in collaboration with the project director and stakeholder teams.
Implement mixed-method approaches including document review, surveys, interviews, focus groups, talking circles, court observations, and case file reviews.
Courtroom observations, including qualitative notes on engagement and procedural fairness.
Review court case files and other relevant records.
Leverage tribal leadership support to boost community participation.
Generate and Present Findings
Analyze data and provide preliminary findings to the Project Director and stakeholder team.
Prepare a final evaluation report that includes:
Assessment methodology
Contextual tribal factors
Key findings
Strengths and areas for improvement
Actionable recommendations
Deliver findings in accessible formats tailored to Tribal Council, court personnel, and community members.
Data Governance and Sovereignty
The evaluator must comply with all Tribal laws and protocols related to data ownership, access, and governance. This includes:
Signing a
Data Use Agreement (DUA)
prior to any data collection.
Protecting personally identifiable information (PII) and sensitive data through encryption and password secure storage.
Ensuring all findings and reports are approved by the Tribal Court prior to external dissemination.
No waiver of sovereign immunity.
Qualifications
Demonstrated experience in evaluating tribal, child welfare, or court systems.
Familiarity with culturally appropriate, Indigenous-led evaluation methods.
Strong facilitation and communication skills, especially in diverse, interdisciplinary settings.
Proven capacity to manage large-scale evaluations using both qualitative and quantitative methods.
Understanding of tribal sovereignty, data privacy, and respectful engagement practices.
Experience with evaluations of federally funded programs, especially those supported by DOJ, HHS, BIA, or ACYF.
Familiarity with JCAMP (Judicial, Court, and Attorney Measures of Performance) or similar frameworks.
Demonstrated ability to work with Tribal communities and/or Tribal courts.
Ability to synthesize complex data into clear, actionable insights.
Attributes including flexibility, responsiveness, collaboration, cultural humility, and hands‑on engagement.
Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., evaluation, social work, public health, law, or criminal justice).
Proposal Requirements
Applicants should submit the following:
Cover Letter:
Describe interest in the project, relevant experience, and alignment with project goals.
Resume:
Highlight education, experience, and relevant evaluation work.
Proposal Narrative:
Clearly explain the evaluation and assessment process the firm/individual will use to ensure the project is within budget and that the Community will be receiving the best value within the budgeted amount.
Proposed methodology, timeline, and team structure.
Strategies for data collection, analysis, and tool development.
Plan for protecting sensitive data and PII, consistent with applicable privacy and confidentiality requirements.
Statement on culturally responsive methods and Tribal data sovereignty.
Budget proposal with a lump sum fixed fee for the project, including breakdown of fees and all anticipated costs, including staff time, travel, indirect fees, materials, and any other expenses assigned to tasks during the course of the project. Include an hourly fee schedule for the firm/individual and any subcontractors. Any exceptions or additional costs must be clearly noted and justified. Also include acknowledgement that the firm/individual can effectively complete this project within the timeframe and budget indicated.
Work Samples:
Include at least one example of work relevant to Tribal child welfare, Tribal courts, or judicial evaluations.
References:
Provide at least two references familiar with your work.
Selection Process
Proposals should be submitted via email to dylan.jubera@lowersioux.com. Top candidates may be invited for interviews as part of the selection process. Final selection will be based on the following weighted criteria:
Evaluation Criteria – Points Relevant
Experience and qualifications – 225
Strength and feasibility of proposed methodology – 25
Cultural competence and understanding of Tribal justice systems – 20
Cost-effectiveness and budget clarity – 15
Work samples and references – 15
Total Possible Points – 100
Award of the contract resulting from this RFP will be based upon the most responsive and responsible submission with the offer that is most advantageous to the Community in terms of cost and other factors.
Federal and Tribal Compliance
The resulting Contract will include all provisions under applicable Federal funding requirements and the Tribe’s Procurement Policy. The selected Consultant will be responsible for compliance with all applicable Federal contract provisions set forth in 2 C.F.R. Part 200, Appendix II and applicable Community law. These provisions will be incorporated into and made part of the Contract, as well as any agreements between the Consultant and its subcontractors or consultants.
Non-Commitment of the Community
This Request for Proposal does not commit the Community to award a contract, to pay any costs incurred in the preparation of the proposal to this request, or to procure or contract for services of supplies. The Community reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals received as a result of this request, to negotiate with any qualified firm or individual, or to modify or cancel in part or its entirety the Request for Proposals if it is in the best interest of the Community to do so.
Native Preference
Proposals will be accepted from Indian as well as non-Indian-owned firms / individuals or organizations. The Community provides preference to all qualified Indians and Indian owned enterprises or organizations in accordance with applicable law.
Contact Information
For questions or additional information, please contact:
Dylan Jubera
Planning and Grants Department
The Lower Sioux Indian Community
39527 Reservation Hwy. 1
Morton, MN 56270
Office: 507-697-8611
Cell: 612-704-6206
Email: dylan.jubera@lowersioux-nsn.gov
#J-18808-Ljbffr