Project Information

Bid Title

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL FOR MANAGED ASSIGNED COUNSEL JACKSON, MI

Issuing Agency

Jackson County

Location

Michigan

Published Date

Apr 13, 2026

Closing Date

May 11, 2026

Government Level

State & Local

Status

Closed

Ref. #

JC-961-030226

Original Source

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Bid Documents

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Project Description

Bid Number:	JC-961-030226
Bid Title:	REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL FOR MANAGED ASSIGNED COUNSEL JACKSON, MI
Category:	Public Defender
Status:	Open

Publication Date/Time: 4/13/2026 10:00 AM Closing Date/Time: 5/11/2026 10:00 AM Related Documents: Managed Assigned Counsel RFP-JC-961-030226 Ver 2_AS APPROVED_FINAL_04.10.2026

Attachment Preview

D12

COUNTY OF JACKSON, MICHIGAN

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

FOR

MANAGED ASSIGNED COUNSEL

JACKSON, MI

JC-961-030226

BID SUMMARY

Commodity/Service Being Requested: Managed Assigned Counsel

Type of Solicitation: Request for Proposal (RFP) – Jackson County is requesting proposals for

public defender – counsel administrator services. It is the intention of Jackson County to bid and

award a Master Agreement to a contractor capable of providing public defender – counsel

administrator services to the Jackson County Public Defender Office.

Type of Resulting Contract: Jackson County will use the results of this process to award a

contract to a Vendor capable of meeting the terms and conditions outlined in this RFP.

Resulting Contract Term: Jackson County will use the results of this process to award a one-

year contract with up to four (4), one-year renewal options. Renewal is dependent on funding for

the position being approved each year.

ANTICIPATED TIMETABLE

Release of RFP :

Vendors Questions Due by (5:00 pm/EST):

Questions and Answers Posted:

Proposals Due by (10:00 am/ EST) *:

April 13, 2026

April 20, 2026

April 27, 2026

May 11, 2026

*Any response received later than the specified deadline will be disqualified.

Final Agreement Award Determination: Jackson County reserves the right to make one total

award, one award for each section, multiple awards, or a combination of awards, and to

exercise its judgment concerning the selection of one or more bids, the terms of any resultant

agreement(s), and the determination of which, if any, bid(s) best serves the interests of Jackson

County.

Contacts with Jackson County Personnel: All contact with Jackson County regarding this RFP or

any matter relating thereto must be e-mailed as follows:

Email address: purchasing@mijackson.org

If it is discovered that a Vendor contacted and received information regarding this solicitation from

any Jackson County personnel other than the Procurement Contact, Jackson County, in its sole

discretion, may disqualify its proposal from further consideration. Only those communications made

by Jackson County in writing will be binding with respect to this RFP.

JC-961-030226

2

Contents

SECTION 1.0 – SCOPE OF WORK ......................................................................................... 4

1.1 Introduction................................................................................................................... 4

1.2 Minimum Qualifications................................................................................................. 4

1.3 Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities……………………………………………………………….4

1.4 Description of Deliverables ........................................................................................... 5

1.5 Jackson County Finance Department Responsibilities.................................................. 5

1.6 Product and Service Offerings ...................................................................................... 5

1.7 Delivery of Services ...................................................................................................... 5

1.8 Supervision................................................................................................................... 6

1.9 Service Capabilities ...................................................................................................... 6

1.10 Customer Service ......................................................................................................... 6

1.11 Pricing Schedule........................................................................................................... 6

SECTION 2.0 – BIDDER INFORMATION AND ACCEPTANCE ............................................... 8

2.1 Company Profile ........................................................................................................... 9

2.2 References ................................................................................................................. 10

SECTION 3.0 – BIDDING, EVALUATION, SELECTION, AND AWARD PROCESS............... 12

3.1 Jackson County Responsibility ................................................................................... 12

3.2 Truth and Accuracy of Representations ...................................................................... 12

3.3 Vendors Questions ..................................................................................................... 12

3.4 Preparation of the Proposal ........................................................................................ 12

3.5 Bid Submission Deadline ............................................................................................ 14

3.6 Adherence to Mandatory Requirements (Pass/Fail) .................................................... 14

3.7 Evaluation Process ..................................................................................................... 15

3.8 Evaluation Criteria ...................................................................................................... 15

3.9 Optional Tools to Enhance Evaluation Process .......................................................... 15

3.10 Jackson County Option to Reject Proposals ............................................................... 16

3.11 Freedom of Information Act ........................................................................................ 16

3.12 Contacts with Jackson County Personnel ................................................................... 16

3.13 Final Agreement Award Determination ....................................................................... 16

3.14 Cancellation................................................................................................................ 17

Attachment A - Pricing Sheet ……………………………………………………………….18

JC-961-030226

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SECTION 1.0 – SCOPE OF WORK

1.1 Introduction

The Jackson County Public Defender Office is requesting proposals from qualified and experienced

individuals to provide Managed Assigned Counsel Services.

Under the direction of the Public Defender Office, the Counsel Administrator is responsible for

operating the county’s indigent defense system to ensure that adult defendants receive competent

legal representation in criminal proceedings. The Administrator directs contracted attorneys to

provide legal representation. Responsible for screening, selecting, and maintaining a roster of

eligible attorneys for case assignment, evaluating attorney performance, reviewing invoices,

authorizing investigative resources, and performing other duties associated with the provision of

competent legal representation.

Vendor will work with and coordinate with the Public Defender’s Office. Vendor will be paid hourly for

their work from a location of their choosing.

1.2 Minimum Qualifications

a. The Bidder shall be organized for the purpose of providing managed assigned counsel services

and must have a minimum of five (5) years of experience with proven effectiveness in providing

these services as described in the Scope of Work. Please provide work history.

b. Please include in your proposal a description of you or your organization’s ability and

experience to perform the work. Describe the approach you or your firm would take to

successfully complete the tasks described in the Scope of Work.

c. The Bidder shall submit a list of five (5) references, including name of institution, address,

contact person, and telephone number.

d. The Bidder shall meet ALL insurance requirements in regard to Workers’ Compensation

Insurance, Professional and Commercial General Liability Insurance and Motor Vehicle

Insurance as outlined in this RFP.

e. The Bidder must certify that they are not on any Federal, State, or local list of debarred or

prohibited contractors.

f. Bidders must complete the requested documentation in its entirety. Failure to submit completed

forms and information identified in preparation of the proposal may result in disqualification of

the proposal.

1.3 Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

a. At least 5 years of progressively more responsible experience in the practice of criminal defense

or the equivalent. The County, at its discretion, may consider an alternative combination of

formal education and work experience.

b. Juris Doctorate degree and licensed to practice law in the State of Michigan and a member in

good standing with the Michigan Bar Association.

c. Michigan Vehicle’s Operators License

d. Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of State of Michigan criminal law and public

defense processes and procedures.

e. Skill in assembling and analyzing data, preparing comprehensive and accurate reports, and

formulating policy and service recommendations.

JC-961-030226

4

f. Skill in effectively communicating ideas and concepts orally and in writing, and making

presentations in public forums.

g. Ability to assess situations, solve problems, work effectively under stress, within deadlines, and

in emergency situations.

h. Skill in the use of office equipment and technology, including Microsoft Suite applications, and

the ability to learn data base software utilized in public defense administration.

1.4 Description of Deliverables

The Jackson County Public Defender Office is seeking an individual with experience in providing public

defender – counsel administrator services. These services shall include, but are not limited to:

• Provides Chief Public Defender with ongoing reports regarding caseload, legal resources,

and costs.

• Supervises contracted attorneys working on behalf of the Public Defender’s Office. Identifies

attorneys that are qualified to accept assignments. Ensures that interested attorneys meet the

MIDC Standards established for legal providers-including skill level and annual training

requirements. Assigns cases, manages workload, and ensures that all representation is in

accordance with established and mandated procedures.

• Approves the use of investigators, experts and other resources required for cases and

assigned counsel.

• Develop programs to assess, meet, or exceed mandated standards as a requirement by the

American Bar Association, the State Bar of Michigan and the MIDC for competent legal

services.

• Reviews and approves invoices.

• Resolves non-grievance matters between defendants and assigned counsel and the courts,

including administratively reassigning counsel when appropriate.

• Assists with the coordination of compliance with the MIDC standards, including annual plans

and grant requests for funding compliance plans.

• Attends legal conferences and seminars to stay current on legal issues.

• Performs other duties as directed.

1.5 Jackson County Public Defender Office Responsibilities

The Jackson County Public Defender Office will pay Vendor the fees for services rendered as set forth

in the RFP.

1.6 Product and Service Offerings

Jackson County is seeking a service provider that has the depth, breadth, and quality of resources

necessary to provide public defender – counsel administrator services. Vendors shall prepare a written

bid to include, but not be limited to, the following terms and conditions:

• Vendor will be required to furnish properly trained and equipped personnel capable of providing

the services described in Section 1.4 Description of Deliverables.

1.7 Delivery of Services

Vendor must supply a qualified candidate to complete the services being sought by the Jackson County

Public Defender Office as requested in the RFP.

JC-961-030226

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Commodity Codes

• NAICS 541512Computer Systems Design Services
• NAICS 541519Other Computer Related Services

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