Project Information

Bid Title

Request for Proposals for Court Appointed Attorneys

Issuing Agency

City of Bismarck

Location

North Dakota

Published Date

Nov 20, 2025

Closing Date

Dec 12, 2025

Government Level

State & Local

Status

Closed

Original Source

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Bid Documents

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Project Description

Bid Title:	Request for Proposals for Court Appointed Attorneys
Category:	Municipal Court
Status:	Open

Description: The purpose of a defense service contract is to provide designated high quality indigent defense services for all cases arising or originating in Bismarck Municipal Court, including trials in Burleigh County Court following transfer or appeal to that Court and any subsequent appeal. Publication Date/Time: 11/20/2025 12:00 AM Closing Date/Time: 12/12/2025 5:00 PM Submittal Information: City Administration Contact Person: Municipal Court 701-355-1350 municipalcourt@bismarcknd.gov Business Hours: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Qualifications: Any individual attorney, group of attorneys, law firm, or law firms may submit bids. All attorneys providing services under the contract must be licensed to practice law in North Dakota. The lead attorney of the bidder shall be clearly identified as the person with whom all contacts regarding the bid and subsequent contact, if any, will be made. Related Documents: RFP - Court Appointed Attorney (PDF)

Attachment Preview

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS:

COURT APPOINTED

ATTORNEY

Issued:

Proposals Due:

CST

November 20, 2025

December 12, 2025, at 5:00 p.m.

City of Bismarck

221 North 5th Street

P.O Box 5503

Bismarck, ND 58506

Request for Proposals: Court Appointed Attorney

City of Bismarck, North Dakota

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP):

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS: COURT APPOINTED ATTORNEY

Summary RFP Schedule:

RFP Issued

Proposal Deadline

Interview Date (if required)

November 20, 2025

December 12, 2025, at 5:00 p.m.

CST

December 15, 2025

Any interested individual may request to be on an email list to receive updates on the RFP

process, including addenda to the RFP if any are issued. The City may alter this RFP at any

time.

Submittal Instructions

Proposals must be received by the City of Bismarck no later than 5:00 p.m. CST on December

12, 2025. Proposals received after this deadline will not be accepted.

Send proposals and direct questions regarding the RFP to:

Amanda Harris

Municipal Court Judge

c/o City Administration

221 N 5th St, Bismarck ND, 58501

1

Request for Proposals: Court Appointed Attorney

City of Bismarck, North Dakota

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Purpose for Request .................................................................................................................. 3

Scope of Work ........................................................................................................................... 3

Project Budget ........................................................................................................................... 4

Project Contract ......................................................................................................................... 4

Community Profile...................................................................................................................... 4

Proposal Request and Selection Process .................................................................................. 4

Schedule of Process............................................................................................................... 5

Submittal Instructions ............................................................................................................. 6

Required Proposal Contents ...................................................................................................... 6

Evaluation Criteria...................................................................................................................... 8

Other Information ....................................................................................................................... 9

Modifications to the Request .................................................................................................. 9

Responsibility for Proposal Preparation .................................................................................10

Civil Rights ............................................................................................................................10

No Conflict of Interest ............................................................................................................10

Open Records/Proprietary Information ..................................................................................11

Ownership of Project Materials ..............................................................................................11

2

Request for Proposals: Court Appointed Attorney

Purpose for Request

City of Bismarck, North Dakota

Contract Purpose

The purpose of a defense service contract is to provide designated high quality indigent defense

services for all cases arising or originating in Bismarck Municipal Court, including trials in

Burleigh County Court following transfer or appeal to that Court and any subsequent appeal.

Eligibility

Any individual attorney, group of attorneys, law firm, or law firms may submit bids. All attorneys

providing services under the contract must be licensed to practice law in North Dakota. The lead

attorney of the bidder shall be clearly identified as the person with whom all contacts regarding

the bid and subsequent contact, if any, will be made.

Scope of Work

Contract Services

a. The following services shall be provided within the contract price:

Legal representation of indigent defendants in misdemeanor cases, too include

representation in trial court, transfer of cases to District Court pursuant to 40-18-15.1

and appeals for trial a new to District Court and appeals to the North Dakota Supreme

Court. Representation will be made at all stages of the proceedings until completed.

Contract counsel shall provide necessary representation of each indigent defendant in

matters of investigation, trial preparation, preparation and filing of motions, arguments of

motions, personal counseling when appropriate, referral to appropriate agencies, trial,

post-trial motions, and motions, briefing and arguments in the North Dakota Supreme

Court and any retrials following an appeal. This includes preparation of all briefs,

documents, letters, research, and any all things regarding as adequate representation of

indigent party. Representation in order to show cause or petition to revoke proceedings

is included.

Cases in which representation will be provided shall include cases involving indigents on

appeal or transfer to the District Court or to the North Dakota Supreme Court which were

not tried by contract counsel or which were tried by different counsel.

3

Request for Proposals: Court Appointed Attorney

Project Budget

City of Bismarck, North Dakota

Payment Procedures

Payment for contract services shall be made monthly by the City of Bismarck. An automatic

payment system will be used, whenever possible. Expenditures to be reimbursed in addition to

contract payments shall be specified in the bid.

Project Contract

Contract Period

The contract period is from January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2028. The contract may be

renewed for up to 2 additional one year terms on an annual renewal basis under the same

terms and condition up agreement of the Municipal Judge and the successful bidder.

Community Profile

Contract Geographical Area

The designated area in which contract services will be provided is within jurisdiction of Bismarck

Municipal Court, Bismarck, North Dakota.

Proposal Request and Selection Process

Review and Award Procedures

a. All bids will be reviewed by the Municipal Judge

b. Any or all bids may be accepted or rejected (in whole or in the part) at the options

of the Municipal Judge.

c. The decision to award the contract will be made by the Municipal Judge, subject

to approval of the Bismarck City Commission.

d. The award will be based on the following criteria:

1. General legal experience of attorneys.

2. Demonstrated trial ability,

3. Ability to meet contract specifications,

4. Price, ($3,000 - $3,200 per month) and

5. Justification of contract price related to anticipated caseload and service per

case.

4

Commodity Codes

• NAICS 561492Court Reporting and Stenotype Services

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