2026 013 RFQ _ Indigent Defense _ State Court.pdf

SPALDING COUNTY, GEORGIA

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ)

INDIGENT DEFENSE SERVICES – STATE COURT

Issue Date: April 9, 2026 Qualifications Due: May 12, 2026 (see Section 9 – Procurement Schedule) Submission Type: Hard Copy –– One (1) original and three (3) copies. Sealed Submittals

Executive Summary Spalding County, Georgia is issuing this Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to identify experienced and highly qualified attorneys or law firms to provide indigent defense services for the State Court of Spalding County.

The County seeks legal service providers that demonstrate strong professional competence, sufficient operational capacity, and a demonstrated ability to deliver effective, timely, and constitutionally sound representation to indigent defendants, in full compliance with Georgia law and the standards of the Georgia Public Defender Council.

This RFQ is designed to ensure that indigent defense services are delivered in a manner that upholds defendants’ legal rights, promotes judicial efficiency, and maintains independence from political or private interests. In addition to evaluating legal qualifications and experience, the County places emphasis on accountability, transparency, and performance measurement. Respondents are required to demonstrate their ability to provide ongoing reporting through data-driven dashboards, including case volume, disposition outcomes, and client satisfaction metrics, to support informed oversight and continuous improvement.

Statements of Qualifications and separately sealed cost proposals are due following a 30-day solicitation period. Through this process, Spalding County intends to establish one or more qualified providers capable of meeting current and future indigent defense needs in the State Court, while ensuring responsible stewardship of public resources and maintaining public confidence in the administration of justice.

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SPALDING COUNTY, GEORGIA

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ)

INDIGENT DEFENSE SERVICES – STATE COURT

Issue Date: April 9, 2026 Qualifications Due: May 12, 2026 (see Section 9 – Procurement Schedule) Submission Type: Hard Copy – – One (1) original and three (3) copies. Sealed Submittals

1. PURPOSE AND INTENT

The Board of Commissioners of Spalding County, Georgia (“County”) is soliciting Statements of Qualifications (SOQs) from qualified attorneys or law firms to provide indigent defense services for the State Court of Spalding County.

The intent of this Request for Qualifications (RFQ) is to identify one or more highly qualified, professionally competent legal service providers capable of delivering effective, timely, and constitutionally sound legal representation to indigent defendants. Services must be provided in full compliance with:

• The Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution

• Applicable provisions of Georgia law

• Applicable law, court procedures, and professional standards governing practice before the State

Court of Spalding County

• Standards and performance guidelines established by the Georgia Public Defender Council (GPDC)

This RFQ emphasizes professional qualifications, experience, operational capacity, and accountability. The County seeks providers that demonstrate a commitment to public service, ethical independence, data transparency, and continuous performance improvement.

2. SCOPE OF SERVICES – STATE COURT INDIGENT DEFENSE

The selected respondent(s) shall provide comprehensive indigent defense representation for eligible defendants in matters before the State Court of Spalding County, excluding only those matters expressly identified as outside the scope.

2.1 Covered Case Types and Proceedings

Services shall include, but are not limited to:

• Misdemeanor criminal cases prosecuted pursuant to Georgia law or County ordinances in which incarceration, probation, or a suspended sentence may be imposed

• Probation revocation proceedings

• Pre-accusation misdemeanor matters originating in Magistrate Court that qualify for appointment of counsel and are expected to be bound over to State Court

• Bond-related proceedings, including initial bond hearings, modifications, revocations, and reconsideration hearings

• Arraignments, calendar calls, plea negotiations, bench trials, jury trials, and sentencing

• Direct appeals from State Court convictions when required by law or court order

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Excluded from Scope:

Magistrate-only ordinance cases that do not result in adjudication or prosecution in State Court.

2.2 Performance and Service Expectations

Respondents providing indigent defense services shall be required to:

• Appear promptly, prepared, and professionally at all scheduled court proceedings

• Conduct timely and meaningful client interviews and maintain regular communication

• Review discovery, investigate facts, and prepare defenses consistent with competent representation

• Monitor client custody status and file bond motions within three (3) business days of appointment when the client is incarcerated

• Set bond motions for hearing at the earliest practicable calendar date

• Comply with all applicable GPDC standards, ethical rules, and court expectations

• Address conflicts of interest through qualified, independent counsel when necessary

3. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND ELIGIBILITY

Respondents must clearly demonstrate compliance with all minimum qualifications below.

3.1 Professional Standing

Respondents must:

• Be licensed and in good standing with the State Bar of Georgia

• Be admitted to practice before the Georgia appellate courts, or demonstrate the ability to obtain such admission within thirty (30) days of contract execution

• Possess substantial experience in criminal defense practice, particularly in State Court proceedings

3.2 Operational Capacity

Respondents must demonstrate:

• Sufficient staffing levels to responsibly manage anticipated caseloads

• Effective systems for case tracking, calendaring, and file documentation

• Familiarity with GPDC operational and performance standards

• Clear procedures for identifying and managing conflicts of interest

3.3 Local Presence

To ensure accessibility for clients and courts, respondents must maintain, or commit to maintaining upon award, a physical office location within the Spalding County, Georgia.

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4. STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS – REQUIRED CONTENT

Each Statement of Qualifications shall be complete, clearly organized, and responsive to this RFQ. At a minimum, responses shall include:

1. Firm or Practice Overview o Legal name, business structure, years in operation, and areas of practice

2. Staffing and Attorney Assignments o Identification of all attorneys proposed o Current resumes outlining education, licensure, and relevant experience

3. Relevant Experience o Detailed description of indigent defense and criminal defense experience o Experience managing State Court caseloads

4. Government Contract Experience o Identification of any government contracts during the past five (5) years

5. Case Management and Conflict Procedures o Systems used to manage cases and deadlines o Conflict identification and resolution processes

6. Professional References o Three (3) professional legal references familiar with the proposer’s work

7. Disclosures o Disclosure of any pending litigation, disciplinary matters, or bar complaints

5. COST PROPOSAL – SEPARATE AND SEALED SUBMISSION

In addition to the Statement of Qualifications, respondents must submit a Cost Proposal subject to the following requirements:

• The Cost Proposal shall be submitted at the time of initial submission

• It shall be included in a separate, sealed envelope clearly marked:

“SEALED COST PROPOSAL – INDIGENT DEFENSE SERVICES (STATE COURT)”

• The Cost Proposal shall clearly identify:

o Proposed compensation structure (e.g., flat fee) o Any assumptions, exclusions, or limitations o Confirmation that all incidental costs are included unless otherwise noted o

Cost Proposals will remain sealed until completion of the qualifications review process, unless the County determines otherwise.

6. CASELOAD AND PERFORMANCE DATA DASHBOARD REQUIREMENTS

6.1 Intent

Spalding County requires data-driven oversight of indigent defense services to ensure accountability, transparency, and informed decision-making.

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6.2 Caseload and Case Outcome Dashboard

Performance metrics, data dashboards, and reporting requirements established under this RFQ are intended solely for administrative oversight, transparency, and program evaluation. Nothing in these requirements shall be construed to direct, influence, or interfere with the professional judgment, legal strategy, or ethical obligations of defense counsel.

Respondents must demonstrate the ability to provide a dashboard-style report, updated at least quarterly, that includes:

• Total cases assigned

• Active cases

• Cases adjudicated (closed)

• Average case duration

• Case outcomes, including:

o Dismissals o Guilty pleas o Bench trials and jury trials o Acquittals o Sentencing outcomes

• Bond-related outcomes where applicable

Respondents shall describe:

• Data collection systems used

• Reporting format (PDF, Excel, or visual dashboard)

• Quality control measures

7. CLIENT SATISFACTION SURVEY AND DASHBOARD REPORTING

7.1 Intent

The County seeks to measure quality of representation and client experience, not solely case outcomes.

Client satisfaction surveys and related reporting are utilized for system-level oversight and quality review only and shall not be used to evaluate, rank, or influence individual case decisions or attorney advocacy. All performance expectations outlined herein shall be implemented where appropriate, in the professional judgment of counsel, and in a manner consistent with constitutional requirements, ethical rules, and the duty of loyalty owed to each client. Nothing in this RFQ or any resulting contract shall be interpreted to compromise counsel’s independence or interfere with the effective representation of indigent defendants.

7.2 Survey Administration

The successful respondent shall administer a client satisfaction survey addressing:

• Timeliness of attorney contact

• Clarity of communication

• Professionalism

• Availability

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• Overall satisfaction

7.3 Dashboard Reporting

Survey data shall be summarized in a separate dashboard, including:

• Number of surveys distributed

• Number completed

• Aggregate satisfaction ratings

• Category-specific ratings

• Trend analysis where available

8. GENERAL CONDITIONS AND COMPLIANCE

All submissions are subject to:

• County insurance requirements

• Indemnification provisions

• Affidavit of Non-Collusion

• Compliance with O.C.G.A. § 13-10-91 (E-Verify)

• All applicable federal and state laws

All work products produced under any resulting agreement shall be the property of Spalding County.

9. PROCUREMENT SCHEDULE AND TIMING

9.1 Proposed Schedule

Based on a solicitation date of April 9, 2026, and a 30-day response period, the County recommends the following schedule:

• RFQ Issued: Thursday, April 9, 2026

• Week 1–3 (April 9 – April 30):

o Written questions accepted. Send questions to Mitzy Campbell at mcampbell@spaldingcounty.com o Questions and answers issued weekly via written addenda

• Final Day for Questions: Thursday, April 30, 2026

• Qualification Submissions Due: Tuesday, May 12, 2026. Send to the attention of Mitzy Campbell, Spalding County Courthouse Annex, 119 E Solomon Street, Griffin, GA 30223. Please provide one

(1) original and three (3) hard copies. Sealed submittals.

Because May 9, 2026, falls on a Saturday, and to ensure public accessibility and staff availability, the County recommends:

mailto:mcampbell@spaldingcounty.com

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Official Bid Opening

• Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at 2:00 PM (EST)

• Location:

Spalding County Courthouse Annex 119 E Solomon Street Griffin, GA 30223

Sealed Statements of Qualifications and sealed Cost Proposals will be publicly received and opened in accordance with County procurement procedures.