Boulder County Appeals Hearing Officers

Boulder County is seeking qualified attorneys and professionals with legal or employment backgrounds to serve as contract hearing officers for employee appeal hearings under the Boulder County Personnel and Policy Manual. The solicitation of qualifications (SOQ) aims to create a pool of independent hearing officers who will be available on an as-needed basis to conduct hearings related to disciplinary actions such as suspension without pay, reduction in pay, demotion, or termination. Successful respondents must be licensed attorneys in Colorado or have professional legal/employment experience, with those selected after August 1, 2020, required to have additional experience or training in equity, cultural responsiveness, and/or inclusion. The evaluation criteria will assess proposals based on three key areas: meeting minimum qualifications (50 points), labor or employment law experience (25 points), and equity and cultural responsiveness experience or training (25 points). Proposals are due by 2:00 p.m. Mountain Time on October 1st, 2025, through the Bonfire procurement system, with an initial 1-year contract that has options to renew for up to 4 additional years.

The county does not impose specific set-aside designations or restrictions on responding organizations beyond the professional qualifications outlined. Boulder County aims to maintain a minimum of 3 hearing officers in the pool, though they acknowledge that they do not currently experience a high volume of employee appeal hearings, and award under this solicitation does not guarantee work. Respondents must provide proposed rates, additional costs, and a comprehensive resume demonstrating qualifications. Insurance requirements are substantial, including Commercial General Liability with minimum limits of $1,000,000 per occurrence, Workers' Compensation at statutory limits, and Professional Liability (Errors and Omissions) coverage of $1,000,000 per loss. The county will provide administrative support, including hearing rooms, recording equipment, and document management. While no specific budget range is explicitly stated, the contract structure suggests a flexible, as-needed arrangement with compensation based on individual hearing requirements.