Conflict Public Defender Services

Grand County, Utah is issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) to contract with a qualified attorney to serve as Primary Conflict Public Defender, providing legal representation in both Justice and District courts. The contractor will defend indigent defendants charged with crimes ranging from misdemeanors to first-degree non-capital offenses when the Primary Public Defender has a conflict of interest. The position involves approximately 25 to 30 cases annually, with Grand County Justice Court convening one Wednesday per month and Moab District Court holding biweekly sessions on Tuesdays. The contractor must attend all substantive hearings and trials in person, though some proceedings may be conducted via Webex. Key qualifications include a law degree, legal experience in criminal defense, and the ability to provide constitutionally adequate representation. Evaluation criteria focus on the respondent's qualifications, experience, and capacity to deliver constitutionally adequate defense services. Proposals must be submitted through the Utah Public Procurement Portal (Bonfire) by March 15, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. The contract term is one year with an option to extend for an additional year upon mutual agreement.

The RFP does not identify any set-aside designations or restrictions limiting responses to specific enterprise categories or disadvantaged organizations. No incumbent vendors or current contractors are referenced in the procurement documentation. Respondents must submit a letter of interest, background information detailing education and qualifications, professional references, names and resumes of associated attorneys if applicable, and a detailed cost/fee breakdown. The fee proposal should include a monthly fee for all services, with optional alternative proposals for hourly rates and/or per-case rates; actual payment terms are subject to negotiation. Grand County is exempt from federal and state taxes, and proposals should exclude tax charges. Pending grant funding availability, mileage at the state rate and lodging may be reimbursed for in-person court proceedings. While a specific budget range is not provided, contractors may maintain other public defense or private contracts provided they prioritize this engagement and fulfill all required court appearances.