Evaluation of the Private Defender Program 2026

San Mateo County Executive's Office is soliciting proposals for a comprehensive evaluation of the County's Private Defender Program, with proposals due July 13, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. and an anticipated contract award date of August 11, 2026. San Mateo County has adopted a Procurement Preference for Local Businesses Ordinance that may apply to this solicitation.

The scope spans evaluation of the Private Defender Program—a managed assigned counsel system established in 1969 through partnership with the San Mateo County Bar Association, currently involving approximately 116 private attorneys handling criminal cases, dependency court matters, probate cases, and Lanterman-Petris-Short conservatee representation. The evaluation must assess thirteen specific areas: independence and oversight, compliance with national and state standards, quality of representation, staff workload, resource adequacy, funding sufficiency, management staffing, training, supervision measures, data systems quality, resource efficiency, capacity for program improvements, and ability to pursue additional funding and implement best practices. Deliverables include an evaluation plan with timeline and data collection protocols, regular stakeholder updates, and a final written report documenting methodology, findings, and recommendations.

Minimum qualifications require four years of similar service experience within the past seven years, completion of at least three written evaluations of indigent defense programs for counties, states, or federal government, legal authorization to conduct business in California, and SAM registration. Evaluation criteria allocate 45 percent weight to method and approach, 30 percent to experience and organizational capacity, and 25 percent to price. Key project milestones include an initial planning meeting during the week of August 24, 2026, draft report submission by March 1, 2027, stakeholder discussion meeting by March 15, 2027, and final report delivery by April 12, 2027, with a three-year contract term. The County will conduct reference checks and interviews with highest-scoring proposals during the week of July 13, 2026, followed by contract negotiations. Proposals must be submitted electronically through the eProcurement portal, with fee proposals submitted as a separate PDF file.