Indigent Defense Services

The City of Wichita is requesting proposals for indigent defense services to the Municipal Court under RFP #260196, with proposals due August 28, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. S/EBE participation is weighted at 10% of the evaluation score.

Qualified respondents must be attorneys, groups of attorneys in joint ventures, or partnerships licensed in Kansas. Minimum qualifications include three years' experience providing similar services, Kansas Secretary of State registration prior to contract execution, and professional malpractice insurance with minimum coverage of $100,000 per individual act or event and no more than a $5,000 deductible. General liability, automobile liability, workers' compensation, and employers' liability insurance are required with the City added as primary and non-contributory additional insured. Municipal government experience is preferable.

The scope encompasses accepting all assigned indigent defense cases unless conflicts exist, preparing and trying cases at all daily dockets with minimum staffing of three public defenders for morning sessions and four for afternoon sessions, maintaining representation in Drug Court and Mental Health Court programs, conducting client visits at the Sedgwick County Detention Center, preparing appeals de novo, filing diversion and deferred judgment agreements, and representing clients in probation revocation proceedings. In 2025, appointed legal counsel was provided in 9,283 Municipal Court cases for 5,132 defendants. Attorneys must maintain an office outside City Hall for client meetings during designated hours and maintain detailed case records for municipal review.

The contract term is one year with four optional one-year renewal periods under the same terms and conditions by mutual agreement; either party may cancel with thirty days' written notice. The contract is subject to termination by the City for lack of funding appropriation with thirty days' notice.

Proposers must submit a not-to-exceed fee for professional services along with proposed hourly billing rates and estimated hours needed over the contract period. Evaluation criteria are ability to meet proposal terms and conditions (10%), project understanding and presentation (30%), technical qualifications and resources (30%), references and past performance (10%), cost (10%), and S/EBE participation (10%). Questions are due August 11, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. Evaluation is scheduled for the week of September 7, 2026, with tentative City Council approval in October 2026.