Maryland Court Help Centers

The Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) in Maryland is issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) to establish a statewide network of Maryland Court Help Centers (MCHCs) that will provide limited legal services to self-represented litigants with civil legal issues. The contract will run for a two-year base period from July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2028, with the potential for three additional one-year renewal periods. Specific service delivery models include District Court Help Centers, All Civil Help Centers, Remote Services Center, and Court Help Access & Information Centers across multiple Maryland locations. Key services will encompass providing legal advice and information, assisting with form completion, answering legal questions, explaining court processes and procedures, helping litigants prepare for hearings and mediation, and making referrals to other organizations. The contractor will be responsible for developing a pro bono program, maintaining a comprehensive knowledge base, collecting and reporting quarterly performance data, and creating training materials for self-represented litigants. The RFP emphasizes bilingual staffing, with a preference for Spanish-speaking staff in certain locations. Proposals are due by December 19, 2025, and the contract will be awarded on a labor-hour, not-to-exceed basis, with the AOC reserving the right to modify performance measures and adjust resources throughout the contract term.

The RFP does not specify Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) or Veteran-owned Small Business Enterprise (VSBE) subcontracting goals, indicating broad participation opportunities for potential contractors. The current incumbent is Maryland Center for Legal Assistance, LLC, which was previously awarded a $30,972,800 contract on May 24, 2021, for five years. Contractors will need to integrate with existing judiciary technology infrastructure, particularly the knowledge base software provided by the AOC at no cost, which will require careful management and content development. The knowledge base will be governed by strict access controls, with specific administrator privileges granted to AOC staff and the contractor's key personnel. Potential bidders must complete several mandatory documents, including a Contract Affidavit, Bid-Proposal Affidavit, Non-Disclosure Agreement, and provide detailed company profiles and past performance references. While specific budget ranges are not explicitly stated, the previous contract value of $30,972,800 suggests a significant investment in these court help center services, with the expectation that bidders will provide comprehensive, statewide legal support infrastructure.