OPD Contract Attorney

The Montana Office of State Public Defender (OPD) has issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) seeking contract attorneys to provide legal representation in criminal and civil matters across the state. The solicitation, numbered OPD-RFP/RFQ-2019-0009, is open from September 11, 2018, to January 1, 2099, and targets qualified private attorneys capable of handling cases where OPD is appointed legal counsel. Interested attorneys must complete a series of required questions and upload specific documentation, including a fillable PDF form, current resume, writing sample, proof of professional liability insurance, and a recent Continuing Legal Education (CLE) transcript. For appellate cases, attorneys must submit an appellate brief as their writing sample. Attorneys must maintain an active or recently expired Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with OPD and meet all documentation requirements. The solicitation falls under the commodity code 3920 for Professional Services - Legal Services, with Emily Copeland serving as the primary contact, reachable at Emily.Copeland@mt.gov or +1 406-523-5169.

While the RFQ does not explicitly outline specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises, it provides a comprehensive opportunity for qualified private attorneys throughout Montana to contract with the state's public defender office. The solicitation does not specify incumbent vendors or current contractors, nor does it detail existing technological infrastructure requiring integration. Similarly, no specific award values or budget ranges are disclosed in the available documentation. The procurement appears designed to establish a broad pool of qualified contract attorneys who can provide legal representation across various criminal and civil matters, with the primary qualification being professional legal competency, appropriate documentation, and the ability to meet OPD's representation standards. Attorneys interested in this opportunity must carefully review and comply with all submission requirements to be considered for potential contract engagement.