OPD Contract Attorney

The Montana Office of State Public Defender (OPD) issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for contract attorney services, solicitation number OPD-RFP/RFQ-2020-0069, which was open from January 21, 2020, to January 21, 2022. The procurement seeks qualified private attorneys to provide legal representation in criminal and civil matters where OPD is appointed. Attorneys interested in becoming Contract Public Defenders were required to submit a comprehensive application package including proof of an active Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with OPD, a completed PDF form, current resume, writing sample (appellate brief if seeking appellate case approval), professional liability insurance coverage, and the most recent Continuing Legal Education (CLE) transcript. The solicitation falls under commodity code 3920 for Professional Services - Legal Services, with Brett Schandelson serving as the contact person. Key objectives include expanding OPD's pool of contract attorneys capable of providing high-quality legal representation across criminal and civil matters in Mineral County and potentially other Montana jurisdictions.

While the RFQ does not explicitly mention set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises, it appears open to qualified private attorneys meeting the specified professional credentials. The document does not list incumbent vendors or provide specific award values or budget ranges for the contract attorney positions. Attorneys must demonstrate professional competence through comprehensive documentation, including current professional liability insurance, recent CLE transcripts, and a writing sample to prove their qualifications. The solicitation suggests that successful candidates will be integrated into OPD's existing legal service infrastructure, providing representation in cases where the office is court-appointed. Interested attorneys could contact Brett Schandelson at Brett.Schandelson@mt.gov or +1 406-523-5142 for additional information about the contract opportunity.