OPD Contract Attorney

The State of Montana's Office of Public Defender (OPD) has issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) solicitation numbered OPD-RFP/RFQ-2021-0110 seeking contract attorneys to provide legal representation in criminal and civil matters throughout the state. Qualified private attorneys are invited to apply for contract public defender roles, with the procurement focusing on professional legal services categorized under Commodity Code 3920. Applicants must complete a comprehensive application process that includes submitting a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), professional resume, writing sample, proof of professional liability insurance, and most recent Continuing Legal Education (CLE) transcript. The solicitation was posted on April 15, 2021, with an unusually extended due date of January 1, 2099, allowing attorneys significant time to apply. Potential contractors must demonstrate current professional eligibility and qualifications to serve as contract public defenders, with specific emphasis on their legal capabilities and professional credentials. The primary contact for this opportunity is Jennifer Kueffler, reachable at Jennifer.Kueffler@mt.gov or +1 406-496-6089.

The RFQ appears to have minimal restrictions on potential respondents, with primary eligibility criteria focusing on attorneys currently holding an active MOU with OPD or those whose MOU expired less than 30 days prior to the solicitation. No specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises were explicitly mentioned in the available documentation. While no precise monetary value or budget range was specified in the procurement documents, the solicitation suggests an ongoing need for contract legal services across Montana's jurisdictions. The opportunity does not indicate existing infrastructure requirements or mandatory technology integrations for potential contractors. Attorneys interested in this contract must be prepared to provide comprehensive legal representation across criminal and civil matters, demonstrating professional competence through their application materials. The broad solicitation window and open-ended nature of the contract suggest a potential long-term engagement for qualified legal professionals seeking to provide public defender services in the state.