OPD Contract Attorney

The Montana Office of State Public Defender (OPD) has issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) numbered OPD-RFP/RFQ-2022-0129 seeking contract attorneys to provide legal representation in criminal and civil matters statewide. The solicitation, posted on November 23, 2021, with an unusually extended due date of January 1, 2099, invites qualified private attorneys to apply as contract public defenders. Applicants must submit a comprehensive application package including a completed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), current resume, writing sample, proof of professional liability insurance, and most recent Continuing Legal Education (CLE) transcript. The procurement is categorized under Commodity Code 3920 for Professional Services - Legal Services, with no predetermined quantities or specific service line items specified. Attorneys currently holding an active or recently expired MOU with OPD are eligible to apply. The primary contact for questions is Jennifer Kueffler, reachable at Jennifer.Kueffler@mt.gov or +1 406-496-6089.

The solicitation does not explicitly mention specific set-aside designations or restrictions on respondent types. No information is provided about incumbent vendors, current contractors, or existing technological infrastructure requiring integration. The RFQ does not outline specific award values or budget ranges for the contract attorney positions. While the document suggests a broad need for legal representation across Montana, it does not specify precise compensation structures or the number of attorneys to be contracted. The application process appears open to individual attorneys meeting the stated qualifications, with the primary requirement being the ability to provide legal representation in criminal and civil matters throughout the state. The extended due date and open-ended nature of the solicitation indicate a potentially ongoing recruitment process for contract public defenders.