OPD Contract Mental Health Professional

The State of Montana's Office of Public Defender (OPD) is seeking qualified, licensed mental health professionals to provide specialized services for legal proceedings through a Request for Qualifications (RFQ). The procurement is focused on contracting mental health professionals who can conduct critical research and assessment services for attorneys representing clients in criminal and civil matters. Key deliverables include comprehensive evaluation reports such as Fitness to Proceed, Chemical Dependency, and Psycho-Sexual evaluations. Interested professionals must submit a completed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), current professional resume, valid professional licenses, and redacted examples of anticipated evaluation reports. The solicitation requires respondents to upload specific documentation through a fillable PDF form, with Jennifer Kueffler serving as the primary contact (Jennifer.Kueffler@mt.gov or 406-496-6089). While the RFQ was released on October 20, 2021, with an open date of April 22, 2021, it unusually lists a closing date of January 1, 2099, suggesting an ongoing rolling procurement process. The opportunity is categorized under Commodity Code 3920 for Professional Services - Legal Services.

The RFQ does not explicitly outline specific set-aside designations or restrictions on respondent organizations. No incumbent vendors or current contractors are identified in the available documentation. The solicitation appears open to licensed mental health professionals who can demonstrate expertise in providing evaluation services for legal proceedings. While no specific award value or budget range is provided, the procurement suggests a statewide contract mechanism for mental health professionals to support OPD attorneys and contract counsel. The requirement for professional licensing and specific evaluation report experience indicates a rigorous qualification process designed to ensure high-quality, specialized professional services. Respondents will likely be evaluated based on their professional credentials, experience in legal-related mental health assessments, and the quality of their submitted evaluation report examples. The broad closing date implies potential ongoing recruitment and contract availability for qualified mental health professionals throughout Montana.