Primary Public Defender Services

Grand County, Utah has issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for Primary Public Defender Services for the Seventh District, seeking a qualified criminal defense attorney or firm to provide indigent defense services. The contractor will serve as primary court-appointed counsel for indigent clients charged with noncapital felony and misdemeanor criminal offenses across District Court, Justice Court, and Recovery Court. Specific requirements include holding a Juris Doctor from an accredited law school, maintaining an active Utah State Bar license in good standing, and demonstrating comprehensive knowledge of criminal defense procedures. The contractor must handle indigent client cases, attend court hearings, maintain a case management system, and comply with Indigent Defense Commission grant requirements and core principles. Qualification submissions are due by Friday, December 5th, 2025 at 5:00 p.m., with a tentative contract award and start date between December 16th, 2025, and January 1st, 2026. The initial contract term is two years with an option to extend for an additional year upon mutual agreement.

The RFQ does not specify any specific set-aside designations or restrictions on responding organizations. The compensation structure includes a base annual payment of $113,000, paid monthly at $9,416.67, with additional reimbursement for approved defense-related expenses such as witness fees, transcripts, investigators, and expert costs. No incumbent vendor information is provided, and there are no explicit references to existing infrastructure or technology integration requirements. Potential respondents should be prepared to demonstrate their ability to provide comprehensive indigent defense services, with a strong emphasis on meeting the legal and administrative requirements of Grand County's court system. The contract represents a significant opportunity for a criminal defense attorney or firm to serve as the primary public defender for Grand County, with the potential for a three-year engagement if the initial two-year term is extended.