Public Defender Services

The New Hampshire Judicial Council is seeking a comprehensive public defender services contractor through a Request for Proposals (RFP JC 2026-02) to provide statewide indigent defense representation across all ten counties. The selected vendor will be responsible for delivering legal representation for criminal defendants, juveniles in delinquency cases, and respondents in involuntary commitment proceedings, spanning Family, District, Superior, and Supreme Courts, as well as specialty courts like Drug Court and Mental Health Court. The contract will commence on July 1, 2025, or upon Governor and Executive Council approval, and will run through June 30, 2027. Proposals are due by April 18, 2025, with evaluation criteria focused on the bidder's background, experience, and comprehensive response to the scope of work. Key deliverables include developing robust case management systems, implementing staff supervision and training protocols, establishing conflict avoidance mechanisms, and providing administrative support for indigent defense services. The contractor must demonstrate extensive legal expertise, professional capabilities, and a thorough understanding of the complex legal representation requirements across various court systems.

The RFP does not explicitly mention specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. The contractor must provide comprehensive insurance coverage, including general liability and workers' compensation, and comply with state and federal equal employment opportunity regulations. While specific budget amounts are not detailed, the RFP indicates that payments will be limited to actual administrative costs and are subject to state appropriations for Fiscal Years 2026 and 2027. The successful bidder must have the organizational capacity to manage a statewide legal services contract, with capabilities in case management, staff coordination, and administrative infrastructure. Although the document does not reference incumbent vendors or existing technology requirements, the contractor will need to integrate seamlessly with the current judicial system infrastructure. The contract represents a critical public service procurement aimed at ensuring comprehensive legal representation for indigent individuals across New Hampshire's judicial system.