RFP J27161-General Civil Legal Services, The Judiciary

The Judiciary, State of Hawaii is requesting proposals for organizations to provide general civil legal services without charge to indigent residents statewide, with proposals due September 11, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. HST and an RFP orientation on August 24, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. HST via Microsoft Teams.

Applicants must be duly organized 501(c)(3) nonprofits with a minimum of one year of experience providing civil legal services to indigent persons. Legal services must be delivered by Hawaii-licensed attorneys or by staff supervised by licensed attorneys. Organizations must maintain commercial general liability insurance of at least $2 million, provide a Financial Audit from the preceding fiscal year (or a Financial Statement Review completed by an independent Hawaii-licensed CPA if requesting awards under $250,000), obtain applicable tax clearance certificates, conduct criminal history and sex offender registry background checks on all personnel and volunteers, and comply with Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 103F.

Applicants may provide general civil legal services in one or more subject areas, including housing, government benefits, family law, immigration, and other civil matters affecting low-income populations, across one or more of five geographic circuits: First Circuit (Oahu), Second Circuit (Maui, Lanai, Molokai), Third Circuit (Island of Hawaii), and Fifth Circuit (Kauai).

State general funds of $2.2 million are available for Fiscal Year 2027 (July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027). Applicants may propose to receive the full $2.2 million or lesser amounts and may submit scalable proposals indicating what services can be provided at different funding levels. The contract shall be effective upon execution and remain in effect until June 30, 2027, with a potential extension of one additional twelve-month period contingent upon legislative appropriation, fund availability, and satisfactory performance. A mandatory 0.75% transaction fee applies to awards made through the Hawaii Electronic Procurement System (HIePRO), not to exceed $5,000 for the total contract term. Payment shall be made in three installments during the second, third, and fourth quarters of Fiscal Year 2027. Written questions are due August 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. HST, with Judiciary responses due by September 1, 2026 at 4:30 p.m. HST.