RFP 077: JCLS Access to Justice, Rural Justice Initiatives - Q & A

OCA-DGCP-077 Judiciary Civil Legal Services, Access to Justice: Rural Justice Initiatives
Issued Thursday, September 10, 2026 Due Thursday, October 15, 2026 at 2:00 PM Eastern
NEW YORK STATE UNIFIED COURT SYSTEM
Office of Court Administration
Division of Grants, Contracts & Procurement
Request for Proposals
OCA-DGCP-077
Judiciary Civil Legal Services, Access to Justice: Rural
Justice Initiatives
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OCA-DGCP-077 Judiciary Civil Legal Services, Access to Justice: Rural Justice Initiatives
Issued Thursday, September 10, 2026 Due Thursday, October 15, 2026 at 2:00 PM Eastern
Contents
RFP Articles
I. Background Information
II. Project Information
III. Award
IV. Minimum Qualifications
V. Project Services
VI. Insurance Requirements
VII. Award Selection Criteria and Method of Award
VIII. Required Documents
IX. Submission of Proposal
X. Questions
XI. Pre-Bid Conference
XII. General Specifications
Attachments*
Attachment I - Standard Request for Bid Clauses & Forms
Attachment III - Vendor Responsibility: Acknowledgment Form and VR Questionnaire
Attachment IV - Procurement Lobbying forms
* Attachments are available for download from the Unified Court System's Current Solicitation
webpage: https://www.nycourts.gov/grants-contracts-procurement/current-solicitations
Exhibits
Exhibit 1: Document Enclosure Checklist
Exhibit 2: Proposal Cover Sheet
Exhibit 3: Vendor Assurance and Conflict-of-Interest Disclosure
Exhibit 4: Insurance Requirements
Exhibit 5: Maximum Available Funding by Targeted Service Area
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OCA-DGCP-077 Judiciary Civil Legal Services, Access to Justice: Rural Justice Initiatives
Issued Thursday, September 10, 2026 Due Thursday, October 15, 2026 at 2:00 PM Eastern
I. BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The mission of the New York State Unified Court System ("UCS") is to deliver equal justice
under the law and to achieve the just, fair and timely resolution of all matters that come before
our courts. In the service of our mission, the UCS is committed to operating with integrity and
transparency, and to ensuring that all who enter or serve in our courts are treated with respect,
dignity, and professionalism. We affirm our responsibility to promote a court system free from
any and all forms of bias and discrimination and to promote a judiciary and workforce that
reflect the rich diversity of New York State. More information about the UCS is available at
https://www.nycourts.gov.
The Judiciary Civil Legal Services ("JCLS") program was established by UCS at the
recommendation of the Permanent Commission on Access to Justice to address the crisis
resulting from unrepresented litigants compelled to navigate the complexities of New York's
civil justice system without the benefit of counsel. For more than fifteen years, the JCLS
program has served to provide a stable funding source for the delivery of civil legal services and
access to justice services to low-income New Yorkers to have meaningful access to the courts
and the legal assistance they need to secure the essentials of life. Since its establishment, the
JCLS program has awarded hundreds of millions of dollars in funding to civil legal services
providers throughout the State for this crucial initiative that benefits millions of New Yorkers
annually by providing access to vital legal services. Programmatic oversight of the JCLS
program is provided by the Judiciary Civil Legal Services Division in the Office for Justice
Initiatives under the leadership of the Hon. Edwina G. Richardson.
JCLS funding supports the provision of legal assistance to address "essentials of life" areas,
such as: (i) housing matters, (including eviction, foreclosures, and homelessness); (ii) family
matters (including domestic violence and family stability); (iii) access to health care and
education; (iv) subsistence income (including wages, disability, and other benefits, and
consumer debts). JCLS funding also supports the provision of legal assistance in other civil
legal need areas that are low-income New Yorkers and targeted sub-populations.
II. PROJECT INFORMATION
The UCS Office of Court Administration's ("OCA") Division of Grants, Contracts and
Procurement ("DGCP") is soliciting sealed proposals via this Request for Proposals ("RFP") to
award contracts for Judiciary Civil Legal Services' Access to Justice: Rural Justice Initiatives
project to provide quality free legal services to vulnerable individuals at or below 200% of the
federal poverty threshold in select rural communities. Via this RFP, UCS will establish one or
more contracts serving the following five (5) targeted rural counties with the highest percentage
of population living in poverty, based on data from the 2025 New York State Poverty Report,
published by the New York State Community Action Association 1: Allegany, Cattaraugus,
1NYSCAA
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OCA-DGCP-077 Judiciary Civil Legal Services, Access to Justice: Rural Justice Initiatives
Issued Thursday, September 10, 2026 Due Thursday, October 15, 2026 at 2:00 PM Eastern
Chautauqua, Franklin, and St. Lawrence. Grants will be awarded to nonprofit organizations that
are civil legal service providers offering legal representation, legal assistance, legal information,
and outreach to indigent individuals and families living in these five (5) targeted rural
communities.
The goal of this initiative is to strengthen access to civil legal services for vulnerable individuals
in rural communities who experience a significant lack of reliable internet and technology
access, geographic isolation, scarce access to public transportation, and growing shortage of
attorneys.
Eligible clients are defined as New York residents living at or below 200% of the poverty
threshold in the designated five (5) rural communities (hereinafter, "Eligible Client"). Eligible
clients will receive timely access to high-quality, free legal services. Proposals should outline
strategies to address obstacles related to geography, language accessibility, and transportation.
This may include providing transportation-accessible services, mobile service delivery, or other
approaches designed to reach communities with limited local resources.
UCS is allocating $1,000,000 in the aggregate in the initial year to enhance access to justice in
five (5) rural counties, as outlined in Exhibit 5. The maximum funding available for each
Targeted Service Area in a twelve (12) month period is listed in Exhibit 5.
UCS anticipates that each Awarded Contractor (as defined in Article III below) will begin to
perform the Project Services (as set forth in Article V below) on or about December 1, 2026.
Key Bid Dates (Note: OCA reserves the right to modify any Key Bid Date as it may deem
appropriate.)
EVENT DATE
Bid Issue Date Thursday, September 10, 2026
Question Due Date Thursday, September 24, 2026 at 2:00PM Eastern
Bid Submission Deadline Date Thursday, October 15, 2026 at 2:00PM Eastern
Estimated Contract Start Date December 1, 2026
Note: Throughout this RFP, the terms bidder, proposer, vendor and applicant are used
interchangeably, as are RFP, bid and solicitation.
III. AWARD
UCS intends to award one contract per Targeted Service Area ("Contract") to successful bidders
(each an "Awarded Contractor") for a term of five (5) years. Each Contract is expected to
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OCA-DGCP-077 Judiciary Civil Legal Services, Access to Justice: Rural Justice Initiatives
Issued Thursday, September 10, 2026 Due Thursday, October 15, 2026 at 2:00 PM Eastern
commence on or about December 1, 2026, and terminate on or about November 30, 2031.
("Contract Term").
UCS intends to make awards to applicants proposing to serve the Targeted Service Areas below:
Targeted Service Areas Estimated Available Funds,
Not to Exceed, 12-month period
Allegany $200,000
Cattaraugus $200,000
Chautauqua $200,000
Franklin $200,000
St. Lawrence $200,000
Applicants awarded for one or more Targeted Service Area will enter into a single Contract with
UCS covering all applicable Targeted Service Areas.
If no awards are made for a particular Targeted Service Area, or the awards made within a
particular Targeted Service Area do not fully-exhaust the available funds, UCS reserves the right
to reallocate those funds to other counties.
Applicants may apply individually or in partnership with other organizations; however, a single
entity must be identified as the lead applicant responsible for fiscal management, reporting, and
performance. Only a civil legal services provider may serve as lead applicant. Any such
partnerships should be described in the applicable sections the Narrative Description - Proposed
Service Delivery. Applicants proposing to partner with another organization must identify the
legal name of the partner entity, their NYS Vendor ID number, and describe the relationship
between the applicant and partner entity. If an applicant proposes delivering services in
partnership with another entity, UCS may, upon award, request or require a written agreement
between the Awarded Contractor and the partner entity. Any partner entity deemed to be a
subcontractor may also be required to file a vendor responsibility questionnaire, as described
further in Article XII General Specifications.
Any Contract resulting from this solicitation is subject to the approval of the NYS Attorney
General and Office of the State Comptroller.
IV. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
To be eligible for award, applicants must meet the following minimum qualifications:
1. Applicants must be not-for-profit civil legal service providers, typically organized under
the Not-for-Profit Corporation Law, and must submit proof of charities registration or an
exemption from the Attorney General's Charities Bureau portal with the application.
Eligible entities must also submit proof of tax-exempt status under the Internal Revenue
Code.
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OCA-DGCP-077 Judiciary Civil Legal Services, Access to Justice: Rural Justice Initiatives
Issued Thursday, September 10, 2026 Due Thursday, October 15, 2026 at 2:00 PM Eastern
The following organizations and individuals are ineligible for contract awards:
* Individuals or organizations listed as ineligible on the federal System for Award
Management due to suspension or debarment
* Individuals or organizations listed as ineligible on the NYS Office of General Services
database of debarred entities.
V. PROJECT SERVICES
Applicants shall provide civil legal services and/or access to justice services to eligible clients
as outlined herein (the "Project Services").
Awards will be made in five (5) rural counties to legal service providers who propose effective
strategies to enhance access to justice. Proposals must provide solutions that overcome
obstacles to accessing legal representation and improve a client's ability to navigate the justice
system. Such Access to Justice Project Services may include but are not limited to:
* Improving rural residents' access to legal advice and representation
* Transportation solutions and remote service delivery
* Innovative tech solutions to enhance rural access:
o Video consultation
o Online intake
o e-forms
o Remote access to broadband and virtual communication platforms as needed to
support remote service delivery
o Supporting access to online dispute resolution platforms
Legal service providers shall deliver comprehensive legal services that protect and advance the
legal rights of vulnerable populations. Services provided by legal service providers include:
* Provide free legal services to Eligible Clients at or below 200% of the federal poverty
threshold who reside in one of the five designated rural counties.
* Provide legal advice and representation in priority civil legal areas, including but not
limited to:
o Family-related law matters, including personal safety and protection orders;
o Legal services related to residency and related administrative processes;
o Access to public benefits, income support, and healthcare services;
o Consumer rights, financial stability, and debt-related issues ;
o Disability rights and access to accommodations; and
o Veterans' benefits and service- related legal issues.
* Conduct intake, screening, and eligibility assessments to identify urgent legal needs and
prioritize high-risk cases.
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OCA-DGCP-077 Judiciary Civil Legal Services, Access to Justice: Rural Justice Initiatives
Issued Thursday, September 10, 2026 Due Thursday, October 15, 2026 at 2:00 PM Eastern
* Advocate on behalf of clients in negotiations with opposing parties, government
agencies, and other stakeholders to resolve civil legal matters and secure access to
essential rights and benefits.
* Represent clients at all stages of civil legal proceedings, including negotiations,
administrative hearings, and court appearances, as appropriate.
* Prepare and file necessary legal documents, including pleadings, motions, stipulations,
and appeals when appropriate.
* Providing navigation services that assist individuals in accessing legal systems, court
services, and community-based legal resources.
* Supporting community-based outreach efforts that inform individuals of their legal
rights and available legal resources.
* Collaborating with nonprofit organizations that deliver civil legal services to vulnerable
populations.
* Provide trauma-informed and language-accessible services to ensure all clients can
meaningfully participate in their legal matters.
* Coordinate with community-based organizations, social service agencies, and other
service providers to support holistic client outcomes, including safety planning,
economic stability, and access to supportive services.
* Maintain detailed case notes, client records, and outcome data in accordance with OCA
standards and reporting requirements.
* Participate in ongoing collaboration with OCA, courts, and community partners to
improve service delivery, identify systemic barriers, and enhance access to justice.
* Conduct community education and legal rights workshops for rural community
populations. Complete quarterly reports as required by UCS.
* Provide appropriate supervision and oversight for any staff included in the Contract.
* Ensure compliance with all confidentiality, ethics, and professional responsibility
requirements.
VI. INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS
Awarded Contractor shall be required to maintain the insurance specified in Exhibit 4 hereto
(Insurance Requirements) at its own cost and expense during the Contract Term and any
renewal or extension thereof.
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OCA-DGCP-077 Judiciary Civil Legal Services, Access to Justice: Rural Justice Initiatives
Issued Thursday, September 10, 2026 Due Thursday, October 15, 2026 at 2:00 PM Eastern
VII. AWARD SELECTION CRITERIA AND METHOD OF AWARD
Tier I: Minimum Qualifications (Threshold Pass/Fail)
The Awarded Contractor(s) must meet the minimum qualifications outlined in Article IV.
Tier II: Evaluation and Scoring
Proposals that pass the Tier I Threshold review will advance to Tier II. Proposals that receive a
score of at least 70 points (average technical score among Tier II reviewers + cost score) will
advance to Tier III.
Each proposal will be reviewed and rated by a team of qualified UCS staff. Applicants must
submit separate Proposed Service Delivery narratives for each Targeted Service Area for which
they are applying; a single narrative covering multiple areas will be deemed non-responsive.
Organizational Capacity and Proposed Service Delivery are based on the criteria outlined in the
Narrative Descriptions in Article VIII. Reasonableness of cost is based on the evaluation of the
proposed program budget and budget narrative submitted by each applicant organization. The
scores of the three categories will be summed by Targeted Service Area and the average of the
evaluators' scores will result in a Final Composite Score for each Applicant for each Targeted
Service Area. Points will be awarded as follows:
Technical Criteria (75%) Maximum Points
Organizational Capacity 35
Proposed Service Delivery 45
Maximum Technical Points 80
Reasonableness of Cost (25%) 20
Maximum Cost Points 20
Note: A minimum score of 70 (average of all evaluators) is required for an award to be made.
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OCA-DGCP-077 Judiciary Civil Legal Services, Access to Justice: Rural Justice Initiatives
Issued Thursday, September 10, 2026 Due Thursday, October 15, 2026 at 2:00 PM Eastern
Tier III: Final Evaluation
In Tier III, the amounts awarded to applicants that meet the minimum technical score will be
determined based on consideration of some or all the following: Tier II scoring and comments,
strategic priorities, available funding and best overall value to New York State.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein obligates UCS to approve awards or funding for
any applicant.
VIII. REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
General Requirements
All documentation must be submitted on prescribed forms, without alteration. Where no form is
included or specified, submissions must be single-spaced with one-inch page margins (not
including attachments or financial forms) using a 12-point font. Pages should be numbered. To
facilitate photocopying, do not permanently bind documents.
Applicants must submit every document listed below, as well as the documents listed in the
Document Enclosure Checklist annexed as Exhibit 1 hereto. Failure to provide all documents
in the manner required may result in disqualification of an applicant's proposal.
A complete set of the documents required below must be submitted.
a. Narrative Description - Organizational Capacity
Note: Only one (1) narrative for Organizational Capacity is required regardless of
the number of Targeted Services Areas applied for. Applicants must submit a narrative
description of no more than five (5) pages addressing all of the organizational capacity
requirements listed below:
1. Describe the organization's mission, history, and experience.
2. Describe your organization's physical presence and service footprint, including
office location within the Targeted Service Area. If no physical office, describe
the organization's plan to serve the residents in the Targeted Service Area being
applied for.
3. Describe the organization's supervisory structure, policies, and procedures,
including attorney oversight, caseload management, and timekeeping and
reporting practices for program staff.
4. Provide information on organizational stability, including staff retention,
leadership continuity, and any recent significant changes.
5. Describe the organization's mechanisms for ensuring quality and effectiveness of
civil legal services, including staff training, supervision, performance
monitoring, and case review processes.
6. Provide an overview of your financial management systems, internal controls, and
audit history.
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OCA-DGCP-077 Judiciary Civil Legal Services, Access to Justice: Rural Justice Initiatives
Issued Thursday, September 10, 2026 Due Thursday, October 15, 2026 at 2:00 PM Eastern
b. Narrative Description - Proposed Service Delivery (up to 7 pages)
If applying for more than one Targeted Service Area, a separate Proposed Service
Delivery tailored to each is required.
Applicants must submit a narrative describing their capacity to implement and manage the
proposed Access to Justice: Rural Justice Initiatives program effectively and at scale. If an
Applicant proposes to partner with another entity ("Partner Entity") to deliver the Project
Services, the Proposed Service Delivery narrative must clearly identify which components of
the Project Services will be provided by the Applicant and which components will be provided
by the Partner Entity.
The narrative must address, at a minimum, the following elements:
1. Applicants must explain how services will be tailored to meet the individualized
needs of each client. Responses should demonstrate an understanding of the
complex and intersecting legal, social, economic, and health-related challenges
faced by low-income, rural, and underserved populations. Proposals should
describe how legal services will be integrated with supportive services (e.g.,
social work, case management, benefits access) to promote long-term stability.
2. Applicants must describe their organization's experience and demonstrated
capacity to provide high-quality representation across a range of civil legal
matters. Responses should include examples of prior work, measurable outcomes
achieved, and staff expertise relevant to these areas.
3. Applicants should describe how the proposed service model will ensure
meaningful and equitable access to civil legal services for Eligible Clients.
Proposals should outline strategies to address obstacles related to reducing
barriers related to geography, language, and transportation to ensure that Eligible
Clients can meaningfully engage with services. This may include providing
transportation-accessible services, mobile service delivery options, or other
approaches designed to reach communities with limited local resources.
Applications proposing feasible transportation-accessible services will receive
priority in scoring.
4. Applicants must outline how they will ensure the quality, effectiveness, and
accessibility of services. This includes:
a. Language access services (e.g., interpretation, translation)
b. Accommodation practices for individuals with disabilities
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