D12
COUNTY OF JACKSON, MICHIGAN
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL
FOR
MANAGED ASSIGNED COUNSEL
JACKSON, MI
JC-961-030226
BID SUMMARY
Commodity/Service Being Requested: Managed Assigned Counsel
Type of Solicitation: Request for Proposal (RFP) – Jackson County is requesting proposals for
public defender – counsel administrator services. It is the intention of Jackson County to bid and
award a Master Agreement to a contractor capable of providing public defender – counsel
administrator services to the Jackson County Public Defender Office.
Type of Resulting Contract: Jackson County will use the results of this process to award a
contract to a Vendor capable of meeting the terms and conditions outlined in this RFP.
Resulting Contract Term: Jackson County will use the results of this process to award a one-
year contract with up to four (4), one-year renewal options. Renewal is dependent on funding for
the position being approved each year.
ANTICIPATED TIMETABLE
Release of RFP :
Vendors Questions Due by (5:00 pm/EST):
Questions and Answers Posted:
Proposals Due by (10:00 am/ EST) *:
April 13, 2026
April 20, 2026
April 27, 2026
May 11, 2026
*Any response received later than the specified deadline will be disqualified.
Final Agreement Award Determination: Jackson County reserves the right to make one total
award, one award for each section, multiple awards, or a combination of awards, and to
exercise its judgment concerning the selection of one or more bids, the terms of any resultant
agreement(s), and the determination of which, if any, bid(s) best serves the interests of Jackson
County.
Contacts with Jackson County Personnel: All contact with Jackson County regarding this RFP or
any matter relating thereto must be e-mailed as follows:
Email address: purchasing@mijackson.org
If it is discovered that a Vendor contacted and received information regarding this solicitation from
any Jackson County personnel other than the Procurement Contact, Jackson County, in its sole
discretion, may disqualify its proposal from further consideration. Only those communications made
by Jackson County in writing will be binding with respect to this RFP.
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Contents
SECTION 1.0 – SCOPE OF WORK ......................................................................................... 4
1.1 Introduction................................................................................................................... 4
1.2 Minimum Qualifications................................................................................................. 4
1.3 Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities……………………………………………………………….4
1.4 Description of Deliverables ........................................................................................... 5
1.5 Jackson County Finance Department Responsibilities.................................................. 5
1.6 Product and Service Offerings ...................................................................................... 5
1.7 Delivery of Services ...................................................................................................... 5
1.8 Supervision................................................................................................................... 6
1.9 Service Capabilities ...................................................................................................... 6
1.10 Customer Service ......................................................................................................... 6
1.11 Pricing Schedule........................................................................................................... 6
SECTION 2.0 – BIDDER INFORMATION AND ACCEPTANCE ............................................... 8
2.1 Company Profile ........................................................................................................... 9
2.2 References ................................................................................................................. 10
SECTION 3.0 – BIDDING, EVALUATION, SELECTION, AND AWARD PROCESS............... 12
3.1 Jackson County Responsibility ................................................................................... 12
3.2 Truth and Accuracy of Representations ...................................................................... 12
3.3 Vendors Questions ..................................................................................................... 12
3.4 Preparation of the Proposal ........................................................................................ 12
3.5 Bid Submission Deadline ............................................................................................ 14
3.6 Adherence to Mandatory Requirements (Pass/Fail) .................................................... 14
3.7 Evaluation Process ..................................................................................................... 15
3.8 Evaluation Criteria ...................................................................................................... 15
3.9 Optional Tools to Enhance Evaluation Process .......................................................... 15
3.10 Jackson County Option to Reject Proposals ............................................................... 16
3.11 Freedom of Information Act ........................................................................................ 16
3.12 Contacts with Jackson County Personnel ................................................................... 16
3.13 Final Agreement Award Determination ....................................................................... 16
3.14 Cancellation................................................................................................................ 17
Attachment A - Pricing Sheet ……………………………………………………………….18
JC-961-030226
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SECTION 1.0 – SCOPE OF WORK
1.1 Introduction
The Jackson County Public Defender Office is requesting proposals from qualified and experienced
individuals to provide Managed Assigned Counsel Services.
Under the direction of the Public Defender Office, the Counsel Administrator is responsible for
operating the county’s indigent defense system to ensure that adult defendants receive competent
legal representation in criminal proceedings. The Administrator directs contracted attorneys to
provide legal representation. Responsible for screening, selecting, and maintaining a roster of
eligible attorneys for case assignment, evaluating attorney performance, reviewing invoices,
authorizing investigative resources, and performing other duties associated with the provision of
competent legal representation.
Vendor will work with and coordinate with the Public Defender’s Office. Vendor will be paid hourly for
their work from a location of their choosing.
1.2 Minimum Qualifications
a. The Bidder shall be organized for the purpose of providing managed assigned counsel services
and must have a minimum of five (5) years of experience with proven effectiveness in providing
these services as described in the Scope of Work. Please provide work history.
b. Please include in your proposal a description of you or your organization’s ability and
experience to perform the work. Describe the approach you or your firm would take to
successfully complete the tasks described in the Scope of Work.
c. The Bidder shall submit a list of five (5) references, including name of institution, address,
contact person, and telephone number.
d. The Bidder shall meet ALL insurance requirements in regard to Workers’ Compensation
Insurance, Professional and Commercial General Liability Insurance and Motor Vehicle
Insurance as outlined in this RFP.
e. The Bidder must certify that they are not on any Federal, State, or local list of debarred or
prohibited contractors.
f. Bidders must complete the requested documentation in its entirety. Failure to submit completed
forms and information identified in preparation of the proposal may result in disqualification of
the proposal.
1.3 Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
a. At least 5 years of progressively more responsible experience in the practice of criminal defense
or the equivalent. The County, at its discretion, may consider an alternative combination of
formal education and work experience.
b. Juris Doctorate degree and licensed to practice law in the State of Michigan and a member in
good standing with the Michigan Bar Association.
c. Michigan Vehicle’s Operators License
d. Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of State of Michigan criminal law and public
defense processes and procedures.
e. Skill in assembling and analyzing data, preparing comprehensive and accurate reports, and
formulating policy and service recommendations.
JC-961-030226
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f. Skill in effectively communicating ideas and concepts orally and in writing, and making
presentations in public forums.
g. Ability to assess situations, solve problems, work effectively under stress, within deadlines, and
in emergency situations.
h. Skill in the use of office equipment and technology, including Microsoft Suite applications, and
the ability to learn data base software utilized in public defense administration.
1.4 Description of Deliverables
The Jackson County Public Defender Office is seeking an individual with experience in providing public
defender – counsel administrator services. These services shall include, but are not limited to:
• Provides Chief Public Defender with ongoing reports regarding caseload, legal resources,
and costs.
• Supervises contracted attorneys working on behalf of the Public Defender’s Office. Identifies
attorneys that are qualified to accept assignments. Ensures that interested attorneys meet the
MIDC Standards established for legal providers-including skill level and annual training
requirements. Assigns cases, manages workload, and ensures that all representation is in
accordance with established and mandated procedures.
• Approves the use of investigators, experts and other resources required for cases and
assigned counsel.
• Develop programs to assess, meet, or exceed mandated standards as a requirement by the
American Bar Association, the State Bar of Michigan and the MIDC for competent legal
services.
• Reviews and approves invoices.
• Resolves non-grievance matters between defendants and assigned counsel and the courts,
including administratively reassigning counsel when appropriate.
• Assists with the coordination of compliance with the MIDC standards, including annual plans
and grant requests for funding compliance plans.
• Attends legal conferences and seminars to stay current on legal issues.
• Performs other duties as directed.
1.5 Jackson County Public Defender Office Responsibilities
The Jackson County Public Defender Office will pay Vendor the fees for services rendered as set forth
in the RFP.
1.6 Product and Service Offerings
Jackson County is seeking a service provider that has the depth, breadth, and quality of resources
necessary to provide public defender – counsel administrator services. Vendors shall prepare a written
bid to include, but not be limited to, the following terms and conditions:
• Vendor will be required to furnish properly trained and equipped personnel capable of providing
the services described in Section 1.4 Description of Deliverables.
1.7 Delivery of Services
Vendor must supply a qualified candidate to complete the services being sought by the Jackson County
Public Defender Office as requested in the RFP.
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This is the opportunity summary page. It provides an overview of this opportunity and a preview of the attached documentation.