Proposals for Public Defender Services

Location:	Utah
Posted:	Nov 19, 2025
Due:	Jan 22, 2026
Agency:	Cedar City city
Type of Government:	State & Local
Category:	R - Professional, Administrative and Management Support Services
Publication URL:	To access bid details, please log in.

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CEDAR CITY CORPORATION

NOTICE INVITING PROPOSALS

PUBLIC DEFENDER SERVICES

Due to the expected departure of its current public defender, Cedar City is seeking

proposals from licensed attorneys to provide indigent defense counsel for defendants where

Cedar City initiates prosecution. Defense services are scheduled to commence January 22, 2026.

All proposals must be turned in to the Cedar City Attorney’s Office no later than December 12,

2025. A complete request for proposals is available on the City’s web page,

www.cedarcityut.gov, or by contacting the Cedar City Attorney’s office: phone number (435)

586-2953; address 10 North Main Street, Cedar City, Utah.

CEDAR CITY CORPORATION

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS AND INSTRUCTIONS FOR RESPONDERS

PUBLIC DEFENDER SERVICES

Request for Proposals

Due to the expected departure of its current public defender, Cedar City seeks proposals

from qualified attorneys to provide defense counsel for indigent persons when the prosecution is

initiated by Cedar City. Applicants must be admitted into the Utah State Bar and have a current

license to practice law in the State of Utah. In order to be considered, written proposals must be

turned in to the Cedar City Attorney’s Office located at 10 North Main Street, Cedar City, Utah,

no later than 5:00 p.m. on Friday, December 12, 2025. Electronic proposals must be delivered

to randallm@cedarcityut.gov no later than 5:00 p.m. on Friday, December 12, 2025. Late

proposals shall be rejected. Cedar City reserves the right to reject any and all proposals and to

waive any informalities. Defense services are scheduled to commence January 22, 2025.

Instructions for Responders:

1. Scope of work.

The successful proponent will be an independent contractor and will be required to

provide all services necessary pursuant to UCA §78B-22-101 et. seq. The proposal should detail

the methods, equipment, tools, and materials the attorney will use to fulfill the purposes of Title

78B, Chapter 22, including how the proponent intends to meet his/her obligations to be available

and accessible to indigent clients reasonably in advance of any hearing or trial. The majority of

hearings and bench trials are held on Wednesdays, typically once or twice per month.

2. Insurance.

The successful proponent will be required to carry for the duration of the contract and

provide proof of professional malpractice insurance, workers compensation insurance, liability

insurance, and unemployment insurance.

3. License.

The successful proponent will be required to demonstrate proof they are a current

member of the Utah State Bar. The successful proponent will also be required to demonstrate

they are in good standing with the State Bar and must remain in good standing for the duration of

the contract. The successful proponent will be required to demonstrate proof of a current Cedar

City Business License and must keep the license active throughout the duration of the contract.

4. Experience as a Criminal Law Practitioner.

Proponent needs to demonstrate their experience as a Criminal Law Practitioner. Please

indicate years of experience practicing criminal law; estimated number of trials before a judge;

estimated number to trials before a jury; and estimated number of clients served.

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5. Cost.

Proponent needs to clearly disclose the costs they are requesting as compensation for

services and expenses. Costs shall be expressed in terms of the total amount of payment for one

(1) year’s service. Proponent should realize that payment terms are subject to negotiation of a

contract with Cedar City. The costs included in the proposal shall include all costs the proponent

will be requesting to complete the services contemplated in the Utah Indigent Defense Act.

6. Ability to deal with conflicts.

Consistent with all ethical obligations and applicable rules, the proponent shall disclose

their proposed method of providing representation for defendants having interests that conflict

with one another so that one attorney is not able to adequately represent all defendants.

7. Office resources and support staff.

Proponent needs to detail office resources such as access to legal research and reference

material, word processing, and other office services. Proponent needs to detail their ability to

send and receive discovery through electronic means. Also, proponent needs to detail the

experience of his/her office staff that will be assisting with the representation of indigent

defendants. The successful proponent shall maintain a bona fide office in Cedar City.

8. Obligations to other courts.

Proponent needs to list other public defender, general private representation practice, or

long-term agreements that may require the proponent to be absent from the duties under this

proposal, including which hours and days, if any, the proponent will frequently or always be

unavailable due to expected and repeated court conflicts.

9. References

Proponent must provide a list of at a minimum of three (3) references. Include contact

information, phone number and/or email, so that the references may be contacted by City staff.

The references must be people familiar with the professional skill and ability of the attorney as

applied to public defender work.

10. General matters.

Proponent shall provide an email contact with the proposal. Should additional

information related to the RFP be needed, the City shall email additional questions to all persons

from whom the City has received a proposal. Proposals shall be limited to ten (10) pages. A page

is one side of a standard 8 ½ x 11-inch sheet of paper. Proposals shall be submitted in Word or

PDF format. All proposals shall be scored based on the criteria contained herein. The City

reserves the right to waive any informalities and reject any or all proposals. All proposals are

subject to successfully negotiating a contract with Cedar City Corporation.

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This is the opportunity summary page. It provides an overview of this opportunity and a preview of the attached documentation.

Proposals for Public Defender Services

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