REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL FOR MANAGED ASSIGNED COUNSEL JACKSON, MI

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 : April 13, 2026
Vendors Questions Due by (5:00 pm/EST): April 20, 2026
Questions and Answers Posted: April 27, 2026
Proposals Due by (10:00 am/ EST) *: 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.
JC-961-030226 2

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 3

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 4

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.
JC-961-030226 5

Vendor shall supply a detailed list of other venues where it has provided its services for other entities as
described in this RFP.
Permits, Licensure, and Insurance Requirements:
* Vendor must be licensed and insured.
* Vendor shall submit proof of professional license, insurance, and business license upon award.
1.8 Supervision
Vendor shall be solely responsible for the supervision of the personnel that it employs to provide the
services required by the resulting contract. Vendor shall, as soon as safely possible, remove from
service and replace any of its personnel that Client reasonably believes to be unqualified to perform his
or her duties or is unable to perform their duties in a professional manner and properly interact with the
Client's employees and the public. In the event any of the Vendor's personnel are replaced as herein
provided, Vendor shall indemnify and hold Client harmless from any claims arising from the removal of
any such personnel employed by the Vendor.
Vendor shall give Jackson County Public Defender Office a means of immediate communication
regarding completion of the event, emergencies, or any other occasion that may arise. A cellular phone
of the person(s) responsible for managing the contract must be provided.
Vendor shall ensure that its employees do not remove any of the Client's property from the work site
without the Client's written permission. In the event any of the Client's property is so removed, the
Vendor shall ensure that its employee has returned any property taken unless otherwise agreed in
writing. In the event the property cannot be returned, the Vendor shall be responsible for reimbursing
the Client for the value of the property not returned.
1.9 Service Capabilities
Communication Plan/Contract Management
Vendors shall identify their company standards of communication as they relate to contract
performance, issue management, and change management. An issue is an identified event that, if not
addressed, may affect schedule, scope, service, delivery, quality, or budget. A change is identified as a
change in corporate leadership, structure, merger, or acquisition.
Primary Account Representative
Vendors must identify by name and location the primary account representatives and key contacts who
will be responsible for the performance of a resulting contract, as well as contact persons for reports
and bid documents. Include names, titles, address, phone number, and email addresses.
1.10 Customer Service
The County prefers that the Vendor maintains communication infrastructure sufficient to handle the
demands of the workload.
1.11 Pricing Schedule
Respondents shall provide pricing on items and services they furnish on Attachment A.
JC-961-030226 6

a. Vendor must complete Attachment A - Pricing Sheet.
1. Payment Terms
Bid pricing must reflect Net 30 payment terms.
Jackson County will pay Vendor a fee for services rendered as set forth in the RFP.
Unless otherwise stated, Jackson County will pay all invoices in full within thirty (30)
days of the invoice date.
2. Tax Excluded from Price
(a) Sales Tax: Jackson County and local units of government are exempt from sales tax
for direct purchases. The Vendor's prices must not include sales tax.
(b) Federal Excise Tax: Jackson County and local units of government may be exempt
from Federal Excise Tax, or the taxes may be reimbursable, if articles purchased under
any resulting Contract are used for Jackson County's exclusive use. Certificates
showing exclusive use for the purposes of substantiating a tax-free, or tax-reimbursable
sale will be sent upon request. If a sale is tax exempt or tax reimbursable under the
Internal Revenue Code, the Vendor's prices must not include the Federal Excise Tax.
JC-961-030226 7

SECTION 2.0 - BIDDER INFORMATION AND
ACCEPTANCE
1. The undersigned declares that the Bid Documents, including, without limitation, any RFP
Addenda and Exhibits have been read.
2. The undersigned is authorized, offers, and agrees to furnish the articles and/or services
specified in accordance with the Specifications, Terms & Conditions of the Bid Documents of
RFP JC-961-030226 - Managed Assigned Counsel.
3. The undersigned has reviewed the Bid Documents and fully understands the requirements in
this Bid including, but not limited to, the requirements under the County Provisions, and that
each Bidder who is awarded a contract shall be, in fact, a prime Contractor, not a subcontractor,
to County, and agrees that its Bid, if accepted by County, will be the basis for the Bidder to enter
into a contract with County in accordance with the intent of the Bid Documents.
4. The undersigned acknowledges receipt and acceptance of all addenda.
5. If selected for award, the following certifications will be required before work commences:
* Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusion
* Certification Regarding Nondiscrimination Under Federally and State Assisted Programs
* Assurance Regarding Access to Records and Financial Statements
* Iran Economic Sanctions Act
6. The undersigned acknowledges that Bidder will be in good standing in the State of Michigan,
with all the necessary licenses, permits, certifications, approvals, and authorizations necessary
to perform all obligations in connection with this RFP and associated Bid Documents.
7. It is the responsibility of each bidder to be familiar with all of the specifications, terms and
conditions and, if applicable, the site condition. By the submission of a Bid, the Bidder certifies
that if awarded a contract they will make no claim against the County based upon ignorance of
conditions or misunderstanding of the specifications.
8. Patent indemnity: Vendors who do business with the County shall hold the County of Jackson,
its officers, agents and employees, harmless from liability of a nature or kind, including cost and
expenses, for infringement or use of any patent, copyright or other proprietary right, secret
process, patented or unpatented invention, article or appliance furnished or used in connection
with the contract or purchase order.
9. Insurance certificates are not required at the time of submission. However, if awarded, the
Contractor agrees to meet the minimum insurance requirements posted in the terms and
conditions. This documentation must be provided to the County, prior to award, and shall
include an insurance certificate and additional insured certificate, naming the County of
Jackson, which meets the minimum insurance requirements, as stated in the terms and
conditions.
JC-961-030226 8

2.1 Company Profile
Official Name of Bidder: Type of Entity/Organization (check one):
Street Address: Corporation
City: Joint Venture
State: Zip Code: Limited Liability Partnership
Partnership
Website:
Limited Liability Corporation
Primary Contact Name:
Non-Profit / Church
Primary Contact Phone Number
Other:
Primary Contact Email Address:
Company's Dun & Bradstreet (D&B)
number:
Has your company been debarred by the Federal Government? Yes No
If yes, has it been lifted and if so, when?
Has your company been debarred by State Governments? Yes No
If yes, has it been lifted and if so, when?
Brief history of your company, including the year it was established:
Signature:
Name and Title of Signer:
Date:
JC-961-030226 9

2.2 References
Provide a minimum of five (5) customer references for product and/or services of similar scope
within the past 5 years.
Entity Name:
Contact Name: Title:
City: State:
Phone Number: Years Serviced:
Description of Services:
Annual Volume:
Entity Name:
Contact Name: Title:
City: State:
Phone Number: Years Serviced:
Description of Services:
Annual Volume:
Entity Name:
Contact Name: Title:
City: State:
Phone Number: Years Serviced:
Description of Services:
Annual Volume:
JC-961-030226 10