County of Santa Cruz - First Tier Conflict Indigent Defense Services - RFP #26P1-001 (2026)
Santa Cruz CountyCounty · Santa Cruz, CA- Due
- Nov 24, 2026
- 21 days left
- Posted
- Oct 12, 2026
- Contract term
- 3 years
- Primary contact
- Shauna Soldate
- (831) 454-2526
The 30-second brief
The County of Santa Cruz is seeking proposals from fully licensed, insured, bonded, and certified vendors to provide First Tier Conflict Indigent Defense Services for cases where the Public Defender's Office has a conflict of interest. The scope includes criminal defense representation for felonies, misdemeanors, juvenile matters, probation violations, resentencing, conservatorships, and post-release community supervision, averaging approximately 800-850 cases per year. The provider must deliver an interdisciplinary model integrating legal representation with investigation, administration, social work, linkage and navigation services to housing and behavioral health, and Padilla immigration consultations. Proposals are due by November 24, 2026, with questions due by October 23, 2026. Submission is required electronically via the OpenGov Procurement portal, with physical submittals at 701 Ocean Street, Room 330, Santa Cruz, CA.
First Tier Conflict Indigent Defense Services, Attorney services, Legal support staff, Investigator, Paralegal, Clerk, Social worker, Peer navigator, Case management, Linkage and navigation services
Effective Representation (40%), Client Services and Outcomes (20%), Organizational Capacity (10%), Cost (30%)
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Summary
The County of Santa Cruz is seeking proposals from fully licensed, insured, bonded, and certified vendors to provide First Tier Conflict Indigent Defense Services for cases where the Public Defender's Office has a conflict of interest.
The scope includes criminal defense representation for felonies, misdemeanors, juvenile matters, probation violations, resentencing, conservatorships, and post-release community supervision, averaging approximately 800-850 cases per year. The provider must deliver an interdisciplinary model integrating legal representation with investigation, administration, social work, linkage and navigation services to housing and behavioral health, and Padilla immigration consultations. Proposals are due by November 24, 2026, with questions due by October 23, 2026. Submission is required electronically via the OpenGov Procurement portal, with physical submittals at 701 Ocean Street, Room 330, Santa Cruz, CA.
EVALUATION CRITERIA
REQUIRED DELIVERABLES
10- First Tier Conflict Indigent Defense Services
- Attorney services
- Legal support staff
- Investigator
- Paralegal
- Clerk
- Social worker
- Peer navigator
- Case management
- Linkage and navigation services
REQUIRED ATTACHMENTS
9- Exhibit A Respondent Fact Sheet
- Exhibit B Customer References
- Exhibit C Designation of Subcontractors
- Exhibit D Non-Collusion Declaration
- Exhibit E Protests and Appeals Procedures
- Certificates of Insurance for Liability
- Automobile
- Workers' Compensation
- Cyber Liability Insurance
REQUIRED STAFFING
6- Submit to
- https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/santacruzcounty/projects/290423
- Duration
- 36 months
- Scope location
- Santa Cruz, CA
- Reported agency
- County of Santa Cruz
Questions about this RFP
How do I respond to this RFP from Santa Cruz County?
Review the full solicitation document for submission requirements, evaluation criteria, and deadlines. The submission deadline is November 24, 2026. The solicitation specifies required deliverables that must be addressed in your response. Be sure to include all required attachments as outlined in the solicitation. Submissions should be delivered to: https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/santacruzcounty/projects/290423. For questions, contact Shauna Soldate.
Can small businesses or minority-owned firms bid on this RFP?
Most government agencies, including Santa Cruz County in CA, encourage participation from small businesses, minority-owned, women-owned, and disadvantaged business enterprises (MBE/WBE/DBE). Check the full solicitation for any small business participation goals.
What happens after the RFP submission deadline?
After the deadline, the issuing agency reviews all submissions against the stated evaluation criteria. This typically includes a compliance check, technical evaluation, cost analysis, and may involve oral presentations with shortlisted vendors.
Can I ask questions about this solicitation before submitting?
Yes, most solicitations allow vendors to submit questions during a designated period. The primary contact is Shauna Soldate at (831) 454-2526. Questions and answers are typically shared with all prospective bidders.
What staffing is required for this project?
This solicitation outlines specific staffing requirements. The required roles include: Attorneys, Investigator, Paralegal, Clerk, Social Worker, Peer Navigator. Proposers should demonstrate relevant qualifications and experience for each required role.
What are the key deliverables?
The solicitation specifies the following deliverables: First Tier Conflict Indigent Defense Services, Attorney services, Legal support staff, Investigator, Paralegal, Clerk, Social worker, Peer navigator, Case management, Linkage and navigation services. Proposals should clearly address how each deliverable will be met.
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What are the evaluation criteria for this solicitation?
This solicitation includes specific evaluation criteria that will be used to score proposals. The criteria include: "Effective Representation (40%), Client Services and Outcomes (20%), Organizational Capacity (10%), Cost (30%)" Vendors should carefully align their proposals with each criterion to maximize their score.
Where can I find more RFPs from Santa Cruz County?
All active and historical solicitations from Santa Cruz County are tracked and searchable. As a county agency, Santa Cruz County regularly publishes solicitations. Visit the agency profile to see current open bids, past contracts, vendor relationships, and decision-maker contacts.
What is the contract term for this solicitation?
The anticipated contract term is 3 years. Contract terms may include renewal options.
Is this solicitation still open for submissions?
Based on the posted deadline of November 24, 2026, this solicitation appears to still be accepting submissions. Deadlines may change through amendments or addenda, so always verify the current status directly with the issuing agency before preparing your response.
What documents are required to bid on this RFP?
Requirements vary by solicitation, but common documents include a technical proposal, cost/price proposal, proof of insurance, relevant certifications, past performance references, and any forms specified in the solicitation. This solicitation specifically requires the following attachments: Exhibit A Respondent Fact Sheet, Exhibit B Customer References, Exhibit C Designation of Subcontractors, Exhibit D Non-Collusion Declaration, Exhibit E Protests and Appeals Procedures, Certificates of. Additionally, proposals should address staffing requirements as outlined in the solicitation. Review the full document from Santa Cruz County for the complete list.
What is the scope of this project?
This solicitation defines a specific project scope. The scope covers the following locations: Santa Cruz, CA. Review the full solicitation for detailed scope requirements.