This is a service / maintenance or supply contract in Seattle, Washington. Contact the soliciting agency for additional information.

1.1 Introduction NOTE: This Request for Qualifications is issued as a Supplemental Request for Qualifications to King County RFQ 1229-20, issued on 10/22/20 and RFQ KC000504, issued on 3/22/21. The purpose of this RFQ is to solicit additional firms, if any, for the work described herein. Any firm or individual that submitted qualifications for RFQ 1229-20 or KC000504 which resulted in an executed Master Contract, does not need to re-submit for this solicitation. All submittals received for this supplemental RFQ, will be evaluated using the same evaluation criteria as RFQ 1229-20 and RFQ KC000504. King County is soliciting submittals from interested and qualified law firms, non-profit organizations, and solo practitioners that are interested in contracting to provide felony indigent criminal defense services in the King County Superior Court. This Contract would include those clients and cases which the King County Department of Public Defense (DPD) determines that we cannot assign within our department for reasons other than a conflict of interest with one of our four divisions under the Rules of Professional Conduct. This includes situations where a division lacks the operational capacity to accommodate the case(s) and no other division can accept the case for any reason, as determined by DPD per the Requirements. The purpose of this Request for Qualifications (RFQ) is to establish a contract to provide these services. 1.2 Term of Contract The term of the Contract shall be effective when countersigned by King County and shall expire on June 30, 2028, subject to the termination clauses contained herein. King County reserves the right to extend the Contract term if determined to be in the best interest of the County. The County reserves the right to engage other outside or Assigned Counsel to provide indigent criminal defense services during the contract period to account for conflict work and additional capacity issues based upon need and at DPD's discretion. Law firms selected and placed under contract will agree to accept assignment of set number of felony cases per calendar month, quarter, or calendar year under the terms of the Contract. The set number of cases will be negotiated between DPD and the selected Submitters availability and DPD capacity needs. There is no minimum number, or minimum type of felony case that a submitter must be willing to provide capacity for to be considered for a Capacity Contract. It is anticipated a flat administrative fee would be negotiated for holding a certain amount of capacity regardless of whether capacity cases are offered during the negotiated period. Capacity Counsel will be compensated under the terms of the Contract for the representation of assigned cases from DPD of eligible clients established under RCW 10.101. DPD is responsible for certifying a client's eligibility. The parties may, upon agreement, re-negotiate or amend the contracting for capacity during the life of the Contract. The County may also open the RFQ process at any time, in order to allow participation by firms that are not offered Contracts through this RFQ. If the County reopens the process, firms already holding Contracts will not be required to resubmit. The relationship of a Capacity Counsel to DPD and King County shall be that of an independent contractor. An assignment of any case, client, or volume of work under the Contract does not authorize Capacity Counsel to act as the agent or legal representative of DPD or King County for any purpose whatsoever, and neither Capacity Counsel nor their employees shall be deemed employees of DPD or King County. Capacity Counsel is not granted any express or implied right to assume or create any obligation or responsibility on behalf of or in the name of DPD or King County or to bind DPD or King County in any manner whatsoever other than the terms entered into under the Contract. Nothing in the contractual agreement shall be construed to impair or inhibit the exercise of independent professional judgment by Capacity Counsel with respect to the representation of clients. 1.4 Deadline for Questions All questions and any explanations about this RFQ must be requested in writing and sent via email to the Contract Specialist and Alternate Contract Specialist no later than seven (7) Days prior to the close date specified in the solicitation. 1.9 No Pre-Submittal Conference Scope of Work - Capacity Counsel Pursuant to the proposed contract, Capacity Counsel will provide felony criminal defense representation in adult felony cases in King County Superior Courts. Case assignments will be made pursuant to the terms of the contract, and representation will continue until a final Judgement and Sentence, Order on Disposition, or Order of Dismissal has been entered, along with all necessary notice and filing of appeals. Case assignments will be made to Capacity Counsel based upon filing numbers and the needs of DPD. Case assignments will comply with minimum and maximum case assignment terms under the Contract. Cases will be assigned whenever DPD determines that at least one of its division could, without conflict, accept the case(s) but cannot because the division, as determined by DPD, lacks the operational capacity to accommodate the case(s) and no other division can accept the case for any reason, as determined by DPD. Capacity Counsel will establish an attorney/client relationship with the client, including making in person contact with any detained client within one (1) business day of being assigned the case or within five (5) days for any non-detained client, and determine what services to provide the client to ensure adequate representation. Capacity Counsel must communicate regularly with the client, including, at a minimum, in person, confidential meetings prior to any court appearance at which the client's presence is required unless specifically declined by the client. Capacity Counsel must submit quarterly certifications to DPD demonstrating compliance with Washington State Supreme Court Standards for Indigent Defense pursuant to CrR 3.1. Failure to submit timely certifications can result in revocation of the Contract. Capacity Counsel must attend at least 7 hours of legal education within each calendar year covered by the Contract or any extension thereof. Pursuant to RCW 10.101.050, Capacity Counsel must report to DPD by February 1 of each year the number of hours billed for non-public defense legal services in the previous calendar year, including the number and types of private cases.