Due Process

The Vermont Department of Economic Development, through the Agency of Human Services/Family Services Division, is soliciting contracts to provide Due Process Review hearings for children and youth aged 13 to 17 who are administratively placed in secure facilities within the state. These hearings are legally mandated to occur no later than the eighth day of placement to determine whether continued confinement is justified under Vermont’s criteria, with decisions required to be issued in writing within three business days of the hearing. The contractor must be an attorney licensed or previously licensed in good standing in Vermont or another U.S. jurisdiction and must conduct hearings using state-provided guidance and screening tools. The contractor is expected to maintain availability on Tuesdays and Fridays afternoons and demonstrate the capacity to manage hearings efficiently, evaluate evidence by a preponderance standard, and make timely determinations regarding attendance waivers and document submissions. The contract performance period spans from January 1, 2027, to December 31, 2031, with services delivered directly at secure facilities across Vermont. Proposals must be submitted electronically as a single, digitally searchable PDF by July 17, 2026, to the designated email address, and must include a completed Certificate of Compliance, a detailed Price Schedule outlining fixed deliverables and hourly labor rates, and documentation confirming organizational and personal conflict of interest disclosures. Evaluation is weighted heavily toward relevant experience in juvenile justice or youth due process, attorney licensure, understanding of state-specific procedures, hearing management proficiency, and operational reliability, with cost proposal accounting for ten percent of the scoring. Preference is given to Vermont residents and entities promoting clean energy initiatives. Contractors are required to comply fully with state and federal non-discrimination laws, including Title VI, Title IX, Section 504, and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and must safeguard all personally identifiable information in accordance with NIST SP 800-53 and Vermont Chapter 62, while certifying the use of NIST-approved methods for data destruction. Invoicing is to be submitted monthly electronically, with payment terms net 30 days upon receipt of a compliant invoice, and contractors must provide a certificate of insurance and a current IRS W-9 before commencement of work. All equipment must be self-provided unless specified otherwise, and contractors are liable for any damage to state systems or data under their control. Public record laws apply to all submissions, and no confidential information may be included unless explicitly permitted.