Regional Primary Juvenile Delinquency Defender

The State of Utah, through the Division of Purchasing and the Department of Criminal Justice, is soliciting proposals for a three-year contract to provide legal representation for juveniles referred to court in the 6th Judicial District under the title Regional Primary Juvenile Delinquency Defender. The contract, identified by solicitation number CS27-4, seeks either a solo practitioner or a law firm with two or more attorneys to deliver comprehensive legal services encompassing all stages of delinquency proceedings—from intake and detention hearings through adjudication, plea negotiations, trials, disposition, and post-disposition matters. The provider must be familiar with and strictly comply with the Utah Indigent Defense Commission’s Core Principles for Appointed Attorneys Representing Youth in Delinquency Proceedings and maintain an active, good-standing license with the Utah State Bar throughout the term. The scope of work requires advocacy tailored to the developmental needs of youth, collaboration with social services and community agencies, review of evidence, preparation of legal filings, and adherence to ethical and confidentiality standards. Performance is limited to the 6th Judicial District, with the annual contract budget capped at $100,000 for a total estimated value of $300,000, subject to legislative appropriations and the state’s ability to fund payments. Contract funding may be terminated with thirty days’ written notice if state budgetary constraints arise. Proposals must pass two mandatory technical gates: initial responsiveness and a minimum technical score of 210 points based on evaluation criteria including resume, statement of interest, and documented youth defender experience, each weighted at 20 points, while total cost represents the dominant factor at 300 points, calculated using a formula favoring the lowest bid. Technical and cost responses must be submitted separately, with strict separation of pricing information from technical materials to avoid disqualification. All submissions must be delivered through the official U3P portal by the August 4, 2026 deadline and must include a redacted public version and a non-redacted confidential version if business proprietary information is present. Vendors must certify compliance with state and federal laws, including E-Verify enrollment, prohibitions against boycotts of Israel, and exclusion of forced labor or products from restricted foreign entities. Insurance requirements mandate workers’ compensation, $1 million/$3 million commercial general liability, and $1 million commercial automobile liability coverage where applicable. Contractors must submit all advertising or publicity for state approval and comply with background checks for site access. Invoicing must occur within