RIGHT TO COUNSEL-LEGAL REPRESENTATION PROGRAM

The City of Detroit, through its Office of Contracting and Procurement on behalf of the Law Department’s Office of Eviction Defense, is seeking qualified legal organizations and law firms to deliver comprehensive legal representation services to eligible Detroit residents facing housing-related legal proceedings under the Right to Counsel-Legal Representation Program. The contract, identified by solicitation number 549556 and NAICS code 541110, aims to provide advocacy, counsel, litigation, and education services to tenants with annual gross incomes at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines, with priority given to households with three or more children and those in subsidized housing. The program requires full-time legal services to be delivered proactively, ideally before formal legal filings, and mandates coordination with other city departments and partners. The contract term extends through September 30, 2029, with renewal contingent upon City Council approval, securing additional funding, and formal authorization by the Chief Procurement Officer. Proposals must be submitted electronically via the Bonfire/EUNA Supplier Portal by August 3, 2026, and must include Attachment A (Respondent Questionnaire), Attachment B (Proposal Introduction and Solution/Approach), Attachment C (Pricing Schedule with hourly rates by staff role), and mandatory forms including the Affidavit of Disclosure of Interests and Non-Collusion Affidavit. Candidates are subject to mandatory pass/fail qualifications: at least five years of experience in similar legal services, three verified referrals from public or private entities, and active SAM.gov registration. The evaluation is weighted equally across four criteria—experience with similar populations, respondent capacity, approach/solution design, and pricing—each worth 25 points, for a total of 100 points, with technical proposals reviewed before cost proposals. The City will use a consensus-based selection process and may negotiate with top-ranked respondents. Payment is on a cost-reimbursement basis, subject to strict invoicing rules requiring submission via Oracle Cloud, ACH registration, detailed documentation including vendor contact details, city authorization, and explicit mention of “Goods/Services.” Administrative costs are capped at 10% of the contract value, while expenses for equipment and travel are non-reimbursable. Contractors must maintain records for seven years under generally accepted accounting principles, provide monthly performance reports with case status tracking via Excel or similar tools, comply with Public Act 166 of 2022, adhere to Davis-Bacon and nondiscrimination statutes,