Private Defender Program Evaluation Services

The County of San Mateo, California, is seeking a qualified vendor to evaluate its private defender program. The county needs to collect, review, and evaluate current practices and metrics to identify opportunities for implementing new programs and improving or expanding existing ones. This initiative aims to address the sufficiency of management staffing and administrative support, research and secure additional funding opportunities such as grants, and generate recommendations to improve indigent defense services across the county. The selected vendor will conduct interviews with key stakeholders, including attorneys, program leadership, indigent clients, judicial officers, local advocacy groups, and the county district attorney’s office. The scope of work will be performed entirely offsite over a contract period of three years. Bidders must be onshore organizations based in the United States to be eligible for this opportunity. The county is requesting proposals to determine the budget for this project. Bidders must submit any questions regarding the solicitation no later than July 7, 2026. Final responses can be submitted digitally via email or through the designated online portal.