Mason County is seeking proposals for public defense services for indigent criminal defendants. Services include full legal representation at all stages of criminal proceedings, consultation with clients in jail, and legal research. The proposed annual compensation is up to $2,000,000, with flexibility for alternative fee proposals. The contract term is initially three years, ending December 31, 2029, with an option to extend. Proposals are due by 12:00 p. m. on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, and should be submitted electronically or in hard copy to Travis Adams, County Administrator. Key proposal content includes attorney/firm information, proposed delivery of services, contract performance details, proposed compensation, and insurance requirements. Selection will be based on qualifications, experience, reputation, and overall value, not solely on the lowest fee.
The bid notice states that proposals must be received by 12:00 p. m. on Tuesday, May 5, 2026.
The bid notice states that if a per-case structure is proposed, payment by Mason County will be made only after the services have been completed (judgment and sentence or dismissal). Monthly itemized billing must follow Mason County-approved formats and timelines, in accordance with Mason County's accounts payable procedures.
The bid notice states that proposals will be evaluated based on the ability of the proposer to best meet the guidelines established by the Washington State Bar Association. In its evaluation process, Mason will consider qualifications and reputation of proposed attorneys, demonstrated experience providing public defense services, history of successfully fulfilling contracts of this type, compliance with Washington State Bar Association and Supreme Court standards, quality, completeness, and clarity of proposal, and proposed compensation structure and overall value to Mason County.
The bid notice requires proposals to include attorney/firm information, including the name of each individual attorney proposed to provide public defense services and their areas of responsibility, a resume for each attorney detailing their specific experience in criminal defense, detailed information about each individual attorney's experience in providing public defense service, detailed information about the firm, including how long it has been in existence and how many years it has practiced criminal defense, disclosure of any conflicts of interest, office location and business hours, and a reference list of at least three people and/or entities.
The bid notice states that Mason County is proposing annual compensation of up to $2,000,000 to perform the public defender services listed herein and comply with all terms and conditions listed herein and in the awarded contract.