RFP - Indian Child Welfare Defense Attorney

GRAND TRAVERSE BAND OF OTTAWA AND CHIPPEWA INDIANS

Indian Child Welfare Parent Defense Attorney

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

GTB 2023-032

September 6, 2023

Contact:

Sherri Vezina, Court Administrator 2605 N West Bay Shore Dr Peshawbestown, MI 49682-9275

Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa & Chippewa Indians (GTB)

Request for Proposal (RFP) for

Indian Child Welfare (ICW) Parent Defense Attorney, as Appointed in Tribal Court Cases

Deadline for Submission: 5:00 P.M. Wednesday, September 20, 2023

1. General Information. The Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians (GTB) Tribal Court is soliciting contractual-service proposals for a Indian Child Welfare (ICW) Parent Defense Attorney, to represent clients in the Tribal Court for one (1) year (FY'2024), (effective on Oct. 1, 2023 and end on Sept. 30, 2024). Up to three (3) Attorneys will be selected to enter into contracts to represent Tribal Members or non-Tribal Member Court Clients who are respondent parents, who may require an attorney, within the Tribe's jurisdiction. The Attorney must be familiar with Tribal laws, Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), and State of Michigan and Federal laws governing Indian Child Welfare The Attorney will be required to meet with his/her client as soon as a case is assigned and thereafter, on a regular basis, as required by law or court rule.
2. Required/Recommended Credentials. All applicants must be State of Michigan bar licensed attorneys in good standing. All applicants should have experience with criminal
3. Proposal Format. Applicants must include the Required Documents listed below and should provide Requested Information with sufficient detail to facilitate the factors in the Evaluation Criteria. The failure to provide Required Documents will result in the proposal deemed non- responsive. The failure to include Requested Information may result in no points

a. Required Documents:

• Proof of Bar Licensure in Good
• Cost Proposal. Must be placed into a clearly marked envelope separate from the other requested documents. Including billable hours, travel, reimbursement, paralegal rates, and any other fees. The cost proposal must be clearly

b. Requested Information:

1. Cover Letter.
2. Outline of Experience:

(1) Working with Child-In-Need-Of-Care and ICWA; and

(2) Working as a Defense Attorney for Parents in child welfare cases.

• Two (2) years minimum experience in each case type is recommended but not required.
• Tribal-Owned or Indian-Owned. A statement of Tribal-Owned / Indian- Owned business is required for consideration of points Copies of tribal identification cards must be included to support thestatement.

Tribal-Owned is defined as "any business that is at least fifty-one percent (51%) owned by an individual who is a member of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians." Indian-Owned is defined as "any business that is at least fifty-one percent (51%) owned by an individual who is a member of a federally-recognized tribe."

4. Evaluation Criteria:

1. Evaluation Process:
   1. Step 1: Written proposals will be reviewed for compliance with the Required Documents. Proposals that fail to include the Required Documents will be deeded non- responsive and the applicant's proposal will be
   2. Step 2: The Chief Judge, Associate Judge and/or Court Administrator will tally the responsive proposal points from the Evaluation
   3. Step 3: The Chief Judge, Associate Judge and/or Court Administrator will conduct reference checks with the highest-scoring responsive proposals. If the reference checks are positive, interviews may be scheduled, or applicants may be outright selected to proceed to the cost proposal
   4. Step 4: The cost proposal is evaluated separate from Evaluation Criteria. Cost comparisons will be evaluated as follows:

5. Evaluation Process, Continued:

1. Step 5: The Chief Judge, Associate Judge and/or Court Administrator will select the applicant(s) and begin contract
2. Step 6: If negotiations with the selected applicant fail to produce a contract, theTribal Court reserves the right to enter negotiations with the next highest-scoring
3. Deadline for Submission. The deadline to submit proposals is 5:00 PM Wednesday, September 20, 2023. Proposals may be mailed, emailed and/or hand-delivered. No faxed proposals will be accepted. The applicant is responsible for ensuring the Tribal Court receives his/her proposal by the deadline. All proposals received after the deadline will be eliminated from consideration. Proposals will be evaluated on September 21,

Questions should be in writing and directed to: Sherri Vezina, Court Administrator, Email: Sherri.Vezina@gtb-nsn.gov

Mailing address:

Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians Tribal Court Attention: Sherri Vezina, Court Administrator

2605 N. West Bay Shore Dr. Peshawbestown, MI 49682

Physical Address:

Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians Tribal Court Attention: Sherri Vezina, Court Administrator

2809 N. West Bay Shore Dr. Peshawbestown, MI 49682

Current Openings for RFP Indian Child Welfare Defense Attorney Jobs at Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians