Notice to Attorneys and Non-Attorneys Interested in Providing Legal Counsel and Guardian Ad Litem Services to the Family Courts in the Hawaii Revised Statues (“...

Page 1 of 4 THE JUDICIARY- STATE OF HAWAII Notice to Attorneys and Non-Attorneys Interested in Providing Legal Counsel and Guardian Ad Litem Services to the Family Courts in the Hawaii Revised Statues (“HRS”) Chapter 587A and 571 Proceedings Request for Qualifications (RFQ) No. J25010 The Judiciary, State of Hawai'i, hereby invites licensed attorneys and qualified non-attorney applicants to submit letters of interest and statements of qualifications to provide Guardian Ad Litem and Legal Counsel services on a contract basis as the need arises for the period commencing July 1, 2024. Attorneys will provide both Legal Counsel and Guardian Ad Litem services for the Family Court of the Third Circuit during the period of July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025. The contract term will be for one (1) year from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025. Contracts may be extended for an additional two (2) year subject to appropriation and availability of funds, satisfactory performance of services by

contractor, and as deemed to be in the best interest of the Judiciary. The objectives are to assist the Judiciary to provide Legal Counsel services for parents and Guardian Ad Litem services for parties in HRS Chapter 587A proceedings, and Guardian Ad Litem services for juveniles in HRS Chapter 571 proceedings. Non-attorneys are encouraged to apply to provide Guardian Ad Litem services. COMPENSATION: Contractors shall be compensated at the following rates: GUARDIAN AD LITEM APPOINTMENTS: FIRST YEAR (months 1 through 12): $310.00 per month / $3,720.00 total SECOND YEAR (months 13 through 24): $245.00 per month / $2,940.00 total THIRD YEAR (months 25 through 36): $140.00 per month / $1,680.00 total FOURTH YEAR (months 37 through 48): $50.00 per month / $600.00 total Page 2 of 4 GUARDIAN AD LITEM SPECIALIZED RATES: One (1) to three (3) appointments paid at regular rate. Four (4) to six (6) appointments paid double the regular rate. Seven (7) to nine (9) appointments paid triple the regular rate. Payment amount will be reduced to the appropriate rate as the number of appointments are discharged from the case. LEGAL COUNSEL APPOINTMENTS: FIRST YEAR (months 1 through 12): $250.00 per month / $3,000.00 total SECOND YEAR (months 13 through 24): $170.00 per month / $2,040.00 total THIRD YEAR (months 25 through 36): $95.00 per month / $1,140.00 total FOURTH YEAR (months 37 through 48): $50.00 per month / $600.00 total QUALIFICATIONS: Possess a graduate degree and necessary licenses in social work, psychology or a related field OR licensed to practice law in the State of Hawaii. (Note: Any contractor not licensed to practice law in the State of Hawaii will be considered only for Guardian Ad Litem services and will be responsible for obtaining and paying for legal representation when necessary). Any person interested in and capable of providing these services should submit a letter of interest, together with a statement of qualifications which includes the following information and materials, by or before 12:00 p.m. H.S.T. Friday, March 29, 2024. Submittals for this RFQ are to be directed by email only to the following person with "RFQ J25010 - Statement of Qualifications" in the subject line to: Ms. Luzviminda Abad Luzviminda.B.Abad@courts.hawaii.gov The statement of qualifications shall include: 1. The name, business address, telephone and fax number(s), and e-mail address of the Applicant. 2. Documentation or other evidence of a minimum of one (1) year experience in HRS Chapters 587A, 571, 586, UCCJ, Divorce and/or Paternity cases, or provide verification of having two (2) years experience working with children and families. mailto:Luzviminda.B.Abad@courts.hawaii.gov Page 3 of 4 3. Description of past performance on projects of similar scope performed for both public and/or private organizations within the past five (5) years in the State of Hawai’i including corrective actions and other responses to notices of deficiencies, if any. 4. Three (3) references whom the Judiciary may freely contact. 5. Documentation stating the Applicant has completed training and/or education in areas such as the dynamics of child abuse and neglect, child development, cultural competence, child sex abuse, sex offender treatment, family dynamics, domestic violence, and/or related topics. 6. Documentation showing the Applicant is compliant with applicable laws per HRS 103D- 310. Alternately, it is encouraged to utilize the Hawaii Compliance Express certificate to satisfy this provision. https://vendors.ehawaii.gov/hce /splash/welcome.html 7. Attorney must have proof of current Professional Liability insurance (Errors and Omissions) in the minimum amount of $1,000,000.00 per claim and $2,000,000.00 annual aggregate at the time of contract execution. 8. Consents for the Judiciary to obtain information from the Department of Human Services-Child Welfare Services, Office of Disciplinary Counsel (ODC), Hawaii Judiciary Informational System, Criminal Justice Informational System, National Crime Informational System, Juvenile Statewide Informational System, and Sex Offender Registry. A Statement confirming the Applicant shall consent to and submit for fingerprinting through the Judiciary-Third Circuit Program Specialist as mandated by The National Protection Act of 1993 (NCPA), Public Law 103-209, and the Volunteers for Children Act (VCA), Public Law 105-521, as well as Section 846-2.7, Hawaii Revised Statutes, as amended. This authorizes national and state fingerprint-based criminal history record checks for employees, volunteers, including applicants, who provide care for, or have direct unsupervised access to children, the elderly, or individuals with disabilities. A confirmed report of child abuse or neglect will disqualify an applicant from receiving a contract. 9. Any other information or materials that the Applicant believes would be useful and relevant in being considered to provide the type of service set forth above. REJECTION OF QUALIFICATIONS: A qualification submittal may be rejected, in whole or in part, when in the best interest of the purchasing agency, as provided in 3-122-97, HAR. https://vendors.ehawaii.gov/hce Page 4 of 4 APPROVAL AND RETENTION OF APPLICATIONS: Qualified persons whose submittals are received and approved by the date mentioned above will be considered for professional service contracts for the period July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025. Qualified persons whose submittals are received after the deadline set forth above will be considered for contracted services for the balance of the fiscal year. All submissions will be kept on file through June 30, 2025, after which date the Judiciary may issue a new solicitation to prospective contractors to provide Legal Counsel and/or Guardian Ad Litem Services for the respective Fiscal Year. /s/ Terri Gearon Terri Gearon Financial Services Director The Judiciary, State of Hawaii