Legal Services for Unaccompanied Alien Children (UAC)
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The Health And Human Services (HHS), specifically the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration (ASA), is soliciting proposals for Legal Services for Unaccompanied Alien Children (UAC). This opportunity seeks comprehensive legal services for UAC currently in, or released from, the care of the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) nationwide. The solicitation is a Combined Synopsis/Solicitation (RFP), conducted as a full and open competition. Proposals are due by April 3rd, 2026, at 2:00 PM Eastern Time.
Scope of Work
The contractor will provide nationwide legal services, including:
- Transition-In: Assuming operational responsibility for approximately 24,000 active cases without service disruption.
- Legal Orientations: Conducting virtual legal orientations on UAC rights and responsibilities.
- Legal Consultations: Performing one-on-one consultations to assess eligibility for immigration relief.
- Direct Legal Representation: Providing legal representation as required by law and ORR discretion, covering various immigration-related applications (e.g., T Visa, VAWA, Asylum, SIJS).
- LSP Network Management: Managing a nationwide network of qualified Legal Service Providers.
- Data Collection, Analysis, and Reporting: Robust data collection and reporting on services, outcomes, and pro bono efforts.
- Pro Bono Maximization: Maximizing the use of pro bono services, with volunteers requiring suitability determinations.
- Transition-Out: Transferring responsibilities, data, and knowledge to the incoming contractor or Government.
Services must adhere to principles of culturally competent, trauma-informed care, ensure continuity, and be scalable to accommodate fluctuations in UAC numbers. A universal representation model will be applied.
Contract & Timeline
- Contract Type: Hybrid contract, primarily Firm Fixed-Unit Price (FFUP) for services, Firm Fixed Price (FFP) for other items, and Time-and-Materials (T&M) for travel.
- Period of Performance: One (1) year base period, four (4) one-year option periods, plus a potential six-month extension under FAR 52.217-8, totaling up to five years and six months.
- Set-Aside: Full and Open Competition.
- NAICS Code: 541110 - Office of Lawyers.
- Proposal Due: April 3rd, 2026, at 2:00 PM Eastern Time.
- Questions Due: March 2nd, 2026.
- Published Date: March 24th, 2026.
Evaluation
Proposals will be evaluated based on best overall value to the Government through a tradeoff process. Evaluation factors, in descending order of importance, are: Scalability and Pro Bono Integration Capabilities, Technical Approach, Recent and Relevant Past Performance, and Price. Only the Project Director and Project Coordinator are considered required key personnel.
Key Requirements & Notes
Offerors must use the provided Pricing Worksheet (Attachment A). The Project Management Plan (PMP) is part of the evaluation, and the Volume I page limit has been increased to 55 pages. Bidders must also address security controls (low and moderate) and comply with ACF External System Control Implementation Policy and Procedures. Subcontracting plans should be submitted via the Small Business Customer Experience (SBCX) portal.