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 Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), is soliciting proposals for Legal Services for Unaccompanied Alien Children (UAC). This full and open competition seeks comprehensive legal support for UAC nationwide. Amendment 0008 indicates the proposal deadline of March 23, 2026, will be extended.
Scope of Work
The contractor will provide nationwide legal services to UAC in ORR care, ensuring their legal needs are met in accordance with federal mandates. Key services include:
- Transition-In/Out: Seamless assumption and transfer of operational responsibility for active cases.
- Legal Orientations & Consultations: Conducting virtual orientations and one-on-one consultations to assess eligibility for immigration relief.
- Direct Legal Representation: Providing legal representation as required by law, with a universal representation model (not denied based on perceived success likelihood).
- LSP Network Management: Managing a nationwide network of qualified Legal Service Providers, including quality control and coordination.
- Data Collection, Analysis, & Reporting: Robust data collection and reporting on services, outcomes, and case status, utilizing secure dashboards and APIs.
- Pro Bono Maximization: Maximizing the use of pro bono services. Services must be culturally competent, trauma-informed, and available in the UAC's language.
Contract Details
- Contract Type: Hybrid (Firm-Fixed Unit Price (FFUP) for legal services, Firm-Fixed Price (FFP) for certain items, and Time-and-Materials (T&M) for travel).
- Period of Performance: One (1) base year plus four (4) one-year option periods, with a potential FAR 52.217-8 extension, totaling up to five (5) years and six (6) months.
- Set-Aside: Full and Open Competition.
- NAICS Code: 541110 - Office of Lawyers (Small Business Size Standard: $15.5 million).
- Estimated Value: The pricing worksheet indicates a total maximum potential contract value of $1,188,000.
Submission & Evaluation
- Proposal Due Date: The current deadline of March 23, 2026, at 2:00 PM Eastern Time will be extended as per Amendment 0008.
- Questions Due Date: March 2nd, 2026, at 2:00 PM Eastern Time.
- Evaluation Factors (descending order of importance): Scalability and Pro Bono Integration Capabilities, Technical Approach, Recent and Relevant Past Performance, and Price.
- Award Basis: Best overall value to the Government through a tradeoff process.
Key Attachments & Requirements
- Performance Work Statement (PWS) (Amd 0007): Details the comprehensive scope of work and performance standards.
- Pricing Worksheet (Amd 0007): Outlines the "fee for service" model, FFUP/FFP/NTE pricing, and service categories.
- Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP) (Amd 0007): Explains how contractor performance will be monitored and evaluated, including the Corrective Action Request (CAR) process.
- ACF External System Control Implementation Policy: Mandates security controls for external systems interfacing with ACF, requiring an Authority to Operate (ATO) and documented evidence (SSPs, SARs).
- Past Performance Questionnaire: Details how past performance will be assessed.
Additional Notes
This is a combined synopsis/solicitation (RFP). All questions must be submitted via email to Azeb Mengistu (Azeb.Mengistu@hhs.gov) and Christopher McGucken (Christopher.McGucken@hhs.gov).