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 Program Support Center Acquisition Management Services, is soliciting proposals for Legal Services for Unaccompanied Alien Children (UAC). This opportunity aims to provide comprehensive legal support to UAC in or released from the care of the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) nationwide. Proposals are due April 3rd, 2026, at 12:00 PM Eastern Time.
Scope of Work
The contractor will deliver nationwide legal services, including:
- Transition-In: Assuming operational responsibility for approximately 24,000 active cases.
- Direct Legal Services: Conducting virtual legal orientations, one-on-one consultations, and direct legal representation for UAC, covering various immigration relief types (e.g., T Visa, Asylum, SIJS).
- Network Management: Managing a nationwide network of qualified Legal Service Providers (LSPs), including quality control and coordination.
- Data Management: Robust data collection, analysis, and reporting on services and outcomes.
- Pro Bono Maximization: Maximizing the use of pro bono services with a minimum required percentage.
- Transition-Out: Transferring responsibilities and data to an incoming contractor or the Government. Services must be culturally competent, trauma-informed, available in necessary languages, and scalable to accommodate fluctuating UAC numbers.
Contract Details
- Type: Hybrid contract, utilizing Firm-Fixed-Unit Price (FFUP) for legal services, Firm-Fixed Price (FFP) for other items, and Time & Materials (T&M) with a Not-to-Exceed (NTE) amount for travel.
- Period of Performance: One base year, four one-year option periods, plus a potential FAR 52.217-8 extension, totaling up to five years and six months.
- Set-Aside: Full and Open Competition.
- NAICS Code: 541110 - Office of Lawyers (Small Business Size Standard: $15.5 million).
- Place of Performance: Nationwide.
Submission & Evaluation
- Questions Due: March 2nd, 2026, at 2:00 PM Eastern Time.
- Proposals Due: April 3rd, 2026, at 12:00 PM Eastern Time.
- Submission: Proposals must be submitted via email to Azeb.Mengistu@hhs.gov and Christopher.McGucken@hhs.gov, with specific subject line formatting.
- Evaluation Factors (descending order of importance): Scalability and Pro Bono Integration Capabilities, Technical Approach, Recent and Relevant Past Performance, and Price. Award will be based on the best overall value through a tradeoff process.
- Project Management Plan (PMP): The Volume I page limit has been increased to 55 pages, and the PMP is part of the evaluation.
Additional Notes
Only the Project Director and Project Coordinator are considered required key personnel. Pro bono volunteers are subject to suitability determinations. Data reporting will not violate attorney-client privilege. Security controls (e.g., Moderate, Low) and external system implementation policies are critical for compliance.