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), Office of the Assistant Secretary for Financial Resources (ASFR), is soliciting proposals for Legal Services for Unaccompanied Alien Children (UAC). This full and open competition aims to secure comprehensive legal representation and support for UAC currently in or released from the care of the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR). The contract is a Hybrid type, primarily Firm-Fixed Unit Price (FFUP), with a guaranteed minimum value of $1,539,600.00. Proposals are due June 5, 2026, at 12:00 PM Eastern Time.
Scope of Work
The selected contractor will provide nationwide legal services, including:
- Transition-In: Assuming operational responsibility for approximately 24,000 active cases without service disruption.
- Direct Legal Representation: Offering legal orientations, consultations, and direct representation for various immigration matters, prioritizing vulnerable UAC.
- Network Management: Establishing and managing a nationwide network of qualified Legal Service Providers (LSPs), ensuring quality control and performance monitoring.
- Data Management: Implementing a robust system for data collection, analysis, and reporting, including outcomes, case status, and pro bono hours, accessible via dashboards and APIs.
- Pro Bono Maximization: Actively promoting and utilizing pro bono services to meet a minimum percentage of total legal service hours.
- Personnel & Care: Services must be delivered by qualified personnel (licensed attorneys, accredited representatives, supervised law students/paralegals) with culturally competent and trauma-informed care, ensuring continuity of legal services and interpretation/translation in the UAC's language.
Contract Details
- Contract Type: Hybrid (predominantly FFUP for services, FFP for other items, T&M for travel).
- Period of Performance: A one-year base period, four one-year option periods, and a potential six-month extension under FAR 52.217-8, totaling up to five years and six months.
- Estimated Value: Guaranteed minimum of $1,539,600.00.
- NAICS Code: 541110 (Office of Lawyers) with a $15.5 million small business size standard.
Submission & Evaluation
- Proposal Due Date: June 5, 2026, at 12:00 PM Eastern Time.
- Submission: Via email to Emily Graham (emily.graham@hhs.gov) and Sharee Richardson (sharee.richardson@hhs.gov).
- Evaluation Factors (descending order): 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.
Additional Notes
This solicitation, issued as a combined synopsis/solicitation, incorporates FAR 12 and 15 procedures. Offerors must adhere to strict data security and privacy requirements, including compliance with ACF External System Control Implementation Policy and Procedures, and are subject to a Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP). Numerous attachments, including a detailed Performance Work Statement (PWS) and pricing worksheets, provide comprehensive requirements.