Helpdesk_RFR_Questions_and_Answers.pdf
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- Attached to
- Immigration Legal Services: Legal HelpDesk
- Solicitation number
- BD-27-1078-ORI1A-ORI-131933
- Issued by
- Massachusetts
About this file
This document contains questions and answers clarifying requirements for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Office for Refugees and Immigrants (ORI) Request for Responses (RFR) BD-27-1078-ORI1A-ORI-131933 to provide immigration legal services through a virtual legal Help Desk. The RFR seeks one or more nonprofit contractors to deliver limited legal services to income-qualified immigrants, with a virtual bidders' conference scheduled for August 10, 2026, questions due by August 21, 2026 at 5:00 PM, and responses due September 9, 2026. The contract commences October 1, 2026 and runs through June 30, 2027, with potential extensions through June 30, 2031 in one-year increments at ORI's discretion. The Help Desk component requires a minimum of one full-time attorney (1.0 FTE) or part-time attorney (minimum 0.75 FTE) and supporting staff to provide legal advice and limited assistance through phone or online appointments at least one day per week. Bidders may optionally apply for a full representation component to provide expanded legal services for former Temporary Protected Status holders; however, separate applications are not permitted, and bidders not selected for both components may request consideration for the Help Desk only option. The full representation component may be subcontracted to other nonprofit organizations or private law firms and proposed on a unit rate basis.
The anticipated per-provider budget is $135,000 for Help Desk services only or $205,000 when including the optional full representation component for the initial one-year term. ORI anticipates awarding four to eight contracts subject to available funding and will consider references from entities with whom bidders have had business experience within the last five years. Bidders must provide two business references and are encouraged to include organizations or entities familiar with the organization's work providing legal services. The limited representation model may include preparation and submission of I-589 asylum applications and EOIR-61 filings for individuals in removal proceedings, though more commonly bidders will assist with discrete tasks such as venue changes, asylum fee payments, address changes, or USCIS expedite requests. All legal services must be provided at no charge to clients, and contractors must comply with Massachusetts legal ethics rules, maintain malpractice insurance, and provide language translation and accessibility services.
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Other files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| Immigration_Legal_Services_Helpdesk_RFR.pdf | ||
| form_standard-contract~3.pdf | ||
| Attachment_A_ILS_Helpdesk_RFR_Model_Supplement_Contract.docx | DOCX document | |
| EFT Form~2.pdf | ||
| form_contractor-authorized-signatory-listing-for-contractors~6.pdf | ||
| form_commonwealth-terms-and-conditions~3.pdf | ||
| Attachment_B_ILS_Helpdesk_RFR_Response_Form.docx | DOCX document | |
| SDP_Plan_Form~4.xlsx | XLSX spreadsheet | |
| instructions_standard-contract-form~14.pdf | ||
| form_w-9~12.pdf |
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Office for Refugees and Immigrants Immigration and Legal Services: Legal HelpDesk RFR
BD-27-1078-ORI1A-ORI-131933
Questions and Answers
New American Association of Massachusetts, Inc (NAAM)
References Question
Could you please clarify what types of entities would be appropriate for these references?
For example, are you looking specifically for references from legal professionals or organizations with whom the bidder has partnered to provide legal services, or would references from other funders, partner organizations, or entities familiar with the bidder's work also be acceptable?
Answer
As described in the RFR, Attachment B (Response Form), please provide a list of two references from among those entities with which your organization has had business experience within the last five years, preferably involving the types of services requested in this RFR. Thus, the primary parameter is that the reference has business (rather than personal) experience with your organization. Please provide references that you believe will be best situated to provide reference for your organization.
ORI may, at its option, contact these references for further information, as is also noted in the RFR, Attachment B.
Limited Representation Model Question
Does the Limited Representation Model include the preparation and submission of applications including I-589's for individuals in removal proceedings with the filing of an
EOIR-61?
Answer
The successful bidders for this RFR will provide limited legal services, primarily through a legal Help Desk. These limited legal services may include, without limitation those listed in Exhibit 1 of the RFR.
ORI recognizes that limited clients would be a good fit for pro-se filings of I-589 (asylum) applications. Although the successful bidders may, if appropriate, file a I-589 with an accompanying EOIR-61 (notice to the court of limited appearance before EOIR), more commonly, successful bidders will assist with more straightforward filings or tasks such as a change of venue, payment of asylum fee, change of address, USCIS expedite request or similar discrete tasks.
Catholic Charitable Bureau of the Archdiocese of Boston (CCAB)
Attorney FTE Requirement Question
Is the expectation that an agency which applies for Helpdesk and Full Rep only has to have 1.0FTE Attorney to do the work of both the Help Desk and Full Rep?
Answer
No, it is expected that those bidders that apply for both the Help Desk and Full Representation components of this RFR will include the required staffing for Help Desk Services and add additional staffing or a subcontracting proposal for the Full Representation component. It is not required that the full representation component be handled by the Help Desk staff; the full representation component can be subcontracted out to other non-profit organizations or private law firms. Moreover, this additional service can be proposed on a unit rate basis.
As described in the RFR, Help Desk staffing (not the full representation staffing) must include the equivalent of one full-time attorney (1.0 FTE) or potentially part-time attorney (minimum of 0.75 FTE), and/or paralegal/support staff. The anticipated per Contract budget for such Help Desk Services is $135,000.
For those additionally applying to provide Full Representation, ORI anticipates an additional Contract allocation of $70,000 (bringing the total to an anticipated $205,000 total). As reflected in the limited additional funds, ORI expects a capped number of full representation cases, consistent with the limited funding.
Question on Dual Application Eligibility and Submission Process
Whether we can apply for both options and, if we're not selected for one, still be considered for the other. And would that require separate applications?
Answer
Bidders should not provide separate applications for this RFR. ORI will consider an application for both components OR for just the Help Desk position. In addition, please make clear if applicable, that if you are not selected for both, you would like to be considered for the Help Desk only option. As stated in the RFR, the full representation component is an optional, additional service line, which may be included in the Bidder’s response. ORI cannot consider a bidder for just the full representation component (without covering the HelpDesk services).
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