Notice of Intent: Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) Administration and Refugee Case Management (RCM)

The Massachusetts Office for Refugees and Immigrants (ORI) is announcing its intent to contract with qualified Resettlement Agencies for Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) administration and Refugee Case Management (RCM) services, with responses due September 11, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time via COMMBUYS. This is a proprietary purchase restricted to organizations federally designated as Local Resettlement Agencies under 45 CFR 400.56–400.63 and recognized and approved by the federal Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR).

ORI intends to contract with seven historically recognized Resettlement Agencies across multiple sites: Ascentria Community Services, Inc. (2 sites), Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Boston, Inc., International Institute of New England, Inc. (2 sites), Jewish Family Service of Western Massachusetts, Inc., Jewish Family Service of Metrowest, Inc., Organization for Refugee and Immigrant Success, and Refugee and Immigrant Assistance Center, Inc.

Under these contracts, Resettlement Agencies will determine refugee eligibility for RCA, authorize and provide short-term federally funded financial assistance to support resettlement, and monitor client compliance with employment services requirements. Contractors must demonstrate ORR recognition and approval and agree to the Commonwealth Terms and Conditions for Human and Social Services Contracts. Responses, including a signed letter of interest and qualification evidence, must be submitted online through COMMBUYS.

Each contract will carry a one-year term with an option to renew for one additional one-year term or other period as required by ORR. ORI anticipates allocating between $7,000 and $135,000 per Resettlement Agency by site for the first contract year, with final amounts scaled based on projected new arrivals eligible for RCM/RCA services and other factors. The RCA program operates under a public/private partnership model defined by federal statute and regulation and must comply with the state plan approved annually by ORR.