Oregon Refugee Children Assistance Services (ORCAS)

The Oregon Department of Human Services, Office of Self-Sufficiency Programs, is issuing a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the Oregon Refugee Children Assistance Services (ORCAS) program, seeking qualified providers to deliver comprehensive support services for refugee children and youth across five service areas in Oregon. The primary objectives include promoting academic performance, supporting successful integration, and providing specialized services to refugee youth and their families in public schools. Services will encompass school enrollment assistance, interpreting/translation, school and system orientations, after-school and summer programs, and training/support for educational institutions. Proposers must develop detailed implementation and service plans, demonstrate collaboration capabilities, and show expertise in equity and inclusion strategies. The RFP requires proposers to submit technical proposals, budgets, references, and other attachments, with a pre-proposal conference held on July 10, 2024, and proposals due by July 25, 2024. Evaluation criteria will focus on key personnel qualifications, implementation plans, collaboration potential, equity approaches, relevant experience, and budget alignment. The contract term is set to begin September 1, 2024, and continue through September 30, 2026, with potential extensions up to a total of five years.

The RFP includes a Certified Disadvantaged Business Outreach Plan, requiring proposers to detail strategies for engaging minority-owned, woman-owned, service-disabled veteran-owned, and emerging small businesses in subcontracting opportunities. Eight organizations submitted proposals, including Art Sprouts, Inc., Pacific Refugee Support Group, Salem For Refugees, Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon, and Lutheran Community Services Northwest. The total available funding is $3,393,220, with contract amounts ranging from $111,138 for the virtual service delivery area to $1,630,218 for Multnomah County (Service Area 1). Lutheran Community Services Northwest has been identified as the intended awardee for Service Areas 1 and 2, while Salem for Refugees will receive the contract for Service Area 3, and Art Sprouts, Inc. for Service Area 5. Eligible proposers must meet specific noncitizen status requirements, with services targeting refugees within 60 months of receiving their eligible immigration status. Contractors will be reimbursed for incurred costs, with administrative and indirect costs capped at 15% of total direct costs.