# HHS Advances Migrant Child Legal Services Procurement

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has received authorization from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to proceed with its procurement for legal services supporting unaccompanied migrant children under the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR). This follows the denial of a protest filed by the incumbent contractor, Acacia Center for Justice, which challenged the procurement terms but failed to demonstrate undue restriction of competition. The decision affirms the competitive integrity of the procurement process and enables HHS to continue awarding contracts for these critical legal services through fiscal year 2025, including multi-month bridge contracts.

- **Why this matters:** Procurement professionals should note the GAO's support for HHS's procurement approach, signaling a stable contracting environment for legal services related to migrant child support.
- The continuation of contracts through fiscal year 2025 provides ongoing opportunities for qualified legal service providers in this specialized area.
- Contractors currently serving or interested in this market should ensure compliance with procurement terms and prepare for potential future solicitations under ORR's legal support programs.
- This case underscores the importance of clear, competitive procurement terms to withstand protest challenges in sensitive service areas.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Healthcare
**Topics:** Regulatory Compliance, Contracting Vehicles
**Published:** September 23, 2026

### Government Entities
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
- Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR)
- U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO)

### Vendors
- Acacia Center for Justice (incumbent contractor)

### Sources
- [HHS’s Migrant Child Legal Support Procurement Withstands Protest](https://news.bloomberglaw.com/federal-contracting/hhss-migrant-child-legal-support-procurement-withstands-protest) - Bloomberg Law News