[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 246 (Tuesday, December 30, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 61155-61156]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-23961]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration for Children and Families

[Assistance Listing Number: 93.576]


Announcement of the Intent To Award a Sole-Source Cooperative 
Agreement to the Welcoming Initiative for Newcomers in San Diego, CA

AGENCY: Refugee Program Bureau, Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), 
Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Department of Health 
and Human Services (HHS).

ACTION: Notice of Issuance of a Single-Source Cooperative Agreement.

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SUMMARY: ACF, Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) announces the intent 
to award a single-source cooperative agreement in the amount of up to 
$1,000,000 to the Welcoming Initiative for Newcomers (WIN) in San 
Diego, CA to conduct a baseline assessment of state readiness and 
capacity to implement a state-centered refugee resettlement framework 
under the Program of Initial Resettlement. The purpose is to empower 
states with the tools and insights needed to take control of their 
refugee resettlement recommendations. This nationwide baseline 
assessment will strengthen each state's capacity to implement a state-
centered refugee resettlement framework and will include a nationwide 
baseline assessment of state readiness and capacity, including a 
nationwide readiness map, state capacity catalog, and implementation 
roadmap. The baseline will also include state-specific labor force 
shortages and corresponding industries.

DATES: The proposed period of performance is January 5, 2026 to 
September 29, 2026.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Miro Marinovich, Office of Refugee 
Resettlement, Administration for Children and Families, 330 C Street 
SW, Washington, DC 20201. Telephone: (202) 729-3638; Email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) 
intends to conduct a nationwide State Capacity and Readiness Assessment 
to support implementation of the Program of Initial Resettlement (PIR). 
The purpose of this assessment is to develop the analytical tools, data 
structures, and partnerships necessary for states to assess and 
communicate their capacity and infrastructure related to refugee 
placement. The assessment will include

[[Page 61156]]

development of standardized tools, structured interviews with state 
officials, focus groups to gather additional perspectives, and state-
by-state analyses addressing housing availability, labor market 
conditions, education systems, and staffing. The resulting readiness 
map and roadmap will enable states to provide recommendations with 
greater precision and timeliness and will support ORR in considering 
those recommendations consistent with the requirements of section 
412(a)(2) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1522(a)(2)).
    ORR proposes to issue a single-source cooperative agreement to the 
Welcoming Initiative for Newcomers (WIN) to complete this work. WIN 
possesses long-standing partnerships with State Refugee Coordinators, 
resettlement agencies, and community organizations across all 50 states 
and has expertise in labor market analysis, credential transferability, 
economic inclusion, and large-scale assessment design. These 
qualifications position WIN to rapidly engage state partners and 
produce a comprehensive readiness assessment within the required 
timeframes.
    This initiative is intended to support state and local preparedness 
in advance of PIR implementation by strengthening data readiness, 
capacity analysis, and systems alignment. The assessment will help 
ensure that state recommendations reflect local conditions and that 
placement decisions account for housing, workforce, and social service 
capacity. The activity supports evidence-based decision making, 
intergovernmental coordination, and effective administration of refugee 
resettlement activities.
    Statutory Authority: Under section 8 U.S.C. 1522(b)(1) of the 
Refugee Act, ORR is authorized to make grants to and contracts with 
public or private nonprofit agencies for the initial resettlement of 
refugees in the United States. This action further advances the intent 
of 8 U.S.C. 1522(a)(2) by creating mechanisms through which ORR can, to 
the maximum extent possible, incorporate state recommendations into 
refugee placement and capacity planning decisions.

Elizabeth Leo,
Policy Branch Chief, Office of Grants Policy, Office of Administration.
[FR Doc. 2025-23961 Filed 12-29-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4184-89-P