Services to Older Refugees Program RFP, 2025

The Services to Older Refugees Program (SORP) is administered by the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) through its Bureau of Refugee Services. The program is funded by the federal Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) under the Refugee and Entrant Assistance Discretionary Grants, authorized by §412(c)(1)(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. SORP is designed to assist older refugees in achieving greater integration and wellness within their communities, with an emphasis on enabling them to live independently for as long as possible. SORP delivers services to refugees aged 60 and older who are within 60 months of their eligibility date. The services are delivered through performance-based contracts and include comprehensive case management, naturalization assistance, community education, cross-training for partner agencies, social and cultural engagement, and referrals for essential services such as housing, public benefits, legal aid, and nutrition. The program mandates cultural and linguistic competency and encourages collaboration with aging services and other mainstream providers. SORP prohibits the use of funds for construction or renovation. It supports only services directly tied to the deliverables defined in the contract, such as assessment, service planning, and referrals. Naturalization support is prioritized to help older refugees gain access to federal benefits such as SSI. Specific forms (e.g., N-400, N-648, I-912) may be supported under SORP, but only authorized professionals may complete immigration applications. Interpretation and translation are integral components of most services. Applications must be submitted through the Statewide Financial System (SFS) portal by 2:00 PM ET on January 16, 2026. Not-for-profit applicants must be prequalified in the SFS system, and technical support is available for registration and prequalification. Awards are expected to be announced by March 15, 2026, and contracts will commence on July 1, 2026, for a five-year term ending June 30, 2031. The funding available for the first year is approximately $1,425,000, with five contracts of about $285,000 anticipated. Reimbursements are tied to the achievement of specific deliverables, each with defined maximum payment rates. Proposals are evaluated based on completeness, organizational capacity, clarity of expected outcomes, cost effectiveness, and coordination with local stakeholders such as Offices for the Aging. Successful applicants must maintain detailed participant records, report through the SUNDIAL data system, and submit quarterly claims. They must also comply with MWBE and EEO policies and maintain compliance with all federal and state legal and programmatic requirements.

Proposals are strengthened by letters of support from local Offices for the Aging, clear case management pathways, and capacity to serve culturally diverse seniors. Applicants should demonstrate outreach plans, training, and language capacity.