Refugee Medical Screening and Immunization Program, New York City

The New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA), through its Bureau of Refugee Services (BRS), has issued a Request for Applications (RFA) to secure qualified medical clinics to provide initial medical screening and immunization services to newly arriving refugees and other eligible individuals within New York City. This program focuses on five boroughs—Bronx, Kings, New York, Queens, and Richmond—and aims to ensure proper follow-up on medical issues identified overseas, detect communicable diseases with public health significance, identify personal health conditions that could hinder successful resettlement, and facilitate referrals to primary care providers for ongoing treatment. Funded by approximately $1.823 million in federal Refugee Medical Assistance resources from the U.S. Office of Refugee Resettlement, the contract term spans from April 1, 2025, through March 31, 2030. The solicitation accommodates continuous application submissions and emphasizes non-profit applicants with required registrations in New York State's financial systems and vendor prequalification. Contractors awarded under this program will operate under a performance-based reimbursement model, with specified rates tied to comprehensive medical screening visits and immunizations, following CDC and New York State refugee health protocols. The services provided include clinical assessments, laboratory testing (such as TB screening, CBC, hepatitis, and lead testing), mental health screening, and necessary immunizations. Applicants must submit detailed work plans demonstrating capacity to deliver culturally and linguistically appropriate healthcare, maintain adequate staffing with licensed healthcare professionals or Federally Qualified Health Centers, and establish cooperative relationships with local refugee-serving agencies. The selection favors proposals that best meet qualitative criteria, including organizational experience, accessibility, and adherence to refugee health standards. Furthermore, compliance with state-specific certifications such as Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) participation goals (set at 15% each), sexual harassment prevention, non-collusive bidding, and other legal assurances are mandatory. Clients' health information and service records will be securely maintained in accordance with New York State privacy and data breach laws, and contractors must retain records for a minimum of six years or longer if audits are ongoing. Oversight is managed by OTDA, with required approvals from the New York State Attorney General and Comptroller. The resulting contracts are governed by state-specific terms, excluding federal FAR clauses, and include provisions for contractual modifications, audit compliance, and no-cost extensions under specified conditions.