Backup Care SOO 13 Jan 2025.pdf

8 January 2025 Request for Information, Backup Care SOO Page 1 of 3

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)

Statement of Objectives (SOO)

Backup Care Pilot Program

Part I: General Information

1. Introduction

The Air Force Services Center (AFSVC) Child and Youth Programs Division (VCY) located at Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA) Lackland, TX, supports Air Force (AF) operated installations, major commands and the Air Staff to ensure successful quality of life programs. AFSVC manages AF Nonappropriated Fund (NAF) activities and provides centralized field support. AFSVC’ s responsibilities include developing and disseminating procedures to implement policy; providing technical assistance and support to the field activities; developing centralized processes and procedures; and developing new programs to support major command and installation activities.

2. Background

From January to August 2024 illness impacted families at Joint Base Elmendorf- Richardson (JBER), Alaska and Mountain Home Air Force Base (AFB), Idaho with 1,055 children affected at JBER and 419 at Mountain Home AFB. The number of children unable to attend their regular child care arrangements underscore the need for reliable support systems, such as the backup care pilot program. Such initiatives aim to address these challenges by providing temporary child care solutions, ensuring that parents can continue to work without the added stress of finding last-minute care for their children. The Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) Military & Community Family Programs (MC&FP) provided funding to pilot a backup care program to potentially mitigate the disruption caused by such circumstances, enabling parents to maintain their work commitments. This pilot program could serve as a model for future child care solutions within military communities.

3. Current Issues, Concerns, and Challenges

3.1 The Pilot programs are located in JBER, Alaska and Mountain Home AFB, Idaho.

These are considered to be remote areas with limited access to alternative child care services.

3.2 When a child is too sick to attend regular child care, parents need an immediate solution which allows them to focus on the Department of the Air Force (DAF) mission.

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4. Qualifications

4.1 AFSVC/VCY is seeking to collaborate with a professional child care firm that provides backup child care nationwide and possesses a minimum of five (5) years of experience in the child care industry, including engagements in colleges, corporations, and government departments.

4.2 Programs must be state licensed and meet their local requirements.

4.3 Programs must have an online platform for parents to access immediate care.

5. Scope or Services

5.1 The Backup Care Pilot Program is designed to offer up to 10 days of care per child during the period of performance. This service can be utilized when a child is experiencing illness and is unable to attend their regular child care arrangements, such as the Child Development Center (CDC), School-Age Care (SAC), or Family Child Care (FCC). Care can be provided until the child is symptom-free and can safely return to their regular care arrangements. Families will only be authorized 10 days a year. It is important to note this program is not intended to replace regular child care services.

Instead, it serves as short-term solution to provide coverage in urgent situations when children cannot attend their regular child care services and there are no alternative caregivers available in the household due to illness.

5.1.1. Care will be provided in a certified program to meet the ill child’s needs up to 10 hours of care a day. All state licensing child to adult ratios will be followed. Meals will be provided IAW USDA requirements.

5.2 Additional Performance Specifications

The Contractor shall follow guidelines to ensure compliance with state and industry standards so that project objectives are achieved throughout the project lifecycle.

Guidelines shall include methods, techniques, and formats consistent with industry child care best practice methods. All documents, recommendations, processes & procedures used by the Contractor shall be compliant with government rules, policies, procedures, and applicable laws.

Part II: Work Requirements

6. Deliverables

The Backup Care Pilot Program is a valuable initiative aimed at providing temporary child care solutions for eligible Department of the Air Force (DAF) members. It must assist members that require short term care when their child is unexpectedly ill and unable to attend their regular child care arrangements in the Child Development Center (CDC), School Age Care (SAC), or Family child Care (FCC). By providing short-term child care solutions, the program alleviates the burden on parents who otherwise struggle

8 January 2025 Request for Information, Backup Care SOO Page 3 of 3 to find alternative care on short notice. Moreover, by ensuring that families have access to reliable child care, the program not only enhances the well-being of military families but also fosters a more stable and productive workforce within the DAF. This Backup Pilot Care Program is for one year.

6.1 Contractor must be able to provide backup child care for up to 20 children per Backup Care Pilot location.

6.2 Selected child care providers must meet the specific requirements to ensure the safety and well-being of the children in their care. These requirements must include at a minimum state -licensing, completed background checks, and maintain First Aid and CPR certification.

6.3 Provide a streamlined telephonic, web based, or mobile app platform for families to find, reserve, and secure care arrangements in the local area.

6.4 Provide ongoing data reports monthly of child usage.

6.5 Track eligibility and use by child.

6.6 Contractor will ensure information for parents to utilize their program is clearly articulated and marketed to the installation.

6.7 Backup child care cannot be accomplished in members’ homes. Contractor will provide confirmation of licensed programs where care will be provided.