CCPG Notice of Funding Opportunity F26-214P5.pdf

STATE OF WASHINGTON

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

NOTICE OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITY (NOFO)

NOFO NO. F26-214P5

NOTE: Please read this entire document before submitting a response. Responses that do not meet one or more requirement stated herein may be disqualified and not scored.

If you download this NOFO from any source other than the Washington Electronic Business Solution (WEBS) website, you are responsible for sending your name and e-mail address to the NOFO Coordinator to request that your organization receive any amendments and question and answer documents.

PROJECT TITLE: Child Care Partnership Grant Program

PROPOSAL DUE: Thursday, April 17, 2025 at 11:59 PM, Pacific Time, Olympia, WA

ESTIMATED TIME PERIOD FOR CONTRACT: July 1, 2025– June 30, 2026

PROPOSER ELIGIBILITY: This NOFO is open to Proposers that meet all of the following minimum qualifications:

1. Licensed to do business in the state of Washington;

2. Populations served must be located in the state of Washington;

3. Must be headquartered in the state of Washington; AND

4. Meets one of the following entity designations.

a. Federally recognized tribes in Washington;

b. Local government entity;

c. Nonprofit organization registered with the Washington Secretary of State as a nonprofit corporation and having a 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(6) status with the Internal Revenue Service

(IRS);

d. Public agency;

e. School district; or

f. Educational Service District (ESD).

FUNDING SOURCE AND METHOD: This is State funding. Payments will be made on a reimbursement basis for deliverables accepted.

CONTENTS OF THE NOTICE OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITY:

1. Introduction

2. General Information for Proposers

3. Proposal Contents

4. Evaluation and Award

5. Exhibits

Contents

1. INTRODUCTION

PURPOSE AND BACKGROUND

OBJECTIVES AND SCOPE OF WORK

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

FUNDING

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

DEFINITIONS

CONTRACTING WITH CURRENT OR FORMER STATE EMPLOYEES

AMERICAN DISABILITES ACT (ADA)

2. GENERAL INFORMATION FOR PROPOSERS

NOFO COORDINATOR

ESTIMATED SCHEDULE OF PROCUREMENT ACTIVITIES

QUESTION AND ANSWER PERIOD

PRE-PROPOSAL CONFERENCE

PROPOSAL SUBMISSION

REVISIONS TO THE NOFO

3. PROPOSAL CONTENTS

Submit your proposal

PROPOSER INFORMATION

PROPOSAL

CERTIFICATIONS AND ASSURANCES (MANDATORY)

4. EVALUATION AND CONTRACT AWARD

EVALUATION PROCEDURE

EVALUATION BREAKDOWN

VIRTUAL PRESENTATIONS MAY BE REQUIRED

5. ADDITIONAL GENERAL INFORMATION FOR PROPOSERS

PROPRIETARY INFORMATION AND PUBLIC DISCLOSURE

DIVERSE BUSINESS INCLUSION PLAN

ACCEPTANCE PERIOD

COMPLAINT PROCESS

RESPONSIVENESS

MOST FAVORABLE TERMS

CONTRACT GENERAL TERMS & CONDITIONS

COSTS TO PROPOSE

NO OBLIGATION TO CONTRACT

REJECTION OF PROPOSALS

COMMITMENT OF FUNDS

ELECTRONIC PAYMENT

INSURANCE COVERAGE

NOTIFICATION TO PROPOSERS

DEBRIEFING OF UNSUCCESSFUL PROPOSERS

PROTEST PROCEDURE

6. NOFO EXHIBITS

Exhibit A Proposal Form (separate attachment) Exhibit B Scope of Work and Cost Proposal Worksheet (separate attachment) Exhibit C Certifications and Assurances (see below) Exhibit D Diverse Business Inclusion Plan (see below) Exhibit E Workers’ Rights Certification (see below) Exhibit F Example Grant Contract with General Terms and Conditions (see below)

1. INTRODUCTION

PURPOSE AND BACKGROUND

The Washington Department of Commerce, hereafter called "COMMERCE,” is initiating this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to solicit Proposals for the Child Care Partnership Grant program (hereafter called “CCPG”). Please review the entire NOFO before beginning your Proposal response.

All Proposals must be received in the PORTAL no later than 11:59 PM Pacific Time, on Thursday, April 17, 2025.

A Pre-Proposal webinar (to share information about the grant and Proposal requirements) will be held on March 5 @ 11:00 AM-12:00 PM Pacific Time (recorded). Click the hyperlink to register. The Pre- Proposal webinar will be virtual only on a Zoom platform. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. All prospective Proposers are encouraged to attend; however, attendance is not mandatory.

Specifically for Federally Recognized Tribes and Nonprofit Tribal Organizations in Washington:

A Pre-Proposal webinar-style conference will be held on March 4 @ 3-4:00 PM Pacific Time. Click the link for registration. The Pre-Proposal conference will be virtual only, on a Zoom platform. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

We will have Q&A open office hours during the Question and Answer period on March 6 @ 8:30-9 AM and March 12 @ 3:30-4:00 PM. The date and time hyperlinks will take you to the Zoom meeting.

There may be others on the call at the same time. If you would like to ask questions privately, please contact Kari Sample, NOFO coordinator, kari.sample@commerce.wa.gov, with your questions.

CCPG supports community-driven child care solutions by funding collaborative partnerships, increasing organizational capacity development, conducting planning and completing activities that help the community address the shortage of child care. The ultimate goal of CCPG funded partnerships is to increase child care slots and proposals need to show a clear plan to increase slots within their community.

Child care slots shall be increased within one year of CCPG investment. The following allowable activities must include multiple community partners:

• Community coalition development and coordination

• Community engagement

• Needs assessments

• Data analysis

• Fundraising plans

• Child care provider recruitment

• Home-based provider and child care center retention

• Marketing plans and messaging

• Strategic action plan development

• Early learning/child care workforce development plans

• Pre-design studies (such as feasibility studies, schematics, and appraisals)

• Other activities that help communities address the shortage of child care (that are not ineligible/unallowable)

The following activities are ineligible/unallowable under this grant:

• Building, land, or real property acquisition

• Construction

• Capital assets intended for use or to keep for more than one year. Capital assets include land and land rights; buildings, infrastructure, machinery, vehicles and tools

• Facility pre-design that exceeds basic architectural schematics and design

• Implementation of capital or fundraising campaigns or activities

• Ongoing Professional development of child care providers https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/84b6c9dba2d542f9ae26ecc124e65e58 https://wastatecommerce.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_2JzBXRfNSbu34O5VoWujXw https://wastatecommerce.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_AgM2EVcsR9SmJf5dhPtHWA https://wastatecommerce.zoom.us/j/84657370352?pwd=94xLb4paXuZY1HKaj3TkHW9awwYZ8U.1 https://wastatecommerce.zoom.us/j/84657370352?pwd=94xLb4paXuZY1HKaj3TkHW9awwYZ8U.1 https://wastatecommerce.zoom.us/j/85178672591?pwd=EcCWXwO3ISLokxo3c1kbM2u58GG5U8.1 mailto:kari.sample@commerce.wa.gov

• Out-of-state travel

• Regular or subsidized salaries for child care or early learning teacher services

• Use of funds to pay for fiscal audits, or local, state or federal taxes

• Mini-grants or regranting funds to child care providers

Grantees will make meaningful progress toward child care expansion and projects will ultimately increase the total number of affordable and quality child care slots for infants, toddlers, pre-kindergarten, school aged children and youth under age 12. We are specifically interested in supporting efforts in areas with limited or no child care to meet the need according to the Child Care and Early Learning Need and Supply Data | Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families, or as assessed and confirmed locally.

Additional consideration will be assigned to prioritize projects in areas with limited or no child care that:

a. Are operating in rural communities (see definition on page 5).

b. Include intentional outreach to serve historically underserved and marginalized families and communities (For example, Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC); immigrants and refugees; children with disabilities and special needs; and LGBTQIA2S+).

c. Have not received CCPG funding in the past.

COMMERCE reserves the right to make awards that account for equitable distribution of funding among a variety of project approaches, years of CCPG funding, geographies and award amounts.

Proposals may be submitted with appropriate activities, project plan and budget for 12 months (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026). See section 1.4 FUNDING and 1.5 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE for more details.

This is a competitive process, and not all Proposals will be selected. COMMERCE intends to award multiple contract(s) to provide the services described in this NOFO. COMMERCE reserves the right at its sole discretion to reject any and all Proposals received without penalty and not to issue contracts as a result of this NOFO.

OBJECTIVES AND SCOPE OF WORK

Child Care Partnership Grants (CCPG) will support community-driven planning and action plan implementation to address unique and highest priority child care needs and expand child care capacity.

• Projects must be responsive to local community needs related to the lack of access to affordable and quality child care in a defined community.

• Successful grantees will propose project activities that demonstrate understanding of current community conditions and culture and identify activities to increase child care access and the number of available slots.

• Proposers must define the geographic and demographic community(ies) that the project intends to serve.

• Projects must engage a diverse group of committed community partners to collaboratively plan and execute sustainable, effective initiatives that remove barriers and enhance the capacity to implement solutions.

Projects shall engage multiple community partners including, but not limited to, representatives from the following sectors - as appropriate and available in the community:

• Businesses (employers)

• Child care providers

• Community-based organizations

• Economic development

• Education / Educational Service Districts (ESD)

• Faith based organizations https://www.dcyf.wa.gov/practice/oiaa/reports/early-learning-dashboards/child-care-need-supply-data https://www.dcyf.wa.gov/practice/oiaa/reports/early-learning-dashboards/child-care-need-supply-data

• Health care / behavioral health

• Higher education

• Local government

• Non-profits

• Parents and caregivers

• Social service agencies

• State agencies

• Statewide child care organizations

• Tribes in Washington

• Youth serving organizations

• Other

Grantees are expected to implement community collaborative activities that make progress on two or more of the following expected project outcomes that will ultimately increase the number of child care slots in their community: (These outcomes will be included in mid-year and end of year report)

A. Completed needs assessment (community informed) identifying specific barriers and gaps;

B. Diverse partners collaborate to develop and implement a strategic action plan to address identified needs and barriers;

C. Capital fund development planning;

D. Increased number of child care providers in community; or E. Expanded capacity of existing child care providers.

Grantees will secure their own services, consultants and/or training to fully spend the grant funds.

Contract reimbursement will be deliverable-based.

Grantees will be required to submit monthly progress, mid-year and end of year reports on templates that COMMERCE will provide. Grantees will be expected to participate in regularly scheduled learning-community meetings hosted by COMMERCE to share experiences with other grantees. All deliverables must be met by end of proposed contract period and no later than June 30, 2026 Commerce reserves the right to extend contracts based on performance and funding needed to achieve outcomes.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Proposers must meet all of the following minimum qualifications to be eligible for this grant:

1. Licensed to do business in the state of Washington;

2. Populations served must be located in the state of Washington;

3. Must be headquartered in the state of Washington; AND

4. Meets one of the following entity designations.

a. Federally recognized tribes in Washington;

b. Local government entity;

c. Nonprofit organization registered with the Washington Secretary of State as a nonprofit corporation and having a 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(6) status with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS);

d. Public agency;

e. School district; or

f. Educational Service District (ESD).

This is a competitive process, and not all applications will be selected. Proposals that do not clearly meet or exceed all minimum qualifications listed above will be considered non-responsive and will not be evaluated.

FUNDING

COMMERCE has budgeted an amount not to exceed $885,000 for this program. There is no minimum award amount.

A. For a contract period of July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2026 awards will typically range from $30,000 up to $70,000, depending on the proposed activities and budget.

Proposals in excess of $70,000 will be considered non-responsive and will not be evaluated.

COMMERCE reserves the right to award applications for less than the requested amount.

COMMERCE intends to award multiple contract(s) to provide the services described in this NOFO. In the event additional funding becomes available during the period of performance, any contract awarded may be amended to provide for additional related services. Additional funding is not guaranteed. Any contract awarded as a result of this NOFO is contingent upon the availability of funding.

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The period of performance of any contract resulting from this NOFO is tentatively scheduled to begin on or after July 1, 2025 and to end on June 30, 2026.

COMMERCE reserves the right to extend contracts for an additional year based on performance and funding needed to achieve outcomes and shall be at the sole discretion of COMMERCE.

DEFINITIONS

Definitions for the purposes of this NOFO include:

Apparent Successful Grantee: The Proposer selected to perform the anticipated services, subject to successful completion of contract negotiations and execution of a written contract.

Collaborative or Coalition: A group formed for the purpose of a project relating to stabilizing and expanding child care capacity in communities and which will continue to champion the work past the end of the grant performance period.

COMMERCE or AGENCY: The Department of Commerce is the agency of the state of Washington that is issuing this NOFO.

Contract: A written, legally binding agreement to perform the services proposed, also called a Grant or Interagency Agreement.

Deliverable: Something that is able to be provided, especially as a product of an activity or process.

Examples of deliverables include studies, reports, events, coalition meetings, community engagements, material development and dissemination, assessments, plans, professional consultant products, etc.

Exhibit: Document attached to this NOFO, also referred to as Attachment.

Grantee: Proposer whose Proposal has been accepted by COMMERCE and is awarded a fully executed, written contract. Also called Grantee, Awardee, Recipient, or Vendor.

Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO): Formal procurement or solicitation document in which a service or need is identified but no specific method to achieve it has been chosen. The purpose of an NOFO is to permit the Proposer community to suggest various approaches to meet the need at or below a given funding level.

Proposal: A formal offer submitted in response to this Notice of Funding Opportunity.

Proposer: Individual, firm, organization, company, or other entity or group of entities that submits a Proposal to attain a contract with COMMERCE.

Public Agency: Any agency, political subdivision, or unit of local government of Washington state including, but not limited to, municipal corporations, quasi municipal corporations, special purpose districts, school districts and local service districts.

Realistic: Realistic costs are sensible and accurate estimates for services and items. A realistic timeline is practical for what can be achieved or is expected.

Rural Community: Small rural counties with 35,000 residents or less, or cities with 8,500 residents or less according to OFM 2020. Census.1

Subgrantee/subcontractor: one not in the employment of the Grantee, who is performing all or part of those services under this Grant under a separate Grant with the Grantee. The terms “subgrantee” and “subcontractor” mean subgrantee/subcontractor(s) in any tier.

CONTRACTING WITH CURRENT OR FORMER STATE EMPLOYEES

Specific restrictions apply to contracting with current or former state employees pursuant to chapter

42.52 of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW). Proposers are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the requirements prior to submitting a Proposal that includes current or former state employees.

AMERICAN DISABILITES ACT (ADA)

COMMERCE complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Proposers may contact the NOFO Coordinator to receive this Notice of Funding Opportunity in Braille or on tape.

1 WA Office of Financial Management April 2022 Population of Cities, Towns and Counties April 1 Population of Cities, Towns, and Counties (wa.gov) https://www.ofm.wa.gov/sites/default/files/public/dataresearch/pop/april1/ofm_april1_population_final.pdf https://www.ofm.wa.gov/sites/default/files/public/dataresearch/pop/april1/ofm_april1_population_final.pdf

2. GENERAL INFORMATION FOR PROPOSERS

NOFO COORDINATOR

The NOFO Coordinator is the sole point of contact in COMMERCE for this NOFO. All communication between the Proposer and COMMERCE upon release of this NOFO shall be with the NOFO Coordinator, as follows:

Name Kari Sample

E-Mail Address Kari.Sample@commerce.wa.gov

Any other communication will be considered non-binding. Proposers are to rely only on written statements issued by the NOFO Coordinator. Coordinator may involve Community Engagement Unit members as needed for technical assistance. Communication directed to parties other than the NOFO Coordinator may result in disqualification of the Proposer.

Upon request, COMMERCE will attempt to assist a proposer to contact a trusted organization to receive assistance in languages other than English to complete the application. To request language access services, please contact Kari Sample, NOFO Coordinator, as soon as possible.

ESTIMATED SCHEDULE OF PROCUREMENT ACTIVITIES

Issue Notice of Funding Opportunity February 20, 2025

Question & answer period February 20 - March 13, 2025

Pre-Proposal Conference Tribal March 4 @ 3-4:00 PM

Pre-Proposal Conference Public March 5 @ 11:00 AM -12:00 PM Q&A open office hours (via Zoom) click hyperlink to join March 6 @ 8:30-9:00 AM Q&A open office hours (via Zoom) click hyperlink to join March 12 @ 3:30-4:00 PM Answers to Q&A posted no later than March 19, 2025

Proposals due April 17, 2025 at 11:59 PM

Evaluate Proposals April 21 - May 12, 2025

Conduct virtual presentations with finalists, if required May 13 - May 20, 2025

Announce “Apparent Successful Grantee” and send notification via e-mail to unsuccessful Proposers

May 27, 2025

Hold debriefing conferences (if requested) May 28 - June 10, 2025

Negotiate contract May 28 - June 30, 2025

Earliest date contract may be signed July 1, 2025

COMMERCE reserves the right to revise the above schedule.

QUESTION AND ANSWER PERIOD

COMMERCE will accept questions about this NOFO sent to the NOFO Coordinator at the email address listed in Section 2.1, at the pre-proposal conferences and/or during open office hours through March 13, 2025. COMMERCE will answer all questions in a Q&A document posted as an addendum to the NOFO no later than March 19, 2025.

PRE-PROPOSAL CONFERENCE

A Pre-Proposal webinar-style conferences will be held on March 5 from 11:00 AM–12:00 PM (recorded). Click the link for registration. The Pre-Proposal conference will be virtual only, on a Zoom platform. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. All prospective Proposers are encouraged to attend; however, attendance is not mandatory. We will post the webinar recording on https://www.commerce.wa.gov/contracting/.

Specifically for Federally Recognized Tribes and Nonprofit Tribal Organizations in Washington:

A Pre-Proposal webinar-style conference will be held on March 4 from 3:00-4:00 PM. Click the link for registration. The Pre-Proposal conference will be virtual only, on a Zoom platform. After registering, mailto:Kari.Sample@commerce.wa.gov https://wastatecommerce.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_AgM2EVcsR9SmJf5dhPtHWA https://wastatecommerce.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_2JzBXRfNSbu34O5VoWujXw https://wastatecommerce.zoom.us/j/84657370352?pwd=94xLb4paXuZY1HKaj3TkHW9awwYZ8U.1 https://wastatecommerce.zoom.us/j/85178672591?pwd=EcCWXwO3ISLokxo3c1kbM2u58GG5U8.1 https://wastatecommerce.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_2JzBXRfNSbu34O5VoWujXw https://www.commerce.wa.gov/contracting/ https://wastatecommerce.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_AgM2EVcsR9SmJf5dhPtHWA you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. All prospective Proposers are encouraged to attend; however, attendance is not mandatory.

Q&A Open Office Hours click links at these times to join us online March 6 from 8:30-9 AM (recorded) or March 12 from 3:30-4:00 PM to (recorded) to ask COMMERCE questions directly.

There may be others on the call at the same time. If you would like to ask questions privately, please contact Kari Sample, NOFO coordinator, kari.sample@commerce.wa.gov, with your questions.

COMMERCE will be bound only to COMMERCE written answers to questions. Questions arising at the pre-proposal conference will be documented and answered in written form. A copy of the questions and answers will be sent to each prospective Proposer that has requested the NOFO Coordinator to send them NOFO addenda.

PROPOSAL SUBMISSION

ELECTRONIC PROPOSALS: The Proposal must be received no later than 11:59 PM Pacific Time, on April 17, 2025.

Proposals must be submitted electronically through the submissions PORTAL located:

https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/84b6c9dba2d542f9ae26ecc124e65e58. The PORTAL does not save draft submissions; be prepared to complete and submit in one sitting. Attachments must be in Microsoft Word format or PDF. Use the provided PROPOSAL FORM.

Zipped files cannot be received and cannot be used for submission of Proposals. COMMERCE does not assume responsibility for problems with Respondent’s system. If the COMMERCE submission PORTAL is not working, appropriate allowances will be made. No Proposals will be accepted through email, fax or mail. Only Proposals submitted through the PORTAL will be accepted.

Late Proposals will not be accepted and will be automatically disqualified from further consideration, unless COMMERCE platform is found to be at fault at COMMERCE’S sole determination. Exceptions will not be made for partial submissions. Requests for deadline extensions will not be granted. All Proposals and any accompanying documentation become the property of COMMERCE and will not be returned.

REVISIONS TO THE NOFO

In the event it becomes necessary to revise any part of this NOFO, addenda will be provided via e-mail to all individuals who have made the NOFO Coordinator aware of their interest. Addenda may also be published on Washington’s Electronic Business Solution (WEBS). The website can be located at https://fortress.wa.gov/ga/webs/. Such addenda will also be published anywhere the NOFO is posted, including on COMMERCE’S public webpage, located at https://www.commerce.wa.gov/contracting/.

You may also send your name and e-mail address to the NOFO Coordinator to request to receive any NOFO addenda.

COMMERCE also reserves the right to cancel or to reissue the NOFO in whole or in part, prior to execution of a contract.

3. PROPOSAL CONTENTS

Submit your proposal.

Click here to access the Proposal Form as a Word document that you will upload with all other required documents on the PORTAL. Proposal contents are copied below for your preview.

Proposal documents must be written in English and submitted electronically in the PORTAL by Tuesday, April 17, 2025 at 11:59pm PST.

https://wastatecommerce.zoom.us/j/84657370352?pwd=94xLb4paXuZY1HKaj3TkHW9awwYZ8U.1 https://wastatecommerce.zoom.us/j/85178672591?pwd=EcCWXwO3ISLokxo3c1kbM2u58GG5U8.1 mailto:kari.sample@commerce.wa.gov https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/84b6c9dba2d542f9ae26ecc124e65e58 https://deptofcommerce.box.com/s/4rqbd4g10xweaop96stc61jyiuq41ybb https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/84b6c9dba2d542f9ae26ecc124e65e58 https://fortress.wa.gov/ga/webs/ https://www.commerce.wa.gov/contracting/ https://deptofcommerce.box.com/s/4rqbd4g10xweaop96stc61jyiuq41ybb https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/84b6c9dba2d542f9ae26ecc124e65e58 https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/84b6c9dba2d542f9ae26ecc124e65e58

Please include your organization name in the title of your submitted NOFO documents: (You may use the check list below to ensure that you have completed and attached the 3 required documents)

REQUIRED NOFO DOCUMENTS

I. Proposal Form (Exhibit A to this NOFO), which includes:

Certifications and Assurances (Exhibit C to this NOFO) Diverse Business Inclusion Plan (Exhibit D to this NOFO) Workers’ Rights Certification (Exhibit E to this NOFO)

II. Scope of Work and Cost Proposal Worksheet (Exhibit B to this NOFO) III. Organizational chart (include Board members) IV. Contract edits, if applicable

You must provide an answer to each question. If any answer is “unknown”, “no” or “not applicable (N/A)”, please indicate with “unknown”, “no” or “N/A”. Required questions that are left blank will be given 0 points.

PROPOSER INFORMATION

The entity that will receive and manage the grant and will work with coalitions and local partners to implement the activities is the “Proposer.” Only persons authorized to legally bind the Proposer to a contractual relationship or has been delegated authority by the Proposer shall submit the Proposal.

All fields are required.

A. Verify your eligibility for this grant by checking each box in 1-4.

Proposers must meet all of the following minimum qualifications:

1. Licensed to do business in the state of Washington and

• must have an active Washington Uniform Business Identification Number and

• must have an active Federal Employer Tax Identification Number

2. Populations served must be located in the state of Washington.

3. Must be headquartered in the state of Washington. AND

4. Meets one of the following entity designations. Please also select one:

Federally recognized tribes in Washington;

Local government entity;

Nonprofit organization registered with the Washington Secretary of State as a nonprofit Corporation and having a 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(6) status with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS);

Public agency;

School district; or Educational Service District (ESD).

(If you do not meet all the above qualifications 1-4, do not continue with Proposal and contact Kari Sample, NOFO Coordinator kari.sample@commerce.wa.gov)

B. Indicate if any of the prioritized areas below are applicable to your Proposal. Commerce reserves the right to verify responses. Select all that apply.

Project will be operating in a rural community (see definition on page 5).

Will conduct intentional outreach to serve historically underserved and marginalized families and communities (For example, Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC); immigrants and refugees; children with disabilities and special needs; and or LGBTQIA2S+).

Proposer and or community partners has not received CCPG funding in the past.

C. Proposer’s Legal Entity Name

D. Proposer’s Physical Address City State Zip Code

E. Counties to be served in this Proposal:

https://deptofcommerce.box.com/s/4rqbd4g10xweaop96stc61jyiuq41ybb https://deptofcommerce.box.com/s/iv1363eo8zj7vwgrqx57pbcbqkvuuxf7 mailto:kari.sample@commerce.wa.gov

F. Name of Person submitting this Proposal

G. Title of Person submitting this Proposal

H. Telephone number of Person submitting this Proposal

I. E-mail address of Person submitting this Proposal

PROPOSAL

The Proposal must contain a response to each question and sub-question to be considered complete. If any answer is “unknown”, “no” or “not applicable (N/A)”, please indicate with “unknown”, “no” or “N/A”.

Required questions that are left blank will be given 0 points.

1) GENERAL PROJECT DETAILS

a) What is the specific child care access problem you plan to address with this project Proposal? (Limit your response to 200 words or fewer)

b) Define the geographic area for this Proposal. This will be the service area of your proposal. (Include County/ies, city/ies, and neighborhood/s, as applicable)

c) Describe the community demographics in the geographic area listed in question 1.b above (for example, groups; race and ethnic populations; historically underserved and marginalized communities; people with disabilities and special needs; immigrants; and refugees).

d) How has your organization historically served this demographic within the geographic area?

e) In the geographic area, what data do you have that shows child care availability is limited?

f) What efforts will your project take to better understand child care needs in the community?

g) How will your project efforts increase child care slots in your community?

h) What type of child care slots will your project increase?

(Select all that apply)

Family, friend and neighbor provider (FFN) Licensed child care centers Licensed home-based care School-aged after school or summer care Unknown at this time (to be determined with needs assessment) Other (list)

i) List the local challenges your proposal may potentially encounter as you implement the proposed activities and how you plan to address those barriers?

j) Has your organization or coalition received any CCPG funding in the past?

Yes. If YES, please describe how an additional year of funding will show a measurable impact to increase child care slots or improve child care access in your community.

No

k) Grantees are expected to implement collaborative community activities that make progress on two or more of the following project outcomes that will ultimately increase the number of child care slots in their community. What outcomes will your project prioritize in your work? Please select at least two. Selecting more than two will not increase score.

Completed child care needs assessment (community informed) identifying specific barriers and gaps

Diverse partners collaborate to develop and implement a strategic action plan to address identified needs and barriers

Increased access to capital project funding specific to child care Increased number of child care providers in the community Expanded capacity of existing child care providers

(Optional) Please share any additional anticipated project outcomes not listed above

2) COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT EFFORTS

a) Describe the intended outreach to specific historically marginalized and underserved families and communities to access the newly created slots or benefit from the project efforts. (For example, BIPOC; immigrants and refugees; children with disabilities and special needs; and LGBTQIA2S+). If no specific intended outreach, indicate with “none”.

b) Explain how you will involve the families and child care providers who will benefit or be impacted from the project during the implementation of the project activities?

c) Is this proposal supported by a locally driven, multi-sector, child care coalition or group currently established in the community and actively participating in this work?

Yes, please answer questions i-ii below No, please answer questions iii-iv below

i) If YES, please briefly describe when and how the coalition was established, how it is currently funded and include a list of the organizations and individuals involved.

ii) If YES, what additional partners will be invited to participate and what community engagement strategies will you use to recruit?

iii) If NO, how does your organization intend to recruit a multi-sector coalition or group of individuals to engage in this work?

iv) If NO, or not multi-sector, please list the organizations, community partners and individuals that were involved in developing this project Proposal

3) PROPOSED ACTIVITES AND COST PROPOSAL

To be considered responsive to this NOFO, the total amount proposed must not exceed $70,000.

The evaluation process is designed to award this procurement not necessarily to the Proposer of least cost, but rather to the Proposer whose Proposal best meets the requirements of this NOFO.

However, Proposers are encouraged to submit Proposals that are consistent with state government efforts to conserve resources. Cost estimates will be used to determine deliverable payments. Final budget will be deliverable based. Proposers are required to collect and pay applicable Washington state sales and use taxes.

a) Using the Scope of Work and Cost Proposal Worksheet (Exhibit B), please provide the following:

I. Proposed activities you plan to implement.

II. Proposed deliverables (draft / final products or outputs of the proposed activities).

III. Identification of Estimated Costs. Include estimates in U.S. dollars for salaries and benefits, professional services, goods or other services, travel, supplies and non-direct administrative costs associated with the project (up to 10% of total grant award).

IV. Proposed completion date of each deliverable.

V. Explain the partner roles and responsibilities (indicate on the document if you plan to subcontract) VI. If you need assistance filling out the this document, download the Scope of Work and Cost Proposal Worksheet How To Document here.

b) Outline the proposed project timeline indicating when key activities will begin, occur, and be completed. Show a clear, realistic sequence of project activities (steps) during the performance period:

State Fiscal Year Quarter Proposed Activities

Q1: July 1 - September 30, 2025

Q2: October 1 - December 31, 2025

Q3: January 1 - March 31, 2026

Q4: April 1 – June 30, 2026

4) ORGANIZATION INFORMATION

Tell us about you (Proposer) If any answer is “no” or “not applicable”, indicate no or N/A.

a) What makes you an appropriate and effective entity to lead this work? Include your experience or understanding with the child care system. (Limit response to 200 words or less)

b) In the following areas, check the boxes to indicate the Proposer’s experience (select all that apply):

a. Analyzing data to form conclusions

b. Capital project development

c. Child care or early learning

d. Communications or marketing

e. Community capacity development

f. Community coalition or committee facilitation or participation

g. Community organizing

h. Fundraising

i. Strategic action planning

j. Workforce development

k. Other experience related to the proposed activities (list)

l. No experience in these areas

c) Proposer references: List names, telephone numbers, and e-mail addresses of three (3) business references for whom work has been accomplished and briefly describe the type of service provided to the reference. Do not include current COMMERCE staff as references. By submitting a Proposal the Proposer and any partners or agents authorize COMMERCE to contact these references and any others who, from COMMERCE’S perspective, may have pertinent information. COMMERCE may or may not contact references in its sole discretion.

a. Name , telephone , email , service provided:

b. Name , telephone , email , service provided:

https://deptofcommerce.box.com/s/qi7v86rlcj8zoe9od8h0pm1pk68dn3ke https://deptofcommerce.box.com/s/qi7v86rlcj8zoe9od8h0pm1pk68dn3ke https://deptofcommerce.box.com/s/qi7v86rlcj8zoe9od8h0pm1pk68dn3ke

c. Name , telephone , email , service provided:

d) Describe the proposed project team structure and internal controls, including any subcontractors.

Review all relevant requirements in the sample contract in Exhibit F before selecting subcontractors.

(Limit response to 200 words or less)

e) Submit an organizational chart indicating lines of authority for personnel involved in the performance of grant and relationships of staff to other programs or functions of the organization(s). This chart must also show lines of authority to the next senior level of management. Include who will have prime responsibility and final authority for the work. Chart must also include your Board members.

f) Identify staff responsibilities and amount of time assigned to proposed activities, including any subcontractors.

a. List anticipated staff responsibilities

b. This grant will support what percentage of FTE (full time equivalent) staff time? (for example one full time staff, 40 hours per week, is 1.0 FTE, and a staff working 20 hours per week is

0.5 FTE)

c. List anticipated subcontractor responsibilities, if applicable. (If not applicable, list N/A)

d. Name of lead staff:

i. If applicable, please explain why lead staff cannot be identified at this time.

g) List all contracts and award amounts the Proposer has had during the last five years that relate to child care and or the services of this NOFO. (Indicate “N/A” if not applicable)

5) Related Information

a) Identify any state employees or former state employees employed or on the firm’s governing board as of the date of the proposal. Include their position and responsibilities within the Proposer’s organization. If following a review of this information COMMERCE determines that a conflict of interest exists, the Proposer may be disqualified from further consideration,

b) If the Proposer or any known subcontractor contracted with the state of Washington during the past 24 months, indicate the name of the agency, the contract number and project description and/or other information available to identify the contract. (Indicate “N/A” if not applicable)

c) If the Proposer’s staff or subcontractor’s staff was an employee of the state of Washington during the past 24 months, or is currently a Washington State employee, identify the individual by name, the agency previously or currently employed by, job title or position held and separation date.

(Indicate “N/A” if not applicable)

If the Proposer has had a contract terminated for default in the last five years, describe such incident.

Provide full details of the terms for default including the other party's name, address, and phone number. Present the Proposer’s position on the matter. COMMERCE will evaluate the facts and may, at its sole discretion, reject the Proposal on the grounds of the past experience. (Termination for default is defined as notice to stop performance due to the Proposer’s non-performance or poor performance and the issue of performance was either (a) not litigated due to inaction on the part of the Proposer, or

(b) litigated and such litigation determined that the Proposer was in default.). If the Proposer has experienced no such termination for default in the past five years, indicate with “N/A.”

CERTIFICATIONS AND ASSURANCES (MANDATORY)

The Certifications and Assurances form (Exhibit C to this NOFO) must be signed and dated by a person authorized to legally bind the Proposer to a contractual relationship, e.g., the President or

Executive Director if a corporation, the managing partner if a partnership, or the proprietor if a sole proprietorship. Proposers wishing to submit any proposed contract edits must indicate so on this form (see Section 2.14).

4. EVALUATION AND CONTRACT AWARD

EVALUATION PROCEDURE

Responsive Proposals will be evaluated strictly in accordance with the requirements stated in this NOFO and any addenda issued. The evaluation of Proposals will be accomplished by one or more evaluation team(s) designated by COMMERCE, which will determine the ranking of the proposals.

COMMERCE, in its sole discretion, may elect to invite top-scoring Proposers as finalists for a virtual presentation or interview.

The NOFO Coordinator may contact the Proposer for clarification of any portion of their Proposal.

Proposers are not permitted to submit, resubmit, correct, or change any materials of any kind after the date and time stated in Section 2.6 SUBMISSION OF PROPOSALS.

EVALUATION BREAKDOWN

The following weighting will be assigned to each proposal section for evaluation purposes. Subsections may or may not be of equal weight.

Technical Proposal – 59% Proposer Information General Project Details Community Engagement Efforts Project Timeline Organization Information

Management Proposal – 22% Project Team Structure Internal Controls Staff Qualifications and Experience

Scope of Work and Cost Proposal Worksheet - 19%

Workers’ Rights Certification Those Proposers that certify they do not require their employees to sign an individual arbitration clause as a condition of employment will receive an extra 1% of their awarded points added to their final score (see Exhibit E).

Priority points up to 15% Proposals with clear description of intentional outreach to serve historically underserved and marginalized populations and for operating in small rural communities.

COMMERCE reserves the right to award the contract(s) to the Proposer(s) whose Proposal is deemed to be in the best interest of COMMERCE and the state of Washington.

VIRTUAL PRESENTATIONS MAY BE REQUIRED

After evaluating the written proposals COMMERCE may elect to schedule virtual presentations or interviews of top-scoring Proposers. If so, COMMERCE will contact the top-scoring Proposers from the written evaluation to schedule a date and time to meet on a platform such as Zoom or Microsoft Teams.

Any commitments made by the Proposer during a virtual presentation or interview will be considered binding.

The virtual presentations will determine the Apparent Successful Grantee(s).

5. ADDITIONAL GENERAL INFORMATION FOR PROPOSERS

PROPRIETARY INFORMATION AND PUBLIC DISCLOSURE

Proposals submitted in response to this NOFO shall become the property of COMMERCE. All Proposals received shall remain confidential until the Apparent Successful Grantee is announced;

thereafter, all Proposals are subject to disclosure as provided for in Chapter 42.56 of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW).

Any information in the proposal that the Proposer desires to claim as proprietary and exempt from disclosure under the provisions of Chapter 42.56 RCW, or other state or federal law that provides for the nondisclosure of your document, must be clearly designated. The information must be clearly identified and the particular exemption from disclosure upon which the Proposer is making the claim must be cited. Each page containing the information claimed to be exempt from disclosure must be clearly identified by the words “Proprietary Information” printed on the lower right hand corner of the page. Marking the entire proposal exempt from disclosure or as Proprietary Information will not be honored.

If a public records request is made for the information that the Proposer has marked as "Proprietary Information," COMMERCE will notify the Proposer of the request and of the date that the records will be released to the requester unless the Proposer obtains a court order enjoining that disclosure. If the Proposer fails to obtain the court order enjoining disclosure, COMMERCE will release the requested information on the date specified. If a Proposer obtains a court order from a court of competent jurisdiction enjoining disclosure pursuant to Chapter 42.56 RCW, or other state or federal law that provides for nondisclosure, COMMERCE shall maintain the confidentiality of the Proposer's information per the court order.

A charge will be made for copying and shipping as allowed by law. No fee shall be charged for inspection of contract files, but twenty-four (24) hours’ notice to the NOFO Coordinator is required. All requests for information should be directed to the NOFO Coordinator.

DIVERSE BUSINESS INCLUSION PLAN

Proposers are required to submit a Diverse Business Inclusion Plan with their Proposal describing in good faith their aspirational goals for subcontractor types. In accordance with legislative findings and policies set forth in RCW 39.19, the state of Washington encourages participation in all contracts by firms certified by the Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises (OMWBE), set forth in RCW 43.60A.200 for firms certified by the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs, and set forth in RCW 39.26.005 for firms that are Washington Small Businesses. No minimum level of minority- or women-owned business, Washington Small Businesses, or Washington State certified Veteran Business participation is required as a condition for receiving an award. Any affirmative action requirements set forth in any federal governmental rules included or referenced in the contract documents will apply.

COMMERCE has the following agency goals:

10% participation by Minority Owned Business

6% participation by Women Owned Business

5% participation by Veteran Owned Business

5% participation by Small Businesses

ACCEPTANCE PERIOD

Proposals must provide 60 days for acceptance by COMMERCE from the due date for receipt of proposals.

COMPLAINT PROCESS

Potential Proposers may submit a complaint to COMMERCE based on any of following:

a) The solicitation unnecessarily restricts competition;

b) The solicitation evaluation or scoring process is unfair; or

c) The solicitation requirements are inadequate or insufficient to prepare a response.

A complaint may be submitted to COMMERCE at any time prior to 5 days before the proposal response deadline. The complaint must meet the following requirements:

a) The complaint must be in writing;

b) The complaint must be sent to the NOFO coordinator in a timely manner;

c) The complaint should clearly articulate the basis for the complaint; and

d) The complaint should include a proposed remedy.

The NOFO coordinator will respond to the complaint in writing. The response to the complaint and any changes to the solicitation will be posted on WEBS. The Director of COMMERCE will be notified of all complaints and will be provided a copy of COMMERCE’S response. The complaint may not be raised again during the protest period. COMMERCE’S action or inaction in response to the complaint is final.

There is no appeal process.

RESPONSIVENESS

All Proposals will be reviewed by the NOFO Coordinator to determine compliance with administrative requirements and instructions specified in this NOFO. The Proposer is specifically notified that failure to comply with any part of this NOFO may result in disqualification of the Proposal as incomplete and/or non-responsive.

a) Disqualified Proposers will be notified after the announcement of the Apparent Successful Grantee(s) and be informed of the reason for disqualification

b) COMMERCE reserves the right at its sole discretion to waive minor administrative irregularities.

MOST FAVORABLE TERMS

COMMERCE reserves the right to make an award without further discussion of the Proposal submitted.

Therefore, the proposal should be submitted initially on the most favorable terms which the Proposer can propose. There will be no best and final offer procedure. COMMERCE reserves the right to contact a Proposer for clarification of its Proposal.

The Apparent Successful Grantee should be prepared to accept this NOFO for incorporation into a contract resulting from this NOFO. Contract negotiations may incorporate some, or all, of the Proposer’s Proposal. The Proposal will become a part of the official procurement file on this matter without obligation to COMMERCE.

CONTRACT GENERAL TERMS & CONDITIONS

The Apparent Successful Grantee will be expected to enter into a contract which is substantially the same as the example contract and its general terms and conditions attached as Exhibit F. This sample contract is for information and review only and should not be returned with your Proposal. In no event is a Proposer to submit its own standard contract terms and conditions in response to this NOFO. All proposed edits to the contract terms and conditions must be submitted as an attachment to Exhibit C, Certifications and Assurances form. COMMERCE will review requested edits and accept or reject the same at its sole discretion.

COSTS TO PROPOSE

COMMERCE will not be liable for any costs incurred by the Proposer in preparation of a Proposal submitted in response to this NOFO, travel to or conduct of a presentation, or any other activities related to responding to this NOFO.

NO OBLIGATION TO CONTRACT

This NOFO does not obligate the state of Washington or COMMERCE to contract for services specified herein.

REJECTION OF PROPOSALS

COMMERCE reserves the right at its sole discretion to reject any and all Proposals received without penalty and not to issue a contract as a result of this NOFO.

COMMITMENT OF FUNDS

The Director of COMMERCE or delegate is the only individual who may legally commit COMMERCE to the expenditures of funds for a contract resulting from this NOFO. No services may begin and no cost chargeable to the proposed contract may be incurred before receipt of a fully executed contract.

ELECTRONIC PAYMENT

The state of Washington prefers to utilize electronic payment in its transactions. The successful Grantee must have or obtain a Statewide Vendor Number (SWV) from the Office of Financial Management to be paid by COMMERCE. For more information, visit: www.ofm.wa.gov.

INSURANCE COVERAGE

The Grantee is to furnish COMMERCE with a certificate(s) of insurance executed by a duly authorized representative of each insurer, showing compliance with the insurance requirements set forth within the contract if requested.

The Grantee shall, at its own expense, obtain and keep in force insurance coverage which shall be maintained in full force and effect during the term of the contract. The Grantee shall furnish evidence in the form of a Certificate of Insurance that insurance shall be provided, and, if requested, a copy shall be forwarded to COMMERCE within fifteen (15) days of the contract effective date. Standard insurance requirements are included within the example contract and its special terms and conditions attached as Exhibit F.

NOTIFICATION TO PROPOSERS

COMMERCE will notify the Apparent Successful Grantee(s) of their selection…