DQ1 QAAA 2027000019

Quality Improvement System (QIS) Refresh Project Support

Amendment #01

The purpose of this Amendment #01 is to incorporate the list of questions and answers (Q&A) received by the inquiry deadline, to the Documented Quote (DQ) document. Please refer to all the questions and answers below.

Questions and Answers

1. Is CDEC actively engaged with a vendor/contractor currently on QIS Refresh Support work?

Is there an incumbent contractor working with CDEC on QIS Refresh activities?

A: No, there is not an incumbent contractor at this time. Several existing reports will be shared with the selected vendor upon execution of the purchase order. Please see the answer to question #21.

2. Can CDEC provide the anticipated budget range, funding ceiling, or not-to-exceed amount for this procurement?

A: This is a competitive solicitation, and CDEC is requesting each vendor send their most competitive bid to complete the requested work.

3. Regarding Exhibit A, Statement of Work, the Scope of Work indicates the vendor shall support maintaining a comprehensive master schedule which integrates CDEC internal milestones. Could CDEC share these internal milestones with potential vendors to aid in the development of the proposed work plan?

A: CDEC understands that prospective vendors may not have insight into all expected timelines at the time of proposal. The proposal narrative should demonstrate the prospective vendor’s approach to project management and provide an outline of their approach to the work. The selected vendor will be able to workshop their proposed project management timeline with the team as part of the kickoff process after purchase order execution. CDEC recently presented at the Program, Quality, Alignment, and Access

Subcommittee related to the Interim Rating Process, QIS refresh timeline, and pilot implementation. Review slides 17-46 in this presentation for more background. Please also review the answer to question 19.

4. Does the required Signature Page count towards the 10 page quote limit, or can this signature page be excluded from the page limit, and be included as a preface to our DQ response?

A: The Signature Page does not count toward the 10-page limit, nor does the Exhibit A

Statement of Work, Exhibit B Budget, or references. The page limit applies to the proposal narrative.

5. Is there a budget range or maximum budget that can be shared to guide proposal development?

A: Please see the answer to question #2.

6. Are there specific criteria and/or points that will be used to assess each proposal section?

How will the budget be scored?

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1A2iAd1dq_iN0sds4D8jbuiY-6Jqi3pDDKYhCLicydHI/edit?usp=sharing

A: Per Section 7.0, “How Quotes Are Evaluated,” cost is identified as the primary factor in reviewing quotes for this solicitation, while the preferred criteria sections are designated to carry greater weight in the evaluation.

7. What is the expected decision date on awards?

A: This solicitation closes August 7, 2026 at 2pm. CDEC intends to review quotes in a timely fashion upon closure. The intention is to extend an intent to award before the end of August, and begin work by 10/1/26, but dates are subject to change.

8. What is the expected award date?

A: Please see the answer to question #7.

9. Has an RFP for Quality Improvement System (QIS) Refresh Project Support been previously released? If so, who holds the current and/or past contract(s)?

A: Please see the answer to question 1.

10. Are there any caps on indirect costs?

A: The current de minimis rate utilized for the state is 15% for indirect costs. However, if the vendor has a separate federally negotiated or state negotiated rate, CDEC will honor

it. Conversely, prospective vendors can also elect to take a lower indirect rate.

11. Can minimum insurance coverage limits be fulfilled with an umbrella insurance policy?

A: Minimum insurance coverage limits can be fulfilled with an umbrella insurance policy.

If the policy is less than the required limit but includes an umbrella to make up the requirement, this is acceptable

12. The outline for RFP’s Quote Content references the provision of a project example. Is the

CDEC seeking a tangible example of a project deliverable? If so, would the example be excluded from the 10-page limit?

A: CDEC is requesting a summary in the proposal narrative of a previous project that demonstrates experience with this type of project. A full example of previous work is not required.

13. Is there a preference and/or a breakdown of the expected % of work to be delivered virtually and in-person?

A: CDEC conducts most of its work virtually, and expects that a majority of this work will be completed virtually as well. The vendor may propose in-person meetings in their project proposal if it provides a more effective/efficient way to complete the deliverables. Interest holder feedback sessions can be completed virtually to ensure statewide reach. Please detail the opportunities for virtual versus in-person sessions in your project narrative.

14. Is there an expected number of in-person feedback sessions and virtual feedback sessions?

If so, what is it?

A: Please see the answer to question #13.

15. Is the selected vendor expected to facilitate geographically dispersed, in-person sessions as part of the engagement? If so, how many?

A: Please see the answer to question #13.

16. How much money is currently dedicated to supporting implementation of the QRIS?

A: The state currently allocates quality improvement funding in several ways. Early

Childhood Council contracts include $9,755,226 in funding from several sources, and CDEC has approximately $4,400,000 appropriated for quality improvement funding for programs, and $686,000 for the Expanding Quality in Infant/Toddler Care Initiative.

17. What are the priorities for ensuring culturally and linguistically responsive standards of quality within the new system?

A: CDEC is committed to ensuring that children and families from all backgrounds and communities experience a quality system that is welcoming, relevant, and fair. Priorities for a refreshed system include addressing service gaps and barriers to access.

18. How many languages will be needed for feedback sessions engaging:

● Providers across the mixed-delivery system?

● Early childhood educators and workforce members?

● Families using Colorado Shines

● Rural, mountain, and frontier community representatives

● What is the total number and percentage of providers that currently participate in the

QRIS?

A: CDEC has typically hosted sessions with English and Spanish options, and we are open to supporting simultaneous interpretation or separate meetings dedicated by language.

Please detail your approaches in your proposal narrative and Exhibit A Statement of Work.

19. There is a reference to “technology system update timelines” in Exhibit A. Can the technology systems in reference be clarified?

A: CDEC uses the Salesforce Platform to collect information on programs and publish information on its websites. Typically, there is a 6-9 month development process to plan and implement a technical enhancement that changes functionality (such as program applications, scoring systems, etc.). These timelines will need to be included in the project management plan as a result of decisions made during the QIS design process.

20. Has the state defined what is essential (e.q., quality standards) to be centralized/standardized across the state and what elements of implementation are decided at the local level? If so, can that be provided?

A: Those decisions have yet to be made and will be part of the QIS design process.

21. Can CDEC clarify what materials will be provided to the selected vendor (e.g., stakeholder feedback summaries, landscape analysis, prior Colorado Shines evaluations, existing implementation plans, data analyses) and approximately when those materials will be available?

A: CDEC has several reports that can be provided to the selected vendor at the time of purchase order execution, including interest holder feedback summaries, landscape analysis, and cost analyses for Colorado Shines. The vendor may request data around QRIS participation as part of the project, and those can be delivered throughout the project period. Prospective vendors can propose any data needs in their proposal narrative and request delivery timelines for CDEC’s consideration.

22. Does CDEC have an anticipated number of stakeholder engagement sessions, advisory meetings, or regional listening sessions the selected vendor should plan for as part of this engagement?

A: In the Exhibit A template, CDEC has recommended a minimum of five targeted sessions. The prospective vendor can provide additional details on how those would be conducted in their proposal, as well as their proposed volume if you plan to exceed the minimum recommendation.

23. Does CDEC anticipate that the selected vendor will design only the pilot approach, or will the vendor also be expected to support implementation or evaluation of the pilot during this contract period?

A: The initial performance period for this purchase order will be from the time of purchase order execution through June 30, 2027. This will not provide enough time to start a pilot process. However, CDEC has the discretion to renew agreements with vendor partners based on performance and cost.