F1743871449_RFPWorkforceClassroomMaterials0309022_.pdf

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL FOR CLASSROOM MATERIALS

March 10, 2022 – March 30, 2022

Inquiries and proposals should be directed to:

Theon Salley Regional Quality Coordinator

Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County

6302 E. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.

Suite 100

Tampa, FL 33619 813-515-2340 tsalley@elchc.org

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

A. Purpose. This request for proposal (RFP) is to contract for classroom materials.

B. Who May Respond. Any U.S.-based contractor who provides early childhood materials, equipment and furnishings.

C. Instructions on Proposal Submission.

1. Closing Submission Date. Proposals must be submitted no later than noon EST on Wednesday, March 30, 2022.

2. Inquiries. Inquiries concerning this RFP should be emailed to:

Theon Salley Regional Quality Specialist tsalley@elchc.org

3. Conditions of Proposal. All costs incurred in the preparation of a proposal responding to this RFP will be the responsibility of the Offeror and will not be reimbursed by the Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County, It is the responsibility of the Offeror to ensure that the proposal is received by the Coalition by the date and time specified above. Late proposals will not be considered.

In order to ensure a fair review and selection process, personnel submitting proposals are specifically requested not to make other contacts with Coalition staff or members of the Board of Directors regarding this proposal. Failure to comply with this request will result in disqualification of the proposal.

4. Right to Reject. The Coalition reserves the right to reject any and all proposals received in response to this RFP. A contract for the accepted proposal will be drafted based upon the factors described in the RFP.

5. Minority-Owned Businesses. Efforts will be made by the Coalition to utilize woman, minority and/or service-disabled veteran owned businesses.

6. Notification of Award. It is expected that a decision selection will be made within two (2) weeks of the closing date for the receipt of proposals. Upon conclusion of final negotiations, all Offerors submitting proposals to this

Request for Proposal will be informed about the selection decision. If both parties cannot agree on prices for a formal contract, the work will be rebid.

II. DESCRIPTION OF ENTITY. The Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County was created in response to the School Readiness Act (s. 411.01, Florida Statutes (FS)) in 2000 and is dedicated to ensuring quality early care and education for children in Hillsborough County. The Coalition is a nonprofit corporation which has been determined to be exempt from Federal income tax under Section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

The project included in this RFP will be funded 100% from federal funds, with disclosure to comply with Public Law (P.L.) 103-333, s. 508.

Mission: The Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County provides children, birth to 5 years, high quality, equitable and inclusive early learning experiences preparing them for success in school and life through the collaboration of families, educators and the community.

III. SCOPE OF SERVICES NEEDED. The Coalition seeks to contract for the purchase and delivery of early childhood materials and/or furnishings to early childhood programs in Hillsborough County for the purpose of providing incentives to newly contracted School Readiness providers. The Early Learning Workforce 2022 funding will cover the costs of the materials/kits and shipping for each new provider agreeing to participate and receive Early Learning Workforce grant funding. The Coalition seeks to contract with a vendor of early childhood materials with the capability to provide a wide variety of early childhood materials and equipment, with systems in place for timely delivery of those materials and furnishings. The proposal should include delivery fees, any discounts that may apply to orders that are placed, and approximate costs for enhancing or creating specific developmental play areas inside early learning environments.

IV. CONTRACT ETHICS.

1. No employee of the Coalition who exercises any responsibilities in the review, approval, or implementation of the proposal or contract shall participate in any decisions, which affects his or her direct or indirect personal or financial interest.

2. It is a breach of ethical standards for any person to offer, give or agree to give any Coalition employee, Board of Director, or for any Coalition employee, or Board of Director to solicit, demand, accept, or agree to accept from another person, a gratuity or an offer of employment whenever a reasonably prudent person would conclude that such consideration was motivated by an individual, group or corporate desire to obtain special, preferential, or more favorable treatment than is normally accorded to the general public.

V. PROPOSAL SUBMISSION. Proposals received after the deadline will not be accepted. It is neither Coalition’s responsibility nor practice acknowledging receipt of any proposal. It is the responder’s responsibility to assure that a proposal is received in a timely manner.

The Coalition reserves the right to reject any and all proposals, to waive irregularities and informalities, to request additional information from all respondents, and further reserves the right to select the proposal which furthers the best interests of the Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County.

Each proposal shall be considered binding and in effect for a period of ninety (90) days following the proposal opening.

VI. PROPOSAL CONTENTS. Competitive bidders are encouraged to submit proposals with related pricing. Orders will be placed by early childhood program staff, and invoices will be paid by the ELC upon fulfillment of all in-stock items on the invoice. Interested parties are required to respond by providing a cover letter to include all company incentives and discounts along with a list of materials and prices needed to create the below listed play areas or subject area kits. All proposals should include all items to be included in each of the play area packages or kits listed and should not exceed $2,000.00 after all discounts have been applied.

Infants (6weeks-18mths) Toddlers (16-36mths) Preschool (36-48mths)

Infant STEM Kit Toddler STEM Kit PreK STEM Kit Infant Gross Motor Kit Toddler Gross Motor Kit Preschool Gross Motor Kit Infant Fine Motor Kit Toddler Fine Motor Kit Preschool Fine Motor Kit Infant Literacy Kit Toddler Literacy Kit Preschool Literacy Kit Infant Sensory Kit Toddler Art/Sensory Kit Preschool Art/Sensory Kit Infant Music & Movement Kit Toddler Music & Movement

Kit Preschool Music & Movement Kit

Infant Dramatic Play Area Toddler Dramatic Play Area Preschool Dramatic Play area

Infant Book Nook Toddler Cozy Area Preschool Cozy Area Infant Selfcare/Diapering Area Toddler Block Area Preschool Block Area

Science Area Science Area *Play areas may include at least one carpet/area rug, 1 storage shelf and/or table w/ chairs.

VII. RFP SCORING. Proposals will be scored based on the following attributes and weights:

Attribute Weight Item Cost 30% Free shipping and discounts 30% Demonstrated experience with child development 20% Ability to meet timelines and provide special services 10% Minority-Owned Business 10%

100%