RFI-Childcare-Providers Final_Updated Dates 05.28.25.pdf

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

CHILDCARE FACILITY & OPERATOR

Proposal Due Date & Time: Friday, June 20, 2025 @4:45 pm CST

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Section 1: General Information

Section 2: Participation in this RFI

Section 3: RFI Submissions

Section 4: High- Level Business Requirements

Section 5: Public Records

SECTION 1: GENERAL INFORMATION

1.1 INTRODUCTION

The Purpose of this Request for Information (RFI) is to gather market research for Auburn University and the City of Auburn to make future decisions regarding childcare in a private sector operated childcare program. Auburn University is seeking expressions of interest and a statement of capabilities from any public or private organization that is interested in offering childcare services and is capable of providing childcare infrastructure capacity. Auburn will use this RFI to gather additional information to assist us in understanding the capabilities of childcare providers that are available in the market. This RFI will identify operators who might be able to meet Auburn University and the community’s future childcare requirements.

We expect the information collected from this RFI will assist us in the creation of a future solicitation. Based on this we encourage interested parties to include helpful elements for future solicitation.

The RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes and shall not constitute a solicitation. Submissions to this notice shall not constitute offers and shall not be accepted by Auburn University to form a binding contract. Potential operators are solely responsible for all expenses associated with their response and associated travel or other presentation expenses, as applicable, to this RFI.

1.2 BACKGROUND AND PROJECT OVERVIEW

Auburn University is a public land-grant research university in Auburn, Alabama. Auburn University is recognized by U. S, New & World Report as the number one university in the state and is the second largest university in Alabama. Student enrollment is 34,145 and there are 5,493 full time employees.

Auburn, Alabama - home to Auburn University – is home to more than 82,000 residents. It serves as a hub of population, education and commercial activity in the region. The City of Auburn is routinely one of the fastest growing cities in Alabama, having more than doubled in population since 2000 and grown in population by 52% since 2010. Auburn is the largest city in Lee County, home to 183,215 residents. With this growth, Auburn has continued to see ever increasing income levels and educational attainment.

The childcare center should be intended for ages 6 weeks to age 5 for full & part-time day care.

After-school care can be considered should the facility meet licensing requirements to support this age group in addition to caring for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years.

SECTION 2: PARTICIPATION IN THIS RFI

2.1 OPERATOR PARTICIPATION

Auburn University is seeking responses from any and all operators who offer childcare services.

Responses to this section will assist us in identifying all available solutions in the market that we may want to include in opening a future Childcare Facility. It is not our intention at this time to define a solution that meets our business needs.

Responses that are submitted by the closing date of this RFI as stated in Section 3.3 and that appear to address Auburn University’s desire for a Childcare Facility may be invited to meet with the

RFI committee to present potential options. This meeting would be intended to allow the free flow of information regarding this project and offer the opportunity for operators to demonstrate their solution.

SECTION 3: RFI SUBMISSIONS

3.1 SCHEDULE

Event Date

Issue RFI Wednesday, May 14, 2025 @4:45 pm CST

Final Questions Due Friday, May 23, 2025 @4:45 pm CST

Q&A response issued Wednesday, June 4, 2025 @4:45 pm CST Deadline for Submissions Friday, June 20, 2025 @4:45 pm CST

3.2 RFI QUESTIONS/CLARIFICATIONS/SUBMISSIONS

Questions, interpretations, or clarifications of this RFI must be requested in writing. All questions should be directed to Christalyn Thomas via the Q&A Board found in the event.

SUBMISSION INFORMATION

Proposals should be submitted to the Procurement & Business Services Sourcing Event Portal on or before the time and date set for closing.

The response submitted in response to this RFI must contain the information below.

A) Cover Letter – All responses must include a cover letter addressed to the Contact Person in Section 3.2 above. At minimum, the cover letter must contain the following:

• Identification of the operator, including business name, address, and telephone number.

• Name, title, telephone number, and e-mail address of a contact person during the period of response evaluation.

B) Qualifications, Related Experience, References, Fees

• Describe your experience and qualifications for providing childcare, include your Childcare License Number. Please note that an operator holding an Early Learning Program Accreditation through the National Association for the Education of Young Children is preferred.

• Describe how you plan to work with Auburn University and the City of Auburn Officials in the opening of the Childcare Facility.

• Provide 3 references.

• Describe your fee structure, including:

a) Sample rates

i. Full-Time (ages 0-2)

ii. Part-Time (ages 0-2)

iii. Full-time (ages 2.5 – 5)

iv. Part-Time (ages 2.5-5)

v. After School (ages 5-10)

SECTION 4: HIGH LEVEL BUSINESS REQUIREMENTS

Please describe how the operator can address these high-level requirements:

• Ability of operator to prioritize and manage the childcare needs of Auburn University employees and Lee County residents.

• Ability of operator to factor minimal facility costs into fee and rate structure.

• Ability of operator to hire and manage staff appropriate for a Childcare setting.

SECTION 5: PUBLIC RECORDS

5.1. This RFI is subject to the requirements of the State of Alabama Public Records Law, and the University may receive public records requests for related documents.

5.2. No portion(s) of any RFI submission is confidential, notwithstanding a operator clearly and conspicuously designating such portion(s) as confidential, proprietary, or otherwise. Such designation must include an explanation of the legal basis for exemption of the specific materials from public records disclosure requirements. Materials not clearly marked as exempt from disclosure and/or which lack the required disclosure exemption explanation will be subject to disclosure in response to public records requests.

5.3. Auburn University will endeavor in good faith to honor appropriate requests for exemption from disclosure, but Auburn University reserves the right to make its own determination of whether submission documents are designated as exempt from disclosure requirements are in fact legally exempt. Auburn University makes no representations or assurances to operators that submissions documents designated by operators as exempt will not be disclosed in response to public records requests.

5.4. By submitting an RFI Submission, the vendor accepts and agrees to the conditions of this Section and to hold harmless Auburn University, and its officers, employees, and agents for disclosure of Bid and contract documents that they deem to be required by law.