Q and A Backup Child Care 30 Jan 2025.pdf

Backup Child Care RFI Questions and Answers 30 Jan 2025 Page 1 of 6

Backup Child Care Request for Information (RFI)

Questions and Answers

No. Question Answer

Please clarify how you are defining illnesses that impact children from attending regular child care. Are there specific guidelines?

Any child that has been denied care at a DAF Child and Youth Programs due to an infectious disease e.g. temperature over 101 degrees. Full list of defining illnesses can be found in the " Academy of Pediatrics Managing Infectious Diseases in Child Care and Schools."

Most states have licensing requirements that prohibit caring for children who are mildly ill or contagious within a center-based setting to prevent the spread of infection. Can you clarify your vision for “a certified program” where care would take place?

A certified program can include both center based care or licensed provider homes.

Would you reconsider allowing the Backup Care to be provided in a home setting from qualified caregivers– which is standard practice for mildly ill children?

A certified program can include both center based care or licensed provider homes.

Would you be open to a program that enables employees to use other military families/spouses or friends to care for an ill child and get reimbursed for some of the cost of care?

Providers associated with this program need to meet, at a minimum, the state requirements for providing this type of care.

Backup Care, which is currently provided across most federal agencies, is an APF activity. The Sources Sought description indicates that the NAF Procurement Office would be the entity issuing any procurement. Is the government anticipating that this would be a non-appropriated fund activity? If so, does it anticipate that

For this pilot, we do not anticipate any additional costs for parents.

Backup Child Care RFI Questions and Answers 30 Jan 2025 Page 2 of 6

Service members and families will be responsible for the costs?

What format do you prefer we deliver with program details and pricing?

(Doc, PDF, Excel, PowerPoint)

No preference.

How many DAF members are located in the two proposed pilot locations? If possible, can you provide numbers by zip code?

Data not available.

How many children/dependents will this program serve in each location?

(Estimate is fine)

Numbers of children estimated to use this service is approximately 1000 at JBER and 400 at Mt.

Home based on numbers of children unable to use DAF CDC's at these locations in 2024 due to illness.

What is the breakdown of DAF members who live on versus off base?

Can you provide more insight into the departments and job functions of the DAF members who will be served by this pilot?

We understand that Backup Care cannot be accomplished in the home for this pilot, but can members lean on trusted Family, Friends, or Neighbors for urgent care needs? We find this is a popular option for many organizations.

Providers associated with this program need to meet, at a minimum, the state requirements for providing this type of care.

Are you interested in learning about Backup Care options for special needs?

No

Are you interested in Backup Care options that encompass tutoring or academic support?

For this program, what is your desired structure for provider payments? We support both direct payments to providers, and employee reimbursement.

Direct payment to providers.

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Could you confirm the target launch date for the Backup Care pilot and any critical milestones or deadlines leading up to the launch?

At this time, we do not have a launch date. We are currently conducting Market Research.

What KPIs or metrics will be used to measure the success of the Backup Care pilot?

Participant rate, placement times, denials based on not meeting eligibility criteria, and availability of service requested.

What criteria are most important to you in selecting a vendor/partner?

Contractors’ ability to meet performance objectives outlined in the SOO V. Performance Objectives

Have the rate details been determined?

For example, MCCYN’s monthly ceiling of $1,800, will this program have something similar?

Current funding ceiling is based on 10 days per child during the performance period.

Will the government offer a subsidy to a participating child care facility to maintain appropriate staffing (e.g.

additional teachers, licensed physician or a licensed registered nurse)?

Will consideration for any changes needed to a child care facility to meet the state, regional, or local child care regulations for sick child care be part of the budget for this pilot?

Considering the licensing requirements in parts of Alaska require child care facilities to adhere to specific staff to child ratios, will this pilot cover these additional expenses?

Additional review of viable options would need to be considered.

Caregivers caring for sick children must meet specific additional training requirements above and beyond caring for well children. The requirements range between 40 and 60 additional hours depending upon the type of program. In the budget for this pilot, will consideration be giving to fund this training?

Providers should already have the training and experience to offer this service.

Backup Child Care RFI Questions and Answers 30 Jan 2025 Page 4 of 6

23 Can the government provide more details on how the fee assistance will work. For example, will it work like MCCYN? Will service men and women be guided to onboard through MCC.com, select the pilot and wait for approval?

Prefer payments made through Family Child Care System (FCCS). MCC.com is not the appropriate platform for this program. Refer to paragraph 6.3 of the SOO: Provide a streamlined telephonic, web based, or mobile app platform for families to find, reserve, and secure care arrangements in the local area.

If the preference of the government is to onboard through MCC.com, are secure (NIST 800 171) Information Technology Application Program Interfaces (API) available for the vendor to integrate their platform for automation and efficiency?

Refer to paragraph 6.3 of the SOO.

Based on the government’s creation of Child Care in Your Home (CCYH), has there been consideration given to a similar model with DoD approved eligibility for providers in this pilot?

Will the government consider offering a monthly or annual payment to a participating child care facilities for holding spots for this pilot program even though those spots may not be filled? This would be like MCCYN where monthly fee assistance is certified for each child based on assumed monthly attendance.

Payments will be based on actual usage.

Does the government have specific hours that the child care facilities need to be operated? For example, will the facility need to be open during the evening, overnight or weekends?

The pilot must meet the needs of currently enrolled children in CDC, School Age and Family Child Care programs (in-home.)

Can the government confirm the ages of the children these pilots need to serve?

2 weeks to 12 years.

Can the government confirm that all parts of the DoDi 6060 will be expected for this pilot?

Only sections referencing temporary short term care will be expected for this pilot.

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30 Has the government considered that Idaho (per IDAPA 16.02.10 080) does not allow sick children to be cared for in licensed child care facilities?

There is no requirement that this program/service must be offered in a center based program.

Does the government expect that all 20 child care slots are in the same child care facility?

Can the government detail its expectation related to the presence of a communicable illness? For example, in parts of Alaska, the Child Care Licensing Code outlines specific requirements for centers that provide care for sick children. These centers can operate as standalone facilities exclusively for sick child care or as components within licensed child care and educational centers, provided they have designated rooms physically separated from areas used by well children. Considering this Alaska example, is the government considering for this pilot only level 1 providers, or is it the government’s desire to include both level 1 and level 2 providers? Alaska Examples of Levels of Care:

The code distinguishes between two levels of care for sick child centers:

Level 1: Applies to centers licensed for up to eight sick children, serving those with minor illnesses or those recuperating from acute episodic illnesses. These centers do not cater to children requiring special equipment or staff. If integrated within another licensed child care center, the existing administrator can oversee the sick child component.

Level 2: Pertains to centers licensed for nine or more sick children, or those serving children with short-term

Currently, the government has no specific expectation. We are interested to see what services are available that can meet the needs of our families. No limitations but ultimately, cost may be a factor.

Backup Child Care RFI Questions and Answers 30 Jan 2025 Page 6 of 6 physical disabilities, illnesses requiring special equipment, or conditions necessitating isolation. These centers must employ an on-site administrator dedicated solely to the sick child care component and a licensed registered nurse with experience in pediatric or community health nursing.

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