RFP 2024-63 Addendum 1 QA FINAL Responses.pdf

RFP #2024-63 ADDENDUM NO. 1 Page 1 of 3

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

BUREAU OF CONTRACTS, GRANTS AND PROCUREMENT

MANAGEMENT SERVICES

325 West Gaines Street 344 Turlington Building

Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400

Addendum #1

BID NO.: RFP 2024-63

GOLD SEAL QUALITY CARE PROGRAM

November 21, 2023

This addendum is being issued to provide the Answers to Questions submitted timely by vendors during the Question and Answers period.

Please be advised all questions are keyed as submitted.

1. What are the current and projected numbers of new and renewal applications you expect to process each month/year?

Answer: For this fiscal year 22-23 there were 745 applications processed ranging from 39-111 per month. There were no new accrediting association applications received in the months of January and July. There are currently 16 approved accrediting associations that will renew between 3 to 5 years. During the fiscal year 22-23, there were 24 information requests regarding the association approval process from accrediting associations.

2. What are the specific service levels, quality criteria, and key performance indicators you will use to measure and evaluate my team's performance?

Answer: Quality customer service and timely processing of applications is priority. It is expected to return phone calls and emails within 48 business hours. Performance measures are:

a. Staff support to existing and potential Gold Seal Quality Care Accrediting Associations and evaluations and approval of their Gold Seal applications: The minimum performance measure for this deliverable shall be meeting 85% of the applicable service tasks associated with task within this RFP and resulting contract during a given invoice reporting month.

b. Staff support to existing and potential Gold Seal Quality Care child care providers and evaluation and approval of their Gold Seal applications: The minimum performance measure for this deliverable shall be meeting 95% of the applicable service tasks associated with task within this RFP and resulting contract during a given invoice reporting month.

RFP #2024-63 ADDENDUM NO. 1 Page 2 of 3

3. Can you provide more details on the technical capabilities of your current systems and how you expect a new application portal to integrate?

Answer: The contractor will have access to the DCF Child Care Administration, Regulation and Enforcement System (CARES) DELs SharePoint. With this access, the contractor will utilize CARES to review the provider’s inspection history for 2 years preceding the application date to determine if the provider is compliant with the requirements in s. 1002.945, F.S., to be eligible for the Gold Seal Quality Care Program. If it is determined that the provider is eligible after reviewing the inspection history, then the contractor will approve the application and issue the Gold Seal Quality Care designation certificate to the provider, as well as update the CARES database. With the contractor having access to DELs SharePoint, the contractor will be able to upload documents for DELs access and review. The contractor can store any documents needed to be maintained within SharePoint as well.

4. Do you have a budget or price range in mind for this work?

Answer: Yes

5. Can you provide an overview of the end-to-end application and review processes, highlighting any challenges?

Answer: The contractor will receive the provider application via email (typically), review the accreditation documentation and the inspection history for the provider, make a determination of eligibility, and issue an approval or denial letter along with any other supporting documents.

Challenges with determining provider eligibility may arise with violations issued from a Local Licensing Agency who have their own set of standards that must be mapped to DCF standards.

The contractor will also receive accrediting association applications via email (typically). A review committee of at least 3 people must be assembled to conduct a review of the associations standards that are cross-walked with the Gold Seal Quality Care standards to ensure an overall compliance percentage of 85% or higher to be approved as a Gold Seal Quality Care Accrediting Association.

Potential proposers have 72 hours from posting of addenda to protest the requirements of each addendum. Failure to file a protest within the time prescribed in Section 120.57(3), Florida Statutes, or failure to post the bond or other security required by law within the time allowed for filing a bond shall constitute a waiver of proceedings under Chapter 120, Florida Statutes.

YOUR PROPOSAL WILL NOT BE COMPLETE WITHOUT THIS PAGE SIGNED AND INCLUDED!

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RFP #2024-63 ADDENDUM NO. 1 Page 3 of 3

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