EASTERN OREGON UNIVERSITY – REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Nutrition and Wellness Coach Services for Early Head Start & Head Start

RFP #2025-26-05

ISSUING OFFICE / POINT OF CONTACT

Robert Kleng, Director Eastern Oregon University Head Start One University Blvd, La Grande, OR 97850 Email: rkleng@eou.edu | Phone: 541-786-9025

INTRODUCTION

Eastern Oregon University Head Start (EOUHS) is issuing this Request for Proposals (RFP) to contract with a qualified Nutrition and Wellness Coach to coordinate and deliver nutrition, wellness, and healthy living supports for staff, families, and children during the 2025–2026 school year.

EOUHS serves children ages 0–5 and their families across rural Eastern Oregon. Our mission is to foster school readiness by supporting the growth and development of children through high-quality, family-centered services.

The selected contractor will support classroom and family implementation of the Dr. Yum’s Food Adventure curriculum and We Can! (Ways to Enhance Children’s Activity and Nutrition) programming, and will deliver staff and family wellness coaching aligned with Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS).

AGENCY OVERVIEW

Eastern Oregon University Head Start provides comprehensive early learning services including:

• Head Start and Preschool Promise preschool services (ages 3–5), 205 children

• Early Head Start services (pregnant women, infants,and toddlers), 24 center-based, 40 home-based.

• Family services and case management

• Health, nutrition, and disability supports

EOUHS is part of Eastern Oregon University, Oregon’s Rural University, serving families in communities with high need, limited access to health and wellness services, and diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds.

SOLICITATION PROCEDURES

This RFP will become part of the Contract between EOU and the selected contractor(s). The contractor(s) will be bound to perform according to the terms of this RFP, their Proposal(s), and EOU’s terms and conditions.

EOU’s General Terms and Conditions are available at:

https://www.eou.edu/busserv/files/2025/02/EOU-Standard-Terms-and-Conditions-FIN-2 024-12-09-v2.pdf

EOU reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, request additional information, modify the scope of work, and award the contract in a manner deemed in the best interest of the University.

PROPOSAL SUBMISSION

Submission Method: Electronic submission via email.

Attach one (1) original proposal (preferably a single PDF).

Email subject line: “Response to RFP#2025-26-05–Nutrition and Wellness Coach.”

Proposals delayed or lost due to email system filtering or failures may be considered at EOU’s discretion. It is the proposer’s responsibility to ensure proposals arrive by the closing date and time.

All correspondence regarding proposals must be in writing (email) to the contact person below, they are the sole point of contact regarding this RFP. Proposals must be submitted electronically by ----------- (3pm PST) to:

Robert Kleng, Director Eastern Oregon University Head Start Email: rkleng@eou.edu Phone: 541-786-9025 Address: One University Blvd, La Grande, OR 97850

No late proposals will be accepted.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Issue Date 10/30/2025 Clarifying Questions Due 11/07/2025 https://www.eou.edu/busserv/files/2025/02/EOU-Standard-Terms-and-Conditions-FIN-2024-12-09-v2.pdf https://www.eou.edu/busserv/files/2025/02/EOU-Standard-Terms-and-Conditions-FIN-2024-12-09-v2.pdf

Closing / Submission Date 11/14/2025 12:00PM PT Anticipated Award Date 11/19/2025 Contract Start Date 11/20/2025

PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS

Proposals must include:

• Letter of Interest describing the proposer’s qualifications, relevant experience, and approach to delivering the Scope of Work outlined in this RFP.

• Resume or CV demonstrating education, credentials, and relevant experience.

• Detailed proposal narrative describing how the proposer will meet the objectives in the Scope of Work, including:

– Coaching, training, and evaluation approach

– Implementation plan for Dr. Yum’s Food Adventure and We Can! programming

– Methods for ensuring program fidelity and adapting to diverse contexts

– Strategies for collaboration with staff, families, and community partners

• Detailed fee proposal (hourly or flat rate), inclusive of travel, materials, and all other costs.

• Three client references with contact information.

• Completed Bidder/Proposer Tax Laws and Non-Discrimination Certification (Exhibit A).

• Federal Tax ID and Oregon Business Registry Number (or explanation if not required).

SCOPE OF WORK

The Nutrition and Wellness Coach shall provide services that include, but are not limited to:

1. Classroom Curriculum Coaching – Dr. Yum’s Food Adventure

• Support teachers implementing Dr. Yum’s Food Adventure curriculum.

• Coordinate rollout of classroom kits, lesson materials, and training modules.

• Provide coaching on lesson planning, food experiences, and nutrition education.

• Ensure fidelity to Dr. Yum’s evidence-based model and alignment with ELOF.

2. Staff and Family Wellness Training – We Can!

• Deliver We Can! training to Family Service Specialists.

• Coach staff to lead workshops and home visits with We Can! activities.

• Provide technical assistance for family engagement effectiveness.

3. Staff Wellness and Leadership Coaching

• Offer coaching and workshops for lead teachers and Family Service Specialists.

• Support staff well-being and retention initiatives through wellness planning.

4. Coordination and Reporting

• Develop and maintain implementation and coaching schedules.

• Submit monthly summaries of coaching activities, participation, and feedback.

• Support evaluation data collection for continuous quality improvement.

5. Partnership Coordination with WIC and OSU Extension

• Collaborate with Family Services to align with WIC and OSU Extension resources.

6. Program Evaluation and Continuous Improvement

• Design and implement pre/post evaluations for staff and families.

• Provide recommendations based on data analysis to strengthen program sustainability.

CONSULTANT QUALIFICATIONS

• Degree or certification in nutrition, dietetics, health education, wellness coaching, or related field.

• Minimum three years’ experience in nutrition education or early childhood wellness.

• Experience with Head Start preferred.

• Demonstrated familiarity with Dr. Yum’s Food Adventure and/or We Can! preferred.

• Enrolled in Oregon Central Background Registry.

• Valid Oregon driver’s license and ability to travel to EOUHS sites.

EVALUATION AND SELECTION CRITERIA – TOTAL POINTS 115

Experience & Expertise 25 Knowledge of Nutrition/Wellness Curricula 25 Training & Coaching Capacity 15 Credentials & Qualifications 15 Cost Proposal 15 References 5

TOTAL 100

GENERAL PROVISIONS

This RFP is subject to Eastern Oregon University’s General RFP Provisions. By submitting a proposal, the Proposer agrees to be bound by this RFP, their response, and EOU’s Terms and Conditions. Work may not begin until insurance requirements are met, the protest period has passed, and a Notice to Proceed is issued.

EXHIBIT A

BIDDER/PROPOSOR TAX LAWS AND NON-

DISCRIMINATION CERTIFICATION

I, the undersigned, have read all of the terms and conditions of this Request for Bid, and I understand that if awarded the contract, I and the firm represented herein shall be bound by its terms and conditions and representations made in this response. I certify that Proposer has not discriminated against minority, women or emerging small business enterprises in obtaining any required subcontracts.

Business Designation (check one):

□ Corporation ☐ Partnership

□ Sole Proprietorship ☐ Governmental/Non-Profit

□ Limited Partnership ☐ Limited Liability Partnership

□ Limited Liability Company

MWESB Certification For statistical purposes only, please indicate if your firm is certified in Oregon as one of the following:

□ Emerging Small Business (ESB)

□ Minority-owned Business Enterprise (MBE)

□ Women-owned Business Enterprise (WBE)

□ Service-Disabled Veteran-owned Small Business (SDV)

□ Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE or ACDBE)

Certificate of Compliance with Tax Laws I, the undersigned, (check one)

□ hereby certify under penalty of perjury that I am not in violation of any Oregon Tax laws,

□ hereby certify under penalty of perjury that I am authorized to act on behalf of Contractor and, to the best of my knowledge, Contractor is not in violation of any Oregon tax laws.

For purposes of this certification, “Oregon Tax Laws” means a state tax imposed by ORS 320.005 to 320.150 and 403.200 to 403.250, ORS Chapters 118, 314, 316, 317, 318, 321 and 323; the elderly rental assistance program under ORS 310.630 to 310.706; and local taxes administered by the Oregon Department of Revenue under

ORS 305.620

Signature: Date:

Name: Title:

Firm:

Address:

City/State/Zip: Phone: ( )

Email: Fax: