FY26 Summer Step Up Program for Young Learners SOW | SRF# 260101 FY26 Summer Step Up Program for Young Learners Scope of Work March 2, 2026 March 11, 2026

Amended March 11, 2026 – Amendments to this scope are in red. Amendment to be published on COMMBUYS: March 12, 2026:

· ANTICIPATED TIMELINE, PRODUCT DELIVERABLES, AND PAYMENT SCHEDULE SECTION (pp. 9-10): the dates in Year One have been updated.

· PROPOSAL SUBMISSION AND DEADLINE SECTION (p. 14): the due date has been changed from March 16, 2026 to March 25, 2026.

Dear Interested Parties, The Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) is seeking to contract with a qualified vendor to support public school districts with implementing a summer step-up program for children who are entering preschool to second grade. Specifically, the selected vendor will support approximately fifty (50) public school districts to implement summer programming that meets minimum criteria set forth by the Department and, if necessary, manage approximately up to eight (8) technical assistance organizations to provide expertise across a range of focus areas, including social-emotional learning, arts education, early literacy, and other key domains. In partnership with the community-based organizations (CBOs), the public school districts would apply for support aligned to their identified priorities as they design coordinated summer learning models and related professional development.

All costs are subject to change based on EEC’s ongoing conversations with the Executive Office for Education (EOE) and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) regarding the targeted outcomes and populations for this program.

Contract Timeframe Maximum Contract Timeframe: April 1, 2026 (or signature date) to December 31, 2028 Maximum Total Contract: Up to $15,169,942 over four (4) fiscal years, subject to appropriations.

This contract has an initial duration of approximately three (3) months, starting on or about April 1, 2026 and ending on June 30, 2026, with three (3) options to renew (FY27, FY28, and FY29), subject to state allotment and appropriation. As a condition of approving the FY27, FY28, and FY29 renewal contracts, EEC will require that the selected vendor has satisfactorily completed the Required Services and complied with the Reporting Requirements from the previous fiscal year.

Note: If additional funds become available during the contract duration period, EEC reserves the right to increase the maximum obligation to the selected vendor or to execute contracts with vendors not funded in the initial selection process, subject to available funding, satisfactory contract performance and service or commodity need.

Context Overview The Summer Step Up Program for Young Learners (hereinafter referred to as “SSUP”) historically was created during the COVID-19 pandemic to provide families with young children with in-person learning opportunities during the summer months prior to the resumption of school schedules in the fall. During FY21, EEC deemed this program as a critical tool for transitioning young children back to the traditional classroom settings and mitigating the learning loss experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly during the critical early years where learning is focused on foundational skills that have a life-long impact on academic achievement. SSUP required local collaboration between public school districts and community-based organizations (CBOs) around summer programming for children in the preschool to second grade years.

Alignment of SSUP and CPPI:

For FY26, EEC endeavors to further align SSUP with the Commonwealth Preschool Partnership Initiative (CPPI) since both programs focus on local collaboration around programming between the public school districts and CBOs. CPPI is a key component of Governor Healey’s “Gateway to Pre-k” agenda and provides community-level funding to expand universally accessible high quality preschool opportunities – for all children and families – within the mixed delivery system. The Healey Administration has focused on expanding CPPI in Gateway Cities and rural areas, with an overall goal of reaching all cities and towns.

According to CPPI’s Mission Statement, EEC intends to accomplish the following:

1. Promote collaborative partnerships with diverse stakeholders across preschool settings, with a focus toward communities with social and economic challenges.

2. Implement sustainable models that build capacity and increase access to preschool programs that meet high standards for quality and curriculum.

3. Provide direct special education services to children in their respective preschool programs.

SSUP Strategies:

To support local community collaboration around summer programming for children in the preschool to second grade years, EEC will invest in the following strategies through the selected vendor:

1. Prioritize supporting those thirty (30) communities that are currently receiving CPPI funding. See table below:

* = Gateway City

Note: the SSUP funding should be focused on supplementing, not supplanting CPPI summer programming (e.g., extending summer programming to those non-CPPI classrooms; extending summer programming to new potential CBO partners; extending programming hours to traditional summer school sessions offered through public school districts, etc.).

The selected vendor should prioritize SSUP funding as follows:

a. Current CPPI Grantees/Previous SSUP Grantees[footnoteRef:2] who received SSUP funding last summer (2025) (see Venn Diagram below) will have first priority: [2: “Previous SSUP Grantees” are the following twenty-nine (29) communities: Attleboro, Boston, Chelsea, Everett, Fitchburg, Framingham, Haverhill, Holyoke, Hoosac Valley Regional School District, Lawrence, Leominster, Lynn, Marshfield, North Adams, North Berkshire School Union, Northampton, Peabody, Randolph, Revere, Salem, Somerville, Southbridge, Southern Berkshire Regional School District, Springfield, Stoneham, Taunton, Waltham, Winthrop, and Worcester.]

[The communities in blue will be new to SSUP funding; the communities in purple are current CPPI grantees who are also SSUP grantees; and the communities in red are the remaining SSUP grantees (non-CPPI grantees)]

b. If there are remaining funds, first-time applicants who are Gateway Cities[footnoteRef:3] will have second priority [3: “Gateway Cities” are defined, pursuant to Chapter 23A, Section 3A, as municipalities with population greater than 35,00 and less than 250,000; median household income below the state average; and a rate of educational attainment of a bachelor’s degree or above that is below the state average. The following twenty-six (26) communities are identified as Gateway Cities: Attleboro, Barnstable, Brockton, Chelsea, Chicopee, Everett, Fall River, Fitchburg, Haverhill, Holyoke, Lawerence, Leominster, Lowell, Lynn, Malden, Methuen, New Bedford, Peabody, Pittsfield, Quincy, Revere, Salem, Springfield, Taunton, Westfield, and Worcester. ]

c. If there are still remaining funds, first-time applicants who are not Gateway Cities will have third priority

2. Participate in regular meetings with EEC’s CPPI Team. These meetings will offer opportunities for the selected vendor to provide updates on outreach and implementation activities related to the CPPI-funded communities to EEC’s CPPI Team.

3. Offer a basic framework to the public school districts/communities on summer programming parameters eligible for support and community funding (i.e., the six week schedule proposed in Appendix A: Overview of Summer Step Up Program for Young Learners - see Appendix A for more information).

4. Offer models, templates, and budget outlines for the program to make it easy for communities to deploy this type of strategy over the summer months.

5. If necessary, engage up to eight (8) technical assistance organizations decided on in collaboration with EEC to offer content and appropriate professional supports for the implementation of a high-quality six week program, including implementing a rigorous and developmentally appropriate curriculum across settings or partners.

6. Offer data analysis support at the local level to help identify target populations for services, outreach to families across systems, and identify where else families may be getting services and design strategies to reach those populations.

7. Provide consultation support to ensure community collaboration across identified settings used by families (i.e., schools, camps, child care), adapt materials and strategies offered by partners to specific community context, and provide any other technical assistance needed for implementation of expanded summer learning opportunities within the community.

Implementation Framework The proposed partnership strategy outlined above is aimed at providing effective and efficient support to public school district efforts for creating expanded summer learning opportunities for children in collaboration with community partners and an orientation towards family needs. The structure is designed to be implemented on a short timeline with limited EEC or DESE capacity. More detail on this strategy is below:

· Like CPPI, public school districts will be the lead applicant, and parameters would be set to encourage robust collaboration across community-based organization partners (child care, camps, local rec centers, etc.).

· The application process may be launched early to mid-April.

· If necessary, manage approximately up to eight (8) technical assistance organizations to provide expertise across a range of focus areas, including social-emotional learning, arts education, early literacy, and other key domains. The public school districts and communities would be to apply for support aligned to their identified priorities as they design coordinated summer learning models and related professional development.

Figure 1: SSUP Workflow

Required Services During the contract term, the selected vendor must provide the following services:

EEC’s CPPI Team Participation

1. Participate in regular check-in meetings with EEC’s CPPI Team. EEC’s CPPI Team is a cross-agency group composed of members from the following Departments/Units:

a. Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s (DESE) Early Learning Unit

b. EEC’s District and Community-based Partnerships Unit

c. EEC’s Family and Community Quality Unit

d. EEC’s Behavioral Health Unit

e. EEC’s Early Literacy Unit

f. EEC’s Data Analytics Unit

2. Provide updates on the implementation of SSUP programming, indicating progress on services and any barriers encountered.

3. Serve as a thought partner on how to improve SSUP programming throughout the life of the contract.

Community Outreach Strategies

1. Utilize an application for SSUP services (see Appendix B) and distribute it to the CPPI-funded communities and the previous SSUP Grantees who received SSUP funding last summer (2025) to initiate the SSUP application process. Should there appear to be additional funding, the selected vendor may conduct additional outreach to the following communities in order of priority: (a) first-time applicants who are Gateway Cities[footnoteRef:4], (b) first-time applicants who are not Gateway Cities. [4: “Gateway Cities” are defined, pursuant to Chapter 23A, Section 3A, as municipalities with population greater than 35,00 and less than 250,000; median household income below the state average; and a rate of educational attainment of a bachelor’s degree or above that is below the state average. The following twenty-six (26) communities are identified as Gateway Cities: Attleboro, Barnstable, Brockton, Chelsea, Chicopee, Everett, Fall River, Fitchburg, Haverhill, Holyoke, Lawerence, Leominster, Lowell, Lynn, Malden, Methuen, New Bedford, Peabody, Pittsfield, Quincy, Revere, Salem, Springfield, Taunton, Westfield, and Worcester. ]

2. Support strategies to identify children to participate in the program, including assistance with conducting individual outreach to families to identify parent needs and connecting with early childhood providers.

3. Support public school districts in engaging community-based organizations (CBOs) as partners in conducting outreach, identifying children, and developing a Summer Step Up Program that is designed to help young learners transition smoothly into the next grade by strengthening foundational skills, supporting social‑emotional development, and maintaining continuity between school years.

4. Help identify additional local and statewide partnerships that can support children and families that may need other interventions, including additional education needs, medical care, dental care, mental health, and other family stability supports. When needed, develop additional resources for the program, such as take-home materials or enrichment activities.

Data Collection & Reporting

1. Provide to EEC bi-weekly (every other week) updates on the status of implementing the SSUP programming with the identified communities, indicating progress on services and any barriers encountered.

2. Submit to EEC a summary of services rendered for SSUP activities by the end of the fiscal year (June 30, 2026). The summary should include, at a minimum, the following:

a. The specific communities identified for SSUP programming;

b. The plans for delivery of services for each SSUP community; and

c. If relevant, the specific technical assistance organizations that the selected vendor contracted with.

3. Conduct various data-gathering activities, including but not limited to, the following:

a. Satisfaction surveys for parents/legal guardians, students, and educators

b. Enrollment and attendance numbers of students participating in SSUP programs

c. Waitlist numbers for programs

d. Reports on the technical assistance provided to programs (e.g., the name of the TA organization, the type of TA provided, the number of meetings, resources provided, etc.)

e. Reports on the professional development provided to program staff (e.g., a description of the training, attendance, evaluations of the PD, etc.)

f. Evidence of collaboration between districts and CBO partners (e.g., letter of support or Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs), etc.)

4. Support public school districts in completing data collection for evaluation purposes to track impact of program and inform ongoing quality improvement and community collaboration models.

5. Submit to EEC a summary of services rendered for SSUP activities by December 31, 2026. The report should include, at a minimum, the following:

a. Results and analysis of satisfaction surveys for parents/legal guardians, students, and educators

b. Enrollment and attendance numbers of students participating in SSUP programs

c. Waitlist numbers for programs

d. Reports on the technical assistance provided to programs (e.g., the name of the TA organization, the type of TA provided, the number of meetings, resources provided, etc.)

e. Reports on the professional development provided to program staff (e.g., a description of the training, attendance, evaluations of the PD, etc.)

f. Evidence of collaboration between districts and CBO partners (e.g., letter of support or memorandums of understanding (MOU), etc.)

g. Recommendations for future programming specific to summer learning Program Curriculum Alignment

1. Work with public school districts and their community-based organizations (CBOs) partners to adapt or develop program curriculum in alignment with tools currently in use in the district, with a focus on key school readiness areas.

Transition to Kindergarten and Family Engagement

1. Support public school districts and their community-based organizations (CBOs) partners in developing and implementing transition to kindergarten activities that include creating joint planning activities between preschool educators and kindergarten educators; providing opportunities for kindergarten educators to visit preschool classrooms; arranging fieldtrips/visits to kindergarten classrooms; and/or providing meetings with families to address kindergarten transitions. Please see the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s (DESE) Transition to Kindergarten Toolkit.

2. Support public school districts and their community-based organizations (CBOs) partners in developing and implementing family engagement strategies that provide opportunities for families to become acquainted with the school community. This includes events and activities designed to build relationships between teachers and families, as well as events and activities specifically connecting families to the learning occurring in the Step Up program. Enhancing existing models of family inclusion that have been effective in the community or innovation that connects parents to each other to help build networks of support will be highly encouraged.

Technical Assistance

1. Provide access to technical assistance to public school districts and their community-based organizations (CBOs) partners in providing an in-person Summer Step Up Program, as outlined in the framework developed by EEC, through individualized consultation to each participating community.

ANTICIPATED TIMETABLE, PRODUCT DELIVERABLES, AND PAYMENT SCHEDULE

The selected vendor must use these funds for the following purposes and must complete the tasks by the dates specified below. EEC expressly reserves the right to modify timelines and/or add deliverables for vendor to follow related to any of this funding.

Year One (FY26):

For initial payment, the selected vendor must complete the following tasks by April 30 May 29, 2026:

1. Meet with EEC lead staff as needed, prior to starting project.

2. Organize virtual meetings to plan and organize logistics for this initiative and plan for the training sessions.

3. Create and distribute the material outlining the objectives, parameters, and process for applying for summer programming across the Commonwealth by March 1 April 15, 2026.

4. Conduct outreach to the CPPI-funded communities and the previous SSUP Grantees who received SSUP funding last summer (2025) by March 15 May 1, 2026.

5. Initiate the application process with the CPPI-funded communities and the previous SSUP Grantees who received SSUP funding last summer (2025) by March 30 May 15, 2026.

6. Based upon the application process, identify the specific summer programming needs of the selected SSUP communities by April 15 May 22, 2026.

7. Conduct outreach to potential organizations capable of providing technical assistance to the SSUP communities by April 30 May 29, 2026.

8. Provide weekly updates on the implementation of SSUP programming, indicating progress on services and any barriers encountered from March to April to May 2026.

For second payment, the selected vendor must complete the following tasks by June 30, 2026:

1. Meet with EEC lead staff as needed.

2. Establish contracts with up to eight (8) technical assistance organizations decided on in collaboration with EEC to support communities with content appropriate for the target populations by June 1 15, 2026.

3. Assign technical assistance support to the identified SSUP communities chosen through the online application process by June 15, 2026.

4. Create a plan for the delivery of services in each SSUP community chosen for technical assistance to perform necessary data analysis, outreach, and implementation of required services by June 22, 2026.

5. If necessary, assign local staffing support to each community by June 22, 2026.

6. Review and ensure that initial meetings and planning activities have been initiated with the technical assistance providers, content development partners, and the identified SSUP communities by June 30, 2026.

7. Submit to EEC a summary of services rendered for SSUP activities by June 30, 2026. The summary should include, at a minimum, the following: (a) the specific communities identified for SSUP programming; (b) the plans for delivery of services for each SSUP community; and (c) if relevant, the specific technical assistance organizations that the selected vendor contracted with.

8. Provide weekly updates on the implementation of SSUP programming, indicating progress on services and any barriers encountered from May to during June 2026.

Year Two (FY27) (Subject to renewal) For first payment, the selected vendor must complete the following tasks by December 31, 2026:

1. Meet with EEC lead staff as needed.

2. Provide needed support, consultation, and technical assistance to all chosen SSUP communities for implementation of a six week program that meets establish criteria through July to August 2026.

3. Continue to provide needed support, consultation, and technical assistance to all SSUP communities as they wind down activities for the six week summer step up program through September to October 2026.

4. Collect evaluations of summer services from SSUP communities by November 2, 2026.

5. Submit to EEC a summary of summer services provided to the SSUP communities by December 31, 2026. The summary should include, at a minimum, the following: (a) the results and analysis of satisfaction surveys for parents/legal guardians, students, and educators; (b) enrollment and attendance numbers of students participating in SSUP programs; (c) waitlist numbers for programs; (d) reports on the technical assistance provided to programs (e.g., the name of the TA organization, the type of TA provided, the number of meetings, resources provided, etc.); (e) reports on the professional development provided to program staff (e.g., a description of the training, attendance, evaluations of the PD, etc.); (f) evidence of collaboration between districts and CBO partners (e.g., letter of support or memorandums of understanding (MOU), etc.); and (g) recommendations for future programming specific to summer learning.

6. Provide weekly updates on the implementation of SSUP programming, indicating progress on services and any barriers encountered from July to December 2026.

For second payment, the selected vendor must complete the following tasks by April 30, 2027:

1. Meet with EEC lead staff as needed.

2. Organize virtual meetings to plan and organize logistics for this initiative and plan for the training sessions by February 1, 2027.

3. Create and distribute the material outlining the objectives, parameters, and process for applying for summer programming across the Commonwealth by March 1, 2027.

4. Conduct outreach to the CPPI-funded communities and other public school districts by March 15, 2027.

5. Initiate the application process with the CPPI-funded communities and other public school districts by March 30, 2027.

6. Based upon the application process, identify the specific summer programming needs of the selected SSUP communities by April 15, 2027.

7. Conduct outreach to potential vendors capable of providing technical assistance to the SSUP communities by April 30, 2027.

8. Provide weekly updates on the implementation of SSUP programming, indicating progress on services and any barriers encountered from January to April 2027.

For third payment, the selected vendor must complete the following tasks by June 30, 2027:

1. Meet with EEC lead staff as needed.

2. Establish contracts with up to eight (8) technical assistance organizations decided on in collaboration with EEC to support communities with content appropriate for the target populations by June 1, 2027.

3. Assign technical assistance support to the identified SSUP communities chosen through the online application process by June 15, 2027.

4. Create a plan for the delivery of services in each SSUP community chosen for technical assistance to perform necessary data analysis, outreach, and implementation of required services by June 21, 2027.

5. Assign local staffing support to each community by June 21, 2027.

6. Review and ensure that initial meetings and planning activities have been initiated with the technical assistance providers, content development partners, and the identified SSUP communities by June 30, 2027.

7. Submit to EEC a summary of services rendered for SSUP activities by June 30, 2027. The summary should include, at a minimum, the following: (a) the specific communities identified for SSUP programming; (b) the plans for delivery of services for each SSUP community; and (c) if relevant, the specific technical assistance organizations that the selected vendor contracted with.

8. Provide weekly updates on the implementation of SSUP programming, indicating progress on services and any barriers encountered from May to June 2027.

ELIGIBILITY

In order to be eligible for this competitive contract, the vendor must:

1. Be on EEC’s new list of qualified Training and Trainer Consulting Services Bid (BD-23-1037-1CEN0-C0000-86549) or Research and Evaluation Consulting Services Bid (BD-23-1037-1CEN0-C0000-86550).

2. Have experience providing on-site technical assistance to community entities in the Commonwealth.

3. Have the ability to travel or deliver on-site technical assistance and utilize remote and/or web-based opportunities to school districts and community collaborators across the Commonwealth, as needed.

4. Have substantial experience in data collection and reporting, including designing data‑gathering processes, ensuring data accuracy, analyzing trends, and preparing comprehensive reports that inform program improvement and decision‑making.

5. Have experience with the Commonwealth's mixed delivery system (e.g., public, private, non-profit, and for-profit pre-schools, CFCE programs, child care centers, nursery schools, pre-schools operating within public and private schools, Head Start programs, and independent and system-affiliated family child care homes) and demonstrate the ability to acknowledge and address the coordination and program implementation needs across this wide variety of early childhood settings.

6. Sign a confidentiality agreement (to be provided by EEC) if awarded the contract.

7. Sign a conflict of interest statement (to be provided by EEC) if awarded the contract, which discloses any settings for which the vendor may have a conflict.

8. Sign a statement acknowledging that all training and materials developed through this procurement become the property of EEC.

Proposals Each proposal must include a narrative section responding to each of the items below. Proposals must not exceed ten (10) single-sided pages, excluding resumes, references, and required forms. All proposals must be in 12-point font size.

If you are interested in providing these services for EEC, please submit a proposal that addresses the following requirements:

1. Proposed approach and plan to carry out the deliverables described in this scope, including any challenges or barriers anticipated and proposed solutions.

2. A proposed detailed work plan and timeline for completing the key tasks and project deliverables outlined by EEC in the scope. The workplan and accompanying budgets should be divided into two parts: (a) March 2026 to June 30, 2026 and (b) July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027. The work plan will be revisited and refined at the outset of the awarded contract.

3. Provide a detailed organizational chart and description of each key proposed team member’s role, including the Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) allocation for each position assigned to this project. Please also describe the approach to and plan for overseeing subcontractor work and performance, if applicable.

4. A description of the team’s experience and expertise working with the Commonwealth’s mixed delivery system regarding professional development and technical assistance in both virtual and in-person modalities, including identification of any key staff members or already outside partners that will be participating in consultation to districts.

5. Two separate budgets: (a) one for FY26 (February to June 30, 2026) and (b) one for FY27* (July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027). The proposed budgets should include a detailed listing of all costs associated with performance of this contract, including administrative costs; the number of hours per task, along with a specific description of each task; hourly rates of those staff or subcontractors performing each task and other costs per task; and the projected cost of completing each deliverable. The contract is inclusive of all costs, including travel and translation. All costs must be detailed in the proposed budget. EEC will consider the amount of the proposed budget as a factor in determining best value to the Commonwealth.

*Vendors will submit a FY27 budget, assuming renewal. FY27 is subject to renewal, depending on appropriation, funding level, and service need.

6. The resumes for each individual who will participate in delivering the required services, highlighting their relevant experience, including work supporting programming for PreK through second grade in both district and CBO settings, experience within the EEC mixed‑delivery system, demonstrated expertise in engaging families, and experience collaborating with vendors involved in delivering technical assistance. Please limit each resume to five (5) pages.

7. The names and contact information for at least three (3) references from completed projects that are similar to this. Please include the key contact person, their role and organization, email address and phone number, a short description of the project completed including the timeline and contract amount, and the key proposed staff that were involved in the work.

Proposal Submission and Deadline All proposals must be submitted electronically through COMMBUYS, the official procurement record system for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts' Executive Departments. COMMBUYS can be found at: https://www.commbuys.com. Responses submitted via email or outside of COMMBUYS will not be considered for award.

Questions regarding bidder submission in COMMBUYS should be directed to the COMMBUYS Help Desk at their toll-free number 1-888-627-8283.

Vendor should submit their proposal electronically through COMMBUYS. All proposals must be received by EEC by March 16 25, 2026 by 3:00 p.m.

Questions and answers Vendors may ask questions about the Scope using the Q&A function in the Bid in COMMBUYS. Questions will not be answered via email. Questions will only be answered through Monday, March 9, 2026 at 3:00 EST.

Evaluation Proposals will be evaluated on the strength of their responses to this Scope of Work. Please see the full evaluation criteria scorecard, which is an attachment to this solicitation in COMMBUYS. Only responsive proposals that meet the eligibility and submission requirements will be evaluated, scored, and ranked by the evaluation team. Additional information may be requested for evaluation purposes.

EEC also reserves the right to request a final round interview to assess the expertise and experience of one or more bidders in delivering the work and deliverables outlined in this Scope of Work.

FY26 Summer Step Up Program for Young Learners Scoring Rubric

TOTAL

Supplier diversity program (SDP) Vendor SDP program participation is valued at 25% of the overall evaluation as part of this solicitation. Vendors’ SDP commitment percentage submitted as part of their response to EEC’s Training and Trainer Consulting Services Bid (see BD-23-1037-1CEN0-C0000-86549 in COMMBUYS) or EEC’s Research and Evaluation Consulting Services Bid (see BD-23-1037-1CEN0-C0000-86550) will be used to evaluate SDP criteria associated with this solicitation. Vendors cannot submit an updated SDP Plan with their bid response.

The Supplier Diversity Program (SDP) encourages the award of state contracts in a way that strengthens and increases business opportunities for Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs), Women Business Enterprises (WBEs), Service-Disabled Veteran Business Enterprises (SDVOBEs), Veteran Business Enterprises (VBEs), Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Business Enterprises (LGBTBEs); and Disability-Owned Business Enterprises (DOBEs).

When selecting Vendors and placing orders, Executive departments shall utilize diverse and small businesses to the extent possible based on contract terms, SDO and departmental policies, laws, and regulations. Additionally, departments shall make a preference for Vendors with higher SDP commitments and/or performance whenever such information is available, and the preference is feasible. Supplier Diversity Office (SDO) certified vendors and additional resources can be found here – Supplier Diversity Program (SDP) | Mass.gov.

Performance Measurements Evaluation of services provided by the vendor may include the following:

· Timely Delivery (Deliverables, Billing, etc.)

· Adherence to project timelines

· Bills submitted immediately upon satisfactory completion of work and should include hourly rate and number of hours to provide each deliverable

· Responsiveness to EEC inquiries including quality and timeliness of response

· Attendance at meetings as requested by EEC

· Effective communication established with EEC project staff

· Maintenance of a good working relationship with EEC project staff

· Quality of Services EEC has sole discretion to determine whether each deliverable was successfully completed by the vendor thereby triggering a payment.

Reporting Requirements The selected vendor shall be responsible for submitting programmatic reports and participating in scheduled meetings with EEC to ensure effective oversight and continuous improvement of services delivered under this contract. Reporting shall include, but is not limited to, the following:

1. Provide to EEC bi-weekly (every other week) updates on the status of implementing the SSUP programming with the identified communities, indicating progress on services and any barriers encountered.

2. Submit to EEC a summary of services rendered for SSUP activities by the end of the fiscal year (June 30, 2026). The summary should include, at a minimum, the following:

a. The specific communities identified for SSUP programming;

b. The plans for delivery of services for each SSUP community; and

c. If relevant, the specific technical assistance organizations that the selected vendor contracted with.

3. Submit to EEC a summary of services rendered for SSUP activities by December 31, 2026 (assuming renewal). The report should include, at a minimum, the following:

a. Results and analysis of satisfaction surveys for parents/legal guardians, students, and educators

b. Enrollment and attendance numbers of students participating in SSUP programs

c. Waitlist numbers for programs

d. Reports on the technical assistance provided to programs (e.g., the name of the TA organization, the type of TA provided, the number of meetings, resources provided, etc.)

e. Reports on the professional development provided to program staff (e.g., a description of the training, attendance, evaluations of the PD, etc.)

f. Evidence of collaboration between districts and CBO partners (e.g., letter of support or memorandums of understanding (MOU), etc.)

g. Recommendations for future programming specific to summer learning

4. Submit to EEC a summary of services rendered for SSUP activities by the end of the fiscal year (assuming renewal, June 30, 2027). The summary should include, at a minimum, the following:

a. The specific communities identified for SSUP programming;

b. The plans for delivery of services for each SSUP community; and

c. If relevant, the specific technical assistance organizations that the selected vendor contracted with.

EEC reserves the right to require additional data measures beyond those specified above. EEC expressly reserves the right to modify and/or add additional reporting requirements, fund tracking mechanisms, and/or performance measures for the vendor to follow related to any of this funding.

Fund Use EEC may fund a successful vendor’s entire proposal or may elect to fund only those services that best meet EEC’s needs and/or EEC’s strategic direction and priorities.

Funds must be used to support EEC’s goals and priorities, the required services contained in this scope of work, as well as the expected outcomes and performance measures. EEC reserves the right to approve, deny, and/or request modifications to planned fund use.

Payments: the selected vendor will be required to submit payment invoices in accordance with the Commonwealth’s Bill Paying Policy in order to receive payments. Departments are required to make payments on approved invoices within forty-five (45) calendar days of receipt, unless an alternative payment period is negotiated for this contract. Please notice: Vendors that do not offer a discount will now have payments scheduled for 42 days after the later of the invoice date or date of receipt of goods/services. Electronic Fund Transfers (EFT) payments are being enforced more strictly for all contracts with multiple payments to reduce the TRE cost associated with printing and mailing checks. If you are not receiving payment through EFT, please download the EFT form from the OSD website at https://massfinance.state.ma.us/vendorweb/eft_form.pdf and return it with your signed contract.

EEC has sole discretion to determine whether each deliverable was successfully completed by the vendor thereby triggering a payment.

Right to Rescind Pursuant to 801 CMR 21.06(7), EEC reserves the right to cancel this solicitation, after its release, without awarding a contract. EEC may reject all bid responses without prejudice.

APPENDIX A: OVERVIEW OF SUMMER STEP UP PROGRAM FOR YOUNG LEARNERS

Outreach and Enrollment:

Participating districts and local partners must commit sufficient funds to support enrollment of at least 500 students or 25% of PK-2 enrollment per community, including stipends for program staff.

Setting:

The program will take place in person across PreK through second‑grade settings in both district and community-based organization (CBO) programs and will be coordinated by the school district that children will enter in the fall of 2026.

Staffing & Class Size:

· Staffing for the program should be in accordance with EEC and/or DESE’s ratio policies. Ideally, the program should be staffed by two (2) teachers who meet minimum qualifications (one Lead and one Assistant OR co-Leads).

· Class sizes should be between 20-26 children. Smaller class sizes may be appropriate for specific student populations (e.g., English-learners, special education, etc.) or in communities with demonstrated need.

Days and Hours:

· A five (5) days per week (6.5 hours per day) for six (6) weeks program (total of 29 days, including July 4th holiday) should be provided for rising kindergarteners and first graders. Districts will also be required to offer extended-day care so that working families may access the program and may consider community partnerships to implement any part of the program appropriate to the population being prioritized for services.

· [For Non-CPPI communities]: a shorter program day may be offered for rising pre-k and early childhood special education students, based on the length of the school day offered for those students by the particular district.

Grade Levels:

Rising pre-k, kindergarten, first grade and second grade students and early childhood special education students, with specific target populations being defined at the local level based on data and analysis of family needs.

Curriculum:

Participating districts should implement a curriculum that is in alignment with the tools currently in use in the district, with a focus on key school readiness. Grant dollars may be used to support professional development and/or technical assistance, and the cost of any curricular materials provided including those used to engage families. Teachers may adapt curriculum currently used in the relevant district to or the community may work with partners offered through EEC and DESE to address the following areas of school readiness skills for young learners:

· Classroom expectations and routines, typically a large focus in the early grades as students are introduced to the school environment.

· Fostering social-emotional skills.

· Early literacy, including exposure to culturally relevant books and developmentally appropriate writing activities.

· Early math, including hands-on and play based activities.

· Other relevant content proposed specifically to meet the needs of the community, children, and the summer programs engaged. Subject to approval of EEC.

APPENDIX B: SAMPLE APPLICATION FOR SUMMER SERVICES

FY26/FY27 Application for Summer Step Up Program Services Applicant Information Public School District / Local Educational Agency (LEA):

District/LEA Name:

Primary Contract Name & Title:

Email:

Phone:

Proposed Community-based Organization (CBO) Partners:

Outreach & Enrollment Plan

1. Enrollment Commitment:

Target number of PK students

Target number of K students

Target number of Grade 1 students

Target number of Grade 2 students

Total target number of students to be served across the community

2. Funding Commitment:

As a recipient of SSUP funding, we will commit sufficient funds to support enrollment targets, including staff stipends.

Please provide a brief description of funding sources (2–3 sentences) below:

3. Outreach Strategy:

Please describe how you will identify and recruit eligible families, including multilingual outreach and outreach to priority populations (3-5 sentences).

Program Setting

1. Program Location(s):

a. Programing will take place in person.

b. Program will be coordinated by the district the child will enter in Fall 2026.

c. List school/CBO sites in the table below:

2. CBO Coordination (if applicable):

If children are enrolled in CBO PreK programs and may transition into neighboring districts, describe coordination with entering school district:

Section 4: Staffing Plan A. Classroom Staffing:

For each classroom, confirm staffing model:

· Lead Teacher + Assistant Teacher

· Co‑Lead Teachers

· District Teacher and Paraprofessional

· Specialist B. Minimum Qualifications:

Attach or briefly describe qualifications of staff:

C. Staffing Table:

Section 5: Class Size A. Class Size Commitment:

· Class sizes will adhere to EEC / DESE ratios

· If proposing smaller class sizes, explain rationale (e.g., ELs, special education):

Section 6: Program Schedule A. Days & Hours:

· We will provide a 5-Day, 6‑week, 6.5‑hour per day program (29 days including July 4).

· If offering a shorter day for PreK/ECSE students, describe schedule:

B. Extended‑Day Care:

· Extended‑day care will be offered.

· Describe district or community partner providing extended‑day services:

Section 7: Grade Levels Served Check all that apply:

Target Populations (based on local data):

Briefly describe priority groups (e.g., multilingual learners, students with disabilities, economically disadvantaged students):

Section 8: Curriculum & Technical Assistance A. Curriculum Plan:

· We will implement a rigorous, play-based, developmentally appropriate curriculum aligned across district and CBO partners.

· We will work with an approved technical assistance partner (vendor‑funded or grant‑funded).

Technical Assistance Parter (if known)

B. Curriculum Approach (check all that apply):

C. Curriculum Focus Areas:

Confirm coverage of required readiness domains:

Additional community specific content (describe):

D. Professional Development:

Please describe the professional development plan for teachers (3-5 sentences):

Section 9: Assurances By signing below, the district affirms that all program requirements will be met, including staffing, class size, curriculum implementation, data reporting, and coordination with community partners.

SIGNATURE:

TITLE:

DATE:

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