21st Century Community Learning Centers

The Maine Department of Education is issuing a Request for Proposal (RFP) for 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) programs under Title IV, Part B of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. The procurement seeks eligible organizations to deliver high-quality after-school and summer educational programs for Maine students, with proposals targeting schools where at least two-thirds of students are eligible for free and reduced-price lunch. Successful programs must provide comprehensive services addressing academic improvement, health and wellness, educational enrichment, and family engagement, including mandatory school-year and summer components with specific staffing and professional development requirements. Bidders can submit new, expansion, or companion proposals, with an evaluation process using a 100-point scoring system where proposals scoring below 70 points will be ineligible. Key dates include an informational webinar on January 21, 2026, with questions due by February 4, 2026, initial Intent to Apply Forms due by February 25, 2026, and final proposal submissions due by April 7, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. local time through the Vendor Self Service System.

The RFP is open to a wide range of eligible organizations, including public and private entities, nonprofits, faith-based organizations, institutions of higher education, and for-profit companies. Bidders must demonstrate partnerships with at least one lead partner organization and secure written school organization commitments to cover at least 35 percent of annual transportation costs. The total combined funding available is projected at $1,750,000, with individual awards ranging from $75,000 to $325,000, structured with decreasing funding percentages over four years (100% in year one, declining to 91% by year four). Program cost restrictions include a maximum of $3,000 per Regular Low-Performing (RLP) student for single-site programs and $2,700 for multi-site programs. The anticipated contract period runs from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, with potential optional renewals extending the contract through June 30, 2030. Single-site programs are capped at $175,000 per site, while multi-site programs can receive $175,000 for the first site and $75,000 for each additional site, limited to three total sites.