26-64-SPS Lease at Salem High School for Child Care

The City of Salem, Massachusetts is requesting proposals for a two-year lease of approximately 4,000 square feet at Salem High School to operate a childcare facility, with proposals due June 16, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. and a mandatory pre-proposal site visit on June 6 at 9:00 a.m. No set-aside or preference program is identified.

The scope includes rooms 118, 119, 120, 121, 124, 125, 237, D, F, G, one gang-style restroom, and outdoor playspace. The childcare program must operate full-day (minimum 6.5 hours) Monday through Friday and may operate year-round. Proposers must demonstrate a minimum of three years of experience operating a similar childcare organization, maintain $1 million in property and casualty insurance naming the City of Salem as insured, obtain Massachusetts Department of Early Care and Education licensure, adopt and implement the Salem Public Schools PreK curriculum and assessments, and commit to joining the Salem PreK partnership as a CPPI partner. The program must prioritize enrollment of Salem resident children.

Proposers submit monthly rent amounts for Years 1 and 2 as part of price evaluation; all rent payments are due by the 5th of each month to Salem Public Schools, subject to a $50 per week late penalty if unpaid by the 30th. A separate $100 monthly janitorial fee covers trash and recycling pickup, bathroom supplies, and cleaning services. The initial lease term commences October 1, 2026 (or as mutually agreed) and is structured as a three-year lease with options to renew for two additional one-year terms.

Evaluation criteria include operational experience, safety protocols, curriculum implementation, and quality of childcare programming, with awards based on the most advantageous proposal considering both comparative criteria and price. The City will award the contract within 60 days of the June 16 proposal deadline. Sealed proposals are submitted separately for non-price and price components to the City of Salem Purchasing Department.