3202500192 Child Care Expansion Initiative Program for New Child Care Providers

The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking a qualified entity to serve as the Child Care Expansion Initiative (CCEI) Program Administrator. The primary objective is to increase the supply of new licensed child care centers across Texas, with a goal of creating at least 6,000 new child care slots. The selected administrator will manage two types of awards: Start-Up Awards (ranging from $15,000 to $75,000) and Initial Operating Awards, targeting child care centers in Child Care Deserts or those implementing Employer-Supported Site-Based Child Care. Respondents will be evaluated across four key categories: cost/price reasonableness (15 points), past performance and qualifications (25 points), technical approach and project plan (50 points), and key personnel qualifications (10 points). The solicitation was released on October 13, 2025, with proposals due by January 21, 2026, at 10:00 AM Central Time. The initial contract term will be approximately 24 months, with potential renewals for two additional 18-month terms.

The procurement emphasizes participation of Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUB), with a 26.0% subcontracting goal for other services contracts. Respondents must submit a comprehensive HUB Subcontracting Plan, detailing their strategy for including certified HUB vendors and demonstrating good faith efforts to engage such businesses. The total approved budget for the CCEI Program is $25,000,000, with the program administrator's administrative costs limited to 10% ($2,500,000). Extensive insurance requirements include Commercial General Liability Insurance ($2,000,000 per occurrence), Comprehensive Automobile Liability Insurance ($1,000,000), Umbrella Liability Insurance ($25,000,000), Professional Liability Insurance ($5,000,000), and Cyber/Privacy Liability Insurance ($5,000,000). Eligible child care providers can receive one Start-Up Award and one Initial Operating Award per center location, subject to specific requirements such as obtaining a child care permit within seven months of the Start-Up Award and complying with detailed expenditure guidelines.