Child Care / Before & After Care Services

Charles County Government in Maryland is seeking a qualified contractor to operate licensed child care and Before and After School Child Care (BASCC) services through Request for Proposals #24-031. The county requires comprehensive year-round childcare services at the Charles County Government Department of Community Services building located at 8190 Port Tobacco Road in Port Tobacco, Maryland, and BASCC programs at 22 elementary school sites across the county. The contractor must provide services for children aged 6 weeks to 12 years, including infant, toddler, preschool, and school-age programs that meet or exceed Maryland State Department of Education Office of Child Care Licensing and Regulation standards. Key deliverables include compliance with state licensing requirements, acceptance of government purchase of care vouchers, provision of exceptional customer service, and competitive pricing at the lowest possible cost to participants. Evaluation criteria include contractor experience, qualifications, and proposed pricing on a per-participant basis across different age groups and service types. The initial contract term runs from July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025, with four optional one-year renewals at the county's discretion. Proposals were due on April 10, 2024, at 11:00 a.m., with a pre-proposal meeting held in March 2024.

The solicitation includes both Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) and Small Local Business Enterprise (SLBE) program provisions, with an aspirational 25% MBE participation goal and preferential points awarded to registered local businesses. The contractor must offer mandatory discounts to Charles County government employees (10%), siblings (10%), and volunteer firefighters and EMS personnel. The county will provide rent-free space at the Port Tobacco Center and expects contractors to reflect these cost savings in their fee proposals. Financial requirements include an administrative fee of $2.00 per child per week to Charles County and a monthly building services staff fee of $15,796 to Charles County Public Schools. Current weekly rates for reference range from $61 to $195 depending on age group and care type, with additional fees for registration, all-day care, late payments, and late pick-up; however, offerors are encouraged to base proposals on solicitation requirements rather than existing rates. The formal procurement documents indicate the contract is expected to generate approximately $9.00 in monthly revenue during the school year, with funding categorized as approved other funding.