Early Childcare Provider

The Commonwealth of Kentucky Personnel Cabinet is issuing a Request for Proposal (RFP 790 2500000252) to procure an Early Childcare Provider to establish and operate the Team Kentucky Childcare Center at the Rosenwald School Building on the Kentucky State University campus in Elliott County. The selected provider must establish a 12-month, year-round childcare program serving children ages 1-5 (with options to expand to infants) operating Monday through Friday for 52 weeks annually, with minimum operating hours of 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., excluding Commonwealth Executive Branch holidays except election days and Good Friday. The facility comprises approximately 24,000 square feet with capacity for 144 children. Key deliverables include obtaining licensure from the Division of Regulated Child Care within 30 days of award, accepting both Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) participants and private pay families, and achieving participation in the Kentucky All Stars program with a goal of reaching and maintaining a three-star rating within two years. The RFP was released February 27, 2025, with an optional facility walk-through and offeror's conference scheduled for March 19, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. EST. Written questions were due March 26, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. EST, with Commonwealth responses issued April 10, 2025. Proposals are due April 30, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. EST. Evaluation includes technical proposals (1,500 points) addressing qualifications and experience, high-quality rating, service descriptions, staffing and recruitment plans, and timeline; cost proposals (500 points); and potential oral demonstrations (750 points), for a maximum total of 2,750 points. The anticipated contract term runs September 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, with renewal options for up to three additional two-year periods subject to approval by the Secretary of the Finance and Administration Cabinet and the Legislative Research Commission Government Contract Review Committee.

The RFP contains no specific set-aside designations or restrictions limiting organizational types eligible to respond, and no incumbent vendor or current contractor information is provided. Providers must maintain an active childcare license without Type A civil penalties in the past five years and meet all state regulatory requirements. The Commonwealth will provide the leased facility space, major building maintenance, snow removal, landscaping, utilities, and specified kitchen equipment (two commercial food warmers, two commercial food coolers, one commercial oven/range with hood and grease trap, and two commercial dishwashers), while the selected provider must cover all remaining operational expenses including furniture, kitchen supplies, janitorial services, pest control, general maintenance, contents insurance, and liability insurance. Pricing shall be proposed by respondents on the provided cost form, with the RFP emphasizing achievement of childcare program rates lower than the average cost of childcare in Franklin County, Kentucky, though no specific percentage reduction is mandated. No specific contract award value or budget range is stated in the RFP; pricing is to be determined based on submitted cost proposals.