Early Childhood Enrichment Program

The South Dakota Department of Social Services, Division of Economic Assistance, Child Care Services is conducting a competitive Request for Proposal (RFP 9726) to identify and fund up to five Early Childhood Enrichment (ECE) regional service providers across the state, with a specific focus on Harding County. The primary objectives are to provide core services that promote the health, safety, and development of young children in child care settings through comprehensive support for child care practitioners and families. Key deliverables include providing training, technical assistance, coaching for child care providers, and consumer education services for families seeking child care. Proposers must submit a detailed project management plan and budget proposal, with evaluation criteria focusing on the offeror's expertise, project management approach, and past performance. Critical dates include a January 23, 2024 deadline for initial inquiries, February 1, 2024 for posting response to questions, and a February 22, 2024 proposal submission deadline at 5:00 PM CDT. The anticipated contract award and negotiation is scheduled for March 21, 2024, with a one-year contract term beginning June 1, 2024, and potential renewal for up to four additional one-year periods.

The procurement is open to public, private, non-profit, community-based, and quasi-governmental organizations that are headquartered and licensed to do business in South Dakota, with confirmation that for-profit organizations are also eligible to submit proposals. While no specific set-aside designations were detailed, the state will provide scholarships to support providers, including covering costs for Certified CPR training and Child Development Associate (CDA) credentials for state-registered and licensed child care providers. Proposals must be submitted via Secured File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) as PDF files, with organizations able to apply for services in multiple regional areas. Though specific budget ranges were not explicitly stated in the documents, the RFP includes a Budget Proposal Template with line items for salaries, fringe benefits, contracted services, operating costs, travel, and indirect costs. The state will select a maximum of five regional service providers, with each receiving a contract to deliver comprehensive early childhood enrichment services across their designated regions.