Great start to quality resource centers

The Michigan Department of Education, administered through four regional Early Childhood Support Networks (Eastern, Northern, Southeastern, and Western), is seeking applications to establish and operate Great Start to Quality Resource Centers across designated service areas throughout Michigan. This Request for Proposal (RFP) solicits eligible organizations to provide comprehensive quality improvement supports and services to early learning programs, educators, licensed and license-exempt child care providers, and families. Key deliverables and objectives include consultation and training services, workforce development through MiRegistry and T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood MICHIGAN, consumer education to facilitate informed family decision-making regarding high-quality early learning options, and family support services. Required qualifications for eligible applicants include demonstrated fiscal, administrative, and programmatic capacity to implement Great Start to Quality services. The RFP timeline includes a proposal release date of March 8, 2021, an informational webinar on March 22, 2021, a Letter of Intent due March 29, 2021 at 4:00 p.m., a formal RFP application deadline of April 15, 2021 at 4:00 p.m., Regional ECSN Board approvals scheduled for June 1-30, 2021, and a statewide award announcement on July 1, 2021. The estimated project start date is October 1, 2021, with a five-year contract period extending through September 30, 2026.

Eligible applicants include public and private organizations such as Local Education Agencies, Intermediate School Districts, Institutes of Higher Education, non-profit organizations, Chambers of Commerce, Community Action Agencies, Tribal entities, and consortium partnerships that meet specified capacity requirements. The RFP encompasses four regional networks serving specific Michigan counties, with service area modifications for this cycle including the transfer of Genesee to the Eastern Resource Center, Ionia to the Western Resource Center, and Branch to the Southeastern Resource Center. Funding for this initiative is derived from the Child Care Development Block Grant (CCDBG), including quality set-aside and infant-toddler set-aside funding administered by the Michigan Department of Education. Annual funding award amounts and contract terms are contingent upon annual allocations from the Michigan Department of Education, meaning specific budget ranges are not predetermined but determined by state appropriations and allocations during the contract period. No incumbent vendors or current contractors are identified in the available documentation, nor are set-aside restrictions specifically designated for disadvantaged enterprises in the RFP announcement materials provided.