Local Child Care Market Rate Survey and Cost of Care Analysis

The Delaware Division of Social Services, part of the Department of Health and Social Services, is requesting proposals for a local child care market rate survey and cost of care analysis, with proposals due November 20, 2026 at 1:00 PM EDT through the Euna Procurement Portal (https://dhss.bonfirehub.com).

The scope encompasses a comprehensive survey of all eligible Delaware child care providers to determine private market rates, estimate actual provider operating costs at basic and higher quality levels, and deliver a public report, a cost estimation tool for DSS use, and underlying datasets. Deliverables span twelve defined tasks: project management and work plan development; partner consultation and provider engagement; study design and instrument development; data collection and response management; market rate analysis; cost of care analysis; provider participation barriers assessment; gap and scenario analysis; detailed report preparation; briefings and technical support; and data delivery and closeout. Task 4 (alternative methodology support) is optional and must be priced separately. Contractors may propose additional value-added tasks. All work product and materials become sole and exclusive property of the State of Delaware.

The contract term is one year with one optional one-year renewal exercisable solely at the State's discretion, subject to satisfactory performance, continued program need, and available funding. Proposal costs remain fixed and binding through January 31, 2028. The State reserves the right to extend on a month-to-month basis for up to three months following the full contract term.

Evaluation criteria are relevant experience and qualifications (20 points), technical approach and methodology (30 points), work plan and capacity (20 points), references and past performance (10 points), and cost proposal (20 points). The State will award based on most advantageous value and is not obligated to select the lowest cost or highest score.

Required insurance includes Commercial General Liability ($1 million/$3 million) and either Medical/Professional Liability, Errors and Omissions, or Product Liability ($1 million/$3 million). Questions are due October 16, 2026 at 4:30 PM EST, with responses posted by October 30, 2026. Award notification is estimated for December 18, 2026.